Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 202

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 202

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West Albany R. R. Y. M. C. A .- In March, 1876, Mr. E. D. Ingersol, general railroad secre- tary of the Y. M. C. A. of America, called a meet- ing for the purpose of organizing an association, which was held in the machine shops of the New

York Central and Hudson River Railroad at West Albany, which resulted in the election of Mr. T. F. Blackburn as president. George S. Spencer be- came the first general secretary in October, 1876. Present membership, 193.

The following have served as presidents since Mr. Blackburn: Walter Van Guysling, William F. Horth, Seth Clark, Charles A. McBain, W. H. Rockenstive, Oliver S. Vedder, E. W. Morgan, and L. Packard, the present incumbent. The secretaries have been George S. Spencer, George M. Heckendon, Augustus C. Doerscher and E. W. Gorton.

VILLAGES, POST-OFFICES AND HAMLETS.

Boght (or Groesbeck's Corners), an old-settled place in the northeast corner of the township, in the bend or boght of the Mohawk, on the Loudon- ville road, and near Crescent station, west of Cohoes, contains twenty dwellings, Reformed Church, parsonage, school-house No. 18, shoe shop, and formerly a store. This vicinity and the Aqueduct were settled by Van Denberghs, Van

420

45'

20"

73°

52'

.36"

N. Y. C. R. R. Shops, Tall Chimney.

42º

935

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

De Marks, Fondas, Clutes, Van Vrankens, Lans- ings, and later by Wm. Groesbeck, the Simons, Godfreys, Roffs, Dunsbacks, and Runkels.

North of the Boght is the Aqueduct, containing dry-dock and brick-yards, and north is Dunsback Ferry, across the Mohawk. Here John Van De Mark kept tavern, and early settlers were Van Vrankens. The Erie Canal crosses the Mohawk River in the northeast corner by a stone aqueduct, 1, 137} feet long, resting on 26 piers, which are 26 feet high, and contains 18 locks.

Town House Corners (Van Vranken's, and now Latham's Corners), is a hamlet at the crossing of the Loudonville road and the Troy and Schenec- tady turnpike, six miles from Albany. Has been known by the above names from local causes. The neighborhood was settled by Van Den Berghs, Witbecks, Van Olindas, Van Vrankens, Oothouts and Mathias Markle. Joseph Yearsley and Myn- dert Van Denbergh kept taverns many years ago. The neighborhood is thickly settled and contains 41 dwellings, Reformed Church, parsonage, school- house No. 11, hotel, James Latham, proprietor, and blacksmith shop. Dr. Jonas Wade located in the vicinity as early as 1806; was a successful prac- titioner in his day, and much reputed for his many good qualities. His son, E. M. Wade, succeeds him, and another son, Edward Wade, is a lawyer of Albany City.

Watervliet Center (P. O.) is a small hamlet in the northern central part of the township, located on the Troy and Schenectady turnpike, two miles north of the Shaker settlement, and contains thirty- six dwellings, two stores, James Pearse, merchant and postmaster; William Graham & Brother, gen- eral merchandise; Abram W. Fraleigh, proprietor of the hotel; two blacksmith shops and wheel- wright shop. School-house No. 6, built as early as 1800, and the old house in which Laban Hills kept tavern in 1820, are landmarks.

The postmasters have been Laban Hills, Lewis Morris, and James Pearse, the present incumbent.

Early settlers in the vicinity were Witbecks, Orlops, Van Vrankens, Groats, Feros, Dr. Fraley, Sickles and Forts, at Fort's Ferry. Those who came after were Chamberlain, Gallager, Weather- wax, Cragiers and Lewis Morris, who came about 1835, and made great improvements in erecting hotel, store and several shops of which he was pro- prietor, and from this circumstance the place is known as Morrisville.

Near here, on the Town Creek, were the mills and woolen factories of Henry Waterbury, and on the same creek near Fort's Ferry were the Shaker mills.

Shaker's (P. O.), two miles south of Watervliet Center, and eight miles north of Albany, is the settlement now comprising the four families of the Shakers who located here in 1775, on lands leased from the Patroon, then a wilderness. The settle- ment number's 300 souls. This is a favorite resort for visitors in summer, and is reached by a pleasant drive on the Shaker road. For full details see County History.

Lisha's Kill (P. O.), name derived from an In- dian who is said to be buried on the bank of the creek near Visher Lansing's, is a small hamlet in the northwest corner of the town, on the old Albany and Schenectady turnpike, nine miles northwest from Albany, and near the Central Railroad.

The first settler was Jacob Lansing, grandfather of Benjamin, and his descendants are numerous in the vicinity. Another early settler was John V. A. Lansing, who came in 1792. Many of his de- scendants are residents of the neighborhood. These were followed by Van Benthuysens, Ostroms, Van Zandts, Groats, Bulsons, Campbells, Stan- fords. Charles Stanford kept a tavern on the turn- pike as early as 1803. He was an enterprising and respected citizen, and was the father of ex-Gover- nor Stanford. Here for many years was C. Lans- ing's tavern and Morris' store. was established about 1830.

The post-office Postmasters have been Lewis and Jacob Morris. Peter Lansing was appointed in 1848, and is the present incumbent. Mr. Lansing is also proprietor of a general mer- chandise store, notary public, and formerly kept a hotel. The neighborhood is thickly settled with thrifty farmers. Two school houses, Nos. 7 and 8, afford the children facilities for education. The Re- formed Church, parsonage and sheds attached, are conveniences for spiritual instruction, and com- forts for the farmers' horses. A blacksmith shop near by is a necessity, and the toll-gate is a relic of former days, when six-horse teams, with heavy freight wagons loaded with merchandise, were pass- ing and repassing at all hours of the day.

Newtonville (P.O.), formerly Newton's Corners- names given in honor of John M. Newton, who came here about 1840, and soon after erected a dwelling, and in 1850 a building for a store. He was an enterprising citizen and deservedly respected. He was engaged in active business during his life, and his sons continue the same line of business in the city where they reside.

The post-office was established in 1850. John Holmes was the first postmaster, and retains the office up to this time. President Arthur's father was Holmes' bondsman.

936

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

This hamlet is on each side of the Loudon road, four miles north of Albany, and is pleasantly located. Has a Methodist church and parsonage, school-house No. 13, store, of which John H. Kemp is proprietor, in which the post-office is kept. Here are located the shops of James Brewster, for the manufacture and sale of wagons, carriages and sleighs and general jobbing work; located at Ireland's Corners in 1851; came here in 1876 as James Brewster & Son; the firm is now James Brewster's Sons (James C. and William H.). The original Methodist church was built about two miles from here, near Lawson's, and for sev- eral years a boarding school-"Home Lawn"- was conducted by the Cole family. Rev. William Arthur (father of President Arthur), a Baptist preacher, also was principal of a private school for some time. The Baptist church (now abandoned) is just on the borders of the village. Early residents in the vicinity were Gilbert Waterman, Capt. Van Olinda, John Gornay and others. Dr. H. C. Abrams is located here as physician. Following the plank road south, on either side, are many fine residences and farm houses, which continue for the intervening short distance, and Ireland's Corners (P. O.), now Loudonville (P. O.), is reached. This is a thriving and lovely suburban hamlet, three miles from Albany, on the Loudonville plank road. The name is from Lord Loudon, and the road was in use previous to and during the revo- Intionary war.

The village owes its first name to Elias H. Ire- land, who bought the lands in 1832 of Van Rens- selaer, then all woods and only three houses or families near him. Jonathan Seeley Ireland was a preacher in the early days of Methodism, and being independent, he was his own sexton. Thomas Seeley Ireland, father of Elias, had settled in the vicinity previously, as well as Charles T. Ireland and John Ruby. Dr. Peter B. Noxen came here soon after E. H. Ireland, and practiced medicine during his lifetime. He was located at first at Coeymans Landing. Elias made improvements, engaged in the hotel and merchandise business, was quite successful, and died in 1870. His prop- erty has changed hands and great improvements are being made. The post-office was established about 1850, Elias H. Ireland, postmaster ; name changed to Londonville, 1871 ; Samuel Bacon, postmaster. James Brewster located here in 1851, for the manufacture and sale of wagons, carriages and sleighs; in 1876 he removed to Newtonville.

There is a store, containing general merchandise, in which is kept the post-office, Ralph H. Gove,

proprietor, also present postmaster. School-house No. 11 is pleasantly located and arranged for two teachers.

This is the finest and most desirable suburb of Albany, and with Newtonville, is a closely popu- lated district. The Loudon plank road offers easy access and delightful drives. The surroundings possess many attractions, and as a quiet, rural re- sort, or place of residence, many of the business men of the city have fine mansions, beautiful lawns, gardens and green-houses, which are much admired for their cheerful and home attractions. These, with the surroundings of the neighborhood and the natural scenery quite diversified, possess many striking features. Among those who reside here, and have done so much for the permanent benefit and encouragement of a higher order and cultivation of the beautiful in nature and art, are Samuel Bacon, P. K. Diedrick, George L. Stead- man and John C. Hughson.

Center Station, in the western part of the town, on the Central Railroad, is a collection of a few houses, and the place is a way-station, which fur- nishes conveniences to the residents of the neigh- borhood.

Menand's Station, on the Albany and Northern Railroad, is the location of Louis Menand's exten- sive green-houses, flower gardens and nursery grounds, which were established by the present proprietor in 1842. Here are located the fair grounds, originally intended for the use of the State Agricultural Society.

They contain several buildings, sheds and ample accommodation for poultry, live stock, manufac- tures, machinery, domestic and agricultural pro- ducts and implements. The place is convenient of access from all points by steamboats, railroads and horse cars. The State Fair for the present year, 1885, is appointed to be held here. The property is now owned by John Sundergan. Here also are located the Rural, St. Agnes and Anshe Emeth cemeteries.

Early settlers here were Schuylers, Ten Eycks, Gorways, Glens, Jermains, Hillhouse. The vicin- ity is now thickly populated, and many business men of Albany have their residences here. The attractions of natural scenery and the result of modern science and skill have changed the aspect of these low, hilly ridges and rendered them conspic- uous and beautiful for situation, possessing many striking features for the skill of the artist to develop in design of architecture and landscape ornamentation.

West Albany P. O. (formerly Spencerville). This is a busy and thriving place, lying north of Pa-

937

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

troon's Creek and west of the city line, two and a half miles from the City Hall, reached by State street and Central avenue horse cars, and New York Central Railroad cars, which pass through it. Here are located the extensive repair, machine and car shops, engine houses, cattle yards and other industries connected with the above railroad. The necessary ground occupied for the transaction, transfer and other purposes of the company's im- mense business at this place covers many acres; 1,500 men are employed, under competent super- intendents and skilled foremen.

The stock yards here are next in importance to those of Chicago and Buffalo, and in former years the transaction in live stock was even more extensive.

The business was originally commenced as early as 1847, by Wm. Wolford and Gallup, on Wash- ington avenue, afterward at the old " Bull's Head," on the Troy road, and then transferred to what is now the end of Central avenue by Hunter and Gal- lup. About 1860 the business was removed to its present location in West Albany, where large sheds and commodious buildings were erected, with other accommodations for feeding, transfer and shipment of stock.

For several years Allerton, Dutcher & Moore were proprietors of the cattle yards, and in November, 1868, Eastman Brothers became proprietors, and have continued to the present. They purchase 500,000 tons of hay for feeding the stock for one year. A large brick hotel, conducted by John Wil- liamson, is located in the immediate vicinity of the yards, which furnishes accommodations for buyers and sellers.

The post-office was established, September, 1862, by the appointment of Joseph Mather postmaster. The present postmaster is George W. Gibbons. The business transacted here has materially fallen off for the past few years, which is attributed to the shipment of slaughtered beef, in refrigerator cars, to all the great cities, as well as live stock to foreign markets. The receipts of hogs and sheep do not show much change. The following table gives some important figures, which are obtained from reliable sources, and gives the number of car loads for the years designated :

Year.

Car Loads Cattle.

Car Loads Sheep.

Car Loads Hogs.

Car Loads Horses.

1878.

28,238

10,262

4,894

627

1879.

31,484

9,923

5,449

949

1880.

34,718

10,312

5,234

1,058

1881.

33,452

10,057

5,153

906

1882.

24,208

9,497

6, 172

788

1883.

20,847

10,718

6,595

717

1884.

17,444

9,925

10,891

851

The following gives the number of live animals:

Year.

Car Loads Cattle.

Car Loads Sheep.

Car Loads Hogs.

Car Loads Horses.

1880.

525,228

1,089,800

992,309

15,184

188[ ..

568,225

1,608, 120

979,070

11,778

1882.

411,536

1,324,530

1, 110,960

10,244

1883.

375,200

1,690,650

961,300

8,808

1884.

299,760

1,207,975

1,999,070

13,158

For the week ending December 31, 1884, there was received: Cattle, car loads, 3,910; sheep, car loads, 12,760; hogs, car loads, 25,500; horses, 80.

MANUFACTURES, MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

Grist and saw-mills were erected on the small streams at an early date. These creeks furnished a limited warer power, which served the people in their needs of lumber, flour and manufacture of domestic supplies. Remains of these early mills are in a few localities; others have been erected upon their ruins, thus have served their purpose, and now, with the strides of modern progress and in- vention, changes have been wrought, improvements made, and steam, in a great measure, monopolizes as a motive power the ancient water wheel.

Caldwell, Frazier & Co. had a factory, and Muir clothing works on Mill Creek as early as 1803. The Shakers had a grist and saw-mill about the same time. The Lansings had a saw- mill on Lisha's Creek. Grist and saw-mills have been operated for many years on the Schaline or Town Creek, near where it empties into the Mo- hawk. These are now operated by Taylor Brothers. A woolen factory, near Watervliet Center, on the same creek, was formerly con- ducted by the Waterburys. Mills and manufactories of various kinds were early erected and operated on the Patroon's Creek, in Tivoli Valley. These are now within the city boundary. With few ex- ceptions, the mills, manufactories and industries are confined to the cities and villages.

The works of greatest magnitude now in the rural portion of the town are the fine brick build- ings erected by Truman G. Younglove in 1866 as a straw-board paper mill, the lime and cement kilns and the Lansing grist-mill. These are located just below the "Cohoes Company's " dam, and near the Cohoes city line.

The paper mill has all the modern machinery and first-class fixtures; was operated by the owner and builder for three years; then passed into the " Cohoes Straw-Board Company," composed of T. G. Younglove & Co. (G. H. Stewart and Levi Dodge), who operated it till April 1, 1883. The property is now owned by Thomas Bris- line. When in operation, seven tons of straw were manufactured into five tons of paper per day, requiring four tons of coal, and about twenty- eight men were employed. The monthly pay-roll amounted to $1, 100. The motive power, turbine wheels, driven by water from the Cohoes Com- pany's Canal.

938

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The lime and cement works were started in 1869, by the "Capitol Lime and Cement Company," com- posed of Truman G. Younglove, George Stewart and David T. Lamb, of Waterford, and Henry Duns- back, of Crescent, Saratoga County. The kilns are not used at present. The mill is now operated for grinding soap-stone and marble. The prop- erty is now owned by Lewis Hoffman.

Here also is located the grist-mill which was originally owned by Gerret Lansing, and then by I. D. F. Lansing. Connected with it is the dwell- ing house erected in 1795. The work of greatest importance at this place is the dam across the Mohawk, above the falls, which furnishes the water power for the Cohoes industries.

The "Cohoes Company " was incorporated, March 28, 1826, with a capital of $250,000, which was increased, April 26, 1843, to $500,000. The first trustees of this company were Charles E. Dudley, Peter Remsen, Francis Olmstead, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Jr., Canvass White, David Wilkin- son and Henry J. Wycoff. A dam was built across the river in 1831, which was carried away in 1832. Another was constructed, and this was partially destroyed in 1839, and rebuilt the same year. The company now own the entire water power from half a mile above to one mile below the falls, which gives a total descent of 120 feet.

The present stone dam was constructed in 1865, and is one of the most substantial and costly structures of the kind in the United States. The entire length of the dam is 1,443 feet, and with the head-gate and gate-house, which is of solid stone and brick masonry, built in 1866, cost $180,000.

The directors at this time were Alfred Wild, president ; William T. Garner, Charles Van Benthuysen, David J. Johnson, Samuel W. John- son, William W. Niles, and Truman G. Young- love, agent. The work was done under the super- vision of the agent. The engineer was William E. Worden ; assistant, David H. Van Auken ; and contractor, John Bridgford.

Five canals at different levels are constructed, and the water is again used from the level of the State dam. These canals were constructed at different periods, the first in 1834, three-fourths of a mile long, with a fall of 18 feet; the second in 1845, one-third of a mile in length and a fall of 25 feet ; the third is half a mile long and 23 feet fall. This and the previous one are parts of the old Erie Canal. The fourth and fifth have a fall of 20 feet each. The entire water power is estimated at 10,000 horse power, and all is not utilized. The abuttal of this dam on the east is the town of Waterford.

Henry O. Lansing, about 1875, built custom grist and saw-mill on the Lisha's Kill, to be operated by water or steam, containing two run of stone and a corn-crusher ; frame building. The Shakers have one of the largest saw mills in the town. There is not the demand for mills of this kind that there was formerly. As the forests are growing less, and timber is becoming scarce and increasing in value, farmers purchase their lumber and save their small forests.

CHURCH HISTORY AND SOCIETIES- WATERVLIET.

In collecting the history of the several church and religious organizations of Watervliet, the same conditions exist that prevailed with early organiza- tions throughout the county. For many years the Reformed Dutch Church was the only organized religious body. The first pastor was Rev. Johan- nes Megapolensis, who came to Albany in 1642. The services were conducted in the Holland lan- guage for 140 years, and for seventy-five years this was the religion of this colony. At this time, 1716, the first Episcopal church west of the Hudson was opened for worship, and the Presbyterian church in 1761 or 1762, and it is well to know upon what authority the people were guaranteed the right of worship. Here is the foundation stone, contained in the "New York Charter of Liberties," upon which is built the fundamental principle of our government, and which should be sacredly held as a divine legacy :

"No person professing faith in God by Jesus Christ shall at any time be in any ways disquieted or questioned for any difference of opinion." The company was bound to give them local govern- ment; officers were to be appointed by the directors and council, and were invested with the religious privileges, as the following extract : "No other religion was to be publicly tolerated, save that taught and exercised by the authority of the Re- formed Church in the United Provinces." This pro- vision was imperfectly complied with, yet in 1639 "the Bible was declared to be the Constitution "

by the government of the colony of New Haven. Then membership in the churches was largely under the control of the ministers, and civil and religious obedience was exacted from all. The Holland and English colonists had contended for relig- ious liberty and vested rights, and they thought these could be best preserved by the protection of freedom in religious liberty and a conservative government which would secure equal political riglits, to be adjusted by the people. To the early principles taught by these true men, in a spirit of intensified conscience that were destined to perform an important part in the civilization of this new world, are we largely indebted for this spirit of freedom and action, which is an inheritance to be preserved for all time as priceless.

It may be well to ascertain what were some of the causes that operated against the early forma- tion of church societies disconnected and remote from those at Albany.

First, the country was slow of settlement and families were widely separated. Secondly, the wealth of these pioneers consisted in their poverty, hardships, self-denial, and in their rude cabins. Thirdly, the disturbed and unsettled condition of their surroundings rendered life and property un- safe, subject at any time to the attack of their cruel and savage enemies, the Indians.

As settlement advanced in the manor, material progress followed. This gave encouragement for re- newed effort in the direction of religious privileges,

939

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

which had in a great measure been denied them. As their means were yet limited, they collected or gathered in small bands at the most central house of a neighbor for private worship, and thus extended their religious views and influence among their im- mediate neighbors, and formed a nucleus for future growth. The first organized church or society beyond the city seems to have been in the town of Berne, about the year 1763, and one in Niskayuna, about the same time, both Reformed Dutch churches. The exact date of the organiza- tion of these churches with some others, is uncer- tain, as the records have been lost, and tradition is not always reliable. From this time no further efforts were made for the establishment of church organizations until after hostilities ceased and peace followed the war for independence, which at once opened the way for religious liberty and freedom to all classes and creeds.

It was from the Holland ancestors, who had fled from enforced cruelty and persecution, that these great principles of human liberty and conservative religious freedom were inherited ; yet we should not forget that spirit and system of moral development which was brought and fostered by the English, and particularly those who came from New Eng- land, who had also been tried by the same severe test of persecution, and which serves as a balance to preserve the forces which exalt religious freedom and energies, the rights of justice to the common interests of humanity. Moral progress and relig- ious development which was now influenced by the revival or introduction of new elements, by the free expression of ideas and newspaper exhibits of intelligent views, brought a conflict of opinions and religious convictions that opened a spirit of discus- sion, and introduced practices somewhat unex- pected in their results. Yet the test of vital piety and truth of the doctrines were practically sus- tained, and Calvanism maintained a place among the churches ; for at that time the Calvanistic faith and doctrines were attacked by other orthodox fol- lowers.

The lessons taught from this controversy were not without their powerful influence upon the re- vival of a purer Christianity, and the spirit of intol- erance was in a measure swept away for the more charitable one of brotherly love.

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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 202

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