THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 75 



opposite shore, under such regulations as had been usual and customary. 

 ••The patentees were Samuel Rodman, owner and proprietor of a tract 

 of land lying on Pell's Neck, in the County of Westchester, adjoining 

 upon and extending along the East river about one mile and a half, and 

 John Wooley, owner and proprietor of a certain tract of land in the town- 

 ship of Hampstead in Queens "County, on Nassau Island, opposite to the 

 landing place on the said Samuel Rodman's plantation, adjoining upon 

 and extending along the said river about half a mile."' 1 



It was upon Pelham neck that the British forces, consisting of the 

 grenadiers and light infantry, landed, October iSth, 1776, ten days pre- 

 vious to the battle of White Plains. 6 



Two days prior to the enemies landing, General Heath inform us " that 

 the general officers of the American army rode to reconnoitre the ground 

 at Pell's neck, &c, and it was determined that the position of the Ameri- 

 can army should be immediately changed ; the left flank to be extended 

 more northerly, to prevent its being turned by the British, who were at 

 this time posted on Throgmor ton's neck." c "On the 18th of October 

 the wind was more fresh at southwest, the British urged to the other 

 side of Frog's neck, embarked on board their boats, crossed over the 

 cove, landed on Pell's neck, and moved briskly upwards. Three or four 

 of the American regiments advanced towards them and took a good po- 

 sition behind a stone fence. When the British had advanced sufficiently 

 near, they gave them a pretty close fire, which checked them, and even 

 obliged them to fall back ; but, being immediately supported, they re- 

 turned vigorously to the charge. The action was sharp, for a short time ; 

 but the Americans were soon obliged to give way to superior force. 

 Shepard's, Reid's, Baldwin's, and Glover's regiments had the principal 

 share in this action. The Americans had between thirty and forty men 

 killed and wounded • among the latter Col. Shepard, in the throat, not 

 mortall}', although the ball came well nigh effecting instant death. The 

 loss of the British was not known, but must have been considerable. 

 They advanced almost to New Rochelle, and halted. The American 

 army extended its left." rf 



We copy the following from the diary of President Styles : 



Camp at Mile Square, E. Chester, 23 Oct. 1776. 



"Friday morning last, the 18th, we were alarmed, and the enemy landed at 

 Rodman's Point, (a place about four miles from our encampment,) with their 



a Albany lice, lluuk of Patents, No. xvu 

 b St dman'a HI .:. of the Rev. 

 c n^a'Y.s Mom. p. 71. 

 d Heath's Mem. pp. 72, 73. 



