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Gedney Legacy That Began in Salem, Massachusetts
The Gedney family has a deep-rooted history in Mamaroneck and White Plains, New York, spanning from the 17th to the 20th century. Their story began in 1636, when John Gedney Sr. sailed from Yarmouth, England, aboard the Mary Anne and settled in Salem, Massachusetts. As some of Salem’s original settlers, the Gedneys left a lasting legacy. John’s son, Bartholomew Gedney, gained historical notoriety as a judge during the Salem Witch Trials, while another son, Eleazar Gedney, built Gedney House around 1665. Today, this well-preserved landmark remains a testament to the family’s enduring presence in Salem’s history.
By the 18th century, the Gedney family migrated to Westchester County, settling in Mamaroneck and White Plains. Seeking religious freedom, the Quaker branch of the family – originally Puritan settlers – found sanctuary in Mamaroneck, where Eleazer Gedney purchased land from Caleb Heathcote. The Gedneys also played a key role in the local economy, operating Gedney’s Freight and Passenger Line, a shipping service out of Mamaroneck Harbor. One of their well-known ships, the Mary E. Gordon, was part of their fleet, and photographs of the vessel docked near Harbor Island still exist today.
The Founding of Gedney Farms (1740–1898)
In 1740, John Gedney (1695–1766), a descendant of the extensive Gedney family, purchased 116 acres of land from William Marsh for 400 pounds, establishing what became known as Gedney Farms. He built a home for his family on Mamaroneck Avenue, directly across from what is now Gedney Esplanade. Under the Gedney family’s stewardship, this area developed into a productive and prominent farmstead. Ridgeway was carved from this farmland and still retains its original configuration today.
Bartholomew Gedney (1802–1897) inherited the family farm in the 19th century and worked to refine and improve its agricultural methods. His efforts transformed the farm into one of the most productive in Westchester County during the Civil War era. His residence, Gedney Hall, located on Ridgeway Street in White Plains, was regarded as one of the finest farmhouses in the county. The family’s advanced farming techniques gained widespread recognition, even drawing the attention of the Russian Commissioner of Agriculture, who visited to observe their methods firsthand.
Bartholomew Gedney resided at Gedney Hall until his passing at the age of 95 in 1897. While the exact address is unclear, his home stood on the north side of Ridgeway near Mamaroneck Avenue. After his death, the original house burned down, and the site later became home to the Gedney Farm Hotel. View Bartholomew Gedney’s obituary here.
Captain John Gedney (1836–1922), a Civil War captain and the son of Bartholomew and Ann Eliza Hunt Gedney, was born and raised at the Gedney Farm homestead. View Captain John Gedney’s obituary here.
One of the earliest known memorials to the Gedney family in White Plains is a stone horse block inscribed with “Gedney 1603.” Originally placed in front of Bartholomew Gedney’s farm, this historic artifact was featured in a 1931 article titled “Old Block Dates Back 300 Years” in The Daily Times (Mamaroneck, NY). The article highlights the significance of this relic, marking the family’s deep roots in the area.
Read the full article here.
(Source: Newspapers.com: The Daily Times (Mamaroneck, New York) · Fri, Jan 30, 1931)
In 1898, Howard Willets acquired 250 acres of the original Gedney farmland from the estate of Bartholomew Gedney, renaming it Gedney Farm. He built a mansion on the slope of Heatherbloom Road and raised prize-winning cattle and horses on the farm.
Streets and Neighborhoods Named After the Gedneys
The Gedney name lives on throughout White Plains, reflected in several streets and neighborhoods:
Gedney Way – Originally West Street, renamed after the construction of Mamaroneck Avenue in 1872.
Gedney Park Drive – Formerly Park Drive, renamed in 1934.
Gedney Esplanade – Built in 1913, connecting Mamaroneck Avenue with Hathaway Lane.
Neighborhoods: Gedney Farms, Gedney Park, Gedney Manor, Gedney Meadows, and Gedney Circle.
While no streets or neighborhoods in Mamaroneck bear the Gedney name, the family’s historical presence is commemorated through the Gedney Cemetery on Mamaroneck Avenue, where Eleazer Gedney (d. 1722) and generations of Gedneys are buried. This burial ground contains some of the oldest Gedney family graves in Westchester County, serving as a lasting tribute to their legacy.
Help Us Preserve History!
If you have historical insights, photos, or family stories related to Gedney Farms, please reach out to us at info@gedneyfarms.net.
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