Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 174

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 174

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The property in this vicinity originally belonged to the Van Rensselaer family, of which Gen. Solo- mon Van Rensselaer was an honored member, and the Cherry Hill mansion was his residence. Mount Hope, a lovely and commanding elevation, was purchased by Ezra P. Prentice, and for many years the farm and surroundings were the pride of its own- er; but its former attractions are giving place to the march of improvement, which has already changed much of its wonted beauty and rural picturesque- ness.

Passing south is the school of the "Sacred Heart," a Catholic institution, where formerly was the residence of Joel Rathbone, and the owner of the Kenwood Mills and other property. The name " Kenwood" was given the romantic hamlet by Mr. Rathbone from some resemblance or connection with a similar place in Scotland.

783

THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

The hamlet contains 16 dwellings, 36 families, and 150 inhabitants, a Baptist chapel, school- house, store, and blacksmith shop. The Albany and Bethelehem turnpike passes through the place, and the Albany Railway Co. has a track for horse- cars which follow South Pearl street, of which this road is a continuation, to Kenwood Bridge.

CHURCHES.

EARLY RELIGIOUS CHARACTER AND PIETY OF THE VAUDOIS AND HUGUENOTS .- These early Chris- tian martyrs were a peculiar people; their lives were passed in deeds of charity, in honest labors, and in unvarying self-respect. In every age their manners have been the same, fair and spotless ; and their native refinement, their sincerity and de- votion, were uttered in their plaintive hymns as heard from the grove's sylvan shade, where they could meet for worship in their rude way. The vices and the follies of the world that have wrecked thousands never invaded their homes, unless brought by people of loose morals. Soon after the dawn of Christianity their ancestors embraced the faith of St. Paul. The Scriptures became their only guide, and they never accepted the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church. When in the eleventh century Rome asserted her supremacy Vaudois missionaries traveled into Hungary, Bo- hemia, France, England and Scotland; they point- ed to Rome as the Antichrist, and they taught, as they believed, the pure faith of the apostolic age. Now we see the results of these simple-minded, yet faithful, Vaudois. Germany and Bohemia were reformed by the teachings of Piedmont ; Huss and Jerome did little more than proclaim the Vaudois faith ; Luther and Calvin, Wycliffe and Knox were only the necessary offspring of the apostolic churches. Persecutions, massacres, martyrdoms and crusades followed for four centuries, which only added link to link in the chain of Christian civilization, and through this came the Reforma- tion which convulsed Europe, destroying priestly despotism and planting liberty of conscience as the sovereign power of religious freedom. To the firm faith of these carly martyrs, and their simple prayers, are the Protestants of this country indebt- ed for much they enjoy of religious liberty. The " every day" of time gradually blots from the world's records events that were once realities, and many scenes of the present are only enactments of the past. Changes take place that are wrought out to wait the exigencies of surrounding circum- stances to develop new forms of civilization.

At the close of the sixteenth century the Refor- mation seemed to have freed itself from bondage, and was ready for new conquests in the waste places of the New World. Holland, England, Scotland, Germany, France were now foremost among the reformers to establish freedom of worship. They saw that the church was the creation of the people, that it owed its existence to the human labors and divine gifts of men, and that the doctrine of passive obedience was not acceptable to its followers, and they resolved to find a land where they could es- tablish a system of religion free from despotism; and with piety most fervid and courage undaunted, amidst hardships and privations, yet enthusiastic of success, they bade adieu to the scenes of conten- tion, and on the virgin soil of America founded that system of religion and education which is the pride of our boasted civilization. Early in its his- tory Bethlehem received the seeds of this stock, which were transplanted and spread over her fair domain with wonderful growth, and her many churches attest the truth that right principles and honest convictions of human progress will grow and become powerful as an element of moral greatness. Many of the first and early settlers were deeply imbued with a spirit of reverence for sacred things, and their hearts overflowed with thanks- giving for the early instruction they received from pious parents ere they departed for the heavenly country.

There are in this town eight churches, of the fol- lowing denominations : two Reformed, three Methodist, one Presbyterian, one True Reformed Dutch, and one Methodist chapel. With their history and early struggles much that would be of interest has not been carefully recorded, and those who were active participants in the organization of the first churches have disappeared from the scenes of life, "but their works do follow them." The first settlers resided near the city, and thither they wended their way for instructions and social com- munion in sacred things. Their landed posses- sions were, in many instances, large ; but these, with hard work, only gave them the necessaries of life, and however ready the heart, the purse failed to respond. Thus they were denied for a season the blessings which came afterward. The first church organization in Bethlehem took place about 1790. First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church-now " First Reformed Church " of Bethlehem-was or- ganized in 1793, and in 1794 Stephen Van Rensse- laer gave the society 100 acres of land, known as the " Parsonage Farm." The church has been served by the following as successive pastors :

784

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Christian Bork, Peter Verbagh, Ralph Wester- velt, Samuel Kissam, Ralph Willis, John Simon- son, Henry M. Voorhees, Wm. J. Skillman; Joseph P. Davis, present pastor.

The church reports 150 families, 229 members, sustains five Sabbath schools, with 340 scholars. The present church building is of wood, and will seat 800.

The Rev. Joseph P. Davis was ordained and in- stalled pastor June 17, 1884. The following con- stitute the present consistory : Elders-John G. Vanderzee, Asa Bailey, Daniel P. Winne, David Mead. Deacons-Vedder Niver, Francis Selkirk, Louis Myers, Jr., David H. Vroman.

The Reformed Church at Adams Station was built in the year 1841. At that time many of the mem- bers of "Union Ref. Church," located at Union- ville, living some distance from the church, pro- posed that a chapel should be erected at Adams- ville.

For this purpose an acre of land was donated by Nathaniel Adams, in the center of the village, and a commodious chapel was erected and occu- pied as a preaching station in connection with the Union Church, which was then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Simon V. E. Westfall. After Mr. Westfall departed for the West, in 1847, it was determined to secure an organization for a church at Adamsville. Forty-four members of the Union Church petitioned and represented their case, asking to be dismissed from said church for the purpose of a separate organization ; also asking that a special meeting of the "Classis of Albany" be called to act on their application.

On the roth of January, 1848, the Consistory of "Union Church " resolved to grant the request of the petitioners ; to deed to the proper authorities the church property at Adamsville, also to appoint two commissioners to report their proceedings to classis and secure their assent in organizing the new society. On the 24th of January the com- missioners of the church, Peter Palmateer and Leon- ard G. Ten Eyck, met with the commissioners of Classis, Rev. Duncan Kennedy and John Q. Wilson, in the City of Albany, and provided by classical action for the organization.

Elders Leonard G. Ten Eyck and Peter Hilton, Deacons Wm. H. Slingerland and Joen Van AI- len, of Union Church, were constituted a distinct consistory for the new church, and on the 3d of February, 1848, they certified to the title by which the church and congregation should be known and designated, viz., the Second Reformed Dutch Church in the Town of Bethlehem, in the County

of Albany ; their action being duly recorded in the office of the County Clerk.

On the 27th of March, 1848, a call was ex- tended to the Rev. John A. Lansing to become their pastor, which was accepted, and for twelve years he faithfully and successfully administered to this con- gregation in all things spiritual and temporal. In the spring of 1860 he resigned his charge. During his pastorate a fine parsonage was built on land adjoining the church, in 1851. The church building was enlarged, repaired and improved in 1859. He died full of honors in the year 1884.

On the Ist of October, 1860, the Rev. Jacob Lansing Pearse was called to the pastorate, and his labors still continue with the church.

In 1879 the church edifice was renovated and repaired, and the present year, 1884, the congre- gation is engaged building an addition to the church for the use of the Sabbath school and social meetings.

The present officers are : Elders-John Mc- Harg, John L. Winne, Garret Van Allen, James Onderdonk. Deacons-Edwin Van Allen, Rich- ard E. Becker, John Maher, George C. Adams. President of Consistory reports 90 families, 200 communicants, an average of 75 Sabbath school scholars. The school was organized in 1848, and continues regularly through the winter and sum- mer. Total amount contributed for benevolent and church purposes, $1,300. The church and surroundings are very pleasant.

The First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem was organized November 3, 1835, by Rev. John HI. Campbell, D.D., and Rev. Wm. P. Davis. It consisted of fifty-three members. The first pastor was Rev. Wm. P. Davis, who was ordained and installed December 1, 1835. The first house of worship was erected the same year at a cost of $1,800. It was enlarged and refitted in 1869 at a cost of $4,000. It will now seat 300. Connected with it is a commodious parsonage, and the society is prosperous. The church is located about one and a half miles west of Hurstville. The following is the order of pastors who have served this con- gregation :

Revs. William P. Davis, from 1835 to 1841; Jo- seph Rosekrans, from February, 1843 to 1849; G. M. Blodgett, as a supply, from 1846 to 1856; Benjamin H. Pitman (supply); J. J. Cameron, from 1857 to 1861; J. W. Edie, 1868 to 1870; David Heron, 1870 to 1880. Wm. E. Faulkner, the pres- ent pastor, graduated from Union College in 1873, and from Union Theological Seminary, New York,

785

THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

in 1878; was ordained by the Albany Presbytery, at East Nassau, in 1879, and installed as pastor of this church, March, 1880.

The following were the first Elders : Jonathan E. Walley, John R. Bullock, Volkert V. Bullock. The present Elders are Horatio McHarg and James Buchanan. The pastor reports fifty families, ninety communicants, ninety-five Sabbath-school scholars and teachers. Contributions for all pur- poses, $900.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Adams Station was organized as early as 1830, and a building was erected about 1833. Henry Wil- liams, first preacher, followed by Rev. James Quinlan, Joshua Poor, Joel Squires and others. Among the first members were Holmes Hotaling, Daniel Clark, John Oliver and wife, Benjamin Holmes and wife, William Coughtry and wife, James Sigsbee, Miss Patterson, now widow Caley. In 1850 another building was erected and the lo- cation changed. This second church edifice was east of the school-house, and was taken down by a part of the congregation in 1871. This caused a division in the church organization, and the third or present M. E. church of Adamsville was erected in the year 1873. The first pastor was Peter B. Harrower, succeeded by J. A. Clark. The con- gregation numbers twenty-five families, fifty com- municants, sixty Sabbath-school scholars; contri- butions for all purposes, $600. The building will seat 300. Present officers : Trustees-Henry B. Tuttle, William Flagler, John W. Cook, D. A. Clark, David Couse, John I. Pool, William Fir- man, Abram Van Wie, Jacob Hotaling. Present pastor, James H. Hall.

The Methodist Episcopal Church located at Slingerlands was originally the Society of Adams- ville, but in 187- they divided and erected a church edifice at Slingerlands, thus forming two organiza- tions. The building is of brick, 41 x 62 feet, with Sabbath-school and lecture-room, 24 x 42 feet; has a seating capacity for 350 persons and cost $9,000. Sheds are attached. The first officers of this So- ciety were David Couse, John Wademan, Robert Frasier, Hezekiah Van Buren, David Winne, John Ostrander, William Simmons; Revs. D. B. Mc- Kenzie and Alfred Farr, pastors. The following are the present trustees : Albert Slingerland, D. C. Hammond, James Hutt, John Wademan, John Ostrander, Robert Frasier, J. M. Simmons; Rev. W. M. Brundage, pastor. The pastor reports ninety families, seventy-four members, one hun- dred Sabbath-school scholars; money contributed for all purposes $1,500.

Methodist Episcopal Church at South Bethlehem. -A short distance east of Becker's Corners, on the 20th day of November, 1823, was dedicated the first Methodist church in this town. It was a building 42 x 36 feet, located on lands of Betts Chatterton, and in 1824 the following trustees were elected : Robert D. Carhart, President; Isaac S. Wright, Treasurer; Joel Squires, Secretary ; John Ten Eyck, Hugh Jolly, William Cooper, Joshua Poor. Bradley H. Glick and John C. Green were the first preachers. In 1845 this building was taken down and timber used in part for the construction of another church edifice lo- cated at South Bethlehem (Janes' Corners) and dedicated in February, 1846, as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Bethlehem. The first trustees were Hugh Jolly, Jehoichim Spawn, Hercules Baddo, Charles Chapman; Cornelius Waggoner, Secretary and Treasurer. First pastors, Reuben H. Bloomer and Jason Wells. The present offi- cers are James W. Jolly, Ambrose Wiltsie, Fred- erick Schaubb, Andrew Ten Eyck, Henry Friday, Alvah Tompkins, Hugh A. Mosher, John Mosher, Aaron Hakes. Present pastor, John W. Buskins, who reports fifty-six families, 115 members, ninety- seven Sabbath-school pupils and eleven teachers. Total amount of contributions, $1,100. The con- gregation owns a parsonage and sheds.

A free chapel for religious purposes was erected in 1877 on the premises of Stephen Baumes, near Cedar Hill. The furniture in part was the dona- tion of Mr. Parsons, The Good Templars hold their meetings in this building.

In the year 1822 a number of churches, by rea- son of difference in doctrine and practice, seceded from the Reformed Dutch Church and organized themselves into the "Classis of Union," with the name or title of "True Reformed Dutch Church." About 1827 the True Reformed Dutch Church of Bethlehem was organized as a member of that classis, being subordinate to its ecclesiastic jurisdic- tion and discipline. The church edifice of this so- ciety is near Bethlehem Center and was built about 1854. The structure is of wood, pleasantly lo- cated, with sheds attached, easy of access from all points, and within four miles of the city. The first pastor was Henry Bellinger, who served the congregation faithfully for fifty years. He ceased from his earthly labors in 1877. The first officers of this church were Peter Kimmey, Storm Vanderzee, David Kimmey. The present officers are: Elders- H. B. Loucks, Daniel De Freest. Deacons -- Joseph Relyea, William Baumes. The present pastor is Rev. N. A. Fish, who resides in Albany City.

786

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The "Classis of Union" is composed of six churches, one in each of the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Rock- land and Schoharie.

Baptist Mission Chapel, at Kenwood, was built in 1866 by William Sawyer, and by him conveyed to the Baptist Missionary Association, as an abso- lute free gift, to be used by the society forever as a place of worship and for Sabbath-school purposes. This is another of the many benefactions of this noble-hearted Christian.

Religious societies or church organizations out- side of the city did not assume any prominence until 1790. About this time a few organizations were effected in different parts of the country. There was a cause for this sudden and simul- taneous uprising of the religious people. One of the causes, if not the chief, was the introduction of revivals by Methodist preachers, who, inspired by the fervor, emotion and spirit of their work, became enthusiastic, and soon manifestations of more than ordinary interest followed.

The effect was to quicken the indifferent con- sciences of those who had become dull and torpid to renew their vows, and to rouse them from a lethargy of religious inactivity. The efforts and preaching of Bishop Asbury, Freeborn Garrison, John Crawford and others stimulated the pious people to greater exertions, and organizations were effected about 1790. The erection of church edi- fices followed, and a general revival was continued and carried forward by other denominations with success.

Churches and religious societies have multiplied; the work connected with their continuance requires untiring zeal, spiritual devotion and many sacri- fices. Has the influence of religious teaching upon the general advancement of moral ideas been a success? If it has done no more than arouse a spirit of reform to live better lives, to be pure and temperate, truthful and charitable, it has made so- ciety more safe and humane, inspired a higher and nobler national life, and taught mankind the obli- gations of honesty and fidelity in the common struggle for a livelihood.

Education. - During the Colonial Government education received very little attention, and in the thinly settled neighborhoods, away from the city, was usually conducted in the family ; in time, sev- eral families would unite and employ a teacher. As population increased, and prosperity brightened their future, a growing interest for the advancement of social and useful knowledge gave an impulse for a more liberal system of education, and schools

were now organized through individual effort ; but these met with more or less opposition until after hostilities ceased. It was not until the commence- ment of the present century that districts were arranged and schools organized by concentrating the children of neighborhoods, and the employ- ment of qualified teachers by authority to instruct in the primary branches. and impart some knowl- edge of numbers. This advance was the starting point for a better system and higher grade of con- ducting common schools, though the progress which followed even after the State assumed control of the schools was not entirely satisfactory.

For several years a routine system was adopted, the result of which was a slow development of the natural faculties of the pupils ; but there came a demand for higher cultivation of those branches that were essential for business pursuits and a pro- fessional life.

At the present time public opinion is advancing in the interest of universal education, and the opinion is sustained by the liberality of the State and the intelligence of the people. Education which reveals the natural laws that concern the welfare and elevation of every individual is the basis of modern philosophy and the recognized system for the common schools.

It is certain that much progress has been made in the past few years by the enlightened efforts of educators, in the methods adopted, the course of studies pursued, the higher grade of text books, and the general appliances to aid in acquiring knowl- edge and in higher scientific research.

With continued exertion and a determination on the part of teachers to honor their profession, they may do much for their own recognition, as public benefactors, and receive what their services deserve from a grateful and liberal community. School trustees should know how to spend money as well as to economize, and the public are apt to be better served when the faithful teacher receives a just recompense.

In the early history of the schools, teaching, with many, was only a present means of support, and too often the certificate of qualification was given without regard to ability, tact, aptitude, knowledge or judgment, and the teacher who could enforce his orders and control to obedience by the rod or ferule was a man to be highly com- plimented as one well accomplished to educate the youth under his iron rule. But we have now dis- covered a better way. The wise trustee now em- ploys a man or a woman in the school under his charge, who has the faculty of government, whose

#87

THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM.

rule is that of a higher intellect and a stronger will power, ruling without violence in its little

If the teachers of this day are in advance of their predecessors, it is no more than should be ex- pected from the special training schools and teacher classes established throughout the State by an enlightened public policy of our common- wealth.

Among some of the earlier teachers of Bethlehem were Wallace, McCracken, Harmannes Van Huy- sen, Goodhue, Talmage, Davis, Bennett, Smith, Nelson (an old soldier), Jacob K. Marshal, Colley, Hezekiah Burhans (author of a spelling book), Miss Hoyt, Mrs. Porter, Daniel Haynes.

There are fourteen school districts, with the same number of school-houses, in the township, employ- ing during the year ending September 30, 1883, twenty different teachers.

The following table gives the statistics of each

district :

No. District.

No. of

Children of

School Age.

No. Attend-

ing School.

Whole No. of Days' Attendance

Total Amount Used in District for all Purposes.

Total Paid Teachers.

Paid Teachers for Winter Term per Week.

Paid Teachers Summer Term per Week.

Assessed Valuation.

119

7,622

$602 37

$520 00

$12 50

$163,000

5,241

573 70

502 50

10 00

152,335

118

7,152

580 68

517 00

18 00

161,100

3,809

397 80

357 00

8 50

8 50 00

113,250

3,385

434 49

454 49

8 00

115,700

3,139

490 17

437 02

8 00

7 00

102,385

5,685

435 30

353 25

9 00

7 00

146, 190

2,238

322 34

290 00

7 50

7 00

81,225

8 I

7,963

1,720 33

680 85

19 75

181,789

139

3,515

438 09

281 00

7 00

128,040

3,975

656 44

480 00

10 00

332,850

4,195

435 25

320 00

8 00

140,350

2,598

357 55

310 40

8 00

128,400

1,198

769

72, 113

$8,305 93

$6,212 41

$3,086,444

on the Nicolls farm, at Cedar Hill. In 1807, on

the day Fulton went up the river in his steamboat, the scholars at this school witnessed the passage of the boat, and the event made a lasting impression upon their minds.

At that time this was the only school-house from the Coeymans line to Albany ; there have been five districts organized from this one, and they are prosperous, with convenient and comfortable school- houses and pleasant surroundings. The school- houses of the township are all a great improvement upon the past ; many are brick, the others are of wood. Some are arranged for two departments and employ two teachers.

Physicians .- At the close of the colonial govern- ment there were two American medical colleges- one in Philadelphia, the other in New York City. The operations of both were suspended during the Revolutionary War. The great majority of the physicians and surgeons in the colonies had ob- tained what education they possessed in commen- cing practice by having served as apprentices to medical practitioners, their duties embracing menial offices as well as study and the compounding of medicines. At the close of the war the two American colleges resumed operations; three others came into existence before the end of the eighteenth century, and the number of graduates from all these institutions at the beginning of the nineteenth century had not much exceeded two hun- dred. During the first half of the present century, medical colleges were multiplied rapidly and dis- tributed among the States, and many established in small villages, which met the requirements of many whose pecuniary resources were limited. During the last quarter of a century there has been pro- gressive improvement in collegiate and post-col- legiate instructions by means of extensions of the terms of lectures, the institution of special courses, the systematic regulation of study with recitations, and the advantages of public and private hospitals, and the demonstrations in operative and clinical surgery.

The study, in a limited degree, of hygiene and the laws relating to sanitary science in our public schools is a step in advance, and there is reason to hope that much may be accomplished in this new direction, and for diffusing and encouraging as far as practicable this means of knowledge the co-oper- ation of the public is essential ; hence the impor- tance of awakening general interest on the subject. Previous to 1800 there were no physicians loca- ted in the township. When a doctor was wanted, Albany was near, and the services of one could

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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 174

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