USA > New York > Columbia County > Hudson > History of the city of Hudson, New York : with biographical sketches of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton > Part 5
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No further mention is made of the schoolhouse pro- vided for in the grant to the Quakers.
The first school opened after the arrival of the pro- prietors was kept by James Burns in a frame building on the county road near the river. It had been built and used for a schoolhouse by the inhabitants of Claverack Landing, and remained until the opening of Front Street, when it was demolished.
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The children of all the leading citizens were pupils of Mr. Burns, and the building was also available for the public meetings of the day.
Ship-building was commenced in the first year of the settlement and was carried on extensively for many years. A number of vessels were brought here by the proprietors and in 1786 there were twenty-five, carrying twenty-five hundred tons owned here; more than were at that time owned in the City of New York. In 1784 Titus Morgan made the first application for the privilege of building a shipyard on the purchase, "adjoining the northernmost street," agreeing in consideration of a lease being granted him for four years, (afterward extended to ten), to open a street from Market street to the river passable for wagons, at his own expense." This was the opening of North Front street and the yard was situated at the foot of State street.
Ship yards were built immediately after by Obed Sears, Marshall Jenkins, John T. Lacy and others. As many as five large ships were known to be on the stocks in these various yards at one time.
Launching days were frequent and were always kept as a holiday. Booths were erected outside the yard for the sale of refreshments which consisted principally of Mrs. Newberry's gingerbread. Schools were dismissed, the people from the country came in, and with the greater part of the population of the city, would gather at the yard and often wait patiently for hours for the moving of the vessel, which was the signal for the firing of guns, and the cheers of the crowd.
In addition to the yards here, there were several at Athens, in which were built some of the largest vessels owned by Thomas and Marshall Jenkins.
The first ship launched was in 1785 by Jenkins and Gelston; it was of three hundred tons, called "The Hud- son" and commanded by Captain Robert Folger.
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The extensive commerce of the settlement gave great impetus to every branch of business, connected with the building and fitting out of ships. Sail-making, rope-mak- ing, painting, blacksmithing and many other industries furnished employment to a large number of men.
In 1785 Thomas Jenkins, Josiah Olcott and others, built a rope walk six hundred feet long, on the westerly side of Third and north of State street.
Many of these ropes were of such weight, as to re- quire several yoke of oxen to convey them to the river to be shipped.
"The rope walk was ever with the boys a favorite Sat- urday resort, the processes of spinning and twisting amus- ing them, while its great length afforded an ample field for the foot-race." Many a staid citizen of a later day proved himself there "a fast young man."
Another industry connected with ships was sail mak- ing. This was conducted by Seth Jenkins and Stephen Paddock, in a hemp and ducking factory erected on Third street. They sent a portion of their manufactures to New York but the greater part were used in the sail lofts here.
A brewery was established by Benjamin Faulkins who stated in the Gazette "that he had been regularly brought up to this philosophical branch of business in England, and he did not doubt his brewery might become of great utility to Hudson by giving his ale the name of "Hudson Ale," the prices of which were: stock ale five dollars, and mild ale three dollars per barrel." The brewery was on the north side near the river.
In addition to the brewery of Mr. Faulkins there was another in the vicinity of the North Bay, and a third on the south side of the settlement. "None of these brew- eries turned out more than five barrels per day, but there were few more extensive than these, anywhere to be found at that time." There were extensive tanneries carried on
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by a half dozen of the proprietors, and large quantities of leather were manufactured, for a greater portion of which they found a market in New York.
A wind grist mill was built on the top of Prospect Hill by Joseph Barnard, which was a prominent object in all the approaches to the settlement, and was visible many miles distant. It gave place to a house for refreshments with the design of making the hill a public resort, but it did not succeed. The grist mill gave it the name of "Wind Mill Hill," by which it was known for many years.
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CHAPTER V.
Minutes. Pen Pictures of the Proprietors.
The minutes of the Proprietors, to which we will now return, exhibit a strong desire for the incorporation of the settlement.
1785, Feb. 7th, Seth Jenkins and John Thurston were appointed a committee "to repair to the manors of Van Rensselaer and Livingston, and find where said line inter- sects Claverack Creek, so that the bounds of the in- tended township, for which a petition is to be presented to the Legislature, may be more accurately described."
A committee was also appointed to examine and de- fine the limits on the north and south of the future city.
1784, Sept. 2nd, It was voted that the "three wells" be stoned and masoned up. The "three wells" were prob- ably three reservoirs, one of which was in Third street, another in the vicinity of Second street, and a third near the Market house.
1785, April 8th, "It was voted that Thomas Jenkins and David Lawrence be a committee to name the streets; also that Diamond street be put in a passable condition, and that the proprietors should send as many men as convenient until there was a sufficient number to work them, and on producing a certificate to Titus Morgan they should be entitled to receive four shillings per day," Eng- lish currency.
1785, April 19th, They voted "that a lot 50 by 120 feet on Diamond street should be granted to any person or persons, who would build a schoolhouse, not less than 40 feet by 24, such persons not to receive more than nine per cent on the cost of the building for the use of it, and to have the power to sell it to the corporation at
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large, for their own use, whenever they had opportunity so to do; and that it should continue to be used for a schoolhouse, for every description and denomination of people then settled, or which should thereafter settle here."
Shortly after its erection Joseph Marshall, who styled himself "the public's humble servant," gave notice, "that he designed opening a school in the Diamond street school- house from 5 to 7 o'clock p. m., each day, for the in- struction of "Misses" in writing, cyphering, composition, English grammar, and geography."
The boundaries being definitely ascertained the pro- prietors proceeded with the business of incorporation.
1785, Feb. 17th. It was voted that "a petition be drafted to be laid before the Legislative authority of the state, for the purpose of getting ourselves incorporated, with city privileges," and that Ezekiel Gilbert, John Thurston, Ezra Reed, and Seth Jenkins be a committee to draft the same and with Gen. Van Rensselaer, to repair to New York as soon as convenient, and present the same before the General Assembly now in session, and use their utmost influence to get it passed immediately."
A committee was appointed "to lay out and plot," the future city. The plot embraced Union, Main, Diamond and State streets, with Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth streets crossing them. First street was not opened until many years later.
"One house lot was voted to Cotton Gelston for his trouble in laying out the plot."
In all the proceedings of the Proprietors we find but two or three allusions to their financial condition, but it is evident from these that they were at times consider- ably pressed and advised the disposition of certain lots for relief.
Of the government of "The Landing" we are unable
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to catch a glimpse, but its success must be held to prove its wisdom.
Had the Proprietors understood the language of the Hollanders, their intercourse would have been less diffi- cult and more agreeable to both. It is said that the "Yankees," as they were called, found great amusement in listening to the broken English of their Dutch neigh- bors, frequently drawing them out simply to have a laugh at their expense, but the Dutch had the advantage for they understood English perfectly, probably from their intercourse with New York, "while the Proprietors could not understand a word that they said."
But they seem to have dwelt together in harmony, both being upright and honorable in their business dealings, and both possessed of that invaluable adjunct, good com- mon sense. The distinct nationalities must have lent a spice of variety, to the social life of Claverack Landing. We have hints of Dutch frolics and feasting, apple-par- ings and corn-huskings, with the sweet penalty of finding a red ear, and of country dances galore; while the stately dinners, tea-parties and quiltings of the staid New Eng- landers possess a peculiar charm.
Even the captious critic of "Random Recollections" has only unqualified praise for the beauty, intelligence and accomplishments of the gentler sex who graced the so- ciety of that day.
Certainly no place can claim more for the character of its founders than Hudson. All of them were men of influence, ability and activity, and are described as being physically, "stout, well formed, noble looking men."
The Jenkins family, who were the leading spirits in the enterprise, carried on successfully every branch of trade and commerce for many years. Thomas Jenkins is described as "uniting the dignified, princely air of an old school gentleman, with the address and energy of a man of business." "Standing on his wharf with his gold-
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headed cane in his hand, watching and directing the preparations for the sailing of his ships, his bearing and manner was authoritative, but his nature was kind and genial."
His residence was the house Nos. 116 and 118 Warren street, opposite "The Worth" later divided into two dwell- ings, the lower of which served for "The Misses Peakes Seminary for Young Ladies," during a portion of the last century.
In its entirety it was a palatial home contrasting strongly with the primitive simplicity of the Quakers and subject- ing Mr. Jenkins to the charge of being "somewhat aristo- cratic." Thomas Jenkins died in New York in 1808, his remains being brought to Hudson on a sloop, and bur- ied in the ground belonging to the Quaker Society. In accordance with their strict rules, no tombstone was ever placed on his grave, and it cannot now be identified.
His son Elisha Jenkins, a leading partner in the well- known house of "Thomas Jenkins and Sons," retiring from business with an ample fortune removed to Albany and became prominent, first as State Comptroller, and later as Secretary of State.
Seth Jenkins who was the first Mayor of Hudson, and equally with his brother Thomas, a power in the develop- ment of the Settlement from its earliest inception, was a man of high character and excellent abilities. He gave most unstintedly of his time and personal service, beside employing his wealth and influence for the prosperity of all concerned.
Mr. Jenkins served with distinction as Mayor of the city from its incorporation in 1785, until his death, which occurred on July 30th, 1793. His son Seth Jenkins, Junior, built and resided in the dwelling, Number 115 Warren street, adjoining the Chapter House and of similar style before the radical alterations of the latter, for its pres- ent purposes.
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He married Sarah Hathaway, who was a sister of Cap- tain John Hathaway, and an aunt of the Hon. Theodore Miller.
1167033
From the author of "Random Recollections" who was a resident of Hudson during its formative period, we gather a few items of personal interest. He says "Among the most prominent of the fathers was Robert Jenkins, a gentleman of the highest respectability, though somewhat abrupt and decisive in his tone and manner." Robert Jenkins, a son of Seth Jenkins, inherited his father's executive ability. At the age of nineteen, he was at the head of the first cotton mill erected in the state, and held many positions of honor and trust.
In February, 1808, he was appointed the third Mayor of Hudson by Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, and served two terms.
For over thirty years with the exception of a short in- terval of two years, the office of Mayor of the City was fille 1 by some member of the Jenkins family.
In 1811, at the age of 39 years, Robert Jenkins built the spacious colonial mansion, No. 113 Warren street, which his granddaughter, Mrs. Marcellus Hartley pur- chased, and so generously presented to the Hendrick Hud- son Chapter, of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, as a fitting memorial of her ancestors.
Mr. Jenkins resided in this dwelling until his death on November 11th, 1819.
A man of exceptional activity and usefulness in the settlement was Cotton Gelston.
He was the first treasurer to the Proprietors, the first surveyor and made the first plot of the city. He drew their first deeds, launched the first ship, opened the first store, in which was located the first postoffice and was appointed the first postmaster.
Mr. Gelston was possessed of a choleric temper and at the last meeting of the proprietors, being violently op-
ยท
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posed to the transfer of the minutes, books, and papers to the Common Council, made a determined effort to burn them. He succeeded in part, but after a struggle the minutes were taken from him, and saved by Gilbert Jenkins, thus averting an irreparable loss to the future historian.
Squire Worth is pictured "as a short, thick-set man, round-shouldered and red-haired; a man of strict integrity and good sense but excessively odd." He was induced to sit for his portrait, but quarrelled with the artist for mak- ing him look "like a one-story house with the chimney afire."
Captain Hathaway, "a very worthy citizen but troubled with the asthma, and frequently suffering from the ex- cellence of his dinner. In politics always calculating freights rather than majorities, and wisely relying with more confidence upon his pocket than upon his party. Still he was a worthy citizen and though close, and some- what phthisicy, an honest man."
David Lawrence, "a man of keen observation and ready wit; of strong sense and stronger prejudice. In his old age gouty, irritable and sarcastic. On hearing that the Bank of Nantucket had been robbed, 'Ugh!' said the old gentleman, with an air of contempt, 'I suppose they forgot to pull the latch string in.'"
This was an allusion to the wooden latchets then in use, which were placed on the inside of the front door, and were lifted on the outside by a string put through a small aperture in the daytime, and pulled inside at night. "The latch string is out" was a common expression of hospitality in those days.
The writer occupied rooms in a house at East Hamp- ton, L. I., some years ago, whose only protection was the latch string here described, and was glad to remember that the citizens of that ancient burg, had just previously voted down a proposed extension of the railroad to the
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village, "because it would bring so much wickedness with it."
The seven miles of heavy staging from Sag Harbor, be- came an element of safety not before appreciated.
Hezekiah Dayton is next mentioned as "a good citizen and an upright man, fond of argument, reasoning upon all things, but in all things unreasonable," "never con- vinced and never convincing."
"Then comes Robert Taylor, a stout well dressed per- sonage, arrayed in buff vest and white top boots."
"And then Captain Alexander Coffin, one of Nature's noblemen, frank, generous, warm-hearted and brave as Caesar, but withal hot as a pepper-pot, fierce as a north- easter, yet neither rude, aggressive or implacable. He was the noblest Roman of them all."
In giving all due credit to the Proprietors for the early prosperity of Hudson we should not forget that their efforts were ably seconded by many others, not only from the immediate vicinity, but from a distance, who were attracted to the enterprise by its bright prospects.
Ezekiel Gilbert, who seems very early to have taken an active interest in it, was a resident of Claverack from which place he removed in 1785, thus becoming Hudson's first lawyer, first, not only in order but for many years first in ability. Mr. Gilbert was not a man of great tal- ent, but he made himself of great service to Hudson, first in the matter of incorporation, and in 1790, when as a Representative in Congress, he successfully advocated Hudson's claims to be made a port of entry.
On returning from Washington, after serving four years in the House, Mr. Gilbert brought with him a piano, which was the first one owned in this city.
It seems curious when we reflect upon it, that a little community with an experimental existence of less than a year and a half should so soon, and at a single bound, aspire to civic honors.
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It argues a self-confidence that the event proved was not ill-founded, else would their "vaulting ambition have o'erleaped itself." Perhaps though "they builded better than they knew!"
However, the Proprietors after incorporation continued their regular meetings "being duly warned," with Mod- erator and Clerk, and retained their hold upon the land, as owners, for twenty-five years, deeding lots to the Com- mon Council as they were needed. Thus presenting the unique spectacle of two distinct governing bodies in the same city, at the same time, and composed largely of the same persons.
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CHAPTER VI.
Incorporation.
On the twenty-second day of April, 1785, the Act of Incorporation was passed and Hudson became a city, the third in the state.
The territory of the city as chartered extended from the line of the town of Livingston on the south, to Major Abraham's (Stockport) Creek on the north, and to Clav- erack Creek on the east.
A portion of the town of Stockport was taken off in 1833 and the town of Greenport in 1837 reducing the boun- daries of Hudson to their present limits.
On the fourth day of May, Ezekiel Gilbert arrived from New York, bringing with him the Charter of the City, and the appointment by Governor George Clinton, of Seth Jenkins as the first Mayor.
Its reception was attended with the firing of cannon, raising of flags, and every other demonstration of joy and gratification, by the citizens.
On the day following, Mayor Jenkins issued his proc- lamation announcing the incorporation of the city, his appointment as Mayor, and calling "upon all the freemen , within the limits of the city, to meet at the schoolhouse," a small frame building then standing on the county road near the river, "on the Monday following (the 9th day of May), to choose necessary officers, and to transact other important business."
This was Hudson's first charter election, but it was conducted without a contest. There is no record of the vote cast, nor of the population of the city at that time, but it grew with great rapidity, and from 1785 to 1786,
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one hundred and fifty dwellings, warehouses, wharves and shops were built, besides manufactories.
The first meeting of the common council was held on the 9th day of May, 1785.
Present-Seth Jenkins, Mayor; Nathaniel Greene, Re- corder; appointed by the Governor. William Mayhew and Stephen Paddock, Aldermen; Dirck Delamater and Marshall Jenkins, Assistants.
The following individuals have held the office of Mayor by appointment from the Governor and council of ap- pointment :
Seth Jenkins, April, 1785.
Thomas Jenkins, November, 1793.
Robert Jenkins, February, 1808.
John Tallman, March, 1813.
Robert Jenkins, February, 1815. John Tallman, February, 1820.
Alexander Coffin, February, 1821.
From the year 1823 to 1840 the Mayor was electe: by the common council, since that date they have been elected by the people.
The first City Clerk was John Bay, 1785. The first Chamberlain was John Alsop, 1785.
In August, 1785, a seal for the city the same that is now in use, was purchased; "Nathaniel Greene, Seth Jenkins, John Bay, Ezra Reed, Stephen Paddock, Ben- jamin Folger, Dirck Delemater, John Ten Broeck, and Peter Hogeboom each contributing eleven shillings, and four pence, to defray its expense." From the early minutes of the council we make the following extracts :
"1785, June 9th. Land was granted to the corporation for the erection of a Gaol on the N. E. corner of the northermost square on Fourth street."
The Gaol which was 30 feet long, 20 feet wide and one story high, was constructed of logs with iron grates at the windows. It is said that almost the first prisoner
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confined in it, concealed an augur on his person with which he bored through the logs, and escaped.
1785, July 26th. Abimeleck Riggs was appointed keeper of the Gaol. On the same date, William Wall was ordered to have completed the Stocks and Whipping Post at the Market, which he did, at a cost of 3 pounds, 4 shillings and 11 pence. Eight years later these, then quite common devices, were ordered removed "to a point, at or near the common Gaol, and to be under the care and inspection of the Gaoler."
The punishment of whipping was inflicted for petty offences, and in addition the offender was sometimes sen- tenced to be driven out of the city. In that case he was tied to the tail of a cart and commencing at the lower end of Main street, received a certain number of lashes at each corner, until the head of the street was reached, where he was set at liberty and directed to leave the limits at once. The officer inflicting the punishment was called a "Whipping Master" and received his appointment from the common council.
1785, July 25th. It was voted "that one house lot on Main street should be given to Ezekiel Gilbert, as a free donation, for his essential services done the proprietors, in bringing about the incorporation of this city."
Whether Mr. Gilbert built on this lot is uncertain, but in the year 1800, he occupied a pleasant country resi- dence standing on or near the site of the St. Charles Hotel, and gave to the city a portion of the ground for the upper Public Square, with the intention of having it laid out as a park.
1785, August 2nd. It was ordained "that it should not be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever, to run or gallop his, her or their Horse, or Horses, through any of the Streets of the said city, and that if any person or persons, should be convicted of running, or galloping his, hers or their Horse, or Horses, through any of the
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Streets of said city, he, she or they should, for every such offense, forfeit and pay the sum of six shillings current money of the State of New York, to be recovered before the Mayor, Recorder or any of the Aldermen with Costs of Suit, one-half to go to the Informer, the other half to the Overseers of the Poor of the City for the use of the poor thereof."
1785, Sept. 5th. Ordinances were passed prohibiting storekeepers from throwing glass in the streets, boys from swimming near the ferry landing, also prohibiting any person chopping wood on Main street "with an axe" and the running at large of "any hog or hogs, goose or geese, unless properly yoked."
1785, Sept. 7th. "Whereas John Dewitt late of the City of New York had run away and left his wife and children," it was ordered "That Mrs. Dewitt, wife of the said John Dewitt, with her children, be sent to the City of New York, the place from whence the said John Dewitt came."
1787, March 1st. "Freelove Clark was ordered to be sent back to Nantucket, and Stephen Paddock was author- ized to take proper measures to remove her."
It was the custom to send vagrants back to their for- mer place of residence, and several instances similar to the foregoing are reported in the minutes.
In July, 1785. "Chimney Viewers were appointed and many regulations were established for the protection of the city, and for the prevention of fires."
It was required by an ordinance "that every house with three fire-places should provide two leather buckets, and every house with more than three fire-places, three leather buckets, sufficient to contain at least two gallons of water. Brewers, bakers, and tavern keepers, were required to furnish them, to hold three gallons."
They were to be marked with the owner's initials, and kept near the front door, ready to be used to extinguish fires.
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In 1794, the "Overseers were directed after a fire, to cause all the buckets to be collected, and carried to the Market House, where citizens might know where to find them, and if injured to cause them to be repaired at the expense of the city; and if any were lost, they were to be replaced upon proper proof of the fact. Any person detaining them from the owner above twenty-four hours after any fire, forfeited for every one so detained twenty shillings."
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