Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 242

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 242

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119

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- HENRY RAMSAY.

street. His ability soon gained for him the friend- ship and patronage of influential citizens. Phi- lologus Holley, who proved a most valuable friend at this period, in return for such services as he could render him, gave him office room in his of- fice in Carmine street. While at Holley's he be- came acquainted with John Lewis, the confidential clerk of the celebrated Col. Aaron Burr, and by the latter he was frequently employed in making surveys, maps and plans of buildings.

Reuben Spencer, a city surveyor, at this time occasionally employed young Ramsay to assist him in making surveys "on the Island," and in return allowed him to use his instruments when he could find a job for himself.

This soon brought him into prominence, which resulted in his securing a lucrative business, and in bringing his sterling worth into public recognition. During this period he met Miss Isabelle Wester- velt, eldest daughter of Jacob Westervelt, then Sheriff of New York County, whom he married May 17, 1831, and soon accepted the appointment of book-keeper in the Merchants' Exchange Bank, but shortly after became deputy sheriff under his father-in-law, which position he retained under the latter's successor, John Hillyer ; and after an inter- val of two of Hillyer's successors, was appointed to the position again, under his wife's uncle, John J. V. Westervelt.

In 1836, Mr. Ramsay, by prudence and econ- omy, had amassed sufficient means to gratify his desire for the quietude of country life, and accord- ingly removed to Schenectady in this year, pur- chasing fourteen acres of land, including his pres- ent homestead at the head of State street. At this time there were but two small frame buildings upon the property, which, at the present, has be- come one of the most eligible building sites in the city, upon which have been erected more than eighty buildings, including the State Armory. Af- ter making some improvements on his property, Mr. Ramsay again returned to New York to accept a situation offered by his brother. Here he re- mained for nearly four years, returning to Schenec- tady in 1839.

At this time Mr. Ramsay resolved to perma- nently adopt the profession of surveyor and engi- neer, for which his early training and experience peculiarly fitted him. In 1842 he received the appointment of chief engineer on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad between Albany and Schenec- tady. At this time, the expenses of operating the two stationary powers at the heads of the inclined planes at the two cities nearly exhausted the re- ceipts of the road, and rendered the construction of new sections to supersede the inclined planes ab- solutely necessary. This difficult work was Mr. Ramsay's maiden professional effort, and was ac- complished without a single adverse occurrence or the interruption of a single train. He was made assistant engineer of the Erie Canal enlargement, his section extending from Little Falls to the tower aqueduct. While engaged in this work, he was appointed Resident Engincer of the Seneca River Survey and Triangulations, from the Monte-

zuma Marshes to the foot of Jack's Reef. His ad- ministration of this office was so satisfactory, that, December 10, 1853, he was appointed, without solicitation, State Engineer and Surveyor.

In 1853, he was chosen by the Board of State Officers to locate the wharf or water-line of New- town Creek and East River. In 1844-5-6; he was engaged by Eugene and Montgomery Liv- ingston in defining the subdivision of the great Hardenburg Patents, which he accomplished with much difficulty and danger during the " anti-rent" craze in Ulster and Delaware Counties. Mr. Ram- say has held the position of City Surveyor by ap- pointment for several terms, though he has never taken an active interest in politics, and in 1852 he received the Democratic nomination for Mayor of the city, which, for private reasons, was declined, although equivalent to an election. After the close of his State service, Mr. Ramsay received the ap- pointment of Chief Engineer of the United States Petroleum Company, at Pithole, Venango County, Penn., and on Duck Creek, Ohio, driving the first stake in the oil enterprise on the Thomas Holmden farm. He remained, making surveys during the oil excitement in this remarkable re- gion, until he terminated his professional services in 1866-7.

In 1867, he began preparations to carry out a long cherished plan, which, he says, "had been the dream of my youth and hope of my age-to visit Europe, Egypt, Palestine and Syria," hoping thus not only to gain needed recreation and rest, but more especially to satisfy the natural craving of his mind to visit places and scenes associated with ancient Biblical lore. On May 1, 1869, he sailed for Scotland, and at Glasgow began a tour of the wonderful places of the Old World, which, as described in his graphic and intelligent lan- guage, would fill a volume of valuable and instruc- tive material for the students of ancient history.

Most of the time consumed by Mr. Ramsay's journey abroad was spent in Egypt and the Holy Land. Here his devout nature was inspired and filled with reverence, as he visited and trod over places and scenes made sacred and ever to be revered as associated with the lives of the early pa- triarchs, and as connected with the life and history of our Savior. Only those personally acquainted with this venerable gentleman, and who have heard him relate with a remarkably intelligent compre- hension, aided by a most retentive memory, can fully realize how thorough was his research in this interesting portion of the world.

Since his return home he has frequently been called upon to deliver lectures upon the subject of his travels, and whenever he has complied has been highly appreciated.

Up to this period of Mr. Ramsay's biography we have given but the mere outlines, without much comment, of the chief events of his remarkably suc- cessful and active life. His struggles and successes as a poor boy, without assistance, family prestige, or influential friends, furnish an example of what pluck, brains and honesty can do on the great stage of life, and is an incentive to every young man

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

struggling with adverse fortune. His success was not the result of what the world calls "good luck." He went to the city of New York at an early period to be sure, but even then there was no place in this country where competition was stronger, and where any young man without influential personal friends would be less sure of winning success, ex- cept upon true and proved merit. Here young Ramsay, by application, hard work, perseverance and honesty, won not only the nucleus of a com- fortable fortune, but, what is better still, the sincere respect and esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Ramsay early became attached to a Christian church and through a long career has been active in pro- moting all matters pertaining to church work, and by action and deeds has led a consistent Christian life.

Mr. Ramsay's domestic relations have been of the most pleasant nature. His wife, who shared the trials and struggles of his early days and wit- nessed the successes and triumphs of his later years, still remains his congenial partner in his declining years. Ten children have been the result of their union, nine of whom are still living. Mr. Ramsay has always felt much indebted to the Albany Acad- emy, and considers that the instruction there re- ceived had much to do with his success in life. In 1883, out of friendship, if not as a debt of grati- tude, he endowed this institution of learning with the sum of $1,000, to be used for the permanent establishment of the Henry Ramsay Scholarship, to aid poor and deserving young men to obtain an education.

Mr. Ramsay has ever been a progressive, public- spirited citizen, and has taken a keen and active interest in everything pertaining to educational matters. He himself has been a careful, pains- taking student of history, men and passing events, and now, in his seventy-eighth year, enjoys good health and a high degree of intellectual vigor. In this city, his adopted home, where he is best known, he is justly honored for his sterling worth and integrity of character, and is quietly enjoying the remaining years of a well-earned repose, sur- rounded by family, kindred and friends.

EDUCATIONAL .- OLD MASTERS.

" Full well they laughed, with counterfeited glee, At all his jokes, for many a joke had he ; Full well the busy whisper circling round Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned." GOLDSMITH'S "Deserted Village."

Chronologically arranged, and as accurately as is now possible, the early school-teachers of Schenec- tady are given below. These all, as will be seen, ante-date any organized State school system. Education in the things taught from books in those days was of minor importance. The school- master was a curious combination of ignorance and of a little learning. Oftener than not to his profession he joined one of the homely but useful trades, generally cobbling. Sobriety was consid- ered commendable, but it was no noteworthy thing for the "master " to indulge all too freely

during his hours of freedom from the school-room. Physical propulsion, conveyed by the impressive whip, was thought a wise way of inducing into the mind of the young scholar a proper understanding of his studies ; though, even then, there were some eccentric fathers who surmised that the best road to a boy's brain was not to be found at the sharpest end of a whip.

The first school was opened here by Peter Tassermaker, the first pastor of the First Dutch Church, who was killed by the Indians when Schenectady was burned in 1690.

In 1725, Peter Feeling, the grandfather of Mrs. John Clark, was teaching here.

The following is a copy of the oldest school-bill extant in Schenectady :

Mr. Jno. R. Schermerhorn to Thos. Nielson, Dr. €

s. d.

Schooling 2 children from ye 17th April, 1738, to ye 21 November, being 7 months. . 8

I 7

Schooling 2 children from ye 21St April, 1739, to ye last December, Being 8 mo I 13 4

2 Psalters. 5 0

£3 6 11

Abatement for ye children Being at Home at Harvest. 6 11

Due . . . . £3 0 0

SCHENECTADY, ye mo. March, 1739-40.

There appeared before me, Nicholas Schuyler, Esq., one of his Majestie's Justices of ye Peace for ye County of Albany, ye above Thomas Neilson, and made oath on ye Holy evangelist of Almighty God, that ye above acct. according to the Best of his Knowledge is a Just and Fair account Jurat Corma made. THOS. NEILSON.

NICH. SCHUYLER.

On the reverse side of which is :

Recd. from Mr. R. Schermerhorn, three pounds, New York Currency, Being the full Contents of the Acct. on the other side, and is in full of Debts, Accts. and Demands Whatsoever to this 24th March, 1739-40.

I say recd. by me,

THOS. NEILSON.

Witnesseth :

ANNA WENDOL.

£3 0 0.

In 1755, Caleb Beck ; in 1757, William John- son, the "dominie;" and from 1759 to 1763, Hendrick Hausen, were schoolmasters; and by a bill dated 7th April, 1762, we learn that Mr. Matthew Lyne was then master, and for the years 1760-4-5-6 bills were also rendered by him : "I year, {2 2s.," and " 1 yr. 9 mo., £3 3s." In 1766 Richard Oliver was teacher, and from 1765 to 1768 Andrie Johnson received from 2 to 4 shillings per month for his services. From an account rendered by Peter Sparling to Ryer

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- EDUCATIONAL.

Schermerhorn, and paid 13th March, 1767, it ap- pears that Mr. Schermerhorn paid for "6} months day and 5 months night school, at 16s. per quarter," the sum of £3 os. 4d. for his son John ; that "syphering " cost the same amount per quarter; and that to his other qualifications Master Sparling added that of a spinner, receiving 2s. a pound for "spinning 11 lb." In 1769, George Passage, "shoe- maker and schoolmaster," was paid 2s. 6d. per week for his services as teacher. In 1770 Hendrick Hausen is again master, and in the same year George Passage renders a long account, amounting to £15 10s. 8d. to Reyer Schermerhorn, for mend- ing and making shoes, boots and pumps, for in- structing " his son Bartholomew in the cordwaning trade." In 1771 William Andrews, who was a cate- chist among the Mohawk Indians and missionary, and first rector of St. George's Church, opened a grammar school. In 1772-3 "William Johnson was shoemaker and schoolmaster." Patrons of the school needed a little urging to pay their school-bills, as the following will show, though, as has already appeared, the receiver of this polite request had not been remiss with previous bills :

"Mr. Schermerhorn, Sir : When I 'broke up school at New Ark, this spring, I sent my acct. by your son Richard, the amount of which was £5 2s. 8d. As I have heard nothing from you since, should be glad if you would order the pay- ment of it in New York, either to Mr. Cobham, at the great Dock, or Mr. Quakenbush, or where else it may suit you, and please to advise me of the same by a Letter directed to William Haddon, Elizabeth Town, and you will oblige, Sir,

Your very h'ble serv't, WILLIAM HADDON.

New York, June 9, 1772."

In 1773 Dominie Miller was master, and on October 5th of the same year, Master P. H. Raworth made out a bill for "one quarter's schooling at 13s," on which he had received " one Load of Wood, at 3s. 6d." William Wellman, master, writes in August, 1773, to one of his patrons : "I would be verry glad if you Could let me have that Trifle, as I am very much in want, for your Boy Schooling, from the 23 of Apriel to the 28 of July, which is one quarter, 9s."

In 1774, Francis Rawert (Raworth), as is shown by a bill he then makes out, and in May, 1775, Mr. Fletcher, were teachers. Ph. Ryley renders an account, in 1776, of {1 13s. for his services as teacher, which is offset by a bill of fourteen items, in which "cash" is charged three times and "rum " eleven times, bringing the bibulous pro- fessor's demand down to nine shillings. A year later Master Ryley has another account of £2 8s., and this is reduced by offsets to eight shillings, but to his credit be it said, that the word "rum " is not so frequent. In 1779-80, " Mr. Martin kept a school in a house standing then between the house of C. Vibbard and Dr. A. G. Fonda, on the north side of Union street." In 1780, John Clute, and from 1783 to 1785, Edward Johnson, taught school.

A history of the Schenectady Academy elsewhere appears in this article. The teachers for 1785 were : Michael Tyms, English teacher, appointed April 29 ; Nicholas Van Vranken, September 22, and Mr. Basset, October 24. Jacobus Romeyn was made usher August 14, 1786. In July, 1787, Basset and Van Vranken were still teaching; and August 20, Mr. Wilkie is engaged, to begin No- vember 1. Mr. Basset to "leave at next quarterly examination, on September 5, 1787," and on that day, Rev. Dirck Romeyn is appointed superintend- ent of the academy. January 18, 1788, the teach- ers were : Tyms, Van Vranken and Wilkie, and May 28, Morris, Tyms and " Beck's room." From the fact that, on June 12, "Mr. Beck, usher," is directed to " leave at end of quarter in September," it is to be inferred he may have been the "teacher " in " Beck's room." Mr. Wilkie also leaves then. September 1, 1789, Mr. Elliott was teaching the English branches there. In March, 1790, Mr. Tyms was teaching arithmetic, and from Septem- ber 1, 1789, to March 1, 1790, Van Vranken was Latin and Greek professor. Mr. Wilkie "taught reading, arithmetic, etc." "D. Hale was Latin preceptor as early as January, 1792." John Tay- lor and Luther Halsey were also professors there in 1792 and 1793.

In 1793, John Lambert kept school in Church street, in what was, in 1865, the Tannahill house.

Temperance teachings seem to have made some progress, or at least the masters were willing to make the effort to avoid the blue Mondays so fre- quent heretofore. The following iron-clad pledge speaks for itself :

"This agreement, made the twentieth day of March, 1800, Witnesseth, That the subscriber hereunto will not, betwixt this date and the first day of June next ensuing, neglect his school through means of his getting intoxicated, with any kind of ·liquors whatsoever, under a forfeit of five dollars for each time, time to be stopped out of his school pay by me. BARTHOLOMEW SCHERMERHORN.

SCHUYLENBERGH SCHOOL, } March 20, 1800. (Signed) JOHN HETHERINGTON."

True, this pledge only provides for "neglect " of his duties, but it was a good step in the right direction.

With the beginning of the Schenectady Acade- my, and particularly after it merged into Union College, education proper commenced here. While the bulk of the students attended these schools, still there were some private schools in existence, among which were the following :

In 1800, Mrs. Van Orden taught a school in the second house from the corner of Washington and State streets. A Mr. Barhydt and a Mr. Wig- gins (who also read prayers in the Episcopal Church) were teaching here in 1802, and four years later " Mr. Ganley taught school in a room in the yard on the south side of State street, back of where Gray's shoe store afterwards was." Mr. Shumway in 1805 "kept school" in a house at the west corner of Front and Ferry streets, and

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

Thomas Dunlap taught vocal music at Mr. Mooney's school-house in 1807.

By a notice published March 28, 1808, it ap- pears that a "French professor " had recently been engaged for the "Schenectady Female Academy," who "will devote two hours in the forenoon of each day to the instruction of such young ladies as wish to acquire a knowledge of that language." Mr. Malcom and C. C. Cuyler were teachers of the Female Academy in 1808. It was located at 32 Church street, the lot afterward passing into the hands of the Masonic Order.

February 4, 1812, the president of the consistory of the Dutch Church was authorized to subscribe fifty dollars "toward the support of a suitable per- son to instruct the people of color in this place," and April 20, measures were taken by them to es- tablish a school, and they " procured the late Mr. Murdock's store " for that purpose.

This ends our recital of the "Old Masters " of Schenectady. The opening of the "Lancaster " School in 1816 marked an important epoch in our educational development.

THE LANCASTER SCHOOL, 1816-1854.

In the Lancasterian System of Schools, thus named after its inventor, Joseph Lancaster, of England, the seats and tables were arranged in the center of the school-room, leaving a passage clear around the outside; on the walls hung stiff cards or pasteboards containing the lessons, so that the class, standing in a semicircle, could learn to read and spell from the same card. The tables were divided into partitions, or shallow boxes, filled with sand, and occupying the spaces in front of each scholar. The child was taught the letters and how to make them by drawing them in the sand with a stick, cut sharp at one end and flat at the other, so that light and heavy lines could be made without having to retrace them. The sand was smoothed over with a rule of exactly the same width as the partition, and the lines to rule the sand were made by little pegs in the ruler, on the other side, which was used after the sand had been smoothed. After learning to trace the letters in the sand, the scholars were given slates and pencils, afterward pens and ink. Monitors from the higher classes were assigned classes to teach, being changed frequently, so that teaching might not occupy too much of their time to the detriment of their own studies.

An act to incorporate the Schenectady Lancaster School Society was passed November 12, 1816. The act provides that this school could be estab- lished in the compact parts of the first and second wards of the city; and that the thirteen trustees therein appointed should receive all the moneys rightfully due them under the act relative to com- mon schools.

The thirteen trustees named in the act (and who by the act were to be elected annually by the citizens) were; Maus Schermerhorn, Henry Yates, Jr., Cyrus Stebbins, Jacob Van Vechten, Hooper Cumming, Isaac Riggs, Elisha Taylor, Eliphalet

Nott, James Bailey, David Boyd, Abraham S. Groot, Charles Kane and James C. Duane.

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held November 20, 1816, at the office of Henry Yates. James C. Duane was elected President; David Boyd, Treasurer; and Isaac Riggs, Secretary. Different committees were appointed, among which was one to draft by-laws and one to ascertain "the probable expense of a building for the school-house." February 12, 1817, a committee reported to the Board that "they had procured a lot from the corporation " for school purposes, and a committee was appointed to receive proposals for building such house. The by-laws were adopted five days later.

December 17, 1817, a committee reported that they had "obtained for the benefit of the Lan- caster School Society, from the corporation of this city, seventy acres of land on the hill opposite Jacob Lyons' " which was situated on " the north- east side of the Albany and Schenectady turnpike,' * * * that " they expect to receive for the taxes laid on the two inner wards, the sum of $213.72," and in February next, "to receive from the State about the said sum of $213," which, with about $90 " in the hands of D. L. Van Antwerp, " will make a total of about $500 to be received during the current year." It was also resolved at this meeting that the salary of the teacher should be $750 yearly, provided enough money was received to make that amount ; if not, then the salary was to be all above "the current expenses of the year."

January 10, 1818, Nicholas Van Vranken was unanimously chosen to be the teacher upon the opening of the school.

The report of 23d May, places the tuition at "one dollar a quarter, paid in advance," and that school be opened June 24. (The building in which it was located is now occupied, 1885, by the Union School Primary Department on Union street. )

July 24, the committee reported that they had " caused the school-house to be finished, and that there remained due to Mr. Lyon the sum of $317 .- 25, after deducting $488.70, the price of 54 acres I rood 8 perches of land at $9 per acre. Cost of the whole, $809.95.

The first Teacher's Report to the Board, showing the result of the Lancasterian system, was presented by Nicholas Van Vranken, March, 1820. In this remarkably able paper it is stated. "The whole number of scholars admitted into the school since the 1st March, 1819, is 267. The school is divided into 8 reading classes; from the first to the second of these there have been 27 promo- tions; to the third, 28; to the fourth, 26; to the fifth, 44; to the sixth, 31; to the seventh, 39; and to the eighth, 36." The method in use is then spoken of: "When it is taken into consideration that none are permitted to write on paper but those who write a fair and handsome hand on the slate, and that 154 out of 267 have done this, the excellence of the place *

* stand unquestioned."

must

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- EDUCATIONAL.

March 27, 1824, tuition was reduced to twenty- five cents; the salary of the teacher to $500; and resolved that "poor scholars, not exceeding forty, be admitted into the school gratuitously."

June 27, 1831, the corporate seal, a circular seal with the letters "S. L. S." engraved thereon, was adopted.

March 23, 1832, it was resolved that the teacher receive for his salary for the ensuing year, after de- ducting therefrom the incidental expenses of the school, "the total amount of the public money arising from tax and school fund, and also the amount received for tuition, at twenty-five cents per scholar." "The poor children " to be received as per resolution of March 27, 1824. Many out- side duties were thrown upon the teacher; he per- sonally bargained for and superintended all repairs, building of walks, etc. March 13, 1833, Ezekiel Sexton was elected teacher in place of Mr. Van Vranken, who declined a reappointment. Reso- lutions commendatory of Mr. Van Vranken for his fifteen years' services as teacher were passed by the Board, and Mr. Van Vranken was elected one of the Trustees of the Board. October 16, 1833, it was resolved that the present school-house be sold to Dr. Nott for $225, "reserving the benches and fixtures," and that they purchase of Gov. Yates, a lot on College street for $500, of forty feet front, upon which a new school-house is to be erected. October 28th the committee reported that Dr. Nott wanted the outhouses, etc., included with the school-house. This the Board refused to grant, and it was decided that the buildings should be turned into the general building fund, to be used as far as practicable in the new school-house. The Joseph C. Yates lot was bought for $500, as is shown by the report of March 19, 1834, and on March 26th it appears that Dr. Nott had finally purchased the school-house for $250, "the benches being reserved." The school "to be vacated the Ist of April next."

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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 242

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