USA > New York > Columbia County > Hudson > History of the city of Hudson, New York : with biographical sketches of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton > Part 7
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They were subsequently prosecuted, and were compelled to pay heavy damages.
1797. "Cotton Gelston and Mr. Kellogg were appointed a committee to direct the construction, and the placing
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of a number of lamps, not exceeding twenty, in the streets, and to provide a suitable person to light the same upon the dark nights."
The Council also resolved to assist the County Magis- trates in suppressing disorderly behaviour on Sunday. A committee had been previously appointed, to superintend the execution of the law against Sabbath breaking.
1801, June 14th. Ordinances were passed "regulating the sale of lamb, preventing boys playing ball or hoop in Warren or Front street, prohibiting the smoking of pipes, or cigars in any of the streets or alleys after sun- set, and providing for the killing of dogs after the first day of August."
1801, July 17th. "It was resolved that no meat should be exposed for sale in the market, or elsewhere in the city after the hour of eight o'clock, on Sunday morning. Also, that all barber shops should be shut at the hour of ten o'clock, on that day.
1801, August 15th. Mr. Hathaway was authorized to purchase Daniel Allen's house on State street for the reception of the aged, and other poor of the city, for a sum not to exceed 480 dollars. This house was used for the purpose mentioned, until the completion of the building now owned and occupied by the Hudson Orphan and Relief Asylum, which was erected as a City Poor House in 1818, after plans drawn by Robert Jenkins. Its cost was five thousand and seven hundred dollars.
The first Overseers of the Poor were Cotton Gelston and Thomas Frothingham, and they were authorized "to allow Phebe Cummings two dollars and fifty cents per month, if she would take herself, and her three children out of the city."
In 1790, "Stephen Paddock and Thomas Frothingham were empowered to engage and agree with the printer, to strike off one hundred pounds in small bills, or notes of credit upon the corporation." "One ream of paper was
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directed to be furnished, of suitable quality, and struck off in 'tickets,' to be signed by the clerk of the city, of the value of one, two, three, and four cents." There was a scarcity of silver, and an almost total absence of "coppers," and these "tickets" circulated freely as "small change."
1798, May 10th. "Recorder Gelston and Samuel Ed- munds were appointed to build a fence three boards high, with red cedar posts, and a suitable gate, around the bury- ing ground, and have the bushes cleared up." Reuben Folger was directed to procure a suitable lock. The cost of the fence was 84 pounds, five shillings and three pence, and of the lock, four shillings. Previous to this, little had been done toward improving the ground, which up to this time had been reached by a road through a piece of woods leading from the County road, now Green St.
June 10th. Samuel Edmunds and James Nixon were paid three dollars each, for mending the cover to the well in Third street. This was one of the reservoirs before referred to.
1795, March 23rd. Jemmie Fraser was appointed bell- man, and to be paid sixteen pounds per year. The bell on the Presbyterian Church was ordered to be rung, at sunrise, at twelve o'clock at noon, and at nine in the evening, not less than five minutes at any one time on working days, and at nine, and ten, in the morning, two, in the afternoon and nine in the evening on Sunday.
1799, April 6th. It was resolved "that in future the Common Council meet on Saturday after the Mayor's Court, in each month at four o'clock, and that fifteen minutes grace be allowed from Mr. Parkman's clock." Up to this time, and for many years after, the Council had no regular place of meeting, but met at different public houses. In 1815, they met in a bedroom in the tavern of Samuel Bryan on the southwest corner of Warren and Third streets.
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Robert Jenkins then Mayor said that he "considered it a shame that the Common Council of such a city as Hudson, should meet in a bedroom, and appointed Oliver Wiswall and Jonathan Frary, a committee to provide a suitable room in the City Hall, in which they regularly held their meetings, until 1835. The new Court House and jail being then completed, the city regained possession of the old jail, and fitted it up for city purposes. This was used until the new City Hall was built in 1855, when the city officers were more comfortably accommodated.
The vacated property was purchased by John Davis, a real estate dealer and was known as Davis's City Hall until it was acquired by Mr. M. P. Williams in 1862.
The City Hall was erected in 1786, on the southwest corner of Warren and Fourth streets, but the interior was not finished until Hudson became the county seat, in 1805.
It was a square brick building in the very plainest style of architecture, two stories in height. The upper part was capable of accommodating four hundred people, being used for public purposes, the lower part for offices.
The Mayor's Court was instituted with the charter of the city in 1785. It was superseded by Justices' Courts, and the Police Court.
A seal bearing the device of an anchor with the legend "Hudson Mayor's Court Seal" was adopted. Their meet- ings were held monthly and at that held in December, 1785, Ambrose Spencer among others, was admitted to practice in the Court.
In 1798, the currency was changed from pounds, shil- lings and pence, to dollars and cents.
The legislative assembly met regularly in New York city, until the near approach of the British compelled the lawmakers to a hasty retreat. This they accomplished in good order, carrying with them the state archives, and finding an asylum in Kingston. In 1777, Kingston was
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burned by the Tories, and the archives were hurriedly removed to the village of Hurley, thence to Pough- keepsie, where in 1778, the Legislature was convened. Its sessions were continued there until the evacuation of New York City by the British in 1783, Washington making his grand entry on the 25th of November in that year, when the assembly resumed its deliberations in that city.
In 1797, during the term of the Hon. John Jay as Governor, it was determined to select a capital of the state, and an exciting contest ensued.
Poughkeepsie and Kingston had aspirations, but the principal competitors for the honor were Albany and Hudson, and Albany secured it by a majority of only one vote, reminding one of Browning's pertinent lines:
"O! the little more and how much it is!
And the little less, and what worlds away!"
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CHAPTER IX.
Parade Hill-Gazette-Mail Coaches.
Returning to the early records we find that in 1795, it was voted "that the certain piece of land known as the Parade, or Mall, in front of Main street and on the banks fronting the river, should be granted to the Com- mon Council forever, as a public walk or Mall, and for no other purpose whatever."
The "Mall" remained in an unimproved condition for many years, except the erection of a house for "refresh- ments." This was octogon in shape and was called the "Round House," and the hill, until its improvement in 1834, was called "Round house hill." In that year it was enclosed, walks were laid out, and the name of "Parade Hill" was adopted.
1794, July 24th. It was ordained "that all bread falling short of the established weight, or price, should be for- feited to the city for the use of the poor."
An inspector was appointed whose duty it was to thor- oughly enforce the ordinance. The established weight and price, which were kept conspicuously printed at the head of the Hudson Gazette, was as follows:
Loaf of Superfine flour, 3 lbs. 8 oz., one shilling. Loaf of Superfine flour, 1 1b. 12 oz., six pence.
Loaf of common flour, 3 lbs. 13 oz., one shilling. Loaf of Rye flour, 3 lbs. 4 oz., sixpence.
"Walter Johnson was the principal baker, and engaged extensively in the supply of ships, on the corner of Front and Ferry streets." "Mrs. Newberry, who kept a small shop farther up, on Front street, was his rival in the
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department of cakes and buns, most of which were sold through the streets in baskets."
In somewhat later years, Ursula Bunker, better known as "Aunt Usley," maintained the dignity of a house full of maiden sisters, by carrying on a domestic bakery. No tea table was deemed complete on great occasions, with- out a supply of "Aunt Usley's soft tea biscuits."
1799, October 10th. The name of Main street, was by resolution of the Council, changed to Warren. The public were informed of the change by the following notice chalked on the fences, which at that time were mostly red and yellow: "This street is no longer Main Street, but called Warren, by order of the Common Council."
In September, 1799. "The Mayor was reported absent in town, Alderman Taylor absent in town, the other Alder- men and Assistants absent out of town, and the Re- corder 'solitary and alone' adjourned the Council to meet on the following day at Russell Kellogg's tavern."
1800, April 7th. Peter Hall was appointed bell-man, "bell to be rung as usual, to be paid at the rate of thirty- eight dollars per year." Jemmy Fraser was promoted to the office of City Crier and to receive a reward of not less than one shilling for every time of service, and not more than three, agreeably to exigencies of the weather."
1801, August 15th. A committee was appointed to pro- cure a clock with three dials, to be placed in the steeple of the Presbyterian meeting-house, and were authorized to loan not exceeding 200 dollars, to be applied with the sum already subscribed and deposited in the bank."
This clock was afterward placed in the steeple of the old Episcopal church.
December 9th, Committee reported that Daniel Burnap was paid 20 dollars in addition to the sum agreed upon, for additional work, and that they had placed the clock
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in the meeting-house, and had made provision to pay Deborah Jenkins 200 dollars for borrowed money."
1803, April 1st. It was resolved "that any member of the Council not appearing within fifteen minutes after the hour of meeting, should pay to, and for the use of the Council, the sum of fifty cents. The time always to be determined by the City clock." Mr. Parkman's time- piece had ceased to be the standard.
1799, June 1st. Elisha Pitken was authorized to erect a suitable Market House on the jail square, corner of War- ren and Fourth streets. This was the second or upper market.
A postoffice was established in this city in 1793, pre- vious to which time the residents of Hudson were com- pelled to go to Claverack for their mail.
The first Postmaster was Cotton Gelston and the office was kept in the upper part of his store, a small two-story building on the site of 211 Warren street; his dwelling being at No. 205. Mr. Gelston continued in the office until the election of Thomas Jefferson to the Presidency when he was removed and Alexander Coffin appointed in his place.
Post-riders were superseded by mail coaches in 1786. In that year an act was passed by the Assembly granting Isaac Van Wyck, Talmage Hall, and John Kinney "the exclusive right to erect, set up, carry on, and drive a stage-wagon between Albany and New York on the east side of Hudson's river, for a period of ten years; and restraining all opposition by a penalty of 200 pounds."
They were to furnish at least two covered wagons, each drawn by four able horses, and trips must be made twice each week. Fare limited to four pence per mile.
The company advertised that "during the season of good roads, their stage-wagon would perform the journey in two days, with a charge of only three pence per mile, but that in times of bad roads, for the ease of the passen-
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gers, the time of running through, would be lengthened to three days, and price raised to four pence per mile," agreeably to Act of Assembly.
"The stopping place in Hudson was at Kellogg's Tav- ern." This was the second public house erected in this city, and was on the site of the "Worth." It was kept in later years by Samuel Bryan and was still the stage-house and it was to accommodate the large and increasing travel by stage, that the "Hudson House," now the "Worth," was built in 1837. It was not uncommon at that time, for two hundred passengers to stop here daily for meals, dur- ing the winter months, and of the large number of visitors to the Springs at New Lebanon during the summer, the greater part were sent there by stages from this place.
In 1785, the Hudson Gazette informed the public "that they had agreed to establish a post, to ride weekly to Litch- field, Conn., where he will exchange papers with the posts from Boston, Hartford and New Haven." In 1787 the, reminded "the public that the post-rider had ridden al- most half a year not asking for pay, he now requests pay in good merchantable goods, grain of any kind, or riax at cash prices." This post-rid also carried small parcels, and executed commissions, being particularly requested by the hair dresser of Hudson, "to bring in all the human hair he could collect on his route in the remote districts."
Ashbel Stoddard was the pioneer printer of Hudson. On the 7th of April, 1785, he, in company with Charles R. Webster, a fellow apprentice in the office of the Con- necticut Courant, commenced the publication of a weekly newspaper, called the "Hudson Gazette." In it he points out to the public the many advantages which would re- sult to "our already flourishing place," from the establish- ment of an impartial newspaper. "Being deprived of these privileges must be seriously felt by Hudson, there- fore he had commenced the publication of the Hudson Gazette, to be issued weekly at the rate of twelve shillings
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(three dollars) per year; money to be refunded to sub- scribers who were not satisfied with the paper."
It was a small sheet, not more than eight by ten, printed on paper of a yellowish tint but with fair type. Its de- livery was announced for many years by the carrier blow- ing a horn. Mails were few, one from the east and three from New York each week by stage, beside the post- rider of whom mention has been made.
It seems at first to have received but a poor support, very few advertisements except Mr. Stoddard's own being found in its columns.
The sale of negroes and rewards for runaway slaves were the most numerous. Cotton Gelston advertised a negro as having "walked away being too lazy to run." At a later date Refine Latting a prominent merchant and farmer of Hillsdale, advertised "One cent reward for return of negro girl 'Sal' who ran away from my premises. All persons are forbid harboring her under penalty of the law."
In 1786, Mr. Webster withdrew and the paper was con- tinued by Mr. Stoddard, who greatly improved its appear- ance. He also published "Webster's Speller" and an almanac which was highly esteemed, many arranging their domestic affairs by its weather table.
In the same year, 1786, the list of letters in the post- office was published for the first time. We give the sub- stance of some of the curious advertisements found in its pages.
Mr. Robardet of Connecticut advertised in the winter of 1785, that he would open a class for "instruction in the polite accomplishment of dancing, after the most ap- proved method." "Scholars would be taken from seven to fifty years of age." And this in a Quaker City!
Ambrose Liverpool advertised that he would open a Seminary, where he would teach all the English branches, also Latin and Greek classics; also at convenient times
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the principles of several musical instruments, and that he had also several dozen strong English beer, which he wished to dispose of."
"Mrs. Hussey notified the ladies of Hudson that she would be happy to wait upon their commands in millinery, and mantua making after the most approved fashions, regularly received from New York City, at her house on the hill, near the wharf."
Monsieur Hyacinth L'Escure stated that he kept "a choice lot of Essences near the Market House," also that he would furnish cushions to the ladies and queues to the gentlemen, of excellent human hair, for which he would take his pay in wheat, and Indian corn." Monsieur L'Escure had been a drummer under Burgoyne, and was "barber to the corporation," there being no other at this time in the city.
He is described as having a frizzled head, broad low forehead, little black eyes, wide mouth and triangular visage, and was accustomed to walk back and forth be- fore his shop door, humming a tune and snapping his fingers." His dress was in keeping with his person and profession; "a long striped calico gown, a short white apron, tight nankeen small clothes, and ruffled shirt, com- pleted with silk stockings, and yellow slippers."
Hudson's first circus. On August 15, 1786, Mr. Pool advertised "a circus on the green" stating that he was the first American, who ever attempted equestrian feats, and among other wonderful things which he would exhibit, were two horses, which at word of command would "lay down and groan." The price of admission was three shillings, and ladies and gentlemen were "beseeched not to bring any dogs with them to the performances."
The first menagerie consisting of "two camels" was ad- vertised for exhibition; they were described as "stupendous animals," "having necks three feet eight inches long, a
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high bunch like a pedestal on the back, four joints in their legs, and can travel fourteen days without water." The curious were invited to come and see them without fail. Admission one shilling.
A few of the many firms doing business here in 1785 were, "Thomas Jenkins, Merchant, who advertised the best West India and New England Rum. Iron, Salt and Dry Goods." "Barzilla and Tristram Bunker, Sail- makers." J. Pritchard, "Taylor and Ladies Habit-Maker, from London." "Thomas Worth, Silk and Stuff shoes, at his shop near the Market House," and "Lot Tripp, Drugs and Medicines."
In 1792, the Gazette was somewhat enlarged and its columns gave evidence of prosperity, "but it was de- ficient in matters of local interest." Mr. Stoddard's small one-story building located on the south-east corner of Warren and Third streets and known for generations as "Stoddard's Corner," sufficed not only for the publica- tion of the "Gazette," and Sunday school books, but was also the emporium for school supplies of every sort, in- cluding goose quills, which were abundantly festooned about the store to become seasoned. Metallic pens were still unknown and school teachers were expected to make and mend the pens for fifty scholars, as well as set their copies.
Liberal subscriptions from the citizens enabled Mr. Stoddard to re-establish his business immediately after the destruction of his office by fire in 1793. He re-built on the same site and resumed the publication of the "Gazette," but in 1803 or 4, it was discontinued, other political papers having taken the field.
Mr. Stoddard was small and of delicate constitution, but he lived to the age of seventy-eight years, dying in Octo- ber 1840, a worthy and greatly esteemed citizen.
A semi-monthly literary paper was started in 1824, by
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his son, William B. Stoddard, called the "Rural Reposi- tory;" it was neatly printed in quarto form, and was highly successful. Its discontinuance in 1851 was much re- gretted by the many families in which it had been a regular and welcome visitor.
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CHAPTER X.
Early Journalism-County Records.
The history of journalism in Hudson during the early part of the 19th century, is a record of almost phenomenal mortality among infant newspapers.
A complete list was compiled in the year 1885, showing that out of twenty-nine journals that had been started in the city since its incorporation, only two, the Gazette and the Republican, and their daily issues survived. In this year of Our Lord, 1908, the list would be longer, but the result would be the same.
Mention will be made of a few of the earlier of these ephemeral productions.
"The Columbian Balance" was commenced in 1801 by Ezra Sampson, George Chittenden and Harry Croswell, in the upper part of a store in Warren street, near Second.
Mr. Sampson was a Presbyterian minister who previous to 1800 was settled over the Presbyterian church in this City as a temporary supply.
Mr. Chittenden was a book-binder and shortly after, he established the well known Chittenden Mills, for the manufacture of paper, in the town of Stockport, which was then a wilderness. He conducted the business success- fully until his death in 1845.
Mr. Croswell had been a printer, afterward he became a Clergyman of the Episcopal church, and was settled for many years in New Haven, where he died at an advanced age.
The "Balance" was printed in small quarto form on dingy paper, but being ably edited had a large subscrip- tion, and circulated throughout the United States.
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It was removed to Albany in 1808, and soon after was discontinued.
Party spirit ran high between the Federalists and Anti- Federalists, the "Balance" being the organ of the former, and the "Bee," which appeared in 1802 of the latter. The columns of both were filled with bitter personalities, which led the editors into frequent difficulties.
Soon after the appearance of the "Bee" a small paper, less than a letter sheet in size, was issued from the office of Mr. Croswell, called the "Wasp" edited by "Robert Rusticoat, Esq." Its object was indicated by the follow- ing couplet :
"If perchance there comes a Bee, A Wasp shall come as well as he."
It was published but a short time and both "Wasp and Bee" stung with personalities. The "Bee" was published by Mr. Charles Holt in the upper part of Judge Hezekiah Dayton's store, on or near the site of Number 23 Warren street. The lower part of the store was the headquarters of the Democratic Club; "there 'round a red hot stove in an atmosphere blue with smoke, seated on old pine benches and wooden bottomed chairs, with the dust and cobwebs of twenty years undisturbed on the shelves, met the great Anti-Federal fathers of the City."
The Federal Club, of which Elisha Williams, one of the most influential men in the State was the acknowl- edged leader, always met in the best furnished room of one of the public houses. Each party maintained a large, and well-trained instrumental band, composed of mem- bers of the party. Mr. Holt sold out his establishment in 1810 to Mr. Samuel Clark, who continued the publication of the "Bee" until 1821, when it was united with the Columbia Republican.
Another important paper of the day was "The Northern Whig," commenced by Francis Stebbins in 1808. He was succeeded by William L. Stone, afterward of the New
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York Commercial Advertiser, who conducted it until 1816, and was succeeded by Richard L. Corse, from whom it passed into the hands of William B. Stebbins, a son of the original proprietor, and was discontinued in 1824.
Its circulation was large, and it was considered one of the ablest Federal papers in the state.
It numbered among its contributors Elisha Williams, William W. Van Ness, Thomas P. Grosvenor, and others of that stamp.
Captain Alexander Coffin was one of the most ardent supporters of the Anti-Federalists. He was a man of strong political prejudices and fiery temperament, but also of great personal respectability, and possessing many noble qualities. After his death his portrait was placed by the city in the Common Council room, where it still remains.
In 1803, Mr. Croswell published in the Balance a vio- lent attack on President Jefferson for which he was in- dicted by the grand jury of Columbia county.
The case came to trial in February, 1804, in the Court House at Claverack, before Chief Justice Lewis. Attor- ney General Ambrose Spencer conducted the case for the people, and William W. Van Ness and Alexander Hamilton appeared for the defendant. The trial attracted wide-spread attention, both from the nature of the ques- tion at issue, and from the eminence of the Counsel en- gaged.
Interest naturally centered in the brilliant Hamilton, and the reporter for the New York Evening Post after describ- ing the efforts of Spencer, and Van Ness said-"and then came the great, the powerful Hamilton." "No language can convey an adequate idea of the astonishing power evinced by him." "The audience was numerous, and was composed of those not used to the melting mood, and the effect on them was electric." * * "As a profound com-
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mentary on the science and practice of government, it has never been surpassed."
The Court instructed the jury that they were called simply to decide whether the alleged language had been published, the court would determine the question of libel, and notwithstanding the eloquence and pathos of the de- fense, the case was decided adversely to the defendant, who was convicted but never punished. It is said to have been the last case in which Hamilton appeared. Five months afterward he fell by the pistol of Aaron Burr.
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