USA > New York > Westchester County > Westchester county in history; manual and civil list, past and present. County history: towns, hamlets, villages and cities, Volume III > Part 17
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Of the Manor of Pelham, of which what is now known as New Rochelle was a part, John Pell, a descendant of Thomas Pell, sold to Jacob Leisler, in 1689, and Leisler sold to the Hugue- nots, in 1690, six thousand and one hundred acres. Pell sold the six thousand acres, and threw in one hundred acres extra for a French Church.
Residents of New Rochelle, especially the older ones, entertain a kindly feeling for Jacob Leisler, consider him a good man who was influenced by noble principles, that he was unjustly accused and killed in the name of the law. Gabriel Minville, who was appointed Mayor of New York City in 1684, was responsible
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for the execution for treason of Jacob Leisler and his son-in-law, Jacob Millborne, the only persons ever executed for that crime in the Province of the State of New York. Peter Delanoy, also accused of treason (in alleged aiding the French), as an asso- ciate of Leisler was acquitted, and to express dissatisfaction with the act of Mayor Minville, Delanoy was chosen Mayor of the city, almost immediately.
In 1911 celebrations in honor of the memory of Leisler were held in New York city.
According to Pell's grant, the price demanded was sixteen hundred and seventy-five pounds and twenty-five shillings ster- ling, current silver money of this province, to him in hand paid and secured, etc. A further stipulation, in way of payment for land so transferred, was that the purchaser in possession should, "for ever, yield and pay unto the said John Pell, his heirs and assigns, lords of the said Manor of Pelham, to the assignees, of him or them, or their or either of them, as an acknowledgment to the lords of the said manor, one fat calf on every four and twentieth day of June, yearly and every year forever if demanded."
In 1909 the officials of the City of New Rochelle, when cele- brating the city's tenth anniversary, suggested carrying out that clause of the Pell Grant requiring the payment of one fat calf. The Mayor succeeded in getting in communication with George Hamilton Pell, a descendant of the original Pell, and notifying him that the City, prompted by the celebrating spirit of the time, might be willing to present on the approaching 24th day of June, to an heir of Lord Pell, the aforesaid fat calf. In the same spirit in which the offer was made the said Pell agreed to accept payment, and all make merry over the eating; that he would be glad to receive the City's representa- tives as well as the said calf, and the fatted calf would be killed in celebration of the meeting.
A legal objection prevented relative Pell, the city officials and the calf meeting as proposed.
The tenth anniversary of the City's incorporation was duly celebrated on April 26, 1909, by public ceremonies, under direc- tion of City officials, assisted by a large committee of leading citizens. In the parade local firemen, military and civic societies were largely represented. A banquet in the evening followed.
In May, 1909, the two hundredth anniversary of Trinity
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Episcopal Church, of this city, was extensively observed by public religious and civic exercises.
The old Tom Paine cottage was removed in 1909 from its original site, about half a mile from North Avenue, on the old See farm, to the entrance of Paine's Heights residential park on North Avenue; on July 14, 1910, it was formally opened as a museum and as the headquarters of the Huguenot Association of New Rochelle.
June 12, 1909, was "Huguenot Day" in this city. On that day thousands of residents, assisted by many visitors from abroad, celebrated the two hundred and twenty-first anniversary of the landing of the Huguenots who settled in New Rochelle in 1688. A principal feature of the day's program was a great water pageant at Echo Bay; the arrival of the Huguenots and their reception by the native Indians was enacted in costume, residents being assigned parts, taking place at Bonnefoi Point, the scene of the original landing. A vessel, constructed to resemble the caravel "La Rochelle," which landed the Hugue- nots in New Rochelle harbor in 1688, came duly to port as did its predecessor years ago, and men, women and children, dressed in imitation of the early settlers, came from the vessel and landed as it is presumed their foreparents did. The characters of Huguenots and Indians were taken by prominent residents, cos- tumed for their several parts. The celebration was a marked success in all respects.
The old French names brought here by the early settlers, and in late years frequently heard, as borne by many prominent residents, are. fast passing away.
In August, 1911, residents of this city sent a gold-lined silver loving cup, costing $500, paid for by popular subscription, as a gift, in evidence of good will, to the people of La Rochelle, France, to be presented to the latter on the occasion of the dedi- cation, in the French city, of a monument to the memory of former Mayor Jean Guiton, on October 8, 1911. Henry M. Lester and Charles Pryer, members of the New Rochelle Hugue- not Society, visited La Rochelle as a committee to take the cup and make the presentation. On the date last named the Munici- pal Council of La Rochelle received the delegates from this city who presented the cup to the Mayor. In return the Mayor pre- sented to the visitors, for the City of New Rochelle, a bronze reproduction of the statue of Jean Guiton, to be unveiled at La Rochelle on October 22.
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The first public school houses, three in number, were built in 1795.
In 1764 two residents declined to serve as Tax Collector; evi- dently they thought the collecting of taxes distasteful to others as well as themselves.
A monument to the memory of Thomas Paine, who lived and died here, stands on North Avenue, at entrance to his former place of residence.
The first Town Hall was built on corner of Main and Mechanic streets, in 1828, with money, $1,550, left to the Town by will of William Henderson. This old building was removed, from original site, to Lawton Street where it now stands. The build- ing of the second Town Hall was authorized by act of the Legis- lature in 1870. The present City Hall is the second Town Hall rebuilt in 1899-1900, at a cost of over $20,000.
The first meeting of Village Trustees was held January 21, 1853; Albert Smith, M. D., was first village president.
The first attempt, in 1898, to make New Rochelle a city failed; the bill passed the Legislature, but Gov. Black withheld his signature.
Fort Slocum, located on David's Island, on Long Island Sound, is within the limits of this city, as is Glen Island, a summer picnic park. David's Island was sold to the United States government in 1868 for military purposes. Glen Island, nearby, was purchased by John H. Starin, and while he lived the island was used as family picnic grounds open to the public.
New Rochelle's graded schools and its many up-to-date school buildings compare favorably with any in the State.
Its police department is efficient and its members a fine body of men. Its fire department consists of five hundred willing volunteers and all modern equipment; the fire houses are brick buildings with modern conveniences-it is a part paid depart- ment.
Its public water system has ever proven satisfactory. Its sewerage is of the best.
The well kept city parks on Long Island Sound shore front are fully appreciated, even by out-of-town people, who in the summer daily visit them in hundreds. The bathing facilities are unexcelled.
The New Rochelle Yacht Club, the Huguenot Yacht Club, the New Rochelle Rowing Club, and similar clubs have their club
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houses on the shore front, either on Echo Bay or Neptune Bay. The local branch of State Naval Militia is a fine body of men.
New Rochelle has, in time, boasted of eight banking institu- tions ; five commercial banks and three savings banks. The first, the Bank of New Rochelle, an individual bank, was organized in 1844, and was owned by D. Sayre of New Rochelle. The next organized was the New Rochelle Savings Bank in 1865; some time after the failure of this bank, Adrian Iselin, of New Rochelle, a private banker in New York, opened here a branch to receive deposits for savings; in 1881, when Mr. Iselin estab- lished this branch there was no regular savings bank in the place, and he decided there should be some way contrived to encourage the saving of money. Owing to his advanced years and his inability to give further personal attention to the New Rochelle branch, the same was closed July 1, 1902. In 1909 the People's Savings Bank was organized. The second commercial bank, to be known as the Bank of New Rochelle, was organized in 1888, and steadily flourished; this bank became the New Rochelle Trust Company in 1907, and continues to be one of the reliable financial institutions of the County and State. The third com- mercial bank was The City Bank, organized in 1899, and was a success from the very start; in 1902 it changed from a State Bank to a National Bank, taking the title of The National City Bank. In 1910 two commercial banks, in addition, were organ- ized under extremely favorable conditions; the first being the North Avenue Bank, and the second being the Huguenot Trust Company, also located on North Avenue.
The city's advantages as a manufacturing place is being rapidly taken advantage of. Its many industries give employ- ment to large numbers of residents, men and women.
The mayors of this city have been, M. J. Dillon, from 1899 to 1902; Henry C. Clarke, from 1902 to 1908; George G. Ray- mand, 1908 to 1910; Harry C. Colwell, 1910 to 1912; Frederick H. Waldorf, 1912 to 1914.
For names of Supervisors in town and city, since organization, see list of "Supervisors of the Several Towns," published in volumes 1 and 2.
The town's population, according to the several census enu- merations, has been as follows, in the years given: In 1830, 1,274 ; in 1835, 1,261; in 1840, 1,816; in 1845, 1,977; in 1850, 2,548; in 1855, 3,101; in 1860, 3,519; in 1865, 3,968; in 1870,
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3,915; in 1875, 4,678; in 1880, 5,276; in 1890, 9,057; in 1902, 9,990 ; in 1900, as a city, 14,720; in 1905, 20,006 ; in 1910, 28,867.
Commencing May 13, 1912, a week was devoted to the celebra- tion of the Centennial of the reorganization and admission of the First Presbyterian Church of the city into the Presbyterian denomination of America.
New Rochelle was settled in 1688. In 1692 the first French church was built, which was burned down in 1723. In 1709, because of the difficulty in obtaining the services of French preachers, all but two members of the congregation conformed to the Church of England, the outgrowth of which is the present Trinity Church. The two that did not conform gathered later French settlers and in 1723 they erected another church, under the name of the "Reformed Protestant Congregation of New Rochelle." This church decayed and was torn down in 1783.
About 1784 the congregation became allied with the Presby- terian Church, and on February 23, 1808, incorporated under the title of "French Church of New Rochelle." A reorganiza- tion under a committee appointed by the Presbytery of New York took place on May 30, 1812, and a building was raised and dedicated in 1815 on land fronting on Huguenot street, which was the gift of George Pelor. The present church was erected of native bowlders in 1860. Beneath the tower is the doorstep of the old Reformed French Church.
The Huguenot Association of New Rochelle is in possession of the original deed of the 6,000 acres of land delivered by John Pell, Lord of the Manor of Pelham, and Rachel, his wife, to Jacob Leisler, then acting Governor of the province of New York, who in turn sold it to the Huguenot refugees. This deed was found on January 23, 1912, by William D. Bonnett, of North avenue, New Rochelle, in a secret compartment of an old desk bequeathed to him by his grandfather. The document is in an excellent state of preservation, after 225 years. The deed, which is on a large sheet of parchment, bears the signature of John Pell, the mark of his wife and the names of five witnesses. As payment for the land, Mr. Leisler, according to this deed, gave "one thousand six hun- dred and seventy-five pounds, and agrees to give to John Pell, his heirs or assigns, one fat calf on every four and twentieth day of June yearly and every year forever (if demanded)." The deed bears date "the twentieth day of September, in the first year of the reign of our sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, King
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and Queen of England, and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine."
Through the exertions of members of Huguenot Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, there was erected on North Ave- nue, this city, on June 25, 1913, a colossal statue of Jacob Leisler.
The Two Hundred and Twenty-fifth (225th) Anniversary of the founding of the town of New Rochelle by French Hugue- nots, was observed in June, 1913, as a most extraordinary event worthy of elaborate celebration by citizens of the city of New Rochelle and other sections of the County who attended in thousands to make the event a success. Not only was the cele- bration of local interest, but Huguenot descendants dwelling in all parts of the United States found opportunity to be present. Officials representing La Rochelle, France, the Huguenot "home city," were the most honored guests, invitations having been ex- tended by officials of the city of New Rochelle to the Mayor and Council of La Rochelle. Others among the distinguished invited guests were the Ambassador from France to the United States, and the French Consul-General at New York city, the President of the United States and members of his Cabinet, the Governor of the State of New York, Senators and Repre- sentatives in Congress, members of the State Legislature, and city officials from all sections of the State.
The celebration lasted one week, beginning June 22 and end- ing June 28, 1913. On the first day, Sunday, services in the local churches; on the second day, a general reception of guests and citizens in the City Hall; automobile trips around the city for guests ; evening reception at High School building; on third day, military, firemen's and civic parade; on fourth day, Hugue- not Association reception-unveiling of the Jacob Leisler Monu- ment-in the evening public banquet; on fifth day, entertain- ment of guests by sail on Long Island Sound-parade of School Children; on sixth day, reception for guests and residents at homes of private citizens during day; on seventh day, the cele- bration ended with a Grand Water Pageant, representing the landing of the Huguenots at Bonnefoi Point (New Rochelle) in 1688; day fireworks and music in parks; in the evening, illumination of Echo Bay Harbor, music, fireworks, and Water Carnival.
HARRY E. COLWELL
MICHAEL J. TIERNEY
WILLIAM B. GREELEY
SAMUEL F. SWINBURNE
WILLIAM A. MOORE
JOHN HOLDEN
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HARRY EDWIN COLWELL.
Harry E. Colwell, Mayor of New Rochelle, etc., was born on May 23, 1871, in Amity, Orange County, New York, a son of Robert Carpenter and Ida (Waterbury) Colwell.
In 1893 the subject of this sketch became a resident of New Rochelle.
He received his education in the public school of his native town and Goldthwaites Preparatory School in Goshen, N. Y.
When seventeen years of age he ac- cepted a position in a clothing store in Deckertown, now' Sussex, N. J., receiving one dollar per week and board. In 1890, three years later, he went to Goshen, N. Y., and en- tered the office of a prominent real estate broker; remained here three years; after becoming familiar with what he considered his life work, he decided on seeking a new and wider business field; he located in New Rochelle, as a partner of Cortlandt I. Davids, an old established real estate broker, and representative of one of the town's oldest families, and at that time Town Receiver of Taxes.
In 1894 the partnership was dis- solved, Mr. Colwell deciding to carry on real estate and insurance busi- ness on his own account. He soon also became widely known as a suc- cessful auctioneer, and the only prominent one in the town.
Genial manners and courteous treatment of all with whom he came in contact, made him one of the most popular men about town as well as one of the most successful. He became generally respected and deservedly influential. He was fre- quently offered nomination for pub- lic office when nominations were equivalent to election; these he de- clined, preferring to devote his time to his private business.
At the organization of the local Board of Trade prior to 1898, Mr. Colwell was chosen secretary, Hon. John Q. Underhill being elected first president. This Board of Trade as- sisted materially in securing for the town of New Rochelle a city charter.
Mr. Colwell served four years as president of the Board of Trade and |
until the Board was merged into the present Merchants' Exchange.
As the head of the Board of Trade he proved untiring in his efforts to obtain desired public improvements and to better civic conditions.
He not only advocated better treatment of commuters by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, but he, after a strong fight, succeeded in bringing about needed reforms. Better tran- sit facilities, cleaner and better lighted cars and better service gen- erally on both branches of said rail- road. He was at the head of the fight against what was considered unjust treatment of local railroad commuters owing to said railroad company increasing to an unreason- able amount yearly commutation rates.
He was one of the leaders advocat- ing the building of the present New York, Westchester and Boston rail- road running through our city.
To his efforts is largely credited the securing from the United States Government of an appropriation to clear away rocks and deepen the channel in Echo Bay.
To contribute to the natural beauty of his city, he helped to secure the planting of trees along many streets and highways, work done under direction of the Board of Trade.
In politics Mr. Colwell is a Repub- lican; was for several years treas- urer of the Republican Campaign Committee and is a member of the New Rochelle Republican Club.
His political party friends, after great urging, succeeded in 1909 to get Mr. Colwell to accept their nomi- nation for Mayor of New Rochelle. On October 7, that year, he was named as the party candidate; in November following he was elected by a large majority to succeed a worthy Democrat.
As Mayor he proved most popular as he was most conscientious in what he undertook to do. He en- deavored to promote the welfare of his constituents, regardless of politi- cal party affiliation. The city's best interests were his. He re-
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tained in place faithful minor officials, persons efficient and com- petent appealed to him more than did mere political servitude. He was a man of action, a man who did the right thing at the right time-not an official of loud professions only. To him is due largely the bringing of the question of railroad commu- tation rates before the State Public Service Commission.
His administration of city affairs was wholly satisfactory, as is ad- mitted even by political opponents. No scandal mars his public career.
Public streets were made attrac- tive, public parks beautified, an up- to-date sewerage system provided, public works generally improved, and taxpayers were given worth for their money under Mayor Colwell's administration.
Failure to give Mayor Colwell a re-election, in 1911, was, as has been admitted, a mistake; to rectify which a citizen's nomination and other en- dorsements were offered him, and by him declined, in 1913. His private business required all his time.
In 1907 he was a prime mover in organizing the Westchester County Fire Insurance Exchange and was for a time president of that asso- ciation.
In all local and county movements to promote the public welfare Mr. Colwell is enlisted, proving, as we have said, that he is a man of high character, who does things.
He is in business in the same office in New Rochelle occupied by him for the past twenty years. He is a director in the New Rochelle Trust Company and in the North Avenue Bank.
Is a member of the Huguenot So- ciety of New Rochelle, of the West- chester County Chamber of
Com- merce, of the New Rochelle Yacht Club, of the Merchants' Exchange, of the Presbyterian Church Men's Club, of the Royal Arcanum and of the Republican Club of New Ro- chelle.
Mr. Colwell was married February 13, 1895, to Miss Katherine Duer Coleman, daughter of Roswell C. and Sarah W. Coleman of Goshen, N. Y. Of this union there are three chil- dren: Robert C., aged 17 years; Harry E., Jr., age 16 years, and Sarah K., age 10 years.
WILLIAM B. GREELEY.
William Bradford Greeley, lawyer, President of the Board of Educa- tion, Chairman of the Republican City Committee, city of New Rochelle, was born on November 1, 1859, in Nashua, N. H., a son of the Rev. Edward Hanford Greeley, D. D., and Louise Maria (Ware) Greeley.
His father was pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Nashua, N. H., in 1859, then in Methuen, Mass., and later in Haverhill, N. H., becom- ing Secretary of the N. H. Home Missionary Society in 1874 and mov- ing to Concord, N. H., where he died in 1890.
Under the careful supervision of his father, son William was pre- pared for college. He graduated from Dartmouth College, in 1881. He taught one year in Kimball Un- ion Academy, Meriden, N. H., and was principal of a grammar school in Woburn, Mass., for two years.
In 1884, by examination, he ob- tained appointment as an Examiner in the United States Patent Office in Washington, D. C. This position he held from 1884 to 1889, gaining much valuable experience to be found later useful in his chosen profession.
He devoted his spare time to the study of law and graduated from the Columbian University Law School, Washington, in 1887 and was admitted to practice in the District of Columbia. In 1889 he came to New York; the following year he was admitted, in the Second Judicial District, New York, to practice at the bar.
He is, at present writing, a mem- ber of the legal firm of Redding & Greeley, a partnership formed in 1895, with offices in New York City, their specialty being law pertaining to patents and one in which they have earned a high reputation.
Mr. Greeley became a resident of New Rochelle in September, 1892. He rapidly made friends in his new home; courteous in manner, with an agreeable appearance and pleasing address, he is calculated by nature to make and hold friends. He is a cultivated scholar, and a close and logical lawyer.
He was first appointed a member of the local Board of Education in 1902, one of the first appointments
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made by Mayor Clarke; this posi- tion he still holds, and with ten years of service as a director of pub- lic education, he is senior member of the board as well as its president, to which latter office he was elected in 1911.
Shortly after his coming to reside in New Rochelle he enrolled himself in the ranks of the Republican party, and was soon chosen a member of the New Rochelle Republican City Committee. In 1907 he was elected as chairman of this committee, a position in which he was enabled to bring into play the highest order of administrative abilities. He contin- ued as such chairman until 1911. He was again elected chairman in 1912.
In 1907 he was appointed by a Justice of the Supreme Court as a Commissioner of Appraisal in con- demnation proceeding to fix value of land acquired by the City of New York, to aid in securing an addition- al supply of water for that city.
He was chosen a Vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, New Ro- chelle, in 1904; a position he yet holds, being Clerk of the Vestry.
He is one of the governors of the New Hampshire Society, a member of the Camp-Fire Club of America, of the American Bar Association, of the New York State Bar Association, of the Bar Association of New York City, of the Westchester County Bar Association, of the New York County Lawyers' Association, of the New York Republican Club, of the New Rochelle Republican Club, of the Engineers' Club of New York City, of the American History Club of New Rochelle, of the Men's Club of the First Presbyterian Church, New Rochelle, the Huguenot Yacht Club and of the Wykagyl Country Club of New Rochelle.
Mr. Greeley was maried on April 15, 1891, to Miss Sarah Noble Bur- leigh, daughter of George William and Hannah Louise (Bryant) Bur- leigh, of Somersworth, N. H. There are three children, two sons, ages sixteen and fourteen years, and a daughter aged twelve years. Mrs. Greeley died at her home in New Rochelle on October 2, 1910.
MICHAEL J. TIERNEY.
Michael James Tierney, lawyer, former Police Justice, former Vil- lage Corporation Counsel, former City Corporation Counsel, Commis- sioner, etc., was born, where he has always continued to reside, in New Rochelle, on January 16, 1864, a son of Patrick and Mary (Hennessy) Tierney.
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