Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 172

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

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The great event of his ministerial life there was a remarkable revival of religion, which occurred in Germantown during the winter of 1839 and 1840. He had labored for years under much dis- couragement. The attendance at public worship was good, the Sabbath-school flourishing, and the moral tone of the community very high. No in- toxicating liquor was sold in the place. It was a rare thing to see an approach to the desecration of the Sabbath. New Germantown was the model of a small, quiet, inland village. But there were few or no accessions to the membership of the church. In the hope of quickening the congregation, a se- ries of week-evening meetings was introduced. The interest increased until it was necessary to hold meetings in the day-time, during the hours of which all places of business were closed. The number of converts grew to about 200, of whom 140 united with the Lutheran Church, which up to that time had had a membership of but eighty. That revival seems to have been the result of seed long and faithfully sown, suddenly blooming into a rich harvest. Dr. Pohlman's name still remains a household word in that community, and after the lapse of thirty years, in his annual visits, he was always welcomed as a father returning to encourage his spiritual children.

In 1843 he felt it to be his duty to leave the field in which he had been so useful, to take charge. of the Evangelical Lutheran Ebenezer Church in

Henry M. Pohlmann

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RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

his native city. He had then arrived at the full maturity of his powers, with large experience and vigorous health. The affairs of his new charge were not in a promising condition. The House of Worship was small, and many of the members who had once given the church strength had strayed off to other churches, whose pulpits were occupied by an array of talent surpassed by that of few cities in the land. The prospect was far from hopeful. Things improved, but with varying success; the most earnest efforts did not bring them up to the pastor's wishes or expectations. Having completed the labors of a quarter of a century, with the weight of advancing years pressing upon him, he retired from the pastoral office, but not to a life of inactiv- ity. Preaching whenever an opportunity was pre- sented, continually looking after the interests of the Synod, engaged more or less in all of the benevolent operations of his denomination, retaining his phys- ical and mental activity to the end, it may be said that he died in the harness.

A complete history of Dr. Pohlman's career would cover that of the Lutheran Church in the United States for the last half-century. He was with it in its infant struggles, and lived to behold it in its wonderful development and increasing strength. It is too soon to write out the history of this period impartially. At the time of his ad- mission to the ministry, the General Synod had just been formed, and the New York Ministerium, a party of the original convention, had already withdrawn. This led to the creation of two parties in the Ministerium, resulting in the formation of Hartwick Synod in 1830.

The Doctor, with a few other friends of the Gen- eral Synod, though in almost a hopeless minority, decided to remain with the Ministerium and abide the issue. Kindness, conciliation and courtesy secured the confidence of the majority. Everything moved on harmoniously, until in 1836, when, upon some harmless conditions which were readily ac- ceded to, the Ministerium renewed its connection with the General Synod. It should be remembered that the questions then agitating this portion of the church were very different from those which have since arisen, circling mainly around the danger re- sulting from concentrated ecclesiastical power. In- dividualism was the charm in those days, overlook- ing the grand results which might flow from co- operation. About that time, say 1835, the tide of German emigration began to set toward our shores. Settlements were springing up along our great thoroughfares of travel. The church was called upon to prepare for more active home missionary labor. The Doctor took a leading part in the work of organizing churches and aiding their pastors. Until recently he had assisted at the or- dination of many of the German Pastors in the State, awakening in them a reverence which was almost filial. These efforts resulted in an entire change in the constituent elements of the Minister- ium. At the commencement of these efforts, there was but one German Church in the body. At the end of thirty years nearly two-thirds of the members were Germans. It required great tact and mutual

forbearance to secure the harmonious action of these elements. But it was effected, presenting the pleas- ant spectacle of such diverse materials working to- gether for Christ, until the meeting of the General Synod at Fort Wayne. In the controversies which, since then, have agitated the church, he had, neces- sarily to take some part, but he was always found on the side of conciliation. He sympathized in the supposed grievances which led to a final disruption, but he was also firmly persuaded that they were to be remedied within, and not out of the General Synod. Regarding the Augsburg confession and Luther's smaller catechism as a suf- ficient basis for Church union, he clung to them with tenacity, whilst willing to allow a large liberty to brethren who might diverge from his interpreta- tion on one side or the other. When the New York Ministerium decided in September, 1867, to with- draw from the General Synod, a painful choice was

left him. How dearly he loved that venerable body; what lifelong associations were connected with it; how sweet the bonds which drew him to the breth- ren. It is a terrible crisis in a man's life when called to cut loose from all his antecedents, to separate from those with whom he has always acted. But conscience demanded the sacrifice. Though the whole of that heated discussion lie occupied the President's chair, but so impartial, so dignified, that it would have been difficult to tell which side he would espouse. One and another of the friends of the General Synod rose, and amidst the deepest silence, asked their dismissions to form a new Synod. All but two had spoken, the President and his old associate, who had been ordained with him. The former then left the chair, with deep emotion, in a kind but forcible manner, reviewed the whole question, gave his reasons for performing the sad- dest duty of his life, and then asked permission to accompany the brethren who had preceded him. Dr. Miller immediately presented the same request. The scene was touchingly impressive. There were but few eyes not moistened with tears. All felt that the Synod had passed through a terrible reality. On the 3d of September, 1867, the New Synod was or- ganized and the Doctor was elected the first President, a position which he held until transferred to the up- per sanctuary. This change of relations did not diminish the kindly feelings of the brethren from whom he had separated, and one of his last minis- terial acts was to reconsecrate the German Lutheran Church in Utica, in charge of Rev. A. Wetzell, and belonging to the Ministerium. Happy the man who, in periods of great excitement, is able so to deport himself, so to carry with him the evidence of stern integrity, as to secure the confidence and friendship of from whom he differs in opinion and action.

On the 7th of September, 1824, Dr. Pohlman was married to Miss Susan Cassedy, with whom he lived in the very happiest intercourse for thirty-nine years. A lady of gentle manners, fine intellect, high Christian culture and earnest piety, beloved by all who knew her, she was the meet companion of one whose aim in life was to draw others by the cords of love to the service of a loving Saviour. She

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

was the mother of five children, two of whom pre- ceded their father to the better land. Her death oc- curred November, 1863.

Dr. Pohlman's death, though somewhat unex- pected, was befitting his profession and his life. For several years he had lived with his daughter, Mrs. Patten, where, surrounded by his children, his books the society of congenial Christian friends, he might have anticipated a ripe old age, had not a latent af- fection of the heart exhibited symptoms of a dan- gerous character, to which he was not insensible. In closing the Synodical meeting at Red Hook, in October, 1873, his mind was burdened with thought that he would see his brethren no more in the flesh. In a farewell address, he touchingly expressed this conviction, though there was nothing in voice or manner to indicate that his end was so near. He preached several times afterward, and not until within a few weeks previous to his death were there indications of failing strength. On the day preced- ing he had a severe spasm in the region of the heart, which yielded to remedial agencies; but within the next twenty-four hours, quietly sitting in his accus- tomed place, his head drooped upon his breast and he passed away without a pang.

The funeral services took place in the church of which he had been pastor. Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. Dr. Upson and Rev. Dr. Senderling, and addresses were made by Rev. Drs. Strobel and Magee, of the Lutheran, and Dr. Halley, of the Presbyterian Church. The character of the audience, the deep feeling manifested, the high tribute paid to his character as a man and Christian, bore witness to the universal respect in which he was held in his native city. His remains now lie beside those of his wife and daughter in the Albany Rural Cemetery.

The Doctor was a man of fine physique, com- manding voice, chaste and impressive delivery. Few who have heard him in the pulpit will forget his dignified bearing, or lose the impression that he possessed not only great earnestness, but more than ordinary force of character. At all general church

gatherings a prominent place was allotted to him, and his deliverances were heard with pleasure. He did not aspire to the reputation of an erudite scholar. The time when he entered public life, and an isolated country parish for twenty years, did not offer many of the literary advantages now en- joyed. Still he collected a large and valuable library, of which he was a diligent student. In all the enter- prises of the nineteenth century he was well posted and took a stand at once high and judicious. He was well read on all subjects connected with his profession, and was a master of general English literature, an able rhetorician, a correct, graceful and forcible writer, and always ready and happy when called upon to make an impromptu address. As presiding officer of a deliberative body he had few equals. Prompt, decided, familiar with par- liamentary rulings, he was always clear and cour- teous. All this, combined with the unbounded con- fidence reposed in his character, will make it appear not strange that he should have presided over the New York Ministerium for twenty-one years, and over the New York Synod from its organization to the time of his death, thus making him for twenty- seven years the presiding officer of the body with which he was connected. And it was but natural that he should have been chosen three times Presi- dent of the General Synod, to every meeting of which, since 1836, he had been appointed delegate, failing in attendance but once. The merited title of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Penn- sylvania College in 1843. Outside of pastoral and synodical relations, he was by no means an inactive man. For many years he was a trustee of the State Idiot Asylum at Syracuse, one of the most interest- ing public charities, to which he devoted much time and care. Hartwick Seminary was one of his pets, a trustee of which he had been for thirty years. Believing that it had been the making of the Lutheran Church in this State, and that it gave promise of great future usefulness, he cher- ished an earnest desire for its perpetuation and enlargement.

THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

775

HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

By JACOB S. MARKLE.

INTRODUCTION.

W ITH regard to the sources of information from which this brief history has been ob- tained and prepared, it is proper to state that in collecting the material personal efforts brought the writer in communication with many who kindly gave information and valuable suggestions, for which grateful acknowledgment is due for the many favors bestowed and assistance freely ren- dered. To all who in any way contributed to the success of the work the writer tenders his thanks.

Much that would be of interest, of the past, is difficult to obtain, and many important facts and events cannot, at the present time, be satisfactorily presented, as records are few, and personal reminis- cences are buried with those who have departed from the scenes. For additional information, "Werner's Civil List of New York," "Harper's Monthly," "Child's Directory of Albany County" and other authors have been consulted.

The author submits his incomplete work to the reader, with the assurance that its imperfections will be criticized with candor, and with the earnest hope that an interest may be awakened in the minds of others for the future preservation of historical records.

Albany, 1884.

HISTORY.

THE history of the Township of Bethlehem dates from the discovery of the river which bears the name of Hudson, who, in 1609, landed with his canoes on its bank, and found a large number of natives fishing; from this circumstance he called it the "fishing place," or "Fuyck." Toward night he and his party landed on an island off the bluffs of the Indian stream Tawasentha, or "place of many dead," where they camped for the night. In the morning the party were surprised to find them- selves surrounded by a number of unwelcome visitors, whose friendly conduct soon allayed their fears, and the whites were induced to accompany them through the ford or creek by which they had gained the island, and for the first time put their

feet upon the main land. Here they beheld new wonders, and strange scenes encompassed them on every side. Meeting with no hostility, the Dutch explorers, after holding a friendly con- ference and exchanging a few articles, returned in safety to the island. Their stay here was brief, and when Hudson departed with his little band he never saw the shores again of the noble river that bears his name.

Following this voyage of Hudson were a number of Dutch adventurers, who were induced by the favorable reports received to undertake a voyage and open a trade with these Indians. The most noted of these were Adrian Block, Hendrick Cors- tiaensen, Cornelius Jacobsen Mey and others in 1614.

Intelligence of the discoveries made by Block and his associates was sent to Holland, and meas- ures were taken to secure for themselves the exclu- sive trade of the countries explored, which was granted them by an ordinance of March 27. "A special grant was made to" Gerret Witsen and others, whereby they were given exclusive privileges to navigate and trade within certain bounds for three years from January, 1619. Having obtained these exclusive privileges, under the name of " The United New Netherlands Company," they proceeded . to make arrangements for the execution of their plans and took possession of an island a short dis- tance below Albany City, and in 1614 they built a trading house 36 by 26 feet. This was called Fort Nassau. Around this they erected a stockade fifty feet square, and encircled it by a ditch eighteen feet wide; this was defended by two pieces of can- non and eleven stone guns, the whole garrisoned by twelve men and commanded by Jacob Jacobz Eilkins, or Elkins. In the spring of 1618 a freshet injured the Company's works on the island to such an extent that they were abandoned, and another fort built a short distance south on the bluffs* or mainland near the Tawasentha. From this circum- stance the island received the name of Castle Island; it is now known as Van Rensselaer Island. Upon this isolated spot was the foundation of settlement by

* This bluff was called by the natives Tawaesrunshea.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

these traders, who were only sojourners dependent for necessary supplies upon the arrival of the com- pany's ships and their own exertions. Their ex- perience on this island for the last two years of their sojourn was attended with many hardships and privations.

Weary must have been the watch of these lone traders as from day to day they paced along the shores of their little island and watched from the bluff for the first glimpse of the white sails that would bring them relief and tidings from the dis- tant land of their birth.

Relief came in 1623 by the arrival of a few Dutch families, who were sent out by the " Privi- leged West India Company," with a view to coloni- zation. These were most heartily welcomed by the few adventurers, and their homes about the island were soon after abandoned, as they joined forces to erect another fort in 1623, which they called " Fort Orange," and from which dates the first permanent settlement at Albany.

Up to the above date any settlements-if such they can be called-of these traders were made upon soil now within the territory of Bethlehem.

When the trading period gave way to the period of settlement, in order to secure the stability of their possessions in the new world, it was necessary that a formal government be established, based upon the privileges granted by the great " West India Company," which was char- tered June, 1621, and under its charter in 1623 the first company sailed from Holland in the ship New Netherland, under the command of Captain Corne- lius Jacobsen Mey. Several of these families, who were Walloons, came to Albany and made the first settlement. In 1629 this company issued a char- ter of " Privileges and Exemptions," which intro- duced the manorial system, with Patroons who had granted them feudal powers. They were anxious to have their lands settled, and offered, on favor- able terms to emigrants, great inducements to those who would accept the conditions and locate upon their lands, with exemption from rent for a term of years.

In 1630 a number of Hollanders came to Al- bany, and among them Albert Andriessen Bradt, or Bratt, surnamed the Norman, who settled at the mouth of the Tawasentha, where was an ancient Mohawk village and burial place of their dead. Hence the Dutch came to call the stream the Nor- man's kill .* He had eight children ; and tradition says that one of them was born on board the ship

during a storm, and hence was called "Storm Van der See." After settling he leased the water privi- leges of the stream and erected mills.

He was succeeded by his son Albertsen, who paid $150 a year for the use of the water privilege, and he was succeeded by his brother Slingerlandt in 1677 as lessee of the farm which his father had occupied. He died June 7, 1686.

This family of Bradts were the pioneers in the settlement of lands west of Albany. After a few years of parental care, arriving to manhood, they left the humble abode on the Kills, with the de- termination to obtain homes of their own, and penetrated the forest until a suitable location was found. This was usually near a stream or under the shelter of the hills, where was generally found a spring or creek. These were the first considera- tions ; then followed the preparation for the cabin, to shelter and protect from surrounding dangers. With sturdy blows from his ax trees were felled and shaped for the cabin, which, after much toil, served to protect him and his from the dangers of the wild beasts and afford a defense from the attacks of the treacherous Indians. Very few ventured, at first, far from the fort or their friends. For many years the frequent incursions of the Indians rendered it unsafe to dwell beyond ready assistance ; and they were hostile to those they considered trespassers, which acted unfavorably to the settle- ment of the adjacent rich lands ; but time brought a change, and this virgin soil, which contained the material for abundant returns and wealth, was gradually occupied by those who braved the sav- age tenants of the forest in the van of a new civili- zation. Hardships, privation and self-denial were the first fruits of their venture ; the harvest was in the future to be reaped by their descendants and those who followed after.

From the year of these first emigrants until 1700 but little material progress was made in the outer settlement on the manor, and those who occupied lands were, in many instances, squatters. This makes it quite difficult to obtain, in detail, an ac- curate account of the early inhabitants ; in many cases there is nothing to show the date when they took possession of the lands on which they built their log cabins, and but few facts can be given in regard to their family history.

The date at which many farms on the manor were first occupied cannot be definitely ascertained ; as they were under the control of the patroon, no public record was made of leases or conveyances, and in many instances the occupant took posses-

*Warner's New York Civil List.

THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

sion, and transfers were often made from one to another of possession only.

Mrs. Bonney, in her "Legacy of Historical Gleanings," says :

"It is time that the reminiscences of the pioneers were gathered together before the last of them shall have passed away, for one by one the landmarks are falling and the records of memory are fast be- ing obliterated, leaving little enough to be gleaned at the present time. Many who could boast of a venerable aggregate of years, and were once cogni- zant of important services or historical events, have become tenants of the silent tomb, and their testi- mony is buried with them. Much valuable infor- mation relating to the old documents and early chronicles of Albany and its ancient families could only be obtained from 'those honored relics of the past,' and, with their decease, has inevitably perished much of important traditional and histori- cal facts connected with the manorial chronicles."

Much that transpired in the early history of our settlement is already lost and forgotten in the quiet graves of the actors. Details drawn from tradi- tion are not always reliable, and however carefully the writer may draw conclusions obtained from material at hand, or whatever study he may bestow upon detached records and personal information, his conclusions may not always be satisfactory to author or reader.

These apprehensions are now justified, and cause much trouble in collecting facts to substantiate the more important events connected with the early history and settlement of Bethlehem.

But the necessities of life create a desire in the human heart for the possession of the means that contribute to the present and future well-being, and happiness appeals as an incentive to that end. Man is thus stimulated to seek the channels which offer the greatest safety and favorable prospects of success. These were, probably, some of the con- siderations which governed the early settler in his choice when selecting the land upon the manor, and we find that one after another availed himself of the favorable terms offered, and they induced others to follow. These in time formed a commu- nity of distant neighbors, and the first settlements were located along the river; yet it is very difficult to ascertain the order or date at which these famn- ilies took possession. Having no leases for the land, it is now almost impossible to recover the historical sequence of separate settlements. From 1650 to 1700 very slow progress was made, and few families were resolute enough to leave the set-

tlement for the dangers and hardships of forest life. Yet at the commencement of 1700 we find lo- cated along the line of the river, and on the Nor- manskill, thirty or forty families, among them Hen- drick,. Garret and Jan Van Wiee, Bradts, Vander- zee, Wm. Van Allen, Ten Eycks, Slingerlands, Vroomans, Adam Winne, Philip Schuyler, Francis Winne.

From 1700 to 1750 several families were added, and from a map made at this time for the patroon the following names appear : Rensselaer Nicoll, Betty Van Ostrand, Janes Taylor, Gerret Van Der Bergh, Cooper, Wm. Van Bergen, Abram Slinger- land, Philip Scuyler, Wouter Slingerland, Koenrad Louck, John Van Dusen, Adrian Bradt, Staats Seger, Jacob Louck, John Rosebooms, Gerret Van Allen, Hans Slingerland, Tunis Slingerland, Law- rence Wormer, Gerret Seger Jun, Jacob Coper, Jan, Storm and David Bradt, Dirk Vanderwilli- ger, Konradt Koen, Isaac, Omie and Christian La Grange, Tunis Hoogtaling.

After 1750 to 1800 the changes in the social con- dition and development of agriculture in the colo- nies were more favorable to emigrants, and now there is a class of mixed nationalities who settle among the Dutch, and in time coalesce by inter- marriage, and thus strengthened the bond of sym- pathy and influence in the duties that surround them. We have now Irish, Scotch and English, with the Dutch. Among them were Hugh Waters, Archibald and William McCormick, Andrew Cun- ning, Nicholas See, Christian Bender, I. Bussing, Jacob Kimmey, Peter McHarg, John Soop, Patrick Callanan and Solomon Luke, and the families of Patterson, Ramsay, Becker, Haswell, Babcock, Wiltsie, Mosher and Aarnout.

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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 172

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