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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
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THE ANNALS OF ALBANY
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THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
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ENDOWED BY THE DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES
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UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL
00009154577
Mi
V. 10
THE
ANNALS OF ALBANY.
BY JOEL MUNSELL.
VOL. X.
Reel 4/15/21
ALBANY: MUNSELL & ROWLAND, PRINTERS. 1859.
TENTH VOLUME
CONCLUDING AND GENERAL ADDRESS
TO THE READER.
Agreeably to the announcement made in the last volume, this work is now brought to a close. Although ten volumes have been published, they are very far from containing all that has been writ- ten, not to mention what remains unwritten, on the opkomst, aan- was en geschiedenis-the origin, progress, and history, of Albany.
A peculiar and unique interest attaches to Albany, as the eldest born of existing settlements in the original United States : and, during the entire two and a half centuries that have elapsed since her origin, she has not ceased to be regarded as a place of public consideration and importance. In the Colonial times, Albany was the great entrepot of the Indian trade. Here the lordly Iroquois met their white brethren in council ; and treaties were entered into, and leagues were formed. And here, under the leadership of Frank- lin, the assembled delegates of the different colonies first learned to exercise the confederated power that, some thirty years later, achieved their independence of all foreign rule. And, on the sur- rounding hills, or covering the lowlands by the river side, here were gathered and marshaled those brilliant hosts, that marched forth to contest, with various fortune but final success, the French supremacy in America. And, as the patriotic statesmen of the Colonies had
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Concluding and General Address.
here essayed their nascent powers, so here did the youthful Provin- cial chivalry first learn to emulate the strict discipline and trained courage of their veteran companions in arms, the gallant soldiers of England. And years after, when marching to the national air they here first appropriated as their own, they met their former allies on the battle field, they showed that the lessons thus commenced had not been learned in vain. In truth, the history of Colonial Albany is filled with brilliant scenes and soul-stirring memories. Nor is the Albany of the Revolution deficient in similar, and, for us, prouder pictures. When to Albany the army of Burgoyne was led captive, from the glorious field of Saratoga, the first great suc- cess of the war was achieved ; and the happy event of the struggle, though distant, became assured. The writer regrets that he has only been able to indicate scenes, that would afford the fullest scope to the life-giving pencil of the historian. And, warned by his limited space, he must turn to a homelier theme - yet one that is not wanting in deep interest to many of his readers.
Earlier travelers have presented the inhabitants of Albany in a light far from flattering ; and Irving's gracefully humorous pen has scattered far and wide, ridiculous pictures of the race that long constituted the great bulk of the population. The Dutch require no defense at our hands. If Irving's amusing sallies have some- what lowered the popular appreciation of the Dutch character, another American of English blood has more than atoned for the wrong. The brightest chaplet woven in honor of Holland and her people, has, in our day, been laid upon the altar of Fame by the New Englander, MOTLEY.
As regards the faults of the early inhabitants of Albany, we may well pause, when we witness the vices that, even in this enlightened day, seem inseparable from the prosecution of the Indian trade; and, learning humility from the sight, we can not fail to extend the broad mantle of charity over the misdeeds of the rude burgers of another age. But, if need be, there are other arguments to be urged in extenuation of the unpolished manners and other short-comings of our predecessors. Lying on the very verge of civilization, for a
*
V
Concluding and General Address.
long time in her history, trade and self-defence were the paramount objects of solicitude with the people of Albany. It could hardly be expected that such an outpost would become eminent for luxury and refinement, while surrounded by innumerable perils. The town that was " really the frontier of all North America" (p. 107), could not neglect the trade to which it owed its origin, or the vigilance necessary to its existence, in order to indulge in the sophisticated pursuits of a community surrounded by all the blandishments of peace, and ease, and plenty. And finally, when the danger, to which they had become roughly inured, was removed, it could not reasonably be anticipated that these sturdy men would, at once, become shining examples of refinement - that wealth in beaver skins would at once give place to wealth in letters.
But years have passed since those " troublous times ;" and it is believed that during the interval the progress of Albany, in every thing that elevates and adorns civilized life, has been commensurate with that of her neighbors. Literature, science, and the arts have many votaries in our midst ; and recent travelers, as well as the assembled scientific magnates of the Union, have not failed to bear testimony to the elegant, refined, and generous hospitality, of the citizens of Albany.
It gives the editor much pleasure that he is able to close this sketch by an extract from the Illustrated London News of Jan. 15, 1859, fully sustaining the opinion above expressed. The extract is from the " Transatlantic Sketches," addressed to the News by its editor, the distinguished poet and cultivated gentleman, Dr. CHARLES MACKAY, during a recent tour through the United States.
" Travelling thus on the left bank of the river for upwards of one hundred miles, I arrived at Albany, and betook myself to Congress Hall, in the upper part of the city. This hotel was recommended to me as an establishment much frequented by mem- bers of the two houses of the legislature, who here in the capital of the " Empire State," undertake the local government of a common- wealth almost as large as England, and nearly doubly as populous
vi
Concluding and General Address.
as Scotland. I had no reason to repent my choice, and during a residence of ten days was enabled to see the Senators in déshabillé, and to learn something of the mode and the agencies by which public and private bills are brought into and carried through par- liament in an ultra democracy. Albany - beautifully situated on ground rising steeply from the banks of the Hudson - contains about fifty thousand inhabitants, and is one of the most attractive, cleanly, well-ordered, and elegant cities of America. Though overshadowed by the commercial greatness of New York, which in this respect it can never hope to rival, it is, next to Washington, the greatest focus of political life within the limits of the confederacy. Between the commercial and the political capital of this great state (which it has recently been proposed to call Ontario instead of New York), there is a great contrast. New York city is busy, unscrupulous, energetic, ill-governed, full of rowdyism, and the most violent manifestations of mob-law and mob-caprice ; but Albany is staid, decent, and orderly. The tone of society is quiet and aristocratic ; and the whole appearance of the place gives the traveller an idea of wealth and refinement. Further acquaintance only tends to confirm the impression. State street -- at the top of which, in the Park, a beautiful open space, adorned with noble elms and maples, stand the Capitol and other principal public buildings - rises steeply from the water's edge to the crown of the hill. It is a broad and handsome thoroughfare, and at various points commands a picturesque view over the Hudson to the lofty green hills beyond. Albany is a place of considerable trade and manufacture. It produces very excellent cabinet-work of all kinds, and is particularly celebrated for its stoves, grates, and ornamental iron-work. It has two, if not three daily newspapers, and a flourish- ing literary and scientific institution. The Roman Catholic Cathe- dral is internally one of the largest and most magnificent ecclesi- astical edifices in America. Here high mass is sometimes performed with a splendor and completeness, orchestral and vocal, not to be excelled even in Paris or Vienna, and to which London, as far as I know, can make no pretentions. Albany is the proposed site of
vii
Concluding and General Address.
what promises to be the noblest observatory in America, to the foundation of which the public spirit of a private citizen (if the term be applicable to a lady) has contributed the sum of 80,000 dollars."
The editor will not apologize for the length of this extract, for he feels that it can not but prove both interesting and agreeable to his readers. He must, however, beg that they will bear him com- pany a little longer, while he turns aside to speak of the work completed with the present volume.
He has been told by friends, who sympathize with the feelings that prompted the undertaking, that it is due, as well to his readers as to himself, that he should give a sketch of the origin and pro- gress of the work, and of the difficulties that have made it incum- bent on him to bring it to a close, while so rich a store of materials for the history of Albany yet remains unpublished to the world. Guided by the judgment of these - perhaps too partial - friends, he will conclude this notice by giving a concise bibliographical account of the Annals of Albany. The very nature of the subject requiring that he should speak of himself - of his trials, troubles and disap- pointments - he trusts that his readers, with a generous indulgence, will pardon the seeming egotism with which he confides to them the story of his personal connection with the work.
This work was begun as an annual almanac in the year 1849. It was soon evident that its more costly bulk, and the limited circle of patrons to whom its purely local character commended it, would forbid the hope of its competing with the various general almanacs, scattered cheaply over the land. But the editor still believed that a work of more permanent character, addressed to the restrospective curiosity - the historic instincts - of his fellow-citizens, would meet with, at least, an adequate support. New material was therefore added to that already collected, and, in 1850, the first volume of the Annals appeared. The anticipations of the editor and publisher were not realized; but being somewhat deeply imbued with the antiquarian spirit, and still hopeful that a responsive feeling might be awakened by his very efforts, he continued his labors; and
viii
Concluding and General Address.
volume after volume was produced. At length it became but too evident that such hopes were illusory and vain. It will surprise many of his readers to learn that the whole body of his patrons, at home and abroad, numbered but little more than one hundred. And a very limited acquaintance with the book trade will be sufficient to assure them that one hundred dollars will fall far short of the simple cost of the engravings, paper, printing, and binding -even of a book so little pretentious to typographical luxuriousness as is the one they are now perusing. His not too plethoric purse admonished the editor that he must bring his labors to a close. And it only became a question with him how to round off the series in a manner that would not disappoint the kind friends who, at the outset, bid - ding him God speed, had ever since welcomed his annnal offerings. He would not wish to leave a fragmentary and altogether incom - plete work upon their hands: and lie has continued the series until now that he can close it without dishonor. This tenth volume completes the Notes from the Newspapers, to the year 1847, when the annual chronicle of the work commenced. And having thus pre- sented a continuous chronology of the principal events, as found in the newspapers, for the past eighty-eight years (from 1771 to 1859), the editor trusts that he may be permitted to retire from his labors, with the friendly sympathy and kind adieus of those who have accompanied him on his way.
He regrets that the transcripts from the City Records must re- main incomplete, terminating as they do, with the year 1753. They were begun in the second volume with the year 1686, when the charter was received from Gov. Dongan, and have been published nearly entire, embracing a period of almost seventy years. These records are preserved in the Chamberlain's office, but are not wholly safe from the danger of loss, and having no indexes, they are as a sealed book to those who wish to consult them. The portions yet unpublished comprise the periods of the old French war, and of the Revolution ; and they abound with valuable and most interesting historical matter. Let us hope that some future board of the Common Council will undertake the task - which proved
ix
Concluding and General Address.
too great for the unaided means of the writer - of presenting to the world a complete edition of the City Records of Albany.
Should these volumes at any future time, fall into the hands of a stranger, the editor and publisher trusts that the statement here given will account for and excuse such imperfections as may exist. Had his enterprise received a more liberal support, it would have delighted him to secure to the work a higher grade of literary labor, to embellish it with more expensive illustrations, and to issue it to his patrons, a specimen of sumptuous typography. But it was not to be. As strict economy required, the literary labor devolved almost wholly upon himself.
But he will not dwell upon the hours stolen from that repose rendered necessary by the toilsome avocations of the day, and de- voted to turning over the dusty files of old newspapers, or to the deciphering of the crabbed writings of a past generation. He will not speak of days of rest passed among the tombs, and employed in copying the brief mementos of those sleeping their last sleep beneath. Nor will he complain of these tasks, for they have, in- deed, been labors of love.
Perhaps, in after years, when his own form has long lain mould- ering in the dust, some kindred spirits will pleasantly recall his memory, and thank him for these memorials of the past he has helped to rescue from oblivion. In dreams like these the antiquary finds his cherished, though unsubstantial recompense.
ALBANY, April 12, 1859.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Second Ref. Prot. Dutch Church, Front. Public Stocks, 106
Fac-simile of the Signature of Thomas Seger, 160
Dutch Church in State Street, 218
Ancient Costume, 218
Exchange Building, 263
Portrait of Charles E. Dudley, 310
Portrait of Thomas Hastings Cushman, 322
Agave Americana, 332, 335
Stanwix Hall, 354
Portrait of Abraham Van Vechten 382
Vegetable Market, 416
St. Peter's Church, 427
Church of Holy Innocents, 432
Third Ref. Prot. Dutch Church, 440
CONTENTS.
- -
The City Records, 9
Freedoms Purchased in 1781, 153
Ancient Burial Ground, 154
Agreement with the Wharf Association
155
Warranty Deed of a Negro Sweep,
156
- Bill of Sale of Pompey, a Slave, to the Corporation, 157 Opening of Ferry Street, 158
Proposals for Keeping the Watch, 1787,
159
Common Council Address to the Public on the Great Fire of 1793, 160
Fast Day Recommended by the Clergy on account of the Fire of 1797, 161
A Corporation Bill for Punch, 161 .
Geology of Albany County,
162
The City's Ancient Ravines,
167
Scraps from the Dutch Records,
170
Macauley's Account of Albany, .
172
Random Recollections, 189
Reminiscences of Albany by Elkanah Watson, 219 Petition of Rev. G. Dellius for payment of Services, 223 Notes from the Newspapers, 225
xii
Contents.
Abraham Van Vechten, . . 382
Albany, its Prospects and Advantages, 384
Census of Albany County in 1840, . 398
Notices of the Winters, 1789 to 1831, 401
Annals of the Year 1858,. 406
Church of the Holy Innocents, 432
Third Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, 440
Memoir of John Lovett, 450
Index, 451
ANNALS OF ALBANY.
THE CITY RECORDS.
Continued from vol. ix, p. 80.
Att a Common Council held in the City hall of Albany, this 10th Day of July, 1731-Present, John De Pey- ster, Esq. Mayor, Dirck Ten Broeck, Esq. Recorder, Ryer Gerritse, Tobyas Ryckman, Cornelius Cuyler, Johannis Roseboom, Jun'r, Samuel Pruyn, Esqrs., aldermen, Johannis Van Ostrander, Johannis Vischer, Jun'r, Nicholas Bleecker, Jun'r, Isaac Lansingh, as- sistants.
A Petition of Jan Oothout is delivered in this Common Council and the same is taken into consideration.
An account of several measures received from New York for this city, amounting to the sum of one pound seventeen shillings and ten pence, being as follows :
a Gill £0 2
6
a Pint
0
4 0
a Quart 0
6 6
a & gallon 0 12 0
a Stamping the same 0 0 10
a Beam
- 0 12 0
£1 17 10
Ordered that Barent Bratt pay the same to the mayor to send the same down to New York.
1731, July 20 .- Whereas an Express came down out of the name of Shaims of the Indian Castell of jenon- derogo desired the Commonality to meet the Shaims at the Castell in the time of five or six days, for that the [ Annals, x.] 2
10
The City Records.
Shaims and the rest of the Indians of said Castell where willing and desireus as to make a gift to the said Com- monality of the wood Land joyning behynd the Low or Meddoland of Jenonderogo which they heretefore have given in trost to the sd Commonality.
Whereupon it is Resolved that John De Peyster, Esq., mayor, Johannis Roseboom, Jun'r, Esqr., Alderman, Jo- hannis Vischer, Jun'r, Gerrit Lansingh, Jun'r and Nich- olas Bleecker, Jun'r, Ass'ts, being apointed a comitte to goo to the said Moquas country and have full power to act with said Indians for the most beneficial for this city. And that each person of the above named comitte shall have for their service six shillings per day so long as they are upon that service, besides all reasonable charges and six shillings more each on the whole for the horse, and that they take up along with them (viz.) four gallons Rum, two gallons Wine, four pounds Sugger and six pounds Tobaco.
It is agreed with Mr. Johannis E. Wendell to goo along with the said comitte to the Moquas country as an inter- pretor and is to have as much as the above appointed comitte, that is (viz.) six shillings a Day so long as they are upon that service and six shillings more upon the whole for the horse.
1731, August 2 .- An account of severall waights re- ceived from New York for this city, amounting to the sum of one pound three shillings and nine pence, being as follows (viz.)
one ps. of -
4 1b.
one do. of . .
2
one do. of
.
1
one do. of
1 one do. of an ounce.
In all 72 1b. & one ounce a 3s. per lb. £129
for staming the same -
010
£1 39 Ordered that Barent Bratt pay the same to the mayor to send the same down to New York.
-
11
The City Records.
1731, September 2 .- It is Resolved that a Letter be sent down to New York to the Representatives of this city and county, desireing them to Intest for an act of general assembly for to make some stoon pints and Block- houses round this city in such convenient places as this Commonality shall think fitt.
It is ordered that Barent Bratt, city Treasurer, do pay unto Gerret Van Benthuyse the sum of eleven shillings and six pence, it being for wood delivered for ye Watch.
A Petition of Harmanus Ryckman is delivered for this Common Council and the same is referred till next meet- ing.
1731, Sept. 18. That whereas Mr. John Cuyler and Evert Wendell have taken ground into their possession properly belonging to this city, therefore this board have promised Mr. Edwd Collins thirty shillings for a retain- ing fee agst all persons as also 30s. agt Mr. Cuyler and the like sum agt Mr. Wendell.
That whereas Mr. Hend Bries has preferred a Petition to this board, praying to have the first offer to purchase a piece of vacant ground lying on the north side of st Bries's dwelling house and lott, running along the same, it is therefore resolved to take the same into considera- tion at our next meeting.
Whereas James Stenhouse has wrote some particular writeings for the service of this city, ordered therefore that at our next meeting we grant an order to Barent Bratt, our Treasurer, to pay sd James Stenhouse four- teen shillings.
1731, Sept. 22. A Petition of Joseph Yates, Jun'r, Jeremiah Mendivel and Petrus Ryckman is delivered in this Common Council and the same is referred till next meeting.
It is ordered that Barent Bratt, city Treasurer, do pay unto James Stenhouse the sum of fourteen shillings, it being for some service done for this Commonality.
It is likewise ordered that Barent Bratt, city Treasurer,
12
The City Records.
do pay unto Gysbert Van Sante, Dirck Marten and Ja- cobus Hilton, each of them the sum of one pounds ten shillings, it being for service done by them for goeing down to New York and back again, for service as aforesd for this Commonality.
Whereas Evert Wendell has taken in with a fence some of the city ground lying on the north side of the Beavers kill and to the west of the fence of the wedow Casperse, without leafe or leysence of the Commonality, and he being required to take up the said fence between this and to morrow at twelf a clock, and if he neglect so to do, it is ordered that two fitt persons (to wit) Jacobus Hilton and Richart Martin shall be appointed to cutt and take down the said fence and we do promise to indemnify the said persons.
Whereas Johannis Cuyler has taken in with a fence some of the city ground lying on the north side of the lott where the said Cuyler now lives and fronting the street which leads up the hill to the Pearle street, oppo- site to the House of David Groesbeeck, it is therefore ordered that two fitt persons (to witt) Jacobus Hilton and Richart Martin be appointed to cut and take down the said fence, and the same persons shall be indemnified by us.
1731, Sept. 23. Whereas Mr. Johannis Cuyler has desired some further time upon the above resolution of yesterday, and it is considered by this Common Council to give further time to take up his fence between this and next Thursday the 30th instant, otherwise that the above Resolution shall be put in execution by the above named persons or some others which shall be appointed.
1731, Sept. 29. In persuance of the directions of the Charter of the city of Albany, two aldermen, two ass'ts and one constable being chosen this day in each respect- ive ward of the sd city by pluralitys of votes by the in- habitants of each respective wards who have rite to chuse and return being made who are as follows:
13
The City Records.
First Ward.
Aldermen. Assistants.
Ryer Gerritse, Isaac Lansing,
Tobyas Ryckman. Joha's Van Ostrander.
John Olver, Jun., Constable.
Second Ward.
Cornelius Cuyler, Joha's I. Beeckman,
Joha's Roseboom, Jun. Nicholas Bleecker, Jun.
Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Constable.
Third Ward.
Samuel Pruyn, Gerrit Lansingh, Jun.,
Jacob Lansingh. Johannis Visger, Jun.
Hendrick Gerritse, Constable.
Barent Bratt chosen and appointed City Chamberlain or Treasurer for this insueing year.
Petrus Ryckman appointed high Constable for the in- sueing year.
1731, October 7. It is Resolved that the Resolution of the 22d & 23d of September last past shall be put in execution forthwitt by such persons as shall be appointed which are appointed accordingly (viz.), Gysbert Van Sante and Jeremiah Pemberton, to cutt and take down the fences mentioned in the aforesaid Resolutions and the Commonality do promise to indemnify the above said persons.
Resolved that an ordinance be made and published consearning the Regulations for the Market-house and places in this city, and which sd ordinance is to be entered in the book of ordinances kept to that porpose.
1731, Oct. 9. The Ordinance for the regulating and the markets and appointing the places where publishd this day and ordered to be entred in the Book ordinances kept for that porpose.
The severall accounts as Debts due from the Corpora- tion to the severall persons hereunder named where ex- amined and allowed amounting in the whole to the sum of one hundred and twenty-three pounds one shilling and three pence.
14
The City Records.
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