Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 181

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 181

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

823

THE TOWNSHIP OF BERNE.

Wood, who was the great uncle of Mr. Thomas J. Wood, of Berne, adopted John M. Wood, his nephew and Thomas J. Wood's father, in boyhood, and reared him in all respects as he would have reared a son, had one been given him, for he was childless. John M. Wood was born October 24, 1811, and married Orpha Denison, January 24, 1832. They had three sons and a daughter, of whom three are living-Thomas J., Eugene and Elizabeth S., now Mrs. Daniel Marselis. Jesse D., the youngest of the family, enlisted in the 177th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, early in the late Rebellion, and died at Port Hudson. Mrs. Wood was born August 31, 1807, and died April 18, 1874. Her father, Ebenezer Denison, was one of the first settlers in the eastern part of Berne. John M. Wood was a farmer until his retirement from active business, and since that time has been a member of the family of his daughter, Mrs. Marselis. He early identified himself with the New York State militia, became very popular on account of his connection therewith, and rapidly rose to high rank. After filling several subordinate offices, he was commissioned Major and was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel July 10, 1837, and Brigadier- General June 10, 1840.

Thomas J. Wood, the eldest son of Gen. John M. Wood, was born in the eastern part of Berne, on the farm now known as "the Morgan Allen place," November 30, 1835. He was reared on the farm, and attended common and select schools in Berne, later attending for a time the Honesdale Academy, at Honesdale, Pa. December 24, 1857, he married Libenia Whipple, daughter of Allen Whipple, of Berne. On her mother's side she was descended from Jacob Weidman, the first settler where the village of Berne now is. The Whipples were also early settlers in the same locality and later owners of the mill originally built by Jacob Weidman. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have six children-four sons and two daughters. While still a mere youth, Mr. Wood inherited a portion

of the Col. Wood farm, at Berne, and by a pur- chase of the interests of other heirs subsequently became possessed of the entire property, aggre- gating 477 acres. Some years ago he sold about 130 acres, retaining the balance of the original tract, except a few small lots which had been sold by Col. Wood. He has always been interested in the affairs of the town, and has been a liberal supporter, according to his means, of its leading interests. In 1876 he represented the town in the Albany County Board of Supervisors. He was again elected in 1882, and re-elected in 1883 and 1884, twice without opposition and always by good majorities. A Republican politically, he is not in the usual acceptation of the term a politician, though his interest in the success of his party is deep and abiding. With his family he is connected with the Dutch Reformed Church of Berne, of which he is one of the elders, and toward the sup- port of which he is a generous contributor.

JOSEPH and JONATHAN TURNER are residents of Berne, Albany County, and farmers by occupation. Their father and mother, George and Dorathy Turner, came to this country from England in 1832; also their uncle, John Turner, came with them. Their father brought eight children and left one in England, and settled on the farm where they now reside.

EDWARD V. FILKINS was born in Berne, March 7, 1821; married Emma E. Shafer, October 22, 1856; is a lawyer by profession. Berne post-office.

ARTHUR E. TUCK, born at Woburn, Mass., October 3, 1853; married Sarah M. Taylor, January 2, 1884; physician. Berne post-office.

PETER S. HALL, born at Berne, September 30, 1837; married Sarah Sand, December 18, 1861; farmer. Berne post-office.

824

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

HISTORY OF COEYMANS TOWNSHIP.

By J. S. MARKLE.

COEYMANS.

IN the following pages, which are presented to the reader as a brief history of Coeymans, to form a part of the History of the County of Albany, im- perfections may occur, which the author hopes will not detract from the general correctness or truth- fulness of the work.

Many events or data connected with some of the important records and traditions have been difficult of proof, while others have been predicated upon verbal authority or personal investigation. The want of a proper interest in the affairs of the town- ship is attended with an irreparable loss to the written history of any community.

For the valuable aid rendered, and the many kindnesses received from friends in collecting ma- terial for these pages, the writer returns his sincere thanks.

ALBANY, N. Y., 1884.

Coeymans was named from the patentee, Barent Pieterse Coeymans. It is the southeast corner township, with Bethlehem and New Scotland on the north, the Hudson River on the cast, Greene County on the south, and Westerlo on the west, and includes Barren Island and half of Shad Island, and was formed from Watervliet, March 18, 1791, being the second township taken from Watervliet, and in the formation of Westerlo a part of Coeymans was taken off. The township contains 32, 570 acres.

The surface consists of an upland 200 to 400 feet above the river, broken by ridges and hills that rise 100 to 400 feet higher, and several breadths of flats, giving a diversified character to its physical structure and its geological formations, with a variety of scenery, and qualities of soil adapted for. general farming and special pursuits. The soil is varied in its productiveness ; that of the flats, con- taining some alluvial deposit, with sand and clay, is rich in plant food. The narrow borders upon the streams are clayey, while the ridges and up- lands are sometimes intermixed with gravel, slate and clay loam, having a subsoil that is retentive and generally productive. The conditions of the soil and climatic surroundings are quite favorable

for the growth of the usual farm productions, as well as fruit. Wheat, rye, oats, corn, buckwheat and hay are principal crops, with potatoes and a few other vegetables. The orchards are numerous, with the usual variety of mixed trees, and the fruit is of superior quality.

The rock of the township is mostly a stratum of marble or limestone, which extends three to four miles from the river, and is quarried for building purposes and lime, also broken for macadamizing roads. Some blue-stone exists, and a quarry was formerly worked at Mossy Hill ; but the supply of marketable stone has been exhausted, and the quarry is abandoned. The hills belong to the Helderbergs, which are a continuation of the Catskills. Vincent, Gidney, Stanton and Blodgett are among the highest elevations, none of which exceed 700 feet.

The principal streams are the Coeymans Creek, which enters from Bethlehem, crossing the north- east corner of the township, emptying into the Hudson at Coeymans Landing. The Hannakrois* enters from Westerlo, midway of the north and south line, flows in a southeast direction through Indian Fields, Stephensville and Coyemans Hol- low, furnishing these places with water-power for the several mills, and enters Greene County near Achquetuck, then curves and re-enters the town- ship in the extreme southeast corner, emptying into the Hudson a short distance below Coeymans Landing. These streams flow through narrow val- leys, bordered by steep hillsides fifty feet and over in perpendicular height, with gorges cut through the shales and slates to a rocky bed over which the waters flow, and in times of freshets they become furious torrents. They receive from the north and south several small streams as tributaries. At Coeymans Village the Coeymans Creek descends in the aggregate by two falls seventy-five feet, giving remarkable water-power facilities, which

* The derivation of the name "Haanakrois" is of doubtful origin, some claiming it as Indian, others of Dutch, signifying "crowing cock," from " Haan," a cock or rooster, and "krani," to crow. There is a legend that during a freshet in the creek a barn was carried down the stream, and perched upon an open upper door stood a cock, crow- ing. Holland: " Haane-kraai."

825

THE TOWNSHIP OF COEYMANS.

have been formerly utilized to a limited extent. Lawson's Lake is a small sheet of water in the northwest part of the town, on the line of New Scotland, the outlet of which flows into the Ones- quethau. A peculiarity of some of the streams in the northern and western part is their disappear- ance into sink-holes, and flowing for some distance into subterranean passages, coming to the surface many rods from where they disappeared. It is not strange that caves exist where this peculiar condi- tion of rock formation is found. The caves or underground passages are of limited extent. There are a few mineral springs, the waters of which are impregnated with sulphate of magnesia. No min- erals of value or importance are found in the township.

Some fossil remains have been discovered, but the geology is of minor importance, the deep cut- tings of the streams and limestone formations being of greatest interest. Many tons of molding sand are obtained from a sub-stratum, and shipped to dif- ferent States by John Whitehead & Brother, who control the business.

The business of the town is transacted at the fol- lowing places : Coeymans Landing, Coeymans Junction, Coeymans Hollow, Stephensville and Indian Fields. The name on the different deeds, and as originally spelled by the family, is various. Koeymans, Koymans and Koeyemans are some of them, while it would seem the Holland was Kojie- mans.

The original settler was Barent Pieterse Koey- mans, who came from Utrecht in the year 1636, and immediately on his arrival entered the service of the first Patroon, Killian Van Rensselaer, as miller, at a salary of thirty guilders a year. Three brothers accompanied him, David, Jacob and Ar- ent. Barent worked in the Patroon's grist-mill until 1645, when he took charge of the saw-mills which were on the Patroon's creek in the northern part of the city, in company with Jan Gerritsen, receiving each 150 guilders a year and three stivers a cut for every plank they sawed. He remained in this employment until 1647. Previous to 1650 he lived south of the Patroon's creek, and in 1665 took a nineteen years' lease of a farm of "maize land " at twenty-four guilders a year, and in 1657 secured a lease of the Patroon's mills for three years, at the expiration of which, in 1660, he leased the mills on the Norman's Kill for thirteen years. At the time this lease expired, in 1673, he purchased from the Indians a large tract of land, twelve or fifteen miles south of Albany. This tract offered great advantages in its water privileges

for milling purposes, and it was here that Cryn Cornelissen and Hans Jansen erected saw-mills on the creek, north of Coeymans, which emptied into the Hudson above Baeren or Barren Island, as early as 1651. Koeymans obtained of Gov. Lovelace a patent to the land acquired from the Indians, which consisted of eight or ten miles on the river and extending twelve miles to the west. This tract fell within the bounds of Rensselaerwyck, and after a litigation that continued over thirty years, Koeymans purchased the Patroon's claim, in 1706, agreeing to pay a quit-rent of nine shil- lings a year. After Koeymans had purchased this tract, 1674, dates the settlement of the township ; and now the forest is noisy with the ringing strokes of the sturdy pioneer as he fells the monarchs of the forest, making ready for his habitation, and introducing the early rudiments of civilization. In the year 1714 he obtained from Queen Anne a patent of this tract, confirming the whole to him and his heirs forever.

The description of the property patented is very indefinite and quite curious; a short extract is given. The cession was from " a certain creek or kill lying and being on the west side of Hudson's River to the north of a place by the Indians called Kax-hax-ki, stretching in length to the highest place where Jacob Flodden did used to roll down timber, named by the natives Scen-tha-tin, to the island belonging to John Byers, and into the woods as far as the Indian Sachem's right goes."

The records of the patent continue as follows: " Yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, unto the same Killian Van Rensselaer, his heirs and assigns, the yearly rent or sum of nine shillings, current money of New York, at upon the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in lieu of all other rents, dues, duties and services, for or in respect of premises or any part or parcel therefore, .as by the said indenture relation to them being had may more fully and at large appear."

" On the 16th April, 1672, Volkert Janes con- veys all his rights and ownership to Barent Pieterse (Coeymans) in the island named Schutters, lying below Beeren Island, and included in Coeymans' patent, dated August 14, 1671."-From Munsell's "Albany County Records."

In the struggle for existence, amid the contending conflicts of life, labor must be elevated and honored if the conditions of prosperity and normal develop- ments are taken as factors in human progress. The demands of the times and the tendency of civilization called for the improvements that in- creased the wants of humanity, and it became

826

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

necessary that man in his needs should labor. The incentive to the beginner is bread; this obtained, he may direct his efforts into other channels, be they domestic or social, intellectual or material.

As the wants of the new settlers were few, and their means limited, they lived in primitive sim- plicity, practicing self-denial, and cultivating in- dustrious and frugal habits that became to them in after years the foundation and growth to prosperity, and the development in wealth from agricultural pursuits. The most successful are those who lead and introduce progressive methods, who are ever ready to meet the demands, and labor to supply the local and general call for staple products that give the largest returns for the least labor. As diversities of industries are introduced, and com- petition distributed, the greater will be the diffusion of wealth, and this naturally will offer new sources for energy and enterprise to those possessing in- dustry and zeal. To obtain these advantages, they went to work in earnest for the full development of the resources that were so lavishly and temptingly distributed around them. This was the great in- centive of the men who took the burden in their youth, that they might reap in manhood some of the fruits of toil, and in their declining years rest upon the shocks, fully ripe, which were garnered from mother earth by the sweat of their brows, amid hardships, self-denial, and often when want stared them as a hungry wolf. These early settlers were denied many of the comforts and conven- iences of life; their whole system of living was one attended at every step with difficulties, and their supplies were obtained by the severest labor. Clothing was manufactured from home material, prepared by rude implements ; food was supplied from rude means; flour or meal were necessities that required a long journey on foot or horseback to reach the mill through the dense forest, and over roads or narrow trails that were almost impassable. But these struggles were in time overcome, and, as the lands were taken and improved by incoming settlers, many of the difficulties were removed, and these sturdy pioneers were gladdened in their hearts and homes by bounties that came as " bless- ings in disguise " to cheer and to comfort.

Much that would be of interest to the public connected with the history of the Keoymans family is beyond recall. Records of value have been lost, and private papers destroyed or from age are illegible. Some public records and docu- ments are yet available from which to obtain a few leading events and personal history.

Only a few years after Albany was permanently settled, and some settlements were made upon Van Rensselaer's patent, Holland sent another band of her enterprising and thrifty men to take advantage of the offers extended to any who would venture upon this new scene of action, filled with resources of unbounded wealth, free to all who were willing to sacrifice personal comfort and meet the privations of uncivilized surroundings for a future indepen- dence. Among these was Barent Pieterse Koey- mans, who came to Albany in 1636, where he re- sided for a score or more of years, engaged first in the employ of the Patroon, and then boldly assum- ing to act upon his own judgment in an enterprise that brought a measure of success. This filled him with enthusiasm for greater ventures, and, in 1673, he made his purchase of the Indians, taking possession the following year; and this became his future home and residence after making many nec- essary improvements.

Koeymans married a daughter of Andries De Vos, and five children were born to them-Andries, Samnel, Peter, Arriantje and Jannetje. Andries was born in Albany and married a daughter of Dr. Samuel Staats; he took up his residence in New Jersey, where some of his descendants and name are to be found. Samuel was also born in Albany, August 3, 1670, and married Catrina Van Schaaick; they had no children; he lived for many years at the Koeymans stone house, which still stands on the north of the creek. Arriantje was born in Albany, October 19, 1672; she had her home with her brother Samuel, and remained single until fifty-one years old, when she married David Ver- plank, who was at the time twenty-eight years old; no children were born to them. Arriantje died April 4, 1743, willing her property mostly to her own father's family; but David inherited her por- tion. David Verplank did not remain a widower, as he took for his second wife Miss Brouwer, and for his third he married Catrina Boom, in 1752. They had four children - David, Johannes, Arriantje and Isaac D. Peter, born at Albany, married Elizabeth Graveret, or Greveraad, and had two children-Menjae, who married Andreas Whiteck, and Elizabeth, who married Jacobus Van Allen. His first wife died, and Peter married for his second wife Charlotta Amelia Dawyer, No- vember 1, 1719; this union was blessed with three daughters-Garritje, marrying John Barclay; Ann Margaret, marrying Andries Ten Eyck, and Char- lotte Amelia, who married John Jonas Bronk.

Peter Koeymans lived in the stone house or castle in the village up to the time of his death, which oc-

827

THE TOWNSHIP OF COEYMANS.

curred April 30, 1736-1744, and was buried on Baeren Island. He had a family of five daughters, all of whom married; many of their descendants are still living and own lands on the original patent, but none of the name are now residents of the township. Mrs. Charlotta Houghtaling was a daughter of John Jonas Bronk, who is perhaps the nearest relative of the family now living. The name of Koeymans became extinct in this locality by the death of Peter. Barent, the father, is sup- posed to have been buried on land now in the posses- sion of Peter Whitbeck; this belief is founded upon the fact that in a partition deed a part of the land is reserved for burial purposes. No remains of the grave are to be seen, as the land has been utilized by the plow as too valuable for sacred purposes.

The early settlement of the township, as also Coeymans Landing, is closely connected with the founder and subsequent members of his family; anything relating to them has a direct bearing on its written history. Here Barent Pieterse Koey- mans commenced his career, in colonial times, when it required some courage as well as shrewd- ness to locate in the midst of a vast wilderness, having for inhabitants a race of cruel savages, and the woods howling with the death cries of ferocious beasts, the only protection his rude log cabin, and perhaps a trusty Holland gun-six feet in length with such assistance as his family might render. It seems evident, Koeymans did not take into con- sideration the founding of a great city at this place, for the rocky banks and steep hillsides were not favorable for easy extension; yet these to him were of great value as affording many advantages and facilities in the erection of mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber, for which there was an increasing demand, and from which he expected to realize a small fortune. Although the forest furnished unlimited supplies of timber for building purposes, yet the first buildings erected by him were built of common graywacke or flat field stone.

The oldest house, the old Koeymans Castle, dis- appeared in 1833. It stood on the site of the building now occupied by the family of the late Josiah Sherman. The first and original mills have long since been demolished, and were located some distance from the present mill, which is of recent date.

In early times the creek north of the village upon which the mills were built was called Ones- ke-thau, and the level land extending west of the village Ach-que-tuck .. The creek has two falls, and the water courses over a rocky bottom, making a

descent of 75 feet before it empties into a small bay leading into the Hudson. At the base of this water-fall, on the north side of the creek, is a mill, which is now idle, and a building known as the Old Store House, built of field stones, finished with brick in the gables, which has been erected more than a hundred years. In the village are two other similar buildings standing, which were built about the same time.

Arriantje did not own property north of the creek. The old stone house and all the property is now owned by the Ten Eyck family, and came to them by Peter Keoymans. The following is taken from the Albany Evening Journal: " The old Koey- mans mansion or castle stood on the corner of Westerlo and First streets. The walls were thick, and were pierced at intervals with port-holes. The gables were carried up with brick brought from Holland. The building faced the Hudson, and was erected by Barent Pieterse Koeymans soon after he purchased his land from the Indians. The last family who occupied the main building was that of Jeremiah Cooper, while the family of Charles Penton lived in the wing. The old plate and pictures which were used in this ancient man- sion more than a century and a half ago remain in part in possession of descendants. One of the oil paintings which adorned the walls, a portrait of Ariaantje Koeymans, Barent's daughter, is now in the house of Charlotte Houghtaling. The face of the subject is nearly obliterated, while one hand, doubled, is plainly preserved. The daughter, it is said, helped to build the old stone house, which still stands north of the Coeymans Creek, by car- rying the stone and material for the walls. Mrs. Houghtaling also has a faded picture of the prop- erty taken probably 150 or 200 years ago. It shows the stone house, a saw-mill back of where the grist-mill now stands, a plaster mill to the north over an artificial rock-cut, which served as a water-way, in an altogether different direction from the present stream. There was another saw- mill on the crown of the rocks, and another grist- mill on the opposite side of the creek, which stood until 1830. Old deeds speak of a saw-mill at the falls, but nothing else can be ascertained about the structure."

Coeymans Landing (Coeymans P. O) retains in a marked degree much of its ancient conservative Dutch sentiment, and the spirit of modern progress has been dormant these two hundred years, only to be awakened by the present generation of active brain power, which in a great measure controls the destinies of to-day. Any purpose or intention

828

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

of individuals to engage in enterprises or venture upon worthy public or private pursuits, that would have contributed in some measure to the growth and prosperity of the place, has been indifferently encouraged, and for this reason other locations were sought for, which received the benefit.

The progress of the past has been very slow, the business of the place is in the hands of the few, and these are limited to the wants and demands of the surrounding country.

The village is pleasantly located on the west bank of the Hudson, twelve miles south of Albany, and is built upon the sloping and rocky hill-side, giving to it an elevation which enhances the sur- rounding landscape and adds variety to the beauti- ful scenery. The streets, which are quite irregular, are mostly unpaved, and the houses are set without any regard to order, while many are built from original designs, independent of architectural rules, and ignoring the ornamental for the useful. There are some fine dwellings and mansions which are ornaments to the village. The western part, which is the newest, is more regular and attract- ive ; the antiquated appearance which is so strik- ing near the river is not observable here. It is in this locality, upon a large inclosed square, with beautiful surroundings, that Mr. Acton Civil several years ago erected a massive building of iron and stone for an academy. The building is substan- tial, and the architecture is beautiful in design and imposing in appearance. Two years ago the boarding-house to be connected with the school was built. These buildings, which have never been used, are in the west part of the village, com- manding a fine view of the adjacent country, and near the railroad station. The docks at the land- ing are quite extensive and used for general pur- poses of shipping by steamboats, barges, canal-boats and other river craft ; it is a general landing for steamboats to receive and let off passengers. Many tons of coal are received here, while farm produce of every kind is shipped in great quantities. Mr. Henry Slingerland, who is one of the most enter- prising shippers, kindly furnished the following as his business for 1883 : eighty-two excursions, 109 trips of barges, carrying 171,007 bales of hay and straw, 52,706 bushels of rye, besides buckwheat flour, apples and mixed merchandise.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 181

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