Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 113

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 113

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About one hundred and fourteen years ago, that is, in 1770, a survey of the City of Albany was made by Robert Yates, which gives its frontage on the Hudson River, from a point near the foot of Quackenbush street at the north, to the present steamboat landing at the intersection of Broadway and Quay street at the south. These were the north and south boundaries of the whole inhabited part of the city Those of the east and west were the river and the fort near Lodge street. On the map projected from this survey, the river has a great bend to the westward from the islands above the city to the steamboat landing; it then turns and runs in a more easterly direction. On the flat lands bordering the deepest part of this bend, the first settlers planted the little colony of Rensselaer- wyck. Most of their dwellings were on the street, now Broadway, near the river, with gardens mun- ning down to the water. Few resided above Orange or below Beaver streets, where the stock- ades were. The channel of the river, following its curve, kept close to the shore, and by its good depth of water formed the harbor of the city, where the vessels navigating the Hudson received their cargoes. In 1770 there were four docks used for this purpose: one above Columbia street, near where Foxenkill empties in the basin, called the Arsenal Wharf; one at the foot of Mark lane (Ex- change street) in the shape of a T, called the Middle Wharf, which was enlarged and extended in 1774 to 90 feet in length and 32 feet in width; another at the foot of Hudson street, of the same shape, but somewhat smaller, called the City Hall Wharf; and one at Kilby lane (now Hamilton street), near where the steamboat landing now is, called Kilby's Wharf, later known as Hodges' Dock. All four extended to the channel of the river near its western bank. Division street, which came to the river between the last-named wharves, was then called Bone alley. The original shore line, as represented on this map, was as far west as Dean street, then called Dock street. Subsequent filling brought out the water line to its present position on the east side of Quay street. At Quackenbush street the west bank of the river was about 380 feet east of Broadway; at Foxenkill about 200 feet; at Exchange street abut 70 feet; at

State street about 80 feet east of Dean; at Hudson street about 160 feet; and at Division street about 175 feet east of Broadway.

It appears from a map projected from a survey of Hudson street made in 1791, that the land on the north side of that street had been extended, by filling into the river, not quite two hundred feet; and that Ruttenkill, now known as Beaver street sewer, which emptied into the basin at the north- east corner of Hudson and Quay streets, was de- flected from its course, crossed Hudson street at nearly a right angle, and emptied into the river about eighty feet south of that street. The filling having been carried on irregularly, and more rap- idly on the north than on the south side of the street, deflected the stream from its original course. The Ruttenkill is not laid down on the map of 1770. Only two are there represented: Foxenkill, which empties into the river above Columbia street, and Beaverkill, which now passes through the Arch street sewer.

In 1795, the Duc de Liancourt, who had visited Albany, stated that there were in the Hudson River trade 90 sloops-45 owned in Albany and 45 in New York-of about 70 tons each. They made on an average 20 trips in a season. The freight on grain was 122 cents per cwt. ; passage to New York, $1. 25. He states, also, that sloops were built in Albany for $27.50 per ton; that the Corporation of the city sells the wharves at $2. 50 per foot front- age, reserving an annual rent of $8.12₺ per lot. Labor was 562 cents per day, and in harvest time 87₺ cents. Butcher's meat, 12} cents per pound.

The title to the river front, out to the channel, was vested in the Mayor and Commonalty of the city. As early as 1793 they began to lease in per- petuity, chiefly to those persons whose property extended to the river, and was bounded by it, the water lots in front of the same. The annual quit rent required was one shilling per running foot.

Most of these leases have been commuted, and the titles transferred, by quit claim deeds from the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, to the purchasers of the lots from the original leasers. The water lots north of the city, in what was called the Colonie, were held under titles derived from Van Rensselaer, the Patroon, as were also the lands embraced within the bounds of the Colonie, extending from Patroon street (now Clinton avenue) and Quackenbush street on the south, to the Pa- troon's Creek on the north, and from the river on the east to and including Arbor hill on the west.

A Dock Association, composed of the proprietors of the dock between the center of Maiden lane and the north side of State street, was formed in 1794. This was probably the first regular dock, extending from street to street, that was constructed, and the Association was probably formed on its completion.

At a meeting held February 2, 1796:

" Resolved, That the Trustees are hereby author- ized (if they judge conducive to the interests of the Association) to admit the proprietors of the quay south of Bone lane [Division street] and north of Kilby lane [Hamilton street], parties to the agree- ment."

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

James Caldwell and Stephen Van Rensselaer were admitted as members, and their wharves taken into the common stock, January 23, 1803.

At a meeting of the proprietors at Moody's Tav- ern on Thursday evening, February 3, 1814, the Trustees stated to the Proprietors present, that the written agreement executed on the 13th of March, 1794, under which the Association was originally organized, would expire on the 13th of March next. It was

" Resolved, unanimously, that the wharves lying south of Steuben street and north of the watering place [foot of Columbia street] as it is now situated, shall continue under the same regulations and man- agement as has been adopted for the past year."

In 1795, the wharfage the first year was {250 7s. od. The amount of dividend per foot, 58 per cent.

February 10, 1873, the gross wharfage of the last year of the Association was $820.26; commis- sion, $165.05; net, $655.22; dividends, $1 per foot; number of feet, 607-3

Abraham Bloodgood was the first wharfinger, 1794; succeeded by Abraham Eights, 1795 to 1819; Edward Brown, 1820-41; John L. Hyatt, 1841- 70; William Eaton, 1870-71; F. A. Shepard, 1871- 73.

The 13th of February, 1873, the Association ad- journed sine die.

Andrew E. Brown was Secretary from 16th Feb- ruary, 1831, to the 13th of February, 1873-forty- two years.

A ferry from near the foot of Kilby's lane (Ham- ilton street) was established at an early day. Prob- ably before 1767, as the right to maintain a ferry was granted to Guysbert Marcelis for {70 per an- num, on the 14th March of that year; and on March 3, 1781, the Deputy Quartermaster-Gen- eral, Dirk Haden, was granted the privilege "to land with the ferry-boat at the Old Dock at the store-houses until further ordered." This was probably Kilby's Dock, for on April 24, 1783, the Common Council passed an ordinance directing that "the stones of a part of the dock at the stores be appropriated to complete the City Hall Dock and the next Northern Dock: to wit, the [stones of ] south pier of said dock [at the stores] called Kilby's Dock.

September 25, 1783, "the resolution to appro- priate the stones of the lower pier of Kilby's Dock, to complete the City Hall Dock and Middle Dock, is reconsidered."

The Court House or City Hall, a plain three- story yellow brick building with a belfry on top, having a door and four windows on the first story, and five windows on each of the other stories, oc- cupied the corner of Court street (Broadway) and Hudson street, fronting on the former. It was the center for all public purposes and occupied by the Legislature until the Capitol on the hill was erect- ed. The courts were held in it; public meetings were addressed from its steps; when a fire occurred the citizens were directed to assemble there, each with a given number of leather fire-buckets, which

they were required to keep hanging in a conven- ient place in the halls of their dwellings-for there were no fire-engines in those days. When an alarm was given, each sturdy Dutchman in knee- breeches, cocked hat and wide-skirted coat, hastened to the Court House with his buckets, crying, "Brand! brand !! " (Fire! fire !! ) as he ran. Or, when the ice began to move in the river, at the sound of the bell at any moment, midday or mid- night, the whole population rushed to the Court House for instruction and a leader-arousing the sleepers, if it was night, with their startling shouts of "Ys gang !! " (The ice is going!) It required the energy and assistance of all the available citi- zens, so rapid was usually the rise of water and flow of the ice when once started, to get the fami- lies and the effects of those residing near the river out of danger. After the Old Court House had served its time for State and city, Harry Trow- bridge took its upper stories for a museum, and moved his collection of curiosities into it, the main floor being occupied for commercial purposes. The first museum was established on the corner of Green and Beaver streets in 1798. There is no evidence to show that Trowbridge was the propri- etor of this; but, from the fact that nothing is heard of it after he opened the New York State Museum in the Old Court House, it is probable that he was. It is known that he had a museum as early as 1809, called the Albany Museum. This was probably the name of the one on the corner of Green and Beaver streets. There were great attractions for the small boys and girls in the museum on the corner of Hudson street and Broadway in those days-the monstrosities excited their wonder; the phantasmagoria and the wax figures their delight. The collection of the latter was a remarkable one indeed. Arrayed in full costume, and in various attitudes, were Charlotte Temple, Daniel Lambert, Punch and Judy, Louis the XIV, Jael driving the nail into the head of Sisera, and many others of equal note. But the crowning wonder of all, an- nounced by the ringing of a small bell, was the raising of the ghost of Samuel, by the Witch of En- dor, for the humble and awe-stricken Saul, who stood near in full armor of steel. The spirit slow- ly rose through the top of the tomb-which was an upright box not unlike the pedestal that sup- ports the bust of Dr. Armsby in the Park-re- mained with half its body above the opening for a minute, and then as slowly returned to its place.

There was a landing-place for batteaux and small boats in the rear of and not far from the dwelling of the late Judge Jacob J. Lansing, on the corner of Broadway and Quackenbush streets. At this landing, just before the battle of Saratoga, while the British troops were slowly approaching Albany, the alarmed inhabitants of the Colonie had collected a small fleet of batteaux, anticipating the possible defeat of the continental forces, and were prepared at the first intimation of disaster to flee, with their families and such effects as they could hastily gather, to the opposite shore of the river. They were filled with great fear when they heard the battle had begun, and expected each

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moment to hear that the "red-coats" were on their way to the city. While engaged in loading their boats as rapidly as possible, a single horseman was seen approaching from the north, gesticulating and furiously whipping his horse as he drew near. Men, women and children rushed out to hear what news he brought from the armies, expecting of course that the enemy was close behind him. He shouted as he came up and passed along: "Ber- gine is taken! Bergine is taken !! " So astounded and incredulous were the people as they followed him to the City Hall, on the corner of Broadway and Hudson streets, that they cried: "Gy liegen! Gy liegen !! " (You lie! you lie !! ) Great was their relief and gladness when the news was confirmed by the dispatch brought by the messenger and read by the Mayor to the assembled crowd. The switch which the messenger had used to urge his horse along, he threw away as he passed the corner of North Lansing street and Broadway. It was picked up by Mrs. Teunis G. Visscher, a daughter of Mr. Christopher Lansing, and planted in front of her father's house, where she resided at that time. The switch grew to be a sturdy elm, long remem- bered and pointed out as a monument to commem- orate the end of the revolution. It passed from youth to manhood and to old age, lost its beauty and strength, and at last yielded up the remnant of its life to the demands of progress, and was re- moved to make room for the railroad viaduct across Broadway.

Diagonally opposite the residence of Mr. Lans- ing, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Clinton avenue, there was, until removed to make a place for the drug store of Messr .:. Clement & Rice, an antique Dutch residence with its pointed gable fronting on Broadway, built of Holland bricks painted yellow, with a door on Broadway used only to carry the dead through, and a front door on Clinton avenue cut in halves transversely, as were all the doors of those early Dutch houses. The house was erected about A. D. 1700, and stood some four or five hundred feet beyond the northern stockade, which crossed Broadway near Orange street, and had a gate opening on the road leading north through the Colonie. In this house lived one of the old Dutch families somewhere about the time of the French War. The Indians who were prowling about the outskirts of the town were not over-friendly, and the gates of the stock- ades were always closed about sundown to keep them out. The residents beyond the stockades were careful to get to their homes before dark, lest they might lose their scalps some unlucky evening. Nearly every family kept a good watch-dog. This family in particular had a large mastiff in their house who was kind and gentle with those he was accustomed to see, but a terror to the Indians, for whom he had no love. A middle-aged daughter of the family was in the habit of visiting her friends in the town, enjoying their society and the hospitable cup of tea which formed a prominent feature in all entertainments among the old Dutch families. One evening, staying inside the stockade longer than usual, it was almost dark when she was passed

through the gates. As she crossed the road she observed an Indian following her. She ran in great fear. He followed, and as she reached her home and the handle of the door, he caught her by the hair and brandished his scalping-knife above her head ready to take her scalp. With a scream she threw open the upper half of the door. The faithful mastiff, hearing her cry, sprang over the lower half, seized the Indian by the throat and there held him till he was captured. This dog never after that led a dog's life-in the common accep- tation of the term.

A door like the one above mentioned on Broad- way, as used only on funeral occasions, was com- mon to most of the old Dutch residences, and was called the "dood door." It was connected with the " dood kamer" (death chamber). On the occasion of a death in the family, the corpse was removed to this room, and invitations to the funeral were given to the relatives and friends of the deceased through the "aanspreeker" (sexton), to attend the funeral from the house at a specified time. When assembled, a tankard of hot spiced wine and a tray of "dood koekjes," a flat round cake, about four inches in diameter, made of material similar to those used for New Year's cakes, were handed round. Then the usual ceremonies of prayer, re- marks about the life and death of the departed, and an address to the afflicted relatives, followed; after which all were expected to take a last look into the coffin. Then it was removed from the "dood kamer," through the"dood door, " to the bier, and was carried to the grave-yard by the bearers. On the return from the burying ground, the guests again assembled at the house of the deceased and partook freely of the hot spiced wine. This very ancient custom was not abandoned till some years after the beginning of the present century.

ALBANY BASIN .- As early as 1822, and perhaps earlier, when there was on an average from eighty to two hundred sloops and schooners daily lying at the docks in front of the city, the project of con- structing a basin at the termination of the Erie and Champlain Canal was seriously considered. The matter was referred to the Canal Commissioners, and on February 11, 1823, they made the follow- ing report :

"In obedience to the resolution of the Assem- bly, passed the 14th ult., instructing the Commis- sioners to report a place for the construction of a basin at the termination of the Erie and Cham- plain Canal at the City of Albany, reported that Benjamin Wright, one of their engineers, who was instructed to examine the matter, had proposed a plan and made a communication on the subject, together with a map of the contemplated basin. The Commissioners believe that a basin may be constructed on the said plan for about $100,000, and that such a basin would be extremely benefi- cial to the trade of Albany. They have declined to make basins along the line of canals, believ- ing that mercantile capital and enterprise would find sufficient inducements and interests to furnish these local accommodations to trade, and that to

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expend the public moneys would not be just. They think, however, that it would be proper to con- struct a sloop lock at the southern termination of the basin, as the connection of boat and sloop navigation at the arsenal lot will cost nearly as much as the said lock; and, in case of the construc- tion of said lock, it would be reasonable for the State to receive tolls on the length of the basin as part of the canal."

Upon this report, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the construction of the Albany basin, April 5, 1823, the principal features of which were as follows :

That from the report of the Canal Commission- ers, it appears that a basin at the termination of the canals would be a great benefit to commerce and to trade. The following gentlemen, William James, John R. Bleecker, John Townsend, Elisha Jenkins, Benjamin Knower, Allen Brown, Israel Smith, Tennis Van Vechten, John Trotter, John Spencer, Asa H. Center, William Durant, Peter Boyd, Joseph Alexander, Charles R. Webster, John H. Webb, John Shotwell, Joseph Russell, William Caldwell, Ralph Pratt, Russell Forsythe, William Marvin, William McHarg, Jellis Winne, Jr., Abraham Van Vechten and Gideon Hawley, were appointed Commissioners. They were au- thorized to raise subscriptions to construct a mole or pier within the bounds of the City of Albany, opposite the docks fronting the harbor, so as to comprise a basin extending from the arsenal dock to a point opposite Hodges' Dock, in the line of Hamilton street, with a sloop lock at the Hamil- ton street end, to be completed within two years.

The act authorized the building of bridges from the dock to the pier, and the Canal Commission- ers to give title of the land under water covered by the pier to the Pier Company.

No toll should be exacted, or wharfage or other charges for boats, other craft or rafts of lumber, entering from the canal and passing through the basin, unless the same shall be revested in the people of the State.

It regulated the wharfage to be paid by vessels, boats and other crafts navigating the river, for the season: Vessels of five tons or under to pay $2. 12} per ton; if above that burden, at the rate of 54 cents per ton. If for less time, for five tons or under, 25 cents per day; twenty tons or under, 4 cents per ton per day; over twenty, under forty, 3 cents per ton per day; over fifty, 24 cents per ton per day. One-half to go to the proprietors of the pier. The proprietors of the pier to have the right to col- lect wharfage from outside of pier same as collected from inside docks.

It directed that the pier be divided into lots, which should be sold at public auction.

It directed that the Canal Commissioners should charge toll on all canal boats, craft and lumber which should enter the basin from the canal, or leave the basin for transportation on the canal, computing the entire length of said basin in the same manner as if it were a part of the canal. The money collected, after deducting expenses, to be paid over to the State Treasurer.

It provided for damages by reason of overflow caused by the guard or sloop dock.

It directed that the act should be void unless the Corporation of the city filed their assent to the act in the office of the Secretary of State within sixty days after its passage.

The assent referred to was filed April 8, 1823.

The Albany Pier was completed, under the act above mentioned, May 27, 1825, inclosing a basin capable of harboring 1,000 canal boats and 50 vessels of a larger class. The Commissioners ap- pointed under the act divided it into 123 lots, and sold them at public auction on the 17th July, 1825, excepting lots 1 and 2, which were reserved, and after a time taken for an opening into the river. The 121 lots brought the aggregate sum of $188,- 510. Of these William James purchased 48, John T. Norton, 14, and Israel Smith 7; other pur- chasers were Gideon Hawley, Harmanus Bleecker, Chas. R. Webster, Robt. Boyd, Isaiah Townsend, Samuel Ward, of New York, Chas. D. Cooper, E. Backus, Elisha Jenkins, Isaac H. Bogart, E. C. Delavan, John Tayler, Henry S. Webb, John Meads, Abel French, Francis Bloodgood, James Goold. The lowest price paid for a lot was $1, 200, and the highest, $3, 550. The pier was 4, 323 feet long, 85 feet broad, and unbroken from the canal to Hamilton street, containing 84 acres of land. The basin contained an area of 32 acres.

Bridges with draws were constructed across the basin, at the foot of Columbia and State streets, by the proprietors of the pier, and a sloop lock was built by the State at Hamilton street.

Sept. 25, 1823, the first water was passed through the lock at the head of the Albany basin. An eel three feet in length came through the gate and was hailed as the first passenger ; it was caught, and the skin preserved in the Museum of the Lyceum of Natural History. But the canal was not com- pleted until the fall of 1825.

When the first water from the finished canal came into the basin, the sloop lock-gates were closed, and the citizens gathered in great numbers on the docks to see the basin filled with water, which they did not doubt would rise to the crest of the pier, and possibly overflow the docks. After waiting anxiously for several hours, they began to wonder why the water did not rise and what had become of it. Their patience having been ex- hausted, as it grew dark the assemblage adjourned, hoping to see the basin full on the morrow. Much to their astonishment they were disappointed, the pier having been built in parts of cribs filled with clay and other soils, together with loose stones where rock bottom was found, and resting in other places on piles, permitted the water to escape into the river under the cribs and between the piles. Why this was not known before a sloop lock was con- structed, does not appear.

On the 26th of October, a day that should be re- membered throughout all time, the first canal boat from Lake Erie, through the great canal pro- jected by Governor De Witt Clinton, reached the Hudson River at Albany at three minutes before II o'clock A. M., and passed through the lock into

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the Albany basin. The event was announced by a discharge of cannon, which formed a line within hearing distance from Buffalo to Sandy Hook. The return fire from New York was received at five minutes before 12 o'clock noon.

The basin having been constructed without a free outlet for the current to pass through, became a nuisance in consequence of the great accumula- tion of silt in it. In June, 1834, the Corporation of the city was indicted by the Grand Jury for not abating it. The Recorder, Hon. James McKown, was instructed to defend the action, on the ground that the bulkhead at the lower end of the basin had been placed there by the Pier Company, under the sanction of an act of the Legislature, and being private property, the Corporation could not be bound to abate the nuisance. The Albany Court of Sessions decided against the Corporation; but the Supreme Court reversed the decision. On the 9th of February following, a public meeting was held at the Capitol for the purpose of making an application to the Legislature to pass an act direct- ing that the bulkhead be removed, and for other purposes. On the 27th of April, 1835, the Legis- lature passed an act to improve the navigation of the Albany basin, which directed that the bulkhead be removed in part, that the sloop lock be taken away, and a bridge built from the abutment at Hamilton street to the pier. It also authorized the Mayor and Common Council to order and direct the excavation, deepening and clearing of any part of the basin that was found to be necessary, and directed the Governor to appoint a Commissioner to appraise and assess the cost of the same, on all the building lots, wharves, docks, and pier lots benefited by the improvement, specifying in said appraisement the names of the owners, and taking into consideration the benefit to the Pier Company by the annual receipt of one mile toll received by them as part of the Erie and Champlain Canals. Under and by the authority given in this act, the Mayor and Common Council proceeded to carry its provisions into effect.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 113

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

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