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 20
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In Boston she organized the women in her attempts to bring about certain reforms in Church and State, and the women, it is said to their credit, stood steadfast and true, but their loyalty did not shield from persecution this heroic woman.
Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1590. When she was forty-four years of age, in September, 1634, she, with her husband and family, came to Boston, where they resided several years, and as long as they were able to with- stand unjust persecution. To enjoy liberty of thought and action, which she was given to understand could be freely exer- cised in the newly settled country to which her oppressed coun- try people were flocking, she came to Boston, as has been said, to find her expectations grievously shattered.
Persecuted nigh unto death on account of her religious beliefs and her unwillingness to sacrifice principles for personal gain, she was compelled to leave Boston, after standing up in public places and defying her persecutors, while hurling unanswerable truths at her biased judges. Leaving Boston she and her family became residents of the State of Rhode Island, where they were welcomed by Roger Williams and other patriots; their residence in Rhode Island was broken up in 1642, by the death of her husband, William Hutchinson. Then with the remaining mem- bers of her family, Mrs. Hutchinson sought refuge still further from the influence of the hostile Bostonians, and made her home in the outskirts of the Manhattan Colony, among the Dutch, in what is now known as Pelham Manor, settling along side of a stream of water now known as Hutchinson's River, named for her.
Mrs. Hutchinson was not left long to enjoy the quiet of this conservative Dutch settlement, when a savage Indian war broke out. In August, 1643, the Indians set upon the settlement and in the dead of night slew her and all her family, except one child who was taken captive.
It was a sad ending of a brave, brilliant woman, one of the most distinguished of the dames of Colonial days. She stands out as one of the most notable and picturesque figures on the
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first pages of American history-an intellectual force, when intellectuality was esteemed the prerogative of the magistrate and the minister. A woman who could not be frightened into an abandonment of her faith; a woman who had more wit, more daring and more real independence than the clergy and rulers of the State. Her life may be regarded as a prophecy of that liberty for which America has stood for generations.
The town in this County now called Eastchester was originally known as Hutchinsons, named in honor of Anne Hutchinson.
Pelham was long distinguished as "Manor of Anne Hoock's Neck." Mrs. Hutchinson was cut off before she could complete the purchase and obtain patent.
In recalling the trials and persecutions she suffered, it is satis- faction to find that time brought its own revenge; and that a descendant of the woman whom Massachusetts cast out, a Hutchinson, became the ruler of that Colony, as the last royal Governor.
The population of the township, as shown by various census enumerations, 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; in 1910, 2,998.
The decrease in population, as shown in the census of 1900, is accounted for by the fact that a large section of the town was annexed to New York city in 1895, by act of the State Legislature.
The original grant of Pelham Manor from the Indians, to Thomas Pell, is dated November 14, 1654, and conveyed 9,166 acres, bounded as follows :
"Embracing all that territory bounded on the east by a stream called Stony Brook, or river, runs eight English miles into the woods; thence west to Bronck's River to a certain bend in the said river; thence by marked trees south until it reaches the tidewaters of the Sound which lieth between Long Island and the mainland, together with all the Islands in the Sound, &c., &c., &c.
Signed by the Sachem, Ann Hook, and five chiefs."
This town has been described as "one of the garden spots in the beautiful county of Westchester." Lying close to the boundary line dividing the town and New York city (that city having recently annexed a part of the town), many prominent city business men have been attracted to it as a desirable place
EDGAR C. BEECROFT
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for all-year-round homes. Many costly residences have been erected here and the whole town has been laid out as one beautiful park. To the development of the town as an ideal refined residential locality, much credit is due Hon. Benjamin L. Fairchild, former Representative in Congress, and present resident. He was one of the first to discover possibilities in the way of public improvements to make surroundings attrac, tive, and knowing what to do, went about doing it, with that determination and energy for which he is well known. The re- sult of his labors, aided by others, is evident everywhere.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
EDGAR C. BEECROFT.
Edgar Charles Beecroft, lawyer, Supervisor, Counsel to the Bronx Sewer Commission, Corporation Counsel, former Justice of the Peace, etc., was born in Oak Park, Ill., on February 16, 1876, a son of John R. and Elizabeth Beecroft.
He graduated at Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.) and at the New York Law School.
He was admitted to practice at the bar in 1899, and early took a promi- nent place in the profession. His ad- vance was steady and honorable. A studious analysis of all the rules and practices of law, a knowledge of the very best productions of distin- guished jurists, enables him to re- tain the honorable position he holds in the legal fraternity.
The chief characteristics of Mr. Beecroft, as an official as well as a lawyer, are his great industry and his unbending integrity. In personal appearance he is commanding; his features wear the stamp of intellect; he is cool and self-possessed under every circumstance, and never finds himself in a situation for which he has not adequate resources.
When he was three years of age his parents came to this State, set- tling in Pelham. He has since re- sided in that town, his present abode being in Pelham Manor.
Mr. Beecroft has acted with the Democratic party, and has always been a conspicuous and able de- fender of the principles it was es- tablished to maintain. His influence in his own town added to his per- sonal popularity has resulted in his repeated election to public office, when the town was normally largely !
Republican; he is certainly appre- ciated where he is best known.
He served as a Justice of the Peace for eight years, from 1901 to 1909; while holding the position of Justice he was, in 1907, elected Supervisor of the town of Pelham, holding both offices until 1909. In 1909 he was re-elected Supervisor, and again re-elected in 1911, notwith- standing a strong opposition deter- mined if possible to defeat him by the usual Republican majority given at a general election. The re-elec- tion of Supervisor Beecroft proves that the people can be trusted when it comes to approving the acts of a faithful official.
In 1910 at the urgent request of leaders of his party he consented to accept the Democratic nomination for District-Attorney, when there was not the slightest possibility of success, so great was the opposition party's majority in the county. His loyalty to the principles of his party justified his making a sacri- fice. As was expected, he was de- feated; yet he had the satisfaction of knowing that the number of votes he received far exceeded that given any other nominee of the party for that office in recent years.
He was chosen Corporation Coun- sel of the Village of North Pelham in March, 1911, and he still retains the position.
On the reorganization of the Bronx Valley Sewer Commission, under special act of the State Legis- lature, by Commissioners appointed by Governor Dix, in 1911, Mr. Bee- croft was unanimously chosen to hold the highly responsible position of Counsel to the Commission.
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He is counsel to the Pelham Board of Sewage Disposal Works.
He is a member of the York Lodge, F. and A. M., and of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
Mr. Beecroft was married July 2, 1904, to Miss Grace L. Lowry, daughter of Clarence and Ida (Havi- land) Lowry, of New York city. They have two children, John Robert, aged six years, and Lavinia, aged five months.
FREDERICK H. ALLEN.
Frederick Hobbes Allen, a former President of the village of Pelham Manor, Corporation Counsel, Chair- man of the Democratic County Com- mittee, etc.
His parents were Hon. Elisha Hunt Allen and Mary Harrold (Hobbes) Allen, and his birth-place, Honolulu, where his father was Chief Justice and Chancellor. He is a descendant of the puritan fa- thers, in an unbroken line from a member of Cromwell's famous "Ironsides, " Edward Allen who settled in Northfield, Mass., in 1685. The property then acquired by him has been in the family up to the present day.
He was graduated from Harvard University with the degree of A. B. in 1880 and three years later re- ceived the degree of LL. B., in course, also the degree of A. M.
At this period, 1882, he became secretary to the Hawaiian legation at Washington, D. C., over which his father then as
presided Hawaiian Minister and held the fur- ther distinction of Dean of the Dip- lomatic Corps. Upon his father's death the following year he was ap- pointed Charge d' Affaires. Mr. Allen's association with representa- tive men in Washington life gave him a taste for matters of State and politics and an experience which became useful to him later.
Leaving Washington in 1884, Mr. Allen came to New York and en- tered the law office of Holmes & Adams. He was admitted to the bar during the same year and be- came managing clerk for Messrs. Miller, Peckham & Dickson. A few years later he became associated with Col. Hugh I. Cole, with offices
at 59 Wall Street and in 1896 formed the firm of Adams & Allen. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Adams in 1900, after which a new firm was formed known as Allen & Cammann, and which still exists.
Soon after arriving in New York he came to Pelham Manor to reside, and there soon became interested in local affairs. It is a testimony to his good work in the town's behalf that he was first chosen Corporation Counsel of Pelham Manor which position he held three years; and then President of that village, the only Democrat ever elected to latter office.
In 1904 Mr. Allen was chosen chairman of the Democratic County Committee of Westchester County, which position he held until the fall of 1911, when he voluntarily retired.
His ability, as an organizer and manager has been further recog- nized in his appointment to be a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic State Committee for New York State, a position high in the councils of the party.
Mr. Allen was married June 30, 1892, to Adele Livingston Stevens. Six children have been born, Fred- erick Stevens, Mary Dorothy Adele, Barbara Frances Gallatin, Joan Livingston, Julian Broome Livings- ton and Priscilla Alden Sampson. The family home, Bolton Priory, is beautifully situated at Pelham Manor, one of New York's exclusive suburbs.
It is one of the historical spots of that section for here lived Anne Hutchins, who was killed by Indians in 1643.
Mr. Allen's social affiliations in- clude the Union Club, the Knicker- bocker, the City Club, New York Athletic Club, and the Westchester Country Club, of which he is presi- dent; is a member of the patriotic society of the Colonial Wars and the Sons of the Revolution.
Possessing recognized ability in his profession and an enviable posi- tion in the Democratic organiza- tion of his County and State, of which he was a delegate to the Den- ver convention of 1908, Mr. Allen has ably maintained the dignity and traditions of his worthy ancestor.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE.
(Continued from page 240, Vol. 1.)
This township was organized on March 7, 1788. It is bounded north and east by the town of Lewisboro, southeast by the State of Connecticut, and west by the towns of Bedford and North Castle.
Poundridge was originally included in the Indian grant of Toquams, made to John Turner, of Quinnipiacke or New Haven, on July 1, 1640. Besides Poundridge this sale also embraced the greater part of the town of Bedford, in this County, and the townships of Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and Green- wich in Connecticut. Until the final arrangement of the boundary lines in 1731, Stamford extended over the greater part of the present town. By this final settlement of boundary line, confirmed May 14, 1730, Poundridge was transferred from Connecticut to the Province of New York.
The town was, in 1760, called "Old Pound" in town records. In church matters Poundridge, prior to 1775, constituted one of the precincts of Rye. In 1816 Episcopal services were per- formed here. The Methodist Episcopal Church was first incor- porated in 1822.
Of the prominent families connected with the town's history mention should be made of the Lockwoods, as several members thereof held high official positions in the County ; John Fancher, who held office in 1750; William Fancher, son of the John Fancher, was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in this County and a captain of the Minute Men during the Revolu- tionary War; Joseph Ambler; Major Samuel Lewis, who resided here in 1777; James Searles, Nathan Slawson, and others.
During the Revolutionary War residents of Poundridge were loyal to the patriot cause. A sub-committee of the White Plains Committee of Public Safety had its headquarters here.
Major Ebenezer Lockwood, of this town, and head of the family of that name so prominent in Westchester County, and which in later years gave many men to hold County official positions, was a most ardent and vigorous patriot, for whose head forty guineas had been offered by the British commanding General in New York. He lived to become County Judge, serv- ing from 1791 to 1794, was custodian of County moneys, and
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served many terms in the Provincial Congress and the State Legislature, and was otherwise honored.
During the Revolutionary War period skirmishes were fre- quent between the American troops and British troops in the local streets.
Surely Poundridge was "in the midst of the conflict" in the days of the Revolution.
David Williams, one of the captors of André at Tarrytown, and to whom we owe a minute description of the capture, stated in his defense of the charge that he and his companions were " Cowboys" or "Skinners," gives the particulars about these bands, of which the American Army officers in upper West- chester County, and even Gen. Washington himself, were appre- hensive. He says "Cowboys" had raided Poundridge (the east- most town in the County, lying next to Connecticut), and that they were led by a noted Tory. While this band was raiding the cattle on a farm belonging to a man named Palmer, in Poundridge, at midnight, driving off his live stock, Palmer had run out in his nightshirt in hopes of saving his property, when the ruffians killed him. It was to avenge Palmer's murder that Williams joined the men who had started out, on September 22, 1780, with the object of capturing Cowboys and other similar bands.
Poundridge's general surface is uneven, and much of it stony ; in the northern portion of the town is a steep and lofty ridge of mountains called the "Stoney Hills," which runs principally in a northeast direction for the space of three or four miles. The climate is pronounced as "delightful." The population in 1910 was 725. For population in other years, see volume 1.
For biographical sketches of other residents see elsewhere in this book, and in volumes one and two.
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TOWN OF RYE.
(Continued from page 242, Vol. 1.)
The township of Rye formerly included the present towns of Harrison and White Plains, and was separately organized March 27, 1788.
It is situated directly in the southeast angle of Westchester County, bordering Long Island Sound; bounded on the east (directly adjoining) by the State of Connecticut and the Byram River; on the south by Long Island Sound, and on the west and north by the townships of Harrison and North Castle.
The town's name is derived, as one writer puts it, "from old Rye," meaning, doubtless, Rye in the County of Sussex, Eng- land. As a fact, the inhabitants of Rye are a staid, temperate people.
Peningoe, Peninggoe, or Piningoe, the Indian name of Rye, is apparently derived from Ponus, the title of the aboriginal proprietor of this territory, A. D. 1640. Ponus was one of the ruling sagamores of the Rippowams (Stamford) in 1640.
Indians inhabited the territory thickly, even dwelling numer- ously on Manussing, or Mennewies Island, off of Rye Neck.
As was the custom, the Indians sold to the Dutch West India Company, who obtained a grant of lands extending from Nor- walk, Conn., to the North River, on April 19, 1640. This doubt- less accounts for Rye belonging to the Province of Connecticut.
The successors of the Dutch Company, in 1660, of the town- ship of Rye were Peter Disbrow, John Coe and Thomas Stud- well, who were residents of nearby Greenwich, Conn.
When the lands, now comprising the township of Harrison, were purchased by John Harrison and were taken from the town of Rye, a strong and general protest went forth from Rye residents, who used every endeavor to prevent the taking. In his history of Rye, in which he resided, the Rev. Charles W. Baird, in speaking of this loss of territory, says: "By this summary measure, the people of Rye were despoiled of a most important part of their rightful possessions. It was a loss felt by each proprietor, for each had an interest in the undivided lands, to the distribution of which he looked forward as a pro- vision for his children. The only show of reason for this act of spoliation was in the fact that the inhabitants of Rye were
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as yet without a patent for their lands under the government of New York. In 1685 Governor Dongan had issued a proclama- tion to the inhabitants of Rye and Bedford (also in this County) requiring them to appear before him and prove their title to the lands upon which they were seated. This summons, it appears, had not been obeyed. The sympathies of the people were with the Colony (Connecticut) from which they came, and to which they yet hoped permanently to belong. Their rights, besides, had been amply recognized by Connecticut, and they doubtless saw no propriety in the requirement to obtain a patent from New York.
The protests and pleas of Rye residents proved unavailing; the Governor and Council of New York turned a deaf ear, and the lands were granted to Harrison. The indignant people of Rye "revolted" back to the Colony of Connecticut, their first love. In 1700, by the King's order, they returned to New York, probably satisfied with being close upon if not in Connecticut.
The early history of this township is specially and par- ticularly interesting. Our space permits of only a passing reference.
In 1692, by an act of the Assembly of New York, Rye was erected into a market town, that was entitled to the extraordi- nary privilege of holding and keeping a yearly fair, on the second Tuesday in October, to last four days, "for selling of all country produce and other effects whatsoever," but Rye did not exercise the privilege until 1771.
Courts of Sessions were held in Rye during the Colonial dynasty.
A ferry was established between the town and Oyster Bay, Long Island, in 1739, and was called the "Rye Ferry." It ran sixty years or more.
The early records of the Board of Supervisors state that the Board's first meeting was held in the school house in Rye, on Tuesday, October 6, 1772.
The General Court, in October, 1669, announced that it was "informed that the people of Rye are yet destitute of an orthodox minister." At the present time there are numerous churches of all denominations, and the town is noted for its many costly church edifices.
The residents of this town, on January 3, 1910, celebrated the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the purchase of the
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town of Rye from the Dutch Company by Disbrow, Coe and Studwell.
Manussing, or Mennewies Island, about a mile in length, which lies east of what was known as Poningoe Neck, and sep- arated from it only by a narrow channel, was purchased from the Indians on June 29, 1660, the price paid by Messrs. Dis- brow, Coe and Studwell being "eight cotes and seven shirts, fifteen fathom of wampone, which is in full satisfaction for the parcel of land mentioned." This bill of sale is signed by thirteen Indian chiefs in authority. In recent years this island has belonged to private owners. In October, 1911, part of the property then belonging to the Cornell family was sold for $150,000, to be used for club house, etc. Evidently there is some difference between the purchase and the selling price. The island has been owned, at different times, by the Van Rensselaer, Cromwell, Erving and Cornell families.
General John Dix, a former Governor of this State, was for a considerable period a resident of this town.
Pine Island (Milton Point) at this date said to be valued at more than $1,000,000, is reported to have been purchased, in early days, when the price was a cow.
It may appear unbelievable, the assertion that Pine Island, one of the finest pieces of shore property along Long Island Sound, and in the town of Rye, once sold for a very common domestic animal, but the story, astonishing as it may appear, is vouched for by old residents of this town. As the narrative runs, all that section of Milton Point was originally owned by a man named Brown. He held the property for some time, and finally sold it to "Uncle" Gideon Reynolds. In speaking of this real estate transaction, an old resident recently said: "I often heard Gideon tell how he came to buy Pine Island; he had secured all the property from Brown clean down to the Clubhouse, when Brown said to him, 'Gideon, you have got all the farm now, and I think you ought to have the island, too !' To this Gideon replied, 'no, I have got about all the property I want.' Brown evidently wanted him to buy the island pretty bad, so he offered to sell the whole island for a farrow cow owned by Gideon. A bargain was struck. The said cow changed hands. Brown took the cow, Gideon took the island." "Yes," added our informant, "that was a good day's work for Gideon, if he had the island to sell now it would be valued at 20,000 farrow cows, worth $50 a piece."
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Names of prominent families, settlers in the town, are even prominent at this late date, and include those of Disbrows, Stud- wells, Coes, Merritts, Browns, Budds, Allens, Odells, Fowlers, Hortons, Knapps, Sherwoods, Lyons, Purdys, Boyds, Kniffens, Travis', Brushs, Smiths, Banks, Ogdens, Parks, Pecks, Ander- sons, Vails, Hiatts, Millers, Mills, Johnsons, Wrights, Stevens, Slaters, Beattes, Jenkins, Bishops, Bloomers, Carpenters, Brun- diges, Havilands, Dusenberrys, Van Rensselaer, Cromwell, Lounsburys, Haights, Baileys, Meads, Johnsons, Parkers.
Within the township there are two thriving villages and a part of another prosperous village: Port Chester, in- corporated in 1868; has a population, in 1910, of 12,809; Rye, incorporated in 1904; has a population, in 1910, of 3,964; part (Rye Neck) of the village of Mamaroneck, incorporated in 1895; has a population, in 1910, of 2,285.
The whole town's population in 1910 was 19,652 (for popula- tion of earlier years, see volume one).
Port Chester, one of the most thriving villages in the County, a manufacturing center and an up-to-date business community, managed by "live people," was known as "Saw Pit" from April 23, 1823, to March 11, 1837; on latter date the name Port Chester was adopted.
Among those who have served as President of the Village of Port Chester, of more recent date, and are yet alive, are John W. McCarthy, Norton J. Sands, M. D., and the present incum- bent, William Ryan, who is a former Member of Assembly and former Congressman.
Port Chester has furnished more Sheriffs to the County than any other locality, and all have proven the "right man in the right place."
The Port Chester Library and Reading Room was founded by Jared V. Peck in 1776.
Addison Johnson, who was Supervisor of this town from 1892 to 1895, served later as Sheriff, and as Agent and Warden of Sing Sing Prison. An efficient public servant in all positions.
It has two banks of deposit and an old established Savings Bank; all as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.
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