Thomas Pell facts for kids

Thomas Pell, 1st Lord of Pelham Manor (born 1608 – died September 21, 1669) was an English doctor. He is famous for buying a large area of land in what is now Pelham, New York, the eastern Bronx, and southern Westchester County, New York. He also founded the town of Westchester in 1654.

Early Life of Thomas Pell

Thomas Pell was born in Sussex, England, in 1608. He was the older of two sons. His mother was Mary Holland from Halden, Kent. His father was Rev. John Pell from Southwick, Sussex. Thomas's younger brother was John Pell, who became a famous mathematician. Thomas's father died in 1616, and his mother passed away the next year.

Thomas Pell studied at Cambridge University but did not finish his studies there.

Thomas Pell's Career and Land Dealings

In the 1630s, Thomas Pell moved to New England. By 1654, he was living in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The Pelham Land Purchase

In 1654, Pell made an important agreement. He signed a treaty with Chief Wampage and other members of the Siwanoy Native American tribe. This treaty gave Pell about 50,000 acres of tribal land. This land included parts of what is now the Bronx. It also stretched west along Long Island Sound into Westchester County, reaching the Hutchinson River and going north to Mamaroneck.

The exact price Pell paid for the land is not known from records at the time. However, a source from 1886 says the Siwanoy people were paid with "various goods." Pell named this large area "Pelham." He likely named it after Pelham Burton, who was his teacher in England.

Dispute with the Dutch

The Dutch courts challenged Pell's land purchase. They believed the English were taking land that belonged to the Dutch. This disagreement was settled in September 1664. The British Navy, with help from local settlers led by Pell, entered New Amsterdam. They forced Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor, to give control of the colony to the British.

Thomas Pell's Family and Legacy

Thomas Pell passed away on September 21, 1669, in Fairfield, Connecticut. He did not have any children. So, he left his property to his nephew, Sir John Pell (1643–1702). Sir John was the son of Thomas's only brother, John. His nephew traveled from England to New York. He then became the 2nd Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

The Pell family continued to live in this area until the American Revolutionary War. The family has remained important even today. Famous family members include U.S. Ambassador Herbert Pell and U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell. Thomas Pell's grandson, Philip Pell II, built a home called Pelhamdale around 1750.