USA > New York > Schenectady County > Gazetteer and business directory of Albany & Schenectady Co., N.Y., for 1870-71 > Part 18
USA > New York > Albany County > Gazetteer and business directory of Albany & Schenectady Co., N.Y., for 1870-71 > Part 18
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The settlement of this County was commenced in 1661. The great flat upon the Mohawk, embracing the present site of Schenectady, was purchased of the natives in 1661, by Arent Van Corlear. The grantors of this tract were four Mohawk chiefs, named Cantuque, Sonareetsie, Aiadane and Sodackdrasse. The grant was confirmed the next year, and in 1664 the tract
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was surveyed. 'The inhabitants of Fort Orange, wishing to monopolize the trade with the Indians, required from the st- tlers a written pledge to abstain from trading with them, befor. the land was received from the Surveyor. A remonstranty against this was signed by the following early settlers, viz: . 1. Van Corlear, Philip Hendrickson, Sanders Lendertsen Glen, Simon Volerertsen, Pieter Soghmaekelyk, Teunis Cornelissen. Marte Cornelise, William Teller, Bastiaen De Winter for Catalyn, widow of Arent Andries de Voss, Pieter Jacobse Borsboom. Pieter Danieise Van Olinda, Jan Barentse Wemp and Jaque Cornelise. It was under the charge of five Commissioners until November 1, 1684, when Governor Dongan granted a patent confirming previous rights and extending the territory so that it embraced Schenectady, Glenville, Rotterdam and a part of Niskayuna. William Teller, Ryer Schermerhorn, Sweer Tuni- son, Jan Van Eps and Myndert Wemp were appointed Trustees under this grant. In 1702 R. Schermerhorn became sole truster. and in 1705 a new patent was issued, confirming certain town- ship privileges. On the 23d of October, 1765, the place was created a borough with the rights and privileges incident to those corporations.
In 1690 a party of between 200 and 300 French and Indians left Montreal for the purpose of making an attack upon Fort Orange. The weather was very cold and the party experienced extreme hardships, being compelled sometimes to " march up to their knees in water and to break the ice with their feet in or- der to find solid footing." About four o'clock in the afternoon of February Sth, after a march of 17 days, they arrived within about six miles of Schenectady, where they made a halt and were harangued by the great Mohawk Chief of the Iroquois. At eleven o'clock they came in sight of the town and resolved to defer the assault until two o'clock in the morning, but the intense cold admitted of no further delay.
"The town of Corlear (Schenectady) forms a sort of oblong with only two gates, one opposite the road we had taken, the other leading to Orange, which is only six leagues distant. Messieurs de Sainte Helene and de Mantet were to enter at the first which the squaws pointed out, and which in fact was found wide open. "Messieurs d'Iberville and de Montesson took the left, with another detachment, in order to make themselves masters of that leading to Orange. But they could not dis- cover it and returned to join the remainder of the party. A profound silence was everywhere preserved until the two com- manders who separated at their entrance into the town for the purpose of encircling it, had met at the other extremity. The signal of attack was given Indian fashion and the entire force
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rushed on simultaneously. M. de Mantet placed himself at the head of a detachment, and reached a small fort where the gar- rison was under arms. The gate was burst in after a good deal of difficulty, the whole set on fire and all who defended the place slaughtered. The sack of the town began a moment be- fore the attack on the fort .. Few houses made any resistance. M. de Montigny discovered some which he attempted to carry sword in hand having tried the musket in vain. He received two thrusts of a spear, one in the body and one in the arm. But M. de Sainte Helene having come to his aid, effected an entrance and put every one who defended the place to the sword. The massacre lasted two hours. The remainder of the night was spent in placing sentinels and in taking some re- pose. The house belonging to the minister was ordered to be saved, so as to take him alive to obtain information from him, but as it was not known it was not spared any more than the others. He was slain and his papers burnt before he could be recognized. At daybreak the same men were sent to the dwelling of Mr. Coudre (Sanders), who was Major of the place and who lived at the other side of the river. He was not will- ing to surrender and began to put himself on the defensive with his servants and some Indians, but it was resolved not to do him any harm, in consequence of the good treatment that the French had formerly experienced at his hands. M. d'Iber- ville and the great Mohawk proceeded thither alone, promised him quarter for himself, his people and his property, whereupon he laid down his arms, on parole, entertaining them in his fort and returning with them to see the commandants of the town."
The houses had already been set on fire, and none were spared except one belonging to Coudre, and that of a widow who had six children, whither Montigny had been carried when wounded. Sixty men, women and children were put to death, some of them in the most barbarous manner. Twenty- seven were taken prisoners and fifty or sixty escaped. The loss in houses, cattle and grain, was estimated at more than four hundred thousand livres. The enemy took away with them fifty horses, only sixteen of which reached Montreal, the re- mainder having been killed for food on the road.
The settlement at this time consisted of about eighty houses, nearly all of which were burned. A few of the inhabitants es- caped to Albany, the nearest place of refuge, and gave the alarm. The fear of an attack upon that place prevented as vigorous a pursuit of the enemy as would otherwise have been made. A small force sent in pursuit were compelled to return on account of the deep snow and the excessive cold.
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The place was never visited by a hostile enemy after 1690, but the Fort was kept up, provision having been frequently made for rebuilding and repairing the same. During the Revo- lution the place was garrisoned at the public expense, and many families from the upper Mohawk sought protection from the incursions of Tories and Indians. A large number of friendly Oneida and Tuscarora Indians, driven from their homes, Were supported in this vicinity at the public expense, for several years succeeding 1779.
After the return of peace the settlement shared in the general prosperity. The improvements of the Western Inland Naviga- tion Company gave a new impulse to trade by enabling larger boats to navigate the Mohawk. The Company cleared the river of impediments as much as possible, built a lock at Little Falls. and in 1796 constructed a canal between the Mohawk and Wood Creek, leading into Oneida Lake, thus opening communication by water with the chain of lakes in the interior of the State, and with Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. The boats were pro- pelled up stream by setting poles, and were floated down by the current. The navigation of the Mohawk was entirely abandoned on the completion of the Erie Canal. The railroads centering in Schenectady afford unusual facilities for communicating with all parts of the State.
The following account of an expedition of the French "into ve terrytoryes of His Royal Highnesse the Duke of Yorke in America," is taken from "Documentary History," the principal change being in the orthography : .
"On the 29th of December Monsier Coarsell the Governor of Canada, in New France, began his march with nearly six hun- dred men, to seek out their inveterate enemies called the Mo- hawk Indians in their own country and forts, there to take re- venge upon them for the several murders and spoils which the. barbarians had for many years exercised in Canada upon the French, and the Indians of those parts even to the ruin of mo ... but to the insufferable discouragement of all those inhabitant .. who being taken alive were usually tortured and eaten, or burnt by the Mohawks. If not taken they lived in perpetual alarms to see their dwelling houses burnt, their cattle and corn de- stroyed. All which powerful arguments furnished the French with heat enough to march over the frozen lake of Canada, and taking their time that the snow upon the ground was hard frozen (though in most places four feet deep,) made use of In- dian snow shoes which have the form of a racket tied to each foot, whereby the body and feet are kept from sinking into the snow, and because it was not possible for horses to pass or sub- sist in the snow, or for the soldiers to carry their necessary pro-
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visions on their backs, and had less expectation to meet with any relief in the vast wilderness, the Governor caused slight sledges to be made in good number, laying provisions upon them, drew them over the snow with dogs, all these difficulties put to- gether impeded his march, and by the mistake of his guides happened to fall short of the castles of the Mohawks, and to take up his quarters, or rather encamp upon the 9th of February within two miles of a small village called Schonectade, lying within the woods beyond Fort Albany in the territories of his Royal Highness, and three days march from the first castle of the Mohawk3."
The French supposed they had arrived at their place of destination, and encountering a party of Mohawks who, under the appearance of retreating, drew a party of sixty French fusileers into an ambuscade of about two hundred Mohawks stationed behind the trees. At the first fire eleven Frenchmen were killed, one of whom was a lieutenant, and several others wounded. The French party immediately fell back upon the main body, giving the Mohawks an opportunity to escape with three killed and six wounded. The Indians immediately re- ported this encounter to the Commissary of the village, bring- ing with them as trophies the heads of four Frenchmen. The news was immediately sent to Albany, and the next day three of the principal inhabitants were sent to the Governor of Canada to inquire as to his intention in bringing such a body of armed men into the dominions of His Majesty of Great Britain, without acquainting the Governor of these parts of his designs. Governor Coursell replied that he came to seek out and destroy his enemies, the Mohawks, without the inten- tion of visiting their plantations or of molesting any of His Majesty's subjects, and that he had not heard of these parts being reduced to his Majesty's subjection. 'He desired that he and his soldiers might be supplied with provisions for their money, and that his wounded men might be taken to Albany and cared for. To all of this the Embassy sent from Albany assented, and made him a small present of wine and pro- visions, and offered him the best accommodations afforded. These he declined, as there were not accommodations for his soldiers, with whom he had marched and camped for six weeks. He could more easily keep his soldiers from strageling, as they feared the Indians on every side. The next day the wounded were sent to Albany. The Dutch inhabitants of Schenectady supplied the French with peas, bread and such other provisions as they could spare. The Mohawks had gone to their castles, and the French, with a show of marching against them, in reality directed their course to Canada.
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"Upon the 12th of February, whether a panic fear, muri." or the probability of the thawing of the lake caused this sudd's retreat, which the Indians called dishonorable, I cannot learn, but surely so bold and hardy an attempt, all things considered. has not happened in any age. All which vanished like false tir- and gave new courage to their old enemies, the Mohawks, who by their spies, hearing of the retreat of the French pursued them to the lake, but the French making greater speed, did not suffer serious damage from the pursuit, losing only three pris. oners, one of whom the Mohawks put to death at his own re. quest, as he was unable to march. Five others who perished by cold and hunger were scalped and left where they fell. Those who observed the words and countenance of Monsieur Coursell. saw him disturbed in mind that the King was master of these parts of the country where he expected to find the Dutch in- terest the uppermost, saying that the King of England did grasp at all America, but he did not believe to see the Dutch the mas- ters ere long. He inquired what garrison or what fort was at Albany, and was told that a captain and sixty English soldiers with nine pieces of ordnance in a small fort of four bastions. and that the captain thereof, Captain Baker had sent twenty men from another garrison of the King at Sopes, who probably might be in Albany at the same time, thus finding his men tired, the Mohawks resolute and something doubtful without trial of the good will of the English garrison because the reports were strong that the French King and the States of Holland were united against his Majesty of England. Monsieur Cour- sell found it reasonable to return home, nothing effected, the two prisoners taken by the Mohawks in the retreat tell them that this summer another attempt will be made upon their country with a greater force and supplies of men, the truth or success of which I shall not now discourse upon, having given the true relation of what passed from the 29th of December to the 12th of February."
Though one of the smallest counties in the State, Schenecta- dy has steadily progressed in population and in all the enter- prises of the age. The first railroad in the State connected .Al- bany and Schenectady, and was built about 1830. In 1832 & railroad was built to Saratoga; in 1835 to Utica; in 1843 to Troy; and in 1868 to Athens. Other roads are projected and will be built in due time. The plank road mania, that pre- vailed to such an extent about twenty years ago, was participat- ed in by the inhabitants of this County, but, as in other parts, the roads have been abandoned.
The call of President Lincoln, April 15, 1861, for 75,000 vol- unteers, was responded to by the citizens of Schenectady, who
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held a meeting on the evening of the 19th, when forty-seven men enrolled their names to an application to be organized into a company. The Company was organized the next day with William Seward Gridley, Captain; and Daniel Daley, First Lieutenant. It was attached to the Eighteenth Regiment upon its organization, May 11th, and designated as Company A. It numbered 74 besides the officers, 60 of whom were from the City. The Regiment was commanded by Col. Wm. A. Jackson. The Company was in the first battle of Bull Run, and in several other engagements, remaining in the service two years. About the first of May another company was organized and officered by Capt. Stephen Truax and First Lieutenant William Horsfall. It numbered 78 men and was attached to the Eighteenth Regi- ment as Co. E. Captain Truax resigned soon after on account of ill health, and Lieutenant Horsfall was promoted to the com- mand. He led the Company in the various battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, and was killed at South Mountain, while cheering his men on to the conflict. Another company was organized about the same time as those already mentioned, and officered by Captain B. M. Van Voast and Lieutenants M. V. V. Smith and E. B. Van Voast. It was attached to the Thirtieth Regiment. These three companies were organized in answer to the first call, and previous to the battle of Bull Run. Many persons belonging to this County attached themselves to other organizations. We have no means of determining the number of men who enlisted from this County during the war, but the several calls were responded to with a readiness that showed that Schenectady was not behind the other counties in furnishing men and means to crush out the most gigantic re- bellion the world ever saw.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
DUANESBURGH, named in honor of James Duane, the principal proprietor, was erected as a township by patent, March 13, 1:65. It was first joined with Schobarie as "the united district of Duanesburgh and Schoharie." It was made a separate district March 24, 1772, and was first recognized as a town March 22, 1788. It lies in the south-west corner of the County. The surface consists of an upland, broken by the narrow valleys and gulleys of small streams. Schoharie Creek forms a portion of the west boundary, and Norman's Kil flows through the south part. The hills which border upon these streams are'steep and in some places rocky. The other prin- cipal streams are Corry's Brook, Chuctenunda Creek and Bozen Kil. Maria Pond and Featherston Lake are two small sheets of water in the north-east part, about 250 feet above the canal. The soil is a stiff clay loam with a slight intermixture of gravel. It is better adapted to pasturage than to tillage. The Albany & Susquehanna Railroad extends through the south part of the town.
Duanesburgh, (p. v.) in the south-east part of the town, con- tains a hotel, two stores, several mechanic shops, and about a dozen dwellings.
Quaker Street, (p. v.) in the south part, contains three churches. a hotel, several stores and mechanic shops, and about 30 dwell- ings.
Mariaville, (p. v.) in the north-east part, on Maria Pond, con- tains two churches, two hotels, several stores, mills and me- chanic shops, and about 20 dwellings.
Braman's Corners, (p. v.) in the west part, contains two churches and about a dozen dwellings.
Eaton's Corners is a hamlet in the west part.
The settlement of this town commenced about the time of its organization in 1765, though large tracts had previously been purchased by different parties. Mr. James Duane purchased a
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tract of about 60,000 acres, and contracted with twenty Ger- mans from Pennsylvania, sixteen of whom came on and made permanent settlements. The lands were leased for about fifteen dollars per hundred acres, on long leases. The agents of Sir William Johnson excited a prejudice against these lands and somewhat retarded their settlement.
The first church (Prot. Epis.) was organized Aug. 3, 1.95, and the church edifice was erected by Judge Duane. Rev. Da- vid Belden was the first rector.
The Presbyterian Church of Mariaville was organized as a Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church, July 19, 1842, and was re- organized as a Presbyterian Church, June 15th, 1859. The number of members at its organization was 28. The first pastor was James Donald. The first house of worship was erected in 1842 at a cost of $2,000; its present value is $3,000. It will seat 300. Rev. David Lyon is the present pastor. The mem- bership is 59.
The population of the town in 1865 was 3,099, and its area 42.392 acres.
There are 21 school districts, employing 22 teachers. The number of children of school age is 1,073; the number attend- ing school, 796; the average attendance, 386, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending September 30, 1869, was $5,267.91.
GLENVILLE, named in honor of S. L. Glen, the pat- entee of the township, was formed from Schenectady, April 14, 1820. It lies on the north bank of the Mohawk, and is the on- ly town in the County, on that side. The central and west parts are occupied by rugged and wooded hills, rising abruptly from the valley of the river to a hight of 300 feet. The east part is nearly level. The principal streams are Crabbs Kil, Chaugh- ta-noon-da, Aalplaats and Jan Wemps Creeks, and Verf Kil. The soil among the hills is a stiff clay, underlaid by hardpan, with an accasional outcrop of alate ; and in the east part it is a sandy and gravelly loam. The Mohawk Flats are very fertile and devoted to a great extent to raising broom corn. The N. Y. C. R. R. and the Schenectady and Saratoga R. R. extend through the town.
Glenville, (p. v.,) in the north-east part, contains two churches and about 20 dwellings.
Reeseviile, (Scotia p. o.,) in the south part, near the river, con- tains two churches and about 300 inhabitants.
High Mills, in the north-east part, is a hamlet, containing a woolen factory and several mills.
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Hoff man's Ferry (p. o.,) is a station on the N. Y. C. R. R. .A ferry was established here in 1790, by Hermanus Vedder. It was calicd Vedder's Ferry until 1835, when it was bought b; John Hoffman and received its present name.
East Glenville (p. O.,) is in the east part of the town.
Bridges connect this town with Schenectady and Niskayuna. Settlementy were commenced about 1665 and were among the earliest in the County. The country around Scotia was granted to Sanders Lendertsen Glen, a native of Scotland, who removed to Holland in 1645 on account of religious persecutions. After several years spent in mercantile pursuits, he removed to this country. Van Slyck's Island was granted to Jaques Van Slyck, in 1662. A party of Frenchmen sent against the Mohawks be- came reduced to such extremities on arriving at this place, as to seek assistance from the English. They were so kindly treated by Mr. Sanders at this time, that when the country was invaded in 1690, and Schenectady destroyed, Mr. Sanders' house was spared. Several of his descendants still reside in the town.
The First Reformed Church of Glenville was organized in April 1813, with twenty members, and a house of worship was erected about the same time. Rev. Peter Van Zandt was the first pastor. The original cost of the church was about $2,000. It was extensively repaired in 1837 and will seat about 450. The present pastor is Rev John Miner. The society con- template erecting a new church during the present year, at a cost of $10,000 or $15,000.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of West . Glenville was or- ganized in 1822 with seventy members. The first pastor was Rev. Roswell Kelly. The first house of worship was erected in 1823, and the present house in 1842. The present pastor is Rev. - Patterson. The church will seat 250 persons and is valued at 82,500.
The population of Glenville in 1865 was 3,038, and its area 23.653 acres.
There are 14 school districts, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 1,020; the number attending school 708; the average attendance 313, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending September 30, 1869, was $6,319.33.
NISKAYUNA was formed from Watervliet, (Albany Co.,) March 7, 1809. A part of Schenectady was annexed in 1853. It lies upon the Mohawk, in the east part of the County. Its surface is chiefly upland, terminating in steep bluffs upon the river - valley. The river flats are very fertile and productive. A strip
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of land about a mile wide, extending back from the bluffs, has a hard clay soil and much of it is swampy and unfit for culti- vation. Further south the soil is sandy.
Niskayuna, (p. o.) in the south-east corner, is a hamlet.
The first settlement of this town was commenced about 1640. Among the early settlers were the Clutes, Vedders, Van Vrankens, Groots, Tymesons, Pearces, Jansens and Van Bock- hoovens. The canal crosses the Mohawk into this town on a magnificent stone aqueduct. By an act of 1805, Alexander was authorized to erect a dam at this place.
The population of the town in 1865 was 845, and its area 7,443 acres.
There are four school districts, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 345; the number attending school 226 ; the average attendance 117, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year end- ing September 30, 1869, was $1,525.66.
PRINCETOWN, named in honor of John Prince, a member of Assembly from Albany Co. when the town was formed, was formed from Schenectady, March 26, 1798. It lies a little west of the center of the County. The surface consists of a broken upland, gently descending towards the south-east. The streams are Norman's Kil, in the south, and Zantzee Kil in the north. A cascade sixty feet in hight is upon this stream, and from this point to the Mohawk are several rapids and small cascades. The soil is a heavy clay loam, underlaid by hardpan, and is best adapted to grazing.
Princetown (p. o.) is a hamlet in the southern part.
This town was conveyed chiefly to George Ingoldsby and Aaron Bradt, in 1737. William Corry subsequently became the owner and formed a settlement which was long known as " Corry's Bush." The town was thinly settled at the time of the Revolution. The Princetown Academy was opened on a large scale in 1853, and was discontinued in 1856.
The population in 1865 was 931, and the area 14,421 acres.
There are seven school districts, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 345; the number attending school, 287; the average attendance, 137, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending September 30, 1869, was $1,852.07.
ROTTERDAM was formed from Schenectady, April 14, 1820. A part of the City was annexed in 1853. It lies near the center of the County, upon the south bank of the Mohawk.
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