Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 201

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 201

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).

The township has undergone many changes since its formation in 1788, when it included all the territory as now represented by the several townships, Cohoes and Niskayuna. The following changes have taken place and other divisions formed from this parent since its organization:

Rensselaerville was taken off in 1790, Coeymans in 1791, Bethlehem in 1793, Guilderland in 1803, Niskayuna in 1809; a part of Colonie was annexed in 1815; Cohoes was taken off in 1869, and in 1870 a portion was annexed to Albany City. West Troy and Green Island, parts of the town- ship, are incorporated villages.

The township is triangular in shape, resting upon one point, and occupies the northeast corner in the county.

It is bounded on the north by Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, on the east by Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties, on the south by Rensselaer

* The following, from the session laws of 1804, reads: " An act to vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of that part of the Town of Water Vliet, in the County of Albany, commonly called the Colonie, which was incorporated, April 9, 1804, as follows : ' Lying on the west bank of Hudson's River, in the northeast bounds of the City of Albany; extending north about three-fourths of a mile to Mill Creek ; thence west one mile up along the said creek ; thence southerly with a line parallel to the said river till it strikes the north bounds of said city ; thence east to the place of beginning.'" The vil- lage was to elect five persons as trustees, who were empowered to make by-laws, levy taxes and perform other duties ; a Treasurer, Collector and five Assessors were also to be elected by the freeholders. The first town meeting was held at the house of William Kane, in April, 1809, no records of which can be found.

930

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

County, Albany City and Guilderland, and on the west by Albany and Guilderland. The Hudson and Mohawk Rivers flow along the east and north boundary, separating it from Rensselaer and Sara- toga Counties.

The number of acres of land assessed in 1883 was 33, 560; the assessed and equalized valuation of personal and real estate for 1883 was $5,524, 828.97; the assessed valuation of West Troy and Green Island, $4, 875,076.21; total for the town- ship, $10, 399, 904. 18. Population in 1865, 27,275; 1870, 22,609 ; 1875, 20,894 ; 1880, 22,220. The surface is broken into plains and uplands, which have an elevation of from 200 to 300 feet. The declivities of this upland have numerous gullies, worn by the small streams, while the Mohawk on the east has made precipitous banks and deep cuttings above and below the falls; swamps and small marshes are numerous. A fine interval of alluvial soil, varying in width, extends along the Hudson; this is frequently overflowed by freshets, and the deposit which accumulates renders the soil very fertile. The soil along the river flats is a rich alluvium, and a light sandy loam upon the upland and plains. There are mild sulphur and chalybeate springs. Bog iron ore is found in a few locations, and some graywacke quarries furnish excellent building and flagging stone.

The streams or creeks are small. The princi- pal ones are Patroon's Creek, with its tributaries, Sand Kill, Lisha's or Lychus Kill, Town Branch, Schauline Creek, Donker Kill, Dry Branch, Ralger Kill and Red Creek. The acreage of woodland is rapidly diminishing, and only small patches re- main, containing a few acres, and small groves preserved for ornament or wind-breaks. Roads and turnpikes are numerous, and are kept in good traveling condition, and railroads traverse through the town in many directions.

The first settlements in this township were made upon lands included in the Van Rensselaer Manor. The great inducement and favorable terms upon which settlers could obtain these lands were at that time of much importance and advantage to them in their condition. Their means were very limited, and their wealth consisted mostly of their families, a few necessary supplies and hardy constitutions. The wilderness which surrounded them could be made to bear fruit, and after many days of toil and hardship, struggling against poverty and self-denial, they saw the result of their labor, performed with rude implements, in fair crops of grain and forage, an increase in live stock, more acres ready for cul-

tivation, and some of the comforts of life to be enjoyed in old age. But the course of prosperity does not always run without friction ; disturbing elements cannot always be guarded against; con- flicts at that time were of varying kinds, and these often interfered with the lone settler's security and domestic comfort.

In time civilization threw her protecting arms about them, thus securing their lives and property from savage and wanton destruction; society made advances; moral progress was strengthened into spiritual life, and knowledge was nurtured in the school of adversity. It was this robust and pioneer experience that gave action and power to a class of men who accepted the conditions necessary to educate them for citizens, asserting their self- reliance and principles of individual right in the affairs of popular government and the relations of social progress. These early colonists exhibited shrewdness in the selection of their lands for farm- ing purposes, and in locating their future homes near the settlement in the colony of Rensselaer- wyck, so that they were under the protection of Fort Orange in time of trouble, and could enjoy other privileges with those at the fort. Albany at that time was an outpost of civilization, around which clustered a community of Dutch, who were engaged in the fur trade with the Mohawks and other tribes of Indians. They were a rude and not always overscrupulous people, were anxious to accumulate wealth, and ready for the best bargain, that they might add to their possessions, and share in the enviable honors, however won, of their neigh- bors.

The Hollanders were wise in gaining the friend- ship of the Indians, thus securing a measure of safety from their stealthy, savage raids, at the same time the better to control the trade in furs with them; yet they were unwise in introducing disturbing elements in the civilization of these savages-the use of the tomahawk and rifle, and the greater evil, firewater. This sudden change was so great that the Indian added to his own bad habits many of those of the white man, thus developing all his inherent savageness and brutal tortures, to be used against those who brought not the best, but a destructive, agent in civilization.

The first settlements in what is now Watervliet were made north of the city, along the river, extend- ing to Port Schuyler, now a part of West Troy. The Van Rensselaers occupied most of the land in the vicinity of the Colonie; then came the Schuylers and a few other families whose interests and business were more directly connected with Albany. From

931

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

a map of the Van Renseslaer Manor, made in 1767, there were then but 148 families west of the Hudson River. The following names are given as settlers at that time in what is now Watervliet. Those along the Hudson from Albany to the mouth of the Mohawk were : Jeremiah Schuyler, Peter Schuyler, Col. Philip Schuyler, Peter Cluet (west of the Schuylers), Jonas Sharp, Guy Young, Hans Van Arnum, Jan Outhout, Henry Bullsing, Cornelius Van Denbergh, Wirt Van Denbergh. Along the Mohawk from its mouth north : Jonas Outhout, Abram Van Denbergh, Cornelius Van Denbergh alias King, -- Lansing, Henry Lansing, Cor- nelius Onderkerk, Douw Fonday, Franz Lansing, Dirk Hemstraet; and at the Boght: Hans Lansing, William Liverse, Jan Douwve Fonda (Frederick Clute and - Wynans on colonial lands). Along the Mohawk, west of the Boght: Daniel Van Olinda, Jacob Clute, Bastian Visher, Jacob Freltie, Diederick Scheffer, Martys Bovee, Fransway Bovie, Hans Heemstraet, Bastian Cregier, - Duyvepagh, Simon Groet, Hans Cluet, Robert Canier. In the northwest corner: - Consaloe, Hans Consaloe, Isaac Truax; and the following who lived over the manor line, - Cluet, John Schuyler, Nicholas Hallenbeck and Glen Braat. On the sand road to Schenectady, John Richies, at the Knil; Christie, at the Sandbergh, and a family at the Verfbergh.

Many of these early settlers have left their names and descendants to perpetuate some quality of their ancestry; and whether the scene be laid in the primitive forest, or upon the cultivated field, the same struggles brought out invigorating elements of character, which were qualities essential to their robust manhood, which gave them an influence in civil affairs, and communicated spiritual life to the rude state of society. Many others have departed with no record by which to follow their outgoings, and their names are lost for all time. Others came and took their places as actors in the great problem of human liberty to be solved by persistent exertion. From a record in the possession of Peter Lansing, of Lishaskill, the history and genealogy of Hendrick Lansing is taken, Peter being a lineal descendant and representative of this family, whose great-grandfather settled in Watervliet about 1700.

Hendrick Lansing, of the town of Hasselt, in the province of Overyssel, was the ancestor of all the Lansings in America. His son Gerret early came to Beaverwyck from Hasselt, near Swoll Overyssel, and died before October, 1679. His sons were Hendrick, Gerrit and Johannes, and

from these have originated the several families. The daughters were Hilletie, who married Storm Van Derzee, son of Albert Andriesen Bradt, and their daughter Anne married Johannes Becker; Alltie married Gerrit Van Slichtenhorst; Gysbertie married Hendrick Janse Roseboom.

Hendrick Lansing, son of Gerrit, was in Albany as early as 1666, and died July, 1709. His son Jacob married Hellina Pruyn, and their son Hen- drick J. married Lena Winne, 1769. Hellina died in 1827. Jacob died in 1792. Their son Benjamin married Mary Tymerson. Their children were: Peter, who married Catharine Norris; Helen, who married Lewis Morris; Henry B., who married Eliza Putnam, and afterward Sarah Knight; Cor- nelius T., who married, first, Catharine Billson, then Caroline Steers. This family settled at Li- sha's Kill, and comprise one branch of the Lan- sings.

Col. John V. A. Lansing, who married Harriet Verplank, came here in 1791 or 1792, and settled on the farm where his grandson, Vischer Lansing, lives. He had four sons and four daughters. The four brothers married sisters, daughters of Cor- nelius Groat; Abram V. P. Lansing married Helen Groat; Gulian V. P. married Catharine; Jacob J. married Rachael, and John married Eliza.

The daughters of John V. A. married as follows: Maria, first, Richard J. Pearse, then Garret L. Winne ; Williamke, Sebastian Pearse ; Helen, Jacob Weaver, and Harriet, Jacob C. Lansing.

From this family have originated the following professional men: Rev. Dr. John A. Lansing, Revs. Abram G. Lansing, Gulian Lansing and his son John G., Jacob Pearse, Nicholas Pearse and Augustus Pearse, Elmer C. Lansing and J. Mc- Carrol Lansing, physicians; Howard Lansing and Christopher Lansing, attorneys at law.

Two brothers, Gerret and Ryckert-Claas Van Vranken, sons of Claas Van Vranken, early bought lands in Niskayuna. From these descended the families of this name in that town. Gerrit, son of Claas, married Ariantje Uldrick, and their children were Claas Uldrick, born 1685, and Maritie, born 1690. Claas in 1704 married Geertruy Quacken- bos; their son Petrus married Neeltie, daughter of Dirk Groat, and from this family are the descend- ants of Watervliet, and the Groats are probably de- scended from this family and from Seymun Groat.

Jacob Lansing and his wife, Hellena Huyck, came from Holland at an early date, about 1700, and his son John settled in the vicinity of the Boght, on the farm now owned by Egbert Lansing. Rutger Lansing's son Gerret settled on the Mo-

932

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

hawk, above the falls, and here are the possessions and improvements of Isaac D. F. Lansing, extend- ing along the river, and at the Aqueduct. In 1795 I. D. F. Lansing built a large two-storied brick dwelling house, near the Cohoes dam, which is still standing and occupied. Teunis Lansing's family are represented by the children of Francis T.

Daniel Van Olinda was an early resident, and obtained a certain piece of land from John De Puyster, which is described in a deed of sale, given to Isaac Fonda, July, 1738. Portions of this property remain in the possession of his de- scendants.

Isaac Fonda was from Holland, and born in 1715, and in 1749 married Cornelia De Friest, and his line of descent to the present time is through his son Isaac I., then Isaac I., Jr., Cornelius I., James V. V., Daniel D. and Charles Fonda. When Isaac Fonda obtained possession of this property the following persons were on adjoining lands: Gerardus Kloett, Hendrick Rider, Jacob Lansing, Dirk Bradt.

Mr. James V. V. Fonda (son of Cornelius I.), So years old, is living on the original home- stead, and part of the old house, built before the revolution, is attached to a dwelling near the road, and in this small room Richard Kloet kept a tavern during the stormy days of revolutionary times, when Indians and Tories gave the neighbors much trouble, for here they would meet and dis- cuss the stirring events of the day, which were generally boisterous after the firewater began to burn. Tradition repeats the story that Gen. Washington at one time was a guest in this house, and stood upon the same floor now in use, and that an Indian, who became angered, threw a tomahawk at Dick Kloet, but, missing him, struck a beam, the mark of which is now concealed by re- pairs. Also, that Gen. Morgan and his soldiers camped and occupied the hill near the canal, and quartered his men upon the families in the vicinity. This seems to be historical ground. Mr. Fonda, who relates the above and many other incidents, has in his possession a Holland Bible, printed in 1713; also, a powder horn, with the name James Bouyngy engraved upon it, with the date 1756, and other designs. He has also an old sword, inscribed with date of 1758, with the initials P. D. Another curiosity is an " Ulster County Gazette," published at Kingston, January 4, 1800, by Samuel Freer & Son, containing a full account of the death of Washington, with letters from England and France, and address of John Adams, and proceedings of Congress.

Douw Fonda and wife were from Holland, and his family was perpetuated by the descendants of his two sons, Abram and Douw. Other families of Fondas were Isaac H. and Henry I., the name being numerous in the township.

The Van Rensselaer patent did not include the whole of Watervliet, the northeastern portion being government land, and deeds were given by Eng- land, as the one here mentioned, now in the pos- session of Lansing Van Denbergh, who kindly per- mits a record of it to be taken. It is written on parchment, in large English script, has no signa- ture, but a great seal of the crown, three inches in diameter, half inch thick, of wax, and now broken in many pieces. It is dated October 21, 1697.

" William the Third, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland and France and Ireland and Zealand, and Defender of the Faith, greeting: Our loyal subject, Peter Hendrich De Haas: All that land between the Cohoos and Conn-Hagioewa, on the south side of Schinictady River, lying be- tween the two Creeks, about two miles in length, more or less; in breadth from east side of a marsh, including the said marsh, &c., &c., at an annual rental of twenty shillings, &c."

This tract of land came into the possession of Peter P. and Gerrit P., sons of Peter Van Den- bergh. In 1805 a partition deed was given by Peter P. to the sons of Peter P., viz .: Douw, Peter G., Isaac G. and Cornelius G. Van Denbergh.

This property was in the vicinity of the Boght, and some portions remain in the family.

Another family of early settlers was Jacob Cluet and his sons, Johannes J. and Jacob. This family owned a farm north of Town-house Corners, and Luykes Witbeck received a deed of this property from Stephen Van Rensselaer, dated February 27, 1769, in the ninth year of the reign of George III.

Luykes Witbeck had three sons, Abram L., Ger- ret and John, and from these brothers the name descended to the several families of Watervliet. John L., son of Lucas I., and grandson of John, lives upon the original farm. The above deed is witnessed by Lucas Van Vechten, Nicholas Cluet and Cornelius Wendell. Mr. John L. Witbeck has in his possession a small brass brasier, which is old and rare, from the Fonda family; also, a re- markable piece of embroidery upon silk.

At the commencement of hostilities with Eng- land, the inhabitants of this town were included in the west district of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, and many of them held lands leased by the pa- troon at an annual rental. Farms, at first, were located in the vicinity of Fort Orange, for protec-

933

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

tion. The settlements gradually extended beyond, and finally occupied the level lands along the Hud- son and Mohawk Rivers. One of the most im- portant considerations of the founders of this colony was to secure the trade in furs with the In- dians, and to do this the Indians were induced to bring their peltries to Fort Orange for exchange. At certain periods of the year they came down the Mohawk to Schenectady or the falls in canoes, and then by trails to the place of barter. These trails or paths were afterward used by the whites as roads, of which three at least diverged from Al- bany-one leading direct to Schenectady, with a branch to the west; another across the center of the town to the Mohawk, and one along the Hud- son up to the bend or boght of the Mohawk.

With few exceptions the first settlers were Dutch, and they readily conformed to all the laws and re- quirements as promulgated by those in authority. A peaceable yet persistent people, with simple habits of living, industrious and persevering, strongly attached to early traditions of justice and religion, they planted upon this soil principles and practices which were the underlying source of success, and the issues that followed were the re- sult of loyalty and patriotism.

In carefully studying the condition of the people as well as that of the country, the observer will at once notice the wonderful change that was wrought when hostilities ceased, and peace once more smiled upon a nation, now free and independent. Every condition of prosperity, every branch of in- dustry, every public or private enterprise, manu- factures, agriculture, commerce, churches, schools and professions were now open and ready for de- velopment. All seemed to spring into new life with an impulse that was irresistible, and the spirit of progress swept with renewed force over the land, of which this district received a large share.

At this time, about 1785, the way is open for a new element to mingle with Holland society, and many families from New England and the adjacent counties improved the opportunity and located among the Dutch, occupying lands under leases from the patroon. This immigration, in their in- tercourse and association in the affairs of gov- ernment, politics, religion and education, intro- duced the ideas and principles of Puritanism which they received as a legacy from the New England teachers, and these were advanced and instilled into the minds of the people, and a unity of sentiment in essential things was in time accepted, the results of which have been a blessing to the community in elevating morality.

Since 1800 the advantages derived from an in- telligent and liberal course of education, as well as popular government, have been seconded by the rapid advancement of general literature and aided by the newspaper, in the cultivation of knowl- edge which enlarges the mind and fosters a spirit of investigation for higher culture in the natural and general sciences, the laws of mechanics and industrial pursuits.

These have been well received in the town, as its general prosperity attests. The internal improve- ments, its numerous manufactures, its public and private enterprises, its mechanical pursuits, its rapid advance in agriculture, its system of modern schools and institutions of practical sciences, its freedom of religious sentiment as proclaimed from the numerous churches and religions societies, dc- note the progress and enlightenment of the people, and the prosperity of those who contributed to the general welfare. The rural portion of the town has an industrious population engaged in that oc- cupation that forms the basis of every nation's prosperity, the tillage of the soil.

Of late years the methods of farming have been based upon practical systems, and the advance- ment in special agricultural knowledge from scien- tific investigation and practical experiments. These are sources from which the intelligent farmer will obtain suggestions and results of much value, and the careful study of agricultural journals is of more value to the farmer than the purely political news- paper.

Improved machinery and labor-saving imple- ments are the farmer's greatest boon; these, with judicious breeding of live stock, are a source of wealth to the intelligent farmer who exercises wis- dom and prudence in all things pertaining to rural economy. A large part of the cultivated acres in the township is devoted to dairy purposes, for the production of milk to supply the demands of Al- bany, Cohoes, West Troy, Green Island and the neighboring villages. Mixed gardening-vegetables and small fruits-is an industry of considerable magnitude, extensively conducted upon small farms by Germans and others.

Below is given a list of supervisors, justices of the peace and town clerks from 1793 to 1844. The first town meeting of which there is any record was held at the house of Isaac Truax, Jr., on the 2d day of April, 1793. The figures denote the year when the person was elected.

Supervisors: Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1793; Jacob Winne, 1795; Cornelius Glen, 1801 ; Enoch Leonard, 1804 ; Stephen Van Rensselaer,

934

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

1808 ; John Schuyler, Jr., 1810; Lucas G. Wit- beck, 1824; Francis Lansing, 1827; John C. Schuyler, 1833; Jeremiah Schuyler, 1837; Gilbert I. Van Zandt, 1838 to 1851.

Justices of the Peace (by appointment)-Jurian Hogan, 1797; Jedidiah Strong, 1809; H. V. Cuyler, 1809 ; Nicholas Freligh, 1810; Stephen M. Conger, 1811 ; Lyman Stanford, 1811 ; Jedi- diah Baker, 1817; E. Wilson, Jr., Jacob I. Wager, 1820. Special town meeting, December 22, 1822, the following were elected : Jedidiah Strong, Philip Lennenbacker, Elijah Ranney, Stephen M. Conger, Daniel Van Dyke, 1827; Isaac Fonda, Jr., 1827 ; Ethical Enders, Isaac H. Williams and Frederic V. Waterman, 1831 ; A.

W. Richardson, 1833; Stephen Groesbeck and Lawrence V. K. Van Demark, 1834 ; Francis O. Dorr and Jonathan Kash, 1836; John Hastings, 1838; Supply F. Wilson and William King, 1839 ; Jonathan Hart, 1840; Martin Winne, 1841 ; Matthew Fort, 1842 ; James M. Barnard, 1844.

Town Clerks-Luther Trowbridge, 1793; Ger- ret Clute, 1800; Benjamin Winne, 1802; Levinns L. Winne, 1805; Harmanus V. Cuyler, 1809 ; Lyman Swan, 1811 ; John G. Ruby, 1813 ; Ger- ret T. Lansing, 1826 ; Stephen Groesbeck, 1833; Martin Witbeck, 1834 ; William R. Peake, 1835 ; Oliver Burr, 1838 ; John Mason, 1842 ; Cole H. Denio, 1843 ; Robert I. Moe, 1844.

NEW YORK STATE SURVEY .- PRELIMINARY GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF STATIONS AND MONUMENTS IN WATERVLIET.

NAME OF STATION.

No. OF MONUMENT.

OWNER'S NAME.

LATITUDE.

LONGITUDE.

Arsenal

237

U. S. Government

42º

43'

09"

73º

42'

07"

Center Street.

240

On Green Island.

42º

44'

33 73

41'

Lansing Pine.

Benjamin Lansing.

42º

37"

50'

38"

Race Course

236

Erastus Corning .

42°

41'

16"

73°

42'

55"

Lishaskill P. O., Reformed Church.

West Albany

42º

40'

38"

73°

46'

.30"

Williams Monument in Rural Cemetery

41'

44'

16"

County Line Monument

Watervliet & Niskayuna

42º

46'

43"

47'

59"

Watervliet & Niskayuna

In road opposite T. J. Miller's store.

42º

46'

19"

73°

49'

26"

Nestigione Patent, in Saratoga County, and Connestigione, another old patent, granted in 1697 to Peter Hendrix De Haas, are the origin of Niskayuna, and of an extensive tract on both sides of the Mohawk. The latter was west of the Cohoes Falls and within the present township of Watervliet. The Erie Canal enters this town from Saratoga County in the northeast corner, crossing the Mohawk at the lower aqueduct, and winds along the margin of that river, by the Cohoes Falls and through the city of Cohoes ; thence southerly and forms a junction with the Champlain Canal, just above West Troy, through which it passes, across the Arsenal grounds, and thence along the Hudson River flats through North Albany-the great lum- ber market-and by the Van Rensselaer mansion, to the Albany basin, about 13 miles in this town, having 19 locks, 165 feet descent, and two locks of 22 feet descent at the side just opposite Troy.

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 201

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