Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 148

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 148

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" An excellent opportunity shortly after oc- curred to test the detective qualifications of every member of the Police Force. Chief Morgan communicated to every officer that two remark- able forgeries had been perpetrated in this city- one for $4,coo on the Bank of Albany, and the other for $3,000 on the Bank of the Capitol. Some six weeks had elapsed and not the slightest clue had been obtained as to the forger or his ill- gained funds. I was sent for by the officers of the banks, at whose request I took the case in hand, confident of success. I soon obtained sufficient evidence to make it almost, if not quite, certain that one William Inglis, of Fordham, Westchester County, was the perpetrator of the forgeries. I re- turned and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Inglis, and, with the Teller of the Bank of Albany, went to Brooklyn, where the accused claimed to be doing business on a large scale in flour. The Chief of Police in that city was called upon and informed by me of the object of my visit. He scouted at the charge, and declared Inglis to be an honest man.

He the same day found Inglis, and that the accused should not be disgraced, came hither with him and confronted the Teller of the Bank of the Capitol and assured him that William Inglis was an honest and religious man and a member of the Presbyterian Church at Fordham. The Teller declared that In- glis resembled the forger in every particular, and that he would have testified that he was the per- son who presented the forged checks, but, rely- ing upon the declarations of the Brooklyn officer, he thought that he might probably be mistaken. Inglis was suffered to return to Brooklyn with his friend. The rascal obtained a summons and complaint against Justice Parsons for issuing the warrant for his arrest for the felony. He had de- clared damages to his 'good name' in the sum of $10,000, The Justice took the papers to the President of the Bank of the Capitol, who agreed to defend him. The President went to Fordham and called upon the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that place, who, in reply to inquiry of the President, assured him that Mr. Inglis was a consistent Christian and a prominent member of the church of which he was Pastor. On the return of the President of the bank he sent for me. On entering his room he commenced to accuse me of making a sad mistake, which would cost the bank $10,000. After the President had finished his vitu- perations, I said: ' I will not rest until I prove that William Inglis is the scoundrel who perpe- trated the forgeries on the Banks of Albany and the Capitol.' After the lapse of a few months, I received letters purporting to be written by George Corning, which were identified by Mr. West, Surro- gate of the City and County of New York, as the writing of William Inglis. The letters were shown to the once-alarmed President, who compared the writing with that of the forged checks, when he de- clared that the letters and checks were written by the same person.

"William Inglis was arrested at Louisville, Ky., for forgery, convicted, and sentenced to State Prison for ten years."

MAYORS OF ALBANY.

THE first Mayor of the City was appointed by - Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Dongan, in the first Charter granted, under date of July 22, 1686. He was to be appointed in like manner, " upon the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, yearly," and was made Commander of the Militia of the County, given the authority of Justice of the Peace, Coroner, Commissioner of Excise, and Clerk of the Market. Twenty-six Mayors were thus appointed under the Colonial Government down to 1770, among which were five Schuylers, three Bleeckers and three Cuylers. Peter Schuyler and Edward Holland each held the office eight years.

After the Declaration of Independence, the May- ors were first appointed by the Governor of the State, subject to approval, and afterwards chosen by the Common Council of the city until 1839.

In 1840, and ever since, the Mayors have been chosen by the people. Other peculiarities of may- oralty elections are mentioned under the sketches of the Mayors, which are made as complete and accurate as our space and sources of information, gathered with much research and inquiry, permit.

In two hundred years, fifty-four different men, not including acting Mayors, have served in this office.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The first Mayor of the City of Albany was PETER SCHUYLER, who was appointed July 22, 1686, in the first charter of the city, called the Dongan Charter, and held the office until 1694. He was the second son and fourth child of the first immigrant of the name, Philip Pietersen and Margaret (Van Slechten- horst) Schuyler, and was born September 17, 1657. He was buried February 22, 1724. He was a brave officer of remarkable organizing power, command- ing the County Militia as Major, and afterwards as Colonel, during King William's War and subse- quently. He was active and firm in his opposition to the rule of Liesler, looking upon him as a usur- per. He was a member of the Provincial Assembly, and, by virtue of his office, held the position of Vice- Governor very acceptably.

His influence over the Indians was very great. For some years he was Indian Commissioner. In this capacity he went to England in 1710, taking several Indians with him, who excited great interest in London. He had a home at the "Flats, " and another in the city on Broadway, just below State, and was buried on the west side of the same street, near Hamilton. His father married Margaret Van Schlechtenhorst, daughter of the plucky first Direc- tor of Rensselaerwyck, December 22, 1650, when she was twenty-two years old. He died March 9, 1684.

JOHN ABEEL, second Mayor, was appointed by Governor Fletcher for one year, from October 14, 1694, and served another term in 1709-10. He was Alderman and Justice before he was Mayor, and also Sheriff of the county. He is named as Recorder in 1702. He was a merchant in New York in 1796, but returned to Albany two years later. He mar- ried Catalina Schuyler, April 10, 1694,and had sev- eral children. A few years since his tombstone was dug up near the Old Second Dutch Church in Beaver street, on which was the following inscrip- tion:

" Here lies the body of John Abeel, who de- parted this life ye 28th day of January, 1711, in the 44 year of his age.

" Dieut begin von wel to leven Ging der weer den Hemel waert Uyt den Hemel was gegoven Storf maar verliet de Aert."

EVERT BANCKER, born January 24, 1665, was the son of Gerrit Bancker and Elizabeth Dirkse, daugh- ter of Dirk Van Eps, one of the first settlers of Sche- nectady. He was a merchant of prominence in Beverwyck, and held several important offices. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Stoffel James Abeel, September 24, 1686, by whom he had a large fam- ily. His sons, Christopher, Adrian and Gerardus, settled in New York, and Willem and Johannes in Albany County, as farmers. In 1692, Bancker was Justice of Peace, and Mayor of Albany 1695-96, 1707-9. He was appointed Indian Com- missioner August 10, 1696, and again in 1706, 1710, 1720, 1724, 1726 and 1728. He was elected to a seat in the Assembly in 1702. Mr. Bancker was appointed Master in Chancery October 13, 1705. He lived in the house next to his father's, on Yoncker, now State street, but retired to his

farm in Guilderland during the latter part of his life.

Mr. Bancker was buried July 10, 1734, his wife's burial having occurred on March 20th of the same year. He made his will March 13, 1734, and it was proved July 31, 1734. In it he gives to his son, Johannes, £50, "provided he continues to live with me till my decease, or till I dispose of my farm where I now live." He left a large estate, much of it invested in lands.

DIRCK WESSELS was Mayor 1696-98. He was also the first Recorder under the Charter of 1686. His real name is given as Dirk Wesselse Ten Broeck. Born 1642; a servant of Peter Van Al- len, of Beverwyck, in 1662; became a succesful trader, exporting some years 5,000 beaver skins. He was active in public affairs in Albany, especially in those relating to the Indians. He held rank as Major in the militia of the county in 1691. He married Christina Cornelise Van Buren, by whom he had thirteen children. He resided on a lot purchased of the Anneke Jans heirs, east corner of State and James street. The following notice of his death is taken from an old family Bible :

"1717, Den 13 Sept. in Roeloff Jansen's kil is myn fader Dirk Wesselse in den Heere genest op syn bouwery op Roeloff Jansen's Kil. De Heere geve hem een zalige opstandinge."

HENDRICK HANSEN held the office of Mayor in 1698-99. He was the eldest son of Captain Hans Hendrickse, who was one of the early traders in Beverwyck, and whose descendants took the sur- name of Hansen. Nicholas, the last male of the name, died in 1869. Hendrick was active in pub- lic affairs, having held office as Alderman, Com- missioner of Indian affairs, and Assemblyman. Complaint of hin was made in 1669 for having charged the public for "good fyrewood," when he furnished only "young green pine." He was a merchant. September 21, 1692, he married Deb- orah Van Dam and had seven children. He was buried in the church February 19, 1724.

PETER VAN BRUGH, son of Johannes Pieterse Verbrugge, a leading Holland trader, was born July 14, 1666. His mother was a daughter of the celebrated Anneke Jans. His sister Catrina mar- ried Hendrick Van Rensselaer, of Greenbush, an- cestor of most of the leading members of the Van Rensselaer family. He held the office of Mayor in 1799 and 1700, and the years 1721-23. He was sworn in and took the oaths prescribed by Parliament at his appointment, November 9, 1720. He married in New York, November 2, 1688, Sara, daughter of Hendrick Anna Cuyler, of Al- bany. They had one daughter, Catharine. His house was on the south side of State street, west of Pearl. In military matters he ranked as Captain. He was buried in the church, July 20, 1740.

JAN JANSE BLEECKER was Mayor in 1700-1. He emigrated from Messpel, province of Overyssel, in 1658; first as a blacksmith and afterwards as a trader. He was born in 1641, and died Novem- ber 21, 1742, and was buried in the church. He was Recorder 1696-99; Justice of the Peace in 1697; and Member of Parliament in the Provincial

659

MAYORS OF ALBANY.

Assembly 1698-1700. He married Margaret Rutse, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen Van Schoen- denwoert, January 2, 1667, and had nine children.

JOHANNES BLEECKER, Jr., Mayor in 1701-2; was born in 1668. In 1686 he was carried captive to Can- ada and returned the next year. He served as Indian interpreter; was Recorder in 1700; Member of Gen- eral Assembly 1701-2. He married Anna, daughter of Hendrick Coster, October 29, 1793, and had nine children. His death occurred December 20, 1738; he was buried in the church. His house lot was on the northwest corner of North Pearl and Maiden lane, running through to Chapel.

ALBERT RYCKMAN, Mayor in 1702-3, is called by the military title of Captain. He was a brewer, and had his brewery on or near the southeast corner of Hudson avenue and Broadway. He married Neeltie Quackenbos and had twelve chil- dren. He was born before 1663 and was buried January 12, 1737.

JOHANNES SCHUYLER, Mayor 1703-6, son of Philip Peter Schuyler and brother of Peter, the first Mayor, was born April 5, 1668. Attached to General Winthrop's army in 1691 was this John Schuyler, then holding a Captain's commission, a man of great bravery and energy of character, and of considerable experience in border warfare. Schuyler was dissatisfied with the decision of the Council of War relinquishing the Canada expedi- tion, which he considered weak and cowardly, and declared that the campaign should not be abandoned so easily. Beating up for volunteers, he soon gathered around him a little band of twenty-nine followers, each as bold and daring as himself. To these he added one hundred and twenty Indians, and loading a number of canoes with provisions, proceeded on the 13th of August, 1791, as far probably as Whitehall, where he en- camped for the night. Embarking the next day, he reached a point near Chembly on the 21st. On the 23d he intercepted the enemy coming out of the fort at La Prarie, killed six and took nineteen prisoners. He also killed one hundred and fifty cattle, and prudently hastened his retreat. On the 3Ist of August he reached Albany in safety with his prisoners. This was at the beginning of King William's War, and records the kind of man he was. In 1698 he was sent by the Earl of Bellomont, the newly arrived Governor of the Province, in com- pany with the Rev. Mr. Dellius, to Canada, to convey the account of the Peace of Ryswick and to solicit a mutual interchange of prisoners. He was Alderman for several years, and was among those who took the oath of allegiance in 1699. He was an Indian Commisioner, and in 1705 was chosen to the Colonial Assembly. He married Elizabeth Staats, widow of John Wendell, April 25, 1695. They were the parents of Margarita, "the American Lady," born January 12, 1701, who married her cousin, Colonel Philip Schuyler, and became a widow on his death in 1745. Captain Schuyler had his city home at the corner of State and Pearl streets, where he died July 25, 1727.

DAVID SCHUYLER, 1706-7, was one of the five sons of David Schuyler, brother of Philip Pieterse,

who came from Amsterdam. The two brothers were the first of the name in America. David married Catalyn Verplanck, of New Amsterdam, October 13, 1667. His widow was living in 1692, on the south corner of Broadway and Steuben street. He had five sons, Pieter, Jacobus, Abra- ham, David and Myndert, and perhaps daughters. Mayor David married Elsie, daughter of Herman Rutgers, January 1, 1694, and after her death Elizabeth Marschalk, in New York, May 3, 1719. He had six children by his first wife and one by the last. He held the office of Alderman, Justice, and Commissioner, besides that of Mayor.

ROBERT LIVINGSTON was Mayor 1710-19. He was the first settler bearing this name in the province, from whom descended many eminent men, among whom may be named Philip, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Chancellor Robert R., William, Edward, and others. The family is of Scotch descent and was always on the side of learning and good government. All were in the patriot cause during the Revolution. Robert was Secretary of Albany, about the same as City Clerk, from 1675 to 1721, nearly fifty years. He was also Indian Commissioner, and executed other and special trusts with great judgment. He mar- ried Alida Schuyler, widow of Rev. Nicholas Van Rensselaer, and had seven children. His house lot was on the northwest corner of State and North Pearl streets, where Tweddle Hall now stands. He died April 20, 1725, and was buried in the church. Robert, Jr., his nephew, was his successor as Sec- retary.

MYNDERT SCHUYLER, Mayor 1719-21, and 1723- 25, was son of David Pieterse Schuyler, one of the Schuyler brothers who early settled in Beverwyck, by his wife, Catalyn Verplanck, daughter of Abra- ham Isaacse Verplanck and Maria Vigne. His birth is thus recorded in his father's Bible:

"1672 } 16 January. Soo is Gebooren, Myn Soon Myndert Schuyler.

Colonel Myndert Schuyler was a merchant. In 1703, and for the greater part of his life, he resided on the south side of Yoncker street (now State), the third house east from South Pearl street. He married in New Amsterdam, October 26, 1693, Rachel Cuyler, daughter of Hendrick Cuyler.

Colonel Schuyler was a prominent citizen in 1700. In the following year he, together with Dirk Wessels and John Abeel, was returned to the Assembly. A new election was ordered and He was again returned to the Assembly October 20, 1702. He continued to be returned at each succeeding election until 1710. In 1706 he was one of the "Church Masters" of the old Dutch Church; 1707-9 he was one of the Alder- men from the First Ward. On the organization of the expeditions in 1709 and 1711 for the reduction of Canada, he was appointed one of the Commis- sioners for promoting them and for victualling the troops. On the occasion of peace, in 1712, he carried the news to Canada. In 1713 he was again elected to the Assembly and sat there till 1715. In 1718 he was re-chosen Alderman, and re-elected in September 1719. During his mayor-

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

alty in 1720, he was sent to the Seneca country, and succeeding in dissuading the Five Nations from going to war against the far Indians. On the death of Hendrick Hanson, in 1724, Lieut- enant-Colonel Schuyler was again sent to the As- sembly; was re-chosen in July, 1728, and sat until 1737. In addition to the several offices mentioned, he held the office of Commissioner for Indian affairs from 1706 to 1720, and from 1728 to 1746, when the Board was abolished, and Colonel Will- iam Johnson was appointed Commissary. John- son becoming dissatisfied, the Board was revised and Schuyler was reappointed Commissioner, and served as such until 1755. Colonel Schuyler had two daughters, Rachel, who died in youth, and Anna, who married Johannes de Peyster, Mayor and Surrogate of Albany, grandson of Johannes de Peyster, the first of the name in America, No- vember 24, 1715, who died September 13, 1750.

Colonel Schuyler's death is thus recorded in the Bible of his son-in-law, Johannes de Peyster.

" 1755, den 10 October, 15 minuten na 8 in de avoud Is Groot Vader, Myndert Schuyler, in de Heer outslapen na dat hy 10 dagen Sieck, gewees is en is den 21 te 4 Uren na te middag in de Kerk Begreren, hy was ont 84 Jaren 8 maenda and 4 dayen toen hy stieif."

His wife was buried in the church, July 24, 1747. His will, dated March 7, 1739, proved July 24, 1756, gave his "Groot hipvrouw Rajel " the possession, rents, and profits of his whole estate during her life.

Colonel Schuyler was largely interested in real estate, and had amassed, for those days, a large fortune. His position brought him in contact with a variety of persons, and he was looked up to and revered by rich and poor. He was generous to a fault, and many a little Dutch urchin had cause to bless the Heer Schuyler on Saint Nicholas' day.

JOHANNES CUYLER, Mayor 1725-26, was a son of Hendrick Cuyler, who came to Albany as a tailor in 1637. Johannes, his eldest son, was born in 1641. In 1696 he was a freeman in New York City, by occupation a trader. He married Elsie Ten Broeck November 2, 1684, and had twelve children. His house lot was the second south of Steuben on North Pearl street, extending to James.

RUTGER BLEECKER, Mayor 1726-29, was Re- corder in 1725; married Cataligna, daughter of David I. Schuyler, and widow of John Abeel, May 26, 1712, and had four children. He was buried in the church, August 5, 1756. In 1720 he had a lot, probably on the northwest corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets.

JOHANNES DE PEYSTER, Mayor 1729-31, 1732- 33, and 1741-42, son of Johannes de Peyster, Mayor of New York, a prominent member of the Provincial Legislature, grandson of Johannes de Peyster, Schepen, Alderman, Burgomaster, and Deputy Mayor of New York; one of its wealthiest, most influential and patriotic citizens, and the founder of the family in America; a Huguenot of the Huguenots; was born January 10, 1695, in New Amsterdam. His mother was Anna Bancker,

eldest daughter of Gerrit Bancker and Elizabeth Dircks; her brother, Evert Bancker, was Mayor of Albany.

Mr. De Peyster married, November 24, 1715, Anna, daughter of Colonel Myndert Schuyler and Rachel Cuyler. The ceremony was performed by old Dominie Van Driessen at Albany. The issue of the marriage was seven sons and two daughters. Six of the sons died shortly after birth, and the remaining one only grew to opening man- hood. One of his daughters, Anna, married Volckert P. Douw, Mayor of Albany; and the other, Rachel, married Tobias Ten Eyck, of Sche- nectady.

Mr. de Peyster died February 26, 1789, his wife having deceased September 13, 1750. His death is thus recorded in the Bible of his son-in-law, Volckert P. Douw:

‹‹ February 26, ) Is Juden heer ont slapen Vader I. D. P. 1789. . " John de Peyster, omtrent te twa-

lief uren, Jn de naeght en Begrose Inde Kerk ten nor, on Waechey syn plaes Inde Kutr hawt ont syn de Dorn, haef Steuf 95 year senmant en Swe dage.

His will dated May 14, 1788, proved before Abraham G. Lansing, surrogate, May 27, 28, 1789, gives to his descendants a goodly estate.

He was Recorder 1716-28. In 1734 he be- came one of the Commissioners of Indian affairs. He was subsequently a contractor with the Govern- ment to supply Oswego and other outports with stores. He was reappointed Indian Commissioner December 5, 1739, and again in 1742. Mr. de Peyster was the first Surrogate of Albany Co., hav- ing been elected to that office April 3, 1756. He was re-elected March 23, 1778, holding the office till 1782. In 1744 he is spoken of as a Member of the Assembly and a Commissioner of Indian Affairs. In 1750 he was in the Committee for repairing the Fort in Albany. In 1751 Mr. de Peyster was on a Committee for the Collection of duties on goods carried to Oswego. In 1753 he was Commissioner for constructing barracks for soldiers, and repairs to Fort Orange. In 1754 he held the office of Officer and Inspector of Ord- nance. Mr. de Peyster was, in 1755, one of the two Commissioners for carrying on an expedition against Crown Point, and also a Commissioner for paying the forces in the expedition in which John- son defeated Dieskan.

HANS HANSEN, Mayor, 1731-32, took his of- ficial oath October 14th. He also held the same office 1754 to 1756. He is reputed as a successful trader. He married Sarah Cuyler, April 25, 1723, and had nine children. He was buried December 6, 1756.

EDWARD HOLLAND, Mayor from October 24, 1733 to 1740, was the first man of English descent who held that office. He was son of Captain Henry and Jenny Seely Holland, who was in com- mand of the garrison at Albany in 1732, when he was incapacitated " by the Providence of Almighty God." Edward was baptized September 6, 1702. His first wife, Magdalena, was buried in the En- glish Church in 1737; his second wife was Frances,

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MAYORS OF ALBANY.

daughter of William Nicolls, by whom he had two daughters.

JOHN SCHUYLER, Jr., Mayor 1740 to 174 1, took the oath of office October 31st. He was the second son of the late Mayor John Schuyler and Elizabeth Staats, his wife. He was born October 31, 1697. He had nine children, one of whom was the eminent Major-General Philip Schuyler, of revolu- tionary times. He died November 7, 1746. As there were several Schuylers near this date bearing the name of John, and the records are not very clear, we have given what seemed to us most probably correct. But little is known of him.

CORNELIUS CUYLER, Mayor from 1742 to 1746, took his first oath of office October 14, 1742. He had a house on south side of Steuben, fourth west from Chapel; married Catharina Schuyler, December 9, 1726, and had nine children, one of whom was Colonel Abraham Cuyler, born April 11, 1742, and Mayor of Albany in revolutionary times.

DIRCK TEN BROECK, Mayor 1746 to 1748, married Margarita Cuyler November 26, 1714, and had twelve children. He was buried in the church, January 7, 1751.

JACOB C. TEN-EYCK, Mayor 1748-50, married Catharina, daughter of Abraham Cuyler, August I, 1736, and had four children. He was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and lived a long and useful life. He died September 9, 1793, aged 88 years.

ROBERT SANDERS, Mayor, 1750-54, qualified by oath, October 15, 1750, was a prominent mer- chant. He married, first, Maria Lansing, Decem- ber 6, 1740, and second, Elisabeth Schuyler, January 11, 1747, by the first of whom he had one child, and by the second, nine children. His will is dated May 7, 1765, and was proved June 6, 1765.

SYBRANT G. VAN SCHAICK, Mayor 1756-61, son of Goosen and Catharina Staats Van Schaick, was born December 19, 1708. He married Alida Rose- boom December 11, 1735, and had eight children. He was prosecuted at law by his successor in office to recover the proceeds of sale of "Freedoms" and excise licenses during his term, which was settled in 1763 by the payment of £150.

VOLKERT PETER DOUW, Mayor from September 29, 1761, to September 10, 1770, was one of the nine children of Petrus Douw and Anna Van Rensselaer (daughter of Hendrick). He was born at Wolvenhoeck, in Greenbush, March 23, 1720, and married Anna, daughter of John De Peyster and Anna Schuyler, May 20, 1742, and had ten children. His son, General John De P. Douw, was a distinguished citizen, who died at his resi- dence in State street, February 26, 1835. Mr. Douw was Mayor of the city in trying times, but proved himself equal to the occasion. From Octo- ber 2, 1759, to January 10, 1770, he was, by royal appointment, presiding Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. Regardless of personal considerations, he took a decided stand in the cause of the colo- nists in opposition to royalty. For this reason Gen- eral Dunmore refused to reappoint him to office. He was Recorder of the City from 1750 to 1760; member of the Provincial Assembly in 1757-59.

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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 148

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