USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 9
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As a result we now have this beautiful park, in area 1,756 acres, including picturesque rock-bound bays and inlets, with a shore line of over nine miles, including land which is simply unsurpassed by any park in the world for purposes of public recreation. One portion, with an extent of over four hundred acres, reaches out into the Sound in the form of a peninsula, "presenting a picture of great beauty and diversity. Along the shore line of this park are large tracts of woodland, abounding in stately trees centuries old, forming natural groves, which were formerly the spacious grounds of some of our wealthy residents."
With the risk of repeating what has been already said about these early residents, we may mention that this region was purchased from the Indians in 1639 and named "Vreeland," or the "Land of Peace." On the Hutchinson River, or Eastchester Creek, not far from Split Rock, was the dwelling and plantation formerly referred to, of the noted Anne Hutchinson. When the Puritans, who had banished her from New England, learned of her death, they remarked that "the Lord hath made a woful example of a wicked woman !"
In the year 1654, Thomas Pell became one of the first .set- lers. For the large tract that he purchased from the Indians, he paid : "2 gunns, 2 kettles, 2 coats, 2 adzes, 2 shirts, I barrel of cider and 6 bitts of money." One version is that the immense oak tree under which Lord Pell signed his treaty with the Indians is still standing, as strong and vigorous as ever in front of the great stone Bartow mansion, to the northeast of Bartow Station. The other version is that the old tree is now destroyed, and that a well known and prominent gentleman in New Rochelle has a small portion of this tree as a souvenir. According to the first authority, the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution erected a fence around the tree and placed a suitable inscription upon it.
Passing to a few interesting ghost stories, we may relate the following :
"If you want to see the most awful ghosts you can possibly
imagine," advised an old woman, who had lived all her days in Pelham, "you must wait until the moon is full and then hide yourself near the 'llaunted Cedar Knoll.' "
"And where is this haunted place?" she was asked.
"You know the Boston Post Road. I guess it runs clear through to old Boston. Well, the Pelham Priory is on that road-it's the finest old house hereabouts. Just across from the Priory is a knoll covered with rocks and cedar trees. That's the place."
"Have you ever seen ghosts there?"
"Sure, certain, I seen them. I was a young girl then, and that was a long time ago. It was so frightful that I never dared go back again. They were Indian ghosts, you see, and their cries and yells just made your blood stop running.
"Yes, there was some wind, but I know what sort of noises the wind can make. Nothing like those I heard. There were more than a score of them, and they had no heads, unless you count the heads which they were carrying in their hands, which couldn't have been of much use to them. They formed in a big ring and began to dance. First each headless ghost danced by himself. Then they threw the heads in the centre of the ring and danced around theni. After they got tired they picked up the heads again-I've always wondered if some of them might have picked up the wrong heads-and in a minute they were gone. All that I saw, myself !
"My grandmother told me how the Indians came to haunt the cedars, but I can't swear it's the true story. Once there were two tribes that were very good friends -- the Siwanoys and the Laaphawachkins-at least that's what the names sounded like. One of the Si's killed one of the Laapshaws in a quarrel. Then the Laapshaws robbed some of the Si's graves in return. So there was a bloody fend. They fought a deadly battle of the knoll, and the Laapshaws were all dead. The others cut off their heads and left them there for the squaws to bury-and that is the whole story."
The Phantom Fire Ship plays an important part in the early legends of Pelham, although this mysterious craft is said to have been seen at various place, along the Sound from llelf Gate to Gardiner's Island.
Below is the thrilling Pelham account :
"When the buccaneers infested the Sound they captured a ship, and leaving a big white horse aboard, tied to the foremts :. set fire to it and sailed away. Strange to say, the fire barned without smoke and without destroying anything. It even barre 1 life into the murdered crew, enabling them to move about decks. The horse alone was frightened, and sparks few a. pawed at the foremast.
"When the fiercest storms blow, this remarkable craft is driven here and there with the wind, leaving behind a trail vi
CHAPTER XIX
PELHAM BAY PARK
Anne Hutchinson-Thomas Pell-Haunted Cedar Knoll-Glover's Rock-Battle of Pell's Point-Old Ferris House .
"New York wants and should have immediately a grand park with a water front on Long Island Sound; one which should be the people's own, a resort for picnics and excursions, a place where they could enjoy the pleasures of boating, bathing, fishing, riding, etc." Such were the words in the petition of the act under which Pelham Bay Park was formed. The Commission in part reports: "A large park on Long Island Sound, well situated and picturesque, accessible both by land and by water, swept by the healthful breezes of each, a park which may be approached by steamboats and all manner of vessels, where the people can roam in freedom, well shaded by native trees, seems as necessary to our city, as it is to be at the same time so beauti- ful, original and healthful."
As a result we now have this beautiful park, in area 1,756 acres, including picturesque rock-bound bays and inlets, with a shore line of over nine miles, including land which is simply unsurpassed by any park in the world for purposes of public recreation. One portion, with an extent of over four hundred acres, reaches out into the Sound in the form of a peninsula, "presenting a picture of great beauty and diversity. Along the shore line of this park are large tracts of woodland, abounding in stately trees centuries old, forming natural groves, which were formerly the spacious grounds of some of our wealthy residents."
With the risk of repeating what has been already said about these early residents, we may mention that this region was purchased from the Indians in 1639 and named "Vreeland," or the "Land of Peace." On the Hutchinson River, or Eastchester Creek, not far from Split Rock, was the dwelling and plantation formerly referred to, of the noted Anne Hutchinson. When the Puritans, who had banished her from New England, learned of her death, they remarked that "the Lord hath made a woful example of a wicked woman !"
In the year 1654, Thomas Pell became one of the first .set- lers. For the large tract that he purchased from the Indians, he paid: "2 gunns, 2 kettles, 2 coats, 2 adzes, 2 shirts. I barrel of cider and 6 bitts of money." One version is that the immense oak tree under which Lord Pell signed his treaty with the Indians is still standing, as strong and vigorous as ever in front of the great stone Bartow mansion, to the northeast of Bartow Station. The other version is that the old tree is now destroyed, and that a well known and prominent gentleman in New Rochelle has a small portion of this tree as a souvenir. According to the first authority, the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution erceted a fence around the tree and placed a suitable inscription upon it.
Passing to a few interesting ghost stories, we may relate the following :
"If you want to see the most awful ghosts you can possibly
imagine," advised an old woman, who had lived all her days in Pelham, "you must wait until the moon is full and then hide yourself near the Haunted Cedar Knoll.""
"And where is this haunted place?" she was asked.
"You know the Boston Post Road. I guess it runs clear through to old Boston. Well, the Pelham Priory is on that road-it's the finest old house hereabouts. Just across from the Priory is a knoll covered with rocks and cedar trees. That's the place."
"Have you ever seen ghosts there?"
"Sure, certain, I seen them. I was a young girl then, and that was a long time ago. It was so frightful that I never dared go back again. They were Indian ghosts, you see, and their cries and yells just made your blood stop running.
"Yes, there was some wind, but I know what sort of noises the wind can make. Nothing like those I heard. There were more than a score of them, and they had no heads, unless you count the heads which they were carrying in their hands, which couldn't have been of much use to them. They formed in a big ring and began to dance. First each headless ghost danced by himself. Then they threw the heads in the centre of the ring and danced around them. After they got tired they picked up the heads again-I've always wondered if some of them might have picked up the wrong heads-and in a minute they were gone. All that I saw, myself !
"My grandmother told me how the Indians came to haunt the cedars, but I can't swear it's the true story. Once there were two tribes that were very good friends-the Siwanoys and the Laaphawachkins-at least that's what the names sounded like. One of the Si's killed one of the Laapshaws in a quarrel. Then the Laapshaws robbed some of the Si's graves in return. So there was a bloody feud. They fought a deadly battle on the knoll, and the Laapshaws were all dead. The others cut off their heads and left them there for the squaws to bury-and that is the whole story."
The Phantom Fire Ship plays an important part in the early legends of Pelham, although this mysterious craft is said to have been seen at various places along the Sound from llelf Gate to Gardiner's Island.
Below is the thrilling Pelham account :
"When the buccaneers infested the Sound they captured a ship, and leaving a big white horse aboard, tied to the foremas :. set fire to it and sailed away. Strange to say, the fire barned without smoke and without destroying anything. I even barred life into the murdered crew, enabling them to move about to decks. The horse alone was frightened, and sparks few as '. pawed at the foremast.
"When the fiereest storms blow, this remarkable craft is driven here and there with the wind, leaving behind a trail of
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Fallav.
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SCENES ON THE BRONX SHORE FRONT
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المعام ها الملف
Francis Crawford
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55
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
sparks. Even the waves dash back from her red-hot sides, and for the moment are turned to flame. The fiery sailors run about the decks and even climb into the rigging, which is the color of molten iron."
Such is the account of the Fire Phantom that was seen when the old residents were boys, and which, unfortunately, the later comers have never been able to behold.
Crossing the old Pelham Bridge over Hutchinson River, a half mile's walk brings us to Bartow Station and the City Island Road. If we turn down this ancient highway we shall, after a series of windings, reach the new bridge that spans the waters to City Island, but our attention is first arrested by a gigantic bowlder on the right, adorned with a prominent tablet. It reads thus :
GLOVER'S ROCK
In memory of the 550 patriots, who, led by Colo- nel John Glover, held General Howe's army in check at the
BATTLE OF PELL'S POINT, October 18, 1776,
Thus aiding General Washington in his retreat to White Plains. "Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds." Erected by Bronx Chapter of Mount Vernon, N. Y. Daughters of the American Revolution. October 18, 1901.
For a goodly part of the Revolution, Westchester, the "home of peace," was in the very heart of the conflict. Leaving about two thousand troops on Manhattan Island, Lord Howe embarked with the remainder of his forces for Throgg's Neck. With his characteristic indolence, he remained here for six days, foiled by a mere handful of patriots under the command of Hand and Prescott.
October 18, at one o'clock in the morning, saw him re- embark and proceed by water for Pell's Point. Here he was encountered by a force of the Colonials under Colonel John Glover. On the British side were drawn up almost the whole British army ; on the American side were only four skeleton regi- ments, all from Massachusetts. Thus we have the 4,000 of the British against the 750 of the Americans. Glover's own regi- ment was variously styled the "Fishermen's" or the "Amphibious" regiment.
In the diary of President Stiles of Yale College we find :
22 October-Camp at Mile Square, Eastchester.
"Friday morning the 18th we were alarmed, and the enemy landed at Rodman's Point, a place about four miles from our encampment."
Colonel Glover thus writes :
"I went on the hill with my glass and discovered a number of ships in the Sound under way (and) the (small) boats, up- ward of 200, all filled with troops . . . I would have given a thousand worlds to have had General Lee or sonie other experi- enced officer present to direct or at least approve." He adds: "It was very lucky that he acted without orders (for) the enemy had stole a march one and a half miles on us."
The resistance at P'ell's Point, says some one, was char- acterized by a pertinacity of purpose and a stubbornness of hand-
to-hand fighting which kept Washington's main army practically intact. The correct location of the scene of battle is determinable by two widely separated points-the bridge over the Hutchinson River and Glover's Rock. The first is identified by the allusion of Colonel Glover to a "run of water," and to the bridge planks taken up in the morning. The short piece of road from Wolf's Lane to the bridge is low now and might well have been a cause- way in 1776. Well attested tradition identifies Glover's Rock, as do the cannon balls found there when the street railway was being constructed.
The advance guard of only forty men succeeded in holding the British in check until Glover "disposed his own men to ad- vantage," behind trees and stone walls, all the time pouring a fierce and effective fire on the advancing Redcoats.
Thus the uncqual battle was kept up for practically all day. After several hours the patriot forces were forced to retire by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. In the morning, while waiting for the British to appear, after their advance guard had fallen back towards the main body, our men were waiting sadly for their breakfast, their hunger being whetted by the sharp October air.
According to Draper it required three minutes to load, prime and aim the flint-lock musket. President Stiles says: "Our men behaved like soldiers, conformed to the orders of their officers, and retreated in grand order. It is said that once one of our men leaped over the wall and took a hat and canteen from a captain who lay dead on the ground they had retreated from. This captain, we read, was a member of the "King's Own" regiment, and was not killed, as stated, but fatally wounded.
"Our troops were as calm and as steady as though expecting a shot at a flock of pigeons. When the general (Glover) gave orders to retreat, it was obeyed with the greatest possible re- luctance."
As the Shore Road was not in existence at that time, there must have been some connection between the City Island Road and the Split Rock Road. Along this roadway the Americans retreated, pouring volley after volley into the advancing English lines. The heavy "Tower" muskets, the long squirrel rifles and the light fowling pieces are all called into service. They march slowly up the Split Rock Road, along Wolf's or Collins' Lane, where the ground is much to the advantage of the retreaters. They pass the Pell, or Hay House, crossing the Hutchinson River, where they are compelled to wade, the flooring having been torn away.
Clambering up they are on the rocky heights beyond, re- joining the comrades of Glover's regiment, who come to their assistance with their artillery, the British being brought to a stop by the heavy firing from the field pieces.
In this, which has been styled the most important action of the year, the Americans lost only six killed, while twenty were wounded. The Redcoats' loss is variously estimated at between 800 and 1,000. Such was the resistance of Colonel Glover that Howe miade no effort to cross the stream. According to Colonel Glover: "After fighting all day without victuals or drink, we lay all night, the heavens above us and the earth beneath us, which was all we had, having left our baggage at the old encamp- ment we left in the morning."
The next day they were forced to continue the retreat to Mile Square, well knowing that the delay they had caused to Howe was immensely valuable to Washington, who was enabled to reach White Plains by the 25th. Had it not been for the gallantry of Glover, they might have effectively intercepted Wash- ington in his march northiward, with dire results to hini.
We may quote for a moment from Lee's orders :
56
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
"Mile Square, Oct. 19, 1776.
"Gen'l Lee returns his warmest thanks to Colonel Glover and the Brigade under his command, not only for their gallant behaviour yesterday, but for their prudent, cool, orderly and soldierly conduct in all respects . . . All the wounded to be immediately sent to Valentine's Ilill at the second Liberty Pole, where Surgeons should repair to dress them."
From Washington came the following : "Headquarters, Oct. 21, 1776.
"General Orders.
"The hurried situation of the General the last two days having prevented him from paying that attention to Colonel Glover and the officers and soldiers who were with him in the skirmish on Friday last, their merit and good behaviour deserved. he flatters himself that his thanks though delayed will neverthe- less be acceptable to them as they are offered with great sin- cerity and cordiality."
Earthworks had been thrown up on the place where the Preshy- terian Church now stands, and the old mill by the creek had been fortified. The British were repulsed and what would have been a serious set-back to the American cause was prevented.
"Had Lord Howe realized that by isolating this portion of "the Colonial army he could have prevented its joining the mai .: army at Williamsbridge, it is safe to say he would never have taken his twenty-eight boat-loads of Hessians to New Rochelle. As it was, Washington was enabled to join the two armies, and the patriots still had a fighting chance. The ruins of the old mill are still to be seen, and it is to be hoped that some day a fitting memorial will be placed to commemorate this battle of Westchester Creek."
Leaying this region for the present and returning to Pel- ham Bay Park we may note the Pell family burying ground. close to the Bartow mansion. Cut into the granite posts are the following inscriptions :
JOHNFELL
1669.
Pell Burying Ground
According to one authority Lord Howe was using as his headquarters the old stone and wood farmhouse, now destroyed, at the extreme end of Clason's Point. Others say that he lodged at the Ferris house, situated in what is now known as the Westchester Country Club grounds.
"While the family was at breakfast on October 12, 1775," we read. "the British troops disembarked, and Lord Howe and his officers rode up to the house. Into the house rode the company, some of the officers even attempting to ride up the stairs. The hoofmarks of the horses are still to be seen in the hall and on the staircase (the present owner having laid a hardwood floor over the old one. ) The wife of James Ferris, as she enter- tamed these enenties, conveyed news of their plans to Washing- ton, part of whose army was encamped on the other side of Westchester Creek. This information was procured by her color- ed Itler, who waited on them at table. Consequently when the British gave battle they found that the Colonials were prepared.
Post No. 1-Royal Patent, Oct. 6, 1666, Duke of York to Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor.
Post No. 2-Indian Grant of Pelham Manor to Thomas Pell, November 14, 1654.
Post No. 3-Royal Patent, October 25, 1687, James II. to John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor.
Post No. 4-Pelham Bay Park, 1884. Erected 1891 by de- scendants of Benjamin Pell, grandson of Thomas Pell, Third Lord of the Manor.
In intaglio, on each post is the crest of the Pell family. a "Pelican Gorged." On two old headstones we find these in- scriptions:
ller Lives ISEC PELL D. Dec. 14 NO 1748.
Francis Crawford
57
HISTORY OF !. BRONX BOROUGH
Is Her the body of Joseph Pell Eged 31 D 1752.
The other graves are those of Susannah, wite of Benjamin Drake, who died in 1763; Phoebe, widow of Joseph Pell, who died in 1790; Salom Pell, who died when one year old, in 1760, and John, son of James and Phoebe Bennett. The larger stone within the enclosure was erected in 1762 and is inscribed :
"This stone is placed here in token of respect for the mem- ory of . . . several of the descendants of John Pell, who was born in the year 1643 and died in the year 1700 the 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.
In regard to this little graveyard, David Pell Secor says: "There were other interments there some forty years ago, wlien I visited the farm of Robert Bartow, in Pelham, and I am sorry to say I found the graves of some of the Pell family ploughed 1:p and the headstones set up against a stone wall in the field where the graves were. Others of the Pell family are buried on City Island, in New Rochelle, and in St. Paul's Churchyard in Eastchester, as well as in Greenwood Cemetery and in New York City."
The old roadway that extends trom Pelham Road north- westerly towards Prospect Hill, is known as the Split Rock Road
Pell Mansion
or Collins Lane. It was along this that the Americans retreated, as we have seen, making their last stand at the Split Rock itself. On the other side of the lane stands the old Collins Mansion, or Joshua Pell House, pre-Revolutionary in its date. Many a de- heious meal have I enjoyed in its old-fashioned dining room, and I regret most deeply to see the ancient place falling to pieces.
Traces of this old lane are visible even through the streets of Prospect Hill. Undoubtedly Wolf's Lane is a continuation of the same along which the Revolutionists retreated. At the foot of the hill is the finest Pell Mansion of all. now remodelled and modernized. Around at rises a splendid collection of magniti- cent pine trees, shading the ancient columns on either side of the doorway and the unique lattice work forming a pretty balcony just above. On the opposite side is plainly visible the
elegant coat of arms of the Pell family, set firmly in the stone wall, "Pelican Gorged."
Another old mansion, close to the corner of Wolf's Lane and Boston Road, one of the most attractive residences of Secor Hill, is also declared to have been the home of one of the Pells. One account is that, while his troops were slow's. but surely driving the patriots before them, Lord Howe and his officers lunched within its walls. To have the British officers on the place was bad enough, but when they seized on the very last turkey of the people living there, it became too much for human nature to bear.
According to one of the documents of the City History Clus. this lunch was eaten in the golden shade of what even then mes: have been a group of grand old chestnuts. A well known his- torian visited this spot with me in the spring of 1902, and pointed out a magnificent chestnut, whose boughs have, many of them. fallen off since then, the tree being one of the largest of i:s kind to be found north of the mountains of Tennessee. Standing quite close to the original Boston Post Road, it is not far from the large stone Pell Mansion. On the morning of October 23. 1775, so this authority tells us, this section witnessed probatty the finest military pageant which it ever beheld. Howe, abset to pursue Washington towards White Plains had decked his troops in their very best Sunday uniform. The Hessians under Knyphausen were clad in green, making a pleasing contrast to the bright scarlet of the British. Perhaps 10,000 men were drawn. up for this review.
When the sun reached the noon mark in the clear heavens, the party stopped for lunch under the branches of this "Howe Chestnut," and as has been aptly expressed, "well may we hoge that the pleasantry of this occasion, to which so many prominen: Loyalists had been invited, was not marred by the lack of ma ::- ners of Count Von Knyphausen, who, though a gallant general, was a trifle deficient in table etiquette."
A curious fact comes from the same source. In the a :- tumn of 1876 two gentlemen were talking over these historis events under the same old tree, just a century after Howe and his comrades feasted beneath its spreading branches. Drawing an immense pistol, one of the men said:
"This is the weapon carried by my grandfather while with General Howe when they lunched under these very trees. N.w I want to present you with this derringer as a memento of the anniversary of that parade."
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