Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 66

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 66

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216 | Part 217 | Part 218 | Part 219 | Part 220 | Part 221 | Part 222 | Part 223 | Part 224 | Part 225 | Part 226 | Part 227 | Part 228 | Part 229 | Part 230 | Part 231 | Part 232 | Part 233 | Part 234 | Part 235 | Part 236 | Part 237 | Part 238 | Part 239 | Part 240 | Part 241 | Part 242 | Part 243 | Part 244 | Part 245 | Part 246 | Part 247 | Part 248 | Part 249 | Part 250 | Part 251 | Part 252 | Part 253 | Part 254 | Part 255 | Part 256 | Part 257 | Part 258 | Part 259 | Part 260 | Part 261 | Part 262

Our facts and inferences in regard to the number and condition of the population of New Nether- lands during the Dutch period, and of New York during the English period, are derived from the documents and other historic papers of those periods.

Wassenaer's Historia Van Europa, Amsterdam, 1621-1632, says: "There are now no families at Fort Orange. They are all brought down. They keep five or six and twenty persons, traders, there. Bastiaen Jansz Crol is Vice-Director there. He re- mained there since the year 1626, when the others came down."

This helps confirm our opinion that no perma- nent settlements in or near what is now Albany

were made prior to 1630; perhaps we ought to say, prior to 1639.

The same writer, speaking of Fort Amsterdam, says : "The population consists of 270, including men, women and children." Fear of the savages, and the dreary state of things about frontier Fort Orange, thus early led the "families," "the women and children," to "come down" to a place of better security.

That the early population of both Manhattan and Beverwyck consisted of few persons, except the officers and servants of the West India Com- pany, is well agreed. A little band of colonists came over in 1630 as farmers and farm servants under the patroon, and did service under leases or otherwise, on the manor lands of Rensselaerwyck. Few had families.

In 1638, most of the population was confined to New Amsterdam and Fort Orange.

Their "High Mightinesses " had information in April, 1638, that "the population in New Nether- lands does not only not increase as it might, but even that it is decreasing," which they attribute to the neglect of the West India Company to properly encourage immigration and provide for the protec- tion of the immigrants by proper "inducements and pre-eminences."

Free trade, in 1638, gave some impetus to im- migration; but most who came over preferred trad- ing with Indians to cultivating the soil. In 1646, as shown by the Van Rensselaer papers, only 216 colonists had been sent over to Rensselaerwyck in sixteen years, reckoning from the first arrival in 1630.

Governor Stuyvesant tells us that, in 1647, soon after he came in charge of New Netherlands, "The whole province could not mnster 250 or, at most, 300 men capable of bearing arms." This includes, of course, all the settlements in and around New Amsterdam, Esopus and Beverwyck. This he attributes in part to the "exceedingly det- rimental, land-destroying and people-expelling wars with the cruel barbarians" that were aroused and carried on under Kieft. In this connection he speaks of his "troublesome neighbors of New

272

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

England," whose population numbered "full fifty to our one." Not far from this time New England was dotted over with agricultural and commercial settlements, many of which had organized as inde- pendent towns; and its population was reckoned at 60,000.

Until 1656, the little church of nine benches satisfied the religious worshipers of Fort Orange and the Colony. The early population of Bever- wyck was an unsettled one. Some few of the better class purchased lands beyond the limits of Fort Orange, and settled down as industrious farmers; some returned to Fatherland; and others retired to the more stirring town of New Amsterdam, down by the sea. Population increased slowly upon the frontiers up the Hudson and Mohawk. Many were vagabonds of the lowest character; most unfit as founders or builders of a permanent and prosperous society.

In 1673, nine years after the English came in possession, we are told : "They and as many of the Dutch nation as are yet residing under this government is calculated to amount, women and children included, to about six thousand."

In 1678, Gov. Andros writes: "Inhabitants and planters about 2,000 able to bear armes; old in- habitants of the place or of England, except in and neere New York, of Dutch extraction, and some few of all nations."

"The town itself is upon a barren spot of land, and the inhabitants live wholly upon trade with the Indians." Gov. Dongan in 1687, says this of Albany.

The first attempt at taking a census in the Prov- ince of New York, was made in 1686 by Gov. Dongan, by request of the Board of Trade and advice of Council. The Sheriff had the matter in charge, assisted by constables or other under-offi- cers, and reported on or before the Ist of April to the Governor.

A LIST OF THE HEADS OF FAMILIES,

And the number of men, women and children in each household in the City and County of Albany, June 16, 1697:

Chit-

Men. Women. dren.

Joannis Harmense

I

I

I

Myndert Schuyler

I

I

I

Joannes Schuyler

1

I

II

Aryantie Wendels

O

1

3

Alida Schuyler.

O

I

4

Pieter Van Brugh.

T

I

I

Marities Lervens.

O

I

3

Jan Van Ness ..

1

I

4

Melgert Abrahamse.

I

I

3 Willem Claesse.

I

I

3

Wouter Van Derzee

1

I

O

Myndert Fredrickse

4

T

O

Pieter Van Olinde.

I

I

3 Tryntie Carstens.

HOHH I O I

I

2

Mrs. Bradshaw.

I

I

William Ketelhyn

I

2

Lucas Lucase.

I

3

Jan Bratts Widdow

O

I

5

Roelof Gerritse

I

I

6

Jan Rosie.

I

I

C

Isaac Caeperse

I

I

Hendrick Masselis

I

O

0

Hendrick Hals.

I

I

2

Joannis Becker, Jun'r.

1

I

3

Jacob Staets

I

I

I

Dirk Van der Heyde.

I

I

4

William Hogan (I.)

I

I

3

Joannis Teller

I

I

3

John Fyne.

I

1

0

Hendrick Lansing.

I

I

2

Woter Wan der Uythof.

I

I

O

Paulus Martinse.

I

I

I

John Carr (E.)

I

I

0

James Parker (F.)

I

O

O

Hendrick Oothout.

I

I

5

Colo. Pieter Schuyler

I

I

4

Pieter Van Woglom.

I

I

0

Jacob Winne.

I

I

Teunis Dirkes.

I

I

Abraham Staets.

I

I

I

Benoni Van Corlaer

2

I

5

Jurian Van Hoese.

I

I

I

Joseph Yeats (E.).

I

I

Joseph Janse (Sp.)

I

I

2

Jonathan Broadhurst (E ).

I

I

4

Jan Verbeeck

I

O

0

Eghbert Teunisse

I

I

5

O

5

Fredrick Harmense

Jacob Cornelisse Bogart

I

Omie Lagrange, Jun'r.

I

O

O

Harman Gansevoort.

I

I

Jan Quackebosse.

1

I

Jan Salomonse.

I

I

9

Godefridus Dellius.

I

I

0

Hendrick Hause.

I

I

2

Catelyntie Schuyler

I

O

Jacobus Schuyler

O

0

Geart Hendrikse

I

I

4 o

Joannis Bratt.

I

I

I 4

Frans Winne

I

I

3

Maria Lookerman.

O

I

1

Gerrit Rycker.

I

I

O

Ryer Gerritse.

O

O

Jan Vonda

I

I

Harpert Jacobse.

I

I

O

Willem Gysberse

2

I

5

Takel Dirckse.

2

I

I

Jan Cornelisse Viselaer.

1

0

O

Jacob Teunisse

I

1

6

Anna Ketelheyn

O

I

3

Johannis Thomasse

I

I

I

Effie Lause

0

I

I

Johannis Hause

I

O

Barent Albertse Brat.

I

I

Cornelis Van Ness ..

I

I

I

Anna Vander Heyden

O

I

Volkert Van Loese

O

I

Tierck Harmense

I

I

Anthony Brat

I

I

Jacobus Van Vorst

2

O

O

Thomas Harmense

I

I

2

Joannes D'Wandelaer, Junior.

I

O

O

Margaret Schuyler.

O

I

0 Gerret Van Ness.

I

I

2

O

I

2

1

I

Albert Ryckman

4

I

I I 2 I 7 I I O

William Holie.

6

6

I

Jacob Van Schoonhoven.

I

O

Wessel Ten Broeck.

I

I

I

I

O I

3 5

4 4

0

O I

6

Leendert Phillipse

3

Chil- Men. Women. dren.

David Schuyler

273

POPULATION.

Chil-

Men. Women. dren.

Sweer Marcelis

I

O

O

Pieter Bogardus .

3

I

3

Pieter Villeroy (F.)

I

I

7

Hendrick Van Rensselaer.

I

I

3 Marcellis Ffranse

I

I

0

Abraham Wendel.

I

O

O

Rachel Ratcliffe.

O

I

7

Evert Wendel.

2

1

2

Dirk Wessel.

2

I

4

IN RENSSELAERWYCK, OR THE COLONIE.

Kiliaen Van Rensselaer

O

0

Henrich Van Ness

Harman Janse.

2

I

4 6

Hendrick Roseboom.

I

I

I

Douwe Vonda.

2

I

3

Jonathan Janse

I

I

O

I

I

4

Ryer Jacobse.

I

I

4

I

I

O

Evert Ridder.

I

I

3

Cornelis Teunisse.

3

I

4

Jacob Lookerman

I

I

0

O

I

I

Frans Pruyn.

3

I

4

3

O

O

Anthony Bries

I

1

2

O

I

O

Catalyntie Jacobse

0

I

1

Thomas Janse

I

O

O

Gysbert Marcelis.

I

3

Lucas Janse.

I

I

2

Warnaer Carstense

I

I

0

Marten Cornelisse

2

Wouter Quackenboss, Junior.

I

I

0 O

Gerrit Gysbertse

I

I

5

Claese Ryrse Van Dam.

1

Claes Van Petten

2

I

5

Abraham Lansing.

I

O

o

Joannes Onderkerck.

4

I

O

Evert Wendel, Junior

I

6

Joannes Onderkerck, Junior.

I

I

4

Geertie Ten Eyck

I

4

Henrick Beekman

I

I

5

Barent and Hendrick Ten Eyck

O

O

Barent Cocymans.

4

0

3

Abraham Cuyler.

I

I

3

Pieter Van Slyck

1

I

4

Steven Groesbeck.

0

O

Teunis Van Slyck

I

I

I

Martin Cregier

I

I

5

Barent Gerritzey.

2

I

4

Jillis Vonda

I

I

O

Cornelis Hendrikse

2

Johannis Roseboom

I

1

4

Elizabeth Hendrikse

O

I

I

John Gilbert (E.)

I

I

5

Gerretie Jacobse

O

I

6

Daniel Brat

I

0

Jan Spoor .

I

Abraham Schuyler

I

I

2 1 I

Casper Leenderse

I

I

Joannes Appel.

I

I

O

Daniel Winne.

I

C

Claes Jacobse

2

I

I

William Jacobse.

I

I

7.

Ryk Michielse.

O

Lucas Gerritse

3

I

I

Jan Huybertz and his mother.

I

I

Johannis. Beekman

I

I

6

I

0

0

Isaac Verplanck

2

I

0

I

5

Robert Livingston (Sc.).

Richard Janse

0

Phillip D'Foreest.

I

5

Matthys Hooftyling .

2

I

I

4

Arent Slingerland.

3

Jacobus Turk ..

I

I

4

Solomon Van Vechten.

I

Harmanus Wendel.

I

0

0

Cornelis Tymese

3

Phillip Wendel.

I

I

3 Joannes Hanse.

I

I

6

Melgert Wendel.

I

I

7

Cornelis Stevense

I

Joannes Lucase.

I

I

I

Cornelis Martense

I

Melgert Melgertse.

Ty's Janse

1

Joannes Bleeker, Junior.

I

I

2

Robert Tewise.

1

Joannis Glenn

I

O

O

Isaac Janse.

1

Jan Janse Bleeker

2

I

I

Nicolaes Janse.

1

I

4

Hendrik Roseboom, Junior.

2

Jan Tewise

I

1

I

3

Servis Abrahamse

I

O

0

Jacob Janse

I

Pieter Mingael.

I

I

O

I

4

Claes Rust.

2

O

2

I

I

2

I

I

I

I

5

Jan Nack

3

I

I Jan Van Hoese.

O

Jan Lansing

2

I

Carl Hanse

I

Gerrit Roseboom.

I

1

Jochim Lamberts.

I

4

Cornelis Slingerland

I

I

I

I

I

Gerret Jacobse.

I

2

I

I

Andries Heugh

I

5

I

I

I

0

O

I

I

Dirck Brat

I

I

3

1

4

Jacob Bastiaense

I

I

I

I

I Pieter Vosburgh

I

I

3

Hillegont Rykse

O

1

2

Jan Tyse.

3

I

Maes Rykse

I

O

0 Hendrik De Brouwer.

1

Wednwe Gerritze

0

I

I Jan De Wever ..

O

0 Abraham Janse

I

2

Daniel Retelheyn.

I

I

I Lambert Janse

I

I I

4

35

-

6

Thomas Williams

I

I

3

Anthony Van Schaick.

I

I

4

Andries Gardenier.

1321 I 3

I

I

I

5

Bastiaen Harmenss

I

I

I

Mees IIogeboom.

2

I

1

Anthony Coster. Isaac Ouderkerk

I

0

0

Cornelis Schermerhoorn Abraham Kip

I

I

2

I

I

3

Dorothe Douw

Andries Douw

Geestruy Janse.

0

I

0

2

Levinus Winne.

I

O

Esther Tiercks

O

I

5 O

1 I

Gerit Van Wey

O

O O

6 5

3

I

I

0 3 3

9 4

I

I

1

I

3 4 2

Nanning Harmense

I

I

Abraham Tewisse.

I

I

Hans Jury's wife

Jan Vinhagen Gerrit Lansing.

2

1

3 Ffranch Hardin

I

1

7

O 5

Isaac Vosburgh

I

4

Gerret Lucasse Cornelis Sherloyn

5 Samuel Gardner

1

Myndert Roseboom

Lambert Jochimse.

I

I

3 6

David Ketelheyn. Maes Cornelisse

I

1

Pieter Martense. 5

I

I

3

I 1

2 I 0 Jan Gerritze

I

O

I

I

I

3 7

Jan Salisbury . Joannis Visbeek

I I

4 3 3

3 I

Albert Slingerland

I

3 1

3 2

Edward Wheeler (E.).

Joannes Outhout.

I

Hendrick Van Dyck.

I

I

0

O 0

I

2

I

O

O

6 2

I

Claes Sewertse

Neeltie Van Bergen

I

Wouter Quackenboss Jan Dirckse

I

Chil- Men. Women. dren.

2 I

I

274

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Chil-

Men. Women. dren.

Adam Dingmans.

I

I

3

Lawrence Van Aclen

5

O

2

Jannetie Bevers

6

I

2

Andries Lause

2

T

I

Frans Pieterse.

I

I

I

Johannes Janse.

I

I

6

Coenraedt Hooftylingh.

I

I

2

Helmer Janse.

I

I

O

Phillip Konnings

I

I

6

Jan Casperse

I

I

4

William Janse

1

I

O

Michiel Collier.

I

I

3

Jan Alberse

I

1

4

Jacob Casperse

I

I

5

Andries Bratt

I

I

3

John Van Loon.

I

I

Jan Brouck.

3

Andries Janse

3

4

Gerrit Teunisse.

3

I

O

Jonas Douwe

I

I

5

Jan Baptist.

I

I

2

Dirck Teunissee

4

I

I

Gysbert Cornelisse

2

I

0

William Jan Shutt.

3

I

2

Hillebrant.

I

I

3

At this count Benjamin Fletcher was Governor, Simon Young, Sheriff of Albany County, and Dircke Wessels, Mayor of Albany. The "list " is specially interesting as containing the names and enumeration of the ancestors, nearly two hun- dred years ago, of many of the people of Holland blood now living in this county. The census aggre- gates 1,452, of which 379 are men, 270 women and 803 children. Of the letters in parentheses, E. denotes English; F., French ; Sp., Spanish; Sc., Scotch ; I., Indian. The others are supposed to be Dutch.

The population of the city and county of Albany, as taken by the order of Governor Bellomont, in 1698, at the close of King William's war, consisted of 382 men, 272 women, 805 children and 23 negroes. In 1689, at the beginning of this war, it had been 662 men, 340 women and 1,014 children. The decrease during the war was re- ported as follows :

Men.

Women.

Children.

Departed

142

68

209

Taken prisoners.

16

..

...

Killed by ye enemy. 84

. .

...

Dyed.

38

. .

...

Total

280

68

209

The effect of the war of 1689-98 on the Five Nations is reported as follows :

1689.

1698.

The Mohoggs

270

110

The Onneydes.

180

70

The Onnondages

500

250

The Cajouges

320

200

The Sennekes

1,300 600

Total

.2,550

1,230

In 1703 the population of Albany city and county is reported to have been 2, 273.

Rev. Thomas Barclay, in September, 1710, writes : "In the city and county of Albany, there are about 3,000 souls, besides the garrison. Most of the inhabitants are Dutch, the garrison excepted, which consists of three companies, each company one hundred men."

Governor Hunter writes to the Board of Trade, under date of June 23, 1712 : " I have issued or- ders to the several counties and cities for an account of the numbers of their inhabitants and slaves, but have never been able to obtain it com- plete, the people being deterred by a simple super- stition and observation that sickness followed upon the last numbering of the people." In 1715 he writes further that, "The superstition of this peo- ple is so insurmountable that I believe I shall never be able to obtain a complete list of the number of inhabitants of this province."

Governor Hunter, in April, 1716, writes to the Board of Trade: "The number of militia in this province, by my last account, is 5,060. I cannot say that the inhabitants increase in that proportion as they do in the neighboring provinces, where the purchases of land are easier."

In June, 1720, "A list of the Freeholders of the City and County of Albany " was taken, by order of the Court of Judicature, under direction of Gar- rett Van Schaick, High Sheriff. The county then included Kinderhook, Claverack, Schaghtioke, manor of Livingston, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Half Moon, Coxackie and Catskill. In the pres- ent territory of Albany County, 153 freeholders were reported for the city, and 81 for the manor of Rensselaerwyck.

In 1723, there were reported as whites, 1, 512 men, 1,408 women, 1,404 male children, 1,369 female children-5,693 ; and " of negroes and other slaves," 307 men, 200 women, 146 male children, 155 female children-808. Total, 6,501.

Gosen Van Shaick, Sheriff in 1731, enumerates :

White males above 10 years old. .2,481

females " " .1,255

White males under 10 .2,352

" females "

Black males above IO 1,212

568

66 females “

185

males under . " 346

females “

174

Total 8,573

The remarkable excess of the male population at this time is worthy of notice. The population of New York City at this time was 8,622, with no remarkable difference in the sex population. Sheriff Van Schaick thus remarks upon the matter : " It is remarkable that in New York there are,

6

I

6

I

275

POPULATION.

above ten years, 147 males and 995 females more than in Albany, and 1,029 males and 185 females (under ten) more than in New York; which is accounted for by this part being a trading place, and many of the males go abroad; of course, many females lye fallor; and perhaps in the county they are better breeders, I believe many younger."

In 1737 the Albany County population is stated as follows :

White males above 10 years. 3,209

females " " 2,995

66 males under “ 1,463

females "

1,384

Black males above " 714

females «

496

males under 66

223

females “ 66

197

19,681

This is an increase of 2, 108 since 1731, and ex- ceeds that of New York County by 17.

An account of the number of inhabitants in the Province of New York was taken, June 4, 1746, by order of Gov. Clinton. Every county was taken except Albany. Upon this it was noted: "Not possible to be numbered on account of the enemy." This was during King George's war of 1744-48, called the war of the Austrian Succession;

At the enumeration taken by order of Gov. Clin- ton, May 10, 1749, after this war was over, Albany County contained :

Males under 16 years. 2,249

16 and under 60.

2,359

above 60

322

Females under 16. 2,137

16 aud upward. 2,087

Total whites 9,154

Male blacks under 16.

309

16 and under 60. 424

60 and upward. 48

Female blacks under 16. 334

66 16 and upward. 365

Total blacks. 1,480

The whole province at this time contained 6, 275 whites and 10, 692 blacks.

The sheriffs of the several counties made another enumeration in 1756, during the French and In- dian war. The returns of Albany County showed: Males under 16.

3,474

above 16 and under 60. 3,795

" 60 and upward. 456

Females under 16. 3,234

above 16. 3,846

Total whites. 14,805

Black males under 16. 658

over 16 and under 60. 786

60 and upward 76

females, under 16. 496

above 16 403

Total blacks

2,619

In 1771 Gov. Tryon ordered a census, which re- sulted for Albany County as follows :

Males under 16. 9,740

" above 16 and under 60 9,822

60 and upward. 1,136

Females under 16 9,086

66 above 16 9,045

Total whites. 38,829

Black males under 16 876

= above 16 and under 60. 1,100

66

60 and upward 250

females under 16. 671

66 above 16. 980

Total blacks 3,877

Total population 42,706

This was the last counting of the people under the Colonial Government of New York. Less than four years later the war for independence had actually begun. The population during these troubled times made slow increase. It probably did not exceed 45,000 in Albany County during the Revolutionary war. But it must not be for- gotten that Albany County then included what are now Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schoharie, Greene and Schenectady Counties. A part of Ver- mont was also claimed.

Gov. Tryon, in 1774, makes the following re- marks concerning the population of the province, which includes Albany County : "The high price of labor and the plenty and cheapness of new land fit for cultivation, as they increase the means of subsistence, are strong additional incitements to marriage, and the people entering into that state more generally, and at an earlier period of life than in Europe, the proportion of marriages and births so far exceeds that of populous countries that it has been computed the colonies double their inhabit- ants by natural increase only in twenty years. The increase in this colony has been nearly in the same proportion." He adds : "The accession to our own numbers by emigrations from the neighboring colonies and from Europe has been considerable, though comparatively small to the number thus acquired by some of the southern colonies."

The necessities of the Revolution made a fair census desirable in all the thirteen colonies. Ac- cordingly, one was ordered by the Continental Con- gress in 1775, to be taken by committees in each county. But the returns were imperfect, and only fragments are preserved.

Another census, for the purpose of assigning State quotas and means, was ordered in 1782.

A census was also taken in 1786 under the Con- federation.

276

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The first Federal census was taken in 1790, and has been repeated every tenth year since by United States marshals and their deputies, and has formed the basis of representation in Congress. Besides the enumeration of the people, classed in different ways, almost every conceivable subject connected

with our nation's development has come to be included in our decennial census returns. But our purpose and space limits us chiefly to population. Some of the most valuable facts gathered for this county will appear in their appro- priate places.

UNITED STATES CENSUS FOR ALBANY COUNTY.

TOWNS.

1790.

1800.

1810.

1820.

1830.

1840.

1850.

1860.

1870.

1880.

Incor- porated.

Albany.

3,506

5,289

.9,356 5,134 4,430

12,630 5.531

24,209 3,607 6,082

33,762 3,740

50,763 3,441

62,367 3,065

2,562

2,616

1795

Bethlehem

6,950

3,752

1793

Coeymans

3,574

2,872

2,723

: 3,107

3,050

3,116

3,077

2,912

1791

Colonie

1,406 2,476

2,270

2,742

2,790

3,279

3,246

3,132

3,459

1803

Knox

New Scotland.

2,777

5,928 2,365

3,435 2,806

3,685 4,962

3.705

3,629

3,008

2,492

2,488

1790

Watervliet.

7,667

22,609

22,220

1788

Westerlo

3,458

3,321

10, 14I 3,096

2,860

25,449 2,692

2,384

2,324

1815

NOTES .- In 1790 our present county had only the City of Albany and the Towns of Watervliet and Rensselaerville. The column giving date of incorporation indicates when new towns have been made out of the same territory. These towns have made some changes by division. The varying influences of manufactures and trade, the facilities of modern commerce and travel, and the demands of modern life have made marked changes in their population.

The first State Constitution, adopted in 1777, provided that a septennial census of electors should be taken as a basis of representation in the Senate and Assembly of the State. Under this authority a census of this class was taken in 1790, 1795, 1801, 1807, 1814 and 1821, each provided for by special acts. The persons counted were divided into four classes, viz. :

I. Those allowed to vote for Senator, Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, and required to be worth $250 and over.

2. Those worth from $50 to $250.

3. Those not freeholders, but who rented es- tates for $5 annually.

4. Those with no property qualifications, but were freemen in New York City, October 14, 1775, or in Albany, April 20, 1777.

No returns beyond these inquiries were made before the fifth State census, made in 1814, when directions were given to ascertain the total popula- tion. The last census under the first Constitution was taken in 1821.

The revised Constitution of 1821 ordered a State census to be taken in 1825, and every tenth year thereafter, for the purpose of equalizing the r pre- sentation. Changes have been made in the meth- ods of enumeration and in the number of facts to be gathered.

NEW YORK STATE CENSUS, GIVING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY.

TOWNS.

1814.

1821.

1825.

1835.

1845.

1855.

1865.

1875.

1885.

I. Albany

10,083

15,971

28, 109

42,139

57,333

62,613

86,541

2. Berne

4,447

3,956

3,667

3,206

2,85I

2,565

3. Bethlehem

4,325

3,303

3,315

5,151

5,928

3,746

4. Coeymans

3,272

2,957

2,978

2,963

3,264

3,122

6. Colonie

1,657

7. Guilderland

2,264

2,803

2,995

3,188

3,207

3.502

8. Knox

9. New Scotland.

IO. Rensselaerville

5,333

.....

3,507

3,589

3,088

2,745

2,579

II. Watervliet.

2,564

. ..

6,961

11,209

20,889

27,279

20,894

12. Westerlo.

.....

3,074

2,957

2,648

2,497

2,316

...

2,262

2, 161

1,888

1,809

1,641

3,130

3,288

3,227

3,311

3,264

2,912

3,459

3,304

3,411

3,251

1832

Rensselaerville

2,143

2,021

2,025

1,656

1,694

1822

Cohoes

15,357

19,416

1869

1808

Guilderland.

5,114

3,238

4, 102

5,644

69,422

90,758

I686

Berne

We regret that all our researches have failed to give us the United States Census returns for the country towns in the county in 1800, and of the State census returns in 1821 and 1825.

The act passed by the Legislature of 1885, providing for taking the State decennial census of that year, was vetoed by Governor Hill, and no census has been taken.

5. Cohoes

17,943

2,189

16,675

277

ANTI-RENTISM.

ANTI-RENTISM IN ALBANY COUNTY.

ITS ORIGIN, RISE AND PROGRESS-ITS ADVENT AS A POLITICAL POWER, AND ITS DECLINE AS SUCH-REMARK- ABLE SHERIFF'S POSSE AND MILITARY DEMONSTRATIONS-THE LEGAL CONTROVERSY-THE QUARTER SALE AND ITS OVERTHROW-MANOR PROPRIETORS FINDING THAT THEY ARE NEITHER LORDS NOR PATROONS, NOR LANDLORDS, SELL THEIR DISPUTED INTEREST- FORFEITURE AND CONFISCATION OF LANDS, WITH THE BUILDINGS

AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS ENFORCED BY SPECULATORS- PRESENT STATUS OF THE CONTROVERSY.

By Hon. ANDREW J. COLVIN.

A NTI-RENTISM had its origin in Albany County. It started into existence very soon after the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer, the last holder of the manor of Rensselaerwyck under the British crown. His death occurred on the 26th day of January, 1839. He was known to that generation as the patroon, sometimes the good patroon, and after his death as the old patroon. The manor was more than a principality in size, and comprised the greatest portion of the lands- cultivated and wooded-in the present counties of Albany and Rensselaer.

As primogeniture was the law of inheritance in England, so it was of the colonies, and this Stephen Van Rensselaer, therefore, as the eldest son, inher- ited this manor of Rensselaerwyck. The revolution, and the laws following, changed the rule of inheri- tance, and gave to all the children alike.

To break the force of this radical change, and to keep this vast landed interest in the hands of his two eldest sons that might be, and their descend- ants, if possible, this Stephen Van Rensselaer on arriving at his majority adopted the system of sell- ing his lands in fee, reserving to himself in the con- veyances, and to his heirs and assigns, all mines and minerals, all streams of water for mill pur- poses and the like ; and then certain old-time fen- dal returns, denominated rents, payable annually, at the manor house in Watervliet, such as a speci- fied number of bushels of good, clean, merchant- able winter wheat, four fat fowls, and one day's service with carriage and horses ; and, finally, the reservation or exaction of one-quarter of the pur- chase price on every vendition of the land.

This patroon was advised that he could do this, even on grants in fee ; and it is reported that Alex- ander Hamilton framed the form of conveyance to be adopted.

There was at this time an English statute, known as the statute of Quia Emptores, which rendered it impossible for a subject, on a conveyance in fee of his land, to make, or if made to enforce by re- entry or forfeiture, such feudal reservations. That was a right remaining in and belonging to the crown alone.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.