USA > New York > Schenectady County > Gazetteer and business directory of Albany & Schenectady Co., N.Y., for 1870-71 > Part 15
USA > New York > Albany County > Gazetteer and business directory of Albany & Schenectady Co., N.Y., for 1870-71 > Part 15
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The first settlement was made by Barent Pieterse Coeymans, who came from Utrecht in 1636 and immediately entered the service of the Patroon as miller, at a salary of thirty guilders a year. Three brothers accompanied him, viz., David, Jacob and Arent. Barent worked in the Patroon's grist mill until 1645, when he took charge of the Patroon's saw mills, in company with Jan Gerritsen, receiving 150 guilders each a year for board, and three stivers a cut for every plank they sawed. He re- mained in this employment until 1647, having cut in that time between three and four thousand boards. Previous to 1650 he lived a little south of Patroon's Creek, and in 1655 took a nine- teen years lease of a farm of " maize land " at twenty-four guild- ers a year. In 1657 he took a lease of the mills on Patroon's Creek for three years, and in 1660 he leased the mills on the Norman's Kil for thirteen years. About the time this lease ex-
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pired, in 1673, he purchased from the Katskill Indians a large tract of land, abont twelve or fifteen miles south of Albany. It had been known as offering peculiar advantages for the erection of mills, Cryn Cornelissen and Hans Jansen having erected saw mills on the creek just north of Beeren Island as early as 1651. Coeymans obtained of Governor Lovelace a patent of a tract eight or ten miles on the river and extending back ten or twelve miles. But this tract falling within the bounds of Rensselaerwyck, Coeymans purchased the Patroon's claim, agree- ing to pay a quit-rent of nine shillings a year. In 1714 he ob- tained from Queen Anne a patent of this tract, confirming the whole to him and his heirs forever. The Indian name of Coev- mans Creek was Oniskethau, and the flats at Coeymans Land- ing were called Achquetuck, Andreas and Lendert Whitbeck were early settlers near the Landing, and Daniel Traver and Balthus Keefer, near Keefer's Corners. John and Thomas Whitbeck settled near Indian Fields. Among the other early settlers were the Verplanks, Ten Eycks, Vanderveers and David McCarley, who surveyed Countryman's Patent.
The first mills were erected by the patentee at Coeymans Falls. A small number of Indians belonging to the Oneida tribe lived in this town after the Revolution. They removed and returned in 1812 for a short time. Among the records of the town is an account of ten pounds in 1792, for erecting stocks and a whipping-post.
John B. Shear was born in this town in 1803 and has resided here ever since. He was elected to office before he was twenty- one years of age, and has held office almost every year since that time. He has kept a hotel and store for the last 43 years and is one of the most respected and influential men of the town. Ile is still in the vigor of manhood and has a prospect of many years of usefulness before him.
The first church (Ref. Prot. Dutch) was built in 1797, one mile west of Coeymans Landing. The Church was organized March 5, 1703 ; Rev. Jacob Sickles was the first pastor.
The First Methodist Church was organized in 1788 or '89 by Rev. John Crawford, the first preacher. He formed a class of twelve members. Rev. Freeborn Garretson was presiding Elder. The first church edifice was built of stone, in 1793, and located about two and a half miles west of Coeymans. It is said to have been the first Methodist church built west of the Hudson River. The first trustees were James Waldron, Lewis Civill, Wilhollamas Row, Jacob Springsted, Isaac C. Huyck, Ephraim Holbrook, Peter Hogan, Nathan Williams, James Selkirk. Levi Blaisdell was the first clerk, and Lewis Civill was the first sex-
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ton. The following are the names of some of the early mem- bers, viz: Hugh Jolly, Samuel Jolly, John Ten Eyck and wife, Levi Blaisdell and wife, Dr. Clement, Hugh Crumb, James Sel- kirk and Jacob Springsted. A new church edifice was erected in 1836, and dedicated by the Rev. Benjamin Griffin. The building is of brick, 40 by 50 feet, with a lecture room, of wood. 26 by 40. The present membership is 100. The M. E. Church at Coeymans Hollow has a membership of 350.
The Reformed Church was organized in 1793. The first church edifice was located one mile west of Coeymans Landing. A large brick church was subsequently erected at the village. Rev. Jacob Sickles was the first pastor.
There are six churches in the town, viz: three Methodist, one Reformed, one Christian and one Roman Catholic.
The population of the town in 1865 was 3,264, and its areas 30.740 acres.
There are 14 school districts, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 1,017; the number attending school, 710; the average attendance, 325 ; and the amount expended for school purposes during the year end- ing Sept. 30th, 1869, was $4.738.02.
COHOES CITY was formed from Watervliet, and in- corporated as a City by act of the Legislature, passed May 19, 1869. It was incorporated as a village in 1848. It lies upon the Mohawk River, near its junction with the Hudson, and has one of the finest water powers in the world. The facilities for transportation by land and water are unsurpassed by any manufacturing city in the United States. The Erie Canal affords direct communication with the western country and the great lakes : the Champlain Canal opens an easy communica- tion with Lake Champlain and all parts of Canada, and with the Hudson River to New York and the Ocean. The Rens- selaer and Saratoga Railroad, and the Troy and Schenectady branch of the N. Y. C. R. R., extend through the City.
The Cohoes Falls is a cataract with a perpendicular fall of about fifty feet. Below the Falls the river flows through a deep gorge whose perpendicular walls rise on each side to the hight of nearly one hundred feet. A dam has been erected across the river above the Falls, and the water is conveyed by canals to convenient places for manufacturing purposes. The surface of the land is such that the water in some instances is used as many as six times.
The manufacturing is extensive, and consists of six extensive cotton mills, running 203,000 spindles, eighteen large knitting
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mills, two foundries, three machine shops, a rolling mill, two ax factories, a planing mill, a sawing and veneering establish- ment, and many other large and flourishing establishments. The City contains about 300 stores of various kinds, six churches and a population of about 16,000.
The following are the boundaries of the City, as set forth in the act of incorporation :-
"SECTION 1. The territory within the following limits shall constitute the City of Cohoes : Commencing at a point in the center of the south branch of the Mohawk River, in the town of Watervliet, and county of Albany, immediately east of the south line of the farm owned by Cornelius L. Tracy and Sarah M. Gould; thence westerly along said line to the center of the Erie Canal, thence northwardly along the center of said canal to the north line of said farm, thence westerly along said north line to the west boundaries of said farm, thence in a direct line to the west line of the highway near the residence of Francis T. Lansing in said town, at a point immediately west of the center of the bridge over the Saut Kill or Salt Kill at that point, thence northwardly along the west line of said highway to its intersection with the highway leading from Cohoes Falls to the Boght, thence north until it strikes the boundary line between the farms of Isaac D. F. Lansing and Sarah Miller, thence along said boundary line north-easterly to the easterly line of the Erie Canal, thence northwardly along said line of the Erie Canal to a point where it strikes the line between the lands of the Cohoes Company and said I. D. F. Lansing, thence northeasterly along said last mentioned line in a direct line to the boundary line be- tween the counties of Albany and Saratoga, thence easterly along the said center of said Mohawk River, which is said bound- dary line between the counties of Albany and Saratoga to and along the center of the Sprout of said Mohawk River, flowing between Haver and Van Schaicks Island to the boundary line between the counties of Albany and Rensselaer, in the Mohawk River, thence southwardly along said last mentioned line to a point in Hudson River east of the mouth of the middle sprout of the south branch of the Mohawk River, thence westerly along the center line of said middle sprout or water course, to the center of said south branch, thence southerly along the cen- ter of the same to the place of beginning." This includes Van Schaich's Island.
The history of Cohoes as a village and city is the history of its manufactories. The earliest accounts which we have of this locality have reference to the Falls. Rev. Johannes Megapo-
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lensis, who came to Albany in 1642, as pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, in speaking of the Mohawk River says :
"This river comes out of the Mahakas country about four miles north of us. There it flows between two high rocky banks, and falls from a hight equal to that of a church, with such a noise that we can sometimes hear it with us." *
* "In the spring, in May, the perch are so plenty that one man, with a hook and line can catch in one hour as many as ten or twelve men can eat. There is also in the river a great plenty of sturgeon, which we christians do not eat, but the Indians eat them greedily."
In 1680, Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, members of the Society of Labadists in Holland, came here to find a suitable place for a colony of their sect. They visited the Falls April 23, and gave the following account :
"Mr. Sanders having provided us with horses, we rode out about nine o'clock to visit the Cohoes which is the Falls of the great Maguaskil, which are the greatest falls not only in New Netherlands but in North America, and perhaps as far as is known in the whole New World. We rode two hours over beautiful level tillable land along the river, when we obtained a guide who was better acquainted with the road through the woods. He rode before us on horseback. In approaching Co- hoes from this direction the roads are hilly, and in the course of half an hour you have steep hills, deep valleys and narrow paths which run round the precipices, where you must ride with care in order to avcid the danger of falling over them as sometimes happens. As you come near the falls you can hear the roaring which makes everything tremble, but on reaching them and looking at them you see something wonderful, a great manifestation of God's power and sovereignty, of his wisdom and glory. We arrived there about noon. They are on one of the two branches into which North River is divided up above, of almost equal size. This one turns to the west out of the high land and coming here finds a blue rock which has a steep side as long as the river is broad, which is according to my calculation two hundred paces or more, and rather more than less, and about one hundred feet high. The river has more water at one time than another, and was now about six or eight feet deep."
Upon the approach of Burgoyne, in the summer of 1717, General Schuyler retired to Van Schaick's Island and threw up fortifications to check the advance of the enemy, who threaten- ed from the north and the west. After the retreat of St. Leger from the siege of Fort Stanwix, no further trouble was appre- hended from the west by way of the Mohawk Valley, and Gen.
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Gates, who had superseded Gen. Schuyler in command of the Northern Army, advanced into Saratoga County, where he suc- ceeded in capturing Burgoyne and his whole army. The re- mains of some of the earthworks upon the island are still visible.
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Previous to 1811 the present site of the City was a barren tract of land, bordered by one of the finest water-powers in the world, and known only to the world at large through the won- ders and beauties of the surrounding scenery, as depicted by travelers whom circumstances compelled or curiosity prompted to visit the vicinity.
The first extensive attempt at manufacturing here was made by the "Cohoes Manufacturing Co." in 1811. The Company was incorporated " for the purpose of manufacturing cotton, woolen and linen goods, bar iron, nail rods, hoop iron and iron- mongery." The works were erected at the junction of the Champlain Canal with the Mohawk River, and the water-power was supplied by a wing dam extending into the river. The fac- tory was burned in 1827 and the corporation failed. In 1830 the population of Cohoes was chiefly at what was the junction of the Erie and Champlain Canals. In 1831 Mr. Hugh White built a saw mill upon the present site of one of the Harmony Company's buildings. At this time there was neither post- office, church, tavern or store, in what is now the principal manufacturing portion of the City. The nearest post-office was at Waterford, and the nearest church was at the "Boght." Mr. Wilkinson, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was one of the pio- neer manufacturers of Cohoes. He was at one time the largest manufacturer in the place, but finally moved away.
The Cohoes Company was incorporated March 28, 1826, with a capital of $250,000, which was increased to $500,000 April 26, 1833. The first trustees were Peter Remsen, Charles E. Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Jr., Francis Olmstead, Canvass White, Henry J. Wycoff and David Wilkinson. The Company now owns the entire water-power from half a mile abore to one mile below the Falls, with a total fall of 120 feet. A dam was built across the river in 1831, but it was carried away in 1832. An- other was immediately constructed which was partially destroy- ed in 1839 and rebuilt the same year. The present stone dam was constructed in 1865 and is one of the most costly and sub- stantial structures of the kind in the world. It is 1,443 feet in length and, with its appurtenances, cost $180,000. The engi- heer of this work was Wm. E. Worden, assisted by D. II. Van Auken. The work was done under the supervision of Mr. T. G. Younglove,, the agent of the Company. The water is used from five successive canals, at different levels, and is again used
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from the level of the State Dam. The first of these canals wna constructed in 1834, and is three-fourths of a mile in length. and has a fall of eighteen feet. The second was constructed in 1843, is one-third of a mile in length and has a fall of 25 fret. The third is half a mile in length with a fall of 23 feet. A part of the last two consist of portions of the old Erie Canal. The fourth and fifth canals have a fall of 20 feet each, and are only partly constructed. The entire power is estimated at 10,000 horse-power, only about one-half of which is utilized.
The Harmony Mills Company was organized in 1850 and incorporated in 1853. This Company purchased the mill that had previously been erected by the " Harmony Manufacturing Company," and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. They have at present five mills, known as Nos. 1, 2 and 3, "Old Harmony," " Ogden " and "Strong" mills. No. 1 is 550 by TU feet, four stories high, and was built in 1852. No. 2 is 660 by 75 feet, and three stories high. It was built in 1857 and en- larged in 1866. No. 3 is 675 by 70 feet, five stories high, and was commenced in 1866 and finished in 1869. The " Old Har- mony Mill" is 150 by 50, and four stories high ; the " Ogden " is 500 by 50, and five stories high, and the " Strong Mill " 200 by 50 feet, and four stories high. The aggregate number of spindles in these mills is 203,000 ; the number of looms is 4,400, and the number of employes over 3,000, two-thirds of whom are females. The annual pay-roll foots up nearly $1,000,000. Harmony Mill No. 3 is one of the largest, as well as one of the finest structures ever erected for manufacturing purposes. It is popularly known as the " Mastodon Mill," from the circum- stance that in excavating for the foundation, the skeleton of a Mastodon was discovered and is now in position in the State Geological Rooms at Albany. This immense structure cost over $1,000,000. This Company own nearly 700 tenements, which are occupied by operatives, besides five large boarding houses for the accommodation of unmarried employes.
The Knitting Mills of Cohoes form an important branch of the productive industry of the City, there being eighteen establish- ments in successful operation. The manufacture of knit goods was commenced in 1832, by the firm of Egberts & Bailey, Mr. Egberts being the inventor of the machinery, and Mr. Bailey the practical mechanic who constructed the machine.
The Troy Manufacturing Company run eleven sets of machin- ery and employ 260 hands. The annual product is 36,000 dozen shirts and drawers, valued at $300.000. During one year of the war the sales amounted to $700,000.
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The Tivoli Hosiery Mills were established by J. G. Root, of Al- bany, in 1855. The business is now carried on by J. G. Root's Sons. Eleven sets of machinery are in operation, giving em- ployment to 250 hands and producing 40,000 dozen of all kinds of ladies' and gents' and children's knit goods. The monthly wages amount to $5,500, and the annual sales $350,000.
The Clifton Company operate thirteen sets of machinery, em- ploying 275 hands, producing 40,000 dozen of shirts and draw- ers, and 40,000 dozen of hose annually. The monthly, wages amount to about 86,000.
J. H. Parsons & Co. operate 12 sets of machinery, employing 300 hands, and producing 45,000 dozen shirts and drawers an- nually. The monthly wages amount to $6,500, and the annual sales to about $400,000.
The Halcyon Mili contains six sets of machinery, employing 150 hands, and manufacturing 20,000 dozen shirts and drawers annually. The monthly wages amount to about $4,000 and the annual sales to $250,000.
The Star Knitting Company operate eight sets of machinery, employing 140 hands, and making 25,000 dozen annually. The monthly wages amount to $5,000, and the annual sales to $250,000.
The Ontario Mill contains four sets of machinery, employing 60 hands and making 15,000 dozen of shirts and drawers an- nually. The monthly wages amount to $1,200.
The Erie Miils contain three sets of machinery, employing ,5 hands and making 18,000 dozen shirts and drawers annual- ly. The monthly wages amount to 82,200, and the annual sales to $125,000.
The Empire Mill contains three sets of machinery, employing 55 hands and making 12,000 dozen shirts and drawers annually. The monthly wages amount to $1,700, and the annual sales to $100,000.
The Riverside Mill contains six sets of machinery, employing 100 hands, making gents' shirts and drawers. The monthly wages amount to $3,000.
The Stark Mill contains two sets of machinery, employing 30 hands and making 12,000 dozen shirts and drawers. The monthly wages amount to $950.
The American Hosiery Mill contains six sets of machinery, employing 180 hands and making gents' shirts, drawers, jackets, half hose &c.
The Diamond Mill contains four sets of machinery, employ- ing sixty hands, and manufacturing goods for men's wear.
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The Mohawk Mill contains four sets of machinery for knit goods, and several machines for the manufacture of cotton yarn. One hundred and twenty hands are employed.
The Victor Mill contains six sets of machinery for the manu- facture of knit goods.
The Atlantic Mill contains three sets of machinery, employ- ing 55 hands and making annually 12,000 dozen goods for men's wear. The monthly wages amount to $1,700, and the annual product is valued at $100,000.
The Alaska Knitting Company has but recently become in- corporated. Knit goods and all-wool hosiery will be manu- factured by this corporation.
The Cohoes Rolling Mill was erected about 1856. The mill and auxiliary building cover an area of ground 500 by 160 feet. The products are shafting, bar and band iron, iron for making gas and steam pipe, trestle work for buildings and bridges, and ax, pick and mattock poll. The best of iron is manufactured at this mill. The ax polls are made solid, and the eye punched by a ponderous machine. The works consume 8,000 tons of coal, 1,200 tons of ore, producing 7,000 tons of bar iron. About 200 hands are employed.
The Cohoes Paper Company, represented by Charles Van Ben- thuysen & Sons, of Albany, erected mills at Cohoes in 1861 and commenced operations in December of the same year. On the 15th of February 1862, the works were destroyed by fire. They Were immediately rebuilt and put in operation in October of the same year. The mills have a front on Mohawk Street of 276 feet, and a width of 60 feet, with two wings 50 by 60 and 66 by 60 feet respectively. The machinery is of the most approved kind, and the daily production is about 4,000 pounds. An ar- tesian well has been sunk to the depth of 2,000 feet, but without reaching water.
Burton's Veneering and Sawing Mill was established by Hawes & Baker in 1836. A similar enterprise was soon after started by Mills & Tremain. In 1840 Mr. Wm. Burton entered into partnership with Mr. Tremain, and subsequently became the sole owner of both concerns. The manufactures consist of veneering from foreign and domestic woods, looking-glass back- boards, brush-backs, stair-rails, newels, &c. Mahogany, rose- wood, satin wood, red and Spanish cedar, and all other woods used in veneering are here manufactured. Over 2,000,000 feet of backboards for picture frames, looking-glasses, &c., are made annually. The establishment contains the most approved ma- chinery, comprising three veneer saws, two upright mill saws,
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six circular saws, one turning lathe, two planers, one "Novelty" machine, and many other mechanical devices. About twenty men are employed, and the products are sent to all parts of the United States and Canada.
John Land & Sons occupy a building 50 by 100 feet, and three stories high besides the basement. They are engaged in the manufacture of lumber, having among other machines a " Gray & Wood's" planer, which planes timber 50 feet in length and sixteen inches square. They are extensively engaged in build- ing, and their business extends from Canada to New York City.
The Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Shop was established in 1832, by Daniel Wilkinson. The business is now carried on by Fuller & Safely. The buildings now occupied consist of one which is 100 feet by 50, and five stories high, the other 120 feet by 60, and one story high. Messrs. Fuller & Safely occupy the latter for their foundry, and two stories of the former for a ma- chine shop. The remaining part of the building is occupied by different parties, and a great variety of work is carried on. The shop is furnished with machinery for the largest kind of manufactures. By means of a mammoth vertical lathe, situated in the foundry, a cylinder thirteen feet in diameter and the same length can be bored and finished. The immense pump for the Cohoes Water Works was made here. Its weight is about forty tons, and with its attachments, cost $10,000.
The Cohoes Nut Factory of George and Thomas Brooks. occu- pies a portion of the first floor of Fuller & Safely's building. Wrought iron nuts are extensively manufactured, ten presses being in constant operation.
The Cohoes Knitting Needle Factory of Henry Dawson occupies a portion of the fourth story of Fuller & Safely's building. A large number of hands are employed, the products are of the best quality, and the patronage of the concern extends to all parts of the United States and Canada.
The Magnolia Tape Mills occupy a part of Fuller & Safely's building. The business was started in 1867 by Mr. Duncan, who was soon after succeeded by Messrs. Clancy & Co., the pres- ent firm. The products are of superior quality, and are sold chiefly in New York, Chicago and other large cities.
The Cohoes Straw Board Mill is located above the Falls, near the Cohoes Company's dam. The establishment consists of two large buildings, supplied with the most approved machinery for the manufacture of straw board, which is produced in large quantities. 'The present proprietors are T. G. Younglove & Co.
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The Manufacture of Azes is an important business, and has been for many years. It was established 1834 by Daniel Sim- mons. The business is now carried on by Weed, Becker & Co., and by the Ten Eyck Manufacturing Company.
The Empire Pin Company was first established at Albany, but removed to Cohoes abot 1857. An extensive business is now carried on by E. S. & W. H. Harris, of Albany.
The Sash and Blind Factory of A. J. Griffin is an extensive es- tablishment and turns out the best of work.
Among the other manufactories are the Bobbin Factory of Bogue & Clark, the Bedstead Manufactory of P. S. Holsapple, the Cotton Batting Factory of Brown & Scovel, the Cohoes Flouring Mill, and many other establishments of various kinds.
Though the City Charter passed the Legislature in May 1869, the first election under this Charter was not held until April 12th, 18:0. at which Charles H. Adams was elected Mayor, and David J. Johnson, E. W. Lansing, George Campbell, Moses S. Young- love, B. Mulcahy, Walter Witbeck, C. F. North and Charles Hay, were chosen Aldermen.
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