Philip Pell
Encyclopedia
Philip Pell was an American
politician
and lawyer
from Pelham Manor, New York
. He was a delegate for New York
to the Continental Congress
in 1788 and 1789.
Philip was born to the aristocratic Pell family, at the manor house in what is now Pelham
. The family had established itself in the area in 1654 when Thomas Pell bought nearly 10,000 acres (40 km²) from the Indians
. Thomas' nephew John, named the entire tract Pelham Manor, and was viewed as the second lord of the manor. Philip was the third to have that name, and is sometimes known as Philip Pell, Jr. or Philip Pell, III.
Pell graduated from King's College (now Columbia University
) in New York City
in 1770. He read law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Westchester County
and New York City
. As the Revolutionary War
began, he was a Lieutenant in the Westchester militia. His unit became part of the Continental Army
in 1776 and he served until elected to the New York Assembly in 1779.
After three years in the Assembly, Pell rejoined the Continental Army, this time as a Colonel, and served as Judge Advocate General from 1781 until 1783. When the British finally left New York City in 1783 he was a member of George Washington
's staff. He left the army shortly after, and Westchester County again elected him to the state Assembly where he served from 1784 to 1787. New York sent him as a delegate to the final session of the Continental Congress
.
With the founding of the United States, Pell was active and vocal as an Anti-Federalist who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
. In fact, Pell was the last member of the Continental Congress
and was the only member present at its last "meeting" on March 2, 1789, two days before the Constitutional government took office; he oversaw the Congress's adjournment sine die
. After the abolition of the Continental Congress, he withdrew from national and state politics. He did keep his local office as the surrogate for Westchester County until 1800.
Philip died at home in Pelham Manor in 1811 and is buried the St. Paul's Churchyard, in what is now part of the City of Mount Vernon, a suburb of New York City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
from Pelham Manor, New York
Pelham Manor, New York
Pelham Manor is a village located in Westchester County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 5,486. It is located in the town of Pelham.- Demographics :...
. He was a delegate for New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
in 1788 and 1789.
Philip was born to the aristocratic Pell family, at the manor house in what is now Pelham
Pelham (town), New York
Pelham is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 12,396. Historically, Pelham was composed of five villages and became known as "the Pelhams"...
. The family had established itself in the area in 1654 when Thomas Pell bought nearly 10,000 acres (40 km²) from the Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. Thomas' nephew John, named the entire tract Pelham Manor, and was viewed as the second lord of the manor. Philip was the third to have that name, and is sometimes known as Philip Pell, Jr. or Philip Pell, III.
Pell graduated from King's College (now Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
) in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1770. He read law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. As the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
began, he was a Lieutenant in the Westchester militia. His unit became part of the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
in 1776 and he served until elected to the New York Assembly in 1779.
After three years in the Assembly, Pell rejoined the Continental Army, this time as a Colonel, and served as Judge Advocate General from 1781 until 1783. When the British finally left New York City in 1783 he was a member of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's staff. He left the army shortly after, and Westchester County again elected him to the state Assembly where he served from 1784 to 1787. New York sent him as a delegate to the final session of the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
.
With the founding of the United States, Pell was active and vocal as an Anti-Federalist who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. In fact, Pell was the last member of the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
and was the only member present at its last "meeting" on March 2, 1789, two days before the Constitutional government took office; he oversaw the Congress's adjournment sine die
Adjournment sine die
Adjournment sine die means "without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing". To adjourn an assembly sine die is to adjourn it for an indefinite period...
. After the abolition of the Continental Congress, he withdrew from national and state politics. He did keep his local office as the surrogate for Westchester County until 1800.
Philip died at home in Pelham Manor in 1811 and is buried the St. Paul's Churchyard, in what is now part of the City of Mount Vernon, a suburb of New York City.