Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 99

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 99

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Upon a map of the arsenal grounds in 1878 there were the following buildings:

Guard-house; office; Quartermaster's office and engine-house; iron store-house; workshops, con- taining eight departments; turbines, boiler and engine-rooms; arsenals, two; laboratory; officers' quarters, two; commanding officers' quarters; ar- tillery store-house; cottages for enlisted men, four; brick stables, two; hospital; barracks; ice-houses, two; nitre store; timber store-houses, six; carriage sheds; proof-house; tank-house; magazines, two; carriage sheds, 12.

In the year 1813 the United States purchased two lots of land from James Gibbons and wife, upon which were located the first buildings of the arsenal. The deed to these lands is recorded in the County Clerk's office, in Book of Deeds No. 29, pages 23, 24, and 25. The following extracts are given:

"This Indenture, made the 14th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1813, Between James Gib- bons and Esther, his wife, of the first part, and the people of the United States of the second part, Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of two thousand five hundred and eighty-five dollars, current lawful money of the United States, do grant, bargain, sell, demise, release, and confirm unto the said party of the second part, and to their successors and assigns forever, All that certain lot, piece, or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the village of Gibbonsville, in the town of Watervliet, in the County of Albany, in the State of New York, and

* * * containing one acre and fourteen perches of land. Also all that one other certain lot, piece,

or parcel of land situate, lying, and being in * Gibbonsville aforesaid and * * containing eleven acres three roods and fourteen perches."

The first cession of lands by the State to the United States, is found in 5th edition R. S., page 93, in pursuance to the act passed March 31, 1815, as follows:

"And also all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in the town of Watervliet, in the County of Albany, and State aforesaid, at a place called Gib- bonsville, on which is also erected an Arsenal and other buildings belonging to the United States, * bounded as follows, to wit: *

* The United States are to retain such jurisdiction so long as said tract shall be applied to the use of providing for the defense and safety of the said State and no longer. The jurisdiction so ceded does not pre- vent the execution on said tracts of any process, civil or criminal, under the authority of this State, nor prevent the laws, not incompatible with the purpose for which such cession was made, from operating within the bounds of said tract."

Included in this Act is the following: "The United States have also jurisdiction over a tract of land in the town of Watervliet, in the County of Albany, such jurisdiction having been ceded for the defense and safety of this State by the Commis- sioners of the Land Office, pursuant to the act passed March 20, 1807."

Second cession .- Chapter 332 of the Laws of 1830, cedes to the United States of America, "for the purpose of erecting and maintaining thereon arsenals, magazines, dockyards, and other neces- sary buildings, jurisdiction of the State over all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the town of Watervliet, in the County of Albany, and bounded as follows: * * together with all the land under water lying oppo- site and westerly of the described premises, which has been heretofore granted by letters patent to James Gibbons by the people of the State of New York, but always excepting and reserving, out of the lands above described, the land occupied by the Erie Canal, one rod on each side thereof, and also the public highway."

The State retains concurrent jurisdiction for the execution of all civil process therein, and of crim- inal process for offenses committed without the said tract of land. The United State are to retain jurisdiction only so long as the ceded lands are used for the purposes named in the act.

Third cession. - Chapter 96 of the Laws of 1833, cedes jurisdiction over an additional tract in said town " bounded as follows, to wit: * * * contain- ing thirty-eight and one-tenth of an acre, excepting and reserving out one rod in width along the west side of the Erie Canal, subject to the same condi- tions as the tracts first conveyed."

Fourth cession .- Chapter 337, Laws of New York, April 14, 1859. "An Act vesting in the United States of America jurisdiction over a cer- tain piece of land in the village of West Troy, in the County of Albany, bounded as follows, to wit:"-With the same conditions as previous conveyances.

435

U. S. OFFICERS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

In 1825, James Gibbons agreed to sell to the State forty acres of land, at three hundred dollars per acre. He failed to give a deed before his death, and April 28, 1828, the property was ob-

tained from Esther Gibbons, his widow and execu- trix. Some additions have been made by the purchase of several contiguous lots.

GOVERNMENT BUILDING.

The Government Building is a granite structure, located on Broadway, corner of State street.

The marked progress of Albany, with its in- creased business, largely due to the concentration here of river, canal, and railroads offering almost unparalleled facilities for inland transportation of every variety of merchandise, was brought to the consideration of the general Government. Influ- ence of prominent citizens was successful in secur- ing the erection of a building for the transaction of Government business. The Post-office and other Federal offices had for all past years de- pended upon rented apartments.

The first definite action was taken by Congress, March 21, 1872, when an act was passed, having for its object the erection of a building at Albany for Government purposes, the cost of which was limited to $350,000. At this time no appropria- tion was made, as it was required that the site be given by the City of Albany.

After viewing several locations selection of the Exchange Building and lot was made, and purchased by the city at a cost of $100,000, and accepted by the Government; but the area of this lot was

considered too small for the purposes. The act of March 3, 1873, appropriated $150,000 for the purchase of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank property on the north, separated by Exchange street. Again, June 3, 1874, Congress appropri- ated $5,000 additional for the site. This made the total cost to the city and Government $225, Oco. In December, 1875, the work of razing the Ex- change Building was commenced, and continued until March, 1876. Work was then suspended be- cause Congress had failed to set a limit to the cost of the contemplated building. In March, 1877, an act was passed limiting the cost to $500, coo. This necessitated a new plan; and the present, which is Italian Renaissance, was adopted in place of the original design, which was an elaborate Gothic.

In June, 1877, work was resumed, and the cor- ner-stone laid with Masonic ceremonies, May 7, 1879. The appropriation having been used, work was discontinued in November, 1883, leaving some portions incomplete, but with many apart- ments ready for occupancy.

The revenue officials were the first to take pos- session of the new building in December, 1883. Then followed the Post-office, January 1, 1884.

436

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Other Government officials took possession of their several apartments during 1884.

The walls of the building are of cut granite, which is fire-proof in construction and material. It measures 113 feet front, on Broadway; 126 feet rear, on Dean street; and 150 feet on State and Exchange streets. It is. three stories high, with mansard roof and towers on each corner carried up an additional story. The main tower, on the corner of Broadway and State, is appropriated to the United States Signal Service or Weather Bureau.

The basement, which extends under the whole building, is used for heating purposes, receiving and shipping mail matter, and bonded warehouse.

The roof is constructed of iron, copper and tin. The stairways are of iron and slate, with oak hand- rails. The corridors are spacious, well lighted, with floors covered with tiles. All doors, casements and moldings are solid white oak. The ventila- tion and heating arrangements are most admirable in every apartment. All the rooms are spacious, elegantly finished, and splendidly lighted. Every office is supplied with all needed accommodations for comfort and convenience; while the furniture, desks and book-cases are of walnut and oak, made substantial and for service.

The different floors are reached by easy stair- ways or elevators. The approaches to the build- ing are cut granite, and the side-walks smooth patent slabs. The building is a model in all its details.

The total cost thus far is $627, 148. The super- intendents of construction have been resident archi- tects. Edward Ogden was the first superintendent, who had charge after removing the old Exchange Building and the building of the foundation. Mr. George H. Sear had charge of putting up the base- ment. Mr. Walter Dickson was then placed in charge, and under his superintendence the building was completed. Colonel William E. Fitch was clerk, and Mr. John E. Todd, master mechanic.

THE ALBANY POST-OFFICE

Is located in the Government Building, and oc- cupies the first floor and part of the basement.

There is no reliable evidence that any general mail or postal service was instituted or maintained by the colonial government at Albany, nor was it a postal point, and during the Revolution each party was dependent upon its own methods for convey- ing information or communicating with distant points.

The earliest traveled route from Albany was to New York, by the Hudson River, and at the com- mencement of hostilities the settlements near Al- bany were only outposts and centers for the collec- tion of trade and traffic. Modes of communication and conveyance were primitive and conducted by parties directly interested. This condition was somewhat improved or modified during hostilities by opening new roads or avenues for conveying supplies and communicating with the army. These in time became post roads, and were extended to

more distant settlements, reaching many miles from Albany.

The introduction of practical improvements and the rapid development of the country, necessitated some method by which the people could commu- nicate with distant places; and the new Government was prompt in establishing the post-office depart- ment for the rapid transmission and safe delivery of mail matter to all available settlements.

The following facts and records connected with the early history of the general post-office are gathered from the acts of the Provincial Congress. At the sesion held July 26, 1775, it was

" Resolved, That a Postmaster-General be ap- pointed for these United Colonies, to hold office for one year, and to hold his office at Philadelphia, and he shall receive a salary of one thousand dol- lars a year."

Benjamin Franklin received the first appoint- ment.

" Resolved, That a line of posts be appointed under the direction of the Postmaster-General, from Falmouth, in New England, to Savannah, in Georgia."

July 8, 1776. - "Resolved, That the postmasters,

while in office, be excused from military duty ; " and August 8, 1776, it was "Resolved, That the post-riders be exempt from military duty."

In 1777 three new routes were established: from Casco Bay to Philadelphia; from Philadelphia to Edenton, N. C .; and from Edenton to Savannah. In 1780, packets, and other vessels in the Conti- nental Service, were to carry letters and deposit them in the nearest office to the post where they shall arrive.

October 18, 1782, ordinance was made for reg- ulating the post-office in the United States of America. All postmasters were to subscribe to a general oath; post-riders were appointed. Postage was established at the following rates in penny- weights and grains of silver, estimating each penny- weight at five-ninetieths of a dollar, or five and five- ninth cents : for any distance not exceeding 60 miles, one pennyweight, eight grains; less than 100 miles, two pennyweights; 100 to 200 miles, two pennyweights, sixteen grains. Sixteen grains for every additional 100 miles-for single sheets. A packet of one ounce was equal to four letters. Post-riders could carry newspapers, if licensed.

September 7, 1785. - " Resolved, That the Post- master-General be and he is hereby authorized, and instructed, to enter into contract for the con- veyance of the mails by the stage-carriages from the City of New York to the City of Albany, ac- cording to the accustomed route.

"No paper money to be received for postage."

The history of the Albany Post-office, as a Government institution, dates from 1783, when Abraham Yates was the first postmaster under the Provincial Congress .* The records previous to this time give very little information on the subject. It appears that postal facilities were limited to in-

* It is said that Colonel Henry Van Schaack served as postmaster in Albany previous to 1775.

437

U. S. OFFICERS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

dividual enterprise, and messages were sent by river conveyance to New York, and post-riders to other points. This method for the distribution of public or private correspondence with neighboring coun- ties was continued for several years, and to some parts of this county as late as 1820.

These riders met at certain points and inter- changed letters and papers. The shrill blast of the postman's horn gave notice to the waiting maiden at the farm-gate that he had something for her or the family, after delivering which, he hastened on his journey. When the business was not remuner- ative, subscriptions were made among the citizens who were interested in their continuance.

Post-riders were, in time, followed by stage- coaches; these by steamboats. The introduction of railroads made a marvellous change in the trans- mission and rapid conveyance of all postal matter, as well as in an increase in the post-offices. At this date only a few offices in the county receive their mail by the antiquated stage-coach. The several lines of railroads which leave Albany traverse the county in many directions, and pass through nearly all the post villages, distributing mails daily.

In 1785, Albany served for Greenbush, Schenec- tady, Cherry Valley, Orange and Dutchess Coun- ties, and letters were advertised for Vermont.

In 1776 post-mails were received twice a week from New York. At this time a mail was re- ceived once a week from Springfield, Massachusetts. Other routes and extensions were made in 1789 and 1790, reaching west, the post leaving Albany on Monday for Schenectady, Johnstown, Canajoharie, Fort Plain, Fort Hunter, and arrived at Warrens- bush on Friday; returning to Albany on the fol- lowing Monday.

About this time mails were sent to Vermont and other towns as far as Hoosic, and in 1791-92 the Postmaster-General extended the post-routes from Albany to Bennington and Burlington, Vt. In 1794 there were five post routes from Albany. The first on the east side of the river to New York once a week; the second, north, by way of Lan- singburgh, Bennington, Manchester, Rutland and Middlebury, to Burlington, Vt .; the third went to New Lebanon, Pittsfield, Northampton and Brookfield, Mass .; the fourth passed, via Kinder- hook and Stockbridge, to Springfield, Mass. On these lines the mail was carried once a week. The fifth route extended east to Schenectady, Johns- town, Canajoharie, German Flats, Whitestown, Old Fort Schuyler, Onondaga, Aurora, Scipio, Geneva, and Canandaigua, once in two weeks. In 1796, mails were established between Albany and Philadelphia, a distance of 260 miles, and delivered in three days. In this year the mail facilities were extended to Genesee County, which was then the far west. Post-riders traversed the county in 1797, distributing letters and papers, and in 1800 a post was sent to Duanesburgh. Other offices were established soon after. Mails were delivered and collected by post-riders as late as 1820 in this county; after this date stage-coaches were brought into use, and the gradual development of agriculture and other resources demanded in-

creased postal facilities. There are now fifty-seven post-offices in Albany County, as shown in another part of this volume. The first postman or letter- carrier for the Albany post-office was William (Billy) Winne, celebrated as the captor of the Pye robber, in December, 1806. He served from 1800 until his death in 1848.

The post-office in Albany has been located in different places. The earliest known was in 1784, a few doors above Maiden lane on the east side of Market street, now Broadway ; Abram Yates, Postmaster.

May 2, 1861, the building on the southeast corner of State and Broadway was taken down, to give place for the present more substantial struc- ture now occupied by P. V. Fort & Son. During the war of 1812, in this old corner was a drug store, kept by Jacob Mancius, and in the rear of it, in a room seven by nine, was kept the city post-office. The postmaster employed but one clerk, who attended the drug store and as- sisted in opening and putting up mails, and the delivery of letters and papers. During the season of river navigation, sailing vessels brought the mails to and from New York City. In the winter they were conveyed by land carriage. The post-office was a one-horse concern; but then, as now, everybody was anxious to learn the latest news.

In 1823, the post-office was located on North Market street, a little north of the Government Building, nearly on the present site of George A. Birch's store.

The post-office was taken to the Exchange Build- ing in 1840, and remained there till 1862, when it was temporarily moved to State above Green street, in the building now occupied by Smith, Covert & Co. After repairs were made in the Exchange, it was removed in 1863 to its former location, where it remained until 1873. In this year it became necessary to vacate the building, and the office was again obliged to occupy new quarters. This time it was on the east side of North Pearl, south of Columbia street, in the Little Building, now occupied by A. B. Van Gaasbeeck. Another change followed in 1877, when the post- office was transferred to the Delavan Block on Broadway. Here it remained until January 1, 1884, when it took possession of its assigned lo- cation in the new Government Building, as a fixed institution, with all modern improvements, appli- ances and conveniences.

In 1799, the rates of postage were as follows : for a single sheet, 40 miles, more or less, 8 cents; 40 to 90 miles, 10 cents; 90 to 150 miles, 122 cents ; 150 to 300 miles, 17 cents; 300 to 500 miles, 20 cents; 500 miles or more, 25 cents. These rates were continued until about 1825, when they were changed to 6, 10, 122, 182 and 25 cents, and were the established rates up to 1845. Then the 5 and 10-cent rates were adopted by Act of Congress; for every single letter under 300 miles, 5 cents, and for any distance over 300 miles, 10 cents for each half-ounce. Postage stamps were first used in 1847 of the denomination of 5 cents. June 31, 1851, the act took effect reducing postage to 3 cents

438

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

on all letters less than half an ounce and not ex- ceeding 3,000 miles in distance, prepaid; and double this rate for over 3,000 miles. This year envelopes were introduced. In 1852, Government stamped envelopes were issued. In 1855, another modification was made; on single letters, 3 cents prepaid for any distance less than 3,000 miles, and 10 cents over 3,000 miles. In 1863, the law was enacted making the rate of postage within the United States 3 cents, and prepayment by stamps. October, 1883, the two-cent stamp became the law for every half-ounce or less; and on the first of July, 1885, the law took effect making the pre- payment of two cents by stamp the legal rate of postage on all letters weighing one ounce or less.

Postal cards and money orders were first issued in 1872, and about the same time the registration of letters was introduced

Since Abraham Yates, who served till 1795, the following have performed the duties of postmaster in the Albany office. The dates of their respective appointments are given from the best available data :

1795, George W. Mancius, Jacob Mancius; 1812, James Mayer; 1815, Peter P. Dox ; 1816, Gerrit L. Dox; 1821, Solomon Southwick; 1822- 29, Solomon Van Rensselaer; 1839-40, Azariah C. Flagg ; 1842-43, Solomon Van Rensselaer ; 1843-49, James D. Wasson; 1849-50, Lewis Ben- edict; 1850-58, James Kidd; 1858-61, Calvert Comstock; 1861-65, George Dawson; 1865-69, Joseph Davis; 1869-71, Morgan L. Filkins; 1871 -77, John F. Smyth; 1877-85, William H. Craig; and on June 1, 1885, Dr. D. V. O'Leary entered upon the duties of the office. Nineteen different men have been postmasters in the past one hundred years, represented by twenty appointments.

The salary of the postmaster is $3, 500 per an- num. The working force of the Albany office at this time is composed of 65 persons. Their duties are divided as follows : 32 letter carriers, salaries from $600 to $1,000 per annum ; 8 general delivery clerks; 2 stamp clerks; 4 registry clerks; 2 money order clerks; 8 letter distributors; and 9 baggage clerks; salaries from $350 to $1, 100. The office is also represented by a deputy or assist- ant. Albany is one of the important distributing offices. Mails are dispatched to all parts of the United States and British America. The business of this office by the carriers for the month of May, 1885, was : Delivered mail letters, 286,490; local letters, 37,655; registered letters, 973; mail postal cards, 48,671; local postal cards, 33,682; newspa- pers, 172,202 ; collected letters, 196,746; postal cards, 50,049; newspapers, 20,804. For the year, total letters 1, 335, 720 ; papers, 607, 800.

There are 217 mails distributed daily at this office. At the present time there are only five mail stage routes from Albany.

THE UNITED STATES CUSTOM HOUSE.

The collection of customs at Albany was estab- lished in the year 1803, in connection with the New York Custom House, and the first Deputy-

Collector was William Seymour. The first license entered is dated July 12, 1833. At this time only two vessels were trading regularly to Boston-the schooner Visscher and sloop George Washington, owned by Davis & Center.

As early as 1770, the sloop Oliver Bronk, Cap- tain Bloodgood, was sent from Albany to the West Indies. In 1771, the number of sloops running between Albany and New York was about 125. In 1785, the sloop Experiment, 80 tons burden, Captain Stewart Dean, fitted out at this place for China, and sailed from New York, December 18th.

After the completion of the Erie and Champlain Canal, followed a few years after by the introduc- tion of railroads, new avenues of trade were opened which necessitated the establishment of an office for the collection of customs at the terminus of the canals and at the head of tide-water at Albany. Since 1833 the following persons have performed the duties of Deputy Collector and Surveyors: William Seymour, Albert Gallup, Dennis B. Gaf- ney, and William Bruce. March 2, 1867, Con- gress passed an act making Albany a port of entry, with Surveyor of Customs as the chief officer. The following have served under that act: Peter M. Carmichael, 1867; Isaac N. Keeler, 1870; John C. Whitney, 1875; William N. S. Sanders, 1879; John A. Luby, 1882; Addison D. Cole, 1885; Or- rin A. Fuller, Special Deputy.

There are also connected with the office two Deputies and four Inspectors. The revenue from this office yields about $150,000 annually, at an expense of less than $11,000. The receipts for May, 1885, were $1,832. The Custom House is located in the Government Building.

THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REV- ENUE OFFICE

Is located in the Government Building. It was established in 1862, with a Collector as chief offi- cer, assisted by nine Deputies. The district is known as the fourteenth, and originally comprised the fol- lowing counties: Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery, Fulton, Hamilton, and Saratoga. It now also includes the counties of Greene, Ulster, Orange, Sullivan, and Rockland, which were added to the district August 1, 1883. The collections in the original district from 1862 to 1879 aggre- gated about $21,453, 803. The average collections per annum do not vary much from $600,000. The receipts for May, 1885, were $133,716. The Internal Revenue Collectors for this district have been Theodore Townsend, John M. Bailey, Ralph P. Lathrop, James W. Bentley, and Isban Hess.

STEAMBOAT INSPECTORS.

The Local Board for the District of Albany, which comprises the Hudson River above Milton, was established in July, 1871. The office is in the Government Building. Charles S. Hervey and Leonard Brainard were the first appointees, and have not been superseded. Captain Frank A. Shepard has filled the position of Clerk to the

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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 99

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