Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 224

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 224

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A second was built in 1690 between Washing- ton street and the river, opposite the west end of

State street, covering the lot of Kleine Isaack (that is, Isaac Swits), who with his son Cornelis was carried away by the French to Canada. On his return from captivity next year he found his home- stead occupied by soldiers, his orchard cut down, and his home utterly ruined. He repeatedly peti- tioned for remuneration for his losses, but it was not until 1708 that his son received a patent for 1,000 acres of land in Niskayuna as a recognition of his father's claim.

The second fort was a large and spacious in- closure surrounded by "a triple stockade, a new block-house at every angle and in each block-house two great guns." It contained twenty-eight huts for inhabitants of the village, two wigwams for In- dians, a large barn and styes for hogs.

At a court-martial held at Schenectady, August 7, 1691, upon a soldier named George Castleton,

FORTIFICATIONS AND GARRISONS.

it was proved that he quarreled with a fellow sol- dier named Desvallous about some beer ; the lat- ter struck the former with a stick, whereupon Cas- tleton, drawing his sword, thrust it into his side, causing almost instant death. The facts of the case were mainly proved by persons living within the fort. The culprit was adjudged guilty of man- slaughter, burnt in the hand and banished the Province.

If Miller's drawing of this fort be correct, it must have extended quite across the west end of the vil- lage from State to Front streets, and included much of the land between Washington street and the Binne kil. The block-house in the south angle covered Swits' lot.

The renewal of the stockadoes, which, being made of pine logs, lasted but five or six years, became very burdensome to the inhabitants of the village after its destruction in 1690. Having built a new fort in 1690, they were ordered to renew the pali- sades in 1695. On this occasion Reyer Schermer- horn refused to cut and draw his proportion of the logs; it may be because living at the mills he thought himself exempt from his burdensome ser- vice or that his quota was too large. Thereupon Justice Johannes Sanderse Glen fined him twelve shillings, and continuing contumacious, Governor Fletcher, on the 9th of April, 1698, directed the sheriff of Albany County to bring him before the Council in New York to answer for his conduct. On the 30th he appeared before the Council, and "stood upon his vindication, whereupon he was committed to answer at the next Supreme Court, and Col. Courtland was desired to take bond with sureties for his appearance, and that he be of good behaviour in the mean time."

In the winter of 1695-6 the garrison at Sche- nectady consisted of a detachment under command of Lieutenant Bickford, from the companies of Captains James Weems and William Hyde, sta- tioned at Albany.

"On the 10th Jan., about 12 of the clock at night deserted the whole guard except one, and others to the number of sixteen broak through the north west Block house next the water side." [Binne kil. ]

" They drew the guns of both powder and shott. The Lieutenant about two o'clock discovering their desertion, notified by express Col. Richard In- goldsby, at Albany, and with ten volunteers of the inhabitants and eleven soldiers, started in pursuit. The sergeant and seven red coats soon gave out and were left behind. At four in the afternoon the lieutenant and his 14 men came up with the

16 deserters ; ordering them to lay down their arms they answered with a volley, and both sides continued to fire until five of the deserters were killed and two wounded when the remainder sur- rendered."

The following were the volunteers from Schenec- tady who accompanied Lieutenant Bickford in his hazardous enterprise : " Harmen Van Slyck, en- signe of the trained bands of Schenechtide, and Gerryt Simons Veeder, Peter Simons Veeder, Al- bert Veeder, Gerryt Gysbert [Gysbertse Van Brakel], Jan Danielse Van Antwerpen, Dirck Groot, Jonas De Ray, John Wemp, Daniel Mutch- craft [Mascraft] and Thomas Smith."

At a court-martial held in Schenectady April 21, the survivors of the deserting party were accounted guilty and condemned to be shot.

The commander of the garrison who succeeded Lieutenant Bickford, in the spring of 1696, was Lieutenant Daniel Hunt, from the garrison at Albany.

After the second fort had been occupied about fifteen years, 1690 to 1705, the block-houses were abandoned, and "Queens new Fort " was built at the east angle of the stockade. This was the " Old Fort," about which all the traditions of the people cluster.

It was at first simply a double or triple stockade, 100 feet square, with bastions or block-houses at the angles. In 1735 it was rebuilt in a more sub- stantial manner of timbers on a stone foundation. The four curtains were "about 76 feet each, and the four bastions or block-houses 24 feet square."

In 1754, at the beginning of the French war, it contained one 6 and one 9 pounder on carriages, but no "port holes in the curtain to fire them."

On the 15th October following the inhabitants of Schenectady again petitioned the Governor to build a fort in the village, signed by Daniel Camp- bell, Arent Bratt, Abm. Glen and others.

The open space on which this fort stood, at the junction of Ferry, Front and Green streets, was about 264 feet by more than 200 feet, extending from the Episcopal churchyard to Green street.

The fort was built nearly in the center of this plat, the south wall extending across Ferry street, three feet south of the north corner of the parson- age house.

The well of the fort was in the middle of the street, three feet south of the north corner of Mr. James Sander's house.

GARRISON AT SCHENECTADY. - While the province remained under the Dutch rule a small body of soldiers was stationed at Fort Orange. After the

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

English occupation in 1664 there was seldom less than one full company there, sometimes two, and Schenectady was garrisoned by a detachment there- from of 20 to 40 men, under command of a lieu- tenant.

In times of alarm and war, as in the ten years' war between England and France, 1688-1698, the regulars were supplemented by the militia of the town or from Connecticut.

Hardly a year passed that the importance of having Schenectady better fortified and garrisoned was not recognized, either by the Governor and Council, the Legislative Assembly or the ruling power in the mother country.

In' 1671 Governor Lovelace directed Captain Thomas De Lavall, chief officer at Albany, and he on the 15th of July ordered all the inhabitants of Albany and Schenectady over 15 and under 60 years to provide themselves with guns, side arms, two pounds of powder and four pounds of lead, each under a penalty of 100 guilders, all within fourteen days. The year following this order was renewed at a meeting of the chief officers of Al- bany and Schenectady, those of the latter place be- ing Ensign Jacob Sanderse Glen and Ensign Sweer Teunise Van Velsen.

In 1687 Major Brockholes, being in command at Albany, reported to the Governor and Council assembled at Fort James, July 19, the condition of things at Albany and Schenectady, that "he is now come from Albany to Schanectade with in- structions ffrom the Government to bring up there with all convenient speed, a certain number of men & some provisions."

Whereupon it was "ordered that sixty men be reysed in & out of ye city & county of New York, & fifty men out of Queens County."

In anticipation of an immediate attack upon the frontiers, the Mayor, Common Council of Albany, military officers and justices of the peace of the county met in convention at Albany, on the 4th of September, 1689, as a committee of safety, and after deliberation resolved to send an express to Capt. Leisler, of New York, for one hundred or more men, "a recrute of six hundred weight of powder and foure hundred Ball, viz., 200 two pounders and 200 foure pounders with some match and one hundred hand Grenadoes."

The period from 1688 to 1698 was the most trying and critical in the history of Schenectady. First there were alarms and apprehensions of an attack by the French and their Indians allies, the destruction of the village, the slaughter and the captivity of a large part of its inhabitants, and

lastly, the departure of many of the remainder to Albany, New York and other places of safety. The town was in danger of being depopulated in spite of stringent ordinances against removal and the encouragement of the Mohawks to stay by the post, fortify and maintain a vigorous warfare against their enemies.

For ten years the town gained little or nothing in population and prosperity, and until the peace of Ryswick the chief aim of the government and inhabitants was to hold the village, keep in repair its fortifications and maintain a sufficient garrison.

In 1698 the government sent over one Col. Romer, a military engineer, to examine, report upon and build certain forts needed on the coast and the frontiers.

Gov. Bellomont fully appreciated the import- ance of Schenectady and the necessity of its being properly fortified for the protection of the province on the side toward Canada. Hence he constantly importuned the Lords of Trade for men and means to complete and garrison the forts.

From this time on, the letters of the Governors of the Province to the Lords of Trade, the reports of the military commanders at this post, the orders and warrants of the Provincial Council, the acts of the legislature from time to time and the petitions of the chief inhabitants all combine to show the culpable neglect of the mother country of the safety of this her most important Province. All accounts of the condition of the fortifications and garrison at Schenectady after the peace of 1698 show that the stockades were neglected and suf- fered to rot down, rendering the town an open village, that the barracks became uninhabitable and that "it was by no foresight or energy of the Home government that Schenectady and its neighbors had been preserved from a second attack and destruc- tion."

In the year 1703 Gov. Cornbury laid the foun- dations for a stone fort at Albany, and by the "advice of Her Majesty's Council of this province repaired as well as possible the stockaded fort at Schenectady."

Up to 1704 the palisades on the west side of the village stood about 100 feet back from Washington street, but on the 29th July, 1704, Governor Corn- bury issued an order removing them to the bank of the Binnekil.

At about the beginning of the second "French War"-1755-the Assembly passed an act for raising {3,000, to be expended in fortifying the village; but after the close of this contest, and the fall of the French power in Canada in 1763, the

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

defenses of the village fell into decay, and were not renewed at the outbreak of the Revolution; neither were they renewed after its close. The old fort was removed, and the land sold; the stockades rot- ted and fell to the ground, and Schenectady be- came an "open village."

In 1872 there were those who remembered see- ing the palisades standing along the Binne kill and used as tying posts for the Catteaux.

There is no map which shows the change made during the Revolution, when the palisade line was carried out as far as Given's Hotel on the south, or State street side, and thence north to the old Dutch Church burying ground.

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

From 1748 to the Revolution not much can be learned of the military organizations in Schenec- tady, with the exception of the gallant part per- formed by a company of eighty-nine men, from Schenectady, commanded by Capt. William Mc- Ginnis and Lieutenant Jonathan Storms, at the battle of Fort George, September 5, 1755, between the English and French. The English troops were under Sir William Johnson, and the French under Baron Dieskau. In this battle, at that time said to have been one of the most desperate en- counters ever witnessed in the new world, both officers and many of the privates of the Schenec- tady company were killed. But so nobly did they fight that, in his official report, Sir William John- son said: "The Schenectady officers and men fought like lions."

When the first gun was fired and the first blood flowed at Lexington, on the 19th day of April, 1775, the mass of the inhabitants of Schenectady arrayed themselves on the side of liberty. On the 6th day of May, 1775, at a meeting of the free- holders and inhabitants of the township of Sche- nectady, the following persons were selected to be a committee of correspondence, safety and protec- tion for the township:

Rimies Mynderse, James Wilson, Hugh Mitchel, Henry Glen, Harmanus Wendell, Abraham Oo- thout, John Roseboom, Christopher Yates, Cor- nelius Cuyler and Jacobus Teller. Christopher Yates (father of the late Hon. Joseph Yates) was made chairman; Hugh Mitchel was made clerk.

The committee held its meetings in the house of William White, located on the corner of Church and Front streets, for many years the residence of the late Stephen Yates. Extensive and multiform were the duties that devolved upon the members of this body. Not only were they to attend to raising troops and all the details of military matters, but acted as judges in cases of trial of all persons charged with treasonable sentiments. Many cases of this kind were tried before them, and those per- sons found to be unfriendly to the cause of the colonies, or who had in any way been proved as allies of England in speech or deed, were sum-

marily punished by imprisonment in the jail at Albany.

From the book of minutes kept by this commit- tee, now belonging to the library of Union College, a book of 162 closely written pages, we learn how extensive were the duties and labors of this body of patriotic citizens.

The committee met often, and from the minutes kept of the meetings we make but a few extracts relative to the military companies formed at Sche- nectady during the revolutionary period. At a meeting, held May 26, it was resolved "to raise three companies of minute men in this township for its safety, in manner following, viz. :

"Two companies in the town and one company in the Westina; that such companies consist of one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, three corporals, a drummer and fifty privates, to choose their own officers; and that when said companies are formed, the captains in each to give a list of his company to the committee, and that said com- panies spend a few hours every week in learning the military exercise."

But at a meeting of the committee on the fol- lowing day the inhabitants requested the commit- tee to appoint officers for these companies, which the committee consented to do, and selected the following officers:

First Company-Captain, Jellis J. Fonda; Ist Lieutenant, Andrew Van Patten; 2d Lieutenant, Myndert A. Wemple.

Second Company-Captain, Cornelius Van Dorn; Ist Lieutenant, John Mynderse; 2d Lieutenant, Garrett Veeder.

Third Company-Captain, John Van Patten; ist Lieutenant, Cornelius Van Slyck; 2d Lieutenant, Myndert M. Wemple.

From the minutes of May 29, 1775:

"In consequence of a request of the Committee of Albany to raise one company of men for the continental service to go to Ticantarog (Ticon- deroga), consisting of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, one drummer, one fifer and fifty privates,

" Resolved, that Cornelius Van Dyck is ap- pointed Captain, Benjamin Hilton and Cornelius Van Slyck, Ensigns, and that the utmost despatch be made in raising said company. Their pay to be as follows, viz .: Captain, per month, £6; Lieutenant, per month, {4; Ensign, per month, £3; Sergeants, per month, {2 8s .; Corporals, per month, {2 4s .; Drummer, per month, {2 4s .; Fifers, {2 4s .; Privates, {2-all lawful money of New England."

That this company was soon after raised is evi- dent from the minutes of the committee of May 31, two days following, wherein the following appears: "Captain Van Dyck made application to this board for provisions for his men.

"Resolved, that Captain Van Dyck's men be boarded for the present at the houses of Jolin Wilson and Robert Moston (Moycton), at the rate of one shilling, New York currency, per day, per man."

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

On the 13th of July, 1775, orders were sent from General Schuyler to Captain Van Dyck to march with his company immediately to Lake George. But at this time both Captain Van Dyck and his First Lieutenant were absent recruiting. The committee therefore advised that the company proceed to Lake George on the following day, un- der the command of Lieutenant Lansing. But from the minutes of the committee we find the members of the company refused to march with- out their captain. The following resolution was then passed by the board:

" Resolved, that an express be sent to Captain Van Dyck, requesting his immediate return to march with his company, and that a letter be sent to General Schuyler, acquainting him of the reason for the company's delay."

On the 20th of August, 1775, a meeting of the committee was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the forming of the militia of the township into companies, according to the plans of the Continental and Provincial Congress.

It appears at this meeting that five companies of minute men and militia were formed, from the fact that a sub-committee was appointed at a meet- ing, held September 6 following, to attend the general committee at Albany on the seventh in- stant, to lay a list before it of the companies formed, and ask for their commissions. The cap- tains of these several companies were the follow- ing: Jellis J. Fonda, John Mynderse, John Van Patten, Abraham Wemple and Thomas Wasson.

From the minutes of September 27, 1775:

" Having received a letter from the Provincial Congress, dated 9th of August, requesting that all the districts who could raise five companies of militia should recommend such persons as they thought proper to be field officers,

" Resolved, that this board recommend the fol- lowing persons, viz .: Abraham Wemple to be Colonel; Jacob Schermerhorn, Lieutenant-Col- onel; Abraham Swits, Ist Major; Nicholas Veeder, 2d Major; Aaron Van Patten, Adjutant; John Peek, Quartermaster.

On the 17th of November following the commis- sions of these officers were received, under in- structions to the board to cause such officers to sign certain articles on the receipt of their com- missions. All this was subsequently consum- mated, and the above-named officers were enrolled in the service.

January 13, 1776, Christopher Yates was ap- pointed Lieutenant-Colonel, Mindert Wemple 2d Major and John Post Quartermaster, in place of Jacob Schermerhorn, Nicholas Veeder and John Peek, all three of whom had either refused to serve or resigned.

A company of 60 men was sent from Schenec- tady, January 13, 1776, to Tryon County, to Quell a disturbance that had broken out there among the inhabitants, which, in the language of the letter received from the General Committee, "threatened destruction to the friends of liberty in that section."

Orders were sent to Capt. John Van Patten, Jan- uary 14, 1776, to place guards at William De

Graat's, Tunis Swart's and Lewis Peek's, to prevent any unfriendly persons or letters to pass this point.

At a meeting of the committee, January 26, 1776, it was resolved to prepare a list of all the male in- habitants not already formed into military compa- nies, so as to better enable the board to organize the militia of the township. Three lists were pre- pared, representing three companies, and all per- sons whose names appeared upon them were re- quired to appear in Schenectady, February 10, to choose their respective officers. At this time the following officers were selected:

First Company-Captain, Thomas Bouver Bank- ers; First Lieutenant, John B. Vrooman; Second Lieutenant, Aaron Vedder; Ensign, Benjamin Young.

Second Company-Captain, Henry Glen; First Lieutenant, John Batterseles; Second Lieutenant, Nicholas Barhite; Ensign, Cornelius V. Sanford.

Third Company-Captain, Ahasueras Marseles; First Lieutenant, Isaac Van Slyck; Second Lieu- tenant, William Stephens; Ensign, Abraham Van Eps.

April 10, 1776, Garrett S. Veeder was appointed Captain of all the troops raised in the district.

At this date ends all records that can be found of the doings of the Committee of Safety, and from lack of reliable data it is impossible to follow in any connected manner the history of the military organizations formed in Schenectady during the revolution. We know from reminiscences and tradition that the soldiers furnished by the town- ship of Schenectady during the long years of des- perate and bloody strife were conspicuous for their bravery and ardent patriotism. Among the names already mentioned of the revolutionary veterans, those who became the most conspicuous at this period were : Cornelius Van Dyck, Christopher Yates, Jellis J. Fonda, John Graham and John Thornton.

Mr. Van Dyck was Lieutenant-Colonel and John Graham Major of the First New York Continental Regiment, commanded by Colonel Gosen Van Schaick, of Albany. This regiment was so well drilled and disciplined that it was said to have had no superior in the American Army. At the bat- tles of Saratoga and Monmouth this regiment was conspicuous for the bravery and daring of its officers and men; and on the surrender of Bur- goyne, one of its captains, as a mark of honor, was deputed by General Gates to carry a captured flag and the news of the surrender to the anxious citi- zens of Albany. At the storming of Stony Point, July 16, 1779, General Wayne placed this regi- ment in the front, and on the storming of the two redoubts at Yorktown, late in the afternoon of the 14th of October, 1781, where, to excite a spirit of emulation, this regiment was divided, one-half being committed to the French under Baron de Viomesnil, and the other to the Americans under the Marquis Lafayette, these troops assaulted the works with such rapidity and daring that the redoubts were carried with inconsiderable loss.

Major John Thornton, many descendants of whom still live in Schenectady, is spoken of as a

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

daring hero and one who experienced much severe military service.

Major Jellis J. Fonda, whose name has already been frequently mentioned, was an officer much esteemed by General Schuyler, and often selected by him where a heroic and intrepid leader was re- quired. He was one of the earliest, most stirring and unhesitating patriots of Schenectady. On the first report of the beginning of the strife at Lexing- ton, he immediately raised and equipped a com- pany of more than 100 Schenectady minute men. In 1777, when Sir John Johnson with his Scotch retainers had fortified themselves in "Johnson Hall," General Schuyler with a large body of militia went there to reduce them. From out of his large force General Schuyler selected Captain Fonda to command a company of 200 men for the assault, of which the Schenectady men formed one-half. Under the assault of this daring officer, Johnson lowered his flag and surrendered without firing a gun. Fonda was ever afterward regarded as one of the most fearless of soldiers.

WAR OF 1812.

After the Revolution to the war of 1812 not much can be learned concerning military organiza- tions in Schenectady. From the best information which can be obtained, not more than one inde- pendent company existed during this period.

During the war of 1812, Jonas Holland, who was a major under Gen. Scott, raised a company in Schenectady, which participated in this war. Nicholas Van Slyck, a major in the Revolutionary War, grandfather of Christopher Van Slyck, of Schenectady, was a conspicuous military man at this time.

Although but one regular company was raised in Schenectady for the War of 1812, many soldiers were recruited in this vicinity, who joined regi- ments which were credited to other localities.

About 1815 a company of Heavy Artillery was organized in Schenectady. John Benson was its first captain. Among its other officers appear the names of Thomas Hannah and David Reese.

A Rifle company was formed soon after the Heavy Artillery. Henry Miller, Joshua Harmon and Nicholas Barhydt were successively captains. At one time Andrew J. Barhydt, one of the oldest living members, was a lieutenant in this company.

About 1820 a company called the Grays was formed. The name of the company was derived from the color of their uniforms. Simon Glenn, Jesse M. Van Slyck and Abraham Clems were cap- tains of this company at different periods.

All three of the above companies were in ex- istence at the time of the opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, and took part in the interesting ceremo- nies attending the passing through the city of the boat bearing Gov. Clinton and party.

A Cavalry company was organized about 1825. Joseph Consaul was captain of this company. Some time in the year 183- a company, called the Governor's Guards, was formed in this city. A. D. Briggs was its first captain. Judge Platt Potter at one time was captain of this company. In 183-, under

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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 224

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