USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I > Part 29
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(V) Deacon Benjamin, son of Captain Samuel and Hannah (Holyoke) Talcott, was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, March I, 1674, died at his homestead in Glastonbury,
Connecticut, November 12, 1727. He had re- moved to that place and built a house into- which he moved on November 22, 1699, it being the farm inherited from his father, pur- chased of Samuel Sherman in 1643. The. house was a large building on Main street, and was fortified as a place of refuge for the family from Indians. When taken down, in 1854, there were quantities of bullet marks in its walls. He married, January 5, 1699, Sa- rah, daughter of John and Sarah (Goodrich) Hollister, whose father had come from Bris- tol, England, and settled in Wethersfield in 1642, and was admitted freeman, May 10, 1643. She died in child-bed, October 15, 1715, at Glastonbury, Connecticut. Children : I. Sarah, born October 30, 1699; married Jonathan Hale, November 28, 1717; died July 15, 1743. 2. Benjamin, born June 27, 1702; married Esther Lyman, August 26, 1724; died March 9, 1785. 3. John, born December 17, 1704; married Lucy Burnham, in 1731; died August 25, 1745. 4. Hannalı, born Oc- tober 16, 1706; married Benjamin Hale, Jan- uary 30, 1729; died February 6, 1796. 5. Samuel, born February 12, 1708; married Hannah Moseley, October 5, 1732; died Sep- tember 26, 1768. 6. Elizur, born December 31, 1709; see forward. 7. Mehitabel, born July 17, 1713; married Hezekiah Wright, November 29, 1733; died April 20, 1781. 8. Abigail, born October 10, 1715, died October 28, 1715.
(V1) Colonel Elizur, son of Deacon Ben- jamin and Sarah (Hollister) Talcott, was born at the homestead in Glastonbury, Con- necticut, December 31, 1709, died there No- vember 24, 1797. He was a man of wealth and note in his day, possessing lands in vari- ous localities, and a principal owner of the "Connecticut tract" on the Susquehanna river, which he lost through a defect in its title. He was the chairman of a meeting held in Glastonbury, which denounced the "Boston Port Bill"; held a commission as colonel of a troop of horse previous to and during the revolution, and served as such with the Con- necticut forces on Long Island; was in New York when the British army marched in, but was taken home ill, on a litter. He married, December 31. 1730, Ruth, only child of Daniel and Elinor ( Benton) Wright, a descendant of Thomas Wright, who came from England and was in Wethersfield in 1639. She died at the homestead, September 12, 1791. Children : I. Ruth, born October 17, 1731, died Sep- tember 10, 1747. 2. Prudence, born June 6, 1734, died October 18, 1752. 3. Rachel, born August 1, 1736, died May 14, 1807. 4. Elizur, born August 27, 1738, died February 16,
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1750. 5. Isaac, born August 29, 1740, died August 6, 1815. 6. Daniel, born May 8, 1743, died February 12, 1748. 7. George, born No- vember 30, 1745, died February 22, 1750. 8. Daniel, born July 27, 1748, died December 3, 1751. 9. Elizur, born December 17, 1750, died November 28, 1831. 10. Ruth, born May II, 1753, died June 4, 1821. 11. George, born September 30, 1755, see forward. 12. Pru- dence, born December 2, 1757, died November 20, 1839.
(VII) George. son of Colonel Elizur and Ruth (Wright) Talcott, was born in Glaston- bury, Connecticut, September 30, 1755, died there, June 13, 1813. He was a farmer and lived in the old homestead which descended to him from his grandfather, Benjamin Talcott. He served in the revolution and was present at the retreat of the American forces on Long Island. He married (first), March 16, 1777, Vienna, daughter of Jeremiah and Rebecca (Dart) Bradford. She was born November 5, 1757, died August 17, 1785, and by her he had his first four children. He married (second) Abigail, daughter of John and Abi- gail (Deming) Goodrich. She died in Glas- tonbury, June 22, 1854. and by her he had six children, making ten in all. Children: I. Harriet, born January 7, 1778, died October 9, 1839. 2. Fanny, born January 8, 1780, died April 16, 1845. 3. Rebecca. born March I, 1782, died January 4, 1794. 4. Julia. born May 9, 1785. died November 17, 1785. 5. George, born December 6, 1786, see forward. 6. Russell, born September 22, 1788, died Sep- tember 26. 1818. 7. Lavinia, born August 8, 1790, died February 13, 1857. 8. Abigail, born July 7, 1792, died April 18. 1840. 9. Jared G., born April 17, 1795. 10. Andrew, born April 20. 1797.
(VIII) General George (2), son of George (I) and Abigail (Goodrich) Talcott, was born at the homestead in Glastonbury, Con- necticut, December 6, 1786, died at his resi- dence, No. 748 Broadway, Albany, New York, April 25. 1862. He entered the United States army during the war of 1812, from New York, as a lieutenant. and was stationed on the islands of New York harbor ; was almost im- mediately promoted to a captaincy in the ord- nance corps, first commanding at the Albany arsenal (which later became district school No. 13), then at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and while there constructed the Watertown arsenal; thence went to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, taking command of the Alleghany ar- senal near there, whence he was ordered to the Watervliet arsenal near Albany, where he re- mained in command, having been promoted to the brevet rank of major for ten years of
faithful service; on the reorganization of the ordnance corps in 1832, was appointed its lieu- tenant-colonel, and shortly thereafter was made inspector of arsenals and armories ; during President Van Buren's administration he was given charge of the Washington bu- reau as acting chief, holding that position until the death of Colonel George Bomford, March 26, 1848, when he was promoted to. the full rank of colonel and chief of the ord- nance corps. His commission as brevet briga- dier-general "for meritorious services, particu- larly in relation to the Mexican War," was- dated March 3, 1849. He married, November 17, 1810, Angelica, daughter of Isaac Henry and Cathlina Visscher (widow of Samuel Reed) Bogart. She died in Albany, Septem- ber 1, 1861. Children : 1. George Henry, born July 16, 1811; married Catharine J. Starke,. November 9, 1843; died June 8, 1854. 2. Se- bastian Visscher, born November 24, 1812, see- forward.
(IX) Sebastian Visscher, son of General George (2) and Angelica (Bogart) Talcott, was born in New York City, November 24, 1812. He entered Yale College in 1829, and left it in the sophomore year for a more ac- tive life, adopting the profession of civil en- gineer. He was employed in this capacity by the United States government on the sur- vey of the boundary between the United States and Canada, and also was engaged on improvement work of the Hudson river near Albany. He made the primary surveys for the Erie railroad near its western terminal at Dunkirk, then on the government survey of the "northeastern boundary"; subsequently on improvement work at the mouth of the Mississippi, and an elaborate survey of the coast under Professor Hassler. Completing this work, he was appointed assistant super- intendent of mineral lands on Lake Superior, and subsequently engaged in mercantile busi- ness, but relinquished it for his profession. Governor Horatio Seymour, in 1862, ap- pointed him quartermaster-general of the state of New York, with the rank of brigadier-general. His residence was No. 748 Broadway, Albany, where he died November IO. 1888. He married, No- vember 23, 1843. Olivia Maria, only child of Robert (born September 10, 1790) and Anna Maria (Sherman) Shearman, of Utica. She was born October 14, 1823, died January 29, 1888. Children : I. George, born October 6, 1844, died April 30, 1895; he was- a lieutenant in the United States navy, 1876; married, June 23, 1870, Mary Isabel Hyde, daughter of J. J. Downing, of Erie, Penn- sylvania ; children : i. Winifred Downing, born:
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April 17, 1880, married, October 30, 1895, Lucian D. Cabanne; children : Isabel Down- ing, born November 27, 1896, and Doris Tal- cott, born July 29, 1898; ii. Gladys Frank, born August 29, 1884, died September 5, 1885. 2. Angelica Bogart, born February 24, 1846; married, September 11, 1866, Clarence Rathbone; children : i. Albert Rathbone, born July 27. 1868, married Emma Maria Olcott, April 14, 1892; children: Grace Olcott, born December 9. 1893, and Anna Talcott, born August 17, 1897 ; ii. Joel Rathbone, born Sep- tember 12, 1869, married, October 18, 1894, Josephine Norwood ; child, Norwood, born July 26, 1895 ; iii. Angelica Talcott Rathbone, born March 13, 1871, married, December 31, 1899, Dr. Charles R. S. Putnam ; child, Patrick; iv. Ethel Rathbone, born December, 1877, mar- ried, March, 1907, in Paris, Jean Marty; v. Franklin Townsend Rathbone, born Decem- ber 22, 1879. 3. Robert Shearman, born Octo- ber 23, 1847; married, May 18, 1870, Mattie D., daughter of Dr. William H. Barclay, of Philadelphia. 4. Anna Maria, born October 17, 1849. 5. Sarah Gibson, born December 25, 1851 ; married Charles Lansing Pruyn ((see Pruyn IX).
(VI) David Pruyn, fifth child of PRUYN* Lieutenant Casparus (q. v.) and Catherine (Groesbeck ) Pruyn, was born in Albany, New York, August 24, 1771, died January 20, 1843. At the time of the division of the Great or Collegiate Consistory of the Dutch Church of Albany in November, 1815, David Pruyn was deacon. The Second Reformed Church then separa- ted from the mother organization and he went with the Second Church. He was during his subsequent years a deacon and elder of that congregation, and at his death presiding elder. He was married, by Rev. John Bas- sett, February 27, 1794, to Huybertie Yates Lansing, born July 26, 1773, died September 2, 1855, daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Van Schaick) Lansing, of Albany. She was granddaughter of John Van Schaick and 'his wife, Alida Bogart, and great-granddaugh- ter of Jacob Bogart and Catalyna, daughter of Peter Davidse Schuyler and his wife, Alida Van Slichtenhorst. This line again relates the Pruyns with the ancient Schuyler family. "Mrs. David Pruyn (Huybertie Lansing) was most eminent in all works of charity and pie- ty. She was mainly instrumental in estab- lishing Sunday schools in Albany, going to New York in 1815 to consult with Dr. Beth-
*This narrative is from a record prepared by John V. L. Pruyn, Jr., published in the "New York Genealogical and Biographical Record."
une, the so-called founder of the American system of Sunday schools. In June, 1816, with Mrs. Christian Miller, she opened a Sun- day school for girls in Albany, and to her the church was indebted for very much abun- dant and profitable service. Though rather delicate in physique, she was incessant in her visitation of the sick and poor. She was an energetic organizer and leader of the Female Bible, Dorcas and Tract societies of Albany. The Woman's Prayer Meeting (still a fea- ture of the church services) had its origin in her suggestion. Religion seemed woven into the texture of her being, enveloping her as an atmosphere, the heart life of her existence." Children of David and Huybertie (Lansing) Pruyn: Christopher Lansing, died in infancy ; Sarah, born August 5, 1796, died in infancy ; Lansing, born December 12, 1797, died aged two years; Catherine, horn December 1, 1800, died in infancy: Alida, born September 2, 1801, died in infancy ; John Van Schaick, twin of Alida, died in infancy; Catherine, born February 14, 1803, died April 6, 1885 ; Lans- ing, born September 30, 1805, died Novem- ber 15, 1877; married, June 30, 1834, Anna Mary Saltus and had children ; he was a lead- ing merchant and citizen of Albany ; Casparus, born April 2, 1809, died in infancy; John Van Schaick, Lansing, see forward.
(VII) John Van Schaick Lansing. LL.D., (known as John V. L. Pruyn), youngest child of David and Huybertie (Lansing) Pruyn, was born in Albany, New York, June 22, 1811, died at Clifton Springs, New York, November 21, 1877. He had a most brilliant and useful career in both public and profes- sional life, being skilled in the law. He was state senator, a member of congress, and chancellor of the University of the State of New York. As the foregoing pages show he was of the best Dutch ancestry. His maternal grandfather, Christopher Lansing, was quartermaster of General Schuyler's reg- iment in the revolutionary war, and a man of high character. On the maternal side lie descended from the Van Schaicks, Yates, Bo- garts, Van Slichtenhorsts, Verplancks and Schuylers. On the paternal side he also de- scended from the Bogarts, Verplancks and Schuylers, as well as from the Groesbecks and Van der Poels. His great-grandmother, Huybertie Yates, mother of Christopher Lan- sing, was sister of Hon. Abraham Yates, mayor of Albany from 1790 to 1796, whose fidelity to the principles of Jefferson procured for him the name of "the Democrat," and who wrote the famous political articles signed the "Rough Hewer." A direct though some- what remote ancestor was Brant Arentse Van
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Slichtenhorst, of Nykerk, in Gelderland, who was appointed in 1646 during the minority of the young patroon, director of the Colonie of Rensselaerwyck, president of the court of jus- tice, and general superintendent, with full powers to manage the Van Rensselaer estate. John V. L. Pruyn's character was moulded by his most excellent mother, and one of the beautiful features of his life was his devo- tion to her. He received his early education in private schools, and entered the Albany Academy in 1824, where he completed a full course of study. The noted Theodoric Ro- meyn Beck, M.D., LL.D., was principal of the academy during the years he spent there. Im- mediately after leaving the academy he en- tered the law office of James King, at that time one of Albany's most eminent lawyers, later a regent of the University of New York, and who in 1839 became chancellor. Mr. Pruyn became his private and confidential clerk and remained as such several months after being admitted to the bar. He was ad- mitted as attorney in the supreme court of New York and a solicitor in the court of chan- cery, January 13. 1822. This latter court ad- mitted him a counsellor May 21, 1833, and the supreme court January 17, 1835. While still a young lawyer he was counsel for some of the parties to the famous "James Will Case," which gave him both reputation and experience. In 1833 he formed a law part- nership with Henry H. Martin, who had been a fellow student in the office of Mr. King. The firm name was Pruyn & Martin. On May 27, 1833. he was appointed by Governor Marcy an examiner in chancery, and Febru- ary 10, 1836, a master in chancery. Three days later Chancellor Walworth designated him as injunction master for the third cir- cuit, all highly responsible positions, which showed how he had gained the confidence and respect of those in authority. February 21, 1848, he was admitted to practice in the Uni- ted States supreme court at Washington, and April 9. 1856, to practice before the United States court of claims. In 1853 he had prac- tically withdrawn from the practice of his pro- fession, politics and corporation service tak- ing his entire time. In 1851 he became a director of the Albany City Bank and sub- sequently vice-president. In 1851 he formed a law partnership with John H. Reynolds (Mr. Martin, his former partner, having been appointed cashier of the Albany City Bank ), one of the most brilliant lawyers of the day. The partnership continued until 1853, when Mr. Pruyn's railroad relations became so im- portant that he could not longer give the law his personal attention.
In 1835 he was chosen counsel and a director of the Mohawk & Hudson Railway, the first railway successfully operated in Am- erica. In 1853 steps were taken to amalga- mate the various railway corporations (about ten in number) between Albany and Buf- falo into one corporate body. Mr. Pruyn in person concluded the proceedings and drew up the "consolidation agreement," in some re- spects the most important business document ever drawn in the state. The new corpora- tion was the New York Central railroad, and he was chosen secretary, treasurer and general counsel. He continued in this capacity and also a director of the road until 1866, when the Corning management was voted out by the Vanderbilts. He had now acquired a com- fortable competence and henceforth devoted himself to other and more congenial pursuits. He was deeply interested in political science, though not in the vulgar sense a politician. He was a Democrat of the "Old School." When the civil war broke out he at once took sides with the north, and did all a conscien- tious citizen should do to honor and defend the constitution. At the fall election of 1861 he was elected state senator. He accepted the nomination upon the express condition that neither he or any of his friends should be called upon to contribute a single dollar to . control the vote of any elector. At the close of one of the sessions of the legislature, he gave the salary of a year to the poor of Al- bany. At about this time a law was passed at the instance of James A. Bell, Mr. Pruyn and a few others, for the building of the new state capitol. By the laws of 1865 a com- mission was created for this purpose, Mr. Pruyn being one of the commissioners, and continuing as such until 1870, when the board was reorganized, largely, it is said, in the in- terests of the friends of the New York City political ring headed by "Boss Tweed." Mr. Pruyn not being in harmony with this ele- ment of his party was dropped from the com- mission. A great deal that was meritorious in the original plans of the Capitol was due to the efforts of Mr. Pruyn and the Hon. Hamilton Harris, an associate member of the commission. These two worked side by side, and had their wishes been more closely fol- lowed the defects in the building would have been fewer and much money saved the state. Mr. Pruyn was particularly well-informed on light and ventilation, and to his energy is due the central court of the building. This he had to fight for, with the assistance of Mr. Harris, as well as for other necessary fea- tures of the building. From 1865 to 1870 these two men worked to the best of their
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ability for the interests of the state and should be exempt from the severe criticism to which the Capitol commission is subjected. The first stone of the new building was laid on July 7. 1869, by Mr. Pruyn in the presence of Gov- ernor Hoffman, the state official and a few friends. A feature of the decoration of the famous "staircase" is a head of Mr. Pruyn carved in stone.
He was a representative in congress from the Albany district twice : first in the thirty- eighth congress ( 1863-65), elected as stic- cessor to Erastus Corning, resigned, and again in the fortieth congress ( 1867-69). He served upon the important committees on ways and means, claims, Pacific railroads, joint library and foreign affairs. In the thirty-eighth con- gress his most noted speeches were made, in opposition to the confiscation act, against the currency bill and upon the abolition of slav- ery. In the fortieth congress his principal speeches were on the treaty-making power, under the Alaska treaty with Russia, on re- construction, on diplomatic appropriation, the resumption of specie payments and against the impeachment of President Andrew John- son. In his congress he was chosen a regent of the Smithsonian Institute in conjunction with the Hon. Luke P. Poland and James A. Garfield, then a member of congress from Ohio, later to die by the assassin's bullet while President of the United States. Mr. Pruyn was in many respects the most efficient repre- sentative that Albany has ever sent to Wash- ington. He was possessed of most remarkable executive ability, while his extensive knowl- edge and elevated views of public affairs gave him weight and position. Although not rated an orator, he was an effective speaker. "His style of language and manner was simple, vigorous and correct. while his reasoning was sound and just." Although eminently fitted for public life, he will be best remembered for his work in the more congenial fields of phil- anthropy and education. In 1831 he was elec- ted a member of the Albany Institute, which he served in all capacities including the office of president, which he filled capably from 1857 until his death. The Albany Institute. al- though not organized until May, 1824. is in reality one of the oldest literary and scientific societies in the state, being the combination of the "Albany Lyceum of Natural History" ( founded in 1823) and the "Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts," which was founded in 1804 as the legitimate successor of the "Society for the Promotion of Agricul- ture. Arts and Manufactures," organized in the city of New York ( then the state capital) in 1791. In the cause of education Mr. Prutyn
did a noble work. On May 4, 1844, at the age of thirty-three, he was appointed by the legislature a regent of the University of the State of New York, and on January 9, 1862, was elected chancellor to succeed Hon. Gerrit Yates Lansing. LL.D., deceased. He was a regent for over thirty years, fifteen of which he was chancellor, the highest educational of- fice of the state.
The University of the State of New York was established by the legislature, first in 1784, but substantially as it now exists in 1787. Alexander Hamilton was one of the committee who drew up the act of 1787. The University, like those of Oxford and Cam- bridge, is one of supervision and visitation rather than one of instruction. There are twenty-three regents, the presiding officer of the board being the chancellor, who is the head of the university, which includes under the visitation of the regents twenty-three lit- erary colleges, twenty medical colleges, schools of science, three law schools, and about two hundred and forty academies and academical departments of Union schools. The regents also have the care of the state library and the State Museum of Natural History. When he became chancellor Mr. Pruyn threw his whole soul into the work. The cause of high- er education was not in its most flourishing condition, but he gave it a quickening impulse. The University convocation was organized, the system of preliminary and higher academic examination was instituted and a broad foun- dation laid for greater usefulness. At Ham- ilton College he founded the Pruyn medal for the best oration in the senior class, relating to the duties of the educated citizen to the state. He was president of the board of trus- tees of St. Stephen's College at Annandale, an institution founded by Mr. and Mrs. John Bard for training young men, chiefly for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church. As a member of the "Association for the Codi- fication of the Law of Nations," he offered at the Hague meeting in 1875 resolutions of thanks for courtesies received. speaking in English, French and finally in Dutch, the language of his ancestors, for which he was loudly applauded. In 1876 the board of com- missioners of state survey was organized and he was chosen president. This was really the last public position to which he was called. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant a member of the centennial commission, but resigned before 1876.
lle was a corresponding member of the New York Historical Society, an honorary member of the Wisconsin Historical Society, a resident member of the American Geogra-
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phical and Statistical Society, a life member of the Young Men's Association of Albany, a member of the Literary Fund Society of London, of the Union and Century clubs of New York, and of other societies. He re- ceived the degree of Master of Arts in 1835 from Rutgers College and in 1845 from Union College, and that of LL.D. in 1852 from the University of Rochester. During the latter years of his life he gave nearly all his time to public service, and that too without com- pensation, although entitled by law to the re- imbursement of his expenses he steadily de- clined to take it. His religious life was re- markably happy. Originally an officer of the Second Reformed Dutch Church, in which he had been reared, the latter half of his religious life was given almost wholly to the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he became a com- municant. He was a vestryman of St. Peter's Church, Albany, early known as "Queen Anne's Chapel in the Wilderness." His views were essentially broad. He was a warm ad- mirer of Dean Stanley and a personal friend of Bishop Doane, to whom he suggested the form of prayer now in use in the diocese of Albany for the government and state legislature, and for a col- lect for the new year. Despite his love for the Episcopal church, he never lost sight of his early religious training, but made it his custom to annually take part in the New Year services of the Dutch church. He was a man of cultivated taste, had traveled extensively, and had a large circle of friends abroad as well as at home. His pre-eminent characteristic was justice. He was always gentle and never spoke ill of any one. "He had not an enemy in the world" was true of him. He led a life of personal purity and integrity, unsullied by even a rumor to the contrary. After his death on November 21. 1877, resolutions of sympathy were passed by the bodies with which he had been connected and by many others upon which he had no claim. His funeral took place on the after- noon of Friday, November 23. 1877, from St. Peter's Church, Albany, in the presence of the governor, the state officials, regents of the University. and a large assemblage of friends. The flags upon the public buildings were at half mast, and many of the public offices closed during the funeral services. He is buried in the Albany cemetery. beneath the shadow of a simple granite cross, suitably inscribed.
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