Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 183

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 183

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This brought from other States and adjoining counties descendants and followers of the Puritans and Covenanters, intermixed with the aggressive Methodists, who inspired into the lethargic souls of the Dutch a degree of life and zeal that awoke and kindled into spiritual activity a reformation that wrought increased benefits to the christian churches and blessings to the people. Schools were multiplied and general intelligence rapidly advanced under the fostering influence of progres- sive ideas and liberal patriotism.

The current teachings of the early preachers were not marked with theological disquisitions or learned sermons, yet the vital and most essential doctrines of that period were proclaimed with vigor and efficacy to the mind and heart. The practical effects of such teaching were its power of converting men from the sentiment of unbelief or a false religion, then being introduced from abroad, and establishing an orthodox faith of revealed

religion. It would be unjust to measure the in- fluence of these pious and consecrated men by the success or failure of their individual theories, yet it is possible that the services of these men-con- tented with charity contributions or small salaries, on which they almost starved-exerted no small in- fluence in elevating the standard of morals and intelligence in the community in which they labored.

When their work ceased, they were succeded by men who trod the same paths, with more liberal rewards and without the poverty which was the earthly lot of these self-sacrificing missionaries.

There are seven churches in the township, of the following denominations : three Methodist, one Reformed, one Baptist, one Union or Christian, and one Roman Catholic.

The first Methodist organization in the town occurred in the year 1788 or 1789 by the Rev. John Crawford, with a class of 12 members, during the time Rev. Freeborn Garretson was presiding elder. The first church edifice was built of stone in 1791- 92, and was located two and a half miles west of the village, and is claimed to have been the first Methodist church west of the Hudson River. This church and congregation for many years was made up of members from Bethlehem, Coeymans, with some from New Baltimore and adjoining towns ; as it was the only Methodist church in this locality, its ecclesiastical jurisdiction extended for many miles, and among the noted preachers whose words have been heard in this pioneer church, none is held in greater reverence than that of Bishop Asbury. The first trustees were James Waldron, Lewis Civil, Wilhollamas Row, Jacob Springsted, Isaac C. Huyck, Ephraim Holbrook, Peter Hogan- Nathan Williams, James Selkirk. Levi Blaisdell was the first clerk, and Lewis Civil sexton. Some of the early members were Hugh Jolly, Samuel Jolly, John Ten Eyck and wife, Levi Blaisdell and wife, Hugh Crumb, James Selkirk, Dr. Clement and Jacob Springsted.

A change of location becoming necessary to ac- commodate the increase in membership, other organizations from this parent society were effected, and churches established in other places, exerting a wider influence and extending its branches for the promotion and spiritual education of the people.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Coeymans Landing is founded upon the organization of the old stone church ; the present edifice, on Church street, was erected in 1835-36, and dedicated by the Rev. Benjamin Griffin. The building is of

834

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

brick, 40 x 50, with a lecture room of wood, 26 x 40 feet. A fine parsonage belongs to the society for the use of the pastor. The church will seat 400 persons, and is valued at $15,000. The pas- tor reports 100 families, 150 communicants, 95 Sunday school scholars, and whole amount of con- tributions $1, 150. Present trustees-A. E. Willis, Peter Seabridge, J. J. Colvin, A. J. Wolfe, John Halenbeck, John McElroy, Abram Teals. Rev. R. H. Kelley, pastor.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Coeymans Hollow, is an old organization, having being established as early as 1794, when Bishop Asbury preached in a barn in the rear of the present church, and a society was formed with the following as members: John Blodgett and wife, William Green and wife, Elizabeth Wickham, Charlotte Garitt and Mr. Gedney. These earnest and devoted members had their meetings first in barns, then in private and school-houses until 1832, when they entered the present church. Jolley and Carley were preach- ers. The present trustees are Egbert C. Osterhout, N. H. Palmer, Stephen Lawson, Martin Merrit, David Green. Rev. William S. Wyman, pastor, who reports 200 families, 170 members, 135 Sab- bath school pupils, 14 teachers ; contributions for all purposes, $1, 125. The church edifice is wood, and will seat 400 persons. Has parsonage and sheds attached to the rear of church ; property valued at $4,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church at Keefer's Corners was organized from the Manhattan Hook Society, located at Copeland Hill. James Laird and Ebenezer Osborn were early circuit preachers. The old church building was taken down and the material used in the construction of the present house in 1845. It is built upon ground donated by Francis Osterhout. Peter Keefer, George C. Lamoreaux and Philip R. Witbeck, trustees ; John W. Morrison, pastor.

First Baptist Church of Indian Fields was organ- ized in 1872. First trustees were Marcus R. Griffin, Albert Powell, Joslin Nodine, Franklin Tompkins, Jared Griffin, Judson Lamoreaux and Jasper Witbeck, Jr. The present trustees are Henry Norris, Amon Craw and George Lamor- eaux ; no regular pastor.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, located on Church street, Coeymans Landing, is a modern structure ; the society was organized in 1852 by Francis Hurley. Connected with the church is a fine cemetery, containing four to five acres. The society and cemetery are under the pastoral charge

of Father Thomas Walsh, who has the care of the churches of Coxsackie, Athens and Coeymans.

The Reformed (Protestant Dutch) Church of Coey- mans was organized March 5, 1793, and the first church edifice was erected in 1797, on the " Square," nearly a mile west of Coeymans Land- ing. Rev. Jacob Sickles was the first pastor, and he served this church and congregation from 1797 to 1801. He was succeeded by Peter Overbagh, 1805-6; Ralph Westervelt, 1808-16; Samuel Kissam, 1818-29; Staats Van Santvoord, 1829-30; Abram Fort, 1830-31 ; Thomas A. Amerman, 1831-32 ; Thomas Edwards, 1834 ; James Mur- phy, 1842-43 ; Samuel Kissam, 1843-45 ; James A. H. Cornell, 1845-48 ; Philip Peltz, 1848-51 ; William P. Davies, 1852-55 ; Hugh B. Gardiner, 1856-60 ; Isaac Collier, 1860-66; Louis H. Bahler, 1867-69 ; Elias Mead, 1870-72 ; James A. H. Cornell, 1873-80; Horace P. Craig, 1883. The old church was taken down several years ago, and some of the material used in the construction of the new church edifice located on Church street, in the village of Coeymans. This building is of brick. The following are the present officers : Elders -- William B. Hull, C. H. Van Derzee, J. J. Lasher, B. T. E. Bronk. Deacons-Solomon Coon- ley, John A. Vanderzee, William Springsted, F. Vrooman.

The church reports 100 families, 169 members, 133 Sunday school scholars ; contributions for all purposes, $1,663.

Cemeteries .- There are two incorporated ceme- teries in the town. The Grove Cemetery at Coey- mans contains two acres, and was founded by Acton Civil. It was incorporated in 1848; J. B. Holmes, president; A. J. Wolfe, vice-president; A. S. Van- derzee, secretary; W. H. Keller, treasurer.

Indian Fields Cemetery was incorporated, January, 1872, with the following trustees and officers : William S. Cole, president; Andrew H. Witbeck, vice-president; Joslin Nodine, treasurer; John N. Verplank, secretary; Judson Lamoreaux, Abram Witbeck, William J. Lamoreaux, as per M. Wit- beck, George C. Lamoreaux. The present trus- tees and officers are : William S. Cole, president; Judson Lamoreaux, vice-president; Andrew Wit- beck, treasurer; George C. Lamoreaux, secretary; John Verplank, Francis Nodine, Jasper M. Wit- beck, W. J. Lamoreaux, William Witbeck. The above contains five acres of inclosed land, very fa- vorably located.

The Workingmen's Protective Union, Coeymans, incorporated in 1880. The particular business

835

THE TOWNSHIP OF COEYMANS.

and object of the society are to provide funds, from contributions of its members, when they are sick or disabled, and to bury them when dead, and aid the surviving families of deceased members.

Secretary reports, December 26, 1882 : Total amount of money collected during the year, $1,554; total membership, 300; amount depos- ited in bank, $2,055. The following constitute the present officers : President, Jacob B. Holmes; Vice-President, F. S. Willis; Secretary, W. B. Holmes; Treasurer, Theodore Robb. Trustees -- James Lasher, Patrick McNarama, Frank Beak. Executive Board-Dr. F. G. Mosher, A. J. Wolfe, J. N. Briggs.

Coeymans Mutual Insurance Company was organ- ized and incorporated under the laws of the State, August 16, 1859. Secretary's twenty-fourth an- nual report, for January 8, 1884, gives as number of policies at last report, and in force at present time, 300; amount of risks at last report, $532,950; at present date, $547, 575; amount of bonds subject to assessment, $11,243.

Board of Directors for 1884-Francis Nodine, president; Edwin Wiltsie, vice-president; W. S. Briggs, secretary and treasurer. Executive Com- mittee-Jefferson Powell, Marcus Lindsey, Uriah Montross, Novatus Palmer, E. C. Osterhout, Jas- per M. Witbeck; W. S. Briggs, secretary.

There is in the town an incorporated highway, divided into three sections. The said road com- mences at the village of Coeymans and extends west through Coeymans Hollow, Indian Fields; thence into Westerlo, passing through Dormans- ville and Chesterville to the old Delaware Turnpike, a distance of eighteen miles.

The first division, a distance of eight miles, was incorporated in 1850 as The Coeymans and Western Plank Road Company for thirty years. In 1860 it was changed from a plank to a stone road. The roadbed now is laid with broken stone. The charter was renewed in 1880 for thirty years. Levi Blais- dell, president; William B. Hull, secretary; Ste- phen H. Niles, treasurer, are the present officers.

Cole and Witbeck have charge of the middle di- vision, and Henry Slingerland of the western.

The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Rail- road have in the town eighteen miles of track, roadbed, round-house, station, machine shop and freight house, which are assessed at $165,000. Western Union Telegraph Company is assessed $600. Knickerbocker Ice Company is assessed $30,000.

Coeymans Hollow Lodge, No. 957, I. O. G. T., was organized, December 12, 1878, by W. W.

Gunnison, with fifty-seven charter members. The first officers were: E. C. Osterhout, W. C. T .; Ida Shear, W. V. T .; W. E. Stanton, L. D .; Lindsey, W. M .; Rev. J. P. Burger, W. Chap. The lodge now numbers forty-seven members, with the following officers: Andrew Wilsey, W. C. T .; Anna L. Whitbeck, W. V. T .; Lindsey Green, L. D .; L. F. Lisk, W. M .; Thomas Wolfe, W. Chap.

Physicians .- Among the physicians who for- merly practiced in the township were Drs. Ely, Jessie Smith, Spaulding, Hand, Van Alstyne, Van Allen, Herrick, Holmes, Blodget, Clement.

Dr. Benjamin B. Fredenburgh came to Coey- mans in 1826, and continued in active practice until the present year. Andrew Huyck located at Coeymans Hollow forty-six years ago (1838). He read medicine with Dr. P. B. Noxon, and attended lectures at Vermont Academy. Wesley Blaisdel and Andrew Van Antwerp have practiced in the town.

F. C. Mosher graduated from Albany Medical Collegein 1848, and located at Coeymans Landing, where he continues in active practice.

H. N. Johnson graduated from Albany Medical College in 1881, is located in Coeymans Landing, and is engaged in the drug business.

C. C. Willis attended a course of lectures in the Philadelphia Dental College in 1874 and 1875. Is now practicing dentistry at Coeymans.

G. E. Elmendorf, now located at Alcove, was born in Ulster County, and graduated from Albany Medical College in class of 1875, and the follow- ing year came to Alcove, or Stephensville.

F. A. W. Rivets, born in Montreal, Canada, graduated from Eclectic Medical College of New York in 1875; located at Bloomingdale, then at Ausable Forks, and came to Indian Fields in 1880.

Schools .- There are no academies, high schools or graded private schools in the town.

In 1858 the Coeymans Academy was established by Fletcher Blaisdel, Theophilus Civil and Peter Seabridge. The first teachers were Misses C. B. and Emma Brace; afterward it passed under the control of Thomas McKee. The enterprise prov- ing unsuccessful, it was abandoned. Some of the early teachers were Hinckley, Jefferson, Levi Fisher. There are in the township fourteen school districts, in which are employed the same number of teachers, for terms varying from eighteen to twenty weeks. In 1869 there were 1,017 children of school age; the number attending school, 710; average attendance, 325. Whole amount expended for school purposes, $4,738.

836

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

No. of District.

No. of Children, School Age

No. Attending School.

Total Valuation of District.

Amount Ex- pended for all Purposes.

Amount Paid Teachers.

Wages Paid, Winter Term.

Wages Paid for Summer Term.

167

141

$771,200

$1,030 70

$864 00

$19 50

2 ..

100,430

404 00

355 00

10 25

7 50

3. . . .

53,210

325 90

301 80

8 00

7 50

4 ....

97,375

323 61

298 92

7 50

7 00

5 . . . .

43,600

306 23

285 00

8 00

7 00

. .

7 ... .

102

67,134

541 12

499 66

10 50

10 00

8 .. .

63,925

205 00

184 00

6 00

4 00

IO ....

43,250

310 97

237 70

7 50

6 00

II ....

27,650

176 00

161 00

6 00

5 50

12 ....

....

13. . ..

31,300

269 07

245 70

6 00

5 25

14 ...

104

93,360

444 32

373 82

10 00

9 00

15.

77,075

466 27

406 00

12 00

10 00

137,700

359 15

324 00

10 00

17.

25,175

136 25

125 00

5 00

3 75

Totals .. .

901

666

$1,032,384

$5,300 86

$4,461 60

Soldiers .- The record of soldiers who served in the War for Liberty, from this township, is not very extensive or clearly ascertained ; yet a few who were residents of what is now Coeymans ren- dered aid and service in the cause that obtained for them freedom and independence. Many of those who came to Coeymans in later years were sol- diers who had served in other States or counties. The war of 1812 was well represented by volun- teers or drafted men from this town. Among those

who answered the call and gave their services were Joseph Hazelton, John Clark, Daniel C. Tomp- kins, Stewart Bull, Andrew Witbeck, Abram Ver- plank, Barrent Mull, Lieut. Daniel Carhart, Peter W. Ten Eyck, Daniel Green, William Sher- man, Capt. John Carr, William H. Gage, Har- manes Sickles, John McNary, Elias Becker and Isaac Holmes.

During the War of the Rebellion Coeymans claims to have furnished her quota of gallant vol- unteers, who served the country faithfully and with honor. From some unexplained cause, the officers of the town whose duty it was to collect a complete record of these men have negiected to comply with a law of 1865, as contained in Chapter 690. At this time, a perfect record in accordance with the requirements of that law will be almost impos- sible to obtain.

There are no military organizations in the town. The old military system that once prevailed has long since been abandoned, and no special inter- est seems to interest the young men in military honors.

The history of the Indians furnishes little of any reliability or more than ordinary tradition, which

cannot always be taken as trustworthy, and current report, which is of doubtful authority. A small number of Indians belonging to the Oneida tribe lived in the town after the Revolution, and re- moved to some other more favorable locality. They returned in 1812, after which they became wandering mendicants through the county, and finally disappeared from the scenes and hunting grounds of their ancestors.

After 1785 Albany served as a distributing office for the adjoining town, and mail matter was delivered by post-riders, who met at certain points to interchange letters and papers, and when the busi- ness was insufficient to pay the postmen, voluntary subscriptions were made by those who were inter- ested in their continuance. Special fees were col- lected for the delivery of newspapers. Changes were very slow, and post-riders continued to de- liver mail matter through the towns for several years after coaches were employed in more im- portant places. Several men remember in their boyhood mails being delivered in this way, and it was not until after 1820 that the more convenient and safe mode was adopted of stage-coaches. Now the mails for Coeymans are delivered daily; those on the line of railroad or steamboat communication receive the mails twice or thrice daily, while the more distant offices are served daily, thus giving ready and prompt communication with business interests and the news of the world.

The Coeymans Gazette was established in 1863 by Gilbert C. Vincent, who continued its publica- tion until the fall of 1864, when he sold it to Willard Pond. Soon after it passed into the hands of Henry Bronk, and subsequently to McKee &

....

9. . . .

837

THE TOWNSHIP OF COEYMANS.

Springsted. In December, 1869, Mr. Springsted sold his interest to his partner, Thomas McKee, who continued its publication until 1871. In 1871 Miller & Sherman established the "Coeymans Herald," a weekly paper; Sherman sold his inter- est to Miller; then Miller sold to S. H. & E. J. Sherman, the present editors and proprietors.

The miscellaneous industries of the township are included in the storage of ice, which amounts to 175,000 tons; a brick-yard owned by Mr. Rouker, in which 2,500,000 brick are made. Whitehead & Brother ship from Coeymans 100,000 tons of molding sand. Robb & Carroll, manufacturers of straw wrapping paper; mills located on Haana- krois Creek, half mile south of Coeymans; were established in 1832, and when in operation manu- facture two and a half tons paper daily.

Several quarries of limestone are operated, the material being used for building purposes, bridges, culverts and road-bed. For several years a quarry at Mossy Hill furnished large quantities of bluestone; the supply has been exhausted and the quarry is now abandoned.

Mr. Henry Callanan, near South Bethlehem, in the town of Coeymans, on the line of the West Shore Railroad, operates an extensive quarry of limestone. The material is used for building foundations, bridges, culverts and railroad ballast. Has an engine of sixty horse-power, which is con- nected with a Gates Stone Crusher, and also fur- nishes the necessary motive power for operating the quarry. Many thousand yards of stone were fur- nished the West Shore Railroad in its construction.

About 1845 Philip Kimmey, built at South Bethlehem, in the town of Coeymans, on the Sprayt Creek, a grist and saw-mill. The mill work, machinery and fitting were done by Ira Yagger, millwright.

These mills now belong to Henry Callanan, and in 1870 were extended and improved by additions

of machinery. They now consist of a grist-mill for flouring and custom work, a saw, planing and cider mill, all operated by a water-wheel and steam engine of thirty-five horse-power.

Lot Van Dusen, or, as sometimes called, Lot Wands, claims to have been born near Lenox, Massachusetts, in the year 1773, and when eleven- years old his mother brought him to Albany, and there met Bishop Wands, to whom he was bound by indenture until twenty-one years old. He remained with Bishop Wands, according to contract, after which he became his own master, working among the farmers in the neighborhood, and in time accumulated enough money to buy a wife. She was a slave, with a small child, the property of Jacob and Jehoicam Veeder, from whom he purchased Deyaun Van Guysling for one hundred dollars, and the child for twelve dollars, thus com- mencing housekeeping with a small family about 1798, first in the Burnside house; then bought a small house in what is now New Scotland village, where he lived a number of years; then moved to Bethlehem and lived on the Ambrose Wiltsie farm; from there to John Bullock's (now Mosher's), and at present living in the town of Coeymans, near South Bethlehem, on premises included in Callanan's farm, for which he has a deed during his life time. Lot has been married three times; is the father of several children. The eldest, Betsey, is living and is now past 80 years. He lives with his son Harrison. His bodily infirmities, with the weight of years, render him quite helpless, although with the aid of crutch and cane he moves about for his own convenience. He retains in a remarkable de- gree his mental faculties, and relates with much spirit many occurrences of his early days. If his record is correct, he is in his 112th year, and a hun- dred years ago, when he came to Albany, neither the town of Watervliet nor Bethlehem was or- ganized.

838

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

JOHN J. COLVIN.

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, whose name was John Colvin, was born in Scot- land in 1752, near Castle Douglas, of renowned memory, and came to this country when about twenty years of age, and settled at Nine Partners, Dutchess County, where he lived until his marriage with Sarah Fuller, of Connecticut, a lineal descendant of one of the Fullers who landed from the "Mayflower " at Plymouth Rock in 1620. This grandfather, soon after his marriage, removed to a farm of some three hundred acres in the town of Coeymans, three miles west of Coey- mans village, or landing. Here, carrying on farm- ing, and blacksmithing as well, for he was a black- smith by trade, he lived until January, 1814, when he died. He was a large-sized man, of great physical and mental strength, of high character and integrity, and eminent for his piety. He was a Member of the Assembly of the State in 1811, being elected by the county on the same ticket with Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten and Abel French. He had several sons and daughters. The fourth son was John, who was the father of John J. Colvin, a brief sketch of whose life is subjoined.

John J. Colvin was born at the old Colvin home- stead, in Coeymans, February 10, 1815. He has been identified with the business interests of Coey- mans for more than fifty years. The death of his father when he was but three years old, and other circumstances, afforded him but little opportunity

RESIDENCE OF J. J. COLVIN, Esq., TOWN OF COEYMANS.

for education. But, self-asserting and self-sustain- ing, and disliking a farmer's life, he thought, when seventeen years of age, that he would learn the boot and shoe making business, and to this he be- came an apprentice with Levi Hunt, at Coeymans Hollow.

During this apprenticeship, which continued three years, and two years subsequent employment with Mr. Hunt, he managed to save five hundred dollars. This accomplished, and concluding that boot and shoe making was not his vocation, and having by study and application made himself somewhat familiar with the general rudiments of education, including arithmetic and casting and keeping accounts, he determined to engage in some undertaking more suitable to his tastes and more stirring and active in its character. This he found in the business of buying and ship- ping flagging stone from Coeymans to New York, in company with Noble H. Johnson, then a clerk for Hubbel & Keith, at Coeymans, who were en- gaged in that business, and who also kept a grocery store there. Johnson & Colvin bought the interest of Hubbel & Keith in the stone business and the grocery, and continued to be copartners in the trade for ten years, during which they made con-

potom frechin

839

THE TOWNSHIP OF COEYMANS.

siderable money, and Mr. Colvin laid the founda- tion of his fortune.

In 1844 Johnson & Colvin, having sold their store property and given up their stone business, concluded to embark in the forwarding busi- ness from Coeymans to New York, and they formed a new copartnership, taking in Henry Niles as a third partner. The freighting business at this time was done with sailing vessels. The business increased so rapidly that they soon were obliged to add a vessel of large size, which was built for them at the shipyard in Coxsackie. The vessel was called the "Oregon," and was the largest sloop of the kind ever built for use on the upper Hudson. Mr. Colvin was the captain of this vessel, and transacted the business for the firm on the river and in the City of New York. But it was evident at last that the time for freighting for sailing vessels was past, and, as the risk and labor were great, Mr. Colvin sold his interest in the business and retired. He then commenced buying real property at different points in Coeymans, which he disposed of in building lots, always add- ing to the very respectable fortune which he had accumulated. During his life Mr. Colvin has owned and disposed of large amounts of real estate not only in Coeymans but in Albany and other parts of the State, and in Illinois, and he is yet owner of much property of this kind.

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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 183

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