USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 1 > Part 43
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400
LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
1882-1887, John M. Chambers; 1888-1889, Isaac G. Flack; 1890-1892, Eugene L. Demers; 1893, Isaac G. Flack, John Roach ; 1894, II. W. Gordinier; 1895- -- , Eugene L. Demers.
CLERKS OF THE TOWN OF LANSINGBURGH.
1807-1815, Ebenezer W. Walbridge: 1816-1818, James Adams; 1819-1823, Jacob C. Lansing; 1824, Ebenezer W. Walbridge; 1825-1830, Jabez F. Parmelee; 1831- 1832, Cornelius L. Tracy; 1833-1839, Jabez F. Parmelee; 1840-1846, John G. Neal; 1847, John V. Lansing; 1848, Lorenzo D. Aldrich ; 1849-1850, J. F. Knickerbocker; 1851. Isaac Ransom; 1852, Lorenzo D. Aldrich; 1853, Charles Clark; 1851, Jacob M. Adams; 1855, Milford 1. Fancher ; 1856, Charles W. Hasbrouck ; 1857, James W. Mills; 1858-1864, Daniel King; 1865, Franeis Rising; 1866, John Bell; 1867-1869, William Davenport; 1870-1872, Josiah E. West; 1873, John A. Jones; . 1874, John R. Engle; 1875, Joseph E. O'Reilly; 1876, Leonard A. Groesbeck; 1877, Walter Il. Ogden; 1878, Charles E. Porter; 1879, William 11. Shumway ; 2 1880, William Gilles- pie; 1881, John Ames; 1882 -1883, E. Warren Barker; 1884-1885, Robert A. Gibson ; 1886-1887, Crasto M. Clark; 1888-1889, E. Fred De Witt; 1890, Alfred J. Moss; 1891, James Orr, jr. ; 1892, John W. Whike; 1893, George E. McMurray ; $ 1891-1895, George E. McMurray ; 1896- -- , Nathan T. Shaw.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF LANSINGBURGH.
(Appointed by the courts. )-1823, Jonathan Choate, Andrew Follett, Ebenezer W. Walbridge, B. W. Horr; 1827, John Ball, B. W. Horr, Jonathan Choate; 1828, Charles Tibbet. Jacob C. Lansing : 1830, Andrew Follett, B. W. Horr; 1832, Augus- tus Filley.
(Elected at the annual town meetings. )-1830, Benjamin W. Horr; 1831, Augustus Filley; 183", Jacob C. Lansing; 1833, Marcus L. Filley, Andrew Follett; 1834, An- drew Follett; 1835, John M. Caswell, John S. Fake, Daniel Whiting; 1836, John S. Fake; 1837, Marcus L. Filley: 1838, Andrew Follett, Richard L. MeDonald ; 1839. Richard I. McDonald; 1810, Philipp T. Heartt, end ; 1811, Marcus 1. Filley, Charles C. Parmelee; 1812, Stephen S. Hunt ; 1813, John F. Miller ; 1811, Charles C. Parme- lee : 1815, Marcus L. Filley : 1846, Stephen S. Hunt; 1817, John F. Miller; 1848, Isaac Ransom, John G. Neal, Ebenezer C. Barton, John Ileartt ; 1849, Jantes Dougrey ; 1850, Jolin Heartt ; 1851, John V. Lansing ; 1852, Isaac Ransom ; 1858, Turner Barton, Chaun- cey W. Farnham, Marcus L. Filley; 1854, Charles J. Lansing; 1855, James W. Mills; 1856, Isaac Ransom; 1857, Daniel King 1858, Charles J. Lansing ; 1859, George II. Her- man ; 1860, Isaac Ransom ; 1861, Daniel King; 1862, Charles J. Lai sing ; 1863, Eugene Ilyatt; 1861, George II. Herman ; 1865, Abel Whipple ; 1866, Charles J. Lansing ; 1867,
' Isane G. Flack was declared elected March 7, 1893, by the board of canvassers and held office until October 12, 1893, when, by order of the court, the board of canvassers reconvened and de- clared John Roach elected supervisor.
' Resigned September 2, 1879, and William Gillespie appointed in his place by the town board.
3 By order of the court James 11. Fagan was declared elected to the office. He superseded Mr. MeMurray and served from October 12. , 93, to March 5, 1594.
400
LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
1882-1887, John M. Chambers; 1888-1889, 1saac G. Flack; 1890-1892, Eugene L. Demers; 1893, Isaac G. Flack, John Roach ; 1894, II. W. Gordinier; 1895- -- , Eugene L. Demers.
CLERKS OF THE TOWN OF LANSINGBURGH.
1807-1815, Ebenezer W. Walbridge: 1816-1818, James Adams; 1219-1823, Jacob C. Lansing; 1824, Ebenezer W. Walbridge; 1825- 1830, Jabez F. Parmelee; 1831- 1832, Cornelius L. Tracy; 1833-1839, Jabez F. Parmelee; 1840-1846, John G. Neal; 1847, John V. Lansing; 1848, Lorenzo D, Aldrich; 1849-1850, J. F. Knickerbocker; 1851. Isaae Ransom; 1852, Lorenzo 1). Aldrich; 1853, Charles Clark; 1851, Jacob M. Adams; 1855, Milford L. Fancher; 1856, Charles W. Hasbrouck ; 1857, James W. Mills; 1858-1861, Daniel King; 1865, Francis Rising; 1866, John Bell; 1867-1869, William Davenport; 1870-1872, Josiah E. West; 1873, John A. Jones; . 1874, John R. Engle; 1835, Joseph E. O'Reilley; 1876, Leonard A. Groesbeck; 1877, Walter II. Ogden; 1878, Charles E. Porter; 1879, William II. Shumway ; > 1880, William Gilles- pie; 1881, John Ames; 1882-1883, E. Warren Barker; 1881-1885, Robert A. Gibson ; 1886-1887, Crasto M. Clark; 1888-1889, E. Fred De Witt; 1890, Alfred J. Moss ; 1891, Jamies Orr, jr. : 1892, John W. Whike; 1893, George E. McMurray ; $ 1894- 1895, George E. McMurray; 1896- -- , Nathan T. Shaw.
JUSTICES OF THE PRACE OF LANSINGBURGH.
(Appointed by the courts. )-1823, Jonathan Choate, Andrew Follett, Ebenezer W. Walbridge, B. W. Horr; 1827, John Ball, B. W. Horr, Jonathan Choate; 1828, Charles Tibbet, Jacob C. Lansing: 1830, Andrew Follett, B. W. Horr; 1832, Augus- tus Filley.
(Elected at the annual town meetings.)-1830, Benjamin W. Horr; 1831, Augustus Villey ; 183ยบ, Jacob C. Lansing; 1833, Marens L. Filley, Andrew Follett; 1831, An- drew Follett; 1835, John M. Caswell, John S. Fake, Daniel Whiting; 1836, John S. Fake; 1837, Marcus 1. Filley ; 1838, Andrew Follett, Richard L. McDonald; 1839, Richard 1 .. McDonald; 1St, Philipp T. Heartt, 2nd; 1811, Marcus L. Filley, Charles C. Parmelee; 1812, Stephen S. Hunt ; 1818, John F. Miller; 1814, Charles C. Parme- lee : 1815, Marens L. Filley ; 1846, Stephen S. Hunt; 1847, John F. Miller; 1848, Isaac Ransom, John G. Neal, Ebenezer C. Barton, John Heartt : 1819, James Dougrey ; 1850, John Heartt ; 1851, John V. Lansing ; 1852, Isaac Ransom; 1853, Turner Barton, Chan- cey W. Farnham, Marcus L. Filley; 1854, Charles J. Lansing; 1855, James W. Mills; 1856, Isaac Ransom ; 1857, Daniel King 1858, Charles J. Lansing ; 1859, George II. 1ler- man ; 1860, Isaac Ransom; 1861, Daniel King; 1862, Charles J. Lansing; 1863, Eugene ITyatt; 1864, George II. Herman ; 1865, Abel Whipple ; 1866, Charles J. Lansing ; 1867.
' Isante G. Flack was declared elected March 7, 1998, by the board of canvassers and held office until October 12, 1893, when, by order of the court, the board of canvassers reconvened and de- clared John Roach elected supervisor,
? Resigned September 2, 1879, and William Gillespie appointed in his place by the town board.
3 By order of the court James 11. Fagan was declared elected to the office. He superseded Mr. MeMurray and served from October 12, 1593, to March 5, 1591.
DAVID LINK.
401
TOWN OF LANSINGBURGH.
Alfred Seaman ; 1868, John George Neal, jr. ; 1869, George H. Herman; 1870, Charles J. Lansing ; 1871, Thomas C. Davenport ; 1872, Alfred Seaman ; 1873, George H. IIer . man; 1874, C. HI. Denio; 1875, Thomas C. Davenport ; 1876, Henry E. Hawkins; 1877, Edwin R. Smith, Robert B. Stiles; 1878, Charles J. Lansing; 1879, Robert B. Stiles; 1880, Thomas C. Davenport; 1881, Henry E. Hawkins; 1882, Charles J. Lansing ; 1883. Edwin R. Smith; 1881, Robert B. Stiles; 1885, Henry E. Hawkins; 1886, George V. Gould; 1887, Edwin R. Smith; 1888, Robert B. Stiles; Isaac L. Ransom (to fill vacancy); 1889, Alfred Seaman; 1890, Ilenry E. Hawkins; 1891, Isaac L. Ransom; 1892, Robert B. Stiles; 1893, Edwin R. Smith ;1 1894, Henry E. Hawkins ;" 1895, Andrew Meneeley; J. Charles Knudson, (to fill vacancy); 1896, George B. Lucas; Louis Renhart (to fill vacancy).
PRESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF LANSINGBURGH.
1791, Abraham J. Lansingh; 1792, Levinus Lansingh; 1793, Aaron Lane; 1791, John Van Rensselaer; 1795-1998, James Ilickok; 1799 1800, Elijah Janes; 1801- 1805, John D. Dickinson; 1806-1808, David Allen; 1809, E. W. Walbridge; 1810, James Ilickok ; 1811-1831, records missing; 1832-1834, John M. Caswell; 1835, Will- iam MeMurray; 1836-1837, John M. Caswell; 1838, E. W. Walbridge; 1839, Nicholas Weaver: 1840, John B. Chipman; 1841, Nicholas Weaver; 1842, John B. Chipman ; 1843-1846, John S. Fake; 1817, Jolm C. Filkin; 1848, John B. Chipman ; 1849, John G. McMurray; 1850, John E. Whipple; 1851, Bailey G. Ilathaway; 1852, John G. MeMurray; 1853, Henry A. Mercer; 1851, Joseph Fox; 1855, F. B. Leonard; 1856, John G. McMurray; 1857, Thomas Curran; 1858, Henry A. Mercer; 1859, Bailey G. Hathaway; 1860, Charles Clark; 1861, J. E. Whipple; 1862-1863, Robert Dickson; 1864, Edward P. Pickett; 1865-1866, Robert Dickson; 1867-1868. William Allen ; 1869-1872, Seth P. Welch; 1873-1875, Robert Dickson; 1876, James McQuide; 1877- 1878, Charles II. Dauchy; 1879-1880, Frederick E. Draper; 1881-1882, James Me- Quide; 1883-1884, C. W. Witbeck; 1885-1886, J. G. Flack; 1887 -1890, William Van Kleeck; 1891-1892, J. T. Dennin; 1893-1894, James 1I. Hallen; 1895- - , John Magee.
CIFRAS OF THE VILLAGE OF LANSINGBURGH.
1701-1795, John D. Dickinson; 1796-1805, Joseph Alexander; 1806-1808, Charles Selden; 1809-1810, James Dougrey; 1811-1831, records missing; 1832-1835, Marcus L. Filley; 1836, Richard McDonaldl; 1837, Marcus L. Filley; 1838, Richard Mc_ Donald; 1839, Cornelius 1. Tracy ; 1840-1841, Richard McDonald; 1812, Stephen S. Hunt; 1843, Walter Chipman; 1844, Stephen S. Hunt; 1845-1847, Charles C. Parmelee; 18-18, Isaac Ransom; 1849-1850, J. F. Knickerbocker; 1851, Isaac Ran- som; 1852, Iliram Bleekman; 1853 1855, Bailey G. Hathaway; 1856, William J. Lamb; 1857, James D. Comstock ; 1858-1861, Daniel King: 1865-1866, Louis Ran- som; 1867, John W. Gaston; 1868, John Higgins; 1869, S. B. Kirkpatrick; 1870- 1871, John M. Chambers; 1872, John R. Burke; 1873, Milo Thompson; 1874-1876,
1 Held office until October 12, 1893, when, by order of the court, Russell Porter was declared elected for the balance of the term, and died while in office,
2 Died in office.
51
402
LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
C. W. Witbeck; 1877, John Quinn; 1878-1881, C. W. Witbeck; 1882-1886, Oliver MeMurray; 1887-1893, John T. Graham; 1894- -- , George Gramin. '
TREASURERS OF THE VILLAGE OF LANSINGBURGH.
1791-1792, Aaron Lane; 1793-1795, William Bell; 1796-1797, Joseph Alexander; 1798, William Bell; 1799-1805, Charles Selden; 1806-1810, E. W. Walbridge; 1811- 1831, records missing ; 1832-1833, Horace Janes; 1834-1838, Jabez F. Parmelee ; 1839 .. 1846, Gerrit Fort; 1847-1848, Bailey G. Hathaway; 1819-1850, Charles Hitchcock ; 1851, John Mains; 1852, Edward P. Pickett; 1853-1855, Stephen Heimstreet; 1856- 1861, Edward P. Pickett; 1862, Patrick Fitzgerald; 1863, Edward P. Pickett; 1864, Edwin Adams; 865-1866, Milford L. Fancher; 1867, Bailey G. Hathaway; 1868, Edward P. Pickett; 1869-1873, Edwin Adams; 1874-1878, Thomas Rourke; 1879- 1886, Josiah E. West; 1887-1890, H. S. Dickson; 1891-1892, R. C. Comeskey; 1893- 1894, Jacob II. Whyland; 1895- --- , E. Warren Banker.
CHAPTER XIX.
TOWN OF GREENBUSII.
The town of Greenbush, called by the Dutch Greene Bosch, from the pine woods covering the flats, is bounded on the north by the town of North Greenbush, on the west by the Hudson river and on the east and south by the town of East Greenbush. The Indians called the territory embraced in the limits of the town Petuquapoem and Juscum catick. Later on it was known as De Laet's Burg, named after the historian De laet, one of the original co-directors of Rensselaerwyck. The town as originally laid out contained about sixty-four square miles and included all of the present towns of East Greenbush, North Green- bush, a part of the town of Sand Lake and a small portion of the terri- tory which was annexed to Troy in 1836.
Just when the town of Greenbush was first settled is not positively known, but settlements existed there as early as 1628, and were very nearly contemporaneous with those made on the west side of the river, or in Albany. Three years later than this date, or in 1631, it is known that Gerrit Tunnis De Reue occupied a farm in Greenbush, but how
I Credit is due Mr. Gramm for material assistance in the compilation of this chapter. 2 See page 39, history of Rensselaer county.
403
TOWN OF GREENBUSIL.
long he may have been settled there it is impossible to determine. In all probability settlements were made on the east side of the river as early as upon the west side, making Greenbush coeval in its settlement with Albany.
Among the first settlers were several families who came over in 1630 from the Texel in Captain Jan Brouwer's ship Eendracht. Soon after others, who came over in the ship Rensselaerswyck, located here. They included Van Buren Maessen and Catalyntje Martensen, his wife, and Cornelis Maessen. Van Buren had five children, Hendrick, Martin, Maas, Steyntje and Tobias, the first of whom was born on the voyage to America. Van Buren Maessen had a farm on Papsknee isl- and. Teunis Cornelissen Van Vechten came over in 1637 and eleven years later lived on a farm in the southern part of Greenbush. At the same time Teunis Dircksen Van Vechten, who came over with his wife and child in the Arms of Norway, had a farm north of that of the former. As early as 16-12 a brewery was in operation in Greenbush by Evert Pels Van Steltyn. Before 1649 Gysbert Cornelissen Van Wesepe, sometimes called Gysbert op de Berg, oeeupied a farm in the southern part of the town, which subsequently became the property of Joachim Staats. Most of the records for the next century are missing. Some- time before 1767 farms located on the present site of the village of Greenbush were rented of Van Rensselaer by Peter Douw, John Wit- beck, Henry Cuyler and others. A large farm including most of the site of the village of Greenbush was purchased July 27, 1780, by Van Rensselaer, of the Indians. This territory was called by them Semes- sick. Seven years later he purchased more land, mostly south of his first purchase, giving him a property of over 200,000 acres.
The records show that as early as the year 1012 a ferry was estab- lished by Hendrick Albertsen running from the mouth of Beaver Creek on the west side of the river to the spot now known as the south ferry in Greenbush. Gerrit Smith, who was commissioned schout or sheriff of Rensselaerwyck in 1652, was a resident of Greenbush from the start. Reference to the records on file in the office of the Albany county clerk show that he had several neighbors. Other records extant show that some of the inhabitants had engaged in commercial pursuits and even in manufactures before he arrived at Greenbush. In September, 1654, Cornelis Cornelissen and Jan Witmondt sold at auction their brewery in Greenbush, the same being purchased by William Brouwer for 1,204 guilders, for which sum Cornelis Wincopp became surety.
404
LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
The records of the colony also show that Jan Janse Oothout was a brewer in Greenbush about the same time. He left three sons and three daughters. One of his daughters married Cornelis Hendrikse Van Ness, who came to Beverwyck in 1642. By this marriage Van Ness had three sons, Hendrick, Jan and Gerrit. He married the sec- ond time Maritie Dameus, a widow.
February 8, 1661, Anderies Herbertsen and Rutger Jacobsen pur- chased of the Indian owners-Maghsaput, alias Machackniemanauw, Sansewanenwe, Paneenseen and a squaw named Pachonakellick, "be- ing among the chiefs of the Mahikandus" (Mohegans)-"a certain island named Pachonakellick, lying in the river obliquely opposite Bethlehem and by the Dutch named the Long or Mahikanders' Is]- and."1
At a convention held at Albany August 24, 1689, this resolution rela- to Greenbush was adopted :
The 24th day of August, 1699, Resolved that ye inhabitants of ye county be in- formed of ye alarm, which was last night at ve Green Bush occasioned by some malitions Persons fyrecity of several guns with Baale threw ye door and house of John Watment, which was done by letters accordingly.
August 25, 1689:
Resolved yt Barent Gerritse of Bethlehem, who is suspected to have had a hand in ve late disturbance, yt was at Green Bach, or least privy to it, give 50 pounds sech- rity to answer when he shall be called to be examined about y: Bussinesse.
November 25, 1659, it was recorded:
Capt. Bull arrived atve Green Bush with "? men from New England, 41. Tuesday following marched with flying Col as into Citty, where he was Rec'd by ye May & aldernan, at ve Gate and bil welcome; he drer up his me in ve mille of je Broad Street, gave three volleys was ab ered of place quotefrom vefat ve men were of forly, quartered an ye City, and extremely well accepte i.
Chap. 39, laws of 1992, "An act for diviling the several towns there- in mentioned," covering towns in several countries of the State, con- tained this clause:
That all that part of the town of Rensselaerwycz, which les north of a line to be drawn, from a point of the east bank of the river Hudson, eight miles distant from the south west corner of the town of Rensselaerwyck, and running from therce eas:, to the west bounds of Stephentown, shall be and is hereby erected into a separate town, by the name of Greenbush; and that the best town meeting in Greenbash shall be held at the dwelling house of Abraham M De Forest. in the said town.
405
TOWN OF GREENBUSHI.
And that all the remaining part of the town of Rensselaerwyek, shall be, and remain a separate town by the name of Rensselaerwyck; and that the first town meeting in Rensselaerwyck, shall be held at the dwelling house of John 1. Miller in the said town.
Chap. 20, laws of 1795, " An act to divide the town of Rensselaer- wyck, in the county of Rensselaer," read as follows:
Passed the 17th of March, 1495. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly That all that part of the town of Rens- selaerwyck, bounded as follows. Beginning at the southwest corner of the town of Troy and running thence casterly along the southern boundary line of the said town, to the western bounds of the town of Petersburgh thence southerly along the west- ern bounds of the towns of Petersburgh and Stephen Town six hundred and thirty- two chains thence south eighty six degrees and forty eight minutes west as the needle now points into Hudsons river thence northerly along the said river to the place of beginning, and including such of the islands in the said river as are nearest the east side thereof and are adjacent to the said last mentioned line shall, from and after the first Monday in April next, be erected into a separate town, by the name of Greenbush and that the first town meeting in Greenbush shall be held at the dwelling house of David M. De Forest in the said town and that all the remaining part of the town of Rensselaerwyck shall be, and remain a separate town by the name of Schodack and that the first town meeting in the town of Schodaek shall be held at the dwelling house of John 1. Miller in the said town.
And be it further enacted That the freeholders and inhabitants of the said towns respectively shall be and hereby are empowered to hold town meetings and elect such town officers, and enjoy all the privileges that the freeholders and inhabitants of the other towns of this State may do by law.
And be it further enacted That as soon as may be after the first Tuesday of April next the supervisors and overseers of the poor of the towns aforesaid shall by notice to be given for that purpose by the supervisors of the said towns meet together and apportion the poor maintained by the said town of Rensselaerwyck previous to the division thereof between the said town of Schodack and the town of Greenbush in an equitable manner and if the supervisors and overseers of the poor cannot agree upon such division of the poor as aforesand then and in such case the supervisors of the county shall at their next meeting apportion and divide the poor maintained as aforesaid, in such manner as shall appear to them or a majority of them just and equitable and the said towns shall thereafter respectively maintain their own poor.
By the general law dividing all the counties of the State into towns, passed April 2, 1801, the bounds of the town of Greenbush were de- scribed as follows :
Beginning at a point on the east bank of Hudson's river, sixteen miles distant from the southwest corner of the county, and running thence east to the western bounds of the town of Petersburgh, thenee southerly along the western bounds of the towns of Petersburgh and Stephen town, six hundred and thirty two chains, thenee south eighty six degrees and forty eight minutes west as the needle pointed
406
LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY,
in the year 1795, unto the county of Albany, thence northerly along the same to the place of beginning and meluding such of the islands in Hudson's river as are nearest the east side thereof, and are adjacent to the last mentioned line.
The village of Greenbush was originally laid out on a tract of land one mile square, which is that portion of the village between Partition street and Mill street. This was purchased in May, 1810, by William Akin, Titus Goodman and John Diekinson of Stephen Van Rensselaer and Stephen N. Bayard, assignees of John J. Van Rensselaer. A mortgage was given in part payment, which contained a stipulation that either of the purchasers upon paying his proportion of the addi- tional sum should be entitled to a discharge of his portion of the es- tates from the effect of the mortgage. Mr. Akin discharged his obli- gation, but Mr. Goodman and Mr. Akin failed to pay their share, consequently the patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer, would not release Mr. Akin. Forcelosure suits were begun against Goodman and Dick- inson and most of the land apportioned to them was retaken John J. Van Rensselaer endeavored to recover possession of that portion of the land for which Mr. Akin had paid, but the courts sustained Mr. Akin's title.
In 1810 the village was surveyed and a map made, but Greenbush was not incorporated until 1815. In the former year many lots were sold at auction, but few buildings were ereeted until the following year. The founder of the village, William Akin, descended from an old Scotch family, his grandfather being William Akin, the first of the family who settled in Fair Haven, Conn, His son David, the father of William, removed from Fair Haven to Pawling before the Revolution- ary war and was a leading citizen at his home. William Akin was the youngest of ten sons and settled in Greenbush in 1510. His death occurred in 1811.
Among those who lived in Greenbush prior to and about this time be- side those whose names have been mentioned were Mrs. Yates, Volkert P. Douw, Gerrit Van Vechten, Gysbert Van Denbergh, Alex Cummings, Harrow Gale, John Staats, James Rockwell, John W. Rockwell, John Van Rensselaer, Colonel Vischer, Rebecca Yates, M. Fryer, H. Van Housen, A. Van Deusen, John Van Schaiek, James Smith and Isaac B. Fryer. Smith was the proprietor of a tavern located on the site of the old Broadway house and came to Greenbush before 1820. Fryer, a son-in-law, succeeded him as proprietor. On the opposite side of the street on the old Staats place a hotel was kept at the same time by
407
TOWN OF GREENBUSII.
Abram P. Staats. The old hotel known late in the nineteenth century as the Rensselaer honse, for many years owned by Simeon Lodewick, was built by a man named Rockwell. As to the early stores, one was occupied in 1814 by Henry Starks on the corner of Broadway and Columbia streets. Others were maintained by John Smith, Richard P. Herrick and Sheppard & Tufts. From 1802 to 1829 James Lansing kept a store at East Greenbush, removing to Greenbush in the latter year and engaging in business there, most of the time upon Columbia street, until his death, which occurred in 1852. Ilis son, William Lansing, began business as a merchant in Greenbush in 1829.
One of the earliest physicians in Greenbush was Dr. Jacob S. Miller, a brother of Dr. John S Miller of East Greenbush, who located here about 1820 and for many years was the leading physician in a large territory. He subsequently removed to New York, and soon after Dr. Isaiah Breaky and Dr. Charles Hale settled in the town. Dr. Leverett Moore, who ultimately removed to Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, was also an early practitioner. Among those who located there later on were Dr. Andrew C. Getty, Dr. L. C. Frisbie, Dr. Francis B. Parmele, Dr. S. V. R. Goodrich and Dr. Charles S. Allen. Among the earliest lawyers were Walter Kinney and Samuel S. Cheever.
Cantonment Greenbush, which for many years was one of the most historieal spots in the town, was located about a mile and a half east of the village and was constructed in 1812. The tract of land on which it was located was the farm leased by Stephen Van Rensselaer to Chris- topher Yates, August 16, 1790. Gen. Dearborn, the agent of the gov ernment, in making the purchase May 8, 1812, supposed that the sellers held the land in fee simple, but their conveyance was only that of a tenaney under one of the Van Rensselaer manorial leases, and it was not until September 4, 1813, and after the erection of the buildings thereon, that a perfect conveyance was obtained from Mr. Van Rensse. laer. The cantonment was the headquarters of a division of the American army during the War of 1812. The troops which first arrived were quartered in tents, but the construction of permanent buildings was immediately begun. The buildings were of wood, substantially built upon stone foundations. There were eight of them, 252 feet long, 22 feet wide and two stories high, and they were arranged four upon each side of a parade ground. The quarters of the regimental officers, of which there were four, ninety feet long and two stories high, were ranged at right angles with a soldiers' barracks, On- the north of this
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