USA > New York > Columbia County > Hudson > History of the city of Hudson, New York : with biographical sketches of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton > Part 6
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"Fire Wardens were appointed whose duty it was im- mediately upon the cry of fire to repair to the place, to direct the inhabitants in forming themselves into ranks, for handing the buckets to supply the engines with water. The citizens were enjoined to comply with the directions. of the wardens, and it was expected that all other per- sons would refrain from giving directions, and would cheerfully obey such as were given by authorized per- sons." It was customary for the women to aid in the lines for passing the buckets, they usually passing up the empty line, while the men returned them filled.
"The Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen, upon such occa- sions were to carry a wand five feet at least in length, painted white, with a gilded flame at the top." "The Fire Wardens were to carry a speaking trumpet painted white, and each Fireman was required to provide himself with a leather cap, with the crown painted white, or forfeit the sum of six shillings for every month he neg- lected to do so."
"It was enjoined upon all the citizens in case of fire in the night, to place lighted candles in their windows, in order that the inhabitants might pass through the streets in safety, and to throw their buckets into the street, that there might not be delay in obtaining them."
"Robert Folger and others were appointed "bagmen" to preserve and secure property at fires, and were directed
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to procure bags and other implements necessary for that purpose."
1799, Nov. 9th. "Paul Dakin was appointed to pro- cure four small fire-hooks, chains, ropes, poles, and six ladders, from twelve to sixteen feet long, with hooks and brads, to be used at fires, in pulling down buildings."
Simple and curious as these regulations may seem, they were doubtless the best then in use. Notwithstand- ing all these ordinances considerable anxiety was felt on the subject of fire, and in 1792, when a number of buildings were going up, the press suggested that they should not be placed too near together.
In 1793, a subscription paper was circulated, and it is said, "twenty citizens showed themselves forward enough to sign it. An engine was contracted for which was to cost 100 pounds, hold 180 gallons, and be constructed with four pumps to throw three hundred feet." "Also to be fixed with a suction, and do good execution."
The common council on the 17th day of April, 1791, appointed nineteen Firemen to superintend Fire Engine No. 1. The engine not being finished at the time prom- ised, another company was formed in 1794, and an en- gine was purchased by them. This was No. 2, and they adopted "a white jacket and trousers, with a leather cap" as their uniform. That of No. 1 was at first "a green flannel jacket and leather cap." In 1794, the council directed that two houses should be built, "suitable for the wants of the companies, and the protection of their engines." "They were located, the one in Third street, and the other near the market, and were of very small dimensions, but they managed to accommodate companies of considerable numbers." The engines were very small, No. 2 being the larger and more powerful. "No. 1 in after years was called the 'pocket engine' and finally be- came a plaything for the juveniles in her vicinity."
The first fire in the city occurred in February, 1793,
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and was the bookstore and printing office of Ashbel Stod- dard, publisher of the "Gazette." In the next issue of the paper the editor said, "The organization of the fire department being extremely deficient, there being no engines, no buckets, no water, and no firemen, the fire was left to take its own course, and it accordingly raged, not only unchecked but unmolested. Fortunately the night was calm, and the flames ascended directly upward, to the very skies, carrying with them innumerable fragments of paper, and burning books, blazing as they flew, filling the whole air with their fiery forms, and then descending in every direction, covering the town, as with a shower of falling stars." A substantial sum was raised by the sympathizing citizens and presented to Mr. Stoddard.
In 1825, a fire of some magnitude occurred. Com- mencing south of Warren street near Front, it extended through Warren to Diamond, destroying in its rapid prog- ress a large number of buildings. First street was opened after this fire, and Front street was rebuilt with stores and residences of a substantial character. It immediately became the fashionable shopping district, fairly rivaling Main street in appearance.
In later years Hudson suffered frequently and heavily from fires; that portion of the city nearest the river having undergone an almost complete change from that cause.
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CHAPTER VII.
Whale and Seal Fisheries.
The early whale fisheries were very successful, the vessels bringing in large and valuable cargoes of sperm oil. In 1797, the ship American Hero, Captain Solomon Bunker, returned from the Pacific with a cargo of sperm oil, which at that time was the largest that had ever been brought into the United States.
In Diamond street, between First and Second streets, were the oil and candle works of Thomas Jenkins, and on the northeast corner of Second and State streets, were those of Cotton Gelston. These works were as exten- sive as any then existing, but the amount manufactured in one year was not so large as the oil works of later years manufactured in one month. When Talleyrand was traveling through the states, he visited Hudson and was shown through the oil and candle works of Thomas Jenkins, examining thoroughly into all the mysteries and details of the manufacture of sperm candles.
Until about the year 1800, the seal fishery was car- ried on to a considerable extent. Five or six vessels were constantly engaged in bringing from the Falkland, and other islands in the South Atlantic, large numbers of fur and hair seal skins, and usually with them a quantity of sea elephants' oil. Many of the skins were sold in New York, but the greater part were tanned here, the leather being very generally used for shoes.
The last voyage for seals was made in the year 1799, in the ship "Ajax," Captain Pinkham, Zephaniah Coffin, first mate.
"Some of the Captains engaged in the seal fishery, were accustomed to tell wonderful stories of the islands which
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they visited; among other things they boasted that they lived upon turtles so large, that one man could not turn them over, and some of the eggs which they boiled, were little less in size than a man's head."
Hudson became a port of entry in 1790, the first Gov- ernment officers being Doctor Joseph Malcolm and Isaac Dayton. It was then rapidly growing in commercial im- portance and seemed destined to become the second city in the state.
Some of the statements relative to the business of the city at that period seem almost incredible, but there is no reason to doubt their accuracy.
In 1802, on the first day of March, twenty-eight hundred loaded sleighs entered the city. We find this fact stated in the "Columbian Balance" of that date. It is said to have been frequently the case, that a "continuous line of teams, extending from the river into Main street would be kept waiting to discharge in order, their loads at the different freighting establishments."
It is also stated that the South Bay was often closely dotted with vessels, awaiting their turn at the wharves to unload, and take on their fresh cargoes. Fifteen ves- sels heavily laden were frequently known to depart at one time.
The large brick store-houses near the river, built at a very early date, and some of which are still standing, confirm these statements.
The articles exported were beef, pork, shad, herring, staves, heading, hoop-poles, leather, and country produce. The packing of beef and pork was very extensively carried on, large quantities of cattle and hogs coming from Berk- shire county, Massachusetts. Herring were very abun- dant; a ship of one hundred tons was known to have been filled in the vicinity of Rogers Island, at one tide. These were pickled largely, one thousand barrels each of beef, and pickled herring, having been sold and shipped from
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here in a single day. In addition to the pickling of herring, shad were put up to some extent, and quantities of herring were smoked and boxed.
Staves, heading, and hoop-poles were exported to the West Indies, the vessels in return bringing valuable car- goes of rum, sugar and molasses. The only ship from the "old world" ever known to have entered this port, was a Dutch ship from Amsterdam, consigned to William Wall, which loaded with lumber and returned to Holland. During its stay it was visited by a large number of Dutch people in the vicinity, who were delighted to see a vessel from their "fatherland" and a crew who could speak their own tongue.
During the winter months considerable traffic was car- ried on with some of the southern ports of this country, principally with Charleston. Articles of commerce with the South, were provisions and general country produce, returning vessels bringing cargoes of cotton and rice, the latter finding a market at New York, but the former was used for home consumption.
Very few woolen goods were then used, most families spinning, dyeing, and manufacturing cotton into yarn and clothing.
Many branches of industry were directly dependent on the commerce of the city, and gave employment to a much larger number of men during the warm season, than in winter, and it was the custom for many of the mechanics to seek the South at the close of navigation, if they did not choose to remain idle, returning in the spring.
We have the following amusing incident connected with a voyage of one of the vessels to San Domingo loaded with lumber. It had been rafted down the river late in the fall, and shipped after the beginning of winter, con- siderably covered with ice, some of which was still to be found on her arrival out. It was the first ice the negroes
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had ever seen, and so terrified were they by its touch upon their naked backs, that they plunged overboard whenever the sailors applied it. The crew enjoyed the sport so long and so heartily, that the Captain was obliged to use some severity before he could put an end to it, and finish unloading.
During the French Revolution and long protracted war in Europe, neutral vessels were in great demand. Large prices were paid for freight, and many of the ships owned here were engaged in the carrying trade. British orders and French decrees swept many of them away from their owners, others were lost by shipwreck, and the embargo and non-intercourse of 1807-8, followed by the war of 1812, gave a finishing stroke to the commerce of Hudson. The losses at sea produced great embarrassment and many failures, and that of the Bank of Hudson in 1819 brought heavy losses upon the neighboring farmers, thus seriously affecting the prosperity of the city.
In the year 1829, the whale fishery was revived, and a company was organized at a time when the business of Hudson was in a most languishing condition. The re- turns from their first ventures animated their hopes, and the number interested in the business was largely in- creased; as many as fourteen vessels being at one time owned, and fitted out here. The most valuable cargo re- turned by a single vessel, was valued at eighty thousand dollars. As many as eight thousand barrels of sperm oil, were returned in a single year, by the different vessels.
A company was incorporated in 1833, under the name of the "Hudson Whaling Company." Captain Laban Paddock was President, but the business was transacted by Robert A. Barnard, Superintendent. Three of the ships were owned by the company, the remainder by in- dividuals, and for many years the industry was carried on successfully, with a prospect of its becoming a source
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of permanent prosperity to the city. After a time, how- ever, it declined, and in 1845 was abandoned, after bring- ing heavy losses upon those who were engaged in it. The last ship, the "Martha" was sold in that year.
Captain Laban Paddock and his brother Judah were the sons of Stephen Paddock, one of the Proprietors and principal men of the early settlement. They were suc- cessful sea-faring men and amassed considerable wealth. The house of Laban Paddock, a large brick building, No. 117 Union street is still well preserved. It formerly had a tall lookout at the back, from whence Mr. Paddock, after retiring from active business, could watch for his re- turning ships.
Captain Judah Paddock was engaged in an extensive and lucrative trade with the West Indies, Liverpool and Russia.
In the Masonic Lodge in this city is preserved a sword which was presented to Judah Paddock, prior to 1800, by the Empress Catherine of Russia, for relieving a Russian man-of-war when in distress, and by him presented to the Lodge of which he was a member, "as a token of his high regard for Masonry."
Captain Paddock's "Narrative," published in 1818, con- taining a full account of his shipwreck off the coast of Barbary, is more interesting than many of the novels of that day, for which similar adventures furnished a favorite theme. He relates that he sailed from New York for Cork, in the ship Oswego of Hudson, on the 8th of January, 1800, with flax seed and staves. After disposing of his cargo, he decided to go to the Cape de Verde Islands for salt and skins, thence back to New York.
Being driven out of his course by gales and strange currents, he seems to have lost his reckoning, and, on April 3rd, his ship was driven upon the rocks, off the coast of Barbary. They succeeded in landing some food and water and a few necessaries, including six hundred
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dollars in gold which the Captain concealed on his person. His faithful black man, "Jack" observed the two pieces of flowered tabinet that the Captain had purchased at Cork for his wife, and was determined to save them. Captain Paddock tried to dissuade him from adding their weight to his heavy pack, but in vain. They now took up the line of march for St. Cruz (Mogadore), hoping to obtain assistance from the consul there in getting home, but after a few days they were captured by Arab slave traders, and stripped of their clothing, and everything they possessed. They were then sold into slavery, and the Captain never again saw his devoted servant "Jack."
They were given but little food, and were driven long weary miles each day over the burning sand, and scorched by the pitiless sun of the Arabian desert, "where no water is."
At length, after enduring almost indescribable suffer- ings, being sold again and again, sometimes rejoining members of the crew, and not unfrequently meeting Eng- lish sailors, who were slaves like themselves, the Cap- tain succeeded in convincing his latest purchaser, that if he would take him to St. Cruz, he would arrange for their ransom. Finally, after harrowing delays, on the 18th of May, he reached the Consulate, and was warmly welcomed by the British consul, Mr Gwyn. He congratulated Cap- tain Paddock upon the shortness of his captivity, it being only six weeks, when they were more frequently kept months, or even years in slavery. He furnished him with clothing, and the services of an English sailor in cleansing and shaving him, which, owing to his neglected condition, was both a long and laborious task.
Afterward for the first time, the Captain saw himself in the glass, and "was so shocked at his altered appearance, he did not get over it for many a day;" "such ghastli- ness as I never saw in a body that had life and motion." Captain Paddock showed admirable sense and good
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judgment in all his intercourse with the Arabs, but in nothing more wisdom than in calling himself a British subject. He knew we would probably not have an Ameri- can consul at Mogadore, and in fact the nearest was at Tangier, but the English were a power to be reckoned with. Consul Gwyn ordered some soldiers at once sent out to bring in Captain Paddock's crew, and the English boys who were with them, and arranged the amount of the ransom, which, including the Captain, amounted to 1700 dollars. This was promptly repaid by our Govern- ment, after the matter was explained by Captain Paddock, who also sent a valuable box to Consul Gwyn.
After all arrangements had been made, and Captain Paddock was about leaving the Consulate, an Arab ped- dler was shown in, and on opening his pack, imagine the surprise of the Captain to behold the two pieces of tabinet, that poor "Jack" had saved from the wreck! They were purchased by a gentleman of the company, not knowing that they were once the property of Captain Paddock, and on ascertaining the fact he made every effort to induce him to take them. But this the Captain resolutely refused to do, so the matter was dropped.
The merchants of Mogadore showed Captain Paddock the greatest kindness and consideration, in honoring his drafts, and in advancing the money for his ransom, and that of his crew; and he was the recipient of social at- tentions from all the prominent residents.
Just one year from the day he left his home in Hudson, Captain Paddock returned to his overjoyed family, and on unpacking his trunk was astonished to find carefully hidden away in the bottom, the light colored piece of flowered tabinet! So his wife received her present, and the Captain naïvely remarks, "wears the gown at times to this day."
Captain Judah Paddock, like his brother Laban, was a public-spirited, benevolent man. He was the earliest sup-
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porter and most liberal contributor to the Lancaster School for the education of the children of the poor, and at his death, which occurred in 1822, he left a legacy for its benefit.
Captain Paddock's residence was in the vicinity of the pioneer Jan Franz Van Hoesan's, near the Bunker bridge, and was of similar style. It cannot now be identified.
The "Bunker bridge" as the covered bridge was always called, will no longer be useful as a landmark, having been condemned as unsafe and replaced by a modern iron structure during this present year of 1908.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Aqueduct Company-City Ordinances.
In the year 1785, a number of citizens "associated themselves together for the purpose of bringing water into the city, to supply themselves and such others as might be deemed consistent." "Each lot holder was en- titled to a share in the association on the payment of twenty-five dollars, with the right to carry it into his pos- sessions, or house, for the supply of the family, or fam- ilies, which his house contained, but should not be allowed to sell water to his neighbor, or any other person."
"Persons not shareholders were supplied on payment of an annual tax."
The water first brought into the city was from a spring known as the "Ten Broeck spring," which was given to them by John Ten Broeck and was located on the Heer- mance farm, now owned by the Cement Company.
In 1793, the Hudson Aqueduct Company, as the asso- ciation was called, purchased the "Fountain" situated upon the road leading from Claverack to Hudson. The legis- lature was appealed to, and an act was passed "for the better regulating and protecting the aqueducts in the city of Hudson, providing for the election of officers, passage of by-laws, and giving to the Common Council the right by ordinance to fix a penalty, not exceeding five pounds, for a breach of any of the by-laws of the Com- pany."
Hezekiah Dayton was for many years Inspector and Collector, for which service they voted "one shilling per hour when actually engaged."
It was the custom of Squire Dayton, as he was called, "to detect leaks and waste, by entering the cellars of
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shareholders and listening for the sound of trickling or dropping water, and reporting the offenders at head- quarters."
1778, March 1st. "Forty-one licenses to sell liquor were granted, for sums varying from eight, to sixteen shillings." It is fair to infer that something besides water was imbibed in early times.
1791, August 30th. It was resolved "that John Kemper be appointed to take the pump-brake and upper box, from the public pump, and at the hour of six in the morning, at twelve at noon, and at five in the evening, of each day, go with, or deliver it to, the hands of some careful per- sons, to be carried to the pump, that each of the citizens applying for water, might have an equal proportion, and that said brake and box, should not be delivered at any other times of the day, until a constant supply of water should be found in the pump."
The "town pump" was located near the lower market. In later times the streets of Hudson were punctuated with huge unsightly pumps at frequent intervals-usually on the corners-which are gradually disappearing, under the modern system of furnishing water to the city.
1794, May 10th. Elisha Jenkins, Thomas Frothingham, and Jared Coffin, three of the principal men of the place, were appointed scavengers.
Immediately after the machinery of a city government was in operation, the work of grading and widening the streets, and the building of sewers was actively entered upon, and an ordinance was passed directing "the com- mencement of paving the sidewalks, in Main street."
1793, September 1st. "Cotton Gelston, Ambrose Spen- cer and Jared Coffin were appointed to superintend the work." Previous to this, there was no attempt at uniform- ity in the walks; "some were stone, others were plank, but a greater portion were naked ground." Front street, between Main and Union, required much heavy blasting,
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and near the junction, was a deep hollow over which a bridge was built. Through this hollow flowed a stream of water, which was entered by another, where the County road crossed the street, thence emptying into the South bay. The portion of Allen street between Front and Third streets, was opened at a very early date, and known as Federal street. "Main street was opened upon a ridge that sloped on each side toward the bay, and as far as Third street, presented a nearly level surface covered with fields, with a few trees scattered through them."
Fourth street was the upper terminus of the city, and "to the City Hall was considered a very lengthy walk."
The road up the Academy Hill was opened by the Columbia Turnpike Company in the year 1800.
This Company was chartered in 1799, and was the third Turnpike Company organized in the state.
Not long after, the road leading out of Main street in a southerly direction was opened by the Branch Company, and the South Bay road was built by the Howland Com- pany, the President of which, Mr. Howland was a resi- dent of New York. The operations of this Company ex- tended from New York to Albany.
In 1823-4 the road connecting Third street and the Bay road was constructed, and in 1827 the approach to the city by Underhill's Pond was completed.
1788, Jan. 5th. "Citizens voluntarily associated them- selves into a watch against thieves and fires, and to pre- serve order in the city at night." Shortly after, the Com- mon Council deeming it a "salutary institution" ordained "that it should consist of four citizens for each night, to begin their watch at nine o'clock in the evening, and continue until daybreak." Jonathan Worth was ap- pointed to "notify the citizens on the roll, at least twelve hours before they were to come on the watch, and in case of absence or disability was to supply their places." They were empowered to interrogate any persons out at
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an unseasonable hour, and unless satisfactory answers were received, to confine them in the watch-house until the following morning, when they were taken before the proper officer and discharged, or punished.
Each man received one dollar a night for his services, and was provided with a strong oak club, for the double purpose of protection, and sounding the hours, which was done by heavy blows upon the posts, or sidewalk, and crying out with the hour, "All's well." Night locks, win- dow fastenings, iron safes, revolvers, and the num- erous articles of the present day, for protection against burglars were not yet invented, nor had the need of them been felt. Robberies, however, were frequent, and rowdy- ism not unknown. Stoops were overturned, gates were unhinged, signs misplaced, door knockers mysteriously sounded and many similar pranks were perpetrated, until the Press complained loudly "of the disgraceful course certain young men were pursuing and threatened them with exposure unless they desisted from their evil practices." Undaunted by this threat we find in 1793, "certain young men still pursuing their evil practices."
It was the custom in those days to designate the differ- ent public houses by a portrait of some crowned head of the old world, on their signs. That of Col. John Mc- Kinstry, which was the first public house opened in Hud- son, and was on the site of No. 247 Warren street, was decorated with that of the King of Prussia. Kings were not very popular in this country just at that time, and being distasteful to the young men, they proceeded to demolish each of them in turn, their hilarious proceedings being brought to a fitting close, by honoring Mr. Kellogg's sign of General Washington, with vociferous cheers.
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