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HISTORICAL 


SKETCHES  OF  HUDSON, 


EAIBRACIXG  THE 


SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  CITY, 

CITY  GOVERNMENT, 

BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES,  CHURCHES,  PRESS,  SCHOOLS, 
LIBRARIES,  &C. 


BY  STEIMIEX  B.  MILLER. 


HUDSON:     ^ 
BRYAN    k    WKIil?    PRINTERS, 

1862. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  collection  of  the  facts  embodied  in  the  following  Sketches  was 
undertaken  as  a  matter  of  amusement.  That  they  appear  in  the 
present  extended  form  of  a  Series,  is  due  to  the  interest  manifested  in 
their  preparation  by  those  to  whom  the  writer  has  necessarily  looked 
for  assistance.  The  task  has  been  a  pleasant  one,  yet  attended  with 
difficulties.  Besides  the  recollections  of  the  few  old  citizens  living,  few 
sources  of  information  were  available.  Nothing  has  been  attempted,  be- 
yond a  plain  and  connected  statementof  facts  relative  to  the  settlement 
of  Hudson,  (to  some  extent  connecting  them  with  the  present,)  under- 
taken in  a  desire  to  preserve  much  which  a  few  years  hence  could  not 
be  collected.  They  are  published  in  the  hope  that  they  may  prove  of 
interest,  and,  although  perhaps  incomplete,  may,  at  least  at  some 
future  day,  serve  as  the  foundation  for  a  more  perfect  work. 

The  Author. 


SKETCHES  OF  nUDSO:N'. 


CITY  OF  HUDSON. 

Tlio  (.'ily  of  Hudson  was  originally  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  town 
of  Chivorack,  which  until  the  year  1780,  continued  to  be  a  portion  of  Albany 
County,  the  County  of  Columbia  having  been  formed  in  that  year. 

Claverack  was  settled  by  Dutch,  for  the  most  part  from  Holland,  at  a  very 
eaily  date  ;  the  organization  of  the  first  Ref.  Dutch  Church  dating  as  far  back 
as  1716,  in   which   the  services   continued  to  be  in   the  Dutch  language  for 
nearly  a  century  after. >  We  have  two  different  versions  of  the  meaning  of  its 
name.     One  is  that  the  bluffs  fronting  upon  the  river  were  called  the  "Klauv- 
ers"  or  Clovers,  and  as  the  limits  of  the  town  extended  to  these  blufifs,  it  was 
called  ^- Klauver-rach,'''  meaning  Clover-reach.     The  other,  which  is  given  by 
the  late  Judge  Miller,  of  Claverack,  who  should  be  deemed  good  authority,  is 
that  upon  the  river  Were  four  cliffs,  or  "Klaufs'"  in  Dutch,  and  upon  the  easter- 
ly limits  of  the  town   were  four  more,  hence  it  was  called   ''Klititffer-acJiC," 
meaning  eight  cliflfs  or  hills.    It  remained  the  County  seat  of  Columbia  Coun- 
ty until  the  year  1805,  when  it  was  changed  to   Hudson,  urder  an  act  enti- 
tled "An  act  altering  the  place  for  holding  the  Courts  in  the  County  of  Colum- 
bia."   The  present  fine  residence  of   Peter   Hoffman,  Esq.,  in    Claverack 
village,  was  at  that  period  the   Court  House,  and  in  its  immediate  vicinity 
stood  the  County  Jail,  a  somewhat  small  structure  of  heavy,  squared   timber, 
strongly  bolted  with  iron.     Hudson  was  at  the  date  of  its  settlement  known 
as  Claverack   Landing,  and  among  the   names  of  the  residents  here  at  that 
time,  we  find  mention  made  of  Peter  Hogeboom,  John  Van  Allen,  Justus 
Van  Hoesen,  Peter  Van  Hoesen,  Casper  Huyck,  John,  Jacob,  Jonathan  and 
Leonard  Hardick.    There  were  two  stores  kept,  each  having  a  sloop  landing 
connected  with  it.     One  of  these  stood  where  now  is  the  freighting  establish- 
ment of  Messrs.  Haviland,  Clark  &  Co.,  kept  by  Col.  John  Van  Allen,  whose 
dwelling,  a  brick  house  with  the  high  pointed  Dutch  gable  of  that  day,  stood 
where  now  is   the  residence  and  store  of  Mr.   Geo.  C.  Huhbel.    The  other, 
kept  by  Peter  Hogeboom,  was  upon  the  site  of  the  present  freighting  estab- 
lishment of  Messrs.  Power,  Bogardus  &  Co.,  his  house  being  nearly  opposite, 
a  short  distance  to  the  South,  upon  what  was  then   the   County  road,  after- 
wards Ferry  street.    There  was  a  canoe  ferry,  kept  by  Conrad  Flock,  start- 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


iug  from  the  site  of  the  present  ferry  dock,  and  muniug'  to  Loonenburg,  now 
known  as  the  -'upper  purchase"  of  Athens,  which  was  also  a  Dutch  settlement 
of  a  very  early  date,  mention  being  mada  of  a  tannery  in  operation  there  in 
the  year  1750.  A  single  canoe  was  used  for  passengers,  and  two  were  lashed 
together  when  teams  were  to  cross,  the  wagons  being  fastened  upon  the  canoes, 
while  the  liorses  were  tied  to  them  and  compelled  to  swim.  The  inhabitants 
at  the  landing  were  accustomed  to  attend  religious  worship  at  Loonenburg  ; 
some  of  them  were  ofiBcers  in  the  Lutheran  Church  at  that  place.  One  indi- 
vidual is  still  living  in  the  city  who,  when  a  boy,  regularly  crossed  upon  the 
Haljbath  to  attend  service  there.  The  landing  of  the  ferry  npon  the  West  side 
was  in  the  vicinity  of  the  rock,  now  known  as  the  "Swallow  rock."  The 
■•County  road"  referred  to  commenced  at  the  ferry,  running  up  the  present 
line  of  Alien  street,  to  a  point  near  the  District  School  house,  thence  over  to 
and  up  the  line  of  Partition  street,  to  the  present  head  of  the  city,  then  cross- 
ing the  s(|uare  and  out  of  the  city. 

BURIAL   GROUND. 

Very  near  the  site  of  the  school  house  in  the  1st  District,  was  the  private 
burial  ground  of  Justus  Van  Iloesen,  whose'  death,  with  that  of  his  wife  at 
the  same  time,  from  being  poisoned  by  arsenic,  a  few  years  after  the  settlement 
of  the  city,  occasioned  great  excitement.  It  was  also  used  for  interments,  by 
the  families  living  at  the  landing,  but  with  the  opening  of  a  new  one  at  the 
head  of  the  town  shortly  after  the  purchase,  its  use  was  discontinued.  A  few 
interments  were  also  made  by  the  new  settlers,  upon  the  hill  on  the  North  side 
of  the  city,  where  now  stands  the  residence  of  P.  Farrand,  simply  as  a  matter 
of  convenience,  until  selection  of  a  suitable  spot  for  general  use  could  be 
made.     The  bodies  were  subsequently  removed. 

The  ground  for  a  new  T)urial  place  was  given  to  the  proprietors  by  Col.  John 
"\'an  Allen.  Daniel  Paddock  and  Cotton  Gelston,  having  been  appointed  by 
the  proprietors  a  committee  to  make  selection  of  a  lot  for  that  purpose,  called 
upon  Col.  Yan  Allen  for  advice  and  assistance.  After  viewing  several  dififer- 
ent  localities  they  settled  upon  the  site  of  the  present  ground,  and  asked  Col. 
A"an  Allen  his  price  for  four  or  five  acres.  He  replied  that  he  would  give 
that  quantity  to  the  proprietors,  to  be  used  as  a  burial  ground  forever,  and  for  no 
other  purpose.  Additions  have  since  been  made,  and  the  ground  is  now  of 
much  greater  extent  than  as  originally  given.  We  credit  modern  times  with 
the  custom  of  choosing  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  quiet  and  secluded  spots, 
amid  the  beautiful  surroundings  of  nature.  It  is  a  little  remarkable,  that  at 
that  early  day  a  spot  made  so  attractive  by  the  hand  of  nature,  and  so  far  from 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


the  scenes  of  active  life,  should  have  been  selected.  A  portion  of  the  ground 
was  set  apart,  to  be  used  exclusively  by  the  .Society  of  Friends  or  Quakers. 
The  first  person  buiied  in  the  new  ground  was  Phebe,  the  wife  of  Benjamin 
Folger.  The  first  man  buried,  was  Col.  Van  Allen  himself,  who  died  in  the 
year  1784.  He  returned  from  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Folger  and  in  conversation 
with  his  wife  relative  to  it,  remarked,  "  poor  Mrs.  Folger  lays  there  alone.'' 
He  was  then  in  good  health,  but  within  ten  days  was  placed  very  nearly  by  the 
side  of  "poor  Mis.  Folger."  A  substantial  monument  to  his  memory  has  been 
recently  erected  by  the  City,  bearing  the  following  inscription  : 

"  He  was  a  man  of  strong  mind  and  liberal  heart.  He  took  an  active  part 
in  the  first  settlement  of  Hudson,  was  the  donor  of  the  original  burying  ground, 
and  the  third  person  buried  therein." 

The  original  ground  is  that  portion  first  entered  from  the  small  gate.  Very 
near  the  entrance  well  preserved  stones  point  out  the  resting  places  of  the 
Jenkins's,  Gelston  and  others,  with  whom  we  shall  become  familiar  in  the  pro- 
gress of  these  Sketches.  Standing  b^  their  graves,  it  seemed  to  the  writer 
but  a  brief  period  since  they  first  entered  the  waters  of  the  beautiful  river,  glit- 
tering in  the  distance.  They  are  resting,  and  borne  upon  the  stillness  of  the 
morning  air,  came  the  shrill  whistling  of  the  steam,  the  sound  of  bells  upon 
the  water,  mingled  with  the  noise  of  the  city  which  will  long  remain  a  monu- 
ment, less  perishable  than  marble,  to  their  virtues  and  enterprise.  Beyond 
their  tombs  is  an  open  space,  where  there  is  but  little  more  than  slight  eleva- 
tions of  ground,  and  a  few  scattered  remnants  of  crumbling  brown  stones, 
covered  with  the  mosses  of  age,  tottering,  ready  to  fall  beneath  the  hand  of 
time,  to  tell  where  sleep  many  who  three  score  years  ago  were  active  m  these 
streets.  What,  sixty  years  hence,  will  perpetuate  the  memory  of  those  who, 
to-day,  are  the  busy,  moving  throng?  It  has  been  truly  said,  that  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  buryal  ground  can  be  read  the  character  of  any  community, 
and  that  indifference  to  the  resting  place  of  its  dead,  is  an  evidence  of  the  lack 
of  enterprise  among  the  living  of  any  place.  For  years,  when  Hudson  was  de- 
pressed, the  burial  ground  bore  evidence  of  the  fact.  With  a  returning  spirit 
of  enterprise,  it  was  enlarged,  beautified  and  to-day  is  pointed  to  with  pride 
by  its  citizens,  and  sought  by  crowds,  who  love  to  linger  in  its  pleasant,  shaded 
walks,  and  drink  iu  the  loveliness  of  the  views  it  affords. 

In  addition  to  the  two  stores  mentioned,  Peter  Hogeboom  also  kept  a  grist 
mill  iu  the  hollow  now  known  as  "  Spaulding's  Hollow."  Of  the  remain- 
der of  the  inhabitants,  some  were  farmers  and  others  were  engaged  in  fishing, 
principally  fur  herring,  which  found  a  ready  market  in  Xew  York. 

Such  was  Hudson,  or  '-Claverack  Lauding,  from  all  the  information  we  have 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  6 

been  able  to  gather  coiicernins'  it,  at  the  time  of  its  purchase  by  the  colony 
from  Nantucket  and  Frovidonco. 

rftOl'RIKTORS'   ASSOCIATION. 

At  an  early  period  of  the  Revolution,  the  whale  fisheries  of  Nantucket  were 
broken  up  by  the  English  ^lariue.  In  the  year  1783,  a  considerable  number 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island,  desirous  of  bettering  their  fortunes,  determined 
to  leave  it  and  make  a  settlement  somewhere  upon  the  Hudson  River.  The 
enterprise  doubtless  originated  at  Providence,  but  was  joined  by  others  from 
Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard.  Thomas  Jenkins,  to  whom  more  than 
any  other  individual  it  oWed  its  success,  although  a  native  of  Nantucket,  was 
at  the  time  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Providence,  and  a  wealthy  merchant.  In 
the  Spring  of  1783  he  formed  an  association,  to  consist  of  not  more  than  thirty 
members,  all  of  whom  should  be  merchants,  or  "concerned  in  navigating  the 
deep."  It  was  joined  in  Providence  by  Thomas  and  Seth  Jenkins,  David 
Lawrence,  Hezekiah  Dayton,  Nathaniel  Greene,  Samuel  Mansfield,  William 
Wall,  John  Thurston,  John  Alsop  and  Cotton  Gelston.  In  July,  1783, 
Cotton  Gelston  proceeded  to  Nantucket,  where  it  was  joined  by  Stephec  Pad- 
dock, Joseph  Barnard,  Charles  Jenkins,  Deborah  Jenkins,  Gideon  Gardner, 
Reuben  Folger,  Alexander  Coffin,  Benjamin  Hussey,  Shubael  Worth,  Paul 
Ilussey,  Benjamin  Folger,  Reuben  Macy,  Walter  Folger,  Benjamin  Starbuck 
and  John  Cartwright.  The  two  last  named  did  not  however  come  with  the 
others.  On  his  return  Mr.  Gelston  stopped  at  Edgartown,  Martha's  Vine- 
yard, where  Marshal  and  Lemuel  Jenkins,  Peleg  Clark  and  John  Allen,  also 
united  with  the  enterprise.  At  Newport  it  was  joined  by  William  Minturn. 
Ezra  Reed  and  Titus  Morgan  joined  it  after  they  had  purchased  Claverack 
Landing. 

The  articles  of  agreement  subscribed  by  them  were  the  following  : 

ARTICLES    OP    AGREEMENT. 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  joint  proprietors  of  a  certain  Tract  of  Land  Ijing 
at  Claverack  Landing  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  River,  purchased  by  Thomas 
Jenkins  of  Peter  IJogeboom,  Junr.,  and  others,  for  the  purpose  of  establish- 
ing a  commercial  settlement,  on  principles  of  equity,  do  enter  into  the  follow- 
ing Articles  of  Agreement,  to-wit : — 

ARTICLE   THE   FIRST. 

That  each  proprietor  subscribe  for  such  part  of  the  above  Tract,  in  propor- 
tion as  near  as  may  be  to  his  Stock  in  Trade,  with  the  others  concerned. 

ARTICLE  THE   SECOND. 

No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  purchase  lards  within  two  miles  of  the 
said  landing,  unless  he  shall  give  the  Proprietors  the  refusal  thereof  at  the 
rates  at  which  he  himself  purchased  it. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


AKTK'LK   THIRD. 

That  each  and  every  one  of  tlie  j)ropi-ielois  slnill  settle  there  in  person  and 
carry  his  Tradinj^'  Stuck  on  ur  i.el'ure  the  tir^t  day  of  Octol)er,  A.  Doni.,  one 
tliousand  seven  hundred  and  ei,i;lity-five,  unless  prtivented  by  some  unavoida- 
))le  event  that  shall  be  esteeint-d  a  sufHcient  reason  by  some  of  the  proprietors 
for  his  non-compliance,  and  his  poinjf  innnediately  after  that  obstruction  is 
removed.  In  case  of  Death  his  heirs,  executors  .or  administrators,  with  fully 
complying  with  these  Articles,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  privileges  as  other 
proprietors. 

ARTICLE   FOURTH. 

That  no  person  be  permitted  to  dispose  of  his  share  who  hag  not  fully  com- 
plied with  these  Articles,  but  said  shai-e  revert  to  the  oth(>r  I'mprietors,  they 
paying  the  first  cost  of  said  share  without  interest,  and  that  tlu^  ])roprietors, 
which  have  complied  with  the  foregoing,  shall  hold  possession  of  lands  accord- 
ing to  their  several  proportions. 

ARTICLE    FIFTH. 

That  no  proprietor  be  permitted  to  enter  any  building  on  any  proprietor's 
land,  until  it  shall  be  divided,  and  they  shall  be  subjected  to  such  regulations 
as  shall  be  hereafter  made  for  regulating  the  Streets,  Lanes,  Highways,  Gang- 
ways, &c. 

ARTICLE   SIXTH. 

That  we  further  agree  that  if  any  one  or  more  shall  forfeit  the  right  of  his 
or  their  interest  in  the  aforementioned  lai;ds,  according  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  of  the  preceding  articles,  that  he  or  they,  shall  if  furnished  with  Deeds 
or  other  Instruments  of  conveyance  from  Thomas  Jenkins,  give  up  the  same 
to  the  Proprietors,  or  furnish  them  with  a  clear  Deed  or  Deeds  of  all  their 
right,  title  and  interest  in  said  lands,  they  paying  such  person  or  persons  the 
first  cost  as  described  in  article  fourth. 

ARTICLE   SEVENTH. 

That  the  subscribers  do  solemnly  agree  to  abide  by  the  preceding  Articles 
and  regulations,  and  that  this  Instrument  be  signed  and  sealed  by  each  indi- 
vidual proprietor,  and  the  original  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  Proprietor's 
Clerk. 

Stephen  Paddock,  Thomas  Jenkins, 

Joseph  Barnard,  Reuben  Macy, 

Benjamin  Folger,  Cotton  Gelston, 

Seth  Jenkins,  John  Alsop, 

William  Wall,  Charles  Jenkins, 

Hezekiah  Dayton,  Ezra  Reed, 

David  Lawrence,  Gideon  Gardner, 

Titus  Morgan,  John  Thurston, 

Reuben  Folger,  Nathaniel  Greene. 

Where  these  articles  of  agreement  were  executed  does  not-appear.  It  is 
said  the  original  were  dated  at  Providence.  All  the  proprietors  do  not  ap- 
pear to  "have  signed  them.  This  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  two  or  three  did 
not  continue  members,  and  the  shares  of  some  were  included  and  covered  by 
the  signatures  of  the  other  proprietors. 

For  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  suitable  site,  a  committee  was  chosen  by 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON 


them,  and  sent,  probably  in  the  summer  of  1783,  to  sail  up  the  river  and  ex- 
amine different  localities.  Thomas  Jenkins  and  Cotton  Gelston  were  a  part 
of  that  committee,  with  two  others  whose  names  we  do  not  know,  nor  do  we 
know  whether  they  were  empowered  to  effect  a  purchase,  or  to  what  extent 
they  proceeded  in  a  negotiation,  before  reporting  to  the  Islanders.  We  have 
not  been  able  to  get  back  of  the  fact  of  such  committee  being  sent.  They 
were  urged  at  New  York  by  Col.  Rutgers  to  make  a  purchase  upon  the  East 
River,  and  came  near  doing  so.  They  tarried,  too,  at  Poughkeepsie,  with  a 
view  of  purchasing,  but  desirous  of  making  a  full  examination  of  the  river,  pro- 
ceeded, and  finally  made  selection  of  Claverack  Landing,  as  thesite  of  the 
"future  city."  The  purchase  when  made  was  in  the  name  of  Thomas  Jenkins, 
and  by  him  the  lands  deeded  to  the  other  proprietors.  Five  hundred  pounds 
was  paid  down  as  part  of  the  purchase  money.  What  decided  them  in  their 
selection,  does  not  appear — probably  the  natural  beauty  of  the  position,  con- 
nected with  the  fact  that  it  was  in  the  vicinity  of  a  tolerably  thickly  settled 
and  thriving  farming  population  and  at  the  head  of  ship  navigation.  Not- 
withstanding the  early  success  of  the  enterprise,  the  selection  in  after  years 
proved  not  to  have  been  judicious.  It  has  always  been  contended  by  many, 
that  had  the  location  of  the  settlement  been  upon  the  A\^est  side  of  the  river 
the  career  of  its  prosperity  could  not  have  been  checked,  and  Hudson  could 
not  have  failed  to  become  what  Albany  now  is.  Of  the  correctness  of  this 
view  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  writer  to  speak,  "^liatever  may  be  said  of 
the  position  in  a  business  point  of  view,  it  is  not  surpassed  by  any  upon  the 
river  for  healthfulness  and  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  surrounding  it.  The 
sagacity  of  those  "  men  of  old,"  may  have  been  at  fault,  but  let  us  be  grateful 
to  them,  at  least,  that  they  have  made  us  a  "  city  upon  an  hill,"  with  the  beau- 
tiful and  grand  in  nature  upon  every  side  of  us. 

In  the  fall  of  1183,  two  families  arrived  here  from  Nantucket.  It  would  be 
interesting  to  know  who  those  "  first  families"  were,  but  we  have  been  able  to 
ascertain  only  one  of  them,  that  was  the  family  of  Seth  Jenkins.  The  first 
child  born  after  the  purchase  was  Elizabeth  Bunker,  who  died  while  young. 
She  belonged  to  a  family  who  appear  to  have  left  Nantucket  some  years  pre- 
vious and  settled  in  Dutchess  County,  coming  to  Hudson  as  soon  as  they 
heard  of  the  purchase.  In  the  Spring  of  1784,  the  other  proprietors  followed 
with  their  families,  bringing  with  them  several  vessels,  and  in  some  instances 
the  frames  of  dwellings,  prepared  at  Nantucket,  for  erection  upon  their  arrival. 
One  of  those  houses,  at  least,  was  standing  in  the  lower  part  of  North  Front 
street  until  within  a  very  few  years  since,  and'  its  frame  is  believed  to  be  still 
a  portion  of  a  dwelling  since  erected  upon  the   spot.     It  was  brought  by 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON 


Stephen  Paddock.  When  Mr.  Paddock  arrived  with  his  family,  Col.  Yan 
Allen  went  on  board  of  his  vessel  and  otFered  them  the  hospitality  of  his  house 
which  they  accepted,  Mr.  Paddock  remarking  "  if  that  was  a  sample  of  the 
Dutch,  they  were-  in  a  happy  land."  The  proprietors  afterwards  found  in  Col. 
Van  Allen  a  warm  friend.  He  was  a  man  of  noble  feelings  and  a  well  culti- 
vated mind.  In  stature  he  was  large  and  well  formed,  and  true  to  his  Dutch 
taste,  wore  at  that  time  a  bright  red  coat.  After  his  death  and  the  purchase 
of  his  land  was  completed  with  his  widow,  the  proprietors  presented  to  her 
a  house  lot  upon  the  Southerly  side  of  Main  street,  where  she  built  a  house 
and  resided  until  1787.  It  was  then  occupied  by  Ambrose  Spencer,  and  in  it 
John  C.  Spencer  was  born.     Its  precise  locality  cannot  be  fixed. 

It  is  said,  at  first  the  proprietors  encountered  opposition  from  individuals 
in  Claverack  and  Kinderhook,  who  endeavored  in  various  ways  to  hinder 
their  progress,  probably  foreseeing  that  one  result  of  the  new  settlement 
would  be  to  take  from  Claverack  its  position  as  the  seat  of  the  County 
buildings.  Not  understanding  the  Dutch  language,  the  proprietors  employed 
in  the  double  capacity  of  book-keeper  and  spy,  an  individual  who  did,  that 
they  might  be  able  to  counteract  all  efibrts  made  to  injure  them.  It  is  related 
that  "they  found  warm  friends  in  the  Ten  Broecks,  Delematers,  Huyck  and 
Elting,  and  the  MUlers  and  Hogebooms  were  not  hostile." 

proprietors'  minutes. 

From  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  proprietors,  we  gather  the  fol- 
lowing facts,  not  without  interest,  it  is  thought,  as  showing  their  progress,  and 
the  labors  and  duties  put  upon  individual  proprietors.  Each  seems  in  some 
way  to  have  borne  his  share  of  the  toil  necessary  to  a  successful  fulfillment  of 
the  enterprise  : 

1784,  May  14th.  The  proprietors  held  their  first  meeting  at  the  house  of 
Seth  Jenkins,  and  voted  to  proceed  to  elect  such  officers  as  were  necessary  to 
regulate  their  internal  measures,  so  far  as  their  land  extended.  David  Law- 
rence was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  meeting  ;  Keuben  Folger,  Clerk  for  one 
year.  Seth  Jenkins,  John  Thurston,  Daniel  Paddock,  Joseph  Barnard,  Thom- 
as Jenkins,  Gideon  Gardner  and  David  Lawrence  were  appointed  a  commit- 
tee "to  regulate  streets,  and  to  attend  in  a  particular  manner  to  the  fixing 
the  buildings  uniformly." 

It  was  also  voted,  "that  no  person  should  fix  his  house  without  such  direc- 
tion from  a  majority  of  the  committee  as  they  might  think  proper  ;*'  and  that 
"no  person  should  extend  his  steps  more  than  four  feet  from  his  door  or  seller 
ways." 


10  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


Samuel  Mansfield,  Gideon  Gardner  and  John  Thurston  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  view  fences. 

1784,  May  15th.  Alex.  Coffin,  David  Lawrence,  Chas.  Jenkins  and  Heze- 
kiah  Dayton  were  appointed  a  committee  "to  lay  out,  sell  or  lease  to  David 
Bunker  and  Redwood  Eastou,  a  convenient  lot  for  a  tan  yard." 

They  reported,  that  they  had  sold  one  quarter  of  an  acre  near  Peter  Hoge- 
boom's  grist  mill,  with  benefit  of  the  mill  stream,  for  ^40,  payable  310  per 
annum." 

1784,  May  17th.  Cotton  Gelstou  was  voted  Treasurer.  Five  proprietors 
were  authorized  to  call  a  meeting,  by  making  application  in  writing  to  the 
Clerk. 

1784,  June  2d.  It  was  voted  that  a  number  of  persons  should  be  employed 
"to  dig  on  the  hill  in  the  direction  of  Main  street,  in  order  to  open  a  way  to 
the  river,  and  procure  stone  for  the  proprietors." 

This  was  probably  the  opening  of  South  Front  street. 

Gideon  Gardner  was  appointed  "  to  superintend  that  business." 

The  portion  of  the  city  first  occupied,  was  that  nearest  the  landing.  The 
first  houses  built,  were  the  old  building,  for  many  years  known  as  the  Swain 
house,  standing  upon  the  North  side  of  Franklin  Square,  and  the  house  ad- 
joining.   These  were  built  by  Seth  Jenkins  and  John  Alsop. 

The  first  house  in  Main  street  was  built  by  Peter  Barnard,  upon  the  site  of 
the  present  residence  of  Ansel  McKinstry,  Esq.  Below  it  were  corn-fields  and 
orchards. 

It  is  recorded  of  Peter  Barnard,  "  that  he  was  one  of  the  kindest  hearted, 
best  tempered  and  happiest  men  that  ever  lived.  Though  poor  and  earning 
his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow,  no  prince  was  richer  and  no  king  ever  sat 
upon  his  throne  more  contentedly  than  Peter  sat  upon  his  trucks." 

The  first  store  was  opened  by  Cotton  Gelston. 

1784,  June  28th.  They  voted  that  a  house  be  immediately  built  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  proprietors,  20  feet  by  30,  to  be  appropriated  for  a  Market  House 
and  that  Daniel  Paddock  superintend  such  building." 
This  was  the  establishment  of  the  first  or  lower  market. 
1784,  Sept.  2d.  It  was  voted  "that  the  three  wells  be  stoned  and  masoned 
up."  Gideon  Gardner,  Cotton  Gelston,  Daniel  Paddock  appointed  committee 
"to  superintend  that  business." 

The  "  three  wells"  were  probably  three  reservoirs,  then  commenced,  one  of 
which  is  afterwards  spoken  of  as  the  well  in  Third  street,"  another  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Second  street  and  the  third  near  the  market  house.  They  contin- 
ued to  term  them  "wells"  for  many  years  afterwards. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  11 

1784,  Oct.  24th.  It  was  voted,  "that  a  bridge  be  built  over  the  great  hol- 
low in  Main  street,  with  stone  buttments."  Seth  Jenkins  was  appointed  to 
superintend  the  work. 

The  bridge  was  located  in  front  of  the  present  store  of  James  Clark. 

1784,  Oct.  24.  They  voted,  "that  Thomas  Jenkins  have  privilege  to  erect  a 
hay  scale  at  his  own  cost  on  Market  Square,  (lower  market)  for  five  years,  he 
promising  not  to  exact  more  than  Is.  6d.  per  load  for  weighing." 

1784,  Nov.  14th.  It  was  unanimously  agreed  by  the  proprietors  that  "in- 
futer  it  should  be  called  by  the  name  of  Hudson." 

We  have  no  account  of  any  debate  on  the  change  of  name,  or  the  suggestion 
by  the  proprietors  of  any  other  name  than  that  given.  Gov.  Clinton  suggested 
and  was  desirous  that  the  settlement  should  be  called  Clinton,  and  was  dis- 
pleased that  the  name  met  with  no  favor  among  the  proprietors. 

1784,  Nov.  2.3d.  Thomas  Jenkins,  David  I^awrence  and  Gideon  Gardner 
were  appointed  a  committee  "to  wait  on  Col.  John  Van  Allen,  impowered  by 
the  proprietors  to  purchase  his  veal  estate  ior  £2500,  and  one-thirtieth  interest 
in  the  first  purchase  made." 

It  would  seem  from  this  that  all  the  property  at  the  landing  was  not  includ- 
ed in  the  first  purchase.  Col.  Van  Allen  having  died,  the  same  committee 
were  appointed  "to  ascertain  from  the  widow  Van  Allen  whether  her  late 
husband  had  left  her  power  to  ratify  the  bargain,  if  so  to  get  writings  drawn 
and  executed  immediately." 

This  property  was  the  house  and  store  and  landing  before  referred  to,  with 
all  the  land  lying  between  Ferry  street  and  the  bay,  and  rtmning  easterly  to 
Front  street. 

INCORPOBATIOII. 

1785,  Feb.  17th.  It  was  voted  that  a  "petition  be  draughted  to  be  laid  be- 
fore the  Legislative  authority  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  ourselves 
incorporated,  with  city  privileges." 

Ezekiel  Gilbert,  John  Thurston,  Ezra  Reed,  and  Seth  Jenkins  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  draught  the  same. 

Seth  Jenkins,  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  John  Thurston,  Ezekiel  ^^Gilbert  were 
appointed  to  repair  to  New  York  as  soon  as  corvenient  and  present  the  same 
before  the  General  Assembly  then  in  session,  and  use  their  utmost  influence 
to  ge'.  it  passed  immediately. 

On  the  22dday  of  April,  1785,  the  Act  of  incorporation  passed,  and  Hud- 
son became  a  city,  the  third  in  the  State.  The  territory  of  the  city,  as  char- 
tered, extended   from  the  line  of  the  town  of  Livingston  on  the'  South,  to 


12  SKETCHES       OFHUDSON. 

Major  Abraham's  (Stockport)  creek  on  the  North,  and  Claverack  creek  on 
the  East.  A  portion  of  the  town  of  Stockport  was  taken  off  in  1833,  and 
the  town  of  Greenport  in  1837,  leaving  Hudson  with  but  very  little  more 
territory  than  that  now  embraced  within  the  compact  portion  of  the  city. 

The  news  of  the  passage  of  the  act  incorporating  the  city,  occasioned  great 
joy.  On  the  4th  day  of  May,  Mr.  Gilbert  arrived  from  New  York,  bringing 
with  him  the  charter  of  the  city  and  the  appointment  of  Seth  Jenkins  by  the 
Governor  and  Council  as  Mayor.  Its  reception  was  attended  with  the  firing 
of  cannon,  raising  of  flags,  and  every  other  possible  demonstration  of  gratifica- 
tion, by  the  citizens.  On  the  day  following  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Gilbert,  Seth 
Jenkins  issued  his  proclamation  announcing  the  incorporation  of  the  city,  his 
appointment  as  Mayor,  and  calling  upon  all  the  freemen  within  the  limits  of  the 
city,  to  meet  at  the  school  house,  a  small  frame  building  then  standing  upon 
the  county  road  near  the  river,  on  the  Monday  following,  (the  9th  day  of  May) 
to  choose  necessary  officers  and  to  transact  other  important  business.  This 
was  Hudson's  first  charter  election,  but  it  was  conducted  without  a  contest. 
We  can  find  no  statement  of  the  vote  cast,  nor  do  we  know  the  population  at 
that  time,  but  the  city  grew  with  great  rapidity,  and  from  1785  to  1786,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dwellings,  besides  wharves,  barns,  shops  and  out-houses 
were  built. 

1785,  July  25th.  They  voted  "that  one  house  lot  on  Main  street  should  be 
given  to  Ezekiel  Gilbert  as  a  free  donation  for  his  essential  services  done  the 
proprietors  in  bringing  about  the  incorporation  of  this  city."  The  lot  given 
was  lot  number  62  Warren  street,  as  at  present  numbered. 

1785,  Aprd  8th.  It  was  voted  that  Thomas  Jenkins  and  David  Lawrence 
be  a  committee  to  name  the  streets  ;  also  that  Diamond  street  be  put  in  a 
passable  condition,  and  that  the  proprietors  should  send  as  many  men  as  con- 
venient, until  there  were  a  sufiicient  number  to  work  them,  and  on  producing 
a  certificate  to  Titus  Morgan  they  should  be  entitled  to  receive  four  shillings 
per  day. 

1785,  April  19th.  They  voted  that  a  lot  50  by  120  feet  on  Diamond  street 
should  be  granted  to  any  person  or  persons  who  would  build  a  school  house, 
not  less  than  40  feet  by  24,  such  persons  not  to  receive  more  than  nine  per 
cent,  on  the  cost  of  the  building  for  the  use  of  it,  and  to  have  the  power  to 
sell  it  to  the  corporation  at  large,  for  their  own  use,  whenever  they  had  op- 
portunity so  to  do,  and  that  it  should  continue  to  be  used  for  a  School  house 
for  every  description  and  denomination  of  people  then  settled  or  which  should 
thereafter  settle  here. 


SKETCHES      OF       HUDSON.  13 

Shortly  after  its  erection  Joseph  .Marshall,  who  styled  himself  the  "public's 
humble  servant,"  gave  notice  that  he  designed  opening  a  school  in  the  Dia- 
uiond  street  School  house,  from  5  to  7  o'clock  P.  M.  pach  day,  for  the  in- 
struction of  "Misses"  in  writing,  cyphering,  composition,  English  grammar  and 
geography.  The  old  school  house,  no  longer  a  nursery  for  the  young  ideas  of 
"Misses,"  is  still  standing,  moved  to  the  lower  part  of  Chapel  street. 

178;),  June  19th.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  conclude  upon  a  plan 
for  a  proprietor's  scliool  house  on  Market  Square. 

1785,  Jane  9th.  Land  was  granted  to  the  corporation  for  the  erection  of  a 
Gaol  "on  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  northermost  square  on  Fourth  street." 

The  Gaol  was  constructed  of  logs,  with  iron  grates  at  the  windows,  and 
stood  very  nearly  upon  the  site  of  the  present  blacksmith  shop  of  Thomas  Ty- 
nan. It  was  reached  by  a  foot  path  through  the  field  from  Main  street.  Fourth 
street  not  yet  having  been  opened.  It  is  said  of  this  Gaol,  that  almost  the 
first  prisoner  confined  in  it  concealed  an  auger  upon  his  person,  bored  through 
the  logs  and  escaped. 

The  City  Hall  was  erected  nearly  opposite  the  Gaol,  upon  the  present  site 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  which  was  then  called  the  "upper  end  of  Main 
street."  It  was  commenced  in  the  year  1786,  but  remained  for  years  unfin- 
ished, the  lower  part  being  used  at  one  time  for  the  storing  of  hay,  and  was 
not  completed  until  there  was  a  certainty  that  Hudson  would  become  the 
seat  of  the  County  Courts.  It  was  a  square  brick  building,  in  the  very  plain- 
est style  of  architecture,  two  stories  in  height,  the  upper  part  capable  of  ac- 
commodating four  hundred  people,  being  used  for  public  purposes,  and  the 
lower  part  for  offices,  and  for  some  years  a  school  room.  In  the  year  1805, 
when  Hudson  became  the  County  seat,  the  Common  Council  appropriated  it 
to  the  County  to  be  used  as  a  Court  House,  votirg  also  the  sum  of  $2000,  and 
a  lot  of  land,  for  the  erection  of  a  new  jail,  which  was  ready  for  the  reception 
of  prisoners  in  the  month  of  October,  in  that  year.  The  present  office  of  the 
Hudson  Gazette  was  the  building  then  erected  as  the  "County  prison."  The 
Court  House  was  occupied  by  each  religious  organization  in  its  infancy,  and 
still  continued  to  be  used  for  all  public  gatherings  until  its  purchase  by  the 
Presbyterian  Society,  from  which  time  until  the  erection  of  tho  present  fine 
structure,  Hudson  was  destitute  of  a  room  for  pubUc  use,  in  the  least  degree 
comfortable  or  adequate  to  the  wants  of  its  citizens. 

1806,  Jan.  11th.  Benjamin  Birdsall  was  voted  by  the  Common  Council 
forty  dollars  for  his  services  as  committee-man  in  procuring  a  change  of  the 
County  seat. 


14  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


The  present  Court  House  and  Jail  were  erected  in  the  year  1835,  at  a  cost 
of  !535,(iOO,  under  the  direction  of  James  Mellen,  Henry  C.  Miller,  John  W. 
Edmonds,  John  P.  Mesick,  Jehoiakim  A.  Tan  Yalkenburgh. 

1785,  June  9th.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out  plot,  &c.,  of  the 
city.  The  plot  embraced  Union,  Main,  Diamond  and  State  streets,  with  Sec- 
ond, Third,  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets  crossing  them.  Fu-st  street  was  not 
opened  until  many  years  after. 

1785,  Dec.  30th.  One  house  lot  was  voted  to  Cotton  Gelston  for  his  trouble 
in  laying  out  plot  of  the  city. 

PARADE   HILL,  ETC. 

1795,  March  9th.  It  was  voted  "that  the  certain  piece  of  land,  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Parade,  or  Mall,  in  front  of  Main  street,  and  on  the  banks 
fronting  the  river,  should  be  granted  to  the  Common  Council  forever,  as  a 
public  walk  or  Mall,  and  for  no  other  purpose  whatever." 

The  "  i\[aU"  remained  in  an  unimproved  condition  for  many  years,  except 
the  erection  upon  it  of  a  house  for  the  sale  of  "refreshments."  This  was  octa- 
gon in  shape,  the  lower  part  used  as  a  saloon  for  "refreshments,"  the  upper 
part  surrounded  by  a  covered  piazza,  affording  a  beautiful  lookout  upon  the 
river,  and  a  flag  staff  surmounting  the  building.  It  was  called  the  "Round- 
house," and  the  hill  until  its  improvement  in  1834,  was  called  the  "Round- 
house hill."  It  was  in  that  year  enclosed,  laid  out  into  walks,  the  house,  which 
had  become  a  nuisance,  removed,  and  after  the  suggestion  through  the  press 
of  many  very  fanciful  names,  was  given  its  present  name  of  "Parade  Hill." 

Near  the  Southern  end  of  the  hill,  visitors  cannot  have  failed  to  notice  a 
small  circular  grove  of  trees,  called  "lovers'  retreat."  These  were  planted,  it 
is  said,  to  mark  the  location  of  a  rock  known  in  the  early  days  of  the  city  as 
"Love  rock,"  and  the  spot,  were  "by  moon-light  alone,"  a  large  proportion  of 
the  marriage  contracts  of  our  Quaker  ancestors  were  "made  and  entered  into." 
Duruig  the  improvement  of  the  hill,  when  the  rock  was  levelled,  a  writer  in 
one  of  the  city  papers  thus  alludes  to  it  : 

"  Could  that  rock  speak,  what  then  ? — but  it  is  gone — years  had  it  stood.— 
men  among  us  whose  heads  are  white  with  the  snow-flakes  of  time,  have  sat 
upon  it  with  the  buoyant  passions  of  youth.  Women  who  can  scarce  raise 
their  feeble  limbs,  have  leaped  in  glorious  glee  around  its  base.  How  many 
bright  moons  have  shed  their  light  upon  it,  how  many  a  strain  of  music  melt- 
ed away  in  the  air  above  it,  how  many  brilliant  thoughts  have  there  been  in- 
dulged. We  have  sat  there  ourselves  and  might  tell  many  curious  things  about 
it,  but  have  given  already  sufficient  flight  to  our  imagination.  We  would  say 
to  the  rock,  if  it  had  a  soul,  'peace  to  it.' " 

Rocks,  like  dead  men,  tell  no  tales.  Could  "Love  rock"  speak,  it  would 
doubtless  give  us  many  touching  revelations. 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  15 

In  1795,  the  proprietors,  upon  the  petition  of  Marshal  Jenkins  and  Saninel 
Edmonds,  granted  a  lot  of  land  upon  the  corner  of  LTnion  and  'I'iiird  streets  to 
the  Society  "called  Free  Masons,"  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building  there- 
on suitable  for  their  use.  It  was  to  be  built  upon  within  two  years  or  the 
land  "should  devolve  to  the  Council  for  the  use  of  the  corporation."  I'he 
building  was  to  be  fifty  by  twenty-five  feet  in  size,  and  it  was  a  ccndition  of 
the  grant  that  it  should  never  be  used  as  a  tavern.  "The  Lodge,"  as  it  was 
called,  was  deemed  an  "ornament"  to  the  city,  as  originally  erected.  It  was 
partially  destroyed  by  fire  about  thirty-fivo  years  ago,  on  the  4th  of  July,  and 
the  present  St.  John's  Hall  built  upon  the  ruins.  As  early  as  1787,  we  find 
tlie  Masons  celebrating  the  festival  of  St.  John  by  a  dinner  and  an  oration. 
Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  "Lodge"  it  was  the  custom  to  hold  their  meet- 
ings at  some  one  of  the  puMic  houses. 

In  the  war  of  1812,  the  lower  part  of  the  Hall  was  used  as  barracks  for 
soldiers  who  enlisted  under  Capt.  Smith,  of  the  U.  S.  Light  Dragoons,  and 
Lieut.  Theophilus  E.  Beekman,  recruiting  officers.  It  was  this  service  that  first 
brought  Mr.  Boekman  to  this  city,  of  which  he  was  long  after  a  resident. 
During  a  row  among  the  soldiere  in  the  barracks,  which  he  endeavored  to  quell, 
he  received  an  injury  for  which  he  afterwards  drew  a  pension. 

1795,  ^larch  9th.  Proprietors  deeded  to  the  Common  Council  the  lots 
upon  which  the  Gaol  and  City  IJall  stood,  other  lots  in  different  parts  of  the 
city,  all  the  streets  and  lands  not  theretofore  appropriated,  to  be  opened  by 
them  at  their  discretion,  whenever  it  would  benefit  the  public  ;  also  the  burial 
ground  presented  to  the  proprietors,  excepting  such  part  as  was  enclosed  by 
the  Society  of  Friends  and  to  be  conveyed  to  them. 

1810,  May  23d.  The  last  meeting  of  the  proprietors  was  held,  Stephen 
Paddock  JModerator,  Erastus  Pratt  Clerk.  Provision  had  been  previously 
made  for  the  delivery  of  the  proprietors'  books,  plot  of  the  city,  etc.,  to  the 
Clerk  of  the  city,  and  for  a  passage  of  a  law  by  the  Legislature,  for  a  confir- 
mation of  all  the  divisions  made  by  them.  Their  meetings  had  been  more 
fiequent  than  these  extracts  indicate,  but  the  proceedings  related  principally 
to  the  disposition  and  exchange  of  their  lots  or  "public  squares"  as  tliey  tei'm- 
ed  them,  and  to  the  laying  out  of  the  "public  roads,"  or  streets. 

In  all  the  proceedings  we  find  mention  but  two  or  three  times  made  of  their 
financial  condition,  but  it  is  evident,  from  these,  that  the  "wheels  of  finance" 
did  not  run  perfectly  smooth,  as  they  speak  at  one  time  of  being  considerably 
pressed,  and  advised  the  disposition  of  certain  lots  for  relief. 

We  have  as  yet  had  no  glimpse  of  the  government  of  the  city,  which  at  the 


16  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


date  we  take  leave  of  the  proprietors,  already  boasted  of  a  populatioa  of 
nearly  5,000.  It  had  attained  a  position  which  they  had  hardly  looked  or 
hoped  for,  although  they  had  brought  to  bear  all  their  energy  and  influence  to 
secure  its  prosperity. 

THE    PROPRIETORS. 

No  place  can  claim  more  for  the  character  of  its  founders,  than  can  Hudson 
for  its  original  proprietors.  All  of  them  were  men  of  influence,  intelligence 
and  activity,  and  are  described,  physically,  as  "stout,  well  formed,  noble  looking 
men."  Nearly  all  of  them  were  possessed  of  considerable  pecuniary  means, 
which  they  at  once  employed  in  such  ways  as  would  most  encourage  the  bus- 
iness interests  of  the  place.  It  is  said  of  the  Jenkins  family,  that  they  alone 
brought  with  them  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars.  They  were  re- 
garded as  the  moving  spirits  in  the  enterprise,  and  every  species  of  trade  and 
commerce  was  for  many  years  successfully  carried  on  by  them.  Thomas  Jen- 
kins is  described  as  uniting  the  stately,  dignified,  princely  air  of  an  old  school 
gentleman  with  the  address  and  energy  of  a  man  of  business,  and  few  like  him, 
it  is  said,  are  to  be  found  at  the  present  day,  even  in  the  great  metropolis 
itself,  '^\^len  standing  on  his  wharf,  with  his  gold  headed  cane  in  his  hand, 
watching  and  directing  the  preparations  for  the  sailing  of  his  ships,  his  air  and 
manner  were  authoritative,  but  in  feeling  he  was  not  in  the  least  degree  haugh- 
ty. His  residence,  built  immediately  after  the  settlement  of  the  city,  was 
that  now  occupied  by  P.  S.  Wynkoop,  Esq.  as  a  residence  and  by  the  Misses 
Peake  as  a  Seminary.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  it  was  considered  palatial, 
and  as  his  means  enabled  him  to  live  in  a  corresponding  style,  and  which 
doubtless  presented  a  strong  contrast  to  primitive  Quaker  simplicity,  it  is  not 
strange  that  he  was  thought  even  somewhat  aristocratic. 

Long  after  emigration  had  added  greatly  to  the  population  of  the  place,  and 
many  to  the  number  of  its  public  spirited  and  enterprising  citizens,  they  con- 
tinued to  exercise  a  great  influence  in  all  its  affairs.  For  over  thirty  years, 
with  the  exception  of  the  short  period  of  two  years,  the  office  of  Mayor  of  the 
city  was  filled  by  some  member  of  the  Jenkins  family.  Numerous  and  influ- 
ential however  as  it  was  at  that  time,  scarce  half  a  dozen  of  its  descendants 
are  at  this  day  residents  of  the  city,  to  whose  early  prosperity  they  so  largely 
contributed,  and  with  whose  early  history  its  name  is  so  inseparably  connected. 

Thomas  Jenkins  died  in  New  York  in  the  year  1808,  leaving  four  sons, 
Thomas,  Gilbert,  Frederick  and  Elisha,  and  four  daughters.  His  remains 
were  brought  to  this  city  upon  a  sloop,  and  buried  according  to  the  rites  of 
the  Quaker  society,  in  the  ground  belonging  to  them.  No  tombstone 
was  ever  placed  upon  his  grave  and  it  cannot  now  be  identified. 


SKETCHES      OF       HUDSON. 


Aiiotlior  proprietor  of  whom  we  find  very  fre([uent  mention  made  is  Cotton 
Gelston.  who  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  very  great  activity  and  energy,  lie 
was  first  treasurer  for  the  proprietors,  first  postmaster,  launched  the  first  ship, 
openad  the  first  store,  was  the  first  surveyor,  made  the  first  plot  of  the  city, 
drew  their  first  deeds  ;  in  short  seems  to  !iave  l»cen  the  "chief  scribe"'  and  nian- 
of-all-work,  for  the  proprietors,  and  from  tlie  time  he  was  sent  by  Thomas 
Jenkins  to  Xatitucket,  to  carry  out  the  plan  of  his  association,  until  his  death, 
was  the  servant  of  the  city  in  some  capacity.  We  have  been  shown  a  deed, 
supposed  to  have  been  drawn  by  him,  which,  although  something  of  a  curiosi- 
ty, being  drawn  upon  a  sheet  of  paper  about  four  feet  in  length  by  one  in 
width,  as  apiece  of  penmanship,  would  be  considered  creditable  at  the  present 
day,  and  is  remarkable  for  its  paiticularity  of  description.  Mr.  Gelston  was  a 
man  of  medium  height,  rather  stout,  with  little  iu  his  countenance  indicative 
of  the  force  of  character  he  possessed.  It  is  said  of  him,  that  he  was  a  man 
of  violent  passions  and  led  into  frequent  difficulties  with  those  around  him. 
In  a  fit  of  anger  he  once  knocked  down  Thomas  Jenkins,  who  was  doubtless 
his  best  friend.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  proprietors  there  was  much  debate 
as  to  the  proper  disposition  of  the  proprietors'  minutes,  accounts,  and  other 
papers.  Mr.  Gelston  was  violently  opposed  to  their  passing  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Common  Council,  and  in  a  moment  of  excitement  made  an  efibrt 
to  destroy  them  by  burning.  He  succeeded  in  part,  but  the  minutes  were 
taken  from  him  by  Gilbert  Jenkins,  then  a  young  man,  after  a  struggle.  'J'here 
is  not  a  descendant  of  Mr.  Gelston  living  in  Hudson  at  the  present  time. 

Stephen  Paddock,  Joseph  Barnard,  Nathaniel  Greene  and  Alexander  Cof- 
fin are  also  prominently  spoken  of  as  energetic,  active  citizens.  IJeside  the 
Jenkins's  and  Gelston,  but  few  of  the  proprietors  at  first  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits.  Several  of  them  were  '-sea-faring"  men,  others  shortly  after  their 
arrival  settled  upon  farms  in  the  vicinity,  and  some  early  left  the  settlement. 
It  luis  sometimes  been  remarked,  as  not  a  little  singular  tiiat  of  some  of  the 
proprietors  there  have  never  been  any  since,  among  the  residents  of  the  city, 
bearing  theirnames.  The  fact  that  some  of  them  did  not  long  remain  here, 
will  probaljly  explain  it.  In  giving  the  credit  we  do  to  the  proprietors  for  the 
early  prosperity  of  Hudson,  we  should  not  forget  the  fact,  that  their  efforts 
were  seconded  by  many,  not  only  from  the  immediate  vicinity  but  from  a  dis- 
tance, who  were  at  once  attracted  to  the  enteiiirise  by  its  bright  prospects. 
Ezekiel  Gilbert,  who  seems  very  early  to  have  taken  an  active  interest  iu  it, 
was  at  the  time  a  resident  of  Claverack,  from  which  place  he  moved  his  law- 
oflice  in  178.5,  thus  becoming  Hudson's  first  lawyer  ;  first  not  only  in  order, 
but  for  many  years  first  in  ability.     Mr.  Gilbert  was  not  a  man  of  great  talents, 


18  SKETCHES       OF     HUDSON. 

but  made  himself  of  great  service  to  Hudson,  in  its  early  days.  He  was  Rep- 
resentative in  Congress  about  the  year  171)0,  and  through  his  efforts  Hudson 
was  made  a  port  of  entry.  About  the  year  1800  he  occupied  a  pleasant  coun- 
try residence  standing  very  nearly  upon  the  site  of  the  public  house  of  S.  S. 
Martin,  and  gave  to  the  city  a  portion  of  the  ground  for  the  upper  public 
square,  with  the  intention  of  having  it  laid  out  as  a  park.  He  died  about 
twenty  years  ago,  at  an  advanced  age,  very  infirm,  and  in  somewhat  reduced 
circumstances.  Of  the  firms  who  were  shortly  after  the  settlement  so  largely 
engaged  in  business,  the  greater  part  were  of  those  who  immediately  followed 
the  proprietors. 

CITY   GOVERNMENT. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  was  held  on  the  9th  day  of  May, 
1785. 

Present — Seth  Jenkins,  Esq.,  Mayor ;  Nathaniel  Greene,  Esq.,  Recorder  ; 
William  Mayhew  and  Stephen  Paddock,  Esqs.,  Aldermen  ;  Dirck  Delamater 
and  Marslial  Jenkins,  Esqs.,  Assistants. 

The  following  individuals  have  held  the  office  of  Mayor,  appointed  by  the 
Governor  and  Council  of  Appointment : 

Seth  Jenkins,  April,  1785.  Robert  Jenkins,  February,  1815. 

Thomas  Jenkins,  November,  1793.  John  Talman,  February,  1820. 

Robert  Jenkins,  Februaiy,  1808.  Alexander  Coffin,  February,  1821. 
John  Talman,  March,  1813. 

ELECTED   BY  THE   COMMON   COUNCIL. 

Rufus  Reed,  June,  1823  &  24.  Henry  Smith,  January,  1833,  34  &  35. 

Thomas  Bay,  January,  1825  &  26.  Robert  G.  Frary,  January,  1836. 

Oliver  Wiswall,  January,  1827  &  28.  Robert  McKinstry,  January,  1837. 

Samuel  White,  January,  1829.  Allen  Jordan,  January,  1839. 

Samuel  Anable,  Jan'y,  1830, 31  &  32.  George  W.  Cook,  January,  1840. 

ELECTED    BY  THE    PEOPLE. 

Robert  G.  Frary,  April.  1840  &  41.  George  H.  Power,  J^pril,  1852. 

Samuel  Anable,  April,  1842.  Joshua  T.  A¥aterman,  November  1852. 

Charles  DarUng,  April,  1843.  Peter  S.  Wynkoop,  November,  1853. 

Cyras  Curtis,  April,  1844  &  45.  John  C.  Dormandy,  November,  1854. 

Robert  G.  Frary,  April,  1846.  Joshua  T.  Waterman,  November,  1 856. 

Matthew  Mitchell,  April,  1847  &48.  Jacob  W.  Hoysradt,  December,  1858. 

Hugh  McClellan,  April,  1849  &  50.  Samuel  Bachman,  December,  1860. 
Peter  S.  Burger,  April,  1851. 

The  only  individual  now  living,  Avho  filled  the  office  diu-ing  the  first  half 
century  of  the  existence  of  the  city  is  Oliver  Wiswall,  Esq. 

The  first  Recorder  of  the  city,  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Council  was 
Nathaniel  Greene,  1785.    His  successors  have  been  as  follows  : 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  19 

llezckiali  L.  Hosmer,  1793.  Joscpli  D.  Monell,  1815, 

Levi  Wlieatdii.  Jr.,  1  794.  Aiiibroso  L.  Jordan,  1821. 

Alexander  Coflin,  .Tanuarv,  1797.  John  W.  Edmonds,  1827. 

Cotton  (ielston.  June,  1797.  Darius  Peck,  1833. 

Kiisha  Pitkin,  1801.  Iloltort  AlcClellun,  1843. 

David  Lawrence,  1802.  Rodolplms  P.  Hkirner,  elected,  1849. 

Philip  S.  Parker,  1808.  Stephen  L.  Magouu,  "       1852. 

Hezokiah  L.  Hosnicr,  1810.  Klijaii  Pavn,  "       1855. 

Joseph  D.  Monell,  1811.  Henry  Miller,  "       1858  .t  9 

Ilezekiah  L.  Hosmer,  1813.  Alexander  S.  Rowley,       "      18G1. 

The  first  City  Clerk  was  John  Bay,  1785. 
The  first  Chamberlain  was  John  Alsop,  1785. 

Of  all  who  filled  the  office  of  Aldermen  during  the  first  fifty  years,  the  fol- 
lowing' only,  are  now  living  in  the  city  : 

Oliver  Wiswall,  Israel  Piatt, 

Ilohert  A.  Barnard,  Henry  I).  I'arkman, 

Henry  C.  Miller,  Benjamin  F.  Deuell, 

Solomon  AVescott,  Ansel  McKinstry. 
Charles  Darling, 

For  a  full  list  of  all  the  officers  of  the  city  from  the  date  of  its  incorporation , 
we  refer  the  reader  to  the  Civil  List  for  Columbia  County,  compiled  by  Edwin 
C.  Terry,  Esq.,  in  1858. 

Li  August,  1785,  a  seal  for  the  city  was  purchased  ;  Nathaniel  Greene,  Seth 
Jenkins,  John  Bay,  Ezra  Reed,  Stephen  Paddock,  Benjamin  Folger,  Dirck 
Delamater,  John  Ten  Broeck  and  Peter  Hogeboom  eacli  contributing  eleven 
shillings  and  four  pence  to  defray  its  cost.  This  seal  is  still  in  use,  never 
having  been  changed. 

PROCEEDINGS    OF    COUNCIL. 

From  the  early  minutes  of  the  Council  we  make  the  following  extracts  : 

1785,  June  7th.  Nathaniel  Greene,  William  "Wall  and  31arshal  Jenkins 
were  ai)pointed  a  committee  to  erect  a  gaol  within  the  city  Hmits  30  feet  long, 
20  feet  wide,  and  one  story  high. 

This  is  the  log  gaol  before  mentioned. 

1785,  July  2Gth.    Abimelech  Riggs  was  appointed  keeper  of  gaol. 

FEKRY. 

1785,  July  26th.  Benjamin  Folger,  Thomas  Jenkins  and  Ezra  Reed  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  regulate  and  rent  the  ferry,  which  appears  still 
to  have  been  in  the  hands  of  I\rr.  Flock.  The  canoe  had  given  place  to  a 
boat  twenty  feet  long  and  very  narrow,  and  sharp  at  both  ends.  In  order  to 
carry  teams  across,  the  horses  were  placed  one  at  each  end  of  the  boat  and 
timbers  laid  across  it,  upon  which  the  wagon  rested.    The  feriy  did  not  pass 


20  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

fully  into  tlie  control  of  the  city  until  about  the  year  1790,  when  the  boat  de- 
scribed gave  way  to  a  scow  with  sails,  so  constructed  that  teams  could  enter 
from  either  end,  and  the  following  rates  and  regulations  had  been  established  : 

•Tor  every  single  person,  except  sucking  child,  Is.  Gd. 
man,  horse,  ox,  cow,  Is.  6(/. 
loaded  wagon  or  ox  cart,  2s.  6d. 
empty        "  "         Is-  6d. 

hog  or  pig  under  80  lbs.  dead,  4d. 
"  "  alive,  6ci. 

dead  sheep  or  lamp,  od. 
live  "         calf,  id. 

barrel  of  rum,  sugar  and  molasses,  6c?. 
pail  of  butter,  1  penny,  firkin  or  tub,  2d. 
bushel  of  wheat,  peas  or  grain  1  penny." 

One  half  more  was  charged  when  compelled  on  account  of  low  water  to  go 
around  the  flats. 

For  every  neglect  to  pay,  treble  the  amount  of  ferriage  was  to  be  forfeited. 
Before  sunrise  and  in  the  evening,  the  ferryman  was  entitled  to  double  rates. 

He  was  to  keep  two  scows,  with  four  able  hands  to  each,  and  to  run  con- 
stantly from  sunrise  to  sunset,  wind  and  weather  permitting,  or  forfeit  twenty 
shillings  for  every  neglect.  On  the  arrival  of  the  boat  at  Loonenburgh  land- 
ing, it  was  the  duty  of  some  one  of  the  ferrymen  to  blow  a  shell  or  trumpet,  in 
order  to  give  immediate  notice  of  such  arrival,  and  to  remain  there  fifteen 
minutes. 

1803,  April  14th.  Mayor,  Recorder  and  Mr.  Power  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  the  citizens  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  respecting  a 
"Canal  through  the  flats."  The  "Canal"  was  not  constructed  until  many  years 
after.  In  the  year  181G,  the  work  was  done  under  the  direction  of  Robert 
Jenkins,  Oliver  AViswall  and  Judah  Paddock,  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
Common  Coimcil. 

The  use  of  scows  continued  until  the  spring  of  the  year  1816,  when  they 
gave  place  to  the  horse-boat,  which  was  built  by  William  Johnson,  at  a  cost 
of  six  thousand  dollars.  Its  introduction  was  a  great  event  in  the  history  of 
the  city,  and  considered  a  very  decided  step  forward. 

The  Mayor  and  a  portion  of  the  Council  made  a  trial  trip  in  it  around  the 
flats,  when  the  pilot,  not  yet  accustomed  to  the  management  of  his  new  craft, 
came  in  collision  with  a  vessel  so  forcibly  as  to  bring  the  official  party  down 
to  a  level  with  the  deck.  It  contiimed  to  nin,  with  the  exception  of  an  un- 
successful attempt  some  years  ago  to  sustain  a  steam  ferry,  until  the  present 
steamboat  did  away,  we  trust,  forever  in  these  waters  with  horse  flesh  as  a 
propelling  power  for  ferries. 


SKETCH   KS       OF       HUDSON.  21 


1785,  July  5th.  It  was  resolved,  '-That  a  Stocks  and  Whi])piiig  Post  be 
made  and  erected  nigh  the  market  in  this  city,  and  that  William  Wall,  Esq., 
cause  the  same  to  be  completed,  and  that  he  lay  an  account  of  the  expenses 
thereof  before  this  Board,  who  engage  to  provide  for  the  payment  of  the  same." 
It  was  a  heavy  post,  deeply  set,  to  which  the  offender  was  tied,  receiving 
upon  his  bare  back  the  number  of  lashes  fixed  by  the  Justice  passing  the 
sentence.  Its  cost  was  £3, 4s.  lid.  The  punishment  of  whipping  was  inflict- 
ed for  petty  offences.  In  addition  to  the  whipping,  the  offender  was  some- 
times sentenced  to  be  driven  out  of  the  city.  In  that  case  he  was  tied  to  the 
tail  of  a  cart,  and  commencing  at  the  lower  end  of  Alain  street,  received  a  cer- 
tain number  of  lashes  at  each  corner  until  the  head  of  the  street  was  reached, 
where  he  was  set  at  liberty  and  directed  to  leave  the  limits  of  the  city.  The 
officer  inflicting  the  punishment  was  called  a  "whipping  master,"  and  received 
his  appointment  from  the  Common  Council.  EUsha  Foote  officiated  in  this 
capacity  for  many  years. 

1785,  Aug.  2d.  It  was  ordained  "that  it  should  not  be  lawful  for  any  person 
or  persons  whatsoever,  to  run  or  gallop  his,  her  or  their  Horse  or  Horses 
through  any  of  the  Streets  of  the  said  City,  and  that  if  any  person  or  persons 
should  be  convicted  of  running  or  galloping  his,  her  or  their  Horse  or  Horses 
through  any  of  the  Streets  of  said  City,  he,  she  or  they  should,  for  every  such 
offense,  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  six  shillings,  current  money  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  to  be  recovered  before  the  Alayor,  Recorder,  or  any  of  the  Alder- 
men, with  Costs  of  Suit,  one  half  to  go  to  the  Informer,  the  other  half  to  the 
Overseers  of  Poor  of  the  City  for  the  use  of  the  poor  thereof." 

1785,  Sept.  7th.  "Whereas  John  Dewitt,  late  of  the  city  of  New  York,  had 
run  away  and  left  his  wife  and  children  :"  it  was  ordered,  "That  Mrs.  Dewitt, 
wife  of  the  said  John  Dewitt,  with  her  children,  be  sent  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  the  place  from  whence  the  said  John  Dewitt  came." 

1785,  Dec.  5th.  Ordinances  were  passed  prohibiting  store  keepers  from 
throwing  glass  in  the  streets,  boys  from  swimming  near  the  ferry  landing,  also 
prohibiting  any  person  chopping  wood  on  Main  street  "with  an  axe,"  and  the 
running  at  large  of  "any  hog  or  hogs,  goose  or  geese,  unless  properly  yoked." 

1786,  Daniel  Pinkham,  Elihu  Bunker,  John  Powell  and  Shubael  Worth 
were  appointed  Guagers  for  one  year,  to  receive  6d  per  hogshead,  "smaller 
casks  in  proportion,  and  no  more." 

1787,  March  1st.  Forty-one  licenses  to  sell  liquor  were  granted,  for  sums 
varying  from  eight  to  sixteen  shillings.  It  is  fair  to  infer  some  liquor  was 
drunk  in  early  times. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


Daniel  Paddock  and  Jared  Coffin  were  voted  £13,  Is,  Gd  each  for  services 
as  assessors  for  one  year. 

1787,  March  1st.  Freelove  Clark  was  ordered  to  be  sent  back  to  Nantuck- 
et, and  Stephen  Paddock  was  authorized  to  take  proper  measures  to  remove 
her.  It  was  the  custom  to  send  vagrants  back  tc  their  former  place  of  resi- 
dence ;  several  instances  like  the  above  are  reported  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Council. 

NIGUT    WATCn. 

1788,  Jan.  5th.  Citizens  voluntarily  associated  themselves  into  a  watch 
against  thieves  and  fires,  and  to  preserve  order  in  the  city  at  night.  Shortly 
after,  the  Common  Council,  deeming  it  a  "salutaiy  institution"  ordained  that 
it  should  consist  of  four  citizens  for  each  night,  to  begin  their  watch  at  9  o'- 
clock in  the  evening  and  continue  until  day-break.  Jonathan  Worth  was  ap- 
pointed to  notify  the  citizens  on  the  roll,  at  least  twelve  hours  before  they 
were  to  come  on  the  watch,  and  in  case  of  absence  or  inability,  was  to  supply 
their  places.  They  were  empowered  to  interrogate  any  persons  out  at  an  un- 
seasonable hour,  and  unless  satisfactory  answers  were  received,  to  confine 
them  in  the  watch  house  until  the  following  morning,  when  they  were  taken 
before  the  proper  officer  and  discharged  or  punished.  Each  man  received  one 
dollar  a  night  for  his  services,  and  was  provided  with  a  heavy  oak  club,  for  the 
double  purpose  of  protection  and  sounding  the  hours,  which  was  done  by 
heavy  blows  upon  the  posts  or  side-walk,  and  crying  out  with  the  hour,  "all's 
well."  Night  locks,  window  fastenings,  iron  safes,  revolvers,  and  the  numer- 
ous other  articles  of  the  present  day,  for  protection  against  burglars,  were  not 
yet  invented,  nor  had  the  need  of  them  been  felt.  Robberies,  however,  were 
frequent  and  rowdyism  not  unknown.  Stoops  were  over-turned,  gates  un- 
hinged, signs  misplaced,  door-knockers  mysteriously  worked  and  many  other 
similar  pranks,  which  we  are  apt  to  think  peculiarity  belonging  to  a  modern 
period,  were  nightly  played.  The  press  complained  loudly  of  "the  disgraceful 
course  certain  young  men  are  pursuing,"  and  threatened  them  with  exposure 
in  its  columns  unless  they  desisted  from  their  "evil  practices."  Subsequently 
the  "watch"  was  efficiently  organized  and  existed  for  many  years.  Old  citizens 
are  often  heard  to  remark,  that  they  have  never  since  it  was  abandoned,  en- 
joyed the  same  pleasant  sense  of  security  at  night. 

1790,  Oct.  23d.  It  was  resolved  that  Stephen  Paddock  and  Thomas  Froth- 
ingham  be  a  committee  to  engage  and  agree  M-ith  the  Printer  to  strike  off  one 
hundred  pounds  in  small  bills  or  notes  of  credit  upon  the  Corporation.  One 
ream  of  paper  was  directed  to  be  furnished  of  suitable  quality,  and  struck  off  in 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  23 

"tickets"  to  be  signed  by  the  clerk  of  the  city,  of  the  vahie  of  one,  two,  three 
and  four  cents.  There  was  a  scarcity  of  silver  and  almost  a  total  absence  of 
"coppers"  and  these  "tickets"  circulated  freely  as  "small  change." 

AQUEDUCT   COMPANY. 

1791,  Aug.  30th.  It  was  resolved,  "that  John  Kemper  be  appointed  to 
take  the  pump  brake  and  upper  box  from  the  public  pump,  and  at  the  hour  of 
six  in  the  morning,  at  twelve  at  noon,  and  at  five  in  the  evening  of  each  day, 
go  with  or  deliver  it  to  the  hands  of  some  careful  persons  to  be  carried  to  the 
pump,  that  each  of  the  citizens  applying  for  water  might  have  an  equal  pro- 
portion, and  that  said  brake  and  box  should  not  be  delivered  at  any  other 
times  of  the  day,  until  a  constant  supply  of  water  should  be  found  in  the 
pump." 

'J'lie  "town  pump"'  was  located  near  the  lower  market. 

In  the  year  1785,  several  citizens  associated  themselves  together,  for  the 
purpose  of  bringing  water  into  the  city  to  supply  themselves  and  such  others 
"as  might  be  deemed  consistant."  Each  lot-holder  was  entitled  to  a  share  in 
such  association,  upon  the  payment  of  twenty-live  dollars,  with  the  riglit  to 
take  the  water  from  the  main  pipe  which  ran  through  i\Iain  street  and  "carry 
it  into  his  possessions  or  house  for  the  supplying  of  the  family  or  families" 
which  his  house  contained,  but  should  not  be  allowed  to  sell  water  to  his 
neighbor  or  any  other  person.  Persons  not  shareholders  were  supplied  upon 
the  payment  of  an  annual  tax.  The  water  first  brought  in  was  from  the  spring 
known  as  the  Ten  Broeck  spring,  given  to  them  by  John  Tec  Broeck  and 
located  upon  the  farm  now  the  property  of  the  heirs  of  William  E.  Heermance. 
In  1793,  they  purchased  the  "Huyck  Spring,"  better  known  as  "the  Fountain," 
situated  upon  the  road  leading  from  Claverack  to  Hudson.  In  the  year  1789 
they  presented  a  petition  to  the  Legislature,  stating  that  they  had  "at  consid- 
erable expense  brought  water  into  the  city  by  an  aqueduct,  from  a  fountain 
two  miles  distant,"  and  felt  the  need  of  a  regular  system,  to  compel  share- 
holders to  bear  their  equal  proportion  of  expenses  for  repairs,  &c.  In  March, 
1790,  "An  act  for  the  better  regulating  and  protecting  the  Aqueducts  in  the 
city  of  Hudson"  was  passed,  providing  for  the  election  of  officers,  passage  of 
by-laws  and  giving  to  the  Common  Council  the  right  by  ordinance,  to  fix  a 
penalty  not  exceeding  five  pounds  for  a  breach  of  any  of  the  by-laws  of  the 
Company.'  Hezekiah  Dayton  was  for  nuiuy  years  Inspector  and  Collector,  for 
which  servace  they  voted  "one  shilling  per  hour  when  actually  engaged."  It 
was  the  custom  of  Old  Squire  Dayton,  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  to  detect 
leaks  and  waste  by  entering  the  cellars  of  shareholders  and  listening  for  the 


24  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

sound  of  trickling'  or  dropping  water,  then  reporting  offenders  at  headquarters. 

1794,  May  10th.  Thomas  Frothinghani,  Elisha  Jenkins  and  Jared  CofBn, 
three  of  the  principal  men  of  the  place,  were  appointed  Scavengers. 

BAKERIKS. 

1 794,  July  24th.  It  was  ordained  that  all  bread  falling  short  of  the  estab- 
lished weight  or  price,  should  be  forfeited  to  the  city  for  the  use  of  the  poor. 
Thomas  Frothinghani  was  appointed  an  inspector  of  bread,  whose  duty  it  was 
to  thoroughly  enforce  the  ordinance.  The  established  weight  and  price,  which 
were  kept  standing  conspicuously  printed  at  the  head  of  the  Hudson  Gazette, 
was  as  follows  : 

Loaf  of  Superfine  flour,  3  lbs.  8  oz.,  one  shilling. 
"  "  "      1  "  12    "    sixpence. 

"         Common     "      3  "  13    "    one  shilling. 
•'  "  "      1  "  14    "    sixpence. 

"         Eye  "      3  "     4    "    sixpence. 

Walter  Johnson  was  the  principal  baker,  and  carried  on  the  business  quite 
extensively  for  the  supply  of  ships,  upon  the  corner  of  Front  and  Ferry  streets. 
]\Irs.  Newberry,  who  kept  a  small  shop  further  up  in  Front  street,  was  his 
rival  in  the  department  of  cakes  and  buns,  most  of  which  were  sold  through 
the  streets  in  baskets.  The  old  lady  knew  how  to  protect  as  well  as  sup- 
port herself.  An  individual  once  ventured  to  say  something  in  her  shop  which 
she  construed  into  an  insult.  Stepping  up  to  him  she  ejected  him  by  a  gentle 
application  of  her  foot,  sending  a  loaf  of  bread  after  him  in  close  proximity  to 
his  head.     lie  was  doubtless  after  that  a  better  bre(a)d  man. 

In  somewhat  later  years  in  the  lower  part  of  Union  street  dwelt  Ursula 
Bunker,  better  known  as  "Aunt  Usley,"  who  maintained  the  dignity  of  a 
house  full  of  maiden  sisters  by  carrying  on  a  domestic  bakery.  No  tea  table 
was  deemed  complete  upon  great  occasions,  without  a  supply  of  "Aunt  Usley 's 
soft  tea  biscuit,"  "the  wonder  of  the  old,  the  delight  of  the  young."  We  be- 
lieve a  "cloud  of  witnesses"  might  be  found  to  confirm  the  statement,  that 
since  her  day  Hudson  has  seen  nothing  superior  in  that  line. 

1795,  March  23d.  Jemmy  Frazer  was  appointed  bell-man,  and  paid  at  the 
rate  of  £16  per  year.  The  bell  upon  the  Presbyterian  Church  was  ordered  to 
be  rung,  at  sunrise  in  the  morning,  at  twelve  o'clock  at  noon,  and  at  nine  in 
the  evening,  not  less  than  five  minutes  at  any  one  time  on  working  days,  aud 
at  nine  and  ten  in  the  morning,  two  in  the  afternoon  and  nine  in  the  evening 
on  Sunday. 

1797,  November  3d.  Cotton  Gelston  and  Mr.  Kellogg  were  appointed  a 
committee  authoiized  to  direct  the  construction  and  the   placing  of  a  number 


S  K  E  T  C  H  E  S      0  F       II  U  D  S  O  N  .  25 

of  lamps  not  exceeding  twenty  in  the  streets,  and  to  provide  a  suitable  person 
to  light  the  same  upon  the  dark  nights.  Three  hundred  dollars  were  appro- 
priated for  the  same  by  the  Council. 

1798,  May  10th.  Eecorder  Gelston  and  Samuel  Edmonds  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  build  a  fence  three  boards  high,  with  red  cedar  posts  and  a 
suitable  gate  around  the  burying  ground,  and  have  the  bushes  cleared  up  ;  and 
Reuben  Folger  was  directed  to  procure  a  suitable  lock.  The  cost  of  the  fence 
was  £84,  5s,  and  3d,  and  of  the  lock  four  shillings.  Previous  to  this,  little 
had  been  done  towards  placing  the  ground  in  a  condition  suitable  for  the  pur- 
pose for  which  it  was  given.  Up  to  this  time  it  was  reached  by  a  road, 
through  a  piece  of  woods,  leading  from  the  County  road,  (now  Green  Street,) 
in  the  vicinity  of  Schermerhorn  town,  a  name  by  which  a  collection  of  buildings 
in  that  locality  was  known. 

1798,  June  10th.  Samuel  Edmonds  and  James  Nixon  were  paid  three  dol- 
lars each,  "for  mending  the  cover  to  the  well  in  Third  street."  This  was  one 
of  the  Reservoirs  which  we  have  before  referred  to. 

1799,  April  6th.  It  was  resolved,  "that  in  future  the  Common  Council  meet 
on  Saturday  after  the  Mayor's  Court,  in  each  month,  at  four  o'clock,  and  ttat  fif- 
teen minutes'  grace  be  allowed  from  Mr.  Parkmao's  time  piece."  Up  to  and 
for  many  years  after  this  period,  the  Council  had  no  regular  place  of  meet- 
ing, but  met  at  the  different  public  houses,  a  sort  of  portable  body, 
like  the  Government  of  the  rebel  Confederacy  of  modern  times.  In  the  year 
1815  they  met  in  a  bed  room,  in  the  tavern  of  Samuel  Bryan,  upon  the  South- 
west corner  of  WaiTen  and  Third  streets.  Robert  Jenkins,  then  Mayor,  said 
that  he  considered  "it  a  shame  that  the  Common  Council  of  such  a  city  as 
Hudson  should  meet  in  a  bed  room,"  and  appointed  Oliver  Wiswall  and  Jon- 
athan Frary  a  committee  to  provide  a  suitable  room  in  the  City  Hall,  in  which 
shortly  after  they  regularly  held  their  meetings. 

1799,  June  1st.  Elisha  Pitkin  was  authorized  to  erect  a  suitable  Market 
House  on  the  jail  square,  north  side  of  "Warren  street.  Tliis  was  the  second 
or  upper  market. 

1799,  October  10th.  The  name  of  Main  street  was  by  resolution  of  the  Coun- 
cil changed  to  Warren.  The  public  were  informed  of  the  change,  by  the  fol- 
lowing notice  chalked  upon  the  fences,  which  at  that  time  weri  mostly  red  and 
yellow  : 

"This  street  is  no  longer  Main  Street,  but  called  Warren  by  order  of  the 
Common  Council." 

1799,  September  9th.    The  Mayor  was  reported  absent  in  ioicn,  Aldermen 


26  SKETCHES       OFHUDSON. 

Taylor  absent  in  town,  the  other  Aldermen  and  Assistants  absent  out  of  town, 
and  the  Recorder,  "solitary  and  alone,"  adjourned  the  Council  to  meet  on  the 
following  day  at  Eussel  Kellogg's  tavern. 

1800,  April  7th.  Peter  Hall  was  appointed  bell  man,  bell  to  be  rung  as 
usual,  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  thirty-eight  dollars  per  year.  Jemmy  Frazer 
was  promoted  to  the  office  of  City  Crier,  and  their  respective  appointments 
were  ordered  to  be  published  in  the  Hudson  Gazette.  How  Jemmy  lost  his 
office  we  shall  learn  hereafter.  The  city  crier  received  "a  reward  of  not  less 
than  one  shilling  for  every  time  of  service,  and  not  more  than  three,  agree- 
able to  the  exigencies  of  the  weather." 

1801,  June  14th.  Ordinances  were  passed,  regulating  the  sale  of  Iamb, 
preventing  boys  playing  ball  or  hoop  in  Warren  or  Front  streets,  prohibiting 
the  smoking  of  pipes  or  cigars  in  any  of  the  streets  or  alleys  after  sunset,  and 
providing  for  the  killing  of  dogs  after  the  1st  day  of  August. 

1801,  July  17th.  It  was  resolved,  that  no  meat  should  be  exposed  for 
sale  in  the  market  or  elsewhere  in  the  city  after  the  hour  of  eight  o'clock  on 
Sunday  morning. 

That  all  barber  shops  should  be  shut  at  the  hour  of  ten  o'clock  on  Sunday 
morning. 

That  the  Council  would  aid  and  assist  the  Country  ISIagistrates  in  suppress- 
ing all  disorderly  behavior  on  Sunday.  Justus  Van  Hoesen,  Thomas  Froth- 
ingham  and  Cornelius  Tobey  had  previously  been  appointed  a  committee  "to 
superintend  the  execution  of  the  law  against  Sabbath  breaking." 

1801,  August  5th.  Mr.  Hathaway  was  authorized  to  purchase  Daniel 
Allen's  house  on  State  street  for  the  reception  of  the  aged  and  other  poor  of 
the  city,  for  a  sura  not  to  exceed  .$180.  This  house  is  still  standing  in  State 
street,  known  as  the  Underwood  house,  and  was  used  for  the  purpose  men- 
tioned, until  the  completion  of  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Rev.  John 
B.  Hague  as  a  Seminary  for  young  ladies,  which  was  erected  as  a  City  Poor 
House  in  the  year  1818,  by  Ephraim  Baldwin,  under  the  direction  of  John 
Tallman,  Judali  Paddock  and  Barnabas  Waterman  as  building  committee, 
after  a  plan  drawn  by  Robert  Jenkins.  Its  cost  was  five  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred dollars.  In  1832  it  was  given  up  as  a  poor-house,  and  a  lunatic  asylum 
was  established  in  it  by  Doct.  Samuel  Wliite,  which  continued  until  the  open- 
ing of  the  State  Asylum,  having  received  during  its  continuance  three  hundred 
patients. 

The  first  Overseers  of  the  Poor  in  the  city  were  Cotton  Gelston  and  John 
Alsop. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  27 

1801,  Auffust  15th.  Erastus  Pratt  and  Reuben  Folger  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  procure  a  suitable  clock,  with  three  dials,  to  be  placed  in  the 
steeple  of  tlie  Presbyterian  Meeting  House,  and  were  authorized  to  loan  not 
exceeding  §200,  to  be  applied  with  the  sura  already  subscribed  and  deposited 
in  the  Bank  for  that  purpose.  The  same  clock  is  now  placed  in  the  steeple 
of  the  old  Episcopal  church,  where  "still  it  moves,  but  never  speaks." 

1801,  December  9th.  Daniel  Buruap  was  paid  §20  in  addition  to  the  sum 
agreed  for  clock,  for  additional  work.  The  committee  reported  that  they  had 
placed  the  clock  in  the  meeting  house  and  had  made  provision  to  pay  De- 
borah Jenkins  §200  for  borrowed  money. 

1802,  January  3d.  Overseers  of  the  Poor  were  authorized  to  allow  Phebe 
Cumniings  §2,50  per  month,  if  she  would  take  herself  and  three  children  out 
of  the  city. 

1803,  April  1st.  It  was  resolved  that  any  member  of  the  Council  not  a^ 
l>esir'mg  vfithin  Jifieen  minutes  oiler  the  hour  of  meeting,  should  pay  to  and 
for  the  use  of  the  Council  the  sum  of  Ji/li/  cents  ;  the  time  always  to  be  de- 
termined by  the  city  clock.  Mr.  Parkraan's  time  piece  had  ceased  to  be  the 
standard. 

GROWTH   OF   THE   CITY. 

When  the  city  was  first  settled  the  bulk  of  emigration  was  from  Nantucket, 
embracing  the  families  so  numerous  in  the  early  population  of  Hudson,  of 
Bunkers,  Folgers,  Coffins,  Macys,  Colemans,  &c.  Shortly  after,  a  steady  pop- 
ulation flowed  in  from  various  points  in  the  Eastern  States,  principally,  how- 
ever, from  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts. 

The  growth  of  the  city  in  wealth  and  population  was  rapid.  The  following 
list,  which  was  first  published  some  years  ago,  contains  the  names  of  such  of 
the  inhabitants  as  were  assessed  £100  and  upwards,  in  the  year  1797,  taken 
from  the  "tax  book"  for  that  year,  which  was  certified  to  as  follows  : 

"This  Tax  Book  contains  the  value  of  each  man's  estate,  both  real  and  per- 
sonal, within  the  city  of  Hudson,  to  the  best  of  our  kno\.ledge  according  to 
the  usual  way  of  Assessment.  Jacob  Davis,  ) 

Hudson,  27th  May,  1797."  Jonathan  Becraft,  v  Assessors. 

Isaac  Norturop,     ) 
Bunker,  Barsilla  120 

Bunker,  Elihu  130 

Becraft,  Jonathan,  230 

Bolles,  John  R.  120 

Bolles,  Jeremiah  160 

Burk,  James  100 

Coffin,  Alexander  300 

Cofiin,  Jared  135 

Colfin,  David  340 

Coffin,  Uriah  120 


Arthur,  Mc  Arthur 

£140 

Allen,  Benjamin 

160 

Allen,  Howard 

200 

Alsop,  John 

400 

Ashley,  William 

260 

Barnard,  Joseph  Est. 

210 

Barnard,  Abisha 

130 

Bunt,  Jacob 

250 

Bunker,  Solomon 

130 

Bunker,  Silas 

150 

28 


KETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


Coventry,  William  300 

Comstock,  Thomaa  170 

Clark,  (ieoro^e  105 

Clark,  Daniel  170 

Cheanee,  Abiel  190 

Delaraater,  Dirck  550 

Delaniater,  Claudius  I.  470 

Delamater,  Claudius  150 

Dakin,  Paul  160 

Decker,  George  225 

Dayton,  Hezekiah  205 

Dayton,  Isaac  100 

Elting,  James  300 

Everts,  J.  &  Sons  Est.  180 

Ernst,  John  T.  120 

Edmonds,  Samuel  180 

Folger,  Reuben  225 

Folger,  Benjamin  100 

Frothingbam,  Thomas  140 

Frary,  Giles  300 

Greene,  Nathaniel  820 

Gelstou  Cotton  415 

Gilbert,  Ezekiel  160 

Gardiner,  William  120 

Goldthwart,  Thomas  180 

Gunn.  John  140 

Hardick,  John  F.  280 

Harder,  Jacob  Jr.,  250 

Harder,  John  M.  120 

Hoydorn,  Adam  225 

Hosmer,  Prosper  135 

Hyatt,  James  230 

Hubbell,  Levi  100 

Hammond,  Abner  110 

Haxtun,  Benjamin  130 

Hogeboom,  Peter  540 

Hallenbeck,  William  320 

Hallenbeck,  Robert  320 

Hallenbeck,  Mathias  200 

Hallenbeck,  John  R.  180 

Hallenbeck,  William  G.  140 

Hathaway,  John  500 

Hoxie,  Christopher  160 

Huyck,  Casper  Estate  300 

Irish,  Jonathan  100 

Jenkins,  Thomas  2  6  GO 

Jenkins,  T.  k  Sons  1150 

Jenkins,  Seth,  Estate  850 

Jenkins,  Marshall  750 

Jenkins,  Marshall  &  Son  310 

Jenkins,  Charles  270 

Jenkins,  Ijenmel,  Estate,  200 

Jenkins,  Deborah  195 


Jenkins,  Robert  &  Co.  200 

Johnston,  Walter  120 

Kellogg,  Russell  270 

Lawrence,  David  325 

Lescure,  Hyacinth  115 

Mooklar,  James  &  M.  230 

Morgan,  James  105 

Morton,  Reuben  115 

Macy,  Capt.  Reuben,  450 

MoiTison,  James  170 

Moores,  Reuben  130 

Nixon,  James  200 

Nichols,  Samuel  G.  150 

Northrop,  Isaac  125 

Olcott,  Josiah  225 

Paddock,  Stephen  425 

Paddock,  Daniel,  Estate  130 

Plass,  John  435 

Power,  Thomas  233 

Parkman,  Thomas  100 

Reed,  Ezra  900 

Rand,  Peter  190 

Race,  Jonathan  135 

Riley  &  Storrs,  100 

Schermerhorn,  John  100 

Spercer,  Ambrose  180 

Sears,  Nathan  100 

Stoddard,  Ashbel  100 

Slade,  William  100 

Thurston,  John  120 

Ten  Broeck,  John  Estate,  600 

Ten  Broeck,  Jeremiah  550 

Ten  Broeck,  Samuel  130 

Tobey,  Seth  325 
Tallmau,  John  120 

Van  Hoesen,  J.  H.  Est.  700 

Van  Hoesen,  Abraham  190 

Van  Hoesen,  Peter  290 
Van  Hoesen,  Jenny  105 

Van  Hoesen,  Peter  Estate  100 

Van  Rensselaer,  Henry  I.  600 

Van  Rensselaer,  William  430 

Van  Deusen,  Tobias  300 

Van  Allen,  Adam  265 

Vander  Bergh,  Peter  165 

Vander  Bergh,  James  165 

Whittaker,  Ephraim  210 

White,  Mrs.  140 

Whitlock,  Thomas  145 

Worth,  Shubael  225 

Worth,  Thomas  2nd,  100 

Webb,  Job  140 

Ward,  Samuel  200 


SKETCHES       OF      H  u"d  SON.  29 

In  the  year  1800,  the  city  numbered  4048,  inchiding  eighty-eight  slaves, 
ranking  third  in  the  State  in  commerce,  and  fourtli  in  manufactures.  Com- 
pared with  the  growth  of  many  places  within  the  last  quarter  of  a  centuiy,  this 
increase  of  population  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years  may  not  seem  great.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  at  that  early  day  there  was  no  foreign  emigration 
to  swell  the  population,  and  very  few  of  the  facilities  for  travel  of  the  present 
day  then  existed. 

When  the  question  of  a  removal  of  the  seat  of  legislation  from  New  York 
came  up  in  the  "General  Assembly,"  Hudson  needed  but  one  more  vote  to 
have  been  designated  as  the  location  for  the  new  capital.  Albany  secured 
that  "one  vote"  and  became  thenceforth  the  "capital  city." 

In  1803  the  following  vote  was  thrown  at  a  charter  election,  "not  warmly 
contested  and  not  a  full  vote  :" 

FFDERAL.  DKMOCRATIC. 

For  Supervisor — Cotton  Gelston,  232  ]  For  Supervisor — Jared  Coffin,  180 
In  1806,  at^a  charter  election,  a  vote  of  .500  was  cast,  and  in  1807  at  a 
State  election,  a  vote  of  700.  Until  181.5,  city  officers  were  elected  upon  a  gen- 
eral ticket,  and  were  obliged  to  qualify  upon  the  night  following  the  day  of  elec- 
tion. In  that  year  the  law  in  this  respect  was  changed,  and  the  city  divided 
into  two  wards.  Third  street  being  the  line  of  division. 

In  1820  the  population  numbered  5310,  and  from  that  period  to  the  present 
the  increase  has  been  slow. 

SHIP   BUILDING,   &C. 

Ship  Building  commenced  in  the  first  year  of  its  settlement,  and  for  many 
years  was  extensively  earned  on.  Many  of  the  proprietors  brought  vessels 
with  them,  and  in  the  year  1786  twenty-five  vessels,  carrying  twenty-five  hun- 
dred tons,  were  owned  here  ;  more  than  were  at  that  time  owned  in  the 
city  of  New  York.  These  vessels  were  for  the  most  part  engaged  in  the  AVest 
India  trade,  a  small  number  being  employed  in  the  whale  and  seal  fisheiy. 

The  first  account  we  have  of  any  ship  yard  is  in  1784,  when  Titus  Morgan 
applied  for  the  privilege  of  building  one  on  the  purchase,  "adjoining  the  North- 
ermost  street,  and  in  consideration  of  a  lease  being  granted  him  for  the  term  of 
four  years,  he  agreed  to  make  the  road  or  street,  from  Market  street  to  the 
river,  passable  for  wagons,  at  his  own  expense.  This  was  the  opening  of  North 
Front  street.  In  1785,  in  view",  of  his  having  been  to  "extra  cost  and  ex- 
pense in  blowing  open  said  road,"  his  lease  was  extended  from  four  to  ten 
years.  His  yard  was  located  in  the  vicinity  of  the  foot  of  State  street,  and 
was  subsequently  occupied  by  Capt.  Abiel  Cheney,  of  whom  it  was  said  in  the 


30  SKETCHKS       OF      HUDSON. 

paper  of  that  day,  that  he  had  "given  to  Hudson  a  great  reputation  for  the 
building  of  substantial  vessels."  Other  yards  were  opened  immediately  after 
by  Obed  Sears,  Marshal  Jenkins,  John  T.  Lacy,  James  Morgan  and  others. 
One  was  located  where  the  oil  works  of  Messrs.  Barnard,  Curtiss  and  Mit- 
chell subsequently  stood,  another  on  the  present  site  of  the  Hudson  River 
railroad  depot,  and  still  another  on  the  site  of  the  new  soap  factory  in  the 
South  bay.  As  late  as  1827,  two  large  barges  were  built  in  the  South  bay, 
very  near  the  elm  trees  at  the  foot  of  the  Universalist  hill.  As  many  as 
five  large  ships  have  been  known  to  be  upon  the  stocks  in  these  various  yards 
at  one  time.  Launching  days  were  frequent  and  were  always  kept  as  a  hol- 
iday. Booths  were  erected  outside  of  the  yard  for  the  sale  of  refreshments — 
which  consisted  principally  of  Mrs.  Newberry's  gingerbread, — schools  were 
dismissed,  the  people  from  the  country  came  in,  and  with  the  greater  part  of  the 
population  of  the  city,  would  gather  at  the  yard  and  often  wait  patiently  for 
hours  for  the  moving  of  the  vessel,  which  was  the  signal  for  the  firing  of  guns 
and  the  cheers  of  the  the  crowd.  In  addition  to  the  ship  yards  here,  there 
were  yards  at  Athens,  at  which  several  of  the  largest  vessels  owned  by  Thom- 
as and  Marshal  Jenkins  were  built. 

In  1796  Leverett  Cruttenden  commenced  the  building  of  small  boats,  which 
he  continued  until  the  year  1812,  when  through  the  influence  of  Elisha  Wil- 
liams he  was  induced  to  take  charge  of  Congress  Hall,  Albany,  which  was 
built  for  him.  In  his  new  capacity  he  was  afterwards  known  as  "the  prince  of 
hotel  keepers."  His  boat  yard  was  a  short  distance  South  of  the  freighting 
establishment  of  Messrs.  Haviland,  Clark  &  Co. 

The  first  ship  launched  here  was  in  1785,  by  Jenkins  and  Gelston  ;  a  ship 
of  three  hundred  tons,  called  the  Hudson,  and  commanded  by  Capt.  Robert 
Folger. 

The  extensive  commerce  of  the  city  gave  great  life  to  every  branch  of  bus- 
iness connected  with  the  building  and  fitting  out  of  ships.  Sail-making,  black- 
smithing,  painting,  rope-making  and  many  other  branches  of  industry,  furnish- 
ed emplojnnent  to  a  large  number  of  men. 

In  1785  Thomas  Jenkins,  Josiah  Olcott  and  others,  built  a  rope-walk  six 
hundred  feet  long,  on  the  westerly  side  of  Third  and  North  of  State  street,  the 
land  having  been  granted  by  the  proprietors  for  that  purpose.  The  making  of 
ropes  for  many  years  was  successfully  carried  on  by  Mr.  Olcott,  and  about  the 
year  1830,  the  works  passed  into  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Durfee,  May  &  Co.,  who 
for  several  years  manufactured  ropes  of  great  length  and  size,  for  the  use  of  in- 
clined planes  upon  railroads.    Many  of  these  ropes  were  of  such  weight  as  to 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSOX.  31 

require  several  yoke  of  oxen  to  convey  them  to  the  river,  to  be  shipped.  The 
rope-walk  was  ever,  with  the  boys,  a  favorite  Saturday  resort,  the  processes  of 
spinning  and  twisting  amusing  them,  while  its  great  length  afforded  an  ample 
field  for  gymnastics,  chief  of  which  was  i\\Q  foot-race.  Many  a  staid  citizen  of 
to-day,  proved  himself  there  a  "fast  young  man." 

In  1786  a  brewery  was  established  by  Benjamin  Faulkins,  who  stated  in  the 
Gazette  "that  he  had  been  regularly  brought  up  to  this  philosophical  branch 
of  business  in  England,  and  he  did  not  doubt  his  brewery  might  become  of 
great  utility  to  Hudson,  by  giving  his  ale  the  name  of  Hudson  Ale,"  the  prices 
of  which  were  :  stock  ale  five  dollars,  and  mild  ale  three  dollars  per  barrel. 
This  brewery  was  upon  the  North  side  of  the  city,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
river. 

In  1787  Seth  Jenkins  and  Stephen  Paddock  built  a  hemp  and  ducking  fac- 
tory on  Third  street,  upon  the  rear  of  the  lot  upon  which  stands  the  residence 
of  the  late  Kobert  Rainey.  Of  the  articles  manufactured  a  portion  were  sent 
to  New  York,  but  the  greater  part  were  used  hy  the  sail-lofts  here. 

In  1789  Joseph  Barnard  built  a  wind  grist  mill  upon  Prospect  Hill.  The 
site  undoubtedly  furbished  the  motive  power  in  abundance,  but  "carrying  grist 
to  mill,"  must  have  been  far  from  a  desirable  task  to  his  customers.  The  mill 
was  octagonal  in  shape,  two  stories  in  height,  built  of  heavy  oak  timber,  sides 
shingled,  and  the  wings,  which  were  very  strongly  constructed,  were  nearly 
seventy  feet  from  the  ground.  In  all  the  approaches  to  the  city  it  was  a  very 
prominent  object  and  visible  many  miles  distant.  It  remained  there  several 
years  and  finally  gave  place  to  a  house  erected  as  a  saloon  for  refreshments, 
with  the  design  of  making  the  hill  a  place  of  public  resort.  The  undertaking 
did  not  succeed,  and  the  building  is  now  occupied  as  a  dwelling  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill.  The  grist  mill  gave  to  the  hill  the  name  of  "Wind-mill  hill,"  by  which 
it  was  known  for  many  years. 

In  1784  the  first  store  was  built  and  opened  by  Cotton  Gelston,  upon  the 
site  of  the  present  residence  of  Garret  Deyo  ;  his  dwelling  being  the  house 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  Hiram  Morrison.  The  store  was  a  small  two  story  frame 
building,  in  the  upper  part  of  which  he  kept  the  Post  Office,  which  was  first 
established  here  about  the  year  1790,  up  to  which  time,  for  all  their  mail  mat- 
ter, the  people  of  Hudson  had  been  obliged  to  go  to  Claverack  village.  He 
continued  in  the  office  until  the  election  of  Thomas  Jefferson  to  the  Presi- 
dency, when  he  was  removed  and  Alexander  Coffin  appointed  in  his  place. 
Stores  were  opened  shortly  after  Gelston's,  by  the  Jenkins's,  Frothingham, 
Dayton,  Worth  and  others. 


32  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


The  portion  of  the  city  at  first  most  rapidly  built  up,  was  that  nearest  the 
river  ;  AVater  and  Ferry  streets  being  the  first  opened.  Until  the  fires  in  late 
years,  this  part  of  the  city  (that  now  occupied  by  Franklin  Square,  with  that 
lying  South  of  it,  now  occupied  by  the  buildings  of  Messrs.  Hunt  &  Miller, 
and  the  Hudson  River  Rail  Road  Co.,)  remained  very  compactly  built,  and 
longer  than  any  other  retained  its  primitive  Quaker  aspect. 

Main,  Union,  Diamond,  State,  Front,  Second  and  Third  streets  were  im- 
mediately laid  out  and  opened  by  the  committee  chosen  by  the  proprietors  at 
their  first  meeting  ;  but  were  at  first  little  more  than  rough  roads. 

In  1792,  after  all  the  machinery  of  a  city  government  was  in  operation,  the 
work  of  grading  and  widening  the  streets,  and  the  building  of  sewers  was  ac- 
tively entered  upon. 

1793,  September  1st.  An  ordinance  was  passed  directing  the  commence- 
ment of  the  paving  of  the  side-walks  in  Main  street.  Cotton  Gelston,  Am- 
brose Spencer  and  Jared  Coffin  were  appointed  a  committee  to  superintend 
the  work.  Previous  to  this,  there  was  no  attempt  at  uniformity  in  the  walks  ; 
some  were  stone,  others  were  plank,  and  a  great  portion  were  naked  ground. 
It  used  to  be  said  in  wet  weather,  "that  it  cost  two  shillings  to  get  a  woman 
out  of  the  mud." 

Front  street,  between  Main  and  Union,  required  much  heavy  blasting  and 
and  digging  near  its  junction  with  Union  street  was  crossed  by  a  deep  hollow, 
over  which  was  built  a  bridge.  Through  this  hollow  flowed  a  stream  of  water, 
which  was  entered  by  another,  where  the  County  road  crossed  the  street, 
thence  emptying  into  the  South  bay. 

Main  street  was  opened  upon  a  ridge  which  sloped  upon  each  side  towards 
the  bay,  and  as  far  as  Third  street  presented  nearly  a  level  surface,  covered 
with  fields  with  a  very  few  trees  scattered  through  them.  Upon  the  hills  on 
the  North  bay  M^ere  woods,  while  those  upon  the  South  were  covered  with 
beautiful  and  extensive  orchards.  Commencing  nearly  midway  between  Third 
and  Fourth  streets  was  a  deep  hollow  over  which  at  a  very  early  date  was  a 
bridge,  the  remains  of  which  were  found,  during  the  construction  of  a  sewer, 
many  years  after.  At  this  point,  the  street  or  road  was  so  narrow  as  to  afford 
only  room  for  the  passage  of  one  conveyance,  and  so  low,  that  the  ertrances  to 
the  first  houses  erected  were  many  feet  above  it,  requiring  plank  leading  from 
the  street  up  to  the  doors,  in  order  to  enter  them.  At  the  corner  of  Fourth 
street  was  the  "great  hollow"  over  which  in  1784  was  built  the  "bridge  with 
stone  buttments."    This  was  a  broad,  deep  hollow,  requiring  a  bridge  of  con- 


SKETCHES      OF       HUDSON.  33 

siderable  length.  The  work  of  filling  it  was  immediately  undertaken,  and  so 
far  accomplished  that  the  bridge  was  in  a  few  years  removed  ;  the  labor  hav- 
ing been  done  mostly  with  hand  carts.  It  remained  for  several  years  in  a  bad 
condition,  loaded  wagons  from  the  country  frequently  requiring  assistance  in 
getting  through  it. 

Above  this,  the  street  ascended  somewhat  unevenly,  to  the  head  of  the 
city,  with  ravines  upon  either  side,  so  near,  that  when  graded  in  after  years, 
the  side-walks  in  some  places  required  the  support  of  plank  and  timbers. 
About  midway  between  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  it  was  crossed  by  another 
hollow  of  considerable  extent.  Fourth  street  was  the  upper  end  of  the  city, 
and  to  the  City  Hall  was  considered  a  very  lengthy  walk.  For  many  years 
there  was  but  a  single  dwelling  above  it,  and  in  1798  but  one  store,  kept  by 
Isaac  Northrop,  where  the  store  of  Mr.  Solomon  Wescott  now  stands.  A 
few  years  after,  Mr.  Northrop  purchased  tLfarm  including  the  laud  upon  which 
the  village  of  Athens  now  stands.  Nearly  all  the  stores  were  below  Second 
street,  while  Front  street  was  occupied  for  the  most  part  by  shops  devoted  to 
different  mechanical  branches.  In  a  few  years  after,  however.  Front  street  was 
built  up  with  stores  and  residences  of  a  substantial  character,  and  became  a 
fair  rival  to  Main  street  in  appearance.  Many  of  these  are  still  standing,  but 
are  now  the  abodes  of  a  far  different  class  of  citizens.  Business  gradually  fol- 
lowed the  growth  of  the  city  "up  town,"  until  at  the  present  time  the  greater 
part  of  the  principal  stores  are  located  there. 

The  road  up  the  Academy  hill  was  opened  by  the  Columbia  Turnpike  Com- 
pany iu  the  year  1800.  The  Company  was  chartered  in  1799,  and  was  the 
first  Turnpike  Company  in  the  State.  Not  long  after,  the  road  leading  out  of 
Main  street  in  a  Southerly  direction,  was  opened  by  the  Branch  Turnpike 
Company.  The  South  Bay  road  was  opened  in  1806,  by  the  Highland  Turn- 
pike Company,  the  President  of  which  (Mr.  Howland,)  resided  iu  New  York 
city.  ITie  operations  of  this  company  extended  from  New  York  to  Albany. 
In  1823  and  24  the  road  connectiug  Third  street  and  the  Bay  road  was  con- 
structed. Previous  to  this,  there  was  nothing  but  a  cow  path  leading  up  the 
hill.  In  1827  the  road  entering  the  city  by  Underhill's  Pond  was  completed. 
The  two  last  roads  were  built  by  the  city,  and  met  with  opposition  from  par- 
ties whose  interests  suffered  by  their  construction.  It  was  thought  that  each 
road  helped  to  divert  trade  from  the  lower  part  of  the  city.  Allen  street  was 
opened  about  the  year  1835,  called  after  Lieut.  William  H.  Allen.  A  portion 
of  it,  that  between  Second  and  Third  streets,  was  opened  at  a  much  earlier 
date,  and  known  as  Federal  street. 


34  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON. 

BUSINESS. 

Hudson  became  a  port  of  entry  in  1790,  the  first  Government  officers  being 
Doct.  Joseph  Malcolm  and  Isaac  Dayton.  It  was  then  rapidly  growing  in 
commercial  importance  and  seemed  destined  to  become  the  second  city  in  the 
State.  Some  of  the  statements  relative  to  the  business  of  the  city  at  that 
period  seem  almost  incredible,  but  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  their  accuracy. 

In  1802,  on  the  first  day  of  March,  twenty-eight  hundred  loaded  sleighs 
entered  the  city.  We  find  this  fact  stated  in  the  Columbia  Balance  of  that 
date.  It  is  said  to  have  been  frequently  the  case,  that  a  continuous  line  of 
teams  from  the  river  extending  into  Main  street,  would  be  kept  waiting,  to  dis- 
charge in  order  their  loads  at  the  diSerent  freighting  establishments.  The  large 
brick  store-houses  near  the  river,  built  at  a  very  early  date,  and  some  of  which 
are  still  standing,  confirm  these  statements.  Fifteen  vessels,  heavily  laden, 
were  often  known  to  depart  at  one  tAne. 

The  articles  exported  were  beef,  pork,  shad,  herring,  staves,  heading,  hoop- 
poles,  leather  and  country  produce  generally.  The  packing  of  beef  and  pork 
was  very  extensively  carried  on,  a  large  number  of  cattle  and  hogs  coming 
from  Berkshire  County  in  Massachusetts.  The  slaughtering  and  packing 
establishments  were  located  chiefly  upon  the  North  side  of  the  city.  A 
gentleman  engaged  in  business  in  that  day  states  that  he  has  sold  and  shipped 
in  a  single  day  as  many  as  one  thousand  barrels  each  of  beef  and  pickled  her- 
ring. Herring  were  much  more  abundant  than  at  the  present  time.  A  vessel 
of  one  hundred  tons  was  known  to  have  been  filled,  in  the  vicinity  of  Rogers' 
Island,  at  one  tide.  In  addition  to  the  pickling  of  herring,  shad  were  to  some 
extent  put  up  and  great  quantities  of  herring  were  smoked  and  boxed.  Staves, 
heading,  lumber  and  hoop-poles  were  largely  exported  to  the  West  Indies, 
the  vessels  in  return  bringing  valuable  cargoes  of  rum,  sugar  and  molasses. 
The  only  vessel  from  the  "old  world"  ever  known  to  have  entered  this  port, 
was  a  Dutch  ship  from  Amsterdam,  consigned  to  William  Wall,  which  loaded 
with  lumber  and  returned  to  Holland.  During  its  stay  it  was  visited  by  a 
large  number  of  the  Dutch  people  in  the  vicinity,  delighted  to  see  a  vessel  from 
their  "father  land"  and  a  crew  who  could  speak  their  own  tongue. 

The  English  language  was  at  this  time  scarcely  ever  used  by  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  region.  There  were  a  few  who  could  speak  it,  but  their  religious 
services  were  in  the  Low  Dutch  tongue  and  in  all  their  intercourse  with  each 
other  they  used  no  other.  It  is  said  that  the  "Yankees,"  as  the  proprietors 
were  called,  found  great  amusement  in  listening  to  the  broken  EngHsh  of  their 
Dutch  neighbors.    One  old  citizen  states  that  they  frequently  drew  him  out 


S  K  K  T  C  H  E 


OF      HUDSON 


35 


in  conversation,  simply  to  have  a  laugh  at  hia  expense,  but  he  thinka  he  al- 
ways had  the  advantage,  for  he  ''knew  what  they  said  about  him  but  they 
couldn't  tell  what  he  said  about  them."  It  is  said  that  for  years,  the  proprie- 
tors found  their  inability  to  understand  the  Dutch  language,  a  difficulty  in  all 
their  business  transactions.  The  Dutchmen  would  hear  their  propositions  in 
English,  and  discuss  them  among  themselves  in  Dutch  ;  hence  the  proprietors 
could  never  anticipate,  the  decision  they  were  coming  to. 

We  have  the  following  amusing  incident  connected  with  a  voyage  of  one  of 
the  vessels  to  St.  Domingo,  loaded  with  lumber,  which  had  been  rafted  down 
the  river  very  late  in  the  fall,  and  shipped  after  the  beginning  of  cold  weather, 
considerably  covered  with  ice,  some  of  which  was  found,  upon  her  arrival  out, 
still  clinging  to  it.  It  was  the  first  ice  the  negroes  had  ever  seen,  and  so  terri- 
fied were  they  by  its  touch  upon  their  naked  backs  that  they  plurged  over- 
board whenever  the  sailors  applied  it.  The  crew  enjoyed  the  sport  so  long 
and  heartily,  that  some  severity  was  necessary  upon  the  part  of  the  Captain 
before  he  could  put  an  end  to  it  and  finish  unloading. 

During  the  winter  months  considerable  trade  was  carried  on  with  some  of 
the  Southern  ports  of  the  United  States,  principally  with  Charleston,  It  was 
a  custom  also  for  many  of  the  mechanics  of  the  city,  to  seek  employment  South 
during  the  close  of  navigation.  Many  branches  of  industry  were  directly  de- 
pendent upon  the  commerce  of  the  city,  and  gave  employment  to  a  much 
larger  number  of  men  during  the  warm  seasons  than  in  winter,  and  those  who 
did  not  choose  to  remain  idle  sought  employment  South,  returning  in  the 
Spring.  The  articles  of  commerce  with  the  South  were  provisions  and  general 
country  produce,  in  return  the  vessels  bringing  cargoes  of  cotton  and  rice,  a 
portion  of  which  found  a  market  at  New  York,  but  of  the  former  article  the 
greater  part  was  consumed  here.  Very  few  woolen  goods  were  then  used, 
most  families  spinning,  dyeing  and  manufacturing  cotton  into  yarn  and  clothing. 
We  have  heard  much  within  the  last  year  of  "Charleston"  and  "cotton  ;"  our 
ancestors  were  quite  as  familiar  with  both,  but  in  a  decidedly  more  pleasant 
way. 

The  early  whale  fisheries  were  very  successful,  the  vessels  usually  returning 
valuable  cargoes  of  sperm  oil.  In  1797  the  ship  American  Hero,  Capt.  Solo- 
mon Bunker,  returned  from  the  Pacific  Ocean  with  a  cargo  of  sperm  oil,  which 
at  that  time  was  the  largest  that  had  ever  been  brought  into  the  United 
States.  Capt.  Alexander  Jenkins  was  the  last  living  member  of  the  crew 
who  made  the  voyage. 

In  Diamond  street,  between  First  and  Second  streets,  were  the  oil  and 


36  SKETCHES      ornuDSON. 

candle  works  of  Thomas  Jenkins,  and  on  the  North  East  comer  of  Second 
and  State  streets  were  those  of  Cotton  Gelston.  These  works  were  as  extensive 
as  any  then  existing,  but  the  amount  manufactured  in  one  year  was  not  as  large 
as  the  oil  works  of  later  years  manufactured  in  one  month.  This  was  ascer- 
tained upon  examination,  as  a  matter  of  curiosity. 

When  Tallyrand  was  travelling  through  the  States,  he  visited  Hudson  and 
was  shown  through  the  oil  works  of  Thomas  Jenkins,  examining  thoroughly  in- 
to all  the  mysteries  and  details  of  the  manufacture  of  sperm  candles. 

Up  to  about  the  year  1800  the  seal  fishery  was  carried  on  to  a  considerable 
extent.  Five  or  six  vessels  were  constantly  engaged  in  it,  bringing  from  the 
Falkland  and  other  islands  in  the  South  Atlantic,  large  numbers  of  fur  and 
hair  seal  skins,  and  usually  with  them,  a  quantity  of  (sea)  elephant's  oil.  Many 
of  the  skins  were  sold  in  New  York,  but  the  greater  part  were  tanned  here, 
the  leather  being  very  generally  used  for  shoes.  The  last  voyage  for  seals  was 
made  in  the  year  1799,  in  the  ship  Ajax,  Capt.  Pinkham,  Zephaniah  Coffin 
first  mate.  Some  of  the  Captains  engaged  in  the  seal  fishery  were  accustomed 
to  tell  wonderful  stories  of  the  islands  which  they  visited  ;  among  other  things, 
they  boasted  that  they  lived  upon  turtles  so  large,  that  one  man  could  not  turn 
them  over,  and  some  of  the  eggs  which  they  boiled  were  little  less  in  size  than 
a  man's  head. 

There  were  also  several  extensive  tanneries  located  both  in  the  North  and 
South  Bay.  Eobert  Taylor,  Nathan  Sears,  Marshal  Jenkins,  Giles  Fi*ary  and 
David  Bunker,  each  manufactured  large  quantities  of  leather,  for  a  great  por- 
tion of  which  they  found  a  market  in  New  York. 

Upon  the  site  of  the  stove  foundry  of  Messrs.  Hunt  &  Miller  stood  a  large 
distillery.  Two  or  three  others,  at  different  periods,  were  also  in  operation, 
and  the  business  of  distilling  was  for  many  years  successfully  and  profitably 
carried  on. 

In  addition  to  the  brewery  of  Mr.  Faulkins,  before  mentioned,  there  was 
another  owned  by  Auchmoody,  standing  very  nearly  in  the  rear  of  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  L.  G.  Guernsey,  and  one  other  in  the  vicinity  of  the  North  Bay. 
Near  Auchmoody's  brewery  was  also  a  pottery  of  some  extent,  carried  on  by 
Joseph  Shove.  The  amount  manufactured  at  these  different  establishments 
compared  with  similar  establishments  now,  would  appear  veiy  small,  none  of 
the  breweries  turning  out  more  than  five  barrels  per  day.  There  were,  how- 
ever, few  more  extensive  than  these  any  where  to  be  found  at  that  day. 

In  1815  Hudson  ceased  to  be  a  port  of  entry.    Dm-ing  the  revolutionary 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSOK.  37 

struggle  in  France,  and  long  protracted  war  in  Europe,  there  was  a  great  de- 
mand for  neutral  vessels.  Large  prices  were  paid  for  freight,  and  many  of 
the  vessels  owned  here  were  engaged  in  the  carrying  trade.  British  orders 
and  French  decrees  swept  many  of  thera  away  from  their  owners,  others  were 
lost  by  shipwreck,  and  the  war,  embargo  and  non-intercourse  gave  a  finishing 
stroke  to  the  commerce  of  Hudson.  The  losses  at  sea  produced  great  em- 
barrassment and  many  failures,  and  with  the  failure  of  the  Bank  of  Hudson  in 
1819,  brought  losses  upon  many  of  the  neighboring  farmers,  and  the  decline  of 
the  prosperity  of  Hudson  began.  In  1830  there  were  but  twelve  sloops  and 
scows,  varying  from  forty  to  one  hundred  tons  burthen,  owned  here,  and  en- 
gaged in  trade  with  New  York  and  Albany. 

In  1829  the  whale  fishery  was  revived.  Believing  that  Hudson  offered 
equal  advantages,  possessed  equal  enterprise,  and  could  fairly  rival  those  east- 
ern cities  which  the  whale  fisheries  had  built  up,  a  company  was  organized 
and  commenced  operations  at  a  time  when  the  business  of  Hudson  was  in  a 
most  languishing  condition.  The  return  of  their  first  ships  animated  their 
hopes,  and  the  business  was  largely  entered  into ;  as  many  as  fourteen  vessels 
being  at  one  time  owned  and  fitted  out  here.  The  most  valuable  cargo  re- 
turned by  a  single  vessel  was  valued  at  eighty  thousand  dollars.  As  many  as 
eight  thousand  baiTels  of  sperm  oil  were  returned  in  a  single  year  by  the  dif- 
ferent vessels.  An  act  was  passed  in  1833  by  the  Legislature,  incorporating 
the  company,  under  the  name  of  the  "Hudson  Whaling  Company."  Laban 
Paddock  was  President,  but  all  its  business  was  for  many  years  transacted 
under  the  superintendence  of  Robert  A.  Barnard,  Esq.  Three  vessels  were 
owned  by  the  company,  the  remainder  by  individuals,  and  for  many  years  the 
fishery  was  carried  on  successfully,  with  a  prospect  of  its  becoming  a  source 
of  permanent  prosperity  to  the  city.  In  a  few  years  after,  however,  from 
causes  beyond  the  control  of  those  engaged  in  it,  it  declined,  and  in  the  year 
1845,  after  bringing  heavy  losses  upon  many  individuals,  it  was  abandoned. 
The  last  ship,  the  Martha,  was  sold  in  that  year.  Then  it  was  that  Hudson 
was  called  "a  finished  city." 

SLOOPS,   &C. 

Until  the  year  1807,  all  of  the  freighting  and  carrying  of  passengers  was  by 
sloops,  of  which  there  were  several  lines,  owned  by  Hathaway,  Coffin,  Hoge- 
boom,  Edmonds,  Folger,  Hyatt,  Van  Hoesen  and  others,  all  previous  to  1800. 
Mr.  Edmonds  was  a  clerk  to  Col.  Van  Allen  when  the  settlement  was  made, 
and  succeeded  him  in  his  business  after  his  death.  Capt.  John  Hathaway 
advertised  that  Jus  sloops  had  better  accommodations  than  any  other  upon 


38  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON 


the  river.  In  1790,  the  Captain  advertised  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  have 
any  body  to  whom  he  was  in  debt,  "call  upon  him  and  get  their  pay  if  they 
wished  it." 

A  trip  to  Xew  York  was  made  by  sloops,  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances of  wind  and  tide,  in  twenty-four  hours,  but  oftener  occupied  four  or 
five  days.  An  average  trip  occupied  from  two  to  three  days.  The  usual  rate 
of  fare  was  three  dollars,  the  company  finding  '-board  and  lodging,"  or  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents,  passengers  "finding  themselves." 

In  the  year  1806,  two  packets  were  built  and  run  exclusively  for  passengers, 
not  even  a  package  of  goods  being  allowed  to  be  carried  upon  them.  They 
were  each  of  one  hundred  tons  burthen,  with  'three  lengths  of  berths  in  their 
after  cabins,  five  in  their  great  cabins,  the  forecastle  being  occupied  by  the 
hands."  They  sailed  from  Hudson  and  Xew  York  alternately,  on  the  Sunday 
and  Wednesday  mornings  of  each  week,  and  made  the  trip  in  time  varying 
from  ten  to  thirty  hours,  charging  five  dollars  fare  and  finding  everything. 
They  were  called  the  Experiments,  and  were  commanded  by  Capt's.  Laban 
Paddock  and  ElihuS.  Bunker,  by  whom  they  were  built  and  owned,  and  are 
said  to  have  been  the  first  vessels  ever  built  in  this  country  for  the  carrying 
of  passengers  only.  In  speaking  of  them  a  Xew  York  paper  at  that  time, 
commented  upon  the  utility  of  such  a  line,  and  hoped  their  success  would 
''induce  its  adoption  in  every  town  of  consequence  upon  the  river.  No  com- 
petition need  be  feared  from  anything  which  sailed  upon  the  river."  Shortly 
after  the  establishment  of  this  line,  a  steamboat  commenced  to  run  regularly 
and  the  "Experiments"  were  not  found  to  be  a  profitable  investment  and  were 
put  to  other  uses. 

STEAMBOATS. 

On  the  ITth  day  of  August,  1807,  Fultoc's  steamboat,  the  Clermont,  passed 
here,  through  the  Western  channel,  making  the  passage  from  Xew  York  in 
thirty-three  hours,  "without  the  use  of  sails  or  oars,  being  propelled  by  a  com- 
mon water  wheel  which  was  moved  by  the  assistance  of  machinery  with  steam." 
On  her  return  trip  next  day  she  gratified  the  citizens  of  Hudson  by  making 
her  passage  through  the  Hudson  channel.  Every  spot  which  aflforded  a  view 
of  the  river,  was  crowded  with  people  eager  to  get  a  view  of  "the  great  curios- 
ity." Her  average  rate  of  travel  was  between  five  and  six  miles  an  hour.  Not 
long  after  her  first  trip  she  came  from  X"ew  York  in  twenty-seven  hours,  land- 
ing here  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  passengers,  which  fact  was  considered 
worthy  of  a  special  notice.  About  the  same  time,  the  Hudson  Bee  made  the 
following  announcement,  doubtless  a  very  pleasant  one,  to  its  readers  : 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  39 


"HERE  S  YOUR   BEAUTIES  OF  LOBSTERS." 

"These  with  sea  bass,  cod  aud  black  fish,  jmnpiiiE:  and  alive  in  Hudson  market, 
afford  quite  a  dainty  to  an  epicure  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  the 
ocean.  They  are  brought  here  on  the  Steamboat,  and  sold  in  the  brick  market 
fresh  and  in  good  order,  every  time  she  arrives  from  New  York." 

We  find  in  the  Bee  of  June  1808,  the  following  curious  advertisement : 

stp:amboat. 

For  the  Itifomiation  of  the  Public. 

fTHE  steamboat  will  leave  New  York  for  Albany  every  Saturday 
-^  afternoon,  exactly  at  6  o'clock — and  will  pass 

West  Point  about  4  o'clock  Sunday  morning. 

Newburgh.  7     do. 

Poughkeepsie,      11     do. 

Esopus,  2  in  the  afternoon. 

Redhook,  4    do. 

Catskill,  7     do. 

Hudson,  9  in  the  evening, 

She  will  leave  Albany  for  New  York  every  Wednesday  morning,  exactly  at 
8  o'clock,  and  pass 

Hudson  about  3  in  the  afternoon. 

Esopus,  8  in  the  evening. 

Poughkeepsie,12  at  night. 

Newburgh,       4  Thursday  morning. 

West  Point,  7  do. 
As  the  time  at  which  the  Boat  may  arrive  at  the  different  places  above 
mentioned  may  vary  an  hour  more  or  less  according  to  the  advantage  or  dis- 
advantage of  wind  and  tide,  those  who  wish  to  come  on  board  will  see  the  ne- 
cessity of  being  on  the  spot  an  hour  before  the  time.  Persons  wishing  to 
come  on  board  from  any  other  landing  than  here  specified,  can  calculate  the 
time  the  Boat  will  pass,  and  be  ready  on  her  arrival.  Inn-keepers  or  boatmen, 
who  bring  passengers  on  boai-d,  or  take  them  ashore,  from  any  part  of  the 
river,  will  be  allowed  one  shilling  for  each  person. 

Prices  of  Passage — From  New  York. 

To  West  Point $2  50 

Newhurgh 3  00 

•  Poughkeepsie 3  50 

Esopus 4  00 

Redhook 4  50 

Hudson 5  00 

Albany 7  00 

From  Albany 

To  Hudson 82  00 

Redhook 3  00 

Esopus 3  50 

Poughkeepsie 4  00 

Newbm-gh  and  West  Point 4  50 

New  York 7  00 

All  other  passengers  are  to  pay  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  for  every  twenty 
miles,  and  a  half  a  dollar  for  every  meal  they  may  eat. 


40  SKETCHES      OF      H  U-  D  S  O  N  . 

Children  from  1  to  5  years  of  age  to  pay  one  third  price  and  sleep  with  the 
persons  under  whose  care  they  are. 

Young  persons  from  5  to  15  years  of  age,  to  pay  half  price,  provided  they 
sleep  two  in  a  berth,  and  whole  price  for  each  one  who  requests  to  occupy  a 
whole  berth. 

Servants  who  pay  two-thirds  price  are  entitled  to  a  berth  ;  they  pay  half 
price  if  they  do  not  have  berth. 

Every  person  paying  full  price  is  allowed  60  lbs.  of  baggage  ;  if  less  than 
whole  price,  40  lbs.  They  are  to  pay  at  the  rate  of  three  cents  a  pound  for 
surplus  baggage.  Store-keepers  who  wish  to  carry  light  and  valuable  mer- 
chandise, can  be  accommodated  on  paying  three  cents  a  pound. 

Passengers  will  breakfast  before  they  come  on  board  ;  dinner  will  be  served 
up  exactly  at  2  o'clock  ;  tea,  with  meats,  which  is  also  supper,  at  eight  in  the 
evening  ;  and  breakfast  at  9  in  the  morning ;  no  one  has  a  claim  on  the  stew- 
ard for  victuals  at  any  other  hour. 

The  first  steamboat  owned  here  was  the  Legislator,  purchased  in  the  year 
1828,  by  the  "Hudson  Tow  Boat  Company,"  Previous  to  this  a  company, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Plumb,  Hammond,  Wiswall  and  Reed  had  built  barges 
for  the  transportation  of  freight,  which  were  towed  to  New  Tork  by  steam- 
boats running  from  Albany. 

The  Hudson  Tow  boat  Company,  succeeded  the  freighting  firm  of  Judah 
Paddock  and  Co.,  established  by  Capt.  Judah  Paddock  in  1818,  doing  busi- 
ness in  the  building  still  occupied  for  that  purpose  by  Haviland,  Clark  &  Co., 
It  was  at  this  period  that  the  business  interests  of  Hudson  were  in  a  depressed 
state.  Power,  Livingston  &  Co.,  were  a  firm  also  somewhat  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  freighting  business,  about  the  year  1812.  They  carried  on  also 
an  extensive  mercantile  business  in  the  store  for  many  years  past  known  as 
the  hardware  Store  of  Mr.  Israel  Piatt.  A  gentleman  states  that  from  that 
store  in  1813  he  conveyed  to  Boston  for  them,  a  wagon  load  of  flour,  for  the 
use  of  the  army.  The  principal  members  of  the  firm  were  Capt.  John  Power 
and  Moncrief  Livingston.  Capt.  Power  throughout  his  life  was  an  active,  en- 
terprising citizen,  alive  to  everything  which  would  promote  the  prosperity  yf 
the  city. 

During  the  close  of  navigation  passengers  were  conveyed  by  stages,  running 
from  New  York  to  Albany ;  we  find  mention  made  of  a  line  of  stages  as  early 
as  1787.  There  was  also  a  line  connecting  Hudson  with  Hartford,  Conn., 
and  a  weekly  line  between  Hudson  and  Albany,  at  the  same  time. 

The  fare  from  New  York  to  Albany  by  stage  was  ten  dollars,  two  trips 
being  made  in  a  week.  The  stopping  place  in  Hudson  was  at  the  tavern  of 
Russel  Kellogg,  which  pointed  itself  out  to  the  traveler  by  a  huge  sign,  upon 
which  was  conspicuously  painted  a  portrait  of  Gen.  Washington  in  full  uni- 
form, on  horseback.    This  was  the  second  public  house  erected  in  Hudson 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  41 

and  stood  upon  the  site  of  the  Worth  House.  It  wiis  kept  in  later  years  by 
Samuel  Bryan,  "whose  good  coaches,  excellent  horses,  skillful  drivers,  strict 
attention  to  the  wants,  comforts  and  convenience  of  his  visitors,  obtained  for 
his  house  the  emphatic  title  of  the  Traveller's  Home."  Mr.  Bryan's  was  also 
the  "stage  house,"  and  it  was  to  accommodate  the  great  amount  of  travel  by 
stage,  that  the  Hudson  House  (now  the  Worth  House)  was  built,  in  the  year 
1837.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  thing  at  that  day,  for  two  hundred  passengers 
to  stop  here  daily  for  meals,  during  the  winter  months,  and  of  the  large  num- 
ber of  visitors  to  the  Springs  at  New  Lebanon  during  the  Summer,  the  greater 
part  were  sent  there  by  stages  from  this  place.  With  the  construction  of  the 
various  railroads,  this  source  of  prosperity  to  Hudson  was  also  cut  off.  The 
first  public  house  in  Hudson  was  kept  by  Col.  McKinstry,  upon  the  site  of 
the  residence  of  Robert  W.  Evans.  This  house  held  out  for  its  sign  a  por- 
trait of  the  King  of  Prussia.  Most  of  the  public  houses  in  the  vicinity  were 
at  that  time  designated  by  a  sign  bearing  the  portrait  of  some  crowned  head 
of  the  old  world.  In  the  year  1793  a  number  of  the  ''fast  young  men"  of  that 
day,  to  whom  these  signs  were  distasteful,  made  a  visit  to  most  of  them  and 
demolished  them.  On  their  return  they  paid  a  visit  to  the  tavern  of  Joseph 
Horn,  standing  upon  the  site  of  the  public  house  of  Mr.  S.  S.  Martin,  which 
was  then  quite  out  of  town,  and  converted  the  lower  rooms  of  the  house  in  a 
vei7  short  space  of  time  into  one.  The  King  of  Prussia  next  received  their 
attention  and  shai-ed  the  fate  of  the  others.  Their  proceedings  were  brought 
to  a  close  by  honoring  Mr.  Kellogg's  sign  of  Gen.  Washington  with  three 
cheers  ;  "a  tiger"  probably  uc  t  yet  having  been  heard  of.  They  were  subse- 
quently prosecuted  and  made  to  pay  heavy  damages  ;  Horn  recovering  about 
three  hundred  dollars. 

BANKS,  ETC. 

•  The  first  bank  was  chartered  in  1792.  This  was  the  Bank  of  Columbia, 
and  was  the  third  chartered  in  the  State,  one  other  being  located  at  New 
York  and  another  at  Albany.  The  building  known  in  later  years  as  the 
"Hosmer  house,"  and  for  many  years  the  residence  of  Mr.  Prosper  Hosmer, 
standing  near  the  foot  of  Warreu  street,  was  built  exclusively  for  the  use  of 
this  Bank.  It  was  afterwards,  about  the  year  1803,  moved  to  the  corner  of 
Second  and  Main  streets,  and  occupied  the  second  story  of  the  building  now 
used  by  James  Best  &  Co.  as  a  meat  market,  going  thence  to  the  building 
occupied  at  present  by  the  Hudson  River  Bank.  Its  first  President  was 
Thomas  Jenkins.    James  Nixon  first  Cashier.    It  failed  in  1829. 

The  second  Bank  was  organized  in  1808,  called  the  Bank  of  Hudson.    It 


42  SKETCHES       OFHUDSON. 

occupied,  at  first,  the  rooms  oii  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main  streets,  until 
the  building  now  occupied  as  a  residence  by  Hon.  Henry  Hogeboom,  was 
erected  for  its  use.  Its  first  President  was  John  C.  Hogeboorc,  and  Gorham 
A.  Worth  first  Cashier.    It  failed  in  1819. 

The  third  Bank,  the  Hudson  Kiver,  was  organized  in  1830,  occupying  the 
building  of  the  present  bank  of  same  name,  and  continuing  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Oliver  Wiswall,  until  its  charter  expired  in  the  year  1855.  In  that 
year  the  present  Hudson  River  Bank  commenced  operations  under  Robert  A. 
Barnard  as  its  first  President. 

The  Fanners'  Bank  was  organized  in  the  year  1835,  Elihu  Gifford  its  first 
and  present  President. 

The  Hudson  Savings  Bank  was  instituted  in  the  year  1850. 

Niobe  Nixon,  a  lady  whose  remains  were  brought  here  for  interment  dur- 
ing the  past  winter,  was  for  many  years  a  clerk  in  the  Bank  of  Columbia.  It 
was  much  more  customary  at  that  day  than  at  the  present,  for  women  to  fill 
positions  of  that  nature,  and  in  the  early  days  of  Hudson,  places  of  business 
conducted  by  women  were  far  more  numerous  than  now.  Particularly  was 
this  the  case  among  the  Friends  or  Quakers.  Within  the  early  recollection 
of  the  writer  several  such  still  existed,  two  or  three  of  which,  although  small, 
had  quite  a  local  reputation. 

In  Union  street,  near  the  corner  of  Second,  was  the  store  of  Elizabeth 
Stratton  ;  she  the  embodiment  of  Quaker  neatness,  and  her  store  and  stock 
partaking  of  it.  This  was  a  favorite  trading  place  with  Friends.  Her  judg- 
ment and  taste  were  thought  to  make  up  for  a  somewhat  limited  stock,  and 
it  was  always  remarked,  "that  somehow  Elizabeth  Stratton  managed  to  suit 
everybody." 

Near  the  lower  end  of  Warren  street  was  another  store  noted  among  Friends, 
that  of  Mary  J.  CofiBn,  who  ofiered  a  greater  variety  than  Elizabeth  Stratton, 
but  Was  always  said  "to  charge  more." 

There  was  still  another  in  the  lower  part  of  Warren  street,  quite  as  well 
known  as  the  two  former,  kept  by  a  worthy  Friend,  who  is  still  a  resident  of 
the  city. 

Idleness  was  not  tolerated  by  the  early  Quaker  creed.  Even  the  celebrated 
Hannah  Barnard  did  not  deem  it  beneath  her  to  do  something  to  help  on  the 
world  ;  so  she  gave  to  it  a  "soothing  balm  for  every  wound  :"  "Cousin  Han- 
nah's salve."  Hundreds  to-day  call  her  blessed,  who  remember  and  of  old 
rejoiced  in  its  relief-giving  virtues.    Its  use  was  extensive,  scarcely  a  family 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


43 


being  without  it.  We  have  been  kindly  favored,  for  pubhcation,  with  the  old 
lady's  recipe  for  making  it,  in  the  hope  that  as  one  of  the  early  "institutions" 
of  Hudson  it  may  be  restored.  It  has  long  been  numbered  among  the  "lost 
arts  :"  "Take  2  oz.  Burgundy  pitch,  1-2  oz.  of  beeswax,  and  melt  them  with 
one  even  table-spoonful  of  hog's  lard.  Spread  it  when  used  on  a  piece  of  old 
nankeen  or  cotton  cloth  ;  better  than  leather.  Compress  it  close  on  the  part 
wounded." 

FIRE   DEPARTMENT. 

Of  the  first  public  movement  in  relation  to  the  protection  of  the  city  against 
fire,  we  have  the  following  facts  : 

As  early  as  1792,  considerable  anxiety  was  felt  upon  the  subject,  and  the 
press  urged  upon  the  citizens  great  caution,  picturing  the  terrible  suffering 
which  must  result  from  a  conflagration.  As  there  was  to  be  considerable 
building  in  that  year,  it  suggested,  as  a  matter  of  safety,  that  the  buildings 
should  not  be  placed  too  near  together.  In  the  month  of  November,  1793,  & 
number  of  citizens,  deeming  it  necessary  for  their  safety  to  purchase  an  engine, 
circulated  a  subscription  for  that  purpose.  Twenty  citizens,  it  is  said,  "im- 
mediately showed  themselves  forward  enough  to  sign  it,"  and  the  necessary 
amount  was  secured  to  purchase  such  an  engine  as  might  subsequently  be 
agreed  upon.  They  petitioned  the  Common  Council  that  they  might  be 
privileged  to  form  themselves  into  a  company.  Kobert  Jenkins,  Erastus  Fratt 
and  Laban  Paddock  were  appointed  a  committee  to  organize  the  Company 
and  wait  on  Benjamin  Cady  to  contract  for  an  engine,  to  be  completed  in  three 
months.  It  was  to  cost  £100,  hold  one  hundred  and  eighty  gallons,  be  con- 
structed with  four  pumps,  to  throw  three  hundred  feet  1  also,  to  "be  fixed  with 
a  suction  and  do  good  execution." 

The  engine  not  being  finished  as  soon  as  was  expected,  before  its  comple- 
tion another  company  had  been  formed  and  an  engine  purchased  by  them. 

On  the  17th  day  of  April,  1791,  it  was  i-esolved  by  the  Common  Council 

that  the  following  persons  be  aj)pointed  Firemen  to  superintend  Fire  Engine 

No.  1,  to  wit : 

John  Kemper,  JoKijithan  Parington, 

Walter  Johnston, 


Seth  Jones, 
Nathan  Sears, 
Isaac  Dayton, 
James  Morgan, 
Elisha  Foot, 
Thomas  Manchester, 
Abner  Hammond, 
Shubael  Haskiu, 
Joshua  Tobey. 


Phineas  Hoyt, 
Christopher  Hoxie, 
Silas  Rand, 
Cornelius  Tobey, 
Kobert  Taylor, 
Alpheus  Smith, 
Peter  Truman, 


44  SKETCHES       OF       H  C  D  5  O  K  . 

That  H.  L.  Hosmer  and  Levi  "WTieaton,  be  a  committee  to  draog^  some 

Bye-laws  to  regulate  the  said  Company. 

1794,  Xov.  10th.    A  Company  was  organized  for  the  engine  before  refff- 

red  to,  calling  themselves  Company  Xo.  2,  by  the  following  persons : 

Samuel  Mansfield,  Eobert  Jenkins, 

Pelee  Thurston,  Samuel  Lawrence, 

Cotton  Gelston,  Erastus  Pratt, 

John  H.  Dayton,  James  Mookler, 

Laban  Paddock.  William  Jenkins, 

Arthur  McArthur,  Benjamin  Lane, 

Amiel  Jenkins,  John  "Walgrove, 

Reuben  Folder,  Samuel  Plomb, 

Benjamin  Allen,  Oliver  Gelston- 
Zachariah  Seymour, 

They  resolved  to  meet  monthly,  on  the  last  Saturday  of  every  month,  and 

adopted  as  their  uniform  '•a  white  jacket  and  trowsers,"  with  a  leather  cap. — 

The  uniform  of  Xo.  1  was  at  first  a  green  flannel  jacket  with  leather  cap. 

In  1794,  the  Common  Council  directed  two  houses  to  be  built. ''suitable  for 
the  wants  of  the  companies  and  the  protection  of  their  engine."  Tbiej  wwe 
located,  one  in  Third  street  and  one  near  the  lower  market,  and  were  of  very 
small  dimensions,  but  they  managed,  nevertheless  to  accommodate  companies 
of  considerable  numbers.  The  "wants"  of  the  Firemen  of  that  early  day  were 
comparatively  few.  The  engines  were  both  very  small.  Xo.  2  being  the  largest 
and  most  powerful.  No.  1  in  after  years  was  called  the  "pocket  machine,'* 
and  '-sausage  stuflfer,"  and  fijially  became  a  plaything  for  the  juveniles  in  her 
vicinity. 

In  1S03,  Company  Xo.  3  was  formed,  and  in  180S  a  petition  was  presented 
to  the  Council  for  the  organization  of  Company  Xo.  4,  bat  we  have  nothing 
further  relative  to  either  Company. 

In  July.  17S5. -Chimney  Tiewers"'  were  appointed,  and  many  regulations 
were  established  for  the  protection  of  the  city,  and  for  the  prevention  of  fires. 

It  was  required  by  an  ordinance,  that  the  owner  of  every  house  with  three 
fire-places  should  provide  two  leather  buckets,  and  every  house  with  more  than 
three  fire-places,  three  leather  buckets,  sufficient  to  contain  at  least  two  gal- 
lons of  water.  Brewers,  bakers  and  tavern  keepers  were  required  to  furnish 
them  to  hold  three  gallons.  They  were  to  be  marked  with  the  owner's  initials 
and  kept  haniring  up  in  some  conspicuous  place  in  the  entry,  near  the  fix)nt 
door,  ready  to  be  used  for  extinguishing  fires.  They  were  to  be  furnished  by 
the  owner  of  the  dwelling,  or,  if  by  the  tenant,  the  price  was  deducted  from 
his  rent,  and  for  every  month  after  notice  he  failed  to  provide,  he  was  to  for- 
feit six  shiUings  for  each  bucket- 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  45 

In  1794,  the  Overseers  of  the  engines  were  required  after  a  fire  to  cause  all 
the  buckets  to  be  collected  and  carried  to  the  Market  House,  that  the  citizens 
might  know  where  to  find  them,  and  if  injured  to  cause  them  to  be  repaired 
at  the  expense  of  the  city  ;  and  if  any  were  lost,  they  were  replaced,  upon 
proper  proof  of  the  fact,  by  the  city.  Any  person  detaining  them  from  the 
owner  above  twenty-four  hours  after  any  fire,  forfeited  for  every  one  so  detain- 
ed twenty  shillings. 

Fire  Wardens  were  appointed,  whose  duty  it  was,  immediately  upon  a  cry  of 
fire,  to  repair  to  the  place,  to  direct  the  inhabitants  in  forming  themselves  in- 
to ranks,  for  handing  the  buckets  to  supply  the  engines  with  water.  The  citi- 
zens were  enjoined  to  comply  with  the  directions  of  such  wardens,  and  it  was 
expected  that  all  other  persons  would  refrain  from  giving  orders  or  directions, 
and  cheerfully  obey  such  as  were  given  by  authorized  persons.  It  was  cus- 
tomary for  the  women  to  aid  in  the  hues  for  passing  the  buckets,  they  usually 
passing  up  the  empty  line,  while  the  men  returned  them  filled. 

The  Mayor,  Recorder  and  Aldermen,  upon  such  occasions,  were  to  carry  a 
wand  five  feet,  at  least,  in  length,  painted  white,  with  a  gilded  flame  at  the 
top.  The  Fire  Warden  was  to  carry  a  speaking  trumpet  in  his  hand,  painted 
white,  and  each  Fireman  was  required  to  provide  himself  with  a  leather  cap, 
with  the  crown  painted  white,  or  forfeit  the  sum  of  six  shillings  for  every 
month  he  neglected  to  do  so. 

It  was  enjoined  upon  all  the  citizens,  in  case  of  a  fire  in  the  night,  to  place 
lighted  candles  in  their  windows,  in  order  that  the  inhabitants  might  pass 
through  the  streets  in  safety,  and  to  throw  their  buckets  into  the  street,  that 
there  might  not  be  delay  in  obtaining  them. 

1799,  Nov.  9th.  Paul  Dakin  was  appointed  to  procure  four  small  fire- 
hooks,  chains,  ropes,  poles,  and  six  ladders,  from  twelve  to  sixteen  feet  long, 
with  hooks  and  brads,  to  be  used  at  fires  in  pulling  down  buildings. 

Robert  Folger  and  others  were  appointed  'bag-men,"  to  preserve  and  secure 
property  at  fires,  and  were  directed  to  procure  bags  and  other  implements  ne- 
cessary for  that  purpose. 

Simple  and  curious  as  these  regulations  may  seem  at  the  present  day,  they 
were  doubtless  efiFective  at  a  period  when  fires  were  much  less  frequent  than 
now,  and  a  fire  depaitment  as  efiBcient  as  that  of  which  Hudson  now  boasts, 
was  not  known  in  the  countiy. 

The  first  fire  in  the  city  was  the  bookstore  and  printing  office  of  Ashbel 
Stoddard,  in  1787  or  8S,  of  which  we  find  the  following  accomit : 

"The  organization  of  the  fire  department  being  extremely  deficient,  there 


46  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON. 

being  no  engines,  no  buckets,  no  water,  no  firemen  ;  the  fire  was  left  to  lake 
its  own  covu-se,  and  it  accordingly  raged  not  only  unchecked,  but  unmolested. 
Fortunately  the  night  was  calm,  and  the  flames  ascended  directly  upwards,  to 
the  very  skies,  carrjnng  with  them  innumerable  fragments  of  papers  and  burn- 
ing books,  blazing  as  they  flew  ;  filling  the  whole  air  with  their  fiery  forms,  and 
then  descending  in  every  direction,  covering  the  town  as  with  a  shower  of 
falling  stars.    Such  a  scene,  so  beautiful,  was  not  easily  to  be  forgotten." 

The  first  fire  of  magnitude  was  in  1825,  commencing  in  the  alley  south  of 
Warren  street,  near  First,  extending  through  Warren  to  Diamond,  destroying 
in  its  rapid  progress  a  large  number  of  buildings.  First  street  was  opened 
immediately  after  this  fire.  In  later  years  few  places  have  suffered  more  fre- 
quently and  heavily  from  fires  than  Hudson  ;  that  portion  of  the  city  nearest 
the  river  having  undergone  an  almost  entire  change  from  that  cause. 

MILITABY. 

There  seems  to  have  existed  in  the  early  days  of  Hudson  a  much  greater 
military  spirit  than  in  later  years,  and  we  find  a  military  company  in  existence 
almost  as  soon  as  the  city  was  incorporated.  The  first  organized  was  pro- 
bably in  the  year  1786,  a  company  of  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Daniel  Gano,  called  Gano's  Artillery,  of  a  parade  of  which  we  find  mention 
made  in  1787,  but  have  no  account  of  its  numbers  or  officers. 

In  1788  mention  is  also  made  of  another  company,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  Thomas  Frothingham,  called  Frothingham's  Artillery,  numbering  about 
fifty  members,  but  beyond  an  allusion  to  their  appearance  upon  several  public 
occasions,  we  have  no  further  account  of  them.  They  aided  in  "duly  cele- 
brating" the  4th  of  July  in  that  year,  of  which  celebration  we  have  the  follow- 
ing report : 

"  Frothingham's  Artillery  ushered  in  the  day  with  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns, 
on  the  eminence  near  the  river,  which  with  thjee  cheers  enlivened  the  counte- 
nances of  the  very  numerous  crowd  present.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon an  elegant  dinner  was  provided  at  Russel  Kellogg's  tavern,  at  which 
was  present  a  large  number  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  city. 
Patriotic  toasts  were  drank,  which  were  announced  by  a  discharge  of  cannon. 
The  day  closed  with  a  most  beautiful  exhibition  of  fire-works,  at  which  were 
present  a  great  many  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  the  adjacent  country,  who 
seemed  to  retire  extremely  pleased  with  the  evening's  amusement." 

This  was  the  first  general  celebration  of  the  day  in  Hudson.  It  was  cele- 
brated annually  with  much  spirit  afterwards,  and  as  the  bitterness  of  party 
strife  increased,  political  celebrations  were  introduced,  and  we  have  frequent 
accounts  of  two  celebrations,  and  occasionally  the  mechanics  of  the  city,  appa- 
rently disgusted  with  both  parties,  added  a  third.  One  party  had  its  orations 
in  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  other  in  the  City  Hall,  and  upon  one  or  two 
occasions,  the  Episcopal  church  was  used. 


SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON 


In  1786,  Ezekiel  Gilbert  is  spoken  of  as  Brigade  Major,  and  in  1788  Mai> 
shal  Jenkins  as  Adjutant  of  tlie  Regiment. 

In  the  month  of  August,  in  the  year  1788,  the  two  companies  of  Gano  and 
Frothinghara,  appeared  in  Claverack  for  inspection  by  Gen.  Fish,  and  were 
highly  complimented  upon  their  "neat  and  soldierly  appearance,"  each  wearing 
the  continental  uniform. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1792,  intelligence  was  received  that  the  Hon. 
John  Jay  that  day  intended  to  stop  at  Hudson,  on  his  way  from  the  vil- 
lage of  Kinderhook,  where  he  had  been  upon  a  visit.  Steps  were  immediate- 
ly taken  to  give  him  a  "fitting  reception."  A  cavalcade  of  two  hundred  gen- 
tlemen was  formed,  who  met  and  received  him  at  the  village  of  Claverack,  and 
after  calling  upon  WilliamH.  Ludlow,  Esq.,  at  his  residence,  "  where  they  re- 
galed themselves  with  a  glass  of  wine,"  escorted  him  into  the  city.  Upon 
his  arrival  he  was  received  by  a  salute  from  Frothingham's  Artillery,  and  af- 
ter "  proceeding  through  the  various  streets,  was  taken  to  Eussell  Kellogg's 
tavern,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  had  been  provided,"  his  Honor,  Seth 
Jenkins,  then  lilayor,  presiding.  Mr.  Jay  drank  to  "the  prosperity  of  Hud- 
S071,"  which  called  out  the  Mayor  in  a  speech,  concluding  with  a  toast  to  "  ike 
Man  of  the  dcnj,'^  to  which  Mr.  Jay  replied  at  some  length.  During  the  eve- 
ning he  was  waited  upon  by  a  large  number  of  citizens,  and  upon  the  morning 
following  he  sailed  on  board  of  the  sloop  Porapey  for  the  residence  of  Gov. 
Lewis,  leaving  amid  the  cheers  of  the  people  and  the  firing  of  cannon. 

In  1793,  a  third  company  of  Artillery  existed,  mider  the  command  of  Ben- 
jamin Haxton,  called  Haxton's  Artillery,  and  shortly  after,  a  company  of  In- 
fantry, under  the  command  of  Capt.  Nicholas  Hathaway,  calling  themselves 
Hathaway's  Infantry,  wearing  a  black  cocked  hat,  blue  coat  faced  with  red, 
and  white  or  blue  pantaloons,  but  we  find  no  account  of  either  company  beside 
an  allusion  to  them  in  the  following  proceedings  of  the  Council,  upon  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  of  the  death  of  Washington : 

At  a  Common  Council,  holden  in  and  for  the  City  of  Hudson,  the  26th  day 
of  Dec,  1799,  Present  Cotton  Gelstou,  Esq.,  Recorder,  Elisha  Pitkin,  Paul 
Dakin,  Samuel  Edmonds,  Thomas  Power,  Aldermen.  Robert  Folger,  Robert 
Taylor,  Silas  Rand,  Rafus  Buckus,  Assistants. 

The  Council  having  received  certain  accounts  of  the  Death  of  our  illustri- 
ous, beloved  General  Washington,  and  being  desirous  of  testifying  their  sor- 
row in  the  most  public  manner,  do  Resolve  that  the  citizens  be  immediately 
notified  to  repair  to  the  City  Hall,  to  form  a  procession  to  the  Presbyterian 
Meeting  House,  where  suitable  prayers  will  be  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samp- 
son, and  an  Eulogy  will  be  spoken  by  Mr.  Gilbert  on  the  solemn  occasion. 


48  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON. 

The  procession  to  move  in  the  following  order  : 

Capt.  N,  Natliaway's  Company  of  Infantiy  with  Ai-ms  Reversed  and  Musick 

Muffled  &  .Shrouded. 

Recorder  and  Orator. 

Common  Council  two  and  two. 

Reverend  Clergy. 

Officers  of  the  late  Revolutionary  Army. 

Other  Officers  Civil  and  Military.     » 

Citizens  two  and  two. 

During  the  moving  of  the  procession,  the  bell  was  tolled,  all  places  of 
business  were  closed  and  the  citizens,  wearing  crape  upon  their  left  arms, 
assembled  in  great  numbers  to  listen  to  Mr.  Gilbei't's  touching  and  eloquent 
eulogy,  commencing  with  the  words,  "He  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth."  Upon 
this  occasion,  Haxton's  Artillery  fired  minute  guns. 

After  Hathaway's  Infantry  came  the  Wigton  Artillery,  commanded  by  Capt. 
William  Wigton.  Their  uniform  consisted  of  a  blue  coat  trimmed  with 
red,  blue  pantaloons  with  red  stripe,  and  black  cocked  hat  with  red  plume. 
They  numbered  about  seventy,  and  for  many  years  were  a  large  and  well 
drUled  company.  At  this  time  party  feeling  was  strong,  and  seems  to 
have  been  as  fully  carried  into  every  department  of  life  as  at  the  present  day. 
The  papers  were  filled  with  the  most  bitter  personalities,  each  party  had  its 
club,  its  bank,  and  each  its  military  company. 

The  Hudson  Greens,  a  company  of  Infantry,  was  the  Federal  company. 
Their  uniform  consisted  of  a  green  coat  and  pantaloons,  black  hat  and 
green  feather.  They  numbered  about  fifty  members,  and  were  commanded  at 
first  by  Capts.  Samuel  Canoll,  Harry  Croswell  and  Leverett  Cruttenden. 

The  Wigton  Artillery  was  the  Republican  Company. 

Both  the  Wigton  Ai-tillery  and  Hudson  Greens  were  ordered  ofiF  in 
the  war  of  1812  and  stationed  at  New  York.  In  this  connection,  it  may  be 
an  interesting  fact  to  mention,  that  shortly  after  the  opening  of  that  war, 
Gen.  Scott,  with  seven  hundred  men,  encamped  over  night  in  this  city,  upon 
the  open  green  then  lying  upon  the  easterly  side  of  the  present  Court  House. 
Under  the  lead  of  Capt.  John  Hathaway,  the  General  and  his  men  were 
supplied  with  wood,  coffi^e  and  an  abundance  of  the  best  of  provisions.  The 
lighted  camps  were  visited  by  a  large  number  of  citizens,  and  upon  the  fol- 
lowing morning  Gen.  Scott  proceeded  upon  his  way  North,  passing  up  Main 
street,  himself  the  admii-ation  of  the  hundreds  crowding  the  sidewalks.  Capt. 
Hathaway  was  a  generous  hearted,  pubUc  spirited  man,  at  the  same  time  ex- 
tremely close  and  particular  in  all  matters  of  business.    He  was  an  ardent 


SKETCHES       OF       H  U  0   S  O  N  .  40 

supporter  of  the   war  of  1812,  tiiul  gave  largely  in  various  ways  in  aid  of  the 
soldiers. 

In  1802.  a  company  called  the  IFudson  Rangers  is  mentioned  as  heading 
the  funeral  procession  of  (Jen.  Robert  Van  Rensselaer.  They  were  coni- 
niaiided  by  Nicliolas  Hathaway.  Sanutel  Cunoll  und  Joseph  D.  Monc  11,  woar> 
ing  as  their  Uniform  short  blue  coats,  trinuned  with  red,  white  pantaloons  and 
bear  skin  caps  ;  they  cannot,  however,  properly  be  said  to  liave  belonged  to 
Hudson,  most  of  the  ttiembci-a  residing  in  the  vicinity  and  in  the  town  of 
Claverack. 

After  the  WIgton  Artillery  and  Greens,  came  the  Hudson  City  Guards  and 
Scotch  I'laids,  both  of  which  companies  did  escort  duty  upon  the  visit  of 
Lttfayette  to  Hudson  in  1824.  Hudson  was  one  of  the  first  cities  in  the 
Uniou  M'hich  sent  a  conmiittee  of  invitation  to  meet  Lafayette  in  Xew  York, 
and  tender  him  the  hospitalities  of  the  city.  In  the  month  of  September, 
in  1824,  he  start <;d  upon  the  steamer  James  Kent,  couunanded  by  Capt. 
Samuel  AViswall,  or  the  "Couunodore"  as  he  was  styled,  to  visit  the  different 
places  upon  the  North  river.  Upon  his  arrival  at  the  residence  of  the 
Hon.  Edward  P.  Livingston,  the  evening  previous  to  his  visit  here,  word 
was  sent  to  the  city,  when  a  committee  of  citizens,  consisting  of  Rufus 
Reed,  Esq.,  Mayor,  Doct.  John  Tullman,  and  Col.  Stroilg,  accompanied  by 
the  two  military  companies  mentioned,  tlie  Hudson  Brass  Band,  Gen. 
Jacob  R.  Van  Rensselaer  and  suite,  Brig.  Gen.  James  Fleming  and  suite, 
proceeded  upon  the  steamboat  Richmond,  Capt.  AVilliam  J.  AYiswall,  to  meet 
Lafayette  at  Clermont  and  escort  him  to  this  city  upon  the  day  following. 
In  the  evening  the  grounds  and  d^'elling  of  Mr.  Livingston  wefe  beautifully 
illuminated,  and  a  ball  giVcn,  attended  by  several  hundred  people,  among  them 
many  of  the  movst  distinguished  citizens  of  the  State.  The  military  compa- 
nies from  this  city  \Vere  quai-tered  over  night  upon  the  James  Kent,  After 
a  short  visit  at  Catskill,  Lafayette  reached  Hudson  about  noon  of  the  day 
following,  and  "met  with  a  recc'ption  the  most  heartfelt  and  joyous  ever 
bestoiiVed  Upon  man."  He  was  conducted  to  an  elegant  carriage  drawn  by 
four  black  horses,  attended  by  four  grooms  in  livery,  and  accompanied  by  a 
lengthy  procession  of  military  and  citizens  of  Hudson  and  its  vicinity,  under 
the  direction  of  Col.  Charles  Darling  as  IMarshal  of  the  day,  was  carried 
through  the  principal  streets,  which  were  literally  choked  with  people,  to  all 
of  whom  Lafayette  tried  in  vain  to  bow.  Arches  of  evergreens  were  erected 
at  various  points,  bearing  inscriptions  of  welcome,  and  that  at  thr'  head  of  the 
street  was  surmounted  by  a  colossal  figure  of  the  Goddess  of  I^iberty,  beal'ing 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  in  her  hand.     At  the  Court  House,  which  was  filled  "by 


50  SKETCHES       O  F     H  U  D  S  O  N  . 

elegantly  dressed  women,"  he  was  welcomed  by  his  Honor,  the  Mayor,  to 
whom  he  replied  in  a  brief  speech.  Sixty-eight  veterans  of  the  Revolution 
were  then  presented  to  him,  for  each  of  whom  he  had  a  kind  word  ;  after  them 
the  military  officers,  lastly  the  "elegantly  dressed  women."  Dinner  had  been 
provided  for  a  great  number  of  people  at  Mr.  Allen's  tavern,  the  long  room 
of  which  had  been  beautifully  decorated  by  the  ladies.  Over  the  chair  design- 
ed for  Lafayette  was  suspended  a  beautiful  wreath  of  flowers,  enclosing  an 
appropriate  poetical  welcome,  while  around  the  room  were  the  most  tasteful 
and  elaborate  decorations  which  had  been  anywhere  seen  upon  his  journey. 
But  these  labors  of  love  were  all  lost,  ihe  want  of  time  preventing  his  remain- 
ing for  dinner  ;  he  did,  however,  so  great  was  the  pressure  of  citizens  upon  him 
in  passing  this  point,  alight,  and  after  remaining  for  a  short  time  and  partaking 
of  a  glass  of  wine,  bade  the  multitude  farewell,  proceeded  directly  to  the  river 
and  embarked  for  Albany  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon. 

We  take  the  particulars  of  this  reception  from  the  Commercial  Advertiser 
of  that  date,  whose  reporter  accompanied  Lafayette  upon  his  extended  tour 
through  the  country. 

In  the  year  1820,  Hudson  was  A'isited  by  the  Cadets  from  the  Military  Acad- 
emy at  AVest  Point,  who  encamped  on  the  Universalist  Hill,  remaining  about 
four  days.  Their  camps  covered  the  entire  hill,  which  at  that  time  was  of 
much  greater  extent  than  at  present,  much  of  it  in  later  years  having  been 
taken  up  by  the  construction  of  the  road  leading  to  the  Bay,  and  the  erection 
of  buildings.  Hudson  at  that  period,  for  the  first  time,  being  without  a  mili- 
tary company,  their  reception  was  by  a  cavalcade  of  citizens  under  the  direction 
of  a  committee  consisting  of  Cornelius  Miller,  Henry  Dibbler  and  Robert  A. 
Barnard,  appointed  by  the  Common  Council.  A  ball  was  given  by  the  citi- 
zens at  Holley's  tavern,  during  their  stay,  and  the  hospitalities  of  the  city, 
public  and  private,  were  so  marked  and  generousas  to  draw  from  them  a 
warm  expression  of  gratitude  upon  their  departure. 

The  Hudson  City  Guards  were  organized  about  the  year  1820,  under  Orville 
ITolley  as  Capt.,  Daniel  B.  Tallmadge  as  1st  Lieut.,  Henty  D.  Parkman  2d 
lieut.,  AVilliam  Jenkins  as  Orderly  Sergeant.  Their  uniform  consisted  of  blue 
coats,  silvered  buttons,  white  pantaloons,  with  a  high  bucket  shaped  leather 
hat,  surmounted  by  a  white  plume  about  half  a  yard  in  length.  It  was  con- 
sidered in  its  day  a  fine  uniform,  and  the  company  always  with  full  ranks 
and  spirited,  was  the  pride  of  the  city. 

The  Scotch  Plaids  were  organized  about  the  same  time,  under  Darius  Culver 
as  Capt.,  John  Forbes  1st  Lieut.,  Solomon  Shattuck,  Ensign. 


S  K  E  T  C  II  E  S      O  F      HUDSON.  51 

These  two  companies  were  rivals,  but  with  good  feeling.  The  uniform  worn 
by  the  Plaids  was  a  frock  coat  and  pantaloons  of  bright  plaid,  trimmed  with 
black  and  bright  buttons.  Tlie  cap  was  one  o'f  black  beaver,  low,  with  a 
cluster  of  black  plumes  upon  its  front,  falling  upon  either  side.  It  was  an 
attractive  dress,  and  from  its  novelty,  it  is  said,  made  the  Plaids  always  the 
favorite  company  with  young  Hudson. 

There  was  also  at  this  time  a  military  company  at  Athens,  known  as  the 
Athens  Lafayette  Guards.  There  seems  also  to  have  been  an  association 
in  this  city  known  as  the  Hudson  Military  Association,  but  it  numbered  only 
a  few  members,  and  we  can  get  no  information  of  its  particular  oi)jcct  or 
character.  It  formed  a  part  of  the  procession  upon  the  occasion  of  the  inter- 
ment of  Lieut.  Allen's  remains  in  1827. 

Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Allen,  who  was  distinguished  as  an  officer  and  gi-eatly  es- 
teemed as  a  citizen,  was  a  native  of  Hudson.  He  was  appointed  midshipman 
in  1808,  and  a  lieutenant  in  1811.  In  1813  he  took  a  conspicuous  part  in 
the  engagement  between  the  Argus  and  the  Pelican,  and  was  killed  while  in 
command  of  the  Alligator,  in  an  attempt  to  rescue  some  merchant  vessels 
from  a  gang  of  pirates.  His  remains  were  first  interred  at  Matanzas,  and  sub- 
sequently, after  a  correspondence  between  Oliver  Wiswall,  Esq.,  then  Mayor 
of  the  city,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Kavy,  were  removed  by  the  United 
States  Government  to  this  city.  The  news  of  his  death  was  received  here  in 
the  month  of  December,  1822,  casting  a  general  gloom  over  the  city.  A 
public  meeting  was  held  at  the  City  Hall,  at  which  Alexander  Coffin,  Am- 
brose L.  Jordan  and  Doct.  Samuel  White  presided,  and  a  eulogy^  pronounced 
by  the  Hon.  James  Strong. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  December,  1827,  the  schooner  Grampus  arrived  at  New 
York,  having  on  board  the  remains  of  the  lamented  hero.  On  the  reception 
of  this  intelligence,  the  Common  Council  deputed  Mr.  Reed,  former  Mayor, 
and  Mr.  Edmonds,  the  Recorder,  to  receive  and  bring  them  to  his  native 
city.  On  the  Wednesday  following,  they  were  removed  from  the  Navy  Yard 
at  Brooklyn,  under  the  escort  of  the  marine  corps  of  that  station,  and  accom- 
panied by  Commodore  Chauncey  and  a  numerous  body  of  naval  officers.  The 
colors  at  the  Yard,  and  at  New  York,  were  at  half-mast,  and  the  procession 
landed  at  New  York  amid  the  firing  of  a  salute  from  the  Grampus,  which 
had  been  moored  in  the  stream  for  that  purpose.  At  New  York  the  proces- 
sion was  joined  by  the  Common  Council  of  that  city,  and  an  immense  con- 
course of  citizens  and  officers,  and  moved  across  the  city  to  the  steamboat, 
which  brought  them  to  Hudson.   Here  a'salute  was  fired  by  a  detachment  of 


62  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

artillery,  aud  by  the  marine  coj-ps,  and  the  remains  were  delivered  by  Commo- 
dore Chaunc(?y  to  the  Hudson  deputation.  His  remains  were  accompanied  to 
Hudson  by  tlie  followini;;  officers  of  the  Navy  :  Lieuts.  Francis  H.  Gregory, 
George  N.  Hollins,  William  D.  Newman,  John  R.  Coxe,  John  Swartwout 
and  Alexander  M.  Mull ;  sailing-master  Bloodgood,  and  midshipmen  Lynch. 
Nichols,  Schermerhorn,  Lawrence  and  Pinckney,  and  arrived  early  on  Thurs- 
day morning.  'J'hey  were  welcomed  by  a  national  salute,  aud  were  escorted 
to  the  dwelling  of  Capt.  Alexander  Coffin,  and  afterwards  followed  to  the 
grave  yard  by  a  detachment  of  military  and  a  numerous  escort  of  citizens, 
which  moved  in  the  following  order : 

Hudson  City  Guards. 

Columbia  Plaids. 

Athens  Lafayette  Guards. 

The  ^Military  under  command  of  Col.  William  A  Dean, 

with  standards  furled  and  drums  muffled. 

The  Reverend  Clergy. 

The  Corpse, 

Borne  by  Lieuts.  Gregory,  Hollins,  Newman,  Coxe,  Swartwout  and  Mull,  the 

Midshipman  Lynch,  and  Nichols. 

Mourners,  including  Messrs.  Bloodgood,  Schermerhorn,  Lawrence, 

Pinckney  of  the  United  States  Navy. 

Hudson  Military  Association. 

Brigadier  General  Whiting  and  his  suite. 

The  Mayor  and  Recorder. 

Aldermen. 

Assistant  Aldermen. 

Clerk  and  Marshall  of  the  City. 

Clerk    and     Sheriff   of  the    County. 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 

While  the  procession  moved,  the  bells  of  the  city  were  tolled,  and  minute 
guns  were  fired  from  Parade  hill.  On  its  arrival  at  the  grave-yard,  the  body 
was  conveyed  in  front  of  the  line  of  the  military  resting  on  arms  reversed,  and 
was  committed  to  the  earth,  near  the  grave  of  Lieut.  Allen's  mother.  Tlie  fu- 
neral service  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stebbins,  and  a  volley  fired  over  the 
grave  by  the  military.  The  procession  then  returned  to  the  United  States 
Hotel,  where  it  was  dismissed. 

At  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  naval  officers  sat  down  to  a  public  dinner,  given 
them  by  the  citizens,  at  which  about  one  hundred  citizens  were  present. 

The  evening   was  spent  at  the  hospitable  mansion  of  Col.  Livingston. 

On  Friday  the  officers  paid  their  respects  to  the  Mayor,  and  departed  amid 
the  roar  of  cannon,  with  the  heartfelt  gratitude  of  the  whole  city  for  their 
generous  attention  on  this  occasion.  The  following  correspondence  took 
place  between  the  officers  of  the  Navy  and  the  committee  : 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  53 

Hudson,  December  21, 1827. 

The  officers  of  the  Xavy  assembled  on  the  present  mchincholy  occasion,  re- 
ciprocating the  sentiments  expressed  by  the  citizens  of  Hudson,  return  tlioir 
tlianks  for  the  unparalleled  tribute  paid  to  the  memory  of  their  late  <rallaiit  as- 
sociate. They  at  the  same  time  return  their  acknowledirments  for  tlio  liberal 
hospitality  whicli  has  characterized  the  whole  jiroceedinij  ;  and  in  departinjr, 
beg  leave  to  say,  tliat  whether  applied  to  the  individual  or  professional  stand- 
ing of  their  departed  member,  the  conduct  of  the  citizens  is  alike  honorable  to 
their  feelings  and  principles  as  men  and  patriots.  Laboring  under  emotions 
too  powerful  to  be  conveyed  in  adequate  language,  they  tender  the  committee 
a  grateful  and  affectionate  farewell. 

Jlvomv,  Dece7nher  21,  1827. 

The  committee  of  the  city  of  Hudson,  in  acknowledging  the  favor  of  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Navy,  assembled  on  this  occasion  of  paying  the  last  honors  to  tlie 
memory  of  the  lamented  Ai.len,  gladly  avail  themselves  of  this  opportunity  to 
assure  those  gentlemen  of  the  high  sense  entertained  by  this  whole  community 
of  the  obligation  conferred  upon  them,  by  the  attendance  of  individuals  deser- 
vedly distinguished  for  their  public  and  private  worth  ;  as  the  committee  can- 
not entertain  a  dpubt  that  the  lives  of  those  officers  of  the  Navy  will  be  as 
honorable,  so  they  cannot  but  hope  that  their  deaths  will  be  as  glorious,  and 
their  memories  as  much  respected  as  those  of  the  gallant  and  unfortunate  Wil- 
liam Howard  Allen.  By  order  of  the  committee. 

DAYID  WEST,  Chairman. 

William  A.  Dean,  Secretary. 

The  fine  marble  monument  which  marks  his  resting  place,  was  erected  to  his 
memory  by  the  citizens  of  his  native  place  in  1833. 

With  the  disorganization  of  the  two  companies  of  Guards  and  Plaids,  the 
military  spirit  seems  entirely  to  have  died  out.  The  Hudson  Light  Guards, 
afterwards  the  Worth  Guards,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  E.  P.  Cowles,  ex- 
isted for  a  few  years,  and  attempts  have  since  been  made  to  organize  other 
companies  but  without  success.  Recently  two  companies,  composed  exclu- 
sively of  Irish  citizens,  have  been  formed  which  maintain  thus  far  a  creditable 
existence. 

We  have  spoken  of  Lieut.  Allen,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy.  Hudson  may  be 
proud  of  having  given  birth  likewise  to  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Army, 
Gen.  Wm.  J.  Worth,  whose  remains  also  should  have  found  a  resting  place 
here.  Gen.  Worth  was  born  in  1794,  in  the  house,  which  is  still  standing, 
upon  the  southerly  side  of  Union  street,  three  doors  from  Second.  He  was 
for  some  time  a  clerk  in  this  city,  and  entered  the  army  in  1813.  He  was 
rapidly  promoted,  and  after  rendering  valuable  and  distinguished  service  in  the 
^Mexican  War,  died  in  Texas  in  the  year  1849.  His  remains  were  interred  in 
New  York  city.  In  the  summer  of  1844  Gen.  AVorth  visited  this  city  and 
received  from  its  citizens  an   elegant  and  valuable  sword  as  a  testimonial   of 


54  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

the  esteem  in  which  they  held  him,  both  i,s  a  soldier  and  a  man.  That,  with 
several  others  presented  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  and  the  citi- 
zens of  other  places,  can  at  any  time  be  seen  in  the  State  Library  at  Albany. 

The  most  imposing  military  display  ever  witnessed  in  Hudson  was  the  re- 
view of  the  companies  stationed  here  during  the  "Anti-Eent  War"  of  1844. 
In  the  autumn  of  that  year  the  spirit  of  rebellion  winch  for  months  previous 
had  existed  among  the  tenants  of  the  Manor  landc  in  Albany  and  Rensselaer 
counties,  began  to  manifest  itself  in  the  Southern  or  Manor  towns  of  Columbia, 
and  frequent  meetings  were  held  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  measures  to  re- 
sist the  payment  of  their  rents.  The  "patriots"  of  Albany  and  Rensselaer 
pointed  their  "fellow-sufferers"  of  Columbia  to  the  successes  in  their  own  coun- 
ties, urged  upon  them  the  justice  and  feasiljility  of  resisting  the  demands  of 
the  legal  proprietors  of  the  soil,  and  finally  induced  them  to  adopt  their  law- 
less views  and  follow  their  directions. 

In  the  month  of  November  a  general  meeting  of  the  tenants  was  held  in 
the  town  of  Taghkanic,  the  result  of  which  was  the  formation  of  an  association 
styling  itself  the  "Taghkanic  Mutual  Association,"  with  the  following  officers  : 

John  I.  Johnson,  President. 

James  M.  Strever,  George  I.  Rossman,  Peter  Poucher,  Samuel  A.  Tanner, 
George  I.  Finkle,  Vice  Presidents. 
Philip  B.  ^liller,  Treasurer. 
Anthony  Poucher,  Recording  Secretary. 
Peter  Poucher,  Corresponding  Secretary. 
John  Bain,  James  M.  Strever,  Executive  Committee. 

Their  articles  of  association  were  prefaced  by  the  following  high-sounding 

preamble : 

"Whereas,  it  has  pleased  the  All-wise  Providence  to  awaken  the  attention 
of  this  community  to  a  lively  sense  of  the  great  injustice  of  the  present  system 
of  land  ownership,  by  the  laws  of  this  State,  permitting  individuals  to  hold 
large  tracts  of  land  for  which  they  have  never  rendered  any  equivalent  to  the 
State  or  Nation  ;  and  whereas  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  this  and  future 
generations  depend  in  a  great  measure  upon  our  exertions  to  blot  from  our 
statute-book  the  last  relics  of  Feudalism  ;  We,  therefore,  in  imitation  of  our 
Patriotic  fathers  who  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  the  better 
to  accomplish  our  freedom,  do  adopt  the  following  Constitution,  and  solemnly 
pledge  our  honor  to  abide  by  the  articles  therein  contained." 

After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  and  by-laws  for  the  regulation  and 
government  of  the  association,  they  pledged  themselves  to  use  all  lawful  and 
honorable  means  to  rid  themselves  of  their  unjust  burthens,  and  that  they 
would  neither  make  to  nor  accept  any  proposition  from  any  person  claiming 
land  under  the  Livingston  patents,  for  the  payment  of  rent  or  the  purchase  of 
the  soil,  without  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  association. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


65 


lu  addition  to  this  association,  tliere  was  an  extensive  organization  of  the 
t  enants  into  tribes  of  "Indians,"  under  the  direction  of  Chiefs  "JJig  Thunder," 
(Smith  A  Boughton,)  and  "Little  Thunder,"  (Mortimer  C.  Belding.)  of  Eensse- 
laer  county,  whose  special  oliject  was  to  forcibly  resist  the  officers  of  the  coun- 
ty in  the  discharge  of  their  duties. 

The  writer  witnessed  the  first  gathering  of  the  "Indians"  in  the  town  of 
Tag'hkanic,  in  the  month  of  November  in  that  year.  It  is  not  possible  to  give 
any  description  which  would  convey  an  accurate  idea  of  their  ridiculous,  yet 
hideous  appearance.  Every  species  of  disguise  had  been  adopted  which 
would  most  successfully  prevent  recognition.  All  wore  uniforms  of  calico, 
to  which  were  added  the  skins  and  tails  of  various  beasts,  horns  and  feathers, 
tin  ornaments  and  other  dcconitions,  according  to  the  fancy  of  the  "native." 
The  faces  of  some  were  covered  witii  masks  of  calico,  others  blaclvcfied,  others 
painted  red  ;  and  their  arms  were  as  varied  as  their  disguises.  Gttns,  pistols, 
hatchets,  spears,  clubs,  being  carried  without  any  attempt  at  uniformity. 

After  a  short  drill  by  their  Chief,  they  were  marched  around  for  the  benefit 
of  the  spectators,  to  the  inspiring  strains  of  "Dan  Tucker,"  played  upon  a 
single  fife,  accompanied  by  a  small  drum,  and  were  then  addressed  by  Big 
Thunder,  who  dwelt  upon  their  wrongs,  the  justice  of  their  cause,  counselling 
them  to  stand  firm  by  their  motto  "down  with  the  rent,"  and  resist  any 
attempt  to  collect  it  by  the  strong  arm  of  the  law  ;  to  all  of  which  the  tribes 
responded  by  a  whoop  of  the  genuine  sort  and  a  terrible  brandishing  of  weap- 
ons.   After  this  speech  a  song  was  sung,  the  chorus  of  which  ran  as  follows  : 

"Git  out  of  the  way,  big  Bill  Snj'der, — 

We'll  tar  your  coat  and  feather  your  hide,  Sir!" 

Before  the  adjournment  of  this  interesting  meeting,  the  writer  who  had 
been  sent  there,  if  possible  to  discover  who  participated  in  its  proceedings, 
had  taken  the  advice  given  to  "big  Bill  Snyder,"  and  was  a  respectable  dis- 
tance "  out  of  the  way." 

On  the  12th  day  of  December,  1844,  the  first  forcible  resistance  to  the 
Sherifip,  Henry  C.  Miller,  was  offered  in  the  town  of  Copake,  where  he  attempt- 
ed to  serve  processes  and  make  sale  of  property  belonging  to  disaffected  par- 
ties. It  was  deemed  advisable  that  he  should  undertake  the  duty  without  an 
accompanying  force,  and  he  proceeded  to  the  spot  with  a  single  individual. 
On  their  approach  pickets  were  discovered  stationed  along  the  road,  and  upon 
arriving  at  Copake  they  were  met  by  a  force  of  three  hundred  "Indians"  and 
a  concourse  of  about  fifteen  hundred  people  not  in  disguise.  He  was  taken 
into  a  room  of  a  public  house  in  the  vicinity,  by  Big  Thunder  and  six  other 


56  SKKTCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

Chiefs,  who  stated  that  he  would  not  be  permitted  to  proceed  iu  the  discharge 
of  his  dltlies.  Swords  were  drawn,  pistols  placed  at  his  breast,  his  papers 
demanded  and  given  to  them,  which  were  subsequently  burned  in  the  presence 
of  the  crowd. 

Trhe  return  of  the  SherifT  and  the  report  of  his  reception  produced  the  most 
intense  excitement  in  the  city.  It  was  evident  that  force  would  have  to  be 
met  by  force,  and  a  general  determination  was  manifested  upon  the  part  of  the 
citizens  to  uphold  and  vindicate  the  law  at  any  sacrifice. 

On  the  18th  day  of  December  Big  Thunder  was  advertised  to  address  a 
meeting  of  the  tenants  of  the  lands  under  the  Van  Rensselaer  title,  at  Smokey 
Hollow,  in  the  town  of  Claverack.  The  fame  of  the  "orator  of  the  day,''  and 
the  curiosity  to  see  the  Indians  drew  together  an  immense  concourse  of  peo- 
ple. The  Indians  appeared  in  force,  and  during  their  antics  a  young  man 
among  the  spectators  by  the  name  of  W.  H.  Rifenburgh  was  killed  by  the  fir- 
ing of  a  pistol,  whether  intentionally  or  not  could  not  be  clearly  established. 
News  of  the  occurrence  being  received  in  the  city,  upon  consultation,  the 
Sheriflf  determined  to  proceed  to  the  spot  and  attempt  an  arrest  of  Big  Thun- 
der. Joseph  D.  Moaell  volunteered  and  was  the  only  individual  who  accom- 
panied him.  They  reached  Smokey  Hollow  towards  evening,  after  the  meet- 
ing had  broken  up  and  most  of  the  Indians  had  laid  aside  their  disguises. 
Big  Thunder  was  found  sitting  very  unconcernedly,-  in  conversation  with  sev- 
eral individuals,  in  a  back  room  of  the  tavern,  and  was  without  ceremony 
made  a  prisoner  by  the  Sheriff.  He  offered  no  resistance  until  reaching  the 
front  door,  where,  surrounded  by  a  number  of  his  followers,  he  drew  his  pistol 
and  attempted  an  escape,  and  would  have  succeeded  but  for  the  intrepidity  of 
John  S.  Anable  and  Deputy  Sheriff  Thomas  Sedgewick,  who  were  present  at 
the  time.  During  a  severe  struggle  in  which  the  clothing  of  the  parties  suffer- 
ed severely,  he  was  overpowered  and  secured.  Little  Thunder  was  also  ar- 
rested and  with  his  fellow  chief  brought  in  and  confined  in  Jail.  Upon  their 
arrival  in  town  they  were  followed  to  prison  by  an  immense  crowd,  who  gave 
vent  to  their  feelings  in  the  most  Vociferous  cheers.  On  the  day  following,  an 
examination  was  commenced  before  Judges  Wilcoxson  and  Peck,  at  the  Court 
House,  conducted  by  Theodore  Miller,  Esq.,  then  District  Attorney,  upon  the 
part  of  tiie  People,  Henry  Z.  Hayner,  of  Troy,  and  James  Storm,  Esqrs.,  ap- 
pearing as  counsel  for  the  prisoners.  Upon  the  ari-est  of  Big  and  Little  Thun- 
der, the  excitement  was  no  less  intense  in  the  country  than  iu  the  city. 
INfeetings  private  and  public  were  held  and  threats  so  freely  thrown  out,  that  if 
men  and  nioi:ey  could  accomplish  the  rescue  of  the  prisoners  they  should  not 
be  wanted,  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  take  immediate  steps  for  the  pro- 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  57 

tection  of  the  Jail  and  safety  of  the  prisoners.  Anns  and  ammunition  were 
procured  from  Albany,  and  the  fullest  preparation  made  to  meet  any  attempt 
at  rescue.  On  Thursday  following  the  arrest,  a  public  meeting-  was  held  at 
the  Court  House,  which  was  addressed  by  H  P.  Cowles,  lleniy  1  Togeboom 
and  Josiah  Sutherland,  Esqrs.,  urging  upon  the  citizens  the  importance  of 
taking  a  bold  stand  in  favor  of  law  and  order.  A  committee,  consisting  of 
Col.  Charles  Darling,  E.  P.  Cowles,  Killian  Miller,  Rufus  Reed  and  Warren 
Rockwell,  was  appointed  to  report  some  plan  of  organization  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  city  at  night,  fears  being  entertained  that  an  attempt  to  fire  it 
might  be  made.  A  patrol  for  each  night  of  twenty  citizens  in  each  ward  was 
established  under  the  control  of  the  committee  mentioned,  and  the  Hudson 
Tiight  (ruard,  Capt.  Cowles,  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  with  loaded  muskets 
and  twenty  rounds  of  ball  cartridge,  at  the  Court  House  instantef ,  in  ciise  of  an 
alarm,  of  which  notice  would  be  given  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell  of  the  Pres- 
l)yterian  church.  On  the  Saturday  following  Attorney  General  Barker  visited 
the  city  and  advised  the  immediate  enrolment  of  one  hundred  men,  to  be  arm- 
ed and  equipped,  and  in  the  pay  of  the  State,  subject  to  the  Sheriff's  order, 
to  aid  and  assist  him  in  the  exercise  of  his  official  drttics.  Tiie  suggestion 
was  immediately  acted  upon,  and  one  hundred  men  were  enrolled,  under  the 
command  of  Capt.  Henry  Whiting,  late  of  the  U.  S,  Arm^,  with  four  pieces 
of  artillery. 

From  mformatioi^  received  from  the  country,  and  in'dicaltions  within  the 
city,  the  opinion  was  entertained  by  the  authorities  that  art  attempt  at  rescue 
would  be  made  on  that  day  or  the  following  night.  The  examination  of  the 
prisoners  was  suspended,  men  were  stationed  at  the  different  church  bells  to 
give  the  alarm,  the  Home  Guard  and  Light  Guard  were  under  arms,  and  the 
city,  in  consequence  of  tlie  rumors,  in  a  state  of  gfneral  commotion.  Aid  Was 
also  sent  for  from  the  village  of  Catskill.  CoL  Darling  was  sent  there  and 
after  calling  the  citizens  together  at  the  Court  House  by  the  ringing  of  the 
bells,  stated  to  them  the  condition  and  fears  of  the  people  of  Hudson.  A 
large  number  volunteered  and  returned  with  Col.  D.,  who  was  joined  by  an- 
other force  at  Athens.  They  reached  Hudson  late  on  Saturday  niglit,  return- 
ing on  Monday  morning. 

A  second  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  on  tlie  evening  of  the  21st  of  De- 
cember, which  Was  addressed  I)y  John  Gaul  Junior,  Esq.  and  others,  and  a 
committee  consisting  of  Rufus  Reed,  John  Gaul,  Jr.  and  Matthew  Mitchell 
appointed  to  report  some  plan  for  the  organization  of  the  citizens.  It  was 
resolved  to  raise  a  volunteer  company  of  five  hundred  men,  to  be  called  the 
"Law  and  Order  Association,"  to  hold  themselves  subject  at  all  times  to  the 


58  SKETCIIKS       OFHUDSON. 

call  of  the  Sheriff  of  the  County.  A  Committee  of  Safety  was  also  appoint- 
ed, authorized  to  call  upon  the  authorities  of  the  State  for  a  supply  of  not  less 
tlian  five  hundred  stand  of  arms  for  their  use.  The  Association  was  immedi- 
ately filled  up  and  placed  under  the  command  of  the  following  officers  : 

CiiARiiES  DAmjxG,  Colonel. 

John  S.  Anaule,  Charles  A.  Darlint,,  Aids. 

Leonard  Freeland,  Lieut.  Col.  ^\m.  W.  Hannali,  Adjt. 

Isaac  Gritfen,  Major.  Joseph  Coodwin,  (Quarter  Master. 

llobert  C  Frary,  Surgeon. 

The  force  was  divided  into  four  companies,  under  the  following  officers  : 

First  Ward,  Company  Xo.  1,  Capt.  Thomas  P.  Newberry. 

"  "                 1st  Lieut.,  John  Smith. 

"  "                2d  Lieut.,  Peter  S.  Burger. 

"  Company  No.  2,  Capt.  Ichabod  Rogers. 

"  "                 1st  Lieut.,  James  Elmendorf. 

"  "                2d  Lieut.,  Justin  Winslow. 
Second  "Ward,  Company  No.  1,  Capt.  llirani  Cage. 

"  "                 1st  Lieut.,  Llenry  Waterman. 

"  "                2d  Lieut.,  Wm.'H.  Spencer. 

"  Company  No.  2,  Capt.  Warren  Rockwell. 

"  "                 1st  Lieut.,  Charles  Mitchell. 

"  "                2d  Lieut.,  John  Best. 

The  arms  desired  were  furnished  by  Gov.  Bouck,  and  at  the  request  of  the 
Common  Council,  the  Albany  Burgesses  Corps  came  down  to  remain  until  the 
excitement  should  subside.  The  following  proclamation  was  then  issued  by 
the  jNIayor  of  the  city  : 

Citizens  of  HrDSox  :  Deeply  must  all  good  citizens  deplore  the  exigency 
which  now  (h^mands,  for  the  fii'st  time  in  oui  history,  the  gathering  of  a  stand- 
ing armed  force,  in  this  city  ;  but,  no  alternative  is  left.  The  Supremacy  of  the 
laws  must  be  maintained,  or  the  tyranny  of  Anarchy  reigns  triumphant  ! 

We  have  witnessed  in  our  County  a  Rebellion  ;  an  armed  resistance  to  Law ; 
the  personal  safety  of  the  Sheriff  violated,  and ///e  sacrificed.  The  Sheriff  of 
the  County,  supported  by  the  determined  energy  of  a  handful  of  individuals, 
chief  among  whom  ranks  our  most  respected  fellow-citizen,  Joseph  1).  j\Ionell, 
Esq.,  has  arrested  persons  charged  with  being  the  rim  leaders  of  the  re- 
bellion. Information  which  can  be  most  implicitly  relied  on  has  been  received, 
that  their  aiders  and  abettors  in  tliis  and  other  counties  have  threatened  to 
rescue  these  prisoners  at  any  and  all  hazards  ;  and,  if  necessary  to  accomplish 
that  purpose.  iofl,re  tlie  city  !  An  express  sent  by  the  Sheriff  of  this  County, 
to  the  Attorney  (Jeueral  of  this  State,  at  Albany,  was  intercepted,  and  for  a 
time  detained  in  the  county  of  Rensselaer.  A  contemplated  rescue  of  these 
prisoners  was  discov(M'ed  on  Saturday  List,  and  prevented  only  by  a  prompt  and 
general  rally  of  the  friends  of  Law  and  Order  under  arms  at  the  Court  House. 
The  design  of  effecting  a  rescue,  we  are  informed,  is  not  yet  abandoned. 

Self-respect — our  own  reitutation  as  friends  of  just  laws  and  good  order — 
every  ccnsideration  of  patriotism  and  duty  demand  that  all  such  designs  should 
be  frustrated,  aud  impartial  justice  administered. 


SKETCHES        O   F      II   U   U    S   O    X   .  50 

Such  considerations  slioiilil  be  our  rulini;-  motive  ;  but,  our  pecuniary  inter- 
est is  also  at  stake,  lleiiieaiber.  (Jiti/.ens.  iliat  no  Poliui/  of  Insiinince,  will 
Corel'  Losses  by  Fire,  ivhen  caused  b>/  ''Invasion,  or  Insurrection,  or  Ciril 
Commotion."  So  far.  Citizens,  we  have  done  our  duty  :  tiius  settinjr  a  noble 
example,  which  it  is  hoped,  our  sister  (Jities  and  Ooutitii^s  will  emulate.  Kn- 
ergy,  resolution  and  vigilance  are  all  tliat  are  required.  At  the  invitation  of  thi^ 
Recorder  of  this  City,  the  State  AttcH'uey  (ieneral  has  viaited  us,  who  hiuhly 
commends  the  course  taken  by  our  Judicial  and  K.xecutive  officers,  and  strong- 
ly urges  a  perseveranct;,  i)ledging  aid  from  the  State  it  needed.  Tlie  Ex- 
ecutive of  the  State  has  furnished  us  with  ")()()  stand  of  arms  and  u  large  sup- 
ply of  ball  cartridge.  An  efficient  force  of  One  Hundred  armed  men  enlisted 
for  thirty  days  with  four  pieces  of  artillery. and  all  under  the  command  of  ('apt. 
Henry  Whiting,  late  of  the  United  States  Arm}^  is  stationed  at  th(^  Court 
House.  The  Hudson  Light  (Juard,  under  command  of  Capt.  K.  P.  Cowles 
are  fully  supplied  with  ammunition  and  ready  for  duty  at  a  moment's  warning. 
The  Albany  Bu7'gesses  Corps,  a  gallant  band  of  citizen  soldiery,  by  the  invi- 
tation of  our  Common  Council,  arrived  here  yesterday,  under  the  conunand  of 
Maj.  Franklin  Townsend,  and  reported  themselves  to  nn;  for  duty,  'i'hey  have 
in  charge  one  piece  ot  artillery,  and  300  stand  of  arms,  forwarded  by  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief for  the  defence  of  our  City. 

By  the  liands  of  the  Governor's  Private  Secretary,  I  have  received  official 
infijrmation  from  the  Connnander-in-Chief.  through  the  Adjutant  General  of 
the  State,  that  a  large  l)ody  of  troops,  consisting  of  mounted  artillery,  cavalry 
and  infantry  will  hold  themselves  in  readiness  for  actual  service,  and  will  be 
ordered  to  this  place,  if  required. 

It  is  desirable  for  the  citizens  of  Hudson  to  organize  an  armed  force  of  .500 
minute  men.  Such  an  organization  has  already  been  connnenced,  under  charge 
of  a  proper  committee.  Our  oldest  and  most  respectable  citizens  have  already 
joined  it,  and  when  completed,  this  corps,  together  with  the  Hudson  Liglit 
Guard,  will  be  under  the  command  of  Col.  Charles  Darling  ;  and  in  case  of 
alarm,  will  rendezvous  at  Davis's  City  Hall.  Arrangements  have  been  made 
by  which  the  approach  of  a  hostile  force  will  be  known  and  reported  long  be- 
fore its  arrival,  and  notice  given  to  the  citizens  by  ringing  the  bell  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  An  efficient  city  patrol  is  also  constantly  kept  up.  And 
now.  Citizens,  let  us  do  our  duty  ;  prompt  action  now  may,  and  no  doubt  will, 
eventually  save  much  treasure  and  many  lives. 

Oilmen  tender  my  hand  and  seal  of  the  City  of  Hudson,  the  2^lh  day  of  De- 
cember, 1844. 

CYRUS    CURTISS,  Mayor. 

Aii  address  signed  by  a  large  number  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Hudson  was 
sent  to  the  tenants,  warning  them  of  the  penalties  they  were  bringing  upon 
themselves,  and  appealing  to  them  to  cease  their  attempts  to  obstruct  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice  ;  but  without  any  good  effect.  Bands  of  disguised  men 
continued  to  fire  upon  and  arrest  officers,  taking  from  them  their  papers,  and 
it  was  found  necessary  for  the  Governor  to  send  here  an  additional  military 
force,  consisting  of  the  Emmet  Guards,  the  A''an  Rensselaer  Guards,  Albany 
Republican  Artillery,  "Washington  Riflemen,  and  a  German  Company  of  Cav- 
alry from  New  York,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Krack.  These  were  quar- 
tered at  the  various  public  houses  and  upon  the  boats  then  wintering  at  the 


60  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

wharves.  Hudson  presented  the  appearance  of  a  military  encampment.  Can- 
non were  planted  in  front  of  the  Court  House,  the  streets  resounded  with 
martial  music  and  the  tramp  of  soldiery.  Sentinels  walked  "their  lonely 
round"  night  and  day,  and  at  all  times  their  bright  uniforms  were  seen  in  every 
part  of  the  city. 

Aided  by  detachments  of  military,  arrests  were  made  in  rapid  succession, 
and  in  a  very  short  time  comparative  quiet  was  restored  and  the  military  force 
gradually  withdrawn,  having  remained  here  about  one  mouth.  They  left  for 
their  homes  with  ranks  not  in  the  least  thinned  by  the  enemy  they  came  to 
meet,  of  whose  fire,  we  believe,  the  nearest  approach  was  upon  the  sentry  of 
the  Emmet  Guards  stationed  at  the  Hudson  (Worth)  House,  at  whom  a  ball 
was  fired  upon  a  very  dark  night,  about  the  midnight  hour,  by  a  "solitary  man 
on  horseback."  The  sentry  escaped,  a  colunm  upon  the  stoop  receiving  the 
charge  intended  to  put  an  end  to  his  "military  career,"  which  still  shows  the 
spot  where  it  entered.  Not  the  slightest  clue  to  the  individual  who  fired  it 
was  ever  obtained.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  midnight  excursions  for  the 
purpose  of  making  arrests,  their  stay  was  marked  by  veiy  little  adventure,  and 
was  a  lengthened  holiday  to  the  militaiy  ;  and  after  the  disappearance  of  the 
panic  which  at  first  pervaded  the  city,  afforded  a  pleasant  excitement  to  the 
citizens.  The  officers  of  the  various  companies  were  entertained  at  the  resi- 
dences of  the  Mayor,  Sheriff  and  other  citizens.  A  ball  was  given  by  the 
Light  Guard  at  the  Hudson  House,  and  every  attention  which  could  relieve 
their  visit  of  its  monotony  was  bestowed  upon  them  by  the  grateful  citizens  of 
Hudson. 

In  the  month  of  January  a  review  of  the  whole  force  by  the  INIayor  took 
place,  including  the  Home  Guard,  Light  Guard  and  Volunteers,  after  wliich 
a  parade,  the  whole  forming  a  lengthy  procession,  the  like  of  which  Hudson 
will  not  soon  again  look  upon. 

Big  and  Little  Thunder  were  both  indicted  and  the  former  brought  to  trial 
in  the  month  of  March  before  Judge  Amasa  J.  Parker.  Great  interest  was 
manifested  throughout  the  trial,  and  the  court  room  was  densely  thronged. 
John  Van  Bureu,  Esq.,  the  State  Attorney  General,  and  Theodore  Miller,  Esq., 
conducted  the  prosecution,  Ambrose  L.  Jordan  and  James  Storm,  Esqr's,  ap- 
pearing for  the  prisoners.  The  result  of  the  trial,  after  occupying  nearly  two 
weeks,  was  the  disagreement  of  the  Jury.  In  the  month  of  September  he  was 
again  tried  before  Judge  Edmonds,  the  same  interest  as  before  being  manifest- 
ed in  the  trial,  which  resulted  in  his  conviction  and  confinement  in  the  Chnton 
County  State  Prison,  from  which  he  was  shortly  after  pardoned  by  Gov. 
Young.    During  this  trial  a  personal  encounter  took  place  between  Ambrose 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  Gl 

L.  Jordan  and  Jolm  Yuh  l>uron,  Esq.,g-rowin£r  out  of  a  heated  debate.  Little 
'I'lmnder  was  not  tried,  but  after  a  year'd  confinement  in  tlie  county  jail,  was 
discharged.  Of  the  otlier  parties  arrested  and  indicted,  some  were  subsequently 
discharged,  others  followed  Big  Thunder  into  retirement,  and  peace  was  finally 
restored  throughout  all  the  "infected  district,"  although  for  some  time  it  was 
not  deemed  safe  for  officers  to  venture  into  it  imanned  or  without  an  armed  es- 
cort. 

Looking  back  to  all  this  military  preparation,  it  is  often  remarked  tliat  it 
was  wholly  unnec(issary.  It  may  have  been  so.  It  is  difficult  to  tell  to  what 
length  of  outrage  the  misguided  tenants,  calling  themselves  Indians,  under  the 
lead  of  wicked  men,  might  not  have  gone,  had  not  this  force  been  arrayed 
against  them. 

TIIK    PRESS,    IXriDEXTS,    &.C. 

Ashbel  Stoddard  was  the  pioneer  printer  of  Hudson.  Two  years  after  it 
was  founded,  in  company  with  Charles  R.  Webster,  who  had  been  an  ap- 
prentice with  him  at  Hartford,  in  the  office  of  the  (Jonxecticut  Couraxt,  he 
commenced  the  publication  of  a  weekly  paper  called  the  Hudson  Gjvjzettk, 
on  the  corner  of  Warren  and  Third  streets.  The  first  number  was  issued  on 
the  seventh  day  of  April,  178.5.  In  it  he  points  out  to  the  public  the  many 
advantages  which  would  result  to  "our  already  flourishing  place,"  from  the 
estabhshment  of  an  impartial  newspaper.  "To  the  curious,"  he  says,  "it  will 
afford  a  rich  fund  of  entertainment,  it  will  bring  chaps  to  the  merchant,  cus- 
tomers to  the  mechanic,  show  the  husbandman  where  he  can  best  dispose  of 
his  produce,  to  the  poor  man  who  has  but  a  penny,  where  he  can  best  lay  it 
out  to  advantage,  and  will  point  out  to  the  world  in  general  the  method  of 
obtaining  riches,  by  commerce  and  agriculture."  "Being  deprived  of  so  many 
privileges,  must  be  seriously  felt  by  Hudson,"  tlierefore  he  had  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  Hudsox  Gazette,  to  be  issued  weekly  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  shillings  per  year ;  money  to  be  refunded  to  subscribers  who  were  not 
satisfied  with  the  paper.  It  was  small,  being  about  fifteen  inches  square  in 
size,  printed  upon  coarse  paper  of  a  yellowish  tint,  but  in  very  fair  type. 

It  seems  at  first  to  have  received  a  poor  support,  very  few  advertisements, 
save  ^Ir.  Stoddard's  own,  being  found  in  its  business  columns.  Its  editorials 
were  few  ;  selections  and  correspondence  principally  from  abroad  filled  its  col- 
umns, now  and  then  an  item  of  local  interest  finding  its  way  in. 

The  number  of  conmiunications  upon  the  subjects  of  "slavery,"  and  "human 
freedom,"  is  particultuly  striking.    Poetical  contributions  of  the  same  nature 


G2  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

were  freqaeut.  An  early  number  contained  a  poem  of  two  hundred  lines  in 
length  on  the  "Miseries  of  Slavery  and  the  happiness  of  Freedom." 

Advertisements  of  the  sale  of  negroes,  and  rewards  offered  for  runaway 
negroes  were  numerous.  Cotton  Gelston  advertised  a  negro  "as  having  walked 
away,  being  too  lazy  to  run." 

We  give  the  substance  of  a  few  other  curious  advertisements  and  communi- 
cations in  its  columns  : 

In  the  winter  of  1785,  Mr.  Robardet,  from  Connecticut,  advertised  that  he 
would  open  a  class,  for  "instruction  in  the  polite  accomplishment  of  dancing 
after  the  most  approved  method."  Scholars  would  be  taken  from  seven  to 
fifty  years  of  age.  A  Connecticut  dancing  master,  advertising  for  scholars 
fifty  years  old,  in  a  Quaker  city ! 

Ambrose  Liverpool  advertised  that  he  would  open  a  Seminary,  "where  he 
would  teach  all  the  English  branches,  also  Latin  and  Greek  classics  ;  also 
at  convenient  times  the  principles  of  several  musical  instruments,  and  that  he 
had  also  several  dozen  strong  Exglish  beer  which  he  ■wished  to  dispose  of." 

In  1786,  Mrs.  Hussey  notified  the  ladies  of  Hudson  that  she  would  be  hap- 
py to  wait  upon  their  commands  in  millinery  and  mantua  making,  after  the  most 
approved  fashions  regularly  received  trom  New  York  City,  at  her  house  on 
the  hill  near  the  wharf. 

Monsieur  Hyacinth  Lescure  stated  that  he  kept  a  "choice  lot  of  Essences 
near  the  Market  House,"  also,  that  he  would  furnish  "cushions  to  ladies,  and 
quieus  to  gentlemen  of  excellent  human  hair,"  for  which  he  would  take  his  pay 
"in  wheat  and  Indian  corn."  Monsieur  Lescure  had  been  a  dnammer  under 
Burgoyne  and  was  barber  to  the  corporation,  there  being  no  other  at  this  time 
in  the  city.  He  is  described  as  having  a  frizzled  head,  broad  low  forehead, 
little  black  eyes,  high  cheek  bones,  wide  mouth  and  triangular  visage,  accus- 
tomed to  walk  backward  and  forward  before  his  little  shop  door,  humming  a 
tune  and  snapping  his  fingers.  His  dress  was  in  keeping  with  his  person  and 
profq^sion  ;  a  long  broad  striped  calico  gown,  a  short  white  apron,  tight  nan- 
keen small  clothes,  ruffled  shirt,  completed  with  silk  stockings  and  yellow  slip- 
pers. 

On  the  15th  day  of  August,  1786,  Mr.  Pool  advertised  the  exhibition  of  a 
circus  "on  the  green,"  stating  that  he  was  the  first  American  who  had  ever 
attempted  wonderful  feats  of  equestrianship,  and  among  other  wonderful 
things  which  he  would  exhibit,  were  two  horses  which  at  word  of  command 
would  "lay  down  and  gi-oan  as  if  in  pain."  The  price  of  admission  was  three 
shillings,  and  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  "beseeched  not  to  bring  any  dogs 
with  them  to  the  performance." 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  G3 


About  the  same  time,  two  camels  were  advertised  for  exhibition,  described 
as  "stupendous  animals,  being  the  greatest  curiosity  on  the  continent,  having 
necks  three  feet  eight  inches  long,  a  high  bunch  on  the  back  like  a  pedestal, 
four  joints  in  their  legs,  will  lie  down  and  get  up  at  word  of  command  and  can 
travel  fourteen  days  without  water."  The  curious  were  invited  to  come  and 
see  them  without  fail.     Admission  one  shilling. 

From  what  would  be  called  its  "chip  basket"  at  the  present  day,  we  take 

the  following  : 

"A  good  wife  should  be  like  three  things,  which  three  things  she  should  not 
belike.  First,  like  a  snail,  keep  w/7/«'«  7/e?*  o/fw.  /<o?<.se,  but  not  like  a  snail, 
Ciirnj  all  she  has  upon  her  hack.  Second,  like  an  echo,  ansirer  when  npn/ren 
to,  but  not  like  an  echo,  have  the  last  word.  Third,  like  a  town  clock,  keej) 
lime  and  regularity,  but  not  like  a  towu  clock,  be  heard  all  over  town." 

To  which  Miss  Barbara  Crabtree  replied, 

"That  a  good  husband  should  be  like  three  things,  which  he  should  not  be 
like.  First,  like  a  snail,  he  should  have  a  house  over  his  head,  but  not  like 
a  snail  be  a  creeping  thing,  but  brisk  and  active.  Second,  like  an  echo,  he 
should  always  .«y;ea^-  in  union  and  accord  with  his  wife,  but  not  like  an  echo 
tell  tales.  Third,  like  a  clock  he  should  be  regular  in  his  habits,  but  not  like 
a  clock,  7)6  often  wound  up." 

It  published  the  following  as  a  "wonderful  tale  :" 

"Robert  White  was  married  to  Betsey  Harris  on  Tuesday,  May  1st,  (1787) 
who  was  brought  sick  on  AVednesday.  delivered  of  three  children  on  Thursday, 
who  all  died  on  Friday,  and  Were  buried  on  Saturday." 

In  1792  the  Gazette  was  somewhat  enlarged,  and  its  columns  gave  evidence 
of  prosperity,  but  throughout  its  publication  it  was  deficient  in  matters  of  local 
interest.  Mr.  Webster  being  also  engaged  in  the  publication  of  the  Albany 
Gazette,  shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  Hudson  Gazette,  retired  from 
the  concern  and  Mr.  Stoddard  remained  its  sole  publisher  until  1803  or  4, 
when  it  was  discontinued,  other  political  papers  having  taken  the  field.  Mr. 
Stoddard  then  confined  himself  exclusively  to  his  printing  and  bookselling 
business.  In  1785  he  commenced  the  publication  of  the  "Columbian  Alman- 
ac," the  only  one  ever  published  in  this  city,  and  still  issued  at  the  old  stand, 
being  better  known  now  as  Wynkoop's  Almanac.  In  olden  times  it  Was 
deemed  the  only  one  reUable,  and  there  are  many  at  the  present  day,  who  ask 
for  and  will  have  no  other  than  "Stoddards  old  Almanac,"  and  if  it  were  the 
same  as  when  commenced,  would  be  satisfied  to  regulate  their  domestic  affairs 
by  its  weather  table. 

He  also  printed  the  Columbian  Magazine,  edited  by  Rev.  John  Chester, 
and  the  ^Messenger  of  Peace,  which  continued  but  for  one  year  (1824)  edited 
by  Richard  Carrique,  Esq. 


64  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

i\rr.  Stoddard  was  small  and  of  a  slender  constitution,  but  lived  to  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years,  dying  in  the  month  of  October,  1840,  a  wor<ihy  and  great- 
ly respected  citizen.  Up  to  within  a  few  days  of  his  death  his  silvered  head 
and  trembling,  bent  form,  were  seen  in  personal  attention  to  his  business. 

In  1 801  the  publication  of  the  Balance  and  Columbian  Eepository  was 
commenced  by  Ezra  Sampson.  George  Chittenden  and  Harry  Croswell,  in  the 
upper  part  of  a  store  which  then  stood  upon  the  spot  now  occupied  as  a 
garden  connected  with  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Erastus  Patterson,  in  Warren 
near  Second  street. 

]\[r.  Sampson  was  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  who.  in  the  simplicity  and  force 
of  his  style,  was  said  to  resemble  Dr.  P'ranklin.  He  was  for  a  short  time, 
previous  to  1800,  settled  over  the  Presbyterian  chvn-ch  in  this  city,  as  a  tem- 
porary supply.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  the  city  of  XewYork,  and  was 
buried  in  Hudson. 

Mr.  Chittenden  was  a  book-binder,  and  for  some  years  earned  on  his  busi- 
ness in  the  small  building  so  long  known  as  "old  Mr.  Leslies  tailor  shop," 
which  stood  upon  the  site  of  the  present  residence  and  store  of  A.  Behrens. 
Shortly  after,  Mr.  Chittenden  went  into  the  manufacture  of  paper  in  the  town 
of  Stockport,  then  a  wilderness,  in  which  he  continued  fo?  nearly  half  a  centu- 
ry, dying  there  in  the  year  1845,  aged  sixty-nine  years. 

]\Ir.  Croswell  was  a  printer,  and  not  long  afterwards  became  an  Episcopalian 
minister,  and  was  settled  for  a  gi-eat  many  years  iu  New  Haven,  where  he  died 
at  an  advanced  age. 

The  Balance  was  first  published  as  a  neutral  paper,  bitt  before  the  expira- 
tion of  its  first  year  became  the  organ  of  the  Federal  party,  the  proprietors 
refunding  to  such  of  the  subscribers  as  did  not  like  the  change,  their  due 
proportion  of  subscription  money.  It  was  printed  iu  small  quarto  form,  upon 
coarse,  dingy  paper,  but  being  edited  with  ability,  had  a  la)'ge  subscription  and 
circulated  throughout  the  United  Stales.  In  1808  it  was  removed  to  Albany, 
and  in  1811  was  discontinued. 

In  1802  the  publication  of  the  Bee  was  commenced  by  Mr.  Charles  Holt, 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  store  of  Judge  Dayton,  which  stood  upon  or  very  near 
the  site  of  the  present  reddence  of  Mrs.  Peter  G.  Cofiin  ;  the  lower  part  of 
the  store  being  used  for  rfiany  years  as  the  headquarters  of  the  Democratic 
club.  "There,  'round  a  red  hot  stove,  in  an  atmosphere  blue  with  tobacco 
smoke,  seated  upon  old  pine  benches  and  wooden-bottomed  chairs,  with  the 
dust  and  cobwebs  of  twenty  years  remaining  undisturbed  upon  the  shelves, 
met  the  great  Anti-Federal   fathers  of  the  city."     Prominent  among  them 


S  K  E  T  (J  a  K  S       O  V      HUDSON 


65 


were  Robert  Jenkins,  described  as  ''abrupt  and  decisive  in  his  tone  and  man- 
ner"— Judge  Dayton,  "'a  g-ood  citizen  and  ui>riglit  man,  fond  of  ai-gunient ; 
never  convinced  and  never  convincing'' — Robert  Taylor,  ''well-dressed,  portly- 
looking,  a  little  obstinate  and  a  little  crusty," — David  Lawrence,  ''a  man  of 
great  respectability,  keen  observation,  strong  sense  and  ready  wit," — John 
Hiitliaway,  "a  worthy  citizen  and  honest  man," — 'Squire  AVorth,  "a  man  of 
integrity,  good  sense,  but  excessively  odd  ;  short,  round-shouldered  and  red- 
haired!  who  once  quarreled  with  an  artist  for  making  him  look,  in  his  portrait, 
he  said,  like  a  one-story  house  with  the  chimney  on  fire," — and,  la^stly,  Capt. 
Alexander  Coffin,  "frank,  generous,  warm-hearted  and  brave." 

]Mr.  Holt,  with  some  interruptions,  had  pnl)lished  the  Bee  for  the  previous 
five  years,  at  Kew  London,  Conn.  Having  incurred  a  fine  and  imprisonment 
there,  under  the  sedition  act,  it  became  necessary  for  him  to  seek  another  lo- 
cation, and  being  invited  by  the  Republicans  of  Hudson,  transferred  his  print- 
ing materials  and  paper  to  this  city.     Its  circulation  was  about  one  thousand. 

On  the  appearance  of  the  Bee  in  Hudson,  a  small  paper  less  than  a  letter 
sheet  in  size  was  issued  from  the  office  of  Mr.  Croswell,  called  the  "Wasp, 
edited  by  "Robert  Rusticcat,  Esq."     Its  object  was  iudicatedby  the  following 

couplet  : 

"If  perchance  there  comes  a  Bee, 
A  Witsp  shall  come  as  well  as  he." 

It  was  published  but  a  short  time,  and  both  AVasp  and  Bee  stung  with 
personal  abuse. 

There  was  much  violent  controversy  between  Messrs.  Holt  and  Croswell, 
and  the  columns  of  the  Bee  and  Balance  were  filled  with  harsh  personalities, 
which  led  the  editors  into  frequent  difficulties.  Both  papers  were  ably  con- 
ducted and  warmly  supported  by  their  respective  parties.  While  the  Repub- 
lican or  Democratic  club  was  composed  of  citizens  of  the  "more  rough  and 
honest  sort,"  the  Federal  club  was  made  up  of  "lawyers  and  men  of  distin- 
guished ability,"  and  it  was  said  had  among  it.^  members,  the  wit,  talent  and 
gentlemen  of  the  city.  Elisha  Williams,  one  of  the  most  influential  politicians 
in  the  State,  was  its  acknowledged  leader,  but  prominent  among  its  members 
were  Bay,  Grosvenor,  McKinstry,  Hyatt,  Hosmer,  Hubbel,  Gelston  and  many 
other  of  the  leading  citizens  of  that  day.  Their  meetings  were  always  held 
in  the  best  furnished  room  of  some  one  of  the  public  houses. 

In  addition  to  the  clubs,  each  party  maintained  a  large  and  well-trained  in- 
strumental band,  composed  exclusively  of  members  of  the  party.     The  uniform 


66  SKKTCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


of  the  Eepublican  baud  was  white  ;  that  of  the  Federal  was  a  red  coat  with 
white  pantaloons. 

Party  strife  at  this  time  and  long  after  was  bitter  to  a  degTee  not  exceeded, 
if  equalled,  at  the  present  day.  Not  only  in  the  press  did  this  Manifest  itself, 
iDUt  in  the  social  and  business  circles,  indeed  everywhere.  Personal  collisions 
were  not  unfrequent. 

An  article  appeared  in  the  Bee  which  bore  heavily  upon  Elisha  Williams. 
Mr.  Williams,  taking  with  him  two  or  three  of  his  political  friends,  whom  he 
stationed  in  the  cellar  of  an  unfinished  building,  that  they  might  by  their  aid 
secure  him  fair  play,  if  needed,  waited  near  Mr.  Holt's  office,  and  upon  his 
appearance  in  the  street  knocked  him  down.  The  afifair,  from  the  position 
of  the  parties  engaged  in  it,  created  a  great  excitement  in  the  political  ranks. 
Capt.  Alexander  Coffin,  who  was  a  noble-hearted  old  man,  as  well  as  an  ardent 
Democrat,  said  that  since  the  Federals  had  begun  that  kind  of  work,  the  Dem- 
ocrats had  better  make  a  finish  of  it,  and  oiFered  to  be  one  of  twenty  men  to 
meet  twenty  picked  Federals  and  fight  the  matter  out !  The  Captain's  novel 
method  of  settling  political  difficulties  was  not  adopted,  but  he  undoubtedly 
meant  it.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  poUtical  prejudices,  fiery  temperament, 
and  always  ready  for  a  fight.  At  the  polls  upon  an  election  day,  a  dog  un- 
fortunately passed  between  his  legs,  causing  him  to  fall.  Upon  arising,  ignor- 
ant of  the  cause  of  his  misfortune,  and  attributing  it  to  some  pohtical  oppon- 
ent, he  turned  in  a  belligerent  attitude,  shouting,  "Come  on,  I  can  whip  the 
whole  d- — n  lot  of  you  !"  Upon  another  occasion,  it  is  related  of  him,  that  a 
young  man  wishing  to  explain  some  matter  then  in  dispute,  laid  his  hand  upon 
tlie  Capt's  shoulder  and  requested  him  to  step  to  the  door.    Mistaking  the 

object  of  his  request,  he  rephed,  "Yes  Sir — fist  or  pistols  ;  don't  care  a  d n 

which  !"  The  absurdity  of  the  thing  brought  down  a  hearty  laugh,  in  which 
the  Capt.,  perceiving  his  mistake,  readily  joined.  He  was  at  that  time  over 
eighty  years  of  age,  and  throughout  his  long  life  was  a  man  of  great  personal 
respectability,  possessing  many  noble  qualities.  His  portrait,  after  his  death, 
was  placed  by  the  City  in  the  Common  Council  room,  where  it  still  remains. 
In  1810  Mr.  Holt  sold  out  his  establishment  and  went  to  New  Tork,  ISIr, 
Samuel  W.  Clark  becoming  his  successor  in  the  publication  of  the  Bee.  Mr. 
Clark  was  its  proprietor  until  1821.  It  was  the  organ  of  that  portion  of  the 
public  who  justified  the  war  of  1812,  and  numbered  among  its  contributors 
Martin  Yan  Bureu,  Benj.  F.  Butler,  John  W.  Edmonds,  and  others  of  equal 
talent  and  position.  Its  next  proprietor  was  John  W.  Dutcher,  who  changed 
the  name  to  that  of  Coluraljia  Centinel,  and  two  years  thereafter  united  it 
with  the  Columbia  Republican. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  67 

Mr.  Holt  died  not  many  years  since  in  Jersey  City,  Laving  in  his  old  ag-o 
obtained  a  remission  of  his  fine,  witli  an  allowance  of  interest  by  the  Govern- 
ment,    Mr.  Clark  died  in  this  city  in  1832,  aged  53  years. 

In  1807  a  paper  in  the  interest  of  the  Lewisite  portion  of  the  Democratic 
party  was  established,  but  shortly  afterwards  discontinued.  It  was  called  the 
Eepublican  Fountain. 

In  1808  Francis  Stebbins  commenced  the  Northern  Whig,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Wm.  L.  Stone,  (afterward  of  the  N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser,) 
from  1811  to  1816.  Mr.  Stone's  successor  was  Richard  L.  Corse,  a  writer 
of  ability,  who  continued  it  till  1821,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Wm. 
B.  Stebbins,  son  of  the  original  proprietor,  who  discontinued  it  in  1824.  Its 
circulation  was  large,  and  it  was  considered  one  of  the  ablest  Federal  papers 
in  the  State.  It  numbered  among  its  regular  contributors  Elisha  Williams, 
William  W.  Yan  Ness,  Thomas  P.  Grosvenor,  James  Yan  Derpoel  and  others 
of  that  stamp. 

In  1817  a  literary  paper,  called  the  Spirit  op  the  Forum  and  Brief  Ee- 
M.iRKER  appeared,  but  seems  to  have  had  a  short  existence. 

The  Columbia  Republican  commenced  its  existence  in  1820,  under  the 
charge  of  Solomon  Wilber,  as  a  Democratic  paper.  In  1824,  through  the 
efforts  of  Ambrose  L.  Jordan,  by  whom  it  was  purchased,  its  political  charac- 
ter was  changed.  From  1824  to  1834,  it  was  at  different  times  published  by 
Ambrose  L.  and  Allen  Jordan,  Charles  F.  Ames,  and  Samuel  Curtiss.  From 
1834  to  1843  its  proprietor  was  Lawrence  Yan  Dyke.  P.  Byron  Barker  was 
next,  for  about  one  year,  its  owner,  when  it  was  disposed  of  to  Messrs. 
Palen  &  Jordan,  Mr.  Barker  remaining  editor.  In  1845  it  was  purchased  by 
Messrs.  Bryan  &  Moores,  Mr.  Moores  retiring  in  1851.  It  is  now  published  by 
Messrs.  Bryan  &  Webb.  It  has  been  since  1824  the  organ  of  the  Whig  party, 
and  in  later  years  of  the  Republican,  and  is  ably  and  judiciously  conducted. 

After  the  purchase  of  the  Republican  by  Mr.  Jordan,  the  Hudson  Gazette, 
(2d)  was  established,  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  Oliver  Wiswall  and  Solomon 
Wescott.  It  was  commenced  in  the  year  1824  by  Peleg  Sturtevant,  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  store  of  Reuben  Folger  on  the  North-east  corner  of  Warren 
and  Second  streets.  There  was  a  Democratic  reading  room  also  in  the  same 
building.  Mr.  Sturtevant  a  few  months  afterwards  transferred  it  to  Hiram 
Wilber.  Mr.  Wilber  continued  its  publication  until  the  year  1834,  when  it 
passed  into  the  possession  of  P.  Dean  Carrique,  who  was  its  proprietor  for 
near  a  quarter  of  a  century.    In  the  year  1854  it  passed  into  the  control  of 


68  SKETCHES       OF       HUDS  ON  . 

S.  L.  Magoun,  Esq.,  as  Assignee,  and  after  a  succession  of  changes  of  owner- 
ship it  was  purchased  by  Messrs.  "Williams  &  Brother,  in  1859,  by  one  of  whom 
it  is  now  neatly  published  and  ably  edited.  It  has  always  been  the  organ  of  the 
Democratic  party,  or  of  some  one  of  its  divisions. 

The  Columbia  Washin'gtoxian  urder  J.  E..  S.  YanYleet  was  commenced  in 
1842,  as  the  advocate  of  "total  abstinence."  In  1843  it  was  transferred  to 
Warren  Eockwell.  In  1847  Mr.  Rockwell  sold  the  establishment  to  Alexander 
N.  Webb,  who,  in  the  year  1850,  changed  its  name  to  the  Hudson  Weekly 
Star,  and  still  continues  to  puljlLsh  it. 

In  184T,Mr.  Webl)  also  commenced  the  publication  of  the  Daily  Evening 
Star,  and  still  continues  it  as  the  Hudson  Daily  Star. 

In  1824,  a  semi-monthly  literary  paper,  called  the  Rural  Repository,  was 
started  by  Wm.  B,  Stoddard,  neatly  printed,  in  quarto  form.  It  was  discon- 
tinued in  the  year  1851,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  large  number  of  families  in 
which  for  so  long  a  time  it  had  been  a  regular  and  welcome  visitor. 

The   Columbia  &  Greene  Co.  Envoy  was  commenced  in  1831  by  Edward 
G.  Linsley,  and  continued  two  years. 
The  Diamond,  serai-monthly,  was  published  in  1833  by  George  F.  Stone. 
The  Magnolia,  a  semi-monthly,  was  published  by  P,  Dean  Carrique  in  1834. 

The  Flail  and  the  Tiirasuer  were  political  campaign  papers,  in  the  Tip- 
pecanoe times  of  1840. 

The  Temperance  Palladium  was  published  by  John  W.  Dutcher  in  1851. 

The  Democratic  Freeman,  an  organ  of  the  Free  Soil  Democracy,  was 
brought  to  this  city  from  Chatham  Four  Corners  in  the  year  1848,  and  under 
the  editorship  of  Charles  H.  Collins,  published  until  1851.  In  that  year  it 
passed  into  the  control  of  Wm.  Caldwell,  and  was  shortly  after  discontinued. 

The  American  Repository,  a  paper  supporting  Fillmore  for  the  Presidency 
in  1856,  was  commenced  in  that  yeai',  but  discontinued  shortly  after  the  elec- 
tion. Its  editor  was  R.  Yan  Antwerp,  who,  a  short  time  previous  to  the 
Repository,  also  commenced  the  publication  of  a  Daily  which  continued  for 
two  months. 

The  CoLUiiBiA  County  Family  Journal,  a  semi-monthly  literary  paper,  was 
commenced  in  1861,  by  F.  H.  Webb,  but  discontinued  after  the  expiration  of 
six  months,  Mr.  Webb  having  become  associated  in  the  proprietorship  of  the 
Republican. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  G9 

LIBRARY   ASSOCIATIONS,    &.G. 

The  first  public  library  of  which  we  find  any  mention  made,  was  established 
as  early  as  1786.  It  was  a  circulating  library  of  three  hundred  volumes  which 
were  furnished  to  subscribers  at  the  following-  rates  :  four  dollars  per  year, 
one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents  per  quarter,  and  to  occasional  readers  at  the 
rate  of  two  cents  per  day.  Subscribers  were  allowed  to  retain  books  as  long 
as  desired,  except  books  new  and  in  great  demand,  which  must  be  returned 
within  one  week,  and  for  the  use  of  the  library  they  could  pay  either  in  money 
or  desirable  books.  We  find  nothing  more  concerning  it,  save  a  notice  that 
persons  desirous  of  subscribing,  could  do  so  by  leaving  their  names  at  the 
printing  office  of  the  Gazette. 

Another  library  was  founded  shortly  after  this,  by  an  association  of  gentle- 
men, called  the  "Columbia  Library  Association,"  but  of  its  rules  and  regula- 
tions we  find  no  account,  nor  of  its  oflScers,  save  that  Shubael  Worth  was  for 
many  years  Librarian,  and  Llenry  P.  Skinner  Clerk.  The  library  was  at  first 
and  for  a  long  time  after  kept  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Worth,  built  by  him  on  the 
N.  West  corner  of  Main  and  Second  streets,  better  known  in  later  years  as 
"Sprague's  corner."  It  received  a  poor  suppoit  and  never  was  in  a  prosperous 
condition,  but  kept  up  an  existence  for  many  years  ;  Eobert  A.  Barnard, 
Esq.  acting  as  its  last  President.  Being  constantly  and  considerably  in  debt, 
all  their  effects,  including  books,  were  finally  sold,  that  the  association  might 
at  least  die  honorably. 

In  178G  a  debating  society  was  established  calling  itself  the  "Union  Debat- 
ing Club."  We  have  nothing  in  relation  to  it,  save  that  the  following  questions 
were  discussed  at  its  first  meeting  : 

First.  "Will  the  establishment  of  the  Union  Debating  Society  prove  a  ben- 
efit to  Hudson  ?" 

Second.  "Is  the  Slave  trade  consistent  with  principles  of  humanity  ?'' 

The  Hudson  Forum  was  established  in  the  year  1826  and  existed  until 
about  1835.  Its  Officers  consisted  of  a  President,  Vice  President,  Secretary 
atid  Board  of  Directors,  who  decided  upon  the  questions  for  debate,  and  at 
each  meeting  assigned  the  disputants  for  the  next.  It  was  supported  by  a 
membership  fee  of  twenty-five  cents  per  year,  and  having  a  large  number  of 
members,  this  afibrded  an  ample  fund  for  all  of  its  expenses.  The  debates  of 
the  Forum  were  extremely  popular,  and  drew  audiences  quite  as  crowded  as 
the  lectures  of  the  F.  L.  Association  at  the  present  day.  Nearly  all  of  the 
younger  members  of  the  bar  of  that  day,  and  students,  many  of  whom  are 


VO  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

now  eminent  in  their  profession,  participated  in  tliem.  In  1839  the  following 
question  was  debated  : 

"Is  there  a  prospect  of  a  dissolution  of  the  Union  within  the  next  fifty 
years  ?" 

And  in  December,  1834,  the  following  : 

"Are  the  principles  of  the  Colonization  Society  more  deserving  the  support 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States  than  those  of  the  Anti-Slavery  Society  ?" 

We  have  no  account  of  the  debate  or  decision  upon  the  former,  but  great 
interest  was  manifested  in  the  debate  upon  the  latter  question,  and  from  one 
of  the  papers  of  that  date,  we  take  the  following  account  of  it : 

"CoLONiZATiox  Debate. — We  do  not  recollect  a  question  which  has  excited 
such  general  and  deep  interest  as  the  one  selected  by  the  members  of  the 
Hudson  Forum,  for  the  subject  of  their  first  discussion.  At  an  early  hour  on 
the  appointed  evening,  the  Court-House  was  thronged  to  overflowing  by  an 
auditory  of  the  highest  respectability  from  this  and  its  adjacent  towns.  The 
public  excitement  in  regard  to  the  removal  and  colonization  of  the  blacks  has 
reached  us  in  full  force,  and  the  intimate  connection  which  the  subject  has 
with  the  honor  and  destiny  of  the  countiy,  is  profoundly  realized.  Indeed, 
every  thinking  person  must  be  convinced  that  the  agititiou  of  the  public  mind 
throughout  the  country  upon  this  suliject  is  not  uncalled  for,  though  it  may 
be  premature.  As  if  slavery  did  not  of  itself  present  a  sufficiently  alarming 
prospect,  associations  have  been  formed  having  as  their  object  its  immediate 
abolition.  Pamphlets  have  been  published,  and  pulilic  meetings  held  with 
this  purpose.  Fire-brands  from  the  press  have  been  thrown  into  the  Southern 
States,  having  the  tendency  to  excite  and  hasten  a  general  insurrection  of  the 
blacks.  Meanwhile  the  Colonization  Society  offering  a  benevolent  project 
for  the  amelioration  of  the  negro's  condition,  and  his  eventual  emancipation 
and  removal,  is  assailed  with  a  violence  of  opposition  and  virulence  of  lan- 
guage which  manifest  anything  but  the  spirit  of  philanthropy.  The  principal 
advocate  of  the  Anti-Slavery  measures  appeal's  before  a  British  audience  and 
there  traitorously  slanders  the  country  that  gave  him  birth  and  to  which  he 
owes  allegiance.  The  North  is  now  called  upon  to  decide  between  the  rival 
societies  ;  with  the  South  there  is  no  question  about  it.  Such  a  decision  ex- 
pressive of  the  public  sentiment  in  this  City  has  been  recently  had." 

"Upon  the  first  evening  of  the  debate,  the  question  was  argued  by  Edwin  C. 
Litchfield,  Esq.  and  Hon.  H.  Hogeboom  on  the  affirmative,  and  J.AV.  Fairfield, 
Esq..  for  the  negative.  Upon  the  adjourned  meeting  the  discussion  was  con- 
ducted by  ^Ir.  Litchfield,  Campbell  Bushnell,  Esq.  and  Ret.  Jared  Waterbury 
in  the  affirmative,  and  John  D.  Parker,  Esq.,  J.  W.  Fairfield,  Esq.,  and  a 
black  man  whose  name  if  he  has  one,  we  are  not  in  the  possession  of,  in  the 
negative.  "We  were  never  more  struck  with  the  quizzing  propensities  of 
our  laughter-loving  citizens  than  on  this  occasion.  'Xegative,'  'negative,' 
'negative,'  issued  from  many  a  man  friendly  to  the  Colonization  Society,  but 
determined  to  enjoy  the  joke  of  astonishing  its  advocates  upon  the  floor  with 
the  little  effect  their  learned  arguments  had  produced.  As  it  was,  however, 
the  Affirmative  was  carried  by  an  overwhelming  majority.  We  are  not  dis- 
posed to  make  critical  remarks  upon  the  debate,  but  must  say  that  we  con- 
sidered the  speech  of  Campbell  Bushnell,  Esq.,  a  master-piece  of  argument 
and  eloquence.    The  Negative  was  also  ably  and  zealously  sustained." 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  1\ 

In  1835  an  association  styling  itself  the  "Hudson  Association  for  mutual 
improvement,"  was  organized  with  the  following  officers  : 

Elisha  Jenkins,  President.  Cyrus  Curtiss,  Eufus  Reed,  Joseph  D.  Mon- 
ell,  James  Mellen,  Vice  Presidents.     Edwin  C.  Litchfield,  Secretary. 

The  exercises  consisted  alternately  of  lectures,  addresses  and  debates.  It 
continued  only  through  the  first  winter  of  its  organization. 

The  Franklin  Library  Association  was  organized  in  the  year  1837.  In  the 
year  1834,  a  few  young  men,  most  of  whom  were  connected  by  family  ties,  met 
at  the  tallow  chandler's  shop  ot  William  A.  Carpenter,  (then  on  Cross  street, 
the  lot  being  now  occupied  by  the  Hudson  River  Rail  Road  as  a  wood 
yard,)  and  organized  a  debating  club,  which  they  called  the  Franklin  Debating 
Society.  It's  design  being  that  all  should  engage  in  debate,  new  officers 
were  chosen  at  each  meeting.  The  first  meeting  for  debate  was  held  in  the 
Orthodox  Friends  meeting  house  in  Union  street,  January  11th,  1835.  Robert 
Smith  was  chosen  Moderator,  Geo.  W.  Carpenter  Secretary,  the  following 
individuals  in  addition  embracing  the  entire  membership  at  that  time  :  Hiram 
Macy,  James  Batchellor,  William  A.  Carpenter,  Thomas  Marshall,  William  R. 
Steel,  Edward  B.  Macy,  Richard  M.  Remington  and  John  Hamhn.  The  ques- 
tion discussed  was  the  following  : 

"Ought  mechanical  labor  in  state  prisons  to  be  abolished  ?" 

Hiram  Macy  and  William  A.  Carpenter  opening  the  debate  and  choosing  the 
disputants  to  follow.  The  club  continued  to  meet  regularly  for  debate,  dechn- 
ing  to  admit  any  new  members  during  that  winter. 

The  method  subsequently  adopted  for  the  admission  of  members  was  to  ballot 
for  the  candidate  proposed  for  membership,  without  his  knowledge,  and  if  the 
vote  was  unanimous  apprise  him  of  the  fact  of  his  election  and  invite  him  to 
become  a  member.     Its  support  was  from  individual  contributions. 

The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  building  then  known  as  the  Select 
Academy,  in  Third  Street ;  George  W.  Carpenter,  by  appointment,  delivering 
the  address,  which  was  followed  by  brief  remarks  from  the  members  generally. 

At  this  meeting  a  proposition  was  made  by  Wm.  A.  Carpenter  to  connect 
with  the  Association  a  Ubrary  and  to  take  measures  to  secure  a  permanent 
location.  The  proposition  was  adopted  and  resulted  in  the  erection  of  a  small 
but  convenient  room  in  Union  Street,  upon  the  lot  now  occupied  by  Capt. 
George  Barker  ;  the  building  having  been  since  removed  is  now  occupied  as  a 
Chapel  by  the  Episcopal  church.  It  was  built  by  an  association  of  members 
of  the  debating  club  called  the  Franklin  Hall  Association,  with  a  capital  of 
three  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  in  shares  of  five  dollars  each.  The 
work  of  collecting  a  library  was  immediately  entered  upon,  and  in  1837  the 


72  SKETCHES       OF      HUD 


Fraukliu  Lil^rary  Association  was  regularly  organized,  with  Wm.  R.  Steel  as 
President,  James  Batchellor  Secretary,  and  during  the  following  winter  was 
incorporated  with  Wm.  A.  Carpenter  as  President,  Hiram  Macy,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Chas.  A.  Darling,  Secretai-y  ;  the  other  officers  consisting  of  a  Treasurer, 
and  a  Board  of  Directors.  It  still  acts  under  the  same  charter,  the  only 
original  members  now  belonging  to  it  being  Iliram  Macy  and  William  A. 
Carpenter.  With  the  exception  of  Edward  B.  Macy,  its  founders  are  all  living, 
five  of  them  now  residents  of  the  city. 

The  first  lecture  before  the  Association  was  delivered  by  Prof.  Potter  (now 
Bishop)  of  Union  College,  in  1838,  in  the  old  Episcopal  Church  ;  his  sub- 
ject, "Truth." 

In  1837  through  the  liberal  contributions  of  fifty  dollars  each  from  James 
Mellen,  (whose  portrait  the  Association  has  placed  in  its  Library  room,)  Cyrus 
Curtiss  and  Eiihu  Gifford,  a  philosophical  apparatus  was  purchased,  at  a  cost 
of  about  six  hundred  dollars,  the  remainder  being  made  up  by  stock  in  shares 
of  ten  dollars  each.  This  apparatus  was  in  later  years  disposed  of  by  the  As- 
sociation and  is  now  in  use  in  the  Female  Academy  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Hague. 

The  first  lawyer  admitted  as  a  member  of  the  F.  L.  Association  was  Theo- 
dore Miller,  Esq.,  by  whom  the  first  annual  report  of  its  executive  committee 
was  drawn. 

From  this  small  beginning  has  grown  an  Association  now  numbering  a 
membership  of  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  ;  possessing  a  library  of  about 
twenty-five  hundred  volumes,  sustaining  annually  a  course  of  lectures,  and  with 
an  income  during  the  last  year  from  all  sources,  of  about  fourteen  hundred 
dollars. 

SCHOOLS. 

We  find  frequent  mention  made  in  early  years  of  the  establishment  of 
Schools,  the  granting  of  various  lots  for  the  erection  of  school  houses,  and 
the  building  of  a  Proprietors'  school  house,  but  no  provision  seems  to  have 
been  made  for  free  education  until  the  year  1816.  In  the  month  of  September 
in  that  year,  a  number  of  gentlemen  met  at  the  Library  room,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  into  consideration  the  practicability  of  estabhshing  a  Lancaster  School, 
for  the  gratuitous  education  of  the  children  of  the  poor.  Ezra  Sampson  was 
chosen  chairman,  Josioh  Uuderhill  Secretary.  The  result  of  the  meeting  was 
the  organization  of  a  Society  called  the  "Hudson  Lancaster  Society,''  which 
was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  April  15th,  1817,  with 
the  following  Trustees  : 

Elisha  Williams,  James  Strong,  Robert  Taylor, 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  73 

Judah  riuklock,  Dauicl  ClufBii,  Haimiftl  White, 

Thomas  Jenkins,  Patrick  Fainiing,  liohert  Alsop, 

Prosper  irosnier,  Suniuel  Plumb,  Thomas  13ay. 
Josiali  Underhill, 

The  erection  of  a  buikling  was  commenced  in  1817,  the  lot  having  been 
granted  for  that  purpose  by  the  Common  Council,  the  other  expenses  being 
defrayed  by  donations.  The  first  teacher  employed  by  the  Trustees  was  Josiah 
Underhill.  It  was  not  Avholly  a  free  school,  one  hundred  scholars  at  first  re- 
ceiving gratuitous  education,  the  number  afterwards  being  changed  according 
to  the  financial  condition  of  the  Society.  A  committee  of  the  Trustees  visit- 
ed the  school  monthly,  and  no  scholar  was  admitted  without  the  inspection 
of  a  physician,  if  required  by  the  teacher,  and  none  continued  in  the  school 
whose  parents  would  not  keep  them  clean  in  all  respects  and  decently  clothed. 
For  its  support  it  received  from  the  Common  Council  the  school  money,  the 
excise  fimd,  and  that  from  lottery  licenses,  the  balance  needed  being  raised 
by  individual  contributions.  Not  long  after  its  establishment  an  effort  was 
made  to  withdraw  from  it  a  portion  of  the  fund  received  from  the  city.  It  was 
strongly  opposed  and  did  not  succeed  ;  it  seems,  however,  at  one  time  to  have 
seriously  interfered  with  its  successful  operation,  for  we  find  Heniy  Dibblee 
and  Cornelius  Miller  offering  to  become  personally  responsible  for  the  educa- 
tion of  fifty  children,  until  the  Council  should  abandon  the  effort  to  take  from 
the  school  the  fund  apportioned  to  it.  In  1828,  a  committee  of  the  society 
reported  the  number  of  children  in  the  compact  portion  of  the  city,  between 
the  ages  of  five  and  sixteen,  to  be  1012.  In  the  same  year  steps  were  taken 
for  the  support  of  an  "African  School"  in  connection  with  the  Lancaster. 
The  committee  appointed  to  raise  funds,  reported  that  the  different  religious 
societies  would  contribute  annually  to  its  support  as  follows  :  Universalist, 
$25 ;  Presbyterian,  92r^ ;  Friends,  ^2b  ;  Episcopal,  $20  ;  Methodist,  $12  ; 
Baptist,  $12.  The  Lancaster  Society  appropriated  $25,  and  petitioned  the 
Common  Council  for  and  received  an  annual  donation  of  $50.  The  school 
was  immediately  established  in  the  old  or  first  Methodist  Church  in  Third 
street,  not  now  standing.' 

The  Lancaster  School  was  sustained  until  the  year  1841,  but  in  its  later 
years  had  not  an  income  adequate  to  its  support,  the  ladies  at  last  coming  to 
its  aid  with  the  proceeds  of  a  fair.  In  that  year  the  Boai'd  of  Trustees  con- 
veyed tlieir  school  property  to  the  Common  Council.  In  the  same  year  the 
present  public  schools  of  the  city  were  organized.  The  last  Trustees  of  the 
Lancaster  School  were : 

Laban  Paddock,  Gayer  Gardner,  Charles  Darling, 


74  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

Charles  IMcArthur,       John  Power,  Israel  Piatt, 

Cyrus  Curtiss,  A.  Y.  V.  Elting,  Kobert  McKinstry, 

Charles  Paul. 

Its  earliest  supporter  and  the  most  liberal  contributor  to  it,  is  said  to  have 
been  Capt.  Judah  Paddock,  with  whom  it  was  a  favorite  project.  At  his 
death  he  also  left  a  fund  to  be  devoted  to  its  support.  Capt.  Paddock  was 
a  man  of  wealth,  energetic  and  benevolent.  He  retired  from  the  seas  in  1807. 
Nearly  every  one  is  familiar  with  the  narrative  of  his  shijiwreck  on  the  coast 
of  Barbary  and  subsequent  confinement  among  the  Arabs,  published  many 
years  ago,  and  recently  re-published  in  the  columns  of  the  Hudson  Gazette. 
Previous  to  this  he  was  engaged  in  trade  with  the  West  Indies,  afterwards 
with  Liverpool  and  Russia.  He  died  in  the  year  1822.  Both  Judah  and 
Laban,  who  recently  died,  an  old  and  greatly  respected  citizen,  for  almost  four 
score  years  identified  with  the  history  of  Hudson,  were  sons  of  Stephen  Pad- 
dock, one  of  the  original  proprietors.  There  is  preserved  in  the  Masonic 
Lodge  of  this  city,  a  sword  presented  prior  to  1800,  to  Judah  Paddock,  by 
the  Empress  Catharine,  of  Russia,  for  rleeiving  a  Russian  man-of-war  when  in 
distress,  and  by  him  presented  to  the  Lodge,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  earli- 
est members,  in  1807,  "as  a  token  of  his  high  regard  for  masonry." 

The  Hudson  Academy  was  chartered  in  the  year  1807,  with  the  following 
Trustees : 

Ezra  Sampson,  Timothy  Babcock,  Noah  Gridley, 

Peter  Yan  Denbergh,  William  Frazer,  William  Whiting. 

Harry  Croswell,  Peter  Yan  Rensselaer,     Saml  J.  Ten  Broeck, 

John  Swift,  ^Villiam  Ashley,  William  Shaw, 

Reuben  Sears,  Luther  Dunning,  Cornelius  Tobey, 

Elisha  AVilliams,  Joseph  Mosely,  Y^lilam  Noyes,  Jr., 

Wm.  W.  Yan  Xess,  Benjamin  Miller,  Obed  W.Folger. 

Ebeuezer  Reed,  John  Bennett, 

The  erection  of  the  building  was  commenced  in  the  year  1805,  the  land  for 
that  purpose  having  been  given  by  Captain  Seth  G.  Macy,  another  of  that  class 
of  citizens  so  numerous  in  the  early  days  of  Hudson,  who,  retiring  from  the 
seas,  became  active  in  everything  that  could  promote  the  prosperity  of  the 
city.  Capt.  Macy  l)uilt  and  occupied  the  fine  residence  now  belonging  to  Capt. 
Lathrop,  in  Stockport,  (then  Hudson)  and  established  the  works  afterwards 
purchased  by  Joseph  Marshall,  and  so  extensively  known  as  Marshall's  Print 
works. 

The  small  collection  of  buildings  on  the  Academy  hill  was  at  that  time  known 
as  Unionville.  The  fii'st  house  erected  there  was  by  Capt.  Wm.  Ashley,  now 
the  residence  of  George  McKinstry.  Esq.    To  the  first  individual  who  should 


SKETCHES  ^.O  F      II  U  D  S  O  N  .  75 

erect  a  house  there,  was  to  be  given  the  privilege  of  naming  the  hill.  Capt. 
Ashley  claimed  it,  and  after  some  disagreement  with  others  interested,  declar- 
ed that  he  "named  that  hill  Prospect  hill,  and  Prospect  hill  it  shall  be." 
It  had  previously  been  called  "Windmill  hill,  but  has  ever  since  been  known 
by  the  name  given  to  it  by  Mr.  Ashley.  It  could  not  have  been  more  appro- 
priately named,  for  it  afiFords  a  prospect  which  for  extent,  beauty  and  variety, 
is  rarely  equalled. 

The  first  teacher  in  the  Academy  was  Andrew  M.  Carshore.  He  remained 
but  one  year  and  was  followed  by  Ashbel  Strong.  Among  those  who  subse- 
quently filled  the  position  were  Amasa  J.  Parker,  now  Judge  of  the  Supreme. 
Court  of  this  State,  and  Josiah  W.  Fairfield,  Esq.,  of  this  city.  Among  the 
many  who  have  studied  within  its  walls,  was  one  to  whom  all  eyes  are  now 
directed  and  who  fills  a  large  place  in  the  nation's  heart :  Gen.  H.  W.  Ilalleck. 
He  was  connected  with  the  institution  about  three  years,  under  the  name  of 
Wager  ;  taking  the  name  of  his  grandfather,  to  avoid  the  cruelty  of  an  unnat- 
ural and  tyrannical  father. 

The  Hudson  Select  Academy  in  Third  street,  was  built  in  1813,  by  an  asso- 
iation  of  which  Seth  Jenkins,  who  was  chiefly  interested  in  its  establishment, 
was  President.  It  ceased  many  years  ago  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  for 
which  it  was  erected  and  was  never  deemed  a  successful  undertaking.  Mr. 
Jenkins  made  a  great  eflTort  to  secure  the  passage  of  an  Act  by  the  Legislature, 
granting  to  the  Academy  the  fishing  grounds  in  the  vicinity  of  Hudson,  with 
the  right  to  impose  a  tax  upon  all  persons  fishing  upon  them,  the  income 
to  go  to  the  support  of  the  institution.  He  was  strongly  opposed  and  failed 
in  his  attempt,  but  it  gave  to  the  building  the  name  of  the  "Shad  Academy," 
by  which  for  many  years  it  was  known. 

The  first  School  opened  in  Hudson  was  by  James  Burns,  in  the  year  1783, 
in  a  small  building  then  standing  upon  the  County  road,  near  the  river,  upon 
the  site  of  the  present  store  of  WiUiam  Poultney,  built  by  the  inhabitants  at 
Claverack  Landing  for  a  school  house.  It  remained  there  until  Front  street 
was  opened.  During  the  blasting  of  rocks  necessary  in  opening  the  street,  Mr. 
Burns  always  dismissed  his  school,  seeking  some  place  of  safety  until  the  firing 
was  over.  Laban  Paddock,  Seth  Jenkins  and  many  others,  who  were  after- 
wards leading  citizens,  were  pupils  of  Mr.  Burns.  Henry  Harder  or  "old  Doct. 
Harder"  as  he  is  now  familiarly  called,  who  is  still  living,  was  also  a  pupil, 
then  seven  years  old.  With  the  opening  of  Front  street,  the  building  was 
demolished,  and  the  Diamond  street  school  house,  before  mentioned,  was 
erected. 


76  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON. 

The  system  under  wliicli  the  Public  Schools  of  the  city  are  at  present  con- 
ducted was  adopted  in  the  year  1841.  They  exist  under  a  special  act  of  the 
Lef  islature,  and  are  under  the  control  of  Superintendents,  who  receive  their 
appointment  from  the  Common  Council.  The  schools  are  four  in  number, 
three  white  and  one  colored.  Ample  provision  is  made  for  their  support  and 
they  rank  among  the  most  efficient  and  thorough  in  the  State.  The  first  Su- 
perintendents were  Oliver  Bronsou,  Josiah  W.  Fairfield  and  Cyrus  Cm-tiss. 
The  present  Superintendents  are  Kobert  B.  Monell,  Lcrenzo  G.  Guernsey  and 
Hiram  Morrison.  The  average  number  of  children  in  attendance  is  about 
seven  hundred  and  fifty.  The  number  of  children  in  the  city  between  the 
ages  of  four  and  twenty-one  is  twenty-three  hundred  and  eighty-three.  The 
present  number  of  teachers  engaged  is  seventeen.  The  amount  expended  for 
the  support  of  the  schools  is  about  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars.  The 
number  of  volumes  in  the  public  school  library  is  twelve  hundred  and  fifty. 

In  private  schools  of  a  high  order,  Hudson  has  never  been  deficient.  Those 
existing  at  the  present  day,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Hague's  and  the  Misses  Peake's 
for  young  ladies,  the  Rev.  E.  Bradbury's,  Rev.  J.  R.  Coe's  and  Wm.  P.  Sny- 
der's, for  boys,  are  among  the  veiy  best  in  the  country. 

MASONIC   ORDER. 

We  have  before  alluded  (page  15)  to  the  grant  of  a  lot  by  the  proprietors 
and  the  erection  of  St.  Johns  Hall,  by  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  this  city.  The 
Lodge  was  organized  in  the  year  1787,  three  years  after  the  settlement  of  the 
place.    In  the  month  of  March  in  that  year,  a  petition,  signed  by 

Seth  Jenkins,  Thomas  Frothingham,  Thomas  Worth, 

Jared  Coffin,  Robert  Folger,  William  Wall, 

Joseph  Hamilton,  Lemuel  Jenkins,  Daniel  Gano, 

John  McKinstry,  Shubael  Worth,  David  Lawi-ence, 

,     John  Thurston,  Joseph  Olney,  Benjamin  Chace, 

John  Pennoyer,  Isaac  Bateman,  Samuel  Mansfield, 

was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York  by  Daniel  Gano, 
requesting  that  a  charter  might  be  granted  them,  "for  the  purpose  of  making, 
passing  and  raising  Free  Masons."  It  was  given  them  in  the  month  of  May, 
and  in  June  the  following  individuals  proceeded  to  Albany,  and  were  installed 
the  first  officers  of  Hudson  Lodge,  by  the  Worshipful  Senior  Grand  Warden  : 

Worshipful  Seth  Jenkins,  Master ;  Jared  CofiSn,  S.  W.;  David  Lawrence, 
J.  W.;  Samuel  Mansfield,  Treas'r  ;  Daniel  Gano,  Sec'y ;  Thomas  Frothingham, 
S.D.;  Simeon  Stoddard,  J.  D.;   Shubael  Worth,  Benjamin  Chace,  Stewards. 

The  first  celebration  of  the  Festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  in  the 


SKETCIIKS       OF      HUDSON.  '7*7 

County  of  Columbia,  took  place  at  Hudson  in  1787,  under  the  direction  of 
LemuelJenkins,  Shubacl  Worth  and  Paul  llussey.  Ezekiel  Gilbert  delivered 
"an  elegant  oration,"  for  which  he  received  the  thanks  of  the  Lodge  through 
David  Lawrence  and  Levi  Wheaton.  After  the  oration,  the  Lodge  proceeded 
to  a  dinner  at  the  house  of  Brother  Joseph  Gordon.  The  Festival  of  St. 
John  the  Baptist  was  first  celebrated  in  1788,  under  the  direction  of  Ambrose 
Spencer,  Samuel  Mansfield  and  Joseph  Gordon,  "at  which  time,  a  sensible 
and  well  adapted  oration,"  was  delivered  by  Doct.  Levi  Wheaton. 

Prior  to  the  erection  of  a  hall,  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Lodge  to  hold  its 
meeting  at  some  one  of  the  public  houses.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at 
the  house  of  John  McKinstry,  whom  we  have  before  mentioned  as  the  keeper 
of  the  first  pubHc  house  in  Hudson.  In  Stone's  life  of  Brant,  we  find  related 
the  following  interesting  incident  in  the  life  of  Mi'.  McKinstry  : 

He  was  an  oEBcer  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  was  engaged  in  the  battle  at 
Bunker's  Hill,  and  during  the  Canadian  campaign,  commanded  a  company 
at  Cedar  Keys  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  where  his  command  was  shaqjly  on- 
gaged  by  a  body  of  Indians  under  Brant,  before  whom  his  troops  were  several 
times  compelled  to  retire.  Rallying  however  Avith  spirit,  the  Indians  were 
repulsed  in  turn,  and  the  respective  forces  were  thus  successively  driven  by 
each  other  back  and  forth,  according  to  the  doubtful  and  varying  fortunes  of 
the  hour,  until  the  Americans  were  overpowered  by  numbers  and  compelled 
to  surrender.  Capt.  McKinstry  being  wounded,  fell  by  the  side  of  a  tree  and 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians.  He  subsequently  ascertained  that  he  had 
been  selected  by  them  as  a  victim,  and  that  the  usual  preparations  had  been 
made  for  putting  him  to  death  by  the  torture  of  fire.  He  remembered  to 
have  heard  that  Brant  was  a  Mason,  and  gaining  his  eye,  gave  him  the  proper 
sign,  and  thus  secured  his  release  and  subsequent  kind  treatment.  Through 
the  personal  exertions  of  Brant,  in  connexion  with  some  humane  English  offi- 
cers, a  sum  of  money  was  raised,  and  an  ox  purchased  which  was  given  to  the 
Indians  and  by  them  roasted  in  the  flames  kindled  for  their  gallant  prisoner. 
Capt.  McKinstry  never  forgot  the  kindness  of  Brant.  He  afterwards  became 
a  Colonel,  and  after  a  residence  of  a  few  years  in  this  city,  moved  upon  a  farm 
in  the  Manor  of  Livingston,  where  he  several  times  entertained  Brant  as  his 
guest.  Brant's  last  visit  was  in  1805,  when,  in  company  with  Col.  McKinstry, 
he  visited  the  Lodge  in  this  city,  where  his  presence  attracted  great  attention. 

The  erection  of  a  building  was  commenced  by  the  Lodge  in  1795,  in  which 
year  it  seems  to  have  had  a  large  accession  to  its  numbers.  Laban  Paddock 
was  an  active  member  of  the  building  committee,  It  was  occupied  in  1796, 
and  we  have  the  following  account  of  the 


78  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON 


"PERFORMANCES 

of  the  dedication  of  Mason  Hall,  Hudson,  Anno  Lucis  5796,  corresponding  to 
December  27, 1796." 

PROCESSION,  &c. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Festival  the  Brethren  convened  at  Brother  Joseph 
Gordon's,  and  moved  from  thence  in  the  following  order  to  the  Lodge  Room, 
viz,: 

Tyler  with  drawn  Sword. 

Deacons,  with  Rods. 

Four  Brethren,  supporting  the  altar,  two  and  two. 

Six  Brethren,  two  and  two. 

A  Brother  with  Pitcher  of  Wheat. 

Three  Brethren. 

A  Brother  with  Pitcher  of  Wine, 

Three  Brethren. 

A  Brother  with  Pitcher  of  Oil. 

Nine  brethren,  three  and  three. 

Stewards,  with  Wands. 

First  LIGHT,  carried  by  an  Officer. 

Three  Brethren. 

Second  LIGHT,  by  an  Officer. 

Three  Brethren. 

Third  LIGHT,  by  an  Officer. 

Three  Brethren. 

Wardens,  with  Jewels. 

ARCHITECT,  with  Square,  Level  and  Plumb. 

Brethren,  Workmen  on  Lodge,  two  and  two  with  Instruments. 

Officer,   carrying  Bible,   Square  and  Compass  on  velvet  Cushion. 

Secretary,  with  Bag  and  Jewels. 

Two  Brethren. 

Treasurer,  with  Staff  and  Jewels. 

Two  Brethren. 

Chaplains  for  the  Day,  with  Gown  and  Scarfs. 

Brethren  of  Hudson  Lodge,  two  and  two. 

Visiting  Brethren  of  different  Lodges,  not  in  Office,  two  and  two. 

Officers  of  Lodges  not  engaged  previously,  two  and  two,  with  Scarfs  and  Jewels. 

MASTER  of  Hudson  Lodge,  with  Book  of  Constitutions. 

Deacons  of  Hudson  Lodge,  with  Rods. 

In  the  above  order  the  Procession  arrived  at  the  LODGE  ROOM,  where 
they  were  accosted  by  Brother  Ernst  and  the  Choristers  with  the  following 
Anthem,  composed  and  set  to  Music  by  him,  accompanied  with  Instruments 
of  Music,  until  the  Procession  had  gradually  walked  tliree  times  round  the  Hall. 

ANTHEM.* 
Meditate  : 

]\Iortal  Creature  !   on  Death  Summons.    Hesitate  : 

Not  one  Moment  on  God's  Judgment  seriously  to  contemplate  ! 


*The  Words  of  this  Anthem  are  but  a  feeble  Display  of  its  musical  Excel- 
encies  and  Variations,  when  properly  performed. 


SKETCHES      OFHUDSON.  79 

Be  in  constant  Readiness  ; 
For  witliout^Pleasure  and  e'er  thou  dost  guess, 
May'st  tliou  experience  a  deadly  Distress. 
How  shall  then 
Divine  Justness — on  thy  Goodness — Sentence  give — 
"When  contrary  to  His  Statutes  thou  didst  live  ? 
Shalt  thou  not  in  Anguish  hover — 
Shall  thy  Heart  within  not  shiver — 

When  Reproaches  thee  do  cover  :  at  God's  Bar  ? 
"When  to  avenge  Transgression — 
God  hears  no  Intercession — 

But  makes  a  Declaration — Just  and  fair. — 
Therefore,  0  Mortal !   at  present  give  Ear. 
For  to  die  happy,  be  times  thee  prepare  : 
Or  thou  wilt  sutler  eternally  there  I 

When  the  ALTAR  was  placed  in  the  center  of  the  Hall  on  which  were  de- 
posited the  three  pitchers,  and  the  three  great  and  three  lesser  LIGHTS,  on 
proper  Pedestals,  and  in  ancient  Form,  the  Masters  and  Past  Masters  took 
their  seats  ;  the  rest  of  the  Brethea  standing  and  joining  in  the  following 
Anthem. 

To  Heaven's  high  Architect  all  praise, 

All  praise,  all  gratitude  be  given, 
Who  deign 'd  the  human  Soul  to  raise. 
By  mystic  Secrets  sprung  from  Heaven. 

CHORUS. 
Sound  aloud  the  GREAT  JEHOVAH'S  praise, 
To  HIM  the  Dome,  the  Temple  raise  ! 

The  Anthem  ended,  the  Architect,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  working  Breth- 
ren, advanced  to  the  Master,  and  offered  the  return  of  the  Implements  used 
in  erecting  and  finishing  the  Building  :  The  Master,  expressing  his  appro- 
bation in  behalf  of  the  Society,  reciuested  his  Officers  to  take  the  Implements 
and  place  them  on  a  triangular  Pedestal,  erected  for  the  puri)ose  ;  and  all  the 
Brethren  then  seated  themselves,  and  assisted  in  singing  the  following  ^\ji- 
them,  composed  by  Brother  Ernst. 

(Tune,  "God  save  Great  Washington.") 
I.  IIL 

0  Tliou  great  Architect !  Time  flies  on  Wings  away, 

AVE,  who're  yet  full  Defect,  Makes  for  us  here  no  stay, 

On  Thee  now  call :  But  hastes  in  flight. 

In  a  rough  State  we  are,  LORD  !  may  each  Moment  be 

Graciously  US  prepare,  Improved  carefully  : 

According  to  Thy  Square,  For  an  Eternity 

Lord  oVer  all.  Before  thy  sight. 

n.  IV. 

There  is  a  Day  of  Grace,  Signs  of  Mortality 

Given  the  human  Race :  May  teach  Humility : 

For  them  t'  improve.  Men  as  we  are. 

Let  zis  do  as  the  Wise  :  LORD  !  let  not  Death's  dire  Blow 

Pray,  work  and  rest  precise,  Lay  all  our  Prospects  low, 

Follow  but  thine  Advice  But  teach  us  Thee  to  know 

LORD  God  of  Love  I  And  to  prepare. 


80 


SKETCHES       OF     HUDSON 


V. 

As  WE  advance  in  Light, 
So  shall  we  niol'o  unite  : 

In  Bonds  of  Love. 
May  every  Hand  and  Heart, 
Unite  in  pious  Art ; 
To  give  the  due  Desert : 

To  GUI)  above. 

VL 

To  an  industr'ous  Bee 
We  condescend  and  see  : 

Order  and  Wealth. 
May  WE,  while  here  in  Life, 
Be  subject  without  strife ; 
Sheltered  by  our  Hive 

Have  Bread  and  Health. 

vn. 

Li  thy  great  House,  0  LORD ! 
Beanty  and  Strengili  accord. 
These  ne'er  give  'way. 


ISIay  sti-ength  and  Beauty  be  : 
Pillars  of  ■Nhisonry 
And  the  Fraternity": 
Never  decay. 

vin. 

Let  All  exalt  their  Voice, 
Let  All  at  once  rejoice  : 

To  sound  thy  Fame, 
Thou  great !  great  Architect ! 
Thy  Children  all  connect 
With  Love  and  joint  llespect : 

To  bless  tliy  Name. 
IX. 

From  All  beneath  the  skies, 
JFTTOVAH'S  Fraise  arise. 

His  Name  confes'd ; 
And  may  his  sovereign  Grace 
Shine  upon  every  Face 
And  render  Adams  Eace 

Happy  and  bles'd. 


After  which,  the  Brethren  were  called  on  to  join  in  the  PRAYER  of 
DEDICATION,  by  Brother  GARDINER. 

The  Master  then  ordered  the  Lodge  tyled.  The  Lodge  being  opened,  the 
Secretary  informed  the  Master  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Society  to  have  the 
Tiodge  dedicated  ;  on  which  intimation  the  Master  requested  the  Officers  and 
Chaplains  present  to  assist  in  that  ceremony.    The  Brethren  all  standing. 

CEREMONY  OF  DEDICATION. 

The  Master  and  A^^irdens  advanced  and  took  each  a  Pitcher ;  then  the  Offi- 
cers and  Master  followed  tlie  Junior  Warden  with  the  Pitcher  of  Corn,  who 
at  the  end  after  first  round  poured  out  the  Corn  :  ''WE  do  in  the  Presence  of 
the  Supreme  Architect  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  DEDICATE  THIS  HALL  TO 
MASONRY !"  Which  being  proclaimed  by  the  Secretary ;  the  Gfand  Honors 
were  given  by  all  present. 

The  Master  and  Officers  then  followed  the  Senior  Warden  once  round  ; 
who  then  poured  out  the  Contents  of  the  Pitcher  of  Wine,  and  "In  the  Name 
of  Holy  St.  John  !"  dedicated  the  Hall  to  VIRTUE  ;  which  being  proclaimed 
by  the  Secretary,  the  Grand  Honors  were  again  given. 

At  the  end  of  the  third  Procession,  the  Master  then  poured  out  the  Pitcher 
of  Oil.  and  "In  the  name  of  all  the  Brethren  present,"  dedicated  the  Lodge  to 
UNIVERSAL  BENEVOLENCE,  when  the  Grand  Honors  were  given ! 

While  the  above  ceremony  was  performing,  solemn  Music  was  given  by 
Brother  Ernst. 

Immediately  after  the  Dedication  the  following  Anthem  was  sung  by  all  the 
Brethren  present. 

"Oh  Masonry  !  our  hearts  inspire." 
And  warm  us  with  thy  sacred  lire  : 


SKETCHESOF     HUDSON.  81 

Make  us  obedient  to  thy  Laws, 
And  zealous  to  support  thy  cause  : 
For  thou  and  Virtue  are  the  same, 
And  differ  only  in  the  name. 

"Pluck  narrow  notions  from  the  mind, 
And  plant  the  love  of  Jiuman  Kind, 
Teach  us  to  fec^l  a  brotlun-'s  woe. 
And  feelinji'  comfort  to  bestow. 
Let  none  unheedeil  di-aw  tii(;  sigh, 
No  grief  unnoticed,  pass  us  Ijy. 

"Let  swellinEr  pride  a  stranger  be. 

Our  friend,  compos'd  liuniility, 

Our  hands  let  steady  justice  guide, 

And  'i'enip'rance  at  our  boanls  preside  ; 

Let  Kocresy  oin*  steps  attend, 

And  injur'd  Worth  our  tongues  defend. 

Drive  Meanness  from  us  ;  fly  Deceit, 
And  Calumny,  and  rigid  Hate  : 
O!  may  our  highest  Pleasure  be, 
I'o  add  to  man's  1^'elicity  ; 
And  may  we,  as  thy  A'otries  trae, 
Thy  paths.  Oh  MASONRY  !  pursue. 

Tlio  Anthem  being  finished,  the  Brethren  proceeded  to  tlie  Meeting-IIouse 
in  the  following  order. 

Tyler,  witli  drawn  Sword. 

Deacons,    with    white   Eods. 

Workmen  on   Lodge,  two  and  two. 

A  rchitect — (Brother  Hathaway.) 

Brethren  of  Hudson  Lodge,   two  and  two. 

A  Brother  with  Bible  on  Cushion. 

Chaplains,    or  Orators   of  the   Day. 

Brethren  of  the  neighbouring  Lodges,  not  in  office. 

W"     1         j  OlTicers  of  Jludsoii  ijodn'o. 

vv aniens,  I  Q(ji(,yj.g  ^f  visiting  Lodges. 

Visiting  Masters  and  Bast  Alasiers. 

]\IASTEII  of  Hudson  Lodge. 

Stewards  with  Wands,  &c. 

When  seated  in  the  Meeting-Houso,  the  following  Anthem,  set  to  Music  by 
Brother  Ernst,  was  performed,  by  the  C'horisters  in  the  GaUery,  viz.: 

"Solo.   Praise  thou  my  Soul,  the  most  mighty  and  great  Lord  of  Glory." 

After  which  the   Brethren  and   Congregation  received   the  Benefit  of  a 
Prayer  by  Brother  EBXST. 

After  the  Prayer,  the  following  Ode  was  sung  by  the  Choristers.    Set  to 
Music  by  Brother  Ernst. 

Blessed,  who  with  constant  Pl(\isurc, 

Studies  GOD'S  revealed  AVill ; 
Seeking  there  for  heavenly  Treasure, 

Day  and  Night,  his  Soul  to  fill. 


82  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

He  is  like  a  living  Tree, 
Whicli  by  gentle  streams  we  see  : 
Stretching  forth  its  fruitful  Branches 
'Till  the  gath'ring  Time  advances. 

An  ORATION  by  Brother  GARDINER  was  then  delivered. 

The  ORATION  being  ended,  a  Collection  was  made  for  the  suffering  Poor 
in  the  City  of  Hudson,  by  Brother  TEN  BROECK  ;  and  then  the  following 
ODE  was  sung  by  the  Brethren  and  Choristers  of  the  Gallery  jointly,  viz. : 

Praise  GOD  from  whence  all  Blessings  flow  ! 
Praise  HIM  all  creatures  here  below  ! 
Praise  HIM  all  ye  Anirelic  Host ! 
Praise  FATHER,  SON  and  HOLY  GHOST. 

Which  concluded  the  Devotional  Exercises  of  the  Festival :  when  the 
Brethren  returned  in  the  same  order  they  came,  to  Brother  Joseph  Gordon's 
to  Dinner. 

N.  B.  Brother  Andrew  Mayfield  Carshore  was  appointed  Master  of  the 
Ceremonies  for  the  Day." 

The  "meeting  house"  in  which  these  services  took  place  was  the  Presbyte- 
rian, the  use  of  which  had  been  granted  by  the  trustees,  after  much  hesitation, 
and  not  until  the  Lodge  agreed  that  an  oration  should  be  delivered  instead  of 
the  preaching  of  a  sermon,  as  at  first  intended. 

The  Lodge  was  organized  as  No.  13,  but  was  incorporated  in  the  year  1824 
as  Hudson  Lodge  No.  7,  the  property  being  vested  in  the  Masters  and  War- 
dens. From  it  have  originated  the  following  organizations  connected  with  the 
Order  :  Hudson  Royal  Arch  Chapter  No.  6,  charter  granted  by  the  Grand 
Roj^al  Arch  Chapter  of  the  Northern  States,  dated  1798  and  signed  by  De- 
Witt  Clinton,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest ;  Thomas  Frothingham,  Deputy 
Grand  King  ;  Jedediah  Sanger,  Deputy  Grand  Scribe.  Charter  members  were 
Samuel  Edmonds,  High  Priest ;  Thomas  Frothingham,  King  ;  Elisha  Jenkins, 
Scribe.     Chapter  is  still  in  existence. 

Hudson  Council  No.  2,  a  Lodge  of  Royal  Masters,  was  organized  by  a 
charter  from  the  Grand  Council  of  the  State  of  New  York  in  1824.  Charter 
members  were  Campbell  Bushnell  1st  officer,  Charles  Waldo  2d,  Clai-k  Smith 
3d.    The  Council  is  not  now  in  existence. 

Lafayette  Encampment  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the 
State  of  New  York  in  the  year  1824,  with  Lionel  U.  Lawrence  1st,  Orrin  E. 
Osborn  2d,  and  Gordon  Dickson  3d  officer,  and  is  still  existing. 

Hudson  Lodge,  during  the  political  excitement  in  the  days  of  Anti-Mason- 
ry, kept  up  its  organization  through  the  persevering  efforts  of  a  few  of  its  mem- 
bers.   In  1841  the  spirit  of  Masonry  revived,  from  which  period  the  Lodge 


SKETCIIKS      OF      HUDSON.  83 

has  steadily  grown  in  numbers  and  now  lias  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty.  The  present  oiBcers  are,  Cornelius  Esselstyn,  W.  Master  ;  II.  H.  Cran- 
dall,  S.  Warden  ;  Frederick  Best,  J.  Warden  ;  W.  H.  W,  Loop,  Sec'y  ;  Theo- 
dore Snyder,  Treasurer ;  J.  M.  Houck,  S.  Deacon  ;  Nelson  Dutcher,  J.  Deacon. 
The  Past  Masters  (who  are  honorary  members  for  life,  not  subject  to  the  pay- 
ment of  dues)  now  living,  are  Cyrus  Curtiss,  Stephen  A.  Coffin,  George  Bar- 
ker, Cornelius  Bortle,  James  Batchellor  and  William  A.  Carpenter. 

Richard  Carrique,  who  died  in  1849,  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  Senior 
Grand  Warden  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  was  in- 
terred by  the  Grand  Lodge,  Hon.  John  D.  Willard,  Grand  Master,  of  Troy, 
officiating,  and  a  monument  to  his  memory  has  been  erected  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  the  burial  ground  of  this  city. 

Hudson  Lodge  No.  7,  may  be  considered  about  the  oldest  "public  institu- 
tion" in  the  city  with  which  very  nearly  from  the  time  of  its  settlement  it  has 
been  co-existent.  The  society  of  Quakers  only  date  their  organization  a  short 
period  previous  to  the  Lodge,  which  was  in  a  strong  and  flourishing  condition 
years  before  any  other  church  organization  than  the  Quaker  had  been  under- 
taken, and  embraced  in  its  membership  most  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  that 
early  day. 

INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS. 

Allen  Lodge  No.  92  was  chartered  by  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  August  3d,  1843,  and  instituted  August  12th  of  the 
same  year.  Charter  members  were  Alfred  Drake,  James  Batchellor,  Wm.  H. 
Morey,  M.  L.  Pultz,  Alfred  Heermance,  M.  D.  Chariot.  First  officers  :  M.  D. 
Chariot,  Noble  Grand  ;  M.  L.Pultz,  Vice  Grand  ;  James  Batchellor,  Secretary; 
Alfred  Heermance,  Treasurer. 

The  officers  for  the  term  ending  December  31, 1862,  were  Wm.  H.  Con- 
verse, Noble  Grand  ;  Henry  Smith,  Vice  Grand  ;  Esdras  Shear,  Recording  Sec- 
retary ;  Wm.  S.  Taylor,  Permanent  Secretary;  Charles  C.  Malcher,  Treasurer. 
Present  number  of  members  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

Hudson  City  Lodge  No.  389  was  chartered  by  the  Right  Worthy  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York,  August  2d,  1849,  and  instituted  August  9 , 
1849.  Charter  members  were  Abm,  G.  Vosburgh,  Silas  W.  Tobey,  M.  W. 
Leland,  Henry  Miller,  Wm.  H.  Coons,  Wm.  I.  Traver,  Wm.  H.  Crapser,  Chas. 
Mitchell,  M.  H.  Chrysler,  John  Crapser,  Edward  Grossman,  John  H.  Chariot. 
First  officers  :  Abm.  G.  Vosburgh,  Noble  Grand  ;  M.  H.  Chrysler,  Vice  Grand  ; 
E.  Grossman,  Recording  Secretary  ;  Henry  Miller,  Permanent  SecretaVy ;  Chas. 
Mitchell,  Treasurer. 


84  SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON. 

Officers  for  the  terra  ending  December  31st,  1862  :  Joliu  Peeper,  Noble 
Grand  ;  Samuel  Kline,  Vice  Grand  ;  Wm.  H.  Crapser,  Secretary ;  Allen  Rey- 
nolds, Treasurer.    Present  number  of  members  thirty-five. 

PATRIARCHAL  BRANCH  OF  THE  ORDER. 

Union  Encampment  No.  10  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  July  8th,  1844,  and  instituted  July  18th,  1844. 
Charter  members  were  James  Batchellor,  M.  L.  Pultz,  Chas.  F.  King,  Wm. 
E.  Steel,  H.  G.  Fowler,  liemy  Doty,  Stephen  A.  Coffin,  Hazard  Morey,  Wm. 
H.  Morey,  Gordon  Dickson,  E.  R.  Abrahams,  John  L.  Hills.  First  officers 
James  Batchellor,  Chief  Patriarch  ;  M.  L.  Pultz,  H.  P.;  Stephen  A.  Coffin, 
Senior  Warden  ;  Wm.  R.  Steel,  Scribe  ;  Henry  Doty,  Treasurer  ;  Gordon  Dick- 
son, Junior  Warden.  Officers  for  the  term  ending  December  31st,  18C2,  were 
E.  C.  Terry,  Chief  Patriarch  ;  J.  II.  Chariot,  11.  P.;  Franklin  Taylor,  Senior 
Warden  ;  Wm.  S.  Taylor,  Scribe  ;  Charles  Myers,  Treasurer  ;  J.  T.  Waterman, 
Junior  Warden. 

OTHER   BENEVOLENT   SOCIETIES. 

There  have  been  at  different  periods,  Divisions  of  the  Rechabites,  Sons  of 
Temperance,  United  American  Mechanics,  and  Daughters  of  Samaria  organ- 
ized, but  existing  for  a  short  time  only.  About  the  year  1800  we  find  in  ex- 
istence an  Association  styled  the  "Hudson  Mechanics'  Association,"  and 
another  the  "Mechanics'  Benevolent  Association,"  but  we  can  gather  no  facts 
relative  to  either.  The  Hudson  Oi'phan  and  Relief  Asylum  was  incorporated 
in  the  year  1846,  with  Messrs.  Aaron  C.  Macy,  Carey  Murdock,  Robert 
McKinstry,  Elihu  Gifibrd  and  Cyrus  Curtiss  as  Trustees.  It  was  estabhshed 
chiefly,  indeed  we  may  say  wholly,  through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Robert  Mc- 
Kinstry in  the  year  1843,  and  occupied  the  building,  now  the  residence  of 
Henry  McCann,  in  Diamond  street.  Abner  Hammond  paid  the  rent  of  the 
building  for  the  first  year,  and  Mrs.  McKinstiy  labored  unceasingly  to  provide 
for  its  support  and  secure  its  establishment.  In  the  year  1847  the  present 
building  was  erected,  the  lot  being  given  by  Mr.  Hammond,  and  the  cost  of 
the  building,  six  thousand  dollars,  being  paid  by  individual  contributions. 

Mrs.  McKinstry  during  her  life  never  ceased  her  active  efforts  for  the  com- 
fort of  its  inmates  or  for  its  support,  which  has  been  chiefly  hitherto  from 
donations,  aided  by  annual  appropriations  from  the  State  and  County.  It  was 
the  desire  and  aim  of  her  life  that  it  should  become  self-sustaining  ;  a  desire 
which  she  lived  to  see  almost  accomplished.  It  has  now  a  permanent  fund  of 
near  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  with  the  certainty  of  additions  which  ere  long 
will  probably  place  it  beyond  need  of  the  care  and  effort  which  past  years  have 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  85 

called  for.  Upon  the  death  of  Mrs.  McKiustry,  which  took  place  ou  the  22d 
day  of  June  of  the  present  year,  the  Managers  of  the  Association  paid  their 
tribute  to  her  self-denial  and  benevolence  in  the  following  resolution  : 

"That  in  the  death  of  Mrs.  McKiustry  the  Association  has  lost  its  earliest, 
warmest  and  most  devoted  friend  and  supporter  ;  that  wliile  we  feel  her  loss 
can  never  be  made  up  to  the  Association,  or  the  city  and  county  in  which  she 
resided,  her  example  of  unparalleled  benevolence  and  self-denying  efforts  for 
this  institution  and  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  poor  generally,  calls 
upon  us  all  to  exert  ourselves  to  imitate  her  example  and  follow  in  the  foot- 
steps of  one  whose  whole  life  was  spent  in  doing  good  to  othei-s." 

CHURCHES. 

The  first  religious  organization  in  the  city  was  that  of  the  society  called 
Friends  or  Quakers.  In  the  proprietors'  minutes  we  find  a  resolution  to  the 
following  effect,  passed  Sept.  8th,  1784. 

AVhereas,  divers  of  the  Proprietors  were  members  of  the  society  called 
Quakers,  and  had  requested  that  a  piece  of  ground  be  set  apart  on  their  right 
for  a  meeting-house  and  school-house,  that  they  should  be  authorized  and 
empowered  to  make  choice  of  such  one  of  the  public  squares  or  lots,  for  a 
meeting-house  as  they  should  think  proper,  the  lot  to  be  given  by  the  Propri- 
etors, if  built  upon  before  any  other  society  should  make  application.  The 
half  of  another  lot  adjoining,  was  to  be  selected  also,  for  a  school-house.  A 
deed  of  conveyance  of  the  lots  was  to  be  given  for  the  purpose  mentioned, 
and  that  only.  A  lot  upon  the  South  side  of  Union  street,  seventy-five  by 
sixty  feet,  near  the  corner  of  Third  street  was  selected  and  conveyed  to  them 
where  now  stands  the  residence  of  Mr.  E.  M.  Hedges,  upon  which  a  small 
frame  building  was  erected. 

•  The  society  increasing  rapidly  in  numbers,  pm'chased  the  lot  upon  the 
opposite  side  of  Union  street,  Corner  of  Thii-d,  where  in  the  year  1794  they 
erected  a  large  brick  building,  fifty-two  by  thirty-eight  feet,  two  stories  in 
height,  capable  of  accommodating  six  hundred  people,  and  in  which  they 
worehipped  until  the  year  1853.  In  that  year  an  exchange  having  been  effcct- 
with  the  Methodist  society,  the  old  building  was  demolished  and  the  Friends 
occupied  the  building  vacated  by  the  Mt,'thodists,  where  they  worship  at  pres- 
ent. This  will  doubtless  be  their  last  "meeting-house,"  the  society  having 
dwindled  to  a  very  few  families  in  number. 

The  old  brick  meeting-house  was  built  in  strict  accordance  with  the  simpli- 
city of  taste  and  character  which  marked  the  sect  at  that  day.  It  was  totally 
devoid  of  exterior  ornament,  not  boasting  for  many  years  even  of  a  gai'b  of 
paint,  and  with  so  little  to  designate  its  use  that  a  stranger  would  not  readily 


86  SKETCHES       OFHUDSON. 

have  taken  it  to  be  a  house  of  worship.  The  interior  was  fitted  up  with  plain, 
high-backed,  hard  benches,  upon  which  a  protracted  sitting  was  trying  to  flesh 
and  blood.  Facing  these  were  arranged  a  few  elevated  seats  upon  which  sat 
the  elders  and  scribes  of  the  society  and  from  which  the  preachers  discoursed, 
whenever  the  spirit  moved  them  so  to  do.  We  were  in  our  youthful  days 
always  made  to  believe,  that  from  those  seats  the  elders  kept  close  watch  of 
the  juveniles,  and  if  any  one  was  caught  napping,  or  in  any  impropriety,  he 
was  gently  approached  and  reminded  of  the  fact,  by  a  friendly  tap  upon  the 
head.  Perhaps  some  one  was  specially  deputed  to  this  portion  of  the  service. 
Few  juveniles,  we  are  certain,  ever  entered  the  "temple  gate,"  without  leaving 
behind  every  inclination  to  levity,  or  without  the  fear  of  a  quakerly  cane  before 
their  eyes.  The  building  was  divided  by  a  moveable  partition,  which  upon 
particular  occasions  was  used  to  entirely  separate  the  sexes.  On  all  occasions 
the  men  occupied  the  left  side  of  the  house,  the  women  the  right.  No  part  of 
the  interior  was  ever  painted.  It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  a  more  unat- 
tractive room  in  appearance,  yet  it  harmonized  closely  with  the  gravity  and 
silence  of  its  occupants.  Their  worship  was  ordinarily  silent.  There  were 
preachers  among  them  who  did  however  occasionally  discourse  to  them  : — 
mention  has  been  particularly  made  of  Thomas  Comstock  and  Hannah  Bar- 
nard. 

Thomas  Comstock  not  only  preached  to  the  society  at  home,  but  often  felt 
himself  impelled  to  visit  and  speak  to  Friends  in  different  parts  of  the  country, 

Hannah  Barnard  was  an  extraordinary  woman,  one  of  the  most  gifted  of  her 
day,  and  probaljly  the  most  intelligent  female  Friend  in  the  country.  She  was 
of  medium  size  and  spare,  with  a  keen  black  eye,  and  pleasing  expression  of 
countenance.  She  possessed  great  power  of  language,  a  remarkably  inquisitive 
turn  of  mind,  was  a  woman  of  much  thought  and  extensive  reading,  and  had 
travelled  considerably  in  Europe  ;  but  all  her  good  qualities  could  not  save 
her  from  falling  under  the  censure  of  the  society  and  being  "read  out  of 
meeting." 

During  a  visit  to  England  and  Ireland,  which  she  proposed  to  extend  to 
Germany,  for  the  pm'pose  of  preaching,  she  fell  into  a  controversy  with  Friends 
in  England,  who  charged  her  with  not  being  "in  unity"  in  her  belief  respecting 
various  parts  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament.  After  many  intemews  with  her 
they  recommended  her  to  desist  from  speaking  and  "quietly  return  to  her  own 
habitation."  They  reported  her  to  the  meeting  at  Hudson  as  holding  ideas 
inconsistent  with  the  principles  of  truth  as  believed  by  the  Friends  of  England, 
and  upon  her  return  here  she  was  dealt  with  in  a  spirit  of  kindness,  but  failing 


SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON.  87 

to  convince  her  of  her  error,  she  was  at  first  silenced  as  a  preacher.  After 
frequent  conferences  with  her  the  committee  appointed  by  the  meeting  at 
Hudson  reported  that  they  had  no  hope  of  her  recovery  from  thi;  dark  and 
bewildered  state  of  mind  into  which  she  had  fallen,  that  she  had  so  far  become 
clouded  in  her  mind  as  to  be  led  away  by  the  spirit  of  delusion  and  at  last  dis- 
owned her  as  a  member  of  the  society  of  Friends.  This  occurrence  at  the 
time  attracted  the  attention  of  Friends  throughout  the  country,  from  the  great 
reputation  she  enjoyed  among  them. 

Determined  and  independent,  she  did  not  fear  to  face  committees  or 
resolves  of  meetings.  "I  tell  thee,"  said  she  to  one  of  the  old  elders,  who 
dealt  with  her,  "thy  'ipse  dixit'  doesn't  pass  for  law  with  me."  In  her  last 
remarks  before  the  society  she  predicted  that  the  '-meeting  of  Hudson  would 
come  to  nought." 

The  "Friends"  were  not  only  numerically  strong,  but  the  society  embraced 
nmch  of  the  wealth  and  influence  of  the  city,  and  numbered  among  its  mem- 
bers many  of  the  most  active  and  enterprising  business  men.  It  is  said  that 
at  one  time,  fully  two  thirds  of  the  families  of  the  city  were  Quakers,  and  of 
the  remaining  third,  the  greater  part  were  "half  Quakers." 

In  the  year  1828  a  division  occurred  in  the  society  throughout  the  country. 
Several  families  here,  styling  themselves  "Orthodox,"  seceded  from  the  old 
meeting,  and  built  a  small  place  of  worship  on  the  Southerly  side  of  Union 
near  Fourth  street,  where,  few  in  number,  they  still  meet.  The  original  soci- 
ety was  called  "Hicksite,"  and  after  the  division  still  remained  very  strong  in 
numbers  and  influence. 

In  their  discipUne  they  were  strict.  Neglecting  to  attend  public  worship, 
sleeping  in  church,  departures  from  plainness  of  speech  or  apparel,  neglect  to 
read  the  scriptures,  indulging  in  the  corrupt  conversation  of  the  world,  read- 
ing of  pernicious  books,  marrying  or  attending  a  marriage  out  of  the  society 
or  where  a  "priest  officiated,"  attending  places  of  diversion  or  taverns,  tale- 
bearing, backbiting,  neglect  of  poor,  nonpayment  of  just  debts,  holding  of 
slaves,  were  a  few  among  the  many  matters  which  were  made  the  subjects  of 
regular  inquuy  and  report  at  their  meetings.  In  all  these  particulars  the  great- 
est care  and  watchfitlricss  v/cre  exercised  by  the  society. 

The  same  simplicity  which  marked  their  place  and  form  of  worship,  marked 
their  whole  character  and  was  carried  into  every  department  of  life.  They 
never  uncovered  their  heads  in  worship,  nor  upon  any  pubUc  occasion,  nor  did 
they  in  their  intercourse  with  each  other  or  the  "world's  people,"  ever  make 
use  of  any  titles  in  their  address,  simply  callins;  each  other  by  their  given 
names.    In  dress  they  observed  the  most  severe  plainness  in  every  respect. 


88  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

probably  for  many  years  not  varyiug  from  a  j^articular  style,  or  certain  variety 
of  shades  and  material.  No  approach  to  ornament  was  ever  attempted  and 
jewelry  never  tolerated.  They  were  cheerful  and  hospitable  at  their  homes, 
but  in  their  interior  arrangements  and  mode  of  living  the  same  simplicity  was 
to  be  seen.  Perhaps  nowhere  was  their  dislike  of  show  more  noticeable  than 
upon  funeral  occasions.  Until  within  quite  a  recent  period  nothing  but  the 
plain  white  pine  cofSn  was  ever  seen,  unstained,  unvarnished  and  most  fre- 
quently carried  without  even  the  customary  black  pall  to  hide  it  from  public 
gaze.  It  may  traly  be  said  of  them,  they  were  a  "peculiar  people."  Lovers 
of  order,  temperate,  frugal,  benevolent,  regular  in  all  their  habits  of  life,  indus- 
trious and  peaceful  in  their  pursuits,  they  were  not  only  gi-eatly  respected  as  a 
class,  but  well  calculated  to  increase  the  prosperity  of  their  new  home. 

No  sketch  of  Hudson  would  be  complete  without  this  tribute  to  the  worth 
of  the  "Friends"  of  early  days.  There  are  at  present,  but  few  of  the  society 
left,  and  they  to  a  great  extent  have  laid  aside  the  peculiarities  which  distin- 
guished them  in  former  days  from  the  "world's  people."  It  cannot  be  many 
years  before  the  last  plain  Friend  will  have  been  seen  in  the  streets  of  Hudson. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

The  second  religious  organization  was  that  of  the  Presbyterian  denomina- 
tion, second  in  order,  and  at  that  time  second  in  numbers  and  influence.  In 
the  year  1790,  Marshal  Jenkins  applied  to  the  proprietors  for  a  grant  of  land 
upon  which  the  society  might  erect  a  place  of  worship.  The  lot  given  by  the 
proprietors,  was  upon  the  Easterly  side  of  Second  street.  South  of  Union, 
now  lying  between  Partition  and  Allen  street,  then  known  as  Federal  street. 
The  erection  of  the  building  was  commenced  in  the  year  1790,  and  it  Was  com- 
pleted in  1792.  It  was  a  plain,  but  substantial  brick  building,  capable  of  seat- 
ing about  five  hundred  people,  and  was  surmounted  by  a  spire  of  considerable 
height.  The  site  of  the  church  was  a  very  beautiful  one,  commanding  a  full 
view  of  the  river  and  mountains,  and  in  an  approach  to  the  city  from  the 
South,  the  building  was  a  very  prominent  object. 

The  society  was  organized  in  1790,  by  the  election  of  Nathaniel  Greene, 
Marshall  Jenkins,  Eussel  Kellogg  and  Thomas  Frothingham  as  Trustees. 
Until  the  erection  of  their  church  edifice,  they  worshipped  in  the  City  Hall. 
For  several  years  the  society  was  weak,  and  was  supported  mainly  by  the 
contributions  of  its  wealthy  members,  but  about  the  year  1800  grew  rapidly 
in  wealth  and  numbers.  Shortly  after  they  entered  tlieir  building,  a  writer 
signing  himself  "Selah,"  censured  them  through  the  columns  of  the  news- 


SKETCHES       OF       II   U  D  S  O   X  .  89 

paper  for  tolerating  such  poor  singing,  and  urged  thorn  to  patronize  liherally 
a  singing  school  which  was  soon  to  be  opened.  Thcjy  were  at  that  time 
without  a  choir,  which  he  explained  by  stating  thut  it  had  disbanded  probably 
"disgusted"  with  its  own  music,  and  that  the  congregation  certainly  were. 

The  first  pastor,  Eev.  John  Thompson,  was  installed  in  the  Spring  of  1793, 
at  a  salary  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  pounds,  and  dismissed  in  the  year 
following.  In  1795  the  Rev.  Bildad  Barney  was  settled  as  Pastor,  for  a  short 
time  only,  the  Rev.  Kzra  Sampson  supplying  the  pulpit  until  the  Spring  of 
1798,  when  the  Rev.  Chauncey  Lee  was  settled,  soon  followed  by  the  Eev. 
Reuben  Sears,  who  remained  its  pastor  until  the  j'oar  1810.  In  that  year  the 
Rev.  John  Chester  was  ordained  and  remained  until  the  year  1815,  when  th(^ 
Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Stanton  was  installed,  who  was  dismissed  in  1824.  Upon 
the  installation  of  both  Mr.  Chester  and  Mr.  Stanton,  a  dinner,  by  direction  of 
the  church,  was  provided  at  Messrs.  Nichols  and  Bement's,  at  which  the 
Mayor  and  Corpoi'atiou  were  invited  to  dine  with  the  Presbytery.  Mr.  Stan- 
ton was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  Chester,  who  remained  its  pastor 
until  1832.  lu  the  Spring  of  1833,  Rev.  Jarcd  B.  Waterbury  was  settled  and 
remained  until  1846,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Henry  Darling.  Its 
present  pastor.  Rev.  "William  S.  Leavitt,  was  settled  in  1853. 

The  edifice  now  occupied  by  the  society  was  erected  in  the  year  183G,  upon 
the  site  of  the  old  City  Hall,  then  generally  known  as  the  "old  Court  House," 
which  at  that  time  had  stood  just  half  a  century.  The  present  membership 
of  the  church  is  about  three  hundred  and  sixty.  The  number  of  families  con- 
nected with  the  society  is  about  two  hundred. 

METHODIST. 

The  third  religious  society  organized  was  the  jNIethodist.  On  the  12tli  day 
of  March,  in  the  year  1790,  leave  was  granted  by  the  Proprietors,  upon  appli- 
cation of  Samuel  Wigton,  to  build  a  place  of  worship  upon  some  one  of  the 
public  lots  owned  by  them  and  to  be  selected  by  him.  Marshall  Jenkins 
and  Cotton  Gelston  were  appointed  a  connnittee  to  wait  upon  and  confer 
with  Mr.  AVigton  and  give  him  his  choice  of  land,  not  previously  granted, 
"sufficient  to  accommodate  him  and  his  society."  They  reported  to  the  Pro- 
prietors that  they  had  selected  a  lot  on  the  South  East  Corner  of  Third  and 
Diamond  streets,  "back  of  John  Hathaway's  lot,"  and  were  then  empowered 
by  the  Proprietors  to  convey  same  to  the  society.  How  long  previous  to  this 
it  had  been  established  we  cannot  ascertain,  but  at  that  time  it  was  small  and 
occupied  a  building  erected  as  a  place  of  worship,  afterwards  used  as  a  school- 


90  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

housft  and  owned  by  Mr.  Wigton,  situated  upon  the  hill  in  Cherry  Alley,  run- 
ning up  from  South  Front  Street. 

After  the  grant  of  a  lot  to  Mr.  Wigton  a  small  frame  building  was  erected 
capable  of  accommodating  two  hundred  persons,  upon  the  site  of  their  present 
parsonage,  which  they  occupied  until  the  erection,  in  the  year  1825,  of  the 
building  now  occupied  by  the  society  of  Friends.  Their  present  Church 
edifice  was  erected  in  the  year  1853. 

Owing  to  the  peculiar  organization  of  the  Methodist  church,  their  minutes 
are  wide-spread  and  we  have  been  able  to  gather  but  few  particulars  con- 
cerning the  society  in  this  city ;  and  so  frequent  their  change  of  ministers, 
that  it  would  be  difficult  to  furnish  their  names.  The  society  at  present  num- 
bers, in  comnmnicants  four  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  in  families  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty. 


In  the  month  of  IMarch,  1795,  John  Tallman  and  John  Powell  presented 
a  petition  in  behalf  of  the  Episcopal  society,  for  a  grant  of  land  upon  which 
to  erect  a  house  of  worship.  The  petition  was  submitted  to  Thomas  Jenkins, 
Alexander  Coffin  and  David  Lawrence,  as  a  committee,  who  subsequently  re- 
commended that  a  quit-claim  deed  be  given  to  John  Tallman  and  John  Powell 
as  Wardens  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  trust  for  said  society,  for  a  lot  for  the 
purpose  of  building  a  church  thereon,  and  "that  use  only."  The  location  of 
the  lot  first  selected  is  not  mentioned,  but  it  was  granted  with  the  privilege 
to  the  Wardens  of  changing  it,  and  subsequently  was  changed  for  the  lot  upon 
the  corner  of  Second  and  State  streets. 

It  was  conditioned  that  the  church  should  be  erected  within  five  years  or 
the  land  sliould  revert  to  the  Proprietors.  The  building  was  commenced  im- 
mediately, but  progressed  slowly  from  pecuniary  embarrassments,  and  was  not 
completed  until  the  year  1802,  and  then  not  wholly,  remaining  without  a 
steeple  until  the  year  1823.  The  Proprietors,  however,  seem  not  to  have 
taken  advantage  of  the  condition  of  the  grant.  The  society  suffered  heavily 
from  the  defalcation  of  an  individual  by  the  name  of  Gardner,  their  first 
minister,  who  held  the  greater  part  of  their  building  fund,  and  decamped  with 
some  three  or  fom'  thousand  dollars  in  his  possession.  In  1802  they  adopted 
the  title  of  Christ  church.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  their  church  edifice 
they  worshipped  in  the  Diamond  street  school-house.  Of  the  first  organization 
of  the  society  or  of  its  early  strength  we  have  no  account  save  that  among  its 
supporters  are  found  the  names  of  several  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of 
that  day. 


SKETC  II  ESOF     HUDSON.  91 

The  church  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Moore  in  October,  1803,  but  the  first 
service  in  it  was  upon  Christmas  day,  in  the  year  previous,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  first  renting  of  the  pews  took  place,  amounting  to  nearly  three  hun- 
dred dollars.  Upon  the  first  visit  of  Bishop  Moore  to  Hudson,  before  the  com- 
pletion of  the  building,  the  trustees  of  the  Presbjlerian  church  offered  to  the 
Episcopal  society  for  the  service  of  the  Bishop,  the  use  of  their  new  edifice, 
then  just  completed.    It  was  not  accepted. 

Eev.  Bethel  Judd  was  the  first  Rector  settled,  after  Mr.  Gardner,  receiving 
a  salary  of  three  hundred  dollars,  officiating  every  other  Sabbath.  John  Mal- 
cher  was  the  first  sexton,  receiving  for  his  services  ten  dollars  a  year,  after- 
wards increased  to  sixteen. 

In  1803  a  charity  school  was  established  in  connection  with  the  church, 
numbering  at  one  time  forty  scholars.  In  its  behalf,  a  sermon  was  preached 
monthly  by  the  rector,  and  a  collection  taken  up  for  its  support. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  Sabbath-school  in  the  State  of  New  York  (prol)ably 
outside  of  the  city  of  New  York)  was  established  by  Christ  church  of  Hudson, 
how  early  we  do  not  know. 

In  1811,  their  first  organ  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  four  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars.  The  old  church  was  occupied  until  the  month  of  October  in  the  year 
1857,  when  their  new  and  beautiful  edifice  upon  the  corner  of  Union  and  East 
Court  streets  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  Potter. 

After  the  Rev.  Mr.  Judd,  its  rectors  have  been  Rev.  Messrs.  Prentice, 
Cooper,  Croswell,  Bedell,  Stebbins,  Andrews,  Cairns,  Pardee,  Babbitt,  Tuttlo 
and  Watson. 

We  have  before  spoken  of  Mr.  Croswell  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Hudson 
Balance  and  Repository.  After  his  entry  upon  the  ministry  his  first  sermon 
was  preached  in  Christ  church  in  this  city.  The  occasion  drew  out  a  largo 
attendance  of  his  former  political  friends  and  acquaintances.  Mr.  Croswell 
solemnly  addressed  them,  telling  them,  "they  had  seen  how  well  he  had  served 
his  political  masters,  and  should  bear  witness  how  much  more  faithfully  ho 
should  follow  the  new  master  upon  whose  service  ho  had  entered." 

The  present  rector  is  Rev.  George  F.  Seymour.  The  society  numbers  one 
hundred  and  ninety-one  communicants  and  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  fam- 
ilies. 

BAPTIST. 

In  the  year  1810,  on  the  4th  day  of  August,  a  number  of  individuals  of  tiie 
Baptist  persuasion  met  at  the  house  of  H.  P.  Skinner  for  the  purpose  of 


92  SKETCHES       OF     HUDSON. 

forming  themselves  into  a  Baptist  society,  under  tlie  direction  of  Elder  Daniel 
Steers,  a  Missionary  from  New  York.  On  the  2Sth  day  of  August  delegates 
from  several  churches  in  the  vicinity  met  in  the  Coiirt  House  to  deliberate 
upon  a  constitution  to  be  adopted  by  them,  and  after  the  examination  of 
twelve  individuals,  as  to  their  qualifications  for  membership,  organized  them  as 
the  First  Baptist  church  of  the  City  of  Hudson.  Their  first  Pastor  was  Kev. 
Harvey  Jenks.  For  a  short  time  they  worshipped  in  private  houses,  and  in 
the  year  1811,  leased  the  school-house,  owned  by  Thomas  Power,  in  Union 
street  near  Second,  at  a  rent  of  fifty  cents  per  week,  as  a  regular  place  of  wor- 
ship. Increasing  in  numbers,  they  occupied  the  Mayor's  Court  room,  in  the 
Court  House,  and  in  1818  on  the  7th  day  of  June,  entered  and  dedicated  the 
church  which  they  have  recently  vacated.  It  was  described  as  "new,  neat  and 
commodious."  The  society  was  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Avery 
Briggs,  who  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon,  from  Exodus  39th  chapter,  30th 
verse,  to  a  aumerous  audience.  The  cost  of  the  building  or  room  was  fifteen 
hundred  doUs^rs.  The  society  at  this  period  numbered  one  hundred  members. 
Mr.  Briggs  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Howard  jNIalcora,  of  Philadelphia,  who  re- 
mained with  them  many  yeai-s,  an  able  and  successful  preacher.  Their  present 
church  edifice  was  dedicated  in  the  month  of  October,  1861.  The  society  is 
now  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  G.  W.  Folwell  and  has  a  membership 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine.  The  number  of  families  connected  with  it  is 
about  one  hundred. 

Its  pastors  since  Mr.  Briggs,  have  been  Rev.  Messrs.  James  G.  Ogilvio, 
Howard  Malcom,  Ebenezer  Loomis,  "William  Richards,  Israel  Robords,  Moses 
Field,  John  W.  Gibbs.  E.  D.  Towner,  T.  G.  Freeman,  Leroy  Church,  G.  ^Y. 
Hervey,  ^Vm.  B.  Smith,  ^7illiam  C.  Ulyat,  G.  ^Y.  Folwell. 

UXIVERSALIST. 

The  Universalist  society  was  organized  in  the  year  1817.  In  the  winter  of 
the  previous  year,  Capt.  John  Hathaway,  who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  this  city,  requested  Abner  Kueeland,  a  Universalist 
minister  of  considerable  reputation,  to  visit  Hudson  and  preach.  Capt.  Hath- 
away personally  invited  a  large  number  of  families  and  individuals  to  hear  him 
at  the  Couit  House,  made  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the  meeting,  bore  all 
the  expenses,  and  secured  for  Mr.  Kneeland  a  large  audience.  The  result  of 
the  meeting  was  the  immediate  organization  of  a  so.ciety,  and  the  taking  of 
steps  to  build  a  place  for  worship.  Capt.  Hathaway  gave  to  them  a  lot  of  land 
and  contributed  liberally  to  the  erection  of  the  building,  which  was  completed 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  93 

and  occupied  iu  the  same  year,  1817,  being  the  building-  occupied  by  tlie  soci- 
ety at  the  present  time.  Until  its  completion  they  continued  to  worship  in 
the  City  Hall.  The  records  of  the  society  being  very  incomplete,  we  have 
been  able  to  gather  few  particulars  concerning  its  early  strength,  but  it  imme- 
diately drew  to  its  support  a  large  number  of  influential  citizens  and  maintain- 
ed a  leading  position. 

The  first  minister  regularly  employed  was  Rev.  Joslma  Flagg,  at  a  salary 
of  six  hundred  dollars,  llev.  Messrs.  I'ickering.  Carrique,  King,  Smith,  Whit- 
comb,  Whittaker,  Bunker,  A ckley,|Lefevre,  CoUins,  Browne,  Borden,  have 
since  Mr.  Flagg,  been  its  ministers.  Eev.  A.  11.  Abbott,  their  present  minister, 
was  settled  in  18G0.  The  present  numl)er  of  communicants  in  the  church 
is  forty-eight,  of  families  iu  the  parish  between  eighty  and  ninety. 


REFORMED    DCTCn. 

Believing  that  there  existed  room  and  necessity  for  another  church  organi- 
zation in  this  city,  a  few  individuals  then  connected  with  the  I'resbyterian 
church,  in  the  Summer  of  183.5,  met  at  the  office  of  Joseph  I).  Monell  for  con- 
sultation. The  meeting  consisted  of  Joseph  D.  Monell,  John  Gaul,  Killian 
Miller,  Stephen  W.  Miller,  A.  Y.  V.  Elting,  Wm.  E.  Ileermance  and  James 
E.  Delamater.  Desh'ous  that  the  new  organization  should  be  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  order,  they  with  other  citizens  made  application  to  the  Classis  of 
Rensselaer,  and  on  the  20tli  day  of  September,  183.3,  a  society  was  organized, 
by  a  committee  corsisting  of  Rev.  ISIessrs.  Andrew  N.  Kittle,  Peter  S.  Wyn- 
koop  and  Richard  Sluyter,  as  the  First  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  church  of 
Hudson.   A  sermon  was  preached  on  the  occasion  by  Rev.  Peter  S.Wynkoop. 

Their  first  services  were  held  in  the  old  Court  House,  and  the  first  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  John  B.  Hardeuburgh,  D.  D.,  then  of  Rhinebeck,  now 
of  N.  Y.  City.  The  first  consistory  ordained  consisted  of  the  following  i)er- 
sons  : 

Elders.— John  Watrous,  A.  Y.Y.  Elting,  Jonathan  Stow,  Thos.  F.  Mesick. 

De.\cons.— Robt.  D.  Yan  Deusen,  Jacob  C.  Everts,  Jacob  Yan  Deusen. 

The  first  pastor.  Rev.  George  H.  Fisher,  was  called  from  the  First  Reform- 
ed Dutch  church  of  Fishkill,  and  iustaUed  October  20th,  1835. 

A  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Clu-istopher  Hunt,  from  John  ii.  17 : 
"The  zeal  of  thine  house  hath  eaten  me  up."  The  form  was  read,  and 
charge  to  the  pastor  delivered  by  Rev.  Andrew  N.  Kittle.  The  charge  to  the 
congregation  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Richard  Sluyter. 


94  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

Mr.  Fisher  was  dismissed,  to  become  pastor  of  the  Broome  street  church, 
in  New  York,  December  28, 1841. 

After  the  sale  of  the  Court  House,  the  congregation  met  on  several  Sab- 
baths, in  the  Baptist  church.  St.  John's  Hall  was  then  occupied,  until  the 
completion  of  the  church  edifice,  which  was  built  in  the  year  1836,  under  the 
direction  of  a  building  committee,  composed  of  Stephen  W.  Miller,  Joseph  D. 
Monell,  James  E.  Delemater,  William  E.  Heermance,  Abraham  V.  V.  Elting. 
It  was  dedicated  December  18, 1836,  when  a  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev. 
John  H.  Van  Wagenen,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Linlithgow,  from  John  x.  22  : 
"And  it  was  at  Jerusalem,  the  feast  of  the  dedication,  and  it  was  winter." 

The  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  for  the  first  time  on  the  last  Lord's 
day  in  January,  A.  D.  1836.  At  that  time  there  were  seventeen  communi- 
cants, and  at  the  first  renting  of  pews,  the  society  numbered  about  fifty 
families. 

The  second  pastor.  Rev,  John  Gosman,  D.  D.,  was  called  from  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  churches  of  Coeymans  and  New  Baltimore,  and  installed  May 
15th,  1842.  The  installation  services  were  performed  by  Rev.  Andrew  N. 
Kittle. 

Dr.  Gosman  was,  at  his  own  request,  which  the  state  of  his  health  compelled 
him  to  make,  released  from  the  pastoral  charge,  April  20th,  1852. 

The  third  and  present  pastor.  Rev.  David  D.  Demarest,  D.  D.,  was  called 
from  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  church  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and 
installed  August  1st.,  1852. 

A  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev,  John  G.  Johnson,  from  Gal,  vi.  14 :  "But 
God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,"  &c.  The  form  was  read  by  Rev.  L^a  C.  Boice. 
The  charge  to  the  pastor  was  delivered  by  Rev.  CorneUus  E.  Crispell,  The 
charge  to  the  congregation  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Jacob  N.  Yoorhis. 

The  present  number  of  members  is  two  hundred,  number  of  families  about 
one  hundred  and  sixtv. 


CATHOLIC. 

St.  Mary's  Church,  Catholic,  was  established  as  a  mission  about  twenty  years 
ago,  under  the  charge  of  a  pastor  at  first  from  Saugerties,  afterwards  from  Al- 
bany, who  held  occasional  services  here,  occupying  the  lower  part  of  StJ 
John's  Hall.  The  congregation  growing  rapidly,  a  chm-ch  was  erected  in  1848, 
at  a  cost  of  about  ten  thousand  dollars,  including  additions  subsequently  made 
to  it.  It  was  consecrated  by  Bishop  McCloskey,  was  then  under  the  charge 
of  Father  Howard,  and  numbered  about  one  hundred  communicants.    Its  pre- 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  05 

sent  pastor  is  Father  0"SulIivan,  and  it  numbers  about  one  thousand  commu- 
nicants, and  two  hundred  families,  with  an  income  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
from  pew  rents.  In  connection  with  the  church,  a  free  day  school  is  sustained, 
numbering  two  hundred  and  forty-seven  scholars,  with  an  average  attendance 
of  two  hundred. 


There  are  at  present  two  African  churches  in  existence,  which  have  organ- 
ized, dis-organized,  and  re-organized  so  ol'ten,  as  to  make  it  impossible  to  fix 
their  beginning.  They  occupy,  one  the  old  Episcopal  church,  the  other  the 
old  chapel  connected  with  it,  and  together  embrace  nearly  the  entire  colored 
population  of  the  city,  a  very  few  being  connected  with  the  other  churches. 
They  are  rival  organizations,  and  both  look  for  their  support  to  the  white 
population,  through  the  medium  of  fairs  and  strawberry  festivals. 


THE  PROFESSIONS. 

Among  her  early  native  born  citizens  there  have  been  many  to  whom  Hud 
son  may  point  with  pride,  who  have  risen  to  distinction,  some  in  professional 
life,  others  in  mercantile  pursuits,  unaided  by  the  advantages  of  either  wealth 
or  power.  Among  her  residents,  also,  there  have  been  many,  alike  distin- 
guished for  poUtical  eminence  and  professional  ability.  To  more  than  mention 
them  would  be  to  open  a  field  which  we  dare  not  enter. 

Gen.  William  J.  "Worth,  Lieut.  William  H.  Allen,  Maj'tin  Tan  Buren, 
Elisha  Williams,  W^illiam  W.  Van  Ness,  John  C.  Spencer  Ambrose  L.  Jordan, 
Ambrose  Spencer,  Amasa  J.  Parker,  Daniel  B.  Tallmadge,  John  W.  Ed- 
monds, Thomas  P.  Grosvenor,  Joseph  D.  Monell,  Killian  Miller,  Elisha 
Jenkins,  Thos.  W.  Olcott,  make  up  a  list,  the  equal  of  which,  without  men- 
tioning others  little  less  prominent  in  a  public  point  of  view,  few  i)laces  can 
furnish.  From  those  who  have  at  different  periods  been  connected  with  the 
legal  profession  in  this  city,  ten  have  occupied  the  bench  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  State  of  New  Tork,  William  W.  Van  Ness,  Ambrose  Spencer, 
Daniel  B.  Tallmadge,  John  W.  Edmonds,  Amasa  J.  Parker,  Edward  P. 
Cowles,  Henry  Hogeboom,  Josiah  Sutherland,  Theodore  Miller  and  Claudius 
L.  Monell. 

Among  the  early  physicians  of  the  place  were  several  eminent  for  their 
skill  and  ability.    Doctors  Hamilton,  Wlieaton,  Tallman,  ]\Ialcolm  and  Wliite 


96  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON, 

are  particularly  mentioned.  All  of  them  were  here  previous  to  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century. 

Dr.  Wheaton  was  the  earliest,  and  is  spoken  of  as  a  careful,  judicious  physi- 
cian. ITis  first  residence  was  near  the  foot  of  Warren  street,  upon  the  South- 
erly side,  but  he  afterwards  built  the  large  brick  dwelling,  in  Union  street, 
recently  occupied  by  Mr.  Israel  Piatt.  In  the  year  1791,  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  Dr.  Younglove,  celebrated  for  his  successful  treatment  of  the 
small  pox. 

Dr.  Hamilton  is  described  as  "an  original  in  mind  and  manner  as  well  as 
practice,  whose  three  great  remedies  were  calomel,  bark  and  brandy.  He  was 
nevertheless  a  well  educated,  strong-minded  man  ;  but  fond  of  hearing  himself 
talk,  careless  of  time,  and  often  rendered  himself  disagreeable  by  his  long 
visits  and  still  longer  stories."  His  residence  was  in  Diamond,  between  Second 
and  First  streets. 

Dr.  Tallman  enjoyed  a  large  practice  and  was  called  one  of  the  finest  looking 
men  in  the  city  :  "large,  portly,  always  well  dressed  and  of  the  most  polished 
and  gentlemanly  manners."  When  appointed  to  the  office  of  Mayor,  it  was 
said  his  good  looks  secured  his  appointment.  He  was  "in  personal  appear- 
ance, air  and  manner,  the  beau  ideal  of  the  medical  faculty."  His  practice 
was  larger  than  that  of  any  other  physician.  His  first  residence  was  upon  the 
North-west  corner  of  Union  and  Second  streets  ;  in  later  years  he  occupied  the 
present  residence  of  the  Misses  Peake. 

Dr.  Malcolm,  it  is  said,  was  a  "gentleman  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word,  a 
man  of  education,  talent  and  science,  who  literally  starved  in  his  profession." 

Dr.  White  also  enjoyed  a  large  practice.  In  some  branches  of  his  profession 
he  was  superior,  and  has  left  behind  him  a  reputation  equal  to  that  of  any 
other  physician  in  the  State.  We  have  before  mentioned  the  Lunatic  Asylum 
established  by  liim,  and  for  years  so  successfully  conducted. 

Doctors  are  proverbial  for  disagreeing.  We  have  an  illustration  of  this  truth 
in  the  practice  of  two  of  the  most  eminent  of  these  old  physicians  of  Ifudson. 
A  son  of  Cotton  Gelston  retm-ned  sick  from  sea  ;  one  of  them  pronounced  his 
disease  scurvy  and  treated  him  accordingly.  Not  improving,  he  placed  him- 
self under  the  care  of  another,  who  called  his  difficulty  incipient  dropsy.  A 
little  feeling  grew  out  of  the  affjir,  ending  in  a  dispute,  which  found  its  way 
into  print,  and  finally  ended  in  a  six  months'  controversy  of  the  bitterest  char- 
acter, carried  on  through  the  columns  of  the  Bee,  in  which  such  epithets  as 
"country  booby,"  "smutty  doctor,"  &c.,  were  freely  used.  The  doctors  exhaust- 
ed themselves,  and  the  patient  died  without  a  settlement  of  the  question. 


SKETCHES      OP      HUDSON.  07 

Tho  controversy  to  tlio  parties  douI)tles3  scemeil  iniporlaut,  but  at  tlii:i 
distant  day  appears  trivial  and  amusing. 

It  was  early  said  that  Hudson  was  "noted  for  tlic  cuiinpncc  of  its  physi- 
cians." From  the  days  of  the  old  physicians  mentioned,  the  medical  facully 
of  tlie  city  has  always  embraced  many  educated,  skillful,  gentlemanly  physi- 
cians. Of  their  present  numl)er,  one,  (Dr.  R.  G.  Frary,)  who  has  long  been 
eminent  for  his  ability,  laboring  under  tho  weight  of  years,  nnist  soon  cease 
from  his  active  duties,  missed  by  a  largo  circle  to  whom  his  presence  has 
brought  comfort  and  healing. 

Speaking  of  tlic  ministers  of  Hudson,  prior  to  1800,  the  author  of  -'Ilandom 
llecollections"  says : 

"TTudson,  though  she  has  figured  greatly  on  the  bar  and  on  the  bench,  even 
in  the  Senate  and  the  Executive  chair ;  though  she  has  added  to  the  laurels 
of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  performed  wonders  in  tlie  political  wurld,  yet 
she  has  contributed  nothing  to  the  splendor  and  but  little  to  the  comfort  of 
the  church." 

Little  can  bo  said  of  them  for  the  simple  reason  that  there  were  few  at 
that  early  period  to  speak  of.  In  the  early  days  of  the  city,  as  we  have  before 
riMuarkod,  tho  Friends  overshadowed  every  other  denomination,  greatly  ex- 
ceeding all  combined,  in  number.  Of  their  ministers,  Thomas  Comstock  and 
Hannah  Barnard,  we  have  spoken. 

Of  Rev.  Ezra  Sampson  and  Reuben  Sears,  Presbyterian  ministers,  the 
same  author  thus  speaks  :  of  the  fonncr,  tha  the  was  ''distinguished  for  classical 
and  biblical  learning.  He  was  indeed  an  excellent  writer,  a  man  of  sound 
practical  sense  and  great  purity  of  mind."  Of  the  latter,  that  he  was  '"a  man 
of  moderate  talents,  without  art,  without  force,  and  without  even  an  occasional 
gleam  of  eloquence ;  but  honest,  warm  hearted,  and  of  the  most  exemplary 
piety.  His  sei'mons  were  exceedingly  dull,  but  not  exceedingly  tedious,  for 
they  had  one  redeeming  admirable  quality,  they  were  short.  In  this  they 
were  in  excellent  keeping  with  his  compensation  and  the  patience  of  his  hear- 
ers. Four  hundred  dollars  was  the  amount  of  one,  and  fifteen  minutes  the 
extent  of  the  other." 

Of  the  Episcopal  church  he  says,  "for  many  years  itwas  without  any  regular 
or  cstaljlishcd  minister."  The  first  allusion  we  findto  any  is  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Judd  in  1803,  who  is  spoken  of  as  a  "man  of  education  and  a  faithful  minister." 

Samuel  Wigton  seems  to  have  been  the  only  minister  of  the  ]\Iethodist 
church,  up  to  the  period  nientiorcd.  His  strength  lay  in  his  voice,  and  his 
pulpit  efforts  were  mostly  confined  to  singing. 


98  SKETCHES       O  F      II  U  D  S  O  N  . 

Wc  tliink  wo  do  not  err  in  saying,  that  since  the  year  1800,  the  pulpits  of 
no  city  of  the  same  population  as  Hudson,  have  been  filled  by  a  higher  order 
of  talent  or  men  of  greater  purity  of  character,  than  those  of  Hudson. 


ODDITIES. 

We  turn  to  a  different  class  of  personages,  a  few  of  whom  are  found  in  every 
community,  and  are  too  prominent  to  bo  omitted  from  any  picture  drawn  of 
it ;  a  mixture  of  "vagrant,  loafer  and  lunatic."    We  shall  call  them  oddities. 

We  cannot  do  better,  and  we  take  the  liberty  of  drawing  from  the  pages 
of  '-Eandom  Eecollections"  descriptions  of  several  of  that  species,  belonging 
to  Hudson  in  early  times. 

There  flourished  in  the  city  about  the  same'period  three  Johns,  the  first  "a 
crazy,  wild,  fire-eyed  fellow  known  by  the  name  of  old  John  AVillod,  whose 
wife,  it  was  said,  had  turned  his  brain,  and  whose  relations,  it  was  believed,  had 
picked  his  pockets.  He  was  a  sort  of  erratic  meteor  in  the  moving  world  ; 
sometimes  mild  and  sometimes  mischievous.  He  sung  psalms  and  catches  up- 
on the  hills,  threw  up  his  arms  into  the  air,  and  cut  such  terrific  capers  as 
frightened  the  boys  out  of  their  wits,  and  even  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
cattle  in  the  field.  At  the  sound  of  his  voice  in  the  streets,  the  housemaids 
ran  in  and  hasped  their  doors,  while  the  youngerlings  dropt  their  marbles  and 
fled  like  quicksilver.  He  seemed  to  take  especial  pleasure  in  frightening 
the  smaller  boys  whenever  he  came  across  them  either  in  the  town  or  fields." 

The  second  was  familiarly  known  as  "old  Brooks."  "Brooks  belonged  to 
the  antiquities  of  the  old  world.  He  certainly  had  all  the  appearances  of  an 
antediluvian,  "i'^et  I  never  could  learn  that  his  history  had  been  traced  further 
back  thali  to  the  period  of  the  Van  Troomps  of  the  Netherlands.  He  came, 
it  was  said,  firom  Amsterdam,  in  or  about  the  year  1G52,  and  was  supposed  to 
be  at  the  time  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  one  hundred  years  of  age  !  But  I 
do  not  vouch  for  the  accuracy  of  these  traditions.  I  first  saw  him  in  1788, 
and  after  the  lapse  of  eighteen  or  twenty  years,  he  still  appeai'od  in  all  respects 
unchanged.  His  habits  were  unaltered,  his  faculties  unabated,  and  the  light 
of  his  eye  Undimmed.  Time,  in  that  interval  at  least,  seemed  to  have  made 
no  impression  upon  him.  There  was,  indeed,  no  place  left  for  a  new  twist  or 
a  new  wrinkle.  As  for  the  ordinary  signs  of  age,  he  had  long  since  ran 
through  the  catalogue,  and  exhausted  their  number.  His  head,  his  hands,  and 
his  voice  had  boon  shaking,  as  if  with  the  palsy,  for  half  a  century,  and  were 
shaking  still.     His  little  twinkling  oye  and  the  tip  of  his  nose,  were  all  that 


SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON.  90 

coukl  bo  seen  of  his  face.  His  laiignago  was  a  dialect  compouiuled  of  tlireu 
other  dialects — high  dutch,  low  dutch,  and  broken  English,  and  to  those  un- 
used to  it,  utterly  unintelligible.  His  outside  garment,  which  was  always  the 
same,  winter  and  summer,  was  composed  of  as  many  colors  as  Joseph's  coat. 
The  original  texture  had  long  since  been  lost  and  covered  under  a  cloud  of 
patches.  His  shoes  were  fastened  to  his  feet  by  thongs  and  fibres  of  bark. 
He  wore  a  Uttle  cocked  hat,  banded  and  braided  with  divers  colored  strings, 
which  might,  from  its  form  and  fashion,  have  been  worn  by  l)o  Ruyter  himself. 
His  pipe,  black  with  the  smoke  of  a  thousand  years,  still  answered  the  ends 
for  which  it  was  created,  and  gave  to  his  figure  in  a  frosty  morning  an  addi- 
tional sign  of  vitality. 

He  lived  about  three  miles  from  the  city,  to  which  he  traveled  on  foot,  twice 
or  three  times  a  week,  the  year  round.  He  carried  a  willow  basket  strapped 
upon  his  back,  filled  with  roots  and  herbs,  mostly  of  a  medicinal  character. 
These  simples  he  gathered  with  his  own  hands,  and  it  was  by  the  sale  of  these 
he  obtained  his  livelihood.  Old  and  poor  as  he  was,  and  lone  and  miserable  as 
he  seemed,  yet  he  was  never  known  to  beg  or  to  complain.  On  the  contrary, 
ho  seemed  to  enjoy  good  health,  was  always  cheerful  and  apparently  contented." 

Hudson  in  later  days  furnished  an  almost  exact  counterpart,  in  appearance, 
at  least,  to  old  Brooks,  in  the  person  of  "Bill  Morris,  the  root  digger,"  as  he 
was  generally  called.  No  more  accurate  description  of  liis  "external"  man 
could  be  written  of  Morris,  than  that  furnished  of  Brooks.  His  knowledge 
of  roots  and  herbs  was  extensive  and  he  frequently  made  it  his  boast  that  no 
root  grew  within  ten  miles  of  Hudson  which  he  did  not  know.  Morris  was  a 
man  of  depraved  habits,  biit  we  think  he  will  be  remembered  as  a  "useful  insti- 
tution." 

The  third  John  was  "Copper  John."  "Copper  John,  tliough  resembling 
Brooks  in  some  things,  was  very  unlike  him  in  others.  He  had  no  knowledge 
of  the  medical  qualities  of  roots  and  herbs.  He  had  no  taste  for  the  culling 
of  simples,  and  no  disposition  to  traffic  in  any  thing.  He  took  no  thought  for 
the  morrow,  either  as  to  what  he  should  cat  or  what  he  should  drink  ;  it  was 
sufficient  for  hira  to  know  that  he  could  find  his  way  into  a  kitchen  in  the  day 
time,  and  into  a  barn  at  night.  But  John  was  is  no  sense  a  responsible  person. 
His  intellectual  pitcher  was  cracked,  and  the  vessel  was  therefore  unfit  for  use. 
Yet  he  possessed  great  bodily  strength,  and  was  certainly  capal)le  of  some 
things  if  not  others.  He  could  split  wood  and  fetch  water  ;  he  could  bog,  too, 
but  not  like  a  beggar ;  he  could  work,  but  not  like  a  man  ;  ho  was  in  size  a 
giant,  but  huge  and  strong  as  ho  was,  he  nevertheless  submitted  to  any  show 


100  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

of  authority,  and  put  up  with  any  kind  of  treatment ;  hence,  he  was  always  in 
tlie  liands  of  the  boys,  who  played  hiin  an  endless  variety  of  tricks  ;  they  did 
him  some  g-ood  and  much  evil ;  they  forced  him  to  work,  and  learned  him  to 
drink,  though  he  had  no  great  taste  for  either.  He  had  a  natural  antipathy 
to  cats,  which  the  boys  soon  found  out,  and  John,  to  his  horror,  every  now  and 
then,  found  one  attached  by  a  cord  to  the  tail  of  his  coat.  His  first  impres- 
sion on  these  occasions,  was  to  run  and  roar, — the  cat  had  no  choice  but  to 
follow  his  example  ;  and  such  a  roaring-  on  the  one  side,  and  such  a  caterwaul- 
ing on  the  other,  was  never  hcatul  before  in  any  civilized  town  !  The  boj's 
were  in  fact  Johns  best  friends  and  worst  enemies.  They  were  liberal  in  their 
gifts,  (his  whole  wardrobe  indeed  came  from  them,)  but  they  made  him  pay 
for  their  liberality  in  various  and  most  annoying  ways.  They  contrived,  with- 
out his  perceiving  it,  to  tar  the  inside  of  his  hat ;  they  even  put  powder  in  his 
j)ipe,  and  ipecac  and  ginger  in  his  gin  ;  all  of  which  he  bore  like  a  philosopher, 
— nay,  the  medicated  gin  he  swallowed  without  making  a  wry  face. 

But  that  which  most  particularly  distinguished  John  from  ail  other  loafers, 
cracked  or  uncracked,  was  his  passion  for  coppers  ;  and  as  he  was  never  known 
to  part  with  one,  it  was  believed  that  he  hid  them  in  holes,  or  burioil  i,hem  in 
the  ground.  He  would  take  no  other  coin,  not  even  as  a  gift,  and  hecice  his 
name  of  Copper  John,  lie  loitered  about  the  town  and  its  vicinity  for  so2no 
ten  or  liftce-y  years,  without  any  occupation,  homo  or  common  resting  phice  ; 
and  yet,  v/as  liever  seen  in  a  suffering  condition.  lie  was,  seemingly,  proof 
against  all  diseases,  winds  and  weathers.  'I'hough  he  readily  comprehended 
whatever  was  said  to  him,  yet  his  mind  was  Wiilehettcv  thou  a  lab idai'usa. 

At  length,  however,  John  disappeared  ;  and,  as  he  came,  no  one  knew 
whence,  so  he  went,  no  one  knew  whither  ;  and  but  for  this  incidental  notice, 
the  knowledge  of  Uis  existeuee  oc  earth,  might  have  been  lost  forever !" 

The  writer  caa  bear  pei-souai  tcatiiiiony  to  the  accuracy  of  the  foregoing 
sketch.  In  bis  earliest  recollection  "Copper  John"  was  still  the  butt  of  all 
the  jokes  of  the  older  and  the  iciTorof  the  younger  boys,  and  many  a  coin  he 
has  laid  in  the  old  mans  palm,.  Iji  futm'o  days  slioukl  a  vein  of  copper  ever 
bo  found  in  this  vicinity,  it  may  be  set  down  as  old  Copper  John's  bank.  It 
would  bo  safe  to  say  that  a  quaKer  of  the  present  adult  population  of  Hudson 
were  threatened  in  early  life  with  being  passed  bodily  over  to  old  John  for  bad 
behavior.  It  can  never  be  known  how  many  "honorable  citizens"  of  to-day, 
are  such  from  their  fear  of  becoming  the  property  of  the  old  man  when 
young.  "Ill  give  you  to  Copper  Jolm,"  was  the  standing  menace  of  provoked 
mothers  to  bring  back  their  rebellious  juveniles  to  good  conduct. 


S  K  E  T  C  II  E 


OF       HUDSON. 


101 


Coteraporary  with  Copper  Joliii  was  another,  always  held  up  as  a  terror  to 
yontliful  evil  doers,  an  old  half-breed,  called  ''Indian  ITany."  Tradition  said 
that  this  individual  had  for  many  years  lodged  in  the  barns  in  the  vicinity, 
from  which  at  midnight  he  made  excursions  to  the  neighboring-  gardens  for 
his  subsistence,  milking  coics  in  a  clam-shell,  and  now  and  then  as  a  relish 
"eating  up''  some  very  naughty  little  one.  This  might  or  might  not  have  all 
been  true  of  him,  but  it  is  certain  that  the  appearance  of  his  long  locks  in  the 
distance,  Avas  always  seen  to  put  an  end  to  all  sport,  and  send  every  juvenile 
"homeward  bound"  at  a  rapid  rate  of  speed. 

Three  others  there  were,  a  Frenchman,  Belgian  and  ITcssian,  who  had  all 
served  under  Burgoyue.  The  Frenchman,  Monsieur  Lescurc,  we  have  before 
mentioned. 

"I'he  Belgian  commenced  his  career  in  Hudson,  (and  ended  as  lie  began), 
by  peddling  clams  and  rehite  sand,  which  he  carried  about  from  door  to  door, 
in  an  old  ricketty  one  horse  wagon,  taking  his  pay  in  ashes/  His  appearance 
in  the  streets  was  a  subject  worthy  of  the  study  of  Teniers,  or  even  of  lluljens 
himself.  ITis  horse  was  as  blind  as  a  beetle,  and  every  bone  in  his  Ixtdy  might 
liave  been  counted  as  easy  as  the  spokes  in  the  wheel  of  the  wagon  to  which 
he  was  attached.  As  for  the  old  Belgian  himself,  he  was,  if  possible,  more  of 
a  wreck  of  bones  than  his  horse  ;  almost  as  blind  and  twice  as  much  of  a  scai'c- 
crow.  His  frame  seemed  to  be  a  mere  complication  of  angles.  There  was 
nothing  about  him  curved  or  round,  save  his  head.  IJis  dress,  if  dress  it  might 
be  called,  was  composed  of  sundry  specimens  of  ancient  costume,  seemingly 
selected  by  the  hand  of  taste  to  set  him  off  to  advantag-e.  His  coat,  which 
had  probably  been  in  more  wars  than  one,  came  down  to  his  very  heels — at  least 
one  tail  of  it :  the  other,  it  was  said,  had  been  left  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham. 
A  part  of  one  sleeve,  too,  was  missing.  That  was  believed  to  have  been  lost 
at  Saratoga.  The  color  had  been  originally  blue,  but  had  grown  grey,  partly 
through  age,  and  partly  through  the  mystifying  influence  of  sand  and  ashes. 
Its  buttons  had  shared  the  fate  of  the  tail  and  sleeve ;  they  had  been  detached 
and  left  behind  in  the  wars.  His  nether  garment  stopped  short  at  the  knees, 
and  all  below  that  point  was  in  a  state  of  nature.  To  crown  all,  his  hat  was 
crownless — that  is  to  say,  entirely  open  at  the  top.  It  was,  moreover,  minus 
two-tliirds  of  the  brim.  Such  a  team,  man,  horse  and  wagon,  no  human  eye 
ever  beheld  before,  or  will  ever  behold  again !" 

"Human  eyes"  in  Hudson,  since  this  subject  passed  away,  have  seen  two, 
very  nearly  answering  the  above  description.  One  is  still  living,  and  to  his 
calling  as  "ashman"  has  added  that  of  collector  of  bones.     The  other  was  one 


102  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON 


wlio  for  yoars  provided  with  clams  tlie  lovers  of  that  delicacy  ;  who  passed, 
with  his  establishment,  long  since  from  these  streets,  but  whoso  song  is  fresh 
in  the  recollection  of  many  : 

He yers 

Yer  fine  clams  ter  be  sold. 

Co me  a II 

Ye   gentleinen  and  ladies, 
For  you  've  all  got  money. 
And  I  haint  got  none. 
Come  and  buy  my  fine  clams 
And  let  me  go  home. 

He ycrs 

Yer  fine  clams  ter  be  sold. 

Sung  in  a  clear  musical  voice,  it  never  failed  to  waken  numerous  echoes, 
or  bring  him  numerous  customers.  John  Little  had  a  black  skin,  but  he  de- 
serves to  go  on  record  with  the  Belgian. 

"The  ITossiau  was  a  surly  dog,  and  though  cowardly,  kept  the  boys  at  bay  ; 
few  of  them  wore  hardy  enough,  when  they  saw  him  passing,  to  set  up  their 
usual  shout  of  'There  goes  one  of  Burgoyne's  men  !'  And  yet  a  sly  egg  from 
an  unseen  hand  occasionally  overtook  him  in  turning  a  corner,  and  left  a  mark 
sufficiently  evident  to  more  than  one  of  the  senses." 

Jemmy  Frazcr  has  appeai-ed  in  these  sketches  before  as  an  early  "official"  of 
Hudson.  He  was  familiarly  known  by  the  name  of  Jemmy — though  on  the 
list  of  the  civil  dignitaries  of  the  town,  he  was  written  down  James  Frazer — 
for  Jemmy  liad  found  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  Common  Council,  and  had  re- 
ceived the  high  and  lucrative  appointment  of  town  crier.  But  Jemmy  loved 
a  glass  of  grog,  and  was  happier,  it  is  said,  with  two  than  with  one.  Be  this 
as  it  may,  he  was  popular  in  the  lower  wards,  and  his  office  gave  him  influence 
at  the  polls.  Hence  he  was  looked  up  to,  as  one  dog  does  to  another  who 
wears  a  collar.  His  evening  levees  were  generally  held  in  and  about  the  mar- 
ket-place, and  were  numerously  attended  by  the  boys,  who  encored  his  speech- 
es and  applauded  his  gyrations,  sometimes  by  shouts,  and  sometimes  by  a 
volley  of  eggs,  which  Jemmy  too  often  discovered  were  none  of  the  sweetest. 
Of  the  style  in  which  he  performed  his  official  duties,  the  following  may  be 
taken  as  a  specimen  : 

IMr.  Nixon,  Cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Columbia,  in  going  late  in  the  evening 
from  the  office  to  his  house,  lost  the  key  of  the  Bank  ;  but  it  was  near  midnight 
before  he  missed  it.  Not  wishing  to  create  an  alarm  by  a  search  at  that  late 
hour,  ho  concluded  to  say  nothing  about  it  till  morning  ;  l)ut  the  search  in  the 
morning  proved  unsuccessful,  and  as  the  last  resort,  Jemmy  was  sent  fc>r. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON.  103 

The  particulars  were  related  and  Jcmuiy  was  directed  to  cry  the  lost  koy 
through  the  streets,  with  a  reward  of  two  dollars  to  the  finder,  but  was  special- 
ly charged  to  let  no  one  know  that  it  was  the  Tcey  of  the  Banlc.  So,  a  little 
after  sunrise.  Jemmy  commenced  his  round,  boll  in  hand — Clingnling!  cling- 
ding !  Hare  ya !  hare  ya !  But  early  as  it  was,  Jemmy  had  been  u^i  long  enough 
to  get  pretty  well  corned,  and  as  the  boys  were  collecting  and  shouting  at  his 
heels,  his  memory  became  somewhat  confused,  and  the  several  particulars  of 
time  and  place,  with  his  instructions  what  to  say  and  what  not  to  say,  got 
somehow  or  other  all  jumbled  together  ; — But,  ringing  his  bell  stoutly,  as  if  to 
clear  up  his  ideas,  he  began  again,  'Hare  ya!  hareya!  Lost  between  Jamy 
Nixon's  and  twelve  o'clock  at  night  a  large  kay  !'  Here  the  boys  interrupted 
him  with — 'What  sort  of  a  key  \\di.s  \iV  'Go  to  the  deil!'  cried  Jemmy, 
turning  short  upon  them,  'and  I  tell  ye  that,  yell  be  after  getting  into  the  Bonk 
with  it!'  For  this  very  natural  and  judicious  answer,  Jemmy  lost  his  com- 
mission. ' 

"Old  Miner,"  as  he  was  called,  "city  crier"  of  Hudson  at  a  later  period,  in 
two  particulars,  his  love  of  ''the  beverage^'  and  his  popularity  with  the  boys, 
was  not  unlike  Jemmy  Fmzer.  The  ring  of  his  Ijell  upon  the  corners  never 
failed  to  call  around  him  a  crowd  of  juveniles,  who  came  with  the  double  pur- 
pose of  listening  to  his  humor  and  playing  some  joke  upon  him,  to  which  he 
always  made  a  show  of  resentment,  so  far  as  to  make  a  short  pursuit  after 
his  tormentors  ;  but  it  was  only  show,  for  the  old  man  was  really  kind-hearted 
and  always  merry,  although  he  lived  by  crying. 


PKOSPERITY  OF  THE   CITY. 

In  a  work  recently  published,  entitled  "Men  and  Times  of  the  Revolution, 
including  a  journey  of  travels  in  Europe  and  America  from  1777  to  1812,"  the 
writer  thus  speaks  of  Hudson  : 

"In  1788, 1  visited  the  new  city  of  Hudson,  then  first  starting  into  lieing 
through  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  New  England  emigrants,  and  exhibiting 
a  progress  at  that  time  almost  without  a  parallel  in  American  history.  It 
had  emerged  from  a  Dutch  farm  into  the  position  of  a  counnercial  city,  with 
considerable  population,  warehouses,  wharves  and  docks,  ro]i('walks,  shipjiing 
and  the  din  of  industry.  All  these  remarkable  results  had  been  aocoi;ii)lished 
in  the  brief  term  of  four  years.     The  streets  were  broad  and  spacious." 

At  this  day,  when  towns  and  cities  not  unfrequently  double  their  population 
in  a  single  year,  the  figures  which  we  give  below,  do  not  seem  to  ns  to 
justify  a  statement  like   the    above.     Yet  of  the  same  charactei-,  is  every 


104  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

allusion  we  have  found  to  the  early  prosperity  and  enterprise  of  Hudson  ; 
uniformly  mentioned  and  regarded  for  a  time,  as  the  most  flourishing  place  in 
the  State. 

From  a  table  published  by  the  State  in  1845,  we  find  the  population  in 
1790  to  havei)een  2,584,  of  which  we  estimate  about  two  thousand  to  have 
been  within  the  compact  portion  of  the  place.  In  1800,  it  was  3,GG4.  We 
have  previously  stated  it  at  that  time  as  a  little  over  4000,  having  taken  the 
figures  from  an  early  Gazeteer  of  the  State.  It  did  not  exceed  4000  until 
1810  when  it  was  4,048.    In  1814,  4,725  ;  1820,  5,310  ;  1825,  5,004. 

We  have  before  given  1819  as  the  year  when  the  prosperity  of  the  city 
began  to  decline.  A  period  of  five  years  and  the  only  period  in  the  history 
of  the  city,  in  which  there  was  a  loss,  shows  then  a  decrease  of  population. 
In  1830,  it  had  again  increased  to  5,392.  At  this  time  the  whale  fisheries  had 
been  revived  and  were  successfuly  carried  on.  In  1840,  the  population  num- 
bered 5,672,  after  losing  during  the  previous  ten  years  about  1,800  taken  off  by 
the  formation  of  the  towns  of  Greenport  and  Stockport.  In  1845,  the  whal- 
ing business  had  again  been  abandoned  and  the  population  was  5,677.  In 
1850,  G,286  ;  1855,  6,720  ;  1860,  7,265  ;  showing  for  the  last  ten  years  not  a 
large  but  steady  increase.  With  the  population  of  the  towns  taken  from  it 
since  1830,  it  would  now  number  very  nearly  11,000.  Their  formation  sliould 
be  borne  in  mind  in  making  comparison  of  the  present  with  the  earlier  con- 
dition of  the  city. 

Another  fact  to  be  remembered  is  that  Hudson  possesses  little  territory, 
save  that  contained  within  its  compact  limits.  Its  suburl^s  lie  within  the  limits 
of  the  town  of  Greenport  and  embrace  a  population  wlio  in  every  way  contribute 
to  its  support  and  prosperity  as  fully  as  its  own  citizens. 

From  one  of  the  city  papers,  in  1830,  we  take  the  following  article  relative 
to  the  public  buildings  of  the  city  at  that  time  : 

"It  is  often  and  very  sneeringly  remarked,  'Hudson  will  never  recover  from 
the  slumber  into  which  it  has  fallen.  The  summer-like  days  of  her  commercial 
prosperity  have  passed,  and  public  spirit  and  public  pride  are  buried,  with  no 
prospect  of  resurrection.' 

We  do  not  mean,  at  the  present  time,  to  cross  a  lance  with  those  adventurous 
knight  errants  who  make  it  a  point,  on  aU  occasions,  to  assail  our  ancient  city  ; 
this  wo  may  do,  when  our  leisure  will  permit  us  to  enter  the  lists  and  silence 
the  caluiriuies  of  all  gainsayers.  Our  object  now  is,  while  our  citizens  are  look- 
ing about  them  for  objects  of  improvement,  and  arc  not  only  able,  but  willing 
to  expend  their  means  in  the  pulilic  good,  huml)ly  to  suggest  a  channel  where 
their  efforts  might  be  most  usefully  directed.  We  mean,  the  improvement  of 
our  pnhlic  hidldlngs.  With  the  exceptions  of  the  Lunatic  Asylum  and  the 
]>auk,  there  is  not  a  single  edifice  among  them  which  is  honorable  to  the  city. 
This  is  a  sweeping  remark,  but  no  one  doubts  or  denies  its  truth.    Let  us  take 


SKETCHES      OF      HUDSON.  105 

for  instauce  the  Court  House,  occupyinp^  a  prominent  position  in  Warren 
street,  tliron,2;ed,  durinjr  tlie  terms  of  Court,  by  the  inhuliilaiitsof  this  and  adja- 
cent counties,  an  object  of  intense  curiosity  to  the  traveler  wlio  h<.s  heard  that 
there  a  Van  Ness,  a  Spencer,  a  Van  Buren,  a  Grosvenor.  and  last,  but  not 
least  of  the  shinino-  t^roup.  a  Williams,  have  earned  their  immurtality  ;  and 
while  we  realize  what  such  a  building  should  be,  we  blush  when  we  see  what  it 
is.  A  large,  uiisymmetrical,  decaying  pile,  from  the  exterior  surface  of  which 
the  paint  has  been  obliterated  long  since,  the  ceilings  of  which  are  cracking, 
and  the  timbers  trembling  like  the  limbs  of  an  ague  patient,  or  the  shrunk 
bones  of  P^zekiel's  valley.  Will  tlu;  T'oard  of  Supervisors  p(!rmit  such  a  struc- 
ture to  stand  ?  If  something  is  not  done  speedily,  the  trouble  of  demolishing 
it  will  be  saved  ;  it  will  come  down  of  its  own  accord  ;  the  very  swallows 
whose  countless  tribes  have  tenanted  its  belfry  for  years,  are  forsaking  it. 
'Twill  make  a  monstrous  gap  in  the  legal  profession,  should  it  fall  in  term  time. 
Why  may  not  that  piece  of  ordnance,  vulgarly  y'cleped  a  nine  pounder,  which 
stands  before  the  market,  with  its  greedy  mouth  directed  to  these  Halls  of 
Justice,  he  employed  with  efft'Ct  ?  VVe  must  likewise  enter  our  remonstrance 
against  the  location  of  a  gaol  in  front  of  our  principal  thoroughfare,  and  suggest 
a  speedy  removal.  Our  churches  are  also  in  a  mi-erable  condition.  Every 
strong  wind  shakes  their  steeples,  and  enters  within  doormo.st  unceremonious- 
ly. There  is  nothing  of  architectural  finish,  or  even  comfort  about  them.  The 
same  remarks  may  applv  to  our  Academies.  Fellow  citizens,  shall  these  things 
be  ?  It  has  been  said  that  "the  public  l:)uildings  of  a  city  are  its  ornament  or 
disgrace."     Let  us  weigh  well  the  truth  of  this  remark,  and  be  up  and  doing." 

At  a  later  period,  1847,  the  author  of  "Random  Recollections  of  Hudson," 
speaks  of  its  population  having  greatly  diminished.  "It  was  indeed,"  he  says, 
"for  many  years  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  flourishing  towns  on  the  noble 
river  whose  name  it  bears.  The  days  of  its  prosperity  hare  long  since  passed 
away.  Its  wealth  has  diminished,  its  business  sources  have  dried  up  and 
almost  every  vestige  of  its  former  glory  has  disappeared.  There  are  now  no 
shipping  at  its  docks  and  no  ships  building.  There  is  no  song  of  the  anvil  to 
be  heard,  no  sound  of  the  axe  or  hammer.  There  is  no  bustle  of  seamen  along 
its  wharves,  no  song  of  the  rope-maker  upon  its  hills,  no  throng  of  wagons  from 
the  interior,  no  crowds  of  men  in  its  streets.  The  ship-yards  are  overgrown 
with  grass,  the  wharves  have  mouldered  away,  the  rope-walk  is  deserted,  the 
warehouses  are  empty  and  the  once  busy  ci-owds  have  long  since  disappeared. 
It  is  only  on  the  arrival  or  departure  of  a  steamboat  that  any  decided  signs  of 
life  are  visible.  The  silent  half-depopulated  town  seems  to  communicate  a 
melancholy  air  to  everything  around  it." 

In  this  dark  picture,  he  throws  just  one  streak  of  light.  He  adds  :  "Not- 
withstanding this  total  absence  of  life  and  spirit,  there  is  no  appearance  of 
wretchedness  or  want  in  any  part  of  the  city.  There  is  no  exhibition  of  vice, 
no  spectacle  of  misery  in  any  quarter.  On  the  contrary,  there  is  a  general 
appearance  of  neatness,  frugality  and  order.     But  for  the  want  of  business  no- 


106  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

thing  can  compensate,  for  the  tedium  of  eternal  dulhiess  nothing  can  atone. 
The  spirit  of  enterprise  is  indeed  dead."  The  cause  he  finds  in  the  unwilUng- 
ness  of  its  citizens  who  have  the  means,  '-to  risk  one  farthing  for  the  general 
good,  having  neither  the  public  spirit  nor  energy  of  character  to  employ  those 
means  to  advantage."  We  are  not  willing  to  admit  the  correctness  of  this 
overdrawn  picture  of  the  desolation  of  Hudson,  and  we  particularly  notice  it  as 
it  has  helped  to  give  to  Hudson  the  reputation  it  has  so  long  enjoyed  as  a 
"dead  town, ^''  a  ^'finished  cifi/.'^ 

While  we  do  not  claim  for  it  that  life  and  growth  which  have  marked  many 
other  places,  we  are  safe  in  saying,  that  there  has  been  no  time  when  it  has 
either  been  "half-depopulated,"  or  its  former  glory  had  entirely  departed.  In 
1880  its  population  was  5,392.  Greenport  and  Stockport  (in  part)  were  then 
taken  from  it,  and  we  still  find  instead  of  being  greatly  diminished  it  had  a 
population  increased  to  6.280,  in  18.50  ;  showing  most  satisfactorily  that  the 
statement  in  "Recollections"  is  erroneous.  In  fairness,  it  should  also  have 
been  stated  that  Hudson  was  just  then  suffering,  not  so  much  from  lack  of 
enterprise,  as  from  unsuccessful  enterprise.  The  capital  of  its  citizens,  invest- 
ed in  the  Hudso'i  &  Berkshire  Hail  Eoad,  the  whale  fishery,  the  erection  of  the 
Hudson  House  and  other  enterprises,  had  nearly  all  been  sacrificed,  and  two 
destructive  fires  had  just  brought  additional  loss  to  many  of  them,  and  thus 
under  an  accumulation  of  misfortunes  every  business  interest  had  become  de- 
pressed. But  that  period  has  passed,  and  we  are  glad  to  know  that  the  days 
of  its  prosperity  have  in  a  measure  returned,  notwithstanding  we  still  hear  it 
persistently  asserted  abroad  that  "the  place  is  about  used  up." 

Not  un frequently,  too,  we  hear  it  remarked  by  visitors,  that  they  "cannot 
see  that  Hudson  has  changed  in  the  least;  everything  is  just  as  it  was  thirty 
years  ago."  This  seems  passing  strange  to  us,  in  view  of  the  fact,  that  in 
that  period  almost  everything  about  it  has  changed.  Let  us  walk  through  it, 
and  sei>  if  we  do  not  discover,  not  only  evidences  of  change  but  of  prosperity. 

We  t;ike  our  stand  upon  Parade  Hill.  Looking  off,  the  same  unequalled 
view  of  river  and  mountains  which  nothing  human  ever  can  change,  still  meets 
us  ;  but  around  v.s  all  is  different.  The  hill  itself,  instead  of  a  naked  rock,  has 
been  transfornuid  into  a  pleasant  and  shaded  resort,  where  the  lover  of  the 
beautiful  or  the  seeker  after  pleasure  or  health  may  comfortably  linger  in  their 
search.  From  its  base,  instead  of  the  gentle  dashing  of  the  waves,  we  hear 
the  heavy  rumbling  of  trains,  and  the  shrill  whistle,  whose  echo  comes  back 
thrice  n^peated  by  the  opposite  hills.  Across  the  river's  breast,  instead  of  the 
horseboat,  the  butt  of  so  many  jokes,  the  ruin  of  so  much  horseflesh  and  the 


S    K    E   T   CUES        OF        HT   D   3   O   N   .  107 

unconscious  cause,  we  fear,  of  so  many  •'lianl  vvol■(l^,■■  Hits  like  a  binl,  one  of 
the  neatest  and  swiftest  steam  ferry  boats  upon  tlie  river.  Fur  tliis  ciiiinfre, 
made  in  ISoS,  we  are  indebted  to  the  enterprise  of  Messrs.  Morton  &  Edmonds, 
of  Athens.  Should  it  be  the  hitter  part  of  the  day,  we  shall  see  enterinfi:  her 
wharf,  returning  from  her  daily  trip  to  Albany,  a  fleet,  beautiful  little  steamer. 
the  "City  of  Hudson,"  owned  by  .Messrs.  Power,  Martin  &  Co.,  with  groups  of 
passengers  upon  her  pleasant  decks.  At  the  same  hour  we  shall  see  asiilendid 
steamer,  either  the  Oregon,  owned  by  Messrs.  ilaviland,  Clark  &  Co.,  or  the 
('onnecticut,  by  Messrs.  Power,  Bogardus  &  Co.,  boats  in  no  particular  second 
to  any  upon  this  or  any  other  river,  leaving  for  Xew  York,  and  with  a  w(?ight 
of  freight  and  passengers  which  would  call  for  the  combined  capacity  uf  all 
the  sloops  of  olden  Hudson.  ^Vho  shall  say  tliat  in  facilities  for  travel  and 
business  Hudson  is  not  enjoying  the  advantages  of  great  change  ? 

Looking  from  the  Southerly  end  of  the  hill,  we  see  little  beside  the  large 
store  houses,  to  remind  us  of  the  ancient  order  of  things  in  that  portion  of  the 
city.  Heavy  fires,  with  the  construction  of  the  Hudson  River  Rail  Road, 
have  produced  an  entirely  changed  appearance.  Instead,  however,  of  "decayed 
wharves,  siiip-yards  overgrown  with  grass."  and  "empty  store-houses,"  we  see  a 
net-work  of  railroad  tracks,  trains  constantly  passing,  depots,  foundries,  fur- 
naces, etc.,  from  which  come  sounds  quite  as  indicative  of  life  as  the  "song  of 
the  rope-maker,"  or  the  "ring  of  the  hammer."  In  the  distance  are  the  e.Yten- 
sive  works  of  the  Hudson  Iron  Company,  organised  in  1849,  with  a  capital 
of  $.'J.")0,000 — nearer  to  us  are  those  of  the  Columbia  County  Iron  Company, 
organised  in  1857,  with  a  capital  of  S7r),000,  now  carried  on  by  Messrs.  J.  A. 
Griswold  &  Company, — the  depot  of  the  Hudson  &  Boston  Railroad  Compa- 
ny, organised  upon  the  failure  of  the  Hudson  &  West  Stockbridge  Rail  Road 
Comjjany,  and  now  in  successful  operation — the  exter.sive  stove  foundry  of 
Messrs.  Hunt  &  Miller-^the  depots  of  the  Hudson  River  Rail  Road  Company 
— the  works  of  the  Hudson  Gas  Company — the  freighting  establishments  of 
Messrs.  Haviland,  Clark  &  Co.,  Power,  Martin  &  Co.,  Power,  Bogar- 
dus &  Co.,  while  upon  the  North  side  of  the  city  stands  the  extensive 
brewery  of  Messrs.  R.  W.  Evans  &  Co.,  and  that  of  Messrs.  Millard  &  Bar- 
nard— all  giving  employment  to  a  large  number  of  men,  and  furnishing  gond 
proof  that  this  end  of  Hudson,  although  greatly  changed  in  its  business,  is  nut 
entirely  "dead." 

Passing  through  Warren  street,  we  find  it  difficult  to  point  out  a  residence 
or  place  of  business  which  has  not  been  modernized,  greatly  improved,  or 
wholly  changed  in  external  appearance.     The  same  is  true  of  Union,  while  the 


108  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

beautiful  residences  on  Allen  street  and  vicinity,  and  at  the  head  of  the  town, 
have  all  been  built  within  a  few  years. 

Turning  to  what  is  generally  termed  the  business  end  of  the  city,  we  notice 
the  extensive  establishment  of  Mr.  James  Clark,  for  the  nianutacture  of  cloth- 
ing— that  of  Messrs.  Charles  White  &  Co.,  for  the  manufacture  of  boots 
and  shoes,  the  machine  shop  of  C.  H.  Prentiss,  the  extensive  furnace  and 
adjoining  works  of  Messrs.  E.  Gilford  &  Sons-  -all  in  ordinary  times  furnish- 
ing employment  to  many  individuals.  We  find  many  spacious  stores  erected 
and  scarcely  one  remaining  not  greatly  enlarged  and  improved,  indicating,  and 
all  of  them  doing,  in  times  of  general  prosperity,  an  amount  of  business  which, 
if  stated,  would  not  be  believed  by  those  who  assert  that  "there  is  little  or 
nothing  done  in  Hudson." 

Looking  at  our  public  buildings,  we  note  still  a  greater  change.  The  "shaky" 
houses  of  worship  have  all  disappeared,  and  we  see  four  new  edifices  erected 
within  a  few  years,  and  two  but  a  short  time  previous,  so  that  every  congrega- 
tion now  enjoys  increased  and  comfortable  church  accommodations.  The 
census  of  I860  puts  the  valuation  of  the  churches  of  Hudson  at  ^120,000  with 
accommodations  for  six  thousand  people.  The  old  Court  House,  deemed  so 
disgraceful  thirty  years  since,  has  given  place  to  a  fine  marble  structure,  and 
we  have  added  a  City  Hall  at  the  cost  of  ^27,000,  capable  of  accommodating 
twelve  hundred  people,  of  which  we  justly  have  reason  to  be  proud.  We  have 
in  that  period  also  erected  a  public  house,  an  ornament  to  the  city,  and  which, 
although  for  a  while  not  meeting  the  expectation  of  its  originators,  is  now  in 
successful  operation.  We  find  the  Press  of  the  city  all  established  with  greatly 
enlarged  and  improved  facilities  for  doing  business ;  we  see  our  streets  well 
paved  and  well  lighted  with  gas ;  we  enjoy  greatly  increased  water  privileges  ; 
we  have  a  Fire  Department  full  and  efficient,  the  pride  of  the  city  ;  and  in  every 
respect  the  equal  of  any  other  city  ;  and  in  every  particular,  the  Hudson  of  to- 
day, instead  of  being  the  "same  old,"  is  a  very  different  and  greatly  improved 
place,  from  the  Hudson  of  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago. 

Yet,  in  spite  of  all  these  evidences  .of  a  comfortable  degree  of  prosperity  and 
sure  growth,  although  it  may  be  slow,  we  find  many  constantly  speaking  of  it 
as  the  "same  oldjylnce,"  "no  change,"  "dead"  and  "finished."  Much  more  than 
it  is,  Hudson  indeed  might  be,  but  we  claim  for  it,  and  especially  from  those 
who  have  gone  from  among  us,  the  credit  due  it  for  just  what  it  is  :  a  healthy , 
pleasant,  improved,  living  and  growing  place,  neither  dead,  deserted,  half-de- 
poulated,  nor  in  the  midst  of  melancholy  surroundings. 

We  can  never  know  how  much  of  capital  or  wealth  has  been  turned  from 
Hudson  by  this  false  impression  given  of  its  condition  ;  but  we  believe  it  is 


S  K   E  T  C   II   K  S       OK       H^U  D  S  O  N  .  109 

rapidly  being  corrected,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  those  interested  in  its  welfare, 
to  hear  frequent  expressions  of  pleasure  and  surprise  at  its  thrifty  and  prosper- 
ous appearance  from  visitors  who  have  come  among  us  prepared  to  see  nothing 
but  decay  and  dilapidation. 

In  1855  the  number  of  dwellings  was  given  at  nine  hundred  and  six  :  the 
real  estate  valued  at  about  one  and  a  half  million  of  dollars.  The  census  of 
1860  shows  the  number  of  dwellings  to  be  one  thou.sand  and  fifty  eight,  and 
the  real  estate  valued  at  about  two  million  of  dollars. 

Born  "within  her  walls,"  his  ancestors  numbered  among  its  early  settlers, 
attached  by  many  and  strong  ties  to  Hudson,  it  would  be  pardonable,  perhaps, 
in  the  writer,  should  he  even  claim  more  for  his  native  city  tbar  would  seem 
to  others  less  interested,  just.  In  presenting  briefly  what  would  be  deemed  of 
any  place  the  evidences  of  its  life  and  prosperity,  this  feeling  has  led  him  into 
DO  exaggeration.  What  is  needed  to  make  Hudson  what  it  might  be,  and  all 
its  citizens  would  be  glad  to  see  it  become,  is  as  evident  to  him  as  others  ; 
and  while  it  would  be  idle  to  claim  for  it  a  position  to  which  it  is  not  entitled, 
we  should,  on  the  other  hand,  no  longer  suffer  it  to  bear  a  reputation  which 
facts  and  figures  do  not  justify.  We  believe  the  first  step  toward  a  still  better 
condition  than  now  enjoyed,  is  for  her  citizens,  whenever  opportunity  occurs, 
to  correct  this  impression  and  not  either  by  silence  encourage,  or  by  dejyrecia- 
tive  remarks  strengthen  it. 

The  acknowledgments  of  the  writer  are  due  to  many  who  have  aided  him  in 
the  preparation  of  these  sketches,  but  more  particularly  to  Messrs.  Oliver 
Wiswall,  Robert  A.  Barnard  and  Hemy  P.  Skinner.  With  the  exception  of 
Mr.  Henry  Harder,  the  recollection  of  Mr.  Wiswall  dates  back  to  an  earlier 
period  than  any  other  citizen  now  living.  Mr.  Harder,  or  "Doctor,"  as  he  is 
familiarly  called,  was  a  boy  of  about  seven  years  of  age,  playing  in  the  fields 
and  woods,  where  now  are  busy  streets,  when  the  settlers  of  Hudson  landed. 
He  remembers  their  coming,  but  very  little  connected  with  it.  At  the  time, 
he  was  living  with  his  uncle,  Justus  Van  Hoesen,  of  whom  we  have  before 
spoken,  whose  dwelling  was  upon  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr. 
Daniel  Limbrick,  and  whom  he  describes  as  a  "good  old  man,  and  didn't  like 
it  if  the  boys  didn't  all  come  in  to  prayers,"  and  ia  said  to  have  shared  with 
most  of  his  neighbors  their  dislike  of  "the  Yankees."  In  1838,  during  the 
opening  of  Allen  street,  when  the  remains  of  Mr.  Van  Hoesen  and  family 
were  removed  from  the  old  family  ground  in  the  orchard  upon  the  hillside, 
Doct.  Harder  was  the  only  relative  left  to  follow  them  to  their  new  burial  place. 
His  memory  is  not  perfectly  clear,  but  we  are  indebted  to  him  for  suggestions 


110  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 

and  information.  He  has  always  been  an  industrious,  respected  citizen,  is  still 
active,  but  must  soon  pass  away,  and  in  his  death  the  last  link  counecting  the 
city  of  to-day  with  the  Claverack  Landing  of  1783,  will  be  broken. 

^Ir.  Wiswall  was  born  upon  the  island  of  ^lartha's  Vinyard,  where  his 
father  died,  but  came  here  as  early  as  the  year  1789,  six  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  the  city,  the  first  residence  of  his  mother  and  brothers  being  the 
house  for  many  years  occupied  by  the  late  Samuel  Bryan.  He  was  then  nine 
years  of  age,  and  after  a  brief  period  spent  at  school,  under  the  instruction 
ot  Dorrance  Kirtlaud  and  Mrs.  Wilson,  or  "Marra  Wilson,"  as  she  was  usually 
called,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  commenced  his  business  life  in  the  store  of  his 
uncle,  Marshall  Jenkins,  then  doing  business  in  the  building  now  occupied  as 
a  residence  by  Mr.  Ebenezer  H.  Gilford.  In  1801  he  entered  into  business 
fur  himself,  in  partnership  with  Capt.  Beriah  Pease,  who  came  here  immediate- 
ly after  the  Proprietors,  and  continued  until  that  time  to  sail  from  Hudson  in 
the  mere'  ant  service.  Their  first  place  of  business  was  the  small  frame 
building  one  door  below  the  present  residence  of  Hon.  Henry  Hogeboom, 
(the  Bank  of  Hudson,  originally,)  that  locality  then  being  the  "business  cen- 
tre." In  1804  they  built  the  large  brick  building  now  the  residence  of  Mrs.  E. 
Hyatt,  occupying  it  for  many  years  as  the  residence  of  Capt.  Pease,  and  as 
their  place  of  business  until  1819.  The  large  brick  residences  opposite  were 
erected  and  occupied  by  different  members  of  the  Jenkins  family.  In  1820 
Mr.  Wiswall  entered  into  the  freighting  business,  with  others,  under  the  firm 
of  Wiswall,  Smith  and  Jenkins,  in  which  he  continued  until  he  retired  from 
active  business  life,  occupying  the  building  upon  Franklin  Square  known  as 
the  Mc Arthur  store,  and  the  brick  warehouse  adjoining,  and  doing  what  he 
represents  as  an  immense  business.  In  1830  he  became  the  President  of  the 
Hudson  River  Bank,  remaining  in  that  position  until  the  expiration  of  its 
charter. 

Mr.  Wiswall  is  now  the  only  resident  of  Hudson  who  was  in  any  way 
connected  in  business  with  the  Proprietors  and  early  settlers,  and  the  oldest 
citizen  living  who  came  here  after  its  settlement.  A  nephew  of  one  of  the 
Proprietors,  connected  with  many  others,  and  in  constant  intercourse  with 
them  all,  he  is  familiar  with  everything  relative  to  tliat  period  of  the  history 
of  the  city.  Famihar,  too,  with  all  the  early  business  interests  of  the  city, 
active  for  many  years  in  promoting  them,  early  entering  warmly  into  political 
life,  and  thus  coming  in  contact  with  the  politicians  of  that  day,  his  recollec- 
tion is  stored  with  personal  incidents  and  anecdotes,  full  of  interest  to  one 
desirous  of  h^;aring  of  "by-gone  days."  He  has  served  the  city  as  Mayor, 
Alderman,  Supervisor  and  Member  of  Assembly,  and  in  1848  was  nominated 


S   K   E   'I'  f   n    E  S       OF       HUDSON.  Ill 

as  ail  elector  U|»<iii  the  Cass  ticUi't.  Until  dir-aMed  liy  an  accidciil  tluiiiiL;  the 
past  winter,  he  was  remaikahle  I'lir  his  eiieriiy  iind  activity.  KiireeliliHl 
somewhat  liy  conlinenieiit.  he  still  possesses  a  i;lear  ami  active  mind,  and 
much  contained  in  these  sketclies  must  have  'leen  lost  to  Hudson  but  for  liis 
retentive  memory.  In  liis  departure  from  tlie  city  whidi  lie  has  known  and 
where  he  lias  dwelt  for  nearly  three  quarters  of  a  century,  will  pass  away  the 
last  living  representative  of  its  earliest  business  men  and  interests. 

Judge  Barnard  is  among,  if  not  the  oldest  of  the  native-born  citizens  of 
ITudson.  lie  is  a  descendant  of  Stephen  Paddock  and  Josejih  Barnard,  two 
of  the  Proprietors  of  the  city.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1787,  and  is  living 
in  the  house  erected  in  1784,  in  which  his  father  and  grandfather  lived  and 
died  before  him,  and  in  which  he  e.xpects  to  finish  his  dnys.  Durinji-  a  visit  to 
England  and  Scotland  a  few  years  since,  in  reply  to  the  charge  made  in  his 
hearing,  that  the  "Americans  were  a  people  so  fond  of  change  that  it  could 
not  be  told  one  year  where  they  would  be  the  next,"  the  Judge  remarked  that 
he  was  an  exception,  and  stated  the  above  fact.  It  could  hardly  be  credited, 
and  it  was  said  such  a  fact  in  England  would  place  hiin  among  the  aristocracy. 
The  very  few  years  of  schooling  which  in  common  with  most  of  the  boys  of 
that  day  were  allotted  to  him,  were  also  commenced  under  the  guidance  of 
"Marm  Wilson,"  with  John  C.  Spencer  and  a  numerous  class  of  the  boys  of 
that  period.  Always  an  active  business  man,  and  particularly  interested  in 
the  whale  fishery  when  revived  in  1829,  he  has  done  much  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  the  city  his  ancestors  helped  to  found,  is  now  President  of  the 
Hudson  River  Bank,  and  has  filled  the  positions  of  Alderman,  Supervisor, 
Postmaster,  Senator,  Associate  Judge  and  Presidential  Elector.  He  is  still 
vigorous,  possessing  a  clear  recollection  of  what  he  knew  and  has  heard  of 
Hudson,  in  its  early  days,  and  has  also  furnished  for  these  sketches  umch 
valuable  and  interesting  matter. 

Mr.  Skinner  is  a  native  of  Columbia  County  but  not  of  Hudson,  and  came 
here  a  boy  in  the  year  1798,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  He  connnenced 
life  as  a  clerk  with  Erastus  Pratt,  his  uncle,  then  doing  business  as  a  merchant 
in  the  building  now  occupied  by  Batchellor's  Bazaar.  He  has  always  been 
in  active  business,  f -miliar  and  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  the 
city  ;  one  whose  quiet  tastes  and  retiring  disposition  have  never  led  him  into 
public  life  or  station,  yet  who  has  sustained  the  character  of  a  benevolent,  use- 
ful and  prominent  citizen.  .^Mthough  nearly  fourscore  years  have  passed  over 
him,  he  is  yet  erect,  strong  and  active,  still  attending  daily  to  his  business  and 
never  failing  to  take  his  accustomed  walk  of  miles  before  breakfast,  which  he 


112  SKETCHES       OF       HUDSON. 

has  followed  for  many  years,  and  to  the  benefit  of  which  his  well  preserved 
condition  of  mind  and  body  bears  the  best  testimony.  May  it  be  long  yet, 
before  he  shall  be  called  to  give  up  his  position  as  King  in  the  "Bee-hive," 
or  his  active  step  be  missed  from  these  streets. 


In  bringing  these  sketches  of  Hudson  to  a  conclusion,  it  is  due  to  himself 
that  the  writer  should  again  state  that  when  undertaken,  there  was  no  thought 
in  his  mind  of  their  attaining  the  form  of  a  book,  or  the  facts  they  contain 
might  have  been  presented  with  a  more  systematic  and  careful  arrangement. 
From  a  general  sketch  prepared  without  particular  reference  at  first  to  the 
order  of  events,  they  have  been  changed  to  a  series,  embodying  much  more 
and  covering  a  much  wider  field  than  at  first  intended.  Much  may  be  hereaf- 
ter brought  to  light  which  ought  to  have  found  a  place  in  them,  but  all  the 
information  from  sources  available  to  him  he  has  given,  and  they  are  submitted 
in  the  hope  that  they  may  prove  of  value,  and  not  without  interest. 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


li: 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  CITY. 


MAYORS, 

APPOINTED  BV  THE  OOVERNOR  AND  COUNCH,  OF  APPOINTS Ext. 


Si^tli  Jenkins,  April,  1TS5. 
Tlionias  Jer.kins,  Novt>niber,  1 793. 
Robert  Jenkins,  February,  1808. 
John  Talman,  March,  1813. 


Robert  Jenkins.  February,  ]  81 0. 
John  Tillman.  February,  1820. 
Alexander  Coffin,  February,  1821. 


ELECTED  BY  THE  COMMON  COUNCIL. 


Rufus  Reed,  Juno,  1823. 
Rufus  Reed,  January,  1824; 
Thomas  Bay,  January,  182.5. 
Thomas  Bay.  January,  1826. 
Olivet-  Wiswall,  January,  1827. 
Oliver  Wiswall,  January,  1828. 
Samuel  White,  January,  1829. 
Sanuiel  Anable,  January,  1830. 
Samuel  Anable,  January,  1831. 


Samuel  Anable,  January,  1832. 
Henry  Smith,  January,  1833; 
Ifenry  Sinitll,  January,  1834. 
Henry  Smitli,  January,  1835. 
Robert  G.  Fraty,  .lanuary,  1830. 
Robert  ^McKinstry,  January,  18B7. 
Allen  Jordah,  January,  1839. 
George  W.  Cook,  January,  1840. 


Robert  G.  Frary, 
Robert  G.  Frary, 
Samuel  Anable, 
Charles  Darling, 
Cyrus  Cm-tiss, 
Cyrus  Curtiss, 
Robert  G.  Frary, 
Matthew  Mitchell, 
Matthew  IM  itch  ell, 
Hugh  McClellan, 


ELECTED   BY  TUE   PEOPLE. 

April,  1840.  Hugh  McClellan,        April,  18.50. 

"  1841.  Peter  S.  Burger,              «     1851. 

"  1842.  George  H.  Power,            "     1852. 

"  1843.  Joshua  T.  Waterman,  Nov.  1852. 

"  1844.  Peter  S.  WjTikoop,          "     1853. 

"  1845.  John  C.  Dormandy,          "     1854. 

«  1846.  Joshua  T.  Waterman,      "     1855. 

"  1847.  Jacob  W.  Hoysmdt,  Dec,  1858. 

«  1848.  Samuel  Bacbman,            "     1860. 

"  1849. 

RECORDERS. 


Nathaniel  Greene,  1785. 
Hezekiah  L.  Hosmer,  1793. 
Levi  Wheaton,  Jr.,  1794. 
Alexander  Coffin,  January,  1797; 
Cotton  Gelston,  June,  1797, 
Elisha  Pitkin,  1801. 
David  Lawrence,  1802. 
Philip  S.  Parker,  1808. 
Hezekiah  L.  Hosmer,  1810. 
Joseph  D.  Monell,  1811. 
Hezekiah  L.  Hosmer,  1813. 


Joseph  D.  Monell,  1815. 
Ambrose  L.  Jordan,  1821. 
John  W.  Edmonds,  1827. 
Darius  Peck,  1833. 
Robert  McClellan,  1843. 
Rodolphus  P.  Skinner,  elected,  1849. 


Stephen  1j.  Magoun,          ' 

1852 

J'ilijah  Payn,                        ' 

1855 

Heiuy  Miller,                      ' 

1858 

Heni-v  Miller,                      * 

1859 

Alexander  S.  Rowley,        ' 

1861 

lU 


SKETCHES      OF     HUDSON 


CITY  CLERKS. 


Jolm  Bay,  1785. 
Levi  Wheaton,  1787. 
Ambrose  Spencer,  1789. 
Thomas  Frotliiugliam,  1804. 
Erastus  Pratt,  1«06. 
Cotton  Gelston,  1810. 
Erastus  Pratt,  1811. 
Abner  Austin,  1813. 
Jonathau  Frary,  1814. 


Gayer  Gardner,  1815. 
James  Barton,  1821. 
Nathan  Chamberlin,  1829. 
Fletcher  M.  Beekman,  1832. 
Ga3'er  Gardner,  1835. 
Stephen  L.  Magoun,  1845. 
WiUiam  Bryan,  1848. 
William  Caldwell,  1851. 
William  Bryan,  1852. 


CHAMBERLAINS. 


John  Alsop,  1785  to  1790. 
Stephen  Paddock,  1790  to  1802. 
Robert  Jenkins,  1802. 
Samuel  Edmonds,  1 803. 
William  Slade,  1804  to  1808. 
Robert  Folger,  1808  to  1813. 
Jacob  Davis,  1813  to  1815. 
Robert  Folger,  1815  to  1822. 
Joseph  Goodwin,  1822. 
Alexander  Coffin,  1823  to  1829. 
David  West,  1829  to  1832. 
Stephen  Currie,  1832. 


Silas  A.  Stone,  1833  to  1835. 
Edward  Hyatt,  1835. 
Henry  Smith,  1836  to  1841. 
William  Hudson,  1841  to  1844. 
Silas  A.  Stone,  1844  to  1846. 
William  A.  Dean,  1846. 
Henry  Jenkins,  1847  to  1849. 
John  R.  Currie,  1849. 
Robert  Coffin,  1850. 
William  H.  Clark,  1851. 
Philip  K.  Burger,  1852  to  1855. 


CITY  TREASURERS. 


Robert  W.  Evans,  1855. 
William  11.  W.  Loop,  1856. 
Alexander  Meech,  1857  to  1859. 
George  B.  Allen,  1859  to  1860. 


Ralph  Utley,  1860  to  1861. 
Ebenezer  IL  Giffijrd,  1861  to  1862. 
Ebenezer  H.  Gifford,  1862  to  1863. 


SUPERVISORS. 


Henry  I.  Yan  Rensselaer,  1787  &  88 
Thomas  Jenkins,  1789,  90  aud  91. 
John  Thurston,  1792. 
Stei^hen  Paddock,  1793,  94  and  95. 
Elisha  Jenkins,  1796,  97  and  98. 
Robert  Jenkins,  1799, 1800  and  01. 
Cotton  Gelston,  1802,  and  3. 
James  Hyatt,  1804  and  5. 
Moses  Yoiuiglove,  1806. 
Robert  Taylor,  1807  and  8. 
Samuel  Edmonds,  1809. 
Nathan  Sears,  1810,  11  and  12. 
Amariah  Storrs,  1813  and  14. 
Robert  IT.  Yan  Rensselaer,  1815. 
John  P.  Jenkins,  1816. 


James  Nixon,  Jr.,  1817  and  18. 
Barnabas  Waterman,  1819  and  20. 

Ti;ras°B°ayj«21,22,23,&24, 

John  Power,  1  1325  and  26. 

Thomas  Bay,  j 

John  Power, 

Charles  Waldo, 

Oliver  Wiswall, 

Charles  Waldo, 

Oliver  Wiswall, 

Joseph  D.  Monell 


1827  and  28. 
1829. 


.1 


Robert  G.  Frary,    ) 
Joseph  D.  Monell,  j 


1830. 
183L 


SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


Hi 


1842. 


jrsMe,ler'[l836.3T,38,3!), 

Lovett  R.  Mellen,    )  10,^ 
Eobert  McKinstry,  f  ^^^"• 
Hemy  C.  Miller,  )  -,Q,^ 
Henry  Hubbel,     P^"*^' 
Henry  C.  Miller,  ) 
James  Storm,       J 
Robert  G.  Frary,    I  -i  q  ,  o 
Leonard  Freeland,  \  ^^'^'^^ 
Robert  G.  Frary,  )  ,   ^ 
James  Storm,        j  ^°**' 
Seneca  Butts,  ) 
Killian  Miller,  j 
Henry  Hogeboom,  |  !«,« 
Hiram  Gage,  f  ^^*'^' 

Robert  G.Frary, 
Joseph  D.  Monell, 
Robert  A.  Barnard, }  tq^q 
Henry  Waldo,  f  ^^^^• 

Peter  S.  Burger, 
Volkert  Whitbeck, 


1845. 


1847. 


U' 


Peter  S.  Burger,)  ,  J,- ^ 
Henry  ililler,       p®^"* 
John  C.  Dormandy, )  ,q-, 
Allen  Rossman.        p^^^* 
Philip  K.  Burger,  }  ,„.„ 
Edwin  C.  Terry,     [  ^^'^■'• 
John  C.  Dormandy,  )  -lo-o 
Frederick  A.Giffurd,  r^'^'^' 
Philip  K.  Buraer,    ) -lor  1 
Volkert  Whitbeck, ) 
Cornelius  Bortle,  )  iqk- 
Robert  F.  ( Jroat,  \  ^"^^• 

hdwin  C.  lorry,  ) 

William  A.  Carpenter,  )  ,  r,^^  ^q 

George  H.  Power,         )  ' 

Sylvenus  E.  Heath,  ) -.om   t    m 
jJsiahW.  Fairfield,  r^-^^'-^^O. 

Sylvenus  E.  Heath,  )  -,  r,^-, 
John  M.  Welch,       )  ^°^^- 
Sylvenus  E.  Heath,    )  -.  opn 
William  II.  Crapser. ) 


1849. 


MEMBERS  OF  COMMON  COUNCIL. 


Stephen  Paddock, 
Ezra  Reed, 

Stephen  Paddock, 
U.  I.  Van  Kensselaer, 

Stephen  Paddock, 
H.  I.  Van  Rensselaer, 


Stephen  Paddock, 
Benjamin  Folger, 


Stephen  Paddock, 
Thomas  Jenkins, 


Stephen  Paddock, 
James  Nlson, 


Stephen  Paddock, 
Benjamin  Polger, 

Stephen  Paddock, 
James  Nixon, 


ALDERMEN.  ASSISTANTS 

1785. 

Dirck  Delamater, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 

178G. 

Dirck  Delamater, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 

1787. 

Dirck  Delamater, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 

1788. 

Dirck  Delamater, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 

1789. 

Dirck  Delamater, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 

1790. 

John  Ten  Broeck, 
Thomas  Worth, 

1791. 

John  Ten  Broeck, 
Justus  H.  Tan  Hoesen,  Thomas  Worth, 

1793. 
Justus  H.  Van  Hoesen.  John  Ten  Broeck, 
Duncan  Ingraham.         Claudius  I.  Delamater,  David  Smith 

1793. 

Matthew  Marvin,  Claudius  I.  Delamater,  David  Smith, 


Benjamin  Folger, 
William  Mayhew. 


Alexander  Coffin, 
David  Lawrence. 


David  Lawrence, 
Marshal  Jenkins. 


Thomas  Jenkins, 
James  Nixon. 


James  Nixon, 
Benjamin  Folger. 


Thomas  Jenkins, 
Benjamin  Folger, 


James  Nixon, 


Marshal  Jenkins, 
Peter  Hogeboom,  Jr. 

Thomas  Frothingham, 
Samuel  Walworth. 


Thomas  Frothingham. 
Benjamin  Chace. 


Thomas  Frothingham, 
Thomas  Worth. 


Thomas  Frothingham, 
Thomas  Worth. 


Thomas  Frothingham, 
Justus  H.  Van  llocseu. 


Thomas  Frothingham, 
Claudius  I.  Delamater. 


Thomas  Frothingham, 


Samuel  Mansfield, 

Thomas  Frothingham,   Zachariah  Seymour.        Peter  Rand, 


Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck. 


IIG 

SKETCHES      OF      HUDSC 

N  . 

Samuel  Mansfiekl, 
Ziichariah  Seymour, 

1794. 
Claudius  I.  Delamater,  Peter  Rand, 
David  Smith.                    Daniel  Clark, 

Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck, 
Paul  Dakin. 

Stephen  Paddock. 
Alexander  Coffin, 

1795. 

David  Smith,                  Peter  Rand, 
Claudius  I.  Delamater,  Paul  Dakin, 

Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck, 
Daniel  Clark. 

Stephen  Paddock, 
Alexander  Coffin, 

Joseph  Shove, 
Reuben  Macy. 

1796. 

Peter  Rand, 
Paul  Dakin, 

Benjamin  Haxstun, 
Daniel  Clark. 

Joseph  Shove, 
Thomas  Power, 

1797. 

Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck,  Paul  Dakin, 
Russell  Kellogg.              William  Ashley, 

John  Gunn, 
Claudius  I.  Delamater. 

David  Smi^h, 
Paul  Dakiu, 

Russell  Kelloga:, 
Samuel  Edmonds. 

1798. 

Ebenezer  Comstock, 
Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck, 

James  Nixon,  Jr., 
Claudius  I.  Delamater. 

Elisha  Pitkin, 
Samuel  Edmonds, 

Thomas  Power, 
Paul  Dakin. 

1799. 

Rufus  Backus, 
Robert  Taylor, 

Robert  Folger, 
Silas  Rand. 

Thomas  Power, 
Elisha  Pitkin, 

Daniel  Clark, 
Paul  Dakiu. 

1800. 

Peter  Van  DeBurgh, 
Robert  Taylor, 

Ebenezer  Comstock, 
James  Nixon,  Jr. 

John  Hathaway, 
Robert  Taylor, 

Ezra  Sampson, 
4Je:vander  Coffin. 

1801. 

Erastus  Pratt, 
Nathan  Sears, 

Peter  Van  De  Burgh, 
John  Hardick. 

Benjamin  Haxstun, 
Paul  Dakin, 

Samuel  Edmonds, 
Robert  Taylor. 

1802. 

John  Hardick, 
James  Nixon,  Jr., 

Samuel  I.  Ten  Broeck, 
John  R.  Hallenbeck. 

James  Hyatt, 
Daniel  Penfield, 

Samuel  Edrnonds, 
Thomas  Power. 

1803. 

Prosper  Hosmer, 
Ebenezer  Rand, 

Claudius  I.  Delamater, 
Jonathan  Becraft. 

Thomas  Power, 
Daniel  Penfield, 

Prosper  Hosmer, 
Cornelius  Tobey. 

1804. 

Amariah  Slorrs, 
Ebenezer  Rand, 

Claudius  I.  Delamater, 
Jonathan  Becraft. 

Paul  Dakin, 
John  M.  Mann, 

Erastus  Pratt, 
Cornelius  Tobey. 

1805. 

Nathan  Sears, 
Richard  M.Esselstyn, 

John  Hardick, 
John  Keeney. 

John  M.  Mann, 
George  Burch, 

Thomas  Power, 
Natbau  Sears. 

1800. 

Claudius  I.  Delamater 
Nicholas  Ten  Broeck, 

John  Hardick, 
John  R.  Hallenbeck. 

Paul  Dakin, 
Nathan  Sears, 

Robert  Jenkins, 
Samuel  Wigton. 

1807. 

Solomon  Bunker, 
John  Hardick, 

1808. 

John  R.  Hallenbeck, 
Henry  Burchsted. 

Paul  Dakin, 
Nathan  Sears, 

Samuel  Wigton, 
Henry  Bm'chsted. 

Seth  G.  Macy, 
John  Tompkins, 

1809. 

James  Van  Deusen, 
John  Hardick, 

John  M.  Mann, 
Samuel  White, 

Ezekiel  Gilbert, 
Joshua  Tobey. 

Alexander  Van  Alstyne.Thomas  Whitlock, 
Obed  W.  Folger,             Samuel  I.  Ten  Broepk. 

1810. 

Henry  Burchsted, 
Paul  Dakin, 

Abiel  Cheeney, 
James  Van  Deusen 

Josiah  Olcott, 
Reuben  Moo  res, 

1811. 

John  R.  Hallenbeck, 
John  Hardick. 

Henry  Burchsted, 
Paul  Dakin, 

Abiel  Cheeney, 
Joshua  Tobey. 

Reuben  Moores, 
Josiah  Olcott, 

1812. 

John  Hardick, 
John  R.  Hallenbeck. 

Paul  Dakin, 
James  Van  Deusen, 

Joshua  Tobey, 
Daniel  Clark. 

John  Hardick, 
John  R.  Hallenbeck, 

Peter  F.  Hardick, 

R.  H.  Van  Rensselaer. 

KETCHES       OF      HUDSON 


117 


Joshua  Tobey, 
Nicholas  Ten  Broeck, 


Barnabas  Waterman, 
James  Nixon,  Jr., 


Paul  Dakin, 
William  Johnson, 

Juciah  Paddock, 
John  Ft..  Hallenbeck, 

Barnabas  Waterman, 
Jonathan  Frary, 


John  Talman, 
Judah  Paddock 


John  Raynor, 
Christopher  Hoxie, 


Robert  A.  Barnard, 
John  Raynor, 


Robert  A.  Barnard, 
Henry  Dibblee, 

Charles  Darling, 
Jonathan  Frary, 


Oliver  Wiswall, 
Peter  Van  DeBurgh, 


Oliver  Wiswall, 
Job  B.  Coffin, 

Job  B.  Coffin, 
Samuel  Coleman, 


Gayer  Gardner, 
Luke  Power, 

David  West, 
Luke  Power, 

William  Hallenbeck, 
Luke  Power, 

Luke  Power, 
Seth  G.  Macy, 

Henry  C.  Miller, 
John  Hunt, 

Henry  C.  Miller, 
Henry  Anable, 

Charles  Darling, 
Robt.  L.  Livingston, 


1813. 

James  Nixon,  Jr.,  John  M.  Harder, 

Alex.  Van  Alstyuc.         Samuel  Stocking, 

1814. 

Nicholas  Ten  Broeck,    Levi  Ilubbel, 
Alex.  Van  Alstyne.        John  M.  Harder, 

1815. 

Barnabas  Waterman,    John  R.  Hallenbeck, 
Nicholas  Ten  Broeck.    John  Uardick, 

1816. 

Barnabas  Waterman,     Oliver  Wiswall, 
Jonathan  Frary.  Thomas  Whitlock, 

1817. 

Oliver  Wiswall, 
John  Tompkins, 

1818. 

R.  H.  Van  Rensselaer, 
John  Tompkins, 

1819. 

John  Tompkins, 
Noah  Gridley, 

1820. 

William  Woods, 
John  Tompkins, 

1821. 

Noah  Gridley, 
John  K.  Hallenbeck, 

1823. 

John  R.  Hallenbeck, 
Ezt'kiel  Butler, 

1823. 
Barnabas  Waterman,    Jolin  R.  Hallenbeck, 
Philip  White.  Ezekicl  Butler, 

1824. 

George  Coventry, 
Alexander  J.  Colfin, 

1825. 

Seth  G.  Macy, 
John  F.  Jenkins, 

1826. 

Laban  Paddock, 
Ezekiel  Butler, 

1827. 

Henry  C.  Miller, 
Israel  Piatt, 

1828. 

Israel  Piatt, 
William  Wight, 

1829. 

Henry  Anable, 
Jeremiah  Bame, 

1830. 

Benjamin  F.  Deuell, 
Wm.  W.  Treusdail, 

1831. 

Charles  Dakin, 
John  Chapman, 


Henry  Dibblee, 
Judah  Puddoci^ 


Seth  Morton, 
Henry  Dibblee 


Seth  Morton, 
John  Raynor, 


John  Raynor, 
Seth  Morton. 


Joseph  Goodwin,* 
Seth  Morton. 


James  Mellon, 
Philip  White. 

James  Mellen, 
Philip  White. 


Solomon  Wescott, 
James  Mellen. 


Solomon  Wescott, 
Samuel  Anable. 


Campbell  Bushnell, 
James  H.  Teackle. 


Barnabas  AVatcrman, 
Samuel  Bcckley. 


R.  II.  Van  Rensselaer, 
Thomas  Bay. 


James  Strong, 
Thomas  Whitlock. 


John  llardick, 
Alfred  Gibbs. 


Thomas  Whitlock, 
John  Weir. 


Robert  A.  Barnard, 
Cornelius  Miller. 


Cornelius  Miller, 
William  Woods. 


Noah  Gridley, 
William  Rowley. 


Philip  White, 
Wm,  H.  Coleman. 


Philip  White, 
Lionel  U.  Lawrence. 


Charles  AValdo, 
Uriah  Roraback. 


Charles  Waldo, 
Robert  McKinstry. 


Charles  Waldo, 
Lionel  U.  Lawrence. 


Samuel  Anable, 
Henry  W.  Bessac. 


Samuel  Anable, 
William  R.  Macy. 

Samuel  Plumb, 
WilUam  R.  Macy. 

Abner  Hammond, 
WiUiamR.  Macy. 


William  Nash, 
John  I.  Tobey. 


John  W.  Jenkins, 
John  I.  Tobey. 


Ansel  McKinstry, 
Abm.  I.  Hardick. 


Wm.  Van  Deusen, 
Wm.  C.  Ten  Broeck. 


Samuel  N.  Blake, 
Charles  Everts. 


*Died  November,  1S22 ;  Ezra  Reed  elected  to  fill  vacancy. 


118 


SKETCHES       OF     HUDSON 


1833. 


Chales  Darling, 
Henry  Smith, 


Amos  Carpenter, 
Robt.  A.  Barnard, 


Charles  Darling, 
Job  B.  Coffin, 

Jacob  Carpenter, 
Robert  McKinstry, 

Jacob  Carpenter, 
AVilliam  Hudson, 

Isaac  Power, 
Silas  A.  Stone, 

Robert  G.  Frary, 
Amos  Carpenter, 

Robt.  A.  Barnard, 
Erastus  Patterson, 


Israel  Piatt, 
Oliver  H.  Allen, 


Israel  Piatt, 
Matthew  Mitchell, 


Israel  Piatt, 
Matthew  Mitchell, 


George  W.  Cook, 
Charles  Paul, 

Matthew  Mitchell, 
Joshua  T.  AVaterman, 


Matthew  Mitchell, 
Stephen  Waterman, 


George  Barker, 
Jehu  W.  Smith,* 


George  Barker, 
Benjamin  P.Deuell. 


Robert  Coffin, 
Joshua  T.  AVaterman, 


Robert  Coffin, 
Philip  K.  Burger, 


Robert  Coffint 
Philip  K.  Burger, 


Chester  Belding, 
AA'illiam  E.  Heath. 


Austin  Stocking, 
AVilliam  A.  Dean. 


Austin  Stocking, 
AVilliam  A.  Dean. 


John  Chapman, 
AVilliam  E.  Heath. 


William  E.  Heath, 
Robert  McKinstry, 


Stephen  W,  Miller, 
Frederick  Mesick. 


William  E.  Heath, 
AVilliam  Nash. 


Frederick  Mesick, 
Charles  Mitchell. 


Charles  Dakin, 
John  Chapman, 

1833. 

Heni-y  D.  Parkman, 
Andrew  Lane, 

1834. 

Allen  Jordan, 
John  Chapman, 

1835. 

Allen  Jordan, 
John  V.  Deuell, 

1836. 

Silas  A.  Stone, 
Alexander  Dakin, 

1837. 

Stephen  Curiie, 
Stephen  AA'aterman, 

1838. 

AVilliam  A.  Carpenter, 
Henry  Smith, 

1839. 

George  W.  Cook, 
Charles  Paul, 


Peter  B.  Barker, 
Jacob  C.  Evarts. 


Peter  B.  Barker, 
Jacob  C.  Evarts. 

Jacob  C.  Evarts, 
Philip  AVhite. 


Sidney  S.  Durfee, 
Jacob  Van  Deusen. 


John  V.  Deuell, 
Frederick  D.  Gardner. 


Nicholas  Kittle, 
AVm.  E.  Heermance. 


Robert  Rossman, 
Henry  S.  Belding. 

John  Crissey, 
Hiram  Macy. 


1840. 

Henry  B.  Van  Deusen,  Joshua  T.  Waterman, 
Warren  Rockwell.  Matthew  Mitchell, 

1840. 
Henry  B.  Van  Deusen,  Joshua  T.  Waterman, 
AVarren  Rockwell.  Robert  Coffin, 

1843. 

Joshua  T.  AVaterman, 
George  H.  Power, 

1843. 

Milo  B.  Root, 
Benj.  R.  Millard, 

1844. 

George  H.  Power, 
AVilliam  HaU 

1845. 

Jehu  AV.  Smith, 
John  C.  Newkirk, 

1846. 

George  Storrs, 
Peter  Decker, 


Edmund  HatBeld, 
Charles  MitcheU. 


Edmund  Hatfield, 
Hiram  Slacy. 


Samuel  N.  Blake, 
Joseph  AVhite. 


Hiram  Macy, 
Elihu  Gifford. 


Hiram  Macy, 
Daniel  Hoffman, 


1847. 

Samuel  N.  Blake,  George  Storrs. 

Henry  B.  Van  Deusen.  Peter  Decker, 

1848. 


Hiram  Macy, 
John  Crissey, 


Philip  K.  Burger, 
Henry  Dakin, 


Solomon  Shattuck, 
Silas  W.  Tobey. 


Thomas  P.  Nash, 
Ira  D.  Richmond. 


Thomas  J.  Weir, 
Allen  Rockefeller. 


Donald  Ross, 
Samuel  N.  Blake. 


William  Brown, 
Conrad  J,  Houghtaling, 


Henry  AVaterman, 
Volkert  Whitbeck. 


Allen  Rossman, 
Volkert  AVhitbeck. 


John  S.  Anable, 
Conrad  J.  Houghtaling. 


Augustus  McKinstry, 
Henry  Miller. 


1849. 
George  Storrs.  Richard  M.  Remington. 

Conrad  J.  Hougntaling.Abner  H.  McArthur, 

1850. 
Elbridge  Simpson,  AVilliam  Poultney,  Jr., 

James  T.  Perkins.  Alexander  Meech, 


,Elbridge  Simpson, 
James  T.  Perkins. 


Lorenzo  G.  Guernsey, 
George  N.  Simpson. 


*Died  August  4th,  1S46 ;  AVilliam  A.  Carpenter  elected  to  fill  vacancy. 
tDeclined. 


1 

s 

KETCHES       OF      HUDSON 

119 

Richard  P.  Clark, 
Abner  H.  McArthur, 

1851. 

Allen  Rockefeller,           Jolni  T.  Burdwin, 
Samuel  N.  Blake.             George  C.  Tollcy, 

William  H.  Terry, 
Abel  W.  Baker. 

1853. 
Joshua  T.  Waterman,    Hiram  Macy,                  II.  I.  Van  Rensselaer, 
Richard  M.  Remington,lIunry  Miller.                 Theodore  Burdwin, 

George  L.  Little, 
George  W.  Baringer. 

Benjamin  F.  Deuell, 
Sylvenus  E.  Heath, 

1853. 

Hiram  Macy,                 AViUiam  Moore, 
Peter  S.  Wynkoop.          Wm.  H.  \V.  Loop, 

Major  M.Bt)llock, 
AVm.  H.  Crapser. 

Rich'd  M.  Remington, 
Abijah  P.  Cook, 

1854. 
Wm.  H.  Crapscr,             William  French, 
Major  M.  Bullock.           Franklin  Roberts, 

Alvin  Calkins, 
Peter  Bogardus, 

ALDERMEN.                                                                 ALDERMEN. 

1855. 

Robert  H.  Burns,           Benjamin  P.  Deuell,       Jacob  Ten  Bi-oeck,         Peter  Bo^ardns, 
Hiram  Morrison,            Wiliiam  A.  CariJtntcr.    David  D.  Rose,               Alfred  Wattles. 

Benjamin  P.  Deuell, 
Robert  U.  Burns, 

185G. 
Abner  H.  McArthur,      David  D.  Rose, 
James  Batchellor.          Alfred  Wattles, 

Samuel  Bachman, 
Henry  Miller. 

Henry  J.  Baringer, 
Jacob  AV.  Hoysradt, 

1857. 
James  Batchellor,          Samuel  Bachman, 
Robert  B.  Lawton.         Henry  C.  Avery,* 

Henry  Miller, 
Wm.  A.  Jordan,t 

Henry  J.  Baringer, 
Jacob  W.  Hoysradt, 

1858. 

James  Batchellor,          Samuel  Bachman, 
Robert  B.  Lawton.          Abel  W.  Baker, 

Henry  Miller, 
Peter  Bogardus. 

Ebenezer  H.  Gififord, 
James  Best, 

1859. 
Abner  H.  McArthur,      Amiel  Folger, 
William  Parmenter,        Charles  A.  Stevens, 

James  N.  Townsend, 
Allen  Rockefeller. 

James  Best, 
Ebenezer  H.  Gifford, 

1860. 
David  A.  Rainey,           Araiel  Folger, 
William  Parmenter,       William  H.  Crapser, 

James  N.  Townsend, 
Augustus  McEinstry. 

Ebenezer  H.  Gifford, 
Lemuel  Holmes, 

1801. 
William  Parmenter,       William  H.  Crapser, 
Benjamin  F.  Deuell,       Abram  Bogardus, 

Augustus  McKinstry, 
James  Gifford. 

Lemuel  Holmes, 
Robert  W.  Evans, 

1862. 

Benjamin  F.  Deuell,       Abram  Bogardus, 
Augustus  Behrens,         William  H .  Terry, 

James  Gifford, 
James  N.  Townsend. 

*Died  September  16,1S57;  Abel  W.  Baker  elected  in  November  to  fill  vacancy. 

tRemoved  from  the  city  in  May,  1S57 ;  Peter  Bogardus  elected  in  November  to  fill  vacancy. 

120  SKETCHES       OF      HUDSON. 


ADDENDA,  ETC; 

A  few  years  since,  in  digging  the  cellar  for  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
R.  Cheeney,  in  Warren  street,  the  remains  of  a  human  skeleton  were  fotiiid. 
It  is  thought  from  this  circumstance  that  there  might  have  been  a  burial  place 
there  in  early  times.  This  is  possible,  but  we  have  no  account  of  any  other 
than  those  mentioned  on  page  4. 

Elizabeth  Bunker  was  the  first  female,  but  not  the  first  child  born  in  Hud- 
son. John  Van  Hoesen,  now  a  resident  of  Athens,  born  near  the  present 
residence  of  Duncan  Hood,  in  1785,  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first.  John 
F.  Jenkins,  now  a  resident  of  Albany,  was  born  in  the  same  year,  a  few  months 
after  Mr.  Yan  Hoesen. 

Ezekiel  Gilbert  was  a  representative  in  Congress  in  the  year  1193,  remain- 
ing such  until  the  year  1797.  Upon  his  first  return  from  Washington  he 
brought  with  him  a  piano,  the  first  in  the  city  of  Hudson.  He  represented 
Columbia  County  in  the  Assembly  in  the  years  1790, 1800,  and  1801. 

Thomas  Jenkins  was  Presidential  Elector  in  1800. 

Elisha  Jenkins  was  Comptroller  of  the  State  in  1801.  Secretary  of  State 
in  1806, 1808  and  1811. 

In  addition  to  the  newspapers  named,  the  Hudson  Mirror  and  Columbia 
County  Farmer  was  published  by  P.  D.  Carrique  in  the  year  1838,  and  dis- 
continued in  the  year  following; 

The  cost  of  the  first  Presbyterian  church,  erected  in  1790,  was  ^£865.  We 
find  the  following  individuals  mentioned  as  subscribers  to  the  building  fund. 
Marshal  Jenkins  £100,  Nathaniel  Greene  £40,  Russell  Kellogg  £20,  Samuel 
Nichols  £17,  John  Hathaway  £16,  and  Elisha  Jenkins  £12. 

The  Columbia  Turnpike  Company  was  the  third  chartered  in  the  State,  and 
not  first,  as  stated  on  page  33.  The  Albany  and  Schenectady  and  Great  West- 
ern were  each  chartered  before  it. 

Daniel  B.  Tallmadge  and  Claudius  L.  Monell  were  Judges  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  New  York  City,  and  not  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
Robert  A,  Barnard  is  a  descendant  of  Abisha  and  not  of  Joseph  Barnard. 


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