Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 203

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 203

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The organization of Reformed churches in Water- vliet was previous to its formation as a township; other denominations in time followed, and now there are three Reformed, three Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, one Roman Catholic. The churches of West Troy and Green Island are not included in the history of the rural district of Watervliet. The Boght Reformed (Dutch) Church is located in the northeast part of the town, above the Falls, and northwest of Cohoes, in the bend or elbow of the Mohawk River, boght being the Dutch for bend. For many years the nearest church was at Albany ; but they had worship among themselves, and a building was erected for occasional worship at an early period. There is no record of the first house of worship that was standing when the church was organized.

A petition, signed by forty-two persons, was pre- sented to the Classis of Albany, February 22, 1784, and the first record of organization is April 14, 1784. From the relation afterward sustained be- tween this church and the one at Niskayuna, it is evident that the Boght Church is to be regarded as the offspring of the Niskayuna congregation. As the Niskayuna Church was originally in Water- vliet, some mention of it must form part of the history of this township. The precise date of its organization cannot be determined, as the facts and records, for the most part, have been lost. It appears, however, from the best sources of infor- mation to be obtained, that it was as early as 1760. After the organization of the church at the Boght, these two congregations were under one pastorate. The Rev. E. Westerlo, of Albany, for some time had the supervision of this church. The first pastor was the Rev. John Demarest, who began his ministry in 1790, taking charge of the Boght church in connection with the church of Niskay- una. He preached in the Dutch language, and records during his ministry are written in Dutch. He closed his ministry in 1803, and the union of the church of Niskayuna with the church of the Boght ceased at this time. In 1805 Rev. Dr. John Bassett was called, and continued pastor until the spring of 1811. During Dr. Bassett's pastorate services began to be in the English language, and stoves were introduced.

In 1806 the erection of a new church building was proposed, and Abram Witbeck, Donw H. Fonda and Dirk Clute were appointed a commit- tee, and, after some discussion, the church was erected in 1807. The building was 40 x 50 feet, located on a pleasant spot, with a pine grove near it, on the road which is now the western limit of the city of Cohoes.

Rev. Robert Bronk became pastor in 1814, and also ministered to the church of Washington and Gibbonsville. He resigned his charge in 1823, having been pastor nine years.

June 28, 1824, a call was given to Rev. John B. Steele, and in February, 1833, he was dismissed, having been pastor nine years.

In 1825 it was ordered that D. A. Fonda and Martin Van Olinda conduct the singing, and that the precentors should stand before the pulpit.

Rev. Cornelius Bogardus was called as pastor, July 6, 1833, and he remained until 1838, about five years.

Rev. William Pitcher was called, January 13, 1840, and during his ministry it was proposed to build a new church, and, after full discussion and several meetings, the present building was erected, in 1847. This ground had been given for a par- sonage nearly a hundred years previous. The land on which the parsonage stands was a part of the old De Haas patent, now known as the Van Den- berg patent. Eight acres were given to the church, and the old Patroon of Albany afterward gave twenty-five acres upon the south side of the Manor line. That land was sold some years ago. There are about the present parsonage relics of the old parsonage which was built a hundred years

940

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

ago. When the new church was about to be erected at the Boght, in 1847, a disagreement among the members as to the site resulted in the dismissal of twenty-two, who were organized as the Church of Rensselaer, and in the same year erected a church building in the south part of the congre- gation, at Van Vranken's Corners.

Mr. Pitcher's pastorate closed in 1854, after four- teen years of service. Rev. John Dubois was called in 1857, and continued pastor until 1859.

In 1860 Rev. John W. Major became pastor. He resigned in ill health, 1864, and died soon afterward.

In March, 1864, this church united with the church of Rensselaer in calling a pastor, and on the 20th of June Rev. Henry A. Raymond was called, who continued until 1871, when he re- signed, and the following year the church was supplied by the Rev. C. P. Evans. The Rev. George I. Taylor was called, October 29, 1873, and began his services in the Boght and Rens- selaer churches, January 1, 1874, and is the pres- ent pastor, having served ten years. Anniversary exercises commemorating the centennial of this church were held in the afternoon and evening, April 14, 1884. The church for the occasion was beautifully decorated with floral designs, an old Dutch Bible, and on one of the side walls was the old Dutch motto, "Eendracht maakt macht," "Unity makes might." The exercises were varied, and were made doubly interesting by the many minis- ters who contributed their valuable services. The centennial sermon and discourse were delivered by the pastor, Rev. George I. Taylor, to whom the writer is indebted for much of the history of this church, taken by permission from the author's ser- mon, which was kindly furnished.

The first consistory of the Boght Church was: Elders, David Fero, Isaac Fonda. Deacons, Abram A. Fonda, Gerret I. Lansing. The present officers are: Elders, Jacob L. Van Denbergh, James H. Van Vranken, Benjamin Reamer. Deacons, Jesse A. Fonda, Nicholas I. Clute, Henry W. Fellows. The names of those who constituted the original church are appended, as showing who were resi- dents of this neighborhood at that time: Francis Lansing, Gerrit, Evart, Mans, Wynant, Peter, Petras, Cornelius C., Cornelius 3d and Nicholas C. Van Denbergh, Gerrit Wendell, Luycas Wit- beck, Jacob Van Olinda, Johannes Lansing, Rut- gers Lansing, Johannes Clute, Isaac Fonda, Isaac H. Fonda, Timothy Hutton, Henry Fero, Chris- tian Fero, David Fero, Jacob I. Lansing, Dirck Heemstraat, Charles Heemstraat, Isaac Onder- kerk, Andrew Onderkerk, Johannes Fonda, Gerrit Clute, Isaac J. Fonda, Francis Cramer, Hendrick Wendell, Abram A. Fonda, Noah Gillet, Gerrit I. Lansing, Abraham H. Lansing, Jacob Lansing, Dirck Clute, Hendrick Fonda, Jacob D. Fonda, Abraham L. Witbeck, Abraham Onderkerk.

Ministers-Revs. John Demarest, 1790 to 1805; John Bassett, D. D., 1805-11; Robert Bronk, 1814-23; John B. Steele, 1824-33; Cornelius Bo- gardus, 1833-38; William Pitcher, 1840-54; John Dubois, 1854-59; John W. Major, 1860-64;

Henry A. Raymond, 1864-71; George I. Taylor, 1874, present pastor, who reports 24 families, 35 members, 55 Sunday-school scholars, 6 teachers; contributions for the past year, $500.

The first officers of the Rensselaer Church were: Elders-Martin Van Olinda, E. J. Lansing, A. W. Van Denbergh. Deacons-Obadiah Van Denbergh, Nicholas V. V. Van Denbergh, Henry Van Al- stine. Present elder, Jacob Osterhout. This con- gregation is composed of 12 families, the same number of communicants; Sunday-school scholars, 40; teachers, 7; contributions $500.

The Reformed Church of Lisha's Kill has no long history. The people of this neighborhood at- tended the old Niskayuna Church for Sabbath ser- vices until the second year of Rev. Goyn Tal- mage's ministry, 1852. At that time the church building at Niskayuna needed extensive repairs, and the ways and means were discussed, in which the people of Lisha's Kill did not give assent, but concluded to establish a church for their better ac- commodation at Lisha's Kill. This view was en- couraged by Rev. Mr. Talmage and other leading men who moved in its favor. Application was made to the Classis of Schenectady by forty-eight members of the church of Niskayuna to be organ- ized into a Reformed Dutch Church of Lisha's Kill. This application was made November 16, 1852, and was granted. The meeting for the or- ganization was held in the upper school-house, dis- trict No. 8, Watervliet, December 5, 1852, at which time the organization was effected and the following persons were elected and ordained the consistory: Elders-Abraham V. P. Lansing and Jeremiah B. Ketchum; Deacons-Joseph Consaul and Cornelius Lansing. The church membership at this time consisted of forty-nine members. The next year, 1853, a church building of brick was erected, and dedicated March 30, 1854. In 1859 the parsonage was built, and in 1868 fifteen feet were added in length, and six feet additional for the pulpit recess; the whole interior was remodeled and refurnished, and dedicated March 18, 1869.

The pastors have been Rev. Goyn Talmage as a supply. Rev. Cornelius L. Wells was called in the summer of 1855, and after serving the church faithfully for two and a half years resigned in the spring of 1858. Rev. John A. DeBaun succeeded Mr. Wells in October, 1858, and continued pastor of this church and Niskayuna for 14 years; resigned his charge. to accept a call from the church of Fonda.

The present pastor, Rev. Edward A. McCullum, was called to succeed Mr. DeBaun in 1883. The pastor reports 92 families, 154 communicants, 210 Sunday school scholars, 22 teachers, C. A. Lans- ing, superintendent. Total amount contributed for church purposes, $1, 200. The church edifice is brick, with basement, has parsonage, and sheds for teams, will seat 300, and estimated value, $8,000.

The present officers, 1884, are: Elders-Charles Stanford, Cornelius A. Lansing, Abram G. Lans- ing, Simeon Fairlee. Deacons-George Stanford, Andrew Keenholtz, Jacob Spoore and Henry Lansing.

941

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

The above history of Lisha's Kill Reformed Church is largely compiled from an historical ser- mon by the Rev. John A. DeBaun, D. D., written in 1876, and kindly loaned by Daniel D. Ostrom, to whom thanks are due.

In the year 1859-60 John M. Newton, an en- terprising citizen and resident of Newtonville, do- nated a lot of land, upon which was erected a church building of brick, for the use of a Baptist society. R. M. Pease was engaged in missionary efforts here, which was the origin of the Baptist or- ganization. Other ministers who served as pastors of this congregation were Rev. John Reynolds, Rev. Dr. B. T. Welch, who died here, and his re- mains are in Albany Rural Cemetery, and Rev. William Arthur, father of Chester A. Arthur, late President of the United States. The society has been abandoned since 1869, and the property passed from the society by sale.

Other religious societies in the town are a Con- gregational Church, on the Shaker road, also a Methodist Church, on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike, south of Lisha's Kill, a Presbyterian Church and society on the same road, north of West Albany, and a Roman Catholic Church, at West Albany, erected in 1884.

The first records of the Congregational Society and Church of Watervliet, are dated in May, 1859, and the trustees were: Van Buren Lockrow, President; John Frost, Peter Steers, James Cramer, Daniel P. Sigourney and Henry Woolley, Secre- tary, Rev. James G. Cordell, Pastor. The church building was burned on the night of May 25, 1865. It was rebuilt the same year, and on December 20, at a meeting held in the school-room of the church, a motion was made by William Grounds and seconded by Norman Dings, "that the society assume the name of the Presbyterian Society of Pine Grove," while was unanimously carried.

February 5, 1867, this church and congregation were accepted by the Presbytery of Albany, and named the "Pine Grove Presbyterian Church of Watervliet," and March 29, it was organized as such by the Rev. Wm. H. Carr, who served for some time as pastor; the elders were Van Buren Lockrow and Daniel P. Sigourney. There was no regular pastor after Mr. Carr's services ended, and the pulpit was supplied by transient preachers until, in 1878, Rev. Robert Ennis was appointed stated supply and continued his services for about three years, or until 1880; after this no regular preaching until January, 1885, when Rev. Josiah Markle assumed charge and is now pastor. The society report 30 families, 23 members, with a sabbath school of 35 pupils. The church edifice is a frame building, and will seat 200. Present trustees J. T. Worth, Lewis Knapp, John Frost.

A union Sabbath-school is maintained at Loudonville, and a mission school at Menand's.

The cemeteries and grave yards, or old burial grounds, are numerous through the township. In the early settlement a custom prevailed in which each land holder reserved or appropriated a portion of his farm for family burial purposes, and the free

interment of those who were destitute of enough of earth for their last resting place. Often the church lot was a grave yard. At the present time many of these once hallowed grounds have fallen into disuse, and neglect marks the spot where molder the dust of forgotten ancestry.

With the progress that marks this age of human plans, there is a higher estimate given to this matter of the final resting place for the dead, and now a better and more enduring system is adopted, by corporations or associations organized in accord- ance with statute laws, for the purchase and perpe- tual maintainance of cemeteries, these to be sacred- ly used and carefully guarded, forever, for the burial of the human race.

The most important incorporated cemetery grounds located in this town are: the Albany Rural Cemetery, the St. Agnes, and the Anshe Emeth, which are north of Albany City about three miles, on the line of the Watervleit Turnpike and Horse Railway, and Delaware and Hudson Canal Companies Railroad. For a full notice of these cemeteries, see history of Albany City. The Evan- gelican Lutheran Church has a cemetery on the Sand Creek road (this is now within the city line), and St. Patrick's Catholic Church has one on the Albany and Schenctady Turnpike.

The Shakers have a cemetery, in which none but members of their society are interred. In this plain and unadorned inclosure, Mother Ann Lee was buried.

THE HOME FOR AGED MEN -- The ladies who con- ceived this charity, and who were instrumental in pressing its claims upon the attention of the public, were : Mrs. Elizabeth McClure, Mrs. William B. Gourlay and Mrs. Cornelius Ten Broeck; and through the persistent personal efforts of William Sawyer and other friends, who became interested in the benevolent project, the founding of this institution was accomplished. This is one of the fruits of Christianity ; for no home for the aged, for orphans, no hospital for the poor was ever seen in any but in a Christian nation. After sufficient interest was manifested, a public meeting was held in its behalf in November, 1874, in the Second Presbyterian Church, and an eloquent sermon, ap- propriate to the occasion, was preached by Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D. D., to a large and interested audience. At the conclusion of the exercises it was announced that at a previous meeting an orga- nization had been effected and officers elected.

Subscriptions continued to be solicited and made in aid of the charity, which gave assurance that success would finally crown these patient exertions.

During the autumn of 1876, subscriptions amounted to about $18,000, and on the fifth day of October, 1876, the articles of incorporation were effected, and the society duly and legally organized, with name and object as follows: "We, the undersigned residents of the County of Albany, do hereby associate ourselves together for the pur- pose of forming a benevolent and charitable society, the name of which society shall be, ' The Home for Aged Men,' and its particular object shall be the relief, care, culture and support of needy or dis-

942

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

tressed old men and their wives, of the said County of Albany."

The following gentlemen were named trustees in the certificate of incorporation: Messrs. John Taylor Cooper, Maurice E. Viele, William Sawyer, S. Visscher Talcott, Dudley Olcott, Ebenezer Halley, William M. Van Antwerp, Benjamin W. Arnold, James H. McClure, James B. Jermain, Jeremiah Waterman and David A. Thompson.

Upon the organization of the board of trustees, John Taylor Cooper was elected President, James B. Jermain and Jeremiah Waterman, Vice-Presi- dents, Dudley Olcott, Treasurer, and David A. Thompson, Secretary.

On the 16th of November, 1876, the trustees purchased the residence and grounds of Mrs. Harriet Day Perry, situated between the Water- vliet turnpike and railway on the east, and the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad on the west, a short distance south 'of Menand's road. The distance from the north city line is less than two miles, and is reached by the horse or steam cars.

The price paid for the dwelling and about four acres of land was $11,000, and the total cost of the alterations, additions and necessary improve- ments amount to $20,000.

The location is high and commanding, with an extensive view up and down the Hudson River, and over a large tract of beautifully diversified country. The original buildings were of antique structure, with high rooms and high ceilings, which gave evi- dence of comfort and repose. The old mansion- built in 1781-has been remodeled to correspond to modern architecture and meet the design of its purposes in all its appointments. The grounds were graded and tastefully arranged; a clean, at- tractive lawn surrounds the buildings.

The "Home " was dedicated March 28, 1878, and has accommodations for thirty persons. "The object of the Home is to provide for respect- able men, who at an advanced age are left helpless and alone in the world, and whose poverty is due to misfortune rather than to idleness or vice."

Every applicant must furnish satisfactory testimo- nials of good character, and must implicitly obey all the rules and regulations of the society or trustees.

The associate officers of the patronesses of the Home are : Mrs. Howard Townsend, President ; Mrs. William Barnes, Vice-President ; Miss Mary G. Rice, Treasurer ; Miss Susan Dunlap, Matron in charge.

EDUCATION .- SCHOOLS.

In the early settlement of this township, difficul- ties, almost insurmountable, operated for many years to retard every effort for the advancement of popular education. The facilities were only within reach of the few, and these were not eager to avail -themselves of the private means that were required for other and more immediate purposes. The want of means and opportunity were the great obstacles these people had to contend with in their mental and spiritual training ; being distant from the cen-

ters of social and intellectual culture, they were dependent upon local and simple expedients for first principles in elementary education. These were improved as best they could, and in time their means were concentrated and pupils were collected in private schools; these were imperfectly organ- ized, and not until after the revolution did the schools assume much importance, when State authority gave them aid and encouragement, and they were incorporated in a system that has really educated the children of the State. The effect of this change is to insure to all the advantages of a common education, and a free discussion of ques- tions that concern a higher education ; and at the present time, a knowledge of the elements of gen- eral science and the laws of mechanics and indus- trial art, and the philosophy of natural sciences in their relation to the laws under which we live, and which concern the immediate welfare and useful- ness of every individual.

The great design of popular education should be to develop and train the faculties for the useful pursuits of life, in connection with mental culture, for the scientific investigation and study of sciences and philosophy, practical mechanics, and manual industries for the development of human skill. Are sudden and novel changes of method or sys- tem always attended with success? Do the im- proved educational systems give better results for the full comprehension of important discoveries that will enable the pupil to appreciate theories as truths that contain real wisdom ? Systems of moral and mental progress, theories of religious revelations and political traditions are problems yet to pass the ordeal of modern science and re- vealed truth.

At the time Watervliet was formed as a town- ship, the schools had no system or organization, and were conducted by private or individual enter- prise. It is evident that results from this imperfect method could not be of a high order, as only the more favored children could enjoy the benefits derived from the limited means offered.

There seems to have been very little interest manifested in the education of the children in the rural districts, until 1795, when the State gave Albany County {1,590, equal to $3, 975, for school purposes, of which the townships then organized received their proportion. This was the first step toward our free school system, which has developed to such magnificent results, and grand practical returns have followed the wise legislation of the State in securing popular education to the masses.

In September, 1813, Watervliet divided the township into 12 school districts, giving each a certain number of families, and the only geographic boundary was the division line of the farms owned by occupants mentioned, and this condition exists with many of the districts at the present time.

It is well to note the marked difference in the schools of the rural districts, and contrast their inefficiency with those of the city. Graded systems and methods can only be taught successfully and with the best results by teachers who introduce a system, and by personal supervision through a

943

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERVLIET.

continuous term of several years, thus introducing an arrangement or specific plan of instruction, that can be followed from grade to grade and class to class, without breaking the order or introducing new or widely different methods.

If the schools in the rural districts have a lower standard of efficiency or usefulness than the city district schools, the fault can be attributed in a great measure to the mistakes of trustees, who from economy, custom or some petty cause change teachers at every term, thereby retarding progress in studies and losing time in reorganizing. This constant change demoralizes the school for many weeks of the term, and in the end the teacher is pronounced a failure, and the pupils have made

very little progress, for nothing is learned of value by continuous changes.

Watervliet at present is divided into 27 districts, and during the school year which closed August 20, 1884, fifty-nine teachers were employed in these schools.

A table is given of the condition of these schools for the above school year, which shows a marked contrast for the past and present.

The number of school districts September 30, 1869, was 28, employing 59 teachers. Number of children of school age, 14,076; number attend- ing school, 7,400; amount expended for school purposes, $67, 292.03. This, perhaps, includes schools of Cohoes.

No. of District.

Persons of School Age.

Number Attended School.

Valuation of District.

Amount of Receipts.

Amount Paid Teachers.

Paid Teacher for Winter Term.

Paid Teacher for

Summer Term.

1,115

496

$1,155,400

$5,118 69

$3,085 31

$14:00

$14 00

1,032

5.56

697,666

4,596 29

2,585 00

162,361

486 77

340 80

10 00

9 00

198,249

439 54

296 20

8 00

223,502

386 56

286 80

10 00

8 00

160,672

290 17

241 60

9 00

8 00

204,700

266 53

237 00

12 00

1,317

210

430,000

1,555 65

1,100 00

10 00

8 50

228,742

345 40

286 50

6 00

4 00

185

374,296

1,186 06

840 00

10 00

7 00

129,250

297 00

240 66

8 00

7 00

128,850

43º 93

264 00

215,900

259 89

206 25

....

200

384,358

1,467 34

897 90

247,574

300 09

240 00

. ..

109

108,497

377 87

306 00

8 50

185,500

433 50

278 50

7 00

9 00

230

154

996,897

2,180 66

1,215 00

33 75

843

500

1,047,015

4,085 07

2,250 05

76,860

546 43

321 00

10 00

7 00

277

1,726,514

754 80

485 90

12 50

1,283

898

1,738,640

10,562 94

6,560 IO

12 50

15 50

107,603

450 77

255 00

......

112,740

466 66

288 00

9 00

6 00

197,853

460 II

335 00

8 00

6 00

113,117

1,004 03

309 76

Totals,

7,651

$3,755

$9,848,757

$38,726 75

$23,743 23

SOLDIERS.

During the Revolutionary war, soldiers and munitions were transported along the London road from Albany to Saratoga. No battles were fought on the soil of the Vlakte, yet Morgan's men encamped for the winter in the northeast part of the town, and his men quartered on the farmers in the vicinity of the Boght. Here the Indians and Tories held council and plotted mischief against their neighbors, and gave aid to the British. The deeds and service rendered by Gen. Schuyler, and the active part which he so patriotically performed in the struggle of the colony for liberty, will be found in the County history and in the history of West Troy.

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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 203

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