Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 173

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 173

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Many of the families in New Scotland are in- cluded in the early settlement of Bethlehem, and it is difficult to separate the names, or detach them from Watervliet, as all the first settlements were originally made in Watervliet; yet care has been taken to follow the boundary lines in giving names. None of these townships were formed until 1788. After hostilities ceased, and peace secured, many of the above families came to this township, and from this time there was an inflow from ad- joining counties, and a few families from New England. The people generally at this date are engaged in farming ; manufactures have not been attempted ; a mill for grinding grain into flour for family use is the only demand, and home-made or domestic manufactures supplied the necessities of their wants. These were days of economy and

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

simplicity in living and dressing. A brighter day seemed to dawn for the future, and hope stimulated the younger members of the family to greater en- ergy and exertion, that they might add a few acres to the allotted portion. Social, religious, educa- tional and political growth has opened a wider field for the operations of man, and the policy of a liberal and republican government was a sure pre- cursor of more enlightened enterprise and public security, which was greatly to be desired by those who had long felt the burdens, of which they now were in a measure relieved. Prosperity was placed before him who would endure the necessary toil, and with manly courage in the battle of life try to win a place of honor in the affairs of public trust and home government. These grand triumphs were won by many of those whose names are re- corded above, and their descendants have nobly honored the sires by their public service and ad- vancement of those principles which exalt a people or a nation.

Gracefully flowing along the eastern shore line of Bethlehem is the noble Hudson, confined by rocky slopes which rise gradually to a height of 50 to 200 feet, forming curves that give lines of beauty to the water as it flows against the miniature cliffs; the harmless waves created by a passing boat dash against the shore or projecting rock, and as it glides on the river opens upon the vision of the be- holder a picture of rare beauty.

From the plain above the eye beholds the won- drous works of man, and nature has painted ex- quisite views to adorn the scene ; while the distant hills relieve the monotony and add refinement to the attractive features. Looking westward is a diversified country, and the eye with pleasure roves over rolling, cultivated lands. From every elevated situation, one may observe in many a quiet nook nestled in the shade, and along the river bank, fine villas, noble mansions and stately farm residences.

It is no marvel that the red man chose this front for his camping ground, council assembly and war-path, to meet his foe in the wilderness and battle for the victory.

On a sheltered spot, on the solid rock of the western cliff, just below the rapids, and a short dis- tance from where the Tawasentha, or Normanskill, mingles its waters with the Hudson, once stood the mill of Albert Albertsen Bradt, erected about 1630. There are but few of the ancient landmarks that contain a history remaining. Time has made many changes, and modern progress cuts its way through granite and sand with equal force, for good

or evil. Decay is the doom of man's best works ; his material is perishable; and time eats his monu- ments to valor, and brings to the dust the temples of his faith.

The name " Beth-le-hem" is scriptural-meaning "House-of-bread "-is well chosen, and might have been suggested by the fertility of the soil, or possibly the early settlers wished to associate the name in this way with their former residence, or it might have been taken because of the necessity of giving some name to the town. There is also a neighborhood in the township by the name of Jericho, and one of the first churches organized was named the Jerusalem church, all of which shows the Bible is not an unknown book in this region.

Mrs. Grant, in her "Sketches of Manners and Scenery in America." says of the Huguenots and French Protestants who came with the Hollanders, that these conscientious exiles were persons allied in religion to the primitive settlers; that they were " driven from their native land by intolerant bigot- ry ;" they were "deprived of many resources that were open to their fellow subjects, and forced to seek comfort in piety and concord for many priva- tions ;" * * * "they had suffered real and extreme hardships for conscience's sake from absolute ty- ranny and the most cruel intolerance ;" " they re- joiced in the free exercise of a pure and rational re- ligion, and in the protection of mild and equitable laws, as the first of human blessings." These, with "a great number of Protestants whom the fury of war and persecution on religious accounts had driven from the Palatinate," found a safe refuge here. These principles of religious freedom were kept alive in their hearts, until they could with their hands show their faith by their works in organizing societies and building churches.

The Township of Bethlehem was formed from Watervliet in 1793, and contained the whole of what is now New Scotland, and a part of Albany, which was attached in 1870. The township lies wholly within the Van Rensselaer Manor, adjoining Al- bany City on the north, extending along the river, with a shore line of ten miles, to Coeymans on the south and New Scotland on the west, including several islands.

The township contains 31, 583 acres of improved land ; the assessed value of real estate, $3, 745,428, and assessed value of personal property for 1883 was $58, 116 ; total, $3, 803, 544. The equalized valuation of real estate, $1,988,600 ; of personal, $58, 116; total, $2,046,716. Total amount to

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THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

be collected, $27,835; rate per $100, $01.36; Col- lector, John F. Vroman. Population in 1865, 5,928; 1870, 6, 950; 1875, 3,763 ; 1880, 3,752.

The surface consists of rolling upland, sand ridges, rocky knolls, and, near the river, a narrow plain, with steep bluffs from 50 to 150 feet in height, and elevations 200 to 400 feet. The de- clivities are broken by deep channels worn through the clay and slates. The deepest cuttings are made by the Normanskill, and "in passing through the series of newer sandstones and limestones and gray- wackes, it lays bare the succession of rocks, and in its progress it sinks its level quite through the gray- wackes and deeply into the sedimentary or graywacke slate. At lower points of its course the valley as- sumes a greater expansion, and the rocks stand in upright position. The action of the stream has been sufficient to reveal a formation of red sand- stone, which apparently underlies the Helderberg series of graywackes and slates, and the upper series of fossiliferous limestone, and its superimposed porous and nearly horizontal new sandstone. The stream finally enters the Hudson just below Albany, near the ancient cemetery of Tawasentha. This curious natural mound, or hillock, is connected with the diluvial formation by a narrow rock or peninsula. It was a spot sacred to sepulture from the earliest time, and furnished then a natural cog- nomen for the stream. There is no object of higher antiquarian interest in the vicinity, and it is worthy of municipal care and preservation."* The principal streams are Normanskill, Coeymans Creek and Vlamanskill, which afford valuable water power, but only partially utilized. In the town are sulphur springs, several unimportant caves, and quarries of limestone, used for fences and building purposes, also as a flux for blast furnaces, and strata of yellow sand, used largely for foundry purposes.

The soil consists of sand and clay loam, inter- mixed with gravel and, occasionally, argillaceous shales. The soil of the islands is an alluvium, which is enriched by the deposit from frequent overflow of freshets. The variety of soil is well adapted for the cultivation of all cereals, hay, pota- toes, and root crops generally, and many farmers are engaged in mixed husbandry, appropriating their best lands to the cultivation of garden vegeta- bles, or truck farming.

The islands and alluvial lands are largely planted with potatoes and cabbages. Fruit culture is con- nected with general farming, and certain portions of every farm are planted with apple, plum, pear,

cherry and peach trees. The small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries and currents, and garden vegetables are largely cultivated. The nearness to the city, with good roads, affords a ready market for farm and dairy products ; this has induced many farmers to engage in the production of milk, as a specialty, for the demands of the city. The most notable of the islands belonging to Bethle- hem is "Castle Island,"* so named from the circum- stance that a stockade fort was built upon it in 1614, as a protection to the Dutch traders with the Indians. The island was leased to Martin Gerritsen in 1668, and is sometimes called after his name. It is now known as Van Rensselaer Island, and upon it is erected the extensive works and buildings of the " Albany City Iron Works " and " The Jagger Iron Works," with the necessary docks, railroad tracks and storage facilities. The remain- ing portion is used for garden purposes.

The other islands are largely appropriated for the storage of ice, of which there are houses for 275,000 tons.

The principal streams afford considerable water power. Some smaller creeks furnish water power in time of freshets, and upon these are several saw- mills, which operate during the temporary supply.

The trees in the small forests are white and yel- low pine, several varieties of oak, hickory, maple, birch, ash and chestnut. Formerly red cedar was abundant, but now quite scarce. The timber lands of the town are rapidly diminishing. The domestic demand for lumber and fuel requires large quantities, and the farmer counts the income from the cultivated land equal to the purchase of coal and fencing material, for which wire is now largely substituted. A few years hence the forests will disappear, and only small groves will be allowed to cumber the ground. All rocky and waste places should be utilized by planting forest trees, natural to the soil and locality ; these, in a few years, would add much to the value of the property.

The farmers of the town are generally progres- sive, and with practical intelligence adopt the sys- tem of rotation, using manures and fertilizers as a means of renovating the land and stimulating the soil to greater yield.

A. few farmers give special attention to the im- provement of stock, and several have fine herds, which receive additions from. imported stock. Erastus Corning is a large breeder of Herefords and Jerseys; John S. Perry, of Guernseys; C. L. G. Blessing, of Friesland or Dutch cattle. Sheep husbandry receives very little attention ; other

*Schoolcraft.

*See note on page 2.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

interests of the farmer are carefully studied, and the general appearance of the farms denotes improve- ment and progression.

The minerals of the town are few and possess very little value.

The Indian history has but little of interest. They occupied territory surrounding Albany when the Dutch traders came, with whom a traffic in furs was established and treaties made that secured the friendship of the natives and advantage to the settlers, who located in the vicinity of (now) Ken- wood, where they had a place for the burial of their dead, and, perhaps, a camping ground.

In the years that followed settlement and occupa- tion of forests for agriculture and civilization, the Indian was disturbed in his possession as monarch. A new element entered his domain of wild forest life, which introduced changes in many of his customs, and taught him practices and arts that in time were used against the white settlers. The use of firearms and other modes of warfare enabled him to execute his savage designs with greater skill and certainty.

During the war of the Revolution, the Indians, who were under the control of the British and Tories, committed many acts of violence, and were a source of annoyance and terror. They had rendezvous in different parts of the town, where they met their allies in secret, and plotted hostile incursions against the neighbors.

Time works changes, and as civilization advanced, the Indian receded, and soon disappeared from the town of Bethlehem, making, in a degenerate con- dition, his final exit about forty years ago, and a few generations hence nothing will remain but the imperfect records of history.

Connected with the past may be mentioned the old Whitehall mansion, near the Delaware turn- pike road, a part of which was built by Gen. Brad- street, and during the Revolution is said to have been a resort for the Tories. It afterward came into the possession of C. Ten Eyck, and was occu- pied by the family until its destruction by fire in the spring of 1883.

Among other houses, yet in existence, erected before the Revolution by early settlers, is the Nicoll house, now in possession of Alex. R. Baker, built soon after 1720; the house of Peter Van Wie, 1732 ; the Abbey Hotel, a part of which was erected by a Van Rensselaer, and the old house of S. Baumes. Remains of others mark the place where deeds, long since forgotten, have been en- acted in the early struggles for a home and the means of an honest livelihood.

The Cherry Hill Mansion and Mount Hope are landmarks that tell of the early settlers, the first be- ing the residence of Solomon Van Rensselaer, and the latter now the property of Ezra P. Prentice.

Many saw-mills were in use in different parts of the township, which are now abandoned from the fact that the source of supply for logs is rapidly diminishing. A few others have taken their place, and the mills now in use are of a more substantial character, with improved machinery and modern fixtures.

VILLAGES.

BETHLEHEM CENTER P. O. (Babcock's Corners) is a small village, four miles south of Albany, on the "Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike Road." Among the first settlers were James Gibbons, Job Gard- ner, -Greennay, -Davis, Joshua Babcock.

There are 40 dwellings, 45 families, 190 inhab- itants, 2 blacksmiths, 2 wheelwright shops, school- house, church and hotel. Widow Van Buren, postmistress, and post-office kept at the toll-gate- house. Four cemeteries are located here.

SOUTH BETHLEHEM P. O. (Janes' Corners), nine miles from Albany, on the " Albany and Bethlehem plank road," and a station on the West Shore R. R., is pleasantly located. William Jones, James Callanan, Ambrose Wiltsie, Rimmey and Mosher were early settlers. Elishama Janes kept tavern.

The village has 30 dwellings, 33 families, 135 inhabitants, M. E. church, school-house, 2 stores, shoe shop, harness, blacksmith and wheelwright shop, barber's room and saloon. It has a band of 12 musicians, with O. S. Jolley as leader.

Here are located (in the town of Coeymans) the mills of Mr. Henry Callanan. These mills formerly belonged to Philip Kimmey, and were built about 1845 by Ira Jagger, millwright. Here also was located a tannery, about 1825, on the farm of Isaac and John Coffin, which for many years was operated by Robert Carhart, after which it passed into the possession of Cornelius Waggoner, and in 1832 Frederick Schaubb bought the prop- erty, and it was destroyed by fire in 1883. The post-office was established in 1874 ; John Sager is the present postmaster. A short distance from the village, on the farm of John Mosher, is a willow tree that measures 25 and 30 feet in circumference. Tamar Randall, afterward the wife of Henry Wiltsie, when a child, brought this willow twig from Pitchtona, and planted it by the roadside, a century ago, where it now stands, a living monu- ment to her memory.

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THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

Slingerlands P. O .- This was formerly Nor- manskill P. O., and locally Red Hook. The post- office was established in 1852, with Wm. H. Slingerland as postmaster. The name was changed in 1870. Present postmaster, G. W. Slingerland. The village contains 44 dwellings, 50 families, 230 inhabitants; a commodious brick school-liouse and M. E. church, printing establishment, hotel, marble and monumental works, store, 2 black- smith shops, wheelwright and paint shop, shoe shop, cigar mannfactory, R. R. station, and several fine residences, include the buildings of the village. The name is derived from several families who reside here, descendants of John A Slingerland. The early settlers were Andrew Cunning, Nicholas Sigsbee, Hunderman. Friendly Union Lodge, No. 381, I. O. O. F. is located here. The village is pleasantly situated 7 miles from Albany, on the Albany and New Scotland plank road, and it is a station on Susquehanna R. R. Being near the city, it affords many conveniences to those who seek for rural pleasure and the quiet of home life. A physician and lawyer represent the professions.

Selkirk is a post-office established in 1883 ; Jacob J. Soop, postmaster. This post-office is located at the station of the same name, on the N. Y. & W. S. Railroad, in the southeastern part of the town, upon lands belonging to the Selkirks. The Sel- kirks are of Scotch origin, and here include two families whose buildings represent the com- mencement of the future village.

Cedar Hill P. O., eight miles below Albany on the river road, and three-fourths of a mile from the landing, is an old settled place, having been oc- cupied by the Nicols, Winnes and Van Wies at an early date, followed by the Sills, Coopers and others. The locality derives its name from the circumstance that formerly red cedar was the com- mon growth of trees upon the hills and waste lands. At the river is located the extensive ice- houses of English and Best. From Winne's dock are shipped hay, straw, apples and other farm products ; this, also, is the landing for steaniboats. Wm. Selkirk is the postmaster.

Becker's Corners P. O., 6 miles from Albany, on the Albany and South Bethlehem plank road, is a hamlet containing 6 houses, a tavern, and a fine building belonging to the Grangers. Albertus W. Becker, postmaster.

Adams Station P. O., on the old Delaware turn- pike road, and a station on the A. and S. Railroad, is a village containing 85 dwellings, 90 families, 360

inhabitants, a Reformed church, M. E. church, school-house, 2 stores, tin shop, wheelwright and blacksmith shop, cigar manufactory, tavern. One physician and lawyer reside here.

Nathaniel Adams came here in 1836, and in 1838 erected a large hotel and made many im- provements, which are lasting monuments to his industry. From him the name is derived. Early settlers here were Flaglers, Waters, Erwin, Bussing. The post-office was established in 1840 ; Nathaniel Adams, first postmaster ; present postmaster, Wm. S. Murphy. The location is 4 miles from Albany, and its proximity to the city offers inducements that are rarely found. Easy of access by cars or private conveyance makes it a desirable place of residence for the business man who would seek re- tirement and the quiet of a country home.

Normansville, formerly Upper Hollow, is a ham- let 2 miles west of the city, located on both sides of the Normanskill, which has worn a deep chan- nel through the clay to the slate strata, leaving high banks on either side. Here the stream flows over the slate bed with a gradual inclination, affording a water power which at different times has been utilized. When the Albany and Delaware turn- pike was constructed, it passed across this ravine and over the creek, on a wood bridge, 100 or more feet long. This bridge was taken away by a freshet in 1868, and an iron one, of two spans, put in its place in 1869, by the town of Bethlehem, as the turnpike company had abandoned the road. At the west end of the bridge stands the old toll- gate house, built when the road was first construct- ed, and from which Peter Esmay gathered toll for half a century. His familiar face and happy, smil- ing greeting are remembered by many. The con- struction of the turnpike induced a spirit of enter- prise, and Isaac Stiles opened a tavern for the accommodation of travelers on this road ; soon after (about 1822) Stiles put up buildings for a saw-mill, which were followed by necessary machinery for carding wool, dyeing and dressing cloths. There was attached to these mills machinery for rasping and cutting dye-woods, which were used extensively at that time. Then the spinning wheel and loom were a household necessity ; now the piano and organ have taken their place. These mills and property after a time passed into the posses- sion of S. Congdon, who continued them as a saw- mill and dye-rasper for several years. Congdon sold to A. B. Sweet. Soon after the mills were carried away by a freshet, taking the bridge at the same time. Sweet rebuilt with brick and wood

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

attachments, and engaged in the manufacture of straw-board paper. The property now belongs to F. Hinckle, who for a short time engaged in the manufacture of starch from potatoes. Adjoining these mills is an ice-house of 3, 000 tons capacity. The mills are now idle and located above the bridge, on the east bank of the creek. The water and necessary fall is obtained from a dam across the stream.

On the west side of the creek, below the bridge, a grist-mill was built by James McCormick, about the year 1820. Nathaniel Sawyer afterward owned this mill, to which was attached machinery for carding wool, dyeing and dressing cloth ; also a mill for rasping dye-woods and grinding plaster. This mill property passed to the possession of Henry . Arnold, and was subsequently destroyed by fire.

They were rebuilt by Arnold and then sold to Redell ; the present owner is Heman Hardy, who converted them into a straw-paper mill, with a capacity, when in operation, of making two tons of wrapping-paper per day. Work in this mill is now abandoned. Steam and water power is used. The hamlet contains 17 dwellings, 22 families, 100 inhabitants. Arkles at one time kept tavern here. There were mills owned by Congdon above Peter V. W. Brooks.

Hurstville (Log Tavern), a hamlet two miles northwest from Albany, on the Albany and New Scotland plank road, was first settled by Urban Van Hart and William Gilbert. William Hurst located there in 1861, and from him the place derives its name. The first settler was a man by the name of Hagadorn, who kept the " Log tav- ern ;" from this circumstance the place was known as "The Log Tavern." The Hurstville Hotel, kept by William Hurst's sons, the residence of John Brown, the mansion of Gilberts, and the tenement house opposite the hotel, make up the complement of dwellings.

Kenwood (Lower Hollow) .- Just below the falls, and near where the Normanskill enters the Hudson River, is a hamlet which dates its settle- ment with that of Albany, first by the erection of a fort in 1618, and the settlement of Albert Andriesen Bradt, who built a mill here in 1630, which was in the family until 1678. In this vicinity the In- dians had a "place for the many dead," called Tawasentha," which is mentioned by the poet Longfellow in his " Hiawatha," and claimed by H. R. Schoolcraft " as the curious natural mound, or hillock, as a sacred sepulchre from the earliest time, and also furnished them with a natural cognomen

for the stream." For many years improvements were slow, and nothing of importance was done until after the close of the Revolution and peace brought encouragement for manufactures and other industries.

At this time the Van Rensselaers erected mills here, which were improvements upon former rude structures and imperfect machinery. These mills served for the times and circumstances, being pat- ronized by the farmers for grinding their grain for flour, meal and feed, sawing lumber, carding wool, dyeing and dressing cloth, and contributing other necessary supplies for the people. Among the men who had charge, or operated these mills, were Godley, Merrifield, Stiles, Smith, Warmington, and others. Butterfield and Hagadorn were tavern- keepers. The Turnpike Road was incorporated in 1804, which opened a thoroughfare from the city leading south into the country ; this was of great advantage to the farmers, and stimulated business at the Lower Hollow. Mills were erected below the bridge, but these have disappeared.

The old house built by Robert Van Rensselaer, near the bridge, is still standing and occupied.

Many changes have taken place since 1840 ; the early industries are no longer demanded, and the property has passed into others' possession ; the business formerly done here has materially changed ; the extensive flouring-mills have disappeared, as also the knitting-mills, which, at one time in suc- cessful operation, were destroyed by fire, and in their place is a manufactory for felt-cloth and blankets. The past year a large frame building has been erected, south of the bridge, for a flouring- mill.

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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 173

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