USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 10
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The Pelham Manor House, about whose site many questions have been asked me, is said to have stood not far from the present Bartow Mansion, although another authority places its site a: the extreme end of Pelham Neck. One of the grandest marise prospects can be seen close to that fine old stone homestead. the Ogden Mansion, on Twin Islands. To reach it one has to pass between the white stone gates on the road leading towards New Rochelle, and pass over Hunter's Island. On the crest of ils picturesque spot is located the old Iselin Mansion, suppose i to have been erected by Mr. llunter, after whom the island was named. In 1800 we know it was the property of a ME. Henderson, a surgeon in the British army. On the southeast side of this island stands the sentinel "Mishow." a great Indian rock. and on the east is the "Gray Mare," also a well known boulder.
About 1885, so we are told. there were two persons :" living, one in New Rochelle, who heard the cannonade, and :!: > other in Pelham, who witnessed the firing between the Americ : gunboats and the British warships in an engagement wife's : : place off Pelham and New Rochelle in Angust, IST4. What saved the Americans was their superior knowledge of the many rocks and reefs hereabouts.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
The story is extant that one of the Schuylers, who resided at Pelham, was upset in his boat not far from City Island. When picked up by a passing craft he was calmly sitting on the bottom of the boat, smoking his pipe, which in some manner he had managed to keep alight.
Another tale is related of some navigators, who while sail-
ing in and out of these dangerous reefs, ran full on a large flat rock.
"Why, Captain," remonstrated the indignant rest of the party, "We thought you knew every rock in the Sound."
"So I do," came the answer. "And this here is one of the very worst."
Scenes of the Seasons in the Bronx
CHAPTER XX
CITY ISLAND
Ancient Horse Cars-Marshall Mansion-City Island Bridge-General History of the Island-Macedonia Hotel
"A gem of the Ocean." Thus is City Island described by the same person who goes on to state his experiences on a trip to the island from Bartow Station.
"'All aboard !' The cry struck my ear, and looking at what there was to board, I spied what I took to be a pet plaything left by Noah on Mt. Ararat after the Flood-a sort of box on wheels with tin geegees to pull it. This then was the car, and I swung aboard. We made magnificent progress, at the rate of at least sixteen miles in seventeen hours. About half way to the bridge, I was astonished to see the driver leave his horses to jog along by themselves and walk into the car. I thought he was sick and needed a rest, but no. He sang out: 'Fares, please,' and proceeded to collect them."
If the same man had seen the older cars, with their single horse, that jogged painfully at a snail's pace, he would have been more than ever surprised.
imagine you are miles away from the great City of New York instead of being practically in its northernmost corner.
It is said that City Island was so named because a colony was settled there intended to rival the present City of New York, then a tiny group of houses. Now what a wonderful difference there is!
If we try to seek the first inhabitants of this "Pearl of the Sound" 'we have to turn to the Sewanoe tribe of Indians, who occupied the shore from Hell Gate on the south as far as Nor- walk on the north. They are also quoted as dwelling in the whole country, now the eastern part of old Westchester County. from the source of the Croton down to the Bronx.
Even to-day the seafaring inhabitants support themselve- partly on what they find in the countless shells that line the coast. In the very same manner the Indians of old made their living, thus giving to the spot the name of the "Islands of
Old City Island Bridge
But City Island ought indeed to be thankful. It has now a bridge to connect it with the main land. In early days there. was only a ferry, nay, even so recently as 1868. Close to the bridge stands the immense "Colonial Inn," the fine old Marshall Mansion, surrounded by beautifully graded lawns and shade trees. The old bridge, which was so narrow that even one of the tiny bob-tailed horsecars could scarcely pass a team, has been removed to make way for the much more roomy structure that now spans the waters. A lingering remnant of the old creation still remains, as if loath to leave the spot to which it was brought after serving as the original Harlem Bridge.
Go down City Island's . "Main Street," and you will find yourself transported as if to an isle in the midst of the ocean. Yachting and fishing are the main, indeed we might say the only, pursuits. Boats of every kind are drawn up ou all sides. Almost every one you meet wears the same nautical air. You
Shells." Before the name City Island was given to this place. it was styled Minneford's or Minnefor's Island, a title supposed to have been derived from an old Indian Sachem who once held sway there.
When witchcraft was ranked among the list of crimes, two unfortunate persons had sought City Island's shores as a sup- posedly safe refuge. But, as we are told, "the wave of fanati- cism which had swept through New England, reached this spot. and on October 2. 1665, Ralph Hall and Mary, his wife, were arraigned for trial at the Court of Assizes in New York, upon suspicion of witcheratt." We learn that they were brought to trial for "murder by means of witchcraft." As a result both pleaded not guilty, but the jury found that there was something "suspicions by the evidence of what the woman is charged with. but nothing considerable of value to take away her life. But in
A Scene in Echo Park
Baseball Game in Crotona Park
Sunday School May Walk in Claremont Park
Band Concert In Macomb's Dam Park
SCENES IN THE PARKS OF THE BRONX
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
reference to the man we find nothing considerable to charge him with."
For three dreary years the two lived in a little hut on the lonely shores of "Minneford's Island." Then, finally they were acquitted, "there having been no direct proof of witchcraft." Ac- cording to the records, this was the first case of witchcraft to come .
before the authorities in the Province of New York.
Then gradually developed the idea of founding a city on these shores to equal the far distant City of New York. This latter place seemed all very well in its way, but its location was far down on the lower end of Manhattan Island. Such were the dreams of Philip and Benjamin Palmer, who had spent their life from childhood's days on Throgg's Neck, opposite the island. Here was a spot that would completely solve the perplexing problem. No more risks to run in passing through the whirling maelstrom and dangerous rocks of Hell Gate. There was plenty of safe anchorage and refuge from storms. Even a plan, or map, was gotten out and an advertisement prepared,
The money for building a bridge to the mainland could not be raised and at last the project for building a city to rival New York was abandoned. As for Palmer, his circumstances became so reduced that Aaren Burr started a subscription which resulted in keeping him from abject poverty until his death.
After the completion of the iron Harlem Bridge, the original structure was removed to City Island, about 1873, and the old- fashioned ferry was at last abandoned.
Minneford Avenue is one of the most prominent thorough- fares of this little island kingdom. On a side street, fronting the waters of the Sound, is a quaint relic of one of the prizes of the gallant Stephen Decatur. When I visited the spot last. the house had been newly painted, thus obliterating a sign which proclaimed in large letters the unique history of the spot.
In the first place are the large characters "MACEDONIA HOTEL." On the north side is, or perhaps we had better say. was, this inscription :
"This house is the remains of the English Frigate Macedonia.
Macedonia Hotel
showing forth in glowing terms the advantages of the place. Real estate began to boom. A broad avenue-now Main Street -- was laid out and about four thousand lots were pianned. Mr. Palmer himself was offered as high as 300 and even 1.000 pounds for the most desirable portions.
Then the sky darkened. In 1776 the British fleet had ar- rived in New York harbor, and the island residents realized their extreme danger, so far away from the rest of the world. As for Palmer and his wife, they waited there a few days too long, and were all taken prisoners by the enemy, where he was "badly treated and continually refused permission to leave." Finally he obtained this permission, going to New York, where he remained until the close of the war.
During the Revolution, although the place was closely guarded by British warships, we learn with pride that the American whaleboats did not hesitate for a moment to dart ont and attack the enemy, no matter what size their ships were.
After the war, Palmer's troubles were by no means over. Because he had obeyed orders from some one in the King's service, he discovered that his land had been seized, and his peti- tions for the return of his possessions proved unsuccessful.
captured on Sunday, October 25, by the United States Fr :- gate United States Commanded by Cap't Stephen Decatur. U. S. N. The action was fought in Lat. 24' N., Long. 29' 30" W. That is About 600 Miles N. W. of the Cape de Verde Islands. Off the West Coast of Africa, and Towed to Cow Bay in 1874"
Thus we have a striking example of a ship on dry land. Nay, it is not only a ship, but half ship and half house. Ninety odd years ago, when the old "Macedonia" was in the full glory of its youth as a frigate-of-war in the English Navy, sailing near the Canary Islands, it became a prize of war of the daring and intrepid Decatur. In this way one of the finest warships of the British Navy became the property of the United States. in more senses than one ..
Without even a change of name, this almost new frigate began a most remarkable career under the stars and stripes. She did splendid work in battling with the Algerian pirates in the far distant Mediterranea. In the Mexican War Sie h .. . capture the stronghold of Vera Cruz, and in (84; she a ' ! : ) carry a most welcome cargo of food to the starving page Ireland. When the Civil War broke out, the Macedoma per- formed noble service as a transport of troops.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Finally in 1874 she was condemned by the government and towed to Cow Bay, Long Island, where an enterprising City Islander bought her, took her across the Sound on her last cruise, and erected the best part of her where she now, stands. The inscription on her sides is said to have been obtained from the War Department, so it may be taken as authentic.
A visit to the old ship is full of interest. On all sides can be seen the immense stanchions, bristling with the massive iron rings to which the ancient cannon were once fastened. The roof, being the old cabin, is curved, and opening from the sides,
like tiny cubby-holes, are the officers' staterooms. These are neatly furnished with beds, giving the place a most homelike and occupied air. The hooks from which the British tars and their American successors hung their hammocks are plainly in evi- dence, while in the roof can be seen the great round opening through which the giant mast once passed.
Around the corner from the "Macedonia Hotel" is City Island's burying ground. This is said to have given to the hotel the name of the "Dead Quiet."
City Island Car
CHAPTER XXI
THE BATTLE OF WESTCHESTER CREEK
General Account-Extract from General Heath's Memoirs-The Old Westchester Path-Old Milstons
We have seen how General Howe had conveyed his army, after a trip up the East River and the Sound, to Throgg's Neck, about where the present Havemeyer place is situated. This was on October 12, 1776. In August of the same year, a portion of his fleet had been sent forward to explore, and had proceeded as far as City Island. They embarked at Pelham Neck and were driven back to their ships by a detachment of the Westchester militia. In the first part of the next month Washington and Heath held a consultation at Kingsbridge. As the British plans were not plain, Heath took no chances. Besides forming a chain of videttes along the East River and Sound from Hell Gate to Throgg's Neck, he broke up all the roads leading to Kingsbridge in order to render them impassable for the British wagons and cannon. One strategic point he picked out -- the causeway at Westchester which connected the mainland with Throgg's Neck. Here was an old mill; the bridges over the sluiceway and overflow would be two advantageous points for an army to cross. A large pile of cordwood placed there seemed to form an almost natural breastwork, a number of picked rifle- men being placed behind. Another force was placed further up near the marshes.
Fearless of danger, the British who had landed at Throgg's Neck advanced towards the causeway. Almost before they were aware of it the planks at the old mill were ripped up, and a volley from behind the woodpile greeted them. "The unerring aim of American rifles checked the veterans of European battle fields, and, just as preconceived, the left flank at the head of the creek was attacked. Prescott, with his men who had fought at Bunker Hill, re-inforced the men at the woodpile and the cause- way."
Earthworks were hastily thrown up by forces near the old causeway, while both sides maintained a skirmish fire. Two days later Howe brought forward his heavy cannon, commencing the erection of a fortification on a large scale near where the Westchester Presbyterian Church now stands. After a few days Howe withdrew his guns and his troops, seeking to form a union with the Hessians near New Rochelle, a feat which was accom- plished, as we have seen, after the desperate struggle with Glover and his Marblehead regiment on Pelham Neck.
An extract from General Heath's Memoirs shows the pains- taking way in which he recorded the daily events. Page 70 is as follows :
70 Heath's Memoirs.
Oct., 1776.
tth-There was confiderable movement among the Britifl boats below, This afternoon, General. Warfhington's pleafure boats, coming down the river with a fresh breeze, and a topfail hoifted, was fuppofed, by the artillerifts at Mount Wafhington, to be one of the Britifh tenders running down. A 12 pounder was
difcharged at her, which was fo exactly pointed, as unfortunately to kill three Americans, who were much lamented. The fame day, feveral of Gen. Lincohi's regiments arrived, two of which were pofted on the North River.
12th-Early in the morning 80 or 90 Britifh boats, full of men, ftood up the found from Montrefor's Ifland, Long-Ifland, &c. The troops landed at Frog's Neck, and their advance pufhed forwards towards the cauleway and bridge at Weft-Chefcer inill. Col. Hand's riflemen took up the planks of the bridge, as had been directed, and commenced a firing with their rifles. The Britifh moved towards the head of the creek, but found here alfo the Americans in poffeffion of the pass. Our General imme- diately (as he had affured Col Hand he would do) ordered Col. Prefcott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with his regiment, and Capt. Lieut. Bryant of the artillery, with a 3 pounder, to re- inforce the rifleinen at Weft-Chefter caufeway; . . . to the check and difappointment of the enemy. The Britifh encamped on the neck. The riflemen and Yagers kept up a fcattering popp- ing at each other acroff the marfh; and the Americans on their fidc, and the Britifh on the other, threw up a work at the end of the caufeway. Capt. Bryant, now and then, when there was an object, faluted the Britifh with a field-piece."
Nowadays there are many different routes to choose from. in traveling from New York to New England. In days of yore there was but one, styled the "Old Westchester Path," leading from Manhattan Island, through the Bronx to Eastchester, and thence along the Sound through Greenwich and perhaps to Stamford and beyond.
To locate this "Old Westchester Path" is indeed an herculean task, as almost every authority locates it differently. One thing. however, they all agree on, that it had its origin in an ancient Indian trail through the primeval forest, this early path becom. ing the first highway for the daring white settler. It is said that Kingsbridge Road, from Kingsbridge to Eastchester and beyond. later developed into the Boston Post Road, was laid out along the crooked lines of the celebrated "Old Westchester Path."
The earliest inhabitants, both Dutch and English, were very familiar with its mysterious twistings and turnings long before such things as established villages were known. As early as 1666 it was called "Ye Common Path."
Its conrse was denoted by marked trecs through the dense wilderness and even to-day we find maps on record showing these landmarks, and more than one farm is "bounded and de- scribed" in deeds still in existence on one side or the other by the "Old Westchester Path."
A few years ago, we are told, a surveyor had occasion to trace out through the fields a section of the "Old Westchester Path." All went well at first, but soon a difficulty arose. A certain "white oak stump" was missing. Search as they wouldl.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
it was nowhere to be found. The men, on the point of despair, were about to give up the attempt when some one of them sug- gested going to the other end of the survey and measuring back- wirds. This plan was adopted and, lo! and behold, they came joyfully upon the rotting remains of the white oak stump, buried many feet below the surface. Thus was established an import- firmly set against the pole, where it still reads :
In 1732 the first stage coach came rumbling along, presum- ably following the line of the "Old Westchester Path." on the "Road from Sodom to Gomorrah, which, being interpreted, means from Boston to New York." We learn that this coach was an extremely slow traveler, and was fourteen days on the journey, carrying the news to and fro once a month. In 1672, Governor Lovelace established a post which should "sett forth from this citty of New York monthly and thence travail to Boston, from whence within that month hee shall return again to this citty all persons paying the post before the hag be sealed up."
In the days when Benjamin Franklin was Postmaster Gen-
eral of the Colonies, he established a weekly mail, even through the winter months. Shortly afterwards he started out on a thorough tour of inspection, erecting milestones. On the various post roads these stones may be seen to this day, weather-beaten and old, which are said to have been erected by Franklin him- self. Following Boston Road, the tenth mile stone may be seen at the corner of 168th Street, against a telegraph pole. When a large flat was erected on this corner and the old milestone seemed in danger, a public spirited citizen stepped forward and had ". firmly set against the pole, where it still reads :
10 Miles from City Hall.
Following up this old highway, the thirteenth mile stone was about half a mile beyond Bronxdale, but the widening of White Plains Road seems to have done away with it. Next comes the fifteenth mile stone, about half a mile this side of Eastchester, still standing on the west side of the road.
Old Mill at West" Farms
CHAPTER XXII
THE DEVIL'S STEPPING STONES
The Satanic Legends-The Old Ferris Houses-The Spy Tree and Its Legends-The Paul House-Kelly's Old Homestead-Thwaites' Old Homestead-" The Drovers' Inn" -- The Adee Cemetery
One of the most fantastic legends to which this part of the country can lay claim is known as "The Devil's Stepping Stones." Just this side of Eastchester, among the rocky fields, stands a huge boulder deeply marked with the impression of the right human foot. Another remarkable footprint, pointing in the same direction, is to be found not far from Fort Schuyler, while still a third impression can be seen across the Sound on Long Island. Now the key to this startling mystery lies in an old Indian tra- dition that the Arch Fiend in days of old set up a claim to this section of what was then Westchester County as his own special property. Beaten at last by the Indians, he was compelled to make a hasty retreat, leaping easily from Eastchester to Fort Schuyler. Here he was confronted by the waters of the Sound, but fortunately he spied, in his distress, a long line of rocks, on which, with remarkable agility, he crossed over to Long Island, there making use of the series of boulders that still bear his Satanic imprint.
This line of dangerous rocks in the Sound is known as "the Stepping Stones," on one of which the "Stepping Stone Light" shines forth, a familiar beacon to warn all mariners who travel by night.
Prior to this time, rumor has it that not so much as a boulder was to be seen in Westchester County, while Long Island was thickly strewn with them. In his towering rage at his defeat at the hands of the redskins, the Evil Spirit, so the le- gend runs, hastily collected every rock on the island in piles near Cold Spring, and vented his spite by hurling them at his distant enemies across the Sound. Thus we find the lower part of old Westchester County fairly bristling with boulders of all sizes, while Long Island is quite the reverse-all owing to the Devil's tantrum!
For still a second explanation of the mysterious footprints, we must turn back to a legend of the Stone Age, when the people firmly believed that could they but cut off the Devil's tail, he would feel so deeply disgraced as immediately to leave the region.
Accordingly they chose two of their strongest wielders of the mighty stone axes to undertake the task. Great was their joy on coming upon the object of their search, fast asleep, with luis tail neatly tucked under him. They could not cut off tus tuil without waking him; so they quietly chopped off his cloven hoofs and as quickly disappeared.
When the individual in question awoke from his sleep, he was indeed amazed to find that a human foot had grown on his ยท right leg, while his other possessed neither hoof nor foot. With haste and speed he at once proceeded to leave such a dangerous locality by means of a series of tremendous leaps, jumping only
upon the rocks we have described. The one redeeming feature of this marvelous legend, says some one, is that it explains the absence of the cloven hoof in the footprints on the boulders, as well as the fact that the impressions are all made by the right foot-the only one left him!
In speaking of these remarkable "Stepping Stones," Wash- ington Irving says: "I will say nothing of the Devil's Stepping Stones, by which the Arch Fiend made his retreat to Long Island. Neither will I say anything of the black man in a three-cornered hat, seated in the stern of a jollyboat, whom it is said that old Peter Stuyvesant once shot with a silver bullet."
Winding and twisting in its course, the old Pelham Road extended from Westchester to Pelham. The upper part of it forms a section of the level Eastern Boulevard, passing quite
Spy Trec, Pelham Road
close to the new Athletic Grounds of Pelham Bay Park. Within a stone's throw of Westchester Creek the Middletown Road branches off, on the south side of which is the ancient Ferris Homestead, the newer one, with its imposing row of columns, being on the northern side of the roadway.
Perhaps half way between Westchester and Pelham Bridge stands one of our most historic oaks, the famous "Spy Tree." Reports state that it is the largest of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains, and together with one or two others it is classed as the last remaining vestige of the vast primeval forest that once covered this entire section of Westchester County. What a magnificent race of giants they must have been !
llistory tells us that during the long struggle of the Revo- Intion, a British spy, captured in the neighborhood, was brought to this gigantic tree and summarily hanged from one of its branches. 1 well remember seeing the noble branch on which
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
the luckless spy met his fate. The historians relate that it was withered by the curse of him who perished there so ignomini- ously. Since that time many a "Skinner" has been taken to the same spot and as quickly met his death. A coil of rusty tele- graph wire, hanging from this fated limb, was pointed out to the credulous as the identical noose from which the unfortunate spy and the "Skinners" were suspended over a century ago!
Tradition tells strange tales of this old tree and its sur- roundings. Near by was once a well, of such renown that every- body from far and near used to come to draw the clear, cold water. One evening, many years ago, two young girls started with their pails to walk to this old well, and when close to the "Spy Tree," they saw a strange form approaching, "dressed in a military coat with an overcape after the style of the overcoats worn by the officers towards the close of the last century. Nearer and nearer the figure came-he was within a few feet of the girls, when suddenly he vanished into thin air before their eyes !"
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