USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Gazetteer and business directory of Rensselaer County, N. Y., for 1870-71 > Part 11
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Upon the approach of Burgoyne's army in 1777, the Ameri- can families hastily fled, with such property as could be easily removed, leaving houses and farms to be plundered by the British. Scouting parties of the enemy penetrated as far south as Lansingburgh. The Battle of Bennington was fought in the town of Hoosick, August 16, 1777, and is described in connec- tion with the history of that town. From this time the cause of the Colonies began to grow brighter, the timid were embold- ened, the secretly dissatisfied over-awed, and great numbers, before undecided, now committed their fortunes to the cause of freedom. The proprietor of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck extended every possible assistance to the distressed families flying before the invaders, proving to them a sincere friend in their hour of need.
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RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Rensselaer County Agricultural and Manufacturers Association owns Fair Grounds in the north part of the city, near Lansing- burgh. Substantial buildings have been erected and Fairs are held annually. A few weeks after the close of the last annual exhibition, Floral Hall was destroyed by fire, the society sus- taining a loss of about $1,000. The officers of the society are : John R. Fonda, Troy, President ; D. E. Davenport, Lansing- burg, E. Waters, Troy, John Green, Schodack, George M. Tay- lor, Troy, Andrew B. Knowlson, Sand Lake, Vice Presidents ; S. K. Stowe, Troy, Secretary ; G. A. Waters, Troy, Treasurer.
Rensselaer County Medical Society was organized July 1, 1806. Dr. Benjamin Woodward was chosen President; John Loudon, Vice President ; Samuel Gale, Treasurer ; I. M. Wells, Secretary ; and Ely Burritt, Moses Willard, Hezekiah Eldridge, David Doolittle, Benjamin Rowe, Censors. The annual meetings of the Society are held the second Tuesday in January, and quar- terly meetings are held the second Tuesday in April, July and October.
The Rensselaer County Homoeopathic Society hold their annual meeting the third Tuesday in October, and their semi-annual meeting the third Tuesday in June.
From the Bureau of Military Record of the State, we learn that Rensselaer County and the City of Troy were among the first to respond to the demands of patriotism when the attack upon Fort Sumter was announced. On Monday, April 15th, a call for a meeting to be held in the evening, was issued, signed by men of all parties, and though the largest hall in the city had been engaged for the purpose, it was found to be too small to accommodate the vast multitude in attendance, and an ad- journment was made to the great Union Depot, where full five thousand people assembled. Hon. John A. Griswold presided, assisted by many other prominent gentlemen as vice-presidents and secretaries. A series of resolutions condemning the out- rage and pledging the people of Troy to a united support of the Government, were adopted ; and eloquent addresses were made by the president and other gentlemen present. The meeting adjourned by forming a procession and marching to the resi- dence of Maj. Gen. John E. Wool, where the veteran patriot made an eloquent and patriotic speech. The formation of a regiment was immediately commenced and resulted in the. Sec- ond Regiment New York Volunteers, which was mustered into the United States service May 14, for the term of two years, Col. J. B. Carr, afterwards Maj. General, commanding the Regi- ment ; Lieut. Col., R. Wells Kenyon ; Major, Richard D. Bloss. The Regiment left their camp in Troy, May 18th, and arrived
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RENSSELAER COUNTY.
at Fortress Monroe on the 24th. The regiment was on duty in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, taking part in the battles and skirmishes of that section during the first year's service. The response so nobly made at first, was followed up by equally pa- triotic efforts in the County until the close of the war. The City of Troy and the County of Rensselaer have nothing to fear from comparison with other parts of the State as regards men and means contributed to the support of the Government during its struggle to suppress the Great Rebellion. We have no means at hand of determining the number of men who en- listed from this County, nor have we the space to follow the regiments in their several campaigns during that memorable four years of blood and carnage. A simple reference to the part taken is all that can be given in a work like this. Though the deeds of the brave "boys in blue " may never all be writ- ten, their memory will ever be fresh in the hearts of every patriot. The avenger of Jackson, the murderer of the gallant Ellsworth, was a Trojan.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
BERLIN was formed from Petersburgh, Schodack and Stephentown, March 21, 1806. A part of Sand Lake was taken off in 1812. It lies near the center of the east border of the County. The surface consists chiefly of two ranges of moun- tains, separated by a narrow valley extending north and south. The hilly region is very wild and broken, and the declivities are generally steep and often precipitous. The principal streams are Kinderhook Creek, flowing south, and Little Hoo- sick River, flowing north. The head waters of these two streams are but a few rods apart, near South Berlin. In the west part of the town are several fine lakes surrounded by the forests. The soil in the valley is a gravelly loam, but among the moun- tains it is a hard sterile clay, intermixed or covered with frag- ments of rock.
Berlin, (p. v.) situated on Little Hoosick River, contains about 300 inhabitants.
South Berlin, (p. v.) in the south part, and
Center Berlin, (p. v.) near the center of the town, are both lo- cated in the valley of Little Hoosick.
Godfrey Brimmer located near North Berlin in 1765. Among the early settlers were Reuben Bonesteel and a family named Richer, who came in soon after Mr. Brimmer. In 1769 Peter Simmons and Jacob O. Cropsey lived at the Hollow, and in the same year Daniel Hull and Joseph Green came into town. Col. Bentley settled near North Berlin, and Thomas Sweet, a black- smith, at South Berlin.
Daniel Hull kept the first tavern previous to the Revolution, and Hezekiah Hull opened an inn soon after the war. Caleb Bently erected the first grist mill, in 1780. Dr. John Forbes, the first physician, located at South Berlin in 1775.
Soon after the Battle of Lexington, two companies were formed in this and adjoining towns, a part of whom were sta- tioned at D. Hull's for local protection ; the others were en- gaged in active service.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
James Green, a son of Joseph Green, one of the early settlers, died in 1857 at the age of one hundred years.
The first church (Seventh Day Bap.) was formed at North Ber- lin in Dec. 1780. Rev. William Coon was the first preacher.
During the winter of 1845 Berlin was the scene of a most cold blooded and cruel murder. The murderer was Henry G. Green, and his victim was the lady whom he married about one week previous. From his confession, made just before his exe- cution, and the testimony elicited npon the trial, we gather all the facts necessary for our present purpose. It appeared from the testimony that Green made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Ann Wyatt, a beautiful and accomplished lady of Lowell, Mass. She was engaged as an actress in the play of the Drunkard, and was traveling in company with her brother when Green made her acquaintance. After a short acquaintance he offered his hand in marriage and was accepted. The nuptials were celebrated and they entered upon life with bright prospects, amid the congratulations of many friends of wealth and high social position. A few days after their marriage a party was formed for a pleasure ride to Hoosick. Here Green met a lady of his acquaintance who playfully told him she had expected to marry him. Though there was nothing in the appearance or conduct of his bride to make him regret the step he had ta- ken, he seems to have been possessed with a strange and uncon- trollable passion for this young lady, and very soon began to plan for the removal of the object that intervened to prevent the consummation of his wishes. Green at first procured opium, which he gave his wife, but this was vomited up before it effect- ed the desired object. He next procured arsenic and continued to repeat the dose in various ways, in coffee and in soup, while she was suffering from previous doses under the care of a nurse. There was no complaint that his victim was not all he had ex- pected, but she must be removed to allow of the union with the young lady before mentioned. He declared in his confession that he had no fears of detection, and the first feelings of pain or regret for the deed were when he saw the suffering of his wife. He had shown his affection for her by purchasing a cloak, dress and other articles after their marriage, and there was no change in her conduct towards him until she became suspicious that he was the cause of her sickness. He suffered the extreme penalty of the law, on the tenth of September 1845, and was buried in the cemetery at Berlin, beside his victim. Her remains were after- wards removed by her friends to another part of the grounds, and a neat monument erected as a tribute of respect by her brother. The sentence of death was pronounced upon Green by Judge Parker, who asked him if he had anything to say why judg-
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
ment should not be pronounced against him. Green replied " not guilty." The Judge then said: "That is adding nothing to what has already been said ; that plea has been put in by your counsel and the issue has been tried with every advantage to you. You have had the aid of rich and powerful friends, friends of high respectability and character, who have secured for you every opportunity of presenting your whole case to the jury fully and fairly. Notwithstanding this, an intelligent jury have found you guilty, and no person who has heard the trial does not concur in the justice of the verdict. You stand con- demned as guilty of having murdered your wife. Your case in all respects exceeds in enormity any of which I have ever heard. It will no doubt stand out on the page of History as the most criminally awful case of murder that ever came before Court or jury. You murdered her deliberately, you murdered the woman you had sworn but one short week, I may say, four days before, to cherish through life; the woman whose destiny had been placed in your keeping, in less than one week after marriage you deliberately poisoned. You pursued your design day and night, repeating the deadly potation from time to time until she ex- pired, and then added to the crime of murder the black crime of perjury, for you violated the most solemn vow you made at the altar. Was it ever known that so interesting and holy a re- lation as that of man and wife has ever been followed so soon by results so shocking and painful to all the feelings of nature. Now the law pronounces your sentence, you are to be executed, cut off in the prime of life, or rather just as you are entering on life where you had rich and powerful relations and friends to aid you, when you might have been respected, but from which you are to be cut off and consigned to an early grave. And those friends who have stood by you will not share the disgrace that awaits you. You have had the advantage of every doubt that has arisen on the trial, and you must not flatter yourself with hopes that cannot be realized, but prepare for the awful death that awaits you and make preparation for your final ac- count. It is the judgment of the law, that on Wednesday, the 10th day of September next, between the hours of 8 o'clock in the morning and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, you be taken to the place of execution and there be hanged by the neck until you be dead."
The population of Berlin in 1865 was 2,149, and its area 34,- 135 acres.
BRUNSWICK was formed from Troy, March 20, 1807. A part of the town was reannexed to Troy, April 15, 1814. It lies a little north-west of the center of the County, upon the
83.
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
hilly region west of the summits of the Petersburgh Mountains. The most elevated portions of the town rise to the hight of 800 to 1,000 feet in the extreme east and north-west parts. The principal streams are Poesten Kil, its tributary, Quacken Kil, and Tomhannock Creek. The soil upon the summits of the hills is hard and sterile, but in the valleys and low lands it con- sists chiefly of a gravelly loam, intermixed with clay. The people are engaged extensively in furnishing milk, vegetables and hay for the Troy market.
Center Brunswick (p. v.) is situated a little north of the center.
Cropseyville, (p. v.)
East Brunswick, in the east part, and
Eagle Mills, (p. v.) in the south part, are all small villages containing a limited amount of manufacturing.
The first settlement was made in town about 1760, by a com- pany of Germans, among whom were David Coons, and fami- lies named Hardwick, Braunschweiger, Springer, Borck, Hay- ner, Outhout, Van Arnam, Hogg, Fisher, Benn, Watson, Fret, Quackenboss, Muller, Goeway and Clum.
The first inn was kept by a man named File, near the Luther- an Church, in 1790. The first store was kept by Henry Clum, at Cropseyville. The first factory was erected at Albia, now a part of Troy. The first mill was built by - Cross, in 1772, with no tools but an ax, saw and auger.
This town suffered greatly on the approach of Burgoyne in 1777, and after his surrender at Saratoga, many families of Roy- alists withdrew to Canada, and but few returned.
The population of Brunswick in 1865 was 3,175, and its area 27,971 acres.
The number of school districts in the town is fifteen, em- ploying the same number of teachers. The number of chil- dren of school age is 1,092; the number attending school is 750; the average attendance 343, and the amount expended for school purposes for the year ending September 30, 1869, was $5,378.35.
EAST GREENBUSH was formed from Greenbush, as Clinton, February 23, 1855, and its name was changed April 14, 1858. It lies upon the bank of the Hudson, south-west of the cen- ter of the County. The bluffs which border upon the river, rise from the edge of the water to the hight of 100 to 300 feet. The principal of these bluffs is opposite the city of Albany and is called Pon-o-kose Hill, an Indian name.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
From the summits of these bluffs the surface spreads out into a rolling upland, rising towards the east. The prin- cipal streams are Tierken Kil, which signifies "Blustering or Noisy Creek," in the central, and Moordeners Creek, in the south-west part of the town. The soil consists of sand, gravel and clay, and is very fertile. There are several sulphur springs in town, the principal of which is opposite Albany and is known as "Harrowgate." A large island called Papskanee lies in the river and belongs to this town. The name of this island is variously spelled as, Papskenekoes and Papakenea.
East Greenbush, (p. o.) in the south part, contains about a dozen dwellings.
The settlement of this town commenced at a very early day, probably as early as 1630. Among the early settlers were fami- lies named Van Buren, Van Hegen, Staats, Bris, Vanderburgh, Whitbeck, Cuyler and Van Wesipe. A ferry was established at a very early day across the Hudson, from Albany to Green- bush.
During the War of 1812 extensive barracks were erected on the hills east of Greenbush village, and for several years the place was the center of active military preparation and the ren- dezvous of large bodies of troops. The cantonments contained accommodations for 4,000 troops. There were hospital accom- modations for 100. The present residence of Mr. M. Kirtland was used for officers quarters, and the road is called " Barracks Road." This place was chosen on account of the supposed healthfulness of its elevated position, but during the first year of its occupation much sickness occurred on account of the un- avoidable exposures of the camp. Several military executions took place there during the War; most, if not all, of which were for desertion.
Edmund C. Genet, Minister of the French Republic to the United States, was long a resident of this town, and died here July 14, 1834.
The following description is from Dwight's Travels in 1798 :
" After crossing the ferry at Albany, we rode over a charming interval at Greenbush, handsomer and more fertile than any other which I have seen on this road. It extends several miles towards the south and is divided into beautiful farms and plant- ed in a thin dispersion, with houses and outbuildings whose appearance sufficiently indicates the easy circumstances of their. proprietors. From the excellent gardens which I have at times seen in this spot and the congeniality of soil to every hortulan production of this climate, I should naturally have believed that
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
the inhabitants together with the neighbors would have sup- plied the people of Albany with vegetables. Instead of this they are principally furnished by the Shakers of New Lebanon, a strong proof of the extreme reluctance with which the Dutch farmers quit their ancient customs even when allured by the prospects of superior gain."
" There is a small village in Schodack, containing about thirty houses, and another at Stephentown of perhaps twenty, standing on the borders of Kinderhook Creek. The rest of this region is divided into farms, moderately fertile and cultivated by tenants."
The population of the town in 1865 was 1,663, and its area 14,228.
The number of school districts in the town is six, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age 438; the number attending school 266; the average attendance 108, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year ending Sept. 30, 1869, was $2,396.94.
GRAFTON was formed from Troy and Petersburgh, March 20, 1807. It lies north of the center of the County, upon the summits of the Petersburgh Mountains. The surface is very rocky and broken, and a large portion of it is still covered with forests. The summits of the hills are from 800 to 1200 feet above tide, and many of them are covered by huge, jagged masses of graywacke. Among the hills are twenty-five ponds, several of which cover several hundred acres each and are sur- rounded by a wild and romantic scenery, the favorite resort of sportsmen. The Quacken Kil is the principal stream. The soil is chiefly clay, underlaid by hardpan, and is wet, cold and hard of cultivation. Mineral paint has been made to some ex- tent from the red argillite at Quackenkill. Large quantities of wood, tan-bark and charcoal, are sent from this town to Troy. Sheep and cattle are raised extensively. Shirts are manufac- tured quite extensively in various parts of the town. It is es- timated that 18,000 dozen were made in the town during the last year.
Grafton Center, (Grafton p. o.,) situated in the center of the town, contains a Baptist church, two stores, a cheese factory, a blacksmith shop, a boot and shoe shop, a saw mill, a stave ma- chine and about twenty dwellings.
+ Quackenkill, (p. o.) on the west border of the town, is a ham- let.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
The first settlement was made by tenants under Van Rensse- laer. They paid an annual rent of from seven to twenty-two bushels of wheat per hundred acres. Among the first settlers were families named Coon, Dimmons and Owens. Francis West and family, from Rhode Island, settled at an early day where Nathan Lewis now lives. John Babcock, from the same State, settled about the close of the Revolution, where J. D. Slade now lives ; he was married to Delma Wager in January 1792. Elkanah Smith, from New Jersey, settled where Aaron Eldred now lives : he was a soldier of the Revolution. Joshua Banker settled about the same time where Henry Banker lives. Wil- liam Scriven and family, consisting of seven sons and two daughters, came from Rhode Island and settled in this town about 1779. Three of the sons, James, Zebulon and John, were Revolutionary soldiers. A man named Owens, from Rhode Is- land, with two sons, settled on 200 acres of land, where Stewart Allen now lives. The land was a gift from Stephen Van Rens- selaer. Owens was a Revolutionary soldier and received bounty land in the town of Manlius. John and Thomas Phillips set- tled where Truman Keller lives ; Francis Brock, from Ver- mont, where Silas Brock now lives, and John and David Mills, where Reuben Hall now lives. John Monroe settled in the north part of the town; a man named Dimmons, where Jabez Hakes lives ; Solomon Smith, where Josiah Church lives; Ru- fus Rix, near the same place, and Captain Charles Ferry, where D. L. Simmons lives, In 1797 Daniel Littlefield, from Mass., settled where Hiram Littlefield lives. Solomon Root, from Con- necticut, settled in the town in 1785; Nathaniel Dumbleton, in 1796, on the farm now occupied by Oscar C. Dumbleton. He came from Grafton, Vt., and was the first supervisor of the town. John P. Hayner settled where Samuel Newton lives.
The first store was kept by Josiah Litchfield, at Quackenkill ; the first tavern, at East Grafton, by Thomas Scriven ; the first one in the west part of the town by Elijah Ferry. Another au- thority says S. McChesney kept the first store and inn, in 1800.
Among the other early settlers in the town were Henry Hy- dom, William Snyder, Henry Coonradt, B. Haynor, James Reid, Godfrey Howard, Andrus Miller, John Hydom, Lodowick Bone- steel and Marcus Simmons. Hannah Scrivens, now living and aged 87 years, was one of the early settlers of the town. Josiah Littlefield built the first saw mill, at Quackenkill, in 1800. Abel Ford, from Mass., settled in 1775, where J. West lives ; he was a Revolutionary soldier. Alpheus Ford, his son, born in 1793, is said to be the oldest person in the town born there. About 1802 the Patroon built a grist mill near the center, Abel Ford doing the carpenter work.
NATIONAL FUR MANUFACTORY ! ESTABLISHED IN 1863.
S. B. MOUNT
IMPORTER AND MANUFACTURER OF
Fancy Furs ! 342 River & 11 Fourth Sts., TROY, N. Y.
Ladies who desire a nice set of Furs,
MINK, SABLE, ERMINE, FITCH,
Or any other desirable article in the Fur line, will do well to call at these Fur Headquarters, which is the only place in the city that deals in nothing else but Furs, and under these circumstances manu- facturing a large stock, enables him to give bargains.
All Goods warranted or money refunded. FURS made to order, altered and repaired to the latest styles. Shipping Furs bought for CASH.
SAMUEL B. MOUNT.
Children's Furs at $2.50 per Set. .
FERGUSON. ALBAVY.
WATERS'
PATENT PAPER BOATS !
Were Rowed by the Winners of
40
Matched Races in 1868 and 1869.
Send for Circular and Price List.
WATERS, BALCH CO.,
SOLE MANUFACTURERS,
303 River Street, TROY, N. Y.
88
RENSSELAER COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
ESTABLISHED 1809.
TROY POTTERY FERRY STREET CORNER OF WILLIAM TROY N.Y. OFFICE 102 FERRY STREET FERRY
W.J. SEYMOUR PROPR
DRAIN PIPE
STEAM-PRESSED.DOUBLEGLAZED.VITRIFIED.
Glazed Stoneware, Sewer and Water Pipe.
PRICES, DELIVERED ON BOARD AT TROY.
PIPE.
-
BENDS & BRANCHES.
TRAPS.
PIPE.
2 in., $0.121% per foot.
2 in., $0.30 per foot.
66
0.40
3.
1.25
66
15
1.30
66
4
0.19
4
0.50
66
4
1.50
66
18
1.75
66
5
66
0.23
5
0.60
5
66
2.00
20
2.25
66
6
0.30
66
6
0.70
6
3.00
.. .
24
3.25
8
0.40
66
8
0.90
8
5.00
66
12 in., $1.50 per foot.
9
0.50
9
1.10
9
6.50
15
66
2.25
10
66
0.60
66
10
1.30
10
9.00
18
3.00
EARTHENWARE OF ALL KINDS. STONEWARE OF ALL KINDS. Hanging Baskets, Cistern Filterers.
ALSO AGENT FOR
ALBANY DRAIN TILE.
2 in., $1.00 each.
12 in., $0.75 per foot.
3
0.15
0.35
66
0.80
66
66
4.00
BRANCHES.
ESTABLISHED 1809.
66
3
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Nathan Hakes, the first Tuesday in April 1807, at which Nathaniel Dumbleton was chosen Supervisor ; D. S. Crandall, Town Clerk ; Zebulon Scrivener and Thomas West, Justices of the Peace. In the Town Records we find the following:
"State of New York, Rensselaer Co.
" I hereby certify that Ethan Maxon, son of Samuel Maxon, and Dorcas Willis, widow of Jason Willis, deceased, both of Grafton, were lawfully joined together in the honorable state of marriage, in said Grafton on the 12th day of April 1807.
Recorded May 9, 1807.
D. C. Crandall, Town Clerk. ELISHA WELLS, Justice of the Peace."
Among the early records of births, we find that of Rufus Gal- lop, Jan. 6, 1757 ; Rebecca Lamphire, Jan. 4, 1764. They were married in 1780. The births of their ten children are also recorded in order, the last Sept. 24, 1802.
At the time of the settlement of this town, and many years afterwards, farmers were accustomed to mark their cattle and sheep in the ear, and have their mark recorded in the Town Clerk's office. The following will give the younger portion of our readers a good idea of the manner of doing it: William West's ear mark was a "notch in the hind side of the right ear." Asa Sweet's was "a swallow tail in the end of the left ear and a half-penny in the hind side of the same."
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