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 19
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"That he may be less liable to be recaptured by the enemy, who will no doubt make every effort to regain him, he had better be conducted to this place by some upper road, rather than by the route of Crompond. I would not wish André to be treated with insult; but he does not appear to stand upon
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the footing of a common prisoner of war; and therefore he is not entitled to the usual indulgence which they receive, and is to be most closely and narrowly watched."
In accordance with this order a strong guard was organized to escort the prisoner to West Point and before Gen. Washing- ton. A company of one hundred mounted dragoons, under direction of four officers, commanded by the intelligent and energetic Major Tallmadge, started with the prisoner at an hour when it was raining very hard, so anxious were his keepers to have André in a place of safety, picked out by the Com- mander-in-Chief.
From the Salem headquarters the troops rode north and west over Long Pond Mountain, west of Lake Waccabuc to the church at North Salem. (André riding the same horse that had been of such service through all his trouble.) Just as North Salem was reached, a courier from Gen. Washington overtook Major Tallmadge and his companions; the courier was the bearer of an order for a change of route, for fear of encounter- ing the enemy on the old and much travelled road. The new route taken led past the property owned and occupied, in 1890, by Isaac H. Purdy (father of former Supervisor Isaac Purdy), a locality now known as Purdy's Station, named for the Purdy family; thence to Croton Falls and by the old road to Lake Mahopac and Red Mills, now Mahopac Falls (taken recently by New York city), through Jefferson Valley, to Scrub Oak, and by the old road to Oregon, thence to Van Cortlandtville and the Danbury tavern, over Gallows Hill (named so because an English spy was executed there), on the Albany Post Road, passing through Continentalville (in town of Cortlandt). A short distance beyond the school house they took the road lead- ing west toward the river to the Beverly Robinson house. They had traveled continuously and all night. The next day, by Gen. Washington's order, André was conveyed to Tappan.
David Williams, one of the captors of André, removed from South Salem to Livingstonville, Schoharie County, N. Y., where he died, leaving a widow and seven children, four sons and three daughters.
Darius Ogden Mills, one of the most widely known financiers and philanthropists in the United States, was born in this town, of humble parentage, on September 5, 1825; he began at the bottom of the ladder, and through his own exertions he became famous; was a pioneer of California. His daughter was wife
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of the late United States Ambassador to Great Britain. He died at his winter home in Millbrae, Cal., January 3, 1910. His fortune was estimated at $60,000,000.
The localities in the town are Purdy's Station, Croton Falls, Salem Centre, Titicus Reservoir.
The population of the town, according to the numerous census enumerations taken, has been as follows: In 1830, 1,276; in 1835, 1,178; in 1840, 1,161; in 1845, 1,228; in 1850, 1,335; in 1855, 1,528; in 1860, 1,497; in 1865, 1,522; in 1870, 1,754; in 1875, 1,583; in 1880, 1,693; in 1890, 1,730; in 1892, 1,939; in 1900, 1,133; in 1905, 1,169; in 1910, 1,258.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ISAAC PURDY.
Isaac Purdy, former Supervisor of the town of North Salem, Commis- sioner, State Farming School for Boys, etc. was born November 3, 1853, at Purdy's Station in that town. He is a son of Isaac Hart Purdy and Mary Willis (Lyon) Purdy. His father, who died in 1891, held the office of Supervisor of North Salem in 1846 to 1850 and 1856 and 1857. Isaac Purdy, his grandfather, served as the town's Supervisor in 1823 to 1829. Previous to this, Ebenezer Purdy, a relative, held the office of Supervisor in 1788 to 1790, when the town was known as Upper Salem, and during the change of name to North Salem, he again held the office, in 1799 to 1801, and his son, Ebenezer Purdy, Jr., held it in 1817 to 1823, when Isaac Purdy, grand- father of the present Isaac Purdy, succeeded him.
Surely, the subject of this sketch inherited necessary ability to prop- erly discharge the responsible duties of a Supervisor, and, as we know, to fill any other official position he will accept.
When he was chosen Supervisor as a Democrat he had a particular dis- tinction bestowed upon him, as his selection broke a long line of Repub- lican Supervisors who had in re- cent years served the town, which had become a safe " Republican territory." To Mr. Purdy's per- sonal popularity was due the change in political sentiment.
He was first chosen Supervisor in 1896 and reelected in 1898. At the
time of his being elected in 1896 he was serving as a School District Trustee. His holding the latter of- fice and being a member of a School Board receiving moneys from the Supervisor, was considered as a bar to his serving as Supervisor. The question in dispute was finally car- ried to the Courts. He served as Supervisor in the years 1896-7, but was debarred from acting at the opening of the session of the Board of Supervisors for 1897-8, by a de- cision of the Courts, to the effect that holding the School Trusteeship made him ineligible for election as Supervisor. After he resigned the School Trusteeship, the Board of Town Officers, then composed en- tirely of Republicans, unanimously voted to appoint him as Supervisor to fill the vacancy created by act of the Court. His reelection later ap- proved this appointment as he re- ceived the largest majority ever given a Democrat in that town.
In 1910 he was urged to accept the Democratic nomination for State Senators; leaders of his party believing his personal popularity would insure his election. This preferment he declined, as he had before declined nominations for County office, Member of Assembly, etc.
On October 16, 1911, Mr. Purdy was appointed by Gov. Dix as a manager of the State Training School for Boys.
Mr. Purdy has held many posi- tions of private as well as public trust. He is a director in the First National Bank of White Plains, a
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director in the Mount Kisco Na- of a railroad station in that local- tional Bank, as well as an official in ity; in appreciation of this gift, the Railroad Company named the sta- tion "Purdy," in honor of the donor. other financial institutions. He has been the trusted officer in the suc- cessful settlement of many estates, and has otherwise served acceptably his fellows.
He is a bachelor, forlorn. He re- sides on part of the estate inherited from his fathers; a considerable portion of this family estate has been taken by New York City for purposes of increasing the city's water supply. Previous to this, Mr. Purdy's father donated a good sized tract of land to the Harlem Railroad Company to encourage the building
It was near this Purdy estate in what was then known as Upper Salem, that the American squadron halted on its way to West Point to deliver Major André, as a prisoner, after his capture at Tarrytown. At the Purdy House a Courier from Gen. Washington met officers in command of the squadron with or- ders to change route of travel to prevent André's rescue by prowling detachments of the enemy.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
TOWN OF OSSINING.
(Continued from page 235, Vol. 1.)
This town was separately organized May 2, 1845, Laws of 1845, also Laws of 1846, Chap. 30 sec. 265. The laws of 1845 gave the name as Ossinsing, the laws of 1846 changed name to Ossining, as it is at present.
The name is Indian, in Chippeway denotes "a stone," and Ossineen "stones." Ossin-ing, the proper Indian orthography of the word, variously written Sin-Sing, Sing Sing, Sin Sinck and Sink Sink, is derived from ossin (a stone) and ing (a place) or "stone upon stone." At a very early date Ossin-ing constituted a part of the possessions of a powerful Mohegan tribe called the Sint Sings, from these the old village took its name.
This town, prior to 1846, formed a part of the township of Mount Pleasant, and like neighboring localities was originally included within the honour and fee of Philipsburgh.
The lands were bought from the Indians in the usual way of the period, in exchange for so many old coats, shirts, stockings, blankets, kitchen utensils, knives, guns, tobacco, rum, etc.
The localities in the town are the charming residential sec- tion known as Scarborough and Sparta; the ancient boundary line of 1684, which divided the two Colonies of New York and Connecticut passed a short distance south of Sparta.
The two villages are Ossining and Briar Cliff Manor.
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In 1776, some days previous and subsequent to the memor- able battle of White Plains, British war vessels lay in the Hud- son River opposite Sing Sing.
A memorial to Enoch Crosby the secret agent of the Commit- tee of Public Safety is erected in the old Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ossining.
Among the prominent people who have been local residents may be mentioned Maj .- Gen. Aaron Ward, Gov. John T. Hoff- man, Philip Van Wyck, Congressman Orlando B. Potter, Gen. E. A. McAlpin, Francis Larkin, and others.
The principal village of the town is Ossining, named same as the town. This village was incorporated as early as 1813, and afterwards amended in 1837, the oldest village in the County; the name under which it was incorporated was Sing Sing, but this name was changed recently, because the latter name was judged objectionable owing to its being associated with the State Prison located within the village limits. A special act of the State Legislature permitted the taking on of the new name, and the leaving of the old name with the prison. A strong effort is being made for the removal of the prison from this town to another and more secluded section of the State. The transforming of the village into a city by extending the boundary lines has been suggested, but nothing has been effected in that direction. The last census, that of 1910, gives the vil- lage a population of 11,480.
The site of the present village is supposed to occupy partly the ground on which stood the ancient Indian settlement of Sint Sinck, more than two hundred years since. The existence of Indian habitations upon this particular spot is amply proved by the vast number of Indian implements found in the neigh- borhood. The Dutch gave the name Sin Sing, The first vil- lage election was held first Tuesday in May, 1813.
Briar Cliff Manor, incorporated as village in 1902, lies partly in this town, and partly in the town of Mount Pleasant.
For nearly half a century the Sing Sing Camp-Meeting grounds, situated on the hills just outside of the limits of the village of Ossining, have been vigorously maintained by mem- bers of the New York Methodist Church Conference, aided by Methodists generally.
In and about 1820 mining operations were carried on to a considerable extent near Sing Sing; gold, silver, iron, copper,
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etc., was, it is believed, found in small quantities. Because Sing Sing was celebrated for its marble quarries, is attributed the decision to build a State Prison here. The several large prison buildings, the warden's house, and several ranges of work-shops were constructed from materials found on the State's farm here. The prison was formerly known as the Mount Pleasant State Prison, and later the name was changed to Sing Sing State Prison. In 1828 prisoners were first removed from the old State Prison in New York city to the new Mount Pleasant State Prison.
The village of Ossining has good schools and handsome school buildings; good sewer system; an ample water supply and an efficient fire department; churches of all denominations; is a manufacturing place; has several daily and weekly newspapers; gas and electric lighting and street trolley lines, and in all respects is up to date. Has Yacht Clubs and Naval Militia.
Many handsome residences are to be seen located on the beautiful high lands of this charmingly situated town.
The population of the town is given by the census of 1910 as 12,828. The town's population, according to the census of 1865 was 6,213; in 1875 was 8,533; in 1880 was 8,769; in 1890 was 10,058; in 1892 was 8,814; in 1900 was 10,895; in 1905 was 10,316. (For population of earlier years, see volume 1.)
In Scarborough, within this town, is found the home club house of the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, reputed to be the wealthiest country club in the world, and its officers represent billions. This club occupies "Woodlea," the residence and grounds of the late Elliott F. Shepard, whose wife was a Van- derbilt. The residence cost one million dollars; the cost of furnishing the house and laying out of the grounds, and of building the expensive stables are not included in this expendi- ture. Mr. Shepard never lived to see "Woodlea" completed. The architecture of this great home building is the Italian Renaissance style. Nearly every foot of the grounds, thirty acres, commands a sweeping view of the stately flow of the Hudson River. The club is having laid out what is destined to be one of the finest inland golf courses in this country, and it lies in the territory where once Irving's "headless horseman" galloped at the mystic hour of midnight. The annual expense of conducting this club is $75,000. The membership is limited to 1,000; the annual dues are $100.
GILBERT M. TODD
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Dr. George J. Fisher, of Sing Sing village, served as Chair- man of the State Medical Society.
Herbert G. Squires, who was United States Minister to Cuba, 1902 to 1906, and United States Minister to Panama from 1906 to 1910, died at the age of 51 years, in London, Eng., on Octo- ber 19, 1911. His wife, who was Miss Hattie Woodcock, daugh- ter of Dr. Woodcock of this town, and a daughter survive him.
Walter W. Law, the founder of Brier Cliff Manor, is one of the most prominent residents of that charming village.
V. Everitt Macy, of the Standard Oil Company, has a farm of one hundred acres in the village of Ossining.
Frank Vanderlip, a former Deputy Secretary of the Treas- ury at Washington, now a bank president in New York city, is a resident of Scarborough, as are James Stillman and James Spier, bank presidents of New York city, and H. Walter Webb, rail- road financier, son-in-law of Vanderbilt.
William Rockefeller, of the Standard Oil Company, owns farms aggregating 1,100 acres in this town and Mount Pleasant, and one of the finest dwellings along the Hudson River.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GILBERT MEAD TODD.
Gilbert Mead Todd who ably served the village of Sing Sing as Trustee for six years, and the town of Ossining as Supervisor for fifteen years, a longer period than any of his predecessors or successers served, was born in the town of Lewisboro, this county, on November 7, 1833, a son of Stephen and Eliza (Baker) Todd. The origin of his family dates back to the early English Settlers.
He became a resident of the town of Ossining in 1835. He was edu- cated in Mount Pleasant Academy and in the Peekskill Academy.
As a business man he was a suc- cess, driving his business with energy and exercising careful judgment in its direction. A gentleman of ster- ling probity of character, respected for his many public virtues by all. A public spirited citizen to whom Ossining is deeply indebted for much of its present prosperity.
Trustees, composed of men of ster- ling character, noted for thrift, liberality and enterprise. He served in this office six years; retiring in 1885 to accept the office of Super- visor of the town of Ossining. As Supervisor he served to the end of 1901, fifteen years.
He retired from the office of Supervisor because he considered his private business required his undi- vided attention. For several years he had been reelected to this office at the head of town affairs at times when the opposing political party has succeeded in electing all of its town candidates excepting the Supervisor. This great mark of re- spect was fully appreciated by Mr. Todd. It was evident that members of all political parties were unani- mous in the desire to retain in public service a man so fully capa- ble, and as long as he was willing to serve he could be reelected, again and again. On announcing his in- tention of retiring from public office
His first election to public office was in 1879 when he was chosen a member of the Board of Village | holding he was strongly urged to
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reconsider. In answer he stated he did not desire to monopolize the honor, and though the office of Supervisor was most congenial, he felt he ought to retire, after having more than his share of opportuity, that so desirable a position and the honored distinction of serving so ap- preciative a constituency, as that of the electors of his home town, should be bestowed upon another. Reluctantly his declination was accepted.
Mr. Todd ever exercised great in- fluence in the Board of Supervisors and was considered one of its ablest members. His well-known integrity and strong character, and long ex- perience as a County legislator won for his opinions great weight, and, owing to this, he was able to be of substantial service to his town in various ways. His genial qualities and phenomenal good nature made him friends with all.
Seven years after his retirement from the office of Supervisor, on October 7, 1908, Mr. Todd died at his home in Ossining-and his native county, as well as his town, mourned his passing away.
On the announcement of his death in the Board of Supervisors, that Board adopted the following :
"WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called to his Heavenly rest Gilbert M. Todd, who departed this life at his home in the village of Ossining, on the 7th day of October, 1908, and
"WHEREAS, Gilbert M. Todd was an honored citizen of the town of Ossining and the county of West- chester all his life, and represented the village of Ossining in its Board of Trustees and the town of Ossin- ing as its Supervisor for many years, and
"WHEREAS, his services in public
office were valuable to his constitu- ents and honorable to him; his whole career standing as an example of high and efficient service and faith- ful devotion to the interests of all the people, therefore be it
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draw suitable resolu- tions to mark the death of Gilbert M. Todd."
On receipt of handsomely en- grossed resolutions of condolence, Mr. Todd's family sent the follow- ing to the Board of Supervisors:
"Mrs. Gilbert M. Todd and fam- ily desire to express their warmest thanks and appreciation for the superb tribute to Mr. Todd's mem- ory, presented by the Board of Supervisors of Westchester county, through their committee. The evi- dences of esteem in which Mr. Todd was held by his associates in the Board, and the sympathy extended to them, will ever be a source of comfort and consolation to his fam- ily who can testify that Mr. Todd asked no greater reward for his ut- most effort than the respect and confidence of his fellow members and the community which for so many years he served."
Mr. Todd also served his village as a Water Commissioner; he be- came a member of the Sing Sing fire department in 1856; was vice- commodore of the Sing Sing Yacht Club; was for many years vice-presi- dent of the Sing Sing Savings Bank, a trustee of the Mount Pleasant Academy, senior warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a trustee of Dale Cemetery, and in other ways was interested in local affairs up to the hour of his death.
Mr. Todd was married in January, daughter of William Hull of Ossin- ing. Wife and daughters, Alice B. and C. Louise survive him.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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TOWN OF PELHAM.
(Continued from page 238, Vol. 1.)
Pelham was formed as a township March 7, 1788. The name, conferred upon the town by the Pells, is said to be derived from the lordship of Pelham, Herefordshire, England.
Pelham, as the original manor, including New Rochelle, em- braced nine thousand, one hundred and sixty-six acres; six thousand, one hundred acres of these were sold to make New Rochelle township, by Thomas Pell. The word Pelham itself is of Saxon origin, and composed of the two words Pel (remote) and ham (mansion). The former being the ancient surname of the manorial proprietors, doubtless affords a good reason for its adoption in connection with the last.
Is situated on Long Island Sound, on the line of the Harlem Branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, about fifteen miles from New York city.
The population of the town as shown by various census enu- merations has been as follows: In 1830, 334; in 1835, 255; in 1840, 789; in 1845, 486; in 1850, 577; in 1855, 833; in 1860, 1,025; in 1865, 1,043; in 1870, 1,790; in 1875, 1,538; in 1880, 2,540; in 1890, 3,941; in 1892, 2,696; in 1900, 1,571; in 1905, 1,841. A part of the town, City Island and a nearby section, were annexed to the city of New York, by act of the Legisla- ture, chapter 934, Laws of 1895, which accounts for the falling off in population between the census of 1892 and the census of 1900. The last Federal census, that of 1910, gives the town's population as 2,998.
The township contains three incorporated villages, viz .: Pel- ham Manor, incorporated in 1891; Pelham, incorporated in 1896, and North Pelham, incorporated in 1896. The village of Pelham Manor had in 1898 a population of 436; in 1902, 594; in 1905, 638; in 1910, the last census, 852. The village of Pel- ham's population in 1898 was 142 (and when incorporated the smallest village in the State) ; in 1900 the population had in- creased to 303; in 1902 it was 368; in 1905, 349. In 1910, the last Federal census, it was 681.
The village of North Pelham had in 1898 a population of 627; in 1900, 684; in 1902, 693; in 1905, 850. The census of 1910 places the village's population at 1,311.
City Island, formerly in this town, now a part of the city
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of New York (annexed by act of the Legislature June 6, 1895), was originally the proposed site of a great city, to rival in importance the city of New York. In the latter part of the seventies, Benjamin Palmer, a man of moderate means, who resided in South Yonkers, near Kingsbridge, conceived the idea of creating a city, facing Long Island Sound, that would equal in number of population and grandeur the big, growing city on the south. He selected as the site the island near the south- east end of Westchester County, in the Manor of Pelham, now known as City Island. The project made no greater progress than the giving of the name "City" to the island. Mr. Palm- er's funds soon gave out, and, being unable to raise the neces- sary amount of money, he had to abandon his purpose; in fact he impoverished himself to such an extent that, in 1800, friends found it necessary to raise funds to provide for his actual needs and in his old age to keep him from becoming a public charge.
Pelham Manor was one of two oldest Manors in the County ; the other being the Manor of Fordham, adjoining in the south- ern section. The seal of James as King of England authenti- cated the manor grant and patent of Pelham, and the name and seal of James as Duke of York was attached to the grant and patent of the Manor of Fordham.
The Hutchinson's River, a boundary line of this town, was named in honor of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, who was the leading spirit in a colony of sixteen persons which settled in the vicinity of Pelham Neck, and who was, with several of her friends, mur- dered by Indians.
A sketch of Mrs. Hutchinson, a most remarkable character, cannot prove else than interesting to the general reader, there- fore it is here given as follows :
ANNE HUTCHINSON, A NOTABLE WOMAN .- There is, probably, no more interesting character connected with the early history of Westchester County than Anne Hutchinson; who, in the beginning of 1642, was the leading spirit in a colony of sixteen persons which settled in the vicinity of Pelham Neck, in what is now known as Pelham Manor, in the town of Pelham, in this County. The Hutchinson's (formerly known by the Indian name of Aqueanouncke) River, which separates the town of Pelham from the city of Mount Vernon and part of the old town of Eastchester, named in her honor, and a tongue of land known as "Anne's Hook," likewise named for her, remain as her only memorials.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson was, in all respects, a strong character,
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and demands a place in the annals of Westchester County. If ever a person suffered and died for praiseworthy principles, it was she.
For the benefit of the "progressive women" of the present day, permit the remark to be made here, that she was the first American club woman, and is stated to be the founder of the first Women's Club in America.
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