Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 241

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 241

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The trustees elect a president, secretary and a treasurer ; the latter officer cannot be a trustee. At the present time an executive committee of three is appointed by the President from the list of trustees for one year, to whom is given the general charge of all funds, property and affairs of the society, to audit all bills and to invest funds. The trustees are elected by ballot the first Tues- day in September of each year. Every person who shall donate the sum of five dollars to the funds of the society, regardless of sex, is entitled to one vote, and an additional vote for every five dollars donated.

The first trustees immediately purchased the dwelling, No. 35 Green street, of George G. Soley, for the sum of $3,000, paying about $2,000 in cash, raised by subscription; the balance remain- ing a mortgage upon the property. This property was thus given over to the management of the

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

Ladies' Society of the Home of the Friendless, and was first opened September 9, 1868.

The real management of the Home, the collec- tion of funds, and the care and supervision of the inmates, devolve solely upon the ladies of the society. The officers consist of first and second directresses, treasurer and secretary, an executive committee and a board of managers. The trustees act as an advisory committee. The first officers were: Mrs. Urania Nott, First Directress; Mrs. Cordelia Crane, Second Directress; Mrs. Mary A. Myers, Secretary; Mrs. Anna Angle, Treasurer.

The subscription fee of annual members is $5; of life members, $25; of life members and benefactors, $100.

The entire internal charge of the Home is under the direct supervision of a matron, who is em- ployed by the Board. This position has been most creditably filled by Mrs. Mary Perkins ever since the Home was established.

Since the establishment of the Home, it has been used exclusively for the support of indigent sick or aged women. But it is the intention of the members, as soon as sufficient funds can be obtained, to so extend the facilities of the institu- tion as to be able to support a juvenile depart- ment, when children without homes, too young to provide for themselves, can be maintained.

From the report of the secretary made at the end of the first year of the Home, we find that eight aged and infirm ladies had been the recipients of the comforts of this institution. The total receipts this year were $1,945.40, and total ex- penditures $1, 327.85.

In September, 1873, the present building ad- joining No. 35 Green street, used as the Home, was purchased of Mr. Frame for $5,000.

In 1878, mainly through the efforts of the trustees, a debt of over $3,000 was liquidated by public subscription. Dr. Andrew Truax, who had been an enthusiastic friend of the Home since its organization, gave $1,000 of this sum.

During late years, the Home, by the death of a number of its early friends and benefactors, has been the recipient of generous donations. Among the legacies thus bequeathed were $5,000 from Dr. A. M. Vedder, $6,000 from Colon C. Clute, and $20,000 from Dr. Andrew Truax. In 1869 the True Blues, a civic organization in Schenectady, donated the sum of $1,000, the proceeds of a fair held for the purpose of aiding this institution.

At the present time the Home is in a flourish- ing condition. Its property, valued as $10,000, is free from debt, and it receives the proceeds of $33,500 invested for its use.

The work accomplished by this institution of charity has been of the most commendable nature. Its average yearly expenses have been about $1,200, while an average number of eight poor, enfeebled, deserving women have received the comforts of a Christian home.

In 1883 an addition of a hospitable room was made to the Home at a cost of $700, which amount was raised by public subscription.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

In the year 1858 the first Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Schenectady. The first officers of the Society were : Prof. John New- man, President ; George F. Bollis, Vice-President; Charles S. Vedder, Corresponding Secretary ; William F. Fox, Recording Secretary; and James J. Marlette, Treasurer. The Board of Directors consisted of Joseph B. Graham, David Herron, Jr., David J. Tichenor, Charles N. Yates, A. Craig Palmer, Charles Brockmyer, Daniel A. Atwell, Samuel Lyon, William DeGraff, Rembrandt P. Wilkie and Abraham Van Vranken. The plan of work and object of the association, as defined by the constitution of this date, were similar to that followed by like associations throughout the State, and not materially different from the aims and pur- pose of the present association. The society secured rooms on the second floor of the Clute building on State street, now used as a dental office by John F. Hull.

Young Men's Christian Association Building.

Here the members of the association labored for a number of years, with comparatively limited means and resources, for the beneficent objects of the association. But either through lack of proper support, through imperfect organization, or the usual period of excitement during the late civil war, the work was abandoned some time in 1863, and nothing was done to perfect a reorganization until 1867. During this year, by the exertion of a few of the public-spirited citizens of Schenectady, a renewed interest was awakened in the work of this kind of organization, as exhibited in parts of the State, and a new association was formed and a more perfect constitution adopted. The officers elected under the new organization were as follows: Nicholas Cain, President; C. C. Brown and M. A. Vedder, Vice-Presidents ; E. A. Charlton, Corre- sponding Secretary; George O. Seaver, Recording Secretary ; John Brown, Treasurer; and L. Hoyt, Librarian. Directors: Andrew T. Veeder, Jacob Vrooman, Louis Feldman, Richard Farley, C. W.

115

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS.

Backus, D. D. C. Teller, John A. De Remer, Edward S. Sauter and E. W. Moore. At this period the association had rooms in Van Horne's Hall, No. 151 State street. Here a free reading- room, furnished with the leading daily and weekly papers, magazines and various periodicals, was pro- vided. A library of over 300 volumes was also procured this year.

In 1871 application was made to the Legisla- ture for a new charter and for the incorporation of the association. This was granted, and the follow- ing citizens of Schenectady were a board of trustees, to hold in trust the property of the associa- tion : J. Trumbull Backus, Platt Potter, E. H. Wheeler, Simon C. Groot, Andrew Truax, Peter Rowe, Abram Doty, H. S. Edwards, C. C. Clute, N. I. Schermerhorn, Levi A. Young, H. S. Bar- ney, T. W. McCamus, Nicholas Cain, Robert Fur- man, G. G. Maxon, C. H. Mathews and Edward W. Paige. This act of incorporation provided that one-third of these trustees should be annually elected after March, 1872. During the year 1871, mainly through the efforts of Nicholas Cain, then president of the association, and a few others equally interested in the welfare of the organiza- tion, the project long contemplated by the friends of the association-the erection of a per- manent edifice-began to take definite form. In October of this year the lot where the Association building now stands was purchased for the sum of $12,000, the entire amount being raised in a few days by subscription. At this time the task of raising money to erect a building upon this site was begun by the officers of the organization. The following are some of the principal donors at this time : Nicholas Cain, $3,000 ; J. Trumbull Backus, $2,000 ; Charles H. Mathews, $1, 500 ; Peter Rowe, $1,000; Platt Potter, $1,000; Abram Doty, $1,000; L. A. Young, $1,000 ; T. W. McCamus, $1,000 ; Robert Furman, $1,000 ; Andrew Truax, $1,000 ; N. I. Schermerhorn, $1,000 ; C. C. Clute, $1,000 ; H. S. Edwards, $1,000 ; E. H. Wheeler, $1,000 ; H. S. Barney, $1,000 ; Simon C. Groot, $1,000. Considerable money was also raised in smaller amounts.

In 1873 the present building began to be erected. Its exterior was completed in 187 -. At this time, the association lacking necessary funds, work was suspended. From 1873 to 1877 seems to have been a dark period in the history of the Young Men's Christian Association in this city.

Some time in 1874-5 the room in the Van Horne Hall was abandoned, and no regular place of meeting seems to have been provided until 1877, when, mainly through the efforts of General Secretary O. C. Morse, who came to Schenectady under the direction of the New York State Execu- tive Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association, Stanford Hall was rented for a period of three months. Here the association library was removed and a free reading-room provided.

In March, 1877, the work of completing and furnishing four rooms in the new building was undertaken by the different churches, the First Reformed Church furnishing one, the First

Presbyterian Church another, the Baptist a third, and the Episcopal Church the fourth. On the 15th of the following May the association took possession of its new rooms, and the new building was first used for the purpose for which it was erected. Since this date numerous improvements have been made in the Association building, al- though it is not yet entirely completed. Over $40,000 has been expended on it, and the associ- ation is at present $19,000 in debt. The lower part of the building is occupied by the crockery store of S. R. James, the second floor by the association, and the third floor by law offices. For a number of years a coffee or refreshment room has been in the unfinished part of the build- ing, which has enjoyed a liberal share of patronage.

The present officers of the association are: James A. Goodrich, President; Marcus C. Wood, Vice- President; Frank E. Smith, Recording Secretary; James Cantine, Treasurer ; William F. Cromer, Acting Secretary. The financial affairs of the Y. M. C. A. are controlled by a Board of Man- agers, consisting of twenty members.

The reading-room and library has been re- cently much improved. Many daily papers and most of the leading periodicals are furnished, while the library has increased to nearly two thousand volumes of choice and selected books. The Y. M. C. A. building, as shown in the cut, is one of the finest public edifices in the city.

HISTORY OF MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS. ST. GEORGE'S LODGE, NO. 6.

St. George's Lodge was founded previous to the American Revolution by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of England, and went into operation in 1774, under the auspices of Sir John Johnson, then Provincial Grand Master of the Colony of New York. The first dispensation under which the lodge was organized has been lost; but a second one, granted by the same authority, is still pre- served as a relic in the archives of the lodge. It was given at Fort Johnson, December 13, 1774, and bears the bold signature of Sir John Johnson. By this instrument, Christopher Yates was ap- pointed Master; Benjamin Hilton, Jr., Senior Warden; and John Henghan, Junior Warden.

The book of minutes of the lodge as above consti- tuted, but extending from a time even previous to this dispensation, is still preserved. From this it appears that in addition to the officers mentioned, the lodge had but four members, viz. : Cornelius Van Dyck, Aaron Van Patten, Robert Clinch and Robert Alex- ander. The first initiation of which there is any account is that of Teunise Swart, which was speed- ily followed by others, until when this record closes, December 30, 1799, more than one hundred and twenty names had been added to the roll of mem- bership.

From the book of minutes, it appears that the first meetings of the lodge were held at the house of Robert Clinch, afterward in the dwellings of Abram Truax and John A. Bradt. April 16, 1790, the lodge purchased a building and lot of Dr. Nich-

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

olas Van Der Volgen on the south side of State street, where the Central Railroad now passes, and after properly arranging a room for the use of the lodge, surrendered the remaining part to Andrew Rynex, as Tiler, by whom the dwelling was there- after occupied. In January, 1797, the growing numbers of the lodge rendered this place too small, and it was considerably enlarged by building. In the same year a Mark Lodge was established, to which the use of the lodge room was freely per- mitted.

At this time there were in Schenectady three flourishing lodges and a Royal Arch .Chapter. They were named respectively, St. George's Lodge, Clinton Lodge and Morton Lodge. St. George's Lodge has alone survived. Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter, No. 57, which existed about this period, has also been disbanded, but in its place has been organized the Mohawk (now St. George's Royal Arch Chapter, No. 157), which now numbers many members.

The record of the proceedings of the early his- tory of St. George's Lodge is full of interest, illus- trating the character of the men and times of the most interesting period of our country's history. Among the members of the lodge were many who became active in the war of the revolution, and whose names have been frequently mentioned in this volume as connected with the stirring events of this period.

The following, taken from the book of minutes, is full of significance, and is one of many having reference to the active participation of the members of this lodge in the scenes of the revolution:

" At the regular communication, December 26, 1780, it was unanimously

" Resolved, That fifty shillings, hard money, out of the funds of this lodge, shall be delivered into the hands of Brother Robert Alexander, for the use of Brother Walter Voorman's family, who is now captive with the enemy, and the same amount be paid into the hands of John Cummins, for the use of Brother Andrew Rynex's family, who is also taken captive."

The last record contained in this venerable min- ute book is especially interesting. It is as follows:

" Whereas, The death of our Worthy Grand Master, George Washington, was this evening an- nounced to this lodge ; therefore, unanimously

" Resolved, That the members of this lodge wear (as a token of respect to the memory of our said late Grand Master) a black ribbon in the button- hole of the waistcoat, until the ensuing Festival of St. John the Baptist, and that the Secretary be directed to give notice of the foregoing resolution to such members as did not attend this meeting.

" JELLIS A. FONDA, "'W. Master."

Thus appropriately closes this valuable record of the last meeting of the last year of the last century.

The minutes of the lodge are preserved in full until the close of the year 1804, when there seems to have been a disagreement between a large num- ber of the lodges in the interior and those in the

city of New York and its vicinity, which resulted in a disruption of the ties between them. In common with the lodges with which it had sided in the questions in dispute, which seem to have been little more than "Where shall the meetings of the Grand Lodge be held-in New York or Albany?" St. George's Lodge was declared by the Grand Lodge to have forfeited "its Masonic privileges," and its members were expelled from the order.

From this time the records are imperfect, until 1822, when the lodge was formally reinstated to full Masonic standing, and a new charter granted to Henry Yates as Worshipful Master; Samuel Farns- worth, Senior Warden; and John McMichael, Junior Warden. This charter bore the signature of Daniel D. Tompkins, then Vice-President of the United States, as Grand Master.

From this time to 1834 the records, and even the charter of 1822, are lost, and it would seem that the meetings were either entirely intermitted or but seldom held. This period was that dark one in the history of Masonry in America which fol- lowed the Morgan excitement, when most of the lodges in the State were broken up and the order proscribed.

From 1834, however, complete sets of the minutes are preserved, from which it appears that a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge, bearing date January 5, 1844, and that on the eighth day of June, 1844, a new charter was granted, naming Giles F. Yates as Worshipful Mas- ter ; Roswell Perry, Senior Warden; and Jonathan C. Burnham, Junior Warden. Under this charter St. George's Lodge now works, and is to-day in a very prosperous and flourishing condition. In 1868 the temple on Church street was erected, making one of the finest and most complete Masonic build- ings in the State.

OFFICERS FOR 1885 .- Bro. T. Low Barhydt, Master ; Bro. John S. White, S. Warden ; Bro. P. M. Doty, J. Warden ; W. Bro. W. Scott Hunter, Treasurer; Bro. Thompson Dealtry, Secretary; Bro. Charles E. Palmer, S. Deacon ; Bro. Frank Will- iamson, J. Deacon ; Bro. Rev. E. L. Toy, Chap- lain ; R. W. Bro. John Keyes Paige, Organist ; Bro. Charles Hausmer, Physician ; Bro. G. A. Wendell, S. M. of Cer .; Bro. E. King, J. M. of Cer. ; Bros. J. Teller Schoolcraft and John S. Swits, Stewards ; Bro. S. Abrams, Tiler ; G. G. Maxon, S. W. Jackson and John M. Wendell, Trustees.

NEW HOPE LODGE, NO. 730 .- New Hope Lodge was founded November 30, 1872. For a number of years meetings of this lodge were held in Van Horne's Hall, on State street ; recent years, Odd- fellows Hall, in the Ellis building, on State street, has been used for that purpose.

OFFICERS FOR 1875 .- W. Bro. Charles Baum, Master ; H. M. Stanton, S. Warden ; W. C. Campbell, J. Warden ; W. H. Helmer, Treasurer ; James L. Foote, Secretary ; W. P. Daley, S. Deacon ; Wm. J Rosekranz, J. Deacon ; D. W. Walpole, S. M. of Cer,; Simon Schermerhorn, J. M. of Cer .; G. E. McDonald, M. D., Physician ;

117

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- TEMPERANCE.

Fred. Reaber, Marshal ; E. E. Kreigsman, R. T. Butler and D. Allen, Finance Committee ; R. T. Butler, Tiler.

ST. GEORGE'S CHAPTER, NO. 157, R. A. M., was installed in 1856. Officers for 1885 : M. E. Comp. John H. White, High Priest ; W. Scott Hunter, E. King ; T. Low Barhydt, E. Scribe ; W. H. Peck- ham, Treasurer ; W. G. Helmer, Secretary.

ST. GEORGE'S COMMANDERY, NO. 37, K. T., was instituted 1866. Officers for 1885 : E. Sir W. H. Helmer, Commander ; George Buskerk, Gen- eralissimo ; Jolin H. White, Captain-General ; F. Williamson, Prelate ; Geo. Weller, S. Warden ; John J. Fenwick, J. Warden ; H. H. Swart, Treasurer ; W. H. Peckham, Recorder.

TEMPERANCE.

The earliest trace of united temperance work in Schenectady is that of the State Temper- ance Society, organized in 1828 by E. C. Delavan and Dr. Eliphalet Nott. July 8, 1830, an auxiliary society, the "Schenectady City Society for the Promotion of Temperance," was formed. The pledge did not cover the use of malt liquors, but " distilled spirituous liqnors, except as a medicine in case of bodily infirmity." The officers were: President, Peter I. Clute; Secretary, James Ma- goffin; Treasurer, Joel C. Bailey; Directors, Jon- athan Crane, George McQueen, Jabez Ward and Obed Chandler. The Reverends E. Mason (Pres- byterian), Coles Carpenter (M. E.), Jacob Van Vechten (First Reformed), and Mr. Gillett (Bap- tist), and Dr. Nott and Mr. Delavan, were also members. By 1832, through the efforts of Mr. Crane and others, 27 auxiliary societies (which in- cluded one colored) had been formed. Union College also organized one at this time. During the year last named the city society had a mem- bership of 2,013 males, 421 females. Lectures were occasionally delivered by Prof. Alonzo Pot- ter, Dr. Nott, Reverends Stebbins, Gillett, Van Vechten and Hon. A. L. Linn, and Messrs. Pol- lard and Wright, of Baltimore, John B. Gough, and Judge McQueen. Dr. Fonda and Dr. Nott were the last survivors of this organization. Its efforts practically ceased in 1846.

The Washingtonian movement gained a foothold and flourished for a few years during the existence of the city society.

From 1847 to 1867 but little public work was done, but in the latter year the "Sons of Temper- ance " instituted a division, which is now extinct. In 1868 the Good Templars organized their first lodge here, which did good work until 1880, when it too became practically lifeless.

The Independent Order of Rechabites never gained a foothold here. The Father Mathew movement of 1850, which was originated by the Catholics, succeeded in gaining many converts.

In September, 1876, the "Schenectady Tem- perance Society" was formed, with the following officers: President, J. Charles Lawton; Vice-Presi- dent, Dr. L. Faust; Secretary, Henry Swan; Treas- urer, Peter Chrisler. Articles for the press were

written by Prof. Wells, of Union College; Prof. Halsey, Classical Institute; Revs. W. J. Heath and Northorp and Mr. Chrisler. October 19th a Reform Club was organized, and the 31st of the month was merged with the "Schenectady Tem- perance Society," and these changed to the " An- cient City Temperance Society."

In June, 1880, Peter Chrisler was successful in having the official board of the M. E. Church adopt a resolution discontinuing the use of fer- mented or alcoholic wine at the communion, and during the same year he organized the "M. E. Church Temperance Society.'

July 11, 1878, internal dissensions in the " An- cient City " order resulted in a new society, taking the old name, "Schenectady Temperance Society," with Mr. Clirisler as President.

October 31, 1878, the two societies united, under the name of " Christian Temperance Union," with Jethro W. Chute as President.

The "Women's Christian Temperance Union" was organized in March, 1878, Mrs. Dr. Nott, President, and in July the "Children's Temper- ance Society" was instituted, all the societies meeting in the same room.

January 29, 1880, a new departure was taken by the society. Good Templarism ideas were fol- lowed, and "Ancient City Lodge, 174," formed. No organization since 1830 or 1867 has been so successful. In March, 1884, there were 1, 130 members, making it the banner lodge of the State. At the County Lodge, held April 1, 1885, it re- ported 895 members.

HENRY RAMSAY.

The subject of this sketch was born in Guilder- land, Albany County, N. Y., May 18, 1808. He spent the first six years of his life in the vicinity of his birthplace, after which his parents removed to Albany. At this early age he entered the first Lancaster School in the United States, then recent- ly opened in Albany by William Anderson Tweed Dale, under the personal supervision of Joseph Lancaster, the founder of the system.

In 1823, with three others, he was promoted to the Albany Academy, a high mark of honor con- ferred on pupils of the Lancaster School who had shown themselves specially meritorions in behav- ior and scholarship, and which entitled them to a free course of instruction at the Academy. Young Ramsay rapidly advanced in his studies, and by orderly conduct and close attention gained the esteem and confidence of the Faculty and Trustees, who, as a signal mark of favor, informed him, after a term of two years, that he could remain as long as he pleased, free of tuition. But the painful ne- cessity of depending for support upon the daily labor of an aged father, constrained the youth to leave the Academy in 1826.

He immediately became an assistant teacher in the Lancaster School, under his former instructor, Mr. Dale. In this position he remained nearly a year, performing his work most satisfactorily to the management of the school and its patrons. But

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

ALITTLE

Henry Ramsay

the care and labor proved too severe for mind and body, and he was obliged to seek rest and recrea- tion in the country. Becoming sufficiently recu- perated, the following year he accepted the charge of a school in Glenville, Schenectady County, and the same year he returned to Albany and ac- cepted the appointment of book-keeper in French Webster's hardware store, located on the site of the present post-office.

This position did not meet the ambition of the young man, and he determined to seek future advancement in the great city of New York. Here he arrived in 1829, without money and with- out friends, not knowing a single person to whom he might apply for aid and assistance. He en- countered all the discouragements and difficulties so many deserving young men similarly placed have experienced in securing employment in the metropolis. For a short time Benjamin C. Wat- son gave shelter and assistance to our young friend, and secured for him a position as clerk in the land

office of Isaac M. Woolley, at the small salary of $to per month and board.

While a student at the Albany Academy, young Ramsay became very proficient in penmanship and map-drawing, and gained valuable knowledge of the art of surveying. These various accomplish- ments served him most advantageously while in the employ of Mr. Woolley, who was quick to utilize the talents of his young clerk in drawing and copying maps as needed in the transaction of the business of his office. So well did young Ram- say execute this work, that maps drawn by him and exhibited in the real estate sale-rooms of the old Merchants' Exchange attracted general attention for their excellence. Among those who were at- tracted by the ability of Mr. Woolley's clerk, were John C. Morrison, Dr. Van Soligen and Mr. Parker, author of "Parker's Arithmetic," who induced young Ramsay to open an office, under promise of immediate patronage. Accordingly in 1830 he opened an office in an attic bedroom in Greenwich

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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 241

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