Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 11

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452


USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 11


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216 | Part 217 | Part 218 | Part 219 | Part 220 | Part 221 | Part 222 | Part 223 | Part 224 | Part 225 | Part 226 | Part 227 | Part 228 | Part 229 | Part 230 | Part 231 | Part 232 | Part 233 | Part 234 | Part 235 | Part 236 | Part 237 | Part 238 | Part 239 | Part 240 | Part 241 | Part 242 | Part 243 | Part 244 | Part 245 | Part 246 | Part 247 | Part 248 | Part 249 | Part 250 | Part 251 | Part 252 | Part 253 | Part 254 | Part 255 | Part 256 | Part 257 | Part 258 | Part 259 | Part 260 | Part 261 | Part 262


1872 ; Samuel J. Tilden, 1874 ; Lucius Robinson, 1876 ; Alonzo B. Cornell, 1880; Grover Cleve- land, 1883 ; David B. Hill, 1885.


The population of the colony and State of New York was, in 1698, 18,067 ; 1703, 20,665; 1723, 40,564 ; 1731, 50,824 ; 1737, 60,437; 1746, 61,589 ; 1749, 73,348 ; 1756, 96,790; 1771, 163,337 ; 1790, 340, 120; 1800, 586,756; 1810, 959,049 ; 1820, 1,372,812 ; 1830, 1,918,608 ; 1840, 2,428,921 ; 1850, 3,097, 394 ; 1860, 3,880,- 735 ; 1870, 4,382,759 ; 1880, 5,084, 173.


Of the total population there were in 1790, 21, 324 slaves ; in 1800, 33, 343; 1810, 15,017; 1820, 10,088; 1830, 75; 1840, 4.


HISTORY


OF THE


COUNTY OF ALBANY.


WRITTEN AND EDITED BY


PROF. JONATHAN TENNEY, PH.D.


TOPOGRAPHY.


THE County of Albany, one of the original ten counties of the present State of New York, bears the name of the Scotch title of the Duke of York and Albany, afterwards King James II. of England. It was incorporated under Gov. Thomas Dongan, November 1, 1683, and confirmed October 1, 1691. It is situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, about 165 miles from its sources in the Adirondacks, and 168 miles from its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean, reckoning from the Mohawk. It lies at the head of tide water, and of sloop and steamboat navigation. Its latitude is between 42" 23' and 42º 49' N. Its longitude is between 2" 40' and 3º 15' E. from Washington, and 15' and 20' W. from New York City. Its extent, east and west, is about 25 miles ; north and south, 22 miles. It has an area of about 544 square miles, or 348, 160 acres. Its northern and southern boundaries are nearly parallel, and its western boundary, throughout its whole extent, is under- stood to run equidistant from the course of the Hudson River in all its windings.


LAND SURFACE.


The land surface of the county is strikingly diver- sified. Alluvial flats, varying from about a quarter of a mile to one mile in breadth, lie along the Hud- son, from which hills arise, by slopes now gentle, now abrupt, to an elevation of from 100 to 200 feet. From these extend undulating plains, varied by fields of sand and clay, small marshes and ravines made by the waterways, until the foot of the Helderbergs is reached on the west, making a total rise of from 400 to 800 feet above the tides. Then come these Helderberg hills, rising from 300 to 1,000 feet higher, and often forming a precipitous wall of 100 feet or more. There are no isolated peaks to these hills. Beyond, sloping gradually toward the west and south, are irregular and rocky plateaus in the towns of Berne and Rensselaerville.


Along the Mohawk the land is broken and rugged. Rocky ridges, deep gullies and hills and plains of clay and sand, are abundant throughout the county.


The highest elevation in the county is at the place called the "Helderberg Station" of the United States Coast Survey, a location which ought to have a more distinctive name. Its sum- mit is 1,823 feet above sea level. It lies in the town of New Scotland. The Helderberg Hills are a leading feature of the county, whether we consider their prominence, their geological struc- ture, or their relation to soil and climate. Their "romantic wooded rock scenery, dark caverns, sprayey waterfalls, varied landscape and accessible mountain grandeur render them of interest to the artist, author, student, poet, tourist and rusticator," says Colvin.


GEOGRAPHY.


HILLS .- The name Helderberg signifies Clear Mountain. Its hills and ranges connect with the Catskills, of which they are outlying spurs. They are a continuation of the Allegany Moun- tains, running northerly across our county, and a part of the great Appalachian system to which belong the Adirondacks, the Green Moun- tains and the White Hills. No description of these hills so graphic as that written by Verplanck Colvin, of Albany, and published in Harper's "Monthly Magazine," for October, 1869, has yet been seen or read. He tells you of their dark, gray cliffs, their fearful overhanging precipices, their rock-filled gorges, their gloomy recesses untrodden by man, their dripping rocks, their domes and dark intricate caverns, their waterfalls that drop into caves, and, after subterranean flow, appear again as tributaries to larger streams ; of their sequestered dens, once the resort of savage beasts and more savage Indians and Tories ; of the Indian trail and Indian ladder ; of shell-covered cliffs and limestone rocks charged with fossils that tell us


13


GEOGRAPHY.


that once they formed beds of the old ocean. As- cending the summits, he shows you the sutured plateaus and the splendid scene in the widespread panorama of field and forest and distant hills around you.


The learned Sir Charles Lyell, of England, visited this region and viewed its varied wonders with amazement, and spoke of them as a new world, forgotten by men of science, abounding in striking peculiarities worthy of close study. Dr. Markle remembers his remark that the "Helderbergs are a key to the geology of North America. "


Recently they are much visited, and are becoming a favorite summer resort to the weary student and the tired and stifled denizens of the city, as well as to the appreciative lover of nature. Better facilities for access to them, and pleasant homes upon their slopes and summits, are now provided.


There are other hills in the county that "have a local habitation and a name," as Cedar Hill, in Bethlehem; Mossy and Gedney Hills, in Coeymans ; Grippy and Irish Hills, in Berne ; Sittles Hill, in Knox ; Bennett's, Mount Pleasant and Copeland's Hills, in New Scotland-all spurs or elevations of the Helderbergs.


ISLANDS .- In the acts establishing the river boundary of Albany County all islands in the Hud- son that are nearest the western shore are included in our county of Albany. There are several of these, some of which are of considerable importance. Of these Van Rensselaer's or Westerlo Island is the largest, containing about 160 acres of fertile land, adapted to garden culture, producing fine crops in favorable seasons. The northern part is occupied by extensive iron works. Its lower grounds are subject to the heavy floods. In May, 1833, it was occupied by eleven farms, which were overflowed, causing a damage of $6,000 to the crops. It is recorded, in October, 1850, that it had been flooded eight times that year. Historically, this is our oldest island. To say nothing of the tra- ditionary occupation by Spanish or French adven- turers, at an earlier date, which, if true, is of little importance, as they left no name and no trace in our history, we are certain that Hendrick Corstiaen- sen, in 1614, with his companions, occupied the island, under the patronage of the United New Netherlands Company, for the purpose of trading in furs, and remained until the spring floods destroyed their works. Then they removed further down on elevated grounds, near the mouth of the Normanskill. It is said that they erected a stockade as a defense against the Indians, with whom they


carried on a profitable trade. This fortification was about 50 feet square, surrounded by a moat 18 feet wide, defended by 11 stone guns and 2 can- non, and garrisoned by 12 men under Jacob Jacobsen Elkins, who succeeded Corstiaenssen. The name of Kasteel or Castle Island was taken. It is called by this name by many early writers, and in the later reports and papers of Gov. Stuyvesant. In 1639, it was visited by De Vries, who found it occupied by Brandt Pylen, or Peelan, under lease from the patroon and his co-partners, Godyn, Bloemart, and De Laet. It was well stocked and successfully farmed. Indians were fishing around its shores. The island has been spoken of at various times as Welysburg, Van Der Donk's, Mar- tin Gerritsen's, Sweaton's and Boyd's Island, prob- ably from its leading occupants. It belongs to the town of Bethlehem. On the Coast Survey maps it is written as Westerlo Island -- a preferable name, as the name of Van Rensselaer was, long ago, given to the island opposite Albany and belonging to Rens- selaer County, upon which are situated the Boston and Albany Railroad shops.


Near the junction of the Mohawk and Hudson are Haver Island, on which, as tradition tells us, was Moenemines Castle, once an important Mo- hawk village; Van Schaick's Island, on which Gen. Schuyler, in 1777, retreating from Burgoyne's advancing march, stationed his army behind in- trenchments, hoping to stay the progress of the British army towards Albany at that point ; and Whale Island, now covered with sand and water, and interesting only as the stranding place of that " monster of the deep," which wandered up the river in 1646, hoping, no doubt, to find a passage to Greenland this way, but instead meeting his death, losing his blubber, greasing the river, and creating a great stench for miles around, by his atmospheric cremation.


Green Island, directly opposite Troy, is a village, incorporated October 14, 1853, and May 12, 1869. It is the seat of extensive manufactures, producing railroad cars, stoves, sash and blinds, etc. It also has the repair shops of the Rens. and Sar. Railroad, foundry and machine shops, malleable iron works and many mechanic shops. It is connected with Troy by a bridge 1680 feet long, and by street cars with Cohoes, Troy, W. Troy and Albany. It has five or six churches, railroad stations of the New York Central and Rens. and Sar. Railroads, and village schools. It was once called Tibbett's Island.


Pleasure Island, a short distance above Albany, is a summer resort, having a race-ground and


14


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.


other attractions for sporting men and pleasure- seekers.


Beeren Island (Beeren Eylandt), or Bear's Island, in the Hudson, about 11 miles below Albany, belongs to the town of Coeymans, and lies near the shore, a little southeast of the village. Its area is about two acres, its northern aspect being an abrupt rocky promontory, from which it gradually slopes to its southern terminus. Its soil was never adapted to agriculture ; trees and a thin growth of grass cover it in patches ; it has been a good place for fishing. Claimed by the patroon, it was chosen early as a fine place for fortifications to keep off intruders upon his lands, his timber, his trade and his home. Accordingly, in 1643, a fort, named Rensselaer Stein, was erected, defended by mounted cannon and a garrison, and placed in charge of Nicholas Coorn as wachtmeister. Each skipper, on passing the island, was to lower his flag in acknowledgment of the rights of the patroon and pay a tribute of five stivers. This caused bit- ter but bloodless contention for a time between the officers of the patroon and of the West India Com- pany. This company denied the exclusive claim to the navigation of the river made by Van Rensselaer. The fort and the controversy ceased when the Eng- lish came in possession in 1664. Dim history tells us of its occupancy, at one time, by a few Indian hunters ; at another, by the Coeymans family as a defense against the Indians ; at another, as a quarantine station for vessels coming up from New York City ; at another, by hunters digging for the hidden treasure of Capt. Kidd. For a generation past it has been a favorite resort for Sabbath-school and other picnic excursions. For this purpose it is well adapted by location, neatness and fine accommodations.


Other islands in the Hudson, belonging to Albany County, that have a name, beginning southerly and coming up the river, are Shad and and Schermerhorn-the latter called sometimes Neifer-Wooden and Poplar, opposite Coeymans ; Sill's or Van Woert, Bear, Beacon or Bisby, Cab- bage or Jolly, Marsh and Bogart's, opposite Beth- lehem ; Lower Patroon, Patroon, Cuyler, Hill- house or Glen, and Breaker, opposite Watervliet. On the Mohawk, above the Cohoes Falls, are Fonda and Cobble islands.


PONDS .- The ponds or lakes of the county are few and small. In Rensselaerville are two small ponds, dignified by the name of Big and Little Lake; Werner's Lake in Berne ; Thompson's in Berne and Knox ; Lawson's in New Scotland, and Coeymans. Tivoli Lake is one of the sources of


the water supply of Albany, lying in what is now Watervliet, at the north of the city. Deer Pond also is in Watervliet.


The lakes Werner and Thompson, on the hills, are becoming places of delightful resort in summer, for which ample accommodations are made.


RIVERS. -- The notable rivers that water the county are the Hudson, the Mohawk, the Catskill, the Schoharie and the Normanskill. To these all other streams are tributary. Indeed, all the others and their supplies find their way to the Atlantic through the Hudson.


The streams in the county take the arbitrary designation of river, creek, kill or brook. The direct tributaries of the Hudson are Catskill, Coeymans, Haana-Krois, Vlamans, Normans, Beaver, Rutten, Foxen, Patroon, Ralger, Ceme- tery, Dry and Mohawk. Those of the Mohawk are the Schoharie, Lisha's, Town and Donkers. Of the Catskill, Eight-Mile, Ten-Mile, Scrub, Fox and Wilbur. Of the Schoharie, Beaver Dam, Foxen and Switz. Of Normanskill, Viy or Fly, Bozen or Boza, Honger, Wildhause and Krum. Other sub-tributaries are the Swart or Black, Oneskethau, Basic, Hockatock, Mill, El- der, Spruyts, Provost, Steinhook, Pitchtaway, Wolf, Fly, Bethlehem or Mud, and several smaller brooks. The Beaver or Buttermilk, Rutten and Foxen Kills, in Albany, are used now mostly for sewer drainage.


Most of the streams which run into the Hudson have worn deep gullies in the sand and clay. Some of these are a hundred feet in depth and extend nearly to the river flats. In the western part of the county the streams generally flow through narrow ravines bordered by steep banks. Most of the streams are very rapid and subject to extremes, rising rapidly during a powerful rain and as rapidly falling. The spring melting of the winter snows fills the channels; the summer drought reduces them to very low water. There are a few natural falls upon several of these kills or creeks, and facilities for increasing greatly their hydraulic power. Vly Kill has a remarkable cascade of 60 feet, and another of 40 feet is in the Oneskethau. But, except at the mouth of the Normanskill and at Cohoes, on the Mohawk, little is done with the water power, except the erection of a few grain and saw mills for local accommoda- tion. With enterprise and money they might be- come agents in adding vastly to the productive in- dustry of the county. As contributing to an abun- dant water supply for man and beast, irrigation to


15


GEOGRAPHY.


the lands and diversity to our scenery, they can- not be too highly valued.


HUDSON RIVER. - In many respects the Hudson is one of the most important and interesting rivers in the world. It was first made known to the civilized world by Henry Hudson, in 1609, he hav- ing entered it and proceeded by ship and boat, probably nearly to the mouth of the Mohawk, and spent most of the month of September, in that year, upon its waters. From its sources in Essex and Hamilton counties, among our northern moun- tains, to its mouth at Sandy Hook, its length is about 325 miles. Its head branches are the small streams of Adirondack, Boreas, Indian, Schroon, and the larger Sacandaga. Its eastern tributaries, besides many smaller streams, are the Battenkill, Hoosac, Kinderhook, Claverack, Roeliff Jansen, Wappinger, Fishkill and Croton ; its western, the Mohawk, Normanskill, Catskill, Esopus, Rondout and Murderer's, and numerous other little creeks and brooks. While these streams increase the vol- ume of the majestic river, the alluvion which they carry down form obstructions to navigation in the shape of bars and flats of sand and deposits of mud, especially for some thirty miles below the sprouts of the Mohawk. The most remarkable of these are the Overslaugh and Winne's bar, in this county, opposite Bethlehem. Many devices, much labor, and heavy expense have been employed for their removal, with only temporary success. As long as water runs the difficulty will remain, although money and toil lessen it. The destruction of the northern forests, unless speedily arrested, must sensibly lessen the water supply of this noble stream, impairing its navigation and damaging every interest in every city and town upon its borders.


Among the names known to have been given this river are Cohatatea, by the Iroquois ; Maha- ganeghtuc and Shatemuc, by the Mohegans ; Great River, by Hudson and his crew ; River of the Mountain; North River, to distinguish it from the Delaware, called South River by the early Dutch ; also, Mauritius or Maurice, in honor of Prince Maurice of Netherlands; Manhattes ; and Hudson, given very appropriately by the early English, and readily adopted by all people.


Baker's and Glen's Falls, in the upper part, are the only rapids of note. The course of the stream is southerly, with only slight curves, and its surface is generally smooth. The elevation above the sea at Albany is only 173 feet .* The tidal influence is


noticed at Albany, although the tide proper can hardly be said to flow so far. The mean tide here is 2.46 above that at Governor's Island. The river, in fact, is an estuary or long arm of the sea, as far up as the Mohawk. The narrows at the High- lands, 53 miles from New York City, making a pass of about 16 miles, present scenery picturesque, grand and exciting. A steamboat ride the whole length of its navigable channel presents a continu- ous scene of surpassing beauty and sublimity. It is the classic river of our young country, conse- crated by the fascinating pages of Irving, Paulding, Cooper, and Lossing, the fine touches of the Harts, Cole and other artists, and the verse of many a local poet. Its waters and its banks are associated with some of the most interesting events of our history, connected with our early discoveries and settlements, the arts of peace and the arts of war. Eminent scholars, writers, philanthropists and patriots have dwelt near its shores, now conse- crated by their monuments and the memories of their deeds.


Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, in 1797, assisted by Nisbet, an Englishman, experimented in build- ing a steamboat to navigate the Hudson. He was ridiculed as a visionary humbug when he applied, in 1798, for Legislative aid, but failed in his object when he could not navigate his boat of 30 tons, four miles per hour. It was upon the Hudson that Robert Fulton, encouraged by Livingston, though ridiculed by many, first placed his steamer, the Clermont. September 4, 1807, at 7 A. M., he left New York for Albany, which he reached the next day at about II P. M. This was the beginning of steamboat navigation on the Hudson.


On the banks of the Hudson dwelt Henry and Morse, inventors of the telegraph. Here is New- burgh, once the headquarters of Washington ; and here West Point, pregnant with thrilling historic events, where repose the dust of Kosciusko, Win- field Scott, and many others of our nation's patriots. Here is the school-house of our army officers. At every step along its shores, the traveler-be he scholar, student of history, artist, poet, lover of his country, lover of arts, or lover of nature-finds something to instruct, delight and inspire.


Pleasant villages and flourishing cities charm the traveler sailing down the stream to New York, which owes much of its marvelous commercial prosperity to the river which, for many years, was almost its only channel for bringing into its marts the rich products of the North and the West through the Champlain and Erie Canals. And it may as truly be said of Albany and Troy, that they


* The fall of the river from Albany to New York is a little over three feet.


G. R. H.


16


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.


are the gift of the Hudson, as it was said by them of old, that Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Of the commercial and economical relations of Albany county to this river the reader will see in other parts of this history.


Maude, traveling here in 1800, writes : "The Hudson is one of the finest rivers in America, and superior to them all in romantic and sublime scen- ery."


Says Charles Mackay, in 1858 : " I found abun- dant reason to agree with the most enthusiastic of Americans that no river in Europe, unless it be the Clyde, surpasses the Hudson in natural beauty, and that the Rhine itself, deprived of its ruined castles, could not stand a comparison with this splendid stream."


The opening and closing of the navigation of the Hudson River at Albany each year, so far as the dates can be found, is here tabulated from the best authorities.


Closed.


Opened.


1823


Dec. 16


Mar. 24.


1824.


.Jan. 5. .


Mar. 3.


1825.


Dec. 13.


Mar. 6.


1826.


Dec. 13.


.Feb. 25.


1827


Nov. 25


Mar. 20.


1828


.Dec. 23.


. Feb. 8.


1829


. Jan. 14.


.Apr. I.


1830.


Dec. 25


Mar. 15.


1831.


Dec. 6.


.Mar. 15.


1832.


Dec. 21


. Mar. 25.


1833


Dec. 13


.Mar. 21.


1834


Dec. 15


Feb. 25.


1835


Nov. 30.


Mar. 25.


1836


Dec. 7.


Apr. 4.


1837


Dec. 14.


. Mar. 27.


1838.


Nov. 25 .


. Mar. 19.


1839.


.Nov. 18.


.Mar. 25.


1840.


Nov. 5.


Feb. 25.


1841


Nov. 19. Nov. 28.


.Feb. 4.


1843.


Dec. 10


Apr. 13.


1844.


Dec. 17


Mar. 18.


1845


Dec. 3.


Feb. 24.


1846.


Dec. 14.


Mar. 18.


1847.


Dec. 25.


Apr. 7.


1848


Dec. 27


Mar. 22.


1849


Dec. 26.


Mar. 19.


1787


1850


Dec. 17


Mar. 10.


1788.


1851


.Dec. 14.


Feb. 25.


1852.


Dec. 23


Mar. 28.


1790


.Feb. 3, Dec. 8.


Mar. 27.


1853.


.Dec. 21


Mar. 23.


1791


Dec. 8


. Mar. 17.


1792


Dec. 12


Mar. 6.


1855-


.Dec. 20


Mar. 27.


1856


Dec. 14.


Apr. II.


1794


. Jan. 12


1857


Dec. 27.


Feb. 27.


1795


. Jan. 22


1858.


Dec. 17.


.Mar. 20.


1796


.Nov. 28


1859.


Dec. 10.


.Mar. 13.


1860


Dec. 14.


Mar. 6.


1861


Dec. 23.


Mar. 5.


1862.


Dec. 19.


Apr. 4.


1800


Jan. 6


1863.


. Dec. 11


Apr. 3.


1801


. Jan. 3.


Feb. 28.


1864.


Dec. 12


Mar. II.


1865.


Dec. 16.


Mar. 22.


1866


Dec. 15.


Mar. 20.


1804


.Jan. 12, Dec. 13.


Apr. 6.


1867


Dec. 8.


Mar. 26.


1868.


Dec. 5.


Mar. 24.


1806


.Jan. 9


Feb. 20.


1869.


Dec. 9.


Apr. 5.


1807


Dec. II


.Apr. 8.


1808


. Jan. 4.


Mar. 10.


1871.


Nov. 29


.Mar. 12.


1809


Dec. 9


1872.


Dec. 9.


Apr. 7.


1873.


Nov. 22.


Apr. 16.


1811


Dec. 20.


1874.


. Dec. 12


Mar. 19.


1812.


Dec. 21


1875.


Nov. 29


. Apr. 13.


1813.


Dec. 22


Mar. 12.


1876.


Dec. 2.


. Apr. I.


1814.


Dec. 10


1877


Dec. 31.


Mar. 30.


1815.


Dec. 2


1878


.Dec. 20


. Mar. 14.


1816


Dec. 16


1879.


. Dec. 20


.Apr. 4.


1880.


. Nov. 25


Mar. 5.


1881


Jan. 2.


Mar. 21.


1819


.Dec. 13.


. Apr. 3.


1882


Dec. 4.


Mar. 8.


1820


. Nov. 13.


Mar. 25.


1883.


Dec. 15


Mar. 29.


1821


. Dec. 13.


Mar. 15.


1884.


Mar. 27.


1822


Dec. 24.


Mar. 15.


1854.


Dec. 8.


Mar. 17.


1793.


. Dec. 26.


. Mar. 17.


1797


Nov. 26.


1798


Nov. 23


1799


1802


Feb. 3, Dec. 16.


1803.


1805.


1870


Dec. 17.


Mar. 31.


1810


.Jan. 19, Dec. 14.


1817


Dec. 7.


.Apr. 3.


1818


Dec 14.


Mar. 25.


1885


1645


Nov. 24.


1786


Mar. 23.


1789


Closed.


Opened.


Mar. 24.


1842.


17


GEOLOGY.


GEOLOGY.


The geology of the county is included in the "Helderberg Division," belonging to the upper Silurian system, and comprising nearly all the rocks of the "New York system," from the Utica slate to the corniferous limestone. It em- braces rocks varied in mineralogical character, chemical composition, and abounding in fossil remains. It contains subordinate beds of clay and silicious grits. In consequence of these rocks being so well developed in the Helderberg hills, forming a natural group, the term of " Helder- berg Division " is used to designate them.


The limestone in which the fossils occur is usually a gray, but in some places a reddish crystalline stone. The fossils are a crystalline carbonate of lime, and are so numerous that they attract the attention of the observer when traveling along the road.


The Delthyn's shaly limestone is one of the thickest and most extensive members of the Helderberg Division. This rock is well developed and is frequently quarried as a building stone. The stone fences and roadsides often exhibit the remains of ancient life. This is well exposed on the road from New Salem to Clarksville. The middle subdivision is a slaty limestone, and contains fossils of many varieties washed clean by the rains and ready for the collector. These again are nu- merous in the vicinity of Clarksville and near New Salem.


The lower subdivision is a mass of slaty-argillo- silicious limestone, and may be seen one mile north and northwest of Clarksville.


The Onondaga limestone and Schoharie grit are, also, found about Clarksville, and contain many fossils. The argillaceous and shaly rocks are nu- merous on the summits of hills.


The lowest rock is the Utica slate cropping out on the Hudson, Normans Kill and Mohawk. Above this are the graywackes and shales of the Hudson River group, which appear in the valleys of many streams, and apparently underlie a part of the county.


The rocks of the Erie division occupy in the aggregate a thickness of several hundred, probably two thousand feet. The division that is worked for economical purposes is a strata of flagging stone which is from seven hundred to one thou- sand feet above the Helderberg limestone series.


This stone is extensively quarried for flagging and building purposes in the southeast part of Berne and in Coeymans. The red rocks which form the base of the Helderbergs, probably be-




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.