Chapter Entitled "Pelham" From A History
Of The County Of Westchester From Its First
Settlement To The Present Time (PP. 513-59)
by Robert Bolton, Jr. (NY: Alexander Gould 1848)

*513

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    513

[Engraving of Christ's Church, Pelham.]          PELHAM.
Christ's Church, Pelham.

     This town is enclosed on the east and north by the township of New Rochelle, on the west by Hutchinson's river, which separates its from Eastchester, and on the south by the Sound. a 

     Prior to the Revolution, Pelham formed a portion of the old manor of that name, which originally embraced nine thousand one hundred and sixty-six acres.  The name itself is of Saxon origin, and compounded of the two words Pel (remote) and Ham (mansion.) b   The former, being the ancient surname of the manorial proprietors, affords us a very good reason for its adoption in connection with the last. 

     The Indian appellation of these lands has not been preserved.  Its early inhabitants appear to have been a tribe of the Mohegans called Siwanoys, whose possessions extended, it is well known, from Norwalk to the neighborhood of Hellgate.  From the Indians, this tract of land (with others adjacent) passed to the Dutch West India Company, A.D. 1640.  In the year 1642, Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, to avoid the bitter persecutions of the Puritans, fled here for protection, and commenced a plantation.  Neal, the Puritan historian, asserts that "Mrs. Hutchinson being turned

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  a  Pelham is situated ten miles south of the village of White Plains and distant 140 miles from Albany.--Disturnell's Gazetteer. 

  b  Pelham is the name of a lordship in Herefordshire, England, and recorded to have been part of the possession of Walter de Pelham, A.D. 1293.

     VOL. I.                    65

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514                    HISTORY OF THE

out into the wide world, went first with her disciples to Rhode Island, but not liking to stay there she removed with her family into one of the Dutch plantations called Hebgate, where within a little while, the Indians murdered her and her whole family, to the number of sixteen persons. a  Chandler in his criminal trials, says, "the whole family of the Hutchinsons removed beyond New Haven to Eastchester in the territory of the Dutch." b  O'Callaghan observes, that "the greatest terror prevailed everywhere," (arising from the Indian war then raging,)  Pavonia, Achter Col, the greater part of Manhattan, and most of Long Island were in the hands of the Indians, now consisting of seven different tribes, amounting, it was estimated, to fifteen hundred warriors.  While the work of destruction was going on in the above quarters other parties of savages crossed over to the main, and cleared all before them as far as Stamford.  Thither the celebrated Mrs. Anne Hutchinson had retired from her persecutors in Massachusetts, but the Indians had discovered her retreat.  They appeared at first friendly, as was their wont when making their visits, but on discovering the defenceless condition of the inmates they killed her and her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with her son Francis, and all the other members of her family, besides a number of other persons in the neighborhood belonging to the families of Mr. Throgmorton and Mr. Cornhill.  Eighteen persons in all fell victims here to these barbarians, who putting the cattle into barns, burnt the whole." c  To the above account Mr. Drake adds, "a greater slaughter would have been made at this time and place, but for the arrival of a boat while the tragedy was enacting, into which several persons, women and children,

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  a  Neal's Hist. of New England, vol. i. 178.

  b  Chandler's Criminal Trials, vol. i. 27.

  c  O'Callaghan's Hist. N.N. 287.  Wild's Rise, Regin, and Ruin of the Antinomians contains this pious exultation at the destruction of Mrs. Hutchinson:  "The Indians set upon them and slew her and all her children, save one that escaped, (her own husband being dead before,) a dreadful blow!  Some write that the Indians did burn her to death with fire, her house and all the rest that belonged unto her, but I am not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her.......God's hand is more apparently seen herein to pick out this woful woman, to make her and those belonging to her, an unheard of heavy example of their cruelty to others."

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    515

escaped, but two of the boat's crew were killed in their humane exertions to save these distressed people.  The daughter of Mrs. Hutchinson remained a prisoner four years, when she was delivered to the Dutch governor at New York, who restored her to her friends.  She had forgotten her native language, and was unwilling to be taken from the Indians." a  The residence of Anne Hutchinson appears to have been situated on Pelham neck, formerly called Ann's hoeck, literally, Ann's point or neck, hoeck being a Dutch name for a neck or point, for, up to a very late period, her farm was distinguished as the Manor of Anne hooks neck.  A small stream that separates this town from Eastchester on the west still retains her surname Hutchinson's river.  One of the principal Indian proprietors of this territory also assumed her christian surname, as we find it recorded in the early deeds, Ann-hoock alias Wampage.  This individual may have taken an active part in the destruction of Mrs. Hutchinson, for nothing was more common among the Indians than for a warrior to assume the name of his victim. b

     Upon the 14th of November, 1654, Thomas Pell of Fairfield, in Connecticut, obtained a grant from the ancient Indian proprietors, embracing all that territory bounded on the east by a stream called Stoney brook or river, and so running northward as the said brook or river runs, eight English miles into the woods, thence west to Broncks's river, then down the stream of Broncks's river to a certain bend in the said river, thence by marked trees south until it reaches the tide waters of the Sound which lyeth between Long Island and the main land, together with all the island in the sound, &c., &e.  This grant was signed by the sachem Ann-hoock and five other Indians.  A. Dyckman occurs as

[Facsimile of Ann-Hoock's Mark from Treaty]
An hoock
AH
his mark

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  a  Drake's Book of the Indians, 69.

  b  There is also a rock upon the south side of the neck bearing the same name, which is said to have been a favorite fishing place of the above chief. 

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516                    HISTORY OF THE

witness.  It was subsequently confirmed in council. a  Thomas Pell stated before a court of assize, held in 1665, that he had obtained a license to make the purchase, from the authorities of Connecticut, and that he had paid large sums of money for the same. b  In 1654 it was resolved, at a meeting of the director general and council of the New Netherlands, "that whereas a few English are beginning a settlement at a great distance from our outposts on lands long before bought and paid for, near Vreedlan, to send there, interdict, and the attorney general, Cornelius van Tienhoven, and forbid them to proceed no farther, but to abandon that spot.  Done at Fort Amstel on the 5th of November, 1654 in New Netherlands," c  "On lands purchased from the Indians by the Hon. Thomas Pell of Fairfield, Connecticut."  Notwithstanding this and further protestations made by the Dutch authorities, Thomas Pell continued the settlement of his lands until the surrender of the Dutch in 1664.  The two principal Sachems of Pelham, Ann-hoock (Wampage) and Himham or Nimham, d  lived to advanced ages.  In 1675 the Indians must have been residing on the neck in considerable numbers, for at a general court of assize held the same year, it was resolved, "that the Indyans at Mr. Pell's or Anne Hook's neck, be ordered to remove to their usual winter quarters, within Hellgate, upon this island; and further that all canoes belonging to Christians or Indyans on the north side of Long Island to the east of Hellgate shall be (within three days from the publication of this order,) brought to the next townes and delivered to the constables to be secured near the block-house.  Any canoes found upon the sound after that time to be destroyed."  This order is said to have been made to prevent the Indians of Long Island joining King Philip against New England. e

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  a  This grant was seen some years since by Mr. John Soulice of New Rochelle, To his kindness we are indebted for the above particulars.  The original is supposed to be in the possession of the Pell family.

  b  Assize Rec. Albany, 1665 to 1672.

  c  Alb. Rec. vol. ix. 275. 

  d  Nimham, sachem of Miereckacky, occurs in 1669. 

  e  Dunlap's Hist. of N.Y. vol. ii. appendix, cxxiii.

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    517

     Near the entrance of Pelham neck, is situated the favorite burying ground of the river tribes, to which the Indians brought their dead even from Horseneck, Connecticut, for interment.  Numerous mounds are still visible near the water's edge, on the property of the late George Rapelje.  Two of the largest mounds are pointed out as the sepulchres of the Siwanoys sachems, Ann-hoock and Nimham.  The former was opened some years since, and found to contain a large sized skeleton, by the side of which, lay the stone axe and flint spear head of the tenant of the grave.  We have examined several mounds near the water's edge; one of these held the remains of an Indian boy about 12 years old, in a sitting position, together with a beautiful specimen of native pottery formed by the hand alone, rudely ornamented with zigzag lines; in this we discovered an arrow head and the bones of a small animal.  This practice of burying their favorite utensils and weapons with the deceased, is known to be an ancient Indian custom.  Near the residence of Mrs. King, the remains of an Indian were found in a perfect state of preservation with a gun by his side.  On the extreme point of this beautiful neck which commands the magnificent scenery of Hutchinson's Bay, lies another Indian cemetery.  The shores of the "Great Bay of the Island of shells," shaded with their ancient forests of nut and oak, interspersed with grassy glades must have afforded favorite sites for the Indian villages.  On the property of Mr. Roosevelt north of the post road, great quantities of Indian arrow heads have been discovered in one particular spot, leading to the supposition, that an extensive manufactory of that article once existed here.  Fine specimens of Indian hatchets, and javelins of chart, quartz and horn stone, are constantly found in the neighborhood of these shores.

     Upon the sixth day of October, 1666, a large proportion of the Indian grant of 1654, was confirmed to Thomas Pell, Esq., by his excellency Richard Nicolls in the following manner.

RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ., GOVERNOR

     Under his Royall Highness the Duke of York, of all his territories in America.  To all to whom these presents shall come,

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sendeth greeting.  Whereas, there is a certain tract of land within this government upon the main, situate, lying and being to the eastward of Westchester bounds, bounded to the westward with the river called by the Indians, Aqueouncke, commonly known by the English, by the name of Hutchinson's river, which runneth into the bay lying between Throckmorton's neck and Ann Hooks neck, commonly called Hutchinson's bay, bounded on the east, by a brook called Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly brook, on the south by the sound which lyeth between Long Island and the main land, with all the islands in the sound, not already granted or otherwise disposed of, lying before that tract of land so bounded as is before expressed, and northwards, to run into the woods about eight English miles in breadth as the bounds to the sound, which said tract of land hath heretofore been purchased of the Indian proprietors, and due satisfaction given for the same.  Now know ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given, by his Royal Highness, James Duke of York, &c., upon whom by lawful grant and pattent from his majesty, the proprietary and government of that part of the main land, as well as of Long Island, as all the islands adjacent, among other things is settled, I have thought proper to give, grant, confirm and ratify unto Thomas Pell of Onckway, alias Fairfield, his majesty's colony of Connecticut, gentleman, his heirs and assigns, all the said tract of land bounded as aforesaid, together with all the lands, islands, sea-bays, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments, to the said tract of land and islands belonging, with their appurtenances, and of every part and parcel thereof; and that the said tract of land and premises, shall be for ever hereafter held, demand, reputed, taken and be an enfranchised township, manor and place itself, and shall always from time to time, and at all times hereafter, have, hold and enjoy, like and equal privileges and immunities, with any town, enfranchised place or manor, within this government, and shall in no manner of way be subordinate or belonging unto, have any dependency upon, or in any wise be under the rules, orders

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    519

or directions of any riding, township or townships, place or jurisdiction, either upon the main or upon Long Island, but shall in all cases, things and matters, be deemed, reputed, taken and held, as an absolute, entire, enfranchised township, manor and place of itself in this government, and shall be ruled, ordered and directed, in all matters as to government accordingly, by the governor and his council, and the general courts of assizes only, always provided, that the inhabitants on the said tract of land granted as aforesaid, shall be obliged to send forwards to the next towns, all public packets and letters, or Hue and Cries, coming to this place or going from it, to any other of his majesties colonies, to have and to hold the said tract of land and grant, with all and singular the appurtenances, premises, together with the privileges, immunities, franchises, and advantages herein given and granted, unto the said Thomas Pell, his heirs and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Pell, forever, firmly, freely and clearly, in so large and ample manner and form and with such full and absolute immunities and privileges as before is expressed, as if he had held the same immediately from his majesty the King of England, &c., &c., &c., &c., &e., his successors, as of the manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common socage and by fealty only, yielding, rendering and paying, yearly and every year, unto his royal highness, the duty forever, and his heirs, or to such governor as shall from time to time, be by him constituted and appointed, as an acknowledgement, one lamb upon the first day of May, if the same shall be demanded.  Given under my hand and seal at Fort James, in New York, on the island of Manhattan, the sixth day of October, in the 18th year of the reign of our sovereign, Lord Charles the second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith, &c., &c., &e., and in the year of our Lord God, 1666.
                                                                  RICHARD NICOLLS.

     Entered and recorded in the office of New York, the 8th day of October, 1666.
                                                                  MATTHIAS NICOLLS, SECT'Y

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     The Pells who were formerly lords of the manor, boast a very remote antiquity, tracing their descent from the ancient family of that name, in Lincolnshire, England, a branch of which afterwards removed into the county of Sussex; a  of this family was John Pell, Esq., of the county of Norfolk, "steward, or master of the

[Drawing that reproduces the figures from stone
effigies of John Pell, and Margaret (his wife)
in Dersingham Church, Norfolk, England]

Stone effigies of John Pell, and Margaret his wife, in Dersingham Church, Norfolk, England.

MIC JACET JOHANNES PELL ARMIGER QUANDUM MAJOR TINN AE REGIS
QVI BXOREM DVXIT MARGARETAM FILIAM VNICAM GVLIELMI
OVEREND ARMIGER ANNOS 61 ET VNVM FAELIO TER VAN VIXERVNT
SEX FILIOS ET TRES FILJAS INTER SE HABVERVNT ILLE VERO CVM
ANNOS 81 COMPLEVERAT QVINTO DIE FEBRVAIE ANNO DOMINI
1607 MATVRA SENECTVE MORTEM OBIIT ET OCTAVO DIE
EIVSDEM MENSIS CORPVS SEPVLCHRO CONDERATVR.

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  a  The seal of John Pell, Esq., attached to the patent of New Rochelle, is charged with the arms of this ancient family, viz:  ermine, on a canton azure, a pelican or, vulned gules; this coat appears to have been granted October the 19th, 1594, the gold pelican and azure field are also a portion of the charges belonging to the coat armor of the Pelham family. 

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                     521

king's cup," living in 1597, who married Margaret Overend, the only daughter of William Overend, Esq., and had six sons and three daughters; his eldest son was John Pell, in holy orders, Rector of Southwyck, in Sussex County, England, who died A.D. 1616.  This individual was the father of two sons, Thomas Pell, first proprietor of the manor of Pelham, and the Rev. John Pell, D.D., Rector of Fobbing in Essex.  Thomas Pell appears to have been born at Southwyek, in Sussex, cir. 1608; the exact period of his arrival in America is uncertain; that he was one of the first settlers of New England however, there remains no doubt, for at a very early period we find his name associated with Roger Ludlow, a member of the Rev. John Warham's company, who settled first at Dorchester, Massachusetts, June, 1630, and afterwards removed to Windsor, Connecticut, in 1635; subsequently Ludlow, with ten families, commenced a plantation at Unquowa, (the Indian name for Fairfield, Conn.) here we find Mr. Pell in 1635.  The name of Thomas Pell first occurs in the New Haven colonial records, as attorney for the executors of Richard Jewell, in 1639. a 

     On the 10th of March, 1646, at a general court at New Haven were recorded the names of the people as seated in the meeting house; 1st middleseat, the governor and deputy governor &c.  In the cross seats at the end, 1st seat, Mr. Pell, Mr. Tuttle and brother Fowler, &c. b 

     The next year Mr. Pell is attached for ₤200, a debt which his wife, late widow of Mr. Francis Brewster, had contracted before her marriage with him.  This debt it appears Mr. Pell refused to pay, notwithstanding the court took the liberty to inform him that his wife's debts were his own.  On being afterwards brought up to court, he declared "that it was against his judgment to take an oath." c

     A.D. 1654, (the same year of his purchase in this town,) Mr. Thomas Yale, presented to ye general court held at New Haven, a noute under the hand of Mr. Thomas Pell, wherein he desires ye

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  a  New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 63.

  b  New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 280.

  c  New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 315, 316, 317, 335, 391.

VOL. I.                    66

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said Mr. Yale to make entry of the lands he had sold to Allen Ball, James Russel and Will Bradley, &c. a

     Upon the 9th of February, 1653, Thomas Pell purchased lands in Fairfield of Henry Rowland, Philip Pinckney, Alexander Briant and others; also a house which was sometimes Nathan Gold's in 1654. b

     At a court holden at Fairfield, October the 19th, 1658, the court desired Mr. Thomas Pell and John Wheeler to be husbands and administrators upon the estate of Thomas Demond. c 

     Upon the 25th of June, 1669, the town of Fairfield granted certain lands to Thomas Pell, Esq. d 

     Circa 1663, "the legislature of Connecticut determining to secure as far as possible the lands within the limits of their charger, authorized one Thomas Pell to purchase of the Indian proprietors all that tract between Westchester and Hudson's River, and the waters which made the Manhadoes an island, and resolved that it should be added to Westchester."  This statement is made on the authority of Trumbull and Webster, although no record now remains of the transaction. e 

     Mr. Pell's death must have occurred sometime between the date of his will, 21st of September, 1669, and that of the order for the taking of an inventory of his estate, on the 13th October, 1669; tradition asserts he was buried at Fairfield. f

The last will of Thomas Pell.

     In ye name of God, Amen -- It hath pleased ye all wise God many years to exercise me with much weakness of body, and having lately taken to himselfe my beloved wife Lucy, it being ye good pleasure of God to deny me natural issue of my owne body, his good hand of mercy continueing unto me to keep me in perfect memory and my understanding in a comfortable measure, according to proportion of wisdom and knowledge, where he saw meet to proportion to me, I desire in faith to give up my soule to God which gave it, my body to a

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  a  New Haven Col. Rec.

  b  Fairfield Town Rec.

  c  Probate Rec. Fairfield Co.

  d  Fairfield Town Rec.

  e  Trumbull's Hist. Conn. 272.  Webster's Letters, 205.

  f  Hazard's State Papers, vol. ii. 245, 336, 342, 343.

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comely burial, that I may be decently buryed in such a comely manner that God may not be dishonored.  It beinge my desire that peace may be attended in enjoyment of what God hath been pleased to give to me -- this being my last will and testament -- I doe make my nephew, John Pell, living in ould England, the only sonne of my only brother John Pell, Doctor of Divinity, which he had by hsi first wife, my whole and sole heire of all my lands and houses in any parte of New England, or in ye territoryes of ye Duke of Yorke.  I also give to my nephew John Pell (my whole and sole heire) all my goods, moveable or immoveable whatsoever -- money, plate, chattells and cattle of all kinde -- except such parcells and legacyes which I give and bequeath to persons as followeth, my just debts being first paid : and if my nephew, John Pell, be deceased, and hath left a sonne or sonnes surviving him, then what I have above given to my nephew, John Pell, I give to such issue of his ; and in ye default of such issue, it's my will that my brother John Pell's daughter shall enjoy ye abovesaid portion ; and in case they or any of them be deceased, then it is my will that the children of my brother's daughters shall inherit the abovesaid portion, to be equally divided amongst them.  It is my will, that in case my nephew, John Pell, my brother's sonne by his first wife, be deceased, and hath left no male issue, if my brother hath a sonne or sonnes by his last wife, he or they shall enjoy ye above said portion ; and in ye default of them or their male issue, then my brother's daughters, or their children, shall enjoy ye above portion as is above expressed.  I give to Abigail Burr, ye wife of Daniell Burr, ye best bed in my house in Fairfield, and boulstis, with two blancoates, a rug and dormink suit of curtains, six cushions, two paire of sheets, six chairs, the brewing kettle in use, two new keelers, a brewing tub, six silver spoons, with ye use of all ye plate in the house, if she desire of my executors of trust, till my heirs or heires come or send his or their order how or whcih way all things shall be disposed of.  Item -- I give to Daniell Burr all my horses and horse colts which I have in New England, and in ye territoryes of ye Duke of Yorke : I except my mares and mare colts, which I do not give him ; I except my saddle gelding, which my heire is to have if he come over -- otherwise, Daniel Burr is to have him, Daniell Burr is to take ye horse flesh as they run ; without any further dehinery, lett the mares be disposed of according to ye understanding of my executors of trust.  Item -- I give to my sonne, Francis French, all my tobacco, grwoing or not growing, in casks, or otherways made u in rolls or twist.  Item -- I give to Nathaniell French two young cowes and one young bull.  Item -- To Elizabeth White I give the worst feather bed and boulster, one iron pott, six porringers, six spoons of alcamy, six pewter platters, one brass skellet, and fifteen pounds more in goods or cattle, current pay, and two comely suits of apparel, one for working days, another for Sabbath dayes, with two paire of shoes.  Item -- to Mary White I give six pounds and one suite of aparell of serge, with two shifts, and wool for stockings.  I give to Nathaniell White, an apprentice to some handicraft trade ; and if it be for his advantage, to give tenne pounds

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with him out of my estate, not diminishing his twenty pounds, which is to be improved for his use.  I give to Barbary, my servant -- I sett her at liberty to be a free woman a month after my burial, except my nephew, John Pell, come in person ; she then to attend his occasions whilst he is there, not exceeding three months.  Further, I do gibve to Barbary, my servant, one flock bed and boulster, and two blancoats, a pair of sheets, and cotton rug, one iron pott, an iron skellett, six trays and chest, with a lock and key to it, six porringers, two pewter platters, six pewter sppons or ye value of them, two cowes or the value of them.  I give to my ancient maid, Katharine Rysten, five pounds in cattle or county pay.  I make, ordain, constitute and appoint Daniell Burr and John Bankes to be my executors of trust, and order them to pay, after my burial, all my just debts and legacyes, and to make sale of any utensils which are subject to decay -- old cattle -- and to be accountable to my heire or heires and to keep up housing and fencesupon my heires' charge, that the estate may not suffer.  I give to my said executors of trust twenty pounds apiece, and to be paid what first charge they are at upon any incumbrances.  Item -- I give those poor men their debts upon my booke, whose names follow -- Joseph Pathon, James Evers, Thomas Bassett, Roger Percy : and that this is my last will.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand this twenty and one yeare of the raigne of our sovereigne lorde, King Charles, and the twenty first of September, 1669.

                                                                Me, THOMAS PELL.

Signed in the presence of us,
Nathan Gould,
John Cabell.

John Cabell gives oath that he was witness to Mr. Pell signing this will, with Mr. Gould, as he hath entered his hand.  Taken upon oath before me,

                                                                Nathan Gould, Assistant,

This 3d of -------------, in his Majestie's
     Colony of Connecticut, September, 1669. a

     Upon the 13th of October, A.D. 1669, the Court of Assize issued the following order, authorizing and appointing Mr. John Richbell, Mr. William Leyden, and Mr. Samuel Drake, to take an inventory of the estate of Thomas Pell, deceased:

     "Whereas, Mr. Thomas Pell of Ann Hook's Neck, is lately deceased, and having left a considerable estate in this government, of which no inventory is as yet returned." b

     In the inventory, we have a thorough and particular account

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  a  This will may be found in the Probate Rec. of Fairfield Co. 1665 to '75.

  b  Assize Rec. Albany, vol. ii. 78. 

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of the whole furniture and household array of a wealthy merchant and gentleman of that early period.

     An inventory of ye estate of Mr. Thomas Pell, late deceased, appraised by us whose names are underwritten, and yt according to an order or commission directed unto us by ye Rt. Hon'ble ye Govern'r, and his Royal High., ye Duke of Yorke, of all his territories in America.

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    527

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     This inventory and appraisem't was finished ye 20th of October, 1669, as witness o'r hands, we having according to o'r best knowledge and understand-

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER                    529

ing, done as witness o'r hands ye day and yeare aforesaid, we have appraised as money of this country,

John Richbells.
Wm. [Sideways H] Hoyden.
his marke.
Samuell Drake.

     John Bankes one of ye Exec'rs of ye said will entered into bond of ₤200 Sterl. to perfourme ye said will.  Ye bond was dated ye 13 of October, 1669.

     During the same year an execution was granted against ye estate of Thomas Pell of Ann Hooks neck, for ₤16 19 10, of ye goods or chattels belonging and reserved by ye executors, in trust, for the use of his heirs, the said sum being due for several charges relating to a matter in difference between Charles Bridges and Sarah his wife, plaintiffs, and ye said Thomas Pell defendant, wherein ye said defendant was overthrown, and condemned to pay ye costs of suit. a 

FRANCIS LOVELACE.    

     To Mr. Robert Coe, high sheriff or his deputy, to cause this execution to be served. b

     By the will of Mr. Thomas Pell, it will be observed, that he bequeathes all his "lands and houses in any part of New England, or in ye territory of ye Duke of York," to his nephew John Pell living in Ould England, the only son of his only brother, John Pell, Doctor of Divinity.

     Dr. Pell, the immediate ancestor of the Pell family in this country, was "an eminent mathematician, and descended of an ancient family in Lincolnshire, whence this branch having removed some time into Sussex, this gentleman had his birth in that county, on the first of March, 1610, at Southwycke, of which place his father, Mr. John Pell (as we have shown before) was then minister, but he did not live to see his son above six years of age, who after this loss, was put to a grammar school then newly founded at Steyning in that country. c  When scarcely thirteen years of age, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, England.

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  a  See Westchester.                    b  Assize Rec. Alb. 215
  c  Biographia Brittanica, vol. v.

VOL. I.                    67

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     In 1630, he wrote and published his Modus Supputandi, Ephemerides, Astronomicas, also a key to unlock the meaning of Johannes Trithimius, and a discourse on Steganography.  He had previously written a description and use of the Quadrant.  His great patron at this time, was the Prince of Orange, who presented him with the professorship of mathematics, at Breda in Holland.

     In April, 1654, he received his appointment from Oliver Cromwell, as English resident Ambassador to the Swiss cantons.

     The Pell papers in the Lansdowne and Birche collections afford interesting illustrations of Dr. Pell's domestic and literary character. 

     These papers contain numerous letters from Sir William Moorland, Sir William Lockhart, Sir William Cavendish, Secretary Thurloe and other distinguished men of that day to Dr. Pell.

     To which is appended Dr. Pell's diary during his residence at Zurich.

     The latter commences thus:  "April 5th, dismissed my Lord Protector, supped with my wife and bade her adieu."

     The first article in his correspondence (as ambassador) opens with a letter to Mr. Secretary Thurloe, dated Utrecht, April 20th, old style, 1654. a 

     In a letter from Mr. Moorland, to the Right Hon. John Pell, dated, Whitehall, January 15th 1656-57, he makes the following allusion to the family of the latter:  "to-morrow, God willing, I shall not fail to go and present your five children with five gold angels according to your order, as I have this evening sent her ladyship a note, though it were after I received the enclosed from her to you," &c. &c.

     August 26th, 1654, Mr. Pell thus writes to his wife concerning his children.

     Let Mary learn to cut and carve with her right hand.  Take heed that John b lose not his Roman with learning Secretary, or else get a rambling hand writing, neither of them well, &c."

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  a  The year of his brother's purchase.

  b  John here alluded to, was the second proprietor of the manor.  In Mr. Pell's diary, Feb. 3, 1654, he remarks, "my son eleven years old."

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    531

     To Mrs. Pell, at her house behind six trees, in Gardiner's lane, near King street, Westminster.  In a letter of August 28th O.S. 1655, to his wife, he writes, "you have reason to thank the councillor that persuaded you to write to me for pearls and jewels.  You tell me you know I have rich presents; you might do well to tell me, who gave them me, when, and where, and what they are, for I know none of all these.  Nobody wears pearls or jewels here.  If they were to be sold, they cannot be sent safely to you in a letter through the hands of many posts, and I have no other way to send to you from hence.  It would a great deal better become you, to advise your daughters to cast off all thoughts of such bravery, as would not be fit for them, though their father were worth twenty times as much as he is, all his just claims being reckoned with thta which he hath now in his power.  This letter will come to Whitehall, about the very beginning of the parliament, so that Mr. Secretary and those about him, may be so full of business, that they may forget to send you this letter in due time, and then it may miscarry, which is the cause that this time I tell you no more of my mind concerning Ma. and the rest, of whom, I cannot think without much sadness. 

     God Almighty bless them and direct you.

     Zurich, May 26th.  Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell.  Since my last of April 20th, &c. &c., I have received two of yours.  In them you ask advice concerning my son.  If he be not fit to get long lessons, by heart, he will never be fit for that school; but you must take heed that you displease not Mr. B. by taking him away.  If our friends can help you to find out a good school for him, you may send him thither in the school vacation; or else my uncle may help you to an excuse, by pretending a desire to see him; and then (as if it were his humor in my absence to have him better grounded before he return to such a great school) he may be sent to some other school, where there are fewer boys; for in large schools, the masters are forced to ease themselves by laying great burdens upon their scholars' memories.  But it will be very hard to find a good school.  God Almighty direct you and bless him and his sisters.

     October 15th.  Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell.  Since my last of July 16, I have received seven of yours, &c.  The fourth tells me

*P. 532

532                    HISTORY OF THE

that you like mine of July 16th so ill, that you may well content yourself without my letters.  In it you sent me a Latin letter enquiring whether he that wrote it will be a scholar or a'prentice.  That question will be better answered three years hence; they that will now judge of him may be very much mistaken in him; with your next, let him send me the names of the books which he now learns at school, &c.

     October 2d, 1656, concerning his daughter Mary's marriage, he writes:  "I perceive by yours, that M. hath much abated the height of her first flight.  First a rich husband or none at all, then two hundred pounds a year at least; now, a younger brother, that hath no land, but some money in other men's hands, almost enough to purchase fourscore pounds a year free land.

     Now she hath found one rich enough for her, you must try whether he will account her rich enough for him, you may therefore tell him or her that you have order to pay him two hundred pounds upon the day of her marriage, without promise that she or hers shall receive any more from me, or by me, till I am dead, &c. &c. a

     On May the 6th, 1658, Mr. Pell received the following letter of recall from the Protector. 

     Oliver Cromwell to Mr. Pell.

     Sir: -- The state of affairs being much altered in those parts, so that your longer abode there seemeth no so necessary, and that your return hither may be more serviceable to us, I have thought fit hereby to recall you; therefore you will do well, having taken your leave their, in the best manner, to repair homewards, that we may receive from you the account of your whole negotiation, and you from us the encouragement which you have deserved. b

     Sir, I rest your loving friend,
                                          Oliver P.
     By his highness's command, Jo Thurloe.

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  a  Mr. Pell's daughter was mar. Nov. 27, 1656.

  b  The tedious negotiations at Baden, ended in a peace, which left the Swiss Cantons in the same relation to each other and Europe as before.

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.                    533

     Mr. Pell arrived in England only a short time prior to the death of his patron.  Cromwell died on the 3d of September, 1658, just three weeks after Pell's arrival in London, on the 13th of August.  In his diary, Mr. Pell thus records the event.

     September 3.  "Olivarius Protector, obiit Alb. aulee.

     September 4.  Ricardus Westmonasterii et Londini proclamatur.

     The following notes relate to his attendance on the Protector's funeral:

Gardiner's Lane near King Street. 

     I do hereby request that the proportion of cloth allowed unto me by the right honorable council as mourning for his late highness, the lord protector, may be delivered unto my neighbor, Mr. Samuel Hartlib the younger.

     Written with mine own hand, Sept. 25th 1658,
                                                                       JOHN PELL.

Whitehall, at the Green Cloth, Sept. 27, 1658.

     MR. CLERK COMPTROLLER:  I desire you to direct the delivering of nine yards of black cloth, of twenty-four shillings per yard, and six yards, of fifteen shillings per yard, for John Pell, Esq.

BARRINGTON.

     JOHN PELL, ESQ.:  You are desired to attend the funeral of the most serene and most renowned Oliver, late lord protector, from Somerset house, on Tuesday the 23rd of November, instant, at eight of the clock in the morning at the furthest, and to bring with you this ticket, and that by Friday night next you send to the herald's office, near Paul's, the names of your servants that are to attend in mourning, without which they are not to be admitted, and also to take notice that no coaches are to pass on that day in the streets between Somerset house and Westminster. a 

     Mr. Pell was admitted to holy orders by the Bishop of Lincoln in 1661, and obtained from the crown the rectory of Fobbing in

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  a  Vaughan's Protectorate of Cromwell, vol. ii, 341, 342.

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534                    HISTORY OF THE

Essex, to which the Bishop of London added the rectory of Lavingdon, or Lainden, in the same county, A.D. 1677-8.

     Among the Pell papers occurs the following letter from his curate, the Rev. John Nye, dated,

Lainden, Feb. 10, 1677-8.

     REVEREND SIR, -- You expect, I presume, some intimations concerning the place and people where, as your substitute, I serve the cure; after tedious deliberation, I thought to give your worship the following notice, viz.: -- as far as the winter extremities, the incontiguity of country houses, and private necessities do permit, our churches enjoy full congregations, the people being reverent and observant, and lovers of the desk as well as pulpit.  I know not one perfect dissenter; only Mr. Andrews, of Lainden, once held a conventicle in his house since my coming.  The appearance at Christmas communion was tolerable -- about twenty persons; and we hope Easter will exceed.  Our school is occupied by a licensed, grave, and good man.  All officers for church and town are legally qualified, i.e. men honest, able, judicious.  All church ornaments and repairs are exact, except only Barseldon, where two casualties are fallen, viz.; the bell roof is ready to drop, and one side of the church needs shoring; the total charges are pre-estimated at about fifty pounds.  As for my own acceptance and success, it is not wholly in vain, praised be God!  I know not one drunkard nor swearer among us, except only Gaffar Fryer of Lainden, who on many accounts forgets piety but especially by swearing and miserableness.  My Lord Biship of London urges the duty of catechising with much fervor; I shall begin on the 17th of Feb. next, being the first Sunday in season to short for such a work, and hardly endured to have the matter contested.  Our parishes have not observed perambulations for several years; I suppose it will be convenient to stir Reverend sir, I know your minutes are precious, your importances constant; ergo, it is duty and love without rhetorical ambages to profess myself, as I ought to appear,

     Your worship's humble servant and ready curate.