Scharf, J. Thomas, ed. History of Westchester County, New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I. Philadelphia: L.E. Preston & Co., 1886.
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Page 27 of 32
This building, erected by him at his own immense i haige, for the convenience and ornament of the tow n is incomparablv the greatest benefaction ever yet known to our western shore.' Thus Boston a century and a quarter ago gratefully di'clared to the worM that, although the Huguenot element tlid iii>t much affect the populalioii as to quantity, it was an effective fa' tor of …
Ere long, taking his seat beside nie, he touched ii|Min a few reiiiiiiiscenees of the past, and then said in a tone expressive of profound feeling, 'This is one of the happiest days of my whole life. Fifty yeai-s expire to day siui-c I [lerfonned in Boston my first public service, w hich w;is the delivery of an oration to celebrate our national inilepeiideiico .\fter a half …
To me, certainly, it was an uplifting thought, that, like the founder of the hall, belonging by birth to Pelham and New Kochelle, at the end of a century from the year of its completion and his departure, I was standing in the thronged edifice that memorialized his name, alive to the significance of the position, well assured that by every uttered word I was but voicing the …
Long remembered among these who, at the close of the last century, sought a home in old Pelham, was a man of large fortune, an educated gentlemen, a bachelor just touching the border of mi<ldle life, of whom, as it seems, only one memorial can now be found, and that the marble slab at the head of his grave, hinting briefly at the beginning and ending of his lif'e-.story. A …
I grandparent, William Bailey, he daily used to walk across the causeway and bridge to our homestead and relieve the loneliness of ' Bachelor Hall,' in the Byiupathetic enjoyment of our family life, ."^ucli was his habitude, iiuleed, during the most im|Kirlant period of my mother's history, her later school days. His private library, a true index of his cherished ' tastes, was …
Her grateful alliisioiia to him made his name familiar to tmr eai-s ; anil often curious fancy would invest with the golden haze of romance the unwritten history of this ' Lmip Lord of the Isle.' Uiiiuor had soiiietiiiies whisiieiX'd that, in his exjie- HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. rience, the glow of youthful hope had been dimmed by the death of a first love, for whose …
Henderson, in his own way, by the presentation of a beautiful Circassian slave girl, about thirteen years of age. This present the Army Surgeon did not bring away with liir.i from India; 'but, after establishing his home at the Island,' said Mr. Koosevelt, ' he commissioned your father (Captain James Hague, of Pelham, commanding a ship in the India trade) to look after this …
" In his last sickness the young man was most kindly attended by Dr. Rogers, through whose influence or advice he bequeathed the sum of twelve hundred tlollars, appropriated to the erection of a town house, 'for the use and convenience' of the people of New Rochelle. With the recognition of this gift the townspeople of om- time generally a.ssociate the name of the owner of the …
Hunter personally, was this : At the the time of his graduating from Columbia College, twentyone yeaiii of age, it so hapiiened that he came into full po.S8essiou of his property. A friend and fellow-student, traveling in Europe while Najioleon was campaigning in Italy, wrote earnestly, reminding him that, on account of insecurity, art treasures were olTered for sale at great …
John Hunter, it was my fortune to realize, amid our surrotmdings in the gallery, all possible delight and mental quickening, limited only by the measure of receptivity. Outside of the family circle, Mr. Hunter, who, in his spirit and style of manners, represented a high ideal of the typal gentleman, the courteous and accomplished State Senator, reappears to the eye of memory …
Fortunately for us our dear grandparents, uncles and aunts were lovingly communicative, reheai-sing to us of the third generation the local annals of the manor and the familiar facts of the revolutionary era ; little episodes as lively as any that Fenimore Cooper has woven into his romance of the 'Spy.' These incidental stories of the home life that followed the establishment …
Hence, the position of his accomplished daughter, biographically connnemorated as ' Mother Seton,' the gifted educator, as well as the founder, of the most eminent sisterhood (and we may add here, parenthetically, the more recent positions of his grandson, James Roosevelt Bayley, as having been, at first, rector of the Episcojial Church, at Harlem, and tlien, at last, Roman …
Wright Post, of Throgg's Neck, addressed to my mother and by her repeated to me regarding the talented Ann Eliza, 'She has gone over to the church that per8ecut<;d her ancestors.' As we now look back over the seven decades that have gone by since that day, we may safely say that no change of ecclesiastical relations on the part of an individual has stirred ' society ' at the …
1 When ■ first penning the closing lines of this paragraph, the writer supposed that there was still occasion in alluding to the designation of the island, to use the phrase, its fui-mer mum;. Since then we have welcomed the intelligence that since the estate has jias-sed into the hands of Mr. C. Oliver Iselin, the old familiar name, "Hunter's Island," whereby our sires and …
The truth is, however, that the trend of her steps toward the Roman Catholic Church, strengthened by her ivstlietic tjistes, was noticed in her earlier days before she had left her native lami ; and after her return from Italy to New York sho was still a coiiiiuunieaiit of Trinity Church, for weeks, as she said, 'in an agony of suspense,' engaged in discussions, oral and …
The allirmation, sometimes ehxpiently argued, that the sacraments, adniiuititercu through a regular priestly succession, are the divinely apjiointed channels through wliicdi saving grace Hows forth from the fountain of life into the human soul, took the strongest possible hold upon the spirit nature of the elder cou.-iin, calling forth, even then, painful doubts over a …
Dr. .Iidiu Jlilchcdl Mason, who occasionally delivered a discourse in New Rochello, she embraced, with a responsive spirit, the formulated statement of pure protestantism, 'justification by faith alone,' so eloquently put forth by him as ' the true spirit union with Christ, embracing within it character and condition.' Thenceforward her favorite characterization of …
Theodosius Bartow, rector of New Rochelle, at her father's house in Pelham, to Captain James Hague, commander of a ship iu the Kast India trade, lived happily, the life of her family circle, until nearly ' fourecore years ' of age ; and then, after fourteen yeans of widowhood, died at the house of her only daughter, Mrs. Dr. Alexander \V. Rogers, Patterson, New Jei-sey, amid …
In this connection it seems a noteworthy fact that the English monarch who gave to Pelham its first manorial charter, was himself the sole, solf-deteniiined donor of the charter of Rhode Island to Roger Williams, openly declaring the reason of his action to bo his sovereign will to ' experiment whether civil government could consist with such liberty of conscience.' It may …
As hero we repeat this marvellous testimony, we are tempted to wish that the experiment king who gave to Pelham, as well as to Rhode Island, a charter of self-government, could have lived long enough to hear from the whole area of the old manor, after embracing within its limits tlie town of New Rochelle, the experimental response of a thriving jiopulatiou with all its …
Caroline Leroy Webster, on Sunday, February 2Cth, at the Leroy Blansion, was announced generally by the pres.s, and awakened many slumberiug memories of her life, as.sociated with New York, Boston and \\'ashington, as well as with Pelham and New Rochelle. Born at the house of her father, Jacob Leroy, Esij., New York, 1797, a considerable proportiou of her early remembrances …
Higgins, rector of Christ Church, Pelham, and as the attendance of ladies was necessarily limited, the large gathering of gentlemen, from homes far and near, was remarkable, indicating the profoundly cherished memories relating to the career of the great statesman, the completed close of whose homelife on earth seemed as if now emphasized by the funeral dirge within the temple …
"Thus it may be truly said that the men of Boston, iu our own time, have given back a fitting response to the munificence of a Huguenot native of New Hochelle, expressed in the gift of Faueuil Hall to their honored city mi>re than a century and a quarter ago, exemplifying the perfect fusion of Anglican and French elements into a vital unity, to endure thronghout centuries to …
One year afterward he removed the concern to City Island, where he still remains. He is well known throughout Westchester, especially in its political life. He is an earnest Democrat and has held several political positions, both elective and by appointment. In 1863 he was appointed board clerk of the town of Pelham, and one year later was elected to the position, being …
White Plains, the shire-town of Westchester County, was described in an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed in 1788,' as " All that part of the county of Westchester bounded easterly by Mamaroneck River, northerly by North Castle, westerly by Bronx River and southerly by the town of Scarsdale," and by this act was erected into a town, containing four …
But now the hum of civilization is beginning to be heard on their borders. The irrepressible and irresistible New Englander, advancing with rapid strides, having in 1666 settled Rye as far as the Mamaroneck River, in 1683 purchased the better country lying between that river and the Bronx, and called by the natives, Quarroppas, -- by the settlers the White Plains, -- the deed …
"To all Christian peopell to horn these presence shall coui greting ' ' Know jee that we Shapliam, Cockenseco, Orewapum, Kewetoahan, " Koawanoh I'aatck Shiphatlash, Korehevuvous, panawok, niemishott, " pesi'kanoh, oromahgah, patthunk, hohoreis, sotonge, wonawaking, " owhorawas noshand have for a valnabell sum of money to us in hanj " paid by the town of Kye that are …
" Sealed, signed and delivered in the presents of us " Corneilass the marku of his marke Shapham .Joshua Kuapp Cokenseko the marke of (>ruwai.mm Motepeatehou Kewctoham Koawanoh John Odell BIoahpoat<h his marke Patthunk Ifohornis Sotonge owhorawas orauiaimah." "ThisbiUof .sille is acknowledged by the granters to be their acfct " and deed before me in Rye the day and yere aboue …
Hence historians generally have regarded the Rye people as mere squatters, without right or title to the soil of the White Plains, and indebted, finally, to the kindness of Colonel Caleb Ileathcotc, the grantee of the Kichbcll title, for undisturbed possession of this goodly torritor}'. If we pause here to make a careful examination of the grounds upon which the respective …
In the year 1609, Henry Hudson, an English navigator in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, undertook a voyage in the "Half-Moon," to seek a westward passage to China, and in September entered what is now known as New York Bay. In 1613, a Dutch trading establishment, consisting of five houses, under tlie superintendence of Hendrick Corstiaensen, was set up, but …
grees of north latitude, and extending " from sea to I sea that is, as far south as Philadelphia and as far north as (Quebec, and in breadth from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This grant was absolute and exclusive. Without the permission of the Plymouth Council, no ship might sail into any hai'bor from Newfoundland to the latitude of Philadelphia; and not an emigrant …
In 1()21, the Dutch West India Company was incor[)orated for a [leriod of twenty years, with privilege to traffic and i)lant colonies on the coast of Africa, from the Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope, and on the coast of America from the Straits of Magellan to the remotest north ; thus lightly did the little nation of merchants make gifts of continents, However …
The directors in Holland thereupon obtained fnnn Charles I. an order in Council, by which all the ports in the kingdoms and territories of the British King were thrown open to all Dutch vessels trading to or from New Netherland.* Until the year 1629 the Dutch had done nothing to advance a settlement ; a few servants of the company, connected with the trading posts, were the …
19, 1631, Robert, Earl of Warwick, president of the Council of the Plymouth Company, granted unto Lord Say and Seal and sixteen others, and to their heirs and assigns and associates forever, " All that part of New England which lies west from Narragansett River a hundred and twenty miles on the sea coast and from thence in latitude and breadth aforesaid to the South Sea." This …
It was by this construction of the patents and charters of the American colonies that tjae Western Territories, as far as the Mississippi, wore ceded to the United States by the peace with Great Britain ; and it was by virtue of tlie same construction of the patents tliat Congress, in 1788, procured a formal surrender of the unappropriated Western lands from the States above …
The Dutch, in a carefully j)repared deduction of their title, declared that after the North River was discovered in 1609 by subjects of their High Mightinesses, and visited by some of their citizens in 1610 and following years, a grant was made in 1615, to some of their subjects, of the trade to that country, and a small fort and garrison established there, which remained …
"The Dutch demand restitution" (say the Lords Commissioners of England) *' of a rertain ship seized at Plymouth on return from a certain plantation by them usurped, north of Virginia, which they allege they ac(iuirfid from the natives of those countries. It is denied that the savages were possessed of those countries so as to bo able to dispose of them, or that they were …
AVhich was provt-d in tlie year 1621, when the late King directed his ambassador to urge upon their Lordships, the States-General, to prevent the departure of certain vessels which were preparing to proceed to the aforesaid country, •and to forbid their subjects to settle in that plantation ; for their answer was that they knew nothing of said enterprise. That anj' who will …
No towns or villages had been planted, and of the few settlers introduced by the company, the greater part had returned, leaving a few isolated traders in the solitary forts -which served only as a rendezvous for lazy Indians. Had the Dutch filled the land with an energetic and determined race, seeking to build houses and churches and to found commonwealths, as the English …
The ])ossibility of annoyance, both by land and sea, to the unguarded towns along the Sound, and the dread, on the part of the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, of greater quarrels than they could singly manage, brought about the formation of the New England Confederacy in 1G43, said by John (Juincy Adams to have been " the model and prototype of the North American …
He secretly seized a shij) from Holland trading in the harbor of New Haven, on the ground that the Dutch jurisdiction, by right of discovery, included New Haven within the limits of New Netherland, and therefore customs duties on the cargo should be paid to the Dutch Governor. This unexpected insult led to a voluminous correspondence, conducted on the part of Governor Eaton …
In 1648 the Hutchinson family was entirely swei)t away by the Indians in their retaliatory war with the Dutch, and a part only of Throckmorton's colony survived. These, with the exception of Thomas Cornell and the Mondys, all New England people, were the only persons who attempted settlements east of the Bronx River until 1654, when Thomas Pell, acting under special authority …
Again, in 1654, "the States-General, feeling that the encroaching disposition and superior numbers of the English rendered their North American possessions insecure, instructed their ambassadors at London to negotiate a boundary line. But this effort, like those which had preceded it, proved unsuccessful, and throughout the protectorate' England declared the Dutch to be …
3 2 Bolton, 203. * 2 Itencrort, 295. 6 2 O'Callaghan, 202. « 2 O'Callaglian, 277. : 2 O'Callaghan, 342. 8 2 O'Callaghan, 402. 3 3 New Haven Hist. Soc. Papars, 441 ; Truuibull, 259. >o 2 O'Callaghan, 455. " 2 O'Callaghan, 505. HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. Chester be annexed to Connecticut. Thus, one after another, the Dutch abandoned every point their enemies assailed; the …
On the 30th of the following November the boundary between New York and Connecticut was settled as follows: "We also order and declare that the Creek or River called Maniaroneck, which is reputed to be about twelve miles to the east of Westchester, and a line drawn from the East point or side where the fresh water falls into the salt at high-water mark, North-Northwest to the …
I'elPs purcli.isc ; now tliese are to certify to all and Everyone whom it may concern, that I, Wompoqueum, did by myself, and in behalf of my aforesaid brother JIaliatahan, firmly bargain and sell to Mr. John Kichbell, of Oyster B.-vy, to him and his heirs forever, the above-mentioned three necks of land, together with all otiier privileges thereunto belonging, six ^yeeks …
"Whereas there is a certain parcel or tract of land n-ithiii this government, >ipon the main, contained in three necks, of which the Eastermost is bounded with a small river, called Maniaroneck river, being also the esist bounds or limits of this government upon the main, and the westermost, with the gravelly or stoney brook or river, wliich makes the ejist limits of the land …
" All that certain psircel or tract of land, where ho now lives, called the East Neck, and to begin at the westward part thereof at a certain cri'ek lying, being and adjacent, by and betwixt the neck of land commonly called the Great Xeck and the East Neck, and so to run eastward as far as Mamaroneck river, including therein betwixt tlio two lines all the land as well north …
The inhabitants of Rye were accordingly summoned to show cause at the next Court of Assize in Westchester County " wiiy the saitl lauds do not of right belong to John Richbell." - It does not appear how the suit was determined; certainly not in favor of Richbell's claim, as the possession of the land by the Rye people seems from that time to have been uninterrupted and their …
The esust part of the house which lately stood north<of the residence of W. R. Brown, Esq., was then standing, and occupied by Samuel Odell. * On the 2d day of August 1699, the Indians of Mamaroneck presented a petition * to Governor Nanfan, setting forth that their nation had soUl several parcels of land to John Pell, Esq., and to Mr. Richbell, deceased, for which they had …
years they had looked for the same; "but the said persons have and do refuse to satisfy your petitioners, and have more land than ever was sold to them," and praying that " John Pell and the heirs of Richbell may be ordered to satisfy your petitioners, and that they may have no more laud than was ever sold unto them." What action, if any, was had upon this l)etition does not …
"Shall not give the said Colonel Ileathcote any further title than that which he already hath to the laud called White Plains, which is iu dispute between the said Caleb Ileathcote and the inhabitants of the town of Rye. The sheriff returned that the 'jurors found there is no damage to the King or his subjects in erecting the manor aforesaid, except the White Plains, which are …
After long years of delay, Daniel Brundage and Josei)h Hunt, on the 28th day of June 1721, presented a petition ' to the Governor, praying tor a warrant of survey of the White Plains, and a warrant was i.-;sued the same day. * No report of a survey having been made, the same parties, on the 7th day of December, 1721, petitioned for a new warrant of survey to embrace the whole …
"That by virtue of a license from the Government of Connecticut, they and tliose under whom they claim, did purchase from the Indians a tract of land called White Plains, the same at the time of the purchase being deemed and esteemed to lye within the Government of Connecticut, by virtue of which purchase your petitioners were, for a considerable time, in possession of tlie …
" The Petition of Joseph Budd, et al., being read ye 21st Deer., 1721 Is referred to the Gentl. of the Council or any five of them." " The same day the Council reported tliat they had considered the matter of the })etition and dire'ctedtliat a warrant sliould issue to the surveyor-general to survey the tract in question and make return thereof, with a map of the tract, and …
No action appears to have been taken on this report of the Council, made December 21, 1721, until the 10th of January following, when a warrant w:is issued, reciting all the material statements in the petition, and directing the surveyor-general " to survey the said White Plains ; and in his return thereof to ascertain and describe the particulars of the claims of the …
He also made a map of the White Plains, a copy of which is here shown. MAP OF WHITE PLAINS IN 1721.* A-Caleb Hyatt's. B-Joseph Purdy's. C-Humphrey rnderhill's. 1)-Samuel Moriit's. E-Saninel Hunt's. F-Samuel Hunt's Mill. G-Samuel Holt's. H-,lohn Iloit's. I-George Lane's. K-Daniel Brundige's. L-.Iames Travis's. M-SIoses Knapp's. E.XPLANATION. N-Jolin Hyat's. 0-Danicl Lane's …
Beekman. ilr. Coldcn. Sir. Van Dam. Mr. Lewis Jlorris, Jr. "The Committee proceeded upon the Surveyor General's return of the claims of Joseph Budd & al. in the "White Plains Purchase, Referred to them. ■'The Committee unanimously chose Francis Harrison, Esq., their chairman. " Resolved that all parties concerned be called in. Then all parties attending were heard as to their …
Tract of ye White Plains, founded ujion ye title set forth in ye Petition of the alwve-named Persons Praying for a Patent of ye land now intendeil to be granted. " Ilesolc'd, that the t^uit Rent be conformable to his ilaties Royal Instructions." On the same day (February 2(3, 1722), the chairman, Francis Harrison, reported that the committee had considered the claims of all …
" Beginning at a large white oak tree marked with several letters, where t wo bi^ooks falls into ye west branch of Moniaroncck River ; thence by marked trees to Brunxes river near tu where a small bnxik falls into said river, by a bush of .\lders, some of which are marked ; thence up Brunxes river to an Ash tree about 17 chains above Anthony Miller's Fulling Mill, and thence …
Hunt and Brundage, recommended "That the remaining part of the White Plains, after the lands of Hunt and Brundage be laid out as before mentioned, be granted to Joseph Budd, John Hoit " and the others named in the above resolution, subject to the saving clause therein contained. The report is indorsetl, " March ye 1st, 1721-2. Reported and approved of by the Council, J. 8 …
Thence ilown the stream of the said Brook to the land laid out for Daniel Brundage ; thence along his line to the siiid Long Meadow Brook ; thence down the stream of the said brook to the place where it falls into JIamaroneck River and down the stream of said River to the land granted to Christopher Bridge ; then along his lines and the lines of the land laid out for Samuel …
On the 13th day of March, 1721-2, a royal patent was granted to Joseph Budd and the other persons named in the preceding resolutions and in the report of the surveyor-general, which letters patent recited the petition of Budd and his as.sociates, and the proceedings subsequent thereto, and granted, ratified and confirmed unto the said petitioners, -- (naming them), their heirs …
Now that Heathcote was dead, and his powerful influence with the Governor and Council no longer stood between the people and their rights, it only remained for them to .submit to the e.xcessive exactions of the Governor and Council before their territory should be finally confirmed to them. Three times were they compelled to make surveys of their goodly land,-- three times …
The patent was obtained for the benefit of all the owners of the White Plains lands, although but onehalf of them were named as patentees ; and in order to establish the rights of the other owners, the patentees executed a conveyance to Joseph Horton, Sr., Joseph Horton, Jr., John Travis, James Travis, Jr., Solomon Yeomans, John Hyat, Thomas Travis, Jonathan Purdy, Monmouth …
Brown's, was then owned and occupied by Daniel Brundage. It was erected i)rior to 1697 by Samuel Odell- George Lane -- "gentleman" -- removed from Rye to White Plains as early as 1714; his iiouse was on what i* now the Squire j)lace, and his brother Daniel lived opposite, near the ])resent residence of Elisha Horton, Esq. ; Moses Kna])p's liouse was on the road in front of the …
Ann Richbell procured a warrant from the Governor to survey the easternmost bounds of her lands. The surveyor, Augustine Graham, proceeded along the west bank of Mamaroneck River until he came to the " improved land claimed by Humphrey Underbill, where the said Underbill, with three others, with guns, stones and staves did obstruct the execution of his Excellency's warrant." …
Northerly, on the same North Street road, were the residences of John and Samuel Hoit, active men in town afi'airs, who in 1726-27 were leaders in building the Presbyterian Church. On the north side of the road crossing Bronx River, near Mr. Champanois' residence, was the house of Christopher Yeomans ; Anthony Miller lived where the Misses Tompkins' housestands, north of the …
The first in importance and most lasting in tenure was the position of clerk; and for fifty consecutive years the duties connected with that office were discharged by Caleb Hyatt. In 1726 the Rev. John Walton, a graduate of Yak- College, and a lay preacher, purchased a farm which was bounded on the north by the road to Dobbs Ferry, which ran a few feet north of the present …
Several wooden chests did double duty as receptacles of the family bedding and clothing, and as chairs, which, if not remarkably comfortable, were at least solid and substantial; these, with a rude bench or stool, constituted the furniture of an ordinary farm-house. Carpets there were none, even on the spare room; but excellent feather-beds and pillows, the pride of every good …
When it was raised and where it stood are interesting questions to which the utmost research does not vouchsafe answers. At any rate, it had grown old or dilapidated in 1737-8; for at a meeting of freeholders held in that year it was resolved that "the public pound should be where the old school-house stood." The new school-house was built on the highway, at the northwest …
It was under the influence of such wholesome laws that the founders of White Plains erected the first school-house in which their children were to be educated; and it is but justice to this intelligent people to say, that the public records prove that, with very few exceptions, the proprietors of White Plains could both read and write. And yet it is of these people Colonel …
" I nuist not omit to inform you that his Excellency, my Lord Cornbury, is pleased to show an unparalleled zeal for the carrying on of that great and glorious design of propagating the faith and settling the Church as well in this as in othere of His Majesty's plantations, thereby rescuing them from the grossest ignorance, stupidity aud obstinacy, and therein righting them in …
These reproachful accusations should have been allowed to sleep in oblivion, but when we read in an historical discourse in our day, that it was "this moral condition of things which led to the passage, on the 24tb of March, 1673, of the act entitled, ' An Act for settling a Ministry and raising a maintenance for them, in the city of New York, counties of Westchester, Richmond …
James Graham, who had the drawing of all their bills, so managed the title and induction of this one, that, although it did not do very well for the Dissenters, yet it did not appear to make any concessions to the Church, and the honest, simple-minded Dissenters, not suspecting the fraud and trickery of the Governor, passed the bill as above entitled. As Colonel Lewis Morris …
The minister said " that the intention of the Legislature was to raise a maintenance for a dissenting minister, all the Assembly but one being Dissenters, and knowing nothing of the church, and that being the intention of the law-makers, was the meaning of the law, and he hoped the Dissenters might enjoy what was so justly their due, or at least not be deprived of it without …
In the spring of 1695, the Assembly, in explanation of the act, declared that churches have power to call a dissenting Protestant minister, and that he be maintained as the act directs ; but the Governor rejected this interpolation of the Assembly, and decided that the act applied solely to the Episcopal ministry.^ Governor Fletcher was so occupied with schemes for …
The act of 1693 had not been oj^pressively enforced against the Rye people until after the arrival of Lord Cornbury ; but now, with a willing, nay even anxious, Governor, Colonel Heathcote could revenge himself upon this people for thwarting him in his attempt to include the White Plains within his patent.* He had been ten years in this country, and the dissenting clergy of …
The new-comer was soon honored with the office of "Pounder," and for more than thirty years he held various positions in the town. He built the house afterwards occupied by William Barker for more than half a century prior to his death. This house is still standing, in good condition, on Spring Street, near the old Purdy house. The Owen farm passed by will to Moses Owen, Jr …
In 1751 the first record had become worn and torn, and Caleb Hyatt was allowed twelve shillings for copying it in a new book. In the last year of this decade there came to the town from Woodbury, in Connecticut, Dr. Robert Graham, a young physician of genius and enterprise, son of the Rev. John Graham, a Scotch clergyman, who wa^ himself the son of one of the Marquises of …
Edward Hart, whom Governor Stuyvesant arrested and imprisoned as the author of a spirited remonstrance against an order of Stuyvesant, which required the people of Vissengen to cease giving countenance to the Quakers. It was about the same time that John Fisher, the first of that family, settled in White Plains, on the south side of the road leading east out of Broadway, near …
Two hotels for the accommodation of guests and travelers were opened, and the first country store was built and stocked by Doctor Graham. This store stood opposite the courthouse, and here the people, for more than half a century, gathered to discuss politics and to sell their surplus produce. The old French War, which terminated in 1760, had drawn heavily on the town of Rye …
This war brought with it a heavy debt, the payment of which, while it severely taxed the resources of the people, proved valuable as teaching them how great was their strength in emergencies, a knowledge that was of inestimable benefit to them in the conflict with the mother country that soon followed. The mother country, also seeing, from the payment of this debt, that the …
The uprising in 1764 -- call it mob, if you will -- against the impressing of four fishermen, and the gathering of the people as one man on the 1st day of November, 1765, in opposition to the stamps, which are often spoken of as the first steps toward revolution, were long antedated by a religious controversy which was certainly not without its influence in preparing the …
The opposition of the Church of England, instead of crushing out the Presbyterians, stimulated them to increased efforts, and developed a force that eventually drove English sway from the country. Much that is entertaining and instructive in regard to these men and their followers may be found in the " The Sons of Liberty in New York," by Henry B. Dawson, Esq., a book that …
The conflict seemed rapidly approaching in 1774, and soon entered into and divided the family circle. A marked instance ot this is found in the family of Jonathan P. Horton, who was himself a determined Loyalist, while some of his sons were among the most active Whigs who fought in the vicinity of the " Neutral Ground." - In striking contrast to this is the following notice …
Public notice had been given of a meeting of persons from different districts of the county to consider the most proper method of taking the sense of the freeholders of the county upon the expediency of choosing deputies to meet the deputies from other counties for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the General C'lnjrress to be held in Philadelphia …
A few days after this meeting, a protest, bearing date the 13th of April, 1775, signed with over thi'ee hundred names, appeared in Eivingion's Xerv York Gazette, in which it was stated that on the 11th of April the friends of government met at the house of Captain Hatfield, and at about twelve o'clock walked to the court-house, where they found the other company collected in a …
" We, the subsciibers, freeholders and inhabitants of the County of Westchester, having assembled at White Plains in conseqoence of certain advertisements, do now declare onr honest abborence of all unlawful Congresses and Committees, and that we are detennined, at the hazard of otir lives and properties, to support the King and constitution, and that we acknowletlge no …
On the 8th day of May, 1775, a meeting of the freeholders of Westchester County was held in White Plains, and Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Robert Graham, Daniel Dayton, John Holmes, Jr., and Wm. Paulding were chosen delegates from this county to the Provincial Convention of the Province of New York. Enlistments for the army immediately …
The Provincial Congress of this State, which had been in session in New York, adjourned on the 3Uth of June, 1776, to the court-house in White Plains ; and on the 9th of July, while assembled here, the Declaration of Independence was received and read in front of the court-house by John Thomas, Esq. The battle of White Plains occurred on the 28th of October following. The …
AVhen Howe returned to England his conduct here was investigated by a committee of Parliament, but he refused to explain I'urther than to say that he "had political reasons." The question remained unanswered until tlfe publication, in 1879, by that laborious historian, Edward F. de Lancey, of " The History of New York during the Revolutionary War, by Thomas Jones," in which it …
The lines of the American army first stretched across the county at White Plains, and gradually receded to the Croton River. That portion of the county between the two armies was then, and ever, since has been, known as the " Neutral Ground." This portion of Westchester County was the battleground of the disaffected, the prey of both friend and foe; scenes of cruelty and …
Others, attacliing themselves to the Britisli side, were known as " Cowboys," and were engaged in plundering the people between the lines, of their cattle and other property. Others again, were known as " Skinners," and professing allegiance to the American side, lived chiefly within the patriot lines. Both of them, Cowboys and Skinners, were treacherous, rapacious and cruel …
Y. : " The northern part composed of rocks, stones, hills and valleys ; the southern part the hills are less frequent but more tlat and extensive ; the surface much broken, with large bodies of solid rock rising a little above the earth and running nearly parallel to it ; the side of which is cold, wet and heavy ; the whole much worn and e.\hau*ted, and overrun with two …
At the close of the war business of all kinds, which had been long abandoned, was resumed ; a new court-house was built, and White Plains, by an act of the Legislature, became an independent town. With but few exceptions, new men became leaders in town affairs. In 1788 John Barker purchased the Owen farm, which extended on the west side of Broadway from the Presbyterian Church …
For a quarter of a century he was town clerk, and during that time the town was at no expense for his official or legal services. For more than twenty years after the war the village hotel was opposite the court-house, and was kept by Dr. Graham ; he also had a store a rod or two south of the hotel. Both hotel and store passed into the possession of Stephen Barker, who …
Prior to 1825 most of the traveling was done by private conveyance, and taverns were more necessary then than now. The farmers' light produce was carried to New York weekly by two market-wagons, while the heavy was carried to the rivers and sent by sloops. In 1828 a number of gentlemen in White Plains, desirous that there should be a school in which their sons might be …
Tompkins now resides was the shop and the dwelling-house of Elisha Crawford, saddler and harness-maker, while next-door the dwelling now occupied by Samuel C.Miller was then the hotel of Robert Palmer, and about fifty feet north was the store of Palmer & Fisher. Between the hotel and the store was a building, a part of which was occupied by Purdy Tompkins, the village tailor …
On the corner of the lot, with its front on Broadway, was the hat-store and factory of Schuyler C. Tompkins, the village hatter, and a few feet farther on was the store of Purdy Si Fisher (Charles A. Purdy and Nathaniel Fisher). From this store the Red Bird stage started early every morning, excepting Sunday, for New York City. On the adjoining lot the village undertaker …
Places of business thus ceased to exist on Broadway, which is now bordered on each side with fine dwellings, making it, with its great width, the finest avenue in the State. Town Officers.-- The White Plains Precinct, as it was called until 1788, held meetings of the freeholders on the first Tuesday of April in each year, for the election of a clerk, supervisor and other …
The following persons then were successively elected and served as clerks: Daniel Hoi toii 1783 to 1787 Joseph Prior 1787 to 17S8 William Barker, Jr 178S to 1800 Stephen Barker 1800 to 18(H Davifl Falconer 1804 to 1806 Stephen Barker 1806 to 1810 Joseph lIortoM ISIO to 1812 Bliuott Mitchell 1812 to 1838 Joseph S. Jlitchell 1838 to 1842 John W. Mills 1842 to 1844 Schiiyler C …
Jonathan I'lirdy 1810 to 1816 Joseph Horton 1816 to 1818 John Falconer 1818 to 1831 Elisha Horton 1831 to 1838 Henry Willets 1S3S to 1844 John W. Mills 1844 to 1846 Lewis C. Piatt 1846 to 1847 John M'. Mills 1847 to 1848 John Dick 1848 to 1849 Henry C. Field 1849 to 1850 From 1850 to the present time the following supervisors and town clerks have been elected : VIEW OF WHITE …
Village of White Plains. -- By an act of the Legislature of the State, passed April 3, 1866, and amended by an act passed April 22, 1867, that part of White Plains particularly bounded and described in Section 1 of said act was declared to be the " Village of White Plains," and the inhabitants resident within the boundaries were declared to be a body corporate, to be known by …
Lyon and Edward Sleatli for one year ; H. I' Rowell anil .1 . 1'. Jenkins, two years ; J. W. Mills, John Swinburne and Harvey Groot, three yeai-s. ISr.T. -- President, John Swinburne ; Tlerk, John M. Kowell ; Trustees, Hinini I'. Rowell, JoliTi P. Jenkins, John W. Jlills, Jcjhn Swinburne, Harvey Groot, Gilbert S. Lyon and John I). Gray. (As the records previotisto 1871 are …
E. .lohnson ; Trustees, Edmund (J. Sutherland, Elisha P. Ferris, R. C. Powniiis, J. P. Jenkins, Harvey Groot, Elisha Horton, Jr., L. C. Piatt. 1871. -- President, Richard C. Downing; Treasurer, Theodore Van Tassel : Clerk, Valentine 51. Hoilgsou ; .\ttorney and Counsel, Hiram Panliling; Chief Constable. David P. Barnes; Collector of Taxes, \V. H. Huestis; Trustees, Elisha P …
I'urdy; - Attorney and Counsel, Hiram Paulding; Collector of Taxes, Edward Sliirnier ; Chief Constable, David P. Barnes; Trustees, .\rtemns W. Eggleston, Elisha Horton, Jr., D. 5Iorgan I'nderhill. T. Van Tas.«el, Chas. Wiegand, 5richacl Riordan, E. P. Ferris. 187.')-7C. -- Presiilent, Elisha P. Ferris; Treasurer, Elisha Horton, Jr.; Clerk, .lohn Birch; .\ttorney and I'ounsel …
Jlorgan I'nderhill; President pro tem.^ none elected; Treasurer, Elisha Horton , Clerk, John Birch; .\ttorney and Counsel, Tliram Paulding ; Collector of Taxes, none elected ; Chief (Nonstable, John Birch ; Trustees, David 5'erplanck. for two years, and 5IicbaeI Riordan, for one year, Fii'st Ward; .Vrtemus W. Eggleston, for tw(» years, and S. W. Failr. f^jj- one year. Second …
Lyon was reached after a long and obstinate contest between Elisha P. Ferris and William H. Albro. Ferris .sat as president during this balloting, having been president the year before, and, finally, when he saw his own election impossible, and after there had been a number of btillots with Lyon and .\Ibro as candidates, in which each received three votes, he threw the …
Ferris (died February, 188'2) ; President, pro I'-m., Daniel J.Tripp; Treasurer, Henry T. Dyknian; Clerk John Birch ; .\ttorney an<l Counsel, Charles W. Cochran ; Collector of Taxes, Daniel F. Leary ; Chief Constable, George W. See ; Police Justice, Elisha Horton ; Trustees. 5Iicliael Rionlan, one year, and David Verplanck, two years. First Ward ; William J. Sutton, one year …
Fowler '■' and James D. Wright, Third Ward. 1884-8.5 -- President, Henry T. Dykman ; President, ;iro (ew., Charles H. Tibbits; Treasurer, Wm. B. Tibbits; Clerk, John Birch ; .\ttorney and Counsel, not elected ; Collector of Taxes, not elected; Chief Constable, not elected ; Police Justice, .Minott 51. Silliinan ; Trustees, liavid Verplanck and Richard Dowdall, First Ward …
Broadway was in existence in 1697, but was not formally laid out and recorded until November 22, 1734, when it was described as " Beginning between the home lots formally laid out to Thomas Brown and Caleb Hyatt, where the road is laid out that goeth down to Eastchester; from thence northerly by the fronts of said home lots on each side of the street ; said street or highway …
« Leonard 5Iiller was elected for one year in place of George H. Jlead, resigned. ' 5Iichael Riordan, David Verplanck and Henry B. Ford all three resigned in 5Iarch, 1881. .\pril 4th Charles J. Quinby was appointed trustee in place of Henry B. Fonl, and Harvey Groot in place of David Verjdanck, until the ensuing election. 5Iichael Riordan's place wa.-> not filled. s James D …
The road to the Hudson River from White Plains was laid out in 1730, along the north side of the Presbyterian Church. In 1764 the terminus of this road on Broadway was changed to its present location of Spring Street. The road now called Lake Street was laid out in 1762. The road to Mamaroneck was laid out the 11th of November, 1725, and commenced at the old post road. At that …
White Plains was at the time of its purchase the planting-ground of the natives, and derived its name from the white balsam, a plant then covering its surface, which, although not level, presented the appearance of a plain when seen from the surrounding hills. churches. Church of England and Protestant Episcopal Church in White Plains. -- The history of the Protestant …
After the passage of this bill the Governor declared that there was no ministry but of the Church of England ; and through his power, with the aid of the '' Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," a minister of the Church of England was inducted into the church at Rye in the year 1704, but Episcopal services were not introduced into White Plains until 1724, when …
Pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of New York relating to the incorporation of religious societies, a meeting of the congregation of Rye Church was held and a certificate of incorporation made, dated the 21st day of February, 1795, in which " the rector and two of the congregation of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the towns of Rye and White Plains, in …
An act of the Legislature having been subsequently passed " for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the State of New York," the church determined to re-incorporate under that act, and a meeting for the purpose was duly called and held, and a certificate of incorporation, dated June 7, 1796, was made and filed, by which it appears that the officers of the Rye and …
Notwithstandiug such discouraging circumstances, it was deterniinefl to organize a church, and accordingly, upon the 22d of March, 1824, a church was incorporated under the title of " Grace Protestant Episcopal Church, White Plains," with Richard Jarvis and Alan McDonald as church wardens ; William Purdy, John Horton, Gilbert Hatfield, James Dick, Alexander Fowler, Joshua …
Curtis, who continued here for two years. Mr. Curtis was a Christian gentleman, of fine personal appearance and of a cheerful and social nature, which endeared him to all within his influence. His health failing, in 1831 he applied to the bishop for a change, and became the editor of the Churchman, then first established. The change from the country to the city, however …
He loved the church and its order, and did not undervalue its external and formal arrangements. His Catholicism was broad enough to cover all who rested their hopes for salvation on the same Jesus whom he served, whether in or out of his church. Few are now living who can remember the time when he first appeared here in the fresh glow of youth ; and of the wardens and …
Van Kleeck, began his labors here, and for sixteen years has gone about doing good; and everywhere, whether in the pulpit, the social circle or beside the sick-bed, his presence is mosi acceptable. Presbyterian Church.-- Prior to 1727 the people of White Plains were members of, and attended, the Dissenting or Presbyterian Church of Rye. In that year a church edifice was …
A church was erected in 1727 on land given by Mr. Walton, on the spot where the present church stands. In 1728 Mr. Walton was succeeded by the Rev. Edmund Ward, also a graduate of Yale College, and a native of Killingworth, Connecticut. Mr. Ward remained but two years, when he removed to Guilford, Connecticut, and the pulpit was vacant for several years after his departure …
His ' brother, William Smith, and his nephew, William 1 Smith, Jr., were leaders among the Sons of Liberty in New York City, and organizers of the "Whig Club," from which came the first utterances in favor of liberty, i Previous to his coming to Rye, Mr. Smith had married a daughter of ^Ir. James Hooker, a grandson of the famous Thomas Hooker, the founder of » Dr. Bair.rs …
In 1784 an act of the Legislature enabled religious societies or congregations to become corporate bodies, in pursuance of which this church, on the 12th of December, 1787, became incorporated under the name of " The Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in the White Plains in Westchester County ;" from 1784 to 1821 the congregation enjoyed only irregular preaching, the services …
Edward Wright was installed, and continued for nine years to fill the pulpit acceptably, till failing health compelled him to resign, and in July, 1844, the Rev. Eliits S. Schenk was installed and supplied the pulpit for five years. From January to July, 1850, the Rev. Bronson B. Beardsley officiated as stated supply ; and from July, 1850, to July, 1853, the Rev. Joseph …
evidence of an organized Methodist society or church in White Plains until alter the Revolutionary War, but there is unquestionable proof that there was a Methodist society in White Plains as early as 1741. At this time the people, who were Dissenters, had no regular minister of their own persuasion, and no means wherewith to provide a support for one, being compelled by …
At this time John Wesley was organizing his followers in England in classes, appointing over each a leader who was to look after their spiritual interests ; and a Methodist society, as it existed in England in 1740, was composed of Gospel Christians in a town or village drawn toward each other by their common trust in Jesus the Christ, formed into a class, with a leader, and …
However, by God's help, we maintain our ground, and though some of our members are corrupted with the wild enthusiasm of the new sect, I hope the measures I use to strengthen and establish my people in the faith of Christianity according to the doctrines of the Church of England, will by God's blessing prevent this new Methodism, or, rather, down-right distraction in the shape …
Wetmore's letter in September of the same year he writes: "As to the state of my parish, nothing very remarkable has happened since my last, but I find my cares and labors much increased by having two (iirobably one at White Plains and the other at Rye) Independent Methodist teachers settled by that party in my parish, besides exhorters and itinerants that frequently call …
Although no record has been preserved of that little society, with the name of the teacher or of the members who composed the class or congregation, or in what commodious farm-house they assembled for worship, the fact that such a teacher and .such a class or congiegation. in an organized shape, existed in White Plains in 1743 cannot be controverted ; and this was seventeen …
Miller's house was one of the regular appointments on the circuit ; the Rev. Samuel Talbot, who organized the first class, consisting of six persons, was preacher. In 1792 and 1793 some six members were added to the little society, three of whom -- Abraham Miller, Abraham Davis and John Hatfield -- were men of influence in the neighborhood ; and through their etlorts the …
The church edifice being located on the extreme limit of the village, a new society was organized and incorporated October 20, 1834, under the name or title of " The Trustees of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church in White Plains, Westchester County,'" and a house of worship was erected on the central part of Broadway. On the 13th of April, 1871, some of the members of the …
.lames Bell and Benjamin Fisler 1792 Peter Moriarty and Daviil Valleau 1793 Sylvester Hutcliinsim, Peter Moriarty and D. Denuis . . . 1794 Tlionia.-i \V(iolsey, .\Uiert Van Kostrand and .Taci)l) Perkins 1793 ! Joseph Tiitteu, Havid Brown and Kzekiel t'aidfieUI .... 1796 Daviil Brown, .John Wilson and .John Baker 1797 1 Joseph Totten and John Clark 1798 i .John Clark, Timothy …
I Smith .\ruold and .Samuel Bushnell 1815 I Nathan Emeiy and Smith .\rnold 1816 Nathan Emery and Charles Carpenter 1817 Daniel C>3traniler and Charles ('ar|>enter 1818 ! Samuel Bushnell and M. Richardson 1819-20 j Elijah Woolsey, William Jewett and Robert .Soney . . . . 1821 i Elijah Woolsi-y. William Jewett and Noble W.Thomas . . 1822 j Heman Bangs, Noble W. Thiinnisand …
In 1832, White Plains and Greenburgh were set off from the New Rochelle Circuit and constituted a separate charge, and the preachers were as follows : Robert Seney and Harvey Husted 1832 Robert Seney and John B. Merwin 1833 Peter P. Sandford and Zachariah Davenport 1834 P P. Sandford and S. C. Davis 1835 Horace Bartlett and Ezra Jagger 1836 Stephen Martindale and Daniel I …
White Plains and White Plains village -- and the preachers were, -- White Plains (Old Church). William H. Evans . Darius D. Lindsley Albert H. Wyatt . Thomas B. Smith . John E. Gorse . . . 1866-67 1868-70 1871-73 Asa P. Lyon 1874-75 Ezra Tinker 1876 Thomas W. Chadwick . 1877 0. V. Haviland 1878-79 Thomas Lodge .... 188ii In 1881 the Old Church disbanded and united with the …
Dominick Lynch was a prominent man during the Revolution, and after the election of Washington as first President of the United States, was one of the signers of the Catholic address to Washington, ' which received a generous reply, and was followed by a memorial to Congress representing the necessity of adopting some constitutional provision for the protection and maintenance …
In 1843 and 1844 Rev. Father Yilanus, D.D., of St. John's College, Fordham, attended New Rochelle once a month; also- Sawpits, Westchester, Throgg's Point and Sing Sing. In 1845, Rev. William O'Reilly, of Westchester, had chai'ge of these missions. In 1846 and 1847, Rev. Matthew Higgins, of Westchester, attended New Rochelle and Port Chester. In 1848, Rev. Valeuive Burgos …
A plot of ground, located where Hamilton Avenue and SpringStreet afterwards crossed each other, was purchased in the latter part of 1852,. and shortly afterward the church was erected. Father O'Reilly was succeeded by the Rev. Thonia* McLoughlin, of New Rochelle. From 1848 to 1860 White Plains was visited once a month from New Rochelle. From 1861 to 1868 it was attended by the …
His succesi<or at White PUiins was the Rev. Bartholomew Galligaii, who assumed charge in November, 1878. Father Galligan was born December 19, 18o8, in County Cavan, Ireland ; he was ordained Det-ember 1!), 1SG8, and died July 9, 1884. He was at one time an assistant in St. Bernard's Church. New York City, and afterwards in St. Gabriel's Church, New York City. Previous to …
Subsequently he accepted the chair of sacred elocpience in the Troy Theological Seminary, tendered him by the late Cardinal McCloskey. Upon his resignation from this post he was assigned to Rossville, Staten Island, where he remained four years, until his removal to White Plains, in 1884. A man of scholarly attainments, impressive eloquence and great generosity, he did much to …
John's Temperance Society ; an altar society, composed of ladies, who have the care of the altar ; and also the St. John's Literary and Social Union, composed of both sexes, and numbering over one hundred members. This union has founded a library for the use of its members. The B.\itist Chi kch ok White Plains, N. Y. -- This church was organized in the spring of 1871, and was …
On the 1st of June, 1871, at a meeting of sister congregations, the White Plains Church was formally recognized, and services were thereafter held in the Methodist chapel, on Hamilton Avenue, until August, 1871, when Mr. James B. Colgate, of Yonkers, purchased, for twenty-five thousand dollars, and donated to the society, the fine building which had been erected by the …
John M. Smith was employed as the principal of the school, and held that i)osition until 1832, when heresigned. He was succeeded by Prof. John Swinburne, a popular and successful instructor. In 1840, Prof. Swinburne withdrew from the academy, and opened a private boarding-school, which he conducted with signal success until 1851, when he retired on a competence. His school was …
It was known as the White Plains Female Institute. It closed about 1873. At present (1886) there are three private schools in White Plains. The Alexander Institute, the most important, was established in 1845, and conducted for twelve years by Mr. William S. Hall, under the name of the Hamilton Military Institute. For the next six years it was under the supervision of General …
Public or District School. -- It is not known where the first school-house was located. All that is known is that it was abandoned in 173i); afterwards the second school-house was erected on the highway, o])l)osite the northwest corner of the S(juire place. This house was abandoned about 1829, and the school was kept in the academy building until about 184(1, when a …
The White Plains Rural Cemetery. -- This cemetery was incor[)orated November 20, 1854. A tract of thirty-six acres was purchased, bounded on the east by Broadway and on the south by the highway leading from Broadway to Greenburgh. About 1862, the affairs of the company having fallen into disorder, its creditors were induced, through the efforts of Wm. H. Albro, Esq., to …
The Eastern State Journal. -- This paper was founded at White Plains in May, 1845, by Edmund G. Sutherland as its proprietor and publisher, assisted by a half-brother, Thomas Jefferson Sutherland. This business arrangement continued about eleven months, when Thomas J. Sutherland withdrew and the paper remained in the hands of Ednuind G. Sutherland, under whose mauagment it …
Spencer established the White Plains Standard as a weekly paper ; but finding its management required more time than he could spare from his other business engagements, sold it in 1886 to Mr. Peter Paulding, who now controls it. THE FIRE department. The first fire company was organized in White Plains about 1854, and was known as the Hope Fire- Eugine Company. There was also …