POLLEPEL - AN ISLAND STEEPED IN HISTORY

POLLEPEL - AN ISLAND STEEPED IN HISTORY
by Jane Bannerman, Courtesy of The Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc..

A tiny jewel in the setting of the Hudson Highlands is called Pollepel, now familiarly known as Bannerman Island. Once an uninhabited place, accessible only by boat, it was considered haunted by some Indian tribes and thus became a refuge for those trying to escape them. These superstitions and others promoted by later Dutch sailors make for many fanciful tales. Even the name Pollepel (Polopel) originated with a legend about a young girl named (Polly) Pell who was romantically rescued from the breaking river ice and landed on the island shore, where she was promptly married to her sweetheart, who rescued her and her companion. The island was thereafter called; Pollepel.

History reveals a connection to the American Revolution in attempted defense of the Highlands against the British fleet in 1777 using the famous "chevaux de frise". This was a device including mettle points to obstruct the passage of ships up the river, built by men commandeered from the local prison. The attempt was however, unsuccessful, as the British took to flat bottom boats and by passed it. One of the "points" is now on display at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, New York.
Next Page

Site Designed and Maintained by
Erik Gliedman

All images copyrighted 2002