John Pell (landowner) facts for kids

Sir John Pell IV (born February 3, 1643 – died around 1712) was an important landowner in early America. He was known as the 2nd Lord of Pelham Manor. He owned a large amount of land in what is now Pelham, New York, and parts of the Bronx and southern Westchester County, New York. He was born in Britain but spent much of his life in America.

Early Life and Family

The Pell family coat of arms.

John Pell was born in London, England, on February 3, 1643. His father was John Pell, a famous mathematician. His mother was Ithamaria Pell.

John's uncle was Thomas Pell, a doctor who worked for King Charles I. Young John Pell himself had a special job serving King Charles II. He was a "Sewer in Ordinary," which meant he was a page who helped serve food to the King.

Becoming a Landowner

In 1654, John's uncle, Thomas Pell, made an important agreement. He signed a treaty with Chief Wampage and other leaders of the Siwanoy Native American tribe. This treaty gave Thomas Pell about 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of tribal land. This huge area included parts of what is now the Bronx and land in southern Westchester County, New York. Thomas Pell then founded the town of Westchester.

In 1666, the governor of the Province of New York, Richard Nicolls, officially recognized Thomas Pell's land ownership. He made the land into a special area called a "manor."

Life in America

A view of Long Island Sound, close to Pelham Manor.

When his uncle Thomas Pell died in 1669, he had no sons. So, John Pell inherited all of his uncle's land. This made him the 2nd Lord of Pelham Manor. John sailed to New York in 1670 to take over his new estate.

After arriving, John Pell settled in Pelham Manor. He became an important person in the community. In 1688, he was chosen as the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. This court handled legal cases for ordinary people. He also served in the New York General Assembly, which was like the local government, from 1691 to 1695. He was also a Captain and later a Major in the local military.

In 1685, Pell sold off City Island. In 1689, he sold about 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares) of land to a group of French settlers called French Huguenots. This land later became the city of New Rochelle. As part of the payment, the Huguenots agreed to give Sir John, and future Lords of the Manor, "one fat calf" every year forever.

Family Life

In 1684, John Pell married Rachel Pinckney. Her father, Phillip Pinckney II, was also an early settler in the area. Rachel's family had bought land near the Hutchinson River from John's uncle Thomas Pell.

John and Rachel had two sons and two daughters:

• Thomas Pell II (1686–1739), who became the 3rd Lord of Pelham Manor. He married Anna, who was a granddaughter of Wampage I, a leader of the Siwanoy tribe.
• Elizabeth Pell (1680–1778), who married Samuel Huestis.

Sir John Pell died around 1712. His eldest son, Thomas Pell, inherited the large estate, which was about 60,000 acres (24,000 hectares) at the time. The Pell family had a special burial place facing the water near Pelham Bay.