HomeMy WebLinkAboutMamaroneck Through the Years MAMARONECK THROUGH THE YEARS
WILLIAM GERSHOM FULCHER
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Commemorating the 275th Anniversary
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John Richbell's Purchase from the Indians
1661 1936
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"MAMARONECK THROUGH THE YEARS"
By WILLIAM GERSHOM FULCHER, A.B.. M.A.
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Instructor of History and Head of Social Science Department
Mamaroneck Senior High School �,�
Table of Contents W
I. Inside Front Cover—Modern Map of Town showing historic markers
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II. Table of Contents ..................... .......... . .......... .. .......... ... . ............. P. 2
III. Portrait of Mr. Charles M. Baxter . ........ ........ .. ........... p. 3
IV. Foreword of Mr. William S. Hadaway .. ... ....... 4 p• 5
V. Portrait of Mr. William G. Fulcher . .. .......... .... .. ....... ... .. . p
VI. Preface ..... .. ...... ........ .. ....... ....... . .............. P. 6
VII. Beginning of Mamaroneck ........................... . .... .. P• 7
VIII. The second great man of Mamaroneck, Caleb Heathcote ....... p 13
IX. Mamaroneck in the Eighteenth Century p. 17 `
X. Mamaroneck in the Nineteenth Century .. .._.... .. p. 24 '
XI. The DeLancey Family p. 30
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XII. Oldest known map of Mamaroneck ...................................................... pp. 32-33
XIII. James Fenimore Cooper .......................................................................................... p. 34
XIV. Mamaroneck in the Twentieth Century .................................I.................... p. 38
XV. Committees ...................................... ............................... ....... .......... ..... .. ........_.... ... p.'63
MR. CHARLES MINTURN BAXTER. JR.
XVI. Program of Celebration Week ........................................................................ . p. 64 Chairman of the Anniversary Committee
This book is dedicated to the genius and inspiration of Charles M. Baxter, Jr.
who has given of his energy, time, and enthusiasm to fittingly commemorate
All material in this volume copyrighted by the author.
the 275th anniversary of the purchase of Mamaroneck.
THE LARCHMONT TIMES. Publishers
3
�Kf�a�ucfi�K
The English author of one of the important works on "The American
Revolution" refers to Westchester County as a peninsula. The conception
of a Westchester Peninsula is helpful in understanding the geographical rela-
tion of the settlements of the Dutch in the Hudson River valley and the English
along the shores of Long Island Sound.
Titles to the land conveyed by the Indians usually granted an area that
extended twenty miles inland. As .the width of the "peninsula" itself averages
only about twenty miles claimants to territory on the east and west shores were
inevitably in conflict.
When John Richbell's grant of 1661, now Mamaroneck, was mapped
out, the surveyors were "forcibly prevented continuing the line" by Adolph
Phillips. The "land in difference between Mr. Pell and Mr. Richbell" relates
to the boundary disputes with what is now New Rochelle and the relations
with the neighbors in Rye were not always friendly. Thus did the founders
of Mamaroneck encounter the vicissitudes of the pioneer in establishing the
boundaries of their settlement in addition to the natural hardships of a new
country.
Mamaroneck grew slowly. In 1710, nearly fifty years after the settle-
ment, the census records only eighty-four persons. Few communities, how-
ever, can show a higher quality of leadership among its citizens from the time
of John Richbell and Caleb Heathcote down to the present day. The traditions
of the English founders are still in evidence to the careful observer and the pres-
ervation of the relatively large number of ancient burial plots is a distinct credit '
to the community. t
The first attempt to record the history of Mamaroneck was in the writings
of Robert Bolton. In the "Guide to New Rochelle" published in 1842 less
toan two pages are devoted to it.. In "The History of the County of Westches-
ter", 1848 are 34 pages. In "History of the Parish and Church of Mamaro-
neck", 1855 are 10 pages. In the second edition of "The History of West-
' X
chester County", in 1881, 42 pages are devoted to it.
The next notable attempt to record Mamaroneck's history is in the article
Edward Floyd Delancey contributed to Scharf's "History of Westchester
County", published in 1886. For fifty years the publications herein named
have served their purposes but as time passes and research in historical dates MR. WILLIAM GERSHOM FULCHER, A.B. M.A.
becomes better developed the need of a fuller account and consolidation of ex-
isting material becomes more urgent. No better permanent memorial of this Member of Executive Committee
275 Anniversary Celebration could be established than the publication of a Chairman of Historical Committee
carefully edited "History of Mamaroneck".
Author of this book
New Rochelle,
September 9, 1936 William S. Hadaway
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• PREFACE Photostat copy of first sentence in Journal Book of Commissioners who surveyed the Manor of Caleb Heathcote in 1774
Time has pressed heavily since the assignment was given to write this history of Mamaroneck for the Mamaroneck has been under four flags. No one will ever know how long these shores were under
last two-hundred and-seventy-five years. If there are any sins of omission or commission they should be the totem pole of the Wolf of the Mohegan Tribe. They were here when the first white man came. The
Dutch of the New Netherlands were the second owners and claimed sovereignty over practically all of present
forgiven in viewofthe fact that this history was compiled in the short space of time between August the
Westchester, from its purchase in 1640 to the surrender of New Amsterdam to the English in 1664. John
tenth and September the fifth, 1936.
Richbell himself, in late 1661 applied for Dutch recognition of his purchase and promised to acknowledge
This book would not have been possible had not the author had the untiring support of Miss Jean Dutch sovereignty. The Flag of the Kings of England flew over our town from 1664 until sometime be-
Baxter, Mrs. William H. Smith, Mr. Walter R. Marvin, Jr., Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Jr., Mr. William Hada- tween 1776 and 1783. From 1783 to the present time, the Stars and Stripes of the United States of Amer-
way, the Library Staff of Mamaroneck Free Library and the willing cooperation of the secretarial staff, Miss ica has been at the head of our flag poles.
Frieda Weintraub and Miss Louise Nygood.
' The history of Mamaroneck has been vitally affected by its geography. This whole shore of Long
The design of the poster and the front cover of this'book is the work Pf Mr. Gil Spear. The design Island Sound is deeply indentured by bays and harbors, the chief of which are Pelham Bay and Mamaroneck
on the rear cover was made by Mr. Herbert Paus. Credit for the photography should be given to Mr. Wil- Harbor. It was this harbor which first attracted John Richbell's notice. The up-land is composed of val-
Liam Christian. leys through which creeks and rivers flow and low ridges of gneiss which extend in a north and south direction.
The author has attempted to give his readers a better appreciation of the wonderful treasure house The Mamaroneck shore line is composed of three necks of land. The eastern neck which was first
Mamaroneck has in its Town Records. In them can be found the history of our country in miniature. called Wanmainuck and then The Point, and then Great Neck, and then Mamaroneck Point and then Great
The philosophy of the Oriental proverb, "One picture is worth ten thousand words" has been used Neck, and then Delancey's Neck, and now Orienta, is one of the most important peninsulas. The western
in attempting to bring the past to life. neck was called by the Indians, "Mangopsom".
In the early records the quaint spelling of the original documents has been retained. The choice of When the Dutch discovered our harbor, the land was inhabited by the Suwanoes, according to John.
material has been made with the thought in mind that as broad a field of topics should be covered as possible. de Laet, a historical writer of New Netherlands, 1625, A.D. He says they dwelled along the coast from Nor-
Space does not permit the carrying out of any phase of the work in great detail. walk for twenty-four miles to the neighborhood of Hellagat. Adriaen' Van der Donck called these Indians
It is the hope and aspiration of the author to write a history of the Town of Mamaroneck in the near Siwanoys on his map in 1656. They were a numerous tribe. They had a village on Pelham Neck, an-
It
apologies as an all too other on Davenport's Neck in New Rochelle and their largest settlement upon the shores of Rye Pond, in the
future which will be worthy of its glorious past. The present volume is offered w
present Town of Harrison. They had another settlement near Rye Beach.
y of the history of our Town from 1661 to 1936.
brief survey
In 1644 there was an Indian Chief by the name of Mamaronock living at Ketchawane (Croton) He
Mamaroneck may have been one of the grantors of these lands to the Dutch West India Company in 1640, when they
September 1st, 1936 William Gershom Fulcher purchased a tract of land comprising much of the present County.of Westchester.
"In order to maintain the character and privileges of the West India Company, Kieft dispatched Sec-
retary Van Tienhoven, early in the Spring of 1640 with instructions to purchase the Archipelago or group
of Islands at the mouth of the Norwalk River together with all the adjoining territory on the mainland and
to erect thereon the standard and arms of the High and Mighty Lords, the States-General; to take the savages
under our protection and to' prevent effectually any other nation encroaching our limits." This included
all the territory between Norwalk and the North River.'
The vicinity of Mamaroneck was owned by the tribal family of Wickquaskecks, belonging to the
Mohegan tribe of the great Algonquin race of Indians, at the time the white man landed here. The Wick-
quaskecks had their principal village on Wysquaguah Creek where Dobbs Ferry now stands; another lesser
village where Tarrytown now is, and a third on Nepperhan Creek, west of White Plains.
I. Broadhead's History of the State of New York. First period 16094661. P. 296.
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The Mohegans occupied our territory between the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers from Long Island Island, he met Thomas Modiford and a William Sharpe. These three men discussed ways of making money
quis and the Mohawks were and how trade could be made to pay better. They drew up the following agreement and signed it on the
Sound to the mouth of the Mohawk and perhaps to Lake Champlain. The Iro
19th da f September, 1657. John Richbell was to return to New England, and after informing himself
their immediate neighbors in the north and northwest. The Mohegans also lived on Long Island. The Del- y oP
awares lived across the Hudson and below Catskill. The Pequots lived east of the Connecticut River. These fully, by sober understanding men, of that part of the land which lay between Connecticut and the Dutch
tribes had local government which was very simple. Each tribe had a ruler called a sachem. He was their Colony, and any Islands that lay between Long Island and the main land, what kind of government it had,
the general council. This was presided over by a national
representative in ional grand sachem. Each nation whether very strict or remiss, who the chief magistrates were, what the attitude of the Indians was, what
had its emblem,the Mohegan totem was a Wolf. The name Mohegan means `Enchanted Wolf". boundaries the Dutch laid claim to. He was then advised to buy a small plantation that was already settled,
and he was admonished to obey the following three accommodations: (1) that it be near some navigable river
Some writers interpret the name of our Town as meaning "The place where the fresh water falls into or harbor; (2) that it be well watered by fresh running streams, or ponds, or springs; (3) that it be well
the salt;" others maintain the name came from the Chief of the Wickquaskeck Indians, because in the state records wooded, health high ground. The agreement was as follows:3
there is a paper dated October 17, 1643 which says that the Director General of the Dutch colonies of New
"Instructions delivered Mr. John Richbell in order to the intended settlement of a Plantation in the south-west parts of New England, in behalf of
Netherlands and his Council resolved to attack Chief Mamaronock and his tribe.
himself and subscribers";
The first mention of Mamaroneck as a place, in official records is recorded with the following nota-
"God sending you to arrive safely oNew England our advice that inform¢ yourself¢ fully by sober understanding men of that parte land which
lyeth betwixt Connecticott and the Dutch Coflony and of the seacoast belonging to the same Islands that lye bettwixt Long Island and the Maine,
viz: within
tion, drawn up by the delegates, dispatched by the authorities and the commissioners appointed by the that government it is, and of whate kinde that government is, whether very strict or remisse, who the Chiefe Magistrates are, on what terms ye Indians stand
with them, and what bounds the Dutch pretend to, and being satisfyed in these particulars. (viz.) that you may with security settle there and without offence
Governor of New York sometime in November, 1664.2 to any. Then our advise is that you endeavor to buy some small Plantation that is already settled and hath an house and some quantity of ground cleared
and which lyeth so as you may enlarge into the woods at pleasure in each, be sure not to fayle of these accommodations.
1. That it be near some navigable Ryver, or at least some safe port or harbor, and that the way to it be neither
"That ye Creeke or ryver called Momoronock wch is reported to be about thirteen myles to ye east longe or difficult.
of West Chester, and a Lyne drawne from ye east point of Syde where ye fresh water falls into ye salt, at high 2. That it be well watered by some running stream or at least by some fresh ponds and springs near adjoining.
3. That it be well wooded which I thinke you can hardly misse of. That it be healthy high ground, not boggs
water marke, north northwest to ye line of ye Massachusetts be ye westerne bounds of ye said Colony of Con- or fens for the hopes of all consists in that consideration.
necticut". Being thus fitted with a place look more carefully into the title and be sure to have all pretenders satisfied before you purchase, for to fall into an
imbroylid disputable title would trouble us more than all other charges whatsoever. Having passed these difficultyes and your family brought in the place ditect
On November 24, 1683 negotiations were undertaken to fix the boundary line and the mouth of the your whole forces towards the increase of provision which must be according to their seasons, for planting of coxae, pease, beanes and other Provisions which
the country affords, increasing your orchards and gardens, your pasrures and inclosures; and for ye familyes employment in the long winter be sure by the first
Byram River was agreed upon. The line follows that stream as far as the head of tide water or about a mile opportunity to put an acre or two of hemp-seed into the ground, of which you may in the winter make a quantity of canvass and cordage for your own use.
In the falling and clearing your ground save all your principal timber for pipe stands and clap board and knee timber, be, and with the rest endeavor to make
fitt
and a half from the Sound, to a certain "wading-place", where the common road crossed the stream at a rock Pott ash. which will sufficiently recompense the charge of falling the ground. But still mindfull not to put so many hands about the matter of present tt for
as "The Great Stone at the Wading-Place". This agreement was confirmed by King that you do in the mean¢ tnot neglect planting or sewing the grounds that are fi tt for provisions. our further advice a that as you
increase in pasture Fitt for
knownand describedcattle and sheep you fayle not to stock¢ them well, but be sure never to over.stock them taking more than you can well keep, for an hungry cow¢will never tame
William III on March 29, 1 700. to account. Lastly we desire you to advise us or either of us how affairs stand with you, what your wants are and how they may most advantageously employed
by us; for the life of our business will consist in the numble, quiet and full correspondence with us; and although in these instructions we have given you clearly
indicates, yet we are not satisfied that you must needs bring in the place so many difficultyes and also observe many inconveniences, which we at this distance
and his interpreter, Edward Griffen appeared upon these shores, this property cannot possibly imagine and'therefore we refer all wholly to your discretion, not doubting that you will doe all things to the best advantage of our designe
Before John RichbellPP P thereby obliedging, your faithful friends and servants. THOS. MODIFORD,
P
Barbadoes, Sept.
19 1657. WILL SHARPS.
features in a deed which is on record at Albany, signed and witnessed by several Indians, all Chiefs. The
sof duffle
six strings of
wampum, six kettles, six axes, six chisels, 10 knives,
six fathom P
urchase rice was g what is known as
P P
two pounds of un powder, one thick coat and some beads. Richbell first went to Oyster Bay where on September 5th, 1660 he purchased
one gun, two bars of lead, p g
y
Llo d's Neck. He was appointed a Constable at Oyster Bay in 1662.4 In May, 1664 he was one of the
-
On July 1st, 1640, Nathan Turner, acting for the people of New Haven, purchased from Ponus, Commissioners for the five English Towns in Long Island. On September 23rd, 1661 he bought his lands
sagamore of the Toquams and Wascussue, sagamore of Shippan, the greater part of what is now Fairfield at Mamaroneck. The deed follows which he secured from Wappaquewam and Mahatahan.5
County in Connecticut, and a considerable area of the adjoining lands of Westchester. Thomas Pell of Fair-
-field, Connecticut, purchased his land on November 14, 1654. In 1660, 1661, 1662 John Budd, Peter INDIAN DEED TO JOHN RICHBELL
Mamaroneck, ye 23d Sept. 1661
Disbrow, John Coe and Thomas Stedwell purchased land west of Greenwich and up to the Mamaroneck
River, what is now Shore Acres, also called Budds Neck.
Know all Men by these prests. That I Wappaquewam Right owner F3 Proprietor of part of this Land, dee by order of my brother who is another
Many of these deeds overlapped each other so that some of the land was sold two or three times. This Proprietor H by consent ever
the other Indyans doe this day, sell, Let[ Fi make over, from nice an heyres asssterm zs for ever unto John Richbell rc oyster bay his
heyres fS assignee for ever three necks of Land. The Estermost is called Mamaroneck Neck, and the Westermost is bounded with Mr. Pelle purchase. Therefore
was done without any dishonest intent on the part of the Indians. They had no conception of what we know all Men whom these presents concern¢ that I Wappaquewam, doe this day alienate & estrange from nice, my heires fS assignee for ever unto John Richbell
. his hyeres F3assignes for ever, these three necks of Land with all the Meadowes Rivers and Islands thereunto belonging, also the sd. Richbell or his assignee may
call title to land. They understood the right of occupation and use only. By their law the ownership freely feed Cattle or curt timber twenty miles Northward from the marked Trees of the Necks, ffor & in consideracon the sd Richbell is to give or deliver unto
the aforesaid Wappaquewam the goods here under mentioned, the one halfe about a month after the date hereof, and the other half the next Spring following. As the
ceased when the remises were deserted. If the land was not at once occupied, they could sell It again to Interpreters can testify. Ff for the true performances hereof, I Wappaquewam doe acknowledge to have recd. two shirts FJ ten shillings in wampum the day and
P date above written, Twenty two Coates, one hundred fathom of wampom, Twelve shirts, Ten paire of Stockings, Twenty bands of powder, Twelve barrs of Lead,
others. The price paid to the Indians seems to us very insignificant. But the Indian valued the axe, the Two firelocks, ffifteene Hoes, ffifteene Hatches, Three Kettles"
knife, and the hoe as the greatest of possessions. Try to cut down an oak tree with a stone axe or hoe a field
of corn with an oyster shell fastened to a stick and your sense of values may change to that of the Indian On the 24th day of December, 1661, Richbell presented to the Director General Stuyvesant and
his wonderful gifts. New Netherlands a petition for three hooks of land, the easterly being Mamamarinick Neck and the
came with Consul of N P
white
man first g
when the „
Council
For several ears difficulties between the English in Connecticut and the Dutch in New Amsterdam, most westerly being bounded by the land which . some called Mr. Pell's land At a meeting of the
y 62 John Richbell says he intended to cultivate part of the land himself, with his servants,
on Januar 19, 16 y ,
quarreling over the boundaries, prevented settlement in this territory. y
and reserve the other part for some of his friends. They were all willing to subject themselves to the laws
Netherlands. The land patent was issued to John Richbell, May 6, 1662.
Cromwell, the Lord and Protector of England, reached his long arm of authority across the seas and and ordinances of New N P
enforced the Navigation Laws of England, even though they had been passed under Charles the First. Their
actions drove many Englishmen from their trading operations and as suspected, some went into smuggling. When the English in 1664 took over New Netherlands under Lieutenant-Governor Richard Nichols,
they were careful to respect the rights and privileges that had existed under the Dutch.
This brief background of events brings us to John Richbell, a native of Hampshire, England, and a
3. Bolton's History of Westchester County.
merchant of Charlestown, Mass., 1648. He traded with Barbadoes and on one of his annual trips to that 4. Vol II. Thompson's History of Long Island.
5. Scharf's History of Westchester County. Vol. I. p. 849.
2. Boundaries of State of New York. Vol. I. p. 25.
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He took up his permanent residence in Mamaroneck about 1665 and on October 16, 1668 he also the harbor and old DeLancey Avenue, which appears on town maps as the Williams Cemetery on the Old
received English letters patent to his land, issued by Governor Lovelace. In November 1668, he deeded Shore Road, Orienta Point. The author attempted to locate some suggestion of a tombstone at this spot.
the entire East Neck to his wife's mother, Margery Parsons, who had advanced him money for his venture. After plowing through the brush and blackberry bushes, he found what appeared to be the remains of a
On November 16, 1668, Mrs. Margery Parsons conveyed the East Neck to her daughter, Ann Richbell, and half a dozen tombstones and one stone which was a few inches below the surface of the ground, lying flat
John Richbell gave his wife a confirmatory deed.* in a good state of preservation with the date 1807 and the name Disbow on it. I have accounted for this
name being at this spot by the fact that there was an agreement made between James Mott, who married Mary
About 1669 John Richbell set apart for the inhabitants of Mamaroneck, a tract of land which extend- Richbell, daughter of John Richbell, giving permission for the Disbrow family to be buried in his cemetery. p 7
ed along the Westchester Path.This tract was divided into house lots one-fourth of a mile wide, facing the ere, he says, is where his w1 e> ary> o n e rs. nn Ic a and rs. arjory arsons lie
Westchester Path of Old Road to Boston. There were eight of these lots running one-fourth of a mile north-
wardly. He kept lot No. 5 for his own house lot. He gave a gift deed to John Bassett in 1669 for lot burse Edward F. DeLancey>6 says that the Richbell grave was on a little knoll overlooking the harbor which
is on the estate of the late Thomas L. Rushmore. Another stone bears the name of Hains, 1796 and part of a
No. 4. He sold No. 1 to Jeremiah Caniff and No. 2 and No. 3 to Robert Penoyer. He sold No. 7 to Henry stone has just been uncovered which has a heart and vines carved on it with the date March 15, 1728. No name
Disbrow in 1676. Lot No. 6 was conveyed in 1670 to Mary Redman, Mrs. Rich cell's daughter by her first can be found to identify this stone. It is the oldest dated stone in any of the cemeteries in the town of Ma-
husband and to Mary's husband James Mott.** maroneck. The heirs of the Mott family sold this property to Mr. Giles Seaman, a Quaker, and his executor
sold the property to the Rushmores. Mr. DeLancey says that the eminent Quaker, Mr. G. Seaman, was
the last person to be buried in this cemetery."
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I". Photostat copy ut entry from Town Records pertaining to laying out land in the two mile tract of eight lots -
originally laid out by John Richbell along the Westchester Path. These lots were one quarter of a mile square.
Photostat copy of oldest transfer of title in Town Records. It is in the handwriting of William Palmer, first Clerk
of the Town and is witnessed by William Coates. In it Ann Richbell conveys title of a salt meadow to her
son-in-law. John Emerson.
Ili Throughout the 1670's John Richbell had trouble with his settlers. In 1678 John Smith of Ma-
maroneck says that he was invited to come here from West Jersey by Richbell and that for 5 years he has worked
hard and made improvements on his property, and now John Richbell endeavors to deprive him by vio-
j lence first of his crops and then by threats to burn his fences and his house, causing him to be in deadly fear. The people in this little settlement of Mamaroneck were composed from distinct groups each bring-
Samuel Pepin complains that in 1682 John Richbell came to his land on a cold December day with was steady
ing with them their own distinct traditions and characteristics. The growth of the settlement
and healthful. The first settlers were nearly all people from Connecticut and Dissenters in religion who after-
his servants tore off the roof of his house and put himself and his wife out into the snow. There is an-
ward became Presbyterians. They were intelligent, sturdy, enterprising and pious people. They had the
other record that shows that three of his servants, Thomas Bishop, David Bishop and James Pennock ran true Puritan sternness of morals and devotion to duty. Wherever they located, the church and the school
away and joined the settlement of Kingston rather than work for John Richbell. house were immediately erected.
Little of his private life is known, but on one of his visits to' the West Indies, he married Mistress
Ann Parsons of St. Christopher, daughter of Mrs. Marjery Parsons. He died the 10th of July, 1682. He Another English element was the numerous officers and retainers sent over from England. They soon
began to look about them for a place for themselves and their families. Naturally they came to Westchester.
left a widow and three married daughters and a considerable amount of worldly goods. One of these was
a step-daughter, being Ann Richbell's daughter by her first husband. He was buried on a little knoll between They were nearly all Episcopalians. Episcopal services in Mamaroneck began in 1704 and the establishment
of the parish of Rye in the same year attests to their influence here at an early date.
" DeLancey's'History of Mamaroneck. pp-7, 11, 33.
—Westchester County Land Records. Liber C. p. 262. 6. Scharf's History of Westchester County, 1886. Mr. DeLancey wrote the chapter on Mamaroneck.
10 11
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A third group of considerable importance was the Quakers. Numerous Quakers settled in Mamar- The great man of Mamaroneck, at the end of the seventeenth century was Caleb Heathcote (the first
oneck in the 1680's and in 1695, John Harrison, of Flushing, L. I. purchased land from the Indians for the syllable was pronounced as in "heather" and the last syllable was shortened to "cut"). He had six brothers
settlement of Friends from Long Island. This land was called "the Purchase" and is still known by that name. who in England and America became merchant adventurers and they all amassed great wealth. His oldest
This group of people organized a Meeting in Mamaroneck in 1686, holding their first services in
brother, Gilbert became Lord Mayor of London and died the richest commoner in England. Caleb Heath-
cote was born March 6, 1666.
private houses. In 1704 an application was made to the Court of General Sessions, with Colonel Caleb
A family tradition says that he came to America becaused his betrothed young lady, Mary Dawsonne,
Heathcote presiding, to have Samuel Palmer's house at Mamaroneck legally recognized as the authorized place y
for Quaker worship' under the Act of William and Mary. In 1728, Mamaroneck Meeting was made a"Pre- upon meeting his brother, Samuel, decided she liked him better and married him in 1690.7 Caleb picked up his
parative Meeting for Business". In the center of what is now known as the Quaker Burying Ground, was broken heart and came to America. Although only 26 years old, he had already had experience in foreign
built the first Quaker Meeting house, about 1735, and services were held there until 1768. The old meeting trade and he brought his share of his father's estate with him, which was considerable. He sailed for New
house was taken down and the building material moved to its new location. The new house was built on York sometime in the winter of 1691-92, and began at once to operate as a correspondent for a large number
of London traders. He received contracts for outfitting troups and furnishing stocks of presents to the In-
a beautiful and commanding hill where it stood until about twenty years ago.
dians. He took contracts for supplying public buildings with firewood which he floated down from West-
The fourth group were the colored people. They were brought as slaves from the West Indies and chester and in 1704 furnished firewood to the Garrisons at Albany and Schenectady.
all through the years are to be found in considerable numbers in every census.
September 15, 1692, Governor Benjamin Fletcher proposed the name of Caleb Heathcote as oun-
Interesting material on early settlers in Mamaroneck may also be gathered from the early wills.* sellor of New York. He sat in a provincial council for the first time October 26, 1692 in Fort William Henry
The will of Ann Richbell, "gentlewoman", leaves her daughter, Elizabeth, eighty pounds sterling, her gold at the tip of Manhattan. As a member of the council he received the title "the Honorable" and in that time
ring with an emerald stone in it and her little Bible. To her daughter Ann, sixty pounds sterling and such a distinction was a matter of great importance. He was not yet 27 years of age when this happened.
a gold ring. To her grand-daughters, Mari Ann Gedney, Mary Williams and Mary Mott, each ten pounds When Governor Fletcher returned to England in 1698 he left his pew in Trinity Church to the care and use
sterling. She left Benjamin Collyer "four pieces of eight". Obediah Palmer was witness to this will. of Caleb Heathcote and Nicholas Bayard.8 In all, he served as counselor more than a quarter of a century
and under six Royal Governors.
James Mott, son-in-law of Ann Richbell died in 1707 intestate. Letters of Administration were
given his wife, Elizabeth, November 27th of that year. Caleb Heathcote's next appointment was as Colonel of Westchester Militia; A military charge in those
days was by no means a mere compliment, as this country was usually at war with France, during Heathcote's
The will of Colonel Caleb Heathcote„dated at Jamaica, February 29, 1719, leaves to his eldest son, residence in America. The Westchester militia was so turbulent and insubordinate that in 1693 Governor
Gilbert, his dwelling house at Mamaroneck and all lands and edifices of the East Neck and his mills and all Fletcher appointed Caleb Heathcote and six of his commissioned officers to set up a court martial in West-
land purchased from David Jumison, and 1,000 acres of land which he purchased from Ann Richbell. To chester County. As a member of the Governor's Council he was also a Justice of the Peace and he presided
his son, Gilbert, 2,500 pounds sterling and to his son, William, the same and to his daughters, Ann, Mary, over the Court of Sessions in.Westchester for two terms each year, the first Tuesday in June and the first
Martha and Elizabeth, 1,000 pounds sterling each. Tuesday in December.
The will of Benjamin Griffen dated May 1, 1731 leaves land to his son, Benjamin, and to his sons, One of the first acts of the court under Caleb Heathcote in 1692 was one concerning wolves. The
Henry and William, and mentioning daughters Elizab°th, Margaret and Deborah and son, Caleb. heads of wolves were to be brought to the Constable who was to cut off the ears and nail them up in some
Henry Fowler made a will on July 2, 1734 leaving to his second son, Henry, land including what convenient public place. A white man would get 12 shillings per head; an. Indian, 2 shilllings. Wdlve
he called t e in Ield; left to his son Gilbert the Hammocks and the land adjoining the one half of his salt pits were to be dug to dispose of the bodies.
meadow. (It says that he owns a great lot) (?). Has a daughter Sarah, the wife of Underhill Budd, and a In 1693 he was appointed first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which had jurisdiction over
daughter, Jane, the wife of William Barker and a daughter, Ann. civil cases.9 He was 'scarcely 27 years old when most of his honors came to him. Because of the fact that
he took up his residence in the Village of Westchester, and still kept in close touch with his business and
Mpolitical responsibilities in the city, he is considered one of the County's first commuters.
€ ,I`1�Ctin �I'C€ r)-,7 777 777, 7 77 "
✓`' In 1696 he bought property on Froggs Neck. Soon after he erected grist mills on the great creek
F of Westchester. He was also given permission to set up a leather mill on Stoney Brook and a saw mill. To
increase his own importance he petitioned that the town have a charter which was in due course granted y
rrt
�� George I. He was its first Mayor and he remained the Chief Magistrate of the Town of Westchester year
after year until his death.
�. f'�c•���' _ � �. In 1698 Caleb Heathcote purchased the most of the property of which Madam Richbell had inherited
P"'i-•TI.11 �' �$'f"t1'€,Yip c'(ri L 4= T cr".. .3i fY.ft(�
from her husband John Richbell for 600 pounds. Madam Richbell must have held Colonel Heathcote in
high regard, for two years later she died, leaving the conduct of her funeral in his hands. In order to have
o
C1,In �. a i>-; � ` C' ` '' �;� � s, eo! C '' ` no quarrel with the Indians, he gave them another purchase price for the Richbell property and bought direct-
ly from them property lying between Hutchinson's Creek and the Bronx called Fox Meadows. He made
l G ,na c �� ''_ < other purchases in Mamaroneck, and when all was in due order, a patent was drawn-up on March the 21st,
�k4dP� �a ,fa
��.�--�'�4.,�, 1701, so creating the Lordship and Manor of Scarsdale, The manor of Scarsdale included the present towns of
e _ -. — Mamaroneck and Scarsdale, and portions of White Plains, Nort Castle, and ew Castle. The name Scarsdale
,? >�, r , Cc, "r)cv he house was built on rising round which over-looks
. , , t was him of Iso ome in ng an g g
< -1.
• 7. Documentary History of the State of New York. Vol. IV. p. 1039.
Photostat copy of Town Record showing the first mention of Caleb Heathcote. H�.� u.�.rh����n�ol'a,to:.July 29, 1698 8. Memorial History of the City of New York. Vol. I. p. 505,N.
9. New York Civil List. 1886. p. 279.
"Wills of Westchester County, 1664-1784, William S. Pelletreau.
12 13
the Dolphin, the Royal Oak and.the Hope Taverns of New York City. These holdings were the most im-
portant on Manhattan Island. His wealth together with his popularity brought him the office of Mayor
. It is interesting to note that his brother Gilbert Heathcote at the same time was
of New York, in 1711
serving as Lord Mayor of London. He took office September 15, 1711.
On July 9, 1715, Heathcote was appointed Surveyor of Customs for the Northeastern District of North
f vice-admiralty for the territory of New York, Connecti
America. In the same year he was made a Judge o
-
cut and New Jersey. All of this honor was due to the increased influence of the Heathcote family in Eng-
lish politics, as Sir Gilbert, a Whig had the confidence of George I. He had 7 or 8 collectors with their deputies
under him, scattered along a thousand miles of coast. His salary was paid from the English treasury.
.0111
Heathcote was not only concerned with the affairs of state, but he also made his influence felt in church
fFr matters.
In 1704 he wrote to England to the Venerable Society for the Propogation of the gospel in Foreign
Parts, saying "when I first arrived in the Province, A.D. 1692, I found Westchester inhabited by people who
called themselves Christians, and possessed not so much as the least marks of footsteps of religion of any sort,
� '/iy yap Sundays being the only time set apart by them for all manner of vain sports and lewe div ersions".
To rectify this, Colonel Caleb Heathcote sent an order to all his Captains of the Westchester Militia
..
and gave them the following choice: their men must either agree among themselves to have sermons read to
- them, or spend Sunday under arms with military exercises. They all agreed to listen to the sermons.
lz
..
On the 24th of March, 1693, an Act of the General Assembly provided for a Protestant Minister in
the City of New York, in the County of,,Richmond, and two in the County of Westchester, one to have the
care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, the other to have the care of Rye, Ma-
\� maroneck and Bedford.13
* .LJ4der this Act, the Reverend Tl mas-:P.ritchard, A.M. was inducted to the Parish of Rye in 1704.
`- Rev. Pritchard's first report to the Secretary of the Venerable Society in England is dated Mamaroneck, June
6, 1704. It was assumed from this he was living in the Manor House of Caleb Heathcote.
A school was organized and Colonel Heathcote appointed the first schoolmaster, Mr. Joseph Cleator.
Then Venerable Society granted him 15 pounds a year for his maintenance.
?• In a letter dated from his Manor House, February 26, 1705, Col. Heathcote wrote to the Society that
they were "uncommonly, unhappy and unfortunate in Mr. Pritchard, who during his stay totally ruined the
interest of the Church in this Parish. His management is so strange and unaccountable that, but barely
to relate what that gentleman does not blush to do, looks more like malice than a true account of things. He
has scarcely preached four sermons in any part of his parish in the last three months. He lives at a public
house, in a French Town called New Rochelle. Nobody will come to hear him when he does preach."
From the original painting in possession of the descendants of
Right, Rev. W. H. Delancey, Bishop of New York. Soon after he became presiding Judge of the Court of Sessions. He was one of the founders of Trinity
Church of New York. His name heads the list of Vestrymen in 1697 and he remained in office until 1714.
the harbor and he called it Heathcote Hill, which was a spacious edifice of brick in the "prevailing English style", He was elected.a member of the Venerable Society of the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign pants in 1704.
which presumably meant with a straight gabled roof. It very likely had a chimney at each end. Arranged Most of the correspondence he had with the Venerable Society is dated from his Manor House on
around the house were the customary offices and out-houses, and at a convenient distance the quarters of the
slaves.10 Madam Sarah Knight journeying from New York to Boston remarked as she passed through Ma-
maroneck, the mansion is a very fine seat which they told me was Col. Heathcote's who I heard was a very He died on the 28th of February, 1721. He is buried near the southwest corner of Trinity Church,
fine gentleman."" Caleb Heathcote now needed a mistress for his manor house. He found her in the person New York. His obituary appeared in the American Weekly Mercury for March 9, 1721. His titles were:
of Miss Martha Smith, the daughter of Chief Justice, Col. William Smith. This gentleman was out-ranked Surveyor General of His Majesty's Customs for the Northeastern District of North America at the age of 49;
by no one in the Province save the Governor himself. He had been sent by King Charles II, when scarcely Judge of the Court of Admiralty for the Provinces of New York and New Jersey and the Colony of Con-
20 years old in 1675 to govern the Royal City of Tangier in Africa. His third child, Martha was born in necticut; one of His Majesty's Council for the Province of New York, and former Mayor of New York.
1681 in Tangiers, Africa. In 1686 the family came to New York. In 1692 Col. William Smith was
An-
made Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the following year Lord of the Manor of St. George, at Set- He was a very successful man in business. He was spoken of as the richest man in the County.14 An-
auket. Caleb Heathcote's bride was scarcely 18 when they were married September 7, 1699 by the Rev. Wil- necticut; one of His Majesty's Council for the Provinas worth 100,000 pounds at the time of his death.15
liam Vesey at the Manor of St. George. It was her fate to remain the mistress of Heathcote Hill for 36 years. 12. Bolton, History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Westchester County. p. 10.
In 1710 Caleb inherited the estate of his Cousin, George Heathcote of New York and Philadelphia. He inherited 13. Laws of New York. Vol. I. Chap. 36.
14. Bolton. p. 352.
10. Caleb Heathcote, Gentleman Colonist. D. F. Fox, 1926.
11. Journals of Madam Knight and Rev. Mr. Buckingham, N. Y. 1925. p. 59. 15. Memorial History of City of New York. Vol. II. p. 245.
14 15
4 ,
He is described as being a just, honest, friendly man who got on with other people."16 He was robust in body
and striking in appearance and his obituary notice, "He was a gentleman of rare qualities, excellent temper,
and virtuous life and conversation", probably did not exaggerate.
His son Gilbert died with small pox at the age of 20. Madame Heathcote died in 1736. His prop- ''"
erty was held intact as a joint holding until 1774 when it was sold to tenants and others. A statue of Caleb
Heathcote stands on a high pedestal on the south facade of the City of New York Hall of Records.
On the day of his death he was soliciting funds for a charitable organization. He had six children, 8 ,
171 W
Gilbert, William, Ann, Mary, Martha and Elizabeth. His son Gilbert inherited his Manor house at Mamar- y +
oneck, and the neck of the land now called Orienta. All his property on the East side of the Mamaroneck
River, and all his property in Westchester County running 18 miles into the woods.
His children all died during their minority, so all of his possessions descended to his daughters, Ann , r °
and Martha. Ann married the Hon. James Delancey, Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of the province
of New York. heir oldest son James was a member o the Assembly for many years, up to the Revolution. -- -
He went to England in the Spring of 1775 and did not return. The second son, Stephen James, died in 1795. Photostat ropy of page 3 of the Town Records, begun April 2nd, 1697.
John Peter, the youngest son of Lieutenant-Governor Delancey was educated in England, entered the British
Army and served until 1789 when he threw up his Commission of Captain and returned to America where The first town records of Mamaroneck are in a well-bound volume, kept in the vaults of the Town
he resided until his death in 1828, at the seat of his Grandfather, Caleb Heathcote. He had two sons, the
' Office, and include the records from 1697-1881. Several historians have made the mistake of following con-
older, Thomas James was the Judge of Westchester County when he died at the age of 32. The youngest
son, William Heathcote Delancey was the Episcopal Bishop of Western, N. Y. secutively from page 1, 2, and 3 and expect the dates to follow. This is not so. After studying the pages
very carefully, the author found the true sequence; page 1 is the title page, page 2 was left blank and later
Mater-tha, the other daughter of Colonel Caleb Heathcote, married Lewis Johnston, M.D. of Perth Am- filled in for the year 1702, page 3 is another page using only about two inches at the top of the page and
boy, N. J. One of their descendants was the Right Rev. Charles Petit McIlvaine, Episcopal Bishop of Ohio. the rest of the page has been used for the year 1702. Page four was originally blank and now holds records
of 1702. Page five carries on the account of the year 1697 from page one, in which year Samuell Palmer was
elected and chosen suprevizer; Capt. Jeames Mott, asceser; Henery Disbrow, Junier, colector and Henery Dis-
brow, Junier, surveier of the highways. In letters one inch high, next comes the signature of .William Pat-
mer, elected and chosen constable, and William Palmer elected and chosen Clark.
�F On page three the words "This is the book of the records for Momoronack begining in the year 1697
anogo, Aprill the 2nd, all done by the freeholders and inhabitants of the above said place at a town meeting held
at the house of Madam Richbils, on the 2nd day of Aprill, 1697."
Oft's IF
l
' 44 C-C
` � meg,—
1c, �
a tk 4
r el
IL
m,s�✓-► rn 4P 1mv _1 , t� is
fe
y #sx � 1r►1� 0� r` a w
,v Vew"
;
Photostat copy of the holders of the "Great Lots" in the Journal of the Commissioners. 1774. .
Photostat copy of page 71, Town Records. James Mott gives permission aret Disbrow and her three sons
to bury their dead in his prt a cemetery. William Palmer, Clerk, wrote it.
16. Dixon Ryan Fox--Caleb Heathcote. p. 276.
16 17
The original volume was bound in sheepskin and is in an excellent state of preservation at the present
day, although very discolored and stained. Although the paper is heavy and rough it takes ink and has
stood the test of time for 240 years. The older entries are in darker ink than those made in the 1830's and -* , c �X43 .n ter.
40's. Then entry of Policarpus Nelson is the last enty in the handwriting of William Palmer. !'r `""� £;"n me rrx t�v�f
On page 8 are the registered marks for the first settlers. The first one registered is the mark of fTz ' I /�ocCn St ,�raysxCr'
Madam Richbell, the hapeny under each ear and a slitt at the top of the right ear. , Z< ,�1 ct � / Ac Ic 0.nX
z
Capt. Jeafnes Mott's mark for a half-crop on the upper-side of the left ear and a half-crop on the 1 'ne�
under-side of the right ear is also entered. Samuell Palmer, Henery Disbrow, William Palmer, John Dis- (11'1`Q'1��• .
brow, John Nelson, Eliezer Gidney, Richard Heedly are the first settlers to register the marks for their cows'
ears for turning out on the Commons. y i. �� ! ` 11` -� c!
In 1699 the officers chosen at a, town meeting held the 4th of Aprill, 1699 were the following: Mr.
Col. Calab Heathcot, �r•?i / 1
s Mott su ravizer; C f rti
le• r. William Palmer clerk; Capt. Jeames p � n � �. i�h #-'�'
John Nelson constable; M �
P f >r
4
ast
Sir
assesar; and then this entry is heavily crossed out with broad strokes of the pen, Samuel Palmer, colector; ' f y-C krO `� /( qcn r7 lntc?7rtc�
Eliezer Gidne , and Henery Disbrow, fence viewers; Henery Disbrow surveyer of ye highways; William Shaw _ tll�I
Y /..
" stice James Mott. ' I.� �r >< �
iestice u
Palmerworn Clark b � ri
ar. William (justice) 7
pounder; and Mr. John Nelson, Asses Y �.
There seems to be no record of officers chosen for 1700 and 1701. For the year 1702 at a meeting jl t t,
r�r
1�
�! - held by the freeholders on April 18, Niameyiah Palmer was chosen Constable; Obodiah Palmer, Clark; Capt.
i! Jeams Mott, suprevizer; John Nelson, asesser; John Disbrow, colector; Henry Disbrow, surveyer of highways; -
William Palmer and William Lenier, fence viewers; Col. Caleb Heathcote and Samuell Palmer, chosen to lay - )
out highway out by John Winn's as that shall be most convenient. It was agreed by the freeholders of Mo-
moneck that they shall send out for the survier to lay out their land by the 12th day of May next, and if any '' rtn rn¢�c� 'r x�n+ ncfxrtart r�c
person or persons shall refuse neglect or dele to a unto the said surverer his proportion for charge, that the � � -"� ' c `� �r- �
P P g Y, pay �
the,goods or chatteles of such refusers, neglecters, r 1rr +Rirr. , / rat
constable shall be a warrant from a justice deceise upon g g
deleyers, and sell them att a publick outcrye and if there be any overplush, it shall be returned to the owner. ; ) 4 °
At a town meeting held by the freeholders the 20th day of May, 1702 it was agreed that there shall It�3i }t,. c2 ?` - m
i
be no timber transported out of the town on the penalty of five pounds; till their lands be laid out. '+ � � � � '`Y'
At a town meeting held on the 17th of March, 1706-7 Neamiah Palmar and Ely Nelson survaor of ye I , 'r%it r - i � - -
highways; Jeams Moot and John Frifin, fens dewars. '1
c'" r
At a toune meeting held by ye freholdars of Momorack the forth day of Aproell, 1707, Henery Dis-
brow elekted, asesar and suprovizar; Polocarpus Nelson, constabell; Sammuell Palmar, colektar; Obediah Pal- {
mar, fens vewars; Obediah Palmer and Polocarcus Nelson to erekt and buld a pound and to call men out to
work upon it and if any shuld negleTct or refuse to corn thay are to pay half a peas of eight a day, and we agreed
that no hogs aftar the 15th day of this instant month are to run upon ye comans without youking untell ye t yt � 'yp
fust of Aprill next insuing and after this year his exspiard with will be ye yeare 1708. That no hogs are
to run upon the comans; if they do aftar warning they are libel to be kiled. W ° ` }
1 71
At a towene meating heald by the freeholdares of Momoraneck, the secant day of Aproell, 1708,
r r 4
stabel• Henery Disbro sesar and su rovizar,'Obodiah Pal- !• '� 'f f .
r tdne el kted recorder El Nelson con to d
El aze G e P
mmar, colecktar; Jeames Mot, and Obodiah Pal chosen fens owars; Polacar us Nelson and Seluenas Plamar f
Y P � �
survayar of the highways. r z •r Yt c . r ��,.err ca►� �� . rr fc E ix :.ro .
August the 10th anoqodimi 1709 has an entry registering the mark of Neamiah Palmer. °' . uA% t
At a town meeting, 25th of Aprill, 1710 at Momoraneck, Sammuell Palmar, su revizar; Silaenus Pal- �I `` �"N � .
p P
mar, constable; John Disbro and Elyazar Gedney, sessars; Jeames Moot, colektar; Henory Disbro and Obediah5
Palmar survoars of the hiways, Willoam Poniar and Godfree Hayms, fens vears.
At a town meeting the 6th of April, 1711, in Momraneck, Willoam Shaw, constable; Sammuell
Pamar, suprovizar; John Disbro the colektar; Jeames Moot and Obodiah Palmar, aeesars; Polacarcus Nelson
and John Oomer, survayer of the hiways; Ely Nelson and Silvenus Pamar, fens vewars. Photostat copy of page 7, Town Records. The handwriting is that of William Palmer, surveyor and Town Clerk for year 1698.
At a Toune meating heald, second of Aprille, 1712, John Blumar, constable; Neomiah Palmar and
Jearries Moot, seasars and Willoam Shaw, colektar; Samuell Palmar and John Rodes fens vewars; John Blum-
ar and Pollacarpus Nellson, survaurs of the hiways.
' 18 19
4 '
"In Aprill, 1717, was concluded by the inhabitance aforesaid to take up their rams by ye first of Augst
next insuing the date hereof and to keep them up untill the 20th day of October next insuing, and if any ram
be found upon the comans within the aforesaid time they may by vertue of this act be taken up and the own-
ers of him be made to pay 12 pence for every time." Aa�
c � ,
and the fine was increased to one shilling sate ("q),-
and
t !i'Y�Cf tl
In 1719 this same matter was considered by the town meeting and c. ota jc p
and 6 pence every time a ram was found out with the yews after notice was given to take them up. � -
A town'meetin was held in "Mamaroneck, 22nd da of December Anno Domini, 1722, to order �{l n n pcal � MOW C.-
g y aid rnn�� b� �� .,
how the quitt rent that is now demanded by the reviewer generall of ye kings dues shall be raided and p - 4 ox �
and it is concluded and agreed upon that Henery Fowler, and Nehmiah Palmar doe represent the whole place cflt 1 C
to act in their behalf in going to the reciver generall and to disciorse and agree with the rest of the people C*1 -Ixz f'Vn`a4C_r5 "M
owning and possessing of lands within the Richbell's pattent. How and after what manner the said money t"�p ,y c" at C� K� ���*� "B '�'`g'� �����' �'
shall be paid or raised to be paid." 3c We � lkc
-tom
At a town meeting held in "Momaroneck the 3rd of April, 1733, it was voted and agreed upon by thefix, Ctc;`
Cr
freeholders and inhabitance that for the time to come the scoolehouse by Daniel Barkers `shall be the place toY�rrt.' c:>f ZAt1 r°ar '@ +a
meet at on publick businees and hold all town meetings. 1, "`'��? / E � •+'
At a town meeting held "April the 2nd, 1734 it was agreed that Henry Disbro was to have poondagesrti C C'I�
l
over all creatures which are brought to the pound by other people, but such creatures as he impound, himself "� a, . ci
he is to have noe pounding only to be paid for what damage ye creatures have done unto him. It was voted � = �
and agreed that all horses and mears excepting colts may be impounded by any person as often as they are .! /;-> [ y. J i7 4 1' -
turned out upon the comon or hiway, not being side-hobbled." Q TG, "
"In April 1, 173,5, it was agreed that no horses nor meares shall oe at libert a on a commons or
P g . g Y y s. i7rfit
2/1 I�Q- ff
til
hiways without being side hobbled, on penalty on being pounded by any person inhabiting in Momoneck. It tJ. _ ;x. t;� �� rct°'tts �� ��
m�'y
was agreed that all sheep trespassing or doing damige to'any other, excepting ye owner of ye sheep, may be c ;
impounded providing the fens to which the damige be done be sufficient." 1 4 _. - atr� t� � Ca ' x � � �`
On April 3rd 1739 it was voted that there were to be no holes in the fences to exceed 6 inches with-
in 2 feet from the ground, also all hogs that go upon the commons are to be sufficiently ringed. f< �it y- � C; j
Year after year for 50 or 60 years the entries include a list of town officers, many of whom were to �c r j
stay in office perpetually and the height of the fences and notations of rules for animals being turned out to `a _} `" t1.
i
pasture.
"A list of the Indian, negro and malatto slaves within and belonging to the township of Mamaroneck �r
and Mannor of Scarsdale, taken Aprill ye 5th, 1755 by Joseph Sutton, Captain." Elizabeth Allan owned s €tr -Ct
et 0 s
r6
six slaves; Underhill Budd owned four slaves; Neameyer Palmer owned three slaves; Richard Cornell owned
which can be associated with the �
8
three slaves and many others owned one or two slaves. From this list
Town of Mamaroneck as slave owners, are Joseph Sutton, Hanah Disbrow, Reuben Bloomer, Daniel Barker, ' '
Benjamin Palmer, John Gidney, Johnathan Griffen,Wiliam Griffen and Edwarderrlt—t. he total numbers
of slaves held in the Township of Mamaroneck at the time was 38 and in the ManorScarsdale, 10.* 4tIh
On the fourth day of April, 1756, it is concluded and agreed upon by the inhabitants of Mamar-
.,� 1 .t2 114'' i4/D�ft� J I(3y� Ili ,_. �IC4 z
d'�
Z¢f t�{
III ;:.
oneck that the clerk shall purchase a book for the use of the Town in order to record deeds of sale, and pre Y
sent the cost in the next county rate. c � e�� � � .� rz � r _ cow 01 ,
It was voted at a town meeting in 1758 that all future town meetings are to be held in the schools tA4101 f -
�' house and begin at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. •�
In an entry for the year 1759 it was voted that the overseers of the "rodes" were to bring their accounts
and to settle at the next meeting. The overseers for that year reported that they had on hand 1 pound, 17 '
shillings, 11 pence. ed ll r r` ;d a ZL`c t� tri? r d', c < r ' <,,, .` raw rr. r t a
1;
�.
'C
r
i At a town meeting in 1764 it was agreed that the over
of the "biways" were to levy nine shillings
g g �
from each of the inhabitants for the purpose of keeping up the highways. x
The "quitt" rents during these years seemed to cause a great deal of concern. There was a notation on Photostat copy of page 8, Town Records. The top half of the page is in the handwriting of William Palmer.
page 33 of the record that the freeholders of Mamaroneck met at the house of James Horton on the fourth The lower half contains entries for later years.
day of'May and chose at their meeting Benjamin Griffen and John Townsend to collect and pay each and
*Documentary History WNew York. Vol. III. p. 854.
20
21
I,
4
every mans P' roportion of and quitt rent due to this day and desire the Town clerk to enter the same by re- Mamaroneck's part in the Revolutionary War would be a small one if we took the Town records
quest of us, the subscribers. as our source of information for there is no entry from April 1776 to April 1783. However, there are
Signed Daniel Barker several other sources to tell us what happened during those troublesome times. Henry B. Dawson says17 "During
James Horton the night of the 21st of October, another portion of the American Army was engaged in a brilliant dash on the
William Lounsbury enemy's outpost at Mamaroneck. On the 21st, the Right and Centre of the American body of the British
Henry Disbrow Army moved up to a position between New Rochelle and White Plains and a select body of Loyalists, com-
Joseph Griffen manded by #,ieutenant Colonel Robert Rogers pushed forward to Mamaroneck, which they occupied early in
the morning of that day. (The Queen's Rangers had been raised in Connecticut and in the vicinity of
A meeting was held the following May to consider the question of quitt rent and the following year New York. They were all Americans). General Washington, who was at White Plains, was determined
they held another meeting to consider further the quitt rent and the disposal of the money William Lou nsbury to make an attack on the Queen's Rangers at Mamaroneck. Major Green with 150 men from the 1st and
and James Horton had already collected. 3rd Virginia Regiments and Colonel John Haslet with 600 men from the Delaware and other regiments were
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Richbell's patent in the school house May 1, 1764 pursuant to given orders to fall on the Rangers during the coming night. The Rangers were entirely surprised through
an act of the General Assembly passed on January 8, 1762,.Ruben Bloomer and Elijah Gedney and Capt. John- the carelessness of their sentries and were very roughly handled by our troops. However, through the bad
athan Griffen were chosen to assess and colact 30 pounds for paying and discharging the quitt rent until March conduct of Colonel Haslet's guides the success was not as complete as it would have been otherwise. Colonel
25, 1765, the assessor to be allowed 12 shillings for his work. Haslet, in a letter to General Caesar Rodney on October 28th, 1776 said, 'Had not our guides deserted us
on the first onset, he and his whole party must have been taken.' and Lieutenant Colonel Tilghman in a let-
At a town meeting held at the schoolhouse Aprill 2, 1765 it was agreed by general consent that none
ter to his father, dated October 22nd, 1776, said, 'Had not the guides posted Haslet wrong, the whole party
of the inhabitants nor no other person or persons what-so-ever shall take away or meddle with any oysters consisting of 400 must have fallen into our hands.' As it was, Colonel Haslet killed and wounded a con
or clams in the east channel of the Mamaroneck harbor between Hog Island and the Mouth of the Harbor, siderable number, carried back to White Plains 36 prisoners and included among the trophies, a 'pair of colors',
from this time until the 15th of October next under penalty of 40 shillings fine for any person that shall 60 stands of arms and a variety of plunder among, the latter of which were a good many blankets. Lieutenant
transgress. James Horton and John Boyed appointed trustees to have the oversight of that affair. Colonel Tilgham said, `They counted 25 killed in one orchard, how many got wounded, we do not know.'
In 1767 the freeholders and inhabitants of Richbell's patent meeting at the house of James Horton A list of 31 prisoners taken by the Americans can be found in Force.18 The Westchester men taken
agreed that they would assess and collect 20 pounds for quitt rent for that year.
The first entry which uses the title "Colony of New York" is for the town meeting for 1770 which were: Joseph Dean, Steven Law, Elijah Carle, John Angevine, Joseph Carle, Frederick Devoe, James Angevine,
y David Travis, Elijah Bartow, Jonathan Austin, Steven Travis, Moses Travis and Elnathan. Appleby. On
says pursuant to a law of the Colony of New York the freeholders and inhabitants of Mameroneck met at the side of the Americans, three or four were left dead and about 15 wounded. Among the latter, Major
a town meeting at the schoolhouse. Green was wounded in the shoulder and Captain Pope who behaved with great bravery, was wounded in the
At a meeting Aprill 30, 1771 Joseph Griffen was to be overseer of the hiway from the main bridge leg. General Sterling was highly pleased with the success of the expedition that he thanked Colonel Haslet
to the schoolhouse and to have the hands from the Armstrong's to the Notherd; Edward Merritt to have the and his command publicly on parade. On the 22nd of October, General Howe strengthened his outpost at
care of the road from the schoolhouse to the bridge by Tobias Turner's and to have hands from Armstrong's Mamaroneck by moving the 6th Brigade British troops commanded by Brigadier General Agnew to that place.
to Justice Suttons; Benjamine Palmer, to have care of the remainder and the rest of the hands; the Mamer-
oneck bridge to be maintained by the inhabitants in general. Bolton says,19 "On the 31st of Jan. 1777 a cordon of troops was ordered to be formed to extend from
In 1773 it was passed that the geese be not allowed to be commoners if they get into any man's en- Dobbs Ferry to Mamaroneck on Feb. 1st, 1777; foraging being the object. A large number of teams were sent
out toward Mamaroneck and upward of 80 loads of forage were brought up." Another entry in the Bolton His-
closure. They are liable to be pounded and the owner be forced to pay two pence a head to the pound tory quotes a letter of Gen. Samuel Parsons dated at Mamaroneck, Nov. 21st, 1777 to Gov. Tryon, protesting
master. the wanton destruction of property by the servants of the King of Great Britain and the stripping of women and
In 1774 the town meeting was changed to 10 o'clock in the morning instead of 2 in the afternoon. children of necessary apparel in the severity of winter. He makes a threat that unless it is stopped the country
houses of Col. Phillipse and the Delancey family might be destroyed and that it was within the Americans'
The records for the Town of Mamaroneck from April 2, 1776 to ds: are blank. There is no ex- power to destroy every house this side of Kingsbridge. Governor Tryon's answer, dated November 23, 1777,
planation of any kind, and the records begin in 1783 by the following words: Agreeable to an ordinance by Kingsbridge Camp, says, "If I were in more authority, I would burn every committee-man's house within
the Council, appointing,an election to be held for town officers in Mamaroneck ori Monday, the 22nd of Dec- reach and I would be willing to give $25.00 to every active committee-man delivered to the King's troops.
ember, 1783, proper notice being given where upon the inhabitants met upon the said day when the following The ruins from the conflagration of New York by the emmissaries of your party last year, remain a memorial
officers were chosen: of their tender regard for their fellow-beings exposed to the severity of a cold night." The Americans an-
Gilbert Budd, clerk, swered this letter with the burning of General DeLancey's house at Bloomingdale on the night of November
Gilbert Budd, suprevsor 25th. Another entry from Bolton says, "The army marched on the 8th of July in two columns to Mamar-
'Benjamin Palmer, Jr., constable and collector. oneck. On the 9th, the army marched to Byram's Bridge and returned to Mamaroneck the next day. On
this march, three soldiers straggling at a small distance were overtaken by the Americans." It was in the vicin-
ity of Mamaroneck that Lieutenant Hickford of the Refugee Corps overtook Colonel White of the Continental
Army upon his retreat from Morrisania. Some 30 stragglers who had taken refuge on the ice were killed
r by the British Cavalry.
/ 17. Westchester County during the American Revolution. p. 252.
18. American Archives. Vol. II. p. 1203.
19. History of Westchester.
• Signatures of Commissioners who surveyed the Heathcote property in 1774. Photostat copy from their Journal,
the original of which is in the Recorder's Office, White Plains.
23
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Map from Town Records of Mamaroneck River between the present Post Road and the Thompkins Avenue Bridge. 4^C +U�'"Tc-1,1 �y.�"� y
Entered March 2, 1769, by John Townsend, Clerk. +f'
An interesting survey of Mamaroneck in the 1830s is found on a map of Westchester County by David
H. Burr, published by Stone and Clark, Ithaca, New York in 1839, from an-earlier map made in 1829 for •�
Mamaroneck.20 It gives a real estate assessment of $731,507. and personal, $23,763. There was a male pop-
ulation of 449 and a female population of 433, making a total of 882. There were 79 men in the militia
Photostat copy of the manumition of Joseph Haight's slave, Harry. From the Unclassified Records of the Town.
and 165 electors. There were three school districts and the average number of months school was kept dote the Certification of the Overseers of the Poor, below.
was eight. $87.30, public money, was received for the support of the schools and 137 children were taught
N there. There were 581 "neat" cattle, 105 horses, 478 sheep and 383 swine, 54 yards of fuled cloth manufac-
tured, 100 yards of flannel, 195 yards of linen and cotton, and there were two grist mills and two saw mills Among the more prominent property holders for the year 1860 were: Daniel Griffen, Stephen Griffen,
Henry C. Lyon, A. E. Cumings, A. D. Clapp, Rachael S. Rogers, George H. Guinn, Mary Baxter, John
as well as two cotton factories at that time. Perrin, Jonah D. Hill, Florence Gedney, Joseph Hoffman, William D. Palmer, Ad ma G. Coles, Isaac Tailor,
One of the interesting chapters in the history of Mamaroneck is to be found in studying the assess- Benjamin Florence, Isaac Secord, Nehimiah Palmer, Arin Palmer, Peter Johnston, William Buckley, Joseph
ment roll of the Town for the year 1860. The roll is written on blue paper with black ink in a very legible Haight, Thomas Palmer, Daniel Barker, Charles H. Burney, Edward C. Robinson, Alva Brigs, Richard Cal-
handwriting. row, Margaret Dim, John Prior, William Tucker, Edward K. Collins, William H. Bonnett, George E.
Vanderburgh, William L. Barker, John Cox, Louis Walsh, William Walsh, Benjamin Sickels, Isaac Hall,
homas Fosha , Thomas Krai head, Hohn Haddin, Charles Henshaw, George J. Seny, Thomas L. Rushmore,
20. In Register's Office of Westchester County, White Plains. y g g y
William Read, Josiah P. Knapp, Thomas Sheppard, Zekiel Halsted, John Greacen, Schureman Halsted.
24 25
The New York New Haven Railroad Company with 2 and 55/100 miles of double track and with
a depot and other buildings occupying 20/100. acres. Their assessed valuation was $6,900 and they paid
a tax for that year of $407.55. Another interesting item is an entry for Hog Island, which is now our
wonderful Harbor Island, which in 1860 was assessed for $300 and a tax of $1.88 was paid on it. It was
owned by Robert Kraighead.
v }
A section of the records contains a listing of the lots of non-resident lands known as Washington-
ville. These lots were valued.from $15 to $40 and taxes were paid on same ranging from 10c per lot up to
25c per lot. Another section is devoted to listing property in the village of Chatsworth, Town of Mamar-
oneck. These lots range in valuation from $40 to $800 although the average lot cost around $150 to $200.
Those who are continually sighing for the "good old days" may have some reason for their wish,
especially when one notes the familiar names on page after page of this assessment book as living in houses �-
assessed at $350-$400 and paying taxes for example, $2.19; another on page 2, $2.50, etc. It would be
too much irony to compare these records with those of today, but I am also reminded of the reminiscence &f * ,
told me the other da b a life ion resident of this town, of our streets in the "good old days" being a sea
y y g .-
of mud or a cloud of dust, and that I should not leave out of my notes a certain spot down near the depot
'where he is sure a rich deposit of rubber must exist from the rubbers and boots lost by commuters in the deep -
mud on their way to the station.
The largest assessment seems to be against Edward K. Collins who had assessed real estate and per-
sonal property of $55,000 and paid a tax of $336 for that year. Another large assessment was that of Rob- GUION 3 f , ' xnDDEN
ll
ert Krai head of $40,000 and a tax of $251; and that of T. L. Rushmore, $39,000 and a tax of $274.44.
There were 98 registered dogs in the Town for that year.
The assessors for that year were Stephen G. Griffen, Abraham Hall and Isaac Hall and their deposi- e-C E ,, 414�-g fte
tion is on the last page of the record signed Mamaroneck, August 31, 1860. The signature of Stephen C.
Griffen shows that he did the writing as the signature and the script are identical.
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Disbrow House which stood on the site of The Washington Arms as it looked at end of 19th century. Photostat copy of a Jury List for the year 1827, from the Unclassified Town Records.
It faced the Old Post Road. The Disbrow family cemetery stands on the hill behind it on Rockland
Avenue. Built in 1677. Oldest known house in Mamaroneck.
27
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Photostat copy of oldest map of Mamaroneck Village Square. Made by William Bridges, July 15th, 181 1. In Town Rocoals Ueed Book. : •-_ - r`
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Photostat copy of Map of Mamaroneck. Inside front cover of Town Records Deed Book. Note the
Old Boston Road and the crossing of the Mamaroneck River where the Tompkins Avenue Bridge now
stands. The Turnpike was the new road on which were placed the markers which still stand.
Old view of Mamaroneck Avenue, looking towards Prospect Avenue.
Second house on left was home of George L. Baxter.
29
28
As one stops to gaze at the old Delancey house on its present site at the northwest corner of Fenimore
and the Boston Post Road, and penetrates beneath the ravages of modernism and dislocation, in fancy one
sees the characters who lived, loved, and died within its walls; men and women whose ancestry was counted
-- among the best in the building of young America; the Van Cortlands, Smiths, Heathcotes, Floyds, DeLan-
ceys and many others. It is perhaps the DeLancey family which seems more familiar to us, as they were
w more intimately connected with the beginning of the growth of Mamaroneck; therefor, it seems fitting to
follow the history of this family from the time they arrived to the last DeLancey to occupy this old house.
f The DeLancey family has a long line of illustrious descent. It dates back to medieval times and in-
IJ: 1 cludes many courtiers and brave soldiers. DeLancey is undoubtedly a place name, and is derivable from the
,ff ; town of Lanci, now in Western Switzerland, but in the middle age belonging to France.22
John Peter DeLancey, the fourth son of Lt. Governor DeLancey, was born in the City of New York
on July 15th, 1753. He married, in England, the 28th of September, 1785, Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel
Richard Floyd of Long Island, by whom he had three sons and five daughters. He was educated in England
and entered the British army in 1771 as ensign. Soon afterwards he was promoted to Captain. He served
in the Revolution, taking part in many battles with much credit. When peace was declared, he returned
with his regiment to England. His feeling for home, however, was stronger than his love for England, so
in 1789 he resigned from the army and returned to New York.
After returning to New York,• John Peter and his family lived for a short time at the City Hote1.23
DeLancey House, Heathcote Hill. Built about 1792. In 1792 he built a house in Mamaroneck on the site of his grandfather Heathcote's brick manor house, which
On the site of the Hon. Caleb Heathcote's Brick Manor house, built about 1702, and burned dur- had been destroyed by fire. The property he had inherited from his mother, Ann, the daughter of Colonel
Caleb Heathcote. Here he lived the life of a farmer, interesting himself in Church affairs, being instrumental
ing the Revolution, John Peter De Lancey, grandson of Col. Heathcote, erected the present house in 1792.
The house was removed to the site it now occupies on the northwest corner of Fenimore and Boston Post in forming the Parish of St. Thomas. He also took an active part in civil affairs, between Supervision 1798-
Road, in 1900. 1800 and again in 1814. It was in this house that six of his children had been born, and here he died Jan-
uary 30, 1828.
A very clear description of the DeLancey house as it looked around 1818, is given by Susan Augusta
Fenimore Cooper, grandaughter of John Peter DeLancey in her "Reminiscences", written for her nieces and. One of John Peter DeLancey's own letters, written while living in Mamaroneck (October 21, 1814)
nephews.21 to James Fenimore Cooper; his son-in-law, furnishes a sample of daily problems, and bits of current news
"The house stood on the brow of a low hill immediately above the highway to Boston, and facing items of that day.24
a broad bay of the Sound. The view was very pleasing when the tide was in, but dismal at low tide, when
a wast of black mud covered half the bay. There was no attempt at pleasure grounds, beyond a row of locust Mamaroneck, October 21st, 1814
along the fence, and some noble weeping-willows in different positions. Cherry-trees, and peach-trees, apri- My dear James:
cota-and nectarines were planted near the house, the front porch on either side being flanked with the largest
peach trees I have ever seen." Sam and Abraham want to be sold. Do you want either or both of them. The price is L 100 for
"The only flowering shrubs I can remember were lilacs and syringas, near the house. The barns, each. The former went to town for a week to try to get somebody to purchase him, but could get nobody
a large cluster of them, stood at some distance from the house to the right and in the rear." to give him more than forty pounds for him; the other is to go as soon as we get through our Fall work.
"The barn-yard was full of feathered creatures in great flocks—hens, cocks, chickens of all sizes, I seldom hear from Tom. He is so busy in drilling his men, and I believe he is now on a tour of
geese, ducks, turkeys, peacocks and guinea fowls. (Our aunts were much interested in making caps, and tippets, duty at Harlem, throwing up works. He and Edward %xpect commissions in Governor Tompkin's new
and bands for trimming dresses, out of the choice feathers from the poultry-yard—white feathers, and down Levies. The report of the day (from the Committee of defence) is that the British are expected this Fall;
from the geese and ducks, and bright ones from the peacocks and guinea fowls.) The garden lay in the for my own part, I do not believe it. I think the season is too late for this year. What next Spring may
rear at some little distance. Beyond the garden rose another low hill. On climbing it one came to the cider produce I do not know. Do you want a steady man to take care of your sheep and poultry, as we expect
mill and the peach orchard. A very large orchard filled entirely with peaches, which sometimes covered the to be out of place next summer. We are well,. as are the boys.
ground about the trees and were fed to the hogs. (Pork which had partaken amply of peaches was considered
very delicate.) Then again there were apple orchards, very extensive, with the finest kinds of fruit. Be- I must now conclude to you and write a few lines to your better half and Caroline, as Mother is too
yond all these orchards there rose a beautiful woods, the remains of the ancient forest, and within its shade busy reeling yarn to write by this post.
there was an open enclosure, the family burying-ground, surrounded by a low stone wall.
From the covered porch in the rear of the house, one road swept down the hillside to what was called Adieu, and believe me, Ever Affectionately yours,
"the red gate" leading toward the village of Mamaroneck close at hand. Another road made a wide circuit J. P. DeLancey.
around the hill to the southward, and came out on the highway at "the white gate" through which one pass-
. 22. Famous Families of New York. M. A. Ham, 1901. Vol. I. pp. 89, 92.
ed toward my Grandfather's farm on the "neck" and the village of New Rochelle." 23. Documentary History of New York. Vol. IV. p. 1036.
24. Correspondence of James Fenimore Cooper. Vol. I. pp. 87, 88.
21. Correspondence of James Fenimore Cooper. Vol. 1. pp. 24, 25, 29, 33.
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The above map is the oldest known map of Mamaroneck. It was made in 1774 by the Commissioners who
surveyed the land lying in Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, and Purchase which belonged to the estate of Caleb
Heathcote. The original is kept in a tin box in the Recorder's Office, White Plains. It is made of several
whole skins of parchment neatly sewed together. Parts of it are stained blue, green and red.
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The children of John Peter seem to have been prominent. Thomas (1790), born and married in
England, was a lawyer of great promise, who,died when but thirty-two years old. He married Mary Ellison, "
by whom he had one son, Thomas J. (II). 2. Edward Floyd (1795) who died unmarried, was to have 3
been the farmer of the family. 3. William Heathcote (1797) was the first Bishop of western New York.
He was graduated from Yale in 1817, and ordained by Bishop Hobart in 1832. He married Frances, daugh-
ter of Peter Jay Munro. In 1839 he was made Bishop and died in 1865. He was a man of great intellectual
activity; Provost of the University of Pennsylvania from 1828 to 1833; Secretary of the House of Bishops; y"
Secretary of the Pennsylvania Convention. He took an active part in the founding of DeVeau College and a
the Theological Training School of Western, New York. He was an able writer, speaker, debater, and Par- Y
liamentarian. He died in 1865. . '
Of the five daughters of John Peter; 1. Anne Charlotte was born, lived, and married in England
R k
John Loudon MacAdam.
2. Susan Augusta married James Fenimore Cooper, the Novelist. The three other daughters never r.
married. They lived at Heathcote Hill until their father, John Peter, died, then joined their brother, Rev.
,W01iam, who lived in Philadelphia.
Although Heathcote Hill was in the hands,of the DeLancey family as late as 1897, I find no record
of any of the fifth generation ever occupying it. Edward F. DeLancey, son of William Heathcote DeLancey
deeded what was left of the property on Heathcote Hill to Fred A. Constable, executor of the estate of his
father, James M. Constable. George R. Reed, auctioneer, tried to sell the property about the turn of the cen-
tury. It was not a success. Only a few lots on Fenimore Road were sold. About November, 1904 Mr.
Constable deeded the property to the Heathcote Realty Co. who subdivided it and sold it. Mr. Charles M. JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, Author
Baxter was one of the men interested in this company. It was while the water and sewer pipes were being Cooper entered Yale with his friend William Jay at the age of thirteen. In his Junior year, he left col-
laid out on Munro Avenue of this property that the remains of the British soldiers who died at the battle of
mid-
Heathcote Hill were found. Mr. Charles M. Baxter has in his possession buttons from English officers' uni- lege and his father articled him to the captain of a merchantman. Two years later, he took the oath of mid-
Hforms and silver coins found with their remains. shipman and his warrant was signed in 1808 by Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United States. In
1810 on the death of his father, he wrote Secretary Ha milton and asked for a furlough. While on this fur-
lough, he fell in love with Susan Augustus DeLancey, grand-daughter of old Stephen Delancey. In a letter
dated May 18, 1810, he wrote to his brother Richard,
"Like all the rest of the sons of Adam, I have bowed to the influence of a fair damsel of 18. I love her like a man and told her of it like a sailor. The peculiarity of my
situation occasioned me to act with something like precipitancy which you will cooly have to decide. I will as cooly give you the qualities of my mistress. Susan
is the daughter of a man of very respectable connections and a handsome fortune, amiable, sweet-tempered and happy in her disposition. She has been educated in
the country, occasionally trying the temperature of the city to rub the rust off. But hold a moment! It is enough! She pleases r. with have
qualities of her
person and mind. Like a true Quixotic lover, I made proposals to her father and he answered them in the most gentlemanly manner. 'You have me consent to
address my daughter if you will give approbation of your mother'. He also informed me that his daughter has an estate in the County of Westchester. Now,
I have to request, you, will take your hat and go to mother, the boys, the girls and say to them. 'Have you any objection that James Cooper shall marry at a future
a
.,. day, Susan DeLancey?' If any of them forbid the banns, may the Lord forgive them for I never will. Then take your pen. in hand and write to Mr. DeLancey
stating the happiness and pleasure it will give all my family to have this connection completed. All this I wish you to do immediately as I am deprived of the
pleasure of visiting my flame until this is done, by that confounded bore, Delicacy."
g - On January 1, 1811, Susan Augustus and James Fenimore were married in the drawing room of
the DeLancey house in Mamaroneck by the Reverend Asgill, rector of the Episcopal Church in Rye.26 Only
the family and servants were present. The bride wore a sprigged Indian muslin dress with a waist about
three inches deep. After the ceremony and before supper, the bride and groom played chess. The honey-
` `rRR moon was spent in Cooperstown on Lake Otsego. They traveled in a "gig". Cooper drove two horses,
tandem, and his wife describes the trip as being over a great deal of corduroy road.
They returned to Mamaroneck and made an attempt at house keeping in a little house acress the Shel-
" drake, called "Closet Hall" because of its size but in less that a year's time, the young couple were back at
Supposed "Closet Hall" where Fenimore Cooper lived for a few months in 1813.
Heathcote
House still stands on Tompkins Avenue, Mamaroneck, facing what was Old Post Road. I181n 1813 they moved to Cooperstown to their new home, "Fenimore Farm", situated on the western
shore of Lake Otsego. Here they resided until 1817 when they returned to Heathcote Hill for what was to
have been a six month's visit but which lengthened out into a five year stay. Cooper then built a home for
James Fenimore Cooper was born in September, 1789 at Burlington, New Jersey, the eleventh of his family on the Angevine Farm on a hill four miles from Scarsdale which was a portion of the DeLancey
twelve children.25 His father was Judge William Cooper and his mother was Elizabeth Fenimore, whose estate. Susan describes this home,27 "The view from the hill was fine including a long stretch of the Sound
family formerly came from Oxfordshire, England. On October 10, 1790, Judge William Cooper moved his and Long Island beyond. The house consisted of a center and two wings.
family to Lake Otsego in New York and it was here that James grew up, in .Cooperstown. When he was One of these was the common sitting room and the other was the drawing room. Little did my dear
nine years old, he was sent to Albany to be a pupil of the Reverend William Ellison, rector of St. Peter's father foresee when he planned and built that room, that within those walls he would write a book and become
Church, where he met William Jay, a son of Chief Justice Jay, Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801. an author."
26. Correspondence of James Fenimore Cooper. Vol. I. pp. 27, 28, 29.
25. Records of Grace Fenirwore Cooper, great grand-niece of James Fenimore Cooper. 27. Nieces and Nephews by Susan Cooper.
34 35
Soon after this, Cooper was made an aide-de-camp to Governor Clinton with the rank of Colonel.
He became part owner of a whaling vessel out of Sag Harbor and became deeply interested in the Westchester
Agricultural Society. Cooper read a great deal on history, travel, military work, biographies and novels.
His first book, "Precaution" was written as the result of a boast to his wife that he could write a bet-
ter book than the one he had just been reading to her. "Precaution" was published upon the advice of his
old friend William Jay who by now had become a judge. His next book, "the Spy" was inspired by stories
told him by the father of Judge Jay, Governor John Jay. Much of the material was gathered from farmers rix sg g g
throughout Westchester who gave him the gossip about the "neutral ground" in those old days. The "Spy"
attained the greatest success ever attributed to an American book in those days.
His next book was the "Pioneers with a scene laid in Cooperstown on Lake Otsego. After the pub-
lication of this book, the Coopers moved to New York City so that he could be near his business activities and
place his four little girls in school. Due to a discussion at his club, Cooper next undertook to write a purely y.
nautical book and the result of this was the "Pilot". W
In 1826, he applied to the New-York State Legislature for permission to change his name to Fenimore
Cooper at the request of his mother as there were no men in the Fenimore family to continue the name. Grave of Peter Jay Munro and his Wife Margaret
in the Jay family cemetery in Rye.
The "Pilot" was followed by "Lionel Lincoln", "The Last of the Mohegans", "The Prairie", "The 28
Red Rover", "The Water Witch", "The Bravo" and "The Headsman." Bolton describes this Manor House as follows:
"The house is a large building of wood, finely seated on rising ground, and commanding extensive
His home, "Fenimore", at Cooperstown burned down and he decided to take his family to Europe. views of the Sound. The view of the building is concealed from the road, by a fine plantation of fir which
After he returned from Europe, he lived at Cooperstown until his death in 1851. adds much to the beauty of the grounds." A valuablz collection of Stewart's paintings hung in the mansion-
in 1842, the most outstanding of which was one of Washington and one of Governor Jay. This property
' was next owned by Edward K. Collins, and then by T. J. S. Flint. The present owner is Mrs. Wesley M. Oler.
The Bailey House, also known as the Disbrow House in Larchmont, was built sometime prior to the
3 z
" Revolution by Doctor Nicholas Bailey. It was used as a hospital after Simcoe's Raid in 1777. The house
appears on the first map of the township by Webb made in 1797. Standing just a few rods to the east
f 0
of the house was the twentieth milestone of the Boston Post Road. The housestood about where
y M the present Loyal Inn now stands. It was occupied by Mrs. Margaret Disbrow, her children and her grand-
children from 1835 till 1904. The old house was burned down in 1929.
.. , The Howell Homestead stands on the westerly side of Weaver Street, halfway between the Post Road
and Palmer Avenue. It is surrounded by ancient trees and a garden filled with flowering vines, herbs and
perennials.
The homestead is part of a tract of land once belonging to one Thomas Palmer, the great, great grand-
_# father of the present owners, and a descendent of one of the early settlers. In 1840, the grandson of this
Thomas Palmer, also a Thomas Palmer, purchased this site with house, barn and out-buildings for a country
seat. Shortly after this he acquired the Hommocks, so that he and his family and guests might enjoy bathing,
and fishing, as well as to have a place where he could cook shore dinners or have clam bakes.
The house had originally been built for an Inn sometime between the Revolution and 1842. In
1860, Mr. Palmer added a third story. In doing so it necessitated removing the large white columns which
na _', stood in the front of the house, and the barrell shaped ceiling in the ball room on the second floor. With
Photostat copy of a decision of Peter Jay Munro from the Town Records. Mr. Munro was lawyer these and a few other exceptions, such as taking dow the crystal chandeliers and replacing three mantel pieces
and practised in New York, but lived in Larchmont. for those of the 1840 to 1860 period, the house is in its original state.
Peter Jay Munro was born January 10, 1767, the son of Rev. Harry Munro and his wife, Eve Jay. The forty rooms are furnished as they were when Mr. Palmer was living, with exquisite antique fur-
He was a man of means as is evidenced by the large purchase he made in what is now Larchmont Manor niture, glass, china, fabrics, rugs and carpets. On the whole, these furnishings are much older than the house.
in 1788 and 1790. In 1788 he purchased the old Samuel Palmer homestead which stood about where the Reposing on the shelves in the labrary can be found many autographed books by prominent nineteenth cen-
Larchmont Library now is. He purchased more property from the Palmers in 1790 and erected the large tury authors who had, at one time or another, been guests of Mr. Palmer.
mansion soon after this which still stands at the corner of Elm and Prospect Avenues. 28. Guide to New Rochelle and its Vicinity. Robert Bolton, Jr. N. Y. 1842.
36 37
3
I,
In entering the house, one is struck by the enormous size of the rooms, the dining room measuring
I ISI \:.
' forty by twenty feet. Here Mr. Palmer would entertain as many as one hundred guests at a time or, if a
private theatrical was given, a stage would be created at one end of the room. The drawing room, likewise, ',
is of the same dimensions as is the ball room, more often called "supper room" as refreshments were served here
d
i
b
l
directy y a staircase leading up from the kitchen.
III If space permitted, around this house could be written an account of the most entrancing and pictur-
esque history of the social life of Mamaroneck and Larchmont, for among Mr. Palmer's guests could be found ? y
Mr. John Graean of Flagler Point, Schurman Halsted, Robert Crawford, Dudley Field, William Reed, Mr. irk
it Shepard, Robert L. Rushmore, the Disbrows, Flandrew Clapps, Wm. A. Parsons, Henry Brevoort, Alex Tay- 6, ` w
lor, Van Amringe, the Stewarts, Gateleys and many others. 3 '
Telephone history in both Mamaroneck and Larchmont began in the year 1898. In May of that ? y
r
year the first central office in Larchmont was established in a private house near the corner of Cedar and Grove
Streets, Larchmont, next door to the old village hall. Mamaroneck's central office was opened some three ?
I?
1. ! months later on August 6, 1898, at 58 West Boston Road, the present Town Offices. `'\ p y11
There were a few telephones in both villages before this time, the very earliest subscribers being from
III the New Rochelle central office which was established in 1883. One of these, the first subscriber to telephone
11 service in Mamaroneck, was William R. Bull who now lives at 391 Irving Avenue, Port Chester. Mr. Bull's . »
brother the late F. H. Bull, father of F. H. Bull, Jr., the. Treasurer of the Village of Mamaroneck was a Y ' ' T y;
pioneer in the telephone business in this part of Westchester County, establishing and supervising the opera- -<
V
111 tion of many of the central offices in communities along the Sound.
The first central office in Mamaroneck was of the magneto type. The subscriber turned a crank to
signal the operator, instead of lifting the receiver as at present. The small rooms at 5 8 West Boston Road :
I dj were used by the telephone company in those early days. One contained the switchboard, and the other was -
headquarters for the one-man Plant Department. Telephone Building at 5 Franklin Avenue, Larchmont Telephone Building at Barry and Halstead Avenues, Mamaroneck
This switchboard served only a few subscribers at first, but by 1900, as the village began to develop
No history of Mamaroneck in the nineteenth century would be complete without telling the story
as a high class suburban residential center, this number had increased to 71. By 1909, when the first com- of the 230th Anniversary celebration of the Purchase of Mamaroneck which was held in 1891.
mon battery switchboard was installed, there were 569 telephones in the village during the next eleven years A newspaper clipping of that day, contributed by Miss Emma Benedict, states that the event was ob-
this number more than doubled, there being 1,156 at the begining of 1920. served with all the pomp and ceremony that the townspeople could master. Flags, streamers, bunting and
flowers were seen on ever side. elaborate triumphal arches erected; one on Mamaroneck
The +
Y
i e There were three el e
P
T e next i '
significant date in the telephone history o
g f Mamaroneck is April 14> 1928 when .he large ,
P Y >
P ,
g
Avenue on on i f the Post d.
e the Post Road at the entrance to DeLance s Neck and the third at the other endo e o t R
new switchboard in the company's new building at the corner of Barr and Halstead Avenues was laced in Y
g Y P
service, with a transfer of approximately 2,800 telephones from the old central offices at 58 West Boston The procession started at noon on September 21st and was arranged in four divisions, with Harry
IIII', Road. On August 1, 1936, there were 3,382 telephones in Mamaroneck, a gain of more than 500 since Summers as Grand Marshall and Henry Dopel, John Coles, John T. Siballs and Edwin Parker as aides, on -
I III III the new office was placed in service. Approximately 18,500 calls, on the average, are made from these tele- horseback. Fifty organizations were in line among which were: the Volunteer Exempt Veteran Firmen s
Illi it phones every day. Association, with sixty men, the Old Volunteer Fire Company of New York City headed by the 59th Regi-
ment Band, the Union Hook and Ladder Company of White Plains, the Niagara Hose Company of Mount
The first central office to serve Larchmont telephone users was also of the magneto type. The switch- Vernon, the Fire Patrol of New Rochelle, the Larchmont Fire Department, the Port Chester Fire Police,
board had two operators' positions. Among the first telephone subscribers in Larchmont were Kuhnast and the Clinton Hook and Ladder Company of Mount Vernon the Volunteer Exempt and Veteran Fire Associa-
ui le food merchants; Coutant's Drug Store at Larchmont Avenue and the Post Road; Bur is Feed Com- P Y P
' g tion of New York, the Enterprise Hook and Ladder Company, the Relief Engine Company and the Hu enot
% ',, Q g Y g P P Y, g P Y g
pany; the Montrose Livery Stables, and the Lippincott Coal Company. One of the first operators was Miss Engine Company all of New Rochelle; the Protective Engine Company of Mount Vernon, the Fire Patrol of
VIII Dora Nendel who now lives at 4 Edgewood Park, New Rochelle. By 1900, Larchmont had 69 telephones, Norwalk, the Putnam Engine Company of Port Chester and the Neptune Engine Company of Hoboken, N. J.
Ilii', only two less than Mamaroneck. In 1904, when the village had 232 telephones, a new four-position mag-
neto switchboard was installed in the same private house in Larchmont Manor which served as telephone
headquarters for Larchmont until December 4, 1909, when a new common battery central office was estab- Chairman of the Committee of arrangements, presided. The Reverend David G. Downey, Pastor of the
fished in the Bull Building, 54 Boston Post Road (now 1172). There were then about 450 telephones in Mamaroneck Methodist Episcopal Church, offered the prayer and an address was given by William A. Boyd.
Larchmont, but in 1920, the number had more than doubled, there being 1,099 on January 1 of that year. The highlight of the celebration was the historical address delivered by the Honorable Elliott Danforth, Treas-
urer of the State of New York.
f On March 17, 1928, the center of the community's telephone service was transferred from the Bull An excerpt from the article in the New York Times of September 22, 1891 telling about the celebration is: "The oration of Mr. Danforth was an ex.
haustive historical review of the rise and progress of the town whose two hundred and thirtieth anniversary the assemblage had gathered to celebrate. Some
Building to the new telephone building at 5 Franklin Avenue. At this time there were about 3,800 tele- writers, the speaker declared, stated that the name of the town signified 'the place where the fresh water falls into the salt', but the weight of evidence was against
IIthat signification. It came in reality from the name of the Chief of the tribe of Wisquaeskek Indians, Mamaroneck. It was a significant fact that the deed which
phones in service, a gain of more than 200 per cent in eight years. Since 1928, almost 2,000 telephones have bad been read as havingbeen
C given to the Indians in conveying the land to John Richbell was one of the few on record on which the marks of no Indian woman
illi ' been added to the number already m service in Larchmont, bringing the total on August 1 1936, t0 5,725. appears as was customary in the transactions of the aborigines, and further that the oppresive navigation laws of England were in a measure the incentive for the
S' g g g first settlement of Mamaroneck. Richbell, the speaker informed his bearers, was buried on what is now the property of Thomas L. Rushmore, on the little knoll
lThe average number of Calls originating daily from these telephones is about 25,500. between the harbor and DeLancey Avenue, where a few old crumbling tombstones were to be seen at a comparatively late date."
38 39
Ilii li
Larchmont has long had a theatrical tradition. A list of names from the Theatrical world, who have
lld lii, made their homes in Larchmont contains the following. Thomas Seabrook, a comedian at the end of the cen-
s Edward's admiration
f Ki
b
h
,turyMaxine and Beatrice Elliott; Maxine was a beauty who was the object of
and Beatrice married an English title. They lived at the Chatsworth House at Chatsworth Gardens, Mrs. .. `
VLouisa Drew, the mother of John Drew and grandmother of the Barrymores, Ethel, Lionel and John, lived �,., ,, �� r� ` '
, `€ 1 9,
Ill,�il, in Larchmont. A memorial window to Mrs. Louisa Drew was given to the St. John's Episcopal Church �• 3, ��•< . €
in Larchmont by her son, John Drew. Lillian Russell arrived one day with sixteen guests and registered
E
at the Victoria,Hotel. She is said to have left very hurriedly after protests were made by other guests on the
grounds that she was "a actress". Mrs. Leslie Carter is said to have had the habit of driving up in her car-
jriage and white horses to the Blossom Heath Inn which was part of the Fleming Farm and is now the site of
the Post Lodge Inn. The name of Frederick Freeman Proctor is one which stands out prominently in the
Theatrical history of Larchmont: He purchased property at the corner of Park and Magnolia Avenues, first
remodeling the old house and then building a new one. He owned the whole block where the Bevan House "
now stands and at his death, willed the Bevan house to his nephew, Mr. Fred Merrow. The two houses
besides the Bevan House were built for his daughters, Eleanor and Henrietta at their marriage. Although Mr. F r,
p,
a
Proctor was an Episcopalian, he was one of the founders of the Roman Catholic Church in Larchmont andY;
to with Edward Bird, was a great help in organizing the volunteer fire department of Larchmont. His
Al
children were Eleanor who became Mrs. Lester Howard Riley, Mr. Frederick Freeman, Jr., and Hen- � ;
III nnell and has since become Mrs. Proctor Donnell Reilly. Mrs. Proctor Reilly '
h,II rietta who became Mrs. Do k ;rel
and Mrs. Harry Goeckler were the founders of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Humane Society. Another im- w- '�
portant name is that of Edward Albee who started as a peanut-boy with Barnum and Bailey's show at
the age of fourteen. He was a member of the Vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church for many
earsIII and is noted for his large contributions to all churches. He is especially remembered for his won
derful Christmas parties which e gave ave to the children of Larchmont every year. These parties were given yu
.
to the three white and one colored churches of,the Vil-
in St. John's Parish House and then were split up in
lage. There was a gift for every child and each child had his choice of the kind of gift he or she wanted.
The Larchmont Yacht Club is supposed to have been founded by a group of five young men on Dec-
isional
isional officers were elected: William C. France of the
oration Day in 1880. Soon after the following provT "'
_•_
r
yacht, `Viva" Charles E. Jenkins of the yacht, `Willis", Loring Lathropof the yacht, "LivelyOyster",
`
' L. Anthony of the yacht, "Viva". A three year lease
Frederick W. Flint of the yacht, "Helenaand Frank s
was soon obtained of the old Union Church then standing.on the site now occupied by the Horseshoe Harbor
it
Club. The Yacht Club was to have the use of the building six days a week providing the club janitor would a
act as church sexton and have the church furniture clean and in order on Sunday morning. Any disturbances ,
or boisterous talking would automatically cancel the lease. The first meeting was held in the club house June
:f y €3
They elected the following officers: F. C. Fleming, W. C. France,
26, 1880 with forty members present.
T. J. S. Flint and Frank L. Anthony. In 1887 the property of Mr. Benjamin F. Canver was acquired and
has since remained the home of the club. During "Race Week" in 1922, three hundred ships rode at anchor M
a
in the harbor. The first number of the club book was published in 1881 recording the names of seventy-four :,
� members, thirty-three boats were registered that year. The initiation fee was ten dollars and the annual dues
five dollars. In 1887 the club was incorporated under the laws of New York State with the following pur-
z: , .
pose; Particular business and object of said club or society shall be to advance, foster and support the sport
of yachting, the art of yacht designing and construction and the science of seamanship and navigation and to
acquire and provide a suitable and convenient club house, anchorage and harbor or basin for the use of its mem-
J. Schaefer, Vice-Commodore W. G. McCullough, Rear-
bets. The present officers are: Commodore Rudolph &
Commodore Harvey Conover, Robert E. Carrick, secretary and Thomas L. Burton, treasurer.
K uu The Larchmont Public Library is operated by the Board of Library Trustees appointed by the Village
Board. It contains 21,820 volumes at the present time and carries 76 periodical magazines. In November,
1924 the building was started. It was opened November 27, 1926. The first Library card was given to
Mr. John R. Tulloch and numbers 2, 3, and 4 and 5 were given to the Village. Board members. The Free
s. 1. Peter Jay Munro Mansion 1. Munro Mansion, garden side
Library made an unconditional gift of all its property to the Village. The plans for the building were 2. Howell Mansion, Weaver Street 2. Howell Mansion, side view
drawn by Frank A. Moore, and the grounds on which the Library was built was given by Mr. E. F. Albee. 3. Old Post Road, Mamaroneck 3. Griffen Homestead, Old White Plains Road
jMr. Albee also gave many books and $4,000.00 in cash to purchase additional books. The grounds were 4• Disbrow House, Larchmont 4. Griffen Homestead, front view
landscaped by the Garden Club. The present registration is 4,200 with an annual circulation of 103,788
volumes and there are 22,000 volumes in the library. Miss Pearl M. Day is the present Librarian.
f!' 40 41
IlllIil,ll
�l�ll Unclassified records in the old Town Hall on Prospect Avenue disclose many interesting items per-
taining to early school affairs In the middle century. The following items have been chosen for their special
interest.
k
i, Mamaroneck, July 16, 1860
Received from Mr. William S. Barker, Supervisor. One hundred and forty-six dollars and three cents,
being the amount of School money due District No. 2. Also seven dollars, the amount of library appr. to .0
the same district.
$153.83 J. V. Knapp, Treasurer
Dear Sir: At a meeting of the trustees of the District No. 1 Mamaroneck, held the 27th day, 1881,
the following was passed: That it was the sense of this board that the schol in this district and those adjoin-
ing were not up to the standing that they should be for the amount of money spent. Resolved that a repre- � y
{dill sentative from each of the districts be asked to meet on Monday, December 12th, 1881 p. m. at this house = x _�<
III in the interest of education and see if it can not be improved in these parts. ?"
We will be pleased if you will appoint one to meet those from the other districts. High school built to 1888. Now called Central School.
and oblige,
� Yours truly, The present school buildings were built in the following years:
W. H. Halsted, Sec'ty. Central School, 1888 with an addition in 1912.
District No. 1 Chatsworth Avenue School, 1902 with additions in 1912, 1922 and 1930.
Mamaroneck Avenue School, 1909 with addition in 1916 and 1928.
In a petition dated March 14, 1881 to Thomas B. Stephens Esq. of Tarrytown, N. Y. district school Murray Avenue School, 1922 with addition in 1926 and 1930.
Commissioner to enlarge District No. 1 Mamaroneck the fact is brought out that No. 1 had an enrollment of Senior High School, 1925.
311 children and No. 2 had 257 children. The assessed valuation of property in District No. 1 was $255,- Junior High School, 1931.
230 and for No. 2 it was $534, 435. The trustees were William Summers, Charles Brennecke and W. H. The value of all school sites in the Town is estimated at $800,000.00 while the buildings are valued
Halstead.
at $4,300,000.00 giving a total valuation of building sites, furniture,'apparatus and libraries of $5,372,300.
School records for 1887 contain the appropriations for expenses ,for the following year amounting to The District has 14,313 volumes in its school libraries. The present teaching staff numbers 180 and there
$4,800.00 This budget was divided as follows: teachers' salaries, $4,000.00; fuel, $200.00; janitors, are 5,933 children between the ages of birth to 18 in the District. The number of pupils registered for the
$200.00, stationery, repairs and supplies, $350.00. year ending June 30, 1936 was 4,275. The graduating class of June, 1936 numbered 184 with an even
Thomas L. Rushmore, D. Jardive, William H. Campbell, William D. Palmer and Joseph H. Mc- number of boys and girls.
Loughlin were appointed on Tuesday, August 30, 1887 to be a committee to determine the most suitable The present members of the Board of Education are: Mr. W. S. Hamilton, President; Mrs. Elizabeth
Lou
g pp y' g Kirchner, Mrs. Helen Scofield, Mr. Frank M, Totton, Mr. Lee Burton, Mr. F. E. O'Callaghan, Jr.
site for a new school. The committe reported November 18th, 1887 that in their opinion the best site for Mr. A. Z. Boothby has been Superintendent of Schools Union District No. 1 since January lst,
the new school would be a tract of land containing about four and one half acres of land, situated on the 1917. He succeeded Dr. George Mc Andrews who served as head of the schools from 1900"to 1917.
Post Road and running through to Rockland Avenue. Part of the site was owned by Mr. William McCabe
and the rest was owned by Mr. H. G. Snebley. The price for the whole site was $4,250.00. The com-
mittee also recommended the erection of a building on the site to cost $42,000.00. The vote was taken and
135 voted for the proposition and 22 against it. On March 1, 1888 the bonds for the new school were ; f
taken by the Mutual Life Insurance Company at 41/ fo. The deeds to the site were forwarded to White
Ama.:
Plains for recording on March 30, 1888. At a meeting on April 17, 1888 it was decided to abandon the
plans for a one story building in favor of two stories. ; g� '
In due course the building was completed and the opening exercises were held on December 24, 1889.
Recitations were given by the students and addresses were delivered by Mr. Rushmore, Mr. Downey, Mr. $
Moody and Mr. Wendt. Ut
fiI)
On April 5, 1890 the Board of Education decided to employ Mr. Preston as principal of the High ' z '�
School for the coming year at a salary of $1,350.00. Mr. Sniffin was engaged as Grammar Departments is
teacher at a yearly salary of $1,050.00. A motion was passed that no teacher be recommended for employ- ',
ment unless the same is a normal or college graduate. Kittie Newcomb, Mary A. Palmer and Eva D. Louis '
were hired as teachers at $650.00 each and Wilkelmena Palmertier was hired for $600.00 per year.
�
At the closing exercises of the school year June 27, 1890, a large number of parents and friends at-
tended. There was an interesting "exhibition of Edison's Phonograph by Mr. Downing" and addresses
by Rev. Mr. Downey, Mr. Thomas L. Rushmore, Mr. S. H. Cone, Mr. W. H. Stiles, Mr. A. M. Perrin and h
by the President of the Board, Mr. Carsten Wendt. Mr. William H. Gedney and Mr. William A. Boyd
jwere the other members of the Board for the years 1887-90.29 Laying the Cornerstone of Senior High School in 1924
i. 29. Minutes of Meetings. Board of Education, Union Free School, District No. 1, Town of Mamaroneck, 1892. Mamaroneck Register. 30. Annual Report. June. 1936. A. Z. Boothby.
it
42 43
�I
t
Parent-Teacher Associations in all the schools in both Union Free School District No. 1 in Mamar-
oneck and Union Free School District No. 1 in Rye Neck are active organizations. The Chatsworth Avenue
School in Larchmont has a membership of four hundred and the president for the coming year is Mrs.
Arthur James Mannix. Murray Avenue School has about 418 members and was organized in 1923. The # _
a
�liil'"ISIfyear is Mrs. Charles F. Weller. Mzmaroneck Junior High School Parent Teachers Asso-
ciation
president or next y •
was organized in 1932. Its presidents since that time have been Mrs. James H. S. Ellis and Mrs. H.
Lambert Filer. The president for the coming year is Mrs. Lawrence S. Scofield. At Mamaroneck Avenue - b
III
School, the first meeting was held in September, 1921. The first president was Mrs. Morris Shongut and
the president for the coming year is Mrs. Louis Zingesser. The Mamaroneck-Larchmont Parent Teachers' € .
IIID Council was organized in 1923 by Mrs. Mona MacRobert. Mrs. MacRobert was its first president. Their
it aim is to coordinate and act as a clearing house for all projects taken up by Parent Teachers Associations.
Mrs. MacRobert was followed by Mrs. Platt Wiggins and Mrs. Wesley Messersmith is president of the pres-
ent council. The Mamaroneck Parent Teachers Association was organized in 1921 with Mrs. John F. .
I
O'Reilly as its first president. It had a steady growth under Mrs. Arthur Gaebel, Mrs. William Hill, Mrs.
Luda Dabrowski, Mrs. Walter Burbank, Mrs. Albert Wilson, Mrs. Mona MacRobert and Mrs. Wesley"
Messersmith. President for the coming year is Mrs. Harry F. Flowers. The membership is about four }W b
r. hundred. The Rye Neck Parent Teachers Association has about 250 members. Mrs. Richard B. Savage
IP'll is president for the coming year, assisted by Mrs. Malcom D. Brown, Mrs. James T. Corrigan, Mrs. M. J.
Borst and Miss Helen Eckley. It was organized in 1921 by Mr. Frederick E. Bellows. Mrs. Edwin R.
� II �
Will was the first president.
F).
a
The Adult Activities Council and Recreation Commission was formed by Supervisor Burt C. McCul-
loch on October 4, 1934. Those appointed were: Mrs. Earl Tee, Mrs. Anna Brewer, Mrs. A. W. Mitchell, _
y I! Mrs. John O'Reilly, Mrs. John DeWitt,' Mrs. Hoyt Smith, Mr. A. Z. Boothby, Rev. B. Del Negro, Mr. W. ,
Roy Halsey and Dr. William H. Mills. Edward J. Storey and Mrs. Stanley Duhig have recently been ap-
s pointed. . Dr. Mills is the present chairman. Among the classes started are sewing and art. Basketball
teams, leagues for Juniors, Intermediates and seniors have also been started. Hallowe'en parties are held
each year in Larchmont and field days are held at the Mamaroneck Senior High School. Toys have beeny "
'~--
collected, repaired and distributed to the poor children of the Town. Recreational work is sponsored by 4
the W. P. A. and the National Youth Movement has placed a number of young men and women at the1
Central and Murray Avenue schools in charge of recreational work. ,
x
�W
3'.
II Larchmont Public Heath Association was started in 1910 by Miss Margaret Lynch of the Chatsworth
Avenue School and Mrs. W. E. Bowes, who is chairman of the Christmas Seal Fund for Tuberculosis in
Larchmont. The purpose of the association is to supply the Larchmont district with health, education,
... .:.......
nursing service, sick room accessories and a baby clinic. For the past ten years, Dr. Ellsworth J. Smith of
Larchmont has volunteered his services for the clinic. The organization is now incorporated under the laws
of the State of New York and has a board of directors and an advisory council. The presidents of the or- "
ganization have been: Mrs. Isaac Holbrook, Mrs. Sidney Gridley and Mrs. Ellsworth Smith. Mrs. Roger
Lyon, Mrs. Harold Knight and the present president is Mrs. Howell Perrin. The offices of the association
are in the Municipal building.
tI
The Business and Professional Women's Club of Mamaroneck, was organized Monday, September 22,
I
NN1' 1930 at the Mamaroneck Free Library. Miss Genevieve Philips was temporary chairman. On September
29, 1930, the following officers were elected: Miss Pat McGuire, Mrs. Grace Grandstaff, Miss Genevieve Har-
riott, Miss Grace Shea and Miss Anacleta Haggerty. Only women who are actively and gainfully engaged � �
in business or professional women are eligible for membership. There were 32 charter members. The 1• Barr Ave. School, Rye Neck 1. Senior High School, Palmer A
Mamaroneck Unit in 1931 joined the National Federation. The slogan of the organization is "Better Y y Ave.
2. Daniel Warren School, Rye Neck 2. Athletic Field and rear of Junior High School
business women for a better business world and a high school education for every business'woman." In 1932, y
II the Mamaroneck women entertained the New York State convention. In 1935 it became affiliated with 3• Mamaroneck Ave. School, Mamaroneck 3. Junior High School, Post Road
f! 4. Murrayve. School, Larchmont 4. Chatsworth Ave. School, Larchmont
II the Woman's Club of Mamaroneck.' The present officers are; Miss Anacleta Haggerty, Mrs. John Muir, Miss y
Helen Snow, Mrs. Jesse Boyce and Mrs. Roy Weeks.
44
45
a
From 1891 to 1893, Italian immigrants began to settle permanently in Mamaroneck. Among the Mamaroneck American Legion Post, No. 90 was chartered July 9, 1919. It was one of the first one
first to arrive were Alfonso Lambiasi, Assunto Corti, Michael DeCicco, Joseph Dimando, Pietro Caputo, hundred posts in New York State. The first meetings of the Post were held at the Town Hall on Prospect
Frank Merlina, Bruno Papa, Rocco Faillace, and Michael Staub. True to, the traditions of their ancestors, Avenue and at the Hook and Ladder Fire House. In 1921 a store in Taylor's Row was rented. The build-
they readily adjusted themselves to the environment of the New World and formed the spear-head of the ing on the Community House site was used by the Post from 1922 until 1923 when the present property,
actual Italian Colony of Mamaroneck today. the old historic Armory Hall on Barry Avenue was purchased.
Not unlike the white marble quarries of Carrara that inspired the great I.Masters, Michelangelo, Don- The American Legion contributed the Memorial Grove at Harbor Island to Mamaroneck. They
atello and Brunelleschi, the natural granite deposits of Mamaroneck afforded to some of these newcomers the purchased seventeen trees and tree guards and the bronze name plates in honor of their seventeen comrades
opportunity-to develop the stone industry to such an extent, that no less than twenty to seventy-five stone- who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War. At the head of the Grove is a large boulder on which is
cutters and quarry-men were regularly employed throughout the year at the quarry at Grand Street and Feni- a commemorative plaque. The Legion helped in the completion of the Honor Roll located at Tompkins
more Road, and at another on Rockland Avenue. The first was operated by the Faillace Brothers, while Square. It has conducted Memorial Day services without interruption every year since May, 1919.
the latter was developed by Rocco Faillace. Every Christmas the Post entertains all the under privileged children of the community at the Play-
house. Last Christmas there were fifteen hundred guests.
Worthy of note is the fact that the first stone building ever to be erected in the entire vicinity was built The American Legion Auxiliary is composed of the mothers, wives and sisters of men who fought in
by Rocco Faillace on the present site known as 236 Mamaroneck Avenue. the World War. The first meeting was held March 20, 1918. The first meeting place was in a small room
In 1906, Anthony S. Faillace donated a stone fountain to the Village. The gift was dedicated with on West Boston Post Road. The first officers were: Mrs. A. Marie Adams, Miss Josephine Lowery, Miss
suitable public ceremony and placed at Washington Square. Most prominent at this public event were Daniel Christine Fallon and Miss Carrie Gedney. One of the first acts was to vote to plant trees on Harbor Island
Warren, President of the Village of Mamaroneck at the time, Joseph Dimando, Councilman Burton D. Meig- in memory of the sixteen Mamaroneck men who were killed in the War. Memorial Day services are held
ban and John O'Connor. Warren and Meighan were the principal seakers at the dedication exercises. each year and a wreath and a flag are placed beneath each tree planted. In 1922 the membership was, in-
'pToda there are. more than 2,500 Italo-Americans in the Community. They consist largely of mech- creased to forty-two. Work was started in 1922 for veterans in the Seton Hospital at Spuyten Duyvil.
Today Ward 7 was adopted by this organization and by-monthly visits began. The welfare work done at the Seton
anics skilled inthebuilding tracts, prominent builders, merchants and businessmen. The Colony has also Hospital during 1923 was about $450.00. Another activity of the organization is the disposal of acticles
contributed its proud share of professional men and civic workers—all of them zealous of their untiring efforts made by the disabled veterans in the hospital. For about twelve years, the meetings were held in the old
to prove themselves worthy of the Land of Adoption and to lend their part of Latin Culture towards the community house at Fenimore Road and the Boston Post Road. The largest source of revenue comes from
greater glory of the living organic whole which is American Democracy. the sale of poppies. A Junior auxiliary was started in 1934.
The Sons of Portugal Club was organized on December 1, 1916 at the home of Antonio A. Pereira The Hebrew Institute of Mamaroneck was organized in 1920 to care for the spiritual needs of an in-
on Franklin Street. This was the anniversary of the restoration of Portugal from the dominion of Spain. creasing Jewish population. In 1926, they erected a synagogue on Halstead Avenue which serves about one
The club was given the name of "Clube Filhos DePortugal". Its first officers were: Hermitao dos Santos, hundred and fifty Jewish families in the community.This is an orthodox synagogue at which services are
Agostinho P. Batista, Arthur Costa, Anthony A. Pereira, Manuel P. Pires and F. J. Santos. The present conducted every Friday evening, Saturday morning an
on all religious holidays. Sunday School and daily
directors of the club are: F. J. Santos, Manuel Pimentel, Jaime Reis and Arthur Costa. classes are conducted for Hebrew and religious instruction for the children. The first officers were: Harry
Meisler, Nathan Sirlin, H. W. Margolius, Max Epstein and Morris Stern. The present officers are: Morris
The Vittorio the Third Society was founded January 6. 1904 by Giuseppe Dimando, Fontecchio Stern, president;Max Prakin, vice-president; Harry E. Heller, treasurer; Mortimer H. Margolius, financial
Venturino, Pietro Conte, Pietro Merlo and Carmine Suriano. The object of the society is to promote secretary and Edward Margolius, recording secretary. The Sisterhood of the Hebrew Institute was organized
the general welfare of its members and to increase good fellowship. The present officers are: Raffaele Di- about eight years ago to promote religion and to sponsor social activities among the members of the congrega-
Iorio, Eletterio Andreoli, Antonio Poccia, Ernesto Insardi and Nicolo Staroboli. tion. The officers are: Mrs. Nathan Hinck, Mrs. Harry Meyers, Mrs. Jack Block, Mrs. Jack Ratner, Mrs.
William Koli
The Sons of Italy, was founded August 9, 1914 by Domenick Trifiletti, Giuseppe Dimando and Ma and Mrs. Barney
The Mamaroneck Society for
Epstein.
Lending Comforts to the Sick was founded in January 1910 with H.
Francesco Turrisi. Its first president was Francesco Incao. Its object is to unite the Italian people into Olive Trobridge, President, Mrs. Charles M. Baxter, vice-president, Mrs. Rueben P. Brewer, secretary,
one Social entity, regardless of religious or political differences, to promote civic and social education, to encourage Mrs. B. Meighan, Treas., Mrs. John Bister, Mrs. J. P. Meagher and Mrs. Mitchell Kennerly. The first nurse
Italian culture, language and other worthy purposes. It has a present membership of 240 and its present engaged was Miss Anna E. Emundson in November 1910. In 1912, quarters were rented at 597 Mamaro-
officers are: Vincenzo Marcelino, Alberto DeSio, Michele Belluscio, Bartolomeo Amoruso, Domenick Trifiletti neck Avenue to serve as a home for the nurse and to store supplies. In 1917, larger quarters were provided and
and Carmello Santoro. in 1926, the house at 1 Union Avenue was purchased through the generosity of the Mamaroneck Free Kinder-
Circolo DiGiovanni was organized a few years ago under the leadership of Joseph Acampora, Jr. Its garten Association and other contributors. Miss Edmundson was with the Society for 14 years. The
object is to foster Italian culture among the younger of the Italian-Americans in our community. main support of the society has come from envelope-week launched through the efforts of Mrs. R. P. Brew-
The Woman's Auxiliary of the Sons of Italy Grand Lodge, Vittorria Colonna Lodge No. 300 was or- er. In all, over $30,000.00 has been collected for this work. The Society has had only four presidents
during its 24 years. Mrs. Frank T. Littleton served as president from 1910 to 1917, Mrs. Rueben P.
ganized January 17, 1915. Its purpose is civic, social and educational. Its first officers were Rosina Brewer served from 1917 to 1927. Mrs. Daniel Warren served from 1927 to 1932 and Mrs. Albert Wilson
Sansone, Rosa Trifiletti, Angelina Perrone, Pauline Sansone, Josephine Faillace, Rosina Viccario, Sarina Rig- served from 1932 to 1934. Mrs. Charles M. Baxter and Mrs. John Bister served as vice-presidents during
ano and Fortunata Venezia. the entire time. The Mamaroneck Society for Lending Comforts to the Sick merged with the Mamaroneck.
The Mamaroneck Civic Club was organized in 1921 and is affiliated with the Westchester County Child Welfare Association to form the Mamaroneck Health Center, incorporated in 1934 with representatives
Federation of Italian-American Civic Associations and its purposes are purely civic. It is a non-political, of both societies working for the success of educating people to take care of themselves.
and non-sectarian organization. Its members are restricted to American citizens of Italian extraction. The The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Mamaroneck started as a society in 1910. First services
present club has forty-five members. Its first officers were: B. J. Santoro, Andrew Canini and Joseph Dinolfo. were held in a one-story building at 145 Mamaroneck Avenue. It became a branch church in 1919. At
Its present officers are: Anthony LaManna, Charles Guglielmo, Jerome Castiglione, Charles G. Maiolino, Sal- that time services were being held in the Masonic Temple on Prospect Avenue. The present church edifice
vatore D'Agostini, Louis Cifelli, B. J. Santoro, Thomas Mazza, Anthony Sansone, Ernest Tolivo and Joseph on Fenimore Road near Prospect Avenue was erected in 1930. John Barron is chairman of the board of
Dinolfo. directors. William Harvey Smith is the first reader and Mrs. Gladys Shatts second reader.
46 47
.n�,.rte. __ .. _ _.._ _......��_.......:...
The incorporation election for the Village of Mamaroneck was held November 12, 1895. McLough- The Fenimore Players is the oldest amateur dramatic group in Westchester County. It was organized
lin, Perrin, McArdle, Daymon; Burger-and Hecht were in favor of the incorporation. This election was the
result of the work of six men, three from Mamaroneck and three from Rye Neck who labored to incorporate in 1913 as the Players Club of Mamaroneck. Charley M. Baxter, Jr. was the first president. In recent
the two sections. This committee decided on the boundaries of the Village and had it surveyed and mapped. years it was reorganized under the leadership of Ralph Rushmore and the name was changed. A. D. Cameron
Census was taken and notices were posted on October 11, 1895, that the election would be held on the fol- is the present president.
lowing November the twelfth.
Mamaroneck cast 314 votes with a majority of 178 for incorporation while Rye had a total vote of
327 with a majority of 9 in favor of the incorporation. Mamaroneck voted 78 percent for union, and Rye The Larchmont Lions' Club was started in the beginning of 1926. They received their charter in
Neck 51 per cent for union. April 1926. Mr. E. C. Merritt was made the first president and the club is one of the most outstanding in
The official seal of the Village was adopted January 13, 1897 as a result of a contest held. the community. They established Troop 4 of the Boy Scouts and started the Fire Chief Emergency plan.
Mrs. Sidney B. Griffin (Jennie L. Baldwin) won the first award and her design is the present Vil- They sponsored the "share-your-purchase" plan and the trade-at-home campaign. They are noted for their
age seal. The seal represents two women shaking hands while standing on a stone arch bridge. By the work among the blind. The present officers are: Rev. Francis J. H. Coffin, Edward McGovern, Fred Beckley,
side of one stands the beehive of industry and beside the other is the cornucopia of prosperity. In the back- Lynn Buck, Eugene Riviere, Charles Lyon and Jack DeGaetani.
ground is a rising sun.
The first Board of Trustees of the Village of Mamaroneck elected May the eighteenth, 1896 were:
Thomas L. Rushmore, president; Henry Fatton, Sidney B. Griffin and Theodore Van Amringe, Trustees. Italian-American Civic Association of Larchmont, Inc. The association was organized by charter
The present population of the Village is 11,766 with an area of 31i square miles containing 2,270 granted November 20, 1934, for the purpose of promoting good local government, along purely civic lines.
acres. The Village has an estimated shore line of 8% miles, and an assessed valuation of $37,437,519. Membership is limited to American citizens of Italian birth and to born Americans of Italian extraction.
At the 1936 election there were 4,936 registered voters. The present Village Officers are as follows: Membership is also extended to those who have made application to become American citizens. It has at
Village Manager, R. J. Whitney; Mayor, A. P. Bedelle; Trustees, W. H. Johnson, J. T. Corrigan, P. J. the present time a membership of one hundred and five. The original and present officers are as follows:
Hughcs, H. S. Meighan; Village Attorney, Anthony Sansone; Village Engineer, C. A. Latimer; Treas.-Clerk, Nicholas Leone, President; Frank Turco, Vice President; Nicholas Caparotta, Secretary; John Marino, Finan-
F. H. Bull, Jr. tial Secretary; Nicholas Lebranda, Treasurer. Meetings are held at 24 Murray Avenue, Larchmont,
The Village of Larchmont was formally incorporated in 1891. In that year it had a population of
939 and an annual budget of $3,168. The Village fire department was organized October 23, 1892 with
Charles C. Little as chief. The popul4tion in October, 1921 was 3,412 with an assessed valuation of The Mamaroneck Village Manager League was organized in 1930. Its purpose is to assure the per-
$10,571,598. The corner stone of the municipal building was laid July 16, 1922. The building was de- manency of the manager form of government and the appointment and continuance in office of a capable Vil-
signed by Mr. Frank A. Moore, for years a well known resident and one time Trustee of the Village. In April lage Manager whose integrity is beyond question. Seventy-six members constitute the Board of Directors
1935, the office of Executive Director was established to administer the business affairs of the village. The of the League and determine its policies. The first president of the League was Hulbert McAndrew. Asso-
Executive Director is Arthur Richards. The assessed valuation of the Village of Larchmont at present is ciated with him were Frederick H. Bull, Jr., George H. Scherff and Mrs. Estelle Shongut. Mr. George H.
$27,729,889. The Village has an area of 1.08 square miles and an ocean frontage of 3% miles. Its esti- Van Buren was president from 1931 to 1936. The present officers are: Richard I. Land, President; Harry
mated population is 6,000 and the number of registered voters in March 1935, was 2,090. It has 22.6 L. Deitz, Vice-President; Mrs. Elizabeth Kirchner Secretary, and Dr. H. K. Miller, Treasurer.
miles of streets and 524 street lights. The administration of the Village of Larchmont is in control of the
mayor, a board of four trustees elected for two year terms. The executive director is the chief administrator
for the Board of Trustees and performs such duties as assigned to him by the Board, and coordinates the ac- The Rotary Club of Mamaroneck. The official charter was presented on April 30, 1936 and has a
tivities of the various departments of the village government. The present officers are: Edward F. Watson,
Mayor; Clinton R. Griffen, Harry E. Goeckler, Arthur H. Loucks and Harold V. Bozell, Trustees. charter membership of nineteen men. The motto of the Rotarians is: "Service Above Self. He Profits Most
The Union Savings Bank was organized June 10, 1887 at a meeting in the Town Hall on Prospect Who Serves Best." The present officers are: R. J. Diforio, Earnest Warming, Dr. Harry Bruskin, Dr. A. R.
Finelli, Dr. William Tyler, Joseph Schuck, Charles Guglielmo and Mortimer Margolius.
Avenue. Those present were: Bradford Rhoades, Joseph H. McLoughlin, Richard C. Cornell, Thomas
Brewer, William H. Stiles, William A. Boyd, Erastus C. Benedict, Theodore Van Amringe, Noah Tompkins,
Dennis C. Gately and Mathias Banta. Authorization by the Superintendent of Banking was given on June
29, 1887 and the officers elected were: Bradford Rhoades, president; Samuel G. Purdy and Mathias Banta, The Boy Scouts of Mamaroneck were organized November 30, 1912 by the Reverend Frank F.
vice-presidents, Reuben G. Brewer, cashier. The front room at 60 Boston Post Road was rented and the bank German of St. Thomas' Church. Mamaroneck is now a member of the Siwanoy Council. The pres-
opened for business, Wednesday, December 14, 1887. The first day's deposits were $5,595.93 and there ent Troops 1, 2, 6 and 7 are active under competent scout masters. There is also an Eagle Scout
were twenty depositors. .Mr. Bradford Rhoades was president of the bank for twenty-five years. Mr. R. G. Association under the direction of Whitney Erickson and Elmer C. Hall. Activities are supervised by the
Brewer was president from 1913 to 1926. Mr. William A. Boyd was president from 1926 to 1931 and Mamaroneck District Committee composed of Perry R. Andrews, George Bates, Jr., Albert Wilson, Harry W.
the present president, Mr. Charles M. Baxter, has served since January 8, 1931. On January 20, 1921, a Bell, Fred J. Grefrath and Menard Everitt. f
committee consisting of Charles M. Baxter, William R. Bull and Daniel Warren, was appointed to find a
suitable site for a bank building and on November 14, 1921 the committe reported that the northeast corner
of Mamaroneck Avenue and the Boston Post Road was available. On December 12, 1921, the president was The Patriotic order of Sons of America, Camp 53, was instituted February 8, 1922. In 1929, a
authorized to purchase this lot from Annie Wurster for $17,000. In April, the committee was appointed to local member, Ralph E. Jennings, was elected State president. Three local men today serve on the State
employ an architect and in September, authorization was sought from the State of New York to build part Board, Harry T. Primrose being State President and Edward M. Bouton, Chairman of the By-Laws Com-
of the bank over the Mamaroneck River. On October 18, 1923, the building committee appointed Morgan, mittee and R. Depew Brewster, District President for Westchester County. The present officers are: Charles
French and Company as architects and in 1924, contract for the new building was executed with Cuzzi Broth- D. Silleck, Charles R. Hains, R. Depew Brewer, Grover C. Harms, Louis Brower, Walter E. Cornell and
ers for $65.000. The cornerstone was laid by Rueben G. Brewer on April 23, 1924. The new building Edward Cullen.
was opened May 4, 1925.
48 49
Catholic Daughters of America, Court Holy Trinity No. 876 was organized May 18, 1924. The pur- The Child Welfare Station of Mamaroneck was formally opened on August 15, 1918. Its purpose
was to be a permanent center for the work of improving the health and well-being of the children of Mamar-
pose of the organization is to sponsor social and charitable events.- Meetings are held bi-monthly at the Holy oneck. Until May 1919, expenses were covered by private subscription. Since that time, the Village of
Trinity School. The present officers are: Miss Katherine Haggerty, Mrs. Vim. H. Devlin, Mrs. Edward Kuhn, Mamaroneck has made an annual appropriation for this work. Mrs. R. G. Walter was the first president.
Miss Gertrude Cleary, Mrs. Joseph Wolfe, Miss Margaret O'Reilly, Miss Marie Gronberg> Mrs. ThomasMor-rissey, Miss Mae Toomey, Miss Margaret Foulkes, Miss Eva Wenzel, Miss Marie Haggerty, Mrs. George In 1926, the building was erected on Stanley Avenue. One third of the fund was a gift of the Mamaroneck
Hayes, Mrs. John Holton, Mrs. Bernard Engesser and Mrs. Mortimer Levy. Free Kindergarten and the rest was raised by popular subscription. In 1929, the pre-natal clinic was taken
over by the organization and on December 16, 1930, the dental clinic for pre-school children and pre-natal
mothers was established. Orthopedic clinics are now a regular feature supervised by the County Orthopedic
nurse. In 1934, the Society for lending Comforts to the Sick and the Child Welfare Organization were
The Masonic History of Mamaroneck began in 1890 when the old Mamaro Masonic Lodge which consolidated into one organization, the Mamaroneck Health Center. Mrs. W. Roy Halsey was the first
dated back to Civil War days moved from Mamaroneck to Port Chester. About forty masons left in the president under the incorporation and the work at present consists of clinics held regularly for baby and pre
community, who had formerly belonged to the old lodge, had a meeting in January 1890. A petition was natal, pre-school, chest, dental and orthopedic cases. The center now has three nurses who do nursing
signed and presented to the Grand Master, John V. Vrooman and on June 25, 1891 a charter for the new service in the homes, special work for treatments, public health nursing and some school work besides clinic work.
lodge was granted. The first meeting of the Apawamis Lodge No. 800, F. and A. M. was held July 9, 1891. The Garden Club of Mamaroneck was organized on April 2, 1925 by a group of flower lovers under
Its officers were: George L. Lyon, Charles E. Lawrence, Samuel J. Preston, Jacob Mayer, Peter E. Henderson, the late Rev. A. B. Sanford, as the Rose Society. The following year the name was changed to the Garden
Josiah Anony, Thomas C. Palmer, William H. Smith, Samuel N. Hayes, James B. Henry and Wm. H. Dan- Club of Mamaroneck. At present there are about 100 active members. One of the chief things the Garden
iels. The first meeting place of the Apawamis Lodge was Arcanum Hall. Its next home was the two upper Club deserves credit for is the work they did in 1931 in cooperation with the Mamaroneck Free Library.in
floors of the building which now houses Emelin's drug store on Mamaroneck Avenue. Its present home landscaping the grounds around the Library building. The Library donated the labor. Thomas Aitchison
is at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Avenue and Prospect Avenue, which was purchased July 24, 1931. The and James Stuart laid out the plans and the Garden Club supplied the trees and shrubs. The sundial was given
present Master of Apawamis Lodge is Russel K. Mosier. George S. Morton is Senior Warden and Marshall, by Miss Jean Baxter in memory of her grandfather, George L. Baxter. The bird bath and squirrel statuary
R. Sarles is Junior Warden, were given by Miss Louise Tucker. To round out the landscape behind the Library, the three children of
George L. Baxter, Carrie B. Maynard, Ray Baxter and Charles M. Baxter, Sr., donated a plot of ground,
which originally was the rear part of the family homestead facing Mamaroneck Avenue. In 1932, the Gar-
den Club also assisted the Woman's Club in beautifying their grounds around their newly purchased club
Mamaroneck Lodge 1457, Benevolent and Pr3tective Order of Elks was granted its charter July 13, house on Cortland Avenue. The work for the firsi two years was done by the Garden Club Committee
1923 with 57 members. The club has a beautiful btiilding situated on East Boston Post Road. The two and now a well-established beauty spot overlooks the harbor from the rear of the club house. The Garden
most important annual events which the Elks hold are their Charity Ball which raises money for Christmas Club brings pleasure and beauty not only to its members but to the entire community as well.
charity work and the Crippled Children's Benefit which provides money to take a large group of crippled Camp Fire Girls emphasize their ideals through home, friendship and community service and out
children for a day's outing. The first officers were: Edward I. Yale, Thomas McNamara, Jr., Henry D.
Holden, William J. Kuhn, M. B. Smythe, Harry Rasche, Charles Avery, John.J. Sloane, John F. Hunter, door life. The organization has a present membership of 100 girls, nine guardians and nine junior guardians.
Mrs.
M. D., Charles J. Benedum. The present officers are: John J. DiSesa, Joseph A. Muller, Gabriel Wendell, A.. Stirling Smith is chairman. Mrs. James A. Thompson, Jr. is vice-chairman, Mrs. Hoyt D. Smith is
treasurer and Mrs. Freda Haskell is secretary. The first Camp Fire group organization in 1926 was at the
Nathan L. Herman, H. J. Nicholls, Andrew Canini, Charles Avery, Stanley Graff, Alfred Lloyd, John Ber- Mamaroneck High School. There are now nine groups, the last one being the Bluebirds organized in 1936
thold, Wallace Drews, B. J. Santora, William F. May and P. J. Hughes.
at the Chatsworth Avenue School. The Law of the Camp Fire is, "Seek beauty, give service, pursue know-
ledge, be trustworthy, hold on to health, glorify work and be happy".
The Girl Scouts of Larchmont. About 1916, Miss Nellie Harrison started the Girl Scouts. She
The Alert Lodge No. 752, I. O. O. F. was instituted April 17, 1896 in the Paragraph Building at the was followed by Miss Caroline Willis and then by Mrs. Hawley and Mrs. Amelia Ernst. Under Mrs. Ernst,
corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and the Post Road. Of the original Charter members only two are left: the movement had two troops. In 1924, Miss Hazel Ladd and Mrs. Howell Perrin became active in scouting.
John H. Frenz and John W. Martin. The motto of the Odd Fellows is, "Friendship, Love and Truth, with Mrs. Perrin took charge the following year and scouting has grown very rapidly since that time. Other
the Holy Bible as a Guide". It is the sacred duty of each Odd Fellow to visit the sick and help those who early friends of scouting were Mayhew Bronson and Mr. George Towle. In 1926, a group in the unincor-
are in real distress. The original members were: S. P. Richmond, John H. Frenz, Adolph Hirst, Robert W. porated section was organized with Miss Julia Hill as leader. In 1929 a Council was organized with Mrs.
Oliver, Dr. Mixel Aaron, Higby Ezery, Stanely Maurice, John Martin and William Buckhout. The present Howell Perrin at its head. At the present time, there are 187 registered girl scouts and 35 adult members
officers are: Rexford Keech, Edward Cullen, Leroy Badger, Robert Tschampion, Philip Sloane, James Yaple, in the seven troops and Council in Mamaroneck. In 1933, Mrs. W. H. Jefferson was leader and in 1935,
Richard Foster, Vito Palazzolo, Lloyd Rice, Jimmie Vladenedes and Fred Breitner. Mrs. Benno Elkan. Mrs. Elkan was followed in April 1923 by Mrs. Richard Penfield. She was assisted
by Mrs. Frank E. Booth, and Mrs. Harold H. Rhoades. Mrs. Benno Elkan is the present treasurer. Through
the Larchmont Community Chest, the Council is able to send one girl from each of the seven groups to Rock-
hill Camp near Mahopac for two weeks each year. At present there are two Brownie Packs in Larchmont.
The Mamaroneck Social and Aid Society was organized in 1908 and incorporated on September 9, These are for the girls between the ages of seven and ten. Two Larchmont girls, Genevieve Brown and
1911. It is the oldest Jewish organization in Mamaroneck and its first officers were: Philip Nygood, Max Frances Jefferson have attained the highest award in girl scouting, that of golden eaglet and the community
Epstein, Louis Epstein and Nathan Sirlin. Although primarily it began as an organization for the mutual may well be proud of these young women.
benefit of its members, in more recent years it has become outstanding for the extensive charitable work it Larchmont Real Estate Board was organized September 15, 1927. The purpose of the Board is to
has done. Its present officers are: Ernest Azorsky, president; J. B. Crown, vice-president; Philip Nygood, give owners of real estate better service. Under the present system, a listing with the Board gives an auto-
secretary and Irving Crown, treasurer. matic listing with all the members of the Board. The present officers are: Eugene Riviere, Emil Zvirin, C.
Woodford Denning and Helen B. Crosby.
51
50
Mamaroneck has been with a library of one sort or another since 1866, the close of the Civil War.
It was not until 1927, more than 60 years later that it had a library building of its own. After being
served for half a century by lending libraries that were private enterprises, Mamaroneck made its first move
for a municipal library in 1922. In that year, Charles M. Baxter, Jr., who had been president of the Maw
maroneck Library Association since its inception, managed to interest the members of the Chamber of Com- b "
merce, then known as the Business Men's Association, and as a result of their negotiations the Library Asso- h
ciation was formed. The neculeus of the library was 700 books originally belonging to the Mamaroneck
Union Athenaeum, a joint library, reading club and debating society with headquarters in the Britt Building.
These volumes were resurrected once again as they had been several times before, whenever a new library group
would be formed here. The first Library Headquarters were in the St. Thomas Building in the quarters
close to those occupied by the Savings Bank. The doors officially opened for the first time on January 1,
1923. The Free Library started off with a fund of $1,500. There was little original expense with the v
exception of rent, purchase of some modern fiction and library supplies, for much of the preparatory work q
was furnished by local residents free of charge. O. H. Burger installed the shelves and many local people gave
donations of books, all being anxious to see the new library get along and prosper. The Library. rooms
�
were afterward moved to the East Boston Post Road in Taylor's Row. Shortly after the Library moved
away, the Row was badly gutted-by a disastrous fire. Grinton I. Will was the first Librarian, and remained
with the institution until after it moved into its own building. The present librarian is Miss Eleanor L.
Merrow. Following incorporation the Library was able to get along, satisfying somewhat the demand for
current fiction, on the donations of members. The erection of its own building would not have been possible y
had it not been for a number of bequests. The late Augustus Van Amringe gave the land on which the
buildingstands. The original gift of land was increased b another gift from Charles M. Baxter, Sr., his °� •'
brother Ray Baxter and his sist , Mrs. Caroline L. Maynard, which permitted construction of a small park r
in the rear. The area will probably later be occupied by an addition. The original Van Amringe gift valued
at $25,000. was intended as a memorial to the giver's father, Theodore Van Amringe; one of the first trustees
of the Village. The building itself is known as,the John R. Hegeman Memorial and was constructed through
the use of a fund of $47,000. obtained from the Hegeman Estate by Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Sr. and Mr. s
Charles M. Baxter, Jr. in view of the fact that Hagemin, head of the Metropolitan Life and a local resident, 9
Garden seats and other
had always intended to leave a bequest to the Library, here, but had failed to do so. '
' .
outside furnishings, as well as nearly all the interior furniture, were given to the Library by local residents.
The Library building and contents today are valued at $100,000. The cornerstone of the new building was
laid h Frederick Ecker, successor to Hegeman as head of the Metropolitan Life, on May 14, 1927, and the
Y g P Y
building was formally dedicated and opened on November 15th of the same year. The first trustees of the
library were Charles M. Baxter, Jr., Mrs. William C. White, Mrs. Catherine M. Cunningham, Mr. E. J. a
Emelin, Mrs. A. Z. Boothby, Mrs. James Lawrence, Dr. Matthew J. Hall, Dr. J. N. Martin and Mrs. Charles N
F. Rice. Fourteen years after its start with a meager supply of books, the Library today has 18,000 volumes
and 5,600 registered borrowers. The present trustees are: Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Jr., Mr. E. J. Emelin, s `
wa u �
Mrs. A. Z. Boothby, Dr. J. N. Martin, Mrs. Harry E. Foshay, Mr. William R. Halsey, Mrs. .James Liddle
and Mrs. Albert Wilson. µ
The Woman's Club of Mamaroneck. This name was adopted June 24, 1925 as a change from the
Village Improvement Association. The club was incorporated in 1929. The club was the first organiza-
tion to ask for the improvement of the South side of the West Boston Post Road from Orienta to the Village
Square. It furnished the auditorium of the Mamaroneck Library, sponsored the Village Manager form of gov-
ernment, has a student aid fund, publishes its.own magazine and in 1931 purchased its own clubhouse on
a_
Cortlandt Avenue which is used by many other organizations in the Village. The first president was Mrs.
Kingsley Lloyd. The present president is Mrs. Jean A. Reinke.
y E
Woman's Club of Larchmont was organized in 1925. The senior branch has a membership of 400 �.
and the junior section, 100. The object of the club besides civic and philanthropic betterment in the com-
munity, is to promote literature and fine arts. The club maintains a cottage at the Children's Village and' ,,
conducts the Woman's Exchange. It has been very successful and has greatly benefited both the consignors 1. Municipal Building, Larchmont 1. Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck
and the patrons. The Junior Section has been especially noted for its work in raising money for the talking 2. Old Town Hall, Mamaroneck 2. Mamaroneck Free Library
book for the blind. The monthly magazine of the club is called the "Larch Tree". The first president 3. Village Square, Mamaroneck 3. Larchmont Public Library
of the club was Mrs. Harry C. Gibson. Other past presidents have been: Mrs. Albert Banzhaf, Mrs. Theodore 4. Harbor Island, Mamaroneck 4. Weaver Street Fire House
Utz, Mrs. John Milligan and Mrs. Harold A. Knight. The present officers are: Mrs. William J. Shea, Mrs.
James Ellis, Mrs. John Wang, Mrs. Kenneth S. Van Sciver, Mrs. Harold Rhoades and Mrs. Leonard W. Tuttle.
52 53
III St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church was organized through the efforts of Mrs. Frederick W.
It was incorporated in 1892 in a little chapel on Beach Avenue. Early rec- Larchmont Men's Club is anon-political, non-sectarian-club organized for the furtherance of ewas
nter-
I; I �, Flint and Mrs. Oliver Adams. p P and common fello
tors were: Father John Powers, Father Patrick Morris and Father James A. Brady. The school building of tainment, sociabit21 b and roup ofhmen who decided ded totbecomeoacquainted with athenr felllow neighbors.ont and vicinity. ItThis
the Parish was erected in 1912 on Larchmont Avenue by Father Morris. The Dominican Sisters established organized in s9 he Larchmont Troop 2, Boy Scouts of America, the Larchmont Community Chest, and the
the convent and academy under Father Morris. The resent beautiful edifice was built under the direction group ontCargill
of Father James A. Brady. Larchmont Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Its officers for the present year are: John J. Conant, Julian
and J. Ross Collins.
The Larchmont Avenue Church was begun :by a small group of people May 17, 1914 in the home
Larchmont League of Women Voters was organized December 15> 1922. Among those who are
of Miss Emily E. Lindsley at 39 Larchmont Avenue. Services were conducted in Miss Helena Flint's car- Mrs Hot
house, used as a studio at that time by Miss Lindsley, in the rear of 39 Larchmont Avenue. About responsible for its foundings are: Miss Emily E. Lindsr L Miss Clara Davidson, Miss Josephine Cone,
60 people attended services and 33 children were enrolled in the Sunday School. On July 28, 1914, the
ace Payson, Mrs. James Godfrey Wilson, Mrs. Eleanor Lyon, Mrs. George McGeachin, Mrs. Eugene Boross,
!, eorge Y. Fenton. It is now
Larchmont Avenue Church was formally organized under the patronage of the Presbytery of Westchester. On Mrs. Harold Pryor and Mrs. Howard Walden.. The present president is Mrs. G
u�
May 1 1915, work was started on the new church building at the corner of Larchmont and Forest Park Avenues. one of the largest and most influential organizations in the community, recognized as a source of authentic
The corner stone was laid December 12, 1915. Larchmont Avenue Church has had two ministers since its in
on all questions of civic interest.
I'II ber 13th, 1931.
inception, the Rev. Charles L. Carhart who served from 1914 to 1922, and the present minister, the Rev. Rob- Larchmont Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution was chartered Novem
Ill l ert M. Russell, who in 1922 was given an unanimous call and has served since that time. The church house was The local chapter will have the honor of entertaining all of the State Officers of the D. A. R. this Fall, Nov-
Ild started July 1924 and dedicated September 20, 1925 as a "Seven Day Church for a Seven Day Need". The ember 13th. The chapter has an enrollment of fifty members. Its purposes are "pariotic, historical and
new church building is on the site of the old small one-storied structure and was dedicated in 1930. The educational". The D. A. R. fosters Americanism, bztter films, genealogical research, the making o historic
Ji membership of the Larchmont Avenue Church today is more than one thousand and a constituency of about spots, correct use of the flag, national defense, and go:)d citizenship. Last year a girl from Larchmont, Miss
II III eight hundred families. The Sunday School enrollment exceeds six hundred with a teaching corps ofFrances Jefferson, won the New York State prize of the Pilgrimage Committe because of her marks in honor,
I,III seventy-five. service, courage and loyalty. Miss Jefferson was given a three day trip to Washington, D. C. last April.
VIII II
IIIA r The Barry Avenue African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was started in 1852 and services and
Larchmont also has a Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution with a membership o
prayer meetings were held in the home of Grandma Hicks who lived on Cedar Street and in the home of Rob- 25 between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Mrs. Richard Penfield is director of this junior group. The
II III',II ert Purdy on the Saxon's Wood Road, Scarsdale. Through the help of interested citizens and the congre- f g g•
ation, a parcel of land on River Street was obtained on which a small mission was erected. After growing officers of the Larchmont Chapter of the D. A. R. are a; follows: Regent, Mrs. Edward B. Hulin who is also
g p State Chairman of National Defense; Vice-regent, Mr3 Philip Moynahan; Secretary, Mrs. William H. Jef-
Illi in number, the present property on Barry Avenue was purchased and, the building constructed. The first ferson; Treasurer, Mrs. Roscoe C. Tygert; Registrar, Mrs. John Wang; Historian, Mrs. A. Penn Denton;
minister was Rev. Treadwell. After a long line of pastors, the present clergyman is Rev. H. E. W. Blount. Chaplain, Mrs. R. DeMille Brown.
The members of the Board of Trustees are: Jerry Johnson, Gilbert Allen, J. B. Miller, Clifford Potter, Rob-
ert Wilkins, Levi Hall, Charles H. Goliah, Lawrence Foster, J. Opie Hagan and Wardell Mitchell. The church The Howell Park Association in Howell Park, Larchmont, is in the Town of Mamaroneck and lies
today is an influence for good in the community as well as an inspiration and monument in the lives of the wholly within the unincorporated section. It begins at the Larchmont Village line and extends north to
Hartford tracks, east to all property located an both
negro citizens of Mamaroneck. Weaver Street, west to the New York, New Haven and H
sides of Caerleon Avenue. The Howell Park Association was organized December 2, 1924. Since that
St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, the youngest of Mamaroneck's churches, was organized in time, it has been active in civic and social affairs. It has about fifty members. Its first officers were: Comp-
,III III! 1901 by a group of laymen in the home of Mr. Louis Miller on Prospect Avenue. After holding services ton D. Bray, W. S. Williams, J. T. Cook and Victor F. Hann. Its present officers are: President, Edward
intermittently for twelve years, the congregation was officially incorporated in December 1912. Its growth A. Keeler; Vice-President, Frank Armstrong; Secretary, S. S. McWhitney and Treasurer, Oliver M. Harris.
has been slow but steady. In 1926, the property at the corner of Fenimore Road and Cortland Avenue on
ij Heathcoate Hill was acquired and a house of worship erected. With the building of a church, the growth The Veterans of Foreign Wars, David Potts, Jr. Post 1156 had its first meetings in the early part
of a congregation was more rapid. Today, its membership numbers about three hundred souls, its Sunday of 1922 at the Mamaroneck Fire House and Foresters' Hall. It received its charter in 1924 with sixty-five
ii I" I'I School serves one hundred and four children, and it is the only church in Mamaroneck which ministers to its names inscribed on it. The present membership is 235. The first officers were: Jay Van Norden, Louis
!�i ill' l'II ife, drum and bugle corps. Mem-
people in two languages. Services are held each Sunday in both German and English. On the church Taiano and Henry Breitner. The organization has an auxiliary and a f
property is the only marker in Mamaroneck commemorating an event in the history of the town and nation. bership is composed of honorably discharged men and women who have had actual war-zone service on land
A bronze plaque marks the spot of a skirmish of the Revolutionary War. The present pastor of the con- or sea in the service of the United States of America. The present officers are: Walter Needham, James
gregation is the Rev. Theodore O. Posselt, Jr., B.D. Amouruso, Roy Foley, Frank Enright, John Mattia and Frank D. Gironda.
I pili
III St. Vita's Church. Almost thirty years ago, a band of pious Italians built a small chapel in honor The Larchmont Rotary Club was chartered November 1, 1929. Its first officers were: E Carlton
�I
of St. Vito and had it dedicated by Monseigneur Lavelle. There it remained on Madison Street for more Turnbull, Samuel R. Bell, Ford S. Anderson, John Megargee, Harold J. Kennedy and Dick B. Williams.
than a quarter of a century under the pastoral care of the Reverend Francis Cocozza who labored long and The club started with 16 charter members and has now grown to 29 members. E. Carlton Turnbull has
1 faithful amid his devoted flock. In 1927 he was recalled and the Rev. B. DelNegro was commissioned by the distinction of having had a perfect record of attendance from the first meeting to the present time. The
the Cardinal to build a larger church to care for the spiritual needs of the fast growing congregation in and present officers are: President, Gilbert W. Merrell; Vice-President, Dr. William G. LeFurgy; Treasurer, Robert
around Washingtonville. In 1930 on Christmas, after three years of work and sacrifice, the new church on G. Larson and Secretary, Kenneth G. Van Sciver. The directors are Ford S. Anderson and Harry T. Flinn.
Underhill Avenue was completed, with a seating capacity of eight hundred. His Eminence Patrick Cardinal
Hayes personally dedicated St. Vito's new church on May 10th, 1931. This beautiful church is built accord- Larchmont Gardens' Association was organized in 1914 for the purpose of procuring for their section
ing to the Roman Basilica style and now serves thousands of the faithful and devoted. The rector, Father improvements, conveniences and protection necessary to make it an ideal residential locality. Its first presi-
i DelNegro, under whose guidance this church was built, is now assisted by two priests, Rev. Francis P. Ferme dent was Robert W. Hardie. The present officers are: William E. Schramek> Oliver R. Brandt, Anthony A.
and the Rev. Leo. G. Farley. Russo and Robert C. Beck. William J. Shea is chairman of the Executive Committee.
54 55
p p,
I'u'>
f
I
The date of the first service of the Church of England in the Town of Mamaroneck seems uncer-
tain, but it is recorded in Bolton's History of Westch:ster County that in the year 1704 "one Church of
England parson officiated in Rye, Mamaroneck and Horseneck (now Greenwich) once every Sunday in turn
throughout the year."
y
• The real founder of St. Thomas's Church was Col. Caleb Heathcote. Mamaroneck was his country
-
home and from the hill on which the Church now stands, rightly named Heathcote Hill, he wrote his letters
l•f
to the Bishop of London and others across the sea, pleading for foreign missionaries to come to Westchester to
establish the Church. Largely as the result of these letters the Church of England organized a missionary
society and one of the first missionaries held services on this hill.
For many years Mamaroneck was regarded as part of the parish at Rye and was represented on the
Vestry of Christ Church, Rye. Services here were conducted by the clergy resident there and also by the rectors �.
�►
of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.
When the independent parish of St. Thomas's was finally incorporated on June 9, 1817 it was a
descendant of Caleb Heathcote, John Peter Delancey who became the first senior warden. His daughter Susan
had married James Fenimore Cooper on New Year's Day 1811. It is reported that Mr. Cooper served
later on a committee to select the seal for the new parish. Peter Jay Munro, whose home was in the old Manor - n '
House of Larchmont, was chosen Junior Warden. The first regular services of the independent parish were
held in what is now the Old Town Hall on Prospect Ave. The Rev. William Heathcote Delancey, son of 5
the senior warden and afterward distinguished Bishop of Western New York, was the first resident rector.
The old wooden Church was consecrated by Bishop Hobart on June 17, 1823 and was used for wor-
ship for more than sixty years. During the rectorship of the Rev. Dr. Wm. Montgomery (1871-89) the
present beautiful memorial sanctuary was erected to the glory of God and in loving memory of Henrietta ` , ,♦
Constable by her husband, James M. Constable and her children Frederick A. Constable, Amy H. Weatherbee
and Harriet M. Arnold. The style of the Church is eleventh century Gothic and it is modeled after a fine
old Ph
feet hi
with a tower ninety t
k b
f N
built i
I
h s
En liparish Church in Hampshire. t s ut oewarrownsone wy g . `=
English
The altar is a beautiful piece of carved work being of Caen stone from France with an exquisite carving of W y
the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
On the extensive grounds of the Church at West Post Road and Mount Pleasant Avenue, there are
two endowment buildings with rented stores and apartments, the old parish house and the new St. Thomas' ro
Community Parish House erected in 1925. These are used not only for the manifold activities of the parish ;y
but also for many social, athletic and educational affairs for the entire community. The present baptized mem-
bership of the parish is 1286. The Rector is the Rev. Frank Dean Gifford, who began his work here in 1923.
The first Methodist services in Mamaroneck were held a few years before the American Revolution
by Francis Asbury. He also preached at West Farms, Rye and East Chester. M '
April 8th, 1813 was the real beginning of a permanent Methodist Episcopal organization in Mamar-
qi..;`y '
oneck. The meeting was held in the home of Hester Sands and the following record of that meeting may
be found in the Minute Book of the Trustees:
"Be it known that on the eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, agreeable to
the Methodist Society of said town met at the house of Hester Sands,
al members of e ,
the public notice them e
y
P
their Church not built, and then and there proceeded to elect their officers as trustees, at which time Ransom ;
Burtis, John Bonnett, Absalom Tompkins, Elisha Budd, William Mead, and William Allee were so chosen,
which said persons so elected and their successors in office shall forever be styled and denominated Trustees
for the corporation of the MethodiEpiscopal E isco al Church in Mamaroneck. Given under our hands this eighth day
of April, 1813."
The first Church edifice was erected during 1814, and on April 8th, 1815 the Congregation met in
the Church for the annual meeting to elect trustees. This first Church burned down on the night of Feb. 1. Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mamaroneck 1. Zion African IM. E. Church, Mamaroneck
2. St. John's Episcopal Church, Larchmont 2. Methodist Episcopal Church, Mamaroneck
12th, 1845. Another Church was at one begun on the site of the first one. This second building is the
3. Holy Trinity R,. C. Church, Mamaroneck 3. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Mamaroneck
present Town Hall on Prospect Ave. It was raised on the 8th of May, 1845 and dedicated October 23rd
4. Larchmont Ave. Church, Larchmont 4. St. Augustine R. C. Church, Larchmont
of the same year by Bishop Jones.
In 1859 the present Church was built on the Post Road and dedicated in December of that year.
Solomon Gedney was foreman in charge of carpenters.
56 57
1
s
Throughout the early years of the Church the congregation was seated with the two sexes on op-
posite sides of the Church; the men on the east side and the women on the west side. When the second
Church was built the trustees resolved on October 25th, 1846 to continue the same system as that used in
the old Church. Feeling ran so
high on this subject that on Aprilril
6th 1850 it was unanimously
ordered.
that the following plan should be used: "The gentlemen and ladies may enter either door; but the gentlemenIBM
should sit on the right side of the aisle, and the ladies on the left side." This failed to satisfy the radical ," -,
members and so on August 21, 1850 it was decided that henceforth the congregation of the Methodist Episco-
¢
pal Church in Mamaroneck should sit as they pleased. This so upset the more conservative element that five
of the Trustees resigned. The new Board consisted of George Wildey, Thomas Robinson, David P. Halstead,
John Forshay and Elisha Halstead.
40
Another problem which seemed to cause a great deal of trouble was the action of "lads and young n• --- � � +����� � �r ;�, r� r��r
men who gathered in front of the Church and in the vestibule to the annoyance of the worshippers. The
squirting of tobacco juice on the carpets and floors also caused great annoyance. On January 21st, 1861
it was ordered that a notice be put in a conspicuous place notifying that, "the spitting of tobacco juice in the
pews and about the Church was prohibited, and that proper respect must be had for the Church by not engag-
ing in any unbecoming act."
There was a great deal of discussion about 1860 as to the use of a musical instrument in the Church
to aid the singing. A meeting was held December 7th, 1859 to vote on the purchase of a musical instrument
and six voted for the purchase while five voted against it. The first pipe organ was installed in April, 1870
VX.
at a cost of $2,145.00. This organ was donated by the following six members: John G. Hadden, $25.00,
Rev. L. S. Weed, $10.00, Mrs. R. Henly, $10.00, T. L. Rushmore, $100.00, James T. Rogers, $100.00 and
George I. Seney, $1,900.00. The present organ was installed in 1913. The Parsonage was built in 18
96.
The first recorded sexton was Ezekiel Halstead who served 1823-4-8. He was followed by James
Ganmell in 1826 at a salary of $10.00 per annum with the privilege of gxave digging at 12 shillings from
-
April to November and 16 shillings for the rest of the year. Ell
The Church had a Diamond Jubilee the week of December 10th, 1934 and a Re-financing Celebra-
tion from October 10th to November 10th, 1935. The object of this drive was to clear the church debt
which amounted to $25,000.00 which was incurred largely by the purchase of the "Johnson" property in d
1928 for $45,000.00. The present value of the Church property is estimated at $175,000.00. Mr. A. Z.
Boothby is the present President of the Board of Trustees and Rev. E. Foster Piper is the pastor.
Holy Trinity Church. For many years, Roman Catholics of Mamaroneck were under the spiritual
guidance of the Reverend Thomas McLoughlin who visited Mamaroneck once a month, saying mass in private - m
homes and in the "old red house" in the rear of the present headquarters of the Hook and Ladder CompanyY_,
on Mamaroneck Avenue. Through his efforts, property was secured and a building erected in 1868, called `
the Church of St. Thomas, which has been used for the last forty years as the Holy Trinity school. The
congregation increased rapidly and the congregation was erected into a parish by Archbishop McKloskey with
the Rev. Christopher A. Farrell as the first resident pastor. He was succeeded in 1876 by the Reverend Isa-
dore Meister who was a gifted orator, a learned theologian and a kindly priest. In 1885 the cornerstone of
the present church was laid. Archbishop Michael Corrigan presided at the ceremony. The following year
the old church was converted into a school under the tutelage of the Sisters of Charity. A few years later,
Father Meister built the present rectory. He was succeeded in July 1913 by the Reverend Joseph P. Donahue :
who thoroughly renovated the church, added the organ loft, sacristry, marble altars, statues, sanctuary and
the baptistry Under Father Donahue, a convent was built for the Sisters in 1922 and extension was addedXIM
to the school. A cottage for the sexton, additional class rooms were improvements made during his regime. t " = 01
Since 1924, Father Donahue has been rector the Ascension Church in New York City. He was succeeded
by the Reverend Thomas P. Phelan. Father Phelan was also Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Patrol-
ogy at the Catholic Foreign Mission Seminary at Marinole, President of the Manhattan College Alumni Society
and Chaplain of the State Council..of the Knights of Columbus. Father Phelan rebuilt the church organ, pur- 1. East Basin, Mamaroneck Harbor 1. Bathing Beach, Larchmont
chased two large parcels of land for the new school building and moved the old school and the sexton's cottage 2, Bathing Beach, Harbor Island 2. Yacht Basin, Larchmont
to new locations. The present school was built by Father Phelan and is an edifice 151 feet long, 57 feet 3. Horseshoe Harbor, Larchmont 3. Bathing Pavilion, Mamaroneck
wide and 54 feet high. It contains ten classrooms, an auditorium accommodating 600 people, a playground, 4. East Harbor, Mamaroneck 4. Bathing Beach, Lazchmont
a gymnasium and a well-equipped stage. Father Phelan died in April 1936, and was succeeded by the present
pastor, the Revezend Francis J. Heaney who is assisted by the Reverend James L. Riordan.
58 59
1 -
The Town of Mamaroneck was erected as a Town with its place boundaries by the Act for dividing
the counties of this state into towns, passed the 7th of March, 1788.31 The act says, "All that part of the
said County of Westchester bounded southerly by New Rochelle, easterly by the Sound, Northerly by the �a
Mamaroneck River and Westerly by the Town of Scarsdale, shall be erected into a town by the name of Ma-
maroneck.
a-maroneck." The Town has an average width of about three miles with an area of about 4,000 acres. The
s
growth of its population can be shown by census records as follows. `
1820 878 The Village of Mamaroneck in the Town of Rye
1840 + 1416 is included in the total for the Village for:
1860 1351 1910 2285
1880 1863 1920 3035 "
1910 5602 1930 4656 a'
1920 7801
1930 19040
Recent figures for the division of property in the
The Town offices are at 158 West Boston Post ,
Town of Mamaroneck are as follows: Road and at present the Town officers are:
1910 Village of Mamaroneck 5699 people
T
1920 " 6571 Supervisor ............................................... Bert C. McCulloch
1930
11766 George V. Bates
Henry D. Brennan
and estimated by the County Health Department, Councilmen
.................................... Edward C. Griffen
July 1, 1936 as 13, 483. r
Edward B. Meginniss
The Village of Larchmont in 1910 had a popula-
tion of 1958. Walter R. Marvin
Clerk ................
In 1920 2468
Receiver of Taxes .................................... Henry R. Dillon - F
In 1930 5282
Comptroller ........................... William H. Fitzsimmons
and estimated in 1936 as 6212.
Highway Superintendent A. J. Foote
The unincorporated section:
Sewer Superintendent ..............
. ......... Wilfred B. Corwin � � T •
1910 230
1920 1797 Building Inspector ........................... Joseph H. Cowan y
1930 664
Assessor ......................................................... James M. Smith
The outstanding facts of life in the Town of Mamaroneck in 1936 are its magnificent schools, its '
z
beautiful parks, its recreational facilities and its large n amber of clubs. There are shore clubs, yacht clubs,
swimming and tennis clubs and Mamaroneck is fast becoming known as a wonderful town
golf clubs ands g g
in which to enjoy life at its fullest. '
Among the clubs in the town are: the Winged Foot Golf Club which is nationally known and which
was the scene of national championship matches a fe v years ago; the Bonnie Briar Country Club which
features golf, swimming and tennis and the Larchmont Yacht Club, the most famous Yacht Club in the
United States and the second oldest in the country. Larchmont Harbor is one of the best known harbors
along the Sound and Larchmont Race Week is the premier yacht racing event in the United States. Other = a ,g
Clubs are: The Larchmont Shore Club, Horseshoe Harbor Club, the Shore Acres Yacht Club, Mamar-
oneck, the Sheldrake Yacht Club, the Orienta Beach Club, which features swimming and tennis, the Beach ,� r�•
Point Club, the Crescent Beach Club, which also features swimming and tennis, the Larchmont Ten-
nis Club, the Rockland Ridge Club, the Larchmont Country Club for golf, tennis and swimming, the Nau-
tilus Club, the Westchester Bath Club, the Orienta Yacht Club and the Westchester Beach and Yacht Club. a =
Additional recreational facilities in the Town are the magnificent Saxon Woods' Park, owned and ° QTY , .
operated by the Westchester County Park Commission, nearly all of which is in the Town of Mamaroneck '` '
and contains an area.larger than that of Central Park in New York City, with bridle paths, picnic grounds, 1. Fountain Square, Larchmont 1. Station Plaza Park, Mamaroneck
walking trails and rustic beauty. The Larchmont Manor Beach provides wonderful swimming facilities for 2. Station Plaza Park, Mamaroneck 2. Station Plaza Park, Larchmont
the residents of Larchmont and Harbor Island provides swimming and tennis for the residents of the Village 3. Guion Creek, Rye Neck 3. Fawn Fountain, Larchmont
of Mamaroneck. The town is amply provided with playgrounds and athletic fields attached to the school 4. Howell Garden, Larchmont 4. Old Post Road, Mamaroneck
grounds.
31. Vol. II. Jones' and Vocck's Laws. p. 319.
61
:7 60
CPRIZES SPORTS COMMITTEE
Celebration Committees
Mrs. John F. O'Reilly, Chairman Dr. William H. Mills, Chairman
Mrs. John Ranson Mrs. Wm. H. Smith, Jr. Peter Doern Frank Cuce
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PLAYS AND PAGEANTS Mrs. Ben Zimmer Mrs. Munn Brewer Loye A. McGee Edward J. Storey
Charles M. Baxter, Jr., Chairman Mrs. S. Charles Hanna, Chairman Mrs. David Sands Mr. H. E. Meyer Henry Harlach Charles B. King
A: D. Cameron Mrs. William Campbell Mrs. Leslie Van Woert Mr. Henri E. Crenier Rev. Robert M. Russell Alexis Cunneen
DIRECTORSMr. Herb Roth Mr. Norman Rockwell Joseph Sweeney John E. Gehlert
Miss Eva Wenzel Thomas Farmer Mrs. Charles B. Fear Mr. Rico Tomaso 011ie Decicco Carl Carpino
Frank E. Booth Howard S. Meighan Mrs. Oscar Carrabine Mrs. William Lanyon
Walter C. Burbank Thomas J. Morrison Mrs. Robert Kearfott Mr. Warren C. Merritt Leonard Grosso
Mr. John S. Beale Mr. Paul Terry
R. J. Diforio Earl W. Quick
"George P. Forbes, Jr. Mrs. Jean A. Reinke DECORATION COMMITTEE
William G. Fulcher Mrs. William Shea Mrs. Edward B. Huling, Honorary Chairman SCHOOLS TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
Lester Harrisson Morris Stern Mrs. Robert R. Kearfott, Chairman Mrs. T. Garnet Trainor, Chairman Dr. 1. A. Marsland, Chairman
Dayton E. Herrick Donald M. Tower Mrs. John Spader Miss Emily E. Lindsley Mrs. H. J. Brewer, Chairman W. Roy Halsey Earl W. Quick
W. Clifton Lawton Anthony LaManna Miss Natalie Shelton Francis Beecher Mr. A. Z. Boothby Miss G. Phillips
Miss Emily E. Lindsley Arthur Z. Boothby Mrs. W. Clifton Lawton Mrs. John Andring Mr. A. E. Tuttle Miss Helen McLoughlin
William J. McWilliams Mrs. Robert B. Kinsey Mrs. J. Horsfall Mr. T. James Ahern Miss Ruth A. Stewart CACHET COMMITTEE
Mr. Hoyt D. Smith Miss Loretta Hirschbeck Earnest R. Eckley, Chairman
FINANCE COMMITTEE PARADE COMMITTEE
Charles M. Baxter, Sr., Honorary Chairman William S. Von Bernuth, Chairman Note:—On going to press several of the committees were not complete; any omissions will be published later.
Edward C. Griffin, Honorary Chairman
Edward B. Meginniss, Chairman Raymond A. Robinson Horace N. Tufts
Ralph Mann Wilfred S. Bastine
Clarence Y. Palitz Victor H. Stempf A. D. Cameron Dr. William LeFurgy
Ralph A. Gamble W. H. Aldridge
.Thomas J. Morrison C. W. Moody
Mrs. R. J. Penfield William McAndrew DINNER COMMITTEE
Roger Steffan Louis E. Robbe Dr. Oscar Carrabine, Chairman
Walter R. Marvin, Jr. Dr. Oscar Carrabine
George W. Wright RELIGIOUS PARTICIPATION
Rev. Frank Dean Gifford, Chairman
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE Maj. Wm. H. Smith, Jr. Morris Stern
William G. Fulcher, Chairman Rev. Francis J. Heaney Rev. E. Foster Piper
Miss Emily E. Lindsley Miss Ella Howell Rev. Theodore O. Posselt Rev. B. Del Negro
William A. Boyd Miss Martha Perrin Rev. Henry E. W. Blount Rev. Garland
William J. Moran Mr. & Mrs. Howell Perrin Rev. J. W. Sadler Rev. Thomas Deegan
Mrs. Edward B. Huling Miss Jean Baxter Rev. Robert M. Russell Rev. Francis J. H. Coffin
Walter R. Marvin, Jr. Mr. 1& Mrs. Wm. Lawson
Charles M. Baxter, Sr. Joseph Dinolfo DANCE COMMITTEE
Charles Silleck Miss Marion E. Howell
R. J. Whitney Anthony LaManna W. Roy Halsey, Chairman
Mrs. William H. Smith Leo N. Orsino Miss Anita Gilles Miss Marjorie Lebeis
Miss Helen Peck Mrs. William Tyler William T. Hornidge Miss Marjorie Milligan
Mary Ingraham Guilford Smith
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Walter R. Marvin, Jr. Mrs. William Shumate
Jack S. Connolly, Honorary Chairman Harold O'Callahan Miss Martha Rupprecht
' William R. Miley, Chairman George Bates, Jr. Miss Camille Houpert
Gordon Proctor Mrs. Frank Dean Gifford
Roger Batchelder, Vice-Chairman
Charles A. Gaa, Vice-Chairman
Edgar B. Hatrick Mrs. Edward Lebeis MUSIC COMMITTEE
Mrs. Mabel Stevens Howard S. Meighan F. Colwell Conklin, Chairman
Raymond A. Robinson James N. Bennett J. Ellsworth Olsen, Vice-Chairman
62 63
Program for Anniversary Week
SUNDAY September 20th—Religious Services at Manor Park of Larchmont at 4 P. M.,
a
Massed Choirs.
Speaker—Dr. Irving Berg, Dean of Arts and Sciences, New York University.
MONDAY September 21st—Historical Pilgrimage starting at Mamaroneck Free Library
at 3:30 P. M.
Unveiling of murals done by Mr. Warren Chase Merritt at Mamaroneck Library
at 8:15 P. M.
Speaker—Mr. William S. Hadaway, former President of Westchester County
Historical Society.
TUESDAY September 22nd—Fashion Show, "Old and New", Senior High School at
3:3 0 P. M.
Play, "Little Jessie James", by Federal Theatre Project, at Junior High School,
at 8:30 P. M.
WEDNESDAY September 23rd—Community Dinner at Lawrence Inn, at 7:00 P. M.
THURSDAY September 24th—Colonial Tea at "Peter Jay Munro" mansion of Mrs. Wesley
M. Oler, Elm and Prospect Avenues, Larchmont, 3 to 5 P. M.
Athletic events at High School athletic field from 3:00 o'clock on.
Annual Inspection, Mamaroneck Village Fire Department, at 7:00 P. M., with
parade.
Historical excersises at the Chatsworth Avenue School, Larchmont, at 8:15 P.M.
Speaker—Mr. William G. Fulcher.
• i
FRIDAY September 25th—Marionette Show at Junior High School, 8:30 P. M.
Colonial Costume Ball at Orienta Beach at 9:00 P. M.
VF
1
SATURDAY September 26th—Parade at 2:00 P. M.
fPageant at Harbor Island at 4:30 P. M.
Air Circus at 5:30 P. M.
American Legion Play and Dance at Junior High School at 8:15 P. M.
Birthday Dance at Harbor Island at 8:30 P. M.
64
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