Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 79

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 79

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As auxiliaries in this great reform, one of the most potent means early employed was the publi- cation of tracts and papers devoted to this subject, which were distributed in the community as edu- cators. For the first twenty-five years of this re- form they exerted a powerful influence. Added to public addresses, numerous societies and other practical methods, the newspaper, the lever that moves the world, has contributed its full share of influence. The following have been published in Albany in the interest of temperance reform :

The Temperance Recorder, monthly, was pub- lished in 1831 by the State Temperance Society.

American Temperance Intelligencer was com- menced in January, 1834. Published monthly.

The Youth's Temperance Enterprise, monthly, was started November, 1842, by J. Stanley Smith, and continued three years.

The Sons of Temperance and Rechabite, an 8vo monthly, was published in 1846, by J. Stanley Smith & Co.

The Telegraph and Temperance Journal was com- menced in 1848 by S. Meyers, and continued four years.

The Temperance Courier was commenced Feb- ruary, 1849, by Jasper T. Hazen, and subsequently published by J. T. Hazen & Son.

The Washingtonian and Rechabile was issued in 1849, by J. T. Hazen. In 1855 it was united with the Courier.

The New York Reformer was published for ten months; edited by John Abbott.

The Prohibitionist, monthly, was commenced in 1854 as the organ of the New York State Temper- ance Society. It was edited by A. McCoy, and in 1857 it was united with the Journal of the American Temperance Union.

342

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

July 4, 1844, J. Hyatt Smith and Isaac Edwards delivered orations at Guilderland Centre. These were printed by Joel Munsell.

In 1854 was published an address delivered in the Assembly Chamber by E. C. Delavan before the New York State Temperance Society.

In 1860, E. C. Delavan published "Temperance in Wine Countries." He also had printed and pub- lished for free distribution numerous papers, ad- dresses, tracts and other matter relating to temperance. After the libel suit against him in 1840, he had the proceedings of the trial pub- lished in pamphlet form.

February 12, 1835, an article ably written ap- peared in the Albany Evening Journal, charging that John Taylor, the brewer, used for malting purposes filthy and stagnant water, taken from a small pond then in existence at or near the present location of the Trinity Methodist Church. For this an action was soon after laid for libel, with damages. It was not until April 21, 1840, that this case was brought to trial, and the record is as follows:

John Taylor vs. Edward C. Delavan; prose- cuted for an alleged libel; tried at Albany circuit, April 21, 1840, Judge Cushing presiding. Coun- sel for plaintiff: Messrs. Stevens, Reynolds, Mckown and Van Buren; for defendant: Beardsley, Taber and : Wheaton. Libel published as above, and charged "that Taylor, the plaintiff, caused his malting establishment, on the hill (corner of State and Lark streets) in Albany, to be supplied with filthy, stagnant, putrid water, such as is taken from pools, gutters and ditches, in which were dead animals; that the water was often so foul and pol- luted as to be green on the surface and nearly as thick as cream with filth; and that such water had been used for malting, etc."

This trial occupied six days. Seventy witnesses were examined pro and con. The jury rendered a .verdict for the defendant with costs. Other suits had been instituted with damages of over $300,- 000, but were never prosecuted. Delavan was victorious, and the friends of temperance and re- form were encouraged to renewed efforts in the work.

Higher ground was taken; more aggressive and stringent methods advocated, and a general interest for the cause manifested by the addition to its ranks of many men of intelligence and character, who earnestly and fearlessly entered upon the work as lecturers or organizers of various societies.

In 1840, the Albany City Temperance Society was organized, with Israel Smith as President.

In 1840, Rev. J. A. Schnellar, Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Albany, organized a tem- perance society, with a test pledge for one year; and in May, 1841, reorganized with a pledge for life, including this condition: that if a person wished to be released from his or her obligation, he must present his petition to the pastor of this church.

July 4, 1841, the temperance societies of the city joined in a procession to the Second Presbyterian Church, where an oration was delivered by Ben- jamin Nott.

In 1842, the Washingtonian movement reached Albany. The Washingtonian Total Abstinence So- ciety was organized with a large membership, and efficiently presided over by John C. Ward, who was a pioneer in the work, and has been a zealous and faithful member of various societies.

Meetings were of frequent occurrence, many emi- nent public speakers and prominent reformers addressing them. Hawkins and Pollard, Washing- tonians, were engaged to address large assemblies, at which the pledge was always presented for sig- natures. The influence of this remarkable agita- tion infused new life into the old societies, and called into existence the secret orders.

In June, 1842, a day was devoted to a great temperance celebration in the city.

July 4, 1842, in the afternoon, the wives and children of the Washingtonian temperance societies formed a procession, with banners and badges, and marched to the National Garden on Broadway, where they had a celebration.

In 1843, the following citizens, members of the State Temperance Society, addressed a letter to . Drs. Warren, Mott and Horner for their opinion in regard to the drawings of Dr. Sewall, representing the pathology of drunkenness, for the use of schools: Azor Taber, Ira Harris, I. N. Wyckoff, B. T. Welch, Erastus Corning, B. R. Wood and Barent P. Staats.

In 1844, was instituted Albany Division, Sons of Temperance, No. 24.

July 4, 1845, temperance societies celebrated the day with enthusiasm. Samuel G. Courtney and John H. Carroll delivered orations, and Jacob C. Cuyler read the Declaration of Independence.

In the year 1846, Tivoli Temple of Honor and Temperance, No. 22, was organized. Albany So- cial, No. 22, was connected with this temple.

During 1844 and 1846, these several temperance organizations were instituted: I. O. of Rechabites -Forest Tent, No. 75, and Sche-negh-ta-da Tent, No. 304: Order of Social Circle-Albany Circle,

343

TEMPERANCE WORK IN ALBANY COUNTY.

No. 1, Constellation Circle, No. 4; Albany Dorcas Temperance Society ; and Albany County Teni- perance Society.

June, 1849, the Temperance Pavilion, a large tent, was erected in North Pearl street by Mr. Van Wagner, the " Poughkeepsie Blacksmith, " in which were held meetings that were crowded to excess.

In 1849, Father Mathew, the Irish orator and apostle of temperance, came to Albany and deliv- ered lectures to great multitudes of people. His intense discourse and fervent appeals touched the hearts of many. His mission was successful, and the good he wrought has borne fruit for all the years since.

October, 1851, a City Temperance Society was organized, with Bradford R. Wood as President.

During Father Mathew's second visit to Albany in 1851, at one of his meetings, September 19th, Mrs. Susannah C. Maguire, wife of Martin J. O'Heaney, signed pledge numbered 6, 100, 990. This represented the number of pledges given to him at that date.

January 27 and 28, 1852, State temperance so- ciety and temperance organizations of the city held meetings which were attended by large numbers. Many persons were turned away for want of room. Great enthusiasm prevailed. Albany Social, No. 22, was organized.

October, 1852, State Temperance Convention.

January 19, 1853, temperance meetings were held in the city churches, with crowded houses.

January 21, 1853, a delegation of the Women's State Temperance Convention was permitted to enter the Assembly Chamber for the purpose of presenting memorials signed by 28,000 persons, petitioning for the abolition of the sale of intoxi- cating liquors.

April 10, 1855, the Delavan House was splen- didly illuminated, on the occasion of the passage of the temperance bill, and a supper was given to the friends of the measure.

January 7, 1861, a lecture was given at Tweddle Hall by Professor Amasa McCoy, on the "Curious and Humorous Phases in the History of Temper- ance," and a City Temperance Society was organ- ized, with Rev. Dr. I. N. Wyckoff, President; Jas- per T. Hazen, Corresponding Secretary; Wm. Headlam, Recording Secretary; Wm. McElroy, Treasurer; and Philip Phelps, Auditor.

July 4, 1869, was celebrated in a fine grove on the farm of Rensselaer Markle, near the village of New Salem, by the several divisions of Sons of Temperance in the county. A large concourse of people assembled in the grove to partake of the

bounties spread before them by the generous hearts and hands of the Sons and Daughters. A spirit of enthusiasm, mingled with enjoyment, pre- vailed. The speakers were Revs. A. A. Farr, J. G. Noble and others.

In 1869, a series of temperance meetings, con- ducted by the Christian Temperance Committee, were held in Washington Park and elsewhere on Sunday afternoons. Among the speakers were Dr. Wilson, of Albany, who delivered several ad- dresses.

St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society, of Albany, owes its origin to the zeal and perseverance of Messrs. James J. Hartwell and James Wilkinson. The organization was perfected January 13, 1870, under the title of St. Joseph's Temperance Society. During the year 1875, the members thought the word Temperance did not clearly indicate the scope of the society, and the name was changed to its present title.

The society holds weekly meetings in St. Joseph's Hall, corner of North Pearl and Colonie streets. It uses the Father Mathew Pledge, as follows: "I solemnly promise, with Divine assistance, to abstain from all intoxicating liquors, and to pre- vent, by advice and example, intemperance in others." Wine and cider are strictly prohibited.

The present officers are James H. Dulin, Presi- dent; John J. McMahon, Vice-President; M. F. McGowan, Recording Secretary; Wm. Sennett, Financial Secretary; James J. Hartwell, Treasurer; R. J. Kelly, Clerk; Patrick Costello, Marshal.

Another society, connected with St. Joseph's Church, meets in St. Joseph's Hall, of which Thomas Murphy is President. St. Mary's Guild meets in St. Mary's Church, corner of Pine and Chapel streets; J. J. Franklin, Regent.

Societies throughout the county have been numerous. Some maintained their organizations for many months, and then disbanded, to be again reorganized through the efforts of lecturers, many of whom have addressed large audiences in the rural districts.

In the summer and autumn of 1878, Mrs. T. L. Courtney lectured in several of the townships under the auspices of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union, and organized auxiliary societies. At the present time there is in West Troy a Lodge of Good Templars and a Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Green Island has a Lodge of Good Templars, of which John P. Lansing is presiding officer; and Cohoes has a Women's Christian Temperance Union; also a Gospel Temperance Association.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

The pledging of men and women against the manufacture, sale and use as a beverage of all that can intoxicate, has been the foundation of all these societies. For this purpose we have Women's Christian Temperance Unions, The Sons of Tem- perance, The Temples of Honor, The Good Templars, Father Mathew Societies, Blue Ribbon Leagues, and many other organizations with rec- ords of two-score years or more of labor in the cause of total abstinence.

In the past fifty years the people of this county have witnessed great changes in the customs, habits and public sentiment wrought through the efforts of these societies. At that time the use of ardent spirits was well nigh universal, and men of all classes and professions indulged freely with- out losing caste. Then officers and members of churches considered it no impropriety. Ordina- tions, weddings, christenings, funerals, and in fact every assembly and gathering was considered incomplete without a plentiful supply of spirituous liquors. But these customs of the people have un- dergone a change, and reform marks a higher standard of sobriety and moral intelligence.

A brewery was erected in Albany, on the Rut- ten-Kill, as early as 1637, with the exclusive right to supply retail dealers with beer. About the beginning of the present century, Mr. Gill was proud of the fact that he produced 150 barrels of beer yearly in Albany. During the year 1883, there was manufactured in this county 353, 133 barrels, or 11, 123, 689 gallons, of malt and brewed liquors; and for the year 1884, 369, 977 barrels, or 11,654, 275 gallons. The several malt-houses, during the year, manufacture about 1, 200,000 bushels of malt, with a capacity for 1, 500,000 bushels.

There are not less than 1, 200 places in Albany where distilled and malt liquors are sold; in Cohoes, 160; West Troy, 140; Green Island, 40; and in the several towns about 100, making a total of nearly 1, 650 licensed and unlicensed resorts for the sale and traffic in these beverages.

From the Supervisor's Report of Albany Peni- tentiary for 1884, the following facts and figures are taken: Total number received, 2, 270. Of this number, 658 were from Albany County. Of the 2, 270, 1, 894 admitted themselves to be intemperate.

SECRET TEMPERANCE ORDERS.

SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

THE organization called Sons of Temperance was brought into existence in the City of New York September 29, 1842, and consisted of sixteen members. Not long after this event, Selick Slaw- son, a member of the Washingtonian Society of Albany, brought this new organization to the at- tention of his associates, who became pleased with its methods. A subordinate division was institu- ted here March 7, 1844, by Grand Deputy John W. Edmonds, under the name of Delavan Division. The name was changed, December 23, 1844, to Albany Division, No. 24, Sons of Temperance.

Ward, W. A .; William C. Schuyler, R. S .; Daniel Salisbury, A. R. S .; Smith Quackenbush, T .; John King, Chap .; Jacob Wetzell, A. C .; Selick Slawson, I. S. Most of the members had been members of the Washingtonian Total Abstinence Society. After forty-one years of action and faithful membership in this and other societies, two of the charter mem- bers are among the living-John C. Ward and Selick Slawson.

The present officers of this division are James Kelly, W. P .; Charles Sexton, W. A .; A. P. Thayer, Chap. The division meets at 586 Broadway, oppo . site Delavan House.

For the years intervening between 1865 and 1875, the growth of this order in the county was rapid. Numerous divisions were instituted and the membership increased, including many men of prominence and influence. In 1865 there was one division ; in 1868, nine ; and in 1872, twenty-four divisions in the county.

The installation took place in the building then standing corner of State and South Pearl streets, now occupied by the Globe Hotel. Its charter members were Thomas Mygatt, Smith Quacken- bush, John C. Ward, Selick Slawson, Alexander Shepherd, Jacob Wetzell, Daniel Luscom, Joseph Courtright, Allen Adams, and John W. Dean. After this the decline was as rapid. Interest in the good of the order and attendance upon its These, with others, were duly initiated. Its first officers were : Thomas Mygatt, W. P .; John C. : regular services were neglected. In some instances

345

SECRET TEMPERANCE ORDERS.

jealousy and dissensions arose, and the disband- ment and surrender of charters followed. Of the many once flourishing divisions in the county, only one now exists, No. 24, of Albany City, the first one instituted.

THE TEMPLE OF HONOR.

The first Temple of Honor was organized in De- cember, 1845, by prominent Sons of Temper- ance. Although in its infancy as compared with other societies embodying benevolent features, it has steadily advanced until temples have been reared in every State, and Albany records five temples and councils in working order ..

The Temple of Honor is a secret organization, and has its signs, grips, and other tests to secure friendship and protection, and enable brethren to recognize each other whenever and wherever they chance to meet.

In the council department of the order are con- ferred the three degrees of Love, Purity and Fidel- ity, and the sublime, solemn and impressive de- grees of Tried, Approved and Select Templars are adorned with appropriate paraphernalia.

Every member of the order in good standing who can pass a medical examination, may become a participant in the endowment fund.

The Junior Templars of Honor is an order where youths are taught the principles of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks, obedience to the laws of God, parents, and country. No boy under twelve is admitted, and he must possess a good moral character, and use no profane, improper or indecent language. At the age of fifteen the boy may be initiated into the Degree of Honor; and any Junior Templar on arriving at the age of eighteen years may be received into membership in the Temple of Honor.

The Social Department is where women can join hands in this labor of love. All worthy Tem- plars and all ladies of good moral character are eligible to this department, to which are attached three degrees.

The following are the subordinate temples in the County in working order :

Tivoli Temple of Honor, No. 22, organized at Albany City, 1846 ; meets at 586 Broadway. Wm. H. Mogridge, W. C. T .; C. H. Meyer, W. V .; O. C. White, W. R .; A. P. Thayer, Chaplain. Among its first members were Daniel L. Weaver, David Rose, Selick Slawson, Elisha Mack, and John Reid.

Excelsior, No. 23, Albany City, organized 1866; meets in Lavantall's Hall. Officers: J. Edward

Stremple, W. C. T .; Wm. S. Pattison, W. V .; A. C. Van Vorst, W. R.

Capitol Council, No. 4, Select, Albany, organ- ized 1866. Officers : A. P. Thayer, C. of C .; O. C. White, R. of C .; John Reid, Chap.

Itruria Council, No. 3, Select, Albany, organ- ized 1868; meets 66 South Pearl Street. Officers : J. Halley Lindsay, C. of C .; Wm. S. Pattison, R. of C.

D. J. Johnson Temple of Honor, No. 33, Cohoes, organized 1873. George Mathews, W. C. T .; Archibald McLean, W. V .; David White, W. R. In 1872, there were three temples, three councils and two social temples.

The Grand Temple of Honor has been repre- sented in its sessions by the following Albany members : Elisha Mack, G. W. Vice-Templar ; J. Halley Lindsay, G. W. Usher; A. P. Thayer, G. W. Chaplain.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS.

In the year 1851, Daniel Cady, of Poughkeepsie, came to Utica and instituted an order known as the Knights of Jericho. There were three lodges of this order in Oneida County. The lodge at Utica had, among other members, L. E. Coon, J. E. N. Backus and Thomas L. James, afterward Postmaster-Gen- eral. The order had a fantastic initiatory ceremony and did not please some of the members. One evening, L. E. Coon made a motion to change the name to the Good Templars. After some debate the motion was carried, and in two weeks eight lodges were instituted. Thus was organized in New York State the first lodges of this order.

The first Good Templar paper was the Crystal Fount, published at Hamilton, N. Y., by T. L. James and others.

On August 11, 1852, a Grand Lodge was formed at Syracuse, with Nathaniel Curtis, G. W. C. T.

The revised ritual was written by Rev. Dr. D. W. Bristol, of Ithaca; accepted by the Grand Lodge, without alteration, in 1853. Regalia was provided and the State divided into districts. Thus was the order fully established and prepared for that won- derful growth which it has enjoyed for so many years. The degrees were written by Dr. Bristol, and this year, in December, at a convention held in Pennsylvania, a seal was adopted, with a device representing the three great principles of this order: Faith, Hope and Charity.

This order takes the broadest ground upon all questions connected with the temperance reform. The following platform was adopted at the annual session in 1859:

346

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

I. Total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage.

2. No license, in any form or under any cir- cumstance, for the sale of such liquors to be used as a beverage.

3. The absolute prohibition of the manufacture, importation and sale of intoxicating liquors for such purposes. Prohibition by the will of the people, expressed in due form of law, with the penalties deserved for a crime of such enormity.

4. The creation of a healthy public opinion upon the subject by the active dissemination of truth in all the modes known to an enlightened philanthropy.

5. The election of good, honest men to admin- ister the laws.

6. Persistence in efforts to save individuals and communities from so direful a scourge, against all forms of opposition and difficulty, until our success is complete and universal.

Women are admitted and are entitled to all the honors of the order. In the obligation, initiation and solemn ceremonies of this organization, signs, grips, pass-words and signal raps are used, with pledges of secrecy.

In May, 1867, a resolution in favor of juvenile societies was adopted, and in 1870, the Cold Water Temple was adopted.

The order in the county was tardy. Not until 1867 was a lodge instituted, and that owed its ex- istence and much of its prosperity to Andrew S. Draper, a representative of Albany, who stands as high as any living Good Templar in the regard of the order.

Hon. A. S. Draper was initiated into the order December, 1866, at Westford, Otsego County, and in July, 1867, he assisted in the organization of the first Good Templar Lodge in Albany County, named Harrison Lodge, and became its first W. C. T.

At the Rochester session, in 1869, he was elected a member of the first Board of Managers. In 1873 he was elected G. W. Counselor, and in 1874 and 1875, G. W. Treasurer. In 1876, at the Sar- atoga session, he was honored with the highest office in the gift of the Grand Lodge. At the thir- teenth annual session of the Grand Lodge of New York, held at Elmira, August, 1877, he presided as G. W. C. T. At the Cooperstown session of the Grand Lodge, he was, for the fifth time, elected G. W. C. T. In 1879, at the R. W. G. L., held at Detroit, he was elected R. W. G. Counselor. He resigned the office of G. W. C. T., January I, 1881, having been elected a Member of Assembly, but in August, 1882, attended the Grand Lodge session at Ithaca as P. G. W. C. T. He has many times been a representative in the R. W. G. L.

About thirty lodges have been instituted in the County, some of which have ceased to exist.

Albany County Lodge was instituted 1869. Holds meetings quarterly and annual meetings in September. The present officers are: C. C. T., John B. Hilton; C. S., Fred. F. Wheeler; C. D., Richard Kennedy; G. D. D., Rev. C. I. Wilcox. At the session of the Grand Lodge of New York, held at Elmira, August, 1877, Albany County re- ported nine subordinate lodges, and the county was represented by Andrew S. Draper as G. W. C. T .; Alden Chester and George H. Niver, Repre- sentatives. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge, held at Ithaca, August, 1882, Albany County reported twenty-one subordinate lodges. At this session Mrs. George H. Niver was elected General Superintendent of Juvenile Temples, and, with A. S. Draper, P. G. W. C. T., were officers of the Grand Lodge. The county was represented by Alden Chester.

Mrs. George H. Niver, C. S., Albany, reports for the year 1882, nine juvenile temples in the county.

THE OLD STADT HUYS.

TH THIS venerable building has been used as a City Hall, a County Court Building and Prison, and as a State House. It was also the place where con- ventions, councils, and other gatherings of a pub- lic nature were held in the elder days. From its uses it may properly be counted among the county institutions. It stood on the northeast corner of what is now Broadway and Hudson avenue, just inside the stockades. It is uncertain at what ex- act period it was erected; but, as near as the time can be ascertained, it was about 1635, while the Colony of New York was under the control of the

Dutch. We are led to the belief that this was the time of its erection from some minutes in the journals of Wouter Van Twiller, the sixth Dutch Governor of the province. It is certain that some punitory building was erected on that spot under the direction of Van Twiller that year. As Albany was then a frontier trading town, a substantial building for Courts of Justice, in which should be a proper prison for the confinement of criminals and desperadoes, was necessary. According to an account given of it in 1646, it was a substantial, and, for that time, large, solid, three-story building,

347

ALBANY COUNTY JAILS.

the lower story being of stone, which was used as a jail. The building was surmounted by a cupola or belfry, from which rose a vane ornamented with a gilt ball. In the belfry was a bell brought from

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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 79

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