USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 12
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The cut we insert of this bridge was produced from a photograph taken a short time before it was taken down, in 187 -. to make room for the present structure, which spans the river on the same piers, with but little alteration, upon which stood the old bridge, which had become for many years previously an object of curiosity to travelers and tourists, and the last of its kind in the United States. The present bridge was finished in 1874, at a cost of about $60,000, and is owned by the town of Glenville, toll being collected of all non- residents.
In about 1855, as previously stated, Freeman's Bridge was erected by Volney Freeman, who shortly after its construction became sole owner. Since the first bridge was built two other structures have been erected on the same site, caused by the destruction of the original bridges, either by natural decay or in consequence of floods. The present bridge was built in 1879-80, at a cost of $20,000. In 1875 the Freeman Bridge property was pur- chased by the town of Glenville, and is still owned by this town,
53
BOROUGH TOWN OF SCHENECTADY.
The aqueduct bridge, crossing the Mohawk at Rexford's Flats, was built by the State shortly after the construction of the canal aqueduct over the Mohawk at this place, about 1825. It was afterward purchased by the Rexford's Flats Bridge Company, and is still owned by this company. A new iron bridge is at present in course of construc- tion on this site.
BOROUGH TOWN OF SCHENECTADY, 1765-1798.
The inhabitants of the township of Schenectady for more than a hundred years from its first settle- ment had enjoyed no civil privileges or political rights other than those appertaining to other towns in the province.
During and subsequent to the French war, the town made rapid growth in population and impor- tance.
The commercial business, as has been stated, at this period had grown to immense proportions, bringing a large influx of foreign people to the town, and to properly rule and govern the place a stronger government was needed. The magis- trates and people were anxious to secure an in- dependent government, and in 1764 applied to Gov. Monckton for a city or a borough charter.
In accordance with this petition, Lt. - Gov. Colden, on the 22d of October, 1765, granted the inhabi- tants a borough charter, the second granted in the province. It was fashioned after an English model, with great care, formality and minuteness, worthy to be called a city charter.
Schenectady was thus created a borough town, under the corporate title of the " Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the Borough Town of Sche- nectady."
The following is a list of the first officers named in the charter : Isaac Vrooman, Mayor ; John Duncan, Recorder ; Jacobus Van Slyke, John Glen, Jr., John Sanders, Daniel Campbell, John Visger and John B. Van Eps, Aldermen ; Garrit Lansing, Rynier Myndertse, Ryer Schermerhorn, Tobias Ten Eyck, Cornelius Cuyler and Hermanus .- Bradt, Assistants ; Thomas McIlworth, Town Clerk ; Christopher Yates, Treasurer or Chamber- lain ; Isaac Marselis and Isaac Swits, Assessors ; Barent S. Veder, Collector ; Richard Collins, High Constable ; Thomas Murray, Hermanus Terwilliger, John Van Voast, Charles Dennison, James Dunlop and John Wasson, Jr., Sub-Consta- bles; and Alexander Campbell, Sergeant of the Mace. The mayor, recorder and town clerk were to be appointed, and were removable by the Governor and Council ; the aldermen and assist- ants, assessors, collectors and constables were elected by a plurality of votes of the freemen as- sembled yearly for that purpose on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel ; the high constable and chamberlains were named by the mayor and common council and the sergeant of the mace.
The mayor or recorder, with three or more alder- men and three or more assistants, by the name of the "Common Council of the Borough Town of
Schenectady," were to have power to make laws, ordinances, etc., for the good rule of the borough aforesaid, and the trade carried on there; for regu- lating the watermen and ferriage; for the preserving and selling the lands of Schenectady, etc., to re- main in force for twelve months. The freemen of the borough were to be such persons of lawful age as had been born therein, or such as had resided therein ten years previously, or such as had that privilege granted by the common council ; and none but freemen were allowed to use any art, trade or mystery, or to expose for sale any manner of goods or wares at retail, under penalty of five pounds.
It is doubtful if this very elaborate charter was ever carried into effect ; it was altogether too com- plicated a piece of machinery for the simple-minded burghers of Schenectady. The mayor, recorder, aldermen and assistants were called together the following December to hear it read and take their official oaths ; whether they ever met again or per- formed any acts under it is not known, no records being now extant of their doings.
A fatal defect of this charter was, that it did not finally dispose of the dispute about the management of the common lands ; the trustees appointed under Arent Bradt's will did not relinquish their office and power to the new common council ; they still held and managed all the property of the town.
Soon after this charter was granted, the contest for independence began with the mother country. All local differences were merged in this, and it was not until some years after the war closed that the dispute about the public lands of the town was settled and a new city charter obtained.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
The " Father of Our Country " visited Schenec- tady at three different times. The first occasion was soon after the revolutionary war, in the interest of the defence of the frontier. He was the guest of John Glen, who was then quartermaster of the department. The second occasion was by invitation of the citizens of Schenectady. He, in company with Gen. Philip Schuyler, rode in a carriage from Albany, on June 30, 1782. He was received with great honor by the civil and military authorities, and a public dinner given him at a hotel then situated on the south corner of State and Water streets, one of the houses spared in the great fire of 1690. It was kept at the time by Robert Clinch, formerly a drum-major under Gen. Braddock, and well known to Gen. Washington. The principal citizens of the place dined with him.
An address was made to Washington, to which he wrote the following reply :
"To the Magistrates and Military Officers of the Township of Schenectady :
"GENTLEMEN-I request you to accept my warm- est thanks for your affectionate address. In a cause so just and righteous as ours, we have every reason to hope the Divine Providence will still continue to crown our arms with success, and
54
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace, upon equitable terms, which we so ardently desire. "May you, and the good people of this town, in the meantime be protected from every insidious and open foe ; and may the complete blessings of peace soon reward your arduous struggles for the establishment of the freedom and independence of our common country. GEORGE WASHINGTON. "SCHENECTADY, June 30th, 1782."
The third visit was in 1786, when Washington made a tour with Gov. George Clinton, Gen. Hand, and many other officers of New York as far west as Fort Stanwix. In passing through Sche- nectady, he stopped at the same hotel as on his former visit.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
The office of Supervisor in the State of New York is of very ancient origin. It existed in the Colonial period, during which time the duties of the office were confined to auditing the ac- counts brought against the county by town officers and others, electing County Treasurers, Law Officers and a Clerk-very ancient offices in this State. The Boards of Supervisors in the different counties are now legislative bodies, having the same relation to the counties that the Assembly has to the State. From time to time, since the organization of the government, their powers have been extended over local matters, until many im- portant local laws touching the interests of their re- spective counties had, and still have, their origin in them.
The first Board of Supervisors met in the City Hall, situated on the corner of Union and Ferry streets, on the site of the present dwelling house of H. S. Barney. This building was owned by the city, and used for city purposes, till the or- ganization of the county, when suitable quarters in this building were given the county for the transaction of county business. The Board con- tinued to meet here until 1816, when the City Hall was sold to Union College, and a room was pro- vided in the present Union School building, then purchased by the city. Here the Board contin- ued to meet till the completion of the present Court House, in 1833, from which date the meet- ings of the Board were held in this building, till the present commodious quarters were provided in the County building on Union street in 1871.
THE FIRST BOARD OF SUPERVISORS for the coun- ty of Schenectady of which there is any record, met at the Court House in the city of Schenectady, on Tuesday, October 3, 1809, under the pro- visions of the Act of the State Legislature, passed March 7, 1809, forming Schenectady County, which gave to this county all the rights, powers and privileges enjoyed by the other counties of the State.
The Supervisors elected for this year were as fol- lows : Maus Schermerhorn, for First and Second wards ; Alexander McMichael, for Third ward (now Rotterdam) ; James Boyd, for Fourth ward (now Glenville) ; William North, for Duanes-
burgh ; Lawrence Vrooman, for Niskayuna ; Alexander Murray, for Princetown. William North was chosen Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen Clerk, and Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord, County Treasurer.
The salaries of Clerk and Treasurer were fixed at fifty dollars per annum.
The following appears in the record of this year :
"Resolved, that a reward of ten dollars be al- lowed for each and every wolf which shall be killed within this county, to be paid to the person or persons producing satisfactory proof to this Board that he or they have killed the same as aforesaid."
We find in the record of proceedings for this year, and for a number of years following, that consid- erable money was paid to different persons under the provisions of this resolution.
The contingent expenses this year were $361.21; $947. 32 were returned to the city of Schenectady for repairs to Court House and Jail. The total tax levied was $2, 417. 11. The total valuation of real and personal estate of the county was $1, 841,- 728.
1810 .- Supervisors - Simon A. Groot, First and Second wards ; Jacob Mabie, Third ward ; John A. Vrooman, Fourth ward ; John Young, Duanesburgh ; S. J. Van Antwerp, Niskayuna ; Alexander Murray, Princetown.
The Board met April 28, at the Court House, and elected Alexander Murray, Moderator; and at the first meeting of the annual session, Oct. 2, Harmanus Peek was chosen Clerk, John Yates, County Treasurer, and Alexander G. Fonda, Coun- ty Physician. The latter appointment was the first ever made to this position.
The total amount of tax levied this year was $3,393.25.
1811 .- Supervisors-Maus Schermerhorn, First and Second wards ; Jacob Mabie, Third ward ; John A. Vrooman, Fourth ward ; John Brown, Duanesburgh ; S. I. Van Antwerp, Niskayuna ; William Templar, Princetown. Tuesday, October 1, Maus Schermerhorn was elected Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen, Clerk, and Cornelius S. Van Santvoord, Treasurer.
The sum of $503. 1I was raised to reimburse the city of Schenectady for preparing a Court House and Jail for the use of the county; $800 was levied upon the freeholders of the city to pay a night watchman for guarding the city.
The total tax levied this year amounted to $2,664.97.
1812 .- Supervisors-Jellis A. Fonda, First ward; Maus Schermerhorn, Second ward ; Harmanus A. Van Slyck, Jr., Third ward ; Jacob A. Vroo- man, Fourth ward ; John Brown, Duanesburgh ; Derick C. Groot, Niskayuna ; William Templar, Princetown.
The Board met October 6, and elected Maus Schermerhorn, Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen Clerk, and Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord, County Treasurer.
The following sums were levied upon the city of Schenectady for this year : Support of poor,
55
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
$315.00 ; night watch, $800.00 ; surveying road, $8.75 ; expense of a road in Third ward, $142.53. The entire tax levied this year was $2, 751.03. 1813 .- Supervisors-Harmanus Peek, First ward ; Simon A. Groot, Second ward; Harmanus A. Van Slyck, Jr., Third ward ; James Boyd, Fourth ward ; James Cantley, Duanesburgh ; Simon I. Van Antwerp, Niskayuna; William Tem- plar, Princetown.
The Board met Tuesday, October 5, electing James Cantley, Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen, Clerk, and Daniel McDougall, County Treasurer.
The contingent expenses of the county were $300.00; the total tax levied, $4, 139.86.
1814 .- Supervisors-Harmanus Peek, First ward; John S. Schermerhorn, Second ward; H. A. Van Slyck, Jr., Third ward; James Boyd, Fourth ward; James Cantley, Duanesburgh; Wil- liam H. Alexander, Niskayuna; William Templar, Princetown; Moderator, James Canly; Clerk, Robert Galley; County Treasurer, Daniel Mc- Dougall. This year $800 was levied on the city for expenses incurred in laying out a road from the extremity of Washington street to the western bounds of the city. Total tax levied, $3, 981.62.
1815 .- Supervisors-Harmanus Peek, First ward; Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord, Second ward; Garrett S. Veeder, Jr., Third ward; James Boyd, Fourth ward; James Cantley, Duanesburgh; Derick Vedder, Niskayuna; Henry Fryer, Prince- town.
The Board met October 3, and elected Cor- nelius Van Santvoord, Moderator, Robert Galley, Clerk, and Daniel McDougall, County Treasurer. A tax of $1,063.66 was levied against the county this year for common schools. The total tax levied this year amounted to $4, 761.13.
1816. - Supervisors-Harmanus Peek, First ward; Dowe Clute, Second ward; Jacob Mabie, Third ward; Robert Sanders, Fourth ward; James Cantley, Duanesburgh; Simon I. Van Ant- werp, Niskayuna; James Combs, Princetown. Moderator, Simon I. Van Antwerp; Clerk, Henry V. Fonda; Treasurer, Daniel McDougall.
On April 5th of this year a special act of the Legislature was passed empowering the Board of Supervisors to convey to the city all the right and title to the lot and building thereon used as a Court House and Jail, in consideration of the cor- poration of the city granting to the Board suitable room in the edifice now occupied by the Union School, and which had been bought from the Trustees of Union College, in the year 1812, for court, jail and all county purposes.
Such exchange was consummated October 14th of this year.
Total tax levied, $5,080.73.
1817 .- Supervisors-Harmanus Peek, First ward; Dowe Clute, Second ward; Harmanus A. Van Slyck, Third ward; James Boyd, Fourth ward; James Cantley, Duanesburgh; Harmanus P. Schuyler, Niskayuna; James Combs, Prince- town.
The Board met October 7, and elected Har- manus Peek, Moderator, Henry V. Fonda, Clerk.
The following is a report made by Gideon Hawley, principal assessor, and adopted by the Board of Supervisors, October 10, 1817:
" Valuations of lands and dwelling houses in the seven towns and wards within the county of Schenectady, as determined by the principal as- sessor of the thirteenth collection district in the State of New York:
" First ward, $245,335; Town of Niskayuna, $105,421; Second ward, $385,280; Town of Princetown, $140, 850; Third ward, $179,750; Town of Duanesburgh, $448,205; Fourth ward, $277,177.
"The Board of Principal Assessors added two per cent. to the above valuations."
Entire tax levied, $12, 278.42.
At this session of the Board a resolution was offered for the removal of County Treasurer Dan- iel McDougall; but it failed in being carried by one vote. Mr. McDougall then resigned his position, and Thomas B. Clinch was appointed treasurer.
1818. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward ; Maus Schermerhorn, Second ward ; Fred- erick Bradt, Jr., Third ward ; Henry Hogan, Fourth ward ; James Cantley, Duanesburgh ; Harmanus P. Schuyler, Niskayuna ; James Combs, Princetown. Moderator, Harmanus Peek ; Clerk, Henry V. Fonda ; County Treasurer, Thomas B. Clinch. The total tax levied, $9,478. 38.
1819 .- Supervisors-Richard McMichael, First ward ; James Walker, Second ward ; Bar- tholomew Schermerhorn, Third ward ; Christian Haverly, Fourth ward; Lewis Eaton, Duanes- burgh ; Harmanus P. Schuyler, Niskayuna ; James Combs, Princetown. Moderator, Har- manus P. Schuyler ; Clerk, Henry V. Fonda ; County Treasurer, Thomas B. Clinch. We find a spirit of friendship for educational privileges evinced by the members of this Board in granting the free use of rooms in the City Hall to the trustees of the Schenectady Academy for one year. Total tax levied, $10, 699. 10.
1820 .- Supervisors-Richard McMichael, First ward; James Walker, Second ward ; Bartholomew Schermerhorn, Third ward ; James Boyd, Fourth ward ; James Cantley, Duanesburgh ; Harmanus P. Schuyler, Niskayuna ; Isaac Wemple, Prince- town. Moderator, James Cantley ; Clerk, Henry V. Fonda ; County Treasurer, John S. Vroo- man.
At this session of the Board, $100,000 of valua- tion was taken from the aggregate valuation of the First and Second wards in consequence of the destruction by fire of these wards during the pre- ceding year.
1821 .- Supervisors-Henry Peek, First ward ; James Walker, Second ward ; Peter Becker, Rotterdam ; Albert A. Vedder, Glenville ; James Cantley, Duanesburgh ; Harmanus P. Schuyler, Niskayuna ; Solomon Kelly, Princetown. Mod- erator, Albert A. Vedder ; Clerk, Henry V. Fonda; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman.
It will be noticed that at this time the city of Schenectady was divided into only two wards.
56
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
April 14, 1820, by an act of the State Legislature the part of the city known as the Third ward was formed into a separate town called Rotterdam, while all that part of the city heretofore known as the Fourth ward was formed into the town of Glenville. The total tax levied this year was $7,484.53.
1822. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abram Van Ingen, Second ward ; Har- manus A. Van Slyck, Rotterdam ; Peter H. Brooks, Glenville ; James Cantley, Duanesburgh ; Cornelius C. Van Vranken, Niskayuna ; Solomon Kelly, Princetown. Moderator, Abram Van Ingen ; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn ; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman. The amount of county charges this year, including $510.52 for contingent fund, was $2,751.55 ; State tax, $1, 852.21.
By an act of the State Legislature, passed April 12 of this year, the Board of Supervisors, in con- junction with the Judges of Common Pleas, ap- pointed the Justices of Peace, and prescribed the number of coroners to be elected. The Board met for this purpose February 18, 1823.
1823. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward ; Abram Van Ingen, Second ward ; John Pangburn, Rotterdam ; Cornelius S. Conde, Glen- ville ; Joseph Gaige, Duanesburgh ; Cornelius C. Van Vranken, Niskayuna ; Solomon Kelly, Prince- town. Moderator, Abram Van Ingen ; Clerk, Edward Yates; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman.
The Board met with the Judges of Common Pleas October 7, 1823, in accordance with an act of the Legislature passed April 12, 1822, direct- ing the appointment of Commissioners of Deeds for the several towns of the county. Total tax levied this year, $8, 1 34.54.
1824. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Peter Becker, Rotterdam; James Boyd, Glenville; Wil- liam A. S. North, Duanesburgh; Cornelius C. Van Vranken, Niskayuna; Solomon Kelly, Princetown. Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen; Clerk, Edward Yates; Marshal, Thomas B. Clinch ; County Treasurer, John S. Vrooman.
Total tax levied this year was $9, 327. 53.
1825. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Zacha- riah Carpenter, Glenville; William A. S. North, Duanesburgh; Cornelius C. Van Vranken, Niska- yuna ; Peter Becker, Rotterdam. Abraham Van Ingen, Moderator; Edward Yates, Clerk; Thomas B. Clinch, Marshal; John S. Vrooman, Treasurer. From the records this year, the names of the fol- lowing incorporated companies in Schenectady County liable to taxation were returned to the State Comptroller: Mohawk Bank, Mohawk Turn- pike Company, Mohawk Bridge Company, Sche- nectady Manufacturing Company and the Schenec- tady Water-works Company.
The total tax levied this year was $8, 997. 50 ; State tax, $1,016.39; school tax, 762.30; poor, $2,062.99; road and bridges, $515. 59.
Up to the present year the annual sessions of the Board had been commenced on the first Tues- day in October. By an act of the Legislature tris
year the time was changed to the second Tuesday in November.
1826. - Supervisors - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abram Van Ingen, Second ward; Zach- ariah Carpenter, Glenville; Benjamin S. Knight, Duanesburgh; John Clark, Niskayuna; Abraham Dorn, Princetown; Bartholomew Schermerhorn, Jr., Rotterdam. Moderator, Abram Van Ingen; Clerk, Edward Yates; Marshal, Thomas B. Clinch; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman.
At this session of the Board, the first report was presented from the superintendents of the alms- house.
From the report of the superintendents we find that the total expense of the alms-house, from Au- gust I to October 30 of this year, was $321; num- ber of paupers, 38.
The amount of tax levied this year, and for like purposes, was about the same as for the preceding year.
1827 .- Supervisors-Ezekiel Sexton, First ward, Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Daniel Smith, Glenville; Benjamin S. Knight, Duanesburgh; John Clark, Niskayuna; William Templar, Prince- town; Bartholomew Schermerhorn, Jr., Rotter- dam. Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn; Marshal, Thomas B. Clinch; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman.
An appropriation of $500 was made for the erec- tion of a fire-proof County Clerk's office.
The County expenses this year were $4, 000.
1828 .- Supervisors. - Ezekiel Sexton, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Zachariah Carpenter, Glenville; Abraham Pearse, Niscayuna; Ebenezer Knibloe, Duanesburgh; William Tem- plar, Princetown; Simon Schermerhorn, Rotterdam. Moderator, Abraham Van Ingen; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn; Marshal, Thomas B. Clinch; Treasurer, John S. Vrooman. The County Clerk's office was completed this year at a cost of $1,000.00. It was built on the northeast corner of the Court House yard.
The first list of Grand Jurors was chosen this year.
April 12, 1824, an act was passed by the Legis- lature relieving all persons from military duty who had conscientious scruples averse to bearing arms, by the payment of $4.00 as commutation money, such money to be applied to the support of the poor.
The names of the persons are given in the rec- ord of this year who availed themselves of the pro- visions of this act.
Total tax levied this year was $8, 310. 79.
1829 .- Supervisors. - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Peter H. Brooks, Glenville; Joseph Gaige, Duanesburgh; Abraham Pearse, Niscayuna; Solomon Kelly, Princetown; Simon Schermerhorn, Rotterdam. This was the first meeting of the Board when the presiding officer was called Chairman instead of Moderator.
Chairman, Abram Van Ingen; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn; Marshal, Thomas B. Clinch; Treasurer, John B. Clute.
57
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
The total tax levied this year was $8, 011.40. A special meeting of this Board was held March 16, 1840, to confer with the Common Council of the city, trustees of the Lancaster School, and a com- mittee appointed by the citizens of Schenectady, in regard to the sale of the City Hall and Court House to the State, for the purpose of a female penitentiary.
It was agreed on the part of the Board to sell the City Hall and Court House for a sum not less than ten thousand dollars, provided that not less than eight thousand dollars should be paid to the Board toward the expenses of erecting a court house and jail and fire-proof clerk's office, and the furnishing of a room to the city as a common council cham- ber.
1830 .- Supervisors. - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Corne- lius S. Conde, Glenville; Joseph Gaige, Duanes- burgh; Cornelius C. Van Vranken, Niskayuna; Sol- omon Kelly, Princetown; Simon Schermerhorn, Rotterdam. Chairman, Abraham Van Ingen; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn; Marshal, Lewis Finch; Treasurer, John B. Clute.
The total tax levied was $10, 176.98.
1831 .- Supervisors. - Harmanus Peek, First ward; Abraham Van Ingen, Second ward; Robert Sanders, Glenville; Joseph Gaige, Duanesburgh; Abram Pearse, Niscayuna; Abram Dorn, Prince- town; Simon Schermerhorn, Rotterdam. Chair- man, Abraham Van Ingen; Clerk, Archibald L. Linn; Marshal, John S. Ten Eyck; Treasurer, John B. Clute.
A special act of the Legislature was passed April 25th of this year, authorizing the Board of Super- visors and Common Council of the city of Sche- nectady to sell the Court House, Jail and County Clerk's office for not less than ten thousand dollars, the proceeds of such sale to be expended in the erection of a new court house and jail, the corpo- ration of Schenectady to be allowed the use of a room in the new structure for a common council chamber. Under the provisions of this act the then existing court house and jail could only be sold under the conditions that the same should be used and occupied for literary, scientific or religious purposes. By the powers jointly conferred on the Board of Supervisors and Common Council, this property was sold, through Dr. Eliphalet Nott, to Union College, June 15, 1831.
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