Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 95

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 95

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Resolved, That the said Waters be strictly forbid to inoculate his family as aforesaid, on pain of for- feiting the sum of £500.

Ordered, That Jacob Kidney is hereby appointed Gaoler in place of Samuel Loadman.

415

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

Resolved, That all officers in this County belong- ing to the Crown of Great Britain, at either full or half-pay, be sent for; and, on their appearance, that they be sent to the Convention of this State, Re- questing them to have them exchanged, or ordered to such place that they may do no injury in this country.

March 17th-Resolved, That Marten Halenbeck be and is hereby ordered to desist, from the receipt hereof, from Keeping Public House.

Jacobus Houghtaling, who, some time since made his escape from Jaol, being now busy enlist- ing men for the service of the Enemy, and being a dangerous person to the Liberties of America:

Resolved, That Major Volkert Veeder be re- quested to order the said Houghtaling to be ar- rested and put in Close Confinement till the further order of this Committee.

April 11th-Resolved, That Jacob Kidney be and he is hereby ordered every Sunday during Divine service to Patrol the Streets of this City and quell all riots and disturbances, and keep the inhabitants of this City and others to behave decent, for which services he shall be allowed 4/ per day.

Ordered, That Colonel Van Schaick be requested to desire Captain Finch to send out a scouting party towards the Salt Springs, in order to discover a plot which it is conceived is making head in that part of the Country.

April 18th-Colonel Schuyler reported that a certain person who had given information against certain disaffected persons, was threatened to such a degree that the Committee of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck had agreed to remove him and his family to a place of safety, and that they also en- gaged to repay the man any damages he might sustain.

Unanimously approved.

Christian Smith, a person who has been employed in discovering the designs of our internal Enemies, having discharged his duties with faithfulness and success:

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay said Smith Eight Pounds for his Services.

May 4th-The Committee having undoubted evidence that Peter S. Van Alstyne and Isaac Van Der Pool are the Ringleaders of the Conspiracy at Kinderhook, and that the said Van Alstyne and Van Der Pool have lately headed a party who fired upon and wounded, a certain Gose Van Beuren, who had in his custody a prisoner:

Resolved, Thereupon, that a reward of one hun- dred Dollars shall be paid by this Committee to such person or persons who shall take the said Van Alstyne, or Van Der Pool, dead or alive.

Resolved, That an order issue to the Treasurer to pay unto Edward Davis, or order, one hundred dollars, for his services in discovering a number of Conspirators.

May 19th-Abram Yates having received from the Committee of this State the sum of five thousand pounds;

Resolved, The same be paid to Gerrit Lansing, Jun', the Treasurer to this Committee.

June 3d-The names of the new Committee Elected were announced.

Resolved, That John Barclay be appointed Chair- man; Matthew Visscher, Secretary; Gerrit Lansing, Jun', Treasurer; James Kidney, Messenger, and be paid 6/ per day.

Resolved, That the Keepers of the Gaols in this City be immediately ordered to make out lists of the names of the prisoners confined therein, and deliver the Keys of the said Gaols, with the lists aforesaid, to Henry J. Wendell, the Sheriff of this County.

June 19th-Resolved, That the public records of this City and County be delivered into the hands of Leonard Gansevoort, Esq.

Abraham C. Van Allen having, since taking the oath of allegiance, declared himself a subject of the King of Great Britain; therefore

Resolved, That the said Abraham C. Van Allen be immediately apprehended and put in Close Confinement.

From a letter of David McCarthy and William Adamson, it appears that Conradt A Ten Eyck, after taking the oath of Allegiance, has drank Dam- nation to the Congress, and beat and abused the wife of the said Adamson. The said Ten Eyck upon his appearance confessed the same; therefore

Resolved, That he be confined till Monday next.

The foregoing are given as specimens of the work that largely engaged the Committee; from one to a score of such disloyal persons being ar- rested and brought before them almost every day.

Colonel Hay, Deputy Quarter Master, appeared before this Committee and informed them that the public business is impeded for want of a bellows to carry on the Black Smith's business, and suggested that Harmen Van Der Zee had one he seldom or never used.

Resolved, That if said Van Der Zee does not comply with the request to sell the same, Colonel Hay shall seize the Bellows, and have the same apprized by two indifferent persons, and pay such value to the said Van Der Zee.

Owing to the great want of lead and the scarcity of the same, the Committee resorted to the follow- ing as one source of supply:

Resolved, That Mr. Isaac D. Fonda be requested to attend the Quarter Master General, or any of his Deputies, in taking all the lead out of the Cesh Win- dows in the houses in and about this City, and that he use all the Caution in his power to prevent any Damage being done to the Window Ceshes, etc., etc., by the means aforesaid.

July 30th-Daniel Campbell and John Sanders, of Schenectady, were arrested for refusing to take continental money.

August 4th-Whereas, The approach of the Ene- my to the northward has caused a number of families from this County to move into this City, and a number having Milch Cows and no pastures to put them in, and it being suggested to this Board that

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Edward and Ebenezer Jessup (who are gone over to the Enemy) have a large tract of pasture land near the City:

Therefore, The said families are hereby empow- ered to put their Cows into the said pasturage, under the inspection of Cornelius Van Deusen, who will permit families of eight or more persons to put in two cows; of less than eight, one cow.

August 10th-Resolved, That all inhabitants of this State, who have fled to this City for protection, and have no houses to put their families in, are hereby empowered to use such empty houses in this City as they can find.

Messrs. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer and Matthew Visscher, the Committee appointed to examine the accounts of Gerrit Lansing, Jun', Treasurer, report, That he has produced Receipts for the Sum of £8,658.18.3 and that said Treasurer ought to be discharged therefrom.

The said report is hereby confirmed, and the said Treasurer may retain in his hands the sum of £85.11.3, as a compensation for his trouble.

Adam Helmer, having, at the risque of his life, come out of Fort Schuyler to give information:

Resolved, That he be paid ten pounds as com- pensation.

Colonel Myndert Roseboom is hereby appointed to provide and issue provisions to such Persons- Refugees-who are not able to support themselves.

August 14th-By minutes of this date, it ap- pears that Leonard Gansevoort was directed by a resolution of the ist instant to proceed to Kingston, and there deposit the Records of the City and County of Albany.

Resolved, That two Companies of Rangers be raised and put under command of Captains Robert Woodworth and George White, to quell Robberies and disloyalty in different parts of this County, the officers to receive Continental pay.

August 21st-Patroon's Island and the farm of Courtlandt Schuyler, deceased, were designated as pasture land for cattle of refugees.

August 27th-The house of James Mather, who was ordered to leave the city, and take his family and affects with him, was this day rented to Abra- ham Bloodgood, a good and loyal citizen.

August 30th-John Abbott was appointed to keep the town clock in repair.

September 2d-Resolved, That the following persons, with their families, be sent to the Enemy in case General Gates should approve of the measure. [Mrs. Abraham C. Cuyler, Henry Cuyler, and several others are named. ]

Whereas, The Legislative Body of this State are ordered to Convene at Kingston, and a Council of appointment will be chosen by ballot from the Senate to appoint persons to fill the different civil offices in this State; and as the Council may not be fully acquainted with capable persons in the differ- ent parts of this County to fill the different offices:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Commit- tees of the different Districts to consult with their Constituents, and inform the Council of the names

of such persons as they think most suitable, that if they meet with the approbation of the Council they may be appointed accordingly.

September 22d-A letter from General Gates states that he expects General Burgoyne will speed- ily endeavor to come to Albany.

September 29th-Resolved, That Doctor Mal- achi Treat be empowered to take into his possession the house of Abraham C. Cuyler for the Wounded and Sick Officers.

October 9th he was authorized to use any un- tenanted houses for hospital purposes.

Captain McAlpine having gone over to the Enemy, his furniture, farming utensils and Cattle were seized and sold for the public good.

September 22-Mrs. Cuyler, wife of Abraham C. Cuyler, formerly Mayor of this City, applied for a permit to move to New York City.

Resolved, That said permit be granted on con- dition that she goes at her own expense and de- livers an inventory, under oath, of all the effects she was in possession of at the time her and husband went over to the Enemy, and where such effects can be found.

Resolved, That the Revª Samuel Swertteger be liberated from confinement upon his entering into Bond in the sum of $500 for his future good behavior.

November 6th- Whereas, This Committee stands indebted to many persons who are in great Distress for want of the money, and as the State Treasury is in a low state:

Resolved, That application be made to the Com- missioners for Sequestering the Assetts of Persons gone over to the enemy in the Middle District of this County, for the said sum of {2, 000.

Resolved, That Philip Van Rensselaer, Esq., be requested to replace the Lead taken from the win- dows of the different houses in and about this City.

Resolved, That one hundred Dollars be paid unto Major Ezekiel Taylor for apprehending one Jacob Miller.

Resolved, That such persons who require to speak with any of the prisoners Confined in Gaol, be permitted to do so through the hole in the Door, in the presence and hearing of the Gaolers, and that the Gaoler beallowed by the person desiring to Speak aforesaid, { as compensation for his trouble.

November 19th-Resolved, That a list be made of the well affected persons in this District, and that said list be sent to Peter R. Livingston, with re- quest to deliver to the order of the Chairman of this District a quantity of salt, not exceeding two quarts per Head.

Pay roll of Captain William Winne's Company was laid before this board, amounting to {20. 17 .- 63, which is allowed and ordered to be paid for services performed in apprehending a number of disaffected persons.

November 29th-Harmanus Ten Eyck brought in a charge of £3 103. for freight on an Iron Stove sent to Fish Kill for the use of the Convention of this State. Ordered to be paid.

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

December 7th-Jeremiah Vincent having some time ago received from this Committee the sum of ten pounds to perform certain secret services, in- stead of doing which he went over to the Enemy:

Resolved, That one of the two Cows left on the farm of said Vincent be sold and a return made of the said ten pounds, and a return made of the over- plus to the wife of the said Vincent, and that this Committee dispose of the other cow.

December 15th-Resolved, That William Gilli- land be remanded to prison, as proof has this day been made before this Board of his further Inimical Conduct to the United States.

1778-Election of New Committee was held throughout the County of Albany, January 2, 1778.

January 6th-It appearing to this Committee that Daniel David and David Gibson, under the sanction of power given them by the Committee of Sequestration, have taken to their own use, not only the property of Persons gone over to the En- emy, but also such persons as reside amongst us; therefore

Resolved, That the said David Gibson and Daniel David be apprehended and put in Close Confinement, unless they find sufficient surety for their appearance before any Court of Jurisdiction to answer said Complaint.

The following Officers are hereby appointed to serve the New Committee, just elected : John Bar- clay, Chairman ; John M. Beeckman, Deputy Chairman ; Matthew Visscher, Secretary ; Jacob Kidney, Waiter.

In regard to holding a New Election in the Dis- trict of Cambridge, The Committee are of opin- ion that a new Election be held, and will appoint a day for that purpose. In respect to the Discrimina- tion of such as are entitled to vote, this Committee would rather submit it to the inhabitants of that District ; at the same time they are of opinion that many persons went over to the Enemy through fear, some through the persuasion of artful and design- ing persons, others through the allurements of gain and the prospect of seeing their oppressed country in the hands of its base Invaders. However, such conduct, be their motives what they may, it is a conduct that will ever be held in detestation by every man that is fired with the love of Liberty or attachment to his injured Country. Notwithstanding the most vigorous efforts of those wretches, many of whom have plunged Their Daggers in the breasts of many of Their Bosom friends, we would remind our Countrymen that the God of Justice has de- clared Victory in our favor and put many of our Enemies in our Power. The Brave are ever Hu- mane. Let us now Convince our Enemies that we seek not to spill their blood, and that we fight only for that Liberty which God hath conferred upon us. Let us now exercise Mercy (one of the Attributes of Heaven), as far as is consistent with the good or safety of our Country, and by acts of Clemency forgive our offending Brethren, provided they show Signs of Contrition for their past offenses and prom- ise of amendment in future. Those who have

taken the oath of allegiance and perjured them- selves, or such as have seduced others from their allegiance to the State, we are of opinion ought not to interfere in our Elections.

January 7th-Resolved, That a subscription be set on foot for the use of the Ruined Settlers of our Frontiers.

January 15th-The Committee appointed in the Second Ward delivered to the Chairman £97. 14. 8, being the Collection made in that Ward for the use of the poor.

February 19th-The military authorities having authority to impress Teams and Sleighs wherever found, when they would not hire voluntarily for that purpose, the farmers of the Surrounding Coun- try feared to come to the City, with Wood and other Supplies; therefore

Resolved, That no sleighs or horses by which fire wood and other necessaries are brought to this City shall be seized or impressed in coming to or going from said City.

March 16th-Moses R. Van Vranken confessed that he had bought Butter for one shilling per pound in Specie, and Sold it for 6. 8. in Conti- nental Currency, for which he was deemed to be dangerous to the State, and put in confinement till further orders.

March 18th-Remembrance Smith Complained to the Board that he had been fined {50 for selling about two gallons of Rum Without License.

March 24th-Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Board that {3 per barrel for tar, delivered at Albany, is reasonable, when the persons making the same are excused from Military Duty.

The last entry in that part of the Journal of the Committee that has been preserved, is under date of June 10, 1778, as follows:

Resolved, That Gerrit Lansing, Jun', John J. Bleecker, and Stewart Dean, or any two of them, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee to ex- amine and audit the Accounts of this Board, and that they be allowed each 20/ per day, while in ac- tual service, for their trouble and expense; and it is further

Resolved, That the said Committee enter upon this necessary business with all dispatch, and that, immediately on the Completion thereof, they Re- port to this Board.

COLONIAL, PROVINCIAL AND CONTI- NENTAL ASSEMBLIES.

We deem it appropriate to this history to give the names of the officers in these assemblies, of whatever class, that represented Albany County, and some of the local transactions in connection with them.

COLONIAL CONFERENCES.

The first movement in New York State, looking toward the union of the colonies against the ag- gressions of the Crown, was made by the New York Assembly, October 17, 1764. It adopted resolu- tions approving the resolutions of the New York City merchants relative to the oppressive legisla- tion of Parliament, and directed that a memorial be

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

forwarded to the Court of Great Britain, assuming the expense of urging it upon the home govern- ment. A committee of six was appointed to take the matter in charge, of which Philip Livingston, of Albany, was Chairman.

In 1690, 1754 and 1765, Colonial Conferences were held. The Conference of 1765 was called to meet in the City of New York on the first Tues- day of October then next, to consult together on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of the Acts of Parliament for levy- ing duties on the colonies. Massachusetts, Con- necticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Carolina were represented.

The Conference adopted a petition to the King, prepared by Philip Livingston ; another to Par- liament, by James Otis; and also published a " Declaration of Rights and Grievances," claiming the right of taxation themselves, the right of trial by jury, and the right of petition, by John Cruger.

Albany was represented in this Conference by Philip Livingston.

THE PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

In March, 1775, the several counties in the province of New York elected deputies to a Pro- vincial Convention, to be held in the City of New York on the 20th of April, 1775, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent the colony in a Continental Congress. This Convention met at the Exchange, in New York City, on the day appointed. Albany was represented in this Con- vention by Peter R. Livingston, Walter Livingston, Philip Schuyler, Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates, Jr. Philip Livingston, of Albany, was Pres- ident. This Convention elected delegates to the Continental Congress, to concert and determine upon such measures as shall be judged most effec- tual for the preservation of American rights and privileges.

STATE OR PROVINCIAL CONGRESSES.

These bodies were what the Assembly subse- quently became, the members being elected in the same manner. There were four of these Con- gresses. The first began in New York, May 22, 1775, and had three sessions, May, July and October. The last session adjourned November 4th.

The Second Congress began November 14, 1775, and adjourned sine die, May 13, 1776.

The Third Congress convened May 14, 1776, and adjourned sine die, June 30, 1776.

The Fourth Congress convened July 9, 1776, and adjourned sine die, May 13, 1777.

The Delegates to these Congresses from Albany were :

First Congress .- Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, Volkert P. Douw, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glen, Abraham Ten Broeck, Francis Nicoll.

Second Congress .- Abraham Ten Broeck, Abra- ham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, Francis Nicoll, Robert Yates, Henry Glen, Peter Silvester, Peter R. Living- ston, John James Bleecker, Leonard Gansevoort, Henry Oothoudt, Robert Van Rensselaer.

Third Congress .- Abraham Ten Broeck, Abra- ham Yates, Leonard Gansevoort, John Tayler, Mathew Adgate, John J. Bleecker, Peter R. Liv- ingston, Christopher Yates, John Ten Broeck, Henry Glen, Francis Nicoll.

Fourth Congress .- Abraham Yates, Jr., Robert Yates, Robert Van Rensselaer, Matthew Adgate, John Tayler, John Ten Broeck, Abraham Ten Broeck, John James Bleecker, Jacob Cuyler, Leonard Ganesvoort, Peter R. Livingston.

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

The Delegates from Albany County were: Session, April 20, 1775, Philip Schuyler; Session, April 13, 1777, Philip Livingston, Philip Schuyler; Session, March 25, 1778, Philip Schuyler; Session, October 16, 1778, Philip Schuyler; Session, October 18, 1779, Philip Schuyler; Session, September 12, 1780, Philip Schuyler; Session, October 26, 1781, Philip Schuyler; Session, February 3, 1784, John Lan- sing, Jr., Walter Livingston; Session, October 26, 1784, John Lansing, Jr., Walter Livingston; Ses- sion, March 29, 1785, Peter W. Yates; Session, February 27, 1786, Peter W. Yates; Session, Jan- uary 26, 1787, John Lansing, Jr., Peter W. Yates, Abraham Yates, Jr .; Session, February 2, 1788, Abraham Yates, Jr., Leonard Gansevoort; Session, January 30, 1788, Abraham Yates, Jr.

CONVENTION TO FORM THE CONSTITUTION.

The Convention to form a Federal Constitution met May 14, 1787. It was composed of delegates from all the States, with the exception of Rhode Island. Its proceedings were secret, but an ac- count of them was afterwards drawn up from Mr. Madison's notes. George Washington was Presi- dent. At last a constitution was agreed upon, but only 39 of the 55 delegates signed it. On Sep- tember 17, 1787, the new constitution was trans- mitted to Congress, and by it referred to Conven- tions of the several States for adoption or rejection.

On June 17, 1788, a Constitutional Convention, called for the purpose of deliberating upon the adoption of the Federal Constitution, assembled at Poughkeepsie. It was one of the most important bodies that ever met in this State. George Clinton, Governor of the State, was elected President. The delegates from Albany were John Lansing, Jr., Henry Oothoudt, Dirck Swart, Anthony Ten Eyck, Israel Thompson, Peter Vrooman, Robert Yates. The adoption of the Constitution was violently op- posed, and the Convention was a scene of animated and at times angry discussion. But on July 26th, the Convention adopted and ratified the Constitu- tion by a vote of 30 to 27, seven members of the Convention not voting. The following members from Albany voted against it: John Lansing, Jr., Henry Oothoudt, Israel Thompson, Robert Yates. The other members from Albany did not vote.

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THE WAR OF 1812.

Governor Clinton, President of the Convention, was also opposed to the Constitution.

The intelligence of the adoption of the Constitu- tion was received with great rejoicing by the people at Albany, and by a vote of the Common Council it was unanimously resolved to celebrate the event in an appropriate manner. The 8th day of August was set apart for the occasion. Every trade and profession united in the jubilee, forming an im- posing procession. A description of the procession and the proceedings occupied two pages of the Albany Gazette of August 28th. It was in charge of James Farley, Marshal, and moved through Watervliet, Market (now Broadway), to the Fed- eral Bower, a commodious building prepared for the occasion, standing on the Hights west of Fort Frederick, and commanding an extended view of the city. The edifice was 154 feet long, 44 feet wide, and raised on four rows of pillars fifteen feet in hight, close wreathed with foliage. Eleven arches were built in front. Above the arches, em- bowered in festoons of foliage, were white oval me- dallions, with the names of a ratifying State on each. In this beautiful structure the dinner took place. This over, the procession re-formed and moved down State Street to Pearl, to Columbia, to North Market, to Court Streets, and into a large field south of old Fort Orange, where it was dis- missed, by the marching away, at intervals, of the respective divisions.

When the procession reached Green Street, a party of opponents to the Constitution made an attack upon it, and a skirmish ensued. They had procured a loaded cannon and brought it to bear upon the procession. One of the assailants was in the act of discharging it, when Jonathan Kidney sprang from the procession and succeeded in spik- ing the gun. A company of cavalry in the proces- sion then charged upon the assailants and dispersed them.

There were several outbreaks in the city growing out of the adoption of the Federal Constitution, among which was a general melee in State Street. Among the combatants were some of the most em- inent men of the times; canes, clubs, and cobble- stones were used with great freedom, and many persons were more or less injured, but fortunately none fatally.

THE WAR OF 1812.

This war has been called the Second War with Great Britain, the Last War with Great Britain, and the Second War for Independence. It is usually denominated as written at the heading. It was formally declared June 19, 1812, and closed with a treaty of peace, signed at Ghent December 24, 1814. The brilliant battle of New Orleans, fought under Andrew Jackson, January 8, 1815, occurred after the treaty was made. It was not a day of cable- grams, and the news of peace did not reach this county until February 12th.

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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 95

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