Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 94

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 94

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Mr. Henry Glen also informs this Board that the Congress have approved of the following field offi- cers:

Colonel, Myndert Roseboom; Lieutenant-Col- onel, Goosen Van Schaick; Major, Lucas Van Veghten; and that they had appointed John M. Wendell, Quartermaster, and Barent J. Ten Eyck, Adjutant.

Received a letter from the Deputies of the Prov- ince in Continental Congress, dated 30th June, 1775, in which they announce:

"The Military Arrangement within the Depart- ment of New York is entrusted to Major-General Schuyler, to whom we refer you for the money which you request, not doubting but his hands will be strengthened so as to enable him to do every- thing necessary for the Protection of our Frontiers.

Signed,

" PHILIP LIVINGSTON,

"JAMES DUANE, " WILLIAM FLOYD."

Resolved, That Robert Yates, Abraham Ten Broeck and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Esqs., be appointed to prepare an address to be presented to General Philip Schuyler on his arrival.

July 6th-New York Provincial Congress.

Resolved, That ten shillings shall be allowed to every soldier that shall enlist in the Continental service in this Colony for the present Campaign,

who shall furnish himself with a good musket, to be approved by the Muster-Master and Armorer of each Regiment.

July 12th-Abraham Yates, Chairman.

Resolved, That Jeremiah Van Rensselaer be furnished with the sum of out of the Paper Emission of this Committee, and that he go up to Lake George, Ticonderoga and Crown Point and make a final settlement with those Companies, and declare to them that they for the future must look for their pay and necessaries to the Officers appointed by the Continental or Provincial Con- gress for that purpose.

It being intimated to this board by Mr. Peter Vrooman, that some tavern-keepers in this county sell spirituous liquors too freely to the Indians, from which evil consequences often happen, there- fore

Resolved, That it be recommended to all Tav- ern-keepers and others in said County, to sell spirit- uous liquors to the Indians as sparingly as possible, so as to prevent their getting drunk.

"CANAJORHARY, July 13.

"GENTLEMEN, -We are informed by good au- thority that Col. [Guy] Johnson was ready with eight or nine hundred Indians to make an invasion of this County; that the same Indians were to be under the Command of Joseph Brandt and Walter Butler, and that they were to fall on the inhabitants below Little Falls, in order to divide the people in two parts, and were to march yesterday or day be- fore. From this and other circumstances we have too much reason to think that all our enemies in this County will appear against us as soon as the Indians are nigh to us.

"Our ammunition is so Scant, we cannot furnish 300 men so as to be able to make a stand against so great a number.

" This is the more alarming to us, as we shall within a few days be obliged to begin with our harvest. In these deplorable circumstances we look to you for assistance.

" By order, " CHRISE P. YATES."

Resolved, That a letter be prepared for General Schuyler, enclosing a copy of this, and sent by ex- press to Saratoga.

July 15th-Received a letter from General Philip Schuyler, dated Saratoga, Friday evening, three-quarters past eleven, July 14, 1775, in the following words, to wit:

"SIR,-The letter you have enclosed me is of a truly alarming nature, and requires the most vigor- ous and immediate efforts. I would advise that not only Captain Van Dyck and his company, but also such others as you can possibly get, should im- mediately march into Tryon County with the Albany and Schenectady Militia, who sliould also be requested to march to the relief of that County.

" Your obedient servant,

" PH. SCHUYLER,"

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

Resolved, That 150 pounds powder be trans- mitted to the Committee of Tryon County, they paying for the same at the rate of five shillings per pound, and that 25 pounds be forwarded to Schenectady for the use of Captain Cornelius Van Dyck's Company.

A paper was handed to this Board, supposed to contain reflections on this Board, which is as fol- lows, to wit:

" The Mode of a late very Extraordinary and very Grand Procession.

" I. The Congressional General.

"II. The Deputy Chairman, and who is only Chairman Pro Tempore.

" III. Mr. Ten Broeck-through a mistake.

"IV. The Chairman.

"V. The Committee.

"VI. The Troop of Horse, most beautiful and grand; some Horses long taild, some bob Taild, and some without any tails, and attended with the Melodious Sound of an incomparable fine Trumpet.

" VII. The Association Company.

" A SPECTATOR."

The above caused much indignation and com- motion among the Committee and the Citizens, as the occasion alluded to was the public reception of General Schuyler.

A few days later, Peter W. Yates, a member of the Committee of Correspondence, wrote an ac- knowledgment of being the author, and asked to be forgiven, as he meant no injury to the Board or to the Cause of Liberty, still being a friend to both; also sending in his resignation, which was ac- cepted, together with apology.

Mr. Yates, however, stood well with the people, for he was re-elected to the membership he had va- cated, as appears from the following entry of July 26th :

"In pursuance of a resolve of the 22d instant, of the inhabitants of the First Ward of this City, to proceed to an Election of a Member in the room of Peter W. Yates, Esq., the Clerk of this Board files a return of the Poll, by which it appears that the said Peter W. Yates was again elected.'

July 27th-Peter W. Yates, Esq., declined serv- ing, on his being elected on the 23d instant. An election was again held on the 26th instant, agreeable to a resolve of this Board, when Doc- tor Joseph Young was elected.

July 29th-Extract from a letter to General Philip Schuyler, from the Committee:

"We have the Pleasure to inform you that the apprehensions of the inhabitants of Tryon respect- ing the Indians is entirely removed, and the un- happy dispute between the inhabitants of the upper Part of the County with Sir John Johnson and the Sheriff of that County amicably accommodated upon the two following Points:

" First .- The Sheriff is to leave the County and not return to it again.

" Second .- Sir John Johnson is not to take any active part against the People in the Disputes at

Present Subsisting between Great Britain and the American Colonies."

Mr. Benjamin Baker laid before this board proposals for making Salt Petre.

Resolved, To forward the said proposal to the Provincial Congress in the following words:

"GENTLEMEN. - You will find enclosed, pro- posals from Mr. Baker, and think it may be worth your while to give him encouragement. Doctor Young (one of our board) has examined the Nitre he has made as a sample, and considers it as good as the Nitre from Europe."

August Ist-Ensign Daniel Lee petitioned for his pay while serving in Captain Joel Pratt's Com- pany. Granted.

August 5th-Letter from General Philip Schuy- ler:

"GENTLEMEN, -I have directed the Commissary- General, Mr. Livingston, to pay you £1,000 New York Currency to call in the Bills you have emit- ted. As you must ultimately account to the public for this money, you will please to take the proper Vouchers from the People, and when the bills are called in you will proceed, jointly with Mr. Liv- ingston, to cancel them."

August 8th-Letter from Provincial Congress dated New York August 2, 1775:

" We have the pleasure to inform you that this Congress have made an allowance to each Officer of One Dollar for every man that may or has al- ready inlisted in the Service, in order to reimburse them for the expense of said inlistment.

August 9th-Received letter from Governor Jonathan Trumbull, dated Lebanon, July 21, 1775, on Onedia Indian affairs.

Robert Yates writes from New York that Con- gress had just examined a Soldier who deserted from the Army in Boston and fought with the British at Lexington and Charles Town. He says they pay their men weekly, but their pay is only 14 coppers each.

August 16th-Whereas, Complaint has been made to this board by an Indian, that he was beat by some person in this City and his Shirt taken away or lost; for the sake of maintaining peace with the Indians,

Resolved, That Mr. John W. Bleecker furnish the said Indian with a new Shirt of the value of ten Shillings.

August 19th-Received the following letter dated German Flats, August 16, 1775:

"SIR,-We beg the favor of you to Supply the 55 Onedia Indians at Albany with provisions till we come, and we will be answerable for the expense. We have about 500 of the Six Nations here, who all Seem in good Temper, and we hope will proceed from here to Albany and there await the arrival of the Indians from Canada to hold a General Treaty.

" We are, with Respect,

"VOLKERT P. Douw, "TURBUTT FRANCIS."

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

August 2Ist-Received a letter from the Commit- tee of Safety for Pennsylvania, dated Philadelphia, August 12, 1775, in these words, to wit:

"GENTLEMEN, -With this you will receive 2, 400 pounds of Gun powder sent by us for the use of General Schuyler, to whom we make no doubt you will forward it by first opportunity.

"This Committee has heard that a great and Superfluous quantity of Lead was taken at Ticon- deroga. It is an article much wanted here. ] If that lead should be with you and you can conveni- ently load this Wagon back with a parcel of it we shall be much obliged and will be accountable for the Same.

"We are, Gentlemen, "Your Most Ob' Humble Servants. "Signed, by order of Committee, "B. FRANKLIN, Pres."

Resolved, That the following order be sent to the Captain of the City Watch for this night, to wit:

"SIR,-On your watch this night you are to take in Charge Alexander White and three other persons in Confinement with him and to order that strict care be taken that said prisoners do not escape."

The Committee, about half an hour after ten, re- ceived a note from the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, that they are to open the Treaty with the Six Nations about eleven o'clock in Yonkers Street, back of the Dutch Church, and request our attend- ance and that of the principal gentlemen of the Town. This Committee, though taken by sur- prise, Resolved immediately to attend, and the Bell man was sent to apprise the inhabitants who might wish to attend.

Long Speeches by an Oneida Chief in behalf of the Six Nations were made, declaring their good feelings and intentions, and their purpose to live up to the old Treaties of Peace.

Arvin Montague Morris was brought before this board, suspected to be inimical to the American Cause; and, upon examination, he could not give a proper account of himself; therefore

Resolved, That he be sent to the Camp and there remain till further orders.

Received a letter from the Committee of Tryon County, expressing Satisfaction that White, Clement and Brown were held as prisoners, as there is much evidence that they are enemies to the Common Cause.

Henry Ten Eyck, Sheriff of the City and County of Albany, being called before this board to tell who was the plaintiff in the suit upon which Alex- ander White, Esq., is in custody, said that Abraham C. Cuyler was the Plaintiff, and John Hansen the Attorney.

By a return of the Field Officers for the District of Rensselaerwyck, the following persons were rec- ommended for the four Battalions, to wit: Abra- ham Ten Broeck, Colonel-in-Chief; Francis Nicol, Lieutenant-Colonel; Henry Quackenbush, Barent Staats, Majors; John Quackenbush, Adjutant; Chris- topher Lansingh, Quartermaster.

Second Battalion .- Killian Van Rensselaer, Col- onel; John H. Beeckman, Lieutenant-Colonel ;

Cornelius Van Beuren, Jacob C. Schermerhorn, Majors; Jacob Van Der Poel, Adjutant; John A. Lansingh, Quartermaster.

Third Battalion .- Stephen Schuyler, Colonel; Gerrit Van Der Bergh, Lieutenant-Colonel; Peter C. Schuyler, Volkert Veeder, Majors; Maas Van Vranken, Adjutant; Francis Marshall, Quarter- master.

Fourth Battalion .- Stephen J. Schuyler, Colonel; Henry K. Van Rensselaer, Lieutenant-Colonel; Philip De Freisto, John J. Fonda, Majors; Volkert Oothout, Adjutant; Jacob Van Alstyne, Quarter- master.

The above persons were Approved of by this Board.

The Officers appointed by this Board to the City Regiment are as follows:

Jacob Lansingh, Colonel; Derck Ten Broeck, Lieutenant-Colonel; Henry Wendell, Abraham H. Cuyler, Majors; Volkert A. Douw, Adjutant; Ephraim Van Veghten, Quartermaster.

The Provincial Congress dissolved October 14, 1775, recommending the Election of Deputies to form a new Congress. The General Committee of the City and County of Albany also resolved that they be dissolved the 21st day of December, 1775.

An Election was accordingly held on Tuesday, November 7, 1775, at which the following persons were Elected as Delegates to the New Provincial Congress: Leonard Gansevoort, Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates, Jun., Jacob Cuyler, Fran- cis Nichol, Robert Yates, Henry Glen, Peter Syl- vester, Peter B. Livingston, John J. Bleecker, Henry Oothout, and Robert Van Rensselaer.

This Committee do hereby declare the said per- sons to be duly elected, and that they, or any five of them, represent this City and County in the next Provincial Congress.

January 20, 1776-The Committee to enquire for a proper place to confine such persons as are inimical to American Liberty, Report that there are two rooms in the Fort in this City which might be repaired with little expense for said persons; there- fore

Resolved, That General Schuyler be requested to fit the upper room in said Fort.

Resolved, That the Committee of this County Condole the Death of the brave General Richard Montgomery, by wearing each a crape around their arms for six weeks from this day successively.

February 7th-Fifty-eight members present. John Barclay, President pro tem. George Ramsey having been sent from Schenectady, charged with calling persons in favor of American Liberty, Rebels:

Resolved, That the said Ramsey be disarmed and Stand Committed until he enter into Bond in the Sum of {200, with sufficient sureties, for his future good behavior. Joseph Kingsly was also charged with the same offense, and was dealt with in the same manner.

March 14th-Resolved, That no person or per- sons be permitted to move into or settle in this County, unless he or they bring a Certificate from

413

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

the Committee of the County or district from which they claim that they had, prior to this resolve, signed the association recommended by Congress, and had in all things behaved in a manner becom- ing to Friends of American Freedom.

April 11th-The following is the form of parole in use at this time.

"I do promise, on the word and honor of a Soldier and gentleman, that I will hold no manner of correspondence or conversation on Political Matters with any person or persons that are in- imical to measures now pursued by the United Colonies of America; and that I will not depart the bounds of the District of Coxackie without leave of the Committee of the said district.

" JAMES HEWETSON.'

May 3d-Messrs. Rutger, Bleecker and Dr. Joseph Young were named a Committee to en- courage the culture of Hemp, Flax and Wool; also the making of Sturgeon Oil to supply the place of Whale Oil, in view of the Stoppage of the Whale Fisheries.

May 8th-John Boyd Confessed to selling Bohea Tea for 7/6 per pound, Contrary to Resolu- tion of Continental Congress. That others did it, was his excuse.

Resolved, That the said John Boyd has violated the Resolution, and ought to be considered an Enemy to the American Cause; and it is recom- mended that all persons break off all intercourse with said Boyd.

Absalam Woodworth was also convicted of same offense, and was punished in the same manner.

A Resolution passed some weeks ago to disarm all disloyal persons. The following is the Warrant for so doing :

"SIR,-You are hereby required and Commanded forthwith to proceed to the houses of Abraham C. Cuyler, John Van Allen, Stephen De Lancey, Gysbert Fonda, John Monier, and William Shep- herd, there to receive and take all their Arms and Ammunition, Side arms excepted; for which arms, etc., you are to give a receipt. And bring said arms, etc., to the Chairman of this Committee without delay. And for so doing this shall be your War- rant."

The number of troops furnished by Albany County for General Schuyler, in Canada, was :

East Manor, Rensselaerwyck, 75; West District, Rensselaerwyck, 75; Claverach and King's District, 150; East Camp and Grote Imboght, New York, 75; Half Moon, Balston and Saratoga, Canada, 75; Albany, Schohary, Coxackee and Kinderkook, 75.

Henry Marselis was made Captain of Company raised in Albany City, Schenectady, Coxackee and Schohary, to reinforce Continental Army in Canada; Benjamin C. Dubois, First Lieutenant; John Van Antwerp, Second Lieutenant.

Resolved, That Henry K. Van Rensselaer be ap- pointed Major of the Company of Militia for the County for Service in New York.

Peter Van Rensselaer was appointed Captain of Company raised in Claverack; Christopher C. Mil-

ler, First Lieutenant; Wilhelmus Philips, Second Lieutenant.

July Ist-Committee appointed Officers of Battalion, raised in Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties as follows: Cornelius Van Dyck, Colonel; Barent S. Ten Eyck, Major; John Shepardson, Lieutenant-Colonel.

July 17th-Received a letter from Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert Yates and Matthew Adgate, dated White Plains, 14th instant, enclosing the Declaration of the United States of America; declaring the Said United States free and inde- pendent; also the resolutions of the Representa- tives of the State of New York, in consequence thereof.

Received a letter from John Rogers, one of the Committee of Saratoga, dated 11th instant, com- plaining that the Small Pox is very prevalent in said district.

July 18th-Resolved, That the Declaration of In- dependence be published and declared in this City to-morrow at Eleven O'Clock at this place, and that Colonel Van Schaick be requested to order the Continental Troops in this City to Appear under Arms at the place aforesaid; and, further, that the Captains of the Several Militia Company in this city be requested to Warn the Persons belonging to their respective Companies, to appear at the place aforesaid, and for the purpose aforesaid.

Much of the time of the Committee during their Sessions was consumed in the apprehension, con- viction, and punishment of disaffected and dis- loyal persons, of whom there was a great number. The " Tory Gaol " in the City Hall was filled with them, and the list was constantly increasing.

Expenses increased rapidly for arms, ammuni- tion, and supplies, and it was found difficult to pay the soldiers with sufficient regularity to prevent great discontent. The labor of the Committee was very perplexing and arduous at this time.

August 3d-Samuel Stephenson is hereby dis- charged of being Keeper of the Tory Gaol, and Volkert Dawson is appointed in his room.

Resolved, That John A. Bratt and Alexander Baldwin be appointed Captain for the Ranger Companies; and Marte Van Beuren, John B. Marselis, Michael Jackson and John Jost Sidney, Lieutenants for said Company and Stephen Lush, Captain for the Company to guard the stores in Albany, and Gerritt Staats and Jacob J. Lansing, Lieutenants.

August 17th-The Association Company elected Andrew Douw, Captain, and Peter Van Bergen, Ensign.

Rev. Harry Munro, Rector of St. Peter's, Al- bany, requested a pass to New York and Phila- delphia, which was refused by the Committee in the following words:

Resolved, That the Chairman acquaint you, the said Munro, that this Board cannot, consistent with their duty, grant his request, as the very Idea of a pass is to recommend the person having it to the public as a Friend to the Cause and right of America, and that they extremely lament that they

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

have it not in their power to give him such a rec- ommendation, as they are ignorant that he has ever manifested himself such a friend in any one instance since the Commencement of the present unhappy Contest.

Captain John Williams was appointed Captain of a Company of 75 men to be drafted out of the Militia of this County to reinforce the Fortresses in the Highlands.

September 29th-This board being informed that a Company of Colonel Van Dyck's Regiment had deserted.

Resolved, that a letter be prepared for General Schuyler on the subject, which was done.

Resolved, That there be allowed Eight Shillings for the three first pair of two-threaded Stockings that shall be knitted in one family.

October 22d-Jonathan N. Mallory is hereby appointed Surgeon to Colonel Peter Van Ness, Regiment of Militia.

Resolved, That any Negro Man Slave within the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, who shall be found from his Master's house after Six o'clock in the Evening without a permit from his master or mistress, he shall be immediately apprehended and receive Corporal punishment.

November 26th-Resolved, That John Barclay be appointed Chairman of this Committee, Mat- thew Visscher, Clerk, and Jacob Kidney, Messenger.

Pursuant to a resolvent of the 8th instant, it ap- pears that the following persons are duly Elected for the space of Six months from the first day of December next, unless sooner disbanded by the Convention of this State.

The resolution of the 8th instant was as follows: Whereas, The time limited by the good people of this County for the present Committee to serve, ex- pires in the County this 4th Tuesday of this month; and

Whereas, The Representatives of this State in Convention have been inevitably prevented from forming a Government for this State, it is neces- sary that another Committee be elected in this County for the Space of Six months:

Resolved, That the Election in the several dis- tricts in this County be held on the 3d Tuesday of November.

There were elected from the First Ward, 9 members; Second Ward, 9 members; Third Ward, 9 members; Manor of Rensselaer, 20 members; Schoharry, 6 members; Grote Imboght, 5 mem- bers; Ballston, 5 members; Hosick, 12 members; Coxackie, 6 members; German Camp, 4 mem- bers; Schagtikocke, 10 members; Manor of Liv- ingston, 10 members; Half Moon, 7 members; Saratoga, 7 members; Schenectady, 11 members; Cambridge, 9 members; Kings, 8 members; Clav- erack, 12 members.

Resolved, That the Committee of the County meet every Fortnight in the City Hall, on Tuesday, and that at least one member from each District attend.

Resolved, As the opinion of this Committee, there be allowed one Shilling per day for the first five

days the militia supplied themselves with pro- visions on the late alarm to the northward, and that for the remainder no more than eight pence half penny be allowed.

November 30th-General Gates laid before this Board a letter from the President of the Conven- tion of this State to the Honble Major-General Schuyler, desiring him to take the management of obstructing Hudson River, which the Committee had resolved upon, desiring the opinion of this Board whether same ought to be forwarded by Ex- press to His Honor, which is hereby ordered to be done.

December 10th-Resolved, That a permit be granted to Lady John Johnson to go to Fish Kills, in order to apply for a pass to New York.

December 31st-General Schuyler applies to this Board for assistance in procuring blankets for Colonel Van Schaick's and Colonel Gansevoort's Regiments. Committees were appointed to obtain the same from the inhabitants of Albany and Sche- nectady.

January 21, 1777-Resolved, That every person who shall offer anything for Sale for a less sum in Gold or Silver than in Continental or other paper money now passing currently, shall be con- sidered as a Depreciator of the paper Currency, and treated accordingly, and that any Person who shall refuse to take the same shall be treated in like manner.

February 3d-Resolved, That the Deputies of this County in Convention, be instructed to use their influence to have General Schuyler appointed one of the Delegates to represent this State in Con- tinental Congress.

February 10th- Whereas, The great number of persons keeping taverns or Tipling houses, many of whom are disaffected and there is reason to believe they have influenced many Soldiers to quit the Service: be it

Resolved, That no person or persons shall con- tinue or set up a Tavern in any District in the City or County of Albany without a license or permit for the same, under penalty of £50 fine.

March 4th-Resolved, That the Committee of each respective District within this County do ap- point and assign fit and suitable places in their said Districts for Inoculating Hospitals, and that the said Committee use all the precautions to prevent the spreading of the Small Pox.

The Committee are informed that Mr. Waters, who has hired the house now occupied by Colonel Philip P. Schuyler, intends to inoculate his family upon his having moved them to said House. The Committee being sensible that by such conduct the infection will spread among the Continental Troops; therefore

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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 94

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