Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 151

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 151

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SOME VIEWS IN ALBANY ABOUT 1800.

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and yet human bones have recently been exca- vated there of some neglected ones.

When the churchyard became completely cov- ered with tombs, a layer of earth was superim- posed, and new graves were made, so that three tiers of coffins, closely compacted side by side, lay one above another. About 1780 the place had been abandoned, and a city burial lot was estab-

lished south of the old Capitol Park. A new church structure was erected on the old lot in 1805, but it no longer had a city churchyard. The new lot south of the Capitol, and appropriated for a common burial ground in 1789, was bounded by Eagle on the east, State on the north, and Lancaster on the south. Lots were set apart for the different churches.

DESIGN FOR OFFICES ANO KEEPERS RESIDENCE ALBANY (ENKTERY. ROBERT W. GLOSON, ART ALANEXT

LODGE AT RURAL CEMETERY.

The Lutherans had a burial ground in connection with the Evangelical Lutheran Ebenezer Church, founded in 1680, on the site of the present Music Hall and City Building. For over a century this church buried their dead here. When the old Centre Market, which occupied this ground many years, was demolished in 1868, the remains were removed to the Rural Cemetery.

The First Presbyterian Church, established in 1763, had a burial lot until about 1760, in con- stant use, in the square bounded by Hudson ave- nue, Grand, Beaver, and William streets.

The next public cemetery, established far outside the settled part of the city, in State street, near Knox, began to be occupied in 1806. It was surrounded by a fence ten feet high, and divided among the different religious congregations. It was thus used about sixty years, when, in 1868, the bodies were removed to the Rural Cemetery, and the ground was made a part of Washington Park. The reinterment was made at the expense of the city, under arrangements with the various religious congregations which occupied burial lots on these grounds. The Common Council appointed a committee, consisting of Peter M. Carmichael, William S. Paddock, William H. Taylor, Edmund L. Judson, and Thomas Mulhall, to act in its behalf.

The Albany Rural Cemetery had its origin in a sermon preached by the Rev. B. T. Welch, D. D., in the Pearl street Baptist Church, December, 1840. April 2, 1841, an Association was in- corporated, consisting of Rev. Dr. B. T. Welch, first President of the Association; Anthony M. Strong, first Secretary and Treasurer; Stephen Van Rensselaer, John A. Dix, John Q. Wilson, James Homer, Peter Gansevoort, Thomas W. Olcott, Ezra P. Prentice, John Wendell, Ellis Baker, Ira Harris, Archibald McIntyre. The Committee to locate and improve the grounds were B. T. Welch and Thomas W. Olcott, who selected the site April 20, 1844. The cemetery originally contained 100 acres, a part of which formerly belonged to Thomas Hillhouse. This portion was consecrated October 7, 1844, with impressive and imposing ceremonies .* The first interment was made in May, 1845. Additions by purchase have been made, and the Association now owns 2812 acres.

This beautiful and diversified cemetery is situated in the township of Watervliet, about three miles

* At the consecration, Daniel D. Brainard was the orator; Alfred B. Street, the poet. Revs. Dr. W. B. Sprague and H. Potter were the clergy; and active on that day and in the whole work as long as they lived, besides the Trustees, were Gideon Hawley, Amos Dean, Otis Allen, Lewis Benedict, Matthew Patten, and many others. General Rufus King was the Marshal. In natural and artistic beauty, this cemetery has been spoken of by good critics as excelled only by that of Cincinnati.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

north of the City of Albany, and is easy of access by private conveyance on the Troy Turnpike road, by the West Troy Horse-Cars, and by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's Railroad. This road has a station near the entrance to the cemetery.

The cemetery grounds possess in a remarkable degree the natural conditions desired in physical structure and adaptability. Its undulating con- tour and diversified variety; its picturesque expanse of hill and dale, ravine and dell, stream and cas- cade, sparkling rivulets, bubbling fountains, placid ponds, rocky cliffs, sylvan nooks, and miniature forests-attractions rare and unique-combine to place this cemetery among the finest in the country.

The whole grounds are planned and platted with the taste and skill of artistic engineering, and the sculptor's work is seen from every point, as the eye wanders over the many monuments and other mementoes of the departed.

Broad avenues and drives lined with shade trees, intricate labyrinths of walks and paths, serve to per- plex the visitor in his rambles here, in this silent city of the dead.

A natural feature is the division of this area into three ridges, designated South, Middle and North, running east and west, through which pass two never failing streams of water, which are used to advantage in ornamentation and giving wide di- versity of scenic effect.

Jeffrey P. Thomas, succeeding his father, is the Superintendent and Surveyor. He is a man of excellent taste and judgment.

St. Agnes' Cemetery adjoins the Rural Cemetery on the south, and is approached by a beautiful tree-lined avenue, nearly half a mile long, by the same public conveyances that serve for the Rural. This cemetery contains 50 acres, and is on the same ridge with the Rural, and handsomely and tastefully arranged. The Association was incor- porated May 9, 1867, with the following offi- cers: Right Rev. John J. Conroy, Rev. Edgar P. Wadhams, Peter Cagger, Presidents; William S. Preston, Secretary and Treasurer; John Tracey, James Hall, William Cassidy, Thomas Mattimore, John Stuart, Joseph Clinton, Robert Higgins, John McCardle, John Mullen, Henry Lucke, Directors. Thomas Kearney is Superintendent. The cemetery grounds were consecrated on the 19th of May, 1867, by the Right Rev. Bishop Conroy, assisted by the clergy of the city, in the presence of a large assembly, who witnessed the solemn and impressive ceremony.

Anshe Emeth Cemetery adjoins the Rural Cem- etery on the northeast, and contains four acres. It was first appropriated as a place of interment for the Members of the Jewish Congregation, Anshe Emeth. In 1862 it was surveyed into lots; and in 1875 it was incorporated as a Cemetery Associa- tion. The grounds are arranged in excellent taste, and general simplicity is observed in the order of design, which adds much to the whole appearance. The natural features in some respects resemble those of the Rural, yet lack in the great diversity and changeable character of surface.

This cemetery is reached by the Londonville plank road, also by the way leading to the Rural. The officers are Joseph Sporberg, J. Laventall, Isaac Waldman, S. Bonday. C. Tasler is Super- intendent.

Other cemeteries are those of the Catholic Congregations of St. Mary and St. Joseph, within the bounds of the city on Washington avenue.

St. John's Catholic Church has a cemetery on Delaware avenue, which has been used since August 28, 1841, and another near Bethelehem centre.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church has its cemetery on the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Society has one on the Sand -. hill road, consecrated in 1846 and abandoned about ten years later. The cemetery at the Alms- house is devoted to the burial of those who die while in the institution or in the Penitentiary, and the unclaimed dead of the streets and river.

St. Peter's Church occupies ground once devoted to the burial of the early settlers. Lands near Hudson and Grand, and on the corner near Howard and South Pearl, were also used. Some years after this a portion of Washington Park was used.

The people of the old town of Colonie had lands given them by the Patroon for burial purposes on Arbor Hill between Second and Third streets, above Ten Broeck, where St. Joseph's Church now stands. It was used about twenty years.

On the southwest corner of Hamilton and South Pearl streets was the family burial ground of the Halenbecks. The property was sold for taxes, a portion of the proceeds being used for the pur- chase of a lot and monument in the Rural Cem- etery, to which their remains were removed in 1860.

MOHAWK AND HUDSON RIVER RAIL- ROAD.

The cut on next page represents the style of the first passenger train propelled by steam in America. It was used on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad between Albany and Schenectady, the first success- ful railroad in this country for carrying passengers.

The charter for the building of this road was granted by the Legislature March 27, 1826. Stephen Van Rensselaer, the Old Patroon, was the leading capitalist in what was then considered a visionary scheme. Work upon its construction began July 29, 1830, and may be said to have been completed September 24, 1831. An excur- sion over the road was then given by the Directors, to which were invited State and city officials and eminent citizens.

The cut used in connection with this article is said to be a faithful representation of the train used upon this occasion. The cars were simply stage-coach bodies made by James Goold, the famous coach-builder, and placed upon trucks for temporary use, affording seats for twelve or eighteen passengers each. A speed at the rate of thirty miles an hour was reached.

This road, as at first constructed, extended from the junction of the Western Turnpike and Lydius

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CITY BUILDINGS.

street in this city; and from this point, a distance of twelve and a half miles, to the brow of the hill at Schenectady. Both of these points were first reach- ed by stages, and afterward by an inclined plane, which passengers were carried to the railroad sta- tions in a car drawn by a rope by means of a sta- tionary engine. The Albany Station was where

Van Vechten Hall now stands. Some years later the grade of the road was so much reduced that the inclined planes were done away with and the road constructed over them. The use of the streets for railway travel was opposed with varying success by the Common Council and many citizens. The starting point on the river was at Gansevoort street.

M&HRR C.

HRR G

Nº 2

FIRST STEAM PASSENGER TRAIN IN AMERICA.

The Chief Engineer was John B. Jervis; the Resi- dent Engineer, John T. Clark, who acted as Con- ductor, and Fireman John Hampson.

The following were passengers on this memor- able trip: Governor Enos T. Throops, Senator Charles E. Dudley, Comptroller Azariah C. Flagg, Lieutenant-Governor Edward P. Livingston, Ex- Governor Joseph C. Yates, Chancellor Reuben H. Walworth, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Francis Blood- good, Joseph Alexander, John Meigs, Erastus Corn- ing, Lewis Benedict, John Townsend, Jesse Buel, John I. Boyd, Thurlow Weed, William Bay, Sim- eon De Witt Bloodgood, William B. Winne, and L. H. Tupper, of Albany; Samuel Swartwout, Philip Hone and Jacob Hays, of New York; John I. De Graff, Schenectady; David Mathews, builder, and Churchill C. Cambreling, President of the road,

RAILROAD MEN OF TO-DAY. - Albany has grown to be a railroad center of great importance, and furnishes employment to a large force of men in this city. Among those deserving honorable men- tion are the following gentlemen, who form an important element in Albany's industrial popula- tion, all of them connected with the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad: P. H. Mann, Ticket Agent for many years; Lyman F. Chamber- lain, Superintendent New York Central Sleeping Car Company; S. H. Foster, Depot Master; E. J. Graham, Secretary Bridge Department; G. W. Gibbons, Freight Agent; C. B. Chittenden, Track Superintendent; Joseph P. Morris, Baggage Agent; I. N. Coley, Train Dispatcher ; J. H. Adams, Isaac Soule and John Ternonth, connected with the New York Central Locomotive Works.

The following are connected with the Boston and Albany Railroad Company: J. B. Chapin, Assistant Superintendent; William H. Russell, Jr., Division Superintendent; J. E. Doran, Master Car- builder; William H. Fisher, Stock Agent; E. P. Haley, Superintendent of Tracks; John T. Lozier, Train Dispatcher ; Thomas P. Purvis, Jr., Me- chanic.

The following are connected with the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company : C. W. Wentz,

Chief and Consulting Engineer ; F. C. Ward, Paymaster ; Dudley Farlin, Assistant General Freight Agent; Hamilton Patterson, Track-layer; William K. Harcourt, Ticket Agent ; Joel W. Burdick, Superintendent Telegraph ; C. D. Ham- mond, Superintendent Susquehanna Division.

CITY BUILDINGS.

THE Old City Hall stood on the site of the pres- ent City Hall. It was begun in 1829, the ground having been purchased of St. Peter's Church for $10,259.95. August 31, 1830, the corner stone was laid by Mayor John Townsend with Masonic ceremonies. The building was completed in 1832 at a total cost of about $92,000. It was a comely and commodious structure, built of white marble, with an entrance porch supported by four Doric columns, simple in their classical dignity. On the roof was a gilded dome, somewhat similar to the present State Hall. There was but little of orna- mentation to the interior of the building, yet the artistic was not wholly wanting. A full-length statue of Alexander Hamilton stood in the center of the upper hall, between the Court-room and the Common Council Chamber. Upon one side of this hall was a bas-relief of DeWitt Clinton, with a view of the primitive canal-boat in the distance; and on the opposite wall a similar figure of Sir Walter Scott, in like style of art. The origin of the fire that destroyed the building in February, 1880, is among the unsolved mysteries. The most im- portant papers and other matters of value were rescued from the flames.

NEW CITY HALL.

This building was erected in 1881-83 on the site of the old City Hall. In architecture it is consid- ered one of the finest buildings in the State. H. H. Richardson, distinguished as the architect of Trinity Church, Boston, and as one of the Advisory Board of Architects of the New Capitol, planned the structure.

678

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

CITY HALL.

The City Hall is built of reddish granite, trimmed with Long Meadow brownstone, and is a free treatment of Gothic from the South of France. The tower, 202 feet, is divided into twelve stories, for storing records. The cost, including furnishing, etc., was $325,000, of which $290,000 was ob- tained by the issue of city bonds. The expense of construction and maintenance is borne half by the city and half by the county. This is considered by some an unfair division, as the city is a part of the county, bearing a larger share of the county's half. The building was erected by a Commission, cre- ated by legislative act, consisting of the Mayor, Michael N. Nolan; Chairman of the Board of Su- pervisors, Edward A. Maher; and Erastus Corning, C. P. Easton, Robert C. Pruyn, Leonard G. Hun, Albertus W. Beeker, and William Gould. It con- tains the county offices and all the city offices not

in the City Building. Next to the New Capitol, it is the building which attracts most attention.

THE CITY BUILDING.

This building occupies the site of the old Centre Market, corner South Pearl and Howard streets. It was begun in 1868; is of the Lombardic style of architecture, ornamented with a Mansard roof. It is built of brick, faced with Lake Champlain lime- stone, at an expense of $200,000. It contains the Police Court-room; City Court; offices of Overseer of Poor, of the Park Commissioners and Engineer, Fire and Police Commissioners, Fire Alarm Tele- graph, Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments, Property Clerk and Detectives; Second Precinct Station House; the Rogues' Gallery; and the Ex- cise Commissioners.

SCHOOLS AND OTHER LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

679

SCHOOLS AND OTHER LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

UNION UNIVERSITY IN ALBANY.

IN 1767-68, Eleazer Wheelock, who conducted an Indian charity school in Lebanon, Conn., decided to remove the school to some location more central and better adapted for the purposes intended. In his search for such a place he was naturally attracted to Albany, which at this time was one of the principal cities in the country and a place of interest to the Indian tribes. The Common Council of the city became interested in the estab- lishment of such an institution in the city, and voted to raise $7, 500, to be devoted to the erection of the necessary buildings, if located here. Several letters were interchanged between Mayor Douw and Mr. Wheelock relating to the subject, but for some cause the project proved unsuccessful, and the school was removed to Hanover, N. H., and became the foundation of Dartmouth College in 1769. This was the first movement toward a col- lege in Albany.

During 1779, when a project was started for the incorporation of Clinton College at Schenectady, it was represented in the preamble of the charter that a large number of the respectable inhabitants of the Counties of Albany, Tryon, and Charlotte were heartily in favor of the erection of the college. The Journals of the Legislature of 1779 show that the petition upon which this charter was granted was signed by eight hundred and fifty inhabitants of Albany and Tryon Counties. The proposed incor- porators of this college contained the names of the following citizens of Albany: Eilardus Westerlo, Philip Schuyler, Robert R. Livingston, Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates, Jr., Robert Yates, John Cuyler, and Robert Van Rensselaer.

This early attempt at the founding of a college at Schenectady, although it was unsuccessful, natu- rally led the way for the establishment of Union College some years after, in the establishment of which many Albanians took a prominent part. Something of an effort was made to have it located in Albany. In 1792 the Corporation resolved to convey to Trustees, thereafter to be appointed, a part of the public square in the city for the purposes of a college, and a subscription was assured by the citizens, with a view of carrying the project into immediate effect. But the Regents of the Univer- sity decided upon Schenectady as the place. The first Trustees of Union College, when founded, February 25, 1795, contained the following names of citizens of Albany: Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, Jr., Abraham Ten Broeck, Goldsbrow Banyar, John V. Henry, George Merchant, Stephen Van Rensse- laer, and Joseph C. Yates. Albany has always taken a great interest in this college. Its first Pres- ident, Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, was called from the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church in

Albany, and other of the college instructors have been taken from this city. Most of the Albany boys who have received a collegiate education have graduated from Union. The Albany Medical School, Albany Law School, and Dudley Observa- tory, with Union College, now constitute Union University.

Old Normal School.

The Albany State Normal School is the oldest of its class in the State. It was established by legis- lative act May 7, 1884, as an experiment, and opened with twenty-nine pupils December 18, 1844, in the old depot building of the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Company, provided by the city. The first principal was David B. Page, of New Hampshire. The inception of the school was by such minds as Samuel Young, Alonzo Pot- ter, Gideon Hawley and Francis Dwight. In 1848 the school was made a permanent institution, and during this year a new building was erected on Lodge street, at a cost of $25,000, and was opened for pupils July 31, 1849. Ever since then it has had an able corps of teachers, a large pa- tronage, and enjoyed the fullest confidence of the State and of all friends of education. Mr. Page died in 1848. His successors have been George R. Perkins, in 1848; Samuel B. Woolworth, in 1852; David H. Cochran, in 1856; Oliver Arey, in 1864; Joseph Alden, in 1867; Edward P. Wa- terbury, in 1882. In 1885 the school was removed to the new building on Willett street, facing Wash- ington Park, erected at a cost of $140,000. It is built of freestone, of the Old Capital and Philadel- phia brick, 128 by 160 feet, court in center 50 by 90 feet, and will accommodate 670 pupils, includ- ing 400 normals, 200 in the model department, 50 in Kindergarten, and 20 in object class. The building was designed by Ogden & Wright, Albany architects. Since the establishment of the school, 2, 850 scholars have been graduated, and more than 10, 000 undergraduates have taught district schools. The "Historical Sketch of the State Normal

680

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

School at Albany: a History of its Graduates for Forty Years," prepared by President Waterbury, and published in 1884, contains a proud record of the

work and the workers of the school, and a descrip- tion of the remarkably fine new building on Willett street, with illustrations.

NEW NORMAL SCHOOL.

THE ALBANY LAW SCHOOL.

In 1851 the Legislature incorporated the Univer- sity of Albany, giving it authority to organize a literary department, a law department and a sci- entific department, and providing that the Albany Medical College, already existing, might, if so dis- posed, unite with the departments to be formed.

The literary department was never formed, and the Scientific Department was confined to the Dud- ley Observatory, which has never been used for in- struction, but only for scientific work.

The department of law, however, was immedi- ately organized into the Albany Law School, and has maintained a flourishing existence ever since, having conferred diplomas on nearly two thousand graduates, and having had on its rolls almost as many more students who attended lectures for a while without graduating.

At that time there were very few, if any, other law schools in the country than the Law Depart- ments of Harvard, Yale and Cincinnati. There . are now of all grades something over fifty schools and colleges where law is taught.

The first Board of Trustees was organized as fol- lows: President, Hon. Greene C. Bronson; Vice- President, Thomas W. Olcott; Secretary, Orlando Meads; Treasurer, Luther Tucker.

In 1855 Thomas W. Olcott became President, and so continued till his death in 1880, when Or- lando Meads succeeded him, and held that office

till his own death in 1883. Marcus T. Hun was elected Secretary in 1880.

The first Faculty consisted of Hon. Ira Harris, LL. D., who lectured on Practice, Pleading and Evidence; Hon. Amasa J. Parker, LL. D., on Real Estate, Wills, Criminal Law, Personal Rights, and Domestic Relations; Amos Dean, LL. D., on Personal Property, Contracts and Commercial Law. For seventeen years the Professors continued to constitute the Faculty till the death of Professor Dean in 1869, followed by the resignation of Pro- fessor Parker in 1870, and the death of Professor Harris in 1875.

Professors Harris and Parker were Justices of the Supreme Court. Chancellor Reuben H. Walworth at an early date became President of the Faculty, but took no part in instruction. In 1856 the name of Amasa McCoy appears as Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory, which position he filled for several years.

Isaac Edwards, LL. D., succeeded to the chair of Professor Dean; Hon. Mathew Hale, LL. D., to that of Professor Parker; and C. T. F. Spoor, Esq., to that of Professor Harris.

In 1870 a large accession was made to the ranks of the students, and the Faculty was enlarged by the addition of William L. Learned, LL. D., Jus- tice of the Supreme Court, who lectured on Equity, Jurisprudence, Civil Law, and the Trial of Causes; and William F. Allen, LL. D., then Judge of the Court of Appeals, who lectured on Real Estate.

681

SCHOOLS AND OTHER LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.

In 1873 the University of Albany united with Union College to form Union University.

In 1874, Hon. John T. Hoffman, LL. D., Gov- ernor of the State of New York, was added to the Faculty, as Professor of the Law of Real Property.

In 1878, Eliphalet N. Potter, D. D., LL. D., be- came lecturer on the Feudal System; Henry Cop- pee, LL. D., on International Law; Hon. Henry E. Sickles on Evidence; and C. T. F. Spoor, Esq., on Practice and Pleading at Common Law and under the Code.

In 1879 Professor Edwards died, and was suc- ceeded by Hon. Horace E. Smith, LL. D., as Dean, and lecturer on Personal Property, Con- tracts, Commercial Law, Common Law, Pleading, Torts, and Medical Jurisprudence. Henry S. Mc- Call, Esq. and Irving Browne, Esq., entered the Faculty about this time, Professor McCall lecturing on Real Estate and Wills, and Professor Browne on Domestic Relations and Criminal Law.

Hon. Nathaniel C. Moak commenced to lecture before the school in 1883 on Books and Judicial Systems.

Professor Dean published a History of Civilization; Professor Edwards published several text-books, one on Bailments, another on Bills and Promissory Notes; and Professor McCall published a Form Book, and a work on Real Estate. Professor Sickles has long been Reporter of the Court of Appeals. Professor Parker published a series of Criminal Reports; Professor Browne edits the Albany Law Journal, and has published several text-books; Professor Moak has edited several le- gal text-books, and is publishing the English and the American Reports; and Professor Coppee has published a text-book on Logic and other works. So that a vast amount of literary work has been and is being done by the Professors of the Faculty. Judge Parker survives and is a trustee, though no longer a lecturer.

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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 151

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