Presented to the
LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
by
ANNALS OF ALBANY.
BY J. MUNSELL.
VOL. III.
ALBANY:
JOEL MUNSELL 58 STATE STREET.
1852.
PEEFACE.
This volume contains a considerable amount of matter
that has not before seen the light by the aid of printers'
ink, and which is believed to be not wholly without value
to the historian and antiquary.
The records of the common council and the courts, are
not merely interesting by reason of their quaintness, but
are important, because they furnish nearly all we can
know of the events of that period in the history of the
city, which forms the close of the seventeenth century.
Albany was at that time a garrisoned town, against which
the French in Canada had a strong desire to carry their
arms; but the principal blow aimed at her fell upon
Schenectady, and her wooden walls were never actually
beleaguered by any foe. This may be attributed to the
fact that the authorities manifested more prudence than
any of their neighbors with regard to their defences, and
to their watchfulness over the Indians, who although at
peace, were not permitted to lodge in the city by night.
The records of baptisms, which occupy a large space in
these pages, must present a barren aspect to the general
reader ; but they serve to repeople the old city, and make
us familiar with the old people, the middle-aged, and the
babies, all Dutch, and inhabiting small, sharp-roofed houses
with their gables to the street. These, ladies and gentle-
men, are the men, women and children who frequented
our streets a century and a half ago, when the males
iv . Preface.
above the age of sixteen numbered one hundred and eighty
two, all told.
Among those who took the oath of allegiance to King
William in 1699, we find the name of Gideon Schaats.
From the best information that could be gathered of
such as were most conversant with the history of the
church, his death was placed in 1683 (vol i, 91); but he
appears again (vol. ii, 103), to present before the court,
the will of his deceased wife, Barentje Hendriks, in De-
cember, 1688. If this is the veritable domine who comes
up again in 1699 (vol. iii, 277), we can only conjecture
that he is not living yet from the fact that he began his
ministry in 1652 ,and, in the ordinary course of events,
should have gone to his reward in the last century. We
hope to meet with him again.
The orthography of persons and places is so much un-
settled, as to forbid the attempt to establish a standard ;
wherefore the original manuscript has been followed,
usually, with all its variations. In copying articles, the
author's text has been scrupulously followed, and having
put his name to it, if any one should conceive that
it contains errors, the compiler desires that the misfea-
sance may be attributed to its right source, and not to
any invention of his own.
CONTENTS.
City Records, ] 695 to 1 699, 7
Dutch Names of Persons, Places and Things, &., 57
Baptisms in the Ref. Prot. Dutch church, from 1693 to 1707, 61
Table of Dutch Baptismal Names with the corresponding
Names in English, 114
Maude's Travels, 116
Albany County, 135
Notes from the Newspapers, 145
Ancient Wills, 193
British Spy, , . 201
Congress at Albany, 1754, 202
Epidemic in Albany, 1746, 204
Orphan Asylum, 207
Commission of a Viewer of Corn, 218
Forms of Oaths, 1689, 219
Ferry Rates, 1784, 220
Lumber Trade in Albany, 221
Arrivals' at this Port, 1791, 223
Albany Lumber Market for the week ending July 30, 1851, 224
Meeting on the State of the Country, 225
Commerce of Albany,- 226
Statistics of Intemperance, 227
Population at different Periods, 228
Inscriptions in the Presbyterian Burial Ground, 229
Population, 1714, 243
Trinity Church, 244
Taking the Oath of Allegiance, 1699, 273
Life and Services of Stephen Van Rensselaer, 281
License to teach English, 1665, 327
Sudden breaking up of the Ice, 1851, 328
Annals of the Year 1850-51, 331
Statistics of Crime, 1851, 367
Sala.ies of State Offices, 1774, 368
Index, 369
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Map of Albany, 1851, frontispice.
Plan of Albany, 1695, 39
Map of Albany, 1794, 1 56
Orphan Asylum, 207
Kane Monuments, 235
Charles R. Webster's Monument, , 242
Trinity Church, 265
Stephen Van Rensselaer, , 281
Commercial Bank Building, 365
ANNALS OF ALBANY.
THE CITY RECORDS.
1695 TO 1700.
Att a Common Councill held in the Citty of Albany
y e 6th of August, 1 695 : Present, Joh: Abeel, mayor.;
Major D. Wessels, recorder; Evert Banker, Jacob
Staets, Jan Jansse Bleeker, Jan Lansing, Albert Ryck-
man, aldermen; Jan Becker, Ben. van Corlaer, Evert
Wendell, Johannes Thomase, assistants.
Whereas an order has been given by y mayor, alder-
men and commonalty for a well to be made in ye citty of
Albany on y 6 Jonker street, on y e hill, for y e convenience
and safety of y 6 s d citty, for y e satisfaction of y e s d charges
was ordered y 1 an general assessment shall be made
through the whole citty, which is now given in to y e mayor,
aldermen and commonalty, amounting to the somme of
two hundred and seventy seven and 10 d , doe therefore or-
der that a warrant shall be issued upon y e high constable,
and commanding his deputyes emmediately to collect y 6
s d somme of money, and after y e collecting s d money, to
return the same to the treasurer Johannes Appel.
Whereas y e mayor gives in to y e aldermen and com-
monalty y 1 he has received a letter with y^ commission
of y 6 Peace, from y e secretary of New York, David Jame-
son with an account of y e charges for y e s d commission,
also for y e act of assembly for y e 2 p l for y e defrauying of
all y 6 necessary charges in y e citty of Albany, which ac-
count amounts to the somme of ten pounds thirteen shil-
8 The City Records.
lings coilrrant money, for y 6 satisfaction of y 6 s d sommes
of money it is resolved that care shall be taken that y 6
county shall procure Corn so much to brew 3 pypes of
table Beer, and Benn. v. Corlaer and Albert Ryckman are
to brew it, thinking it will amount to y e complement.
It is resolved by the mayor, aldermen and commonalty
that y 6 justices of y e citty and county of Albany shall con-
vene the first day of September next ensuing, and that y e
sheriff Johannes Appel shall give them all warning against
said time, that they may appear personally as aforesaid.
Whereas Ab. Isaaks, y 6 Fort Sluyter*, having delivered
in his account for his duty, amounting to y e somme of
eight and twenty pieces of eight,
To ye sheriffe Johannes Appel to order y l y e high con-
stable shall order his deputyes to make an assessment
for y e procureing y e aforesaid somme of money.
Oct 14. Whereas the arriears of y e 2000 and 1500
tax having been derected to the constables of each warde
by an warrant from Dirk Wessells, justice, which consta-
bles give in their report, that all who are indebted' to y e
said arriers gives them an answer that they have paid it,
and setts them aft from time to time.
Albany, y e 14th day of October, 1695.
This day being appointed by y e charter of this citty for
y 6 alderman of y e respective wards to bring their returns
of y 6 aldermen chosen for y e ensuing year, which were
1st Ward. Johannes Schuyler, Hendrik van Rensselaer,
aldermen; Benoni van Corlear, Johannes de Wandelaer,
assistants.
2d Ward. Jan Jansse Bleeker, Jan Lansing, aldermen;
Johannes Cuyler. Evert Wendell, assistants.
3d Ward. Albert Rykman, Hendrik Hanse, aldermen;
John Andriese. Egbert Teunise, assistants.
Assessors. John Becker, Anthony van Skayk, 1st ward ;
Johannes Bleeker, Pieter Mingael, 2d ward: Harpert Ja-
cobse, Elbert Gerritse, 3d ward.
Constables. Myndert Schuyler, 1st ward; Anthony
Bries, 2d ward; Warner Carstense, 3d ward.
High Constable. Johannes Teller, chosen and sworn,
* Keeper of the gates, or turnkey.
The City Records. 9
Albany, y e 15th November, 1695, in y 6 Citty Hall afore-
said.
Resolution made between the mayor and aldermen with
the common councill, who were ordered by the mayor to
make a forfitt lyst for y e quartering of y e fusilleers of Ma-
jor Schuyler, Capt. Weems and Capt. Kidd's comp e , who
accordingly have done and delivered the same for two
months, till y e 15th day of Jan'y 9|, next ensuing, with
condition y l then the s d list may be allowed to the more
ease of y e inhabitants upon whom the s d comps are quar-
tered.
Mayor's Court, Nov. 19, 1695. Whereas Hend. Rose-
boom Sen., voorlezer in y e church of y e citty of Albany
doth appear here and desyred that consideration may be
used that his sallary may be paid, being he stand in great
need of y e same.
Jacob Lokermans vs. Harma Gansevoort, Default.
Robert Sanders vs. Jurry van Hoese, Deferred.
Barent Allester Bratt appears here and desyres satis-
faction for removing of house according to appraisment of
y e same.
Whereas in y e year of our Lord 16,ff a warrant was
directed to Pieter Winne, Pieter Bogardus, William Claese,
Harma Gansevoort, Dirk Bensing, and Jan Janse Visselaer,
who were ordered by y e mayor, aldermen and commonalty
of ye citty of Albany, being there were severall houses
standing hard by the stockadoes of y e citty aforesaid, and
y e enemy were then daily expected, it was then desyred
by the generalty of y e inhabitants that y e s d hoases might
be broke downe, whereupon y e mayor, aldermen and com*
monalty appointed and authorized the aforesaid persons
to agree with y e owners, otherwise to value the same,
which was valued by the folio wing persons, being William
Claese, Jan Cornelise Viselaer, Harma Gansevoort, and
Pieter Bogardus, who valued the house of Barent Allester
Bratt at fifteen pound twelve shillings for y e removing of
y 6 same. The mayor and aldermen refer ye same to
further consideration for y e payment of y e same.
A committee was appointed to examine the treasurer's
10 The City Records.
accounts, and a warrant was directed to be issued " to
fetch up all the lycenses." The justices were also directed
to appear on the 9th Dec., "to correct all affairs between
the citty and county."
Mayor's Court, Dec. 3, 1695. Sanders vs. Van Hoese
came up for the third time, when it was " thought requisite
that the partyes doe appear here next court day to dispute
y 6 matter themselfs, and whoever then is absent judgment
enter against him."
Cornelia Vanderheyden appears here at y 6 barr, and
gives in y e oath of her suster Ariaantje who is brought to
child bed, that Leift. Symon Young is y 6 father thereof,
y only father and none but he ; and deseres that y e mayor
and alderman would use some methodd or anoyr with .y 6
s d Young for the maintenance of the child.
It is resolved by y 6 mayor and aldermen that each in-
habitant in this citty shall ride or cause to be ride at y e
guard by y 6 constable appointed, a load of fyre wood ; vizt :
the first warde is to ride there proportion this week, and
after y 6 2d and 3d warde when they were warned.
Mayor's Court, Dec. 17, 1695. Whereas y e citty stock-
adoes doe begin to fail and are out of repair towards the
river side, it is therefore thought necessary by y 6 mayor
and aldermen that four hundred and fifty new stockadoes
should be ride this winter for the repairing of y 6 same, at
13 foot length, and a foot over, and that a warrant may
be directed to y 6 assessors, to make an equal assessment
thereof upon y inhabitants and then to deliver y 6 same
to Mr. Mayor.
Att a meeting of mayor, aldermen and justices of the
citty and county of Albany, y e 28th day of March,
1695 : Present, Evert Banker, mayor ; Dirk Wessels
recorder; Hend. van Rensselaer, Jan Janse Bleeker,
Jan Lansing, Albert Rykman, Hend. Hanse, alder-
men; K. van Rensselaer, Capt. Marte Gerritse, Ger-
rit Teunise, Joh. Sanders, Pieter Vosburgh, justices j
The City Records. 11
Evert Wendell Jim., Job. D. Wandelaer, Eghb 1 Teu-
nise, Jan Andries, common council.
It is resolved and agreed that four hundred load of
good fyre wood with two horses shall be ride by y e county
of Albany between this and y e 15th day of January next
ensuing, none excepted but linde and y e sparegrene wood,
viz 1 :
Coxhacky and Catskill, 100
K. van Rensselaer, 160
Kinderhook, 110
370
Also, that all y e accounts of y 6 county charges from y e
17th, '95 to the 14th of October 1695, are inspected, and
doe finde that y e county is indebted the somme of one
hundred thirty-five pounds one shilling and l d , whereof
they deduct fifteen pounds twelve shillings which was due
to Barent Bratt for removing his house in y e year of our
Lord 16, which y e justices of ye county doe apprehend
y l y e county ought not to pay. As also sixty pounds as
per account of assembly for y e ajancy, doth amount to
one hundred seventy-nine pounds 9s. Id. To the levying
of said somme, the Colony is to contribute 15
Kinderhook, - - 20
Katskill and Coxhacky, - - 20
Shinnechtady, * - - - 22
77
So that there just remains for the city to be
raised, 102 9s. Id.
179 9s. Id.
It is also concluded generally by y 6 Justices y l of y 6
citty and county y l a gift of 5 5s. shall be raised for
Jam.es Parker, viz 1 , y e Citty 2, y e Colony 1. Kinder-
hook 15s., Katskill and Coxhacky 15s., Shennechtady
15s., is just 5 5.
12 The City Records.
Alt a Mayor's Court, held at y 6 Citty Hall of Albany,
the 25th day of February, 169*.
Ryer Jacobse Schermerhoorn complains of Joh. Sanders
for false imprisonment, to y e dammage of two hundred
pounds. The defendant appears and says y l he is of op-
pinion y l he can not be tryd at y e mayor's court, by rea-
son neither of them are inhabitants of y 6 citty, doth there-
fore desyre of y e aldermen to know if they have power to
try y e matter. The court is of y e opinion that they have
no power to try the defendant, because the law gives no
positive direction, neither have they any former prece-
dence for it, being they fynd by the pi. declaration that
the deft, is shewed as a justice of peace in the service of
his office, upon which opinion y 6 deft, replyed that he
was put in false imprisonment.
Albany y e 10th March, 169-*.
There is three warrants signed by y 6 mayor, to y e three
constables, to bring in a levie tax according to y e tax de-
livered them, &c.
Whereas there is complaints made to y e mayor, alder-
men and justices of y 6 peace, y l y e publick bakers of y e
citty doe not make thare wheat bread according to weight
established formerly, that is to say, every loff of bread is
to be a pound nett, English weight, when baked, y e price
at 7d wampum, wee doe therefore command and charge
in his maj'es name, King William, y l all bakers make
thare bread according to y 6 standers, under y 6 pain of for-
fyting all such bread as shall be founde light, as also a
fine of three shillings courant money, &c.
Whereas several persons of y* citty and county has
given in a complaint to y e mayor, aldermen and justices
of y 6 citty and county, y 1 there is severall persons doe goe
with money in thare hands to buy wheat, and can not
have it by reason y* marchants has engrossed in there
hands being resolved to ship it for New York, the mayor
aldermen and justices of y e peace have resolved and agreed
upon y 1 no merchts or any other persons whatsoever shall
ship any corn aboard any sloop, vessel, boat, whatsoever,
The City Records. 13
untill such time wee have his Excell. directions in it, as
they will answer upon there uttmost perill.
John Anderson Cooper is this day sworn surveyor of
all the wyehts and mesures within the citty and county
and that he is to have his instructions from the mayor
and aldermen, and a warrant for his place and what fees
he is to receive.
March 14. At a meeting of the mayor, aldermen and
justices, it was resolved that an address should be drawn
up and delivered to the representatives, on the state and
condition of the city and county, that they may present the
same to the governor and council in the general assembly.
Op heydenden 14 d Maert, geaccordeert met de aldermans
voort Court t hebben voort gebruijk van d Reders van d
Twee Bergatijns die t somor sail getimmert worden, waar-
voor zij betaelen moeten 8 ps van 8.
April 21. Whereas on y e 10th of March last a prohibi-
tion was proclaimed by us, y l no merch 1 or any persons
within this citty should transp 1 any corn or any sort of
grains untill further order from his excel., we doe there-
fore prohibite by order of his excel. B. Fletcher, Cap 1 .
Gen. & Gov. in cheiffe, &c., y l no merch 1 or other persons
whatever within y 6 citty shall transp 1 any sort of grains
downe Hudson's river, either in sloop, vessel or boat, till
such time wee receive his excel, will & pleasure thereon.
May 19. Hend. Vandyk of y e citty of Albany appears
before this court in behalfe of Allida Schuyler, widow of
Pr. Davidsse Schuyler, deceased, with the following re-
quest, that whereas her late husband Pr. Davidsse Schuy-
ler, being suddenly taken out of this world without mak-
ing any will or testament, doth therefore humbly desyre
of the court that they may appoynte Abraham and David
Schuyler as oversiers and tutors over her said husband's
children, whilst they are in there minority, and your pet'r
shall forever pray. Was signed, ALIDA SCHUYLER.
The court grants the afores d request, and appointeth
and authoriseth y 6 said Abraham and David Schuyler
oversiers and tutors over said children of y e deceased.
June 16. Whereas complains are made by y 6 sheriffe
of y 6 citty of Albany that severall inhabitants do not ob-
2
14 Albany City Records.
serve y e former orders, dated y 6 13th day of August, 1689,
but doe take y e freedom to fetch Indians with there packs
into there houses, which is to y e great disturbance of his
Maj's peace, Wee doe therefore in his Maj's King William's
name, publish and declare y 1 no person or persons what-
soever, within this citty, shall upon y e arrival of any In-
dian or Indians, adresse themselfs to speake to them of
and concerning trade, nor shall entice them either within
or without y 6 gates of y 6 said citty by signs or otherwise,
howsoever, to trade with themselfs or any other persons,
upon payn and penalty of paying for each offence, if com-
mitted without y e gates of y 6 s d citty, y e somme of thirty
shillings ; if within y 6 same, y e somme of six shillings only,
which fine is to be for y 6 behoofe of such persons as shall
[sue] for y e same.
That no person or persons whatsoever within y 6 citty
shall presume to fetch any Indian or Indians into thare
houses with pack or packs of bever or peltry, and to trade
them, upon penalty of paying as a fine for each offence,
thirty shillings, and y e Indian or Indians with said packs
immediately to depart out of y e house without trading
directly or indirectly.
That no person or persons whatsoever within this citty
shall send out or make use of any breakers, whether
Christians or Indians, in y e management of y e Indian
trade, upon pain and penalty of paying as a fine for each
offence, y e somme of thirty shillings, one moyety thereof
for y e use of y 6 mayor, aldermen and commonalty of y e
s d citty, and y oyr moyety to such person as shall sue for
y e same.
That no person or persons whatsoever within this citty
doe presume to trade or traffique with or by any means
whatsoever, directly or indirectly entice any Indians so to
doe upon y 6 sabbath day, upon pain and penalty of for-
feiting such goods so traded for as aforesaid, as also on
payn and penalty of paying as a fine for each offence y e
somme of forty shillings to y e use of such person as shall
sue for y e same.
Aug. 25. It is ordered that Billetts should be sett up at
y 6 church, y 1 all who have anything to pretend upon y 6 estate
The City Records. 15
of John Provost, y 1 they may give in there accts to Symon
Young, sheriffe, in y 6 space of 14 days ensuing this date.
Sept. 8. Harma Gansevoort vs. William Ketelleyn.
The partys being called up in court, y 6 def l did not ap-
pear; this being y e first time says to y e marchall y 1 he
was not lawfully summoned.
The sheriffe has brought in his return concerning y 6
order of Johannes Provost deceased, given him last court
day. The court order y 6 sheriffe to expose y e goods of y 6
deceased Provost upon Saturday next, at one of y e clocke
in y 6 afternoon, to publick sale, and to pay his debts so far
as it will goe.
Inventaris of y e goods of y e deceased Johannis Provost.
Rooseboom is paid for his fees by Cornells Steveson, y 1
there was a gunn left in pawn for fourteen shillings in
rume for the army, which y e sheriffe has redeemed and
taken in his custody, two old coats, a pr breeches, an old
broken axe, a leathern strap, to be exposed to sale as above.
Att a Meeting of y 6 Mayor, Aldermen & Assistants of
y 6 Citty and y e Justices of y e County of Albany, the
30th of Sept., 1696, who Represented as follows:
To his Excell. Benj. Fletcher, Capt. Genl & Governor in
Cheeffe of his Maj's Province of New Yorke & of all y 6
Territoryes & Tracts of Land depending thereon in
America, and Vice Admirall of y e Same, &c.
The humble addresse of y 6 Mayor, Aldermen & Assist-
ants of y e Citty and y 6 Justices of y e County of Albany,
who Represented y 6 State and Condition of y 6 Citty and
County aforesaid, humbly sheweth :
Imprimis, That since y 6 beginning of y 6 present warr
by y e dayly departing of y 6 inhabitants of y e Citty and
County, we are weakened about 250 men, and that y e pre-
sent garrison being 3 Comps. Red Coats doe weaken dayly
as well by desertion as oyrwise, so y 1 y e same with all y e
Recruits from y 6 Governm 1 , where severall of our Inhabit-
ants have Listed themselfs under can hardly make up two
hundred men, which is not sufficient for y e Defence of this
i'ronteer against y e Enemy,
16 The City Records.
2d. That wee can not Expect y e assistance from y e five
nations as formerly, since wee can Reckon that y 6 Prose-
lites alone have lost about 60 men in several Renconters,
besides y 6 Mohogs upper nations and River Indians, and
since the Last Invasion by y e french and there Indians in
onondage & oneyde, wee fear y l y e five nations will not be
so zealous for y 6 crowne of England & this Governm 1
against y 6 french our enemy as formerly.
3dly. That our Plantations round about y 6 towne can
not be farther improved without y 6 great danger of there
Lives, as it doth appear by y 6 barbarous murder and
skalping of severall People this summer in there Labour.
4thly. That by y 6 Examination of a french Prisoner
from Canada this Summer, who Reports y 1 there was Pre-
pared 500 pare of Snow Shoes for a Design this winter.
That by reason of y 6 above articles many families as
well from Shinnechtady as Albany are departed, and seve-
rall more are Preparing to Depart, which can not be oyr
wise but a fatal Consequence.
Wee doe therefore begg your Excell would be pleased to
take this adresse in his Serious Consideration and humbly
Pray y 1 wee may have y e favour of your Excell Presence
here this winter with sufficient strength as your Excell
shall think fitt, which will without Doubt be an occasion
for many Inhabitants to Continue and will Extreamly
.oblidge your Excell most humble and obed 1 Petrs to Pray
for Ever. [Was signed by the city and county officers.]
Att a Mayor's Court held at y 6 Citty Hall of Albany,
y 6 6th of October, 1696: Present the mayor, recorder
and three aldermen.
Whereas Hend. Lansing, attorney for Bay Croesveelt,
appears at y 6 barr and demands y e somme of 24 ps. of 8
at 6s. for y e hyre of his house where Capt. Hyde lodges in,
for a year fromy e 25th June, 1695 to y 6 25 do, 1696, being
hyred by Major Schuyler, y e Court doth therefore appoint
Jan Lansing and Hend. Hanse, aldermen, and Joh. D
Wandelaer and Eghb 1 Tunise, who shall make Enquire
upon what condition y e housen are hyred for y e officers,
& upon how y 6 s d officers are quartered, & make there
return y 6 13th of October, 1696, to y 6 Mayor.
The City Records. 17
Whereas Symon Young, sheriffe of y e Citty of Albany,
appears and saith that on y e 6th of February 1696. Mr.
Dirk Wessels, Capt. Gerrit Teunise Hend. van Ren-
selaer did inquire of him what Provisions he would Pro-
vided for y 6 maintenance of y e Child of Aryaentie Van-
derheyden, who Declares y l he is y e father thereof, & y l
he had answered if it is his Child why was it not send
home where it should never have wanted Bread. Doth
therefore humbly desyre of y 6 mayor & aldermen that y 6
Child may be sent home to him.
Albany, 14th of October, 1696. Ordered by y e mayor
to Record y e answer of Aryaentie Vanderheyden, who says
y l she will never give her Child to Simon Young.
Robert Sanders of y e Citty of Albany, aged about 54
years, doth declare upon oath y l about 14 years agoe he
y e said Deponent had bought for him and his neighbours
dwelling in y e Parrell street, from Harma Bastianse of y 1
Citty Deceased, a Certain Priviledge for a Water Runn
through y 6 s d Bastianses Lott of grounde for ever, situate
lying and being in y 6 said street along y e side of his house
to make a well in said street, for the quantity of six Bevers
by condition y 1 y e said Harma Bastianse was not to build
upon said grounde where y e Runne Lyes, and further saith
not.
This above deposition given before me upon oath y 6
10th day of October, 1696. EVERT BANKER, Mayor.
Claes Jacobse of y e Citty of Albany aged about 72 years,
doth declare upon oath that about 14 years agoe Robert
Sanders of y e said Citty had bought a Certain Priviledge
in behalfe of y e Rest of his neighbours dwelling in Parrell
street, from Harma Bastiaense of y e said Citty, deceased,
for a water Runn to r 6 well in y e aforesaid street, through
y 6 said Bastiaenses grounde for ever, scituate, lying and
being in y e said street on y e north side, and y 1 he y e said
Deponent did contribute for y e payment thereof, but upon
Condition y 1 y 6 said Harma Bastiaense was not to build
upon the said water Runn ; further saith not.
This above Deposition given before me upon oath y e
10th of October, 1696. EVERT BANKER, Mayor,
1$ The City Records.
Albany, y e 14 1 October, 1696.
This day being appointed by y e Charter of y e Citty for
y e aldermen of y e respective wards to bring there Returns
of y 6 aldermen chosen for y 6 ensuing year, which were :
1st Ward. Joh. Schuyler, Hend. van Renselaer, alder-
men; Ben. v. Corlaer, Joh. d Wandelaer, assistants; An-
thony van Skaik, Jacobus Turke, assessors; Wm Hogen,
constable.
2d Ward. Jan Lansing, Jan Vinhagen, aldermen ; Jo-
hannes Roseboom, Evert Wendell, assistants ; Jan Nack,
Gerrit Roseboom, assessors; Hend. Roseboom, constable.
3d Ward. Albert Ryckman, Hend. Hanse, aldermen;
Johannes Thomase, Eghb 1 Teunise, assistance; Harp 1 Ja-
cobse, Gerrit v. Ness, assessors ; Gerrit Ryckse, constable.
Anthony Bries, high constable ; Jan Becker, treasurer.
Return from Jan Lansing, Hend. Hanse, Joh. d Wan-
delaer, Eghb 1 Teunise, as follows:
Wy ondergesz hebben volgens d order van d mayer &
aldermans gegeven, de 6 Oct. 1696, nawelijks ondersoght
& kennen niet anders levinden als dat d stadt daer niet
mede t doen heeft, maer komt ten laste van diegene daer
d voorsz Capt. Hyde op gequaertert is dit zijnde ons Re-
pert, dat wy doen aen d. agh 1 bawe mayer & aldermens
aldus getekent in Albany de 13 October, 1696.
Att a Common Councill held y 6 24th of Nov., 1696.
Whereas it is concluded by y 6 mayor, aldermen & assist-
ants, y 1 a warrant shall be issued to y e assessors y 1 they
may Emmediately beginn and make there assessm 1 upon y e
Inhabitants for three hundred lood of fyre wood for y e
guards & deliver over y e same in y 6 space of three days
ensuing this date, to Mr. Mayor.
Att a meeting of y 6 Mayor & aldermen of y 6 Citty, and
ye Justices of y e County of Albany, Dec. 7th, 1696.
It is resolved by y e authority aforesaid to Present to
his Excell. Benj. Fletcher, Cap 1 Gen. & Gov. in Cheffe &c.
Two good and sufficient horses, & a Slee, & all thereunto
belonging, & with some Provendure for s d horses.
The City Records. 19
The Justices of y e Citty & County, after that they had
vizited y e Cittys arrearages are greed have concluded and
made a Promise to Contribute thereunto from y 6 14th of
October 96 to ditto October 1697 as follows, viz 1 .
Katskill by Gerrit Teunise, 14.
Kelliaen Van Rensselaer, - - 10.
Schinnechtady by Joh. Sanders, - - -12.
Kinderhoek by Pr. Vosburgh, 15.
51.
For James Parker, marshall: Catskill contributed 12s,
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, 12s; Schenectady, 15s; Kinder-
hook, 15s ; Total 2, 14s.
It is also Resolved and agreed by y 6 Justices aforesaid,
yt none of y 6 following wood directly or indirectly must
be Ride for y e guards, viz 1 , no watte Pyn wood, willige
oly noote, nor Linde wood. And y l a man shall be ap-
pointed upon oath, to few all y e slees before they are on-
loaden at y 6 guard house, & whosoever onloads his slee at
y e guarde before it is fewed shall not be Reckoned as a
lood; which man appointed shall be paid by y e Citty and
County for his duty.
It is likewise agreed y 1 ye County Justices shall Ride y e
following loads of wood with two horses for y e guards :
The Patroon Van Rensselaer, 160 load.
Gerrit Teunise, - -120
Pr. Vosburgh, .... 140
which is to be Ride between this and y e 15th of January
next ensuing.
Att a Court of Mayor and Aldermen, Dec. 15, 1696.
Hend Van Dyk & Joh. Bleeker Jun., appears & makes
there complaint against Jacobus Turke for keeping y e
Chain and Bucketts belonging to y e well upon y e hill, doth
therefore Pray y* y 6 Mayor and aldermen would be pleased
to charge y 6 s d Jacobus Turke to restore y 6 s d Chain and
bucketts. Whereupon y 6 mayor and aldermen have con-
sidered and doe order emmediately that y e chain and buck-
etts shall be returned, and hung up iny e well as formerly.
Mayor's Court, Dec. 29. Whereas Diverse Persones
with y e citty of Albany and y e village of Shennechtady doe
20 The City Records.
buy y e Indian's Corn from y e Mohog Indians and y e other
upper nations, to y e dammage of y e Place and great charge
to y e Province, wee doe therefore hereby Prohibite and
Discharge all Inhabitants within this citty and y e village
of Shinnechtady and other Persons whatsoever riot to
buy any Corn from y 6 said Indians Directly or Indirectly.
Hend. Van Dyk appears and makes application that he
hath engaged himself in a certain obligation to Mrs. Brad-
shaw his mother in law for a bedd which is now in pos-
session of y 6 officers in y 6 fronteer, doe therefore Pray y l
y 6 Court will consider y e matter, & y l it may be returned
back to y e owner. The honl. Court makes answer y 1 it
shall be given back.
It is thought Requisite & Convenient that the fyre mas-
ters, Melg 1 Wynantse, Gerrit Lansing, & Barent Bratt,
shall forthwith, with y e assistance of y 6 high constable &
his Deputyes goe round throughout y e Citty, and vizite
y e Chimneys, and to take speciall care to see them clain,
and y 1 no fyre be kept near any straw, hay or y e like, as
also to search for y 6 fyre leathes, hooks and bucketts, and
have them in repare and ready upon occasion ; which they
are in no ways to omitt, as they will answer upon there
Peril!.
It is also thought Convenient y 1 a warrant be issued to
y 6 Sheriffe to order y 6 Constables in each Warde to take
there turnes one after another, in attending att y e Church
and to hinder such children and others as doth Profane
y 6 Sabbath day, and further to search in all taverens or
tippling houses within ye citty, that no Drink be sold to
any Person or Persones upon y e Lord's Day, upon Pain
and Penalty of forfeiting y 6 summe of one half for
Att a Meeting of y e Recorder and Aldermen in y e Citty
Hall of Albany, y 6 19th of February, 169^.
It is thought Convenient and Requisite y 1 warrants shall
be issued to y 6 Constables within y e Citty that they em-
mediately goe each in his respective warde and warn y e
Inhabitants therein to Ride there arrearages of fyre wood
to y e appointed guards according to y e late assessments,
between y 6 date hereof and y 6 20th of February, and who-
The City Records. 21
soever doth neglect to bring such arrearages as he is be-
hinde hand shall forfeitt a lood of wood, and ISd in money,
one 9d to ye constable that strain, and y e oyr to James
Parker and y e Carman that Rides y e wood.
Mayor's Court, Feb. 23. Daniel Vanolinda doth appear
here at y e barr and desyres of y e honorable Court y l an
order may be given that his wife Elisabeth, doghter of
Marte Cregier may be ordered to goe and Live with him
where he thinks convenient, since she is his Law full wife,
and that her father Marte Cregier may be discharged to
give her any house room or shelter.
Whereupon y 6 Court doth order y l y e s d Elisabeth his
wife shall goe and live with him as afores d , and y l Dis-
charge her father Marte Cregier to shelter her in his house
or elsewhere upon Penalty as he will answer upon his
Perill.
Att a Meeting of Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty in
y c Citty hall of Albany, y e 30th March, 1697.
Hend. v. Dyk informs y e Court of an account that Mrs.
Bradshaw Lays to his charge for bedding and bolsters
which y 6 Citty have had in ther Custody for y e officers
use, to y 6 Summe of Eleven Pounds, which summe wee
think unreasonable, wee doe therefore appoint you Jacobus
Turk & Joh. Beekman, to goe and vizite y" said bedde &c.
by Mrs. Bradshaws, and value y e same to y e best of your
knowledge & understanding what she ought to have for
y 6 hire of y e same.
It is Resolved by y 6 mayor, aldermen and commonality
that a tax shall be layd upon all freeholders within y 6
Citty of Albany, amounting to y e summe of fifty Pounds,
and y 1 warrants be issued out to y 6 assessors to make there
assessment before y e first day of May next ensueing, and
to deliver y 6 same to y e mayor.
A payment was ordered to be made to Dirk Wessels of
moneys expended by him for city purposes as mayor.
Att a Mayor's Court held in y 6 Citty hall of Albany y 6
6th of April, 1697.
Annetie widow of Lambert V. Volkenburg, doth this
22 The City Records.
day give in a request desyreing of y 6 worshipfull Court,
since that her conveyance is lost in ye year 1666 by y e
high water, to have a new conveyance for her s d Lott
to y e Behooffe off herself and children. Whereupon y e
worshipfull Court shall order that y 6 Records shall be
look over in y e year 64, if any thing concerning her Lott
can be found.
Mayor's Court, May 4, 1697. Whereas y e Sheriffe In-
formes y 6 honorable Court that many complaints are made
that \ e Indian house on j^ hill is broake down & destroyd
its therefore allowed on by y e mayor & aldermen that y 6
Traders may Rebuild s d house at there owne Charges, on
y e Place where it last stood.
May 18th. John Car deposed that he had twenty-six
pieces of eight left by an absconded soldier, which it was
thought had been stolen by the solder, Peter John Dross.
Whereas the sheriffe the last Court Day gave in the
complaint to the Court that the Indian house upon the Hill
is pluss down, and ordered the sheriffe to goe throw the
handlers and require them to rebuild the house, which hee
hath done, and as the handlers* refused it, and to be built
in the same place.
The mayor and aldermen have in obedience to ane order
from his Excel, bearing date the 3d May, 1697, to nomber
what nomber of men and servunts whyte and Black is
within the Province and what is removed, as also the
noumber of the 5 Nations and River Indians, have re-
ferred it to severall committees who are to give a report
in eight days time.
Ordered, Jan Janse Bleeker, John Lansing, Albert Ryk-
man, John Vinhagen, aldermen, to take an exact account
of the Citty and County of Albany, (Skennectedy except-
ed), what Inhabitants and residents thar is in the Citty
and County, and how many are gon out of the County,
and how many are taken prisoners to Canada, and how
many killed, and how many remanes.
Ordered, Johannis Schuyler, Hendrik Hanse, Egbert
Teunise, to take Inspection of the River and Skackkoo In-
* Handelaar, trader, The record under this day is in a'different
hand writing,
The City Records. 23
dians, what nomber they were at the beginning of the warr
and how many they are now, and make thar report to us
in 8 days time.
Ordered, Johannes Rosboom, Evert Wendel, Johannis
Bleeker, and Abraham Schuyler shall take Inspection of
the 5 Nations Indians, how many they were at the be-
ginning of the warr, and how many they are now remain-
ing, and to make report to us, and bring thar names.
Ordered, Killian Vanrenslaer and Benony Van Corlaer,
Johannis Dewandelaer & Johannis Mingal to take In-
spection of what servants whites and blacks were at the
beginning of the warr, and what now remane, and to sett
thar names on roll, in the Citty and County, Skennectady
excepted.
By the Court has ordered that orders shall be sent to
Skennectedy'to Sanders Gleen, Adam Vrooman, Daniel
Jahnson, Isack Switsh & Barent Wemps, shall take an
account of all the people from 16 to 80 years of age, how
many they were before the warr, and how many killed,
and how many are removed, and how many they are now,
and return the account to us in eight days, comprehend-
ing thar servants and Negers.
Att a Common Councill held in y 6 Citty Hall of Albany
the* 17th day of July, 1697.
Whereas the house of Pr. Verbrugh was last winter in
hyre for his Excell. Benj. Fletcher's Lodging for four
months from Nov. 1696 to March 1697, for which he was
Defrayd from all Charges as keeping of Souldiers, fyre
wood for y e guards, and other Citty charges, and moreover
proffered to y 6 s d Pr. Verbrugh for s d hyre y 6 summe of
five pounds eight shillings Currant money, but not Ex-
cepted by him, who Demands 7 2s. for s d time.
It is Concluded by y 6 mayor, aldermen and common
councill that y e eighty seven pounds two shillings due to
y 6 Citty of Albany out of y* additional duty when received
shall be distributed to y 6 following persons, viz 1 :
Maj. D. Wessels, - 25
Mr. Levinus V. Skaik, - 25
Joh. Abeel, - - - - 25
James Parker, 12 2 87 2
24 The City Records.
Wherefore assignations are drawn upon Mr. Abeel, Maj.
Wessels, Mr. Killiene v. Rensselaer, & Mr. Job. Cuyler,
dated y 6 7th of July, 1697.
An assignation drawne to Mr. Bleeker to be paid out of
y 6 Citty Tax, to
Antho. v. Shaik, - - /144:3J
Bay Croevelt, - - - - 186:0
J. Vinhagen, - - 100 :
Jacob Meese & Wouter Utthoft, 79 : 16
Antho. Coster, 100:
voor Mr. Becker, - - 300 :
Antho. Bries, - 5T:
Job. Mingael, - 59:
Mrs. Bradshaw, - - - 72 :
Hend. Beekman, 43:16
Hend. Marcelis, - - 37 : 10
Alb 1 Ryckman, - 40:
/ 1209: 05 J
An assignation to Killiaen Van Rensselaer for Job.
Becker Jun. out of y e Colony tax, /140: 10 z.
It is Concluded by y 6 Mayor, Aldermen and Common
councill that Concerning y e house hyred of Bay groesvelt,
that y 6 Citty shall Pay for one year, being 5, and that
the other year doth lay to Mr. Livingston's charges.
Whereas Mr. Leeft. Oliver doth make his addresse to
the Court for bedding, since he complains that he is in
great necessity for want thereof, y e gentn of y 6 Court can
not fynde that that they are obliged to furnish such sup-
plies, but in consideration of his Civility, doe give as a,
gift y 6 summe of five pieces of eight.
The house of John Vinhagen hyred for y 6 Citty fromy 6
fifth of July 97 to y 6 5th of July 1698, for 3 18s. the
house of Joh. Roseboom hyred for y e Citty for Capt. Hyde
from y 6 15 of June 1697 to y* 15th of June 1698, for 5
8s. the house of John Lansing from primo May 1697 t<
primo May, 1698 for 5 8s.
The City Records. 25
August 6, 1697. Whereas Martin Cregier of this Citty
of Albany, Merch 1 , hath by his Certaine false allegations
made to his Excel. Col. Benj. Fletcher, &c., That hee and his
Predecessor, John Verbeek has been Possessed upwards
of Twenty Six years of a Certaine Lott of grounde Lying
within y 6 said Citty of Albany to y e east of Pearle Street,
to y 6 south y e highway to y e north anoyr Lott of y* said
Martin Cregier, to y e west by a small Laine, containing
in front and rear five Rod or sixty foot, and in Lenth on
both Sydes Twenty Rod or Two hundred and forty foot,
English measure, Obtained a Patent for y e same dated in
N. York y 6 24th day of June 1697, whereby y e said Martin
Cregier doth now make pretence upon an other Lott of
grounde on y e north syde of his house standing on y e Pearle
Street lately Sold to John Cuyler.
Wee y e Mayor, Aldermen & Commonality have exa-
mined y 6 said Jan Verbeek, what Right, title or Pretence
he had sold to y e said Martin Cregier in y 6 said Lott, who
Positively denyes to have Sold or Transported as afore-
mentioned, but for more satisfaction y e said John Verbeek
was taken with a Justice of y 6 Peace and Peter van Wag-
lum, David Schuyler & Geart Hendrikse as witnesses to y 6
said ground, and there gave y e following declaration:
John Verbeek of y 6 Citty of Albany, Yeoman, aged about
eighty five years, declares upon oath before me y 1 upon y 6
twenty seventh of May 1687, in Albany, he sold unto
Martin Cregier of y e said Citty all y e Right and Pretences
hee had in a certaine Peece of grounde lying and being in
y 6 Citty of Albany, so as y e same was graunted to him by
y 6 Authority of Albany on y 6 tenth of May 1671, haveing
Eastwarde on y e front a Lane, on y e south syde a Lott of
grounde belonging to y e said Martin Cregier, on y 6 north
y 6 high way, Runns back from y e northeast end southwest
into about y e middle of y 6 said Lott of Martin Cregier, and
saith further that he was intend to build upon said Peece
of ground had he not been afterwards hindered by y e au^
thority aforesaid, and further saith not.
K. V. RENSSELAER, Justice.
After y 6 Examination of all Writeings & Evidences re*
lateing to y 6 aforesaid Lott of ground Pretended by the sayd
3
26 The City Records.
Martin Cregier, on y 6 north side of his houses aforesaid.
It is Our Opinion that y e said Martin Cregier hitherto
hath no Right or title as he Pretends : Soe therefore the
said Martin Cregier, his heirs, executors or assigns what-
soever, are hereby strictly warned & forbidden now and
hereafter, not to medle or make with y e said Lott of
ground pretended as afores d .
Att a Meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen & Commonality
y e 5th of Aug. 1697.
Copy van d Extrait waerop Marte Cregier zyn grant briffe
geobtendert heeft van d Gov. Benj. fletcher, &c., ge-
datteert op den 24 Junij, 1697, viz 1 as volg 1 .
Geextrageert uijt het Register boek der Resolutie van
Albany, Colonij Rensselaerswijk & Schennechtadij, den
10 d May, 1671.
Haer Ed. van den gerechten neergelesen hebbend seeker
Request waerinne dat geappostilleert staet, dat aen Hans
Carels Suppet een huijse vergunt wordt om in t woonen
(ad die Vite) met een Clausele van t Selve te onderhouden
met behoorlyke Reparatie d welke hij niet & heeft gedaen
maer ter contrarij enigh Eijserwerk daervan gehaelt ende
andere verkoght ; soe wort hy daervan gesuspendeert
ende t selve aen Jan Verbeek vergunt volgens ordree van
den Ed. Recht. achb. heer generall van N. Yorke. Actum
ter vegadering van d achb. heeren d Lavall & den Com-
misserissen In Albany den 10 d meij, 1671.
was Collat by mij LODWICUS COBES, Secre. '
Ick ondergesz Mr. Johannes Verbeek bekenne verkoght
te hebben aen Marte Cregier Jun. alle myn Actie & Pre-
tentie van t Erff myn heeft toe behoorende leggen naest
het huijs daer tegenwoordigh Jeronimus Wendel in woont
waervoor ick bekenne voldaen en betverte zijn van alle
het gene mijn heeft toe behoort volgdns het gene hier in
dit omme staende gesz : staet en dat in presentie van den
ondergesz : getuijge. was signed, JAN VERBEEK.
The purport of the above is, that Martin Cregier having complained
to the governor and council at New York that his tenant Hans Carells
had not only failed in his agreement to keep the house in repair, but
had sold some of the iron work belonging to it, thereupon the court
annulled the lease. Jan Verbeek testified that he had sold to Martin
Cregier all his right and title in the premises.
The City Records. 27
Albany y e 22 d Sept. 1697, in y 6 Citty Hall: Present,
Jan Janse Bleeker, Recorder, Alb 1 Ryckman, Justice.
Whereas Pr. Winne, Deceased, of y e manner of Rense-
laerswyk, in y e County of Albany, by his last will and tes-
tament dated y 6 day of Desyred y l his Estate of
Lands, houses, Barns, Berghs, &c., should be apprized by
indifferent good men, and whereas upon y e 23d Aug. 1697
Levinus Winne & Casper Leendertz Conyn ad rs of y e one
part, and Mr. Killiaen van Rensselaer Lord of y 6 manner
aforesaid of y e other syde as tutor for Daniel Winne,
youngest sonne & heir of y 6 aforesaid Pr. Winne Deceased,
made there Request to y 6 mayor of y e Citty of Albany,
aforesaid, y 1 indifferent persons might be appointed to
aprize y 6 aforesaid Estate upon oath, whereupon y 6 mayor
aforesaid did appoint Luykase Gerritz, Pr. Verbrugh, An-
tho. Bratt, Ja. Lookermans, & Gerrit Van Ness, who this
day have taken oath to make a true apprizement of all y 6
Lands, Mills, houses, Barns, Berghs, &c., belonging to y e
said Pr. Winne Deceased, according to y e best of there
knowledge and understanding. Who after they made
calkelation of y e aforesaid Estate of Pr. Winne Deceased,
gives in a Return and have apprized his said Estate viz 1 ,
his half Island, y e Saw mill and what thereunto is belong-
ing, the barn, house or hoftstede, fence, Iron worke, Plow
Egge & oyr small Iron work, &c., to y 6 value of y e summe
of Eight hundred and sixty Peeces of Eight, at six shil-
lings Currant Money of New Yorke. Given under there
'hands and Seales y 6 date aforesaid.
Albany, 14th of October, 1697.
This day being appointed by y 6 Charter of y 6 Citty for
y 6 aldermen of y 6 Respective wards to bring there Returns
of y 6 aldermen Chosen for y e Ensuing year, which are,
First Warde. Johannes Schtiyler, Hend. van Renselaer,
aldermen; Bennony van Corlaer, David Schuyler, assist-
ants ; Hend. van Dyk, Antho. van Shaik, assessors ; Ja-
cobus Turke, constable.
Second Warde. Jan Lansing, Jan van Hagen, alder-
men; John Bleeker Jim., Evert Wendel Jun., assistants;
Gerrit Roseboom, Pr. Mingael, assessors; Joh. Harmanse,
constable.
28 The City Records.
Third Warde. Hend. Hanse, Wessel ten Broek, alder-
men ; Job. Mingael, Egb 1 Teunise, assistants ; Harp 1 Ja-
cobse, Gerrit van Ness, assessors ; Jacobus Scbuyler, con-
stable.
William Hogen, high constable; John Becker, treasurer.
All sworne.
Att a Mayor's Court, held at y e Citty Hall of Albany,
ye 9th day of Nov., 1697,
Jacobus Turke vs. Alida Schuyler. The plaintiff de-
mands y e summe of one Pound seven shillings, with 28|lbs
Bever a 10s. per Ib.
The Court is of opinion that no Judgem 1 kan be given
ag l def 1 , since they fynde y l she doth not lawfully admin-
ister her husband's Estate, and Declares that she hath no
movable goods of his, doth therefore Desyre y l the Plantiv
to have patience till such time y l her Eldest sonne hath
his age, and for more satisfaction to y 6 PI. y e oversiers of
y 6 Defts Children being Abraham & David Schuyler, who
doe Personally, appear, and Promise y 1 when ever y e Defts
Eldest Sonne hath his age, y l they Engage to see y e PI.
duely & honestly Paid, & y l y 6 Plaintive shall be consid-
ered for y 6 time he hath been out of his money, to which
y 6 Plentive doth consent.
Patrick Macgregorij doth Desyre to know from what is
Due from y 6 Citty to his father in law, Hend, Marselis
Deceased, and further y 1 he may be permitted to enter
into y 1 service which his father in law subdued, which y a
Court say they will take into consideration.
Att a Common Councill held in y 6 Citty hall of Albany
y 6 9th of Nov. 1697.
Whereas it is concluded by y e Mayor, Aldermen & Com-
monality that a warrant be issued to y e assessors Ernme-
diately to make there assessm 1 upon y e Inhabitants of y e
Citty for three hundred load of fyre wood for y c suppley
of y e guards, in y 6 space of three days ensuing this date,
and to be delivered to Mr. Mayor.
November 23. Whereas it is by the Mayor, Aldermen
and Commonalty concluded, who have appointed John
The City Records. 29
Ratecliffe as Citty Porter, instead of Hend. Marselis De-
ceased, that is upon all occasionable times to open and shutt
y e gates of this Citty, especially in y e mornings and in y 6
evenings at y e appointed time, as also to attend the Church
Ringing of y e bell on all occasions, for which he is to re-
ceive yearly eight and twenty Pieces of Eight, at six
shillings, and to be'paid quarterly, moreover he y e s d John
Ratecliffe is to attend y e Burger Guards, to keep them
clain, and to ma*ke every evening a fyre, wherefore he is
to receive Three Pence per Diem, who hath made oath to
be true.
It is also Concluded, and y e following Persones Ap-
pointed for a Committee being Johannes Schuyler, Jan
Lansing & Wessell ten Brook aldermen, Bennony V. Cor-
laer, Evert Wendel & Eghb 1 Teunise, assistants, to In-
spect y e books & accounts belonging to y 6 Citty & County
of Albany, which are now in hands of William Hogen,
and y l warning be given to sd Hogen to have s d books &
accounts ready in order to be delivered over, and that y 6
Committee shall make there Report next Court day, and
that Anthony Bratt Treasurer shall attend s d Committee,
and receive all y e bookes and accounts relating to this
Citty & County from William Hogen, who this Day hath
made oath.
Whereas Pr. Verbrugh, eldest sonne of Joh. Verbrugh,
Deceased, appears and makes Pretence to four Lotts of
Grounde Lyeing on Plain, now in possession of Coll. Pr.
Schuyler, Jan Janse Bleeker, Albert Rykman & Phillip
Freest, by a Patent of his father aforesaid, dated y e 10th
of July, 1667, which he this Day doth Transport Convey
and make over to y 6 mayor, aldermen & commonality all
his right, title and interest thereunto for summe certain
consideration.
Att a Mayor's Court held in y e Citty hall of Albany,
y 6 7th of Dec. 1697.
Hend. Hanse petitioned that " Two Sufficient Persons
may be appointed to Inspect his father's Bookes, which
are in his hands, in what Posture they stand." Jan Janse
Bleeker and Hendrik van Renselaer were appointed.
30 The City Records.
The committee appointed to inspect the city accounts
obtained an extension of time to report.
December 21. The Retailing of Strong Liquor to y 6
Indians forbidden for one month Ensueing y e Date, upon
y 6 Penalty of forty shillings.
Dec, 22. It is Proclaimed y l all Persons who Enter in
y 6 gates of y e Citty with slees & horses, horseback and
oyrwise, shall not ride faster than foot tapp throughout
y e streets upon Penalty of three shillings for each offence.
The Justices of y 6 Citty and County after they have
vizited y e Citty's arrearages are aggreed and concluded,
and doe Promise and Contribute thereunto from y e 14th
of October 1696 to y e 14th of October 1697, as follows:
Capt. Gerrit Teunise for Catskill, - 22
Mr. Hend. van Rensselaer for Colony, 10
Pr. Vosburgh for Kinderhoek, - - - -21
Johannes Glenn for Shennechtady, - - 11
64
It likewise aggreed to y 6 following wood to ride between
this and y 6 15 January, 179:
Patroon van Rensselaer, 160 for James Parker, 0: 12s
Capt. Gerrit Teunise, 120 idem, - - 12
Pr. Vosburgh, - . 140 " 12
Shennechtady, - 12
420 The City,- - 1 : 10
3: 18s
Att a meeting of y 6 Common Councill y 6 22 d Jan. 169|.
It is thought convenient by y 6 News of y e Peace that
one or two houses be made upon y 6 hill, for y 6 Indians, as
formerly, and Care shall be taken for to have y e Materi-
alls ready to build in y 6 Spring by all y e Traders who doe
any wise Pretend to y e same.
January 26. Whereas wee are informed y 1 Judge W.
Pynehoorn, Coll. Pr. Schuyler, D e G. Dellius, Mayor D.
Wessels, & C. Ev* Banker, have obtained from his Excell.
Coll. B. Fletcher, &c., a Certain Patent for y e Mohoggs
The City Records. 31
Country, one of y 6 five Nations, which y 6 Commonality
takes as a great Prejudice to y e Citty and County. Upon
which y e Common Council Desyred y e Recorder y l a gene-
rall meeting should be held to have a right understanding
of y 6 matter, who acquainted y e Mayor therewith ; So y 6
Mayor appointed y e 28th of this Instant to hold a Com-
mon Council.
January 28. Whereas y 6 Commonality in generall are
sensible of y e Prejudice which y e Patent for y e Mohoggs
Country will come to, have therefore thought convenient
to Discourse y 6 matter with Coll. Pr. Schuyler, D. God.
Dellius, and Mr. Wessells, who are three of ye Parteners
in said Patent, to understand y 6 ground thereof; and to
endeavor to have y e said Patent Resigned to this Citty ;
whereupon y e aforesaid Pateners were sent for, but came
to no conclusion, upon which y 6 Commonality Desyred y e
mayor to appoint another day for them to convene, who
appointed the 4th of Feb., 169|.
February 4. Whereas y e Commonality for y e 3d time
doth Reply there grevance ags 1 y e Patent for y 6 Mohogs
Countrey to y 6 mayor, who is one of y e Patteners, where-
upon y e Mayor advised y 6 Recorder to appoint a commit-
tee to hold a conference with him and Col. Pr. Schuyler
and D. G. Dellius, who are likewise therein concerned,
who hath appointed Hend. van Rensselaer, Hend. Hanse,
aldermen, Joh. Bleeker & Eghb 1 Teunise, assistants, are
to returne a Report of there Proceedings.
February 7. Whereas y 6 Committee doe Returne that
since they were Impowered by y e Recorder and Common-
ality y 6 4th of February 169, to hold conference with y e
three Parteners concerned in y e Patent for y 6 Mohogs
Contrey and to Discourse y e same with them, though have
had no meetings with them, being y e mayor Returned them
on y 6 fifth instant, that Do. Gode. Dellius Reported y 1 he
would doe nothing concerning y e matter, but would first
acquaint Judge Pynehorn & Mr. Banker there Parteners,
at N. Yorke, and then he would Consider ; and y 1 Coll.
Schuyler Reported y 1 he thought that said Patent was as
safe in his hands as in y e Cittyes.
Upon y e Report of Coll. Peter Schuyler & Do. God.
32 The City Records.
Dellius, concerning y e Patent of y 6 Mohogs Countrey,
hath y e Recorder, Aldermen & Commonalty thought con-
venient and very requisite for y 6 benefite of this Citty to
appoint two men out of y 6 meeting, and have appointed
Alderman Hend. Hanse, and David Schuyler Assistant,
who shall goe to New Yorke from hence y e 15th day of
y 6 Instant, and to apply there greevance by an addresse
to his Excell. how Prejudiciall y e afores d Patent will be
to this Citty and County if it stands in force ; wherefore
they are allowed and shall receive each upon account of
y 6 Citty y 6 summe of six shillings per day upon their owne
charges, commencing y e aforesaid date till such time they
are cald home.
February 17. Whereas Wee y e Recorder. Aldermen &
Commonality of y e Citty of Albany are given to under-
stand that Coll. Pr. Schuyler, Dirk Wessels, William Pin-
home, D: God: Dellius & Evert Banker, have to themselfs
procured a Patent for y e Mohogs Lands (which wee doe
forsee will be the utter Ruine to the generall trade and
commerce of this Citty) Wee therefore Doe Constitute &
appoint Henry Hanse & David Schuyler our agents to goe
for Yorke, and Endeavor by y e most proper Meanes and
applications Possible a Redresse so Destructive to the
gennerall good of this Place, and whatsoever the said
Henry Hanse and David Schuyler shall act and doe in
this case, wee shall esteem it as done by ourselfs : given
under our hands in Albany y e 17th day of February 169|,
was signed by y 6 Recorder and all y e Aldermen and Com-
monality except H. V. R. and Wessel ten Broek.
It is concluded y 1 y e agents shall go to New Yorke from
hence y e 21st of y e Instant, from which time there Pay
Runns on.
April 11. At a meeting of the mayor, aldermen, jus-
tices of the peace and common council, it is resolved upon
thai the mayor and recorder shall at present make there
address to his Excellency my Lord Balimont, and in thar
name congratulate his happy arrival to the Government,
and because many of them are absent and wanting out of
the place, they will unanimously agree to congratulate
his Excell. in the best form they can by there address in
writing.
The City Recwds. 33
Resolved upon, whereas wee expect ane order for pro-
clamation of the peace, wee have ordered that it shall be
done with all the honor or respect wee can, the charges to
come upon the Citty and County, and in the mean time
all persons are to clean the streets from fire wood and
filth in the space of three days after the date hereof, under
the forfeiting of all the fire wood and three shillings fine.
It is likewise resolved upon that the Bonfire shall be made
being the king's Coronation day, near to the old Fort,
and in no other place.
May 7. The agents Hendrik Hanse alderman and Da-
vid Schuyler assistant, appointed for y e Representing y e
greevance of this Citty and Corporation unto y e Governor
and Councill in N. Yorke, having laid before y e Common
Councill y 6 Peticon they made to his Excell. Coll. Fletcher
y e late Govr. & Councill y e order thereupon as also y e
addresse and petition to his Excell. y e Earle of Bellomont
y 6 present governor, which was read and approved by y 6
whole board, and thereupon resolved that they will ef-
fectually Prosecute y e said affair until they have perfect
relieffe from y 6 violence and injury done them in taking
y 6 Maquase Land from y 6 Indians, in Prejudice of y e In-
dian Trade of y 6 said Citty, and doe hereby appoint Jan
Janse Bleeker, Recorder, and Rob 1 Livingstone, to attend
his Excel. & Council in y e Pursute of y e same & to procure
y 6 best Counsel they can have for there assistance, and y 6
charge that shall accrue thereupon shall be paid by y e
Treasurer of y e said Citty out of y 6 Publick Revenue of y 6
same.
May 9. The mayor did represent to y e Common Coun-
cill y 6 great trouble he dayly has in quartering y e Souldiers
y e People being so weary of them ; and therefore desyres
to know y e Common Councill's opinion whether it is not
better to let y e Souldiers Remain in there old quarters
till further orders, then to make a new quartering.
The Common Councill are of opinion y 1 y e Souldiers
remain in there old quarters till orders from my Lord Bel-
lomont, Gov. Gen., which is expected speedily.
Whereas it hath been resolved to Ride wood for y 6
building an Indian house upon the hills for y e accommo-
34 The City Records.
dation of y 6 Indians, ordered th at Capt. Johannes Bleeker,
Mynd 1 Schuyler, Job. Roseboom, & Abr. Cuyler, doe pro-
cure y e materials, cause y 6 same to be built, keep y 6 ac-
count thereof, and then make an assessment upon all those
y 1 make profession of Trade with y e Indians for y 6 same,
which y 6 Constable are ordered to levy upon Pain of dis-
tresse, & in Reguarde y 1 there will be some difficulty in
Pitching of y e Place where y 6 s d house shall stand, ordered
y 1 Mr. Hend. van Rensselaer, & Albert Ryckman, & Ben-
oni van Corlaer doe lay out y 6 grounde where y 6 s d houses
is to be sett.
The Common Councill have under there consideration
a Patent granted lately by y 6 late Gov. Coll. Fletcher, of
six miles square at Skakhook, wherein y e 50 acres belong-
ing to y 6 Citty by there charter is included and environed
whereby they not only are deprived of the Benefitte of y 6
land for Range for there catle, wood for fireing and build-
ing, but also will be prejudicial to y 6 trade of y 6 time if
any should setle there who will trade with y 6 Indians in
Reguarde y e s d place is Principally desyred by y 6 Citty for
y 6 settling of such nations of Indians as should desert
Canada or New England or other parts.
Upon y 6 which matter y e Councill did Propose to y' s d
Hend. van Rensselaer:
1. If he would Resign and Release his s d Patent for y e
behooffe of y 6 Citty they will give him 50 acres low land
in any part of his Patent with free outdrift for his catle,
fireing and timber, for his building and fireing if such a
quantity can be founde provided it is not neere to y e 500
acres belonging to y 6 Citty, and y 1 he doe not setle it be-
fore y 6 Citty setle theres.
2. Otherwise the Common Councill Propose to pay y e
s d Henry van Rensselaer his charges in procuring of y 6 s d
Patent and over and above a peece of Plate for his trouble.
3. Or, they also Proferr him 50 Ib in money for y e Re-
signation of his Patent Intirely.
Upon which y e s d Hendrik van Rensselaer did answer
y 6 Common Councill y 1 he would grant y e Citty forever
free grazeing for there cattle, free wood for building,
fencing and fireing, in any part of his said Patent, but y 6
The City Records. 35
soile he Reserved to himself, and y e settling upon any part
thereof at pleasure; but if they would have the Patent
intirely, he Expected y e some of one hundred pounds,
which y 6 s d Hend. Rensselaer desyred to be entered downe.
Upon which y 6 Common Councill Replyed y l in Reguard
he had taken y e whole into his Patent without purchasing
y e same of y e Indians, both y 1 which belongs to y 6 Citty
and y 1 without there bounds, if he would justify y e Indians
for y 6 whole, and give them an ample and legall convey-
ance of y 6 whole six mile square, they would give him one
hundred pounds.
Ordered, y 1 y e agents appointed for y 6 Prosecution of y 6
Businesse of y e Maquase Land, doe also endeavoure by all
lawfull means possible to procure y e vacating y 6 Patent of
Hend. van Rensselaer, lately granted him by y 6 late Gov.
Col. Fletcher, off land at Skackhoek, which is to y 6 ex-
tream dammage of y 6 Citty of Albany, in Reguarde y 6
500 acres graunted to y 6 Citty is principally for y e settle-
ment of Indians for trade, and if Private men shall setle
there then y 6 trade of y 6 Toune with those Indians is
Ruined.
Whereas diverse Persons have obtained a Patent of y e
late Gov. Coll. Fletcher, for y e Maquase country, to ye
great Prejudice of y 6 Indian trade of this Citty of Albany,
and although application hath been made in y 6 behalfe of
y 6 s d Citty to y 6 late Gov. for y e vacating y e same by
Hend. Hanse alderman, and David Schuyler assistant,
appointed for that purpose, there was not any redresse
upon which they did peticon & addresse his Excell. y 6 Earle
of Bellomont our present Gov. who is pleased to order a
hearing of y e said matter before himself and council of
this present May, and whereas Hend. van Rensselaer hath
also obtained another Patent of y e said late Gov. Coll.
Fletcher, for Land called Skackhoek, which is also verry
prejudiciall to y- interests of y 6 s d Citty, now wee Repos-
ing especial trust in y e integrity and fidelity of our well
beloved friends Joh. Janse Bleeker recorder of our s d Citty,
and Robert Livingston clerk of ye same, and have unani-
mously elected, authorised and impowered them to be our
agents in these affaires, and to attend his Excell. and
36 The City Records.
Council, in y^ prosecution and pursuit of y e same, and pro-
cure y e best councill they can have for there assistance,
certifying and declaring by these presents y l we will Rati-
fy, Confirm and allow such and all thing and things what-
soever our s d trusty and well beloved Jan Janse Bleeker
and Robert Livingston shall doe or cause to be done, in
and about y" premises, in as ample manner as we y 6 al-
dermen and commonality of y" s d Citty of Albany had been
there present in our own persons, and had done ye same.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and
sealed y e same with y e seale of our Citty this 10th day of
May, 1698, in y 6 6th year of his present mag's reign.
Att a Mayor's Court held in Albany May 10, 1698.
Alida wid of Pr.Davidse Schuyler agt. Dirk Alberse
Brat. Y e PI. demands of y e Def 1 in y e behalf of her moyr
widow Slechtenhorst of Sopus, y 6 some of 37 gilders in
bevers as per account, and shows an extract of her moyrs
Book sworne to by Jacob Rutse Justice of y 6 peace of
Kingstone. Y e Def 1 absent, but John Gilbert appears in
his behalf and says y 1 he has nothing to object against y 6
acc't but y 1 y e PI. gives credit only for 10 gl. 2. and a ps
of 8. The court grants judgment against Dirk Brat Al-
bertse and orders him to pay y e PL as atturney of her
moyr, y 6 some of 55s. 6d with costs of sute.
Hillebrant Lootman against Johannes Schuyler. This
was an action to recover 52 pieces of eight for cattle and
poultry sold the defendant, which the latter proved he had
paid to Peter Schuyler by plaintiff's order. Verdict for
defendant.
June 7. Johannis Cuyler against Martin Cregier. The
plaintiff and defendant being called up, the defendant ap-
peared by his wiffe, who declared that her husband was
sick in bed and could not come to the courtt, and desyred
the court to adjourne, and desires another court day,
which was granted to her, to appear the next court day.
June 21. Same parties. The Plentive produces in
Court a Contract dated in Albany y 6 10th day of May,
1697, whereby he bought of y 6 Defts there certain houses
and Lott of grounde, with all y 6 full Right of y 6 same, ac-
The City Records. 37
cording to y 6 Patents, scituate, lyeing and being here in
Albany towards the hills, on Parle street upon y e corner
where they at that time lived in, y e defts were bound to
make Deliverance and Legall Transport of y e Premises y 3
first of August then ensueing, whereupon y 6 plaintiff made
payment y 6 2d of August y e summe of three hundred and
fourty Peeces of Eight (being one hundred & two pounds)
Currant Money of this Province, at which same day y*
Defts delivered possession of y e corner house to Jillis
Fonda and Rachel his wife for account of y e plaintiff. The
4th of said month of August, y 6 defts being wholly moved
and then was further Possession of y 6 old house given to
the PI. with open doors, at which same time y e PI. with
Jillis Fonda aforesaid and Abraham Schuyler put in y e
fore Room divers Casks and some Planks, and in y e Room
behynde some Oak Timber. The 5th ditto y e PI. finding
y 6 said Old house possessed again by y e Defts, taken
by an usurped power in which they still continue. The
PI. therefore humbly desyres Judgm 1 of y 6 worshipfull
Court y 1 y 6 Defts may be ordered forthwith to make full
Performance and Legall Transport of said Premises ac-
cording to s d Contract dammage five hundred Pounds Cur-
rant Money aforesaid with Costs of Sute.
The Defts. saith y 1 y 6 Plentive has not performed his
paym 1 of y e Contract, and that they sent him a Transport
by two good men which y 6 Plentive Refused by reason it
was not sufficient, but afterwards y e Defendant confessed
y 1 he had received of y* Plentive y 6 payment which he
mentions in his Declaration.
The PI. acknowledges they sent him a transport, which
was produced and read in court, y 6 Plentive alledges that
y 6 same was not sufficient, because y 1 Jan van Eps and
Gerrit Banker and his wife have given no Transport yett
to Marte Cregier or his wife.
Whereupon y 6 following Petty Jury were called and
Oath given:
Alb 1 Ryckman, foreman Rutg Melgertz
Jan Nack Gerrit Lansing
Gerrit Luykasse Warner Carstense
Isaac Verplank Jonath Broadhurst
38 The City Records.
Antho Bries Antho Bries
William Hogen Pieter Mingael
The Jury Brings in there verdict y 1 y e Defendants shall
forthwith deliver y 6 PI. y 6 houses and Lott of grounde,
according to contract, and that the Plentive shall Pay no
Interest for y 6 Remainder of y e money untill the Defend-
ants shall deliver unto y 6 Plentive a Legall Transport.
The Court approves of y 6 verdict of y 6 Jury and gives
Judgment accordingly against y 6 Defendants with Costs of
Sute.
By the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonality of the Citty
of Albany.
A Proclamation.
Whereas wee are sencible of y 6 great Inconvenience
which y 6 selling and giveing of strong drink to y 6 Indians
will approach to at this present Juncture while his Excell
the Governour is expecting to make Proposition therewith
wee doe therefore hereby strikly JProhibite and forbid in
his maj es name, y 1 no Inhabitants of y 6 Citty and County
of Albany doe sell or give any Rom, Brandy, Strong Liquor
or Beer to any Indian or Indians, upon any pretence
whatsoever, upon y 6 Penalty of forfeiting five Pounds, but
always Provided that it shall and may be in the power of
y e mayor, aldermen and commonality of y e s d Citty if they
see cause to give any small quantity of Rom to any Sachems
who comes here about Publicke Bussinesse. Given in
Albany y 6 llth day of July, 1698.
Which Prohibition is to stand in force for y 6 space of
Eight days Ensuing this date. God save the king.
Att a Common Councill held in Albany y 6 2 d day of
August, 1698.
The Common Councill are unanimously of opinion to
address his Excell y e Earl of Bellomont on the following
heads :
1. To thank his Lordship for bringing y e joyfull news
of y e Peace.
2. To acquaint his Lordship y e great hardships this
poor Citty has labored under for these 9 years dreadful
PLAN OF ALBANY, 1695.
1. The Fort. I 7. Blockhouses.
2 Dutch Calvinist Church. Dr. Dellius 8. Stailt House.
p asl o r . 9. A great Gun to clear a gulley.
3. German Lutheran Church.
4. Tts burying place
5. Dutch Calviuist burying place.
10 Stockade.
11. City Gates, six in all.
The City Records. 39
and bloody warr, during which time they have not only
been at an Excessive Charge and Expense in quartering
y 6 officers and souldiers sent hither from time to time, but
have been obliged, for their own security, to fortify j*
toune twice with Pallesadoes, and build 5 blockhouses,
all at their own charge which hath so much impoverished
y 6 Inhabitants y l most have deserted.
3. That this Citty doth wholly rely and depend upon
y 6 Indian Trade, upon which account it was first settled,
and have obtained a Charter whereby y 6 sole trade with
y 6 Indians is confined within y e walls of s d Citty, doth
therefore humbly addresse his L d p to protect and defend
them in there Rights and Priviledges, and doe thank his
L d p for his gieat trouble and care in treating with y e 5
nations for y e Publike good and advantage to this Citty,
and doe further return there best thanks for y e good In-
structions j* L d p hes been pleased to give them, assuring
his L d p that they will not be wanting in useing there
utmost endeavours to unite all parties, and restore this
Citty to its privileges and rights ; that they will also ob-
serve all y 6 oyr articles mentioned in his L d ps instructions.
4. That they return there hearty thanks to his maj y for
his care in sending an Ingenier to Inspect into y 6 condition
of this poor fronteer, and in Reguard there is an old Rotten
wooden fort which is not fitt for y 6 Defence of y 6 Place if
warr should suddenly happen, doe humbly pray y 1 your
L d p would Represent unto his maj e or to y e assembly, y 1
a stone fort may be built for y e security of these fronteers
which will prevent y e Desertion of y 6 Inhabitants and
Incourage all people to stay and defend there lives and
fortunes.
5. They doe farther represent y 1 y 6 quartering of y 6
souldiers has been extreamly chargeable and troublesome
during y e late warr, and hope now in y e time of peace they
may be Relieved of y 1 trouble, doe therefore humbly pray
y 1 his Lordship would be pleased to order y 1 some con-
venient places may be allotted for y 6 quartering of y 6 offi-
cers and souldiers either in y e fort or by building Berghs
or fitting up y e Blockhouses, as his L d p shall in his great
wisdom think fitt.
40 The City Records.
Att a Mayors Courdt held in Albeaney y e 23 l day of
August, 1698: Present, Jan Janse Bleeker recorder,
Jan Lansing, Jan Vinhagell, Hend. Hanse, Wessell
Ten Broeke, aldermen.
John Gilberdt vs. Claes Luijkasse. The Plan 1 sayes
he hes fouynde y e Def 1 upon y e helles once or Tweyce for
to fetch y 6 Indians douyne and y e Def 1 and y e Plan 1 had
an agreemendt of 18 gillders for y e mis be havoyer.
The Plan 1 and y e Def 1 hes agreed, and the charges of y e
Courd comes upon y 6 Def 1 .
In Common Council, October. 14, 1698.
This day Henry Hanse is sworn mayor of the Citty,
and hes taken the oath given him by the Hon. Col. Pieter
Schuyler, one of his majesties Counsel.
The returns of the aldermen for there respective wards
for the choosing of new ones being made, and for the first
warde are chosen,
First Ward. Johannis Schuyler, Hend. van Rensselaer,
aldermen; Jacobus Turk, Hendrik Oothout, assistants;
Antho van Schayk, Benony van Curlaer, assessor ; Cas-
per van Hoosen, constable.
Second Ward. John Vinhagel, Johannis Cuyler, alder-
men; Johannis Bleeker, Evert Wendel, assistants; Isaac
Verplank, Gysbert Marselis, assessor; Abraham Kipp,
constable.
Third Ward. Wessel ten Broek, Albert Rykman, alder-
men ; Johannis Mingael, Garret van Ness, assistants ; An-
thony Bratt, Harpert Jacobs, assessors; Ryer Garretse,
constable.
Johannes Harmesen, high constable; Anthony Bratt,
treasurer.
Mayor's Court, Oct. 18. John Gilbert demands for
trespass 12; Steph a Groesbeek def 1 , answers that he
made an agreement for eight and a half pieces of eight.
William Jotlyn aged 42 was called and testified; the jury
decided for the plaintiff, which the court approved.
Upon the request of Johannes Harmesen, for the per-
mitting to remove his present house and to advance some
The City Records. 41
foots of his ground northward. The mayor appointed a
committee to investigate the matter.
In Common Council!, Nov. 15, 1698.
Johannes Harmesse appears again and requesting still
to y e mayor, recorder, aldermen and assistants convened
in Common Councill, for y e Liberty y l he may upon his
Lott of ground in Parle Street adjacent to y 6 west of his
Corner house to buildt a Kitchen of fifteen foot squaer,
and to make his fence from y e north west corner of 8 d
Kitchen that it bee Regular with y e corner of Johannes
Rosebooms gate, next to s d Rosebooms new house. The
appointed aldermen and assistants bring in there Report
y 1 it would be prejudiciall in the highway between y e
stockadoes. The Commonality considered y e matter and
doe garand y 6 Petitioners Request of fifteen foot wood
measuer Provided he shall Beld y 6 frondt east and west.
The mayor appoints Joh. Schuyler, Jan Vinhagell and
Albert Ryckman aldermen, with Jacob Turke, Joh. Bleeker
and Geret van Ness assistance, to view y e City Stockadoes
what quantity there shall want to be Ride this winter for
reparing y e same and bring in there report next Cordt day.
A cominitte was also appointed to examine the accounts
of the treasurer for the past year.
Proclamation of the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen.
Whereas Complaints is made y 1 some of y ? Inhabitants
doe undertake to Cutt or Brake Down and take Diverse
of the Citty Stokadoes, these are therefore in his maj's
name to forbid all persons whatsoever to Cutt, Breek, or
take any more of s d Stokadoes upon forfeit for each of
them six shillings currant money of this Province, which
fine shall be paid by the Contra ventors, and if committed
by Children or Servants then the Parents or Masters shall
be Layable for y e same, which Benefitt shall be to y 6
sheriffe of this Citty and County, in doeing whereof this
shall be his sufficient warrant. Dated in Albany in the
Citty Hall, this 15th day of Nov., 1698.
By order of the Court.
God Bless King William.
ROBT. LIVINGSTON Clerk.
42 The City Records.
Nov. 21. The Common Couynsell have thought Con-
venient for y 6 security of y 6 Citty to appoindt six persons
to be fyre masters for y 6 ensueing yeare to Terminadte y 6
14th of October next, and those nominate for y 6 first
warde are Dirk vander Heyden and Jan Rosie ; for y 6
second warde Johannes Appel and Isaac Verplank; and
for y 6 third warde William Claese and Thomas Harmesse,
who were sent for, and all appearing were strickley
charged to inspect narrowly all places y 1 might in danger
ariey fyer or inconvenience, and the former fyer masters
are discharged and thanked for their service.
By the Mayor.
Whereas by order of y 6 Common Councill of this Citty,
dated y 6 21st day of this instant November 6 persons were
nominated to be fyre masters for y e ensueing year who
have been round in each ward and viewed all places where
fires are kept and where fother and oy r combustible mat-
ter is dangerously kept, and whereas y 6 s d six persons
have found several places very dangerous and inconvenient
to have fires kept in them, of which y e people are fore-
warned to break them down or repare them, in order
therefore y 1 such dangerous places should be Removed, it
is hereby ordered y 1 if y 6 owners or possessors of such
dangerous places have not removed and repared y 6 same,
y 1 they severally pay as a fine for y e behooffe of y 6 s d fyre
masters three shillings for each offence, and y 6 s d fire
masters are ordered to break downe and remove any such
dangerous chimney, hearth, oven, or any other place y 1
might endanger y e Citty, in doing whereof this shall be to
you a sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and seale
in Albany y e 25 of November, 1698.
Att a Mayors Court held in Albany y 6 29 of Nov. 1698.
Present, Hend. Hanse mayor, Jan Janse Bleeker re-
corder, Johannes Schuyler, Hend. Rensselaer, Johan-
nes Cuyler, Jan Vinhagell, Albert Ryckman, Wessel
Ten Broek.
yes, yes, yes.
Silence is commanded in the Court whilst y 6 Mayor and
The City Records. 43
Aldermen of his Majesties Citty of Albany are sitting,
upon pain of Imprisonment.
Al manner of persons y 1 have any thing to doe at this
Mayor's Court, lett them draw neer, and give there at-
tendance. God save King William.
John Fine Plantif, Asueres Marsellis Deft.
The Cordt being adjourned till ye next Cordt day.
Att a Common Councill held in y 6 Citty of Albany,
y 6 29 day of November, 1698.
The Conveyance of y e Severs Creek made by y e mayor,
aldermen and commonalty for y 6 behooffe of y e Dutch
Reformed Church of y e Citty of Albany, dated y 6 4 of Oct.
1689, being produced by Maj. Dirk Wessels and Jan Lan-
sing elders, and William Claese and Anthony Bries dea-
kons, doe Remonstrate y l y* s d Conveyance is not soe full
as y e same was purchased of y 6 Citty, and since that some
have made there application to the Church to have y e
Privilege of Erecting another Sawmill there, they desire
in reguard there is some defect in y e s d Transport, that
they may have all y 6 Citty's right and title to y e whole
Bever Creek, and will pay for y 6 same as they can agree.
Whereupon it is agreed by y 6 Common Councill and y 6 s d
Two Elders and Two Deakons deputed by y 6 Consistory
as follows ; y 4 y 6 s d Dutch Reformed Church is to have all
y 6 Cittys Right & Title to y 6 s d Bevers kill from y e bounds
of Marte Gerritse deceased and so upwarde into y e woodds
as farr as y 6 Cittys Right goes, and "25 Rod of Land in
breadth on both sides of y e s d Bevers kill to begin at y 6
bounds of Capt. Marte Gerritse deceased, and ends at y 6
westernmost part of y e dam above y e Saw mill erected by
Melgert Wynantse, for which Creek and Land as aforesaid
y e Elders and Deakons of y 6 Dutch Reformed Church for
y 6 time being are to pay for y e behooffe of y e Citty of Al-
bany y e some of twenty pounds, to be paid in three pay-
ments, viz 1 , eight pound ye 31 of Dec. next, eight pound
y 6 31 of December 1699, and four pounds y 6 31 of Decem'r
1700, always provided and it is agreed by both partyes y 1
if ever y 6 Deakons and Elders of y 6 Dutch Reformed
Church of Albany for y 6 time being shall see Convenient
44 The City Records.
to Cause to be erected another Sawmill on y e s d Creek
besides y 6 Sawmill erected by Melgert Wynantse y l then
Nanning Harmense and Frederik Harmense have y e per-
ference to erect the same, in regard they have first peti-
tioned for y 6 same, they agreeing with y 6 Church for y e s d
Priviledge, and y e s d Elders and Deacons doe promise to
enter the clause and agreement about y e s d Two persons
in there Church Book accordingly.
The Committee appointed to Inspect what Stockadoes
shall be wanting to fill up y e vacant places and repare y e
walls about y e s d Citty, doe find y 1 it will take at least 14 J
Rod to make up the breaches.
Ordered, that there be 30 Rod of Stockadoes Rid this
winter for y e behooffe of y e Citty, to make up and repare
those places that are already broke downe about y e walls,
and may decay before spring.
The Committee appointed to inspect y e Citty accounts,
and to Call y e Treasurer to an account, doe Report y l in
Reguard there be severall accounts not approved, which
they can not allow without y 6 Concurrence of y e whole
Common Councill, doe therefore desyre y f y 6 s d account
may be Inspected by y 6 whole Common Councill, and y 1
y 6 Treasurer Render his account to y e Commonality.
Which Report is approved.
[Here follows a list of papers that were found in the
possession of Jan Becker deceased, which are enumerated
in Dutch, and were transmitted to Johannes Groenendyk,
sheriff, who made oath in Dutch to take proper charge of
them. They consisted of wills, contracts and agreements
between individuals, &c., of which he had been made the
depositary, either because the depositors had confidence in
him, or by virtue of his office as sheriff, or notary. On
the margin is an entry made at a later period, as follows :]
Albany, y e llth of July, 1704. Then Received into y e
Clarks office by order of Johannes Schuyler Esq., Mayor,
and in y e presence of Johannes Cuyler Esq., alderman,
from Delia y 6 wife of Johannis Groenendyke y e papers ac-
cording to y e aforewritten List. Excepte y e following
writteings, viz 1 , y 6 howelijks voorwarde between Douw
Ankes and Maria Viele, the Testament of Dirk Teunise
The City Records. 45
van Vechten, the Testament of Jan Verbeek and y 6 Tes-
tament of Jan Rosie.
By me, R l LIVINGSTON JUN., D. Ck.
A meeting of the common council and justices was or-
dered on the 27th December to consult upon the debt of
the city and county, and the raising of money to meet
the expenses of government.
Mayor's Court, Dec. 13, 1698.
John Fine vs Ahasueris Marcelis. The Plentive com-
plains against y 6 Defendant by Declaration for taking
away his wood from y e River side, and that y e Defendants
wife did call him y e s d Jan Fyne a Rogue, and other op-
probrious words, when he went with Serg 1 Kinard to see
if his wood had not been purloined and embezzled, to the
dammage of tenn pounds with costs of sute. The Defend-
ant denys y e same, and says y l y e PI. hath with force and
violence taken wood from his fire. Whereupon a jury is
called and sworne.
The Evidence of Serg 1 James Kinard is taken in open
Court, who declares that he was walking along y e River
Side where John Fyne desyred him to goe with him to y 6
house of Ahasweres Marselis where he had suspition that
they had taken some of his wood from y e water side, and
comeing there y e s d John Fine took y e wood from y e fire,
and layd it upon y e street, before his door till he fetched
y 6 fellow thereof out of his house. Y e s d John Fine carryd
it and showed it to y e mayor of j^ Citty, where it did ap-
parently appear to be alike, whereupon y 6 mayor desyred
y 1 the wood might be layd aside, and y 1 y* Partyes John
Fine and Ahasweres Marselis should agree and deside the
matter.
Dirk van der Heyden declares upon Oath, that a while
agoe he was standing in his door where John Fine cald
him and showed him two brands ends of wood which he
sayed he had taken offAhaswerus Marselis his fyre and
desyred him to stay and he would fetch y e fellow thereof
out of his house, which he did, and further saith not.
John Kidney declares upon Oath y 1 accidentally he was
passing by John Fyns door, where he saw him standing
46 The City Records.
with two brands ends of wood, which as he sayd he had
got off Ahaswerus Marselis his fyre, whereupon he y e s d
John Fyne desyred him to stand soe long till he fetched
y 6 fellow there of out of his house, which y 6 said John
Fyne presently did.
Dec. 27. Ahasuerus Marselis delivered in a Petition,
whereby he requests y l y e Case between him and John
Fine, which was tried last court day. may be had in review,
and y l y e Jury may be sent for and give an explanation of
their verdict, who brought in y e s d Ahasuerus sixpence
dammage, with costs, without y 6 least proof, as if he had
stole a ps of John Fines wood, of which he is wholly in-
nocent, therefore prays y 1 all proceedings in y e matter may
be razed out of y 6 "Court Record and be freed from y e
Charge thereof.
The Court will take into consideration.
Feb. 7, 1699. Upon y 6 Late Request of Asweres Mar-
selles y e Mayor and Aldermen have sent for y 6 Juery, and
exam end y e Jurey about there Last Verdicht, and they all
Reffer them selves to y e verrey wordes of y* Verdicht.
June 13. Joh. Groenendyk, Sheriffe, made return of
y e Execution to him directed about Ahasuerus Marselis,
and produced in Court y e some of two pounds seven shil-
lings and nine pence by y e sale of y 6 following goods at a
Public Outcry yesterday, viz 1 .
1 Pewter Plate for -
6 Plates, .....
1 pr of Tongues, - - -
1 Picture, - - ... .
1 Snaffell, ....
1 Gunn, 1
The Execution is, 2: 7:9
Serving y e same, 5 :
Vendue money, 2:9
2:15:6
2:14:7
11
2
8:3
11:3
3:9
14:7
The City Records. 47
In Common Council, Dec. 13, 1698.
It is Resolved y 1 a Tax for wood shall be laid upon y 6
Citty of Albany for y e quantity of three hundred Loods of
good fyre wood to supply y e guards of this Citty and also
30 Rodd of Stockadoes to repair y 6 walls of this Citty, and
y l a warrant shall be issued to y 6 assessors to make there
assessment therefore in y e space of four and twenty hours
ensueing y 6 Date, and then Emmediately to make Return
thereof to Mr. Mayor.
It is further Resolved and thought Convenient that a
Proclamation be proclaimed y l no Carman shall hereafter
use a Cart until such times they have Mr. Mayor's Lycense
therefore upon Penalty of forfeiting y e somme of six shil-
lings, and y l no person or persons shall drive there horse
or horses in slees or oyrwise through y 6 streets of this Citty
faster than upon a stap, upon penalty of forfeiting y e
somme of three shillings, toties quoties.
Jan. 3, 1699. The Common Council, upon the require-
ment of the Governor and his Council, determined to give
the inhabitants of the city above sixteen years of age an
'* opportunity of swearing allegiance to his Majesty King
William." The proceedings, and a list of the citizens who
took the oath, will be found on a subsequent page.
Jan. 13. Resolved, that a Tax of one hundred Pound
Currant money of this Province shall be laid and assessed
on the Inhabitants of this Citty, between the date hereof
and the 24th day of this Instant, to pay and defray the
Publik Charges of this Citty, and that the Payment thereof
shall be in two severall Termes, to wit, the one half or
moyety at or before the llth day of March, and the other
half at or before the llth day of July next Ensuing.
Jan. 24. The matter concerning y 6 erecting of Indian
houses for y 6 reception of Indians was proposed by y e
Mayor as requisite, since many Irregularities happen by
Traders receiving Indians into there houses, whereupon
it was resolved, neinine contradiscente, y l two Indian
houses be built, and it being put to y e vote whether the
Inhabitants liveing towards y e hill should build their house
at their pryve cost and charge, and if y 6 Inhabitants of y 6
Pearle Street where y e Blockhouse stands and oyr Traders
48 The City Records.
living thereabouts should build another Indian house at
their pry ve cost and charge, and y e Plurality of votes car-
ried it y 1 both y" Indian houses should be built at y e pryve
charge of both streets, and all persons making profession
of Trade with y e Indians.
Then it was put to vote whether the Indian houses y l
was to be for y e benefit of these traders y l live on y e hill
should stand 4 Rod on y 6 south side of y 6 waggon way
leading to Shennechtady or 4 Rod on y e north side thereof,
always provided y l y 6 distance backward or westward
should be determined by ye whole Common Councill ; and
it was carried y l y e s d Indian house should be placed four
Rod on y 6 south side of y 6 s d waggon way behind his maj e
fort.
Then it was proposed where y e other Indian house should
be built on y e north side of y 6 towne, whether it should be
erected between y e Two Blockhouses, or higher or lower,
always provided y 1 y e distance from y 6 Citty Stockadoes
be determined by y e whole Common Councill, and it was
carried y 1 y 6 s d house be built between y e two Blockhouses
leaving an equal distance from y e one and y e other.
It was further put to y e vote how big y e s d Indian houses
were to be, and it was carried y 1 each should be 45 foot
long.
The two aldermen and two assistants whom y 6 votes fell
upon to be overseers of y e said work of y e Indian houses
y 1 they should be finished before May next, were Joh.
Cuyler, Jan Vinnagen, aldermen; Jacobus Turk, Capt.
Joh. Bleeker, assistants.
The charge of y e building of y e s d two Indian houses is
to be raised by a Rate or Tax to be Levyed by y e sworn
assessors on them alone y 1 make profession of trade with
y e Indians, and y 1 proportionably according to each per-
son's Trade.
Feb. 21. Resolved, That one other Indian house be-
sides y e two heretofore resolved ony e 24th day of January
last, shall be build just upon y e first hill going up from y e
Parle street geat northwesterly, in or about y e middle part
of said hill, where y e whole Common Councill forthwith
shall appoynt y e Place, and y 1 y e Building and Charges
The City Records. 49
thereof shall bee in y 6 lyke manner as y e two houses
aforesaid.
In performance of an order to y e Committee appointed
on y e 28th day of December last, itt is agreed with John
Glen and Reyer Sherrnerhooren Justices of Schanhegtade,
y l they shall Pay to y 6 Public Charges of this County untill
y 6 14th day of October last y e sume of three pounds Cur-
rant Money of this Province, att or before y e 1 1th day of
March next.
Resolved, That a Tax of three hundred Load of fire
wood shall be layd and assessed on the Inhabitants of this
Citty between the date hereof and the 24th of this Instant,
for y 6 supplying the Guards, and that a warrant shall be
forthwith issued out to the Assessors of the said Citty, for
the Assessment thereof accordingly.
[Here is inserted in the record book an inventory, in
Dutch, of the personal effects of Jan Verbeek, deceased,
whose name occurs frequently in the preceding pages.
The names of the articles are placed opposite in English,
to render the inventory intelligible. The orthography of
the Dutch in these records is no better than that of the
English.]
Een Inventaris van de overgebleven staet van Jan Ver-
beek twelck na sijn dooet gevonde is zijnd opgenome door
Johannes Harmense, high constabel, den 6 Merdt, 169f.
Een swarte rock A black coat
Vyer grawe rocke Four gray coats
Een swarte hemptrock A black waistcoat
Vyer graawe hemptrocken Four gray waistcoats
Vyf broecke Five breeches
Twee hoede Two hats
Vyf dasses Five cravats
Driee hemde Three shirts
Noch een Bijbel Also a Bible
Noch twee schrijfboeke Also two writingbooks
Noch een bet een puile twee Also a bed, bolster, 2 pillows
kusses
5
50 The City Records.
Twee deckens een voot kleet Two blankets, one foot cloth
Noch een kas en een bull kist Also a closet and a tool chest
Noch een kleere kist Also a clothes chest
Noch een tafel en een banck Also a table and a bench
Noch een brant yser een Also an and-iron, tongs and
tangh en hu^ell trammel or pot hook
Een ysere potje An iron pot
Noch een schuttel en twee Also a platter and 2 plates
tafelborde
Een tinne kan A tin can
Noch een groote liming stoel Also a great rocking chair,
en een andere stoel and another chair
Noch een kettell Also a kettle
Noch een groene combers Also a green coverlet
Was signed by Johannes Harmesse, High Consteball,
Att a Common Counsell held in Albany y e 30th day
of May, 1699.
Resolved y l y e Lest of y 6 Town Stocades shall be veuwed
and looked hoe hes Red Stocades and hoe hes not Red
Stocades, and he y l has not Red shall be warened y l they
shall Reyd them between this day and a Saterday next,
and he that has nott Red them then shall forfett one shil-
ling and sixpence for each stocade. It is forder Resolved
y l each Person shall appear here at y e State House for to
sett. y l Citty Stocadoes a Monda morning by times
when y e Bell Ringes, upon y e forfeit of three shillings.
June 13. The proclamation for the regulation of trade
with the Indians in 1689 (vol. i, p. 108), and repeated in
1696 (pp. 13, 14 ante), was renewed at this time. See p. 51.
June 15. Whereas diverse persons have of late assumed
to themselves y e liberty to sell or expose to sale wares
and merchandize by retaile within this Citty, without being
made free Citizens, and also y l diverse persons use their
art, trade, or manual occupation within the City libertyes
and precincts thereof, without having first obtained their
freedom. It is therefore after mature deliberation thereof
had, concluded unanimously, y l no person whatsoever shall
be looked upon, deemed and esteemed a free Citizen of
this Citty but those who were actually Inhabitants of this
The City Records. 51
Citty at y 6 time when y e Charter was obtained ; or y l since
have obtained or purchased their freedom according to y*
Charter, and whereas sundrey Inhabitants of this Citty
did desert this place in y e time of y 6 late warr and most
Imminent danger, and now return without their families,
and reap y e benefits of y 6 trade of this Citty by staying a
few weeks and then goe away, it is further resolved y l all
those y 1 deserted this Citty in y e time of y 6 late warr, and
have been absent one whole year and six weeks with their
families, shall be looked upon and esteemed as if they
never had been Cittizens or freemen of this Citty, but
must agree anew for their freedom, except they return
with their families ; and if any merchant, trader or arti-
ficer having a family in another part of this Province shall
come and agree for his freedom, if he doth not transport
his family hither in twelve months time after his so re-
ceiving his freedom, it shall be forfeit as if he never had
been a Citizen, or been free of this Citty.
June 17. The Common Council is convened at y 6 re-
quest of y e assistants, who alledge y 1 they observe several
Proclamations have been published relating to y 6 trade of
this Citty, particularly y 6 one of y 6 13th of this month,
without their Privity and Consent, which by y 6 charter of
this Citty can not be done, desyre y 1 y e same may be read
and every article therein mentioned put to y 6 vote, which
was done accordingly.
The first article is allowed.
Tlfat part of y 6 second article concerning taking y e Ca-
nada Indians into People's houses is Revoked and made
void, and in lieu thereof
3. Likewise ordered, y 1 all Indians, y e Sachems and
River Indians excepted, as aforesaid, are to lye in y e In-
dian houses without y 6 towne from y e first of April to y*
first of December, and are permitted to be Received in
People's houses in town from y ? first of December to y e
first of April. Y e remainder of s d articles is allowed, and
another Proclamation made de novo.
Ordered, y 1 Jacobse Turk, Johannes Thomase & Evert
Wendel Jr. assistants, be a Committee to return y 6 names
of such persons as are not freemen, and were not Inhabit-
52 The City Records.
ants of this Citty when y 6 Charter was obtained, y c next
Court day.
Ordered likewise y l Joh. Schuyler, Johannes Cuyler,
and Wessel ten Broek Esqs. aldermen, be assistant to y e
mayor in y 6 agreeing with people for their freedom of this
Citty.
Rob 1 Livingston acquainted y e gent" y l he had consti-
tuted his cousin Robert Livingston to be Deputy Clerk,
according to y 6 Commission granted him by his Majesty
desired to know if they had any objection against him.
The gentlemen approved of y e same, and declared that they
had no objection against him.
Mayor's Court, June 27, 1699.
Johannis Groenendyke vs. Jan Janse Bleeker. " Five
several fynes" were demanded of the defendant for taking
Indians into his house with their packs. The defendant
denied the acts complained of, and the matter was settled.
In Pursuance to an order directed to Jacobus Turke,
Johannis Thomase and Evert Wendel, dated y e 17th of
this instant, they returned the following persons were not
actually Inhabitants in the Citty when y e Charter was
obtained, and y l y' same are not possessed with there free-
dom, as also those who have deserted this Citty with their
families in y e late warr, one year and six weeks, viz 1 .
Pieter Verbrugh Teunis Dirkse
Edward Reims Jonathan Broadhorst
Luykas Luykasse John Kidney
Gerrit Roeloffse Ruth Melgertse
Daniel Wilkeson Gerrit Ryckse
William Hilten Volkert van Hoese
Phillip Schuyler Adriaen Quackenbos
John Carr Robert Frethy
Robert Livingston Daniel Bratt
William Hogen Thomas Williams
Jan Van Wryden Thomas Winne
Jan Fyne Anthony van Schaik
Hend. Van Dyk Johannis D, Wandelaer
Joseph Janse Johannis Abeel
The City Records. 53
In Common Council, July 11, 1699.
The overseers appointed y 6 24th January and 21st Feb.
last for y 6 building of three Indian houses without y e gates
of this Citty doe Produce the account of y 6 Charges for y e
same amounting to /1 157: 17 wampum, being eight and
twenty Pounds eighteen shillings and ll d , which is ap-
proved and Resolved that Mr. Mayor shall issue out his
warrant the 25th of this Instant to y 6 assessors to make
there assessment for s d sumrne upon all such persones as
doe make Profession in Indian Trade within y 6 Citty and
make Return thereof to Mr. Mayor, in y 6 space of three
times four and twenty hours after y 6 aforesaid date.
In Mayor's Court, July 25, 1699.
Upon y e Request of Elisabeth y 6 Weduw of Wouter van
den Uythooft, who hath y 6 Boedel* of Jan Verbeek, de-
ceased, in hands, desyres of this Court that two sufficient
Persones bee appointed to value the worth of said Boedel,
whereupon y e Court doth appoint Jacobus Turke & Johannis
Harmense to value y e same and give in there Report, the
next Court day.
Whereas severall Papers relateing y 6 building of y*
Blockhouse in y e year 1690 are given into Court, aud
thereupon Resolved that y 6 same be inspected to see who
are y e Creditors therein, and appointed y 6 Recorder J.
Janse Bleeker, Jan Vinhagen aldermen, Jacobus Turke &
Evert Wendell assistants, to audit y 6 same, and return
Report y e next Court day.
In Justices' Court, July 26, 1699.
This day being appointed for y 6 Justices of this Citty
and County to convene together to discourse about a cer-
tain Tax layd by y e late Assembly upon said Citty and
County, which Corivenement not being duly observed, it
is therefore resolved by y e Justices Convened, that anoyr
day be appointed, who doe appoint next Court Day, being
the eight of August next ensuing, for all to appear at nine
o'clock in the morning, as they will answer to y e Contrary
upon there perrill.
# Estate, or effects.
54 The City Records.
In Common Council, July 29, 1699.
Whereas on y 5 25th Instant Mr. Mayor directed his
warrant to ye assessors by advice and consent of y e Re-
corder, Aldermen and Commonality that they should make
an assessment upon all such persones within this Citty as
doe make profession in ye Indian Trade for y e somme of
Twenty Eight Pounds Eighteen Shillings and Eleven Pence
and give Return thereof to Mr. Mayor in y e space of thrice
twenty four hours ensuing the s d date, it being for ex-
penses in making of y 6 three Indian house standing without
this Citty. Now whereas the said assessors having made
up said assessment and given into y e hands of the Mayor
which being now laid before this meeting, it is approved
off, and Resolved that warrants be issued to y 6 Constables
in each respective Warde for y 6 Collecting of y e same,
and when received to deliver into y e hands of y e overseers
appointed for y 6 management of said buildings or the Major
part of them, in reguarde that the Debts thereof may be
satisfied proportionably.
In Mayor's Court, Aug. 8, 1699.
Whereas Jacobus Turke and Johannes Harmense being
appointed y" 25th of July last to value y 6 Boedel of Jan
Verbeek deceased, doe returne Report of y e same, and have
prised it to be worth all and all, /292 wampum, is 7 : 6.
In Justices' Court, Aug. 8, 1699.
Whereas in y 6 late Assembly an act is made to raise y e
summe of 2000, out of this Province for his Majestic,
Praying that his most gracious Majestie will be pleased to
give and allow y e summe of 1500 thereof to his Excell.
Richard Earle of Bellomont, and y e summe of 500 being
y e Residue of said summe of 2000, unto Capt. John Nan-
fan, his Majesties Lef 1 Governor of y e Province of New
York, &c., which summe of money aforesaid shall be raised
assessed, collected, levyed and paid unto his Majesties Col-
lector and Receiver General for y c time being, at y e Citty
of New Yorke, at or before the 29th day of September
next, and therein fynding y e Citty and County of Albanies
quota or proportion amounts to 120 currant money afore-
The City Records. 55
said. It is therefore Resolved by the Justices of this Citty
and County that the Assessors of said Citty and County
shall convene together in y e Citty Hall of Albany, viz 1 :
Anthony van Schaik, Benoni van Corlaer, Isaac Verplank,
Anthony Bratt, Gysbert Marsellis, Harpert Jacobse, Citty
assessors; Nicolas Dow, Marte Cornelise, colony assess-
ors; Gysbert Gerritse, Isaac Svvitts, Jan Vrooman, Sche-
nectady; Abraham Janse, Johannes van Hoese, Kinder-
hoek ; Jan Bronk, Andries Janse, Cattskill and Coxsackie.
On y e 18th day of this Instant, and then make there as-
sessment for y 6 aforesaid summe of one hundred and twenty
Pounds upon all Freeholders Inhabitants and Residents
within y^ Citty and County aforesaid, viz 1 , the assessors
in y e Citty particularly and the assessors in y 6 County,
each for there respective wards, are then the one to cor-
rect the other's assessment, so that all shall amount to y c
aforesaid summe, and make a fair return of y e same unani-
mously under hands and scales, at or before Saturday
night then following, and deliver y 6 same into hands of Mr.
Mayor of y 6 Citty aforesaid, or any two Justices who shall
appoint a time when y e Justices of y e Citty and County
shall convene to issue their warrants for the collecting of
the same.
It is further resolved upon y e order from y c Lev 1 Gov'r
and Council, dated y^ 20th July 1699, in pursuance, to y e
first order to y e Justices of Albany, dated y c 16th of Au-
gust, 1698 to examine into y e matter of Barent Pieterse
Coeymans to which y e case is referred and consented that
a warrant be issued to Gerrit and Dirk Teunise, Justices,
Jan Bronk, Jan Baptist and Jan Albertse, Assessors, and Ja-
cob Casperse, Constable and Collector, to appear here on
Thursday y e 17th of this Instant, then to give there evi-
dence of what shall be demanded concerning a certain
Peece of ground belonging to said Barent Pieterse which
is said to be assessed both in Colony of Rensselaerswyk
and Catskills warde.
In Common Council!, August 8, 1699.
Whereas on y e 2d of August 1698, an agreement was
made with Hendrik van Rensselaer about a certain Patent
56 The City Records.
y l he obtained of Col. Fletcher y 6 late Governor, of Land
at Shachkook adjoyning to y 6 Land belonging to y e Citty
y l y e said Rensselaer is to deliver up to y e Citty y e said
Patent with a lawfull Conveyance of all his Right and
Title to y 6 same, Now know yee that according to y 6 said
agreement this instant August, the said Hendrik van Rens-
selaer hath delivered the Patent with a lawfull conveyance.
Aug. 18. Whereas a warrant was issued upon y 6 8th
instant to summone G l and Dirk Teunise, Justices, Jan
Bronk, Jan Baptist and Jan Albertse, assessors, and Jacob
Casperse, Collector, to appear on y 6 17th instant in Court
house to give there evidence of what shall be demanded
concerning a piece of Land of B. P. Coeymans, which is
said to be assessed in two wards, wherein Dirk Teunise,
Jan Baptist, Jan Albertse and Jan Casperse have been
neglecting, it is therefore resolved that another summons
be issued for y e second time, to appear as they will to y 6
contrary answer there contempt. Jan Baptist being not
concerned therein,
Aug. 19. Pursuant to y e warrant issued unto y 6 as-
sessors of y e Citty and County of Albany to make their
assessment thereon for y c sumnfe of 120, and to give
there Return this day, which is now Delivered amounting
all in all by there calk elation to 127 8st, it is therefore
Resolved that warrants be issued to the Collectors in the
Citty and County, to collect according to the List given
them, it being 8* in wampum per then amounts to
127: 16:2^, and whosoever shall Refuse to Pay their
quota or proportion to strain y* same upon there goods
and chattels, y e overplus to return to y e owner, and y l y e
said Collectors shall deliver y e said money unto his Majes-
ties Collector in Albany, at or before the 12th of Sept.
next ensuing to be sent forth by him to his Majesties Re-
ceiver General at New Yorke ; and in case that y e Collect-
ors should be neglecting in there duty, that they shall
suffer according as y e act of Assembly Requires.
* A character stands with this fignre which there is no type to
represent, and the powec of which is not understood.
(57)
DUTCH NAMES OF PERSONS, PLACES, AND THINGS,
AND THEIR SIGNIFICATION IN ENGLISH, ILLUSTRATIVE OF
SOME PASSAGES WHICH OCCUR IN THIS WORK, AND COR-
RECTIVE OF THE ORTHOGRAPHY OF DUTCH WORDS OCCA-
SIONALLY USED.
Abeel, a poplar.
Acker, or properly Akker, a field.
Ackerman, a farmer.
Allen, all.
Appel, an apple.
Arts, a physician.
Avery, an average.
Baas, (vulgarly written bos) a master; a preacher is a
kerkbaas, a master carpenter is a timmerman's baas.
Baker, a dry nurse.
Bakhuis, a bakehouse, also chops, face; as houd uw bak-
huis, hold your jaw.
Bakker, a baker.
Bank, a bench ; whence, perhaps the term used in printing
offices.
Bedroefd, sad, sorrowful.
Beeren Island, bear's island, (corrupted to Barren Island,)
an island in Hudson river.
Berg, a mountain or hill.
Beverwyk, beaver retreat ; there is a town of this name on
the maps of Holland, but it does not seem to have
suggested the name once used for this city.
Sleeker, a bleacher.
Bliksem, lightning; erroneously written blixem.
Blokhuys, a wooden fort.
Boedel, an estate, or effects.
Boksen, breeches ; corrupted to boxem.
Bonk, a bone.
Bouwer, a builder; also a tiller.
Bouwery, a farm, now written Bowery. Bowery street in
New York originally led to Gov. Stuyvesant's farm or
bouwery.
58 Definitions of Dutch Names.
Brief, a letter or bill.
JBroek, a marsh, breech.
Burg, a fortress, or borough ; often confounded with berg
in names of places, and corruptly printed with an h final
in both cases, as in Lansingburgh.
Burger, a citizen; often written with an h, erroneously.
Durip, Schenectady ; corruption of Dorp, a village.
Coxsackie. boil the bag; unless it should be written Cox-
hacky, as it is frequently in the records, when it would
seem to be an Indian term.
De Graaf, the count.
Ernst, zeal.
Gasthuys, a hospital.
Groot, great.
Haagedoorn, a bramble bush, a thorn hedge.
Handel, trade, traffic.
Handelaar, a merchant ; Handelaer street was the ancient
name of Broadway.
Handschoon, a glove. Some among the English have been
ready to carp at this word as an evident token of the
scantiness of the Dutch language; but let us consider
whether our horse shoe is a more proper expression and
whether the Dutch hoefyzer (hoof iron) be not full as
appropriate. Doubtless in every language there are some
words more significant than the same words in others.
Helderberg, clear mountain or hill.
Helgat, hell hole; a rough term for a rough place in the
sound between New York and Long Island, which is
usually written hell gate, and by some sensitive persons
corrupted to hurl gate. The preservation of the original
orthography would have divested the term of much that
is deemed objectionable to ears polite.
Hoofdkaas, head cheese.
Kanaal, the channel; whence the burlesque term canawl,
which is the pronunciation of the Dutch word.
Kar, a cart; whence comes the word carman, instead of
cartman, as is used in most cities of this state.
Kasteel, a castle.
Kerk, a church,
Kerker, a prison, jail.
Definitions of Dutch Names. 59
Kerkhof, churchyard.
Keyser, emperor.
Kinderhoek, children's point.
Kip, a hen.
Klaverack, clover-reach.
Kleyn (whence Cline) Jittle.
Kling, a sword.
Klink, a latch ; also a slap with the hand.
Knecht, a servant ; a bouw-knecht is a farm servant. Some
have mistaken this term, and been led to believe that
their ancestors were knights!
Knikkerbakker, marble baker; now almost universally
written Knickerbocker, after the usage of Washington
Irving: pronounced as if written K'n-nik-ker-bok-ker
perhaps to distinguish it from nikker, a fiend or devil.
Those Dutch names among us terminating in ck, such
as Ten Eyck, Ten Broeck, Groesbeck, &c., were not so
written under the Dutch dynasty, and are not in accord-
ance with the true orthography of the language. The
letter c is very seldom used anywhere except before h,
and at the beginning of a very few words, mostly of
foreign extraction.
Koekebakker, a gingerbread baker.
Kool-slaa, cabbage salad.
Koon, a jaw or cheek.
Kost-huys (or gasthuys) a boarding house.
Koster, a sexton.
Linde wood, bass wood.
Meyer, a country mayor or sheriff.
Minuit, a minute.
Nederduytch, Low Dutch.
Nederland, Netherland, Low Country.
Octroy, a grant ; sometimes written oktrooi.
Olifant, an elephant.
Olijkoek, cakes fried in fat.
Olijnoote, butternut.
Oranje, orange.
Patroon (voorstander) a patron, master, or employer.
Poesten kill (poesten to foam) foaming creek.
Pruyn (pruym) a plum.
60 Definitions of Dutch Names.
Ridder, a knight or cavalier.
Roggen, rye.
Romeyn, a roman.
Rooseboom, rose tree
Roosekrans, a garland of roses.
Rutten kill, supposed to mean rat's kill, although Judge
Bensen, (see vol. 2, p. 226) derives its name from Rut-
ger Bleeker, as many think quite erroneously.
Snyder, tailor,.
Spook, ghost.
Steenberg, stone hill.
Stoep, pavement, threshold, steps ; written stoop universally
with us, which is the term for a measure of two quarts.
Stuyver, a penny.
Ten Broek, at the marsh.
Ten Eyk, at the oak.
Verreberg, far mountain.
Valatie, (corruption of Valeitje), a little valley.
Van, of, from.
Van Vechten, from the combat.
Vanderzee, from the sea.
Van Steenberg, from stone hill.
Van Zandt, from the sand.
Van OLinda, probably a contraction of Onder den
Linden, (under the basswood tree) a common name in
Holland.
Van Dyk, from the bank or dike.
Vanbergen, from the mountains or hills.
Vanderberg, from the mountain.
Vandenburg, from the castle.
Van Schoonhoven, from the fine gardens.
Wynkoop, something to drink upon the bargain.
Zuur Kruid, fermented cabbage; vulgarly written sour
crout.
See also Vol. ii, p. 143 et seq.
B
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Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
61
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 1707.
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Frans Winnen, Elsje Ganv
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Thomas Willems, Agnietje G
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Jan Van der Hoeven, Dorh
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Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707. 79
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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Church Baptisms, 1693 fo 1707.
92
Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
CO
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a Va
Lysbet
Marytj
Wend
sing.
eynde
Janne
etje B
sen, S
Arent Slingerland,
Frederick Harmense
Jonathan Jansse, Mar
Jacob Schermerhorn,
Daniel Winnen, Will
atharin
, jr., L
, jr., M
arytje
Lanssi
ara Me
burg,
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e H
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
93
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94
Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
95
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96
Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
I
97
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Visscher,
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, Jannetj
um, Corn
in, Maria V
Sophia V
ora Van
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der Karre
nsse, De
yndertse, S
e Witbeek,
ratt, Maria
oh
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Nan
Jos
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Hen
Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707,
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100 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
Ills
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Church Baptisms, 1693 fo 1707.
101
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102
Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
103
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104 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
W t~* TO QJ P* #*H ^H -. _ ,.
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t, Mari
e Van
ler, El
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sse, S
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Gerrit Ro
Johannes
Pieter H
Cornelis
Dirk Van
Matthys
Johannes
. .
ti
Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707. 105
- twins 1 _T
106 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
I .1 .1
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707. 107
1
o>
.
" 1
1
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t co r o
^ <u
1 1
S ^
o ce
>
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3: C 1
Henrik Roseboom, Debora Rosebo
Deuse.
Jan Quakkenbosch, Machtelet Qu:
06.
Nanning Visscher, Dirkje Visschei
[Daniel Brat, Lysbeth Brat.
Francois Salsbury, Maria Gaasbel
Cornelis Vernoy, Sara Gaasbek.
Cornelis Vernoy, Elsje Luyber.
Pieter Schuyler, Maria Schuyler.
Jan Gerritse, Antje Kierstede.
Levinus Winnen. Elsje Winnen.
Jan Matthysse, Magdalena Matthy
wk.
Leendert Philipse Conyn, Antje Vi
Henrik Singer, Jannetje Singer.
Andries Gardenier, Ydje Gardenie
Leendert Conyn, Lysbeth Scharp.
Jan Pearson, Antje Post.
Cornelis Martensse, Cornelia Vred
Jacob Winnen, Hilletje Muller.
a .
^ if g*^ i%
1 R
%
rO OJ
:- <ri kJT cS O fl oT
1 Jgll
fillem Van Deuse, Lysbeth Ros
ieter Quaekenbosch, Neeltje Ma
errit Lucasse Wyngaard, Sara V
eynier Meyndertse, Sara Brat,
braham Gaasbek Chambers, Sai
Vessel Ten Broek, Jacomina Ga
ornelis Vernoy, Sara Ten Broel
obbert Levingston, jr., Margarit
oenraad Elmendorf, Blandine Ki
)hannes Trephagen, Aagje Win
arent Borhans, Margareta Janss
J
icob Winnen, Maria Bronk,
)hannes Spoor, Maria Singer,
-ther dead, Alida Tippings,
iarmens Jansse Salsberry, Tanna
astiaan de Wit, Margarita Pear;
fillem Van Vredenburg, Heyltj e
[atthys Puis, Tanna Winnen,
F Pn
OPH^t^OPnOi-pPQ
1-2 >-a =5 HH ffl & ^
twins
<^fc^V,^N
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108 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
.^o^ .5^ >3 g*iS6 gSis'g-S
^bEgStjg * -3 fe'S S'C W l m S
6 tibcS S ! ~ 2
6>D 0> o3 ^ ?-, S c
o "* S
'l^t^fl
o ^ S".S o
- Jj^O 5 ^ 03
ogS^I-gri
a .S <BW Bn
*
ande, jr., Rache
ande, sen., Rebe
Van Oos
Van Oos
f Jf
|^
a
o
S
Hoes
netje
e Boge
je Van
tje Hoogte
an Slyk,
liffts II
, Maeye
Bout, J
se, Ma
rger, G
sse, Tr
Metje
g
ll^ll
*^ G 0) o3 -t- 3 rf)
^ O c3 OS % ^
ffi g fa 2 ff
be c fl w H
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5
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707. 109
s
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110 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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o rt ^a, .r-Sr. lalaal & s^^o
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DutchChurch Baptisms, 1693 to 1707. Ill
C3 O Tl **! i *i ^^ mr; '^ ' l_ ^ , ^ 3 r T^ H*^
WHKSIift 1 :^
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III still jl^li 111
1 1 if: .a l-a.-sS'S
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112 Dutch Church Baptisms, 1693 to 1707.
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si ^ fc'-C?
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Dutch Church Baptisms, 1690-1.
1
113
I
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Id
si
Ci Cfc rrj r r1
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c6
a 50
lllls
o a
114
TABLE OF DUTCH BAPTISMAL NAMES WITH
THE CORRESPONDING ENGLISH NAMES.
Dirkje, Klaasje, and other names ending in je, and ken, are properly
diminutives, and apply either to little boys or females, as we say
Billy, Nelly, c.
Aaghje,
Agatha,
Engeltje, Angelica.
Aarend, Aart,
Athur.
Epje, Egbert.
Adela,
Adelaide.
Ernst, Earnest.
Adriaantje, /.
Adriana.
Evert, Everard.
Aefje,
Eve.
Frans, Francis.
Agnietje,
Agnes.
Filips, Flip, Philip.
Aaltje, Aletta,)
Alida, )
Adeline, Adela.
Floris, Florence.
Floortje, Flora.
Aletta,
Letitia.
Goris, George.
Andries,
Andrew.
Gerrit, Gerard.
Anneken,)
Gillis, Jellis, Giles.
Annetje, j
Ann.
Giel, Michael.
Arie,
Adrian.
Govert, Godfrey, Geoffrey
Arnout,
Arnold.
Gysbert, ( p'lv,
Bait,
Balthazar.
Gyselbert, \ Gilbert.
Barber,
Barbara.
Geertruyd, }
Barent,
Bernard.
Geesje, \ Gertrude.
Bartel,
Bartholomew.
Geertje,Giertje,)
Bartje,
Bastiaan,
Bertha.
Sebastian.
Grietje, Margaret.
Hans, Jack.
Boudewyn,
Baldwin.
Hansje, Johanna.
Beletje, Bella,
Isabella.
Hendrik, Henrik, Henry.
Bell,
Arabella.
Hillegonda, Huldah.
Betje,
Betty.
Huygen, Hugh.
Christoffel,
Christopher.
Hendrikje, Henrietta.
Christiaan, m.
Christian.
Heyltje, Hail.
Christyntie, /.
Christiana.
Jakobus, James.
Daam,
Adam.
Jakomina, ^
Denys,
Dionysius.
(Jaapje) > Jacoba.
Diederik,
Theodore.
Jakdmyntje, )
Derrik, Dirk,)
Richard.
Jannetje, Janne, Jane.
Dirkje, ]
Dorothy.
Japik, Jaap, Jacob.
Diewertje,
Deborah.
Jelle, Gellius.
Doris,
Theodore.
Jeltje, Gellia.
Dries,
Andrew.
Johanna. ) T
Elsje,
Alice.
JannekenJ Joan '
Emmetje,
Emma.
Johannes, Jan, John,
Table of Dutch Names.
115
Jochem, Joiachim.
Maria,Marikenj
Joost, Justus.
Marritje, Marytje,? Mary.
Jons, Jurian,J George .
Maartje^Maaike)
Natje, Annaatje, Anna.
Josyntje, Josina, Justina.
Neeltje, Cornelia, Nelly.
Karel, Charles.
Niesje, Agnes.
Kasper, Jasper.
Obadja, Obadiah.
Katryne,Kaatje ) *-t v
Otte, Otho.
Katryntje, )
Paulus, Pauwel, Paul.
Kersten, ) Christian
Paulyntje, Paulina.
Kristiaan,}
Phlip, Philip.
Klaartje, Clara.
Roelof, Ralph.
Klaas, Nicholas,
Roosje, Rose.
Klaasje, Klasyne, Nicola.
Rutgert, Roger.
Krelis, Kees,) p
Rykaard, Richard.
Kors Krelis C r IUS *
Saal, Solomon.
Kobus, James.
Saartje, Sarah.
Kyrn, Quirine.
Sander, Alexander.
Laurens, Louris, Lawrence.
Staats, Eustace.
Leendert, Leonard.
Stoffel, Christopher.
Lieven, Liewe, Leo.
Styntie, Christiana.
Leentje, Lena, Helena,Madalene.Tanneken, Ann.
Leonora, Lenoor,Ellenor.
Teewes, Matthew.
Letje, Letitia.
Teunis, Anthony.
Lodewyk,) Ludovicus.
Tibout, Theobald.
Louis, ) Lewis.
Toontje, Antonia.
Lotje, Charlotte.
Truytje, Gertrude.
Lukas, Luytje, Luke.
Lysbet, Lysje, Elizabeth.
Matthys, Matthias.
Tryntje, Catharine.
Tymen, Timothy.
Tys, Matthias.
Meewes, Bartholomew.
Wouter, Walter.
Machtelde, Matilda.
Ydtje, Ida.
Margrietje, Margaret.
Zanneke, Susanna.
Marty ntje, Martina,
( "6)
MAUDE'S TRAVELS.
In the year 1800 Mr. JOHN MAUDE, an Englishman,
visited the United States, and published an account of
his travels in 1826. He speaks of his sojourn in this
country as the happiest period of his life. His obser-
vations upon Albany and its vicinity are as follow. The
author's errors in dates and names will be detected by the
reader ; we have followed his text.
NEW YORK, Saturday, June 21st, 1800, 5J P. M. Em-
barked on board the sloop Sally, Captain Peter Donelly,
seventy tons, four hands, viz: the captain, his brother
Andrew, John, who was on board Admiral De Winter's
ship on the memorable llth October, 1797, and Nicholas,
a free black acting as steward, cook, cabin-boy, &c. , had
purchased his own freedom and that of his wife, hoping
soon to effect that of his children ; performs well on the
violin, and is very smart. Twenty-four passengers, not
births for more than half. Passage two dollars each.
Board and liquors, as may happen. Principal passengers,
General Alleser, of New York, violent democrat; Caul, of
Saratoga, ditto ; Mr. Mousley, warm aristocrat and fede-
ralist; Mr. Putnam, Mr. Williams, Lieutenant Kipp, all
three federalists; the youth Octavius, son of Timothy
Pickering, Esq., late Secretary of State, under the care of
Messrs. Williams and Putnam, both relations of Mr. Pick-
ering; Jonas, of Montreal, grocer; of Michillimack-
inac; a drunken, Scotch Presbyterian minister; Mr.
Sanger, &c., &c., four raftmen, and a man and his wife
from Staten Island.
7 P. M. Unmoored; fine S. E. breeze; ten knots.
Tuesday, 5J p. M. Got under weigh, in doing which,
fished up an excellent and large anchor, a valuable prize
for the captain. The gust, as expected, killed the wind;
in summer I never knew an instance to the contrary.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 117
Had the gust kept off, we should have been in Albany by
seven o'clock.
9 P. M. The wind having entirely failed us, took the
sloop in tow, and at 7 p. M. had her moored alongside a
wharf in Baltimore, one hundred and forty-five miles.
Went on shore ; took with us Nicholas and his violin, the
fiddle soon got the girls together; we kicked up a dance
and kept it up till midnight. Treated with spruce-beer
and gingerbread. Baltimore is a shabby place, every other
house a tavern ; in number about a dozen.
Wednesday, June 25th. 3 A. M. Not a breath of air ; took
sloop in tow ; not possible to see from stem to stern, yet
passed a dangerous and difficult passage and a bar, which
require, it is said, your having all your eyes about you.
6 A. M. Made land ; the fog beginning to disperse ; put
the Presbyterian minister on shore ; he is engaged by a Mr.
Nichols as a tutor to his children ! Boat returned with
milk for breakfast.
7^ A. M. Dropped anchor ; took boat and landed on High
hill island, four miles in length ; two farms ; got a few
sour cherries ; one hundred and fifty-four miles from New
York. Crossed to the opposite or west shore, and landed
at a farm house, called Bethlehem, six miles from Albany ;*
numerous and handsome family.
9 A. M. Having hired a waggon, seven of our passengers
* Albany: settled in 1760 , forty-five sloops (vessels) owned in Al-
bany and forty-five in New York, <-c., total ninety sloops in the
Albany trade, about seventy tons each ten voyages (twenty trips)
per annum on an average; navigated by a captain at twenty dollars
per month ; a pilot at fifteen dollars-, a seaman and a cook at nine dol-
lars total four hands. Freight twelve cents and a half per cwt., gain
one hundred dollars per voyage, or one thousand dollars per annum.
Passage, one dollar and 25 cents, average eight passengers, ten dollars
a trip, or two hundred dollars per annum.
Sloop building at Albany twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents per
ton, if green wood last only ten years, seasoned wood would last thirty.
Four thousand white inhabitants, and two thousand black slaves. Re-
venue, 35,000 dollars. Corporation sell the quays (wharfs) at two
dollars and fifty cents per foot of frontage, and an annual rent of eight
dollars and twelve and a half cents. Lands near the town from sixty-
three to seventy-five dollars per acre. Labor, fifty-six and a half cents
per day; in harvest eighty-seven and a half cents. Butcher's meat
ten to twelve and a half cents per Ib. Le Due de Liancourt in 1795.
118 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
took their departure. The day being remarkably sultry
I determined to stay by the sloop. Returned on board
with potatoes and salad.
Noon. Got under weigh ; light south air.
2 P. M. Passed safely the Overslough.
3 P. M. Albany,* one hundred and sixty miles from New
York. Took up my quarters at Lewis's tavern, where I
found Mr. Williams, Mr. Putnam, young Oetavius and
Lieutenant Kipp at dinner. Paid the captain two dollars
for passage-money, and four dollars and fifty cents, for
board and liquors; the same sum of six dollars and
fifty cents was charged for my servant, though neither his
bed nor board were so good as mine. Our passage of four
days may be considered a long one, at this season of the
year, yet it was a pleasant one and no way tedious. The
Hudson is one of the finest rivers in America, and supe-
rior to them all in romantic and sublime scenery, more
especially in its progress through the Highlands, a distance
of sixteen miles. What further added to the pleasantness
^Albany, one hundred and sixty miles north of New York, and three
hundred and forty south of Quebec, north lat. 42, 39, West Ion. 73, 30.
Contained, in 1797, one thousand two hundred and sixty-three build-
ings, of which, eight hundred and sixty-three were dwelling-houses :
and six thousand and twenty-one inhabitants. In 1609, Heniy Hud-
son ascended in his boat to Aurania, the spot on which Albany now
stands. The improvements in this city, within five or six years, have
been very great in almost all respects. Wharfs built, streets paved,
bank instituted. A new and handsome style of building introduced,
and now excellent water, (an article in which this city has hitherto
been extremely deficient, having been obliged to use the dirty water
of the river) is about to be conducted into the various parts of the city,
from a fine spring five miles from the west of the city. Albany is un-
rivaled for situation, being nearly at the head of sloop navigation, on
one of the noblest rivers in the world. It enjoys a salubrious air, and
is the natural emporium of the increasing trade of a large extent of
country, west and north. A country of excellent soil, abounding in
every article for a West India market-, plentifully watered with navi-
gable lakes, creeks and rivers, settling with almost unexampled ra-
pidity, and capable of affording subsistence to millions of inhabitants ;
and when the contemplated locks and canals are completed, and con-
venient roads opened into every part of the country, all which will, it
is expected, be accomplished in the course of a few years, Albany will
probably increase and flourish beyond any other city or town in the
United States. Morse.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 119
of this trip, were our frequent expeditions on shore. We
landed seven times, and each time employed two or three
hours in exploring the country. We saw, too, the whole
of the river ; as we progressed but a very few miles during
the time we occupied our births. We usually retired at
eleven, and rose at four or five o'clock. The shortest
passage ever made on this river was by this same sloop
and captain; he made it in sixteen hours and six minutes,
from which should be deducted one hour for time occupied
in landing passengers by the way. The passage often
takes a fortnight to perform it, and sometimes twenty-five
or thirty days. The passage is always the shortest, the
winds being equally favorable, up the river, as you carry
the flood with you; in the other case, you out-run the ebb.
Captain Donnelly has taken 1,675 dollars passage money
in one year.
Thursday, June 26th. Dined with the Reverend Thomas
Ellison, fifteen years minister of the Episcopal church in
this city; was born at Newcastle, Great Britain. Mrs.
Ellison and Mr. Ramsay from North-Britain, were of the
party.
Evening. Visit snuff manufactory, stadthouse, and a
fine spring of water about a quarter of a mile out of
town.*
Heavy thunder gust in the morning ; very sultry till
noon ; pleasant evening.
Friday, June 27th. Mr. Williams, Mr. Putnam and Oc-
tavius set out for Boston. Lieutenant Kipp left us yester-
day for Utica.
* One mile north of this city near the manor-house of Lieutenant
Governor Van Rensselaer. are very ingeniously constructed, extensive
and useful works for the manufacture of Scotch and rappee snuffs, roll
and cut tobacco of different kinds, chocolate, mustard, starch, hair-
powder, split-peas and hulled-barley. These valuable works are the
property of Mr. James Caldwell, who unfortunately lost a complete
set of similar works by fire, in July, 1794, with the stock valued at
37,500 dollars. The present buildings and machinery were begun and
completed in eleven months. These works are decidedly superior to
any of the kind in America. The whole of the machinery is worked
by water. For the invention of this machinery the proprietor has ob-
tained a patent. Morse.
120 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
Yesterday enclosed Mr. Isaacs' letter to the Mayor of
Albany.
In the afternoon of the same day Mr. P. S. Van Rensse-
laer left his card.
This morning left card at Mr. Van Rensselaer's who
was gone to Schenactaday.
Dined at Lewis's table-d'hote; present, General Camp-
bell, Mr. Morgan, &c.
Inspection of the militia ; no order ; not sized ; ill-drilled.
Muskets and rifles; duck guns, pop guns and bludgeons.
Tea at Mr. Ellison's.
Showers in the morning ; sultry ; heavy thunder gust.
Saturday, June 28th. Walked south of the town, passed
the slaughter-house, the largest that I had ever seen;
ten or twelve butchers at work, had already flayed thirty
carcasses of sheep, lambs and calves, many others were in
the condemned hole ; excellent situation out of town, open
to every wind, over a creek near the Hudson ; blood and
entrails thrown into the creek, where they alfordeda fine
feast to a drove of hogs. Proceeded to General Schuyler's
(father-in-law to Mr. P. S. Van Rensselaer, the lieutenant
governor, here better known by the title of the patron ;)
pleasant situation near the town ; climbed the heights in
the rear of his house ; fine view of the Hudson and sur-
rounding country to the N. N. E. The prospect was shut in
by the mountain opposite Saratoga, to the east of the river.
Followed a small stream to a deserted mill, and from
thence to a small but highly picturesque cascade. This
is one of the most broken countries that I ever was in ;
deep though narrow gullies, cut it up in every direction ;
few of them can be passed even on foot, without much
difficulty; on horseback, the passage is impracticable
without artificial aid These gullies are evidently formed
by the heavy rains of this country, whose torrents soon
work a channel in a soil, apparently of sand and soft loam ;
this part of the country may be termed the Barrens, prin-
cipally producing the scrub pitch-pine (Scotch-fir) ; these
pines were much wounded by a small grub, or caterpillar;
some I found actively employed in eating their way into
the young wood, and others in their nymph state. The
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 121
grass was not cut, except in one field, and that was in
cock ; the maize was not so forward as I had seen it a
fortnight ago on York Island; the potatoes were about
four inches out of the ground. Carrots we had this day
to dinner for the first time. Young potatoes and cherries
have not yet appeared in Albany.
Sunday, June 29th. Saint Peter's ; Reverend T. Ellison.
Dined at home with General Campbell, Mr. Morgan, Mr.
Carpentier, Mr. Cockrane, Mr. Hayward, Mr. Ledgard,
Mr. Bowers and from Charlestown. Walked to
the cascade at Rensselaer's Mills, two miles opposite side
of the river, superior to the cascade visited yesterday ; it
is of a very different character to Lowdore-Falls near
Kes wick- Lake, but I think would be generally more ad-
mired. A saw-mill erected on the verge of the fall greatly
improves its effect. In winter and spring this cascade is
visible from Albany ; and from thence, Albany is seen in its
best point of view, being little more than a mile from it
in a straight line.
Cold north west wind; a fire this day would not have
been unpleasant.
Monday, June 30th. Crossed the river to Bath, a town
lately laid out by the Patron ; it at present consists of
about thirty houses, but it is very doubtful if its further
progress will be so rapid. The medicinal spring, and the
baths, at one time so much wanted, are now shut up and
neglected; yet, as a watering place, it was to have rivaled
Ballstown, and as a trading place, Lansingburg and Troy.
A country girl, returning from market, (who crossed the
ferry at the same time,) spoke Dutch and English with
equal fluency, and I may add with equal pertness. Climbed
the heights east of Bath ; fine view up the river, and of
Troy. Returned by the lower or Greenbush-ferry. Never
saw the wild grape and wild strawberry vines in greater
profusion; in the coppice near the river, scarcely a tree
that did not support one of the former; or a field that
was not over-run by the latter. This ramble was a very
wild and a very pleasant one; the air bracing and refresh-
ing, and highly perfumed with the fragrance of wild roses
and red clover. White clover is a native of this country ;
11
122 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
the red is, I believe, an exotic, though it is now to be
found in a wild state all over this part of the country, even
in the woods. The birds I noticed were boblincolns,
brown thrashers, and robins.
Afternoon. Long walk to the west of the town; fell
in with the stream, Buttermilk Falls, visited on Saturday;
being scanty of water, followed its romantic course by
taking advantage of the most elevated parts of its rocky
channel ; the cliffs on each hand nearly approached the
perpendicular, and were generally from about seventy to
one hundred and twenty feet, or perhaps more, in height.
My progress was at length stopped by the cascade already
described. The water being very clear and cool, I took
advantage of where the rock was formed by the waters
into a natural bason, to bathe. The neighborhood very
busy hay making.
Tuesday, July 1st. Market; beef six and a quarter cents
to nine cents per lb., average price about five to six cents ;
in the fall of the year four cents. No fish, save sturgeon,
vulgarly called Albany beef, and that soon bought up ; it
is sold by the junk, and skinned on the spot, which skin
is a fine feast for the hogs which regularly attend the fish
market. The Americans brag much of their happy rid-
dance from British tyranny and taxation. A word on
this subject. The highest tax paid by any individual in
this city, whilst under the British Government, was eight
dollars per annum ; this same gentleman now pays, to the
peace establishment of his country, one hundred and sixty
dollars per annum, just twenty times as much! In 1787,
the first year of the adoption of the present federal consti-
tution, a house which then let in Albany for fifteen pounds
per annum, now rents for seventy pounds New York cur-
rency, which is as thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents, to
one hundred and seventy-five dollars. Beef then sold for
three cents, now six to nine cents ; butter nine cents, now
twenty cents the year round ; eggs twenty for twelve cents
and a half, now twelve for twelve cents and a half; stur-
geon for one-third less ; wheat seventy-five cents, now one
hundred and fifty cents per bushel ; wine one dollar per
gallon, now two and three dollars. Accompanied Mr.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 123
Howard and to Wendell's Falls (Mills) the same
which I yesterday visited ; this morning we also explored
the part below the cascade so as to arrive at the foot of
the fall ; the pool, or bason, formed in this place, appears
well adapted for bathing.
Evening. Caldwell's manufactory; followed the stream
on which the same is erected ; climbed heights west of the
Patroon's villa. Had I the kind devil-upon-two-sticks to
befriend me, (for I know not how otherwise a stranger
can get acquainted with the routine of their domestic
economy, so sacred from profanation do they keep their
household lares) ! I would, ere I bid adieu to this place,
offer some observations on the manners of the Albanians,
especially of the old Dutch inhabitants. However, let us
hear what says the Duke de Liancourt. " L'Hospitalite
pour les etrangers ne parait pas etre laqualite dominante
des citoyens d'Albany; le peu que nous en avons vu est
triste, lourd, vit chez lui avec une femme quelquefois
belle, souvent gauche, a laquelle il ne dit pas trente pa-
roles par jour, quoiqu'il 1'appelle, my dear!"
If these "Lourds," when living, have not the heart to
entertain their friends, they are at least generous to pro*
fusion, when dead; when their eye cannot see, when their
tongue can not chide, and when their heart can not grieve
for the waste and extravagance of the " merry mourners,"
who, to supply the loss of their friend, liberate and adopt
his wine ; who, as they consign the one to darkness, draw
forth the other to light : and who, as good and honest
executors wishing to do justice to the parties, take care
that when the vault receives the one, it resigns the other ;
thus, no man gets drunk with his own wine; thus, the
saddest are the most joyful ; thus, though the host is not
drunk, he is dead; though the guests are not dead, they
are drunk ; and thus no scandal to say the host and guests
are dead drunk If I have any thing more to say of
Albany, 'tis that it is beyond the latitude of cherries, and
that the citizens of the country drive waggons only;
despising carts, their two horses harnessed chariot fashion.
Morse, in 1797, speaks of the extreme deficiency of
good water in Albany, and that the inhabitants were about
124 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
to introduce water from a fine spring five miles west of
the city. This fine spring water is yet without the gates of
the city, where, on the 1st of July, 1800, I saw it playing
like a fountain before the door of the manor house of the
Patroon, his excellency the Lieutenant Governor. As for
being obliged to use the dirty water of the river, I will
beg leave to observe to Mr. Morse, that a very great pro-
portion of the city do not use the river water, which said
river water is far from being dirty; rather remarkable for
its purity, being a pleasant, wholesome beverage. Great
part of the city is supplied with water from a well in the
main street ; but the best water is from a pump to the
westward of the Episcopal Church ; it is a water that my
palate can not find any fault with, nor my eyes perceive
in it those animalcules Kalm speaks of; neither could I
discover them in the well water.
Wednesday, July 2d. 4J A. M. Started in the stage for
Utica; passed Miss Jay, the Governor's daughter, in the
public stage waggon ; passed General Oothout driving his
own waggon.
(7J A M. Schenectady,* Indian name, signifying End-
of-the- Woods) sixteen miles ; Brownall's and Beat's Inn;
breakfast loin of veal, ham, strawberries, cheese, coffee,
tea, tarts, preserved apples, &c. &c. Drove some miles
through rich and fertile flats on the banks of the Mohawk,
worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars and upwards
per acre; nineteen miles. Boats poling up the rapids,
some difficulty in getting over them; water low; boats
draw about two feet.
Noon. Dine at Warren Bush, or Tripe Hill, thirty-
three miles.
* Schenectady; one hundred and fifty to two hundred houses, on
the decline. Union College incorporated in 1797; thirty-seven stu-
dents; four classes; first, Languages, eight students; second, History
and Belles Lettres, twenty students; third, Mathematics, six students ;
fourth, Philosophy, three students; funds and stock, 42,422 dollars
and 60 cents, and 1604 acres of land: Library 1,000 volumes. Expense
of education, including board #c., less than 100 dollars.
There were eight hundred Indian warriors in Schenectady when
Albany was first settled; three hundred of whom lived in a space now
occupied by a single farm. Morse.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 125
5 P. M. Canajoharie, (Indian name, signifying the Boil-
ing Pot), fifty-five miles. Mr. Elias Kane, fellow passenger,
introduced me here to his brother Archibald, who has a
well furnished store, and carries on a very extensive
business. Archibald has been nearly five years in part-
nership with his brother James, settled in Albany, who
have in that time made a clear profit of fifty thousand
dollars each ; two other brothers are settled in New York,
and one at Fort Anne, near Lake George.
A. and J. Kane took, in the course of last fall and
winter, thirty- four thousand bushels of wheat, which were
bought on an average at one dollar and fifty cents per
bushel, fifty-one thousand dollars, and sold at New York
for one dollar and ninety-three and three-quarters cents,
sixty-five thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars.
They took, also, in potash, two thousand five hundred
barrels, worth on an average, twenty- five dollars per
barrel, sixty-two thousand five hundred dollars. So that
in these two ready money articles alone, they turned over
upwards of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
A large family is no burthen in America ; the prosperity
of the K 's is owing, in a great measure, to their
number ; it affords them an opportunity of playing into
each others hands.
Mr. Archibald Kane kindly insisted on my passing the
evening and taking a bed at his house, to which invitation
I readily yielded. While we were engaged with a bottle
of claret, my servant was jockeying for a horse; the bar-
gain was soon made, and I paid down the money first
demanded, sixty-two dollars and fifty cents.
Scrub pine and oak barrens from Albany to Schenectady ;
then rich flats on the Mohawk ; red and ground squirrels ;
yellow and black birds, robins, crows, a sea gull and wild
ducks. Very cold morning; pleasant day. Walked a
few miles, by getting start whilst the horses were
changing.
[Mr. Maude continued his journey to the Falls of Nia-
gara, and down the St. Lawrence to Montreal. On the
24th September, 1800, he left that city to return to New
126 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
York by the way of Lake Champlain and the Hudson
River. On the 30th September he arrived at Sandy Hill,
on his approach to Albany; we quote again from his
book :]
Here I first got sight of the Hudson river, and fell in
with the road from Lake George, which lake is ten miles
to the N. W.; and Glens Falls on the Hudson, about two
miles to the W. These falls were highly worth a visit,
but I did not know of their existence till I arrived at
Albany.
9J P. M. Reached Fort Edward, one hundred and ninety-
six miles.
11 J A. M. Dined on my own provisions at Glusher's,
two hundred and two miles. Noon ; proceed.
| P. M. Cross the Hudson at two hundred and seven
miles. My road from Fort Edward to this place has
been along the E. side of the river; but from this ferry
it keeps the right bank all the way to Albany. Here is a
remarkable feature in the river ; it is still, deep, and
spreads out into two bays, that to the west running far
inland; the whole length of the one to the east we tra-
versed in the ferry, landing at the very extremity of a
sheltered cove.
It was probably at this place that Burgoyne passed his
army, and whose encampment extended hence to Fishkill,
a distance of two miles, from the 10th to the 17th of Oc-
tober, 1777, when this gallant band was under the morti-
fying necessity of piling its arms.
Passed the Fishkill or Schuyler's creek, two hundred
and nine miles. To the right I saw the church at Sara-
toga; on the left, due east, was a mountain which I had
long had in view : this remarkable mountain is, I have
great reason to suppose, the same which I observed from
the heights west of Albany.
2 P. M. Took a second slight refreshment at Fitzsim-
mons' tavern, two hundred and fourteen miles.
3J P. M. Proceed on foot, and cross the two fields of
battle, of the 19th of September and 7th of October, 1777.
Pass through Stillwater, prettily situated.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 127
5J P. M. My driver again baited his horses, two hun-
dred eni twenty- three miles; proceed on foot.
7 J P. M. Take up my lodging for the night at a Dutch
tavern, two hundred and thirty-one miles, having jour-
neyed forty-seven miles this day; good traveling for a
farmer's waggon!
My landlord, like the generality of Dutch innkeepers,
was churlish, and extravagant in his charges. The soil
of America appears not to have any influence upon the
character they brought with them from the fens of Hol-
land: they are still to the tenth and twentieth generation
Dutch in person, dress, mind and manners. On crossing
the Hudson, the Dutch ferryman asked me for my fare as a
foot passenger. ** How so ? " " Because you got out of the
wagon; had you remained in it, I must have been obliged
to consider you as part of the load." Fine pleasant day
and evening ; moonlight night.
Wednesday, October 1st. 6 A. M. Begin my last day's
journey. Pass through the handsome village of Water-
ford,* or Halfmoon-point, two hundred and thirty three
miles. View of Lansingburg,! on the opposite side of
the river. Cross the Mohawk, over the bridge at the foot
of the Cohoes Falls, near which I breakfasted at Forth's
tavern, two hundred and thirty-five miles. After breakfast
I visited the celebrated cataract of the Cohoes, and strange
to say, I was more pleased with it now that I had seen
Niagara, than I was five years ago, when I beheld it with
disappointment. I then expected a grand and romantic fall ;
I now amused myself with comparing its features and
character with those of the many falls which I had lately
seen. Niagara overhangs its base ; this projects in massy
abutments ; the rock is of a very hard quality, yet in the
bed of the river, which is solid rock, the water has worn
* u On December the 3d, 1804, an excellent bridge, 800 feet in
length, across the Hudson, from Waterford to Lansingburg, was
opened with much ceremony and eclat. A procession, military, civil,
and masonic, was formed at Lansingburg, crossed the Bridge, and
partook of an entertainment at Waterford ; the governor and other
respectable characters being among the guests." New York Paper.
t I visited this place and Waterford on the 23d of June, 1795.
128 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800,
deep furrows and channels ; so that in one place, the water
being low, the water was collected into one of these
channels, about thirty feet wide, where the stream was
very deep and rapid, all the rest of the bed being dry
excepting the pot-holes, circular cavities formed by the
rotary motion of stones and water. This river furnishes
pike, bass, and trout.
9 A. M. Proceed.
9 1 A. M. Opposite to Troy, the view of which is highly
beautiful from the ferry-house ; a noble river ran in front,
and in its rear rises a high screen of varied woodlands.
I now passed through a range of meadows that might
vie with the celebrated German flats, previously men-
tioned. I may here observe, that the country improved
in beauty and fertility as I proceeded from Skenesborough
to Albany. I had observed on my route pheasants, black,
red, and ground squirrels, a sea-gull, and a skunk. I had
almost forgotten to observe, that in the meadows just
spoken of, are some of the noblest elms I ever saw, and
many covered with grape-vines to their very summits.
I was now no longer in a strange country ; step by step
I recognized some well known object pointing out the vi-
cinity of Albany. Far in the horizon rose the Catskill
mountains, so beautifully arranged as justified my former
admiration of them. The Hudson, broad, rapid and clear,
reflected the early beams of the morning, and the neat and
comfortable dwellings lining its eastern banks with the
towns of Troy, Lansingburg, and Bath, overtopped and
contrasted by the neighboring wooded heights : these, with
the gay spreading meadows and their vine-covered elms,
formed a glowing scene, that gave fire to my spirits ; for
a more animated prospect I had not beheld since I left
New York. All that eagerness and anxiety, all that
" pleasing hope andfond desire," which agitates the bosom
of those returning after a long absence to the abodes
where affection has been awakened, and where expecting
friends are stretching out the arms of welcome, took
possession of my soul : not that Albany, or its inhabitants,
had any strong hold upon my affections ; but in Albany
I saw the haven from whence I had departed, and where
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 129
I should end, all that had been new and doubtful of an
expedition, which, however pleasantly prosecuted, and
however happily terminated, had not been without its
cares, its apprehensions, and its dangers.
" The Genesee fever " was still proverbial for its malig-
nancy, though now unjustly so; yet a schoolfellow of
mine, Mr. Dennison, of Nottingham, would have been
added to the list of its martyrs, had not the benevolence
of Captain Williamson interfered. Many others of my
acquaintance who visited the Genesee were seized with
the fever ; indeed few of them escaped it. Shooting the
rapids of the St. Lawrence will never be considered as
boy's play: unknown dangers, too, no doubt, oft hung
about me, but hidden from my sight and averted by that
Almighty Being, who, in two impressive instances, snatched
me from destruction, when all hope of other aid had died
within me. With such sentiments, (and who in like cir-
cumstances would not entertain such sentiments?) could I
do other than hail the sight of Albany ?
10J A. M. Reach Lewis's tavern, Albany, two hundred
and forty-five miles from Montreal. Waited upon the
Rev. Thomas Ellison, Mr. Ramsay, and Mr. Walsh. Tea
and supper at Mr. Ellison's. Pleasant bright day.
Thursday, October 2d. Wrote an account of my ad-
ventures to John Johnstone, Esq , of Geneva. Met with
Mr. Archibald Kane, who had so well entertained me at
Canajoharie. Dined with the mayor, Philip Van Rensse-
laer, Esq., who invited a large party to meet me. Took
my passage for New York.
Friday, October 3d. I passed the morning in wandering
about the environs of Albany.
44 P. M. Embarked. On stepping on board the sloop
Magdelene, captain Wendal, I recognized Mr. Cuyler, of
Greenbush, from whom I had received civilities on my first
visit to Albany in 1795, and father to Mr. Wm. Cuyler,
of Bath, Steuben county, with whom I had formed a
friendly intimacy during my residence in captain William-
son's family.
Mr. Cuyler introduced me to my fellow-passengers,
Mrs. Bruce, a widow lady of New York; and Mrs. Le
130 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
Roy, his daughter, the wife of Mr. Robert Le Roy, mer-
chant, of New York. I was so much pleased with the
appearance of these ladies, as to be happy in so respecta-
ble an introduction ; while to them it was no little
gratification to find that their future associate was no
stranger, but one to whose protection Mr. Cuyler cheer-
fully confided them as his acquaintance and his son's friend.
Mrs. Le Roy had her two children with her; Jacob,
about seven years of age, and Louisa, in her third year.
Immediately after my introduction, Mr. Cuyler took his
leave, and we set sail with a smart fair wind at N. W.
5 P. M. Grounded on the upper Overslaugh three miles.
7 p. M. Grounded on the lower Overslaugh, eight
miles. As there was no prospect of our getting over this
shoal till the tide had attained its highest point, we took
in all our sail and carried out an anchor into deep water.
This lower Overslaugh has seldom more than eight feet
of water upon it even in spring tides, and our sloop drew
seven feet, though a great part of her lading was on board a
lighter, and not to be shipped till we had passed these shoals
which are a severe interruption to the navigation between
New York and Albany, and which might otherwise be car-
ried on in vessels of larger burthen than are now employed
in this trade. There are a variety of channels among
those beds of sand called the Overslaughs, and the main
channel shifts almost every year. The remedy is easy :
block up all the channels except one, and the water will
accumulate there, and keep it ever free.
Having made all snug on deck, we sat down to an excel-
lent supper, which had been sent on board by Mr. Cuyler.
I found the two ladies precisely what I wished ladies in a
ship's cabin to be; not so free and easy, as to forget the
manners of the drawing-room ; nor so starch and full of
self-importance, as to raise contempt and disgust.
Hitherto I had voyaged with ladies too free or too con-
sequential. Having at this time nothing to fear from
coarse manners, or mistaken pride, I had only to guard
against, and prevent, another source of much uneasiness
and constraint, which, among those the best disposed for
harmonious intercourse, inevitably arises from the want
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 131
of that proper understanding which delicacy, seemingly,
forbids. I thus opened the subject: "You will observe,
ladies, that we all sleep in the same cabin ; that a slight
curtain only separates us. I know from experience that
a system, understood by both parties, should be adopted
for our mutual convenience; for where false delicacy has
prevented explanation, constraint, inquietude, and real
indelicacy, has been the consequence. My plan is simply
this: that we sup at eight, breakfast at eight, and dine,
as wind, weather, and circumstances permit; that we
chat and talk an hour or two after supper, when I will
keep the watch on deck for an hour, time sufficient,
surely, for you to put on your night-caps ! one hour be-
fore, and two hours after dinner, I will leave you in full
possession of the cabin; but at no time do I wish to have
exclusive possession of it myself, as I shall always make
my toilet before breakfast. I am an early riser, and will
walk the deck till you announce breakfast."
The ladies very kindly thanked me for yielding so much
to their accommodation, assuring me, at the same time,
that I had removed their only objection to the sloops, so
superior in other respects to the journey by land. Plea-
sant weather and fair wind, N. W. ; very bright moonlight
night.
Saturday, October 4th. Went early on deck ; the dawn
brought a heavy fog.
7 A. M. Being high water, we endeavored to warp off
the shoal ; we succeeded only in part, and were obliged to
wait another tide. It is always high water at Albany at
the rising and setting of the moon.
8 A. M. The fog having dispersed, I took the boat and
rowed to Castleton, on the E. shore, and having procured
milk and eggs, I hastened back to breakfast. On the W.
shore I noticed Colonel Nicol's house, where we landed
the accomplished tutor of his children on my voyage up.
An island which lay a short distance above us, I recog-
nized to be Overberg or Highhill island, which in June
last afforded me nothing better than sour cherries ; I de-
termined, therefore, to try my fortune after breakfast on
a smaller island that lay nearer to the sloop,
Iti
132 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
about two miles in length. I took two hands in the boat
with me, and finding the island uninhabited, we took for-
mal possession of it. The province of discovery was
left to me, while my companions undertook to procure a
mess of fish.
There was great plenty of good timber on the island,
and so much underwood, that I found it very difficult to
make the tour of it. I collected the small black frost
grape, and the large tough fox grape. I was informed
that on some of the islands in this part of the Hudson,
there were not only other species of the fox grape, but
also a red grape, and a very fine white grape, both un-
known in either parts of the United States.
On re-joining the two sailors at our rendezvous, I found
that they had caught a dishfull of yellow perch.
On my return on board, I was sorry to observe that
we had received two additional passengers, a Mr. Thur-
man, and his niece, Miss Brazier.
6 P. M. Being high water we succeeded in warping off
the Overslaugh. We now took on board our full lading
from the lighter, our cargo consisting of four hundred
barrels of potash, of four cwt. each, value .3 per cwt.
or 4,800* New York currency, being thirty dollars per
barrel.
Falling calm we out sweeps, and rowed three miles,
eleven miles from Albany, when we came to an anchor.
Very fine day and night.
Sunday, October 5th. As the moon set the fog rose.
9J A. M. Fog cleared off with a light air from the north.
10 A. M. Light head wind from the south.
Noon ; drifted to leeward of an island opposite to Coey-
man's twelve miles. Here was another detention, but
fully compensated to the original party, by the beauty of
the surrounding scenery, and the harmony of our society,
Mr. Thurman was a sensible person, of a quiet and se-
rious cast. His niece was* apparently of an unsociable
disposition, which every effort of ours to amend proved
* As the New York currency is eight shillings the dollar, 4,800 is
12.000 dollars, or .2.700 sterling.
Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800. 133
unavailing. She seemed best pleased when left to her
own meditations ; and these, judging from her countenance,
were not very profound.
As for Jacob, he was too wild for his mother, and was
put entirely under my care. Louisa was my little dar-
ling. In the evening I took Jacob with me (a great favor),
and made a trip to the village of Coeyman's, consisting of
about thirty houses on the W. shore, and at the mouth
of Coeyman's-kill. Visited general McKay's. Calm
morning ; rain in the night.
Monday, October 6th. During the whole of this morn-
ing we had a severe storm of wind and rain, thunder and
lightning from the south. Our situation to leeward of
Coeyman's island, which we yesterday considered as a
piece of bad fortune, now turned out to be the most se-
cure situation we could have chosen.
3 P. M. The storm having spent its fury, and the wind
having got into the W. and being moderate, we got under
weigh.
3i P. M. Abreast of Baltimore, fourteen miles. This is
a shabby village on the W. shore, and contains about
twenty-five houses.
5 P. M. Abreast of Mr. McMachin's house, near Kinder-
hook landing, on E. side, twenty miles. Moderate as was
our present rate of sailing, we made still less progress in
the night, the wind having less influence than the tide.
Tuesday, October 7th. 1 A. M. Came to an anchor off
Lunenberg, thirty-four miles.
6 A. M. I took the boat and allowing my young friend
to accompany me, we crossed over to the E. side of the
river, and landed at the city of Hudson, thirty-four miles,
where we procured milk, bread and beef, but no porter
could be had. Jacob was quite delighted with the fre-
quent trips I made on shore, when I never failed to take
him with me, if circumstances would admit of it. It had
two beneficial effects : it put him on his good behavior,
and tranquilized his mother, who never thought him safe
but when I had charge of him; for, like a true " Pickle,"
his delight was to alarm her by running into danger: the
more danger, the more fun. Louisa saw her interest in
12
134 Maude's Visit to Albany in 1800.
these expeditions; she never was forgotten in our traf-
ficking with the natives ; she took care to be the first to
rummage the basket, and generally found something for her
own store-room.
8 A. M. Weighed anchor. The wind being S. we had
to beat down the river.
10 A. M. Abreast of the village at the mouth of the
Catskill, forty miles. It is a pretty situation in Jay's
valley. We had a fine prospect, including the Catskill
mountains. On the opposite or E. side of the river was
Oakhill, the seat of John Livingston, Esq., of New York.
Forty miles. Up" topsail.
11 A. M. The old manor-house of the Livingstons, on
E. side, forty-two miles.
2J P. M. Chancellor Livingston's and his mother's
house, a fine situation, fifty miles. Wind increased. Down
top-sail.
3 P. M. Abreast of the pretty and well-built, village of
Redhook, E. side, fifty-two miles. The Catskill moun-
tains now appeared to their greatest advantage.
4 P. M. A stately house, built by John Livingston,
which, with two hundred acres of land, cost fifty thousand
dollars, E. side, fifty- six miles. When we were abreast of
the Esopus meadows, (sixty-miles), we thought it time to
fill our water-casks, but to our vexation this work had
been deferred too long, for the water was already brackish,
at this distance of one hundred miles from New York.
The captain, in justification, assured us, that he had never
known the water brackish so high up the river ; that the
water is generally fresh in the Highlands, and sometimes
even in Haverstraw bay, sixty miles below our present
situation.
10 P. M. Abreast of Poughkeepsie. E. side, half way
between Albany and New York, eighty miles. The wind
had been very variable the whole day, and our rate of
sailing about three knots an hour. Fine clear weather.
[The above will suffice to show the mode of passage,
and the facilities afforded for a trip to New York by water,
half a century ago.]
( 135 )
ALBANY COUNTY.
From Mather & Brockett's Geography of the State of New York.
1845.
Square miles, 515. Population, 77,268.
Organized, 1683. Valuation, $15,603,161.
TOWNS.
1. Albany, 1686. 6. Berne, 1795.
2. Watervliet, 1788. 7. Guilderland, 1803.
3. Rensselaerville, 1790. 8. Westerlo, 1815.
4. Coeymans, 1791. 9. Knox, 1822.
5. Bethlehem, 1793. 10. New Scotland, 1832.
Mountains. Helderberg hills.
Rivers, &c. Hudson, Mohawk, Norman's kill, Coeymans
creek, Haivnakraus kill, Provost creek, Foxes creek.
Falls. Cohoes falls.
Cities and Villages. Albany, West Troy, Coeymans,
Rensselaerville, Cohoes.
BOUNDARIES. North by Schenectady and Saratoga
counties; east by the Hudson; south by Greene; and
west by Schoharie county.
SURFACE. The surface is much varied. Along the
Hudson, extends an alluvial valley, from a fourth of a
mile to a mile in width. From this valley the land rises
abruptly, 140 feet, and thence a table land gradually
ascends, to the base of the Helderberg hills. Along the
Mohawk, the surface is rugged and broken.
The Helderberg hills extend through the western part
of the county, unitiiig, on the south, with the Catskill
range. They are from 400 to 500 feet in height, and
very precipitous. Their elevation is quite uniform, dis-
playing no isolated peaks.
RIVERS AND STREAMS. The county is well watered.
Besides the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, which partially
bound it, the Norman's kill, Coeymans creek, Haivna-
kraus kill, Provost creek, Foxes creek, Boza kill, Vlaman's
kill and the Patroon's creek, are the principal streams.
136 Albany County.
Most of these, as well as several smaller streams, have
valuable waterfalls, affording great facilities for manufac-
turing.
The Cohoes, or Great Falls of the Mohawk, at the
village of Cohoes, lie partly in this, and partly in Sara-
toga county. The river here descends, at a single leap,
70 feet, and then pursues its way, over the rocks, in the
channel, which its waters have cut through the solid rock,
to the depth of more than 100 feet, to the Hudson. Few
cataracts possess more picturesque beauty.
RAILROADS. The Troy and Schenectady, and the Mo-
hawk and Hudson railroads, cross the northeastern sec-
tion of the county, and the Catskill and Canajoharie, the
southeastern.
CLIMATE. The climate is quite variable, being subject
to great extremes of heat and cold. Though unfavorable
to those affected with pulmonary diseases, it is considered
as generally healthy.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. The geological formation
of the county is transition ; graywacke and slate are the
prominent characteristics of the banks of the Hudson
and Mohawk. In the Helderbergs, are found lime and
sandstone, both abounding in organic remains.
In the elevated table lands, lying between the Helder-
bergs and the Hudson river, are thick beds of blue and
yellow marl, of clayey consistence, and destitute of fossils.
They are covered with yellow sand. Bog iron ore is found
in numerous localities in the county. Marl and water
limestone also abound. There are several mineral springs,
some of which contain sulphuretted hydrogen, others car-
bonic acid gas, iron and magnesia. Epsom salts are found
at Coeymans landing, and petroleum in Guilderland. In
the limestone cliffs of the Helderbergs, are several exten-
sive caverns, containing quartz and other crystals, stalac-
tites and stalagmites of great beauty; calcareous spar,
bitumen and alum also occur in the county.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. A portion of the
soil is fertile and productive, and most of that which was
naturally sterile, has, by the skill of the husbandman,
been made to yield abundant returns. Considerable tracts,
however, are not susceptible of cultivation. The timber
Albany County. 137
of the county is principally pine, hemlock, oak, hickory,
elm, chestnut and birch.
PURSUITS. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of
the inhabitants. This may be reckoned as one of the
grain growing counties, although not one of the most
productive. Oats, corn, rye, buckwheat and barley, are
the principal grains ; potatoes are raised in considerable
quantities. The western part is favorable to grazing, and
butter is there largely produced. The number of sheep
in the county is large, and increasing annually.
Manufactures also occupy the attention of a large
number of the citizens of the county. In 1845, these
considerably exceeded two and a half millions of dollars,
of which about two millions were produced in the city
of Albany. The principal articles manufactured were,
iron ware, flour, malt liquors, coaches and sleighs, ma-
chinery, cotton and woollen goods, brick, cordage, oil and
oil cloths.
Commerce. The navigation of the Hudson river, and
the Erie and Champlain canals, furnishes employment to
large numbers, and this commerce is increasing, in a rapid
annual ratio. Tolls were received, in 1845, in the county,
upon produce valued at about twenty-seven millions of
dollars. About thirty- five steamers, seventy tow-boats,
and 630 sloops and schooners, besides scows, &c., are
employed in the Albany trade, on the Hudson. The total
amount of shipping, belonging to the county, is about
60,000 tons.
STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. Oats, corn, rye, barley, buck-
wheat, butter and wool.
SCHOOLS. There are, in the county of Albany, 160
district school houses. In 1845, schools were taught, on
an average, ten months. During that year, 14,600 child-
ren were instructed, at an expense of about $25,000, for
tuition. The district libraries contained about 29,000
volumes. There were also in the county, the same year,
111 unincorporated private schools, with 3,856 pupils;
three academies, and two female seminaries, with 637
pupils ; one state normal school, with 294 pupils ; and one
medical college, with 114 students.
138 Albany County.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Dutch Re-
formed, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman
Catholics, Friends, Unitarians, Lutherans, Congregation-
alists, Universalists, and Jews.
HISTORY When Henry Hudson ascended the North
river, in 1609, he despatched Hendrick Corstiaensen, with
a small crew, in a boat, to ascertain the highest point to
which that river was navigable. Corstiaensen penetrated
as far as Troy, or Lansingburgh, but landed at the present
site of the city of Albany.
In 1611, or 12, he returned and erected a trading house
on Boyd's island, a short distance below the Albany ferry.
In the ensuing spring, this was so much injured by the
ice and the freshet, that he was compelled to abandon it.
He then erected a fort on a hill about two miles south of
Albany.
In 1623, a fort was erected near the present Fort Orange
Hotel, in the city of Albany, mounting eight large cannon.*
It was named Fort Orange, in honor of the Prince of
Orange, who, at that time, presided over the Netherlands.
This fort was intended to subserve the double purpose of
affording convenient accommodations for the traffic with
the Indians, and also of serving as a protection against
sudden attacks from them. It was only occupied during
the autumn and winter, by the traders, whose object was
trade, not colonization.
In 1630, Kilaen Van Rensselaer, a wealthy pearl mer-
chant, of Amsterdam, purchased, through his agents, a
large tract of land, including most of this, as well as seve-
ral of the adjacent counties.
Over this extensive tract, he possessed all the authority
of a sovereign, and, anxious to improve it to the best
advantage, he sent a colony here, in 1631, well provided
with whatever was necessary, to commence a new settle-
ment. To his estate he gave the name of Rensselaerwyck.
It is believed that he never visited his colony. The
administration of justice, and the management of its finan-
* Stone pieces, they are called in the original Dutch reports; mean-
ing, according to Judge Vanderkemp, that they were loaded with
stone, instead of iron balls. They were of very large caliber.
Albany County. 139
cial affairs, he committed to a commissary general. For-
tunate in the selection of these, his colony prospered
much more than that at New Amsterdam, and it was to
the good offices of Van Curler, or Corlaer, the first com-
missary, that the colonists at New Amsterdam were
indebted, more than once, for their preservation from
destruction, at the hands of the savages. This excellent
man cultivated the most friendly relations with the Indi-
ans, and so strong was their affection for him, that ever
after, they applied the name of Corlaer to the governors
of New York, as the highest title of respect.
In 1642, Mr. Van Rensselaer sent over the Rev. Jo-
hannes Megapolensis , as minister of Rensselaerwyck,
supporting him at his own expense. The first church was
erected the succeeding year, and furnished with a bell
and pulpit, by the Dutch West India Company. In 1646,
the venerable patroon died, at Amsterdam. His son Jo-
hannes, then a minor, succeeded him.
During the administration of Governor Stuyvesant,
serious difficulties occurred between him and the agent
of the patroon, which were finally referred to the states
general of Holland, for decision. After New York came
into the possession of the English, the name of Beaver-
wyck, which had been bestowed upon the settlement,
was changed to Albany, that being one of the titles of the
Duke of York. The right of soil was confirmed to the
patroon, by a new patent, but the government was retained
in the hands of the governor of the colony.
In 1686, Governor Dongan granted a charter to the city
of Albany, and Peter Schuyler, the friend of the Indians,
was elected the first mayor.
In ] 689-90, the citizens of this county refused to submit
to the administration of Leisler and Milborne, but were
at length compelled, by the fears of an Indian invasion,
to yield allegiance. No sooner, however, did Colonel
Sloughter arrive, than he was welcomed by the people of
this county, whose attachment to Leisler had never been
ardent or sincere.
In all the treaties with the Indian tribes, the citizens
of Albany bore a conspicuous part, and so entirely had
140 Albany County.
they won the confidence of the savages, that from the date
of its settlement, the county was never invaded by these
sons of the forest. The Schuyler family, for several
generations, exerted a powerful influence over the Indians.
During the revolution, the Albany committee nobly
sustained their countrymen, in their opposition to British
sway, and afforded aid, in troops and money, to the suffer-
ing inhabitants of Tyron county, to assist them in repel-
ling the frequent attacks of the merciless hordes of tories
and Indians, who ravaged their settlements. Burgoyne
had boasted, at the commencement of his campaign, that
his army should revel upon the spoils of Albany ; but he
only visited the city as a captive. Sir Henry Clinton
twice attempted to invade it, but met with sufficient obsta-
cles to prevent his success.
It became the capital of the state in 1807. Since the
introduction of steamboats, and the completion of the
canals, the growth of the city and county has been rapid,
and the lines of railroads, which connect it with Boston
and Buffalo, are giving it a still greater impulse.
The extensive manor of Rensselaerwyck, occupying a
territory twenty-four by forty-eight miles in extent, de-
scended, by entailment, to the eldest male descendant of
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. The last proprietor was the
late patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer, a man whose
munificent patronage of every object which could benefit
his fellow citizens, or aid in diffusing happiness among
men, has embalmed his memory. At his death, the manor
was divided between his two sons, Stephen and William
P. Van Rensselaer, the former receiving the portion west
of the Hudson, and the latter that lying east of the river.
The lands had usually been granted on permanent leases,
the rental being payable in produce. Some personal ser-
vices were usually required, by the terms of the lease, but
seldom exacted by the patroon. The effort, on the part
of the present proprietors, to enforce the collection of the
rents, was met by strenuous opposition, on the part of the
tenants, who formed themselves into armed organizations,
and in their conflict with the officers of the law, several
individuals were killed. These organizations have, of
Albany County. 141
late, assumed a political character. Both the proprietors
and the tenants have sought redress from the legislature,
but as yet no decisive action has been taken by that body.
The inconsistency of the feudal tenure, with the spirit of
our institutions, will be admitted by all; but there is
great difficulty in legislating justly upon the subject.
CITIES AND VILLAGES. Albany city is situated on the
west bank of the Hudson, 145 miles above New York. It
appears to great advantage, from the river, rising rapidly
from the bank, and exhibiting its public buildings in bold
relief. The alluvial valley of the Hudson extends about
a quarter of a mile from the river bank. From this val-
ley, a bluff rises abruptly, 140 feet, and, in the distance
of a mile, about eighty feet more. Upon this bluff, are
situated most of the public buildings.
In 1845, the city had 116 streets and lanes. It is
divided into ten wards, each of which elect annually, an
alderman and assistant alderman, who together form the
common council of the city.
The public buildings are, many of them, elegant and
costly. The Capitol, erected at an expense of $120,000,
is a fine freestone edifice. The State Hall, built of white
marble, and fireproof, is an elegant building, of the Ionic
order, surmounted by a dome. It cost $350,000. The
City Hall stands near it, and is also a fine Grecian struc-
ture, of white marble, surmounted by a gilded done. The
Albany Academy, an elegant building of Nyack freestone,
opposite the state hall, cost, including the grounds, more
than $100,000. This building and the capitol have large
parks in front, surrounded by substantial iron fences,
and planted with ornamental trees and shrubbery.
The Albany Female Academy is a chaste, marble build-
ing, erected at a cost of about $30,000. The Albany
Exchange, of massive granite ; the Museum, of marble ;
the Medical College, of brick, and well adapted to th*e
purposes to which it is applied ; the State Normal School ;
and the State Geological Rooms, occupying the old state
hall, are the other principal buildings.
Several of the churches, also, are deserving of notice,
for their architectural beauty. Among these, we may
142 Albany County.
mention the Middle Dutch Church, on Beaver street ; the
Pearl Street Baptist Church, a finely proportioned struc-
ture, in the Ionic style, and surmounted by a splendid
dome ; the Hudson Street Methodist Church, one of the
most chaste and beautiful models for a church in the
United States; the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic
Churches, in Chapel street, &c., &c.
Among the hotels, the Delavan House stands preemi-
nent for simple grandeur and chasteness of architecture.
It was completed in 1845, and cost about $200,000. The
Eagle, Congress Hall, Mansion, Townsend, American,
City, Carlton, Stanwix Hall, and the Franklin House, are
also well conducted hotels.
The State Library, founded by the munificence of the
state, has an excellent collection of works on history,
geography, and general literature. An extensive law
library is connected with it. The entire collection num-
bers over 15,000 volumes, and is accessible to all, without
charge.
The Albany Library, founded in 1792, and now num-
bering about 9,000 volumes, occupies apartments in the
Albany Female Academy. The Albany Institute is a
scientific institution, designed to encourage attention to
history, and general science, in the city and state. It has
a valuable library, of nearly 2000 volumes, in the building
of the Albany Academy.
The Young Men's Association occupies a fine suite of
rooms in the Exchange. It has a well conducted reading
room, a library of 3200 volumes, and sustains a course of
lectures each winter. The number of its members is over
1500. It was the first institution of the kind in the state.
The Alms House has connected with it, a fine farm of
150 acres, cultivated by the inmates. There are in the
city, two Orphan Asylums, supported by private charity,
which provide for the support and education of about 150
children ; and a number of other benevolent societies.
The Albany Academy, founded in 1813, has eight
teachers, and about 200 pupils. The Albany Female
Academy, founded in 1814, has twelve teachers, and
about 275 pupils. The Albany Female Seminary has six
Albany County. 143
teachers. There are numerous other schools, of con-
siderable reputation. The public schools have nine school
houses, costing between $30,000 and $40,000.
The Albany Medical College is a flourishing medical
school, having an able faculty, and one of the best ana-
tomical museums in the United States. It has seven
professors.
The State Geological Rooms, in the old state hall,
contain the splendid collection of the state geologists,
arranged, in the lower rooms, in the order of the succes-
sive strata, and in the upper, in the order of the counties.
Here, too, are specimens of the mineral and vegetable
treasures of the state, appropriately arranged, and a large
collection of the quadrupeds, birds, fishes and reptiles of
the state. They are open, free of expense, to all.
At the junction of the Erie canal with the Hudson, the
citizens have constructed an extensive basin, to protect
the boats from the winds, and give them greater facilities
for discharging their cargoes.
The city is largely engaged in manufactures. Its iron
foundries are among the largest in the country. More
stoves are manufactured here, than in any other city, or
town, in the Union. Coaches, sleighs, hats, caps, and
bonnets, are also largely manufactured; the three latter
articles, to the amount of nearly one million of dollars,
annually. It has extensive manufactories of piano fortes.
Leather is produced to the amount of more than $400,000
per annum. Population in 1845, 41,139.
West Troy, in the town of Watervliet, is a thriving
village, possessing excellent hydraulic privileges, which it
derives from the surplus waters of the Erie canal. It is a
convenient depot for merchandise, from its facilities for
transportation, and is largely engaged in manufactures,
having twenty-five or thirty manufacturing establishments.
The United States Arsenal, established here in 1813, is
the largest arsenal of construction in the United States.
Attached to the establishment, are about 100 acres of
land, containing thirty-eight buildings, for workshops and
storehouses. It constantly employs about 200 officers,
soldiers,and workmen, and manufactures annually muni-
144 Albany County.
tions of war, to the amount of about $100,000. The
grounds are enclosed by an iron fence in front, and a wall
of stone on the sides and rear.
The Erie and Cham plain canals form a junction, a
short distance above the village, and a bridge and two
ferries connect it with Troy. Population in 1845, about
6000.
At Neskayuna, in the same township, is a community
of shaking quakers, established in 1776, by Ann Lee, the
founder of the sect. This was the first Shaker establish-
ment in the United States.
Cohoes village, also in this town, possesses one of the
finest water privileges in the state, and its advantages for
manufacturing, are hardly surpassed. It is estimated,
that at the lowest stage of the water, there is sufficient to
run 1,000.000 spindles. Population in 1845, over 2000.
Rensselaerville, in the town of the same name, is situ-
ated on Foxes creek. It has some manufactures, and
about 1000 inhabitants.*
Coeymans is a small manufacturing village, having a
good landing, and some trade with New York. It has
also some manufactures. Population, 1000.
* From this town, in 1779, Captain Deitz, and two lads named
John and Robert Brice, were taken as captives, by the Indians, and
suffered all the barbarities which the malice of the savages could
inflict. Captain Deitz died at Montreal, from the effect of their
cruelties, but the boys were exchanged at the close of the war, and
returned home. This is believed to have been the nearest approach
made to Albany, by the Indians, during the Revolution.
( 145)
NOTES FEOM THE NEWSPAPEKS.
Continued from p. 211, vol. 2.
1790.
The following table gives the population and names of
the towns of the county of Albany, in the orthography of
that day.
Towns.
Males.
Females.
Slaves.
Total.
1467
1467
572
3506
Water- Vliet
3456
3481
730
7667
3972
3504
572
8048
3652
3362
28
7042
Schohary,
979
936
154
2069
787
704
4
1495
1979
1871
467
4317
Hosack,
1542
1455
36
3033
1818
1668
121
3607
Coxsakie
1626
1488
302
3416
1625
1394
62
3081
Cattskill,
836
844
308
1988
Eallston
3640
3117
66
6823
Schaticook
786
694
137
1617
2515
2404
48
4967
Stillwater
1559
1428
65
3052
Easton,
1266
1179
57
2502
Pittstown
1260
1134
31
2425
Freehold
873
869
6
1748
1450
1316
11
2777
37,088
34,315
3,777
75,180
Dec. 26. Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, senior pastor of the
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, died aged 53, in the
thirty-first year of his ministry. He was greatly respected
for his piety and learning, and his funeral was attended
by a large concourse of the people of the city and neigh-
boring towns, who followed his remains to the vault of
the Van Rensselaer family, where he was interred.
13
146
Notes from the Newspapers.
Of the 65 members composing the assembly of the state,
Albany sent 10, and New York, 9. This was an unfair
representation, by which Aaron Burr was elected United
States Senator over Philip Schuyler, and the southern
part of the state had both of the senators, giving great
dissatisfaction to the north. The following table shows
the population of the counties at this time, according to
the new census returns.
Richmond, 3,928
Suffolk, 16,094
Ulster, 26,390
Washington, 13,388
Westchester, 22,741
Albany, 75,180
Columbia, 27,545
Clinton and Ontario,.. 4,500
Dutchess, 42,235
Kings, 4,423
Montgomery, 26,606
New York, 30,032 324,127
Orange, 16,677 15 counties.
Queens, 14,385
It will be seen that Albany county outnumbered the
next two highest, New York and Dutchess. It was also
found by this census, that the number of electors in the
state, (exclusive of Ontario and Clinton counties, which
made no returns) entitled to vote for senators, was 19,369.
and that the number entitled to vote for members of assem-
bly, was 38,237. It was supposed that those two counties
would add 166 to the former and 411 to the latter; which
would give Albany 17 members instead of 10, and New
York 7 instead of 9, at the rate of 1 member to 544 elec-
tors ; 70 members in all.
1791.
An act of the Legislature divided the county of Albany
into three counties ; all that portion lying east of the Hud-
son was called Rensselaer county ; and that lying west of
the Hudson, and north of the Mohawk river was called
Saratoga, By this arrangement what was left of the old
county contained 28,192; that of Rensselaer 29,634, and
that of Saratoga 17,463. The town of Rensselaerwyck
was also divided into two towns.
March 17. The assize of bread was a loaf of *' common
or tail flour" to weigh 2 Ibs. 8 oz., for 6d.
Notes from the Newspapers. 147
%
March 25. The first mail from Albany reached Ben-
nington, on the 30th anniversary of the settlement of that
town. The mail between Albany and New York was
required to be carried but once a week by the government
contract, but the contractors usually exceeded their bonds
by carrying it twice a week. The Gazette complained
that there was so much carelessness and loss in its trans-
mission by the stage drivers that business men resorted
principally to private conveyances.
The legislature passed a law authorizing the city author-
ities to raise 350 by tax for the support of a night watch ;
and by another act, 2000 were to be raised for completing
the court house and jail.
April 12. It is mentioned as a congratulatory event,
that 40 vessels arrived at this port in one day, or passed
it for Troy and Lansingburgh. That 18 vessels, of which
16 were of from 40 to 80 tons, lay at the port of Lansing-
burgh, and the sloop Nancy had performed the trip to New
York and back in 7 days.
April 18. On account of the prevalence of small pox
in the city, the printers declined purchasing rags for six
weeks from this date.
The receipts into the treasury of the city for the half
year ending April 18, were 1500 3s. 3Jd., and the dis-
bursements, 1193, 19s. 9Jd, leaving a balance in the
treasury of 346, 3s. 6jd.
May 16. A slight shock of an earthquake gave the
citizens of Albany a few oscillations about twenty minutes
past 10 o'clock in the morning.
Complaints are frequently made of the perils of a jour-
ney to Schenectady by the common road. A person who
had with some difficulty reached that place in June, gives
the following "advice to wagoners, or such persons as
follow riding loads to and from Schenectady and Albany."
"First," he says, " collect all the axletrees that are now
in use, and put them in one general pile, and burn them
on the evening of the fourth of July, and proclaim your-
selves free from the traditions of your fathers. Then
cause new ones to be made out so as to let the track of
the wagon be five feet from centre to centre of the felloes ;
148
Notes from the Newspapers.
and let that day forever after be called the day for laying
aside folly and adopting wisdom in its stead." The bene-
fits to be derived from this revolution in axletrees, were
numerous; but an important one among them, and one
which will appear a little singular on so plain a road as
this, was a remedy against the "liability to upset," or
overset. The dawn of the era of rail roads was yet half
a century distant, and unimagined.
The following table shows the price current for the
principal articles of commerce at this time, and the differ-
ence in the market at Albany and New York.
Albany Prices.
Wheat, 6s 4d,
Rye, 4s,
Corn, 3s 6d,
Oats, 2s,
Flour, 16s to 18s,
Pipe Staves, 11 10* per M.,
Boards, 6d to 7d,
Plank, 9d to lOd,
Madeira wine, 18s,
Port, 12s,
Sherry, Us,
Teneriffe, 5s 6d,
High-proof Brandy, 10s,
Gin, 40s per case,
Spirits, 7s 6d per gal,
W. I. Rum, 5s 6d,
New Rum, 3s 4d,
Molasses, 3s 3d,
Muscovado sugar, 90s to 100s per
cwt.
Loaf do, Is 10d per lb.,
Coffee, Is 8d,
Chocolate, 14d,
Hyson tea, 10s 6d,
Bohea, 3s 3d,
Snuff in bladders, 2s 4d,
Tobacco in rolls, lOd,
New York Prices.
Rye, 4s 4d,
Corn, 3s 3d,
Oats,
Brandy, 8s,
Gin, 30 per case,
Jamaica spirits, 6s,
Windward Islands rum, 5s 3d,
New Rum, 4s,
Molasses, 2s lOd,
Muscovado sugar, 50s to 80s per
cwt.,
Coffee, 14d,
Hyson tea, 9s to 11s,
Bohea, 2s 8d,
Pork, 41 to 5/,
Beef, 42s to 52s per brl.
June. The corporation were engaged in paving the
streets, and there was a complaint of difficulty in procuring
stones to pave Market street, as North Broadway was then
called. It swallowed up thousands of cart loads. It is
Notes from the Newspapers. 149
amusing to read the speculations of the newspaper writers
on the subject.
The consistory of the Dutch church laid out into lots a
part of the tract commonly termed the church pasture.
These lots lay on the west side of Court street now Broad-
way, below Lydius, described as being on the road "lead-
ing from the ferry to the town." They were sold at auc-
tion. It is believed that the difficulty between the Rev.
Mr. Bassett and his church grew out of or was aggravated
by some transactions in these lots.
Motley processions of eastern emigrants were daily
passing through the city, which was the grand thorough-
fare to the western country. The far west of these New
Englanders, as they mostly were, was the Genesee Valley ;
and they were accompanied by their families, their flocks
and their implements.
The punishment of forgery was death. One SAMUEL
COOK, at the venerable age of 84, was executed in Mont-
gomery county for that offence.
July 28. JOHN STEWART, the famous English pedestrian,
arrived in the city from New York, and proceeded the
same evening on his way to Canada. Having perambu-
lated Europe, Asia and Africa, he came to complete his
travels by making the tour of America. He is represented
as a middle aged man, about six feet high, all whose expedi-
tions were made on foot.
September. The Rev. Mr. BASSETT published a collec-
tion of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, for the use of
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America.
Oct. 11. The chamberlain, ELBERT WILLETT, reported
that the receipts into the treasury for the year, were
2618 18s 7d, and the expenditures 2073 13s 2d. Of
the money on hand, counted as cash, was 494 of one, two
and three penny notes. The rent of the city wharves
was 131 ; first payment of the lease of Verrebergh 44;
for lands at Tiononderoga 480 lOd ; city ferry, 158. A
new market house was built this year at an expense of
222, and " a hand fire engine,' purchased at 30. The
expenses of the ferry, were 232 lOd. For watchmen,
211 13d,
150 Notes from the Newspapers.
There were but eight persons in confinement belonging
to the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washing-
ton and Clinton, which were in the jail in this city, five
of whom were debtors, one insane, and two on criminal
prosecutions.
Dec. 20. A number of citizens associated for the pur-
pose of forming a library, and established the Albany
Library, by subscriptions of 5 each. This was undoubt-
edly the first society library in the city.
1792.
Jan 4. The corporation resolved to convey to trustees
thereafter to be appointed, a part of the public square in
the city for the purposes of a college, and a subscription
was opened by the citizens with a view of carrying the
project into immediate effect. This movement resulted
in the establishment of Union College at Schenectady.
Jan 31. The coopers held a meeting at Denniston's
tavern and adopted the following scale of prices:
Flax seed tierces, 5s. Half barrels, 4s.
Tight potash barrels, 6s. Ten gallon kegs, 3s 6d.
Common do 5s 6d. Five and six gallon kegs, 3s.
Rum barrels, 5s. Four " " 2s 6d.
Beef and Pork barrels, 4s 6d. All kegs less than 4 galls, 2s.
White oak fish " 4s 6d. Flour barrels, 2s.
Red oak " " 4s.
Feb. I. By an act of congress extending post roads
and fixing the prices of postage, the route from Albany to
Bennington was extended to the northern part of the state,
and a post road established from Albany through Schenec-
tady to Canajoharie. The rates of postage fixed at this
time continued for more than half a century.
The legislature passed an act to prevent obstructions
of the docks and wharves of the city, and to increase the
number of firemen.
Feb 3. A meeting was held at Lewis's Tavern to dis-
cuss the project of a bank. The outlines of a plan for its
establishment were afterwards submitted, and the move-
ment resulted in the procurement of the charter of the
present Bank of Albany. (See vol. i, p. 31 )
I
Notes from the Newspapers. 151
Another project had been some, time agitated, and began
to be urged with much earnestness ; that of supplying the
city with water. The supply at this time was from the
wells and the river.
March 3. The destruction of the sugar plantations in
the island of Hispaniola, by the insurrectionary blacks,
caused a scarcity and rise in the price of sugar. A society
was organized in this city having for its object the pro-
motion ofthe manufacture of maple sugar. A premium of
seventy-five silver dollars was offered for the largest quan-
tity made by a single family, of not less than 600 pounds ;
and smaller premiums for less quantities. More than 2000
sugar kettles were sold in the city during the winter, and
it was supposed that upwards of 8000 kettles were em-
ployed within eighty miles of Albany. It was estimated
that each kettle would produce 100 Ibs; and that the
whole product at 12.^ cts. a pound would amount to $90,-
000. It was also computed that the western part of the
state of New York contained trees enough to supply five
times the quantity of sugar consumed in the whole coun-
try, and that an export of five millions of dollars could
be saved.
May 17. The trustees of the Presbyterian church,
worshiping in a wooden building on the corner of Grand
and Hudson streets, purchased the " lot on the plains,"
for 110, and soon after erected the brick church on the
corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets, now occupied by
the Congregationalists.
May 22. A load of hemp arrived in the city from the
south end of Cayuga lake, near the Pennsylvania line, and
is said to have been the first produce brought to this city
from that region. It does not appear whether there was
any design in this enterprise to give an impulse to the
subscriptions to the internal improvement stock; but it
came at a time when efforts were making to raise the
means to connect the Hudson River with Lake Ontario
by means of canals and rivers, and thus open a commerce
with a rich country rapidly filling up with an enterprising
population,
152
Notes from the Newspapers.
The taxes assessed by the supervisors of the county
were as follows :
Towns.
County Tax.
Town Tax.
Poor Tax.
Albany,
525
24 3s 5d
300
487 10s
166 10 10
Schenectady,
284 18 4d
38 14
Duanesburgh
45
15 2 4
285
22 8
157 7 11
29 4 4
25
Cattskill,
150
68 4 4
Freehold,
45
28 7 5
Rensselaerville,
105
31 8 10
75
21 5
30
2159 16 3
445 1 2
515
At the annual election for governor and lieutenant-
governor ; Albany county gave Geo. Clinton 444, and John
Jay 1178 for governor: and Pierre Van Cortland413 and
Stephen Van Rensselaer 1 208 for lieut. governor.
Joseph Brant, the celebrated Indian warrior, passed
through the city on his way to Philadelphia, it was sup-
posed on public business for his nation.
June 12. The first election of directors of the Bank of
Albany, was held at the City Tavern, when the following
were chosen: Abraham Ten Broek, Cornelius Glen, Jere-
miah Van Rensselaer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, John
Maley, Abraham Van Vechten, Henry Cuyler, James
Caldwell, John Stevenson, Jacob Van der Heyden, Golds-
brow Banyar, Daniel Hale, Elkanah Watson. Abraham
Ten Broek was elected president.
July 16. The Bank of Albany was opened for deposits,
and began to discount on the following day- The bank-
ing house was in North Pearl street, the building now
numbered 11. The rate of discount was six per cent.
The capital stock was $260,000; shares, 400 Spanish
milled dollars, or their equivalent.
The inhabitants of State street were in a state of excite-
ment about the paving of the street, which the city authori-
Notes from the Newspapers. 153
ties had determined on. Some of the merchants wanted
narrow sidewalks for the convenience of unloading grain ;
while others contended for wide walks, because the view
from their cellar windows would be less obstnutfed ! A good
many, undoubtedly were more concerned at the expense.
A post was established from Albany to Whitestown in
Herkimer county as a private enterprise, which performed
the route once a fortnight. Several gentlemen in the
Genesee country established one also to connect with the
one at Whitestown, thereby keeping up a semi-monthly
communication with this city. It passed through Geneva
and Canandaigua. Towns were then of ample dimensions.
There were but seven in Saratoga county, three in Herki-
mer and four in Montgomery.
A mineral spring was discovered on the east side of the
river whose waters were deemed of sufficient medicinal vir-
tue to warrant the erection of a bathing house, and the esta
blishment of a ferry for the accommodation of such as had
need of being healed. The boat, it was advertised, " would
start in ten minutes after the blowing of a horn."
A meeting of citizens was held for the purpose of organ-
izing a company for the purpose of erecting a commodious
public house. The plan of a constitution was drawn up,
under which the company was to take the name of the
Albany Hotel-Tontine Company, the capital of which
was fixed at $15,000, divided into 1000 shares. The price
of the lot was fixed at $3000 ; the cost of the building,
at $10,000; outhouses, $1000; furniture, $1000. The
plan was thought to be "a happy invention to secure an
advantageous property to children who may arrive to years
of discretion." Individuals were entreated by the Gazette
not to monopolize more than ten shares ! This scheme
seems to have failed at this time, but was resumed a few
years later, and resulted in the erection of the building,
now numbered 51 and 53 State street.
Postmaster-General Pickering's advertisements for pro-
posals to carry the mail, extended the post road west from
Albany, " from Connojorharrie to Whitestown, and thence
to Kanandarqua."
154 Notes from the Newspapers.
July 27. The directors of the Northern Inland Lock
Navigation company held a meeting, Philip Schuyler, pre-
sident. Surveys of the Hudson river were directed to be
made, and the country between the river and the head
waters of streams leading to lake Champlain were ordered
to be examined. A gentleman of the name of Nesbit ar-
rived ?ft this time from Scotland, with high credentials,
"as a master of the science of canalling," and assisted
the committee at their first visit to examine the river
above Troy.
August 11. The western company met subsequently
and chose Philip Schuyler president, and Barent Bleecker
treasurer. They determined to improve the Mohawk as
far as practicable during the present season, and to exa-
mine the ground in the vicinity of Little Falls, and those
between the Mohawk and Wood Creek. The companies
were incorporated in December following, with one dis-
senting vote in the senate, and nine in the house of assem-
bly. In the meantime, the committee of the company
prosecuted their work vigorously to be ready for opera-
tions early in the coming year.
Oct. 17. A company of seventy-four German immi-
grants arrived from Philadelphia on their route to the
Genesee country, where they purposed to begin a settle-
ment on the lands owned by Robert Morris.
Dec. It was first proposed to establish a line of stages
from this city to Whitestown. "Such an idea a few years
ago," says the editor of the Gazette, "would have been
ridiculed; but from the great intercourse with the west
through this city, we have every reason to suppose it will
answer a valuable purpose, both to the public and the
proprietors ; especially if the proprietors should succeed
in contracting for the mail, of which there can be little
doubt.
About this time a post was established from Niagara
to Genesee river, where it met the post from the office of
the Gazette every fortnight. The Messrs. Webster re-
ceived and forwarded letters gratuitously to every part of
the country where there were no mails.
Notes from the Newspapers. 155
1793.
Jan. 10. A meeting of upwards of one hundred and
fifty mechanics, convened for the purpose of forming a city
and county society. They organized an association under
the name of the Albany Mechanic Society, which contin-
ued in existence for a long time, and was noted for its
usefulness. Its first officers were: John W. Wendell,
president ; Charles R. Webster and Bernardus Evertsen,
vice-presidents ; Isaac Hutton, treasurer; John Barber,
secretary.
There had been a great surplus of provisions during
the preceding year, particularly of grain, and the prices
were reduced very low. But about the middle of January
wheat began to be sought for at a dollar a bushel, much to
the wonderment of some of the dealers, to whom the farm-
ers had been accustomed to bring their wheat for storage
until spring, when the former shipped it to New York,
and shared the profits with the producer. The wars in
Europe growing out of the French revolution created such
a demand for American produce, that wheat rose finally
to $3 a bushel, and runners first made their appearance
in Albany at this time, to the great annoyance of the
merchants, having been sent up from New York to fore-
stall the market.
Feb. Specimens of maple sugar were brought before
the legislature by the association in Albany for promoting
its manufacture; and a bill was introduced -by some mem-
bers of that body, for granting premiums on sugar the
product of the maple, of from two to four pence a pound.
Feb 9. The assize of bread, which had stood for a long
time at 21bs 8oz., for 6d, was reduced to 21bs 4oz for 6d.
Feb. 25. The common council directed the chamber-
lain to procure information of the persons who had com-
mitted trespass and waste of the timber and wood on the
lands of the board at Schaghticoke.
Feb. 28. The society of coopers held a meeting and
raised the prices of articles of their manufacture one shil-
ling a barrel over the prices which they had established
the previous year.
156 Notes from the Newspapers.
The election held in Albany county for member of con-
gress resulted in a majority for Henry Glen, who received
927 votes ; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, his opponent, re-
ceived 526.
March 8. The river clear of ice, although there was a
considerable fall of snow.
The price of wheat was 9s.
Jan 21. "Hat manufactory in Maiden Lane, a few
doors west of the Market House, Albany. May be had
Hats of all kinds the newest fashions and best quality.
Made and sold by the public's very humble servant,
ELISHA DORR.
Who has 200 brls of the best cyder for sale cheap for
cash?"
Every one's business at this time seems to have been
multifarious.
An act was passed by the legislature for " paving Water-
vliet street in the county of Albany." Watervliet street
began at Columbia street where Montgomery street now
is, and ran diagonally to where Broadway and Patroon
street intersect Broadway, then called Market street, be-
cause the market house stood in it near where it is inter-
sected by Maiden lane, and extended no farther north
than Columbia street. At the head of Market street stood
the house of Dirk Ten Broek, on the north line of Colum-
bia street. The fifth ward was then in the town of Wa-
tervliet.
May. A law of the common council went into effect
which ordained that no gutter or spout should project into
the street ; but that the water should be conducted down
the sides of the houses through pipes, within three feet of
the ground, under penalty of forty shillings.
The legislature, at its late session, granted a loan of
3000 for eight years to the proprietors of the glass manu-
factory, three years without interest, and five years at five
per cent. The establishment was owned by McClallen,
McGregor & Co., the Co being James Caldwell and Chris-
topher Batterman. They offered a reward of fifty dollars
for the discovery of a bank of sand suitable for their use,
156
The
gress i
927 vc
ceived
Mar
consid
The
Jan
doors
Hats
Made
Wl
cash?
Ev
multi
Ar
vliet
begai
is," a
stree
caus
sectc
than
the:
bia $
terv
Ifl
whi
the
the
the
fact
r
e
top
for
Notes from the Newspapers. 157
within ten miles of their glass house, which was eight
miles west of the city at the place still familiarly known
as the Glass House, although the buildings have disap-
peared within a few years.
MOSES BEAL " erected a stage," to use his own words,
for the accommodation of passengers from Albany to Sche-
nectady, Johnstown, and Canajoharie, once a week. It
left Albany at 6 o'clock on Friday morning, and arrived
at Canajoharie the next day. The fare was three cents a
mile. It returned on Tuesday. He proposed to go as
far as Little Falls if desired!
May 14. The Bank of Albany having been in operation
one year, declared a dividend of $4*25 on each share.
June 3. The sale of lots in the Church pasture, by
auction, was commenced, by order of the consistory.
The following were elected members of assembly for
the ensuing year, at the annual election for the county of
Albany:
Thomas Hun, Johannes Deitz,
Theodorus V. W. Graham, Jacob Hochstrassar,
William North, Stephen Platt.
Jellis A. Fonda,
June 20, 21; The very sudden changes of our atmo-
sphere from heat to cold for this month past have been
no less extraordinary than uncommon. Among the many
differences we shall only recur to the instances of Thurs-
day and Friday last ; on the former of which days the
mercury stood at 94 and the latter at 70. Register.
WEBSTERS, SEYMOUR and ENSIGN erected a paper mill at
Troy which went into operation at this time, and was the
first establishment of the kind in this quarter.
July. JOHN HUDSON of Schenectady and John Rogers
of Ballston established a line of stages by which a regular
communication was first begun between Albany and Balls-
ton, for the convenience of those who visited the springs.
The fare was 3d a mile.
Aug. 1. The following advertisement is the first pub-
lic notice of Mr. EZRA AMES:
In Mark Lane, just below Bloodgood & Follet's store.
14
158 Notes from the Newspapers.
Pa inting. Portrait and Sign Painting, Gilding and Limn-
ing. The subscriber solicits the patronage of the ad-
mirers of the Fine Arts of Painting, Portraits, Miniatures,
and Hair Devices. From the encouragement he has al-
ready received, he flatters himself of giving general satis-
faction. Those who are not satisfied with his performances
will not be compelled to have the work when it is finished.
Gentlemen and ladies will be waited upon in any part of
the city. Signs, Coaches, Chaises, Sleighs, Standards,
&c., painted in the best manner. Orders from the coun-
try will be received and attended to and all favors grate-
fully acknowledged by their humble servant,
EZRA AMES.
Aug. 8. MATTHEW VISSCHER, counsellor at law, died
aged 42. He was called into public life at an early age,
and took an active part in the revolution. He was clerk
of the city and county many years, and was highly respect-
ed for his fidelity and patriotism in the public service.
Sept. 6. The Hon. Beverdy Randolph and Timothy
Pickering, two of the commissioners sent to treat with
the hostile Indians in relation to boundaries, arrived in
the city on their return. The Indians insisted on the Ohio
river as the northern boundary of the United States ; but
as the government had made large purchases of land north
of that river, extensive settlements of whites had already
begun to be made there, no terms were agreed upon, and
it was expected that hostilities would be renewed. The
hostile tribes were the Wyandots, Dela wares, Shawanese,
and Miamis.
Sept. 9. JACOB C. TEN EYCK died, aged 88, and was
interred in the cemetery of the Dutch Church. Among
the many offices he is represented to have filled with
dignity and efficiency, were those of mayor, and judge of
the common pleas court.
Sept, 12. The citizens began to agitate the subject of
lighting the streets by night with lamps. A correspond-
ent of the Gazette thought the project needed only to be
understood to be adopted !
Sept. 21. The citizens were alarmed by a letter from
Notes from the Newspapers. 159
Judge Lansing, informing them that a vessel had passed
New York having two persons on board infected with the
yellow fever, which was then raging at Philadelphia.
Meetings of the citizens and of the common council were
held and measures adopted to prevent the passing of any
vessel above the Overslaugh without an examination, and
the ferrymen were directed how to proceed on occasions
when any suspicion attached to travellers presenting them-
selves to be ferried over. The common council recom-
mended the observance of the first day of October, as a
day of fasting and prayer, for the aversion of the dreaded
contagion.
Sept. 23. " On Monday evening last arrived at Green-
Bush, opposite to this city, from the seat of government,
Hon. Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury of the
United States, and his lady. As Colonel Hamilton and
lady were supposed to have been afflicted with the yellow
fever, then prevalent in Philadelphia, the physicians of
this city, by request, immediately visited them, and on
their return, published the following certificate :
Albany, Sept. 23, 1793.
This is to certify that we have visited Col. Hamilton
and his lady, at Greenbush, this evening, and that they
are apparently in perfect health ; and from every circum-
stance we do not conceive there can be the least danger
of their conveying the infection of the pestilential /ever,
at present prevalent in Philadelphia, to any of their fellow
citizens. Samuel Stringer, W. Mancius, H. Woodruff,
Wm. McClallen, Cornelius Roosa.
In consequence of which, on Tuesday morning, an order
was granted by the mayor, that Col. Hamilton and lady
be allowed to cross the ferry."
Sept. 24. At the charter election, the following were
elected officers for the ensuing year:
Aldermen. Abram Ten Eyck, Philip S. Van Rensse-
laer, John N. Bleecker, Jacob J. Lansing, Jeremiah Lan-
sing, Dirck Ten Broek.
Assistants. John D. P. Douw, John V. Henry, John F.
Pruyn, Barent G. Staats, John Jauncey, John C. Cuyler.
160 Notes from the Newspapers.
On the same day, the common council re-elected Elbert
Willett chamberlain, and James Elliott city marshal, John
Tayler was appointed recorder, vice Peter W. Yates, re-
signed.
Nov. 17. An extensive fire occurred at half past 10 on
Sunday evening, in an out house belonging to Leonard Gan-
sevoort, in the centre of the square formed by State and
Market streets, and Maiden and Middle lanes, which was
swept down by the flames. Twenty-six dwelling houses,
several extensive stores, and the Gazette printing office,
were consumed. The loss of property was estimated at
$250,000. The principal sufferer in real estate was John
Maley. Leonard Gansevoort's house was on the lot now
numbered 53 State street.
Several attempts were subsequently made to fire the
city, by slaves, and some of them were arrested and con-
fessed their guilt. A law was passed by the common
council on the 25th Nov., to prevent the appearance of
slaves abroad after nine o'clock at night, under the penalty
of confinement in the jail.
Nov. 25. It was ordained by the common council,
" that no butcher or other person shall sell or dispose of
any lamb, mutton, veal, pork or other dead victual for
more than four pence per pound, under a penalty of eight
shillings for every such offence besides costs.*'
By a subsequent law, butchers were allowed to receive
sixpence per pound for beef and pork, other meats remain-
ing at fourpence.
Nov. 27. The common council passed a law establishing
a night watch, consisting of 24 persons each night, to be
drawn from the male inhabitants from the age of sixteen
years and upwards. They were to assemble on notice
given by the marshal, at 8 o'clock, and to remain under
the direction of the officer for the night until daybreak
under a penalty of six shillings for any breach of the regu-
lations. Inhabitants over sixty years of age, were allowed
to send substitutes.
A line of stages was established between Albany and
Northampton. A stage started from each of these points
on Tuesdays and Fridays in the morning, and met at
Notes from the Newspapers. 161
Pittsfield in the evening, making the entire route in two
days. " The proprietors of this new line beg leave to ob-
serve that the difficulty of extending a line of stages from
Northampton to Albany (across the mountains), has
heretofore been supposed insurmountable but consider-
ing this establishment forms an expeditious and sure com-
munication from Portland in the province of Maine through
a rich and flourishing country to Whitestown, in the west-
ern part of the state of New York !* a distance of upwards
of four hundred miles, they have determined to make the
experiment." The fare was 4d a mile.
1794.
Jan. 6. Pomp, a negro slave, charged with having set
fire to the stable of Leonard Gansevoort, by which the
late disastrous conflagration was caused, was tried before
the supreme court, and found guilty. Bet and Dean, two
female slaves, were also tried and convicted of the same
offence, and the whole sentenced to be hung on the 24th
January. When the day arrived, there was a large con-
course of people to witness the execution ; but the culprits
were respited and allowed six weeks grace, to the great
injustice of so large an audience.
Feb. 4. The senate's amendment to the bill authoriz-
ing the corporation of Albany to raise money to support
a night watch, was concurred in by the house.
Feb. 8. This was a notable day for trade, the Gazette
says. " On a moderate estimate it is presumed the pur-
chases and sales of produce and merchandise exceeded
$50,000. Of the article of wheat, between 25 and 30,000
bushels were brought to this market ; a quantity far ex-
ceeding the receipts of any one day since the settlement
of this country. The price of wheat rose during the day
from 7s. 7d. to 8s., or the highest price between this and
the first of March. This last mode of purchase is truly
novel, and must be convincing to the farmer that the mer-
chants of this city are too independent to form combina-
tions."
A fat cow brought to this market by Mr. Holt of Cherry
* The compiler has taken the liberty to put this sentence in italics.
162 Notes from the Newspapers.
Valley, was killed and found to exceed 1,100 pounds in
weight. It is stated that upwards of 500 head of fat
cattle were driven to market from Otsego county the past
season.
The prisoners confined in the jail for debt, petitioned
the legislature for a law compelling their creditors to sup-
port them during their incarceration ; the committee to
whom their petition was referred, reported that the act of
1789 was sufficient for the relief prayed for.
The sufferers by the fires in Albany and Lansingburgh
petitioned the legislature for permission to raise a sum by
lottery to indemnify a part of their losses. The commit-
tee, considering the deranged state of the affairs of the suf-
ferers in consequence of the fire, and that the commercial
interests of the northern and western parts of the state
would be considerably affected thereby, were of the opin-
ion that their extreme case merited the attention of the
legislature, and brought in a bill accordingly.
Feb. 10. The legislature requested the governor to
confer with the Cayuga, Onondaga and Oneida Indians,
who were in the city in large numbers, and to ascertain
whether they were disposed to sell the whole of their
reserved lands. The sum of $650 was distributed among
them in presents. The place for distributing presents to
the Indians, we are told by Mr. John Van Zandt, was on
the north side of State street, east of James street, where
the Indians were ranged in a line on the verge of the side-
walk, and the articles were distributed with great exact-
ness, men, women and children sharing alike.
The committee of the house of assembly to whom was
referred the petition of the Reformed Dutch Church in
Greenbush for a lottery to raise money to complete their
church, reported against granting the petition.
The Inland Navigation companies applied to the legis-
lature for assistance in carrying on their enterprise. It
was proposed to render a water communication from
Albany to Seneca lake, a distance of more than two hun-
dred and seventy-five miles ; in the progress of which the
following obstacles were to be surmounted:
1 . It was necessary to construct a canal with locks, to
Notes from the Newspapers. 163
connect the Mohawk with the Hudson, in the nearest di-
rection from river to river, or a canal with locks round
the Cohoes falls, estimated to cost, $37,500
2. The Mohawk to be cleared of rocks, and
the riffs deepened to the Little falls, 17,500
3. The Little falls to be completely locked, 37,500
4. From the Little falls to Fort Stanwix,
the river being generally bold the natural ob-
structions being few, 6,250
5. Canal &c., at Fort Stanwix, 6,250
6. To complete Wood creek, 3,125
7. To improve the riffs in the Onondaga and
Seneca rivers to the Cayuga lake, 6,250
8. Improving the communication between the
Cayuga and Seneca lakes, and locking at the
Seneca falls, 12,500
$126,925
It was contemplated that these improvements would
bring into communication 1000 miles of inland coast,
within the state of New York, exclusive of the great lakes,
and would accommodate boats carrying from five to ten
tons ; while boats then carrying from eight to ten barrels,
approached the Hudson with an expense and delay barely
equivalent to any proposed advantage.
Jan 28. The citizens of Albany transmitted to Phil-
adelphia for the relief of the sufferers by the memorable
conflagation of 1793, the sum of $866*40, collected soon
after a formidable scourge of fire in their own city.
March 14. The two negro girls convicted of setting
fire to the city on the 17th Nov. last, were hung. The
other felon was respited until April.
The legislature had it in contemplation to take another
corner from Albany county, for the erection of a new
county; but at the adjournment of that body the bill re-
mained in the senate, which passed a resolution at its
close, that the further consideration of the bill entitled
" an act to erect certain lands into a separate county by
the name of Delaware , " be postponed until the next session.
164 Notes from the Newspapers.
March 28. Proposals were issued for building a brick
Presbyterian church,for which the materials were procured.
To encourage the raising of barley, the subscriber will
pay six shillings a bushel for any quantity of good mer-
chantable barley, delivered at his brewery, at the corner
of the market house, Albany, at any time before the 1st
of March, 1795. PETER GANSEVOORT.
Mr. SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER, son of Gen. Henry K.
Van Rensselaer, of Rensselaerwyck, was promoted to a
captaincy in the cavalry of the United States.
April 11. Pomp, the negro convicted of arson, and
several times respited, was hung; and his dying confes-
sions were sold at No. 2 Pearl street.
ANANIAS PLATT, grateful for public custom, undertook
to run his stage twice a day from Lansingburgh to Albany
and back.
June 21. JACOB J. LANSING one of the aldermen of
the city, died after a short illness, aged 40. " He was an
affectionate relation, a valuable friend, a firm magistrate,
and above all a man who feared God."
SPENCER STAFFORD gave notice that he had again com-
menced business in this city, and that at his shop, on the
east side of Market street, a few doors north of the Dutch
Church, he carried on a tin plate, sheet iron, copper
and brass manufactory. Mr. Stafford became subsequently
an extensive hardware merchant, and retired wealthy.
In 1843, he made a map of his city property, and offered
it for sale. His lots lay principally on the south side of
Lydius street, above Hawk.
May 24. The assize of bread was one pound and
twelve ounces for sixpence.
The number of votes given for members of assembly at
the May election, by the different towns in the county
was as follows :
Albany, , 278
Watervliet, 228
Schenectady, 362
Duanesburgh, 68
Schoharie, 170
Rensselaerville, 359
Bethlehem, 153
Coeyman's, 36
Coxsackie, 36
Catskill 79
Freehold, 92
Total, . ..1890
Notes from the Newspapers. 165
The names of the members elected, were,
Thomas Hun, Johannes Deitz,
Leonard Gansevoort, jr., Andries Van Petten,
William North, Stephen Platt.
Jacob Hochstrasser,
May 19. STEPHEN VAN RENSSET.AER was elected a
member of the corporation of Williams College, in the
state of Massachusetts.
May. The treasurer of the state of Vermont, Samuel
Mattocks, passed through the city with twenty thousand
dollars in specie, on his way to New York. The money
was part of the thirty thousand dollars stipulated to be
paid to the state of New York, when the latter acceded to
the independence and sovereignty of the other.
The Western Inland Lock Navigation company adver-
tised to contract for four companies of laborers, each com-
pany to consist of an overseer, twenty-five able-bodied
men and a cook, to be employed from the 20th June to
the 15th November. The wages offered were one dollar
a day to the overseer, and fifty cents to the laborers and
cook, and " to find their own provision and liquor, and
bedding." The directors would provide kettles, wooden
bowls and trenchers. They were to work from sunrise
till eight o'clock ; then to be allowed one hour for break-
fast ; then to work until twelve o'clock, and be allowed
two hours for dinner, until the 15th August, and after
that only one hour for dinner until the 15th November;
after dinner to work until sunset. They were to be
allowed four days' wages " for traveling to the falls in
Herkimer county," where they were to be chiefly employed.
July 12. " The extensive and beautiful works belong-
ing to Mr. JAMES CALDWELL, situated about one mile north
of this city were entirely consumed by fire, together with
between five and six thousand pounds worth of stock.
The whole loss is estimated at upwards of 1 3 , 000. The
fire broke out between the hours of one and two in the
morning of Saturday, in the Chocolate mill, but by what
means it caught no one is able to determine. Nothing
was saved of all that range, but one small kitchen."
166 Notes from the Newspapers.
Post roads centering at Albany, all of which had been
established but recently, were now 6 in number, as follows :
1. From New York by Pickskill, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie,
Rhinebeck, Redhook, Clerrnont, Hudson and Kinderhook
to Albany.
2. From Albany, by Lansingburgh, Bennington, and
Manchester to Rutland in Vermont. From Rutland, by
Middlebury and Vergennes, to Burlington on Lake Cham-
plain.
3. From Lansingburgh to Albany.
4. From Albany, by Schenectady, Johnstown, and Can-
najoharrie to Whitestown.
5. From Cannajoharrie through Cherry Valley to the
court house in Cooperstown in the county of Otsego.
6. From Whitestown to Canandarqua one in two weeks.
The above is from the proposals for carrying the mail,
issued by Timothy Pickering the postmaster-general, and
the orthography of the original is preserved.
Aug. 1. The assize of bread was one pound twelve
ounces for sixpence. In New York, 1 Ib. 14 oz. of inspect-
ed flour. The price of wheat in New York at the same
time, was 10s. 8d. ($1*33), and $1'25 at Albany in October.
Sept. 1. The corporation sold by public auction, the
water lots "between the middle and upper docks," north
of Maiden lane, which brought upwards of $4000.
Oct. Peter Gansevoort junior advertised to pay seven
shillings a bushel for barley delivered at his brewery, at
the corner of the Market House, in any quantity, until the
first of March, 1795.
Oct. RICHARD CARTWRIGHT, formerly an esteemed mer-
chant in Albany, died in Canada, aged 73.
Oct. Jacob Waldron and his wife, who had been cap-
tured with a part of Gen. Wayne's army and retained
among the Shawnee Indians, made their escape in March,
and arrived in Albany by the way of Detroit and Niagara.
They were furnished with money by the Albany Humane
Society to enable them to prosecute their journey.
The fare to New York by stage was $7'25 ; the trip
occupied two days. In the winter it was f 8 ; way passen-
gers 5d a mile.
Notes from the Newspapers. 167
Oct. 16. TEUNIS VISSCHER died.
A sixpenny loaf of bread weighed one pound 10
ounces.
"For sale, a likely Negro Wench, 18 years of age, with
her child, 8 months old.
Oct. 28. AARON FENNEL died, aged 25; had resided in
the city five years, and ** sustained the character of an
amiable and honest, man;" was buried in the cemetery of
the Presbyterian church.
Nov. 2. Twenty recruits for a corps of artillery and
engineers, which had been raised in this city by Lieut. J k
McClallen, sailed for Governor's Island.
Nov. 10. The corporation advertised for proposals for
supplying the city with water by aqueduct, from the spring
at the Five Mile House, on the road to Schenectady.
About this time also, the common council resolved that
no person should frame the materials for any building in
any of the streets or lanes of the city, east of Eagle street,
under a penalty of six shillings a day for every day he
should persist in the work, after having been forbidden.
Nov. 11. The treaty with the Six Nations was "done
at Kon-an-daigua," and signed by Timothy Pickering and
58 sachems, among whom were Hendrik, Fish Carrier,
Half Town, Little Billy, Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket,
Cornplanter and Handsome Lake.
Nov. 14. The Bank of Albany paid a dividend of 4J
per cent, on the last half year's business.
Dec. 11. The editors of the Gazette, " as friends to
the progress of American manufactures, congratulate the
proprietors and the public, that the extensive glass factory
in the neighborhood of this city, is now in full operation,
both at the old and new works. This valuable establish-
ment has met with obstacles for this two months, partly
owing to some bad materials. But at length, we are told,
they are happily surmounted with a fair prospect of in-
creasing prosperity.
It is mentioned that Capt. WILLIAM VAN INGEN of the
sloop Cincinnati, had made the trip to and from New York
in 12 days that is, he sailed from hence on the 5th Dec.
and arrived at New York on the 9th ; disposed of his car-
168 Notes from the Newspapers.
go, took in a valuable freight, and returned to this port on
the 16th. This was a triumph of sloop navigation.
It is remarked at the same time, that the navigation of
the river had been open 9 months, and had still no impedi-
ment.
Dec. 15. Stephen Van Rensselaer prohibited all per-
sons excepting those who had permission by deed, from
cutting down or carrying away any timber or firewood
upon the manor of Rensselaerwyck. The citizens of Al
bany had been accustomed to the right of commons for
nearly two centuries, and it is probable that some persons
began to abuse the privilege. An anonymous writer in
the Gazette animadverted upon this prohibition, which
required those who wished to cut wood to apply at the
office of the proprietor for permission, and asserted that
the prohibition was an encroachment upon the rights of
the citizens, acquired not only by long usage, but by ori-
ginal purchase or grant from the Indians.
Dec. 22. It was contemplated to establish a college
here, and a petition which had been circulated for signa-
tures was presented to the corporation for the purpose of
moving that body to some action in the matter. Consider-
able effort was made to have it located here, instead of
Schenectady, and 6000 subscribed towards it; but the
regents of the university, by a vote of 1 1 to 3, fixed upon
the latter place.
We learn from the Register of Sept. 29, 1794, that the
paving system had been prosecuted with so much vigor,
that only Pearl street and a few cross streets remained to
complete the enterprise. " The contrast in so short a
period, from one of the filthiest to one of the cleanest cities
in America, is truly astonishing, and must be pleasing to
every citizen, especially when we take into contemplation
that noble extent of pavement now nearly completed
through the whole extent of Watervliet street to the bridge
the very idea of which a few years ago would have been
thought the height of madness." It is said that property
had risen in consequence. It was found that they had
made a mistake in paving some of the sidewalks with
small stones.
Notes from the Newspapers. 169
1795.
Jan. 1. RICHARD HILTON, "a worthy citizen," died in
the 97th year of his age. He was the oldest man in the
city, and had for many years been afflicted by an enormous
wen on his left cheek, about 15 inches in circumference.
Jan. 10. The proprietors of the Western Mail Stages
advertise that they have provided good and convenient
stage sleighs which will accommodate ten passengers, and
have reduced the fare during good sleighing to 2 pence
J penny per mile.
At the same time John Hudson ran two stages, one
of 4 horses and the other of 2, daily, to Albany and back
to Schenectady, Sundays excepted.
The post master at this time was George W. Mancius.
Feb. 28. The emigration through the city to the west
was so great at this time, that a citizen was induced from
a motive of curiosity to take an account of a single day's
travel; the number taken was 500 sleighs, from sun-rise
to sun-set: those passing in the night not being enume-
rated. It was estimated that 1200 sleighs, freighted with
men, women, children and furniture, had passed through
the city in three days, from the east, to settle the Gene-
see Valley. This was not the only avenue to the west,
at that time, though probably the principal one. The
increase of emigration was attributable to the comple-
tion of the treaty of Mr. Jay with Great Britain, and
that of Mr. Pickering with the Six Nations, which dis-
pelled every apprehension of danger. Among the mova-
bles was observed a printing press, "destined to shed its
light abroad over the western wilds."
March. The legislature passed the bill directing the
treasurer to subscribe 200 shares to each of the canal
companies, to enable them to prosecute their works the com-
ing season.
Also an act to divide the town of Rensselaerville, and
erect a part of it into a new town by the name of Berne,
in honor of the first settler there. The town of Rensse-
laerwyck was also divided and a part of it called Green-
bush. The county of Schoharie was erected from part of
the counties of Albany and Otsego.
15
170 Notes from the Newspapers.
March. The city lamps were announced as being nearly
ready for use.
March 1. BARENT TEN EYCK died, aged 81 . ALBERTUS
YATES died on the same day, at an advanced age.
ARENT VAN CURLAER died at Mapletown, Rensselaer
county, aged 107. We do not learn whether he was a
descendant of the ancient commissary.
March 4. ISAAC PACKARD died, " respected and esteemed
as an ingenious mechanic and an honest man."
March 30. DAVID GROESBEECK died aged 67, "a pious
and exemplary man."
Mr. JOHN HUDSON died; the stage proprietor, whose
vehicles plied between Albany and Schenectady. His
widow continued the business.
Stages commenced running six times a day between
Lansingburgh and Albany, by A. Platt.
April 7. An act passed the legislature, at its last ses-
sion, appropriating .20,000 annually for the term of five
years, for the purpose of encouraging and maintaining
schools in the state. The proportion allotted to Albany
county was 1,500, or $3750; the law to go into operation
on the 7th April. It was the foundation of the free school
system.
The following list of taxable inhabitants of the towns
in the county of Albany, is given in the Gazette:
Albany, 806
Watervliet, 573
Coxsackie, .... 600
Catskill, 354
Freehold, 524
Coeymans, 354
Bethlehem, 350
Rensselaerville, 495
Schoharie, 507
Duanesburgh, 400
Berne, 386
Schenectady, 747
April 15. Upwards of fifty sail of vessels arrived at
this port, and a number went past to Troy.
April 17. The firm of MacGregor & Co., in carrying
on the Glass Works, consisting of Jeremiah Van Rensse-
laer, Elkanah Watson, Robert MacGregor, and Thomas
and Samuel Mather, was dissolved, and a new company
formed under the name of Thomas Mather & Co.
April 28. The election for governor, lieutenant-go-
vernor and legislators, took place on the last Tuesday in
Notes from the Newspapers.
171
April, and the vote for the city and county of Albany
was as follows:
Towns.
Jay.
V. Rens
Yates.
Floyd.
61
86
72
51
46
38
17
5
third ward,
42
47
25
20
Schenectady
35
75
227
234
Bethlehem,
128
201
75
4
Rensselaerville,
314
317
13
7
Coxsackie . ........
37
39
59
57
151
143
27
35
Watervliet,
207
248
56
14
Catskill '.
32
31
102
102
188
190
3
3
124
122
45
44
11
15
38
31
Freehold,
45
13
41
71
1401
1560
850
678
The total number of votes given for the above candi-
dates in the whole state, was, for Jay, 13,481 ; for Yates,
1 1,892 ; for Van Rensselaer, 12,854 ; Floyd, 12,199. Jay's
majority, 1589; Van Rensselaer's majority, 655.
At the same election Philip Schuyler of Albany was
chosen senator for the western district; composed of the
counties of Albany, Montgomery, Herkimer, Onondaga,
Otsego, Ontario and Tioga. The whole vote was, for
Schuyler, 4,431 ; for John Patterson, 2,895. Majority for
Schuyler, 1,536.
For members of Assembly of the county of Albany, the
vote was as follows:
Dirck Ten Broeck, 1787
William Noith, 1814
Francis Nicoll, ] 778
Jacob Hochstrasser, . . . 1623
Johannes Deitz, 1787
Joseph Shu rtliff, 1254
Gerrit Abeel 1683
Philip Van Rensselaer, 891
Abraham G. Lansing,.. 840
Jellis A. Fonda, 871
Jacobus Bogardus, 812
Leonard Bronck, 1272
Stephen Platt, 75
Marcus Bellinger, 765
Uzal Cory, 747
Dirck Ten Broeck of Albany, William North of Duanes-
burgh, Francis Nicoll of Bethlehem, Jacob Hochstrasser
172 Notes from the Newspapers.
of Berne, Johannes Deitz of Schoharry, Gerrit Abeel of
Catskill, and Leonard Bronk of Coxsackie, were elected.
April 30. At sunrise the mercury in Fahrenheit's ther-
mometer stood at 0; and an hour later, although the
morning was fair, it had fallen to 14 deg. below 0. This
was 6 colder than any day of the previous winter, and
the coldest day that had occurred in six years.
May. JACOBUS WYNKOOP, a merchant of this city, died
aged 75. ' ' He took a decided and active part in the revo-
lution, and was esteemed a brave and worthy officer."
May 7. FRANCIS CARBINE, formerly a merchant in Alba-
ny, died, aged 62.
May 1 1 . WILLIAM MCFARLANE died, aged 34. "To the
character of an honest man he added the qualifications of
a pious Christian."
May 12. At an election held at the banking house in
Market street, the following were elected directors of the
Bank of Albany, the only institution of the kind north of
New York, it is believed: Abraham Ten Broek, president;
Stephen Van Rensselaer, Stephen Lush, Jeremiah Van
Rensselaer, Goldsbrow Banyar, Jas. Caldwell, Philip S.
Van Rensselaer, Barent Bleecker, Dudley Walsh, Daniel
Hale, Robert McClallen , Jacob Vanderheyden, Elisha Kane.
The stages from Albany to New York performed their
trips in two days at the " reduced price of 3 4s." a pas-
senger ($8). " The passengers will lodge the first night
at Poughkeepsie, where those that prefer a water passage
may be accommodated on board the Poughkeepsie packets,
remarkable for their quick passages."
Official information having been received of the election
of Mr. Van Rensselaer to the office of lieut. governor,
the citizens formed a procession, and marched to his man-
sion to congratulate him on the event. Some of the most
conspicuous of his opponents joined in the procession
with much enthusiasm.
June 2. JOPN M. WATSON died, aged 29, and was buried
in the Presbyterian cemetery.
June 15. It was announced that " William Mayell, hat-
ter, from London, had just opened, for sale, at the store of
T. Fradgley, No. 8 Market street, a general assortment of
Notes from the Newspapers. 173
men's, women's and children's fashionable hats, various
colors."
June 22. The assize of bread was a loaf of common
tail flour to weigh lib. 2 oz. for sixpence. Wheat sold
for $2*18 a bushel in New York, and flour 10 a barrel.
The following is a price current of some of the most com-
mon articles of consumption in New York at this time:
Wheat, 17s 6d. Pork prime, 6, 5s.
Com. Northern, 7s 2d. u cargo, 5, 16s.
" Southern, 6s 6d. Butter, Is 6d.
Flour Superfine, 4, 16s. Lard, Is 2d.
" Common, 4, 4s. Cheese, Is 4d.
Beef mess, 5, 4s. Ham, Is.
" prime, 4, 16s. Beeswax, 2s 6d.
" cargo, 4, 8s. Molasses, 4s 8d.
Pork mess, 7, 4s. Rum, 7s 6d.
A pound was $2'50, a shilling 12J cts.
American flour was selling in France at from $15 to
$20 per barrel.
June 30. WILLIAM MCCLEMENT died, aged 28.
July 20, The Bank of Albany commenced business in
it new banking house in Market street, in the house ad-
joining the Mansion House on the south. The directors
had made a call of forty dollars a share upon the stock-
holders, and the stock was quoted at 30 per cent.
July 24. The Cohoes Bridge was opened for passengers
with horses and carriages.
Aug. 19. JACOB KIDNEY died, many years high constable
of the city.
Aug. 20. JOHN BRADSTREET SCHTJYLER died at Saratoga
on the 19th Aug., and was brought to Albany same day;
and on the following day was interred in the vault of his
brother-in-law, the Hon. S. Van Rensselaer.
Sept. 14. HENRY TEN EYCK died. " He was a citizen
much respected and esteemed, and in his death the public
have sustained an irreparable loss."
Sept. 15. CAPT. JOHN, one of the Oneida sachems, and
the principal orator and public speaker of the nation, died
and was interred in the Presbyterian cemetery. The de-
putation of chiefs and sachems of the Oneidas, then in this
city, attended the funeral, and performed the solemnities
thereof, according to the custom of their nation.
174 Notes from the Newspapers.
Oct 1. HENRY WENDELL died, aged 63. He was
formerly sheriff of the county of Albany, and many years
a respectable inhabitant of the city.
Oct. 2. The state council appointed Abraham Yates
jr., mayor of the city of Albany, and John Ostrander,
sheriff of the city and county.
Oct. H. JONATHAN SHEPHERD died, and was buried in
the Episcopalian burial ground.
Oct 12. ABRAM POWERS, baker, died.
Nov. 2. It is noted that wheat, which had been 18s in
New York and 16s 6d m Albany, is now 14s and its tend-
ency downwards, owing to the abundance of the crops,
and the agents of foreign countries having received orders
to discontinue purchases for exportation; that potatoes
were sold at 2s per bushel, and good mutton at 4Jd and
beef at 6d a pounci.
The Bank of Albany declared a dividend of 4 J per cent
on its capital stock, for the past 6 months.
In the fall of 1795 a singular craft arrived at Albany
on its way from Lake Erie to Philadelphia. It was a
small schooner, called the White Fish, built at Presqu'Isle
on Lake Erie by a couple of young men, and was 17^ feet
keel, 5 feet 7 inches beam. They proceeded along Lake
Erie to Niagara falls, 110 miles; passed the falls by land
10 miles, and sailed down Lake Ontario and up Oswego
river, passing the falls in the latter by land, 1 mile ; through
the Oneida lake, and up Wood creek; from the latter to
the Mohawk 1 mile by land; and down the Mohawk to
Little falls, which were passed by land 1 mile ; and the
distance between Schenectady and Albany was also made
by land. They proceeded down the Hudson, and by sea
to the capes of Delaware ; and up the Delaware to Phila-
delphia The voyage occupied seven weeks, owing to the
lateness of the season, it being the 10th Nov. when they
reached Philadelphia, having made 947 mile^, without
chart or compass. The canals were in progress at this
time for rendering the whole distance between Oneida lake
and Albany navigable. The design of this voyage was a
disinterested experiment to prove some of the great advan^
tages which might in future be derived from the speedy
settlement about the new town of Erie,
Notes from the Newspapers. 175
Nov. 7. The supreme court adjourned. The following
convictions took place. Anthony Crane, petit larceny;
Elisabeth Crane, his wife, grand larceny; Joseph Brown,
petit larceny; Flora, a negro girl, grand larceny; Sam
and Jack, negroes, for receiving stolen goods, knowing
them to be such. They each, except Elisabeth Crane,
received 39 lashes on the same day, and were discharged.
Nov. 16. The lighting of the city, says the Gazette,
begins to assume a regular and pleasing appearance, and
if the common council would permit to be lighted at the
public expense, the lamps which our private citizens shall
erect, (on their paying into the treasury money sufficient
for the oil) our city, in this respect, would soon vie with
the other principal cities and towns in the United States.
Dec. 14. Wheat in New York, 20s 6d ($2-56), in Al-
bany, 17s 6d ($2-18).
The census of 1795 gives the following statement of the
number of electors in the city and county of Albany.
No. of electors in the city of Albany, 765.
" county " 6,087.
The electors consisted of those who possessed freeholds
of the value of $250 ; those who possessed freeholds of the
value of $50 and under $250; those not possessed of free-
holds but who rented tenements of the yearly value of $5 ;
and those who were freemen on the 14th day of October,
1775, and on the 20th day of April, 1777.
1796.
The following is a list of the towns and the number of
electors in each at this time in this county.
Berne, 457
Coeymans, 359
Bethlehem, 388
Catskill, 363
Rensselaerville, 548
Coxsackie, 619
Watervliet, 600
Duanesburgh, 307
Schoharie, 436
Schenectady, 683
Freehold, 562
Albany, 765
The No of electors in Troy was 550. (This probably
included Lansingburgh, as the latter place is not men-
tioned.)
176 Notes from the Newspapers.
The whole No. of freeholders in the state in 1790 was
19,395; in 1795 they had increased to 36,338, having
nearly doubled in the short space of five years. 817 free-
holders gave a senator. The tide of immigration had
increased the western district so as to entitle it to 17 sena-
tors, while the southern district had 10, the middle 9, the
eastern 8. The new census increased the number of sena-
tors from 24 to 44; and of assemblymen from 70 to 115.
A writer in the Gazette of Feb. 5, 1796, writes from
personal knowledge that at the election of 1738, which
was hotly contested, 636 voted for assemblymen, and that
at that time there were not 50 more electors in the whole
district, then county of Albany (the manor excepted which
held a separate poll of about 100 votes) comprising in '96
the counties of Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Washing-
ton, Clinton, Saratoga, Schohary, Montgomery, Herkimer,
Tioga, Otsego, Onondaga and Ontario. So that in 1738,
the whole number of electors did not exceed 786, which
had now increased to 37,026; being an increase in 60
years of more than 47 to 1.
It was announced that a new line of stages was esta-
blished between Albany and New York, which would start
daily from each place.
Jan. John Clark and Reuben King advertise that they
have contracted with the post office department to convey
the mail and maintain a line of stages to run twice a week
each way between Boston and Albany : that their stages
will start from Boston every Monday and Tuesday, and
arrive at Albany every fourth day, and will start from
James McGourk's in Albany every Wednesday and Satur-
day morning and arrive at Boston in the same period of
time; except the months of March and November, "and
then the mail will go on horseback."
Feb. The stage fare to New York was $10. In the
spring it was reduced to $6.
An act passed the legislature at its session for this year,
to enable the corporation of the city of Albany to supply
the city with water by means of conduits.
An act for the encouragement of the Albany Glass Fac-
tory.
Notes from the Newspapers. 177
An act authorizing the corporation to raise money to
defray the expense of lighting the lamps and for the
support of a night watch.
An act making alterations in the criminal law of this
state, and for erecting state prisons, provided for the erec-
tion of a state prison at Albany.
The proprietors of the Glass works at this time were
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Sanders, Abraham Ten
Eyck, Elkanah Watson, Frederick A. De Zeng, K. K. Van
Rensselaer, Thomas Mather, Douw Fonda, Walter Coch-
ran. Samuel Mather. About this time they conceived the
project of consolidating their establishment into a per-
manent manufacturing town, under the name of Hamilton.
Materials were collected for building an octagon church,
and a school house ; the ground was laid out into streets
and house lots. The legislature exempted the company
and their workmen from all taxation for five years, as a
mode of encouragement.
A resolution passed the common council for enforcing
the laws for paving Court street (Broadway) from the
north end of that street to the site of Fort Orange ; Pearl
street from State street north ; Mark lane, now Exchange
street ; Washington street from Nail street (Howard) south
to Bass lane (Bleecker), and Maiden lane from Market to
Lodge street.
March 23. The Rev. John B. Johnson became the col-
league of Rev. Dr. Bassett in the pastoral charge of the
Dutch Reformed church, and so continued until 1802,
when he resigned his call, and removed to Brooklyn, where
he died. He is represented to have been unusually popu-
lar, and enjoyed the uninterrupted affection and confidence
of his people, and the whole community. During his mi-
nistry very gratifying accessions were made to the church.
March 31. Ananias Platt began to run aline of stages
four times a day between Albany and Schenectady.
May 3. The Bank of Albany declared a dividend of 4
per cent.
May 1 0. The consistory of the Dutch Reformed church
appointed a committee consisting of Messrs. Beekman,
Van Vechten, Van Rensselaer and Bleecker, to procure
178 Notes from the Newspapers.
materials for the purpose of building a new church, the
board making themselves responsible for their acts.
The streets in the city were still mostly unpaved, and
the houses without numbers. The stores in State street
were described as bearing a certain direction from the
Dutch church.
May 31. A report was made at this time of the boats
that passed the locks at Little falls, on the Mohawk dur-
ing 13 days in May, viz: 17 boats to and from old Fort
Schuyler, 22 Geneva, 8 Rotterdam and Oneida lake, 11
Fort Stanwix, 4 Cayuga lake, 4 Erie lake, 9 Niagara, 16
Upper Canada, 3 Fort Herkimer, 1 Bay Cauty, 2 Oneida
lake, 6 Genesee, 3 Little falls, 6 Whitestown, 4 German
flatts; total, 116; paying a toll of $219.
June 30. ABRAHAM YATES, junior, mayor of the city,
died, aged 73.
The Rev. Drs. Belknap and Morse arrived at Albany,
on their return from a tour to the west. Dr. Morse deli-
vered a sermon in the Presbyterian church, on Sunday,
July 3.
The Gazette says that furs and peltries to the amount
of more than $40,000 were received at this time by a single
house, from one of the north western- companies. The
editor adds that it has an agreeable appearance, and bright-
ens up the faces of our old Indian traders, to see twenty
or thirty wagon loads of fur at a time, coming into our
city, and augurs favorably a return of the immensely rich
Indian trade we once participated in.
July 8. Wheat had fallen to 12s a bushel, and it is said
that 8s were taken at this time.
The commissioners appointed to superintend the erec-
tion of the state prison at Albany, purchased a lot for the
purpose in the north part of the city, adjoining the river,
and advertised for proposals to furnish materials and build
the same.
A Lansingburgh paper of Aug. 18, says. " A few years
ago there was but one stage between this town and Albany.
It was established and maintained at great expense by Mr.
A. Platt, and for a considerable time had little encourage-
ment. He however persevered, and at this day, this mode
Notes from the Newspapers.
of travelling has so increased that twenty stages pass and
repass daily between the neighboring towns of Lansing-
burgh, Troy, Waterford, and Albany, averaging more than
150 passengers per day a proof of our growth and pros-
perity."
"With great pleasure we have noticed the success of
the subscription, opened a few days since for erecting a
Roman Catholic chapel in this city. It bespeaks the tole-
rant and liberal disposition of the country, to find our
citizens of every persuasion emulous in assisting their
Roman Catholic brethren with the means of building here
a temple to the God of heaven, in which they can worship
according to the dictates of their own consciences. The
corporation unanimously resolved to present them with a
piece of ground for the site of their church." Gazette.
Sept. 30. " The Presbyterian congregation in this city
have given a call to Mr. David S. Bogart, of the city of
New York, to become the pastor of their church, with a
salary of a thousand dollars per annum. Their new brick
church will be finished in two or three weeks. It is a
handsome building, 64 feet by 76, eligibly situated in
Washington street corner of Beaver. The inside of the
church is in modern style, and the workmanship very ele-
gant." Gazette.
The above edifice is still standing, having been enlarged
about 16 feet on its northern end, and the name of the
street changed from Washington to South Pearl. The old
church, was a wooden building, standing on the north east
corner of Grand and Beaver streets, and was the first
Presbyterian church in the city, under the charge of Mr.
McDonald.
The Gazette remarks that the city never enjoyed more
excellent health ; that there was scarcely a sick person in
town.
The celerity with which the public mails are now trans-
mitted throughout the United States, says the Gazette,
merits our particular notice. From Philadelphia to
Albany, a distance of 260 miles, it is but 3 days from
Boston, it is 4; but from Savannah in Georgia, almost the
extreme southern point in the Union, it is but 12 days
180 Notes from the Newspapers.
and newspapers from the latter city are received by the
editors of the Gazette with as much regularity as from
New York.
Assize of bread, 1 Ib. 3 oz. for 6d.
Stage fare from Albany to Fort Schuyler, $2'50. From
Albany to Whitestown, $3.
Advertisements for the sale of negroes, and rewards
for runaway slaves, were at this time of every day occur-
rence. A sample is taken.
"For Sale, a healthy Negro Wench, about 30 years
of age, accustomed to all kinds of kitchen work. She has
been a servant in a respectable family in this city for
many years, and can be recommended for her honesty and
good conduct. Also, her two male children, both in good
health, one nearly three years of age, until he arrives at
the age of 25 years. The other about 4 weeks old will be
sold for life. Apply to the printers of the Albany Gazette."
To be Sold A healthy active Negro Wench, in her
19th year can be recommended for honesty and sobriety)
and sold for no fault."
" A Negro Wench, about 30 years of age, strong and
hearty, for sale."
The names of the owners are never given, but reference
is given to the printer.
Oct. 27. It was announced in the papers that there
was " a balloon in the city of Albany, now nearly finished,
of 54 feet in circumference, and with a machine for carry-
ing a car, which after ascending an immense distance in
the air, will disengage itself from the balloon, and descend
in a flame of fire to the earth, without receiving any injury.
The subscribers to the above balloon, are informed that
it will be raised on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 2 o'clock, from
the hill above the jail."
Oct. 27. Gen. Cleveland of Connecticut, attended by
a company of surveyors, arrived in the city from Ohio,
where they had been employed during the summer in run-
ning the outlines of the Connecticut lands on lake Erie,
and dividing them into townships. They explored the
Cuyahoga, and made many curious discoveries. They
demonstrated to the citizens, among other things, that the
Notes from the Newspapers. 181
transportation of West India goods into that country by
the way of Albany, could be done fifty per cent cheaper,
and dry goods seventy-five per cent cheaper than from Phil-
adelphia by land to Fort Pitt and down the Ohio. " A
hogshead of rum, for instance, will cost $187*50 delivered
at Pittsburg on the Ohio from Philadelphia; whereas four
barrels, equal to a hogshead, can, even now, be transported
from Albany to Detroit for $18*75 each, equal to $75 a
hhd.* Detroit is upwards of a hundred miles from Cuya-
hoga river, but allowing for ascending the river, the car-
rying place of four miles, and descending the Muskingum
into the Ohio at Marietta, it will more than justify the
general's calculation." The editor of the Register here-
upon breaks forth into the following rhapsody: "What
a boundless field this new source of wealth and commerce
opens to the city of Albany ! Let any man contemplate a
good map of our local position, and then extend his view
northward to the 45th deg. of latitude, and westward to
the Lake of the Woods, 'and the vast link of inland seas,
which connect an immense fertile region from lake to lake
by a happy intercourse quite into the Hudson and the
most pleasing scene of happiness and industry will unfold
itself to his imagination, and which in a few years must
unfold itself to the great benefit of posterity. In short, it
is clear that millions of people are destined to give and
receive from this place their daily wants, probably from
the greatest portion of the intermediate country which lies
between that vast chain of water and the Ohio and Missi-
sippi. Such, happy sons of future Albany ! is your prospect
and such most undoubtedly will be the reality once the
western canals are completed and the western regions
populated."
Nov. 1. The public sale of the state lands, commonly
called the Cayuga and Onondaga Reservations, was com-
menced by the surveyor-general at Wendell's hotel, in this
city. The sale of the Cayuga tract was completed during
the first week, at an average above six dollars per acre.
* Great calculations were made about this time on the prospective
facilities for the transportation of rum.
16
182 Notes from the Newspapers.
Nov. 2. The house of John McDonald, printer and
bookseller in State street, took fire and was burnt to the
ground, by which he lost a complete set of printing mate-
rials, two presses, a large quantity of paper, and books,
bound and in sheets.
A paper called the Chronicle is mentioned as being print-
ed in Albany at this time.
The Presbyterian church, corner of Beaver and Pearl
streets, was opened, when the Rev. Dr. Smith, president
of Union College, delivered two discourses.
Volney, the celebrated traveler and philosopher, visited
this city, on his way from the west to the southern states.
The judiciary bill, which passed the legislature at its
session this year, abolished capital punishments, except in
cases of murder and treason. Corporeal punishment at
the whipping post was also abolished about this time,
complaints having become common of its abuse in frequent
instances. Much was said in favor of imprisonment at
labor, and of the feasibility of the plans adopted by the
state of Pennsylvania, after the prisons of France.
The land purchased by the commissioners for building
a prison contained 6 acres. It was " situated in the colo-
nie, about three-fourths of a mile from the City Hall. Its
bounds are the main road on the west, and the Hudson
river on the east. The price paid was 5000 ($12,500).
This law was annulled the next year, and did not go into
operation.
A musical concert was given by Miss Broadhurst, Messrs.
Hewitt and Muller, consisting of 6 songs and 4 instrument-
al pieces, terminating with a ball, tickets $1. It was im-
mediately followed by the advent of a ' ' male camel from
the deserts of Arabia," who was probably the first of his
species that penetrated this distant land.
Nov. John Jacob Beeckman, elder, advertised by order
of the consistory, for proposals from carpenters and masons
for the erection of a new Dutch church.
Nov. 27. The cartridges and other ammunition belong-
ing to the United States, which had for some years past
been deposited in the public stores in Court street in this
city, were on the 27th Nov., by order of the secretary of
Notes from the Newspapers. 183
war, shipped on board vessels, and sent to West Point, by
Capt. Hudong.
Dec. The following statement of the buildings in this
city was made from actual enumeration :
701 dwelling houses,
131 stores,
68 store-houses,
193 stables fronting streets and alleys,
1093 buildings.
In the colonie of Watervliet, or Northern Liberties,
162 dwelling houses,
13 stores.
1268
Computing 7 persons to each dwelling house, the city
would contain 4907, and the liberties 1134 inhabitants;
total 6041.
Dec. 23 and 24. Friday and Saturday 23d and 24th
Dec., were the coldest days remembered in this city for
many years.
Friday, Dec. 23, 1796, 14 below 0.
Saturday Dec. 24, 1796, 18 " "
1797.
State of the thermometer at 7 o'clock in the morning
in the city.
Sunday, Jan. 8, 1797, 17J
Monday, " 9, " 20 " "
Jan. 3. The legislature convened at the City Hall.
The editors of the Register complain of the difficulty of
acquiring the minutes for publication, by which upwards
of 2000 of their fellow citizens, who relied principally
upon that paper for the news of the day were deprived of
the timely knowledge of the proceedings of their repre-
sentatives.
Jan. 10. The common council granted the sum of
twenty shillings, ($2'50) to Barent De Rider, a carman,
for being the first at a fire on the night previous, with a
hogshead of water, and ten shillings ($1'25) to John Hyde,
184 Notes from the Newspapers.
for his being the second. The sum of $250 was awarded
to any one who should discover an incendiary in attempt-
ing to fire any building in the city.
Feb. 14. A large number of the clergy and laity of the
northern and western parts of the state, convened at Al-
bany, and organized themselves into a society by the name
of the Northern Missionary Society of the State of New
York, the design of which was the propagation of the gos-
pel in the frontier settlements and among the Indian tribes
of this and the neighboring states.
The bill to erect a public building in the city of Albany
with a view of rendering it the permanent seat of govern-
ment passed both branches of the legislature, and became
a law.
The house of assembly also passed a bill incorporating
a company to open a canal round Niagara falls, with a
grant of 6,000 acres of land in its immediate vicinity.
The legislature having fixed the seat of government at
Albany, the corporation of the city made them an offer of
any unappropriated ground that might be chosen for the
purpose of erecting the public buildings. The present
site of the Capitol was chosen, and was thus described at
that time. " It extends along the west side of the public
square, from Deer street on the south, to Lion street on
the north, which last is the main street by which the
western country enters the city. On this ground the
buildings have a direct view of State street, and the rows
of stately edifices which adorn the sides of it, from its upper
to its lower extremity. The prospect from this place is
extensive and beautiful.. It goes to the north, the east
and the south till the summits of the distant mountains
terminate it in the horizon. Hence the blue tops of the,
Catskill are seen mingling with the clouds, and the majestic
Hudson winding between the islands below, till the lessen-
ing sails on its surface vanish to the eye ; and above till its
curving margins hide the retreating waves in the neighbor-
hood of Troy. The village of Bath, and the fields and
ridges on the opposite side of the river, teeming with vege-.
tation in its fullest luxuriance, are parts of the picture
here presented to charm the mind capable of relishing its
Notes from the Newspapers. 185
beauties. The cemetery immediately to the south, over-
spread with a sheet of verdure, and a wide, opening valley
beyond it, through which a meandering rivulet runs to
refresh the air, will forever afford free access to the cool-
ing zephyrs in the sultry season. The large vacant area
in front will in no small degree contribute to the same
end. It will no doubt be hereafter so improved as to ans-
wer, in the best possible manner, the purposes of health,
pleasure, and other objects of public utility. It will be a
little field for the taste and genius of artists in the science
of elegance, to which a free scope will here unquestionably
be given before much length of time has elapsed. Springs
of the best water also break out about it in several places ;
and plentifully yield that inestimable luxury of life, the
want of which is so much lamented through the city in
general. Behind lies that part of the city which is laid
out into regulai shapes, extended over a plain gently
sloping to the morning sun. This, though not thickly
settled as yet, can not remain many years without rivaling
in business those parts which are now most valued on that
account, and outshining them by the splendor of its im-
provements. Nothing is wanting to make it capable of
receiving the last finish of art, in addition to the finest
beauties of nature."
March 6. The assize of bread was " a loaf of good
common tail flour to weigh 1 Ib. 12 oz. for 6d.
May 30. The mayor laid the corner stone in the foun-
dation of the state offices, which were begun to be erected
on the corner of State and Lodge streets. They are now
turned into a geological museum, in which are deposited
the collections of the geologists who surveyed the state.
The post roads were extended by Congress, among
which were some extensions on the roads diverging from
Albany. Among others, a new route from Lansingburgh
by Waterford, Still water, Fort Edward, Whitehall, Fair-
haven, to Rutland, in Vermont. Another from Lansing-
burgh, by Salem, Fairhaven, Vergennes, Bason-harbor
Plattsburgh, to Champlain. From Schenectady, Ballston
Springs and Glensbridge, to Sandy-hill.
186 Notes from the Newspapers.
A report was published in the New York papers that
the Albany Bank had failed on account of the great influx
of counterfeits of its own bills. The bank at this time
had been in operation five years, and to this day there
had not been an instance of any of its bills having been
counterfeited. It appears to have been managed with
considerable ability, and in proportion to its capital pos-
- sessed more specie than any bank in the country. The
current price of its stock was from 45 to 50 per cent above
par.
The seat of government having been fixed at Albany,
and the governor, John Jay, authorized to hire a house
for his accommodation, he took " Mr. James Caldwell's
elegant house in State street" (No. 60).
Among the acts of the Legislature, having relation to
the city of Albany, were the following.
1. A law concerning the election of charter officers.
12. To suspend the power of the commissioners for
erecting a state prison in the county of Albany.
31. An act for erecting a public building in the county
of Albany, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
71. An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorpo-
rate the stockholders of the Bank of Albany.
72. An act to regulate buildings within certain limits
of the city of Albany.
73. An act to increase the number of firemen in the
city of Albany.
87. An act for constructing a road and establishing and
erecting turnpikes between the city of Albany and the
town of Schenectady.
102. An act authorizing the mayor, aldermen and com-
monalty of the city of Albany to raise a sum of money by
tax for defraying the expense of lighting the lamps, and
for the support of a night watch in the said city.
It is mentioned as an instance of remarkable dispatch,
that Col. William Colbreath, sheriff of Herkimer, left this
city on Sunday morning, (7th) on board a vessel for New
York, and returned on Thursday (llth) afternoon; having
in a little more than four days including a day and a half
he was in New York, performed a journey of 330 miles.
Notes from the Newspapers. 187
Aug. 4. The city was visited by an extensive confla-
gration, which swept down several streets, consuming
ninety-six dwellings, and rendering houseless one hundred
and fifty families of about one thousand persons. The
fire originated in an old storehouse on the Middle Dock,
in the rear of Montgomery street, and in its progress ex-
tended into and destroyed houses in Dock, Montgomery,
Steuben, Market, Middle lane, Columbia, and Watervliet
streets. It was the greatest calamity that had ever
befallen the city.
Aug. 8. Wouter Knickerbakker, for many years a resi-
dent of Albany, died at Saratoga, aged 84 years and 9
months.
At a court of oyer and terminer held in the city during
the first two weeks in September fourteen criminals were
convicted and sentenced. The penalties for offences at
this time will be gathered from the following :
Isaac Robbins, convicted of passing a false receipt for
money, imprisonment for life at hard labor.
Simon Brant, passing two counterfeit quarter dollars,
imprisonment for life at hard labor.
Jacob, a negro slave, burglary, the same penalty.
John Garrit, do do
Isaac Van Doren, horse stealing, 7 years at hard labor.
Sept. 13. The Roman Catholic chapel corner stone
was laid by Mr. Thomas Barry, who was a merchant at
this time. The foundation, it is stated, was to be laid
this season, and the church to be completed the following
year. It occupied the site of the present church in Chapel
street, then called Barrack street.
" Turnpikes. Notice is hereby given, that a book for
receiving subscriptions for shares in the stock of the com-
pany established by virtue of an act entitled " An act for
constructing a road and establishing and erecting turn-
pikes between the city of Albany and the town of Schenec-
tady," will be opened on Tuesday the 23d inst., at 10
o'clock, in the forenoon, at the dwelling house of James
Van Ingen, in Pearl street, in the city of Albany, and will
continue open every day, Sundays excepted, between the
188 Notes from the Newspapers.
hours often and twelve in the forenoon, until the 4th day
of September next
JOHN VANDERHEYDEN.
KILLIAN K. VAN RENSSELAER.
SANDERS LANSING.
JAS. VAN INGEN,
Commissioners."
Two brass field pieces, an ammunition wagon, and other
requisite apparatus in complete order, were received from
New York, for the use of the Albany Independent Artillery.
They were cast by James Byers, of Springfield, Mass.
Fourteen house lots in the Upper Pasture, belonging to
the consistory of the Dutch Church, were sold at auction
at an average sum of $285 each. Five years previous the
same class of lots sold at 15 to 30 dollars.
The paving of Court street was commenced. .
Aug. 17. A collection in aid of the sufferers by the
great fire was taken in the Dutch church, which amounted
to XI 19 14s. ($298^50.)
The following were the members of assembly elect for
this year, in the city and county of Albany, with the num-
ber of votes each received.
Dirck Ten Broeck, 2345
John H. Wendell, 1404
John Prince, ..; 1589
Philip P. Schuyler, ... 2010
Joel Thompson, 1 505
A. N. Heermance, 1 736
Nathaniel Ogden, 2220
Johan Jost Deitz, 1423
Peter West, 1489
Thomas E. Barker, . . . 1573
The total number of votes was 2647.
The senators for the Eastern district, including Albany,
Saratoga, Clinton, Washington and Rensselaer counties,
were Abraham Van Vechten, Anthony Ten Eyck, Eben-
ezer Clark, Zina Hitchcock, Jacobus Schermerhorn.
June 12. On Monday the corner stone of the Dutch
church in North Pearl street was laid by Rev. John B.
Johnson. At 5 o'clock p. M., a procession, composed of
the consistory of the church, the clergy of the several con-
gregations, the mayor and corporation, and the judges of
the supreme court and common pleas moved from the
consistory room to the site of the new church. After
Notes from the Newspapers. 189
laying the corner stone, Mr. Johnson addressed the com-
pany assembled, in a short speech, and concluded the cere-
mony with prayer. The procession again formed, and
returned to the consistory room, where they partook of a
collation. The church was intended to be ] 16 feet by 70 ;
the undertakers and architects, Messrs. Putnam arid Hook-
er; contract price, $25,000.
July 3. The celebrated Dr. Perkins, inventor of the
.metallic tractors, made his appearance in the city, with a
sufficiency of testimonials from physicians and others, of
the efficacy of his instruments in " removing rheumatic
pains, head aches, agues in the face, cramps, convulsions,
and inflammatory swellings of the throat." They had
their day.
Account current of receipts and expenditures for watch
and lighting the city, for the years 1795, 1796 and 1797.
1795. Oct. 31. Watchmen for one qua/ter, 98 12s
257 gallons oil, 83 16 6d
1796. Feb. 8. Watch one quarter, 98 15
Apr. 30. do 114 19
July 26. do 113 15
Aug. 1. Sundry night watch at jail 32 6
10. 161J gallons oil, 67 15 10
Oct. 4. A. Linn, cleaning and light-
ing lamps, 36 511
" 22. Watchmen one quarter, .. 114 13
24. 74| gal. oil 36 4-9
Dec. 19. 107^ gal. oil, 47 16
1797. Jan. 18. Watchmen one quarter, . . 115 10 6.
Cleansing and lighting . .
lamps, 13 6"
Apr. 3. 155 gallons oil, 67 3 0>
1*9. Watchmen one quarter, .. 112 S
May 24.. E. Johnson, cleaning and
lighting lamps, 18 5
July 3. 190 galls, oil, 48 6
11. Watchmen 1 quarter, 113 11
w 18. A. Linn, cleaning and light-
ing lamps, 19 7 9
190 Notes from the Newspapers.
Aug. 22. 353 galls, oil, 141 11
Sept. 27. Spirits turpentine, 14 17
** " Wood and candles and
sweeping chimney for
watch, 18 4
1525 15s 6d
Oct. 9. Bread, lib. 12oz. for 6d.
The receipts and expenditures of the city for the year
ending the second week in October, were as follows :
Oct. 11, 1796, Balance in the treasury, 1160 6s 5d
" 9, 1797, Receipts into " 6868 7 -J
" " " Expenditures, 7699 4 3
" " " Balance in the treasury, 329 9 2J
Dec. 11. Albany Museum. A museum is now esta-
blished in this city, and is open for inspection at the cor-
ner of Green and Reaver streets, opposite Mr. Denniston's
tavern, every day, Sundays excepted, from 9 o'clock in
the morning, till 9 at night. It contains a number of
living animals, and a great variety of other natural and
artificial curiosities. Admittance 2s., Children Is. The
highest price paid for curiosities of any kind.
1798.
Jan. 14. HAN JOOST, an Oneida warrior, died suddenly
in the city on Sunday evening, Jan. 14. He distinguished
himself as a volunteer under Gen. Gansevoort, during the
siege of Fort Stanwix, in the revolutionary war, and com-
posed one of that gallant party, commanded by Col. Wil-
lett, who in a sortie carried destruction through the
enemy's camp. After the siege was raised, he returned
to his wondering countrymen, loaded with the spoils of
the enemy, and covered with glory.
The legislature passed "An act to establish a turnpike
corporation for improving the road from the springs in
Lebanon to the city of Albany."
The address of the citizens of Albany to the president
of the United States, " solemnly pledging themselves in
the most unequivocal manner, to sustain with energy the
Notes from the Newspapers. 191
constituted authorities of our country against all the
machinations of its enemies, whether foreign or domestic,"
was signed by 800 freeholders and electors, and transmit-
ted to the Hon. Mr. Glen, to be presented to the president.
It is said that " only 20 or 30 declined signing it," of all
the freeholders and electors in the city.
The votes for members for the city and county of Albany
were as follows:
Bethlehem, 168
Coeymans, 108
Coxsackie, 246
Rensselaerville, 289
Bern, 192
Duanesburgh, 252
Princetown, 51
Albany, 1st ward, 207
" 2d " 115
" 3d " 65
Schenectady. 1st ward, 160
' 2d " 156
" 3d " 52
" 4th " 107
Watervliet, 302
Total No. votes, 2477
Dirk Ten Broek, and Jer. Lansingh, of Albany, Joseph
Shurtleff of Schenectady, Johan Jost Deitz of Bern, James
Bill of Rensselaerville, Philip P. Schuyler, Watervliet,
Andrew N. Heermance of Coxsackie, Prince Doty of
Duanesburgh, and Thomas E. Barker of Freehold, were
elected.
" The traveller and stranger notice two important and
very pleasing improvements in our city within a very few
years the pavement of our streets and the number, neat-
ness and elegance of our public buildings and houses of
entertainment. The building for public offices, the new
Dutch and Presbyterian churches, the Tontine, (by Ana-
nias Platt) City Tavern and Hotel, in a particular manner
reflect credit on the taste and public spirit of our city.".
Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany was re-elected lieu-
tenant-governor of the state, unanimously.
Sept. The first Catholic church in Albany was so far
completed, as to require but a small contribution to dis-
charge the last payment of the contract. The citizens
generally appear to have aided its funds with great libe-
rality.
Oct. 3. On Wednesday, the 3d Oct., Eliphalet Nott
was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and
192 Notes from the Newspapers.
installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, on the corner
of south Pearl and Beaver street, then the only Presby-
terian church in the city. Dr. Smith (president of Union
College?) preached the ordination sermon, 2 Cor. iv, 2,
Several of the Dutch Reformed ministers joined in the
imposition of hands.
THOMAS SHIPBOY, formerly an eminent merchant in this
city, died on Monday, Oct. 8, and was buried on the fol-
lowing day. He lived in the house next below the Ame-
rican hotel, now occupied as a confectionery store, with a
modern front. He also did business and lived in the house
56 State street, afterwards occupied by Christian Miller,
Liberal contributions were made by the citizens for the
benefit of the sufferers by the fever in New York, which
raged in the fall of this year. At a collection taken at
the Presbyterian church $200 were contributed, and $108
at the Episcopal church. The health committee acknow-
ledged the receipt of $4 17 '55 from Rev. John Bassett of
the Dutch Reformed church, being the balance of the
collection made in this city, and 20 fat sheep from Dirk
Ten Broek. Private donations to a large amount were
also frequently acknowledged.
The expenses of the city for lamps and night watch,
for the year ending 2d Tuesday in October, was 1172,
17s Id.
The new Dutch church in this city is completed. It is
a superb and elegant building, finished in the most modern
style, with two handsome domes or steeples. It is situated
in Pearl street, at the intersection of Orange street, and
takes the name of The North Church. The architects
were Messrs. Putnam and Hooker; the contract 10000
($25,000). The sale of the pews commenced on Monday
last, when 82 were sold for $10,371, with a reservation of
$418 annual rent. Several of the largest pews averaged
from four to five hundred dollars. There remained 77 to
be disposed of.
193
ANCIENT WILLS.
From the Albany City Records, Vol. IV.
WILL OF ADRIAN GERRITSE PAPENDORP.*
In y 6 name of y 6 Lord, Amen : The 7th day of October,
one thousand six hundred eighty-eight, in y 6 4th year of
y 6 reign of our Sovereign Lord James y e Second, by y 6
Grace of God, of England Scotland France & Irland, King,
Defender of the Faith, &c., appeared before me Jan Becker,
notary public, resideing in Albany in America, Mr. Adrian
Gerritse Papendorp, inhabitant of y 6 city of Albany ; who
growing weak, yett of perfect and sound memory, under-
standing & speech, to y* outward appearance, who minde-
full of y e frailty of life and ye e uncertain hour of death,
being unwilling to depart this life without disposeing of
his temporall estate, give him by Almighty God, bequeath-
ing his soule into y^ hands of God & his body to Christian
buriall : Doth appoint, for his only and universal! heir, his
respective wife, Jannetje Croon, of all what he shall leave
behinde, after his death, both in this countrey, in Holland
or any where els wherever it might be, both moveables &
immoveables, bills of rentt, obligations or any thing else,
howsoever it may be named, nothing in y 6 world excepted;
to doe with all y 6 same as y 6 testator, in his life time,
might or could doe. without being troubled or molested by
any person in y e world to give an inventory of y 6 estate,
much less to give security, because she shall be & remain
administratrix & executrix during y 6 time of her natural
life ; but after her death, his neece Harmyntje Nagles shall
have one hundred pieces of eight, and if she be deceased
then her children shall have the same.
John Abeel, & his sister Elisabeth, shall have, before
any division or particon be made, each of them one thou-
* This will was proved Nov. 27, 1688. See Annals, vol. ii, p. 101.
17
194 Ancient Wills.
sand gilders, Hollandt money, of y 1 money which y* testa-
tor has in Holland, and for y e remainder y l he has in Hol-
land, either immoveable estate or obligations or money,
the same shall be equally divided among y e children of his
wife's sisters, except y l Elisabeth vander Poel, sometime
wife of Sybrant Van Skaik shall not participate in y 6 same,
but in her stead & room all her children begot by y e s d
Sybrant Van Skaik who are al of them to have as much
as their moyr should have had if she had shared with y 6
rest ; & Anthony Van Skaik & Johannes Abeel are ap-
pointed tutors of y 6 s d part or portion, dureing y e minority
of y^ s d Sybrant Van Skaik's children, or til their marriage.
All y 6 cloathes of linning and woollen y 1 belongs to y e
testator's body, Johannes Abeel shall have the same, as
also his horse and slee with its appurtenances, y 6 gold
seale, ring and silver tobacco box, and y e gardin y 1 lyes
between Dirk Wessels & Jan Lansingh.
The little sonne of Gerardus Beekman, called Adriaen,
shall have y 6 testator's ring with y e stone, y 6 gold buttons
which he wore in his shirt, y 6 silver tooth-picker, and great-
est silver tommeler; and y e remainder of y e silver and
gold, both coyned and uncoyned, shall be divided equally
among Johannes Abeel and his three sisters, and Maria
and Hanna Vander Poel, and y e children of Sybrant Van
Skaik, who are herein to supply their mother's room,
as also the house wherein the testator dwells: provided
that Anthony Van Skaik and Johannes Abeel shall be
tutors of y 6 children of Sybrant Van Skaik, who all of
them shall inherit their mother's share as aforesaid.
And what shall be found more of linning, woolle, pew-
ter, brasse, or pictures, shall be divided in equal parts
among Johannes Abeel, Dirk van Derkarre, Elisabeth
Vander Poel, & Mary & Hanna Vander Poel, John, Mag-
dalena, Mary and Elisabeth Abeel.
And what shall be found over & above of yron or gems
or other household stoff, or whatever else not men-
tioned above, that shall be equally divided between Jo-
hannes Abeel & Evert Banker, always provided that it is
the testator's will that this shall in no manner lett or
hinder y 6 administration of my wife, & what shall be found
Ancient Wills. 195
lesse or otherwise after her death, shall be accepted off
and held good.
It is also y 6 testator's will and desyre that after his
wife's decease, Johannes Abeel & Evert Banker shall be
administrators of y 6 estate, & whatever the testator's wife
shall leave behind, to distribute to every person as it is
here expresst in this testament ; and y 6 s d persones are to
rest satisfyed with such distribution, without troubling y 6
s d administrators or executors to give an inventory, much
lesse to give security for their due administration, but
must content themselfs, so as y e s d persones shall in
their minds think lit & convenient, upon y 6 penalty y 1
whoever of y 6 heirs shall do or act anything to y e con-
trary, they shall forfeit whatever is give or bequeathed
them by this will.
The testator doth likewise will and desyre that if it
should happen that he should depart this life after y e de-
cease of his wife, y 1 then his estate shall be disposed of
as above is mentioned, as if he dyed before his wife.
Doth further desyre y 1 if after his wife decease he should
grow impotent and infirm, that then y e s d Johanees Abeel
and Evert Banker shall have y e management of his estate
so as they shall think convenient as afores d . All y e be-
fore writte y 6 testator declares to be his express will and
desyre without being pers waded thereto by any person,
but out of meer love and affection which he bears towards
his s d wife, & wills y 1 it shall be of effect from y e least ar-
ticle to y e greatest, lest as a testament, codicille, gift or
case of death, or among y e living, or in any oyr manner,
notwithstanding all y e forms used in y 6 law be not herein
observed, requesting the most favourable construction to
make y e same firm and stable. In testimony of y e truth
hereof he hath signed and sealed y 6 same.
Datum ut supra.
ADRIAN GERRITSE PAPENDORP. [L. s.]
Signed and sealed in ye presence
JAN JANSE BLEEKER, Justice, Me present, J. BECKER,
JAN LANSINH. Not. Public.
196 Ancient Wills.
WILL OF ANTHONY CORNELISE VANDER POEL.
In y 6 name of God amen. The seventeenth day of June
one thousand six hundred and eighty-seven, in y 6 third
year of y 6 reign of our most gracious soveraign Lord,
James y 6 Second, by y 6 grace of God of England, Scotland,
France & Yrland, King, Defender of y 6 Faith, I, Anthony
Cornelisse vander Poel, dwelling at Watervliet in y e
mannor of Rensselaerswyk, in y e county of Albany, yeo-
man, being in health, and of good, perfect and sound
memory, praised be Almighty God therefor, and consider-
ing y 6 frailty of man's life, y 6 certainty of death, and y e
uncertaine houre of y e same, and being desyrous to putt
all things in order, doe make this my last will and testa-
ment in manner and form following; revoaking and abso-
lutely making null and void by these presents all and
each testament and testaments, will and wills, heretofore
by me made and declared, whether by word or writing ;
especially y 1 testament made by me and my wife, y e 12 of
May, 1669, notwithstanding any promisse to y 6 contrare,
or clause contained therein, and this only to be taken for
my last will and testament, and no other. First, I com-
mend my soule to y 6 Almighty God my creator, and to
Jesus Christ my redeemer, and to y e Holy Ghost my
sanctifier, and my body to y 6 earth from whence it came,
to be buried in a Christian manner, there to remain till
my soule and body shall be united in y 6 last day, & par-
take of y 6 everlasting joys of eternity, which God in mercy
through y e only meritt of Jesus Christ hath promissed &
prepared for all them who truly and unfeignedly repent
and believe in him. And touching such temporall estate
of land, goods and debts as y e Lord hath been pleased farr
above my desert to bestow upon me, I doe order, give and
bequeath y e same in manner & form following. Impri-
mis, It is my will and desyre y 1 after my decease my dear
and well beloved wife, Catrine Jansse Croon shall remain
in y e full possession of y 6 estate so long as she lives, with-
out any molestation of my three daughters, or any of y e
same, or by any body in their behalfs for an account or
Ancient Wills. 197
inventory of y 6 immovable or moveable goods, nor to be
obliged to give them any portions upon pretence of their
fathers estate, since they have had an outsett already, not
willing y l my children shall any wise inherit my estate
before y 6 death of their mother, my said wife haveing
power to dispose of all y e movable goods, actions, cre-
dits, negroes, money, gold, silver coyned & uncoined,
Jewells, cloathes, linning, woolles, household stoff, and
other things, nothing in ye world excepted or reserved, as
with her own proper goods; and also to take and receive
y 6 rents, fruits, profits & income of my land, houses and
lotts, both here and in Holland, and also to receive y 6
rent or interest of y e money in Holland, but not to sell,
or alien any part of y e real estate or ye bills y l runn upon
interest commonly called rente brieve, except (which God
forbid) in case of fire, war or some oyr unavoidable oc-
casion, y l might constrain her so to doe for her mainten-
ance, in which case she may freely dispose of y 6 same.
And after y e decease^ of my wife aforesaid, it is my will
and desire y 1 y e estate y 1 there shall be found, of lands,
houses, lotts, rente brieven or bill of rent, both here and
in Holland, all oyr movable goods, actions or credites,
wherever they be, shall equally be divided among my
three daughters Elizabeth wife of Benony van Corlear,
Mary wife of Anthony van Skaik, & Johanna Anthonisz
yander Poel wife of Barent Lewis, or in case of their de-
ceas among their lawfull heirs each a third part, y 6 one
no more than y 6 oyr ; always provided y 1 y 6 portion of y e
houses and oyr real estate both here and in Holland, as
also of y 6 Hollands money which is fast upon interest in
Holland, which shall fall to my daughter Elisabeth, shall
be and remain for y e use andy e behoof of her children, with-
out y 1 she or any body else shall have y e liberty to leste,
alien, sell or barter y 6 same. But y 6 s d third part of y 6
real estate here and in Holland together with y e third
part of y e Hollands money upon interest, whether y 6 por-
tion of Elisabeth fall out to be a house and money or all
money, as y 6 portion to her shall happen to be, shall be
delivered in hands of my sonne in law, Anthony van
Skaik, Levinus van Skaik esq., or of y e aldermans of y 6
198 Ancient Wilh.
citty of Albany, & John Lansing, who are hereby consti-
tuted and earnestly desired to be tutors of y 6 children
of my daughter Elisabeth, and to pay to Elisabeth afore-
said yearly during her natural life y 6 rents, profits and
income of her share of y 6 real estate here and in Holland,
and y 6 Hollandt money upon interest. It being in y 6
power of y 6 s d tutors to put out y e s d portion to interest,
either in Holland or here ; and after y* death of my s d
daughter her s d share or portion equally to be divided
amongst her children, and if it should happen y 1 one of y 6
s d tutors should dye before my s d daughter Elisabeth, then
it is my desire y 1 y 6 surviving tutors choose an honest man
in y 6 room of him deceased, & so to proceed if an oyer of
y 6 tutors should dye, y e surviving to choose a third in y 6
room of y e deceased tutor,
Lastly, I make, constitute and ordain my well beloved
wife my only executrix of this my last will and testament,
with power to choose one or two tutors or overseers to
assist her in y 6 administration of y 6 estate; and if my s d
three children or their heirs, after y death of my wife,
should have any dispute concerning y 6 division of y e goods
or chattels in this country, my desire is y 1 Mr. Levinus
Van Skaik & Jan Lansing as arbitrators, shall decide y e
businesse and see y 1 all be orderly managed in law and
vriendship, to whose decision I refer all disputes y 1 might
arise among my children, without any oyr person to inter-
medle theinselfs about it.
In witnesse whereof I have hereunto put my hand and
seale, in Watervliet in y 6 manner of Rensselaerswyk, at
y 6 house of y e testator y 6 day and y 6 year abovesaid,
TEUNIS CORNELISE VANDERPOEL.
Upon y 6 outside of y e will was as follows :
In y 6 name of God, amen. Know all people y* on y 6
seventeenth day of June, anno Jesu Christi, 16 ,7," in y 6 s d
year of y 6 reign of our souveraign Lord James y 6 2 d by y 6
grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Yrland,
king, &c., appeared before me Robt. Livingston, clerk of
y 6 city and county of Albany, and y 6 following witnesses,
Ancient Wills. 199
Anthony Cornelise vander Poel, in his own proper per-
son, dwelling at Watervliet in y 6 mannor of Rensselaers-
wyk, in y 6 county of Albany, of perfect health and sound
memory & understanding, & did declare y l in y 6 inside of
this closed paper by ine Robt. Livingston sealed in five
places, to be writt and comprehended his testament, last
and utmost will, desyring y l after y* decease of him, An-
thony Cornelise vander Poel it may be opened, in all its
parts and points be followed and observed, and subsist &
have its full power & virtue. Thus done at Watervliet,
at y e house of y 6 s d testator, in y 6 presence of me, Hend.
Van Ness & Pr. Lokermans as witnesses hereunto desyred.
Datum ut supru.
Was signed TEUNIS CORNELISE VANDERPOEL.
Me present, RT. LIVINGSTON, Clerk.
Signed $ Sealed in ye presence of
HEXD. VAN NESS,
PR. LOKEKMANS,
WILL OF CARSTEN FREDERIKSE.
In y name of God, amen. This first day of July, 168$
appeared before me, Robt. Livingston, sec. of Albany,
colony Rensselaerswyk & Shennechtady, wittnesses, Car-
sten Frederikse, smith, andTryntje Warners his wife, both
using their senses & memory perfectly (although s d Car-
sten being sick of body) who, considering y 6 shortness &
frailty of man's life, y e certainty of death, & y e uncertain
hour of y e same, & being desirous to prevent y e same in y l
time granted to them by God, with a due disposition of
their temporal goods to be left, they both declare hereby
to have made ordained and concluded this their testament,
or last will without induction or persuasion of any body,
both reciproque in manner & form following : First recom-
mending their immortal souls when they shall depart out
of their bodies in y e inercifull hands of God their creator
and saviour, & their corps to a Christian buriall : & whereas
y e testators have never made hitherto joyntly or severally
any testamental disposition by any name whatsoever, be-
fore y e date of this present, as they doe hereby declare,
200 Ancient Wills.
coming herewith to make their principall disposition &
last will, nominating and instituting hereby to their only
and uttmost heir y 6 survivant of them both in all y e goods
movable and immovable, actions, credites, money, gold,
silver, coyned & uncoined, Jewells, cloths, linning, woollen,
household stuff and all oyr things none excepted or reserved
which y 6 first deceased shall leave by decease, both in this
country and elsewhere, wherever it be, for to doe there-
with and to dispose thereof as y 6 survivor of them both
with his or her patrimoniall goods or effects might doe
without contradiction of any person ; but if y e surviving
party should happen to re-marry, then he or she shall be
obliged to pay to each of their four children to wit, Mar-
garet Carstense aged about twenty years, Warner Carstense
aged fifteen years, Anna Mary Carstense aged twelve years,
Magdaleentje aged nine years, as soon as they shall be
come to age, y* som of fifty bevers, with a suteable outsett
as burgers' children of their quality ought to have. But
if y 6 surviving party shall re-marry before y 6 3 children
now in their minority be come to age, y 6 s d children shall
not molest y 6 survivant before they be come to age, for y e
survivant is obliged to aliment & to cloath y e s d children,
cause them to be taught to read and write, & a trade
whereby they in time may honestly get their livelyhood ;
& if any of y 6 s d children doe chance to dye in their minor-
ity, their portion shall fall to y 6 surviving party if not re-
marryed, but if y 6 surviving party shall be remarryed, then
that childes portion dyeing under age shall fall to y e sur-
viving childres. It is further y 6 will and desyre of y 6
testators y 1 when Carste Frederikse departs this life,
all y e tools belonging to y e smith's shop shall be for
his only sonne Warner, besides his portion : provided y e
s d Warner doe learn y 6 smith's trade, who shall receive
y e s d tools as soon as he is capable to set up y 6 trade.
This y e partyes have made & concluded for good reasons
them hereunto moving, and out of speciall love & affection
which they bear y e one to y e other, all y 6 above writte, the
testators declare to be their tastament, last and utmost will,
desyring y 6 same may be of full force & effect, after y e de-
cease of y 6 first of y e partyes to these presents. Be it as
a testament, codicil, or otherwise, notwithstanding all y e
The British Spy. 201
forms used in y 6 law be not observed, requesting of all courts
and judges y e uttmost benefit of this their disposition ; in
confirmation thereof they have signed this with their hands
in Albany, at y e house of y e s d testators, in y 6 presence of
Stoffel Jansse & Evert Johnsse kuyper, as witnesses here-
unto required. Datum ut supra.
Was signed CARSTEN FREDERIKSE,
& with y e mark of TRYNTJE WARNERS.
On y e margin Me present, R. L. Sec.
STOFFEL JANSSE ABEEL,
EVERT JANSSE.
THE BRITISH SPY.
In the year 1776, when Gov. George Clinton resided in
Albany, there came a stranger to his house, one cold win-
ter morning, soon after the family had breakfasted. He
was welcomed by the household and hospitably entertained.
A breakfast was ordered, and the governor, with his wife
and daughter, who were sitting before the fire employed
in knitting, entered into a conversation with him about
the affairs of the country, which naturally led to the inquiry
what was his occupation. The emotion and hesitation
with which the stranger replied aroused the suspicion of
the keen-sighted Clinton. He communicated his suspicions
to his wife and daughter, who closely watched his every
word and action. Unconscious of this, but finding that
he had fallen among enemies, the stranger was seen to
take something from his pocket and swallow it. Madame
Clinton, with the ready tact of the women of those trou-
blous times, went quickly into the hitchen, ordered hot
coffee to be immediately prepared, and added to it a strong
dose of tartar emetic. The stranger, delighted with the
smoking beverage, partook freely of it, and Madame Clin-
ton soon had the satisfaction of seeing it produce the
desired effect. True to the Scripture, " out of his own
mouth he was condemned." A silver bullet appeared,
which upon examination was unscrewed, and found to
contain an important dispatch to Burgoyne. The spy
was tried, convicted and executed, and the bullet is still
preserved in the family. Anon.
202
TJIE GRAND CONGRESS AT ALBANY IN 1754.
The British Government, in the year 1754, wisely con-
cluded that the only effectual method of resisting the san-
guinary assaults of the French and Indians upon their North
American possessions, was a union of the several colonies.
Accordingly, in pursuance of the orders of George lid, the
14th of June was appointed for a grand congress of com-
missioners from the several provinces, to be held in this
city, as well to treat with the Six Nations, as to determine
upon a plan for a general union of the colonies. Messen-
gers had been previously despatched to the Indians to
request their attendance, but they did not arrive till the
latter part of the month ; and the Mohawks, who lived
but forty miles distant, came in last. This delay on the
part of the Indians was attributed by some to the artifices
of Col. William Johnson ; by others to fear on their part lest
the French should fall upon their settlements during their
absence. The Indians, when arrived, apologized for their
delay through Hendrick, a noted Mohawk sachem.
The congress was opened on the 18th of June, and on
the 29th, after settling disputes between the commissioners
concerning rank and precedence, Lieut. Governor De
Lancey of New York addressed himself in a speech to the
Indians. There were commissioners present from New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Penn-
sylvania and Maryland. Among them were Theodore
Atkinson of New Hampshire, Thomas Hutchinson of Mass.
Benj. Franklin of Pa., and Col. Tasker of Md. The lat-
ter gentleman wrote a very interesting account of the
congress, which we remember to have seen some years
since in the library of the late Gov. Lloyd at Wye House,
Talbot Co., Maryland. Gov. Wm. Livingston of New
Jersey is also the reputed author of an account of the
same congress, contained in a Review of the Military
Operations in North America, from 1753 to 1756.
The treaty with the Indians was conducted with great
solemnity. Presents of great value were made to them
Grand Congress at Albany. 203
by the several governments, with which they appeared to be
well pleased.
The Indians being dismissed, the congress remained in
session till the llth of July. The commissioners were,
both for abilities and fortune, among the first men in North
America. The speakers, however, as we are told, were
few in number; but among them were those who spoke
with singular energy and eloquence. All were inflamed
with a patriotic spirit, and the debates were moving and
heart-stirring. Gov. Livingston compared the congress
with one of the " ancient Greek conventions, for support-
ing their expiring liberty against the power of the Persian
empire, or that Louis of Greece, Philip of Macedon."
Before adjournment, a plan was adopted for a general
union of the British colonies in North America, and for
creating a common fund to defray all military expenses.
At the time the congress of 1754 was held, Albany
contained only 300 or 400 houses, and a population of
from 1500 to 2000. Still it was then, and continued to
be for years afterwards the centre of the military opera-
tions of the British government against the French and
Indians. The great army of General Abercrombie was
encamped for several weeks in Bethlehem, a short distance
below Albany, and halted on its march to Ticorideroga,
the first night, in "Watervliet, near what is now Port Schuy-
ler. The gallant Lord Howe, who was an officer of that
army, spent that night, as Mrs. Grant informs us, under
the hospitable roof of good "Aunt Schuyler," with whom
he conversed long and late on the proper conduct of the
war. For Madame Schuyler, after the death of her hus-
band, was regarded by the British officers as one of the
soundest and most reliable counsellors on Indian affairs
in the colony. The great army resumed its march next
day the tide of war rolled onward toward the frontier.
No intelligence reached this section of the colony of the
movements of the troops till a fortnight afterwards : when
Pedrom, as he was familiarly called, a relative of Col.
Schuyler, discovers one summer afternoon, a horseman
riding furiously down the road from the North, bareheaded
and in great haste. Pedrom, apprehensive of bad news,
204 Epidemic in Albany.
runs out to meet him. Without checking his horse the
rider cries out to him that Lord Howe is killed and the
British army defeated. Madame Schuyler was so affected
by this disastrous news that she fainted. She loved the
noble Howe as a son, and dreaded moreover the conse-
quences of the defeat of the British army to the interests
of the colony. (See vol. ii, p. 60.)
The express dashes on toward Albany he passes the
city barrier at the Colonie gate and delivers his dispatches
at head quarters. The disastrous intelligence is quickly
communicated to the citizens. Grief and lamentation
pervade every quarter of the town. The officers of that
army had lived on terms of intimacy with the worthy
burgers of Albany. They had partaken of their hospi-
tality, and enlivened by their brilliancy the dull monotony
of provincial life.
Such were the scenes enacted here in this ancient city
of the Hollanders, nearly a century ago ; when Schenec-
tady was the frontier town, and when Indian castles grim
and black frowned over the whole valley of the Mohawk
when the wily Frenchman held the Canadas, the great
lakes and the valley of the Mississippi, and in his thirst
for conquest, advanced his banners to the sor'thern ex-
tremity of Lake Champlain. Statesman.
EPIDEMIC IN ALBANY, 1746.
In 1746, Albany was visited by a malignant disease
called by Golden, a nervous fever, and by Douglass the
yellow fever. The bodies of some of the patients were
yellow the crisis of the disease was the ninth day; if the
patient survived that day he had a good chance of recovery.
The disease left many in a state of imbecility of mind,
approaching to childishness or idiocy ; others were after-
wards troubled with swelled legs. The disease began in
August, ended with frost, carried off forty-five inhabitants,
mostly men of robust bodies. It was said to be imported.
Webster.
207
OKPHAN ASYLUM.
From the Albany Daily Express.
If there be any class that should particularly excite our
warmest sympathetic feelings, and for whose care and im-
provement the purse strings of the humblest should relax,
it is those who, bereft of father and mother in childhood's
innocent hours, are cast upon the world with no kind hand
to assist them through the changing and ever changeable
journey of life. The very term orphan, at all times
awakens within the breast of the humane, those noble
and generous impulses, that denote the high minded, gene-
rous and good. What charity then can be more praise-
worthy than an asylum a home for those little wanderers?
Your hearts respond in audible tones that no institution
presents such claims for its support and maintenance. It
is heaven-born, and should never call in vain.
The Albany Orphan Asylum first went into operation
in November, 1829. Mrs. HEELY, the present excellent
superintendent, may be styled its mother. At a social
gathering held at the residence of our esteemed fellow
citizen, JAMES D. WASSON, Esq., a number of ladies being
present, the project was discussed. The utterly helpless
and destitute condition of many young children whose
parents had died, awakened an interest in the cause and
it was decided that an effort at least should be made to
improve their condition by the organization of an Orphan
Asylum. Mr. and Mrs. WASSON became deeply interested
in the good work, and with Mrs. HEELY" their labors were
untiring, and as will be seen, were crowned with success.
Let us interrupt the thread of our narrative at this time,
to mention that from that period up to the present time,
Mr. Wasson and his kind hearted lady have been among the
most devoted and attached friends of this glorious institu-
tion. Their reward has been the gradual extension of its
benefits, and its present prosperous condition. While
there are many others who are deserving of especial praise ;
208 The Orphan Asylum.
still we are well assured that every friend of the Asylum,
possessing a knowledge of its affairs, will readily bear us
out in our allusions to Mr. and Mrs. Wasson.
But to resume; receiving encouragement from a number
of benevolent ladies and gentlemen, to whom the plan was
submitted, a frame building was hired at the upper end of
Washington street which, by the way, is still standing
and on the 1st of December, 1829, the institution was
opened with eight children, which by the 30th of the
month had increased to twenty, and before the 1st of May
1830, over seventy orphans were receiving benefits from
this generous charity. We should like to follow with
minuteness its progress from its first opening to the date
of a meeting held at the Asylum on the 19th of May, 1830.
But our limited space forbids any such extended history.
Suffice it to say, that during the period alluded to, it was
visited by the humane and generous of our city, meeting
their approval and best wishes, and receiving donations in
money and useful articles from nearly all. The large
number of recipients of the advantages of the institution,
and the nature of its charity, in May, 1830, caused more
active exertions to be set on foot for its permanent esta-
blishment. Accordingly, on the 19th of that month a
number of gentlemen assembled at the Asylum among
whom we notice the following: Hon. John Townsend,
mayor, Reuben H. Walworth, Samuel M. Hopkins, Jabez
D. Hammond, Edward C. Delavan, John Willard, Amos
Fassett, William H. Seymour, Joshua A. Burke, J. D.
Wasson, and B. T. Welch.
Chancellor Walworth was called to the chair, and J. D.
Wasson, Esq. , acted as secretary. Resolutions were adopt-
ed, declaring the Asylum for destitute children an import-
ant and interesting charity, worthy the efforts of the
benevolent for its support; and also appointing a com-
mittee to draft a constitution, which should more effectu-
ally secure a permanent organization, which should carry
out the important object which called them together. The
same committee were empowered to report the amount of
funds necessary to be raised for the support of the institu-
tion, and to make application for aid to the common
council of the city.
The Orphan Asylum. 209
The next meeting was held on the 3d day of June, Chief
Justice Savage acting as chairman. A constitution was
reported and accepted. At the next meeting, July 10th,
Edward C. Delavan was elected president; Dyer Lathrop
treasurer; John G. Wasson, secretary; and Erastus Cor-
ning, Jabez D. Hammond, Samuel M. Hopkins, James
Gourlay, Joshua A. Burke, John Willard, George Young,
James D. Wasson, Dyer Lathrop and Oliver Steele,
managers.
Meetings for business purposes were held at various
times, and on the 1st of September, the treasurer reported
the amount of receipts from May 1st to date, to be $876*08 ;
expenditures $900*77, and the number of children in the
Asylum, 117.
This was the result of the primary organization of this
noble charity, and the good it dispensed was and is incal-
culable. We should like to follow the meetings more
closely than our limits will permit, as we have become
deeply interested in our researches as to this institution.
On the 6th of December, 1830, the first anniversary
meeting was settled to take place on the second Thursday
of Jan., 1831. An invitation was extended to the Rev. E.
N. Kirk to deliver the address, and a committee appointed
to make the necessary arrangements. Pursuant to arrange-
ment, the anniversary exercises were held, and addresses
were delivered by Rev. E. N. Kirk and B. F. Butler, Esq.
On the 10th of Jan. 1831, a committee was appointed
to prepare a plan for rendering the institution permanent,
and to enquire and ascertain where and how a suitable
site might be obtained for the erection of a suitable build-
ing to accommodate the rapidly increasing demands of
the institution.
On the 30th of March, 1831, the legislature passed "an
act to incorporate the society for the relief of orphan and
destitute children in the city of Albany," thus recognizing
it as an object worthy the care and consideration of our
citizens.
On the 14th of April a resolution was adopted, declining
from various sufficient reasons, to accept a small portion
of the Washington Square, as a site for building; the
210 The Orphan Asylum.
common council having previously passed a resolution
donating it for that purpose.
During the month of April, a number of ladies held a
fair in the " long room of the Albany Academy," the pro-
ceeds of which amounting to $744'62 were generously
given to the Asylum, and a public acknowledgment of the
same appeared in the daily papers.
On the 18th January, 1832, a committee was appointed
to transact business for the board, relative to preparations
for a building, procuring a plan, and locating or designat-
ing a place for the same.
A meeting of subscribers, donors for the establishment
and endowment of the Asylum, was held on the 18th of
January, William James, Esq., acting as chairman, and
Gideon Hawley, Esq., as secretary. The committee ap-
pointed at a previous meeting held on the 10th of January,
to solicit subscriptions, reported that the sum of $16,502
had been raised for the purpose stated, and that sum was
ordered to be paid over to the treasurer of the Asylum,
for the uses and purposes mentioned in their act of incorpo-
ration.
The exact date of the erection of the Asylum building
we have not ascertained, but believe it to have been in
1832 or 1833.
On the 17th day of December, 1832, William James,
Esq., president of the institution, died. He had been a
very warm and devoted friend to the Asylum, and his
liberal donations were of material benefit to it. The board
of managers passed suitable resolutions of sympathy and
condolence, and attended the funeral in a body. In the
last will and testament of Mr. James was a bequest of
$2500 to the Asylum.
On the 29th of May, 1834, Hon. Stephen Van Rensse-
laer was elected president of the institution, and served in
that capacity up to the time of his death, Jan. 26, 1839.
Resolutions were passed by the board of managers, sympa-
thizing with the family of the deceased, and expressing
deep sorrow at his loss, and directing the officers and each
of the orphans to wear the usual mourning badge for thirty
days.
The Orphan Asylum. 211
Archibald Mclntyre, Esq., was, on the 5th of March,
1839, elected president, to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the death of Mr. Van Rensselaer, and served for upwards of
ten years, when James D. Wasson was elected president
to fill the vacancy occasioned by his resignation.
The Asylum during the first eighteen years of its exist-
ence provided a home for seven hundred and thirty child-
ren, and it is by no means too much to assert, that it has
to the present time, afforded shelter to over 1000 orphans.
Of the condition and prospects of the Asylum, it is now
our intention to speak, and we hope we shall be excused
if we turn plagiarist so far as to adopt portions of the 20th
annual report of the directors, in January last :
On the first of January, 1848, the permanent funds of
the institution consisted of the four following sums, viz :
1 . The James legacy, $2,500
2. State Bank stock, 1,000
3. Legacy of the late Henry Webb, 1,200
4. do do Mr. Richardson 1,000
Total permanent fund, Jan. 1848 $5,700
It should be observed here, that the two last legacies,
though bequeathed some time in 1847, did not come into
our hands till a much later period, and have never been
productive until the last year.
In the months of January and February, 1818,
we received in bonds paying interest, from
different individuals, $16,450*00
In bonds from two other individuals, payable in
annual instalments without interest, 1,100*00
In cash subscriptions, 2,400*00
In life memberships at $2 each, 774*00
Total receipts in those months towards a per-
manent endowment, 20,724'00
To which add the permanent fund before held 5,700*00
And the legacy of the late Mr. Gregory, just re-
ceived, 2,000*00
And the sum total of all moneys which have
been received at any time for the creation of a
permanent fund, amount to 28,424*00
212 The Orphan Asylum.
The present state of this fund, and how much of it is
now available for the current expenses of the institution
shall be explained hereafter.
We proceed, secondly, to state the receipts and expenses
of the last three years.
Average No. Current
of children. Receipts. Expenses. Balances.
1848 90 $4,110-56 $2,979*82 $1,130*00
1849 102 3,711-74 4,266*35 554*61
1850 106 3,426*05 4,002*06 577*00
The sources from which the receipts of the last three
years have been derived are as follows, viz :
From bonds of individuals bear- 1848 ' 1849 * 1850>
ing interest,* $1,151*50 $924'00 $731*50
From annual installments on
bonds of individuals not pay-
ing interest, 120*00 120*00 120'00
From interest on James legacy
held in bond and mortgage, .. 175*00 176*20 176*58
From dividends on State Bank
stock, 117*37 126*40 72*30
From dividends on Utica and
Schenectady Rail road Co.. j 500*00
Receipts from parents for board-
ing children, 168*00 136*00 208*00
Receipts from corporation, for
boarding Alms house children 517*81 76337 610*29
From appropriations by state to
common schools, 208'64 232*28
From appropriations by state to
Orphan Asylum, 985.52 956*38
From exhibition of children. . . 154*76 202.85
From casual donations,^ 450*50 45*12 50*00
From collections byapplication to
individuals, as informer years 1,046 98
Amounting in 1848 to $16,450. Reduced in 1849, by payment of
principal, to $13,200. In 1850, by payment of principal, to $10,450.
fin which we have an investment of $5,000.
t Including a donation of $66 from Gov. Fish, and one of $304'36
from Married Sociables, etc. $ Donation of Gov. Fish.
The Orphan Asylum. 213
Having made this statement of the receipts and expenses
of the last three years, and also of all the moneys which
have ever been received for the creation of a permanent
fund; we shall now show how much of this fund is avail-
able for future purposes.
We have now, January, 1851, the following investments :
In bonds of individuals bearing interest, $10,450
do do not bearing interest, but
payable in annual installments 740
In Utica and Schenectady Railroad stock, (including
the Webb and Richardson legacies) 5,000
Loaned on bond and mortgage including the James
legacy, 3,500
The Gregory legacy in a note well secured 2,000
State Bank stock. 1,000
Cash invested, 1,163
Total of all funds now held by the Asylum $23,853
In purchasing our U. & S. R. R. Stock, we paid a pre-
mium of $980. As this stock yield an interest of 10 per
cent, thus redeeming half the premium money in one year,
it will be seen at once that this was a judicious and economi-
cal investment. This explains $980 of the difference be-
tween our funds in 1848 and 1851. The excess of expenses
over the income amounting, in three years, as we have
seen, to $1,071 '91, explains so much more. The remain-
der, amounting to $2,400, within a few cents, was expended
upon improvements within and about the Asylum; im-
provements so necessary to the health and comfort of its
inmates, that the directors felt themselves justified in
borrowing that sum from the permanent fund for so import-
ant a purpose. This improvement was made in 1848, just
after we had so heavily taxed the liberality of the public,
when, of course, we could not think of making an addi-
tional draught upon them for any purpose, however import-
ant. It was stimulated moreover, by a very generous
donation made on condition of its being thus appropriated,
undoubtedly, with great effort on the part of the ladies
composing 1 he Orphan's Fund Society ; a donation of $500,
for which, and for the deep interest which they have ever
214 The Orphan Asylum.
shown in our concerns, we take this opportunity of express-
ing our most grateful acknowledgments.
During the past year 56 children have been received
into the Ayslum, and 45 dismissed ; of those dismissed 28
have returned to their parents or friends 13 have been
put out to places, 2 have died, and 2 have run away.
Of the 55 received 25 did not know their letters, 8 were
in the alphabet, 9 could spell, and 12 could barely read.
Of the 100 and over now in the Asylum, 4 are studying
grammar, 9 history, 14 geography, 14 arithmetic, 63 are
spelling, 55 are reading, 1 1 are writing in books, and 24
on the black board.
The last announcement which we have to make is cer-
tainly a startling one. It is that from 100 to 150 children
have been refused admittance into the Asylum during the
past year for want of room. The physician further reports
that more room is necessary even for the proper accom-
modation of those who are there. Moved by these facts,
one of our directors having secured the sum of $1,000
from two individuals, is about making an effort to raise
$4,000 more for the purpose of enlargement. Our warm-
est prayers attend him; we trust that the orphan's God
will animate his heart in the enterprise, and crown it with
perfect success. And we can not believe that our fellow
citizens will permit it to be reported again that more 100
children have been refused admittance into its Asylum, in
the course of one year, for the want of room.
Thanks to the generous liberality of our citizens, they
have by their actions and deeds given the directors to
understand that if they can prevent it, no orphan making
an application for admission shall be denied the same.
The limited capacities of the building, and its utter inad-
equacy to accommodate the inmates having become so ap-
parent to the directors, John F. Rathbone and Daniel
Campbell,* Esqs., two of our most enterprising young
citizens undertook, themselves, to raise by subscription
a fund sufficient to make such improvements in the build-
ing as were actually necessary. They began the good
work with a zeal which augured well for their success.
*Died October, 1851.
The Orphan Asylum. 215
Their untiring efforts and self-sacrificing labors, we rejoice
to say, were crowned with the most complete success, and
when they sat down to review their work, they had the un-
speakable gratification of knowing that they had been re-
warded, by raising ten thousand dollars! an evidence of
their own liberality and of our citizens which needs no com-
ment. Here then was the much needed means to proceed
with the enlargement of the Asylum, and the directors with-
out delay ordered plans to be procured. William L. Wool-
lett, architect, was applied to, and prepared the necessary
plans. A few days since we addressed a note to that
gentleman, soliciting a concise statement of the improve-
ments making; to which the following answer was re-
turned:
Dear sir : The edifice occupied as the Orphan Asylum
was formerly a building 40 by 80 feet ; an addition of 10
feet was built upon the rear a few years ago, forming a
sort of corridor. The improvements of this year are an
entire new story on the 40 by 80 feet part ; together with
an addition of 30 by 50 feet, four stories high on the south
end of the main building. The additional space thus ac-
quired will be appropriated for dormitories for the children
school-room, play-room ; together with water closets and
bathing rooms, new inside blinds to windows, hot air fur-
nace; and painting, with sundry other improvements, secur-
ing to the inmates much comfort. Some attention has
been paid to outside effect. The facade is much im-
proved, extending in a right line 110 feet, surmounted by
a neat medallion cornice, with ornamental ballustrade.
The old, leaky, ill-constructed hip roof has been removed
and a new flat roof covered with tin put on. The addition
on the end of the building has been constructed with
"hollow walls," which are to be used for purposes of ven-
tilation. The cost of the improvements now contemplat-
ed will not be less than seven thousand dollars !
The above is all that occurs to me at present, in refer-
ence to the improvements of the building in question.
The master mechanics engaged on the work are John
Bridgford, mason; Edwin Luce, carpenter; Peter Coburn,
216 The Orphan Asylum.
painter ; James Dixon, tinman ; who deserve much praise
for the celerity with which they have executed their con-
tracts.
Yours truly, WM. L. WOOLLETT, Jr.
The edifice, both internally and externally, will be one
of the finest institutions in the city, and will now be fully
competent to accommodate from one hundred and fifty to
two hundred children. Of the balance of the $10,000,
the sum of $2,400 will be set apart to refund that amount
to the permanent fund, it having been found indispensably
necessary, some time since, to encroach upon that fund to
meet the wants of the institution.
With the increased accommodations above described,
and the consequent increase of yearly expenditures, our
citizens will see the imperative duty of acting liberally
towards the Asylum. Their income from vested funds of
all kinds amounts to just $1,740. Allowing that the Di-
rectors receive from the corporation for board of alms
house children, as per last year, $610; from parents for
board of children (half orphans) $200 ; from exhibition of
children $200, and from the annual installments on the
two bonds, which for a few years will continue to yield
$120, and the entire resources will amount to but $2,845,
when the annual expenses, governed by the strictest econ-
omy, are never less than $4,000 with one hundred children.
With the large additional number they expect to receive,
the outlay must be proportionably augmented. To you,
then, citizens of Albany, the directors look for that encou-
ragement and generous assistance which will enable them
to smooth the pathway of life to the poor orphan, and open
to them prospects for future usefulness and fame. Shall
their appeal be made in vain ? We already fancy that we
hear the responses of your hearts, and that they are full
of sympathy for those who have been deprived of father
and mother, even in their earliest hours of existence. Oh !
turn not a deaf ear to the entreaties of those who may
present the case to you. Be liberal, be generous, and you
will be rewarded with the thought that you have done a
noble action which shall ever redound to your credit.
And, in the words of the report, "Those who are passing
The Orphan Asylum. 217
from the earth, who are about winding up their affairs in
time, may we not ask, by the affection with which, in that
solemn hour, they seek to establish a home for their own
children, that they would not forget those who have no
parents to love and remember them."
The Asylum is now under the matronship of Mrs. Heely,
its founder, a true-hearted, noble and devoted friend of
the poor orphan a lady whose whole mind seems to be
engrossed in the welfare of this helpless and destitute class.
She is a mother to over one hundred children of both
sexes, and they love, honor, obey and respect her with
that filial regard, which we might well look for from those,
whose interests she has so long studied Her reward will
not be of this earth she will receive a brighter and better
one in the world to come.
Her assistant, Miss Ramsay, is one of the most intelli-
gent young ladies that ever graduated from the Female
Academy in this city. She is an orphan and was reared
in the Asylum, until she arrived at a suitable age, when
she declared her wish to become a teacher in the institu-
tion. With this view she was sent to the Academy, and the
rapid progress which she made, evinced talents of a very
high order. She graduated with honor to herself, and
with the best wishes of her associates. Situations, more
inviting to some, perhaps, were open to her acceptance.
With a spirit worthy of all praise, she refused them ; and
accepted the position she now holds in the Asylum. Inti-
mately acquainted with the wants of the orphan, she
ministers to their cares with a mother's affection. In
return, she is fairly idolized by the inmates, and it is truly
affecting to witness their manifestations of love for her,
whenever and wherever they come in contact.
It would afford us the greatest pleasure to have devoted
more time and space to the consideration of this subject ;
but we have already occupied so much of both, that, were
it not for the interest which clings to the associations
connected with the Asylum, we should entertain some
fears of being tedious. We have endeavored to render the
sketch, however, as entertaining as possible, and if we
shall have succeeded in arousing the sympathies of the
19
218 Commission of a Corn Viewer.
public in behalf of this noble charity, we shall be richly
repaid for the time and labor expended in the preparation
of this article.
Before closing, we deem it advisable to append the list
of the present officers of the institution, at the same time
remarking that any donations handed to either of the fol-
lowing named gentlemen, will be thankfully received and
gratefully acknowledged.
JAMES D. WASSON, President.
DYER LATHROP, Treasurer.
JAMES DEXTER, Secretary.
Rev. William James, James D. Wasson, John Q. Wilson,
Marcus T. Reynolds, Eli Perry. Lawson Annesley, James
Dexter, Ichabod L. Judson, William Thorburn, John F.
Rathbone, Directors.
COMMISSION OF A VIEWER OF CORN, 1689.
Whereas you, Anthony Lispenard, baker, are authorized
and appointed by y 6 mayor and alderman of this citty, to
be Viewer of Corne, when any difference or dispute shall
arise ; you are therefore hereby commissioned & empow-
ered to diligently and faithfully discharge y e s d office of
viewer justly and impartially according to y^ best skill
and ability, when thereunto required, for which you are
to take and receive for each time you give your judgment
9d ; that is to say, if y e corn be sound, clean and merchant-
able, of y 6 person y l was to receive y* same, but if oyrwise
of y 6 person y l tendered y e delivery of y e same; and in y e
doing and performing of which office according to your
best judgment and consilience, in pursuance of the oath
you have taken, this shall be your warrant. Given under
y 6 scale of this citty in Albany, y e 15th day of January,
1689.
Forms of Oaths, 1689. 219
FORMS OF OATHS, 1689.
The following oaths of fealty were taken by the mem-
bers of the two branches of the common council, on the
accession of William and Mary to the throne of England.
They are copied from the City Records.
ALDERMAN'S OATH.
Ye shall sweer that ye shall be true to our sovereaign
Lord and Lady William and Mary king and queen y l now
are, & to there heirs and successors kings of England & y 1
v ee w ju according to y e best of your skill and capacity
truely Endevor with a good Conshience and according to
y laws of this Government Dispence Justice Equally and
Impartially in all Cases and to all persones whereunto by
virtue of your office you are Impowered and y* y % shall
not be councill of any quarrell hanging before y 66 , but y*" 6
shall further y'.wellfare and prosperity of this city Ende-
vor y e good management of y 6 publike affares thereof &
lett and hinder as much as in y ce Lyes any thing which
may tend to y" Disturbance and Breach of there Majestys
peace and y e Tranquellity of this Citty and y 6 Inhabitants
thereof. So help you God.
OATH OF A COMMON COUNCILL MAN.
Ye shall sweer that ye shall be true to our souvereaign
Lord and Lady William and Mary king and queen y 1 now
are and to there heirs and successors kings of England
&c. and Readily ye shall come when ye be summonced to
y" common councill of this city, but if ye be Reasonably
Excused & good and true councill ye shall give in all things
touching the Commonwealth of this City after your witt
and cunning & y f for favor of any person ye shall maintain
no singular profit against y' common profite of this City;
and after ye be come to the Common Councill ye shall
not thence depart, untill y ? common councill be ended,
without reasonable cause, or else by Mr. Mayors Licence,
220
Ferry Hates of 1784.
and further y ec are to Endevor y e peace and Tranqellity
of this city and y 6 Inhabitants thereof & to prevent &
hinder any thing which may lead to y e Breach and hinder-
ance thereof, and also any secret things y* be spoken or
said in y n common councill which aught to be kept secret
in no wise you shall disclose. As God you help.
FERRY RATES, 1784.
In the first No. of the Albany Gazette is published an
extract from the city ordinances regulating the ferry, the
rates of which were as follows :
For transporting every person across except
a sucking child,
For every man, ox, horse, or cow,
For every live calf or hog,
2 coppers
9 pence
4 coppers
do live sheep or lamb, 3 do
do dead do do 2 do
do barrel of rum, sugar, molasses, or
other full barrel,
do pail of butter,
do firkin or tub of butter,
do wagon and two horses,
do full chest or trunk,
do empty do
do skipple of wheat, or other grain,
do cwt of lead, pewter or other metal,
do chaise or chair and horse,
do saddle without a horse,
do dozen pair shoes or boots,
do do steel traps,
and all other articles and things not enumerated in the
same proportion to the rates above specified.
These rates were doubled after sunset until sunrise;
and it was enjoined upon the ferry master to keep at least
two boats and a scow, two of which should be constantly
manned by four able hands.
6 do
1 do
2 do
3 shillings
6 pence
5 coppers
1 do
4 do
15 pence
2 coppers
2 do
6 do
The Lumber Trade in Albany. 221
THE LUMBER TRADE IN ALBANY.
From the Albany Evening Journal, Jan. 1851.
An English writer in speaking of the various lumber
marts in the world, sets down Albany as one of the most
important, if not the largest on the globe. Of the truth
of this remark we have no means at hand to substantiate
the assertion, but that a very large business has been done
here in lumber every year since 1836 no one who is con-
versant with the trade will deny. A considerable amount
of the lumber sold here has been brought down the Cham-
plain canal, and entered the Hudson river at West Troy,
from whence it is brought down the river in canal boats
by means of small steam tugs which ply between this city
and Troy during the season of canal navigation. Nor is
lumber the only article which reaches us in that way.
Several of the Oswego and Buffalo lines of canal boats,
which have run directly from here to those cities, have
ascended and descended the canal at West Troy, so that
in no way can an accurate statement be made of the busi-
ness of this place, except by a resort to the books of the
shipping and receiving houses in this city. The six mile
tolls, besides other expenses in the way of towing, is no
small item to forwarders, who are compelled by ruinous
competition to take property frequently at about, or only
a fraction over, canal tolls.
The best and most costly lumber sold in this market is
from the neighborhood of the Genesee Valley and Che-
mung canals.
We have prepared the subjoined tables, giving the year-
ly receipts at tide-water, of boards and scantling, timber,
shingles and staves, and their estimated value for the
year named. In submitting these tables we do not pre-
tend to assert that this amount of property has been sold
here. We are willing to yield a suitable proportion to our
friends up the river ; but to give them all that a writer in
Hunt's Magazine claimed for them, viz : all that entered
222
The Lumber Trade in Albany.
the Hudson at West Troy, is more than any forwarding
merchant would venture to claim. What we do maintain
belongs justly to Albany, is the entire receipts of lumber
at this place, and at least a third if not a half of that com-
ing into the Hudson at West Troy. The figures for the
year just closed show that more than one half the entire
receipts of boards, &c.> at tide-water, came to this city by
the Erie, while the exhibit of staves show that three-
fourths of the entire receipts were taken in at this
place.
Boards and
scantling ft.
1836 189,116,847
1837 133,385,757
1838 151,114,100
1839 141,494,033
1840 124,173,383
1841 177,720,349
1842 150,657,900
1843 177.402,600
1844 140,891,000
1845 237,924,666
1846 260,335,271
1847 299,078,633
1848 262,279,116
1849 297,431,140
1850 425,095,436
In glancing over the above figures, which exhibit the
trade for the past 15 years, we find that the smallest re-
ceipt of boards &c., was in 1840, and the largest in 1850:
and that compared with the former dates, the business has
increased more than three-fold. The receipts of timber
were the lightest in 1842 and heaviest in 1850.
Shingle?, M.
1836 30,792
1837 59,052
1838 47,327
y.v*w. 46,037
:
Value.
Timber,
cubic ft.
Value.
$3,782,336
1,445,408
$289,081
1,867,400
624,188
81,144
2,191,154
695,600
90,428
2,334,671
801,429
124,311
1,985.774
784,310
156,862
3 021,245
1,028,576
216,000
1.958,552
361,589
65,086
2,749,741
586,013
125,993
2,395,147
917,295
159.373
4,044,720
2.492,668
498,534
4,422,936
1,798,198
251,096
* 5,078,564
1,613,943
169,160
3,931,277
1.510,777
212.598
4,459,157
1,497,627
119,598
6,365,723
3,039,588
440,490
-
Value.
Staves, Ibs.
Value.
$ 92.376
41,033,060
$ 328,264
175,182
66,387,990
531,103
165,644
75,133,400
525,933
195,657
69,646,234
417,877
Arrivals at the Port of Albany.
223
220,136
48,996,000
293,976
185,540
110,542,839
552,714
119,486
55,268,500
193,439
210,244
56,768,700
227,074
233,289
95,356,100
381,424
234,390
139,754.800
628,898
244,378
106,152,500
1,513,432
405,548
95,104,000
1,239,677
338,861
114,246,000
514,109
153,774
154,159,359
693,701
202,668
202,224,480
908,613
1840 55,034
1841 46,385
1842 36,765
1843 62,387
1844 77,763
1845 72,120
1846 69,822
1847 101,527
1848 104,270
1849 51,258
1850 57,905
The largest receipt of shingles was in 1848, and the
smallest in 1836. The receipts of staves were the smallest
in 1836 and the largest in 1850. Since 1847 there is appa-
rently a great falling off in their estimated valuation ; for
notwithstanding the receipts of the following year were
much larger than that named, their estimated value is set
down at a sum less by more than one-half the valuation of
1847. It appears, however, that with the exception of '46
and '47 their valuation has been pretty uniform ; and pro-
bably this apparent discrepancy can be easily explained by
those who were then engaged in the trade.
ARRIVALS AT THIS PORT, JUNE 6, 1791.
Schooner Pamela, Still well, Middletown,
Sloop Paragon, Sweet, Rhode Island.
Joanna, Anthony, Providence.
Rainbow, Simmons, Staten Island.
Friendship, Barnard, New York.
Widow's Son, Pruyn, do
Beaver, Ten Eyck, do
Albany, Wendell, . do
Washington, Lansing, do
Peggy, Van Zant, do
Sally, Trotter, do
Speedwell, Van De Borough,
224 Albany Lumber Market.
ALBANY LUMBER MARKET, FOR THE WEEK
ENDING JULY 30, 1851.
From the Albany Evening Journal.
During the past week, the sales of lumber have been
restricted, and the market has ruled dull. The stock of
Lumber has accumulated, which is not unusual at this sea-
son.
The annexed shows the receipts at this place from the
opening of the canal to the 22d of July, inclusive:
Boards and Shingles, Timber, Staves,
scantling, feet. M. c. ft. Ibs.
1849 65,315,436 17,507 3,814 42,251,158
1850.... 90,612,040 18,795 18,596 59,656,820
1851.... 109,271,923 21,961 88,980 34,316,890
The above exhibit fully confirms our previous remarks
in regard to the lumber trade. Those only who are fre-
quent visitors at this mart can form any adequate concep-
tion of the vastness of the trade, and the amount of capital
invested in it.
The following is the range of wholesale prices at the
principal yards :
Clear pine per M. $3 TOO a$33'00
Fourth quality " 21'00 a 23'00
Select box " 17'00 a 19*00
Chemung box " a 15*00
Box 12-00 a 14-00
Pine floor plank, good, 1J inch each 00'21 a 00*26
2d quality " 00*16 a 00'20
culls " 00*09 a 00*12
Spruce floor plank " 00*11 a 00*14
plank, 2 inch, good, each 00' 18 a 00*20
Pine boards, good each 00*15 a 00*16
' 2d quality " OO'll a 00'14
culls . . 00-07 a 00-08
Meeting on the State of the Country. 225
Hemlock boards " OO'OS a OO'OO
joist, 3 by 4 " OO'IO a OO'IOJ
"4by6 " 00'19aOO-20
Wall strips, 2 by 4 " OO'OT a 00'07-J
Clap boards, pine, clear " 00' 12 a 00' 15
" 2dquality " 00' 10 a 00'12
Ash, good per M. 20'00 a 23 00
" 2d rate " 15'00 a 18'00
Oak " 18-00 a 20'00
Maple joists " 13'00 a 15*00
Black walnut, good " 30'00 a 45'00
2d quality " 25'00 a 28*00
f " 30'00 a 33-00
Sycamore, 1 inch " 16'00 a 18*00
" " 14-00 a 16*00
Cherry, good " 32'00 a 40'00
" 2d rate " 20*00 a 30'00
White wood, chair plank " 33'00 a 34'00
1 inch " 17-00 a 20-00
f " " 13-00 a 15-00
Shingles. 1st quality, shaved pine.. " a 5'25
2d " " " .. " 3-00 a 4-50
common " " . . " 2'00 a 3'00
1st quality, sawed " . . " 4'00 a 4'50
" . . ' 3-00 a 3-50
common " " . . " 2'00 a 3'00
sawed hemlock. . " 2'37 a 2'62
MEETING ON THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Notice. A meeting of the citizens of Albany and its
vicinity is requested at the City Hall, on Wednesday the
6th inst., at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, to take into con-
sideration the present alarming state of our country, and
to adopt such measures as the importance of the subject
shall require. May 11, 1795.
This meeting passed resolutions complimentary of John
Adams's administration, and deprecatory of the French
system of spoliation practiced upon American commerce,
to which the president replied. (See ante, p. 190.)
226 Commerce of Albany.
COMMERCE OF ALBANY.
The following tables were gathered from the book of
the harbor master, by the commercial editor of the Even-
ing Journal. The number of vessels arriving and depart-
ing from the port of Albany during the years 1848 and
1849, were as follows:
1848. 1849.
Schooners . . . .No. 284 tons 23,727 No. 302 tons 24,981
Sloops 331 19,774 308 18,056
Barges 115 17,264 119 17,792
Steamers 36 15,350 40 16,849
Propellers 5 916 4 841
Scows 17 952 12 601
Total 788 77,983 785 79,122
The following is the total amount of tonnage for each
year since 1837 : Tons.
1838 36,721
1839 40,369
1840 39,416
1841 50,797
1842 49,356
1843 55,354
1844 65,507
1845 70,985
1846 71,011
1847 97,019
1848 77,983
1849 79,122
From the foregoing it will be seen that for a period of
twelve years there was a steady, healthy increase of busi-
ness on the pier. In 1847 there was a large increase.
This, it will be remembered, was an extraordinary season,
there was a large export demand for breadstuffs, and every
thing that could float, either on the river or canal, was
brought into requisition, and an immense business was
done. A season such as that rarely occurs oftener than
once in twenty years.
Statistics of Intemperance. 227
STATISTICS OF INTEMPERANCE.
At a meeting of the Albany City Temperance Society,
the following statistics were reported as the result of the
investigations of a committee of the Rechabites, made in
August, 1851.
Among the statistics in regard to the number of grog
shops in the different wards, we find the following:
First Ward.. , 108
Third "
68
Fourth "
87
Fifth "
72
Sixth "
47
Seventh " ,
103
Eighth " .
.... 72
Ninth "
81
Tenth " .
37
Total, 744
Thus it will be seen that there are 744 groggeries in this
city, where liquor is dealt out by the glass, being one
groggery to about every 67 persons, including men, women
and children. Of this number there are about 426 licensed,
and not one-tenth of these, by the law, are qualified to sell
liquor, for the want of the requisite character in commun-
ity. It w*as also shown that there are some 320 who sell
without the necessary license.
There are in the city seven breweries, which during the
past year have manufactured 167,000 bbls. of beer, and
under the increased demand, it is estimated that 100,000
bbls. more will be manufactured annually.
During the year 1850 there were 498 persons committed
to the penitentiary, of which number 451 acknowledged
themselves to have been intemperate, and 45 claimed to
have been moderate drinkers. Since Mr. Pillsbury has
had charge of that institution but two total abstinence
228 Population at Different Periods.
men had been committed. During the last year there had
been twenty-two cases of delirium tremens there, two of
which resulted fatally.
From the chief of police it was ascertained that since
the organization of the new police system, up to Sept. 21
(3 months and 5 days) 1707 arrests had been made for
various offences. Of this number, on the authority of the
chief, at least three-fourths of the persons arrested were
of intemperate habits.
From the keeper of the jail it was ascertained that dur-
ing the year 1850, there were committed to jail, 2193.
From Jan. 1, 1851, to Sept. 20, 8 months and 20 days,
2,143 showing an increase of about 25 per cent for the
present year. At least 19 out of every 20 were of intem-
perate habits.
POPULATION AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
The population of Albany county in 1689 was 2,016;
in 1698, 1,496. The cause of this diminution was the
Indian war. During that war 557 " Christians," depart-
ed from the city and county of Albany. In 1703 the
population of Albany county was 2,273; in 1723, 6,501;
of whom 808 were slaves, either African or Indian. In
1731, 8,573; in 1737, 10,681; in 1746 the census of the
county could not be taken "on account of the enemy."
In 1749 it was 10,634 another decrease in 12 years by
reason of the war. In 1756 the population of Albany
county was 17,424, of whom 2,619 were blacks. In 1771,
it was 42,706, of whom 3,877 were blacks. The county
of Albany, previous to the Revolution, extended from
Dutchess to the Vermont line east of the Hudson, and to
the Canada line west of lake Champlain ; and westward
to Tryon county, or to what is now the east line of Mont-
gomery county.
(229)
INSCRIPTIONS
IN THE
PRESBYTERIAN BURIAL GROUND.
Since the establishment of the Rural Cemetery on the
Watervliet turnpike, a great many monuments with the
tenants of the graves whose memory they preserved, have
disappeared from the burial grounds on State street. The
following inscriptions were copied from the grave stones
in the Presbyterian burial ground, before any removals
had been niade, and embrace nearly all the adults whose
monuments were to be found there. They were con-
tributed to this work principally by Mr. F. S. PEASE.
Jannett wife of John Andrew, Dec. 12, 1801, aged 67.
Susannah Alvord, Sept. 17, 1815, aged 20.
John Aniver, Jan. 5, 1810, aged 22.
Galen Avery, Feb. 10, 1814, aged 21.
Lee Avery, Aug. 29, 1814, aged 29 years.
Andrew Anderson, March 29, 1813, aged 37.
John Annin, Nov. 9, 1803, aged 23.
Benjamin Austin, Feb. 14, 1844, aged 85.
Eliza Austin, Jan. 31, 1846, aged 38.
Margaret, wife of Benj. Austin, Dec. 11, 1842, aged 82.
Mary Hoyt, wife of Jeremiah J. Austin, Nov. 1, 1843,
aged 22.
Mary Arrol, 25th Feb., 1835, aged 46.
Anne, wife of William Annesley, Sept. 5, 1838, aged 63.
Sarah, daughter of William Annesley, who died at Bassa
Cove, Western Africa, Dec. 1837, aged 31.
Mary Ann La Casse, wife of Lawson Annesley, 18th
July, 1836, aged 29.
Bulah Allen, consort of the Rev. Solomon Allen of North-
amp on, Mass., died in this city, May 29, 1813, aged 62.
20
230 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
Huldah Russel, wife of Gardner Averylun, Aug. 31, 1798,
aged 23.
Hulda, wife of John Bryan, Nov. 23, 1808, aged 40.
Ann, wife of Thomas Boyd, Nov. 26th, 1831, aged 35.
William Boyd, April 24, 1840, aged 65.
Mrs. Fanny Bulmore, May 13, 1834, aged 85.
Stanton Brown. June 6th, 1814, aged 40.
Tabitha, wife of Edward Brown, Sept. 28th, 1815, aged 44.
Edward Brown, Aug. 29th, 1846, aged 75.
John Brown, Feb. 5, 1799, aged 55.
Margaret, wife of John Brown, June 22, 1801, aged 51.
George Brown, 10th July, 1848, aged 37.
Elizabeth, wife of Sylvester Brown, Aug. 8, 1838, aged 50.
Jeannette, wife of Wm. H. Barker, 8th May, 1842, aged 28.
James Barclay, Nov. 1, 1814, aged 61.
Janet Barclay, relict of James Barclay, May 16, 1818, a. 61.
Nathaniel Bunnell, Aug. 6, 1816, aged 43.
Capt. Abram Burbank, April 12, 1838, aged 59.
Wm. Blackall, March 24, 1840, aged 72.
Frances, wife of Wm. Blackall, Dec. 24, 1810.
James Bloodgood, May 4, 1799, aged 64.
Lydia Bloodgood, relict of James Bloodgood, January 8th,
18 11, aged 77.
Wm. Bloodgood, June 29, 1801, aged 41.
James Bloodgood, Nov. 4, 1806, aged 35.
Abraham Bloodgood, Feb. 17, 1807, aged 65.
Eliza, wife of Francis Bloodgood, Nov. 13, 1818, aged 50,
Francis Bloodgood, March 5, 1840, aged 71.
James Cobham Bloodgood, 24th March, 1820, aged 26.
Benjamin S. Morris, son of Mrs. Francis Bloodgood, 28th
Jan., 1840, aged 34.
Josiah Burton, Jan. 1, 1803, aged 61.
Agnes Bratt, relict of Derrick Bratt, May 121815, aged 43.
Henry Bradt, May 15, 1838, aged 39.
Peter V. Bradt, Sept. 10, 1844, aged 46.
Ann Cobham, only sister of Elizabeth Bloodgood, (wife of
Francis Bloodgood) 3d Feb., 1813, aged 38.
Jesse C. Cook, July 7, 1810, aged 32.
John Cook, April 15, 1818, aged 43.
Lancing Cande, Dec. 6, 1805.
Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions. 231
Cornelia Tappen Clinton, daughter of Gen. George Clinton,
and wife of Edward C. Genet, 23 March, 1810, aged 34.
Under this humble Stone
is Interred the Remains
of
CORNELIA TAPPEN CLINTON,
wife of
EDWARD C. GENET,
Late Adjutant General
and Minister Plenipotentiary
from the French Republic
to the United States of America;
and Daughter of
General George Clinton,
Vice Presi-.lent of the United States.
She was born at Bloorn inghope,
near New Windsor,
the 29th June, 1774,
and died of consumption,
in the town of Green bush,
the 23d of March, 1810,
in the 35th year of her age.
Honest, faithful and sincere, she cheerfully
retired with the man who had won her hand,
from the agitated scene of the world, to the *
shades of a peaceful solitude, which she had
embellished during sixteen years by all the
chan:s of a lively, enlightened and cultivated
mind, and of a heart devoted to Virtue. Her
last moments, sweetened by the blessings of
. Faith, have been, like her life, an example
of Fortitude and true Christian Philosophy.
Archibald Campbell, surveyor, April 24, 1793, aged 57.
William Campbell, May 16, 1796. 27,
Wm. Campbell, Sept. 13, 1831, aged 59.
Christina Campbell, wife of Archibald Campbell, died May
9, 1790, aged 45.
James Cooper, July 2, 1829, aged 55.
Andrew Cooper, December 30, 1318, aged 37.
Smith Cogswell, March 5, 1844 aged 72.
Clara, wife of George H. Cogswell, Sept. 5, 1849, aged 31.
George Charles of Gloucestershire, England, Aug. 25,
1818, aged 49.
Henrietta, wife of George Charles, June 24, 1825, aged 26.
232 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
William Capron, Aug. 1, 1823, aged 61.
John Carson, March 6, 1795, aged 41.
Sarah, wife of John Carson, 6th Nov. 1838, aged 19 years.
Freeman H. Crosby, 20th Jan., 1834, aged 44.
Louisa, daughter of Chas. and Tempe Carmichael, Norris-
town, N. J., Sept. 23d, 1831, aged 28.
Samuel S. Connor, Dec. 25, 1819, aged 33.
Andrew Caswell, of Downs, Ireland, Dec. 17,1833, aged 41.
James Chesney, March 17, 1828, aged 31.
Elenor, wife of James Chesney, June 9, 1832, aged 30.
Henry Coughtry, Jan. 27, 1845, aged 62.
Elizabeth, wife of Elisha Dorr, Sept. 19, 1837, aged 60.
Eleanor, wife of Isaac Denniston. Sep. 21, aged 21.
Margaret Denniston, daughter of Isaac and Eleanor Den-
niston, 23d July, 1823, aged 29.
Abraham Denniston, Oct. 17, 1821, aged 23.
Mary Donnelly, wife of James Denniston, June 9th, 1844,
in her 52d year.
Eve, relict of Dr. Benj. De Witt, 21st May, 1832, aged 55.
Cornelius Griswold, 2d son of Elisha and Elizabeth Dorr,
Sept. 17, 1828, aged 29.
Mary C. Mildeberger, wife of Alfred Dorr, died Dec. 18,
1836, aged 34.
Thomas Smith Diamond, died July 18., 1796, aged 59.
Mary Diamond, relict of T. S. D., Dec. 16, 1817, aged 79.
Charles A. Dean, 5th March, 1828, aged 21.
Jane Donnelly, April 4, 1842, aged 79.
John Dunn, May 26, 1809, aged 29.
Margaret McCardle, w. of Dennis Doyle, June 9, 1843. a. 65.
Polly Davis of Watertown, Conn., died 1809. aged 22.
Asa Edgerton, of Randolph. Vt., Oct. 11, 1815, aged 36.
Abraham Eights, January 10, 1820, aged 74.
John Easton, Aug. 24, 1799, aged 60.
John Easton, May 8, 1828, aged 23.
Martin Easterly, Dec. 14, 1836, aged 46.
Elisabeth Egberts, wife of Cornelius Egberts, March 18,
1830, aged 24 years.
Jane Edgar, wife of David Edgar, Sept. 4, 1800, aged 77.
Ebenezer E. Elsebrough, Jan. 18, 1813, aged 35.
Mary Morev ,wife of Jesse Everett, June 5, 1808, aged 28.
Presbyterian Burial Ground, Inscriptions. 233
Reuben Fuller, June 18, 1841, aged 72. [aged 57.
Maj. George Fiske, of Ciaremont, N. H., March 4, 1837,
Susan, wife of Geo. Fiske, March 23, 1842, aged 58.
Edward Fay, of Westborough, Mass, Aug. 12, 1832, aged 41.
Asa Fassett, Nov. 28, 1823, aged 71.
Sister Mary (Falconer), Dec. 3d, 1845, aged 20.
Mary, consort of Dr. Win. Forman, June 6, 1805, aged 58.
Charles Fifield, Sept. 1, 1849, aged 28.
Jane K. Fitch, Sept. 23d, 1849, aged 55.
John Gordon, April 16, 1816, aged 42.
Horace Goodrich, Feb. 16, 1816, aged 27.
John Given.
Sally Ransom, wife of Samuel Griffing, Nov. 7, 1821, aged
57, (late of Lyme, Conn.)
Maria, wife of John Griffin, August 14, 1834, aged 42.
Amos Gay, May 8, 1835, aged 56.
William A. Gay, Oct. 4th, 1836, aged 29
Heriery Gay, Oct. 19th, 1831, aged 21.
Almira Gay, Oct. 25th, 1831, aged 53.
Martha, da. of James and Mary Grier, March 4, 1836, a. 38.
Marion, wife of Joseph Gibson, and daughter of W. andE.
Campbell, April 13, 1847. aged 33.
Jennet, daughter of John and Janet Barber, wife of Archi-
bald Gourlay of Orange county, May 6th, 1827, aged 40.
Sarah Visscher Denniston, wife of James Gourlay jr., 26th
Aug., 1828, aged 20 years.
Salome Gray, Dec. 24, 1821, aged 55.
John Gray. Oct. 15, 1815, aged 49.
Theodore" Van Wyck Graham, July 6, 1822, aged 63.
Magdalena, relict of Theodorus Van Wyck Graham, 13th
March, 1843, aged 76.
Grizel Gillespie, died 7th Feb., 1815, aged 48.
Samuel Hannah, April 25, 1809, aged 71.
Agnes Hannah, July 19. 1838, aged 92.
Isaac Hand, Nov. 12, 1810, aged 38,
Lois, wife of Nathan Hand, Feb. 17, 1813, aged 44.
Daniel Hewson, Dec. 27, 1821, aged 59.
Elizabeth Hewson, July 19, 1814, aged 49.
Edmund Hatfield, June 2, 1815, aged 44.
Wm. Harrison. January 8, 1825, aged 36.
Flora, wife of George Hanse, Sept. 20, 1833, aged 25.
234 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
James Hodge, who was born in New Windsor, Orange Co.,
N. Y. ? Jan. 10, 1819, aged 58.
Sarah wife of James Hodge, Feb. 20, 1804, aged 37.
Jane wife of Isaac Hodge, Sept. 27, 1798, aged 63.
Martha Hoffman, March 38, , aged 34.
Andrew Hoffman, 1806, aged 32.
Martha widow of Andrew Hoffman, 1843, aged 68.
William Henry, Oct. 20, 1821. aged 47.
Ann Alexander wife of Wm. Henry, April 4, 1835, a. 74.
Silas W. Howell, Sept. 28, 1805, aged 35.
Joseph Husted, 27th April, 1813, aged 41.
Catherine Louisa, daughter of Isaac Hamiltone, Esq., and
Catherine his wife, 9th May, 1831, aged 25.
Mrs. Elisabeth Herring. Oct, 24, 1819, aged 72.
Mary, relict of Arthur Haswell, Oct. 10, 1827, aged 67.
Mary Haswell, Sept. 23, 1811, aged 26.
Jane Haswell, Feb. 15, 1809, aged 20.
Ann, wife of Spelman Hickcox, Oct. 17th, 1843, aged 48.
Ann Maria, wife of William M. F. Hewson, and daughter
of David and Dorcas Olmsted, 29th March, 1833, aged 24.
Asenath, wife of Henry Hoyt, and daughter of Edward
and Tabitha Brown, March 16th, 1834, aged 32.
Livingston Ludlow, son of Jas. and Catherine Humphrey,
Feb. 12, 1848, aged 23.
John Humphrey, Aug. 26, 1832, aged 81.
James Humphrey. Dec. 25, 1829, aged 36.
Doctor William Humphrey, 12th March, 1826, aged 30.
Robert Humphrey, 30th May, 1821, aged 31 years.
Martha Humphrey, 6th April, 1807, aged 22.
Christian wife of John Humphrey, Dec. 12, 1838, aged 78.
S. V. R. Humphrey, 18th June, 1844, aged 44.
Dolly, wife of Samuel Holmes, August 1st, 1831, aged 40.
Thomas B. Heermans, April, 1830, aged 33.
Daniel Houston, 20th Oct. 1829, aged 21, late of N. H.
Mary Sherman, wife of Joseph Ives, Oct. 7, 1834, aged 72.
Joseph Sherman Ives, 19th March, 1841, aged 54.
Mary Jones, of Hartford Ct., March 13, 1823, aged 48.
Hannah, wife of David Jenkins. Dec. 20, 1817, aged 49.
Sarah Jenkins, daughter of David and Hannah Jenkins,
llth Nov., 1823, aged 24.
David Jenkins, Feb. 1, 1827, aged 57.
Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions. 235
Jenkin Jenkins, March 31, 1830, aged 35.
Elizabeth, wife of Wm. James, June 9, 1797, aged 22.
William James, a native of Ireland, Dec. 19, 1832, aged 63.
Aaron James, 7th Nov., 1824, aged 29.
Amasa Judson, May 4, 1822, aged 29.
Lydia, wife of Nathaniel Judson, Feb. 1, 1817, aged 59.
Nathaniel Judson, Oct. 17, 1838, aged 85.
Harriet S., wife of Ichabod L. Judson, and daughter of
Isaac and Isabel Wilkinson, Oct. 25, 1825, aged 23.
John P. Jermain. son of Sylvanus and Catherine Jermain,
March 10, 1835, aged 23.
Catherine, wife of S. P. Jermain, Jan. 24, 1810, aged 27.
Sybel Kane, wife of John Kane, July 18, 1806, aged 67.
John Kane, March 15, 1808, aged 75.
The Kane Monuments.
James Kane, April 2, 1851, aged 80.
The grave of the latter is at the left side of those of his parents,
without a monument, as he desired; his friends however intend to
erect one.
236 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
Janet Kelly, spouse of Robert Kelly, July 22, 1796, a. 66.
Ellen, wife of James King, April 19, 1823, aged 23.
Hubbel Knapp, Jan. 22, 1832, aged 31.
George Sidney Knower, son of George and Ann Knower,
April 1st, 1837, aged 20.
Mary, wife of Dr. Hazael Kane, 12th Dec., 1838, aged 34
years, daughter of John and Christian Humphrey.
Marshall Kelso, March, 1829, aged about 37.
Oliver L. Ker, Oct. 21, 1796, aged 30.
Henry Lyons, Oct. 13, 1805, aged 38.
Henry L. Lord, of Norwich, Ct., May 27, 1825, aged 23.
Doct. Enoch Leonard, Dec. 12, 1810, aged 55.
Reuben Leonard, March 18, 1811, aged 22.
Cornelius V. V. Leonard, son of Enoch Leonard, Jan. 7,
1837, aged 45.
Richard Leonard, son of Enoch Leonard, 5th Feb., 1837,
aged 37.
Elihu Lewis, Oct 14, 1829, aged 50.
Esther Wolcott, da. of Elihu Lewis, May 20, 1818, aged 19.
Chauncey Loomis, April 6, 1817, aged 34.
Anna Loomis, formerly of Hartford. Conn., wife of Geo.
Loomis, 14th Feb. 1831, aged 78.
George Loomis, of East Windsor, Ct., May 23, 1841, a. 79.
John Lightbody, Nov. 22, 1834, aged 87.
Prudence B. Lockwood, widow of Horace Lockwood,
Aug. 27, 1816, aged 31.
Catherine Lloyd, daughter of Peleg Sharp, Feb. 28, 1802,
aged 31.
Mrs. Deborah Lathrop, relict of Ebenezer Lathrop, 29th
March, 1814, aged 67.
Wm. McClement, son of Robert and Marron, June 30,
1795, aged 27.
Alexander B. McDonal, Nov. 14, 1842, aged 30,
Wm. McClelland, January 29, 1812, aged 44.
Ann McClelland, April 21, 1813, aged 39.
Kitty McMurdy, wife of Anthony McMurdy, sen., April
26, 1814, aged 31.
John McPherson, of Scotland, at Duanesburgh, N. Y., July
5, 1822, aged 59.
Wm. McDonald, March 28, 1827, aged 30.
Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions. 237
Anthony McMurdy, March 23, 1810, aged 48.
Alexander McCandJish, May 20, 1807, aged 9.
Jean Alexander wife of Hathorn McCulloch, Oct. 17,
1803, aged 40.
James Mcllwaine, died May 14, 1832, aged 66, native of
Belfast, Ireland.
Hanah Walter, wife of Capt. McCready, May 28, 1807,
aged 55.
James McGourk, a native of Ireland, died Nov. 24. 1804,
aged 52.
Frances Stubbs, wife of Donald McDonald, born in the
village of Bray, near Windsor, England, died June 5,
1815, aged 47. .
Eleanor McConnel. wife of Robert McConnel, Aug. 28th,
1825, aged 34.
William Marchael McGlachen, a native of Scotland, 21st
Feb., 1850, aged 31.
Mary Anna, wife of Linus McCabe, March 4, 1838, aged
22.
Mary Mascraft, wife of William Mascraft, 3d April, 1818,
aged 32.
Henry, son of Jonas and Sarah Morgan, 14th April. 1813,
aged 21.
David Maynard, Aug. 14. 1834, aged 32.
Lovina Gray, wife of William Martin, April 17, 1818,
aged 24.
Mary Gray, da. of John Gray, and wife of Wm. Martin,
died March 27, 1835, aged 36.
Elisabeth, wife of James Murray, March 17, 1825, in her
61st year.
Ebenezer Moody, Feb. 15, 1813, aged 37.
Henry Norton, Feb. 15. 1845, aged 26 years.
George Newton, Nov. 20. 1811, aged 26.
Sally Nott, consort of Eliphalet Nott, Minister of the
Presbyterian Church, Albany, and daughter of Rev. Joel
Benedict, died 9 March, 1804, aged 29 years 6 mo.
Elizabeth Neill, wife of Rev. Wm. Neill, Minister of the
Presbyterian Church Albany, and daughter of Matthew
and Lydia Van Dyke, died 12 Nov. 1809, aged 26 y.,
10 m, 19 d.
238 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
David Olmsted, a native of Ridgefield, Ct., May 31, 1842,
aged 72.
Dorcas, wife of David Olmsted, May 27, 1842, aged 71.
Anna Johnson, wife of Charles Olmstead, July 4th, 1842,
aged 40.
Thomas, son of Joseph Otis and Mary his wife, of Barn-
stable, Mass., Aug. 15, 1803, aged 27,
Elisabeth Orr, consort of Hugh Orr, 10th July, 1830,
aged 84 years.
Gerret Van Zandt Platt, M. D., May 17, 1833, aged 24.
Sarah, wife of Chas. Z. Platt, Aug. 6, 1832, aged 47.
Chas. Z. Platt, April 14, 1822, aged 49,
John Platt, Sep. 18, 1828, aged 60.
Ananias Platt, 10th April, 1842, aged 80.
Lydia Jacobs, wife of Ananias Platt, Sep. 24, 1847, aged 81.
Aaron Fennel, son of Wm. Pennel, Delaware county, Pa.,
Oct. 28, 1794.
Phelps, May 6, 1786, aged 60.
Wm. Purviss, March 5, 1805, aged 55.
William Perviss, April 18, 1834, aged 28.
Hannah C.. da. of Asa Priest, Jai*. 29, 1850, aged 20.
Mrs. Mary Price, Sept. 22, 1818, aged 67.
Jane Philpot, wife of Spencer Philpot, 1st March, 1806,
aged 31.
Spencer Philpot, of Ireland, at Johnstown, N. Y., Sep. 24,
1807, aged 42.
Ann H. Palmer, wife of Levi H. Palmer, 22d May, 1849,
aged 69.
Jennet, wife of Joseph Palmer, Aug. 14, 1803, aged 48.
Jesse Potts, Dec. 21st., 1811, aged 37 years.
Harriet Stow, wife of Rufus Putnam, June 3d, 1815, aged
18 years.
Richard Patterson, January 1, 1818, aged 45.
Isaac Packard, March 3, 1792, aged 57.
Eunice wife of Isaac Packard, Nov. 1824, aged 80.
Robert Packard, July 15, 1840, aged 65.
Wm. Pricchard, of Herefordshire, England, April 22, 1821,
aged 50.
David Prentice, of Lanarkshire, Scotland, Aug. 24, 1826,
aged 45.
Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions. 239
John Perkins, June 19, 1814, aged 30.
Samuel Richards, Aug. 2, 1804, aged 27.
Mrs. Rachel Reynolds, Nov. 10, 1815, aged 73.
Rev. Evan Roberts, of Steuben, Oneida Co., N. Y., sup-
posed to have been assassinated, Sep. 10, 1836, aged 46.
James E., son of John Robison, 9th Dec., 1806, aged 20.
William Robison, son of Gertrude and John Robison, June
21, 1825, aged 45.
Maria Julia Robison. wife of William Robison, and daugh-
ter of Commodore Alex. Grant, Jan. 9th, 1824, aged 28.
David Robison, son of John and Gertrude Robison, Oct.
21st, 1822, aged 58.
Gertrude, wife of John Robison, Aug. 1, 1825, aged 74.
John Robinson, August 22, 1827, aged 87.
John B. Robison, only son of Joseph and Sarah Robison,
Feb, 10, 1831, aged 25.
Sarah, wife of Joseph Robison, Feb. 20, 1837, aged 52.
Maria, wife of Thomas Roraback, Sept. 3, 1830, aged 34.
Benjamin F. Russell, Feb. 28, 1831, aged 22.
Elisabeth, wife of Stephen J. Rider, Feb. 11, 1831, aged 42.
Archibald Rutherford, Dec. 30, 1794, aged 78.
Eliza Ann, da. of Joseph A. Rust, of Chester, Mass., died
Nov. 7, 1836, aged 20.
Orpha, wife of Seldon Strickland, Dec. 2, 1841, aged 52.
Sarah Steele, relict of Timothy Steele, of Hartford, Conn.,
27th Dec., 1808, aged 68.
Mary Augusta, wife of Oliver Steele, daughter of Moncrief
Livingston, March llth, 1839, aged 38.
Daniel Steele, July 7, 1828, aged 56.
Elisabeth, wife of Daniel Steele, March 17, 1825, aged 48.
Elijah Steele, April 18, 1818, aged 54.
Stephen Sanford, Aug. 14, 1824, aged 56.
John Shepherd, March 10, 1797, aged 48.
Elisabeth Shepherd, widow of John Shepherd, Sept. 1,
1797, aged 49.
Loring Simons, Nov. 15, 1809, aged 31.
Guy Shaw, Sep. 22, 1834, aged 46. [aged 40.
Josephus B. Stuart, of Blandford, Mass., Jan. 27, 1828,
John Smith, September 12, 1824, aged 55.
Robert Scott, Oct. 21, 1803, aged 33.
240 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
Jonah Shuman, July 17, 1832, aged 62.
Peter Sharp, May 23, 1813, aged 78.
Mary Sharp, April 19, 1821, aged 75.
Mary, widow of John Stewart, Nov, 7, 1837, aged 84.
Cornelia Dodge, wife of S. H. Stewart, Dec. 11, 1835. a. 24.
Jerusha Stoddard, wife of Adam Steward, Jan. 7th, 1813,
aged 22.
Laura, wife of Ambrose Spencer, May 18, 1807, aged 39.
Mary, wife of Ambrose Spencer, daughter of Gen. James
Clinton, Sep. 4, 1808, aged 36.
Catharine C., wife of Ambrose Spencer, Aug. 20, 1837, a. 58.
Gilbert and Andrew Shanklen, two brothers, natives of
Ireland, Gilbert died 28th April, 1791, aged 64, Andrew
llth Nov., 1799, aged 78.
Martha Henry Sturges, wife of Robert Swain, died Jan. 3,
1830, aged 34.
Sarah Sturges, Dec. 1, 1807, aged 52. [aged 32.
Christiana Mary, wife of Horace St John, Jan. 22, 1849,
Margaret Denniston, wife of John Stafford, March 16, 1790,
aged 30. [55.
Rebecca, relict of Cornelius Swart, jr., Jan. 21, 1825, aged
Hannibel Stoddard, son of Reuben & Jerusha Stoddard,
May, 1813, aged 18 years.
Josiah Sherman, 17th July, 1 832, aged 62.
Roger Minot Sherman, 2d July, 1825, in his 20th year.
Catherine Eliza, wife of Geo. Traver, Aug. 22, 1831, a. 19.
Lucy, wife of Amos Thayer, Oct. 23, 18i7, aged 54.
Mrs. Elisabeth Thorn, Nov. 15, 1819, aged 53.
Isaiah Townsend, son of Henry, Feb. 17, 1838, aged 61.
Susan, wife of Isaiah Townsend, and daughter of J.
Robison, Oct. 29, 1808, aged 27.
John Robison Townsend, June 28, 1831, aged 26.
Peter Townsend, son of Henry, Dec. 15, 1825, aged 33.
Solomon Townsend, March 27, 1811, aged 64.
William Thomson, July 24, 1797, aged 32.
David Thomas, a native of Brecknockshire, South Wales,
died Dec. 24, 1848, aged 61.
Lydia, wife of Ebenezer Thornton, and da. of Ephraim
Whipple, Oct. 26, 1813, aged 29.
Mary Walker, wife of David Tully, April 1, 1802, a. 46.
Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions. 241
Jonathan TilJyou. Feb. 9, 1837, aged 54.
Barent Ten Eyck, January 31, 1796, aged 30.
Catharine Campbell wife of Benjamin Van Benthuisen,
Jan. 18, 1804, aged 21.
Mrs. Margaret Van Alstine. March 3, 1824, aged 65.
Anna Varick, Nov. 3, 1839, aged 75.
Sarah Adeline Williams, died July 28, 1826, aged 22 years,
formerly of Portsmouth, N. H.
Israel Williams, April 2(i. 1840, aged 54.
Mrs. Mary White, a native of Isleworth, England, July
25th, 1833, aged 69.
Charles E. Whitney, Nov. 29, 1844, aged 24.
Betsey, wife of Selt-ck Whitney, Feb. 14, 1820, aged 36.
David Watters, Feb/26, 1810, aged 50.
David W T atters, son of David and Elisabeth Watters, Oct.
7th. 1825, aged 24.
Hugh Watters, son of D. and E.. Oct. 31, 1822, aged 24.
Elisabeth Watters. Jan. 31st, 1849, aged 64.
Levi Wait. Dec. 22, 1825. aged 43.
Minerva, wife of George Wait, died Nov. 19. 1840, aged 24.
John M. Watson, died 2d June, 1795, aged 31.
John R. Winans, 7th Feb.. IK 10, aged 25.
Ann Waud. da of John Moore, and consort of Marmaduke
Waud, Feb. 15, 1810, aged 26.
Mary, late wife of Austin Warner. July 3, 1806. aged 33.
Mary, wife of Smith Weed, 10th May, 1819, aged 64.
Smith Weed. July II, 1839. aged 84.
Mary Weed, da cf Smith W T eed, Sept. 14, 1811, aged 25.
David Woodin. of Kingsborough, Aug. 8. 1805, aged 28.
Olive, wife of Calvin Walker, 20th April, 1815, aged 37.
Eliza A. H. Robertson, daughter of John and Nancy Wood-
worth, April 10, 1831, aged 33.
Richard Whteler, Sep. 5, 1824. aged 49.
Doct. Hunloke Woodruff. July 4, 1811, aged 56.
Doct. Elias Willard. March 20, 1827, aged 71.
Oliver, son of Capt. E. Warner, of New Milford, Ct., June
4. 1796. aged 21.
William Watson. April 6, 1799, aged 25.
James Wynans, of Poughkeepsie, Aug. 25, 1803, aged 61.
William Woods, Sept. 20, 1799, aged 66.
1
242 Presbyterian Burial Ground Inscriptions.
Charles R. Webster, July 18, 1834, aged 72.
Charles R. Webster's Monument.
The stone on the left of the monument has the following inscription.
SACRED
to the memory of
RACHEL WEBSTER
wife of Charles R. Webster, Printer
who departed this life
on the 31st day of March, 1794
aged 30 years and 10 months
in death lamented as in life beloved
Rachel their infant daughter died in Oct. 1789, aged 15 days
Benjamin, died 31st Aug. 1800, aged 1 yr 4 m 6 d.
Lucy, died 24th Dec. 1802, aged 8 months
Benjamin and Lucy, children of C. R. and Cynthia Webster
little children he took into his arms and blessed them
Benjamin died Sept. 11, 1808, in his 2d year
Edward died Nov. 9, 1809, aged 4 months
IN MEMORY OF THEIR PARENTS,
Matthew Webster,
Mabel Webster
Ashbel Sleel
Rachel Steel
Samuel Webster
Ashbel Steel, jr.
Time of their decease.
Feb. 9, 1807
May5, 1813
July 8, 1790
May 21, 1804
and of their brothers
May 9, 1813
Nov. 1, 1793
Age
88th year
89th year
59th year
66th year
64th year
21st year
Population of Albany, 1714.
243
A LIST OF THE INHABITANTS AND SLAVES
IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY, 1714.
5
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I
sj
1
a
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p
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09
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8
01
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a
o
s
ju
cd
c
Ctf
>
^
J2
1
The Severall
c. ^
e- ^
CH
3
J
J
10 O>
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CO
places or districts
in the County
o> v-
"a o
^
"S .
<U .
1 s
5 x
"cs
E
2J
|l
1
J3
1!
1
where inhabiting.
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e >
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- w
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c
c
C
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3
w X
ja Ji
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^ c
^ c
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v aj
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|.S
E.S
"E.S
c -S
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S
E .S
C ><
e.S
-^
3 )
3 11
3 M
3 *->
3 W
s
3 w
3 >
*<
^
*
2
5
fc
^
^
In ye first ward of
x
ye city of Al-
3
102
117
4
122
104
9
14
22
13
In ye second
ward,
4
75
54
7
81
61
3
5
12
4
In ye third ward,
10
62
68
6
82
61
6
10
6
9
In ye township of
Schinectady, . .
12
1,0
154
13
107
151
7
10
19
8
In ye East West
side of ye Man-
nor of Rense-
laerwyck
11
112
123
5
93
83
73
41
36
31
In Claverack, . . .
1
52
54
1
38
51
10
2
5
2
In ye township ol
Kinderhoek, . .
y-
75
83
6
57
67
12
6
7
7
Coxhackhie ye
north part ol
ye Mannor of
Livingston,. . .
6
48
52
2
53
28
26
10
11
6
In ye precinct of
Canastagione, .
1
26
25
2
24
26
4
1
1
In ye precinct o;
ye halfmoon, . .
I
26
23
3
19
19
<3
3
2
54
688
753
49
676
651
155
98
122
83
54
742
ToTaT
3329
-( 244 )
TRINITY CHURCH.
A Brief History of the Parish from its Organization. Sept.
4th, 1839, to the Consecration of the Church Edifice in
Broad Street on the tenth day of September. 1849. by the
Jit. Rev. Bishop Whittingham, Bishop of the Diccese of
Maryland, acting by request of the Standing Committee
of the Diocese of Aew York. A period of ten years and
Jive days.
Before proceeding to give the direct history of the or-
ganization of the parish of Trinity Church, it may be well
to note, that from the time of planting the church in the
city of Albany, early in the eighteenth century, by a socie-
ty incorporated in England under King William the Se-
cond, A. D.. 1701, for^the "Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts. "until Nov.. 1827, there was but one parish
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of Albany,
which in common parlance was called the English Church,
and now more generally known as the parish of St. Peter's
Church, worshiping in an edifice standing on the north
side of State street.
During the summer of 1827 a congregation worshiping
God agreeably to the forms of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, was assembled
in the south district of the city, in a school room on
South Pearl street by the Rev. Richard Bury, and on the
12th day of November, 1827. the male members of said
congregation assembled in said school room according to
legal notice ; when divine service having been performed
by the Rev. Richard Bury, the members of the congrega-
tion present, with the Rev. Mr. Bury as chairman, pro-
ceeded to elect two wardens and eight vestrymen prepara-
tory to their incorporation as a parish, and the following
named gentlemen were elected the first officers of the
parish: Edward A. Le Breton, senior warden; Thomas
Knowlson, junior warden; Barent P. Staats, Charles Sker-
Trinity Church. 245
ritt, John Le Breton, Hezekiah Wells, Bristol Fox, Agur
Wells, John Nelliger John W. McDougal, vestrymen; who
proceeded to incorporate themselves as a parish, to be
ever after known by the name, or title of St. Paul's
Church or Congregation in the City of Albany.
Having become incorporated by the above title and thus
forming the second parish in the city of Albany, on the
28th of November, 1827, the wardens and vestrymen ap-
pointed a committee to purchase as a site for a church
edifice, two lots on the north west corner of Ferry and
Dallius streets, for the sum of $2500; and on the 15th of
June, 1828, they directed said committee to purchase an
adjoining lot at the price of $500. Previous to the pur-
chase of the last lot, a building committee was appointed,
who on the 14th of May, 1828, accepted the proposal of
Henry Peeres to build a church edifice on said lots for the
sum of $ 12.550 ; and on the 1 1 th day of June, 1828, the Rt.
Rev. Bp. Hobart laid the corner stone of the proposed
building, which was to be constructed agreeably to a plan
drawn by Philip Hooker, of Albany, architect, of the
Gothic order of architecture, and to be 56 by 85 feet, the
walls to be built of rough blue stone, &c.
The church was accordingly built and consecrated by
the Rt. Rev. Bp. Hobart, on the 24th day of July, 1829.
Rev. Richard Bury being the rector, and was occupied by
the congregation until the year 1839, during which time
the following named gentlemen were successively rectors
of the parish, viz : Rev. Richard Bury from the organi-
zation of the parish in the year 1827 to March 22,
1830. Rev. William Linn Keesefrom 1830 to Nov. 1833.
Rev. J. H. Price, from Jan'y 1834 to May 27, 1837. Rev.
William I. Kip accepted a call as rector, June 13, 1837,
and is still rector of the parish now in the year 1851.
In the year J839. on the 24th of January, the Rev. Wm.
I. Kip being rector, Messrs. Wm. H. Dewitt and Hezekiah
Wells, wardens, and Messrs Peter P. S:aats, Simeon Dewitt
Bloodgood. Henry T. Meech, Robert L. Noyes, Homer R.
Phelps, Sylvester Reed, Harmon Pease, William Winne,
vestrymen, it was resolved in vestry meeting to be "expe-
dient to sell Saint Paul's church," &c., for a sum "not less
246 Trinity Church.
than $15.500 including the organ," and that a committee
be appointed and authorized to obtain the refusal of the
Theatre in South Pearl street, and engage H. Rector, archi-
tect, to draw plans and estimate the expenses of alterations
necessary to convert the Theatre into a Church. Agree-
ably to the above proceedings the Church was sold to the
Romanists on the 4th of Feb., 1839, for the sum of $15,500
including the organ ; and on the 20th of Feb., 1839, a com-
mittee was authorized to close the contract for the pur-
chase of the Theatre before the first of March following,
which was done, the plans of Mr. Rector for alterations
were adopted, and the proposals of Mr. Sutton to do the
carpenter work for the sum of $9,300 was accepted, and
the work done accordingly ; when, in due time the congre-
gation of St. Paul's Church, previously worshiping in the
Church thus sold to the Romanists, removed to their new
Church in South Pearl street above Hudson. The Church
scld is now known as St. John's Church.
The sale of the Church in Ferry street and the removal
of St. Paul's congregation up town, seems to have been
the moving cause, that prompted certain persons who had
been members of that parish, to organize a third parish in
the city of Albany, in order to provide a place of worship
in that portion of the city from which St. Paul's parish
had removed.
Whereupon in the summer of 1839, a few Episcopalians
leased a building on the south side of Westerlo street be-
tween Dallius and Church streets, known as the Came-
ronian Church, (which was destroyed by fire in the year
1848), and engaged the Rev. Isaac Swart of Troy, to
officiate as their pastor, and on the 4th of Sept., 1839,
the male members of the parish, entitled by law to elect
wardens and vestrymen, were convened according to the
requirements of the statute of the state, when morning
prayer having been said by the Rev. Mr. Swart, they
proceeded to the choice of officers, when Messrs. S . Reed
and Homer R. Phelps were elected wardens, and Messrs.
Crawford Livingston, Sidney Guest, A. Southwick, Lewis
Brothers, Edward Bateman, Edward Owens, Seth Jarvis,
and John Kerr, vestrymen.
Trinity Church. 247
The officers thus elected fixed upon Tuesday in Easter
week as the day on which their successors should be
chosen; and chose as the corporate name The Rector,
Churchwardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the
City of Albany ; and secured the act of incorporation by
the above title, and thus organized the third parish of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of Albany.
On the llth of Sept., 1839, the board of vestry met and
resolved, "that the Rev. Mr. Swart be invited forthwith
to become their rector." When the Rev. Mr. Swart being
called upon signified his acceptance of the invitation, and
became the first rector of Trinity Church, where he con-
tinued to labor until the 7th of January, 1840, when he
tendered his resignation to the vestry, which they accept-
ed on the 9th inst. The parish being thus early left with-
out a rector, it enjoyed only such services as could be
obtained from Sunday to Sunday, of the neighboring clergy
for nearly ten months : when on the first of October, 1840,
the Rev. Mr. Dowdney of Athens, accepted a call to take
charge of the parish as its rector. The parish having
been left so long without a rector in its earliest infancy,
being at first but few in number, could not be expected
to have gained much strength. It is, therefore, not strange
that in the spring of 1841, finding themselves unable to
pay the rent for the building in which they worshiped,
they were obliged to suffer their organ, cushions, books,
stoves, and fixtures to be legally seized and sold.
Being thus cast down, but not destroyed, the congrega-
tion obtained as their next place of worship a room in
the District School House on the corner of Dallius and
Ferry streets, and while worshiping there the vestry re-
ceived a communication from the Rev. William I. Kip, rec-
tor of St. Paul's parish in the city of Albany, proposing
to them to become a missionary parish, and as such to be
aided by the other parishes in the city, which proposition
was not accepted, and the congregation continued to labor
on as an independent parish.
The next effort was to obtain some permanent place to
worship; and to this end during the summer of 1841, a
lease was obtained from the heirs of the estate of Richard
248 Trinity Church.
Ray, late of New York, of a plot of ground some 60 by 70
feet on the south east corner of Herkimer and Franklin
streets, on which to erect a church edifice, and although
the minutes of the vestry do not show any proceedings in
relation to leasing the ground, or erecting the building,
yet I am informed by gentlemen who were vestrymen at the
time, that during the summer of 1841, Mr. John Bradt,
was employed to draw plans, &c., for an edifice to be built
of wood, of the Grecian order, and that Mr. Wm. Chambers
was contracted with to do the carpenter work of said
building for the sum of $ 1440. That after the building
had been commenced, and during the fall of 1841, the Rev.
Mr. Dowdney tendered his resignation as rector of the
parish, leaving it to get on as best it could. From this
time until June, 1842, the parish was without a rector or
place of worship, during which time the building was
completed, and capable of seating about 300 persons ; when
the vestry tendered a call on the 18th of May, to the Rev.
Edward Embury, to become rector of the parish, which
call was accepted, and the Rev. Mr. Embury entered upon
the duties of his office, as 1 am informed, in June, 1842,
although his acceptance, or the time of entering upon his
duties as rector are not recorded in the minutes of the
vestry. And no records of any proceedings of the vestry
seem to have been made, from May, 1842. until Easter Tues-
day, April 18, 1843. at which time afcer morning prayer
being said by the Rev. Mr. Embury, Messrs. Wm. H.
Hughes and i. harles Anderson were elected wardens, and
Messrs Geo. Stanwix, Thomas Bateman. Richard Parr,
Richard McGlinn, Arthur Boyl, John Coughtry, R. H.
Northrop, Charles Clapp, vestrymen, for the ensuing year.
At this time the congregation was but small ; and the
few were people of but limited ability, to sustain the pa-
rish in a pecuniary point of view; and the building they
had erected was encumbered with a mortgage of $1080;
besides other parish indebtedness. But being encouraged
by their rector to labor on in their laudable work of build-
ing up a congregation, the vestry met on the 20th of April,
Io43, to take into consideration the condition of the finan-
ces of the parish. And after appointing George Stanwbc
Trinity Church. 249
as treasurer and John Conghtry as secretary, they direct-
ed their treasurer to "call upon and ask payment of those
persons who for seme time past had not paid their indebt-
edness to the Chnrch; and resolved that Mr Clapp be
authorized to collect moneys in the city of Albany, and
that Messrs. George Stanwix and Thomas Batenmn. be a
committee to raise money in New York city, to liquidate
the mortgage on their Church."
With what success the above named persons labored in
raising moneys I find no record in the minutes of the vest-
ry, but am verbally informed, that during the years 1842
and 1843. there was raised in various ways for the relief
of the parish some $500. which was paid on the mortgage;
when in the fall of 1843. the Rev Mr. Embury resigned
his rectorship of the parish, leaving it once more without
any pastoral care.
The next recorded action of the vestry was on the 19fh
of Dec., 1843. when they ''unanimously resolved that W.
H. Hughes, senior warden, be authorized to invite by let-
ter, the Rev. Edward Selkirk, of New York, to become
rector of their parish.*' Accordingly such invitation was
forwarded to the Rev. Mr. Selkirk, which he accepted on
the 1st of January, 1844, and during the month entered
upon his duties as rector.
The parish had now been in existence a little more
than four years, and had struggled on amidst many diffi-
culties, s f ill weak and embarrassed with debt, and with
but a feeble prospect of being long able to maintain an
existence.
Although considerable had been done, yet the church
edifice was far from being a comfortable place of wor-
ship, being so imperfectly warmed that few could endure
the cold during the hours of service. Hence all the per-
sons including men. women and children that could be
gathered for the regular morning and afternoon services
during the winter of 1844 varied frcm 20 to 40 souls. It
was at once proposed by the rector, to open the church
for a third service in the evening. At the third service
many who were not members of the parish of Trinity
Church, came in. Yet the Church being cold and badly
250 Trinity Church.
lighted, and having neither choir, nor organ, to aid in ren-
dering the services attractive, but little seemed to be effected.
The foremost and greatest difficulty that seemed to
present itself to hinder the growth of the parish, was its
indebtedness; and the want of pecuniary ability on the
part of the parishioners to remove it. But being once
more encouraged by having a rector, the small band of
ladies connected with the parish set themselves to work
to do what they could; and finding some ladies of the
other parishes ready to second their efforts, before the
spring of 1844, they had raised some $200. Then a sub-
scription was started among the parishioners, and after-
wards circulated among the citizens, until in June, 1844, it
was found that the sum of $680,75 had been raised, which
sum liquidated the mortgage on the building. Thus en-
couraged, soon after a small organ was obtained (and paid
for by the efforts of the ladies, the following winter). A
voluntary choir came together, and the parish seemed
gradually to increase. The next thing to be done was to
have the lamps altered, and stoves provided sufficient to
warm the Church ; the lamps being made to burn camphene
were altered to burn oil, and additional oil lamps added,
which served to light the Church effectually. Two new
coal stoves were purchased during the fall of 1844, and
some slight alterations made in the Church, rendering it
quite comfortable for worship during the winter season of
1845, and after. In the meantime, the sidewalks and
pavement were put in order, and a plain picket fence
erected on the front and west side of the Church at an
expense of about $80 ; and a new vestry room built on the
south east corner of the Church at an expense of over $40.
Hence there was from January 1st, 1844, to January 1st,
1845, the following amounts paid for former indebtedness
of the parish, and improvements about the Church, together
with an organ, besides sundry small debts:
On mortgage to Wm. Chambers, $660
Paid for organ, $180: Fence and pavement, $80,.. . 260
Vestry room, $40; Stoves, pipe, chimneys, &C M $50 90
* $1010
Trinity Church.
251
The following is the form of subscription with the
amount subscribed for liquidating the mortgage to Wm.
Chambers, in the spring of 1844 :
" We, the undersigned, promise to pay to the bearer, on
demand, for the purpose of liquidating the mortgage on
Trinity Church, the sums affixed to our respective names,
Provided there is added to this subscribtion the sum of
one hundred and fifty dollars, and otherwise raised, or
hereon subscribed, a sufficient amount to pay said mort-
gage, amounting to six hundred and sixty-seven dollars or
thereabouts.
Names. Amt,
0. A. Kingsley, 3 '00
Eugene Kissam, . . . 5*00
Joseph Mather, 5 '00
Wm. Kerr, 5*00
John Hurdis, 5*00
Richard McGlinn, . . 10*00
Miss Cook, 5'00
Edw'd Brinckerhoff, 5*00
Mrs. Bratt, 5*00
Daniel Attwood, . . . 5*00
Mrs. Chas. Anderson 5 '00
Names. Amt.
Ladies society, $204*75
Edward Selkirk,... 10*00
Wm. H. Hughes, . . 10*00
Arthur Boyl, 10*00
Thomas Bateman, . 10*00
Jas. L.Humphrey,. 10*00
Wm. H. Topp, .... 10 00
Homer R. Phelps , . . 10 00
George Stan wix, ... 10*00
John Patterson, ... 10*00
Kelly Attwood, 10*00
Geo. Gumming,. . . 3*00
G. B. & R. H. Eraser, 15-00
James Hall,. 2*00
$382*75
The above amount having been raised by the ladies and
by the subscriptions of parishioners, the following sub-
scription was circulated among the citizens, and the an-
nexed amounts obtained.
" We, the undersigned, promise to pay the bearer, on
or before the first of June, next, the sum affixed to our
respective names, to liquidate the bond and mortgage on
Trinity Church:
Names,
James Stevenson, . . $ 20*00
Matthew Gregory, . 10*00
John Gott, 5*00
Wm. E. Bleecker, . 5*00
Amt, Names,
Mrs. Horner,
M. T. Reynolds, . . .
Charles Coates,
John Jones,
Amt,
5*00
5'00
5.00
5.00
252
Names,
J. V. L. Pruyn,....
James Taylor,
Wm. Chapman,
G. W. Porter
B. Whitlock
lL iss Anna Ten Eyck
Eev. Horatio Potter
G. W. Stanton,
S. T. Van Buren, .
A. Groesbeek
Daniel Spencer, . . .
Le Grand Smith, . .
Wm J. Warner,...
Ivlrs. Godley,
J. K. Wing
Wm. H. Dewitt,...
A. P. Palmer,
Peter G. Dox,
Thomas S. Barber,.
Cash,
James Cooper
John F. Townsend,
B. P. Staats,
B. C. Raymond, . . .
R. McCabe,
J. G. Northrop,
J. B. Plumb,
H. G. Wheaton,...
Ira Porter,
Cash,.
Trinity Church.
A ml,
5-00
Names,
S. Cobb,
A tut,
3.00
5-oa
Win. Nessle
2'00
5'00
Cash,
3'00
11-00
500
5*00
G. O. Merri field,...
Mrs. E. Croswell, . .
3-00
5'00
2'00
5-00
lO'OO
Mrs. Honeysett.. . .
Win Lacv
2-00
l-oo
5-00
5-00
10.00
John Ten Eyck,. . .
E. E. Kendrick,...
Cash,
5-03
5-00
5-00
5 00
5-00
5'OD
3'00
10 00
3-03
5-00
3-00
5'00
5-00.
3-00
3-00
3-00
I'OO
I'OO
|
1-00
2'00
R. Steel,
2-OD
3-00
Cash,
2-00
500
2'00
5-00
J S.Colt
200
5-00
t;ash
3'00
5-00
Mrs. Dudley,
2'00
5-00
Cash,
1-00
3-00
u
3'00
5-00
it
2-00
2'00
((
i-oo
2-00
2-00
S'OO
3-00
Brought up
Parish subscriptions
298-00
382-75
$68675
James Kidd, ....
The above amount having been raised previous to the
first of June, 1844, early in the fall following the an-
nexed subscription was drawn up and circulated.
" We, the undersigned, promise to pay the sums affixed
to our respective names, for the purpose of procuring
stoves and building a vestry room for Trinity Church."
Trinity Church.
253
Names.
Arm.
0. R. Van Benthuysen$25'00
Wm. H. Hughes,... 1'25
S. F. Phelps, 3-00
Geo. Stanwix, 3'00
Arthur Boyl, 2'00
Richard McGlinn, . 2 '00
James L. Humphrey, 3*00
Homer R. Phelps . . 5 '00
John Patterson, . . . 3*00
Thomas Brooks, . . 2 '00
Joseph Mather, . . . . 2 '00
Kelly Attwood, . . . 3'00
Dr. P. P. Staats,... 5'00
Wm. H. Topp, 2-00
Richard Parr, 1 '00
Names. A.m1 }
Geo. Cummings $1'00
James Morrow, .... 2*00
John M. Bullock,... 2*00
Mr. Forbes, TOO
Eugene Kissam,. .. 1*00
Mr. Pewtress, I'OO
Mr. Ellison, 2'00
John Ten Eyck, I'OO
Cash, I'OO
Mr. Clark, 2'00
Wm. Denning, 0'50
Wm. Farally, 50
John Wright 3 '00
$80-25
:
No sooner had the above been accomplished, than the
ladies of the parish again seconded the efforts of the
gentlemen in procuring means for carrying on the work
of building up the parish, which resulted in their paying
into the treasury, in December 1844, for the purchase of
an organ and other church purposes the sum of $210 or
thereabouts.
During the year 1845, the parish continued gradually
to improve in numbers and strength; and although so
much had been done during the previous year, still all
had not been done that stood in the way of the. growth
of the parish. There still remained a floating debt of
some two hundred dollars to be liquidated. How it
could be done was the question to be solved. The pro-
position was made in vestry meeting, that a subscription
should at once be commenced by the wardens and vestry
and circulated among the parishioners. The proposition
was adopted, and the following form of subscription was
accordingly drawn up, to which the persons whose names
are attached, subscribed.
"'We, the subscribers, agree to pay the sums set oppo-
site our respective names, for extinguishing the floating
debt now existing against Trinity Church. Which debt
22
254 Trinity Church.
being extinguished leaves the Church free from all in-
cumbrance, and in such a state as to meet its annual
expenses, by its regular annual income. So that hereafter
there need not accrue any floating debt."
John Wright, $5'00
Mr. Farreiy, TOO
Wm. Denning, TOO
Wm. H. Topp, 2-00
Samuel Westcott,.. TOO
Cash, 3-00
Mrs. Bratt, 2'00
Cash, I'OO
Cash, I'OO
$102-00
S. F. Phelps $25-00
Wm. S. Ellison, . . . 5'00
Richard Parr, 10 00
Jn. M. Bullock, 5'00
Wm. H. Hughes, . . 3'00
T. P. Waters, 5'00
James L. Humphrey 5 '00
Geo. Stanwix, 3'00
Ric'd McGlinn, 3'00
0. R. V. Benthuysen 5'00
Cash, 6-54
H. R. Phelps 5-00
Cash, 5'00
This subscription having been made, the ladies of the
parish seconded the efforts of the gentlemen, by organiz-
ing themselves into a sewing society, for the purpose of
raising funds for the parish, which resulted in their pay-
ing into the treasury of the church, as the proceeds of a
fair, the sum of $325, which, together with the amount
raised by subscription, enabled the parish to pay all its
debts, and left $255 surplus, which was deposited in the
Albany Savings Bank for future use, so that at the close
of the year 1845, the parish was free from debt, and,
though small, in a prosperous condition.
At the commencement of the year 1846, the parish being
in a flourishing condition, it was thought desirable on the
part of many parishioners, to exchange the organ then in
possession of the parish, it being small and a very imper-
fect instrument, for a larger and more perfect and effec-
tive instrument ; accordingly it was agreed that the money
then in the bank might be used for that purpose, provided,
that a sum necessary to pay the balance between the old
organ and a new one could be raised by subscription after
using the money on hand. Accordingly it was ascer-
tained that such an organ as was desired could be ob-
tained for the sum of $500, or $350 and the old organ,
Trinity Church. 255
and to make up the requisite sura of $350,. the following
subscription was made :
"We, the undersigned, promise to pay the sum affixed
to our names, for the purpose of procuring an organ for
Trinity Church, Albany."
Names, Ami, Names, Amt
Packard & Van Ben-
thuysen $20'00
Homer R. Phelps lO'OO
Kelly Attwood 7'00
Andrew J. Colvin. . . 5'00
T. P. Waters 5'00
R. H. Northrop 5'00
T. D. James 5'00
S. F. Phelps 10-00
S. S. Barnes 5*00
John Stow . 2'00
John Ten Eyck .... $5 '00
J. M. Bullock 5-00
John Tanner 3'00
J. L. Humphrey 3'00
Daniel Spencer. ... 5'00
Sam'l Westcott 5'00
Mrs. Scribner 5'00
W. H. Topp 3-00
Miss Lewis 6'00
$174-00
When the above amount having been subscribed and
paid, it being the sum required, a contract was made with
Messrs. Hall & Labah, organ builders of New York city,
to furnish a specified organ, for the sum of $350 and
the old organ. The organ was accordingly built and
placed in the church, corner of Herkimer and Frank-
lin streets, in July, 1846. The organ was pronounced
by competent judges to be a most perfect instrument
in all its parts, and served to enable the choir vastly
to improve in the performance of their part of the
service, all of which tended to aid in building up the
church of God. It was soon found that more persons
were disposed to come together for divine worship than
the church would accommodate, especially of an evening,
and the subject began to be talked of in private, of in
some way providing more church accommodations Va-
rious suggestions were made during the fall and winter
of 1846, when in the spring of 1847, the demand for more
church room apparently increasing, a meeting of the vestry
was called on the 1st of March, to take into considera-
tion the propriety of building a new church. The result
of their deliberations was, the appointing of a committee
256 Trinity Church.
of three to draw up and circulate a conditional subscrip-
tion, and also to select a site for the new church, and
report to the next meeting. The committee appointed
was the Rector, Rev. Edward Selkirk, and Messrs. S. F.
Phelps and Packard Van Benthuysen, Mr. George Stan-
wix was afterwards added to the committee.
In discharge of the duties assigned them, the committee
procured some five subscription books, drew up the follow-
ing form of subscription, to which, in process of time, the
following amounts were subscribed and paid over to the
treasurer of the congregation, for procuring the site and
the erection of the church edifice, now known as Trinity
Church, in Broad street :
" In consideration that the corporation of ' Trinity
Church,' in the city of Albany, shall build a new church
edifice for the congregation they represent, we, the sub-
scribers, hereby agree to pay the said corporation the
sums set opposite our names respectively, in such rata-
ble sums, and at such times, as said corporation shall
direct, for procuring a site and erecting a suitable church
edifice thereon ; provided, however, that on or before the
first day of June, 1847, the whole amount of subscription
for the aforesaid purpose, and means otherwise pledged
to said corporation therefor, shall amount at least to the
sum of twelve thousand dollars.
And it is further provided, that our individual sub-
scriptions shall when paid in, be offset against the value
of any pew or seat which we may purchase in such new
church edifice.
Dated at Albany, March 8th, 1847.
Trinity Ch., N. Y. .$5,000*00
Parish property
The church build-
ing in Herkimer
st. sold for 800-00
Organ reserved. . . 500*00
H. Yates, inland. 1,200*00
Archib'd Mclntyre 1,200*00
Edward Selkirk . . 300*00
P. V. Benthuysen. 200'00
S. F. Phelps $200-00
A. J. Colvin 100-00
Wm. H. Topp.... 100-00
Stephen Groesbeeck lOO'OO
D. L. Wing 100-00
G. W. Stanton... 100*00
Alex. Gray & son. 250*00
James Jenkinson . . 1 00 '00
David Orr lOO'OO
R. H. Northrop... 100'OD
Trinity Church.
John M. Bullock . .
$100*00
Jno. L. Crew
100-00
Edwin Croswell . .
50*00
A. Groesbeck ....
5000
James Stevenson . .
50*00
E. Corning
50*00
Samuel Stevens . . .
50*00
V. P. Douw
50-00
K. Attwood
50*00
J. C. Spencer. . . .
50-00
G. Slack
50-00
Hamilton Fish . . .
50-00
Jno. L. School craft
50-00
Rev. Wm. I. Kipp
25-00
J. L. Humphrey. .
25*00
C. W. Bender. . . .
25-00
V. Ten Eyck
25-00
E. H. Bender
25-00
W. H. Dewitt ....
25'00
Jno. Wright
25-00
Jno. Stackpole
25-00
Wm. A. Corbiere.
25-00
J. V. L. Pruyn. . .
25-00
Thomas W. Olcott
25-00
Tweddle & Darlin-
ton
25-00
Griffin & Smith. . .
25-00
Wm. A. Young. . .
25-00
Watts Sherman . . .
25*00
E. Skinner
25-00
Geo. Russell
25-00
W. W. Forsyth. . .
25-00
J. B. Plumb
25-00
G. W. Stanton, Jr.
2500
E. P. Prentice
25-00
R. Boyd
25-00
R. H. King
25-00
Arthur H. Root.. .
25-00
H. G. Wheaton. . .
25-00
Jno. I. Boyd
25-00
257
Frank'n Townsend $25'00
W. tf. White 25-00
John Knower 25 '00
Mrs. Dudley 25'00
Win. E. Bleecker. 25'00
Stephen W.Clark. 2500
A. E. Brown 25'00
R. Borttel 25.00
Elizabeth J. Jenk-
inson(byW.W.) 2500
UriBurt 25*00
Giles Porter 25*00
Wm. Wilson .... 25*00
JoelRathbone 25'00
E. H. Pease & Co. 25'00
Anthony Gould. . . 25'00
James Taylor 25*00
Thurlow Weed... 25'00
N. S. Benton 20*00
G. W. Newell.... 20-00
J. C. Potts 20-00
Rob't Dunlop 20 00
D. Humphrey 20 00
Wm. H. Ten Eyck 20'00
Lansing Pruyn . . . 20 '00
Grace Anderson .. 20'00
Wm. Fowler 2000
R.Whitlock... ... 21-15
Sanford Cobb lO'OO
H. R. Phelps 10-00
Wm. Parmelee . . . lO'OO
James Henry 10 '00
Thomas Schuyler. 10*00
J. H. Armsby.... lO'OO
Mrs. Owins lO'OO
E. R. Phelps 10*00
Wm. Kerr lO'OO
Gilbert L. Wilson 10*00
Wm. Humphrey.. 10*00
W. C. Little & Co. 10-00
258
Trinity Church.
Charles Coates . . .
D. L. Lathrop. . . .
D. Morgan
$20-00
10-00
10-00
Edward Owens. . .
J. M. Newton. . . .
Edwin C Litchfield
$10-00
10-00
10*00
Wm. Woodhall...
Wm. Wendell ....
J. H. Mulford ....
S. H. Hammond. .
Abram Koonz ....
10-00
10-00
10-00
10-00
lO'OO
W. A. Crehan
Wm. McElroy . . .
Edward Blakeman
A. D. L. Whipple,
Wm. Hurst
10-00
10-00
10-00
10-00
10-00
A. Quackenboss . .
G. C. Fowler
10-00
10-00
John McMickin . . .
Charles Barber.
10-00
1500
J. D. Badgley
Joseph Strain
Benjamin Marsh . .
J. V. Burin
10-00
10-00
10-00
lO'OO
Josiah Gillespie . . .
Wm. G.Thomas..
Truman S. Foote.
John McEvoy .
10-00
10-00
10-00
10-00
Thomas L. Greene
10-00
R. S. Hendee
10-00
Smith Sheldon . . .
10-00
James O'Neil
10-00
J. Keyes Paige . . .
Lemuel Steele. . . .
10-00
10-00
Edmund Savage . .
Andrew Kirk
10-00
ro-oo
G. R. Shortess
D. H. Ford
10-00
10-00
Arch. Maddin. . . .
10-00
10-00
R. L. Joice
10-00
Jagger, Tread well
R D Granger. . .
10-00
So Perry . .
10*00
E Westerlo
10-00
Rob't H Pruyn. . .
10-00
Hammond King &
J. D. Fisher
5'00
Barnes
5'00
Cash (W. M.)
10-00
James C. Pennie . .
John T Crew. . . .
10-00
10-00
Wm. Headlam
J 0. Sayles
10-00
lO'OO
G M Bleecker. . .
10-00
G. Davidson
10-00
Cash (A. W. J.).
L Bew
10-00
1000
Jno. S. Daley. . . .
Wm Hunt
10-00
10-00
J. H Hays
10-00
Charles S. Benton
10-00
Wm. A. Rice
10-00
Cyrus Edson
10-00
W. G. Dey Ermand
John G. White . . .
10-00
10-00
Andrew White . . .
J. G. Curtis
10-00
10-00
Ira Porter
5-00
Wm.Kerr(2dsub.)
10-00
Jacob Henry
10-00
John Groesbeck . .
10-00
Cash (Ransom) . . .
10-00
Cash
10-00
Justus F Taylor
10 00
5'00
Richard Godley. . .
S. H. Johnson. . . .
10-00
10-00
E. Evertson
James Denniston .
5-00
5'00
Trinity Church.
259
Mrs. Johnson
$5-00
5'00
5-00
2-50
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5'00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5'00
5-00
5-00
10*00
5'00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5*00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
3-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5'00
Henry Safford ....
John D. Kimmey. .
A. Ransom
$500
5-00
5'00
5-00
5-00
5'00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
1000
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
5-00
500
5-00
5-00
500
5-00
3-00
3-00
3-00
3-00
2-00
2-00
2-00
2-00
2'00
2-00
2-00
2-00
2'00
Joel A. Wing
Dr. P. V. Buren..
J. Calverley
Hugh Stevenson . .
Wm. Livingston. .
Cash (Hill)
Geo. Wait
M. E. Viele
Adam Todd
James Crawford . .
Clement Warren . .
J. H. Shear
Aaron Hawley . . .
Jno. F. Steele
Sam'l N. Payn . . .
A. V.Allen
Geo. Harris
R. Humphrey ....
Humphrey Clark .
S. F. Shepard
Cash (Kennedy). .
David McCulloch.
A. H. Green
Henrv Green
David Fenner
S. McCoy
R. L. G Bancroft.
Hiram Munsell . . .
Wm. Mitchell
Dr. VanOLinda..
Mr. Shultz
Samuel Moffit
H. H. Hickcox...
Wm. Janes ....
Cash
Cash (Burton)...
Jno. R. Vernam . .
James Schuyler. . .
Luther Wheeler. .
J. G. Cotrell
J. V. Van Valken-
burgh . .
H. B. Benjamin. . .
M. H. Bridge
Wm. Frothingham
D. Newland . . .
C. W. Goddard...
Mr. Finch
Nelson Hascy . . .
H. D. Hawkins. . .
Jacob Ten Eyck. .
H. J. Hastings. . . .
John A. Sickles . . .
J. H. Prentice
N. Hussy
Chris'r Morgan. . .
J. A. Chapman. . .
Henry Mix
H. R. Wheeler. . .
Peter Colbern
Cash (Fryer)
G. H. Charles....
Cash (Rawls)
D. S. Davis
H. W. Meade ....
Wm. M. Clelland.
Lewis Rathbone . .
Charles C. Miles . .
R. W. Harvey
J M Harvey
Geo. Patterson. . .
Cash (Thomas)...
Cash (Crawford)..
Wm Abell
Lewis Sevmour. .
C. P. Easton. .
260
A. A. Rankin ....
Cash(H. V. A.)..
Veder & Bates
Mr. Richardson . . .
H. Dickson
G. V. S. Sanders.
John H. Anderson
Wm. Sweney
Cash
S Easterly
Trinity Church.
$200
2-00
2-00
2*00
2-00
2*00
I'OO
1-00
1-00
1-00
R. M. V. Sickler,
D. J. Hewson. .
Mrs. Henry.
R.J. Patten
F. A. Fargo
Cash ,
Cash
Cash
W. Carter
Cash ,
$roo
i-oo
TOO
TOO
TOO
1-00
1-00
I'OO
TOO
1-00
While the above subscriptions were being procured,
chiefly by the solicitation of the rector of the parish, the
committee of which he was chairman, selected as a site
for the proposed church edifice, a plot of ground on the
west side of Broad street, between Lydius and Westerlo
streets, and on the 29th of March, the Rev. Mr. Selkirk,
as chairman of the committee for selecting a site, reported
to the vestry that said lot in Broad street had been se-
lected, and that it was owned by Messrs. A. Mclntyre
and Henry Yates, and valued at $1,250 per 26 feet front,
which report was accepted, and the committee continued,
and also the subscription committee, and ordered to pro-
ceed with the business committed to them. And on the
22d of July, the committee to select a site reported to the
vestry by their chairman, that they had selected three lots
on the west side of Broad street, south of Lydius, said
lots being 26 feet front by about 100 feet deep, valued at
$3,750, on condition of paying $2,200 in cash, and the
balance to be a subscription to the church, and the re-
port was accepted. Mr. P. Van Benthuysen then resigned
his place on the committee, which was accepted, and Mr.
T. P. Waters was chosen by the vestry to fill his place.
The vestry then empowered the committee to contract
for said lots on the best terms they could, on behalf of
the vestry, and were also authorized to sell the church
edifice in Herkimer street. Agreeably to the foregoing
instruction, the committee again reported to the vestry
on the 23d of July, "That they had offered Messrs. Yates
and Mclntyre the sum of $2,200 in cash, and $700 in
Trinity Church. 261
church property, consisting of pews in the church when
built, for a plot of ground as before designated, to be 100
feet front and about 100 feet deep, and estimated at
$4,600. Of the amount, $2,400 should be considered as
a subscription to the church, $700 of which amount they
might receive back in pews, on the same condition as
other subscribers, and the- balance to be a gift, which
terms were accepted by the owners of the land, which
report was accepted ; and on the 29th of July, the Rector,
as chairman of the committee authorized to purchase said
lots, reported to the vestry that the committee had en-
tered into contract with Messrs. Yates and Mclntyre, as
before reported, which contract w T as ordered recorded
upon the minutes, and the committee were, upon motion ,
discharged. It was then moved that a committee of five
be appointed to take charge of the erection of the new
church, when Messrs. S. F. Phelps, John Ten Eyck,
Richard Parr, T. P. Waters and J. M. Bullock, were" ap-
pointed such committee. On motion, the Rector and Mr.
R. H. Northrop was added to said committee, and said
committee were also chosen as a finance committee to
take charge of the collection of all moneys, &c.
The committee thus appointed took the matter in
charge, and during the remainder of the summer, took
the necessary preparatory steps for carrying out the
wishes of the congregation, expressed by the vestry.
Their first step was to appoint a sub-committee, com-
posed of the Rector, Rev. Mr. Selkirk, Messrs. R. H.
Northrop and T. P. Waters, to act in behalf of the com-
mittee, to select the style of architecture, employ an
architect, and to receive proposals for building, &c., which
duties they discharged during the fall and winter of 1847
and 1848. When, on March the 13th, 1848, contracts,
&c., having been entered into for the erection of the pro-
posed church edifice, the rector, wardens and vestry-
men, together with other members of the congregation,
and friends, assembled on the site to commence the work
of erecting a temple to the glory of God, and to invoke
bis gracious aid and protection. Being thus assembled,
the rector, the Rev. Edward Selkirk, taking a pickaxe
262 Trinity Church.
and shovel, said " In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I do now commence the
work of erecting a* church to be consecrated to the ser-
vice and glory of Almighty God," when striking three
blows into the earth with the pickaxe, and removing some
of it with the shovel, the work was commenced. The
wardens, Messrs. R. H. Northrop and S. F. Phelps, and
the vestrymen, Messrs. Richard Parr, T. P. Waters and
J. M. Bullock, and others, taking the shovel removed each
a portion of the earth.
The work being thus auspiciously begun, the mason,
Henry Knight, proceeded forthwith, 1848, to prepare and
lay the foundation, when, the 21st of April, 1848 ; the
building committee, through their chairman, Mr. R. H.
Northrop presented to the vestry the following report,
which was ordered to be recorded on the minutes :
" To the Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity
Church, in the city of Albany :
" The committee appointed by you to take charge of
the erection of a new church edifice for our parish, respect-
fully report: That on the 2d,day of August, 1847, your
committee appointed Messrs. Northrop, Waters, and Sel-
kirk a sub-committee to visit the new churches in New-
York city and vicinity, and empowered them to decide
upon the style of architecture for the new church, and to
employ an architect to draw up the plans and specifica-
tions. That the sub-committee, on the 3d day of August,
1837, went to New- York, and after visiting and examin-
ing the new churches of that city and Brooklyn, decided
upon the Gothic style, as the most preferable for our new
building, and employed Mr. James Renwick, Jr., an archi-
tect of much skill and experience, to draw plans and
specifications, and to superintend the erection of the
building, for which they agreed to pay Mr. Renwick the
sum of $150, and his expenses, when required to come
up to Albany to take charge of the building, if required
to come more than four times. Your committee think he
will not have to come more than four or five times, as
the plans and specifications are very full and plain.
Trinity Church. 263
Your committee have directed all moneys raised toward
the building of the new church, to be paid into the Com-
mercial Bank of Albany, to be drawn out on the checks
of the treasurer, certified by the chairman of the build-
ing committee.
That the total amount of subscriptions for the new
church and site, up to this time, including land, the value
of our present church edifice, and Trinity Church dona-
tion, and the masons' subscription, is $13,800, of which
$3,262*75 has been collected, including the land subscrip-
tion.
That proposals from carpenters and masons in this
city for building the new edifice having been invited by
your committee, a number were sent in, the lowest of
which for the mason work, was that of Mr. Henry Knight,
who agreed to do the mason work, excavate the ground,
and furnish all the materials except the cut stone, for the
sum of $4,700, and take $1,000 of that amount in pews
when the church is done, allowing the parish the first
right of buying them back at the price paid by Mr. Knight.
Your committee accepted Mr. Knight's proposition, and
have entered into a contract with him accordingly. The
highest estimate for the mason work was $5,900.
The estimates for the carpenter's work by the Albany
mechanics were so far above what your committee were
led to believe it would cost, that they invited proposals
from New- York city. The lowest proposals sent in by
Albany mechanics, was $6,800. Your committee received
proposals from Messrs. John Johnston and Edward Giraty,
of New- York, to do all the carpenter's work and painting,
and furnish all the material, including all the glass but
stained glass, for $4,700, if the pews were made of pine,
and $4,800 if the pews c., were made of black walnut.
The last proposal was accepted at $4,800, and a contract
entered into with these gentlemen to do the carpenter
work, making the pews, &c., of black walnut.
Mr. Knight has commenced the mason work of the new
church, has excavated the ground, and has the foundation
nearly completed according to the architect's plan. The
old church has been advertised for sale, but no advantge-
264 Trinity Church.
ous offers have as yet been made for it. The new build-
ing is to be completed by the first of November next.
Your committee at the last meeting deemed it advisable
to appoint a time for laying the corner stone of the new
church, and to have suitable arrangements made in season*
for having public religious exercises on the occasion, and
have therefore appointed the 10th day of May next for the
laying of such corner stone, &c., and have appointed the
Rector, Wardens, and Vestry the committee of arrange-
ments.
In conclusion, your committee would say they think
the whole expense of erecting and entirely finishing the
new church, will be $15,000, from which amount the ex-
pense will not much vary, one way or the other. This
will leave $1,382 yet to be raised to free the parish from
debt, when the work is done, if we realize the value of
the old church.
The cut stone necessary for the building, which the
mason is not required to furnish, will cost $682, for which
sum Mr. Wm. Gray has agreed with your committee to
furnish the same. The stained glass is all that remains
to be provided to complete the church, and that can be
obtained for $250. All of which is respectfully submitted.
Dated Albany, April 19, 1848.
R. H. NORTHROP, 1
JOHN M. BULLOCK, |
JOHN TEN EYCK, [ Committee.
RICHARD PARR,
EDWARD SELKIRK, J
Thus it will be seen how much had been done for
the erection of the new church up to the close of the
ecclesiastical year in 1848.
On Easter Tuesday, April 25, 1848, the day for the
annual election of officers, Messrs. R. H. Northrop, and
Granville Slack were elected Wardens ; and Messrs. T. P.
Waters, T. D. James, R. Parr, P. Van Benthuysen, John
Ten Eyck, John M. Bullock, John Wright, and S. F.
Phelps. Vestrymen ; and at a meeting of the Vestry on
the 27th of April, 1848, Messrs. S. F. Phelps, T. P. Wa-
TRINITY CHURCH
BSOAD STREET, ALBANY.
Trinity Church. 265
ters, R. H. Northrop, T. D. James, Granville Slack, John
Ten Eyck, and the Rector of the parish, were appointed a
building committee, to act in behalf of the vestry, in
carrying forward the erection of the edifice already in
process of building.
On Wednesday, the 10th day of May, 1848, being the
day recommended by the former building committee for
the service of laying the corner stone, it was found that
proper arrangements had not been completed, and hence
it was postponed, and at a meeting of the board of vestry,
on the 15th inst., it was proposed that the services should
be held on Thursday, the 18th day of May, 1848. That
the secretary of the board send written invitations to the
Episcopal clergymen of the city and vicinity, and put
notices in the city papers inviting the public to attend ;
which, having been done, a congregation assembled at the
church, corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets, on the
18th day of May, at 3 o'clock P. M., when evening prayer
was said by the Rev. Dr. Kip, rector of St. Paul's Church,
Albany, and the Rev. Mr. Spooner, of Grace Church,
Albany, read the lessons. Services being ended, all the
clergy present, some ten in number, robed in their surplices,
formed in procession, preceded by the wardens and ves-
trymen of the parish, and of the other parishes, and fol-
lowed by the parishioners and citizens, walked.to the site,
where the procession, opening to the right and left, the
clergy passed through and ascended a platform upon the
foundation walls, reading responsively the 122d psalm.
And approaching the north east corner of the foundation,
other services were conducted by the rector, agreeably to
the forms for such service, set forth by the bishop of the
diocese in the year 1836. The corner stone was laid in
the buttress at the north east corner of the church, by
the rector, the Rev. Edward Selkirk, in which was placed
a leaden box containing a copy of the Holy Bible, a Book
of Common Prayer, Journals of the last General and
Diocesan Conventions, a historical sketch of Trinity
Church in the city of Albany, a copy of the last Albany
Directory, a map of the city, and the newspapers of the
city, of the latest dates. The choir then chaunted tha
23
266 Trinity Church.
appointed selections from various of the psalms of David,
to the great delight of the audience. The Rev. Dr. Potter,
rector of St. Peter's Church, Albany, said the prayer
which followed, when the address was pronounced by the
rector of the parish, and the services concluded by the
Rev. Dr. Potter offering the closing prayers, and pro-
nouncing the benediction.
The work thus auspiciously commenced, was not to be
completed without some perplexities and hindrances ; Mr.
Knight, the mason, having failed to construct the window
jambs agreeably to the plans, and refusing to alter the same,
the architect, Mr. Renwick, served a notice upon the war-
dens, and vestrymen to that effect, and declared the contract
abandoned and forfeited by Mr. Knight in consequence
thereof, which notice was served upon Mr. Knight. This
proceeding necessarily caused delay in the work, and on
the 27th of July, 1848, in vestry meeting, the building
committee were directed by the vestry to " go on and ob-
tain proposals for completing the mason work of the new
church," and the chairman of the building committee was
also directed by the vestry, to " forbid Mr. Knight from
interfering any further with the mason work."
After much delay, it was announced to the board of
vestry, on the 17th of August, 1848, by Mr. Northrop, a
member of the board, that he had had several interviews
with Mr. Knight, the mason. That Mr. Knight had been
to New York to see the architect, Mr. Renwick, who had
consented that if Mr. Knight would make the required
alterations, and enter into a new contract to complete the
work, he would agree thereto, and that Mr. Knight was
ready to comply with the requirements of the architect.
Mr. Northorp then moved " That the rector have and he
hereby has authority to execute a new contract with
Henry Knight, mason, to complete the mason work of
Trinity Church according to the plans and specifications
of Mr. Renwick, the architect, upon the following terms."
The terms were that certain alterations should be made,
and certain remaining work to be done for the sum of
$3,800, equal to the balance which would have been his
due under the former contract. Such new contract was
Trinity Church. 267
accordingly entered into, and the work once more put in
progress. Scarcely, however, had the work been begun,
when in the mysterious providence of God, some thirty
acres of the south eastern portion of the city, (which was
densely built,) was by one vast conflagration left in a few
hours one mass of smouldering ruins. This event, so
unexpected, necessarily embarrassed all financial opera-
tions in the city. The building committee of Trinity
Church being dependent on the collection of many small
subscriptions made by individual citizens, to meet the
contracts they had entered into, at first were lead to fear
that they would be compelled to abandon the work in
hand, at least for the time being. They were encouraged
patiently to pursue the work, and wait the direction of an
overruling Providence that doeth all things well. By the
consent of the board of vestry, their rector, without de-
lay went to New York city and laid the condition of his
congregation, and the work they had in hand, before the
Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, in that
city, asking them to afford the necessary relief, by adding
$1,500 to the sum of $3,500, which they had previously
pledged to his congregation, when they should have done
in good faith a specified amount, towards the erection of
their church edifice. That board readily perceiving the
inability of the congregation to proceed further in their
work without not only prompt, but increased aid, with
their accustomed generosity, responded promptly and
nobly to the appeal, and at once pledged to the parish of
Trinity Church, Albany, the munificent sum of $5,000,
payable at their pleasure, with a grant of $350 a year as
the interest upon said $5000, until such time as they
should see fit to pay the same, which should be after the
expiration of ten years. A bond from Trinity Church,
New York, to the above effect, backed up by a mortgage
on the lot and church then in process of building, enabled
the building committee to realize the sum of $5,000, which
enabled them to carry forward the work they had in hand.
Shortly after, the church edifice then occupied by the
congregation, which had not been consecrated, was sold
to a corporate body, by the name of the Mutual Benefit
268 Trinity Church.
Association of the city of Albany, for the sum of $800,
including most of the fixtures, except the organ, which
was removed to the new church. Consequently, the last
service held by the congregation of Trinity Church in
their edifice, corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets,
was on the feast of Christmas, 1848.
Owing to the delay in the mason work of the new
building, already mentioned, the work was not completed
at the time appointed, and winter setting in before it was
completed ; it was at length agreed to abandon the work
until the following spring, as the building was in such a
state that it could be occupied for service. Consequently,
the ladies of the congregation, ever ready and active in
good works, at this time lent a helping hand, by raising
money to purchase carpets, which being put down, and
the church made comfortable, the doors were opened on
the morning of the 21st day of January, 1849, it being
the third Sunday after Epiphany, for divine worship.
Being provided with a permanent place of worship, the
congregation as it were became fairly established, al-
though the church was not yet fully completed, yet they
continued to worship in it until the following April, when
services were suspended, and the mason, Mr. Knight,
set about completing his part of the contract, which was
done, and formally accepted by the architect, in June
following. The carpenter's work was also finished and
accepted at the same time, when both the contractors
were paid in full on their contracts; the carpenter on
the 14th of June, 1851, and the mason on the 21st of the
same month.
To meet these last payments, and to free the corpora-
tion from all liability on account of the contracts for the
erection of the church, Messrs. Wm. H. Williams, L. L.
Derby, R. H. Northrop and John Wright, gave their note
as individuals, which was endorsed by Robert Whitlock
and others, for the sum of $1,200, upon which the money
was obtained of Marcus T. Reynolds, and paid into the
treasury of the church, which together with various
amounts previously subscribed and then due, was deemed
amply sufficient to pay all the indebtedness incurred by
Trinity Church. 26$
the building committee for the erection of their new
church edifice.
The corporation being thus freed from debt for the
erection of their church, the Right Rev. Bishop Whit-
tingham, Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, then per-
forming episcopal duties in the diocese of New York, by
request of the standing committee of the diocese of New
York, was invited to act as consecrator of the church to
the service of Almighty God.
Accordingly, due notice having been given, Bishop
Whittingham arrived in town on the 9th day of Sept.,
1849, and on the following day, it being the day appointed
for the service of consecration, met with the clergy of the
city and vicinity, at the house of Mr. Albert Gallup, No.
84 Westerlo street, where after robing, the bishop and
clergy proceeded to the church , where a large audience
had assembled to engage in the usual service of morning
prayer, and of consecration. When the bishop and seve-
ral of the clergy in attendance had entered the chancel,
the bishop, sitting in his chair, received from Richard H.
Northrop, Esq., then senior warden of the congregation,
the following deed of donation :
"We, the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of
Trinity Church in the city of Albany, having by the good
providence of Almighty God, erected on the west side of
Broad street, between Lydius and Westerlo streets in said
city, a house of public worship, do hereby appropriate
and devote the same to the worship and service of Almighty
God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, according
to the provisions of that branch of the church of Christ
known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America, in its ministry, doctrines, liturgy,
rites and usages, and by a congregation in communion
with the said church, and in union with the convention
thereof in the diocese of New York.
"And we do also request the Right Reverend William
Rolinson Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland, now adminis-
tering the episcopal functions in the diocese of New York at
the request of the standing committee of the said diocese,
to receive the said building in behalf of the Bishop of the
270 Trinity Church.
Diocese of New York, under tue splitur.! jurisdiction of
the said Bishop, and that of his successors" in office, and
to consecrate the same by the name of Trinity Church,
and thereby to separate it from all unhallowed, worldly,
common uses, and solemnly dedicate it to the holy pur-
poses above mentioned.
"And we do, moreover, hereby relinquish all claim to
any right of disposing of the said building, or allowing the
use of it in any way inconsistent with the terms and true
meaning of this instrument of donation, and with the con-
secration hereby requested.
"In testimony whereof, we, the said rector, church
wardens and vestrymen, have caused this instrument of
donation to be prepared, and have attached unto the same
our corporate seal, and signed the same, attested also by
our respective signatures and seals, this tenth day of Sep-
tember, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun-
dred and forty-nine "
EDWARD SELKIRK, JOHN CLEMESHIRE,
Rector. [L. s.] KELLY ATTWOOD,
R. H. NORTHROP,. JAMES JENKINSON,
JOHN WRIGHT, L. L. DERBY,
Wardens. [L. s.] WM. H. WILLIAMS,
T. P. WATERS, DR. WM. B. STANTON,
JAMES T. FOSTER, Vestrymen. [L. s.]
CHURCH SEAL.
The above deed having been received by the bishop, he
then proceeded to say the prayers set apart for such ser-
vice, which being said, the following sentence of conse-
cration was read by the Rev. R. B. Van Kleeck, rector of
St. Paul's Church, Troy, by appointment of the bishop.
' ' In the name of the holy, blessed and undivided trinity,
God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, amen. Whereas,
the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of Trinity
Church in the city of Albany, have, by an instrument
this day presented to me, appropriated and devoted a
house of public worship erected by them on the west side
of Broad street, between Lydius and Westerlo streets, in
the said city of Albany, to the worship and service of
Trinity Church. 271
Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, accord-
ing to the provisions of the Catholic Church of Christ,
known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United
States of America, in its ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites
and usages, and by a congregation in communion with said
church, and in union with the convention thereof in the
diocese of New York.
" And whereas, the same rector, church wardens and
vestrymen, have, by the same instrument, requested me
to receive the said building in behalf of the said Bishop
of the Diocese of New York, under the spiritual jurisdic-
tion of the said bishop, and that of his successors in office,
and to consecrate the same by the name of Trinity
Church, and thereby separate it from all unhallowed,
worldly and common uses, and solemnly dedicate it to
the holy purposes above mentioned.
" Now, therefore, know all men by these presents, that
I, William Rolinson Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland,
and now administering episcopal functions in the diocese
of New York at the request of the standing committee of
the said diocese, acting under the protection of Almighty
God, and in His faith and fear, have, on this tenth day of
September, being the Monday after the fourteenth Sunday
after trinity, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and forty-nine, in behalf of the Bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New York,
and of his successors in office, accepted and do accept the
above mentioned house of worship, and take the same
under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Bishop of New York
aforesaid, and that of his successors in office, and in pre-
sence of divers of the clergy, and a public congregation
therein assembled, and according to the godly usage of
the Catholic Church of Christ, and the form prescribed
by the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United
States of America, have consecrated the same by the
name of Trinity Church,
" And I do hereby pronounce and declare that the said
Trinity Church, in the city of Albany, is consecrated ac*
cordingly, and thereby separated henceforth from all un*
hallowed, worldly and common uses, and dedicated to the
272 Trinity Church.
worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost, for reading and preaching His
holy word, for celebrating His holy sacraments, for offer-
ing to His glorious majesty the sacrifice of prayer, praise
and thanksgiving, for blessing His people in His name,
and for the performance of all other holy offices, and the
administration of all holy ordinances, agreeable to 'His
will made known in the terms of the covenant of grace,
and of salvation in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
according to the usages of His Holy Catholic and Apos-
tolic Church, and the provisions of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in these United States of America, in its
ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites and usages.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my episco-
pal seal and signature, in the day and year above written,
and in the ninth year of my consecration."
WILLIAM ROLINSON WHITTINGHAM,
S^~~~I^\ Bishop of Maryland, administering episco-
C sa. 1 pal functions in the Diocese of New York t
^-- ^ at the request of the standing committee.
Thus was the church edifice consecrated to the wor-
ship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, and the congregation of Trinity
Church (the third congregation organized in the city of
Albany agreeably to the usages and worship of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church in the United States of America)
in possession of a permanent church edifice, set apart for
religious worship and service, at the expiration of ten years
and five days from incorporation, and numbering at the
time about three hundred souls attending on the services,
and from 60 to 70 communicants,
(273)
TAKING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
Albany City Records, Vol. IV, 362.
1699.
Albany the 4th day of January.* The Mayor, Hendrik
Hanse Esq., Jan Janse Bleeker, Rekorder, together with
Jan Vinnagen and Albert Rykman, Aldermen, did meet at
y 6 Citty Hall, where all y 6 Inhabitants of this Citty were
appointed to appear and take y e oaths and sign y e test and
association, who accordingly came, y e Oath being admin-
istered to them by Robert Livingston Esq., one of his Ma-
jesties Councill of this Province. The Oaths which each
respective person took, and y e Test and Association which
each respective person signed are as follows :
The Oath.
I, A B, do hereby Promise and Swear y 1 1 will be faith-
full and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King William,
so help me God.
I, A B, do swear that I do from my heart abhor, detest
and abjure as Impious and Heretical!, y l damnable Doctrine
and Position, y 1 Princes Excommunicated or Deprived by
y 6 Pope or any authority of y 6 See of Rome, may be de-
posed or murthered by their subjects or any other what-
soever.
And I doe declare y 1 no foreign Prince, Person, Prelate,
State or Potentate, hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction,
Power, Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesias-
ticale or Spirituall within this Realm. So help me God.
The Test.
We underwritten do solemnly and sincerely, in y e pre-
sence of God, profess and declare y 1 wee doe believe y 1 in
y 6 Sacrament of y e Lord's Supper there is not any transub-
stantiation of y e Elements of Bread and Wine into y e body
* See ante, p. 47.
274 The Oath of Allegiance.
and blood of Christ, or after y e Consecration thereof by
any person whatsoever, and y 1 y e Invocation or Adoration
of y e Virgin Mary and y e Sacrifice of y e Mass, as they are
now used in y e Church of Rome, are Superstitious and
Idolatrous, and we do Solemnly in y e presence of God,
Profess, Testify and Declare, y l we do make this declara-
tion and every part thereof in y 6 plain and ordinary Sense
of y e words now read unto us as they are commonly un-
derstood by English Prodistants without any Evasion,
Equivocation or Mentall Reservation whatsoever, and with-
out any Dispensation already granted for y rt purpose by
y 6 Pope or any other authority or person whatsoever, or
without any hope of any such Dispensation from any per-
son or authority whatsoever, or without thinking y l we
are or can be acquitted before God or Man, or absolved of
this Declaration or any part thereof, although y e Pope or
any other person or persons or power whatsoever should
dispense with or annull y e same, or declare that it was
null and void from y 6 beginning.
The Association.
, Whereas there has been a horrid and detestable con-
spiracy formed and carried on by Papists and other wicked
and trayterous persons for Assassinating his Majesties
Royal Person in order to Incourage an Invasion from
ffrance to Subvert our Religion, Laws and Liberties, we
whose names are underwritten do heartily, sincerely and
solemnly profess., testify and declare y l his present Majesty
King William is rightful and lawful king of these Realms,
and we do mutually promise and engage to stand by and
assist each other to y e utmost of our power in y e Support
and Defence of his Majesties most sacred person and go-
vernment against y e late King James y 6 pretended Prince
of Wales and all theire adherents, and in case his Majesty
come to any violent or untimely death (which God forbidd)
we do hereby freely and unanimously oblige ourselves to
unite, associate and stand by each other in Revenging y e
same upon his enemies and all their adherents, and in y e
supporting and defending y 6 succession of y e Crown ac-
cording to an act made in y e first year of y e Reign of King
The Oath of Allegiance.
275
William and Queen Mary, intituled an act declaring y c
Rights and Liberties of y e Subject, and settling y e succes-
sion of y e Crown.
Hend. Hanse, mayor Abram Provost
Jan Janse Bleeker, recorder Wouter Albertsen
Job. Schuyler, alderman Abraham Staets
Hend. Rensselaer, alderm'n
Albert Ryckman, alderman
Jan Vinhagen, alderman
Joh. Cuyler, alderman
Wessel ten Broek, ald'n
Evert Wendell, assistant
Jacobes Turck, assistant
Joh, Bleeker, assistant
Joh. Mingaell, assistant
Hend. Oothoudt, assistant
Barendt Bradt
Cornells van Schurleuyn
Hend. van Dyck
Dirck Vanderheyden
Pr Schuyler
Rob 1 Livingston
Dirck Wessels Junior
Joh. Groenendyck, sheriff
G. Dellius V. D. M.
Gerritt van Ness
Joh. Livingston, D. C.
James Parker
Basteyaen Harmence
Volckert van Hoese
Johannes Luykasse
Johannes Claese
Joh. Becker
Rener Myndersse
Rutt Melgertse
Joh. Hanse
Lendert Philipse
Harmanus Wendell
Jan van Streyen
John Gilbert
Gerrit Rycksen
Johannes Pruyn
Abraham van Deusen
Samel ten Broek
Lieve Winne
Claes Vondae
Joh. Vinhagen
Philip Schuyler
Jan Cornelise Vyselaer
Jan Lansingh
Andries Nach
Evert Wendell
Geysebert Marcelles
Jan Jansz Goes
Jan van Ness
Jacob Staets
Nanning Harmense
Barent ten Eyck
Thomas Millenton
Johannes Appell
Anthony Bries
David Schuyler
Robert Livingston Jun.
Abraham Lansingh
Elbert Gerritse
Joseph Jansen
Jacob Gerretsen
Gerret Luychessen
Hend. Lansingh
Mattyes Nack
William Ketellen
Johannes Teller
Wouter Quackenbos
Jan Nack
276
The Oath of Allegiance.
Harmen Gansevoort
Warner Karstense
Jan Radcliffe
Philip Wendell
William von Alen
Nicholaes Bleeker
Thomas Winne
Scheboledt Bogardus
Reyer Gerritse
Harmen Ryckman
Jonathan Breadust
Jacob Lansingh
Evert Wendell Jun.
Jelles van Voiste
Albert Ryckman Jun.
Cornelis Schermerhorn
Thomas Harmensse
Daniel Bratt
Arie Oothout
Wouter vander Zee
Dirk Jansez Goes
Cornelis van Ness
Geurt Hendrikse
Claes Luykasse
Cornelis Willemse
Richard Bignell
Peter Mingael
Abraham Kip
George Ingoldesby
William Jacobse
Benony van Corlaer
Thomas Williams
William Hogen
Anthony Bratt
Hend. Roseboom
Claes Ripsen van Dam
Abraham Verplanck
Naes Cornelissen
Daniel Keteluyn
Tackell Dircks
Haerpert Jacobse
Willem Holle
John Caer
Jan Gerritsen
Dirck Tackelsen
Jacob Lansing
Joh.-Myndertse
Stevannes Groesbeek
Pieter Bogardus
Willem Groesbeek
Isack Kasperse
France Winne
Antony Coster
Hend. Lansingh Jun.
Joh. Quackenbos
Hend. ten Eyck
Pieter van Wogelen
Melgert van der Poel Jun.
Dirck Bratt
Abr. Janse Ayesteyn
Koenraet Hooghteeling
Roeloff Gerritse *
William van Ness
David Keteleyn
Frederik Harmense
Wynant Willemse
Elbert Harmense
Anthony van Schayeck
Evert Banker
Joh. Roseboom
Gerrit Roseboom
Isaac ver Planck
Johannes Beekman
Melgert van der Poel
Philip de Foreest
Hend. Roseboom
John Cideney
Gerrit Lansingh
Andries Douw
Abraham Cuyler
The Oath of Allegiance.
277
Goose Van Schayck
John Fyne
Job. Jacobsen Gleen
Tennis Dirckse
Jacobus Luykase
Jacob Lockermans
Claes Jacobse
Caspar van Hoesen
Poules Martense
Frederick Mindertse
Jacob Bogardt
Thomas Wendell
Luyckas Luyckasse
Jan Salomoensse
Gideon Schaats
Harm en Thomasen
Asweres Marselles
Jacobus van Vorst
Joh. Oothoudt
Jurian Franse Claw
Ph. Lenderts Conyn
Eghbert Teunise
Johannes Bratt
William Gysbertse
Myndert Rooseboom
Jan Rosie
These are those of y 6 Citty y l have signed y e Test and
Association. Now follows those of Shennechtady.
The Inhabitants of Shinnechtady y l have taken y e Oaths
and signed y 45 Test and Association on y e 1 1th of January
1699, are as follows:
Daniael Jansen
Claes van Petten
Jan Luycasse
Marten van Slyck
Peter van Olinda
Gerrit Symonsse
Wouydter Vroman
Gysbert Gerritse
Victoer Potman
Claes Fransen
Jacob van Olinda
Johannes Symonsen
Arent Vedder
Korsett Vedder
Thomas Smith
Benjamin Robberts
Claes Janse Boekhove
Jan Wimp
Jesse Klaesse
Manes Vedder
William Hall
24
Marte van Benthuysen
Jan Vroman
Jan Danialsse
Barendt Wemp
Symon Vrooman
Harmen van Slyck
Arendt Pootman
Symon Groot
Corneles van Slyck
Tjerk Harmensey
Albert Vedder
Jacobes Peeck
Phillip Philipsen
Daniel Mashereft
Douwe Ouckes
Cornelles Swetts
Barent Vroman
Reyer Schermerhoorn, justice-
Isaack Swits
Gerritt Gysbertse
278 The Oath of Allegiance.
Jacob van Dyck John Senk
Symon Danielsse Jan Mebie
Johannes Sanderse Glen, Syas Wardt
Justice of y 6 Peace Dirck Grodte
Cornelles Slingerlaodt Gosse van Vort
Symon Grodte Jun. Simon Switts
Daniel van Olinde Dirck Miller
Johannes Vedder . Claes France
Jan Flipsen Phillip Grootte
Jeremias Lickton Arendt Vedder
Dirck Bratt Hendrik Brouwer
Peter Symonse Johannes Peeck
Hendrick Vroman Louewis Viele
Adam Vroman Volcher Symonse
Jochem Valkenburg Jonitan Stevens
The names of those y l have taken y 6 Oath and signed y e
Test and Association living in y e Mannor of Rensselaers-
wyk, Kinderhoek, Coxhackky, Catskill, and places adja-
cent to y 6 southward of Albany, as far as y e County ex-
tends, are viz:
Cornellis Gerritse Pieter van Alen [burgh
Volkert Gerrittse Bartholomeus van Volken-
Cornellis Tymesen Stefannis van Alen
Evert de Bidder Koenradt Bogardt
Harme Janse Gysbert Scherp
Jellis Fonda Adam Dinghman
I. K. Backer Gherrit Jacobse
Jan Hanse Jacob Dinghmans
Jacob Schermerhoorn Burger Huyck
Daniel Winne Johannis Huyck
Eldert Ouderkerk Andries Gardenier
Marten Cornelise Dirck van der Kar
Albert Slingerlant Johannes van Alen
Joh. Ouderkerck And. Coeymans
Hend. van Ness Marte Cornelise
Jan Fonda Pieter P. Coeman
Joh. van Vechten Dirck Teunisse
Claes Gerritse Barent Koeman
Cornells Cristiaense Isack Ouderkerck
The Oath of Allegiance.
279
Job. Cristiaense
Lambert Janese
Hendrick Beekman
Jan van Ness
Edward Wieler
Lawrense van Ale
Andries Scherp
Dommincus van Schaick
Johannes van Hoesen
Manewel van Sahaick
Evert van Alen
Cornellis van Schaick
Luykas van Alen
Isack Vosburgh
Pieter Martense
Samuel Gardinier
Lambert Huyck
Louries Scherp
Johanes Volkenburgh
Jan Martense
Jacob Basteyansse
Frans Pietersen
Marte Jacobse
Gerrit Teunise
Samuel Koeman
Luycas Janse
Tomas Janse
Andris Davydse
Dow Funda
Tunis van Sleyck
Maes van Franke
Evert van Ness
Jonatan Janse
Eldert Cornelise
Teunis Cornelus
Volckert Douw
Arent Slingerlant
Pieter Vosburgh
Casper Conyn
Cornelis Martensse
Melgert Abrahamse
Wouter Quackenboss
Isaac Janse van Alstyen
Jacob van Hoesse
Jan van Hoessen
Franck Hardiok
Juriaen van Hoesen
Jonas Douw
Matyes Hoghtelingh
Arent van Shaick
Pieter Bronck
Samel Dirckse
Kiliaen van Rensselaer
Abr. Wendell
P. Willemse
Barent Gerritse
Gerrit van Wyen
Abrah Ouderkerk
Cornellis Masen
Cornellis Tunissen
Marte Cornelisse
Gerrit Gisbertse
Solomon Cornelisse
Sam Doesyn
Jacob Tunissen
Jan Tyse Goes
Hendricus Jansen
Jan Hendrissen
Hendricus Lammersen
Jan Hendrickse Solsbergen
Hend. Solsbergen
Hend. Valikenoer
Jan van Hoesen Jun.
Cornellis Stevessen
Jermeyas Milder
Rob 1 Tewissen
Claes Sievers
Jan Lanard
Jan Andrisse
Abr. Dirckse V. Veghten
280 The Oath of Allegiance.
Matys Janse Goes Hend. Dowu
Pieter Hoogeboom Rissert Jansen van den Borke
Andries Huyck Johannes Hooghtellingh
Dirck Teunisse Jan Batyst Demon
Jan Casperse Jyn Bronck
Volckert Andrisse Andris Janse
Lendert Bronck Jacob Janse Gardenier
Job. Dirckse
Wee doe hereby Certify and Declare that the above
Subscribers to the Test being all the Male Inhabitants of
y 6 Citty of Albany from y e age of sixteen years and up-
wards, consisting of one hundred and eighty men have
taken ye Oaths established by act of Parliament, in Eng-
land, instead of y 3 oaths of allegiance and supremacy
which were tendered and administered by us pursuant to
his Excellency the Earl of Bellomont's Proclamation, and
y l they have also signed the Association, none of y e Inha-
bitants refusing y 6 same except two Papists, called Frans
Pruyn a Taylor, and Peter Villeroy a Frenchman, Laborer,
who by reason of their Perswasion could not take y 6 same,
but were willing to take an oath of fidelity to his Majesty
King William, only some few have neglected to appear at
y 6 time prefixed to take y 6 oaths and subscribe y e test and
association, but shall tender and administer y e same
before y 6 time be expired mentioned in y e s d Proclamation.
Whereof we doe by these presents make this our Return
to the Secretary's office at New York, in witness whereof
we have hereunto sett our hands and scales in Albany
this 16 of January, 1699,
.
LIFE AND
OF
STEPHEN VAN KENSSELAEK,
BORN 1764; DIKD 1839.
A Discourse on the Life, Services and Character of Stephen Van-
Rensselaer, delivered before the Albany Institute,
on the 15th April, 1839.
BY DANIEL D. BARNARD.
The Albany Institute, embracing in its objects a wide
field for observation and study, is made up of three
principal departments, each having its president, vice pre-
sident, and other appropriate officers. It was formed ori-
ginally by the union of two societies previously existing
under separate charters. At the organization of the In-
stitute, on the 5th of May, 1824, STEPHEN VAN RENSSE-
LAER, then at Washington as the representative in con-
gress from this district, was unanimously selected to
preside over its deliberations. He filled, at the time, the
presidency of the Albany Lyceum of Natural History,
henceforth to be merged in the Institute ; and there was
every thing in his position and standing, as well as in his
direct connection in many ways with the objects of the
new society, to make the compliment of the selection
deserved and proper; yet it was found that his own re-
gards, with characteristic modesty, had been directed
towards another worthy and eminent citizen, as fittest to
occupy the chair ; and it was only after much hesitation
and reluctance that he communicated to a friend on the
spot, his permission and request to decide the question of
acceptance or refusal for him. It hardly need be added
that the office was promptly accepted in his^behalf. By the
charter of the Institute, this office is made elective annu-
ally ; and every year, since the same agreeable act was
first performed, and with the same unanimity, have the
282 Life and Services of
members of this society offered the same grateful testimo-
nial of their respect and affection for their beloved presi-
dent. Alas ! my friends and fellow-members, that offering
of ours has been made for the last time. We are now
called, in common with the whole country, to mourn his
loss. He departed this life on SATURDAY, the TWENTY-
SIXTH DAY OF JANUARY last. It was at four o'clock in
the afternoon, of a day which had dawned upon him with
as fair a promise of closing on him in life, as any, perhaps
which he had seen for the last two years, that in a small
cabinet of his ample mansion, which his infirmities had
made his chief asylum and sanctuary for many months, sit-
ting in his chair, with just warning enough to convey the
intimation to his own mind that his hour had come,
without enough of previous change seriously to alarm the
fears of anxious, watchful and trembling hearts around
him, the venerable man bowed his head, and died.
In the affecting ceremonies of his funeral, the members
of the Institute had their humble part. It had been re-
solved, in special session, that they would attend the
funeral of their president in a body. This, however, was
not all their duty. It was thought to belong appropriately
to them to gather up the memorials of his life and services,
and cause them to be arranged and presented before the
society in a regu ] ar discourse. It has pleased those whose
charge it was to make the selection, to assign the duty of
preparing and presenting this tribute, to me. They might
have found many to perform the service more acceptably ;
not one, since the time had come when the duty must be dis-
charged by some body, to whom it could have been a more
grateful office.
In entering on the execution of this trust, I should have
been glad, if time had permitted, to have claimed the in-
dulgence of my audience, first of all, to carry them back
to a period in history somewhat remote from the times to
which the distinguished subject of this memoir more im-
mediately belonged. Some of the acts of his individual
career, and the traits of his beautiful character, when we
should reach them in the progress of our narrative, would,
I think, have developed themselves much the more strong-
Stephen Fan Rensselaer. 283
ly for the light which might thus have been thrown on
them from the past. They would have been found, some
of them at least, to have been linked backward, by
unbroken chains, to the times and events of other and
even distant generations. Men's virtues, any more than
their vices , are not all their own. To some extent they are
inheritors of virtues and to some extent they are moulded
by circumstances. They may be trained in schools of
which the masters are dead long and long before, and
of which nothing remains but the transmitted lessons
that were taught without intending to teach them. In
his personal history, Mr. Van Rensselaer was subjected
to the strong influence- of great events events powerfully
affecting property, and rights, and ideas, and character.
He was born the subject of a king, and he was born to a
chartered inheritance, which gave him the right to a con-
siderable share of feudal honors and feudal power ; at
twenty-one, however, he had become, through a forcible
and bloody revolution, a citizen of a free republic, with
only his own share, as such, with all his fellow-citizens,
in the popular sovereignty of the country. He was the
proprietary of a remarkable landed interest remarkable
for any country connecting him and his affairs directly
with an ancestry, and through that ancestry with a people,
in a portion of whose doings and history are bound up
some interesting and valuable materials for the proper
illustration of events and characters in later and even
present times, in this part of our country. As such pro-
prietary, looking to the earlier .periods of his life, he
represented, in his own person, a state of things in regard
to property and its incidents, and the structure of social
and political institutions, which in his own time and in
his own hands, passed away forever not, however, with-
out leaving behind them their strongly-marked and indeli-
ble traces; and, looking at him from the days of his
manhood onward, he was, in his character and in his
relations, a living witness and illustration of some import-
ant contributions which a former age had made to the
present, and by which the features of the latter, as
stamped by a new order of things, were not a little modi-
fied. Undoubtedly we change with the times ; yet no age
284 Life and Services of
can choose but wear, more or less strongly, the lineaments
of its parent age the complexion, even a very great way
off, will show a tinge from the blood that was in the origi-
nal fountain. He, the subject of our present reflections,
stood, in one sense, between the present and the past ;
between two distinct and even opposite orders of things,
and he belonged in a manner to both. His life reached
forward well into the heart of the republican system
and the whole country did not contain a more thorough
republican than he was while his days ran back to a
period when a feudal aristocracy, of which he was himself
a part, had a legalized and legitimate growth in the soil
of this our native land. He was a thorough republican,
in a republican state, and yet he bore to his death, by
common courtesy and consent never claimed but always
conceded the hereditary title which had anciently at-
tached to the inheritance to which he had been born.
The title, as is well known to you, by which he was
usually addressed and spoken of amongst us, was that of
patroon. This title was derived, evidently, from the civil
law, and the institutions of Rome. In the time of the
Roman republic, the Latin pair onus was used to denote a
patrician, who had certain of the people under his imme-
diate protection, and for whose interests he provided by
his authority and influence. At a later period, and after
the power of Rome had been greatly extended by her con-
quests, individuals and families of the noble order, became
patrons of whole cities and provinces, and this protective
authority, with large and extensive legal and political
rights and powers, in some instances descended by inheri-
tance. The family of the Claudii was vested with this
patronage over the Lacedemonians; and that of the Mar-
celli over the Syracusans. It was partly from this source,
it may well be supposed, that the Dutch, who had adopted
the civil law, derived the idea of governing a remote ter-
ritory, not easily to be reached by the central authorities,
by committing it to the ample jurisdiction of a patroon.*
* I have seen the Jus Patronatus of the Roman law expressly re-
ferred to, in an official MS. of the Dutch authorities themselves, as
the foundation of the powers and jurisdiction committed to the patroons
of New Netherlands.
Stephen Van Rensselaer.
This title was not applied in Holland, so far as I know,
to any order in the state there, nor was it employed in,
or by, any other of the countries of Europe. It was not a
title of personal nobility, as that term is understood in
Europe since the time when monarchs assumed the right
of conferring these distinctions by creation or patent. It
belonged exclusively to the proprietors of large estates in
lands, occupied by a Tenantry ; and like the title of
seignior which the French bestowed with the seigniories, or
large territorial estates and jurisdictions in Lower Canada,
on the first colonization of that country, it was deemed
especially proper for transatlantic use. Yet it had been
attached to it, in connection with proprietorship, the usual
incidents and privileges of the old feudal lordships, in direct
imitation of which, both title and estate, with their jurisdic-
tions, were instituted. It maybe added as worth remark-
ing, that in the case before us. this title has run on, and
been regularly transmitted, with the blood of the first pa-
troon, down to our day, though it is now a century and
three quarters since the inheritance ceased to be a Dutch
colony, to which alone the title properly attached, and
became, by royal authority, after a foreign conquest, an
English manorial possession ; and though, in later time, a
revolution has intervened by which the estate was fully
shorn of its manorial character and attributes, leaving to
the proprietor, now for the last fifty years, to hold his
property merely by the same simple tenure and ownership,
with which every freeholder in the country is invested.
Mr. Van Rensselaer was the fifth only in the direct line
of descent from the original proprietor and patroon of the
colony of Rensselaerwick. This personage, the founder
of the colony, was a man of substance and character. He
was a merchant of Amsterdam, in Holland, wealthy, and
of high consideration in his class, at a time when the
merchants of Holland had become, in effect, like those of
Italy, the princes of the land. He was that Killian Van
Rensselaer referred to in our recent histories as having
had a principal share in the first attempts made by the
Dutch towards colonization in America.
I think this occasion would have been held to justify a
286 Life and Services of
more particular reference to the part which this ancestor
of the late Mr. Van Rensselaer had in American coloniza-
tion, and especially at the important point where we are
now assembled ; and that it would not have been out of
place, to have introduced the personal memoirs of the
latter, by a portion at least of that curious and hitherto
neglected history which attaches to the colony and manor
of Rensselaerwick that identical landed estate and in-
heritance, which, nearly in its original integrity, though
stript of its accessories, we have seen held and enjoyed,
in our time, by a lineal descendant of the first proprietor.
But the unavoidable length to which the briefest outline of
that history runs though fully prepared, after the labor
of considerable research has compelled me, reluctantly I
confess, to lay it entirely aside. I must needs content
myself now with some very general facts and observations
in this connection.
Killian Van Rensselaer to whom I just now referred
was a large proprietor, and a director in the Amster-
dam Branch of the Dutch West India Company. This
company was incorporated in 1621, and was composed of
an associate band of merchant- warriors and chiefs, with
a chartered domain and jurisdiction as well for conquests,
as for trade and colonization, extending in Africa from
Cancer to the Cape, and in America from the extreme
south to the frozen regions of the north, and with the
right to visit and to fight in every sea where their own or
a national enemy could be found. Ample powers of go-
vernment also attended them every where. After they
had obtained a footing in this country, a college of nine
commissioners was instituted to take the superior direc-
tion and charge of the affairs of New Netherland. Killian
Van Rensselaer was a member of this college. This was
in 1629. The same year, a liberal charter of privileges
to patroons and others was obtained from the company.
Colonization by the Dutch had its origin and foundation
in this extraordinary instrument. The same instrument
provided also for founding a landed and baronial aristoc-
racy for the provinces of the Dutch in the New World.
Early in the next year, with the design of establishing
Stephen Van Rensselaer. 287
his colony under the charter, Van Rensselaer sent out an
agency, when his first purchase of land was made of the
Indian owners, and sanctioned by the authorities of the
company at New Amsterdam. Other purchasers were
made for him in subsequent years, until 1637, when, his
full complement of territory having been made up nearly
identical with the manor of our day, and forming as sub-
sequently defined, a tract of about twenty-four miles in
breadth by forty-eight in length -Killian Van Rensselaer
himself came to take charge of his colony. Many of his
colonists were already here, and others were sent out to
him all at his own cost. The full complement for his
colony, required by the charter, was one hundred and
fifty adult souls, to be planted within four years from the
completion of his purchases.
The power of the patroon of that day was analagous
to that of the old feudal barons ; acknowledging the go-
vernment at New Amsterdam, and the states general, as
his superiors. He maintained a high military and judicial
authority within his territorial limits. He had his own
fortresses, planted with his own cannon, manned with his
own soldiers, with his own flag waving over them. The
courts of the colony were his own courts, where the
gravest questions and the highest crimes were cognizable ;
but with appeals in the more important cases. Justice
was administered in his own name. The colonists were his
immediate subjects, and took the oath of feality and al-
legiance to him.
The position of the colony was one of extreme delicacy
and danger. It was situated in the midst of warlike and
conquering tribes of savages, which, once angered and
aroused, were likely to give the proprietors as much to
do in the way of defence, and in the conduct of hostile
forays as were used to fall to the lot of those bold barons
of the middle ages, whose castles and domains were per-
petually surrounded and besieged by their hereditary and
plendering enemies. Happily, however, the patroons of
the period, and their directors, or governors of the colony,
by a strict observance of the laws of justice, and by
maintaining a cautious and guarded conduct in all things
288 Life and Services of
towards their immediate neighbors, escaped but not
without occasions of great excitement and alarm those
desolating wars and conflicts which were so common else-
where among the infant colonies of the country.
While, however, they maintained, for the most part,
peaceable relations with the Indian tribes around them ,
they were almost constantly in collision, on one subject
or another, with the authorities at New Amsterdam, and
those in Holland. The boundaries of rights and privi-
leges between them and their feudal superiors were illy
denned, and subjects of disagreement and dispute were
perpetually arising. Here, at this point, was the chief
mart of trade, at the time, in the province; and this
trade fell naturally into the hands of the proprietors of
the colony. Not a little heart-burning and jealousy, on
the part of the company, was excited on this account, es-
pecially when the director of the colony was found to
have setup his claim to staple-right, amounting to a demand
of sovereign control over the proper trade of the colony
against all the world, the company alone excepted, and
had made formidable preparations to enforce his right by
the establishment of an island fortress, planted with can-
non, and frowning over the channel and highway of the
river. The little village of Beverwyck too, clustering
under the guns of Fort Orange the germ of the city of
Albany became debatable ground. The soil belonged to
the colony, and was occupied with the proper colonists
subjects of the patroon. The company thought fit to as-
sert a claim to as much ground as would be covered by
the sweep of their guns at the Fort. This was of course
resisted on one side, and attempted to be enforced on the
other ; and so sharp did this controversy become, and so
important was it deemed, that Gov. Stuyvesant, on one oc-
casion, sent up from Fort Amsterdam, an armed expedi-
tion, to invade the disputed territory, and aid the military
force at Fort Orange in supporting the pretensions of the
company an expedition wholly unsuccessful at the time,
and happily too as bloodless as it was bootless. But I can
not pursue this singular history in this place.
In 1664, the English conquest of the province took
Stephen Fan Rensselaer. 289
place. The colony of Rensselaerwyck fell with it. Jere-
miah Van Rensselaer, the second son of Killian, was then
in possession. He died in possession in 1674. The line
of the eldest son of Killian, the original proprietor, be-
came extinct; and in 1704, a charter from Queen Anne
confirmed the estate to Killian, the eldest son of Jeremias
Van Rensselaer. The subject of our present memoir was
the third only in the direct line of descent, in the order
of primogeniture, through the second son of this Killian
Van Rensselaer the eldest son having died without is-
sue. The estate came to him by inheritance, according
to the canons of descent established by the law of Eng-
land. It never passed, at any time, from one proprietor
to another by will, nor was it ever entailed.
By a royal charter of 1685, the Dutch colony of Rens-
selaerwyck had been converted and created into a regular
lordship or manor, with all the privileges and incidents be-
longing to an English estate and jurisdiction of the mano-
rial kind. To the lord of the manor was expressly given
authority to administer justice within his domain in both
kinds, in his own court-leet and court-baron, to be held
by himself or by his appointed steward. Other large
privileges were conferred on him ; and he had the right
with the freeholders and inhabitants of the manor, to a
separate representation in the colonial assembly. All
these rights continued unimpared down to the revolution..
For eighty-four years immediately preceding the revolu*
tion, the manor was never without its representative in
the Assembly of the province always either the propri-
etor himself, or some member, or near relative, or friend
of the family. Nearly the whole of this entire period
was filled up with a series of hot political controversies
between the assemblies and the royal governors. I have
looked into the records of these contests, and I have not
found an instance from the earliest time, in which the
proprietor or representative of the manor was not found
on the side of popular liberty. The last of the represent-
atives was that stern patriot and whig Gen. Abraham
Ten Broeck. He was the uncle of the late Mr. Van
Rensselaer, the last of the manorial proprietors, and his.
25
290 Life and Services of
guardian in his non-age, and had a right, therefore, to speak
and act in the name of his ward. His official efforts,
though often in a minority in the assembly, were untiring
to bring the province of New York into a hearty co-ope-
ration with her sister colonies in their movements towards
revolution.
This brief reference to the connection of the manor,
and of the family whose possession and estate it was,
with the political history of the period, preceding the
revolution ; may serve not only to do justice to the par-
ties concerned, and thence incidentally to vindicate, if
there were need of it. the conduct of the Dutch inhabit-
ants of this province with reference to the progress of
free principles but also to shew that great as the change
certainly was in the personal fortunes and prospects of the
late Mr. Van Rensselaer between his birth and his majority
yet, in truth, that change was neither sudden nor vio-
lent; that it was altogether easy and natural; that the
way had already been prepared ; and that, though born as
he was to hereditary honors and aristocratic rank, he yet,
while still a youth was carried, by the strong current of
the times, over the boundary to him, at the period, but
little more than an imaginary line between two very op-
posite political systems ; and found himself, at his prime
of manhood, and when called to take his own part in the
active scenes of life, not only a contented, but a glad and
rejoicing subject and citizen of a free republic, With the
history of the past before him ; in possession of an es-
tate which connected him nearly with feudal times and
a feudal ancestry, and which constituted himself, in his
boyhood, a baronial proprietor, instead of what he now
was the mere fee-simple owner of acres, with just
such political rights and privileges as belonged to his
own freehold tenantry, and no other it would not, per-
haps, have been very strange, if he had, sometimes, turned
his regards backwards, to contemplate the fancied charms
of a life, sweetened with the use of inherited power, and
gilded with baronial honors. Nothing, however, I feel
warranted in saying, was ever farther from his contempla-
tions. He had no regrets for the past. He was satisfied
Stephen Van Rensselaer. 291
with his own position ; and though the revolution, in giving
his country independence had stript him of power and
personal advantages, yet as it had raised a whole nation
of men to the condition and dignity of freemen, and so to
a political equality with himself, it was an event which, to
a mind attuned as his always was to a liberal and enlighten-
ed philanthropy, was only to be thought of with the
strongest approbation and pleasure.
But I come now to recount which I propose to do in
the plainest and simplest manner, as best according with
the modesty of his own pretensions and character those
events in the life of Mr. Van Rensselaer which constitute
his personal history.
He was born on the first day of November, 1764, in the
city of New York. His father was Stephen Van Rensse-
laer, the proprietor of Rensselaerwyck. His mother was
Catharine, daughter of Philip Livingston, Esquire, of the
family of that name to which belonged the Manor of Liv-
ingston. Mr. Livingston was conspicuous among those
lofty and disinterested spirits brought out by the American
revolution in devotion to human liberty. He was one of
the signers of that undying instrument the Declaration
of Independence. At the period of the birth of his grand-
child, which took place in his own house, he was a member
of the General Assembly, and at that time, more than ten
years in advance of the revolution, in an answer to the
speech of Lt. Gov. Golden, which was reported by him,
he put forth and insisted, in explicit terms, on that great
doctrine of "taxation only with consent," the denial of
which by Great Britain finally brought on the conflict of
arms.
The present Manor House of Rensselaerwyck was com-
pleted in 1765, when the subject of our memoir was a
year old. It took the place of a structure, the site of
which was near by, and which had answered, in its day,
the uses of a fortress, as well as a dwelling. To this, the
new Manor House, his father directly resorted. His oc-
cupation of it, however, was short. He died in 1769, of a
pulmonary disease, leaving his son, his eldest born, a few
days less than five years old, and transmitting to him a
292 Life and Services of
constitutional weakness of the chest, which shewed itself
in very alarming symptoms in his minority, but happily
afterwards disappeared. His father left two other children,
a son and daughter. The latter still survives.
On the death of his father, the care of that great landed
and feudal estate, which fell exclusively to him, by the
rule of primogeniture was committed to his uncle, Gen.
Ten Broeck, by whom it was faithfully managed as far
as the disturbed state of the times would allow during
the minority of his ward. For a while he remained under
the control and supervision of his excellent and pious
mother long enough no doubt to receive those deep im-
pressions of the value of religious faith and the beauty of
holy things, which were finally wrought firmly into the
texture of his character.
His first experience in school was under the labors of
Mr. John Waters, a professional schoolmaster, at a period
when a schoolmaster was what he always should be, a man
of consideration. It was before the days of Webster and
printed spelling books, and when the letters and elements
were studied and taught from a horn-book. And thus was
he initiated into these mysteries. The school-house, with
its sharp roof and gable to the front, still holds its ground
in North Market street, nearly opposite the stuccoed
church of the Colonie, in this city. And the blood of
John Waters the professional schoolmaster is still with
.us, and running in the veins of some of our most worthy
and respectable citizens.
But the education of the young proprietor was to be
provided for in a way which required his early removal
from the side and hearth of his mother. This care de-
volved on his grand-father ; and he was first placed by
Mr. Livingston at a school in Elizabethtown, in New
Jersey. When the stirring and troublous times of the
revolution came on, Mr. Livingston was driven with his
family from the city of New York, and took refuge at
Kingston. Here, fortunately, he established a classical
school, or academy, which attained no small celebrity
under the direction of Mr. John Addison. Addison was
a Scotchman, possessing the thorough scholarship of an
Stephen Van Rensselaer.
educated man of his nation, and without any lack of the
shrewdness and strong sense so apt to be found among his
countrymen. He became a man of consideration in the
state, and filled the office ot state senator about the be-
ginning of the present century. Mr. Livingston, much
absent from home himself on public affairs, caused his
young charge to be domesticated in his own family, for
the convenience of his attendance on the instruction of
Addison. He acquired the elements of a classical educa-*
tion at the Kingston Academy. The late venerable
Abraham Van Vechten one of the noblest specimens of
humanity which it has pleased God ever to create was
his fellow-student at this school; and here was formed
between the two a close and confidential intimacy and?
frendship which death alone was able to interrupt.
But the time soon came when it was necessary to supply
the growing student with more ample advantages. The
celebrated Dr. Witherspoon scholar, divine, patriot, and
statesman had arrived in this country a few years before
the revolution, and, taking charge of the college of New
Jersey at Princeton as president, had raised the reputation
of that Institution to a very high pitch. The revolution
dispersed the students and broke up the college, and the
learned and ardent Witherspoon, driven from academic
shades, plunged into the business of the war. He, too,
was a signer of the declaration. He was still in congress
in 1779 ; but he had determined to retire at the close of
that year, and resuscitate his beloved college. In the
summer of that year congress instituted a commission, the
members of which were to proceed northward to investi-
gate, on the spot, the troubles to which the country was
then subjected by the inhabitants of the New Hampshire
grants. The doctor was in the North on this commission,
and on his return, took, by arrangement, young Van
Rensselaer with him, to make one of the few who should
be gathered, in the autumn, under the wing of the re-
animated college. Gen. Washington's Head Quarters
were then in the Highlands, at New Windsor. Stony
Point had just fallen into the hands of the enemy, who had
also a footing in New Jersey. The worthy commissioner
294 Life and Services of
and his charge, received from the General the protection
which the times required. Our student passed on his way
to his first essay in college life, under a military escort.
He was placed in the family of the Rev. Dr. Samuel
Smith, the son-in-law of Dr. Witherspoon, and vice-presi-
dent of the college, to whom the immediate care of conduct-
ing the instruction of the institution was now committed.
But New Jersey was not yet safe from the incursions of the
enemy ; Princeton was still too near the seat of war ; and
the next year it was thought advisable to remove the young
collegian to the university at Cambridge, then, as now, a
distinguished and leading school of the higher kind in the
United States. Here, in 1782, in the nineteenth year of his
age, with respectable attainments in the classical and other
learning of the time, he took his first degree in letters as a
bachelor of arts . It may be added, in this connection, that
in 1825, he received from Yale College, a diploma con-
ferring upon him the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
The war of the revolution was ended in 1782, though
peace was not proclaimed till the next year. Mr. Van
Rensselaer was now at home, still two years under age,
too late escaped from the university to put on armor for
his country, without any motive to apply himself to the
acquisition of professional learning of any sort, his estate
yet under the guardianship and properly cared for ; and
what was he to do ? The natural refuge of a young man
thus situated, and no doubt as safe as any which he would
be likely to take, was in matrimony. He was married,
before he was twenty, at Saratoga, to Margaret, the third
daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler; and thus was he con-
nected, by a near relationship, and one as it proved, of
great confidence and affection, with another of those ex-
traordinary men whose names so crowd and illumine the
pages of our revolutionary history.
His excellent mother, a discreet and exemplary Chris-
tian, had, in 1775, united herself in marriage with the
Rev. Dr. Eilardus Westerlo, an original Dutchman, a fine
scholar, an eminent divine, and, at the time, and long be-
fore and long after, the installed pastor of the Dutch
Church in this city, where he preached in the Dutch Ian*
Stephen Van Rensselaer. 295
guage for the first fifteen or twenty years of his ministry.
The mother of Mr. Van Rensselaer still resided with her
husband at the Manor House, at the time of his marriage ;
but the ample Parsonage of the good Dominie in North
Market street, was then unoccupied, and there he bestowed
his bride, to await the period when, having attained his
legal majority, he should take possession of his inherit-
ance. When that time came, the proper exchange of domi-
ciles took place between him and his mother.
The occasion of his reaching the important age of
twenty-one was celebrated with much of that kind of
rousing observance, which, without being inappropriate,
would have fitted more perfectly, perhaps, his relations as
a landlord, if the event had transpired ten years earlier.
But as it was, and changed as the political relations
had become within that time, they were not to be re-
strained from offering, on this event, the testimony of
their joy, and their affection for his person, as if he
was still, instead of being simply a contracting party with
them in regard to their lands, as much their patroon and
feudal superior, as his ancestor was of their fathers in
the time of Petrus Stuyvesant. The tenantry were cer-
tainly not as numerous, by any means, as they have since
become; but such as they were, they poured in upon him
from the extremes of the broad territory, nor did they leave
him till they had done ample justice to the liberal cheer
which he had provided for their entertainment.
This event fairly disposed of, Mr. Van Rensselaer found
it necessary to look somewhat critically after his interests
in the manor. He was in possession of a very large landed
interest, but one which could not be managed without
great expense, and from which he found the returns not
only moderate, but small. The interests of the country
too, as well as his own. required that these lands should
be cultivated. Comparatively few of them had yet been
converted into farms. The revolution had just closed,
and left the country poor. Speculators would buy lands
as they always will but farmers, the laborious tillers
of the soil, were unable, or unwilling, to contract for the
fee. By offering leases in fee, or for long terms, at a very
296 Life and Services of
moderate rent sometimes hardly more than nominal
Mr. Van Rensselaer succeeded readily, in bringing a large
proportion of his lands, comprising the greater part of the
present counties of Albany and Rensselaer, into cultiva-
tion ; and thus securing to himself a valuable and compe-
tent income. This policy once adopted by him, was never
changed. Nor did he ever attempt, as he might easily
have done, greatly to increase his current means derived
from this source. The net returns from his lands never
exceeded, probably, two, if they did one, per cent upon
them, considered as a capital at a very moderate valua-
tion. But finding himself in the receipt of a current in-
come, large enough for his simple and unostentatious
habits, and those of his family, with something liberal to
spare for his charities, he was not only not desirous of
adding to his wealth by enhancing his receipts, but he
was positively and strenuously averse to such a course.
He had none of that morbid appetite for wealth which
grows ravenous by what it feeds on. And this it was,
I have no doubt the strong disinclination to cumber
himself with useless accumulations which led him to
neglect improvements, suggested often by the interests of
others, and on account of which, because he could not
bring himself to feel and indulge that passion for profit
and gain which consumed those around him, he was some-
times subjected to heavy censures.
Mr. Van Rensselaer received his first military commis-
sion, as a major of infantry, in 1786; then at the age of
twenty-two ; and he was promoted to the command of a
regiment two years afterwards. In 1801, Gov. Jay
directed the cavalry of the state to be formed into a sepa-
rate corps, divided from the infantry to which the horse
had before been attached. The cavalry formed a single
division, with two brigades, and the command of the
whole was conferred on Mr. Van Rensselaer. This com-
mission of major general of cavalry he bore to his death.
In presenting, as nearly as may be in the order of time,
the events of this good man's life, I must not omit to
mention one in this place, certainly of no inconsiderable,
importance, if only considered as affecting our right judg*
Stephen Van Rensselaer. 297
ment of his character. It was in the spring of 1787,
when he was short of twenty-three years of age, in the
vigor of manhood, just on the threshold of mature life,
which sparkled brightly before him, with large posses-
sions, and wealth enough to lay the world under contribu-
tion for whatever it can afford to pamper appetite and
passion, and supply the means of wanton and luxurious
indulgence ; it was then, and under such circumstances,
that he deliberately chose, by a formal profession of re-
ligious faith, and a personal vow of religious obedience,
according to the doctrines and discipline of the Christian
church as adopted by the Dutch reformers, to pledge him-
self to a life of temperance, simplicity, truth and purity.
How well he kept his vow, is known to all who had occa-
sion to observe him ; and how eminently he was blest in
keeping it, was seen in all those quarters, where, I think
the Christian is wont to look for the promise of the life
tJiat now is in the calm and quiet of a peaceful existence,
in domestic relations of the most tender, harmonious and
beautiful character, and in a resigned, appropriate and
happy death.
Towards the close of the year 1787, the convention
which sat at Philadelphia to frame the Federal Constitu-
tion, terminated its labors, and submitted its work to the
judgment of the people. All over the country a despe-
rate conflict arose, and, no doubt, the fate of the republic
was suspended on the issue. Mr. Van Rensselaer took
ground promptly and decidedly in favor of the constitu-
tion. In the spring of 1788, delegates to the state con-
vention, which was to pass sentence of condemnation, or
approval, on the constitution, in the name of New York,
were to be chosen from the county of Albany. The anti-
federal party, strong throughout the state, was particu-
larly formidable here. This was the residence of YATES
and LANSING, both popular and influential, and both of
whom, having acted as delegates, had left the convention
at Philadelphia before its labors were finished, and pub-
lished a joint letter to the governor, setting forth their
reasons for refusing to put their names to the constitution.
That their counsels, and the counsels of those with whom
98 Life and Services of
they were associated politically, would prevail in this
quarter of the state, on this important trial of the strength
of parties, was hardly to be doubted. Yet were the friends
of the constitution bound to make the effort, and, in so
doing, to leave no part of their moral force out of the
controversy. With this object, Mr. Van Rensselaer was
solicited, and consented to stand as a candidate for the
assembly, at the same election. The sway of anti-federal
opinions and feelings at the period may be estimated from
the fact that, with all his personal popularity and influ-
ence already very great in the district he was beaten
by an overwhelming majority. But popular majorities,
even where the right of voting is restricted as it then was,
are not always remarkable for their stability; and happy
they should not be certainly when they chance to be in
the wrong.
The constitution having been adopted after a fearful
struggle, the government was to be organized and put in
full operation under it. Ground enough of difference in
regard to it, was still left barely enough for parties to
stand on ; but the popular mind began to sway strongly
over to the side of the constitution. In the spring of
the very next year, 1789, Mr. Van Rensselaer was again
a candidate for the assembly, and was now carried into
office by a majority nearly as great as that by which he
had been before defeated. And now, having once got
right, never was a constituency more steadfast to a faith-
ful public servant. In the course of the next forty years
after he had occasion often to try the strength of their
attachment to him ; and on no occasion did the county of
Albany, whether comprising more or less territory, and
whether the elective privilege was less or more extended,
ever desert him.
The first session of the legislature, to which Mr. Van
Rensselaer was now elected, was held in the summer,
under the proclamation of the governor, for the special
purpose of electing, for the first time, senators in congress.
The same question which has since, and more than once,
been agitated, respecting the mode of election, divided
the councils of the state at that period. The federal party,
Stephen Van Rensselaer. 299
and those who desired to clothe the federal government
with all necessary strength and stability, insisted on a
mode of election which would give the senate, equally with
the popular branch of the legislature, a separate and inde-
pendent action. Mr. Van Rensselaer was of this number.
The anti-federal party preferred a mode of election, by
joint ballot or otherwise, which should subject senators
in congress more certainly to the popular will of the state,
as it should be currently expressed in the annual elections
to the assembly. The question to be sure was one grow-
ing out of the language of the federal constitution, and
therefore, a question of constitutional law: but men of
different parties at that day, as well as at this, were wont
to read the constitution through an atmosphere of their
own, usually too much clouded to allow the light from any
objects to pass through it in straight lines ; hence of course
they read it differently, and not unfrequently, both sides
read it wrong. The legislature on this occasion separated
without settling on any mode of electing senators except
for itself; senators were elected by the joint resolution
of the two houses.
Mr. Van Rensselaer was now fairly embarked in politi-
cal life. The next spring 1790 he was elected to the
senate of the state, from the western senatorial district.
When we look over this state, and see what the icest now
is, we hardly know how to credit the fact that, within so
few years, the county of Albany, on the North river, was
one of the western counties of the state. In the spring
of 1794, the same senator from the same western dis-
trict was re-elected. He was a member of the senate from
his first election down to 1795. In the whole of this4egis-
lative period, he was a faithful, vigilant, highly influential
and useful member. There were few standing committees
at that period; but he was from the first, and always, a
member of one or more of these, and always of the most
important.
In the second year of his senatorial services, 1792, par-
ties were thrown into a prodigious ferment by certain
proceedings of the state canvassers, in regard to a portion
of the votes taken at the gubernatorial election of that
300 Life and Services of
year. Mr. Jay and Mr. Clinton had been the opposing
candidates. The popular voice had declared itself, by a
moderate majority, in favor of Mr. Jay; but the can-
vassers found some informalities, and legal difficulties,
which induced them, by a party vote, to reject the returns
from three counties, by which Mr. Jay's majority was lost,
and Mr. Clinton was declared elected. When the legisla-
ture met in the autumn, petitions were poured in upon it
from the people, and a legislative investigation was had.
It appeared in testimony, that the rejected ballots had at
first been regularly deposited in appropriate boxes in the
record- room of the office of the secretary of state; and
that afterwards, without consent obtained at the office,
Mr. Thomas Tillotson, a state senator, and one of the
canvassers, in the presence however of several of his fel-
lows, took from their place of deposit among the archives
of the state, the boxes containing the rejected ballots, and
committed them to the flames. However pure the motives
for an act of this sort, the act itself was not one which
was likely to meet the approbation of the pure and single
minded Van Rensselaer. His scornful reprobation of the
part enacted by Mr. Tillotson, uttered in no equivocal
terms, brought him into a personal collison with that
gentleman, which was likely to put his life, or his reputa-
tion, or both, into imminent hazard. But those who
attempted to deal with him had quite mistaken the temper
of the man. Though one of the mildest of men in his
ordinary demeanor, he was yet one of the firmest. He
was the last person on earth to be moved by intimidations.
Being in the right, or thinking himself so, he would allow
nothing to be wrung from him which would abate, by a
feather's weight, the full moral force of the language he
lad used. Happily, this admirable firmness, with the
steadiness and quiet which distinguished his manner, when
most pressed upon by difficulties and danger, saved him
from an abyss into which, no doubt, the least wavering or
trepidation would have plunged him.
When the next election for Governor approached, in
1795, Mr. Jay was again placed in nomination, and, with
him, Mr. Van Rensselaer was nominated for Lt. Govern-
Stephen Fan Rensselaer. 301
or. The circumstances under which Mr, Clinton had
served, as governor, during the current term, were deemed
by his party, such as to render unwise his renomination
at the present time. Mr. Yates and Mr. Floyd were the
opposing candidates. Mr. Jay and Mr. Van Rensselaer
were elected by handsome majorities. In 1798, both were
renominated, and both reelected, to the same offices. On
this occasion, Chancellor Livingston was Mr. Jay's op-
ponent only very lately his strong friend, political as
well as personal. The Lt. Governor had no opposing
candidate. He was named universally throughout the
state, by the anti-federalists, on their ticket with Chancel-
lor Livingston. The design was to detach him, if possi-
ble, after the example of the chancellor, from the federal
party, and from the support of Gov. Jay. No doubt it
was in his power to have given to the chancellor and his
friends a complete triumph. It is probable that no one
individual in the state, at the period, carried with him a
greater personal influence and sway. So desirable was it
deemed to secure him, or at least to make the people be-
lieve he was secured that the chancellor's party did not
hesitate to employ the fact before the electors, though
without the least warrant, as if it had been true. Of course,,
he took the most prompt and effectual measures, to dis-
abuse the public mind on a point of so much importance..
I will not hesitate, on an occasion like this, and when,
dealing with matters of great historical interest, to say
what I think. I think, then, that New York has never
seen so pure an administration of its government, as that
which was conducted by Mr. Jay. I think this is already
the settled verdict of an enlightened public sentiment.
He could not have had, during the six years of his ad-
ministration, a purer, or more worthy coadjutor than Lt.
Governor Van Rensselaer. Never could there have been,
or could there be, a moral spectacle of higher beauty, than
was seen in the lofty and universal harmonies of thought
and intent, of feelings, character and purposes the per-
fect blending of harmonious colors, till nothing was visible
but the white light of truth and integrity when the hon-
est and true-hearted Huguenot, and the honest and true-
26
302 Life and Services of
hearted Dutchman united to administer the government
of a free people.
It is not surprising then, when the community such of
them as were attached to the administration and princi-
ples of Gov. Jay came to look after a fit person to be his
successor, that all eyes should have rested on the lieu-
tenant governor. In January, 1801, a large body of the
most respectable freeholders,, from various and distant
parts of the state, assembled ait the Tontine Coffee House
in Albany, and unanimously named Mr. Van Rensselaer
as their candidate for Governor at the ensuing election.
How he received this mark of public approbation and
esteem, and with what difficulty his acceptance was finally
obtained, appears from the publications of the time. His
opponents, for lack of better matter, took serious excep-
tions, if not to him, to his party, because he had given to
the invitation, more than once, a positive refusal. His
nomination was enthusiastically seconded in the city of
New York, and in public meetings held in every quarter
of the state. His election was advocated everywhere by
his friends, on grounds which shew 
