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A  HISTORY  OF 

OLD    KINDERHOOK 


FROM  ABORIGINAL  DAYS  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME;  INCLUDING 
THE    STORY    OF    THE    EARLY    SETTLERS,    THEIR    HOME- 
STEADS,    THEIR    TRADITIONS,     AND     THEIR 
DESCENDANTS;    WITH    AN    ACCOUNT    OF    THEIR 
CIVIC,  SOCIAL,  POLITICAL,  EDUCATIONAL, 
AND  RELIGIOUS  LIFE 


EDWARD  A.  COLLIER,  D.D. 


WITH  WO  ILLUSTRATIONS  AND  3  MAPS     ^ 


G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 
NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 
Ube     Iknicfterbocftec     press 

1914 


Copyright,  1914 

BY 

EDWARD  A.  COLLIER 


Zhe  Itniclterbociier  f>re0s,  t^ew  ]I?orft 
t 

DEC  18 1914 

©GI,A891004  "-'     , 


PREFACE 

THE  suggestion  of  this  history  came  from  Mr.  WilHam 
Wait,  as  we  met  in  our  cemetery  one  Sunday  afternoon 
nearly  seven  years  ago.  An  immediate  reference  of  the  plan 
to  the  same  quiet  resting-place  might  possibly  have  proved 
to  be  the  wiser  course.  Certainly  if  a  tithe  of  the  magnitude 
and  difficulty  of  the  work  had  been  realized,  it  would  never 
have  been  undertaken.  And  yet  a  task  that  ought  to  have 
been  completed  before  so  many  of  our  elder  citizens  had 
passed  away,  should  be  undertaken.  Kinderhook,  one  of  the 
oldest  towns  in  the  State,  and  one  whose  contribution  of 
eminent  men  to  public  life  cannot  readily  be  paralleled, 
should  have  its  story  told  more  fully  and  accurately  than  is 
possible  in  a  county  history.  Nearly  fifty  years  ago,  indeed, 
a  small  beginning  was  made  in  the  gathering  of  material  for 
a  proposed  history;  but  the  exactions  of  service  which  had  a 
prior  and  superior  claim,  and  the  announcement  that  two 
other  writers,  natives  of  the  town,  had  a  similar  work  in 
hand,  led  to  the  now  regretted  abandonment  of  the  project. 
Seven  years  ago,  however,  relief  from  an  active  pastorate, 
continued  for  forty-three  years,  a  realization  of  the  unwisdom 
of  having  those  "idle  hands"  of  which  Watts  wrote  waming- 
ly,  a  degree  of  familiarity  with  place  and  people  as  great 
perhaps  as  that  of  any  who  had  time  for  the  work,  and  the 
expressed  wish  of  many,  led  to  the  undertaking  of  what  must 
be  largely  a  labor  of  love. 

The  work  is  designed  to  be  chiefly  a  history  of  old  Kinder- 


IV 


Preface 


hook;  first  the  original  District,  then  the  Town,  and  finally 
the  Village  proper.  Valatie  and  the  parts  of  the  original 
territory  of  which  we  were  despoiled  for  the  formation  of 
adjoining  towns  are  by  no  means  neglected,  but  necessary 
limitations  have  precluded  their  receiving  equally  full  con- 
sideration. 

The  labor  involved  has  been  enormous.  A  short  para- 
graph sometimes  represents  long  and  laborious  research. 
No  known  available  source  of  information  has  been  neglected. 
Land-papers  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  and  other  public 
offices,  State  and  County;  deeds,  mortgages,  and  wills  in- 
numerable recorded  in  Albany,  Hudson,  Kingston,  and  New 
York,  together  with  many  unrecorded  papers  loaned  by 
friends ;  the  treasures  of  the  great  libraries,  including  priceless 
manuscripts  (now  largely  perished)  in  the  custody  of  our 
courteous  State  Archivist,  Mr.  Van  Laer,  to  say  nothing  of 
histories,  alleged  histories,  gazetteers,  and  newspaper  files, 
have  been  searched  with  the  utmost  care  in  reading  and 
copying.  Many  Dutch  records  have  been  translated  or  their 
substance  furnished,  in  some  cases  by  Mr.  Van  Laer  himself. 
The  records  of  the  old  Kinderhook  church,  covering  nearly 
two  hundred  years,  have  been  of  incalculable  value;  and 
possibly  fifty  years  of  very  frequent  scrutiny  of  them  may 
justify  the  hope  of  the  approximate  accuracy  of  data  derived 
therefrom.  In  every  quotation  there  has  been  strict  ad- 
herence to  the  original  text,  and  all  responsibility  for  incon- 
sistencies in  the  spelling  of  names  is  expressly  disclaimed. 
Three  variations  in  such  spelling  in  one  document,  and  as 
many  as  fourteen  spellings  of  the  same  name,  have  been 
noted.  Descendants  of  the  old  families  may  find  in  their 
records  ample  authority  for  any  spelling  they  prefer. 

The  genealogical  and  biographical  notes  are  numerous 
and  relate  to  nearly  all  the  old  families,  but  are  given  of 
necessity  merely  in  outline.  They  are,  however,  reasonably 
complete  and  accurate.  As  long  as  descendants  of  the  same 
original  ancestor  are  not  agreed  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the 


Preface  V 

published  genealogical  records,  even  those  of  Pearson  and 
Munsell  not  excepted,  it  is  not  to  be  assumed  that  I  have 
threaded  my  way  through  the  inextricable  maze  with  un- 
erring step.  Authorities  supposedly  correct  have  been 
followed,  and  if  I  have  erred  it  is  in  excellent  and  even  illus- 
trious company.  Personal  research  in  behalf  of  many 
seeking  to  establish  impossible  family  relationships  corrobo- 
rates the  statement  of  Professor  Pearson  in  his  Genealogies 
of  the  First  Settlers  of  Albany  that  ''it  is  to  be  feared  that, 
through  tradition  or  something  worse,  a  large  element  of 
fiction  has  been  introduced  into  many  genealogies. " 

Footnotes  are  few,  notwithstanding  the  suggestion  that 
"they  look  well."  Inasmuch  as  the  indices  of  the  many 
volumes  of  the  Documentary  History  of  the  State,  the  Docu- 
ments Relating  to  the  Colonial  History,  Munsell's  Annals  and 
the  like,  volumes  familiar  and  accessible  to  the  novice  in 
historic  research,  reveal  the  authority  for  a  multitude  of 
unimportant  details  mentioned,  the  pedantic  display  of 
footnotes  concerning  an  Indian  foray  or  the  building  of  a 
bridge  seemed  unnecessary  and  even  undesirable.  For  all 
really  important  land-papers,  records,  and  narratives,  the 
source  of  authority  will  be  found  incorporated  in  the  text. 

While  the  gazetteers  furnish  many  dry-as-dust  industrial 
and  other  details,  said  to  be  loved  by  posterity,  the  news- 
paper files  give  informing  and  entertaining  glimpses  of  the 
every-day  life  of  the  fathers;  of  their  exciting  political 
campaigns  when  the  stability  of  American  institutions  was 
imperilled  by  the  candidacy  of  a  Kinderhook  justice;  of 
their  notable  celebrations,  barbecues,  and  gorgeous  training 
days ;  of  their  churches  and  schools ;  of  their  sloops  and  stage- 
coaches ;  and  of  the  occasional  sad  aberration  of  local  editors 
and  bards  in  the  by-ways  of  frivolity  and  sentiment.  The 
story  of  the  old  homesteads,  inns,  and  the  people  in  them  is 
told  with  considerable  fullness.  Many  biographical  sketches 
reveal  Kinderhook's  exceptionally  large  contribution  of 
notable  men  to  every  department  of  public  life.    In  reminis- 


vi  Preface 

cences  of  old  times  Kinderhookers  may  see  the  village  and 
their  forebears  as  others  saw  them,  and  the  gossip  of  the 
author  concerning  men  and  things  fifty  years  ago  may  be  an 
appropriate  finale. 

Obligations  to  helpers  cannot  be  fully  acknowledged,  but 
many  are  named  in  the  text.  The  first  place  belongs  to  Mr. 
William  Wait,  an  enthusiastic  antiquarian  and  Indian 
archaeologist.  His  suggestions  and  the  treasures  of  his  fine 
library,  as  well  as  his  artistic  taste  and  skill  in  the  matter  of 
illustrations,  have  been  of  great  value.  Next  in  order  are 
the  voluminous  notes  of  the  late  Mr.  Pierre  Van  Buren  Hoes 
who  passed  away  when  his  sketches  of  Kinderhook  and  its 
people  were  but  begun.  Through  the  kindness  of  his  widow, 
Mrs.  Anna  Miller  Hoes,  and  of  his  son,  P.  Ernest  Hoes,  all 
that  material  has  been  made  available  and  helpful.  The 
Rev.  Roswell  Randall  Hoes,  Chaplain  U.  S.  N.,  has  also 
rendered  valuable  assistance.  So,  likewise,  have  Mr.  PhiHp 
Van  Alstine  and  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  both  of  New  York 
and  both  deeply  interested  in  Kinderhook's  early  history. 
Our  accomplished  State  Archivist,  Mr.  Arnold  J.  F.  Van 
Laer,  and  Miss  Van  Peyma  of  the  genealogical  room  of  the 
former  State  library,  are  to  be  thankfully  named.  To  Mr. 
Peyton  F.  Miller  of  Hudson  I  am  indebted  for  permission  to 
use  his  A  Group  of  Great  Lawyers  as  if  written  by  myself. 
Very  great  also  was  my  obligation  to  my  lamented  friend, 
the  late  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt,  for  the  loan  of  the  charming 
manuscript  volume  containing  his  recollections  of  his  early 
life  in  Kinderhook.  From  the  late  Mrs.  Aaron  J.  Vander- 
poel,  Mrs.  W.  G.  Hibbard  of  Chicago,  and  Mr.  Robert  C. 
Van  Schaack  of  the  same  city,  daughters  and  grandson  of  the 
late  H.  C.  Van  Schaack,  of  Manlius,  N.  Y.,  came  the  privi- 
lege of  examining  and  culling  from  his  three  large  folio 
volumes  of  Revolutionary  Autographs,  containing  many 
autograph  letters  and  other  documents  pertaining  to  those 
times.  Then  a  host  of  good  people  have  not  only  loaned 
valuable  documents  but  have  had  their  lives  made  miserable 


Preface  vii 

in  part  by  ceaseless  questions.  Their  unmentioned  names 
would  make  a  partial  census  of  the  town.  I  must,  however, 
name  Mr.  Calvin  Ackley  of  phenomenal  memory  of  persons 
and  events  long  passed;  and  also  Mr.  Chas.  M.  Bray,  who 
made  many  searches  of  titles  in  Albany  and  Hudson.  All 
these  at  least  will  rejoice  at  the  completion  of  this  work. 
Many,  with  no  faintest  conception  of  the  labor  involved, 
have  been  impatient  at  the  long  delay  in  writing  finis. 
Thankful  that  with  spared  life  and  reason  I  can  now  write  it, 
I  dedicate  the  book  to  all  the  sons  and  daughters  of  dear  old 
Kinderhook. 

My  long-time  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  E.  Griffis,  bade 
me  God-speed  as  this  new  voyage  out  upon  the  dark  and 
stormy  sea  of  authorship  was  begun.  He  also,  most  kindly, 
warned  me  against  being  "swamped  in  a  sea  of  archasological 
details."  Perilously  near  it  have  I  been  many  a  time,  but 
now  my  battered  bark  is  at  last  safely  within  a  haven  of  rest, 
which  is  sweet,  even  though  it  be  not  in  all  respects  the 
"desired  haven."     Laus  Deo! 

E.  A.  C. 

Kinderhook,  N.  Y.,  July  i,  1914. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I. — Discovery  and  Indians  .....  i 

II. — Physical  Features,  Boundaries,  and  Census  22 

III. — Settlement,    Land    Grants,    Devolution    of 

Title,  and  Land  Litigation       ...  40 

IV.— Who  Was  Who 88 

V. — What  Was  What 125 

VI.— War  Times 165 

VII. — Gleanings 205 

VIII. — Celebrations  and  Sundry  Notable  Meetings  242 

IX. — Churches  and  Schools    .....  270 

X. — Financial,   Fraternal,  and  Other  Organiza- 
tions          .......  300 

XI. — Highways,      Public      Utilities,      Industries, 

Cemeteries         ......  320 

XII. — Old  Homesteads,  Inns,  and  People  in  Them  350 

XIII. — Biographical  Sketches   .....  390 

XIV. — Reminiscences         ......  481 

Appendix         .......  531 

Index       ........  561 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


FACING 
PAGE 


The  Village  of  Kinderhook  from  Prospect  Hill 

Frontispiece 
The  "  Half  Moon  "  in  Kinderhook  Waters 
Major  Abram's  Creek 
Kinderhook  Lake 
Merwin's  Lake 

The  Binnekill  .... 
A  View  from  the  Creek  . 
Kinderhook  Lake 
Stuyvesant  Falls 
The  Staats  House 

A  Grain    (or   Wine)   Jar,  Unearthed  in  the  Cellar 
OF  THE  Staats  House  . 


Dishes  Used  when   Burgoyne   was 
Kinderhook 


Entertained  at 


The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church 

St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church,  Valatie 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Valatie 

The  Presbyterian  Church,  Valatie 

St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church     .         .         .         . 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church    . 

Bethel  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


7 
7 
24 
24 
26 
26 
26 
26 
44 

44 

187 
276 
276 
278 
278 
280 
280 
282 


Xll 


Illxjstrations 


FACING 

PAGE 

St.  John  the  Baptist  Roman  Catholic  Church,  Valatie    282 

The  Academy  and  Boarding  Home,  1855 

High  School,  Valatie 

The  Village  Hall 

The  Union  Free  School    . 

Before  the  Fire 

Before  the  Fire 

The  Village  Bridges 

The  Creek  near  the  Bridge 

The  Silvester  House 

The  Jarvis-Nink  Home 

The  Ritzema-Dennis-Clapp  House 

The  Old  House  on  William  Street 

Orchard  Home  .... 

sunnyside  ..... 

The  Stephen  Van  Alen-W.  B.  Van  Alstyne   House 

Bye-low     .... 

The    Van    Alen    Homestead,    where    Katrina    Van 
Tassel  Lived 

The  Merwin  Farm  House,  where  Ichabod  Crane  Lived 

Jesse  Merwin    ...... 

Jesse  Merwin 's  Monument 

The  Site  of  Ichabod  Crane's  Schoolhouse 

The  Pruyn-Bray-Beekman  Homestead 

Major  Goes's  Inn      ..... 

C.  Van  Schaack  and  Wynkoop  House 

The  Heermance-Schnapper  House    . 

A  Pre-Revolutionary  House    . 

The  Benedict  Arnold  (?)  Inn,  now  Chrysler  House    370 


Illtastrations 


xiu 


FACING 
PAGE 

The  p.  Van  Schaack-Mix-Harder  House          .         .  375 

The  p.  S.  Hoes-G.  S.  Collier  House        .         .         .375 

Martin  Van  Buren's  Birthplace       ....  376 

Lindenwald        ........  376 

The  Van  Buren  Monument 376 

The  J.  Vanderpoel-Myers-Burt  House    .         .         .  379 

The  Village  Square 379 

Crow  Hill- Whiting-Howard 381 

Elmhurst 381 

The  H.  Snyder-D.  C.  Smith  House  .         .         .         .382 

The  Francis  Pruyn-Davie  Homestead       .         .         .  382 

Old  Fort,  Chatham  Center 385 

The  Old  Bridge  and  the  Col.  P.  Van  Alstyne  House  385 

The  Kinderhook  Hotel 387 

The  Old  Farmers'  Hotel  (Central  House)       .         .  387 

Martin  Van  Buren 413 

Washington  Irving 4^3 

The  Van  Buren  Certificate 416 

Indian  Village  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .416 

Martin  Van  Buren's  Office  Docket         .         .         .  426 

Part  of  a  Letter  from  Irving  to  Merwin       .         .  426 

General  Whiting 438 

Hon.  John  H.  Reynolds 438 

Edward  A.  Collier 502 

The  Pruyn-Wilcoxson  House 503 

The  ChAteau  (Wynkoop  Homestead)          .         .         .  503 

The  Van  Buren  Elm,  Lindenwald  Road   .         .         .511 

At  the  Turn   of  the  Lindenwald  Road,   near  the 

schoolhouse         .        •.         .         .         .         .         .     511 


av 


Illustrations 


A  View  of  Valatie    . 

Main  Street,  Valatie 

The  Hoes  Homestead,  Valatie 

Broad  Street     . 

The  National  Union  Bank,  Chatham  Street 

Broad  Street,  in  Winter 

Albany  Avenue  .         .         . 

The  Stagecoach  Blacksmith  Shop 

Mike  Clancy    and    His    Kinderhook-Hudson   Mail 
Carrying  Outfit 

The  Grove 

The  Cemetery,  Begun  in  1817 

L.  L.  Morrell's  House 

The  Flats  from  the  Grove 

L.  Milham-A.  T.  Ogden     . 

The  Parsonage  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 

A  Faithful  Soldier,  Sexton,  and  Friend  . 

137  F.  N.  Y 


MAPS 

Old  Map  of  Kinderhook  ...... 

Vrooman's  Map,  1756,  of  the  Division  of  the  Great 
Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686        .... 

Map  of  the  Town  of  Kinderhook    .... 


FACING 

PAGE 

514 
514 
514 

522 
522 

528 


30 

76 
124 


A  HISTORY  OF  OLD  KINDERHOOK 


History  of  Old  Kinderhook 


CHAPTER  I 
KINDERHOOK  AND  ITS  INDIANS 

Name — Territorial  Extent — Discovery — Hudson's  Visit — Indian  Occupancy 
— Indian  Names — The  Last  of  the  Mahicans. 

KINDERHOOK  (Kinder-hoeck)  means  Children's  Corner. 
The  prosaic  prefer  Point.  Referring  to  this  meaning 
Ruttenber  says,  "There  is  a  fragrance  in  the  fact  which 
makes  the  name  more  palatable  than  most  Dutch  geo- 
graphical terms."  Another  breath  of  fragrance,  we  add, 
comes  to  us  from  Claverack — Clover  Reach. 

The  original  location  of  the  name  was  on  the  river-bank 
near  Light  House  Creek.  This  explains  the  constantly  re- 
curring phrase  in  early  land  papers — "behind  Kinderhook." 

The  first  known  appearance  of  the  name  is  remarkable 
and  of  great  significance.  It  is  on  what  is  called  Adriaen 
Block's  (possibly  Cornells  Hendrick's)  "Carte Figurative," 
dated  1614-1616.  No  present-day  place-name  in  the  State 
is  of  earlier  record.  On  that  chart  Albany  is  Nassau,  and 
New  York,  Manhattes.  The  chart  is,  as  Bacon  states, 
"shockingly  mendacious"  in  its  mislocation  of  some  names; 
Esopus,  for  example,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river;  but  it  iS 
accurate  as  regards  the  location  of  Kinderhook. 


2  Old  RinderKooK 

This  early  appearance  of  the  name  instantly  disposes 
of  all  the  alleged  and  variant  traditions  as  to  its  origin  ex- 
cept the  most  pleasing,  namely,  that  it  was  given  by  Hudson 
or  his  crew  because  of  the  Indian  children  gathered  to  see 
the  strange  monster  on  the  river.  Inasmuch  as  the  telegraph 
and  telephone  had  not  as  yet  been  installed  in  the  wigwams 
of  the  Indians,  it  seems  probable  that  it  was  an  anchored, 
somewhile  abiding,  and  not  a  mere  passing  ship  which  called 
the  children  together  in  sufficient  number  to  occasion  the 
giving  of  the  name.  Returning  home  the  explorers  reported 
the  incident,  and  down  the  name  Kinderhook  went  on  that 
very  early  chart. 

To  Henry  Hudson  belongs  the  honor  of  the  discovery 
of  Kinderhook  when  the  Half  Moon  anchored  in  latitude 
42°  18',  September  18,  1609. 

Our  authority  for  this  and  other  statements  to  follow  is 
De  Laet's  Nieuw  Werreld,  1625.  John  De  Laet,  a  member 
of  the  West  Indian  Company  and  an  eminent  geographer, 
claimed  that  he  wrote  with  original  documents,  inferentially 
Hudson's  Journal  and  Juet's  Log  Book,  before  him.  Robert 
Juet,  Hudson's  clerk,  kept  a  daily  log  book  with  evident 
care.  Director  Jameson,  of  Carnegie  Institute,  Washington, 
in  his  Narratives  of  New  Netherland,  assures  us  that  "De 
Laet's  work  is  composed  with  system,  precision  and  accu- 
racy." Both  Hudson  and  Juet  were  English,  and  their 
leagues  and  miles  English  and  not  Dutch.  Interpreters  of 
these  records  have  come  to  different  conclusions.  After 
Yates  and  Moulton,  Brodhead  and  others,  it  would  ill  be- 
come us  to  assume  that  we  can  settle  the  disputed  question 
in  favor  of  Kinderhook  waters  as  the  most  northerly  anchor- 
age of  the  Half  Moon.  It  is  certainly,  however,  not  settled 
adversely;  and  while  we  do  not  claim  a  proved  case,  we  do 
claim  a  greater  degree  of  plausibility  and  probability  for 
this  view  than  for  any  other.  All  conditions  considered, 
the  Half  Moon  of  our  picture  puzzle  fits  more  perfectly 
in   Kinderhook  waters   as  the  final  anchorage  than  any- 


RinderHooK  and  its  Indians  3 

where  else.  We  present  the  argument  for  what  it  may 
be  worth. 

The  first  important  presentation  of  the  view  for  which 
we  contend  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Miller  in  his  address 
before  the  N.  Y.  Hist.  Society  in  1809,  published  in  their 
first  volume. 

In  Capt.  Simms's  Frontiersmen  of  New  York,  we  read: 
"Captain  Hudson  ascended  the  stream  above  the  present 
city  of  Hudson,  and  from  thence  sent  his  mate  with  four 
hands  in  a  boat  to  prosecute  the  survey,  who,  it  is  believed, 
ascended  the  river  to  the  present  site  of  Albany." 

From  Historical  Collections  of  the  State  of  New  York  we 
quote  the  statement  of  Barber  and  Howe,  1841 : 

Hudson  appears  to  have  sailed  up  the  river  a  little  above 
where  the  city  of  Hudson  now  stands;  and  beyond  that  point 
he  himself  never  ascended.  Not  considering  it  safe  to  proceed 
further  with  his  ship  he  sent  a  boat  with  five  hands  to  explore  and 
sound  the  river  higher  up.  The  boat  proceeded  eight  or  nine 
leagues  beyond  where  the  ship  lay  at  anchor;  but  finding  the 
soundings  extremely  irregular  and  the  depth  in  some  places  not 
more  than  seven  feet,  it  was  judged  inadvisable  to  attempt  any 
further  progress. 

Finally,  in  this  partial  citation  of  authorities,  in  Randall's 
History  (1870,  p.  12)  we  read:  "On  the  19th,  he  (Hudson) 
reached  the  present  site  of  Kinderhook,  from  whence,  having 
sent  a  small  boat  to  a  point  a  little  above  Albany,  he  com- 
menced, on  the  23rd,  his  return  voyage." 

Much  importance  is  given  to  the  statement  of  Emanuel 
Van  Meteren,  Dutch  consul  at  London  for  twenty-five  years 
until  his  death  in  161 2,  which  is  that  the  ship  ascended  the 
river  to  latitude  42°  40',  approximately  that  of  the  present 
Lumber  district,  Albany. 

We  also  have  Lambrechtsen's  statement  that  the  river 
was  sailed  up  to  latitude  43° ;  that  is  more  than  twenty  miles 
above  Albany.     Recalling  the  rapids  then  existing  beyond 


4  Old  HinderKooK 

Troy,  and  having  a  fall  of  about  twenty  feet,  the  statement 
is  absurdly  inaccurate,  if  strictly  interpreted. 

Yates  and  Moulton  cite  from  A  Record  of  West  India 
Voyages  that  the  highest  latitude  reached  was  42°  40';  but 
whether  by  the  Half  Moon  or  its  boat  is  not  stated.  We 
submit  also  that  the  writer,  thirty-eight  years  after  Hudson, 
quoted  by  Brodhead  is  not  a  prime  or  conclusive  authority. 

Morse  {American  Geography,  1789)  gives  the  latitude  of 
Hudson  as  42°  23',  Albany,  42°  36'.  It  is  quite  conceivable 
that  Van  Meteren  also  erred.  Concerning  his  and  all  like 
statements  we  remark: 

I.  They  are  inconsistent  with  the  original  narrative  of 
Hudson  and  Juet.  This  explicitly  declares  that  the  small 
boat  went  ''eight  or  nine  leagues''  beyond  the  most  northerly 
anchorage  of  the  Half  Moon.  It  was  gone  all  day,  not  re- 
turning until  ten  o'clock  at  night ;  presumably  a  twelve-  or 
fourteen-hour  trip  to  say  the  least.  But  it  is  certain  that 
the  boat  could  have  gone  only  about  two  leagues  above 
42°  40'.  We  must  anchor  the  Half  Moon  in  Kinderhook 
waters  to  make  that  eight  or  nine  league  twelve-hour  trip 
possible. 

II.  De  Laet,  with  Hudson's  narrative  professedly 
before  him,  expressly  states  that  it  was  in  latitude  42°  18', 
approximately  that  of  the  mouth  of  Stockport  Creek,  that 
Hudson  made  his  memorable  visit  ashore.  Beyond  this 
point  the  Half  Moon  sailed  only  about  two  leagues,  that  is, 
to  Kinderhook  waters,  and  there  for  about  four  days  re- 
mained at  anchor  and  thence  returned  after  the  trip  of  the 
small  boat  ''eight  or  nine  leagues"  beyond;  that  is,  to  the  vi- 
cinity of  Albany.  It  is  alleged  that  De  Laet's  latitudes  and 
Juet's  leagues  and  miles  were  probably  inaccurate.  The 
precision  of  our  U.  S.  Coast  Survey  is  not  to  be  expected; 
but  we  may  not  assume  errors  to  fit  our  theories.  The 
latitude  of  Sandy  Hook  bar,  which  the  Half  Moon  hesitated 
to  cross  because  "there  was  no  more  than  ten  feet  of  water, " 
is  given  with  approximate  accuracy,  and  there  is  no  warrant 


tlinderKooK  and  its  Indians  5 

for  the  assumption  that  42°  18',  as  the  latitude  of  Hudson's 
visit  ashore,  is  incorrect.  The  miles  and  leagues  of  Juet's 
log  are,  it  is  alleged,  too  many  for  the  actual  distance  sailed. 
Quite  true  for  a  modern  steamboat  trip,  but  possibly  not 
for  the  Half  Moon  tacking  hither  and  yon  as  compelled  by 
adverse  winds. 

III.  The  details  of  the  original  narratives  as  regards 
the  vicinity  of  the  final  anchorage  of  the  Half  Moon  point 
to  the  same  conclusion.  A  friend,  very  familiar  with  this 
part  of  the  river,  and  a  practical  navigator,  assures  us  that 
the  details — ^^  shoals  in  the  middle  of  the  river  with  deep  water 
on  either  side  and  hi  the  proximity  of  three  small  islands^' — 
are  met  in  this  locality  and  in  no  other. 

IV.  We  have  this  narrative  of  the  first  stage  of  the 
return  trip: 

At  tweule  of  the  clocks  wee  weighed,  and  went  downe  two 
leagues  to  a  Shoald  that  had  two  channels,  one  on  the  one  side, 
and  another  on  the  other,  and  had  little  wind,  whereby  the  tide 
layed  vs  upon  it.  So,  there  wee  sate  on  ground  the  space  of  an 
houre,  till  the  fioud  came. 

The  narrative  in  all  its  details  agrees  perfectly  with  the 
theory  of  Kinderhook  waters  as  the  starting-point,  and  the 
well-known  flat  near  the  four-mile  lighthouse  as  the  place 
where  the  Half  Moon  grounded. 

The  editor  of  Juet's  Journal  {New  York  Historical  Col- 
lections, New  Series,  Vol.  I.)  added  this  note: 

"Ship  navigation  in  the  river  extends  five  or  six  miles  above  the 
city  of  Hudson,  to  about  the  latitude  42°  18';  beyond  this  point 
vessels  drawing  more  than  six  feet  of  water  are  generally  unable 
to  ascend."  Moulton  supposes  the  Half -Moon  to  have  been  of 
the  small  class  of  vessels  of  less  burthen  than  sloops  plying 
between  Troy  and  New  York.  But  it  will  be  remembered  that 
on  making  Sandy  Hook,  Hudson  at  first  declined  entering  what 
appeared  to  be  the  mouth  of  a  large  river,  because  it  had  a  very 


6  Old  HinderKooK 

shoal  bar  before  it,  where  they  had  but  ten  feet  of  water.  Is  it  prob- 
able, then,  that  he  ventured  or  was  able  to  pursue  his  course 
beyond  the  point  indicated  as  the  head  of  ship  navigation  on  the 
river,  when  he  would  encounter  shoals  of  only  six  or  seven  feet 
at  high  water? 

De  Laet,  after  describing  "Kleverack"  (Clover  Reach) 
and  other  "Reaches"  as  "dotted  with  sands  and  shallow 
both  on  the  east  side  and  in  the  middle  of  the  river,"  writes: 

Finally  the  Hart's  Reach  succeeds  as  far  as  the  Kinderhoeck : 
at  this  place  and  beyond,  the  river  at  its  greatest  depth  has  but 
five  fathoms  of  water  and  generally  only  two  or  three.  Beyond 
the  Kinderhoeck  there  are  several  small  islands  in  the  river,  one 
of  which  is  called  Beeren  Island. 

We  confess  to  a  profound  admiration  for  the  skill  of  the 
theoretic  pilots  two  hundred  and  forty  years  after  Hudson 
who,  under  these  conditions  of  unknown  tortuous  channels 
and  innumerable  shoals,  navigate  a  ship  of  eighty  tons,  which 
drew  too  much  water  for  the  bars  of  the  Delaware  and  hesi- 
tated and  grounded  at  Sandy  Hook  with  its  ten  feet  of 
water,  to  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  and  thence  send  a  small 
boat  twenty-four  miles  or  more  up  the  rapids. 

All  are  agreed  that  through  the  day  and  night  of  Septem- 
ber 1 6th,  the  Half  Moon  was  at  anchor  within  near  view  of 
the  Catskill  Mountains,  possibly  near  Catskill,  possibly 
Tivoli.  There,  Juet  narrates,  ^' We  found  very  loving  people 
and  very  old  men  and  were  well  used.''  The  natives  supplied 
them  with  Indian  corn,  pumpkins,  and  tobacco.  The  next 
day  tortuous  channels  and  many  shoals,  with  which  all 
navigators  of  the  Hudson  are  familiar,  made  progress  diffi- 
cult and  slow.  They  ran  only  ''six  leagues  higher.''  The 
Half  Moon  grounded  twice  but  was  "heaved  off"  and  finally 
safely  anchored,  where  it  remained  about  a  day  and  a  half. 
The  latitude,  according  to  De  Laet,  was  42°  18',  approxi- 
mately, as  we  have  already  said,  that  of  the  mouth  of  Stock- 


The  "Half  Moon"  in  Kinderhook  Waters 

From  a  photograph 


Major  Abram's  Creek,  Looking  West 
Near  here  Henry  Hudson  Landed 

From  a  photograph 


RinderKooK  and  its  Indians  7 

port  creek,  Th.eTe,DeLaet  states,  "  Hudson  landed.''  Then 
and  there  he  discovered  Kinderhook  and  trod  its  soil. 
Beyond  this  the  Half  Moon  went  about  six  miles  and  an- 
chored, where  it  remained  about  four  days.  It  was  the 
cynosure  of  all  eyes,  especially  of  those  of  the  gathering 
children,  and  the  place  was  therefore  named  Kinderhook. 
And  the  name  continues  while  Albany  was  successively 
known  as  Nassau,  De  Fuyck,  Fort  Orange,  Beverwyck, 
Albany,  Willemstadt,  and  Albany;  not  to  say  Aurania  ("ffort 
Aurania"),  which  was  doubtless  the  English  phonetic  spell- 
ing of  the  Dutch  Oranje  (Orange).  Most  respectfully  do 
we  remind  Albanians,  who  insist  on  docking  the  Half  Moon 
where  we  beheld  her  replica  in  1909,  of  what  Governor 
Nicolls  with  reason  wrote  to  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer: 
"You  should  not  grasp  too  much." 

We  have  presented  our  argument  and  deem  it  plausible 
if  not  conclusive.  Certainly  no  other  conclusion  is  indis- 
putably established. 

That  this  was  the  view  of  Martin  Van  Buren  we  do  not 
positively  affirm;  but  among  the  pleasing  memorabilia  of 
him  is  his  alleged  reply  when  at  a  royal  reception  Queen 
Adelaide  asked  how  far  back  he  could  trace  his  ancestry. 
Bowing  with  all  courtly  grace  he  answered,  "As  far  back 
as  Kinderhook,  Your  Majesty." 

Of  course  we  who  know  Kinderhook  best  are  not  sur- 
prised that  Hudson  should  have  regarded  it  as  the  Ultima 
Thule  of  his  personal  explorations  and  the  Ne  Plus  Ultra  of 
his  desires. 

Hudson's  visit  to  Kinderhook  was  on  Friday,  September 
18,  1609.     The  narrative  from  his  own  journal  is  as  follows: 

I  sailed  to  the  shore  in  one  of  their  canoes  with  an  old  man, 
who  was  the  chief  of  a  tribe  consisting  of  forty  men  and  seventeen 
women ;  these  I  saw  there  in  a  house  well  constructed  of  oak-bark 
and  circular  in  shape,  so  that  it  had  the  appearance  of  being 
built  with  an  arched  roof.     It  contained  a  great  quantity  of 


8  Old  RinderHooK 

maize  or  Indian  corn  and  beans  of  the  last  year's  growth,  and 
there  lay  near  the  house  for  the  purpose  of  drying  enough  to  load 
three  ships,  besides  what  was  growing  in  the  fields.  On  our 
coming  into  the  house  two  mats  were  spread  out  to  sit  upon,  and 
immediately  some  food  was  served  in  well  made  red  wooden 
bowls;  two  men  were  also  despatched  at  once  with  bows  and 
arrows  in  quest  of  game,  who  soon  after  brought  in  a  pair  of 
pigeons  which  they  had  shot.  They  likewise  killed  a  fat  dog,  and 
skinned  it  with  great  haste  with  shells  which  they  had  got  out  of 
the  water.  They  supposed  that  I  would  remain  with  them  for 
the  night,  but  I  returned  after  a  short  time  to  the  ship.  The  land 
is  the  finest  for  cultivation  that  I  ever  in  my  life  set  foot  upon, 
and  it  also  abounds  in  trees'of  every  description.  The  natives  are 
a  very  good  people,  for  when  they  saw  that  I  would  not  remain, 
they  supposed  that  I  was  afraid  of  their  bows,  and  taking  their 
arrows,  they  broke  them  in  pieces  and  threw  them  into  the  fire. 
Hospitality  and  goodness  abide  in  Kinderhook  still. 

The  Indians  who  so  kindly  welcomed  Hudson  were  the 
Mahicans,  sometimes  mistakenly  identified  with  their 
cousins  the  Mohegans,  whom  Cooper  immortalized.  Their 
domain  included  the  whole  eastern  shore  of  the  upper  Hud- 
son as  far  as  the  falls  of  the  Mohawk  and  thence  eastward 
indefinitely.  They  were  a  tribe  of  the  Lenni-Lenapes, 
which  means  Original  People.  The  domain  of  the  Lenapes 
extended  along  the  Atlantic  seaboard  from  the  St.  Lawrence 
to  Florida,  and  as  far  inland  as  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  even  to  some  tribes  beyond.  But  of  this  region  a  small 
portion  near  the  Great  Lakes,  and  that  extending  across 
New  York  and  through  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  and  to 
the  headwaters  of  the  Delaware  and  Susquehanna,  was 
occupied  by  the  Mengwe,  otherwise  called  Iroquois  or  Six 
Nations;  and  a  small  portion  along  the  Gulf  at  the  south 
was  inhabited  by  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees.  The  Lenni- 
Lenapes,  it  is  stated,  had  been  reduced  in  numbers  by 
1660,  to  90,000;  about  one  half  of  the  total  number  of  Indi- 
ans east  of  the  Mississippi. 


ninderhooK  and  its  Indians  9 

The  tradition  of  the  Mahicans  concerning  their  early 
history,  which  is  essentially  that  of  the  Lenni-Lenapes,  is 
given  by  Heckewelder  in  substance  as  follows :  Their  ances- 
tral home  was  in  the  far  West  beside  great  waters  that 
ebbed  and  flowed.  Moved  by  the  Great  Spirit  to  seek  new 
hunting  grounds  in  the  East,  they  started  upon  their  jour- 
ney. It  was  long  and  perilous  and  involved  many  bloody 
conflicts  with  hostile  tribes  through  whose  territory  they 
must  needs  go.  Years  of  privation  and  suffering  came  and 
went  without  their  finding  a  place  of  rest.  They  came  to 
many  great  waters  but  to  none  that  ebbed  and  flowed  until 
they  reached  the  Hudson.  These  waters  were  like  those  of 
their  ancestral  river.  They  named  them  Mahicanituck,  the 
river  of  the  Mahicans.  Here  the  Great  Spirit  would  have 
them  '' kindle  a  fire  and  hang  a  kettle  whereof  they  and  their 
children  might  dip  out  their  daily  refreshment.'^ 

Their  Council  fire  and  palisaded  village  or  castle  were 
in  Schodack,  meaning  Fire  Place  or  Place  of  Council.  The 
site  was  Castle  hill  within  the  present  village  of  Castleton, 
Another  place  of  rendezvous  was  in  Valatie,  the  Indian 
name  of  which  (Pachaquak)  signifies  Meeting  Place.  Beeren 
Island  was  long  known  as  the  island  of  the  Mahicans,  and 
Smack's  as  Aepjen's  Island. 

Eskuvius,  alias  Aepjen  (Little  Ape),  was  the  Mahican 
head  Sachem  and  Peace  Chief.  The  name  Aepjen  was 
probably  the  Dutch  phonetic  spelling  of  an  Indian  name 
of  much  more  dignified  meaning.  Kesieway  (Kesse  Waye) 
was  another  Peace  Chief  who  was  in  later  years  a  mail- 
carrier  between  Albany  and  New  York.  The  function  of 
a  Peace  Chief  was  to  maintain  tribal  covenants  and  also  to 
negotiate  treaties  of  peace  for  his  own  people  and  for  others 
when  invited  thus  to  serve.  We  find  Aepjen  thus  serving 
with  the  sachems  of  five  other  tribes  in  New  Amsterdam, 
in  1645,  to  terminate  a  desolating  war  of  five  years'  contin- 
uance. Their  signatures,  with  those  of  William  Kieft  and 
other  Dutch  officials,  were  affixed  to  the  treaty.     Aepjen's 


10  Old  K-inderHooK 

mark  is  charmingly  like  a  child's  picture  of  a  giraffe  with  a 
long  neck  but  very  short  legs  and  a  straight  tail  of  the  same 
length.  It  was  meant  doubtless  for  a  wolf,  the  emblem  of 
his  tribe.  Again  in  1660  he  was  one  of  three  Mahican  chiefs 
who  went  to  Fort  Amsterdam  in  the  interests  of  peace  with 
the  Esopus  Indians.  Laying  down,  we  read,  four  belts  of 
wampum  before  Governor  Stuyvesant,  "These,"  he  said, 
"are  a  guarantee  that  the  Kalebackers  (possessors  of  guns) 
desire  peace,  and  that  we  are  authorized  to  treat  in  their 
behalf." 

Traditionally,  Emikee,  whose  name  occurs  on  an  Indian 
deed  and  on  the  subsequent  Baker  and  Plodder  land-patent, 
was  the  owner  of  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Kinder- 
hook  and  of  a  portion  of  the  flats  toward  Valatie;  and  one 
Pompoen  (whence  Pompoenick)  was  the  swarthy  proprietor 
of  Valatie  or  land  to  the  east  of  it.  As  late  as  1812,  when 
attorney  Martin  Van  Buren  was  arguing  one  of  the  almost 
interminable  land  cases,  he  rather  ungraciously  referred 
to  Emikee  as  "only  an  Indian."  The  retort  was  that  the 
attorney  was  born  on  Emikee's  land. 

In  our  iconoclastic  age  some  are  disposed  to  regard 
Emikee  as  a  myth,  partly  because  Chancellor  Kent,  in  one 
of  our  most  important  land  cases,  of  which  we  shall  have 
more  to  say,  used  the  words,  "the  Emiquees  land,"  suggest- 
ing possibly  a  tribe  or  family  of  the  Mahicans.  That  the 
word  was  a  corruption  of  Maquas  (Mohawks)  is  not  credible. 
The  Mohawks,  sometimes  victors  and  at  other  times  the 
vanquished  even  in  their  own  fastnesses,  in  the  frequent 
conflicts  between  the  two  tribes,  never  owned  any  of  our 
territory.  That  Emikee  and  Wattawit,  our  chief  Indian 
landholder  (for  himself  or  his  family) ,  were  one  and  the  same 
is  possible.  But  for  ourselves  we  have  a  profound  respect 
for  Emikee  as  a  veritable  person,  and  shall  drop  a  quiet 
tear  over  his  grave  when  we  find  it.  He  should  have  a 
monument  in  our  village  park,  and  we  will  receive  subscrip- 
tions therefor. 


ninderKooK  and  its  Indians  II 

The  principal  trails  of  the  Indians  through  the  wilder- 
ness, unbroken  save  by  patches  here  and  there  under  crude 
tillage,  were  two:  one  near  the  river;  and  the  other,  following 
the  lines  of  least  resistance,  nearly  identical  with  the  road- 
bed of  the  Boston  and  Albany  Railroad  and  long  known  as 
the  "New  England  Path." 

The  friendliness  of  the  Mahicans  who  welcomed  Hudson 
was  continued  for  many  years.  With  scarcely  an  exception 
their  lands  were  bought,  not  stolen.  The  price  was  often 
trifling  indeed,  but  satisfactory  to  the  owners.  Under  the 
Dutch  in  1629,  and  the  English  in  1664,  the  extinguishment 
of  the  Indian  claim  by  purchase  was  a  prerequisite  to  the 
granting  of  a  land-patent.  The  Indian  owner  or  the  Sachem 
of  the  tribe  was  required  to  appear  in  person  before  the 
Albany  authorities  and  attest  the  satisfactory  sale. 

On  Manhattan,  not  here,  occurred  the  alleged  repetition 
of  Queen  Dido's  exploit  at  Carthage.  A  bit  of  land,  only 
what  a  bullock's  hide  would  cover,  that  they  might  "raise 
a  few  greens  for  their  soup,"  was  asked  for  and  freely  given. 
But  when  the  thrifty  suppliants,  laying  aside  their  Virgil, 
proceeded  to  cut  the  hide  into  small  strings  which  enclosed 
a  considerable  plot,  the  Indians  said  nothing,  for  they  had 
several  acres  left,  but  they  did  considerable  thinking,  to  the 
effect  possibly  that  the  verdants  in  the  bouillon  were  already 
in  evidence. 

In  1623  Mahican  chiefs  brought  to  commander  Jorise  at 
Fort  Orange,  large  presents  of  beaver  and  other  peltry,  and 
asked  for  covenants  of  friendship  and  privileges  of  traffic. 
They  are  reported  as  saying  at  that  time  that  they  made  a 
wide  distinction  between  the  Dutch  at  Fort  Orange  and 
those  at  New  Amsterdam.  We  blushingly  accept  the  tribute 
as  undoubtedly  merited.  And  yet  we  will  say  that  there 
was  a  decided  distinction  between  the  fierce  warlike  Dela- 
wares  of  Manhattan  and  our  peaceful  loving  Mahicans. 
Moreover,  when  we  read  in  the  narrative  of  the  Swedish 
naturalist,  Peter  Kalm,  of  his  visit  to  Albany,  in  1749, — 


12  Old  RinderHooK 

"Nobody  comes  to  this  place  without  the  most  pressing 
necessity,"  and  read  his  description  of  the  inhabitants  as  a 
people  whose  "avarice  and  selfishness  are  known  through 
all  North  America,"  we  are  humbled.  But  Albany  was 
not  Kinderhook. 

The  "merrie  making"  which  followed  Hudson's  visit  to 
the  Mahicans  was  the  beginning  of  a  sorrowful  story.  In 
later  years  their  love  for  the  white  man's  "fire-water"  became 
an  insatiable  appetite  most  destructive  as  always  in  its 
results.  No  wonder  that  some  called  it  "devils'  blood." 
The  record  is  painful  and  humiHating  to  the  last  degree, 
but  the  long  story  of  impoverishment,  demoralization, 
disease,  and  death  requires  no  recital  here.  Two  hundred 
years  later,  Heckewelder  writes  of  the  traditions  of  that 
fateful  merrymaking  as  still  current  among  the  Indians. 
He  gives  the  derivation  of  the  name  Manhattan  from  a 
long  Indian  word  meaning  "the  island  where  we  all  became 
intoxicated."  Inasmuch  as  the  earliest  authorities  refer 
to  the  locality  as  "Mana-hatta"  we  respectfully  put  an 
interrogation  mark  after  Mr.  Heckewelder's  derivation, 
and  are  assured  of  a  more  pleasing  pedigree  for  the  name. 

The  Indians  were  not  wholly  uncared  for  by  the  Colo- 
nial authorities :  among  the  "  Lawes  establisht  by  the  Author- 
ity of  His  Majestees  Letters  patent  granted  to  his  Royall 
Highnes  James  Duke  of  Yorke  and  Albany,"  we  find  the 
law  regarding  the  purchase  of  lands  from  Indians  already 
referred  to;  other  laws  for  their  protection  from  injuries; 
forbidding  the  sale  of  weapons,  ammunition,  intoxicating 
liquors  without  license,  etc.;  and  then  this  for  the  safe- 
guarding of  the  morals  of  settlers:  "No  Indian  whatsoever 
shall  at  any  time  be  suffered  to  Powaw  or  perform  outward 
worship  to  the  Devil  in  any  Towne  within  this  Government." 
There  was  also  this  charming  protection  of  the  sanctity  of 
marriage:  "Any  person  proven  guilty  of  perjury,  who  has 
thereby  attained  a  Double  Marriage  .  .  .  shall  bee  boared 
through  the  tongue  with  a  read  hot  iron." 


tlinderKooK  and  its  Indians  13 

The  devil-worship  referred  to  was  thus  explained  in 
Robert  Livingston's  letter  to  Bellomont  in  1770:  "God, 
they  say,  is  good  and  lives  above.  Him  they  love  because 
He  never  do's  them  any  harm.  The  devil  they  fear  and 
are  forced  to  bribe  by  offerings,  etc.,  that  he  do  them  no 
harme." 

How  tenderly  solicitous  the  Dutch  fathers  were  for  the 
health  of  the  Indians  we  learn  from  Jed's  Historical  Frag- 
ments which  tell  us  of  the  ordinance  of  1653  against  the 
selling  of  white  bread  or  cake  to  the  natives;  and  we  are 
pleased  to  note  that  in  1655,  Jochim,  the  baker,  was  tried 
for  selling  them  sugar  cakes  and  also  for  baking  bread 
under  weight.  This  last  was  such  a  heinous  offense 
that  notice  was  affixed  to  the  church  door  (1681)  that  the 
price  of  white  bread  was  to  be  seven  stivers  (14  cents) 
wampum,  for  a  loaf  weighing  one  Dutch  pound. 

Our  Mahicans  seem  to  have  been  numerous  and  strong 
at  the  time  of  Hudson's  visit  and  for  twenty  years  thereafter. 

In  apparent  confirmation  of  this,  which  is  not  the  com- 
monly accepted  view,  we  find  in  what  is  known  as  Van  Cur- 
ler's but  was  probably  (Mr.  Van  Laer  thinks)  Surgeon 
Vanden  Bogaert's  Journal  of  his  expedition  among  the  Iro- 
quois (1634-35),  a  reference  to  an  abandoned  fortress  of  the 
Mohawks,  from  which  (his  Indian  guide  informed  him)  they 
had  been  driven  not  many  years  before  by  the  Mahicans. 
Indeed,  so  independent  were  they  that  the  first  settlers  at 
Fort  Orange  found  them  entirely  unwilling  to  part  with 
any  of  their  territory.  Even  the  West  India  Company  was 
unable  as  late  as  1625  to  purchase  from  them  the  site  of 
Fort  Orange.  It  was  not  until  after  their  disastrous  defeat 
by  the  Mohawks  on  Roger's  Island,  in  1629,  that  the  Mahi- 
cans consented  to  sell  any  part  of  their  ancestral  domain. 
Then,  through  the  steady  encroachment  of  the  white  man, 
as  well  as  the  triumph  of  their  ancient  foe,  they  soon  became 
a  comparatively  small  and  feeble  folk. 

Their  treatment  by  the  Dutch  and  English  authorities, 


14  Old  liinderHooK 

while  not  especially  oppressive,  tended  to  make  and  keep 
them  "women,"  as  the  Indian  phrase  was.  The  conciliation 
of  the  Mohawks,  and  the  other  nations  of  the  famous  Iro- 
quois League,  seemed  and  probably  was  essential  to  the 
progress  and  even  the  continued  existence  of  Fort  Orange 
and  its  dependencies.  The  Mohawks,  hoping  to  obtain 
arms  with  which  they  might  more  successfully  than  of  late 
contend  with  the  Indian  allies  of  the  French  in  Canada,  were 
quite  disposed  to  be  conciliated.  Hence  the  summons  to 
all  to  the  notable  conference  at  Norman's  Kill  in  1618.  In 
the  treaty  there  concluded  the  Iroquois  held  one  end  of  the 
Peace  Belt  and  the  Dutch  the  other,  while  the  middle  of  it 
rested  on  the  shoulders  of  the  Lenni-Lenapes  and  the  Mahi- 
cans.  All  the  white  man's  power  was  pledged  against  the 
people  who  should  first  unbury  the  hatchet. 

The  Mahicans  appear  to  have  remained  true  to  the 
covenant  of  161 9  to  the  last.  We  may  be  sure  they  were 
not  of  the  marauding  band  of  Indians  who  in  1664  burned 
the  Staats  house  at  Stockport  and  devastated  to  some  extent 
the  interior.  Nor  were  they  of  those  allies  of  the  French 
who  in  1748  and  1755  made  their  sudden  attacks  with  torch, 
tomahawk,  and  muskets.  On  the  contrary,  they  were 
ready  to  serve  our  people  with  their  lives  if  need  be.  When 
in  1 69 1  Fort  Orange  was  threatened  with  an  attack  by 
the  French  and  their  savage  alHes,  the  Mahicans  were  "the 
River  Indians"  who  obeyed  the  summons  to  defend  the 
imperilled  fort.  And  when  in  1696,  Captain  Dubeau  and  his 
band  from  Montreal  were  marching  from  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  Orange  to  attack  Kinderhook,  our  faithful  Mahicans 
surprised  and  defeated  them.  Doubtless  there  were  occa- 
sional lapses  from  virtue  on  the  part  of  individuals,  as  there 
have  been,  it  is  reported,  among  the  sachems  and  braves  of 
the  Great  Wigwam  of  Manhattan.  But  on  the  whole  the 
Mahicans  were  faithful  to  their  early  covenant  of  friend- 
ship. The  characterization  of  the  River  Indians  by  Smith's 
History  as  "dastardly  tribes  to  whom  governors  gave  pres- 


RinderHooK  and  its  Indians  15 

ents  for  promises  never  meant  to  be  performed,"  is  inac- 
curate and  unjust.  They  sealed  their  covenant  of  friend- 
ship with  the  English,  as  well  as  with  the  Dutch,  with  their 
own  blood. 

In  evidence  of  this  we  quote  a  portion  of  the  address  of 
the  Mahicans  to  Governor  Fletcher,  when  he  came  to  Albany 
in  1693  to  confer  with  them  and  other  Indians.  It  should 
be  noted  that  the  Mahicans  had  received  considerable 
accessions  after  King  Philip's  war  (1676),  by  the  coming  of 
their  cousins  from  New  England. 

We  cite  a  fragment  of  the  address:  "Wee  return  you 
also  our  hearty  thank's  for  renewing  and  makeing  bright 
that  covenant  chain,  wee  will  alway's  Oyle  and  greeze  it 
that  it  should  never  Rust.  Thereupon  they  presented  half 
a  belt  of  Wampum."  They  did  lubricate  the  covenant 
chain;  for,  when  the  same  Governor  visited  Albany  in  1696, 
passing  through  Kinderhook  on  his  way,  one  of  the  very 
first  things  he  did  was  to  send  for  our  Indians  "who  had 
knocked  a  party  of  seaven  Frenchmen  on  the  head,"  and 
"for  their  better  encouragement"  gave  them  six  pounds  for 
each  one  they  had  killed. 

Although  involving  a  break  in  the  continuity  of  our 
narrative,  the  frequent  and  manifold  use  of  wampum  (sea- 
want),  in  Indian  traffic  treaties  and  common  life,  justifies  a 
paragraph  of  explanation.  Wampum  was  made  of  bits  of 
shell  rounded,  perforated,  and  usually  strung  on  a  sinew  of 
an  animal.  The  strings  varied  in  length  according  to  cir- 
cumstances and  were  sometimes  measured  by  the  fathom. 
Several  strings  interwoven  to  about  the  width  of  a  hand 
constituted  a  belt.  The  beads,  so-called,  were  usually  like 
small  pieces  of  broken  pipestem,  white,  black,  red,  or  purple 
in  color,  and  were  more  valuable  if  polished.  Those  of 
cylindrical  shape,  made  from  the  red  pipestone  of  the  West, 
were  more  valuable  still.  The  beads  were  used  for  money, 
for  personal  adornment,  and  as  symbolic  tokens  and  pledges. 
Their  color,  number,  and  arrangement  were  significant  of 


l6  Old  liinderKooK 

ideas,  intelligible  to  the  Indian  if  not  to  the  white  man. 
At  conferences  and  councils  and  in  the  making  of  treaties, 
the  Indian  orator  was  wont  to  punctuate  the  paragraphs 
of  his  oration  by  laying  down  strings,  belts,  or  fathoms  of 
wampum  varying  in  length,  value,  and  symbolic  meaning 
according  to  the  importance  of  the  subject-matter  of  his 
address. 

These  belts  were  also  in  a  degree  their  historic  annals 
and  the  records  of  the  mutual  obligations  of  giver  and  re- 
ceiver. We  read  of  an  Indian  who  in  time  of  need  claimed 
from  a  white  man  the  fulfillment  of  a  promise  he  had  re- 
ceived forty  years  before,  and  of  which  he  had  a  memorial 
belt.  A  sachem  or  other  dignitary  was  the  official  keeper 
of  these  memorial  belts.  From  time  to  time  he  would 
gather  the  younger  members  of  the  tribe  about  him  and 
solemnly  explain  the  significance  of  each  belt,  thus  handing 
it  down  from  father  to  son  and  from  generation  to  generation. 
The  explanation  was  listened  to  with  reverent  silence  until 
completed.  Then,  only,  some  aged  warrior  might  speak  of 
any  detail  which  the  keeper  of  the  belts  had  possibly 
forgotten. 

As  money,  wampum  was  an  unstable  currency,  with  a 
constant  tendency  to  depreciation.  A  well-polished  black 
bead  was  worth  two  white  ones.  In  1641,  at  the  famous 
Seawant-Wampum  Exchange,  which  stood  (we  assume) 
on  Aepjen's  Island,  six  unpolished,  or  four  well-polished 
beads  were  worth  one  stiver  (about  two  cents).  In  1658, 
eight  white  and  four  black  beads  were  valued  at  one  stiver, 
and  four  years  later  twenty-four  white  beads  and  twelve 
black  were  worth  one  stiver.  A  fathom  of  wampum  was 
valued  at  $i.66X.  These  market  quotations  are  correct, 
whatever  the  unimaginative  may  allege  concerning  the 
precise  location  of  the  Seawant-Wampum  Exchange. 

Resuming  our  proof  of  the  fideHty  and  serviceableness 
of  our  Indians,  we  cite  the  testimony  of  Robert  Livingston 
(1700)  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Bellomont,  in  which  he  says, 


ninderHooK  and  its  Indians  l^ 

"The  River  Indians  have  done  signal  service  for  this  govern- 
ment in  the  late  war." 

For  yet  another  interesting  item  of  evidence,  we  have 
the  notable  address  of  the  River  Indians  to  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Nanfan  (1701)  in  the  presence  of  Peter  Schuyler 
of  "His  Majesties  Councill,"  the  mayor,  aldermen,  and 
other  dignitaries.  The  Mahican  sachem  Sacquans  was  the 
speaker  whom  we  quote  in  part : 

Father.  Wee  became  like  a  people  in  darkness  see  soon  as  wee 
heard  of  the  death  of  our  father  the  late  Earle  of  Bellomont  our 
Govenour  and  soe  continued  till  the  sun  shined  again  upon  us  by 
your  coming  .  .  .  wee  esteem  ourselves  happy  that  there  is  such 
a  person  pitch'd  upon  to  be  our  father  and  Governour  who  wee 
hope  will  take  care  of  us — Doe  give  two  beavers. 

Father.  Itt  is  by  Gods  permission  wee  meet  here  together 
and  wee  are  heartily  glad  to  see  you,  and  since  itt  is  requisite 
you  should  know  our  strength  wee  have  made  an  exact  calcula- 
tion and  wee  are  now  two  hundred  fighting  men  .  .  .  and  hope 
to  increase  in  a  years  time  to  three  hundred,  doe  give  a  belt  of 
Wampum. 

Father.  Itt  is  now  ninety  years  agoe  since  the  christians 
came  first  here,  when  there  was  a  covenant  chain  made  between 
them  and  the  Mahikanders  the  first  inhabitants  of  this  River, 
and  the  chain  has  been  kept  inviolable  ever  since  and  we  have 
observed  that  neither  Bears  grease  nor  the  fatt  of  dear  or  Elks 
are  soe  proper  to  keep  that  chain  bright,  the  only  forraign 
(sovraign)  remedy  that  wee  have  found  by  experience  in  all  that 
time  to  keep  the  chain  bright  is  Beavers  grease,  doe  give  two 
Beavers. 

The  fifth  paragraph  of  Lanfan's  reply  is  as  follows: 

The  great  King  of  England  my  Master  being  made  sencible 
of  your  steddy  adherence  to  the  Crown  of  England  sufficiently 
demonstrated  by  your  forward  and  frequent  venturing  your  lives 
against  the  French  in  the  late  warr  has  been  graciously  pleased 
to  command  me  to  assure  you  of  his  Royall  protection  and  has 
sent  you  a  present. 


1 8  Old  RinderHooK 

This  was  the  present,  besides  what  was  given  to  parti- 
cular sachems  privately:  "30  Gunns.  5  kettles.  4  dozen 
knives.  5  looking  glasses,  i  ps  red  i  ps  blew  strouds, 
I  ps  blanketts,  8  keggs  of  Rum,  200  barrs  lead,  40  Bags 
powder,  3  Rolls  tobacco,  10  Hatchets,  10  shirts,  24  pair 
stockings,  gross  of  pipes,  2  vatts  beer,  50  loaves." 

In  Barber's  Historical  American  Scenes  it  is  narrated, 
in  substance,  that  a  delegation  from  Massachusetts  being 
in  Albany  to  confer,  in  common  with  our  authorities,  with 
the  Six  Nations,  it  became  necessary  for  Colonel  Schuyler  to 
send  a  letter  to  Niagara.  It  was  intrusted  to  an  Indian  who 
was  to  bring  back  the  reply.  During  his  absence  Colonel 
Schuyler  was  taken  quite  ill.  The  messenger,  on  his  return, 
went  to  the  council  chamber  but  finding  Colonel  Schuyler 
absent  would  give  the  letter  to  none  other,  notwithstanding 
all  assurances  and  solicitations.  He  was  then  offered  fifty 
pounds  for  the  letter  and  his  service  but  scornfully  refused 
the  offer.  The  perplexed  commissioners  then  threatened 
to  take  the  letter  by  force,  whereupon,  with  his  drawn  knife 
in  his  right  hand  and  the  letter  in  the  left,  he  said  with  indig- 
nation that  he  would  plunge  the  knife  into  his  own  heart 
before  he  would  be  guilty  of  a  breach  of  trust.  And  he  was 
"only  an  Indian." 

The  Indian  names  of  familiar  localities  are  not  without 
interest.  They  are  to  be  found  on  old  maps,  deeds,  surveys, 
land-patents,  and  in  the  colonial  records  so  voluminously 
on  file  among  the  archives  of  the  State.  In  many  cases, 
however,  their  orthography  is  so  variant  in  different  docu- 
ments, and  even  in  the  same  document,  that  authorities 
are  unable  to  decide  as  to  the  correct  form  and  the  precise 
significance.  Ruttenber  makes  note  of  forty-nine  variations 
of  one  name. 

Like  the  early  Hebrew  Bible  names  they  were  all  signi- 
ficant. They  were  vivid  word-pictures ;  and  yet,  eyes  skilled 
in  discerning  them  do  not  always  see  the  same  pictures. 
For  example,  "Skenectadea,"  some  have  said,  was  the  Indian 


ninderHooK  and  its  Indians  19 

name  for  the  present  site  of  Albany,  and  Ruttenber  assembles 
this  picture  gallery  of  varying  interpretations:  "Beyond 
the  opening"  (Morgan);  "Beyond  (or  on  the  other  side  of) 
the  door"  (O'Callaghan),  and  "Beyond  the  Pines"  (Horatio 
Allen).  Mr.  Ruttenber  deems  Mr.  Allen's  interpretation 
exhaustive  and  correct  from  the  standpoint  of  a  Mohawk, 
but  himself  prefers  a  Dutch  origin  for  the  name  and  the 
meaning — ' '  beautiful   portion. ' ' 

Premising  that  where  authorities  differ  we  give  but  one 
orthography  without  claiming  exactitude,  we  present  the 
following  details,  nearly  all  of  them  from  the  older  land- 
patents  : 

The  Hudson  River,  named  by  the  Dutch  Mauritius, 
was  called  by  some  Indians  Shatemuc  (Eel-fishing  Place), 
and  by  others,  as  before  stated,  Mahicanituck,  the  river  of 
the  Mahicans.  The  vicinity  of  Chittenden's  Falls  was 
termed  Cicklekawick,  a  wild,  dashing  stream.  Two  tracts, 
farther  up  the  creek,  were  called  Najokassick  and  Wachca- 
nossoonsick.  One  of  the  falls  still  beyond  was  named 
Casesiawack.  A  portion  of  the  site  of  Kinderhook  village 
was  Machackoosk  and  that  of  Valatie,  Packaquak,  the 
cleared  or  meeting-place.  In  parenthesis,  we  respectfully 
suggest  to  our  neighbor  a  return,  as  in  the  case  of  Sing- 
Sing,  to  the  sonorous  Indian  name,  rather  than  the  perpetu- 
ation of  the  unmeaning  nasality,  Va-lay-she,  for  the  good 
old  Dutch  pronunciation  V61-a-che,  meaning  Little  Falls 
as  distinguished  from  the  greater  falls  below.  It  is  related 
of  the  late  Hon.  William  H.  Tobey  that,  hearing  a  lawyer  in 
Court  say  Va-lay-she,  he  wrathfully  exclaimed :  "What  does 
the  fellow  mean?  There  is  no  such  place."  Ruttenber 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  French's  Gazetteer  is  correct 
as  to  the  meaning  of  Valatie,  Little  Falls. 

The  hills  f  o  the  east  of  Valatie  toward  Chatham  Center 
were  named  Pennekoes.  The  Kleine  Kill  was  Kenagtiquak,  a 
small  stream  or  beginning  place.  Kinderhook  Lake  (Great 
Fish)   was  Wogasheuachook,   while   the  smaller   Knicker- 


20  Old  KinderHooK 

bocker  Lake  had  appropriately  the  less  imposing  name 
Heithoock  (Tree).  The  Eykebush  (Oak  Woods)  Creek 
was  called  Pettanock.  Pompoenick  may  have  meant 
playground.     The  Indians  had  their  places  of  sport. 

Our  Mahicans,  few  in  number  compared  with  what 
they  had  been,  rapidly  faded  away.  The  official  enumera- 
tion of  1689  revealed  but  250,  including  women  and  children, 
in  the  entire  county  of  Albany,  of  which  Kinderhook  was  a 
district.  Seven  years  later  they  had  dwindled  to  ninety. 
Strong  drink,  "one  of  the  fatal  first  gifts,"  says  O'Callaghan, 
of  the  civilized  Christian  to  the  untutored  heathen,  was 
their  greatest  enemy.  Their  wisest  men  at  least  understood 
this.  At  their  conference  with  Lord  Cornbury  in  1702  a 
sachem  stood  up  and  prayed  that,  "y^  Rum  (100  gallons) 
given  in  y^  present  might  be  lodged  somewhere  till  their 
Conference  was  over  since  they  are  now  just  begunn  and 
if  their  people  should  fall  a  drinking  they  should  be  unfitt 
for  businesse;  upon  which  it  was  ordered  to  be  lodged  in 
M'.  Livingstones  seller."  It  was  not  long  until  all  were 
gone;  most  of  them  to  unknown  graves;  a  few  to  their  kin- 
folk  beyond  the  Taghkanics  and  in  Stockbridge,  a  remnant 
of  them  serving  on  the  side  of  the  Americans  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  as  their  ancient  foe,  the  Mohawks,  served 
the  British.  Later  on,  the  very  few  survivors  of  the  once 
powerful  race  of  the  Mahicans  were  removed,  first  to  Madi- 
son County,  N.  Y.,  in  1785,  and  then  to  the  Ohio  country 
and  to  Canada. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Heckewelder  for  the  pathetic 
story  the  Lenni-Lenapes  and  Mahicans  were  wont  to  tell: 

We  and  our  kindred  tribes  lived  in  peace  and  harmony  with 
each  other  before  the  white  man  came  into  this  country.  Our 
council-house  extended  far  to  the  south  and  far  to  the  north.  In 
the  middle  of  it  we  would  meet  from  all  parts  to  smoke  the  pipe 
of  peace  together.  When  the  white  men  arrived  in  the  south  we 
received  them  as  friends;  we  did  the  same  when  they  arrived  in 


HinderHooK  and  its  Indians  21 

the  east.  It  was  we,  it  was  our  forefathers,  who  made  them 
welcome  and  let  them  sit  down  by  our  side.  The  land  they 
settled  on  was  ours.  We  knew  not  but  the  Great  Spirit  had  sent 
them  to  us  for  some  good  purpose,  and  therefore  we  thought 
they  must  be  a  good  people.  We  were  mistaken;  for  no  sooner 
had  they  obtained  a  footing  on  our  lands  than  they  began  to  pull 
our  council-house  down,  first  at  one  end  and  then  at  the  other, 
and  at  last  meeting  each  other  at  the  centre,  where  the  council- 
fire  was  yet  burning  bright,  they  put  it  out  and  extinguished  it 
with  our  own  blood,  with  the  blood  of  those  who  had  received 
them,  who  had  welcomed  them  to  our  land.  The  blood  ran  in 
streams  into  our  fire  and  extinguished  it  so  entirely  that  not  one 
spark  was  left  us  whereby  to  kindle  a  new  fire.  .  .  .  The  whites 
will  not  rest  contented  until  they  shall  have  destroyed  the  last 
of  us,  and  made  us  disappear  entirely  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 


CHAPTER  II 
PHYSICAL  FEATURES,  BOUNDARIES,  POPULATION 

Contour — Extent — Elevation — Soil — Waters — Fruitage — Warden's  Natural 
History.  Boundaries:  Albany  County — Kinderhook  District — Its  Spol- 
iation —  Chatham  Boundary — Ghent  Boundary  —  Stuyvesant  Bound- 
ary— Village  Boundaries — Valatie  Boundaries.  Notable  Field  Books — 
Population,  1 790-1910. 

THE  present  town  of  Kinderhook  is  in  contour  an  irreg- 
ular parallelogram  about  eight  miles  long  and  four 
wide,  containing  approximately  20,800  acres;  not  a  third 
of  the  original  area.  The  northerly  part,  about  two  thirds 
of  the  whole,  is  table-land  to  which  there  is  a  gradual  ascent 
from  the  Hudson  River, 

According  to  the  Kinderhook  Quadrangle,  U.  S.  Coast 
Survey,  the  village,  at  the  Albany  Southern  station,  is  259 
feet  above  sea-level ;  Valatie,  near  the  cemetery,  243 ;  Niver- 
ville,  328;  Sunnyside,  245;  the  Post  Road,  about  three  miles 
above  the  village,  320;  Kinderhook  Lake,  288;  Prospect  Hill, 
with  its  superb  outlook  whence  in  1777  the  light  of  burning 
Kingston  was  seen,  557,  the  highest  elevation  in  the  present 
town ;  Old  Chatham,  is  539  feet  and  near  it  is  a  hill  marked 
1080  feet  elevation. 

Near  the  river  much  of  the  soil  is  clay,  furnishing  excel- 
lent material  for  numerous  brickyards.  Early  in  the 
eighteenth  century  there  was  a  brickyard  on  the  old  Scher- 
merhorn-Pruyn  homestead  now  owned  by  the  Misses  Beek- 
man;  another  on  the  Van  Alstyne  farm;  still  another  on  the 

22 


PKysical  Featxires,  Boxindaries,  Population  23 

farm  on  the  Eykebush  road  where  the  late  Rear-Admiral 
Philip  was  born;  and  yet  another  on  the  Bidwell-Platner- 
Bray  place.  Undoubtedly  most  of  the  ''bricks  brought  from 
Holland'^  were  made  here.  In  the  interior  the  soil  is  a  sandy 
loam,  much  of  it  originally  very  fertile  and  still  bountifully 
productive  when  intelligently  cultivated.  The  sandy  soils 
are  rich  in  phosphorus,  as  evidenced  by  the  large  yield  of 
grain  per  acre.     The  clay  soils  are  relatively  richer  in  potash. 

The  original  timber  was  mostly  pine.  Until  within  a 
few  years  there  stood  in  the  cemetery  one  tree  at  least 
which  beheld  Burgoyne's  captive  army  passing  by,  and 
which  in  its  youth  may  have  heard  of,  if  it  did  not  see  the 
Half  Moon  anchored  in  our  waters. 

Kinderhook  District  was  and  is  well  watered.  About  a 
mile  south  of  the  Rensselaer  County  line  is  Kinderhook 
(Great  Fish)  Lake;  of  irregular  shape,  about  nine  miles  in 
circumference,  and  with  a  maximum  depth  of  about  forty 
feet.  On  the  western  side  is  the  grandly  pine-clad  "Point," 
an  attractive  and  famous  resort  for  many  generations.  On 
the  opposite  variously-wooded  shore,  for  a  time  connected 
with  the  Point  by  a  bridge,  is  Electric  Park,  which  the 
Albany  Southern  Railway  Co.  and  their  predecessors  have 
improved  and  beautified,  adding  the  accessories  wont  to 
be  found  where  summer-day  pleasure  seekers  most  do  con- 
gregate, but  excluding  all  disorderly  persons,  and  that 
which  above  all  else  makes  people  disorderly  and  otherwise 
offensive.  Pleasant  afternoons  and  evenings  during  the 
summer  season  the  spacious  and  attractive  grounds  and 
open-air  theater  are  thronged  by  visitors  from  near  and  far. 

In  1818,  the  legislature  having  passed  an  Act  prohibiting 
fishing  for  three  years  in  this  and  other  lakes  in  the  county. 
General  Whiting  initiated  and  carried  through  the  stocking 
of  these  lakes  with  pickerel.  Fifty-six  persons,  subscribing 
from  a  shilling  to  $5  given  by  Whiting  and  Clark,  gave 
$48,  for  which  forty-eight  pickerel  were  bought  of  Enos 
Smith  of  Stockbridge.     Twenty- three  of  them  were  placed 


24  Old  RinderKooK 

in  Kinderhook  Lake  and  were  the  progenitors  of  the  many 
thousands  which  since  that  time  have  delighted  (or  disap- 
pointed) the  thronging  disciples  of  Isaac  Walton. 

While  the  several  minor  lakes  or  ponds  cannot  all  be 
even  named,  we  were  very  remiss  if  we  failed  to  mention 
Merwin's,  nestled  among  the  hills  beyond  the  Ichabod 
Crane  schoolhouse.  Not  only  is  it  a  notable  and  pleasing 
feature  of  one  of  our  finest  drives,  but  it  is  also  especially 
memorable  as  a  frequent  fishing-resort  of  Irving  with  his 
boon  companion,  Jesse  Merwin.  As  we  pass  we  seem  to  see 
these  worthies  and  cronies  drowning  worms  if  not  catching 
fish;  and,  in  their  absence,  we  see  Irving's  old  fisherman, 
whom,  with  his  multitudinous  poles  and  lines  outstretched 
from  his  boat,  Irving  charmingly  likened  to  a  big  spider 
at  the  center  of  his  web. 

A  short  distance  north  of  Kinderhook  Lake  is  little 
Round  Lake;  and  about  a  mile  to  the  northwest  is  Knicker- 
bocker Lake,  also  small.  Old  deeds  call  it  Snyder's  Lake. 
Through  this  ran  the  division  line  between  the  De  Bruyn 
and  Gardenier  patents.  The  present  boundary  between 
the  towns  of  Kinderhook  and  Chatham  runs  through  Round 
and  Kinderhook  lakes.  Both  of  these  connected  lakes 
are  supplied  partly  by  their  own  springs,  and  partly  by 
small  streams  which  have  their  sources  in  Rensselaer  County. 

The  outlet  of  Kinderhook  Lake  is  at  the  southern  end 
and  was  known  to  the  fathers  as  the  Vollitje's  Kill.  This 
takes  a  winding  southwest  course  of  nearly  three  miles  to 
the  village  of  Valatie  and  there  empties  into  the  much  larger 
Kinderhook  Creek.  The  numerous  fountains  of  this  latter 
notable  creek  are  widely  scattered  and  many  of  them  far 
away;  some  in  Rensselaer  County,  others  among  the  hills 
of  New  Lebanon  and  near  the  Massachusetts  border.  The 
most  considerable  feeder  in  New  Lebanon  is  the  Wyamo- 
nock  Creek.  Our  creek,  flowing  with  many  windings  in  a 
generally  southwest  course  through  the  town  of  Chatham, 
welcomes,  near  the  Kinderhook  line,  the  waters  of  the  Kleine 


Kinderhook  Lake 


Merwin's  Lake,  Irving's  Fishing  Resort 


PHysical  Features,  Dovindaries,  Popvilation  25 

Kill  which  has  received  tribute  from  a  multitude  of  brooks 
and  from  Queechy  Lake  in  Canaan.  The  general  course, 
not  without  many  vagaries  responsible  for  much  litigation 
in  years  gone  by,  is  southwest,  through  Valatie,  along  the 
eastern  border  of  Kinderhook  village,  near  which  it  receives 
a  little  stream  on  which  the  old  "Mud  Mill"  formerly  stood; 
and  then  on  toward  Stuyvesant  Falls,  singing  perhaps  as 
it  goes  of  auld  lang  syne  when  on  one  side  or  the  other  the 
Silvesters,  Van  Schaacks,  Wynkoops,  Pruyns,  Van  Alens, 
Dingmans,  Van  Burens,  Van  Nesses,  and  Van  Alstynes 
rejoiced  in  its  rare  beauty.  At  Stuyvesant  Falls  its  two 
considerable  cataracts  and  the  rapids  between  win  the  admi- 
ration of  every  beholder.  Before  the  dam  was  built  the 
upper  fall  was  the  Horseshoe  Fall  of  Niagara  in  miniature. 
Lesser  but  still  beautiful  falls  are  at  Rossmans  and  Columbia- 
ville;  the  last-named  the  famous  Major  Abraham  Staats's 
falls  of  the  days  of  old.  After  leaving  Stuyvesant  Falls, 
in  compliment  to  the  advancing  Claverack  Creek,  our 
creek  turns  southward,  runs  through  Rossmans,  and  thence 
to  Columbia ville  where  it  welcomes  the  Claverack  from  the 
south,  and  the  two  flow  amicably  together  to  the  Hudson 
at  Stockport.  Neither  creek,  however,  will  surrender  its 
historic  and  beautiful  name  to  the  other,  and  so  they  leave 
both  names  at  Columbiaville  and  agree  to  be  called  Stock- 
port Creek.  This,  known  in  early  times  as  Major  Abram's 
creek,  was  once  navigable  for  small  vessels. 

The  waterfalls  along  the  course  of  our  creek  are  nu- 
merous and  still  very  beautiful,  notwithstanding  their 
fearful  marring  at  the  hand  of  man.  Few  streams  in  the 
State  in  its  earlier  history  at  least,  furnished  so  many  and 
such  excellent  sources  of  water-power  as  this,  until  many 
thousand  acres  of  its  water-shed  were  denuded  of  their 
trees,  and  tens  of  thousands  of  contributory  springs  and 
rills  exposed  to  consuming  suns.  It  was  called  ^^  another 
Brandywine.''  The  power  was  largely  utilized.  As  revealed 
by  the  oldest  maps,  deeds,  and  wills,  sawmills  and  grist- 


26  old  RinderKooK 

mills  were  abundant;  and  then  later  in  rapidly  increasing 
number  came  the  numerous  factories  and  other  industries 
of  which  we  read  in  the  successive  Gazetteers.  The  water- 
power  is  still  utiHzed  to  a  considerable  extent,  but  in  dry 
seasons  must  be  supplemented  by  that  of  steam.  Not 
infrequently  the  rocky  channel,  where  torrents  are  wont  to 
rage  and  roar  in  times  of  freshet,  can  be  traversed  from  shore 
to  shore  dry-shod.  The  Claverack  Creek  gathers  its  waters 
from  a  multitude  of  tributaries  in  the  eastern  and  southern 
parts  of  the  county.  Lake  Copake  being  one  of  them.  Three 
fourths,  probably,  of  Columbia  County  are  drained  by  these 
two  creeks. 

At  one  time  enormous  quantities  of  wheat  were  here 
raised  and  shipped  to  New  York  from  Stuyvesant,  as  will 
be  noted  hereafter.  Changed  conditions  long  ago  compelled 
its  abandonment  as  a  staple  crop;  and  now  rye,  hay,  and 
mixed  crops  with  fruit-culture  and  dairying  are  the  reliance 
of  the  successful  agriculturist.  Approved  modern  methods 
mixed  with  brains  are  winning  notable  results,  and  are 
making  our  town  and  county  one  of  the  choice  garden  spots 
of  the  State.  The  State  Department  of  Agriculture,  and 
the  National  as  well,  together  with  the  mutually  helpful 
granges,  pomological,  and  kindred  associations  are  import- 
ant factors  in  securing  better  results  than  were  dreamed 
of  by  the  harder  working  fathers. 

In  the  first  volume  of  The  Balance  and  Columbia  Reposi- 
tory (Hudson,  1802),  there  appeared  an  article  entitled 
"The  Natural  History  of  Kinderhook."  It  was  written 
by  the  Rev.  Daniel  B.  Warden,  then  principal  of  our  Aca- 
demy. Although  the  somewhat  pretentious  title  is  scarcely 
justified  by  the  subject-matter,  it  is  pleasant  reading,  but 
much  too  long  and  unimportant  to  be  quoted  in  full.  The 
location  of  the  village  is  given  with  reasonable  accuracy. 
The  fine  view  of  the  "Blue"  (Catskill)  Mountains,  including 
the  "  reverberating  reflection  "  of  sunHght  by  the  snow,  and  the 
value  of  their  changing  appearance  in  weather  prognostica- 


The  Binnekill 


A  View  from  the  Creek 


Kinderhook  Lake 


Stuyvesant  Falls 


PHysical  Features,  Boundaries,  Population  27 

tions;  the  origin,  course,  and  beauty  of  our  creek  with  espe- 
cial note  of  its  greater  falls,  and  of  the  ''awe  and  terror'^ 
occasioned  by  the  breaking  up  and  passing  out  of  the  ice 
at  the  end  of  the  winter,  are  all  felicitously  described.  The 
closing  paragraph  we  quote: 

The  good  state  of  health  which  the  people  of  Kinderhook 
enjoy,  with  the  many  instances  of  individuals  arriving  to  a  great 
age  evinces  that  the  air  is  very  pure  and  salubrious.  It  has  never 
been  subject  to  any  generally  fatal  sickness,  and,  compared  to  the 
population  of  other  towns  there  are  fewer  deaths  than  in  any 
other  settlement  in  the  State.  Many  die  from  mere  old  age  free 
from  the  oppressions  of  disease.  Isaac  Vosburgh  of  this  place 
was  105  years  old  when  he  died.  EHza  Vosburgh  was  93.  An- 
other woman  of  the  same  name  was  95,  with  three  brothers  each 
above  90.  Mrs.  Pruyn  is  84  and  quite  healthy.  A  slave  of  Mr. 
Van  Alen's,  called  Kate,  is  100,  and  a  black  man  of  Mr.  Vos- 
burgh's  is  of  the  same  age,  both  active  and  performing  manual 
labor. 

In  comment  upon  this,  the  late  H.  C.  Van  Schaack  wrote 
{Historical  Magazine,  1873):  "The  number  of  present  resi- 
dents who  have  passed  the  age  of  three  score  and  ten  is 
very  large.  Many  of  them  have  attained  the  age  of  eighty, 
and  there  are  several  nonogenarians.  Longevitarianism 
in  families  has  not  been  uncommon  here." 

Boundaries 

Albany  County  was  one  of  twelve  into  which  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York  was  divided  by  the  Colonial  Assembly  of 
1683,  and  was  thus  described: 

"To  conteyne  the  towne  of  Albany,  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck,  Schonectade,  and  all  the  villages,  neighbor- 
hoods, and  Christian  habitatcons  on  the  east  of  Hudson's 
river  from  Roeliffe  Jansen's  creeke,  and  on  the  west  from 
Sawyer's  (Saugerties)  creeke  to  the  Saraaghtoga." 


28  Old  K-inderHooK 

The  Assembly  of  1691,  under  William  and  Mary,  de- 
clared all  the  acts  of  the  previous  Assembly  "null  and  void," 
but  made  no  change  in  the  bounds  of  Albany  County. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1772,  what  is  now  Columbia 
County  (organized  as  such  April  4,  1786)  was  divided  into 
four  districts  of  Albany  County.  The  Kinderhook  District 
was  thus  delimited : 

All  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Albany  which  lies  to  the 
northward  of  Claverack  District,  to  the  southward  of  an  east  line 
from  Bearen  island  in  the  Hudson  River  to  the  eastward  of 
Hudson's  River,  and  to  the  west  of  a  straight  line  drawn  from  a 
point  in  the  said  East  line  from  Bearen  Island  ten  miles  distant 
from  Hudson's  River,  and  continued  due  south  till  it  strikes  the 
north  bounds  of  the  District  of  Claverack,  shall  be  one  separate 
and  distinct  District,  to  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
District  of  Kinderhook. 

The  north  boundary  of  Claverack  is  described  thus: 
"a  line  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Major  Abraham's  Creek, 
and  running  thence  up  to  the  first  falls,  and  thence  east  as 
far  as  this  Colony  extends."  The  territory  east  of  Kinder- 
hook was  known  as  Kings  District. 

The  error  of  a  few  writers  and  some  maps  that  have  re- 
presented any  part  of  our  territory  as  belonging  to  Rensse- 
laerswyck  has  been  due  to  their  inadvertent  changing  of 
grants  of  land  to  the  Patroon  from  the  west  to  the  east  side 
of  the  river.  And  from  fair  Claverack  too,  though  Jeffer- 
son's map  stretches  her  name  in  capitals  over  all  our  domain 
up  to  Rensselaerswyck  and  writes  us  down  small,  we  must 
decidedly  withhold  any  title  to  even  one  inch  of  our  territory 
as  above  delimited,  however  much  we  may  love  her.  The 
map  referred  to  represents,  we  think,  the  disallowed  claim 
of  John  Van  Rensselaer,  the  occasion  of  prolonged  and  vexa- 
tious litigation,  as  will  hereafter  appear.  It  was  certainly 
wrong,  as  witness  the  explicit  language  of  the  foregoing 
boundary  descriptions  and  of  the  first  patents,  and  also  the 


PHysical  Featvires,  Bovindaries,  Popvilation  29 

protest  signed  by  more  than  two  hundred  residents  of  our 
District.  The  protest  which  we  found  among  the  state 
Hbrary  archives  probably  perished  in  the  recent  fire;  but 
happily  it  is  still  on  file  (Saintsbury's  Catalogue  informs  us) 
with  a  colored  map,  among  the  archives  of  the  Privy  Council, 
London. 

The  land  along  the  Stockport  creek  granted  to  Major 
Staats  in  1667  was  distinctly  "north  of  Claverack.''  By  the 
Act  of  1772  the  northern  boundary  of  Claverack  was  stated 
with  precision  to  begin  at  the  mouth  of  the  Stockport  creek, 
thence  to  the  first  Fall,  and  thence  ''due  east''  indefinitely. 
The  U.  S.  Topographical  Map  (Kinderhook  Quadrangle) 
indicates  that  ''due  east''  line  as  running  a  Httle  south  of  the 
present  West  Ghent  church  and  north  of  the  John  C.  Hoge- 
boom  house,  Ghent.  All  the  territory  north  of  that  line 
to  Rensselaerswyck,  about  eleven  miles,  and  ten  miles 
east  from  the  river,  was  in  the  District  of  Kinderhook.  It 
thus  appears,  and  from  later  legislation  as  well,  that  Kin- 
derhook has  generously  contributed  of  her  original  wide 
domain  to  the  formation  of  five  townships.  Considerable 
portions  of  Chatham  (1795),  part  of  Ghent  (1818),  all  of 
Stuyvesant  (1823),  and  a  large  section  of  Stockport  (1833) 
were  originally  parts  of  old  Kinderhook ;  as  were  also  Schut- 
ters,  Willow,  and  Little  Islands  in  the  Hudson,  transferred 
to  New  Baltimore  in  1823.  Schutters  Island  is  now  Hotal- 
ing;  Willow  is  south  of  Hotaling  and  at  low  water  almost  a 
part  of  it.  Little  Island,  west  of  Hotaling,  originally  large 
enough  to  be  used  for  pasturage,  is  now  but  a  cluster  of 
rocks  over  which  a  signal  light  is  placed.  Such  at  least  is 
the  statement  of  an  aged  resident  of  New  Baltimore. 

By  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  dated  March  7,  1788,  the 
Town  of  Kinderhook  was  thus  defined: 

All  that  part  of  the  County  of  Columbia  bounded  westerly 
and  northerly  by  the  County  of  Albany,  southerly  by  the  north 
bounds  of  the  city  of  Hudson,  as  far  as  to  the  first  falls  of  Major 


30  Old  RinderHooK 

Abraham's  creek  and  from  thence  running  east;  and  (bounded) 
easterly  by  a  Hne  running  from  a  place  in  the  north  line  of  the 
County  of  Columbia  ten  miles  distant  from  the  river,  due  south 
until  it  strikes  the  said  east  line  from  the  said  falls,  shall  be  and 
hereby  is  erected  into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Kinderhook. 

The  original  town  was  thus  approximately  ten  miles  square. 
March  17,  1795,  all  our  territory  east  of  the  lakes  down 
to  the  Claverack  line,  a  tract  two  or  more  miles  in  breadth, 
was  detached  to  form  in  part  the  Town  of  Chatham.  In 
1 84 1  there  was  a  controversy  with  Chatham  officials  as  to 
portions  of  our  eastern  boundary.  The  dispute  was  re- 
ferred to  Surveyor- General  Holly  who  appointed  Evert 
Van  Alen  of  Greenbush  to  survey  the  line.  On  his  report 
the  boundary  was  finally  determined  and  declared  as  follows : 

.  .  .  from  the  middle  of  the  Latches  Vlackie  Creek  where  it  enters 
the  little  lake,  southerly  and  in  a  direct  line  through  the  Great 
Fish  Lake  to  the  Gardenier  Point  at  the  south  end  of  said  lake 
and  then  southerly  in  a  direct  line  to  the  bridge  over  the  Khne 
Kill  Creek  a  little  east  of  the  house  [now  Mr.  P.  H.  Bain's] 
formerly  owned  by  Cornelius  Van  Schaack  deceased. 

Van  Alen's  survey  was  twenty-three  years  after  the  forma- 
tion of  Ghent,  as  noted  below.  It  therefore  did  not  include 
the  southern  part  of  our  original  eastern  boundary.  This 
is  described  in  the  Act  of  18 13  as  continuing  from  the  afore- 
said bridge  "southerly  along  the  said  creek  to  the  souther- 
most  point  of  the  great  bend  opposite  the  house  formerly- 
belonging  to  Myndert  Vosburgh,  deceased,  thence  southerly 
in  a  direct  line  toward  the  house  of  Martin  H.  Hoffman  until 
it  intersects  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  town  of 
Claverack." 

April  3,  1 818,  a  section  along  our  south  border  was  taken 
to  form  in  part  the  Town  of  Ghent.  Our  new  south  bound- 
ary was  delimited  as  "beginning  28  chains  above  Major 
Abraham's  Falls  and  running  thence  easterly  to  the  Kleine 
Kill  creek  near  the  house  of  William  Wagoner." 


7lyi. 


'^c^^  .SO-'^'^ 


PHysical  Featvires,  Bovindaries,  Popvilation  31 

By  the  Act  of  April  21,  1823,  the  Legislature  completed 
its  spoliation  of  old  Kinderhook  by  taking  from  us  the  whole 
of  the  present  Town  of  Stuy  vesant  which  included  the  upper 
part  of  the  later  town  of  Stockport;  also  the  three  islands 
already  named  which  were  given  to  New  Baltimore.  The 
Act  reads  as  follows: 

All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Kinderhook  in  the  County  of 
Columbia,  beginning  at  or  near  the  store  of  Abel  S.  Peters  at 
Kinderhook  Landing  at  high  water  mark,  and  running  from 
thence  east  three  miles  and  twenty  chains;  thence  south  five 
degrees  west  to  the  north  line  of  the  town  of  Ghent,  and  north 
five  degrees  east  to  the  south  line  of  the  town  of  Schodack; 
thence  along  the  same  westerly  to  the  main  channel  of  the 
Hudson's  river ;  thence  down  the  same  to  where  Major  Abraham's 
creek  empties  into  the  said  river;  thence  up  the  said  creek  as  it 
winds  and  bends  to  the  north  line  of  the  town  of  Ghent;  thence 
eastward  along  the  same  until  the  line  running  north  and  south 
five  degrees  east  shall  intersect  the  same — shall  be  and  is  hereby 
erected  into  a  new  Town  by  the  name  of  Stuyvesant,  and  the 
first  Town  Meeting  for  the  purpose  of  electing  Town  officers  in 
the  said  Town  of  Stuyvesant  shall  be  held  at  the  house  of  Walter 
Butler  ...  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  May  next. 

Money  on  hand  and  "the  poor"  were  to  be  "equitably 
divided"  at  the  hotel  of  John  Lewis,  Kinderhook. 

All  these  new  Towns  were  to  assume  a  just  proportion 
of  the  debts  of  old  Kinderhook  and  were  to  continue  to  pay 
for  the  maintenance  of  bridges  in  which  they  had  a  common 
interest.  Subsequently,  Stuyvesant,  on  its  petition,  was 
relieved  from  its  obligation  to  pay  one  half  the  cost  of  our 
village  bridges.  The  lot  and  dwelling  (now  the  transformed 
Whitbeck  home)  belonging  to  Kinderhook  and  used  as  a 
Poor  House,  within  the  limits  of  the  new  town  of  Stuyve- 
sant, were  to  be  paid  for  or  the  matter  otherwise  settled  as 
might  be  agreed.  The  boundaries  we  have  given  are  those 
of  modem  Kinderhook. 

Lest  our  History  be  much  too  voluminous  we  must  "bid 


32  Old  K-inderHooK 

our  wajrward  sisters  (or  children)  depart  in  peace."  We  will 
not  wholly  neglect  them,  but  cannot  give  them  the  same 
consideration  that  we  give  to  those  abiding  in  the  home. 

On  the  1 8th  of  April,  1838,  the  Legislature  passed  "An 
Act  to  incorporate  the  Village  of  Kinderhook,  in  the  County 
of  Columbia."     Sec.  I.  thus  describes: 

Boundary  Lines.  .  .  .  Beginning  at  and  on  the  northerly 
side  of  Kinderhook  creek,  at  a  point  where  the  division  line 
between  the  town  of  Kinderhook  and  the  town  of  Stuyvesant 
crosses  the  said  creek  near  the  dwelling  house  of  Adam  Van 
Alstyne,  running  thence  north-easterly  along  the  said  northerly 
side  of  said  creek  and  up  the  same  to  a  post  in  the  division 
between  the  land  of  Moses  W.  Leach  and  land  lately  owned  by 
Samuel  Crandell;  thence  northerly  to  a  small  bridge  commonly 
called  Rowland's  Bridge,  which  crosses  the  road  leading  from 
the  village  of  Kinderhook  to  the  Village  of  Valatie;  thence 
westerly  to  and  including  the  dwelling  house  of  John  N.  Harder 
to  the  road  commonly  called  the  Eikebush  road,  to  the  westerly 
side  of  last  mentioned  road ;  thence  along  the  westerly  side  of  last 
mentioned  road  to  the  Stuyvesant  line;  thence  along  said  line 
to  the  place  of  beginning. 

A  few  years  ago  the  westerly  boundary  line  of  the  Corpora- 
tion was  changed  so  as  to  run  a  short  distance  west  of  the 
present  Wm.  Hotaling  place. 

A  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  the  village  of  Valatie 
was  presented  to  the  Court  of  Sessions,  Hudson,  in  November, 
1853.  The  petitioners  were:  Jacob  P.  Miller,  James  Patton, 
Ansel  Canoll,  Robt.  Trimper,  C.  I.  Tremain,  J.  W.  Stickles, 
J.  Billis,  C.  A.  Osborn,  Wm.  P.  Rathbone,  Wm.  Bradley, 
Robert  Martsh,  Moses  England,  Alfred  Wild,  Edwin  Hoes, 
and  Henry  M.  Penoyer. 

From  the  Field  Book  of  the  survey  by  Mr.  Ackley  we 
quote  the  following  general  description  of  the  boundaries 
of  the  648  square  acres  included  in  the  Corporation,  omit- 
ting minor  details  of  courses  and  distances. 


PHysical  Features,  Boundaries,  Population  33 

Beginning  at  a  point  marked  on  a  plank  in  the  middle  of  a 
bridge  over  a  small  creek  crossing  the  former  road  between  the 
villages  of  Kinderhook  and  Valatie,  [the  road  east  of  our  two 
bridges].  Said  road  is  noted  as  a  monument  in  the  boundaries 
of  the  corporation  of  the  village  of  Kinderhook,  being  now  the 
lands  of  John  Isbister,  .  .  .  and  runs  from  thence  S.  53°  50' E., 
2C  51L,  crossing  the  present  road  to  the  westerly  bank  of  the 
Kinderhook  creek.  Then  through  the  land  of  said  Isbister  on 
west  side  of  said  creek.  Then  .  .  .  crossing  said  creek  to  the 
hard  land  on  the  easterly  side.  .  .  .  Then  to  the  westerly  side 
of  a  road  leading  from  Valatie  to  Chatham  4  Corners,  and  nearly 
opposite  dwelling  house  on  the  farm  of  Dr.  A.  P.  Cook.  Then 
...  to  the  top  of  a  hill  east  of  said  road.  .  .  .  Then  to  the 
southerly  side  of  a  road  leading  from  Valatie  to  Chatham  Centre, 
and  opposite  the  dwelling  house  of  Col.  Shufelt.  Then  along 
the  southerly  side  of  said  road.  .  .  .  Then  crossing  said  road  and 
along  the  westerly  side  of  Kirk  Lane  ...  to  a  mark  on  the 
fence.  Then  leaving  said  lane  ...  to  the  top  of  a  knoll.  Then 
...  to  the  westerly  side  of  the  Lake  road  running  through 
John  G.  Schism's  farm.  Then  along  the  westerly  side  of  said 
road  .  .  .  (with  varying  courses)  to  the  lands  of  N.  Wild  .  .  . 
crossing  the  water  of  N.  Wild's  mill  pond  to  a  white  oak  tree  on 
the  east  side  of  a  road  opposite  the  premises  of  B.  Conant.  Said 
road  leading  out  of  Valatie  and  intersecting  the  post  road  at 
Guide  Board  near  the  dwelling  house  of  Stephen  Miller.  Then 
S.  72°  45'  W,  31C.  97L.  to  the  northerly  side  of  a  black  oak  tree 
standing  on  the  lands  of  J.  Carpenter.  Then  ...  to  a  cluster 
of  three  ash  trees  standing  on  lands  of  John  Isbister.  Then  .  .  . 
to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Within  the  proposed  Corporation  there  were,  it  was  stated, 
1557  inhabitants.  For  reasons  now  unknown  the  petition 
was  not  granted  at  the  time ;  but  three  years  later,  March 
25,  1856,  Valatie  became  incorporated.  The  question  had 
been  submitted  to  voters  and  was  carried;  135  votes  for 
and  78  against  incorporation. 

At  the  first  election  of  village  officers,  held  April  23,  at 
Captain  E.  Spaulding's  hotel   (burned  about  forty  years 


34  Old  K-inderKooK 

ago),  W.  P.  Rathbone,  Sylvester  Becker,  J.  H.  Cornin,  John 
Rogers,  and  G.  W.  Bulkley  were  chosen  Trustees;  J.  Mesick, 
B.  Mesick,  and  H.  L.  Miller,  Assessors;  B.  Conant,  Treas- 
urer; James  Miller,  Clerk;  James  Mesick,  Poundmaster, 
and  Abram  Brewer,  Collector. 

Not  inappropriately  we  may  conclude  this  chapter  with 
an  interesting  record  of  certain  minor  boundaries,  and  old- 
time  land  marks.  It  is  from  the  Field  Books  of  our  most 
noted  surveyor  prior  to  1800,  Mr.  John  E.  Van  Alen.  We 
found  them  in  a  cabinet  in  the  Albany  County  Clerk's 
ofifice,  among  the  treasured  volumes  there,  both  in  Dutch 
and  English,  whose  fading  pages  we  have  closely  scanned 
and  from  which  we  have  constantly  drawn. 

In  this  instance  much  personal  labor  has  been  saved  us 
by  "Jed's"  (Mr.  A.  S.  Hollenbeck,  of  Albany)  account  of 
these  books  as  printed  in  the  Rough  Notes  several  years 
since;  and  which  we  quote,  adding  here  and  there  an  ex- 
planatory note.  The  narrative  seems  to  us  of  sufficient 
interest  to  descendants  of  old-time  residents  at  least  to 
justify  its  reproduction. 

One  of  these  field  books  has  written  on  its  cover,  in  quaint 
characters,  the  words,  Kinderhook,  lygi — Bruyn  Reght  &  Hoff 
Town,  while  the  other  is  called  Field  Book  of  Pompoonick. 

The  former  contains  the  original  notes  of  the  survey  of  the 
De  Bruyn  patent,  written  in  good  English,  though  occasional 
Dutch  words  show  that  the  original  language  of  the  Holland 
settlers  had  not  entirely  died  out  at  that  time.  In  this  survey 
Van  Alen's  chainmen  were,  to  use  his  own  language,  "Matthew 
McKeg  at  the  hind  end;  Peter  Van  Valkenburgh  (son  of  Lam- 
bert) at  the  fore  end;  Dirck  Van  Alen,  flagman." 

"On  Wednesday,  7th  June,  1791,  I  began  at  the  N.  side  of 
Prans  Pieterse  (Clauw,  or  Clow)  saw  kil,  said  to  be  the  old  mouth 
of  the  said  kil,  to  run  the  south  line  of  De  Bruyn's  Patent.  This 
spot  is  directly  opposite  a  gully  or  ditch  on  the  south  side  and  is 
also  at  the  west  part  of  the  bushes  or  woods." 

In  the  course  of  his  survey  Van  Alen  passes  "Van  Alstyne's 


PKysical  Keatvires,  Boundaries,  Popvilation  35 

barrack,"  enters  field  of  H.  H.  Van  Valkenburgh,  arrives  at  a 
"white  ash  tree  noted  in  the  survey  of  Poolsborough  in  March 
1789,  for  the  S.  E.  corner  of  Batten  Landt, "  and  finally  reaches 
the  "road  from  Eike  Bosch  (oak  woods)  to  Peter  Van  Valken- 
burgh's. "  "  Here  I  end  my  day's  work  and  lodge  at  Mr.  John 
Van  Alen's"  [father  of  Lucas  I.]. 

The  next  day  the  surveyor  entered  the  "field  of  Lamb.  V. 
Valkenburgh, "  south  of  the  "fence  between  him  and  Tobias  Van 
Buren, "  crossed  "F.  Pieterse's  saw  kill  to  S.  side,"  and  after 
reaching  Tobias  Van  Buren 's  "clear  field,  I  find  myself  some 
considerable  distance  S.  of  where  the  old  line  is  said  to  have 
gone.  I  therefore  from  this  spot  run  ...  to  the  stump  of  a 
pitch  pine  tree  shewn  by  Lourens  Van  Alen  for  an  old  mark." 
Then  he  crossed  a  "small  run  tending  NWly, "  and  a  little  later 
finds  himself  "in  the  pine  woods,"  soon  after  which  he  reaches 
"Robert  Van  Deusen's  clear  field,"  and  next  "put  a  pitch  pine 
stake  at  the  E.  side  of  the  road  from  Van  Dyke's  to  Kinderhook. 
Here  I  stopt  &  went  to  Mr.  Van  Dyke  to  Dine."  (Arent  Van 
Dyck.) 

After  dinner  he  continued  his  line  and  reached  a  "pitch  pine 
tree  with  old  marks, "  which  marks,  he  decides,  are  "about  35  or 
40  years  old."  Next  he  was  "at  the  E.  side  of  the  Post  Road; 
here  I  put  up  a  black  oak  stake,  and  ran  along  the  Post  Road. " 
His  line  passed  the  " S.  W.  corner  of  Elias  Larrabee's  house"  and 
the  "S.  E.  corner  of  William  Kers  dwelling  house."  He  also 
passed  the  houses  of  Widow  Kerr  and  Nathan  Deyo  (hotel 
keeper  on  the  Post  Road).  Later  he  was  on  the  "  W.  side  of  the 
road  to  Van  Deusens,"  and  "from  here  Anthony  Pool's  old  cellar 
bears  due  west."  He  then  reached  "Denslow's  house.  End 
day's  work  here;  lodge  at  V.  Dyckes. " 

"  Friday,  9  June,  1791. — In  the  morning  began  at  the  White 
Oak  tree  set  up  by  Deyo  for  the  Schillipot  boom,  and  ran  .  .  . 
to  the  N.  E.  corner  of  Mr.  Van  Dyckes  Tan  House, "  and  from 
thence  to  the  "stake  at  the  E.  side  of  the  road  at  which  I  left 
off  yesterday  to  go  to  dinner;  then  went  again  to  the  S.  E.  corner 
of  Denslow's  house,  .  .  .  from  where  I  find  the  Duyle  Gat 
possessed  by  Anthony  Van  Derpoel,  dec'd,  bears  N.  E."  From 
Denslow's  house  he  continued  the  line,  after  passing  through 
Van  Deusen's  old  field,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Sebring's  saw 


36  Old  R-inderKooK 

mill.  "From  here  I  go  with  Arent  Huyck  and  Caleb  White  to 
do  some  business  at  Pompoonick." 

In  another  book  marked  Field  Book  of  Pompoonick  Van  Alen 
has  recorded  the  "business  at  Pompoonick"  mentioned  above,  as 
follows: 

"On  Friday,  9th  June,  1791,  after  having  finished  a  survey 
for  the  Proprietors  of  De  Bruyn  Patent,  I  went  with  Aaron 
Huyck  to  his  house,  where  I  dine,  and  in  the  afternoon  I  began 
at  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  house  of  Andries  I.  Huyck,  now  in  the 
possession  of  Frederick  Tobias,  and  ran  in  order  to  ascertain  the 
course  and  distance  from  this  spot  to  the  house  of  John  Bullis." 
His  first  course  ends  "on  top  of  the  hill, "  the  second,  "in  the  rye 
field  ";  the  third,  "infield;"  "from  here"  (he  says),  "the  chimney 
of  Abraham  Johnson's  house  bears  N.  E,;  the  fourth,  "ends  in  a 
road"  (from  here  "Johnson's  chimney  bears  N.  W. ");  the  fifth, 
" ends  in  road " ;  the  sixth,  "ends  in  wheat  field, "  and  the  seventh 
finished  the  course  at  the  house  of  John  Bullis. 

Returning  to  the  Kinderhook  Field  Book,  Van  Alen  says: 
"On  Monday  the  20th  June,  1791,  in  the  afternoon,  I  left  home 
and  went  down  to  Kinderhook  to  perform  a  survey  on  the 
trail  between  Van  Alstyne  and  Capt.  Philip,  and  lodge  that 
evening  at  Peter  Van  Schaack's.  Tuesday,  21  June,  I  attended 
the  view,  and  in  the  afternoon  began  at  the  north  side  of  Col. 
Van  Ness's  farm,  at  the  East  side  of  the  Kinderhook  Creek,  to 
traverse  the  Kinderhook  Creek."  The  surveyor's  sixth  course 
brought  him  "to  the  place  on  the  East  Bank  of  the  Kinderhook 
Creek  shewn  me  by  Hendrick  Moor  for  the  place  which  the  jury 
were  yesterday  shewn  for  the  South  Bounds  of  Evert  Luycas' 
land. "  Other  points  spoken  of  in  the  survey,  and  which  may  or 
may  not  be  recognized  by  the  generation  of  to-day  were  "Ding- 
man's  burned  house,"  "Gerret  Dingman's  or  Hendrick  Moore's 
stoop,"  "Casparus  Dingman's  house,"  "L.  Van  Alstyne's  old 
house,"  "division  fence  between  Dingman  and  Van  Ness,"  "the 
Sounding  Ground"  (whatever  that  may  have  been),  "Van  Ness's 
painted  fence,"  "Dennis  Davis's  fence,"  "the  river  of  water 
coming  out  of  Vly,"  "the  brow  of  the  hill  where  the  old  road 
used  to  go  down  the  hill  to  Van  Alstyne's  mill,"  "the  field  of 
Coenrad  Ham, "  "John  Cole's  house, "  "  the  field  of  Felter  Lant, " 
"corner  of  Louren  Rysdorp's,"   "north  point  of   Grimmelde 


PHysical  Features,  Boundaries,  Population  37 

Vly,"  "fence  of  David  Shulter,"  "the  Groote  Lake  Vly,"  "the 
brook  coming  out  of  the  Groote  (great)  Lake,"  "where  Peter 
Elkenburgh  shews  his  possession  to  be, "  "lot  of  Hendrick  Hoflf, " 
"southeast  corner  of  John  Haver,"  "farm  of  Michael  Wolf," 
"south  end  of  the  Race  Ground,"  "north  Hne  of  lots  I  laid  out 
in  Nutenhook  Patent, "  "abreast  of  Taylor's, "  "southeast  corner 
of  Moorehouse's  dwelling,"  "Peter  Lyke's  house,"  "Tun.  T. 
Crandel's  house,"  "abreast  of  Samuel  Rice's,"  "abreast  of  R. 
Campbell's,"  "Joseph  Eldridge's,"  "N.  Kittle's,"  "abreast  of 
Hanneke  Mayer's,"  "sign  post  of  V.  Valkenburgh, "  "abreast 
of  Peter  L.  Vosburgh's, "  "Hendrick  Miesick's  house." 

Van  Alen  dined  at  Mesick's,  and  "from  here  went  to  Capt. 
Shethar's  at  Kinderhook,  with  an  intent  to  take  passage  home 
(Albany)  with  Stephen  Wynes;  he  not  coming  this  afternoon  I 
lodge  at  Mr.  Peter  Wynkoop's,  and  on  Friday,  24  June,  in  the 
morning  early,  Mr.  Wynes  came  to  Mr.  Shethar's.  I  took  pas- 
sage with  him  and  arrived  at  home  about  noon. " 

"Sunday,  26th  June,  in  the  afternoon,  sat  out  for  Claverack 
to  attend  the  Circuit  Court  on  the  above  business.  Reach 
Kinderhook  and  lodge  at  Van  Schaack's. 

"Monday,  27th  June,  1791 — In  the  morning  went  with  Mr. 
Van  Schaack  to  Claverack,  where  I  remained  on  the  business  of 
Capt.  Philip  till  Sunday,  the  3d  July,  when  the  jury  brought  in 
a  verdict  in  his  favor ;  we  then  went  home. 

"Monday,  4th  July,  1791 — This  morning  Caleb  White  and 
others  of  the  Pompoonick  people  came  down  to  Claverack  to 
attend  their  trial  with  Deyo.  I  now  begin  my  services  for  them — 
that  is,  I  from  this  time  begin  my  attendance  on  their  trial. 

"Tuesday,  5th  July — This  day  also  I  attend  on  the  Pom- 
poonick trial.  At  evening  Capt.  Philip  informed  me  it  was 
necessary  to  perform  a  survey  at  Coenrad  Hoffman's,  for  which 
purpose  I  sat  out  with  him  in  the  evening ;  arrive  at  John  Kittle's 
in  the  night,  where  I  lodge. " 

The  next  day  Van  Alen  surveyed  the  farm  of  Dirck  Smith,  a 
rough  map  of  which  is  included  in  the  field  book.  His  statement 
continues:  "Then  dine  at  Hoffmans — in  the  afternoon  return 
to  Claverack.  On  my  way  there  met  John  Miller  and  Matthew 
McKeg,  who  came  in  great  haste  to  fetch  me  to  attend  the  tryal 
between  Deyo  and  Bullis.    When  I  got  to  the  Court  House  found 


38  Old  RinderKooK 

Deyo  nonsuited.  I  lodge  this  night  at  Mr.  Carshore's"  (the 
school  teacher). 

"Thursday,  yth  July — This  day  I  attend  the  court  to  see 
whether  the  tryal  between  the  Van  Alstynes  and  Hoffman  is  to  be 
brought  on.  Near  noon  I  find  it  is  put  off.  I  now  prepare  to  go 
home;  set  out  in  the  afternoon;  reach  John  I.  MuUer's  (Miller's) 
on  the  Post  Road,  where  I  lodge. 

"Friday,  8th  July,  1791 — This  morning  about  9  o'clock  I 
reach  home." 

The  Skillipot  Boom  (or  tree)  was  evidently  an  ancient  sur- 
veyor's mark,  and  had  some  bearing  on  the  surveys  of  the  lands 
thereabout,  its  location  being  in  dispute.  In  a  memorandum 
note  in  the  Pompoonick  field  book  Van  Alen  says : 

"The  general  course  of  Valleties  Kill  is  N.  24  deg.,  56  min.  E. 
The  course  from  the  mouth  of  Valleties  Kill  to  Pennekoos  is  S. 
83  deg.,  51  min.  E,  which  is  inclined  to  the  general  course  of 
Valleties  Kill  with  an  angle  of  71  deg.,  13  min, 

"The  course  from  the  Valleties  Kill  to  the  Skillipot  Boom  is 
said  to  form  an  angle  with  the  course  of  Valleties  Kill  equal  to 
that  of  the  Pennekoos,  which,  if  so,  the  tree  must  bear  N.  46 
deg.,  17  min.  W." 

Many  changes  have  occurred  in  the  120  years  that  have 
passed  since  these  old  books  were  written,  and  it  is  doubtful  if 
many  of  the  present  generation  have  ever  even  heard  of  the 
"  Sounding  Ground, "  the  "old  road  that  used  to  go  down  the  hill 
to  Van  Alstyne's  mill,"  the  "Grimmelde  Vly,"  the  "Race 
Ground,"  or  the  "Pennekoos  bergh." 


PHysical  Features,  Boundaries,  Populations    39 

CENSUS 


si°° 

0 

60  PO 

10 

_rtoo 

00 

■"^-o 

M^- 

c 

a 
0 

0  2 

la 

Valatie  vilk 
Incorporate 

1790 

4461 

638  slaves 

1800 

4348 

Part  of  Chatham  detached,  1795 

1810 

3709 

1820 

3963 

Part  of  Ghent  detached,  181 8 

1830 

2706 

All  of  Stuyvesant  and  part  of 
Stockport  detached,  1823 

1840 

3512 

1400 

1850 

3970 

1855 

3864 

1078 

State  Census 

1865 

4008 

1 160 

1634 

1  (         it 

1870 

4055 

1880 

4200 

1775 

1890 

3709 

963 

1437 

1900 

3333 

913 

1300 

1910 

2947 

'698 

I2I9 

Incomplete;  many  names  omitted. 


CHAPTER  III 

SETTLEMENT,  LAND-GRANTS,  DEVOLUTION  OF  TITLE 
AND  LAND-LITIGATION 

Settlement:  Hindrances — Inducements — Time  and  Place — The  Staats 
House — Claver's  Mill — Wadsworth's  Visit.  Patents:  Powell — Watta- 
wit  and  Westenhook  Indians — Staats — Baker  and  Plodder;  Nuttenhook — 
De  Bruyn — The  Groot  Stuk — Schuyler — Great  Kinderhook — Harmense 
— Gardenier — Van  Schaack  and  Van  Alen — Kinderhook  Trustees — 
Beatty's  Surveys — Williams's  and  Others'  Petition — J.  Vosburgh's  and 
Others'  Caveat — Huyck — Peter  Vosburgh — Geertruyd  Coeyman's  Deed 
— Surveys  at  Nuttenhook — De  Witt's — John  Van  Ness — Indefinite 
Boundaries.  Devolution  of  Title:  Bleecker's  Survey — Division  of 
John  Tysse  Goes'  (Hoes)  Estate — Division  of  Kinderhook  Patent.  Land- 
Litigation:  The  Livingston  Claims — The  Conflicting  De  Bruyn  and 
Baker  and  Plodder  Patents — Resulting  Great  Law  Suit. 

THE  Dutch,  whom  the  irreverent  charge  with  moving 
"majestically  slow,"  were  not  alert  in  entering  upon 
their  newly  discovered  possessions.  The  return  to  Holland 
of  a  trading  vessel  in  1610  with  a  rich  cargo  of  furs  bought 
of  the  Indians  for  baubles  occasioned  considerable  excite- 
ment; but  beyond  the  establishment,  about  the  year  1613, 
of  a  trading  post  with  a  fort  so  called  and  a  few  huts  about 
it  on  the  southerly  end  of  Manhattan,  and  a  similar  post  on 
Castle  Island  near  Albany  a  little  later,  nothing  in  the  way 
of  colonization  was  attempted  until  later  explorers  (Block 
and  his  followers)  had  reported  in  the  early  autumn  of  1614 
their  observations  and  experiences.  And  then,  the  exclusive 
^^ Freedoms  and  Exemptions'^  granted  to  the  United  New 
Netherland  Co.  in  1614,  as  regards  the  navigation  of  these 

40 


Settlement  41 

waters  and  traffic  with  the  Indians,  and  the  still  more  mo- 
nopolistic charter  of  the  West  India  Co.  in  162 1,  were  not 
conducive  to  rapid  colonization.  Those  companies  were 
purely  commercial,  with  no  interest  in  promoting  immigra- 
tion beyond  the  demands  of  their  own  exclusive  and  lucra- 
tive traffic. 

The  charter  of  the  first-named  company  assumed  to 
grant  commercial  control  of  all  the  coast  line  "betweeji  New 
France  and  Virginia,''  latitude  40°-45°.  In  1621  this  com- 
pany became  the  much  enlarged  and  more  powerful  West 
India  Co.  which.  Motley  tells  us,  "received  a  roving  com- 
mission to  trade  and  fight  and  govern  for  twenty-four  years, 
and  incidentally  establish  Dutch  settlements."  Then  in 
1629  this  great  company  inaugurated  the  feudalistic  system 
of  the  Patroons  (Latin,  patronus,  protector).  By  this  act 
any  member  of  the  company  who  within  four  years  after 
giving  notice,  should  establish  colonies  of  fifty  persons  over 
fifteen  years  of  age,  was  to  receive  a  tract  sixteen  miles  long 
on  a  navigable  stream  (eight  miles  if  on  opposite  shores) 
and  extending  as  far  into  the  interior  as  the  "situation  of  the 
occupiers  will  permit."  To  these  patroons  almost  unre- 
stricted and  irresponsible  power  was  given.  They  were 
empowered  to  establish  their  own  civil  and  criminal  courts; 
appoint  their  own  local  officers  and  magistrates;  and,  a  few 
specified  cases  excepted,  punish  offenders.  Whatever  the 
abuse  of  power  and  breach  of  contract  on  the  part  of  the 
Patroon,  ' '  tio  man  or  woman,  son  or  daughter,  man  servant  or 
maid  serva?it,"  might  leave  his  service  before  the  expiration 
of  the  contract  time  without  the  written  consent  of  the 
Patroon. 

However  justly  these  feudal  barons  are  said  to  have  been 
"men  of  exalted  patriotism,  inflexible  integrity,  and  culti- 
vated intelligence";  however  wisely  and  beneficently  they 
ruled  their  vassals,  and  however  liberal  the  terms  of  the 
contracts,  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  many  of  independent 
spirit  and  means  would  be  willing  to  call  any  of  those  men 


42  Old  RinderKooK 

lord  and  master.  Most  of  the  families  that  came  both  to 
Esopus  and  Kinderhook  would  have  none  of  it.  They  were 
freemen,  not  serfs.  For  more  than  twenty  years  the  guns 
of  the  Patroon  Van  Rensselaer,  on  Bearen  Island,  made 
Kinderhook  the  head  of  free  navigation  of  the  Hudson ;  and 
for  a  much  longer  time  it  was  the  territory  nearest  to  Fort 
Orange  free  from  domination  by  any  patroon.  It  was 
"between  two  manors." 

In  1638  wiser  counsels  prevailed  and  New  Netherland 
was  thrown  open  to  free  immigration  and  unrestricted  trade. 
Then  the  tide  hitherward  flowed  strongly  and  rapidly. 
That  beaver-pelts  were  bought  for  forty  cents  and  sold  for 
three  dollars  or  more  may  have  stimulated  immigration. 
One  ship  sailing  from  the  River  Mauritius  (the  Hudson) 
in  1626  had  a  cargo  of  9250  pelts  mostly  beaver,  besides 
samples  of  wheat,  rye,  barley,  oats,  buckwheat,  canary 
seed,  hemp,  flax,  with  considerable  oak  and  hickory  timber. 
In  Fort  Orange,  one  reports,  there  were  "as  many  traders  as 
persons."  And  it  is  possible,  as  alleged,  that  the  farmers 
became  traffickers,  and  sent  their  runners  into  the  forests 
to  intercept  the  fur-laden  Indians  on  their  way  to  Fort 
Orange;  a  most  heinous  offence.  We  prefer  however  to 
assume  less  mercenary  motives  for  the  rapidly  increasing 
immigration.  We  give  much  influence  to  Evert  Nieuenhof, 
the  poet-publisher  of  Vander  Donck's  book  (1665)  who 
prefaces  it  with  three  original  stanzas,  the  last  of  which 
will  suffice  to  give  the  reader  a  taste  of  their  rare  quality. 

Then,  reader,  if  you  will,  go  freely  there  to  live; 

We  name  it  Netherland,  though  it  excels  it  far: 
If  you  dislike  the  voyage,  pray  due  attention  give 

To  Vander  Donck,  his  book,  which  as  a  leading  star 
Directs  toward  the  land  where  many  people  are. 

Where  lowland  Love  and  Laws  all  may  freely  share. 

We  cannot  forbear  adding  that  nearly  two  hundred  years 
later  (1842)  one  of  Kinderhook's  brilliant  galaxy  of  poets. 


Settlement  43 

a  lineal  descendant  we  assume  of  Nieuenhof,  after  importu- 
nately invoking  Apollo,  Melpomene,  and  all  the  immortal 
Nine,  thus  sang  in  worthy  emulation  of  Nieuenhof  himself: 

Then  come,  ye  anxious  suitors  from  afar, 
Come  hasten  here,  all  other  climes  o'erlook; 

Come,  where  the  fairest  buds  of  beauty  are. 
And  take  a  wife — a  Girl  of  Kinderhook. 

That  Kinderhook  District  was  the  only  territory  along 
the  Hudson  near  Fort  Orange  where  lands  free  from  the 
control  of  the  Patroons  could  be  obtained  drew  hither  settlers 
of  independent  spirit  and  of  some  means.  Colonists  of 
the  Patroon  also,  if  industrious  and  provident,  prospered 
under  the  liberal  terms  of  their  three  years'  contract.  On  its 
termination  they  were  able  to  become  independent  land- 
owners and  sought  lands  and  homes  of  their  own  as  near  as 
might  be  to  Fort  Orange.  Our  first  settlers  were  of  both 
these  classes;  some  fairly  well-to-do  and  coming  hither  direct 
from  Holland  and  New  Amsterdam;  others,  as  the  Van 
Rensselaer  MSS.  reveal,  men  of  character  and  thrift  who 
had  profited  by  their  contract  with  the  Patroon. 

Our  Holland  settlers  loved  the  riverside  and  the  banks  of 
the  Kinderhook,  and  Claverack  creeks  as  building  sites.  The 
oldest  existing  homesteads  and  the  remembered  sites  of 
others  now  gone  are  to  be  found  uniformly  thus  located. 
The  flowing  waters  were  a  sweet  reminder  of  Fatherland. 

Our  territory  was  owned  largely  in  the  first  instance  by 
non-residents.  The  subsequent  purchasers  of  smaller  tracts 
came  not,  as  in  many  localities,  in  colonies,  but  as  families 
or  small  groups  of  families.  It  is  therefore  difficult  if  not 
impossible  to  state  with  precision  who  the  first  settlers  were 
or  where  they  located  or  when  they  came. 

Neither  the  occurrence  of  the  name  Kinderhook  on  the 
chart  of  1614-1616  nor  its  mention  by  De  Laet  in  1625  of 
necessity  indicates  actual  settlement  at  the  time.  The  only 
significance  of  either  is  as  the  name  of  a  point  or  cove  given, 


44  Old  RinderKooK 

remembered,  and  recorded  for  some  such  reason  as  that 
hitherto  stated.  Martin  Van  Buren  is  quoted  as  saying 
that  the  first  settlements  were  about  the  year  1640.  They 
could  not  have  been  much  later,  for  Joost  Hartgers  in  1651 
and  Van  der  Donck  in  1656  allude  to  Kinderhook  as  one  of 
the  principal  settlements  on  the  river. 

The  region  first  occupied  was  a  little  north  of  Stuyvesant 
Landing.  Claver's  (Clow's)  sawmill  was  on  Light  House 
creek  at  a  very  early  date.  A  few  years  earlier  or  later  the 
Staats  dwelling  was  built  near  the  mouth  of  Stockport 
creek.  Then  the  river  bank  and  the  lands  along  the  Kin- 
derhook and  Claverack  creeks  began  to  be  occupied  here 
and  there.  Long  before  1700  the  Groote  Stuk  (Great  Piece), 
extending  from  the  creek  at  Valatie,  and  on  both  sides  of  it, 
to  the  vicinity  of  Lindenwald,  was  taken  up  as  noted  later. 
Additional  details  concerning  our  first  settlers  will  appear 
in  our  account  of  the  Land  Grants  and  in  the  next  chapter. 
These  and  other  families  to  be  named  were  Hollanders  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  Swedes ;  notably  the  Scherp  (Sharp) 
family,  after  whom  the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Dudley  Van  Alstyne's 
present  shop  was  at  one  time  known  as  Sharptown.  Dirck 
Hendrikse  (Bey.  Best?)  was  also  a  Swede. 

It  is  of  record  that  at  a  very  early  period  there  was  built, 
probably  by  the  Patroon,  a  stone  fort  south  of  Stockport 
creek;  and  that  north  of  it  and  near  its  mouth  stood  the 
house  of  Abraham  Staats.  This,  burned  by  marauding 
Indians  in  1664,  was  soon  thereafter  rebuilt  and  is  possibly 
the  old  house  near  Stockport  Station.  Whether  only  the 
roof  and  interior  of  the  first  dwelling  were  burned,  and  the 
present  massive  stone  walls,  three  feet  in  thickness,  were 
parts  of  the  original  house  is  unknown.  That  in  digging  in 
the  cellar  a  few  years  since  a  massive  grain  jar  was 
unearthed  gives  a  degree  of  plausibility  to  the  latter 
view. 

In  1654  Major  Staats  purchased  of  the  Indians  two 
hundred  acres  along  the  Stockport  Creek  and  received  from 


The  Staats  House,  the  Oldest  House  in  the  County 

From  a  photograph 


A  Grain  (or  Wine)  Jar,  Unearthed  in  the  Cellar  of  the  Staats 
House 

From  a  photograph 


Settlement  45 

the  Dutch  authorities  a  Ground-brief,  as  it  was  termed. 
The  land  is  spoken  of  as  "north  of  Claverack." 

It  is  also  of  record  that  in  March,  1664,  he  leased  his 
"bouwery,  house,  barn  and  rick"  to  Jan  Anderissen  (John 
the  Irishman). 

It  is  however  probable  that  the  Claver's  mill  and  house 
on  Light  House  creek  were  erected  somewhat  earlier.  The 
name  Kinderhook  was  evidently  given  in  the  first  instance 
to  a  locality  about  "sixteen  miles"  below  Albany,  as 
stated  in  the  journal  of  the  Labadist  fathers  hereafter 
noted. 

By  a  law  of  1660  it  was  required  that  for  their  mutual 
protection  the  settlers  of  new  districts  should  group  their 
dwellings  in  villages,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiture  of  their 
holdings.  It  thus  came  to  pass  that  the  larger  part  of  the 
land  which  a  settler  owned  and  cultivated  might  be  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  smaller  tract  about  his 
village  homestead.  The  Rev.  Benjamin  Wadsworth,  whose 
visit  in  1694  will  be  narrated  later,  wrote  of  Kinder- 
hook  as  consisting  of  three  groups  of  houses.  The  old 
maps  enable  us  to  locate  one  group  in  the  eastern  part 
of  our  present  village,  and  a  second  group  at  Valatie; 
but  the  location  of  the  third  is  conjectural,  probably 
Poelsburg. 

The  Powell  patent,  so  called,  of  July,  1664,  was  not  ap- 
parently a  formal  patent  like  those  subsequently  issued, 
but  simply  a  permission  to  purchase,  granted  by  the  Com- 
missaries at  Fort  Orange  and  confirmed  by  Governor  Stuy- 
vesant  and  his  Council  at  Fort  Amsterdam ;  with  the  proviso 
that  the  title  should  be  transferred  to  them  as  representing 
the  West  India  Company.  Payments  by  the  grantees  to  the 
Indians  were  to  be  refunded  by  the  Company  or  balanced 
against  the  tithes.  The  surrender  of  the  Province  to  the 
English  in  September  of  that  year  made  a  confirmation  of 
this  and  other  land  grants  necessary.  Governor  Nicolls's 
confirmation  of  this  grant  reads  as  follows : 


46  Old  RinderHooK 

Whereas  the  late  Governor  and  Councell  of  the  new  Nether- 
lands, did  on  the  loth  day  of  July,  1664,  Grant  unto  Thomas 
Paule,  Hendrick  Abells  and  others  a  Certaine  Parcell  of  Land, 
lying  and  being  betwixt  the  Nutten  and  Kinder  Hoeck  near 
ffort  Albany,  as  by  their  Peticon  and  the  Grant  doth  Appeare,  I 
do  hereby  Allow  of  the  said  Grant  unto  the  aforenamed  Persons, 
if  they  or  some  of  them  have  or  shall  Purchase  the  Propriety  of 
the  Natives,  and  Posesse  and  Plant  the  same,  of  which  they 
shall  bring  unto  mee  a  due  Certificate.  They  shall  have  a  Pattent 
for  the  said  Lands  by  Authority  from  his  Royall  Highnesse  the 
Duke  of  Yorke  for  theire  farther  Confirmation  therein.  Given 
under  my  hand  at  ffort  James  in  New  Yorke  on  Manhatans 
Island  the  29th  day  of  March,  1665. 

Following  that  we  have  the  record  of  the  small  beginning 
of  the  ultimately  large  Powell  patent.  (Deeds,  vol.  i.,  p.  11., 
Sec.  of  State  Office.)  It  was  of  200  acres  of  "meadow, 
called  Nehuseke  or  Nenewoskeek,  along  the  Seepus  (River) , 
Kinderhook."  The  deed  was  given  by  the  Indian  Tauka- 
makeheke,  and  dated  June  27,  1666. 

The  formal  Patent,  if  issued,  does  not  seem  to  have  been 
recorded,  and  we  are  without  any  description  of  its  bounda- 
ries. The  earliest  maps  reveal  it  as  being  a  large  tract  in- 
cluding the  whole  of  Stuyvesant  Landing,  with  a  river-front 
of  about  one  mile  and  extending  thence  with  the  same  width 
a  little  south  of  east  for  about  three  miles,  near  to  and  inclu- 
sive of  portions  of  the  present  Van  Alstyne  neighborhood. 
The  original  petition  for  the  grant  bears  these  names: 
Thomas  Powell,  Teunis  Abrahamsen,  Claes  Van  den  Bergh, 
Hendrick  Cay,  Jochem  Ketel,  Evert  Luycassen,  Bert  Bagge, 
Jan  Dicksen.  They  ask  permission  to  purchase  "a  fine  piece 
of  land  between  Kinderhook  and  NuUe?ihook.''  They  say  they 
can  no  longer  make  their  living  in  this  village  {Bevenvyck, 
Albany)  ajtd  are  obliged  to  settle  with  their  families  in  the 
country  to  gain  their  bread  with  God's  help  and  honorably.'' 
Powell  et  al.,  who  have  seemed  mythical  personages  hitherto, 
have  become  real  and  respected  since  we  read  their  petition. 


Land  Grants  47 

Gov.  Nicolls's  Confirmation  changes  Powell  to  Paule 
and  adds  the  name  Hendrick  Abells  (Abelseon)  a  precentor 
of  the  Kinderhook  church. 

After  Powell's  death,  as  appears  from  the  Albany  Court 
Records,  Robert  Ortier  (Orchard)  proved  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  court  that  he  was  an  equal  owner  with  Powell  of 
certain  lands  which  Powell  had  sold  without  Ortier's  consent, 
and  the  sales  and  deeds  were  declared  void.  Powell's 
widow  seems  to  have  thought  that  the  best  way  to  end  her 
troubles  was  to  marry  Robert.  At  all  events,  she  did  so; 
and  thenceforth,  as  the  Index  of  Grantors  and  Grantees  in 
Albany  reveals,  there  were  many  sales  by  Orchard  and  his 
wife,  some  of  them  to  their  neighbors,  the  Van  Alstynes. 

We  find  a  charming  illustration  of  the  common  indefinite- 
ness  of  boundaries,  and  an  otherwise  interesting  document, 
among  Mr.  Hosford's  treasured  papers  of  his  wife's  branch 
of  the  Van  Alstyne  family.  It  is  a  certified  translation  of 
the  Dutch  deed  (1671)  of  Robert  Ortier  and  Jannetje  Van 
Donk  to  Jan  Martense  (Van  Alstyne),  for  "70  good  andwhole 
and  merchantable  beaver  skins,'"  of  'Hand  behind  Kinderhook 
south  of  Dirk  the  Swede,  west  of  Jacob  Martense  and  the  creek, 
and  to  the  east  of  a  very  small  creek  parting  the  land  of  Andries 
Hansen;  .  .  .  without  any  charge  issuing  thereon  saving  the 
Lord's  Right.'"  The  number  of  acres  is  not  stated,  but  they 
were  doubtless  many,  for  fifteen  years  later  Powell's  widow 
deeds  to  Jan  Martense  "70  or  80  acres  of  the  Vly  or  Mash" 
(the  well-known  marshy  tract)  for  jive  beavers.  Both  of 
these  tracts  were  in  the  original  Powell  patent  and  are 
owned  by  the  Van  Alstyne  family  to-day,  many  of  whom 
have  conscientiously  recognized  'Hhe  Lord's  Right." 

Before  this,  however,  while  Jannetje  Powell  was  yet  a 
widow,  she  conveyed  several  sections  of  her  very  consider- 
able estate  to  various  purchasers.  The  Index  of  Grantors 
in  the  Albany  County  Clerk's  office  and  the  books  of  Deeds 
to  which  it  refers  reveal  the  sale  to  Andries  Hanse  Scherp 
(Sharp)  and  Jurrian  Collier,  in  1683,  of  a  tract  of  300  acres. 


48  Old  Rinderhook 

In  1684  she  conveyed  to  Stephen  Janse  Cooningh  (Conyne), 
land  ''received  by  ground-brief  in  1667/8.'"  In  1686,  for  five 
beavers,  she  sold  to  Jan  Martense  (Van  Alstyne)  "a//  ^  Vly 
or  mash  .  .  .  on  y^  north  side  of  y^  said  Martense' s  bouwery, 
containing  70  or  80  acres.''  Four  months  later  Jan  and  Dirkje 
his  wife  sold  to  Gerrit  Teunisse,  of  Catskill,  for  six  pounds, 
the  half  or  moyety  off  that  Vley  or  mash  Scituate  Lyeing  and 
Being  att  Kinderhook  on  the  north  of  ye  said  Jan  Martense' s 
Bowery  or  Farm,  the  whole  mash  containing  by  Estimation 
Seventy  or  Eighty  acres  be  itt  more  or  Lesse." 

The  records  show  that  in  1671  and  later  considerable 
sections  of  the  Powell  patent  were  sold  to  Hendrick  Coen- 
radts  (Van  Bon.),  Laurens  Van  Alen,  Jacob  Martense, 
Dirck  Hendrickse  de  Swede  (Bye,  Bey),  Andries  Hanse 
(Sharp),  and  Jan  Martense  (Van  Alstyne). 

In  Col.  MSS.  xiii.,  pp.  399,  545,  we  have  the  two  fol- 
lowing records.  In  1665  the  Mahican  chief  Wattawit,  the 
proprietor  of  a  certain  parcel  of  land  back  of  Kinderhook, 
appears  before  the  Albany  authorities  and  declares  that  he 
sold  to  Evert  Luycassen  a  tract  that  ''lies  east  of  the  Kill  and 
is  half  of  the  middle  piece.  He  has  given  the  other  half  to 
Volckert  Jansen  as  a  present  and  token  of  his  friendship  to 
satisfy  an  old  debt  for  corn." 

Wattawit  does  not  seem  to  have  been  greatly  enriched 
by  his  sale,  or  must  have  squandered  his  wealth,  for  in  1680 
we  meet  him  again  as  a  mail  carrier  "in  need  of  a  shirt." 

The  second  record  is  the  deed  of  five  Westenhook  Indians 
to  Dirck  Wessels  and  Gerrit  Teunisse  of  a  tract  consisting 
of  "four  fiats  on  both  sides  of  Kinderhook  Kill  about  one  Dutch 
mile  {three  English  miles)  from  Jan  Van  Tys sen's  place;  the 
two  largest  flats  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  Kill  and  the  one  to- 
wards the  north  contains  about  27  Morgens  {54  acres)  ajtd  the 
southerly  about  14  morgens.  The  two  other  flats,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Kill,  contain  about  25  and  6  morgens.  The  four 
flats  with  the  woodlarid  to  the  high  hills  are  bounded  on  the 
south  by  land  bought  by  Jan  Bruyn  of  Pampoen  and  at  the 


Land  Orants  49 

north  by  Matitminimaws  land.''  The  deed  is  dated  Oct.  i, 
1679. 

In  March,  1667,  Major  Staats,  who  had  hitherto  only  a 
ground-brief  for  his  land,  had  his  title  confirmed  by  Gover- 
nor Nicolls  and  received  a  formal  patent.  The  description 
part  reads  as  follows: 

...  a  Neck  of  land  commonly  called  by  the  Indyan  name 
Chickhakwick  lying  and  being  on  the  East  side  of  the  River  Striking 
along  the  great  Kill  to  the  first  Great  fall  of  water  and  from  thence  to 
the  ffishing  Place  where  there  is  a  Tree  market  with  the  letter  A 
.  .  .  containing  two  hundred  acres. 

To  this  tract  four  hundred  acres  were  added  by  a  Patent 
granted  by  Governor  Dongan  in  1685 ;  the  whole  six  hundred 
acres  lying  together  in  one  body.  At  that  time  and  for  a 
hundred  years  thereafter,  the  Stockport  creek,  formed  by 
the  confluence  of  the  Kinderhook  and  Claverack  creeks, 
was  known  as  Major  Abraham's  Kill. 

Charles  Clinton's  survey  of  these  tracts  in  1752  gives 
this  more  detailed  description : 

The  first  tract  is  bounded  westerly  by  the  Hudson  River; 
southerly  and  easterly  by  the  Kinderhook  Kill  and  northerly  by  a 
line  running  from  the  first  great  fall  in  the  said  Kill,  south  89 
degrees  west  113  chains  to  the  Fish  Place  on  the  Hudson  river 
where  a  tree  formerly  stood  marked  with  the  letter  (A).  The 
second  tract  joins  the  north  side  of  the  former  and  begins  at  the 
Fish  Place  where  the  said  marked  tree  stood  and  runs  thence 
along  the  line  of  the  said  first  tract,  north  89  degrees  east,  72 
chains  and  fifty  links ;  thence  north  58  chains  and  50  links ;  then 
south  89  degrees  west  69  chains  to  the  river  and  thence  along  the 
bank  of  the  river  to  the  place  of  beginning ;  containing  400  acres. 

The  map  of  the  survey  reveals  the  house  of  Samuel  Staats 
near  the  mouth  of  Stockport  creek;  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  north,  near  the  Fish  place,  the  home  of  John  Staats 
with  that  of  Isaac  Staats  about  one  half-mile  beyond.    About 


50  Old  RinderHooK 

a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Samuel  Staats*s  house  appears  that 
of  John  Carroll. 

The  third  important  Patent,  especially  important  be- 
cause of  the  long-continued  litigation  to  which  it  gave  rise, 
was  the  Baker  and  Plodder  Patent.  The  names  have  been 
mistakenly  reversed  hitherto,  and  nothing  known,  it  was 
said,  of  the  patentees.  We  are  happy  to  make  them  known. 
As  was  always  required,  the  tract  had  previously  been  pur- 
chased of  the  Indian  owners.  The  consideration  was  '^one 
blanket,  one  axe,  three  hoes,  two  bars  of  lead,  three  handsful 
of  powder,  one  knife  and  one  kettle.**  Shortly  after  this  pur- 
chase Governor  Nicolls  issued  a  Patent  for  the  tract  to 
Captain  John  Baker  and  Jacob  Jansen  Plodder. 

Because  of  its  importance  in  connection  with  subse- 
quent land-litigation  we  give  its  descriptive  part  in  full 
(Land  Patents,  vol.  ii.,  p.  244),  date,  April  15,  1667: 

A  Confirmacon  Graunted  unto  Capt.  John  Baker  and  Jacob 
Jansen  Plodder  for  a  certain  parcell  of  Bushland  neare  ffort 
Albany.  .  .  . 

Richard  Nicolls  Esq.  .  .  .  Whereas  Capt.  John  Baker  and 
Jacob  Jansen  Plodder  have  with  my  Lycense  made  Purchase  of 
ye  Indian  proprietors  of  a  Certaine  parcell  of  Bushland  near 
ffort  Albany  together  with  a  Creek  or  Kill  with  the  fall  of  waters 
running  North  and  South  lying  and  being  on  ye  north  syde  of 
Eunick's  Land  at  Kinder  Hooke  and  on  ye  West  side  of  the  great 
Kill  conteyning  by  estimacon  —  Acres  of  Land  ye  Deed  of  Pur- 
chase from  ye  said  Indians  bearing  date  at  ffort  Albany  March 
18,  1666.    Now  for  a  Confirmacon,  etc. 

We  call  attention  to  the  original  spelling  of  "Emikee,"  of 
later  renown. 

The  grantees,  it  would  seem,  were  permitted  to  make  their 
own  "estimacon"  of  the  number  of  acres.  We  can  identify 
"the  fall  of  waters  running  north  and  south**  as  that  of  the 
Valatie  kill.  We  are  able  also  to  state,  following  the  alleged 
example  of  certain  learned  commissioners  after  months  of  pro- 


Land-Litigation  51 

found  thought  concerning  a  disputed  boundary,  that  Baker 
and  Plodder's  land  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  Emikee's. 
And  if  the  over  inquisitive  and  exacting  ask  for  precision  as 
regards  Emikee's  tract,  the  rejoinder  is,  that  it  was  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Baker  and  Plodder's.  What  could  be 
simpler  or  more  satisfying!  It  is  not  surprising  that  later 
years  were  filled  with  litigation,  when  it  was  discovered 
how  largely  the  fourth  Patent  covered  the  same  territory. 
Two  years  later  Baker's  interest  in  this  Patent  was  assigned 
to  Plodder.  Singularly,  a  deed  recorded  in  Hudson  (Deed 
Book,  ZZ.,  p.  461),  in  1854,  given  by  Esther  Bird  and  others, 
of  Newark,  N.  J.,  to  Shepard  C.  Keith  of  the  same  place, 
gives  additional  details  concerning  this  Patent.  After  de- 
scribing the  property  in  the  terms  of  the  original  Grant  of 
1667,  as  recorded  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office  (Patents, 
2d  series.  Liber  2,  p.  65),  it  goes  on  to  say:  "being  the  same 
premises  described  in  the  conveyance  made  by  one  Walthan- 
sett  to  John  Baker  and  Jacob  Jansen  Plodder  bearing  date 
the  1 8th.  day  of  March,  1666,  and  being  the  same  premises 
described  in  the  conveyance  made  by  Johannes  Gardenier 
to  John  Cooper,  Obadiah  Cooper,  Jacob  Cooper,  bearing 
date  the  6th.  day  of  June,  1774." 

Long  anterior  to  the  litigation  concerning  this  Patent, 
as  noted  later,  there  was  the  petition  of  John  Cooper  to 
"Honble  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York,"  setting 
forth  that  he  "has  the  sole  right  and  property  in  said  lands 
vested  in  him  and  his  heirs  by  virtue  of  a  conveyance  and 
power  of  attorney  which  he  has  honestly  obtained  from  the 
heir  at  law";  that  he  "can  now  prove  the  bounds  of  said 
lands  by  several  ancient  persons  whose  decease  might  here- 
after cause  him  to  Loose  his  right  thereto."  He  therefore 
prayed  for  the  appointment  of  "some  proper  person  or 
persons  to  examine  the  said  ancient  evidences,  that  the 
same  may  be  recorded  and  your  petitioner  freed  from  the 
great  risque  of  losing  the  benefit  arising  therefrom  in  any 
future  Court  of  Justice,  Either  of  Law  or  Equity."     The 


52  Old  RinderHooK 

petition  is  dated  March  4,  1777.  Had  it  been  granted, 
much  vexatious  Htigation  might  have  been  prevented;  but 
the  Convention  had  so  many  other  and  more  important 
matters  demanding  attention  that  this  petition  seems  to 
have  been  in  vain. 

But  a  trifle  less  indefinite  than  the  Baker  and  Flodder 
Patent,  and  laying  a  good  foundation  for  subsequent  con- 
troversy and  litigation,  is  the  Hans  Hendricksen  or  Nutten- 
hook  Patent.  Omitting  unessential  legal  phraseology  only, 
we  quote  (Pat.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  174): 

A  Confirmation  Graunted  to  Hans  Hendricksen  for  a  Parcell 
of  Land  neare  Albany. 

Richard  Nicolls  Esq.  .  .  .  Whereas  there  is  a  certain 
Parcell  of  Land  neare  Albany  lying  &  being  on  y^  East  Waal 
beginning  Northwards  at  ye  first  point  of  Nutten  Hooke  & 
stretching  alone  ye  side  of  little  Nutten  Hooke  till  ye  come  to 
Marinelutts  Creek  or  Kill  so  runs  into  ye  Woods  about  the  depth 
of  a  Dutch  Myle  (three  English  miles)  which  said  Parcell  of  Land 
was  upon  the  first  day  of  February  1666  with  the  Approbacon  & 
consent  of  ye  Commissaryes  Purchased  for  a  valuable  Considera- 
con  from  the  Native  Indian  Proprietors  of  that  place  by  Arent 
Van  den  Bergh  together  with  ye  Meadow  Ground  or  Valley 
lying  within  the  said  Lymitts  belonging  thereunto  And  whereas 
the  said  Arent  Van  den  Bergh  did  upon  ye  17th  day  of  this 
Instant  Month  of  ffebruary  make  Sale  of  all  his  Interest  in  the 
Premises  to  Hans  Hendricksen  whereby  the  right  &  Title  therein 
is  devolved  upon  him  Now  for  a  Confirmacon.  ,  .  .  The  Patent 
is  dated  the  "24th  day  of  ffebruary  1667." 

Years  ago,  much  more  frequently  than  now,  we  were 
wont  to  hear  of  Brown  (Bruyn)  Right  as  denoting  the 
northerly  part  of  our  town.  The  origin  of  the  designation 
appears  in  the  most  notable  of  all  the  earlier  patents,  that 
issued  by  Governor  Dongan  in  1668  to  J.  Hendrix  De  Bruyn. 
The  earlier  Indian  deed  bears  the  names,  Pompoenick, 
Taeppehismen,  and  Attawanoe.  Their  "marks"  are  much 
more  artistic  and  picturesque  than  those  of  the  ilHterate 


Land-Litigation  53 

of  our  time.  That  of  Attawanoe  for  instance  looks  like 
a  small  bug  with  sixteen  legs.  The  tract,  beginning  about 
a  mile  south  of  the  Rensselaerswyck  border,  had  a  river- 
front of  about  three  miles,  and  extended  thence  eastward 
about  six  miles.  The  descriptive  part  of  the  Patent  is  as 
follows : 

.  .  .  from  Davidson's  Creek  which  Creek  lies  against  bear 
island  called  in  the  Indian  tongue  Pahpapaenpemock  and  from 
the  said  Creek  stretching  southerly  along  the  river  to  the  saw 
kill  of  Frans  Peiters  Claver  the  Creek  in  the  Indian  tongue  called 
Pittannoock  stretching  to  the  East  and  in  the  woods  to  the  first 
two  lakes  or  inwaters  which  are  called  by  the  Indians  Hithoock 
and  Wogashawachook. 

The  Patent  gives  no  other  boundaries  nor  is  the  number 
of  acres  stated,  but  they  were  about  19,000.  While  there  is 
indefiniteness  as  to  boundaries,  there  is  a  precision  and  com- 
prehensiveness as  regards  ''appurtenances  and  heredita- 
ments" worthy  of  emulation  by  modern  conveyancers.  We 
quote,  verbatim,  literatim  et  punctuatim: 

.  .  .  Houses  Barnes  Buildings  fencis  Gardens  Orchards 
Soyles  Pastures  ffeedings  Inclosures  Woods  Underwoods  timber 
Trees  Swamps  Marshes  Waters  Rivers  Rivoletts  Runs  Brooks 
Lakes  Streams  Ponds  Quarrys  Mines  Mineralls  fishing  fowling 
hunting  Hawking  Silver  and  Gold  Mines  excepted. 

The  consideration  was  "five  Bushells  of  good  Winter 
Merchantable  Wheate  att  New  Yorke,"  payable  annually. 
Evidently  De  Bruyn,  who  owned  several  houses  in  Albany 
and  considerable  tracts  in  Bethlehem  and  Catskill,  was  one 
of  the  great  land  speculators  of  his  time.  His  title  to  the 
first  great  tract  passed  in  1707  to  Laurence  Van  Alen  and 
by  his  will  of  17 12  was  devized  to  his  nine  children. 

To  J.  H.  De  Bruyn,  Evert  Luycas,  Dirck  Wessels,  and 
Peter  Van  Alen,  in  1671  and  later,  several  successive  patents 
were  issued  covering  tracts  on  both  sides  of  the  creek  and 


54 


Old  RinderKooK 


extending  from  Major  Staats's  "bouerie"  to  or  beyond 
Valatie.  It,  or  a  considerable  part  of  it,  came  to  be  known 
as  "TheGrooteStuk." 

In  very  many  of  the  earliest  land-papers  this  Groote 
Stuk  (Great  Piece)  is  named.  The  phrase  appears  on  our 
earliest  map  and  might  be  regarded  as  indicating  the  older 
part  of  Kinderhook  village.  It  was  for  long  a  puzzle  to  us 
as  regards  its  precise  location.  It  is  only  from  information 
derived  piece  by  piece  from  a  multitude  of  sources  that  we 
are  able  to  state  with  approximate  accuracy,  that  while 
the  older  part  of  the  village  was  in  the  Groote  Stuk,  the 
term  included  much  more.  It  was  a  tract  beginning  at 
the  creek  at  Valatie  and  extending  thence  southerly  along 
both  sides  of  the  creek  through  the  old  village  of  Kinderhook 
and  as  far  probably  as  Lindenwald,  or  the  easterly  line  of 
the  Nuttenhook  patent.  Prior  to  1668  it  had  been  pur- 
chased of  the  Indians;  the  renowned  Wattawit  being  the 
owner,  personally,  or  as  representing  a  tribe  or  clan  of  the 
Mahicans. 

In  vol.  iii.,  p.  60,  of  Patents,  we  find  this  Confirmation 
of  title: 

....  a  tract  "  not  farre  from  Nuttenhook  and  ye  Kinder  Hoeck 
known  by  ye  Indian  name  of  Machackoeske,  stretching  on  both 
sides  of  ye  Kill  and  goeing  up  Northerly  next  to  ye  land  formerly 
(in  1665.  See  p.  59.)  bought  of  ye  Indians  by  Evert  Luykassen 
and  so  to  Pachaquack  (Valatie),  which  said  piece  or  Parcell  of 
land  hath  been  .  ,  .  purchased  from  the  Indian  native  owners 
by  Evert  Luykassen,  J.  H.  Bruyn  and  Dirk  Wessels,  May  1666, 
of  which  they  sold  a  fourth  part  to  Pieter  Van  Alen." 
The  confirmation  is  dated  June  26,  1668. 

June  31,  1695,  Pieter  Van  Alen  deeded  his  share  in  the 
Groote  Stuk  to  Pieter  Vosburgh,  eldest  son  of  the  litigious 
Geertruy  Vosburgh.  Dirck  Wesselsen  sold  his  share  with- 
out recorded  deed  to  Marte  Cornelisse  (Van  Buren),  the 
great-great-grandfather  of  President  Van  Buren.     The  sale 


Land-Litigationi  55 

was  confirmed  Feb.  17,  1707-8.  Marte  willed  this  property 
to  his  son  Peter  whose  wife  was  a  sister  of  Peter  Vosburgh's 
wife,  and  the  sisters  "lived,"  we  read,  "on  adjoining  farms." 
Evert  Lucassen's  only  child,  Elbertje,  married  Lawrence 
Van  Alen,  the  purchaser  in  1707  of  the  great  De  Bruyn 
patent.  Elbertje  was  her  father's  only  heir,  and  through  her 
his  share  in  the  Groote  Stuk,  excepting  a  few  portions  pre- 
viously sold,  became  vested  in  Lawrence  Van  Alen,  already 
an  enormous  landholder.  March  4,  17 12,  Van  Alen  gave 
deeds  of  land  in  and  near  Kinderhook  to  six  of  his  nine 
children;  and  on  the  same  day  these  children  conveyed  to 
Johannes  Van  Deusen  (their  brother-in-law)  and  his  wife 
Christina  Van  Alen  "the  half  of  that  land  called  the  Stroak." 
Sept.  30,  1707,  De  Bruyn  gave  one  half  of  his  share  in  the 
Groote  Stuk  to  the  children  of  Lawrence  Van  Alen.  All 
these  statements  may  be  verified  by  consulting  the  Deed 
books  and  the  Index  of  Grantors  in  the  Albany  County 
Clerk's  office.  What  became  of  De  Bruyn's  remaining 
half-interest  in  the  Groote  Stuk  we  have  been  unable  to 
ascertain.  We  conjecture,  however,  that  at  an  earlier  un- 
recorded date  it  had  been  sold  to  Lawrence  Van  Alen  and 
was  the  portion  which  in  1679-80  and  '82  Van  Alen  sold  to 
Jan  Tysse  (Goes).  In  later  years  the  last-named  appears 
in  possession  of  the  northerly  section  of  our  famous  Groote 
Stuk ;  and  Lambert  Janse  (Van  Alstyne)  as  owning  the  most 
southerly. 

In  the  Fort  Orange  Court  records,  the  important  parts 
of  which  relating  to  Kinderhook  were  kindly  translated  for 
us  by  our  State  Archivist,  Mr.  Van  Laer,  we  find  that  in 
March,  1678,  Lawrence  Van  Alen,  attorney  for  (and  son-in- 
law  of)  Evert  Luycassen,  applied  for  an  order  for  the  divi- 
sion of  the  Groote  Stuk  among  its  four  owners.  Evert 
Lucassen  (Backer),  John  Tysse  (Goes),  Marten  Cornelise 
(Van  Buren),  and  Peter  Vosburgh. 

Lawrence  Van  Alen's  application  was  granted  and  an 
order  for  division  by  lot  was  issued;  actual  possession  in 


56  Old  RinderKooK 

severalty,  however,  not  to  take  place  until  Fall,  after  the  grain 
had  been  gathered.  No  attention  seems  to  have  been  given 
to  the  order,  for  in  1681  complaint  was  made  by  inhabitants 
of  Kinderhook  (not  named)  that  some  of  the  owners  would 
not  consent  to  the  division,  whereupon  it  was  ordered  that 
it  be  made  within  eight  days  without  further  delay.  A  year 
later  the  Commissioners,  Melgert,  Abrahams,  and  Claes 
Petten,  report  that  they  have  made  the  division  by  measur- 
ing the  fences  and  marking  upon  trees  the  portion  assigned 
to  each,  namely,  600  paces.  In  the  interim  Luycassen  had 
transferred  his  title  to  his  son-in-law,  Lawrence  Van  Alen, 
and  Cornelise  disposed  of  his  portion,  so  that  now  Van  Alen, 
John  Tysse,  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  Vosburgh  are  the  owners. 
"The  gate  through  which  John  Tysse  drives  alone  and  all 
the  other  gates  must  be  kept  in  good  repair." 

The  same  records  show  that  in  1678  land-litigation  which 
continued  more  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  had  already 
begun.  In  its  inception  and  its  continuance  it  was  largely 
due  to  the  indefiniteness  of  boundary  lines  and  to  the  fact 
that  in  some  cases  the  patents  w^ere  conflicting. 

In  1680  Lawrence  Van  Alen  sues  Jan  Tysse  concerning 
the  division  and  the  survey  of  land  south  of  the  latter's 
house,  formerly  belonging  to  De  Bruyn  and  Luycassen; 
also  to  compel  Tysse  to  keep  the  division  fence  in  repair 
and  to  compensate  Van  Alen  for  his  charges  and  labor. 

The  same  year  Gerrit  Teunisse  asks  the  Court  to  compel 
Peter  Vosburgh  to  fulfill  a  contract  which  the  former  has 
made  in  the  presence  of  witnesses  to  sell  him  (Vosburgh) 
land  for  120  beavers  in  six  years  or  sixty  beavers  cash. 

In  1682  the  four  owners  of  the  Groote  Stuk  last  named 
sue  Andries  Gardenier  for  trespass,  claiming  that  his  house 
stood  on  their  land  ^^  which  runs  to  the  creek,  while  he  is  entitled 
to  the  creek  only."  Gardenier  in  defense  produces  an  earlier 
title  than  theirs  and  nonsuits  them. 

These  items  from  the  Court  record  may  seem  too  trivial 
to  be  noted,  but  they  furnish  us  here  and  there  missing 


Land-Litigation  57 

pieces  of  the  Groote  Stuk  picture  puzzle.  The  fenced  por- 
tion, if  not  the  whole  of  that  mysterious  tract,  consisted  of 
four  parts,  each  600  paces  long.  Assuming  that  the  pace 
of  that  time  was  five  feet  (as  Munsell  states) ,  we  have  alto- 
gether a  tract  of  more  than  two  and  a  quarter  miles  long. 
The  east  and  west  lines  we  cannot  locate  with  precision, 
but  we  know  that  they  included  the  creek  and  a  somewhat 
narrow  and  irregular  strip  of  land  on  each  side.  But  the 
heart  of  the  tract,  portions  of  which  were  ^'sometimes  over- 
flowed,'' we  can  definitely  locate  as  beginning  at  or  near 
Valatie  and  extending  thence  along  the  creek  for  about  two 
and  a  quarter  miles  and  including  the  eastern  part  of  our 
village,  and  south  as  far  as  the  Van  Alen  farm  or  possibly 
Lindenwald.  Several  deeds  of  known  lots  on  William  Street 
confirm  this  view.  We  have  a  decided  impression  that 
Emikee  {alias  Wattawit?)  would  tell  us  that  a  large  part  at 
least  of  the  Groote  Stuk  was  his  land.  We  are  satisfied  also 
that  we  can  identify  this  tract  with  that  originally  granted 
to  De  Bruyn,  Luycassen,  Dirk  Wessels,  and  Peter  Van  Alen, 
in  1 66 1,  as  hitherto  noted. 

From  a  deed  in  the  possession  of  Henry  (grandson  of  the 
late  Henry)  Snyder  we  are  able  to  trace  the  present  Datus 
C.  Smith  place  back  to  its  original  Indian  owner,  Wattawit; 
and  we  find  to  a  certainty  that  a  portion  at  least  of  the  old 
Schermerhorn-Pruyn  estate,  including  the  site  of  the  present 
Beekman  residence,  belonged  to  the  same  Wattawit,  per- 
sonally, or  as  the  representative  of  his  folk. 

In  1685  a  Patent  was  granted  to  Philip  Schuyler  for  800 
acres  lying  for  2000  paces  along  the  Great  New  England 
Path,  substantially  the  present  roadbed  of  the  Boston  and 
Albany  Railway. 

The  most  important  in  some  respects  of  all  the  patents 
was  that  issued  by  Governor  Dongan  in  1686  and  known 
as  the  Great  Kinderhook  Patent.  It  included,  as  will  be 
seen,  several  of  the  patents  already  noted. 

Hitherto  large  sections  of  Kinderhook  District  had  been 


58  Old  RinderHooK 

owned  by  non-residents.  By  invitation  or  permission  set- 
tlers had  occupied  and  improved  portions  of  the  land  without 
acquiring  any  recorded  title  so  far  as  appears.  These 
settlers  and  patentees,  numbering  thirty-one  in  all,  having 
doubtless  made  satisfactory  arrangements  among  themselves 
of  which  there  is  no  record,  in  1686  applied  for  and  received 
the  "Kinderhook  Patent."  Owing  to  its  importance  we 
transcribe  it  from  the  original  record,  omitting  two  repeti- 
tions of  the  thirty-one  names  and  a  clause  now  and  then  of 
the  customary  redundant  legal  phraseology  unessential  to 
its  meaning.     (See  Appendix.) 

In  the  early  years  of  the  eighteenth  century  several 
additional  and  important  land-patents  were  granted. 

In  1703  Tierck  Harmense  (Visscher)  received  a  patent 
for  land  between  Swartahook  and  Great  Nuttenhook;  also 
in  1740  for  land  purchased  of  Essie  Hendry ksen,  as  noted 
below,  together  with  three  hundred  acres  vacant  land  lying 
south  and  west  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686. 

In  Land  Papers,  iii.,  pp.  90  and  129,  appears  the  petition 
of  Andries  Gardenier  (1702)  for  a  patent  for  a  tract  of  land 
*' between  the  colony  of  Renselaerswyke  and  Chinder  hooke.'* 
He  obtained  permission  to  purchase  1000  acres,  and  in  1702-3 
records  the  deed  of  ^'Aqtiake,  impowered  by  his  mother  Mane- 
nagkeha  and  his  two  younger  br  ether  en,  Aarpamit  and  Meno- 
nanpa,  all  native  Mahikan  Indians.'*  The  consideration  was 
"30  pounds  Currant  Money  and  one  fathom  of  Duffels  together 
with  four  half {?)  of  good  beer.'' 

Six  years  later  Rip  Van  Dam  and  others  reported  recom- 
mending that  the  petition  be  granted,  (Vol.  iv.,  p.  155.)  Three 
days  thereafter  a  warrant  for  a  patent  was  issued.  The 
descriptive  part  reads:  ''A  tract  of  woodland  lying  on  the  east 
side  of  Hudson's  river  north  of  De  Bruyn,  beginning  by  David- 
ties  hook  thence  running  up  said  river  1300  pases  more  or  less 
to  the  bounds  of  Renslaerswick,  being  over  against  the  south 
end  of  Barren  Island,  thence  with  the  same  breadth  t?ito  the 
woods  eastward  six  English  miles  or  thereabouts  to  a  small 


Land-Litigation  59 

lake  which  empties  into  the  Great  Fish  Lake,  being  bounded 
between  the  patent  of  Kinderhook  and  Renslaerswick." 

For  this  he  was  to  pay,  "Yearly  and  every  year  .  .  .  att 
New  Yorke  .  .  .  att  or  upon  the  ff east  Day  of  the  Annuncia- 
tion of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  Commonly  called  Lady  Day 
the  Rent  or  Summe  of  Six  Shillings.^* 

To  him  also  patents  were  issued  in  1708  for  several 
tracts,  the  north  boundary  of  which  began  at  Nutten  Hook, 
and  amounting  to  nearly  5000  acres,  for  which  he  was  to 
pay  a  yearly  rent  of  four  shillings  "att  New  Yorke  att  or 
upon  the  ff  east  day  of  the  Birth  of  our  Lord  God.'' 

Without  date,  but  endorsed  as  read  in  Council  in  1703,  we 
have  in  Land  Papers,  iii.,  p.  124,  addressed  to  Lord  Cornbury, 
etc.,  the  "Petition  of  Lawrence  Van  Schayke  and  Lawrence 
Van  Aela,  planters,  praying  Lybertie  and  Ly cense  to  purchase 
from  the  Indians  in  order  to  obtaining  her  Majesty's  Grant  to 
a  parcel  of  land  to  the  Eastward  of  Maj.  Staats,  stretching 
eight  English  miles  into  the  woods,  for  the  purpose  of  settling 
and  improving."  With  the  petition  is  a  rude  map  of  lands 
along  the  river  from  Major  Staats's  to  David's  Hook.  Stuy- 
vesant  is  "the  land  of  the  Swede"  and  there  is  an  unkind  hint 
that  Essie  Hanse  at  Nutten  Hook  has  no  title  for  land  on 
which  she  had  lived  for  thirty  years. 

In  Land  Papers,  vol.  iii.,  p.  157,  there  is  the  record  of  a 
deed  (1703)  given  by  Essie  Hendrickse,  widow  of  Hans 
Hendrickse,  to  Tierck  Harmense,  of  lands  north  of  Abram 
Staats's  two  tracts.  The  deed  refers  to  two  patents  for  the 
land  issued  to  her  husband  in  1667  and  1695.  In  an  earlier 
record  of  the  petition  for  the  patents  the  tract  is  spoken  of 
as  "long  in  his  possession  and  improved."  These  constituted 
the  Little  Nuttenhook  patent.  The  whole  tract  with  the 
exception  of  a  portion  theretofore  released  to  their  son  was 
sold  for  1 56  pounds  and  is  thus  described : 

"A  certain  parcel  of  land  near  Albany,  lying  and  being  at 
ye  east  wall,  beginning  northward  of  the  first  point  of  Nutten 
Hook  and  stretching  along  the  side  of  ye  Little  Nutteri  Hook 


6o  Old  RinderHooK 

till  you  come  to  Marmehead  creek  or  Kill,  and  soe  runs  into 
the  woods  about  a  Dutch  mile,  {three  English  miles).'' 

The  records  seem  to  show  that  Tierck  wanted  Essie's 
lands  at  Great  Nutten  Hook  as  well,  for,  in  1704  (Land 
Papers,  iii.,  p.  185),  Essie  Hanse  petitions  Lord  Cornbury: 

That  her  late  husband  thirty  years  since  with  great  charges  and 
labor  made  improvements  upon  land  which  she  had  peaceably 
enjoyed  since  his  death.  That  Tirck  Harmise  unjustly  coveting 
the  widdow's  right  and  improvement  had  by  Petition  and  false 
alegations  therein  endeavored  to  obtain  a  patent.  She  prays  that  her 
livelyhood  may  not  be  given  to  another  and  that  no  advantage  may  be 
taken  of  her  ignorance  in  neglecting  to  apply  for  a  confirmation  of 
her  possessions. 

She  now  prays  for  a  patent  for  land  "from  Great  Nuttenhook 
running  along  the  river  to  Swartahook  and  so  carrying  the 
same  breadth  eastward  four  miles  into  the  woods." 

In  Land  Papers,  iv.,  p.  17,  we  find,  dated  Sept.,  1704, 
an  order  of  Lord  Cornbury  for  the  issue  of  letters  patent 
to  Tirk  Harmense  for  three  tracts;  the  first  for  466  acres 
beginning  at  the  north  end  of  Nutten  Hook,  thence  east 
into  the  woods  322  chains,  thence  southeast  120  chains; 
the  second  a  tract  of  300  acres  north  of  the  above  and  along 
the  river;  and  a  third  tract  of  forty  acres  adjoining  the 
preceding  and  completing  the  compactness  of  the  whole. 
The  second  tract  had  been  previously  purchased  of  Essie 
Hanse.  Her  appeal  seems  to  have  been,  in  part  at  least, 
successful. 

A  large  portion  of  the  easterly  part  of  this  Nutten  Hook 
Patent  was  subsequently  owned  by  Gerrit  Van  Schaack 
and  his  heirs  and  later  became  the  property  of  Matthew 
and  Lourens  M.  Goes.  Van  Schaack's  (later  Timothy  Clos- 
son's)  mill  and  dwelling  were  at  Stuyvesant  Falls.  The 
map  of  John  E.  Van  Alen's  survey  in  1785  shows  also  the 
surveys  of  Bleecker  in  1743  and  1749.  Van  Alen's  survey 
was  for  Matthew,  Lourens  M.,  John  D.,  and  Peter  D.  Goes, 


I^and-Liti^ation  6i 

among  whom  he  divided  a  large  tract,  the  south  boundary  of 
which  ran  138  chains  east  from  Martin  Van  Alstyne's  mills 
at  Chittenden's  Falls. 

On  p.  155  of  the  same  volume  is  Cornbury's  order  for 
the  patent  to  Andries  Gardenier  for  the  tract  north  of  the 
great  De  Bruyn  Patent,  already  described.  It  is  dated 
Oct.  1 708  and  notes  the  yearly  quit  rent  of  six  shillings.  In 
the  book  of  Deeds,  vol.  v.,  p.  213,  we  find  the  grant  of  con- 
firmation by  the  Trustees  of  Kinderhook,  elsewhere  named, 
to  Jan  Goes,  son  and  heir  of  Jan  Tyssen  Goes,  deceased,  and 
to  the  eight  children  of  Lawrence  Van  Alen,  heirs  of  Evert 
Luykassen,  deceased,  '^as  by  deed  of  sale  from  the  native 
Indians  and  Pattent,''  a  large  tract,  the  instructive  description 
of  which  we  quote: 

beginning  and  stretching  on  both  sides  of  a  certain  Kill  or  creek 
Called  and  known  by  the  Indian  name  Najokasink  and  by  the 
Christians  the  Beowers  Binne  Kill  thence  westerly  into  the  woods 
.  .  .  to  greate  Spring  or  groote  fontyn  .  .  .  along  the  waggon  road 
to  great  piece  or  groot  stuk  by  a  valley  along  the  brink  of  the  hill  to  a 
certain  place  called  water  Kuyl,  and  from  thence  easterly  to  the  Klay 
Kuyls  Kill  and  from  thence  southerly  to  the  lands  of  Lawrence  Van 
Alen,  along  the  said  bounds  westerly  to  the  first  mentioned  bounds. 

The  grant  is  dated  171 1,  and  the  tract  evidently  included 
much  of  the  land  on  both  sides  of  the  creek  near,  possibly 
in  part  in,  the  easterly  section  of  the  present  village.  The 
record  of  the  subsequent  transfers  by  these  heirs  would 
require  a  volume  of  its  own.  The  records  may  be  found  in 
the  Albany  County  Clerk's  office. 

In  Land  Papers,  vol.  vi,,  p.  173  {see  p.  159  for  petition), 
we  have  a  description  of  John  Beatty's  survey  of  "two  tracts 
of  woodland  containing  together  about  4000  acres  .  .  . 
laid  out  for  Conrat  Borghart  and  Elias  Van  Schaack." 

The  descriptive  part  of  the  first  reads: 

Beginning  on  the  east  side  of  Kinderhook  creek  or  kill  by  the 
high  fall  commonly  called  Major  Abram  Staats'  fall  .  .  .  thence 


62  Old  RinderKooK 

east  148  chains,  then  south  by  west  316  chains,  then  northwest 
5  degrees  north  184  chains,  then  down  the  Claverack  kill  to  its 
intersection  with  Kinderhook  creek,  then  up  Kinderhook  creek 
including  all  ye  turnings  and  windings  thereof  to  ye  first  station. 
The  whole  being  bounded  on  the  west  by  ye  Claverack  and 
Kinderhook  creek  and  on  the  other  sides  by  ye  King's  woods, 
containing  3590  acres. 

The  measurements  stated  in  miles  and  decimals  were 
1.85,  3.95,  and  2.3  respectively. 

The  second  tract  was  in  the  northern  part  of  the  district 
between  Rensselaerswyck  and  the  "General  Patent"  and 
east  of  the  Gardenier  tract. 

It  is  thus  described : 

Beginning  on  the  east  side  of  a  small  run  of  water  on  the  bounds 
of  Kinderhook  patent,  neare  where  the  said  run  watereth  out 
of  a  small  lake  or  pond  (Knickerbocker  lake?)  which  .  .  .  lyeth 
to  ye  northward  of  ye  great  pond  or  lake,  east  103  chains,  north 
41  chains,  west  97  chains,  to  the  small  run  above  named  on  the 
border  of  Andries  Gardenier,  thence  down  to  the  point  of  begin- 
ning; containing  410  acres;  both  tracts  together  4000  acres. 
The  survey  is  dated  Oct.  25,  171 7. 

The  smaller  tract  subsequently  became  the  property  of 
"Burger  Huyck  and  Co.,"  and  was  the  "land  in  their 
possession"  adjoining  which  was  the  much  larger  tract  for 
which  they  obtained  their  patent. 

A  map  of  the  two  tracts  surveyed  for  Borghart  and  Van 
Schaack  in  Land  Papers,  vi.,  p.  174,  shows  that  a  consider- 
able portion  of  the  first  tract  was  in  Claverack.  It  was 
evidently  Borghart's  portion,  for  in  1767,  in  reply  to  Henry 
Van  Rensselaer's  caveat  of  protest,  we  have  (L.  P.,  xxiv., 
p.  16),  the  petition  of  the  sons  of  Coenradt  (John,  Coenradt, 
Garret,  Peter,  and  Jacob),  and  two  sons-in-law,  Isaac  Van 
Duersen  and  Peter  Sharpe,  reciting  the  "Licence  and  Pur- 
chase" in  1729.  The  issue  of  the  controversy  belongs  to 
the  history  of  the  Claverack  Manor. 


Land-Litigation  63 

In  1729-30  (Land  Papers,  x.,  105)  we  find  the  petition 
of  Thomas  Williams,  Cornells  Jacobse  Schermerhorn,  and 
Leendert  Conyne  for  a  "licence  to  purchase  a  tract  of  1000 
acres  lying  on  both  sides  of  Kinderhook  creek  between  the 
north  line  of  Kinderhook  patent  and  the  manor  of  Ranslaers- 
wick." 

A  month  later  Jacob  Vosburgh,  Jacob  Isaackse  Vosburgh, 
Jr.,  Johan  Vosburgh,  J.  Abse  Van  Alstyne,  and  Johan  Ten 
Broeck  enter  their  caveat  against  the  encroaching  petition 
of  Williams  and  others,  and  this  leads  to  a  warrant  for  the 
survey  of  the  north  bounds  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent; 
this  being  the  more  necessary  because  it  had  been  found 
that  distances  stated  in  the  patent  and  actually  measured 
distances  did  not  always  agree.  Williams  and  others  seem 
to  have  been  thrown  out  of  Court  for,  in  1731  (Land  Papers, 
X.,  pp.  152,  170,  and  xi.,  p.  6),  w^e  have  the  petition  for  and 
survey  of  a  grant  of  6000  acres  to  Burger  Huyck  and  others, 
adjoining  to  lands  of  which  they  were  possessed,  to  the 
northward  of  lands  formerly  belonging  to  Dirck  Wessels 
and  Gerrit  Teunisse.  The  survey  was  made  in  1731  and 
a  patent  given.  These  ''others''  were  in  some  cases  merely 
nominal  owners;  named,  because  of  the  law  that  no  patent 
for  more  than  1000  acres  to  one  person  was  to  be  granted. 
The  full  list  of  patentees  was  Burger  Huyck,  Lambert  Huyck, 
Peter  Van  Alen,  Johannes  Vosburgh,  Joachim  Kallier, 
Isaac  Vosburgh,  John  Van  Alstyne,  Johannis  Ten  Broeck, 
and  Casper  Rouse. 

This  tract,  together  with  a  grant  to  Peter  Vosburgh  of 
1900  acres  (an  approximate  parallelogram  in  shape),  included 
the  whole  northern  part  of  the  district  south  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck  and  east  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent,  the  two  lakes  and 
the  Gardinier  grant.  The  extreme  northeast  point  of  the 
tract  is  indicated  on  the  map  of  the  survey  as  being  eleven 
miles  from  the  Hudson,  far  within  the  present  boundary  of 
Chatham.  The  Field  Book  and  map  of  the  survey  are  in 
the  Surveyor-General's  office.     The  tract  is  thus  described : 


64  Old  RinderHooK 

A  Certain  Tract  of  Land  Scituate  Lying  and  being  in  the 
County  of  Albany  on  both  sides  of  the  Kinderhook  Creek  or 
River,  Beginning  at  a  small  black  oak  tree  marked  with  three 
notches  standing  on  the  brow  of  the  falling  off  hills,  near  the 
south  end  of  land  granted  to  Derick  Wessels  and  Geritt  Teunisse, 
and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Kinderhook  Creek  or  River  and  the 
south  side  of  a  small  Run  of  water  running  down  the  said  Hills, 
which  tract  runs  from  the  said  Black  Oak  tree,  north  60  degrees 
west  95  chains;  then  north  5  degrees  east  40  chains,  to  the 
easterly  boundary  of  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  J.  H.  De  Bruyn; 
then  along  his  bounds,  north  27  degrees  east,  93  chains  to  a  large 
fish  pond;  then  north  easterly  along  the  south  and  east  sides  of 
the  said  pond  to  the  mouth  of  a  Run  of  water  called  the  Bouren 
Kill  and  running  into  the  said  Pond.  Then  along  the  said  Bouren 
Kill  to  the  mouth  of  another  small  Run  which  runs  out  of  a  small 
Pond  there  into  the  said  Bouren  Kil;  then  along  the  said  Run  of 
water  to  the  said  small  Pond ;  then  northerly  along  the  east  side 
of  the  said  small  pond,  and  along  a  Run  of  water  which  runs  into 
the  said  Pond,  which  Run  of  water  is  called  Lischer's  Killickie 
(Muitzes  Kill),  being  the  easterly  Bounds  of  a  tract  of  land 
granted  to  Andrew  Gardineer,  to  the  south  bounds  of  the  Manor 
of  Rensselaerswyck.  Then  along  the  said  Bounds  east  70  chains; 
then  south  79  degrees  east,  190  chains.  Then  south  15  degrees 
west,  135  chains.  Then  south  45  degrees  west  135  chains.  Then 
south  45  degrees  west  286  chains;  then  north  60  degrees  west  84 
chains  to  the  said  Black  Oak  tree  where  this  tract  began;  con- 
taining in  the  whole  6921  acres  of  land  and  the  usual  allowance 
for  Highways. 

The  house  of  John  Van  Ness  is  located  near  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  Huyck  tract.  On  the  northerly  section  of  the 
Peter  Vosburgh  tract,  1908  acres  in  all,  five  undesignated 
dwellings  appear.     But  the  surveyor  goes  on  to  say : 

There  are  five  persons  settled  on  the  tract,  viz.  John  Print 
who  has  about  30  acres  under  improvement,  Henry  Salisbury  20 
acres,  Gisbert  DeWitt  15,  Cornelius  Ostrom  20  and  Jacob  Fry 
15  acres,  all  under  some  degree  of  improvement,  as  none  have 
been  settled  above  two  years  except  Jacob  Fry  who  has  been 


Land-Litigation  65 

there  near  five  years,  and  all  settled  without  any  pretension  of 
title. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Frank  Palmer  of  Kinder- 
hook,  and  of  his  wife's  brother,  Mr.  Edgar  B.  Thomas  of 
Great  Barrington,  the  present  owner  of  the  document,  we 
have  had  before  us  an  interesting  old  deed,  written  on  a 
piece  of  parchment  thirty-three  inches  wide.  It  is  dated 
1743,  and  was  given  by  Geertruyd  Coyemans  as  one  of  the 
executors  of  her  husband's  (Andries  Coyemans)  will,  to 
Alexander  Van  Alstyne,  blacksmith,  of  Kinderhook.  It 
refers  to  an  earlier  deed  of  the  same  property  from  Coenradt 
Borghardt  in  1720.  It  is  termed  the  ^^ Defeeresses  land'' 
and  was  evidently  what  fifty  years  ago  was  the  Edward  A. 
Thomas  farm.  He  was  the  father  of  the  present  holder  of 
this  old  document.  The  consideration  was  three  hundred 
pounds  of  current  money  of  the  Province  of  New  York. 

In  Land  Papers,  xxvi.,  pp.  106,  146,  may  be  found  the 
return  of  surveys  (1768),  with  a  map,  of  two  tracts  of 
land.  They  are  triangular  pieces  whose  common  apex  is 
at  Swarta  Hook,  with  a  base  line  of  about  ^  of  a  mile 
along  the  north  boundary  of  Harmanse's  tract  "of  300 
acres  "  at  Nutten  Hook.  The  tract  along  the  river  contained 
122  acres  and  was  surveyed  for  Hugh  Munro.  The  second 
tract  of  125  acres  was  surveyed  for  Joseph  Smeeton.  The 
division  line  between  the  two,  from  Swarta  Hook  to  the 
Harmanse  tract,  was  about  1%  miles  long.  The  accom- 
panying map  reveals  these  dwellings  at  intervals  along  the 
river-front  south  of  Swarta  Hook:  I.  Sharp,  Gisbert  Claw, 
Abr.  Wingood,  and  Jacob  Falkinburgh. 

In  1790  Surveyor-General  De  Witt  surveyed  a  tract  of 
897  acres  for  these  parties:  for  Dirck  Woodcocks  (198), 
William  Steves  (200),  Joel  Champion  (192),  Job  Champion 
(173),  and  George  White  (134).  The  tract  was  bought  for 
two  shillings  an  acre  and  is  described  (Land  Papers,  xlix., 
p.  143)  as  "Beginning  at  a  marked  white  oak  tree  standing 


66  Old  RinderHooK 

on  the  south  bound  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaer  at  a  distance 
of  12  chains  and  75  Hnks  from  the  south-west  corner  of  the 
stoop  or  shed  of  the  dwelHng  house  of  Henry  Goes." 

In  Land  Papers,  xl.,  pp.  7,  8,  are  the  returns  of  two 
surveys  (1791)  for  John  Van  Ness:  the  first  for  a  tract  of 
427  acres  adjoining  the  north  bounds  of  the  patent  granted 
to  Burger  Huyck  and  others.  The  second  is  for  a  tract  of 
200  acres  adjoining  a  tract  laid  out  for  Dirck  Woodcock. 

The  larger  tract  was  Mr.  Van  Ness's  bounty  land;  re- 
ceived in  accordance  with  the  acts  of  the  Legislature  of 
1 78 1  and  1782,  whereby,  bounties  of  unappropriated  lands 
were  granted  to  those  who  had  raised  troops  for  the  defense 
of  the  State  or  to  complete  the  Line  of  the  State  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States.  The  Surveyor-General,  Simeon 
Dewitt,  thus  reports  his  survey  to  Governor  Clinton: 

All  that  certain  Tract  .  .  .  beginning  at  the  north  east  corner 
of  the  patent  heretofore  granted  to  Burger  Huyck  and  others 
and  running  thence  along  the  north  bounds  thereof,  s.  86°  45' 
West,  22  chains  and  80  links  to  a  tract  of  200  acres  laid  out  for 
the  said  John  VanNess;  then  along  the  same.  North  75  chains, 
to  a  tract  laid  out  for  Dirck  Woodcock;  then  along  the  same, 
North  40°  30'  East,  2  chains  and  30  links  to  the  south  bound  of 
the  manor  of  Rensselaer ;  then  along  the  same  easterly  52  chains 
and  80  links  to  the  west  bounds  of  the  Kings'  District ;  then  along 
the  same.  South  45'  East,  to  the  Kinderhook  creek;  then  down 
along  the  same  as  it  winds  and  turns  to  the  aforesaid  tract 
granted  to  Burger  Huyck  and  others,  and  then  along  the  same 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  427  acres  of  land,  the  same 
being  laid  out  as  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  square  as  conditions 
permitted. 

We  have  now  given  what  we  deem  to  be  a  sufficiently 
full  account  of  the  original  titles  to  nearly  all  the  territory 
comprised  in  Old  Kinderhook.  It  is  to  be  remembered  that 
there  were  some  who  occupied  land  by  private  agreement 
with  the  natives  without  any  other  title.  Others,  if  Isaac 
Goes's  statement  to  Abraham  Lott  in  1774  was  accurate, 


Land-Litigation  67 

seized  upon  unappropriated  lands  wherever  they  could  find 
them  and  added  them  to  their  own  holdings.  But  we 
suspect  that  Isaac  was  grouty  that  morning,  for  there  could 
not  have  been  so  very  much  in  his  time  to  be  thus  seized. 
With  the  exception  of  a  narrow  irregular  tract  along  the 
creek  (the  Groote  Stuk),  which  included  parts  of  both  Kin- 
derhook  and  Valatie,  we  have  covered  our  entire  territory 
with  land  patents,  in  several  places  apparently  two  deep. 

The  tracts  thus  granted  cannot  all  be  located  with  pre- 
cision on  any  map  that  has  been  or  can  be  made.  At  first 
and  for  many  years  the  territor}^  was  wholly  unsurveyed  and 
largely  unknown.  One  undefined  tract  was  designated  as 
adjoining  another  equally  ill-defined.  The  first  surveys 
when  made  were  of  the  crudest  sort.  Distances  were  meas- 
ured by  uncertain  pacing,  poles,  ropes,  harness-reins,  and 
even  by  this  phrase:  "about  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  walk, 
according  to  my  walking."  Marked  trees  subject  to  decay, 
tree-trunks,  one  white  oak  readily  mistaken  for  another 
which  would  include  a  greater  number  of  acres,  heaps  of 
stones  easily  removed,  and  variable  water-courses  were  des- 
ignated as  stations  in  the  surveys.  ''Variable  water-courses,'* 
we  say,  for  our  streams  had  a  perverse  way  of  refusing  to 
flow  discreetly  as  the  grantors  and  grantees  of  patents  said 
they  did  and  must.  Occasionally  also,  in  sheer  caprice  if 
not  with  malice  prepense,  they  would  abandon  an  old  chan- 
nel for  a  new  one,  as  our  staid  old  Kinderhook  creek  has  done 
more  than  once.  This  was  most  reprehensible  conduct  on 
the  part  of  our  streams,  for  in  connection  with  conditions 
before  stated  it  tended  to  promote  long  and  most  vexatious 
litigation.  Lawyers,  Courts  (the  Supreme  and  the  Court 
of  Errors),  Commissioners  and  Chancellors,  all  tried  to 
settle  what  would  not  stay  settled  until  the  Legislature  of 
1 8 12  and  18 13  appointed  Commissioners  whose  decisions 
were  to  be  final  even  if  they  cut  the  knots  they  could  not 
untie.  The  Commissioners  were  given  two  years  for  their 
investigation,  and  later  the  time  was  extended. 


68  Old  RinderKooK 

Under  these  conditions  it  is  evident  that  the  Devolution 
of  Titles  is  a  subject  of  extreme  difficulty.  It  is  only  by 
laborious  study  of  many  maps,  surveys,  wills,  and  deeds 
(many  unrecorded)  that  even  approximate  accuracy  can 
be  secured.  Obviously  also  general  outlines  only  can  be 
given.  The  whole  story  as  regards  any  one  of  a  dozen  of 
the  old  families  would  require  many  pages  of  dry-as-dust 
details.  "Posterity  delights  in  details,"  John  Quincy 
Adams  tells  us,  but  we  cannot  make  a  volume  of  this  chapter. 
Omitted  details  are  accessible  in  the  Land  Papers  of  the 
Secretary  of  State's  office,  supplemented  by  the  Index  of 
Grantors  and  Grantees,  and  the  books  of  Deeds  in  the  Albany 
County  Clerk's  office,  and  later  that  of  Columbia  County. 
The  Index  leads  us  to  suspect  that  when  any  of  the  nine 
children  of  Lawrence  Van  Alen  had  a  family  party  title 
deeds  were  passed  instead  of  cake. 

Doubts  arising  as  to  the  validity  of  their  numerous  ex- 
changes and  divisions  of  their  inheritance,  they  obtained 
from  the  Legislature  a  special  Act  of  Validation,  passed  in 
February,  1793.  It  recited  that  in  1751-52  the  said  (De 
Bruyn)  tract  was  vested  in  the  legal  representatives  of 
Lawrence  Van  Alen  in  nine  shares  or  proprietary  rights: 
that  a  part  of  the  said  land  was  laid  out  into  lots  and  the 
remainder  exchanged ;  that  is  to  say,  land  on  the  west  side  of 
Pine  Ridge  and  Kallekoenbergh  (Turkey  Hill)  for  land  on 
the  east  side,  of  which  a  map  had  been  made  and  deposited 
in  the  Columbia  County  Clerk's  office.  Unfortunately 
this  map  has  disappeared.  Doubts  arising  as  to  the  validity 
of  such  division  and  exchange,  it  was  ratified  and  con- 
firmed, and  the  land  vested  in  fee  simple  in  proprietors  re- 
siding thereon.  The  remaining  undivided  land,  east  of 
Pine  Ridge  and  Kallekoenbergh,  was  to  be  divided  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  the  Act  for  the  Partition  of  Lands. 

In  several  successive  volumes  of  the  "Collections"  of  the 
N.  Y.  Historical  Society  may  be  found  abstracts  of  the  wills 
of  many  residents  of  Old  Kinderhook  which  were  filed  in 


Land-Litigation  69 

the  New  York  Surrogate's  office.  These  and  all  other  known 
and  available  sources  of  information  have  been  studiously 
scrutinized  and  many  helpful  items  thence  derived. 

The  principal  De  Bruyn  Patent,  of  apparently  about 
19,000  acres  as  finally  delimited,  was  sold  in  1707  to  Lourens 
Van  Alen  for  four  hundred  pounds.  {See  Appendix.)  This 
Lourens  was  a  son  of  Lourens  Lourensen  who  is  reported 
as  being  in  Beverwyck  in  1630.  About  1673  his  son  Lourens 
became  a  resident  and  landholder  here.  In  1690  he  was 
commissioned  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  in  1703  was 
elected  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  the  District.  He  and  his 
brother  Pieter  were  the  progenitors  of  the  once  very  numer- 
ous families  of  Van  Alen  and  Van  Allen  of  this  whole  region. 
Before  1686  he  married  Elbert je  Evertse,  daughter  of  Evert 
Luyckassen  (Backer),  one  of  the  early  patentees  of  several 
large  tracts.  Through  his  wife  (and  there  were  many  like 
instances)  Lourens  received  considerable  additions  to  his 
own  large  holdings,  notably  his  share  in  the  famous  Groote 
Stuk.  Lourens  and  Elbert  je  had  nine  children;  six  sons 
and  three  daughters.  The  sons  were  Lucas,  Lourens, 
Jacobus,  Johannes,  Stephanus,  and  Pieter.  Their  daughters 
were  Emmetje  (Jannetje),  Catharina,  and  Christina,  who 
married  respectively,  Leendert  Conyn,  Melgert  Vanderpoel, 
and  Johannis  Van  Deusen.  The  will  of  their  father,  who 
died  in  1713-14,  provided  that  his  estate  should  be  divided 
among  them  share  and  share  alike.  For  more  than  fifty 
years  much  of  the  estate  was  held  in  common  by  amicable 
agreement;  Conyn  and  Vanderpoel  occupying  the  portion 
along  the  river  and  as  far  east  as  the  "Pine  Ridge"  (the 
present  Ridge  road)  and  Kalkoen-berg  (Turkey  Hill), 
where,  "beautiful  for  situation,"  stands  the  house  of  the 
late  P.  Eaton,  now  owned  by  Cornelius  Van  Alen.  Johan- 
nis Van  Deusen  and  his  wife  were  in  possession  of  a  large 
tract  near  and  including  part  of  the  present  village  of  Valatie. 
His  house  stood  near  the  existing  bridge  at  Valatie.  Lands 
on  both  sides  of  the  creek,  including  the  south  side  of  Main 


70  Old  RinderHooK 

Street  and  the  island,  were  parts  of  his  estate.  We  note  in 
passing,  although  it  was  not  a  part  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent, 
that  "het  Ilantje"  (Island  No.  lo)  was  sold  in  1735  to  Mat- 
theus  Goes  for  forty  pounds.  The  deed  describes  it  as 
"bounded  on  the  south  and  west  by  a  pond  of  water  called 
Binnegat  and  on  the  north  by  land  of  the  heirs  of  Dirck  Goes, 
then  in  possession  of  the  said  Johannis  Van  Deusen." 

The  remainder  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent  between  these 
outlying  portions  was  in  the  possession  of  Lourens's  six  sons. 

For  facts  stated  as  regards  the  devolution  of  title  of  the 
western  section  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Philip  Van  Alstine, 
of  New  York. 

The  name  Poelsburg,  long  applied  to  a  portion  of  that 
region,  is  of  obvious  derivation.  The  original  Conyn  and 
Vanderpoel  houses,  built  of  brick  and  in  the  best  style  of 
the  time,  stood  on  the  river-bank.  The  Melgert  Vander- 
poel house  was  built  in  1719.  Later,  Melgert's  son,  Barent, 
built  a  stone  house  (burned  in  1825)  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Radley  farm.  Jacobus  Vanderpoel,  son  of  Barent, 
built  on  the  river  road  about  one  half  mile  south  of  his 
father's  house,  on  the  present  Gifford  place.  Leendert 
Conyn's  daughter,  Weintje,  married  Abraham  Van  Alstyne. 
On  the  death  of  her  father  she  received  the  northern  part 
of  his  estate  including  Schutter's  (Hotaling)  Island.  Conyn's 
daughter,  Catharine  Ten  Broeck  (wife  of  Dirck  Wessels), 
his  son  Leonard,  and  his  granddaughter  Henderecke  Beeck- 
man  (whose  mother,  Angetie  Conyn  married  Jan  Van 
Buren  and  died  before  her  father),  received  lands  at  Roeleff 
Jansen's  Kill  and  at  Kleine  Kill.  The  son  of  Abraham  Van 
Alstine  and  Weintje  (Lavina)  Conyn  was  Lieutenant-Colonel 
(later  Colonel)  Philip  Van  Alstine,  of  distinguished  service 
during  the  Revolution. 

The  Melgert  Vanderpoel  mansion  passed  to  his  son 
Johannis  and  to  the  latter's  son  Isaac  who  continued  to 
occupy  it  until  it  was  declared  forfeited  to  the  State.  It 
then   came   into  the  possession  of  Philip  Van  Alstine  who 


l^and-Liti^ation  71 

died  in  18 14,  leaving  two  sons,  John  P.  and  Abraham  P. 
A  third  son,  Isaac  P.,  had  been  killed  by  Indians  at  a  landing- 
place  on  Lake  Erie  in  1784.  The  house  built  in  1719  was 
burned  in  1872. 

John  P.  Van  Alstine  married  Elizabeth  Bork,  daughter 
of  Dominie  Bork.  In  1822  he  sold  the  old  Conyn  place 
and  about  255  acres  of  land  to  William  Johnson  and  built 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Whannel  house  about  one  half 
mile  north  of  the  former.  He  died  in  1831,  and  in  1839  his 
three  sons  sold  their  father's  estate  and  moved  West.  Abra- 
ham P.,  the  other  son  of  Colonel  Philip  Van  Alstine,  married 
Catalyntie  Gardenier,  and  had  three  children :  Maria,  who 
married  Jesse  Van  Ness,  the  father  of  Philip  and  the  grand- 
father of  Jesse  P.  of  East  Greenbush  who  married  Ella 
Milham  of  Stuyvesant;  Cornelia,  who  married  Peter  L. 
Van  Dyck;  and  Philip,  the  grandfather  of  Philip  who  fur- 
nishes these  items.  At  the  death  of  Abraham  P.  his  pro- 
perty became  vested  in  his  son  Philip  and  in  his  sons-in-law, 
the  Van  Nesses  and  the  Van  Dycks.  The  original  Jesse 
Van  Ness  house  of  stone  is  still  standing  on  a  crossroad  near 
the  Schodack  line.  His  son  Philip's  home  on  the  Ridge, 
north  of  the  district  schoolhouse,  is  well  remembered.  That 
of  Peter  L.  Van  Dyck  was  on  the  Ridge  road.  Later,  Arent 
Van  Dyck,  who  married  Hilletje,  daughter  of  Stephen  Van 
Alen,  came  into  possession  of  a  tract  which  included  the  farm 
now  belonging  to  Lewis  J.,  son  of  Frank  Bion  Van  Alstyne. 

The  fullest  and  clearest  statement  we  have  found  of  the 
ultimate  disposition  of  the  remainder  of  the  De  Bruyn 
patent,  east  of  the  Pine  Ridge,  is  in  the  agreement  between 
Lourens  L.  and  Johannis  L.  Van  Alen,  sons  of  Lucas  and 
grandsons  of  Laurens.  The  orginal  document,  loaned  by 
Mr.  J.  S.  Hosford,  is  before  us  as  we  write.  It  is  dated 
February  4,  1 801.     It  recites: 

That  their  grandfather  among  other  real  estate  was  seized 
of  a  tract  of  land  called  the  De  Bruyn  patent;  that  by  his  last 


72  Old  RinderKooK 

will  and  testament,  excepting  sundry  parcels  previously  disposed 
of,  the  patent  was  devized  to  his  nine  children,  share  and  share 
alike:  that  his  son  Evert  transferred  his  ninth  to  his  brother 
Lucas:  that  in  1730  Johannis  Van  Deusen  and  his  wife  Christina 
Van  Alen  made  over  her  ninth  to  her  brothers  Lucas,  Stephanus, 
Jacobus,  and  Leonard  Conine,  her  sister's  husband:  that  in 
1743/4  Lucas  devized  his  several  shares  in  the  patent  and  other 
real  estate  to  his  two  sons  Lourens  L.  and  Johannis  L.,  share  and 
share  alike,  to  be  divided  when  Johannis  came  of  age:  that  in 
1769  this  partition  was  made  in  part:  that  at  the  time  of  making 
this  partition  a  great  part  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent  was  undivided 
and  held  in  common  by  themselves  and  the  other  proprietors  so 
that  a  full,  perfect  and  absolute  division  was  impossible;  that  a 
partition  of  these  remaining  undivided  lands  was  made  in  part 
in  1793  and  in  part  in  1799,  by  Commissioners  appointed  by  the 
Columbia  County  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  in  accordance  with 
the  general  Act  of  the  Legislature  for  the  Partition  of  Lands: 
that  under  this  partition  the  undivided  lands  of  the  patent  were 
laid  out  into  eight  Allotments  and  each  Allotment  into  seven 
lots  representing  the  proprietary  shares  of  Stephanus,  Jacobus, 
Lucas,  Evert  and  Peter  Van  Alen  and  also  of  Peter  Martese 
Van  Buren  and  Johannis  Van  Deusen,  in  accordance  with  an 
agreement  made  in  1792:  that  those  to  whose  names  lots  were 
drawn  became  entitled  to  and  seized  of  the  same  as  by  the  report 
of  the  Commissioners  on  file  in  the  County  Clerk's  office. 

Then  follow  minute  details  of  allotments  among  these 
several  proprietors  and  also  the  releases  of  Lourens  and 
Johannis  to  each  other  and  to  other  proprietors  of  right, 
title,  and  interest  in  lands  as  allotted.  These  details  are  too 
numerous  and  extended  for  record  here.  They  may  be  found 
in  the  Columbia  County  Clerk's  office;  but  Surveyor  Bleeck- 
er's  map  said  to  accompany  the  report  is  missing.  Without 
it  it  is  impossible  to  locate  the  several  allotments  to  indi- 
viduals. Old  residents,  however,  remember  well  what  large 
sections  of  the  great  patent  were  in  the  possession  of  the 
descendants  of  the  original  Lourens  down  to  a  comparatively 
recent  period;  as  indeed  portions  are  to  this  day.     But  a 


Land-Litigation  73 

few  years  since  the  Van  Alen  homesteads  were  to  be  found 
on  every  road  threading  the  De  Bruyn  patent,  and  there 
was  probably  not  one  of  the  old  families  with  whom  the 
Van  Alens  had  not  intermarried.  The  farm  of  the  aged 
Peter  Harder  who  died  in  1864  (the  grandfather  of  the  late 
Edson  Harder  of  Valatie)  was  the  old-time  homestead  of 
Cornelius  Van  Alen  whose  family  burial  plot  may  still  be 
seen  near  his  house.  Owned  of  late  by  Mr.  Wheeler  is  the 
homestead  of  all  the  eight  children  of  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen, 
son  of  John  L.,  as  the  initial  I  (interchangeable  with  J) 
signifies,  and  a  grandson  of  Lourens.  It  retains  traces  of 
its  ancient  dignity  and  elegance,  but  is  of  peculiar  attractive- 
ness to  us  as  the  birthplace  of  John,  Elizabeth,  and  Lydia, 
whom  we  ''have  loved  long  since  and  lost  awhile."  What  we 
have  known  as  the  Walker  place  was  originally  a  part  of  the 
Lucas  I.  estate.  Of  the  remote  descendants  of  Lourens 
there  are  some  still  here,  but  very  many  more  are  widely  scat- 
tered. The  name,  once  borne  bv  a  multitude,  has  now  but 
few  representatives  in  Kinderhook,  and,  like  several  other 
once  notable  names  here,  is  not  unlikely  to  become  extinct. 
In  the  Albany  County  Clerk's  office  may  be  seen  the 
map  of  Bleecker's  survey  (1769)  of  "part  of  the  land  granted 
to  Lawrence  Scherp,  Casparus  Conyn,  Jr.  and  others." 
The  tract  is  largely  if  not  wholly  identical  with  the  Powell 
patent  of  a  hundred  years  earlier.  It  lies  on  both  sides  of 
the  present  Landing  Road  from  the  river  to  and  including  a 
large  lot  of  "corn  land"  numbered  47,  and  lying  northwest 
of  Marte  Van  Alstyne's  house  and  barn.  Along  the  river 
are  fourteen  lots,  twenty  chains  in  depth  and  of  varying 
width.  We  give  the  names  of  the  owners  in  order  from  south 
to  north  and  the  width  of  their  lots  in  chains  and  links. 
Peter  Van  Buren,  5.35;  Peter  Vosburgh,  5.30:  Lewis  Hoes, 
4.2:  Dirk  Hoes,  5.22:  Dirk  Hoes,  3.12:  Casparus  Conyn,  Jr., 
3.12:  Lewis  Hoes,  3.12:  Alida  Scherp,  5.12:  Peter  Vosburgh, 
2.56:  Peter  Van  Buren,  2.56:  heirs  and  representatives  of 
Lawrence  Scherp,  10.25:  Casparus  Conyn,  Jr.,  6.53:  Lewis 


74  Old  R-inderHooK 

Hoes,  6.53:  Dirk  Hoes,  6.53.  The  entire  tract  is  approxi- 
mately 68.70  in  width  and  271  chains  in  depth.  Excluding 
the  fenced  farm  of  Francis  Clauw,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
present  Half-way  House  so-called,  the  remainder  of  the  tract 
is  divided  into  thirty-three  large  plots,  making  forty-seven 
in  all,  which  were  distributed,  probably  by  lot,  among  the 
owners  already  named,  except  that  plot  47,  the  ^'corn  land," 
considerably  larger  than  the  others,  was  held  in  common, 
each  owner  having  an  undivided  interest. 

We  have  already  noted  the  transfer  of  other  portions  of 
the  Powell  Patent  to  the  Van  Alstynes;  lands  still  in  the 
possession  of  their  descendants.  Several  other  transfers  were 
made  by  Jannetje,  Powell's  widow,  and  later  jointly  by  her 
second  husband  Robert  Orchard  and  herself.  In  Deeds,  iii., 
p.  242,  for  example,  we  learn  of  her  transfer  in  1684  of  land  to 
Maes  Comelisen  which  a  month  later  he  sold  to  Adam  Ding- 
man.  It  is  described  as  bounded  on  the  west  by  lands  of 
Peter  Moree,  on  the  east  by  those  of  Lawrence  Van  Alen, 
on  the  south  by  the  Kinderhook  Creek,  and  on  the  north  by 
the  hill.  How  charming  the  precision  of  that  northern 
boundary,  "the  hill."  A  valued  friend  assures  us  that  the 
old-time  folk  were  honest,  simple-minded  people  whose  word 
was  as  good  as  their  bond,  and  who  had  little  care  for  legal 
documents,  promissory  notes,  and  the  like.  Possibly,  some 
of  them :  but  the  voluminous  records  of  the  almost  unceasing 
litigation  of  later  years  leads  us  to  think  they  were  not  all 
so  simple-minded  and  honest  that  notes,  bonds,  and  preci- 
sion as  regards  boundary  lines  would  not  have  saved  them 
from  many  vexatious  law  suits,  to  the  loss  however  of  the 
legal  luminaries  of  the  day. 

In  the  Albany  County  Clerk's  office  (Deeds,  E,  pp.  156- 
7),  we  find  recorded  the  agreement  of  the  children  of  John 
Tysse  Goes  (171 1)  as  to  the  division  of  his  estate  in  accord- 
ance with  the  terms  of  his  will,  dated  1708. 

As  this  agreement,  even  more  than  the  original  will,  is 
instructive   in   several   respects,    we   quote   its  substance. 


Land-L<itigation  75 

Premising  that  the  will  made  ample  provision  for  the  sup- 
port and  comfort  of  his  wife,  Styntie,  and  that  his  eldest 
son,  Matthias  (Tyse) ,  was  to  have  one  cow  and  forty  shillings 
for  his  birthright,  also  "the  small  Creeck,^'  and  the  testator's 
interest  in  a  mill  owned  in  partnership  with  Peter  Schuyler 
and  Sybrant  Van  Schaack,  the  substance,  and  in  part  the 
precise  language  of  the  agreement,  is  as  follows: 

To  his  two  sons,  John  and  Dirk,  all  his  real  and  personal 
estate.  To  John,  "the  half  of  two  pieces  of  land  stretching  along 
the  Kill  nearly  upon  a  north  east  line  and  striking  off  from  Abram 
Staats'  Bowery  the  first  piece  goes  on  both  sides  of  the  creek  and 
is  called  Najakasick,  abutting  on  the  land  of  Evert  Luykasse. 
The  other  part  goes  further  up  and  is  known  as  Wachanosoonick, 
excepting  however  the  land  heretofore  conveyed  to  Jochem 
Lamersen  (Van  Valkenburgh)  and  Peter  Moree.  Together  with 
the  house,  barne,  barracks  and  orchard;  together  with  part  or 
shear  (3^)  of  the  Land  called  the  Groote  Stuk  at  Kinderhook 
aforesaid,  lying  on  both  sides  of  Kinderhook  Kill,  being  not  far 
from  Nutten  hook  known  by  the  Indian  name  Machackoes, 
stretching  on  both  sides  of  the  Kill  and  going  up  northerly  next 
to  the  land  formerly  bought  of  the  Indians  by  Evert  Luykasse 
and  so  to  Pachaquack  (Valatie).  Except  what  part  or  shear  is 
reserved  to  Derick  Goes. " 

The  agreement,  too  long  to  quote  in  full,  goes  on  to  state 
that  Matthias  Goes,  eldest  son  of  John  Tysse, 

agrees  with  his  brothers  John  and  Dirk  for  himself  and  for  his 
sisters  Anna,  wife  of  Isaac  Vosburgh;  Teuntie,  wife  of  Jacob 
Turk;  Judick,  wife  of  Isaac  Huldriks  and  Majaka,  wife  of  Burger 
Huyck,  to  the  choice  of  Hendrick  Hansen  of  Albany,  Lawrence 
Van  Schaack,  Bartholomew  Van  Valkenburgh  and  Coenraet 
Burgaert  of  Kinderhook  as  arbitrators,  they  to  choose  a  fifth  if 
necessary,  to  appraise  and  award  the  lands  devized  by  John 
Tysse  as  before  stated,  all  parties  to  abide  by  their  findings. 

Two  days  later  the  decision  was  rendered  to  the  effect  that 
John  was  to  pay  135  pounds  and  Dirk  thirty-five  pounds 
to  the  other  heirs. 


76  Old  RinderHooK 

In  Book  E,  pp.  1 86,  218,  and  F,  p.  501,  we  note  transfers 
by  Jacob  Martense  to  Louisa  Van  Schaack;  Michael  Calier 
to  Elias  Van  Schaack;  and  Joachim  Staats  to  Sybrant  G. 
Van  Schaack.  The  last-named  land  was  a  part  of  the 
Staats's  patents. 

The  Devolution  of  Title,  as  regards  the  great  Kinderhook 
Patent,  is  happily  clearer  than  in  many  other  cases.  We  give 
that  patent  essentially  in  full  in  the  Appendix.  It  was 
granted,  it  will  be  remembered,  in  1686,  and  included  within 
its  limits  most  of  the  patents  previously  granted,  except  the 
greater  De  Bruyn,  the  Gardenier  north  of  it,  the  Powell, 
Nuttenhook,  Staats  Patents,  and  the  Groote  Stuk.  Until 
1762-63  the  thirty-one  patentees  seem  to  have  been  tenants 
or  owners  in  common  with  no  recognized  ownership  in 
severalty  beyond  that  of  occupancy  and  improvement.  It 
was  the  appearance  of  new  claimants  to  portions  of  the  terri- 
tory that  led  to  the  legalized  division. 

In  1762,  Margaret  Livingston,  Geertruy  Coeymans, 
and  James  Livingston  preferred  a  claim  as  part  owners  of 
lands  in  the  actual  possession  of  H.  De  Bruyn  and  thirty 
freeholders  who  were  occupants  of  the  tract  in  dispute.  All 
the  parties  having  petitioned  for  a  Commission  to  survey  the 
lands,  define  boundaries,  and  allot  the  territory  among 
the  freeholders  in  accordance  with  the  Act  for  the  Partition 
of  Lands,  it  was  appointed.  The  Commissioners  were  Ger- 
rit  Van  Den  Bergh  and  Volkert  Dow  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
with  Harmanis  Wendell  of  Albany.  Their  surveyor  was 
Isaac  Vrooman,  the  Deputy  Surveyor-General.  After 
twelve  weeks'  publication  of  their  meeting  in  three  New 
York  weeklies,  they  met  in  Quackenboss's  tavern  on  the 
Post  Road  north  of  the  village  and  continued  in  session  sixty- 
eight  days.  At  the  end  of  that  time  the  whole  Kinderhook 
Patent  of  1686  had  been  carefully  surveyed,  divided  into 
six  large  Allotments,  and  each  of  these  in  turn  subdivided 
into  thirty-one  parts;  that  is,  as  many  parts  as  there  were 
rightful  claimants.     The  claims  of  the  instigators  of  the 


Land-Litigation  77 

survey  were  evidently  disallowed.  We  are  indebted  to  the 
labors  of  this  Commission  for  the  valuable  "Map  of  the 
Division  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent"  to  which  we  have 
frequently  referred. 

The  Field  Book  of  the  survey  reveals  that  the  smallest 
of  the  six  Allotments  contained  in  round  numbers  about 
1060,  and  the  largest  about  8500  acres.  The  thirty-one 
lots  into  which  each  Allotment  was  subdivided  varied  from 
about  34  to  300  acres.  These  are  rude  estimates  based  on 
the  scale  of  the  map  and  only  approximately  correct. 

The  next  service  required  of  the  Commission  was  the 
assignment  of  the  land  thus  divided  and  subdivided  to  the 
thirty-one  freeholders  entitled  to  its  possession.  The  law 
required  that  this  should  be  by  lot.  The  meeting  therefor 
was  held  at  the  tavern  of  Walter  Block  in  New  York.  As 
many  tickets  as  there  were  freeholders  and  Allotments  were 
placed  in  a  box  and  were  drawn  out  by  William  Thomas,  a 
boy  of  twelve,  in  the  presence  of  Daniel  Horsmanden, 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  As  the  tickets  were  drawn 
the  subdivisions  of  the  large  Allotments  were  assigned, 
each  freeholder  being  entitled  to  six  of  the  smaller  plots. 
In  some  instances  they  were  contiguous  and  in  others  widely 
separated.  They  were  all  minutely  recorded  in  the  final 
report  of  the  Commission.  With  that  record  and  the  map 
before  us  we  can  locate  the  tracts  falling  to  each  person 
named  with  precision.  Each  one  was  supposed  to  take 
what  came  to  him,  occasioning  no  doubt  some  disappoint- 
ments which  might  be  removed  by  private  arrangement 
among  themselves. 

To  meet  the  expenses  of  the  Commission  a  tract  of  1721 
acres  was  reserved.  The  homesteads  of  Gerrit  Van  Schaack 
and  Marte  Van  Alstyne  were  its  eastern  boundary ;  the  Powell 
patent  its  northern,  and  a  line  from  Swarta  Hook  on  the 
river  to  Abram  Staats's  falls  its  western.  In  December 
this  tract  was  put  up  at  auction  at  Quackenboss's  tavern. 
After  several  lower  bids,  that  of  Robert  Livingston  of  about 


78  Old  RinderKooK 

1750  pounds  was  accepted.  The  itemized  bill  of  the  Com- 
mission for  services  and  expenses  was  somewhat  over  906 
pounds.  After  its  payment  from  the  proceeds  of  the  sale 
the  surplus  was  divided  among  the  freeholders. 

This  surplus,  amounting  to  twenty- seven  pounds  for 
each  freeholder,  was  distributed  to  most  of  them  in  1764 
and  to  others  three  years  later.  From  the  report  of  the 
distribution  it  appears  that  most  of  the  freeholders  had  either 
parted  with  their  right  therein  or  sold  their  allotments. 
We  have  this  possibly  instructive  record  of  payments, 
twenty-seven  pounds  each  unless  otherwise  noted. 

Gerrit  Teunisse's  share  to  John  Van  Rensselaer. 

Marten  Cornelissen's  to  Barent  and  Abraham  Van  Buren. 

Jan  Tysse's  (Hoes)  to  Johannis  L.  Van  Alen. 

Isaac  Forsburgh's  to  Barent  Van  Buren  and  Myndert 
Vosburgh,  Albany. 

Gerrit  Jacobsen's  (two  shares)  to  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck. 

Omeda  (Ami)  Legrange's  to  Jacobus  Legrange. 

Andries  Hansen's  to  Luykas  Goes. 

Robert  Sielksen's  (Sickles)  to  Andries  Kittle. 

Andries  Gardenier's  to  Petrus  and  Andries  Gardineer. 

Hendrick's  Coenradt's  (two  shares)  to  Jacob  H.  Ten 
Eyck. 

Adam  Dingman's  to  Albartus  Dingman. 

Lambert  Janssen's  to  William  Van  Alstyne. 

Claas  Beever's  (Beevert)  to  Gerrit  Van  Schaack. 

Albert  Gardenier's  to  Peter  Van  Alstyne  and  Johannes 
L.  Van  Alen. 

Jan  Martensen's  (Van  Alstyne)  to  Isaac  and  Maritie 
Van  Alstyne. 

Yeanrich  Kalljer's  (Jurie  Collier)  four  shares  to  Marten 
Jacobsen  and  Andries  Hansen. 

Jacob  Forsburgh's  to  Dyreck  and  Pieter  M.  Vosburgh. 

Francis  Pieterson's  to  Cornelius  Van  Schaack. 

Tom  Craven's  to  Cornelius  Van  Schaack, 

Jan  Jacobse  Gardenier's  to  Volkert  J.  Witbeck. 


Land-Litigation  79 

Peter  Forsburgh's  to  Myndert  Vosburgh. 

Let  it  not  be  deemed  ungracious  that  as  faithful  chron- 
iclers we  note  in  the  itemized  bill  of  the  Commissioners  the 
charge  of  more  than  forty-eight  pounds  for  liquid  refresh- 
ments for  two  of  them. 

At  that  time,  and  for  many  years  thereafter,  an  ample 
supply  of  such  refreshments  seems  to  have  been  an  essential 
to  the  proper  conduct  of  most  public  functions  and  to  most 
public  functionaries.  An  extract  from  a  "  Reckoning  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety,"  in  1776,  reveals  fifty-three  pounds  due 
Yates  &  Co.,  for  nine  days'  entertainment  of  several  persons 
at  meals,  etc.,  more  than  eighteen  pounds  of  which  was  for 
the  etc.,  namely  ''wine,  toddy  and  cyder.''^  From  the  same 
authority  (Robert's  New  York  in  the  Revolution)  we  glean 
that  a  major-general  was  allowed  four  gallons  of  rum  monthly ; 
a  brigadier-general  three;  subordinate  officers  two  and  one- 
half,  but  the  poor  chaplains  only  two.  At  about  that  time 
Robert  Livingston  reported  that  he  had  ordered  "  six  barrels 
of  beer  to  encourage  the  people  to  enlist.'"  And  when  at  the 
end  of  the  war  a  grand  dinner  was  given  to  the  French  am- 
bassador, General  Washington,  and  many  other  celebrities, 
while  the  bill  for  120  dinners  was  forty-eight  pounds,  that 
for  liquors  was  more  than  eighty-five  pounds,  which  in- 
cluded the  significant  item  of  three  pounds  for  sixty  wine- 
glasses broken.  Eight  only  of  the  guests  took  coffee.  In 
olden  times  rum  was  a  sine  qua  non,  not  only  at  house  and 
barn  raisings  and  in  the  harvest  fields,  but  also  at  funerals, 
and  for  the  building  of  churches  as  well,  as  a  cash  book  of 
1 8 14  which  we  have  before  us  attests  on  every  page.  As 
regards  this  and  much  besides  the  delver  into  the  records  of 
the  past  finds  the  halos  of  glory  about  many  heads  not  as 
bright  as  he  had  thought  them  to  be,  and  sees  not  a  little 
of  the  enchantment,  which  distance  lends  to  the  view,  dis- 
pelled. The  golden  age  is  not  behind  us.  But — Revenons 
d  nos  moiUons. 

The  claim  of  Margaret  Livingston  et  al.  to  the  heart  of  the 


8o  Old  RinderHooK 

Kinderhook  District  had  scarcely  been  disallowed  by  the  Com- 
missioners of  1762,  when  a  claimant  to  large  sections  of  the 
southern  and  eastern  border  lands  of  our  District  became 
more  and  more  insistent  and  clamorous.  The  lands  in  ques- 
tion had  been  held  by  those  who  were  in  possession  or  by  their 
ancestors  as  far  back  as  1686  at  least,  but  were  now  claimed 
by  this  already  large  landholder.  The  Sir  William  Johnson 
MSS.  of  1769  contain  several  communications  from  Kinder- 
hook's  most  eminent  and  representative  citizens  of  the  time 
concerning  "the  hardships  and  oppressions  a  certain  Person 
was  inflicting  upon  worthy  and  industrious  people."  One 
letter  declares  that  "if  it  were  true  as  he  alleged  that  he  had 
the  commissions  in  ten  companies  of  the  militia  at  his  dis- 
posal for  the  furtherance  of  personal  ends,  this  township 
had  everything  to  dread  from  a  Person  with  whom  nine- 
tenths  of  the  community  were  perpetually  at  variance," 
The  oppressions  of  this  claimant  became  at  last  so  unen- 
durable that  an  appeal  was  made  for  the  protection  of  the 
Governor  and  Council  in  New  York.  The  petition  from 
Kinderhook  is  in  H.  Van  Schaak's  handwriting  and  bears 
the  marks  of  his  cultivated,  scholarly  style.  We  quote 
from  Land  Papers,  vol.  xviii.,  p.  155: 

To  his  Excellency,  the  Right  Honorable  John,  Earl  of  Dun- 
more,  etc.  .  .  . 

The  Petition  of  some  of  the  principal  Proprietors  of 
Kinderhook  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  others. 
Most  humbly  Sheweth: 

That  your  petitioners  are  some  of  the 
principal  Proprietors  of  the  Patent  of  Kinderhook  granted  to 
their  ancestors  and  others  in  1686. 

That  their  claims  under  the  said  Patent  greatly  interfere 
with  the  claims  lately  set  up  by  John  Van  Rensselaer  Esq., 
Tenant  Proprietor  of  Claverack. 

That  therefore  any  act  of  Government  in  favor  of  that  claim 
may  prove  hurtful  to  the  interest  of  your  petitioners  and  others 
who  stand  in  the  same  predicament. 


Lrand-Litigation  8i 

That  under  these  circumstances  your  petitioners  are  alarmed 
at  a  report  which  prevails  here  that  the  said  John  Van  Rensselaer 
has  lately  applied  to  your  Lordship  to  be  restored  to  the  command 
of  a  Regiment  of  Militia-foot  for  that  part  of  the  Manor  of 
Rensselaerwyck  which  lies  at  Claverack,  thereby  intending,  as 
your  petitioners  have  reason  to  fear  from  his  former  conduct  in 
the  distribution  of  military  commissions,  to  deliver  the  com- 
missions of  inferior  officers  to  persons  living  on  lands  which  are 
by  no  means  admitted  to  be  within  Claverack :  a  measure  which 
cannot  fail  to  give  color  to  another  extension  of  Claverack 
injurious  to  the  claims  of  your  petitioners. 

That  your  petitioners  however  would  not  presume  to  trouble 
your  Lordship  upon  the  subject  of  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer's  applica- 
tion if  it  were  not  for  a  petition  which  is  privately  handed  about 
for  signing  and  addressed  to  your  Lordship.    , 

That  as  the  promoters  of  this  petition  are  persons  who  have 
very  little  interest  in  the  claims  with  which  your  petitioners 
contend  against  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  and  the  avowed  promoters 
of  his  interests — they  cannot  help  being  uneasy  at  the  manner  in 
which  this  petition  obtains  signatures,  more  especially  as  your 
Petitioners  are  informed  that  it  contains  something  injurious  to 
the  eastern  claims  of  this  Township. 

That  the  Petitioners  of  the  before  mentioned  Petition  are 
inconsiderable  in  number  and  interest  when  compared  to  the 
whole  number  of  freeholders  and  inhabitants  living  within  this 
District. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  the  said  peti- 
tion may  not  be  considered  as  containing  the  sense  of  the  major- 
ity of  the  Inhabitants  nor  be  suffered  to  militate  against  the 
Township  before  the  collective  sense  of  the  Inhabitants  can  be 
fairly  obtained  as  is  customary  here  at  their  Town  meetings,  or 
such  other  relief  as  your  Lordship  shall  think  proper. 

This  Petition  is  dated  April  24,  1771,  and  bears  these 
signatures:  Johannes  Goes,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Jacob 
Gardinier,  Johannes  T.  Vosburgh,  Barent  Van  Buren,  Myn- 
dert  Vosburgh,  Jan  Tys  Goes,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Jr., 
Peter  Van  Slyck,  Peter  Van  Slyck,  Jr.,  Dirck  Goes,  Luykas 
Goes,  Goes,  Peter  S.  Van  Alstine,  Lowrence  L.  Van 


82  Old  RinderKooK 

Alen,  David  Van  Schaack,  Dirck  Gardinier,  Johannis  D. 
Vosburgh,  Cornelis  Van  Schaack,  Franz  Pruyn,  Andries 
Kittle,  and  Peter  Vosburgh.  The  second  petition  of  Hke 
purport  was  signed  by  230  persons  Hving  beyond  our  Hmits 
in  Spencertown  and  Nobletown.  Special  representations 
were  also  made  to  the  Privy  Council  in  London,  both  by 
petition  and  by  messenger.  The  petitions  and  a  colored 
map  of  the  region  are  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  Privy  Council 
to  this  day.  Although  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  failed  in  the  end 
to  establish  his  claim  it  occasioned  much  anxiety  and  distress. 
We  may  in  charity  believe  that  there  possibly  was  some  tech- 
nical foundation  in  law  if  not  in  equity  for  his  amazing  pre- 
tensions, arising  from  the  well-known  obscurity  of  the  land 
patents  in  some  cases  and  from  their  actual  conflict  in  others. 
For  example.  The  Kinderhook  correspondent  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam, who  wrote  most  strongly  and  bitterly  against  the  pre- 
tensions and  conduct  of  "a  certain  Person,"  had  this  to  say 
of  the  Westenhook  patent,  "no  evidence  can  be  procured  to 
establish  the  boundaries  of  it,  it  being  the  most  obscure  and 
unintelligible  description  perhaps  ever  known."  Not  all 
the  patents  were  as  lacking  in  precision  as  that  one,  but 
enough  of  them  were  so  indefinite,  as  heretofore  stated,  as 
to  give  rise  to  protracted  and  disastrous  litigation.  Obvi- 
ously the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  district  must  have 
been  seriously  affected  thereby.  Possible  purchasers  of 
lands  for  settlement  would  not  buy,  and  those  in  possession 
would  hesitate  to  do  much  in  the  way  of  improvement  while 
titles  were  subject  to  challenge,  and  costly  litigation  of 
uncertain  issue  was  necessary  for  the  defense  of  their  pro- 
prietorship. 

Preferring  to  complete  so  far  as  seems  desirable  the 
subject  of  land-litigation  in  this  connection  rather  than  recur 
to  it  again,  we  anticipate  the  events  of  a  few  years  and  give 
an  account  as  brief  and  clear  as  we  have  been  able  to  make 
it  of  those  notable  lawsuits  occasioned  by  the  conflict 
between  the  Baker  and  Flodder  and  the  De  Bruyn  patents. 


Land-Litigation  83 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  and  Elisha 
Williams  were  among  the  brilliant  counsel,  and  no  less  a 
jurist  than  the  Chancellor  among  the  presiding  Justices. 
Two  lawyers  were  asked  to  furnish  us  an  abstract  of  these 
intricate  cases  but  politely  declined  the  privilege,  leaving 
us  to  find  our  way  through  the  dismal  swamp  as  best  we 
might. 

The  litigation  in  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury was  between  parties  who  each  claimed  title  to  a  tract 
of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  and  including  the  Valatie  Kill,  on 
which  a  gristmill  and  a  sawmill  had  been  built.  It  was  a 
tract  claimed  to  be  within  the  boundaries,  vague  as  they 
were,  of  the  Baker  and  Plodder  Patent  (1667)  of  which  we 
have  written. 

The  great  De  Bruyn  Patent,  issued  in  1668,  was  based 
on  an  earlier  Indian  deed,  and  those  deriving  title  therefrom 
claimed  that  it  covered  no  inconsiderable  part  of  the  alleged 
Baker  and  Plodder  tract. 

While  the  whole  region  was  but  sparsely  settled,  and 
indeed  until  long  after  the  De  Bruyn  Patent,  bought  by 
Lawrence  Van  Alen  in  1707,  was  divided  among  his  nine 
children  in  accordance  with  his  will,  no  attention  seems  to 
have  been  paid  to  the  claimants  under  the  Baker  and  Plodder 
Patent,  who  settled  upon  the  disputed  tract,  erected  their 
mills,  and  remained  in  undisturbed  possession  for  thirty-two 
years.  Increase  of  population  and  of  land  values  as  well, 
taken  in  connection  with  many  divisions  and  subdivisions 
of  the  ancestral  estate,  and  numerous  transfers  of  title  by 
deeds  and  wills, — the  minute  details  of  which  would  be  useless 
and  tedious, — at  last  brought  the  rival  claimants  face  to  face 
in  the  courts  by  the  beginning  of  actions  of  ejectment.  The 
Columbia  County  Circuit  Court  records  of  July,  1806,  and 
Johnson's  Reports  (vol.  8,  p.  498)  of  Cases  in  the  Court  for 
the  Correction  of  Errors  (Peb.  and  March,  181 1),  in  the  Case 
of  Daniel  Prier  and  Peter  Cooper  against  James  Jackson, 
ex.  dem.,  Johannis  L.  Van  Alen  and  John  J.  Van  Alen,  reveal 


84  Old  RinderKooK 

that  the  last-named  parties  brought  an  action  of  ejectment 
against  the  former.  Sudam  and  Wilhams  appeared  for  the 
plaintiffs  and  Van  Buren  and  Van  Vechten  for  the  defend- 
ants. In  the  Circuit  Court,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  presiding 
Justice,  a  verdict  was  found  sustaining  the  claims  of  the 
Van  Alens;  a  verdict  stated  to  be  in  conformity  with  the 
opinions  of  the  Judge  as  expressed  in  his  charge  to  the  jury. 
The  charge  was  to  the  effect :  I.  That  the  construction  of 
boundaries  was  a  question  of  law,  not  to  be  submitted  to  the 
jury.  II.  That  the  De  Bruyn  Patent  was  to  be  understood 
as  stretching  throughout  its  whole  length  from  the  river  to 
the  two  lakes  with  the  same  breadth  as  that  of  its  western 
border  along  the  river,  and  thus  of  necessity  include  the 
tract  in  dispute.  III.  That  the  Baker  and  Plodder  Patent 
was  void  because  impossible  of  definite  location,  and:  IV. 
That  the  adverse  possession  of  thirty-two  years  was  in- 
sufficient to  toll  the  right  of  entry  (establish  title).  Subse- 
quently a  Bill  of  Exceptions  was  filed  to  the  charge  of 
Justice  Tompkins  and  in  i8ii  the  case  came  up  for  review 
by  the  Court  of  Errors,  Judge,  later  Chancellor,  Kent  presid- 
ing. By  a  vote  of  14  to  6  the  judgment  of  the  court  below 
was  reversed,  the  Chancellor  delivering  the  opinion.  The 
substance  of  it  was:  I.  That  the  De  Bruyn  Patent  was 
not  to  be  understood  as  stretching  with  the  same  breadth 
throughout  from  the  river  to  the  two  lakes,  but  that  its  north 
and  south  lines  were  to  be  drawn  from  the  north  and  south 
extremities  of  the  lakes  to  the  corresponding  north  and 
south  stations  on  the  river,  thus  entirely  excluding  the 
disputed  tract.  II.  That  the  Baker  and  Plodder  Patent 
was  not  void  because  of  uncertainty.  There  was  one  dis- 
senting opinion  given  by  H.  Yates,  Jr.,  Senator,  but  by  a 
vote  of  14  to  6  the  judgment  of  the  court  below  was  reversed, 
the  record  remitted,  and  a  venire  facias  de  novo  (new  trial) 
awarded. 

Disputes  and  controversies  concerning  this  and  other 
tracts  claimed  as  parts  of  the  De  Bruyn  Patent  still  con- 


Land-Litigation  85 

tinuing,  with  no  hope  of  final  determination  without  a 
number  of  lawsuits  attended  with  great  delay  and  expense, 
all  parties  finally  agreed  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  relief. 
The  parties  were  the  Van  Alens,  claiming  title  under  the 
De  Bruyn  Patent,  and  Peter  Cooper,  Daniel  Frier,  Andrew 
Sergaman,  John  Niver,  Jr.,  Thomas  Watson,  Thomas  F. 
Tobias,  Reuben  Bullock,  John  Goedemoet,  Cornelius  Wat- 
son, Marcus  Niver,  Michael  Niver,  Jacob  Goedemoet,  the 
heirs  of  Henry  Ham,  deceased,  and  others  not  named,  in 
possession  and  claimants  under  the  Baker  and  Flodder 
Patent. 

The  relief  requested  was  an  act  of  the  Legislature  appoint- 
ing Jacob  Radcliffe  and  David  B.  Ogden  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  Thomas  Rudd  of  the  town  of  Poughkeepsie,  as 
Commissioners  to  determine  finally  the  rights  and  titles  of 
all  the  parties,  and  all  disputes  and  controversies  relative 
thereto.  The  Act  was  passed  June  8,  1812,  as  was  also  an 
Amendment  in  18 13,  extending  the  time  for  final  report. 
The  Commissioners  were 

to  hear  and  examine  all  disputes  and  controversies  between 
the  said  parties  respecting  the  title  to  the  said  land  or  to  any 
part  thereof,  by  any  or  either  of  them,  and,  finally,  to  determine 
such  disputes,  controversies  and  claims;  which  determination 
shall  be  absolutely  binding  and  conclusive,  and  shall,  to  all 
intents,  construction  and  purposes  whatsoever,  absolutely  vest 
the  right  title  and  interest  of  every  part  of  the  said  lands  in  such 
person  or  persons,  and  for  such  estate  or  estates,  and  in  such  way 
and  manner,  as  shall  be  named  and  specified  in  such  determina- 
tion. 

On  the  1 6th,  17th,  i8th,  and  20th  of  September,  18 13, 
the  Commissioners  "heard  and  examined  the  disputes  and 
controversies  between  the  parties,  respecting  their  title, 
rights  and  remedies,  and  after  the  hearing,  made  and 
published  their  final  order,  award  and  determination  upon 
the  premises." 


86  Old  RinderKooK 

The  material  items  of  their  award  were:  I.  The  re- 
versal of  the  decision  of  the  Court  of  Errors  as  to  the  south 
boundary  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent,  thus  restoring  the  line 
to  its  earlier  location  as  run  by  Surveyor  John  E.  Van  Alen. 

II.  The  extension  of  the  eastern  boundary  line  of  the  patent 
to  the  point  of  intersection  with  the  restored  south  line. 

III.  All  lands  east  of  this  eastern  boundary  to  remain  in  the 
possession  of  the  parties  in  occupancy.  IV.  The  title  to  a 
part  of  the  farm  known  as  the  Ambler  farm,  John  Niver  in 
possession,  was  vested  in  those  claiming  title  under  the 
De  Bruyn  patent;  but  Niver,  on  the  payment  of  $30  per 
acre,  to  Peter  Van  Schaack  as  their  representative,  to  receive 
title  and  hold  and  enjoy  the  same  forever. 

It  was  this  last  finding  that  was  thereupon  especially 
attacked.  In  an  action  of  ejectment,  Oct.,  18 14,  the  plaintiff 
recovered  judgment.  From  this  judgment  an  appeal  was 
taken  to  the  Supreme  Court  and  was  argued  in  January, 
181 7.  (Johnson's  Reports,  vol.  14,  p.  96),  Jackson,  ex. 
dem.j  Van  Alen  and  Van  Alen  against  Ambler.  Attorney- 
General  Van  Buren  and  Van  Vechten  appeared  for  the  plain- 
tiffs and  Emmet  and  Williams  for  the  defendant.  The  final 
opinion  of  the  Court,  delivered  by  Judge  Spencer,  sustained 
the  decisions  and  confirmed  the  acts  of  the  Commissioners, 
and  gave  judgment  for  the  defendant,  except  as  to  land 
east  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent  and  therefore  beyond  their 
jurisdiction. 

Not  even  by  this  decision,  however,  were  vexatious  litiga- 
tions ended  on  the  part  of  those  claiming  title  adverse  to 
that  of  those  in  possession.  It  was  not  until  April  23,  181 7, 
that  the  coup  de  grace  was  given  to  all  these  litigants  by  this 
enactment  of  the  Legislature:  "That  the  said  award  .  .  . 
shall  be  and  is  hereby  ratified  and  confirmed  to  all  intents, 
constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  notwithstanding 
the  infancy,  coverture  or  other  legal  disabilities  of  any  of  the 
parties  claiming  title  to  the  said  land  or  any  part  thereof." 
Thus  ended  at  last  these  prolonged  and  most  disastrous 


Land-Litigation  87 

litigations,   to  which,   thankful  for  preserved   reason,   we 
give  a  final  and  glad  farewell. ' 

'  After  the  foregoing  account  was  written  it  was  reviewed  by  Mr.  P.  Ernest 
Hoes  who  studied  the  cases  and  suggested  a  few  explanatory  words  here  and 
there,  which  we  have  gladly  added  to  our  narrative. 


CHAPTER  IV 
WHO  WAS  WHO,  1664-1809 

Notes  Anent  the  First  Patentees  and  Freeholders — Resident  Subscribers  to 
Oath  of  Allegiance,  1699 — Church  Records,  1716,  1734 — Town  Tax  List, 
1744 — Names  on  the  Map  (1756)  of  the  Division  of  the  Great  Kinderhook 
Patent,  (1686) — Assessment  Roll,  1809. 

THE  story  of  the  land-grants  has  revealed  the  names  of 
many  patentees  and  freeholders.  As  hitherto  noted, 
the  patentees  of  several  of  the  larger  tracts  were  non-resident 
land  speculators.  Concerning  the  actual  settlers,  what  has 
already  been  stated  need  not  be  repeated  in  further  narration 
of  Who  was  Who  in  those  early  years  and  later.  Professor 
Pearson's  First  Settlers  of  the  Ancient  County  of  Albany, 
Munsell's  Annals  (10  volumes),  Fernow's  Albany  Records, 
HoUenbeck's  Historical  Fragments,  many  volumes  in  our 
State  Genealogical  Library,  and  wills  and  deeds  of  record 
in  Albany,  New  York,  and  Hudson  are  the  authorities  upon 
which  we  have  freely  drawn.  Abstracts  of  the  wills  of  many 
of  the  early  residents  of  Kinderhook  may  be  found  in  the 
New  York  Historical  Society  Collections. 

Major  Abram  Staats,  the  original  patentee  of  land  along 
the  river  and  the  Stockport  creek  long  called  by  his  name, 
was  a  non-resident. 

He  was  evidently  a  man  of  versatility  and  thrift.  We  read 
of  him  as  a  surgeon  of  Amsterdam  who  came  to  Fort  Orange 
in  1642  with  the  Reverend  John  Megapolensis,  the  first 
pastor  of  the  Albany  Church.    He  practiced  his  profession 

88 


Who  was  Who,  1664-1809  89 

for  six  years;  was  Councilor  one  year  and  President  of  the 
Council  four  years,  receiving  some  emolument  therefrom. 
He  was  also  the  owner  of  the  sloop  Claverack,  plying  between 
Fort  Orange  and  New  Amsterdam.  After  obtaining  a 
license  to  traffic  with  the  Indians  he  shipped  more  than  four 
thousand  beaver  pelts  in  one  year. 

In  1664  his  "  house,  barn,  rick,  and  bouwery  "  were  leased 
to  John  Andriassen  (John  the  Irishman?),  but  his  lands,  to 
which  additions  were  made  as  noted,  were  later  occupied  by 
his  sons  and  grandsons,  Samuel,  Isaac,  Johan,  and  Joachim, 
as  revealed  by  maps  and  early  deeds.  Another  son  was 
"  Abram  of  Claverack. " 

Frans  Pieterse  Claver  (Clauw,  Klaw,  Clow),  one  of  the 
very  earliest  settlers,  was  a  carpenter  in  Fort  Orange  in  1656. 
Not  long  thereafter  he  built  a  sawmill  on  what  was  for 
many  years  known  as  his  Kill,  the  present  Light  House  creek. 
His  mill  was  doubtless  the  first  of  its  kind  in  this  entire 
region.  As  his  name  will  recur  in  connection  with  the  visit 
of  Danker  and  Sluyter  in  1680  we  will  add  only  this  here, 
that  Frans  had  two  sons,  Hendrick  and  Jurrian,  who  were 
the  fathers  of  large  families  and  the  progenitors  of  the  many 
Clows  (and  other  variations  of  the  original  name)  in  this 
and  adjoining  counties. 

Baker  (of  the  Baker  and  Flodder  patent),  the  Albany 
records  reveal,  was  at  one  time  Deputy  Governor  of  Albany, 
and  in  1669  he  sold  his  house  there  to  Wynant  Gerritse 
Vanderpoel,  an  ancestor  of  our  Vanderpoel  families.  We 
regret  to  find  that  that  same  year  Baker  was  tried  on  the 
complaint  of  Sheriff  Swart  of  Albany  for  an  assault  on 
William  Patterson.  William,  it  appears,  was  relentless, 
notwithstanding  this  amende  honorable:  "(I)  doe  Confesse 
what  I  did  to  you  was  rashly  and  unadvisedly  don,  and  I  am 
Willing  to  be  friends  with  you,  and  desire  yo'r  Excuse  for  my 
Passion,  and  so  do  I  drink  to  you."  We  regret  to  say,  that 
suit  was  not  withdrawn  and  the  decision  was,  that  Baker  was 
to  pay  Patterson  "a  summe  of  two  hundred  gild'rs  Zewant 


90  Old  RinderKooK 

and  the  charges  of  the  Committee  to  be  equally  paid  by  them. '  * 
We  cheerfully  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to  the  dis- 
cernment of  our  late  honored  State  Historian,  Mr.  Hugh 
Hastings,  for  the  hint — that  this  item  furnishes  a  final 
answer  to  a  frequently  repeated  and  very  perplexing  query 
concerning  William  Patterson.  The  caption  to  Mr.  Hast- 
ings's official  record  is:  ''The  original  William  Patterson  and 
his  historical  brick  ^  It  may  be  permissible  for  a  State  Histor- 
ian thus  to  lapse  occasionally  from  dulness,  but  far  from  us 
be  all  such  reprehensible  levity. 

It  was  to  this  Baker  that  the  following  instructions  were 
issued  by  Governor  Nicolls  (Colonial  Records,  p.  lo) : 

Lett  not  your  eares  be  abused  with  private  storyes  of  the 
Dutch  being  disaffected  to  the  English,  for  generally,  we  cannot 
expect  they  love  us,  but  when  you  have  sufficient  testimony 
against  any  Dutchman  of  words  or  actions  tending  to  ye  breach 
of  peace,  or  scandalous  defamation,  deliver  over  ye  testimonyes 
to  the  Commissaryes,  from  whom  I  expect  justice  shall  bee 
done. 

Plodder  also  has  been  unknown  in  former  sketches  of  our 
history.  From  the  records  of  Albany  County  we  learn  that 
he  was  a  carpenter  who  came  from  Campen  in  1637,  and 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  Patroon  by  demanding  higher 
wages  than  he  thought  proper.  From  the  same  records,  and 
also  from  Professor  Pearson's  First  Settlers  of  the  Ancient 
County  of  Albany,  we  glean  the  information  that  Plodder  was 
an  alias  for  Gardenier.  Happily  no  discredit  is  implied  to  the 
''alihs,*'  for  it  was  not  uncommon  for  a  man  to  have  two  or 
even  three  names,  either  one  of  which  he  would  use  with 
charming  inconsistency  as  his  mood  might  be.  This  Plodder 
then  was  no  other  than  Jacob  Janse  Gardenier,  one  of  the 
ancestors  of  many  families  of  that  name  long  and  honorably 
known  in  Kinderhook  and  Schodack.  Tradition  alleges  that 
he  was  a  famous  gardener;  whence  possibly  his  later  surname. 

The  descendants  of  Jacob  Jansen  Plodder  will  forgive 


Who  was  WKo,  1604-18O9  91 

him  we  trust  for  prematurely  selling  his  real  estate  in  New 
York  City  as  narrated  in  early  records.  In  1656  he  bought 
a  tract  of  land  on  Wall  Street,  between  William  and  Pearl* 
having  a  frontage  of  290  feet,  but  soon  subdivided  and  re- 
sold all  except  a  strip  in  the  rear  washed  by  the  waters  of  the 
bay.  In  1665  complaint  was  made  to  the  "Hon^^^  Prudent 
and  Very  Discreet  Gentlemen,  the  Commissaries  &  Schout  of 
Albania,"  that  Flodder  had  allowed  fences  and  sheet  piling 
to  fall  in  decay  to  the  injury  of  his  neighbors.  He  was 
ordered  "to  build  up  and  line  the  bank  situate  before  his 
lot  on  the  East  river."  No  attention  seems  to  have  been 
paid  thereto  for  a  year,  for  he  was  then  ordered  to  make  the 
repairs  within  six  weeks,  in  default  of  which  the  land  was  to 
be  sold  by  execution. 

Of  the  co-patentees  with  Powell,  Jochem  Ketel  is  sug- 
gestive, to  say  the  least,  of  relationship  to  if  not  identity  with 
Joachim  Ketelhuyn  (Kettel,  Kittle,  Kittell)  who  was  in 
Rensselaerswick  in  1642,  and  whose  two  sons  were  David 
and  Daniel,  both  having  large  families,  as  was  the  prevailing 
rule  in  those  times.  There  is  ample  early  authority  for  the 
preferred  modem  spelling,  Kittell. 

A  very  notable  co-patentee  with  Powell  was  Evert 
Luycassen  (Backer,  Baker).  Professor  Pearson  suggests  the 
surname  Wyngaard,  and  that  Evert  was  a  son  of  Lucas 
Gerritse  ¥/yngaard  who  was  in  Beverwyck  in  1657.  Evert 
sold  his  interest  in  the  Powell  patent  to  Jacob  Janse  Garden- 
ier,  and  in  1671,  together  with  De  Bruyn,  Dirck  Wessels,  and 
Pieter  Van  Alen  received  a  joint  patent  to  a  considerable 
tract  along  both  sides  of  the  creek,  a  tract  later  known  as  the 
"Groote  Stuk."  Evert's  wife,  Jannetje,  and  their  daughter, 
Elbert je,  were  among  the  passengers  arriving  in  1658  by  the 
Brownfish.  (Bowier  Van  Renss.  MSS.)  The  daughter, 
Elbertje,  subsequently  became  the  wife  of  Lourens  Van 
Alen,  the  purchaser  of  the  great  De  Bruyn  patent,  and  was 
thus  one  of  the  progenitors  of  the  innumerable  Van  Alens, 
Van  Alstynes,  Vanderpoels,  Van  Deusens,  and  a  host  besides. 


92  Old   RinderHooK 

In  1677  Adam  Dingman  appears  here  as  the  purchaser  of 
a  tract  of  land  from  his  father-in-law,  Jacob  Janse  Gardenier. 
He  was  the  head  of  a  large  family  connected  by  marriage 
with  the  Salisburys,  Mullers  (Miller),  Swartouts,  Hoge- 
booms,  Van  Nesses,  and  many  more.  He  was  born  in 
Haerlem,  Holland,  and  was  living  in  Greenbush  in  1663. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  road-masters  of  the  District,  an  office 
of  much  importance  in  those  days.  His  estate  included  the 
property  now  belonging  to  Mr.  Elmer  Wagoner  and  that  of 
his  deceased  uncle,  Erastus  Wagoner.  Woordenboeck  van 
Nederland,  p.  51,  reveals  "Dingeman"  as  being  in  the 
province  of  Overysel. 

Many  descendants  of  Adam  Dingman  abide  in  our  town 
and  county  and  many  more  are  widely  scattered  abroad,  but 
the  surname,  like  many  others  once  common  and  prominent 
here,  has  now  well-nigh  disappeared.  At  present  writing  we 
recall  only  Mr.  Charles  Dingman,  living  at  Pretty  Town  as 
the  charming  locality  was  formerly  called.  That  cluster  of 
attractive  homes  is  about  three  miles  southwest  of  the  village 
on  the  crossroad  running  from  the  Post  Poad  (near  Mr. 
Moore's)  to  what  is  now  known  as  Brookside,  on  the  Albany 
Southern  Electric.  Cornelius,  son  of  Martin  C.  Van  Alstyne, 
represents  another  F.  F.  K.  at  Pretty  Town,  still  not  un- 
worthy its  old-time  name. 

The  list  of  freeholders  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686 
well  illustrates  the  frequent  omission  of  surnames.  In  many 
cases  they  had  none,  but  assumed  them  in  later  years.  Then 
the  locality  from  which  a  man  came,  or  his  occupation,  or 
some  personal  peculiarity,  or  even  such  an  incident  as  his 
birth  during  a  storm  at  sea  (Storm  Van  Der  Zee)  suggested 
the  assumed  name.  While  many  had  no  surnames,  others, 
like  Plodder,  had  two  or  more.  Frequently  a  father's  Chris- 
tian name  was  given  to  a  son,  and  then  to  grandsons  in  every 
branch  of  the  family  and  thus  perpetuated  from  generation 
to  generation.  Evidently  the  student  of  Dutch  pedigrees 
has  a  difficult  subject.    Identity  of  surname  is  not  of  necessity 


Who  was  Who,  1664-1809  93 

any  evidence  of  kinship.  Especially  is  this  true  as  regards 
the  innumerable  Vans.  Van  means  "from."  That  your 
name,  dear  reader,  is  Van  Buren,  is  in  itself  no  evidence  of 
any  relationship  to  the  eighth  president  of  the  United  States. 
As  well  conclude  that  all  New  York  hotel  guests  registered 
''Jrom  Chicago''  are  blood-relations.  The  student  of  Dutch 
genealogies  will  be  helped,  however,  by  remembering  that  the 
suffix  "  se "  or  " sen "  means  "son  "  or  "child  of  " ;  and  that  fre- 
quently a  man's  father  and  also  his  grandfather  were  thus 
indicated.  The  middle  initial  of  a  man's  name  commonly 
stood  for  that  of  his  father,  I  and  J,  and  C  and  K  being 
interchangeable.  Thus  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen  was  a  son  of  John ; 
and  the  latter  by  his  middle  initial  L,  was  thereby  indicated 
as  a  son  of  Lucas. 

Supplying  from  many  later  documents  the  omitted  (or 
subsequently  assumed)  surnames  of  the  freeholders  of  the 
Kinderhook  patent  of  1686,  we  have  the  following  more 
intelligible  list  of  those  who  had  "seated  and  settled"  here 
before  that  date.  Gerrit  Teunissen's  surname  was  Van 
Vechten.  He  married  Grietje  Volkertse  Douw.  His  will 
(1700)  mentions  his  wife  and  two  sons,  Johannes  and 
Volkert. 

Martin  Cornelissen's  surname  was  Van  Buren.  He  was 
a  son  of  Cornells  Maas  Van  Buren  and  Catalyntje  Martense, 
sister  of  Jan  Martense  (de  wever)  Van  Alstyne.  Martin's 
will  (1703)  mentions  his  wife  Maritje,  his  children,  Cornelius, 
Peter,  Martin,  Maria,  Catalina,  Magdalena,  and  grand- 
children. He  was  the  great-grandfather  of  President  Van 
Buren. 

Jan  Hendrickse  De  Bruyn,  the  patentee  (1668)  of  the 
enormous  tract  long  known  as  his  "Right, "  and  the  patentee 
of  other  smaller  tracts  as  well,  was,  as  already  stated,  a  non- 
resident speculator  in  land  here  and  elsewhere.  In  1678,  in 
response  to  an  order  of  the  Albany  sheriff  forbidding  him  to 
traffic  with  the  Indians,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  resident 
of  New  York,  he  stated  that  for  more  than  twenty  years  he 


94 


Old  RinderKooK 


had  been  a  burgher  of  Albany.  The  Court,  however,  rejected 
his  claim  as  invalid,  for  the  reason  that  he  had  not  kept  fire 
or  light  in  Albany  for  an  entire  year.  He  was  the  owner  of  a 
lot  in  Albany  on  the  south  side  of  State  Street  between 
Broadway  and  Green  Street,  and  of  another  on  the  corner  of 
State  and  Quay  Streets. 

De  Bruyn  had  evidently  prospered  financially  since  1655, 
when  he  agreed  to  serve  as  a  soldier  in  the  place  of  Hendrick 
Loest  for  "seventy  guilders  and  a  pair  of  shoes."  After  his 
disposal  of  his  holdings  here  he  disappeared  from  view  and 
we  know  nothing  of  him  or  his  descendants. 

Peter  Schuyler,  the  patentee  of  eight  hundred  acres 
bordering  on  the  Kleine  Kill,  was  also  a  non-resident.  He 
was  Albany's  first  mayor  and  one  of  the  ancestors  of  the 
notable  Schuyler  families. 

In  1671,  as  joint-patentees  with  De  Bruyn  and  Lucassen, 
the  name  of  Dirck  Wessels  (Ten  Broeck)  and  Pieter  Van 
Alen  appear.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  Lourens  Lourense  Van 
Alen  of  Albany  and  a  brother  of  Lourens,  the  purchaser  of 
the  De  Bruyn  patent.  That  same  year,  by  request  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Kinderhook,  he  and  Adam  Dingman  were 
appointed  road-masters.  He  had  two  sons,  William  and 
Johannes,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  a  very  large  branch  of  the 
Van  Alen  famihes  of  the  county.  Dirk  Wessels  Ten  Broeck 
was  also  a  non-resident. 

The  freeholder  Jan  Martense  Van  Alstyne  was  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  New  Netherland  and  the  ancestor 
of  all  of  that  name  resident  here  for  250  years.  From  Hoi. 
Doc,  vol.  ii.,  p.  154,  we  learn  that  in  1646  he  was  a  resident 
of  New  Amsterdam,  and  joint  purchaser  with  Hendrick  Jan- 
sen  of  a  yacht.  In  1 657  he  appears  in  Beverwyck  (Albany)  as 
the  owner  of  a  lot  on  Broadway.  Soon  thereafter  he  became 
the  patentee  of  two  tracts  of  land  in  the  present  Ulster 
County,  and  somewhat  later  was  the  purchaser  of  an  un- 
designated tract  "behind  Kinderhook." 

The  name  is  so  variously  spelled  in  the  early  records, 


W^Ho  was  "Who,  1664-1809  95 

both  church  and  civil,  that  its  original  form  and  derivation 
are  matters  on  which  opinions  differ.  In  later  years  some 
branches  of  the  family  dropped  the  Van.  Mr.  Lawrence  Van 
Alstyne,  of  Sharon,  Conn.,  states  that  "records  in  Holland 
show  the  family  to  be  of  early  origin,  being  traced  under 
different  names  to  the  crowning  of  Otho,  a.d.  936." 

Mr.  Dingman  Versteeg,  the  courteous  Librarian  of  the 
Holland  Society  (who  has  not  yet  forgiven  the  English  for 
the  capture  of  New  Amsterdam),  with  Heringa's  Woorden- 
boeck  in  hand,  led  us  through  a  careful  study  of  "Aalstein" 
and  "Aalsteyn, "  both  of  which  are  of  authority.  His 
conclusions  were  that :  Stein  (or  Steyn)  means  castle,  barony, 
or  Manor  house;  and  that  Aalstein  (or  Steyn)  means:  The 
Castle  of  the  Eels — probably  a  castle  in  the  province  of 
Drenthe  which  was  destroyed  in  the  wars  of  the  Netherlands 
prior  to  1600.  As  to  the  local  origin  of  the  name  we  have  this 
confirmatory  item  from  the  Marriage  Records  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  New  York,  that  Marte,  a  son  of  Jan  Martense,  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  New  Netherland,  was  from  Meppel, 
a  town  in  the  province  of  Drenthe. 

Jan  Martense's  wife  was  Dirckje  Harmense,  daughter  of 
the  patentee  of  a  large  tract  from  Nutten  Hook  eastward. 
Through  her  in  part  as  well  as  by  purchase  from  Powell's 
widow  as  before  noted,  and  the  later  division  of  the  Kinder- 
hook  patent,  and  his  much  earlier  purchase  of  land  "behind 
Kinderhook"  as  stated  above,  Jan  Martense  came  to  be  the 
owner  of  large  tracts,  portions  of  which  are  to  this  day  in 
possession  of  the  eighth  generation.  Hugh,  James,  Edward, 
Barent,  and  Jane  were  of  the  generation  gone.  Hugh 
of  Old  Chatham,  Edward  P.,  and  Edward  are  with  us 
still.  Maria,  the  daughter  of  James,  married  Mr.  J.  Spencer 
Hosford  who,  with  his  daughter  Laura,  resides  on  his  wife's 
ancestral  estate.  Jane,  daughter  of  Hugh  (Sen.),  married  Mr. 
L.  L.  Morrell,  who,  with  his  daughter  Alice,  abides  with  us. 
Maria's  daughter,  Ella  V.  A.  Hosford,  is  the  wife  of  one  of  our 
village  physicians,  Nathan  D.  Gamsey,  M.D, 


96  Old  RinderHooK 

The  freeholder  Lambert  Jansen  Van  Alstyne  was  a  son 
of  Jan  Martense.  He  married,  about  1682,  Jannetje, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Janse  Mingael  and  Marritje  Abramamse 
Vosburgh.  Their  eight  children  were :  Catharine,  who  mar- 
ried Bartholomeus,  son  of  Jochem  Van  Valkenburgh  and 
Eva  Hendricks  Vrooman;  Marritje;  Thomas,  who  married 
Maria,  daughter  of  William  Van  Alen  and  Marritje  Van 
Patten;  Johannes,  bp.  1691;  Dirckje,  bp.  1695,  m.  Peter 
Vosburgh;  Antje,  bp.  1698;  Annatje,  bp.  1700;  and  Pieter, 
bp.  1702. 

Lambert's  tract  of  698  acres  was  on  the  east  side  of  the 
creek  and  adjoining  the  estate  of  his  father  on  the  west.  It 
included  the  present  Lindenwald  estate.  His  wife  was  his 
first  cousin  once  removed  and  was  evidently  much  younger 
than  himself,  for  in  17 13  she  married  Lambertse  Van  Valken- 
burgh as  her  second  husband  and  became  the  mother  of  five 
additional  children.  Lambert's  son,  Thomas,  came  into 
possession  of  the  lands  across  the  creek,  and  was  an  ancestor 
of  the  late  Judge  and  Mayor  Van  Alstyne  of  Albany;  also 
of  Thomas  Van  Alstyne,  M.D.,  who  passed  his  later  years, 
and  died,  in  Kinderhook,  whose  son  Franklin  B.  is  a  present 
resident.  Lawrence  Van  Alstyne,  a  descendant  of  Lambert, 
has  published  a  volume  of  141  pages  which  is  only  a  partial 
account  of  that  branch  of  the  Van  Alstyne  family. 

Dirck  Hendricksen  (de  swedt,  The  Swede)  was  sur- 
named  Bey,  a  name  well-known  in  later  years  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  county.  A  deed  of  his,  dated  March  7,  1675-6, 
conveys  land  "behind  Kinderhook"  to  Peter  Dumoree.  He 
died  before  1716.  His  wife's  name  was  Sarah  Verhael.  Of 
his  children  it  is  known  that  Engeltie  married  Michael 
Collier  and  that  Helena  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Gar- 
denier. 

The  freeholder  Jan  Tysse  Goes  (Hoes)  was  a  son  of 
Matthys  Jansse  who  is  reported  as  being  in  Beverwyck  in 
1 66 1.  In  addition  to  his  widely  scattered  allotments  of 
land,  under  the  division  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686, 


Who  W^as  WKo,  1664-1809  97 

he  was  the  owner  of  a  fourth  part  of  the  Groote  Stuk.  His 
first  wife  was  Brechje  Maryna,  widow  of  Claes  Cornehse 
Van  Voorhout.  He  married  secondly,  Styntje  Janse  Van 
Hoesen  and  died  in  1705.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  all  the 
several  families  named  Goes  (Hoes)  in  the  town  and  county ; 
families  which  have  included  many  of  eminent  name  and 
valued  service  in  every  walk  of  life.  His  sons,  named  in  the 
foregoing  chapter,  were  holders  of  large  estates  and  engaged 
in  manifold  activities.  His  daughters  married,  as  heretofore 
stated,  men  of  eminent  character  and  standing  and  thus 
connected  the  Hoes  family  with  nearly  every  other  of  notable 
name.  Martin  Van  Buren's  mother  and  wife  were  both 
descendants  of  Jan  Tysse.  Such  also  were  Peter  S.  Hoes, 
Rev.  Dr.  John  C.  F.  Hoes,  and  Pierre  Van  Buren  Hoes, 
deceased.  Among  the  living  we  name  William  M.  Hoes  of 
New  York,  Chaplain  Roswell  Randall  Hoes  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  Mr.  J.  Howard  Van  Buren,  of  Nyack,  and  Mr. 
P.  Ernest  Hoes  (lawyer)  now  of  New  York  City  and  Yonkers. 

Omeda  Legrange  (Omie-de-la-Grange)  was  a  son  of 
Johannes,  a  Huguenot,  who  came  from  La  Rochelle,  France, 
about  1654,  and  settled  in  New  Amsterdam.  In  1656  he 
was  a  trader  in  Fort  Orange.  His  wife  was  Annatje  De  Fries. 
Their  children  were  Omey,  Johannes,  Christian,  and  Isaac. 

Andries  Hanse  (Sharp)  was  in  Beverwyck  in  1660.  In 
1 67 1  Ortier  and  his  wife  (the  widow  Powell)  sold  him  land 
"behind  Kinderhook,  separated  from  that  of  Jan  Martense 
Van  Alstyne  by  a  little  brook."  His  wife  Gerritje  was  a 
daughter  of  Teunis  Teunisse  de  Metselaer  (the  mason),  and 
their  children  were  Johannes,  Gysbert,  and  Lawrence. 

Peter  Bosse  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  son  of  Cornelis 
Bos  who  was  in  Beverwyck  in  163 1.  In  1688  Peter  married 
Barentse  (Coeymans?  Bratt?). 

Robert  Silksen  was  a  son  of  Zacharias  Sickels  of  Weenen. 
He  was  a  corporal  in  the  West  India  Company's  service  and 
served  as  such  at  Fort  Orange  in  1659.  Zacharias  subse- 
quently moved  to  Rockland  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  settled  at  a 


98  *  Old  RinderKooK 

place  now,  and  for  a  long  time,  known  as  Sickeltown,  where 
years  later  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Sickles,  for  many  years 
pastor  of  the  Kinderhook  church,  was  born.  Robert  mar- 
ried Geertruy  Ridderhaus. 

Andries  Gardenier,  the  patentee  of  a  considerable  tract 
north  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent,  was  a  son  of  the  famous  Jacob 
Janse  Flodder-Gardenier.  In  1642  he  was  a  carpenter  in 
Beverwyck.  He  married  Eytje  Aries,  widow  of  Hendrick 
Gerritse  Van  Weenen.  His  will,  dated  1704,  mentions  his 
wife  and  their  children — Andries,  Jacob,  and  Arie,  all  young. 

Henricke  Coenrade  Ten  Eyck  (from  the  oaks)  was  a  son 
of  Conradt  Ten  Eyck.  He  was  born  in  1656  and  married 
Marya,  daughter  of  Jan  Frans  Van  Hoesen.  In  1671,  when 
Ortier  and  his  wife  sold  so  much  of  the  Powell  patent,  they 
conveyed  to  Hendrick  "land  west  of  the  Kill  behind  Kinder- 
hook  and  bounded  south  by  that  of  Lourens  Van  Alen. " 

Albert  Gardenier,  another  son  of  Jacob  Janse,  was  a 
carpenter  in  Beverwyck  in  1667.  He  was  later  a  resident  of 
Kinderhook  but  moved  to  New  York  about  the  year  1693. 

The  freeholders  Isaac  and  Jacob  ffosburge  (Vosburgh) 
were  brothers.  Their  father  was  Abraham  Pietersen  Vos- 
burgh, son  of  Pieter  Jacobse  who  was  in  Beverwyck  about 
the  year  1630.  Abraham,  spoken  of  as  a  cooper  and  a  car- 
penter, was  in  1654  a  successful  fur-trader.  Jacob  Vosburgh 's 
wife  was  Dorothy  Janse,  a  daughter  of  Jan  Martense  Van 
Alstyne.  The  descendants  of  Isaac,  Jacob,  and  Peter  Vos- 
burgh also  a  freeholder  here,  became  very  numerous,  and 
the  name  a  prominent  one  in  public  and  private  life.  Isaac 
Vosburgh,  a  carpenter  and  trader,  married  Anna  Jane 
Goes. 

The  freeholder  Yeaukim  Lammersen  was  Jochem  Lam- 
bertse  Van  Valkenburgh,  son  of  Lambert,  also  a  freeholder, 
who  was  in  Beverwyck  as  early  as  1644.  Jochem 's  second 
wife  was,  as  already  stated,  Jannetje  Mingael,  the  widow  of 
Lambert  Van  Alstyne.  This  family  also  became  very  large, 
with  many  branches  and  not  a  few  distinguished  names. 


Who  Was  Who,  1664-1809  99 

Only  within  recent  years  have  the  ancestral  estates  of  the 
Van  Valkenburghs  passed  into  other  hands  and  many 
honored  bearers  of  the  name  passed  away. 

The  freeholder  Michael  Kalier  (Collier)  was  a  son  of 
Jochem  who  came  to  New  Amsterdam  prior  to  1644.  Mich- 
ael's first  wife  was  Engeltje,  daughter  of  Dirck,  the  Swede, 
and  his  second,  Fietje,  daughter  of  Jurrian  Van  Hoesen. 
Yeaurick  (Yurryan,  Jurrian)  Collier,  also  a  freeholder,  was 
a  son  of  Michael.  The  latter  soon  moved  to  Coxsackie  and 
was  the  ancestor  of  the  Greene  County  families  of  his  name. 
Of  his  many  well-known  descendants  we  name  the  lawyers 
Isaac  and  Casper  of  Hudson,  and  Gerrit  Sager  of  Kinder- 
hook;  also  Reverends  Isaac  and  Isaac  H.  Collier,  and  the 
latter's  distinguished  son  William. 

Of  other  freeholders  named  in  the  Dongan  Charter  our 
information  is  scanty  and  of  somewhat  doubtful  authority. 
We  give  what  items  we  have  been  able  to  gather  from  all 
available  sources. 

Jacob  Martense  (yeoman)  had  a  farm  adjoining  Jan 
Martense  Van  Alstyne,  "behind  Kinderhook, "  and  later 
sold  half  thereof  to  Gerritt  Teunisse  Van  Vechten.  He 
bought  his  land  of  Robert  Ortier  and  Powell's  widow  in 
1671.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Schenectady.  Children: 
Johannes,  Maria,  and  Ytje. 

Gerrit  Jacobsen  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  son  of  Pieter 
Jacobsen,  of  Rendsburgh,  and  his  wife  Gysje  Peters.  They 
came  to  Fort  Orange  in  1639. 

Andries  Hause  Huyck  married  Catharine  Lammerse  Van 
Valkenburgh.  He  was  the  chief  patentee  of  the  great  tract 
east  of  the  lakes  and  was  the  ancestor  of  many  prominent 
families,  including  one  branch  of  the  Bains,  once  so  numerous 
and  honored,  now  with  few  resident  representatives.  An- 
dries's  will  mentions  his  wife  Catharine  and  these  children : 
Johannes,  Lambert,  Burger,  Cate,  Jochem,  Cornelius,  Anna, 
Andries,  Maria,  and  Margaret. 

Of  the  freeholder  Tom  Craven  we  find  no  record  except 


100  Old  RinderKooK 

of  his  sale  to  Robert  Livingston  of  land  previously  bought  of 
Jan  Martense. 

Andreus  Hause  (Barheit?)  was  at  Kinderhook  in  1675. 
He  had  previously  lived  at  Coxsackie.  His  wife  was  Geertje 
Teunis,  daughter  of  Teunis  Teunisse,  before  mentioned. 

ffrancis  Petersen  named  in  the  charter  was  Frans  Peter 
Claver  of  whom  we  have  already  given  some  account. 

We  have  noted  hitherto  the  land-grant  of  3590  acres  east 
of  the  creek,  and  partly  in  Claverack,  to  Coenradt  Borgh- 
ghardt  and  Elias  Van  Schaack.  Coenradt  we  knew;  but 
who  was  Elias?  His  name  occurs  in  several  English  records, 
but  we  find  no  trace  of  him  elsewhere.  After  a  long  time  it 
occurred  to  us  that  English  writers  and  speakers  who  made 
Aurania  from  the  Dutch  Oranje  might  easily  turn  Claas  into 
EHas.  If  that  was  the  case  then  all  is  clear.  Later,  the  lands 
granted  to  the  mythical  Elias  were  certainly  owned  by  the 
known  descendants  of  Claas,  Lourens,  and  Gerrit.  Moreover, 
of  the  six  land-papers  relating  to  the  grant,  Elias  personally 
signed  but  one  (L.  P.,  viii.,  p.  34).  There  his  signature  is 
exceedingly  indistinct,  but  the  first  two  letters  appear  to  be 
CI.  While  we  cannot  be  certain,  we  think  that  Elias  and 
Claas  were  one  and  the  same.  EHas  we  know  not;  but  Claas 
has  been  as  a  bosom  friend  for  years.  If  mistaken  in  this  we 
venture  an  alternative  conjecture  that  Elias  was  a  bachelor 
brother  of  Claas  whose  son  Lourens  inherited  his  uncle's 
estate.  The  sons  of  Claas  were:  Dominicus,  b.  1667; 
Arent,  b.  1676;  Lourens,  and  Emanuel.  Dominicus  and  Arent 
went  to  Catskill  or  Coxsackie  in  1720.  In  1753,  according  to 
the  Albany  records,  Dominicus,  then  over  eighty  years  old, 
made  three  affidavits  for  Samuel,  Joachim,  and  Isaac  Staats 
(sons  of  Abram)  as  to  the  location  of  the  ^'fishing  Place,  Lit- 
tle Nuttenhook  and  Marmalhts  kill,'*  stations  and  boundaries 
of  Major  Abram's  original  patents.  He  told  how  in  his  youth 
he  had  often  floated  boards  down  the  kill  from  his  father's 
sawmill. 

About  all  we  know  of  Emanuel  Van  Schaack  is  that  he. 


Who  Was  AVKo,  1664-1809  loi 

was  the  father  of  Comelis  who  was  the  owner  of  a  sloop,  a  fur- 
trader,  and  the  possessor  of  large  and  scattered  tracts  of  land 
here  and  elsewhere. 

This  Cornelis  was  the  father  of  the  eminent  Peter,  Henry, 
and  others  of  the  name  who  filled  a  very  large  place  in  the 
history  of  the  town,  and  several  of  whose  descendants  are 
still  happily  with  us.  We  have  said  ''this  Comelis"  (son  of 
Emanuel)  for  the  reason  that,  to  say  nothing  of  Comelis,  Jr., 
his  son,  there  were  at  least  two  others  whose  names  were  the 
same.  Presumably  they  were  all  related,  but  how  nearly  we 
have  been  unable  to  ascertain. 

Coenradt  Borghardt,  for  almost  every  possible  spelling 
of  whose  name  there  is  ample  authority,  was  long  and  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  civil  and  religious  life  of  the  town. 
His  home  was  not  far  from  the  brick  schoolhouse  on  the 
Landing  Road.  Of  him  also  we  shall  have  occasion  to  write 
again. 

We  were  greatly  grieved  to  read  in  the  Albany  Court 
records  that  these  great  landowners,  Elias  and  Coenradt, 
were  in  1671  haled  before  the  Court  for  ''stealing  potatoes." 
We  were  pleased,  however,  to  find  that  at  the  trial  of  the  case, 
after  the  examination  of  four  witnesses,  they  were  honorably 
acquitted.  But  to  moderate  their  joy  they  were  charged  the 
costs  of  trial.  Their  accuser  was  presumably  impecimious 
and  irresponsible. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  the  District,  near  the  river, 
lived  Leendert  (Leonard)  Conyne  and  Melgert  Vanderpoel. 
Leendert  was  presumably  a  son  of  Lendert  Phillipse  who  was 
in  Beverwyck  in  1665,  and  a  brother  of  Philip  Leendertse  of 
Coxsackie  and  of  Casper  Leendertse  of  Claverack.  Leendert 
married  Emmet je,  daughter  of  Lourens  Van  Alen,  the  pur- 
chaser of  the  great  De  Bruyn  patent.  Their  children  were : 
Elbertie,  17 14;  Agnietie,  171 7;  Philip,  1720;  Lourens,  1722. 
He  had  a  dock  where  an  ice-house  now  stands. 

Melgert  Vanderpoel,  son  of  Melgert  Wynantse  and 
grandson  of  Wynant  Gerritse  in  Beverwyck  prior  to  1674, 


102 


Old  RinderKooK 


lived  about  a  mile  south  of  Conyne.  In  1696  he  married 
Catharina,  a  sister  of  Conyne's  wife.  They  were  the  Kinder- 
hook  ancestors  of  many  families  of  the  name,  of  which  the 
Hon.  James  Vanderpoel,  Dr.  John  Vanderpoel,  and  his 
sons  Dr.  S.  O.  Vanderpoel  and  the  eminent  jurist,  Aaron  J. 
Vanderpoel,  LL.D.,  were  distinguished  resident  representa- 
tives. Melgert's  children  were:  Elbertje,  1697;  Ariaantje, 
1699;  Lourens,  1701;  Maria,  1703;  Johannes,  1705;  Abraham, 
1707;  Jacobus,  1709;  Isaac,  171 1,  and  Catryna,  17 16. 

Not  far  from  the  northeast  boundary  of  the  District 
lived  John  Van  Ness.  The  lower  part  of  his  substantial 
stone  and  brick  house,  originally  having  the  customary 
loopholes  for  defense  against  marauding  Indians  from 
Canada,  is  still  standing  near  the  Kinderhook  creek  in  what 
is  now  the  town  of  Chatham.  He  was  the  Kinderhook 
ancestor  of  many  families  of  the  name  once  living  here  or  in 
other  parts  of  the  county.  Among  his  descendants  were 
Peter  Van  Ness,  the  builder  of  Lindenwald,  and  his  dis- 
tinguished sons;  and  also  the  late  Dr.  Sherman  Van 
Ness. 

"  Who  were  Who  "  as  the  principal  male  residents  here  in 
1699  we  may  learn  to  a  large  degree  from  the  following  list  of 
names:  for  it  was  surely  with  alacrity  and  enthusiasm  that 
men  over  sixteen  years  old,  whose  fathers  had  fought  in  the 
Thirty  Years'  War,  obeyed  the  summons  in  1699  to  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  King  William  of  Orange.  From  a  much 
larger  list  of  the  inhabitants  of  '^places  adjacent  to  ye  south- 
ward of  Albany''  we  select  those  who  were  presumably  resi- 
dents of  Kinderhook,  Later  civil  records  and  those  of  the 
Kinderhook  Dutch  Church,  which  begin  in  1716,  have  been 
of  help  in  making  the  selection.  A  few  names  belonging  to 
other  localities  may  be  in  our  list  and  a  few  others  omitted 
that  should  be  here;  but  it  is  approximately  correct.  Being 
earlier  and  much  more  complete  than  any  hitherto  given  it 
seems  to  us  such  an  illuminating  record  as  to  be  worthy  the 
space  it   requires.     The   names  are   spelled   as  originally 


Who  Was  WKo,  1664-1809 


103 


written.  The  additions  within  brackets  are  suggestions 
only  of  the  probable  surnames  subsequently  assumed,  so  far 
as  later  records  and  other  sources  of  information  enable  us  to 
supply  them. 

Hend.  van  Ness 

Pieter  Van  Alen  Gysbert  Scherp  (Sharp) 

Bartholomeus  Van  Volkenburgh  Johannes  Huyck 


Koenradt  Bogart 
Adam  Dinghman 
Burger  Huyck 
Andries  Gardinier 
Johannes  Van  Alen 
Jan  Van  Ness 
Lawrense  Van  Alen 
Domminicus  Van  Schaick 
Manewel  Van  Schaick 
Evert  Van  Alen 
Cornells  Van  Schaick 
Luykas  Van  Alen 

Pieter  Martense  (Van  Buren) 


Dirck  Van  der  Kar 

Lambert  Janse   (Van  Alstyne) 

Hendrick  Beekman 

Edward  Wider  (Wheeler) 

Andries  Scherp  (Sharp) 

Johannes  Van  Hoesen 

Isach  Vosburgh 

Pieter  Vosburgh 

Casper  Conyn 

Cornelis  Martense  (Van  Buren) 

Melgert    Abrahamse        (Van 

Deusen) 
Isaac  Janse  Van  Alstyne 


Frans  Pietersen  (Klauw  or  Clow)  Jacob  Van  Hoesse  (Van  Hoesen) 
Gerrit  Teunise  (Van  Vechten)      Jan  Van  Hoessen 
Luycas  Janse   (Van   Salsbergen 


or  Salisbury) 
Teunis  Van  Sleyck 
Jonatan  Janse  (Witbeck) 

Joh.  Van  Vechten 

Stefannis  Van  Alen 

Hendricus  Jansen  (Witbeck) 

Hend.  Solsberger 

Cornelis  Stevessen  (Mulder  or 

Miller) 
Abr.  Dirckse  V.  Veghten 
Pieter  Hogeboom 
Andries  Huyck 


Cornelis  Maasen  (Van  Buren) 
Jan  Tyse  Goes  (Hoes) 
Cornelis        Teunissen        (Van 

Vechten) 
Arent  Van  Schaick 
Marte   Cornelise    (Van   Buren) 
Harmen  Janse  (Van  Salsberger) 
Jan  Van  Hoesen  Jun. 

Robert  Tewissen  (Van  Deusen) 
Matys  Janse  Goes  (Hoes) 
Jerimias  Milder 
Dirck  Teunisse  (Van  Vechten) 


Johannes  Dirkse  (Van  Vechten)  Andries  Janse  (Witbeck) 


104  Old  RinderKooK 

Rissert  Jansen  van  den  Borke 
(Richard  Janse  Van  Den 
Bergh)  Jacob  Janse  Gardinier 

Beginning  with  1716  the  records  of  the  Dutch  church 
enable  us  to  discern  more  clearly  and  completely  "  Who  was 
Who  "  from  that  year  onward.  The  records  of  baptisms  and 
marriages,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  a  few  years  which 
are  missing  or  possibly  not  made  when  there  was  no  resident 
pastor,  are  complete  down  to  the  present  time.  In  those 
days  an  infant  was  usually  baptized  within  a  few  weeks  of 
birth  and  an  unbaptized  child  was  a  very  rare  exception. 
Two  large  volumes  containing  thousands  of  names,  and 
many  other  records,  are  in  Dutch.  A  written  copy  of  the 
names,  through  the  thoughtfulness  of  the  late  Aaron  J. 
Vanderpoel,  LL.D.,  is  in  the  Library  of  the  Holland  Society 
of  New  York. 

Faithful  to  copy  in  every  particular,  and  here  as  else- 
where disclaiming  all  responsibility  for  orthography,  we 
append  the  following  list  of  communicants  from  171 6  to 
1730;  a  list  which  earlier  missing  pages  would  somewhat 
enlarge.  We  give  it  as  indicating  residents  of  a  very  large 
extent  of  country  in  which  for  many  years  this  church 
stood  alone. 

Leendert  Counyn,  Aendries  Brosie,  Thenis  Van  Slyck, 
Thomas  Wiler,  Catrina  Verrin,  Elsie  Vallakenburgh,  Ariaen- 
tie  Mulder,  Ariaentie  Van  Derpoel,  Breghie  Wieler,  Eva 
Valekenburgh,  Maria  Wieler,  Catriena  Van  Slyck,  Arent 
Van  Dyck,  Johannis  Huyck,  Gerret  Dingman,  Cornelia 
Dingman,  Comelis  huyck,  Gertruy  huyck,  Jochem  Van 
Valkenburgh,  Jun.,  Elsie  Valkenburgh,  Maria  Van  Aelstyn, 
Jannetie  V.  D.  kar,  Rachel  Gardenier,  Anna  Onderherk, 
Chath.  Wyler,  Gertruy  Vosburgh,  Louwerons  Van  Allen, 
Aendries  Klauw,  Maria  L.  Cawv,  Johan  Spoor,  Sara  Spoor, 
Gerrit  Van  D.  Poel,  Marten  van  Deusen,  Lena  van  Alen, 
Jannetie  van  Schayk,   Sara  Gardeiner,   Marten  Vosburgh, 


W^Ho  Was  ^VKo,  1664-1809  105 

Marg:  Gardenier,  jann:  Vosburg,  Maria  V.  D.  Poel,  Anna 
Tippens,  Maria  Sister  immatie  moor,  Elyz :  Lischer,  Lambt. 
Valkenburg,  heyltie  V.  Dyck,  Cathrien  vosburgh,  pieter  V. 
Dyck,  Johanna  Sluiter,  Elizabeth  Gardenier,  AHda  V.  Alen, 
Eva  V.  Valkenburgh,  Jacob  Dingmanse,  John  Fitzgerald, 
Sara  Gardinier,  Isaac  Van  Aarnem,  Jannetje  Van  Aamem, 
Annatie  V,  Buren,  Lena  Huyck,  Engeltie  Gardinier,  Catha- 
rina  Huyck,  Rachel  Huyck,  Christyna  Huyck,  Cathalina 
Huyck,  Peter  V.  Slyck,  Engeltie  V.  Slyck,  Barentie  V.  Slyck, 
Harmen  V.  Salsbergen,  Cornelis  Van  Buren,  Abraham  Vos- 
burgh, Barend  Vosburgh,  Johannes  Goes,  Marten  Van 
Buyren,  Cornelis  Van  Schaack,  James  Rous,  Debora  Springer, 
Anna  Wurmer. 

The  "Trouw-Boeck"  of  the  Dutch  church,  the  first  and 
for  many  years  the  only  Marriage  Record  in  the  town,  begins 
in  1717.  Before  that  time  and  for  eleven  years  thereafter, 
until  the  first  pastor  came,  baptisms  and  marriages  here,  with 
only  a  few  exceptions,  were  recorded  in  the  register  of  the 
Albany  church,  whose  pastors  rendered  occasional  service 
in  this  place.  The  baptismal  and  marriage  records  of  the 
Kinderhook  church  fully  transcribed  would  in  themselves 
make  a  large  volume.  We  have  counted  as  many  as  114 
baptisms  in  one  year.  Their  transcription  in  full  is  obviously 
impossible  in  this  volume;  but  it  may  be  of  interest  to  de- 
scendants of  the  early  settlers  to  have  a  few  pages  from  the 
first  Trouw-Boeck  transcribed. 

TROUW-BOECK 
By  Petrus  Van  Driessen 

1717  28  Jochum  Van  Valkenburgh  and  Elsie  Klauw 

1720  Jan.   30  Pieter  Vosburgh  and  Helena  Goes 

1724  Feb.     8  Caspar  Conyn  and  Hendrikie  Van  Schayk 

1726  Sept.  18  Lucas  Van  Alen  and  Elizabeth (?) 

By  Johannes  Van  Driessen 

1727  July     9  Johan  Pierterze  and  Catharina  Haver 
1727                 Johannes  Van  Valckenburgh      and  Antie  Van  Sardam 


io6 


Old  RinderhooK 


1727 
1728 
1728 

1728 

1728 

1728 

1728 

1728  Oct.     6 

1728  Oct.     9 

1728  Oct.   26 

1729  April    8 
1729  May  II 


Caspar  Springsteen 
James  Livingston 
Jacob  Gardenier 
Jacob  Van  Valkenburgh 
Pieter  Van  Valckenburgh 
Johan  Mattheus  Louer 
Cornelis  Van  Salsbergen 
Cornelis  Van  Schayck 
Theunis  Oosterhoud 
Hendrikus  Spoor 
Dirck  Vosburgh 
Arend  Van  Der  Kar 


1729  Aug.    2  Pieter  Klauw 

1729  April  16  Pieter  Wenne 

1729  Sept.  II  Frans  Van  Valckenburgh 

1729  Nov.    7  Marten  Van  Buyren 

1729  Nov.  16  Johannes  Dingman 

1730  Jan.     2  Thomas  Turck 
1730  Jan.    II  Yzaack  Van  Deuzen 
1730  Mar.    3  Hendrik  Van  Valkenburgh 
1730  Mar.  28  Johannes  Hogeboom 

1730  Sept.  19  Bartholomeus  VanAalsteyn  Jr, 

1730  Dec.  18  Tammes  Brand 

1 73 1  Jan.        Edward  Brown 

1 73 1  Jan.   31  Jacob  Schermerhorn 
1 73 1  Sammuel  Halenbeck 

1 73 1  Adam  Van  Alen 

1 73 1  James  Rouws 

1 73 1  Jozua  Broeks 

1732  Jan.     3  Nicolas  Rouws 
1732  James  Springer 
1732                 Yzaack  Woodkock 
1732  Pieter  Van  Dyck 
1732                 Casper  Rouws 


and  Maghdalena  Schermerhoorn 

and  Catharian  Coens 

and  Cathalyntie  Scherp 

and  Catharina  Turck 

and  Mareytie  Vosburgh 

and  Anna  IMargaretha  Rouws 

and  Catharina  Van  Der  Kar 

and  Lydia  Van  Dyck 

and  Eva  Conyn 

and  Rebecka  Van  Valckenburgh 

and  Alida  Van  Alen 

and      Scharlottha      Van      Der 

Werken 
and  Hanna  Wurmer 
and  Jannetie  Van  Vechten 
and  Maria  Van  Dyck 
and  Dirckie  Van  Buyren 
and  Geesie  Janzen 
and  Eva  Van  Valckenburgh 
and  Seytie  Burger 
and  Mareytie  Klauw 
and  Elbertie  Van  Alen 
and  Angnetha  Goes 
and  Debora  Springer 
and  Susanna  Matre 
and  Maratie  Schermerhorn 
and  Lysbeth  Conyn 
and  Catharina  V.  Aalsteyne 
and  Angnetha  Gardenier 
and  Geezie  Bond 
and  Marghriet  Brendell 
and  Abigaal  Adams 
and  Dina  Janzen 
and  Catharina  Wederwax 
and  Christina  Wyles 


Officiating  Clergyman  Unknown 


1733  July  29  John  Van  Valckenburgh 
1733  Sept.  21  Steven  Barend 

Oct.     2  Sander  Van  Aalsteyne 
1733  Nov.    9  Abraham  Fonda 
1733  Dec.     7  Jeronymus  Van  Valckenburgh 
1733  Dec.  21  Hendrik  Clauw 

1733  Dec.  28  Hendrick  Burghaard  Jun. 

1734  May  13  Pieter  Cool 
1734  July     3  Seaborn  Heart 


and  Elizabeth  Halenbeck 

and  Wyntie  Van  Valckenburgh 

and  Elbertie  Van  Alen 

and  Elberthie  Van  Alen 

and  Mareytie  Van  Buyren 

and  Rebecka  Goewey 

and  Catharina  Huyck 

and  Alida  Dingman 

and  EUenor  Dillin 


W^Ko  Was  Who,  1664-1809 


107 


1734  Aug.    9  Mattheus  Goes 
1734  Aug.  23  Andries  Huyck 

1734  Aug.  30  Gysberth  Clauw 

1734  Nov.  29  Abraham  Van  Aalsteyne 

1734  John  Cooper 


and  Catharina  Vosburgh 

and  Maghdalena  Van  Buyren, 

widow 
and  Neeltie  Scherp 
and  Wyntie  Conyn 
and  Elizabeth  Gardenier 


The  sequence  of  dates  in  several  instances  suggests  the 
weekly  visit  of  a  dominie  to  supply  the  pastorless  church, 
and,  to  suit  his  convenience,  the  choice  of  Saturday  or 
Monday  as  the  wedding  day. 

In  the  records  of  1729  we  find  a  list  of  the  contributors 
to  the  salary  of  the  Rev.  J.  Van  Driessen,  the  first  pastor. 
For  the  information  it  gives  of  the  families  then  residing  here 
we  give  the  list  in  full.  Here  as  elsewhere  (we  say  again)  we 
transcribe  decipherable  names  with  exactitude  and  are  not 
responsible  for  the  orthography. 


Abraha  Van  Aalsteyn 
Stephan  Van  Alen 
Burger  Huyk 
Cornelis  Schermerhorn 
Pieter  Vosburgh 
Hendrik  Klauw 
Barent  Vosburgh 
Hendrik  Gardenier 
Gysbert  Scherp 

Dirk  Goes 
Margariet  Goes 
Gerrit  Dingman 
Joh  Van  Deusen 
Jan  Tysse  Goes 

Adam  V  Alen 
Hendrick  Klauw 
Pieter  V  Dyck 
Jogchem  Kalger  (Collier) 
Everd  Whieler 
Hendrick  V  Valkenburgh 
Johaan  Boom 
Gerrit  Van  Schaack 
Jan  Wotkock 
Eytie  Gardenier 


Joh.  Van  Alen 
Melgert  Vander  Poel 
Pieter  Van  Alen 
Lambert  Huyk 
Pieter  Vosburgh  Junior 
Tobias  Van  Buyren 
Barent  Van  Buyren 
Andries  Gardenier 
Jacob  Dingman 

Johanns  Van  Aalsteyn 
Joh  Goes 

Cornels  Van  Buyren 
Jan  Burgaart 
Joghgum  Van  Valken- 
burgh 
Sander  V  Aalsteyn 
Coenraat  Borghaart 
Pieter  Lodewyck 
Basteyaan  Litzjer 
Mattheus  Goes 
Areje  Gardenier 
Matths  Culver 
Louwerens  Scharp 
Cornelis  Sluyter 
Johanns  Huyck 


Lauwrens  Van  Schaack 
Leendert  Conyn 
Yzaak  Vosburgh 
Dirk  Gardenier 
Lucas  Van  Alen 
Abraha  Vosburgh 
Marten  Vosburgh 
Jacob  Turk 
Bartholomeus  Van 

Valkenburgh 
Marten  Van  Buyren 
Cornelis  Van  Schaak 
Theunis  Van  Slyk 
Abraham  Staats 
Hendrik  Burgaart 

Pieter  V  Slyck  Junr. 
Thomas  V.  Aalsteyn 
Frans  V  Valkenburgh 
Edward  Whieler 
Johanns  Vosburgh 
Adam  Dingman 
Louwrens  Van  der  Poel 
Jan  Robbertze 
Jan  Wotcock,  junr. 
Jacob  Gardenier,  junr. 


io8 


Old  RinderKooK 


Pieter  V  Valkenburg 
Cornelis  Huyck 
Gysbert  Scharp 
Pieter  Yzack  Vosburgh 
Salomon  V  der  Kar 
Jan  Zeel 

Pieter  Van  Slyck 
Yzaak  V.  Aalsteyn 
Yzaak  van  Aarnhem 


Joachem  V  Valkenburg 
Jacob  Gardenier 
Frans  Klouw 
Casper  Rouwe 
Klaas  Becker 
John  Clement 
Dirck  Vosburgh 
Luycas  Witbeck 
Volkert  Witbeck 


Lammart  V  Valkenburg 
Johannes  Pieterze 
Coenraat  Ryssier 
Klass  V  der  Kar 
Jeems  Livingston 
Kasper  Planck 
Johs  Hogeboom 
Jonas  Witbeck 
Andries  Witbeck 


Claas  Gardenier 
Nicolaas  Kittel 


Johannes  Beekman 
Jacob  V.  Valkenburgh 
Jacob  Schermerhorn 


Abram  V.  Valkenburgh 
Hendrik  Schermerhorn 


The  last  seven,  reading  across  the  page,  have  the  caption — 
*'£w  die  van  Schoodack^ 

There  were  other  famihes  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
Kinderhook  District,  but  as  they  were  much  nearer  the 
Claverack  church  their  names  are  to  be  looked  for  there 
rather  than  here. 

It  is  noticeable  that  the  soon  familiar  names  Bain,  Best, 
Pruyn,  Van  Ness,  Van  Vleck,  and  others  do  not  yet  appear. 
They  came  later. 

Great  was  our  joy  when  our  State  Archivist  placed  in 
our  hands  the  now  perished  Kinderhook  Tax  List  for  the 
years  1744-5.  We  have  thought  it  of  sufficient  interest  to 
copy  in  full.  It  is  illuminating,  not  only  in  its  revelation  of 
resident  landowners  and  the  relative  amount  of  their  hold- 
ings, but  also  to  some  extent  of  the  relative  location  of  their 
homes.  At  many  points  we  can  see  the  Assessors,  Cornelius 
Van  Schaack  and  Jacobus  Van  Alen  with  their  attendant 
scribe,  going  from  house  to  house  in  regular  order.  It  is  to 
be  remembered  that  the  New  York  pound  was  about  one-half 
the  value  of  the  English  pound. 


ViKo  W^as  WKo,  1664-1509 


109 


Marten  Van  Deusen 
Bata  Van  Deusen 
Mattheus  Van  Deusen 
Daniel  Lotts 
Johan.  V.  Aelstyn 

Abr.  V.  Aelstyn  26 

Johan.  Vosburgh  10 

Peter  Van  Alen  25 

Lammert  Huyck  16 
Andries  Huyck  Jr. 

Johannis  Huyck  4 

Burger  Huyck  32 

Johannis  Huyck  2 

Johannis  Goes  22 

Willem  Ciauw  6 

Samuel  Wheeler  3 

John  Roberson  2 

Evert  Wheeler  i 

Johan  Van  Deusen  24 

Luykas  Goes  7 

Jan.  Tyssen  Goes  2 
Jac.  Martense  Vosburgh        2 

James  Denton  i 

Peter  Goes  2 

Tobias  V.  Beuren  11 

Cornelius  V.  Schaack  14 

John  Cooper  6 

Corn.  V.  Beuren  3 

Barent  Vosburgh  12 

Abr.  Vosburgh  11 

Elizabeth  V.  Dyck  i 

Margareta  Goes  15 

Marten  V.  Beuren  15 

Jacobus  V.  Alen  31 

Johannis  Scherp  4 
Lawrence  Decker,  the  land 

he  lives  on  7 


Andries  Scherp 

Peter  Van  Dyck 
Matthew  Goes 
Luykas  V.  Alen 
Sara  V.  Alen 
Evert  V.  Alen  Jr. 
Abraham  V.  Alen 
Gerrit  Dingman 
Thomas  V.  Aelstyn 


38 


TAX  LIST.  1744 


Arent  Van  Dyck  2 

Arent  Pruyn  6 

Maria  V.  Alen  5 

Corn.  V.  Alen  25 

Sander  V.  Aelstyn  13 

Jan.  Borghardt  25 

Gerrit  Borghardt  Jr.  2 

Isaac  V.  Aelstyn  22 

Marten  V.  Aelstyn  16 

Gerrit  V.  Schaak  30 

Matt.  Goes  Jr.  6 

Johan.  Staats  6 

Samuel  Staats  16 

Jochem  Staatg  10 

Isaac  Staats  7 

P.  Cornelisen  i 

Johan  Backus  2 

Jacob  Miller  2 

Volkert  Witbeck  6 

Luykas  Witbeck  6 

Andries  Witbeck  6 

Jonas  Witbeck  6 

Gerrit  V.  Hoesen  i 

Abr.  Wyngard  i 

Geysbert  Clauw  3 

Lourens  Scherp  9 

Andries  Scherp  Jr.  2 

Hendrick  Clauw  i 

Solomon  Scherp  I 

Peter  Clauw  i 

Adam  Van  Alen  18 

Jacobus  V.  Alen  Jr.  3 

Francis  Clauw  Jr.  10 

Johan (?)  3 

John  Van  Salsberg  i 

Benjamin  Thomas  (?) 
Bartholomew  V.  Valken- 

burgh  6 


Peter  V.  Valkenburgh  Jr. 
Abraham  V.  Valkenburgh 

Jr.  3 

Dirckse  Vosburgh  6 

Jochem  B.  V.  Valkenburgh      3 

Thomas  Doran 
Jur.  Van  Hoesen 
Willem  V.  Aelstyn 
House  he  lives  in 


Lambert  Van  Valkenburgh      4 

Frans  Van  Valkenburgh  I 
Jothem  Van  Valkenburgh 

Peter  Van  Valkenburgh  10 

Ryckart  Van  Valkenburgh  7 

Frans  Clauw  6 

Barthqlomous  V.  Aelstyn  I 

Hendrick  V.  Valkenburgh  4 

Elizabeth  Van  Der  Poel  i 

Johannis  Van  Der  Poel  14 

Melgert  Van  Der  Poel  4 

Jocobus  Van  Der  Poel  10 

Leendert  Conyn  30 

John  Van  Beuren  6 

Laurens  Van  Der  Poel  7 

Jacobus  Vosburgh  i 

Adam  Van  Alen  Jr.  8 

Tunis  Van  Slyck  Jr.  15 

Peter  Van  Slyck  12 

Peter  Vosburgh  6 

Dirck  Van  Slyck  20 

Jacob  Gardenier  9 

Arie  Gardenier  12 

William  Clark  I 

Dirk  Goes  i 

Dirk  Gardenier  15 

Jacobus  Gardenier  is 

Samuel  Gardenier  15 

Hendrick  Gardenier  15 

Dirck  Vosburgh  IS 

Barent  Van  Beuren  22 
Roeleff  Clerck  and  the  lands 

he  lives  on  7 

John  Wheeler  I 

Peter  G.  Van  Beuren  2 

John  Ten  Eyck  I 

Joseph  Cornick  I 

Cornells  Scherp  2 
Peter     Bartholomew       Vos- 
burgh 2 

John  Scott  I 

Anthony  Quackenbush  i 

Lowrens  V.  Alen  2 

Anthony  Lewis  I 

Paterick  Mc.  Arthur  I 

Jacob  Jan.  Gardenier  i 

Jan.  Gardenier  i 


Total  £1100:  @  $2750 


The  original  loose  paper  perished  in  the  lamentable  Library 
fire. 

With  the  map  (1756)  of  the  Division  of  the  great  Kinder- 
hook  Patent  (1686)  before  us  we  can  make  many  additions 
to  foregoing  lists  of  freeholders  and  early  settlers :  and,  assum- 
ing the  accuracy  of  the  survey  and  the  correctness  of  the 
scale,  can  locate  the  homes  of  many  with  considerable 
precision. 


no  Old  RinderHooK 

The  whole  territory,  known  in  later  years  as  the  Kinder- 
hook  District  of  Albany  County,  had  a  river-front  of  about 
eleven  miles,  from  Stockport  creek  on  the  south  to  Rens- 
selaerswyck.  Thence  the  line  ran  east  ten  miles, — that  is, 
two  miles  or  more  beyond  Knickerbocker  lake.  Striking  a 
little'  west  of  south  it  reached  a  point  eight  miles  east  of  the 
starting-point,  to  which  it  returned.  An  accurate  map  of  the 
County  will  show  that  Kinderhook  thus  included,  as  before 
stated.  North  Chatham  and  Chatham  Centre  in  the  east, 
land  south  of  Ghent  village,  the  northern  part  of  Stockport, 
the  whole  of  Stuyvesant,  and  three  islands  in  the  river. 

Starting  from  Stockport  creek  and  following  the  river 
near  its  bank,  we  find  about  two  miles  from  the  creek  the 
home  of  Isaac  Staats.  About  a  mile  beyond  hved  Andries 
Witbeck.  Houses  without  name  were  on  both  Great  and 
Little  Nutten  Hook.  At  intervals  of  about  one-half  mile 
were  the  homes  of  Jacob  Valkenburgh,  Gerrit  Van  Hoesen, 
and  Abraham  Wyngart.  Yet  nearer  together  were  the  houses 
of  Gysbert  Claw, — Sharpe,  Peter  Van  Buren,  Peter  Vos- 
burgh,  and  Lawrence  Goes.  Two  and  one-half  miles  from  the 
last-named  (Poelsburg)  and  with  intervals  of  about  a  half- 
mile  between,  were  the  dwellings  of  Jacobus  Vanderpoel, 
Barent  Vanderpoel,  John  Vanderpoel,  and  Leonard  Conyn, 
the  last-named  about  one  mile  south  of  Rensselaerswyck. 
This  Conyn  had  a  private  dock. 

Returning  to  Stockport  and  following  the  course  of 
Kinderhook  creek,  we  find  near  Rossmans  the  home  of  a  free 
negro :  one-half  mile  north  of  this  the  house  of  Tom  Dun ;  at 
Stuyvesant  Falls  the  mill  of  Gerrit  Van  Schaack  with  his 
dwelling  nearly  a  mile  north.  The  homes  of  Marte  and 
Isaac  Van  Alstyne  were  near  the  present  dwellings  of  Edward 
Van  Alstyne  and  J.  S.  Hosford,  and  about  a  half-mile  beyond 
was  that  of  Jan  Burgart.  Thence  to  and  including  the 
village  the  map  shows  sixteen  houses  without  name  and  the 
first  church.  Broad  Street  and  Albany  Avenue  were  not  yet 
laid  out.    The  old  road,  clinging  closely  to  the  creek  in  its 


Who  Was  WKo,  1664-1809  iii 

whole  course,  swept  from  near  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne's  present 
residence  quite  to  the  east  of  Broad  Street,  to  the  old  village, 
thence  through  William  Street,  and  thence  about  as  now  to 
Paghaquak  (Valatie).  This  side  of  the  present  bridge  at 
Valatie  we  find  the  residence  of  Lucas  Goes,  Hans  Goes,  and 
— '  Robert  Van  Dusen.  Beyond  the  bridge,  and  along  the  course 
of  the  creek,  we  note  the  home  of  Samuel  Wheeler,  near  Mr. 
Chas.  Wild's  late  residence,  and  then  in  succession  the 
dwelling  of  William  Claw,  and  the  mill  and  residence  of  D. 
Goes.  Next  came  the  homes  of  Andries  Huyck,  Richard 
Huyck,  and  Stephen  Van  Alen,  near  the  hill  Penekoes.  Be- 
yond and  toward  Chatham  Centre  were  the  homes  of  Peter 
Vosburgh,  Abraham  Van  Alstyne,  and  Jan.  Van  Alstyne.  A 
little  to  the  south  and  west  of  the  junction  of  the  Kinderhook 
creek  and  the  Kleine  Kill  we  note  the  name  Tobias  Van  Slyck, 
and  then  along  the  Kill,  at  varying  intervals  of  from  one- 
half  a  mile  to  two  miles,  we  observe  the  homes  of  Jacob 
Gardenier,  Arie  Gardenier,  Peter  Van  Slyck,  Dirk  Gardenier, 
Dirk  Vosburgh,  Barent  Van  Buren,  and,  near  the  Claverack 
boundary,  the  dwelling  of  Widow  Livingston.  Returning 
and  fording  the  Kinderhook  creek  a  little  below  the  present 
bridges  and  following  substantially  the  existing  road  toward 
Stuyvesant  Falls,  we  find  the  homes  of  Isaac  Goes,  John 
Goes,  Lawrence  Van  Alen,  Evert  Van  Alen,  Gerrit  Dingman, 
and  Thomas  Van  Alstine ;  the  last-named  about  one-half  mile 
southeast  of  the  home  of  Marte  Van  Alstyne  on  the  other  side 
of  the  creek.  The  map  strikingly  illustrates  how  closely  the 
Hollanders  clung  to  the  water-courses. 


112 


Old  H-inderHooK 


ASSESSMENT  ROLL  OF  THE  REAL  AND  PERSONAL  ESTATES 
IN  THE  TOWN  OF  KINDERHOOK  MADE  THE  27TH  DAY  OF 
MAY  IN  THE  YEAR  1809  AGREEABLE  TO  AN  ACT  FOR  THE 
ASSESSMENT  AND   COLLECTION   OF   TAXES,    ETC. 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Value  of 

Real 
Estate 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


Total 


Acker,  Peter 

Acker,  Peter,  Jr 

Angel,  Joshua 

Adams,  John 

Austin,  Caleb 

Burgert,  Lambert 

Burgert,  Elizabeth 

Bennet,  Increase 

Barthrop,  William 

Bidwell,  John 

Balis,  Luther 

Briggs,  Nathaniel 

BuUick,  Ruben 

Butler,  Medad 

Beaumont,  Oliver 

Baker,  Edmond 

Bullick,  Ellis 

Bullick,  Ellis,  Jr 

Bain,  Hugh 

Butler,  Joseph 

Beaumont,  John 

Barton,  James 

Baim,  William 

Butler,  John 

Burns,  James 

Bain,  Peter 

Bullick,  David 

Buice,  Samuel 

Bidwell,  Alexander 

Bidwell,  David 

Barton,  Joseph 

Botchford,  Thomas  G 

Bennet,  Lyman 

Barrit,  Thomas 

Bain,  William 

Beekman,  John  P 

Bird,  John 

Saghman,  Jacob 

Beckwith,  Abner  (Non-Resident) 

Clary,  Samuel 

Carr,  William 


£ 
300 

1900 
50 
50 

2625 

200 
1000 
750 
113 
150 
825 
1000 

700 

450 

300 

1300 


300 

300 

150 

50 

100 

100 

60 

75 

250 
150 


50 
800 


45 
200 


£ 
50 

20 

400 
250 


30 


25 
200 

25 
75 
400 
20 
20 

100' 

10 
50 


20 

50 

200 

20 
50 
50 
150 
10 


£ 

300 

50 

1900 

50 
70 

3025 
250 
200 

3000 
750 
113 
180 
825 

1000 

25 
900 

475 

375 

1700 

20 

20 
300 
400 
150 

60 
150 
100 

60 

95 

50 

450 

150 

20 

50 

50 

150 

60 

800 

200 

45 
200 


Who  W^as  Who,  1664-1809 


113 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Value  of 
Real 

Estate 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


Total 


Cole,  Peter 

Crandle,  Samuel 

Crandle,  William  Pitt 

Cole,  John. 

Claw,  Lambert 

Claw,  Jacob 

Claw,  Caty 

Claw,  Garrit 

Claw,  Polly 

Cook,  Zacheus 

Clapper,  John 

Claw,  Andrew 

Clapper,  Jacob 

Claw,  William , 

Cole,  Adam 

Clapp,  Gilbert - 

Clapp,  Edy 

Crocker,  Luther , 

Crocker,  Sarah 

Claw,  John  M , 

Claw,  Henry  M 

Claw,  Andrew  F , 

Chesley,  John 

Chittenden,  George.  .  , 

Cochran,  John , 

Claw,  John  G 

Cornel,  Alexander .  . . . 

Crandle,  Thomas 

Claw,  Christopher. . . . 

Cooper,  Peter  P 

Conelison,  John 

Castle,  Elijah 

Calkins,  Eliphalet.  .  .  . 

Crapser,  David 

Crandle,  Joseph 

Chamberlain,  Asa.  .  . . 

Clark,  James 

Claw,  Ephraim 

Claw,  Henry  G 

Cashore,  Robert  M . . . 

Cammel,  John 

Coon,  Myndert 

Cnute,  Garrit 

Cnute,  Nicholas 

Church,  Doctor 

Curren,  James 

Duel,  Jeremiah 

Dobbs,  Daniel 

Dobbs,  Esper 

Deyo,  Nathan 


8 


£ 
300 

375 
225 

37 
900 
600 
300 

50 

50 

600 

525 
100 
400 

285 
1600 

200 
1050 

225 

900 
50 


500 
200 
150 
225 


40 
300 

750 


100 
200 


80 
80 


150 
750 


£ 

75 
75 


225 

150 

75 

25 

30 

300 

50 

200 
50 

200 
1000 

100 
50 
20 

15 
200 

50 


30 
100 
20 
20 
40 
20 

50 

50 

250 

20 

50 
25 
50 

20 


20 
50 


£ 

375 
450 
225 

37 
1125 

750 

375 

25 

50 

80 

600 

825 

100 

450 

285 

1800 

250 

1250 

1225 

1000 

100 

20 

15 

700 

250 

150 

225 

30 

100 

20 

20 

80 

20 

300 

50 

50 

250 

20 

750 

50 

25 

150 

200 

20 

80 

80 

20 

50 

150 

750 


114 


Old  RinderKooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Dingman,  Casparus. 
Dingman,  Garrit.  .  . 
Deming,  Clirasa. .  .  . 
Dingman,  Rodulfus. 

Dederick,  Philip 

Dickie,  William .... 
Dederick,  Christian. 
Dederick,  Philip  P. . 
Dederick,  PhiHp  W. 

Drum,  John 

Dingman,  John.  .  .  . 

Dopp,  James 

Darling,  William.  .  . 
David,  Jonathan.  .  . 

Devoe,  John 

Devoe,  John  Jr 

Drum,  Frederick .  .  . 


Edwards,  Thomas  and  Elijah . 

Eyler,  Johannes 

Edy,  Thomas 

Edy,  Thomas  F 

Eyler,  Cornelia 

Easterly,  Martin 


Fowler,  John 

Folandt,  George. . 

Fitch,  Abel 

Fosmire,  John  Jr . 

Fosmire,  John 

Fowler,  Delaware. 
Franklin,  John.  .  . 
Fowler,  Samuel. . . 
Finch,  Andrew. . . 


Gardinier,  William. . . 
Gardinier,  Aaron  S .  . 
Gardinier,  Dirck .  .  .  . 
Gardinier,  David.  . .  . 
Gardinier,  Aaron .  .  . . 
Gardinier,  Samuel  H. 
Gardinier,  Peter  I .  .  . 
Gardinier,  Cornelia .  . 

Gillet,  Moses  Jr 

Gardinier,  John 

Goes,  Dirck  D 

Goodemote,  Jacob.  . . 

Goes,  John  B 

Goodemote,  John. . . . 

Goes,  Barent  I 

Goes,  Robert 


Value  of 

Real 
Estate 


£ 

600 
600 
900 
350 
600 
900 
100 
100 
900 

25 
675 


50 
100 

150 

1200 

100 

20 

400 

488 

1200 

400 
300 

300 


2650 

825 
825 

2525 
500 

525 
188 

150 
225 

75 
500 


75 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


£ 
100 


100 
100 
100 


100 


10 

50 


25 

20 

25 
50 


Total 


£ 

700 

600 

900 

450 

700 

1000 

100 

100 

1000 

25 

675 

10 

50 

50 

100 

25 
150 

1200 
20 

100 

25 
20 

50 


400 

40 

528 

1200 

50 

50 

350 

750 

50 

350 

50 

50 

50 

350 

75 

75 

100 

100 

50 

50 

2650 

100 

925 

825 

300 

2825 

500 

25 

550 

50 

238 

25 

25 

150 

50 

275 

75 

50 

550 

25 

25 

75 

^WKo  Was  Who,  1664-1809 


115 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Goes,  Barent  I.  Jr. . . . 

Goes,  Ephraim 

Goes,  John  L 

Goes,  Laurence 

Goes,  Lucas 

Groat,  Henry 

Goes,  Laurence 

Goes,  Richard  I 

Goes,  Albert 

Goes,  William 

Gillet,  Joel 

Gardinier,  Laurence.  . 
Gardinier,  Andrew. . .  . 

Groat,  John 

Griffin,  Timothy 

Gillet,  Gilbert 

Geeres,  Peter 

Garfield,  Elijah 

Goes,  Richard 

Goes,  Nicholas 

Groat,  Henry  Jr 

Groat,  John  W 

Haver,  Christian 

Harder,  Philip 

Harder,  Nicholas 

Harder,  William 

Holmes,  Palmer 

Head,  Michael 

Henderson,  Henderick 

Head,  Henry 

Ham,  Conradt 

Hauze,  Zacheriah 

Harder,  Wilhelmus.  .  . 

Harder,  Martin 

Huyck,  Christina 

Huyck,  Burger  I 

Head,  Jonathan 

Haight,  Abraham 

Hilton,  John 

Hilton,  Benjamin 

Huyck,  Burger 

Ham,  John 

Ham,  Netty  (Widow). 

Hogan,  John 

Hauze,  Simon 

Hogeboom,  John 

Haight,  Jesse 

Howard,  Joseph 

Hurd,  Truman 

Herrick,  Henry 


Value  of 

Real 
Estate 


250 
75 

675 
975 
650 
900 
1600 
200 
100 
150 
75 

225 
50 

100 
20 
55 


50 
50 


900 
2250 
2400 
1600 


1300 
300 
100 
150 
375 

1450 
500 

300 

200 

50 

75 

400 

50 
20 

30 

75 
375 

35 
400 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


200 

25 

50 

150 

200 

75 
100 

50 
20 


100 
50 

100 
50 

25 
30 
25 


50 
100 
400 
400 
100 

25 
100 

30 


100 
150 

150 
50 
40 

300 


50 


Total 


450 

100 

50 

825 

1175 

725 

1000 

1600 

250 

120 

150 

75 

100 

275 
150 
150 
20 
80 
30 
25 
50 
50 

50 
1000 
2650 
2800 
1700 

25 
100 

30 

1300 

300 

200 

300 

375 

1600 

550 

40 
600 
200 

50 

75 
400 

50 
40 
30 
75 

425 
35 

400 


Ii6 


Old  ninderKooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Herrick,  Nathan .  . 
Hallenbake,  John. 

Holland,  Jane 

Houghtailing .... 
Haver,  John  C . . . 
Haver,  Peter  C. . . 
Hogeboom,  Dirck . 
Hare,  Thomas .  .  . 
Holkim 


Jones,  Daniel 

Jones,  Daniel  Jr 

Jones,  Cornelius. .  •••••••  •.•,•••.; 

Jenkins,  Robert  (none  Resident) 

Kittle,  John  Jr 862 

Kooper,  Martm |       362 

Kooper,  John  M 

Kerner,  Martm 

Kerner,  Christopher 

Krum,  Martin 

Knights,  John 

Kittle,  Henry  John 

Kittle,  Andrew 

Kain,  Cornelius 

Kittle,  Margaret 

Kittle,  Nicholas 

Keyzer,  Jacob... 

Kooper,  Peter  C 


675 
675 
550 

1500 
100 

800 
1275 


50 
1200 


Like,  Peter 

Ludlow,  Daniel 

Lovejoy,  Andrew 

Landt,  Falta.. 1         75 

Lapham,  Eliakim ^^o 

Link,  PhiUp 75 

Lusk,  Nathan '.'.'.'.'.'. 

Lape,  John j     1200 

Locy,  David 

Loman,  Peter .  . .  _. 

Lovejoy,  Benjamin 

Link,  John 


Matrot,  Peter jooo 

IMower,  John ' '  jqq 

Mower,  John  Jr '  ^25 

Moore,  John  I ^25 

Moore,  Jacob  Jr-;- • 600 

Mandevill,  Jeremiah ^ 

McMechan,  Alexander ' 

McAllister,  William 


100 


50 
100 

50 
30 

10 
600 
200 

10 
100 


80 

25 
50 
50 

50 

150 

25 

50 

50 

300 

10 


100 
862 
862 
675 
675 
650 

1500 
100 

50 
900 

1275 
50 
30 

60 

1800 

200 

ID 

175 
750 

75 
80 
1200 
25 
50 
50 

50 

1250 

125 

575 
525 
650 

3300 
20 


WKo  Was  Who,  1604-1809 


117 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


McEntire,  William .  . 
McEntire,  George.  .  . 

Moore,  Jacob 

Moore,  John  A 

Mead,  Gilbert.. r; .  . . 
Mead,  Nathaniel .  T.  . 
Mead,  Daniel  .  .  .T.  . 

Melious,  William 

McNiel,  James 

McNiel,  Thomas.  .  .  . 
McKeg,  Cornelius.  .  . 
Manton,  William. . . . 

Man  ton,  John 

McNiel,  David 

Miller,  Peter 

Mower,  John  Jr 

Moore,  John 

Noney,  Zebulon 

Nevil,  John 

Niver,  Marcus 

Niver,  John  Jr 

Norton,  Lemuel 

Niver,  Michael 

Noyes,  Samuel  G. . . . 

Pruyn,  Francis 

Pomeroy,  Anna 

Paddock,  Peter 

Pruyn,  Arent 

Person,  Eliphas 

Philips,  Abraham. . .  . 
Pulver,  Wilhelmus. .  . 

Pulver,  John 

Philip,  Peter,  Jr.  .  .  . 

Pultz,  Daniel 

Philip,  Henry 

Pultz,  Bastian 

PhiHp,  John 

Pomeroy,  Zacheus.  .  . 

Philip,  Jacob  I 

Pruyn,  John 

Pruyn,  John,  Jr 

Philip,  Eva  (Widow) 

Penoyar,  John 

Philip,  Jacob 

Patterson,  Robert.  .  . 
Patterson,  Alexander 

Pulver,  William 

Pultz,  John 

Potter,  William 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Real 

Personal 

Estate 

Estate 

£ 

£ 

250 

15 

350 

300 

340 

340 

50 

10 

1200 

200 

1200 

50 

75 

25 

25 

900 

100 

1200 

200 

50 

300 

300 

25 

50 

50 

10 

10 

600 

100 

975 

600 

600 

20 

900 

450 

50 

100 

1115 

50 

450 

100 

200 

50 

1000 

200 

375 

675 

100 

450 

600 

50 

975 

50 

2400 

600 

75 

50 

225 

100 

300 

50 

150 

150 

50 

2000 

200 

250 

50 

1000 

Total 


25 
150 

350 
300 

340 

390 

10 

1400 

1250 

75 

50 

1000 

1400 

50 
300 

325 
50 

50 

20 

700 

975 

600 

600 

20 

900 
500 
100 

1115 

50 

550 

250 

1200 
375 
775 
450 
650 
975 
50 

3000 
75 
50 
325 
350 
150 
200 

2200 
300 

1000 


II{ 


Old  RinderKooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Potter,  John  G 

Potter,  William,  Jr. 
Philip,  John,  Jr.  .  .  . 
Phineas,  Prentice. . . 

Pomeroy,  Josiah 

Pruyn,  Francis,  Jr. 


Quilott,  James. 


Risedorp,  Laurence. . . . 

Row,  John 

Race,  Benjamin 

Race,  Benjamin,  Jr. . .  . 

Race,  William 

Rogers,  John 

Reynolds,  Nathaniel .  . . 

Reynolds,  Ezra 

Reynolds,  Peter 

Remsey,  Jane  (Widow) , 

Rivenburgh,  John 

Reed,  Ira 

Reghter,  Zachariah .... 
Risedorp,  John 


Ray,  Alpheus . 


Sweney,  Edward 

Stalker,  Gilbert 

Staats,  Samuel 

Smith,  Jacob  T 

Staats,  Isaac  A 

Schoomaker,  John  A 

Sipperly,  John 

Sheldon,  George 

Sheldon,  Seneca 

Snyder,  George  T 

Smith,  George  P 

Silvester,  Jane  (Widow) .... 

Silvester,  Peter,  Jr 

Slingerlandt,  Abraham 

Staats,  Daniel 

Sharp,  Henry 

Seism,  John 

Scott,  Joseph , 

Shaver,  Lucus 

Shaver,  Jacob , 

Simons,  Catherine  (Widow). 

Simons,  Jacob 

Snyder,  Tunis  G , 

Smith,  William 

Smith,  Henry  W 


Value  of 

Real 
Estate 


100 

250 
100 


525 


500 

400 

450 

2800 

75 
550 
400 

50 
250 
200 
225 


450 

400 

575 
1300 

75 

1500 

450 

1 150 

75 
825 
700 

75 

20 

600 

300 

225 

900 

75 

75 

200 

200 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


50 
50 


50 


20 

25 

40 

100 

4000 

200 


10 
50 
50 
50 
50 

50 
200 

50 
300 

50 
150 

100 
20 


25 
200 

50 
50 


Total 


£ 

50 

50 
100 
250 
100 

50 

525 

20 
500 

25 
440 

550 
6800 

75 
750 
400 

50 
250 
200 
225 

10 

50 

50 
100 

50 
450 

50 

400 

625 

1500 

125 
1800 

500 

1300 

75 

925 

700 

75 

40 

600 

300 

250 

1 100 

75 

125 

250 

200 


W^Ko  ^Was  Who,  1064-1609 


119 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Spickerman,  Andrew 

Southerland,  Elijah 

Shulters,  Martinus 

Shulters,  George 

Staats,  Isaac 

Sickles,  Zacheriah 

Southerland,  George 

Sickles,  Garrit 

Stevers,  David 

Sharp,  John  I 

Sharp,  Laurence  P 

Sharp,  Peter  P 

Schermerhorn,  Cornelius.  .  . 

Shaver,  John  L 

Staats,  John  A 

Staats,  Abraham 

Staats,  Jacob 

Staats,  John 

Staats,  Abraham  I 

Staats,  Jacob  A 

Shufalt,  John,  Jr 

Shufalt,  John  I 

Shufalt,  John 

Sharp,  Andrew  I 

Sickles,  James 

Salmons,  Gershorn 

Salmons,  Ruben 

Stevers,  Elijah 

Smith,  Tunis  P 

Shaver,  John  F 

Sickles,  Gilbert 

Salisbury,  Abraham 

Shaver,  George 

Sharp,  Solomon 

Stephenson,  William 

Snyder,  Mary  (Widow) .... 

Stephenson,  John 

Sitzer,  Jacob 

Sitzer,  Frederick 

Sitzer,  John 

Silvester,  Francis 

Snyder  (Widow)  Pine  Wood 
Schermerhorn,  William,  Jr. 

Schermerhorn,  Peter  C 

Stephenson,  Thomas 

Sharp,  Peter  L 

Sharp,  John  L 

Stratton,  William 

Smith,  Jacob 

Spencer,  John  S 

Shufelt,  Frederick 


Value  of 
Real 

Estate 


£ 
975 

75 
200 

75 
350 
200 
150 
250 
500 

675 
300 
300 

1300 
175 
125 

1500 

750 
750 
975 
75 
900 


250 

75 
300 

200 

450 

525 

75 

600 

150 

250 

1200 

1400 


100 

75 
200 

75 


50 

50 

200 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


400 

50 
100 
800 
300 


100 
20 

50 

80 

50 

50 
50 

40 

200 

50 
20 
50 
20 
1200 

100 
20 
25 
50 
20 
50 
25 


Total 


975 

75 

200 

75 
350 
200 
170 
250 
500 

675 

300 

300 

1700 

175 

175 

1600 

1550 

1050 

975 

75 

1000 

20 

50 

250 

155 
300 

50 
200 
500 
575 

75 

600 

190 

250 

1400 

1400 

50 

20 

50 

20 

1300 

75 
300 

95 
25 
50 
20 
50 
75 
50 
200 


120 


Old  R-inderHooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Smith,  William  I 

Slingerlandt,  Catherine. . . . 
Seism,  Jacob 

Taylor,  Haimen 

Taylor,  Baltus 

Townsend,  John 

Teal,  William 

Traver,  Jonathan 

Tipple,  Jacob 

Thorn,  Michael 

Traver,  Benjamin 

Tobias,  Thomas  F 

Teal,  William  L 

Teal,  Annanias 

Turk,  Jacobus 

Turk,  John.. 

Thomas,  David 

Taylor,  William 

Upton,  Edward 

Van  Alstyne,  John  P 

Vosburgh,  Jacob  B 

Van  Alen,  Abraham 

Van  Buren,  Abraham 

Van  Alen,  James  I 

Vosburgh,  John  A 

Vosburgh,  Abraham,  Jr. . . . 

Van  Alstyne,  Nap 

Van  Hoesen,  Dirck 

Van  Hoosen,  George  A.  .  . . 
Vosburgh,  Cornelius  B .  . . . 

Van  Schaack,  Maria 

Vallet,  Stephen 

Van  Hovenburgh  (Widow). 
Van  Hovenburgh,  John .  .  . 
Van  Vleck,  Abraham  I .  .  . . 

Van  Vleck,  Abraham 

Van  Vleck,  Isaac  A 

Van  Vleck,  Henry 

Van  Vleck,  Aaron 

Vosburgh,  Barent  E 

Vosburgh,  Herman 

Van  Schaack,  Peter 

Van  Alen,  John  L.,  Jr 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Conradt 

Van  Slyck,  James 

Van  Alen,  Jacobus  L 

Van  Ness,  John 

Van  Alstyne,  John 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Real 

Personal 

Total 

Estate 

Estate 

£ 

£ 

£ 

20 

20 

100 

100 

25 

25 

50 

50 

50 

50 

100 

100 

6oo 

100 

700 

900 

50 

950 

50 

50 

300 

300 

475 

475 

450 

450 

450 

450 

20 

20 

20 

20 

50 

50 

50 

50 

300 

300 

200 

300 

500      \ 

20 

20      ' 

800 

50 

850 

300 

300 

1125 

200 

1325 

300 

300 

600 

600 

75 

75 

25 

25 

75 

20 

95 

150 

150 

150 

150 

70 

70 

450 

450 

30 

30 

1500 

3000 

4500 

575 

300 

875 

575 

300 

875 

375 

100 

475 

375 

100 

475 

200 

50 

250 

300 

300 

1900 

1200 

3100 

300 

300 

50 

50 

75 

100 

175 

750 

750 

600 

2500 

3100 

4000 

1200 

5200 

WKo  W^as  >A^ho,  1664-1809 


121 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Van  Alstyne,  Isaac 

Van  Alstyne,  Abraham 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Cornelius 

Van  Alen,  Cornelius  S 

Van  Dyck,  Henry  L 

Van  Alen,  Stephen 

Van  Vleck,  Isaac  A  &  Abraham  for  store  they 

occupy 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Daniel 

Van  Buren,  Maria 

Van  Dusen,  Stephen 

Van  Deusen,  Laurence 

Van  Slyck,  Peter  P 

Vosburgh,  Myndert  P 

Van  Buren,  Martin  P 

Van  Buren,  Abraham  P 

Van  Buren,  Gosea  P 

Van  Dyke,  Mathew 

Van  Valkenburgh,  William 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Henry  H 

Vosburgh,  Samuel 

Van  Alen,  John 

Van  Alen-,  Abraham 

Vosburgh,  Peter 

Van  Dyck,  John 

Van  Deusen,  James 

Van  Slyck,  Samuel 

Van  Buren,  Daniel  &  Dowe  (Non  Residents) . 

Van  Alen,  Laurence,  I 

Vredenburgh,  John 

Van  Alstyne,  Thomas 

Vosburghi  Hannah. .' 

Van  Alen,  Peter 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Peter  R 

Vosburgh,  Joshua 

Vosburgh,  William 

Van  Hoesen,  Abraham  G 

Van  Hoesen,  George 

Van  Hoesen,  Mathew 

Van  Hoesen,  Abraham 

Vosburgh,  Jehoiakim 

Van  Alstyne,  Martin 

Van  Alstyne,  Cornelius 

Vosburgh,  John  L 

Vosburgh,  Abraham  L 

Vosburgh,  Bertholomew 

Van  Hoesen,  William 

Van  Hoesen,  Isaac 

Van  Derpoel,  Andrew 

Van  Alen,  Isaac 

Van  Alen,  Cornelius 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Real 

Persona' 

Total 

Estate 

Estate 

£ 

£ 

£ 

300 

400 

700 

2250 

600 

2850 

50 

50 

1700 

100 

1800 

600 

600 

800 

50 

850 

300 

300 

75 

75 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

300 

375 

150 

525 

900 

1200 

2100 

150 

100 

250 

75 

75 

75 

75 

50 

50 

50 

50 

20 

20 

1 100 

HOC 

1725 

1725 

1500 

1500 

100 

100 

500 

500 

800 

100 

900 

1200 

300 

1500 

150 

150 

75 

75 

1125 

200 

1325 

1050 

1050 

600 

400 

1000 

150 

150 

50 

50 

25 

25 

50 

50 

975 

100 

1075 

975 

200 

1175 

975 

100 

1075 

1050 

100 

1 150 

600 

600 

1500 

1500 

1425 

100 

1525 

900 

200 

1 100 

1200 

1200 

150 

150 

150 

50 

200 

75 

25 

100 

1050 

50 

1 100 

1300 

1300 

1300 

1300 

122 


Old  RinderHooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Van  Alen,  Lucas  I 

Vredenburgh,  Benjamin 

Van  Buren,  Anthony 

Vredenburgh,  David 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Henry  I 

Van  Buren,  Tobias  D 

Van  Alen,  Henry 

Van  Hagen,  John  I 

Van  Derpoel,  Barent 

Van  Dyck,  Laurence 

Van  Dyck,  Henry 

Van  Alstyne,  Philip 

Van  Dyck,  Stephen 

Vosburgh,  Gilbert 

Van  Kewren,  Cornelius 

Van  Alen,  Tunis 

Vosburgh,  John  G 

Van  Hagen,  John 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Jehoikim 

Van  Bramer  (Widow) 

Van  Dyck,  John  C 

Van  Hoesen,  Elizabeth 

Van  Valkenburgh,  William  H 

Van  Alen,  Laurence  L 

Van  Alen,  Rhoda 

Vredenburgh,  John  Jr 

Van  Dyck,  Peter  C 

Van  Dyck,  Laurence  C 

Van  Valkenburgh,  John 

Van  Alen,  Maria 

Van  Alen,  Laurence  L.,  Jr 

Van  Alen,  David 

Vosburgh,  Abraham 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Bartholomew  J 

Van  Alen,  Lucus 

Van  Alen,  Jacobus 

Vosburgh,  Peter  J 

Vosburgh,  Aaron 

Vosburgh,  Garrit 

Van  Alen,  Adam 

Van-Buren,  Maria  (Widow  of  T.  P.  V  Buren) 

Van  Valkenburgh,  John  H 

Vosburgh,  Peter  L 

Van  Schaack,  Cornelius 

Van  Bramer,  Thomas 

Van  Bramer,  Jacob 

Van  Alen,  Dirck 

Vosburgh,  Mathew 

Vosburgh,  Jacob  M 

Van  Buren,  Barent  P 

Van  Dyck,  Isaac 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Real 

Personal 

Total 

Estate 

Estate 

£ 

£ 

£ 

1650 

1650 

450 

200 

650 

25 

25 

25 

25 

75 

25 

100 

1800 

1800 

500 

500 

150 

25 

175 

1800 

1800 

1500 

1500 

400 

400 

8000 

1 100 

9100 

50 

50 

20 

20 

1050 

600 

1650 

20 

20 

200 

50 

250 

1400 

1400 

750 

750 

265 

265 

20 

20 

200 

200 

50 

50 

2100 

2100 

300 

300 

400 

100 

500 

1 800 

300 

2100 

75 

40 

115 

200 

40 

240 

75 

75 

150 

150 

150 

150 

10 

10     1^ 

600 

600 

600 

600 

2000 

500 

2500 

2300 

2500 

4800 

900 

900 

225 

500 

725 

600 

600 

300 

300 

225 

225 

800 

800 

800 

300 

HOC 

50 

50 

75 

75 

10 

10 

500 

500 

100 

100 

1400 

100 

1500 

350 

100 

450 

Who  W^as  Who,  1664-1809 


123 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Van  Buren,  Richard  T 

Van  Buren,  Martin  T 

Vosburgh,  John  E 

Van  Hagen,  Jehoiakim 

Vosburgh,  Samuel  J 

Vosburgh,  Henry  M 

Van  Hoesen,  John 

Van  Ness,  David  Jr 

Van  Ness,  Abraham 

Van  Ness,  WiUiam  P 

Van  Ness,  John  P.   (Non  Resident) 

Van  Ness,  Jesse 

Van  Looven,  Isaac 

Van  Buren,  Laurence 

Van  Buren,  Ephraim  T 

Van  Alstyne,  Adam 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Andrew 

Van  Alen,  Evert  J 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Andrew  A 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Nicholas  A 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Lambert  A 

Van  Dyke,  Arent 

Van  Dyke,  George 

Vosburgh,  William 

Van  Kuren,  Cornelius,  Jr 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Martin 

Van  Alen,  Lydia 

Van  Schaack,  Henry 

Van  Slyck,  Barent 

Van  Derpoel,  James  J 

Van  Hoesen,  John  J 

Van  Bramer,  Peter 

Van  Buren,  Ephraim 

Van  Alen,  Lucus  P 

The  Estate  of  Peter  L.  Van  Alen  Deceased 

Williams,  Jeremiah 

Wendover,  Stephen 

Waderwax,  John 

Witbeck,  Volkert 

Waterman,  Darius 

Wyngort,  James 

Witbeck,  Andrew  A 

Witbeck,  Isaac 

Winn,  William 

Welles,  Noah 

Waderwax,  Thomas 

Witbeck,  Andrew 

Webber,  Alpheus 

Watson,  Cornelius 

Watson,  Thomas 


Value  of 

Value  of 

Real 

Personal 

Total 

Estate 

Estate 

150 

150 

75 

75 

450 

75 

525 

150 

25 

175 

675 

50 

725 

50 

50 

1200 

150 

1350 

225 

225 

20 

20 

40 

6000 

2300 

8300 

1500 

1500 

500 

50 

550 

500 

50 

550 

100 

100 

75 

75 

1600 

100 

1700 

400 

100 

500 

200 

200 

250 

50 

300 

100, 

100 

50 

50 

150 

150 

50 

10 

60 

50 

50 

75 

25 

100 

75 

75 

200 

50 

250 

800 

2725 

3525 

250 

50 

300 

300 

50 

350 

200 

200 

50 

50 

50 

50 

75 

75 

800 

800 

20 

20 

2000 

2000 

20 

20 

2000 

2000 

100 

100 

20 

20 

1000 

100 

1 100 

1000 

100 

1 100 

500 

50 

550 

50 

50 

30 

30 

1225 

100 

1325 

150 

50 

200 

600 

100 

700 

50 

50 

124 


Old   RinderHooK 


Names  of  Possessors  or  Reputed  Owners 


Wildey,  Joshua 

Wildey,  Bishop 

Wildey,  Gersham 

Witbeck,  Albert 

Whiting,  Charles 

Welch,  John 

Whipple,  Elisha 

Wynkoop,  Silvester  Peter 
Webster,  Daniel 

Yeralomin,  John 

Yeralomin,  Peter 

Yale,  James 

Yale,  Noah 


Value  of 

Real 

Estate 


75 

50 

100 

75 


75 
50 


600 
600 


Value  of 

Personal 

Estate 


50 

100 
25 


50 

50 
20 

20 


Total 


75 

50 

150 

75 
100 

25 
75 
50 
50 

650 
20 

600 
20 


We  the  Assessors  for  the  Town  of  Kinderhook  do  hereby 
Certify  that  the  foregoing  Hst  of  Names  are  duly  assessed 
according  to  the  best  of  our  Judgment  in  Witness  whereof 
we  have  hereunto  Set  our  hands : 

Jno.  L.  V.  Alen 
Cornelius  Schermerhorn 
George  Van  Hoesen 
Cornelius  Watson 


CHAPTER  V 
WHAT  WAS  WHAT 

"Kinderhook  Formation" — Quiet  Times — Fort  Good  Hope — English  Atroci- 
ties— Geertruy's  Troubles — Hatfield  Captives — Visit  of  the  Labadists — 
The  Comet — Jacob  Leisler's  Invitation — Captain  Bull  Comes  to  Town 
— Ensign  Abraham  Janse — Fast  Day — Paulus  Van  Vleg — Reverend 
Benjamin  Wadsworth's  Visit — Scandalous  Doings — Albany's  Requisi- 
tions— Graham's  Memorial — Peace  Disturbed — First  Census — Slavery — 
Return  of  a  Fugitive — Indian  Forays — King  Hendrick  and  the  Great 
Conference — Other  Indian  Forays — Women  Hold  the  Fort — Abraham 
Lett's  Visit — First  Militia  Companies — Their  Equipment  and  Training. 

IN  our  search  for  information  concerning  What  was  What 
in  the  long  ago,  we  were  highly  elated  when  we  read  in  the 
card-catalogue  of  the  Astor  Library — Kinderhook  Formation. 
We  called  for  and  examined  the  book  until  we  met  the  state- 
ment— "the  Kinderhook  epoch  ushered  in  a  long  period  of 
quiet";  a  remark  which  the  envious  will  say  is  not  inapt, 
but  which  led  us  to  reject  the  book  as  an  authority  concern- 
ing What  was  What  in  our  early  history.  We  are  not  sur- 
prised, however,  that  our  good  name  has  been  given  to  one 
of  earth's  strata,  and  also  to  a  Pullman  sleeper.  Professor 
John  C.  Smock  of  Hudson  kindly  instructs  us,  that  "the 
Kinderhook  Formation  "  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  was 
so  named  because  of  its  similarity  to  the  formation  at 
Kinderhook  in  Illinois. 

Although  ancestors  of  ex- President  Roosevelt  were  living 
here,  yet  with  no  railroads,  steamboats,  newspapers,  tele- 
graphs,   telephones,   sputtering   motor-cycles,   automobiles, 

125 


126  Old  K-inderHooK 

aeroplanes,  and  most  happily  no  brazen-voiced  grapho- 
phones,  the  days  and  years  were  passed  in  tranquillity 
unknown  to  our  strenuous  times.  And  yet  there  be  those 
who  say — better  one  of  our  years  "than  a  cycle  of  Cathay. " 

Francis  Parkman,  in  his  Montcalm  and  Wolfe  accurately 
describes  prevailing  conditions  here,  except  when  disturbed 
by  occasional  Indian  forays,  when  he  says:  "In  the  well- 
stocked  dwellings  of  the  Dutch  farmers  along  the  Hudson 
there  reigned  a  tranquil  and  prosperous  routine;  and  the 
Dutch  border  town  of  Albany  had  not  its  like  in  America  for 
unruffled  conservatism  and  quaint  picturesqueness. " 

It  was  apparently  with  entire  equanimity  that  in  1664 
the  burghers  of  Kinderhook  heard  of  the  surrender  of  New 
Amsterdam,  and  twelve  days  later  of  Fort  Orange  to  the 
British,  and  of  the  new  names,  New  York  and  Albany. 
Happily  no  vandal  hand  touched  our  name.  It  was  too 
beautiful  to  be  changed. 

None  were  disturbed  in  person,  property,  or  private 
occupation.  All  existing  rights  and  privileges  were  con- 
firmed and  protection  promised.  Religious  toleration  was 
proclaimed  ^^  even  unto  Quakers  and  Anna-Baptists,''^  as  the 
horrified  Dutch  Director-General  wrote  to  the  West  India 
Company.  Changes  of  names  and  officials  and  the  transfer 
of  public  property  were  almost  the  sole  evidences  of  changed 
sovereignty. 

The  demand  for  the  surrender  of  New  Amsterdam,  which 
could  not  be  resisted  by  Governor  Stuyvesant,  was,  accord- 
ing to  the  Dutch  view,  but  the  culmination  of  a  long  series  of 
English  encroachments.  It  is,  however,  only  fair  to  state 
that  in  1622  the  English  ambassador  to  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses entered  a  protest  against  the  encroachments  of  the 
Dutch.  With  chastened  spirit  also  we  have  read  the  title 
of  a  pamphlet — "Printed  by  Thomas  Matthys  in  St.  Paul's 
church-yard,  at  the  sign  of  the  Cock,"  which  purports  to  be 
"a  Faithful  Account  of  a  Bloody,  Treacherous  and  Cruel 
Plot  of  the  Dutch  in  America  purporting  the  total  Ruin  and 


WKat  Was  What  127 

Murder  of  All  English  Colonists  in  New  England.  ...  To 
succeed  in  this  their  Devilish  project  they  supplied  the  Wig- 
wams with  arms  and  ammunition  which  they  received  from 
Holland — that  Fountain  of  Treacheries."  Very  meekly  do 
we  present  our  contention. 

By  right  of  discovery  the  Dutch  claimed  not  only  New 
Netherland  in  its  commonly  restricted  sense,  but  also  Long 
Island,  both  sides  of  Fresh  (Connecticut)  River,  and  the 
whole  coast  line  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  Delaware. 

As  regards  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  it  is  of  record 
that  in  1633  the  land  "called  Connittekock "  (long  before 
the  English  came  there)  was  purchased  from  the  Pequatoos, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Sequeen  whom  the  Pequatoos  had 
recently  conquered.  Soon  thereafter,  and  near  the  present 
city  of  Hartford,  a  Block  House  was  built  by  the  Dutch  and 
called  Fort  Good  Hope.  Under  its  protection,  which  seems 
to  have  been  slight,  tillage  of  the  soil  was  begun.  But  the 
few  settlers  had  short-lived  peace.  "The  encroaching  Eng- 
lish," says  the  Remonstrance  of  Vander  Donck  and  ten 
others  (1649)  to  the  West  India  Company,  "readily  admit 
that  the  country  is  justly  ours,  but  their  pretence  (is)  the 
richness  of  the  land  and  that  it  lies  waste;  also  that  the 
Company  will  do  nothing  but  protest."  The  farmers  were 
beaten  with  sticks  and  stones;  their  farming  implements 
were  broken  and  thrown  into  the  river;  their  horses  and 
cattle  were  empounded  and  all  manner  of  indignities  heaped 
upon  the  people.  We  had  not  fully  appreciated  the  enormity 
of  these  offenses  until  we  read  in  Graham's  History  the 
itemized  record,  a  few  selections  from  which  will  suffice: 

April  25,  1640,  "Those  of  Hartford  .  .  .  struck  Evert  Deuk- 
ings  a  hole  in  his  head  with  a  stick,  so  that  the  blood  ran  very 
strongly  down  his  body."  June  24,  1641,  "Some  of  Hartford 
have  taken  a  hog  out  of  the  common  and  shut  it  up  out  of  mere 
hate  or  other  prejudices,  causing  it  to  starve  for  hunger  in  the 
Stye."    May  20,  1642,  "The  English  of  Hartford  have  violently 


128  Old  RinderHooK 

cut  loose  a  horse  of  the  honored  Company  that  stood  bound  upon 
the  common." 

The  worst,  however,  remains  to  be  told ;  for  we  read  that 
"the  Arms  of  their  High  Mightinesses  affixed  to  a  tree  by  a 
hook,"  in  token  of  Dutch  sovereignty,  was  torn  down  and  the 
face  of  a  fool  substituted.  But,  crowning  outrage  of  all  and 
grossest  lese  majeste,  the  protests  of  Director-General  Kieft, 
in  Latin  and  divers  other  languages,  were  treated  with 
contempt:  a  contempt,  however,  of  which  many  think  his 
administration,  if  not  his  personal  character,  was  eminently 
worthy.  And  yet  it  was  this  Kieft  who  in  1645  appointed  a 
day  of  public  thanksgiving  for  restored  peace  with  the 
Indians  and  ordered,  as  we  have  sometimes  wished  our 
authorities  would,  that  text  and  sermon  should  be  appropri- 
ate to  a  day  of  thanksgiving. 

From  the  Remonstrance  of  Vander  Donck  we  learn  also 
that  eight  or  nine  years  before,  the  English  had  "made 
repeated  efforts  to  purchase  from  the  Indians  a  large  tract  of 
land  on  the  east  side  (of  the  HudvSon)  .  .  .  not  more  than 
three  or  four  leagues  from  the  Colonic  of  Rensselaerswyck. " 
How  deplorable  the  consequences  to  Kinderhook  had  they 
effected  the  purchase,  and  how  great  our  debt  to  our  faithful 
Mahicans  words  cannot  express.  Even  as  late  as  1756 
Governor  Hardy  reported  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  the  preva- 
lence of  the  appalling  rumor  that  Massachusetts  people  were 
presuming  to  lay  out  a  township  within  the  Kinderhook 
Patent,  which  rumor  he  would  at  once  investigate.  From 
the  late  Tunis  Harder  we  received  years  ago  the  tradition 
that  there  was  no  smut  in  the  wheat  here  until  after  the 
Yankees  came.  He  did  not  know  that  our  father  was  the 
first  superintendent  of  the  first  Simday  school  organized  in 
Plymouth,  and  that  our  ancestral  graves  are  on  the  summit 
of  Burial  Hill  there. 

The  contention  at  Fresh  River  was  likened  by  an  English 
writer  of  the  time  to  that  of  two  dogs  snarling  over  a  bone. 


What  Was  What 


129 


Doubtless  the  Dutch  were  content  that  an  EngHshman 
should  liken  his  own  people  to  a  snarling  dog,  and  they  had 
a  word — "Janker"  (snarler,  yelper,  howler),  which  exactly 
fitted  the  case.  We  respectfully  commend  to  philologists 
this  possible  derivation  of  the  word  Yankee;  a  suggestion 
for  which  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  William  Wait. 

The  culmination  of  all  these  encroachments  in  the 
capitulation  of  New  Amsterdam  has  been  noted.  In  the  war 
with  England  in  1673  the  Dutch  retook  the  city,  changing 
its  name  to  New  Orange  and  that  of  Albany  to  Willemstadt. 
Many  hailed  the  restoration  of  Dutch  sovereignty  with  un- 
bounded joy:  but  in  less  than  a  year  the  treaty  of  West- 
minster restored  the  whole  Province  to  English  rule  which 
continued  a  century.  In  the  main  that  rule  was  for  many 
years  wise  and  beneficent.  While  no  important  rights  were 
invaded,  the  sometimes  oppressive  monopoly  of  trading 
companies  and  the  intolerable  feudalism  of  the  Patroon 
experiment  were  restrained. 

We  regret  to  note  that  life  here  was  not  altogether 
tranquil;  for,  as  the  Fort  Orange  Court  records  amply 
reveal,  there  were  occasional  disturbances  of  the  general 
placidity.  In  addition  to  the  petty  lawsuits  hitherto  noted, 
our  litigious  Geertruy  was  plaintiff  or  defendant  in  many 
others.  She  had  been  left  a  widow  with  four  or  five  young 
children.  Her  second  marriage,  ten  years  later,  was  un- 
happy and  was  followed  after  a  year  or  two  by  separation, 
she  resuming  the  name  of  her  first  husband,  Abraham 
Pieterse  Vosburgh.  She  was  compelled  to  fight  her  own  way 
and  care  for  her  fatherless  children.  Evidently  she  could 
and  did.  As  early  probably  as  1676  she  came  here  to  live; 
for  in  that  year  as  already  noted  she  sued  Jan  Tyssen  Goes 
for  trespass  on  her  land  on  the  "Half  Moon  at  Kinderhook. " 
Later  in  the  Court  records,  which  fairly  bristle  with  her 
name,  we  find  the  following  cases.  As  Roy  den  W.  Vos- 
burgh, one  of  the  thousands  of  her  descendants,  some  of  them 
notable,    remarks — they    are    trivial    but    "still    throw   an 


130  Old  KinderKooK 

interesting  light  on  everyday  occurrences  in  the  lives  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Kinderhook. " 

July  5,  1681.  Pr.  Borsie,  from  Kinderhook,  plaintiff,  vs. 
Geertruy  Vosburgh,  defendant.  Plaintiff  says  that  defendant 
has  accused  his  wife  of  theft  of  her  chickens  and  that  she  has 
proofs  of  it  (the  accusation).  Defendant  says  that  some  of  her 
chickens  remain  with  the  plaintiff  (that  is  to  say,  Geertruy's 
chickens  are  in  the  plaintiff's  yard)  but  she  denies  having  accused 
her  of  theft.  The  Hon.  Court,  having  heard  the  case,  threw  it  out 
of  court,  as  being  too  unimportant  to  be  dealt  with,  and  condemns 
both  parties  to  pay  the  costs. 

September  5,  1682.  Andries  Jacobse  Gardenier,  plaintiff,  vs. 
Geertruy  Vosburgh,  defendant.  Plaintiff  complains  that  one  of 
his  pigs  has  been  bitten  to  death,  on  the  land  of  Geertruy  Vos- 
burgh and  that  her  land  lies  open  (unfenced).  Plaintiff  asks  for 
damages.  Defendant  denies  that  she  has  caused  his  pig  to  be 
bitten  to  death  and  says  that  her  land  is  not  open.  The  Court 
orders  that  the  plaintiff's  demand  be  dismissed,  as  there  is  no 
proof.    Plaintiff  to  pay  the  costs. 

Both  these  cases  [Mr.  Vosburgh  adds]  show  that  Geertruy 
was  a  woman  of  sharp  wits  and  well  able  to  look  out  for  herself, 
when  appearing  in  Court.  She  had  evidently  profited  by  her 
long  experience  in  other  cases,  and  had  learned  most  of  the  legal 
tricks. 

There  was  surely  also  no  little  excitement  on  the  last 
Monday  of  May,  1678,  when  a  very  noteworthy  company 
passed  through  Kinderhook.  On  the  19th  of  the  preceding 
September,  fifty  Canadian  Indians  suddenly  attacked  the 
little  hamlet  of  Hatfield,  Mass.  Nearly  all  the  men  were  in 
the  cornfields  and  too  far  away  to  render  timely  help  to  their 
defenseless  wives  and  children.  Three  houses  and  four  well- 
filled  bams  were  burned.  Fourteen  homes  were  invaded 
and  from  one  to  four  inmates  of  each  killed  or  made  captive. 
There  were  seventeen  of  the  latter,  mostly  women  and  young 
children,  who  were  carried  away  to  the  vicinity  of  Quebec. 
Benjamin  Waite  and  Stephen  Jennings,  husbands  of  two  of 


What  \Vas  What  131 

the  women,  overcoming  great  difficulties  and  braving  many- 
perils,  reached  Quebec  in  January,  found  the  captives,  and 
ransomed  the  living  for  two  hundred  pounds.  Three  had 
been  tortured  and  killed,  but  two  little  ones  had  come  who 
were  named  Canada  Waite  and  Captivity  Jennings.  It  was 
not  until  April  19th  that  the  homeward  journey  could  be 
begun.  With  untold  hardship  and  suffering  they  reached 
Albany  the  22d  of  May.  From  there  Mr.  Waite  wrote  to 
Hatfield  asking  assistance,  and  this  is  in  part  his  letter: 

...  I  pray  you  hasten  the  matter  for  it  requireth  haste. 
Stay  not  for  the  Sabbath;  no  shoeing  of  horses.  We  shall  en- 
deavor to  meet  you  at  Canterhook  (Kinderhook).  We  must 
come  very  softly  because  of  our  wives  and  children.  I  pray  you 
hasten  them;  stay  not  night  or  day,  for  the  matter  requireth 
haste. 

They  rested  in  Albany  from  Wednesday  tmtil  Monday 
and  then  walked  from  there  to  Kinderhook  where  horses 
from  Hatfield  met  them.  Their  progress  thenceforth  was 
everywhere  triumphal.  The  women  of  Kinderhook  gave 
them  tearful  welcome,  tender  and  bountiful  hospitaHty,  and 
a  heart-felt  God-speed. 

In  1680  the  devoted  Labadists,  Jasper  Bankers  and 
Peter  Sluyter,  of  Friesland,  made  their  memorable  visit  to 
Kinderhook.  The  narrative  may  be  found  in  full  in  the 
Memoirs  of  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  vol.  i.  Cap- 
tain Franklin  Ellis  (later  Major  and  now  deceased)  gave  a 
portion  of  it  in  his  History  of  Columbia  County,  and  added 
the  comment  of  the  Rev.  J.  Edson  Rockwell — that  "no 
one  familiar  with  the  scenery  arotmd  Stuyvesant  Falls  can 
fail  to  recognize  the  description.''  Possibly  so;  but  those  falls 
seem  much  too  far  inland  and  too  far  south  to  meet  the 
conditions  of  the  narrative.  We  are  disposed  to  think  rather 
of  the  mill-stream  of  Claver,  four  miles  north,  as  the  locality, 
where  in  later  years  Leonard  Conyne  had  a  sloop-landing 
near  the  mouth  of  the  stream.     Inasmuch  as  the  voyagers 


132 


Old  H-inderKooK 


write  of  Kinderhook  as  ''about  sixteen  miles  below  Albany," 
we  think  Conyne's  was  their  landing-place  and  Claver's  the 
mill-stream. 

Long  after  coming  to  this  conclusion  from  independent 
study  of  the  narrative,  we  were  pleased  to  find  this  confirma- 
tory statement  in  Historical  Fragments  by  "Jed"  (Mr.  C.  S. 
Hollenbeck)  published  in  the  Albany  Argus  several  years 
since: — "Claverwas  nicknamed  'de  kint  van  weelde'  (the 
child  of  luxury)." 

That  the  explorers  speak  of  the  falls  as  "sixty  feet"  high 
need  not  perplex  us.  Such  estimates  by  unscientific  en- 
thusiastic travelers  are  often  wide  of  the  mark.  These  same 
writers  speak  of  the  Cohoes  Falls  as  about  lOO  feet  high, 
whereas  their  actual  perpendicular  fall  is  forty  feet.  The 
character  of  the  Labadist  visitors  warrants  confidence  in  the 
general  accuracy  of  their  narrative.  We  transcribe  from 
their  journal: 

We  came  to  anchor  at  Kinderhook,  in  order  to  take  in  some 
grain  which  the  female  trader  before  mentioned  had  there  to  be 
carried  down  the  river. 

May  I  St,  Wednesday.  We  began  early  to  load,  but  as  it  had 
to  come  from  some  distance  in  the  country  and  we  had  to  wait, 
we  stepped  ashore  to  amuse  ourselves.  We  came  to  a  creek  where 
near  the  river  lives  the  man  whom  they  usually  call  The  Child 
of  Luxury,  because  he  had  formerly  been  such  an  one,  but  who 
now  was  not  far  from  being  the  Child  of  Poverty,  for  he  was 
situated  poorly  enough.  He  had  a  saw-mill  on  the  creek,  on  a 
water  fall,  which  is  a  singular  one,  for  it  is  true  that  all  falls  have 
something  special,  and  so  had  this  one,  which  was  not  less  rare 
and  pleasant  than  others.  The  water  fell  quite  steep  in  one  body, 
but  it  came  down  in  steps,  with  a  broad  rest  sometimes  between 
them.  These  steps  were  sixty  feet  or  more  high,  and  were 
formed  out  of  a  single  rock,  which  is  unusual.  I  reached  this 
spot  alone  through  the  woods,  and  while  I  was  sitting  on  the  mill 
my  comrade  came  up  with  the  Child  of  Luxury,  who,  after  he  had 
shown  us  the  mill  and  falls,  took  us  down  a  little  to  the  right  of 


WKat  Was  "What  133 

the  mill,  under  a  rock  on  the  margin  of  the  creek,  where  we  could 
behold  how  wonderful  God  is  even  in  the  most  hidden  parts  of 
the  earth;  for  we  saw  crystal  lying  in  layers  between  the  rocks, 
and  when  we  rolled  away  a  piece  of  the  rock,  there  was,  at  least, 
on  two  sides  of  it,  a  crust  or  bark,  about  as  thick  as  the  breadth  of 
a  straw,  of  a  sparkling  glassy  substance,  which  looked  like 
alabaster,  and  this  crust  was  full  of  points  or  gems,  which  were 
truly  gems  of  crystal,  or  like  substance.  They  sparkled  brightly, 
and  were  as  clear  as  water,  and  so  close  together  that  you  could 
obtain  hundreds  of  them  from  one  piece  of  the  crust.  We  broke 
off  some  pieces  and  brought  them  away  as  curiosities.  It  is 
justly  to  be  supposed  that  other  precious  stones  rest  in  the 
crevices  of  the  rocks  and  mines  as  these  do." 

And  now,  alas! 

On  returning  to  the  boat,  we  saw  that  the  woman-trader  had 
sent  a  quantity  of  bluish  wheat  on  board,  which  the  skipper 
would  not  receive,  or  rather  mix  with  the  other  wheat ;  but  when 
she  came  she  had  it  done  [italics  ours],  in  which  her  dishonesty 
appeared ;  for  when  we  arrived  at  New  York  he  could  not  deliver 
the  wheat  which  was  under  hers. 

Who  this  woman-trader  was  who  thus  cowed  the  skipper, 
because  he  was  a  mere  man,  we  cannot  affirm.  It  may  have 
been  our  litigious  friend  Geertruy.  It  looks  like  her.  Who- 
ever it  was,  she  ought  not  to  have  "  had  it  done,''  for  the  law 
of  1669  was  "  that  noe  Wheat  or  other  graine  be  transported  or 
mingled  with  other  without  the  Come  he  very  well  cleansed ^ 
But  to  this  day  Kinderhook  women  generally  have  things 
done ;  better  things  and  in  better  ways. 

The  prevaiHng  tranquillity  of  Kinderhook  was  broken 
also,  we  may  be  sure,  by  that  notable  disturber  of  the  peace, 
the  great  comet  of  1680.  While  we  have  no  account  of  the 
views  and  feelings  of  our  people  anent  the  awe-inspiring 
stranger  in  their  heavens,  we  may  assume  they  were  the 
same  as  those  of  the  authorities  and  people  of  Albany. 
Concerning  the  latter  we  have  definite  information  in  the 


134  Old  RinderHooK 

following  letter  of  the  "  Comissaries "  of  Albany  to  Captain 
Brockholles,  then  in  New  York. 

1st  Jany,  1681. 

Hon"^  Sir  .  .  .  wee  doubt  not  but  you  have  seen  ye  Dreadfull 
Comett  Starr  wh  appeared  in  y^  southwest,  on  ye  9th  of  Decem- 
ber Last,  about  2  a  clock  in  y^  afternoon,  fair  sunnshyne  wether, 
a  litle  above  y^  Sonn,  wch  takes  its  course  more  Northerly,  and 
was  seen  the  Sunday  night  after,  about  twy-Light  with  a  very 
fyry  Tail  or  Streemer  in  y^  West  To  ye  great  astoneshment  of  all 
Spectators,  &  it  is  now  seen  every  Night  w*  Clear  weather, 
undoubtedly  God  Threatens  us  wh  Dreadfull  Punishments  if  wee 
doe  not  Repent,  wee  should  have  caused  y^  Domine  Proclaim  a 
Day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  tomorrow  to  be  kept  on  Weddens- 
day  y^  12  Jan  in  y^  Town  of  Albany  &  Dependencies — if  wee 
thought  our  Power  &  autority  did  extend  so  farr,  and  would 
have  been  well  Resented  by  Yourself,  for  all  persons  ought  to 
humble  Themselves  in  such  a  Time,  and  Pray  to  God  to  Withold 
his  Righteous  Jugements  from  us,  as  he  did  to  Nineve  Therefore 
if  you  would  be  pleased  to  graunt  your  approbation  wee  would 
willingly  cause  a  day  of  fasting  &  humiliation  to  be  kept,  if  it 
were  monthly;  whose  answer  wee  shall  Expect  with  y®  Bearer. 
.  .  .  The  Indian  Wattawitt  must  have  a  Blankett  &  shirt  att 
York.  [This  V/attawitt,  now  a  mail-carrier,  was  our  quondam 
owner  of  much  of  our  territory.] 

To  this  it  was  replied : 

New  Yorke,  Jany  13th  1680. 

Gentlemen,  Yor's  of  the  first  Instant  by  the  Indian  post 
recevd  .  .  .  wee  haue  seen  the  Comett  not  att  the  time  you 
mention  only  in  the  Evening  The  Streame  being  very  large  but 
know  not  its  predicts  or  Events,  and  as  they  Certainly  threatens 
Gods  Vengence  and  Judgments  and  are  premonitors  to  us  Soe  I 
Doubt  not  of  yor  and  each  of  yor  performance  of  yr  Duty  by 
prayer  &c,  as  becomes  good  Christians  Especially  at  this  time, 

Yor  affectionate  ffriend 

A.  Brockholles. 


What  Was  What  135 

In  1690  the  news  of  the  massacre  at  Schenectady,  sent 
by  special  messenger  from  Albany  to  Kinderhook  and 
Claverack,  occasioned  no  little  alarm;  and  the  report  (un- 
founded it  turned  out  to  be)  in  1699  that  a  thousand  French 
and  Indians  were  approaching  caused  a  general  flight  of  the 
people  to  the  protection  of  the  Albany  forts  and  forces. 

Undoubtedly  also  there  was  a  great  stir  in  1689  when  the 
people  were  summoned  to  Albany  by  Jacob  Milborne,  the 
son-in-law  of  Jacob  Leisler,  the  Governor  de  facto  if  not  de 
jure.  Leisler's  Rebellion,  as  it  has  been  called,  was  a  Colonial 
sequel  of  the  English  revolution  which  deposed  James  II. 
and  gave  his  crown  to  his  daughter  Mary,  whose  husband 
was  William  of  Orange.  The  intense  excitement  caused 
thereby  in  New  York,  the  division  of  the  people  into  two 
bitterly  hostile  parties,  the  appearance  of  Leisler  as  the  cham- 
pion of  the  people  and  virtually  their  accepted  ruler,  the 
flight  of  the  "aristocrats,"  as  they  w^ere  termed,  to  Albany, 
their  organization  and  claim  to  be  the  only  legitimate  govern- 
ment until  the  will  of  the  new  sovereign  should  be  made 
known,  the  dispatch  of  Milborne  to  overthrow  this  rival  gov- 
ernment, and  the  sad  and  even  shameful  sequel  require  no 
fuller  notice  from  us.  It  was,  doubtless,  when  Milborne  was 
nearing  Albany  that  he  issued  his  summons  to  "the  inhabi- 
tants of  Kinderhook  and  adjacent  places  that  they  do  forth- 
with repair  themselves  to  the  Citty  of  Albany  to  receive 
their  rights  Privileges  and  Liberties  in  such  a  manner  as  if 
James  ye  second  had  never  bene. "  Inasmuch  as  Milborne 
failed  in  his  mission,  it  seems  probable  that  the  perturbed 
people  of  Kinderhook  lived  and  died  without  knowing  pre- 
cisely what  the  proffered  rights,  privileges,  and  liberties  were. 
And  yet  they  doubtless  knew  that  James  II.,  on  his  ascension 
to  the  throne  in  1683,  had  refused  to  confirm  the  rights  and 
privileges  which  he  had  granted  as  the  Duke  of  York  and 
Albany;  had  forbidden  the  establishment  of  any  printing- 
press  in  the  Colony,  and  had  filled  the  important  official 
positions  with  intense  partisans  of  his  own  religious  belief. 


136  Old  RinderHooK 

However  that  may  have  been,  that  Milborne's  summons 
occasioned  no  Httle  excitement  appears  in  the  report  of  Mr. 
Van  Rensselaer  and  Captain  Teunisse.  They  had  been  sent 
to  Hartford  by  the  Albany  authorities  with  a  message  of 
thanks  for  proffered  aid  against  the  French  and  Indians. 
Passing  on  their  return  through  Kinderhook  they  reported 
that  they  "found  y^  People  Very  much  Inclined  to  mutiny 
who  were  Preparing  themselfs  to  come  hither  ...  So  y* 
we  had  much  adoe  to  stop  them  however  some  Came. " 

Subsequently  a  force  was  sent  from  Hartford  and  was 
met  here  by  an  escort  from  Albany.  Remembering  well  how 
a  usually  staid  and  most  attentive  congregation  was  thrown 
into  a  flutter  a  few  years  since  by  the  passing  during  service 
of  a  troop  of  U.  S.  Cavalry,  we  may  be  assured  that  Captain 
Bull  and  his  eighty-seven  soldiers  from  Connecticut  made 
no  small  stir,  among  the  small  boys  at  least.  And  it  was  the 
same  when,  in  December,  1696,  Governor  Fletcher  passed 
with  his  troopers  on  the  way  to  Albany. 

After  the  impressive  scene  in  Albany  when  Captain  Bull 
"Drew  up  his  men  in  y®  midle  of  ye  Broad  Street  gave  three 
volleys  &  was  answered  by  3  guns  from  ye  fort, "  one  of  our 
young  but  valorous  ensigns  was  honored  with  a  commission 
and  credentials  which  we  reproduce : 

Whereas  Ensign  abraham  Janse  (Van  Alstyne)  is  ordered  to 
convey  three  men  with  thirty  horses  to  woodberry  who  came 
here  with  ye  Souldiers  sent  hither  for  there  Majes  Service.  These 
are  in  there  Majes  name  King  Wm  and  Queen  Mary  to  will 
and  Require  all  there  Majes  Subjects  of  this  County  of  albany 
and  to  Desyre  all  there  Majes  Subjects  in  ye  neighboring  Count- 
ies and  Collony  to  be  aideing  and  assisting  to  ye  sd  Ensign  and 
three  men  in  ye  Prosecution  of  there  journey  and  to  furnish  them 
with  such  necessaries  as  they  and  there  horses  shall  have  occasion 
upon  sd  Journey  being  for  there  Majes  Service  given  att  ye  Citty 
hall  of  albany  ye  26th  day  of  november  in  ye  first  year  of  there 
Majes  Reign  Ad.  1689. 

Pr.  Schuyler,  Justice  of  ye  Peace. 


What  Was  What  137 

The  next  day  the  justice,  who  was  also  mayor,  affixed  his 
name  to  the  following  proclamation  of  a  Day  of  Fasting  and 
Prayer. 

By  the  Mayor  aldermen  and  Commonality  and  Military 
officers  of  ye  Citty  of  Albany  and  Justices  of  ye  Peace  and 
Military  officers  of  ye  sd  County. 

Wee  haveing  taken  into  Consideration  ye  Lamentable  Con- 
dition of  this  Citty  and  County,  occasioned  by  a  dreadfull  warr 
threatened  from  without,  of  which  our  neighbors  and  all  yes  have 
already  felt  ye  smart,  as  also  ye  manifold  Divisions  and  factions 
which  are  amongst  ye  Inhabitants  within,  which  are  fatal  Tokens 
for  Land  &  Church,  It  is  therefore  thought  Convenient  to  keep  a 
Day  Extraordinary  for  fasting  &  prayer  upon  Weddensday  ye 
4th  of  Decembr  1689  to  Pray  to  almighty  God  (whose  wrath 
and  anger  for  our  manifold  Sinns  and  transgressions  is  Righte- 
ously kindled  against  us)  for  Pardon  and  Remission  of  our  Sinns 
and  to  free  us  from  ye  blody  sworde  of  our  Enemies  without  and 
especially  from  ye  Inhuman  Barbarity  of  ye  heathen,  and  on  ye 
oyr  syde  to  bynde  ye  hearts  and  mindes  of  ye  People  within  with 
Love  and  unity  to  ye  Praise  of  mighty  God  and  ye  welfare  of  ye 
Church  and  Country,  Prohibiting  therefore  upon  sd  day  all 
manner  of  servile  worke  all  Rideing  Playing  or  oyr  sorts  of  Re- 
creation which  may  hinder  or  obstruct  ye  worship  of  God  that 
day  Chargeing  and  Commanding  Expressly  all  ye  Inhabitants 
of  this  Citty  and  County  to  keep  ye  sd  fast  day  most  Solemnly, 
Thus  given  at  ye  Citty  hall  of  albany  at  a  meeting  of  ye  Conven- 
tion ye  27th  day  of  november  1689  in  ye  first  year  of  there 
Majes  Reign.    God  Save  King  William  and  Queen  Mary. 

In  1645  the  Assembly  of  the  West  India  Company  passed 
a  resolution  of  instruction  for  their  representatives  at  Albany 
that  "the  smaller  places  shall  be  served  by  precentors,  com- 
forters of  the  sick,  and  schoolmasters  who  shall  offer  up 
public  prayers,  read  aloud  from  the  Old  and  New  Testament? 
and  from  printed  sermons,  and  tune  the  Psalms." 

Kinderhook,  as  we  elsewhere  note,  had  some  one  to 
"tune  the  psalms"  and  render  other  important  if  less  me- 


138  Old  RinderHooh 

lodious  religious  service  long  before  the  end  of  the  seven- 
teenth century.  So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  ascertain  the 
third  precentor  here  was  Paulus  Van  Vleg  (Vleck). 

In  November,  1702,  Colonel  Schuyler  of  Albany  received 
the  following  impressive  document  from  His  Excellency 
Lord  Cornbury  and  his  Council. 

His  Excellency  in  Councill  being  informed  that  one  Paulus 
van  Vleck  hath  lately  wandered  about  the  country  preaching 
notwithstanding  he  hath  been  formerly  forbid  by  his  Excellency 
to  do  the  same  and  is  lately  called  by  some  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  Kinderhook  to  be  their  Clark  without  any  license  from  his 
Excellency  for  so  doing  It  is  hereby  ordered  that  the  high  sheriff 
of  the  county  of  Albany  do  take  care  to  send  the  s*^  Van  Vleck 
down  by  the  first  opportunity  to  answer  before  this  board. 

Hearing  of  this,  four  officials  of  the  church  (Nov.  30): 

Declare  that  Paulus  Van  Vleg  during  the  whole  time  that  he 
hath  resided  here  and  since  he  was  accepted  as  Precentor  and 
schoolmaster  of  our  Church  hath  truly  comported  himself  to  the 
Great  content  of  our  congregation,  and  that,  in  all  the  time  that 
he  was  forbid  to  preach  he  hath  never  preached  in  house  or  barn 
or  in  any  place  in  Kinderhook,  but  that  he  performed  the  office 
of  Precentor  as  one  Hendrick  Abelsen,  before  his  death,  hath 
done  at  Kinderhook;  We  have  received  said  Paulus  van  Vleg 
because  one  Joghem  Lamersen  (who  was  our  Precentor  here) 
hath  resigned  the  precentorship  and  frequently  complained  that 
he  could  not  perform  its  Duties  any  longer.  We  further  declare 
that  the  above  named  Paulus  Van  Vleg  never  took  away  the  key 
of  our  church,  but  that  we  brought  it  to  him  in  his  house. 
Yohannes  van  Alen  Coenraet  Borghghrdt  Abram  van  Alstyne 
Lammert  van  Yansen  (Van  Valkenburgh) . 

But  the  wrath  of  Cornbury  and  his  Council  was  not  thus 
easily  to  be  appeased,  for  we  find  this  letter  of  the  Albany 
sheriff  to  Secretary  Cozens,  dated  January,  1702/3: 

Sr  Yours  of  the  loth  December  came  safe  to  my  hands  with 
an  inclosed  Order  of  Councell  for  the  speedy  summonsing  of 


What  Was  What  1 39 

Johannis  Van  Alen  Coenradt  Borghghrdt,  Abrahm  van  Alstyn 
and  Herman  van  Jansen,  the  three  former  I  have  discharged  my 
Duty  by  sending  them  to  my  Lord  &  Councell,  as  dyrected,  but 
the  latter  Herman  van  Jansen,  is  not  to  be  found  within  my 
Liberty,  no  man  Knowing  such  a  person  in  this  County,  .  .  . 
Sr  Your  Humb  Ser*^ 

Jacob  Fiesch  Saerf. 

It  was  joy  to  Lammert  that  the  warrant  was  for  Herman. 
The  others  did  not  at  once  obey  the  summons  to  New  York 
in  the  dead  of  winter,  and  one  of  them  sought  to  avoid  it 
altogether  by  this  pathetic  appeal,  dated  January  28,  1702/3: 

The  humble  petition  of  Conraet  Burgert,  humbly  sheweth 
That  whereas  your  Lordship's  Petitioner  is  summoned  by  the 
Sheriff  of  the  Citty  and  County  of  Albany  by  a  sumons  from 
Your  Lordship  and  Councill  to  apear  before  your  Excelly  & 
Councell  In  New  Yorke  And  whereas  I  demanded  a  Copy  of  the 
Sumonce  from  the  Sheriff  &  would  give  him  all  Due  Satisfaction 
therefore  which  he  Denyed  to  give  me,  soe  that  as  yett  I  know 
not  what  is  aleadged  against  me;  therefore  Your  Excelly  & 
Councills  petitioner  humblys  Begs  Your  Excelly  Favour  to 
Refer  the  Case  till  the  Spring  of  the  year  by  Reason  of  the  Could 
Winter  and  Ilconveniencys  to  my  great  Damage  of  my  family  or 
if  Your  Excell:  Would  be  Pleased  to  Referr  the  Case  to  be  De- 
cided by  any  Justice  or  Justices  of  the  Peace,  In  Our  County 
whom  your  Lordship  shall  Please  to  apoint  which  favour  the 
Knowledge  of  yr  Excellencys  honour  and  Justice  gives  me  no 
Reason  to  Doubt  of  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall 
always  Pray. 

CoENRAET  Borghghrdt. 

But  neither  the  softening  of  the  belligerent  Borghghrdt 
into  beguiling  Burgert  in  the  first  sentence,  nor  the  delicate 
flattery  of  the  last  availed.  Hearts  were  obdurate.  The 
letter  was  "Read  in  Councill  and  Rejected. "  Indeed,  before 
it  was  written  fresh  instructions,  with  the  error  corrected, 
had  been  issued  to  the  sheriff  who,  March  2d,  thus  replied: 


140  Old  K-inderKooK 

Sr  Yors  of  y^  26th  Jany  came  safe  to  my  hands  and  was 
Surprised  to  find  that  the  three  men  I  summoned  by  order  of 
Councell  have  not  made  their  appearance;  for  they  gave  me 
faithful  assurance  of  their  faithfull  performance  I  have  according 
to  order  sumond  Lammert  van  Jansen  and  allso  spook  to  the 
other  three,  so  that  all  four  designe  to  be  at  the  Councell  before 
next  week  expires.  .  .  . 

And  now  the  sequel : 

In  Council  nth  March  1702/3:  John  Van  Alen  Coenraedt 
Borghghrdt  Abraham  van  Alstyne  and  Lammert  Jansen  appeared 
before  this  Board  this  day  in  obedience  to  an  order  of  Councill, 
and  they  acknowledging  their  error  &  submitting  themselves 
thereon  were  discharged  with  a  caution  to  be  more  carefull  for 
the  future. 

They  were.  The  descendants  of  three  of  them  at  least 
were  not  tories  seventy-five  years  later. 

After  this  episode  we  lose  sight  of  Paulus  for  a  few  years, 
but  in  1709  meet  him  in  New  York  applying  for  appointment 
as  chaplain  for  a  Dutch  regiment  about  to  march  to  Canada. 
The  Governor  and  Council  order  Dominies  Du  Bois  and 
Antonides  to  ordain  him,  but  they  conscientiously  refuse. 
Paulus,  however,  obtains  quasi  ordination  from  Freeman, 
himself  an  irregularly  ordained  Westphalian  tailor,  and 
marches  away  in  fine  feather.  His  service,  however,  is  short, 
for  in  1 710  we  find  him  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  where  he 
organizes  several  churches  and  others  in  New  Jersey.  About 
a  year  later  he  marries  a  daughter  of  an  elder  of  the  Sham- 
meny  church,  but  about  a  year  thereafter  rumor  reports  a 
wife  living  in  Holland.  The  rumor  is  at  last  proven  true, 
and  in  1 71 5  it  is  reported  that  "he  has  run  out  of  the  coun- 
try. "  At  all  events  we  see  him  no  more.  It  appears  that  had 
the  laws  of  the  Duke  of  York  already  reverted  to  been  in 
force,  it  would  have  been  proper  that  Van  Vleg  should  "  bee 
boared  through  the  tongue  with  a  read  hot  iron,''^  so  that  he 
could  no  longer  **  tune  the  psalms.'* 


What  W^as  What  141 

Let  us  hope  that  his  heart  at  least  learned  to  pitch  the 
51st  Psalm  in  its  true  key,  that  of  "a  broken  and  contrite 
spirit." 

A  family  Bible  in  the  Van  Alstyne  family  contains  a 
record  worthy  of  reproduction.  It  is  an  extract  from  the 
journal  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Wadsworth  of  his  journey 
from  Boston  to  Albany  to  treat  with  the  Five  Nations. 

Ye  next  morning  [Aug.  11,  1694]  we  set  forward  about  sun- 
rise and  came  ye  foremost  to  Kinderhook  about  three  ye  clock. 
Ye  rest  which  were  hindered  by  reason  of  ye  Col.  Allen's  being 
not  well  came  about  2  or  3  hours  later.  Here  we  took  up  our 
quarters  at  ye  house  of  ye  John  Tysen,  where  we  kept  ye  Sabbath, 
and  ye  having  no  minister  we  had  ye  libertie  of  using  ye  meeting 
house. 

The  John  Tyssen  house  was  near  if  not  identical  with  that 
still  standing  with  its  gable  toward  the  creek,  near  the  former 
Albany  Southern  Station  in  Valatie.    Mr.  Wadsworth  adds: 

In  this  place  there  is  very  rich  land.  A  curious  river  runs 
through  the  town  on  ye  banks  of  which  ye  is  some  interval  land. 
Ye  are  not  many  inhabitants  I  think  ye  say  but  twenty  families 
or  thereabouts  at  most.  Ye  houses  are  in  three  parcels  in  ye 
town  and  ye  are  two  forts  one  whereof  I  saw. 

The  present  homes  of  Mrs.  Schnapper,  and  of  Mr.  John 
Nink,  and  the  old  Wynkoop  house  were  at  one  time  forts  or 
fortified  dwellings. 

An  extract  from  the  Court  Minutes  of  1689  reads  in  part: 

Resolved  that  Capt.  Gerrit  Teunisse  and  ye  Commission 
officers  of  his  company  doe  order  a  fort  to  be  made  att  ye  Groot 
Stuk  [Kinderhook  village],  and  one  at  Pompoenik  where  it 
shall  be  thought  most  convenient  since  ye  fort  about  the  barn  of 
Lawrence  Van  Ale  [near  the  present  Van  Alen  homestead  beyond 
the  bridges]  is  judged  Dangerous  ...  all  which  is  for  ye  people's 
most  security  &  what  ye  sd  Capt  and  officers  shall  doe  herein  ye 
inhabitants  there  are  to  submit  too  upon  your  Perills. 


142  Old  RinderHooK 

It  was  in  the  first  church  edifice,  or  its  successor,  that  a 
notable  scandal  received  merited  rebuke.  An  Albany  pastor 
it  undoubtedly  was  who  one  Sunday  beheld  with  amazement 
three  strange  fashionably  dressed  women  enter  the  little 
church.  Whence  they  came  we  know  not,  but  minister  and 
people  were  scandalized  beyond  expression.  The  women  had 
low-necked  dresses,  profusely  powdered  hair,  and  fashionable 
patches  of  black  court-plaster  on  their  cheeks.  They  thought 
no  doubt  to  overwhelm  the  common  country-folk  with  their 
grandeur;  but  their  triumph  over  their  modest,  awe-stricken 
sisters  did  not  last  long.  Such  folly  and  sin  were  not  to  pass 
imrebuked,  and  the  Dominie  was  equal  to  the  occasion. 
And  this,  according  to  tradition  handed  down  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  was  the  way  he  did  it.  Looking  straight 
at  them  he  said:  "There  are  three  things  that  are  an 
abomination  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord: — nakedness  without 
poverty,  grey  hairs  without  age  and  scars  without  wounds. " 
The  women  left  with  feathers  drooping. 

With  mortification,  however,  have  we  read  that  in  1667 
Jochim  Lambertsen  (Van  Valkenburgh)  was  appointed  an 
under-sheriff  "to  prevent  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath 
by  the  hard  driving  of  Kinderhook  people."  It  is  with 
regret  also  that  we  give  the  following  sad  record : 

Att  a  Mayor's  Court,  Feb.  6,  1693-4.? 

Johannes  Appell  sheriffe  esqr:  vs.  David  Ketelyn,  Daniel 
Bratt  defts.  The  Sheriffe  demands  of  ye  defendants  ye  somme  of 
tenn  pounds  of  a  fine  for  selling  drink  to  ye  Indians  at  Kinder- 
hook  on  a  sabbath  day,  about  a  month  agoe.  Pr.  Martense 
constable,  being  sworn  says  yt  a  month  agoe  on  a  sabbath  day, 
he  was  sent  by  ye  justices  of  ye  peace  and  found  ye  2  defts  in  an 
Indian  house  at  Kinderhook  selling  drink  to  ye  Indians  and  yt  ye 
Indians  were  drunk-found  a  kegg  of  rom  by  ye  skinns,  and  ye 
defts  took  away  the  skinns  and  the  kegg. 

The  defts  deny  the  fact  and  putts  them  upon  the  country. 
The  case  deffered  till  next  court  day  for  ye  evidences. 


What  'Was  What  143 

Other  items  from  the  same  Annals  (Mimsell's)  reveal  the 
requisitions  of  the  Albany  authorities  upon  the  service  and 
means  of  our  people.  In  1693  Kinderhook  was  required  to 
furnish  85  "stockadoes"  toward  the  completion  of  a  fort  at 
Albany,  and  also  fire-wood  and  candles.  In  1694,  of  an 
assessment  of  forty-six  pounds  for  the  removal  of  three 
houses  in  Albany,  Kinderhook  was  to  pay  sixteen  pounds 
and  fifteen  shillings;  and  for  the  Block  houses  south  of  the 
city,  to  furnish  two  hundred  loads  of  "good  oak,  ippere,  bill, 
stell  or  dry  pine  and  ashy."  In  the  three  succeeding  years 
there  were  demands  for  "good  fyre  wood,  none  excepted  but 
best  linde  and  y^  sparegrene  wood,  amounting  to  390  loads; 
and  money  demands  of  twenty  pounds  for  y^  ajancy" 
(Indian?),  fifteen  shillings  toward  a  gift  to  James  Parker,  the 
Public  Printer,  and  forty-one  pounds  "for  y^  Cittys  ar- 
rearages. " 

Why  Kinderhook  should  be  assessed  for  the  removal  of 
Albany  houses  was  a  mystery  until  we  later  and  elsewhere 
found  the  record  that  the  houses  were  within  the  range  of 
certain  guns  newly  placed  for  the  defense  of  the  city,  and 
that  they  obstructed  the  view  of  an  approaching  foe.  For 
those  reasons  the  removal  was  decreed  and  the  cost  made  a 
county  charge.  Doubtless  Kinderhook  paid  its  assessment, 
for  Governor  Fletcher  had  impressively  warned  the  people 
that  the  French  Governor  of  Canada  was  "spilling  forth  his 
brags  that  he  would  be  Master  of  Albany  that  winter,"  and 
that  would  have  been  bad  for  Children's  Corner. 

We  have  a  glimpse  of  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the 
closing  years  of  the  century  in  the  Memorial  of  James 
Graham  to  the  Earl  of  Bellomont,  the  Governor,  concerning 
the  negligence  of  former  Governor  Fletcher.  The  Memorial 
is  without  date,  it  was  evidently  subsequent  to  1697.  It 
reads  in  part  as  follows: 

And  notwithstanding  y^  yearely  damages  did  befall  y® 
inhabitants  in  y^  said  frontieers,  yett  y^  said  Coll.  Fletcher  was 


144  Old  K-inderHooK 

so  negligent  that  he  never  sent  out  any  scout,  or  left  orders  for  ye 
doeing  thereof,  that  at  last  y^  Assembly,  w'^'^  did  not  profess  to 
be  soldiers  did  raise  mony  &  appointed  Com"  to  send  out  scouts 
to  watch  y®  motion  of  y®  enemy,  by  w'^'^  meanes  the  enemy  w'^'^ 
was  designed  to  cut  off  Kinderhook  were  discovered  and  all  cut 
off,  and  this  was  in  y^  yeare  1696.  In  y^  yeare  1697  the  Assembly 
tooke  the  like  care  by  w'^'^  there  was  no  mischiefe  done  by  y^ 
enemy  as  formerly  altho  y®  garrison  was  weaker  than  ever,  but 
Coll.  Fletcher  not  having  raised  one  man  altho  large  sums  raised 
by  the  Assembly  for  that  purpose  (were)  perverted  by  him. 

Mr.  Graham  was  the  Attorney-General  at  the  time.  He 
was  subsequently  a  member  of  the  Assembly  and  its  Speaker. 

The  assessed  valuation  of  Kinderhook  in  1701  was  889 
pounds  on  which  a  tax  was  laid  of  three  stivers  wampum 
(six  cents)  on  the  pound,  for  repairs  of  the  Albany  court 
house  and  jail. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Council  in  New  York  in  1703  record 
a  petition  from  several  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  which 
reveals  the  fact  that  the  peace  of  the  village  had  been 
greatly  disturbed  by  recent  elections  of  local  officials.  The 
substance  of  the  petition  is  this : 

We  the  inhabitants  of  the  Village  of  Kinderhook  .  .  .  pur- 
suant of  our  antient  Custom  and  usage  to  Chuse  our  Commis- 
sioners as  alsoe  overseers  of  highways  viewers  of  ffences  and 
Constables  have  this  year  .  .  .  made  Choice  by  order  of  the 
Justices  And  by  the  majority  of  voices  Lawrence  Van  Ale  Dirck 
Vander  Carr  and  Peter  Van  Slyck  were  Chosen  Commissioners 
with  which  Choice  the  whole  village  was  then  Content.  But 
after  that  to  witt  upon  the  eighth  day  of  June  last  Some  of  our 
village  opposing  the  same  Contrary  to  our  said  antient  Custom 
and  usage  made  Choice  of  new  Commissioners  against  which  we 
doe  protest  and  desire  to  maintain  the  first  Choice  .  .  .  and 
humbly  pray  that  his  excellency  the  Governor  and  his  Council 
would  be  pleased  to  protect  us  in  the  same.  (Signed  by)  Luke 
Van  Ale,  Evert  Van  Ale,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Steph.  Van  Ale, 
Lambert  Huyck,  Elias  Van  Schaack,  Lawrence  Van  Schaack, 
Peter  Van  Ale,  Evert  Wieler,  Samuel  S.  Gardner,  Andrew  Huygh, 


"What  AVas  WKat  145 

Johannes  An  dries  Huygh,  Andries  Gardner,  Johannes  Van  Ale, 
Manuel  Van  Schaack,  Adam  Dinghman,  Jacob  Gardner. 

Following  this  was  a  second  petition  from  the  same 
parties  giving  the  more  definite  information  that  "a  perticu- 
lar  body''  without  warning  and  against  protest  ^*did  by  a 
Newstarted  Invention  of  their  own''  choose  Peter  Phosberg, 
Lambert  Janse  Van  Alstead,  and  Peter  Van  Slyck  to  be 
Trustees.  We  regret  that  we  are  left  in  the  dark  as  to  the 
issue.  The  usual  course  was  to  refer  such  petitions  to  the 
Assembly. 

The  first  known  census  of  Kinderhook  was  in  17 14.  It 
revealed  a  population  of  293,  of  whom  thirty-two  were 
slaves.  In  1769  it  was  reported  to  Sir  William  Johnson  that 
in  this  District,  and  that  to  the  east  as  far  as  the  woods,  there 
were  at  least  a  thousand  men  able  to  bear  arms. 

According  to  the  census  of  1790  the  total  population  was 
4461,  including  638  slaves.  Claverack  had  340  slaves  and 
Hudson  193.  Slaves  were  held  here  at  a  very  early  period 
and  in  increasing  numbers,  and  thus  continued  to  be  until 
slavery  ceased,  July  4,  1827. 

The  U.  S.  Census  of  1790  (the  first)  we  deem  of  sufficient 
interest  to  be  given  in  full.  It  reveals  730  resident  families, 
their  size,  and  to  a  degree  their  relative  wealth  (or  poverty) 
in  slaves.  {See  Appendix.)  Not  a  family  had  the  "regiment 
of  slaves  "  of  which  traditions  of  ancestral  grandeur  and  some 
writers  tell  us. 

There  were  exceptions  doubtess  as  regards  the  character 
and  conduct  of  both  masters  and  slaves,  here  as  well  as  in  the 
South,  but  as  a  rule  the  slaves  received  kind  treatment  and 
were  loyally  and  lovingly  devoted  to  the  families  of  their 
masters.  There  are  those  yet  living  who  remember  the 
stories  their  grandparents  were  wont  to  tell  of  the  frequent 
gathering  of  the  slaves  of  a  neighborhood  in  the  kitchen  of 
the  old  homestead  for  an  evening  of  merrymaking,  and  how 
not  only  the  children  but  master  and  mistress,  and  visitors 


146  Old  HinderKooK 

as  well,  would  be  amused  spectators  of  their  mirth  and 
charmed  listeners  to  their  music. 

Mrs.  Grant,  in  her  fascinating  Memoirs  of  an  American 
Lady  (London,  1808),  certain  descriptive  parts  of  which 
Southey  characterized  as  "Homeric,"  in  writing  of  slavery 
as  she  beheld  it  in  Albany  accurately  pictured  it  as  it  existed 
in  many  households  in  Kinderhook.    She  wrote : 

In  the  society  I  am  describing,  even  the  dark  aspect  of  slavery 
was  softened  into  a  smile.  .  .  .  Let  me  not  be  detested  as  an 
advocate  for  slavery,  when  I  say,  that  I  have  never  seen  people 
so  happy  in  servitude  as  the  domestics  of  the  Albanians.  .  .  . 
They  would  remind  one  of  Abraham's  servants,  who  were  all 
born  in  the  house,  which  was  exactly  their  case.  They  were 
baptized  too,  and  shared  the  same  religious  instruction  with  the 
children  of  the  family ;  and  for  the  first  years,  there  was  little  or 
no  difference  with  regard  to  food  or  clothing,  between  their 
children  and  those  of  their  masters.  ...  I  have  no  where  met 
with  instances  of  friendship  more  tender  and  generous,  than  that 
which  here  subsisted  between  the  slaves  and  their  masters  and 
mistresses.  Extraordinary  proofs  have  often  been  given  in  the 
course  of  hunting  or  Indian  trading,  when  a  young  man  and  his 
slave  have  gone  to  the  trackless  woods  together.  The  slave  has 
been  known,  at  the  imminent  risk  of  his  life,  to  carry  his  disabled 
master  through  trackless  woods  with  labor  and  fidelity  scarce 
credible;  and  the  master  has  been  equally  tender  on  similar 
occasions  of  the  humble  friend  who  stuck  closer  than  a  brother; 
who  was  baptized  with  the  same  baptism,  nurtured  under  the 
same  roof  and  often  rocked  in  the  same  cradle  with  himself. 
Affectionate  and  faithful  as  these  home-bred  servants  were  in 
general,  there  were  some  instances  (but  very  few)  of  those  who 
.  .  .  betrayed  their  trust,  or  habitually  neglected  their  duty. 
In  these  cases,  after  every  means  had  been  used  to  reform  them, 
no  severe  punishment  was  inflicted  at  home.  But  the  terrible 
sentence,  which  they  dreaded  worse  than  death,  was  passed — 
they  were  sold  to  Jamaica.  The  necessity  of  doing  this  was  be- 
wailed by  the  whole  family,  as  a  most  dreadful  calamity,  and  the 
culprit  was  carefully  watched  on  his  way  to  New  York  lest  he 
should  evade  the  sentence  by  self-destruction. 


What  A^as  What  147 

"Aunt  Jane"  Van  Alstyne,  of  precious  memory,  told 
us  that  her  grandfather,  having  whipped  a  slave  boy  who, 
he  afterwards  found,  did  not  deserve  that  particular  punish- 
ment, went  to  him  and  told  him  he  was  sorry.  "Never 
mind.  Master,"  said  the  boy,  "there  have  been  so  many 
times  I  deserved  it  when  I  didn't  get  it,  it's  all  right." 

When  they  were  baptized,  as  many  were  in  later  years, 
they  were  recorded  as  Pomp,  Nan,  and  the  like,  slaves  of  this 
or  that  master.  Selecting  an  entry  at  random,  we  quote  this 
baptismal  record :     ; 

Abigail  \~^y      ,      i  Nigeren  van  Jacobus  Van  Aalen 

When  the  slaves  became  free  they  assumed  surnames, 
frequently  those  of  their  former  masters.  The  descendants 
of  those  slaves  are  with  us  still,  and  the  names  Vanderpoel, 
Van  Ness,  Barthrop,  Burgett,  Harder,  and  many  others  are 
memorials  of  the  bondage  of  their  ancestors.  Many  yet 
living  remember  well  and  with  respect  old  Tony  Harder, 
Harry  Barthrop,  and  Peter  Burgett  who  were  born  in  slavery. 
Harry  was  given  to  Mrs.  Dr.  Barthrop  by  her  father  John 
Pruyn  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Harry's  tall,  gaunt 
figure  was  a  very  familiar  one  on  our  streets  and  in  the  old 
Dutch  church,  which  he  would  not  forsake  for  that  of  his 
own  race.  He  was  polite  and  kindly  to  everybody.  None 
could  pass  him  on  the  street  on  the  darkest  night  without 
hearing  his  voice  of  recognition  and  respectful  greeting. 
His  knowledge  of  the  occult  medicinal  virtues  of  all  manner 
of  roots  and  herbs,  and  of  the  secret  habitat  of  each  in 
meadow,  forest,  and  swamp,  was  profound.  Many  the  times 
that  we  have  seen  him  returning  from  a  long  tramp,  bearing 
on  his  shoulder  a  large  sack  filled  with  these  mystic  elements 
of  rare  elixirs  and  cordials. 

Peter  Burgett,  the  slave  of  Abraham  Burgett,  was 
another  who  received  and  was  worthy  of  the  respect  of  the 
entire   community.     He   was   an   unordained   lay  preacher 


148  Old  liinderKooK 

among  his  people.  In  familiarity  with  the  Bible,  in  spiritual- 
ity, general  intelligence,  ability,  character,  and  good  common 
sense  he  was  by  far  the  superior  of  most  of  their  ordained 
preachers  here,  in  our  time  at  least. 

In  1830  there  was  a  very  painful  illustration  here  of  the 
saying  of  Sterne:  "Disguise  thyself  as  thou  wilt,  still, 
Slavery,  still  thou  art  a  bitter  draught." 

In  May  of  that  year  Mr.  Richard  Dorsey  of  Baltimore 
suddenly  appeared  in  Kinderhook  in  quest  of  a  fugitive  slave. 
The  poor  fellow  had  learned  to  read  and  write,  and  through 
a  letter  to  some  incautious  or  treacherous  friend  in  Baltimore 
his  hiding-place  became  known.  Mr.  Dorsey  found  his  slave 
in  the  employ  of  General  Whiting,  and,  as  the  law  then  was, 
having  proved  his  claim  before  Judge  Vanderpoel,  obtained 
a  writ  of  ownership  and  extradition;  armed  with  which  he 
manacled  the  fugitive  and  took  him  to  Baltimore.  We  note 
with  pleasure  that  in  the  lot  of  the  late  William  Wall,  in  our 
village  cemetery,  there  stands  in  a  place  of  honor  near  the 
family  monument  a  stone  in  memory  of  '^faithful  Eliza, "  once 
their  slave.    It  honors  them  as  well. 

All  the  people  here  past  middle  life  remembered  well 
the  dreadful  massacre  at  Schenectady.  Major  Peter  Schuy- 
ler's report  to  Governor  Fletcher  in  1693,  that  he  had  sent 
out  men  to  range  the  woods,  fearing  that  some  skulking 
parties  might  straggle  down  as  far  as  Kinderhook,  while  in  a 
degree  reassuring,  was  still  disquieting.  The  tidings  in  1696 
that  Captain  Dubeau  from  Montreal,  not  strong  enough  to 
attack  Albany,  had  started  for  Kinderhook,  and  would  have 
reached  here  had  not  the  watchful  Mahicans  surprised  and 
defeated  him,  was  not  conducive  to  a  feeling  of  security  on 
the  part  of  an  almost  defenseless  people.  Their  peril  was  not 
unknown  to  the  Albany  authorities.  Among  the  Colonial 
Documents  of  the  State  we  find  a  Memorial  of  Robert 
Livingston,  Secretary  for  Indian  Affairs,  dated  1 701-3,  to 
the  Lords  of  Trade,  recommending  the  building  of  several 
forts,  among  them  a  stockado  fort  here,  to  be 


What  Was  What  149 

garrisoned  with  soldiers  and  a  troop  of  dragoons,  and  a  company 
of  bushlopers  or  woodrunners  to  be  raised  of  the  youth  at  Albany 
in  the  summer  time  to  go  through  the  woods  daily  from  garrison 
to  garrison  which  with  scouts  continually  out  to  range  the  woods 
from  the  several  smaller  garrisons  will  be  a  means  to  secure  our 
families.  Moreover  if  these  garrisons  be  not  secured  the  inhabi- 
tants will  desert  their  farms.  ...  It  was  found  by  experience 
in  the  last  war  that  while  these  (the  forts)  were  garrisoned  the 
country  was  secure,  but  no  sooner  were  they  deserted  but  the 
enemy  gained  ground  and  scalped  our  people  near  the  very  gates 
of  the  city. 

Evidently  the  stockado  or  fort  was  built  and  then  neglected, 
for  in  1704  Mr.  Congreve  reported  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
that  it  was  "out  of  repair  and  needed  a  garrison  of  thirty 
men. "  Probably,  however,  its  defensive  value  was  equal  at 
least  to  that  "newly  erected"  work  in  New  Amsterdam,  of 
which  Peter  Stuyvesant  so  pathetically  complained  in  165 1 
as  being  "rooted  up,  trampled  down  and  destroyed  by  the 
community's  hogs,  cows  and  horses,  as  may  be  seen  daily  to 
our  shame  and  reproach." 

The  French  and  Indian  wars  of  1 744-1 748  and  of  1756- 
1763  were  sources  of  much  alarm  and  of  occasional  peril. 
Even  in  times  of  nominal  peace,  the  aggressions  of  the  French 
were  so  constant,  and  their  courtship  of  the  Six  Nations  so 
assiduous  that  we  quite  sympathize  with  the  testy  Dongan 
in  his  irate  letter  (Sept.,  1687)  to  De  Nonville.  After  ad- 
verting to  the  orders  De  Nonville  had  received  "from  his 
Master  to  live  well  with  the  King  of  England's  subjects, "  he 
added:  "But  I  find  the  air  of  Canada  has  strange  effects 
on  all  the  Govenors  boddys. "  And  again  a  month  later  he 
wrote:  "A  man  of  an  ordinary  cappassitie  might  see  what 
your  intentions  weer. " 

About  two  years  later,  the  Albany  Records  inform  us, 
Mr.  Wessels  and  Regnier  "Were  Desyned  to  Communicate 
to  the  farmers  of  Kinderhook  and  Claverack — nothing  can 
be  Expected  but  y'  ye  french  will  doe  all  ye  mischieffe  they 


150  Old  H.inderHooK 

can  to  this  govermt  &  every  one  to  be  upon  there  guarde  & 
take  care  they  be  not  surprized." 

Francis  Parkman  is  our  authority  for  the  statement 
that,  within  three  months  of  the  year  1746,  thirty-five  bands 
of  French  and  Indians,  numbering  from  six  to  thirty,  left 
Canada  to  harry  the  frontier  of  the  New  York  and  New 
England  colonies. 

As  indications  of  coming  war  with  France  increased,  the 
fears  of  our  almost  unprotected  people  became  more  intense. 
Petition  after  petition  from  individuals  of  prominence  and  a 
most  pathetic  one,  Sir  William  Johnson  states,  from  the 
inhabitants  as  a  whole,  for  a  garrison  and  for  rangers  to 
patrol  the  forests  eastward  and  northward,  at  last  moved  the 
Assembly  to  direct  the  employment  of  fifty  such  rangers. 
In  1 745  came  the  tidings  that  a  party  of  four  hundred  French 
and  220  Indians  had  captured  and  destroyed  Saratoga,  the 
old  town  made  famous  by  Burgoyne's  surrender  thirty-five 
years  later.  Following  closely  upon  that  was  the  sacking  of 
Hoosic.  A  little  later  it  became  known  that  Stockbridge 
was  in  peril  from  an  investing  force  of  six  hundred  French 
and  Indians.  Consternation  and  terror  were  not  unknown 
to  Albany  itself.  How  much  greater  the  alarm  here,  with  the 
whole  territory  practically  open  to  the  merciless  foe !  Under 
these  conditions  they  petitioned  the  Governor  and  his 
Council  in  New  York  for  "thirty  men  to  garrison  the  two 
Block  houses  to  the  north  and  east  of  the  village  at  the 
expense  of  the  Province,  or  of  the  inhabitants  if  a  law  were 
passed  making  it  a  common  charge  on  all  the  people. "  The 
petition  was  referred  to  the  Assembly. 

Later  in  the  same  month,  as  the  sense  of  peril  increased,  a 
second  petition  was  sent  to  New  York  praying  that  "100 
men  might  be  posted  for  defense  against  the  skulking  parties 
of  the  enemy's  Indians."  After  due  deliberation  this  tran- 
quillizing answer  was  returned : 

His  Excellency  and  the  Council  are  of  the  opinion  it  would  be 


WKat  Was  What  151 

advisable  for  his  Excellency  to  wait  till  the  Albany  River  is 
entirely  Open,  and  if  nothing  should  happen  in  the  mean  time 
so  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  employ  the  Virginia  Company  (now 
in  the  Fort  in  this  City)  on  any  other  service,  to  send  that  Com- 
pany to  Kinderhook. 

The  Company  never  came;  but  April  29,  1747,  the  Colonial 
Assembly  voted  "unto  Cornelius  Van  Schaack  the  sum  of 
585  pounds  to  be  by  him  employed  in  payment  of  50  effective 
men  .  .  .  who  are  to  Range  and  Scour  the  woods  in  the 
country  for  90  days. "  The  captain  was  to  receive  six  shill- 
ings per  diem,  the  lieutenant,  four,  and  48  privates,  2s.  6d. 
each.  "For  his  care  and  trouble, "  Mr.  Van  Schaack  was  to 
be  paid  2  pounds  10  shillings  for  every  100  pounds  expended. 
His  bill  for  the  service  of  the  rangers  until  November,  '47, 
was  348  pounds,  17  shillings,  and  6  pence.  We  are  pleased  to 
note  that  6  pence. 

Remembering  Schenectady  (where  snow-images  were  the 
only  sentinels  at  the  gate),  Saratoga,  Hoosic,  and  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs  which  made  it  possible  for  skulking  savages 
to  fill  even  Albany  with  alarm,  it  would  seem  that,  with 
notable  and  honorable  exceptions,  there  was  somewhere 
official  inefficiency  and  negligence,  if  not  selfish  greed  and 
graft  which  fully  justified  King  Hendrick's  contemptuous 
though  magnificent  oratory. 

King  Hendrick,  though  the  greatest  of  all  the  Mohawk 
chiefs,  was,  strange  to  say,  a  Mohawk  only  by  adoption. 
He  himself  and  his  family  were  Mohegans,  the  kinfolk  of  our 
Mahicans. 

In  June,  1754,  war  being  again  apprehended,  twenty- 
five  Commissioners,  representing  seven  of  the  colonies,  met 
in  Albany  to  treat  with  the  Six  Nations  concerning  unity  of 
action  against  the  common  foe. 

This  Commission,  Francis  Parkman  writes,  was  composed 
of  "a  body  of  men  who  for  character  and  ability  had  never 
had  an  equal  on  the  Continent."    Benjamin  Franklin  was 


152  Old  RindlerHooK 

one  of  them.  There  were  about  150  Indian  representatives 
in  attendance. 

Lieutenant-Governor  De  Lancey  in  his  opening  address 
told  the  Indians  that  the  Commissioners  had  come  to 
strengthen  and  brighten  the  chain  of  friendship.  After 
adverting  to  their  apparent  disaffection  of  late,  and  the  long 
scattered  condition  ot  the  confederated  tribes,  he  wanted  to 
know  if  the  encroachments  of  the  French  were  with  their 
consent  or  approbation,  and  then  concluded  with  the  words: 
"Open  your  hearts  to  us  and  deal  with  us  as  bretheren. " 

Omitting  much,  we  quote  the  story  of  the  sequel  from 
Stone's  Life  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Three  days  afterward,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  attended 
by  all  the  Commissioners,  in  behalf  of  his  majesty  and  the 
several  colonies,  met  the  Indians  in  the  courthouse  to  hear 
their  reply.  As  soon  as  they  were  seated,  the  sachems  of  the 
Six  Nations,  glittering  with  ornaments  and  clothed  in  their 
richest  robes  and  feathers,  came  in  and  seated  themselves 
with  all  the  pomp  of  an  Indian  ceremonial.  Then,  amid  a 
deep  silence,  Abraham,  a  sachem  of  the  upper  castle  of  the 
Mohawks  and  a  brother  of  King  Hendrick,  rose  and  said: 
"Bretheren,  you  the  governor  of  New  York,  and  the  com- 
missioners of  the  other  governments,  are  you  ready  to  hear 
us?"  The  Governor  having  replied  in  the  affirmative,  King 
Hendrick,  venerable  in  years,  rose,  and  with  all  the  dignity 
which  his  white  hairs  and  majestic  mien  gave  him,  holding 
up  the  chain  belt  to  the  gaze  of  all,  advanced  a  few  steps  and 
said: 

"  Brethren:  We  return  you  all  our  grateful  acknowledgements 
for  renewing  and  brightening  the  covenant  chain.  This  chain 
belt  is  of  very  great  importance  to  our  united  nations,  and  to  all 
our  allies.  ...  As  we  have  already  added  two  links  to  it,  so  we 
will  use  our  endeavors  to  add  as  many  more  links  to  it  as  lies  in 
our  power. 

"Brethren:  As  to  the  accounts  you  have  heard  of  our  living 
dispersed  from  each  other,  'tis  very  true."     Then,  burning  with 


'What  Was  What  I53 

indignation,  as  he  recalled  the  long  neglect  with  which  his  ser- 
vices had  been  rewarded  by  the  English,  with  eyes  flashing,  and 
his  whole  frame  quivering  with  the  honest  anger  which  had  so 
long  been  pent  up  within  him,  he  exclaimed — "You  have  asked 
us  the  reason  of  our  living  in  this  dispersed  manner.  The  reason 
is,  your  neglecting  us  for  three  years  past."  Then  taking  a 
stick  and  throwing  it  behind  him — "you  have  thus  thrown  us 
behind  your  backs  and  disregarded  us ;  whereas  the  French  are  a 
subtile  and  vigilant  people,  ever  using  their  utmost  endeavors  to 
seduce  and  bring  our  people  over  to  them.  .  .  .  'Tis  your  fault, 
brethren,  that  we  are  not  strengthened  by  conquest,  for  we  would 
have  gone  and  taken  Crown  Point,  but  you  hindered  us.  .  .  . 
Instead  of  this  you  burnt  your  own  fort  at  Saratoga  and  ran 
away  from  it,  which  was  a  shame  and  a  scandal  to  you. 

"Look  about  your  country  and  see,  you  have  no  fortifications 
about  you;  no,  not  even  to  this  city!  Look  at  the  French; 
they  are  men;  they  are  fortifying  everywhere!  But,  we  are 
ashamed  to  say  it,  you  are  like  women,  bare  and  open  without  any 
fortifications!" 

Thus  closed  one  of  the  most  eloquent  Indian  speeches  ever 
uttered.  A  speech,  which  for  its  truth,  vigor  and  biting  sarcasm 
has  never  been  equaled  by  any  Indian  orator ;  scarcely  excelled 
by  one  of  any  other  race-^and  which,  containing  strains  of 
eloquence  which  might  have  done  honor  to  TuUy  or  Demosthenes, 
will  ever  stand  among  the  finest  passages  of  rhetoric  in  either 
ancient  or  modern  history. 

Less  than  a  year  after  this  notable  conference  the  pre- 
siding officer  of  the  Assembly,  Lieutenant-Governor  De 
Lancey,  reported  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  that  "the  Assembly 
had  passed  an  Act  to  raise  looo  pounds  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  Kinderhook,  a  Principal  frontier  on  that  side  of  the 
river."  The  Act  was  passed  February  19,  1755  (Colonial 
Laws,  iii.,  p.  1038),  and  reads:  "  Unto  Cornelius  Van  Schaack 
and  Abraham  Van  Aelstyn  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds 
for  fortifying  and  securing  the  town  of  Kinderhook."  How 
much  of  this  munificent  sum  was  raised  and  expended  we 
know  not.    Something  however  was  done,  for  we  find  that 


154  Old  K-inderKooK 

for  scouting  on  the  frontiers  of  Kinderhook  during  April  and 
May,  1757,  Francis  Claw  and  his  detachment  of  militia 
received  an  appropriation  by  the  Assembly  of  fifty-one 
pounds  and  seven  shillings. 

Evidently  there  should  be  a  monument  to  King  Hendrick 
in  our  village  park,  as  there  is  at  Lake  George.  There  was  a 
wax  figure  of  this  noted  chieftain  in  Philadelphia,  soon  after 
his  death  in  battle  against  the  French  Indians.  A  white  man 
who  had  known  him  well  as  a  most  faithful  friend,  coming 
unexpectedly  upon  it  and  forgetful  for  the  moment  of  his 
death,  impulsively  rushed  forward  and  threw  his  arms 
about  the  cold  image  of  the  hero. 

While  the  disastrous  lack  of  prompt,  energetic  action, 
on  the  part  of  the  Governors  and  their  Councils  on  the  one 
hand  and  the  Assemblies  at  Albany  on  the  other,  may  sur- 
prise us,  we  should  remember  the  steadily  increasing  and  very 
significant  jealousy  of  the  Assemblies  for  the  rights  of  the 
people,  and  their  growing  restlessness  under  every  attempted 
dictation.  Suggestions,  however  wise,  were  not  received 
kindly  if  made  with  an  air  of  authority.  They  charged 
Governor  Clinton  with  seeking  to  restrain  the  liberty  of  the 
press.  They  virtually  told  him  to  his  face  that  he  and  all 
the  governors  were  beggars,  sent  over  to  enrich  themselves 
at  the  expense  of  the  colonists.  Clinton,  by  the  way,  did  ac- 
quire a  very  considerable  fortune  for  those  times  while  here. 
His  reply,  however,  was,  "you  have  no  regard  for  decency, " 
and  he  reported  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  that  he  could  not 
meet  the  Assembly  without  exposing  the  King's  authority 
and  himself  to  contempt.  Again  and  again  we  find  him  com- 
plaining to  the  Duke  of  the  backwardness  of  the  Assembly 
in  its  deliberations,  of  the  difficulty  of  bringing  them  to  any 
tolerable  resolution  for  the  service  of  the  public,  and  that  the 
dispatch  of  business  was  greatly  neglected.  "They  are 
selfish,"  he  said,  "and  jealous  of  the  power  of  the  Crown; 
and  of  such  levelling  principles  that  they  are  constantly 
attacking  its  prerogative."     Governor  Clinton  was  discern- 


What  Was  WKat  I55 

ing.  There  was  a  cloud  arising  out  of  the  sea  "as  small  as  a 
man's  hand. "  Or,  using  the  figure  of  the  Supreme  Teacher, — 
in  1746  we  may  see  the  "blade,"  prophetic  of  1776  with  its 
"full  corn  in  the  ear."  The  great  Indian  conference  at 
Albany  was  a  notable  portent  of  coming  colonial  and  federal 
union. 

While  the  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  had  no  such  experi- 
ences as  those  of  Schenectady,  Hoosic,  and  Palatine  villages, 
there  were  occasional  acts  of  violence  as  narrated  in  former 
sketches  of  our  history.  The  "devastation"  of  the  region  at 
the  time  of  the  burning  of  Major  Staats's  house  was  doubtless 
much  exaggerated.  There  was  not  much  to  devastate  then 
in  the  interior.  The  few  deeds  of  violence  during  the  times 
of  the  French  and  Indian  wars  of  which  we  have  record  are 
these : 

April  10,  1748.  "The  same  party  [French  and  their 
Indian  allies]  next  appeared  at  Kinderhook  where  they  sur- 
prised eleven  men  at  work,  killed  two  of  them  and  made  the 
other  nine  captives.  Then  they  burned  the  house  and  barn 
of  Mr.  John  Van  Alstyne. "  It  was  because  of  this,  it  may  be, 
that  Captain  James  Church  and  his  Company  are  reported  as 
having  been  posted  here  from  August  17  to  September  30, 
1748 ;  for  which  service  179  pounds  were  appropriated  by  the 
Assembly  in  1750. 

In  the  New  York  Mercury  of  July  14,  1755,  this  item 
appeared : 

We  hear  from  Kinderhook  that  on  Wednesday  the  2d,  inst. 
as  four  men,  two  boys  and  a  negro  were  hoeing  corn  in  a  field  near 
that  place,  they  were  surprised  and  fired  upon  by  six  Indians 
and  a  Frenchman,  which  wounded  one  of  the  men  and  a  negro 
fellow,  when  they  with  two  others  took  to  their  heels.  The 
seventh,  John  Gardinier,  ran  for  his  arms  that  were  nigh  at  hand 
and  having  dispatched  two  of  the  Indians,  a  third  closed  in  upon 
him,  and,  in  the  scuffle,  the  Frenchman  came  up,  and  seeing 
Gardinier  get  the  better  of  the  Indians,  he  knocked  him  down 
with  his  piece  and  afterwards  scalped  him,  when  the  Indians 


156  Old  RinderKooK 

made  off  and  carried  their  dead  with  them.  A  short  time  after 
Gardinier  came  to  himself,  and  with  some  difficulty  reached  the 
fort.  He  was  so  stunned  by  the  blow  he  received  from  the 
Frenchman,  that  he  was  insensible  of  his  being  scalped  until 
he  was  informed  by  the  people  who  discovered  the  blood,  but  he 
remembered  the  whole  of  their  proceedings  before,  and  said  he 
could  have  killed  three  of  the  Indians  had  not  the  second  gun 
he  took  up  missed  fire. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  above  news  the  sum  of  twelve  pounds 
was  immediately  raised  by  a  few  gentlemen  in  this  city,  and  sent 
to  John  Gardinier  for  his  gallant  behavior,  to  support  his  wife 
and  family  during  his  illness,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  those 
gentlemen  who  would  willingly  infuse  a  martial  spirit  in  the 
armies  now  going  against  our  enemies,  will  follow  an  example 
so  truly  worthy  of  their  imitation. 

Two  weeks  later  the  same  paper  contained  this  notice 
of  a  second  foray : 

We  hear  that  on  Monday  last  another  party  of  French  and 
Indians,  consisting  of  between  thirty  and  forty,  appeared  at 
Kinderhook  and  carried  off  a  young  boy  and  wounded  a  negro, 
and  that  Robert  Livingston  Jr.,  Esq.,  with  about  forty  men, 
were  gone  in  pursuit. 

We  read  again,  date  not  given  but  doubtless  about  the 
same: 

Three  members  of  the  family  of  Joachim  Van  Valkenburgh 
were  captured  by  the  French  Indians  and  two  of  them  murdered. 
His  wife  also  fell  into  their  hands,  but  while  they  were  conducting 
her  away.  Van  Valkenburgh  shot  the  Indian  in  the  back  and 
recovered  his  wife. 

The  late  Mr.  Henry  C.  Van  Schaack,  in  his  Memoirs  of 
his  uncle  Henry,  narrates  the  following : 

There  was  a  small  stockade,  dignified  with  name  of  Fort,  at 
Kinderhook,  to  which  the  neighboring  inhabitants  were  accus- 
tomed to  resort  for  refuge  in  case  of  approaching  danger.     [The 


"WKat  Was  What  157 

present  Schnapper  house,  at  one  time  the  parsonage  of  the  Dutch 
church,  was  within  the  stockade.]  On  one  occasion  of  alarm 
given  in  consequence  of  the  approach  of  a  party  of  Indians, 
mothers  with  their  children  and  all  the  females  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, repaired  to  the  fort  for  safety.  It  so  happened  that  all  the 
men  in  the  vicinity  were  absent  at  the  time.  To  disguise  their 
weakness,  under  the  lead  of  Mrs.  Hoes,  a  brave  Dutch  vrouw 
who  volunteered  to  command  on  the  occasion,  the  women, 
occupying  a  position  where  only  the  covering  of  their  heads 
could  be  seen  by  their  invaders,  put  on  men's  hats  and  made 
great  noises.  The  Indians,  deceived  by  these  indications  of 
strength,  did  not  venture  to  attack  the  feminine  garrison. 

Military  service  was  evidently  rendered  by  residents  of 
Kinderhook  during  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  but  the 
records  of  it  are  few  and  fragmentary.  There  was  an  Order 
of  Council  in  May,  1746,  that  the  company  of  Kinderhook 
Rangers,  "as  soon  as  raised,"  should  be  sent  to  Saratoga 
because  of  the  disaffection  and  desertion  of  its  garrison. 
But  we  are  not  informed  whether  they  actually  went,  nor 
indeed  whether  the  company  was  raised.  We  may  presume, 
however,  that  it  was. 

As  revealing  one  source  of  considerable  loss  and  some 
peril  to  the  early  settlers  for  a  hundred  years,  the  many 
enactments  of  the  Colonial  Assembly  to  secure  the  destruc- 
tion of  wolves  and  panthers  are  not  without  interest. 

The  wolves  infesting  the  forests  were  so  numerous  and 
became  so  bold  in  their  slaughter  of  sheep  and  cattle  that  in 
1726  a  bounty  was  offered  here,  as  had  long  been  done  in 
other  parts  of  the  Colony,  for  their  destruction.  The  bounty 
for  the  killing  of  a  full-grown  wolf  was  in  the  first  instance 
six  shillings,  and  less  for  one  under  one  year  of  age.  Within 
a  few  years  this  was  increased  to  ten  and  then  to  twelve 
shillings.  For  some  unknown  reason  unless  it  was  the  su- 
perior adeptness  of  the  Indians  their  bounty  was  but  half 
that  allowed  a  white  man.  The  head  of  the  wolf  and  the 
entire  skin  were  to  be  taken  before  a  Justice  and  the  ears  cut 


158  Old  K-inderKooK 

off  in  his  presence,  as  a  protection  against  fraud.  In  later 
years  the  bounty  was  increased  until  in  1775  it  amounted  to 
three  pounds. 

In  the  American  Historical  Magazine  (1870)  we  find 
Abraham  Lott's  journal  of  his  voyage  up  the  Hudson  and  of 
his  visit  to  Kinderhook  in  1774.  He  was  one  of  the  patentees 
of  a  tract  of  more  than  10,000  acres  between  Claverack  and 
Livingston  Manor ;  a  grant  which  occasioned  the  very  notable 
suit  of  John  Van  Rensselaer  which  he  ultimately  won. 
Portions  of  the  journal  are  not  without  present  interest. 
We  quote  in  part : 

1774,  June  22.  Went  on  board  Joachim  Staats'  sloop  .  .  . 
Friday,  June  24.  Beat  up  against  the  tide  to  a  little  above  the 
Kinderhook  creek,  where  the  tide  came  against  us  and  obliged 
us  to  come  too.  Here  the  captain  went  ashore  to  the  house  of 
Joh^  Staats  within  the  bounds  of  Kinderhook  and  brought  on 
Board  some  Bread  Eggs  and  Milk. 

Two  or  three  days  later  the  sloop  reached  Albany.  After  a 
visit  of  about  two  weeks  Mr.  Lott  drove  down  to  "Cox- 
hackie"  where  he  paid  3/-  to  be  ferried  over  to  Nutten 
Hook.  Thence  he  came  to  the  house  of  Isaac  (later  Major) 
Goes,  now  Mrs.  F.  Risedorph's,  opposite  the  then  existing 
church.  After  resting  he  called  on  Mr.  Fryenmoet  (the 
Dominie)  and  supped  and  spent  the  evening,  being  made 
exceeding  welcome.  In  the  morning  he  talked  with  Mr. 
Goes  about  the  recent  division  of  the  Kinderhook  Patent 
and  learned  "that  it  was  totally  disregarded,  everybody 
taking  in  lands  where  they  can  find  them  whether  they  have 
a  right  to  them  or  not. " 

We  think,  however,  that  we  can  read  between  the  lines 
of  Abraham's  narrative  that  Isaac  was  considerably  dis- 
gruntled over  something  and  that  his  statements  are  to 
be  taken  with  several  grains  of  salt.  Evidently  no  love  was 
lost  on  his  part  toward  a  family  whose  prosperity  he  deemed 
a  menace  to  the  welfare  of  the  commimity. 


"WKat  AA^as  "What  159 

Mr.  Lott  records  that  "Mr.  David  Van  Schaack  has 
built  him  a  house  Uke  a  Castle  near  the  town.  It  is  built  of 
brick,  two  stories  high,  four  rooms  on  a  floor,  and  a  large 
hall  through  the  middle  of  it,  and  is  built  in  a  very  elegant 
Taste."  Mr.  Lott  was  very  apprehensive  as  regards  the 
future  of  Kinderhook  because  of  such  expensive  tastes. 
After  breakfasting  with  Mr.  Goes  and  paying  5/6  for  his 
entertainment  he  called  again  on  Mr.  Fryenmoet  who  gave 
him  some  "Green  Pease  for  Messrs  White  and  McDougall. " 
Thence  he  went  by  way  of  Mr.  Van  Alstyne's  (Chatham 
Center)  and  Captain  Van  Der  Poel's  to  the  house  of  one  Mr. 
Demming,  at  a  place  in  the  Westinghook  Patent  called  New 
Canaan.  "Here  I  overtook  one  Vosburgh  from  Kinderhook 
with  whom  I  dined,"  paying  3/-  for  dinner  and  feed  of  the 
horses.  Proceeding  thence  he  came  to  "  the  Bath  "  (Lebanon 
Springs),  where  he  remained  a  few  days,  taking  the  baths  for 
his  health.  He  was  evidently  pleased,  for  he  gave  8/-  for 
repairing  leaks  and  8/-  more  toward  a  new  bath  house. 
While  he  was  there  a  party  of  five  rheumatics  came  from 
Kinderhook  "to  be  cured,"  and  another  party  came  from 
Albany. 

More  than  one  hundred  years  before  the  Revolution 
military  companies  were  organized  here.  We  are  without 
definite  information  of  service  rendered,  but  have  here  and 
there  a  glimpse,  as  hitherto  noted,  of  the  participation  of  our 
brave  soldiers  in  successive  French  and  Indian  wars  and  of 
the  recognition  and  reward  of  that  service  by  the  Colonial 
authorities.  We  know  also  of  one  or  more  of  these  companies 
being  called  to  "range  the  woods,"  as  the  expression  was,  to 
discover  and  beat  back  the  irresponsible  bands  of  Canadian 
Indians  so  frequently  threatening  all  frontier  settlements  and 
even  the  city  of  Albany. 

From  Albany  Coimty  Military  Records,  State  Historian 
Hastings's  Annual  Report,  vol.  i.,  and  other  sources,  we 
compile  the  following  record  concerning  Kinderhook  men : 

In  1673,  ^  what  was  called  the  third  platoon,  Abraham 


i6o  Old  RinderHooK 

Janse  (Van  Alstyne)  was  Sergeant  and  Arent  Leendertse 
(Conine)  Ensign. 

In  1689,  our  Abraham  Janse  was  ordered  to  convey 
three  men  and  thirty  horses  to  Woodbury,  Conn.,  and  all 
persons  were  directed  to  furnish  him  and  his  horses  with 
such  necessities  as  might  be  required. 

In  1700,  a  militia  regiment  for  the  city  and  County  of 
Albany  was  organized,  with  Peter  Schuyler  as  Colonel. 
Jochem  Lamerse  (Van  Valkenburgh),  Lieutenant,  and  Volkert 
Van  Hoesen  and  Abraham  Janse,  Ensigns. 

For  the  year  17 14  we  read: 

One  Comp'ye  at  Kinderhook. 
Abraham  Jansen  (Van  Alstyne),  Cap'n,  Pieter  Van  Buren, 
Lieut.,  Stephanus  Van  Ale,  Ensigne. 

A  year  later  in  the  list  of  about  seventy  privates  we  note 
these  names:  Van  Schaack  (i);  Borghart  (3);  Huyck  (3); 
Van  Slyck  (2);  Van  Alstine  (3);  Van  Alen  (3);  Vosburgh 
(5) ;  Van  Valkenburgh  (3) ;  Goes  (6) ;  Sluyter  (2) ;  Gardinier 
(5) ;  Wheeler  (3) ;  Van  Buren  (2) ;  Van  Deusen  (i) ;  Dingman 
(2);  Scherp  (2);  Becker  (4);  Van  Hoesen  (i);  Salsberge  (i); 
Hooteling  (i);  Moore  (i);  Hardick  (i);  Cornelius  (i);  Haes 
(i);  Rous  (i);  Jange  (i);  and  Turk,  one. 

In  1733  there  were  two  Kinderhook  companies  of  which 
we  read: 

Capt.  Lindert  Conyn.  Livt.  Sander  Van  Alstyn,  in  ye 
room  of  Burger  Huyck.  Livt.  Tobias  Van  Buren.  Ensign 
Johannis  Van  Der  Pool. 

Capt.  Johs.  Van  Dussen.      Livt.  Gerrit  Van  Schack. 

Livt.  Comelis  Van  Schack.  Ensign,  Lowerens  Van  AUe,  Jun'r. 

In  1755  there  was  a  company  of  which  Philip  Schuyler 
was  Captain  and  Sir  William  Johnson  Commander-in-Chief. 
It  was  encamped  for  a  time  at  German  Flats  and  was  later  a 


What  Was  What  i6i 

part  of  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point.  In  this  Company 
Henry  Van  Schaack  was  a  Lieutenant  and  was  reported  as 
distinguishing  himself  in  the  skirmishes  near  Lake  George. 
He  also  served  at  Niagara.  Among  the  enlisted  men  we 
notice  Isaac  Van  Alstyne,  Isaac  B.  Van  Alstyne,  Lambert 
H.  Van  Valkenburgh,  Edward  Wheeler,  Dirck  Woodcock, 
and  Frans  P.  and  Johannis  Klaw.  There  were  possibly  other 
enlisted  men  from  Kinderhook  whose  names  we  fail  to 
recognize. 

The  same  year  we  have  these  Kinderhook  companies 
reported : 

Capt.  Jacobus  Van  Alen  Capt.  Frans  Klauw 

1  Lieut.  Anderies  And'rse  Wit- 
beck  I  Lieut.  Johannis  Staats 

2  Do.  Pieter  B.  Vosburgh  2  Lieut.  Antoney  Quackenbus 
Ensign  Abraham  Van  Alen         Ensign  Pieter  Ab.  Vosburgh 

In  1767  (with  commissions  dated  1757)  there  was  a 
company  of  which  Jacobus  Van  Alen  was  Captain.  Andries 
Witbeck,Jun.,  and  Anthony  Quackenboss,  Lieutenants ;  Myn- 
dert  Goes,  Folkert  Witbeck,  John  Van  Hoesen,  and  Abraham 
Staats,  Sergeants;  Johannis  Bakhis  and  Andries  Scherp, 
Corporals;  and  Johannie  E.  Van  Alen,  Clerk.  In  the  roll  of 
enlisted  men  we  find  the  names :  Van  Dyke  (3) ;  Van 
Valkenburgh  (24);  Van  Alstyne  (11);  Goes  (7);  Van  Buren 
(2) ;  Pruyn  (3) ;  Van  Schaack  (2) ;  Van  Howsen  (3) ;  Staats 
(4) ;  Vanderpoel  (5) ;  Scherp  (7) ;  Woodcock  (4),  and  Claw  (9). 
These  with  a  few  omitted  names  make  a  total  rank  and  file 
of  151  men. 

In  the  same  year  (1767)  we  find  "Eenn  Leyst  van  het 
Bovenste  Compeney, "  (The  Uppermost  Company).  The 
roster  is  of  interest  for  its  ingenious  spelling  as  well  as  the 
information  it  gives.    It  is  in  part: 

Cepten — Fraens  Claevw;  Leuy tenant — Deyrck  Goes; 
Ynsen — Comely s  Van  Scaeck  Jun. ;  Seryaents — Pieter  Vose- 


i62  Old  K-inderKooK 

beurgh,  Saemmel  Wyeler,  Pieterys  Gaerdenyer,  and  Stepanys 
Van  Aelen;  Corpereals — Pieterys  Yalarman,  Isaeck  Van 
Sleyck  and  Pieter  Vosebeurgh;  Pieter  Van  Beuren,  Clerk. 
The  rank  and  file  numbered  131  and  among  them  we  find: 
Vosburgh  (14) ;  Van  Vleck  (2) ;  Van  Buren  (5) ;  Van  Ness  (i) ; 
Van  Alstyne  (3) ;  Van  Alen  (3) ;  Huyck  (8) ;  Goes  (6) ;  Van 
Deusen  (2) ;  Gardenier  (7) ;  Claw  (5) ;  Van  Slyck  (5) ;  Sharp 
(6)  and  Wheeler  (7).  A  few  of  these  names  are  apparently 
the  same  as  those  before  given  and  were  probably  transferred 
from  the  lower  to  the  "bovenste"  company. 

In  1770  a  long  list  of  men  recommended  for  commissions 
in  the  militia  was  sent  from  here  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  the 
Commander-in-Chief.  In  his  voluminous  MSS.  in  the  State 
Library  may  be  found  (if  not  now  perished)  many  letters  and 
petitions,  some  of  the  latter  numerously  signed,  relating  to 
appointments  of  commissioned  officers;  protesting  against 
certain  appointments  sought  by  the  ambitious  who  were 
deemed  unqualified  or  undesirable,  and  suggesting  sub- 
stitutes for  those  who  had  declined  proffered  commissions. 
Inasmuch  as  the  many  names  of  those  recommended  for 
commissions  appear  on  the  roster  of  the  Seventh  Regiment, 
Kinderhook  District,  as  organized  October  20,  1775,  and 
reorganized  in  1778,  we  omit  them  here.  More  than  a  year, 
however,  before  the  commissions  of  the  Seventh  Regiment 
were  issued  there  was  a  militia  regiment  "comprehending 
the  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  and  the  King's  District." 
We  find  no  roster  of  the  regiment,  but  from  an  admirably 
written  letter  of  condolence  to  the  son  of  Sir  William  after 
the  latter's  death  (1774),  we  quote  the  names  of  "field 
officers,  captains  and  subalterns,"  as  they  style  themselves. 
A  few  were  residents  of  King's  District,  east  of  this  District, 
but  the  majority  by  far  were  of  Kinderhook.  The  super- 
scription and  names  are  as  follows: 

Kinderhook  July  23d,  1774.  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  H.  V. 
Schaack,  Andrus  Witbeck,  Mathews  Harlow,  Herbert  Baldwin, 


What  Was  What  163 

Daniel  Breck,  Aaron  Kellogg,  Asa  Douglass,  David  Wright, 
Abraham  Vanderpoel,  Melgert  Vanderpoel,  Elisha  Pratt  Jr., 
John  Beebe  Jr.,  Philip  Loisler,  John  Davis,  Martin  Beebe, 
Samuel  Waterman,  Lambert  Bungat,  John  D.  Goes,  Peter 
Vosburgh,  Johannis  L.  Van  Alen,  Abr'm  J.  Van  Vleck,  Ephraim 
Van  Buren,  Dirck  Gardinier,  Peter  Van  Slyck  Jun.,  John  D. 
Vosburgh,  John  T.  Vosburgh,  Stephen  Van  Alen,  WilHam 
Powers,  James  Skinner,  Lucas  T.  Goes,  Myndert  Vosburgh, 
Cruger  Huyk  Jun.,  Isaac  Vanderpoel,  Peter  Van  Alstyne,  John 
W.  Van  Alstyne,  John  Pruyne,  Elijah  Skinner,  Lucas  Van  Alen 
Jr.,  Lawrence  Goes,  Barent  Vanderpoel. 

Evidently  Kinderhook  was  well  represented  by  the 
militia  on  the  frontier,  and  doubtless  rendered  much  service 
of  which  there  is  now  no  record.  We  have  some  evidence 
thereof  that  in  December,  171 7,  an  Act  was  passed  for  pay- 
ing and  discharging  several  debts  due  from  the  Colony  to 
persons  therein  named  (many  in  number)  for  services, 
supplies,  wagons  broken,  horses  injured  or  killed,  etc.,  in 
expeditions  against  the  French  in  1692  and  later.  Bills  of 
credit  were  issued  representing  different  amoimts  of  "  Plate, " 
i.  e.,  "Spanish  Coynes  of  Sevil,  Mexico  or  Pillar  Plate. ^^  De- 
preciation of  face  value  was  prohibited.  It  was  true  "fiat 
money."  »-  Abraham  Staats,  Coenradt  Borgaert,  Matthew, 
Jan.,  and  Jan.  Tysse  Goes,  and  several  others  from  Kinder- 
hook,  were  named  as  entitled  to  this  or  that  number  of 
ounces  and  pennyweights  of  Plate  for  services  or  supplies  in 
1692  and  1709. 

That  they  were  to  a  degree  equipped  and  trained  for 
service,  which  was  possibly  rendered  though  unrecorded,  we 
may  be  assured.  The  laws  of  the  Duke  of  York  (1664)  had 
these  enactments  concerning  Military  Affairs,  which  seem 
interesting  enough  to  quote  in  part. 

First,  that  every  Male  Person  above  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
Except  .  .  .  shall  duely  attend  all  Military  Exercises  and 
Services  as  Trayning  watching  and  warding,  .  .  .  under  the 
penalty  of  five  shillings  for  every  Dayes  default.     Every  Male 


164  Old  K.inderKooK 

within  this  Government  from  Sixteen  to  Sixty  years  of  age  .  .  . 
shall  be  furnished  from  time  to  time  and  so  Continue  well  fur- 
nished with  Armes  and  other  Suitable  provition  hereafter  men- 
tioned; under  the  penalty  of  five  shillings  for  the  least  default 
therein  Namely  a  good  Serviceable  Gun  ...  to  be  kept  in 
Constant  fitness  for  present  Service,  with  a  good  sword  bande- 
leers  or  horn  a  worm  a  Scowerer  a  priming  wire  Shott  Badge  and 
Charger  one  pound  of  good  powder,  four  pounds  of  Pistol  bullets 
or  twenty  four  bullets  fitted  to  the  gunne,  four  fathom  of 
Serviceable  Match  for  match  lock  gunne  four  good  flints  fitted 
for  a  fire  lock  gunn.  .  .  . 

Every  town  within  this  Government  shall  have  every  year 
four  days  of  Trayning  amongst  themselves  and  there  shall  be 
also  in  each  Ryding  once  in  the  yeare  a  General  Trayning  of  all 
the  Townes  within  that  Jurisdiction.  .  .  . 

There  shall  be  likewise  once  in  two  years  a  General  Trayning 
for  all  souldiers  within  this  Government.  ... 

In  the  Severall  Traynings  All  Males  above  sixteen  Years  of 
age  who  are  not  freed  from  that  Service,  are  to  be  taught  and 
Instructed  in  the  Comely  handling  and  ready  use  of  their  Arms 
in  all  postures  of  Warre  to  understand  and  attend  all  words 
of  Command,  And  further  To  fitt  all  Such  as  are  or  shall  be  in 
Some  measure  instructed  for  all  Military  Service,  against  there 
be  occation  under  the  penalty  of  forty  Shillings. 

This  law,  as  regards  the  "Trayning  Dayes"  at  least,  was 
faithfully  observed  until  comparatively  recent  times.  An 
account  of  these  famous  Training  Days  in  their  prime  may 
be  found  in  our  chapter  on  Celebrations. 


CHAPTER  VI 

WAR  TIMES 

The  Revolution  and  the  Loyalists— The  War  of  1812— The  Civil  War— The 

War  with  Spain. 

IN  preceding  chapters  we  have  noted  the  occasional  Indian 
forays  and  the  perils  and  service  of  our  people  in  the 
more  serious  French  and  Indian  wars.  The  Revolution  and 
the  Loyalists  of  Kinderhook  may  therefore  be  our  first 
sub-topic. 

The  voluminous  Documents  Relating  to  the  Colonial 
History  of  the  State  of  New  York  abound  with  complaints  of 
many  successive  English  governors  concerning  the  disloyal 
spirit  of  the  Legislative  Assemblies.  They  were  charged  with 
assuming  to  regard  themselves  as  on  a  level  with  the  House 
of  Commons  and  claiming  an  equal  authority.  Their  utter- 
ances, acts,  and  failures  to  act  as  the  governors  desired,  and 
their  ever  increasing  jealousy  for  the  rights  of  the  people, 
were  regarded  as  encroaching  upon  the  prerogatives  of  the 
Crown  and  as  not  far  from  treasonable. 

The  unyielding  spirit  of  his  Majesty's  advisors  and  their 
unwise  insistence  upon,  and  attempted  enforcement  of,  ex- 
aggerated royal  pretensions  could  have  but  one  result. 
Peter  Van  Schaack  was  one  of  many  not  in  favor  of  Colonial 
independence  and  during  the  struggle  was  an  expatriated 
Loyalist,  but  he  had  the  discernment  to  foresee  that  result. 
As   early   as    1769  he  wrote   to   the   Rev.   John   Vardill: 

165 


1 66  Old  RinderHooK 

"The  benefits  arising  from  our  commerce  is  all  that  Great 
Britain  ought  to  expect.  By  grasping  at  more  they  will  lose 
all."  There  was  almost  entire  unanimity  as  regards  the 
principles  involved  and  the  rights  of  the  colonies.  It  was 
the  method  of  asserting  and  maintaining  those  rights  on 
which  men  differed. 

From  the  original  manuscript  displayed  in  a  glass  case 
in  a  room  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society  we  copied  this 
record : 

At  a  Meeting  at  the  Exchange,  i6th  May,  1774,  Isaac  Low 
chosen  chairman,  ist  Question  put,  Whether  it  is  necessary 
for  the  present,  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  correspond  with  the 
Colonies,  on  the  present  important  crisis?  Carried  in  the 
AFFIRMATIVE  by  a  great  majority. 

2d.  Whether  a  Committee  be  nominated  this  Evening  for  the 
Approbation  of  the  Public?  Carried  in  the  affirmative  by  a 
great  majority. 

3d.  Whether  a  Committee  of  50  be  appointed  or  25?  Carried 
for  50  by  a  great  majority. 

Peter  Van  Schaack  of  Kinderhook,  then  twenty-four 
years  old,  was  one  of  that  important  Committee,  and  sub- 
sequently of  the  committee  of  100,  known  as  the  Committee 
of  Resistance  or  Provisional  War  Committee. 

Later  in  the  same  month  the  New  York  Committee  of 
Safety : 

Ordered — That  Messrs.  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Francis  Lewis, 
John  Jay  (and  others)  be  a  committee  to  write  a  circular  letter 
to  the  Supervisors  of  the  different  Counties  acquainting  them  of 
the  appointment  of  a  Committee  of  Safety  and  submitting  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Counties,  whether  it 
would  not  be  expedient  for  them  to  appoint  persons  to  correspond 
with  this  Committee  upon  matters  relative  to  the  purposes  for 
which  they  are  appointed. 

Mr.  Van  Schaack  accepted  the  appointment  and  rendered 
the  service;  for  we  have  in  the  late  Mr.  Henry  C.  Van 


"War  Times  167 

Schaack's  collection  this  autograph  letter  of  Mr.  Walter 
Butler  of  Kinderhook  in  reply: 

...  I  am  of  opinion  our  Country  never  will  agree  to  any 
measures  except  declaring  their  dissatisfaction  to  the  Late 
Several  Laws  passed  by  the  British  Parliament  against  the 
Colonies,  until  the  people  of  Boston  have  made  full  Satisfaction 
for  the  Teas  they  have  destroyed,  the  property  of  private  persons 
— and  whenever  that  is  done  will  be  very  desirous  of  any  measures 
being  adopted  tending  to  obtain  the  Rights  due  the  americans 
as  British  Subjects. 

The  writer  was  not  an  enthusiast,  it  would  seem,  for  the 
American  cause. 

When  the  "alarming  news  from  England"  of  the  passage 
of  the  Boston  Port  Bill  reached  New  York,  the  Committee 
of  Correspondence  there  issued  a  circular  letter  of  informa- 
tion and  counsel  to  all  the  towns  of  the  Colony.  In  accord- 
ance therewith,  on  the  21st  of  June,  1774,  the  freeholders 
and  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  District  gathered  in  council, 
and  after  due  deliberation  adopted  the  following  resolutions, 
written  by  no  '"prentice  hand,"  which  we  recognize,  we 
think. 

Resolved — That  in  the  present  critical  situation  of  the  colonies 
in  relation  to  the  mother  country,  the  appointment  of  commit- 
tees of  correspondence  in  the  different  colonies  appears  to  us  to 
be  a  measure  highly  expedient,  as  best  adapted  mutually  to  com- 
municate to  each  other  the  earliest  intelligence  of  such  matters 
as  may  affect  their  common  interest;  to  concert  such  a  plan  of 
conduct  as — being  the  result  of  the  united  wisdom  of  all  the 
colonies — will  best  promote  their  common  benefit,  most  effectu- 
ally secure  their  constitutional  rights  and  liberties,  and  prevent 
rash,  crude,  and  inconsiderate  measures. 

Resolved — That  as  we  have  the  fullest  confidence  in  the 
wisdom,  prudence,  and  moderation  of  the  committee  of  corre- 
spondence appointed  for  the  city  of  New  York,  it  is  our  opinion 


i68  Old  RinderHooK 

that  the  inhabitants  of  the  whole  Province  may,  with  great 
safety,  rely  on  their  adopting  only  such  measures  as  shall  have 
our  common  welfare  for  their  object;  but,  although  we  think,  for 
these  reasons,  that  the  appointment  of  district  committees  for 
the  counties  may  at  present  be  dispensed  with,  yet,  if  the  sense  of 
the  other  districts  of  this  county  should  be  in  favor  of  a  com- 
mittee, we  shall  readily  acquiesce  in  that  measure. 

Resolved — That  Henry  Van  Schaack  and  Matthew  Goes 
(Hoes)  junior,  be  appointed  by  this  district  to  consult  with  the 
representatives  of  the  other  districts  upon  the  expediency  of 
appointing  a  committee  for  this  county,  and  to  nominate  on  our 
behalf  the  persons  of  whom  such  committee  shall  consist. 

On  the  13th  of  August,  1774,  a  county  committee  met  in 
Albany  and  nominated  as  county  delegates  to  the  Continen- 
tal Congress,  Robert  Yates,  Henry  Van  Schaack,  and  Peter 
Silvester,  subject  to  approval  of  the  districts.  These  sub- 
sequently indicated  their  preference  for  but  one  delegate, 
and  chose  Colonel  Philip  Schuyler.  The  people  of  the  city 
and  County  of  New  York  having  passed  certain  resolves,  it 
was  directed  that  they  should  be  read  to  the  people  in  the 
several  districts  by  their  committee-men,  who  were  to  take 
the  sense  of  their  districts  regarding  them.  A  meeting  for 
that  purpose  was  held  here  August  29th.  In  the  meantime, 
Colonel  Schuyler  had  expressed  his  disapproval  of  some  of  the 
resolves  of  the  New  York  meeting,  taking  especial  exception 
to  these  words,  "That  it  is  our  greatest  happiness  and  glory 
to  have  been  born  British  subjects."  The  meeting  here,  in 
view  of  Colonel  Schuyler's  attitude,  took  the  following 
action : 

Resolved — That  as  we  acknowledge  ourselves  British  subjects, 
it  would  be  altogether  improper  to  instruct  Col.  Schuyler  with 
resolves  which  hold  up  principles  that  tend  (as  he  thinks)  to 
enslave  us. 

Resolved — That  if  instructions  for  a  delegate  or  delegates,  or 
another  set  of  resolves,  are  offered  to  the  consideration  of  the 
committee  of  correspondence  at  their  next  meeting,  such  instruc- 


"War  Times  169 

tions  or  resolves  ought  to  be  laid  before  the  several  districts 
within  this  county  before  any  delegate  or  delegates  attend  the 
Congress  from  the  body  of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany. 

Resolved — That  Matthew  Goes,  junior,  and  Henry  Van 
Schaack  have  acted  right  in  giving  their  votes  against  paying 
delegates  to  go  from  the  body  of  the  county  of  Albany,  as  this 
district  could  with  great  safety  have  confided  its  trust  in  the 
delegates  that  are  appointed  for  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  decidedly  conservative  sentiment  which  was  then 
evidently  dominant  here,  as  well  as  among  the  Loyalists  of 
New  York,  was  rudely  shocked  by  the  outcome  of  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Congress.  One  of  its  first  acts  was  the 
approval  of  the  Massachusetts  "Suffolk  Resolves."  Those 
historic  resolves  in  their  preamble  refer  to  "the  power  but 
not  the  justice,  the  vengeance  but  not  the  wisdom  of  Great 
Britain,  which  of  old  persecuted,  scourged  and  exiled  our 
fugitive  parents  from  their  native  shores,  and  now  pursues 
us,  their  guiltless  children,  with  unrelenting  severity." 

The  hopes  of  the  conservatives  here  were  obviously 
doomed  to  disappointment.  For  about  a  year  there  was  no 
important  action  on  the  part  of  our  people.  But,  when  "  the 
melancholy  news"  arrived  announcing  the  shedding  of  blood 
at  Lexington,  they  were  again  roused  to  action  by  an  urgent 
invitation  from  the  county  committee,  and  they  again 
assembled  and  chose  delegates  to  represent  them  in  the  dis- 
trict and  county  committees.  That  these  delegates  were  not 
extravagant  in  their  enthusiasm  for  the  cause  of  American 
liberty  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  in  1778  three  of 
them  at  least  received  the  not  always  gentle  or  even  just 
attentions  of  the  Commissioners  for  Detecting  and  Defeating 
Conspiracies. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Allen,  the  first  minister  of  the  Pitts- 
field  church,  was  an  ardent  patriot,  exerting  his  utmost 
influence  in  advocacy  of  the  American  cause,  not  only  at 
home  but  throughout  western  Massachusetts  and  beyond  the 


170  Old  K-inderHooK 

border.  He  was  the  chairman  of  their  local  committee. 
There  was  a  call  for  missionary  work,  he  thought,  in  this 
vicinity,  from  which  he  had  heard  unpleasant  reports. 
Smith,  in  his  History  of  Pittsfield,  in  writing  of  the  dis- 
affected there  and  of  their  flight  from  the  wrath  of  their 
townsmen  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  says  of  Woodbridge 
Little,  Esq.,  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  their  loyalists — 
"he  fled  to  Kinderhook,  the  place  of  Tories."  In  March, 
1775,  Mr.  Allen  came  and  spoke  in  Kinderhook,  as  he  also 
did  in  Claverack  and  Canaan,  "to  the  delight  of  the  patriots 
and  the  vehement  displeasure  of  their  opponents."  In  a 
letter  to  General  Seth  Pomeroy,  dated  March  9th,  Mr. 
Allen  wrote: 

Our  militia  this  way  are  vigorously  preparing  for  actual 
readiness.  Adjacent  towns  and  this  town  are  buying  arms  and 
ammunition.  .  .  .  The  spirit  of  Liberty  runs  high  in  Albany. 
...  I  have  exerted  myself  to  spread  the  same  spirit  .  .  .  which 
has  of  late  taken  surprising  effect.  The  poor  Tories  at  Kinder- 
hook are  mortified  and  grieved  and  are  wheeling  about  and 
beginning  to  take  the  quickstep. 

This  ardent  patriot  of  the  Church  Militant  was  at  Benning- 
ton where  he  prayed  the  God  of  Battles  to  teach  their 
"hands  to  war  and  their  fingers  to  fight. "  It  is  related  that 
some  time  after  the  battle,  being  asked  if  he  actually  killed 
any  man,  his  reply  was  that  he  did  not  know,  but  that  ob- 
serving a  flash  repeated  from  a  certain  bush  and  that  it  was 
generally  followed  by  the  fall  of  one  of  Stark's  men,  he  fired 
that  way  and  put  the  flash  out. 

Within  a  month  after  the  battle  of  Lexington  there  was  a 
meeting  of  the  several  Committees  of  Correspondence  and 
Safety  in  Albany  at  which  the  following  manifesto  was 
agreed  to  and  subscribed : 

Persuaded  that  the  Salvation  of  the  rights  of  America  de- 
pends, under  God,  on  the  firm  Union  of  its  Inhabitants  in  a 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  Measures  necessary  for  its  Safety; 


"War  Times  171 

and  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  preventing  Anarchy  and 
Confusion  which  attends  a  dissolution  of  the  Powers  of  Govern- 
ment— We,  the  Freemen  and  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
City  and  County  of  Albany  being  greatly  alarmed  at  the  avowed 
design  of  the  Ministry  to  raise  a  Revenue  in  America,  and 
shocked  by  the  bloody  scene  now  acting  in  Massachusetts  Bay, 
Do  in  the  most  Solemn  Manner  resolve  never  to  become  slaves; 
and  do  associate  under  all  the  ties  of  Religion,  Honor  and  Love 
to  our  Country,  to  adopt  and  endeavor  to  carry  into  Execution, 
whatever  Measures  may  be  recommended  by  our  Provincial 
Congress  or  resolved  upon  by  our  Provincial  Convention  for  the 
purpose  of  preserving  our  Constitution,  and  opposing  the  Execu- 
tion of  the  several  Arbitrary  and  oppressive  Acts  of  the  British 
Parliament  until  a  reconciliation  between  Great  Britain  and 
America  on  Constitutional  Principles  (which  we  most  ardently 
desire)  can  be  obtained :  And  that  we  will  in  all  things  follow  the 
Advice  of  our  General  Committee  respecting  the  purposes  afore- 
said, the  preservation  of  Peace  and  good  Order  and  the  safety 
of  individuals  and  private  Property. 

This  was  subscribed  by  Barent  Vanderpoel  and  Andries 
Witbeck  of  Kinderhook.  Other  signatures  were  doubtless 
of  delegates  residing  here,  but  uncertain  orthography  leads 
us  to  omit  them. 

Evidently,  reconciliation,  with  the  conservation  of  Ameri- 
can rights,  not  independence,  was  the  prevailing  idea.  Con- 
scientious adherence  to  this  view  compelled  many  of  sincere 
conviction  and  eminent  character  to  become  Loyalists.  That 
there  were  others  devoid  of  both  character  and  principle, 
none  will  deny. 

Throughout  Albany  County,  as  well  as  in  New  York, 
on  Long  Island,  and  in  the  very  considerable  region  along  the 
Mohawk  dominated  by  the  Johnson  influence,  there  were 
many  Loyalists.  In  1777,  justly  or  otherwise,  it  was  reported 
to  the  authorities  in  Albany  that  "most  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Kinderhook  and  of  districts  adjacent  are  disaffected." 
Certain  officers  even  of  the  regiment  here  were  charged  with 
disaffection  and  petitions  signed  by  many  asked  for  their 


172  Old  HinderHooK 

removal  and  the  appointment  in  their  place  of  others  of 
known  attachment  to  the  liberties  of  the  country.  Two 
at  least  were  thus  removed.  In  Livingston  Manor  more 
than  three  fourths  of  the  inhabitants  were  reported  to  be 
Loyalists.  A  nightly  patrol  was  established  and  long  main- 
tained there  for  the  protection  of  those  who  espoused  the 
American  cause.  Even  the  officers  of  the  first  local  regiment 
were  reported  to  the  Provincial  Congress  as  riding  about  from 
place  to  place  huzzaing  for  the  King.  We  have  before  us  as 
we  write  the  original  manuscript  letter  of  Dirck  Jansen, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Manor  of  Livingston,  to 
John  Barclay,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Albany,  dated 
May  5,  i ']']'].  After  stating  that  the  district  had  been  thrown 
into  the  utmost  confusion  by  the  scenes  of  disorder  and 
violence  which  he  narrates,  he  says:  "We  are,  Gentlemen, 
in  a  most  deplorable  condition,  not  having  in  our  whole 
regiment  fifty  men  to  depend  on,  and  our  friends  way-laid 
every  night  and  their  houses  burned  repeatedly." 

Nor  were  conditions  at  Claverack  much  if  any  better. 
In  the  published  volume  of  the  Correspondence  of  the 
Provincial  Congress  we  find  a  petition,  signed  by  a  Claverack 
committee  and  the  Field  officers  of  the  Kinderhook  regiment 
(May,  1777),  asking  for  the  raising  of  a  company  of  thirty 
rangers  for  the  protection  of  the  lives  and  property  of  the 
well-affected  residents  of  Claverack,  "in  hourly  eminent 
peril,"  it  was  said,  from  the  violence  of  the  disaffected. 
Stephen  Hogeboom  of  Claverack,  in  transmitting  the  petition 
with  his  endorsement,  suggested  that  sixty  men  were  needed, 
and  with  the  petition  he  forwarded  papers  that  had  been 
intercepted,  disclosing  the  efforts  of  the  Loyalists  to  secure 
recruits  for  the  British  army.  He  also  stated  that  the 
committee  of  Claverack  had  arrested  eleven  men  who  were 
being  sent  in  chains  to  Albany  to  be  tried,  and,  he  added — 
"some  of  whom  will  be  executed  if  they  receive  their  due 
reward." 

That    there   were   base,    evil-minded   men   among   the 


"War  Times  173 

Loyalists,  and  on  the  other  side  as  well,  was  inevitable.  The 
time  was  opportune  for  all  the  jealous,  malicious,  and  lawless 
to  vent  their  spite  and  venom  in  dastardly  ways.  These 
were  guilty  of  every  manner  of  cruel  outrage  and  violence, 
not  excepting  robbery,  arson,  and  assassination.  On  the 
other  hand  some  of  the  "Sons  of  Liberty, "  so  called,  resorted 
to  retaliatory  violence  not  only,  but  were  chargeable  with 
unprovoked  outrages  upon  the  unoffending  and  defenseless. 
After  an  exciting  and  protested  election  in  our  village  in 
October,  1777,  complaint  was  made  that  bodies  of  armed 
men  from  Claverack,  Kings  District,  and  Massachusetts  Bay 
had  invaded  Kinderhook  and  without  authority  had  dis- 
armed, dragooned,  and  maltreated  the  inhabitants.  We  do 
not  know,  but  suspect  that  the  armed  men  "from  Massa- 
chussetts  Bay"  may  have  been  Captain  James  Strong  and 
Lieutenant  Hubbard  with  thirty  privates  who  in  May,  as  we 
learn  from  Smith's  History,  were  sent  hither  from  Pittsfield 
* ^ after  inimical  persons.'' '  We  have  no  account  of  their  service 
here,  but  have,  we  think,  the  Loyalists'  view  of  it.  That 
some  Loyalists,  because  of  ^Hhe  prejudice  of  their  neighbors,*^ 
were  compelled  to  flee  to  the  woods  and  hide  in  hollow  trees 
and  caves  we  know  from  their  own  appeals  to  the  British 
Claim  Commissioners  in  Montreal  years  later.  The  hollow 
trees  are  gone,  but  there  is  still  pointed  out  the  cave  where 
Peter  S.  Van  Alstine,  Gysbert  Sharpe,  and  others  hid  at 
times  from  their  wrathful  neighbors. 

There  are  those  who  think  that  some  of  the  men  who 
made  the  unhappy  choice  were  influenced  thereto  by  their 
wives.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  certain  that  the  wives  of  the 
Loyalists  were  not  in  all  instances  in  sympathy  with  their 
disaffected  husbands.  Andries  Kittle,  living  near  Little 
Nutten  Hook,  had  such  a  wife.  We  have  on  record  the 
petition  of  Catharine  to  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  release  of 
her  husband  and  his  estate.  He  had  been  taken  and  his  estate 
confiscated  on  account  of  alleged  disloyalty  to  the  American 
cause.     Accompanying  her  petition  were  these  affidavits: 


174  Old  K-inderKooK 

Jacobus  McNeal  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook,  and  County 
of  Albany,  weaver,  being  duly  sworn  deposeth  and  saith :  in  the 
two  years  last  past  he  has  often  worked  in  the  house  of  Andries 
Kittle,  whom  this  Deponent  understands  has  lately  gone  over 
to  the  enemy.  That  he  has  frequently  heard  the  said  Andries 
Kittle  in  discourse  with  Catharine,  his  wife,  upon  public  matters 
and  found  that  said  Kittle  was  unfriendly  to  the  Americans  in 
defense  of  their  liberties,  but  that  the  said  Catharine  on  the 
contrary  always  has  evinced  the  most  steady  attachment  to  this 
country.  That  their  difference  in  sentiments  upon  this  head  was 
often  the  occasion  of  dispute  between  them  and  further  saith  not. 
(Signed)  Jacobus  McNeal. 
Sworn  this  4th  day  of  December,  1777, 

Before  me  John  Van  Deusen,  Chairman,  P.  T. 

Jacob   Van   Hoesen    ("Taylor")    also    made    affidavit   as 
follows : 

That  the  latter  End  of  last  summer  or  the  beginning  of  the 
fall,  he  has  worked  at  his  Trade  near  his  House  at  a  Time  when 
the  said  Andries  Kittle  had  absconded  from  home  and  secreted 
himself  in  the  woods.  That  the  said  Catharine  informed  this 
deponent  that  she  was  much  against  her  Husband's  conduct  and 
had  repeatedly  asked  him  to  return  and  surrender  himself,  but 
that  he  would  not.  She  at  the  same  time  expressed  great  re- 
sentment against  the  behaviour  of  her  Husband.  That  She 
appeared  to  this  deponent  well  attached  to  the  liberties  of 
America. 

Catharine  deserved  that  capital  "  S. "  That  such  was  the 
opinion  of  the  Legislature  of  1789  appears  from  the  following 
enactment : 

.  .  .  All  the  estate,  right,  title,  interest,  claim  and  demand 
of  the  people  of  this  State  in  and  to  the  real  estate  of  the  said 
Andries  Kittle,  which  became  forfeited  to  the  State  ...  be  and 
are  hereby  vested  in  the  said  Catharine  Kittle,  except  such 
parts  thereof  as  may  have  been  sold  by  the  Commissioners  of 
Forfeitures. 


"War  Times  175 

As  one  illustration  of  many  records  we  note  that  in  '88 
these  Commissioners  sold  to  John  I.  Van  Alstyne,  665  acres 
formerly  belonging  to  Peter  S.  Van  Alstine  and  declared 
forfeited.  John  was  a  brother  of  Colonel  Abraham  I.,  and  a 
son  of  Isaac,  as  the  middle  initial  indicates. 

The  traditions  of  the  deeds  of  violence  by  the  Tories  here 
and  elsewhere  throughout  the  country  are  many.  The  most 
distressing  of  these  within  the  bounds  of  Old  Kinderhook 
was  the  murder  of  Abraham  Van  Ness,  then  living  between 
the  present  villages  of  Maiden  and  Chatham  Center.  From 
the  accoimt  written  by  Mr.  Jesse  Van  Ness  of  Wisconsin, 
nephew  of  the  murdered  man,  for  Major  Ellis's  History  of 
Columbia  County,  we  condense  the  following  narrative: 
Abraham,  son  of  John  Van  Ness  and  Jane  Van  Alen  of  Kinder- 
hook,  was  a  commissioned  officer  in  the  Militia.  In  August, 
1777,  after  an  absence  on  duty  he  returned  home  on  a  fur- 
lough. As  the  Tories  which  infested  the  region  had  not  been 
seen  for  several  days,  it  was  supposed  that  they  had  gone  to 
join  Burgoyne's  army.  But  the  day  after  Abraham's  return 
they  suddenly  appeared,  attacked  the  house,  and  broke  down 
the  doors,  which  the  family  barely  had  time  to  close  against 
them.  The  house  was  robbed  and  Abraham  made  a  prisoner. 
After  consultation  as  to  the  best  disposition  to  be  made  of 
him  he  was  deliberately  shot.  William  I.  Van  Ness  of 
Virginia,  a  brother  of  Jesse,  gives  a  somewhat  variant 
narrative  of  the  occurrence  and  adds  traditional  accounts  of 
the  swift  vengeance  meted  out  to  the  murderers.  It  further- 
more states  that  two  brothers  of  Abraham,  David  and  John, 
were  also  commissioned  officers  in  the  same  company  and  were 
present  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  in  October  of  that  year. 

In  the  military  Journal  of  Dr.  James  Thacher,  a  surgeon 
of  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  then  connected  with  the 
hospital  at  Albany,  we  find  this  entry: 

May  1 6th.  1778. — In  various  parts  of  this  state  the  inhabitants 
are  constantly  infested  with  a  banditti  of  tories  and  other  villains. 


176  Old  RinderKooK 

following  the  practice  of  robbing  and  plundering,  stealing  horses 
and  cattle,  and  often  committing  murder  on  those  who  oppose 
them,  and  even  on  innocent  persons.  A  number  of  these  vile 
wretches  have  been  apprehended  and  condemned;  two  of  them 
were  executed  yesterday.  They  had  been  convicted  of  robbing 
the  house  of  Mr.  Van  Ness,  whose  son,  being  a  captain  in  our 
militia,  was  taken  by  them  and  cruelly  murdered.  The  criminals 
were  conducted  to  the  gallows  by  a  guard  of  soldiers,  and  were 
attended  by  a  prodigious  number  of  spectators.  They  manifested 
at  the  gallows  the  most  agonizing  horrors.  One  of  them  held  in 
his  hand  a  Bible  till  the  halter  deprived  him  of  the  power  of 
holding  it.  Had  this  sacred  volume  been  his  companion  in  early 
life  it  might  have  been  the  means  of  averting  this  awful  and 
untimely  death. 

In  our  own  village,  the  house  of  John  C.  Wynkoop,  an 
ardent  patriot,  which  stood  about  150  feet  northwest  of 
what  we  first  knew  as  the  Guion  place,  on  Albany  avenue, 
was  confidently  believed  to  have  been  set  on  fire  in  the  night 
by  certain  bitter  Tories  living  near  who  were  seen  prowling 
around  the  premises  in  the  evening.  The  house  with  nearly 
all  it  contained  was  destroyed.  Mrs.  Wynkoop  (Lydia 
Silvester),  sitting  on  a  chest  of  valuables  which  had  with 
difficulty  been  saved,  beheld  without  hysterics  or  loud  weep- 
ing her  loved  home  and  many  treasures  therein  melting 
away,  and  calmly  repeated  Thomas  Greene's  well-known 
hymn:    "It  is  the  Lord,  enthroned  in  light!" 

Hardly  need  it  be  said  that  none  of  the  educated,  high- 
minded  men  among  the  Loyalists,  of  whom  there  were  many, 
were  capable  of  sympathizing  with  or  giving  the  least  en- 
couragement to  wrongdoing  of  any  sort.  They  conscien- 
tiously believed  there  were  wiser  and  better  ways  of  securing 
what  all  desired  than  by  separation  from  the  Mother  Country. 
They  felt  assured  also  that  the  struggle  for  independence 
was  a  hopeless  one.  Events  proved  that  they  were  mistaken. 
Then,  even  expatriated  Loyalists  said  they  were  glad  at  the 
issue,  and  thenceforth  rendered  loyal  and  notable  service 


"War  Times  177 

to  the  independent  state  and  nation.  We  are  not  to  be 
severe  in  our  judgment  of  men  who  were  conscientiously 
faithful  to  their  convictions  of  right  and  obHgation.  We 
hold  no  brief  for  the  Loyalists  of  Kinderhook,  but  suggest 
that  before  we  judge  them  harshly  we  should  be  sure  that  as 
regards  intelligence,  character,  and  distinguished  service  to 
the  community,  state,  and  nation,  we  have  as  valid  a  claim 
as  theirs  to  the  respect  and  gratitude  of  posterity.  Most  of 
the  Loyalists  here  declared  their  willingness  to  take,  and  did 
take,  an  oath  that  neither  directly  nor  indirectly  would  they 
do  or  say  anything  inimical  to  the  American  cause ;  but  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Free  and  Independent  State  of  New 
York  they  would  not  take.  They  were  therefore  classed 
among  the  neutrals  and  disaffected  whose  influence  was 
inimical  to  the  public  welfare.  The  list  of  Kinderhook 
"suspects"  was  a  long  one  and  contained  many  honored 
names.  These  were  subject  to  the  unjust  accusations  of  the 
envious  and  malicious,  as  well  as  to  the  distrust  of  those 
favoring  the  cause  of  American  independence,  among  whom 
were  many  of  their  own  kindred  and  most  valued  friends. 
That  they  and  the  families  from  which  many  of  them  were 
separated  suffered  greatly  is  well  known. 

Before  the  appointment  of  the  state  "Commissioners  for 
Detecting  and  Defeating  Conspiracies,"  John  L.  Van  Alen 
and  John  S.  Van  Alstyne  were  sent  to  the  Fleet  prison  at 
Kingston  for  the  sole  offense  of  refusing  to  give  evidence 
against  their  fellow- townsmen.  In  July,  1777,  the  Albany 
Council  of  Safety  wrote  to  the  Kingston  Council,  expressing 
their  consent  and  desire  for  the  liberation  of  these  men  upon 
their  entering  into  a  bond  to  appear  within  six  days  before 
the  Council,  to  give  evidence  "touching  and  concerning  such 
persons  at  or  about  Kinderhook  suspected  to  be  guilty  of 
inimical  practices  against  the  State." 

Matthew  Vosburgh,  Jr.,  was  among  those  sent  to  Goshen. 
Subsequently,  an  exchange  having  been  effected,  he  went 
within  the  British  lines  at  New  York,   utterly  broken  in 


178  Old  K-inderKooK. 

health,  and  died  there  attended  only  by  his  daughter  Bata. 
Very  pathetic  was  the  appeal  of  the  widow  here  to  Governor 
Clinton  to  permit  the  return  of  Bata  to  her  mother.  Per- 
mission was  given,  it  need  hardly  be  said.  Thus  it  was  also 
in  December,  1779,  as  regards  the  petition  of  Alida  Van 
Alstine  to  Governor  Clinton  for  permission  to  join  her 
husband  Peter  (of  whom  more  anon)  in  New  York.  She 
represented  that  before  he  left  the  state  he  had  been  com- 
pelled, for  personal  safety  for  a  considerable  time,  to  seek 
concealment  in  the  woods ;  that  seeing  no  prospect  of  recon- 
ciliation with  his  prejudiced  neighbors  he  was  constrained 
to  proceed  to  Canada  and  thence  to  New  York:  and  that  by 
reason  of  the  sequestration  of  her  husband's  estate  she  was 
unable  to  support  herself.  Permission  was  given  her  to  go, 
taking  with  her  her  three  children,  a  negro  boy,  and  also 
Annatie,  wife  of  Marte  Van  Buren. 

The  state  "Commissioners  for  Detecting  and  Defeating 
Conspiracies"  (i 778-1 781)  were  given  almost  absolute  power. 
Conditions  considered,  it  may  have  been  necessary  that  their 
proceedings  should  have  had  something  of  a  star-chamber 
character  and  be  at  times  arbitrary  and  tyrannical.  It  was 
not  long  after  their  appointment  that  information  was 
lodged  against  the  Loyalists  here.  Seventeen  of  them  were 
arrested,  imprisoned  seventeen  days,  and  then  discharged 
for  lack  of  evidence  against  them.  The  privilege  was  given 
them  of  paying  the  expenses  of  the  major  and  his  fifty  men 
sent  to  arrest  those  ready  to  obey  any  summons.  Loyalists 
of  eminence  were  called  before  the  Commissioners  and  tend- 
ered the  oath  of  allegiance,  which  they  refused.  Some  of 
these  were  imprisoned  at  Albany,  Hartford,  Goshen,  and  in 
the  Kingston  Fleet  prison.  That  prison  was  a  sloop  (some- 
times more  than  one)  anchored  in  Esopus  creek  for  the 
detention  of  the  disaffected  whose  liberty  was  deemed  a 
menace.  Others  were  ordered  to  be  deported  within  the 
British  lines.  The  haste  of  the  Albany  Commissioners  in 
sending  a  company  of  these  from  Kinderhook  to  Fishkill, 


^A^ar  Times  179 

without  waiting  for  the  Governor's  reply  to  their  letter  of 
information,  was  rebuked  by  him,  to  whom  they  afterward 
apologized.  Through  his  intervention  other  neutral  Kinder- 
hook  Loyalists  who  had  been  ordered  deported  were  reserved 
for  exchange.  While  awaiting  exchange  they  were  paroled 
to  remain  within  the  limits  appointed  them  in  Schodack. 
Some  of  the  paroled  men  were  kept  there  thirteen  months. 
However  urgently  needed  at  home,  because  of  illness  or  for 
any  other  reason,  none  might  leave  the  limits  without  the 
permission  of  the  Commissioners.  Peter  Van  Schaack,  who 
subsequently  expatriated  himself,  was  not  permitted  to  take 
his  dying  wife  to  New  York  nor  have  a  physician  whom  she 
wanted  to  come  from  there.  Governor  Clinton,  disposed  to 
be  lenient  and  kindly  to  all  of  known  integrity  of  character, 
regretted  that  he  felt  compelled  to  deny  these  requests  for 
reasons  of  State  which  he  regarded  as  imperative.  In  these 
and  in  many  other  ways  the  Loyalists  suffered  for  their 
fidelity  to  their  convictions.  Mistaken  though  they  were, 
we  can  respect  their  fidelity  to  the  right  as  they  saw  it. 

Professor  A.  C.  Flick,  in  his  monograph,  Loyalism  in  New 
York,  thus  writes: 

As  the  war  drew  to  a  close  and  it  became  apparent  that  the 
colonies  would  gain  their  independence,  many  a  loyalist,  whose 
natural  conservatism,  principles  of  loyalism,  religion,  material 
interests  or  hope  of  reward  had  led  to  champion  the  royal  side, 
was  converted  to  the  American  cause.  No  doubt  many  of  these 
were  sincere,  but  others  were  prompted  solely  by  base  and  selfish 
motives. 

Later,  he  says  concerning  the  returning  exiles: 

Peter  Van  Schaack  and  loyalists  of  his  integrity  and  character, 
who  both  denounced  the  arbitrary  program  of  Great  Britain  and 
feared  the  results  of  independence ;  who  wished  to  remain  neutral, 
and  who,  when  forced  to  decide  between  two  evils,  went  to 
England  under  the  stress  of  double  allegiance  to  await  the  end 


i8o  Old  K-inderHooK 

of  the  war,  these  persons  were  welcomed  back  by  all  but  the 
extremists. 

That  there  were  extremists,  incapable  of  magnanimity, 
appears  from  the  account  in  the  Royal  Gazette,  New  York, 
June  1 8,  1783,  reprinted  from  Loudon's  Packet,  of  what  is 
termed,  "a  meeting  of  a  number  of  respectable  inhabitants 
of  the  district  of  Kinderhook,  in  Albany  County,  on  Tuesday, 
May  the  27th,  1783,  Captain  Isaac  Van  Valkenburgh  in  the 
Chair."  The  long  preamble  and  six  resolutions  of  bitter 
denunciation  of  all  who  had  been  sent  or  voluntarily  gone 
within  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  while  pardonable  under  the  then 
existing  conditions,  were  not  so  creditable  or  important  as 
to  be  worthy  of  full  reproduction  here.  They  were  in 
substance:  that  "the  wretched  men,  the  miscreants,  the 
atrocious  villains,"  were  not  to  return  to  the  District,  and 
all  who  had  returned  were  to  leave  by  the  loth  of  June,  or 
"be  dealt  with  in  the  severest  manner."  None  were  to 
"harbour  them,  and  no  man  was  to  be  admitted  into  the 
district  to  carry  on  any  trade  or  traffic,  or  sell  any  mer- 
chandise of  any  kind  whatever,  or  gain  any  settlement, 
without  proving  he  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  cause  of 
America  since  the  commencement  of  the  war. " 

The  spirit  of  this  action,  excusable  possibly  as  regards 
those  who  had  joined  the  British  army,  did  not  long  prevail 
against  neutral  inoffensive  Loyalists  for  whose  character  and 
conscientious  convictions  of  duty  such  exalted  patriots  as 
Jay  and  Benson  had  only  the  utmost  respect.  Peter  Van 
Schaack,  second  to  none  in  the  respect  of  such  men,  returned 
in  1784  and,  by  legislative  Act  of  May  12th,  was  restored  to 
full  citizenship.  By  the  supplemental  Act  of  1786  he  and 
thirty-one  inoffensive  Loyalists  were 

restored  to  all  their  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  as  citizens 
of  this  State,  from  and  after  such  time  as  the  said  persons  re- 
spectively shall  in  any  court  of  record  in  this  State,  take  the  oath 
of  abjuration  and  allegiance  prescribed  by  law. 


"War  Times  i8i 

The  list  of  names  included  those  of  Henry  Van  Dyck,  John 
Van  Alen,  Henry  Van  Schaack,  David  Van  Schaack,  and 
Harman  Pruyn. 

There  were  many  thousands  of  Loyalists,  including  some 
from  Kinderhook,  who  joined  the  British  army  and  were  the 
most  bitter  of  all  enemies  of  the  American  cause.  As  was 
to  be  expected,  their  property  was  confiscated  by  the  state. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  they  found  themselves  homeless 
and  impoverished.  Some  went  to  England,  but  more,  with 
their  families,  estimated  at  from  28,000  to  40,000  in  number, 
fled  to  Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and  Upper  Canada 
which  owe  much  to  these  settlers,  quite  superior  to  ordinary 
immigrants. 

That  conditions  in  their  new  home  were  not  altogether 
what  had  been  expected  appears  in  this  extract  from  a  letter 
written  by  one  of  the  exiles: 

all  our  golden  promises  are  vanished  in  smoke.  We  were  taught 
to  believe  this  place  was  not  barren  and  foggy  as  had  been 
represented,  but  we  find  it  ten  times  worse.  We  have  nothing 
but  His  Majesty's  rotten  pork  and  unbaked  flour  to  subsist  on. 
...  It  is  the  most  inhospitable  clime  that  ever  mortal  set  foot 
on. 

Quite  in  contrast  that  with  Hudson's  record  after  his  visit 
to  Old  Kinderhook,  latitude  42°i8':  "The  land  is  the  finest 
for  cultivation  that  I  ever  in  my  life  set  foot  upon. " 

The  League  of  the  United-Empire  Loyalists  exists  in 
Canada  to  this  day ;  and  if  we  would  learn  how  mistaken  and 
wrong  the  fathers  of  the  Revolution  were,  and,  in  some  cases 
at  least,  how  base  and  despicable  their  character,  we  have  but 
to  read  the  amazing  addresses  at  the  three-fold  "Centennial 
Celebration  of  the  Settlement  of  Upper  Canada  in  1884" 
(Toronto,  1885). 

The  Report  of  the  Bureau  of  Archives  of  the  Province  of 
Ontario,  1901,  adds  somewhat  to  our  information  concerning 


i82  Old  HinderKooK 

the  Loyalists  of  Kinderhook  who  joined  the  British  army. 
John  W.  Claw,  Abraham  Loucks,  Peter  Van  Alstine,  Gysbert 
Sharpe,  and  William  Crowder  were  among  those  who  applied 
to  the  Claim  Commissioners  at  Montreal  for  reimbursement 
of  their  losses  because  of  service  to  the  Crown.  In  1776 
Peter  Van  Alstine  (son  of  Alexander,  brother  of  John)  was  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  here  and  complained  in  that  year  to  the 
Provincial  Congress  that  the  people  were  unwilling  to  have 
any  Process  issued  in  the  name  of  the  King.  The  other 
Justices,  Peter  Vosburgh,  Henry  Van  Schaack,  and  Andries 
Witbeck  concurred  in  the  complaint,  although  without  any 
grievance  of  their  own  to  recite.  Peter  Van  Alstine's  narra- 
tive to  the  Canadian  Commissioners  states  that  he  had  from 
the  earliest  period  (through  his  wife's  influence,  some  allege) 
determined  to  support  the  British  Government;  had  been 
imprisoned  seventeen  days;  had  been  compelled  to  leave 
his  home  and  hide  from  his  neighbors ;  had  lost  everything, 
including  a  farm  of  six  hundred  acres  and  his  brick  house  and 
had  joined  Burgoyne's  army,  taking  thirty  men  with  him. 
Claw  had  lost  about  220  acres  with  a  good  house  and  black- 
smith shop  and  had  also  joined  Burgoyne.  Sharpe,  living 
near  Van  Alstyne,  had  also  been  obliged  to  hide;  had  lost 
two  hundred  acres  and  his  weaving  loom  and  was  also  with 
Burgoyne.  Loucks  was  in  the  British  army  two  years;  was 
with  Burgoyne  and  lost  everything.  Crowder  had  essentially 
the  same  story  to  tell.  Van  Alstine  and  Sharpe  had  certifi- 
cates from  Mr.  Peter  Van  Schaack  as  to  their  early  and 
uniform  loyalty  to  the  King.  It  was  only  a  fraction  of  their 
losses  that  was  ever  made  good  to  these  and  others  who  had 
staked  their  all  and  lost. 

The  Loyalists  of  Kinderhook  who  actively  aided  the 
British,  were,  however,  few  compared  with  the  inhabitants 
who  entirely  sympathized  with  the  American  cause.  Gaines's 
Mercury  of  October  2,  1775,  narrates  how  the  patriotic  girls 
of  Kinderhook  at  a  quilting  bee,  having  no  tar  and  feathers, 
poured  molasses  and  scattered  the  down  of  weeds  over  an 


War  Times 


183 


intrusive   young   loyalist    who   exasperated    them   beyond 
endurance  by  his  sneers  at  Congress. 

Among  the  "  Resolves  "  of  the  Continental  Congress,  May 
25,  1775,  was  this :  "That  the  Militia  of  New  York  be  armed 
and  trained  and  in  Constant  readiness  to  act  at  a  moment's 
warning. "  Five  days  later  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
York,  of  which  our  Peter  Silvester  was  a  member,  considered 
the  action  of  the  Continental  Congress, 

And  thereupon  resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  In- 
habitants of  this  Colony  in  general,  immediately  to  furnish 
themselves  with  necessary  Arms  and  Ammunition,  to  use  all 
Diligence  to  perfect  themselves  in  the  Military  Art,  and  if 
necessary  to  form  themselves  into  Companies  for  that  purpose, 
until  the  further  Order  of  this  Congress. 

The  recommendations  of  the  Continental  and  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  had  been  anticipated  by  the  Albany  County 
Committee.  On  the  3d  of  May,  1775,  they  resolved  to  raise 
troops  for  the  defense  of  the  Colony.  Those  raised  in  the 
Kinderhook  District  constituted  the  Seventh  Regiment.  The 
original  commissioned  officers  were  these : 


Col.,  And  lies  Witbeck 

Lt.  Col.,  Barent  Vanderpoel 

1st  Major,  Lawrence  Goes 

1st  Company 

Capt.,  Lambert  Borghardt 
1st  Lt.,  Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh 
2d  Lt.,  John  J.  Van  Alstyne 
Ens.,  Nicholas  Kittle,  Jun. 

3d  Company 

Capt.,  Philipp  Van  Alstyne 
1st  Lt.,  John  J.  Goes 
2d  Lt.,  Peter  Hugunine 
Ens.,  Andries  Vanderpoel 


2d  Major,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack 
Adjt.,  Isaac  Vanderpoel 
Q.  Master,  John  D.  Goes 

2d  Company 

Capt.,  Gysbert  L.  Sherpe 

1st  Lt.,  John  Philipp 

2d  Lt.,  Peter  J.  Van  Valkenburgh 

Ens.,  Gose  Quackenboss 

4th  Company 

Capt.,  Dirck  Gardinier 
1st  Lt.,  Evert  Vosburgh 
2d  Lt.,  John  Klaws 
Ens.,  Jacobus  McNiel 


i84  Old  R-inderKooK 

5th  Company  6th  Company 

Capt.,  Abraham  I.  Van  Alstyne  Capt.,  Joshua  Hall 

1st  Lt.,  Burger  Klaws  1st  Lt.,  Samuel  Rowland 

2d  Lt.,  David  Van  Ness  2d  Lt.,  Henry  Bush 

Ens.,  John  Van  Ness  Ens.,  Thomas  Beebe 

The  Provincial  Convention  appointed  Harman  Van 
Buren,  Major  of  this  regiment,  September  5,  1776,  and  he 
was  again  commissioned  Major,  October  30,  1778.  Peter  J. 
Vosburgh  also  was  one  of  our  Revolutionary  patriots  who 
has  not  received  hitherto  the  recognition  due  his  memory. 
He  entered  the  regular  army  in  1776,  was  made  Lieutenant  of 
the  1st  New  York  Regiment,  and  continued  in  service  until 
he  retired  as  a  supernumerary.  Thereafter,  as  the  records  of 
the  Council  of  Appointment  reveal,  he  was  in  1786,  a  Captain 
in  the  company  of  Light  Infantry  in  the  militia  of  Columbia 
County,  and  was  steadily  promoted  until  18 19  when  he  was 
commissioned  as  Major-General  of  the  Eighth  Division  of 
Infantry.  He  died  January  29,  1830,  in  the  seventy-eighth 
year  of  his  age.  The  corps  in  which  he  served  under  Wash- 
ington was  armed  and  equipped  by  Lafayette,  and  the  sword 
and  uniform  which  General  Vosburgh  thus  received  were 
sacredly  cherished  treasures.  His  certificate  of  membership 
in  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  was  signed  by  George 
Washington.  In  the  war  of  18 12  he  served  on  the  northern 
frontier. 

The  changes  among  commissioned  officers,  made  necessary 
by  disaffection,  resignation,  and  other  causes,  were  numerous. 
The  final  revised  Roster,  the  Awards  of  Bounty  Rights,  and 
a  note  on  the  subsequent  history  of  the  Seventh  Regiment 
may  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 

That  some  of  the  people  here  as  elsewhere  were  willing 
to  earn  a  presumably  honest  penny  in  and  through  those 
troublous  times  was  to  be  expected.  Freight  rates  seem  to 
have  been  high.  We  have  before  us  a  specimen  certificate 
of  accounts  due  individuals  here  for  public  service.  Moses 
Hopkins,  for  example,  in  October,  1777,  and  February,  1778, 


War  Times  185 

was  credited  with  forty  pounds,  ten  shillings  for  transporting 
twenty-three  barrels  of  flour  from  Kinderhook  to  Great 
Barrington,  thirty  miles,  at  the  lawful  rate  of  one  shilling 
per  mile  for  each  barrel.  At  about  the  same  time  Lambert 
Borghardt,  Albert  Witbeck,  Andries  Witbeck,  John  C. 
Holland,  John  Van  Buren,  Comelis  Vosburgh,  and  Francis 
Claw  were  credited  with  120  pounds  for  transporting  "each 
a  slea  load  of  Cloathing  from  Springfield  to  Albany,  100 
miles. "  All  these  amounts  were  increased  one  third  because 
of  the  depreciation  of  New  York  currency.  As  illustrative 
of  the  military  supplies  furnished,  and  also  of  the  thrift  of  our 
people,  we  have  this  letter  of  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis  to 
Major  Isaac  Goes  of  our  Seventh  Regiment,  dated  Albany, 
January  15,  1779: 

I  am  now  able  to  give  you  a  determinate  answer  respecting 
the  oars,  poles,  paddles  &c.  The  prices  the  people  ask  are  very 
extravagant.  I  would  have  you  try  and  get  them  made  for  less. 
But  if  you  cannot  you  must  give  it.  You  may  therefore  contract 
for  twelve  thousand  oars,  as  many  setting  poles  and  two  thousand 
paddles.  ...  I  must  request  you  will  use  your  utmost  exertion 
in  getting  ready  at  least  one-half  by  the  first  of  April.  You  will 
deliver  over  all  the  flower  and  wheat  in  your  possession  to  Mr. 
Van  Ness,  taking  his  receipt  therefor.  This  must  be  done 
immediately  as  tis  wanted  for  this  Department.  The  snow  we 
may  hourly  expect  I  hope  will  be  a  means  of  furnishing  us  with 
the  grain  you  have  bought.    Send  up  Vosburgh  the  carpenter. 

The  records  of  service  rendered  by  the  state  militia,  as 
distinguished  from  the  regular  army,  are  few  and  frag- 
mentary. Our  Seventh  Regiment,  like  others  of  its  kind,  was 
largely,  we  suppose,  a  home  guard,  called  upon  in  times  of 
need  to  render  important  but  temporary  service  wherever 
sent,  but  not  permanently  a  part  of  the  regular  army. 
Descendants  of  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  may  have 
documentary  evidence  and  more  that  is  traditional  and  not 
wholly  reliable  of  important  service  rendered,  but  the  public 
records  are  few. 


l86  Old  ninderhooK 

In  the  papers  of  George  Clinton,  the  first  Governor  of 
New  York,  we  find  scattered  items  of  information  which  are 
suggestive  of  much  unwritten  history.  We  glean  from  them 
and  from  other  records  a  few  only  of  the  more  interesting 
and  important  details. 

From  July  1-23,  and  from  September  20-October  6, 
1777,  Major  Van  Buren  was  in  command  of  a  detachment 
in  active  service,  and  Major  Goes  in  command  of  another 
detachment  from  July  10-20.  September  18,  1777,  before 
the  battle  of  Saratoga,  Colonels  Van  Ness  and  Van  Alstyne 
were  ordered  to  join  General  Gates  at  once. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Aaron  J.  Vanderpoel,  we 
have  been  favored  in  having  before  us  the  late  Henry  C.  Van 
Schaack's  unpublished  "Revolutionary  Autographs"  con- 
taining many  letters,  the  originals.  Not  without  interest 
is  this  letter  from  Jacob  Cuyler,  of  the  Commissary  De- 
partment, U.  S.  Army,  to  Major  Isaac  Goes  of  the  Kinder- 
hook  regiment.  The  prisoners  referred  to  were  of  Burgoyne's 
army. 

Albany,  18  Oct.,  1777. 
Dear  Sir. 

This  moment  I  have  received  direction  from  Genl.  Gates  to 
supply  the  prisoners  and  those  who  will  guard  them,  to  the 
amount  of  six  thousand.  They  will  be  at  Kinderhook  by  Monday 
night.  You  will  immediately  order  a  man  to  remain  on  the  road 
and  order  fifty  head  of  cattle  to  come  to  you  out  of  the  first 
drove  he  meets  to  supply  them,  Capt.  Spenir  will  bring  fifty 
more  by  Monday  night.  They  will  want  about  400  barrels  of 
flour  to  be  issued  and  to  support  them  on  the  road.  What  quan- 
tity have  you  got  at  the  Landing  and  at  the  Mills?  Let  me  know 
before  I  go  to  bed  so  as  that  I  may  regulate  myself  accordingly. 
I  will  this  evening  send  a  man  to  assist  you  and  will  apply  to  the 
Q.  M.  G.  to  send  some  person  to  procure  carriages.  This  is  a 
matter  of  the  greatest  consequence,  therefore  please  exert 
yourself. 

Yours  in  haste, 

Jacob  Cuyler. 


Dishes  Used  when  Burgoyne  was  Entertained  at  Kinderhook 

From  a  photograph  by  William  Wait 


"War  Times  187 

Mr.  Albert  Decker,  of  Stuyvesant  Falls,  now  (1912)  in 
his  94th  year,  informs  us  that  his  grandfather,  Nicholas 
Robinson,  a  major  in  a  Dutchess  and  Columbia  County 
militia  regiment,  pointed  out  to  him  the  camping-ground  of 
Burgoyne's  captured  army  here.  It  was  in  the  fields,  then 
woods,  to  the  north  of  the  David  Van  Schaack  (the  late  Mrs, 
A.  J.  Vanderpoel's)  house.  A  mysterious  cannon  ball, 
brought  to  light  many  years  later  by  a  plow,  was  thought 
to  be  a  memorial  of  that  encampment.  Two  soldiers  of  the 
American  guard,  Mr.  Decker  was  told,  dying  here,  were 
buried  in  the  Van  Schaack  burial  plot,  now  the  site  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  church. 

Kinderhook  was  never  quite  so  populous  as  on  the  night 
of  Wednesday,  October  22,  1777,  when  a  portion  of  Bur- 
goyne's captive  army  was  encamped  in  the  woods  then 
covering  the  fields  in  the  vicinity  of  our  present  new  ceme- 
tery. 

Burgoyne  himself  and  his  American  escort.  General 
Phillips,  were  entertained  at  the  elegant  home  of  Mr.  David 
Van  Schaack.  In  the  family  was  an  adopted  daughter, 
Lydia  Van  Vleck  Van  Schaack,  a  charming  young  girl,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Francis  Silvester  whose  daughter, 
Margaret,  told  us  the  following  incident :  After  the  dinner 
given  Generals  Phillips  and  Burgoyne,  several  toasts  to 
hosts,  guests,  and  others  were  offered  in  kindly  spirit,  with 
careful  avoidance  of  names  and  subjects  forbidden  by 
courtesy.  At  last,  however,  one  turned  laughing  to  Lydia 
and  asked  her  for  a  toast,  whereupon  she  replied,  "To  the 
King  and  Queen  and  all  the  Royal  family. "  That  there  was 
a  moment  of  embarrassment  if  not  of  consternation  we  may 
well  believe,  but  General  Phillips  was  so  charmed  by  the 
grace  and  artlessness  of  the  girl  that  he  smiled  and  laughed 
the  embarrassment  away. 

The  next  day,  tradition  alleges,  the  two  Generals  mounted 
their  horses  and  rode  over  the  Kleine  Kill  road,  at  one  point 
of  which  an  interested  woman  called  out  to  them,  "Which 


l88  Old  RinderKooK 

of  you  gentlemen  is  Mr.  General  Burgoyne?"  Whereupon 
Burgoyne  gallantly  raised  his  hat  and  bowed.  That  this 
woman  was  a  certain  Mrs.  Gardenier  of  Kleine  Kill,  whose 
prowess  has  been  reported  to  us  by  an  aged  friend  and 
neighbor,  we  cannot  affirm.  The  husband  of  this  Mrs. 
Gardenier  was  the  champion  wrestler  and  boxer  of  this 
whole  region.  A  passing  British  soldier  hearing  of  him,  and 
having  a  good  opinion  of  his  own  accomplishments,  was  eager 
to  try  conclusions  with  him.  With  blood  and  fire  in  his  eye 
he  sought  his  antagonist.  He  was  not  at  home,  but  his  wife 
was  very  much  at  home.  Hearing  what  the  man  wanted, 
she  gently  or  otherwise  took  him  up  and  threw  him  over  a 
fence  into  the  hog  pen.  A  sadder  but  a  wiser  man,  with 
regimentals  even  less  cleanly  and  more  odoriferous  than  they 
were  before,  he  rose  up  and  walked  off  and  is  reported  as 
saying  that — if  that  is  Gardenier's  wife,  he  was  not  as  anxious 
as  he  had  been  to  meet  Gardenier  himself. 

Several  of  Burgoyne 's  German  soldiers,  we  read,  won 
by  the  attractiveness  of  Children's  Corner,  deserted  and 
made  their  homes  here.  The  worthy  descendants  of  some 
of  them  are  among  us  still. 

Among  the  Letters  of  Brunswick  and  Hessian  Soldiers, 
translated  by  W.  L.  Stone,  is  one,  dated  December  15,  1777, 
from  which  we  make  the  following  extract,  of  some  interest 
if  not  altogether  flattering : 

On  the  22d,  (Oct.)  our  march  was  almost  entirely  through 
woods  in  which  we  came  across  every  little  while  miserable 
dwellings.  Finally  after  going  twelve  miles  we  came  to  a  plain 
lying  between  several  hills  where  the  borough  of  Kinderhook 
(consisting  of  about  seventy  straggling  houses)  is  situated.  The 
most  prominent  house  in  the  village  belonged  to  a  man  named 
Van  Schaaken  [the  old  Wynkoop  house].  It  was  built  of  stone 
and  three  stories  high.  This  man  showed  us  many  little  atten- 
tions and  was  a  kind  friend  to  us.  The  rest  of  the  people,  who 
were  also  Dutch  by  birth,  were  also  kind.  They  had  but  one 
fault — that  is  they  were  selfish,  and  were  as  fond  of  money  as  a 


"War  Times  189 

Jew.  Every  article  they  sold  us  was  terribly  dear.  Most  of  the 
houses  were  very  well  built  and  nicely  furnished  inside.  The 
inhabitants  in  general  lived  well.  Their  breakfast  consisted  of 
milk,  tea,  roast  meat,  baked  apples  and  all  kinds  of  rich  butter 
cakes.  We  could  have  made  ourselves  comfortable  enough  with 
tea  if  we  had  only  had  enough  of  it.  Those  people  who  were  in 
comparatively  easy  circumstances  had  gilt  frames  around  their 
mirrors  and  very  good  pendulum  clocks.  Similar  household 
furniture  can  be  found  only  along  the  road  to  Boston.  As  all 
the  barns  of  the  farmers  were  full  of  grain  we  had  to  camp  out 
in  a  neighboring  wood. 

It  is  a  local  tradition  that  some  at  least  of  these  "selfish" 
purveyors  of  supplies  were  paid  with  counterfeit  money. 

In  another  of  these  "Letters"  (p.  129),  the  writer  reveals 
his  excellent  judgment  and  fine  discrimination  when  after 
writing  of  the  stature  and  beauty  of  American  men,  he  adds, 
"I  will  give  you  some  details  of  the  women  also  when  I 
arrive  at  Kinderhook. "    After  his  arrival  he  wrote: 

I  am  at  last  in  Kinderhook  whence  I  promised  to  write  you  a 
chapter  about  pretty  girls.  Before  however  reading  my  narrative 
to  a  lady,  examine  it  carefully  so  as  to  see  if  there  is  any  danger 
of  its  causing  future  trouble  between  me  and  my  dear  country- 
women. Should  you  decide  against  it  have  mercy  on  me  and 
upset  the  inkstand  on  the  entire  chapter.  The  ladies  in  this 
vicinity  .  .  .  are  slender,  of  erect  carriage,  and,  without  being 
very  strong,  are  plump.  They  have  small  and  pretty  feet,  good 
hands  and  arms,  a  very  white  skin  and  a  healthy  color  in  the 
face  which  requires  no  other  embellishment.  .  .  .  They  have 
also  exceedingly  white  teeth,  pretty  lips,  and  laughing  sparkling 
eyes.  They  are  great  admirers  of  cleanliness  and  keep  them- 
selves well  shod.  ...  At  all  the  places  through  which  we  passed, 
dozens  of  girls  were  met  with  on  the  road,  who  either  laughed  at 
us  mockingly,  or  now  and  then  roguishly  offered  us  an  apple, 
accompanied  by  a  little  curtesy.  .  .  .  The  fair  sex  were  the  cause 
of  our  losing  some  of  our  comrades  on  the  morning  of  the  23d, 
of  October. 


190  Old  K-inderKooK 

That  was  the  morning  they  left  Kinderhook  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Claverack,  Nobletown,  Great  Barrington,  etc., 
on  the  way  to  Boston,  and  one  of  those  Kinderhook  de- 
serters was  Andrew  Mayfield  Cashore  who  opened  a  school 
here,  subsequently  removing  to  Claverack.  Another  was 
Christian  Bork,  who  opened  a  school  on  the  Post  Road,  north 
of  the  village,  and  later  became  the  first  pastor  of  the 
Schodack  church. 

In  August,  1778,  Colonel  Van  Alstyne  was  at  Cherry 
Valley  with  fifty-one  men,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Barent  Staats 
having  chief  command.  In  September,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Philip  Van  Alstine  was  at  Schoharie  in  command  of  225  men 
drawn  from  eight  regiments.  This  was  the  time  of  Sir 
John  Johnson's  raids  with  Indian  allies  at  German  Flats 
and  Canajoharie,  and  that  fact  may  explain  to  a  degree  the 
somewhat  humiliating  letter  of  Colonel  Van  Alstyne  to  the 
Governor,  in  which  he  narrates  that  he  had  been  ordered 
to  send  a  fourth  part  of  his  regiment  to  Fort  Arnold  in  the 
Highlands,  but  had  been  "unable  to  persuade  more  than 
six  or  seven  men  to  go.  These  he  was  sending  under  the 
command  of  Capt.  Truesdel. "  To  this  the  Governor 
replied  three  days  later  that  he  had  "ordered  the  return  of 
Capt.  Truesdel;  that  the  delinquents  were  to  be  arrested 
and  court  martialed,  and  that,  unless  ordered  to  the  frontier, 
he  was  to  bring  his  quota  to  Fort  Arnold  if  it  took  the  whole 
regiment  to  compel  them  to  go."  That  many  were  appre- 
hensive as  regards  their  own  homes  and  families  seems  quite 
possible. 

In  March,  1779,  the  "Return"  of  Colonel  Van  Alstyne's 
regiment  was  293  men.  In  1780  the  Colonel  reported  the 
sending  of  thirty-one  men  from  his  Classes  to  reinforce  the 
Continental  Army.  All  did  not  go  when  sent,  for  in  July  of 
that  year  there  were  ten  delinquents  reported,  and  Lieuten- 
ant Ten  Broeck  was  ordered  to  collect  these  and  other 
delinquents  and  march  them  to  Fishkill.  From  August  15th 
to  September  7,  1779,  a  small  detachment  from  here  was  at 


"War  Times  191 

Fort  Herkimer.  Mr.  Philip  Van  Alstine  is  our  authority  for 
the  statement  that  Colonel  Abraham's  regiment  was  in 
active  service  in  1780,  October  15-26,  and  November  12-22; 
also  October  13-23  and  October  27-November  24,  1781. 

Here  as  elsewhere  it  was  difficult  at  times  for  the  Classes 
to  furnish  the  men  required  for  enlistment  in  the  regular 
army,  nor  was  it  always  easy  to  collect  the  fines  of  the  de- 
linquent Classes.  In  December,  1781,  Captain  Andrew 
Moodie,  then  at  West  Point,  wrote  to  Governor  Clinton  as 
follows : 

.  .  .  Lt.  Coll.  Vanalstain  from  Kinderhook  was  here  a  few 
days  ago  &  informs  me  that  the  Rigement  where  he  resides  have 
all  their  Classes  Delinquent  &  he  believes  if  that  your  Excllancy 
was  to  writt  to  the  Colin,  on  the  subject,  that  the  Rigement 
would  hire  all  the  above  men,  (nine  men  enlisted  by  Capt 
Moodie  and  whose  term  of  service  would  soon  expire).  He  said 
that  thier  is  a  great  many  disaffected  amongst  every  Class  & 
that  the  Colin,  can  do  nothing  with  them,  without  your  Ex- 
cllancys  Emediate  directions. 

On  receipt  of  this,  Robert  Benson  at  Poughkeepsie  wrote 
in  behalf  of  the  Governor  this  letter,  dated  December  15th: 

Sir,  His  Excellency  the  Gov'r  is  informed  that  there  are  great 
Delinquencies  in  your  Regt.  in  raising  the  proportion  of  Men 
for  compleating  the  Cont'l.  Battalions  of  this  State,  that  they 
have  neither  furnished  the  men  nor  the  money.  Capt.  Moody 
has  lately  enlisted  in  his  Company  of  Artillery,  a  number  of  very 
good  soldiers  on  Condition  that  he  pay  them  the  Bounty  before 
the  first  of  Jany.  and  as  the  public  Service  absolutely  requires 
that  money  should  be  immediately  procured  for  this  Purpose, 
His  Excellency  directs  me  to  write  to  you  on  the  subject  &  to 
require  that  you  will  forthwith  on  rec't  of  this  proceed  to  the 
Business  &  cause  the  money  from  all  the  Delinquent  Classes 
in  yr.  Regt.  to  be  collected  &  paid  according  to  the  directions 
of  the  Law  in  that  case  made  and  provided.  Capt  Moody  is 
willing  to  assign  to  each  of  the  Classes  of  your  Regt.  who  shall 


192  Old  RinderKooK 

furnish  him  with  money  to  pay  the  Bounty  of  one  of  the  above 
men  by  him  enhsted.     I  am,  &c.  &c., 

RoBT.  Benson. 
Colo.  Van  Alstyne,  Kinderhook. 

On  the  2 1st  of  December,  1781,  we  find  Colonel  Van 
Alstyne  at  a  meeting  in  Albany  which  Generals  Rensselaer 
and  Gansevoort  had  asked  to  have  called  and  at  which  the 
following  action  was  taken : 

The  question  whether  it  was  necessary  to  raise  any  Number 
of  Men  for  the  Defence  of  the  Western  Frontier  of  this  County 
before  the  opening  of  the  Spring  was  put  and  passed  in  the 
Affirmative  by  a  great  Majority.  It  was  moved  that  it  is  the 
opinion  of  this  meeting  that  200  Men  are  necessary  for  immediate 
Defence  ...  &  upon  the  Question  being  put  it  passed  in  the 
Affirmative  by  a  great  Majority. 

Five    days    later    Colonel    Van    Alstyne    addressed    this 
explanatory  letter  to  the  Governor: 

Kinderhook,  26  Deer.,  1781. 
Sir,  Yesterday  I  received  your  Excellencys  two  letters  of  the 
15th  &  19th  Instant,  with  Capt.  Moodies  inclosed,  by  the  Men 
therein  mentioned.  Immediately  on  the  Receipt  of  them  I  went 
with  the  Men  to  the  Heads  of  the  Classes,  who  warned  the  rest 
to  meet  this  day  for  the  Purpose  of  agreeing  with  the  Men,  and 
from  the  encouragement  given  in  Capt.  Moodie's  Letter  of  their 
being  willing  to  take  part  of  the  Pay  in  Produce  &c  I  had  great 
hopes  they  would  have  been  hired;  but  when  the  Classes  met 
they  (the  men)  would  not  agree  to  serve  for  less  than  Forty- 
five  Pounds  hard  money,  to  be  paid  to  them  in  hand;  this  the 
People  declared  themselves  unable  to  do  and  I  readily  believe  it, 
for  I  do  not  think  there  is  one-fourth  part  of  the  money  it  would 
require  in  the  District;  so  that  all  hopes  of  agreeing  with  them 
was  at  an  end  and  the  Men  resolved  to  Return. 

I  am  sorry  they  would  not  agree  to  take  Part  in  Produce 
Security  &c.  for  I  believe  some  of  the  Classes  would  otherwise 
have  hired.  Early  last  summer  I  furnished  the  Assessors  of  this 
District  with  the  Names  of  the  People  who  compose  the  De- 


"War  Times  193 

linquent  Classes,  and  directed  them  to  proceed  to  assess  them 
according  to  Law,  but  nothing  has  been  done  therein  to  my 
knowledge. 

Pursuant  to  your  Excellency's  Command  I  will  again  direct 
them  immediately  to  proceed  against  the  Delinquent  Classes, 
and  probably  the  new  Emission  may  be  procured,  which  is  the 
best  I  have  reason  to  expect  the  People  will  do. 

In  explanation  of  all  this  it  may  be  well  to  say  that  one 
important  service  of  the  state  militia  was  to  furnish  short- 
term  men  to  the  Continental  Army  for  special  emergencies. 
For  this  purpose  our  Seventh  Regiment  was  divided  into 
thirty-one  Classes  of  about  fifteen  men  each,  and  these 
Classes  were  required,  when  called  upon,  to  furnish  each  one 
able-bodied,  trained,  and  well-equipped  soldier  for  three 
months'  service  in  the  Regular  Army  or  pay  a  considerable 
fine. 

In  Governor  Clinton's  papers,  and  other  records  of  the 
time,  may  be  found  many  items  essentially  the  same  as  those 
we  have  quoted.  They  report  the  strength  of  the  regiments 
at  different  times.  They  record  their  occasional  summons 
here  and  there,  in  whole  or  in  part,  for  temporary  active 
service.  They  note  their  supply  from  time  to  time  of  their 
quota  of  men  for  the  Continental  Army  for  three  and  some- 
times nine  months'  service,  and  the  occasional  payment  of 
fines  for  delinquent  Classes.  For  example:  In  1781  the  7th 
Regiment,  then  in  the  2d  battalion  of  Brigadier-General 
Robert  Rensselaer's  brigade,  is  returned  as  having  a  total  of 
317  men,  and  that  same  year  Colonel  Abraham  Van  Alstyne 
is  credited  with  the  payment  of  210  pounds  on  account  of  his 
delinquent  Classes. 

Omitting  nothing  we  think,  of  any  present  interest  or 
importance,  we  have  given  the  substance  of  the  whole  story 
of  Revolutionary  service  as  revealed  in  existing  known 
records.  They  show  that  in  the  Seventh  and  in  other 
regiments  in  the  vicinity,  many  sons  of  Kinderhook  rendered 
honorable  service  to  their  state  and  country  in  their  times 


194  Old  liinderKooK 

of  dire  extremity.  At  Fort  Rensselaer  (Canajoharie),  No- 
vember 2,  1781,  Colonel  Willett,  in  complimenting  the  troops 
under  his  command,  stated  that  "the  patience  and  fortitude 
of  the  LEVIES  throughout  the  whole  of  this  fatigue  did  them 
great  honor."  In  this  connection  it  is  worthy  of  note  that 
Martin  Van  Alstine,  who  removed  from  Kinderhook  to  that 
vicinity  in  17 13,  built  a  fine  stone  house  there  in  1730  which 
during  the  Revolution  was  barricaded  and  called  Fort 
Rensselaer. 

As  in  the  exigencies  of  the  war  the  need  of  men  increased, 
larger  and  yet  larger  bounties  for  enlistment  were  offered 
by  the  Continental  Congress  and  supplemented  by  the 
State.  Among  these  were  what  came  to  be  known  as  Land 
Bounty  Rights.  These  Rights  varied  at  different  times,  but 
in  1 78 1  a  Colonel,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Major  were 
entitled  to  four  Rights  each ;  a  Captain  and  Surgeon  to  three ; 
a  Lieutenant,  Ensign,  and  Surgeon's  Mate  to  two,  and 
privates  to  one.  At  that  time  five  hundred  acres  constituted 
a  Right.  The  ultimate  allotments  of  land  may  be  found  in 
the  Balloting  Book,  as  it  is  called,  in  our  State  Library.  The 
lands  allotted  were  chiefly  in  Montgomery  (much  larger  than 
now),  Onondaga,  and  Tioga  counties.  About  two  hundred 
of  our  Seventh  Regiment  are  recorded  as  entitled  to  Bounty 
Rights  {see  Appendix)  which  they  could  transfer  to  a 
purchaser,  if  they  did  not  wish  to  retain  the  allotted  lands 
themselves. 

With  the  exception  of  those  who  had  fought  against  the 
independence  of  the  colonies,  all  our  people  were  gladdened 
indeed  by  the  tidings  of  triumph  and  peace  in  the  autumn 
of  1782.  For  years  weary-hearted  and  sorrowing  women  of 
Kinderhook  had  been  writing  to  their  beloved  from  whom 
they  were  separated — "When  will  this  dreadful  war  have  an 
end?" — "May  the  Lord  soon  restore  peace  to  our  land,  and 
may  the  present  distress  be  the  means  of  humbling  us  all." 
"  I  am  tired  out  of  living  in  this  cruel  suspense  and  separated 
from  the  only  object  that  can  make  me  happy. "    But  at  last 


War  Times  195 

their  sorrow  was  turned  to  joy  and  with  no  irreverent  spirit 
they  sang,  we  may  think,  "How  beautiful  on  the  mountains 
are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  publisheth 
peace." 

From  the  original  manuscript  of  a  letter  of  Peter  Van 
Schaack  to  his  brothers  Henry  and  David,  dated  London, 
February  19,  1783,  we  make  the  following  extract: 

An  American  Ambassador  is  soon  to  make  his  Entry  (it  is 
said  a  public  one)  into  London.  Believe  me  that  however  un- 
palatable this  may  be  to  many,  yet  the  great  Bulk  of  the  Nation 
will  hail  the  Event  with  real  Joy.  The  people  at  large  love  the 
Americans  tho  the  tender  ties  are  dissolved.  One  or  two  ves- 
sels with  the  13  stripes  flying  are  now  in  the  River  Thames  and 
the  crews  are  caressed. 

Those  who  had  cast  their  lot  against  their  country,  of 
necessity  lost  their  all.  Neutral  exiles,  recognizing  frankly 
their  error  of  judgment,  conscientious  but  fallible,  rejoiced 
in  the  issue  and  said  ''esto  perpetua'';  and  thereto  gave  their 
hearts  and  service  most  loyally.  Returning  with  measureless 
joy  to  home,  kindred,  and  friends,  they  were  received  with 
glad  welcome  by  all  save  a  few  extremists  who  had  not  the 
grace  of  magnanimity. 

THE  WAR  OF    l8l2 

The  service  of  our  people  in  the  War  of  18 12  is  for  the 
most  part  not  to  be  distinguished  from  that  of  the  several 
military  organizations  of  the  county.  Years  ago,  it  is  stated, 
many  of  the  State  Records  of  the  war  were  sent  to  Washing- 
ton and  are  practically  inaccessible.  From  Governor  Tomp- 
kins's published  "Military  Papers,"  the  "Proceedings  of  the 
Council  of  Appointment,"  and  the  "Index  of  Awards"  to 
sundry  claimants  for  services  and  supplies,  we  glean  a  few 
details. 

In  those  days,  on  the  farm  now  belonging  to  Mr.  John 
Bray,  on  the  Eikebush  road,  lived  John  Bidwell  and  his  son 


196  Old  H-inderHooK 

David,  both  of  whom  are  buried  in  our  cemetery.  Mr. 
Frederick  David  Bidwell,  of  the  State  Tax  Commission, 
Albany,  gives  these  details  of  David's  military  service: 
1805,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  56th  Regiment,  infantry, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  P.  J.  Vosburgh;  1809, 
Lieutenant;  1815,  Captain;  1818,  Major;  1819,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel;  1822,  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Charles 
Whiting. 

In  December,  1807,  evidently  with  some  expectation  of 
the  coming  war,  the  Governor  issued  an  order  for  the 
organization  of  the  Columbia  County  Cavalry,  Reuben 
Ranney  being  Captain,  and  Robert  H.  Van  Rensselaer  and 
John  P.  Mesick,  Lieutenants.  Subsequently  this  was  made 
the  first  squad  of  the  3d  Regiment,  Columbia  and  Rensselaer 
Cavalry. 

In  1808,  we  read  of  the  formation  of  General  S.  Ten 
Broeck's  Brigade  of  Infantry  to  which  Columbia  County 
contributed  419  men.  His  brigade  is  frequently  spoken  of 
in  connection  with  the  movements  for  the  defense  of  the 
State.  In  1809  a  Battalion  of  Artillery  was  organized  in  the 
County,  with  William  Wigton  as  Captain  and  David  West, 
Lieutenant.  In  June,  18 12,  Peter  I.  Vosburgh  of  Kinderhook 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  9th  Regiment  of  the 
3d  brigade.  A  month  later  he  appears  as  commander  of  the 
56th  Regiment  of  the  12th  brigade.  He  reports  a  vacancy 
in  the  company  commanded  by  Andries  Whitbeck  occasioned 
by  the  death  of  Ensign  Thomas  Eddy.  Lucas  Goes  was  made 
Ensign.  David  Van  Schaack,  also,  had  Governor  Tompkins's 
commission  as  Ensign,  which  we  have  seen.  In  August  of 
the  same  year  Colonel  Vosburgh's  regiment  was  ordered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  and  was  to  rendezvous 
September  8th,  every  man  completely  armed  and  equipped, 
evidently  at  his  own  expense.  By  a  second  order  of  the 
Governor  "all  companies  of  Light  Infantry,  Grenadiers, 
Infantry  and  Riflemen  in  the  County  were  to  assemble  at 
Kinderhook  Sept.  9th.,  at   10  o'clock,  and  thence  proceed 


War  Times  197 

to  Waterford  without  a  moment's  delay."  Then,  a  week 
later,  the  alarm  becoming  acute,  "all  the  militia  in  the  State 
were  ordered  to  be  prepared  for  instant  service  and  ready  to 
march  at  a  moment's  notice  to  any  part  of  the  State  that 
might  be  attacked." 

September  15,  1812,  the  following  order  was  issued  to 
Colonel  Vosburgh  by  Governor  Tompkins: 

You  are  strictly  charged  to  proceed  immediately  to  Whitehall 
on  Lake  Champlain;  your  Quarter  Master  or  his  agent  will  pro- 
cure a  conveyance  for  your  regiment  by  Water  from  thence 
to  Plattsburgh.  On  your  arrival  at  Plattsburgh  you  will  re- 
port yourself  and  the  Corps  under  your  command  to  Brig. 
Gen.  Bloomfield,  whose  orders  and  directions  are  to  be 
implicitly  obeyed.  It  will  be  well  for  your  Quarter  Master  or  his 
agent  to  arrive  at  Whitehall  before  the  Detachment,  and  prepare 
the  Steamboat  or  other  Vessel  or  Vessels  for  your  transportation 
through  the  Lake. 

That  there  may  not  be  an  undue  proportion  of  officers  for  the 
number  of  men  under  your  Command,  you  are  hereby  authorized 
to  give  furloughs  to  or  to  discharge  all  or  any  of  the  supernumer- 
ary officers.  You  are  also  required  to  be  particularly  attentive 
to  the  accommodation  and  health  of  your  Regiment,  and  to  their 
improvement  in  discipline,  for  which  purpose,  you  will  enjoin 
upon  your  Staff  Officers  a  strict  attention  to  all  the  duties  which 
appertain  to  their  respective  stations. 

The  Governor's  earlier  and  somewhat  severe  criticism 
of  the  discipline  of  this  regiment  may  have  been  due  to  its 
apparent  excess  of  disciplinarians.  There  were  privates, 
however,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  our  soldiers  acquitted 
themselves  well  at  Niagara,  Plattsburgh,  New  York,  and 
wherever  else  they  were  sent.  We  regret  that  the  story  of 
their  valor  and  exploits  is  as  yet  unknown.  That  there  is  a 
doubtless  thrilling  narrative  yet  to  be  told  we  were  convinced 
when  we  read  the  following  names  of  residents  of  Kinder- 
hook  in  the  "Index  of  Awards"  authorized  by  the  Legis- 
lature's Acts  of  1818-19  in  "payment  of  claims  for  services 


198  Old  RinderHooK 

rendered  and  supplies  furnished  by  the  militia  and  volun- 
teers of  this  State  called  into  service  during  the  late  war," 
William  Angus,  $80 ;  Henry  Van  Valkenburgh,  |8o ;  Andrew 
Wells,  $56;  Lawrence  Van  Allen,  $56;  Derrick  Race,  $85; 
Jeremiah  Mead,  $13.50;  Jacob  A.  Hawver,  $55;  John  J. 
Clow,  I38;  Abraham  Brouwer,  $55;  David  Van  Schaack, 
$60;  James  Van  Valkenburgh,  $61.50;  Jonathan  N.  White, 
$57;  John  I.  Stevens,  $55;  WilHam  Pulver,  $55;  Charles  M. 
Kemper,  $57;  Asahel  Fuller,  $61;  Eleazer  Castle,  $115; 
Jabez  Pierce,  $55.  What  the  services  were  is  hidden  in  the 
archives  at  Washington,  but  we  will  assume  that  they  were 
valuable  and  valorous.  We  have  known  some  now  passed 
away  who  were  quite  proud  of  their  commission  papers  and 
experiences. 

THE  CIVIL  WAR 

The  political  campaign  of  i860  was  characterized  by 
great  excitement  here  as  elsewhere.  Party  demonstrations 
were  numerous,  oratory  perfervid,  and  feeling  intense.  Both 
here  and  in  Valatie  there  were  large  "Wide  Awake,"  and 
"Little  Giant"  clubs,  as  there  were  everywhere  throughout 
the  Northern  States.  These  clubs  had  their  frequent  rival 
meetings  and  torch-light  parades,  in  which  at  times  visiting 
clubs  from  near  and  far  would  take  part,  greatly  increasing 
the  spectacular  display  as  well  as  the  excitement  already  at 
fever  heat.  The  most  notable  of  these  as  regards  numbers 
and  enthusiasm  was  that  which  followed  the  "Great  Re- 
publican Mass  Meeting"  on  the  afternoon  and  evening  of 
October  26th.  For  two  hours  about  a  thousand  people 
listened  to  the  address  of  Senator  Wade  who  was  introduced 
by  Mr.  Tobey,  president  of  the  meeting,  who  also  made  a 
short  but  stirring  speech.  In  the  evening  2500  people  took 
part  in  or  witnessed  the  parade.  Thirteen  visiting  clubs 
were  present,  making  843  men  in  line,  with  flaming  torches 
and  gleaming  transparencies  and  martial  music  and  shout- 


"War  Times  199 

ings  no  pen  may  describe.  Never  before,  unless  at  the  great 
Van  Buren  barbecue,  had  Kinderhook  beheld  its  equal. 
Along  the  line  of  march  many  houses  were  illuminated. 
P.  E.  Van  Alstyne  was  the  Marshal  with  B.  Pruyn  and  E. 
Salisbury  assisting.  A  New  York  Glee  Club  helped  to 
enliven  the  afternoon  meeting. 

Per  contra.  One  week  later  the  "Union  Mass  Meeting" 
was  held.  It  was  addressed  by  Fernando  Wood  of  New 
York  and  L.  D.  Tremain  of  Albany.  Mayor  Wood  it  was 
who,  six  months  later,  seriously  proposed  that  New  York 
City  should  secede  from  the  Union  and  become  an  inde- 
pendent free  city.  Only  436  men  were  in  this  procession,  but 
more  of  the  houses  were  illuminated.  The  birthplace  of 
Van  Buren  must  hold  fast,  it  was  supposed,  to  its  ancient 
traditions. 

Ten  days  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter — 

Pursuant  to  public  notice  .  .  .  the  citizens  of  Kinderhook 
met  in  Bray  and  Herrick's  Hall  at  7.30  o'clock,  on  Tuesday, 
April  24th,  1 861.  .  .  . 

Mr.  Thomas  M.  Burt  having  stated  that  the  meeting  was 
called  to  take  some  patriotic  action  in  view  of  the  recent  attack 
upon  the  Government  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  named  David  Van 
Schaack  Esq.  as  President  of  the  meeting,  which  motion  was 
unanimously  carried.  Mr.  Van  Schaack  took  the  chair  and  Mr. 
Burt  moved  that  Mr.  James  Laing  and  Mr.  Ephraim  Best  be  the 
Vice  Presidents  of  the  meeting,  which  was  unanimously  carried. 

Mr.  John  Wilcoxson  and  Mr.  Silas  W.  Burt  were  appointed 
Secretaries.  The  following  letter  from  the  Honorable  John  P. 
Beekman  was  then  read  and  its  sentiments  warmly  applauded: 

"Fellow  Citizens,  and  I  wish  I  could  say  Fellow  Soldiers: 

"  I  have  been  requested  to  preside  at  your  meeting  to  be  held 
in  this  village  this  evening,  but  my  health  is  too  feeble  to  permit 
it.  The  fatigue  and  the  excitement  would  injure  me.  In  better 
health  I  would  be  with  you.  My  whole  heart  is  bound  up  in  the 
movement  which,  I  am  told,  you  arc  about  to  make  to  volunteer 
in  the  service  of  our  country.     From  what  I  have  heard  from 


200  Old  K-inderKooK 

different  sources,  there  is  now  no  alternative  left  us,  but  steadily, 
firmly  and  unitedly  to  support  the  government  of  our  Country. 
Let  no  man  who  is  able  falter  in  the  discharge  of  this  great  duty, 
for  if  he  does,  he  will  be  disgraced  in  the  eyes  of  the  American 
people. 

"Were  I  a  young  man  I  should  be  proud  to  have  the  honor 
promptly  to  enlist  as  a  volunteer,  as  one  blow  struck  now  may 
save  ten  blows  at  some  future  time.  I  counsel  then — To  arms! 
To  arms!  and  suffer  not  your  Country  to  be  disgraced  and  her 
flag  insulted  by  not  striking  a  vigorous  blow  in  defence  of  our 
rights  and  our  honor." 

After  the  band  had  played  the  air  of  Hail  Columbia,  Mr. 
William  H.  Tobey  made  an  eloquent  address  and  appealed 
to  the  patriotism  of  those  present  that  Kinderhook  should  not 
be  laggard  in  this  moment  of  the  Nation's  peril.  He  was  fre- 
quently interrupted  by  applause,  and  at  the  close  of  his  remarks 
the  band  played  Yankee  Doodle,  and  after  vociferous  cheers 
twice  repeated  that  air. 

The  following  Preamble  and  Resolutions  were  then  unani- 
mously adopted: 

"  Whereas,  an  unprovoked  war  has  been  commenced  by  rebels 
and  traitors  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  subverting  the  govern- 
ment and  substituting  anarchy  and  terrorism  in  place  of  the 
benign  and  just  principles  bequeathed  us  by  Washington  and 
his  fellow  patriots ;  and 

"  Whereas,  active  hostilities  have  begun  and  the  emergency 
requires  decided  and  prompt  action ; 

'^Resolved:  That  forgetful  of  all  past  political  differences,  we 
pledge  ourselves  heartily  to  the  support  of  the  Government  and 
the  Constitution,  and  will  devote  ourselves  with  unanimity  and 
patriotic  zeal  to  the  suppression  of  rebellion  and  treason,  the 
maintenance  of  the  laws,  and  the  supremacy  of  the  Union  at  all 
hazards. 

*' Resolved:  That  while  deploring  the  advent  of  civil  war  which 
the  madness  of  secession  has  precipitated  upon  us,  we  believe 
that  policy  and  humanity  alike  demand  the  most  vigorous  and 
energetic  measures  to  crush  out  treason  now  and  forever,  and 


"War  Times  201 

that  we  will  sustain  the  Government  in  such  policy  and  action. 

"Resolved:  That  immediate  measures  be  taken  to  enroll  and 
drill  a  military  company  in  this  place  and  all  patriotic  persons 
are  earnestly  requested  to  offer  their  services. 

"Resolved:  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  raise  and  hold  in 
trust  subscriptions  for  the  benefit  of  the  families  of  volunteers 
from  this  place  entering  upon  active  service,  and  to  disburse  the 
same  as  required  in  an  economical  manner  and  as  in  their  judg- 
ment may  best  subserve  the  spirit  of  this  resolution." 

Upon  motion  the  President  was  authorized  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  five  to  enroll  volunteers  and  a  committee  of  three 
on  finance.  The  President  then  appointed  as  a  committee  on  en- 
rollment, Messrs  Silas  W.  Burt,  John  Wilcoxson,  Peter  S.  Hoes, 
James  Lathrop,  and  Henry  M.  Graves;  and  as  a  committee  on 
finance,  Messrs  William  H.  Rainey,  Lawrence  Van  Buren  and 
Frank  G.  Guion. 

Mr.  Peter  E.  Van  Alstyne  moved  that  the  committee  on 
finance  do  begin  this  evening  to  receive  subscriptions,  which 
being  seconded  was  debated  on  the  affirmative  by  Messrs.  Van 
Alstyne,  Wilcoxson  and  Graves,  and  negatively  by  Messrs. 
Tobey,  Thomas  M.  Burt  and  P.  S.  Hoes.  The  president  also  in  a 
few  words  expressed  his  opinion  that  it  would  be  safer  to  defer 
subscriptions.  The  motion  of  Mr.  Van  Alstyne  being  put  was 
declared  carried. 

After  votes  of  thanks  to  the  President  and  the  band  for  their 
services,  and  to  Messrs.  Bray  and  Herrick  for  the  use  of  the 
hall,  and  after  an  announcement  by  the  committee  on  finance 
that  one  thousand  dollars  had  been  subscribed,  the  meeting 
adjourned, 

Silas  W.  Burt,  Secretary. 

The  whole  account  of  this  meeting  we  have  quoted  from 
the  original  Minutes  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  James  A. 
Reynolds. 

Enlistments  began  immediately  and  proceeded  rapidly. 
Captain  (later  Colonel)  Charles  A.  Burt  was  the  recruiting 
officer  of  Kinderhook  for  General  Cowles's  regiment.  His 
company,  mustered  in  the  91st  at  Albany,  left  there  Decem- 


202  Old  RinderKooK 

ber  20th,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
ten  days  later  at  Governor's  Island.  It  was  sent  to  Key  West, 
Pensacola,  Baton  Rouge,  Port  Hudson,  and,  later  in  the  war, 
to  Petersburgh,  and  was  at  Appomattox.  Other  Kinderhook 
men  were  in  the  44th,  48th,  93d,  128th,  and  150th  of  in- 
fantry, and  in  the  ist,  2d,  5th,  6th,  7th,  8th,  and  12th,  of 
cavalry.  The  city  of  Hudson  excepted,  the  town  of  Kinder- 
hook  far  exceeded  every  other  town  in  the  county  in  the 
number  of  men  furnished  and  in  the  total  of  bounties  and 
expenses  paid.  The  official  records  show  407  enlisted  men, 
32  substitutes,  and  $123,161  expended.  In  Major  Elhs's 
History  of  the  County  there  is  a  partial  list  of  enlistments 
here,  with  a  minimum  perhaps  of  errors,  but  many  omissions, 
for  the  total  there  given  is  but  333.  Stones  in  our  village 
cemetery  give  these  additions:  Robert  Rosboro,  Quarter- 
Sergeant,  6th  N.  Y.  Cavalry;  John  S.  Caulfield,  Zouave 
Greys,  7th  Illinois;  Rufus  Wagoner,  9th  N.  Y.,  and  our 
everywhere  faithful  and  beloved  personal  friend,  Andrew 
Hagadorn,  5th  N.  Y.,  Duryea's  Zouaves. 

As  elsewhere  stated  Thomas  M.  Burt  (senior)  was 
Governor  Morgan's  trusted  Paymaster;  Silas  W.  Burt, 
Assistant  Inspector-General  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  a  rank 
won  by  Charles  A.  Burt  on  the  field  of  battle.  General 
Morgan  H.  Chrysler  and  his  son,  Gifford  W.,  residents  here 
after  the  close  of  the  war,  rendered  very  notable  service  in 
the  Union  army. 

The  following  Rosters  of  two  companies,  copied  from  the 
Rough  Notes  of  July  25,  1861,  reveal  our  earliest  volunteers 
only. 

The  Roster  of  Company  K,  30th,  N.  Y.  V.,  in  the  Rough 
Notes  of  July  25,  1861,  is  as  follows,  16  out-of-town  names 
omitted : 

B.  Pnijm,  Capt, — G.  W.  Becker,  ist  Lieut. — Adam  Lamp- 
man,  2d  Lieut. — R.  V.  D.  Salmon,  Ord.  Sergt. — Jas.  Makcly,  2d 
Sergt. — Abram  Palmatier,  3d  Sergt. — Charles  Nichols,  Musician. 


"War  Times  203 

— Andrew  Abrams,  ist  Corp.— B.  D.  Butler,  2d  Corp. — James 
Tanner,  3d  Corp. — John  H.  Abrams,  4th  Corp. — Privates: 
John  Adams,  Theo.  Buckman,  Wm.  Binns,  F.  G.  Bulkley,  Free- 
man Clapper,  John  Cooney,  Thomas  Coupee,  Daniel  Connor, 
James  H.  Davis,  Charles  Fairchild,  Wm.  Fairchild,  Samuel 
Fosmire,  Thomas  Grainey,  Allen  Hinchliffe,  Henry  Hodson, 
John  Hart,  James  Johnson,  Harvey  L.  Jones,  Henry  Lowe, 
Charles  Moore,  John  McAlHster,  James  Smith,  Joseph  Schofield, 
Henry  J.  Stickles,  Dennis  SuUivan,  Martin  Skinkle,  E.  H. 
Stevens,  H.  Schermerhorn,  Ira  Shattuck,  George  Tanner,  George 
Trainor,  John  Tynan,  Aug.  Van  Der  Bogart,  Hiram  G.  Whitney, 
Wm.  Weisemer,  John  L.  White,  John  Jerolewine,  George  Coons. 

In  the  4th  Company,  128th  Regiment  (Colonel  David  S. 
Cowles)  were  the  following  from  the  town  of  Kinderhook: 

Capt.  Geo.  W.  Van  Slyck.— ist  Lieut.  J.  W.  Van  Volkenburgh. 
— 2d  Lieut.  Peter  Lathrop. — Ord.  Sergt.  Chas.  L.  Van  Slyck. — 
Privates:  W.  H.  Hunt,  Austin  Fairchild,  E.  R.  Hinman, 
Jacob  S.  Trimper,  James  Clark,  Wm.  H.  Sharp,  David  R.  Dennis, 
Ralph  Denn,  Wm.  Lafferty,  Martin  T.  Filkins,  Chas.  E.  Rey- 
nolds, John  S.  Hardick,  Elijah  Kinnicut,  Elijah  Kinnicut,  Jr., 
James  Cooper,  G.  A.  Tipple,  George  Marquart,  Wm.  Sitzer, 
Jonas  Miller,  John  Decker,  Philo  Smith,  Isaac  Van  Dyck, 
Barent  Bennett,  E.  G.  Garner,  Theo.  Nevens,  P.  H.  Mclntyre, 
Wm.  H.  Chase,  Robert  S.  Horross,  Cornelius  Garvey,  Na- 
poleon Marborn,  Wm.  N.  Thompson,  George  H.  Woodin,  David 
A.  Skinkle,  Chas.  E.  Becker,  Wm.  H.  Pulver,  James  Kelly, 
Leonard  Kline,  James  Murphy,  Chas.  Dearborn,  John  Laferty, 
Wm.  Smith,  Thomas  Mixted. 

THE  WAR  WITH   SPAIN 

The  services  of  sons  of  Kinderhook  in  that  war  were, 
notably  and  brilliantly,  those  of  Captain  (later  Rear  Ad- 
miral) John  W.  Philip,  of  the  Texas;  and  of  at  least  two 
volunteers  of  whom  we  know.  Ernest  Keeler,  lately  de- 
ceased, served  in  the  31st  U.  S.  Infantry,  in  Porto  Rico, 
attaining  the  rank  of  1st  Sergeant.     His  father,  Charles 


204  Old  RinderKooK 

Keeler,  sought  to  enlist  for  the  Civil  War,  but  was  rejected 
on  account  of  his  youth.  A  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1 8 12,  and  a  great-grandfather  was  with  Washington 
when  he  crossed  the  Delaware.  Herbert,  son  of  Adam 
Miller,  served  in  the  Engineer  Corps  in  Cuba.  Then  in 
Colonel  Burt's  personal  reminiscences  we  will  read  of  one 
of  our  old  Academy  boys,  Francisco  De  Quirones,  who  used 
his  eminent  position  and  judicial  influence  in  favor  of  our 
acquisition  of  Porto  Rico. 


CHAPTER  VII 
GLEANINGS 

The  Gazetteers:  American,  1804 — SpaflFord's,  18 13,  1824 — Gordon's,  1836 — 
New  York,  1842 — French's,  i860.  Town  and  Village  Records — The 
Newspapers:  Hudson  Gazette — Kinderhook  Herald,  Sentinel,  and  Rough 
Notes.  Miscellanea — The  Park — In  Lighter  Vein — Our  Poets — Sundry 
Communications. 

THE  compilers  of  the  Gazetteers,  which  appeared  at 
irregular  intervals,  depended  on  local  correspondents 
for  their  information.  That  the  statements  of  different 
writers  years  apart  now  and  then  appear  discrepant  is  not 
surprising.  The  records  are  undoubtedly  nearly  accurate 
and  are  of  sufficient  interest  and  value  to  justify  their 
reproduction  in  substance. 

In  the  American  Gazetteer  of  1804  (Morse,  Boston)  we 
read  that  Kinderhook  village  has  50  dwelling  houses  and  a 
Dutch  church  and  that  the  town  contains  4248  inhabitants 
of  whom  438  are  slaves.  Of  Kinderhook  Landing  it  says 
that  it  has  15  or  20  houses  and  nearly  as  many  stores  and 
other  buildings,  "surrounded  with  an  uncleared  and  barren 
country."  We  have  some  doubt  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the 
last  statement,  but  joyfully  accept  this:  that  Albany  has 
'*.  .  .  6021  inhabitants.  Many  of  them  are  in  the  Gothic 
style  with  the  gable  end  to  the  street." 

Spafford  (1813)  gives  the  town  a  population  of  3709. 
The  Kinderhook  creek,  including  that  of  Stockport,  is  spoken 
of  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  United  States  for  the  abundance 

205 


2o6  Old  RinderKooK 

of  fine  sites  for  mills,  ^'another  Brandywine.''  The  cotton 
factory  at  Columbiaville  is  noted  as  employing  1500  spindles 
and  as  having  manufactured  55,000  pounds  of  cotton  wool 
in  1 8 12.  Along  the  creek  were  two  paper-mills  which  made 
3583  reams  of  paper  and  127  gross  of  press-paper.  There 
were  also  two  fulling-mills  and  four  carding  machines,  ten 
gristmills  besides  sawmills  and  a  plaster-mill.  There  were 
twelve  schools,  one  at  Kinderhook  and  another  at  the  Land- 
ing, both  very  large.  Of  the  village  of  Kinderhook  it  says: 
"Here  are  twenty  or  thirty  dwellings,  several  of  which,  in 
the  style  of  country  seats  are  very  elegant,  several  stores, 
shops  &c.,  a  church  and  an  academy." 

Spafford's  Gazetteer  of  1824  adds  substantially  nothing 
to  the  foregoing  account  of  Kinderhook  village,  but  gives  the 
population  of  the  town  as  3963  of  whom  911  were  engaged  in 
agriculture  and  342  in  manufacture  and  trade.  It  records 
the  presence  of  282  free  blacks  and  178  slaves.  The  taxable 
property  is  said  to  amount  to  $798,304.  In  the  town  there 
were  21,965  acres  of  improved  land  on  which  were  3490 
cattle,  997  horses,  and  5741  sheep.  There  were  six  grist-  and 
saw-mills,  two  fulling,  and  one  carding  machine,  three  cotton 
and  woolen  factories  and  one  distillery. 

Gordon's  Gazetteer  of  1836  reports  the  existence  of  a 
Baptist  as  well  as  the  old  Dutch  church;  characterizes  the 
Academy  as  of  much  repute;  tells  of  the  presence  of  four 
lawyers  and  four  physicians,  three  dry-goods  stores,  two 
groceries,  and  one  stove  and  hardware  store.  There  are  also 
a  wool  warehouse,  a  hat  factory  and  store,  a  furnace  for 
castings  (Mr.  Keegan's  present  barn),  a  millwright  shop, 
two  carriage  makers,  three  smiths,  two  tailors,  three  shoe- 
makers, one  saddle  and  harness  shop,  a  plough  maker,  a 
painter  and  glazier,  a  watch  and  jewelry  store,  a  printing- 
office  and  bookstore,  three  public  houses,  and  eighty-six 
dwellings  distributed  on  seven  streets;  "some  of  the  houses 
are  large  and  remarkably  neat,  and  surrounded  with  pleasant 
lawns  adorned  with  shrubs."    The  Academy  is  reported  as 


Gleanings  207 

having  seventy-five  students.  Evidently  the  village  had 
made  rapid  strides  since  the  Gazetteer  of  1 824. 

Valatie,  unnoticed  hitherto,  now  looms  up  largely,  and 
as  regards  its  industries  has  far  outstripped  its  aristocratic 
neighbor.  It  had  a  Presbyterian  and  a  Lutheran  church, 
one  select  and  two  district  schools,  three  taverns  and  four 
stores,  three  groceries,  many  mechanic  shops,  and  about 
125  dwellings  with  a  population  of  1200.  On  the  Kinderhook 
creek  was  the  Beaver  cotton  factory  with  5600  spindles  and 
100  power  looms,  making  a  million  yards  of  sheeting  per 
annum;  the  cotton  mill  of  Mr.  Baldwin  with  2500  spindles 
and  forty  looms  making  180,000  yards  of  sheeting  per 
annum.  On  the  Valatie  kill  the  cotton  mill  of  Mr.  Nathan 
Wild  with  2688  spindles  and  fifty-eight  looms  was  making 
7500  yards  of  printing  cloth  weekly.  There  were  two  grist- 
mills, also  saw,  carding  and  cloth-dressing  mills,  and  an 
extensive  machine  shop.  Land  in  the  vicinity  was  valued  at 
from  $45-$75  per  acre.  Stockport  is  reported  as  having  two 
churches,  two  stores,  two  taverns,  and  about  forty  dwellings. 
The  two  cotton  mills  of  Mr.  Wild  had  5208  spindles  and  180 
power  looms,  producing  more  than  600,000  yards  of  cloth 
per  annum  and  paying  about  $500  wages  weekly.  Favor- 
ably located  near  the  river  stood  the  new  Hudson  River 
Seminary  with  accommodations  for  three  hundred  students 
of  agriculture  and  literary  culture  combined.  The  classical 
tuition  was  not  to  exceed  $75  and  much  if  not  all  of  this  might 
be  earned  by  labor  on  the  farm.  The  raising  of  sugar-beets 
was  a  prospective  industry  from  which  large  returns  were  ex- 
pected. This  enterprise  began  well  with  about  two  hundred 
students,  but  the  financial  stress  of  1837  cut  off  expected 
funds  and  compelled  the  abandonment  of  the  scheme  after 
a  year.     The  building  was  subsequently  demolished. 

In  the  same  Gazetteer  (Gordon's,  1836)  we  first  meet  the 
pleasing  name  Glencadia,  now  Stuyvesant  Falls.  There 
were  two  cotton  mills  there,  that  of  Butler  &  Van  Alen 
having  1500  spindles  and  forty  looms,  and  that  of  J.  &  J.  W, 


2o8  Old  IlinderHooK 

Wardle  with  2000  spindles  and  fifty  looms.  Glencadia  had 
also  two  sawmills,  one  satinette  factory  with  five  looms,  one 
paper,  plaster,  and  grist  mill  and  forty-nine  dwellings. 

Stuyvesant  had  one  church  (the  Dutch  Reformed),  fifty 
dwellings,  three  lumberyards,  five  stores,  two  taverns,  three 
warehouses,  with  one  steamboat  and  two  barges  making 
weekly  trips  to  New  York. 

The  New  York  Gazetteer  of  1842  represents  Kinderhook 
village  as  having  1400  inhabitants,  two  hundred  dwelling 
houses,  a  Dutch  and  a  Baptist  church,  an  academy,  two 
public  houses,  fourteen  stores,  two  extensive  coach  manu- 
factories, two  hat  factories,  one  morocco  factory,  one  print- 
ing-office, and  a  number  of  other  mechanic  shops.  The 
Kinderhook  Academy  has  115  students,  that  of  Hudson 
sixty-four,  and  Claverack  fifty-one.  Of  our  village  it  is  said : 
"No  place  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Hudson  exceeds  this 
for  the  beauty  of  its  situation  and  the  salubrity  of  its 
climate." 

Stuyvesant  Falls  is  reported  as  having  two  cotton  mills 
and  one  woolen  factory,  two  sawmills,  one  grist  and  one 
paper  mill,  two  taverns,  three  stores,  and  about  forty  dwell- 
ings. Niverville  is  credited  with  one  cotton  mill,  one  saw- 
mill, one  store,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  dwellings.  Columbiaville 
is  reported  as  having  sixty  dwellings  and  six  hundred  inhabit- 
ants, also  two  taverns,  two  stores,  and  two  large  cotton  fac- 
tories with  about  5000  spindles  and  giving  employment  to 
about  one  hundred  hands.  The  town  of  Stuyvesant  is 
credited  with  1779  inhabitants  in  1840  and  the  village  with 
fifty  dwellings.  One  church,  one  tavern,  ten  or  twelve 
stores  and  storehouses;  a  steamboat  and  several  freight 
barges  and  sloops  owned  there  and  doing  an  extensive 
freighting  business  are  also  reported.  Valatie,  facile  princeps 
as  regards  business,  is  represented  as  having  two  hundred 
dwellings,  1600  inhabitants,  three  churches,  three  taverns, 
twelve  stores,  several  mechanic  workshops  of  different 
kinds,  four  extensive  cotton  factories  employing  about  four 


Gleanings  209 

hundred  hands,  two  iron  foundries,  one  machine  shop,  and 
grist,  saw,  fulling,  and  plaster  mills. 

The  Gazetteer  of  J.  H.  French  (i860)  adds  but  little  to 
the  foregoing.  It  indicates  rather  the  industrial  decline  of 
Kinderhook  village  in  having  only  a  steam  cotton  factory 
(standing  it  will  be  remembered  about  on  the  site  of  the. 
present  railway  station),  one  sawmill,  two  hat  factories,  and 
a  candle  factory  (near  the  bridge).  Valatie  is  credited  with 
five  cotton  factories  with  four  hundred  looms,  employing 
between  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  hands ;  also  a  paper 
mill,  furnace,  machine  shop,  plaster  mill,  and  sawmill.  The 
estimated  population  was  1500.  Niverville  is  spoken  of  as 
having  a  wadding  factory,  batting  factory,  gristmill,  and 
twenty-one  houses.  Stuyvesant  Landing  has  one  church, 
a  flour  mill,  a  foundry,  two  coalyards,  a  lumberyard,  and 
thirty-four  houses.  Two  propellers  were  owned  by  parties 
there.  Stuyvesant  Falls  is  represented  as  having  one  church, 
three  cotton  factories,  gristmill,  sawmill,  machine  shop,  an 
agricultural  implement  factory,  and  thirty-five  houses.  Chit- 
tenden Falls  has  one  church,  two  paper  mills,  and  fourteen 
dwellings.  Columbiaville,  of  considerable  manufacturing 
importance  in  1813,  has  apparently  lost  all  its  industries. 

On  the  whole  it  appears  that  the  steady  decline  of  Old 
Kinderhook  in  industries  and  in  population  had  already 
begun  and  made  considerable  progress.  Regrettable  as  it  is, 
yet  under  the  changed  conditions  this  decline  was  unavoid- 
able, and  was  only  partially  and  temporarily  checked  by 
sporadic  and  brief  seasons  of  prosperity. 

TOWN  AND   VILLAGE   RECORDS 

The  official  records  of  both  town  and  village  are  far  from 
complete.  Many  have  been  lost  or  burned,  notably  in  the 
fire  of  1880.  Fortunately,  however,  we  have  the  Town 
Records  from  1788  to  1845  in  a  volume  of  about  six  hundred 
pages  in  reasonably  good  condition,  as  is  also  the  volume  of 


2IO  Old  RinderKooK 

the  village  Trustees'  Records  from  their  first  meeting,  May 
4,  1838,  to  April  I,  1862. 

The  Town  Records  are  generally  well  written.  The  pen- 
manship of  Abraham  Van  Buren,  the  first  clerk,  is  especially 
neat  and  legible,  and  that  of  Augustus  Whiting,  1 835-1 837, 
quite  artistic.  Much  the  greater  part  of  the  book  is  filled 
with  the  reports  of  numerous  Commissioners  of  Highways 
concerning  the  laying  out  and  altering  of  roads.  The  first 
Commissioners  were,  Evert  Vosburgh,  Lucas  I.  Goes,  Dirck 
Gardenier,  Noadiah  Moore,  and  Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh. 
There  are  over  forty  such  reports,  many  of  them  relating  to 
more  than  one  road.  Without  a  map  of  the  time,  showing  the 
location  of  houses  named  and  their  owners,  it  is  now  impos- 
sible to  locate  all  of  these  roads  with  precision  except  in  a 
general  way.  Many  of  them,  however,  are  easily  recognized 
as  will  be  noted  hereafter  in  selected  instances.  The  whole 
story  would  be  almost  interminable.  In  1787  we  find  the 
names  of  these  Commissioners:  Harmon  Van  Buren,  Low- 
rens  L.  Van  Alen,  Frans  Van  Buren,  Lambert  Burgart, 
Abraham  I.  Van  Vleck,  Philip  Van  Alstyne,  Isaac  Goes, 
John  Goes,  Jr.,  Abraham  Hogeboom,  John  Van  Alstine,  and 
Abraham  Van  Alstine.  In  later  years  the  number  was 
largely  increased  and  the  Town  divided  into  twenty-eight 
Districts  or  Beats. 

Beginning  with  1793  there  are  numerous  records  of  the 
manumission  of  slaves  in  accordance  with  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature  for  the  gradual  abohtion  of  slavery.  Jeremiah 
Siemon  (Simmons?),  John  Pruyn,  Bartholomew  J.  Van 
Valkenburgh,  and  John  L.  Goes  were  the  first  to  go  on  record 
as  "manumitting,  giving  freedom  to  and  setting  at  liberty" 
some  of  their  slaves.  Later,  the  birth  of  a  child  of  a  slave 
mother  was  required  to  be  recorded.  And  still  later  a  faith- 
less, incorrigible  slave,  instead  of  being  punished,  was  re- 
ported to  the  Justices  and  by  them  set  at  liberty  and 
the  former  owner  relieved  of  responsibility.  We  note 
the   Rev.   Dr.    Sickles   as    among  those  who  thus  threw 


Oleanin^s  211 

off  their  own  yoke  as  well  as  that  of  the  unprofitable 
servant. 

In  1797,  sixty- two  pounds,  five  shillings  were  ordered  to 
be  "raised  for  the  encouragement  of  schools."  In  1798  the 
amount  was  $309,50  for  the  same  purpose. 

In  1798  there  begin  many  records  of  stray  animals  com- 
ing into  the  inclosures  of  those  reporting  them.  As  illus- 
trative, not  necessarily  of  illiteracy,  but  of  the  difficulties  of 
the  Dutch  Fathers  in  their  attempts  to  write  in  English,  we 
copy  these  curiosities  from  the  early  records  of  a  certain  town 
(not  our  own)  in  1782 : 

Resolved  Unanimous  that  no  Hogs  being  or  zoked  If  to  be 
found  in  Mischife  without  being  Zokt  or  Ringe  be  forfitted  to 
Parson  in  whose  Incloser  they  are  fond. 

Resolved  that  all  fanses  be  four  feet  and  ten  Inses  to  be 
reconed  lawful. 

Resolved  that  the  District  hev  agred  to  Rese  the  some  of 
Twenty  pounds  for  the  Relefe  of  the  Pore  for  the  ensuing  zare 
and  when  nocessety  Require  to  be  collacted  by  orde  Pore  Masters 
of  said  Destrict  the  above  resolves  is  Recorded  by  me. 

Tacon  up  by a  large  Brown  hors  marked  on  his 

left  Botick  with  a  X  Cores  Sad  hos  was  tacon  up  the  16  of 
August.     Recorded  by Tone  Clrk. 

In  1798  appears  the  first  record  of  the  election  of  Town 
Officers  as  returned  to  the  Clerk,  James  I.  Van  Alen,  by  the 
presiding  Justices,  Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh  and  Nicholas 
Kittle.  The  list  is  as  follows:  Supervisor:  Dirck  Gardenier ; 
Town  Clerk :  James  I.  Van  Alen ;  Assessors :  John  A  Vosburgh, 
Moses  Brick,  John  L.  Goes,  Jacobus  I.  Vosburgh,  John 
Kittle,  Samuel  Van  Slyck,  and  Abraham  I.  Staats;  Com- 
missioners of  Highways;  Elihu  Gridley,  Barent  Vanderpoel, 
and  John  Philip ;  Overseers  of  the  Poor :  Daniel  Tobias  and 
Daniel  Ludlow;  Commissioners  of  Schools:  Peter  Van 
Schaack,  Myndert  P.  Vosburgh,  and  Benjamin  Wells;  Col- 
lector :  Stephen  Van  Dyck ;  Constables :  Dennis  Davis,  Hassel 


212  Old  K-inderHooK 

Brewer,  John  Vosmer,  Jr.,  and  Amos  Castle;  Poundmasters : 
Samuel  Taft  and  Zaccheus  Cook.  There  were,  in  addition, 
eight  Fence  Viewers  and  sixteen  Overseers  of  Highways, 
officials  of  considerable  responsibility  and  power.  The 
voluminous  records  of  their  proceedings  give  ample  proof 
that  their  office  was  by  no  means  a  sinecure.  Their  names 
are  not  without  interest.  Fence  Viewers:  John  I.  Van  Alen, 
Jacobus  L.  Van  Alen,  Aaron  Vosburgh,  Cornelius  Schermer- 
horn,  Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh,  Joghem  Van  Valkenburgh, 
Burger  Huyck,  and  James  Van  Deusen.  Overseers  of  High- 
ways: Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh,  Isaac  I.  Van  Vleck, 
Dirck  I.  Goes,  John  B.  Goes,  Alexander  McMechan,  David 
Van  Alen,  Isaac  Averill,  Edmund  Baker,  Andrew  Abrahams, 
Henry  Van  Alen,  Nathan  Deyo,  David  Hugenar,  Abraham 
Salisbury,  Godfrey  Kerner,  Jacob  Van  Bramer,  and  Martin 
Kooper.  The  Fence  Viewers  and  Overseers  of  Highways 
were  much  increased  in  number  in  later  years.  Town 
elections  lasted  two  and  State  elections  three  days. 

In  1799  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  and  the  Justices  were 
authorized  to  join  with  one  or  more  towns  of  the  County  in 
caring  for  the  poor,  and  the  Poundmaster  was  authorized 
to  build  a  good  and  sufficient  Pound  in  the  village  of  Kinder- 
hook.  It  was  in  William  Street  nearly  opposite  the  present 
residence  of  G.  H.  Reynolds.  In  it  the  "Lock-up"  was  sub- 
sequently built.  At  the  same  Town  Meeting  the  following 
resolutions  were  adopted  with  this  impressive  caption — 
"Prudential  Rules  and  Regulations." 

Resolved  that  no  Hog  above  the  age  of  Two  months  shall 
have  a  Right  to  run  at  large  unless  Ringed  and  properly  Yoked, 
between  the  Tenth  day  of  April  and  the  Tenth  day  of  November 
in  every  year,  that  the  owner  of  such  Hog  or  Hogs  shall  forfeit 
fifty  cents  for  each  hog  so  running  at  large. 

Resolved  that  every  Ram  found  running  at  large  between  the 
Tenth  day  of  September  and  the  first  day  of  November  such 
owner  (sic)  shall  forfeit  Two  dollars  for  every  such  Ram  so 
running  at  large. 


Gleanings  213 

These  "Prudential  Rules  and  Regulations"  were  re-adopted 
year  after  year  with  great  solemnity. 

While  James  I.  Van  Alen  was  Town  Clerk  we  have  the 
first  registrations  of  ownership  marks  of  cattle,  sheep,  and 
hogs.  Later,  these  registrations  became  very  numerous. 
Joseph  Dewell's  mark  was  "a  crop  of  the  left  ear  and  half 
crop  of  the  under  side  of  the  right  ear."  Dr.  Isaac 
Averill's  more  artistic  mark  was  "a  swallow  fork  in  each 
ear. "  To  the  late  Mr.  William  Max  Reid  we  are  indebted 
for  the  privilege  of  beholding  how  the  Town  Clerk  of  Amster- 
dam illuminated  his  records  with  wonderful  pen-pictures  of 
cows'  heads  with  prodigious  ears  extended  horizontally  and 
notched  in  manifold  picturesque  ways.  The  pages  were  a 
joy  to  behold.  Doubtless  our  James  could  have  given  us 
much  finer  illustrations,  but  he  modestly  hid  his  artistic 
genius. 

In  January,  1825,  thirty-one  subscribers  agreed  to  pay 
James  Clark,  Arent  Van  Vleck,  and  John  S.  Vosburgh,  $100, 
"for  the  purpose  of  defraying  all  the  expenses  of  building 
a  public  well  in  the  centre  of  this  village,  the  spot  to  be 
located  by  a  committee  to  be  appointed  from  and  by  the 
Subscribers."  Charles  Whiting  &  Co.,  Peter  Van  Buren,  I. 
Vanderpoel,  and  Henry  Van  Vleck  &  Co.  subscribed  $10 
each.  The  other  subscriptions  ranged  from  five  dollars  to 
one,  a  few  of  the  latter  payable  in  work.  This  well  is  that  of 
our  famous  town  pump. 

In  December,  1825,  the  highway  commissioners,  Arent 
Van  Vleck  and  Charles  H.  Coleman,  gave  permission  to 
Jonathan  N.  White  "to  dig  a  well  ...  at  the  place  called 
MillVilleor  Vallitje." 

In  1826  the  former  method  of  supporting  the  town  poor 
by  contract  was  abandoned.  The  old  poorhouse,  within  the 
limits  of  the  new  town  of  Stuyvesant,  had  evidently  been  sold 
and  the  joint-occupancy  thereof  ceased,  for  the  Overseers 
were  now  authorized  to  provide  a  suitable  tenement  and 
engage  a  proper  family  to  occupy  the  same  who  would,  for  a 


214  Old  K-inderHooK 

certain  stipulated  sum  weekly  or  otherwise,  engage  to  support  jii 
all  permanent  or  temporary  poor  in  the  discretion  of  the  iu 
Overseers  and  under  their  immediate  inspection  and  direc- 
tion. Bids  for  this  service  were  to  be  received  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  John  Lewis,  and  at  the  same  time  any  physician  in  or 
out  of  the  town  might  submit  proposals  for  all  surgical  and 
medical  aid  and  attendance. 

In  the  same  year  our  Justices,  Lucas  Hoes,  John  I.  Van 
Buren,  and  John  L.  Van  Alen,  Jr.,  certified  to  the  adoption 
of  the  following  impressive  preamble  and  resolution: 

Whereas  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  are  greatly  injured  in 
their  property  while  attending  church  and  also  while  attending 
the  market  for  their  produce  by  having  the  provender  for  their 
teams  eat  up  and  their  bags  of  grain  torn  open  and  wasted  and 
in  some  cases  their  wagons  by  cows  and  other  neat  cattle  which 
are  permitted  to  run  at  large  in  the  highways  of  the  town  and 
especially  in  the  village  of  Kinderhook.  Now  therefore  to  remedy 
these  evils,  Resolved — that  no  cow  or  any  other  neat  cattle  shall 
be  permitted  to  run  at  large  in  the  highways  or  the  town  between 
the  I  St.  day  of  December  and  the  ist.  day  of  April  in  each  year. 

The  penalty  for  each  offense  was  fifty  cents.  Eight  months 
a  year,  it  doth  appear,  although  it  seem  amazing,  the  cows 
might  meet  with  cattle-neat  and  roam  our  streets  a-grazing. 
We  have  given  the  first  record  of  the  election  (1798)  of 
town  officials,  and  now  subjoin  the  last,  in  1844.  Supervisor, 
Lucas  Hoes;  Justice  for  four  years,  John  Trimper;  Town 
Clerk,  Peter  Huyck;  Superintendent  of  Schools,  Amos 
Ackley ;  Collector,  Edward  Dennis;  Assessors,  John  L  Pruyn, 
Hugh  Bain,  and  John  L  Shoemaker;  Commissioners  of  High- 
ways, Henry  Snyder,  Michael  I.  Niver,  and  Aaron  Huyck; 
Overseers  of  the  Poor,  Daniel  Reynolds  and  Benjamin  Hil- 
ton; Inspectors  of  Election,  Laurence  Van  Buren,  Jesse 
Merwin,  George  W.  Bulkley,  and  Daniel  E.  Merwin;  Con- 
stables, Peter  Sickles,  Hiram  Reynolds,  and  William  H. 
Thompson;   Sealer  of  Weights   and   Measures,   Henry   S. 


Gleanings  215 

King;  Poundmasters,  Leander  P.  Rivenburgh  and  John  H. 
Groat.  For  the  twenty-eight  road  districts  the  following 
Overseers  were  chosen:  Henry  Snyder,  John  Van  Beuren, 
Seth  Turpin,  John  A.  Spickerman,  William  Champlain, 
Frederick  Shoefelt,  Cornelius  P.  Van  Alen,  Peter  Harder, 
Isaac  P.  Van  Alen,  Michael  I.  Pultz,  John  Dedrick,  Isaac 
Van  Dyck,  Andrew  I.  Van  Valkenburgh,  Isaac  M.  Smith, 
Hugh  Bain,  Jacob  I.  Simmons,  John  Vosburgh,  John  Rora- 
back,  Delaware  Fowler,  Robert  Patterson,  Samuel  Hanna, 
George  Snoock,  Henry  M.  Niver,  Reuben  Miller,  William 
Kingman,  John  Van  Slyck,  William  H.  Link,  and  James 
Britton.  It  need  not  be  said  that  all  these  officials  long  since 
passed  away,  but  many  of  them  are  well  remembered  by 
some  and  all  of  them  by  a  few.  The  penmanship  of  the 
Town  Clerk,  Peter  Huyck,  is  beautiful.  He  merited  re- 
election. 

NEWSPAPERS 

April  7,  1785,  Webster  and  Stoddard  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  first  newspaper  of  the  County,  The  Hudson 
Weekly  Gazette.  It  was  of  four  pages;  subscription  price, 
$1.50.  Among  its  laudable  intents  we  note  that  it  was  to  be 
a  "Centinel  of  its  (Hudson's)  Liberties"  and  to  "bring 
Chaps  to  the  Merchant." 

In  marked  contrast  with  the  County  weeklies  of  to-day 
its  items  of  local  and  vicinity  news  were  very  few,  and  there 
was  apparently  no  care  for  any  historical  reminiscences. 
Nor  was  there  space  for  such  trifles  after  the  weekly  epitome 
of  the  news  of  the  whole  country  and  world  had  been  given. 
None  the  less,  however,  its  files  for  many  years  have  been 
studiously  scrutinized  for  what  little  we  might  glean  relat- 
ing to  Kinderhook.  Much  that  has  been  found  has  been  or 
will  be  noted  topically.  In  this  place  a  glimpse  at  the  delight- 
ful amenities  of  political  campaigns  may  be  of  interest.  It 
will  reveal  that  in  lurid  rhetoric  and  in  the  richness  of  their 


2i6  Old  K.inderHooK 

vocabulary  of  objurgatory  adjectives  scarcely  have  our 
modern  hurlers  of  epithets  surpassed  them.  As  a  sample  of 
many  others  take  the  County  campaign  of  1788.  We  quote 
from  the  Gazette,  omitting  portions  of  the  record : 

At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  very  respectable  citizens  and 
some  of  the  first  character  in  the  County  ...  at  Claverack, 
Peter  Van  Schaack  of  Kinderhook  was  nominated  Delegate  to 
the  Convention,  Peter  Silvester  of  Kinderhook  for  State  Senator 
and  Wm.  H.  Ludlow  for  the  Assembly.  It  is  Recommended — To 
the  Laborer  if  he  wishes  to  be  employed  and  to  receive  pay  for 
his  labor — To  the  Tradesman  if  he  desires  to  be  supported  in  his 
industrious  calling — To  the  Farmer,  if  he  is  willing  to  receive  a 
good  price  for  his  produce — To  the  Merchant  if  he  is  willing  to 
have  a  sure  commercial  treaty — and  to  every  honest  man  who 
has  a  regard  for  good  government  and  bears  a  true  respect  and 
love  for  his  country  to  support  these  men  with  their  votes  and 
interests. 

So  much  for  the  Federalists.  But  now  for  the  Anti-Federal- 
ists, a  week  later: 

At  a  meeting  of  very  respectable  citizens  .  .  .  though  per- 
haps not  the  first  characters  in  point  of  property,  yet  as  such  in 
point  of  attachment  to  the  liberties,  independence  and  happiness 
of  America,  Peter  Van  Ness  of  Kinderhook  was  nominated  as 
both  Delegate  and  Senator. 

He  was  elected,  and  that  notwithstanding  this  fearsome 
blast : 

To  the  Anti-Federalists  of  Columbia  County :  When  we  con- 
sider the  alarming  strides  you  are  daily  making  to  establish  a 
system  of  despotism,  we  cannot  but  feel  for  the  depravity  of 
mankind,  and  urge  every  honest  man  to  join  and  repel  you,  lest 
your  schemes  should  succeed,  and  with  their  concomitant  train  of 
vices,  poured  in  like  a  torrent,  deluge  and  destroy  the  common- 
wealth. 


Gleanings  217 

Our  still  living  and  cherished  friends,  "Verity,"  "Veri- 
tas," "Old  Subscriber,"  "Junius,"  "Cato,"  "Fabius,"  and 
a  host  besides,  filled  column  after  column  with  their  stirring 
appeals.  "A  Citizen  of  Kinderhook"  had  a  letter  three 
columns  long,  from  which  we  take  this  choice  characteriza- 
tion of  a  certain  candidate:  "A  disposition  envious  and 
malicious,  puddling  in  dirtiness,  exerting  itself  at  the  insti- 
gation of  evil;  and  a  hellish  ambition  scarcely  equalled  by 
that  of  Cataline  .  .  .  a  composition  of  blackest  infamy. " 

In  1789  David  Van  Schaack  heads  a  list  of  twenty-eight 
"prominent  citizens  of  Kinderhook"  who  solicit  Israel  Spen- 
cer to  accept  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace.  But  soon 
thereafter  Abram  Van  Alstyne  heads  a  list  of  fifty-five  who 
write  thus  graciously:  "With  our  most  ardent  wishes  for 
your  immediately  declining  the  ensigns  of  office  and  for  all 
the  felicity  which  private  life  can  afford  you,  we  are,  with  due 
regard,  etc."  They  neglect  to  state  how  much  regard  was 
due.  In  1792,  anent  nominations  for  Assemblyman,  we  have 
this  from  "a  farmer  and  elector  of  Kinderhook:" 

If  you  like  to  have  your  pockets  picked  of  the  little  pittance 
you  can  earn  from  the  sweat  of  your  brow  by  ploughing  and 
tilling,  vote  for  a  lawyer. 

If  you  want  laws  made  that  are  full  of  intricacy,  perplexity, 
uncertainty  and  a  multiplicity  of  cost,  vote  for  a  lawj^er.  .  .  . 

If  you  want  wholesome  laws  that  have  the  interest  and  good 
of  your  country  as  their  basis,  then  vote  for  a  farmer. 

"Mechanic"  responded  for  the  lawyer  and  another  "Me- 
chanick  and  Plain  Man"  wrote  for  the  farmer,  Peter  Van 
Ness;  but  the  lawyer  won.  We  wonder  how  seriously  those 
men  and  the  political  writers  and  orators  of  Van  Buren's 
time  took  themselves. 

One  more  glimpse  of  those  "halcyon  and  vociferous" 
days  may  suffice.  At  that  same  election  George  Clinton  and 
John  Jay  were  candidates  for  governor.  For  alleged  or  real 
irregularites  the  votes  of  Clinton,  Otsego,  and  Tioga  counties 


2i8  Old  RinderHooK 

were  rejected,  thereby  giving  the  election  to  CUnton,  which 
made  the  friends  of  Jay  very  wrathy.     Hence  this  record: 

The  inhabitants  of  this  town  on  receiving  notice  of  the 
approach  of  the  honorable  John  Jay,  Chief  Justice  of  the  U.S., 
proceeded  this  day  to  meet  him  on  the  road  to  Albany  as  far  as 
the  county  line.  A  numerous  and  respectable  escort  of  dragoons 
in  uniform  with  citizens  from  Albany  and  the  adjacent  towns 
consigned  their  charge  to  the  cavalcade  from  Kinderhook,  to 
which  place  they  accompanied  him,  and  at  the  home  of  Capt. 
John  Shethar  participated  in  an  elegant  repast.  After  dinner, 
with  the  true  spirit  of  freemen,  they  drank  sixteen  toasts.  The 
eighth  was:  "Confusion  to  the  cause  of  Despots,  who,  in  defiance 
of  the  first  principles  of  Political  Liberty  tender  to  Freemen  the 
envenomed  cup  of  usurpation." 

The  last  toast  was :  "John  Jay,  by  the  voice  of  the  people 
our  Supreme  Magistrate  and  rightful  Governor."  Mr. 
Jay's  only  response  was :  '  *  The  free  and  independent  electors 
of    Kinderhook." 

February  26,  1795,  Kinderhook  and  Catskill  were  made 
Ports  of  Entry.    The  distinction  ceased  May  2'],  1796. 

KINDERHOOK  "HERALD,"  "SENTINEL,"  AND  "ROUGH  NOTES " 

In  1825  Peter  Van  Schaack  (son  of  Peter  the  Jurist) 
commenced  the  publication  of  The  Kinderhook  Herald,  the 
third  of  still  existing  County  papers.  The  proprietor  and 
editor  was  a  well-educated  scholarly  man  of  excellent 
literary  ability  and  refinement.  Through  the  courtesy  of  his 
son,  Manton,  we  have  had  the  files  of  the  Herald  for  ex- 
amination and  have  found  them  replete  with  matters  of 
much  interest.  But,  as  was  the  case  with  all  such  weeklies 
then,  as  already  said,  after  the  affairs  of  the  state,  nation, 
and  world  had  been  presented  there  was  little  room  in  a  four- 
page  paper  for  local  matters,  much  less  for  any  reminiscences 
by  "  veteran  readers  "  and  their  ilk. 

In  1832  the  paper  was  sold  to  Elias  Pitts  who  changed  its 


Gleanings  219 

name  to  The  Columbia  Sentinel.  In  1834  he  sold  the  Sentinel 
to  John  V.  A.  Hoes  who  two  years  later  resold  it  to  Peter 
Van  Schaack.  He  continued  its  publication  until  1854  when 
Peter  H.  Van  Vleck  became  proprietor  and  began  the  bril- 
liant career  of  the  old  Kinderhook  Rough  Notes.  Mr.  Van 
Vleck  learned  the  printing  business  with  Mr.  Lawrence  Van 
Dyck  in  1834,  in  the  office  of  the  Greene  Co.,  Advertiser, 
Coxsackie.  Four  years  later  Mr.  Van  Dyck  purchased  the 
Columbia  Republican,  Hudson,  and  had  Mr.  Van  Vleck  as 
his  assistant  for  a  short  time,  until  the  latter  came  to  Kinder- 
hook  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Van  Schaack,  publisher  of  the 
Sentinel.  In  '48  or  '49  he  went  to  California  and  was  absent 
gold  hunting  about  two  years.  Returning,  without  becom- 
ing a  multi-millionaire,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  Atlas 
office,  Albany,  and  remained  about  eighteen  months,  when 
he  bought  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel  and  changed  its  name  to 
Rough  Notes.  Through  the  kindness  of  his  daughter  Kathar- 
ine (Mrs.  John  K.  Pierce)  the  files  of  the  Rough  Notes  until 
the  year  1864  have  been  studiously  read  by  us  with  much 
appreciation  of  the  scintillating  genius  of  the  editor.  After 
his  death  his  then  famous  Rough  Notes  had  a  checkered 
career.  Mr.  James  R.  Arrowsmith,  its  publisher  until  1867, 
then  sold  it  to  Mr.  Willard  Pond  who  named  it  the  Columbia 
County  Advertiser.  He  was  succeeded  by  James  H.  Wool- 
hiser,  and  he  in  1871  by  Mr.  WilHam  B.  Howland,  later  of 
The  Outlook  and  now  of  The  Independent.  He  called  his  paper 
The  Advertiser.  His  editorial  sanctum,  composing-room  and 
printing  office  all  in  one,  in  the  little  Van  Schaack  building, 
now  occupied  by  G.  H.  Brown  &  Bro.,  was  a  frequent 
lounging  place  for  us ;  and  we  well  remember  that  Mr.  How- 
land,  Mr.  M.  Van  Schaack,  and  ourselves  were  interested 
spectators  when  the  new  quarto  form  first  came  from  the 
press.  In  May,  1875  Mr.  Howland  sold  the  plant  to  Mr. 
Charles  W.  Davis  of  Valatie.  He  restored  the  original  folio 
form,  and,  better  still,  resumed  the  former  title,  the  Kinder- 
hook Rough  Notes.     When  a  few  years  later  the  printing- 


220  Old  HinderKooK 

office  was  removed  to  Valatie  the  word  Kinderhook  was 
dropped.  He  conducted  the  paper  with  signal  ability 
notwithstanding  its  strongly  partisan  character.  Later,  it 
became  the  property  of  the  Hon.  Charles  D.  Haines,  and 
was  returned  to  Kinderhook;  the  present  Grange  build- 
ing being  expensively  equipped  with  all  manner  of  modern 
appliances  for  the  issue  of  a  weekly  which,  with  varying 
local  headings,  was  to  supply  the  needs  of  all  adjoining  towns 
in  Columbia  and  Rensselaer  counties.  The  scheme  soon 
came  to  grief,  however,  and  our  tempest-tossed  Rough  Notes 
returned  to  Valatie  where  it  still  abides.  The  present 
proprietors  are:  The  Rough  Notes  Co.,  Thomas  Garrigan, 
President,  Fred  Barford,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  with  Mr. 
Frank  Purcell  as  editor. 

In  1853  The  Valatie  Weekly  Times  was  started  by  Mr. 
Henry  N.  Hopkins,  but  two  years  later  was  merged  in  the 
Hudson  Gazette. 

The  first  number  of  The  Kinderhook  Herald,  our  pioneer 
village  paper,  appeared  June  3,  1825.  It  was  a  non-partisan 
journal  of  four  pages.  The  subscription  price  was  two  dollars. 
It  may  be  of  interest  to  note  that  the  initial  number  gives 
three  columns  to  a  report  of  a  meeting  in  New  York  to  con- 
sider the  remedy  for  Delays  of  Justice ;  copies  from  the  New 
York  Evening  Post  an  article  on  a  ship-canal  through  Central 
America  and  tells  of  the  recent  discovery  of  the  most  feasible 
route,  essentially  that  now  adopted;  reports  the  nation's 
imports  as  amounting  to  $75,986,557,  and  its  exports  to 
$80,549,007.  It  speaks  of  the  recently  acquired  independence 
of  Mexico  and  South  America;  tells  of  the  wreck  of  the 
Mechanic,  on  which  General  Lafayette  was  journeying  from 
Nashville  to  Louisville,  and  regretfully  records  the  death  in 
New  York  of  Ann  Maria,  wife  of  Augustus  Wynkoop  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Peter  Silvester,  Esq.,  of  this  village. 

Beginning  with  June,  1825,  we  have  these  miscellanea: 
Bain  &  Birge,  at  the  corner  store  (now  Mr.  Avery's)  have 
a   new   assortment   of    Dry   Goods,    Hardware,    Crockery, 


Gleanings  221 

"Liquors  and  other  Groceries."  They  are  agents  also,  and 
continue  to  be  for  years,  for  the  Lottery  of  the  New  York 
State  Literature  Fund.  WiUiam  Kip  is  the  Watch  Maker, 
Silversmith  and  Jeweller.  Charles  Whiting  &  Co.  in  addition 
to  their  Hardware  Store  have  erected  a  new  Hay  Press.  Mr. 
Whiting  is  Colonel  of  the  56th  Regiment  and  through  his 
Adjutant,  John  L  Van  Buren,  gives  notice  that  Major 
Barent  Van  Alen,  Capt.  Abram  Burgart  and  Ensign  David 
Van  Schaack  are  constituted  a  court-martial  to  meet  at 
Isaac  Frink's  hotel.  We  note  in  passing  that  Mrs.  Kip,  Mrs. 
Hobart,  Mrs.  Winston,  and  Mrs.  Elisha  Dodge  were  daugh- 
ters of  Isaac  Frink  and  notably  worthy  women  of  their  time. 
The  Kinderhook  Union  Library  Society  is  to  meet  at  the 
hotel  of  John  Lewis  (which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Kinderhook  Hotel),  to  elect  five  trustees.  Abel  S.  Peters 
gives  notice  that  the  sloop  "Chatham,  with  fine  accommoda- 
tions for  passengers  and  freight,  C.  Crooke,  Master,  sails 
from  the  Landing  every  alternate  Thursday;  and  the  Troy 
steamboats  touch  at  his  wharf."  John  Claw,  Edward  W. 
Bayley  &  J.  P.  Beekman,  executors  of  the  late  Jacob  Claw, 
offer  for  sale  a  grist-mill,  saw-mill  and  27  acres  of  land. 
Henry  Van  Vleck  &  Co.,  in  their  new  store  on  the  corner  of 
Grand  (Broad)  street  and  Albany  avenue,  deal  in  groceries, 
dry-goods,  hardware,  stone-ware,  etc.  They  also  offer  for 
sale  a  saw-mill,  grist-mill,  and  several  pieces  of  property, 
including  the  store,  dock,  dwelling,  etc.,  at  the  Landing, 
known  as  the  middle  dock  and  formerly  owned  by  Arent 
Pruyn.  Drs.  H.  L.  and  A.  Van  Dyck  have  a  general  assort- 
ment of  drugs  and  medicines.  A.  Sandford  is  the  village 
tailor  with  his  shop  adjoining  the  store  of  Bain  &  Birge. 
H.  W.  Peckham  sells  boots  and  shoes  two  doors  east  of 
Lewis's  hotel.  Next  door  to  the  Mansion  House  is  the  law 
office  of  J.  &  A.  Vanderpoel.  Wilcoxson  and  Van  Schaack 
are  also  attorneys  in  partnership,  with  their  office  in  the 
building  now  owned  by  C.  M.  Bray.  The  first-named  is 
Master  in  Chancery;  the  latter  attends  to  fire  insurance  as 


222  Old  H.inclerHooK 

well  as  law.  Willard  Bradley,  third  door  north  of  Peter  Van 
Buren's  store,  sells  paints  and  does  painting.  Van  Dyck  & 
Hawley  keep  a  general  store;  Mrs.  Bill  (Deming)  has  a  mil- 
linery and  dressmaking  shop  three  doors  from  the  Printing 
office,  and  E.  H.  Burchardt  is  the  Cabinet  and  Chair  Maker, 
to  be  found  two  doors  south  of  H.  Van  Vleck  &  Co.  Peter 
Van  Schaack,  Jr.,  has  a  Book  &  Stationery  store  in  connection 
with  his  Printing  office.  Milton  Gardner,  and  soon  there- 
after R.  Graves  &  Co.,  are  dealers  in  hats,  and  the  latter 
manufacturer  as  well.  Lawrence  Van  Dyck,  Jr. ,  was  the  post- 
master for  many  years.  His  letter-boxes  long  adorned  the 
store  of  the  late  John  C.  Sweet.  In  addition  to  the  good 
sloop  Chatham  noted  above  we  have  a  little  later,  as  an- 
nounced by  Bidwell  &  Vosburgh,  the  Sultan,  Alexander 
Bidwell,  Master,  sailing  alternate  Fridays  from  the  dock  and 
storehouse  of  H.  Van  Vleck  &  Co.,  next  above  the  store  of  S. 
Wendover  &  Son.  At  Millville  (Valatie) ,  not  yet  the  place  it 
afterward  became,  E.  Hull  keeps  a  General  Store  opposite 
Coleman's  grist  mill  and  James  &  Micajah  Hawkins  are 
Wagon  Makers  and  Blacksmiths.  Kinderhook  was  not 
without  at  least  one  inventor,  for  John  G.  Philip  (grand- 
father of  Admiral  Philip)  advertises  his  famous  "Rocking 
Machine  "  which  will  wash  ten  shirts  in  five  minutes.  The 
purchasing  value  of  one  dollar  in  1825  may  be  seen  from  these 
extracts  from  N.  Y.  Prices  Current  on  May  29th.  Flour,  bl., 
$5-37;  Wheat,  bushel,  $1.13;  Corn,  .50;  Oats,  .27;  Oak  boards 
per  M.  feet,  .20;  Pine,  .15;  Prime  Beef,  $6.00  bl.;  Hams,  lb., 
.07 ;  Butter,  .07 ;  Cheese,  .05.  Scholars  in  the  Academy  could 
have  "good  board"  for  $1.50  per  week. 

In  1826,  March  6th,  we  have  the  first  reported  annual 
meeting  of  our  famous  Conscript  Society,  the  story  of  which 
we  tell  in  another  chapter. 

The  same  month  we  read  of  a  "numerous  and  respecta- 
ble" meeting  of  citizens  at  Frink's  Mansion  House  to  con- 
sider the  multiplication  of  Groceries,  in  other  words  saloons. 
Strong  resolutions  were  adopted  with  reference  to  the  in- 


Gleanings  223 

temperance  thereby  encouraged  and  a  committee  appointed 
to  secure  enforcement  of  the  excise  laws.  Like  meetings 
were  held  in  subsequent  years  and  several  temperance 
organizations  effected,  whose  frequent  meetings  are  reported. 
One  organization  of  men  had  eighty  members;  another  of 
young  men  and  women  had  seventy,  and  a  large  society  was 
formed  among  the  Academy  students  which  the  New  York 
Chronicle  hailed  as  "the  pioneer  organization  of  its  kind 
and  a  model  for  other  institutions  of  learning." 

In  1828  R.  Graves  &  Co.  open  their  Hat  store;  Chas. 
Whiting,  Lucas  Hoes,  and  Samuel  Hanna  establish  the 
Kinderhook  Furnace  and  Iron  Works;  and  in  1829  Cham- 
bers &  Albertson  have  a  Silk,  Cotton  &  Woolen  Dyeing 
establishment. 

April,  1830,  P.  I.  Lewis  of  Kinderhook  and  E.  G.  Wright 
commence  running  a  line  of  stages  to  connect  with  the  river 
boats. 

In  the  issue  of  May  19,  1831,  appears  this  charming 
notice: 

Slices  of  wedding  cake  have  so  often  accompanied  marriage 
notices  of  late,  that  we  shall  for  the  future  omit  to  notice  the 
receipt  of  these  delicious  morceaux.  Candidates  for  matrimony 
will  please  to  take  notice  that  the  following  distinction  will  be 
made  between  those  who  remember  the  printer,  and  those  who 
remember  to  forget  him  on  these  delightful  occasions.  The 
names  of  the  former  will  be  recorded  in  CAPITALS,  while  the 
latter  must  be  contented  with  Small  Caps. 

In  1897  Mr.  Henry  C.  Van  Schaack,  of  Manlius,  con- 
tributed to  the  Rough  Notes  an  article  entitled — "An  Old 
Newspaper  File.  Kinderhook  in  1832."  The  paper  re- 
ferred to  was  the  Columbia  Sentinel,  the  forerunner  of  the 
Rough  Notes.  The  editor  was  Elias  Pitts,  an  enterprising 
news-gatherer  and  a  fearless  censor.  Overwhelrned  by  un- 
desirable contributions,  Mr.  Pitts  informs  contributors  that 
he  considered  "the  scissors  mightier  than  the  pen";  and  that 


224  Old  RinderhooK 

unsolicited  contributions  will  be  consigned  to  the  waste- 
basket.  He  makes  an  exception,  however,  as  regards  one 
contributor  who  writes  thusly : 

I  am  one  among  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  this  goodly 
village  who  are  annoyed  by  a  nuisance  which  is  suffered  to  exist 
from  year  to  year  without  any  serious  effort  to  abate  it.  I  allude 
to  the  running  at  large  of  hogs  through  the  streets.  The  Spring 
having  opened,  and  it  being  a  season  when  these  grunting 
squadrons  are  most  troublesome,  I  at  this  time  broach  the  sub- 
ject in  the  hope  that  something  effectual  will  be  done  to  remedy 
this  serious  evil.  .  .  .  Should  it  continue  to  progress  in  the  same 
ratio  for  a  few  years  to  come,  we  may  expect  hogs  to  enter  our 
houses  as  unceremoniously  as  they  enter  our  door  yards. 

On  the  1 2th  of  March,  a  great  freshet  over  the  ice  raised 
the  river  above  the  mole,  four  feet  high,  which  surrounded 
the  upper  Light  House  at  the  Landing,  and  then  suddenly 
lifting  the  ice  swept  it  with  irresistible  force  against  the  stone 
building.     Of  ten  occupants  four  were  buried  in  the  ruins. 

The  New  York  Evening  Post  having  reprinted  one  of 
Pitts's  fiery  articles,  and  credited  it  to  the  hated  rival,  the 
Troy  Budget,  is  thus  gently  reproved : 

The  New  York  Evening  Post  of  Monday  last  contains  one  of 
our  editorials  of  last  week,  accredited  to  that  fudge  pudge  grab 
bag  of  news  the  Troy  Budget.  We  are  always  glad  to  enliven  the 
columns  of  our  pilfering  and  moribund  contemporaries. 

Editor  Pitts  was  a  strong  political  writer.  He  tells  us 
that:  "Martin  Van  Buren,  having  been  rejected  by  the 
United  States  Senate,  as  unfit  to  represent  our  Country  at  the 
Court  of  St.  James,  the  citizens  of  Kinderhook  and  adja- 
cent towns,  met  at  the  Mansion  House,  on  the  village  square 
(February  ii,  1832),  to  express  their  disapprobation  of  the 
action  of  the  upper  House.  The  meeting  was  addressed  by 
Judge  Aaron  Vanderpoel  and  Julius  Wilcoxson  who  com- 
pletely vindicated  Mr.  Van  Buren  from  the  *  foul  aspersions 


Gleanings  225 

with  which  his  political  opponents  had  attempted  to  sully 
his  fair  fame.'  "  The  sentiments  of  the  speakers  were  re- 
sponded to  with  tumultuous  applause.  Van  Buren  having 
been  turned  down  by  the  casting  vote  of  Vice-President 
Calhoun,  through  the  machinations  of  Clay  and  Webster — 
a  most  unholy  alliance — Mr.  Pitts  consigned  this  trium- 
virate to  perpetual  infamy. 

The  editor  of  the  Sentinel  was  evidently  a  discriminating 
critic  of  unsolicited  poetry,  for,  in  declining  the  "gush" 
entitled  A71  Exile's  Dying  Prayer,  he  says: 

We  doubt  not  that  you  will  improve  by  a  proper  cultivation 
of  your  talents,  and  eventually  become  a  writer  of  no  incon- 
siderable merit.  But  your  ''Dying  Prayer^'  makes  one  long  to 
live  over  a  misspent  life;  Your  ''Ode  to  Spring''  is  out  of  sea- 
son; and  while  your  description  of  "An  Old  Maid"  is  tolerable, 
we  dare  not  for  the  life  that  is  within  us  publish  it,  for  fear  of 
losing  a  considerable  number  of  our  subscribers. 

About  this  time  the  Kinderhook  Literary  Association 
was  organized.  The  Sentinel  had  this  account  of  its  purpose 
and  organization: 

At  a  meeting  of  many  citizens  of  this  village  .  .  .  Dr.  J.  M. 
Pruyn  was  called  to  the  chair  and  Mr.  Theodore  B.  Myers 
appointed  Secretary.  Mr.  Lucian  I.  Bisbee,  Recording  Secretary 
of  the  National  Society  of  Literature  and  Science  being  present, 
was  requested  to  explain  the  design  of  the  same,  which  he  did. 
Thereupon  the  following  Constitution  was  adopted : — 

"Art.  L  The  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  and 
vicinity,  in  view  of  the  great  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a 
village  Literary  Society  founded  on  a  Library  of  Periodicals,  do 
hereby  associate  ourselves  together  for  this  purpose  and  obligate 
ourselves,  respectively,  to  pay  two  dollars  for  one  year,  provided 
as  many  as  ten  or  more  members  can  be  obtained. 

"Art.  IL  This  Society  shall  be  known  as  the  Kinderhook 
Literary  Association.    Its  supervision  shall  be  under  a  President, 

IS 


226  Old  RinderKooK 

one  or  more  Vice-Presidents,  a  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Li- 
brarian, who  shall  be  chosen  annually. 

"Art.  III.  The  Magazines  and  Books  are  to  be  selected  and 
deposited  at  such  a  place  as  a  majority  of  the  Society  shall 
designate,  and  its  members  shall  be  allowed  to  draw  on  Number 
or  Volume  and  to  retain  it  one  week  if  it  be  a  monthly  or  two 
weeks  if  it  be  a  quarterly, 

"Art.  IV.  At  the  close  of  each  year  periodicals  to  be  sold  at 
auction,  etc. 

"Art.  V.  Members  and  their  families  to  have  free  admission 
to  Lectures. 

"Art.  VI.  This  Society  to  be  auxiliary  to  the  National 
Society  of  Literature  and  Science  and  its  President  to  be  ex- 
officio  member  thereof. 

Messrs.  Laing,  Van  Dyck  and  Myers,  a  committee  to  select 
officers  reported  the  following,  who  were  elected:  Dr.  John  M. 
Pruyn,  President;  W.  V.  S.  Woodworth,  Vice-President;  John  H. 
Reynolds,  Secretary;  A.  P.  Van  Deusen,  Librarian. 

It  was  unanimously  resolved  That  a  Course  of  Lectures 
be  delivered  before  the  Association  by  suitable  persons  during 
the  winter,  and  the  President,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the 
association  consented  to  deliver  the  Introductory  Lecture. 

It  was  further  Resolved  That  a  Debating  Club  in  connection 
with  the  association  be  speedily  formed. 

In  1839  the  Kinderhook  Lyceum,  as  it  came  to  be  called, 
was  evidently  at  the  height  of  its  glory. 

From  Whims,  Scraps  and  Oddities,  compiled  by  the  late 
Honorable  John  H.  Reynolds,  we  copy  the  scheme  of  a  public 
debate,  E.  F.  Carter,  President,  March  29,  1839. 

Question  ist.  "Would  the  present  generation  under 
similar  circumstances,  act  with  as  much  patriotism  and 
virtue  as  did  out  Ancestors  of  the  Revolution?  "  Affirmative 
— W.  Herrick,  E.  Peck.  Negative— P.  I.  Philip,  H.  T. 
Woodworth. 

Question  2d.  "  Ought  the  American  Government  to  have 
assisted  Greece  in  her  late  struggle  for  Liberty?"    Affirma- 


Gleanings  227 

tive— J.  H.  Reynolds,  C.  P.  Collier.  Negative— W.  Smith, 
Theodore  B.  Myers. 

Address  by  George  Van  Santvoord.  A  reasonably  full 
evening. 

The  report  of  a  "Disinterested  Spectator"  was  as 
follows : 

We  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  the  eloquent  debate  upon 
the  two  questions  selected  for  public  discussion  by  the  talented 
members  of  this  Association ;  and  we  must  express  not  only  our 
gratification,  but  our  admiration  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
respective  subjects  were  handled.  As  friends  to  merit  and  to 
honorable  aspirants  for  literary  fame,  we  consider  it  a  duty  to 
eulogize  where  eulogy  is  deserved,  and  to  foster  rising  genius 
rather  than  attack  it  with  the  poisoned  weapon  of  malicious  and 
illiberal  criticism.  To  those  who  deem  it  proper  to  criticize  the 
productions  of  young  men  severely,  we  must  be  permitted  to  say, 
that  in  a  majority  of  instances  jealousy  and  envy  prompt  the 
critic  to  be  unjust  and  censorious;  and  as,  according  to  the  im- 
mortal Peter  McGrawler,  "there  are  three  departments  in  criti- 
cism, slashing,  plastering  and  tickling,"  it  requires  the  genius  of 
a  Jeffries  to  unite  the  whole  in  the  unexceptional  composition: 
and  therefore  modern  critics  tread  on  dangerous  ground. 

The  virtue  of  our  revolutionary  ancestors  was  portrayed  in 
glowing  colors  by  Mr.  Philip,  while  the  enterprise  and  patriotism 
of  the  present  generation  was  ably  shown  by  Messrs.  Peck  and 
Herrick.  The  Grecian  question  was  most  hotly  contested. 
Messrs.  Reynolds  and  Collier  almost  made  us  see  the  victims 
of  despotic  oppression  fall  before  the  sabre  of  the  turbanned  Turk 
battening  with  their  blood  the  ancient  monuments  of  their 
ancient  glory  and  skill.  Messrs.  Myers  and  Smith  made  happy 
allusions  to  the  Quixotic  spirit  abroad  in  the  land  which  im- 
pelled every  adventurer  to  raise  some  tattered  ensign  and  march 
to  the  field  of  glory.  The  unconstitutionality  and  inexpediency 
of  interfering  with  foreign  nations,  were  also  shown  in  a  clear 
Hght. 

As  to  the  address  of  Mr.  Van  Santvoord,  we  speak  the  senti- 
ments of  all  present,  when  we  say  it  was  "sans  peur,  et  sans  re- 
proche" — worthy  the  reputation  of  the  orator,  and  that  it  did 


228  Old  RinderKooK 

honor  both  to  his  head  and  to  his  heart.  To  the  members  of  the 
Association  we  cordially  extend  the  right  hand  of  amity,  and 
pledge  ourselves  to  break  a  lance  in  their  behalf,  whenever  ma- 
licious criticism  shall  throw  down  the  gauntlet  of  defiance. 

Many  items  gleaned  from  the  files  of  the  Rough  Notes  are 
elsewhere  given,  but  a  few  miscellaneous  notes  concerning 
men,  things,  and  events  will  not  come  amiss  to  our  older 
readers. 

Mr.  Van  Vleck  prefaces  his  Salutatory  with  a  paragraph 
of  "last  Words  of  the  Sentinel"  (Mr.  P.  Van  Schaack), 
graciously  commending  the  Rough  Notes  to  the  generous  and 
liberal  support  of  the  whole  community.  Mr.  Van  Vleck 
announces  his  intention  to  make  the  paper  "worthy  of 
circulation  in  every  family  and  an  agreeable  companion  at 
every  fireside,"  an  intention  which  he  notably  fulfilled  with 
much  originality  and  occasional  brilliancy.  Looking  over 
the  advertising  columns  C54-'56)  we  notice  that  John  C. 
Sweet's  Book  Store  is  near  the  bank,  and  that  of  Peter 
Van  Schaack  (now  used  as  a  show-room  by  Brown  Brothers) 
opposite  the  bank.  Not  only  books,  papers,  stationery, 
wall-paper  and  seeds,  but  cure-alls,  pain-killers,  pills,  plasters, 
liniments,  ointments,  hair-dyes  and  the  like  in  profusion  and 
of  wonderful  efficiency  were  to  be  had  at  one  or  the  other  of 
these  well-remembered  emporiums.  The  Duke  of  Marl- 
borough, passing  through  our  village  on  a  coaching  trip, 
confessed  there  was  nothing  on  his  side  of  the  water  to  match 
one  of  our  famous  News  Rooms,  which  many  remember  well. 

Mr.  C.  Whiting,  Jr.,  invites  public  attention  to  his  stock 
of  Hardware,  and  Mr.  Peter  Van  Schaack  to  his  Insurance 
Agency  and  also  to  Mustang  Liniment.  John  Wilcoxson, 
in  the  store  formerly  occupied  by  George  Wells  and  before 
him  by  Blanchard  &  Whitbeck,  had  a  very  handsome  assort- 
ment of  Spring  and  Summer  Dry  Goods,  also  Groceries  and 
Crockery.  His  store  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Kinderhook 
Bank's   brick   building,    now   owned   by   Augustus   Bauer. 


Gleanings  229 

C.  M.  Van  Valkenburgh,  Saddle  and  Harness  Maker,  late 
from  Troy,  has  taken  the  shop  formerly  occupied  by  Daniel 
Crowley,  a  few  doors  west  of  Wilder 's  hotel.  Sylvester 
Becker  is  his  competitor  at  Valatie.  Mr.  Lillibridge  has 
moved  his  Boot  and  Shoe  store  to  the  Peckham  building 
nearly  opposite  the  Union  bank,  and  John  Bray,  Jr.  has  also 
removed  his  Shoe  Store  and  Shop  to  the  new  and  commodious 
building  recently  erected  on  the  site  of  his  former  place  of 
business.  John  J.  Van  Volkenburgh,  Referee,  announces  a 
Partition  sale  of  land  belonging  to  the  estate  of  Doctor  John 
Vanderpoel,  deceased ;  and  Dr.  A.  P.  Cook  of  Hudson  wants 
to  sell  his  farm  of  212  acres  near  Kinderhook.  Marcus  Reid 
is  ready  to  do  all  kinds  of  House,  Carriage  and  Sign  painting, 
but  has  a  rival;  for  John  Van  Buren  and  William  Caulfield 
announce  the  dissolution  of  their  partnership  and  that  the 
latter  will  continue  the  business  of  House,  Sign  and  Carriage 
painting.  George  Ray  has  sold  his  Grocery  and  Provision 
business  to  George  W.  Hoxsie.  Peter  B.  Van  Slyck  and 
John  McAleese,  blacksmiths,  have  dissolved  partnership, 
but  the  latter  will  continue  business  at  the  old  stand.  Later, 
he  adds  thereto  the  Carriage  and  Sleigh  making  business 
purchased  of  John  H.  Melius.  H.  M.  Graves,  successor  to 
John  R.  Beale,  has  received  all  the  latest  styles  of  Hats,  Caps, 
Ladies  Furs,  etc.  Richard  Graves  has  a  similar  stock  with 
Robes  and  Ready  Made  Clothing  added,  and  his  niece,  Miss 
Pamelia,  is  prepared  to  teach  Music,  both  vocal  and  instru- 
mental. A.  Sandford,  the  village  tailor,  is  ready  to  do  all 
needed  Cutting  and  Repairing,  and  Charles  Palmer,  Copper 
and  Tin-Smith,  has  his  stand  one  door  from  the  Union  Bank. 
At  Stuyvesant,  Philip  L.  Schermerhorn  &  Co.  have  lately 
opened  a  new  and  extensive  Lumber  Yard.  There,  also,  A. 
Davis  &  Co.  announce  that  the  New  Barge,  Meteor,  Captain 
V.  B.  Budd,  fitted  up  with  Saloons,  State-Rooms  and  every 
convenience  for  passengers,  affording  a  pleasant,  cheap  and 
safe  conveyance,  will  be  towed  weekly  betw^een  Stuyvesant 
and  New  York  by  the  steamer  Washington.    Later,  the  same 


230  Old   K-irxderKooK 

year,  they  announce  the  new  Propeller  Davis  as  making 
the  trip  weekly  in  eleven  hours.  Wm.  Niver,  proprietor  of 
the  Niverville  stage,  advertises  that  passengers  can  go  to 
New  York  by  the  Harlem  R.  R.  in  six  hours.  J.  J.  Mande- 
ville,  successor  to  Barent  Van  Slyck,  makes  four  regular 
trips  to  meet  trains  and  the  boat  P.  G.  Coffin  at  Stuyvesant. 
Through  tickets  to  New  York,  $2.62 >^;  to  Albany,  60  cents; 
saving  25  cents.  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  Postmaster,  an- 
nounces the  southern  mail  as  arriving  at  9  A.M.  and  leaving 
at  12  M.  Other  mails  arrive  at  8  a.m.  and  leave  at  3  P.M. 
New  York  daily  papers  are  due  at  Sweet's  at  i  p.m.  W.  F. 
Van  Volkenburgh,  Coach,  Carriage  and  Sleigh  Painter  has 
his  Shop  opposite  the  Grove.  James  E.  Nearing  opens  his 
law-office  one  door  south  of  Witbeck's  hotel.  The  Dentists, 
Van  Vleck  and  Reynolds,  have  each  a  ''  Chamber  of  Horrors  " 
(not  so  designated  however)  at  Valatie,  where  Robert 
Martsh  offers  for  sale  his  block  of  dwellings  and  stores  which 
should  yield  the  purchaser  fourteen  per  cent.  The  quarterly 
statement  of  the  Kinderhook  bank,  sworn  to  by  cashier 
Franklin  G.  Guion  (May,  1854)  before  Justice  Sweet,  shows 
— Capital,  $125,000:  Profits,  $5,150:  Notes  in  Circulation — 
$75,363:  Due  Depositors — $66,641.  This  bank  also  adver- 
tises 10,000  pennies  on  sale  at  a  discount  of  4  per  cent. 
The  quarterly  statement  of  the  Union  bank,  sworn  to  by 
William  H.  Tobey,  President,  and  William  H.  Rainey, 
Cashier,  before  Justice  F.  W.  Bradley,  is — Capital  $150,000: 
Profits,  $7,368:  Notes  in  Circulation — $111,741:  Due  de- 
positors, $47,055. 

At  our  Village  Charter  election  (1854)  the  following  were 
chosen  without  opposition :  President,  David  Van  Schaack: 
Trustees — ^Amos  Ackley,  Lucas  Pruyn,  Calvin  L.  Herrick, 
John  Mickel,  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  and  James  P.  Chrysler. 
Clerk  and  Collector,  G.  W.  Hoxsie :  Treasurer,  John  Wilcox- 
son.  These  "City  Fathers"  having  voted  to  enclose  our 
Park  with  an  iron  fence,  Editor  Van  Vleck  suggests  a  circular 
railing  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  in  diameter  around  the  famous 


Gleanings  231 

Elm  tree,  which  will  be  remembered  as  destroyed  in  1880  by- 
fire.  He  recommends  an  improvement  on  the  present  "octa- 
gon, quadrangular,  horizontal-parallel,  ill-shaped  apology 
whereat  strangers  irreverently  laughed."  "Now,"  he  adds, 
"while  opportunity  offers,  get  the  thing  up  in  ship-shape  and 
Bristol  fashion,  and  the  question  will  not  again  be  asked  us 
if  we  take  our  Park  in  at  night  for  fear  of  it  being  stolen. " 
The  "Fathers,"  however,  disregarding  this  counsel,  pro- 
ceeded to  appoint  Trustees  Ackley,  Herrick,  and  Pruyn  a 
committee  to  contract  for  the  building  of  the  fence  for  $500 
or  less,  the  space  to  be  enclosed  being  left  to  their  discretion. 
Although  over-ruled,  our  editor  assented  and  graciously  said: 
"We  congratulate  our  citizens  upon  the  prospect  of  having 
a  neat  little  park  to  which  they  can  point  with  Pride. "  The 
"prospect"  however,  was  very  slow  in  materializing,  and  the 
pointing  with  pride  considerably  delayed.  It  was  only  after 
several  months  of  controversy,  many  changes  of  plans,  and 
considerable  difficulty  with  the  contractors  that  the  work 
was  finally  completed  for  about  $415.  Only  to  strangers  need 
we  say  that  that  was  the  park  which  the  late  Mrs.  Peter 
Bain,  in  1882  so  notably  and  generously  improved  and 
beautified,  with  its  granite  coping,  its  substantial  and  elegant 
light  standards,  and  its  massive  stone  watering-trough,  with 
its  memorial  inscription. 

Mr.  Charles  Whiting,  August  3,  1854,  advertises  thus 
inf  ormingly : 

For  Sale:  The  Corner  Lot  fronting  the  Park,  in  the  most 
central  part  of  the  village,  on  which  stands  the  Hardware  Store 
now  in  possession  of  C.  Whiting,  Jr.,  (part  of  which  is  also 
occupied  as  a  Banking  House  by  the  Union  Bank)  a  Tin  Shop  and 
Meat  Market.  The  Hardware  Store  is  the  oldest  and  best  stand 
for  business  in  the  country. 

Also  the  Corner  Lot  near  the  Brick  Church,  on  which  stands 
a  large  Steam  Flouring  Mill,  with  three  run  of  stone,  together 
with  a  Saw  Mill  which  saws  annually  from  1000  to  1500  lo<;s,  a 
Store  House  for  grain  and  a  Brick  Blacksmith  and  Cooper's  Shop. 


232  Old  RinderHooK 

The  flour  manufactured  at  this  Steam  Mill  bears  the  reputation 
of  being  equal  in  quality  to  that  produced  by  the  most  celebrated 
Western  Mills,  and  sells  at  the  highest  price  in  the  New  York 
market. 

At  the  same  time  Charles  Whiting,  Jr.,  offers  his  stock  of 
Hardware  and  Iron  for  sale. 

In  1855,  John  H.  Melius  is  the  village  Carriage  and 
Sleigh  maker.  He  later  sells  his  business  to  Mr.  McAleese. 
R.  Graves  has  Clothing,  Hats,  Caps,  Furs  and  Robes  to  sell. 
The  Kinderhook  and  Stuyvesant  Farmers'  Mutual  Insurance 
Co.  is  formed.  Henry  Snyder,  President,  and  P.  E.  Van 
Alstyne,  Secretary.  A  portion  of  the  present  W.  B.  Van 
Alstyne  farm  is  said  to  be  peculiarly  rich  in  arrowheads  and 
other  Indian  relics.  Homer  Blanchard  and  T.  M.  Burt,  in 
the  Wool  business,  dissolve  partnership  and  Mr,  Blanchard 
removes  the  business  to  Hartford.  The  building,  which 
stood  about  where  the  church  sheds  now  are,  is  a  part  of  the 
large  barn  near  the  bridges.  It  was  purchased  and  moved 
by  Henry  Snyder,  and  was  first  a  broom  factory,  and  later  a 
steam  paper  mill.  Five  hundred  dollars  is  appropriated  for  a 
new  fire  engine,  the  old  one  being  unfit  for  use  when  the 
Academy  boarding-house  was  burned  in  1854.  Justice  Hin- 
man,  a  leading  supporter  of  the  Baptist  church,  dies.  In 
September,  Washington  Irving  visits  ex-President  Van  Buren 
at  Lindenwald,  where  more  than  fifty  years  before  he  had 
been  a  tutor  in  the  family  of  Judge  William  P.  Van  Ness 
and  commenced  his  literary  career.  The  census  of  1855 
reveals  the  village  as  containing  173  dwellings,  212  families, 
and  a  population  of  1060;  Town,  3550. 

In  February,  1856,  G.  W.  Hoxie  advertises  "Peaches  and 
Melons  fresh  every  Wednesday  morning. "  He  also  presents 
a  12  lb.  bell  to  Engine  Co.  No.  2.  James  Lathrop  takes  the 
store  long  occupied  by  Charles  Whiting,  Jr.,  and  Lawrence 
Van  Dyck  opens  a  new  Book  and  Stationery  Store  in  the 
building  adjoining  John  Wilcoxson's  store,  on  the  old  bank 
corner.     Early  in  1856  Valatie  votes  for  Incorporation  by  a 


Gleanings  233 

majority  of  56.  At  an  indignation  meeting,  held  in  the 
Baptist  church,  after  the  attack  on  Charles  Sumner,  Charles 
L.  Beale  delivered  a  stirring  address  and  strong  denunciatory- 
resolutions  were  adopted. 

In  addition  to  those  already  noted,  we  observe  these  as 
among  the  active  business  men  of  the  time:  Edward  Rise- 
dorph,  Carriages  and  Blacksmithing;  Van  Bramer  and  De 
Myer,  Groceries,  etc.,  in  the  store  formerly  kept  by  S.  A. 
Fowler  (now  D.  C.  Hull);  William  Kip,  Watches,  Clocks, 
etc.,  in  the  building  that  lately  went  voyaging  through  our 
streets  and  was  twice  sold  while  on  its  way ;  John  Wilcoxson, 
Dry  Goods,  etc. ;  Marcus  Reid,  Paints,  in  the  shop  recently 
purchased  of  F.  W.  Bradley,  Esq.;  Bray  and  Griffen,  Shoes; 
C.  Palmer,  Stoves;  J.  C.  Sweet,  Books  and  Stationery; 
Peter  Van  Schaack,  Garden  Seeds,  and  a  pleasing  variety  of 
Cure-alls  for  man  and  beast.  B.  Van  Slyck,  Jr.,  was  running 
stages  to  the  Landing  to  meet  trains  and  boats,  and  William 
Niver  was  rendering  like  service  to  Niverville.  Personal 
memories  afford  ground  for  the  belief  that  the  very  same 
vehicles,  horses,  and  harness  were  in  use  twenty  years  later. 

In  the  Rough  Notes  of  August  23,  i860,  we  find  "Reminis- 
cences of  Kinderhook"  of  much  interest,  of  which  we  give 
the  substance: 

Last  week  while  workmen  were  digging  a  trench  from  the 
Union  Bank  to  the  store  belonging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  John 
Bain,  when  in  about  the  center  of  the  street,  four  feet  below 
the  surface,  they  struck  a  coffin  which  contained  the  remains  of  a 
human  being.  The  spot  where  these  remains  were  found  is  in 
the  center  of  the  village  and  near  the  southern  end  of  the  public 
burial  ground,  laid  out  at  the  settlement  of  the  village,  long 
before  the  Revolutionary  war. 

At  that  time  the  village  proper  was  located  on  Hudson 
Street,  and  what  is  now  known  as  William  Street  was  the 
principal  road  leading  into  it  from  Valatie,  which  place  then 
contained  only  a  gristmill  or  two,  and  as  many  dwellings. 


234  Old  RinderKooK 

During  the  year  1814,  the  population  of  our  village  hav- 
ing increased,  the  congregation  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
church  (then  the  only  religious  denomination  in  this  section) 
concluded  to  tear  down  their  old  church  under  the  hill,  and 
commenced  the  erection  of  the  Brick  Church  where  it  now 
stands.  The  business  of  the  place  soon  followed,  and  stores 
and  dwellings  clustered  around  it  and  formed  what  now  is  the 
central  part  of  the  village.  Mr.  Abraham  I.  Van  Vleck 
(father  of  H.  and  A.  Van  Vleck)  moved  up  street  and  built 
what  has  been  known  as  the  "old  yellow  store,"  where  he 
carried  on  the  mercantile  business  till  about  the  year  18 16, 
when  he  retired  and  established  his  sons. 

In  the  Rough  Notes  of  November  28,  1861,  under  the 
caption  "An  Old  Landmark  Removed,"  we  have  this 
illuminating  record: 

The  old  building,  owned  by  Gen,  Charles  Whiting,  standing 
on  the  corner  opposite  the  Brick  Church  is  now  being  torn  down 
and  removed.  ...  It  was  built  in  181 7  by  the  late  Dr.  H.  L. 
Van  Dyck  and  rented  to  Ebenezer  Crocker  and  Lawrence  Van 
Dyck  who  occupied  it  for  two  years  as  a  Dry  Goods  and  Grocery 
store.  When  the  firm  dissolved  Mr.  Van  Dyck  continued  the 
business  there  until  he  removed  to  the  building  now  occupied  by 
B.  De  Myer  as  a  hotel,  but  then  called  "the  Old  Academy"  and 
purchased  by  Mr.  V.  D.  of  the  trustees  by  building  for  them  the 
building  now  owned  by  B.  Van  Slyke.  The  post  office  was  at  one 
time  here,  Mr.  Van  Dyck  being  the  postmaster.  .  ,  .  After  the 
removal  of  Mr.  Van  Dyck  the  old  store  remained  vacant  for  a 
number  of  years  when  it  was  again  occupied  as  a  store  and  dwell- 
ing by  Isaac  McCagg,  and  a  Mr.  Ainsworth.  It  has  passed 
through  many  vicissitudes.  It  has  been  store,  dwelling,  wagon- 
maker's  shop,  wool  house  and  a  grain  store,  and  now  it  is  to  be 
converted  into  a  hay-press  and  barn.  Great  reason  have  we  to 
cherish  its  memory.  It  stood  directly  in  our  route  to  school,  and 
in  fair  weather  the  boys  used  to  play  ball  against  its  side  and 
chase  each  other  around  it  in  foul.  In  the  spring  of  the  year, 
when  the  cellar  was  flooded  with  water,  many  is  the  sail  we  have 
enjoyed  in  an  old  cask,  which  sometimes  did  overturn  and  wet 


Gleanings  235 

our  pantaloons;  and  when  we  entered  school,  upon  the  benches 
our  mark  we  made  long  before  we  had  learned  to  write.  Good 
by,  old  fellow.  Though  like  an  old  tooth  thou  hast  long  exhibited 
a  decayed  appearance,  yet  like  it  when  removed,  you  leave  a 
large  vacuum  in  the  aspect  of  things. 

The  bam  and  hay-press  referred  to  by  our  vivacious  editor 
were  built  by  General  Whiting  on  his  own  premises,  now- 
belonging  to  Mrs.  James  A.  Reynolds. 

On  Church  Street,  near  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  John 
Hagadorn,  was  the  Wool  Warehouse  already  noted  as  being 
now  the  barn  on  the  Davie  place.  The  large  workshop  of 
G.  H.  Brown  and  Bro.  was  built  by  General  Whiting  for 
Carriage  and  Wagon  making  and  was  long  thus  used,  es- 
pecially to  supply  a  Southern  market.  Thereafter  it  was  at 
different  times  a  Steam  Saw  Mill,  Flour  Mill,  and  within  our 
recollection  a  Hoop  Skirt  Factory.  In  this  building  the 
ladies  of  the  Dutch  church  held  their  notable  Fair  on 
the  Fourth  of  July  after  the  burning  of  the  Church.  In  the 
older  building  on  the  corner  the  organizers  of  the  Methodist 
church  held  Sunday  services  for  a  time  before  their  church 
edifice  was  built. 

In  December,  1861,  Kinderhook  and  Valatie  were  first 
connected  by  telegraph.  On  the  14th,  Sylvester  Becker, 
President  of  Valatie  village,  sent  this  first  message,  addressed 
to  President  W.  H.  Tobey :  "  Our  two  villages  are  connected 
together  by  telegraph  wires.  May  we  ever  live  in  friendship 
and  brotherly  love,  ever  assisting  each  other  as  opportunity 
offers."  To  which  Mr.  Tobey  replied:  "Kinderhook  re- 
ciprocates the  greeting  of  Valatie,  and  while  she  follows  in 
the  track  of  her  improvement  acknowledges  with  motherly 
pride  the  daughter's  progress  and  prosperity." 

IN  LIGHTER   VEIN 

In  our  researches  we  have  found  many  a  poetic  "  gem  of 
purest  ray  serene"  in  "the  hidden  depths"  of  the  Kinder- 


236  Old  RinderKooK 

hook  Sentinel.  Regretting  that  we  have  not  space  for  these 
classics  entire,  we  refer  the  reader  to  the  issues  of  July  29th, 
August  5th  and  19th,  1852,  for  the  omitted  stanzas.  Of  the 
first,  of  six  stanzas,  we  quote  the  first  and  the  fifth : 

To  A  Lady's  Hand  at  Kinderhook 

Lady,  though  sculpture  has  the  power 

To  charm  me  with  its  mimic  art, 
There  is  a  hand,  of  Nature's  mould. 

Can  thrill  the  pulses  of  the  heart. 

So  lily-white ;  and  is  the  heart 

That  feeds  with  life  each  purple  vein, 
As  pure  as  that  white  palm  appears. 

As  free  as  that  white  hand  from  stain? 

Melvill.    Willow  Grove. 

Of  the  second,  of  eight  stanzas,  the  first  and  the  last  must 
suffice : 

To  THE  Thumb  of  a  Lady's  White  Hand  at  Kinderhook  | 

Lady!  thy  Thumb's  bewitching  charms 

Which  Melvill  passed  neglected  by, 
Inspire  my  muse  to  take  up  arms 

For  beauties  scorned,  for  chivalry. 

Pure  thumb !  thy  beauties  I  adore. 

Thou  art  a  proud,  high,  noble  thing. 
Never  like  Saxon  slave  hast  worn 

Man's  feudal,  soul-oppressing  Ring. 
Swamp  Robin.    Birch  Swamp.  (Charles  L.  Beale?) 

The  third  lyric  is  of  four  double-stanzas  of  which  we  give  the 

first  and  the  last :  j 

To  the  Foot  of  a  Lady  at  Kinderhook 

While  Melvill  sings  in  praises  warm  I 

The  beauties  of  a  lady's  palm, 


Gleanings  237 

And  Swamp,  from  out  a  grove  of  birch, 

Seated  upon  his  lofty  perch, 
Pipes  forth,  till  all  the  birds  are  dumb, 

The  praises  of  a  lady's  thumb — 
With  my  hot  brain  all  in  a  whirl, 

Thy  foot  I  worship,  lovely  girl. 

•  •  •  •  •        .  •  • 

Oh !  lady,  I  a  boon  would  crave — 

'Tis  all  I  ask  this  side  the  grave — 
Have  pity  on  your  lover  true ; 

Make  me  a  present  of  a  shoe 
That  once  has  pressed  that  snowy  foot. 

Or  e'en  a  worn-out  gaiter  boot. 
I'll  then  from  earth  in  peace  withdraw, 

And  sing  thy  praise  with  my  last  Caw. 
Jim  Crow.    Written  from  the  top  of  an  old  pine  tree. 

For  the  poet  laureate,  however,  some  may  think  we  must 
look  to  Schodack,  as  thus  evidenced  in  the  Kinderhook 
Herald  of  July  19,  1827: 

"These  loins  were  composed  while  sitting  on  the  banks 
of  the  River  at  Schodack,  by  a  pias  Lady." 

As  I  sat  on  the  banks  of  the  Schodackin  Isle 

My  thoughts  ran  how  Mosis  was  hid  on  the  nile 

And  while  I  am  calling  on  the  musis  to  help  my  mind  sore 

The  Steamboats  and  vessails  are  passing  close  by  this  shore. 

There  are  five  more  stanzas  equally  fine. 

And  yet  our  pardonable  partiality  prefers  to  place  the 
poetic  crown  on  this  one  of  Kinderhook' s  brilliant  galaxy 
who  then  wrote : 

Maria  this  i  truly  know 
Thyne  eyes  are  fond  cupid  bo 
At  every  glanc  they  send  a  dart 
Which  pearces  threw  my  aking  hart 


238  Old  mnderHooK 

Maria  lend  those  eyes  to  me 
That  i  may  have  a  chance  to  sea 
And  i  may  hit  that  hart  of  thine 
And  make  it  once  to  throb  like  mine. 

Commending  this  to  the  thoughtful  study  of  our  Shake- 
speare Club,  we  leave  them  to  decide  whether  the  laurel  is 
to  be  awarded,  to  the  Pias  Lady  of  Schodackin  Isle  or  our 
anonymous  Kinderhook  bard. 

In  the  Sentinel  of  August  12th,  a  week  before  Jim  Crow's 
"Sapphic  Ode"  appeared,  this  letter  to  a  lady  in  Rochester 
was  published: 

My  dear  Kate  : 

''Do  give  me  a  description  of  that  wonderful  village  of  yours.'" 
This  you  will  recognize  as  a  sentence  from  your  last  highly  valued 
epistle,  and  you  will  doubtless  agree  with  me  that  the  request  has 
an  irresistible  air  of  command  about  it,  to  which  I  yield.  .  .  . 
The  village  is  now  the  resort  of  many  strangers,  who  find  its 
retirement  preferable  to  the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  fashionable 
watering  places :  but  it  is  a  quer^''  whether  their  presence  'is  a 
benefit  to  us,  as  one  young  lady  (the  beauty  par  excellence)  has 
already  driven  some  poor  youth  to  maniacal  rhymes  by  merely 
raising  a  lily  white  hand  which  he  apostrophizes  with  a  despera- 
tion "devoutly  to  be"  shunned.  No  doubt  that  hand  has  done 
more  mischief  still;  for  I  hear  it  whispered  that  more  than  one 
desponding  swain  has  cooled  his  fevered  brain  by  plunging  at  the 
midnight  hour  into  the  tumultuous  waves  of  our  village  stream ; 
but  who  these  unfortunates  are  I  cannot  say,  as  their  bodies  have 
not  yet  been  recovered. 

The  poetical  taste  of  our  village  is  certainly  becoming  per- 
fectly dazzling.  As  displayed  in  the  Sentinel  for  the  past  several 
weeks  Mr.  V.  has  in  connection  with  his  office  of  publication  an 
Aviary  containing  some  of  the  rarest  birds.  .  .  .  Who  cares  a 
straw  for  your  Rochester  Knockings  with  their  Quaker  "yes" 
and  "no,"  when  we  have  birds  right  from  heaven's  own  blue  to 
translate  for  us  the  mysteries  of  creation?  But  the  greatest 
wonder  of  the  Aviary  is  the  "Swamp  Robin,"  who  sings  of 
Venus,  Diana  and  Pallas  as  though  these  goddesses  had  held  him 


Gleanings  239 

to  their  breast  and  smoothed  his  rumpled  feathers  with  their 
magic  hand.  Preposterous  assumption  for  a  Robin,  and  that 
a  grovelHng  swamp-bird  too !  Some  say  that  have  had  a  peep  at 
him  that  he  is  a  perfect  Adonis  in  his  way.  Altogether  it  seems 
as  if  Pegasus  roamed  at  large  here:  the  only  fear  is  that  he  will 
be  metamorphosed  into  a  hobby  horse. 

Kinderhook,  like  every  village  of  its  pretensions,  has  its  lions. 
Of  course  you  will  guess  that  Lindenwald  is  one,  as  being  the 
residence  of  an  ex-President.  Then  too,  we  have  hereabouts  the 
veritable  "Ichabod  Crane"  of  whom  Washington  Irving,  very 
innocently  no  doubt,  has  made  a  great  man.  Another  lion  is 
"Lovers'  Leap"  which  is  beyond  the  fine  gardens  of  Mr.  S.  at  a 
convenient  distance  from  the  village,  and  a  favorite  ramble.  It 
is  resorted  to  almost  daily  by  the  lads  and  lassies,  and  who  can 
tell  how  many  mutual  vows  have  been  uttered  there  during  the 
long  summer!  Taking  into  consideration  the  beauty  of  the 
scenery,  the  charm  of  the  season  and  the  proprieties  of  the  time 
and  place,  it  must  be  exceedingly  difficult  for  any  sensitive  maiden 
to  say  "no."  .  .  .  Then  there  is  "Lovers'  Grove"  too,  equally 
fascinating.  But  do  not  think  that  all  parties  to  these  hallowed 
spots  are  or  must  necessarily  become  sentimental.  No  indeed! 
I  have  heard,  and  that  recently,  of  their  sanctity  being  profaned 
by  a  regular  pitched-battle,  wherein  apples  served  for  cannon 
balls  and  merry  laughter,  loud  and  musical,  in  lieu  of  trumpets. 
Yet  after  all,  as  Mischief  and  Love  go  hand  in  hand,  there  is  no 
telling  how  many  of  these  apples  enclose  the  darts  of  Cupid. 
Among  the  pretty  places  is  the  "Avalanche,"  a  land-slide, 
"  Prospect  Hill, "  etc.,  around  each  of  which  "hangs  a  tale "  which 
would  certainly  rival  Old  Mortality.     But  as  good  Dominie 

says  invariably  at  the  end  of  a  sixty  minutes'  sermon,  just 

before  he  dashes  into  the  conclusion  which  occupies  ten  minutes 
more — I  forbear.    So,  an  revoir. 

Very  sincerely, 

Marie. 

In  Van  Vleck's  initital  number  we  note  the  following 
gems,  not  wholly  original  it  may  be,  but  put  in  his  own 
charming  way: 

"A  woman  is  a  good  deal  like  a  piece  of  ivy.     The  more 


240  Old  RinderHooK 

you  are  ruined  the  closer  she  clings  to  you.  A  wife's  love 
don't  begin  to  show  itself  until  the  sheriff  is  after  you." 

The  poultry  mania  is  defined  as  *a  morbid  tendency  to 
brood  over  chickens. 

In  a  later  issue,  referring  to  the  State  Fair,  our  kindly 
editor  gives  this  appreciative  and  doubtless  gratuitous  notice 
of  a  new  Yankee  notion — 

which  when  wound  up  and  set  in  motion  will  chase  a  hog  over  a 
ten-acre  lot,  catch  him,  yoke  and  ring  him;  or  by  a  slight  change 
of  gearing  chop  him  into  sausages,  work  his  bristles  into  shoe- 
brushes  and  manufacture  his  tail  into  cork-screws,  all  in  the 
twinkling  of  a  bed-post. 

This  also  we  must  add : 

An  old  acquaintance  of  ours  whom  we  had  not  seen  for  some 
time,  called  upon  us  one  day  last  week,  and  after  the  usual 
salutations  were  over  remarked — that  we  were  the  homeliest  man 
he  had  ever  seen.  The  richness  of  the  compliment  consists  in  the 
fact  that  the  person  who  gave  it  is  so  ill-looking  that  he  himself 
acknowledged  that  his  food  wouldn't  digest  well,  and  he  was 
restless  nights. 

Most  pathetic,  as  we  recall  the  sequel,  was  the  editor's  offer 
to  "exchange  a  two  years  cough  for  a  seven  years  itch,  with 
a  pain  in  the  side  thrown  in. " 

In  the  Rough  Notes  of  August  30,  i860,  a  correspondent, 
after  writing  humorously,  thus  closes  an  interesting  letter 
and  becomes  a  little  mixed  in  his  Scripture  quotation: 

But  all  joking  aside,  friend  Notes,  it  rejoiced  my  heart  once 
more  to  gaze  on  Kinderhook  and  its  surroundings.  The  mansions 
with  their  shady  courtyards  become  every  year  more  baronial; 
the  cottages,  with  comfort  accessible  to  the  many,  are  brighter 
than  ever;  even  the  majestic  Catskills  seem  more  blue  and  tower 
higher  than  ever  before ;  the  drives  over  the  gravelled  roads  in  the 
vicinity  never  approached  nearer  perfection,  and  the  dust  never 
was  more  nearly  washed  off  from  house  and  tree,  and  agglutinated 


Oleanin^s  241 

to  its  proper  place  beneath  the  feet  than  it  is  at  the  present  time. 

Whoever  can  sustain  himself  in  the  vicinity  of  Kinderhook, 

and  by  an  honorable  and  upright  course  of  conduct  secure  the 

favorable  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  has  every  reason  to  exclaim 

with  the  Psalmist — "The  lines  are  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places, 

beside  still  waters." 
16 


CHAPTER  VIII 

CELEBRATIONS  AND  SUNDRY  NOTABLE  PUBLIC 
MEETINGS 

Fourth  of  July,  1825,  '27,  '28 — Memorial  of  Adams  and  Jeflferson — The 
Greeks — Van  Buren's  Inauguration — Fourth  of  July  Barbecue,  1840 — 
The  Whigs'  Great  Rally — Reception  of  the  Ex-President — Democratic 
Successes  and  Van  Buren's  Letter,  1842 — Training  Days  as  Remembered 
by  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt— A  July  Festival. 

IN  these  days  of  agitation  for  a  sane  celebration  of  the 
Fourth  of  July  it  may  be  interesting,  and  will  awaken 
pleasant  memories  in  the  minds  of  the  honored  remnant  of  an 
almost  vanished  generation,  to  recall  the  old-time  observances 
of  the  day.  For  a  series  of  years  there  was  a  union  celebra- 
tion by  the  three  villages  of  Kinderhook,  Stuyvesant,  and 
Valatie.  From  the  files  of  our  village  paper  we  select  and 
present  the  substance  of  the  narrative  of  three,  typical  of  all : 
the  first  at  Stuyvesant  in  1825,  the  second  at  Valatie  in  1827, 
and  a  third  at  Kinderhook  in  1828. 

June  23, 1825,  our  village  paper  thus  heralded  the  notable 
event: 

The  ensuing  anniversary  of  American  Independence  will  be 
celebrated  at  the  house  of  Walter  Butler  on  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  in  the  town  of  Stuyvesant.  Gentlemen  from  other 
towns  in  the  vicinity  are  respectfully  invited  to  attend. 

In  the  issue  of  July  7th  this  narrative  appeared: 

Forty  ninth  Anniversary.  A  large  number  of  citizens  assem- 
bled at  the  house  of  Mr.  Walter  Butler  and  formed  a  procession 

242 


FourtH  of  July  243 

at  II  o'clock  under  the  direction  of  Julius  Wilcoxson,  assisted 
by  the  Committee  of  Arrangements.  The  procession  paraded 
with  martial  music  into  the  spacious  Summer  house  situated  on 
the  hill.  Here  the  Declaration  was  read  by  Horatio  Gates, 
after  which  an  oration  was  delivered  by  Nicholas  Sickles,  Esq., 
couched  in  chaste  and  elegant  language  and  breathing  the  most 
ardent  patriotism.  The  exercises  being  closed  the  procession 
was  again  formed  and  reconducted  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Butler. 
About  130  gentlemen  sat  down  to  an  excellent  dinner  pre- 
pared by  him  under  an  extensive  awning  erected  at  the  water- 
side. Gen.  P.  I.  Vosburgh  officiated  as  President  of  the  Day. 
Toasts  were  offered  by  David  Van  Schaack,  N.  Wild,  P.  Vos- 
burgh Jr.  Lucas  Hoes  and  others.  Judge  Medad  Butler  offered 
this:  " The  Citizens  of  the  United  States !  Should  there  be  any 
who  from  apathy  or  prejudice  object  to  the  annual  observance 
of  this  jubilee,  let  them  remove  to  some  other  clime  and  try 
despotism  until  their  polluted  heresy  is  corrected. " 

Judge  Butler  was  the  father  of  Benjamin  Franklin 
Butler,  the  eminent  jurist,  whom  Jackson  made  the  Attor- 
ney-General of  his  cabinet.  He  was  the  grandfather  of 
William  Allen  Butler.  Dates  considered,  none  will  confound 
the  Kinderhook  B.  F.  B.  with  another  B.  F.  B.  whom  we 
joyfully  place  to  the  credit  of  Deerfield,  N.  H. 

The  4th  of  July,  1827,  was  especially  notable  as  the  day 
of  freedom  to  all  slaves  in  the  State.  At  the  banquet  after 
the  celebration  at  Millville  (Valatie),  James  Vanderpoel 
offered  this  toast :  ' '  Valatie !  In  1 8 1 5  a  bleak  uncultivated 
barren;  in  1827  an  extensive  Manufacturing  village,  con- 
taining wealth  and  intelligence,  industry  and  virtue;  a 
practical  comment  on  the  American  system." 

In  Kinderhook,  in  1828,  Judge  Medad  Butler  was  made 
chairman  of  the  celebration  and  Peter  I.  Hoes,  of  Kinder- 
hook, vice-chairman.  The  procession  formed  at  Lewis's 
hotel  at  II  A.M.  in  the  following  order: 

Marshal  with  two  Assistants 
Music  with  Standards 


244  Old  K-inderHooK 

Citizens,  two  abreast 

Judicial  and  Executive  Officers 

Soldiers  of  the  Revolution 

Principal  of  Kinderhook  Academy,  Teachers  and  Students 

Clergymen 

Orator  and  Reader 

President  and  V.  President  of  the  Village 

Committee  of  Arrangements 

The  procession  moved  around  the  square  to  the  church, 
where  it  opened  and  entered  in  reverse  order.  In  the  church 
the  exercises  were: 

Prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burger 

Reading  of  the  Declaration  by  James  Johnson 

Oration  by  Peter  H.  Silvester 

Benediction 

The  procession  then  re-formed  and  moved  to  Lewis's  hotel 
where  dinner  was  served.  Early  in  the  evening  the  village 
was  thronged  by  visitors  who  had  come  to  witness  the  fire- 
works. These  did  not  rival  Pain's,  it  may  be,  but  were  none 
the  less  impressive  to  those  who  beheld  them.  At  the  firing 
of  a  signal  gun  at  nine  o'clock  a  rocket  took  its  flight  toward 
the  heavens  and  was  followed  by  one  at  Millville.  Alternate 
discharge  of  rockets  during  the  evening  closed  the  festivities 
of  the  day.  ''We  were  pleased,"  says  the  narrator,  "with 
these  exhibitions,  evincing  as  they  did  the  cordiality  and 
good  feeling  which  exists  between  the  two  villages,  united 
by  the  ties  of  interest  and  moving  with  rapid  pace  in  the 
road  to  prosperity. " 

On  Saturday,  July  15,  1826,  in  accordance  with  arrange- 
ments made  by  a  committee  appointed  at  a  meeting  called 
to  adopt  measures  to  evince  in  a  public  manner  their  respect 
for  John  Adams  and  Thomas  Jefferson  who  had  died  on  the 
4th  of  July,  there  were  the  following  ceremonies  in  honor  of 


FovirtK  of  Jvily  245 

these  Fathers  of  our  Independence.  We  quote  from  the 
Kinderhook  Herald. 

At  3  o'clock,  P.M.,  a  procession  was  formed  and  proceeded 
round  the  square  to  the  church  in  the  following  order: 

Brigadier-General  Charles  Whiting; 

Regimental  colors  in  mourning,  carried  by  an  ensign ; 

Musicians  playing  an  appropriate  dirge. 

Officers  of  the  56th  regiment  wearing  crape  on  the  left  arm; 

Orator  and  Clergy; 

Ladies ; 

Teachers  of  the  Academy  and  Common  School  with  their 

scholars ; 
Citizens. 

The  procession  having  entered  the  church,  the  following  cere- 
monies were  there  observed : 

A  fervent  and  appropriate  prayer  by  Rev.  Mr.  Sickles; 
Anthem,  sung  by  the  choir; 
Eulogy,  by  N.  Sickles,  Esq.; 
Anthem  and  Benediction. 

The  interior  of  the  church  exhibited  the  emblems  of  mourning, 
and  the  proceedings  were  of  a  nature  to  infuse  into  the  minds  of 
all  a  sense  of  awe  and  veneration.  The  eulogy  did  equal  credit 
to  the  head  and  heart  of  the  speaker.  .  .  .  The  procession  was 
the  largest  that  has  even  been  witnessed  on  any  occasion  in  this 
village,  and  moved  with  slow  and  solemn  step  to  the  beat  of  the 
muffled  drum.  Business  was  suspended  and  every  store  and  shop 
closed  on  the  occasion. 

With  the  achievement  of  their  own  independence  but 
forty-four  years  away,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in- 
cluding many  in  our  town,  were  keen  in  their  sympathy  for 
the  Greeks  in  their  struggle  for  freedom.  After  the  over- 
whelming victory  of  the  allied  maritime  forces  of  England, 
France,  and  Russia  over  the  Turko-Egyptian  fleet  in  the  bay 
of  Navarino,  a  notable  celebration  was  held  at  Lewis's  hotel 


246  Old  K-inderKooK 

in  our  village  on  the  evening  of  December  20,  1827.  The 
Honorable  J.  Vanderpoel  presided  with  Lucas  Hoes  as  vice- 
president  and  Aaron  Vanderpoel  as  the  speaker.  Among 
those  present  from  this  and  adjoining  towns  we  find  the 
names:  John  Jenkins  of  Columbiaville,  J.  P.  Beekman,  B. 
Baldwin,  D.  Van  Schaack,  Dr.  J.  Vanderpoel,  C.  Birge,  A. 
Vanderpoel,  B.  Hilton,  N.  Wild,  General  Whiting,  Major 
Wilcoxson,  Captain  Snyder,  S.  Metcalf,  J,  Clark,  A.  A. 
Hoysradt,  P.  H.  Silvester,  Dr.  Skinner  of  Ghent,  Captain 
Bain,  J.  Wild  of  Columbiaville,  B.  Kingman,  and  N.  Sickles. 
One  of  the  toasts  after  the  banquet  was  this: 

The  Ionian  Sea — A  splendid  mirror,  reflecting  to  the  eye  of 
enraptured  Greece  and  to  that  of  every  friend  of  humanity,  the 
happy  and  glorious  co-operation  of  Russian,  French  and  English 
valor  and  magnanimity. 

That  sympathy  for  the  Greeks  was  not  limited  to  resolu- 
tions, speech-making,  and  banqueting  appears  in  the  account 
about  two  months  later  of  the  "  Ladies  Greek  Meeting  at  the 
Brick  Church."  Colonel  Henry  Van  Vleck  was  made 
Chairman  and  David  Van  Schaack,  Secretary.  Julius 
Wilcoxson  presented  two  resolutions.  The  first  was  for  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  of  seven  to  purchase  materials, 
distribute  work,  collect  clothing,  etc.,  and  have  general 
supervision.  This  committee  consisted  of  Mrs.  Jacob 
Sickles,  Miss  Maria  Van  Vleck,  Francis  Silvester,  William 
Barthrop,  James  Vanderpoel,  John  P.  Beekman,  and  Henry 
Van  Vleck.  The  second  resolution  called  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  committee  of  twenty-five  to  solicit  money,  goods, 
and  articles  of  wearing  apparel.  This  committee  consisted 
of:  Mrs.  H.  L.  Van  Dyck,  Mrs.  John  Vanderpoel,  Mrs.  G. 
Gardenier,  Mrs.  Peter  T.  Van  Slyck,  Mrs.  David  Best,  Mrs. 
Ephraim  Best,  Miss  Margaret  Van  Alen,  Miss  Catharine 
Ray,  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  Isaac  Van  Alstyne,  L.  Van  Dyck, 
Jr.,  Julius  Wilcoxson,  Henry  Winans,  John  Manton,  Benja- 
min Baldwin,  Nathan  Wild,  John  Van  Slyck,  Peter  H.  Bain, 


"Van  B\iren*s  Inavi^taration  247 

Aaron  Gardenier,  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen,  Isaac  Van  Dyck,  Tunis 
Harder,  John  Penoyer,  Henry  Shoemaker,  and  A.  Spicker- 
man.  The  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  less  than  two 
months  later  was  that  $1 10  in  cash  and  two  boxes  of  wearing 
apparel  in  variety  valued  at  over  $395  had  been  contributed. 
An  "oratorio,"  yielding  $99,  had  previously  been  given.  In 
April,  1828,  the  philanthropist  Dr.  Howe,  accompanied  by  W. 
L.  Stone  of  New  York,  and  a  number  of  Greek  boys,  visited 
Kinderhook  and  held  a  meeting  in  the  church  which  was 
again  thronged  with  an  enthusiastic  multitude  who  were 
addressed  by  both  visitors. 

VAN  BUREN's  inauguration 

That  the  people  of  Kinderhook  would  celebrate  the  in- 
auguration, March  4,  1837,  of  their  fellow  townsman,  Martin 
Van  Buren,  as  President  of  the  United  States,  was  to  be 
expected.  The  wonder  is  that  it  was  only  two  days  before 
the  event  that  the  following  public  notice  appeared  in  the 
Sentinel. 

Inauguration — The  citizens  of  Kinderhook  are  requested 
to  meet  at  Stranahan's  hotel  this  evening  at  half  past  six  to  adopt 
measures  for  the  celebration  of  the  4th  of  March,  on  which  day 
Kinderhook  gives  a  President  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  issue  of  the  9th,  we  have  an  account  of  the  public 
meeting  and  also  of  the  Inaugural  Festival  two  days  later. 

At  a  highly  respectable  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Kinderhook, 
held  at  Mr.  Stranahan's  Hotel  on  the  2nd.  inst,  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  the  appropriate  celebration  of  the  Inauguration  of 
Martin  Van  Buren,  Dr.  John  P.  Beekman  was  called  to  the 
Chair  and  William  B.  Shaw  appointed  Secretary.  The  object  of 
the  meeting  having  been  stated  by  Major  M.  Myers  in  a  short 
address,  it  was  resolved;  that  Lucas  Hoes,  Charles  Whiting  and 
Daniel  E.  Dunscomb  be  a  committee  to  draft  resolutions.  That 
Charles  Whiting,  James  Shaw  and  William  Bradley  be  a  com- 


248  Old  RinderKooK 

mittee  of  Arrangements  and  that  M.  Myers,  J.  Wilcoxson,  J.  P. 
Beekman,  J.  Vanderpoel,  E.  A.  Dunscomb  and  W.  B.  Shaw  be  a 
committee  of  Publication. 

Inauguration  Festival 

The  election  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  to  the  Presidency  was  cele- 
brated in  Kinderhook  by  his  townsmen  on  Saturday  the  4th.  of 
March  with  great  eclat.  At  sunrise  the  National  Standard,  that 
flag  under  whose  ample  folds  our  countrymen  have  so  often  been 
victorious,  was  raised  aloft  and  floated  proudly  in  the  breeze. 
At  12  M.  a  salute  of  26  guns  (one  for  each  State)  was  fired,  accom- 
panied with  the  ringing  of  all  bells  in  the  village.  At  sunset  a 
salute  of  13  guns  was  fired,  the  bells  ringing  a  merry  peal.  Early 
in  the  evening  a  large  number  of  friends  of  Mr.  Van  Buren 
pressed  into  the  village,  anxious  to  testify  to  his  eminent  public 
services,  his  exalted  character  and  great  worth.  The  principal 
hotel  in  the  village,  as  well  as  the  humble  cottage  in  which  Mr. 
Van  Buren  was  born,  and  several  private  dwellings  were  bril- 
liantly illuminated.  A  transparency  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  dis- 
played from  the  piazza  of  the  hotel  and  many  hundred  lights 
threw  a  vivid  blaze  upon  the  surrounding  country.  At  precisely 
eight  o'clock  the  numerous  company  assembled  sat  down  to  a 
supper  prepared  in  Mr.  Stranahan's  best  style.  Major  M.  Myers 
presided  at  the  table,  assisted  by  Dr.  J.  Vanderpoel  of  Valatie 
and  Capt.  Alexander  Bidwell  of  Stuyvesant  as  Vice-presidents. 
After  the  cloth  was  removed,  the  following  resolutions,  prepared 
for  the  occasion  and  presented  by  the  chairman  appointed  for  the 
purpose  were  adopted:  Resolved — That  the  election  of  Martin 
Van  Buren,  our  fellow  townsman,  to  the  first  office  in  the  gift 
of  the  people  is  an  additional  evidence  that  the  principles  of 
Democracy  are  proof  against  the  powerof  aristocracy  and  intrigue. 
He  is  emphatically  the  founder  of  his  own  pre-eminence.  We  see 
much  in  him  to  admire  and  nothing  to  condemn.  In  his  hands 
the  country  is  safe.  Resolved — That  Jackson,  our  late  venerable 
President,  in  his  retirement  from  the  arduous  duties  which  for 
eight  years  he  has  discharged  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  those 
who  elected  him,  carries  with  him  to  the  shades  of  the  Hermitage 
our  best  wishes  and  heart-felt  gratification   for  having   with 


"Van  Bviren's  Inaugviration  249 

firmness  and  dignity  maintained  the  high  character  of  the  Nation 
at  home  and  abroad.  May  the  remainder  of  his  valuable  life  be 
passed  in  ease  and  quiet. 

Resolved — That  we  highly  approve  the  action  by  a  majority 
of  the  Senate  in  electing  Richard  M.  Johnson  Vice-President, 
thereby  carrying  into  effect  the  will  of  a  majority  of  the  people. 
Resolved — That  Governor  Marcy  has  fully  expressed  our  senti- 
ments on  the  Abolition  question;  and  that  taking  the  Constitu- 
tion for  our  guide,  we  are  opposed  to  all  interference  on  that 
subject,  leaving  our  fellow  citizens  of  the  South  to  manage  their 
inherited  estate  in  their  own  way  as  fully  and  freely  as  we  claim 
the  right  of  managing  our  own.  Resolved — That  our  late 
representative  in  Congress,  the  Hon.  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  has 
expressed  our  opinions  on  the  many  important  questions  in  the 
discussion  of  which  he  has  taken  part  during  the  past  session, 
and  that  we  highly  approve  of  his  whole  legislative  course. 

Regular  Toasts 

1st.  Andrew  Jackson.  2d.  Martin  Van  Buren — President  of 
the  United  States,  our  townsman  and  friend.  We  know  his  in- 
tegrity and  talents.  Born  and  nurtured  among  us,  we  have  care- 
fully scanned  his  conduct  through  every  change  from  boyhood 
to  manhood;  from  the  humble  walks  of  a  private  citizen  to  the 
proudest  and  most  exalted  station  in  the  world.  With  Jefferson 
and  Jackson  as  his  models  the  Republic  is  safe.  3d.  Richard 
M.  Johnson.  4th.  Our  Country.  5th.  Thomas  Jefferson.  6th. 
The  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  7th.  Nullifica- 
tion and  Abolition — Twin  brothers !  may  they  both  be  frowned 
out  of  existence.  8th.  Our  Governor  and  Lieut. -Governor. 
9th.  Our  townsman,  Hon.  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  an  able  and 
talented  Representative  in  Congress,  worthy  to  be  elected  to  a 
higher  and  more  conspicuous  station.  loth.  The  Democratic 
Party,  nth.  The  Empire  State.  12th.  Our  Army  and  Navy. 
13th.    The  Union,  may  it  never  be  dissolved. 

Before  the  volunteer  toasts  were  given  a  number  of  songs 
were  sung  and  loudly  encored.  From  the  more  than  thirty 
volunteer  toasts  we  select  these: 


250  Old  IlinderhooK 

By  General  Charles  Whiting — The  small  cottage  of  our 
President's  nativity — illuminated  this  night — a  fit  emblem  that 
it  only  requires  honesty,  patriotism  and  talents  in  any  citizen 
to  rise  to  the  most  exalted  station  that  freemen  can  bestow. 
By  Barent  Hoes — The  former  and  present  Representatives  in 
Congress  from  the  town  of  Kinderhook,  Peter  Silvester,  John  P. 
Van  Ness,  James  I.  Van  Alen,  Barent  Gardenier,  Thomas  Beek- 
man,  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  Nicholas  Sickles.  Peace  to  the  dead 
and  may  a  virtuous  ambition  guide  the  living.  By  Honorable 
Julius  Wilcoxson — Kinderhook,  most  favored  of  all  her  sister 
towns,  having  given  the  first  President  of  the  United  States  from 
the  State  of  New  York.  By  Peter  Van  Schaack — Benjamin  F. 
Butler,  the  profound  jurist,  the  indefatigable  Secretary,  the 
champion  of  Temperance,  the  humble  Christian.  By  Dr.  John 
M.  Pruyn — Peter  Van  Schaack,  Peter  Silvester,  Cornelius  P. 
Van  Ness,  William  P.  Van  Ness,  James  Vanderpoel,  Myndert 
Vosburgh,  Abraham  Van  Dyck,  Francis  Silvester,  ornaments  to 
the  Bar  and  the  Bench  who  have  reflected  honor  on  their  birth- 
place— Kinderhook.  By  Isaac  Pruyn — Michigan,  a  new  star  in 
our  firmament,  may  she  add  new  lustre  to  Mr.  Van  Buren's 
administration. 

Edward  A.  Dunscomb,  after  an  extended  panegyric,  and  with 
allusion  to  the  Senate's  refusal  to  confirm  the  nomination  of 
Mr.  Van  Buren  as  minister  to  England,  offered  this:  "  Mar- 
tin Van  Buren,  the  President  of  the  Republic;  although  cast 
from  the  court  of  St.  James  by  the  unhallowed  influence  of 
an  unhallowed  triumvirate  (Calhoun,  Clay,  Webster),  the 
people  have  given  their  casting  vote  in  his  favor." 

We  had  expected  to  dismiss  the  subject  of  Kinderhook 
Fourth  of  July  celebrations  with  the  foregoing  narratives, 
when  we  found  that  of  1840  with  its  great  Barbecue  which 
must  on  no  account  be  omitted.  That  celebration  was  of 
such  dazzling  splendor  that  it  seems  desirable  to  approach 
it  gradually,  letting  certain  preliminary  notices  so  quicken 
our  imagination  and  exalt  our  anticipations  as  to  prepare  us 
measurably  for  the  magnificent  reality. 

In  May,  1840,  Martin  Van  Buren  was  nominated  for  a 


FourtH  of  J\ily  Barbecxie  251 

second  term.  His  native  village  and  County  could  not  do 
less  than  make  the  national  holiday  the  occasion  of  a  mighty 
demonstration  in  honor  of  their  son  whose  brow  had  been 
crowned  with  so  many  laurels.  Thus  evidently  the  editor  of 
(or  contributor  to)  the  Sentinel  thought,  for  we  read: 

The  Anniversary  of  our  National  Independence  is  rapidly 
approaching,  and  let  us  forewarn  our  friends  to  be  prepared  to 
meet  with  each  other  in  the  birth-place  of  the  President,  upon  its 
return.  The  Whigs  were  never  more  persevering  in  their  efforts, 
or  more  confident  of  success  than  now.  The  hosts  of  Federalism 
are  marshalled  and  in  the  field,  prepared  for  a  vigorous  and  final 
struggle.  The  friends  of  aristocratic  principles  and  strong  gov- 
ernments are  aroused  and  have  put  their  shoulders  to  the  wheel, 
bared  and  earnest  for  the  contest.  Shall  the  Democrats  be  un- 
prepared to  meet  them?  Shall  the  principles  of  Jefferson  be 
overcome,  by  a  senseless  hurra,  and  none  stand  forward  to  guard 
the  legacy  he  has  left  us  from  ruin,  and  his  memory  from  re- 
proach? Rather  let  every  Democrat  be  nerved  for  prompt  and 
persevering  action,  and  vow  to  meet  the  foe  in  a  fair  field.  Let 
him  remember  that  "thrice  armed  is  he  that  hath  his  quarrel 
just,"  and  rest  his  cause  upon  the  intelligence  of  the  people. 
With  this  issue  Democracy  has  nothing  to  fear,  though  menaced 
by  all  the  parades,  and  jubilees  and  schemes  yet  to  be  produced 
by  the  fertile  genius  of  Whigism.  Let  our  friends  be  vigilant 
and  active  in  making  preparations  for  the  ever  glorious  Fourth. 
Each  town  should  organize  and  be  certain  of  being  represented  by 
a  full  delegation.  Every  Democrat  must  be  made  to  feel  that  on 
him  alone  depends  much,  and  that  no  trifling  circumstance  should 
deter  him  from  meeting  with  his  political  friends.  Great  masses 
are  composed  of  minute  particles,  and  one  vote  often  decides 
great  questions.  We  feel  confident  that  the  right  spirit  is  abroad, 
and  that  the  call  upon  the  Democracy  of  the  County  will  not  be 
dishonored.  The  brainless  shouts  of  the  "Ciderists"  will  avail 
nothing  with  the  freemen  of  Martin  Van  Buren's  County,  who, 
we  are  assured,  will  rally  to  the  support  of  New  York's  favorite 
Son.  Democracy  must  either  stand  or  fall  in  the  approaching 
conflict,  and  if  the  gallant  bark  is  to  be  foundered  let  her  go  down 


252  Old  K.inderHooK 

with  her  colors  flying  and  every  rag  of  canvas  floating  in  the 
breeze. 

A  Whig  paper  was  so  audacious  as  to  protest  against 
making  the  observance  of  the  Fourth  a  partisan  affair,  but 
was  silenced  by  this  crushing  rejoinder: 

Consistency! — The  Editor  of  the  Columbia  Republican 
last  week  groaned  "more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger,"  that  the 
shameless  Democrats  had  appointed  a  Convention  to  be  held 
at  Kinderhook  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  and  was  aghast  with  holy 
horror  that  such  a  day  should  be  celebrated  by  any  Party.  This 
week  he  sees  things  in  a  different  light,  and  publishes  a  call  to  the 
Whigs  and  Conservatives  of  the  county  to  unite  in  a  Whig  cele- 
bration at  Hudson ;  at  the  same  time  ascribing  to  the  unholy  pro- 
ject of  a  Loco  Foco  Convention  at  Kinderhook  the  necessity  for 
this  movement.  The  Whigs  are  never  inconsistent,  oh  no — 
certainly  not — by  no  means — not  at  all. 

The  clarion  call  to  the  Convention  was  thus  re-echoed  a  week 
later : 

The  call  of  the  Young  Men's  Central  Corresponding  Com- 
mittee of  the  County,  for  a  Convention  to  be  held  at  Kinderhook 
on  the  Fourth  of  July  next  we  doubt  not  will  be  received  with 
cordial  approbation  and  generous  enthusiasm.  The  day  and 
the  place  for  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  could  not  have  been 
more  happily  chosen,  and  we  confidently  expect  that  there  will 
be  such  an  assemblage  of  the  Junior  Democracy  of  the  County 
in  the  Birth-Place  of  Martin  Van  Buren  on  the  coming  Anni- 
versary of  our  National  Independence  as  has  never  been  witnessed 
on  any  former  occasion. 

It  behooves  every  man  who  loves  his  Country  and  her 
institutions  to  prepare  himself  for  a  violent  struggle  with  an  old 
desperate  enemy  who,  muffled  in  a  thousand  varied  garbs,  has 
been  stabbing  at  the  vitals  of  a  simple  Republican  Government 
since  its  first  establishment  by  our  patriot  fathers,  and,  maddened 
by  continual  defeat,  is  resorting  to  the  basest  and  most  wily 
stratagems  to  obtain  political  power.  It  belongs  to  the  sturdy 
and  intelligent  Democracy  of  our  country  to  say,  whether  the 


FoxirtK  of  July  Barbecvie  253 

self-styled  Whig  party,  who,  without  daring  to  avow  their 
principles,  are  continually  insulting  the  people  with  parades  and 
jubilees  and  shouts  of  "hard  cider"  shall  be  permitted  to  seat 
in  the  Presidential  chair  a  man  so  notoriously  imbecile  that  he  has 
to  be  guarded  by  a  whig  triumvirate!  Every  means  that  an 
unprincipled  party  can  command  are  being  brought  into  action 
to  secure  the  election  of  Gen.  Harrison,  and  it  is  time  that  the 
Democracy  of  this  and  every  other  county  in  the  Empire  State 
should  gird  on  their  political  armor  and  stand  ready  to  defend 
the  liberties  of  the  people  from  the  furious  assaults  of  ancient 
Federalism.  On  the  return  of  the  birth-day  of  American  Liberty, 
and  in  the  birth-place  of  New  York's  Favorite  Son,  let  every 
Young  Democrat  renew  his  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  principles 
of  Jefferson,  and  while  he  remembers  that  these  principles  are 
menaced  by  an  ever  vigilant  and  uncompromising  foe,  let  him 
unite  with  all  his  political  associates  in  concerting  measures  not 
only  to  avert  defeat,  but  to  ensure  a  glorious  triumph. 

After  all  that,  we  are  surely  ready  for  the  sequel.  A  few 
graceless  unconscionable  Whigs  may  have  sulked  in  their 
tents,  but  for  the  nonce  about  all  the  people  seem  to  have 
been  Democrats,  for  5000  at  least,  it  was  said,  were  in  joyful 
attendance  at  the  Convention  although  Van  Buren's  vote 
in  the  entire  County  was  only  4478. 

The  Sentinel  of  July  9th  gave  a  charming,  adjective- 
exhausting  account  of  the  wonderful  day.  After  alluding  to 
the  ringing  of  the  bells  which  greeted  the  early  dawn,  the 
splendor  of  the  day,  the  profuse  and  beautiful  decorations 
with  flags  and  banners  suitably  inscribed,  the  martial  music 
of  twenty-six  democratic  guns,  the  passing  through  the 
village  of  the  amazing  number  of  thirty-five  sorry  looking 
Whigs  with  a  rustic  pigpen  for  their  Log  Cabin,  exciting  the 
pity  and  moving  the  risibles  of  every  beholder,  the  veracious 
chronicler  proceeds  to  tell  of  the  arrival  amid  resounding 
cheers  and  the  thunder  of  cannon  of  delegations  from  every 
town  in  the  County,  until  the  crowd  was  so  dense  that  it  was 
difficult  to  move.  "A  more  inspiring  scene  had  never  been 
witnessed." 


254  Old  RinderKooK 

Omitting  parts  of  a  narrative  too  long  to  be  given  in  full 
we  quote: 

At  eleven  o'clock  the  convention  was  temporarily  organized 
in  the  public  square  by  the  appointment  of  Silas  Camp,  Esq.  of 
Claverack,  as  President,  and  P.  Dean  Carrique,  Esq.  of  Hudson, 
as  Secretary. 

On  motion  a  committee  of  one  from  each  town  was  appointed 
to  report  officers  for  the  Convention,  and  while  they  were  absent 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  by  Dr.  J.  Vanderpoel 
of  Valatie. 

The  convention  then  adjourned  for  dinner,  excellent  prepara- 
tions for  which  were  made  by  Mr.  Stranahan  of  the  Kinderhook 
Hotel,  and  Mr.  Van  Slyck  of  the  Farmer's  Hotel.  The  tables  set 
by  Mr.  Stranahan  were  capable  of  accommodating  six  hundred 
at  a  time,  and  were  placed  in  an  open  field,  shaded  by  immense 
sheets  of  canvas.  Here  the  Democracy  to  the  number  of  one 
thousand  were  feasted  upon  good  substantial  fare,  prepared  to 
suit  the  most  fastidious  palate.  There  was  no  parade  of  "hard 
cider"  or  "cider  barrels"  made,  but  it  was  a  Democratic  Re- 
publican feast,  and  the  partakers  thereof  arose  refreshed,  not 
stupefied  with  the  effects  of  any  Whig  liquids.  About  three 
hundred  dined  at  the  Farmer's  Hotel  and  about  as  many  more 
were  furnished  with  dinner  by  Messrs.  Wilder  and  Ackley. 
Dinner  being  concluded,  the  procession  was  formed  under  the 
conduct  of  Col.  Groat  and  .  .  .  moved  through  Bridge,  Silvester, 
Church  and  Broad  Streets  to  Albany  Avenue,  and  thence  to  the 
Grove.  .  .  .  When  the  head  of  the  procession  reached  the  Grove, 
the  whole  line  halted,  and  having  opened  to  the  right  and  left, 
entered  that  charming  retreat  in  reversed  order.  .  .  .  There  the 
immense  multitude  seated  themselves  on  the  green  velvet  carpet, 
surrounding  the  stage  .  .  .  and  occupying  the  gently  rising 
acclivity  in  front. 

The  Convention  being  called  to  order,  Charles  B.  Dutcher 
Esq.,  of  Austerlitz,  announced  the  selection  of  the  following 
officers:  President,  Edward  A.  Dunscomb,  of  Kinderhook;  Vice- 
Presidents — Andrew  Pierce,  Clermont;  Jonas  R.  Delamater, 
Greenport;  Clermont  Livingston,  Clermont;  Fred  I.  Curtis, 
Ancram;  John  Rogers,  Chatham;  John  I.  Waldorph,  Taghkanic; 


KovirtH  of  July  Barbecue  255 

Fyler  D.  Sweet,  Copake;  Moses  Y.  Tilden,  New  Lebanon;  Peter 
S.  Burger,  Hudson,  and  John  C.  Warner,  Canaan.  Secretaries: 
George  Decker,  Hudson,  Daniel  Bidwell,  Stuyvesant;  George 
M.  Soule,  Austerlitz;  Wilson  Torrey,  Ghent;  Peter  I.  Bachman, 
Livingston;  Henry  L.  Miller,  Germantown;  Peter  P.  Rossman, 
Gallatin;  H.  W.  Reynolds,  Stockport;  Herod  Palmer,  Hillsdale; 
Henry  Snyder,  Kinderhook.  .  .  ,  The  president  having  been 
conducted  to  the  chair,  acknowledged  the  honor  conferred  upon 
him  in  an  appropriate  and  eloquent  address  which  drew  forth  a 
burst  of  applause  that  resounded  through  the  vast  amphi- 
theater. The  President  then  announced  the  following  com- 
mittees:— On  Addresses: — Theodore  Miller,  of  Hudson;  Silas 
Camp,  of  Claverack;  Fred  J.  Curtis,  of  Ancram;  John  Waldorph, 
of  Taghkanic ;  Abram  P.  Van  Alstyne,  of  Kinderhook.  On  Reso- 
lutions:— Robert  McClellan,  of  Hudson;  John  E.  Warner,  of 
Canaan;  Wm.  H.  DeWitt,  of  Germantown;  Moses  Y.  Tilden,  of 
New  Lebanon;  Walter  Butler,  of  Stuyvesant. 

Henry  W.  Strong,  Esq.  of  Troy  and  John  W.  Emmons  of  New 
York,  being  severally  invited,  addressed  the  Convention.  The 
speeches  of  these  talented  men  were  replete  with  eloquence, 
argument  and  patriotism,  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  they 
were  frequently  interrupted  by  long  cheers.  The  whole  vast 
multitude  seemed  imbued  with  the  same  patriotic  spirit  which 
animated  the  speakers,  and  they  were  all  held  enraptured  for  two 
hours  by  their  manly  eloquence.  .  .  .  Robert  McClellan,  Esq., 
from  the  committee  on  resolutions,  reported  a  number  of  spirited 
and  pointed  Resolutions  which  were  unanimously  and  enthu- 
siastically adopted.  Theodore  Miller  gave  an  able  and  patriotic 
address  which  was  received  with  the  same  enthusiasm. 

At  intervals  during  the  proceedings  salutes  were  fired  in  the 
Grove  by  the  Democratic  Young  Artillery  Company  of  Hudson, 
the  effect  of  which  was  rendered  grand  beyond  description  by  the 
reverberation  produced  by  the  surrounding  hills,  the  giant  oaks 
seeming  to  applaud  to  the  very  echo. 

The  business  of  the  convention  having  been  concluded,  a 
simultaneous  movement  was  made  toward  the  Democratic  Ox, 
which,  well  roasted  and  basted,  and  decorated  with  roses  and 
emblematic  devices,  quietly  awaited  the  keen  encounter.  Two 
barrels  of  bread  and  crackers,  and  a  cool  spring  of  pure  water 


256  Old  RinderKooK 

were  near,  and  ample  justice  was  speedily  done  to  the  well  fatted 
and  well  cooked  Democratic  Beef.  .  .  .  We  congratulate  the 
Democracy  of  Columbia  County,  upon  the  result  of  this  glorious 
day;  a  day  replete  with  the  most  cheering  assurances  of  the 
firmness  and  stability  of  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  and  of  their 
competency  for  self  government.  A  meeting  so  enthusiastic  and 
spirited,  cannot  fail  to  have  a  gratifying  influence  upon  the 
disciples  of  Democratic  liberty  everywhere,  and  those  who  have 
asserted  that  the  friends  and  supporters  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  are 
deserting  him,  will  find  their  falsehoods  contradicted  by  the 
enthusiastic  rally  in  his  native  village  on  the  ever  memorable 
Fourth.  The  friends  of  equal  rights  will  never  desert  Martin 
Van  Buren,  the  man  who  has  ever  stood  by  and  defended  the 
interests  of  the  people  from  the  base  attacks  of  their  inveterate 
enemies.  We  repeat,  that  this  tremendous  meeting  at  the  birth- 
place of  New  York's  favorite  son,  will  confirm  the  wavering  and 
incite  the  firm  to  vigorous  and  united  action.  The  lion-hearted 
Democracy  have  taken  the  field,  and  have  enlisted  under  the 
banner  of  Van  Buren,  to  serve  during  the  war,  resolved  to  conquer 
gloriously  or  to  fall  with  every  flag  hoisted,  their  backs  to  the 
field  and  their  feet  to  the  foe.  With  such  determination  the 
result  is  not  doubtful,  and  the  scattering  of  the  enemy  when  they 
are  met  will  show  that  the  campaign  opened  in  Kinderhook  on 
the  Fourth  has  been  productive  of  most  glorious  results  to  the 
freemen  of  the  United  States  and  to  the  friends  of  true  liberty 
throughout  the  world. 

The  evening  of  the  Fourth  passed  off  with  unusual 
brilliancy. 

.  .  .  For  two  hours  the  heavens  were  illuminated  with  all 
manner  of  lights  shooting  athwart  the  sky,  and  it  almost  seemed 
as  if  the  spheres  themselves  had  come  down  to  frolic  for  the 
amusement  and  delight  of  our  citizens.  The  whole  concluded 
with  the  discharge  of  a  huge  Palm  Leaf,  equalling  in  magnificence 
anything  we  have  ever  seen.  Upon  the  whole  our  Nation's 
Birth-day  was  celebrated  in  a  manner  never  to  be  forgotten. 
The  Convention  was  the  largest  ever  held  in  this  State  and  as 
enthusiastic  as  can  possibly  be  conceived.     It  was  a  feast  of 


FoxirtK  of  Jvily  Barbecue  257 

reason  and  patriotism — an  overflow  of  spirit  and  good  feeling. 
The  fire-works  were  unequalled,  and  the  Day  was  pregnant  with 
a  fore-taste  of  the  most  glorious  results  to  the  Democracy  of  the 
Empire  State. 

How  could  it  have  been,  after  all  that,  that  Van  Buren 
ran  behind  the  State  ticket  in  his  own  County,  lost  the  State, 
and  had  but  sixty  electoral  votes  out  of  two  hundred  and 
ninety-four?  It  was  his  misfortune  to  be  President  during 
the  disastrous  panics  of  1837  and  1839.  As  was  to  be  ex- 
pected, the  hard  times  were  charged  up  against  the  Ad- 
ministration. And  we  who  thus  explain  its  defeats  are 
among  the  few,  not  five  years  old  then,  who  have  never 
forgotten  the  campaign  songs  we  were  taught  to  sing: 
"Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too,"  and,  "Van,  Van,  is  a  used  up 
man  " ;  as  turned  out  to  be  the  case.  To  the  music  of  Yankee 
Doodle,  others  sang  this  from  the  Jackson  Almanac: 

Our  ^Lection  is  a  coming  on — 
Our  Van  is  in  the  field,  sir, 
And  Johnson  he's  a  Yankee  son, 
That  ne'er  was  known  to  yield,  sir. 

Then  rally-rally  round  the  polls, 
(Delay)  there's  no  endurin' — 
The  tarnal  tribe,  odd  rot  their  souls, 
Must  knuckle  to  Van  Buren. 

Curfew  did  not  ring  from  the  Dutch  church  belfry  that 
night.  It  had  been  discontinued  a  few  years  before,  owing, 
some  alleged,  to  Jackson's  withdrawal  of  the  United  States' 
deposits  from  the  banks. 

The  "democratic  ox"  for  the  barbecue,  we  are  informed, 
was  a  choice,  selected  steer  from  Kleine  Kill.  Decorated 
with  flowers  and  with  ribbons  hanging  nearly  to  the  ground, 
it  was  led  through  the  village,  tradition  alleges,  by  the  late 
Charles  W.  Trimper,  and  elicited  much  applause  and  merri- 
ment. 

The  Whigs  of  Kinderhook  and  vicinity  had  their  "last 
17 


258  Old  RinderKooK 

GREAT  rally"  that  notable  year  in  Hudson.    A  correspond- 
ent of  the  Sentinel  wrote  this  soul-stirring  account  of  it: 

The  morning  of  the  ever  memorable  23d.  of  October,  1840, 
was  ushered  in  by  the  rising  of  the  sun,  and  the  dispersion  of 
darkness,  and  although  there  was  nothing  in  the  circumstance 
calculated  to  impress  an  ordinary  mortal  with  any  peculiar  or 
novel  sensations,  yet  to  Federal  vision  the  whole  canopy  of 
heaven  was  pregnant  with  political  meteors,  and  big  with  mighty 
matters,  whose  development  was  about  to  entrance  the  universe. 
It  is  handed  down  by  tradition,  that  at  a  certain  hour  in  the 
morning,  very  many  gentlemanly-ladies  and  some  lady-like 
gentleman  were  blocking  every  avenue  in  the  several  counties  of 
Columbia,  Greene  and  Schoharie,  in  their  tumultuous  efforts  to 
arrive  at  the  city  at  an  early  hour.  Eye  hath  seldom  seen  such  a 
vast  assemblage  as  arrived  there  in  safety  (?)  and  mortal  pen  is 
impotent  to  depict  in  sufficiently  vivid  colors  the  august,  the 
tremendous,  the  terrible  appearance  of  no  less  than  five  hundred 
souls,  one  half  of  whom  were  women  and  children,  drawn  up  in 
martial  array  to  do  honor  to  music,  to  cider  barrels,  to  coon  skins, 
and  to  other  things  in  general. 

It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  give  the  truthful,  vivacious  narra- 
tive in  its  entirety,  but  this  glimpse  of  the  spirit  of  those 
days  must  suffice.  We  were  permitted  to  cull  the  two  fore- 
going narratives  from  the  gathered  Whims,  Scraps  and 
Oddities  of  the  late  Honorable  John  H.  Reynolds,  and  are 
pleased  to  note  his  appreciation  of  the  world's  best  literature. 
On  the  8th  of  May,  1841,  there  was  yet  another  notable 
celebration  in  Kinderhook.  The  occasion  of  it  was  the 
return  of  the  ex-President  to  his  native  village.  At  this 
remove  from  those  days  of  intense  political  feeling  it  seems 
that  it  would  have  been  a  gracious  thing  on  such  an  occasion 
to  have  kept  the  dead  fly  of  partisanship  out  of  the  pot  of 
otherwise  sweet  ointment;  but  the  thought  did  not  occur 
to  the  stalwarts  of  the  time,  and,  under  then  existing  con- 
ditions, we  may  well  excuse  perfervid  oratory.  Again  we 
are  indebted  to  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel  and  doubtless  to  the 


FourtH  of  July  Darbecxjie  259 

facile  pen  of  the  accomplished  editor,  Peter  Van  Schaack, 
for  the  narrative  which  we  slightly  abbreviate: 

Reception  of  Ex-President  Van  Buren,  on  his  Arrival  at 

KiNDERHOOK 

Ex- President  Van  Buren  returned  to  the  place  of  his  nativity 
on  Saturday  last.  It  was  due  to  the  brilliant  talents  of  this  dis- 
tinguished Statesman,  as  well  as  to  the  high  office  which  he  has 
so  honorably  filled,  that  he  should  be  cordially  greeted  on  his 
return  to  his  native  Village.  Years  had  gone  by  since  he  left 
his  birthplace  to  strive  for  that  high  honor,  that  chaplet  of  fame, 
which  can  only  be  obtained  by  those  whose  virtues  and  principles 
commend  them  to  the  confidence  of  the  American  People.  By 
untiring  energy,  and  devotion  to  the  public  welfare,  he  obtained 
the  glittering  prize,  and  amid  the  shouts  of  a  free  people  rode  in 
the  triumphal  car  of  public  applause,  and  reached  the  most 
exalted  station  in  the  world.  His  highest  aspirations  gratified, 
and  the  object  of  his  ambition  attained — after  the  lapse  of  a  long 
series  of  years  spent  in  the  service  of  his  country,  he  has  returned 
to  the  home  of  his  youth,  probably  to  spend  the  evening  of  his 
days  among  those  who  have  long  appreciated  the  splendor  of  his 
genius  and  admired  his  virtues. 

Early  in  the  afternoon,  a  numerous  and  respectable  portion 
of  the  citizens  of  Kinderhook,  Stuyvesant  and  the  adjoining 
towns  assembled  on  the  steam-boat  wharf,  to  await  the  arrival  of 
the  Ex-President.  When  the  Albany,  in  which  boat  he  had  taken 
passage,  came  in  sight,  she  was  saluted  by  a  heavy  piece  of 
artillery  which  continued  firing  until  the  boat  reached  the  wharf. 
Several  popular  airs  were  also  played  by  the  Spencertown  Brass 
Band  the  members  of  which,  without  distinction  of  party, 
volunteered  for  the  occasion. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  was  accompanied  by  the  Hon.  B.  F.  Butler, 
and  as  these  two  distinguished  sons  of  Columbia  pressed  the  soil 
of  their  native  county  they  were  loudly  cheered.  After  exchang- 
ing salutations  with  his  friends  and  fellow  citizens,  who  had 
assembled  to  greet  him,  Mr.  Van  Buren  entered  his  private 
carriage,  seated  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Butler,  and  the  procession 
commenced  its  line  of  march  for  Kinderhook.  The  procession  was 
composed  of  a  long  line  of  citizens  in  carriages  and  on  horse-back 


26o  Old  RinderHooK 

and  its  approach  to  our  village  was  announced  by  the  firing  of 
cannon  and  the  ringing  of  bells.  Thus  did  Martin  Van  Buren, 
late  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  this  glorious  Confederacy,  enter  his 
native  village,  surrounded,  not  by  the  trappings  of  power,  or  the 
pomp  of  royalty,  but  welcomed  in  a  plain  Republican  style  by 
honest  hearts  and  sincere  friends. 

The  procession  having  arrived  in  front  of  Stranahan's  hotel, 
Mr.  Van  Buren  was  conducted  by  the  Committee  of  Arrange- 
ments to  the  piazza  of  the  spacious  building,  which  was  already 
graced  by  a  goodly  number  of  ladies.  Here  in  full  view  and  in 
distinct  hearing  of  the  large  assemblage  of  citizens  in  the  public 
square.  Major  Mordecai  Myers,  on  behalf  of  his  townsmen  gave 
a  fitting  address  of  welcome,  the  closing  paragraph  of  which  we 
quote: 

"  It  is  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  your  fellow  citizens  of  the 
County  of  Columbia  to  find,  that  the  pleasures  and  allurements 
of  city  life  and  associations  with  the  most  refined  society,  have 
failed  to  alienate  you  from  the  society  of  old  and  tried  friends,  on 
whose  affections  you  have  a  strong  hold, — from  the  scenes  of 
your  youth  or  the  tombs  of  your  ancestors — but  that  you  retire 
to  spend  your  late  days  in  your  native  Town.  Here,  surrounded 
by  friends  and  connections,  may  you,  under  the  protection  of 
Divine  Providence,  pass  many  and  happy  years  under  the  shade 
of  "your  own  vine  and  fig  tree, "  unless  again  called  by  the  voice 
of  the  people  into  public  life,  a  mandate  which  you  ever  have 
and  doubtless  will  obey. 

"Permit  me,  sir,  in  behalf  of  your  fellow  citizens  here  assem- 
bled, to  bid  you  thrice  welcome  home." 

To  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  replied : 

"I  need  not  say,  sir,  how  highly  I  appreciate  this  cordial,  I 
may  add  this  affectionate  welcome  which  you  have  tendered  to 
me  in  behalf  of  so  respectable  a  portion  of  the  Democracy  of  my 
native  county. 

"The  unwavering  support  which  I  have  received  at  their 
hands  for  so  many  of  the  highest  offices  of  Government,  including 

those  of  STATE  SENATOR,  GOVERNOR,  VICE-PRESIDENT  and  PRESI- 
DENT of  the  UNITED  STATES,  and  the  constancy  with  which  they 
have  sustained  me  in  the  performance  of  the  difficult  duties  of 


FoxirtK  of  Jvily  Barbecxie  261 

other  intermediate  and  highly  responsible  public  stations,  con- 
stitute claims  upon  my  gratitude,  the  remembrance  and  recog- 
nition of  which  will  be  as  abiding  as  life  itself. 

"The  frequent  and  full  expositions  which  I  have  from  time 
to  time  laid  before  the  people,  of  the  principles  by  which  I  have 
been  guided  in  my  administration  of  the  Federal  Government, 
and  the  obliging  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  speak 
of  my  official  acts  and  motives,  make  it  unnecessary  that  I  should 
enter  into  any  thing  like  an  elaborate  explanation  in  regard  to 
them.  It  is  also  to  me  a  most  gratifying  circumstance  that  a 
large  and  highly  important  portion  of  my  official  duties — that 
too  for  which,  more  than  for  any  other,  the  Federal  Executive 
is  held  to  be  peculiarly  responsible — has  received  the  sanction, 
and  in  its  most  important  particulars,  the  support  of  all  parties 
in  the  Republic.  The  management  of  our  Foreign  affairs,  always 
heretofore  the  most  fruitful  source  of  political  contention,  has 
for  the  last  four  years,  and  those  two  years  of  serious  embarrass- 
ment in  the  condition  of  our  exterior  relations,  ceased  to  be  known 
as  an  element  of  party  discord — an  occurrence  without  a  parallel 
in  the  history  of  the  country. 

"  The  financial  policy  of  the  administration  to  which  you  have 
particularly  adverted,  and  which,  passing  over  matters  of  mere 
party  vituperation,  has  constituted  the  chief  subject  of  assault, 
was  entered  upon  after  the  fullest  consideration  of  the  matter  in 
all  its  bearings.  Neither  its  liability  to  excite  unfounded  appre- 
hensions on  the  part  of  particular,  partial  and  powerful  interests, 
nor  the  inveterate  opposition  it  might  have  to  encounter,  nor 
the  certain  consequences  to  myself  of  the  possible  success  of  that 
opposition,  were  overlooked.  Regarding  the  measures  I  recom- 
mended as  of  vital  necessity  to  the  public  welfare — as  those  by 
which  alone,  in  the  then  condition  of  the  country,  security  and 
efficiency  could  be  given  to  the  public  service — I  could  not 
hesitate  as  to  the  course  I  ought  to  pursue.  My  convictions 
of  duty  in  this  respect,  were  greatly  strengthened  by  the  confident 
persuasion,  that  they  were  also  eminently  calculated  to  arrest 
the  progress  of  that  unsound  and  destructive  system  of  credits, 
and  that  spirit  of  reckless  adventure  then  so  unhappily  prevalent, 
and  which  were  every  where  unsettling  the  value  of  propert}^ — 
subverting  those  principles  of  honesty  and  justice  upon  which 


262  Old  HinderKooK 

contracts  should  ever  be  founded,  and  by  which  their  execution 
should  always  be  regulated — and  rapidly  paving  the  way  for 
oppressive  taxation  on  the  labor  and  future  earnings  of  the 
country.  In  deciding  between  the  policy  which  was  adopted, 
and  the  encouragement  of  a  different  course  of  measures,  which, 
however  satisfactory  for  the  moment  to  the  trading  community, 
would,  as  I  firmly  believe,  end  in  aggravating  the  evils  under 
which  the  Government  and  people  were  then  laboring,  I  did  not 
feel  myself  at  liberty,  nor  was  I  disposed  to  calculate  conse- 
quences personal  to  myself.  I  therefore  persevered  in  the 
recommendation  and  support  of  the  important  fiscal  measures 
which  ultimately  received  the  sanction  of  the  Representatives 
of  the  people.  Upon  a  calm  review  of  all  the  circumstances,  with 
their  consequences,  I  do  not  now,  nor  have  I  for  a  single  moment 
since  the  result  of  the  election  was  known,  regretted  that  I  did 
so ;  and  all  I  desire  is,  that  my  future  political  standing  with  the 
people  of  the  United  States  shall  be  graduated  by  the  opinion 
which  they  may  ultimately  form  of  the  soundness  of  the  principles 
and  measures  referred  to. 

"I  would,  indeed,  prove  myself  to  have  been  unworthy  of 
such  generous  and  long  continued  confidence  and  attachment,  as 
that  which  has  been  shown  in  my  case  by  yourselves,  and  by  the 
Democracy  of  the  Union,  if  I  were  to  suffer  a  single  defeat  to 
weaken  in  the  slightest  degree,  my  thankfulness  for  a  succession 
of  political  triumphs  so  numerous  and  important  as  those  which 
it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  enjoy.  I  beg  you,  sir,  to  believe  me 
incapable  of  so  much  weakness  and  ingratitude.  My  personal 
feeHngs  are,  on  the  contrary,  wholly  unscathed  by  the  result  of 
the  election.  The  demonstrations  of  respect  and  affection  with 
which  I  have  been  every  where  greeted,  by  the  honest  yeomanry 
of  the  country,  since  my  retirement  from  office,  have  afforded  me 
more  real  satisfaction,  than  its  continued  possession  could 
possibly  confer;  and  I  come  to  take  up  my  final  residence  with 
you,  not,  I  assure  you,  in  the  character  of  a  repining,  but  in  that 
of  a  satisfied  and  contented  man.  Of  this  even  my  oppo- 
nents, if  they  are  not  already,  will  soon,  I  trust,  be  entirely 
satisfied. 

"You  have,  sir,  done  but  justice  to  the  motives  which  have 
induced  me  to  return  to  my  native  County  and  Town,  and  I 


FoxirtH  of  Jvily  Darbecxie  263 

promise  myself  much  of  enjoyment  and  advantage  from  renewing 
the  ancient  ties  by  which  I  am  connected  with  them. 

"Accept,  sir,  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  friendly  spirit  in  which 
you  have  discharged  the  duty  assigned  to  you,  and  be  assured  of 
my  high  respect  and  warm  personal  regard." 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  reply  Mr.  B.  F.  Butler, 
was  called  upon  by  the  people  to  address  them,  which  he  did  with 
his  usual  ability.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks,  he  gave  a  rapid 
but  graphic  and  truly  eloquent  sketch  of  the  circumstances  under 
which  Mr.  Van  Buren  entered  pubHc  hfe,  the  early  difficulties  he 
had  to  overcome,  and  the  unceasing  opposition  with  which  he  had 
to  contend  during  his  whole  career;  the  inflexibility  and  un- 
changeableness  with  which  he  had,  in  prosperity  and  adversity, 
adhered  to  the  principles  upon  which  he  had  first  started;  the 
embarrassments  under  which  he  took  the  helm  of  government, 
and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  increased  soon  after  his 
coming  into  ofhce;  the  firmness  with  which  he  adhered  to  meas- 
ures he  believed  to  be  right,  while  so  many  quailed  before  the 
assaults  of  the  enemy  and  fled  from  their  posts;  the  extent  of 
popularity  and  elevation  of  position  which  he  had  periled  upon 
the  issue;  the  calmness  and  serenity  with  which  he  sustained 
himself  in  the  hour  of  trial,  and  the  equanimity  with  which  he  had 
borne  defeat — were  all  portrayed  in  lively  and  impressive  colors, 
and  were  received  by  the  audience  with  marked  attention  and 
deep  feeling.  His  remarks  in  conclusion,  upon  the  nature  of 
our  institutions,  their  superiority  over  all  others,  as  illustrated 
by  the  scene  before  them,  were  very  striking,  and  were  cordially 
responded  to. 

The  day  was  fine,  the  order  of  arrangements  excellent,  and 
all  things  conspired  to  add  interest  to  the  scene.  It  was  a  spectacle 
which  made  the  hearts  of  all  present,  of  every  party,  throb  with 
proud  exultation.  One  who  had  held  the  office  of  President  of  the 
greatest  Republic  on  earth,  was  returning  quietly  as  a  private 
citizen  to  his  native  place — surrounded  not  by  the  minions  of 
despotism,  but  by  a  simple  procession  of  American  citizens,  who 
thus  gave  a  token  of  their  admiration  of  his  many  virtues. 

We  are  among  those  who  sincerely  believe,  that  when  the 
"Second  sober  thought  of  the  People"  shall  have  calmed  the 


264  Old  JlinderKooK 

angry  waves  of  political  warfare,  ample  justice  will  be  ac- 
corded to  Martin  Van  Buren.  The  sunlight  of  truth  will  ere 
long  dispel  the  mists  of  prejudice — the  fiat  of  the  American 
People  will  bind  around  his  brow,  honored  by  long  service  in 
the  councils  of  the  nation,  a  civic  wreath,  brilliant  and  imper- 
ishable; and  linked  with  the  invincible  Hero  of  New  Orleans,  his 
glorious  and  honorable  career  will  be  inscribed  on  the  tablet  of 
immortality. 

"A  Card" 

"The  Committee  of  the  Reception  beg  leave  to  tender  to  the 
gentlemen  of  the  'Spencertown  Brass  Band'  their  cordial  thanks 
for  their  kindness  in  furnishing  them  with  music  on  the  reception 
of  Mr.  Van  Buren  at  this  place  8th  inst.,  and  by  so  doing  greatly 
adding  to  the  interest  of  the  proceedings.  Their  enterprising  and 
patriotic  conduct  in  turning  out  in  a  body,  without  distinction 
of  party,  and  travelling  a  distance  of  thirty-four  miles,  for  the 
purpose  of  greeting  their  fellow  citizen  returning  from  faithful 
performance  of  the  duties  of  the  highest  office  in  the  people's 
gift  is  beyond  all  praise;  and  the  committee  have  only  to  desire 
that  the  Band  may  meet  with  that  success  in  all  its  undertakings 
which  the  spirit  and  enterprise  of  its  members  so  richly  deserve. 

Kinderhook,  May  12,  1841. 

"By  order  of  the  Committee, 

"John  Vanderpoel,  CWn. 
"T.  B.  Myers,  Sec'yr 

Democratic  successes  in  1842  were  duly  celebrated  in  our 
village  by  the  customary  eating,  drinking,  and  speech-making, 
in  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  invited  to  participate. 
Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  A.  Reynolds,  son  of  the 
Hon.  John  H.  Reynolds,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  invi- 
tation, we  copy  this  autograph  letter  of  reply : 

LiNDENWALD, 

Nov.  15,  1842. 

My  dear  Sir: 

The  signal  triumphs  we  have  obtained  richly  deserve  the 
notice  which  our  friends  propose  to  take  of  it,  &  I  regret  exceed- 


Training  Days  265 

ingly  that  a  severe  cold  renders  me  wholly  unfit  for  the  festivities 
of  the  Evening.  Have  the  goodness  to  make  my  sincere  acknow- 
ledgments to  the  Committee  for  their  kind  invitation  &  to  assure 
the  company  that  though  unavoidably  absent,  my  feehngs  will 
be  cordially  with  them.  I  shall  always  be  unfeignedly  grateful 
for  the  honor  and  confidence  which  have  been  so  often  &  so 
zealously  bestowed  upon  me  by  the  patriotic  Democracy  of 
Kinderhook. 

Accept  my  thanks,  Sir,  for  the  obhging  terms  in  which  you 
have  communicated  the  wishes  of  the  Committee  &  believe  me 
to  be 

Very  sincerely 

Your  friend 

M.  Van  Buren. 

Mr.  Jno.  H.  REYNOLDSr 

TRAINING  DAYS 

In  Chapter  V.  we  have  noted  the  law  of  1664  concerning 
the  appointment  of  these  notable  days.  That  law,  modified 
from  time  to  time,  was  continued  in  force  for- about  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  years  and  was  held  in  reverence 
here.  There  are  those  still  living  who  remember  well  those 
notable  days;  the  majestic  mien  of  our  mighty  men  of  war; 
the  wonderful  evolutions  of  the  Blues  and  the  Grays;  the 
pride  of  fond  mothers,  wives,  and  sweethearts  as  they  gazed 
upon  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war;  the  staring,  open- 
mouthed  admiration  of  all  the  boys  and  girls  for  miles 
around ;  and  the  multitudinous  vendors  of  zoetekoek,  pastey, 
kandy-suiker  and  other  toothsome  delicacies. 

The  following  announcements  in  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel 
of  September  15,  1836,  written  presumably  by  the  editor, 
Peter  Van  Schaack,  may  be  regarded  as  virtually  a  descrip- 
tion also  by  an  eye-witness  of  the  spectacular  display. 

"Arma  Virumque  Cano" 

Lest  our  readers  might  be  obHvious  of  the  fact,  we  will 
remind  them   that  tomorrow  there  will  be  one  of  those  grand 


266  Old  K-inderKooK 

Military  displays  which  occur  only  once  in  the  course  of  the  long 
year.  To  be  more  explicit,  it  will  be  general  Training  Day.  Let 
those  who  delight  in  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war,  the 
clangor  of  trumpets  and  the  din  of  arms  prepare  to  feast  their 
eyes  on  the  gorgeous  spectacle.  The  glorious  56th  will  honor  us 
with  a  display  of  solid  columns,  hollow  squares,  escutcheons  and 
maneuvers  innumerable.  The  battalion  will  appear  armed  cap- 
a-pie  as  the  law  directs  and  we  doubt  not  will  more  than  sustain 
its  high  character  for  Military  discipline  and  (should  it  become 
necessary  to  screw  their  courage  up  to  the  sticking  point)  valor 
also.  We  would  especially  enjoin  upon  the  fair  (none  but  the 
brave  deserve  the  fair)  to  gather  fresh  flowers  wherewith  to  strew 
the  paths  of  the  conquering  heroes,  and  to  have  in  readiness  the 
white  kerchiefs  with  which  to  salute  them  from  the  windows  and 
balconies,  as  with  stately  steppings  and  measured  tread  they 
pass  along  our  crowded  streets.  There  will  be  the  doubly 
epauletted  officers  with  nodding  plumes  and  in  shining  regimen- 
tals, booted  and  spurred, 

"  Mounted  upon  hot  and  fiery  steeds, 
Which  their  aspiring  riders  seem  to  know;" 

together  with  others  of  inferior  grade,  down  to  those  whose  post 
of  honor  is  a  private  station.  Each  in  his  separate  sphere  will 
have  his  duties  to  perform.  Streaming  banners,  rolling  drums 
and  piercing  fifes  will  add  not  a  little  to  the  zest  of  the  scene ;  and 
should  perchance  an  enemy  appear  "rattling  muskets  will  crash 
along  the  line."  We  would  fain  devote  a  whole  column  to  a 
description  in  anticipation  of  the  displays  which  will  be  made  by 
the  long  columns  of  citizen  soldiers,  but  the  cry  for  "Copy, 
Copy"  from  our  hungry  printers  constrains  us  to  desist. 

Through  the  kindness  of  the  late  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt, 
an  Academy  boy  at  the  time  of  which  he  writes,  we  have 
in  his  manuscript  ^^ Personal  Reminiscences^^  this  vivid  word- 
picture  of  what  he  himself  beheld.  Regretting  the  necessary 
omission  of  much  that  is  interesting  and  most  entertaining, 
we  quote: 


Training  Days  267 

Every  autumn  we  had  the  excitement  of  the  "General 
Training"  of  the  militia.  At  first  there  were  the  days  given  to 
company  drill,  both  infantry  and  cavalry;  but  these  were  unim- 
portant preliminaries  to  the  day  when  the  whole  brigade  was  to 
be  inspected.  This  generally  came  on  one  of  those  clear,  de- 
lightful days  in  October,  when  the  driving  farm  work  was  all 
accomplished  and  the  military  sacrifice  was  least  onerous  to 
patriotic  citizens.  .  .  .  The  early  hours  found  peddlers  and 
venders  securing  favorable  stands  for  trade  along  the  margin  of 
the  streets,  until,  as  the  day  advanced,  they  lined  the  side-walks 
throughout  the  village  center.  Cheap  wares  of  all  kinds  were  on 
sale;  new  cider  and  ginger-bread  in  great  cards  were  the  regular 
menu,  but  the  variety  of  eatables  was  large.  The  peddlers 
mounted  their  wagons  and  pushed  their  wares  with  a  "patter" 
peculiar,  and  probably  now  obsolete.  The  rustics  were  convulsed 
by  the  wit  of  these  loud-voiced  salesmen,  and  preposterous  pur- 
chases were  made  under  the  excitement  of  the  extravagant  laud- 
ation of  the  wares.  A  continuous  stream  of  wagons  brought  in 
the  prospective  warriors  and  the  crowds  of  sight-seers.  The  mili- 
tary evolutions  were  performed  in  a  large  field  south  of  the  vil- 
lage, and  thither  some  repaired  to  take  part  in  or  observe  the 
first  and  preparatory  movements,  while  others  awaited  about  the 
hotel  to  see  the  reviewing  officers  arrive.  Two  or  three  knaves 
usually  had  about  the  little  triangle  in  the  village  center  their 
gambling  apparatus  in  the  form  of  a  "sweat-board."  .  .  .  Cider 
foamed  at  every  corner  and  gingerbread  was  consumed  by  the 
square  rod.  ...  At  length  the  general  and  staff  arrived  and 
after  refreshments  at  the  tavern  repaired  to  the  field.  How 
gorgeous  they  looked  in  their  uniforms,  with  bright  insignia  and 
resplendent  equipments!  As  we  followed  them  we  noted  the 
caracoling  of  the  steeds  as  if  they  smelt  the  battle  afar  off,  and 
the  clashing  of  scabbards,  and  the  agitation  of  the  fur-covered 
holsters  containing  mysterious  pistols — and  as  we  gazed  upon  all 
this  glittering  paraphernalia,  suggestive  of  military  glory,  we  were 
ourselves  puffed  up  with  warlike  conceits  and  imitated  the  cur- 
vetting of  the  chargers.  I  have  not  the  comic  power  to  portray 
that  review.  Our  militia  laws  ...  set  forth  that  every  sound 
male  between  the  ages  of  18  and  45  should  appear  for  inspection 
each  year,  "armed  and  equipped  as  the  law  provides."     This 


268  Old  RinderHooK 

appearance  had  in  most  instances  become  perfunctory,  in  order 
to  escape  court-martial  and  fine.  [We  interpolate — that  we  have 
read  with  becoming  awe  of  the  court-martialling  of  our  late 
beloved  and  most  genial  friend,  Jacob  Cook.  He  was  found 
guilty  and  fined  the  cost  of  refreshments  for  all  concerned.]  As 
a  consequence  the  great  mass  of  those  liable  did  appear,  most  of 
them  without  uniform  and  in  motley  attire ;  or  when  in  a  military 
garb,  it  was  not  uniform  but  representing  every  fashion  since 
1 8 12:  and  they  were  "armed  and  equipped"  in  the  most  hetero- 
genous manner,  with  muskets  (some  of  Revolutionary  date), 
rifles,  shot-guns  and  often  with  broom-sticks  and  other  make- 
shifts. This  Falstaffian  army,  without  any  previous  drill  of 
moment  went  through  certain  evolutions  in  the  presence  of  the 
inspecting  officers,  which  were  as  ludicrous  as  possible.  .  .  . 
Even  now  I  can  call  up  ridiculous  pictures  of  that  grotesque 
brigade  headed  by  a  pompous  drum-major  with  his  band  of 
sonorous  drums  and  ear-piercing  fifes  as  they  marched  about  the 
field.  There  was  relief  in  the  contingent  of  companies  that  were 
regularly  uniformed,  equipped  and  armed.  These  were  from 
the  villages  and  were  fairly  drilled.  When  the  military  array 
was  dismissed  the  crowd  of  soi-disant  soldiers  and  spectators 
returned  to  the  village  center,  where  the  peddlers,  venders  and 
gamblers  renewed  their  vociferous  solicitations.  The  consump- 
tion of  gingerbread  and  cider  increased,  and  the  general  hubbub 
and  uproar  became  indescribable.  ...  As  night  approached 
the  results  of  the  deep  potations  were  evinced  by  fights  in  which 
both  whites  and  blacks  indiscriminately  indulged.  These  con- 
tests were  often  brutally  severe,  while  there  was  no  police  force 
to  quell  disturbances  or  arrest  offenders.  It  was  a  great  relief 
to  tired  villagers  when  the  last  wagon-load  of  roisterers  departed 
and  the  accustomed  quiet  and  repose  returned  to  our  streets. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  "General  Training"  fell  into  dis- 
repute and  "innocuous  desuetude." 

A  JULY  FESTIVAL 

We  conclude  our  already  over-long  chapter  with  "Ethel- 
wolf's"  pleasing  narrative  in  the  Rough  Notes  of  July  6, 
1854: 


A.  Jvily  Festival  269 

The  July  Festival. — I  had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  on 
Saturday  afternoon  of  last  week,  as  gay  and  happy  a  scene  as 
ever  passed  before  me :  therefore  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  tender  for 
myself  and  others,  to  Miss  Bruce,  the  intelligent  and  beautiful 
authoress,  the  graceful  Queen  and  "Lady  Bountiful"  of  the 
occasion,  most  heartfelt  thanks. 

"The  Festival,"  for  such  in  truth  it  was,  was  held  in  the 
Grove, — that  beautiful  spot  which  adorns  and  adds  romantic 
charm  to  our  village.  The  pleasures  of  the  day  commenced  with 
dancing  on  the  soft  green  carpet  of  the  woods;  after  which,  the 
clear  melodious  voice  of  Miss  Siehof  drew  around  her  all  the 
lovers  of  pure,  rolling,  echo-answering  songs.  The  bright-eyed 
singer  "touched  her  guitar"  with  all  the  graceful  ease  and  bold 
truthfulness  of  Spain's  famed  lover  knights.  Immediately  upon 
the  conclusion  of  the  singing,  Francis  Silvester,  a  young  gentle- 
man of  high  poetic  temperament,  a  student  of  law,  and  I  believe 
a  native  of  our  village,  delivered  an  exquisite  address  to  the 
ladies  and  gentlemen  assembled.  He  spoke  of  the  sun  and  the 
flowers,  the  moon  and  the  stars — the  nymphs  in  white  robes  and 
blue  muslin  aprons — the  graces,  the  fauns,  the  zephyrs,  and  all 
other  sylvan  deities  of  whatever  age,  name  or  progression 
mythology  has  placed  them; — he  also  talked  right  eloquent  of 
a  certain  nosegay  of  white  flowers  to  which  ever  and  anon  he  gave 
his  nose,  pronouncing  it  to  be  an  emblem  of  the  purity  which 
surrounded  him.  The  speech  was  well  adapted  to  the  occasion, 
well  committed  to  memory;  and  the  sentences  falling  trippingly 
from  his  tongue  in  Horatian  measure,  gave  a  heartiness  to 
the  sentiments,  reflecting  great  credit  upon  the  talented 
author. 

Soon  after  the  ending  of  the  Esquire's  "eflfort"  and  while 
the  effect  of  it  yet  lingered  in  the  breasts  of  the  fauns  &c.,  bird- 
like calls  announced  that  the  feast  was  ready — it  was  a  feast 
indeed;  one  so  tastefully  spread  and  bountifully  served  I  never 
saw  excelled — there  was  almost  everything  to  regale  the  senses 
and  mind.  Music  and  dancing  concluded  the  "feast  of  Flora" 
and  I  returned  home  happy  in  the  thought  that  I  had  for  a  few 
hours  been  forgetful  of  the  world  and  its  crude  edges. 


CHAPTER  IX 
CHURCHES  AND  SCHOOLS 

Churches:  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch — St.  Luke's  Lutheran — Presbyter- 
ian— Baptist — M.  E.  Church,  Valatie — M.  E.  Church,  Kinderhook — St. 
Paul's  Protestant  Episcopal — Bethel,  A.  M.  E. — St.  John  the  Baptist,  R. 
C. — Niverville  M.  E.  Schools:  Earliest  Schools  and  Teachers — 
Columbia  Academy — The  2d  Building — The  Crandell  Incident — The 
3d  Building — Boarding  House — Decline  and  Extinction — An  Apprecia- 
tion— Colonel  Burt's  Recollections — District  Schools — Union  Free  School 
— Valatie  High  School. 

THE  REFORMED  PROTESTANT  DUTCH  CHURCH,    1 677  {circo) 

THIS  church,  which  from  about  1677  had  been  a  mission 
of  the  mother  church  at  Albany,  became  an  independent 
organization  in  1712,  and  for  more  than  a  century  was  the 
only  church  in  Old  Kinderhook.  The  only  older  churches 
between  Albany  and  New  York  are,  in  chronological  order, 
Kingston,  New  Paltz,  Tappan,  Tarrytown,  and  Rochester, 
Ulster  county. 

Petrus  Van  Driessen,  who  made  the  first  entries  in  the 
church  records  here,  styled  himself  "regular  minister  at 
Albany,  occasional  at  Kinderhook. "  Theretofore  communi- 
cants living  here  were  enrolled  at  Albany  and  were  wont  to 
attend  service  there  occasionally.  Until  the  ringing  of  the 
second  bell  Albany  barbers  were  permitted  to  shave  non- 
residents who  had  come  to  attend  church  services.  In 
Albany  were  recorded  all  baptisms  and  marriages  here  until 

1 716,  when  the  local  records  begin.     The  records  of  1716 

270 


CHvarches  and  ScKools  271 

speak  of  the  existing  church  edifice  as  "very  old  and  much 
too  small,"  In  1704  the  Albany  records  tell  of  the  sending 
of  wine  here  for  sacramental  use.  In  1702  we  have  the 
precentor  Van  Vleck  episode  already  narrated ;  and  he  was 
the  third  who  had  thus  served  the  church;  the  first-named 
being  Hendrick  Abelsen,  one  of  the  patentees  of  the  Powell 
grant  in  1664.  In  Miller's  New  York  Considered  and  Im- 
proved the  Kinderhook  church  is  spoken  of  as  having  in 
1695  sent  (doubtless  to  Holland)  for  a  minister,  evidently 
without  avail.  In  1686  the  Albany  records  reveal  the  pur- 
chase of  nails  for  the  repair  of  the  Kinderhook  church;  and 
in  1684  Jochem  Lammerse  (Van  Valkenburgh)  is  credited 
with  114  guilders  collected  here  for  the  mother  church.  The 
Church  and  the  School  were  deemed  by  the  Holland  fathers 
essential  adjuncts,  or  rather  prime  necessities  of  their  smallest 
settlements.  Comforters  of  the  sick,  voorleezers  (readers), 
and  "tuners  of  Psalms,"  who  should  also  be  school- 
masters, were  indispensable  everywhere.  The  Fort  Orange 
Court  Records  reveal  the  appointment  (January  2,  1677)  of 
Dominie  Schaats,  Cornelis  Van  Dyck,  and  Jan  Jansen 
Bleycker  as  a  committee  to  choose  a  voorleezer  for  Kinder- 
hook. Evidently  the  beginnings  of  the  church  here  are  to  be 
placed  much  nearer  1670  than  1712. 

The  history  of  this  venerable  church  and  mother  of 
churches  is  worthy  of  and  should  have  a  volume  of  its  own. 
The  two  volumes  of  Dutch  records  (171 6-1800)  should  be 
translated  and  printed  before  the  fading  ink  and  the  some- 
times hen-track  chirography  become  totally  illegible.  An 
historical  discourse  by  the  late  Benjamin  Van  Zandt,  D.D., 
and  three  by  the  present  pastor-emeritus  tell  the  story  with 
some  degree  of  fullness  but  are  of  necessity  inadequate.  A 
brief  abstract  of  these  with  a  few  added  items  of  interest 
is  all  we  can  properly  give.  The  few  minor  details  of  this 
record  which  may  differ  from  any  hitherto  printed  narrative 
are  due  to  fuller  and  more  accurate  information. 

The  first  small  plain  wooden  edifice,  of  1677  or  earlier, 


272  Old  RinderKooK 

stood  nearly  opposite  the  present  Methodist  church.  A 
presumably  fairly  accurate  representation  of  it,  copied  from 
a  sampler  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  John  K.  Pierce,  we  have 
reproduced,  with  lines  straightened  and  perspective  some- 
what improved. 

The  second  building  (after  171 7)  was  erected  not  far 
from  the  southeast  corner  of  Mrs.  J.  A.  Reynolds's  present 
lawn.  It  has  often  been  described  to  us  by  aged  persons  now 
gone,  and  we  judge  that  it  was  modeled  after  the  old  Albany 
church.  The  familiar  cut  of  the  latter,  reduced  in  size, 
would  suffice  for  the  former  as  well.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
of  brick  which  was  used  in  the  building  of  the  third  edifice 
on  the  present  site  in  18 14.  It  was  square  in  shape,  with  a 
peaked  roof  and  belfry  in  the  center.  The  stove,  when 
introduced  after  much  opposition,  was  on  an  elevated  plat- 
form in  the  center,  reached  by  a  ladder.  On  one  side  of  the 
high,  wine-glass  shaped  pulpit  were  seats  for  the  Consistory, 
and  on  the  other  for  "magistrates,  captains  and  colonels." 
There  were  at  first  two  and  finally  four  galleries,  making  a 
total  seating  capacity  of  three  hundred.  At  a  desk  in  front 
of  the  pulpit  sat  the  voorleezer,  an  ofhce  long  filled  by  Arent 
and  Henry  Van  Dyck.  Parts  of  the  service  fell  to  him;  but 
to  the  small  boys,  his  most  impressive  function  was  to  adjust 
notices  in  the  split  end  of  a  slender  rod  and  hand  them  to  the 
dominie  to  read.  Offerings  were  received  in  bags  at  the  end 
of  poles  long  enough  to  reach  the  end  of  the  pew  and  excel- 
lent for  prodding  those  wont  to  be  absent-minded  at  such 
times.  In  some  instances  little  bells  covered  by  a  tassel 
were  attached  to  these  bags.  Their  sweet  tinkling  was  better, 
we  think,  than  the  floods  of  noise  from  organs  (supposed  to 
be  music),  which  we  have  sometimes  heard;  and  the  som- 
nolent may  well  have  preferred  the  chiming  of  the  bell  to  the 
prodding  of  a  stick.  Dr.  Sickles  was  wont  to  preface  this 
part  of  worship  with  the  words:  "Let  us  now  consider  the 
wants  of  the  poor  and  the  exigencies  of  this  Society." 

The  third  edifice,  begun  in  18 13,  was  completed  and 


CKvircKes  and  ScHools  273 

dedicated  the  next  year.  Its  cost  was  nearly  $12,000,  and 
that  of  the  imposing  fence  surrounding  it  more  than  $800. 
The  site  was  given  by  the  Van  Schaack,  Silvester,  and  Wyn- 
koop  families  whose  burial  plot  in  part  it  was,  and  which 
was  enclosed  by  the  foundation  walls  nearest  Broad  Street. 
Available  material  from  the  second  building  was  used;  and 
during  the  summer  of  18 14  Sunday  services  were  held  in  the 
then  new  barn  of  John  I.  Pruyn,  which  was  burned  a  few 
years  since  while  owned  by  the  late  Edward  Van  Buren. 

During  the  pastorate  of  the  Reverend  B.  Van  Zandt 
the  building  was  lengthened  about  one  third  in  the  rear, 
and  the  main  edifice  made  substantially  the  same  size  as  the 
present  one.  The  large  box  pew  in  the  southeast  corner 
was  that  habitually  and  reverently  occupied  by  the  ex- 
President.  We  well  remember  the  grease  spot  on  the  wall 
against  which  he  was  wont  to  lean  his  head,  sometimes  with 
a  glove  on  the  top  of  it  as  a  protection  against  drafts.  Re- 
ceipted bills  and  the  cash  book  of  expenditures  in  the  erec- 
tion of  this  church  are  before  us,  and  we  note,  as  illustrating 
old-time  habits,  that  from  beginning  to  end  every  page  has 
numerous  charges  for  rum. 

This  ''holy  and  beautiful  house"  (renovated  and  re- 
decorated many  times)  was  burned  December  14,  1867. 
For  more  than  a  year  the  long-abandoned  Baptist  church 
(now  the  Guion  tenement)  was  used  for  worship. 

The  fourth  and  present  edifice  in  which  portions  of  the 
old  walls  were  used  was  dedicated  May  19,  1869.  July  14, 
1870,  a  narrowly  sweeping  tornado  prostrated  the  spire, 
much  higher  and  more  graceful  than  the  present  one.  There 
were  those  who  said  pride  did  it.  We  said  the  debt  of 
|io,ooo  did  it.  At  all  events  the  debt  and  $6000  more  for 
repairs  to  the  almost  wrecked  chapel  and  injured  church 
were  speedily  raised,  and  "no  debt"  has  been  a  sacred 
watchword  ever  since. 

The  first  known  parsonage  was  possibly  the  present 

Scully-Clapp  house.     The  third  pastor,  Johannes  Ritzema, 
18 


274  Old  RinderHooK 

certainly  lived  and  was  first  buried  there;  but  it  may  have 
been  and  in  fact  at  one  time  was  his  private  property.  The 
very  old  Heermance-Farrar-Schnapper  house  was  certainly 
the  parsonage  for  very  many  years;  and  the  church  owned 
all  the  land  from  Maiden  Lane  up  to  and  including  the 
present  Bank  corner  and  the  old  cemetery  in  the  present 
road  way  beyond.  The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1 836 
on  land  bought  of  Captain  John  I.  Pruyn. 

There  were  much  earlier  church  officials,  but  the  first  of 
record  (1716-1718)  were  these: 

Onderlingen  Diakonen 

Burger  Huyck  Abram  Jansen  (Van  Alstyne) 

Ghert  (Melgert)  Vanderpoel  Bart.  Van  Valkenburgh 

Dirk  Goes  Stephanus  Van  Alen 

Pieter  Van  Alen  Pieter  Van  Buren 

The  earliest  records  are  dated  May  27,  1716,  and  are 
in  the  handwriting  of  Rev.  Dr.  Petrus  Van  Driessen  of 
Albany.  Many  resident  communicants  were  still  enrolled 
in  Albany,  for  he  records  only  these  twelve  church  members : 
Leender  Connyn,  Andries  Prosie,  Thenis  Van  Slyck,  Thomas 
Wiler,  Catrina  Verrin,  Elsie  Valkenburgh,  Ariaentie  Mulder, 
Ariaentie  Vanderpoel,  Breghie  Wieler,  Eva  Valkenburgh, 
Maria  Wieler,  Catrena  Van  Slyck.  Later  are  added,  the 
familiar  names,  Van  Dyck,  Huyck,  Dingman,  Van  Alstyne, 
Vandecar,  Vosburgh,  Van  Alen,  and  Gardenier.  Quite 
possibly,  however,  these  were  but  his  additions  to  a  pre- 
viously existing  roll  long  since  lost. 

The  first  marriage  he  records,  reciting  the  previous 
publication  of  the  banns  three  times,  is  that  of  Jochem 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Jr.,  and  Elsie  Klauw,  June  6,  17 17. 

The  first  two  recorded  baptisms,  without  date  but 
doubtless  not  later  than  171 8,  we  reproduce  as  nearly  as 
may  be: 


CHxircHes  and  ScHools 


275 


Parents 

evert  wielaer 
jessyna  wielaer 

jan  tysse  goes 
eytie  goes 


jackemyntie 


pieter 


Sponsors 

pieter  van  bueren 
ariaentie  van  bueren 

pieter  vosburgh 
bregie  goes 


We  cannot  identify  the  recorder.    The  name  "Evert"  is  our 
conjecture  verified  by  later  records. 

Although  organized  in  17 12  the  Church  continued  to  be 
dependent  largely  upon  the  ministrations  of  the  Albany 
pastors  for  about  fifteen  years.  During  a  portion  of  this 
interval  the  Reverend  John  J.  Oehl  (Ehle)  rendered  con- 
siderable service  here. 


Pastors 


I. 

Johannes  Van  Driessen 

1727- 

1735 

2. 

Johannes  Casparus 

Fryenmoet 

1756- 

1777 

3- 

Johannes  Ritzema 

1779- 

-1789 

4- 

Isaac  Labagh 

1789- 

■1801 

5- 

Jacob  Sickles 

1801- 

■1835 

6. 

Enoch  Van  Aken 

1834- 

■1835 

7. 

Henry  Heermance 

1835- 

■1836 

8.  John  C.  Vandervoort     1 837-1 842 

9.  Benjamin  Van  Zandt  1 842-1 852 

10.  Ohver  Bronson  1 854-1 857 

11.  J.  Romeyn  Berry  1 857-1 863 

1 2 .  Edward  A.  CoUier  1 864- 1 907 

and  since  '07  Pastor-emeritus 

13.  Charles  W.  Burrowes   1908-19 14 


Christmas  day,  1788  (Columbia  County  Records,  Book  A, 
p.  49)  the  Consistory  became  an  incorporated  body  in  accord- 
ance with  a  previous  Act  of  the  Legislature.  The  title,  the 
legal  one  to-day,  is — ' '  The  Ministers,  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Kinderhook,  in 
the  County  of  Columbia."  The  incorporators  were — Johan- 
nis  Ritzema,  Minister  pro  tem;  Martin  Van  Alstyne,  Laurens 
Van  Dyck,  Herman  Pruyn,  and  Peter  Van  Buren,  elders ;  John 
Pruyn,  John  E.  Van  Alen,  Hendrick  Duyker,  and  Hendrick  H. 
Claw,  deacons.  The  certificate  of  incorporation,  prepared  by 
Peter  Silvester,  and  recorded  January  2,  1789,  is  still  in  the 
possession  of  the  Consistory  as  is  also  the  Church  Seal  (a 
mother  surrounded  by  children)  adopted  at  the  same  time. 


276  Old  IlinderKooK 

Considering  the  thousands  of  infants  brought  to  her  baptismal 
font  (in  the  year  1782,  selected  at  random,  iii)  and  re- 
membering the  churches — Schodack,  Stuyvesant,  Marshall- 
town  (extinct),  Valatie  (Presbyterian),  Ghent,  2d.  Ghent, 
Chatham,  and  Stuyvesant  Falls,  organized  wholly  or  in  part 
from  her  membership,  the  appropriateness  of  her  representa- 
tion as  a  mother  of  children  in  Children's  Comer  is  obvious. 

ST.  Luke's  evangelical  Lutheran  church,    valatie, 

1826 

This  church  was  organized  October  7,  1826,  by  the 
Rev.  Jacob  Burger.  The  edifice,  the  comer  stone  of 
which  was  laid  May  6,  1828,  was  dedicated  on  the  i6th 
of  the  following  November.  Previously  thereto  the  congre- 
gation had  worshiped  in  what  was  termed  "the  Church 
room."  The  same  building,  several  times  renovated,  is  in 
present  use.  The  first  Trustees  were:  Peter  T.  Van  Slyck, 
John  I.  Van  Buren,  Esq.,  and  John  M.  Pultz.  The  first 
Elders  were:  Jacob  Goodemoet,  Adam  Trimper,  Tunis 
Sour.  The  first  Deacons  were:  George  Tator,  John  P. 
Marquot,  and  George  M.  Pultz.  The  first  public  celebration 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  by  the  Church  was  November  5,  1826, 
at  which  time  the  following  charter  members  received  the 
Holy  Communion:  Adam  Trimper  and  w4fe,  John  M. 
Pultz  and  wife,  George  M.  Pultz  and  wife,  George  Tator 
and  wife,  Jacob  P.  Miller  and  wife,  Peter  Van  Slyck  and  wife, 
Tunis  Sour,  Anna  Wetherwax,  Margaret  Pultz,  Sallyetta 
Pultz,  Jacob  Goodemoet,  John  Gushing,  and  Thomas  Watson. 
The  first  infant  baptized  was  Mary  Eleanor,  daughter  of 
John  and  Maria  Marquot.  The  first  confirmed  were  Peter 
T.  Van  Slyck  and  Christina  his  wife.  The  first  marriage  was 
October  i,  1827;  the  contracting  parties  being  John  Groat 
and  Anna  Mickel.  The  first  death  was  Melissa,  wife  of 
Peter  J.  Pultz,  October  30,  1826. 

The  following  pastors  have  served  St.  Luke's: 


St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church,  Valatie 

From  a  photograph 


CHvircHes  and  ScHools  277 

1826-  '38,  Jacob  Berger  1872-    '76  J.  S.  Harkey 

1839-  '42,  Reuben  Dederick  1876-    '78,  Jeremiah  Zimmerman,  D.D. 

1843-  '44,  J.  Fiero  Smith  1878-    '81,  P.  F.  Sutphen 

1844-  '51,  W.  D.  Strobel  1881-    '86,  Laurent  D.  Wells 
1851-  '52,  C.  Remensnyder  1886-    '87,  E.  M.  Hubler 
1853-  '57,  M.  Sheeleigh,  D.D.  1887-    '91,  John  Kling 
1857-  '59,  W.  W.  Gulick  1 89 1-    '94,  C.  L.  Barringer 
i860-  '65,  Irving  Magee,  D.D.  1 895-1903,  W.  H.  Graves 
1866-  '68,  F.  M.  Bird,  D.D.  1903-    'ii,  George  G.  Whitbeck 
1869-  '72,  J.  S.  C.  Weills  1911- ,  G.  D.  Strail 

Reverend  Mr.  Whitbeck,  who  kindly  furnished  these  details, 
justly  adds:  "St.  Luke's  Lutheran  Church  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  progressive  in  this  vicinity.  Her  members 
have  been  from  the  beginning  an  intelligent  people  of 
aggressive  Christian  spirit." 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  VALATIE.      1 833 

This  was  organized,  September  6,  1833,  by  the  Classis 
of  Rensselaer  as  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of 
Kinderhook,  the  mother  Church  of  Kinderhook  contributing 
fifty-two  charter  members.  The  first  officials  were — Pastor, 
Reverend  David  Cushing,  Elders — George  Brown,  George 
P.  Horton,  and  John  G.  Shoemaker.  Deacons — Jacob  D. 
Hoffman,  Anthony  J.  Pulver,  and  Henry  G.  Seism.  About  a 
year  later  the  congregation  voted  to  become  Presbyterian 
and  was  transferred  from  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Columbia. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  a  frame  structure  (now  the 
Opera  House)  built  in  1834  ^^^  costing  $3216.  The  second 
and  present  beautiful  building  of  brick  with  blue-limestone 
trimmings,  and  costing  about  $13,000,  was  dedicated  June 
II,  1878.  Charles  H.  Houseman,  David  Strain,  and  H.  S. 
Miller  were  the  efficient  building  committee. 

The  pastors  or  Stated  Supplies  have  been:  i833-'35, 
David  Cushing.  '35-'37,  Washington  Roosevelt.  *4i-'47, 
J.  E.  Rockwell.  '47-'48,  J.  Slocum.  '48-'55,  H.  E.  Niles. 
'56-'59,    S.    R.    Dimmock.      '6o-'63,    WilHam    Whittaker. 


278  Old  RinderHook 

'64-'69,  C.  T.  Berry.  '69-';!,  G.  0.  Phelps.  '74-'77,  J-  C. 
Boyd.  '78-'82,  S.  Carlisle.  '85-'87,  H.  K.  Walker.  '88- 
'90,  T.  E.  Davis.  '90-92,  H.  P.  Bake  (S.  S.).  '92-1900, 
Edward  Stratton.  i900-'o6,  A.  C.  Wyckoff.  '07-'! i,  J.  H. 
Hollister.    '11-      T.  J.  Kirkwood. 

The  present  (191 3)  officials  are:  Pastor,  Reverend 
Thomas  J.  Kirkwood.  Elders:  Charles  Wild,  John  Busby, 
R.  R.  Richmond,  J.  C.  Kittell,  Frank  Eighmey,  George  S. 
Gardenier. 

BAPTIST  CHURCH  OF  KINDERHOOK.      1 834 

This  Church  was  incorporated  in  1834,  with  Horace 
Bidwell,  Z.  E.  Reynolds,  and  F.  D.  Tucker  as  Trustees.  H. 
W.  Peckham,  A.  I.  Loomis,  and  T.  M.  Burt  were  also  among 
its  more  notable  supporters.  It  flourished  for  a  few  years, 
using  the  Creek  near  the  bridges  for  its  Baptistry,  but  its 
life  was  short.  Losses  by  removal  and  otherwise  made  the 
burden  of  maintenance  too  great  for  the  few  faithful  who 
remained,  and  the  organization  was  soon  disbanded.  The 
church  edifice,  built  in  1827,  was  thereafter  devoted  to 
secular  uses  and  ultimately  became  the  property  of  the 
Guion  family. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH,    VALATIE.       1 835 

This  was  organized  in  1835.  The  first  Trustees  were 
John  Penoyer,  Stephen  Moorehouse,  David  Lant,  Francis 
Schermerhorn,  John  B.  Steeves,  Joseph  Lawrence,  and 
William  M.  Wilcox.  The  church  edifice  built  in  1844, 
remodeled  and  many  times  improved,  together  with  the 
adjoining  parsonage  are  valued  at  $6000. 

Of  the  service  of  the  first  eight  pastors  we  have  been 
unable  to  obtain  any  details  beyond  their  names.  They 
were:  Elijah  Crawford,  J.  N.  Schaffer,  P.  R.  Stover,  R.  T. 
Wade,  C.  C.  Bedell,  A.  A.  Farr,  J.  W.  Belknap,  and  WilHam 
Clark.     The  present  pastor,  the  Reverend  W.  C.  Heisler, 


H 


CKxircHes  and  ScHools  279 

kindly  furnished  the  following  names  and  dates:  M.  D. 
Jump,  1871.  J.  C.  Fenton,  '74.  C.  A.  S.  Heath,  '76.  Joseph 
Zweifel,  '79.  S.  W.  Clemens,  '82.  J.  H.  Robinson,  '83. 
W.  L.  Smith,  '86.  George  C.  Morehouse,  '91.  J.  W. 
Quinlan,  '92.  W.  T.  Lewis,  '97.  W.  H.  Flouton,  '99.  F. 
O.  Winans,  1901.  C.  E.  Green,  '03.  J.  H.  Robinson,  '05. 
G.  H.  Dow,  '08.  J.  A.  Thomas,  '11.  Walter  C.  Heisler, 
1912. 

The  present  officials  (1913)  are:  Thomas  Mesick,  J.  W. 
Mesick,  M.  H.  Gregg,  J.  D.  Tompkins,  J.  I.  Miller,  H.  C. 
North,  J.  E.  Snyder  and  James  Lawrence. 

THE     METHODIST     EPISCOPAL     CHURCH     IN     KINDERHOOK 

1843 

This  was  organized  in  1843.  Previous  to  that  time, 
however,  a  Class  had  been  formed  and  services  held  under 
Methodist  pastors  both  from  the  New  York  and  Troy  Con- 
ferences. As  the  records  of  the  different  charges  in  the 
several  circuits  were  not  carefully  inscribed  nor  faithfully 
preserved,  the  early  history  of  the  Society  is  somewhat 
obscure.  From  i836-'38  the  Kinderhook  Society  was  in- 
cluded in  the  circuit  under  the  name  of  the  Kinderhook  and 
Schodack  Mission,  of  which  the  Rev.  Joshua  Poor  was 
the  pastor.  In  1838  it  was  probably  part  of  the  Chatham 
Circuit,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Cicero  Barber. 
Both  of  these  circuits  were  in  the  Troy  Conference.  In 
1839,  Kinderhook  was  transferred  to  the  New  York  Con- 
ference under  the  jurisdiction  of  which  it  remained  until 
1848,  when  it  was  re-transferred  to  Troy  where  it  has  since 
continued. 

An  interesting  sidelight  upon  the  work  of  Methodism  in 
the  early  part  of  the  last  century  is  given  by  the  fact  that 
during  the  summer  season  services  were  frequently  held  in 
the  covered  bridges  south  of  the  village. 

The  regular  meeting  of  the  organization  and  the  election 


28o  Old  RinderKooK 

of  Trustees  was  held  July  24,  1843.  The  Rev.  Elijah 
Crawford,  of  New  York  Conference,  pastor  in  charge,  was 
Chairman,  and  Joseph  B.  Jenkins,  Secretary.  Joseph  B. 
Jenkins,  John  W.  Stickles,  Jesse  Merwin,  Francis  W. 
Bradley,  Henry  Snyder,  Andrew  H.  Kittle,  and  William 
Thomas  were  elected  Trustees.  A  building  committee  was 
appointed  consisting  of  F.  W.  Bradley,  J.  W.  Stickles,  and 
J.  B.  Jenkins.  The  first  church  building  was  erected  later 
the  same  year  by  Chrysler  &  Hoes;  the  specifications  call- 
ing for  a  frame  building  thirty-five  by  fifty  feet.  In  1871, 
under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Quinlan,  a  new 
church  was  built  upon  the  same  site.  In  1906,  the  Rev. 
G.  W.  Sisum  being  pastor,  the  basement  was  fitted  up  as  a 
prayer-room,  parlor,  etc.  In  '94  the  house  south  of  the 
church  was  purchased  of  S.  N.  Brown  as  a  parsonage. 

Since  1848,  when  the  church  was  transferred  to  the  Troy 
Conference,  the  pastors  have  been  as  follows : 

1848-  ,  Hiram  Chase  1871-        ,  J.  W.  Quinlan 

1849-  ,  S.  Gardiner  1872-        ,  William  Ryan 

1850-  ,  J.  Leonard  1873-    '75,  Elam  Marsh 

1851-  '52,  P.  R.  Stover  1876-    '78,  J.  P.  Haller 
1853-    '54,  Oren  Gregg  and  Thomas  A.  Griffin  1879-    '80,  Webster  Ingersoll 

1855-  ,  Seymour  Coleman  1881-    '83,  U.  D.  Hitchcock 

1856-  ,  Gilbert  Ward  1884-    '85,  J.  B.  Sylvester 

1857-  '58,  Richard  T.  Wade  1886-    '89,  Jacob  M.  Appleman 
1859-         ,  J.  G.  Phillips  1890-         ,  Nelson  C.  Parker 
i860-  '61,  A.  C.  Rose  1893-    '95,  J.  H.  C.  Cooper 
1862-  '63,  Hiram  Chase  1 896-1 900,  Eugene  S.  Morey 

1864-  ,  J.  W.  Belknap  1901-    '06,  G.  W.  Sisum 

1865-  '67,  W.  Clark  1907-    '11,  Arthur  H.  Robinson 

1868-  ,  J.  W.  Quinlan  1911- ,  William  E.  Slocum 

1869-  '70,  S.  S.  Ford 

ST.  Paul's  p.  e.  church,  kinderhook.    1850 

Among  those  most  prominently  identified  with  the 
organization  of  this  church  were — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Covington 
Guion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Franklin  Guion,  Mr.  David  Van 
Schaack,   General  Charles  Whiting,   Major  Lawrence  Van 


a, 
W 


KikiAi 


CHvircHes  and  ScKools  281 

Buren,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Snyder,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Augustus 
Wynkoop.  Services  were  first  held  in  the  unused  Baptist 
church,  now  the  Guion  tenement  house. 

The  church  edifice  originally  stood  opposite  the  present 
schoolhouse,  on  ground  given  by  Mr.  David  Van  Schaack, 
being  part  of  the  lot  on  which  now  stands  the  residence  of  the 
late  Mrs.  John  Jay  Van  Schaack.  In  1868  the  building  was 
removed  piece  by  piece  to  its  present  site,  bought  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Beekman. 

The  consecration  service  was  held  June  22,  1852.  Bishop 
Carleton  Chase,  of  New  Hampshire,  presiding,  entered  the 
church  accompanied  by  Frederick  T.  Tiffany,  the  Rector, 
followed  by  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  and  these  visiting 
clergymen:  Revs.  Drs.  Kip  of  Albany  and  Van  Kleek  of 
Troy;  Revs.  Waters  of  Kingston,  Adams  of  Rhinebeck,  and 
Hollingsworth  of  Stockport. 

The  Instrument  of  Donation  was  read  by  the  Rector. 
Drs.  Kip  and  Van  Kleek  conducted  the  services.  Rev. 
Mr.  Hollingsworth  reading  the  Lessons,  and  the  Bishop 
preaching  the  sermon  from  Genesis  28:17. 

The  first  officials  were:  Wardens — Franklin  G.  Guion 
and  William  Tetherly;  Vestrymen — Augustus  Wynkoop, 
Henry  Snyder,  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  David  Van  Schaack, 
Smith  T.  Van  Buren,  Charles  L.  Beale,  Samuel  P.  Lee,  and 
Sanford  Salpaugh. 

The  beautiful  marble  altar  was  subsequently  given  by 
the  late  Mrs.  Peter  Bain  in  memory  of  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Mary  Esther  Bain;  the  altar-cross  is  a  memorial  of  Mrs. 
Covington  Guion;  the  font  was  purchased  with  money  left 
the  church  by  Miss  Katherine  Johnson ;  the  spire-cross  was 
erected  in  memory  of  Rev.  Edward  Hale,  by  his  widow; 
and  the  exquisite  chancel  window  is  a  memorial  to  the  late 
Mrs.  Aaron  J.  Vanderpoel,  of  precious  memory. 


282  Old  ninderhooK 

Rectors  and  Officiating  Ministers 

1850-  '56,  Frederick  T.  Tiffany  1875-    '75,  George  Waters,  D.D.,  O.M. 

1856-  '58,  Rolla  O.  Page  1875-    '76,  Robert  B.  Van  Kleeck,  Jr. 

1859-  '62,  Porter  Thomas  1876-    '78,  Newton  Dexter,  O.M. 

1862-  '65,  George  Z.  Gray  1878-  '88,  S.  Hanson  Coxe,  D.D. 

1865-  '66,  Foster  Ely,  O.M.  1888-    '92,  Isaac  Peck 

1866-  '67,  John  R.  Matthews  1893-1903,  James  W.  Smith 

1870-  '71,  Edward  Hale,  O.M.  1903-    '09,  Philip  G.  Snow 

187 1-  '72,  William  H.  Capers  1910-  '12,  John  A.  Bevington 

1912- ,  John  C.  Jagger 

We  are  indebted  for  most  of  the  foregoing  details  to  those 
devoted  friends  of  their  church,  Miss  Elizabeth  and  Mr. 
Henry  S.  Wynkoop. 

The  present  officials  are:  Wardens:  Edward  P.  Van 
Alstyne  and  Frederick  W.  Howard. 

Vestrymen:  Franklin  B.  Van  Alstyne,  William  B.  Van 
Alstyne,  William  Heeney,  Richard  M.  Nelson,  and  Adrian 
Wheeler. 

BETHEL  A.  M.  E.  CHURCH.      1 85 1 

This  church,  organized  in  '51,  was  without  a  house  of 
worship  until  '58,  when  its  site  (100  x  200)  costing  $125  was 
purchased.  In  the  first  instance  the  church  was  served 
occasionally  by  itinerants,  and  at  intervals  by  our  highly 
esteemed  personal  friend  and  most  devoted  lay  preacher 
Peter  Burgett.  We  have  vainly  sought  a  complete  consecu- 
tive list  of  the  ministers  but  the  following  is  nearly  correct: 
Revs.  Henry  Parker,  Doremus,  Thomas,  John  Peter- 
son, William  Jenkins,  Charles  Mowbray,  W.  H.  Ross, 
Charles  Gibbons,  James  Moore,  J.  E.  Shepherd,  J.  O.  Vick, 
J.  Cuff,  and  T.  H.  Schermerhorn  who  now  serves  the  church 
in  connection  with  one  in  Chatham.  Mr.  Ross  was  the  first 
located  here. 

ST.  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 
VALATIE.      1 87 1 

This  originated  in  the  Mission  work  of  Fathers  Roach 
and    Finnegan    of    the    Coxsackie    Parish.      Through    the 


Bethel  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


St.  John  the  Baptist,  Roman  Catholic  Church,  Valatie 


CHxircHes  and  ScHools  283 

energetic  labors  of  the  latter  the  first  Sanctuary  was  erected 
near  Prospect  Hill  cemetery  with  a  Parish  House  adjoining. 
In  1 87 1  or  about  that  time  the  Mission  became  a  Parish 
under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  J.  Brennan.  He  was 
succeeded  in  1874  by  the  Rev.  M.  J.  Griffith  who  ren- 
dered notable  service  until  1895.  The  Rev.  M.  J.  Ko- 
ran followed  him  and  remained  pastor  until  May,  1904, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  M. 
A.  Sheridan.  Under  him  the  present  beautiful  Sanctuary 
of  blue  stone  was  built  in  1906,  at  a  cost  of  about  $20,000. 
The  Parish  is  a  very  large  one  and  draws  many  of  its  mem- 
bers from  Kinderhook  village  and  all  the  surrounding 
country. 

THE  NIVERVILLE  M.  E.  CHURCH 

This  is  an  outgrowth  of  schoolhouse  services  under  the 
care  of  the  North  Chatham  and  Valatie  Methodist  churches. 
The  church  edifice,  costing  about  $2250,  was  dedicated 
November  29,  1877.  The  church  has  been  served  by 
successive  North  Chatham  pastors. 

The  Schools 

Next  to  the  Church  in  the  esteem  of  our  early  settlers 
was  the  School.  In  the  first  instance  and  for  many  years  the 
secular  as  well  as  religious  instruction  of  the  youth  was  a 
part  of  the  work  of  the  Church.  The  voorleezers,  comforters 
of  the  sick,  and  precentors  were  also  schoolmasters.  The  first 
of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge  was  Hendrick  Abelsen, 
one  of  the  Powell  patentees  of  1664.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Jochem  Lammerse  (Van  Valkenburgh)  and  he  by  the  famous 
Paulus  Van  Vleg,  the  occasion  of  much  inconvenience  to  the 
church  officials,  as  noted  hitherto.  One  of  the  deserters 
from  Burgoyne's  army,  when  passing  through  Kinderhook 
as  prisoners  of  war,  was  Andrew  Mayfield  Carshore,  an  im- 
pressed soldier,   who  established  here  an  English  school, 


284  Old   K-inderHooK 

removing  in  1780  to  Claverack  and  attaining  distinction  as 
a  teacher. 

The  deed  of  the  Schermerhorn-Pruyn  estate,  1736,  de- 
scribes the  southerly  boundary  of  the  tract  as  running 
^'through  the  skool  house,''  the  site  of  which  we  conjecture 
to  have  been  on  the  old  road  which  ran  near  the  creek,  not 
far  from  the  home  of  the  late  Mrs,  Beekman.  In  Martin 
Van  Buren's  early  boyhood,  as  his  brother  Lawrence  well 
remembered,  the  village  schoolhouse  (District  No.  8  then, 
now  No.  I.)  stood  near  the  present  home  of  Mr.  E.  L.  Hover. 
It  burrowed  in  the  hill,  graded  since  then,  and  was  so  dark 
winter  mornings  that  candles  were  often  used. 

The  Church  Records  reveal  that  in  1792  the  present  site  of 
the  Central  House  was  sold  by  the  Consistory  to  the  District 
as  a  site  for  a  new  schoolhouse.  The  building  erected  was 
much  more  pretentious  than  any  before  possessed.  The 
higher  department  of  the  school  there  established  was  called 
"the  Academy";  but  the  formal  organization  and  official 
recognition  of  it  as  such  did  not  occur  until  1824.  It  was, 
however,  the  incipient  Academy  which  soon  became  one  of 
the  most  notable  institutions  of  its  kind  in  the  State.  Within 
the  memory  of  some  still  living,  the  wheel  of  that  old 
Academy  bell  was  in  the  garret  of  the  Central  House,  which 
is  in  part  the  old  building  itself. 

But  little  is  known  concerning  the  early  teachers  of  what 
was  called  for  a  time  the  Columbia  Academy.  In  the 
Albany  ''  CentineV  (1800)  was  a  notice  of  a  quarterly  exhi- 
bition of  the  Academy,  revealing  that  its  curriculum  included 
the  Classics;  that  there  were  more  than  sixty  students,  and 
that  the  Principal  was  the  Rev.  D.  B.  Warden.  Subse- 
quently he  moved  to  Kingston  and  in  1804  became  private 
secretary  to  General  John  Armstrong,  U.  S.  Minister  to 
France.  In  March,  1805,  the  Trustees  announced  the  em- 
ployment of  Mr.  Jared  Curtis  as  Principal,  and  that  he  had 
been  recommended  by  President  Fitch  of  Williams  College. 
Elijah  Garfield  and  Joseph  Montague  are  other  traditional 


CKxxrcKes  and  ScKools  285 

names  of  early  principals  of  our  so-called  Academy,  the 
latter  in  18 13. 

In  1822  the  school  Trustees  were  authorized  to  sell  this 
schoolhouse  and  build  another  on  a  different  site.  They  sold 
the  property  for  $900  to  Laurence  Van  Dyck,  Jr.,  and  bought 
the  lot  on  which  Mr.  George  H.  Brown's  dwelling  now  stands. 
His  house,  in  fact,  is  the  very  building  which  they  erected. 
From  the  original  documents,  which  have  been  before  us,  we 
learn  that  the  lot,  fifty  feet  wide  and  extending  back  to  the 
land  of  Peter  Van  Schaack,  was  purchased  of  Judge  Francis 
Silvester  for  $175.  The  deed,  dated  August  6,  1822,  re- 
veals that  the  corner  lot  belonged  at  that  time  to  Henry  L. 
Van  Dyck,  and  that  John  Manton,  Lucas  Goes,  and  William 
Barthrop  were  trustees  of  District  No.  8  to  whom  the  lot  was 
deeded.  While  work  on  the  new  building  was  in  progress 
(1823)  certain  public  spirited  inhabitants  of  the  village 
formed  "The  Kinderhook  Association  for  the  Promotion  of 
Literature. ' '  It  was  composed  of  the  subscribers  to  two 
funds;  the  first  of  $430  (subsequently  increased)  for  the 
enlargement  of  the  building;  and  the  second  of  $1050  for  the 
salary  of  Levi  Glezen,  then  a  noted  teacher  at  Lenox,  Mass., 
as  the  Principal  of  both  School  and  Academy ;  he  to  pay  his 
assistant,  who  was  to  be  a  college  graduate.  Llenry  L.  Van 
Dyck  was  President  of  this  Association;  Peter  I.  Hoes,  Vice- 
President,  and  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Jr.,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  There  were  twenty-four  other  members  of  the 
Association.  Their  project  was  carried  to  a  speedy  and 
successful  issue,  and  June  19,  1823,  the  new  Academy  was 
opened  with  considerable  ceremony.  A  procession  was 
formed  in  front  of  the  old  Academy  and  proceeded  to  the 
new  building  which  was  fitly  dedicated.  The  procession  then 
re-formed,  and  after  a  march  around  the  square  entered  the 
church,  where  appropriate  additional  exercises  were  held,  in- 
cluding an  address  by  Francis  Silvester,  Esq.  The  Academy 
was  incorporated  April  3,  1824.  Its  success  from  the  start 
was  remarkable.     Its  list  of  enrolled  students  for  the  year 


286  Old  RinderHooK 

182^-24.,  is  of  peculiar,  and  in  many  cases  of  very  tender 
interest.  Many  whom,  when  aged  men  and  women,  we 
knew  and  revered,  were  rollicking  boys  and  girls  then.  That 
first  year  there  were  students  from  every  adjacent  town,  not 
only  including  many  from  Hudson,  Claverack,  and  Chatham, 
but  from  New  York,  Albany,  Troy,  Waterford,  Schoharie, 
Middleburgh,  Palatine,  Utica,  Lockport,  and  Coxsackie;  and 
also  from  Massachusetts,  Ohio,  New  Jersey,  Maryland, 
South  Carolina,  and  Georgia.  For  some  years  this  Academy 
was  one  of  the  three  or  four  only  in  the  State  that  could 
prepare  boys  for  college.  As  to  the  relative  importance  of 
the  educational  institutions  of  the  County  we  find  in  the 
record  of  the  distribution  of  the  Literature  Fund  of  the 
State  by  the  Regents,  that  in  1841  the  Hudson  Academy 
received  $93;  Claverack,  $170,  and  Kinderhook  $318.  In 
1 85 1  the  sums  appropriated  were  respectively — $13,  $40, 
and  $303. 

In  the  first  instance  students  from  abroad  were  provided 
with  board  in  private  families  at  $1.50  per  week,  washing 
included.  Later,  principals  received  a  few  students  into 
their  own  homes,  and  boarding-houses  for  students  became 
numerous.  What  we  now  know  as  the  Chrysler  house  was 
at  one  time  a  notable  boarding-house.  Much  of  the  wood- 
work of  the  upper  part  was  scribbled  over  with  names  of 
students,  and  also  with  the  names  of  other  lodgers;  for  it 
was  at  one  time  an  inn.  We  deplore  the  taste  which  ob- 
literated them  with  sandpaper  and  paint. 

The  Act  of  Incorporation  (1824)  requiring  the  election  of 
twelve  Trustees  by  ballot  (subscribers  of  $5.00  or  more  being 
the  electors)  the  following  first  Board  of  Trustees  was  duly 
elected:  Henry  L.  Van  Dyck,  Francis  Silvester,  James 
Vanderpoel,  James  Clark,  Samuel  Hawley,  John  G.  Philip, 
John  P.  Beekman,  John  I.  Pruyn,  Peter  I.  Hoes,  Julius 
Wilcoxson,  Arent  Van  Vleck,  and  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Jr., 
Mr.  Silvester  declining  to  serve,  John  Manton  was  chosen 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 


CHurcKes  and  ScHools  287 

October  19,  1825,  our  villagers  were  horrified  to  hear 
that  an  Academy  student,  Eber  L.  Crandell,  in  an  alterca- 
tion with  another  student,  Charles  Taylor,  had  been  killed. 
The  latter  was  at  once  arrested  and  soon  thereafter  indicted 
for  murder  in  the  first  degree.  The  trial  was  in  April,  1826, 
before  Judges  Duer,  J.  Miller,  Burton,  and  Butler.  District- 
attorney  Wilcoxson  was  assisted  by  Mr.  Jordan,  while 
Messrs.  Williams,  Oakley,  Vanderpoel,  and  Butler  appeared 
for  the  prisoner.  The  trial  lasted  from  Friday  morning  until 
early  Sunday  morning  when  the  jury  brought  in  their  verdict 
of  guilty,  but  with  a  recommendation  to  mercy  because  of 
the  previous  good  character  of  the  prisoner  as  sworn  to  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barent  Hoes  ("aunt  Dericke")  with  whom  he 
boarded.  The  recommendation  was  heeded,  but  the  young 
man  was  required  to  leave  the  State. 

Mr.  Glezen's  assistant  was  Mr.  Silas  Metcalf .  After  two 
years  of  service  Mr.  Metcalf  resigned ;  not  wholly,  apparently, 
because  of  ^^ impaired  health,"  for,  on  Mr.  Glezen's  resigna- 
tion in  1827,  Mr.  Metcalf  accepted  appointment  as  Principal. 
In  the  meantime  Mr.  Henry  Winans  had  been  appointed 
to  Mr.  Metcalf's  former  position.  It  was  a  son  of  Mr. 
Winans  who  wrote  sundry  reminiscenses  for  our  village 
paper  from  which  we  elsewhere  quote.  In  1828  the  Academy 
was  placed  "under  the  visitation  and  control  of  the  Regents 
of  the  State"  and  received  that  year  an  appropriation  from 
the  Literature  Fund  of  $411.  In  1835  it  was  selected  by  the 
Regents  to  have  a  department  for  the  instruction  of  com- 
mon school  teachers.  Deeming  that  this  would  require  an 
enlargement  of  the  Academy  building,  the  question  of  a  new 
building  was  debated  and  finally  decided  in  the  affirmative. 
The  present  site  of  Dr.  Kellogg's  house  was  purchased  from 
Dr.  Beekman,  but  the  sale  by  mutual  consent  was  set  aside. 
John  I.  Pruyn  offered  the  lot  on  which  Mr.  F.  Bion  Van 
Alstyne's  house  now  stands;  but  the  final  decision  was  to 
buy  of  John  L.  Van  Alen  the  familiar  site  on  Albany  Avenue 
for  $360;  the  lot  having  a  frontage  of  120  feet,  and  an  average 


288  Old  ninderKooK 

depth  of  210,  to  the  land  of  Mr.  Myers,  later  Mr.  Thomas 
M.  Burt's.  The  building  was  erected  by  Henry  Harrington 
and  cost  $3700.  Having  acquired  full  title  to  the  old 
Academy  lot  and  building  by  paying  $227  to  the  Trustees 
of  District  No.  i,  the  Academy  Trustees  sold  the  property 
for  |8oo  to  James  Shaw  who  transferred  it  to  Andrew  K. 
Morehouse. 

The  money  needed  for  the  erection  of  the  new  building 
was  subscribed  by  thirty-eight  persons ;  fourteen  subscribing 
$100  each,  and  others  lesser  amounts  down  to  five  dollars. 
This  was  to  be  repaid  to  subscribers  as  the  excess  of  income 
over  expenses  might  permit.  For  a  few  years  seven  per  cent, 
was  paid;  one  year,  twelve  per  cent.  But  these  ^^ bloated 
bondholders^^  soon  came  to  grief.  When  we  first  knew  the 
Academy,  in  1864,  the  bonds,  if  bonds  there  were,  were 
worth  something  less  than  their  value  at  the  paper  mill. 

November  10,  1836,  the  new  Academy  was  formally 
opened  with  elaborate  ceremonial,  the  long  procession 
passing  ^^ through  the  principal  streets  of  the  village^ ^  from  the 
old  Academy  to  the  new,  where  appropriate  exercises  were 
held.  General  John  A.  Dix,  then  Secretary  of  State,  had 
been  invited  to  deliver  an  address;  but  he  and  two  others 
(Rev.  Drs.  Kirk  and  Waterbury)  failed  to  appear,  and  it  fell 
to  Judge  Wilcoxson  to  give  a  historical  sketch  of  this  then 
famous  institution. 

In  the  Pittsfield  Library  we  found  a  catalogue  of  the 
Academy  for  the  year  1843.  It  gives  the  names  of  sixteen 
Trustees,  all  of  whom  were  men  of  note.  Dr.  Beekman  of 
course  was  the  President  and  David  Van  Schaack  Secretary 
and  Treasurer.  The  others  v/ere:  W.  H.  Tobey,  General 
Charles  Whiting,  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  Teunis  Harder, 
Hon.  Julius  Wilcoxson,  Lucas  Hoes,  Peter  Van  Schaack, 
John  Bain,  Peter  I.  Hoes,  John  I.  Pruyn,  James  Shaw, 
Homer  Blanchard,  and  Dr.  J.  M.  Pruyn.  The  teachers  were: 
Silas  Metcalf,  George  Van  Santvoord,  E.  P.  Carter,  Louisa 
M.  G.  Weld,  CaroUne  M.  Vandervoort,  and  Edward  Miller. 


The  Academy  and  Boarding  Home,  1855 

From  an  engraving  by  Howland 


High  School,  Valatie 


CKxircKes  and  ScKools  289 

In  the  four  departments  257  pupils  were  enrolled.  Among 
them  we  recognize  many  known  to  us  as  aged  men  and 
women  years  ago.  A  few,  then  in  the  elementary  department, 
are  still  living.  Mr.  Metcalf  rendered  excellent  and  highly 
appreciated  service  until  1847  when  he  resigned  and  was 
succeeded  by  Alexander  Watson,  a  graduate  of  St.  Andrews' 
University,  and  a  very  brilliant  scholar  and  teacher.  He  had 
been  a  teacher  in  the  Albany  Female  Academy.  In  that 
year  the  boarding-house,  built  by  a  number  of  public  spirited 
gentlemen  on  the  lot  adjoining  the  Academy,  was  ready  for 
the  new  Principal.  That  building  was  burned  a  few  years 
later,  but  a  new  one  was  immediately  erected  on  the  old 
foundations.  This  in  1867  or  a  little  later  became  the 
property  of  Mr.  P.  S.  Hoes.  He  divided  it  and  trans- 
formed the  parts  into  the  three  dwellings  now  standing 
south  of  the  present  Grange  Hall.  The  first  and  second 
were  the  front  of  the  boarding-house,  and  the  third,  now 
owned  by  Mrs.  P.  V.  B.  Hoes,  was  the  rear  extension. 

Both  Mr.  Metcalf  and  Mr.  Watson  on  their  resignation 
(the  latter  in  1853)  received  glowing  resolutions  of  apprecia- 
tion from  the  Trustees.  These  resolutions  were  more  than  a 
customary  kindly  formality,  for,  as  other  entries  reveal,  the 
Trustees  could,  on  occasion,  maintain  a  severe  but  eloquent 
silence.  Mr.  Watson  was  evidently  the  most  scholarly  and 
brilliant  of  all  the  many  principals ;  but  for  exalted  character, 
executive  ability,  and  manifold  usefulness,  Mr.  Metcalf  was 
excelled  by  none,  and  his  fragrant  memory  abides  to  this 
day.  Anticipating  somewhat  of  our  story,  we  here  note — 
that  George  H.  Taylor,  son  of  Samuel  H.,  the  distinguished 
principal  of  Phillips  Andover  Academy,  was  an  accomplished 
educator:  and  Manton,  grandson  of  the  eminent  Peter  Van 
Schaack,  although  leading  a  forlorn  hope,  rendered  very 
notable  service.  The  boys  he  prepared  for  college  were 
always  exceptionally  well  prepared.  Although  honored  here, 
yet  in  some  other  than  "his  own  country"  this  prophet 
would  have  received  more  honor. 
19 


290  Old  RinderKooK 

Throughout  Mr.  Metcalf's  time  and  for  a  considerable 
part  of  Mr.  Watson's,  the  Academy  grew  apace.  From  the 
annual  reports  to  the  Regents  we  gather  that  in  1851  there 
were  216  students  enrolled,  with  a  regular  attendance  of  172. 
This  included,  however,  the  primary  department,  organized 
in  1847,  of  which  Miss  Harriet  Still  well  and  the  Misses 
Magdalena  and  Judith  A.  Groat  were  teachers  of  longest 
service.  We  find  seven  teachers  reported  one  year ;  a  library 
that  steadily  grew  to  number  720  volumes ;  and  philosophical 
apparatus  costing  more  than  $600.  We  note  the  Revs. 
Drs.  Sprague,  Kennedy,  and  Bullions  of  Albany  and  Troy  as 
the  examining  committee  for  one  of  the  semiannual  ex- 
aminations. The  students  from  near  and  far  who  became 
men  and  women  of  distinction  were  numerous.  During  Mr. 
Watson's  term  of  service,  however,  the  tide  of  success 
reached  its  flood  and  began  a  slow  but  steady  recession,  with 
only  occasional  and  diminishing  refluent  waves  of  prosperity. 
Conditions  were  rapidly  changing.  The  common  schools 
were  becoming  better  equipped  and  their  curriculum  con- 
stantly improving,  thus  making  the  old  Academies  less  and 
less  necessary. 

In  i860  we  have  the  following  Board  of  Trustees: 

William  H.  Tobey  Charles  Whiting  John  M.  Pruyn 

John  Bain  Teunis  Harder  Peter  Van  Schaack 

Augustus  Wynkoop  Lawrence  Van  Buren  John  P.  Beekman 

Henry  Snyder  John  Frisbee  David  Van  Schaack 

This  remarkably  able  Board  and  their  successors  were 
intensely  loyal  to  the  Academy  and  its  traditions.  They 
labored  long  and  zealously  for  its  preservation  and  the  re- 
turn of  its  old-time  prosperity  and  dignity.  Their  efforts, 
however,  were  but  partially  and  temporarily  successful,  and 
the  story  of  decline  and  extinction  may  be  briefly  told. 

In  1853,  Mr.  Watson  having  resigned,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Henry  H.  Pouch er,  then  Principal  of  the  Hudson  Academy, 
and  he  by  Mr.  Watson  again  in  1855.    His  successors  were: 


CKvircKes  and  ScKools  291 

Rev.  Edgar  H.  Perkins,  '57;  Alfred  C.  Post,  '62;  J.  S. 
Fancher,  '63;  D.  H.  Calkins,  '65;  W.  Scott,  '66;  J.  B.  Steele, 
Jr.,  '67;  M.  Van  Schaack,  '70;  G.  F.  and  R.  H.  Cole,  '75; 
George  H.  Taylor,  '77;  William  A.  Reed,  '80;  J.  B.  Alexander 

and  C.  F.  Stephenson,   '81; Hoysradt,   '82;  M.  Van 

Schaack,  '83 ;  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Geer,  '90;  and  Frank  Bond,  1894. 

In  1872  the  Trustees  were:  William  H.  Tobey,  David 
Van  Schaack,  Christopher  H.  Wendover,  Thomas  M.  Burt, 
Francis  W.  Bradley,  William  H.  Rainey,  John  Bray,  William 
R.  Mesick,  Hiram  P.  Hoysradt,  Francis  Silvester,  Charles 
Palmer,  and  Eugene  L.  Hover. 

The  last  Board,  1896,  consisted  of  W.  H.  Rainey,  G.  S. 
ColHer,  J.  S.  Hosford,  F.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  J.  Bray,  L.  L. 
Morrell,  Frank  Palmer,  Harold  Van  Santvoord,  and  James 
A.  Reynolds.  In  1886,  Mr.  Reynolds  (who  came  into  the 
Board  in  '79),  by  means  of  a  circular  letter  to  former  students, 
succeeded  in  raising  $400  for  the  benefit  of  the  Academy.  It 
is  gratifying  to  read  such  a  response  to  the  appeal  as  that 
of  the  late  Edward  Bain,  of  Kenosha,  who  wrote  of  his  vast 
indebtedness  to  ^^  Glorious  old  Kinderhook  and  its  Academy, " 
and  sent  a  much  larger  gift  than  had  been  asked.  In  1896 
the  Trustees  adopted  a  new  official  seal.  Its  chief  use  seems 
to  have  been  to  seal  the  death  warrant  of  the  Academy  once 
so  famous  but  now  so  fallen.  In  that  year  a  suit  for  damages 
for  injuries  through  the  falling  of  the  front  stoop  was  success- 
ful, and  the  property  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Geer. 
It  was  subsequently  owned  by  Hon.  Charles  D.  Haines,  and 
used  for  a  time  as  a  finely  equipped  printing-house  for  the 
Rough  Notes  and  several  alleged  local  editions  thereof  which 
he  also  owned.  The  enterprise  was  short-lived  and  the 
building  next  became  a  knitting  mill,  owned  by  Imond 
Vener  &  Co.  A  few  years  later,  happily,  the  property  was 
bought  by  the  Lindenwald  Grange.  It  was  greatly  improved 
and  is  now  their  commodious  and  useful  Hall ;  of  undoubted 
and  great  advantage  to  our  community,  agriculturally, 
socially,  and,  to  a  mild  degree,  literary.    Esto  perpetual 


292  Old  RinderKooK 

The  presidents  of  the  Board  of  Trustees — Dr.  Henry  L. 
Van  Dyck,  Dr.  John  P.  Beekman,  Hon.  WilHam  H.  Tobey, 
Dr.  Peter  V.  S.  Pruyn,  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Rainey  were 
all  notable  men,  and  served  with  unwearying  fidelity  and 
energy.  Mr.  David  Van  Schaack  was  for  many  years  the 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Board.  No  one  could  have 
been  more  faithful  and  painstaking.  He  was  succeeded 
by  his  son,  John  J.  Van  Schaack,  Augustus  W.  Wynkoop, 
and  James  A.  Reynolds.  Mr.  W.  H.  Rainey  also  was  Treas- 
urer for  a  few  years. 

In  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel  of  October  lo,  1844,  appeared 
this  entirely  just  appreciation  of  one  of  the  best  educational 
institutions  of  its  time : 

The  friends  and  patrons  of  our  justly  celebrated  and  much 
cherished  Academy  have  reason  to  exult  in  the  high  standing 
which  it  maintains  among  the  numerous  literary  institutions  of 
our  State.  The  sphere  of  its  usefulness  is  rapidly  enlarging  and  a 
goodly  number  of-  well  educated  youth  annually  pass  from  its 
walls,  fitted  to  engage  in  the  business  pursuits  of  life,  to  enter 
upon  the  study  of  the  learned  professions  or  to  commence  a 
Collegiate  course.  During  the  past  year  nearly  a  dozen  young 
gentlemen  have  been  prepared  at  our  Academy  for  admission 
into  the  first  colleges  of  the  land;  several  of  whom  have  entered 
at  an  advanced  stage;  a  certain  indication  that  the  course  of 
instruction  is  thorough,  systematic  and  complete.  Of  the  large 
number  of  those  who  in  the  years  that  are  passed  have  stored 
their  minds  with  useful  knowledge  at  this  seat  of  learning  some 
are  now  filling  prominent  stations  in  society,  proving  themselves 
worthy  sons  of  their  Alma  Mater.  Generations  of  these  we  trust 
are  destined  to  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed. 

Of  the  October  examinations  and  Young  Ladies'  Ex- 
hibition, Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt  gives  us  the  following  pleas- 
ing personal  reminiscences: 

It  was  certainly  an  evidence  of  the  light  resources  of  diversion 
in  our  village  that  so  many  people  found  interest  in  listening 


CKvarcKes  and  ScHools  293 

to  our  "cut  and  dried"  answers,  or  in  beholding  us  accomplish 
on  the  black-board  such  feats  of  mathematical  complexity. 
Some  admiring  mother  would  complacently  see  her  son  cover  the 
board  with  algebraic  signs  as  incomprehensible  to  her  as  a  tablet 
of  Egyptian  hieroglyphics ;  or  a  sturdy  farmer  would  hear  his  boy 
thunder  forth  the  Attic  rhythm  of  the  Iliad  or  the  grand  eloquent 
phrases  of  Cicero.  These  examinations  continued  a  day  and  a 
half  and  in  the  "Ladies'  Department "  were  varied  by  the  display 
on  the  walls  of  pencil  and  crayon  drawings  and  flower-pieces  in 
water-colors — the  presumptively  unaided  work  of  the  pupils. 
On  Tuesday  afternoon  there  was  held  in  the  "Chapel"  the 
Ladies'  Exhibition,  consisting  of  original  compositions  read  by 
the  young  authors  and  interspersed  with  piano-playing  and 
singing.  The  audience  was  always  large  and  of  course  included 
all  the  boys,  each  of  whom  was  naturally  interested  in  some  fair 
exhibitor.  How  charming  those  damsels  were,  as  arrayed  in 
spotless  white,  they  blushingly  faced  the  audience  and  in  low 
inaudible  tones  read  their  little  essays — now  and  then  one  of 
them  with  more  aplomb  gave  loud  utterance  to  her  views  of 
mundane  affairs — but  usually  we  heard  only  a  timid  murmur 
mingled  with  the  rustle  of  the  paper,  bound  with  white  satin 
ribbon,  in  the  nervous  hands  of  the  "sweet  girl  graduate."  And 
those  songs  and  music  are  echoed  from  the  far  past.  ...  At 
length  the  program  is  concluded  and  congratulatory  and  com- 
plimentary expressions  are  received  by  our  fair  companions  with 
complacency  and  relief,  now  that  their  long  dreaded  tasks  are 
accomplished.  Wednesday  forenoon  brings  its  trials  for  us  boys, 
and  the  villagers  and  visitors  repair  to  the  Academy  chapel, 
where  on  the  platform  the  trustees  are  gravely  seated  and  in  the 
back  ground  the  four  musicians  (whose  services  are  requited  by 
subscriptions  by  the  young  orators) .  The  grandees  on  the  stage 
whisper  in  a  dignified  way  with  each  other;  the  musicians  tune 
their  instruments  and  the  younger  boys  distribute  the  "Schemes " 
or  programs,  while  the  older  ones  cluster  about  the  doors;  those 
whose  names  appear  first  nervously  repeating  in  a  low  tone  their 
respective  speeches,  while  the  others  whose  turns  come  later  have 
an  air  of  repressed  eloquence  that  will  soon  dissipate.  .  .  .  The 
room  has  filled  and  the  murmuring  conversation  ceases  as  our 
"dominie"  rises  to  "invoke  the  Divine  blessing";  and  then  the 


294  Old  K-inderKooK 

Latin  Salutatory  is  delivered.  This  was  my  task  in  October  1845 
and  I  addressed  in  sonorous  classic  phrases  in  turn  the  trustees, 
the  audience  and  my  associates,  not  a  soul  of  whom  probably 
knew  whether  I  were  complimentary  or  objurgatory  in  my 
expression.  Then  followed  two  or  three  declamations,  music,  an 
original  oration  and  so  a  dozen  times  repeated  until  the  audience 
greeted  the  final  orator,  the  valedictorian,  and  hung  admiringly 
upon  his  sentences  because  they  were  the  last.  And  how  well 
satisfied  were  we — the  heroes  or  martyrs  of  the  occasion  as  each 
temperament  wrought — when  the  "dominie's  benediction  closed 
the  exercises.  ...  In  April  1847  I  delivered  the  valedictory 
address  and  with  it  finished  my  school  career." 

KINDERHOOK  VILLAGE  DISTRICT  SCHOOL 

This  school  (District  No.  i,  formerly  No.  8)  had  its 
beginnings  as  already  narrated  in  our  story  of  the  Academy. 
Avoiding  repetitions  we  go  on  to  say : 

On  the  removal  of  the  Academy  to  its  last  site,  the  fifth 
District  schoolhouse  was  erected  on  land  leased  from  and 
in  rear  of  the  church,  and  to  revert  to  the  church  when 
abandoned  for  school  purposes.  In  1851  this  building  was 
enlarged,  as  became  especially  necessary  when  the  separate 
school  for  colored  children  (established  in  1843  in  the  Ack- 
ley  tenement  house)  was  given  up.  We  have  rejoiced  to  be 
"abel"  to  glean  from  the  "minits"  of  the  School  clerk  that 
^^ mutch' ^  interest  was  "tacon''  in  the  education  of  the  "col- 
lard  children' ' :  in  spelling,  let  us  hope.  This  fifth  school- 
house  was  abandoned  and  moved  away,  when,  in  1877,  the 
front  part  of  the  present  brick  building  was  erected  by 
George  W.  Wilkins,  at  a  cost  of  about  $6000.  To  this,  in 
1903,  the  considerable  rear  extension  was  added,  costing 
about  $2700. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Lawyer  Hyman  we  have  before 
us  the  (6  X  4)  receipt  book  of  the  School  Commissioners  who 
distributed  the  school  money  from  i8i4-'29.  The  first  was 
E.  Garfield,  who  was  succeeded  by  John  Manton  in  '15;  he 


The  Village  Hall 


The  Union  Free  School 


CKxircKes  and  ScKools  295 

by  Henry  Van  Vleck  in  '16;  and  he  in  '21  by  Lawrence  Van 
Dyck,  Jr.,  who  served  until  '29  at  least  when  the  book  ends. 
The  receipts  have  the  signatures  of  the  trustees  of  the  several 
Districts.  In  18 14,  $624.97  was  apportioned.  The  District, 
name  of  Trustee,  and  amounts  apportioned  were  as  follows : 

1.  John  P.  Van  Alstine  $  23.14  8.  H.  L.  Van  Dyck  &  H.  Van  Vleck,  $103.89 

2.  David  Best  (1815)  26.95  9-  Martin  Garner  25.43 

3.  Jacob  Miller  27.49  10.  Daniel  Pultz  20.56 

4.  Medad  Butler  93.07  11.  M.Cooper  &  L.Gilbert  30.30 

5.  Richard  I.  Goes  106.60  12.  Palmer  Holmes  25.90 

6.  John  Niver  29.76  13.  Abram  Vosburgh  28.14 

7.  Benjamin  Baldwin  44-37  I4-  J-  H.  Kittle  30.00 

15.  Thos.  Van  Alstyne    $16.23 

Other  receipting  Trustees  and  their  Districts  in  two  succeed- 
ing years  were:  Tunis  G.  Snyder,  9;  George  Chittenden,  5; 
John  Van  Hovenberg,  3;  George  Sheldon,  12;  Samuel 
Townsend,  7;  Alexander  McMechan,  4;  L.  M.  Goes,  13; 
Ab.  P.  Van  Alstine,  i;  Jonathan  Traver,  10;  Zach.  Haus, 
11;  Andrew  Kittle,  14;  Russell  Potter,  16;  John  Shoe- 
maker, 17;  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen,  i ;  John  M.  Pultz,  3;  John  L 
Shaver,  10;  Henry  Herrick,  2;  Barent  Van  Slyck,  7;  Rufus 
Clark,  5;  David  Bidwell,  12;  Peter  Haws,  11;  Stephen  I. 
Miller,  16;  James  J.  Morrison,  13;  Barent  Van  Buren,  18; 
J.  Goodemoet,  6. 

The  formation  of  the  Town  of  Stuyvesant  in  1823  made 
necessary  among  other  things  a  division  of  the  Common 
School  money.  In  accordance  therewith  we  have  a  tabular 
statement  concerning  ten  districts  and  five  "parts  of  dis- 
tricts" which  is  of  interest.  The  total  amount  divided 
was  $462.32.  We  give  the  number  of  the  district  and  of 
scholars  and  the  name  of  Trustee. 

1.  104.  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen  6.    49.  Peter  Niver 

2.  60.  John  Melius  &  Wm.  Kingman  7.  145.  Nathan  Wild 

3.  67.  John  Van  Dyck  &  Isaac  McCagg     8.  250.  Lucas  Hoes  &  John  Manton 

4.  132.  Peter  L  Vosburgh  10.    74.  B.  Hilton  &  J.  P.  Marquot 

5.  63.  William  Sturges  16.  123.  James  Wild 


296  Old  RinderHooK 

Parts  of  Districts 

I.    22.  Jesse  Van  Ness  7.      6.  Peter  Harder 

II.    36.  Simeon  P.  Hawes  12.    52,  Luther  Crocker 

13.    53.  Martin  Van  Alstyne 

The  total  of  children  is  1236. 

Our  older  residents  can  readily  locate  most  of  the  schools 
both  in  this  and  the  previous  table  through  the  name  and 
known  residence  of  the  Trustee.  Thus,  No.  i  was  the  present 
Ridge  school;  No.  4  was  at  the  Landing;  No.  7,  in  Valatie, 
and  No.  8,  in  Kinderhook  village. 

This  table  of  the  division  of  school  money  is  dated  June, 
1823.  In  September  of  the  same  year  our  Commissioners  of 
Schools,  Lucas  Hoes  and  Lawrence  Van  Dyck,  Jr.,  reported 
to  the  State  Superintendent, — "That  the  number  of  entire 
School  Districts  in  our  town,  organized  according  to  law  is 
eight,  and  that  the  number  of  parts  of  School  Districts  is 
one."  They  report  the  number  of  children  taught  as  535; 
and  that  there  were  722  children  in  the  town  between  the  age 
of  five  and  fifteen. 

The  earliest  existing  records  of  the  Trustees  begin  with 
the  year  1841.  They  are  reasonably  complete  to  the  present 
time,  although  very  chary  of  information  as  regards  teachers. 
The  Trustees  of  1841  were — Homer  Blanchard,  Ephraim 
Best,  and  Abraham  Van  Alstyne.  They  record  the  names  of 
the  parents  of  269  children  of  school  age  (5-16)  in  the  District. 
The  number  of  Trustees  was  frequently  changed;  now  six 
and  now  one.  Their  qualifications  too  have  been  singularly 
and  sometimes  ludicrously  variable. 

As  regards  teachers,  we  have  no  record  prior  to  1841. 
Some  at  least  of  those  named  in  connection  with  the  early 
history  of  the  Academy  were  teachers  of  the  District  school. 
Certainly  before  1841,  David  G.  Woodin  was  for  many  years 
the  District  school-teacher;  and  he  had  been  preceded  by  a 
Mr.  Searles.  Later  in  life,  as  we  well  remember,  Mr.  Woodin 
rendered  long-continued  service  as  one  of  our  most  faithful 


CH\ircKes  and  ScHools  297 

and  respected  School  Commissioners.  After  1840,  as  the 
Treasurer's  accounts  reveal,  the  successive  Principals  were: 
N.  B.  Basset,  '41;  James  Carver,  '43;  Andrew  I.  Kittell,  '49; 
L.  W.  Reid,  '59;  W.  S.  Hallenbeck,  '67;  Hugh  Kelso,  '83; 
Oscar  E.  Coburn,  '93 ;  Reuben  A.  Mabie,  '95 ;  Scott  Youmans, 
1 901;  Earl  B.  Slack,  '03;  Clayton  F.  Sherman,  '07;  John  B. 
Bronson,  '08;  Orville  C.  Cone,  '09;  Earl  D.  Hewes,  1911; 
A.  C.  Hamilton,  1912;  Giles  D.  Clark,  1913. 

In  Mr.  Mabie's  time,  and  largely  through  his  effort,  the 
Common  School  became  the  Union  Free  School. 

The  present  Trustees  on  the  Board  of  Education,  are: 
W.  J.  Magee,  Nathan  D.  Garnsey,  and  A.  T.  Ogden.  The 
teachers  are  (1913)  Giles  D.  Clark,  Principal;  Anna  M. 
Thebo,  assistant;  Gertrude  Connor;  Mrs.  George  H.  Brown; 
Jane  McHenry.  One  hundred  and  five  pupils  are  enrolled. 
The  school  has  a  good  library  of  over  five  hundred  volumes, 
and  a  laboratory  well-equipped  for  all  the  scientific  work 
usual  in  a  High  School.  For  years  William  A.  Roraback  has 
been  the  efficient  clerk  of  the  school  board. 

In  February,  191 1,  Misses  Mabel  Duff  and  Laura  Hos- 
ford  organized  among  the  pupils — "The  Penny  Provident 
Society."  It  has  been  a  great  success.  This  year  (19 13) 
they  report  eighty-two  depositors  of  more  than  $345 
most  of  which  is  on  deposit  in  Savings  banks.  It  is  justly 
claimed  that  the  value  of  this  encouragement  of  habits  of 
thrift  and  economy,  and  of  a  feeling  of  self-respect  as  well,  is 
incalculable. 

For  three  years,  Mrs.  Duff,  with  some  help  from  young 
ladies  of  the  village,  has  held  a  sewing  class  Friday  after- 
noons, at  the  close  of  the  school.  This  class  has  been  well- 
attended,  and  is  proving  highly  profitable  to  the  pupils  who 
have  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege  of  the  instruction. 

The  Kindergarten  is  a  private  institution,  supported  in 
part  by  fees  from  the  parents  of  the  little  children  in  attend- 
ance, but  largely  by  the  generosity  of  a  few  who  are  deeply 
interested  in  it.     The  teachers  this  year  (191 3),  are,  Miss 


298  Old  RinderHooK 

Partridge  and  Miss  Helen  Pitcher.  The  Kindergarten  is 
proving  attractive  to  the  little  pupils  and  its  work  is  appre- 
ciated by  their  parents. 

THE  VALATIE  HIGH  SCHOOL 

In  the  Kinderhook  Rough  Notes  of  March  6,  1902, 
Principal  Winthrop  L.  Millais  published  a  historic  and 
descriptive  article  on  this  school,  which  he  has  kindly 
furnished  us,  and  from  which  we  condense  the  following 
narrative. 

Prior  to  1866  there  were  two  District  schools  in  Valatie; 
one  near  the  Opera  House,  and  the  other  a  little  west  of  the 
Lutheran  church. 

That  year,  by  order  of  School  Commissioner  D.  W. 
Woodin,  Districts  Nos.  9  and  2  were  consohdated  and 
thenceforth  known  as  District  No.  2, 

The  successive  Principals  have  been:  G.  U.  Norton, 
1867;  Peter  Stickles,  '68;  Samuel  Greenwood,  '69;  Hattie  L. 
Hughston,  '71;  Peter  Silvernail,  '73;  Enos  S.  Wood,  '82; 
Walter  H.  Phyfe,  '84;  Charles  A.  Coons,  '88;  Olin  B.  Syl- 
vester, '91;  Winthrop  L.  Millais,  '96;  0.  P.  Collins,  1906; 
F.  E.  Sleight,  '08. 

The  new  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1876.  It  is  situated 
on  Church  Street,  one  of  the  finest  of  the  village,  and  with  its 
trees  and  well-kept  lawn  is  not  unworthy  its  location. 

In  1889  the  District  was  organized  into  a  Union  Free 
School  District,  and,  after  securing  suitable  apparatus  and  a 
library,  was  accepted  by  the  Regents  and  admitted  into  the 
University  of  the  State  of  New  York.  In  1899  the  Regents 
suggested  that  such  changes  be  made  in  the  curriculum  as 
would  entitle  it  to  full  rank  as  a  High  School.  These  sug- 
gestions were  complied  with  and  in  1900  four  students  earned 
Regents'  and  High  School  diplomas.  The  library  contains 
more  than  1500  volumes  thoroughly  readable  and  up-to-date. 

In  1904  the  building  was  remodeled,  increased  in  size  by 
one  half,  refurnished,  and  otherwise  greatly  improved. 


CKvircKes  and  ScKools  299 

The  story  of  the  other  District  schools  is  much  the  same 
as  that  of  ten  thousand  throughout  the  State.  There  were 
eight  of  them  within  the  present  township.  In  the  Hemlock 
schoolhouse,  and  others  as  well,  Dr.  Sickles  and  other  pastors 
of  the  Kinderhook  church  were  wont  to  hold  frequent 
services.  That  on  the  road  to  Lindenwald  is  on  the  same  site 
as  that  where  Jesse  Merwin,  the  prototype  of  Ichabod 
Crane,  taught.  With  the  organization  of  Union  Free  schools 
many  of  the  old  District  schoolhouses  have  one  by  one  been 
closed ;  and  now  but  a  few  remain. 


CHAPTER  X 
FINANCIAL,  FRATERNAL,  AND  OTHER  ORGANIZATIONS 

Banks — Conscript  Society — Masonic  and  Other  Fraternal  Organizations — • 
G.  A.  R. — Lindenwald  Grange — Fire  Companies — Notable  Fires — The 
Blizzard. 

Banks 
the  kinderhook  national 

AS  early  as  1826,  and  several  times  thereafter,  attempts 
were  made  to  establish  a  bank  at  Kinderhook,  but 
without  success  until  October  9,  1838,  when  subscribers  to  a 
capital  of  $113,525  met  at  Stranahan's  hotel,  adopted 
articles  of  association,  and  elected  the  first  Board  of  Directors 
of  the  Kinderhook  bank.  They  were:  John  P.  Beekman, 
John  Bain,  Uriah  Edwards,  Teunis  Harder,  Adam  H. 
Hoysradt,  Peter  I.  Hoes,  Lucas  Hoes,  Mordecai  Myers, 
Edward  B.  Pugsley,  John  I.  Pruyn,  Adam  Van  Alstyne, 
Lawrence  Van  Buren,  David  Van  Schaack,  V/illiam  H. 
Tobey,  John  J.  Van  Volkenburgh,  Charles  Whiting,  and 
Julius  Wilcoxson. 

In  those  days  only  Dr.  Beekman  was  thought  of  as 
president  for  any  organization  or  public  meeting.  Mordecai 
Myers  was  elected  Vice-President,  Lucas  Hoes,  Cashier,  and 
Covington  Guion,  Teller.  The  bank  began  business  January 
6,  1839.  The  building  used  was  one  owned  by  Dr.  Beekman 
and  which  stood  near  the  easterly  corner  of  his  lawn.    It  was 

300 


Org'anizations  301 

subsequently  moved  to  the  westerly  comer,  and  later  by  Mr. 
Vanderpoel  to  its  present  position.  In  1862  the  brick  build- 
ing now  owned  by  Augustus  Bauer  was  erected.  The  famous 
corner  store  which  had  stood  for  many  years  on  the  site  was 
moved  up  Albany  Avenue  and  is  what  we  have  known  as  the 
Ritz  house,  south  of  the  new  cemetery.  In  '63  the  bank 
became  the  National  Bank  of  Kinderhook.  The  original 
capital  was  increased  from  time  to  time  until  '57,  when  it 
was  $250,000  and  continued  at  that  figure  until  '79  when 
it  was  reduced  one  half.  For  many  years  the  bank  did  a 
large  and  profitable  business,  but  steadily  changing  condi- 
tions and  heavy  losses  led  to  an  almost  unanimous  vote  of 
the  stockholders,  September  25,  '89,  to  go  into  voluntary 
liquidation,  and  the  bank  was  finally  closed  January  i,  1897. 

The  successive  presidents  have  been:  John  P.  Beekman, 
'38-61;  C.  H.  Wendover  to  '62;  William  R.  Mesick  to  '80; 
Hugh  Van  Alstyne  to  '84;  Francis  Van  Ness  and  J.  Spencer 
Hosford.  The  Vice-Presidents  were:  Mordecai  Myers, 
David  Van  Schaack,  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  John  J.  Van 
Volkenburgh,  Plugh  Van  Alstyne,  A.  H.  Farrar.  The 
Cashiers  were :  Lucas  Hoes  to  '42  ;  Covington  Guion  to  '49 ; 
F.  G.  Guion  to  '69;  John  J.  Van  Schaack  to  '']']\  A.  W. 
Wynkoop  to  '85 ;  and  Calvin  Ackley.  The  Tellers  and  Clerks 
were:  Covington  Guion,  F.  G.  Guion,  Lawrence  Van  Dyck, 
George  Wilcoxson,  Myndert  Van  Buren,  A.  W.  Wynkoop, 
Pruyn  Wilcoxson,  G.  H.  Howard,  Harold  Van  Santvoord, 
Andrew  Harder,  and  S.  L.  Chamberlain. 

In  addition  to  those  named  as  the  first  Board  of  Directors 
we  find  that  the  following  were  subsequently  elected: 
William  R.  Mesick,  Abraham  Van  Buren,  Hugh  Van  Alstyne, 
Martin  Van  Buren,  Jr.,  John  M.  Best,  Barent  Vosburgh, 
Peter  F.  Mesick,  John  T.  Wendover,  Jacob  Miller,  Thomas 
Beekman,  Ephraim  P.  Best,  Solomon  Crandell,  John  Myn- 
derse,  Lucas  Pruyn,  Abraham  I.  Van  Alstyne,  Smith  T. 
Van  Buren,  Samuel  Wilbor,  Peter  S.  Hoes,  Joseph  T.  Hamm, 
James  Kingman,  John  D.  Shufelt,  C.  H.  Wendover,  John 


302  Old  RinderKooK 

P.  Acker,  Barent  I.  Van  Hoesen,  John  Frisbee,  Alexander 
Davis,  A.  B.  Pugsley,  Orson  W.  Smith,  A.  V.  D.  Witbeck, 
C.  L.  Herrick,  A.  De  Myer,  Henry  Dennis,  W.  J.  Penoyer, 
H.  P.  Van  Hoesen,  Abram  Harder,  James  G.  Van  Valken- 
burgh,  Abram  H.  Van  Alstyne,  A.  H.  Farrar,  J.  Spencer 
Hosford,  William  H.  Goold,  Francis  Van  Ness,  John  J. 
Wilbor,  F.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  Edward  P.  Van  Alstyne,  Peter 
H.  Bain,  George  Tobias,  Lafayette  Winn,  and  P.  V.  B.  Hoes. 
The  last  Directors  were:  James  Kingman,  Abraham  Van 
Alstyne,  J.  Spencer  Hosford,  W.  H.  Goold,  Edward  P.  Van 
Alstyne,  F.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  P.  H.  Bain,  John  J.  Wilbor, 
George  Tobias,  Lafayette  Winn,  and  Pierre  V.  B.  Hoes. 

NATIONAL  UNION  BANK 

From  a  sketch  of  this  bank,  prepared  for  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  its  organization,  we  condense  the  following 
narrative:  This  bank,  with  a  capital  of  $125,000,  com- 
menced business  October  i,  1853,  in  a  small  building  leased 
of  General  Whiting,  which  stood  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Broad  and  Hudson  streets.  The  capital  was  that  day 
raised  to  $150,000.  The  nearest  banks  outside  of  the  village 
were  those  of  Albany,  Coxsackie,  Hudson,  and  Pittsfield. 
This  wide  extent  of  country  furnished  a  sufScient  demand 
for  all  existing  banking  facilities. 

The  first  Directors  were:  John  Rogers,  Nathan  Wild, 
Orrin  Carpenter,  David  Van  Schaack,  Hugh  Bain,  William 
H.  Tobey,  John  Bain,  Charles  Whiting,  John  L  Kittle, 
James  B.  Laing,  Daniel  S.  Curtis,  Adam  H.  Hoysradt,  John 
T.  Wendover,  Isaac  Esselstyn,  Daniel  D.  Warner,  Charles 
L.  Beale,  Richard  Graves,  Francis  W.  Bradley,  Peter  A. 
Gardenier,  Henry  J.  Whiting,  and  Henry  Snyder.  The 
capital  was  twice  increased,  until  in  '57  it  amounted  to 
$200,000. 

The  first  President  of  the  bank  was  William  H.  Tobey, 
the  first  Vice-President  John  Bain,  and  the  Cashier  William 
H.  Rainey. 


Organizations  303 

In  the  fall  of  '58  the  unguarded  building  was  entered  at 
night,  the  safe  forced  open,  and  about  $9500  in  cash  and  some 
unavailable  checks  stolen.  Immediately  thereafter  the  brick 
building  now  occupied  was  purchased  and  fitted  up  for  the 
bank's  use  with  all  the  best  safeguards  of  the  time  for  the 
security  of  its  treasures ;  and^also  as  a  dwelling  for  the  Cashier, 
which  Mr.  Rainey  occupied  until  his  lamented  death.  The 
rear  extension  was  subsequently  added,  providing  a  pleasant 
Directors'  room  below  and  needed  chambers  above.  The 
bank  moved  thereto  in  the  spring  of  '59.  In  '65  the  bank 
became  National,  under  the  United  States  law.  The  number 
of  stockholders  in  October,  '53,  was  fifty-three.  They  now 
(191 2)  number  about  one  hundred  and  ten.  With  one 
exception,  after  the  panic  of  '57,  semiannual  dividends 
have  been  paid,  averaging  more  than  8>^  per  cent,  per 
annum. 

The  presidents  have  been — William  H.  Tobey,  i853-'78, 
of  whom  we  write  elsewhere.  In  '62  the  Directors  presented 
him  with  an  elegant  silver  service  in  recognition  of  his 
fidelity  and  devotion,  which  were  continued  until  his  death. 
Stephen  H.  Wendover,  elected  in  '79,  continued  in  office 
until  his  decease,  in  '89.  He  was  a  man  of  extensive  ex- 
perience in  business  affairs,  of  wide  acquaintance,  clear- 
headed and  sagacious.  He  was  a  member  both  of  the 
Assembly  and  Senate.  James  Bain,  elected  in  '89,  con- 
tinued in  office  until  his  decease  in  '92.  He  was  a  farmer, 
universally  respected  for  his  high  character  and  standing. 
Gerrit  S.  Collier  was  elected  in  February,  '92,  and  has  been 
continued  in  office  to  the  present  time.  The  Vice-Presidents 
have  been:  John  Bain,  the  first  Vice-President,  was  con- 
tinued in  office  until  failing  health  constrained  him  to 
decline  a  re-election  in  '59.  He  served  as  a  Director  until 
his  decease,  in  June,  '60.  David  Van  Schaack,  elected  in 
*59,  continued  in  office  until  his  decease,  in  '72.  Barent 
Van  Alstyne,  elected  in  '73,  served  in  that  office,  with  the 
exception  of  one  year,  until  his  decease,  in  '86.     Gerrit  S. 


304  Old  RinderHooK 

Collier  was  elected  in  May,  '86,  and  continued  in  that  office 
until  he  was  chosen  President,  in  February,  '92.  Peter  V.  S. 
Pruyn  was  elected  second  Vice-President  in  March,  '88, 
and  served  as  such  until  January,  '90,  when  that  office  was 
discontinued.  David  Strain,  elected  Vice-President  in  '92, 
continued  in  that  office  until  his  decease  in  1903.  Henry 
Strain  was  elected  Vice-President  in  1904.  The  Cashiers 
have  been:  WiUiam  H.  Rainey,  1 853-1 906;  James  A.  Rey- 
nolds,   1906-   The  Tellers  and  Bookkeepers   have 

been:  Jacob  Williams,  Hiram  P.  Hoysradt,  John  J.  Van 
Schaack,  Frank  Van  Santvoord,  James  A.  Reynolds,  Harold 
Birckmayer,  Bertram  A.  Hull. 

On  the  first  of  October,  1903,  there  was  a  notable  cele- 
bration of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the 
Bank  and  of  Mr.  Rainey's  half-century  of  service  as  Cashier. 
In  the  evening  the  Directors  gave  a  reception  in  the  vil- 
lage hall  which  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of  invited 
guests — stockholders,  depositors,  and  friends,  both  ladies 
and  gentlemen — including  Mr.  McGarrah,  President  of  the 
Leather  Manufacturers'  National  Bank,  New  York;  Mr. 
Nash,  Cashier  of  New  York  State  National  Bank,  Mr. 
Tremper,  Cashier  of  First  National  Bank,  Albany ;  Mr.  Havi- 
land  and  Mr.  Hallenbeck,  Cashier  and  Teller  of  the  Farmers' 
National  Bank,  and  Mr.  Macy  and  Mr.  Benson,  President 
and  Cashier  of  First  National  Bank,  Hudson;  Mr.  Humphrey, 
Cashier,  and  Dr.  Wheeler,  Mr.  Boright,  Mr.  Pierson,  and 
Mr.  Thomas,  Directors  of  the  State  Bank,  Chatham.  The 
New  York  State  National  Bank  of  Albany  and  the  National 
Hudson  River  Bank  of  Hudson  each  contributed  beautiful 
floral  pieces  for  the  occasion.  The  hall  was  profusely 
decorated  with  palms,  flowers,  and  autumn  leaves,  and  the 
evening's  entertainment  was  enlivened  with  music  by  Dor- 
ing's  orchestra  and  singing  by  the  Empire  Quartette  of  Troy. 
Ample  refreshments  were  provided  by  Mc  Elveney  of  Albany, 
and  the  evening  was  enjoyed  by  all  who  were  present. 

The  Directors  of  the  Bank  considered  the  occasion  a 


Or^ani^zations  305 

fitting  one  to  show  their  appreciation  and  make  some  sub- 
stantial recognition  of  the  services  of  those  actively  engaged 
in  the  management  and  business  of  the  Bank,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  evening  presented  Mr.  Rainey  with  a  beautiful 
service  of  silver  and  Mr.  Reynolds  and  Mr.  Van  Santvoord 
each  with  a  purse  of  gold.  Mr.  Reynolds  had  served  as 
Teller  for  more  than  thirty-five,  and  Mr.  Van  Santvoord,  as 
General  Bookkeeper,  more  than  sixteen  years.  Appropriate 
and  excellent  presentation  addresses  were  made  by  the 
President  of  the  Bank,  Mr.  Gerrit  S.  Collier,  Esq.  The 
responses  by  the  recipients  were  of  great  interest  and  not 
without  touches  of  pathos.  The  largest  piece  of  the  silver 
service  bears  the  following  inscription:  "i 853-1 903.  Pre- 
sented October  i,  1903.  By  the  Board  of  Directors  of  The 
National  Union  Bank  of  Kinderhook,  N.  Y.  To  William  H. 
Rainey,  the  cashier  of  said  institution  from  the  date  of  its 
organization  Oct.  i,  1853,  to  the  present  time,  in  com- 
memoration of  an  official  service  and  relation  notable,  if  not 
unique,  and  in  recognition  of  his  ability  and  fidelity  as  such 
officer  and  in  appreciation  of  his  exalted  character  as  a  citizen 
and  worth  as  a  friend. " 

The  present  Board  of  Directors  consists  of  the  following 
gentlemen:  Gerrit  S.  Collier,  Isaac  E.  Bain,  William  J. 
Gardenier,  Robert  P.  Richmond,  Henry  Strain,  Charles 
Frisbee,  and  James  A.  Reynolds. 

KINDERHOOK  CONSCRIPT   SOCIETY 

This  is  the  oldest  of  existing  town  organizations  other 
than  religious.  It  was  organized  October  i,  1808.  From  a 
historical  sketch  prepared  by  the  late  Mr.  P.  Edward  Van 
Alstyne  we  draw  the  following  details :  At  the  organization 
in  1808,  Abram  I.  Van  Vleck  was  elected  Treasurer,  and 
John  Manton,  Isaac  A.  Van  Vleck,  and  Andries  Whitbeck 
were  appointed  "a  committee  to  liquidate  the  accounts  of 
the  riders."  Later,  this  committee  came  to  be  known  as 
Auditors.     'Ihe   Constitution  adopted   in  '63  provides  for 


3o6  Old  R-inderHooK 

the  election  of  twelve  riders.  An  amendment  in  ^^6  gave  the 
appointment  of  riders  to  the  Treasurer  and  authorized 
the  use  of  the  telegraph  and  mails. 

The  riders  of  1808  were:  William  Potter,  Albert  Whit- 
beck,  Teunis  G.  Snyder,  Peter  Bain,  Peter  T.  Van  Slyck, 
George  Van  Hoesen,  Daniel  Jones,  Jr.,  Martin  Harder, 
Samuel  I.  Vosburgh,  Isaac  Van  Dyck,  Lemuel  Morton,  and 
Arent  Van  Dyck.  We  confess  to  a  shock  to  our  spirit  of 
reverence  when  we  think  of  Teunis  G.  Snyder,  whom  forty 
years  ago  we  knew  as  a  patriarch  of  ninety  or  more,  cavort- 
ing about  the  country  in  pursuit  of  horse-thieves. 

The  minutes  of  the  Society  from  1808  to  1863  have 
disappeared.  Beginning  with  1863  the  Treasurers  of  the 
Society  have  been  as  follows :  P.  Edward  Van  Alstyne,  from 
1863  until  his  death  in  '76;  Augustus  W.  Wynkoop,  '']']  to 
'86;  John  Wilcoxson,  '86-'89;  George  W.  Wilkins,  from  '89 
until  his  death  in  1913.  The  Vice-Presidents  have  been: 
Benajah  Conant,  '63  to  '65;  James  Patton,  '65  to  '']2\  Henry 
A.  Hoysradt,  '72  to  '86;  J.  Spencer  Hosford,  '86  to  1913. 
The  Auditors  have  been :  William  R.  Mesick,  '63  to  '85 ; 
Hugh  Bain,  '63-'66;  Peter  S.  Hoes,  '63-65;  E.  G.  How- 
ard, '65  to  '67;  Francis  W.  Bradley,  '66  to '72;  Henry  Her, 
'67  to  '73;  John  Rogers,  '68  to  '90;  Lewis  E.  Fellows,'  72  to 
'88;  William  H.  Rainey,  '66;  Calvin  Ackley,  1888,  and  Lewis 
L.  Morrell,  '90 ;  the  two  latter  to  the  present  time.  William 
R.  Mesick  and  John  Rogers  served  faithfully  for  twenty- 
three  years. 

The  records  show  that  every  horse,  save  one,  stolen  from 
a  member  of  the  Society  has  been  recovered,  and  that  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  1875  a  dividend  of  four  dollars  was  ordered 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  funds  on  hand,  to  each  member  of  the 
Society  in  good  standing.  The  report  of  the  Treasurer  for 
that  year  shows  a  balance  of  $934.96  in  his  hands.  The 
reports  of  the  Treasurer  and  the  Auditors  made  in  1876  show 
that  the  dividends  were  paid  to  146  members.  Afterwards 
three  more  members  were  paid. 


Or^aniizations  307 

October  i,  1908,  the  centennial  of  the  Society  was  duly- 
celebrated.  There  was  a  banquet  at  Kinderhook  Lake 
Point,  at  which,  after  due  and  very  satisfactory  enjoyment  of 
the  good  things  provided  by  sixty-three  of  the  ninety -nine 
members  enrolled,  there  were  appropriate  addresses  by 
George  W.  Wilkins  and  Edward  Van  Alstyne.  The  meeting 
was  then  adjourned  to  October  i,  2008. 

There  are  now  over  one  hundred  enrolled  members, 
with  a  fund  of  $1200  on  hand  from  which  a  dividend  has 
recently  been  distributed. 

The  present  (1914)  officials  are:  Frank  Bion  Van 
Alstyne,  Treasurer;  E.  P.  Van  Alstyne,  Vice-Treasurer; 
Eugene  Merwin,  Secretary;  Calvin  Ackley,  L.  L.  Morrell,  and 
Charles  M.  Palmer,  Auditors. 

ROYAL  ARCH  MASONS,  KINDERHOOK  CHAPTER,  NO.  264 

Through  the  courtesy  of  the  late  Mr.  George  W.  Wilkins 
we  are  able  to  give  the  following  details.  The  Chapter  was 
organized  March  7,  1872,  with  these  members: 

William  S.  Hallenbeck  George  L.  Van  Hoesen  Lewis  G.  Lant 

John  A.  Van  Bramer  William  G.  Mandeville         Augustus  W.  Wynkoop 

Charles  Palmer  George  Reynolds  Edward  Sulley 

James  Green  Bartholomew  C.  Vosburgh 

Not  one  of  these  is  known  to  be  living  now.  Dispensation 
was  granted  by  Rees  G.  Williams,  Grand  High  Priest,  at 
Utica,  February  22,  A.  L.  5872  or  A.  I.  2402.  The  first 
council  was  chosen  at  that  time:  W.  S.  Hallenbeck,  High 
Priest;  James  Green,  King;  Charles  Palmer,  Scribe.  The 
Chapter  continued  working  under  Dispensation  until  Febru- 
ary 7,  1873,  when  Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  Thomas 
C.  Cassidy  with  his  stafif,  constituted  it  a  Royal  Arch 
Chapter  and  installed  the  above  named  officers.  The  follow- 
ing year  A.  W.  Wynkoop  was  H.  P. ;  Calvin  Ackley,  K.,  and 
Jacob  Cook,  Scribe. 

A  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  is  composed  of  at  least 


3o8  Old  RinderKooK 

nine  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons  whose  titles  are :  Excellent 
High  Priest  (the  presiding  officer) ;  Companions,  King  and 
Scribe;  Captain  of  the  Host;  Principal  Sojourner;  Royal 
Arch  Captain  and  three  Masters  of  the  Veils,  The  successive 
High  Priests  and  their  years  of  service  have  been:  W.  S. 
Hallenbeck,  three  years;  A.  W.  Wynkoop,  ten;  Jacob  Cook, 
three;  George  W.  Wilkins,  ten;  F.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  eight; 
T.  F.  Woodworth,  one ;  Edward  Risedorph,  five.  Subordinate 
officials  with  varying  and  sometimes  separated  terms  of 
service  have  been:  Kings:  James  Green,  A.  W.  V/ynkoop, 
J.  A.  Van  Bramer,  C.  Ackley,  J.  Cook,  S.  H.  Talmadge,  F. 
B.  Van  Alstyne,  T.  Devoe,  Arthur  T.  Bennet,  J.  A.  Trimper, 
George  B.  Wilkins,  and  E.  Risedorph.  Scribes:  C.  Palmer, 
J.  Cook,  W.  S.  Hallenbeck,  J.  Green,  R.  E.  Lasher,  E. 
Risedorph,  W.  Heeney,  T.  F.  Woodworth,  and  Edwin 
Langford.  George  B.  Wilkins  is  the  present  (1912)  High 
Priest. 

ORDER  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAR 

Eda  Chapter,  No.  459,  was  organized  at  Grange  Hall, 
August  17,  1909.  The  semi-monthly  meetings  are  held  in 
the  Kinderhook  Masonic  rooms.  The  Chapter  has  a  mem- 
bership of  sixty -seven  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Of  the  Valatie  organizations  we  give  the  somewhat 
abbreviated  account  by  Mr.  Albert  E.  Davis: 

The  Valatie  Lodge  No.  115,  L  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted 
in  1847,  with  20  charter  members.  It  now  has  80,  officered 
by  Fred  Gudt,  N.  G.;  Richard  Hughes,  V.  G.;  B.  Rowe, 
Secretary. 

The  Valatie  Lodge  No.  362,  F.  and  A.  M.,  received  its 
charter  June  22,  1855,  and  elected  for  its  first  officers,  Jesse 
O.  Vanderpoel,  W.  M.;  Jacob  M.  Whitbeck,  S.  W.;  Jacob  L. 
IMiller,  J.  W.  The  lodge  at  present  has  80  members  who  are 
all  Master  Masons,  and  its  officers  are  Herman  L.  Alter,  W. 
M.;  Harold  Birckmayer,  S.  W.;  J.  W.  Merwin,  J.  W.;  and 
George  G.  Scott,  Secretary. 


Organizations  309 

The  Valatie  Camp  No.  13,328,  Modem  Woodmen  of 
America,  was  organized  by  State  Deputy  William  Sher- 
wood, October,  1908,  with  60  members.  It  is  to-day  one  of 
the  largest  organizations  in  Columbia  County,  having  nearly 
1000  members.  In  May,  1909,  the  Camp  purchased  from 
Messrs.  Purcell,  Barford,  and  Garrigan  their  property  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  New  streets,  for  $2800,  and  had  the 
rooms  made  into  a  lodge  room.  The  Camp  is  officered  by 
Albert  S.  Callan,  Consul;  Herbert  Fern,  Worthy  Advisor; 
William  Avery,  Clerk,  and  Fred  Berlin,  Banker. 

The  T.  M.  Burt  Post,  No.  171,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized 
and  named  after  the  late  Thomas  M.  Burt  of  Kinderhook,  a 
deceased  comrade  in  arms,  by  the  late  General  Morgan  H. 
Chrysler  of  Kinderhook,  on  July  19,  1880.  The  charter 
members  were:  Morgan  H,  Chrysler,  William  Atwood, 
Dominick  Richelieu,  Gifford  Chrysler,  John  Seccombe, 
Charles  Sitcer,  Thomas  Seery,  John  Dahm,  A.  J.  Wilcox, 
Joseph  Healey,  Dr.  James  H.  Green,  and  Joseph  Dahm. 
The  last-named  is  the  sole  surviving  charter  member.  The 
charter  was  signed  by  Department  Commander  L.  Coe 
Young  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General  William  Blaisle. 
The  post  has  now  13  members,  most  of  whom  attended  the 
recent  re-union  at  Gettysburg. 

LINDENWALD  GRANGE,  NO.  985 

Through  the  courtesy  of  the  late  Mr.  George  W.  Wilkins 
we  have  before  us  his  historical  paper  read  before  the  Grange, 
January  24,  1913.  From  it  we  compile  the  following  details: 
The  Grange  was  organized  in  Village  Hall,  June  29,  1903. 
Until  October  9th,  its  meetings  were  held  in  the  parlors  of  the 
M.  E.  church.  Then  the  rooms  over  the  corner  store  (now 
Mr.  Avery's)  were  occupied;  the  building  having  been 
previously  purchased  by  the  Grange  for  $2500,  wholly  on 
credit.  The  dedication  of  the  Hall  took  place  December  4, 
1903;  the  services  being  conducted  by  Mr.  E.  B.  Norris, 
Worthy  Master  of  the  State  Grange.     Notable  and  well- 


3IO  Old  RinderKooK 

remembered  Anniversary  banquets  were  held  in  Village 
Hall  June  24,  1904,  and  June  23,  1906.  At  the  latter  the 
second  mortgage  on  their  property  of  $900  was  burned  with 
joyful  ceremonial.  Two  years  later  Mr.  Wilkins  reported 
that  $1550  more  of  the  debt  had  been  paid,  leaving  only 
$950  outstanding.  January  24,  1909,  the  Hall  with  all  its 
furniture  and  equipments  went  up  in  flames.  For  a  second 
time  and  until  June  15,  1909,  the  Grange  meetings  were  held 
in  the  parlors  of  the  M.  E.  church.  On  that  date  the  present 
Hall,  the  historic  Academy  building,  was  dedicated  by  the 
Worthy  Master  of  the  State  Grange.  The  cost,  furniture, 
and  equipment  included,  was  about  $3000.  It  is  now  free 
from  debt.  The  horse  sheds  cost  about  $800.  The  Grange, 
starting  with  105  members,  now  numbers  260.  From  the 
beginning  it  has  been  very  successful  in  promoting  good 
fellowship,  providing  pleasing  social  entertainments,  and  pre- 
sumably successful  as  regards  the  more  serious  intents  of  its 
organization.  It  has  a  fine  property  and  when  certain 
desired  improvements  are  made  it  will  "have  a  first  class 
building  in  every  respect."  We  cannot  forbear  giving  this 
quotation  from  the  Address:  "As  a  matrimonial  center  our 
Grange  has  been  a  great  success,  for  no  less  than  forty-two 
of  its  members  have  embarked  upon  its  sea ;  and  it  has  been 
reported  that  others  are  to  follow  in  the  near  future.  Of 
this  number  nineteen  were  ladies  of  the  Grange  and  twenty- 
three  were  gentlemen. "  We  congratulate  the  twenty-three; 
but  as  for  the  nineteen,  well,  time  will  tell. 

Fire  Companies 

In  1825  the  citizens  of  Kinderhook,  Millville,  and  vicinity 
were  called  to  meet  at  Frink's  Hotel  for  the  purpose  of 
choosing  the  "most  eligible  means  of  organizing  against  the 
calamities  of  Fire."  Apparently  a  bucket-brigade  was 
chosen,  for  the  following  year  it  was  that  alone  which  saved 
the  house  of  Barent  Hoes  (now  Dr.  Garnsey's)  from  destruc- 


Organizations  311 

tlon.  Not  much  more  was  available  in  '33  when  Flagler's 
Dry  Goods  Store  and  a  Millinery  shop  (standing  on  Mrs. 
Traphagen's  present  property)  were  burned.  During  that 
fire  women  assisted  in  removing  goods  from  Graves  & 
Blanchard's  corner  store.  The  excitement  was  intense  and 
there  was  to  be  "no  more  delay  in  securing  better  protec- 
tion." Nothing,  however,  of  consequence  was  done.  Four 
years  passed  and  then  came  the  burning  of  Birge  &  Smith's 
Harness  shop,  endangering  Mordecai  Myers's  barn,  and 
W.  Bradley  &  Sons  Paint  and  Oil  shop,  and  "roasting  the 
apples  on  John  Bain's  trees  opposite."  This  was  the  last 
straw.  The  following  year,  when  Kinderhook  Village  was 
incorporated,  a  fire  company  was  formed  and  an  appropria- 
tion voted  for  the  purchase  of  a  fire  engine.  In  November, 
'38,  we  have  the  report  to  the  Trustees  that  a  fire  engine 
and  hose  had  been  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $230.  At  the  same 
meeting  former  action  of  the  Trustees  as  regards  a  Fire 
company  was  rescinded,  and  Engine  Co.  No.  i  thus  con- 
stituted: Homer  Blanchard,  P.  P.  Van  Alstyne,  Andrew 
Van  Dyck,  B.  L.  P.  Lillibridge,  George  Doak,  W.  B.  Shaw, 
G.  W.  Beale,  William  Kip,  S.  W.  Van  Valkenburgh,  J.  L. 
Whiting,  W.  G.  Heermance,  W.  W.  Curtis,  E.  Dodge,  E.  A. 
Dunscombe,  J.  V.  Salmon,  and  C.  V.  A.  Van  Dyck.  It  is  a 
joy  to  think  of  these  dignitaries,  especially  the  last-named 
(the  great  missionary  and  Arabic  scholar)  as  running  with 
old  No.  I  to  fires.  Homer  Blanchard  was  Foreman  and  P. 
P.  Van  Alstyne  second  Foreman. 

The  burning  of  the  Academy  Boarding-house  in  '54  called 
attention  to  the  fact  that  Fire  Engine  No,  i  was  "unfit 
for  service. "  In  '55  a  tax  of  $500  was  voted  for  a  new  one, 
and  in  '56  it  appeared  and  was  placed  in  the  care  of  CM. 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Foreman;  Charles  Palmer,  Assistant; 
G.  H.  Hoxsie,  Secretary;  George  Ray,  Treasurer,  and  these 
other  officials,  each  with  his  special  function — M.  H.  Purcell, 
Martin  C.  Dederick,  John  Bray,  Ira  Mickel,  and  W.  H. 
Bull.     The  company,  organized  January  14,  '56,  had  about 


312  Old  K.inderKooK 

forty  members.  The  engine  house  was,  first,  in  a  small 
building  on  Albany  Avenue  belonging  to  Chester  Birge; 
then  on  Church  Street,  later  in  the  building  now  occupied  by 
Becker  &  Hyman,  and  finally  in  the  present  quarters  in 
Village  Hall.  The  old  engine  rendered  excellent  service  in 
many  small  fires;  and  even  now  at  the  beginning  of  a  fire  its 
"perspiration  power"  is  sometimes  of  great  value  before  its 
proud  successor  is  ready  for  action. 

After  the  destructive  conflagration  of  1880,  elsewhere 
noted,  the  Legislature  was  asked  to  empower  the  Corporation 
to  raise  money  for  a  steam  fire  engine.  Authority  was 
granted  and  in  December,  '81,  the  present  engine  was 
purchased.  It  is  what  was  then  called  a  fifth  grade  engine 
and  cost  $2250.  Its  first  trial  at  the  burning  of  Handy 's 
Cotton  mill  in  1882  was  not  a  conspicuous  success;  probably 
because  of  inexperience.  Since  then  it  has  on  many  occasions 
justified  its  purchase. 

THE  KINDERHOOK  HOOK  AND  LADDER  COMPANY 

August  13,  1864,  the  Trustees  of  the  Village  in  response 
to  a  petition,  organized  this  Company  and  issued  certificates 
of  membership  to :  Barent  Van  Alstyne,  Isaac  V.  A.  Snyder, 
Eugene  L.  Hover,  George  C.  Patterson,  Samuel  C.  Hulburt, 
Lorenzo  Humphrey,  Thomas  J.  Wiley,  William  H.  Rainey, 
Peter  V.  S.  Pruyn,  James  V.  A.  Hover,  John  A.  Van  Bramer, 
Franklin  Risedorph,  E.  Ten  Broeck,  and  Calvin  Ackley. 
At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Company,  September  9th,  Mr. 
Rainey  was  elected  Foreman;  Messrs.  Snyder  and  Hulburt, 
Assistant  Foremen;  J.  A.  Van  Bramer,  Treasurer  and  C. 
Ackley,  Secretary.  In  addition  to  the  charter  members 
named  we  find  the  following  signers  of  the  Constitution 
adopted  in  December,  '64:  John  Van  Alen,  David  H. 
Oakes,  George  Reynolds,  W.  B.  Howland,  James  H.  Hover, 
Lewis  Ritz,  Augustus  Wynkoop,  P.  S.  Hoes,  J.  A.  Reynolds, 
W.  G.  Hallenbeck,  G.  Murrell,  Theodore  Stickles,  W.  B. 


Organizations  313 

Mix,  and  Frank  Bray.  These  were  subsequent  additions  to 
the  first  fourteen  names.  A  Httle  later  we  note  the  names : 
Frank  Van  Santvoord,  Edward  A.  Thomas,  Loren  H.  Gould, 
Edward  M.  Knapp,  Manton  Van  Schaack,  A.  H.  Farrar, 
F.  L.  Mix,  D.  C.  Covert,  W.  B.  Mix,  Tunis  Devoe,  Charles 
W.  Rainey,  F.  Decker,  C.  F.  Cook,  G.  Mandeville,  Pruyn 
Wilcoxson.  Company  meetings  were  regularly  held  once  a 
month  and  their  Minutes  down  to  1882,  with  those  of  occa- 
sional meetings  thereafter  are  before  us.  A  system  of  fines, 
ranging  from  ten  cents  for  absence  from  a  meeting  to  one 
dollar  for  failure  to  be  present  at  a  fire,  proved  very  success- 
ful. The  fines  were  numerous  and  by  slow  accumulation, 
wise  administration,  and  added  interest  have  amounted  to  a 
considerable  fund.  We  note  the  statement  January  i,  19 10, 
that  $948.45  were  on  deposit  in  a  Savings  Bank.  It  need  not 
be  said  that  the  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  was  always 
prompt  in  responding  to  occasional  calls  for  service  and  has 
rendered  much  effective  aid.  We  have  been  especially 
pleased  to  note  this  record  under  date  of  July  5,  1874, 
written  by  the  "Colonel"  himself,  that  at  the  burning  of  C. 
L.  Herrick's  barn  on  the  Valatie  road,  between  one  and  two 
A.M.,  "the  H.  &  L.  Co.  repaired  to  the  scene  and  by  their 
aid  the  hog  pen  was  saved  while  all  the  other  buildings 
burned  entirely  down."  Death  and  removal  have  now 
reduced  the  Company  to  but  four  honored  veterans.  Re- 
cently these  survivors  presented  the  village  with  a  chemical 
engine. 

THE  PALMER  ENGINE  AND  HOSE  COMPANY 

This  was  organized  February  9,  1883,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Charles  Palmer,  for  many  years  the  efficient  head 
of  our  Fire  Department.  The  charter  members  and  first 
officials  were:  Richard  Hallenbeck,  Foreman;  Edward 
Thomas,  ist  Assistant;  Robert  Connor,  2d  Assistant; 
Charles  F.  Richelieu,  Secretary;  George H.  Brown,  Treasurer. 


314  Old  K.inderHooK 

August  W.  Bauer,  Ellsworth  S.  Brown,  William  Birckmayer, 
George  Trimper,  Thomas  L.  Griffin,  Wintworth  Ball, 
Frank  S.  Hoag,  Edward  Sharp,  Henry  Beer,  John  Reed, 
Frank  Ball,  and  Charles  F.  Richelieu.  During  the  thirty 
years  since  its  organization  its  service  to  the  community  has 
been  exceptionally  valuable  on  many  occasions.  The  present 
officers  are  (March,  1913):  President,  Robert  F.  Avery; 
Vice-President,  Clarence  Coons;  Secretary,  William  A.  Rora- 
back;  Treasurer,  Bertram  A.  Hull.  The  Trustees  are: 
Harold  Birckmayer,  Charles  A.  Sickles,  James  E.  Van 
Alstyne,  Edward  Risedorph,  and  Robert  F.  Avery.  Fore- 
man, Frank  Heeney;  ist  Assistant,  John  T.  Hickey;  2d 
Assistant,  Clarence  Sharp;  Engineer,  George  B.  Wilkins; 
Fireman,  Clinton  Fowler,  Jr.;  Fire  Chief,  William  C.  Hover; 
1st  Assistant,  James  E.  Van  Alstyne;  2d  Assistant,  Clarence 
Coons.  The  parlors  of  this  Company,  fitted  up  in  excellent 
style  in  Village  Hall,  and  provided  with  current  literature, 
a  billiard  table,  a  pianola  piano  (since  exchanged  for  a 
grafonola),  and  other  means  of  diversion,  are  much  fre- 
quented, and  are  measurably,  at  least,  a  counter  attraction 
to  that  of  perilous  resorts. 

VALATIE  FIRE  COMPANIES 

In  1837  the  legislature  passed  an  Act  incorporating  the 
Valatie  Fire  Company.  The  village  not  being  incorporated 
as  yet,  funds  for  the  purchase  of  engine,  engine-house,  and 
equipments  were  raised  by  voluntary  subscription.  Seven 
years  later  the  Trustees  of  the  Company  divided  their  prop- 
erty, valued  at  $1400,  into  280  shares  of  $5.00  each.  The 
subscribers  were:  George  W.  Bulkley,  Edwin  O.  Carpenter, 
W.  Van  Buren,  John  Van  Slyck,  J.  P.  Van  Alen,  James 
Henderson,  John  Trimper,  John  Rogers,  Peter  Pulver, 
George  W.  Benson,  Richard  W.  Kirke,  Barent  Mesick, 
Charles  Osborn,  H.  M.  Penoyer,  Henry  Van  Buren,  William 
A.    Thomas,    James   Williams,    George    F.    Wood,    Henry 


Organizations  315 

Diamond,  George  Pease,  James  Patton,  D.  E.  Van  Valken- 
burgh,  0.  Carpenter,  James  Van  Slyck,  M.  Callahan, 
Rensselaer  Reynolds,  Philip  Traver,  James  Traver,  J.  P. 
Miller,  Peter  S.  Prussen,  Jonathan  Clow,  John  C.  Ostrander, 
A.  Abbott,  and  Mrs.  Shipman  each  gave  $5;  Alfred  Wild,  J. 
Carpenter,  Samuel  Hanna,  each  $25;  William  P.  Rathbone, 
William  Bain,  each  $20;  Robert  Marsh  and  R.  S.  Penoyer, 
$10.  Eight  years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  Village, 
March,  1856,  this  property  was  transferred  to  the  Village 
Trustees  and  the  Company  disbanded. 

The  James  Purcell  Hose  Company  was  organized  with 
twenty  members  and  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the 
State,  January  15,  1895.  The  building  on  Main  Street,  be- 
longing to  the  Company  was  built  by  contractor  G.  W. 
Wilkins  &  Son  of  Kinderhook,  the  previous  year,  costing 
nearly  $3000.  James  Purcell  of  Valatie  was  the  largest 
contributor  and  the  company  was  named  after  him.  It  has 
a  membership  of  about  thirty  and  is  a  member  of  the  Hudson 
Valley  Volunteer  Firemen's  Association  of  the  State.  It  is 
now  officered  by  President  P.  J.  Cunningham;  Secretary, 
Albert  E.  Davis;  Trustees,  Jasper  T.  Dennis,  Remus  E. 
Lasher,  and  W.  B.  Rowe. 

NOTABLE  FIRES 

Of  the  notable  fires  the  first  was  that  of  December  14, 
1867,  when  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  built  in  18 14  was 
burned.  The  day  (Saturday)  was  bitterly  cold.  At  eleven 
o'clock  there  was  a  funeral  service  in  the  church  for  Silas 
Metcalfe,  for  many  years  an  honored  Principal  of  the 
Academy  and  prominent  in  the  social  and  church  life  of  the 
village.  Through  over-heating  possibly,  or  because  of  an 
unknown  defective  flue,  fire  started  beneath  the  floor  and 
was  well  under  way  before  noticed  at  about  one  o'clock. 
Within  two  hours  little  was  left  except  the  bare  walls.  The 
pulpit  Bible,  communion  table,  sofa,  chairs,  strips  of  car- 
pet, and  a  few  hymn  books  were  saved,  but  beyond  these 


3i6  Old  K-inderKooK 

nothing.  An  oaken  chest  behind  the  organ,  filled  with  old 
letters  and  other  valuable  papers,  might  have  been  carried 
out,  but  in  the  excitement  was  forgotten,  for  which  we  have 
not  ceased  to  reproach  ourselves.  The  bell  was  largely- 
melted  before  its  remnants  fell.  What  of  the  molten  metal 
could  be  gathered  up  was  recast  into  small  table  bells  which 
were  sold  for  one  dollar  each  at  the  remarkably  successful 
fair,  July  4,  1868. 

The  much  greater  fire  of  May  9,  1880,  originated  in  a 
saloon  kept  by  John  Tracey,  where,  for  some  never  ex- 
plained reason ,  a  light  was  left  burning  after  the  closing  of  the 
saloon  near  midnight.  Soon  thereafter  two  men  who  were 
passing,  noticing  indications  of  fire,  burst  in  the  door  and 
found  the  interior  all  ablaze  and  the  flames  uncontrollable 
by  any  available  means.  The  fire  spread  both  ways  and  the 
entire  block,  from  Bradley's  Hotel  to  and  including  the  late 
David  Van  Schaack's  law  office,  then  occupied  by  Mr.  W.  H. 
Atwood,  was  soon  a  mass  of  smoldering  ruins.  It  was  with 
difficulty  that  the  building  east  of  the  hotel  and  now  owned 
by  Mr.  Charles  M.  Bray,  and  the  home  of  Mrs.  Van  Schaack 
on  Broad  Street  were  saved.  The  roof  of  Mr.  C.  Herrick's 
building  (now  Lindenwald  Hotel)  was  several  times  ablaze. 
As  noted  in  the  record  of  the  Trustees  of  the  village  the 
buildings  destroyed  were:  The  Hotel  of  William  Bradley; 
Store  of  Jacob  Cook,  used  as  a  Hat  Store  and  Post  Office; 
Saloon  of  J.  Tracey;  Barber  Shop  of  G.  Post;  Saloon  of  Hugh 
Gardner,  building  owned  by  Daniel  Herrick ;  Harness  Shop 
of  C.  E.  Covey;  Tin  Shop  of  C.  Palmer;  Barber  Shop  of  A. 
Bauer;  Law  Ofiice  of  Y\f.  H.  Atwood;  Barns,  etc.  As  all 
know,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  burned  district  has  been  rebuilt 
with  a  much  better  class  of  brick  buildings  now  occupied  by 
the  Kinderhook  Knitting  Co.,  John  Trimper,  and  the  Gage 
Brothers.  The  Van  Schaack  Law  Office  which  adjoined  A. 
Bauer's  Barber  Shop,  after  which  came  Palmer's  Tin  Shop, 
was  not  rebuilt.  The  corner  lot  awaits  the  Library  to  be 
given  by ? 


flK     ■  ill' 


„.rriiiii|^ 


jUigiS;^ 


Before  the  Fire 

From  a  photograph  by  McDonald  &  Sterry 


Before  the  Fire 

From  a  photograph  by  McDonald  &  Sterry 


Organizations  317 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  A.  Reynolds  we  are 
able  to  present  pictures  of  most  of  the  buildings  burned,  as 
they  were  before  the  fire.  They  are  copies  of  two  views  taken 
several  years  before  by  a  peripatetic  photographer.  The 
second  picture  completes  the  first  to  the  corner  and  gives  a 
glimpse  of  the  burned  buildings  on  Broad  Street.  It  should 
be  noted,  however,  that  the  scale  of  the  two  pictures  is  not  the 
same,  and  that  the  buildings  of  the  second  picture  as  com- 
pared with  those  of  the  first  were  larger  relatively  than  they 
appear.  The  last  building  on  the  right  of  the  first  picture 
is  the  same  as  the  first  building  on  the  second  view.  Some 
at  least  will  be  interested  in  the  following  explanatory  notes : 
On  the  hotel  veranda  may  be  seen  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  B.  Shaw 
and  their  son  Robert;  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Bain  and  her  daughter 
Mary  L.,  now  Mrs.  J.  A.  Reynolds,  in  white;  and  Adger,  son 
of  Robert  Clark,  of  Charleston,  and  a  nephew  of  Mrs,  Shaw 
and  Mrs.  Bain.  Among  those  standing  below  are  William 
Bradley;  James  Van  Loan,  leaning  against  the  post;  Martin 
De  Myer,  son  of  Benjamin  who  kept  the  hotel  opposite,  and 
Perry  Bradley.  Jacob  Cook  may  be  seen  in  his  doorway 
and  C.  M.  Van  Valkenburgh  on  the  stoop  of  the  Harness 
Shop.  In  the  second  view  Peter  H.  Bain  is  inspecting  a 
cultivator  in  front  of  Lathrop  and  Reynolds's  Hardware 
store.  On  the  stoop  are  Calvin  Ackley  and  his  dog,  Harold 
Van  Santvoord,  George  Reynolds,  and  Charles  Sitcer.  The 
"Old  Man,"  Frank  Schermerhorn,  is  also  in  evidence. 
Franklin  Risedorph  and  George  Patterson  are  on  the  next 
stoop,  Holcomb  in  the  wagon,  and  the  boys  Isaac  Bradley 
and  Ed.  Conner  awaiting  developments  other  than  those  of 
the  photographer. 

The  next  serious  fire  was  the  burning  of  the  cotton  mill, 
May  5,  '82.  It  was  then  owned  by  Russell  Handy  and 
stood  about  on  the  site  of  the  present  Albany  Southern 
station  house.  Its  destruction  was  a  great  loss  to  our  village 
and  especially  to  the  many  who  had  been  employed  therein. 

Our  most  spectacular  fire  as  regards  scenic  effects  was 


3i8  Old  RinderKooK 

the  burning  of  the  Canoe  (Beaver)  mill,  Valatie.  It  was 
during  the  memorable  blizzard,  March  ii,  12,  1888,  and 
when  that  storm  was  at  its  height  at  night.  The  sky  was 
filled  with  snowflakes  as  thickly,  and  driving  as  fast  and 
furiously  as  could  be.  Only  near  the  doomed  building  could 
the  fire  be  definitely  located  through  the  blinding  snow  which 
so  diffused  the  light  of  the  flames  that  (with  apologies  to 
Shakespeare)  it  did, 

The  multitudinous  flakes  incarnadine, 
Making  the  heavens  one  red. 

The  separate  flakes  were  of  a  glowing  pink  as  they  fell  about 
our  homes  two  miles  away.  So  vivid  was  the  fiery  glow  that 
some,  fearing  the  roofs  of  their  own  homes  were  aflame, 
rushed  out  into  the  storm  to  see.  And  there  were  those  who 
thought  that  the  end  of  the  world  was  at  hand.  The  burning 
of  that  large  mill  was  a  greater  loss  to  Valatie  than  was  the 
burning  of  our  own  to  us. 

Of  the  blizzard  we  need  say  but  briefly,  that  while  much 
less  severe  here  than  to  the  south  of  us,  none  then  living  had 
ever  seen  its  like  before.  We  remember  seeing  the  snowdrifts 
concealing  the  top  of  the  doorframe  of  the  house  opposite. 
We  recall  crawling  as  best  we  could  along  the  top  of  the 
fence  east  of  us,  and  wading  far  afield  when  obliged  to  ven- 
ture out.  We  recollect  the  tunnel  over  the  sidewalk  near 
Jacob  Cook's  house,  through  which  men  passed  for  several 
days.  How  all  travel  was  suspended  and  we  without  mails 
and  every  other  communication  with  the  outside  world  for 
three  or  four  days ;  how  the  supplies  of  milk  and  food  began 
to  grow  scanty  and  would  have  failed  except  for  the  resource 
of  canned  goods,  none  who  passed  through  those  scenes  will 
ever  forget.  We  do  not  recall,  however,  that  there  was  much 
if  any  actual  suffering  here.  In  due  time  the  storm  abated 
and  by  slow  degrees  paths  and  roads  were  opened  up  and 
mails  and  travel  facilities  restored.     And  when,  Thursday 


Organizations  319 

afternoon,  we  had  papers  to  read  we  found  that,  compared 
with  many  other  places,  Kinderhook  had  fared  very  well 
through  an  experience  not  wholly  unwelcome  once  in  a  life- 
time for  its  impressiveness  not  without  high  moral  teaching. 


CHAPTER  XI 

HIGHWAYS,  PUBLIC  UTILITIES,  INDUSTRIES, 
CEMETERIES 

Indian  Trails — Beginnings  of  Roads — The  Post  Road — Village  Streets — 
Bridges — Sloops — Steamboats — Stage  Coaches — Ferries — Steam  and 
Electric  Railways — Water  Works — Kinderhook  and  Valatie  Industries 
— Private  Burial  Plots — The  Old  Burying  Ground — Chancellor  Kent's 
Decree — Present  Cemeteries. 

IN  1609,  with  the  exception  of  small  clearings  crudely  cul- 
tivated by  the  aborigines,  there  was  an  unbroken  wilder- 
ness from  Manhattan  to  the  St.  Lawrence.  Through  it, 
however,  here  and  there  were  numerous  trails,  discernible  by 
the  Indians,  which  were  their  highways  of  travel.  In  primi- 
tive Kinderhook  there  was,  as  heretofore  noted,  one  such 
trail  near  the  river  leading  to  their  "castle"  at  "Schotack" 
behind  the  present  Castleton.  There  was  another  which 
followed  in  a  general  way  what  is  now  the  road-bed  of  the 
Boston  and  Albany  Railway,  and  which  came  to  be  known 
a  century  later  as  the  "  Great  New  England  Path. "  This  led 
to  another  Indian  "castle,"  near  Chatham  Center  or  Chat- 
ham, and  of  which  we  have  a  mere  glimpse  now  and  then 
in  the  earliest  land-papers.  It  was  the  Indian  travel-route 
to  the  East.  Evidently  also  there  were  trails  near  the 
principal  streams.  The  abundance  in  former  years  of  Indian 
relics  on  the  present  William  B.  Van  Alstyne  farm  seems 
to  indicate  that  locality  as  a  place  of  frequent  meeting  if 
not  of  an  Indian  village. 

.320 


Hi^H-ways  321 

For  many  years  the  means  of  communication  with  Fort 
Orange,  and  much  more  with  New  Amsterdam,  were  few 
and  primitive;  the  river,  and  mere  bridle  paths  through  the 
forest  being  the  only  highways.  The  voyage  between  New 
Amsterdam  and  Kinderhook  by  sloop  took  from  three  days 
when  winds  were  favorable  to  a  week  or  more  when  condi- 
tions were  adverse.  Arnout  C.  Viele,  the  Indian  interpreter, 
writing  in  1699  of  his  journey  from  New  York  to  Albany, 
speaks  of  it  as  taking  a  week  and  says — '^we  came  to  Kinder - 
hook  by  boat  and  there  took  a  canoa/'  As  early  doubtless  as 
the  very  first  settlements  on  the  river-front  and  along  the 
Kinderhook  and  Claverack  creeks  there  were  roads  of  some 
sort  for  land  inter-communication.  They  were  in  the  first 
instance  mere  bridle  paths  or  cow  lanes,  as  our  present  Wil- 
liam Street  was  originally  called,  and  were  but  slight  im- 
provements upon  the  Indian  trails.  One  such  led  up  from 
Nuttenhook  (oh  the  pity  of  the  recent  unmeaning  name 
^^ Newton  Hook!'')  and  another  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Stockport  Creek  to  and  beyond  the  site  of  our  present  village. 
And  still  earlier,  along  the  river,  was  the  rude  beginning  of 
what  was  later  known  as  the  Farmer's  Turnpike,  essentially 
our  present  river-road  to  Albany. 

The  Fort  Orange  Minutes,  April  25,  1671,  give  the  first 
definite  information  concerning  our  highways.  Therein  we 
read:  "At  the  request  of  inhabitants  and  property  owners 
behind  the  Kinderhoeck,  Pieter  Van  Alen,  and  Adam  Dingh- 
mans  are  elected  road-masters,  and  Jacob  Martense  messen- 
ger to  deliver  summons,  etc."  They  probably  began  the 
Post  Road  from  our  village  north;  for  in  1676  the  Court 
directed  "Dirk,  the  Swede,  and  Adam  Dingman,  road 
masters,  to  have  the  road  from  Kinderhook  to  Greenbush 
finished."  Six  years  later  the  same  Court  directed  the 
inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  to  "repair  the  road  leading  past 
Greenbush,  and  to  fence  their  burial  places,"  that  is,  the 
private  burial  plots  hereinafter  noted. 

As  early  as  1684  there  must  have  been  a  bridle  path  at 


322  Old  K-inderKooK 

least  between  Albany  and  New  York,  on  each  side  of  the 
river,  for  we  read  of  the  semi- weekly  post-rider  as  then 
going  one  way  and  returning  the  other.  In  that  year  it  was 
officially  decreed  "that  the  rate  for  riding  post  be  3d.  for 
every  single  letter  not  above  100  miles;  if  more,  proportion- 
ately." In  1685  Samuel  Bensingh  and  Cornelis  Stevensen 
were  appointed  to  care  for  the  road  from  Claverack  to 
Kinderhook,  while  Jacob  Vosburgh  and  Jochim  Lambertsen 
(Van  Valkenburgh)  had  charge  of  that  from  Kinderhook  to 
Albany.  This  was  substantially  the  present  and  old-time 
Post  Road,  our  most  famous  highway. 

Not  earlier  than  1690  were  there  much  more  than  Indian 
trails  and  bridle  paths  eastward,  for  in  that  year  it  required 
Governor  Fitz-John  Winthrop's  troops  from  July  14th  to 
September  2 1st  to  reach  Kinderhook  from  Hartford,  passing, 
he  said,  "through  the  wilderness."  In  1723  Captain  Abra- 
ham Halstyn  (Van  Alstyne),  Coenraat  Borghart,  and  Leen- 
dert  Conyn  were  appointed  commissioners  to  lay  out — "a 
road  through  the  woods  to  Greenbush."  This  was  sub- 
stantially the  present  river-road.  Six  years  later  Stephanus 
Van  Alen,  Burger  Huyck,  and  Leendert  Conyn  were  ap- 
pointed road-masters,  and  by  the  same  Act  the  inhabitants 
were  explicitly  required  to  "clear  and  maintain  (the  road)  by 
cutting  and  stubing  up  the  brush  and  loping  of  the  limbs  of 
trees  that  hang  over  the  said  Road  the  breadth  of  two  Rods 
and  pulling  up  the  stones  that  can  be  moved  and  to  carry 
them  out  of  the  Road  at  least  the  breadth  of  one  Rod." 
In  1729  we  find  the  appointment  of  Road  Commissioners 
for  the  care  of  the  Post  Road.  They  were  Stephanus  Van 
Alen,  Burger  Huyck,  and  Leendert  Conyn.  The  road  was 
designated  as  "For  Kinderhook  in  said  County  (Albany) 
from  the  bounds  thereof  through  the  woods  to  Greenbush." 
For  the  road  "along  the  river  side"  the  appointees  were — 
Johannes  Beekman,  Maes  Van  Beuren,  and  Johannes  Van 
Beuren.  The  former  Commissioners  doubtless  did  what 
they  could,  as  did  also  their  successors,  too  numerous  to  be 


HigK-ways  323 

named,  but  it  was  not  before  1760,  when  Cornelius  Van 
Schaack,  Tobias  and  Barent  Van  Beuren,  and  Isaac  Mueller 
were  the  Commissioners  that  the  present  Post  road  was  fully- 
completed;  running,  as  already  stated,  through  William 
Street  and  over  the  Bain-Snyder  property  to  the  vicinity  of 
the  present  Albany  Southern  station,  and  thence  as  now  to 
Greenbush. 

That  some  of  the  road-masters  were  not  unduly  zealous 
in  the  performance  of  their  duties  may  be  inferred  from  the 
reprimand  and  order  issued  by  Justice  Henry  Van  Schaack 
concerning  delayed  and  indifferent  work.  With  his  stern 
sense  of  duty  he  felt  compelled  to  call  attention  also  to  what 
he  terms  "scandalous  abuses  of  the  Sabbath  which  have 
been  and  are  too  prevalent  among  us."  Henceforth,  he 
orders,  "offenders  (are)  to  be  fined  six  shillings,  or  set  pub- 
licly in  the  stocks  for  three  hours;  but  if  an  Indian,  slave,  or 
servant,  to  have  thirteen  lashes  on  the  bared  back  for  each 
offence." 

Far  into  the  eighteenth  century  the  few  letters  written 
were  entrusted  to  Indian  carriers.  As  late  as  1770  we  find 
Mr.  Henry  Van  Schaack  writing  to  Sir  William  Johnson 
that  he  sends  his  letter  by  "Indian  post."  Not  until  1772 
was  there  a  regular  weekly  mail  established  between  New 
York  and  Albany,  coming  up  on  one  side  of  the  river  and 
returning  on  the  other.  Nor  for  many  years  was  there  any 
regular  postal  service  west  of  Schenectady  or  south  of 
Philadelphia. 

The  Commissioners  of  Highways  (i774-'75)  were  Peter 
Vosburgh,  Peter  Van  Alstyne,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Jr., 
Barent  Vanderpoel,  and  Lucas  I.  Goes.  From  their  reports, 
on  file  in  the  County  Clerk's  office,  Albany,  we  quote  these 
items  which  reveal  the  beginnings  of  streets  and  roads 
familiar  to  residents : 

Sept.  17,  1774.  At  the  request  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Shaver,  we 
have  this  day  laid  out  a  road  from  said  Shaver's  till  it  comes  to 


324  Old  RinderKooK 

the  road  from  Capt.  Myndert  Vosburgh's  to  the  Kinderhook 
church;  on  the  south  corner  of  Mr.  Barent  Van  Buren's  fence. 
Oct.  14,  '74-  At  t^^  request  of  Mr.  Johannes  Moet  we  have 
laid  out  a  road  from  his  house  till  it  comes  to  the  road  that  leads 
from  Capt.  Myndert  Vosburgh's  to  the  Kinderhook  church;  it 
comes  on  the  said  road  where  the  old  road  struck  off  to  Cornelius 
Sharp's.  Oct.  24,  '74.  We  have  this  day  viewed  a  road  and 
found  it  of  public  service  from  the  house  of  Johannis  Moet  as  the 
road  now  goes  and  such  alterations  as  are  marked  until  it  comes 
to  the  dwelling  house  of  Martin  Van  Alstyne  and  from  thence  to 
the  Landing  road.  Feb.  ist.,  '75.  We  have  laid  out  a  public 
highway  (Hudson  Street)  from  the  church  to  the  burial  ground, 
thence  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Dr.  John  Quilhot  (Broad  Street), 
keeping  the  breadth  to  the  fences  as  they  now  are,  and  from 
thence  to  the  dwelling  of  Herman  Pruyn  as  the  road  now  is 
except  where  the  road  interferes  with  inclosed  and  improved  lands, 
keeping  the  breadth  of  two  rods,  and  thence  (the  Landing  road) 
to  the  southward  of  said  dwelling  house  to  low  water  mark  as 
this  road  is  laid  out  by  John  Bleeker  Esq.  to  Thomas  Powell. 
Feb.  I,  '75.  We  have  laid  out  a  public  highway  from  the  District 
of  Claverack,  beginning  near  the  widow  Van  Alcn's,  from  thence 
to  Kinderhook  and  from  thence  to  the  line  of  the  Manor  proper, 
keeping  the  breadth  of  two  rods  except  where  it  interferes  with 
closed  lands. 

The  "burial  ground"  referred  to  above  was  in  the  center 
of  the  present  village,  as  will  be  hereafter  described. 

THE    POST    ROAD 

Among  the  treasures  of  our  State  Library  is,  or  was,  a  copy 
of  the  Auckland  MSS.  (1777),  the  originals  of  which  are  in 
the  library  of  Kings  College,  Cambridge.  They  are  de- 
scriptive letters  written  to  further  the  speedy  subjection  of 
the  colonies.  In  the  first  volume,  we  found  our  Post  Road 
described  as  a  part  of  "The  great  Western  and  Wagon  Road 
from  Boston  to  Albany."  After  leaving  Springfield  and  West- 
field  that  road  ran  through  Colebrooke,  Sheffield,  RoelofT, 
Jansen's  Ferry,  Claverack,  Kinderhook,  and  Greenbush. 


HigK-ways  325 

We  have  before  us  as  we  write  one  of  the  very  few  docu- 
ments belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  David  Van  Schaack  which 
escaped  the  fire  of  1880  whereby  his  office,  filled  with  records 
which  would  have  been  a  mine  of  information,  was  destroyed. 
It  is  Lucas  Goes's  original  chart  of  his  survey  (1808)  of  about 
twenty-three  and  a  quarter  miles  of  the  old  post  road,  from 
near  the  house  of  John  I.  Miller  on  the  Columbia  and 
Rensselaer  turnpike.  In  Kinderhook  village  only  thirty 
buildings  are  indicated,  all  without  names.  The  Dutch 
church  (second  edifice)  stands  as  hitherto  stated  on  what  is 
now  the  lawn  of  Mrs.  James  A.  Reynolds.  South  of  it  we 
note  the  birthplace  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  Between  the 
church  and  Broad  Street,  on  the  west  side  only  two  houses 
are  indicated,  one  of  them  the  principal  hotel  of  the  time. 
On  the  east  side  seven  buildings  are  represented.  One  large 
one,  marked  by  a  cross,  is  the  first  Academy  building,  now 
part  of  the  Central  House.  Leaving  the  village  and  going 
north  we  come  first  to  the  residence  of  R.  Webber  on  land 
now  owned  by  Mr.  L.  L.  Morrell.  Then  follow  at  varying 
distances  the  homes  in  order  of  T.  McNeil;  S.  Vosburgh;  G. 

Gillett;  I.  Pultz;  H.  Caldren; Carr;  Deyo;  B.  Wildey; 

Jacob  Smith; Van  Hoevenburgh;  William  Teal;  Peter 

Runalds  (opposite  a   bog);  Jesse  Halt;  schoolhouse;  

Noney;  Gilbert  Mead;  Thomas  Crandle;  Snider;  J. 

Smith;    J.  and  C.  Schermerhorn    (southwest   of   a   second 

bog) ;   Van   Volkenburgh ;   Peter   Van   Volkenburgh ; 

schoolhouse;  Henry  Shaver;  Ch.  Hearmans;  D.  Smith;  Jolm 
Smith,  and  others  doubtless  in  Schodack. 

Returning  to  the  village  and  crossing  the  bridge  we 
observe  these  places  noted:  A.  Van  Alen  (near  the  recent 
Whiting- Howard  place) ;  Deming,  (now  owned  by  Datus  C. 
Smith);  E.  Van  Alen;  Widow  Van  Alen;  schoolhouse;  C. 
Ham ;  G.  Dingman ;  William  P.  Van  Ness  (Lindenwald) ;  A. 

Hait;  J.  H.  Shaver;  E.  (?)  Shaver;  G.  Shaver; Jones; 

schoolhouse;  H.  Van  Hoesen;  Widow  Van  Bramer;  N. 
Briggs;  D.  Dingman;  J.  Van  Volkenburgh;  T.  Van  Alstyne; 


326  Old  K-inderKooK 

C.  Cain ; Van  Hagen ; Van  Volkenburgh ;  D.  Dobbs ; 

Tipple;  Jacob  Philip;  C.  M.  Donald;  H.  Skinkle;  J. 

Leggett ;  schoolhouse ;  Jer.  Pulver ;  V.  Volenmier ; Wit- 
beck  and  Philip.    A  few  of  these  places  may  have 

been  within  the  town  of  Claverack,  now  Ghent,  and  a  few 
at  the  north  within  Schodack. 

Concerning  the  old  Turnpike  road,  of  which  our  present 
and  prospective  State  roads  are  supposed  to  be  the  last 
consummate  flower,  we  note:  The  Rensselaer  and  Colum- 
bia, chartered  in  1799  "to  run  from  the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts, where  the  road  from  Pittsfield  and  Hancock  leads 
by  the  springs  in  Canaan,  by  the  house  of  Elisha  Gilbert  and 
others,  to  the  ferry  near  the  house,  of  John  I.  Van  Rensse- 
laer." Next  in  our  town,  in  1804,  the  Chatham  Turnpike 
(Stuyvesant  to  Chatham)  was  incorporated,  with  these 
Kinderhook  men  among  the  incorporators:  Peter  I.  Vos- 
burgh,  Bartholomew  J.  Van  Valkenburgh,  John  Goes,  Jr., 
Medad  Butler,  John  Rogers,  Abraham  I.  Van  Vleck,  and 
John  A.  Van  Buren.  The  Farmers'  Turnpike  (the  present 
River  Road) ,  concerning  which  we  find  the  Van  Alstines  of 
Poelsburg  making  stipulations  as  to  its  course,  was  chartered 
in  1813. 

VILLAGE  STREETS 

Soon  after  the  abandonment  of  the  old  burial  ground  in 
18 1 7,  Chatham  Street  was  laid  out  as  now,  although  there 
had  long  been  a  narrow  lane  along  the  southerly  side. 

In  1 82 1  Broad  Street  received  substantially  its  present 
form,  for  in  that  year  six  women  of  the  Holland  family 
consented  to  the  appropriation  of  a  strip  of  their  land  for  the 
straightening  of  the  street,  making  the  north  line  coincide 
with  the  front  of  the  corner  stores  of  John  Bain  and  Peter 
Van  Buren.  The  accommodating  women  also  agreed  to 
move  back  to  that  line  their  own  "red  store,"  which  stood  in 
front  of  the  present  Linden wald  Hotel.    The  Holland  family 


ii 

The  Village  Bridges 

From  a  photograph 


The  Creek  near  the  Bridge 

From  a  photograph 


HigKways  327 

were  owners  of  the  whole  corner  and  of  a  considerable  tract 
on  the  west  side  of  Albany  Avenue.  In  December,  '37, 
Maiden  Lane  was  made  a  village  street,  running  from  "the 
old  road  to  Cow  street,"  now  William.  In  1839,  Congress 
Street,  Valatie,  was  laid  out  over  the  land  of  Nathan  Wild, 
and  in  1840  it  was  ordered  that  "the  street  or  highway  from 
the  bridge  near  the  cotton  factory  of  Nathan  Wild,  running 
easterly,  ...  is  hereby  designated  and  shall  hereafter  be 
known  by  the  name  of  Main  street."  The  reports  of  the 
laying  out  and  altering  of  many  minor  roads  are  much  too 
numerous  to  be  given  in  detail. 

OLD  BRIDGES 

In  1 719  (Colonial  Laws,  i.,  p.  1030)  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  and  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook,  Claverack,  and  the 
"Mannor  of  Livingston"  were  authorized  to  expend  not  to 
exceed  eighty  ounces'  of  plate  for  a  bridge  over  Kinderhook 
Creek.  This  Act  was  passed  in  answer  to  a  petition  which 
represented  that  the  fording  of  the  stream  was  at  times 
dangerous.  Those  who  have  seen  our  creek  on  a  rampage 
can  easily  believe  it.  The  choice  of  the  present  site  involved 
a  change  in  the  road;  and  accordingly  we  read:  "The 
King's  highway  or  Road  shall  go  by  the  house  of  Cornelius 
Martense  and  so  straight  through  the  Woods  along  by 
Derick  Meese  and  so  along  to  the  bridge  aforesaid  .  .  .  and 
from  the  Bridge  to  the  King's  old  road  which  goes  from 
Kinderhook  to  the  green  Bush  over  against  Albany."  Costs 
were  to  be  assessed  on  the  three  sections  named.  By  the 
same  Act  all  vehicles  were  required  to  have  axles  of  such  a 
length  that  the  wheels  would  make  a  track  of  four  feet  ten 
inches  wide,  outside  measurement.  In  October,  1792,  a 
bridge  252  feet  long  over  "Major  Abram's  creek"  was 
completed.  The  mayor  and  councilmen  of  Hudson  and 
other  distinguished  visitors  from  there  and  from  Kinder- 

'  One  ounce  was  about  $1.66. 


328  Old  RinderKooK 

hook  attended  the  opening  ceremonies.  It  was  declared  to 
be  "superior  to  any  other  bridge  in  this  part  of  the  State, 
and  to  save  three  or  four  miles  between  New  York  and 
Albany."  It  was  named  the  Staats  bridge.  In  1816  Hugh 
Bain  contracted  to  build  a  bridge  over  both  branches  of  the 
Kinderhook  Creek  at  the  island  below  Van  Alen's  mills  for 
$1000.  Two  years  later  Phineas  Prentice  and  Charles 
Whiting  contracted  to  build  a  bridge  over  the  Valatie  Kill, 
near  the  mills  of  Charles  H.  Coleman,  for  $500. 

Concerning  our  oldest  bridge,  we  regret  to  be  com- 
pelled to  report  the  reprehensible  action  of  the  town  of  Stuy- 
vesant.  In  December,  1827,  it  appealed  to  the  legislature 
for  the  passage  of  a  law  to  equalize  the  public  bridges  in  the 
towns  of  Stuyvesant  and  Kinderhook,  or  to  exonerate  the 
town  of  Stuyvesant  from  the  expenses  of  repairs  on  the  long 
bridge  (our  village  bridge)  in  the  town  of  Kinderhook. 
With  a  view  to  the  defeat  of  this  nefarious  scheme  a  special 
town  meeting  was  called  at  which  it  was  resolved : 

First.  That  a  committee  of  four  persons  be  appointed  to 
resist  the  application  intended  to  be  made  in  behalf  of  the  town 
of  Stuyvesant  respecting  the  long  bridge  in  Kinderhook. 

Second.  That  Julius  Wilcoxson,  John  P.  Beekman,  Peter  I. 
Hoes  and  Peter  Van  Vleck  be  said  committee  and  that  they 
are  hereby  authorized  to  take  such  measures  as  they  may  deem 
proper  to  defeat  said  application  by  attending  the  Legislature, 
or  otherwise. 

Other  resolutions  provided  for  the  payment  of  expenses  and 
for  such  remuneration  as  the  annual  town  meeting  might 
allow.  The  April  record  shows  that  no  less  than  five  dollars 
were  paid  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee.  What  uses  he 
made  of  this  lavish  sum  it  is  not  for  us  to  hint.  The  town 
put  no  restriction  on  the  methods  to  be  employed.  They 
were  all  in  vain,  however,  and  ungrateful  Stuyvesant  was 
relieved  of  all  tax  for  our  village  bridge. 


Pviblic  Utilities  329 

PUBLIC  UTILITIES 

It  was  in  1785  that  a  marked  advance  was  made  in 
facilities  of  travel.  Theretofore,  the  only  methods  of  com- 
munication with  New  York  were  by  private  conveyance,  by 
saddle-horse,  or  walking  in  winter,  and  by  sloop  when  the 
river  was  open.  As  already  stated,  the  journey  by  sloop 
required  from  two  to  seven  days  or  more  according  to  circum- 
stances. The  passengers  were  required  to  furnish  their  own 
provisions  and  in  part  their  own  bedding.  The  lowest  fare 
for  passage  of  which  we  have  found  record,  was  two  dollars. 
The  trip  was  at  times  most  uncomfortable  and  even  perilous. 
Many  were  the  thrilling  narratives  of  the  safely  returned 
voyagers  about  their  fearful  experiences  on  the  broad  ex- 
panse of  the  Tappan  Zee  and  while  beating  around  Anthony's 
Nose  and  the  Dunderberg.  As  population  increased  the 
number  of  these  passenger  sloops  and  freighters  steadily 
multipHed.  An  observer  reports  forty  as  passing  Kinder- 
hook  in  one  direction  in  one  day. 

The  docks  were,  first,  the  old  Conine  dock,  the  "Upper 
Landing,"  north  of  Stuyvesant  and  now  the  site  of  an  ice- 
house; second,  the  "Lower  Landing,"  and  then  the  present 
central  docks. 

The  freighting  business  began  at  an  early  period.  Very 
many  were  the  sloops  that  called  in  passing  at  one  or  another 
of  the  several  docks,  and  they  soon  came  to  be  owned  in 
increasing  numbers  by  residents.  Traffic  rapidly  increased 
and  in  later  years  became  enormous  and  lucrative.  Not  only 
from  this  entire  region  to  the  Massachusetts  line,  but  from 
as  far  east  as  Pittsfield  came  freight  and  passengers  for  the 
earlier  sloops  and  the  later  steamboats.  Smith's  History  of 
Pittsfield  informs  us  that,  forsaking  Hartford  and  the 
Connecticut,  "the  tide  of  traffic  flowed  through  the  West 
Stockbridge  gates  to  Hudson,  Kinderhook  and  Albany." 
Material  for  the  building  of  the  new  Congregational  church 
in  Pittsfield  in  1790  came  by  sloop  to  Kinderhook.    It  is  of 


330  Old  K.inderKooK 

record  that  in  February,  1831,  during  a  drive  of  five  miles 
from  the  Landing  to  the  Village  eighty-two  sleighs  loaded 
with  produce  were  passed.  The  receipt  of  4000  bushels  of 
wheat  in  one  day  and  an  accumulation  in  storage  of  200,000 
bushels  were  not  uncommon  occurrences. 

The  first  printed  notice  of  the  freighting  business  we  have 
seen  is  this  from  the  Hudson  Northern  Whig  of  May  23, 
1820: 

For  New  York. 
Sloop  Alexander. 
T.  Griffing,  Jun- Master. 
The  above  substantial  and  fast  sailing  Sloop  is  employed  as 
a  regular  packet  to  ply  between  Kinderhook  and  New  York. 
Her  days  of  sailing  from  either  place  will  be  Friday,  and  in  the 
following  order.     [It  left  Kinderhook  every  twelve  or  fourteen 
days].     THE  FREIGHTING  BUSINESS  will  be  conducted  by  the  sub- 
scribers at  their  Store  at  the  Upper  Dock;  and  every  exertion 
will  be  made  to  facilitate  business,  as  well  as  to  accommodate 
passengers.    They  beg  leave  to  take  this  opportunity  to  acknow- 
ledge the  favours  they  have  received  from  their  friends,  and  hope 
by  attention  to  business,  to  continue  to  receive  a  share  of  their 
custom.    McMechan  &  Wynkoop. 

In  1848  the  firm  of  John  P.  Beekman  and  Alexander 
Davis  ran  a  sloop  and  a  barge  to  New  York  alternate  weeks. 
The  same  year  Wendover  &  Sargent  advertised  the  pro- 
pellor  Wyoming  (Captain  Sargent)  to  leave  every  Tuesday, 
and  the  steamboat  Buffalo  (Captain  Bidwell)  every  Thurs- 
day.   Fare  fifty  cents,  berths  free. 

For  a  time  the  steamboats  plying  between  Albany  and 
New  York  were  available  for  Kinderhook  passengers  who 
were  taken  aboard  and  landed  by  row  boats.  Probably  the 
pioneer  boat,  the  Clermont,  was  thus  available  in  the  autumn 
of  1807.  The  New  York  Evening  Post  of  October  2,  that 
year,  told  of  the  Clermont  as  "carrying  ninety  passengers 
and  making  six  miles  an  hour  against  head  winds."     In 


Public  Utilities  331 

rapid  succession  appeared  the  Car  of  Neptune,  the  Paragon, 
and  (omitting  others),  in  1820,  and  built  under  Fulton's 
supervision,  the  Chancellor  Livingston  (175x50),  "with  beds 
for  150  and  settees  for  forty  more.  Fare  $8.00."  In 
1828  appeared  the  North  River,  which  Dr.  Charles  Stuart 
described  as  being  "the  most  beautiful  and  swift  of  the 
floating  palaces  on  the  Hudson,  or,  as  I  believe  I  may  say  in 
truth,  in  the  world."  In  '35  appeared  the  Champion, 
followed  by  the  Diamond,  the  Swallow  (a  portion  of  the 
wreckage  of  which  was  used  in  building  a  house  still  stand- 
ing near  the  Valatie  cemetery),  the  Reindeer,  the  Henry 
Clay,  and  others.  After  '50  came  the  Alida,  the  New  World, 
the  Francis  Skiddy,  etc.;  not  forgetting  the  Armenia  with 
its  famous  steam  calliope,  to  the  music  of  which  distance 
lent  enchantment.  On  the  boat  itself  the  musical  rests  were 
especially  sweet.  The  later,  ever  increasing  marvels  of  steam 
navigation  need  not  be  detailed.  Some  of  these  passing 
boats  were  available  for  our  local  travel  in  the  manner 
stated,  but  all  of  them  and  their  sometimes  fierce  rivalries 
interested  our  people. 

As  an  interesting  memorial  of  travel  in  1808  we  copy 
in  part  an  advertisement  in  the  Hudson  Bee  of  June 
7th: 

The  Steamboat  will  leave  New  York  every  Saturday  after- 
noon exactly  at  6  o'clock  and  will  pass  .  .  .  Poughkeepsie  at 
II,  Sunday  morning  .  .  .  Hudson  at  9,  Sunday  evening.  She 
will  leave  Albany  Wednesday  morning  at  8 ;  pass  Hudson  about 
3,  .  .  .  Poughkeepsie  at  12  at  night.  As  the  time  at  which  the 
boat  may  arrive  at  the  places  named  may  vary  an  hour  more  or 
less  according  to  the  advantage  or  disadvantage  of  wind  and  tide, 
those  who  wish  to  come  on  board  will  see  the  necessity  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  board  or  take  them 
ashore  from  any  part  of  the  river  will  be  allowed  one  shilling 


332  Old  RinderHooK 

for  each  person.    Fares — N.  Y.  to  Hudson  $5.00,  Albany  $7.00. 
Way  passengers  5  cents  a  mile.    Meals  50  cents  each. 


THE   STAGECOACHES 

In  1785  the  first  stage  company  in  this  vicinity  was 
chartered  to  run  a  line  of  weekly  coaches  over  the  Post  Road, 
passing  through  Kinderhook,  from  Albany  to  New  York. 
The  charter  was  for  ten  years  and  all  opposition  was  pro- 
hibited under  a  penalty  of  two  hundred  pounds.  It  was 
stipulated  that  the  coaches  must  be  comfortable,  enclosed 
vehicles,  drawn  by  four  horses,  and  making  a  trip  to  New 
York  in  two  days  in  summer  and  three  in  winter,  with  a 
maximum  fare  of  eight  cents  a  mile.  April  20,  1786,  Isaac 
Van  Wyck  &  Co.,  announced  that  "the  stages  are  to 
commence  running,  leaving  New  York  Monday,  Wednes- 
day and  Friday  morning  at  five  o'clock,  and  running  through 
to  Albany  in  two  days."  The  fare  was  not  to  exceed  3d. 
per  mile,  and  the  regular  passenger  rate  was  charged  for 
150  pounds  of  baggage.    The  proprietors  say: 

They  have  supplied  the  roads  with  fresh  relieves  of  horses, 
placed  a  number  of  new  wagons  at  proper  distances  to  prevent 
accidents  and  also  regulated  the  stage  houses  on  the  roads  so  as 
to  prevent  unusual  and  unnecessary  expense.  They  flatter  them- 
selves that  the  easy,  cheap  and  expeditious  method  of  travelling 
will  undoubtedly  engage  the  attention  and  approbation  of  the 
public. 

The  through  fare  was  ten  dollars,  subsequently  reduced  to 
eight:  local  fares  were  six  cents  a  mile  in  summer  and  eight 
in  winter.  The  company  limited  the  number  of  passengers 
in  one  coach  to  ten  unless  the  passengers  themselves  con- 
sented to  more.  Inns  for  rest  and  refreshment  for  man  and 
beast  and  for  changing  horses  were  numerous. 

The  arrival  and  departure  of  these  coaches  amid  the 


Public  Utilities  333 

resounding  of  horns,  the  swish  and  snap  of  the  long  and 
dexterously  wielded  whiplash,  and  the  prancing  of  steeds, 
conscious  of  their  dignity  and  superiority  to  common  horses, 
were  very  notable  occasions.  To  the  small  boy,  at  least, 
the  man  who  held  the  reins  and  wielded  the  lash  with  such 
wonderful  skill  was  a  personage  far  superior  to  any  dignitary 
of  the  land  who  was  nothing  but  a  passenger.  Nor  was  he  a 
man  of  small  consequence  to  older  folk,  because  of  the  news 
he  brought  and  the  oracular  wisdom  with  which  he  dispensed 
the  gossip  he  had  gathered  up  at  the  inns  along  the  way. 
In  those  days  the  village  blacksmith  shop  was  almost  as 
important  a  factor  in  stagecoach  travel  as  the  wayside  inn. 
Until  within  a  few  years  there  stood  on  Albany  Avenue,  with 
its  gable  end  to  the  street  and  nearer  thereto  than  the  present 
one,  a  typical  shop,  remembered  by  many,  which  often  served 
the  passing  stagecoaches.  It  was  one  of  many  picturesque 
memorials  of  the  days  of  old  which  the  flames  have  swept 
away.  But  some  of  the  old  milestones,  and  a  few  of  the 
once  famous  inns  still  abide,  although  the  latter  have  been 
mostly  transformed  into  private  dwellings.  Withered  be 
the  hand  that  would  remove  or  mar  the  milestones.  There 
are  sermons  in  these  stones,  and  poems. 

The  first  stage  company  was  not  long  without  competi- 
tion, notwithstanding  its  apparent  monopoly  and  the  penalty 
against  rivals;  for,  only  seven  months  later  Kinderhook 
parties  (names  not  given)  advertised  the  starting  of  the 
Northerly  line  of  Stages  from  Albany  to  Poughkeepsie,  con- 
necting there  with  the  Southerly  line  to  New  York,  and 
making  the  through  trip  in  two  and  a  quarter  days.  Fare, 
3d.  per  mile;  14  pounds,  baggage  free;  150  pounds,  one  pas- 
senger fare.  Their  technical  avoidance  of  the  penalty  of 
competition  was  doubtless  that  their  stages  ran  only  to 
Poughkeepsie.  Such  fearsome  speed  of  travel  seems  to 
have  been  unendurable  by  the  effeminate  children  of  the 
sturdy  fathers,  for  it  was  soon  abandoned  for  a  slower,  more 
majestic  rate. 


334  Old  RinderKooK 

The  Hudson  Gazette  of  October  25,  1793,  contained  this 
notice : 

The  public  are  informed  that  a  line  of  stages  will  commence 
running  from  New  York  to  Albany  and  from  Albany  to  New 
York  on  Monday  the  4th  of  November.  The  carriages  will  leave 
the  aforesaid  cities  every  Monday  and  Thursday  morning  and 
deliver  the  passengers  every  Monday  and  Saturday  evening. 
The  line  will  be  well  supplied  with  horses,  harness  and  carriages. 
Only  ten  persons  can  be  admitted  unless  with  the  consent  of  the 
other  passengers.  The  proprietors  do  not  hold  themselves  re- 
sponsible for  the  loss  of  baggage.  Each  passenger  will  be  allowed 
to  carry  fourteen  pounds  gratis.  Any  weight  between  14  and  50 
pounds  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  150  pounds  as  a  passenger. 
Any  weight  above  50  lbs.  the  proprietors  do  not  hold  themselves 
bound  to  carry,  but  if  carried  must  be  paid  for  in  proportion  to 
size  and  convenience.  Extra  conveyances  may  be  had  on 
application  to  Mr.  Shay,  Cortlandt  St.,  New  York  or  to  Mr. 
Ashbel  Ely,  Albany  or  Kinderhook. 

In  1794  a  similar  line  of  weekly  stages  was  established 
from  Albany  to  Kinderhook  and  thence  over  the  Kleine  Kill 
road  to  Stockbridge  and  Springfield.  In  the  Commercial 
Advertiser  (New  York)  of  May  i,  1799,  we  found  this  notice: 

The  Albany  stage  will  leave  New  York  every  day  at  10  o'clock 
in  the  morning  and  run  the  first  day  to  Tarrytown,  the  second 
to  Poughkeepsie,  the  third  to  Kinderhook  and  into  Albany  early 
the  fourth  morning.  Fare  of  each  passenger  thro  {sic)  $10;  way 
passengers  5d.  per  mile.    J.  Douglass,  Wm.  Vandervoort  &  Co. 

In  June,  '26,  Lewis  and  Peters  established  a  tri-weekly 
line  of  stagecoaches  leaving  the  Landing  and  passing  through 
Kinderhook,  Millville,  Chatham,  and  Canaan,  to  Lebanon 
Springs.  Then  also  the  new  steamboat  Richmond  began, 
touching  at  Stuyvesant.  The  fare  to  New  York  was  $2.75. 
Reporting  a  new  railroad  opened  in  England,  the  Herald 
tells  its  perhaps  incredulous  readers  of  an  "immense  train 


Pxiblic  Utilities  335 

(90  tons)   which   travelled  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  an 
hour." 

In  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel  of  August  10, 1826,  this  notice 
appeared : 

A  new  Post  Office  has  been  recently  established  at  Stuyvesant 
Landing,  of  which  Abel  S.  Peters  is  appointed  Postmaster,  for 
the  reception  of  a  daily  steamboat  mail  from  New  York  and 
Albany.  To  the  citizens  of  this  place  and  vicinity  this  intelli- 
gence will  be  highly  gratifying,  as  by  this  arrangement  they  will 
be  enabled  to  receive  their  letters  and  newspapers  at  least  twenty 
four  hours  in  advance  of  the  laced  mail  which  arrives  only  three 
times  a  week.  The  old  post-office  at  the  Landing  of  which  Medad 
Butler  is  post  master  is  not  affected  by  this  new  order,  but  will 
continue  as  heretofore  for  the  reception  of  the  mail  which  is 
conveyed  by  land  along  the  river.  Capt.  Sherman  of  the  Steam- 
boat Chief  Justice  Marshall  and  Commodore  Wiswall  of  the 
Richmond  have  generously  undertaken  to  transport  the  mail 
bag  and  deposit  it  in  the  new  office.  This  is  one  among  repeated 
evidences  of  their  willingness  and  desire  to  accommodate  the 
public  and  increase  their  claim  to  a  liberal  patronage  from  the 
community. 

Abiding  recollections  of  a  stagecoach  journey  in  very- 
early  childhood  from  Troy  to  Middlebury,  Vermont,  with  an 
all-night  ride  and  the  diversion  of  an  upset,  make  us  think  we 
can  remember  the  passing  of  the  stagecoaches  through 
Kinderhook  in  the  days  of  old.  We  do  recollect  right  well 
the  wonderful  vehicles  and  the  very  meek  steeds  of  Van 
Slyck,  Devoe,  Membert,  and  Michael,  and  how,  in  '64,  it 
sometimes  took  two  hours  or  more  to  go  through  five  miles 
of  hub-deep  mud  from  Stuyvesant  to  Kinderhook.  The 
wonderful  Noah's  ark  too  that  plied  between  Kinderhook 
and  Niverville,  who  that  saw  it  and  rode  in  it  can  ever  forget 
it!  And  now  we  are  anticipating  the  time  when,  instead 
of  horses  and  carriages  in  the  sheds,  and  automobiles  on  the 
side  street,  we  shall  see  aeroplanes  tethered  to  our  church 
spire  during  the  hours  of  Sunday  services. 


336  Old  K.inderKooK 

FERRIES 

In  1820  the  legislature  passed  an  Act  granting  to  Andrew 
Witbeck  and  John  L.  Sharp  of  Kinderhook  and  William 
Judson  of  Coxsackie,  the  exclusive  right  to  establish  and 
maintain  for  twelve  years  a  ferry  from  the  south  point  of 
Nuttenhook  to  Coxsackie.  They  were  to  erect  good  and 
sufficient  docks  or  wharves,  keep  a  ferryboat  or  scow,  pro- 
pelled by  the  power  of  horses  or  other  team.  The  boat  was 
to  be  capable  of  carrying  two  loaded  wagons  and  six  horses; 
was  to  cross  at  all  reasonable  times  between  sunrise  and 
sunset,  with  an  allowed  wait  of  twenty  minutes  on  either  side 
and  an  hour  for  dinner.  The  charges  were  to  be  fixed  by  the 
Courts  of  Common  Pleas  of  the  two  counties.  In  1829  an 
additional  twelve  years'  lease  was  granted.  By  the  same 
Act  Medad  Butler  of  Kinderhook  and  Jabez  Weaver  of 
New  Baltimore  were  authorized  to  maintain  their  ferry 
already  in  operation  between  the  two  places,  with  the  same 
rights  and  privileges. 

STEAM  AND  ELECTRIC  RAILWAYS 

In  the  Boston  Courier  of  June  2^,  1827,  the  visionary 
people  who  were  projecting  the  Boston  and  Albany  railroad 
were  told  with  authority  that: 

the  project  of  a  railroad  from  Boston  to  Albany  is  impracticable, 
as  every  one  knows  who  knows  the  simplest  rule  of  arithmetic, 
and  the  expenses  would  be  little  less  than  the  market  value  of 
the  whole  territory  of  Massachusetts:  and  which,  if  practicable, 
every  one  of  common  sense  knows  would  be  as  useless  as  a 
railroad  from  Boston  to  the  moon. 

Nevertheless,  the  route  was  surveyed,  over  which,  we  read. 
Captain  Basil  Hall  rode  in  a  stagecoach  in  1829,  and, 
having  described  the  hills,  rivers,  and  ravines,  said:  "Those 
Yankees  talk  of  constructing  a  railroad  over  this  route :  as  a 
practical    engineer    I    pronounce    it    simply    impossible." 


P\ablic  Utilities  337 

"Uncle  Barent, "  whom  many  remember  so  pleasantly,  was 
wont  to  regret  that  his  foresight  was  not  as  good  as  his 
hind-sight. 

These  opinions,  however,  are  not  quite  as  amusing  as  they 
appear  when  we  bear  in  mind  that  in  the  first  instance  the 
use  of  locomotives  was  not  contemplated,  but  only  horse, 
oxen,  or  water-power.  Prophets  of  failure  to  the  contrary, 
notwithstanding,  the  Boston  and  Albany  road  was  built,  and 
the  section  between  Albany  and  Chatham  formally  opened 
December  21,  1841. 

The  Kinderhook  Sentinel  of  September  13,  1827,  is  our 
authority  for  the  statement  that  the  preliminary  survey 
crossed  the  flats  between  this  village  and  Millville  (Valatie), 
and  ran  thence  northwesterly  to  Castleton.  The  strong 
opposition  of  a  few  influential  citizens  to  that  rude  invasion 
of  our  classic  shades  and  quietude  secured  a  change  of  route 
which  all  now  regret.  What  a  different  story  we  might  have 
had  to  tell  of  our  two  villages,  had  that  survey  been  adopted, 
we  leave  to  the  imagination  of  our  readers. 

The  story  of  the  Hudson  River  railroad  has  often  been 
told  and  needs  no  repetition  here.  The  section  from  Albany 
to  Hudson  was  opened  on  the  i6th  of  June,  1851;  and  the 
whole  line  on  the  eighth  of  October  of  the  same  year.  In  a 
preceding  chapter  the  late  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt  has  told  us 
of  his  service  as  civil  engineer  in  the  building  of  this  road. 

We  parted  as  composedly  as  we  could  with  the  old 
stages,  when  the  Kinderhook  and  Hudson  steam  railway  was 
opened,  September  18,  1890,  from  Hudson  to  Niverville. 
Its  construction  was  due  to  the  enterprise  and  eloquence  of 
the  Hon.  Charles  D.  Haines,  who  later  had  his  home  in 
our  village  for  a  few  years.  We  well  remember  the  meet- 
ing in  the  Village  Hall  at  which  he  and  an  associate  per- 
suasively set  forth  the  need  and  advantages  of  the  road 
which  he  proposed  to  build  for  us  if  suitably  encouraged. 
We  remember  also  seeing,  a  year  or  more  later,  the  first 
locomotive  of  a  construction  train  wrestle  pantingly  with  the 


338  Old  ninderKooh 

steep  grade  near  the  station.  Heartened  by  our  presence 
and  encouragement  it  conquered  at  last  and  went  on  its 
triumphant  way  southward.  We  see  now  Robert  Wild 
standing  on  a  gravel  car  and  waving  his  hand  in  gracious 
condescension  to  us,  permitted  to  look  wonderingly  on  one 
who  seemed  to  own  the  whole  concern.  The  first  stock- 
holders, as  often  happens,  did  not  grow  rich  on  their  divi- 
dends, nor  did  the  bondholders  become  seriously  "bloated"; 
but  the  dividends  in  facilities,  comfort,  and  cheapness  of 
travel  have  been  great;  especially  to  the  many  of  us  who 
invested  nothing  but  time  in  superintending  the  work 
through  the  village.  While  it  was  a  steam  railroad  we  had 
but  four  trains  a  day  each  way.  In  1900  the  Albany  and 
Hudson  Railroad  and  Power  Company,  which  then  owned 
the  property,  electrified  the  road  with  the  third-rail  system 
and  extended  the  road-bed  through  to  Albany.  From  that 
time  on  we  have  usually  had  hourly  cars  each  way.  The 
old  stages  could  not  accommodate  a  tithe  of  the  present 
travel. 

Of  the  Albany  and  Southern  Railway  Co.,  now  owning 
and  operating  the  road,  we  have  the  following  account, 
kindly  furnished  us,  by  the  late  general  passenger  agent, 
Mr.  Fred  Burger: 

The  Albany  &  Hudson  Railway  &  Power  Company  was 
organized  in  Aug.,  1899,  the  Company  being  a  combination  of 
the  following:  The  Kinderhook  &  Hudson  Ry.  Co.,  The  Hudson 
Street  Railway,  The  Greenbush  &  Nassau  Electric  Ry.,  The 
Hudson  Light  and  Power  Co.,  The  Citizens  Lighting  Co.  of  Hud- 
son, The  Jansenkill  Power  Co.,  The  Kinderhook  Power  &  Light 
Co.  In  March,  1903,  the  Albany  &  Hudson  Railway  &  Power 
Company  was  succeeded  by  the  Albany  &  Hudson  Railroad 
Company;  and  in  September,  1909,  the  last  named  was  succeeded 
by  the  Albany  Southern  Railroad  Company.  This  Company 
furnishes  gas  and  electricity  in  Rensselaer  and  Hudson,  and  elec- 
tricity in  all  the  intermediate  towns  and  villages.  It  also  operates 
a  local  railway  system  in  the  City  of  Hudson  and  owns  and  oper- 


Industries  339 

ates  a  pleasure  resort  known  as  Electric  Park,  on  Kinderhook 
Lake,  about  midway  between  Albany  and  Hudson.  The  power 
house,  a  combination  hydraulic  and  steam  plant,  is  one  of  the 
most  elaborate  of  its  kind  and  is  located  at  Stuyvesant  Falls. 
The  Company  has  also  recently  acquired  the  toll  bridge  between 
Albany  and  Rensselaer  which  is  the  only  vehicular  bridge  between 
New  York  and  Troy. 

WATER  WORKS 

The  Valatie  water  system  is  one  of  the  best  in  any 
village  of  its  size.  It  was  installed  when  William  H.  Wild 
was  president  of  the  village.  Its  cost  was  about  $40,000; 
and  the  pumping  station  on  Wild's  Pond  cost  about  $4000 
more.  The  water  is  introduced  into  many  homes,  and  the 
protection  against  fire  is  of  the  best.  Not  a  building  has 
burned  to  the  ground  since  the  installation.  The  stand-pipe 
reservoir  on  Rathbone  Hill  is  one  hundred  feet  high. 

INDUSTRIES 

The  industries  of  old  Kinderhook  District  and  Town 
have  been  revealed  to  a  large  degree  in  foregoing  chapters. 
The  story  of  their  growth,  number,  and  importance  for  many 
years,  and  then,  owing  to  changing  conditions,  of  their 
gradual  decline  need  not  be  repeated.  In  her  industries 
Valatie  early  took  the  lead  of  her  more  aristocratic  neighbor, 
and  maintains  it  to  the  present  day.  The  many  industries 
of  that  village  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  prosaic  name  Mill- 
ville,  which  continued  in  use  many  years.  But  in  1832, 
when  a  post  office  was  established  there  (Dr.  John  Vander- 
poel,  postmaster),  the  older  name,  Valatie,  was  restored. 
Concerning  the  industries  of  Valatie,  our  own  researches 
have  been  aided  by  those  of  Mr.  Albert  E.  Davis,  of  the 
results  of  which,  printed  in  the  Kinderhook  Courier  re- 
cently, we  have  by  permission  largely  availed  ourselves, 
quoting  substantially  his  narrative. 


340  Old  RinderHooK 

In  1 7 12,  it  is  stated,  Johannes  Van  Deusen  built  a  stone 
sawmill  near  the  site  of  the  present  Harder  mill.  About  1846  it 
was  torn  down  to  make  room  for  the  Wild  mills,  built  by  Nathan, 
the  father  of  the  late  Charles  and  Robert  Wild.  He  was  the 
pioneer  of  all  the  cotton  industries  here.  He  came  to  Valatie  in 
about  the  year  1813.  Later,  with  his  partners,  Benjamin  Baldwin 
and  James  Wardle,  he  organized  what  was  long  known  as  the 
Kinderhook  Manufacturing  Company.  He  began  the  weaving 
of  cotton  shirting  by  hand-looms  in  the  Centennial  mills  now 
owned  by  Robert  P.  Richmond.  At  present  they  are  making 
wrapping  paper.  This  mill  brought  most  of  the  early  settlers  to 
the  village.  Adjoining  the  old  mill,  William  P.  Rathbone  &  Co. 
erected  a  brick  mill,  in  which  were  placed  2200  spindles  and 
57  looms,  and  which  were  successfully  operated  for  many  years. 
This  became  in  time  the  property  of  A.  Abbott  and  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  about  30  years  ago.  On  the  next  rapids  below, 
John  Van  Alen  had  a  small  frame  cotton  mill.  Some  years  after, 
the  Kinderhook  Manufacturing  Company  erected  its  mill,  which 
was  also  destroyed  by  fire.  A  brick  building  was  erected  in  its 
place  by  Van  Alen  and  Co.  which  was  known  as  the  "Beaver 
Mill,"  In  1 85 1  Jeremiah  Carpenter  became  the  proprietor  of 
this  property  and  by  him  it  was  enlarged.  It  was  290  feet  long, 
44  feet  wide,  and  four  stories  high.  The  motive  power  was  fur- 
nished by  a  dam,  yielding  two  hundred  horse  power.  The  estab- 
lishment was  known  for  several  years  as  the  "Canoe  Mill"  and 
supplied  with  6000  mules,  3500  Danforth's  spindles  and  24  looms. 
These  were  run  on  the  famous  "Canoe  shirtings,"  with  a  total 
capacity  of  10,000  yards,  Jeremiah  Carpenter  suffered  financial 
reverses  and  sold  the  mill  to  C.  H.  Wendover.  It  was  continued 
under  Mr.  Carpenter's  management  as  superintendent.  In  1888, 
during  the  famous  blizzard  of  that  year,  the  Beaver  mill  burned 
down.     The  fire  started  in  a  hot  box  on  the  fourth  floor. 

Opposite  the  Beaver  mill  are  the  R.  and  V.  mills,  now  operated 
in  conjunction  with  the  mill  on  the  Valatie  Kill  known  as  the 
Harder  mill,  in  the  production  of  knit  goods.  This  mill  was  for- 
merly known  as  the  Baldwin  or  Hanna  mill.  It  was  operated  for 
a  time  by  A,  Abbott  &  Son  in  the  manufacture  of  satinet 
warps.  Sheetings  were  manufactured  here  at  one  time  with  a 
productive  capacity  of  10,000  yards  per  week.     The  mill,  idle 


Indvistries  341 

from  1870  till  1898,  reopened  to  manufacture  knit  goods.  After 
a  few  years  it  again  suspended  operations.  It  is  now  running  as  a 
part  of  the  R.  &  V.  mills  in  the  production  of  yarn. 

Adjoining  the  Hanna  mills  were  extensive  machine  shops 
which  have  been  abandoned  for  40  years.  The  Crystal  Spring 
Knitting  mill  lies  to  the  east  of  the  Hanna  mills.  This  mill  has 
had  a  checkered  career  since  1875  when  it  suspended  operations. 
It  has  been  run  on  knit  goods  intermittently  for  the  past  few 
years.  At  present  it  is  running  60  hours  per  week,  manufactur- 
ing sweaters,  by  the  Standard  Manufacturing  Company.  They 
employ  about  75  hands.  They  are  prosperous  and  add  a  fine  new 
industry  to  the  village. 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  Valatie  Kill,  Rensselaer  Reynolds 
operated  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  weaving  machinery. 
He  discontinued  operations  in  1852  and  moved  to  Stockport. 
On  the  hill  west  of  the  first  Wild  mill,  William  P.  Rathbone  built 
a  wadding  factory  in  1 866.  This  mill  was  of  stone.  The  produc- 
tion capacity  was  three  thousand  pounds  of  wadding  per  week. 
It  stood  on  what  we  call  Rathbone  Street  and  was  torn  down  a 
few  years  ago. 

The  more  important  existing  industries  are :  The  Rensselaer 
and  Valatie  mills  (i  and  2)  manufacturing  yarn  and  fleece -lined 
knit  underwear.  The  Centennial  Paper  mills  making  straw 
wrapping-paper.  The  Standard  Manufacturing  Co.  making 
sweater  coats,  medium  grade.  The  Adhesive  Gimp  Co.,  manu- 
facturing silk  gimp  and  upholstery  cord,  and  The  Pachaquack 
Knitting  Co.,  making  high  grade  sweater  coats. 

There  are  also  about  forty  stores  and  shops  in  variety;  and 
there  the  Kinderhook  Rough  Notes  has  its  printing-office. 

The  many  varied  industries  of  Kinderhook  Village  in  the 
old  stagecoach  days  have  been  noted  hitherto  with  sufficient 
fullness;  as  also  the  story  of  their  gradual  decline.  Among 
the  more  important  manufacturing  industries  of  the  early 
quarter  of  the  last  century  we  note:  The  Furnace  and 
Pattern  shop  with  which  Mr.  Samuel  Hanna,  later  of 
Valatie,  was  connected;  the  Carriage  factory  of  Truxton 


342  Old   RinderKooK 

Birge;  the  Currying  establishment  of  Smith  and  Van 
Alstyne;  the  Stove  and  Tinware  factory  of  General  Whiting 
and  the  Cabinet-ware  of  Mr.  Burchardt.  There  was  also 
Mr.  Ladue's  Tannery,  abandoned  about  1824.  Mr.  Hanna 
and  Robert  Rosboro  came  together  to  Kinderhook  as 
pattern  makers.  The  former  became  a  partner  in  the  fur- 
nace works,  the  old  barn  near  the  station,  lately  removed  by 
Mr.  Keegan.  Mr.  Hanna  subsequently  started  the  cotton- 
factory,  machine  shop,  furnace,  etc.,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
creek,  opposite  the  old  Beaver  mill  in  Valatie,  and  Mr. 
Rosboro  opened  a  hotel  in  the  same  village. 

As  late  as  i860,  the  Rough  Notes  reports  the  hatting 
business  as  never  greater;  Graves  and  Son  employing 
twenty-two  men  and  turning  out  sixty  dozen  hats  per  week. 
We  cannot  forbear  adding  the  statement  of  editor  Van 
Vleck  that  on  the  fumes  of  the  spirits  used  in  the  process  of 
manufacture  "a  person  of  weak  constitution  and  big  ol- 
factories could  get  a  little  tight,"  and  that  he  himself, 
reduced  to  emaciation  and  faintness  by  the  delinquencies  of 
subscribers,  had  been  revived  by  a  visit  to  the  factory. 

The  principal  existing  industries  are  three:  The  bottling 
works  of  the  Risedorph  Bottling  Co.  had  their  humble 
beginning  in  an  outbuilding  of  George  Lathrop's  home 
where  Mr.  Milham  now  lives.  Thence  the  growing  plant 
was  removed  to  the  premises  on  Broad  Street  now  belonging 
to  Mr.  Duck,  and  thence  by  Mr.  Lathrop  to  the  present  site. 
After  his  death  the  constantly  increasing  business  came  into 
the  hands  of  Richard  Alexander,  his  long-time  and  valued 
assistant,  whose  mother,  it  was  stated,  was  a  pure-blooded 
Indian.  When  he  died,  the  still  enlarging  enterprise  was 
efficiently  carried  on  by  his  widow  until  sold  to  Mr.  Edward 
Risedorph,  the  head  of  the  present  firm,  by  whom  the  plant 
was  greatly  enlarged  in  many  ways.  He  conducted  the 
business  alone  for  about  fifteen  years,  when  the  company 
was  formed.  Ultimately,  after  several  minor  changes  in  the 
firm,  Mr.  C.  Milner  became  associated  with  Mr.  Risedorph, 


Cemeteries  343 

as  at  the  present  time.  Their  wagons,  heavily  laden  \\ith  all 
manner  of  mysterious  but  delectable  concoctions,  daily  scour 
the  country  for  many  miles  around  and  in  hot  weather  can 
scarcely  supply  the  demands  of  the  thirsty. 

The  Kinderhook  Knitting  Co.  had  its  origin  in  one  small 
machine  in  the  parental  home  of  Mr.  Curtis  F.  Hoag  on  the 
Eykebush  Road.  Immediate  success  occasioned  the  gradual 
multiplication  of  machines  demanding  more  and  more  room 
as  the  business  increased,  and  resulting  in  the  leasing  and 
ultimate  purchase  of  the  brick  row  on  Hudson  Street.  In 
1882  the  business  was  taken  over  by  the  Kinderhook  Knitting 
Co.,  consisting  of  C.  F.  Hoag,  Frank  S.  Hoag,  Franklin  B. 
Van  Alstyne,  and  James  A.  Reynolds.  In  '84  Mr.  C.  F. 
Hoag  sold  his  interest  to  his  partners  who  continued  the  busi- 
ness until  1912,  when  they  sold  out  to  H.  J.  Newman  and 
Henry  Schnapper.  After  a  few  months  Mr.  Schnapper  with- 
drew, and,  later  established  the  Van  Buren  Knitting  mill. 
After  C.  F.  Hoag's  withdrawal  from  the  former  firm  he 
established  a  knitting  mill  on  Silvester  Street,  but  having 
an  advantageous  offer  from  Poughkeepsie,  removed  the  mill 
thereto;  a  venture  which  has  been  highly  successful. 

In  addition  to  these  industries  there  are  fifteen  or  more 
stores  or  shops  in  variety  which  sufficiently  meet  the  simpler 
needs  of  our  people,  while  hourly  cars  make  the  stores  of 
Albany  and  Hudson  easily  available  for  the  more  exacting 
shopper.  In  1910  the  Brown  Brothers  added  their  com- 
modious Garage  to  their  Carriage  and  Sleigh  shops  and  have 
been  well  patronized  from  the  start. 

CEMETERIES 

Scoffers  may  scoff  at  the  classification  of  cemeteries 
which  gives  them  a  place  in  this  chapter  on  highways,  public 
utilities,  and  industries.  With  stern  rebuke  of  their  unseemly 
mirth  over  a  subject  so  grave,  we  remark,  that  we  find  no 
more  convenient  place  for  our  record.     Moreover,  we  must 


344  Old  RinderKooK 

solemnly  remind  such  scoffers  that  cemeteries  are  eminent 
public  utilities,  whither  lead  all  highways,  whereunto  we 
will  all  have  our  final  transportation,  and  where  all  industries 
cease. 

It  may  be  that  the  Fathers  would  have  had  burial  places 
without  the  mandate  of  colonial  law,  but  there  was  no 
option  after  this  Act  of    1684  (Colonial  Laws,  i.,  p.  152): 

Within  every  Parish  within  this  Government  there  shall  be 
one  or  more  places  apoynted  for  the  Burial  of  the  dead,  and 
before  the  Corps  be  Interred  there  shall  be  three  or  four  Neigh- 
bors Called  who  may  in  case  of  Suspicion  View  the  Corps  and 
according  to  the  desent  custom  of  Christendom  Accompany  It 
to  the  Grave,  and  that  noe  person  Shall  be  Buried  in  any  other 
place  than  those  so  apoynted  unless  Such  as  by  their  own  ap- 
oyntment  in  their  Life  time  have  Signified  their  desire  of  being 
Interred  in  the  Burial  Place  of  Some  other  Parish. 

In  the  first  instance  the  principal  landowners  at  least 
had  family  burial  plots  of  their  own.  The  neglected  and  dis- 
appearing remnants  of  these  are  still  numerous  throughout 
the  town.  The  Pruyn  plot  is  to  be  seen  near  the  present 
home  of  the  late  Mrs.  W.  V.  S.  Beekman.  The  site  of  the 
Reformed  church  was  the  burial  ground  of  the  Van  Schaacks 
and  others.  Many  graves  were  brought  to  view  when  the 
church  was  burned  in  1867.  In  the  rear  of  what  we  have 
known  as  the  Burt  place  may  be  seen  the  Pomeroy  plot,  that 
family  owning  the  place  and  living  there  before  James 
Vanderpoel  built  the  once  elegant  and  still  stately  brick 
mansion. 

The  first  public  cemetery  was  in  what  is  now  the  heart  of 
the  village.  It  was  of  very  early  but  unknown  origin,  cer- 
tainly long  antedating  the  Revolution.  It  was  about  one 
acre  in  extent  and  had  a  log  fence.  It  was  owned  by  the 
Consistory  of  the  Dutch  Church  as  was  all  the  land  on  the 
east  side  of  Hudson  Street  down  to  the  corner  of  Maiden 
Lane  where  the  first  church  edifice  stood.     The  burying 


Cemeteries  345 

ground,  beginning  not  far  from  the  present  village  pump, 
occupied  the  whole  of  Chatham  Street  as  far  as  the  residence 
of  Miss  Dibble.  With  its  narrow  lane,  on  the  southerly  side, 
it  must  have  extended  over  a  part  at  least  of  the  Union  Bank 
lot  and  probably  over  a  portion  of  Mr.  Risedorph's  property 
on  the  north.  In  later  years  we  find  H.  and  A.  Van  Vleck, 
who  purchased  the  old  burying  ground,  to  be  owners  of  both 
these  properties  and  the  builders  and  occupants  of  the  two 
brick  houses  thereon.  In  i860,  in  digging  a  ditch  between 
the  two  bank  buildings  a  decayed  coffin  and  human  bones 
were  found,  and  in  191 1  yet  another  bone  was  unearthed  and 
occasioned  much  wondering  interest. 

Miss  Dibble's  present  home  was  built  by  Abraham  I. 
Van  Vleck  in  the  early  years  of  1800,  and  was  in  part  a  store. 
Subsequently  his  sons,  H.  and  A.  Van  Vleck,  occupied  the 
premises.  Needing  a  horse-shed,  they  built  it  in  the  middle 
of  the  present  street,  on  land  claimed  by  the  Consistory  as 
belonging  to  the  cemetery.  The  disputed  title  was  happily 
settled  by  a  peace-loving  horse  which,  being  tied  in  the  shed, 
considerately  broke  through  into  a  grave.  Then  and  there 
the  controversy  ended. 

March  31,  181 7,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Lewis's  Hotel  of 
inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  interested  in  the  old  burying 
ground.  Lawrence  M.  Hoes  was  chairman  and  David  Van 
Schaack,  secretary.  James  I.  Van  Alen,  James  Vanderpoel, 
and  Peter  Van  Schaack  were  appointed  a  committee  to  con- 
fer with  the  Consistory  and  agree,  if  possible,  on  conditions 
of  sale  of  the  ground,  on  conditions  specified  in  the  subsequent 
order  of  Chancellor  Kent.  Their  petition,  the  original  of 
which  we  found  among  the  archives  of  the  Court  of  Appeals, 
was  presented  to  the  Court  of  Chancery  by  Martin  Van 
Buren,  then  State  Senator.  From  the  records  of  that  Court, 
Vol.  ii.,  p.  473,  we  quote: 

On  reading  and  filing  the  petition  of  the  Minister,  Elders  and 
Deacons  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Kinder- 


346  Old  RinderHooK 

hook,  in  the  County  of  Columbia,  and  the  assent  of  a  portion  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  and  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren  in  their  behalf  it  is  Ordered  and  Decreed,  and  his  honor  the 
Chancellor  by  the  authority  of  this  Court  doth  Order  and  Decree 
that  the  said  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  shall  have  authority 
to  sell  and  dispose  of  all  and  singular  the  premises  situated,  lying 
and  being  in  the  village  of  Kinderhook,  near  the  store  of  Henry 
and  Aaron  Van  Vleck  and  in  the  fork  of  the  roads  leading  from 
the  said  village,  the  one  Northerly  to  the  City  of  Albany  and  the 
other  Easterly  to  the  town  of  Chatham,  heretofore  used  by  the 
congregation  of  the  said  Church  and  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  said  town  as  a  burial  place  and  known  and  distinguished 
as  the  Old  Burying  Ground — that  the  said  sale  shall  be  at  public 
auction  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  upon  a  credit  of  one  or  two 
years  at  the  election  of  the  said  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons 
after  Public  Notice  shall  have  been  given  of  the  said  sale  by 
affixing  three  advertisements  thereof,  one  on  the  outer  door  of  the 
Church  in  the  said  village  and  the  others  in  two  of  the  most 
public  places  therein,  specifying  the  time,  place  and  conditions 
of  the  sale  at  least  four  weeks  before  the  same  shall  take  place; 
and  one  condition  of  the  said  sale  shall  be  that  the  purchaser  or 
purchasers  shall  not  take  possession  of  or  otherwise  use  the  said 
premises,  until  the  relics  of  those  who  have  been  interred  therein 
shall  have  been  removed  to  the  place  to  be  purchased  for  a  bury- 
ing place  as  hereinafter  directed;  and  it  is  further  Ordered  and 
Decreed  that  the  said  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  upon  sale 
being  made  shall  execute  and  deliver  under  their  corporate  seal  a 
good  and  sufficient  conveyance  for  the  said  burying  ground,  as 
the  same  has  been  used  and  enjoyed  as  such,  to  the  purchaser  or 
purchasers  thereof  upon  the  payment  or  security  of  the  purchase 
money  according  to  the  conditions  of  the  said  sale.  And  it  is 
further  Ordered  and  Decreed  that  the  said  Minister,  Elders  and 
Deacons  shall  with  the  avails  of  the  said  sale  purchase  such  other 
lot  for  a  burying  place  of  suitable  extent  and  eligible  situation  as 
shall  be  designated  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles,  or,  in  case  of  his 
death  or  refusal,  by  Peter  Van  Schaack,  James  I.  Van  Alen  and 
James  Vanderpoel  or  any  two  of  them  and  shall  receive  a  con- 
veyance therefor  in  their  corporate  name  but  as  Trustees  for  all 
and  singular,  the  inhabitants  of  Kinderhook  who  are  now  inter- 


Cemeteries  347 

ested  in  the  old  burying  ground  and  their  descendants  to  be  used 
forever  hereafter  as  a  burial  place  for  the  use  and  accommodation 
of  the  persons  aforesaid  according  to  their  respective  rights  in 
the  old  burying  ground  hereby  directed  to  be  sold.  And  it  is 
further  Ordered  and  Decreed  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said 
Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  with  the  avails  of  the  said  sale,  if 
the  same  shall  be  adequate  thereto,  to  cause  the  relics  of  those 
who  have  been  interred  in  the  old  burying  ground  to  be  removed 
to  the  premises  which  they  may  purchase  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said, which  said  removal  shall  take  place  within  forty  days  after 
the  sale  of  the  said  burying  ground,  and  if  required,  shall  be  made 
under  the  directions  of  the  relatives  of  the  deceased.  And  it  is 
further  Ordered  and  Decreed  that  the  residue  of  the  avails  of  the 
said  sale,  after  paying  for  the  fencing  and  improving  of  the  new 
burying  place  and  the  purchase  of  a  hearse  shall  be  distributed 
among  the  poor  of  the  said  Church. 

At  a  Court  of  Chancery  for  the  State  of 

New  York  at  the  Chancellor's  Dwelling 

House  in  the  City  of  Albany  the  25th  day  of  April,  1817. 

Soon  after  the  issue  of  this  order  it  was  carried  into 
effect.  Mr.  Sickles  declining  to  serve,  James  Vanderpoel 
was  substituted  and  he  with  Peter  Van  Schaack  and  James 
I.  Van  Alen  proceeded  to  act  as  directed  by  the  Court.  The 
plot  was  sold  at  auction  to  H.  and  A.  Van  Vleck  for  $1200.50, 
and  a  new  cemetery  of  about  two  acres  in  extent  purchased 
for  $400  from  Dr.  Beekman.  It  is  the  northerly  part  of  the 
present  cemetery.  In  the  removal  of  all  remains  so  far  as 
they  could  be  found,  the  ground  was  ploughed  over  and  then 
scraped  to  the  depth  of  three  feet,  after  which  spades  were 
used.  If  relatives  of  the  dead  objected  to  the  scraper,  spades 
only  were  employed.  Not  long  after  this  the  Highway 
Commissioners  laid  out  a  road  four  rods  wide  through  the 
abandoned  burial  ground,  thus  obliterating  all  traces  of  its 
locality. 

In  1845  the  middle  section  of  the  cemetery  was  pur- 
chased of  the  late  Dr.  Beekman  for  $330,  and  in  1858  the 
narrow  southern  part  was  bought  of  the  same  owner  for  $100. 


348  Old  RinderKooK 

For  several  years  after  the  last  lot  was  sold,  nothing  was  done 
towards  enlargement,  because  of  the  mistaken  judgment  of 
some  that  there  would  be  no  sufficient  demand  for  lots  to 
justify  the  expenditure.  In  1889,  however,  it  was  decided  to 
make  the  venture,  and,  no  contiguous  land  being  available, 
the  plot  opposite,  of  ten  acres  or  more,  was  purchased  of  the 
late  Norton  Pockman  for  $1025.  That  the  purchase  was 
justifiable  is  apparent.  There  is  a  slowly  accumulating  fund 
on  hand  for  the  care  of  the  cemetery,  to  which  are  added 
occasional  gifts  or  bequests  for  perpetual  special  care  of 
separate  lots.  There  is  also  a  bequest  of  the  late  Peter  C. 
Van  Schaack  of  $5000,  for  special  care  of  his  own  lot  and 
the  general  care  of  the  whole.  Mr.  James  A.  Reynolds  and 
Mr.  Manton  Van  Schaack  are  the  present  Trustees  of  the 
last-named  fund.  It  may  be  proper  to  add  that  the  Consis- 
tory of  the  Church,  who  are  the  owners  of  the  whole,  receive 
no  direct  financial  benefit  whatsoever.  The  only  return  for 
much  care  on  their  part  is  that  the  sexton  of  the  church  is 
the  care-taker  of  the  cemetery,  which  makes  the  former 
position  desirable. 

As  some  writers  have  printed  the  error  in  their  accounts 
of  visits  to  Martin  Van  Buren's  grave,  and  as  we  find  even 
residents  are  occasionally  misled,  we  add  the  almost  super- 
fluous statement  that  the  inscription  on  Mrs.  Van  Buren's 
stone — "The  first  person  interred  in  this  cemetery" — refers 
to  the  Albany  cemetery  from  which  her  remains  were 
removed,  and  not  to  this  which  dates  back  to  181 7. 

Of  the  three  Valatie  cemeteries,  that  north  of  the  village 
on  the  Niverville  Road,  is  the  oldest.  It  is  under  the  care  of 
the  Valatie  Cemetery  Association,  formed  in  1851.  The 
first  Trustees  were:  James  Miller,  P.  Kingman,  P.  Hoes,  S. 
J.  Milham,  M.  J.  Niver,  and  R.  Dederick. 

The  plot  purchased  (now  substantially  filled)  was  soon 
seen  to  be  too  small  for  the  prospective  needs  of  the  village. 
Accordingly,  in  1852,  The  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery  Association 
was  formed.    W.  P.  Rathbone,  O.  Carpenter,  P.  W.  Pulver, 


' 


Cemeteries  349 

J.  Carpenter,  S.  Hanna,  B.  Conant,  B.  C.  Osborne,  and  John 
Rogers  were  the  first  Trustees.  Their  cemetery,  of  about 
twenty-eight  acres  of  undulating  well- wooded  land,  has 
superior  natural  advantages  which  have  been  improved  in 
part,  but  admit  of  fine  development  in  years  to  come. 

The  cemetery  of  the  Catholic  church  adjoins  the  fore- 
going on  the  south. 

While  the  Vanderpoel  place  was  owned  by  the  somewhat 
erratic  John  Rogers,  he  set  apart  a  portion  of  his  land  for  the 
free  burial  of  our  colored  people.  It  was  thus  used  until 
every  available  inch  was  taken  up;  in  some  cases,  it  is  stated, 
with  coffin  placed  upon  coffin.  It  was  then,  as  it  now  long 
has  been,  closed  against  additional  burials. 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE    OLDER    HOMESTEADS,    INNS,    AND    PEOPLE  IN 

THEM 

First  Homes — "Bricks  from  Holland" — Oldest  Village  Houses — Sunnyside 
and  Orchard  Home — Stephen  Van  Alen's  and  Bj-e-low — Adam  Van  Alen 
— Evert  Van  Alen — The  Pruyns — The  Van  Schaacks — Benedict  Arnold 
(?)  Inn — "An  Old  Kinderhook  Mansion" — P.  Van  Schaack  and  P.  S. 
Hoes  Houses — Lindenwald — James  Vanderpoel  (Burt)  House — Elm- 
hurst — Crow  Hill — Henry  Sn3-der  (Smith)  House — Vosburgh  Home- 
steads— Old  Houses  at  Chatham  Center — Taverns. 

FATHER  JOGUES,  the  devoted  French  Jesuit  missionary 
who  visited  Albany  in  1646,  after  writing  contemptu- 
ousl}^  of  "the  miserable  little  fort  called  Fort  Orange,"  de- 
scribed the  houses  of  the  people  as  "merely  plain  boards  and 
thatched  roofs,  with  no  mason  work  except  chimneys. " 
Somewhat  better  probably  though  still  plain  were  the  first 
homes  of  the  settlers  here,  some  of  whom  at  least  were  fairly 
well-to-do  when  they  came,  and  brought  with  them  all 
essential  equipments  of  their  dwellings  and  for  the  stocking 
and  tillage  of  the  land.  The  mill  of  Claver,  and  later  those  of 
Gerrit  Van  Schaack  at  Stu}'A'esant  Falls  and  of  Dirk  Goes  at 
Valatie,  supplied  what  lumber  was  needed  for  building. 

After  a  few  years  the  proverbial  industr}^  and  thrift  of 
our  settlers  enabled  them  to  replace  these  temporar}^  struc- 
tures with  more  substantial  and,  for  their  time,  even  elegant 
homesteads,  always  clinging  closely  to  the  river  or  to  the 
Kinderhook  and  Claverack  creeks.    A  few  of  these  are  stiU 

350 


Old  Homesteads  and  XKeir  People         351 

to  be  seen;  three  of  them  at  least  in  our  village,  as  noted  later. 
Their  massive  walls,  long  steep  roofs,  immense  oaken  beams 
left  unceiled  but  painted  and  varnished  and  now  almost  as 
impenetrable  to  a  nail  as  iron,  their  spacious  tiled  fireplaces, 
and  heavy  outer  doors  divided  horizontally  in  the  middle 
and  having  imposing  iron,  brass,  or  silver  knockers,  have 
often  been  described  and  are  familiar  to  every  reader.  Of 
those  homesteads,  elegant  and  even  luxurious  in  their  time, 
we  have  excellent  types  in  that  of  the  Van  Alens  on  the 
Linden wald  Road,  and  the  still  older  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne 
home.  As  to  the  impeccable  neatness  of  these  homesteads  we 
have  this  tribute  of  Alexander  Scammell  (1776)  to  the  Dutch 
vrouws — "one  drop  of  ink  will  breed  a  Riot  till  it  is  eraz'd 
by  soap  and  sand  and  Dishclouts. " 

The  bricks  of  our  first  houses  were  possibly  "brought 
from  Holland. "  There  is  a  record  of  their  importation  as  late 
as  1661  when  they  were  sold  for  $4.18  per  thousand,  payable 
in  beaver  skins.  The  claim,  however,  for  every  old  house 
that  the  bricks  were  imported,  is  not  to  be  accepted  too 
credulously.  We  are  not  ruthless  iconoclasts.  We  love 
poetry  and  have  a  bit  of  imagination  of  our  own,  but  as 
faithful  chroniclers  we  are  compelled  to  say  that  there  was  an 
ample  supply  of  excellent  material  for  bricks  and  tiles  at  our 
very  door;  that  brickmakers  came  to  Fort  Orange  before 
1630;  and  that  there  were  at  least  two  brickyards  here  in 
Kinderhook  when  most  of  our  older  homesteads  were  built. 
The  Fort  Orange  records  of  1630  report  the  sale  of  land  for 
the  manufacture  of  bricks  and  tiles.  In  the  Bowier  Van 
Rensselaer  MSS.  (1643)  there  is  a  letter  from  the  patroon  to 
Governor  Kief t,  which  says :  "I  would  like  to  contract  for 
some  hundreds  of  thousands  (of  bricks)  as  there  is  fine  clay 
in  the  colony  for  that  purpose."  He  had  heard  that  the 
English  were  about  to  establish  a  brick-kiln  on  Fresh  River 
(the  Connecticut)  and  he  sought  to  forestall  them.  Ob- 
viously, brickmakers  from  Holland  would  make  bricks  pre- 
cisely as  they  had  been  wont  at  home,  and  therefore  neither 


352  Old  K-inderHook 

size  nor  shape  is  any  evidence  of  Holland  origin.  And,  con- 
sidering how  massive  the  walls  uniformly  were,  it  is  doubtful 
if  the  whole  Dutch  marine  could  have  brought  over  the 
millions  of  alleged  "bricks  from  Holland."  Still  less  are  we 
to  believe,  as  some  allege,  that  the  great  unceiled  beams, 
always  a  joy  to  behold,  were  imported.  There  was  no  better 
timber  anywhere  than  was  to  be  had  here  for  the  cutting. 
As  early  as  1626  considerable  quantities  of  oak  and  hickory 
were  being  exported  to  Holland,  and  later  even  to  Portugal. 
Of  our  oldest  homesteads  of  the  better  class  we  have 
already  noticed  with  sufficient  fullness  what  was  probably 
the  first,  the  Staats  house  near  Stockport  station,  and  also  the 
several  dwellings  of  Conine  and  the  Vanderpoels  along  the 
river  bank  near  Poelsburg.  The  oldest  of  similar  dwellings 
in  Kinderhook  Village  are  those  now  occupied  by  John 
Nink,  W,  H.  Clapp,  and  the  widow  of  Henry  Schnapper. 
In  repairing  a  chimney  of  the  first-named  house  several 
years  ago  a  brick  bearing  date  1623  was  found.  Mrs.  Jarvis 
had  it  inserted  in  the  side  wall  where  it  may  now  be  seen. 
It  cannot  be,  however,  that  the  house  was  built  at  that  time. 
Possibly  the  date  indicates  when  the  brick  was  made.  In 
size  and  shape  it  differs  from  the  other  bricks  of  which  the 
older  part  of  the  house  was  built.  The  southern  wooden 
portion  was  added  by  Mrs.  Jarvis.  All  we  can  say  of  the 
origin  of  this  house  is  that  it  goes  back  to  the  time  of  the 
Indian  wars.  Some  of  the  huge  beams  bear  traditional 
traces  of  Indian  warfare;  and  near  the  peak  of  the  roof  are 
the  old-time  portholes  changed,  with  regrettable  taste,  from 
their  original  narrow  oblong  form  to  circles.  Miss  Jane  Van 
Alstyne,  who  died  in  1905  in  her  ninety-ninth  year,  was  wont 
to  say  that  in  her  childhood  the  house  was  much  dilapidated 
and  was  occupied  by  colored  people.  Later,  it  was  fully 
repaired  and  made  a  charming  home.  It  was  at  one  time  the 
property  of  James  I.  Van  Alen  who  married  the  widow  of 
John  C.  Wynkoop  (Lydia  Silvester).  Of  later  owners  we 
note:    1837,  Peter  Niver;  1848,  Benjamin  Race;  1851,  Eliza 


The  Silvester  House 

From  a  photograph 


The  Jarvis-Nink  Home 

From  a  photograph 


The  Ritzema-Dennis-Oapp  House 


The  Old  House  on  William  Street 


Orchard  Home 


Sunnyside 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         353 

Bramhall;  1857,  Ann  B.  Jarvis,  and  Eleanor  R.  Fuller;  1893, 
John  Nink. 

The  present  W.  H.  Clapp  house  is  another  of  unknown 
age  and  builder;  but  it,  as  well  as  the  house  opposite, 
which  bears  the  date  1766,  are  known  to  be  of  pre-Revolu- 
tionary  origin.  It  stands  upon  what  we  have  found  to  be 
the  Martin  Cornelise  (Van  Buren)  portion  of  the  famous 
"Groote  Stuk"  of  1666,  and  we  have  traces  of  its  ownership 
by  the  Van  Burens  for  many  years.  During  the  Revolution 
it  was  owned  by  the  Rev.  Johannes  Ritzema,  pastor  of  the 
church.  In  this  case,  as  in  many  others,  records  of  deeds  are 
lacking,  but  we  have  other  evidence  that  the  property  was 
owned  later  by  Dr.  J.  P.  Beekman,  after  whom  we  note: 
1825,  James  Vanderpoel;  1834,  Julius  Wilcoxson  and  James 
Shaw;  1848,  Nathaniel  Burns;  1852,  R,  Tattershall  and 
George  Wyatt;  1853,  Henry  Dennis;  1894,  J^^*-  Scully; 
191 1,  W.  H.  Clapp.  The  tenant  house  of  1766,  doubtless  the 
property  of  the  original  owners  of  the  Clapp  house,  we  find 
belonging,  prior  to  1835,  to  John  I.  Pruyn,  then  to  Christina 
Van  Buren,  and  in  i860  to  Henry  Dennis. 

The  late  H.  C.  Van  Schaack  is  our  authority  for  the  state- 
ment that  in  Indian  war-times  the  present  widow  Schnapper 
place  was  a  stockaded  fort  to  which  in  times  of  alarm  the 
women  were  wont  to  flee,  the  men  being  at  work  in  the  fields 
far  away.  Beyond  this  we  know  nothing  of  its  early  story. 
It  was  for  many  years  the  first  known  parsonage  of  the 
church.  It  was  thus  occupied  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles 
when  he  retired  in  1835.  The  principal  subsequent  owners 
have  been:  1836,  J.  P.  Beekman;  1840,  Edgar  Laing;  and 
later,  Catharine  E.  Heermance;  Mrs.  Dollie  Farrar;  Mrs. 
(Bohannan)  Farrar;  191 1,  H.  Schnapper. 

VAN  ALSTYNE  HOMESTEADS.  (ORCHARD  HOME  AND  SUNNYSIDE) 

We  recall  no  other  homesteads  and  lands  in  old  Kinder- 
hook  which  have  been  quite  so  long  owned  and  occupied  by 
descendants  of  the  original  settlers  as  these. 


354  Old  K-inderKooK 

The  following  narrative  is  based  on  a  paper  prepared  by 
Mr.  Edward  Van  Alstyne,  who  represents  the  sixth  genera- 
tion of  the  name.  We  omit  therefrom,  however,  certain 
details  already  given  and  add  a  few  comments  of  our 
own. 

Jan  Martense  (Van  Alstyne)  De  Weever,  the  original 
settler  here  about  1670,  acquired  large  portions  of  his  estate 
by  purchase  from  the  owners  of  the  Nuttenhook  and  Powell 
patents  as  hitherto  noted.  Other  portions  came  to  him 
through  his  wife,  Dirckie  Harmense,  a  daughter  of  an  early 
patentee.  The  estate  included  lands  now  owned  by  Edward, 
son  of  Peter  Edward;  J.  Spencer  Hosford,  son-in-law  of 
James  Van  Alstyne;  and  Edward  Payson,  son  of  Hugh. 
Hugh,  James,  and  Peter  E.  were  sons  of  Adam  Van  Alstyne. 
Adjacent  lands  now  owned  by  Messrs.  Kilmer,  and  by  the 
heirs  of  Silas  Dick,  also  belonged  to  the  estate.  Jan  Mar- 
tense's  homestead  stood  on  Mr.  Hosford's  lowlands,  a  little 
southwest  of  his  large  hay  barn.  Mr.  E.  Van  Alstyne 
remembers  the  depression  where  its  cellar  was. 

The  brick  portion  of  the  present  quaint,  much  improved, 
and  very  attractive  home  of  Mr.  Hosford  (Orchard  Home) 
was  built  nearly  two  hundred  years  ago.  Doubtless,  its 
bricks  were  burned  in  the  kiln  known  to  have  been  on  the 
farm. 

This  farm  descended  to  Adam's  cousin  Isaac  (son  of 
John,  son  of  Isaac).  At  his  death  it  became  the  property  of 
his  son  whom  so  many  were  wont  to  call  "Uncle  Barent." 
His  sister  was  the  beloved  "Aunt  Jane,"  and  another  sister 
was  the  wife  of  Hugh,  and  of  most  gracious  memory.  In 
1864  Barent  sold  the  place  to  his  cousin  James,  then  of 
Ghent,  who  added  thereto  sixty  acres  known  as  the  "John 
Van  Dyck  Vly, "  and  also  about  160  acres  to  the  west  of  the 
road  to  Stuyvesant  Falls,  purchased  of  Abram  A.  Van  Alen 
and  called  in  old  times  "The  Clay."  Both  these  plots  had 
formerly  been  a  part  of  the  Jan  Martense  estate.  James 
kept  many  cattle  which,  when  fatted  for  market,  were  re- 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         355 

nowned,  in  New  York  as  well  as  in  the  vicinity  for  their 
superior  excellence.  The  soil  became  exceedingly  productive. 
His  son,  Isaac,  one  of  our  choicest  young  men,  was  drowned, 
July  4,  1 87 1.  When  James  died,  in  '84,  his  only  living 
child,  Maria,  was  his  heir.  She  became  the  wife  of  J.  Spen- 
cer, son  of  F.  J.  Hosford  of  Brooklyn.  Their  daughter  Ella  is 
the  wife  of  Dr.  N.  D.  Gamsey  of  Kinderhook,  and  their 
second  daughter,  Laura,  abides  with  her  father  in  the 
ancestral  homestead.  Mr.  Hosford,  turning  his  attention 
chiefly  to  dairying,  has  built  up  a  particularly  fine  herd  of 
pure-blood  Jerseys.  His  dairy  and  its  products  are  of  the 
best. 

In  1840  Adam  Van  Alstyne  made  over  the  northwest 
portion  of  his  estate  to  his  son,  Hugh,  and  added  thereto 
fifty  acres  purchased  of  Gilbert  Clapp,  making  three  hundred 
acres  in  all.  In  '41  Hugh  built  the  substantial  brick  house 
now  owned  by  his  son  Edward  P.  and  greatly  improved  by 
him  in  '82.  Hugh's  first  wife  was  his  cousin  Catharine, 
well  remembered  for  her  cheerful  open-handed  beneficences. 
Their  sons  were — Abraham  who  bought  a  farm  near  Old 
Chatham.  He  married  Alice  Philip,  daughter  of  Peter 
Philip  of  Ghent  and  has  two  children — Hugh  and  Catharine. 
Hugh  (senior)  was  the  father  also  of  Edward  P.  who  married 
Catharine  B.  Fish  of  Scarsdale,  N.  Y.  Their  son  William 
B.  owns  the  old  Van  Alen  place  of  which  we  elsewhere  write. 
Hugh's  daughter  Jane  married  Mr.  L,  L.  Morrell,  our  well- 
known  expert  orchardist.  Their  children  were  Anna,  who 
passed  away  in  childhood,  and  Alice  who  still  graces  the  home 
of  her  father.  Hugh's  second  wife  was  Miss  Kate  M.  Pruyn, 
daughter  of  John  I.;  and  his  third  was  Miss  Mary  Hickox 
who  survived  him  a  few  years.  Both  he  and  his  sons  were 
exceptionally  good  farmers;  the  father  excelling  in  stalwart 
strength  and  executive  ability.  He  was  an  influential 
citizen,  holding  several  elective  offices,  and  prominently 
identified  with  Kinderhook's  first  bank  of  which  he  was 
president  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


356  Old  R-inderKooK 

In  *54  Adams  deeded  the  farm,  now  occupied  by  Edward, 
to  the  latter's  father,  Peter  Edward.  It  consists  of  220 
acres  of  very  fertile  land,  practically  every  acre  tillable. 
Peter  Edward  was  a  man  of  vision.  Fully  a  generation  ahead 
of  his  time  agriculturally,  he  laid  drains,  and  set  orchards  of 
the  best  varieties  of  apples  and  pears  which  in  some  cases  he 
himself  budded.  Men  told  him  he  would  never  eat  of  the 
fruit,  and  that  when  his  trees  came  into  bearing  there  would 
be  no  market  for  their  yield.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-six, 
but  he  saw  his  trees  yielding  "fruit  after  their  kind"  in 
abundance.  His  pears  sold  for  ten,  and  his  apples  for  five 
dollars  a  barrel.  He  was  one  of  the  first  along  the  Hudson 
to  export  apples  to  England.  He  kept  pure-bred  stock; 
Herford  and  short-horn  cattle,  with  merino  and  Southdown 
sheep.  Both  he  and  his  brothers  Hugh  and  James  practiced 
what  is  now  called  "scientific  farming"  in  the  treatment  of 
their  lands,  and  in  the  feeding  and  breeding  of  stock.  He 
was  a  life  member  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural 
Society  and  an  active  participant  in  its  work.  He  appreci- 
ated that  there  was  more  to  be  won  from  the  soil  than  mere 
dollars.  The  well  laid  out  grounds  with  shrubs  and  flowers, 
and  the  rows  of  stately  elms  and  maples  which  line  the 
drive  from  the  highway  to  the  door,  are  living  monuments 
to  his  memory.  He  was  also  a  popular  leader  in  civic  and 
social  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Assembly  in  i860, 
and  a  U.  S.  Revenue  Collector,  and  held  other  offices  of  trust 
and  responsibility  with  credit.  His  first  wife,  Elizabeth 
Mesick,  lived  but  a  few  years.  He  then  married  Harriet  V. 
V.  Mynderse,  granddaughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Herman 
Vedder  of  notable  service.  Their  surviving  children  are 
Edward  and  Mary.  Later,  he  married  Margaret  V.  S., 
youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  John  M.  Pruyn.  Their 
daughter  Harriet  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Charles  Frisbie  of 
Stuyvesant  Falls. 

When  Peter  Edward  died  in  1876  the  farm  came  to  his 
only  son,  Edward.    He  has  extended  the  orchard  plantings, 


Old  Homesteads  and  XHeir  People         357 

enlarged  the  flocks  and  herds,  and  has  well  exemplified  Dean 
Bailey's  definition  of  a  good  farmer:  "One  who  demon- 
strates his  ability  to  live  from  his  land;  who  maintains 
and  increases  its  fertility  and  productiveness;  takes  the 
burden  of  citizenship  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  moral  and 
civic  welfare  of  the  community  and  leaves  behind  him  chil- 
dren to  carry  on  his  work."  Edward  has  for  years  been 
one  of  the  leading  State  lecturers  on  agriculture,  visiting 
all  parts  of  the  State  and  often  going  far  beyond  it.  He  is 
now  director  of  State  institutes.  Heard  by  multitudes,  his 
voice  has  always  rung  true  to  the  highest  civic  and  moral 
ideals.  He  married  Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Captain 
Bartholomew  V.  V.  Pruyn.  Of  their  seven  children,  James 
E.,  Elizabeth  Pruyn,  and  Annie  Mynderse  are  now  in  homes 
of  their  own.  James  E.  married  Mary  Darragh,  only  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  John  J.  Van  Schaack.  Their  children  are,  on 
both  sides,  of  the  eighth  generation  from  the  first  Van 
Alstyne  and  Van  Schaack  settlers.  Edward's  daughter, 
Elizabeth,  married  Mr.  Harold  Wilson  of  Clermont,  and 
Annie  married  Mr.  Lawrence  Howard  the  present  owner  of 
the  Van  Valkenburgh  farm.  The  original  homestead  on  the 
E.  Van  Alstyne  farm  was  razed  to  the  ground  about  ninety 
years  ago.  The  present  house  was  built  by  Adam  early  in 
the  last  century,  and  was  then  only  about  half  its  present 
size.  About  the  year  1840  it  was  substantially  enlarged  by 
Adam  to  accommodate  his  son  James,  who  for  a  time  worked 
the  farm.  The  bricks  of  the  old  house  were  burned  on  the 
place.  The  great-grandparents  of  the  present  owner  had 
their  burial  here.  No  monument  marks  their  graves,  but  the 
plot  of  ground  is  kept  religiously  sacred  against  the  despoil- 
ing plow. 

Abundant  and  luscious  have  been  the  various  fruits  which 
have  filled  the  orchards  and  graced  the  tables  of  many 
generations  abiding  in  these  old-time  homesteads.  As  con- 
tributing to  this  result,  and  even  to  the  taste  and  successes 
of  the  fruit  culturists  of  the  present  generation,  we  ascribe 


358 


Old   RinderHooK 


much  influence  to  the  fact  that  for  so  many  years  this  old- 
time  song  ^  was  sung  to  and  by  the  children : 


Sint  Nikolaus,  goed  helig  man ! 
Doen  gij  beste  tabbard  an, 
Rijd  er  mee  naar  Amsterdam, 
Van  Amsterdam  naar  Spanje, 
Van  Spanje  naar  Oranje; 
En  brengt  die  kindjes  wat; 
Noten  van  Muskaat; 
Appeltjes  Van  Oranje; 
Pruimpjes  Van  Spanje; 
Peertjens  van  die  hoogeboom — 
Sint  Nikolaus  zal  kom. 


Santa  Klaas,  good  holy  man! 

Put  your  handsomest  mantle  on, 

Likewise  ride  to  Amsterdam, 

From  Amsterdam  to  Spain, 

From  Spain  to  Orange; 

And  bring  the  children  something ; 

Nuts  from  Muscat; 

Apples  from  Orange; 

Plums  from  Spain; 

Pears  from  the  high  tree — 

Santa  Klaas  will  come. 


THE  STEPHEN  VAN  ALEN  HOMESTEAD.      1 72 1 

The  present  home  of  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne  was  the  earliest 
Van  Alen  homestead  of  which  we  have  definite  information. 
There  were  many  others.  That  of  Lourens,  the  father  of 
Stephen,  was  on  the  De  Bruyn  patent  (Brown  Right)  which 
he  owned,  and  was  probably  near,  possibly  in  part  identical 
with,  the  fine  old  mansion  long  occupied  by  his  grandson 
Lucas  I.,  and  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  William  A. 
Wheeler. 

Concerning  this  notable  homestead  permit  the  digression : 
Lucas  L  Van  Alen,  of  eminent  character  and  service,  b. 
Oct.  I,  1776,  d.  Sept.  28,  1854,  was  a  son  of  John  L.  Van 
Alen  and  Christina  Van  Dyck.  John  L.,  s.  of  Lucas;  s.  of 
Lourens,  the  purchaser  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent.  Lucas  I. 
m.  (i)  Maria  Pruyn,  (2)  Elisabeth  Vanderpoel.  The 
children  of  Maria  were — Christina,  b.  '05,  m.  Isaac  K.  Oak- 
ley whose  granddaughters,  Christina  and  Mary  Oakley,  live 
at  Newburgh.  John,  b.  '12,  d.  '76,  unmarried.  The  children 
of  Elisabeth  Vanderpoel  were — Issac,  b.  '16,  d.  '39;  Maria, 
b.  '17,  m.  David  Bigelow;  Elisabeth,  b.  '2^,  d.  '76;  Lydia  A., 
b.  '25,  d.  '76;  Helen,  b.  '26,  m.  George  Wells;  and  Aaron, 
who  in  '61  m.  Ann  Eliza,  dau.  of  John  A.  Van  Dyck.     Aaron 

'  For  this  and  other  Dutch  nursery  songs  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Brink's 
Olde  Ulster. 


The  Stephen  Van  Alen-W.  B.  Van  Alstyne  Homestead 

From  a  photograph 


Bye-low 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         359 

owned  and  occupied  for  a  time  his  ancestral  estate.  His 
dau.  Maria  lives  in  New  York. 

Near  the  Post  Road,  and  about  two  and  a  half  miles  north 
of  the  village,  is  a  quaint  old  house  which  was  another  Van 
Alen  homestead,  built  probably  by  Isaac  P.  or  his  father, 
Peter  L.  Van  Alen.  The  last  named  was  a  s.  of  Lucas  P.  and 
Annatje  Van  Deusen;  s.  of  Peter  and  Josina  Dingman;  s. 
of  Lourens,  the  purchaser  of  the  De  Bruyn  patent.  Peter 
L.,  m.  (i)  Elizabeth  Dixon,  (2)  Rose  McKegg.  Their  s., 
Isaac  P.,  m.  Jabetha  Van  Valkenburgh,  and  Isaac  P.'s  dau. 
Caroline,  m.  William  Wait,  an  eminent  lawyer  and  the 
writer  of  well-known  and  important  law  books.  To  their  s., 
William  Wait,  who  m.  Mary  Rainey,  are  due  the  initia- 
tive of  this  volume  and  invaluble  assistance  in  many 
ways. 

Another  of  the  older  Van  Alen  homesteads  was  where 
the  late  Peter  Harder  (senior)  Hved  and  died  in  1864.  Still 
another,  and  in  some  respects  the  most  interesting  of  them 
all,  was  the  Adam  Van  Alen  homestead  as  we  call  it,  built 
in  1736.  Fifteen  years  earlier  Stephen,  son  of  Lourens, 
built  the  present  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne  house,  which  was 
owned  by  Stephen  and  his  descendants  for  a  century  and  a 
quarter.  The  land  was  the  easterly  section  of  the  Powell 
patent  and  was  sold  by  Powell's  widow  to  Lourens.  On 
the  death  of  the  latter  in  17 14  it  became  a  part  of  Stephen's 
share  in  his  father's  immense  holdings.  Not  later  than  1721 
Stephen  built  this  fine  old  homestead,  somewhat,  and  re- 
grettably, altered  in  later  years,  notably  in  the  removal  of  the 
enormous  fireplace,  but  still  retaining  many  of  the  well- 
known  characteristics  of  the  early  Dutch  homesteads. 

After  Stephanus,  Cornelius,  Stephen,  and  Cornelius  S. 
Van  Alen  (1721-1848),  the  successive  owners  have  been: 
1848,  Thomas  Beekman;  '59,  John  Taylor;  '66,  Morgan  H. 
Chrysler;  '75,  Catharine  Cannady;  '87,  Thomas  H.  Brush; 
'93,  George  Cannady;  1900,  Charles  Frisbie;  1902,  William 
B.  Van  Alstyne. 


360  Old  K-inderKooK 

The  first  wedding  in  the  house  was  that  of  Stephen's 
daughter  Hilletjie  to  Arent  Van  Dyck  in  1722. 

Not  long  after  completing  the  house  the  builder  became 
dissatisfied  with  its  location.  He  wanted  to  live  among  the 
hills,  and  leaving  this  home  to  a  son  went  over  and  built  a 
new  one  in  the  hilly  region  toward  Chatham  Center. 

Stephen's  original  estate  here  was  much  larger  than  the 
present  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne  farm.  It  included  much  land 
north  of  the  present  roadway.  What  we  knew  fifty  years 
ago  as  the  John  A.  Van  Dyck  place  was  a  part  of  the  original 
Van  Alen  farm.  He  and  his  wife  were  second  cousins,  and 
were  great-great-grandchildren  of  the  first  Stephen.  She 
was  an  inmate  of  this  ancestral  home  for  some  years,  and  her 
daughter  Kate  tells  with  what  terror  as  a  little  child  she  fled 
past  the  staring  eyes  of  ancestral  portraits  on  the  walls. 

BYE-LOW.      1848 

The  present  charming  home  of  Mrs.  Harriet  A.  Dufif  and 
her  daughters,  Edna  and  Mabel,  which  she  has  so  greatly 
improved  and  beautified,  was  also  a  part  of  the  first  Stephen 
Van  Alen  estate.  The  house  was  built  probably  by  Cornelius 
S.  Van  Alen  prior  to  1848;  but  how  much  earlier  no  records 
reveal.  We  note  these  successive  transfers:  Executors  of 
Cornelius  S.  Van  Alen  to  Thomas  Beekman,  1848;  to 
Leonard  Gillet,  1854;  to  Freeman  Wagoner,  1872;  to  Marga- 
ret A.  Woodward,  1901;  to  E.  K.  Herrick,  1904;  and  to 
Harriet  A.  Duff,  1905. 

THE  ADAM  VAN  ALEN  HOMESTEAD.      1 736 

This  is  so  designated  because  first  identified  with  the 
Adam  Van  Alen  (b.  1703,  d.  1784)  who  in  1731  m.  Catryna 
Van  Alstyne.  He  or  his  father  Johannes  was  the  probable 
builder  of  this,  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  our  Colonial 
homesteads  because  retaining  to  an  unusual  degree  the 
quaint  characteristics  of  the  old  Dutch  mansions  of  the  better 


p 


The  Van  Alen  Homestead,  where  Katrina  Van  Tassel  Lived 

From  a  photograph 


The  Merwin  Farm  House,  where  Ichabod  Crane  Lived 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         361 

class.  We  say  ''the  Adam''  because  there  were  many  Adams 
in  those  days.  The  same  surname  was  so  frequently  re- 
peated, and  that  in  several  branches  of  a  family,  and  the 
maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  a  baptized  child  was  so  com- 
monly omitted  in  the  earlier  church  records,  that  it  is  next 
to  impossible  to  be  assured  of  absolute  accuracy.  This  old 
relic  stands  back  from  the  road  to  Lindenwald  and  about 
halfway  thereto.  It  was  built,  according  to  the  figures  in 
the  side  wall,  in  1736.  Persistent  tradition  alleges  that  the 
bricks  were  brought  from  Holland.  Far  be  it  from  us  to 
deny  it.  We  will  only  state  that  bricks  had  been  made  in  or 
near  Albany  for  a  hundred  years  before  its  date,  and  that 
there  were  at  least  two  brick  kilns  within  a  rifleshot  of  its 
site.  Nearly  opposite  this,  on  the  other  side  of  the  road, 
stood  the  much  older  house  of  one  Lourens  Van  Alen,  whom, 
among  so  many  of  the  same  name,  it  is  now  impossible  to 
identify.  But  it  is  safe  to  say  that  he  or  his  father  was 
the  Lourens  near  whose  bam  was  the  dilapidated  fort  of 
the  times  of  the  Indian  incursions,  of  which  we  read  in  the 
Documentary  History  and  Colonial  Manuscripts.  Old  maps 
and  church  records  are  our  authority  for  statements  that 
seem  to  be  correct. 

Concerning  Sarah  Dingman  Van  Alen,  wife  of  Johannes, 
and  living  in  one  of  these  Van  Alen  homesteads,  from  Mrs. 
Clarence  C.  Dickinson,  of  New  York,  a  descendant  of  the 
Dingmans,  Van  Alens,  and  Hogebooms,  we  have  an  item 
showing  that  there  were  militants,  if  not  suffragettes,  in  old 
times.  Sarah  was  renowned  for  her  beauty,  as  of  course  were 
all  Kinderhook  women  of  those  days.  The  overseer  of  roads 
was  about  to  lay  out  a  road  through  a  piece  of  land  the  title 
to  which  was  in  dispute.  Sarah  was  determined  the  road 
should  not  run  as  intended,  and  so,  taking  her  spinning 
wheel,  she  sat  herself  down  in  the  middle  of  the  proposed 
roadway  and  began  spinning,  in  defiance  of  the  advancing 
workmen.  The  angry  overseer  shouted  to  his  men  to  "run 
right  over  her,"  but  they  dared  not  disturb  "so  much  of 


362  Old  RinderHooK 

beauty  as  could  live" — as  Captain  John  Van  Alen  wrote  of 
his  first  wife,  and  the  road  remained  unchanged,  veracious 
tradition  alleges. 

Although  questioned  by  some,  it  has  been  proved  con- 
clusively, notably  by  the  late  Harold  Van  Santvoord  by  his 
production  of  Irving's  autographic  endorsement  on  a  private 
letter,  that  the  prototypes  of  several  characters  in  The 
Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow  were  found  by  Irving  in  this  locality. 
Ichabod  Crane,  Brom  Bones,  and  Dirk  Schuyler  were  well- 
known  local  celebrities.  And  in  this  Van  Alen  homestead, 
the  prevailing  tradition  is,  lived  the  charming  Katrina  Van 
Tassell.  Confirmatory  evidence  seems  unnecessary,  but  we 
will  add  that  Dr.  Bond,  editor  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal,  in  the  issue  of  December  19,  1844,  in  an  accoimt  of 
a  visit  to  Kinderhook  and  Lindenwald  and  of  his  interview 
with  the  ex-President,  says: 

But  we  have  learned  of  him  a  still  more  important  fact.  In 
his  neighborhood  there  is  an  ancient  schoolhouse  .  .  .  built  by 
the  late  Judge  Van  Ness  .  .  .  though  it  belongs  to  the  town. 
The  Judge  had  the  felicity  to  entertain  as  his  guest  during  a 
certain  summer  Mr.  Washington  Irving,  and  at  that  time  the 
school  was  taught  by  Mr.  Merwin.  In  the  vicinity  of  his  school- 
house  Irving  laid  the  scene  of  one  of  the  most  inimitable  tales  in 
his  Sketch  Book,  and  our  friend  Merwin  sat  for  the  picture  of 
Ichabod  Crane. 

The  land  has  remained  in  the  Van  Alen  family  ever  since 
its  original  purchase  from  Wattawit,  the  Indian  owner. 
Descending  from  father  to  son  through  eight  or  more 
generations,  it  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Maria,  daughter 
of  John  D.  Van  Alen,  and  wife  of  Mr.  William  Herrick. 
In  1864,  when  we  first  knew  this  homestead,  it  was  occupied 
by  six  descendants  of  the  original  builder,  children  of  David, 
all  unmarried,  and  advanced  in  years:  Jane,  Maria,  Eliza- 
beth, Celia,  Helen,  and  Peter  D.  Van  Alen. 


Jesse  Merwin 
(Ichabod  Crane) 

From  an  old  photograph 


Jesse  Merwin's  Monument 

From  a  photograph 


The  Site  of  Ichabod  Crane's  Schoolhouse 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         363 

EVERT  VAX  ALEN  HOMESTEAD 

This  has  been  mistakenly  identified  by  newspaper  and 
other  writers  with  the  foregoing.  The  chart  of  the  Post  Road 
hitherto  described  reveals  it  on  the  same  side  of  the  road  as 
the  latter  but  nearer  the  village.  Like  that  of  Lourens  it 
long  since  disappeared.  Evert 's  children  were  Abraham  E., 
Lourens  E.,  Jacobus,  Dirck,  and  John  E.,  of  whom  the  last- 
named  became  much  the  most  notable.  Bom  in  1749,  he 
married  in  1777  Anne  Fr}^enmoet,  a  sister  of  his  brother 
Abraham's  wife,  Alar}-,  both  daughters  of  Dominie  Fr>-en- 
moet,  pastor  of  the  Kinderhook  church.  He  became  a  very 
eminent  sur\^eyor.  Alany  of  his  field  notes  and  maps  of 
singular  excellence  abide  to  this  day  in  the  Albany  records. 
His  signature  has  become  as  familiar  to  us  as  that  of  a 
personal  friend.  Shortly  before  his  marriage  he  removed  to 
Rensselaer  County,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  four  hundred 
acres  in  the  vicinity  of  De  Freestville  where  he  erected  the 
Van  Alen  homestead  there.  In  1791  he  was  an  assistant 
justice  of  the  new  County  of  Rensselaer,  the  boundaries  of 
which  he  had  surveyed.  Beginning  with  1 792,  he  was  elected 
to  Congress  thrice;  the  second  time,  defeating  Henr}-  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  patroon.  From  a  paper  by  Mrs.  J.  H.  Sutliff, 
read  before  the  Gansevoort  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  and  reported 
in  the  Albany  Argus,  February  22,  1903,  we  quote: 

E\'idence  of  his  close  and  intimate  friendship  with  President 
Washington  is  shown  in  in\-itations  and  gifts  made  by  the 
President  to  both  him  and  his  wife.  One  of  the  gifts  was  a  pair 
of  sugar  bowls,  carv^ed  from  cocoanut  shells  silver  mounted, 
which  had  been  presented  to  Martha  Washington  by  an  Indian 
Sachem  in  1774.  Twenty  years  later  Mrs.  Washington  presented 
it  to  Mrs.  John  E.  Van  Alen.  She  bequeathed  it  to  Dericke,  \^-ife 
of  her  nephew.  Evert  Van  Alen,  whose  daughter,  Anna  Maria, 
shortly  before  her  death  presented  it  to  her  nephew  Herman  Van 
Alen,  in  whose  possession  it  was  when  the  paper  was  read. 


364  Old   KinderKooK 

Lourens  E.  married  Margaret,  sister  of  the  distinguished 
jurist,  Peter  Van  Schaack,  LL.D.  Their  children  were :  Cor- 
nelius, Margaret,  Peter  L.,  Alida,  and  Maria.  Concerning 
Peter  L.,  the  late  Henry  C.  Van  Schaack  wrote: 

Peter  L.  was  a  young  man  of  great  promise.  In  1792  he  went 
to  Georgia  as  an  officer  in  the  regular  army  and  won  distinction. 
Abandoning  the  army  he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1795.  He  was  appointed  solicitor  General  for  the  northern 
district  of  Georgia  and  was  holding  that  position  when  killed  in 
a  duel  with  William  C.  Crawford  who  subsequently  became 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  under  President  Monroe. 

THE  PRUYN  HOMESTEAD.     1 736  (or  earlier) 

This,  the  late  residence  of  Mrs.  William  V.  S.  Beekman, 
was  built  in  part  before  1736.  In  that  year,  Arent  Pruyn, 
the  youngest  son  of  Frans  Janse  Pruyn,  of  Albany,  and  about 
forty-eight  years  of  age,  came  hither  and  bought  the  property 
of  Cornelius  Schermerhom.  It  was  a  large  tract,  extending 
on  both  sides  of  the  present  Eykebush  Road  from  a  "brook 
crossed  by  a  bridge"  down  to  the  Kinderhook  Creek,  north 
of  the  land  of  Stephen  Van  Alen  referred  to  above.  The 
lots  on  which  now  stand  twelve  or  more  of  the  nearest  build- 
ings on  Broad  Street  were  within  its  bounds,  as  were  also 
the  lowlands  down  to  and  including  the  present  residence  of 
Mr.  Davie.  The  Misses  Catharine  and  Maria  Pruyn,  Miss 
Anna  H.  Wilcoxson,  and  the  heirs  of  the  late  Captain  Bar- 
tholomew Pruyn  are  owners  to  this  day  of  portions  of  their 
great-great-grandfather's  original  estate.  Cornelius  Scher- 
merhom is  spoken  of  as  a  blacksmith.  As  Arent  Pruyn  who 
succeeded  him  also  had  a  blacksmith  shop,  it  seems  probable 
that  both  dwelling  and  shop  had  been  built  by  Schermerhom 
before  1736.  Arent  Pruyn's  wife,  Catryna  Gansevoort,  was 
closely  related  to  the  Conyns,  already  residing  in  the  vicinity, 
and  that  is  supposed  to  have  influenced  the  coming  here  of 
the  first  of  the  Pruyns.  They  were  both  communicant  mem- 
bers of  the  Dutch  church  here  in  1736,  and  later  he  was 


The  Pruyn-Bray-Beekman  Homestead 

From  a  photograph 


Major  Goes's  Inn 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         365 

first  a  deacon  and  then  an  elder.  The  same  is  true  of  many 
of  their  descendants.  Of  their  six  children,  Alida  married 
Comelis  Van  Alen;  Lydia  married  Peter  Van  Buren;  Frans 
married  Christina  Goes,  and  Harman  married  Jannetje  Goes. 
Frans  succeeded  to  his  father's  estate  and  left  one  son,  John, 
who  in  1767  married  Catharine  Vanderpoel,  daughter  of 
John  Vanderpoel  and  Annatjie  Staats.  Frans  and  his  wife 
were  buried  in  the  family  plot  to  the  east  of  the  house.  John 
was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth  for  the  time  and  a  very 
highly  respected  and  valuable  member  of  the  community, 
as  well  as  of  the  church,  which  he  repeatedly  served  in  places 
of  trust  and  honor.  He  had  nine  children,  all  of  whom  mar- 
ried. Five  of  them  married  Van  Vlecks,  resulting  in  intricacies 
of  relationship  in  these  days  most  perplexing  to  strangers. 

Francis  (son  of  John),  who  married  Maria  Van  Vleck  in 
1779,  lived  in  and  probably  built  the  old  brick  house  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Davie.  He  was  a  lawyer  of  distinction  and 
served  in  many  positions  of  trust  and  honor.  Of  his  five 
children  the  most  distinguished  was  John  M.  Pruyn,  ''the  be- 
loved physician,"  and  the  father  of  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn,  M.D., 
of  both  of  whom  more  anon. 

John  I.  Pruyn  (son  of  John)  married  Jane  Van  Vleck  in 
1805  and  Elizabeth  Van  Valkenburgh  in  1825.  He  lived  on 
the  old  homestead.  The  children  of  the  first  marriage  were 
John  M.,  who  married  Maria  Snyder;  Abraham  Van  Vleck, 
married  Clara  L.  M.  Fairfield;  Francis,  who  died  unmarried 
in  1844;  Lucas  (another  beloved  physician),  who  married 
Cynthia  Willsey;  Jane,  married  John  Chester  Sweet;  Isaac, 
married  Mary  Jane  Wilcoxson  and,  later,  Sarah  Ann  Wilcox- 
son,  and  was  one  of  Catskill's  most  eminent  citizens;  Catha- 
rine Maria  became  the  second  wife  of  Hugh  Van  Alstyne,  and 
Anna  married  John,  a  son  of  Judge  Wilcoxson.  The  children 
of  the  second  marriage  were  Bartholomew,  a  captain  in  the 
Civil  War,  who  married  Sarah  Caroline  Thomas  and,  later, 
Judith  A.  Groat;  Catalina  and  Sarah  Elizabeth,  both  of 
whom  died  unmarried  in  '56  and  '67  respectively. 


366  Old  K-inderKooK 

The  blacksmith  shop  of  Arent  Pruyn  stood  a  little  below 
the  brow  of  the  hill  to  the  south  of  and  near  the  present 
dwelling.  The  road,  it  is  to  be  remembered,  was  then 
considerably  nearer  the  creek  than  it  is  now.  The  shop  con- 
tinued its  important  and  much  more  varied  service  than  in 
our  time  for  many  years.  Traces  of  its  existence  are  still 
revealed  by  the  plow,  as  also  are  traces  of  the  brickyard. 

John  Pruyn,  and  probably  his  father  and  grandfather, 
were  slave-owners.  We  have  the  church  record  of  the 
baptism  of  eight  children  of  John's  slave.  Pomp;  and  from 
John's  will  we  learn  of  Mink,  who  was  to  be  permitted  to 
choose  his  own  master  among  John's  children.  With  Mink 
went  the  tools  of  the  blacksmith  shop.  He  was  evidently 
the  smithy. 

After  John  I.'s  death  in  1856  his  sons  Lucas  and  Isaac 
had  charge  of  the  estate.  Portions  of  it  were  sold  to  several 
purchasers,  and  a  plot  adjoining  and  in  the  rear  of  the 
parsonage  site,  now  owned  by  Mr.  John  Bray,  became  the 
exclusive  and  cherished  possession  of  "Dr.  Luke."  Mr. 
John  Wilcoxson  owned  the  remnant  of  the  property  for 
about  a  year  and  then  sold  it  to  Mr.  John  Bray  in  1862,  who 
in  turn  conveyed  it  in  1878  to  Mr.  William  V.  S.  Beekman, 
whose  daughters  are  now  in  possession.  This  is  the  only 
house  here  in  which  an  old-time  bed-zink  may  still  be  seen. 

It  was  said  by  Southey,  we  think,  that  no  house  is  per- 
fectly furnished  in  which  there  is  not  "a  child  rising  three 
years  and  a  kitten  rising  three  weeks. "  As  regards  the  first 
item,  at  least,  the  Pruyn  homestead  was  so  often  perfectly 
furnished  that  we  deem  it  not  inappropriate  to  end  our 
sketch  of  it  with  the  charming  jingle  sung  there  to  such  a 
host  of  children,  and  which  many  still  living  remember. 

Trip  a  trop  a  troontjes,  Trip  a  trop  a  troontjes, 

De  varkens  in  de  boontjes,  The  pigs  are  in  the  bean-vines, 

De  koentjes  in  de  klaver,  The  cows  are  in  the  clover  blooms, 

De  paarden  in  de  haver,  The  horses  in  the  oat  fields, 

De  eenjes  in  de  water-plas,  The  ducks  in  the  water-pond, 

De  kalf  in  de  lang  gras; —  The  calf  is  in  the  long  grass; — 

So  groot  mijn  kleine  poppetje  was.  So  tall  my  little  baby  was. 


C.  Van  Schaack  and  Wynkoop  House 

From  a  drawing 


The  Heermance-Schnapper  House 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         367 

THE  VAN  SCHAACK  HOMESTEAD 

To  the  north  and  east  of  the  Pruyn  estate  was  that  of 
Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  son  of  Emanuel,  son  of  Claes. 
Cornelius  was  a  merchant  of  much  enterprise  and  thrift. 
He  was  a  successful  fur-trader,  the  owner  of  a  sloop,  a  large 
land  proprietor  here  and  elsewhere,  and  a  personage  of  much 
consequence  and  wealth  for  his  time. 

The  tract  on  which  the  homestead  stood  extended  from 
the  creek,  on  both  sides  of  our  present  Church  Street,  to 
and  inclusive  of  the  land  now  belonging  to  the  widow  of 
Peter  Best.  It  included  the  present  Wynkoop  property, 
the  site  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church,  and  all  the  inter- 
vening land  from  the  William  A.  Harder  house  on  the  east 
to  and  including  that  of  Dr.  Kellogg  on  the  west.  The 
original  homestead  stood  a  few  rods  to  the  east  of  the  present 
Wynkoop  villa  ("The  Chateau")  and  near  the  brow  of  the 
bluff  and  its  descent  to  what  was  then  the  main  channel  of 
the  creek.  It  was  the  "Van  Shaaken"  house  of  the  Hessian 
soldier's  letter  elsewhere  quoted.  It  was  a  large  stone  and 
brick  house  built  at  a  very  early  period  and  fortified  against 
marauding  Canadian  Indians.  Early  in  1700  the  property 
was  bought  by  Cornelius  Van  Schaack  and  much  improved. 
His  wife,  Lydia,  was  a  daughter  of  Hendrick  Van  Dyck,  M. 
D.,  and  a  granddaughter  of  the  Albany  Schuylers.  Here 
seven  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  were  among  Kinder- 
hook's  most  eminent  sons.  The  children  were :  Margaretha, 
bp.  September  21,  1728;  Maria,  bp.  May  2^,  1731;  Henry, 
bp.  February  18,  1 733 ;  Cornells,  bp.  August  15,  1734;  David, 
bp.,  1736;  Jannetje,  bp.,  1739,  and  Pieter,  bp.  1747.  Of 
Henry  and  Peter  we  shall  have  more  to  say.  Comelis  be- 
came the  owner  of  the  present  P.  H.  Bain  property,  Kleine 
Kill.  David  built  the  "Old  Kinderhook  Mansion"  noticed 
later;  and  Peter,  after  his  return  from  England,  built  the 
adjoining  WilHam  A.  Harder  house.  There  his  years  of 
blindness  were  spent  and  there  he  died. 


368  Old   RinderhooK 

Cornelius's  daughter  Margaret  married  Lourens  L.  Van 
Alen,  son  of  Lourens  (Lawrence)  who  bought  the  De  Bruyn 
patent  and  several  other  tracts:  Maria  married  Jacobus 
(James)  I.  Roosevelt,  an  ancestor  of  our  ex-President. 
Lydia  married  Isaac  Van  Vleck.  Jannetje  became  the  wife 
of  Peter  Silvester,  the  distinguished  jurist  of  Albany  and 
Kinderhook.  When  Cornelius  died  his  estate  was  divided; 
his  son  David  receiving  the  former  Beekman-Vanderpoel 
property,  and  Peter  a  portion  adjoining;  while  Peter  Sil- 
vester (or  his  wife)  inherited  the  homestead,  including  what 
we  have  known  as  the  Silvester  place,  where  lived  Francis 
Silvester  (Peter's  son),  an  eminent  lawyer  and  the  father  of 
Peter  H.  and  Margaret.  Peter  Silvester,  Cornelius  Van 
Schaack's  son-in-law,  lived  and  died  in  the  latter's  home- 
stead. There  his  daughter  Anna  Maria  was  married  to 
Augustus  Wynkoop,  a  successful  merchant  of  New  York, 
who  later  came  into  possession  of  the  place.  For  several 
years  he  and  his  family  were  here  during  the  summer  only, 
boarding  with  Henry  L.  Van  Dyck,  M.D.,  and  his  wife 
Catharine  Van  Alen,  to  whom  the  place  was  rented.  Here, 
to  Dr.  Van  Dyck,  several  if  not  all  of  his  children  were  bom. 
Maria,  b.  1797,  married  John  A.  Van  Dyck,  her  cousin. 
They  moved  to  Canada  but  returned  after  Henry  L.'s 
death  and  occupied  what  was  recently  known  as  the  Popham 
house,  which  Henry  had  lately  built.  Stephen,  born  June  8, 
1799,  died  March  15,  1803.  Andrew  H.,  born  January  27, 
1 801,  married  September,  1823,  Catharine  Staats  of  Valatie. 
He  was  an  eminent  physician,  as  noted  elsewhere;  Elizabeth, 
born  May  14,  '03,  married  '29,  Rev.  Peter  Jackson,  an 
Englishman.  Stephen,  bom  February  7,  '05;  died  '28. 
There  also  were  bom  Lawrence  H.  and  Henry  H.  Van  Dyck 
(see  Biographical  Sketches),  Engeltie  (Ann),  born  October  5, 
'12;  married  June  9,  '36,  Newton  Reed,  of  South  Amenia, 
a  most  estimable  farmer  of  much  culture  and  of  great 
influence  in  the  church  and  community.  The  most  notable 
of  all  the  children,  Comelius  V.  A.  Van  Dyck,  bom  August 


Old   Homesteads  and  TKeir  People        369 

13,  '18,  did  a  work  the  story  of  which  in  part  is  told  in  a 
succeeding  chapter.  It  was  with  moistened  eyes  that  this 
son  of  Kinderhook,  second  to  none  in  true  greatness  of 
character  and  achievement,  when  revisiting  his  native  village, 
gazed  upon  the  few  vestiges  of  his  birthplace,  and  of  the 
happy  home  of  his  childhood. 

The  main  channel  of  the  creek,  originally  ran  near  the 
foot  of  the  bluff  on  which  the  old  homestead  stood.  Not 
content  with  that,  it  more  and  more  encroached  upon  the 
bluff  itself,  gradually  undermining  it,  especially  in  the  times 
of  freshet,  when,  as  often  seen  now,  the  lowlands  become  a 
great  lake,  dotted  with  many  islands.  This  process  contin- 
ued until  one  dark  stormy  night  there  was  a  crash  which 
startled  many  from  sleep,  and  in  the  morning  it  was  found 
that  a  large  section  of  the  bluff,  including  several  great 
linden  trees  had  been  swept  away.  The  locality,  an  object 
of  interest  to  many  visitors,  became  known  as  the  Avalanche. 
It  was  of  serious  interest  to  Augustus  Wynkoop,  the  owner 
of  the  house,  as  a  warning  of  peril  to  the  foundations.  The 
only  resource  was  thought  to  be  the  removal  of  the  house, 
and  in  1850  or  soon  thereafter  it  was  entirely  taken  down. 
Available  portions  of  its  material  were  used  in  the  building 
of  the  present  attractive  villa  which  came  to  be  known  as  the 
Chateau.  There  all  the  Wynkoop  children  were  bom,  of 
whom  only  Henry  and  Elizabeth  survive.  We  have  a 
pleasing  account  of  the  sad  visit  of  several  members  and 
friends  of  the  family  to  the  homestead  shortly  before  its 
destruction;  a  visit  which  inspired  one  of  the  number  to 
write  a  pathetic  poetic  farewell  to  the  old  Van  Schaack- 
Silvester-Van  Dyck- Wynkoop  home. 

The  distinguished  visitors  to  this  homestead  were  nu- 
merous. Sir  William  Johnson  was  a  frequent  guest,  and 
many  were  the  discussions  of  Colonial  affairs  with  Colonel 
Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  senior,  and  with  his  eldest  son, 
Henry,  who  served  under  Sir  William  in  the  French  and 
Indian  wars.  The  Johnson  manuscripts  (if  now  in  existence) 
24  -  -  - ' 


370  Old  ninderHooK 

in  the  State  Library,  reveal  portions  of  the  family's  cor- 
respondence with  him.  Among  other  visitors  to  the  "hos- 
pitable house  on  the  hill, "  as  Jay  termed  it,  we  find  such 
noted  names  as  Colden,  Robertson,  Cruger,  Delancey, 
Watts,  Laight,  Walton,  Jay,  Benson,  Bard,  Murray,  Van 
Rensselaer,  Yates,  Livingston,  Gansevoort,  and  Schuyler. 
During  its  occupancy  by  Judge  Silvester  (Mr.  H.  C.  Van 
Schaack  narrates)  Aaron  Burr,  then  in  the  height  of  his 
fame,  was  also  one  of  its  visitors;  but  after  he  had  slain 
Hamilton  he  ceased  to  enter  its  doors,  well  knowing  that  his 
presence  would  be  unwelcome  to  those  who  had  always  been 
ardent  friends  and  admirers  of  Hamilton.  In  visiting  Kin- 
derhook  after  the  famous  duel,  Colonel  Burr  uniformly 
stopped  at  the  village  hotel,  and  was  wont  to  send  for  Judge 
Silvester's  son,  Francis,  who  had  studied  law  with  him,  to 
meet  him  at  the  public  house. 

But  none  of  these  distinguished  visitors  made  this  home- 
stead so  memorable  as  did  the  multitude  of  children  bom 
there,  several  of  whom  became  notable  men  and  women.  To 
them  in  their  cradle  or  in  their  mother's  arms  was  often  sung 
this  old-time  lullaby : 

Slaap,  kindje,  slaap!  Sleep,  little  one,  sleep! 

Daar  buiten  loopt  een  schapt,  Out  of  doors  there  runs  a  sheep! 

Een  schapt  met  witte  voetjes;  A  sheep  with  four  white  feet; 

Dat  drinkt  zijn  melk  zoo  zoetjes;  That  drinks  its  milk  so  sweet; 
Slaap,  kindje,  slaap.  Sleep,  little  one,  sleep. 

Slaap,  kindje,  slaap!  Sleep,  little  one,  sleep! 

Daar  buiten  loopt  een  schaap;  Out  of  doors  there  runs  a  sheep; 

Daar  buiten  loopt  een  bontekoe;  Out  of  doors  runs  a  spotted  cow, 

Het  kindje  doet  zijn  oogjes  toe;  Its  calf  has  shut  its  eyehds  so. 
Slaap,  kindje,  slaap.  Sleep,  Httle  one,  sleep. 

THE   BENEDICT  ARNOLD    (?)  INN.      I77O 

This,  the  original  Dr.  Quilhot  homestead,  later  an  inn, 
then  a  boarding-house,  but  now  for  many  years  past  a  pri- 
vate residence,  is  a  very  interesting  relic  of  the  days  of  old. 
Its    massive    walls,    deep    window-benches,    and    unceiled 


A  pre-RevoIutionary  (later  Everts — Palmatier-Monthie)  House 


i^^ 


The  Benedict  Arnold  (?)  Inn,  now  Chrysler  House 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People        371 

beams  are  pleasing  memorials  of  a  century  and  a  half  ago. 

It  is  with  an  interrogation  point  of  decided  doubt  that 
it  is  here  named  the  Benedict  Arnold  Inn.  The  only  justifi- 
cation is  the  tradition  repeated  to  us  by  the  late  Thomas 
Beekman.  It  was  to  the  effect  that  Arnold,  some  months 
after  he  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Bemis  Heights  which 
he  did  much  to  win,  was  borne  through  Kinderhook  on  a 
stretcher  and  passed  a  night  at  this  inn;  and  that  the  door- 
way being  too  narrow  to  admit  the  stretcher,  one  of  the 
jambs  was  temporarily  cut  away. 

The  house  was  built,  according  to  the  date  on  the  south 
end,  in  1770,  and  the  site  was  a  part  of  the  original  Pruyn 
estate.  By  whom  was  it  built?  Tradition  says  by  a  French 
physician.  From  an  old  map,  and  from  other  sources  as  well, 
we  know  of  the  presence  here  at  that  time  of  a  French  phy- 
sician named  John  Quilhot.  From  the  records  of  the  laying 
out  of  roads  and  streets,  we  learn  of  the  laying  out  of  a  road 
from  the  old  burying  ground  (in  the  present  center  of  the 
village)  to  the  house  of  John  Quilhot,  and  thence  southerly 
until  it  met  the  road  to  the  Landing  which  then  ran  to  the 
east  of  the  W.  B.  Van  Alstyne  house.  This  new  road  was 
our  present  Broad  Street,  and  these  scattered  bits  of  our 
picture  puzzle  fit  together  so  well  that  we  say  it  was  Dr. 
Quilhot  who  built  this  house.  This  had  long  been  written 
when  Mr.  Adam  Wagoner  told  us  of  meeting  in  the  Albany 
hospital,  a  Mr.  Quilhot  of  Chicago  who  inquired  about  the 
old  brick  house  built  by  Dr.  Quilhot.  After  a  few  years  it 
was  an  inn,  and  eighty  years  later  a  much  frequented 
boarding-house  for  Academy  students.  Numbers  on  the 
room  doors  could  still  be  faintly  traced  as  late  as  1864 
beneath  the  paint  that  almost  hid  them,  as  it  did,  greatly 
to  our  regret,  the  scribbled  names  of  guests  and  students 
which  once  adorned  the  woodwork  of  the  upper  story. 

In  old  times  many  deeds  given  were  not  recorded,  and  it 
is  often  impossible  in  such  cases  to  trace  successive  owner- 
ship.   We  know,  however,  from  advertisements  in  the  Hud- 


372  Old  RinderHooK 

son  Gazette  that  after  the  Revolution  this  house  was  owned 
by  James  Brebner,  one  of  our  village  merchants,  who  mar- 
ried Catharine,  "the  accomplished  and  charming  daughter" 
of  Judge  William  P.  Van  Ness.  Ashbel  Ely,  our  first  post- 
master, lived  in  the  house  for  a  time.  Of  subsequent  owners 
we  find  the  names,  Peter  Van  Vleck;  Christina  Van  Vleck, 
wife  of  John  O.  Flaegler;  John  M.  Pruyn;  John  Wilcoxson; 
John  Van  Alen,  and  his  sisters  Elizabeth  and  Lydia,  the 
great-great-grandchildren  of  the  original  Lourens ;  and  finally 
General  M.  H.  Chrysler  and  his  daughter-in-law,  Mrs.  G.  W. 
Chrysler,  daughter  of  German  Sutherland.  Our  personal 
memory  of  this  house  goes  back  to  May,  1864,  when  and  for 
six  months  thereafter,  the  hospitable  home  of  the  elect 
ladies,  Elizabeth  and  Lydia  and  their  older  half-brother  John, 
was  our  home.  They  were  children  of  Lucas  L  Van  Alen 
who  lived  in  the  fine  old  mansion  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of 
William  A.  Wheeler.  The  three  died  in  1876,  all  within 
about  two  weeks,  from  typhoid-pneumonia.  Exalted  char- 
acter, refined  taste,  gracious  manners,  intelligence  and  cul- 
ture of  a  high  order,  together  with  exceptionally  energetic  and 
manifold  activities,  made  their  loss  an  overwhelming  one  in 
social  life  and  in  the  church  of  their  affection  and  measure- 
less service.  Recalling  them  and  the  happy  hours  we  and 
ours  knew  as  inmates  of  their  beautiful  home,  the  first  to 
give  us  shelter  in  Kinderhook,  we  say  of  this  memory-filled 
mansion  of  olden  times — Peace  be  within  thee. 

EVERTS-PALMATIER-MONTHIE   HOUSE 

Of  even  earlier  erection  probably  than  the  foregoing,  was 
this  interesting  relic  of  pre-revolutionary  times.  Many  hints 
here  and  there  in  the  records  of  those  days  seem  to  indicate 
it  as  a  notable  resort  of  those  who  not  only  sympathized  with 
the  British  cause  but  were  active  in  rendering  such  aid  in  men 
and  supplies  as  they  could  and  dared.  Here,  it  is  supposed, 
were  the  headquarters  of  a  "conspiracy  to  burn  Albany," 
of  which,  in  May,  1778,  Col.  Beekman  was  forewarned  in  an 
anonymous   "Mysterious   Document."     Suffice   it   to   say 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         373 

that  more  than  thirty  recruits  were  gathered  and  sent  to  Bur- 
goyne  before  the  battle  of  Saratoga,  and  large  supplies  were  ac- 
cumulated against  the  time  of  his  expected  capture  of  Albany. 
The  owner  of  the  house  at  that  time  need  not  be  named. 

The  customary  neglect  in  those  days  as  to  the  recording 
of  deeds,  prevents  complete  details  of  subsequent  ownership, 
but  it  can  be  stated,  in  outline,  that  many  years  after  the 
Revolution  it  was  owned  by  Abraham  I.  Van  Alstyne;  and 
then  in  succession,  possibly  incomplete,  by  Jacob  C.  Everts, 
William  Palmatier,  and  Herman  Monthie  the  present  owner. 

Mr.  Everts,  who  died  in  1869,  aged  sixty-eight,  came 
hither  from  Claverack  in  1846,  and  lived  for  a  few  years  on 
what  we  have  known  as  the  Dunspaugh  place,  near  Linden- 
wald.  He  served  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  well  and 
often  as  an  elder.  Of  his  four  daughters,  Sarah  Ann  married 
Jacob  W.  Ten  Broek,  of  Greenport,  in  1847;  Frances  married 
Wm.  H.  Harder,  in  '49 ;  Gertrude  married  Alexander  M.  Hoes 
of  Stockport,  in  '66,  and  subsequently  moved  to  Lansing, 
Mich.,  and  Christina  remained  unmarried.  His  son  Charles 
moved  to  Binghampton. 

Mr.  William  Palmatier  became  owner  of  the  place  about 
the  year  1896,  and  remained  a  few  years.  With  him  were 
his  wife  and  two  of  their  children,  Albert  and  Josephine. 
After  a  short  tarry  here  they  moved  to  Rochester,  with  the 
exception  of  Albert  who  resides  near  Boston. 

THE   SICKLES-WITBECK-KELLOGG  HOUSE 

This,  not  one  of  our  older  homesteads,  is  pleasantly 
remembered  as  being,  for  about  ten  years  after  his  retirement 
from  the  pastorate  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  the 
home  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Sickles,  D.D.,  and  then  later  of  his 
daughters,  Mrs.  A.  V.  D.  Witbeck,  and  of  the  widow  of  the 
Rev.  Daniel  E.  Manton.  During  his  active  pastorate  of 
about  thirty-five  years,  the  longest  save  that  of  the  present 
pastor  emeritus  in  the  history  of  this  historic  church, 
Dr.  Sickles  had  lived  in  what  we  first  knew  as  the  Heer- 
mance  house,  of  unknown  age,  but  dating  back  to  the  times 


374  Old  K-inderHooK 

of  Indian  forays,  as  elsewhere  noted.  Shortly  before  his 
retirement  in  1835  he  built  this  pleasant  home;  the  site 
being  a  part  of  the  original  Cornelius  Van  Schaack-Silvester- 
Wynkoop  estate.  Here  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1845.  -^^ 
was  the  fifth  regular  pastor  of  the  Kinderhook  Church; 
called  hither  from  his  pastorate  of  the  united  churches  of 
Coxsackie  and  Coeymans,  which  had  been  preceded  by  a 
service  of  about  three  years  as  an  assistant  to  the  eminent 
Dirck  Romeyn  of  Schenectady.  He  was  to  have  a  salary 
of  195  pounds,  80  loads  of  firewood,  and  the  use  of  parsonage 
and  land.  One-half  of  the  services  were  to  be  in  English. 
Dr.  Sickles's  field  of  labor  was  extensive.  There  are  now 
twelve  or  more  Protestant  churches  within  the  territory 
within  which  this  church  stood  alone  during  twenty-five 
years  of  his  pastorate.  At  least  six  of  these  churches  drew 
their  original  membership  wholly,  or  in  part,  from  this 
church.  Dr.  Sickles  had  the  joy,  at  intervals,  of  receiving 
large  accessions  to  the  church  membership.  The  years  1821 
and  1822  especially  were  times  of  remarkable  spiritual 
awakening  here,  as  they  were  elsewhere,  nearly  seven  hund- 
red persons  being  received  on  confession  within  that  short 
time.  Although  there  are  now  no  living  communicants 
representing  his  pastorate.  Dr.  Sickles  is  well  remembered 
by  many  who  know  his  worthiness  of  the  gracious  tribute  to 
his  memory  in  Dr.  Van  Zandt's  sermon  at  his  funeral.  Dur- 
ing the  last  two  or  three  years  of  his  pastorate,  Dr.  Sickles 
had  first  an  assistant  and  then  a  colleague.  The  assistant 
was  the  Rev.  David  Cushing.  Dr.  Sickles's  colleague  for 
about  one  year  was  the  Rev.  Enoch  Van  Aken.  In  1835 
Dr.  Sickles's  resignation  as  pastor  was  accepted.  Honored 
and  beloved  by  many,  he  continued  his  residence  here  until 
his  sorely  lamented  death  in  1845.  His  grave  is  in  our  ceme- 
tery and  is  marked  by  a  monument  erected  by  the  Consistory 
of  the  Church  he  had  served  so  long  and  so  well. 

September  4,  1844,  Dr.  Sickles's  daughter,  Elisabeth  S., 
married  Mr.  A.  V.  D.  Witbeck,  and  lived  in  this  home  until 
her  sudden  death  in  March,  1874,  aged  sixty-one.     He  died 


The  P.  Van  Schaack-Mix-Harder  House 

From  a  photograph 


The  P.  S.  Hoes— G.  b.  Collier  House 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         375 

a  year  later,  aged  sixty-three.  They  were  survived  by  one 
son,  J.  Sickles  Witbeck,  who.  May  21,  1872,  married  Sarah 
F.,  daughter  of  Jacob  F.  Sudam.  She  died  a  few  years 
later  leaving  one  son,  Barent  V.  A.  Witbeck,  bom  in  1879. 
In  '87,  J.  S.  Witbeck  married  Ella,  daughter  of  C.  L.  Herrick. 
Their  son,  George,  died  in  early  childhood.  Dr.  Sickles's 
elder  daughter  Elsie's  married  life  was  short.  She  died  in 
'79,  aged  sixty-eight.  Both  she  and  her  sister  were  bright, 
active,  gracious  women,  interested  and  serviceable  in  all 
good  ways,  and  their  memory  is  treasured. 

The  present  owner  of  this  house,  wherein  abide  so  many 
pleasant  personal  recollections.  Dr.  Kellogg  and  his  family, 
receive  notice  in  a  later  chapter. 

PETER  VAN  SCHAACK — AND  PETER  S.  HOES  HOUSES 

Concerning  these  two  fine  mansions  on  our  beautiful 
Broad  Street,  let  it  suffice  to  say,  that  the  first  named  was 
built  by  Mr.  Van  Schaack  soon  after  his  return  from  exile 
in  1785.  It  was  here  he  had  what  has  been  called  his  "law 
school"  of  which  some  account  is  given  in  the  following 
chapter.  This  site  also  was  a  part  of  his  father's  large 
estate.  It  was  to  this  home  he  brought  his  second  wife, 
Elizabeth  Van  Alen.  Here  many  children  were  bom  and 
here  he  died.  It  has  subsequently  been  known,  as  the 
Frisbie-Mix-Haines,  and  now  William  A.  Harder  place. 
Mr.  Frisbie's  son,  Samuel,  became  an  eminent  Jesuit  priest. 
Mr.  James  Mix,  Albany's  most  noted  jeweler,  gave  the  house 
its  present  mansard  roof.  Mr.  Charles  D.  Haines  was  its 
occupant  when  elected  to  Congress.  The  night  of  his 
election,  the  crowd  that  gathered  to  congratulate  him,  the 
red  fire  that  illuminated  the  grounds,  the  speech  of  Mr. 
Haines  and  its  glowing  promises  as  brilliant  as  his  fire-works, 
are  well  remembered.  Mr.  Harder  is  the  well-known  manu- 
facturer and  sometime  Mayor  of  Hudson. 

Although  not  one  of  the  older  homesteads,  the  beautiful 
home  of  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier  should  receive  notice.    The  prop- 


376  Old  RinderKooK 

erty  on  which  stood  originally  Prink's  Mansion  House,  of 
which  we  write  elsewhere,  was  in  the  first  instance  a  Vos- 
burgh  homestead.  In  '38  it  was  sold  to  Samuel  F.  An- 
drews; in  '42,  under  foreclosure,  to  Julius  Wilcoxson,  whose 
heirs,  in  '54  sold  it  to  Peter  S.  Hoes  who  soon  thereafter 
removed  the  famous  inn  and  built  the  present  house.  In 
'60  the  place  was  owned  by  Benjamin  H.  Streeter;  in  '62 
by  James  Mitchell;  in  '71  by  Peter  Bain  who  died  there  in 
'76;  in  ''']']  by  Lydia  M.  Collier,  daughter  of  Hugh  Bain, 
and  after  her  death  in  1883  it  became  the  property  of  G.  S. 
Collier. 

LINDENWALD,    1 797 

The  quaint  knocker  on  the  old  front  door  of  this  famous 
mansion  bears  the  date — 1797.  This  refers  to  the  building 
of  the  small  and  much  less  imposing  beginning  of  things  by 
Peter  Van  Ness.  There  was  a  still  earlier  house  on  the  place 
when  he  bought  it  in  1780,  and  the  date  1797  indicates  the 
second  and  better  dwelling.  The  modest  beginnings  of  that 
date  were  considerably  improved  by  Judge  Van  Ness,  a  son 
of  Peter,  and,  later,  still  more  improved  and  enlarged  by  Mr. 
Van  Buren  who  purchased  the  place  after  his  return  from 
Washington,  named  it  Lindenwald,  and  gave  it  its  chief 
distinction. 

The  biographical  sketches  of  the  Van  Nesses  and  of  Mr. 
Van  Buren  give  some  details  concerning  this  mansion  which 
need  not  be  repeated.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  many  of  the 
most  distinguished  men  of  their  time  were  visitors  here. 
As  but  a  partial  list  we  name :  John  L.  Stephens,  Thomas  H. 
Benton,  David  Wilmot,  Charles  Sumner,  Silas  Wright, 
Commodore  Nicholson,  Frank  Blair,  W.  L.  Marcy,  William 
Allen  Butler,  A.  C.  Flagg,  General  Winfield  Scott,  the  Earl 
of  Carlisle,  Henry  Clay,  Washington  Irving,  Samuel  J. 
Tilden,  and  John  Bigelow. 

In  the  New  York  Sun,  May  24,  1891,  there  appeared  a 
pleasing  account  by  Mr.  George  Alfred  Townsend  of  his 


fM:  'W:  ^L' 

P^    L^   ?.^l 


Martin  Van  Buren's  Birth-Place 

From  an  old  print 


Lindenwald 

From  a  photograph 


The  Van  Buren  Monument 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         377 

visit  to  Lindenwald.  We  quote  selected  paragraphs,  and 
presume  to  shorten  a  few  sentences  and  change  a  word  here 
and  there. 

Lindenwald,  about  two  miles  south  of  Kinderhook,  is  on 
the  old  Post  Road  from  New  York  to  Albany.  The  house  stands 
about  four  or  five  hundred  feet  back  from  the  road,  and  on  the 
lawn  are  many  very  old  fir  or  pine  trees,  a  nearly  circular  cluster 
of  which  masks  the  residence  in  part  from  passers-by.  .  .  . 
Drives  from  the  two  widely  separated  gates  meet  at  the  house, 
which  is  of  brick,  painted  yellow,  and  seven  windows  wide.  The 
main  building  has  two  stories  and  a  large  garret.  Three  chimneys 
rise  above  this  main  or  front  part  of  the  house — two  to  the  north, 
a  wide  one  to  the  south.  The  middle  of  the  front  is  pedimented, 
and  a  dormer  slides  forward  on  each  side  of  this  gable,  which  in 
the  bedroom  story  below  has  a  large  triple  central  window,  with 
a  curved  pedimental  top  and  two  windows  on  each  side.  The  two 
on  the  south  show  where  Van  Buren  died.  Before  the  center  of 
the  main  story  is  a  small  covered  portico,  with  an  easy  flight  of 
steps  and  balusters.  To  the  left  was  the  ex-President's  living 
room  or  double  parlor;  to  the  right  the  sitting  room  and  dining 
room.  The  oblong  house  is  four  windows  deep  on  the  north  side, 
and  at  a  guess  70  x  45  feet  ground  plan.  A  colonnade  or  arched 
porch  separates  it  from  a  domestic  building,  mainly  kitchen  and 
laundry,  which  further  deepens  the  house  across  its  whole  back. 
This  doubtless  was  Peter  Van  Ness's  original  home.  The  library 
Mr.  Van  Buren  added  in  the  rear  of  the  south  side  and  built  next 
to  it  a  tower,  like  a  donjon  keep,  with  an  Italian  summit,  the 
openings  few  and  slitted;  the  object,  stateliness  and  the  view. 

.  .  .  On  the  little  porch  the  door  knocker  affected  me  with 
its  date — "  1797" — a  small  blue  or  black  brass  object  in  which  is 
a  head  in  relief.  .  .  .  Beyond  the  door  appeared  a  fine  straight 
hall  which  was  paced  as  being  about  fifty-five  by  fifteen  feet  and 
appeared  to  be  eleven  or  twelve  feet  high.  Its  four  doors  were  in 
the  early  carpentry  of  this  century  with  manipulation  around 
their  tops.  At  the  rear,  nearly  concealed  in  the  side  of  the  hall, 
under  a  sort  of  alcove,  was  the  stairway,  pretty  wide  and  low  and 
long-stepped.  The  feature  of  this  hall,  I  had  almost  said  its 
beauty,  is  the  foreign  wall  paper,  in  large  landscapes,  representing 


378  Old  RiinclerHooK 

hunters  on  horseback,  and  with  guns  and  dogs  breaking  into 
Rhenish  vales,  where  milkmaids  are  surprised  and  invite  flirta- 
tion. The  human  figures  are  nearly  a  foot  high;  the  mountains 
and  woods,  rocks  and  streams,  panoramic;  the  colors  dark  and 
loud.  I  liked  it  because  it  was  Dutchy  and  took  Van  Buren,  who 
put  it  here,  into  the  atmosphere  of  Jordaens  and  Van  Der  Heist. 
About  three  panels  were  on  each  side  of  the  landscape  five  or  six 
feet  high  with  sky  above  that  to  the  ceiling.  Here  no  doubt,  sat 
old  Martin  many  a  warm  afternoon,  taking  the  breezes  from  the 
Berkshire  hills  to  the  Catskills.  Here  John  Van  Buren  played  the 
penitent.  It  was  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Hudson  that  he  and 
Ambrose  Jordan  clinched  and  fought  in  the  court  room  like  a  pair 
of  newly  introduced  dogs,  and  the  Judge  fined  and  sent  them  to 
jail.  Much  did  old  Martin  have  to  think  about  in  the  twenty-two 
years  of  retirement  passed  mainly  here  on  his  200  acres;  looking 
upon  wayward,  brilliant,  or  brain- wrought  sons,  hearing  the  wind 
moan  and  the  locusts  drone. 

"He  thinks  it  is  their  mother's  voice 
Singing  in  Paradise; 
And  with  his  hard,  rough  hand  he  wipes 
A  tear  from  out  his  eyes." 

Nothing  of  much  interest  remains  to  be  said  concerning 
Lindenwald's  later  history.  After  Mr.  Van  Buren's  death 
it  passed  for  a  brief  season  into  the  hands  of  several  successive 
owners,  such  as  Lawrence  Jerome,  James  Van  Alstyne  and 
John  Van  Buren  conjointly,  and  George  Wilder.  It  was  on 
one  occasion,  it  is  stated,  made  the  stake  at  a  gaming  table. 
Since  1874  it  has  been  owned  by  one  of  our  thrifty  farmers, 
Adam  E.  Wagoner. 

Lindenwald  is  only  an  interesting  relic  now  of  glories 
long  departed. 

THE  BURT  HOUSE 

What  for  many  years  was  known  as  the  Burt  house  was 
built  by  James  Vanderpoel  prior  to  1825,  and  has  undergone 
but  little  change  from  that  day  to  this.    The  land  had  pre- 


The  J.  Vanderpoel-Myers-Burt  House 

From  a  photograph 


The  Village  Square 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  XHeir  People         379 

viously  belonged  to  the  Pomeroy  family,  of  whose  private 
burial  plot  thereon  traces  may  still  be  seen. 

The  people  who  lived  in  it  give  it  its  chief  interest. 
James  Vanderpoel,  the  builder,  was  the  brother  of  Dr.  John 
and  Aaron  Vanderpoel.  The  latter,  twelve  years  his  senior, 
was  known  as  the  ''Kinderhook  Roarer,"  because  of  his 
stentorian  voice.  James  studied  law  with  Francis  Silvester 
here,  and  subsequently  in  Kingston.  In  1808  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  and  began  practice  in  a  building  which 
stood  near  the  southeast  corner  of  his  lawn,  and  which  was 
used  later  by  Tobey  and  Silvester.  He  served  three  terms 
as  Assemblyman;  succeeded  Martin  Van  Buren  as  County 
Surrogate  in  18 12,  removing  the  office  to  this  village;  was 
Judge  of  the  County  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  '25,  and 
was  appointed  Circuit  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
State  in  '31,  by  Governor  Throop ;  whereupon  he  removed 
to  Albany.  He  was  recognized  as  a  lawyer  and  judge  of 
marked  ability.  One  of  his  daughters  married  John  Van 
Buren,  son  of  the  President;  and  another  was  Mrs.  Joseph 
Paige  of  Albany.  In  '21  there  was  a  notable  Fourth  of  July 
celebration  in  this  then  elegant  home,  at  which  Chancellor 
Kent  and  his  intimate  friend,  Peter  Van  Schaack,  were 
among  the  distinguished  guests. 

About  the  year  '36  the  place  was  purchased  by  Major 
Mordecai  Myers,  for  many  years  thereafter  a  prominent 
and  highly  honored  citizen  of  our  village.  He  had  won  his 
military  title  in  the  War  of  18 12.  On  the  conclusion  of  peace 
he  entered  business  in  New  York  City  and  accumulated 
what  was  for  the  time  a  large  fortune.  He  was  several  times 
elected  a  member  of  the  legislature  from  the  city  until  he 
declined  re-election.  Retiring  from  public  life  and  from 
business,  he  chose  our  village  as  the  home  of  his  declining, 
years  and  bought  the  then  exceedingly  attractive  James' 
Vanderpoel  place.  In  a  large  circle  of  middle-aged  worthies 
he  at  once  took  an  honored  place  which  he  filled  with  dig- 
nified grace.    Soon  after  his  coming  he  was  chosen  president 


380  Old  K-inderKooK 

of  the  village,  succeeding  Dr.  Beekman,  and  was  the  second 
to  fill  that  office.  On  Mr.  Van  Buren's  return  to  his  native 
village,  after  his  retirement  from  the  presidency.  Major 
Myers  made  the  address  of  welcome.  He  was  the  first  vice- 
president  of  the  old  Kinderhook  bank  and  retained  his 
position  until  declining  re-election. 

Profoundly  interested  and  zealously  active  in  every 
movement  for  the  welfare  of  the  village,  of  blameless  life, 
exalted  character,  and  winsome  ways,  he  was  held  in  highest 
honor  and  esteem.  All  deplored  the  financial  reverses 
through  the  signing  of  papers,  the  purport  of  which  was  not 
fully  understood,  which  compelled  him  to  sell  his  beautiful 
home  and  re-engage  in  business  in  New  York.  There,  in  five 
years'  time  he  partially  retrieved  his  fortune  and  once  more 
retired ;  this  time  to  Schenectady.  There  also  he  became  one 
of  a  brilliant  social  circle  and  won  new  public  honors.  He 
died  there  in  1871,  being  nearly  ninety-five  years  of  age. 
From  an  obituary  notice  in  the  Schenectady  Times  we  quote : 

His  physical  appearance  was  striking.  No  stranger  ever  met 
or  passed  him  without  noticing  his  appearance.  He  was  of  very 
large  proportions  and  had  a  clear  keen  black  eye,  giving  strong 
evidence  of  his  intellectual  power.  As  mayor  of  the  city  he  added 
dignity  to  the  office  and  brought  all  the  power  of  his  common 
sense  and  an  indomitable  will  to  war  against  wrong  and  in  favor 
of  right  and  justice. 

Our  friend,  the  first  Socialist  mayor  of  Schenectady,  seems 
to  have  had  at  least  one  worthy  predecessor. 

In  his  Kinderhook  home,  Major  Myers's  eldest  daughter, 
Henrietta,  was  married  to  Peter  S.  Hoes,  a  descendant  of 
one  of  the  first  settlers  here,  John  Tysse  Goes  (Hoes).  The 
father  of  Peter  S.  was  a  brother  of  Martin  Van  Buren's  wife. 
Mr.  Peter  S.  Hoes  was  for  many  years  one  of  our  most  active 
and  respected  citizens.  He  seems  to  have  had  a  remarkable 
penchant  for  moving  houses,  as  elsewhere  noted.    His  sons 


Crow  Hill 
Whiting-Howard  House 

From  a  photograph 


Elmhurst 
From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         381 

were  the  late  lamented  Pierre  Van  Buren  Hoes  and  Mr. 
William  M.  Hoes  of  New  York  City,  of  whom  we  write 
later. 

ELMHURST 

The  original  dwelling  on  this  rarely  beautiful  place  was 
a  portion  only  of  the  present  rear  part.  Its  massive  walls, 
heavy  unceiled  beams,  and  steep  roof  are  evidences  of  its 
antiquity.  The  first  owner  and  occupant  of  whom  we  have 
definite  information  was  Judge  Julius  Wilcoxson.  It  had 
formerly  belonged  to  one  of  the  multitudinous  Van  Alens 
whom  we  are  unable  to  identify,  owing  to  the  neglect, 
characteristic  of  those  times,  as  to  the  recording  of  deeds. 
Judge  Wilcoxson  sold  the  property  to  Mr.  James  Adger,  and 
he  to  General  Charles  Whiting  who  added  the  wings  of  the 
original  homestead.  Subsequently,  the  General  conveyed 
the  property  to  his  daughter,  Margaret  A.,  the  wife  of  John 
H.  Reynolds,  the  eminent  jurist,  who  built  the  imposing 
front  part  of  the  present  mansion.  For  many  years  this  was 
the  summer  home  of  Judge  Reynolds  and  his  notable 
family,  of  whom  we  write  in  another  chapter.  The  next 
owner  of  the  place  was  Mrs.  Sarah  J.,  the  widow  of  Peter 
Bain.  By  her  also  the  dwelling,  especially  its  interior,  was 
much  improved  and  beautified.  Her  charities  were  count- 
less and  bountiful;  and  the  beauty  of  our  little  park  is  an 
abiding  memorial  of  her  beneficence.  Her  niece,  Mrs.  Mary 
Bain  Reynolds  (daughter  of  Augustus  Bain,  and  formerly 
Mrs.  George  D.  Earll)  the  present  owner,  has  still  more 
adorned  her  home  and  lawns  and  made  the  place  one  of  the 
most  attractive  in  our  whole  village.  May  we  add  that  her 
recent  marriage  to  Mr.  James  Adger  Reynolds  seems  to  a 
multitude  of  friends  a  most  fit  and  beautiful  consummation 
of  life-long  friendship.  It  brought  him  back  to  the  home 
of  his  childhood  and  the  scene  of  innumerable  hallowed  and 
precious  associations. 


382  Old  K-inderHooK 

SNYDER-SMITH  HOMESTEAD.       1 835 

The  present  Datus  C.  Smith  house,  greatly  improved  by 
him,  was  built  by  the  late  Henry  Snyder.  His  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Van  Alstyne,  a  daughter  of  Isaac.  The  original 
tract  was  one  of  176  acres  purchased  in  1855  of  Benjamin 
Hilton.  It  had  formerly  belonged  to  the  Webber  family. 
Mr.  Snyder  occupied  the  place  for  about  thirty  years  and 
had  a  large  nursery,  of  which  some  noble  trees  in  great 
variety  are  still  existing  memorials.  " Lovers'  Leap"  on  this 
place  was  formerly  much  more  attractive  and  frequented 
than  now.  The  scheme  of  ownership  is  as  follows:  i835-'65, 
Henry  Snyder;  '65-' 74,  widow  and  Theodore  Snyder;  '74-' 88, 
Barent  Van  Alstyne;  '88-'98,  Henry  Snyder;  '98-1902, 
Isaac  V.  A.  Snyder;  1902-19 10,  Kate  and  Anna  H.  Snyder; 
1910-         ,  Datus  C.  Smith. 

CROW  HILL.      1839 

This  attractive  mansion,  with  its  long,  sloping  terraced 
lawn,  many  flower-beds,  shrubs,  and  magnificent  trees,  was 
first  known  to  us  as  the  Howard  place.  It  was  named  Crow 
Hill  because  of  the  flocks  of  crows  wont  to  make  its  stately 
pines  their  evening  trysting-place.  The  house  was  built  in 
1839  by  General  Charles  Whiting  on  land  purchased  that 
year  from  Teunis  Harder.  Earlier  owners  of  the  land  were 
Merrit  H.  Leach  and  James  Vanderpoel,  with  Wattawit  as 
the  original  Indian  proprietor.  Subsequent  owners  have 
been:  Welcome  R.  Beebe,  '52;  James  Mitchell,  '53;  Wil- 
liam H.  Wall,  '58;  the  Howard  family,  '62,  and  Datus  C. 
Smith,  191 1. 

General  Whiting,  son  of  Ebenezer,  bom  in  Norwich, 
Conn.,  March  23,  1786,  came  to  Kinderhook  in  1800,  and, 
August  II,  181 1 ,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Rogers. 
The  General's  father  served  in  the  French  and  Indian  war, 
at  Crown  Point,  and  also  in  the  Revolution.    General  Whit- 


The  H.  Snyder— D.  C.  Smith  House 

From  a  photograph 


m:m'  -.  ■  t-Wi 


The  Francis  Pruyn-Davie  Homestead 

From  a  photograph 


Old   Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         383 

ing  won  his  military  honors  in  local  service  in  the  militia. 
His  children  were:  Charles,  who  died  unmarried,  and 
Margaret  Anna,  who,  May  31,  1843,  married  the  subse- 
quently distinguished  John  H.  Reynolds. 

The  General  was  of  imposing  personal  appearance  and 
notably  active  in  the  whole  Ufe  of  Kinderhook  for  many 
years,  as  elsewhere  narrated.  Near  the  easterly  corner  of 
his  lawn  he  had  a  small  but  cherished  fish  pond  until  one 
summer  afternoon  when,  tradition  alleges,  a  bolt  of  light- 
ning killed  all  his  trout :  whereupon  the  pond  was  abandoned, 
filled  up  and  made  a  part  of  the  lawn.  In  '52,  he  sold  this 
place  and  bought  what  is  now  known  as  Elmhurst.  Of  Mr. 
Wall  we  know  but  little.  The  Howard  family  was  longest 
in  possession  of  this  attractive  home.  From  data  furnished 
by  Mr.  Fred  W.  Howard  we  learn  that  his  father  Elbridge 
Gerry,  son  of  Benjamin  A.  Howard  and  Deliverance  Caswell, 
of  Tolland,  Connecticut,  was  bom  March  28,  18 13;  married 
September  18,  '37,  Abigail  Householder  of  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut ;  was  for  several  years  publisher  of  the  Sunday  Times, 
New  York;  retired  and  came  to  Kinderhook  in  '62  and 
purchased  Crow  Hill  of  William  Wall  and  lived  there  until 
his  death,  March  16,  1904.  His  widow  also  died  there 
March  29,  '10,  aged  ninety-one.  Their  still  surviving  chil- 
dren are — Jarvis  C.  of  New  Rochelle,  married  Brenda 
Reeve  of  Brooklyn;  Frederick  W.  of  Kinderhook,  married 
Anna  Guion  of  New  Rochelle ;  Emma  F.  Howard  of  Kinder- 
hook, and  George  F.  of  Valparaiso,  Chile,  who  married  Anna 
Horsfeldt  of  Meiningen,  Germany. 

VOSBURGH  HOMESTEADS 

The  name  Vosburgh,  once  representing  many  prominent 
families  here,  has  now,  like  many  of  the  old  names,  almost 
vanished.  Three  of  their  original  homesteads  can  be  identi- 
fied. That  of  Myndert  P.,  prior  to  1825,  was  what  later  be- 
came Frink's  Mansion  House  then  standing  in  front  of  Mr. 


384  Old  RinderHooK 

G.  S.  Collier's  present  residence.  He  married  Lucretia  Van- 
derpoel.  Of  their  daughters,  Maria  married  Teunis  Harder; 
Harriet  married  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  and  Catharine 
married  Theodore  Spencer.  Myndert  P.  was  a  son  of  Peter 
Vosburgh  and  Maria  Van  Dyck. 

The  Lambert  Vosburgh  homestead,  long  since  gone,  was 
on  the  farm  now  belonging  to  Mrs.  John  MacPherson.  He 
married  Cynthia  Van  Slyck.  Their  daughter,  Sarah  Jane, 
married  James  P.  Van  Alstyne,  son  of  Philip  Van  A.  and  Alida 
Vanderpoel;  and  Margaret  Ann  married  Joseph  P.,  brother 
of  James.  Their  daughters  Christina  and  Rachel  remained 
unmarried. 

A  third  Vosburgh  homestead  was  the  in-every-way- 
transformed  relic  on  the  comer  of  Chatham  and  William 
streets.  It  subsequently  became  the  property  of  Captain 
John  Schuyler  Van  Alen  whose  aged  daughter  Jane  was  the 
owner  and  sole  occupant  when  the  quaint  old  place  was 
first  known  to  us  in  '64.  The  triangular  lot,  which  then 
included  a  considerable  section  of  the  present  highway,  was 
closely  fenced  in.  The  gate  was  at  the  easterly  end,  the  apex 
of  the  triangle.  Trees  and  shrubs  were  in  profusion,  and  on 
both  sides  of  the  long  walk  to  the  house  were  all  manner  of 
old-fashioned  flowers  dear  to  our  grandmothers.  We  confess 
to  our  own  secret  liking  for  them.  Marigolds  and  bachelor's- 
buttons  are  a  joy  to  us  still.  It  is  to  this  or  a  similar  old- 
time  garden  that  an  accomplished  daughter  of  Kinderhook, 
Miss  Alice  M.  Rathbone,  alludes  in  her  book — How  to  Make 
a  Flower  Garden  (Doubleday,  Page  &  Co.,  1903).  Writing 
charmingly  of  chrysanthemums  she  says: 

There  is  one  seemingly  more  precious,  perhaps  because  elu- 
sive, that  used  to  grow  along  a  fence  on  an  old  village  street,  and 
was  the  object  of  a  yearly  autumn  drive.  The  lovely  flower  was 
a  loose  white  ball  just  tinged  with  purplish  pink.  It  vanished 
several  years  ago  from  that  Kinderhook  garden.  Doubtless 
it  flourished  elsewhere.  May  its  shadow  never  grow  less  until  it 
reveals  itself  again  to  us  in  its  beautiful  old-time  splendor. 


Old  Fort,  Chatham  Center 

From  a  photograph 


The  Old  Bridge  and  the  Colonel  P.  Van  Alstyne  House,  Chatham  Center 

From  a  photograph 


Old   Homesteads   and  TKeir  People 


OOD 


That  particular  splendor  has  indeed  vanished  from  that 
locality,  with  its  odors  far  other  than  those  of  flowers,  but  a 
thousand  other  splendors  abide  in  our  gardens,  set  the  trees 
along  the  streets  aflame  with  gorgeous  autumnal  tints,  and 
emblazon  the  common  roadside. 

CHATHAM   CENTER   HOMESTEADS 

Concerning  the  older  homesteads  in  the  vicinity  of  Chat- 
ham Center,  Dr.  William  B.  Van  Alst\Tie,  of  Xew  York, 
kindh'  furnished  notes  from  which  the  following  narrative  is 
compiled. 

The  foundation  of  the  James  G.  Van  Volkenburgh  house 
contains  a  stone  bearing  the  date  of  1761,  but  the  present 
superstructure  was  built  in  1843.  The  original  old  stone 
house  was  the  home  of  Gilbert  Van  Allen  and  his  wife  Annie 
Moore.  Later  it  was  ©"^Tied  b}'  Isaac  L.  Van  Alst}Tie,  and 
later  still  by  James  G.  Van  Volkenburgh.  Peter  Van  Alst\Tie 
and  his  brother  William  (father  of  Dr.  William  B.)  were 
bom  there. 

Colonel  Abraham  I.  Van  Alstyne's  substantial  brick 
house  is  of  unknown  date,  but  prior  to  1767.  He  was  bom 
in  1738,  rendered  notable  ser\'ice  during  the  Revolution  as 
already  told,  and  died  in  1808.  He  was  the  father  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Philip  Van  Alst}Tie  and  the  great-grand- 
father of  Philip  ^'an  Alstine  of  Xew  York.  Abraham  I. 
and  his  wife  ]Maria  Van  Alen  were  buried  in  the  Chatham 
Center  cemetery.  Their  daughter  Annatje  married  Colonel 
PhiHp  Staats. 

The  homestead  of  John  J.  Van  Volkenburgh  (father  of 
James  G.)  was  built  in  181 6,  and  is  now  owned  by  his  grand- 
son, John  J.  Wilbur.  ]Mr.  Van  Volkenburgh  was  bom  in 
1783,  and  is  well  remembered  by  many  for  his  remarkable 
activity  to  the  end  of  his  days. 

It  is  a  tradition  that  the  ver>-  old  stone  house  near  the 
station  was  in  18 12  a  roofless  fort.    A  stone  near  the  peak 


386  Old  HinderKooK 

bears  the  date  1801,  apparently,  but  the  figures  are  some- 
what obscure.  At  one  time  this  house  was  the  home  of 
Abram  Van  Alstyne  who  married  Catahna  Van  Ness.  Near 
it  in  old  times  was  a  cemetery  now  obliterated.  On  the  hill 
back  of  the  cemetery  is  yet  another  old  stone  house  where 
lived  Dr.  Russell  Dorr  (bom  I77i,died  1824)  and,  later,  the 
Rev.  N.  G.  Spaulding  who  married  Dr.  Dorr's  daughter 
Harriet.  This  also  is  reported  to  have  been  a  fort.  Above 
the  bridge  there  was  once  a  sawmill  and  milldam. 

INNS 

Of  the  taverns  of  Kinderhook  Village,  the  most  interest- 
ing historically,  was  the  unpretentious  inn  kept  by  Abraham 
Van  Buren,  the  father  of  Martin,  and  where  the  latter  was 
bom.  It  stood  nearly  opposite  the  blind  alley  now  leading 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Nink.  It  was  a  one  and  a  hah  story 
building  with  a  steep  roof  and  a  front  considerably  more 
extended  than  the  familiar  picture  of  it  suggests,  and  having 
two  front  doors.  The  little  house  to  the  right  of  the  inn  was 
that  of  John  A.  Groat,  on  the  site  of  the  house  built  by 
George  Reynolds  and  now  belonging  to  the  Misses  Milham. 
The  inn  itself  was  long  since  destroyed  and  it  is  by  a  pleasing 
fiction  that  the  present  building  is  now  regarded  by  strangers 
as  the  birthplace  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  This  inn  received 
no  little  patronage  from  the  stagecoach  travelers.  The 
English  engineer,  James  Montressor,  writes  in  his  Journal 
of  leaving  New  York  May  2,  1759,  and  of  breakfasting  at 
Kinderhook  May  5th.  He  also  records  that  in  December, 
1759,  he  left  Albany  at  noon  with  four  sleighs,  and  stopped 
at  Van  Buren's  at  Kinderhook.  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  not 
dependent  solely  upon  his  inn  for  a  livelihood,  for  he  had  in 
connection  therewith  a  small  farm. 

Of  somewhat  later  origin,  probably,  was  the  tavern  on  the 
southerly  comer  of  Hudson  and  William  streets  and  kept  in 
Revolutionary  days  and  earlier  by  Major  Isaac  Goes.  The 
Major  was  very  active  as  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Se- 


The  Kinderhook  Hotel 

From  a  photograph 


The  Old  Farmers'  Hotel  (Central  House) 

From  a  photograph 


Old  Homesteads  and  THeir  People         387 

questration  and  confiscated  much  family  plate  of  Loyalists. 

On  Broad  Street,  the  present  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Gifford 
W.  Chrysler,  built  in  1 770,  was  at  one  time  a  tavern.  Later, 
in  front  of  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier's  residence,  was  Frink's  famous 
Mansion  House,  which  Mr.  P.  S.  Hoes  removed,  and  trans- 
formed it  into  the  pleasant  home  of  Mr.  F.  Bion  Van  Alstyne, 
and  built  the  fine  mansion  now  owned  by  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier. 
The  old  buildings  which  have  sailed  up  and  down  our  streets 
would  make  a  charming  moving  picture  show. 

A  few  miles  north  of  the  village  was  the  noted  Quacken- 
boss  (originally  "bosch'')  Tavern  where  for  more  than  two 
months  sat  the  Commissioners  of  1753,  making  their  di- 
vision of  the  great  Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686.  It  is  now 
the  dwelling  of  Theo.  Dunspaugh.  A  little  north  of  that 
point  began  the  "Kinderhook  Plains"  which  we  note  in  the 
schedules  of  the  stagecoaches  of  the  time.  Quackenboss's 
Inn  was  later  known  as  Deyo's,  where  Alexander  Hamilton 
was  wont  occasionally  to  tarry  for  a  night.  Later  still  it  was 
known  as  Miller's  Tavern,  where  Van  Buren,  the  young 
attorney,  made  one  of  his  first  legal  arguments  in  opposition 
to  Elisha  Williams.  Being  short  of  stature  he  stood  on  a 
table.  Very  many  other  inns  there  were  along  the  Post  Road 
through  our  Town  and  Village,  which  we  cannot  now  locate 
with  precision,  but  the  present  Sharp  house  was  one  of  them. 

Especially  do  we  regret  our  inability  to  locate  the  inn  of 
Elijah  Hudson,  concerning  whom  we  are  indebted  to  the 
fine  discernment  of  Chaplain  R.  R.  Hoes,  U.  S.  N.,  for  this 
delightful  morceau — that  while  a  Tarrytown  innkeeper  in 
1798,  advertised  in  the  Albany  Register  "lodging  and  clean 
sheets  3  shillings,  dirty  sheets,  one  shilling,"  our  noble 
Elijah  offered  "lodging  and  clean  sheets  for  one  shilling." 
This  was  not  the  "Ebenezer  Hudson"  of  Kinderhook, 
against  whom,  as  "abusive  and  extortionate,"  an  irate 
newspaper  correspondent  of  the  time  cautioned  fellow- 
travelers.    Perish  the  thought ! 

In  the  village  the  Kinderhook  Inn  is  the  most  important 


388  Old  liinderKooK 

survivor  of  those  of  historic  interest.  Among  the  eariier 
landlords  we  read  of  Peter  I.  Lewis,  David  Skinner,  Robert 
Rosboro,  Daniel  B.  Stranahan,  Tryon  &  Granger,  and 
Asaph  Wilder.  Many  were  the  notables,  especially  in  Van 
Buren's  time,  who  frequented  it.  From  the  piazza  of  the 
hotel,  as  it  was  before  the  fire,  Henry  Clay,  on  his  visit  to  Van 
Buren  in  1844,  addressed  a  crowd  of  assembled  villagers; 
and  here  it  was,  at  a  reception  which  followed,  that  the 
master  of  ceremonies  forgetting  for  the  moment  the  name  of 
the  beautiful  young  woman  he  was  about  to  introduce,  Mr. 
Clay  hastened  to  relieve  his  embarrassment  by  saying:  "No 
matter  what  her  name  now  is,  she  will  soon  change  it. " 

The  landlords  following  Mr.  Wilder  (omitting  a  few 
transient  bonifaces)  were  Isaac  Hoes,  William  Bradley, 
William  Childs,  J.  A.  Freeland,  William  Hickey,  Isaac 
Bradley  whose  widow  fully  maintained  the  reputation  of  this 
old-time  inn  for  several  years;  in  191 2  Dr.  Dominick,  and 
now  Mr.  Frank  A.  Myers. 

The  Central  House  (formerly  the  Farmers'  Hotel)  had 
the  beginning  of  its  much  enlarged  building  in  the  first 
somewhat  pretentious  schoolhouse  and  Academy  erected  in 
1792.  Among  the  landlords  have  been — Andrew  Van  Slyck, 
Benjamin  De  Myer,  Henry  Holcomb,  Gideon  Mandeville, 
and  Daniel  Herrick.  The  tree  near  the  northwest  comer  of 
the  present  building  is  said  to  have  been  planted  for  Dr. 
Lucas  Pruyn  by  Cornelius  McCagg,  who  also  set  out  many 
of  the  elms  and  maples  that  now  adorn  our  streets.  Shaded 
by  the  Central  House  elm  stood  the  office  where  for  many 
years  Dr.  Lucas  Pruyn  prescribed  his  patients'  pills,  potions, 
powders,  poultices,  and  plasters. 

Lindenwald  Hotel  was  originally  Bray  &  Herrick's  shoe 
store,  dwelling,  and  Hall  where  the  Masons  now  have  their 
Lodge  room.  Many  a  public  meeting  has  been  held  there  in 
years  long  gone.  There,  after  the  church  was  burned,  in 
'67,  the  congregation  assembled  in  large  numbers  and  re- 
solved   to   arise  and  build.     There,  arrayed  in  impressive 


Old  Homesteads  and  TKeir  People         389 

toggery,  we  helped  the  Sons  of  Temperance  to  solemnly- 
initiate  several  saintly  young  women  whom  the  Order  had 
rescued  from — we  know  not  what.  Gideon  Mandeville  for 
many  years  kept  this  house  which  became  renowned  for  its 
excellent  table  and  for  his  gracious  household.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Staatt  for  a  short  time;  and  he  by 
William  Hickey,  who  has  long  and  politely  welcomed  the 
coming  and  speeded  the  parting  guest.  Other  alleged  hotels 
there  have  been  in  plenty,  that,  for  example,  in  the  old  Vos- 
burgh-Van  Alen  home  for  which  this  notice  will  suffice. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

LAWYERS,  PHYSICIANS,  THE  MINISTRY, 
MISCELLANEOUS 

Lawyers  efaL — Tabular  List — The  Van  Nesses — The  Silvesters — The  Van 
Schaacks — J.  C.  Wynkoop — Martin  Van  Buren — Lawrence  Van  Buren — 
The  Butlers— W.  H.  Tobey— The  Van  Santvoords— J.  H.  Reynolds— A. 
J.  Vanderpoel— C.  L.  Beale— L.  Van  Men— P.  Van  Alstine— M.  H. 
Glynn— G.  S.  Collier— C.  M.  Bray— F.  S.  Becker— M.  S.  Hyman— E.  D. 
Howe— C.  S.  Beckwith— W.  M.  Hoes— E.  P.  Hoes— J.  B.  Pruyn. 

Physicians  et  al. — A.  Van  Dyck — J.  Quilhot — Dr.  Averill — J.  Pomeroy — J. 
A.  Van  Alen— J.  H.  Philip— O.  H.  Smith— D.  Sargent— U.  G.  Hitchcock 
— J,  L  Beekman — W.  Barthrop — J.  P.  Beekman — J.  Vanderpoel — S.  O. 
Vanderpoel — A.  V.  V.  Pruyn — County  Medical  Society — G.  E.  Benson— 
H.  L.  Van  Dyck— A.  H.  Van  Dyck— L.  Van  Schaack— J.  M.  Pruyn— L. 
Pruyn— S.  G.  Talmage— P.  V.  S.  Pruyn— M.  M.  Kittell— N.  D.  Garnsey 
— R.  J.  Waterbury — H.  J.  Noerling — A.  V.  Dimock — W.  W.  Wendover — 
E.  J.  CoUier. 

The  Ministry — Fifteen  Contributions  to  the  Ministry — L.  H.  Van  Dyck — 
C.  V.  A.  Van  Dyck — E.  L.  Heermance. 

Miscellaneous— Foster  Rhodes— T.  M.  Burt— S.  W.  Burt — H,  Van  Dyck 
— Major-General  M.  H,  Chrysler — Colonel  W.  L.  Heermance — Rear- 
Admiral  J.  W.  Philip. 

MANY  brief  biographical  notes  may  be  found  in  other 
chapters.  Generally  the  following  sketches  are  classi- 
fied as  stated,  but  not  strictly.  In  the  first  and  second 
sections  members  of  the  same  family  are  grouped  in  chrono- 
logical order  and  others  than  professional  men  are  included. 
Peter  Van  Ness,  for  example,  although  Kinderhook's  first 
Judge,  was  not  a  lawyer  but  the  father  of  a  remarkable 
family  of  lawyers. 

390 


La-wyers  39 1 

TABULAR  LIST 

Of  native  and  resident  lawyers,  we  give  the  following 
list  beginning  with  1765.  Doubtless  a  few  omissions  and 
inaccuracies  will  be  discerned,  but  the  list  is  approximately 
complete  and  correct.  The  most  recent  County  History  is 
in  part  our  authority,  together  with  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier's 
notes  on  the  last  forty  years.  The  prefixed  date  denotes  the 
year  of  admission  to  the  Bar  or  of  the  beginning  of  practice 
in  the  town.  1765,  Peter  Silvester;  1786,  John  C.  Wynkoop, 
Myndert  P.  Vosburgh,  Peter  Van  Schaack  (re-admitted) ; 
1788,  Isaac  Goes;  1789,  Francis  Silvester;  1790,  Peter  L.  Van 
Alen;  1791,  H.  C.  Van  Schaack,  J.  P.  Van  Ness;  1792, 
Barent  Goes,  Barent  Van  Buren;  1794,  James  I.  Van  Alen; 
1798,  Francis  Silvester,  Jr.;  1799,  W.  P.  Van  Ness;  1803, 
Francis  Pruyn,  C.  P.  Van  Ness,  Martin  Van  Buren;  1808, 
James  Vanderpoel;  181 1,  Abraham  A.  Van  Buren;  18 13, 
Thomas  Beekman,  B.  F.  Butler;  1816,  David  Van  Schaack; 
181 7,  JuHus  Wilcoxson;  1820,  W.  H.  Tobey,  Aaron  Vander- 
poel; 1830,  P.  H.  Silvester,  John  Snyder,  Peter  Van  Schaack, 
Jr.;  1 83 1,  James  Burt;  1833,  George  W.  Bulkley;  1840, 
Gershom  Bulkley;  1842,  John  H.  Reynolds,  E.  A.  Duns- 
combe;  1845,  E.  R.  Peck;  1846,  George  Van  Santvoord; 
1847,  Aaron  J.  Vanderpoel;  1850,  W.  C.  Benton;  1851,  C.  L. 
Beale;  1852,  James  Sutherland,  Jr. ;  1854,  James  E.  Nearing; 
1856,  F.  Silvester;  1858,  Theodore  Snyder,  Lucas  L.  Van 
Alen;  1864,  Jacob  P.  Miller;  1866,  W.  H.  Atwood;  1868, 
George  K.  Daley;  1872,  Alonzo  H.  Farrar,  W.  H.  Silvemail. 
Gerrit  S.  Collier;  1873,  A.  B.  Gardinier;  1877,  George  D. 
Earll;  1883,  Chas.  M.  Bray;  1885,  Edson  R.  Harder;  1889, 
Sanford  W.  Smith,  Edwin  D.  Howe;  1890,  Frank  S.  Becker; 
1910,  Claude  S.  Beckwith;  1912,  Max  S.  Hyman. 

Peter  Van  Ness.    1734-1804 

"Erected  by  their  oldest  son,  John,  in  behalf  of  himself 
and  other  children  and  grand  children,"  there  stands  amid 


392  Old  R.inderHooK 

a  clump  of  trees  within  a  small  enclosure  behind  Lindenwald 
mansion,  a  pleasing  marble  monument  to  Peter  Van  Ness 
and  his  wife,  Elbertie.  The  inscription,  as  legible  as  though 
recently  graven,  is  as  follows: 

Here  lie  the  remains  of  The  Honorable  Peter  Van  Ness,  who 
died  December  21,  1804,  aged  70  years  and  21  days.  He  was  a 
high  minded,  honorable,  sensible  man,  fearing  none  but  God,  and 
a  distinguished  and  influential  patriot  in  the  most  trying  times: 
having  served  his  country  with  great  credit  in  numerous  public 
stations,  both  civil  and  military :  among  which  were  the  command 
of  a  company  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  by  the  unanimous 
choice  of  his  men  in  the  invasion  and  conquest  of  Canada  by  the 
British;  the  command  of  a  regiment  at  the  capture  of  Burgoyne 
in  1777 ;  that  of  a  member  of  the  State  Convention  which  adopted 
the  Federal  Constitution;  and  service  as  a  State  Senator,  Member 
of  the  Council  of  Appointment,  and  chief  judge  of  this  county. 

Peter  Van  Ness  was  bom  in  that  part  of  old  Claverack 
which  is  now  in  the  to-^n  of  Ghent.  He  was  the  third  son  of 
William  and  Gertrude  (Hogeboom)  Van  Ness,  and  an  uncle 
of  the  distinguished  jurist  William  W,  Van  Ness.  Peter's 
younger  brother,  John,  was  the  proprietor  of  a  large  tract  of 
land  in  the  northeastern  part  of  old  Kinderhook,  as  noted 
elsewhere.  According  to  tradition,  which  we  can  neither 
prove  nor  disprove,  Peter  Van  Ness  moved  to  Kinderhook 
in  1780,  and  purchased  the  estate  to  which  Martin  Van 
Buren  gave  the  name — Lindenwald.  At  a  banquet  in 
Kinderhook  sixty  years  later,  Dr.  John  M.  Pruyn,  in  a  toast, 
alluded  to  William  as  well  as  Cornelius,  as  bom  here.  Un- 
less he  was  in  error  Peter's  coming  must  be  placed  two  or 
more  years  earlier.  In  1797,  as  the  still  existing  iron  door- 
knocker reveals,  he  built  the  doubtless  modest  beginnings 
of  the  present  stately  mansion. 

Worthily  held  in  honored  remembrance  for  his  varied 
and  manifold  services,  Peter  Van  Ness  had  the  rare  distinc- 
tion of  being  the  father  of  three  sons  each  of  whom  achieved 


La-wyers  393 

high  renown.  If  he  came  to  Kinderhook  in  1780  as  generally 
supposed,  he  brought  with  him  two  boys,  John  P.,  about  ten 
years  old  and  WilHam  P.,  about  two.  Two  years  later 
Cornelius  P.  was  bom.  There  were  also  two  daughters. 
Catharine  married  James  Brebner,  a  Kinderhook  merchant 
and  of  some  distinction  in  public  life,  who  lived  for  a  time 
in  the  present  Chrysler  house.  After  his  death  his  widow 
married  Abram  Van  Alen.  Gertrude  P.  Van  Ness  married 
Martin  Hoffman. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  E.  C.  Getty,  of  Hudson,  for  the 
original  of  this  pleasing  letter  written  one  himdred  and 
twenty  years  ago  at  the  first  Van  Ness  homestead  by  Gertrude 
P.  to  her  friend  Cornelia  T.,  daughter  of  Governor  George 
Clinton.  "Johnny  and  Billy"  were  the  writer's  brothers 
of  whose  brilliant  future  she  little  dreamed. 

Kinderhook,  May  nth.,  '93. 
My  dear  friend: 

I  have  long  impatiently  waited  for  an  opportunity  to  write  a 
line  to  my  friend.  I  received  a  few  lines  last  winter  by  brother 
Johnny.  Although  the  letter  was  very  short  yet  the  idea  of 
being  remembered  by  you  imparted  satisfaction  to  my  heart. 
How  have  you  spent  your  winter,  very  lively  I  suppose.  Is  New 
York  very  gay?  The  country  is  now  beautiful.  I  wish  you  were 
here  to  view  with  me  the  delightful  fields  and  meadows  with 
which  we  are  surrounded,  fruit  trees  all  decorated  with  blossoms 
of  variegated  colors.  My  lilacs  look  elegant.  Let  me  know 
whether  your  family  intends  spending  the  simimer  in  the  country. 
I  wish  you  could  make  it  convenient  to  pay  me  a  visit  this  sum- 
mer. We  could  make  a  very  agreeable  party  to  the  Springs. 
Bring  your  sweetheart  with  you  if  you  cannot  separate  yourself 
from  him  for  a  few  weeks.    I  shall  be  exceeding  happy  to  see  j^ou. 

I  suppose  my  friend  you  attended  the  ball  which  was  given 
by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Belvidere  club  last  winter.  Was  it  a 
very  elegant  one?  What  were  you  dressed  in,  and  how  did  the 
ladies  all  look?  What  hats  do  the  ladies  wear  now?  You  must, 
I  believe,  give  a  description  of  the  fashions  of  the  gentlemen,  you 
can  do  it  so  well.  I  read  part  of  your  letter  last  fall  to  Johnny  and 


394  Old  tlinderKooK 

Billy.  They  laughed  very  hearty  indeed.  If  you  can  spare  so 
much  time,  Cornelia,  write  a  line  and  send  it  to  our  friend  Nancy. 
.  .  .  My  love  to  your  Papa  &  Mama,  sister  Caty  &  the  family. 
I  shall  write  again  very  soon.  Gertrude  P.  Van  Ness. 

John  P.  Van  Ness.     1^/0-1846 

Was  bom  in  the  town  of  Ghent ;  was  graduated  at  Colum- 
bia College ;  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Brockholst  Living- 
ston in  New  York ;  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Claverack  in 
1799,  but  soon  retired  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  1801  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  Congress.  About  a  year  later  he 
married  Marcia  Bum,  a  very  wealthy  v/oman  and  of  ex- 
ceptional charm  of  person  and  character.  Washington  was 
thenceforth  his  home.  President  Jefferson  appointed  him 
Brigadier-General  of  the  District  Militia,  and  Madison  made 
him  Major- General.  He  was  many  times  elected  mayor  of 
the  city,  until  he  declined  re-election.  Largely  through  his 
efforts  the  Bank  of  the  Metropolis  was  established,  in  the 
presidency  of  which  he  continued  until  his  death.  His  wife, 
by  her  manifold  charms,  charities,  and  devotion,  won  the 
highest  respect  of  all  who  knew  her.  She  established  the 
Protestant  Orphan  Asylum,  gave  the  land  for  two  churches, 
and  was  abundant  in  her  beneficences.  Years  ago  when  the 
interior  of  St.  John's  Episcopal  church  was  re-modeled  all 
pews  were  re-arranged  except  that  wont  to  be  occupied  by 
General  and  Mrs.  Van  Ness.  That  was  left  unchanged.  On 
her  death  both  Houses  of  Congress  adjourned  out  of  respect 
to  her  memory;  an  honor  given  to  no  other  woman.  The 
mausoleum  in  which  repose  the  remains  of  both  was  modeled 
after  the  temple  of  Vesta  at  Rome,  and  cost  $34,000. 

William  P.  Van  Ness.    1788-1826 

The  second  son  of  Peter  Van  Ness,  William  P.,  was  bom 
in  Ghent  (Dr.  Pruyn  said  Kinderhook)  in  1778.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  Columbia  College,  1797;  studied  law  in  the  office 


La"wyers  395 

of  Edward  Livingston,  New  York,  and  began  practice  there 
in  1800.  In  his  office  in  1802  Martin  Van  Buren  completed 
his  preparatory  legal  studies.  In  the  Jefferson  and  Burr 
presidential  campaign  (1800)  Mr.  Van  Ness  labored  with 
enthusiasm  for  the  election  of  the  latter  (his  intimate  friend) 
as  President.  In  one  of  the  Hudson  papers  of  the  time  ap- 
peared a  series  of  articles  bitterly  attacking  the  Livingstons 
and  Clintons,  and  signed  "Aristides. "  Their  vigor  and 
brilliancy  were  widely  recognized,  and  when  Mr.  Van  Ness 
came  to  be  known  as  the  writer  he  was  hailed  and  honored 
as  a  second  but  discovered  Junius.  His  intimacy  with  Burr 
led  him  to  consent  to  act  as  Burr's  second  in  his  fateful  duel 
with  Alexander  Hamilton,  July  11,  1804.  In  1812  President 
Madison  appointed  Mr.  Van  Ness  Judge  of  the  United  States 
District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York;  a 
position  which  he  continued  to  hold  with  much  honor  until 
his  sudden  death  in  1826.  While  Judge  he  resumed  his 
residence  at  Linden wald,  much  enlarging  and  otherwise  im- 
proving the  house.  Washington  Irving  was  a  frequent 
visitor  there,  and  acted  for  a  time  as  private  tutor  of  the 
children.  Portions  of  his  immortal  works  were  written  there. 
The  published  writings  of  Mr.  Van  Ness  were  (jointly  with 
John  Wood  worth) :  Laws  of  New  York,  with  Notes,  2  vols., 
Albany,  1813 ;  Reports  of  Two  Cases  in  the  Prize  Court  of  New 
York  District,  18 14;  and  Concise  Narrative  of  General  Jack- 
son^s  First  Invasion  of  Florida,  1826. 

Cornelius  P.  Van  Ness.     1 782-1 852 

Cornelius  P.,  the  third  son  of  Peter  Van  Ness,  was  born 
in  Kinderhook,  January  26,  1782.  Although  prepared  for 
college,  he  decided  in  the  first  instance  not  to  study  for  a 
profession,  but  when  about  eighteen  he  changed  his  mind  and 
entered  his  brother  William's  law  office  in  New  York  City. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1804  and  two  years  later 
moved  to  St.  Albans,  Vt.,  and  began  practice,  but  three  years 


396  Old  HinderHooK 

thereafter  moved  to  Burlington  and  was  made  postmaster 
there.  In  1809,  President  Madison  appointed  him  U.  S. 
District-Attorney  for  Vermont.  In  1813  he  was  collector  of 
the  port  of  Burlington;  in  18 16  one  of  the  Commissioners  to 
settle  the  northeastern  boundary;  in  i8i8-'2i  a  member 
of  the  Vermont  General  Assembly;  in  1821,  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Supreme  Court;  i823-'29,  three  times  re-elected  Gov- 
ernor of  Vermont;  i829-'37,  U.  S.  Minister  to  Spain,  and 
in  1844  Collector  of  the  port  of  New  York.  In  1823  the 
University  of  Vermont  awarded  him  the  degree  of  LL.D. 
In  1848  (Washington,  D.  C),  he  published  a  "Letter  to  the 
Public  on  Political  Parties,  Caucuses,  and  Conventions." 
One  of  the  daughters  married  Judge  James  Roosevelt,  of  the 
New  York  Supreme  Court,  a  granduncle  of  ex-President 
Roosevelt. 

Not  easily,  we  think,  can  we  find  a  parallel  to  the  record 
of  a  father  and  three  sons. 

Peter  Silvester.    1734-1808 

We  can  neither  verify  nor  disprove  the  tradition  that 
Peter  Silvester  was  born  in  Shelter  Island  and  was  a  member 
of  the  family  of  Nathaniel  Sylvester,  who  was,  as  indicated 
on  his  tombstone,  "First  Resident  Proprietor  of  the  Manor 
of  Shelter  Island,  under  Grant  from  Charles  II.,  1666." 
That  in  that  Shelter  Island  family  we  have  found  the  names 
— Peter,  Francis,  and  Margaret  Sylvester,  names  familiar  in 
our  Kinderhook  family,  seems  to  us  more  than  a  remarkable 
coincidence,  and  to  give  strong  verisimilitude  to  the  tradi- 
tion. The  more  common  statement  is  that  he  was  born  on 
Long  Island. 

In  1763  Mr.  Silvester  appears  in  Albany  as  a  lawyer  of 
sufficient  eminence  to  be  employed  as  Sir  William  Johnson's 
attorney.  In  the  Johnson  MSS.  in  the  State  Library  are 
(or  were)  many  professional  letters  of  the  former.  In 
one  he  writes  Sir  William  that  Witham  Marsh  has  had  a 


La-wyers  397 

conference  with  him  concerning  the  wrongs  of  Indians,  whose 
notable  friend  Sir  WilHam  was.  In  1764  he  writes  that  Mr. 
Marsh,  one  of  the  executors  of  whose  will  Mr.  Silvester  sub- 
sequently became,  had  appointed  him  deputy  town  clerk 
and  "clerk  of  the  peace. "  He  asks  Sir  William's  favor  in  his 
present  incumbency  and  expresses  his  hope  of  appointment 
as  principal,  should  there  be  a  vacancy.  In  1771  he  advises 
that  certain  matters  be  intrusted  to  Peter  Van  Schaack  of 
New  York. 

Dr.  O'Callaghan's  New  York  Marriages,  p.  381,  has  the 
record  of  Peter  Silvester's  marriage,  August  16,  1764,  to  Jane 
Van  Schaick.  This  was  Jannetje,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius 
Van  Schaack  of  Kinderhook,  and  an  elder  sister  of  Peter 
Van  Schaack,  then  a  student  in  Kings  (Columbia)  college. 
Two  years  later  Mr.  Silvester  is  a  lawyer  of  repute  in  Albany. 
In  his  office  his  brother-in-law,  Peter  Van  Schaack,  becomes 
a  student  in  1766  and  remains  eighteen  months.  The  follow- 
ing year  the  Rev.  William  Hanna,  who  had  been  pastor  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Albany  for  five  years,  also 
became  a  student  in  Mr.  Silvester's  office.  At  about  this 
time  he  moved  to  Kinderhook,  and  lived  thenceforth  in  the 
Van  Schaack  homestead  where  his  wife  was  born  and  of 
which  he  through  her  came  into  possession.  There  in  1767 
his  son  Francis  was  born;  and  there  in  1808,  aged  about 
seventy-four,  Peter  Silvester  died.  Presumably  both  he  and 
his  wife  were  buried  in  the  old  Van  Schaack  cemetery, 
around  and  over  which  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  was 
built  in  1 8 14. 

Although  residing  here,  he  retained  his  church  affiliations 
with  Albany.  In  the  Charter  of  Incorporation  of  St.  Peter's 
church  there,  granted  by  George  III.  in  1769,  Mr.  Silvester's 
name  appears  as  vestryman,  and  four  years  later  he  was  one 
of  the  wardens. 

After  his  removal  to  Kinderhook  he  evidently  had  some 
commercial  as  well  as  professional  interests,  for  in  Munsell's 
Annals  (vol.  i.,  p.  258)  we  read  of  his  shipment  from  New 


398  Old  RinderKooK 

York  to  the  West  Indies,  by  the  sloop  Olive  Branch,  in  1770, 
of  a  ton  of  flour,  for  which  he  received  somewhat  over  $32,00. 

Mr.  Silvester  was  appointed  and  elected  to  many  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  honor.  He  was  one  of  the  eleven  (later 
twelve)  Deputies  from  old  Albany  County  to  the  first  and 
second  Provincial  (State)  Congress,  1 775-1 776.  The  Jour- 
nal, however,  reveals  that  he  personally  attended  only  the 
short  summer  session  of  the  first.  The  Act  of  appointment 
gave  to  any  four  or  more  of  the  County  Deputies  who  might 
be  present  the  full  powers  of  the  whole  delegation.  That 
Mr,  Silvester  felt  he  was  needed  at  home  in  those  very 
troublous  times  in  Kinderhook,  and  had  confidence  in  the 
wisdom  and  patriotism  of  his  colleagues,  is  the  presumable 
explanation  of  his  non-attendance.  In  '86  he  was  the  Judge 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Columbia  County.  In 
'87  he  was  appointed  a  Regent  of  the  University  of  the 
State.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  and  second  United 
States  Congress,  1789-91;  State  Senator,  1788,  1803,  '04, 
and  '06. 

From  what  we  have  been  able  to  read  of  this  (chronologi- 
cally) "first  lawyer  of  Kinderhook,"  and  what  we  have 
heard  from  his  honored  granddaughter  Margaret  and 
others,  he  seems  to  have  been  an  eminent  jurist,  a  devoted 
patriot,  and  a  pure-hearted  and  high-minded  citizen  and 
gentleman,  worthy  the  tribute  to  Nathaniel  of  Shelter 
Island:  "Loyal  to  duty.  Faithful  to  friendship.  The  soul 
of  integrity  and  honor.  Hospitable  to  Worth  and  Culture, " 
and,  we  add,  a  sincere  Christian. 

Francis  Silvester,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  Kinder- 
hook, July  22,  1767,  and  died  here,  January  31,  1845.  On 
his  graduation  from  Columbia  College  he  becamic  a  student 
in  his  father's  office  in  this  village  and  in  due  time  began 
practice  here  where  he  continued  his  office  and  residence 
until  his  death.  His  wife  was  his  cousin,  Lydia  Van  Vleck 
Van  Schaack,  foster  daughter  of  David  Van  Schaack. 

Very  often  in  years  gone  has  her  daughter  Margaret 


La-wyers  399 

spoken  of  her  mother  in  the  most  exalted  terms.  But  Marga- 
ret herself,  with  her  cultivated  mind,  refined  tastes,  charm- 
ing grace,  of  manner,  and  all  lovable  womanly  excellences, 
including  a  most  sunny  saintliness,  was  her  mother's  most 
noble  monument.  It  is  not  strange  that  ex-President  Van 
Buren  was  a  frequent  though  finally  disappointed  visitor 
at  her  beautiful  home.  She  died  January  21,  1903,  aged 
ninety-one.  Her  father,  Francis  Silvester,  built  what  was 
long  known  as  the  Silvester  house,  later  owned  and  occupied 
by  Mr.  Sheldon  Norton,  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Heath.  Mr. 
Silvester  had  a  very  extensive  law  practice  and  was  the 
law  preceptor  of  Martin  Van  Buren;  but  his  only  pubHc 
position  was  as  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  I 82 I. 

Peter  Henry  Silvester,  only  son  of  Francis,  was  born 
in  1807,  graduated  at  Union  College  in  1827,  and  became  a 
lawyer  of  distinction  in  Coxsackie.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
30th  and  31st  Congress.  His  two  sons  were  Francis  and 
John  L.  B.  Silvester. 

Francis  Silvester,  2d,  1 833-1 903.  He  was  born  in 
Coxsackie,  November  15,  1833.  His  father  was  the  Hon. 
Peter  H.  Silvester  (son  of  Francis,  of  Kinderhook)  and  his 
mother,  Catharine  S.  Bronk,  of  Coxsackie.  Francis,  after 
graduation  from  the  Kinderhook  Academy,  studied  law  and 
in  1856  was  admitted  to  the  Columbia  County  Bar.  He 
began  practice  in  the  office  of  W.  H.  Tobey,  Kinderhook, 
while  the  latter  was  State  Senator.  Soon  thereafter  Mr. 
Tobey  received  him  into  partnership  and  the  firm  continued 
to  be  Tobey  and  Silvester  for  many  years.  In  1858  Mr. 
Silvester  was  elected  District  Attorney  and  served  three 
years,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1867.  He  was  an  able  lawyer,  a  pleasing 
speaker  and  a  graceful  writer,  as  witnessed  by  orations  and 
addresses  which  appeared  in  the  local  press,  and  by  many 
obituary  notices  that  came  from  his  facile  pen.  He  died 
suddenly  in  New  York  City,  December  6,  1903,  survived  by 


400  Old  R-inderhooK 

his  brother,  John  L.  B.  Silvester,  now  of  Albany.  Diiring 
the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  withdrew  from  the  general 
practice  of  his  profession  and  devoted  himself  to  the  manage- 
ment of  some  large  estates.  His  trusts  were  judiciously  and 
faithfully  fulfilled. 

Peter  Van  ScJumck.    1747-1832 

Peter  Van  Schaack  was  the  fourth  son  and  the  youngest 
of  the  seven  children  of  ComeHus  \'an  Schaack  and  Lydia 
Van  Dyck.  Bom  Alarch,  1747,  he  was  baptized  on  the  24th 
of  the  following  April  in  the  old  Dutch  church,  John  Living- 
ston and  Catrina  Van  Dyck  appearing  as  sponsors.  In- 
tended by  his  father  from  the  first  for  one  o£  the  liberal 
professions,  though  he  himself  inclined  to  the  army,  he  was 
sent  at  an  early  age  to  the  village  school,  where,  notwith- 
standing certain  alleged  infeHcities  of  temper  and  method  on 
the  part  of  his  teacher,  "I  persevered, "  he  wrote,  "and  soon 
found  myself  advanced  in  my  learning  beyond  my  o"^-n  most 
flattering  expectations."  The  two  years  preceding  his  col- 
lege course  were  spent  under  the  instruction  of  the  Rev. 
Richard  Charlton  of  Staten  Island,  a  graduate  of  Trinity 
College,  Dublin,  and  an  accomplished  scholar  and  successful 
teacher.  In  1762  he  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Kings 
(Columbia)  College.  He  was  the  first  of  our  Kinderhook 
young  men  to  have  a  collegiate  education.  John  Jay,  Egbert 
Benson,  Richard  Harrison,  Gouvemeur  Morris,  and  others  of 
subsequently  illustrious  name,  were  among  his  classmates 
or  associates;  and  between  himself  and  the  four  named  a 
special  friendship  was  formed  which  continued  through  life, 
notwithstanding  radical  differences  of  opinion  and  action  in 
the  coming  "times  that  tried  men's  souls."  In  1765,  while 
still  an  undergraduate,  he  privately  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Henr\'  Cruger,  a  prominent  merchant  of  the 
city.  Her  father's  displeasure  on  hearing  of  the  marriage 
was  intense.     We  read  that  he  not  only  made  the  usual  vow 


La^vvryers  401 

that  she  should  never  again  darken  his  door,  but  also  that  he 
took  off  his  wig  and  threw  it  into  the  fire.  Reconciliation, 
however,  came  at  last  and  the  young  couple  received  the 
parental  and  family  blessing  in  full  measure.  Ultimately 
Mr.  Van  Schaack  was  one  of  Mr.  Cruger's  executors.  In 
college  he  won  several  prizes  for  scholarship  and  was  gradu- 
ated with  the  highest  honors.  Beginning  with  the  spring  of 
1766  he  spent  eighteen  months  in  the  Albany  law  office  of 
Peter  Silvester,  who  had  married  his  sister  Jane.  Leaving 
Albany  he  entered  the  office  of  William  Smith,  the  historian 
and  jurist,  in  New  York.  In  1769,  he  and  his  friends  Benson 
and  Harrison  were  licensed  as  attorneys  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  It  was  considered  quite  remarkable  that  three  3'oung 
men  should  be  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  one  time.  Opening  an 
office  in  Cedar  Street,  Mr.  Van  Schaack's  ability,  character, 
and  advantageous  family  connections  enabled  him  to  win  a 
rapidly  increasing  clientage.  In  1773  to  him  alone  was  given 
the  responsible  work  of  collating  and  revising  the  Colonial 
Statute  Laws,  from  1691-1773.  His  work,  published  in  1774, 
was  most  creditable  to  his  judgment  and  industry,  and  was 
for  many  years  regarded  as  an  essential  volume  in  every 
lawyer's  library.  To  the  intense  application  given  to  this 
work  he  attributed  the  beginning  of  the  trouble  which  finally 
made  him  totally  blind. 

But  troublous  times  were  now  at  hand.  We  need  not 
repeat  what  we  have  written  relative  to  the  loyaHsts  of 
whom  Mr.  Van  Schaack  was  one  of  the  most  eminent.  He 
was  mistaken  in  his  judgment,  but  he  was  utterly  honest  and 
conscientious.  None  the  less  his  mistake  was  of  lasting 
injury  to  himself.  Had  he  been  able  to  act  and  think 
differently  there  was  almost  no  position  of  judicial  eminence 
in  the  State  or  Nation  which  he  might  not  have  attained. 
He  was  mistaken  and  suffered  in  consequence  thereof;  but 
the  most  ardent  patriots,  like  Jay  and  Benson,  while  entirely 
out  of  sympathy  with  his  views,  and  grieved  by  them, 
nevertheless  respected  and  loved  him. 
26 


402  Old  RinderHooK 

The  account  of  his  treatment  by  the  irresponsible  and 
sometimes  arbitrary  and  unjust  Commissioners  for  Detect- 
ing and  Defeating  Conspiracies  may  be  found  in  Mr.  H.  C. 
Van  Schaack's  Life  of  his  father,  and  also  in  Mr.  Paltsits' 
recently  published  Minutes  oj  the  Commissioners.  More- 
over, before  his  departure  for  England,  his  wife  had  died. 
He  had  also  buried  six  of  her  nine  young  children.  It  is  no 
wonder  that  the  broken-hearted  man  wrote  of  the  final 
decree  of  banishment,  regretfully  signed  by  John  Jay,  as  his 
'^ death  warrant.'"  But  such  was  not  the  fact.  Apart  from 
the  pity  and  pain  of  it,  his  exile,  partly  voluntary,  partly 
enforced,  inured  greatly  to  his  benefit  in  manifold  ways; 
broadening  his  mind,  enlarging  his  experience,  and  bringing 
him  into  close  association  with  the  best  scholarship  and 
finest  culture  of  England.  His  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Cruger, 
was  a  member  of  Parliament.  Through  him  Mr.  Van 
Schaack  was  enabled  to  hear  all  the  great  orators  of  the  time 
and  to  know  many  of  England's  most  notable  men  and 
women.  Nor  was  he  professionally  idle.  "While  in  Eng- 
land, "  Benjamin  F.  Butler  wrote,  "he  was  consulted  in  many 
cases  involving  intricate  and  important  legal  questions,  and 
on  one  occasion  in  particular  he  was  associated  with  Lord 
Chancellor  Eldon,  whose  reputation,  it  is  believed,  was  much 
enhanced  by  pursuing  the  advice  and  adopting  the  views  of 
Mr.  Van  Schaack." 

As  the  struggle  went  on  and  he  came  to  have  a  clearer 
insight  into  the  spirit  and  intents  of  the  dominant  party  in 
Parliament,  he  had  less  and  less  respect  for  the  British  view 
of  the  controversy  and  more  and  more  sympathy  with  the 
American.  He  hailed  the  triumph  of  the  colonies  with 
unmingled  delight.  In  October,  1783,  he  received  this 
welcome  note  from  John  Jay  in  London:  "  I  am  this  moment 
arrived  and  shall  not  probably  be  called  upon  this  evening. 
If  you  are  as  much  at  leisure  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  see 
you."  We  have  no  copy  of  his  note  in  reply,  but  we  have 
this  entry  in  Mr.  Jay's  diary:  "We  met  with  all  the  cordial- 


La-wyers  403 

ity  of  old  friends  who  had  long  been  absent,  without  the 
least  retrospect  to  the  cause  of  that  absence. "  Subsequently 
Jay  wrote  to  Benson:  "Having  been  very  well  assured  that 
the  conduct  of  Peter  Van  Schaack  (and  others)  had  been 
perfectly  unexceptional  and  that  they  had  not  associated 
with  the  abominable  Tory  club  of  London,  I  received  and 
returned  their  visits." 

It  was  with  great  joy  that  in  1785  he  returned  to  his 
native  land  and  village.  Of  his  reception  in  New  York  he 
wrote:  "Mr.  Jay  has  behaved  like  a  true  friend.  He  came 
on  board  the  ship  immediately,  brought  me  on  shore,  took 
me  to  the  Governor's,  Chief  Justice's,  etc.,  and  seems  de- 
termined to  do  everything  for  me  he  can.  All  descriptions  of 
people  show  me  every  attention  and  kindness."  It  is  not 
surprising  that  John  Jay  has  been  a  favorite  name  in  our 
Van  Schaack  family.  A  grandson,  John  Jay  Van  Schaack, 
was  a  soldier  in  our  Civil  War,  a  cashier  of  the  old  Kinder- 
hook  Bank,  and  a  highly  respected  citizen.  There  is  another 
of  the  same  name,  living  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  a  John  Jay 
Van  Alstyne  in  our  village;  both  of  them  great-great-grand- 
sons of  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

By  special  Acts  of  legislature  applicable  to  his  and 
similar  cases  Mr.  Van  Schaack  was  restored  to  all  rights  and 
privileges  of  citizenship  and  also  re-admitted  to  the  Bar. 
He  resumed  the  practice  of  law  and  was  very  active  in  pri- 
vate but  influential  ways  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the 
State,  in  furthering  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution 
and  in  upbuilding  the  new  Republic.  His  home  for  a  time 
was  with  his  brother  David  in  the  former  Vanderpoel 
mansion,  but  he  soon  built  the  house  to  the  east  of  it,  known 
to  us  as  the  Mix-Haines-Harder  dwelling. 

April  27,  1789,  he  married  EHzabeth,  daughter  of  John 
L.,  and  sister  of  Lucas  I.  Van  Alen,  of  another  notable 
family.  She  also  became  the  mother  of  nine  children,  the 
first  two  of  whom  were  named  John,  as  two  of  Elizabeth 
Cruger's  had  been.     The  other  children  were:     David,  b. 


404  Old  RinderKooK 

Dec.  9,  1793,  tn.  Catharine  Sickles;  Peter,  b.  Oct.  19,  1795, 
m.  Dorcas  Manton;  Lydia,  b.  July  4,  1798,  m.  Thomas 
Beekman;  Christina,  b.  July  2,  1800,  unmarried  and  re- 
membered as  a  sweet  gentle  presence  in  her  brother  David's 
home;  Henry  Cruger,  b.  April  3,  1802, — later  of  Manlius,  m. 
Adaline  Ives;  Lucas,  b.  Nov.  7,  1804 — in  1827  a  physician 
in  Oswego,  m.  Sarah  Hawley;  Margaret,  b.  June  9,  1807,  m. 
John  M.  Pruyn,  M.D. 

July  14,  1804,  we  find  him  chairman  of  the  meeting  of  the 
Columbia  County  Bar  called  at  Claverack  to  take  action 
concerning  the  death  of  Hamilton,  Among  the  resolutions 
was  one  to  wear  crape  on  the  arm  for  one  month.  That  same 
year  Kinderhook  had  given  Burr  for  Governor  a  majority 
of  ninety-four. 

As  the  dimness  of  vision  of  his  one  remaining  eye  in- 
creased, he  was  obliged  more  and  more  to  relinquish  the 
practice  of  the  law  and  devote  himself  to  teaching  the 
students  whom  in  small  groups  he  received  for  personal 
instruction,  ±0  the  number,  it  is  said,  of  nearly  one  hundred 
in  all.  Among  them  was  Henry  I,  Frey,  only  son  of  Major 
John  Frey  of  Palatine.  Henry  married  his  preceptor's 
daughter  Elizabeth.  Other  students  were  the  sons  of  Chan- 
cellor Kent,  Theodore  Sedgwick,  Rufus  King,  William  Van 
Ness,  and  Ambrose  Spencer.  Cornelius,  the  father  of  Judge 
Theodore  Miller,  was  also  his  pupil,  as  were  many  others  who 
subsequently  became  distinguished.  Teaching  was  contin- 
ued even  when  total  blindness  made  him  dependent  on 
readers  for  the  news  of  the  day  and  the  contents  of  new 
books. 

In  his  retirement  he  was  much  and  frequently  cheered  by 
the  visits  of  his  old-time  friend  Judge  Egbert  Benson.  A 
room  in  the  house  was  known  as  Judge  Benson's  room.  In 
the  spring  of  18 18,  his  son  tells  us,  his  father  and  Judge 
Benson  drove  from  Kinderhook  to  Bedford  in  the  latter's 
one-horse  wagon  (the  Judge  being  driver)  to  visit  their 
mutual  friend,  John  Jay.    In  1826,  his  alma  mater,  Columbia 


La-wyers  405 

College,  gave  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  For  the 
Alumni  dinner  at  the  time  he  had  prepared  by  request  the 
five  regular  toasts  with  appropriate  Latin  quotations.  A 
sixth,  written  by  Colonel  Troup,  was  this:  "Peter  Van 
Schaack — Admired  for  his  knowledge  of  the  law  and  classical 
attainments,  and  beloved  for  the  virtues  which  adorn  our 
nature.    Quis  jure  peritior  quis  virtute  praestantiorT' 

Beneath  a  somewhat  awesome  exterior  there  was  a  kind, 
sympathetic  heart.  Writing  from  London  concerning  his 
anxiety  as  regards  his  children's  education,  he  is  even  more 
anxious  he  tells  them,  that  they  should  "keep  their  hearts 
soft.'^  Of  this  as  a  characteristic  of  himself  we  have  a 
pleasing  trace  in  this  extract  from  a  letter  of  Gouverneur 
Morris : 

You  say  that  it  gives  you  pleasure  to  remember  early  friend- 
ships. This  I  am  not  surprised  at,  for  in  truth  we  meet  with  little 
else  of  friendships  to  remember.  The  after  connections  of  life 
generally  have  some  other  basis.  My  own  heart,  worn  by  the 
succession  of  objects  which  have  invaded  it,  looks  back  with  more 
than  female  fondness  toward  the  connections  of  earlier  days. 

Writing  to  Mr.  Silvester,  shortly  before  returning  home, 
concerning  one  who  had  been  especially  active  and  bitter 
against  the  Loyalists  here  he  said : 

As  to  what  you  say  of  Major  .  .  .  ,  let  me  beg  you  will 
present  my  compliments  to  him.  I  bear  enmity  to  no  man  exist- 
ing ;  and  however  it  may  sound  in  the  ears  of  some  of  my  friends, 
yet  to  you,  who  know  me  to  be  incapable  of  /ime-serving  conduct, 
I  will  say,  that  all  he  has  done  against  me,  is  far  overbalanced 
by  what  he  might  have  done,  but  did  7tot;  and  that  I  am  ready  to 
shake  him  by  the  hand  with  cordiality  and  perfect  oblivion  of  the 
past.  No  part  of  my  conduct  shall  have  retrospect  to  the  trans- 
actions of  the  war.  What  is  there  in  this  Hfe  of  consequence 
enough  to  call  forth  the  malignant  passions  of  envy,  hatred, 
revenge  and  malice ! 


4o6  Old  K-inderHooK 

In  the  earlier  part  of  the  letter  he  wrote  concerning  some 
misunderstanding  as  regards  the  financial  obligation  of  a 
kinswoman  of  this  same  Major: 

As  to  Mrs.  .  .  .  ,  she  is  too  good  a  woman  to  speak  an  un- 
truth. Relinquish  the  interest;  and  give  up  the  principal  too,  if 
you  think  her  an  object  ...  I  would  never  receive  a  shilling 
that  shotild  be  bathed  with  tears,  or  draw  forth  a  sigh. 

Mr.  Van  Schaack  died  September  17,  1832.  His  grave 
and  very  modest  stone  are  in  our  cemetery.  In  the  Kinder- 
hook  Sentinel  of  September  20th,  there  was  an  excellent 
obituary  notice,  written  by  the  Hon.  B.  F.  Butler. 

To  his  address  before  the  N.  Y.  Historical  Society  in  1828, 
Chancellor  Kent  appended  this  note : 

It  is  worthy  ot  notice  that  the  only  two  regiments  of  infantry 
from  this  State  in  the  line  of  the  army  of  the  United  States  at  the 
close  of  the  war  were  commanded  by  Dutchmen.  .  .  .  And  I 
hope  I  may  be  permitted  to  add,  without  meaning  any  invidious 
comparison,  that  we  have  now  living  in  this  State,  in  advanced 
years,  three  lawyers  of  Dutch  descent,  who  are  not  surpassed 
anywhere  in  acuteness  of  mind,  in  sound  law-learning  and  in 
moral  worth.  The  reader  will  readily  perceive  that  I  have  in  my 
eye  Egbert  Benson,  Peter  Van  Schaack  and  Abraham  Van 
Vechten. 

Henry  Van  Schaack.     1233-1823 

The  substance  of  this  sketch  is  drawn  from  "Memoirs" 
of  his  uncle  written  by  the  late  Henry  C.  Van  Schaack,  of 
Manlius,  N.  Y.,  and  published  in  1892,  A.  C.  McClurg  &  Co., 
Chicago. 

Henry  Van  Schaack  was  the  oldest  son  of  Cornelius,  and 
and  was  bom  in  Kinderhook,  in  February,  1733.  His  early 
opportunities  of  acquiring  an  education  were  limited  and  he 
was  largely  self-taught;  but  having  a  love  for  reading  and 
study  and  a  keen  strong  mind  he  became  before  middle  life  a 


La-wyers  407 

man  of  superior  attainments  and  culture.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  was  employed  in  a  merchant's  counting  house  in 
New  York  city.  In  1755,  he  was  a  lieutenant  in  a  company, 
of  which  Philip  Schuyler  was  Captain,  in  the  expedition 
against  Crown  Point.  The  MSS.  of  Major-General  (later 
Sir)  William  Johnson,  in  the  State  Library  (if  not  de- 
stroyed by  the  late  fire)  reveal  Mr.  Van  Schaack's  frequent 
correspondence  and  consultation  with  his  quondam  com- 
manding officer  concerning  various  colonial  affairs.  He  was 
especially  active  in  resisting  the  attempted  encroachments 
upon  the  lands  of  Kinderhook's  freeholders.  From  1756- 
'69  Mr.  Van  Schaack's  residence  was  in  Albany.  For 
several  years  he  was  paymaster  of  the  New  York  regiment 
and  "Commissary  of  the  Musters, "  a  position  requiring  the 
visitation  of  frontier  posts.  He  was  also  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  especially  the  fur  trade,  in  the  interest  of 
which  he  established  trading  posts  at  Niagara  and  later 
at  Detroit  and  beyond.  On  one  of  his  visits  to  Detroit  he 
gave  the  Indians  a  silver  tankard  for  the  liberation  of  a  white 
boy  whom  he  educated  and  established  in  business  and  who 
went  by  the  name  of  Tankard.  In  1760  Mr.  Van  Schaack 
married  Jane,  daughter  of  Hitchen  Holland,  Captain  of  one 
of  his  majesty's  independent  companies  at  Oswego,  then 
Fort  Ontario.  As  Major  he  served  in  the  movement  against 
the  Indians  of  the  North- West  in  1764,  and  formed  inti- 
macies with  Richard  Montgomery  and  Thomas  Morris  (both 
Captains  then)  which  continued  through  life.  The  former 
was  a  not  infrequent  visitor  at  Kinderhook.  During  much 
of  this  period,  in  addition  to  all  other  activities,  Mr.  Van 
Schaack  was  an  alderman  and  the  postmaster  of  Albany. 
After  the  passage  of  the  odious  Stamp  Act,  on  the  mere 
suspicion  that  he  would  be  appointed  stamp  distributor,  he 
was  subjected  to  many  threatening  manifestations  of  popu- 
lar ill  will.  His  brother-in-law,  Peter  Silvester,  was  an  inter- 
mediary and  the  tumult  was  finally  allayed.  In  1769  he 
changed  his  residence  to  his  native  village.     He  was  for 


4o8  Old  IlinderKooK 

several  successive  terms  chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  a 
member  of  the  "Quorum"  and  was  elected  Supervisor  six 
times. 

Mr.  Van  Schaack's  part  in  events  preceding  the  Revolu- 
tion has  been  noted  hitherto.  He  was  a  Loyalist,  conscien- 
tious in  his  convictions  of  right  and  duty,  and  seeking  to 
maintain  a  neutral  position.  He,  especially,  was  unable  to 
see  how  he  could  violate  his  several  times  repeated  official 
oath  of  loyalty  to  the  king.  He  suffered  much  for  his  con- 
victions. The  details,  heretofore  narrated  in  part,  may  be 
found  in  the  "Memoirs"  of  his  life.  Many  additional  par- 
ticulars are  in  the  lately  published  Minutes  of  the  Commission 
for  Detecting  and  Defeating  Conspiracies.  Twice  arrested  and 
confined  he  was  finally  sent  to  Hartford  and  later  permitted 
to  go  to  Massachusetts.  At  the  conclusion  of  peace  he 
moved  to  Berkshire,  then  to  Richmond,  and  later  to  Pitts- 
field  where  he  remained  nearly  twenty-three  years.  His 
home  was  what  is  now  the  very  attractive  Country  Club 
House,  and  was  frequently  visited  by  the  notables  of  his 
time.  Admitted  to  citizenship  at  Berkshire  he  at  once  was 
actively  interested  in  all  public  affairs.  He  was  an  ardent 
advocate  of  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution  and 
later  a  Federalist  in  politics;  was  energetic  in  opposition  to 
Shay's  rebellion ;  was  chosen  a  representative  in  the  General 
Court  (the  legislature) ;  was  appointed  Magistrate  by  Gov- 
ernor Hancock  and  reappointed  by  Governor  Strong,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  Williams  College.  With  the 
exception  of  one  child  who  died  in  infancy  he  had  no  off- 
spring, but  adopted  a  sister's  daughter,  and  when  she  married 
adopted  another.  In  1807  he  returned  to  Kinderhook  and 
built  a  delightful  home  overlooking  the  Hudson  and  adjoin- 
ing that  of  his  married  adopted  daughter.  There  he  lived  in 
dignified  and  honored  retirement,  but  not  without  interest 
in  all  public  affairs.  As  late  as  181 1  when  he  was  seventy- 
nine  years  of  age  he  made  the  wearisome  journey  to  Williams- 
town  to  fulfill  his  duties  as  a  Trustee  of  the  College.    Without 


La^wyers  409 

the  early  advantages  of  his  younger  brother  Peter,  he  was  not 
as  scholarly  nor  as  great;  but  he  was  a  remarkable  man  in 
many  respects.  His  acquaintance  and  association  with  the 
notable  men  of  his  time  was  very  extensive ;  his  abilities  of  a 
high  order;  his  character  unimpeachable,  and  his  whole  bear- 
ing that  of  one  of  the  most  courtly  gentlemen  of  the  old 
school.  He  died  July  18,  1823,  and  was  buried  in  the  Kinder- 
hook  cemetery  beside  his  wife  who  had  passed  away  eight 
years  before  him. 

David  Van  Schaack.    i'^Q3-i8y2 

David,  the  third  son  of  Peter  Van  Schaack  and  Elizabeth 
Van  Alen,  was  bom  in  Kinderhook,  December  9,  1793.  He 
was  educated  in  his  native  village.  His  accomplished  father 
was  qualified  to  be  both  College  and  Law  School.  He  was 
the  junior  partner  for  some  years  of  Judge  Julius  Wilcoxson. 
Later  in  life  he  took  Charles  L.  Beale  into  partnership. 
This  brilliant,  silver-tongued  orator  was  well  equipped  for 
court  trials  and  forensic  service  from  which  Mr.  Van  Schaack's 
very  retiring  disposition  caused  him  to  shrink. 

October  5,  1830,  he  married  Catharine  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Sickles.  Their  children  were:  Elsie  E., 
who  died  April  6,  1846;  Anna,  who  still  lives  in  the  house 
her  father  built  in  1857,  and  John  Jay.  The  last-named,  born 
June  12,  1840,  was  Paymaster  in  the  army  during  the  Civil 
War;  served  as  teller  in  the  National  Union  Bank  of  Kinder- 
hook  and  also  the  First  National,  of  Hudson,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  cashier  of  the  "old  bank"  of  Kinder- 
hook.  He  married  Emma  Darragh,  of  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 
Their  children  were  David  Van  Schaack  now  of  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  Mary  Darragh,  wife  of  James  E.  Van  Alstyne  of 
Kinderhook.  John  J.  Van  Schaack  died,  greatly  lamented, 
September  8,  1877. 

David  Van  Schaack,  Sr.,  was  an  enlisted  soldier  of  the  war 
of  1 8 12,  but  was  not  called  upon  to  render  active  service. 


4IO  Old  HinderKooK 

He,  none  the  less,  however,  took  pleasure  in  his  old  age  in 
speaking  of  that  warlike  episode  in  a  most  peaceful  life. 
For  many  years  he  was  the  painstaking  secretary  of  the 
Academy  Trustees,  and  was  from  the  organization  of  the 
Union  Bank  a  Director  and  for  the  last  years  of  his  life 
the  Vice-President.  In  1868  he  was  honored  by  having  his 
name  placed  on  the  Seymour  electoral  ticket.  He  shrank 
from,  rather  than  sought  publicity  of  any  kind.  His  work 
was  largely  that  of  his  office.  Like  Arent  Van  Dyck  of  a 
much  earlier  generation,  he  was  the  writer  of  almost  in- 
numerable deeds,  mortgages,  and  wills  and  often  an  executor 
of  the  latter.  He  managed  many  estates  and  was  trustee  for 
a  host  of  widows  and  orphans ;  always  fulfilling  his  trust  with 
the  utmost  fidelity  and  integrity  not  unmingled  with  kind- 
ness. For  years  after  we  first  knew  him,  the  first  of  April 
each  year  was  wont  to  see  his  office  thronged  from  early 
morning  to  late  evening.  Personal  observation  of  his  life 
and  character  enables  us  to  attest  the  eminent  appropriate- 
ness of  the  action  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  County  from 
which  we  quote: 

Resolved,  That  as  members  of  the  Bar  of  the  County  of 
Columbia,  we,  in  common  with  his  relatives  and  friends,  would 
express  our  personal  sorrow  for  his  death  and  bear  our  united 
testimony  to  his  talents,  attainments  and  worth.  Descended 
from  an  honored  and  distinguished  ancestry  he  has  adorned  the 
profession  of  which  he  was  an  honored  member  by  his  unassum- 
ing and  unobtrusive  deportment,  by  his  sound  judgment  and 
spotless  integrity,  by  the  industry  and  unswerving  fidelity  with 
which  he  ever  discharged  the  duties  devolving  upon  him,  and  by 
the  genial  friendship  which  he  ever  inspired  and  maintained  with 
all  with  whom  he  was  brought  in  contact  in  the  course  of  his 
professional  practice. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  delicate  and  responsible  positions  in 
which  he  was  from  time  to  time  placed  in  the  management  of 
estates  and  in  the  performance  of  various  trusts,  public  and 
private,   he  has   always   commended   himself   to   the   personal 


I 


La-wyers  411 

regard  and  confidence  of  those  who  were  to  be  affected  by  his 
position  and  judgment,  and  he  will  be  missed  by  the  widow,  the 
orphan,  and  all  others  who  looked  to  him  as  their  counsellor  and 
friend,  and  the  safe  depository  of  their  inheritance. 

He  died  March  23,  1872. 

Henry  Cruger  Van  Schaack 

Henry  C,  the  fourth  son  of  Peter  Van  Schaack  and 
Elizabeth  Van  Alen,  was  born  in  Kinderhook,  April  2,  1802. 
After  his  academic  and  legal  education  at  home  he  began 
practice  at  Black  Rock,  N.  Y.  In  1827  he  married  Miss 
Adaline  Ives,  of  Lansingburgh,  and  soon  thereafter  moved  to 
Manlius,  N.  Y.,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death 
in  1887.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school  of  the  best 
type,  most  excellently  equipped  for  his  profession,  and 
respected  and  beloved  by  his  associates  and  all  who  knew  him 
for  his  exalted  character  and  his  singular  purity  of  life. 
Example  and  precept  were  always  on  the  side  of  right.  While 
of  general  literary  culture  in  an  eminent  degree,  he  was  a 
recognized  authority  in  early  American  history.  His  pub- 
lished articles  and  public  addresses  on  historical  subjects 
were  received  with  much  favor.  His  more  notable  publica- 
tions were:  The  Life  of  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Appleton,  1842; 
Henry  Cruger — the  colleague  of  Edmund  Burke  and  the 
first  American  in  the  British  Parliament;  Captain  Morris, 
of  the  IlUnois  Country;  A  History  of  Manlius,  and,  printed 
after  his  death,  Memoirs  of  Henry  Van  Schaack,  an  uncle. 
Exceedingly  interesting  and  valuable  also  is  his  unpublished 
Autographic  History  of  the  Revolution.  It  is  in  three  large 
volumes,  made  up,  not  of  mere  signatures  but  of  original 
letters,  nearly  all  of  which  relate  to  Revolutionary  incidents. 
Some  of  them  inherited,  some  purchased,  and  others  ob- 
tained by  exchange  are  now  among  the  precious  heirlooms  of 
his  children.     As  an  honorary  member  of  the  New  York, 


412  Old  RinderKooK 

Illinois,  Canadian,  and  other  Historical  Societies,  he  enriched 
their  libraries  by  abundant  contributions.  Having  no  desire 
for  public  life  he  declined  all  opportunities  therefor  and 
would  accept  no  favor  from  his  intimate  friend.  President 
Fillmore,  except  the  appointment  of  a  son  to  West  Point, 
Mr.  Van  Schaack  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children  of  whom 
eight  were  living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Some  have  since 
passed  away,  but  they  were  at  that  time :  H.  C.  Van  Schaack 
of  Manlius;  Mrs.  A.  J.  Vanderpoel  of  New  York  and  Kinder- 
hook;  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Mrs.  W.  G.  Hibbard,  and  Mrs.  O.  V. 
S.  Ward  of  Chicago;  C.  P.  Van  Schaack  of  Tulare,  Cal.; 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Hubbard  of  Fort  B.,  Dakota,  and  Mrs.  F.  P. 
Langtry  of  Manlius.  Twenty-five  years  ago  there  were 
forty  surviving  descendants.    There  are  now  many  more. 

John  C.  Wy?ikoop.    i'j6i-i'/g6 

John  C.  Wynkoop,  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1786,  was  a  son 
of  Cornelius  C.  Wynkoop  and  Maria  C.  Roel.  In  Revolu- 
tionary times  he  was  ardently  devoted  to  the  American  cause, 
and  as  ardently  hated  by  Tories  of  the  baser  sort  because 
active  in  discovering  and  thwarting  their  secret  plans  to 
aid  the  British.  His  house  which  stood  opposite  the  old 
furnace  on  Albany  Avenue,  and  near  the  present  home  of 
Henry  Krelberg,  was  burned  with  nearly  all  its  contents,  as 
hitherto  narrated.  Mr.  Wynkoop  had  six  children,  viz.,  the 
Rev.  P.  S.  Wynkoop,  Adrian  who  became  a  lawyer,  Henry 
V.  S.,  Mrs.  Hanley,  Mrs.  Van  Dyck,  and  Mrs.  Winans. 

In  the  N.  Y.  Historical  Society  library  may  be  seen  Mr. 
Wynkoop's  cash  book.  It  contains  many  items  of  interest 
concerning  the  numerous  lawsuits  in  which  he  was  engaged ; 
the  pay  he  received,  often  in  produce  of  the  farms,  hencoops, 
and  dairy ;  his  charges  for  the  board  and  schooling  of  a  niece, 
including  her  slate  pencils;  and  the  payment  for  "a  pound  of 
snuff  lost  by  him  in  bets  with  Abraham  Van  Vleck  during 
his  life  time. " 


La-wyers  413 

Mr.  Wynkoop  died  comparatively  young.  His  widow- 
subsequently  became  the  wife  of  Jacobus  (James)  Van  Alen 
and  lived  in  what  is  now  the  Nink  house.  She  lived  to  an 
advanced  age  and  was  long  known  and  loved  as  "Aunt 
Lydia."  Mr.  Wynkoop  v/as  an  uncle  of  Mr.  Augustus 
Wynkoop.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  lived  at  Kingston, 
continuing  his  practice  of  law  and  also  serving  for  a  time 
as  postmaster,  as  witnessed  by  an  advertisement  of  letters 
a  month  before  his  death,  shortly  before  which  he  had 
become  blind. 

Martin  Van  Bur  en.    1^82-1862 

In  Archivist  Van  Laer's  translation  of  the  Van  Rensselaer 
(Bowier)  MSS,  (p.  190),  is  a  letter  of  the  first  patroon, 
Killian  Van  Rensselaer,  dated  1634,  which  states  that  in 
163 1  Lourens  Lourense  and  Cornells  Maessen  Van  Buermal- 
sen  sailed  in  the  ship  d'Eendracht  {The  Unity)  from  Amster- 
dam to  the  New  Netherland.  This  Comelis  was  the  pioneer 
Van  Buren,  at  least  in  this  vicinity.  On  the  completion  of 
his  stipulated  three  years'  residence  as  a  lessee  of  the  patroon, 
in  1634,  ^^  went  back  to  Holland,  but  two  years  later  re- 
turned hither  with  his  wife,  Catalyntje  Martensen  (daughter 
of  Marten).  Their  second  son  was  named  Marten.  Thus 
early  then  in  Rensselaerswyck,  or  Fort  Orange,  there  was  a 
Marten  Van  Buren,  in  the  fifth  generation  from  whom  was 
bom  that  Martin  whose  name  vv-ith  that  of  C.  V.  A.  Van 
Dyck  has  made  our  village  most  widely  known.  We  note  in 
passing  that  Cornells  Maessen's  third  son,  Maes  Comelise, 
for  some  unknown  reason,  assumed  the  surname  Bloeming- 
dael  and  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Bloomingdale  families  of 
later  times. 

It  is  stated  that  more  biographies  and  sketches  of  Martin 
Van  Buren  have  been  published  than  of  any  other  President 
with  the  exception  of  Washington  and  Lincoln.  A  former 
State  Historian  is  our  authority  for  the  statement  that  no 
man  in  the  history  of  our  country  held  so  many  public  offices 


414  Old  ninderHooK 

as  he.  We  are  excusable  if  we  limit  our  sketch  of  his  public 
life  to  a  mere  outline  and  dwell  more  at  length  upon  his 
associations  with  Kinderhook. 

He  was  bom  in  our  village  December  5,  1782.  Ten  days 
later,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  time,  he  was  baptized 
by  the  Rev.  Johannes  Ritzema.  The  sponsors  were  his 
uncle  and  aunt,  Peter  Van  Buren  and  Catarina  Quac- 
kenbos.  His  birthplace  was  a  humble  dwelling  and  inn 
long  since  removed.  It  stood  in  front  of  the  house 
owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  Henry  Smith  of  Chatham, 
the  second  house  south  of  Mrs.  James  A.  Reynolds's 
present  lawn.  In  tearing  it  down  the  initials  M.  V.  B. 
were  observed  cut  into  one  of  the  cellar  beams,  doubtless 
by  his  "own  youthful  hand.  The  house,  small  though  it 
was,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  numerous  wayside  inns. 
Martin  (6)  was  the  son  of  Abraham  (5) ;  son  of  Marten 
Piertse  (4)  and  Dirckje  Van  Alstyne,  who  were  married 
November  7,  1729;  son  of  Pieter  Martense  (3)  and  Ariaantje 
Barentse  who  in  1695  were  recorded  as  members  of  the 
Albany  church  ^^ living  in  Kinderhook'';  son  of  Marten 
Comelise  (2)  1686;  son  of  Cornelis  Maesse  (i).  Martin  Van 
Buren's  mother  was  Maria  Goes  (Hoes).  At  the  time  of  her 
marriage  to  his  father  she  was  the  widow  of  Johannes  Van 
Alen  and  the  mother  of  three  children.  She  was  the  grand- 
daughter of  Jan  Tysse  Goes,  one  of  the  freeholders  of  the 
Kinderhook  Patent  of  1686,  the  owner  of  a  fourth  part  of  the 
"Groote  Stuk"  and  of  other  tracts  as  well.  One  of  her 
sons  was  James  I.  Van  Alen.  He  became  distinguished  as  a 
lawyer;  was  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion ;  Surrogate  of  Columbia  County  for  two  terms ;  Judge  of 
the  County  Court,  and  in  1808  a  member  of  Congress.  He 
had  both  the  ability  and  the  disposition  to  assist  his  half- 
brother  Martin  in  obtaining  his  education,  and  did  so  credita- 
bly. He  was  a  Federalist  in  politics  and  therefore  in  later 
years  opposed  to  Martin,  who  by  birth  and  presumably  by 
intelligent  choice  was  a  Democrat. 


La-wyers  415 

Attached  to  the  inn  in  which  Martin  was  bom  was  a 
small  farm  on  which  were  raised  supplies  for  the  family  and 
public  table  and  somewhat  more  for  the  market.  An  editor- 
ial in  the  New  York  Herald  of  May  3,  1837  (which  we  will 
explain  later),  referred  to  Martin  Van  Buren  as  "a  common 
country  lawyer  who  begaii  life  trundling  cabbages  to  market 
in  Kinderhook. "  There  was  at  least  a  modicum  of  truth 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  statement.  We'  have  before  us 
a  personal  letter  from  Hubert  P.  Main,  the  music  writer  and 
publisher,  which  tells  us  how  pleasantly  his  aged  mother 
recalled  the  time  when  she  as  seamstress  often  helped  Mar- 
tin's careful  mother  in  making  and  repairing  his  clothes. 
Needed  at  home  to  help  his  father  during  much  of  the  year, 
Martin's  schooling  was  largely  confined  to  the  winter 
months.  Like  Lincoln,  however,  he  had  a  thirst  for  learning 
and  a  resoluteness  of  purpose  which  led  him  to  make  the  best 
use  of  such  advantages  as  he  had,  and  to  devote  many  of  his 
summer  as  well  as  winter  evenings  to  reading  and  study. 
His  education,  beginning  in  the  miserable  half -lighted  school- 
house  burrowing  in  the  hill  on  Chatham  Street,  was  com- 
pleted in  the  Kinderhook  Academy,  then  of  high  standing 
and  wide  renown.  When  fourteen  years  old  he  entered  the 
office  of  Judge  Francis  Silvester  of  our  village  and  began  the 
seven  years'  course  of  study  and  office-training  then  required 
for  admission  to  the  Bar.  During  that  novitiate  he  was  given 
frequent  opportunities  for  service  in  the  petty  cases  coming 
before  Justices  of  the  Peace,  which  afforded  him  much  practi- 
cal training  and  won  for  him  considerable  local  renown.  His 
last  year  of  study  was  spent  in  New  York,  in  the  office  of  the 
distinguished  William  P.  Van  Ness.  After  his  admission  to 
the  Bar  he  returned  to  Kinderhook  and  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  his  half-brother  James  I.  Van  Alen.  He  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  in 
1807,  and  soon  thereafter  married  Hannah  (Harriet)  Hoes, 
a  granddaughter  of  his  mother's  brother  Derick.  She  died 
in  1 8 19,  leaving  four  sons.    Mr.  Van  Buren  never  married 


4i6  Old  K-inderKooK 

again;  and  we  have  the  affecting  record  of  him  that — "he 
remained  loyal  to  the  memory  of  his  departed  wife  to  the  day 
of  his  death. "  But  some  of  us  know  of  one  of  Kinderhook's 
estimable  and  cultivated  women  who  declined  to  marry  the 
ex-President.  And  there  is  an  abiding  tradition  concerning 
the  grave  of  yet  another,  in  a  private  burial  plot  three  miles 
from  the  village,  which  he  was  wont  to  visit  occasionally 
and  stand  reverently  beside  it  with  hat  in  hand. 

From  1 808-1 8 13  he  was  the  County  Surrogate  and  made 
his  home  in  Hudson,  entering  into  partnership  with  Cornelius 
Miller,  the  father  of  the  late  Hon.  and  Judge  Theodore 
Miller.  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  bom  in  Kinderhook,  was  a 
student  in  their  office  and  was  a  member  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's 
household.  The  intimacy  then  begun  continued  through 
life.  Mr.  Van  Buren's  career  was  remarkably  successful.  He 
was  usually  one  of  the  leading  counsel  in  the  many  cases  of 
land  litigation  of  which  we  have  sufficiently  written.  It  is 
interesting  to  observe  how  skillfully  in  successive  suits  he 
could  argue  now  one  side  and  now  the  other  of  the  same 
questions.  Not  infrequently  his  opponent  was  the  gifted 
Elisha  Williams,  another  very  bright  star  in  Columbia 
County's  brilliant  constellation  of  lawyers.  Comparing  the 
two,  Benjamin  F.  Butler  wrote: 

Never  were  two  men  more  dissimilar.  Both  were  eloquent; 
but  the  eloquence  of  Williams  was  declamatory  and  exciting; 
that  of  Van  Buren  insinuating  and  delightful.  Williams  had  the 
livelier  imagination.  Van  Buren  the  sounder  judgment.  The 
former  presented  the  strong  points  of  his  case  in  bolder  relief, 
invested  them  with  a  more  brilliant  coloring,  indulged  a  more 
unlicensed  and  magnificent  invective,  and  gave  more  life  and 
variety  to  his  arguments  by  his  peculiar  humor;  but  Van  Buren 
was  his  superior  in  analyzing,  arranging  and  combining  the  in- 
sulated materials,  in  comparing  and  weighing  testimony,  in 
unravelling  the  web  of  intricate  affairs  .  .  .  and  in  working 
into  the  judgment  of  his  hearers  the  conclusions  of  his  own 
perspicuous  and  persuasive  reasoning. 


^t   : 


C^^JcL^^^    v^^^J^-^^ 


^  ^^^^L-.  /^^^J'^/L  ^^^^ 


^  »^>^<C— ^  x't 


dwi^d-^Z-^xAt    O^i^  /^"    Z^/'. 


e<^  <^<su.  J^- 


^■/^iif/   ( 


The  Van  Buren  Certificate 


if^a.    '^."^V. 


Indian  Village 


La-wyers  4^7 

Of  his  subsequent  public  career  let  it  suffice  to  say: 
Elected  State  Senator  in  1812,  he  speedily  attained  a  position 
of  commanding  influence  both  in  the  Senate  and  Assembly, 
and  in  all  the  councils  of  his  party;  a  position  which  he  con- 
tinued to  hold  for  more  than  thirty  years.  Beginning  with 
18 15  he  was  the  Attorney-General  of  the  State  for  about  five 
years,  and  from  18 16  until  his  removal  to  Washington  his 
home  was  in  Albany.  He  was  State  Senator  again  for  four 
years ;  also  a  Regent  of  the  University.  On  the  death  of  his 
law  partner,  Cornelius  Miller,  he  took  his  friend  Benjamin 
F.  Butler  into  a  partnership  which  continued  until  1828.  In 
1 82 1  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  a  member  of  the  State  Constitu- 
tional Convention.  In  February  of  that  year  he  was  elected 
to  the  United  States  Senate  and  re-elected  in  1827.  His 
astuteness,  and  more  creditable  ability  as  well,  received  early 
recognition  at  Washington  as  at  Albany,  where  he  was  one 
of  the  founders  and  one  of  the  most  influential  members  of 
the  Albany  Regency;  perhaps  the  most  powerful  political 
machine  in  the  history  of  our  State. 

On  the  death  of  Governor  De  Witt  Clinton,  in  1828,  Mr. 
Van  Buren  was  elected  his  successor,  but  served  as  such  less 
than  three  months,  resigning  his  governorship  that  he  might 
accept  President  Jackson's  invitation  to  a  place  in  his  Cabi- 
net as  Secretary  of  State.  Creditably  fulfilling  the  duties  of 
his  office  from  March,  1829,  to  June,  1 831,  he  then  resigned, 
owing  to  some  Cabinet  dissensions,  but  was  urged  by  the 
President  to  accept  the  mission  to  the  Court  of  St.  James, 
and  finally  did  so,  going  to  London  in  September.  There  he 
was  received  with  much  favor  in  social  and  diplomatic 
circles.  Washington  Irving  was  then  our  Consul  at  London 
and  was  the  companion  of  Van  Buren  in  many  drives  through 
those  interesting  portions  of  England  which  the  former  has 
so  charmingly  described. 

In  January,  1832,  the  Senate  refused  to  confirm  Van 
Buren's  appointment;  Vice-President  Calhoun  of  his  own 
party  giving  the  decisive  casting  vote  against  him.  That 
27 


4i8  Old  RinderhooK 

vote,  which  aroused  the  indignation  of  Van  Buren's  many 
friends,  gave  him,  rather  than  Calhoun,  the  nomination  as 
Vice-President  when  Jackson  was  nominated  for  his  second 
term.  It  was  while  he  was  Vice-President  that  the  editorial 
to  which  we  have  referred  appeared  in  the  New  York  Herald. 
Perhaps  we  can  account  for  it.  It  was  a  virulent  attack  on 
Van  Buren  and  "his  atrocious  associates"  as  "the  original 
causes  of  the  terrible  moral,  political  and  commercial  desola- 
tion which  had  spread  over  the  country. "  From  Mackenzie's 
screed  on  the  ^^  Lives  and  Opinions  of  Benjamin  F.  Butler  and 
Jesse  Hoyt, "  with  its  many  not  gentle  allusions  to  Van 
Buren,  worthy  of  Crockett's  alleged  Life  of  the  latter,  we 
have  gleaned  the  following  facts.  In  1833  James  Gordon 
Bennett  was  the  proprietor  of  The  Pennsylvanian,  published 
in  Philadelphia.  In  August  of  that  year  he  wrote  to  Jesse 
Hoyt  concerning  his  need  of  the  financial  aid  of  the  Vice- 
President  for  the  support  of  his  paper.  He  had  indeed 
received  $200,  which  '^he  would  put  into  his  big  gun  {The 
Pennsylvanian)  and  give  the  U.  S.  Bank  a  broadside.''  Now, 
however,  he  needs  $2500;  but  "after  working  day  and  night 
for  nearly  ten  years  in  Mr.  Van  Buren's  behalf,  the  treat- 
ment received  from  him  and  his  friends  is  superlatively 
heartless. "  Mr.  Van  Buren  read  this  letter  or  learned  of  its 
purport,  as  was  evidently  intended,  and  thereupon  wrote  to 
Mr.  Hoyt  thus: 

I  would  always  have  been  happy  to  have  done  him  (Mr. 
Bennett)  good,  but  I  cannot  directly  or  indirectly  afford  pe- 
cuniary aid  to  his  press,  more  particularly  so  as  I  am  situated 
at  the  present  moment.  If  he  cannot  continue  friendly  to  me 
on  public  grounds  and  with  perfect  independence,  I  can  only 
regret  it  but  I  desire  no  other  support.  Whatever  course  he  may 
pursue,  as  long  as  it  is  an  honest  one,  I  shall  wish  him  well. 

Well  written,  Mr.  Van  Buren!  The  vitriolic  editorial  in  the 
New  York  Herald  of  May  3,  1837,  is  not  as  inexplicable  as  it 
was.     But  a  few  days  before  his  death  Jackson  gave  to  a 


Lawyers  419 

visitor  an  appreciation  of  the  "trundler  of  cabbages  and  the 
common  country  lawyer"  from  which  we  quote: 

I  have  enjoyed  a  long  and  happy  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Van 
Buren  and  have  ever  found  him  perfectly  honest;  as  a  statesman, 
quick  and  penetrating,  possessing  a  powerful  mind  governed  by 
strict  integrity;  ever  ready  to  sacrifice  personal  feelings  for  the 
good  of  his  country  and  totally  regardless  of  individual  popular- 
ity when  his  duty  called  him  to  defend  the  rights  of  the  people. 
.  .  .  There  is  no  man  in  the  country  that  has  ever  been  in  public 
life,  to  my  knowledge,  who  has  passed  a  life  with  more  purity  in 
all  his  public  and  private  duties. 

In  1836  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  elected  President.  In  1840 
he  was  renominated,  but  defeated  by  General  Harrison. 
Concerning  that  time  we  have  had  before  us  the  original 
letter  of  Mr.  William  Allen  Butler  to  the  late  Mr.  Pierre  V. 
B.  Hoes,  a  grandnephew  of  Mr.  Van  Buren.     We  quote: 

He  was  with  us  when  General  Harrison  died  and  John  Tyler 
succeeded  to  the  Presidency.  During  his  stay  my  father  gave 
a  large  reception  for  him  and  included  in  the  guests,  not  only  the 
Democrats  in  the  city  who  were  socially  prominent  but  also  a 
considerable  number  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  members  of  the 
party.  It  was  rather  a  departure  from  the  conventional  gather- 
ings of  the  kind,  but  I  recollect  that  at  the  close  it  was  pro- 
nounced by  Charles  Eames,  a  sententious  lecturer  of  the  time, 
to  have  been  "an  originality,  a  success  and  a  benefaction." 
Mr.  Van  Buren  was  greatly  pleased  with  the  entertainment.  I 
remember  well  that  he  was  as  serene  and  good  humored  during 
his  visit  to  us  as  if  he  had  not  been  defeated  in  his  second  contest 
for  the  Presidency. 

In  1844  he  received  a  majority  but  not  a  two  thirds  vote 
in  the  Democratic  convention  and  was  finally  defeated  for 
the  nomination  by  Polk,  because,  it  was  alleged,  of  Van 
Buren's  opposition  to  the  annexation  of  Texas  and  the 
extension  of  slavery.     In  fact,  a  privately  issued  circular 


420  Old  RinderHooK 

letter,  signed  by  Theodore  Sedgwick,  W.  C.  Bryant, 
David  Dudley  Field,  and  others  expressly  states  that  the 
Convention  "rejected  Van  Buren  and  nominated  Polk 
for  reasons  connected  with  the  immediate  annexation  of 
Texas." 

In  1848,  Van  Buren,  refused  a  nomination  by  the  conven- 
tion which  nominated  Cass,  after  declining  in  advance  he 
ultimately  accepted  the  nomination  of  the  Bam  Burner  fac- 
tion in  convention  at  Utica,  and  also  that  of  the  Free  Soilers 
at  Buffalo.  The  Kinderhook  Sentinel  in  the  support  of  the 
regular  ticket  printed  some  regrettable  denunciations  of  Van 
Buren's  alleged  "duplicity."  The  divided  Democracy  was 
defeated  by  General  Taylor.  This  was  the  end  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren's  aspirations  for  civic  honors.  He  had  reason  to  be 
satisfied  with  the  remarkable  record. 

In  1 84 1,  soon  after  his  first  defeat,  he  bought  the  fine  old 
mansion  built  by  Peter  Van  Ness,  of  which  we  have  written, 
and  much  enlarged  and  improved  it.  With  the  exception  of 
two  years  spent  in  foreign  travel  he  here  lived  in  peace  and 
contentment  until  his  death  in  1862.  It  was  while  abroad 
that  he  wrote  the  following  presumably  hitherto  unpublished 
letter.  We  write  with  the  original  before  us.  It  is  dated 
Rome,  February  2,  1854,  and  addressed  to  Augustus  Wyn- 
koop  of  Kinderhook. 

Written  with  pale  ink  on  paper  now  yellow  with  age  it  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  read.  Omitting  a  few  personal  items, 
and  the  usual  formalities  of  polite  correspondence,  we 
quote: 

.  .  .  Between  parties  and  religious  ceremonies  and  sight 
seeing  we  are  constantly  on  the  wing.  There  is  scarcely  a  day  on 
which  some  proceedings  or  ceremonies  are  not  enacted  calculated 
to  interest  those  who  have  not  witnessed  them  before.  We 
attended  a  few  days  since  the  annual  exhibition  of  the  Propa- 
ganda, and  heard  forty  four  speeches  from  the  students  in  forty 
four  different  languages.  .  .  .  They  (the  speakers)  were  of 
every  color,  from  pure  white  to  pitch  black,  and  at  least  three 


La-wyers  4^1 

from  the  United  States.  I  was  strongly  impressed  by  the  scene. 
...  If  a  letter  from  here  which  I  saw  in  a  Dublin  paper,  ex- 
pressing hopes  of  my  conversion,  founded  on  my  social  inter- 
course with  some  of  the  High  Church  Dignitaries,  should  find  its 
way  into  the  American  papers,  I  must  beg  you  to  say  to  my  friend, 
Mrs.  Silvester,  that  there  is  no  danger  of  any  such  thing.  Thank 
her  and  Miss  Silvester  at  the  same  time  for  their  kind  messages 
which  I  appreciate  very  highly.  I  could  not  forget  them  here 
if  I  would,  for  the  name  is  as  familiar  here  as  in  Kinderhook. 
About  forty  (25)  miles  from  Rome  stands  Soracte,  so  beautifully 
described  by  Byron,  Horace  and  almost  every  other  author  of 
celebrity  on  the  history  of  Italy.  Like  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's, 
it  is  seen  from  everywhere  and  stands  in  that  regard  as  its  rival. 
On  the  highest  point  is  the  convent  of  St.  Silvestro,  built  by  the 
Uncle  of  Charlemagne,  on  the  site  of  a  church  built  by  St. 
Silvester  before  he  became  pope.  His  garden  where  he  planted 
turnips  in  the  afternoon  for  his  next  day  dinner  is  still  shown  by 
the  monks.  Although  I  can  hardly  believe  the  turnip  story,  I 
have  no  doubt  he  was  a  good  man.  His  name  has  without  doubt 
been  used  for  many  centuries  as  a  cover  for  a  great  fraud,  con- 
sisting of  a  statement  that  he  had  obtained  a  conveyance  from 
Constantine  for  the  Estates  of  the  Church  in  consideration  of 
curing  him  of  some  disease  by  the  Healing  Waters  of  a  spring 
which  he  possessed;  which  conveyance  it  is  now  universally 
admitted  never  existed.  But  if  any  doubt  could  ever  have  ob- 
tained in  regard  to  his  innocence  it  should  have  been  removed 
by  the  recorded  fact  that  upon  opening  his  coffin  in  the  i6th. 
century,  at  the  St.  John  Lateran  where  he  was  buried  in  the  loth. 
century,  the  good  man's  body  was  still  entire  .  .  .  and  was 
changed  into  dust  on  the  admission  of  the  air.  By  the  bye  do 
we  not  find  in  the  turnip  story  the  secret  of  the  old  Lady's  heal- 
ing of  us  all  in  gardening?  .  .  .  I  must  plead  guilty  to  going  into 
the  ball  of  St.  Peter's  last  week.  The  ball  is  large  enough  to  con- 
tain sixteen  people  and  is  sometimes  filled  with  people  as  foolish 
as  I  am.  In  squeezing  through  the  opening  I  had  not  half  an 
inch  to  spare.  .  .  . 

With  kind  regards  .  .  . 

Very  truly  yours 

M.  Van  Buren. 


422  Old  RinderKooK 

In  his  native  village  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  respected,  admired, 
and  loved  by  all  for  his  exceptional  abilities  and  brilliant 
career  in  part;  but  more  for  his  incorruptible  integrity,  his 
unimpeachable  purity  of  life,  and  his  unfailing  courtesy  and 
kindness  to  all,  however  humble  their  station.  He  seemed 
never  to  forget  a  name  or  a  face,  and  whatever  the  occasion, 
whether  a  casual  meeting  by  the  roadside,  or  a  visit  to  the 
homes  of  the  poor,  or  a  legislative  or  social  or  even  courtly 
assemblage,  he  uniformly  spoke  just  the  right  word  at  the 
right  time  and  in  the  right  way.  Mounted  on  his  valued 
Duroc,  a  gift  of  John  Randolph  of  Roanoke,  his  was  a  fre- 
quent and  familiar  presence  along  our  country  roads  and  in 
our  village  streets,  with  a  bow  and  a  smile  and  a  word  of 
kindly  greeting  for  all  whom  he  met.  Political  foes  were 
usually  personal  friends.  The  great  elm,  about  a  half-mile 
beyond  the  bridges,  within  whose  ample  shade  he  was  wont 
to  pause  for  a  brief  rest,  still  stands.  Lindenwald,  to  which 
he  gave  name  and  fame,  has  lost  many  of  its  trees;  especially 
the  lindens,  and  the  thick  cluster  designed  as  a  screen  from 
the  road,  are  gone ;  but  some  that  he  planted  still  remain  and 
are  giants  now. 

Mr.  John  Bigelow,  in  his  Retrospections  of  an  Active  Life, 
gives  us  a  pleasing  glimpse  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  at  home.  The 
context  indicates  that  the  date  of  Mr.  Bigelow's  call  was 
January,  1844,    He  writes: 

A  day  or  two  after  this  visit  to  Governor  Wright,  Mr.  Tilden 
invited  me  to  accompany  him  to  a  visit  to  Kinderhook  to  see  Ex- 
President  Van  Buren  for  whose  election  to  the  Presidency  I  had 
cast  my  first  vote.  William  Allen  Butler  and  Theodore  Bailey 
Myers  composed  the  rest  of  the  party.  We  dined  with  Mr.  Van 
Buren.  After  our  repast,  which  was  not  elaborate,  the  rest  of  my 
companions  went  off  to  see  the  farm  and  its  stock.  I  remained 
with  the  President  alone  during  the  remainder  of  our  stay.  He 
was  a  very  engaging  and  prepossessing  man.  He  talked  mostly 
of  public  men  and  affairs  and  he  teemed  with  anecdotes  which  it 
shames  me  to  have  forgotten.    I  only  remember  in  the  course  of 


La"wyers  423 

some  talk  about  the  Speaker,  Seymour,  he  said  Seymour's 
father  became  insane  the  latter  part  of  his  life ;  and  intimated  that 
some  peculiarities  of  the  Speaker  might  be  the  least  desirable  part 
of  his  heritage.  I  observed  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  drank  only  one 
small  glass  of  Madeira  at  dinner  and  took  no  dessert  but  an  apple. 
In  reply  to  some  remark  of  mine  he  said  that  he  never  took  any 
dessert  but  a  little  fruit ;  neither  puddings  nor  pastry. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  died  July  24,  1862,  aged  a  little  more  than 
seventy-nine  and  a  half  years.  The  funeral  services,  attended 
by  a  great  concourse  of  people,  were  held  first  at  Lindenwald, 
where  the  Rev.  J.  Romeyn  Berry  offered  prayer,  and  then 
in  the  village  church  of  his  ancestors  and  kindred  and  of  his 
own  habitual  and  reverent  attendance.  The  church  (said 
the  Rough  Notes  in  substance)  was  filled  to  overflowing,  while 
thousands  {sic)  unable  to  enter  stood  without.  The  edifice 
and  especially  the  unoccupied  Van  Buren  pew,  the  large  box- 
pew  in  the  southeast  comer,  were  heavily  draped  with  black. 
The  pallbearers  were  his  townsmen — Nathan  Wild,  Henry 
Snyder,  William  H.  Tobey,  David  Van  Schaack,  Cornelius 
Wiltsie,  Hugh  Van  Alstyne,  A.  A.  Van  Alen,  Albert  Hoes, 
Ephraim  Best,  C.  H.  Wendover,  John  Frisbee,  Chester 
Jarvis,  William  R.  Mesick,  and  Charles  Whiting.  Mr. 
Berry's  discourse,  nearly  an  hour  long,  was  an  appro- 
priate tribute  and  an  urgent  appeal  to  patriotism  as  well. 
Bishop  Potter  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Van  Zandt,  a  former  pastor,  were  in  the  pulpit,  and  the  latter 
offered  the  closing  prayer.  After  a  thronging  multitude  had 
passed  the  casket  of  the  peaceful  sleeper  it  was  reverently 
borne  away.  Engine  Co.  No.  2  led  the  procession,  followed 
by  the  hearse  and  eighty-one  carriages  and  a  very  long  line 
of  citizens  and  visitors  on  foot.  Governor  Morgan  and  many 
other  distinguished  men  were  present  from  Albany,  New 
York,  and  more  distant  parts  of  the  country,  as  well  as  from 
every  section  of  the  County.  Among  those  from  New  York 
was  a  deputation  from  Tammany  Hall.  In  the  cemetery  the 
Episcopal  Burial  Office  was  read  by  Bishop  Potter. 


424  Old  K-inderHooK 

A  deep  solemnity  enshrouded  the  village  and  everything 
around  betokened  the  heart  felt  grief  that  pervaded  the  com- 
munity at  the  loss  of  an  old  neighbor,  a  kind  friend,  and  a  highly 
honored  and  universally  esteemed  citizen.  Though  military 
display  and  music,  the  usual  appendages  attending  State  funerals, 
were  absent,  the  silent  tread  of  the  procession  to  the  solemn  tones 
of  the  tolling  bell  appealed  more  forcibly  to  the  feelings  of  the 
heart  than  all  the  paraphernalia  of  a  gorgeous  pageantry,  and 
were  more  in  unison  with  the  last  words  of  the  deceased  to  his 
pastor — "There  is  but  one  reliance,  and  that  is  upon  Christ,  the 
free  Mediator  of  us  all. " 

His  grave  is  marked  by  a  plain  granite  shaft  bearing  this 
inscription : 

Martin  Van  Buren, 

VIII  President 

of  the  United  States. 

Born  Dec.  5,  1782. 

Died  July  24,  1862. 


Hannah  Van  Buren, 

His  Wife, 

Born  Aug.  8,  1783. 

Died  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  1819. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  shaft  is  the  inscription : 

Martin,  son  of  Martin 

And  Hannah  Van  Buren. 

Bom  Dec.  30,  1812. 

Died  in  Paris,  France, 

Mar.  19,  1855. 

Near  the  shaft  are  the  modest  stones  to  the  memory  of 
Captain  Abraham  and  Mary  Van  Buren,  the  parents  of 
Martin,  who  died  in  1817  and  1818,  respectively. 

From  the  Resolutions  of  the  Trustees  of  the  village  at  the 
time  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  death,  we  quote: 


La-wyers  425 

.  .  .  That  in  Mr.  Van  Buren  we  recognize  the  profound 
jurist  and  statesman,  who  without  the  aid  of  adventitious  cir- 
cumstances, by  the  force  of  native  talent,  severe  study  and 
untiring  industry  attained  successively  and  by  quick  gradation 
distinguished  posts  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  State  and  Nation. 

.  .  .  That  in  common  with  our  fellow  citizens  of  the  town  of 
Kinderhook,  the  place  of  his  birth,  of  his  residence  since  his 
withdrawal  from  public  life  and  of  his  death  and  sepulture,  we 
will  cherish  the  remembrance  of  his  high  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart,  his  devotion  to  the  National  good,  and  his  unabated  loyalty 
to  the  Union. 

Two  notable  tributes  to  Mr.  Van  Buren  may  be  added. 
The  first  is  from  Henry  Clay,  who  in  1849  visited  Linden- 
wald,  and  at  our  principal  hotel  met  the  thronging  people 
of  our  village  in  his  own  charming  w^ay. 

In  an  exciting  debate  in  Congress  Mr.  Clay  said: 

I  have  always  found  him  (Mr.  Van  Buren)  in  his  manners  and 
deportment  civil,  courteous  and  gentlemanly,  and  he  dispenses 
in  the  noble  mansion  which  he  now  occupies,  one  worthy  the 
residence  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  a  great  people,  a  generous  and 
liberal  hospitality.  An  acquaintance  with  him  of  more  than 
twenty  years  has  inspired  me  with  respect  for  the  man. 

The  second  tribute  is  that  of  William  Allen  Butler,  son  of 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  the  almost  lifelong  friend  of  Van  Buren. 
He  wrote: 

In  his  personal  traits  he  was  marked  by  a  rare  individuality. 
He  was  a  gentleman  and  he  cultivated  the  society  of  gentlemen. 
He  never  had  any  associates  who  were  either  vulgar  or  vicious. 
...  As  you  saw  him  once,  you  saw  him  always — always  punctil- 
ious, always  polite,  always  cheerful,  always  self  possessed.  It 
seemed  to  any  one  who  studied  this  phase  of  his  character  as  if  in 
some  early  moment  of  his  destiny,  his  whole  nature  had  been 
bathed  in  a  cool,  clear  and  unruffled  depth,  from  which  it  drew 
this  life-long  serenity  and  self  control.  If  any  vulnerable  point 
was  left  I  never  discovered  it. 


426  Old  IlinderKooh 

Even  more  creditable,  it  seems  to  us,  are  these  words  from 
his  will  written  two  years  before  his  death : 

I,  Martin  Van  Buren,  of  the  town  of  Kinderhook,  County  of 
Columbia  and  State  of  New  York,  heretofore  Governor  of  the 
State,  and  more  recently  President  of  the  United  States,  but  for 
the  last  and  happiest  years  of  my  life  a  Farmer  in  my  native 
town,  .  .  . 

Additional  details  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  association  with 
Kinderhook  may  be  found  in  the  preceding  chapters,  and 
also  in  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt's  pleasing  personal  recollec- 
tions from  which  we  have  hitherto  quoted. 

With  the  exception  of  official  papers,  the  "sage  of 
Kinderhook"  wrote  nothing  of  importance.  His  Inqiiiry 
mto  the  Origin  and  Course  of  Political  Parties  in  the  United 
States,  published  in  New  York  in  1867,  was  incomplete. 

In  1904-5,  Mrs.  Smith  T.  Van  Buren  and  Dr.  Stuyvesant 
Fish  Morris  gave  to  the  Library  of  Congress  several  thousand 
manuscripts  left  by  the  ex-President.  Among  them  was  an 
unfinished  autobiography  in  six  folio  volumes,  some  250  or 
300  letters  of  his  correspondence  with  General  Jackson; 
many  semi-personal,  semi-political  papers  including  a  few 
from  eminent  journalists  and  other  men  of  letters  such  as 
Irving,  Bryant,  etc.  There  is  also  one  note  from  Lord 
Palmerston.  In  1910  the  Government  published  a  calendar 
of  these  papers,  numbering  over  four  thousand,  in  a  volume 
of  about  650  pages,  prepared  by  Miss  Eliza  H.  West.  The 
earliest  paper  is  a  copy  of  Martin  Comelisse's  (Van  Buren) 
will,  dated  1703.    The  last  is  dated  1862. 

Every  general  Cyclopedia  and  Biographical  Dictionary 
has  its  sketch  of  Mr.  Van  Buren;  that  in  Appleton's  Cyclo- 
pedia of  American  Biography  is  among  the  best.  There  was 
also  a  flood  of  pamphlets,  both  laudatory  and  abusive,  many 
of  which  may  be  found  in  our  public  libraries.  The  more 
important  biographies  and  alleged  biographies  are  these; 


.*»; 


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y'li^^^    /^a^- 


,/  /«?       r"  ■^'^  A'^^  ^^  ■^-  yfiu^.^ 


Two  Pages  from  Martin  Van  Buren's  Office  Docket 


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/'^    'S^^    »^>«.^      ^^C^^  ^c 


•^^^   Z'   -«-*-*•  .•^>^     t^j^t/. 


Part  of  a  Letter  from  Irving  to  Merwin 


La-wyers  4^7 

William  Emmons,  Washington,  1835;  F.  T.  Grund  (in 
German),  Boston,  1835;  William  M.Holland,  Hartford,  1836; 
David  Crockett,  The  Heir-apparent  to  the  Government  and 
the  appointed  Successor  of  General  Andrew  Jackson,  Philadel- 
phia, 1836;  Mackenzie,  Boston,  1846;  A.  H.  Joline,  1850; 
Thomas  M  'Elhiny,  Pittsburg,  1853;  William  Allen  Butler, 
New  York,  1862;  Samuel  P.  Orth,  1873;  E.  M.  Shepherd, 
Boston,  1889,  ^^*^  George  Bancroft,  New  York,  1889. 

From  Frank  J.  Conkling's  "Sketch  of  the  Van  Buren 
Family"  {N.  Y.  Gen.  and  Biog.  Record,  1897)  we  glean  the 
following  details. 

The  President's  children  were: 

I.  Abraham,  born  in  Kinderhook,  November  27,  1807;  died 
in  New  York  City,  March  15,  1873.  He  was  graduated  at  West 
Point;  rose  to  the  position  of  captain  in  the  First  Dragoons;  in 
1837  resigned  to  become  his  father's  private  secretary;  was  major 
and  paymaster  in  the  war  with  Mexico ;  was  with  General  Taylor 
and  later  General  Scott  and  was  brevetted  Lieutenant-Colonel 
for  bravery  in  battle.  In  November  1838,  he  married  AngeHca, 
daughter  of  Richard  Singleton,  a  wealthy  planter  of  South 
Carolina.  After  her  marriage  she  was  mistress  of  the  White 
House  during  the  remainder  of  Van  Buren's  term  and  died  in 
New  York  City,  December  29,  1878. 

H.  John,  born  at  Hudson,  February  10,  1810.  Died  at  sea, 
October  13,  1866.  He  was  familiarly  called  "Prince  John."  He 
was  graduated  at  Yale  in  1828:  became  a  lawyer  of  considerable 
note:  and  was  elected  Attorney-General  of  the  State  in  1845.  In 
1841  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Judge  James  Vanderpoel 
of  Kinderhook.  She  died  November  19,  1844,  leaving  one 
daughter.    Other  sons  were  Smith  Thompson,  and  Martin. 

Lawrence  Van  Buren,  brother  of  Martin,  was  bom  in 
Kinderhook,  in  1785.  As  an  enlisted  soldier  in  the  War  of 
18 1 2  he  won  the  rank  of  Major.  He  was  for  several  years 
the  village  postmaster;  was  Town  Supervisor  '37-'40, 
*45-'46,    '50-'5i,    and    in    '53;    President    of    the   village, 


428  Old  RinderHooK 

'44-'49;  Presidential  Elector  in  '52,  and  a  Director  of  the 
first  bank.  He  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  figure 
on  our  streets  and  was  considered  finer  looking  than  his  dis- 
tinguished brother.  Indeed,  at  a  Bohemian  glass  exhibition 
in  '61,  a  committee  of  ladies  awarded  him  as  the  hand- 
somest man  present  a  Bird  of  Paradise  in  a  glass  globe.  Many 
will  remember  that  he  retained  his  fine  appearance  to  a 
remarkable  degree  until  he  died  in  '68.  He  married  Harriet 
Vosburgh  and  was  survived  by  four  children — Mary,  Lu- 
cretia,  Myndert  who  married  Elsie  De  Myer,  and  Lawrence, 
Jr. 

Benjamin  F.  Butler.     1295-1858 

Benjamin  F.,  son  of  Colonel  Medad  Butler,  was  bom  at 
Kinderhook  Landing,  December  14,  1795.  His  father,  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  had  come  to  the  Landing  from 
Connecticut  in  1787,  and  was  long  prominent  in  the  business 
and  social  life  of  the  town.  His  wife  was  a  lineal  descendant 
of  Oliver  Cromwell.  Colonel  Butler  was  active  also  in  pro- 
moting educational  interests  of  the  town,  himself  securing  and 
for  a  time  paying  an  eminent  teacher  from  Massachusetts. 
Both  father  and  son  were  strong  advocates  of  temperance. 
Fourth  of  July  celebrations  at  the  one-time  beautiful  Butler 
home  have  been  noted  in  an  earlier  chapter. 

Benjamin,  after  receiving  his  early  education  at  home, 
entered  the  law  office  of  Van  Buren  and  Miller  at  Hudson 
and  made  his  home  with  the  former,  thus  beginning  an  in- 
timacy which  lasted  through  life.  Accompanying  Mr.  Van 
Buren  on  his  removal  to  Albany,  Mr.  Butler,  soon  after  his 
admission  to  the  Bar  in  181 7,  became  a  partner  of  his  pre- 
ceptor; a  relation  which  continued  until  1828.  In  1818  he 
married  Miss  Harriet  Allen  of  Hudson,  a  member  of  a  dis- 
tinguished family  after  whom  Allen  Street  was  named.  His 
life  in  Albany  was  a  busy  one;  his  practice  large,  lucrative, 
and  in  many  cases  involving  much  responsibility.     He  was 


J 


La-wyers  429 

appointed  District-Attorney  in  '21  and  served  six  years. 
In  '28  he  was  chosen  member  of  the  Assembly.  But  what 
he  regarded  as  his  principal  honor  was  his  appointment  by 
the  legislature  in  1825  as  one  of  three  Revisors  of  the 
statutes.  He  was  evidently  the  one  upon  whom  the  chief 
burden  of  the  exceedingly  difficult  work  rested.  Kinder- 
hook  seems  to  have  had  an  especial  lien  upon  this  office,  held 
by  Peter  Van  Schaack  in  1773,  by  W.  P.  Van  Ness  in  18 13, 
and  in  1824  by  B.  F.  Butler.  By  his  own  direction  his 
monument  in  Woodlawn  cemetery,  after  mentioning  his 
service  in  the  Cabinets  of  Presidents  Jackson  and  Van  Buren, 
bears  this  inscription:  "A  Commissioner  to  Revise  the 
Statute  Laws  of  the  State  of  New  York."  He  was  a 
Regent  of  the  University,  i829-'33,  when  he  resigned. — He 
was  also  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  determine  the  bound- 
ary between  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  On 
his  removal  to  New  York  city  in  '33,  eighty-nine  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  Albany  signed  a  letter  expressive  of  their 
high  esteem  and  their  regret  at  his  departure.  He  was 
solicited  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  Senate  at  Washington  and 
later  an  appointment  as  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  but 
felt  compelled  to  decline  both  honors.  On  the  urgent 
solicitation  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  however,  he  finally  accepted 
the  appointment  of  Attorney-General  in  Jackson's  Cabinet 
where  he  served  with  great  ability  from  1833  to  '37.  The 
last  year,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  he  took  the  position 
of  Secretary  of  War,  General  Cass  having  resigned.  In  1838 
he  was  appointed  U.  S.  District  Attorney  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New  York  and  served  until  March  4,  1841.  He 
was  reappointed  by  President  Polk,  having  declined  to  be  his 
Secretary  of  War,  and  served  until  1848,  when  he  resumed  his 
law  practice  in  New  York  city.  He  was  the  principal  founder 
of  the  New  York  University  Law  School  in  1835,  ^^^  was  for 
years  its  head  and  its  chief  lecturer.  He  was  the  father 
of  the  eminent  lawyer  and  author,  William  Allen  Butler.  He 
died  in  Paris,  November  8,  1858. 


430  Old  RinderKooK 

Appleton's  Cyclopedia  of  American  Biography  says  of  him : 

During  the  greater  part  of  his  life  he  was  an  influential  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party,  but  on  passage  of  the  Kansas- 
Nebraska  bill  he  joined  the  Repubhcans  and  voted  in  1856  for 
Fremont.  Mr.  Butler  was  a  thorough  scholar  and  a  great  admirer 
of  the  Greek  and  Latin  writers.  William  Cullen  Bryant,  in  1825, 
wrote  of  "his  purity  of  character  and  singleness;  how  much  he 
was  admired  on  his  first  visit  to  New  York,  then  a  young  man 
of  finely  chiselled  features  made  a  little  pale  by  study  and 
animated  by  an  expression  both  of  the  greatest  intelligence  and 
ingenuousness." 

Charles  Butler.     1802 

Charles,  a  son  of  Medad  Butler  and  Hannah  Tyler,  and 
a  brother  of  Benjamin  F.,  was  bom  at  Kinderhook  Landing, 
February  15,  1802.  After  studying  law  in  the  office  of  his 
brother  Benjamin,  then  in  partnership  with  Martin  Van 
Buren,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
New  York  State  and  soon  thereafter  moved  to  Geneva, 
N.  Y.  There  he  became  interested  in  securing  loans  from 
Eastern  capitalists  (Geneva' was  then  considered  in  the  West) 
for  the  development  of  that  whole  region.  He  is  reported  as 
saying  that  it  was  the  first  time  in  this,  or  any  other  country, 
that  loans  were  made  to  any  considerable  extent  on  farm 
mortgages.  John  Jacob  Astor  and  Isaac  Bronson  were 
among  his  clients,  and  many  thousands  of  dollars  passed 
through  his  hands,  never  soiled  by  any  wrongdoing.  In 
1834  he  removed  to  New  York  city,  where  his  reputation  for 
ability  and  probity  caused  so  many  important  trusts  to  be 
given  him  that  he  gradually  withdrew  from  general  law 
practice.  He  speedily  won  a  fortune  as  well  as  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  a  large  and  influential  clientage.  He  was 
eminently  active  in  the  religious  and  philanthropic  as  well 
as  social  life  of  the  city.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary  and  for  many  years  President 
of  its  Corporation. 


I 


La-wyers  431 

William  H.  Tobcy.     lygg-iSyS 

This  sketch  is  drawn  in  part  from  an  obituary  written  by 
the  late  Francis  Silvester,  and  which  appeared  in  our  village 
paper. 

Mr.  Tobey  was  bom  in  Hudson,  January  i,  1799.  After 
receiving  a  liberal  general  education  he  studied  law,  and 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar  began  practice  in  Rochester  and 
New  Lebanon,  but  soon  came  hither  where  he  continued  to 
practice,  and  rendered  manifold  and  valuable  service  outside 
of  his  profession  for  nearly  fifty  years.  During  those  years 
the  Bar  of  Columbia  County  had  many  distinguished  names 
enrolled,  but  it  is  not  extravagant  to  say  that  Mr.  Tobey 
was  surpassed  by  none  and  equaled  by  few  in  all  the  various 
qualifications  and  essentials  of  a  trust  worth}'-,  honored  coun- 
sellor. He  was  first  associated  with  Aaron  Vanderpoel  whose 
home  he  subsequently  purchased.  From  '43-'5i  he  was 
in  partnership  with  John  H.  Reynolds;  and  from  '56  until 
his  death,  June  16,  '78,  the  firm  was  Tobey  and  Silvester. 

Simple  and  unpretending  in  manner  and  retiring  in  dis- 
position he  was  yet  exceedingly  dignified,  of  highly  cultivated 
mind,  refined  literary  taste,  and  of  unfaltering  integrity.  He 
was  in  every  way  a  man  of  uncommon  strength  and  nobility 
of  character.  In  1841  Governor  Seward  appointed  him 
County  Surrogate,  and  he  filled  the  office  with  great  accept- 
ance for  four  years.  In  '37  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
State  Assembly;  and  in  '61,  after  an  exciting  contest, 
was  chosen  State  Senator  from  the  Columbia-Dutchess  dis- 
trict by  a  majority  of  nine  hundred  votes.  That  he  was  able, 
faithful,  and  upright  in  public  as  well  as  in  private  life  none 
who  knew  him  need  be  told.  As  the  President  of  the  National 
Union  Bank  from  its  organization  until  his  death,  he  ren- 
dered conspicuous  service  which  was  fittingly  recognized  in 
1862  by  the  stockholders,  in  their  gift  of  an  elegant  silver 
service,  as  elsewhere  narrated.  He  was  profoundly  interested 
in  the  educational  advancement  of  the  community.    At  the 


432  Old  H-inderHooK 

time  of  his  death,  as  for  many  years  previous  thereto,  he  was 
President  of  the  Academy  Board  of  Trustees.  The  records 
give  ample  evidence  of  his  devotion  to  its  welfare,  and  of  his 
unceasing  labors  and  frequent  benefactions.  July  23,  1 831, 
Mr.  Tobey  married  Miss  Louisa  Piatt,  of  New  Lebanon. 
About  seventeen  months  later  she  died,  leaving  a  daughter, 
Anna,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Heyward  of  Charles- 
ton, S.  C.  Their  daughter  Mary  married  the  late  Rev. 
Isaac  Peck.  Mrs.  Heyward  subsequently  married  Mr. 
James  Rogers  of  Kansas.  December  16,  1847,  Mr.  Tobey 
married  his  second  wife,  a  Miss  Caroline  Wild  of  Stockport. 
Their  two  children  were  William  H.,  Jr.,  and  Mary  Barnard 
who  became  the  wife  of  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn,  M.D.,  as  noted 
elsewhere. 

George  Van  Santvoord.     181Q-1863 

The  Memorial  of  George  Van  Santvoord  (Albany; 
Munsell,  1863),  kindly  loaned  us  by  his  son,  our  accom- 
plished friend,  the  late  Mr.  Harold  Van  Santvoord,  is  our 
authority  for  facts  stated,  and  that  largely  in  the  words  of 
the  Memorial  itself.  The  appreciative  Memoir  by  his  friend, 
Alfred  B.  Street,  is  followed  by  a  detailed  account  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  Bar  of  Rensselaer  County;  a  loving 
tribute  by  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord,  D.D.,  a 
brother;  the  valedictory  poem  delivered  upon  his  graduation 
at  Union  College  (1841),  and  a  brief  account  of  his  funeral 
and  burial  at  Kinderhook.  We  quote  freely  from  this 
Memorial  which  is  yet  not  to  be  held  responsible  for  omis- 
sions or  precise  verbiage. 

Mr.  George  Van  Santvoord  was  born  in  Belleville,  N.  J., 
December  8,  1819.  His  father  was  the  Rev.  Staats  Van  Sant- 
voord, Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  there,  who  in 
1829  removed  to  Schodack,  Rensselaer  Co. 

George  was  an  apt  and  precocious  student,  with  a  mem- 
ory of  uncommon  retentiveness,  a  decided  predilection  for 


J 


Ua-wyers  433 

literary  pursuits,  and  an  especial  fondness  for  historical 
studies,  in  which  he  became  exceptionally  proficient.  He 
was  regarded  as  a  boy  of  unusual  promise.  His  attainments 
were  so  superior  that  while  still  a  youth  of  only  twelve  or 
thirteen  years,  he  was  urged  to  teach  and  did  so  for  one 
winter,  having  a  school  of  twenty  pupils,  some  of  whom  were 
several  years  his  senior.  When  about  fifteen,  he  became  a 
clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store  in  Albany,  and  later  in  New  York. 
Uncongenial  mercantile  life  was  abandoned  after  two  years. 
In  '36  he  entered  Kinderhook  Academy,  then  a  notable 
institution,  and  applied  himself  so  assiduously  that  a  year 
later  he  was  prepared  to  enter  Union  College.  He  was 
graduated  with  high  honor  in  '41.  Entering  at  once  the 
law  office  of  Vanderpoel  &  Tobey,  Kinderhook,  he  re- 
mained three  years,  during  most  of  this  time  having  charge 
of  the  English  department  of  the  Academy  as  well.  After 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1844,  he  married  Elizabeth, 
second  daughter  of  Peter  Van  Schaack.  He  then  removed  to 
Lafayette,  Indiana,  where  his  ability  received  immediate 
recognition.  Positions  of  highest  eminence  undoubtedly 
awaited  him  had  he  remained.  The  ill  health  of  his  family 
compelling  his  removal,  in  the  autumn  of  '46  he  returned 
to  Kinderhook,  where  he  practiced  law  for  five  years. 
Thence  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  remaining  but  one 
year  when  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  become  a  law 
partner  of  the  Hon.  David  L.  Seymour  of  Troy.  Seven 
years  later  (1859)  he  entered  into  co-partnership  with 
Benjamin  H.  Hall,  also  of  Troy,  in  which  connection  he 
remained  until  his  death. 

March  6,  '63,  while  on  his  way  from  his  home  in 
Schodack  to  Albany,  he  left  the  car  at  East  Albany  and  was 
crushed  by  an  unexpectedly  backing  train.  Cruelly  mangled 
though  he  was,  he  lived  about  an  hour  and  was  conscious 
enough  to  send  a  loving  message  to  his  wife. 

Mr.  Van  Santvoord  was  twice  a  member  of  the  State 
Assembly;  in  '52  from  Columbia  County  and  in  '56  from 

28 


434  Old  K-inderKooK 

Rensselaer.  As  a  legislator  he  took  a  high  rank.  He  was 
assiduous  and  reliable  in  the  discharge  of  duty ;  an  impressive 
speaker,  emphatic  and  dignified  in  manner,  apt  and  fluent 
in  language,  and  clear  and  logical  in  thought.  His  speeches 
received  high  commendation. 

As  a  lawyer,  he  achieved  conspicuous  honor.  Cases  of 
great  importance  in  the  highest  courts  of  the  State  and  in 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  were  entrusted  to 
his  care.  In  '60  he  was  elected  District  Attorney  for  Rens- 
selaer County.  He,  as  a  writer  also  in  his  profession,  fully 
redeemed  the  "debt*'  which  Bacon  remarked  every  man 
owed  to  it.  His  principal  publications  were  these:  The 
Indiana  Justice,  1845;  Principles  of  Pleading  in  Civil 
Actions  under  the  New  York  Code,  1852,  1855;  Precedents  of 
Pleading,  1858;  Treatise  on  Practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  State  of  New  York  (2  vols.),  i860,  1862. 

In  the  field  of  general  literature  also,  his  writings  were 
many  and  well  received.  In  addition  to  monographs  on  the 
leaders  of  the  French  Revolution,  and  on  John  C.  Calhoun 
and  Sir  Henry  Vane,  published  in  the  Democratic  Review, 
i849-'52,  in  '51  his  Life  of  Algernon  Sydney  appeared, 
and  in  1854  his  Lives  of  the  Chief  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  Mr.  Van  Santvoord's  lec- 
tures, addresses,  orations,  reviews  were  exceedingly  numer- 
ous. With  his  more  serious  work  they  manifest  a  quite 
remarkable  versatility  of  mind  and  fertility  of  resources.  Of 
his  address  on  Historic  Truth  before  the  Senate  of  Union 
College  in  '56,  the  eminent  professor,  Tayler  Lewis,  wrote : 

The  discourse  of  Mr.  Van  Santvoord  on  this  occasion  was  of  a 
very  high  order.  In  truth,  among  the  many  addresses  to  which 
I  have  listened  on  our  literary  anniversaries,  I  hardly  know  any 
one  that  I  could  regard  as  surpassing  it. 

His  disposition  was  genial  and  kindly.     He  loved  his 


LaAvyers  435 

friends  and  they  loved  him.  He  was  the  idol  of  his  family 
every  member  of  which  he  cherished  with  the  tenderest 
solicitude. 

He  had  a  strong  love  for  the  country,  for  natural  scenery, 
for  rural  pastimes  and  exercises.  His  farm  at  Schodack  was  his 
loved  retreat  from  the  cares  and  calls  of  business;  and  every 
object  on  his  farm,  whether  tree  or  shrub,  or  vine,  or  domestic 
animal  had  its  distinct  interest  in  his  eyes. 

He  saw  God  in  all  the  beautiful  and  interesting  things  His 
hand  had  scattered  around  him.  In  these  objects,  too,  he  found 
ground  for  gratitude  and  love  to  Him  and  paid  Him  the  homage 
of  a  true  and  upright  heart. 

His  widow  and  daughter  Margaret  were  for  several  years 
residents  of  Italy,  where  the  former  recently  died.  His 
eldest  son,  Frank,  died  in  the  prime  of  his  youth.  After 
serving  for  several  years  as  teller  of  the  Union  Bank,  Kinder- 
hook,  he  entered  the  wholesale  hardware  house  of  Hibbard 
and  Spencer,  Chicago,  and  was  fatally  stricken  with  typhoid 
fever  about  a  year  later.  Few  young  men  have  left  a  more 
precious  memory.  The  second  son  was  the  distinguished 
and  versatile  litterateur,  poet,  and  artist  as  well,  Harold  Van 
Santvoord,  of  Kinderhook;  of  whom  more  anon.  The  third 
son,  Bancroft,  is  a  musical  virtuoso  of  Boston  and  New  York; 
and  the  fourth  son  is  the  eminent  and  honored  lawyer,  Sey- 
mour Van  Santvoord,  of  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Harold  Van  Santvoord.  The  substance  of  this  sketch 
is  quoted  from  an  appreciative  notice  by  a  personal  friend 
of  its  subject,  whose  name  escapes  us. 

Harold,  second  son  of  George  Van  Santvoord  and 
Elizabeth  Van  Schaack,  was  bom  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  March 
24,  1854. 

When  only  fifteen  years  old,  he  began  to  write  for  a  New  York 
comic  weekly  and  continued  his  literary  labors  until  his  death. 


436  Old  RinderHooK 

His  published  contributions  to  many  periodicals  would  make 
several  large  volumes  and  include  much  excellent  verse.  When 
Life  was  founded  in  1883  he  became  a  frequent  and  valued  con- 
tributor to  its  columns.  In  '88  he  published  a  volume  of  essays 
entitled  Half-Holidays:  Elysian  Dreams  and  Sober  Realities, 
which  was  well  received.  A  large  proportion  of  his  writings, 
however,  have  been  anonjntnous;  including  editorials  (especially 
for  the  Times-Union,  Albany),  pithy  paragraphs,  humorous 
sketches,  character-studies,  pictures  of  foreign  travel  and  book 
reviews.  ...  A  man  of  fastidious  tastes,  his  natural  resources 
were  supplemented  by  hard  study  and  with  classic  models  ever 
in  view.  His  productive  capacity  was  stimulated  by  a  sympa- 
thetic insight  into  human  nature,  a  love  of  books,  a  passion  for 
music  in  its  higher  forms  and  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  beauties 
of  art. 

He  himself  was  an  artist,  facile  in  the  use  of  his  pencil.  In 
the  morning  of  January  8,  1913,  he  w^as  found  dead,  sitting 
in  his  chair  and  with  paper  and  pipe  in  hand. 

Seymour  Van  Santvoord,  much  of  whose  childhood  and 
youth  were  spent  in  Kinderhook,  the  fourth  son  of  George 
Van  Santvoord,  was  bom  in  Troy,  December  17,  1858.  He 
was  of  the  class  of  '78,  Union  College,  and  '80  of  the 
Albany  Law  School.  As  lawyer,  manufacturer,  banker,  and 
author  he  has  been  alike  successful.  From  1 896-1 907  he  was 
President  and  Treasurer  of  the  Walter  A.  Wood  Mowing  and 
Reaping  Machine  Co.,  he  was  an  organizer  and  the  President 
of  three  Trust  and  Deposit  Companies;  a  Director  of  the 
Troy  Library,  Orphan  Asylum,  and  Samaritan  Hospital;  a 
Trustee  of  the  Emma  Willard  Seminary  and  of  Union 
College,  and  Vice-President  of  the  Albany  Law  School.  He 
was  the  law  adviser  of  Governor  Dix  and  is  now  a  member 
and  chairman  of  the  Public  Service  Commission.  He  is  the 
author  of  the  House  of  Caesar  and  the  Imperial  Disease,  The 
Excavation  of  Herculaneum,  and  several  pamphlets  on  archaeo- 
logical subjects.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Holland,  and  St. 


j^ 


La"wyers  437 

Nicholas  Societies  and  of  the  University  Club.  In  '88  he 
married  Caroline  Hart  Seely  of  Virginia,  daughter  of  Captain 
Hamilton  Leroy  Seely,  U.  S.  A.  Many  remember  well  the 
brightness  and  sprightliness  of  all  the  Van  Santvoord  boys 
and  how  they  could  people  the  old  Whiting  Steam  Mill  with 

Many  ghosts  and  forms  of  fright. 

John  H.  Reynolds.     i8iQ-i8y5 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  Adger  Reynolds 
we  have  before  us  a  printed  Memorial  of  John  H.  Reynolds. 
(Albany:  Joel  Munsell,  1876)  from  which,  quoted  freely  at 
times,  we  cull  the  following  narrative. 

The  Memorial  contains  a  Memoir,  written  presumably 
by  the  Hon.  Hamilton  Harris,  of  Albany;  Extracts  from 
the  Press,  after  Mr.  Reynolds's  death;  The  Funeral  Pro- 
ceedings, includng  the  address  of  Dr.  McC.  Blayney;  The 
Proceedings  of  the  Albany  Bar  and  of  the  Court  of  Appeals; 
and  also  of  the  Commerce  Insurance  Company  and  the 
National  Savings  Bank.  Among  the  contributors  to  the 
Press  we  recognize  the  facile  pens  of  the  Hons.  Charles  L. 
Beale  and  Francis  Silvester. 

John  H.  Reynolds  was  bom  at  Moreau,  N.  Y.,  June  21, 
1 8 19.  He  was  the  fourth  child  of  George  Reynolds,  a  farmer 
and  lumberman ;  a  man  of  great  force  of  character,  of  much 
influence  in  the  affairs  of  the  County,  and  a  member  of  the 
State  Assembly  in  1833.  His  ancestral  home  was  in  Rhode 
Island.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  first  attended  school  in 
Sandy  Hill  (now  Hudson  Falls)  and  later  at  Bennington,  Vt. 
Leaving  school  for  a  time,  he  served  as  civil  engineer  in 
running  the  original  line  of  the  Saratoga  and  Whitehall  rail- 
road and  was  subsequently  employed  in  the  same  capacity 
on  the  Boston  and  Albany  road.  He  then  entered  the 
Kinderhook  Academy,  and,  after  finishing  its  course,  became 
(1840)    a   law   student   in  the   office   of   the   Hon.   W.    H. 


438  Old  RinderKooK 

Tobey  of  Kinderhook.  As  a  student,  he  was  even  then  dis- 
tinguished for  his  close  and  persistent  appHcation,  abstaining 
during  the  whole  three  years  of  his  student  life  from  meat, 
thinking  its  use  clouded  his  mind.  In  1843  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar.  Entering  immediately  into  partnership  with  Mr. 
Tobey,  he  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession  for  eight 
years  in  Kinderhook.  He  "showed  himself  an  untiring 
student,  and  industrious  practitioner;  possessed  of  legal 
tact  and  acumen,  great  clearness  of  professional  vision,  and 
subtlety  of  investigation. " 

May  31,  1843,  Mr.  Reynolds  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Margaret  Ann  Whiting,  daughter  of  General  Chas.  Whiting, 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  citizens  of  the  former  genera- 
tion. The  ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  John  C. 
Vandervoort  at  the  family  residence,  more  recently  known 
as  the  Howard  mansion. 

In  1 85 1  Mr.  Reynolds  removed  to  Albany  and  became 
a  partner  of  the  Hon.  John  V.  L.  Pruyn.  In  '54  he 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  the  Hons.  Clark  B.  Coch- 
rane and  Hamilton  Harris.  This  partnership  continued 
until  the  death  of  Mr.  Cochrane  in  '67,  after  which  the 
surviving  partners  continued  together  until  the  demise  of 
Mr.  Reynolds  in  '75. 

In  this  broader  field,  his  fame  soon  extended  to  the 
utmost  limits  of  the  State,  and  subsequently  far  bej^ond  it; 
as  shown  by  his  frequent  practice  in  the  United  States 
Courts.  "This  fame,  kindled  so  early,  was  never  darkened 
throughout  his  career,  but  continued  to  shine  steady  as  a 
star,  until  that  career,  in  the  fulness  of  its  lustre,  was  over- 
taken by  the  'shadow  of  death. '  " 

In  '53  President  Pierce  appointed  him  postmaster  of 
Albany;  but,  in  a  little  more  than  a  year,  he  was  removed, — 
his  opinions  not  being  in  accord  with  the  policy  of  the 
Administration  respecting  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Com- 
promise. In  '58,  after  an  exciting  canvass,  he  was  elected, 
as  an  independent  anti-Lecompton  Democrat,  a  Representa- 


o 


w 


La-wyers  439 

tive  in  the  thirty-sixth  Congress  by  twelve  hundred  majority 
over  so  formidable  and  worthy  a  competitor  as  Erastus 
Corning.  Placed  upon  the  Judiciary  committee,  one  of  the 
most  important  and  honorable  in  the  House,  he  brought  all 
the  energy  of  his  powerful  and  pure  mind  upon  honest  and 
constitutional  legislation.  Although  he  did  not  often  trouble 
the  House  in  debate,  yet  he  impressed  his  compeers  with  a 
sense  of  his  abilities  as  a  statesman  and  his  sterling  qualities 
as  a  man. 

At  the  end  of  his  Congressional  term  he  voluntarily  and 
permanently  withdrew  from  political  life.  Thenceforth  he 
was  devoted  to  the  career  which  he  best  loved  and  to  the 
profession  of  which  he  was  so  brilliant  an  ornament;  and 
from  that  time  the  splendor  of  his  success  was  such  as  to  more 
than  meet  the  highest  hopes  of  his  many  friends  and  ad- 
mirers. Untiring  in  the  investigation  of  his  cases,  inde- 
fatigable and  eloquent  in  their  advocacy,  never  at  fault  in 
legal  warfare,  thorough  in  his  briefs  and  explorations  of 
authorities,  his  mind  glancing  like  sunshine  through  his 
subject,  his  opponents,  no  matter  how  learned  or  skilled, 
found  him  always  "worthy  of  their  steel, "  the  Bar  a  member 
compelling  their  highest  admiration,  and  the  Bench  an 
advocate  whose  opinions  won  their  respect  and  compelled 
their  attention. 

He  was  a  marked  man  also  in  his  literary  tastes;  marked 
in  his  wit  and  humor.  He  rejoiced  in  poetry  and  found 
recreation  and  delight  in  reading  favorite  poems  and  repeat- 
ing verse  after  verse  which  had  charm  of  sentiment  or 
felicity  of  description.  Rare  indeed  was  his  nature,  tender 
and  true,  soft  to  all  emotion,  and  moved  by  all  good  impulses. 

In  1873  Governor  Dix  appointed  Mr.  Reynolds  one  of 
the  Commissioners  of  the  Court  of  Appeals.  The  appoint- 
ment was  regarded  by  all  as  of  eminent  fitness.  From  the 
first  he  took  honorable  rank  among  his  learned  compeers  of 
the  Bench,  they  listening  to  his  opinions  with  respect  and 
often  deferring  to  them  because  of  their  weight.    He  sat  in 


440  Old  K-inderKooK 

the  Commission  for  two  years  and  a  half,  and  the  Reports  of 
the  cases  decided  during  that  period  bear  ample  testimony 
to  the  great  learning,  sagacity,  and  fidelity  which  he  brought 
to  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  Judge. 

He  left  the  Bench  July  i,  1875.  On  the  last  day  of  the 
same  month  he  left  the  city  never  to  return.  Attacked  by  a 
fever  which  he  was  unable  to  withstand,  while  still  in  the 
prime  of  life  and  plenitude  of  his  powers,  September  24th  he 
died.  The  funeral  services  were  held  on  the  28th  of  Septem- 
ber. Seldom  in  our  village  has  a  more  distinguished  assem- 
blage been  seen  than  that  which  gathered  in  and  around  the 
house  of  mourning  that  day.  To  a  multitude  of  resident 
friends  were  added  large  numbers,  representing  the  Albany 
Bar  and  Bench  not  only,  but  remote  parts  of  the  State  as  well. 
The  Rev.  J.  McC.  Blayney  of  Albany  officiated,  assisted  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Halley,  also  of  Albany.  The  four  sons  were  the 
pallbearers  who  tenderly  bore  their  father's  form  from  his 
dearly  loved  and  beautiful  home,  and  in  the  midst  of  an 
immense,  silent,  grieving  throng,  lowered  it  to  its  rest  "till 
the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away. " 

He  left  a  widow,  the  daughter  of  General  Charles  Whit- 
ing, as  already  stated.  She  died  in  1886.  Besides  his  widow 
there  were  four  sons:  William  H.  T.,  George,  John  H.,  and 
James  Adger  Reynolds.  Charles  W.  had  died  in  1874.  There 
was  also  one  daughter,  Margaret  W.,  who  in  1877  became  the 
wife  of  the  distinguished  and  lamented  Franklin  Townsend, 
M.D.,  of  Albany. 

Children  of  John  H.  and  Margaret  Whiting  Reynolds: 

Charles  Whiting — born  February  21,  1844,  died  Sep- 
tember 13,  1874.  Attended  Kinderhook  and  U.  S.  Naval 
Academies,  Williams  College,  Albany  Law  School.  Lawyer 
in  Albany. 

W.  H.  ToBEY — ^born  April  26,  1846,  died  December  9, 
1893.  Attended  Kinderhook  Academy,  Union  College, 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  N.  Y.  Was  a  physician 
in  Albany. 


La"wyers  441 

George — born  November  5,  1847,  died  September  23, 
1886.  Attended  the  Albany  Academy  and  was  in  business 
in  Kinderhook.    He  married  Pauline  A.  Sudam. 

John  H.,  Jr. — born  June  19,  1850.  Attended  the  Albany 
and  Kinderhook  Academies.  Was  in  business  in  Albany 
and  is  now  Deputy  Clerk,  Court  of  Appeals. 

James  Adger — born  February  4,1852.  Attended  Albany 
and  Kinderhook  Academies;  in  1868  entered  the  National 
Union  Bank,  Kinderhook,  of  which  he  is  now  Cashier.  He 
married  Kate  Bradley  and  (2d)  Mary  Bain  Earll. 

Margaret  Whiting — born  March  22,  1854,  married 
Franklin  Townsend,  M.D.,  of  Albany. 

Hon.  Charles  L.  Beale.     18 24-18 gg 

Charles  Lewis,  son  of  Chester  and  Clarissa  (Wainwright) 
Beale — bom  in  Canaan,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  '24;  graduate 
Union  College,  '44;  studied  law  in  ofhce  of  Tobey  and 
Reynolds,  Kinderhook;  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  '49,  and 
began  practice  in  Canaan,  but  in  '52  removed  to  Kinder- 
hook and  became  associated  with  David  Van  Schaack,  re- 
maining here  until  '66,  when  he  moved  to  Hudson  where 
he  was  in  partnership  successively  with  W.  C.  Benton,  M. 
Duntz,  and  his  own  son.  He  was  one  of  the  first  directors 
of  the  Union  Bank  in  '53;  in  '58  was  elected  Representa- 
tive in  the  36th  Congress  and  served  until  '61 ;  a  Presiden- 
tial Elector  in  '64  and  a  delegate  to  the  National  Union 
Convention  in  '66;  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the  93d 
regiment  but  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health ;  was  appointed 
Register  in  Bankruptcy  in  '67.  August  16,  '55  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Catharine  (Sanborn)  Baldwin,  a  daughter  of 
Asaph  Wilder.  Mr.  Beale  was  of  fine  personal  appearance, 
of  courtly  bearing,  an  able  lawyer,  and  a  brilliant  orator  much 
in  demand  for  public  addresses.  In  the  Ruloff  murder  case 
at  Binghamton  in  '71,  he  was  the  senior  counsel  for  the 
defense.  Of  his  final  appeal  for  his  client  a  writer  of  the  time 
said: 


442  Old  K-inderKooK 

"Long  will  every  soul  in  that  court-room,  crowded  almost  to 
suffocation,  remember  the  closing  appeal  of  Mr.  Beale,  when  for 
four  mortal  hours  he  stood  up  there  and  held  the  court,  jury,  and 
the  vast  audience  spell-bound  by  his  magnetic  eloquence.  It 
was  only  equalled,  never  excelled,  by  Sergeant  S.  Prentiss." 

Mr.  Beale  died  in  Hudson  in  1899,  and  was  buried  in  Kinder- 
hook  beside  his  departed  wife.  He  left  a  son,  Charles  F.  T. 
Beale,  and  two  daughters:  Eloise,  now  residing  in  Canaan, 
and  Jessie,  who  married  Hugh  L.  Bond  of  Baltimore. 

Charles  F.  T.  Beale — born  in  Kinderhook,  became  one 
of  Hudson's  well-known  lawyers.  He  married  Margaret 
Dubois,  and  died  in  1901.  Their  only  child,  DuBois  Beale, 
is  now  a  lawyer  in  New  York  City. 

Aaron  J.  Vanderpoel,  LL.D.     1830-1887 

Aaron,  a  son  of  Dr.  John  Vanderpoel  of  Valatie,  was  born 
October,  1830.  He  was  prepared  for  college  at  the  Kinder- 
hook  Academy  and  was  graduated  from  the  University  of 
New  York.  He  studied  law  with  his  uncle  Aaron  in  Kinder- 
hook.  On  his  admission  to  the  Bar  he  began  practice  here 
but  after  about  one  year  removed  to  New  York,  where  he 
continued  in  active  practice  until  his  death.  He  was  first 
associated  with  J.  Bryce  Smith,  under  the  firm  name  Smith 
and  Vanderpoel.  In  '53  his  firm  was  Brown,  Hall  (Oakey) 
and  Vanderpoel,  and  continued  to  be  for  about  twenty  years, 
when  it  became  Vanderpoel,  Green,  Cuming  and  Goodwin. 
From  a  clipping  from  a  New  York  newspaper  announcing 
his  death,  at  Paris,  France,  August  22,  1887,  we  quote: 

During  his  long  career,  in  which  he  displayed  ability  which 
stamped  him  as  one  of  the  strongest  "all  round"  lawyers  in  the 
city,  Mr.  Vanderpoel  was  engaged,  generally  as  leading  counsel, 
in  many  of  the  most  important  cases  which  have  been  before  the 
local  courts.  He  was  counsel  for  the  Sheriffs  for  twenty  years, 
for  the  Metropolitan  Police  Board  during  their  long  legal  wrangle 


La^ryers  443 

and  for  many  large  Corporations.  .  .  .  He  was  remarkable  as  a 
lawyer  for  the  prodigious  amount  of  work  which  he  put  into  his 
cases,  making  it  a  point  to  be  master  of  all  necessary  facts  before 
he  entered  the  court  room;  for  his  wonderful  memory  and  apt 
application  of  previous  legal  decisions;  for  brilliancy  as  a  cross 
examiner,  and  for  the  convincing  power  of  his  arguments,  in 
which  facts  and  common  sense  were  relied  upon  to  win  Judge 
or  jury  over  to  his  view  of  the  case.  .  .  .  He  was  a  conceded 
authority  on  Corporation  law  and  on  the  rights  and  duties  of 
public  officials.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Manhattan  and  Century 
Clubs,  and  of  the  Harlem,  St.  Nicholas,  Knickerbocker  and 
Holland  Societies.  .  .  .  He  was  President  of  the  Law  Depart- 
ment of  the  New  York  University  from  which  in  1880  he  received 
the  degree  of  LL.D.,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  University 
Council. 

In  1855  he  married  Adaline  Van  Schaack,  daughter  of  the 
late  Henry  C.  Van  Shaack  of  Manlius,  N.  Y. 

His  beautiful  Colonial  mansion  here  and  his  farm  of  four 
hundred  acres,  two  or  three  miles  northwest  of  the  village, 
were  a  joy  to  him.  Their  children  were:  Augustus  H.,  a 
lawyer  in  his  father's  firm,  who  died  a  few  years  ago;  Mary, 
married  B.  W.  Franklin,  a  New  York  lawyer;  Lydia,  mar- 
ried the  Rev.  Dr.  Sartelle  Prentice,  Jr.,  now  of  Nyack,  N.  Y. ; 
and  Margaret,  married  Mr.  Waldo  Newcomer  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland;  A.  Melgert,  of  the  class  of  '90,  Trinity  College, 
died  suddenly  as  the  result  of  an  accident,  May  4,  '94;  and 
three  other  children  died  in  infancy. 

Lucas  L.  Van  Alen.     1842-IQ02 

Lucas  L.,  son  of  Lawrence  Van  Alen  and  Rebecca  Van 
Buren,  was  born  in  1842  at  the  Van  Alen  homestead  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  Town  of  Stuyvesant.  He  began  the 
study  of  law  with  Warren  C.  Benton,  Esq.,  at  Valatie,  finished 
it  with  Tobey  and  Silvester  at  Kinderhook,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  at  a  General  Term  of  the  Supreme  Court 


444  Old  HiiriderKooK 

held  at  the  City  of  Albany.  Shortly  thereafter,  he  removed 
to  New  York  City  and  became  identified  with  the  law  firm  of 
Hatch  and  Hinsdale.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and 
had  a  prominent  part  in  the  activities  of  that  party.  In  '82 
he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from  the  7th  District  of  the 
County  of  New  York  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Assem- 
bly for  seven  terms.  In  '96  he  was  appointed  assistant 
District  Attorney  in  New  York  County.  He  was  one  of  the 
originators  of  the  Holland  Society,  March  14,  1885,  and 
continued  to  be  an  active  member  of  the  society  up  to  the 
time  of  his  decease.  Shortly  before  his  death  he  married 
Miss  Emma  Foster.  He  died  November  26,  1902,  his  wife 
surviving  him.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  Kinderhook 
cemetery. 


Philip  Van  Alstyne.     184$ 

Philip,  son  of  Abraham  P.  Van  Alstyne  and  Anna  Maria 
Beneway,  was  born  April  12,  1845,  at  Poelsburg  in  the  Town 
of  Stuyvesant  in  the  Johannes  Vanderpoel  house  erected  in 
1 7 19.  He  was  educated  at  the  Schodack  Academy,  Volkert 
Whitbeck's  Classical  school,  and  Bryant  and  Stratton's 
Commercial  College  at  Albany,  N.  Y.  In  '66  he  began  the 
study  of  law  at  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  with  Beale  and  Benton;  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  New  York  County  in  May,  '68,  and 
in  1869  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  New  York 
City,  and  is  still  in  active  practice  there.  He  is  also  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  United  States  Circuit  and  District  Courts. 

In  1874  he  married  Miss  Amelia  A.  Haskell  of  Austerlitz, 
Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Roger  Haskell  and 
Silence  (Crowter)  Haskell.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Holland  Society  since  1897.  From  '69  to  '87  he  was  a  re- 
sident of  Jersey  City,  N.  J.;  thence  he  removed  to  Rockland 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  still  resides. 

In  politics  he  has  been  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party  and  has  always  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  its 


La"wyers  445 

councils.  He  was  twice  its  candidate  for  member  of  Assem- 
bly in  New  Jersey.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
"Anti-Snap"  movement,  and  the  delegate  representing 
Rockland,  Orange,  and  Sullivan  counties  at  the  National 
Democratic  Convention  held  at  Chicago  in  1892,  when 
Grover  Cleveland  was  nominated.  For  several  years  he  was 
counsel  for  the  Town  of  Ramapo,  Rockland  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  Corporation  Counsel  of  Spring  Valley,  for  the  first 
three  years  of  its  incorporation. 

Martin  H.  Glynn.     187 1 

Martin  H.  Glynn  was  born  in  Kinderhook,  September 
17,  1 87 1,  on  what  is  known  as  the  Pruyn  farm  in  Brown 
(De  Bruyn)  Right.  After  his  preliminary  education  in  our 
public  schools  he  entered  Fordham  University  whence  he 
was  graduated  as  the  honor  man  of  the  class  of  1894.  After 
studying  law  and  being  admitted  to  the  Bar,  he  turned  his 
attention  to  journalism  and  in  due  time  became  editor  and 
ultimately  publisher  and  proprietor  of  the  Times-Union, 
Albany.  Becoming  actively  and  honorably  interested  in 
politics,  in  1898  he  won  the  nomination  and  election  to  the 
55th  Congress  and  was  its  youngest  member.  His  course  at 
Washington  received  the  official  commendation  of  the 
National  Association  of  Letter  Carriers,  of  the  National 
Encampment  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the  N.  Y.  State  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  and  of  sundry  Labor  organizations.  In  1901 
President  McKinley  appointed  him  one  of  the  National 
Commissioners  of  the  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition,  of 
which  body  he  received  the  honor  of  election  to  the  vice- 
presidency.  In  1906  he  was  elected  Comptroller  of  the  State 
of  New  York  and  served  so  well  that  in  1912  he  was  nomi- 
nated and  triumphantly  elected  Lieutenant-Governor.  In 
1913,  through  the  removal  of  Governor  Sulzer,  Mr.  Glynn 
became  Kinderhook's  second  Governor  of  the  State.  His 
career  thus  far  has  been  peculiarly  brilhant  and  honorable. 


446  Old   K.inderHooK 

January  2,  1900,  he  married  Miss  Mary  C.  E.  Magrane  of 
Lynn,  Mass. 

Of  the  lawyers  now  practicing  in  the  town,  we  note: 
Gerrit  Sager  Collier,  son  of  Jonas  and  Hannah  Sager 
CoHier;  born  Coxsackie,  July  15,  1843;  prepared  for  College 
at  Hudson  River  InvStitute;  graduated  Union  College  1868; 
studied  law  with  C.  P.  and  I.  N.  Collier,  Hudson;  admitted 
to  the  Bar,  1870;  began  practice  in  Kinderhook  in  1872.  He 
was  elected  Director  of  the  Union  National  Bank  in  1883, 
Vice-President  in  1886,  President  in  1892,  in  which  office  he 
has  been  continued  until  the  present  time.  October  4,  1876, 
married  Lydia  M.,  daughter  of  Hugh  Bain.  Their  children 
are:  Guy  Bain  Collier,  graduate  Harvard,  1901,  and  now  a 
private  tutor  there,  and  Maude  W.,  graduate  Wellesley, 
1903.  Mrs.  Collier  died  August  31,  1883.  October  14,  1886, 
Mr.  Collier  married  Ella  G.,  daughter  of  John  C.  Sweet. 
Their  children  are  Chester  W.  and  Charles,  graduates  Har- 
vard University,  191 1,  the  latter  with  signal  honor. 

Charles  M.  Bray,  son  of  John  and  Helen  Bortle  Bray; 
born  in  Kinderhook,  1867;  received  his  preliminary  education 
here  and  in  Hudson;  studied  law  with  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier; 
admitted  to  the  Bar  1883,  and  has  continued  in  practice 
here  until  the  present  time;  adding  to  his  law  business  that 
of  the  local  agency  of  many  Insurance  Companies. 

Frank  S.  Becker,  son  of  Christopher  H.  Becker  and 
Mahalia  M.  Cook,  bom  Kinderhook,  N.  Y.,  November  10, 
1865.  Graduated  from  Kinderhook  Academy,  1883,  Lafa- 
yette College,  Easton,  Pa.,  1887,  degree  of  B.A.,  and  1890 
received  degree  of  A.M.  Was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  Novem- 
ber, 1889.  Was  married  October,  1895  to  Margaret  R. 
Galbraith.  Is  the  author  of  Civil  and  Crhni7ial  Practice 
before  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Village  Laws,  Digest  of  Fees  of 
Public  Officers,  and  other  legal  publications.  Has  served  as 
Transfer  Tax  Attorney  for  Columbia  County  since  1910. 


La^ryers  447 

Max  S.  Hyman,  son  of  Samuel  N.  Hyman  and  Rose 
Schreck,  born  in  New  York  City,  March  5,  1884.  Admitted 
to  the  Bar,  1906.  In  1907,  married  Anna  Mae  Liepshutz. 
They  had  one  son. 

Edwin  Dewey  Howe,  born  in  Albany,  July  11,  1865; 
son  of  John  Alonso  Howe  of  East  Poultney,  Vt. ;  graduated 
Middlebury  College,  1887,  Albany  Law  School,  1889;  studied 
law  with  the  Hon.  Chester  Alden  of  Albany  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  in  1889;  came  to  Valatie  that  year  and 
has  continued  in  practice  there.  June  5,  1904,  married 
Mary  Helen,  daughter  of  S.  and  Sarah  J.  Benson.  Their 
children  are:  Joseph  Warren,  born  July  9,  1896;  Benson  Rice, 
born  March  25, 1901,  and  John  Hanna,  bom  October  15, 1902. 
He  served  for  a  time  as  village  clerk  and  also  as  President 
of  the  village  of  Valatie.  In  collaboration  with  Frank  S. 
Becker  he  wrote  Becker  and  Howe's  Justice  Court  Practice, 
and  was  the  author  of  sundry  other  publications.  From 
1 883-19 1 3  he  owned  a  coal  and  lumber  business  in  Valatie. 

Claude  S.  Beckwith,  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  son  of 
Charles  D.  and  Frances  Jaqua  Beckwith;  graduated  Colum- 
bia University  and  New  York  Law  School;  admitted  to  the 
Bar  of  New  Jersey,  1898,  and  the  New  York  Bar,  1901; 
practiced  with  the  late  E.  g..  Harder,  Valatie,  1901-1905; 
connected  with  the  law  department  of  Title,  Guarantee 
and  Trust  Company,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  1905-1909;  since,  in 
practice  in  Valatie.  He  was  candidate  for  Surrogate  on  the 
Progressive  ticket  in  19 13. 

Of  the  sons  of  Kinderhook  now  practicing  in  New  York 
we  note,  in  addition  to  Philip  Van  Alstine,  before  named: 
William  Myers  Hoes,  son  of  Peter  Swart  Hoes  and 
Henrietta  Myers;  born  Kinderhook,  June  19,  1840;  educated 
Kinderhook  Academy;  graduated  Williams  College,  with 
honors,  1861 ;  admitted  to  Bar,  N.  Y.  City,  from  Columbia 
Law  School,  1865;  married  Annie  Nicoll,  June,  1875;  PubHc 
Administrator,  N.  Y.  City  and  County  since  1892;  member 


448  Old  RinderKooK 

of  Manhattan  and  University  Clubs,  Bar  Association, 
Kappa  Alpha  Society,  a  Founder  of  the  Holland  Society, 
Senior  Past  Master  of  Kane  Lodge,  No.  454,  F.,  and  A.  M., 
Member  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons,  19 14,  representing 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio. 

Peter  Ernest  Hoes,  son  of  Pierre  Van  Buren  Hoes  and 
Anna  Miller;  born  November  26,  1876;  Kinderhook  and 
Albany  Academy,  1894:  New  York  Law  School,  1900;  now  in 
general  practice  in  New  York  City.  October  22,  1907,  he 
married  Louise  Nisbet.  Their  son,  P.  V.  B.  Hoes,  was  born 
December  6,  19 12. 

John  Bayard  Pruyn,  son  of  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn,  M.D.,  and 
Mary  Barnard  Tobey;  born  at  Kinderhook,  October  14, 
1882;  educated  Kinderhook  Academy  and  Hoosac  School; 
graduated  Williams  College,  1905;  admitted  to  Bar  from  N. 
Y.  University  Law  vSchool,  October,  1907;  now  of  the  law 
firm  of  Pruyn  and  Whittlesey,  New  York  City.  Member 
of  the  Phi  Delta  Theta  Fraternity  and  of  the  Columbia 
County  Society. 

Physicians 

Who  was  Kinderhook's  first  physician  is  now  unknown. 
The  sturdy  first  settlers  seldom  needed  one.  "Dr.  Brown  of 
Spotless  Town"  would  have  thriven  no  better  here.  The 
first  physician  of  whom  we  have  definite  information  was 
Arent  Van  Dyck  who  in  his  will  styles  himself  "Doctor." 
He  was  born  in  1700,  and  was  a  son  of  Hendrick.  In  1722 
he  married  Heyltje,  daughter  of  Stephanus  Van  Alen  and 
lived  on  a  portion  of  his  wife's  ancestral  estate  now  owned  by 
Lewis  F.  Van  Alstyne.  He  was  a  tiller  of  the  soil  and  also, 
by  reason  of  his  superior  education  and  ability,  a  general 
scribe  for  the  whole  region.  We  know  nothing  of  his  prob- 
ably not  extensive  service  as  a  physician. 

Another,  of  whom  we  have  only  a  glimpse  now  and  then. 


PKysicians  449 

was  Dr.  John  Quilhot.  We  meet  his  name  occasionally  in 
early  records;  notably  in  the  report  of  road  commissioners 
concerning  the  laying  out  of  what  is  now  Broad  Street.  The 
tradition  that  the  present  Chrysler  house  was  built  by  a 
French  physician,  taken  in  connection  with  that  report,  leads 
us  to  conjecture  as  elsewhere  stated  that  Dr.  Quilhot  was  the 
builder.  Beyond  his  appearance  as  a  surgeon  of  one  of  the 
Kinderhook  militia  companies  in  Revolutionary  times  and 
earlier  we  have  no  trace  of  him. 

Dr.  Averill  (Everil).  The  name  appears  on  surveyor 
Dirk  Gardinier's  map  of  1798.  He  lived  on  the  Kleine  Kill 
Road.  Opposite  the  house  in  a  meadow  was  his  private  burial 
plot,  some  of  the  stones,  until  recently  if  not  now,  still  stand- 
ing. We  have  been  able  to  ascertain  nothing  concerning  the 
life  and  service  of  this  doubtless  repi:itable  physician. 

Another  Kinderhook  physician  who  gives  us  but  a 
glimpse  of  himself  was  Dr.  Josiah  Pomeroy.  In  the  State 
Library,  before  the  fire,  we  found  a  collection  of  miscellanies 
entitled  Newspapers  and  Broadsides.  Therein  was  an  af- 
fidavit of  Dr.  Pomeroy  "of  Kinderhook,"  in  which  he 
affirms  that  when  a  resident  of  Montreal  in  1789  he  learned 
of  "an  association  formed  by  inhabitants  of  Canada  and 
citizens  of  the  State  of  New  York  (among  whom  was 
Governor  George  Clinton),  to  purchase  and  connect  to  the 
British  territory  unappropriated  land  of  the  State  from 
80  or  90  miles  above  Montreal  westward  to  Lake  Ontario." 
The  affidavit  was  dated  April  20,  1792,  and  sworn  to  before 
Israel  Spencer,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  stated  that  the 
plan  he  revealed  was  "encouraged  and  set  on  foot  by  Lord 
Dorchester,  Gov.  of  the  Province  of  Quebec."  We  leave 
to  others  the  explanation  of  the  Doctor's  story  if  there  be  one. 
We  have  quoted  the  original  affidavit  now  gone.  Possibly 
a  monument  should  be  erected  by  the  State  to  our  Dr. 
Pomeroy  for  valuable  public  service.  The  family  was  a 
notable  one  here  years  ago.  They  owned  what  we  first  knew 
as  the  Burt  place,  and  remnants  of  their  private  burial  plot 


450  Old  RindreKooK 

may  still  be  seen.  They  intermarried  with  the  Webbers, 
then  living  on  the  Datus  C.  Smith  place  and,  later,  on  the 
site  of  L.  L.  Morrell's  present  home.  Dr.  Pomeroy  was  a 
grandfather  of  Mrs.  FrankHn  B.  Van  Alstyne.  The  Pome- 
roys  also  intermarried  with  the  Van  De  Bogarts  of  Kinder- 
hook.  Mrs.  Anna  L.  Shay  of  Dalton,  Mass.,  informs  us  that 
her  great-grandfather,  John  Van  De  Bogart,  was  color- 
bearer  to  Washington,  and  that  her  grandfather,  John,  was 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Other  physicians  there  were  of  whom  we  know  but  little. 
A  Dr.  John  A.  Van  Alen  was  practicing  here  in  1844  and  lived 
in  the  house  now  owned  by  Miss  Mary  Best.  The  father  of 
the  late  Rear-Admiral  Philip  was  in  practice  here  several 
years.  Dr.  O.  H.  Smith  from  New  York,  owned  for  a  short 
time  the  Vanderpoel  mansion.  Dr.  Daniel  Sargent,  son-in- 
law  of  Tunis  Harder,  served  the  community  professionally 
for  a  few  years.  Dr.  U.  G.  Hitchcock,  who  came  to  the  help 
of  Dr.  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn  in  his  disability,  won  many  friends. 
Still  other  physicians  of  whom  we  can  give  no  account  there 
probably  were.  Concerning  some  perhaps  noticeable  omis- 
sions in  the  biographical  sketches  we  will  say  that  Dr.  John 
I.  Beekman,  1761-1791,  died  young.  Dr.  William  Barthrop, 
1 765-1 838,  from  England,  married  Dr.  Beekman's  widow 
and  succeeded  to  his  practice.  He  was  an  odd  genius  of 
whom  many  stories  abide;  such  as  his  doctoring  certain 
choice  apples  much  in  vogue  with  the  Academy  boys  so  that 
they  repented  with  many  inward  qualms  and  let  the  tree 
alone;  his  deathly  fear  of  contagious  cases,  when  he  was  wont 
to  put  his  head  only  through  the  door  of  the  sick-room,  tell 
the  patient  to  stick  out  his  tongue,  and  then  withdraw  say- 
ing— "I  see,  I  see,"  to  prepare  his  delectable  concoctions  in 
safety.  Patients  using  remedies  of  their  own  were  some- 
times told  with  Delphic  double  entente — "Nothing  better," 
so  that  whether  they  killed  or  cured  he  could  triumphantly 
say,  "I  told  you  so." 

Dr.  Barthrop  left  what  was  for  his  time  a  large  estate. 


PKysicians  451 

His  will,  after  providing  liberally  for  his  widow  and  a  sister 
in  England,  bequeathed  $19,000  in  trust  for  aiding  five 
different  women's  benevolent  societies  if  deemed  worthy  by 
his  executors.  The  residue  of  his  estate,  still  quite  large,  was 
to  be  applied  in  such  sums  and  at  such  times  as  the  executors 
might  deem  proper  to  any  one  or  more  societies  for  the 
support  of  indigent,  respectable  persons,  especially  females 
and  orphans,  as  might  be  deemed  worthy.  The  executors 
declining  to  serve,  administrators  were  appointed,  one  of 
whom  was  Dr.  John  P.  Beekman,  a  stepson  of  the  testator. 
The  execution  of  the  trusts  was  wholly  discretionary.  We 
have  record  of  small  allowances  being  made  now  and  then, 
here  and  there ;  but  after  considerable  litigation  .the  will  was 
set  aside,  because  of  indefiniteness  and  the  unlimited  dis- 
cretion given  the  executors.  Inasmuch  as  the  original  estate 
was  largely  that  of  Dr.  Beekman's  mother,  no  wrong  seems 
to  have  been  done  by  his  ultimate  ownership  of  a  considerable 
portion  of  it. 

Concerning  the  administration  of  Dr.  Barthrop's  peculiar 
will  we  have  only  this  item  of  definite  information  copied 
from  a  New  York  paper  of  the  time : 

The  Female  Assistance  Society  gratefully  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  five  hundred  dollars  from  J.  P.  Beekman,  Esq.  of 
Kinderhook,  administrator  of  the  estate  of  William  Barthrop, 
deceased,  accompanied  with  the  following  letter  to  one  of  the 
directresses : 

"Kinderhook,  Feb.  14th,  1840. 
"  Madam, — The  late  William  Barthrop,  of  this  place,  left 
bequests  to  certain  charitable  societies  in  New  York,  of  which 
the  Female  Assistance  Society  is  one,  upon  condition  that  if 
his  executors,  after  due  inquiry,  examination  and  deliberation, 
were  of  opinion  that  they  were  well  managed,  and  merited 
the  bequest,  they  were  instructed  to  carry  out  his  intentions; 
but  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  discovered  mismanagement  or 
negligence  in  conducting  their  affairs,  or  any  other  cause  which 
they  conceived  would  justify  them  to  withhold  the  entire  be- 


452  Old  K-inderHooK 

quest,  or  any  subsequent  portion  of  it,  they  had  the  power  to  do 
so.  To  carry  into  effect  the  intentions  of  the  testator,  and  after 
spending  some  time  in  New  York  in  making  the  necessary  ex- 
amination into  the  claims  of  the  Female  Assistance  Society  to 
the  bequest  mentioned  in  the  will,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
after  looking  into  your  annual  reports  from  the  organization  of 
your  society  until  this  time,  a  period  of  about  twenty-six  years, 
and  examining  your  book  of  minutes,  as  well  as  after  due  'in- 
quiry and  deliberation, '  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
Female  Assistance  Society,  of  which  you  act  as  President,  is 
entitled  to  the  first  instalment  of  five  hundred  dollars,  for  which 
I  enclose  my  check  to  your  treasurer.  Believe  me,  madam,  I 
shall  be  most  happy  hereafter  to  pay  the  successive  yearly 
instalments  as  they  become  due,  if  I  see  the  officers  of  the  society 
continue  to  conduct  its  affairs  with  the  same  industry,  in- 
tegrity and  prudence  of  purpose  which  I  think  I  have  heretofore 
observed,  and  that  the  citizens  of  New  York  continue  to  con- 
tribute liberally  of  their  funds  to  aid  so  excellent  a  charity.  On 
the  contrary,  if  they  withdraw  their  aid,  and  thus  remove  their 
countenance,  it  will  be  a  proof  that  the  society  is  deemed  worth- 
less by  those  whose  population  will  be  most  benefitted  by  it,  and 
are  best  enabled  to  judge  of  its  merits.    I  am,  most  respectfully, 

"Yours,  &c.  J.  P.  Beekman." 

Dr.  John  P.  Beekman  (i  788-1861)  was  the  son  of  John 
I.  He  practiced  medicine  for  about  twenty  years  only. 
His  manifold  other  activities  and  long-continued  public 
service  have  been  amply  narrated. 

Dr.  John  Vanderpoel  (i  796-1 851)  was  one  of  our  most 
eminent  physicians  and  citizens.  He  lived  in  Valatie,  in  the 
house  later  occupied  by  Dr.  Benson  and  now  by  Adrian 
Wheeler.  In  1832  he  was  Valatie's  first  postmaster.  He  was 
held  in  high  honor  for  his  personal  character  and  service  and 
also  as  the  father  of  sons  even  more  eminent  than  himself. 

His  son,  Samuel  Oakley  Vanderpoel,  was  the  very  success- 
ful physician  and  surgeon  of  Albany,  where  he  was  for  many 
years  a  Professor  in  the  Medical  College,  and  from  1869- 
1873  Surgeon-General  of  the  State.    Later  he  moved  to  New 


I 


PHysicians  453 

York  where  he  was  for  eight  years  the  efficient  Health  Officer. 
Of  the  other  distinguished  son,  Aaron  J.  Vanderpoel,  we  have 
already  written. 

Dr.  Abraham  Van  Vleck  Pru}^,  son  of  John  I.,  began 
practice  here  but  soon  moved  to  Pictou,  Canada,  where  he 
was  successful  and  honored,  but  died  in  his  forty-eighth 
year. 

In  1806  our  Dr.  H.  L.  Van  Dyck  was  one  of  the  or- 
ganizers of  the  Columbia  County  Medical  Society.  Among 
subsequent  additions  to  the  roll  we  find  the  following 
residents  of  Kinderhook  or  Valatie:  1807,  W.  Barthrop; 
1810,  J.  P.  Beekman;  1822,  John  Vanderpoel  and  Andrew 
Van  Dyck;  1832,  John  M.  Pruyn  and  John  O.  Flaegler;  1837, 
Daniel  Sargent;  1838,  Henry  B.  Salmon  (Stuyvesant  Falls); 
1842,  Stephen  G.  Tallmadge;  1843,  Lucas  Pruyn  and  S.  O. 
Vanderpoel;  1863,  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn;  1868,  George  E.  Benson; 
1869,  E.  B.  Boice  and  P.  B.  Collier;  1883,  T.  Floyd  Wood- 
worth;  1890,  Frank  S.  Snow  and  I.  H.  Lent;  1891,  N.  D. 
Garnsey  and  M.  M.  Kittell;  1898,  J.  E.  Cochrane.  Drs. 
Betts,  Brewster,  and  Sheldon  were  in  Valatie  for  a  short 
time. 

Of  homeopathic  physicians  we  note:  A.  P.  Cook,  1839- 
1841 ;  James  S.  Philip,  H.  B.  Horton,  and  James  Greene. 

Yet  another  of  Valatie's  most  eminent  physicians  and 
surgeons  was  George  E.  Benson.  He  was  born  (1829)  in 
Greenwich,  Washington  County.  His  father  served  in  the 
War  of  1 8 12,  and  his  grandfather  and  great-grandfather  in 
the  Revolution.  After  eighteen  years'  practice  here  he 
moved  to  Hudson  where  he  served  with  signal  success  seven- 
teen years  more.  He  was  one  of  the  first  Trustees  and  the 
first  President  of  the  Hudson  Hospital.  In  1863  he  married 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Ephraim  P.  Best  of  Kinder- 
hook.  Their  children  are  Edward  Ellsworth,  born  1864, 
and  Charles  Best,  born  1866.  He  died  in  1906  and 
was  buried  in  Hudson.  His  widow  and  two  sons  still 
survive. 


454  Old  RinderKooK 

Henry  L.  Van  Dyck,  M.D.     1773-1840 

He  was  the  fifth  son  of  Lourens  Van  Dyck  and  Maria 
Vanderpoel  and  was  born  at  the  Van  Dyck  homestead 
November  11,  1773.  He  was  held  in  high  honor  and  esteem 
not  only  because  of  his  ability  and  service  as  a  physician, 
but  also  because  of  his  exalted  Christian  character  and  most 
exemplary  life.  He  was  a  valuable  official  of  the  Dutch 
church  for  many  years,  ever  helpful  to  his  pastor  and  fre- 
quently conducting  evening  services  for  him,  as  well  as  being 
active  in  all  church  work. 

January  22,  1795,  he  married  his  second  cousin  Catrina, 
a  daughter  of  Stephanus  Van  Alen  and  Angeltie  Witbeck. 
They  were  both  great-grandchildren  of  Stephanus  Van  Alen 
(ist)  and  Maria  Cornelise  Mulder.  They  had  nine  children, 
several  of  whom  achieved  distinction,  as  we  elsewhere  note. 
They  were:  (i)  Maria,  born  January  27,  1797;  married 
John  A.  Van  Dyck,  her  cousin,  July  9,  1817;  died  January 
8,  1875.  (2)  Stephen,  born  1799,  died,  1803.  (3)  Andrew  H. 
{see  sketch).  (4)  Elizabeth,  born  May  14,  1803;  married, 
1829,  Rev.  Peter  Jackson;  died  1834,  leaving  two  children. 
The  daughter,  Sarah  Catharine,  was  adopted  by  her  Uncle 
Henry  H.  Van  Dyck  and  subsequently  married  Dr.  W.  H. 
Thompson,  son  of  the  Syrian  missionary  and  author,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  M.  Thompson.  (5)  Stephen,  born  1805;  died, 
1828.  (6)  Lawrence  H.  {see  sketch).  (7)  Henry  H.  {see 
sketch).  (8)  Engeltie  (Ann),  born  October  5,  1812;  married 
June  9,  1836,  Newton  Reed  of  South  Amenia,  N.  Y.,  of  the 
highest  type  of  Christian  manhood.  She  was  the  mother  of 
eight  children.  (9)  Cornelius  Van  Alen  Van  Dyck  {see 
sketch). 

Worthy  to  be  held  in  abiding  honor  for  his  character,  his 
service,  and  his  notable  children,  this  "beloved  physician" 
passed  away,  December  7,  1840. 


PHysicians  455 

Andrew  H.  Van  Dyck,  M.D.     1801-1871 

He  was  born  in  Kinderhook,  January  27,  1801,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  distinguished  sons  of  Dr.  Henry  L.  Van 
Dyck.  After  being  graduated  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  in  1822  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession 
here,  but  in  1827  removed  to  Bath,  Canada,  and  continued 
in  successful  practice  there  until  1838,  when  the  border 
troubles  led  him  to  return  and  resume  practice  here.  In 
1843  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  Dr.  Van  Schaack,  of  Os- 
wego, he  removed  to  that  place  and  continued  to  live  and 
practice  there  until  his  death,  August  31,  1871.  The  Oswego 
Advertiser  and  Times  had  this  to  say  of  him : 

For  nearly  thirty  years  Dr.  Van  Dyck  has  been  an  active, 
prominent  and  at  all  times  one  of  the  most  highly  respected 
citizens  of  Oswego.  ...  As  a  physician,  as  a  citizen,  as  a  Chris- 
tian, no  man  in  Oswego  ever  stood  higher  in  public  estimation 
than  Dr.  Van  Dyck. 

In  1864  he  was  made  Collector  of  Customs  of  the  port  of 
Oswego  by  President  Lincoln,  the  duties  of  which  responsible 
position  he  discharged  with  fidelity  and  acceptance  to  the 
Government  for  five  years.  September  15,  1823,  he  married 
Catharine  Staats  of  Valatie,  and  had  eleven  children,  four 
of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

Lucas  Van  Schaack,  M.D.     1804-1844 

Lucas,  the  youngest  son  of  Peter  Van  Schaack  and  Eliza- 
beth Van  Alen,  was  born  in  this  village,  November  7,  1804, 
and  died  in  Oswego,  November  8,  1844.  He  removed 
thither  in  1827,  having  completed  his  preparatory  and  pro- 
fessional studies  here.  The  Oswego  County  Whig  and  the 
Oswego  Palladium  as  well  as  the  Kinderhook  Sentinel  had 
notices  of  him  after  his  death  from  which  we  gather,  as  from 
other  sources,  that  he  was  a  most  successful  and  beloved 
physician,  noted  for  his  kindness  to  the  poor  and  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  the  entire  community  as  well  as  by  the 


456  Old  RinderKooK 

Second  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was  an  eminent 
and  active  member.  Hedied,  said  the  Whig — "very  much 
lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. " 

His  first  wife  was  Miss  Sarah  Hawley,  of  Oswego.  They 
had  two  sons,  Thomas  and  William.  Their  mother  died 
soon  after  the  birth  of  the  latter.  William  was  born  in  Os- 
wego, N.  Y.,  January  i,  1841.  About  four  years  later  his 
father  died,  and  William's  stepmother,  Mary  Hoes,  returned 
with  the  orphan  children  to  Kinderhook.  When  he  was 
about  eighteen  he  was  adopted  by  his  uncle,  Thomas  Beek- 
man,  then  living  in  what  we  have  known  as  the  Vanderpoel 
house,  and  received  the  added  name  Beekman.  After  com- 
pleting his  course  in  the  Academy  here  he  studied  mechani- 
cal engineering  at  Union  College.  He  entered  upon  his 
work  as  a  mechanical  engineer  and  was  also  a  student  of 
architecture  in  the  office  of  Thomas  R.  Jackson,  and  had 
apparently  a  brilliant  career  before  him  when,  in  1861,  his 
country's  peril  appealed  to  him  so  strongly  that  he  enlisted. 
He  became  a  Captain  and  rendered  valiant  service  in  the 
conflict  for  the  possession  of  the  lower  Mississippi,  and  also 
at  Fredericksburg  under  McClellan,  whom  he  greatly  ad- 
mired. There  he  was  seriously  wounded,  and,  being  in- 
capacitated for  continued  service,  received  an  honorable 
discharge.  Purchasing  a  beautiful  home  near  Saugerties  he 
remained  there  about  six  years,  having  in  the  meantime 
married  Miss  Sarah  Ten  Eyck  of  that  village.  In  1877,  after 
a  short  tarry  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  he  returned  to  Kinderhook, 
where  he  continued  to  live,  held  in  the  very  highest  respect 
and  esteem  until  his  death,  June  7,  1902.  To  the  church  he 
loved  and  served  with  signal  ability  and  fidelity  and  to  the 
whole  community  which  honored  him,  his  departure  seemed 
an  irreparable  loss.  His  widow  and  four  daughters  survived 
him. 

John  Matthias  Pruyn,  M.D.    1806-1866 

He  was  born  October  25,  1806,  in  what  was  then  the 
beautiful  homestead  of  his  father,  Francis  Pruyn,  the  brick 


PKysicians  457 

house  near  the  bridges  and  known  to  us  as  the  Edward  Van 
Buren  place,  now  belonging  to  Mr.  Davie.  The  will  of  John 
Pruyn,  his  grandfather,  names  him  John  Tise;  and  thus  he 
was  familiarly  called  by  many.  When  he  was  about  three 
years  old  his  father  died  and  about  seven  years  later  his 
mother.  The  orphan  boy  found  home  and  care  at  his  grand- 
father's, the  Pruyn-Bray-Beekman  place.  His  school  days 
were  spent  partly  here  and  partly  in  Lenox,  Mass.  His  study 
of  medicine  began  with  Dr.  Beekman,  in  Kinderhook,  was 
continued  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  under  Dr.  Clark,  Dr.  Beekman's 
father-in-law,  and  completed  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  New  York,  1829.  He  began  practice  at  Salis- 
bury Mills,  Orange  County,  but  after  two  or  three  years 
returned  to  Kinderhook  and  was  in  partnership  for  a  time 
with  his  preceptor.  Dr.  Beekman.  He  continued  in  practice 
here  until  1863  when  failing  health  compelled  retirement, 
although  not  wholly  withholding,  almost  to  the  day  of  his 
sudden  death,  his  kindly  presence  and  skilled  service  from  the 
homes  of  intimate  friends  and  neighbors.  May  24,  1837,  he 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Peter  Van  Schaack  and 
Elizabeth  Van  Alen,  Their  children  were:  Catharine; 
Francis,  who  died  young;  Peter  Van  Schaack  {see  sketch); 
Maria;  Margaret,  who  was  the  third  wife  of  Peter  Edward 
Van  Alstyne.  Margaret's  daughter,  Harriet,  married  Charles 
Frisbee  of  Stuyvesant  Falls. 

Dr.  Pruyn  died  February  12,  1866.  As  we  wrote  at  the 
time, — He  attained  more  than  ordinary  prominence  in  his 
profession.  He  was  an  honored  member  of  both  the  County 
and  State  Medical  societies.  He  followed  his  profession  not 
for  any  gain  it  might  bring  him  (for  of  that  he  was  notori- 
ously careless) ,  but  because  he  loved  it  and  was  glad  to  serve 
his  fellow-men.  He  kept  himself  fully  informed,  not  only 
upon  the  most  recent  results  in  the  science  and  practice  of 
medicine,  but  upon  current  topics  of  interest.  His  reading, 
which  was  continued  until  the  very  day  of  his  death,  was 
discriminating,  extensive,  and  thorough.     Diligent  in  study, 


458  Old   RinderKooK 

faithful  and  skillful  in  practice,  unostentatious  in  manner, 
pure  in  spirit  and  kind  of  heart,  he  won  the  respect  of  all 
and  endeared  himself  to  very  many.  "  Children  "  was  his  last 
articulate  word.  We  were  a  multitude  of  stricken  children 
who  tenderly  bore  his  honored  remains  to  their  rest. 

Lucas  Pruyn,  M.D.    1812-1882 

"Dr.  Luke,"  son  of  John  I.  and  cousin  of  Dr.  John  M. 
Pruyn,  born  June  14,  1812,  began  practice  here  in  1834,  and 
continued  in  service  for  about  forty-eight  years.  His  prac- 
tice became  very  extensive  and  his  own  patients  at  least 
thought  that  no  other  could  ever  quite  equal  "Luke,  the 
beloved  physician."  He  was  of  the  old  school  of  practitioners 
whose  methods  and  remedies  were  often  quite  heroic;  but 
in  the  sick-room  and  elsewhere,  at  times  at  least,  he  had  a 
most  winsome  gentleness  and  tenderness  of  voice  and  man- 
ner due  in  part,  we  think,  to  the  steady  influence  of  the  rarely 
sweet  and  gentle  spirit  of  his  wife,  Cynthia,  the  daughter  of 
Captain  C.  Wilsey  of  Schodack.  His  first  office  was  on  the 
lot  adjoining  the  Central  House,  and  the  stately  tree  there 
standing  was  of  his  planting.  Thence  it  was  removed  to  the 
rear  of  the  old  Bank  lot  and  later  to  his  home  now  occupied 
by  Dr.  Waterbury.  For  many  years  he  was  identified  with 
our  first  Bank,  as  elsewhere  noted.  The  lot  on  which  Mr. 
Bray's  house  now  stands  belonged  then  to  Dr.  Luke,  and 
was  a  cherished  part  of  his  ancestral  estate.  He  had  a  large 
fine  orchard,  free  from  modern  pests,  and  a  well-tended  and 
productive  garden  in  which  he  greatly  delighted.  We  can  see 
now  his  tall,  gaimt,  rugged  form  passing  to  and  fro  in  loving 
watch-care  over  his  heritage;  and  many  were  the  fruits  and 
vegetables  which  in  their  season  were  quietly  and  kindly 
placed  on  our  side  of  the  division  fence. 

Only  about  a  week  before  his  death  he  was  cautioned, 
because  of  his  feebleness,  against  undue  exposure  and  over- 
exertion, but,  in  the  spirit  repeatedly  seen  among  the  nobler 


PHysicians  459 

members  of  his  noble  profession,  replied:  "I  know  of  no 
better  way  of  closing  life  than  in  the  performance  of  duty, 
and  I  desire  so  to  be  found  when  my  time  shall  come." 

Late  in  life  he  became  a  communicant  member  of  the 
Church  of  his  fathers  to  whom  he  was  gathered,  April  i8, 
1882. 

S.  G.  Talmadge,  M.D.    1809-1868 

Dr.  Talmadge  was  born  in  Oswego  County  in  1809.  In 
his  early  childhood  his  parents  moved  to  Claverack,  where 
his  boyhood  was  spent  and  where  his  preliminary  education 
was  acquired.  He  was  for  a  time  under  the  private  tutelage 
of  the  eminent  practitioners  Drs.  Woodward  and  Tully,  and 
completed  his  studies  at  the  Medical  College  of  Castleton, 
Vt.  He  began  practice  immediately  thereafter  at  Valatie, 
and  there  remained,  becoming  one  of  the  most  successful 
and  beloved  of  the  physicians  of  the  town.  Gracious  per- 
sonal characteristics,  as  well  as  eminent  medical  skill,  won 
the  confidence,  honor,  and  affection  of  a  multitude  who 
greatly  deplored  his  sudden  death,  due  to  being  violently 
thrown  during  his  effort  to  hold  his  fractious  horses  alarmed 
by  several  passing  trains  near  Chatham  Center.  He  died 
in  1868,  aged  about  fifty-nine.  It  was  through  his  patriotic 
initiative  and  effort  that  at  a  public  meeting  in  the  Presby- 
terian church,  Valatie,  a  beautiful  sword  and  other  fitting 
accoutrements  were  presented  to  the  late  Captain  Bartholo- 
mew Pruyn,  Co.  K.,  30th  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  prior  to  his  departure 
for  the  seat  of  war. 

Peter  Van  Schaack  Pruyn,  M.D. 

Was  born  in  Kinderhook,  November  19,  184 1.  His  home 
was  a  portion  of  his  ancestral  estate  which  we  are  able  to 
trace  back  to  its  Indian  owner,  Wattawit.  He  was  the  only 
son  of  Dr.  John  Matthias  Pruyn  and  Margaret,  a  daughter 
of  Peter  Van  Schaack.     He  was  educated  at  the  District 


460  Old   RinderKooK 

School,  the  Kinderhook  Academ}^  Union  College  (class  of 
i860),  and  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  New  York 
city,  class  of  1863.  He  was  the  salutatorian  of  his  college 
class,  an  Alpha  Delta  Phi,  and  Phi  Beta  Kappa.  He  served 
for  a  time  during  the  war  in  the  Ira  Harris  government 
hospital.  In  1871  he  was  a  student  of  medicine  in  Vienna, 
Austria.  His  practice  here  began  immediately  after  his 
graduation,  he  succeeding  more  and  more  to  his  father's 
widely  extended  service  from  which  advancing  years  and 
impaired  health  demanded  relief.  His  success  was  instant; 
personal  characteristics,  as  well  as  medical  skill,  winning  and 
retaining  the  confidence  and  affection  of  a  multitude  who 
rise  up  to  call  him  blessed.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Dutch  Church,  that  of  his  fathers  for  many  generations, 
and  served  it  for  a  time  as  a  deacon.  In  1878  he  was  chosen 
a  Trustee  of  the  Academy  and  served  with  singular  ability 
and  devotion  as  President  of  the  Board  for  several  years. 
In  1877  he  became  a  Director  of  the  National  Union  Bank. 
He  was  Vice-President,  for  the  County,  of  the  New  York 
HoUand  Society,  and  at  one  time  its  President.  He  was  an 
honored  member  of  the  County  and  State  Medical  Societies. 
October  3,  1877,  he  married  Mary  Barnard,  daughter  of 
William  H.  Tobey  of  Kinderhook,  and  had  two  children — 
John  Bayard  Pruyn,  a  rising  young  lawyer  of  New  York, 
and  Julia  Carville. 

Dr.  Pruyn  sacrificed  himself  for  his  patients'  sake.  His 
ceaseless  service,  often  involving  wearisome  drives  and  some- 
times serious  exposure,  overtaxed  his  strength  and  doubtless 
hastened  his  death.  For  years  he  was  aware  of  serious  and 
progressive  heart  trouble,  but  bravely  and  unselfishly  strug- 
gled on,  until  peril  of  speedy  fatal  result  compelled  him  to 
heed  the  counsel  of  brother  practitioners  and  relinquish  his 
work.  Seeking  benefit  from  change  of  air  and  scene  he  spent 
the  winter  of  1890-91  at  Lakewood,  N.  J.,  but  in  April,  by 
the  advice  of  Drs.  Vanderpoel  and  Townsend,  was  painfully 
brought  home  and  on  Alay  2d  he  passed  away. 


PHysicians  461 

Many  just  and  beautiful  tributes  to  his  memory  appeared 
in  all  our  local  and  \'icinit3-  papers,  and  among  them  the 
Minutes  adopted  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Academy  and  the 
Directors  of  the  National  Union  Bank.     From  the  latter 

Minutes  we  quote : 

As  a  citizen,  he  was  public  spirited,  progressive  and  actively 
interested  in  all  measures  for  the  highest  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity and  the  prosperit}-  of  the  ^-illage. 

As  a  man,  he  was  just  in  aU  the  relations  of  life,  high  minded, 
of  incorruptible  integrity  and  the  soul  of  honor.  His  was  a  noble 
t\*pe  of  manhood;  his  a  busy  weU  spent  and  useful  life. 

To  him,  truth,  duty  and  honor  were  no  mere  abstractions, 
but  embodied  in  all  his  daily  Ufe  and  intercourse  with  men. 

He  was  liberallj'  educated  and  of  finel\-  cultivated  literarj- 
taste.  His  mind  was  enriched  and  broadened  by  foreign  travel 
and  by  an  intimate  and  appreciative  familiarity  with  the  art  and 
Hterature  of  ancient  and  modem  times.  He  kept  abreast  with 
all  that  is  best  in  modem  thought,  as  well  as  with  the  latest  dis- 
coveries in  science,  and  especiall\-  in  his  chosen  profession.  At 
every  hour  of  the  day  or  night  he  was  ready  to  answer  the  call  of 
sickness  and  to  give  his  best  service.  We  shall  often  recall  his 
urbanity,  amiability,  and  kindness  of  heart. 

Personal  and  close  obser\-ation  for  more  than  twenty- 
fi\-e  3*ears  enables  us  to  give  emphatic  assent  to  every 
appreciative  word  of  the  late  lamented  Dr.  J.  T.  Wheeler's 
paper  read  before  the  County  Medical  Societ}'  in  October, 
1893,  and  subsequently  printed  for  p^i^■ate  distribution. 
We  give  its  final  paragraph : 

No  poor  child  suddenly  sick  in  the  night,  no  suffering  man 
or  woman  who  needed  his  care,  through  storm  or  distance,  ever 
sent  a  call  for  him,  but  he  was  ready  to  go.  He  went  forth  with 
his  life  in  his  hand,  and  calmly,  knowingly,  designedly,  each  day 
offered  it  up  to  save  the  Hfe  of  others.  At  length  he  saw  the  end 
coming,  but  he  did  not  falter.  Some  poor  boy  li\-ing  at  a  distance 
had  met  ^\-ith  an  accident  and  lay  long  in  a  critical  and  painful 
condition.    It  fell  to  his  lot  to  care  for  him.    He  went  to  the  bov 


462  Old  RinderKooK 

by  night,  and  often  several  times  a  day  for  a  long  while.  The  boy 
got  well  but  the  doctor's  labors  had  forever  ended.  And  as  truly 
as  in  his  way  the  great  Physician  gave  up  his  life,  a  willing  sacrifice 
that  all  men  might  live  forever,  so  truly  did  Peter  Van  Schaack 
Pruyn,  in  the  same  Christ-like  way,  give  up  his  life  that  his 
fellow  mortals  might  not  suffer  and  might  have  life. 

Martin  M.  Kittell,  M.D.,  born  October  10,  1866, 
Ghent,  N.Y. ;  son  of  George  H.  Kittell  and  Mary  Jane  Mesick; 
educated  in  Common  District  School  and  at  a  private  insti- 
tution in  New  Haven ;  entered  New  York  Medical  College  in 
1888;  came  to  Kinderhook,  May  1891;  elected  Coroner  in 
1 89 1  and  for  three  subsequent  terms,  resigning  to  go  to  the 
Assembly  of  1900;  member  of  the  Board  of  Health;  Treas- 
urer of  village,  and  twice  President  of  the  County  Medical 
Society.  Moved  to  Jamaica  in  December,  1906.  Married 
(ist)  Eleanor  Southard  of  Mellenville,  October  31,  1894,  who 
died  in  1898;  their  two  boys,  George  Southard  and  Harold, 
died  young;  married  (2d)  Carrie  O.  Davenport  of  Austerlitz, 
October  25,  1899.  Their  children  are  Donald  D.,  George  H., 
and  Elizabeth  Carolyn. 

In  Jamaica  he  served  a  term  in  the  deaconship  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church.  He  belongs  to  the  associated  staff  of  the 
Jamaica  Hospital,  and  is  enjoying  a  good  general  practice.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association  of  Greater 
N.  Y. ;  also  of  the  Long  Island  Association  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  and  of  the  Queens-Nassau  Medical  Society. 

The  continuance  of  the  old  Kinderhook  drug  store,  after 
Mr.  Hawley,  was  an  enterprise  in  which  he  took  much  pride 
and  was  successful.  Although  his  interest  in  the  business 
has  ceased  he  still  owns  the  old  landmark. 

Concerning  the  present  physicians  of  the  town  we  sub- 
join the  following  biographical  notes,  the  data  furnished  by 
themselves. 

Nathan  D.  Garnsey,  M.D.;  born  in  Saratoga  County, 
February  23,  1864;  son  of  Lewis  R.  Garnsey  and  Augusta  C. 


PHysicians  463 

Groom;  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Rochester,  1886, 
and  of  the  Albany  Medical  College,  1891.  In  May  of  that 
year  he  came  to  Kinderhook,  succeeding  to  a  large  degree 
to  the  practice  of  Dr.  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn.  April  17,  1895,  mar- 
ried Ella  V.  A.,  the  elder  daughter  of  J.  Spencer  Hosford  and 
Maria,  daughter  of  James  Van  Alstyne.  Barent  Hoes, 
whose  wife,  "Aunt  Derike, "  was  a  sister  of  Martin  Van 
Buren,  long  lived  in  Dr.  Garnsey's  home. 

RoscoE  C.  Waterbury,  M.D.,  born  September  15,  1877; 
son  of  A.  H.  Waterbury  and  Josephine  Richards;  educated 
public  schools  and  Mt.  Hermon  School  for  boys  at  North- 
field,  Mass.;  M.D.,  Albany  Medical  College,  1905;  was  in 
practice  in  Averill  Park,  N.  Y.,  one  and  a  half  years;  came 
to  Kinderhook,  succeeding  Dr.  Kittell,  1906;  married  Ada 
Wild,  August,  1907.  He  belongs  to  all  the  branches  of 
Masons,  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Modern  Woodman. 

Henry  J.  Noerling,  M.D.,  born  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Oc- 
tober 5,  1888;  son  of  George  F.  Noerling  and  Julia  H.  Brady; 
preliminary  education.  High  School,  Catsldll,  N.  Y. ;  Albany 
Medical  College,  191 1;  interne,  Albany  Hospital,  1910-12; 
began  practice  at  Valatie,  February,  1912;  married  Sadie  H., 
daughter  of  Wm.  SHke  and  Jessie  Shufelt,  April  26,  1912; 
one  son,  Henry  Joseph  Noerling,  Jr.,  born  January  12,  1913; 
member  of  Phi  Sigma  Kappa  fraternity,  Modern  Woodmen, 
and  entered  apprentice  of  the  Valatie  Lodge  of  F.  &  A.  M. 
Health  officer  of  village  and  town. 

A.  Redmond  Dimock,  M.D.,  born  Waymart,  Pa.,  Novem- 
ber II,  1869;  son  of  Asa  W.  Dimock  and  Sarah  J.  Kent; 
educated  at  Waymart  Normal  Institute;  graduated  with 
highest  honors  at  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College,  N.  Y. 
City,  1892;  served  in  the  surgical  division  of  Bellevue;  later, 
attended  cHnics  in  Edinburgh,  London,  Paris,  and  Vienna; 
1 894-1 904  connected  with  contagious  diseases  department 
of  the  N.   Y.   City  Health   Department;  served  as  chief 


464  Old  HinderHooK 

ophthalmologist  at  the  German  Polyclinic,  N.  Y.  City,  and 
assistant  at  the  Polhemus  Clinic,  Brooklyn;  continued  in 
practice  in  New  York  City  until  October,  1912,  when  he  came 
to  Valatie. 

Of  living  non-resident  physicians  born  in  Kinderhook  we 
note: 

William  Wirt  Wendover,  M.D.,  son  of  C.  H.  Wendover 
and  Lucretia  Harder;  born  January  28,  1851;  educated 
private  school;  Rutgers  College,  1871;  graduated  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Columbia  University,  1874;  Alum- 
nus Roosevelt  Hospital,  1875;  practiced  two  years  in  New 
York  City,  one  in  Kinderhook;  since  1884  in  Warwick,  N.  Y. ; 
President  of  Warwick  Board  of  Education  since  1910;  mem- 
ber of  County,  State,  and  American  Medical  Associations. 
In  1893  married  Pauline  Sanford  whose  mother  was  a  Burt, 
related  to  our  Burts.  They  have  two  children,  Sandford 
Hutton,  a  junior  in  Pulitzer's  School  of  Journalism,  and 
Anna  Burt,  a  student. 

Edward  J.  Collier,  M.D.,  born  July  13,  1871 ;  son  of  E. 
A.  Collier  and  Isabella  G.  James;  educated  Kinderhook  and 
Albany  Academies;  graduated  Williams  College,  1893;  -Al- 
bany Medical,  1896;  after  service  in  Jersey  City  and  New 
York  hospitals  settled  in  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  where  he  is  now 
in  active  practice.  January  10,  1906,  married  Helen  Gallag- 
her, of  Hammond,  N.  Y. 

The  Ministry 

Kinderhook's  contributions  to  the  Ministry  number  at 
least  fifteen,  all  born  here  unless  otherwise  noted,  and,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  Wynkoop  whose  parents  moved  to 
Kingston,  all  communicant  members  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
church  here.  We  note:  Andrew  N.  Kittle,  born  1785, 
pastor  Red  Hook,  Linlithgo,  and  Stuyvesant,  died  1864. 
Jacob  E.  Vosburgh,  born  1787,  Princeton  Theological  Sem- 
inary,  1 8 14,  but  became  a  farmer  in  Illinois;  died   1836. 


THe  Ministry  465 

Peter  S.  Wynkoop,  born  1787.  Pastor  Catskill,  Hyde 
Park,  Pleasant  Plains,  Ghent  and  Hillsdale,  Ghent  and 
Claverack,  Ghent,  Blooming  Grove,  died  1848.  Henry  G. 
Ludlow,  born  1797,  preached  New  York,  New  Haven, 
Poughkeepsie,  Oswego,  died  1867. 

Henry  Mandeville,  born  1804,  pastor  Shawangunk, 
Geneva,  Utica,  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy  and  Rhetoric, 
Hamilton  College,  pastor  again  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  where  he 
died,  1858. 

Cornelius  L.  Van  Dyck,  born  1804,  pastor  Marbletown, 
Port  Ewen,  died  1866. 

John  M.  Van  Buren,  born  181 1,  pastor  Fultonville  and 
New  Lots,  died  1892.  His  wife  was  a  sister  of  John  C.  F. 
and  Peter  S.  Hoes.  His  son  Howard  Van  Buren  is  an 
honored  citizen  of  Nyack. 

Lawrence  H.  Van  Dyck,  born  1807.    See  vSketch. 

John  C.  F.  Hoes,  born  at  Middleburg,  181 1,  during  the 
brief  residence  of  his  parents  there,  but  early  brought  to  his 
ancestral  home  and  here  receiving  his  early  education; 
pastor  Chittenango,  Utica,  and  Kingston  (22  years);  died 
1883.  His  only  son,  Roswell  Randall  Hoes,  is  a  chaplain 
U.  S.  N.,  now  on  the  retired  list. 

Daniel  E.  Manton,  born  181 1,  pastor  Chittenango,  Red- 
ding, and  Hillsdale;  died  1841.  His  wife,  Elsie,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sickles. 

Cornelius  Van  Alen  Van  Dyck,  born  18 18.    See  Sketch. 

Edgar  Laing  Heermance.    See  Sketch. 

John  B.  Church,  in  business  here  when  he  began  study 
for  the  ministry;  pastor  Taghkanic,  Rochester,  and  Paterson, 
N.J. 

Edward  S.  D.  G.  Tompkins  entered  Episcopal  ministry. 
Assistant  minister  in  Troy,  Rector  at  Coxsackie,  now  retired. 

REV.  LAWRENCE  H.  VAN  DYCK.      1807-I893 

He  was  the  fourth  son  of  Dr.  Henry  L.  Van  Dyck  and  an 
older  brother  of  Henry  H.  and  C.  V.  A.  Van  Dyck.    He  was 
30 


466  Old  RinderHooK 

born  at  Kinderhook,  October  5,  1807,  educated  at  the 
Academy;  graduated  at  Amherst  College,  1830;  Auburn 
Seminary,  1833;  licensed  and  ordained,  Presbytery  of 
Cayuga,  1833;  agent  in  Kentucky  for  American  Tract 
vSociety,  1833-1835;  pastor,  Cairo,  N.  Y.,  1835-1839;  Spen- 
certown,  1839-1844;  Gilboa,  1844-1852;  Helderbergh,  1852- 
1856;  Blooming  Grove,  1856-1861 ;  Stone  Arabia,  1861-1867; 
teaching,  1 869-1 870;  Unionville,  1 870-1 876;  Rector  of 
Hertzog  Hall,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  1876-1881.  He  then 
retired  from  public  service  and  died  in  Brooklyn,  January 
24,  1893.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Chris- 
tina Hoes  of  Kinderhook,  and  his  second,  Mary  D.  Hold- 
ridge.  Of  the  three  children  of  the  first  wife,  but  one  reached 
mature  life,  Jane  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Theo. 
W.  Welles  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  The  second 
wife  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  reached  maturity. 

Mr.  Van  Dyck  is  characterized  in  Corwin's  Manual  as 
being  a  faithful  conscientious  minister,  a  modest  unassuming 
man,  lacking  perhaps  in  self-assertion,  but  pure  in  heart, 
true  and  steadfast  to  duty  and  principle ;  and  devoted  to  the 
work  of  the  Master. 

CORNELIUS    VAN    ALEN    VAN  DYCK,    M.D.,  D.D.,   L.H.D.,   LL.D. 

1818-1895 

Much  of  this  sketch  is  drawn  from  our  own  contribution 
to  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin's  Manual  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Cornelius  Van  Alen  Van  Dyck,  sixth  son  of  Dr.  Henry  L. 
Van  Dyck  and  Catharine  Van  Alen,  was  born  at  Kinder- 
hook, August  13,  1818.  He  was  educated  at  the  Academy 
here  and  was  graduated  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  in  1839;  appointed  by  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 
medical  missionary  to  Syria  the  same  year ;  reached  his  field  in 
April,  1840;  founded  Boys'  Seminary  at  Abieh,  Mt.  Lebanon, 
1843;  in  charge  thereof  until  1851;  ordained  by  the  Mission, 
January  14,  1846;  Principal  of  Mission  Seminary,  1848-1852; 


XHe  Ministry  467 

in  Sidon  field,  1852-1857;  (in  U.  S.,  1853-1854);  appointed 
to  complete  Dr.  Eli  Smith's  Arabic  translation  of  the  Bible, 
and  transferred  to  Beyrout,  1857;  manager  of  Mission 
Press  at  Beyrout,  1857-1880;  elected  member  of  the  ^^  Deut- 
sche Morganlandsche  Gesellschaft,"  1858;  visited  Europe  in 
behalf  of  the  Arabic  translation  of  the  Bible,  i860;  trans- 
lation completed,  August  22,  1864;  in  New  York,  supervising 
the  making  of  electrotype  plates  of  the  translation,  1865- 
1867;  teacher  of  Hebrew  in  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
1 866-1 867;  Hebrew  professorship  offered  but  declined,  1867; 
returned  to  vSyria,  1867;  director  of  the  Mission  Press;  editor 
of  the  first  religious  newspaper  in  Arabic;  Professor  of  Chem- 
istry and  Pathology  in  Medical  Department  of  Syrian 
Protestant  College,  and  after  about  five  years.  Professor  of 
Astronomy  and  Director  of  the  Observatory.  Much  of  this 
service  was  gratuitous,  and  a  large  part  of  the  apparatus  was 
purchased  at  his  own  expense  and  subsequently  tran.sf erred 
to  the  College  at  about  half-price. 

About  the  year  1871  he  became  physician  to  the  Hospital 
founded  and  maintained  by  the  Knights  of  St.  John  of 
Prussia.  In  1879  he  received  from  Emperor  William  I.,  the 
gold  decoration  and  "Order  of  the  Royal  Crown."  In  the 
summer  of  1882  he  visited  Vienna  for  six  weeks  and  in 
December  of  that  year  resigned  his  connection  with  the 
College.  From  1883- 1894  he  was  physician  to  St.  George's 
Hospital  of  the  Orthodox  Greeks.  April  2,  1890,  there  was 
an  extraordinary  jubilee  in  celebration  of  his  landing  in 
Syria,  and  November  13,  1895,  he  died. 

His  degree  of  D.D.  was  bestowed  by  Rutgers  College  in 
1865;  that  of  L.H.D.,  by  the  same  institution  in  1890,  and 
that  of  LL.D.  was  conferred  "in  absentia,"  a  very  unusual 
honor,  by  the  University  of  Edinburgh  in  1892. 

His  miscellaneous  publications  in  Arabic  were  volumin- 
ous. For  a  presumably  complete  list  we  refer  the  reader  to 
that  furnished  us  by  his  son,  William  Thompson  Van  Dyck, 
M.D.,  and  printed  in  Corwin's  Manual. 


468  Old  RinderHooK 

December  2;^,  1842,  he  married  Julia  Abbott,  daughter 
of  the  British  Consul,  of  whom  two  sons  and  two  daughters 
were  born. 

A  detailed  account  of  the  character,  life,  and  manifold 
labors  and  achievements  of  this  most  remarkable  man  would 
fill  many  pages.  His  great  work  was  that  of  translating  the 
Bible  into  Arabic.  With  the  exception  of  the  Pentateuch 
(which  he  revised)  it  was  essentially  all  his  own  work,  done 
with  a  precision  and  elegance  which  have  elicited  the  high- 
est praise  of  the  best  Arabic  scholars  of  the  world.  This 
alone  considered,  we  may  be  permitted  to  wonder,  without 
irreverence,  we  hope,  if  among  them  born  of  Kinderhook 
women  there  hath  arisen  a  greater  than  Cornelius  Van  Alen 
Van  Dyck.    The  late  Dr.  Jessup  thought  not. 

Interested  readers  will  find  many  additional  details  in  the 
Manual  of  Dr.  Corwin;  in  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Welles's  Ancestral 
Tablets,  p.  238;  in  Anderson's  History  of  the  Missions  to 
Oriental  Churches,  and  in  many  obituary  notices  in  the  press 
immediately  after  his  death.  The  two  absorbingly  interest- 
ing volumes  of  the  late  Dr.  Jessup  abound  in  references  to  the 
subject  of  this  inadequate  sketch.  We  are  sorry,  however, 
to  be  obliged  to  put  an  interrogation  point  after  one  story 
well  fitted  to  "  point  a  moral  or  adorn  a  tale."  It  is  concern- 
ing the  good  woman  of  Kinderhook  who  deplored  that,  when 
Cornelius  V.  A.  Van  Dyck  united  with  the  church  (a  boy  of 
thirteen  he  was),  there  was  only  one  other,  a  negro  woman. 
Dr.  Jessup  was  misinformed.  There  were  forty-one  who 
united  the  same  day.  Somehow,  in  view  of  the  many  simi- 
lar records  of  those  days,  it  seems  that  the  old  doctrines  were 
quite  as  effective  as  the  new  in  developing  pure,  strong,  and 
lovable  Christian  characters  and  in  inspiring  to  noble,  heroic 
living. 

REV.  EDGAR  L.  HEERMANCE.      1833-I888 

Edgar  Laing,  a  son  of  Rev.  Henry  Heermance  and 
Catharine  E.  Laing,  while  not  born  in  Kinderhook,  as  com- 


Miscellaneovis  4^9 

monly  stated,  but  in  New  York  City,  April  30,  1833,  was  so 
soon  brought  here  (1835)  and  was  so  long  identified  with  our 
village  that  he  has  been  accounted  a  native.  He  was  pre- 
pared for  college  at  the  Academy  and  was  graduated  from 
Yale  in  1858,  and  from  the  Theological  Seminary  three  years 
later.  Before  his  collegiate  course  he  was  for  a  short  time  in 
mercantile  life  in  New  York  City.  Licensed  by  the  Century 
Association,  New  Haven,  in  1 861,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Castle- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  Reformed  church  from  1 861-1869.  After  foreign 
travel  and  miscellaneous  service  here  and  there  as  opportun- 
ity offered,  in  1872  he  became  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  White  Plains,  which  position  he  continued  to  hold 
until  April  29,  1888,  when,  but  a  few  moments  before  the 
afternoon  Sunday  service,  he  was  found  dying  in  the  pulpit 
where  he  had  stood  so  long.  While  at  Castleton  he  married 
Agnes,  a  daughter  of  President  Woolsey  of  Yale.  He  was 
survived  by  his  widow  and  three  children.  Theodore  Wool- 
sey Heermance  was  graduated  at  Yale  in  1893;  studied  two 
years  in  Athens  as  the  recipient  of  the  Soldiers'  Memorial 
FelloWvShip;  became  a  tutor  at  Yale,  in  the  meanwhile  taking 
the  degree  of  Ph.D. ;  became  Director  of  the  American  School 
of  Classical  Studies  in  Athens  in  1903,  and  died  there  in 
September,  1905.  Laura  Woolsey  lives  with  her  mother  in 
New  Haven.  Edgar  Laing  Heermance  was  graduated  at 
Yale,  1901 ;  studied  theology  one  year  in  Edinburgh  and  two 
at  New  Haven,  and  for  more  than  ten  years  has  been  the 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Mankato,  111.  In 
1907  he  married  Miss  Nora  Livingston  and  has  two  children, 
Edith  and  Theodore.  Edgar  L.,  Jr.,  is  the  author  of  the 
published  volume  Democracy  in  the  Church. 

Miscellaneous 

FOSTER  RHODES  {The  Sire  of  the  Turkish  Navy),  1794 

From  an  article  in  the  N.  Y.  Sun,  in  the  autumn  of  191 1, 
we  condense  the  following  sketch  of  the  career,  hitherto 
unknown  to  most,  of  a  Kinderhook  boy. 


470  Old  RinderKooK 

Foster  Rhodes,  son  of  Captain  Henry  R.  Rhodes  and 
Hannah  Cooper,  was  born  in  Kinderhook,  July  17,  1794. 
The  name  Cooper  appears  in  many  of  our  records  of  that 
period  and  earHer.  The  family  claimed  ownership  of  the 
Baker  and  Plodder  patent.  After  completing  his  studies 
in  our  schools,  Foster  was  apprenticed  to  a  silversmith  in 
New  York  City,  but  becoming  dissatisfied  therewith  soon 
decided  to  learn  shipbuilding  with  the  firm  of  Adam  and 
Noah  Brown.  He  was  an  apt  scholar  and,  though  yet  a 
youth,  was  soon  deemed  by  his  employers  as  quite  the  equal 
of  any  of  their  men.  Adam  Brown  took  him  to  Erie,  Pa., 
where  they  built  a  brig  which  helped  Commodore  Perry 
to  win  his  victory  on  Lake  Erie.  Leaving  the  Brown  firm 
he  went  to  Nova  Scotia  and  built  the  first  steam  passenger 
boat  plying  between  Halifax  and  Dartmouth.  Later,  he 
returned  to  Brooklyn,  and  in  association  with  Henry  Eck- 
ford,  built  a  ship  which  they  named  the  United  States;  on 
which  they  both  went  on  a  trading  voyage,  with  the  intent 
of  selling  their  ship.  The  end  of  the  voyage  was  at  Con- 
stantinople. There  Henry  Eckford  died.  The  Sultan,  know- 
ing somehow  of  Rhodes's  abilities,  sought  to  employ  him,  but 
he  and  his  ship  were  one,  he  said,  and  so  the  Sultan  bought 
the  ship  and  secured  Mr.  Rhodes's  service.  He  built  a  yacht 
for  the  Sultan  and  ten  ships  for  his  navy.  After  launching  a 
ship  in  a  way  that  astounded  the  Sultan,  with  only  seven  or 
eight  men  instead  of  the  two  hundred  which  the  Sultan 
deemed  necessary  and  had  offered  him,  he  was  summoned 
to  an  audience  with  the  Sultan.  He  went  in  his  shirt-sleeves, 
but  was  nevertheless  told  that  if  he  would  become  a  Mo- 
hammedan he  might  name  his  own  title  in  the  Turkish  Navy. 
His  answer  was:  "No,  thanks.  I  prefer  to  remain  an 
American  citizen.  It's  good  enough  for  me. "  He  remained 
nine  years  and  acquired  considerable  wealth.  Before  leav- 
ing he  was  decorated  by  the  Sultan,  the  decoration  confer- 
ring privileges  seldom  accorded  to  foreigners.  It  was  a  ship 
of  gold  with  a  circle  of  diamonds  around  an  emblem,  and  a 


Miscellaneo\is  471 

diamond  cluster  pin  with  a  chain  of  gold  attached.     With 
it  went  this  certificate: 

The  American  Citizen,  Mr.  Foster  Rhodes,  having  been 
employed  for  many  years  in  the  Ottoman  Arsenal  as  Naval 
Constructor,  during  which  period,  being  found  to  be  a  person 
possessing  perfect  knowledge,  abilities,  activities  and  science  in 
his  department  and  did  good  service  to  the  Turkish  Empire  by 
constructing  and  building  several  ships  of  the  line  and  other 
vessels  of  war:  having  now  expressed  a  desire  to  return  to  his 
native  Country,  we,  to  show  our  approval  of  the  service  which 
he  has  rendered,  and  our  entire  satisfaction,  have  given  this 
certificate,  sealed  by  our  own  seal,  and  delivered  into  his  own 
hands. 

Constantinople,  January  i,  1840. 

On  his  return  his  abilities  received  recognition  here  also, 
President  Polk  making  him  Chief  Constructor  in  the  U.  S. 
Navy. 

It  was  thus  a  Kinderhook  boy  who  rehabilitated  the 
Turkish  Nav}^  after  its  virtual  destruction  in  the  Battle  of 
Navarino:  a  victor}''  celebrated  here  with  great  rejoicings. 

THOMAS  MONTANYE  BURT.      180O-1873 

From  a  sketch  written  for  us  by  the  late  Colonel  Silas 
W.  Burt  we  cull  the  following: 

Thomas  M.  Burt  was  of  Puritan  and  Huguenot  ancestry. 
The  pioneer,  Henry  Burt,  came  from  Devonshire,  England, 
in  1638,  and  settled  at  Roxbury,  Mass.,  but  in  1640  joined 
William  Pynchon  in  the  settlement  of  Springfield,  Henry's 
second  son,  David,  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  North- 
ampton, and  his  marriage  with  Mary  Holden  was  the  first 
in  that  town.  David's  son,  Benjamin,  born  November  17, 
1680,  married  Sarah  Belden  and  settled  in  Deerfield.  They 
were  among  the  captives  taken  to  Canada  by  the  Indians 
after  their  attack  upon  the  settlement,  February  29,  1704. 


472  Old  IlinderHooK 

On  the  return  voyage  from  Quebec,  Mrs.  Burt  gave  birth  to 
her  second  son  who  was  named  Seaborn.  After  a  stay  of 
about  two  years  in  Norwalk,  Conn.,  Benjamin  became,  in 
1708,  one  of  the  seventeen  first  settlers  of  Ridgefield,  Conn. 
Thence  in  1760  his  oldest  son,  Daniel,  moved  to  Warwick, 
N.  Y.,  where,  October  25,  1760,  James,  the  father  of  Thomas 
Montanye,  was  born.  James  married  Abigail,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Coe,  of  distinguished  military  and  other  high 
official  service,  civil  and  judicial.  James  Burt  took  an 
active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  War;  was  a  member  of  the 
Assembly  nine  years;  of  the  Senate  eleven  years;  a  Presiden- 
tial Elector  in  1800  when  the  twelve  ballots  were  cast  for 
Thomas  Jefferson;  and  President  of  the  Electoral  College 
in  1840  when  its  forty-two  ballots  were  given  to  General 
Harrison.  He  died  at  Warwick,  March  17,  1852,  in  the 
ninety-second  year  of  his  age,  one  of  the  few  survivors  who 
actually  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 

James  Burt's  youngest  son,  Thomas  Montanye,  was 
born  in  Warwick,  January  8,  1800.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Warwick  Common  School  and  the  Academy  of  the  near 
town  of  Florida,  an  institution  established  by  Judge  Seward, 
the  father  of  the  Hon.  William  H.  Seward.  After  di- 
verse employments  he  became  deputy  clerk  of  the  State 
Senate.  May  22,  1829,  he  married  Lydia,  daughter  of 
Sherebiah  Butts  of  South  Hadley,  Mass.  From  1831-1840 
he  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Albany  Argus.  This 
was  the  organ  of  the  "Albany  Regency,"  one  of  the  most 
influential  political  agencies  in  the  State.  Among  the  mem- 
bers were  Martin  Van  Buren,  Silas  Wright,  Judge  Marcy, 
John  A.  Dix  and  other  leaders  of  the  Democratic  party.  We 
interject  the  bare  outline  of  the  story  given  us  by  Colonel 
Burt,  how,  in  the  rivalry  as  to  the  publication  of  the  Presi- 
dent's message,  he  outwitted  and  out-distanced  Thurlow 
Weed  by  hiding  beneath  a  buffalo  robe,  after  leaving  Sauger- 
ties,  until  his  driver's  apparently  runaway  horse  was  per- 


Miscellaneovjs  473 

mitted  to  pass  Thurlow,  who  on  his  arrival  at  Albany  found 
the  people  already  reading  the  message  as  printed  in  the 
triumphant  Argus.  In  1839  Mr.  Burt  sold  his  interest  in  the 
Argus  and  established  the  Rough  Hewer,  a  nine  months'  cam- 
paign paper  advocating  Mr.  Van  Buren's  re-election.  He 
was  thus  opposing  his  father  who  headed  the  Whig  electoral 
ticket. 

Desirous  now  of  rest,  and  particularly  of  finding  a  country 
home  where  there  were  good  facilities  for  the  education  of  his 
children,  after  visiting  many  places  he  chose  Kinderhook 
and  the  fine  James  Vanderpoel  homestead.  It  was  his 
thought  to  devote  himself  to  the  care  of  his  beautiful  place, 
but  at  the  solicitation  of  Comptroller  Flagg,  his  close  friend, 
he  accepted  an  appointment  to  take  charge  of  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  recently  passed  "Free  Banking  Law."  Dur- 
ing the  five  years  of  this  task  all  the  old  "Safety  Fund" 
banks  were  re-organized.  This  new  law  furnished  the  frame- 
work of  the  present  banking  system  of  the  United  States. 
During  these  five  years  he  went  to  Albany  on  Monday 
mornings,  returning  on  Saturdays.  When  Comptroller 
Fillmore  was  elected  Vice-President,  Mr.  Burt  resigned  his 
position  in  Albany.  Though  a  Democrat  he  had  always 
been  opposed  to  the  extension  of  slavery  and  was  a  member  of 
the  Free  Soil  party  that  nominated  Martin  Van  Buren  in 
1848,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Republican  party 
in  1854.  I^  ^8^1  the  New  York  Legislature  appropriated 
$50,000  in  aid  of  the  Kansas  settlers.  At  the  request  of 
Governor  Morgan,  Mr.  Burt  took  charge  of  the  disburse- 
ment of  this  fund.  Returning  from  this  task  he  was  engaged 
by  Governor  Morgan  as  auditor  of  expenditures  in  raising 
and  equipping  volunteers.  Three  million  dollars  were 
appropriated  for  that  purpose.  In  1861  President  Lincoln 
appointed  him  Paymaster  in  the  volunteer  armies,  with  the 
rank  of  Major.  He  served  in  Washington  the  armies  of  the 
Potomac  and  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  returning  at  the  end  of 
the  war  to  Kinderhook. 


474  Old  K-inderHooK 

There  having  been  some  serious  scandals  in  the  assess- 
ment and  collection  of  Internal  Revenue  taxes  on  whiskey 
and  other  alcoholic  derivatives,  the  Treasury  Department 
in  1867  appointed  him  a  special  agent  empowered  to  accept 
or  reject  bonds  given  by  distillers  and  dealers  in  alcoholic 
spirits  of  all  kinds.  This  ended  his  public  services  and  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Kinderhook  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  May  14,  1873. 

Colonel  Burt  adds  this  note  :  Among  the  descendants  of 
Henry  Burt,  the  first  settler,  were  Silas  Wright,  the  states- 
man; Ethan  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga;  President 
Grover  Cleveland  and  many  other  eminent  men. 

His  children  were:  Silas  W.,  married  Antoinette  Parrel; 
James,  married  Euretta  Guion;  Thomas  M.,  married  Harriet 
S.  Howell;  Charles  A.,  married  Harriet  E.  Coventry;  and 
Abbie  T.,  died  1857. 

COLONEL  SILAS  WRIGHT  BURT 

{Civil  Service  Reformer) 

Colonel  Burt,  our  long-time  personal  friend,  the  eldest 
son  of  the  subject  of  the  foregoing  sketch,  was  born  in 
Albany,  April  25,  1830.  When  about  twelve  years  old  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Kinderhook  which  continued  to  be 
his  home  until  after  his  graduation  from  college.  After  that 
time  his  visits  to  the  home  of  his  boyhood  were  frequent  and 
sometimes  long  continued.  His  manuscript  story  of  his  life, 
from  which  we  were  permitted  to  draw  freely,  is  of  great 
interest  and  no  little  value.  He  received  his  early  education 
in  Albany  and  later  at  the  Kinderhook  Academy.  He  was 
graduated  at  Union  College  with  the  degree,  A.B.,  and  C.E., 
in  1849.  For  a  short  time  only  he  practiced  his  chosen 
profession  as  civil  engineer  and  did  much  preliminary  work 
on  the  Hudson  River  R.  R.,  then  in  process  of  construction. 
In  i860  he  was  at  work  in  Colorado. 


Miscellaneovis  475 

We  have  from  his  own  pen  this  record  of  his  mihtary  and 
civil  career.  From  May,  1861,  to  January,  1869,  Assistant- 
Inspector-General  of  the  State  with  the  rank  of  Colonel. 
Naval  Officer  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  1 878-1 883,  appointed 
by  President  Hayes,  and  again  from  1885-1889,  appointed 
by  President  Cleveland.  He  conducted  the  first  competitive 
examination  for  places  in  the  U.  S.  Civil  Service  in  1871 ;  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  New  York  Civil  Service  Reform 
Association  in  1883,  and  of  the  National  Civil  Service  Re- 
form League  in  1884;  was  Chief  Examiner  of  the  New  York 
Civil  Service  Commission,  1883-1885,  and  in  1900,  after  Mr. 
Schurz's  death,  was  President  of  the  N.  Y.  Civil  Service 
Association,  until  his  death  in  19 12.  In  1855  he  married 
Antoinette  Farrell  of  Logansport,  Indiana.  Their  son  Mar- 
vin resides  in  New  York,  Their  daughter  Lilian  recently 
married  George  N.  Baylis  of  New  York.  Colonel  Burt  was 
the  author  of  several  pamphlets  relating  to  the  Civil  Service 
and  also  the  Civil  War  record  of  the  State. 

To  inherited  integrity  and  forcefulness  of  character  were 
added  a  liberal  education  and  a  devotion  to  high  ideals  of 
public  service  much  in  advance  of  his  time.  In  every  official 
position  he  acquitted  himself  with  such  conspicuous  ability 
and  fidelity  as  to  receive  wide  recognition  and  honor.  In 
private  life,  his  broad  intelligence,  refined  tastes,  courtly 
bearing,  and  most  kindly  spirit  made  him  a  friend  whose 
departure  was  greatly  mourned. 

HENRY  HERBERT  VAN  DYCK.      1809-1888 

He  was  the  fifth  son  of  Dr.  Henry  L. ;  born  September  3, 
1809;  married  (i)  EHza  A.  Clark,  (2)  Frances  A.  Kelly;  died 
January  22,  1888.  Educated  at  the  Academy  here.  After 
learning  the  trade  of  a  printer  in  his  native  village  he  became 
editor  of  the  Goshen  Independent  Republican,  1830;  in 
1834  was  city  editor  of  the  Albany  Atlas,  and  so  continued 
for  nearly  twenty  years,  when  that  journal  was  consolidated 


476  Old   K-inderKook 

with  the  Argus;  in  1850  was  elected  State  Senator  for  the 
Albany  district;  appointed  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction, 1853;  and  of  Banking  in  i860;  Assif^tant  U.  S. 
Treasurer  at  the  Sub-Treasury,  New  York  City,  1865;  from 
1 869-1 883,  President  of  the  New  York  and  Boston  R.  R. 
and  of  the  Erie  Transportation  Co.;  and  from  1883  until  his 
death.  President  of  the  Safe  Deposit  Co.  of  New  York  City. 
This  brief  outline  of  his  honorable  and  brilliant  career 
tells  its  own  story  of  exalted  character  and  signal  ability. 
In  Albany  he  identified  himself  with  Dr.  Pohlman's  Lutheran 
church,  and  in  Brooklyn  with  the  Clinton  Avenue  Congrega- 
tional church;  in  both  attaining  prominence  as  an  official  as 
well  as  a  communicant  member  held  in  high  esteem  and  honor. 

BREVET    MAJOR-GENERAL    MORGAN    H.    CHRYSLER,    U.    S. 
VOLUNTEERS.      1822-189O 

Although  not  a  native  of  Kinderhook,  General  Chrysler 
is  well  remembered  as  spending  the  latter  years  of  his  life 
here,  and  should  surely  be  noted  as  one  of  our  distinguished 
residents.  From  an  obituary  notice  in  our  village  paper  we 
cull  much  of  our  narrative. 

He  was  born  in  Ghent,  September  30,  1822;  lived  for  a 
time  in  Hudson ;  while  there  married  Miss  Amelia  Groat,  of 
Ghent;  removed  to  New  Haven;  later,  returned  to  Hudson 
and  finally  went  to  live  on  the  Groat  farm.  A  few  years  sub- 
sequently he  removed  to  South  Corinth,  Saratoga  County. 
On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  as  a  private, 
April  7,  1 86 1.  His  military  record  was  exceptionally  bril- 
liant; only  three  others  who  enlisted  as  privates  having 
attained  the  rank  of  Major-General.  That  record  is  as 
follows  : 

By  a  vote  of  the  men  he  was  elected  Captain  of  Company 
G.,  30th  N.  Y.  Regiment,  and  was  commissioned  as  such  by 
Governor  Morgan,  July  4,  1861,  March  24,  1862,  he  was 
made  Major.  On  the  20th  of  September  following,  he  was 
commissioned  as   Lieutenant-Colonel.      He  remained   with 


Miscellaneous  477 

this  regiment  until  it  was  mustered  out,  and  then  re-enlisted 
in  the  2d  N.  Y.  Veteran  Cavalry.  He  was  commissioned  as 
its  Lieutenant-Colonel  by  Governor  Seymour,  December  14, 
1863,  and  on  the  same  day  was  made  Colonel.  March  22, 
1865,  President  Lincoln  bre vetted  him  Brigadier-General 
with  rank  from  January  23d.  On  the  nth  of  November, 
President  Johnson  commissioned  him  as  Brigadier-General, 
and  on  the  25th  of  May  made  him  Brevet  Major-General. 
All  these  promotions  were  for  meritorious  service  on  the 
field  of  battle.  He  was  in  several  of  the  great  battles  of  the 
war  and  was  wounded  seven  times.  At  the  end  of  the  war 
he  was  made  military  Governor  and  Commander  of  the 
Department  of  Northern  Alabama.  He  held  that  position 
until  November  8,  1865,  and  on  the  15th  of  January,  1866, 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  Returning  to  Saratoga  County, 
he  remained  there  about  four  months  and  then  came  to 
Kinderhook  and  bought  a  place  belonging  to  the  late  Thomas 
Beekman,  and  now  owned  by  Mr.  Wm.  B.  Van  Alstyne.  We 
remember  well  his  small  but  beautiful  trout  pond,  and  what 
a  commotion  there  was  in  the  water  when  he  came  striking 
the  well-filled  pan  he  carried  to  call  the  eager  trout  to  supper. 
Well  do  we  remember  also  the  courtly  mulatto,  Alonzo, 
freed  from  slavery  and  brought  North  as  the  General's 
valet.  In  politeness,  fidelity,  and  all-round  serviceableness, 
as  well  as  goodness  of  heart,  he  seemed  to  be  a  model. 

In  1876  General  Chrysler  sold  this  old  Colonial  homestead 
to  George  Canaday  and  bought  the  Van  Alen  place,  as  it  was 
then  called,  on  Broad  street.  There,  August  24,  1890,  he 
died,  leaving  his  widow  and  his  son,  Captain  Gifford  W. 
Chrysler,  who  also  rendered  notable  service  in  the  Civil 
War,  to  mourn  his  departure.  He  was  buried  in  Prospect 
Hill  Cemetery,  Valatie.  It  may  be  added  that  after  his 
retirement  from  the  army  he  was  for  a  time  in  the  New  York 
Custom  House ;  and  that  during  President  Hayes's  Adminis- 
tration he  was  a  special  examiner  in  the  Pension  Department, 
and  held  that  position  until  his  death. 


478  Old  RinderKooK 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  LAING  HEERMANCE.       1837-I903 

Colonel  Heermance,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Heermance 
and  Catharine  Laing,  was  born  at  Kinderhook,  February  23, 
1837,  and  educated  at  the  Academy. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  went  to  the  front  as 
a  volunteer,  joining  the  9th  Infantry.  He  formed  a  company 
in  this  regiment  which,  it  was  reported,  was  the  first  com- 
pany to  enlist  for  the  entire  war.  Later,  he  joined  the  6th 
New  York  Cavalry  and  at  different  times  during  the  last 
two  years  of  the  war,  was  the  commanding  officer.  It  was 
only  shortly  before  his  death  that  he  received  a  medal  of 
honor  for  gallantry  in  action  before  Chancellorsville,  where 
he  was  severely  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Lafayette  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  New  York,  of  the 
Loyal  Legion,  the  Holland,  and  St.  Nicholas  Societies,  as  well 
as  of  several  historical  and  genealogical  associations.  In  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  in  business  in  New  York  city, 
having  his  home  in  Yonkers  where  he  died,  February  25, 
1903.  Among  those  attending  the  imposing  funeral  was 
Captain  Benjamin  F.  Modina  of  the  Confederate  army  and 
opposed  to  Colonel  Heermance  at  Chancellorsville,  where 
both  were  wounded.  Colonel  Heermance  married  Susan  E. 
Leeds,  New  York,  May  15,  1855.  Their  children  are: 
Susie  L. ;  Georgiana,  married  Julius  L.  Adams,  Brooklyn; 
Catharine  L. ;  Jessie,  married  Ralph  E.  Prime,  Jr.,  Yonkers; 
two  died  in  infancy;  Helen,  married  Chas.  G.  Rowe,  Yonkers; 
William  L.,  died  1910;  Pauline  and  Edgar. 

JOHN  WOODWARD  PHILIP 

Rear-Admiral  U.  S.  Navy.     1 840-1 900 

He  was  born  August  26,  1840,  in  the  house  on  the  Eyke- 
bush  Road  known  to  us  in  later  years  as  the  McPherson- 
Fowler  place.  His  father  was  John  Henry  Philip,  M.D.,  son 
of  John  G.,  son  of  George  Philip,  a  Captain  in  the  army  of 


Miscellaneoxjs  479 

the  Revolution.  Father,  mother,  grandfather,  and  uncle, 
Peter  I.  PhiHp,  are  all  buried  in  our  cemetery.  The  Ad- 
miral's mother  was  Lucena,  daughter  of  Theodore  Wood- 
ward, Professor  of  Surgery  in  the  Vermont  Medical  College, 
where  John  H.  studied,  after  attending  the  Kinderhook 
Academy  and  the  Troy  Polytechnic.  His  professional  life 
began  and  continued  here  until  his  removal  to  Stockport 
in  1843;  whence  he  returned  to  Kinderhook  in  1851,  living 
in  the  old  Van  Vleck  (now  Hotaling)  homestead,  where  he 
died  in  1859.  His  son,  John  Woodward,  after  his  course  in 
our  then  famous  Academy,  received  through  his  uncle, 
Peter  I.,  an  appointment  to  the  Naval  Academy  which  he 
entered  in  1856.  He  soon  won  the  favor  of  all,  instructors, 
classmates,  and  the  young  men  of  other  classes.  The  Civil 
War  clouds  were  gathering  rapidly  when  he  left  Annapolis. 
His  first  active  service  was  on  the  grand  old  Constitution 
until  it  was  towed  to  New  York.  In  the  scarcity  of  trained 
men  Philip's  promotion  was  rapid  and  his  changes  many. 
From  the  Constitution  he  was  transferred  to  the  Santee; 
then,  with  the  rank  of  acting- Master,  to  the  Marion  in  the 
Gulf  Squadron;  then  to  the  Sonoma  of  the  James  River 
Fleet;  and  then,  as  Executive  Officer,  to  the  Chippewa, 
Pawnee,  and  the  Monitor  Monfauk  in  succession,  engaged  in 
the  siege  of  Charleston.  On  the  Pawnee  he  was  painfully  but 
not  seriously  wounded.  At  the  end  of  the  war  he  went  as 
Executive  Officer  on  a  three  years'  cruise  of  the  Wachusett 
around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  the  China  seas  to  protect 
imperiled  American  citizens  and  punish  sundry  troublers 
of  their  peace.  Returning  in  1868,  he  was  made  Executive 
Officer  of  the  Richmond  of  the  European  Squadron.  From 
1874  to  '76,  officers  being  more  numerous  than  ships,  he 
received  leave  of  absence  and  served  as  Commander  of  a 
Pacific  Mail  Steamer.  In  1876  we  find  him  Commander  of 
the  Adams,  then  of  the  Tuscarora  on  a  thirty  months'  sur- 
veying cruise  along  the  west  coast  of  Mexico  and  Central 
America;  in  1886  on  the  Ranger;  '87-90  on  the  receiving 


48o  Old  HiinclerKooK 

ship  IndependeMce  at  Mare's  Island,  Cal. ;  then  inspecting 
the  building  of  the  New  York,  and  her  Commander  after 
completion  in  a  cruise  in  South  American  waters;  and,  1894- 
97,  in  charge  of  the  Boston  Navy  Yard  until  he  was  ordered 
to  the  Texas.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Spain, 
after  securing  needed  repairs  to  his  ship,  he  joined  Admiral 
Schley's  Flying  Squadron.  His  magnificent  services,  nar- 
rated a  thousand  times,  are  familiar  to  every  reader.  At 
his  solicitation  Admiral  Sampson  deferred  his  attack  on 
Santiago  from  Sunday  to  Monday.  Returning  to  New 
York  he  was  overwhelmed  with  honors,  as  all  remember.    In 

1898  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Commander  and  in 

1899  inade  Rear-Admiral.  In  charge  of  the  Brooklyn  Navy 
Yard,  he  was  interested  and  active  in  securing  the  building 
for  the  Naval  branch  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  through  the 
generosity  of  Miss  Helen  Gould.  June  30, 1900,  he  died,  after 
a  brief  illness,  of  heart  trouble,  and  amid  tributes  of  highest 
honor  from  a  grieving  Nation,  was  borne  to  his  final  rest  at 
Annapolis.  The  details  of  the  foregoing  sketch,  as  regards 
the  Rear- Admiral's  public  career,  have  been  gathered  from 
the  Life  and  Adventures  of  Jack  Philip,  by  Mr.  Edgar  Stanton 
Maclay,  A.M.,  American  Tract  Societ}'-,  1904.  The  author 
was  a  child  of  four  years  in  a  Mission  family  at  Foo  Chow 
when  he  first  saw  the  future  great  Admiral.  We  quote  the 
first  paragraph  of  his  "Explanatory  Note": 

There  have  been  few  officers  in  the  United  States  navy  whose 
careers  have  been  so  nearly  ideal  as  that  of  John  Woodward 
Philip.  His  life-long  devotion  to  duty,  his  conscientious  carry- 
ing on  of  routine  in  the  many  dreary  years  of  peace,  his  entire 
innocence  of  newspaper  press  bureaus  or  politico-social  influence, 
his  superb  conduct  in  battle,  his  modest,  sailor-like  acknowledg- 
ments of  the  plaudits  of  his  countrymen,  and,  more  than  all,  his 
beautiful  Christian  character  have  peculiarly  endeared  him  to  the 
American  people.  As  a  standard  of  naval  excellence  for  the 
emulation  of  younger  officers,  the  career  of  Philip  is  unsurpassed 
and  cannot  fail  of  beneficial  results. 


CHAPTER  XIV 
REMINISCENCES 

W.  H.  Winans,  1822— T.  B.  Myers,  1842— E.  S.  Porter,  D.D.— Colonel  Silas 
W.  Burt— Matilda  C.  Metcalf— The  late  Chief  Justice  Edgar  M.  Cullen, 
1851 — Personal,  1864. 

IN  1886  there  appeared  in  the  Rough  Notes  a  series  of  ten 
articles  entitled  "Kinderhook  of  The  Long  Ago," 
written  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Winans,  of  Newark,  whose  father  was 
a  teacher  in  the  Academy.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of 
John  C.  Wynkoop  and  Lydia  Silvester.  We  quote  the 
letters  in  part,  venturing  to  correct  an  occasional  error  and 
adding  a  few  explanatory  notes.  Referring  to  one's  interest 
in  the  home  of  his  childhood,  no  matter  how  long  or  how  far 
he  may  wander,  he  tells  of  the  visit  of  Mr.  Nathan  Wild  and 
his  brother  James  to  their  old  homestead  in  England. 

We  asked  the  lady  occupying  the  house  [said  Mr.  Wild  with 
tears  as  he  told  the  story]  to  remove  the  carpet,  to  see  if  the  hole 
which  we  made  to  roll  marbles  in  was  still  there.  She  complied, 
and  we  saw  it  just  as  we  had  scooped  it  out,  and  James  and  I  both 
wept.    We  could  not  help  it. 

Mr.  Winans's  first  experiences  in  Kinderhook  were  in  what 
was  termed  "The  Castle" — a  very  old  building  long  since 
demolished,  standing  on  the  northerly  corner  of  Hudson  and 
William  streets.  It  had  been  the  home  if  not  the  birth- 
place of  Henry,  John,  and  Aaron  Van  Vleck  and  their  sisters. 

481 


482  Old  RinderHooK 

The  mild  suggestion  by  Mr.  Winans  (senior)  that  the  house 
needed  some  repairs,  was  met  by  the  unanswerable  rejoinder 
"that  a  house  good  enough  for  the  Van  Vleck  family  ought 
to  be  good  enough  for  a  Yankee  schoolmaster."  On  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street,  at  the  brow  of  the  hill  toward  the 
creek  was  a  story-and-a-half  dwelling  which  was  the  birth- 
place of  Martin  Van  Buren.  It  stood  opposite  the  lane  lead- 
ing to  the  home  of  Mrs.  Lydia  Van  Alen.  Opposite  the 
north  Hne  of  the  "Castle"  property  there  was  then  (1822)  a 
partially  filled  cellar;  all  that  remained  of  the  inn  kept  by 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  father.  It  had  been  burned  several  years 
before.  Contrary  to  prevailing  tradition  Mr.  Winans  thus 
makes  the  Van  Buren  inn  a  building  apart  from  and  some 
two  hundred  feet  north  of  the  family  dwelling  where  Martin 
Van  Buren  was  born.  Is  he  correct?  The  birthplace  was 
certainly  small  for  an  inn.  But  probably  it  was  the  cellar 
of  the  old  church,  not  of  the  inn. 

In  1825  the  leading  general  stores  were  those  of  the  Messrs. 
Van  Vleck  (now  Miss  Dibble's  house);  Bain  and  Birge  (Mr. 
Avery's) ;  Peter  Van  Buren  (on  the  old  Bank  corner) ;  Whiting  and 
Clark  (where  the  knitting  mill  office  now  is)  and  Van  Dyck  and 
Hawley  (opposite  the  Dutch  church)  and  two  or  three  groceries. 
Widow  Van  Alen  ("Aunt  Liddy")  the  widow  of  John  C.  Wyn- 
koop  and  sister  of  Judge  Francis  Silvester,  was  living  in  the 
present  Nink  house;  the  Van  Vlecks  in  the  "Castle"  on  the  cor- 
ner where  Mr.  Hotaling  now  lives;  Mr.  Hoes  in  the  old  rear  part 
of  Mrs.  J.  A.  Reynolds'  mansion;  Capt.  John  Van  Alen  in  the 
house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Pratt;  Schuyler  John  Van  Alen  in  the 
old  house  on  the  corner  of  William  and  Chatham  Street;  Peter 
Van  Vleck  in  the  present  Bank  building;  the  Van  Schaacks  and 
Wynkoops  in  their  well  known  residences;  and,  omitting  many 
known  residences  of  the  time,  Cornelius  Van  Alen  in  the  old 
house  now  belonging  to  Mrs.  Duff,  or  possibly  that  of  Mr.  W.  B. 
Van  Alstyne.    The  name  belongs  to  both. 

After  speaking  of  the  church,  the  only  one  then  between 
Schodack  and  Claverack,  and  the  old  foot  stoves  which  gave  such 
joy  to  the  little  fellows  sometimes  permitted  to  sit  on  them  on  a 


Reminiscences  483 

cold  Sunday  morning,  Mr.  Winans  goes  on  to  say,  in  substance : 
"  I  fancy  I  can  see  good  Dominie  Sickles  in  his  pulpit,  high  up,  and 
on  a  range  with  the  galleries,  and  the  sturdy  old  burghers  and 
town's  people  in  their  pews.  And  there  was  good  old  Toby  Van 
Dyck,  colored,  who  sat  back  of  the  choir,  in  quarters  assigned 
to  those  of  his  color,  as  a  sort  of  deacon;  and  woe  to  the  young 
darkey  who  behaved  unseemly  if  Toby  espied  him.  Disciplinary 
powers  were  accorded  to  Toby,  and  he  did  not  neglect  the  oppor- 
tunity, if  the  situation  of  affairs  under  his  immediate  jurisdiction 
seemed  in  his  opinion,  to  require  it. " 

Mr,  Winans  recalls  the  prevailing  perversion  of  names, 
"  Dutchized,"  is  his  word:  e.  g.,  "Stuffle  Pollock,"  for  Christopher 
Van  Volkenburgh;  "Cobus"  and  "Aurnt"  Pool  for  James  and 
Aaron  Vanderpoel;  "Drees,"  for  Andrew;  "Honce"  for  Henry; 
"  Lowis,"  for  Lawrence,  and  "  Tice  "  for  Matthias.  Then,  among 
the  women,  "Aitchee"  was  Margaret;  "Steinchy, "  Christina; 
"Helletchy,"  Helen;  "Anne-Yan,"  Aunt  Jane,  etc. 

General  Training  day  was  a  great  day,  hardly  second  to  the 
"Glorious  Pourth. "  It  was  a  day  for  which  great  preparations 
were  made  by  the  small  boy  of  the  period.  It  was  in  anticipation 
of  this  day  that  economy  in  expenditure  was  rigidly  practised. 
A  boy  without  money  on  that  day  was  about  as  miserable  as  the 
law  would  allow.  It  was  that  day  when  he  calculated  upon  filling 
his  jacket,  or  that  important  part  of  his  body  which  it  partly 
covered,  with  at  least  a  card  of  gingerbread  and  cider  ad  libitum. 
And  then  it  was  a  sight  to  see  the  gay  militia  officers,  proud  as 
peacocks,  shouting  their  orders  to  men  as  undisciplined  as  them- 
selves, but  who  were  summoned  to  appear  for  general  review  and 
parade  as  the  law  directed,  and  who  were  there  to  make  a  day  of 
it.  In  1825,  Lawrence  Van  Dyck,  who  had  learned  something 
of  military  tactics  while  living  in  New  York,  organized  a  company 
in  Kinderhook  called  "The  Greys."  The  uniform  was  similar 
to  that  of  the  West  Point  cadets,  a  grey  coat  with  white  trousers. 
Besides  Captain  Van  Dyck,  the  writer  remembered  but  two, 
Josiah  Webber  and  John,  son  of  Peter  Van  Vleck  and  brother 
of  Peter  Henry,  the  publisher  of  the  Rough  Notes.  The  company 
had  about  fifty  members  and  must  have  been  dissolved  prior  to  1 830. 

We  confess  that  it  shocks  us  to  think  of  our  dear,  old,  saintly 


484  Old  RinderHooK 

"uncle  Lawrence"  leading  the  "Greys"  in  their  wild  charges 
against  imaginary  foes,  almost  as  much  as  it  does  to  think 
of  the  great  missionary  and  Arabic  scholar,  Cornelius  V.  A. 
Van  Dyck,  running  with  our  first  fire  engine. 

In  1825  there  were  three  hotels  in  the  village;  one  was 
kept  by  Peter  I.  Lewis  (on  the  site  of  the  present  Kinder- 
hook  Hotel) ;  Frink's,  which  stood  in  front  of  Mr.  G.  S.  Col- 
lier's present  residence  and  which  was  moved  and  trans- 
formed into  the  Hoes-F.  B.  Van  Alstyne  house;  and  Mr. 
McAlpine's,  now  the  home  of  Mrs.  F.  Risedorph. 

Two  lines  of  Albany- New  York  stages  had  daily  trips 
each  way  through  the  village.  Thorpe  and  Sprague's  line 
stopped  at  Lewis's  Hotel  while  that  of  Baker  and  Company 
patronized  Frink's.  At  both,  passengers  could  obtain  meals 
and  possibly  other  supposed  refreshments  for  the  three  days' 
journey  from  Albany  to  New  York.  The  passing  of  four 
stages  relieved  in  a  great  degree  the  monotony  of  the  village 
life,  while  the  crack  of  the  coachman's  whip  and  the  compara- 
tive merits  of  the  steeds  of  the  two  lines  afforded  prolific 
themes  for  discussion  by  the  juveniles.  Each  line  had  its 
particular  friends  who  welcomed  the  coming  and  speeded 
the  departing  stage  with  loud  cheers.  The  drivers  were 
regarded  by  the  small  boys  as  truly  wonderful  and  highly 
favored  individuals,  enjoying  opportunities  for  seeing  the 
world  accorded  to  but  few;  and  many  a  boy  looked  forward 
with  delightful  anticipation  to  the  time  when  he  perchance 
should  come  into  the  village  with  a  "four-in-hand,"  the 
envy  of  all  his  fellows. 

Great  was  the  excitement  among  the  boys  when  it  was 
announced  that  Dr.  Van  Dyck's  son,  Henry  H.,  was  going  to 
sea.  Nearly  all  of  them  were  at  once  filled  with  a  desire  to 
become  sailors,  although  Captain  John  Van  Alen,  a  retired 
sea-captain,  advised  them  to  wait  until  they  heard  how 
Henry  liked  it.  Henry  shipped  on  the  packet  Charlemagne, 
bound  from  New  York  to  Havre,  but  was  satisfied  with 
one  trip,  and  the  story  of  his  experience  was  not  calculated 


Reminiscences  485 

to  wean  the  boys  from  their  ambition  to  become  stage 
drivers.  The  writer  well  remembers  How  strong  was  the 
lure  of  the  sea  among  the  boys  of  a  school  at  Fairhaven, 
Mass.,  opposite  the  then  great  whaling-port  of  New  Bedford. 
Though  but  a  mite  of  a  fellow  there  was  a  strong  determina- 
tion to  be  a  sailor. 

The  principal  industries  of  the  village  in  1820,  noted  by 
Mr.  Winans  were — the  furnace  and  pattern  shop  with  which 
Mr.  Hanna,  later  of  Valatie,  was  connected;  the  carriage 
factory  of  Truxton  Birge;  the  currying  establishment  of 
Smith  and  Van  Alstyne;  the  stove  and  tinware  factory  of 
General  Whiting;  the  considerable  cabinet  manufactory 
of  Mr.  Burchardt,  in  which  the  late  Major  Peter  D.  Van 
Alen  was  employed,  and  a  tannery  conducted  by  a  Mr. 
Ladue,  which  was  abandoned  a  few  years  later. 

In  the  Kinderhook  Rough  Notes  of  February  17,  1882, 
there  appeared  a  communication  from  "Viator"  (Theodore 
Bailey  Myers,  son  of  Major  Mordecai  Myers),  giving  these 
interesting  reminiscences  of  Kinderhook  as  it  was  in  the 
early  forties,  or  late  thirties. 

To  one  who  was  familiar  with  Kinderhook  forty  years  ago, 
[it  must  have  been  earlier]  the  impressions  of  a  visit  recall  a 
state  of  society  which  is  typical  of  the  change  of  old  civilizations 
to  newer  ones  in  a  country  of  progress.  Old  towns  like  Kinder- 
hook are  the  mills  in  which  that  progress  has  been  ground  out 
by  destiny,  and  there  is  no  portion  of  the  continent  in  which 
men,  often  of  distinguished  position  in  life,  may  not  be  found  who 
recognize  Kinderhook  as  their  alma  mater,  either  of  education  in 
its  old  Academy,  or  in  its  law  offices,  or  other  channels  of  adapta- 
tion to  the  usefulness  of  life.  While  many  have  thus  gone  from 
Kinderhook  to  be  of  service  elsewhere,  as  many  have  passed  away, 
leaving  no  posterity  in  their  old  homes  to  fill  their  places. 

At  the  period  alluded  to,  such  men  as  Rev.  Dr.  Sickles;  Dr. 
Van  Dyke;  Dr.  Barthrop,  an  eccentric  Englishman;  Dr.  Abraham 
Clark,  son  of  the  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  from 
New  Jersey;  Dr.  John  P.  Beekman  (Dr.  Clark's  son-in-law),  the 


486  ^Old  RinderhooK 

first  president  of  the  corporation  of  the  village,  a  Senator  and 
President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society;  General  Charles 
Whiting,  with  his  fine  martial  appearance;  the  genial  Major 
Lawrence  Van  Buren,  the  brother  of  the  President,  and  often 
that  courtly  gentleman  himself;  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  then  promi- 
nent in  Congress  and  in  social  life;  William  H.  Tobey,  distin- 
guished in  his  profession  and  as  a  Senator  and  Surrogate;  Major 
Myers,  a  veteran  soldier  of  varied  experience  and  social  accom- 
plishments, ever  liberal  and  active  in  public  affairs  and  second 
President  of  the  corporation;  Dr.  John  M.  Pruyn  and  Dr.  Lucas 
Pruyn;  John  Bain,  the  principal  merchant;  Lucas  Hoes;  Teunis 
Harder;  Francis  Silvester,  representative  and  descendant  of  a 
well-known  family;  Augustus  Wynkoop,  prominent  in  mercantile 
enterprise;  Peter  L  Hoes;  Julius  Wilcoxson,  an  able  lawyer  and 
Judge  of  the  County  Court;  Capt.  John  Van  Alen;  James  B. 
Laing;  James  Shaw,  ex-Sheriff  of  New  York;  David  Van  Schaack 
the  careful  lawyer,  and  Peter  Van  Schaack,  the  editor  of  the  old 
Kinderhook  Sentinel,  sons  of  the  great  Peter  Van  Schaack,  to 
whom  the  Bar  of  the  State  resorted  to  sit,  as  at  the  feet  of  Gamal- 
iel, when  through  loss  of  sight,  his  voice  and  not  his  pen  conveyed 
the  results  of  his  wide  professional  information ;  the  Van  Valken- 
burghs,  Van  Alstynes,  Van  Alens,  Van  Vlecks,  Bests;  Dr.  John 
Vanderpoel  and  Nathan  Wild  of  Valatie ;  James  Wild  of  Stuy ves- 
ant  Falls;  Walter  Butler  and  John  S.  Vosburgh  of  Stuyvesant 
Landing;  Tobias  Hogeboom  and  John  J.  Van  Volkinburgh  of 
Chatham  Center;  all  men  of  note;  these  and  many  others  were 
the  residents  or  frequent  visitors  at  Kinderhook. 

The  names  of  many  other  men  equally  well  known  at  the 
time,  and  occupying  prominent  positions  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Kinderhook  of  those  days,  could  be  added  if  space  allowed. 

Then  there  was  the  old  sexton  and  teamster,  Lathrop,  who 
cracked  his  whip  over  his  feeble  but  effective  four-horse  team, 
and  died  in  harness  from  an  accident ;  Benjamin  Lillibridge,  the 
disciple  of  Crispin,  whose  genial  welcome  made  his  shop  the 
schoolboys'  resort;  Deputy-Sheriff  Asaph  Wilder,  the  terror  of 
evil  doers;  Robert  Rosboro  and  Mr.  Hobart,  the  genial  hosts  of 
the  inns;  and  "Old  Coley"  making  the  streets  resound  with  his 
melody  of  "Indian  flea,  lit  on  my  knee,  up  and  down,  up  and 
down,"  followed  at  a  respectful  distance  by  his  spouse;  and 


Reminiscences  487 

"Woodchuck  Pete,"  the  wonder  of  the  junior  population,  as  the 
successful  representative  of  the  chase;  these  three  descendants 
of  the  old  institution  of  slavery  which  had  not  then  long  ceased  to 
exist. 

These  all  are  names  associated  in  their  various  spheres 
with  the  early  histor}^  of  Kinderhook,  and  whose  feet  once  passed 
over  its  thoroughfares,  and  have  now  passed  away.  Some  of 
them  have  furnished  material  to  Washington  Irving  when  as  a 
young  man  he  selected  his  "Ichabod  Crane"  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, while  writing  at  Lindenwald  the  works  which  have  made 
his  name  and  those  of  his  subjects  immortal. 

The  ex-President  himself  can  be  recalled  in  his  early  ride, 
mounted  on  a  thorough-bred,  the  gift  of  John  Randolph  of 
Roanoke,  with  his  accomplished  horsemanship,  his  dignified 
sitting,  and  his  single  spur;  stopping  to  salute  each  passer  by, 
however  humble,  and  to  recall  some  pleasant  recollection  of 
himself  or  of  his  antecedents  which  his  wonderful  memory 
retained. 

These  men  assembled  on  the  Sabbath  under  the  roof  of  the 
old  Dutch  Reformed  church,  with  its  red  brick  wall  and  white 
steeple,  a  landmark  to  the  surrounding  country,  where  elders 
and  deacons  sat  in  chairs  in  the  front  of  the  pulpit,  with  square 
pews  on  each  side  as  spacious  as  a  modern  bedroom,  and 
a  reverent  assemblage  in  other  ample  sittings,  in  which  they 
met  to  return  thanks  for  the  bounties  of  Providence  displayed 
in  the  rich  harvest  fields  of  this  productive  region,  then  with 
little  competition  for  its  fruits  from  the  now  bountiful 
West. 

Near  by,  during  the  week  days  a  large  assemblage  of  youths, 
many  from  the  Southern  States,  were  instructed  by  the  peda- 
gogue, Gleason,  who  had  come  from  an  equally  celebrated  school 
still  to  be  seen  at  Lenox,  Alass.,  and  by  his  successor  Silas  Met- 
calf,  whose  bones  were  afterwards  brought  and  laid  near  the 
scenes  of  his  former  usefulness.  The  minds  he  and  his  predeces- 
sors formed  are  still  active  in  many  distinguished  associations  of 
life  and  testify  to  their  labors. 

The  visitor  to  Kinderhook  today  finds  man}'  of  these  names 
almost  forgotten  and  comparatively  few  of  their  places  filled  by 
their  descendants. 


488  Old  K-inderKooK 

We  cannot  better  supplement  the  view  of  Kinderhook  as 
it  was  remembered  by  "  Viator"  than  by  giving  the  pleas- 
ing "Recollections"  of  the  late  Elbert  S.  Porter,  D.D.,  the 
first  pastor  (1843- 1849)  of  the  Chatham  Reformed  Church. 
They  were  published  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  of  which 
Dr.  Porter  was  the  editor  for  several  years,  and  refer  to  a 
period  a  little  subsequent  to  that  of  the  preceding  reminis- 
cences. 

'  There  groups  of  merry  children  played, 
There  youths  and  maidens  dreaming  strayed; 
O  precious  hours!    O  golden  prime 
And  affluence  of  love  and  time. " 

"Children's  Corner,"  once  wild  with  the  unstudied  music  of 
bairns  and  birds  and  bears,  while  yet  engirt  with  great  solemn 
trees,  broadened  and  widened  with  the  "processes  of  the  suns" 
into  the  beautiful,  stately  and  aristocratic  village  of  Kinder- 
hook.  When  my  acquaintance  with  it  began,  it  had  more  wealth 
and  worth,  inherited  and  cultivated,  than  any  other  place  in 
Columbia  County.  The  best  blood  of  the  best  people  of  the  best 
race,  had  made  its  deposit  there;  families  who  could  trace  their 
pedigree  back  to  the  Belgi,  the  Fresii  and  the  Batavi,  whom 
Caesar  tried  in  vain  to  conquer.  There  were  homesteads  which 
had  been  handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another  and 
venerable  dwellings,  the  parlors  whereof  were  decorated  with 
plates  of  porcelain  covered  with  historic  figures;  while  the  cup- 
boards thereof  were  in  possession  of  that  delftware,  which  held  in 
symbolic  purple  the  triumphs  of  Dutch  art,  and  the  closest 
association  with  the  name  of  William  the  Silent.  There  were — 
many  (we  will  say,  omitting  here  a  long  list  of  notable  names 
which  we  will  not  repeat  lest  we  omit  some  of  equal  claim  to 
honorable  mention,  as  Dr.  Porter  did)  who  imparted  to  the  social 
life  of  Kinderhook  its  unique,  quiet  and  well-guarded  excellence. 
What  Washington  Irvington  did  for  Tarrytown  in  his  day 
and  way,  and  what  Mrs.  Vanderbilt  has  lately  done  for  Flatbush 
with  her  graceful  pen,  might  be  done  worthily  for  Kinderhook. 
Its  history,  actual  and  traditional,  would  have  the  charm  of 


Reminiscences  489 

romance.  There  are  stories,  incidents,  and  anecdotes  concerning 
persons  of  note  still  in  circulation  there  which  form  indeed  a  part 
of  the  history  of  the  State  and  the  Nation.  At  one  time  I  know- 
that  very  much  of  this  sort  of  material  was  in  manuscripts  stored 
up  in  chests  and  drawers.  There  were  men  of  Dutch  blood  reared 
in  Kinderhook,  whose  names  shine  brightly  on  their  Country's 
page. 

The  village  in  one  sense  was  like  the  New  Jerusalem.  It  lay 
four  square.  The  Post  Road  crossed  the  road  leading  from  the 
Landing  to  Valatie,  making  four  corners  of  as  many  blocks.  The 
streets  were  well  shaded,  the  court-yards  ample,  the  sidewalks 
wide  and  smooth.  It  was  the  very  perfection  of  a  village  in  its 
realistic  beauty  and  adornments.  The  plain  on  which  it  rested 
or  spread  was  rich  as  a  garden,  and  abounded  in  agricultural 
wealth,  so  that  a  IGnderhooker  very  properly  felt  some  of  the 
benefits  of  an  environment  in  all  respects  admirable.  In  those 
days  the  place  was  a  favorite  resort  in  summer  time  for  many  who 
had  the  proper  credentials  admitting  to  its  sacred  and  shady 
seclusions.  Its  Academy,  with  Silas  Metcalf  for  its  principal, 
stood  well.  Indeed  it  had  no  rival  in  the  county.  Many  of  its 
pupils,  among  whom  was  Parke  Godwin,  have  made  their  mark 
in  professional  circles.  It  was  the  pet  of  social  patronage  and 
literary  liberality  for  all  the  country  round. 

But  the  era  of  railroads  came,  and  the  roads  left  Kinderhook 
undisturbed — because  untouched.  And  thus  it  was  brought  to 
pass  that  it  had  to  hand  over  much  of  its  business  to  villages  just 
then  lifting  their  heads  into  juvenile  growth.  I  know  however, 
that  all  old  villages  are  averse  to  growth.  The  land  in  them  is 
precious  as  an  heirloom.  Its  owners  don't  like  to  part  with  it 
because  it  came  by  inheritance.  A  proposition  to  cut  a  new  street 
seems  well  nigh  like  sacrilege.  For  this  and  other  reasons  nearly 
all  the  earlier  formed  villages  along  the  line  of  the  Post  Road, 
from  Fishkill  up  to  Greenbush,  have  fallen  backwards  or  re- 
mained stationary  relics  of  the  enterprise  of  their  founders. 
Their  young  men  are  driven  off  to  find  fields  of  exertion  or  paths 
of  usefulness  open  to  them  elsewhere,  and  so  there  is  much 
lamentation  over  the  very  lamentable  fact  that  rural  regions  most 
inviting  are  depopulated,  and  the  large  cities  over  crowded. 

There  is,  however,  a  returning  wave.     A  love  of  agriculture 


490  Old  K-inderHooK 

or  a  preference  for  rural  over  urban  homes,  is  inciting  many  to 
flee  the  vain  pomps  of  the  fashion-ruled  cities  for  the  more 
rational  simplicities  of  the  country  towns. 

I  have  devoted  the  larger  portion  of  this  sketch  to  Kinder- 
hook,  because  my  memories  of  it  and  of  some  of  its  good  people 
have  never  faded.  There  I  found  pleasant  friends,  and  that 
warm-hearted  hospitality  which  imparts  special  flavor  to  a  well- 
conditioned  order  of  society.  There,  too,  I  received  much 
sympathetic  encouragement  in  my  work  as  a  pastor,  and  not  a 
little  of  the  feeling  that  true  piety  may  be  allied  with  the  best 
style  of  culture.  While  the  currents  of  recent  years  have  drawn 
trade  and  enterprise  into  many  new  channels,  still  it  is  for  the 
credit  of  the  older  inland  towns  on  the  Hudson  River,  that  they 
have  preserved  for  themselves,  despite  all  change,  that  sturdy 
reputation  for  old-fashioned  honesty  and  substantial,  personal 
and  social  dignity  which  has  come  down  to  them  through  and 
from  an  honorable  ancestry. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  late  Colonel  Silas  W.  Burt,  eldest 
son  of  Thomas  M.  Burt  and  of  whom  we  have  elsewhere 
written,  for  his  pleasing  personal  reminiscences  of  Kinder- 
hook  from  1842  when  he  came  here,  to  1849  when  he  was 
graduated  at  Union  College.  We  give  selections  from  his 
most  interesting  manuscript  volume. 

Kinderhook  village  was  and  is  a  beautiful  place.  When  we 
moved  there,  no  manufactures  were  carried  on  except  that  of  felt 
and  silk  hats,  in  retired  localities,  and  now  for  many  years  dis- 
continued. A  large  share  of  the  residents  lived  upon  moderate 
incomes  and  there  was  a  general  aspect  of  thrift  and  comfort 
everywhere.  The  four  general  country  stores  did  a  good  business 
with  the  farming  people  in  the  vicinity.  These  latter  were 
generally  "fore-handed";  the  excellent  soil,  frugal  Dutch  habits 
and  accessibility  to  the  New  York  markets  were  all  in  their  favor. 
For  years  sloops  had  plied  between  Stuyvesant  and  New  York 
and  about  the  time  of  our  removal  there  was  a  weekly  propeller 
put  on  the  route.  All  kinds  of  farm  products  could  thus  be 
cheaply  placed  in  the  great  mart  and  no  competition  could  greatly 
affect  the  traffic.  .  .  . 


I 


Reminiscences  491 

The  village  stands  mostly  on  a  gravelly  plateau  extending 
level  a  mile  or  so  north  and  west  until  breaking  into  the  valley  of 
the  Hudson;  this  plateau  also  breaking  eastward  within  the 
village  itself,  into  the  valley  of  the  Kinderhook  Creek,  beyond 
which  the  country  becomes  more  and  more  rugged. 

In  my  early  days  there  the  village  was  nearly  as  quiet  as  the 
surrounding  country,  except  when  the  vociferous  Academy  boys 
congregated  on  the  streets.  The  City  of  Albany  was  accounted 
a  sleepy  old  burgh,  but  it  was  a  scene  of  frantic  uproar  compared 
with  our  village.  Soon  this  peaceful  calm  became  accustomed 
and  then  pleasing.  ...  As  the  term  of  the  Academy  had  already 
begun  I  was  sent  to  the  English  Department.  .  .  .  My  teacher 
was  Mr.  George  Van  Santvoord,  a  recent  graduate  of  Union 
College  and  engaged  in  the  study  of  law.  .  .  .  The  Academy  in 
those  days  was  quite  a  noted  school  and  many  students  from 
abroad  attended  it,  some  of  them  boarding  with  the  principal 
Silas  Metcalf,  and  the  rest  at  other  houses  in  the  village.  There 
were  scholars  from  the  Southern  States,  the  West  Indies  and 
New  York  city,  as  also  from  our  neighboring  counties,  and  the 
school  was  the  leading  feature  of  the  place.  .  .  .  The  Academy 
stood  in  a  grove  of  maple  trees  with  ample  play-grounds  back, 
and  was  a  building  well  suited  for  its  purpose.  There  was  a 
primary  department  where  both  boys  and  girls  attended;  an 
English  department  separately  for  each  and  a  Classical  depart- 
ment for  both ;  there  was  also  a  teacher  of  the  piano  and  one  of 
French  and  Drawing.  ... 

Not  far  from  the  Academy  was  the  "Vley,"  a  Dutch  name 
for  swamp,  pronounced  "Fly. "  This  swamp  was  half  surrounded 
by  an  amphitheatric  slope  covered  with  heavy  timber  and  shrubs 
to  which  the  name  "Fly"  was  also  extended.  It  was  indeed  a 
beautiful  place,  now  partly  included  in  the  Cemetery  and  partly 
cut  away  and  destroyed  to  make  room  for  the  cotton  factory, 
which  was  burned  in  1882.  In  a  lofty  oak  tree  the  boys  had  built 
among  the  branches,  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  a  platform  of 
boards  six  feet  square,  completely  embowered  in  foliage  so  as  not 
to  be  visible  from  below.  And  what  was  peculiarly  and  ro- 
mantically delightful,  access  to  this  bower  could  only  be  had  by 
climbing  another  tree,  a  large  hemlock  that  loosened  at  its  roots 
leaned  against  the  great  oak.    Here  we  lived  like  a  Swiss  Family 


492  Old  HinderKooK 

Robinson,  or  invented  other  romances;  while  as  a  diversion  or 
additional  hiding  place,  a  cave  was  dug  in  a  bank  near  by,  the 
mouth  of  which  was  concealed  by  spice-bushes  and  we  gathered 
in  this  bandit-like  retreat  when  our  arboreal  rest  became  tiresome. 

Mr.  Burt's  continued  narrative  of  winter  sports,  the 
sled-riding,  the  skating,  the  Eskimo  snow  houses  with  con- 
necting galleries,  the  snow  forts,  the  evening  gatherings  in 
the  students'  rooms,  and  the  surreptitious  suppers,  most 
toothsome  if  not  luxurious,  is  all  delightful  reading  but  must 
be  omitted.  Turning  several  pages  of  the  manuscript  we 
read: 

In  my  first  year  I  spent  a  part  of  my  leisure  time  with  one 
Henry  Peckham,  a  boy  of  about  my  own  age,  whose  uncle  had  a 
shoe  store  near  us.  This  store  was  then  the  rendezvous  of  a 
coterie  of  venerable  gentlemen,  remarkable  as  the  survivors  of  an 
early  epoch — Hon.  Francis  Silvester,  son  of  Peter,  who  repre- 
sented the  district  in  the  first  Congress,  (1789-91)  was  one  of 
these  ancients,  and  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the  gentlemen  of  the 
old  school — Dr.  Clarke,  father-in-law  of  Dr.  Beekman,  our 
village  capitalist — Mr.  Edgar  Laing,  a  retired  New  York  mer- 
chant— Mr.  James  Shaw  once  Sheriff  of  New  York  and  Dr.  John 
M.  Pruyn,  our  family  physician  and  the  youngest  of  the  group. 
Every  afternoon  these  gentlemen  met  for  gossip.  They  were  all 
whigs  in  politics  and  their  stately  greeting  as  they  rose  from  their 
chairs,  doffed  their  hats  and  courteously  bowed  when  the  ex- 
President  rode  by,  as  he  often  did,  was  a  fine  exhibition  of 
respect  for  an  ex-official  and  a  protest  against  his  Democratic 
creed. 

Mr.  Van  Buren,  we  will  add,  was  not  then  nor  at  any  other 
time  outdone  in  courtesy. 

As  my  acquaintance  increased  I  shifted  my  lounging  place 
to  the  shop  of  Benny  Lillibridge,  cordwainer  and  also  nephew  of 
the  above  named  Peckham.  Benny  had  an  extraordinary  tact  in 
encouraging  the  confidence  and  attachment  of  boys,  and  we  used 


Reminiscences  493 

to  make  ourselves  perfectly  at  home  amid  the  leather  and  other 
paraphernalia  of  the  cordwainer's  benches.  Very  short  in  stature, 
with  a  swarthy  complexion,  a  large  good-natured  mouth  and  long 
curly  hair,  Benny  would  mingle  his  chuckles  over  our  boyish  wit 
with  rapid  taps  on  his  lap-stone.  For  our  convenience  as  a 
store-house  for  apples  and  other  refreshments  we  dug  a  cellar 
in  the  middle  of  his  shop  with  a  trap-door,  and  found  it  a  conven- 
ient retreat  whenever  "Old  Met."  (as  our  good  preceptor,  Mr. 
Metcalf  was  familiarly  dubbed)  was  searching  for  us. 

In  1847,  about  the  time  Mr.  Watson  succeeded  Mr.  Metcalf 
as  principal,  there  came  to  Kinderhook  two  young  men  from 
Porto  Rico.  They  had  received  their  general  education  in  Paris 
and  Bremen,  but  came  to  our  Academy  to  obtain  a  more  practical 
knowledge  of  the  English  language.  Their  mother  was  the  owner 
of  large  sugar  plantations  and  through  her  factor  in  New  York, 
an  acquaintance  of  Major  M.  Myers,  her  boys  were  sent  here. 
The  eldest,  Juan  Mariona  De  Quirones,  was  a  remarkably 
handsome  man  of  the  Spanish  type  but  haughty  and  so  reserved 
that  he  sought  no  acquaintances.  The  younger,  Francisco,  was 
a  sturdy  fellow  and  much  more  sociable,  but  very  passionate. 
In  fact  at  one  time,  for  some  fancied  insult,  he  suddenly  assaulted 
his  brother  with  a  dagger,  but  fortunately  had  only  slightly 
wounded  him  before  they  were  separated.  Francisco  being  about 
my  age  we  contracted  a  very  strong  friendship.  Juan  remained 
in  Kinderhook  only  about  six  months,  but  Francisco  eighteen, 
and  then  both  returned  to  Porto  Rico.  The  latter  visited  us  in 
1853  but  remained  only  two  days,  since  which  time  I  have  not 
seen  him,  although  we  corresponded  a  few  years.  One  of  the 
first  Porto  Ricans  who  accepted  without  demur  our  annexation 
of  Porto  Rico  was  Francisco.  He  was  a  high  judicial  officer  and 
was  also  active  in  such  legislation  as  tended  to  the  acceptance  of 
his  native  island  as  an  integral  part  of  the  United  States.  He 
died  about  two  years  ago  and  the  Porto  Rican  papers  and  also 
those  of  our  great  cities  published  mortuary  articles  expressing 
the  great  loss  of  his  agency  in  promoting  the  best  interest  of  his 
country. 

In  1842  there  was  in  Kinderhook  a  seamstress,  a  Mrs.  Hozier, 
who  attended  the  Baptist  Church  of  which  my  father  was  the 
chief  supporter.     She  had  a  daughter  Clarissa  of  about  sixteen 


494  Old  RinderKooK 

and  a  son  William  about  twelve.  She  was  the  wife  of  the  only 
son  of  vSir  William  Hozier,  an  Irish  Baronet,  who  had  disowned 
him  because  he  married  the  daughter  of  one  of  his  tenants.  This 
son  eventually  emigrated  to  America  and  after  many  vicissitudes 
became  a  seaman  on  a  whaling  vessel,  sending  his  earnings  to  his 
wife,  who  at  the  time  we  first  knew  her  had  not  heard  from  him 
for  more  than  a  year.  A  little  later  the  English  Consul  at  New 
York  traced  Mrs.  Hozier  to  Kinderhook  and  informed  her  of  the 
death  of  her  father-in-law  and  that  the  estates  which  were  all 
entailed  had  descended  to  her  husband.  After  much  searching 
by  letters  and  in  person  my  father  went  to  New  Bedford,  Mass., 
where  her  husband  had  been  last  heard  from,  and  there  gathered 
evidence  of  his  death  at  sea  on  a  whaling  vessel.  Then  the 
widow,  her  daughter  and  the  youthful  Baronet,  about  fourteen 
years  old,  sailed  for  Ireland.  In  due  time  a  letter  was  received 
from  Lady  Hozier  describing  in  glowing  terms  their  reception. 
A  crowd  of  tenants  with  their  families  lined  both  sides  of  the 
roadway  leading  to  the  mansion,  the  roadway  being  over-arched 
with  evergreens  and  flowers  and  the  tenants  detaching  the  four 
horses  from  the  carriage  drew  it  up  to  the  portal  of  the  mansion. 
In  later  years  the  name  of  Sir  William  Hozier  often  appeared  in 
connection  with  political  and  social  matters,  indicating  the  high 
place  he  filled. 

In  addition  to  the  notables  mentioned  wont  to  meet  at 
Peckham's  store,  among  early  recollections  are  those  of  ' '  Squire 
Lucas  Hoes"  our  justice  of  the  peace,  a  staid  upright  descendant 
of  the  original  Hollanders;  Flagler,  the  Druggist,  our  sole  repre- 
sentative of  the  heroic  and  much  abused  Abolitionists,  who  was 
sorely  persecuted  by  the  Academy  boys  from  Southern  States; 
Peter  Van  Schaack,  bookseller,  editor  and  publisher  of  our  village 
paper  the  Sentinel,  who  was  lean  and  gaunt  in  person  but  fat  with 
classical  allusion  in  speech  and  paper;  Old  General  Whiting,  of 
militia  renown,  bluff  and  stately;  Judge  Wilcoxson,  a  noted 
lawyer;  Captain  Vosburgh,  of  pure  Dutch  extraction,  noted  for 
his  Scriptural  quotations  mingled  with  some  words  not  so  scrip- 
tural ;  Amos  Ackley ;  old  Captain  Pruyn ;  Mr.  Manton ;  Dr.  Luke 
Pruyn;  David  Van  Schaack,  of  brisk  movement  and  universal 
executor  of  the  wills  of  all  good  Dutchmen;  Dr.  Beekman,  our 
banker  and  capitalist,  the  president  of  all  public  meetings  and  of 


Reminiscences  495 

our  Academy  trustees;  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  brother  of  the  ex- 
President,  and  usually  known  as  "the  Major";  and  an  irrepressi- 
ble dweller  in  the  purely  Dutch  neighborhood  of  Kallakona 
Barragh  (Kalkoen  Berg,  Turkey  Hill),  who  after  imbibing  a  few 
fiery  potations  became  fiercely  bellicose  and  so  gesticulating  with 
arms  and  legs  as  to  be  known  solely  as  Kangaroo,  while  howling 
promiscuous  challenges  and  threats  breathing  blood-shed  and 
death  until  met  by  one  who  evidently  meant  business,  when  he 
became  as  mild  as  a  lamb;  Hoysradt,  who  drove  the  stage  to  and 
from  the  Station  at  Niverville,  until  at  length  his  much-encrusted 
chariot  with  ragged  drapery  and  torn  cushions  from  which  the 
frowsy  stuffing  extruded,  and  the  lank  lame  horses  with  harness 
tied  together  with  ropes  and  cords  became  a  pitiable  spectacle, 
and  the  stranger  who  found  this  disreputable  equipage  the  only 
means  of  conveyance  to  our  pretty  village  was  warranted  in 
drawing  auguries  unfavorable  to  our  thrift  and  love  of  neatness; 
Wilder,  in  his  little  grocery  where  stewed  oysters  and  nameless 
other  things  not  so  harmless  were  to  be  obtained;  Hiram  Fair- 
child,  and  Loomis,  and  a  score  more  of  original  characters  there 
were,  who  have  now  "gone  over  to  the  majority." 

Yet  another  letter  from  the  Christian  Intelligencer  (1854) 
is  both  interesting  and  informing.  The  initials  of  the  author, 
M.  C.  M.,  are  those  of  one  of  our  own  time  whom  all  that 
know  delight  to  honor,  but  the  writer  was  doubtless  Matilda 
C,  daughter  of  Silas  Metcalf  w^ho  for  many  years  was  one 
of  the  most  eminent  and  successful  of  the  principals  of  our 
then  famous  Academy.    She  was  born  here  in  1827. 

"I  saw  each  old  familiar  face,  each  old  familiar  thing; 
I  felt  once  more  upon  my  cheek,  my  native  breeze  of  spring; 
And  gladsome  murmurs  reached  mine  ears  of  many  an  ancient 

strain ; 
And  kindred  voices  welcomed  me  unto  my  home  again." 

Dear  L — ,  Can  you  willingly  follow  me,  as  I  leave  the  more 
famous  routes  of  travel,  and  gladly  seek  a  quiet  sequestered 
village  "loveliest  of  the  plain,"  which,  although  retired,  is  not 
altogether  unknown  to  story  ? 


496  Old  K.inderKooK 

The  ride  from  the  river  to  the  village  of  Kinderhook  may  be 
monotonous  for  a  stranger.  To  the  "child  of  the  soil"  however, 
there  is  a  dear  familiar  look  about  every  object,  which  well 
supplies  any  lack  of  beauty.  After  an  absence  of  years,  I  was 
once  again  retracing  the  well  known  road.  The  Catskills  rose 
grandly  in  the  distance,  dim  with  the  shadows  of  evening;  the 
murmur  of  the  Hudson  gradually  grew  fainter ;  the  long  lines  of 
poplars  stretched  here  and  there,  like  faithful  sentinels  now,  as 
they  stood  years  ago;  over  everything  was  the  weird  charm  of 
by-gone  days. 

The  village  spire  as  is  very  proper,  was  the  first  object  to 
mark  our  near  approach  to  the  town.  The  church  had  not  grown 
grey  and  moss-covered,  as  romancers  tell  us  old  churches  do ;  for 
the  time  honored  edifice  had  recently  been  enlarged,  painted,  and 
otherwise  improved.  As  we  passed  through  the  deep  shadow  of 
the  steeple,  the  town  clock  rang  forth  the  hour  upon  the  Sabbath 
stillness  of  the  evening  air.  I  was  startled !  The  village  never 
boasted  a  town  clock  in  my  day.  One  of  the  magnates  of  the 
place,  Dr.  Beekman,  had  given  a  new  impulse  to  his  popularity  by 
bestowing  this  munificent  present  upon  the  village.  Not  that 
any  such  selfish  motive  prompted  him ;  but  generosity  ever  brings 
its  own  reward. 

I  looked  at  the  spire  to  see  if  that  had  also  undergone  a  change. 
I  would  not  for  the  world  have  found  that  queer  old  vane  dis- 
placed by  any  modern  invention.  There  it  still  swung  in  the 
air  as  of  yore  and  was  still  the  object  of  our  speculations  as  to 
what  it  could  have  been  intended  to  represent.  Some  witty 
visitor  has  left  the  saying  in  the  village  that  it  would  be  no  sin  to 
worship  the  old  vane,  for  it  is  the  likeness  of  nothing  "in  the 
heavens  above,  or  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  in  the  waters  under 
the  earth."  Another  spire  greeted  my  homeward  gaze,  rising 
modestly  among  its  neighbors  and  like  them  pointing  to  the 
Christian's  heaven.  It  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  a  neat, 
tasteful  edifice,  which  is  weekly  filled  by  a  respectful,  devout  con- 
gregation. In  these  two  churches,  the  Reformed  Dutch  and 
the  Episcopal,  we  heard  singing  that  would  shame  half  our  city 
choirs.  The  voices  were  clear,  melodious  and  harmonious,  while 
the  words,  mirabile  dictu,  were  so  clearly  enunciated  that  we 
could  understand  each  sweetly  breathed  sentence.  .  .  . 


Reminiscences  497 

Kinderhook  is  a  gem  of  a  village,  and  has  long  been  styled 
the  "Athens  of  Columbia  County,"  as  Peter  Van  Schaack, 
seventy  years  before  had  termed  it  the  "Athens  of  Albany 
County."  It  is  called  an  aristocratic  place  and  the  people  are 
said  to  be  very  Dutch  in  their  prejudices.  Perhaps  this  is  true, 
yet,  take  it  all  in  all,  one  seldom  finds  a  village,  which  is  so  like 
what  a  village  should  be.  There  is  every  variety  of  comfortable 
residence,  from  the  grand,  antiquated  mansion  of  the  lord  of 
millions  ( ?)  to  the  white  cottage  half  hid  in  the  clambering  rose- 
vine.  Poverty  is  a  thing  unknown  in  the  village,  unless  it  be  in 
solitary  instances,  where  wilful  idleness  and  alcohol  are  its 
immediate  causes;  even  the  colored  population  is  neat  and  well 
cared  for.  This,  however,  cannot  perhaps  be  said  of  Guinea  Hill, 
a  settlement  of  negroes  at  a  little  distance  from  the  village.  The 
huts  are  of  very  rude  construction,  some  of  them  partly  under 
ground;  and  here  have  lived  men  of  considerable  fame  in  town. 
"Old  Mink"  died  some  time  since,  but  "Dandy  Pete"  and 
"Woodchuck  Pete"  still  flourish,  gaining  their  scanty  sub- 
sistence from  the  forests'  game  and  the  finny  inhabitants  of  the 
creek.  .  .  . 

The  village  is  principally  situated  on  table  land,  and  from  a 
little  distance  seems  to  be  built  in  a  natural  forest.  It  extends 
however,  down  to  the  creek  in  one  direction,  and  towards  the 
manufacturing  village  on  the  opposite  ridge  in  another,  thus 
spreading  itself  into  the  valley.  The  neighboring  hills  are 
crowned  by  tasteful  mansions:  the  blue  Catskills  on  one  side, 
and  the  village  of  Valatie  on  the  other,  and  make  a  picturesque 
boundary  to  the  horizon. 

The  house  in  which  Martin  Van  Buren  was  bom,  a  plain  one 
story  wooden  structure,  has  recently  been  removed  or  torn  down, 
and  the  village  has  thus  lost  one  of  its  "lions. "  What  is  known 
as  the  "Avalanche"  is  among  the  curiosities  of  the  place.  This 
is  the  land-slide  on  the  south  side  of  the  village,  which  has  given 
much  cause  of  uneasiness  to  the  dwellers  upon  the  street  which 
borders  it.  We  well  remember  one  night  our  dreams  being  dis- 
turbed by  a  crashing  sound;  the  windows  rattled,  the  house 
shook,  and  the  morning  discovered  to  us  the  fall  of  some  ancient 
giant  sycamores,  which,  though  they  had  braved  successfully 
the  tornado  and  the  lightnings  could  not  withstand  the  gradual 


498  Old  RinderKooK 

undermining  of  the  treacherous  earth  beneath  them.  There 
stood  here  years  ago,  a  "venerable  pile,"  type  of  the  old  Father- 
land, whose  bricks  were  brought  from  Holland.  (?)  It  too  has 
passed  away.  .  .  . 

Not  long  since  there  stood  upon  this  cherished  spot  one  whose 
eyes  filled  with  moisture  as  he  gazed  upon  the  ruin  Time  has 
wrought.  Here  was  passed  his  gleesome  boyhood,  here  was  his 
spirit  touched  by  that  torch  divine  which  has  illumined  all  his 
after  life.  (The  Syrian  missionary,  Cornelius  V.  A.  Van  Dyke.) 
Here  died  his  "venerated  sire.  ..."  But  he  lingered  not  long. 
Again  the  voice  of  duty  called  him  from  his  native  shores  to  "heal 
the  maladies  of  Esau's  darkened  race."  Near  the  old  house 
rises  now  a  graceful  villa  like  a  rose  upon  the  borders  of  the  tomb. 

Lindenwald,  the  mansion  of  Ex- President  Van  Buren,  is  sit- 
uated at  a  distance  of  two  and  a-half  miles  from  the  village. 
The  house  is  substantial  and  commodious,  and  its  appearance 
has  been  much  improved  within  a  few  years  by  the  erection  of 
a  tower.  As  you  are  aware  it  is  quite  deserted  this  summer,  its 
honorable  master  being  abroad,  residing  in  the  "imperial  city" 
accompanied  by  his  son  Martin.  The  trees  are  many  of  them 
of  magnificent  growth,  the  shrubbery  luxuriant,  the  avenues 
well  kept,  and  the  cabbages  really  superior. 

I  love  this  ancient  village.  The  old  house  on  the  corner  [now 
Mr.  Scully's]  has  passed  into  strangers'  hands;  still  it  is  my 
native  village,  the  spot  around  which  cluster  earliest,  fondest 
recollections;  the  place  which  my  heart,  weary  of  roaming,  ever 
calls  home.  .  .  .  Dear  to  us  is  the  grove  with  its  well  remembered 
path,  its  sparkling  spring,  its  chestnut-trees,  and  vines  bearing 
bright  red  berries;  the  creek,  with  its  shaded  shores,  the  drooping 
willows,  the  charming  coves,  the  moss-covered  rock  and  the  hills, 
whose  summit  we  used  to  climb  to  watch  the  golden  sunsets.  .  .  . 

...  I  must  pause  here.  As  the  poet  falters  when  Niagara  is 
his  theme;  as  the  painter  drops  his  pencil  when  he  vainly  seeks  to 
portray  a  scene  beyond  the  skill  of  man  to  imitate,  so  my  pen 
hesitates  as  my  heart  reminds  me  how  feeble  it  is  to  sketch 
faithfully  one  half  the  charm  of  dear,  old  Kinderhook. 

Among  the  students  of  the  Academy  in  185 1  and  later  we 
observe  the  name  of  the  recent  Chief  Judge  of  the  Court  of 


Reminiscences  499 

Appeals,  Edgar  M.  Cullen.  A  program  of  an  Academy 
exhibition,  in  the  Dutch  church,  October  i,  1856,  reveals 
him  as  one  of  the  forty  orators  of  the  evening,  after  whom 
came  an  address.  These  discoveries  emboldened  us  to  write 
to  him,  not  presuming  to  ask  from  so  busy  a  Judge  reminis- 
cences of  Academy  days,  but  gently  suggesting  how  accept- 
able they  would  be  to  many.  The  courteous  and  unexpectedly 
kind  reply  was  as  follows,  a  few  irrelevant  personal  sentences 
omitted : 


State  of  New  York, 
Court  of  Appeals, 

Judges  Chambers. 

Albany,  March  nth,  1912. 
Rev.  Edward  A.  Collier, 

KiNDERHOOK,  N.  Y. 

My  DEAR  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  24th.  ult.  has  been  received.  The  delay  in 
answering  it  has  occurred  by  reason  of  my  ofRcial  engagements 
and  by  the  requirement  of  time  to  recall  the  memories  of  my 
boyhood.  .  .  .  My  remembrances  of  the  Academy  and  my  life  at 
Kinderhook  as  a  student  are  very  pleasant,  though  some  of  them 
are  rather  dimmed  by  the  lapse  of  time.  I  commenced  my  studies 
at  the  Academy  in  the  Spring  of  '51.  At  that  time  the  Hudson 
River  Railroad  was  not  completed,  so  my  route  from  my  home 
in  Brooklyn  was  by  the  night  boat  to  Albany  and  the  next 
morning  by  the  Boston  &  Albany  Railroad  to  Kinderhook 
station.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  half  year's  term  in  October  of 
that  year  we  boys  from  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  there  were 
several  of  us,  returned  home  by  the  Hudson  River  Railroad, 
taking  the  train  at  Stuyvesant.  Even  then  the  road  was  not 
completed  and  we  left  the  cars  at  Tivoli,  if  I  remember  correctly, 
and  went  by  boat  from  there  to  Poughkeepsie,  where  we  took 
another  train  to  New  York.  If  I  recall  aright  the  road  had  been 
completed  by  the  time  our  vacation  had  expired  and  we  took  a 
through  train  from  New  York  to  Stuyvesant.  I  was  at  school 
in  Kinderhook  from  the  Spring  of  '51  to  the  Fall  of  '53  and  again 
from  the  Spring  of  '56  to  the  Fall  of  '57,  when  I  entered  Columbia 


500  Old  RinderKooK 

College.  During  all  the  time  that  I  was  there  at  school  Mr. 
Alexander  Watson,  a  Scotchman,  was  the  Principal.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  learning,  of  marked  ability  and  an  instructor  of  the 
first  order,  .  .  .  William  H.  Tobey  of  your  village,  a  distin- 
guished lawyer  and  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  was  the 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  David  Van  Schaack, 
also  a  lawyer,  the  Secretary  of  the  Board.  Mr.  Tobey  was  an 
intimate  friend  of  my  parents,  and  I  am  proud  to  claim  him  as 
my  own  friend.  To  him  I  am  indebted  for  many  kindnesses. 
These  gentlemen  passed  away  many  years  ago,  but  it  may  possi- 
bly be  that  you  knew  them  both.  My  fellow  students  at  school, 
so  far  as  they  came  from  Kinderhook  or  its  neighborhood,  that  I 
now  recall  were,  the  late  Dr.  Peter  V.  S.  Pruyn,  the  Burts, 
Charles  and  Thomas,  and  I  think  another  brother,  James  (Colonel 
Silas  Burt,  had  left  the  Academy  before  I  went  there);  Samuel 
and  Frank  Frisbie,  the  former  a  distinguished  Jesuit  priest;  John 
J.  Van  Schaack,  afterwards  cashier  of  the  Kinderhook  bank,  and 
his  cousin,  William  Van  Schaack  Beekman,  and  Augustus  W. 
Wynkoop.  Over  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since  that  time  and 
whether  any  of  my  fellow  students  whom  I  have  mentioned  are 
now  living  I  do  not  know;  most  of  them  I  know  to  have  passed 
away. 

I  think  this  is  all  I  shall  write  to  you,  for  if  I  were  to  enter 
into  all  the  details  of  my  student  life  in  Kinderhook  I  certainly 
should  tax  your  patience  and  my  prolixity,  I  fear,  would  not 
entertain  your  readers. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Edgar  M.  Cullen. 


Personal  Reminiscences 
1864 

With  great  trepidation  I  first  set  foot  in  Kinderhook, 
April  9,  1864,  having  come  from  Amenia  to  Niverville  and 
thence  by  "Noah's  Ark"  on  wheels  to  the  hospitable  home 
of  John,  Elizabeth,  and  Lydia  Van  Alen,  of  precious  memory. 
There  was  no  expectation  of  ever  seeing  the  place  again. 
Much  less  was  it  dreamed  that  it  would  be  home  for  more 
than  fifty  years,  the  birthplace  of  five  children,  the  resting- 
place  of  the  departed,  and  the  one  spot  in  all  the  world 
endeared  by  life's  most  sacred  and  tender  associations. 

Perhaps,  dear  reader,  you  will  be  interested  in  taking  a 
reminiscent  stroll  with  me  through  the  principal  streets  of  the 
village  and  out  upon  the  country  roads  to  some  extent, 
observing  things  and  people  as  they  were  fifty  years  ago. 
Your  company  is  especially  desired  that  we  may  talk  to- 
gether and  that  the  use  of  the  over-obtrusive  "I"  may  be 
avoided. 

BROAD  STREET 

Beginning  at  the  corner  where  the  old  Bank  was  then 
flourishing,  we  note  in  Mr.  Nink's  present  shop  the  mar- 
velous Stationery  store  and  omnium  gatherum  of  John  C. 
Sweet.  In  its  deep  recesses  reached  by  tortuous  ways  we 
were  wont  to  be  refreshed  by  ice-cream  as  pure  and  good  as 
could  be  made.     Next  came  the  Drug,  Paint  and  Grocery 

501 


502  Old  RinderKooK 

store  of  F.  W.  Bradley,  now  that  of  Kittell  &  Co.,  and 
next  the  Bray  and  Herrick  building,  now  the  Lindenwald 
Hotel.  The  present  office  of  the  hotel  was  then  the  Boot  and 
Shoe  store  of  Michael  Feigh  which  Lorenzo  Griffin  had  but 
lately  vacated  for  his  own  new  shop  on  Chatham  Street. 
In  the  dwelling  part  lived  C.  L.  Herrick  with  his  wife,  his 
sons  Silas  and  Daniel  (the  latter  of  whom  mamed  Margaret, 
daughter  of  P.  H.  Van  Vleck),  and  the  daughter  Ella,  who 
married  J.  S.  Witbeck.  Her  retentive  memory  has  been 
repeatedly  taxed.  In  the  upper  story  of  this  building  was 
the  long  famous  Bray  and  Herrick's  Hall  where  all  kinds  of 
public  meetings  were  held  until  the  goat  of  the  Masons 
excluded  the  uninitiated.  Adjoining  this  building  was  the 
fire-engine  house  bought  in  '55  and  now  the  law  office  of 
Becker  and  Hyman.  Next  was  the  "  Peckham  "  house  where 
lived  "Benny"  Lillibridge  whose  sunny  face  and  kindly 
spirit  won  universal  favor,  and  whose  little  shop,  first  on 
Hudson  Street  and  then  here,  was  the  happy  gathering  place 
for  the  old  Academy  boys.  In  answer  to  questions  as  to  his 
age  "Benny"  always  replied — "over  seventeen."  In  mys- 
terious regions  above  lived  Miss  Ann  E.  Peckham  (later 
Mrs.  James  Traphagen) ,  also  Charlotte  Webber  who  became 
the  second  wife  of  Andrew  Michael,  and  the  venerable  Austin 
Sandford  about  ninety  years  old.  In  the  four  stately  man- 
sions beyond,  noted  hitherto,  were  the  Burt,  Mitchell,  Smith, 
and  Beekman  households.  Near  the  westerly  corner  of  the 
Burt  lawn  stood  the  law  office  of  Tobey  and  Silvester, 
formerly  Tobey  and  Reynolds ;  before  that  Vanderpoel  and 
Tobey,  and  still  earlier  James  Vanderpoel.  On  the  easterly 
corner  of  the  Beekman- Vanderpoel  lawn  was  Dr.  Beekman's 
former  office,  later  used  as  the  first  bank  building,  subse- 
quently as  the  U.  S.  Revenue  office  of  P.  E.  Van  Alstyne, 
and  still  later  as  Dr.  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn's  office.  Mr.  A.  J. 
Vanderpoel  removed  the  building  to  its  present  more  retired 
location.  After  these  came  the  home  of  A.  V.  D.  Witbeck 
whose  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sickles 


Edward  A.  Collier 


The  Pruyn-Wilcoxson  House 


The  Chateau  (Wynkoop  Homestead) 


Personal  Reminiscences  503 

who  built  the  house  in  1835.  Another  daughter,  Elsie, 
widow  of  Rev.  D.  E.  Manton,  and  J.  Sicldes  Witbeck,  son 
of  the  first  named,  were  other  inmates  of  a  household  re- 
membered with  tender  affection.  The  place  is  now  owned  by 
Dr.  Chas.  M.  Kellogg  whose  wife  Elizabeth  is  a  daughter 
of  the  late  Alfred  Ostrom  (senior)  of  Stockport.  Of  their 
children,  Harriet  married  Wm.  B.  Van  Alstyne;  Frances  M. 
and  Alfred  0.  abide  at  home.  Not  less  cherished  is  the 
memory  of  the  occupants  of  the  old  house  built  by  Dr. 
Quilhot,  and  now  the  home  of  the  widow  of  Captain  Gifford 
W.  Chrysler,  Sarah,  daughter  of  German  Sutherland.  Those 
occupants  were, — John,  Elizabeth,  and  Lydia  A.  Van  Alen, 
and  the  orphan  they  had  befriended,  Mary  Lawler. 

Standing  on  a  part  of  the  ancestral  Pruyn  and  Indian 
Wattawit  estate,  as  do  all  the  buildings  in  this  part  of  the 
village,  was  the  home  of  our  beloved  physician  John  M. 
Pruyn,  his  daughters  Catharine  and  Maria,  his  son  Dr.  P.  V. 
S.  Pruyn  then  but  recently  entered  upon  his  work,  and  their 
most  faithful  helper  Alice  Membert,  since  deceased.  Next, 
and  an  ancestral  possession  like  the  former,  came  the 
attractive  place  now  owned  by  Miss  Anna  H.  Wilcoxson,  a 
granddaughter  of  Julius  Wilcoxson  and  of  Captain  John  I. 
Pruyn.  The  widowed  second  wife  of  the  latter  was  living 
there  in  '64.  With  her  was  her  daughter  Sarah  E.,  her  step- 
daughter Kate  who  became  the  second  wife  of  Hugh  Van 
Alstyne,  and  her  niece  Elisabeth,  daughter  of  Captain  B. 
Pruyn  then  in  the  army.  Later,  Elisabeth  became  the  wife 
of  Edward  Van  Alstyne.  Near  the  corner  was  the  home  of 
Richard  Graves  and  his  second  wife  Almira  Manton,  his  son 
Richard,  and  his  daughter  Alida  M.  Graves.  The  place  is 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  widow  of  J.  K.  Martin,  of 
the  Albany  Schuyler  family.  On  the  corner  opposite,  where 
Henry  Swartz  now  lives,  was  the  home  of  Jacob  Sudam,  his 
sprightly  wife  Sarah  Decker,  and  his  four  daughters;  Mary 
the  queenly  who  married  Barent  Van  Alstyne,  the  widowed 
Mrs.  Mosier,  Sarah  who  became  the  first  wife  of  J.  S.  Wit- 


504  Old  RinderKooK 

beck,  and  the  lithesome,  graceful  Paulina  who  married  George 
Reynolds.  Mrs.  Sudam  was  an  ardent  Republican  and  her 
husband  a  strong  Democrat,  but  she  was  able  to  uphold  her 
end  of  every  argument  and  still  keep  her  home  a  happy  one. 
In  the  long  ago  this  place  was  the  home  of  Dr.  John  I. 
Beekman  and  later  of  Dr.  Barthrop.  This  eccentric  Eng- 
lishman looking  for  a  place  to  locate  was  advised  to  come 
here  and  marry  Dr.  Beekman 's  widow  which  he  did. 

A  few  rods  beyond,  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Jay 
Gage  was  the  home  of  John  H.  Link  and  his  loving  vrouw. 
She  was  a  veritable  Mrs.  Partington,  whom  the  bumble  bees 
were  wont  to  warn  of  coming  calamities.  Distrusting, 
possibly,  the  judgment  of  her  husband,  her  coffin  and  shroud 
were  provided  and  adorned  an  upper  room  long  before  her 
death.  It  was  her  expressed  wish  that  her  funeral  cortege 
should  go  around  the  retired  three-mile  square  and  avoid  the 
vain  pomp  of  passing  through  the  village  streets. 

In  the  beautiful  home  now  owned  by  Frank  Wilson  lived 
German  H.  Sutherland  with  his  wife  and  two  daughters  one 
of  whom,  Sarah,  became  the  wife  of  Captain  Chrysler  as 
already  noted.  Later,  it  was  the  home  of  Samuel  Palmatier 
who  moved  to  Pasadena.  His  lovely  wife  and  her  beautiful 
boy  Jay  died  here.  The  daughter  Ida,  who  is  distinctly 
recalled  as  frequently  sitting  on  the  fence  then  in  front  of  the 
parsonage,  is  now  a  married  woman  in  California. 

In  the  brick  house  beyond,  lately  owned  by  widow 
Alvina  Weatherwax,  lived  John  A.  Van  Dyck.  His  wife 
Maria  was  his  second  cousin  and  a  sister  of  the  eminent  Dr. 
C.  V.  A.  Van  Dyck.  Their  daughter  Kate,  and  two  of  their 
fatherless  grandchildren,  John  and  Arent  Van  Dyck,  were 
cherished  inmates  of  this  happy  home.  The  mother  of  these 
boys  had  married  William  Bradley. 

The  next  house,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Albert  Duck,  was 
occupied  by  George  Lathrop.  In  his  barn  he  was  nourishing 
the  transplanted  little  seedling  of  the  present  extensive 
Bottling  works  of  the  Risedorph  Company.    Richard  Alex- 


Personal  Reminiscences 


505 


ander,  whose  mother  was  an  Indian,  was  his  efficient  helper 
and  the  compounder  of  many  new  secret  concoctions  which 
obtained  wide  celebrity.  He  largely  increased  the  business 
to  which  he  succeeded  and  soon  removed  it  to  its  present 
location. 

In  the  much  transformed  and  now  charming  home  of  Mrs. 
Harriet  A.  Duff  and  her  two  daughters,  Edna  and  Mabel, 
lived  Leonard  Gillett  and  his  wife,  advancing  in  years  and 
feebleness.  Later,  it  became  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Freeman  Wagoner  and  their  daughter  Nellie.  Back  from 
the  road  on  the  left  is  the  old  Stephen  Van  Alen  homestead 
of  which  we  have  written,  then  but  recently  vacated  by  John 
Taylor  and  for  the  time  being  unoccupied.  In  the  house, 
since  burned,  on  the  site  of  that  lately  owned  by  George 
Gritman,  now  by  Grant  Leggett,  lived  Edward  A.  Thomas, 
his  aged  mother,  his  sister  Mary  who  soon  married  Edward 
Allen,  his  daughter  Caroline  who  married  Frank  Palmer,  his 
son  Edward  now  of  Great  Barrington;  and  later  his  niece 
Mary,  daughter  of  Captain  B.  Pruyn,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Henry  Allen  Best,  Jr.,  of  Stuyvesant.  Beyond,  on  the 
right,  the  old  brick  house  of  Colonial  days,  now  owned  by 
Herman  Monthie,  was  the  property  of  Jacob  C.  Everts  who 
with  his  wife,  son  Charles,  and  daughters  Christina  and 
Gertrude  always  gave  cordial  welcome.  Later,  it  is  pleasant 
to  remember,  it  was  the  home  of  W.  Palmatier  now  of 
Rochester,  his  wife,  son  Albert,  and  daughter  Josephine. 
Still  beyond,  where  the  son  Alfred,  the  grandson  Earl  and 
their  families  now  live,  was  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wm. 
I.  Kilmer. 

While  here  we  rest  and  ruminate,  the  Stuyvesant  stage 
goes  lumbering  by  driven  by  Barent  Van  Slyck  to  connect 
with  the  propeller  D.  S.  Martin  which  leaves  Davis's  Dock 
every  Monday  and  Thursday  at  half-past  four.  When  the 
roads  were  very  bad  Van  Slyck  was  wont  to  tell  his  passen- 
gers to  "sit  light."  We  also  hear  from  afar  the  voice  of 
"Roaring  Hank"  Smith  expostulating  with  his  horses.     He 


5o6  Old  RinderHooK 

was  wont  to  be  heard  long  before  he  was  seen,  and  was  but 
one  of  many  teamsters. 

Returning,  there  were  on  the  right  only  cultivated  fields 
until  we  came  to  the  home  of  John  Bray,  the  very  old  Pruyn 
homestead  hitherto  noted.  With  Mr.  Bray  were  his  wife 
(Helen  Bortle) ,  his  aged  mother  (Agnes  Devoe) ,  and  his  sons, 
Frank  and  Charles  M.;  Frank  married  Milla,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Van  Alstyne,  and  has  two  daughters,  Helen  and 
Mary.  Charles  M.  Bray,  one  of  our  most  trusted  attorneys, 
has  rendered  us  much  service.  Passing  Dr.  Luke's  cherished 
orchard  and  garden  we  came  next  to  the  manse  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church  where  were  two  newcomers  who 
shall  be  nameless.  Adjoining  was  the  transformed  Frink 
tavern  owned  by  P.  S.  Hoes  who  had  moved  it  from  its 
original  location  in  front  of  G.  S.  Collier's  mansion.  For  the 
time  being  it  was  tenanted  by  the  district  school  teacher  L. 
H.  Reid.  Later,  Mr.  Hoes  occupied  it  for  many  years.  It 
then  became  the  property  of  Franklin  B.  Van  Alstyne,  son 
of  Dr.  Thomas  Van  Alstjme.  He  married  Cornelia  Dibble 
of  Danbury,  a  granddaughter  of  Dr.  Josiah  Pomeroy  of 
Kinderhook.  Their  son  Franklin  married  Sarah  V.  S. 
Beekman,  daughter  of  W.  V.  S.  Beekman ;  and  their  daughter 
Blanche  became  the  wife  of  Vincent  Irick  of  New  Jersey. 
The  present  owner  of  the  place  is  Frank  Bion  Van  Alstyne 
(son  of  James),  one  of  our  most  thrifty  and  successful  farmers. 
His  wife  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Lewis  E.  Fellowes  and  their 
children  are:  Alice  M.,  wife  of  Chas.  Baker;  Lewis  F., 
married  Imogene  Wagoner;  Bertha  L. ;  Harold  E.;  Earl  C. 
and  George  F. 

On  the  corner  beyond  was  the  fine  old  Dutch  church, 
burned  in  '67.  Near  the  opposite  corner  was  Eugene 
Hover's  then  flourishing  Hoop  Skirt  Factory.  The  small 
building  now  to  the  west  was  originally  two:  the  office  was 
the  shoe  shop  of  M.  Feigh  on  Chatham  Street;  and  the 
harness  room  was  the  law  office  in  days  long  gone  of  Squire 
Lucas  Hoes,  and  standing  on  the  Bradley  lot  on  Albany 


Personal  Reminiscences  507 

Avenue.  The  Hoop  Skirt  Factory  is  now  the  principal  work 
shop  of  George  H.  Brown  and  Brother  (Ellsworth).  The 
carriage  shop,  unoccupied  at  the  time,  was  built  in  1830  for 
the  bookstore  of  Mr.  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Jr.,  and  the  office 
of  the  Kinderhook  Herald. 

In  the  adjoining  home  Mr.  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Jr.,  had 
but  recently  died.  His  widow,  Dorcas  Manton,  and  his 
daughters  Mary  and  Julia  there  lived  and  remained  until 
their  death.  The  son,  Manton,  at  that  time  in  busmess  in 
New  York,  and  the  third  daughter  Elisabeth,  the  widow  of 
George  Van  Santvoord  then  lately  deceased,  were  frequent 
visitors.  The  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  John  H.  Groat  was 
then  the  home  of  Miss  Harriet  Spaulding,  and  later  of  Dr. 
Horton  and  Dr.  James  Green.  Next  thereto  was  the 
Hon.  William  H.  Tobey's  residence,  now  owned  by  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn.  Recalling  with  delight  their  long 
and  beautiful  rose  garden  through  which  many  a  charming 
walk  was  taken,  we  pass  on  to  note  that  in  Dr.  Garnsey's 
present  home  lived  "Aunt  Derike, "  Martin  Van  Buren's  aged 
sister,  tenderly  cared  for  by  her  daughters,  Mrs.  Mary  Van 
Schaack  (the  widow  of  Dr.  Lucas)  and  Miss  Jane  Ann  Hoes. 
The  widow  of  the  artist  James  Johnson  lived  there  later. 

Lucas  Pruyn,  M.D.,  lived  in  the  present  home  of  Dr. 
Waterbury.  With  him  were  his  wife  and  her  aged  parents, 
Captain  and  Mrs.  C.  Willsey.  Mr.  David  Van  Schaack's 
home  came  next.  His  wife,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sickles, 
his  sister  Christina,  and  his  daughter  Anna,  who  now  owns 
the  house,  were  the  inmates  of  this  happy  home.  The  son, 
John  Jay,  was  in  the  army.  Next  was  D.  Van  Schaack's 
law  office;  then  C.  Palmer's  Stove,  Hardware  and  Tin  store; 
then  the  little  house  of  Mrs.  Alexander,  the  pure-blood 
Narraganset  Indian,  mother  of  Richard:  and  finally  "Uncle 
Lawrence"  Van  Dyck's  small  Stationery  shop,  the  place  of 
daily  communion  with  one  of  the  most  pure-minded  and  true- 
hearted  of  men,  whose  memory  is  cherished  with  reverence 
and  affection. 


5o8  Old  RinderKooK 

On  Broad  Street  within  the  Corporation  are  four  persons 
who  live  where  they  did  in  1864. 

HUDSON  STREET  TO  LINDENWALD 

As  we  turn  the  corner  into  Hudson  Street  we  give  a 
passing  glance  to  the  village  park,  smaller  than  now,  oval 
in  shape,  surrounded  with  an  iron  fence  the  building  of  which 
in  days  of  old  was  a  subject  of  much  discussion  by  the 
village  fathers  and  taxpayers.  In  the  park  was  a  grand  old 
elm  which  perished  in  the  village  fire,  and  at  the  northerly 
end  was  the  famous  town  pump.  The  present  granite  coping 
around  the  enlarged  green,  as  well  as  the  fine  watering  trough 
and  the  ornamental  light  standards,  was  the  gift  of  the  late 
Mrs.  Peter  Bain ;  the  trough  a  memorial  of  her  father,  James 
Clark. 

Where  the  Kinderhook  Knitting  Co.'s  building  now 
stands  there  was  in  1864  a  row  of  wooden  buildings  varying 
in  size  and  of  decidedly  diverse  architecture.  Beginning  at 
the  corner  of  Broad  Street  there  was  that  built  by  Mr.  John 
Rogers  and  long  occupied  by  Whiting  and  Clark.  At  the 
corner  was  the  general  store  of  George  Ray  and  then  the 
Hardware  store  and  Post  Office  kept  by  James  Lathrop  and 
George  Reynolds.  Next  to  that  was  Albert  De  Mj^er's 
Grocery;  then  G.  W.  Post's  Barber  shop,  wont  to  be  visited 
by  Martin  Van  Buren;  then  C.  M.  Van  Valkenburgh's  Har- 
ness shop;  then  Jacob  Cook's  Hat  and  Cap  store,  and  finally 
William  Bradley's  Hotel.  All  these  buildmgs  and  four  on 
Broad  Street  were  destroyed  in  the  memorable  fire  of  1880. 
The  building  beyond,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Charles  M.  Bray, 
wherein  are  his  office  and  Mr.  Steitz's  Watch  shop,  was  then 
the  meat  market  of  R.  Bigelow.  In  old  times  it  was  the  one- 
story  law  office  of  Judge  Wilcoxson,  Martin  Van  Buren,  P. 
H.  Silvester,  etc.  Next  thereto  was  the  home  of  Mrs.  Amos 
Ackley,  her  daughter  Lucy  and  her  son  Calvin,  the  Survej'-or, 
Dep.  Int.  Rev.  Collector,  Cashier;  but  popularly  the  "Colo- 
nel."    The  adjoining  house,  owned  by  B.  Lillibridge,  was 


Personal  Reminiscences  509 

rented  to  transient  tenants.  Originally  it  was  of  one  story 
and  much  like  the  building  nearly  opposite.  Where  Mrs. 
Andrew  Hagadorn  now  lives,  the  widow  of  Dr.  George  Cook, 
her  son  Halsey,  and  her  daughters  Anna  and  Ena  made  a 
beautiful  household  soon  stricken.  Next  was  the  very  old 
house  in  which  lived  Squire  Wm.  Kip,  his  wife,  her  sisters, — 
Mrs.  Hobart,  Mrs.  Winston,  Mrs.  Dodge  (wife  of  Elisha),  and 
the  daughter  Virginia.  Gertrude  had  married  Judge  Cook 
of  Canajoharie,  and  Mary  L.  was  the  wife  of  D.  Murrell  of 
Palatine.  The  sons  Augustus  and  Clarence  were  in  New 
York.  Mr.  Dodge's  daughter  Isabella  was  the  wife  of  J. 
Lathrop,  our  Hardware  merchant  and  postmaster.  On  the 
corner  of  the  lot  was  Mr.  Kip's  Watch  and  Jewelry  shop;  the 
building  which  lately  went  meandering  tmcertainly  through 
our  streets  and  had  three  purchasers  before  it  found  a  resting- 
place  up  Sunset  Lane. 

In  Jer.  Scully's  present  home  (for  years  occupied  by  the 
Academy  Principal  S.  Metcalf)  lived  W.  R.  Mesick,  wife, 
and  daughter  Anna  who  married  lawyer  A.  H.  Farrar.  Sub- 
sequent occupants  have  been  Curtis  F.  Hoag  and  Dr.  F.  T. 
Woodworth.  Mr.  Hull's  present  store  was  then  kept  by  J. 
A.  Van  Bramer;  later,  by  A.  D.  Van  Epps  whose  son  George 
and  daughter  Anna  (Mrs.  D.  W.  Mesick)  now  live  in  Brook- 
lyn. In  the  house  now  owned  by  Chas.  Fowler  lived  our 
veteran  and  honored  School  Commissioner,  D.  G.  Woodin, 
wife,  and  daughter;  and  in  the  present  residence  of  John 
Eaton  were  the  widow  Devoe  and  her  sons  and  daughters. 
Beyond  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  present  parson- 
age was  the  home  of  Samuel  H.  Brown.  It  was  full  of  happy 
boys  and  girls,  two  of  whom,  George  H.  and  Ellsworth,  are 
now  carrying  on  their  father's  business  very  greatly  extended. 
One  of  the  daughters,  Ida,  became  the  first  wife  of  Mr. 
Frank  S.  Hoag;  another,  Minnie,  married  R.  A.  Van  Sickler; 
Carrie  married  James  E.  Lamont;  and  Euretta  married  Dr. 
R.  L.  Raymond.  Benson  and  Robert  live  in  Detroit,  and 
Frank  in  Hudson. 


510  Old  RinderHooK 

In  the  elegant  mansion  now  owned  by  Mrs.  James  A. 
Reynolds,  lived  the  stately  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
General  Charles  Whiting  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Rogers, 
niece  of  John  Rogers.  In  this,  his  father-in-law's  home, 
Judge  John  H.  Reynolds  and  family  were  wont  to  spend 
their  summers.  It  was  later  their  property  until  bought  by 
Mrs.  Peter  Bain.  The  rear  part  was  the  plain  original  build- 
ing of  unknown  antiquity.  It  was  owned  by  Judge  Julius 
Wilcoxson  for  a  time  and  was  the  birthplace  of  the  late 
John  Wilcoxson. 

On  the  site  of  the  present  home  of  the  Misses  Milham, 
which  was  built  for  the  late  George  Reynolds,  stood  a  smaller 
old  house  owned  by  Mr.  John  A.  Groat.  It  appears  in  the 
familiar  woodcut  of  Van  Buren's  birthplace.  Squire  Magee's 
present  home,  in  front  of  which  in  old  times  was  the  modest 
inn  where  Van  Buren  was  born,  was  in  '64  the  residence  of 
John  Smith,  his  son  Henry  and  wife,  and  their  interesting 
family  of  boys  and  girls.  Among  these  was  the  Hon.  Judge 
Sanford  W.  Smith.  In  the  old  Francis  Pruyn  homestead, 
then  owned  by  Henry  Snyder,  more  recently  by  Andrew  and 
Edward  Van  Buren,  then  by  Mr.  Datus  C.  Smith,  and  now 
by  Mr.  Davie,  lived  Aaron  Coons.  The  large  barn  was  once 
the  wool  warehouse  of  Blanchard  and  Burt  and  stood  on 
Church  Street  whence  it  was  removed  in  sections.  Traces 
of  its  ancient  mercantile  use  are  still  visible.  Below  the  hill 
was  Herrick's  Candle  factory  and  R.  Bigelow's  slaughter 
house.  The  circumambient  air  was  not  always  like  new- 
mown  hay. 

As  we  cross  the  bridges  the  shallow  water  on  the  right 
reveals  the  old  fording  place.  Beyond  the  bridges  on  the 
crest  of  the  hill  were  the  terraced  grounds  and  attractive 
home  of  the  late  E.  G.  Howard.  His  sons  George  and 
Frederick  and  his  daughter,  Emma,  were  at  home.  The 
house  was  built  and  long  occupied  by  General  Whiting.  It 
is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Datus  C.  Smith.  Also  belonging  to 
Mr.  Smith,  and  greatly  improved  by  him,  is  what  was  then 


The  Van  Buren's  Elm 
Lindenwald  Road 

From  a  photograph 


At  the  Turn  of  the  Lindenwald  road  near  the  Schoolhouse 

From  a  photograph 


Personal  Reminiscences  51 1 

the  fine  home  and  nursery  of  Henry  Snyder,  the  father  of 
Theodore  and  Isaac  V.  A.  vSnyder.  His  also  the  charming 
walk  to  Lovers'  Leap,  from  which  how  many  lovers  have 
despairingly  cast  themselves  no  record  reveals. 

Continuing  along  the  Post  Road  we  note  the  stately  elm, 
in  the  shade  of  which  Van  Buren  was  wont  to  rest  his  saddle- 
horse;  the  135th  milestone  from  New  York;  the  lawn  slop- 
ing down  to  the  quaint  old  Van  Alen  homestead ;  the  cottage 
on  the  left  where  lived  William  Whiteman,  one  of  whose 
daughters  might  have  been  Leigh  Richmond's  "Dairyman's 
Daughter,"  we  thought;  bej^ond  the  brook,  the  home  of 
William  C.  Miller,  known  as  "Kase  why";  nearly  opposite, 
the  site  of  Jesse  Merwin's  (the  Ichabod  Crane)  schoolhouse; 
then  the  Sanford  Salpaugh  place  now  belonging  to  Squire 
Magee;  on  the  left  the  now  vanished  little  house  of  the 
brothers  Ham,  the  owners  of  horses  too  valuable  to  be  used; 
still  beyond,  the  very  attractive  homes  of  Erastus  and  Syl- 
vester Wagoner  on  the  old  Dingman  property.  With  Erastus 
were  his  wife  and  sons,  Adam  E.  and  Freeman.  The  former 
married  Elisabeth  Ostrom  and  is  the  present  owner  of  Linden- 
wald.  With  Sylvester  were  his  wife,  daughter  Adelaide  who 
married  John  M.  Pultz,  and  son  Elmer,  the  present  owner. 
He  married  Ella,  daughter  of  George  T.  Snyder  of  Ghent. 
Their  daughter  Imogene  married  Lewis  F.  son  of  F.  Bion  Van 
Alstyne.  The  daughter  Hazel,  the  wife  of  Jay  Whitbeck, 
abides  at  home. 

Next  comes  Linden wald,  the  end  of  our  present  walk. 

As  we  turn  homeward,  we  give  a  passing  glance  to  the 
Henry  I.  Dunspaugh  home  (formerly  Jacob  Evert 's)  perched 
on  the  bluff  to  the  left,  and  when  we  reach  the  schoolhouse 
again  note  the  present  home  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Mairs,  then  occupied 
by  Tunis,  son  of  W.  C.  Miller,  a  house  beautiful  for  situation. 
As  we  turn  the  corner  at  the  then  Howard  place  we  note 
on  the  road  to  Chatham  the  present  home  of  Mr.  Williamson 
and  before  him  of  Williamson  Tate.  In  '64,  the  widow  Almira 
Yager,  her  son  James,  now  lately  deceased,  and  daughter 


512  Old  RinderKook 

Mary  who  married  David  Risedorph,  were  living  there. 
Later,  it  became  the  home  of  Peter  Coon  whose  daughters 
married  Jonas  Phelps  and  the  Rev.  F.  J.  Grimes.  Still  later 
it  was  owned  by  Edwin  Langford  whose  second  wife  was 
Kate  Magee  Miller,  sister  of  John  and  James  Magee  and 
widow  of  Wm.  Miller.  Mr.  Langford 's  daughter  Elisabeth 
became  the  wife  of  H.  D.  Lamont,  and  Kate  married  Mr.  P. 
Kinnear  of  Albany. 

Recrossing  the  bridges  and  trudging  up  the  hill,  the  first 
building  was  H.  Sharp's  wagon-making  shop  and  beyond  it 
his  home,  now  occupied  by  his  son.  In  stagecoach  days  it  was 
one  of  our  numerous  inns.  In  the  lane  we  note  the  rambling 
house  of  E.  Risedorph,  wagon-maker,  etc.  His  sons  were 
Franklin  and  George,  the  former  the  father  of  our  present 
Edward,  an  energetic  and  successful  business  man  and  our 
variously  honored  village  and  town  official.  The  Risedorph 
home  of  '64  was  later  occupied  by  the  father  of  Wm.  B. 
Rowland,  recently  retired  from  the  management  of  The  Out- 
look. He  was  for  a  time  the  proprietor  and  editor  of  our 
village  paper.  Here  his  brilliant  journalistic  career  began. 
The  house  is  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Tinney.  W.  Heeney's 
present  house  and  the  next  one  were  then  parts  of  Mr. 
Risedorph's  workshops.  Where  Stephen  Drumm  now  lives 
were  the  home  and  harness  shop  of  John  Finchett.  The 
present  home  of  Mrs.  F.  Risedorph,  Mrs.  Patterson,  and  Miss 
Van  Loan  was  then  occupied,  we  think,  by  a  Mrs.  Pultz 
whose  daughter  kept  a  private  school  there  somewhat  earlier. 
In  old  times  it  was  one  of  our  more  important  stagecoach 
inns,  owned  in  Revolutionary  days  by  Major  Isaac  Goes 
(Hoes).  On  the  other  corner  of  William  Street  (Cow  Lane) 
in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Stephen  Hotaling,  lived 
Anthony  Marquette.  It  is  the  transformed  Van  Vleck 
homestead;  "Castle"  it  was  at  one  time  called.  Here  for  a 
few  years  lived  Dr.  Philip,  the  father  of  Admiral  Philip  of 
the  Texas.  Next  was  the  home  of  William  James  Clark, 
now  owned  by  Miss  Hover.    Mr.  Eugene  Merwin's  present 


Personal  Reminiscences  513 

house  belonged  at  that  time  to  Tobias  Van  Slyck ;  and  on  the 
Maiden  Lane  corner,  now  the  home  of  Tunis  Miller  and 
Robert  Van  Deusen,  who  married  Anna  Miller,  was  the 
overflowing  home  of  Rhodolphus  Graves,  the  Hatter,  whose 
daughter  Pamelia  recently  passed  away.  On  the  northerly 
corner  where  the  homes  of  lawyer  Becker  and  the  late  Miss 
Lant  now  stand,  was  the  old  telescopic  residence  of  Miss 
Mary  Deming.  Its  site  was  substantially  that  of  Kinder- 
hook's  first  church,  as  early  probably  as  1677,  perhaps 
earlier.  Next  to  this,  where  Mr.  Winne  now  lives,  was  the 
home  of  James  S.  Tobias  whose  daughters  Mary,  Carrie,  and 
Anna  married  respectively,  John  Birckmayer,  H.  B.  Finch, 
and  C.  B.  Van  Alstyne.  In  the  brick  house  adjoining  lived 
Rachel  Link  and  later  Jane  Ann  Weaver.  The  present 
owner  is  William  Shufelt.  Next  was  the  home  of  C.  M.  Van 
Valkenburgh,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Chas.  Merwin.  Mr. 
"Van's"  daughter  Fannie  became  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Higham. 
Adjoining  this  was  the  Laing-Heermance  place  whereon  were 
living  James  B.  Laing,  his  widowed  sister,  Mrs.  Catharine 
Heermance,  and  her  daughters  Mary  and  Ella,  the  latter  of 
whom  married  George  D.  Earll.  Mrs.  Heermance's  son  Frank 
had  died;  Edgar  L.  was  studying  for  the  ministry,  and 
William  L.  was  rendering  valiant  service  in  the  army.  On  a 
corner  of  this  lot  stood  a  small  house  in  which  Mrs.  Heer- 
mance at  one  time  lived.  Mr.  John  Van  Buren  subsequently 
bought  it  and  moved  it  away.  It  is  now  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Agnes  Rudd  and  her  son  Walter.  The  brick  house  now 
owned  by  Mrs.  Susan  Holland  was  in  '64  the  home  of  Major 
Lawrence  Van  Buren.  With  him  were  his  daughters  Mary 
and  Lucretia  and  his  son  Myndert,  who  married  Elsie  De 
Myer,  The  little  building  on  the  same  lot  is  typical  of  many 
shops  and  offices  of  its  time.  Tobey  and  Silvester's  office 
was  much  like  it,  and  so  was  the  original  Lillibridge  building; 
opposite.  In  the  Major's  time  he  used  it  as  the  post  office  ^ 
for  many  years.  Thereafter  it  was  variously  used  for  shop 
and  dwelling.  Next  was  the  Ackley  tenement,  much  more 
33 


514  Old   RinderKooK 

fully  occupied  than  now.  Mr.  E.  L.  Hover's  present  store 
was  the  home  of  Mr.  George  Thomas,  whose  daughter,  Ella, 
became  the  wife  of  John  Ham,  and  their  daughter.  Bertha, 
the  wife  of  George  H.  Reynolds.  What  is  now  Daniel 
Herrick's  Central  House  (in  part  before  1800,  the  first 
Academy  building)  was  then  kept  by  Benjamin  De  Myer. 

Our  present  walk  ends  with  the  National  Union  Bank 
building,  built  by  Peter  Van  Vleck  many  years  ago  and  now 
occupied  by  Henry  Snyder,  son  of  Theodore.  In  it  cashier 
William  H.  Rainey  had  his  home.  His  wife  (Elizabeth 
Waterman),  his  son  Charles  W.,  who  married  Margaret  See, 
and  his  daughter  Mary,  who  married  William  Wait  now  of 
Peekskill,  made  a  household  which  has  a  secure  place  in  the 
loving  memory  of  many. 

In  our  long  walk  to  Lindenwald  and  back  we  note  four 
persons  as  now  living  where  they  did  in  1864. 

CHATHAM  STREET  TO  VALATIE 

As  we  turn  into  Chatham  Street  we  recall  that  here  until 
1818  there  was  only  a  narrow  lane  along  the  old  burying 
ground  on  our  left.  On  the  northeast  corner  of  the  bank 
lawn  there  stood  in  '64  the  Grocery  store  of  A.  V.  D.  Wit- 
beck,  formerly  G.  W.  Hoxie's.  It  is  now  the  tenant  house 
near  the  Bottling  works.  East  of  this  was  Mr.  John  Powell's 
Meat  Market,  now  owned  by  his  stepson,  Wm.  F.  Streibeck. 
The  site  of  the  present  Village  Hall  was  then  a  vacant  lot. 
Next  thereto  was  Peter  H.  Van  Vleck's  Printing  Office.  The 
rear  part  of  Mr.  James  E.  Van  Alstyne's  present  residence 
was  Mr.  Van  Vleck's  home.  His  wife  was  Magdalena  Van 
Hoesen.  Their  daughters  Margaret,  Kate,  and  Anna  mar- 
ried respectively,  Daniel  W.  Herrick,  John  K.  Pierce,  and  E. 
E.  Tupper.  On  the  present  drive-way  of  this  place  stood  the 
Episcopal  church,  removed  in  1868  to  Silvester  Street. 

East  of  the  church  a  small  building  had  been  recently 
removed  to  make  way  for  the  present  house  built  and  then 


^^s#f" 


A  View  of  Valatie 


■M.ii^^ 


Main  Street,  Valatie 


The  Hoes  Homestead,  Valatie 


Broad    Street 

From  a  photograph 


The  National  Union  Bank,  Chatham  Street 

From  a  photograph 


Personal  Reminiscences  515 

occupied  by  Michael  Feigh.  It  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Ella 
Herrick  Witbeck,  but  occupied  by  our  Grocery  store-keeper, 
Mr.  E.  L.  Hover,  the  only  son  of  Eugene  Hover.  Near  here 
in  old  times  stood  what  was  probably  Kinderhook's  second 
village  schoolhouse  already  described. 

Where  grandsons  now  live  and  continue  the  business, 
Mr.  Lorenzo  Griffen  had  his  home  and  was  serving  the  com- 
munity in  his  own  faithful  way.  His  boots  and  shoes  were 
renowned  for  excellent  workmanship.  His  character  and 
interest  in  all  things  good  won  universal  confidence  and 
respect.  James  Hover,  we  think,  was  then  living  in  the 
house  now  belonging  to  our  respected  builder  and  friend 
Tunis  Devoe.  The  latter  married  Mary  C.  McAllister  of 
Stuyvesant.  Their  sons  were  Earl  (deceased),  Frank,  and 
George.  The  last  named  married  Lilian  Krelberg,  whose 
twin  children,  George  and  Lilian,  are  now  a  joy  to  behold. 
The  daughter  Mildred  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  H.  V.  Hitch- 
cock of  New  York.  In  the  next  house,  now  occupied  by  Miss 
Ensign  (the  kindergartner)  and  her  mother,  lived  Jacob 
Cook.  He  was  one  of  the  most  upright,  genial,  and  lovable 
of  men,  on  whom  for  many  years  and  by  almost  unanimous 
consent  all  manner  of  village  civic  and  judicial  honors  were 
bestowed.  His  wife  was  Catharine  Van  Slyck.  Their  son, 
Charles,  married  Amanda  Livingston,  sister  of  Mrs.  George 
Cannady. 

The  house  now  occupied  by  Fred.  Couse  was  the  home  of 
John  Hoes,  the  blacksmith,  his  wife,  son  Edgar,  and  daughter 
Caroline.  His  anvil  in  the  shop  directly  opposite  was  usually 
pleasantly  resonant  except  when  the  painfulness  of  his  corns 
led  him  to  declare,  as  he  often  did,  that  the  world  was 
coming  to  an  end.  The  building  now  a  saloon  was  then  the 
quiet  home  of  "Jennie"  Van  Alen.  Her  front  garden  ex- 
tended well  out  into  the  present  street  and  was  filled  with 
trees  and  shrubs  and  all  kinds  of  old-fashioned  flowers  for 
which  we  have  a  liking  still.  In  early  times  the  house  was  a 
Vosburgh  homestead. 


5i6  Old  RinderKooK 

As  we  cross  William  Street  we  recall  that  it  was  originally 
the  old  Post  Road  which  turned  up  near  the  present  Bain- 
Snyder  house  and  came  out  near  the  Albany  Southern  Station. 
The  house  in  which  Mr.  George  Tracey  now  lives  was  in  '64 
the  home  of  Reuben  Head,  his  son  Edwin,  and  daughter. 
Later,  it  became  the  property  of  Mr.  Eugene  Hover  and  the 
birthplace  of  Mr.  E.  L.  Hover.  Eugene  was  living  in  '64 
in  the  present  Chris.  Becker's  home  on  William  Street.  Mr. 
Tracey  built  the  large  blacksmith  shop  adjoining,  and  his 
son,  George  W.,  is  our  well-known  poultry  specialist,  active 
politician,  and  honored  citizen,  and  now  our  postmaster. 

On  the  site  of  Joseph  Dahm's  present  home  stood  the 
much  smaller  one  of  his  father,  Henry  Joseph,  and  his  good 
wife.  His  garden  was  with  good  reason  his  pride,  and  we 
remember  with  joy  our  frequent  visits  there.  His  son  Joseph 
was  in  the  army.  Beyond  this  was  the  home  of  John  Powell, 
wont  to  boast  of  his  ability  to  "run  out, "  as  he  usually  did, 
all  other  butchers  who  invaded  his  territory. 

On  the  right  there  was  then  no  other  building  until  the 
flats  were  crossed  and  the  bluff  beyond  ascended,  where 
stood  Dr.  Abbott's  home.  Manufacturing,  in  which  he  was 
then  engaged,  was  yielding  about  the  highest  war-time  re- 
turns, and  he  was  greatly  prospering.  So  also  was  his 
neighbor  across  the  road,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Carpenter.  He  and 
his  gentle  sweet-spirited  wife  were  of  one  mind  as  regards  all 
manner  of  gracious  charities  until  sad  reverses  came,  which 
the  soon  widowed  wife  bore  with  unmurmuring  resignation. 
Their  son  Samuel  W.  had  married  a  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Wm.  Whittaker.  Mr.  J.  Carpenter's  daughter  was  the  first 
wife  of  Mr.  George  D.  Earll. 

Returning,  we  note  on  the  right  and  adjoining  the 
Carpenter  (now  Wolverton)  place  the  James  Vosburgh  house. 
Back  from  the  road  was  the  home  and  nursery  of  Mr.  Lyon 
whose  daughter  married  John  D.  Van  Alen  and,  later,  Mr. 
Curtis  F.  Hoag.  Recrossing  the  flats  we  come  to  the  Asa 
Gillett  farm.    His  daughter  married  Wm.  G.  Russell.    The 


Personal  Reminiscences  517 

son  James  was  also  at  home.  The  farm  was  owned  later  by- 
Mr.  A.  H.  Farrar  and  is  now  the  property  of  Mr.  Wm.  I. 
Thomson.  Next  we  note  the  home  of  Jonathan  Head  whose 
daughter  married  Chas.  J.  Gordon  and  whose  granddaughter 
Ella  became  the  wife  of  Lincoln  Lasher.  Widow  Moyca 
Huyck  Bain  and  her  daughters,  Margaret  and  Elizabeth, 
were  in  the  next  very  attractive  home :  Mr.  Robert  Wild  and 
his  wife,  Julia  Bain,  were  still  in  Rochester.  Their  daughter 
Florence  married  Mr.  Barent  Snyder,  son  of  Theodore,  and 
now  of  Rochester.  Beyond  this  was  John  Hoes's  blacksmith 
shop  as  already  stated.  It  stood  in  front  of  the  then  unbuilt 
home  of  Mrs.  Philip  Birckmayer  (Elizabeth  Green),  her  son 
Harold,  our  efficient  bank  teller,  and,  until  recently,  her 
daughter  Mabel  who  married  George  Pierce  of  Pittsfield. 
Beyond  this  lived  the  widowed  mother  of  "Count"  Fitch, 
the  magnificent.  We  have  not  forgotten  his  effusive  invita- 
tions to  occupy  his  pew  in  Grace  Church,  New  York,  nor  his 
observance  of  an  old  custom  of  having  a  feast  for  bearers  and 
others  after  a  funeral.  One  feast  we  remember  was  a  huge 
watermelon.  His  house  of  supposedly  lordly  splendor  in 
those  days  is  now  the  home  of  Mrs.  Barent  Stolliker.  Next 
to  the  Count's  was  the  home  of  Cornelius  ("Case")  Hoes,  a 
brother  of  John  and  his  as.sistant,  especially  when  the 
former's  corns  made  toil  seem  superfluous.  Mr.  John  Groat's 
present  Feed  store  was  the  workshop  of  Anthony  L  Loomis, 
the  Marble  cutter.  His  home  was  above.  Honest  old 
Philip  Birckmayer  was  the  undertaker  and  furniture  dealer 
of  the  village  and  lived  where  his  son  John  lives  now  and 
where  he  carries  on  his  father's  business.  Another  son, 
Philip,  Jr.,  died  a  few  years  since.  On  the  site  of  the  village 
school  stood  a  transformed  barn,  then  a  tenement,  with  its 
gable  end  to  the  street,  and  occupied  by  several  families. 
Where  our  efficient  deputy  postmaster  William  A.  Rora- 
back  now  lives  and  serves  the  public,  Mr.  L.  S.  Rexford 
had  his  home  and  Watch  and  Jewelry  store.  Miss  Harriet 
Dibble's  present  home  was  owned  by  William  Weed,  one 


5i8  Old  KinderHooK 

of  our  village  tailors.  The  long  sloping  roof  in  the  rear 
proclaims  it  one  of  our  older  houses.  It  was  originally  a 
store,  built  before  1828  by  the  Van  Vleck  brothers  or  their 
father. 

The  home  of  Mr.  John  Trimper,  our  obliging  shoe  dealer, 
where  in  wintry  weather  we  always  expect  to  see  flowers 
which  no  one  else  has,  was  then  occupied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Patterson  and  Elizabeth  Hoes;  and  in  Miss  Mc- 
Dowell's present  Notion  shop  John  Van  Loan  had  his 
tailoring  establishment.  Where  Mr.  Avery  now  dispenses 
panaceas  for  all  ills,  Humphrey  and  Wiley  were  selling  dry 
goods  in  '64.  The  store  is  one  of  our  old  landmarks.  Built 
and  occupied  in  the  first  instance  by  the  Van  Vlecks  it  later 
became  the  property  of  Mr.  John  Bain.  Bain  and  Birge,  and 
J.  and  P.  Bain  were  the  business  firms  for  several  years,  and 
among  the  many  occupants  within  our  recollection  we  think 
of  Ten  Broek  and  Niles,  George  Murrell,  Eugene  Hover, 
Amos  W.  Ball,  now  of  Chatham,  and  others.  In  this  walk  to 
Valatie  and  back  we  find  one  person  living  where  he  did  in 
1864. 

ALBANY  AVENUE  TO  THE  CEMETERY 

As  we  turn  from  Chatham  Street  into  Albany  Avenue 
we  are  walking  through  the  westerly  portion  of  the  old 
burying  ground  which  extended  over  a  part  at  least  of  the 
site  of  the  corner  store. 

The  fine  old  mansion  on  the  right,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Edward  Risedorph,  was  built  by  Henry  Van  Vleck.  In  '64 
it  was  the  home  of  the  widow  of  Mr.  John  Bain  and  of  her 
son-in-law,  Isaac  V.  A.  Snyder,  who  had  married  her  daugh- 
ter Mary.  The  subsequent  coming  of  Mrs.  H.  B.  Doolittle 
(the  widow  of  Dr.  Doolittle  of  Herkimer  and  the  sister  of 
John  and  Hugh  Bain),  and  the  sunshine  she  brought  with  her 
added  to  Mrs.  Snyder's  own  brightness,  made  this  a  radiant 
home.    The  recent  brilliant  wedding  of  Florence  Risedorph 


v-vXivM^^ 


St  ^  i  \S^''  '^  -^»' '  ♦'I  A^X"  e-'  ^ 
4.^     N^  *.      •  ^  \\v  •  ■■  >ra 


Broad  Street  in  Winter 


Albany  Avenue 

From  a  photo  by  W.  Kline 


The  Stagecoach  Blacksmith  Shop 

From  an  old  photograph 


Mike  Clancy  and  his  Kinderhook-Hudson  Mail  Carrying  Outfit,  in  the  Seventies 

From  an  old  sketch  by  Harold  Van  Santvoord 


I 


Personal  Reminiscences  519 

and  Dr.  Charles  Dayton  of  Brooklyn  will  be  long  remem- 
bered. On  the  adjoining  lot,  now  owned  by  Mr.  E.  Milham, 
stood  the  house  lately  removed  by  Mr.  Adam  Wagoner  and 
placed  beyond  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Mr.  Carr.  In  it  lived 
widow  Bradley,  the  mother  of  Francis  and  William.  Later, 
it  was  occupied  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Van  Bramer.  In  the  next 
house  lived  the  Hon,  Charles  L.  Beale  of  whom  we  have 
elsewhere  written.  His  wife,  son  Charles,  and  daughters, 
Jessie  and  Eloise,  made  a  charming  household.  Later, 
the  place  became  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan,  the 
latter  the  daughter  of  William  Bradley.  It  is  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  Milham,  the  latter,  Miss 
Ella  M.  Isbister  of  Ghent.  Their  son,  Willis  I.,  is  an  honored 
Professor  of  Astronomy  in  Williams  College,  and  the  author 
of  several  volumes  of  profound  scholarship.  Beyond  this 
was  the  home  of  the  widow  Groat  and  her  daughters,  Judith, 
Sarah,  and  Harriet,  all  of  them  successful  teachers  in  the 
Academy,  in  public  schools,  and  in  the  wing  of  their  own 
home  where  many  of  our  boys  and  girls,  now  men  and 
women,  received  their  primary  education.  The  daughter 
Judith  Ann  subsequently  married  Captain  Bartholomew 
Pruyn  who  spent  his  latest  years  and  died  in  this  home. 
In  the  house  beyond,  where  Mr.  Keeler  now  lives,  Peter 
Van  Slyck  then  had  his  home,  and  in  the  blacksmith  shop, 
burned  some  years  since,  which  stood  near  and  with  its 
gable  end  toward  the  street,  he  plied  his  trade.  The  shop 
was  a  very  important  one  in  stagecoach  days  and  the  work 
of  the  "smithy"  much  more  varied  than  now. 

In  the  present  home  of  Irving  Sanford  and  Lewis  Rose 
lived  the  venerable  Teunis  Harder,  his  son-in-law  Dr. 
Daniel  Sargent  and  wife  (Catharine  C.  Harder),  Tunis 
Sargent  their  son,  and  Lena  their  daughter  who  married 
William  H.  Atwood,  for  some  years  a  resident  lawyer  who 
subsequently  moved  to  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  In  old  times  it 
was  the  home  of  and  probably  built  by  Aaron  Van  Vleck. 
The  next  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Thomas  M.  Kittell, 


520  Old  K-inderHooK 

was  then  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Christopher  H.  Wen- 
dover  and  their  large  and  happy  family.  The  mother  was 
Lucretia,  a  daughter  of  Teimis  Harder.  The  children  were — 
Sargent,  Edward,  William,  Hester,  Maria  A.,  and  Anna  K. 
who  became  the  wife  of  the  late  B.  T.  Harris  of  Saugerties. 
It  was  a  shock  to  the  whole  community  when  within  a  short 
time  in  the  summer  of  '70,  Sargent,  Hester,  and  Maria  were 
carried  away  by  fever,  two  others  being  very  ill.  Sargent 
Wendover,  Frank  Van  Santvoord,  and  Isaac  Van  Alstyne,  all 
taken  within  a  short  period,  were  a  group  of  choice  young  men 
and  intimates.  William  is  an  honored  physician  in  Warwick, 
Edward  (lately  deceased)  married  the  widow  of  Mr.  S.  W. 
Carpenter.  The  father  and  son  were  interested  in  the 
Canoe  cotton  mill,  Valatie,  when  the  business  reaction  came 
with  its  disastrous  results  to  so  many.  Christopher  H. 
Wendover  and  his  brother-in-law,  Dr.  Sargent,  were  for 
some  years  in  the  freighting  and  storehouse  business  at  the 
Landing.  In  later  years  this  home  was  that  of  Mr.  James 
M.  Hawley,  our  genial  druggist  and  groceryman.  Of  his 
daughters — Julia  B.  married  Isaac  V.  A.  Snyder  (son  of 
Theodore)  now  of  Rochester;  Anna  married  A.  P.  Boiler 
of  East  Orange;  Katharine  married  George  Waterman  of 
Poughkeepsie.  The  present  home  of  Mr.  George  Raught- 
maker  was,  in  '64,  that  of  three  maiden  sisters  of  Mr.  Abram 
A.  Van  Alen  of  StuyvCvSant  Falls;  Christina,  Helen,  and 
Catharine.  The  house  beyond,  was  then  the  home  of  a 
Tanner  family,  and  the  next  one  near  the  old  church  was  that 
of  the  accomplished  Misses  Strong  who  soon  moved  away. 
The  long-abandoned  Baptist  chiirch,  now  a  tenement 
belonging  to  the  Guion  estate,  has  received  due  notice 
hitherto.  The  large  barn  near  it  and  lately  removed  by  Mr. 
Keegan  was  an  old-time  industrial  building  of  varied  UvSes. 
Examining  the  uncovered  site  we  found  the  stone  foundation 
of  a  forge  and  dug  up  bits  of  cinders.  We  think  it  was  the 
"  Foundery  "  of  which  we  read  in  our  earlier  papers.  Beyond 
this,  the  present  Rural  Life  Office  was  the  office  of  the  brick 


The  Grove 

From  a  photo  by  W.  Kline 


The  Cemetery,  Begun  in  1817 

From  a  photo  by  Miles  Miller 


Personal  Reminiscences  521 

cotton  mill  of  Hoes  and  Chrysler,  George  D.  Earll,  and  E. 
R.  Handy.  The  mill  stood  near  the  present  Station,  and  was 
burned,  May  5,  '82. 

Passing  the  unoccupied  land  now  belonging  to  Mr. 
Morrell  we  come  to  our  attractive  Grove  purchased  in  1862 
of  Dr.  Beekman;  and  next  thereto  to  the  cemetery  bought 
by  the  Consistory  of  the  Dutch  church  of  the  same  owner, 
but  in  successive  sections.  Going  on  among  literally  hun- 
dreds of  monuments  of  those  whom  "we  have  loved  and  lost 
awhile, "  we  come  to  the  grave  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  For  a 
moment's  rest  and  diversion  of  thought  we  read  with  interest 
what  was  presumably  his  own  loving  tribute  to  his  father, 
Captain  Abraham  Van  Buren,  farmer  and  innkeeper  of  old, 
and  also  that  to  his  mother.  If  not  written  by  him,  as  we 
may  assume,  they  were  certainly  approved,  and  they  give  us 
a  glimpse  of  his  heart  which  we  have  not  had  before.  We 
quote  the  former : 

SACRED 

to  the  memory  of  Capt.  Abraham  Van  Buren,  who  died  on  the 
eighth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  181 7,  in  the  eighty 
first  year  of  his  age.  He  was  tender  and  indulgent  to  his  family, 
benevolent  and  charitable  to  all  around  him;  and  moreover  a 
good  man  whose  upright  heart,  mild  temper  and  conciliatory 
manners  secured  to  him  what  he  liked  to  reciprocate — the  good 
will  and  friendship  of  all.  He  died  in  full  reliance  upon  the  grace 
of  God  through  the  mediatory  sacrifice  of  Christ  for  his  salvation. 

Lands  that  beneath  a  burning  sky 
Have  long  been  desolate  and  dry, 
Th'  effusions  of  his  love  shall  share. 
And  sudden  greens  and  herbage  wear. 

The  tribute  to  the  mother  is  of  like  spirit. 

Behind  the  Van  Buren  shaft  we  observe  the  graves  of 
John  I.  (J)  Van  Alen  and  his  two  wives.    In  early  life  he  was 


522  Old  tlinderKooK 

a  sea-farer,  and  was  known  to  us  as  Captain  John.  His  home 
for  some  years  was  in  what  was  the  F.  S.  Hoag,  now  the 
widow  Clark  house  on  the  Eykebush  Road.  He  lived  to  be 
ninety- three  years  old  and  must  have  been  about  eighty- 
seven  when  we  first  knew  him.  He  is  remembered  as  a  re- 
markably well-preserved  old  gentleman,  courtly  in  his 
bearing,  faultlessly,  almost  foppishly,  dressed,  and  re- 
nowned for  his  admiration  for  fair  women.  Indeed  he  re- 
garded the  adjective  "beautiful"  as  inapplicable  to  anything 
save  women.    The  stone  to  his  first  wife  bears  this  inscription : 

Underneath  this  stone  doth  lie 
As  much  virtue  as  could  die, 
Which  when  alive  did  vigor  give 
To  as  much  beauty  as  could  live. 

Profoundly  moved  by  this  tribute,  which  his  second  wife 
fully  appreciated  no  doubt,  we  recall  an  inscription  to  be 
seen  on  a  stone  in  one  of  our  old-time  private  burying 
grounds.  Premising  that  the  deceased  was  a  young  woman 
and  not  an  auctioneer,  we  quote  one  impressive  line: 

I'm  going,  I'm  going,  I'm  going,  I'm  gone. 

And  so  are  we. 

As  we  turn  away  we  now  note,  although  not  then  in 
existence,  the  substantial  costly  mausoleum  erected  by  Mrs. 
Peter  Bain  and  beyond  it  the  fine  Earll  monument;  the 
striking  shafts  in  the  Van  Alstyne-Hosford  plot;  the  unsur- 
passed Vanderpoel  stone;  the  exquisite  replica  of  Powers's 
"Angel  at  the  Sepulchre"  which  marks  the  grave  of  John,  son 
of  Dr.  John  Vanderpoel ;  the  shaft  bearing  the  profile  of  the 
honored  physician,  and  then  pass  out,  observing  on  either 
hand  many  and  many  a  beautiful  memorial  to  those  whose 
memory  we  tenderly  cherish ;  not  overlooking  on  the  left  the 
modest  stone  to  Jesse  Merwin,  the  prototype  of  Ichabod 
Crane,  and  the  more  imposing  monuments  to  notable  mem- 
bers of  our  old  families. 


L.  L.  Morrell's  House 


The  Flats  from  the  Grove 


Personal  Reminiscences  523 

Crossing  the  avenue  we  note  that  the  new  cemetery  so 
rapidly  filling,  was  not  then  (1864),  nor  until  many  years 
thereafter,  in  existence;  the  purchase  of  the  land  being  long 
opposed  in  Consistory  because  there  would  be  insufficient 
demand  for  lots,  it  was  supposed,  to  justify  the  purchase. 
We  have  stood  with  the  sorrowing  beside  seven  hundred  and 
ninety  graves  within  fifty  years.  Crossing  Albany  Avenue 
for  our  return  walk  we  note,  adjoining  the  present  new  ceme- 
tery, what  was  in  '64  the  well-filled  home  of  the  Steitz  family, 
later  that  of  John  Ritz,  and  now  of  James  Miller  who  married 
Mr.  Ritz's  daughter.  We  are  interested  in  this  house  as 
being  the  transformed  store  which  for  many  years  stood  on 
the  old  Bank  corner  and  was  kept  by  a  long  succession  of 
merchants,  notably  Peter  Van  Buren,  Peter  I.  Hoes,  and  John 
Wilcoxson.  In  the  next  house  now  occupied  by  Floyd 
Clapper,  lived  the  overflowing  Merritt  family.  It  was  later 
the  home  of  George  Welch  and  later  still  of  Asa  Gillett.  In 
the  home  of  the  late  John  MacPherson,  his  wife  Mary,  and 
daughter  Nellie,  lived  the  aged  Mrs.  Tittemore.  Later,  the 
place  was  owned  by  Miss  Sarah  Van  Buren.  Mr.  Garvey's 
present  residence  was  that  of  the  Kellerhouse  family. 
Alexander  Rapp's  home  was  that  of  William  Green.  In  the 
next  house,  that  of  Augustus  Bauer  who  succeeded  his 
veteran  father  as  one  of  our  barbers,  William  Van  Valken- 
burgh,  the  painter,  then  Hved.  His  adjoining  two-story  shop 
was  subsequently  torn  down.  On  the  roadside  we  note  with 
interest  the  T37th  milestone  of  stagecoaching  days. 

In  the  beautiful  present  residence  of  L.  L.  Morrell,  our 
enterprising  and  successful  fruit  culturist,  and  his  daughter 
Alice  whose  mother  was  Jane  the  daughter  of  Hugh  Van 
Alstyne,  J.  P.  Chrysler,  builder  and  mill  owner,  then  lived. 
His  wife  was  Mary  Hallenbeck.  Their  son,  Frank,  a  well- 
known  manufacturer  of  Albany,  but  recently  died.  Miss 
Elizabeth  Van  Loan  was  a  member  of  the  family.  In  later 
years  the  place  was  purchased  by  Hugh  Van  Alstyne. 

Crossing  Sunset  Lane  we  came  to  the  home  of  Mrs.  Mary 


524  Old  RinderHooK 

Murph}'',  now  owned  by  Mrs.  WilHam  Van  Hoesen.  Where 
Stephen  Kling  and  his  son-in-law  Miles  Miller  and  their 
families  now  live,  Dominick  Richelieu's  family  had  their 
home;  but  he  was  serving  in  the  91st  Regiment,  5th  Army 
Corps.  In  the  house  now  occupied  by  another  of  our  vil- 
lage barbers,  Mr.  WilHam  Hover,  Harlan  Ham  was  then 
living. 

Crossing  the  electric  railway,  of  the  possible  coming  of 
which  none  dreamed,  in  Henry  Krelberg's  present  home 
Mrs.  Ann  Hinman  was  then  living.  Near  this  house  in 
Revolutionary  days  was  the  home  of  lawyer  J.  C.  Wynkoop, 
an  ardent  patriot,  which  was  burned  at  midnight,  as  else- 
where narrated. 

Rose  Cottage,  the  house  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Reilly, 
was  in  '64  the  home  of  Mrs.  Covington  Guion  and  her 
beautiful  daughters,  one  of  whom  married  James  Burt  and 
another  the  Rev.  Albert  Z.  Gray.  There  also  was  the  son, 
Covington,  who  was  sadly  taken  in  early  youth. 

The  home  of  our  respected  builder,  the  late  Mr.  George 
W.  Wilkins  who  has  worn  so  many  civic,  fraternal,  and  other 
honors,  his  wife  (Mary  Birckmayer),  son  George,  and  his 
daughters,  Mabel,  Kathryn,  and  Laura  who  married  Allen 
J.  Thomas,  was  in  '64  the  abode  of  Mr.  Peter  D.  Philip,  a 
notable  lover  of  flowers.  Walking  with  him  along  his  care- 
fully tended  borders  skirting  his  front  path,  we  often  com- 
muned with  him  concerning  his  flowers  until  (to  quote 
favorite  expressions  of  his)  he  completed  his  "meandering 
to  the  tomb,"  and  his  "brittle  thread  of  life"  was  broken. 

The  house  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Anthony  Raughtmaker 
and  daughters  was  built  in  later  years  by  the  Rev.  Wilson 
Ingalls  and  occupied  by  him  until  his  death.  Next  thereto 
was  the  Academy,  now  Grange  Hall,  of  which  we  have 
written.  We  have  also  stated  that  the  three  succeeding 
dwellings  were  at  that  time  one  large  building,  the  Academy 
boarding-house,  occupied  by  Principal  Calkins;  and  that 
later  the  building  was  bought  by  Mr.  P.  S.  Hoes  and  divided 


Personal  Reminiscences  525 

into  three  houses;  the  two  nearest  Grange  Hall  being  the 
front,  and  the  third  the  rear  extension  of  the  original  build- 
ing. The  present  occupants  we  note  as  being  Mrs.  McLaugh- 
hn,  Asa  Gage,  and  Mrs.  P.  V.  B.  Hoes  and  her  half-sister, 
Miss  Mary  C.  Miller,  both  of  countless  gracious  ministries. 

The  home  of  Mrs.  Catharine  McDowell  and  her  daugh- 
ters Margaret  and  Mary,  was  then  the  property  of  the  late 
Mr.  Thomas  Beekman,  but  with  a  life  occupancy  by  the 
Misses  Maria,  Catharine,  and  Elizabeth,  daughters  of  Henry 
Van  Vleck.  Living  with  them  from  early  childhood,  until  her 
marriage  to  Mr.  P.  E.  Van  Alstyne,  was  Margaret  V.  S. 
Pruyn,  third  daughter  of  Dr.  John  M.  Pruyn.  The  house 
adjoining,  curiously  built  of  boards  laid  flat  on  top  of  one 
another,  and  now  belonging  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
and  until  lately  occupied  by  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Burrowes,  was 
the  home  of  our  stationer,  John  C.  Sweet.  His  wife  (Jane 
Pruyn),  his  son  John  who  soon  died,  and  his  daughter,  Ella, 
who  married  Mr.  G.  S.  Collier,  made  a  memorable  and 
beloved  household.  Next  to  this,  the  house  now  owned  and 
occupied  by  Mr.  F.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  was  the  home  of  Miss 
Jane  Van  Alstyne  (''Aunt  Jane")  and  her  friend  Miss  Eliza 
Van  Vleck.  Later,  it  was  the  home  of  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  (Van 
Vleck)  Johnson,  the  widow  of  the  artist,  James  E.  Johnson, 
and  then  of  Mrs.  Tompkins  and  her  son,  now  the  Rev.  E.  D. 
G.  Tompkins.  Next  thereto  was  an  office  building,  in  earHer 
years  occupied  by  Lucas  Hoes  who  owned  the  property 
at  the  time.  It  was  later  removed  as  stated  hitherto.  In 
the  dwelling,  built  probably  by  Lucas  Hoes,  lived  Francis  W. 
Bradley,  his  wife  Christina  Harder  (sister  of  N.  W.  and  W. 
H.),  and  their  children,  Kate,  Mary,  and  Frank.  October 
22,  '74,  Kate  married  James  A.  Reynolds,  and  died  Novem- 
ber, 20,  '96.  Their  children  were  Charles  W.  who  died  July 
9,  191 1,  and  F.  Bradley  Reynolds  who  in  '06  married  Helen 
Gushing  Perry  of  N.  Y.  They  and  their  five-year  old  boy 
reside  in  Minetto,  Oswego  Co. 

Frank  Bradley  lives  in  New  York.    The  adjoining  home 


526  Old  RinderHooK 

in  which  we  find  Miss  Mary  Best,  was,  in  '64,  the  abode  of  the 
aged  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ephraim  Best  and  their  daughters, 
Sarah  and  Mary.  Before  them  Dr.  John  A.  Van  Alen  lived 
there.  In  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  Palmer  (Caroline 
Thomas)  lived  the  father  of  the  former,  Mr.  Charles  Palmer, 
and  his  then  invalid  wife  who  soon  departed.  Mr.  Palmer 
was  long  the  Iceeper  of  the  well-known  Hardware,  vStove  and 
Tin  shop  on  Broad  vStreet.  After  his  death  the  business  was 
conducted  by  his  son  Frank  until  the  sale  of  it  to  Gage 
and  Merwin,  now  Gage  Brothers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Monthie's 
present  home  was  then  that  of  Mrs.  Shaver  and  daughter. 
The  house  where  the  Kennedy  sisters  live  was  occupied  by 
our  corner  storekeeper,  Mr.  Humphrey.  On  the  proposed 
site  of  a  "Masonic  Temple"  stood  a  building  now  taken 
down,  which  in  '64  was  the  home  of  Mr.  Marcus  Reid, 
beyond  which  was  that  of  Mr.  L.  B.  Flagler.  The  latter's 
store  was  full  of  all  kinds  of  healing  herbs  and  redolent 
with  the  odors  of  Araby  the  blest  and  sundry  other  regions. 
The  house  in  which  C.  B.  Van  Alstyne,  his  wife  (Anna 
Tobias),  and  daughter  Harriet  now  live,  had  just  been  sold  by 
Mr.  P.  Caulfield  to  Mr.  John  Van  Buren.  In  a  part  of  this 
building  in  later  years  Miss  Kate  Johnson  kept  a  Grocery 
and  was  succeeded  in  the  business  by  Rachel  Vosburgh  and 
Mr.  Van  Alstyne,  the  present  owner.  Adjoining  this  was  Dr. 
Luke  Pruyn's  office  in  a  small  building  which  in  '59  had  been 
moved  from  its  original  site  near  the  Central  House,  and  was 
subsequently  moved  again  and  made  the  rear  part  of  Law- 
rence Trimper's  house  on  William  Street.  Reaching  the  old 
Bank  corner  again  we  recall  three  persons  as  now  living  where 
they  did  in  1864. 

SILVESTER    STREET,    CHURCH    STREET,     AND    THE    EYKEBUSH 

ROAD 

Wearied  by  our  walk  of  about  twelve  miles  we  sit  in  our 
sanctum  now  and  let  memory  bring  before  us  a  few  homes 
other  than  those  noted  on  the  preceding  pages. 


Personal  Reminiscences  527 

On  Silvester  Street,  the  beautiful  place  which  Mr.  Sheldon 
Norton  greatly  improved  and  subsequently  sold  to  Mrs.  L. 
F.  Payn,  to  be  the  home  of  her  mother  Mrs.  John  E.  Heath 
and  daughter,  was  in  '64  the  ancestral  home  of  Miss  Margaret 
Silvester  and  her  nephew  Francis,  of  both  of  whom  we  have 
written  heretofore.  In  the  Episcopal  Rectory  opposite,  now 
occupied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Jager,  lived  the  Rev.  George  Za- 
briskie  Gray,  later  Dean  of  the  Cambridge  Divinity  vSchool, 
and  our  own  valued  friend  from  college  days.  A  year  or  two 
later  it  was  occupied  by  the  widow  of  Mr.  Wm.  C,  Miller 
of  Albany,  her  daughter  Anna,  w^ho  married  P.  V.  B.  HoewS; 
her  stepdaughter  Mary  C.  Miller,  and  her  sisters, — Ann, 
Mary,  and  Helen  Hickox,  the  second  of  whom  became  the 
third  wife  of  Mr.  Hugh  Van  Alstyne.  The  house  owned  by 
the  late  Mrs.  Barent  Van  Alstyne,  now  by  Mr.  Morrell,  was 
then  occupied  by  the  builder  Mr.  Bigelow.  In  the  corner 
house,  now  the  property  of  the  widow  of  the  late  Edwin  A. 
Bedell,  lived  the  widow  Joanna  Van  Boskerck  and  her 
sisters,  Phebe  and  Sarah  Manton.  There  was  no  man  in  the 
house,  but  a  man's  silk  hat  was  on  the  hat-rack  as  a  terror  to 
burglars. 

The  attractive  house  opposite,  "The  Chateau,"  was 
the  happy  home  of  the  brothers  and  sisters,  Henry,  Augustus 
W.,  Mary,  and  Elizabeth  Wynkoop.  Henry  married  Agnes 
L.  C.  Albrecht.  They  have  one  daughter,  Elwina  von  Lippe, 
and  one  son,  R.  S,  Wynkoop.  Augustus  W.  married  Anna 
T.  Talcott.  Their  children  are:  Augustus  Talcott,  who 
lives  in  New  York  City;  Anna  Strong,  who  married  Dr. 
George  H.  Tomey,  of  Brookline,  Mass.;  and  Charles  Barton 
Wynkoop,  who  lives  in  Utica.  Mr.  George  H.  Brown's 
present  residence  was  the  home  of  our  Stuyvesant  Stage 
proprietor,  Barent  Van  Slyck,  and  originally  the  second 
Academy.  Among  his  successors  we  recall — John  E.  Devoe 
James  Membert  and  his  son-in-law  James  Michael.  The 
brick  building,  an  old-time  blacksmith  shop,  was  H.  D. 
Hinman's  cooper  shop.     In  the  rear  of  the  church  was  the 


528  Old  RinderKooK 

District  schoolhouse,  not  remarkable  for  its  attractiveness. 
On  the  Eykebush  Road,  the  place  lately  owned  by  F.  S. 
Hoag,  now  by  Mrs,  Clark,  was  the  residence  of  cashier 
Guion.  It  was  purchased  later  by  Mr.  Asa  Hoag,  the  father 
of  Curtis  W.  and  Frank  S.  The  cottage  now  belonging  to 
Mr.  Morrell  was  occupied  by  the  brothers  Peter  and  Henry 
Van  Alen.  Soon  thereafter  it  became  the  home  of  Mr.  Alfred 
Rockfeller,  Engineer,  U.  S.  Navy.  What  we  knew  in  later 
years  as  the  Reeve  place  was  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jacob  F.  Platner.  It  was  originally  a  Manton  homestead. 
The  Platner-Bray  farm,  a  mile  or  more  beyond,  was  in 
Revolutionary  times  a  part  of  the  Bidwell  estate.  The  house 
was  built  about  that  time  or  earlier.  On  our  way  thither, 
however,  beyond  the  crossroad  leading  to  the  old-time 
homes  of  Mr.  E.  P.  Best,  the  Van  Valkenburghs,  and  Mr.  Levi 
Shufelt's,  we  must  enter  the  drive-way  at  the  left  and  note 
the  substantial  brick  house,  its  former  cupola  seen  from  afar 
in  every  direction,  which  Mr.  Levi  Milham  built  in  '58  and 
occupied  until  his  death.  This  thrifty  farmer,  his  wife 
(Anna  M.  Wagoner),  his  sons  Albert  and  Edmund,  and  his 
daughters  Melinda,  Ella  who  married  Mr.  Jesse  P.  Van 
Ness,  Anna  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Smith,  and 
Adelaide,  were  a  memorable  household.  After  the  death  of 
the  parents  and  the  removal  of  the  unmarried  sisters  to  the 
village,  the  house  remained  vacant  for  several  years,  Mr. 
Edmund  Milham  preferring  to  occupy  the  smaller  home 
down  the  lane.  Here  in  '64  lived  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Haga- 
dorn,  now  residing  on  Church  Street.  This  house  also  was 
originally  a  Manton  homestead.  Mr.  Alfred  T.  Ogden,  the 
recent  purchaser  of  the  entire  Milham  estate,  has  very 
greatly  improved  and  beautified  it  and  has  made  the  house 
and  grounds  among  the  most  attractive  in  this  whole  region. 
He,  his  wife  (Sophronia  Wisner),  and  two  children  have  a 
beautiful  home.  They  are  one  of  the  several  new  families 
whom  it  is  a  joy  to  welcome  after  so  many  years  of  steady 
loss  of  population. 


L.  Milham — A.  T.  Ogden  House 


I 


The  Parsonage  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 


Personal  Reminiscences  529 

To  note  all  those  living  in  regions  beyond  would  require 
many  pages,  but  we  see  from  afar  the  home  of  the  brothers 
WilHam  and  John  MacPherson  (birthplace  of  Admiral 
Philip  whose  father  and  grandfather  are  buried  in  our 
cemetery),  later  owned  by  Samuel  Fowler;  the  blacksmith 
shop  and  house  of  William  Gardner;  and  successively  the 
homes  of — John  C.  MacPherson ;  Henry  Hoes ;  Peter  Eaton ; 
William  Gillett;  back  of  J.  MacPherson's  present  house  the 
Lambert  Vosburgh  homestead  now  gone;  the  homes  of 
James  Magee,  Samuel  Van  Ness,  Tony  Harder,  Jeremiah 
Manton  (the  old  Arent  Van  Dyck  now  Lewis  F.  Van  Alstyne 
place),  Aaron  Gillett,  L.  H.  Van  Alen,  A.  L.  Schermerhom 
Aaron  Van  Alen  (the  fine  old  dwelling  of  his  father,  Lucas 
L),  PhiHp  Van  Ness;  and  then  in  succcvssion,  west  of  the 
schoolhouse,  the  homes  of  the  brothers  Joseph,  James  P., 
Andrew,  and  A.  P.  Van  Alstyne,  the  last  named  being  the 
Melgert  Melgertse  Vanderpoel  house  of  171 7.  To  the  east 
of  this  region  we  observe  the  homes  of  N.  W.  Harder  (now 
owned  by  Mr.  Waterman);  Andrew  Michael;  George  M. 
Harder ;  the  widow  of  Frank  Smith ;  Peter  Harder,  Sr. ;  the 
widow  of  John  Pruyn,  with  whom  were  her  children  Jane 
and  Frank  and  granddaughter  Kate;  Abraham  Harder;  I. 
P.  Van  Alen;  Peter  Harder,  Jr.;  the  Pultz  brothers;  L.  E. 
Fellowes  (now  owned  by  A.  H.  Snyder) ;  the  widow  of  Dr. 
Jos.  W.  Smith,  Jr.  (Mary  M.  Best),  later  Mrs.  E.  G.  Miner, 
now  Bishop  Nelson's;  and  finally  the  home  of  Norton  Pock- 
man  and  that  of  widow  Best,  adjoining  the  cemetery.  In 
this  wide  sweep  we  note  but  four  as  in  the  same  home  to-day. 
On  the  Kleine  Kill  Road  we  recall  only  P.  H.  Bain  (son  of 
Hugh),  John  K.  Pierce,  and  Isaac,  son  of  James  Bain,  as  then 
in  their  present  homes. 

Here  our  long  story  must  end  although  so  incomplete 
and  inadequate.  The  glory  of  Kinderhook  is  in  the  past. 
Few  if  any  towns  of  its  size  in  the  State  have  made  more 
numerous  or  more  notable  contributions  to  the  learned  pro- 
fessions and  to  every  department  of  public  life.  "There 
34 


530  Old  RinderHooK 

were  giants  in  those  days."  But  changing  conditions,  as  in 
the  case  of  all  other  towns  similarly  situated,  have  had  their 
inevitable  results.  Not  in  population,  nor  business,  nor 
wealth,  is  the  town  what  it  once  was  and  probably  never  will 
be  again.  But  the  village  is  still  of  rare  beauty,  never  in  fact 
more  attractive  than  now;  and  its  people  are  to  a  large  degree 
as  intelligent,  cultivated,  and  refined  as  ever  they  were. 

Happily,  in  recent  years,  the  new  Lure  of  the  Country 
has  drawn  a  considerable  number  of  most  desirable  families 
to  our  inviting  farms.  We  hail  their  coming  and  hope  that 
they  and  their  children,  together  with  the  lingering  remnants 
of  the  grand  old  families  of  Kinderhook,  will  behold  an  era 
of  new  prosperity  and  splendor  for  our  beloved  Children's 
Corner. 


A  Faithful  Soldier,  Sexton,  and  Friend,  Andrew  Hagadorn  and  his  Helper  at  Work 


137 
F.  N.  Y. 


I 


I 


APPENDIX 

A  Specimen  Deed,  1683 — Great  Kinderhook  Patent,  1686 — Scheme  of  Draw- 
ing in  the  Division  of  the  Patent — Oath  of  Allegiance,  1699 — Specimen 
Will,  1705 — De  Bruyn's  Deed  to  L.  Van  Alen — The  Seventh  Regiment — 
Commissioned  Officers,  1 786-1822 — Civil  and  Judicial  List — First  U.  S. 
Census,  1790,  Kinderhook  Township. 

A  DEED  OF  JANNETJE  POWELL.  1 683 

As  a  specimen  of  many  similar  deeds  of  the  time  given  by  her 
and  others,  we  give  this,  copied  from  the  Albany  County  Records 
(Book  C,  p.  201),  and  translated  for  us  by  the  Rev.  John  G. 
Meengs,  of  Schenectady.  There  is  almost  no  punctuation  but  an 
abundance  of  erratic  capitalization.  We  reproduce  the  original 
text  as  exactly  as  we  can  in  English. 

Appeared  before  me  Robert  Livingston  Secretary  of 
Albany  of  the  Colony  of  Renselaerswyk  and  Schenectady 
&c,  in  the  presence  of  the  Honorable  gentlemen  Mr.  Marte 
Gerritse  and  Mr.  Dirck  Wesselse  Commissionars  of  the 
same  Judicial  District  Jannetje  Powel'  widow  of  the  late 
Tho.  Powel  Deceased,  who  Declared  as  Rightful  Owner  to 
Transfer  Deliver  and  Transmit  Property  free  of  incumbrance 
to  Andries  hanse  Scheys  and  Juriaen  Callier  for  their  use 
Said  Property  consists  of  a  Certain  parcel  of  Woodland  Ly- 
ing near  Kinderhook  Extending  from  the  Kinderhook  Kill 
westward  toward  the  River  on  both  sides  of  the  Path 
having  the  full  width  of  the  farm  Land  and  the  Vley  as 
Specified  in  the  powel  Groundbrief  Being  two  hundred 
Acres  the  width  of  which  extends  to  the  River  with  the 
Restriction  that  the  aforenamed  andries  Hanse  and  Juriaen 
Kallier  shall  Transfer  to  Stephen  Coning  his  Third  part  of 

531 


532  Old  K.inderKooK 

the  Wood  Land  Lying  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Path  ex- 
tending from  the  Speigel  to  the  Vley  according  to  the 
Groundbrief  Likewise  there  is  excluded  from  the  Woodland 
a  little  piece  of  the  woodland  Which  belongs  to  Frans 
Pieterse  Claw  which  is  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  walk^ 
according  to  my  walking  from  the  aforenamed  land  of 
Stephen  Janse  Coningh  and  is  also  included  in  the  aforesaid 
Groundbrief.  Further  all  the  Woodland  specified  in  the 
Groundbrief  Mentioned  granted  by  the  past  Governor 
General  Richard  Nicolls  to  her  husband  (deceased)  Tho. 
Powel  of  date  April  13,  1667  the  aforesaid  widow  Transfers 
to  Andries  hanse  &  Juriaen  Kallier  free  and  lawful  without 
any  present  incumbrance  or  that  referring  back  (Except  the 
Right  of  the  Lord)  without  his  representatives  having  any- 
thing more  to  exact  Therefor  Pleenam  Actionem  Cessam  & 
all  Power  to  the  aforenamed  Andries  hanse  &  Juriaen 
Kallier  to  Use  and  Dispose  of  the  Woodland  mentioned 
(Except  the  Two  Parcels  Excluded)  as  they  would  their 
patrimonial  goods  and  effects  Promising  to  Protect  the 
Property  against  any  Invasion  and  to  Defend  it  from  all 
Care  Invasion  or  Danger  as  is  Right  and  further  nevermore 
to  Do  anything  or  Allow  anything  to  be  done  contra  wise 
according  to  the  Contract  and  the  Laws  referring  thereto. 
Done  in  Albany  Nov.  15,  1683. 

Marten  Gerritsen        Mark  X  Jannetje  Powel 
DiRCK  Wesselsen  Made  with  her  own  hand 

My  presence 

Robert  Livingston  Secretary. 

the  kinderhook  patent.     March  14,  1686  (7)? 

Thomas  Dongan  Capt.  Generall  .  .  .  Sendeth  Greeting 
Whereas  the  Right  Honorable  Richard  Nicolls  Governour  Gen- 
eral .  .  .  did  by  a  Certaine  Pattent  under  his  Hand  and  Scale 
bearing  date  the  sixth  and  twentieth  day  of  June  Give  Grant 
Ratifie  and  Confirmd  unto  Evert  Luycas  and  John  Hendrix 
Bruyne  two  Certaine  Peeces  or  Parcells  of  Land  on  this  side 

'  A  method  of  measurement  "used  in  Holland  to  this  day,"  Mr.  Meengs 
informs  us. 


Appendix  533 

ffort  Albany  lyeing  and  being  on  the  east  shoare  of  the  North 
River  almost  behind  Kindcrhook  Stretching  alongst  the  Kill 
neare  upon  a  North  East  Line  and  strikes  off  from  Captaine 
Abram  Staets  bowery  The  first  parcell  of  Land  Goes  on  both 
sides  of  the  Creek  and  is  called  Najokassick  abutting  on  the 
Land  of  Evert  Luycas  the  other  Parcell  Goes  further  up  and  is 
known  by  the  name  Wachcanossoonsick  together  with  all  the 
Lands  Soyles  etc.  .  .  .  Whereas  the  said  Richard  Nicolls  .  .  . 
did  by  another  Pattent  .  .  .  bearing  date  with  the  Premisses 
Give  Grant  Rattifie  and  Confirme  unto  Evert  Luycas  John 
Hendrix  Bryne  and  to  Dirk  Wessells  and  Pieter  Van  Aaler 
another  Certaine  Peece  or  Parcell  of  Land  on  this  side  ffort 
Albany  not  furr  from  Nutten  and  the  Kinderhooke  knowne  by 
the  Indian  name  of  Machackoesk  Stretching  on  both  sides  of  the 
Kill  and  going  up  northerly  next  to  the  Land  formerly  Bought 
from  the  Indians  by  Evert  Luycas  and  so  to  Pachaquak  together 
with  all  the  Lands  Soyles  etc.  .  .  .  And  Whereas  Francis  Love- 
lace Esq.  .  .  .  did  by  Pattent  .  .  .  bearing  date  the  ninth  day 
of  January  1671  (2)?  Grant  .  .  .  unto  the  said  John  Hendrix 
Bruyn  a  Certaine  Peece  of  Land  Beginning  at  the  above  said 
Land  and  Goeing  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill  called  Pennekees  and 
that  on  both  sides  of  the  Creek  or  Kill  with  a  small  Creeke  on 
each  side  of  the  Kill  which  is  Called  Nackawekasuck  with  the 
Woodlands  belonging  to  it  as  by  said  Patent  recorded  in  the 
Secretaryes  office  .  .  .  And  Whereas  by  a  Certaine  Pattent 
signed  with  my  Hand  Writing  .  .  .  bearing  date  the  third  day  of 
November  1685,  for  the  Consideracons  therein  Exprest  I  did 
Grant  .  .  .  unto  Peter  Schuyler  of  the  Towne  and  County  of 
Albany  Gentl  a  Certaine  Tract  or  Parcell  of  Land  beginning  from 
the  Bounds  of  John  Browne  lyeing  upon  the  small  Creek  to  the 
South  of  Pomponick  called  by  the  Indians  Kenaghtequak  and 
runs  to  the  Create  Kinderhook  Creeke  Containing  in  all  about 
eight  hundred  acres  of  Land  and  about  two  thousand  Paces  over 
the  New  England  Path  the  which  two  thousand  Paces  the  said 
Peter  Schuyler  hath  left  for  his  Majestyes  use  as  by  said  Pattent 
recorded  in  the  Secretaryes  office  .  .  .  And  Whereas  Severall 
Familyes  by  and  with  the  Consent  and  approbacon  of  the  said 
John  Hendrix  Bruyne  Evert  Luycas  Derick  Wessells  Peter  Van 
Alen  and  Peter  Schuyler  have  Seated  and  settled  themselves 


534  Old  RinderKooK 

upon  the  aforecited  Tracts  and  Parcells  of  Land  and  Premissess 
and  have  made  Considerable  Improvements  thereon  and  have 
also  made  applycacon  unto  me  that  I  would  Confirme  by  Pattent 
all  the  aforecited  Tracts  and  Parcells  of  Land  and  Premissess  and 
Likewise  Give  unto  them  all  the  Woodland  adjacent  to  the 
Premissess  not  yett  appropriated  by  any  person  for  the  Range 
and  feed  of  their  Cattle  and  also  to  Erect  the  Same  into  one 
Townshipp  within  the  Limitts  and  Bounds  hereafter  Exprest 
that  is  to  say  all  that  Tract  or  Parcell  of  Land  that  Lyeth  on  the 
East  side  of  Hudson  River  beginning  at  a  Place  Called  Swarte- 
hook  and  running  North  upon  said  River  fouer  English  Miles  to  a 
Certaine  Place  Called  David  Hook  and  then  Runs  East  into  the 
Woods  keeping  the  same  breadth  to  the  Land  of  Dirick  Wessell 
and  Gerrit  Tunissen  and  the  high  Hills  Eight  English  Miles  and 
then  South  to  the  fall  of  Major  Abram.  Now  know  yee  that  for 
Divers  Good  and  Lawfull  Consideracons  we  thereunto  moveing 
and  for  the  quitt  Rent  hereinafter  Reserved  I  the  said  Thomas 
Dongan  .  .  .  have  Given  Granted  Ratified  Released  and  Con- 
firmed .  .  .  Unto  Jan  Hendrix  Debruyn  Peter  Schuyler  Gerrit 
Teunissen  Laurance  Van  Ala  Martin  Cornelissen  Dirick  Hen- 
dricksen  Jan  Tysse  Isaac  fforsburge  Jacob  fforsburge  Yeaukin 
Lammersen  Michael  Colier  Jacob  Martinsen  Gerritt  Jacobsen 
Omeda  Legrange  Andries  Hansen  Peter  Bosse  Robt  Silksen 
Andries  Gardner  Henrick  Coenrade  Adam  Dingman  Lambert 
Jansen  Claes  Beaver  Albert  Gardiner  Jan  Martinsen  Andreus 
Hause  Yeaurick  Kallier  ffrancis  Petersen  Tom  Craven  Jan 
Jacobsen  Gardiner  Peter  fforsberge  the  Present  ffree-holders 
of  Kinderhook  their  Heires  Successors  and  Assigns  all  the  before 
recited  Tracts  and  Parcells  of  Land  within  the  Limitts  and 
Bounds  aforesaid  together  all  and  singular  the  Messuages 
Buildings  etc.,  etc.  .  .  .  to  have  and  to  hold  .  .  .  And  as  for  and 
concerning  all  and  every  such  Parcel  Tract  or  Tracts  of  Land 
Meadow  Remainder  of  the  Premissess  not  yett  taken  up  or 
appropriated  to  any  Perticular  Person  or  Persons  before  the  Day 
of  the  Date  hereof  to  the  only  use  benefitt  and  behoofe  of  the  said 
Present  Inhabitants  ffreeholders  of  Kinderhook  their  Heires 
Successors  and  Assigns  forever  to  be  Devided  in  proporcon  to  the 
above  recited  present  Inhabitants  and  ffreeholders  and  their 
Respective  Heires  Successors  and  Assigns  forever  according  to 


Appendix  535 

the  Concessions  acts  orders  agrements  of  the  said  Inhabitants 
at  their  Towne  meetings  Concluded  ordered  and  agreed  and  that 
it  shall  and  may  bee  Lawfull  at  any  time  hereafter  to  Sett  apart 
order  and  agree  upon  such  a  Tract  Quantity  or  Parcell  of  Com- 
onage  for  the  Publick  Benefitt  and  advantage  as  well  for  graze- 
ing  of  Sheep  or  feed  of  any  other  Cattle  or  otherwise  as  shall  to 
the  Major  Parte  of  the  ffreeholders  and  Commonalty  of  said 
Towne  of  Kinderhook  Seeme  most  meet  and  advantagious  and 
Convenient  without  any  Manner  of  Lett  Hindrance  or  Molesta- 
con  to  be  had  or  Reserved  upon  pretence  of  Joint  Tennancy  or 
Survivorship  anything  contained  herein  to  the  Contrary  in  any 
wayes  notwithstanding  And  moreover  by  virtue  of  the  Power 
and  authority  in  me  resideing  as  aforesaid  and  for  the  Reasons 
and  consideracons  above  Recited  I  have  and  by  these  Presents 
Doe  Erect  Make  and  Constitute  all  the  said  Tracts  and  Parcells 
of  Land  within  the  Limitts  and  Bounds  afore  menconed  to- 
gether with  all  and  every  the  above  Granted  Premissess  with  their 
and  every  of  their  appurtenancies  into  one  Township  to  all 
intents  and  Purposes  whatsoever  and  the  same  from  henceforth 
shall  be  Called  the  Towne  of  Kinderhook  and  I  the  said  Thomas 
Dongan  have  Given  and  Granted  and  by  these  Presents  Doe 
Give  and  Grant  unto  Jan  Hendrix  Debruyne  etc.  (31  names  as 
above)  .  .  .  the  Present  Inhabitants  and  ffreeholders  of  the  said 
Towne  of  Kinderhook  their  Heirs  Successors  Assigns  forever 
All  the  Priviledges  Customs  Practises  Preheminecyes  and  Im- 
munityes  that  are  used  Exercised  Practiced  or  belonging  unto 
any  Towne  upon  Long  Island  within  this  Government  to  be  used 
Exercised  Nuitated  Practised  Executed  by  the  said  ffreeholders 
their  Heires  Successors  Assigns  forever  to  bee  holden  of  his  most 
sacred  Majesty  his  Heirs  and  successors  in  free  and  Comon 
Soccage  according  to  the  Tenure  of  East  Greenwich  in  the 
County  of  Kent  within  his  Majestyes  Realme  of  England  Yield- 
ing Rendring  and  Paying  therefore  Yearly  and  every  Yeare  on 
every  five  and  twentieth  day  of  March  forever  in  Lieu  of  all 
Services  and  Demands  whatsoever  as  a  Quitt  Rent  or  acknow- 
ledgement to  his  said  Majesty  his  Heirs  and  Successors  and  to 
such  officer  or  officers  as  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same 
twelve  Bushells  of  Good  Winter  Marchantable  Wheat  at  the 
Citty  of  Albany.    In  testimony  whereof  etc. 


536  Old  RinderKooK 

This  Patent  illustrates  how  the  same  name  may  be  spelled 
in  three  different  ways  in  one  and  the  same  document.  The 
illustration  would  have  been  still  more  striking  had  the  names  of 
the  freeholders  been  given  three  times  as  they  are  in  the  original. 

From  the  presumably  accurate  language  of  this  Dongan 
Charter  of  1686  it  appears  that  with  the  exception  of  the  great 
De  Bruyn  patent  it  included  all  the  patents  theretofore  issued  to 
De  Bruyn,  Wessells,  Luycassen,  Schuyler,  and  Peter  Van  Alen. 
The  map  of  the  division  of  the  patent  in  1756  seems  to  add 
thereto  the  Elias  Van  Schaack  and  Boegardt  and  the  Huyck 
patents.  The  freeholders  subsequently  named  in  the  Dongan 
Charter  were  possibly  in  some  cases  purchasers  of  their  holdings 
from  the  four  patentees  named.  In  others  they  were  those  who, 
without  acquiring  title,  had  with  the  consent  of  the  patentees 
"seated  and  settled  themselves  upon  the  aforesaid 
tracts  .  .  .  and  made  considerable  improvements  there- 
ON." 

Scheme  of  the  Drawing  in  the  Division  of  the  Kinderhook 
Patent.  Explanation:  The  Roman  numerals,  i,  11,  in,  etc., 
indicate  the  six  large  Allotments.  The  Arabic  numerals,  i,  2,  3, 
etc.,  the  thirty-one  subdivisions.  With  the  map  and  this  scheme 
every  man's  drawings  can  be  located  with  precision. 

PATENTEES 

Jan  Martensen — 22  in  i,  11,  in,  &  iv;  21  in  v  &  vi. 
Jacob  Vosburgh — 24  in  i,  iii,  iv  &  vi;  25  in  vii  &  23  in  v. 
Andries  Gardinier — 31  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  24  in  n  &  30  in  v. 
Dirck  Hendricksen — 27  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  17  in  11  &  26  in  v. 
Andries  Hansen — 30  in  i,  n,  in  &  iv;  29  in  v  &  30  in  vi. 
Adam  Dingman — 23  in  i,  iii,  iv  &  vi;  28  in  n  &  22  in  v. 
Robert  Sielhsen — 26  in  i,  iii,  iv  &  vi;  3  in  11  &  25  in  v. 
Michael  Coljer — 25  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  4  in  11  &  24  in  v. 
Lambert  Jansen — 10  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  5  in  11  &  7  in  v.  : 
Franz  Pietersen — 20  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  27  in  n  &  19  in  v. 
Claes  Beever — 12  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  11  in  11  &  9  in  v. 
Gerrit  Teunissen — 16  in  i,  11,  iv  &  vi;  18  in  in  &  13  in  v. 
Andriaes  Hansen — 21  in  i,  n,  in  &  iv;  20  in  v  &  22  in  vi. 
Gerrit  Jacobsen — 6  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  7  in  n  &  3  in  v. 


Appendix  537 

Martin  Cornellssen — 28  in  i,  iii,  iv  &  vi;  31  in  11  &  27  in  v. 

Jan  Jacobsen  Gardinier — 29  in  i,  11,  in,  iv  &  vi  &  28  in  v. 

Jan  H.  De  Bruyn — 15  in  i,  11,  iii,  iv  &  vi  &  12  in  v. 

Lowrens  Van  Alen — 19  in  i,  iv  &  vi;  14  in  11,  17  in  in  &  16  in  v. 

Pieter  Bossie — 4  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  9  in  11  &  i  in  v. 

Isaac  Vosburgh — 17  in  i,  iv  &  vi;  13  in  11;  19  in  in  &  14  in  v. 

Andries  Hansen — 18  in  i,  iv  &  vi;  12  in  11;  16  in  iii;  18  in  iv  &  15 

in  V. 
Jacob  Martensen — 9  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  i  in  n  &  6  in  v. 
Thom  Craven — 11  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  19  in  11  &  8  in  v. 
Ami  de  Lagrange — 14  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  18  in  11  &  11  in  v. 
Albert  Gardinier — 13  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  2  in  n  &  10  in  V. 
Jurian  Caljer — 8  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  20  in  n  &  5  in  V. 
Peter  Vosburgh — 5  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  8  in  11  &  2  in  v. 
Jan  Tyssen — 7  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  6  in  n  &  4  in  v. 
Peter  Schuyler — i  in  i,  in,  IV  &  vi;  10  in  n  &  18  in  v. 
Hendrick  Coenrads — 3  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  23  in  n  &  17  in  v. 
Yeanken  Lammersen — 2  in  i,  in,  iv  &  vi;  26  in  11  &  30  in  v. 

The  original  text  with  its  obvious  omissions  of  surnames  and  its 
vagaries  in  spelling  is  strictly  followed. 

OATH  OF  ALLEGIANCE.      1 699 

It  was  with  great  delight,  we  may  be  sure,  that  the  sons  of 
those  who  had  fought  in  the  Thirty  Years'  War  hailed  the  acces- 
sion of  William  of  Orange  and  made  haste  to  take  and  sign  the 
oath  of  allegiance.  Kinderhook  had  a  notable  representation  in 
the  list  of  about  two  hundred  signers  in  Albany  County.  A  few 
names  probably  belonged  more  strictly  to  Claverack,  but  the 
list  of  undoubted  Kinderhookers  is  long.  It  reveals  so  many  of 
the  residents  here  in  1699  that  we  give  it  in  full.  The  names  are 
precisely  as  written,  but  the  additions  in  brackets  are  our  own  as 
gathered  from  many  sources,  and  serve  to  identify  names  other- 
wise obscure,  with  approximate  accuracy.  They  arc:  Pieter 
Vosburgh,  Casper  Conyn,  Cornells  Martense  (Van  Buren  or  Van 
Alstyne),  Melgert  Abrahamse  (Van  Deusen),  Isaac  Janse  (Van 
Alstyne),  Jacob  Van  Hoesse,  Jan  Van  Hoessen,  Hendricus  Jan- 
sen    (Witbeck),   Arent   Van   Schaack,    Cornells   Maasen    (Van 


538  Old   RinderKooK 

Buren),  Cornells  Tevmissen  (Van  Vechten),  iMarte  Comelise 
(Van  Buren),  Jan  Tysse  Goes  (Hoes),  Jan  Hendrickse  (Van 
Salsbergen),  Hend.  Salsbergen,  Jan  Van  Hoesen.  Jun.,  Comelis 
Stevessen  (Mvdder  or  Miller),  Jeremias  Milder,  Robert  Tewissen 
(Van  Deusen),  Abr.  Dirckie  V.  Veghten,  Matys  Janse  Goes 
(Hoes),  Pieter  Hoogeboom,  Andries  Huyck,  Dirck  Teunise  (Van 
Vechten),  Johannes  Dirksee  (Van  Vechten),  Rissert  Janse  van 
den  Borke,  Andries  Janse  (Witbeck),  Jacob  Janse  Gardenier, 
Hend.  Van  Ness,  Joh.  Van  Vechten,  Pieter  Van  Alen,  Steffanis 
Van  Alen,  Bartholomew  Van  Valkenburgh,  Koenradt  Bogardt, 
Gysbert  Scherp  (Sharp),  Adam  Dinghman,  Burger  Huyck, 
Johannes  Huyck,  Andries  Gardenier,  Dirck  Van  der  Kar,  Jo- 
hannes Van  Alen,  Lambert  Janse  (Van  Valkenburgh),  Hendrick 
Beekman,  Jan  Van  Ness,  Edward  Wieler,  Lawrence  Van  Alen, 
Andries  Scherp,  Dominicus  Van  Schaick,  Johannes  Van  Hoesen, 
Manuel  Van  Schaick,  Evert  Van  Alen,  Cornelis  Van 
Schaick,  Luykas  Van  Alen,  Isaac  Vosburgh,  Pieter  Martense 
(Van  Buren) ,  Frans  Pietersen  (Klauw  or  Clow) ,  Gerrit  Teunise 
(Van  Vechten),  Luycas  Janse  (Van  Salsbergen),  Teunis  Van 
Sleyck,  and  Jonatanjanse  (Witbeck) . 

A  SPECOIEX  WILL.      I705 

As  already  stated,  many  wills  of  people  here  were  recorded 
in  New  York.  Their  substance  has  been  published  in  successive 
volumes  of  the  N.  Y.  Historical  Society. 

The  following  copy  of  the  preamble  of  an  original  Dutch  will 
("Abraham  Gouevemeur,  Interp'  &  Translat'"),  on  file  in  the 
office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  Albany,  may  interest 
the  reader. 

In  the  na^ie  of  god  amen  By  the  Contents  of  this  Publicq 
Instrument  be  it  known  &  manifest  that  in  y^  yeare  after  y' 
Nativity  of  our  Lord  &  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  One  Thousand 
Seaven  Hundred  &  five  the  ffourteenth  of  February  before  mee 
Paulus  Van  Vlecq  Residing  at  y*  Kinderhoek  under  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Noble  &  Right  Hon"'  the  Lord  Combury  Gov' 
Gen"  for  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne  Queen  of  Great  Britain  Scot- 
land Ireland  Defend'  of  the  ffaith  of  all  her  territories  in  America 
and  before  the  hereafter  Named  Witnesses  Appeared  and  came 


Appendix  539 

M'  John  Tysse  Goes  Dwelling  at  the  Kinderhoek  in  y*  County 
of  New  Albany  well  known  to  mee  the  s^  Patdus  Van  \lecq  being 
sick  in  body  sometimes  going  &  sometimes  L\-ing  Down  but  in 
the  full  Exercise  of  his  Memon-  &  sences  as  it  Outrieardly  mani- 
festly did  appear  who  Considering  the  Shortness  of  the  Life  of 
Man  the  Certainty  of  Death  8c  y^  vmcertain  hotu*  &  time  thereof 
being  therefore  willing  to  Dispose  of  his  Temporall  goods  by 
him  to  be  Left  while  he  is  able  &  that  out  of  his  fvdl  Will  Sc  Mind 
without  ad\"ising  inducing  or  being  misled  by  any  person  he  has 
Ordained  &  concluded  this  to  be  his  last  &  uttermost  Will  in 
manner  ffollowing  ffirst  Recommend — his  Immortal  Soule  into 
the  hands  of  his  heavenly  ffather  Sc  his  body  to  a  Christian  like 
buriall  Revoaking  Annulling  &  making  Void  all  former  Testa- 
mentall  Dispositions  8c  bequests  before  the  Date  hereof  made  8c 
passed  or  might  have  past  Esteeming  the  Same  Xull  &:  void  and 
the  Testator  now  declares  for  his  Universall  heires  His  Wife 
Styntie  Jan"  and  his  sonns  Tys  John  &  Dirk  Goes  8c  his  daugh- 
ters Teuntie  Anna  Jan"  8c  Judith  &  Mayken  Goes.  And  ffirst 
y^  Testator  desires  that  his  Eldest  son  Tys  shall  have  a  Cow 
&  fourty  shillings  for  his  birthright  .  .  . 
Signed — Marke  (x)  of  Jan  Tysse  Goes. 
Witnesses — Peter  Van  Be\iren,  Dirck  Van  der  Kar:  both  men 
of  "Marke"  as  were  many  of  those  old-time  worthies. 

DEED    OF    J.   H.    DE   BRUYN  TO   LAWRENCE    VAN   .\LEN.       I707 

This  intdenture  made  this  twenty  third  day  of  September 
in  the  Sixth  year  of  the  raign  of  Our  Sovereigne  Lady  Anne  by  the 
grace  of  God  Queen  of  England  ffrance  and  Irland  defender  of 
the  faith  8cc.  Anno  Domini  1707.  between  John  Hendrick  de 
Bruyn  of  the  City  of  New  York  Merchant  of  the  one  part,  & 
Lawrens  Van  Alen  of  Kinderhook  in  the  Coimty  of  Albany 
Yeoman  of  the  other  part.  Whereas  the  aforesaid  John  Hen- 
drick d'Bruyn  bj''  \-irtue  of  a  deed  of  gift  from  the  native  Indians 
proprietors  Pompoeneck.  Taeppehasunen  and  Attowanoe,  be- 
came Seized  of  a  certain  piece  or  tract  of  land  l}"ing  on  the  East 
syde  of  Hudsons  River  begining  from  Da\-idsons  Creek  over 
against  bear  Island  called  in  the  Indian  language  pahpapaenpe- 
mock,  and  from  said  Creeke  stretching  Southerly  along  the  river 


540  Old   RinderHooK 

to  the  Saw  Kill  of  ffrans  Peter  Claver,  the  creeke  in  the  Indian 
language  called  Pittannoock.  Stretching  to  the  east  &  in  the 
woods  to  the  first  two  lakes  or  in  waters  which  are  called  by  the 
Indians  Hiethoock  and  Wogaskewackook  as  by  the  said  deed  of 
gift  bearing  date  some  time  in  the  month  of  August  one  thousand 
Six  hundred  Sixty  eight  may  more  fully  appear  and  whereas, 
Col°  Thomas  Dungan  some  time  and  then  Captain  Generall 
Governour  in  Chief  &  vice  admirall  in  &  over  the  province  of  New 
York  &  terrytorys  depending  thereon  by  Patent  under  the  Seal 
of  the  said  Province  bearing  date  the  twenty  third  day  of  Decem- 
ber Anno  Domini  One  thousand  six  hundred  &  eighty  six,  Did 
give  grant  ratifye  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  John  Hend- 
rick  de  Bruyn  by  the  name  of  John  Hendrix  de  Druyn  his  heiress 
&  assignes  for  ever  all  that  the  said  above  recited  peice  or  tract 
of  land  within  the  limits  and  bounds  aforesaid  Togither  with  all 
and  singular  the  messuages,  houses  barnes  buildings  fencings 
gardens  orchards,  soiles,  pastures,  feedings  inclosures  woods 
underwoods  timber  trees  swamps  marshes,  waters,  rivers,  river- 
lets,  runs,  brooks,  lakes,  streams,  ponds,  quarries,  mines,  miner- 
alls,  fishing,  fowling,  hunting  hawking  (silver  and  gold  mines 
excepted)  Together  with  all  the  rights,  libertyes,  priviledges, 
hereditaments,  profites,  advantages,  and  appurtenances  what- 
soever to  the  same  belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining  or 
accepted  reputed  taken  furnished  or  occupyed  as  part  parcell  or 
member  thereof.  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the 
afore  recited  peice  or  tract  of  land  &  premisses  with  the  appur- 
tenances unto  the  said  John  Hendrick  de  Bruyn  to  the  sole  and 
only  propper  use  benefite  &  behoof  of  the  said  John  Hendrick  de 
Bruyn  his  heires  and  assignes  for  ever,  as  by  the  said  patent 
recorded  in  the  Secretaryes  office  of  the  province  aforesaid  lib 
96°2,  (?)  begun  anno  1686  reference  being  thereunto  had  may 
more  fully  appear.  Now  this  indenture  witnesseth  that  the 
said  John  Hendrick  de  Bruyn  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  Sum 
of  four  hundred  pounds  currant  money  of  New  York  to  him  in 
hand  by  the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  at  and  before  the  ensealing 
and  delivery  of  these  presents  well  and  truly  paid  &  secured  to  be 
payd  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged  &  himself 
therewith  to  be  fully  satisfyed,  Hath  granted  bargained  sold 
aliened  enfeoffed  and  confirmed  &  by  these  presents  doth  for  him 


A.ppendix  541 

and  his  heires  grant  bargain  sell  alien  enfcoffe  and  confirm  unto 
the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  his  heires  and  assignes  for  ever,  All 
the  said  peice  or  tract  of  land  &  premisses  with  its  hereditaments 
and  appurtenances  as  its  now  circumstanced  with  regard  to  waste 
or  the  cutting  down  of  timber,  togither  with  all  that  his  estate 
right  title  Interest  property  claim  and  demand  of  into  or  out  of 
the  same  or  any  part  thereof  and  all  deeds  receipts  muniemients 
touching  and  concerning  the  same  only  or  only  any  part  thereof. 
To  HAVE  AND  TO  HOLD  all  that  the  ssd  peice  or  tract  of  land  and 
premisses  with  its  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  to  the  same 
belonging  or  any  ways  appertaining  unto  the  ssd  Lawrence  Van 
Alen  his  heires  &  assignes  forever  to  the  sole  and  only  propper  use 
benefits  and  behoof  of  the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  his  heires  & 
assignes  for  ever.  And  the  said  John  Hendrick  de  Bruyn  doth 
for  himself  and  his  heires  covenant  promise  and  grant  to  and  with 
the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  his  heires  and  assignes  &  every  of 
them  in  manner  following  that  is  to  say  That  he  the  said  John 
Hendrick  de  Bruyn  and  his  heires  Executors  and  Administrators 
and  every  of  them  the  said  piece  or  tract  of  Land  premisses  with 
the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  or 
appertaining  unto  the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  his  heires  and 
assignes  and  every  of  them  in  his  and  their  peaceable  and  quiet 
enjoyment  to  hold  to  him  the  said  Lawrens  Van  Alen  his  heires 
and  assignes  to  his  and  their  propper  use  and  behoof  for  ever, 
against  him  the  said  John  Hendrick  de  Bruyn  and  his  heires  and 
against  all  person  and  persons  whatsoever  claiming  or  pretending 
to  claim  any  estate  right  title  dower  or  demand  of  in  or  to  the 
same  or  any  part  thereof  by  from  or  under  him  shall  and  will 
warrant  and  for  ever  by  these  presents  defend.  In  testimony 
whereof  the  partys  to  this  Indenture  first  above  named  have 
here  unto  interchangeably  put  their  hands  and  scales  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written. 

Jan  Hindryck  Bruyn 

Sealed  and  Delivered 
in  the  presence  of  us 
Rob't  Livingston  Junior 
William  Vanalen 
David  Jamison 


542 


Old  K.inderKooK 


(Endorsed  on  back)  Albany  the  second  of  Octo  1707 
There  appeared  before  me  David  Schuyler  Esq  one  of  her  majes 
Justices  of  the  Peace  of  ye  City  and  of  ye  County  of  Albany 
William  Van  Ale  and  Robert  Livingston  Junior  two  witnesses  to 
the  within  instrument  and  did  declare  upon  ye  holy  evangelist 
that  they  saw  John  Hendrick  de  Bruyn  Sign  Seal  and  Deliver 
the  said  Instrument  as  his  voluntary  act  and  deed  for  ye  use 
therein  mentioned. 

David  Schuyler. 

Recorded  the  2d  day  of  October  1707  in  the  book  of  Records 
Transports  Mortgages  &c.  had  for  the  City  &  County  of  Albany 
Book  Lib  E  f o  63  &  64  by  me      Phil  Livingston         J  P 

ALBANY  COUNTY  MILITIA— SEVENTH  REGIMENT 

— REVOLUTIONARY  TIMES  AND  LATER — 


Colonel  Abraham  J.  Van  Alstine 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Philip  Van  Alstine 
Major  Harman  Van  Buren 


Major  Isaac  Goes 
Surgeon  Ezekiel  Thomas 


Capt. Chapman 

"  Burger  Claw 

"  Aaron  Ostrander 

"  John  Philip 

"  John  Smith 

"  Gershom  Truesdel 

"  Abraham  Van  Buren 

"  Isaac  P.  Van  Valkenburgh 

"  Evert  Vosburgh 

"  Herman  Vosburgh 


Lieut.  Jonathan  Chapman 

"  Peter  Huegennin 

"  Felter  Landt 

"  Jacobus  McNeal 

"  James  McNeil 

"  Reuben  Murray 

"  Edward  Painter 

"  Matthias  Taylor 

"  Abraham  Van  Allen 

"  John  Van  Alstyne 


Lieut.  John  J.  Van  Alstyne 
"     Peter  J.  Vosburgh 
"     William  Vosburgh 
"     Philip  Wolfrom 
Ensign  John  Goes 

"     Burger  T.  Huyck 
"     George  Long 
"     Henry  Stever 
"     John  Van  Buren 
"     Jacobus  Van  Ness 


ENLISTED  MEN 


Baches,  John 
Baily,  Stephen 
Baily,  Timothy 
Bawney,  John 
Bell,  John  A.  Lem 
Bensk,  Rudolph 
Berry,  William 
Berry,  William,  Jr. 
Blanchard,  Abiathar 
Blanchard,  Abraham 
Bresee,  Jellis 
Brewer,  Abraham 
BuUis,  William 
Burnham,  Mashall 
Burton,  Josiah 
Calder,  Hendrick 
Canniff,  William 


Cam,  John 
Cecil,  Richard 
Chapman,  Amos 
Chapman,  Asa 
Chapman,  David 
Chapman,  Ezekiel 
Chapman,  Ezra 
Chapman,  Noah 
Claw,  Andrew 
Coenraut,  Nicholas 
Cole,  Gerard 
Cook,  John 
Cornelisan,  John 
Cornelus,  John 
Cramphin,  Balsan 
Crippen,  Reuben 
Crocker,  Amos 


Curtis,  Ebenezer 
Curtiss,  David 
Curtiss,  Joseph 
Davis,  Dennis 
Davis,  George 
Delamattor,  Benjamin 
Delametter,  Jacob 
Deyor,  Peter 
Dingman,  Casper 
Dingman,  Isaac 
Dingman,  Jacob 
Dobs,  Daniel 
Dorn,  Abraham 
Ealon,  Elijah 
Earl,  Moses 
Earl,  William,  Jr. 
Eldridge,  Joseph 


Appendix 


543 


Elkdenbragh,  John 
Elkinbrach,  John 
Feeley,  John 
Feely,  John 
Ferguson,  Jacob 
Folmer,  Zemtus 
Fols,  Conrat 
French,  John 
Fuller,  David 
Gardaneer,  Peter  H. 
Gardner,  Godfrey 
Goes,  Derick 
Goes,  Ephraim 
Goes,  John,  Jr. 
Goes,  Laurence 
Goes,  Michael 
Goes,  Tobias 
Gould,  Jesse 
Graper,  Ruben 
Graves,  John 
Graves,  Richard 
Green,  Augustus 
Gwin,  Oren 
Haak,  Christopher 
Hall,  Justice 
Hamblin,  Seth 
Hamblin,  Zaccheus 
Hancy,  Fradrick 
Hare,  Daniel 
Hark,  Daniel 
Hawk,  Christopher 
Herder,  John 
Herrick,  George 
Hoffman,  George 
Hogan,  William 
Hoyer,  George 
Hrkiman,  George 
Hubbard,  David 
Huguenin,  David 
Humphry,  Ezra 
Huyck,  Burger  D. 
Huyck,  Burger  I. 
Huyck,  John,  Jr. 
Huyck,  John  A. 
Ittick,  George  L. 
Itting,  Conrat 
Jenkins,  Anthony 
Johnson,  Isaac 
Johnson,  John 
Johnson,  Peter 
Joslin,  Henry 
Kane,  William 
Kelder,  Hendrick 
Kinne,  Jesse 
Kittle,  John 
Kittle,  Nicholas 
Knapp,  Isaac 
Lister,  Frederick 
Luny,  William 


Lusk,  Jacob 
Lusk,  Michael 
Lusk,  William 
McFail,  Patrick 
McMichael,  James 
McPhaile,  Patrick 
Mans,  John  J. 
Marsail,  John 
Marshall,  Enos 
Miller,  Casper 
Miller,  John 
Miller,  Jonathan 
Mitchel,  James 
Mitchel,  James,  Jr. 
Moet,  Coenradt 
Moet,  Johannis 
Molony,  John 
Montgomery,  Alexander 
Moore,  John  A. 
Moot,  Conrath 
Moot,  Johannis 
Morey,  Elisha 
Morey,  Elisha,  Jr. 
Morey,  Samuel 
Moshier,  Jonathan 
Mott,  Henry 
Mott,  Jeremiah 
Mudge,  Michael 
Muller,  John  J. 
O'Briant,  Cornelius 
Olthousen,  Nicholas 
O'Neal,  James 
O'Neil,  John 
Paine,  Daniel 
Painter,  Thomas 
Pearsee,  Isaac 
Peersye,  Isaac 
Peterson,  Benjamin 
Peterson,  Philip 
Pew,  John 
Philip,  Pelnis 
Philip,  Peter 
Proper,  Frederick 
Quithot,  Stephen 
Randal,  Nathaniel 
Rees,  Benjamin 
Richmon,  George 
Richmond,  Conrad 
Richmond,  Simeon 
Robertson,  George 
Robinson,  George 
Robinson,  Jeremiah 
Root,  Asahel 
Root,  David 
Rowland,  Samuel 
Rowse,  Coenradt 
Ryan,  Edward 
Ryan,  William 
Salisbury,  Sylvester 


Sally,  John 
Sally,  Thomas 
Salsbury,  John 
San,  Moses 
Saunders,  Isaac 
Scharaly,  Peter 
Scharp,  Jacob 
Scharp,  John 
Scharp,  Laurence  P. 
Scott,  John 
Scott,  William 
Sebring,  Lewis 
Seley,  John 
Setler,  Frederick 
Sharp,  John 
Sharp,  Lawrence 
Sharsa,  Daniel 
Shutts,  John 
Sisson,  Richard 
Smith,  Asa 
Smith,  Christian 
Smith,  John 
Smith,  Joseph 
Smith,  Samuel 
Snyder,  Peter 
Snyder,  Simon 
Staats,  Abraham 
Staats,  Abraham  J. 
Staats,  Abraham  T. 
Staats,  Jacob 
Staats,  John 
Staats,  John,  Jr. 
Staats,  Abraham 
Stever,  Jacob 
Stoplebeen,  Johannes 
Suthard,  Thomas 
Thomas,  Caleb 
Thomas,  Jacob 
Trusdeil,  Kiel 
Trusdell,  Richard 
Trusduil,  Iseel 
Utly,  Jeremiah 
Van  Aelstyn,  Thomas 
Van  Alen,  Abraham 
Van  Alen,  Dirck 
Van  Alen,  Cornelius 
Van  Alen,  Gilbert 
Van  Alen,  Henry 
Van  Alen,  John  E. 
Van  Alen,  Peter 
Van  Alstine,  Abraham 
Van  Alstyne,  Leonard 
Van  Beuren,  John 
Van  Buren,  Cornelius 
Van  Buren,  Ephraim  I. 
Van  Buren,  Ephraim  T. 
Van  Buren,  Francis 
Van  Buren,  Tobias 
Vanderpoel.  Andrew 


544 


Old  K-inderKooK 


Van  Derpoel,  Andries 

Vanderpoel,  Jacobus 

Van  Deusen,  Peter 

Van  Dusen,  John 

Van  Hoesen,  Jacob 

Van  Hoesen,  Jacob  J. 

Van  Hoesen,  John 

Van  Nass,  Adam 

Van  Xess,  David 

Van  Slyck,  Dirick 

Van  Slyck,  Peter 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Bartholo- 
mew 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Bartholo- 
mew T. 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Claudius 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Jacob 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Jacobus 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Joachim 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Joachim  J. 

Van  V^alkenburgh,  John 


Van  Valkenburgh,  Lambert 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Lawrance 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Peter  I. 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Peter  J. 
Vosburgh,  Matthew 
Vosburgh,  William 
Vosburgh,  Abraham 
Vosburgh,  David 
Vosburgh,  Joachim 
Vosburgh,  Peter  A. 
Vratenburgh,  John 
Vredenbergh,  John 
Wever,  George 
Wheeler,  Samuel 
White,  Henry 
Whitwood,  Charles 
Whitwood,  Cornelius 
Whitwood,  Samuel 
Wickham,  Warren 
Wilsey,  Jacob 
Wilson,  Andrew 


WUson,  Dirick 
Wilson,  Richard 
Wiltse,  Jacob 
Wingand,  James 
Wingardt,  Jacobus 
Witbeck,  Andrew 
Witbeck,  Andrew,  Jr. 
Witbeck,  Andris 
Wolf,  George 
Wolf,  Peter 
Wolfrom,  John  Tice 
Wolfrem,  Philip 
Wolfrom,  Mathise 
Wright,  Arl 
Wright,  Daniel 
Wyngart,  Jacobus 
Wynkoop,  Peter 
Yeralewyn,  John 
Young,  Frederic 


ALBANY  COUNTY  MILITL\  (LAND  BOUNTY  RIGHTS)— SEVENTH  REGIMENT' 


Bane,  John 
Barker,  Richard 
Becker,  David 
Berry,  Guysbert 
Boyd,  John 

Bu ,  Henry 

Bubes,  John 
Bulles,  William 
Bullis,  Robert 
Burgert,  Lambert 
Buttolph,  Isaac 
Chapman,  Jonathan 
Claw,  Birgar 
Closson,  Josiah 
Closson,  Timothy 
Clow,  Yury 
Coldar,  Henry 
Cramphin,  Batson 
Cramphin,  John 
Crarkhita,  Samal 
Day,  Henry 
Delamatter,  Benjamin 
Delametter,  John 
Dellemetter,  Jacob 
Dickson,  Walter 
Dingman,  Garret 
Dingman,  John 
Dobbs,  Daniel 
Fort,  Jacob 
Fosmer,  Hendrick 
Freund,  Johannes 


ENLISTED  MEN 

Gardenier,  Dirck 
Gardiner,  Samuel  H. 
Goes,  Isac 
Goes,  Jantys 
Goes,  Johanniss 
Goes,  John  D. 
Goes,  John  M. 
Goes,  Matthew 
Goes,  Mathaws  I. 
Goes,  Peter 
Haff,  Jacob 
Hambler,  John 
Hare,  Stephen 
Hare,  Thomas 
Hoesen,  John  H. 
Hogan,  Daniel 
Holladay,  John 
Holland,  John  C. 
Hoog,  Thomas  Andrew 
Hosar,  Simon 
Huntington,  Asa 
Huyck,  Andries 
Huyck,  Burger 
Huyck,  Burger  T. 
Huyck,  John 
Hyres,  Abraham 
Jackson,  Theo.,  Jr. 
Johnson,  Henry 
Jonson,  Isaac 
Jonson,  John 
Jonson,  Peter 


Joslen,  Henry 
Juger,  Jonathan 
Kittel,  John 
Klow,  Francis 
Klow,  Hendrick 
Klow,  Mathew 
Kronkhit,  John 
Land,  Gelden 
Land,  Georg  P. 
Larrabe,  Richard 
Lester,  Jason 
Lotor,  Jacob 
McNeill,  James 
Magg,  Matthe 
Mead,  Eli 
Mils,  Isac 

Mogeboom,  Slocum 
Moor,  Marten 
More,  Peter 
Mory,  Samuel 
Muller,  John 
Ostrom,  John 
Painter,  Edward 
Paterson,  Josiah 
Pattison,  Daniel 
Payne,  Stephen 
Payson,  Isaac 
Philips,  John 
Platz,  Willem 
Poll,  Andries 
Quithot,  James 


'New  York  (State)  Comptroller.     New  York  in  the  Revolution,     2d  ed.,  1898,  pp.  109-110. 


Appendix 


545 


Quithot,  John 
Relman,  John 
Relman,  Peter 
Renda,  Nathel 
Renolds,  William 
Runels,  William 
Salmann,  Will 
Sanders,  Isaac 
Sandres,  Nathan 
Scharp,  Gysbert 
Schrom,  Joh 
Sebring,  Cornelius 
Sharp,  Andrew 
Sharp,  Gilbart 
Sharp,  Gysbard 
Sharp,  Jacob 
Sharp,  John 
Sharp,  Laurence  J. 
Sharp,  Peter 
Sickels,  Gerrit 
Smith,  Jacob 
Smith,  Yurice  J. 
Snider,  William 
Son,  Guy 
Son,  Thomas 
Springsteen,  John 
Stanton,  Thomas 
Steaver,  Henry 
Stevers,  Jacob 
Stevers,  Peter 
Storm,  James 
Stoutenburgh,  Abram 
Thomas,  Ezekiel 
Trusdail,  Gershom 
Trusdeel,  Daniel 
Van  Aelstyn,  Lambaert 


Van  Alen,  Jacobus 
Van  Alen,  Jecobus  L. 
Van  Alen,  Johannis  L. 
Van  Alen,  Lourens 
Van  Alen,  Lourens  L. 
Van  Alen,  Lueke 
Van  Alen,  Peter  L. 
Van  Allen,  Lourence  E. 
Van  Allen,  Stephen 
Van  Alstine,  Abraham  A. 
Van  Alstine,  John  I. 
Van  Alstine,  Philip 
Van  Alstyn,  Abraham 
Van  Alstyn,  John 
Van  Alstyne,  John 
Van  Alstyne,  Thomas 
Van  Buran,  Ephraim  T. 
Van  Buren,  Tobias 
Van  Buren,  Frans 
Van  Buren,  Harman 
Van  Buren,  Peter  M. 
Vanburgh,  Solomon 
Van  Buren,  Gosah 
Van  Burren,  Cornelius 
Vanderpoel,  Barent 
Van  Dusen,  Cornelius 
Van  Dusen,  John  R. 
Van  Dusen,  Robert 
Van  Dyck,  Laurens 
Van  Hause,  Garrat,  Jr. 
Van  Hosen,  Garrat 
Van  Hozen,  Abraham 
Van  Hozen,  John  T. 
Van  Keuren,  Cornelius 
Van  Ness,  Jacob 
Van  Orsen,  John 


Van  Schaack,  C. 
Van  Slick,  Peter,  Jr. 
Van  Valkenbcrgh,  Cornelius 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Bar  J. 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Hendrick 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Isaac 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Peter 
Van  Valkenburgh,  William 
Van  V^alkenburgh,  Yocum 
Van  Vleck,  Abrm  I. 
Van  Vleck,  Isaac 
Visscher,  Garret  H. 
Vosburgh,  Abraham  I. 
Vosburgh,  Cornelius 
Vosburgh,  Evert 
Vosburgh,  Frans 
Vosburgh,  Guisbert 
Vosburgh,  Isaac  I. 
Vosburgh,  Jacobus 
Vosburgh,  John 
Vosburgh,  John  L. 
Vosburgh,  Martin 
Vosburgh,  Peter 
Vosburgh,  William 
Vredenburgh,  Johannis 
Wagoner,  Johantis 
Walker,  James 
Witback,  Albart 
Witback,  Andris,  Jr. 
Wolf,  Jury 
Wolf,  Michael 
Wynkoop,  John,  C. 
Wynkoop,  Peter  Jr. 
Zusalt,  Philip 


Of  the  subsequent  history  of  the  seventh  regiment  suffice  it  to 
say — that  after  the  formation  of  Columbia  County  and  the  re- 
organization of  the  mihtia,  the  seventh  was  merged  in  the  56th 
Infantry.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Philip  Van  Alstine,  commandant, 
resigning  in  1797,  Peter  John  Vosburgh  was  appointed  in  his 
place,  with  Chas.  Whiting  as  Adjutant. 

KINDERHOOK's  commissioned  OFFICERS.      I786-1822' 

From  "The  Military  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Appoint- 
ment" we  glean  the  following  items,  regretting  that  we  must 
limit  our  record  to  the  historic  and  abiding  families.  There  were 
a  few  residents  of  Kinderhook  who  had  commissions  in  other 
regiments,  but  lack  of  definite  information  and  the  fact  that 

'  New  York  (State)  Comptroller.    New  York  in  the  Revolution,  2d  ed.,  1898,  p.  228. 


546 


Old   RinderKooK 


there  were  often  two  or  more  persons  of  the  same  name  pre- 
cludes any  attempt  to  include  them.  Probably  there  are  some 
regrettable  omissions,  and  there  are  doubtless  a  few  named  who 
were  not  residents  of  Kinderhook,  but  the  list  is  approximately 
correct  and  complete. 

Abbreviations:  A,  Adjutant;  C,  Captain;  Col.,  Colonel;  E, 
Ensign;  L,  Lieutenant;  M,  Major;  P,  Paymaster;  Q,  Quarter- 
master; S,  Surgeon.    The  omitted  century  is  obvious. 


Bain,  Bastian — E.  'i8 

Beekman,  John  J. — S.  '96 

Beekman,  John  P. — S.  '14 

Burgerdt,  George — E.  '89;  L.  '90 

Butler,  Walter— E.  '22 

Deyo,  Nathan — A.  '04-'i2 

Dingman,  Peter — E.  '21 

Goes,  Barent— P.  '86 

Goes,  Dirck  J.— E.  '86;  L.  '89 

Goes,  Elbert— C.  '15 

Goes,  Isaac — M.  '86-'97 

Goes,  John  D.— L.  '86-'89 

Goes,  John  J.— L.  '86 

Goes,  John  L. — A.  '93-'04 

Goes,  Lucas — E.  '12;  L.  '13;  C.  '18 

Goes,  Robert — E.  '90 

Head,  Jonathan,  Jr. — E.  '02;  L.  '05;  C.  '09-'i4 

Hogeboom,  Abr. — Q.  '86 

Hogeboom,  Corn. — E.  '17 

Hogeboom,  John  C. — E.  '86;  L.  '90 

Kittle,  Andrew — E.  '11;  L.  '14;  C.  '16 

Kittle,  Henry — E.  '05 

Kittle,  John — C.  '02 

Kittle,  John  H.— L.  '09;  C.  '14 

Van  Alen,  Abr.,  Jr.— E.  '98 

Van  Alen,  Adam  E.— E.  '89 

Van  Alen,  Adam  I.— E.  '86;  L.  '89 

Van  Alen,  Adam  T.— E.  '87 

Van  Alen,  Barent — L.  '21;  C.  '22 

Van  Alen,  Corn.  C. — E.  '21 

Van  Alen,  Evert  J. — E.  '09;  C.  '14 

Van  Alen,  Gilbert — E.  '97;  L.  '02-'o9 

Van  Alen,  Lucas  L — E.  '02;  L.  '09;  C.  '15 

Van  Alen.  Peter  L.  (?)— A.  '86;  C.  '87-98 

Van  Alen,  Tunis — L.  '86;  C.  '90 

Van  Alstyne,  Abraham — Q.  '21 

Van  Alstyne,  Isaac — E.  '90;  C.  '02-'09 

Van  Alstyne,  John  I. — C.  '86 

Van  Alstyne,  John  P.— E.  "87;  L.  '98;  C. 

'02-'07 

Van  Alstyne,  Martin — E.  '90;  L.  '04;  C.  '05- 

'05 
Van  Alstyne,  Peter  A.— E.  '86;  C.  '87;  M. 

[09;  Col.  '18 


Vanderpoel,  Arent — P.  '21 

Vanderpoel,  Barent — L.  '86;  C.  '90-'02 

Vanderpoel,  James — C.  Artillery  '12 

Van  Dyck,  Henry  L. — S.  Mate  '96;  S.  '11 

Van  Dyck,  Isaac — E.  '11;  C.  '15 

Van  Dyck,  John  E. — L.  '97 

Van  Hoesen,  Geo.  A. — E.  '87 

Van  Hoesen,  Isaac — E.  'os 

Van  Ness,  Isaac — E.  '93;  L.  '04;  C.  'o8-'i4 

Van  Ness,  Jacobus — L.  '86 

Van  Ness,  John — E.  '87 

Van  Schaack,  Camelius  (Cornelius?)  L.  '02 

Van  Schaack,  Cornelius — L.  '05;  C.  '09 

Van  Schaack,  David — E.  '15 

Van  Slyck,  John  I.— E.  '89;  C.  '97-'o2 

Van  Slyck,  Peter  J.— E.  '90;  C.  '97 

Van  Slyck,  Peter  P.— L.  '89;  C  '90 

Van  Slyck,  Peter  T.— E.  '96;  L.  '05;  C.  '11 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Barth.  J.— C.  '86;  M.  '97  , 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Isaac  P. — C.  '86 

Van  Valkenburgh,  James — E.  '21 

Van  Valkenburgh,  James  B. — M.  '22 

Van  Valkenburgh,  John  I. — L.  '12;  A.  '19 

Van  Valkenburgh,  Peter  J.— E.  '98 

Van  Vleck,  Abraham — E.  '09 

Van  Vleck,  Arent— E.  '11;  L.  '14;  C.  '18 

Van  Vleck,  Henry— E.  '05;  L.  '14;  C.  '18; 

L.-Col.  '18 
Van  Vleck,  Isaac  A. — C.  '05 
Van  Vleck,  Peter— Q.  '87 
Vosburgh,  Abraham  J. — E.  '86;  L.  '89;  C.  '90 
Vosburgh,  Arent — Q.  '98 
Miller,  Corn. — L.  '96;  Q.  '09-'i4 
Ostrander,  Philip— E.  '86;  L.  '87;  C.  '90 — 
Peterson,  Wm. — E.  '98;  L.  '00;  C.  '07-'is 
Philip,  George— C.  '86-'96 
Philip,  John— C.  '86-90 
Pruyn,  Arent — L.  '86;  C.  '97-'02 
Quilhot,  John— S.  '86 

Richmond,  Simeon — E.  '89;  L.  '93;  C.  '04-'o8 
Sharp,  Peter — C.  '86-'98  and  '01 
Sickles,  Jacob — Chaplain,  '11 
Silvester,  Francis — E.  '89;  L.  '90 
Snyder,  Tunis,  G. — E.  '14 


-Appendix  547 

Van  Alstyne,  Philip — L.-Col.  Commanding,    Vosburgh,  Evert — C.  '86 

'86-97  Vosburgh,  John  C— E.  '87;  L.  '90 

Van  Buren,  Abraham — C.  '86-'90;  L.  '18  Vosburgh,  John  P. — Q.  '14;  P.  '19 

Van  Buren.  Barent  F.— E.  '86  Vosburgh,  William— C.  '86;  L.  '87-'89 

Van  Buren,  Dirck— C.  '07  Vosburgh,  Peter  J.— L.  '76;  C.  '86;  M.  '89; 
Van  Buren,  Gosah — C.  '86  L.-Col.    '97;   Brig.-Gen.    '17;    M.   Gen.   '18 

Van  Buren,  Harman— M.  '86-'89  Wheeler.  Edward— L.  '86;  C.  '88-'9i 

Van  Buren,  John — L.  '21  Whiting,  Augustus — E.  '02;  L.?-"9i 

Van  Buren,  John  A. — E.  '90;  C.  '96  Whiting,    Charles — A.    '12;    C.    '15;    M.  '19; 
Van  Buren,  John  P.— L.  '86  L.-Col.  '22 

Van  Buren,  Lawrence — Q.  '11  Witbeck.    Andries    A. — E.    '93;    L.  '98;    C. 
Van  Buren,  Peter  H. — L.  '86;  C.  '89  '09-'iS 

Vanderpoel,  Andries — L.  '87;  C.  '98-'o2 

CIVIL  AND  JUDICIAL  LIST 
Natives  or  Residents  of  Old  Kinderhook 

THE  united  states 

President — Martin  Van  Buren,  1837. 
Vice-President — Martin  Van  Buren,  1833. 


CABINET  OFFICERS 


Secretary  of  State — Martin  Van  Buren,  1829. 
Attorney-General — Benjamin   F.   Butler,    1833,   and  acting 
Secretary  of  War,  1837. 


diplomats 


Cornelius  P.  Van  Ness,  Minister  to  Spain,  1829. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  Minister  to  England,  1831;  appointed 
but  not  confirmed. 

PRESIDENTIAL  ELECTORS 

Peter  Van  Ness,  1800.  Lucas  Hoes,  1836.  Lawrence  Van 
Buren,  1852.    Charles  L.  Beale,  1864.    David  Van  Schaack,  1868, 

MEMBERS  OF  CONGRESS 

Senator — Martin  Van  Buren,  1821;  re-elected,  '27;  resigned, 
'28. 

Representatives — Peter  Silvester,  1789,  1791.  J.  P.  Van  Ness, 
1801 ;  James  I.  Van  Alen,  1807.  J.  P.  Van  Ness,  elected  181 1  but 
declined.     Aaron  Vanderpoel,  1833,  '35,  '39.     Nicholas  Sickles, 


548  Old  RinderHooK 

1835.  Charles  L.  Beale,  1859.  John  H.  Reynolds  (then  of 
Oswego),  1859.  Charles  D.  Haines,  1893.  Martin  H.  Glynn, 
1898. 

APPOINTMENTS 

Assistant  United  States  Treasurer,  Henry  H.  Van  Dyck,  1865. 

Collector  of  Customs,  New  York,  C.  P.  Van  Ness,  1844. 

Collector  of  Customs,  Oswego,  Andrew  Van  Dyck,  M.D., 
1864. 

United  States  Revenue  Collector,  P.  E.  Van  Alstyne,  1866- 
'70;  C.  Ackley,  Deputy. 

Naval  Officer  of  Customs,  New  York,  Silas  W.  Burt,  1878- 
'83,  '85-'89. 

STATE  OFFICIALS 

Provincial  Congress — Peter  Silvester,  1775,  '76. 

GOVERNORS 

C.  p.  Van  Ness,  Governor  of  Vermont,  '23-'29.  Martin  Van 
Buren,  Governor  of  New  York,  1828;  resigned,  '29.  Martin  H. 
Glynn,  1913,  succeeding  Governor  Sulzer,  removed. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR 

Martin  H.  Glynn,  191 3. 

State  Comptroller — Martin  H.  Glynn,  1907. 

COUNCIL  OF  APPOINTMENT 

Peter  Van  Ness,  1789. 

STATE   SENATORS 

Peter  Van  Ness,  1787-92.  Peter  Silvester,  1796-1800.  Mar- 
tin Van  Buren,  i8i3-'20.  Henry  H.  Van  Dyck,  '37-'40.  J.  P. 
Beekman,  1846.  Wm.  G.  Mandeville,  1858.  William  H.  Tobey, 
1862.    Stephen  H.  Wendover,  1878. 

ASSEMBLYMEN 

Peter  Van  Ness,  1782,  1784.  Ab.  J.  Van  Alstyne,  1786. 
Peter  Silvester,  1788,  1803,  1805,  1806.     Dirck  Gardenier,  1794, 


Appendix  549 

1801.  James  Brebner,  1794,  1796.  P.  I.  Vosburgh,  1797,  '98. 
Peter  Van  Alstyne,  1802.  James  I.  Van  Alen,  1804.  James 
Vanderpoel,  1811,  '16,  '21.  John  L.  Van  Alen,  Jr.,  1814.  Peter 
Van  Vleck,  1818.  Barent  Van  Buren,  1819.  John  I.  Van  Valken- 
burgh,  1820.  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  1826,  1830.  Abel  S.  Peters, 
1828.  Medad  Butler,  1832.  Julius  Wileoxson,  1835.  John  S. 
Vosburgh,  1837.  William  H.  Tobey,  1838.  Wm.  G.  Mandeville, 
1841.  Abraham  I.  Van  Alstyne,  1842.  Lueas  Hoes,  1843.  Chas. 
B.  Osborne,  1848.  George  Van  Santvoord,  1852.  Adam  A. 
Hoysradt,  1856.  James  G.  Van  Valkenburgh,  1859.  P.  Edward 
Van  Alstyne,  i860.  Samuel  W.  Carpenter,  1865.  Stephen  H. 
Wendover,  1867,  1868.  Alonzo  H.  Farrar,  1874,  1875.  A.  L. 
Schermerhorn,  1882,  1883.  Aaron  B.  Gardenier,  1889,  1890, 
1894.  Martin  M.  Kittell,  1899.  Sanford  W.  Smith,  1900. 
Albert  S.  Callan,  1908,  '09. 

STATE  CIVIL  SERVICE  COMMISSION 

Chief  Examiner,  Silas  W.  Burt,  i883-'85.  He  was  President 
of  the  New  York  Civil  Service  Association  from  1900  until  his 
death  in  1912. 

MEMBERS  OF  STATE  CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTIONS 

Peter  Van  Ness,  1788.  James  I.  Van  Alen,  1801.  Francis 
Silvester,  1821.  Martin  Van  Buren  (chosen  by  Otsego  Co.  as  its 
delegate)  1821.    Francis  Silvester,  2d,  1857. 

REGENTS  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY 

Peter  Silvester,  1787.  Martin  Van  Buren,  i8i6-'29.  Benja- 
min F.  Butler,  i829-'32,  resigned.  Martin  Van  Buren,  1845, 
declined. 

Judiciary 

W.  P.  Van  Ness,  Judge  U.  S.  District  Court,  New  York,  S. 
Dist.,  1812-1826. 

B.  F.  Butler,  Judge  U.  S.  District  Court,  New  York,  S.  Dist., 
1838-41,  i845-'48. 


550  Old  tlinderHooK 

STATE  COURTS 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Attorney-General,  1815.  James  Vander- 
poel,  Justice  Supreme  Court,  1836.  Aaron  Vanderpoel,  Associate 
Judge,  1843. 

John  Van  Buren,  Attorney-General,  1845.  J.  H.  Reynolds, 
Court  of  Appeals  Commission,  1873. 

COUNTY  COURTS 

Judges  were  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
Appointment  until  1821,  then  by  Governor  and  Senate  until 
1846,  and  then  elected  by  the  people. 

FIRST  JUDGES 

Peter  Van  Ness,  appointed  April  13, 1786.  Julius  Wilcoxson, 
appointed  May  2,  1846. 

JUDGES 

Peter  Silvester,  1786.  Peter  Van  Ness,  1802.  Wm.  P.  Van 
Ness,  1808.  David  Ludlow,  1813.  Lawrence  M.  Goes,  1815. 
Richard  L  Goes,  1817.  James  I.  Van  Alen,  1818.  Medad  Butler, 
1823.    James  Vanderpoel,  1826,    Julius  Wilcoxson,  1836. 

In  1846  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  abolished  and  a 
County  Court  and  Sessions  with  a  single  County  Judge  and  two 
Justices  for  Sessions  substituted  therefor ;  the  Justices  elected 
annually. 

JUSTICES  FOR  SESSIONS 

As  the  earliest  of  these  for  Kinderhook  we  note: 
John  C.  Sweet,  1858,  1864.    William  Kip,  1858,  1859,  1863, 
1872.    H.  P.  Van  Hoesen,  1877. 

Surrogates 

appointed 

James  I.  Van  Alen,  1804.  Martin  Van  Buren,  1808.  James 
Vanderpoel,  1813.  James  L  Van  Alen,  1815.  Abraham  A.  Van 
Buren,  1822.    William  H.  Tobey,  1840. 


Appendix  551 

District  Attorneys 
appointed  by  court  of  general  sessions 
Julius  Wilcoxson,  1821. 

ELECTED  BY  THE  PEOPLE 

Francis  Silvester,  1859,     Gershom  Bulkley,  1874.     Aaron  B. 
Gardenier,  1880,  1883. 

Sheriffs 

Barent  Vanderpoel,  appointed  1802.    Henry  M.  Hanor,  1876. 

Supervisors 

Henry  Van  Schaack,  1760-66.  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  1787. 
Evert  Vosburgh,  1 788-1 795.  Dirck  Gardenier,  1 796-1 798. 
Abm.  I.  Van  Vleck,  1 799-1 801.  John  Van  Alen,  1 802-1 808. 
Abm.  Van  Vleck,  1809-1813.  Henry  L.  Van  Dyck,  1814-1820. 
John  P.  Beekman,  1821-1827.  Peter  H.  Bain,  1828-1830. 
Lucas  Hoes,  1831-1836.  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  1837-1840. 
John  Vanderpoel  1841-1842.  Peter  L  Hoes,  1843.  Lucas  Hoes, 
1844.  Lawrence  Van  Buren,  1845-1846.  Henry  M.  Niver,  1847. 
Henry  Hoysradt,  1848.  Benajah  Conant,  1849.  Lawrence 
Van  Buren,  1 850-1 851.  Aaron  Huyck,  1852.  L.  Van  Buren, 
1853.  Benajah  Conant,  1854-1855.  Henry  M.  Niver,  1856. 
Henry  Snyder,  1857.  Abm.  I.  Van  Alen,  1858.  James  C. 
Vosburgh,  i860.  Henry  Dennis,  1861-1862.  Allen  Jacobia, 
1863.  James  Miller,  1864-1865.  William  J.  Penoyer,  1866. 
John  A.  Van  Bramer,  1867.  Charles  W.  Trimper,  1868-1872. 
Ransen  Gardenier,  1873.  John  Snyder,  1874.  Calvin  Ackley, 
1875.  CharlesW.  Trimper,  1 876-1 879.  J.  B.  Richmond,  1 880- 
188 1.  John  Snyder,  1 882-1 884.  Charles  F.  Gildersleeve,  1885. 
John  H.  Van  Valkenburgh,  1886.  Martin  L.  Haner,  1 887-1 889. 
George  W.  Wilkins,  1900-1908.  Ephraim  Kline,  1909.  Edward 
Risedorph,  191 1,  the  present  Supervisor. 

TOWN  CLERKS 

These,  each  serving  until  his  successor  was  elected,  have  been: 
1787,  Abraham   Van    Buren:   1797,  James   I.  Van  Alen:   1802, 


552  Old  RinderKooK 

Elihu  Gridley:  1803,  John  A.  Van  Buren:  1804,  Elihu  Gridley: 
1805,  Francis  Pruyn:  1807,  Barent  I.  Goes,  Jr.:  1809,  Benjamin 
Hilton;  1811,  John  L.  Van  Alen:  1823,  Samuel  Hawley:  1825,  An- 
drew Van  Dyck:  1826,  Samuel  Hawley:  1828,  David  Van  Schaack: 
1829,  John  I.  Pruyn:  1830,  Barent  Hoes:  1832,  Henry  Flagler: 
1833,  James  Sutherland:  1835,  Augustus  Whiting:  1837,  John 
Trimper:  1840,  John  Corning:  1841,  L.  P.  Flagler:  1843,  Peter 
Huyck:  1846,  J.  W.  Stickles:  1848,  John  R.  Beale:  1849,  Jacob 
P.  Miller:  1850,  John  W.  Stickles:  1852,  Edwin  Hoes:  1854, 
Rowland  Van  Slyck:  1855,  Edwin  Hoes:  1856,  G.  W.  Hoxsie: 
1857,  James  Miller:  1858,  W.  I.  Merwin:  1859,  J.  A.  Van  Bramer: 
i860,  G.  W.  Hoxsie:  1861,  P.  H.  Niver:  1863,  A.  V.  D.  Witbeck: 
1866,  Walter  Miller:  1869,  A.  De  Myer:  1872,  Wilson  Miller: 
1873,  George  Reynolds:  1874,  W.  S.  Hallenbeck:  1876,  M.  W. 
Lant:  1880,  Franklin  Risedorph:  1882,  James  Purcell:  1885, 
Geo.  H.  Brown:  1888,  R.  E.  Lasher:  1889,  Dennis  Henchey: 
1890,  Theo.  N.  McDowell:  1891,  W.  S.  Van  Hoesen:  1893, 
Thomas  Hughes:  1895,  G.  W.  Tracey:  1899,  Isaac  Lamont: 
1903,  William  Hickey:  1907,  John  J.  Glynn:  191 1,  Adger  W. 
Reynolds,  resigned:  191 2,  Wm.  Herrick,  appointed:  George  B. 
Wilkins,  191 3. 

List  of  Families  in  the  Township  of  Kinderhook  with 

Number  of  Persons  in  Each  Family  and  Number 

OF  Slaves,  according  to  the  First  U.  S. 

Census 

The  first  United  States  census  (1790)  records  the  names  of 
730  Heads  of  Families  in  the  township  of  Kinderhook,  the  num- 
ber of  persons  in  each  family,  and  the  number  of  slaves.  We 
copy  the  names  as  given,  without  correcting  obvious  errors. 
Here  also  as  in  the  case  of  the  Assessor  in  1744,  we  can  often  see 
the  enumerator  going  from  house  to  house  in  order. 

The  total  is  4661,  including  638  slaves;  a  total  exceeding 
that  of  every  other  township  in  the  County. 


App 

endix 

55: 

°1 

•oj 

^  m 

1  0  a 

O    u. 

0   rt 

d  E 

c  « 

^ 

i^W 

^ 

y,  M 

Vosburgh,  Elisabeth 

9 

4 

Goes,  John,  Jr. 

II 

2 

Vosburgh,  Cornelius 

6 

7 

Schermcrhorn,  Cornel. 

8 

3 

V:  Vleck,  Abraham  J. 

14 

5 

Wyngcrt,  Jacobus 

3 

I 

V:  Buren,  Abraham 

8 

6 

V:  Buren,  Tobias  P. 

2 

I 

V:  Allen,  Lawrence  K. 

5 

7 

Vosburgh,  Myndert  P. 

2 

I 

Goes,  Lewis  J. 

4 

3 

Butler,  Nathl. 

7 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Abraham 

II 

V:  Buren,  Peter 

5 

I 

Thompson,  Alexander 

4 

V:  Allen,  Abraham 

6 

3 

Butler,  George 

5 

V:  Buren,  John 

2 

I 

Ritzmah,  Johannis 

8 

3 

Ingcnon,  Jonathan 

6 

V:  Buren,  Lydia 

2 

Schermerhorn,  John 

6 

Ludlow,  Daniel 

5 

Van  Dusen,  Cath. 

6 

6 

V:  Buren,  Ephraim 

7 

Van  Dusen,  Peter  M. 

7 

Wynkoop,  John 

6 

I 

Van  Dusen,  John 

6 

5 

Silvester,  Peter 

9 

4 

Philips,  Eve 

5 

V:  Schaack,  Peter 

5 

3 

Wair,  Thomas 

4 

V:  Schaack,  David 

5 

7 

Laraby,  Elias 

3 

Pomeroy,  Timothy 

2 

Kerr,  Wm. 

7 

Pruyn, John 

13 

10 

Dumlow,  Saml. 

3 

Buckman,  John 

5 

3 

Deyo,  Nathan 

3 

V:  Allen,  Engeltje 

9 

7 

Gardineer,  Saml.  H. 

5 

Kittle,  Nicholas 

3 

3 

Sebring,  Cornelius 

3 

3 

Kittle,  Catharine 

2 

I 

Goes,  Lucas  J. 

6 

5 

Veille,  Molly 

5 

Kraght,  John 

5 

V:  Allen,  John 

5 

2 

Kerr,  Sarah 

6 

V:  Buren,  Dirck 

2 

4 

KriflF,  Daniel 

2 

V:  Allen,  Dirck  E. 

4 

Cornelise,  John 

6 

Wynkoop,  Peter,  Jr. 

8 

6 

Downes,  Stephen 

5 

Lapach,  Isaac 

3 

I 

Johnson,  Nancy 

4 

Shoulder,  John 

5 

Fisk,  Abel 

6 

McMechin,  Alexander 

I 

Bailey,  Arthur 

I 

Moore,  Benjamin 

2 

I 

Wood,  Dudley 

3 

Gridley,  Elihu 

4 

I 

Bremen,  Oliver 

6 

Young,  Fred. 

6 

Dyley,  Walter 

6 

Spencer,  Elijah 

5 

Van  Ness,  David 

6 

I 

Hilton,  John 

3 

3 

Hubbard,  Gideon 

4 

2 

Eli,  Archibald 

5 

Dow,  John 

ID 

2 

Wills,  Benjamin 

7 

Piatt,  Daniel 

2 

I 

Dunning,  Stephen 

4 

Freeman,  Israel 

3 

Goes,  Ephraim 

8 

Keen,  Benj. 

7 

Hils,  Jonathan 

7 

Graham,  Sheldon 

10 

Sedgwick,  Samuel 

3 

Sherburn,  Wm. 

3 

Waterman,  Darius 

6 

McComber,  Roger 

4 

Barret,  Elisha 

7 

Pettit,  Alladie 

6 

Mack,  Stephen 

5 

Bickford,  Henry 

2 

Jerols,  Hunsdon 

6 

Pettis,  David 

3 

Sowers,  Abiel 

5 

McFarland,  Samuel 

3 

Kellogg,  Asahel 

6 

Haight,  Thomas 

6 

Sherman,  Josiah 

I 

Lovett,  James 

3 

I 

Fitch,  Abel 

5 

Stoddard,  Stephen 

ID 

V:  Alstine,  Sarah 

4 

2 

Crippin,  Reuben 

6 

V:  Alstine,  John 

2 

II 

Lovett,  Wm. 

6 

V:  Alstine,  Martin 

4 

12 

Van  Allen,  Lewis 

4 

6 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Peter 

7 

Wood,  Samuel 

4 

Goes,  Helenah 

4 

4 

V.  \'alkenburgh,  Barth. 

4 

3 

Barton,  Josiah 

7 

Pruyn,  Arent 

I 

I 

554 


Old  KinderHooK 


Goes,  Mary- 
Goes,  John  L. 
Bernard,  Jethro 
Klaw,  Henry  G. 
Smith,  Samuel 
Smith,  Jacob 
Johnson,  Dirck,  Jr. 
Philips,  Abraham 
Johnson,  Peter 
Johnson,  Dirck 
Pool,  Anthony 
Smith,  Wm. 
Kelder,  Henry 
Moor,  Mathias 
Johnson,  Dirck,  2d 
Sison,  Jorom 
Johnson,  John 
Alembergh,  John 
Davis,  George 
IMoore,  John 
Osborn,  Eli 
Dickison,  Wm. 
Wicks,  Charles 
Garrison,  Wm. 
Ball,  James 
Like,  Mary 
Smith,  Nicholas 
Beeman,  John 
Bush,  John 
Earl,  Wm.,  Jr. 
Earl,  Moses 
Earl,  Wm. 
Lister,  Thomas 
Johnson,  Cornelius 
Campbell,  Robert 
Woodcock,  Peter 
Brown,  Jedediah 
Brown,  Samuel 
Sherman,  John 
Vergan,  Abijah 
Dingman,  Isaac 
Herrick,  Turrian 
Staflford,  John 
Luyck,  Andreas 
Ferguson,  Hezekiah 
Hoser,  Jacob 
Vermise,  John 
V :  Allen,  Peter 
V:  Allen,  Henry 
Vosburgh,  Mathewis 
Klaw,  Samuel 
V:  Allen,  Lucas 
V:  Allen,  John 
V:  Valkenburgh,  Lambert 
Pool,  Andreas 
V:  Der  Pool,  Barent 


og 

0  CU 

d  u 

0  tS 

^ 

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4 

T 

3 

I 

5 

5 

2 

6 

4 

7 

8 

8 

8 

12 

3 

7 

5 

5 

9 

7 

3 

8 

8 

8 

2 

8 

6 

7 

9 

I 

3 

5 

6 

3 

6 

6 

8 

8 

2 

5 

6 

5 

8 

7 

II 

4 

4 

4 

5 

I 

10 

2 

4 

I 

5 

3 

5 

5 

8 

9 

II 

I 

8 

4 

7 

5 

Macag,  Mathew 

V:  Der  Pool,  Isaac 

Whitmar,  Daniel 

Hegerman,  Joseph 

V:  Alstine,  Philip 

Wheeler,  Henry 

Moll,  John 

Gardineer,  Hendrich 

Gardineer,  Peter  J. 

Moll,  Thomas 

Holland,  John  C. 

Becker,  Coonradt 

Becker,  John 

Van  Dyke,  Henry 

Van  Buren,  Tobias 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Andreas 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Henry 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Jacobus 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Lambert 

Dean,  Jabez 

Spencer,  Israel 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Peter  P. 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Hendrich 

Brown,  Hosea 

Van  Alstine,  John 

Van  Alstine,  Martha 

Peitels,  Jacob 

Ramsery,  Henry 

Forman,  Henry 

Witback,  Albert 

V:  Hoesen,  John 

Bogert,  Lambert 

Staats,  Jacob 

Staats,  Abraham  J. 

Moor,  Jacob 

Williams,  Joseph 

V:  Hosen,  Gerrit 

Sharp,  John  J. 

Beckas,  John 

Faith,  George 

Finck,  Silvanus 

Bennett,  Elisha 

Witback,  Anatier 

Seckles,  Gerrit 

Pain,  Stephen 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Thomas 

Goes,  Nicholas 

Tony,  David 

Gutheridge,  Daniel 

V:  Hosen,  Tuny  M. 

V:  Hosen,  Abraham 

Salisberry,  Silvester 

Van  Ness,  Wm. 

Staats,  Alice 

Staats,  Catharine 

Scott,  John 


-  " 

«*- 

°§ 

0  0) 

6  u 

6  tfl 

^ 

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3 

5 

10 

8 

4 

8 

16 

7 

4 

5 

2 

3 

3 

5 

7 

9 

5 

10 

7 

9 

4 

9 

6 

7 

I 

5 

II 

6 

I 

8 

5 

2 

II 

5 

12 

5 

6 

8 

10 

7 

6 

5 

6 

3 

5 

4 

10 

6 

6 

3 

5 

2 

5 

I 

5 

4 

3 

6 

3 

3 

7 

2 

10 

5 

5 

6 

2 

6 

I 

12 

7 

3 

4 

6 

3 

I 

4 

10 

1 

App 

endix 

55^ 

1 

°  i 

o  (u 
.  > 

°i 

> 

d  u 

O   CI) 

O    u 

^3 

0     !« 

Hogiboom,  Dirck 

5 

4 

Son,  John 

4 

V:  Allen,  Jacobus 

9 

II 

Shees,  Stephen 

6 

Schram,  Johannis 

7 

Perry,  Freeman 

6 

V:  Valkenburgh,  John 

8 

Deling,  Hannah 

2 

Delamus,  Cardus 

3 

Buskirk,  Samuel 

8 

Klaw,  Hindrech 

4 

2 

Sheeter,  John 

6 

Klaw,  Mathias 

9 

Raymond,  Abraham 

6 

Hollida,  John 

5 

Hair,  Wm. 

8 

HoUida,  Mathewis 

5 

Frost,  Abijah 

6 

Klaw,  Francis 

8 

Macey,  Simeon 

2 

Dean,  Jeremiah 

5 

Hunt,  Samuel 

10 

Spencer,  Nehemiah 

4 

Badgley,  Stephen 

8 

Rogers,  Stephen 

7 

Dolph,  Jonathan 

9 

Waterman,  Darius 

4 

Sluyter,  Dirck 

7 

Kamer,  Stephen 

4 

Johnson,  John,  Jr. 

2 

Klaw,  Hendrick,  2d 

5 

Thrasher,  Samuel 

4 

Tizzols,  Charles 

6 

Briggs,  John 

5 

Pruyn,  Harma 

6 

6 

White,  Caleb 

12 

Vosburgh,  Arent 

5 

5 

Johnson,  John  T. 

7 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Wm. 

4 

Vosburgh,  Martin 

7 

I 

Van  Slyk,  Joachim 

3 

Vosburgh,  Hendrich  M. 

5 

Staats,  Abraham 

10 

I 

Son,  Moses 

7 

Witbeck,  Andreas 

4 

10 

V:  Slyk,  John  T. 

5 

5 

Cooke,  Jacheus 

6 

V:  Der  Kan,  Derik 

4 

3 

Hubbart,  Thomas 

4 

Van  Hosen,  Anatie 

5 

Sharp,  Lawrence 

6 

Hoghtesling,  Isaac 

9 

Sharp,  Peter 

10 

2 

Cremer,  Martin 

9 

5 

Sharp,  Andreas 

4 

Plunt,  Henry 

7 

Klaw,  Henry  G. 

2 

2 

Blanchard,  Abiathar 

12 

Klaw,  John  G. 

5 

I 

Wheeler,  Samuel 

5 

Sharp,  Lawrence,  2d 

5 

Ripley,  Joseph 

5 

Sharp,  Solomon 

4 

I 

De  Le  Mater,  John 

4 

I 

Lovett,  John 

2 

Herder,  John  M. 

II 

Tompkins,  Stephen 

12 

Son,  Guy 

3 

Alott,  Jeremiah 

7 

Hamblin,  Zacheus 

4 

Holmes,  Shubael 

9 

Lord,  Joseph 

5 

Palmatus,  Wm. 

3 

Chapman,  Jonathan 

12 

Hitchcock,  Joseph 

3 

Lay,  Samuel 

lO 

Johnson,  John 

2 

Waterman,  Glading 

9 

Wheeler,  Jacob 

2 

Palmer,  James 

8 

Smith,  Ephraim 

2 

Cotterel,  Nicholas 

7 

Guile,  Daniel 

5 

Williams,  David 

5 

Scisel,  Richard 

8 

Decker,  joris 

5 

Cremer,  Lawrence 

7 

Geer,  Benijah 

6 

BuUis,  Silas 

5 

Waterman,  Wm. 

3 

Son,  Thomas 

5 

I 

Hudson,  John  H. 

4 

Aisle,  Adam 

4 

V:  Allen,  Peter 

8 

I 

Smith,  Custian 

6 

Brebner,  James 

6 

4 

Smith,  Joseph 

5 

V:  Allen,  Adam  T. 

7 

3 

Smith,  Allen 

3 

Smith,  Rulif 

9 

Gold,  John 

2 

Vredonbagh,  Abraham 

5 

Wheeler,  Edward 

5 

Holcomb,  James 

3 

Geary,  Cornelius 

5 

Walker,  James,  Jr. 

7 

Miller,  Casper 

3 

Denniston,  Wm. 

3 

Clerk,  Abraham 

II 

V:  Allen,  Gysbert 

7 

5 

Fellows,  John 

7 

Newman,  Joshue 

8 

556 


Old  RinderHooK 


Bush,  Henry 

Rowland,  Wm . 
Alger,  Nathl. 
Hoskins,  Jeremiah 
Watkins,  Wm. 
Fairchild,  Jonathan 
Lister,  Jason 
De  Groot,  John 
Meed,  Eli 
Huntley,  Abner 
Mills,  Isaac 
Sharp,  Guyspert 
Valkenburgh,  Jacobus 
Valkenburgh,  Solomon 
Valkenburgh,  Lambert 
Lister,  Ichabod 
Haight,  Solomon 
Richardson,  John 
Trusdale,  Daniel 
Bullis,  Joseph  T, 
York,  Thomas 
Van  Ness,  John 
Van  Ness,  Isaac 
Austin,  Isaac 
Le  Ramey,  Paul 
Van  Allen  John  J. 
Gifford,  Benj. 
V:  Allen,  Jacobus  L. 
De  Le  Mater,  Hendrich 
Bullis,  Robert 
Bullis,  Joseph  R. 
Simmons,  Ezekiel 
V:  Alstin,  Abraham  A. 
Berry,  William,  Jr. 
Berry,  Wm. 
Pangmen,  James,  Jr. 
Pangmen,  James 
Berry,  Elijah 
Reynolds,  Silas 
Richmond,  George 
Decker,  Isaac 
Richmond,  Simon 
Benn,  Peter 
Print,  John,  Jr. 
Dunkin,  Michael 
Matratt,  Francis 
Althiser,  Nicholas 
Thomas,  Asel 
Bullis,  Jesse 
Bullis,  James 
Bishop,  Isaac 
Bishop,  Mary 
Townsend,  John 
Boorman,  Timothy 
Skinkle,  John 
Herder,  Thumis 


1i 

o   v 
6  rt 
255 

4 

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3 

7 

4 

9 

II 

6 

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6 

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6 

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4 

I 

4 

2 

8 

2 

6 

4 

4 

3 
6 

6 

3 

5 

5 

5 

3 

7 
6 

6 

2 

Woodcock,  Guysbert 
Woodcock,  Dirck 
Stevers,  William 
Stevers,  Richard 
Parker,  Jesse 
Champlin,  Joel 
Champlin,  Joshue 
Saunders,  Nathan 
White,  George 
Hide,  John 
Rouse,  Coonradt 
Blackman,  Samuel 
MuUer,  John  J. 
Garvey,  Thomas 
Smith,  Jacob 
Lister,  Mordecai 
Ferguson,  Stephn 
Beckwith,  Abner 
Moor,  Eunice  M. 
V:  Valkenburgh,  Barth.  L. 
Dolph,  Moses 
Becker,  Lawrence 
Spier,  Nathan 
Bullis,  John  R. 
Johnson,  Abraham 
Dingman,  John 
Dingman,  Rudolphus 
V.  De  Bogert,  John 
Whilam,  John 
Crandle,  Joseph 
Klaw,  William 
Londonderry,  Awl 
Westover,  Noah 
Sluyter,  William 
Bloom,  Albert 
Frair,  Daniel,  Jr. 
Jansen,  Dirck 
Cornelieson,  Hans 
Walker,  Abraham 
Smith,  Samuel 
Van  Valkenburgh,  Jno  Jost 
Klaw,  Surges 
Huyk,  Andrus 
Bond,  William 
Van  Leon,  Benj. 
V:  Dusen,  Jacobus 
Gillett,  Moses 
Van  Slyk,  Samuel 
Haganer,  David 
Thomas,  John 
Douglass,  John 
Goes,  Mary 
Gramman,  David 
Gramman,  Joseph 
Gardineer,  Peter  H. 
Stevens,  Hugh 


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Appendix 

557 

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Huyck,  Arent 

8 

"9" 

Van  Ness,  Peter 

5 

10 

V:  Allen,  Rachel 

8 

10 

Davis,  Dennis 

9 

Hogan,  Daniel 

ID 

I 

Proper,  Frederick 

8 

Van  Alstin,  Leonard 

5 

7 

Fredenburgh,  John 

5 

V:  Alstine,  Abraham  J. 

7 

18 

Moct,  John,  Jr. 

3 

Smith,  Coonradt 

7 

Moct,  John 

6 

Vosburgh,  Petro  J. 

4 

I 

Moet,  Frederick 

4 

Wooden,  Amos 

8 

Ale.  Donald,  Ranald 

7 

Vosburgh,  Evert 

12 

7 

Goes,  Margaret 

8 

Gardineer,  Dirck 

7 

6 

Stover,  George 

10 

V°  Allen,  Cornelius 

5 

Fowler,  Dclawar 

7 

Westterwon,  Henry 

8 

Dodge,  Peregrine 

3 

V:  Sleyk,  William 

6 

3 

Folandt,  Henry 

4 

Gardineer,  Peter  A. 

9 

Head,  Michael 

4 

Bingham,  Catharin 

I 

I 

Frost,  John 

9 

Norcross,  Eytie 

I 

I 

Shaver,  Lucas 

7 

Van  Eps,  Evert 

5 

I 

Shufelt,  John,  Jr. 

7 

Rowley,  Jabez 

5 

Shufelt,  John 

3 

I 

Morry,  Ebenezer 

II 

Head,  Jonathan 

5 

Wadsworth,  Gad 

6 

Goodemott,  Baltus 

9 

Shafer,  John 

3 

V:  Dyck,  Cornelius 

4 

Ostrum,  RuHf. 

3 

V:  Dyck,  Peter  C. 

4 

Simmons,  Jeremiah 

4 

I 

Williams,  John 

5 

Bernard,  John 

3 

V:  Allen,  Lawrence  A. 

8 

2 

V:  Slyk,  John 

9 

3 

Haus,  Simeon 

4 

I 

Fisher,  Henry 

4 

Haus,  Peter 

5 

Patterson,  Alexander 

8 

Goes,  John  B. 

5 

Deedrick,  Philip 

II 

Farrel,  Joseph 

7 

Chapin,  Daniel 

7 

Laross,  Joseph 

5 

V:  Dusen,  Claudius 

I 

2 

Morey,  Elisha 

5 

Frisbe,  Elisha 

7 

Hans,  Zachariah 

4 

V:  Scaack,  Cornelius 

4 

10 

Ableman,  Cristian 

4 

Tobias,  Daniel 

9 

Rysdorph,  Lawrence 

3 

I 

Goodfellow,  John 

9 

Landt,  Felta 

8 

V:  Buren,  Herman 

7 

6 

Gifford,  Gideon 

3 

Minkler,  Harmanes 

6 

Moul,  Frederick 

5 

Jacobie,  William 

3 

Curtis,  Jeremiah,  Jr. 

4 

Fisher,  Isaac 

7 

Salisberry,  Ezekiel 

3 

Moor,  Elias 

5 

Hogiboom,  Abraham 

9 

5 

White,  Henry 

7 

Storm,  Thomas 

II 

6 

Rholman,  John 

9 

4 

Lusk,  Jacob 

3 

Peck,  Daniel 

3 

Philips,  Peter 

6 

Vosburgh,  Mattewis 

6 

2 

Ostranda,  Philip 

ID 

Roff,  Philip 

9 

Tygart,  William 

3 

Miller,  Cornelius 

8 

Peterson,  James 

4 

I 

V:  Allen,  Lawrence  L. 

5 

8 

Peterson,  William 

5 

V:  Allen,  Adam  E. 

7 

4 

Peterson,  Philip 

6 

V:  Allen,  Abraham  E. 

5 

I 

Coffin,  Zephaniah 

II 

Weatherman,  Daniel 

8 

Cornilieson,  John 

3 

White,  John 

7 

Berney,  Nathaniel 

8 

Goes,  Lawrence 

4 

4 

Robison,  Jeremiah 

6 

V:  Dyke,  Aaron 

9 

Rogers,  Herman 

4 

Shoemaker,  Hezekiah 

4 

Bernard,  Ruben 

10 

Hans,  Coonradt 

3 

I 

Able,  Andrew 

3 

Dingman,  Gcrrit 

4 

2 

V:  Alstin,  Lambert 

4 

2 

Dingman,  Casparus 

5 

I 

Curtis,  Samuel 

7 

558 


Old  HinderKooK 


Curtis,  Ebenezer 
Curtise,  Joseph 
Smith,  Samuel 
Bunker,  David 
Aims,  Benjamin 
Johnson,  Peter 
V:  Valkenburgh,  John  R. 
Crandle,  Joseph 
Eldridge,  Joseph 
Johnson,  John 
Crandell,  Timothy 
Briggs,  Nathaniel 
Smith,  Dirck 
Morehouse,  James 
Taylor,  David 
Shriter,  Abraham 
Goes,  Henry 
Hunter,  Benjamin 
Peterson,  Alexander 
Snyder,  Peter 
Race,  Benj. 
Race,  V/illiam 
Carl,  Adam 
Ailer,  John 
Mihell,  John 
Cooper,  Martin 
Lawrence,  Peter 
Shufelt,  Michael 
Rose,  Gilbert 
Roosbach,  John 
Roosbach,  George 
Philips,  John 
Rathbon,  Thomas 
Jones,  Richard 
Kittle,  John 
Shults,  David 
Shults,  Philip 
Campbell,  John 
Folandt,  George 
Woolfrom,  Philip 
Woolfrom,  Mathias 
Moor,  Jacob 
Moor,  Peter 
Moor,  John 
Hoffman,  Adam 
■  Hoffman,  Coonradt 
Birdsall,  John 
Birdsall,  Timothy 
Buel,  Eli 
V:  Dyk,  Henry 
Snyder,  Simeon 
Lockwood,  Theophelus 
Delesdornier,  Moses  F. 
Freeman,  Elisha 
F  ceman,  Elisha,  Jr. 
Reynolds,  Nathl. 


11 

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6 

7 

7 
6 

7 

5 
6 

3 

4 

10 

4 

3 

7 

3 

I 

3 
6 

6 

4 

8 

3 

Clerk,  Henry 

Gould,  James 

Slack,  Benijah 

Fall,  Henry 

Irish,  Susannah 

Slack,  Benj. 

Winter,  Moses 

Searls,  Abraham 

Stevens,  Peter 

Smith,  Nicholas  T. 

V:  Buren,  Peter  B. 

Frientnott,  Magdalena 

Sharp,  Cornelius 

Ostrum,  John 

Haight,  Oliver 

Bullock,  Shubael 

Haver,  John 

Haver,  Cristein 

Pool,  John 

Clinsman,  Cristopher 

Sitzer,  Frederick 

Wright,  Isaac 

Loman,  Peter 

Coil,  Minerd 

Sharp,  John 

Decker,  Henry 

Snyder,  Peter 

Goes,  Martin 

Goes,  Gertruy 

V:  Buren,  Ephraim  T. 

Mc  Neil,  James 

Goes,  Isaac 

Rundle,  Levi 

Johnson,  Isaac 

Elsworth,  Samuel 

Mace,  Abraham 

Murry,  Joseph 

Hoff,  Jacob 

Hogiboom,  Peter  C. 

Morey,  Joseph 

Gardiner,  Godfrey 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Lambert 

T. 
V:  Valkenburgh,  John 
Reis,  Samuel 
Campbell,  Steward 
Long,  George 
Duel,  Joseph 
Nevy,  John 
Bross,  Eleanor 
Van  Allen,  James  E. 
V:  Valkenburgh,  Barth. 
Vosburgh,  Jocham 
Vosburgh,  Peter 
V:  Valkenburgh,  Jacob  ' 
Dobs,  Daniel 


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8 

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7 
8 

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3 

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4 

5 

3 

8 

8 

5 

7 
6 

1 

10 

6 

7 

3 

7 

A.ppendix 


559 


V:  Valkenburgh,  Isaac 

Vosburgh,  John 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Claudius 

Vosburgh,  William 

V:  Alstin,  Thomas 

Van  Slyck,  Peter  T. 

Dingman,  Andrew 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Jocham  T. 

Moir,  Nicholus 

Luke,  Margaret 

Kittle,  Nicholas  D. 

Vosburgh,  John  P. 

V:  Valkenburgh,  Isaac  P. 


6  E 

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9 

4 

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3 

4 

7 

4 
8 

6 

2 

6 

4 

7 
8 

8 

10 

7 

Stevens,  James  lo 

Du  Colwan,  Claudius  5 

Hasting,  William  3 

Rundell,  Rachel  4 

Trowman,  Henry  8 

Humphries,  Thomas  6 

Humphries,  Nicholas  5 

Tygart,  William  3 

Coal,  Cornelius  i 

Gilbert,  Luke  i 

V:  Dyke,  Mindert  4 

Bruyer,  Francis  6 

Wynant,  Henry  5 


INDEX 


Abbreviations:  K.,  Kinderhook;  V.,  Valatie. 

Note.  Many  names  and  incidental  recurrences  of  the  same  name  are  not 
cited  in  this  Index;  nor  are  many  hundreds  of  names  in  the  census  of  1790, 
the  assessment  rolls  of  1744  and  1809,  military  rosters  and  other  lists.  These 
should  be  consulted  by  those  seeking  fuller  information.     See  Names,  Lists  of. 


Abelsen,  Hendrick,  46,  271,  283 

Academy,  the,  206,  208;  284  fif.,  489 

Ackley,  Amos,  230 

Calvin,  32,  301,  308,  508 

Adams  and  Jefferson,  memorial  ser- 
vice, 243  fi. 

Advertiser,  The,  219 

Aepjen,  9,  10 

Albany  Avenue  to  the  cemetery, 
buildings  and  people  in  them  in 
'64,  518  ff. 

Albany  County,  boundaries  of,  27; 
militia  of  (7th  regiment),  542 

Albany  Southern  Railroad,  23,  338 

Allen,  Rev.  Thomas,  visits  K.,  170; 
at  Bennington,  170 

"Aristides,"  395 

Arnold,  Benedict,  Inn  (?),  370 

Assemblymen,  548,  549 

Association  for  the  Promotion  ot 
Literature,  285 

Atwood,  Wm.  H.,  309,  519 

Aurania,  origin  of  name,  7 

Avalanche,  the,  369,  497 

Averill  (Everil),  Dr.,  449 

Awards,  Index  of,  K.  men  named,  198 


B 


Bain,  Edward,  291" 

Hugh,  302 

Isaac  E.,  305,  529 

James,  302 

John,  220,  300,  302,  303,  518 

Moyca  Huyck,  517 


Peter,  376,  518 

Mrs.  Peter,  231,  281,  381,  508, 

522 

Peter  H.,  529 

Baker  and  Plodder  Patent,  50 

Baker,  John,  of  the  B.  and  F.  Patent, 
89;  has  trouble  with  William  Patter- 
son, 89;  instructed  by  Governor 
NicoUs,  90 

Banks,  Kinderhook  National,  230, 
300  R.;  National  Union,  230, 
302  ff. 

Barber  and  Howe's  Historical  Collec- 
tions, quoted,  3 

Bards  of  K.,  43,  225,  236  flf.;  "Marie" 
writes  of  them  and  of  K.'s  lions,  238 

Barthrop,  Harry,  147 

Dr.  William,  450;  his  will,  451 

Beale,  Chas.  F.  T.,  442 

Chas.  L.,  233;  sketch  of,  441; 

519;  547.  548  .     „      , 

Beatty,  John,  his  survey  for  Borghart 

and  E.  Van  Schaack,  61 
Beaver  Mill,  318,  340 
Becker,  Frank  S.,  446 
Beckwith,  Claude  S.,  447 
Beekman,  Dr.  John  I.,  450 
Dr.  J.  P.,  writes  to  war  meeting, 

199;  300,  353.  451.  548 

Thomas,  525 

Wm.  V.  S.,  456 

Bellomont,     Earl    of,    memorialized 

by  James  Graham,  143 
Benson,  Dr.  Geo.  E.,  453 
Robert,  writes  to  Colonel  Van 

Alstyne,  191 
Best,  Ephraim,  199,  526 


561 


562 


Index 


Best,  E.  P.,  301,  528 
Bidwell,  Alexander,  248 

David,  soldier,  196,  528 

Bigelow,    John,    visits    Lindenwald, 

422 
Birckmayer,  Philip  (ist),  517 

Philip  (2d),  517 

Blacksmith  shops,  333 

Blanchard,    Homer,    228,    232,    288, 

296,311 
Blizzard,  the,  1888,  318 
Block's,  Adriaen,  Carte  Figurative,  i 
Boarding  House,  the  Academy,  289 
Borghardt,    Coenradt,    61,    loi;    in 

trouble,  138  flE. 
Bork  (Rev.),  Christian,  71,  190 
Bosse,  Peter,  97 
Bottling  Co.,  Risedorph,  342 
Boundaries,   K.    District,   28;   town, 

29;    Chatham    division    line,     30; 

Stuyvesant   division  line,   31;    K. 

village,  32 ;  V.  village,  33 ;  indefinite- 

ness  of,  65 
Bradley,  F.  W.,  233,  502,  525 

Isaac,  388 

William,  247,  388 

Bray,  Chas.  M.,  446 

John,   195,  229,  233,  291,  311, 

366, 506 

and  Herrick,  388 

"Bricks  from  Holland,"  351 

Brickyards,  22 

Bridges,  327 

Broad     Street,     its     buildings     and 

people  in  them  in  '64,  501  ff. 
Brockliolles,  A.,  "  Comissaries  "  write 

to,  about  the  comet,  133;  he  rephes, 

134 

Brown,  Ellsworth  S.,  314,  343 

Brothers,  235,  343 

■ Geo.  H.,  343 

Samuel  H.,  509 

Brunswick  and  Hessian  soldiers,  one 
describes  K.  and  its  women,  188  ff. 

Bull,  Captain,  comes  to  K.,  136 

Burgett,  Peter,  147,  282 

Burgoyne,  General,  his  captive  sol- 
diers to  be  cared  for,  186;  his  own 
entertainment  here,  1 87 ;  a  tradition 
about,  188 

Burial  plots,  344 

Burr,  Aaron,  370,  395 

Burt,  Chas.  A.,  recruiting  officer, 
201 ;  his  service,  202 

Colonel  Silas  W.,  199,  reminis- 
cences of  Training  days,  267  ff.; 
Academy  exhibition,  292 ;  sketch  of, 
474.  490,  548,  549 


Thomas  M.,   199,   309;   sketch 

of,  471  ff. 
Burying  ground,  the  old,  345  ff. 
Butler,  Charles,  sketch  of,  430 
Benjamin    F.,    249,    250,    259, 

263;  sketch  of,  428,  547,  549 
Walter,  writes  about  the  Boston 

Tea   Party,    167;   4th   of   July   at 

home  of,  242 
Wm.    Allen,    tribute    to    Van 

Buren,  425 
Bye-low,  360 


Cabinet  officers,  547 

Canoe  Mill,  318,  340 

Carpenter,  Jeremiah,  340,  516 

Carshore,  A.  M.,  190,  283 

Casesiawack,  19 

Cemeteries,    343    ff.;    provisions   for 

care  of,  348;  Valatie,  348 
Census,  1790-1910,  39;  first  known, 

145;  United  States  of  1790,   145; 

and  Appendix 
Champion,  Job  and  Joel,  survey  for, 

65 
"  Chateau,  The,"  527 
Chatham  Street  to  Valatie,  buildings 

and  people  in  them  in  '64,  514 
Childs,  William,  388 
Chrysler,  Capt.  G.  W.,  477 

James  P.,  230,  521,  523 

Gen.  M.  H.,  372;  sketch  of,  476 

Church,  Rev.  John  B.,  465 

Church  Street,  houses  and  people  in 

'64,  527 
Churches,    Baptist,    278;    Bethel    A. 

M.  E.,  282;  M.  E.  (K.),  279;  M.  E., 

Niverville,  283;    M.  E.  (V.),  278; 

Presbyterian,      277;      Ref.     Prot. 

Dutch,  270   ff.     (See   Title   also); 

St.  John  the  Baptist,  R.  C,  282; 

St.     Luke's     Lutheran,    276;     St. 

Paul's  Prot.  Ep.,  280;  sundry  notes 

of,  206,  207,  208,  209 
Cicklekawick,  19 
Civil  and  Judicial  list,  547  ff. 
Civil  Service  Commissioner,  549 
Clarke,  Dr.  Abraham,  492 
Claver,  Frans  P.,  his  mill  and  house, 

44.  89,  131 
Clay,  Henry,  visits  Lindenwald,  388; 

tribute  to  Van  Buren,  425 
Clinton,   George,   elected   Governor, 

216 
Clock,  the  Town,  496 
Coeymans,  Andries  and  Geertruy,  65 


Ind 


ex 


563 


Collier,  C.  P.,  227 

Dr.  Edward  J.,  464 

Gerrit   S.,    291,  303,  305,  376; 

sketch  of,  446 
Columbia   County,   organization   of, 

28;  Medical  Society  of,  453 
Comet  of  1680,  133 
Commissioned     officers,     1 786-1 822, 

545  .    . 
Commissioners  appointed  to  survey, 

define,  and  allot  lands  in  the  great 

K.  patent,  76  fT. 
Congress,  members  of,  547 
Conscript  Society,  305  ff. 
Constitutional  conventions,  members 

of,  549 
Conyne,  Casparus,  Jr.,  73 

Leendert  (Leonard),  63,  70,  loi 

Cook,  Jacob,  268,  307,  515 

Cooper,    John,    petitions   as    to    his 

rights  in  the  Baker  and  Plodder 

patent,  51 
Comelisse  (Van   Buren)   Marte,  54, 

74.93 
Crandell  incident,  the,  287 
Creeks,   Light  House   (Claver's),    i; 

Kinderhook,      24;      Kleine,      24; 

Valatie,  24;  Stockport,  25;  Major 

Abram's,  25;  Claverack,  26 
Crow  Hill,  382 
CuUen,  Justice  E,  M.,  499 


Dahm,  Joseph,  516 

Henry  Joseph,  516 

Dankers,  Jasper  and  Peter  Sluyter 

visit  K.,  131 
Davis,  Chas.  W.,  acquires  the  Rough 

Notes,  219 
De   Bruyn,  J.  Hendrix,    his   patent, 

53;  sale  to  Lourens  Van  Alen,  69; 

survey  of  south  line  of,  34  ff.;  93; 

deed  to  Lawrence  Van  Alen,  539 
Decker,  Albert,  187 
De  Laet,  John,  cited,  2,  4,  6 
De  Lancey,    Lieut. -Gov.,    addresses 

Indian  conference,  152 
De  Myer,  Albert,  233,  302,  508 

Benjamin,  388 

De  Quirones,  Francisco,  204,  493 
Devoe,  Tunis,  515 
Deyo,  Nathan,  35,  386 
Dimock,  Dr.  A.  R.,  463 
Dingman,  Adam,  74,  78,  92,  321 

Casparus,  36 

Charles,  92 

Gerrit,  36 


— —  Sarah,  and  the  roadmaster,  361 

Diplomats,  547 

District  schools,  295  ff. 

Docks,  329 

Dominick,  Dr.,  388 

Dongan,  Governor,  issues  De  Bruyn 
patent,  52;  also  the  great  K.  patent, 
57;  writes  to  De  Nonville,  149 

Dunspaugh,  H.  L,  511 

Dutch  Church,  Reformed,  communi- 
cants of,  1 7 16,  104;  Trouw  Bocck 
of,  105;  contributors  of,  107 

"Dutchised"  names,  483 


E 


Earl  of  Dunmore,  petition  to,  80 

Earll,  Geo.  D.,  521 

Eastern   Star,   Order    of    the,     Eda 

Chapter,  308 
Eaton,  Peter,  529 
Election    of    local    officials    disturbs 

K.,  144 
Electric  Park,  23 
Ely,  Ashbel,  334,  372 
Emikee,  10 

English  encroachments,  127  ff. 
Eskuvius,  Peace  Chief,  9 
Everts,  Jacob  C,  371,  505,  511 
Eykebush  Road,  homes  and  people 

in  '64,  528 


Farrar,  A.  H.,  301 

Fasting  and  prayer,  day  of,  137 

Fellowes,  L.  E.,  529 

Ferries.  336 

Fire  companies,  the  first,  311;  Hook 
and  Ladder,  312;  Palmer  Engine 
and  Hose  Co.,  313;  Valatie  Co., 
314;  James  PurccU  Co.,  315 

Fires,  310  ff.;  Ref.  Dutch  Church, 
315;  on  village  square,  316;  K.  cot- 
ton mill,  317;  Canoe  mill  (V.),  318 

First  bridge,  327 

postmaster,     K.     (1792),     372; 

Stuyvesant  (1826),  335;  V.  (1832', 

339 

settlers  in  K.,  45  flf. 

stagecoach,  332 

steam  railway,  337 

telegraph,  235 

Fitch  ("Count"),  517 

Flagler,  L.  B.,  494,  526 

Fletcher,  Governor,  Mahicans  ad- 
dress to,  15;  comes  to  K.  and 
encourages  them,  15;  136,  143 


564 


Index 


Flick,  Prof.  A.  C,  quoted,  179 
Plodder,  Jacob  Jansen,  50,  90,  91 
Fort  of  Good  Hope,  127 

Orange,  14 

Forts,  141,  148,  156,  385 

Fourth  of  July  celebrations,  242  flf. 

Freeholders     of     1686,     534;     their 

drawing  of  lots  in  K.  patent,  536 
Freighting,  329 
French    and    Indian    wars    occasion 

alarm,  149  ff. 
Frink's    Mansion   House,    221,   222, 

376,  484 
Frontiersmen  of  N.  Y.,  quoted,  3 


G.  A.  R.,  T.  M.  Burt  Post,  No.  171, 

309 

Gardenier,  Albert,  98 

Andries,  58,  61,  98,  130 

Jacob  Jansen  {See  Flodder),  90, 

91 

Gardner,  Wm.,  529 

Garnsey,  Dr.  N.  D.,  95,  297,  462 

Gazette,    The    Hudson    Weekly,   first 

county  newspaper,  215 
Gazetteers,  the,  gleanings  from,  205  ff . 
Gillett,  Asa,  516 

William,  529 

Glencadia,  207 

Glynn,  Martin  H.,  445,  548 

Goes,    Major   Isaac,    Abraham   Lott 

stays    with,    158;    Colonel    Lewis 

writes  to,  185;  Jacob  Cuyler  writes 

to,  186;  his  inn,  386 
Jan,  grant  of  confirmation  to, 

61 
(Hoes),    Jan    Tysse,     55,     56; 

estate  divided,  74,  96,  141;  will  of, 

538 

Lucas,  300,  301 

Good  Hope,  fort  of,  127 
Governors  from  K.,  548 
Graham,    James,    memorializes    the 

Earl  of  Bellomont,  143 
Graves,  H.  M.,  201,  229 

Rhodolphus,  513 

Richard,  222,  229,  503 

Gray,  Rev.  Geo.  Z.,  527 
Great  Fish  (K.)  Lake,  23 
Great  K.  Patent,  the,  57,  532  flf. 
Great  New  England  Path,  the,  57 
Greeks,  the,  sympathy  with,  245 
"Greens  for  soup,"  11 
Griffen,  Lorenzo,  233,  515 
Groat,  John  A.,  386 
widow,  519 


Groote  Stuk,  44,  54,  55,  56 
Grove,  the,  239,  254,  269,  491,  521 
Guion,  Covington,  300,  524 
F.  G.,  201,  301,  528 


H 


Hagadorn,  John,  528 
Haines,  Hon.  Chas.  D.,  acquires  the 
Rough  Notes,  220,   291,  337,  375, 

548 
Half  Moon,  the,  in  K.  waters,  2  fit.; 

return  trip,  5 
Hamilton,  Alexander,  370,  387 
Hanna,  Samuel,  223 
Hanse  (Sharp),  Andries,  97 
Harder,  Abraham,  529 

Geo.  M.,  529 

Nicholas  W.,  529 

Peter,  73,  529 

Peter,  Jr.,  529 

Tunis,  128,  300,  519 

William  A.,  375 

Harmense,  Tierck,  receives  a  patent, 

58,60 
Hartford,  "Those  of,"  127 
Hastings,  Hugh,  answers  a  query,  90 
Hatfield      (Mass.)      captives      pass 

through  K.,  130 
Hawley,  James  M.,  520 
Head,  Reuben,  516 
Heads  of  families  (1790),  553  ff. 
Heckewelder,  John  G.  E.,  cited,  9, 12, 

20 
Heermance,  Rev.  E.  L.,  468 

Col.  W.  L.,  478 

Heithoock  (Knickerbocker  Lake),  20 

Hendrick.     See  King 

Hendrickse,    Essie,    deeds    land    to 

Tierck    Harmense,    59;     petitions 

Lord  Cornbury,  60 
Hendricksen,  Dirck,  44,  96 
Hendricksen,  Hanse,  receives  a  land- 
patent,  52 
Herald,  Kinderhook,  218;  miscellanea 

from,  220,  fiF. 
Herrick,  C.  L.,  230 

Daniel,  388 

William,  388 

Hickey,  William,  388,  389 

High  School  (V.),  298 

Hinman,  H.  D.,  527 

Historical  American  Scenes,  Barber's, 

quoted,  18 
Historical   Collections  of  the  State  of 

N.  Y.  quoted,  3,  5 
Hitchcock,  Dr.  U.  G.,  450 
Hoag,  Asa,  528 


Ind 


ex 


565 


Hoag,  Curtis  P.,  343,  528 

Frank  S.,  314,  343,  528 

Hoes,  John,  515 

Rev.  John  C.  F.,  97,  465 

John  V.  A.,  219 

Lucas,  214,  246,  300,  494,  525, 

547 

P.  Ernest,  87,  97,  448 

Peter  I.,  285,  286,  288,  300,  328 

Peter  S.,  97,  201,  289,  375,  380 

Pierre  Van  Buren,  97,  381 

William  M.,  97,  381,  447 

HoUenbeck,  C .  A.  (Jed.),  quoted,  34, 

I  "2 

Homesteads,  the  older,  village, 
352;  Van  Alstyne,  353;  Stephen 
Van  Alen,  358;  Evert  Van  Alen, 
363;  Pruyn,  364;  Van  Schaack, 
367;  Benedict  Arnold  Inn  (?),  370; 
Another  Old  Mansion,  372; 
Peter  Van  Schaack,  375;  P.  S. 
Hoes,  376;  Lindenwald,  376;  Burt, 
378;  Elmhurst,  "581;  Snyder- 
Smith,  382;  Crow  Hill,  382;  Vos- 
burgh,  383;  Chatham  Center,  386 

Hosford,  J.  Spencer,  71,  95,  301,  334, 

335,  354.  355 
Hover,  Eugene  L.,  291,  506,  516 
Howard,  E.  G.,  383,  510 
Howe,  E.  D.,  447 
Howland,     Wm.    B.,    acquires     the 

Rough  Notes,  219 
Hoxsie,  Geo.  W.,  229,  230,  232 
Hozier,  Mrs.,  493 
Hudson,  Ebenezer  and  Elijah,  their 

inns,  387 
Henry,    discovers    K.,    2;     re- 
mains four  daj^s  in  K.  waters,  3  ff . ; 

narrates  his  visit  ashore,  7 
Hudson  Street  and  Lindenwald  Road, 

buildings  and  people  in  them  in  '64, 

508  ff. 
Huyck,  Andries  Hause,  99 

Burger,  62,  63 

Hyman,  Max  S.,  447 


Indians,  Leniii  Lenapes,  9 

Forays  of,  150,  155 

Mahican,  8;  early  history  of,  9; 

council  fire,  9;  colonial  laws  relat- 
ing to,  12;  fateful  merrie-making 
of,  12;  friendliness  of,  11,  14,  15; 
treatment  of,  13;  address  Govs. 
Fletcher  and  Nanfan,  15,  17; 
faithful  to  a  trust,  18;  names  and 


meanings,    19;    extinction    of,    20; 
drink  sold  to,  142 

Mohawk,  10,  14,  20 

Westenhook,  sell  land,  48 

Industries,  206  ff.,  339  ff.,  485 

In  Memoriam,  Adams  and  Jefferson, 

243  ff. 
Inns,  Van  Buren,  386,  482;  Major 
Goes,  386;  Frink's  Mansion  House, 
387;  Quackenboss's  (later  Deyo's), 
387;  Elijah  Hudson's,  387;  K. 
Hotel,  388;  Central  (Farmers), 
388;  Lindenwald  Hotel,  388,  484 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  Valatie  Lodge,  No.  115, 

308 
Irving,  Washington,  24;  at  Linden- 
wald,   232;    Martin    Van    Buren 
locates  scene  of  Legend  oj  Sleepy 
Hollow  here,  362,  395 


Jacobsen,  Gerrit,  99 

James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany, 

his  laws,  12,  163 
Jay,    John,    defeated    candidate    for 

governor,    217;    K.    receives    him, 

218;  extract  from  his  diary,  402 
"Jed"   (C.   A.  HoUenbeck),  quoted, 

34,  132 
Johnson,  James,  244 

Kate,  281,  526 

Johnson,   Sir   William,   Stone's  Lije 

of,  quoted,  152 
Judges,  549,  550 
Juet,  Robert,  2 
Justices  for  Sessions,  550 


K 


Kalkoenberg  (Turkey  Hill),  69 
Kallier  (Collier),  I^Iichael,  99 
Kalm,  Peter,  writes  of  Albany,  11 
Keeler,  Ernest,  203 
Kellogg,  Dr.  Chas.  M.,  503 
Kenaghtiquak  (Kleine  Kill),  19 
Kent,   Chancellor,   opinion   in   great 
land  case,  84;  decrees  sale  of  old 
burying  ground,  345,  379;  tribute 
to  Peter  Van  Schaack,  406 
Ketel,  Jochem,  46,  91 
Kieft,  Gov.  William,  9,  128 
Kindergarten,  297 
Kinderhook  Knitting  Co.,  343 
Kinderhook  Patent,  copy  of,  532  ff.; 

drawings  of  lots  in,  536 
"Kinderhook  Roarer,"  379 


566 


Ind 


naex 


King    Hendrick    before    the    Indian 

commission,  151  flf. 
Kings  District,  28 
Kip,  William,  221,  509,  550 
Kittell,  Dr.  M.  M.,  462 
Kling,  Stephen,  524 
Knickerbocker  Lake,  24 
Knitting  Co.,  K.,  343 


Labadists  visit  K.,  131 

Laing,  Edgar,  353,  492 

James  B.,  199,  513 

Lakes,  Kinderhook  (Great  Fish),  23; 
Merwin's,  24;  Knickerbocker,  24; 
stocking  of,  23 

Lambrechtsen,  quoted,  3 

Lammersen  (Van  Valkenburgh), 
Yeaukim,  98,  142,  160,  283 

Land  Patents:  Staats's,  49;  Baker 
and  Plodder,  50;  Nuttenhook,  52; 
De  Bruyn,  52;  Schuyler,  57;  Great 
Kinderhook,  57;  Little  Nutten- 
hook, 58,  59;  Gardinier,  58,  59, 
61;  Lawrence  Van  Alen  and  Law- 
rence Van  Schaack,  59;  Essie 
Hanse,  60;  Tirk  Harmense,  60; 
Borgart  and  Elias  Van  Schaack, 
61;  Huyck,  63;  deed  of  De  Bruyn 
to  Van  Alen,  539 

Langford,  E.,  512 

Lathrop,  George,  504 

James,  232,  509 

Lawyers,  tabular  list  of,  391;  bio- 
graphical sketches  of,  391  ff. 

Legrange,  Omeda,  97 

Leisler's  Rebellion,  135 

Lewis,  Peter  L,  223,  273,  388,  484 

Lieut.-Governors  from  K.,  548 

Lillibridge,  B.  P.,  229,  492,  502 

Lindenwald,  beginnings  of,  376; 
described  by  G.  Alfred  Townsend, 

377.  498 

Grange,  No.  985,  291,  309  ft. 

Link,  John  H.,  504 

Literary  Association,  225;  one  of  its 

public  meetings,  226 
Livingston,  Margert,  her  claim,  79 

Robert,  13,  77,  100,  148 

Loomis,  Anthony  I.,  517 
Lott,  Abraham,  visits  K.,  158 
"  Lovers'  Leap,"  239,  382 
Loyalists,    169    ff. ;    patriot    wife    of 

one,  173;  deeds  of  violence  by,  175; 

high-minded,    176;    treatment    of, 

177     ff.;     the     expatriated,      179; 

wrath    against,    180;    restored    to 


citizenship,      180;      migration      to 

Canada,  181;  their  losses,  182 
Ludlow,    Wm.    H.,    nominated    for 

Assembly,  216 
Luycassen,  Evert,  46;  buys  land  of 

Wattawit,  48,  53,  54,  55,  91 
Lyceum,  K.,  226 


M 


Machackoosk,  19 

MacPherson,  John,  523,  529 

John   C,  529 

William,  529 

Magee,  W.  J.,  297,  510,  511 

Mahicanituck,  9 

Mahicans,  the,  8  flf.;  their  friendliness, 
11;  cared  for,  12;  their  strength, 
13;  treatment  of,  14;  fidelity  and 
service,  14  ff.;  they  address  Gover- 
nor Fletcher,  15;  they  address 
Governor  Nanfan,  17;  "only  an 
Indian,"  18;  their  extinction,  20, 
148 

Mails,  230,  323,  335 

Ivlandeville,  Gideon,  388 

Rev.  Henry,  465 

Wanton,  Rev.  D.  E.,  465,  503 

Jeremiah,  529 

Martense,  Jacob,  99 

Masons,  Royal  Arch,  No.  264,  307; 
Valatie  Lodge,  No.  362,  308 

Mauritius  (the  Hudson),  19 

Merwin,  Jesse  {Ichabod  Crane),  24, 
239.  522 

Mesick,  W.  R.,  291,  301,  509 

Metcalf,  Matilda  C,  her  reminis- 
cences, 495 

Silas,  287 

Michael,  Andrew,  529 

Milborne,  Jacob,  summons  people 
of  K.,  135 

Milham,  Edmund,  519 

Levi,  528 

Military  companies,  159  flf.;  training 
and  equipment  of,  163 

Militia,  seventh  regiment,  oflficers  and 
enlisted  men,  542 ;  bounty  rights  of, 

544 
Miller,  Herbert,  203 

Jacob  P.,  32 

James,  34 

Rev.  Dr.  Samuel,  3 

Mrs.  Wm.  C,  527 

Ministry,  the,  fifteen  contributions  to, 

464 
Mix,  James,  375 


Index 


567 


Montressor,  James,  386 

Morrell,  L.  L.,  95,  306,  307,  355,  523 

Morse,  Rev.  Jedediah,  his  American 

Geography  quoted,  4 
Munro,  Hugh,  survey  for,  65 
Myers,  Mordecai,  247,  260,  300,  379 
Theo.  B.,  his  reminiscences,  485 


N 


Najokassick,  19 

Name  (K.),  meaning  and  origin  of, 
I,  2 

Names,  Lists  of:  petitioners  for 
incorporation  of  V.,  32;  Van  Alen's 
survey,  34  ff.;  signers  of  oath  of 
allegiance,  103,  538;  church  com- 
municants, 104;  marriages,  105; 
contributors,  107;  assessment  roll, 
1744,  109;  assessment  roll,  1809, 
112  ff.;  militia,  160  flf.;  seventh 
regiment,  183,  542;  enlistments, 
1 86 1,  202;  pastors,  277  ff.;  academy 
trustees,  286  flf.;  teachers,  284  flf.; 
district  school  trustees,  295  flf.; 
bank  oflficials,  300  flf.;  lawyers, 
391;  physicians,  453;  K.  free- 
holders, 536;  K.  commissioned 
oflficers,  546;  supervisors  and  town 
clerks  551;  United  States  census 
of  1790,  553  ff- 

Nanfan,  Governor,  replies  to  Sac- 
quans,  17 

"New  England  Path,"  11 

NicoUs,  Governor,  confirms  Powell 
grant,  46;  confirms  Major  Staats's 
grant,  49;  issues  patent  to  Baker 
and  Plodder,  50;  also  to  Hans 
Hendricksen,  52;  instructs  Baker, 
90 

Nieuenhof,  Evert,  Van  der  Donck's 
poetic  publisher,  42 

Niverville,  209,  348 

Noerling,  Dr.  H.  J.,  463 

Norman's  Kill  conference,  14 

Nursery  rhymes  (Dutch),  358,  366, 
370 

Nuttenhook  Patent,  Great,  52 

Little,  59 


O 


Oath  of  allegiance    to   William   and 

Mary,  signers  of,  102,  537 
Ogden,  Alfred  T.,  297,  528 
Orchard  Home,  353  ff. 
Ortier  (Orchard),  Robert,  47 
Ownership  marks,  213 


Pachaquak  (V.),  9,  19 

Palmatier,  Wm.,  372,  505 

Samuel,  504 

Palmer,  Chas.,  229,  311,  526 

Park,  the,  its  fence,  230,  508 

Parkman,  Francis,  quoted,  150,  151 

Patents.     See  Land  Patents 

Patroons,  the,  power  of,  41 

Peace  Chief,  functions  of,  9 

Peckham,  Henry,  492 

Peirce,  John  K.,  219,  272,  514,  529 

Pcnnekoes  hills,  19 

Penny  Provident  Society,  297 

Petersen,  Francis,  100 

Pettanook  (Eykebush  Creek),  20 

Philip,  Rear- Admiral  J.  W.,  203; 
sketch  of,  478  ff.,  529 

Dr.  J.  H.,  450 

Peter  D.,  524 

Physicians,  448  ff.;  homeopathic,  453 

Pitts,  Elias,  establislies  the  Columbia 
(later  K.)  Sentinel,  219;  writes 
vivaciously,  223;  denounces  Clay, 
Webster,  and  Calhoun,  224 

Platner,  Jacob  F.,  528 

Pockman,  Norton,  348,  529 

Poelsburg,  70;  its  houses  and  people, 

71 

"Point,"  the,  23 

Politics — pleasantries  (?)  of,  216  ff. 
Pomeroy,  Dr.  Josiah,  449 
Pompoonick,   derivation   of,    10;   20; 

surveyor  Van  Alen's  Field  Book  of, 

36;  fort  at,  141 
Poorhouse,  the  first,  31 
Poor,  the,  support  of,  213 
Porter,  E.  S.,  D.D.,  his  reminiscences, 

488 
Port  of  entry,  K.  a,  218 
Post  offices,  230,  335,  339 
Post  Road,  the,  321  ff.,  324  ff. 
Pound,  the,  212 

Powell,  Jannetje,  47,  74;  deed  of,  53 1 
Thomas,  his  patent,  45;  Gover- 
nor    Nicolls's     confirmation,     46; 

Bleecker's  survey  of,  73,  91 
Presidential  electors,  547 
Pretty  Town,  92 
"Printed  at  the  sign  of  the  Cock," 

126 
Products,  26 
Prospect  Hill,  22 
"Prudential  Rules  and  Regulations," 

212 
Pruyn,  Arent,  364 
Dr.  A.  V.  v.,  453 


\,, 


568 


Ind 


naex 


PrujPTi,  Bartholomew,  199,  202,  365, 

459 

Francis,  365 

Isaac,  365 

John,  365,  366 

John,  Jr.,  widow  of,  529 

J.  Bayard,  448 

John  I.,  300,  365 

Dr.  J.  Marrhias,  250,  288,  290; 

sketch  of,  456  ff.,  492 
Dr.  Lucas,  301,  388;  sketch  of, 

45*.  507,  526 
Dr.    Peter    V.    S.,     292,     304; 

sketch  of,  459  5. 
Pniyn  homesteads,  364  fit. 

Q 

Qtiackenboss,  A.,  his  tavern,  76,  3S7 
Quiet  times,  125,  491 
Quilhot,  Dr.  John,  371,  449 


Railwavs,  Boston  and  Albany,  336; 
Hudson  River,  337;  K.  and  Hudson, 
337;  Electric,  338 

Rainer,  William  H.,  trustee  of 
Academy,  291:  cashier,  302;  half- 
centmy  of  service  celebrated,  304, 
305;  treasurer  Conscript  Society, 
306;  member  Hook  and  Ladder 
Co.,  312,  514 

Randall,  Samuel  S.,  quoted,  3 

Rathbone,  Alice  ^L  and  a  K.  flower, 
384 

W.  P.,  32,  34,  315,  340,  348 

Ref.  Prot.  Dutch  Church,  officials  of, 
in  trouble,  138  5.;  a  scandal  in, 
142;  sketch  of,  270  5.,  482,  487, 
496 

R^ents,  549 

Reminiscences  of  K.,  233,  234;  by 
W.  H.  Winans,  481;  bv  T.  B. 
Mj-ers,  485;  by  E.  S.  Porter,  488; 
by  Colonel  S.'  W.  Burt,  490;  by 
Matilda  C.  Metcalf,  495;  by  Judge 
E.  M.  Cullen,  499;  personal,  501 

Ren^elaer,  Fort,  194 

Residents  of  old  K.,  names  of,  103  fif.; 
on  the  Post  Road,  325 

Revolution,  the  portents  of,  165; 
resolutions  anent  the  Boston  Port 
Bill,  167;  county  committees  and 
delegates  to  Congress,  168;  an 
Albany  manifesto,  170;  disaffec- 
tion, 171  ff.;  the  7th  regiment,  183; 
honest      pennies      earned,       184; 


Colonel    Lewis    writes    to    Major 

Goes,  185:  service  rendered,  185; 

bount%-  rights,  194 
Re\-nolds,  James  A.,  201,  291,  304, 

305,  317,  348,  381,  441 
John   H.,   226,    227,   258,   265; 

sketch  of,  437,  548,  550 
Rexford,  L.  S.,  517 
Rhodes,  Foster,  sketch  of,  469  ff. 
RicheUeu,  Dominick,  524 
Risedorph,  Edward  (ist),  512 
Edward    (2d),    308,   314,   342, 

518.551 
Road  commissioners,  321  ff. 
Roads    and    streets,    beginning    of, 

320  ff.     {See  Post  Road),  322  ff., 

326 
Rockefeller,  Alfred,  528 
Rogers,  John,  349 
Rosboro,  Robert,  388 
Rose  Cottage,  524 
Roster,  of  companies  in  Ci%-il  War, 

202,  203;   Albany  Co.  militia,  7th 

regt.,    542    ff.;    of    commissioned 

officers,  546 
Rough  Notes,    the,    219;    miscellanea 

from,  228  ff.;  Rough  Notes  Co., 

220 
Round  Lake,  24 


Sacquans  addresses  Governor  Nanfan 

and  council,  17 
Sandford,  Austin,  221,  502 
Sargent,  Daniel,  519 
Scherp  (Sharp),  Lawrence,  73 
Schools    {See    also  Academy),  voor- 

leezers  the  first  teachers  of,  283; 

the  schoolhouses,   284,   285,    294; 

District,  294  ff.,  299;  Union  Free 

School,     297;    kindergarten,    297; 

Valatie,  High,  298 
Schutters  Island,  29 
Schuyler,    Colonel,  and    his    Indian 

messenger,  18 
Peter,    57,   94;   commission   of, 

136;  proclaims  Fast  day,  137 

Philip,  57 

Wm.  B.,  247 

Seminary,  Hudson  River,  207 
Sentinel,  Kinderhook,  219 
Settlement    of    K.,    hindrances    and 

helps,  40-42;  time  of,  44;  location 

of  the  first,  44 
Seventh      regiment,      militia,      183; 

officers  and  enlisted  men,  542  ff.; 

land  bounty  rights  of,  543,  544 


Ind 


ex 


569 


Sharp  town,  44 

Shatemuc  (the  Hudson),  19 

Shaw,  James,  247,  492 

Wm.  B.,  247 

Sheriffs,  551 

Shufelt,  Levi,  528 

Sickles,  Rev,  Dr.  Jacob,  373 

Nicholas,  245,  547 

Zacharias,  97 

Silksen,  Robert,  97 
Silvester,  Francis  (ist),  285;   sketch 
of,  398,  492 

Francis  (2d),  269;  sketch  of,  399 

Margaret,   187,  368,  398,  421, 

527 
Peter,  168,  216;  sketch  of,  396, 

547.  548,  550 
Peter  Henry,  224;  biog.  note  of, 

399 

Silvester  Street,  its  houses  and  people 

in  them  in  '64,  526 
"Sint    Nikolaus,    goed    hdig    man," 

3.58 
"Sire  of  the  Turkish  Navy,"  469  ff. 
Skinner,  David,  388 
"  Slaap,  Kindje,  slaap,"  370 
Slavery   in    K.,    145    ff.;   a   fugitive 

returned,     148;     manumission     of 

slaves,  210;  number  of  slaves  in 

1790,  in  each  family,  553  ff. 
Sloops,  329,  330 
Smeeton,  Joseph,  survey  for,  65 
Smith,  Datus,  C,  382 

Frank,  widow  of,  529 

Dr.  Joseph,  widow  of,  529 

Dr.  O.  H.,  450 

Hon.  Sanford  W.,  510 

Snyder,  Henry,  232,  382,  510 

Isaac  V.  A.,  312,  382,  511,  518 

Theodore,  382,  511 

Soils,  22,  23 

Spoliation  of  Old  K.,  29,  31 

Staats,  Major  Abram,  his  house,  44; 

patents,  49,  88,  89 
Stagecoaches,  332  ff.;  to   Stu3rvesant 

Landing  and  Xiver%-ille,  335,  484 
State  officials,  548,  549 

senators,  548 

Steamboats,  330 

Steves,  William,  sur%'ey  for,  65 

Stone,  W.  L.   (2d),  Life  and   Times 

of  Sir  Wm.  Johnson,  quoted,  152; 

Letkrs  of  Brunswick  and  Hessian 

Soldiers,'  quoted,    18S;   his   father 

^■isits  K.,  247 
Strain,  Henn,-,  305 
Stranahan,  Daniel  B.,  388 
Straying  cattle,  etc.,  prudential  rules 


and    regulations,  212;    impressive 
preamble  and  resolution,  214 
Stu>'\'esant,  boundaries  of  town  of, 

31 
Sudam,  Jacob  F.,  503 
"Suffolk  Resolves,"  169 
Supervisors,  551 
Sunnyside,  22,  353  ff. 
Surnames,    many    assumed,    92;    no 

indication  of  blood  relationship,  93 
Surrogates,  550,  551 
Sutherland,  German  H.,  504 
Sweet,  J.  C,  228,  233,  365,  501,  525, 

550 


Talmadge,  Dr.  S.  G.,  sketch  of,  459 
Tax  list,  1744,  109;  1809,  112  ff. 
Telegraph  connecting  K.  and  V.,  235 
Ten  Eyck,  H.  C,  98 
Teunisse,  Gerrit,  48,  56,  64,  92,  136, 

141 
Thacher,    Dr.    James,   describes   the 

hanging  of  assassin  Tories,  175 
Thomas,  E.  A.,  65,  505 

George,  514 

Tobey,  William  H.,  19;  200;  trustee 

of  Academy,  288,  290,  291 ;  director 

and   president   L'nion   Bank,   302; 

presented  with  a  silver  ser\-ice,  303 ; 

sketch  of,  431,  500,  507,  548,  550 
Tompkins,  Justice  D.D.,  opinion  in 

great  land  case,  84 

Rev.  S.  De  G.,  465,  525 

Topographic  elevations,  22 
Town  clerks,  551.  552 
Town  officials,  210,  211,  214 
Town  Records,  210  ff. 
Townsend,  Dr.  Franklin,  441,  460 
Geo.  Alfred,  his  description  of 

Lindenwald  quoted,  377 
Tracey,  Geo.  W.,  516 
Training  days,  163,  265  ff.,  483 
"  Trip  a  tro'p  a  troonijes,"  366 
Trouw-Boeck,  105,  106 
Trustees,   Academy,   286,   288,   290, 

291;  District  schools,  285,  295  ff. 
Tr}-on  and  Granger,  388 
Turnpikes,  Rensselaer  and  Columbia, 

326;  Chatham,  326 


U 


Union  Free  School,  K.,  297,  298 
L'''nited  States  officials  from  K.,  547, 

548 
Unquiet  times,  129 


570 


Index 


Valatie,  Indian  name  of,  19;  pro- 
nunciation of,  19;  elevation,  22; 
incorporation  of,  33;  first  officials, 

34 
Valatie  Weekly  Times,  220 
Validation  of  titles,  act  for,  68 
Van  Alen,  Adam,  his  homestead,  360 

Evert,  his  homestead,  363 

Isaac  P.,  359,  529 

James  L,  213,  352,  547,  549,  550 

Dr.  John  A.,  450 

John     E.,   field    books     of   and 

surveys  by,  34  ff.,  60,  363 

Capt.  John  I.,  482.  521 

Lourens,    59;   buys    De    Bruyn 

patent  and  devises  it  to  his  child- 
ren, 69;  his  grandchildren  sub- 
divide, 71;  deed  of  De  Bruyn  to, 

539 

Lucas  I.,  73.  358,  372 

Lucas  L.,  443 

Peter  L.,  364 

Pieter,  53,  54,  55,  94 

Schuyler,  John,  384,  482 

Stephen,  his  homestead,  358 

Van  Alens,  homesteads  of  the,  358  ff. 
Van  Alstine,  John  P.,  71 

Colonel  Philip,  70,  183,  190 

Philip,  70;  sketch  of,  444 

Van  Alstyne,  Abraham,  70,  153 

Abraham  (2d),  355 

Abraham,  J.,  sent  to  Woodberry, 

136,  160;  at  Cherry  Valley,  190; 
sends  men  to  Fort  Arnold,  190; 
Captain  Moodie  writes  to  Gov- 
ernor Clinton  about,  191;  the 
Governor  writes  to,  191;  he  replies, 
192;  his  house,  385 

Adam,  300,  355,  356 

Alexander,  deed  to,  65 

Andrew,  529 

Barent,  95,  303,  354,  527 

C.  B.,  526 

Edward,  95,  307,  354,  356 

Edward  P.,  95,  302,  307,  354, 

355 

P.  Bion,  71,  307,  506 

Franklin  B.,  97,  302,  308,  343, 

506 

Hugh,  95,  301,  305,  354,  355,  522 

James,  95,  354,  529 

Jane,  95,  147,  352,  525 

Jan  Martense,  Jannetje  Powell 

sells  land  to,  48,  94,  95,  354 

Joseph  T.,  529 

Lambert  Jansen,  55,  96 


P.  Edward,  199,  201,  232,  305, 

306,  548 

Thomas,  96 

Dr.  Thomas,  96 

William  B.,  355,  358 

Van  Buren,  Abraham,  427;  his  inn, 
386,  487;  inscription  on  his  monu- 
ment, 521 

Abraham  (son  of  Martin),  427 

John,  427 

J.  Howard,  97 

Rev.  John  M.,  465 

Lawrence,  230,  300,  427,   513, 

547.551 

Martin,  and  Queen  Adelaide,  7; 

84;  inauguration  festival,  247  flf.; 
the  great  barbecue,  250  ff.;  recep- 
tion at  K.  of  the  ex-President, 
259  ff.;  Democratic  successes  of 
'42,  264;  sketch  of,  413  ff.;  492, 

547.  548,  549,  550 
Vandenbergh,  Arent,  52 
Vanderpoel,  Aaron    {'' K.  Roarer"), 

246,  249,  379,  549,  550 

Aaron  J.,  102,  104,  sketch  of,  442 

Barent,  70 

James,  102,  243,  247,  353,  376, 

379, 550 
Dr.  John,    102,   248,  254,   339, 

452,522 
Melgert,  Barent,  and  Jacobus, 

70, lOI 
Dr.  Samuel  Oakley,  102;  sketch 

of,  452 
Van    Deusen,   Johannes,   owns   land 

in  Valatie,  55,  69,  340 
Van  Dyck,  Dr.  A.  H.,  sketch  of,  455 

Arent,  71,  272,  448 

Rev.  C.  L.,  465 

Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Alen,  311; 

sketch  of,  466  ff.,  498 
Henry  H.,  sketch  of,  475;  goes 

to  sea,  484,  548 
Henry  L.  M.  D.,  368;  sketch  of, 

454 

John  A.,  360,  504 

Lawrence,   219,  233,  234,  483, 

507 

Rev.  Lawrence  H.,  465 

Van  Epps,  A.  D.,  509 
Van  Meteren,  Emanuel,  quoted,  3,  4 
Van  Ness,  Abraham,  murder  of,  175 
CorneHus  P.,  sketch  of,  395  ff., 

547, 548  . 

Francis,  301 

Gertrude  P.,  writes  to  Cornelia 

T.  Clinton,  393 
Jesse,  71 


Ind 


ex 


571 


Van  Ness,  John,  64;  survey  for,  66 

John  P.,  sketch  of,  394,  547 

Peter,   102,  nominated  delegate 

and  senator,  216;  sketch  of,  391  ff., 

547  fif- 
WiUiam  P.,  sketch  of,  394,  549, 

550 

Van  Rensselaer,  John,  claims  much 
of  K.  territory,  80;  petition  against, 
80,  82 

Van  Santvoord,  Harold,  301;  sketch 

of,  435 
George,  addresses  K.  Lyceum, 

227,  288;  sketch  of,  432  ff.,  491,  549 

Seymour,  sketch  of,  426  ff . 

Van    Schaack,    Claas,    Dominicus, 

Arent,  Lourens,  and  Emanuel,  100 

Cornelius,  loi,  151,  153,  367 

David  (ist),   159,  187,  217, 

David     (2d),    221,    230,     243; 

sketch  of,  409,  507,  547 

David  (3d),  409 

EHas,  61,  62,  100,  101 

Gerrit,  60 

Henry,     168,    323;    sketch    of, 

406  ff. 

Henry   Cruger,   sketch  of,   411 

John  Jay,  409 

Lawrence,  petitions  for  a  patent, 

59 

Dr.  Lucas,  sketch  of,  455 

Manton,  289,  348 

Peter,     writes    to    Rev.    John 

Vardill,  165;  member  of  war 
committees,  166;  Professor  Flick 
writes  of,  179;  restored  to  citizen- 
ship, 180;  writes  of  peace,  195; 
nominated  as  convention  delegate, 
216;  sketch  of,  400  ff. 

Peter  (2d),  establishes  K.'s  first 

newspaper,  218,  219,  228,  494,  507 

Peter  C,  cemetery  bequest,  348 

Van  Slyck,  Bart.,  527 

Peter,  519 

Van  Valkenburgh,  John,  John  H., 
Andrew  and  Sylvester,  528 

H.H.,  35 

Lambert,  35 

Peter,  35 

William,  522 

Van  Vleck,  Abraham  I.,  305,  326,  345 

Henry    and    Aaron,    286,    345, 

347,  481,  518,  525 

Peter,  482 

Peter  H.  and  the  Rough  Notes, 

219,  240, 342, 514 
Van  Vleg  (Vleck),  Paulus,  in  trouble, 

138 


Van  Volkenburgh,  James  G.,  385 

John  J.,  300,  385 

Vcersteg,  Dingman,  95 

Village  of  K.,  charter  election,  230 

Vley,  the,  491 

Vosburgh,  Geertruy,  129 

Isaac  and  Jacob,  63,  98 

Peter  I.,    184;    commands   9th 

regiment,  196;  ordered  to  White- 
hall, 197,  243 

Pieter,  54,  56,  63,  91 

homestead  and    Myndert    P.'s, 

383;  Lambert's,  384 


W 


Wachcanossoonsick,  19 

Wadsworth,  Rev.  Benjamin,  45; 
visits  K.,  141 

Wagoner,  Adam  E.,  378,  511 

Elmer,  92,  511 

Erastus,  92,  511 

Sylvester,  511 

Wait,  William,  129,  359,  514 

Wampum,  15  ff. 

War,  the  Civil,  political  campaign  of 
i860,  198;  after  the  surrender  of 
Fort  Sumter,  199;  minutes  of  the 
pubHc  meeting,  199  ff.;  enlist- 
ments, 201 ;  Captain  Pruyn's  com- 
pany, 202;  in  Colonel  Cowles's 
regiment,  203 

of  1 812,  David  Bid  well's  service, 

196;  Columbia  Co.  cavalry,  196 

with    Spain,    Captain     J.     W. 

Philip,  203;  Ernest  Keelcr,  203; 
Herbert  Kliller,  203;  Francisco 
De  Quirones,  203 

Warden,  Daniel  B.,  natural  history 
of  K.,  26;  principal  of  the  Academy, 
284 

Waterbury,  Dr.  R.  C,  463 

Waterfalls,  25 

Waterworks,  V.,  339 

Watson,  Alexander,  principal  of 
Academy,  289,  290,  500 

Wattawit,  10;  sells  land  to  Evert 
Luycasscn,  48,  54;  owned  much 
land,  57;  in  need,  134 

Webber,  Josiah,  382,  483 

Weed,  William,  517 

Well,  at  K.,  213;  at  Millvile,  213 

Wendover,  Christopher  H.,  301,  340, 
520 

Stephen  H.,  303,  548 

Dr.  W.  W.,  464 

Wessels,  Dirck,  48,  53,  54,  91,  94,  149 

West  India  Co.,  charter  of,  41 


572 


Index 


Westinghook  Patent,  48,  82 
Wheeler,    Dr.   J.   T.,   his  tribute  to 

Dr.  P.  V.  S.  Pruyn,  461 
White,  George,  survey  for,  65 
Whiting,    Gen.    Charles,    stocks    K. 

Lake,  23;  148,  221;  advertises  in- 

formingly,   231,   245;  builds,   382; 

buys  Elmhurst,  381,  494,  510 
Wilcoxson,  John,  199,  201,  228,  230, 

365.  366,  372 
• Julius,  224,  243,  289,  361,  381, 

549, 550 
Wild,  Alfred,  32 

Charles,  278 

James,  207,  481 

■ Nathan,  207,  243,  302,  340,  481 

Robert,  338,  517 

Wilder,  Asaph,  388,  441 

Wilkins,  Geo.  W.,  294,  307,  309,  524 

William  of  Orange,  signers  of  oath  of 

allegiance  to,  103 
Wills  of  K.  people,  68;  a  specimen, 

538 


Winans,  Henry,  287 

W.  H.,  reminiscences  of  K.,  481 

Witbeck,  A.  V.  D.,  374,  502,  514 
Wogasheuachook  (K.  Lake),  19 
Wolves,  157 

Wood,  Fernando,  speaks  in  K.,  199 
Woodcocks,  Dirck,  survey  for,  65 
Woodmen,      Modern     of     America, 

Valatie  Camp,  No.  13,328,  309 
Wynkoop,  Augustus,  220,  281,  290, 

368, 369 
Augustus    W.,    301,    306,    307, 

527 

Henry  S,,  527 

John  C,  Tories  burn  his  house, 

176;  sketch  of,  412,  524 
Rev.  Peter  S.,  465 


Yankee,  possible  derivation,  129 
Yates  and  Moulton,  cited,  4 
York,  Duke  of,  laws  of,  12,  163 


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