Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 212

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 212

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FERRIES.

At the time of the incorporation of this village (1836) there were two ferries-one at the foot of Ferry street, called the Gibbonsville Ferry; the other at the foot of Canal street (now Central ave- nue), called the West Troy Ferry. Previous to about this date, this last-mentioned ferry was owned by one Derrick Y. Vanderheyden, of Troy, and was called the Vanderheyden Ferry, and was purchased by the West Troy Company about this date from Mr. Vanderheyden. The ferry-boats were then propelled by means of horse power, the horses being on the boats and created the power which moved the paddles. These boats had no cabins or other covering, and only a few wooden benches for the accommodation of passengers. They could carry about six teams of horses, with their wagons. The rates charged were twelve and a half cents for single horse and wagon; nineteen cents for team of horses and wagon; passengers, three cents each. During the winter months these rates were doubled in case the boats were able to run. These horse-ferry-boats which for many years plied between this village and Troy were first placed upon the river in May, 1819, and the first boat in- troduced and used is referred to in the Troy Budget of June the first, as follows: "The Horse- Boat invented by Mr. Langdon has been in opera- tion at Mr. Van Derheyden's ferry in this city dur- ing last week. The machinery is built upon a common scow. The boat crosses the river, which is less than a quarter of a mile, in four minutes. It is confidently expected that for the purpose of dispatch and on the ground of economy this boat will be in high repute and general use throughout the United States."

The ferry above referred to as the West Troy Ferry was established by Derrick Van der Heyden, but at what date cannot be ascertained, but it is supposed to have been soon after he pur- chased the land or farm upon which the City of Troy is now situated, which was in 1707; and in the year 1794 this ferry was being conducted by his son, Jacob D. Van Derheyden. This ferry at the present time is principally owned and con- ducted by Mr. George Mark, of the town of Watervliet, and from papers in his possession, which contain a sworn statement made by Cor- nelius Marshall, it appears that in 1777 the American troops which took an active part in the battle at Stillwater between the American troops under Gen. Gates and the British troops under Gen. Burgoyne crossed at this ferry. The troops were ferried across by means of lashing together flat-boats, called bateaux. Mr. Marshall was at this time employed at this ferry, and was 14 years of age.

In 1807 Daniel T. Wandell, of Troy, established and ran a ferry, called the " Middle Ferry," which ran from a point in this village, then Gibbonsville, near Buffalo street, to a point on the Troy side of the river, a short distance south of Division street, at the homestead of Mr. Wandell. In the year 1810 Mr. Wandell sold this ferry to Derrick Y.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Vanderheyden, who thereupon discontinued it. For several years previous to 1834 Mr. Wandell was the general superintendent of the West Troy Ferry and the Gibbonsville Ferry, they being at that time the only ferries running. The first ferry-boat run by steam power was run at the West Troy Ferry by Mr. Wandell about the year 1833, but it did not prove a success, and was soon abandoned. Soon after the purchase of the Vanderheyden Ferry by the West Troy Company this company also purchased the Gibbonsville Ferry, and discontinued it, the object of the company being to compel the travel to come further up town, and thereby build up and increase the value of the real estate owned by this company.

At the present time there are three steam pas- senger ferries running between this village and the City of Troy, the oldest of these ferries being the one heretofore referred to as running from the foot of Central avenue, and is now commonly called the " Mark Ferry;" another, running from the pier or extreme southerly point of Green Island, near the foot of Union street, in this village. This ferry is owned and run by Messrs. Thomas Rath, John Reily and Joseph McLean. The other one, running from a point a short distance north of North street, near the United States Arsenal. This ferry is now owned and run by Messrs. Clark W. Delano and Frederick T. Hathaway.

The large highway iron bridge, which connects this village with Troy, running from the foot of Genesee street in this village to the foot of Con- gress street in that city, was erected by the Troy and West Troy Bridge Company. This company was incorporated by a special act of legislature, passed April 23, 1872; the work of construction was commenced on the 12th day of September of that year, and the bridge completed October 1, 1874; the total cost of bridge and approaches being $350,000.

SAILING VESSELS ON THE RIVER.

Previous to 1850 the greater portion of the freight carried upon the Hudson river was by sail - ing vessels, which were called "sloops," " schoon- ers," or "scows," according to their size and manner of construction. The business of carrying passengers by sailing vessels was abandoned as early as 1836. A very large business in the trans- fer and sale of lumber was carried on at this vil- lage from 1832 to 1845, the lumber coming down the canal on canal boats, and being unloaded here it would then be reloaded upon the sailing vessels for shipment down the river. About one hundred and thirty vessels were engaged in this business at this village. The river docks where they were loaded were north of Genesee street and south of Buffalo street; the river front lying between these two streets was not at that time filled in and docked so that boats could load and unload there- from.

This village was the home of many of the owners and captains of these sailing crafts, of which the following were the most important:

Sloops-American Banner, Capt. Thomas Raff- erty; Active, Capt. Butler Hubbard; Burlington, Capt. Silas Betts; Samuel Brewster, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock; Belvedere, Capt. Peter Hicks; Commo- dore Rogers, Capt. James Warford; Clarissa, Capt. George Collins; Clinton, Capt. Robert Robinson; Currier, Capt. Thomas Anderson; Con- veyance, Capt. Stephen Washburn, Sr .; David D. Crane, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; Don Ramone, Capt. Harlow Rhodes; Fox, Capt. Stephen Wash- burn, Sr .; Henry Gage, Capt. William Lobdell; Highlander, Capt. Wm. Crawford; James North, Capt. William Foot; Juno, Capt. John Silliman; Kinderhook, Capt. James Warford; Leader, Capt. William Wood; Jane McCoy, Capt. Andrew Foster; Martha Ann, Capt. James Hardy; Minerva, Capt. John King; William Mayo, Capt. Meneely Hitch- cock; Mechanic, Capt. Isaac Hubbard; North America, Capt. Daniel Curtis; Miriam, Capt. Isaac R. Getty; Pilot, Capt. Jolin King; Ranger, Capt. David King; Peter Ritter, Capt. Charles Mead; Superior, Capt. Isaac R. Getty; Shepherdess, Capt. Patrick Lamb; Senator, Capt. Isaac Hitchcock; Pierre Van Cortlandt, Capt. Jacob Young; Robert Wiltsey, Capt. William Harvey; John Ward, Capt. Alfred Mosher.

Schooners-Thomas H. Benton, Capt. John Gar- rahan ; Ballston, Capt. William Wood ; Cadmus, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock ; Eleanor, Capt. John Evertsen ; Isaac Merritt, Capt. James Wood ; Mary Anna, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert ; Meridan, Capt. Henry Evertsen; Miller, Capt. Medad Wood; Commodore Porter, Capt. Richard Mclaughlin ; Regulator, Capt. Henry Finch ; Andrew Stewart, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; David Smith, Capt. James Farrell ; Stranger, Capt. Edward Lane ; Ann S. Salter, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert ; Caleb Wright, Capt. Jonathan Patridge.

Scows-Grampus, Capt. Washington Mowry; Hercules, Capt. James Hitchcock; Ohio, Capt. Hiram Tinslar; United States, Capt. Stephen Wash- burn, Jr .; Globe, Capt. James Hillis.

Of the captains above mentioned only a few now remain residents of this village, the greater number having died, while a few have removed ; and of those now living and residing here may be mentioned Isaac R. Getty and Asahel W. Gilbert.

Captain Getty was born at Lansingburgh, Rens- selaer County, N. Y., November 24, 1807, and began to run upon the river when 17 years of age, and came to this village to reside in 1838. He followed the river for fifty-five years, and is now the oldest river captain residing in this village. At different times during the period of 55 years which he was upon the river he was master of seven different sailing vessels and eleven different steam vessels.

Captain Gilbert was born in Troy in 1819, and followed the river from 1829 to 1870; he came to this village to reside in 1845. During the time he followed the river he was at different periods cap- tain of ten different sailing vessels and five steam vessels. He also built and sold a number of sail- ing crafts.

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THE VILLAGE OF WEST TROY.

LOCAL NAMES IN THE VILLAGE.

By common consent of the inhabitants of this village, different localities in the village have ob- tained local names, such as "Port Shad," " Tem- perance Hill," " Shanghai," and "Durinsville."

"Port Shad," being the extremes ontherly part of the village, obtained the title a number of years ago by reason of the large number of shad that was caught there.

"Temperance Hill" is that part of the high ground in this village which lies west of the Erie Canal and between the United States Arsenal and Buffalo street. About the year 1838 there was a great temperance movement in this village, and a tem- perance society formed with about 1, 700 members. This society decided to give a grand Fourth of July picnic, and selected this hill as the place to hold it. The picnic was a great success, and at the dinner one of the prominent members, Mr. Lewis Rousseau. proposed that the hill upon which they were holding the entertainment should be called " Temperance Hill," and thereafter, by common consent, this name was adopted by the residents of this village. At the time of the hold- ing of this picnic that part of the village west of the canal was vacant ground, there being only about a half a dozen buildings erected west of the canal.

" Shanghai " is the name of that part of this village which is west of William street in the vicinity of Union street. This name originated several years ago from the fact that one Daniel Carthy, who owned considerable property, and resided in this vicinity, was very fond of fancy poultry, and he in- troduced and raised the first Shanghai roosters in the village, and they were a great curiosity to the residents, who transferred the name of the fowl to the locality.

" Durinsville " is that part of this village which lies west of and in the vicinity of the Erie Canal, at the extreme northern part of the village. This name originated several years ago from the name of a family called Durin, who resided in that vicinity.

Another local name, which is now only a matter of history, is that of "Stone Hook." This name was given to a group of rocks which stood on the bank of the river at and near the foot of Buffalo street. These rocks were not very large, but were very prominent by reason of their being the only rocks or high ground for some distance upon the west bank of the river. They were removed a number of years ago. The residence of Mr. John I. Winne, upon the southeast corner of Broadway and Buffalo street, now called the "Rock House, is built upon one of these rocks, and thus obtained its name. This group of rocks was also called "Steen-Hoeck " and "Stony Point" as well as "Stone Hook. ' This name was in use as early as 1675, and was used as a point of locality in con- veyances of real estate on the opposite bank of the river. Stonehook Creek was the original name of the creek which runs through this village, and now called Dry River.

CHURCHES.

The first church ever organized and located within the limits which now comprise this village was the " Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Washington and Gibbonsville," organized by the Classis of Albany in the year 1814. The first rec- ord of this organization reads as follows: "At a meeting held in the school-house in the village of Washington, agreeably to notice, for the purpose of electing elders and deacons to manage the con- cerns of a church to be organized, Peter S. Schuyler was chairman, and Volkert D. Oathout clerk. Peter S. Schuyler and Volkert D. Oathout were elected elders, and Samuel Phillips and Stephen Conger deacons. Dated March 19, 1814." The consistory of this church united with that of the Reformed Dutch Church, located on the Boght, in the town of Watervliet, and called the Rev. Robert Bronk, who preached alternately in these churches-the services here being held in the old school-house. This building still stands on the rear of the lot of Mr. James Forsyth on Broadway, near the present brick school-house. The actual organization of this church dates from Sunday, March 22, 1814, when, immediately after divine service, held in the old school-house, upon which occasion Rev. Mr. Bradford, of Albany, preached, the above-named persons were ordained, according to the forms of the Reformed Dutch Church. The salary of the Rev. Mr. Bronk as pastor of this church was $300, to be paid semi- annually. Mr. Bronk continued his labors as pastor of these two churches for about ten years, when he resigned his charge of the church at the Boght, and devoted his whole time to this church until 1834, when he resigned on account of ill health. Directly after the organization, this congregation made a move to build a church, and on July 10, 1816, the first church was dedicated, the corner- stone having been laid in April, 1815. This edi- fice was erected upon a plot of ground now occupied by a brick dwelling owned by Mrs. Man- sion, located on the west side of Broadway, about three hundred feet north of North street, and cost $5,568. This plot of ground was donated by John Schuyler, Jr., and James Gibbons. The Rev. John Woods became the next pastor of this church, but remained only a few months. The services were irregularly conducted by differ- ent ministers until the spring of 1838, when the Rev. Oscar H. Gregory, D. D., became pastor. Owing to the fact that the greater portion of the congregation of this church were residents of that portion of the village north of the United States Arsenal, it was decided to build a new and more convenient house of worship. In 1838 a lot on the northwest corner of Washington and Buffalo streets was selected as a site for the new church. In August, 1839, the corner-stone for the new church was laid by Rev. Oscar H. Gregory, D.D., and the next year the new church was dedicated, the sermon at the dedicatory service being preached by Rev. Dr. Wyckoff, of Albany. The cost of this edifice was $12,922. For a few years ser-

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

vices were held in the old church, commonly called the "South Church," in the morning, and in the afternoon and evening in the new church, commonly called the " North Church." In 1844 the parish was divided, and the old church, on ac- count of financial embarrassment, was sold by order of the Court of Chancery, and was purchased by Hon. Clarkson F. Crosby, and thus ended the original organization known as the "Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Washington and Gib- bonsville."

On the 18th day of June, 1884, the "South Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church in the village of West Troy " was organized, with Philip S. Schuyler, Robert Dunlop and John C. Schuyler elders, and David Moore and Stephen C. Dermott deacons, with thirty-six other members, and the old church was then sold by Mr. Crosby to the new organization. In 1840 the "New Church,' or "North Church," as it had been theretofore known, changed its name and corporate title to the "North Reformed Church of West Troy," and these churches thereafter became separate and distinct organizations, the Rev. Dr. Gregory re- maining as the pastor of the North Reformed Church.

Trinity Church (Episcopal) was organized and in- corporated in 1834. For two years previous to that time the Rev. Dr. David Butler and his assistant, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Troy, held mission services in a small wooden school-house on the west side of Burlington street, a short distance north of Union street ; but two families formed the nucleus of the congregation, being those of Raymond Taylor and James Lobdell. The first vestry of Trinity Church was made up as follows : Rector, the Rev. James Tappan; Wardens, James Lobdell and A. S. Blackman ; Vestrymen, Ray- mond Taylor, John Mason, Glover Blackman, Edgar Botsford, Gilbert C. Bedell, Thomas Evans, John Worthington and Jonathan Hart. The Rev. Mr. Tappan commenced his work here in June, 1834, and held service in Port Schuyler, Gibbons- ville, and West Troy, the parish having no regular place for holding services. Mr. Tappan resigned in May, 1836, and in December of that year the Rev. William C. Cooley became rector, but only remained about ten months, during which time (1837) the first church edifice was erected. This was a brick building and was located on the west side of Salem street, between Middle and Spring streets. This church was consecrated on June 4, 1837, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Onderdonk. In October, 1837, Rev. Mr. Lewis became rector of this parish, and remained as such until Novem- ber, 1838.

Owing to the great distance and trouble of reaching the church edifice on Salem street, the people in the northern and central part of the vil- lage organized and incorporated a new church or parish, called St. Luke's, on November 19, 1838, and called the Rev. Washington Van Zandt as rector, who remained as such for the short time which this new parish remained a separate parish. In 1839 the Rev. Aliva T. Twing became rector

of Trinity parish, and through his influence the parish of St. Luke's was abandoned and became again a part of Trinity parish. Dr. A. T. Twing remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. William H. A. Bissell, who, on January 1, 1841, became the rector of the united parishes of Trinity Church and St. Luke's Chapel. The Rev. Mr. Bissell divided his time between Trinity and St. Luke's, the services of the latter being held in a building erected by St. Luke's parish, and situate on the north side of Canal street (now Central avenue), between Broadway and the Erie Canal. In 1844 the church edifice on Salem street was sold, and a few years afterward was destroyed by fire. After the sale of the church, all services were held at St. Luke's Chapel. In September, 1845, the Rev. Joshua Weaver became rector of the parish, and on January 10, 1848, the present church edifice was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Alonzo Potter, of Pennsylvania. In April, 1851, Rev. Mr. Weaver resigned, and in May of the same year the Rev. Philander K. Cady became rector. During Mr. Cady's rectorship a parish school was established, which was successful during his rector- ship, and for a number of years thereafter. Mr. Cady remained rector for six years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Charles W. Homer, who remained until July, 1858.

On November 1, 1858, the Rev. George W. Hathaway became rector, and remained until July, 1863. On November 1, 1863, the Rev. Joseph S. Saunders became rector, and during his rectorship the three-story brick rectory, north of the church edifice, was built. In May, 1867, Mr. Saunders resigned. In August, 1867, the Rev. John Town- send was installed as rector, and after a service of six and one-half years, he resigned in February, 1874. In May, 1874, the Rev. Henry H. Oberly was installed as rector, and in 1879 resigned. In June, 1879, the Rev. George F. Breed became rector, and remained as such until January, 1883, when he resigned, and was succeeded in March by the Rev. E. Bayard Smith, the present incumbent. In 1875 a mission chapel in con- nection with this church was erected on Groton street, in the southern part of the village, and called St. Gabriel's Chapel. In 1878 a mission chapel in connection with this church was erected on Ford street, in the northern part of the village, and called St. Andrew's Chapel.

The present church edifice, which was erected in 1848, is a wooden building, which cost about $10,000. In 1865 this edifice was enlarged by adding a wing on the south side, and increas- ing the seating capacity about 100. In 1877 this edifice was still further enlarged by the addi- tion of an organ chamber on the southeast corner.

In 1882 the present chapel was built, which is a two-story wooden building, and is situated upon the rear of the church lot, the second floor of this building being used as a chapel and Sunday school room, the first floor being divided into rooms for guild room, vestry room, etc. This chapel, with furniture, cost $2,000. The Sunday school of this parish is divided into three parts,

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THE VILLAGE OF WEST TROY.

being the parish school, which holds its services in the church chapel, Mr. Wm. Hollands, Super- intendent; St. Gabriel's Mission Sunday school, which holds its services at St. Gabriel's chapel, Mr. Edmund S. Hollands, Superintendent; and St. Andrew's Mission Sunday school, which holds its services at St. Andrew's chapel, Mr. John H. Huls- apple, Superintendent.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church of this village was organized in 1839, and the lot upon which this church was erected in 1840 was purchased April 20, 1839, and is located on the southwest corner of Union and Burlington streets. The first service held in this church was a mass, on Christmas day, 1840.

This church was organized by, and built under the supervision of, the Rev. John Shannahan, the priest then in charge of St. Peter's Church of Troy, N. Y.

The first priest in charge of this church was the Rev. James Quinn, who, at the time of its organi- zation and building, was an assistant at St. Peter's Church, under the Rev. John Shannahan. The Rev. James Quinn was placed in charge of this parish as soon as the church was completed, and continued until June, 1845, when he was succeed- ed by the Rev. Thomas Martin, who remained in charge until May, 1848. The Rev. Father Martin was succeeded by the Rev. John Corry, who re- mained until February, 1849, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. William McCallion.

In February, 1850, the Rev. Thomas A. Kyle was installed, and in or about this year he organ- ized the church in the southern part of this village known as St. Bridget's Church.

The Rev. Father Kyle was succeeded in June, 1855, by the Rev. Thomas Daly, who remained until November, 1855, when he was succeeded by the Rev. William Fennelly.

The Rev. Wm. Fennelly remained until Octo- ber, 1868. The present priest in charge of this parish, the Rev. William F. Sheehan, succeeded the Rev. Father Fennelly in October, 1868. The Rev. Father Sheehan is at present assisted in his labors by two assistant priests, the Rev. Francis Cunningham and Rev. Patrick Harrigan. The trustees of this church in 1843 were: Thomas Riley, Thomas O'Connor, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Michael Develin, James Keenan, Sr., James Mc- Grath, James Brady and Michael Roe. In con- nection with this church is a parish school for boys, the teachers being the Sisters of Mercy. This school is conducted in a brick school-house, which adjoins the church edifice on the west.

The North Reformed Church of West Troy, as the reader has before learned, was built and organ- ized in 1840, the corner-stone having been laid in August, 1839, the dedicatory sermon having been preached by Rev. Dr. Wyckoff, of Albany, and for a few years thereafter services on the Sab- bath being held in the old, or South Church, in the morning, and in this church, which was then called the new, or North Church, in the evening.

In 1844 the Rev. O. H. Gregory discontinued holding services at the old South Church, and de-

voted his time exclusively to this church, holding services regularly each Sabbath. From 1844 to 1865 this church used as a consistory room a small wooden building, originally built for a semi- nary, which was located on the east side of Wash- ington street, about fifty feet north of the Meneely Bell Foundry.

In 1865 the present brick chapel was erected, which adjoins the church edifice on the north. In 1854 the steeple of this church was blown off, and the bell broken, by a severe gale of wind.

The Rev. O. H. Gregory, D. D., became the pastor of this church from the date of its organiza- tion, and continued as such until the year 1870, when, by reason of his failing health, he was com- pelled to resign. In June, 1871, the Rev. Alfred J. Hutton became the pastor of this church, and remained as such until April 1, 1879, when he resigned. On December 1, 1879, the Rev. John G. Lansing became the pastor of this church, and remained such until August 1, 1884, when he resigned to fill the chair of the professorship of Hebrew at the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The church edifice of this organization is the oldest in this village, and in 1882 it was thoroughly repaired, several alterations made, and an addi- tion built on the west end for an organ loft, a new organ purchased, and the interior entirely refur- nished, at an expense of $13,000.

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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 212

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