USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. I > Part 24
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Such an outrage as this could not fail to create excitement at New Am- sterdam, when the particulars became known. Philip de Truy, "marshal of New Netherland, " summoned Coorn to appear immediately at the Fort to answer for his conduct, The latter pleaded the authority of his pa- troon. But this was considered no justification. He was condemned in damages, and forbidden to repeat the offence on pain of corporal punish- ment. He was further required to obtain Van Rensselaer's approval of the sentence, which should be executed on him without fail, if that ap- proval were not forthcoming. This proceeding was followed soon after by a strong protest from attorney-general Van der Huygens, against the establishment on Beeren Island, which was declared to be inconsistent with the privileges granted to patroons and lords of manors. No patroon, it was maintained, could extend his colony, by the fifth article of the charter, more than four miles along one bank, or two miles on both sides of the river, while Beeren Island was more than two miles from the lim- its of the colonie. The bold attempt to construct a fort there, to com- mand the river, and to debar Fort Orange from free navigation, would, it was added, be ruinous to the company; it was therefore peremptorily ordered that no building whatsoever, much less a fortification, should be
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Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
constructed beyond the limits of Rensselaerswyck, and Coorn was formally threatened with further prosecution should he persist in his lawless trans- actions.
But Nicolaus Coorn, commander of Rensselaers-Stein, was not to be intimidated by the paper bullets of director Kieft's attorney-general. "As the vice commander of the honorable Van Rensselaer, he replied, "I call on you, Cornelis van der Huygens, attorney-general of New Netherland, not to presume to oppose and frustrate my designs on Bear's Island; to de- fraud nie in any manner, or to cause me any trouble, as it has been the will of their High Mightinesses, the States General, and the privileged West India Company, to invest my patroon and his heir with the right to ex- tend and fortify his colonie, and make it powerful in every respect. . . If you persist in so doing. I protest against the act of vio- lence and assault committed by the honorable, Lords majors, which I leave them to settle, while this undertaking has nothing else in view than to prevent the canker of free traders entering his colonie.
In the spirit in which this protest was drafted, were the feudal pre- tensions of the lord of Rensselaerswyck asserted and maintained, not- withstanding the conviction of Coorn and the warning of Van der Huy- gens, during the remainder of the patroon's life. The same policy was steadily continued by his executors for several years after his death, which event took place in Amsterdam, in the year 1646.
With the demise of the first patroon terminated, also, Van der Donck's connection with the colonie. He was succeeded in his office of fiscaal by Nicolaus Coorn. He did not, however, quit Rensselaerswyck before experiencing a heavy loss in the destruction of his house on Castle Island by fire, in consequence of which he and his wife temporarily removed to Van Curler's residence, the hospitalities of which were generously offered to him by its proprietor. Differences of opinion now arose between him and Van Curler, as to the party on whom the loss of the house should fall; one maintaining that the property was at the risk of the patroon; the other, of the lessee. A quarrel ensued. Van der Donck gave Van Curler the lie, whereupon the latter ordered him out of his house. Van der Donck removed immediately to Fort Orange, where he remained until the opening of the navigation, when he proceeded to the Manhat- tans. In the mean time, his claims were referred for adjustment to the proprietors in Holland.
The winter which had just terminated, was remarkably long and se- vere. The North River closed at Rensselaerswyck on the 25th Novem- ber, and remained frozen some four months. A very high freshet, une- qualled since 1639, followed, which destroyed a number of horses in their stables; nearly carried away the fort, and inflicted considerable other damage in the colonie. "A certain fish of considerable size, snow-white in color, round in the body, and blowing water out of its head," made at the same time his appearance, stemming the impetuous flood. What it portended, "God the Lord only knew." All the inhabitants were lost in wonder, for "at the same instant that this fish appeared to us, we had the first thunder and lightning this year." The public astonishment had scarcely subsided, when another monster of the deep, estimated at
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Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
forty feet in length, was seen, of a brown color, having fins on his back, and ejecting water in like manner, high in the air. Some seafaring people, "who had been to Greenland," now pronounced the strange visiter a whale. - Intelligence was shortly after received that it had grounded on an island at the mouth of the Mohawk, and the people turned out in numbers to secure the prize, which was, forthwith, subjected to the pro- cess of roasting, in order to extract its oil. Though large quantities were obtained, yet so great was the mass of blubber, the river was covered with grease for three weeks afterwards, and the air infected to such a degree with the stench, as the fish lay rotting on the strand, that the smell was perceptibly offensive for two (Dutch) miles to leeward. The whale, which had first ascended the river, stranded, on its return to sea, on an island some forty miles from the mouth of the river, near which place four others grounded, also, this year.
The greater number of the houses around forts Amsterdam and Orange were, in those days, low-sized wooden buildings, with roofs of reed or straw, and chimneys of wood. Wind or water mills were erected, here and there, to grind corn, or to saw lumber. One of the latter, situate on Nut or Governor's island, was leased in 1639 for five hundred mer- chantable boards yearly, half oak and half pine. Saw and grist mills were built on several of the creeks in the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, where a horse mill was also erected in 1646, of which the following is a Con- tract, dated Jan. 31. " The mill situate on the fifth kill being, to the great damage of the patroon, and inhabitants of the colonie, [ Rensselaerswyck, ] for a considerable time out of repair, or unfit to be worked, either by the breaking of the dam, the severity of the winter, or the high water, or otherwise; besides being out of the way, to the prejudice of the inhabi- tants in going and returning, a contract, after being duly proposed to the court, is, therefore, made with Pieter Cornelissen to build a horse- mill in the Pine grove, whereby not only the colonie, but also, if so be, the navigators who come hither, may be encouraged to provide themselves with other things. Pieter Cornelisz. shall complete the work for fl. 300, ($ 120.) I furnishing him fl. 200 in stones, two good horses, the expense of which is to be divided between us, half and half. The standing work, plank, labor, and other expenses, we shall defray in common, bearing, each, equal profit and loss. On the completion of-the mill, and on its being ready to go, Pieter Cornelissen shall work one day for himself and the other day for the patroon, and so forth; the patroon paying him one Rix dollar for his day. Should it happen, as we expect, that so great a demand shall arise, so that the mill will not supply all the colonie or strangers, (buytenwoonders,) then P. Cornelisz. is alone authorized and privileged to erect, in company with the patroon, another such mill, on these or such other conditions as are now, or shall hereafter be agreed on. Signed, ANTHONY DE HOOGES, PIETER CORNELISSEN,"-Rensselaers- wyck MSS.) A mill worked by horses stood, in the course of the last cen- tury, as I am informed by an aged citizen, on the lot forming the northeast corner of Hudson and Grand streets, Albany. There was a mill also on the 3d or Rutten kill, in 1646.
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Colony of Rensselaerswyck.
A Brewery had been constructed previous to 1637, in the same quarter, by the patroon, with the exclusive right of supplying retail-dealers with beer. But private individuals were allowed the privilege, notwith- standing, to brew whatever quantity of beer they might require for con- sumption within their own families .*
Rensselaerswyck was the only colonie which remained uninjured by the war. As a consequence its population generally prospered, and sundry farms were taken up. Beverswyck continued, however, in swad- ding clothes, for the city which in 1845 holds over forty thousand in- habitants, contained in 1646 no more than ten houses. Several farmers had at an early date begun another settlement south of Beverswyck, to which they gave the name of Bethlehem. A few bouweries were also cultivated on the east side of the river opposite Fort Orange. Katskill and its fertile bottoms had engaged at an early date the attention of the settlers at Rensselaerswyck, but the pretensions of opposite parties pre- vented any planting of consequence in that quarter, and Van Slyck, who had received a patent for lands there, had as yet made no commencement. The country between Rensselaerswyck and the Manhattans, on both sides of the river, still remained a wilderness. It is true that the Dutch had built a fort at Esopus, in the year 1614, contemporaneously with the erection of their post on Castle island. This possibly might have been followed by the clearing of some small portions of land in that vicinity, but it is very doubtful whether any such settlements survived the destruc- tive war of 1644-5.
Such was the state of the public affairs when General PETRUS STUY- VESANT assumed the government of New Netherland.
* 26 Dec. 1646 Whereas their Honors of the Court of this Colonie find that Cornelis Segersz. notwithstanding former placards and prohibitions, has still presumed 10 meddle with what is not his busmess -- with beer brewing-directly contrary to the grant and au. thorization given to the brewery of this colonie ; Therefore their honors expressly forbid the said Cornelis Segersz. to brew, or cause to be brewed, or otherwise to manufacture any beer, except so much as shall be required by him for his own housekeeping, on pam of forfeiting twenty five Carolus guilders, besides the brewed beer. The said Cornelis Segersz. is further warned that no cloak, or idie excuse shall hereafter avail, but that this ordmance shall be maintained and executed on the spot, without court process, if he shall make any mistake. Let him, therefore, prevent his loss. Actum Rensselaers- wyek, 26th October 1646. Pursuant to the resolution of their honors the magistrates of this colonie.
A. DE HOOGES.
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203
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer.
KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER,
Merchant of Amsterdam, director of the West India Company, and one of the first patroons of New Netherland, was the thirteenth descendant in a direct line from Henry Wolters van Rensselaer. He married, firstly, Hellegonda van Bylet, by whom he had one son, Johannes, who after- wards married his cousin, Elizabeth van Twiller. Kiliaen van Renssel- aer married, secondly, in 1627, Anna van Wely, daughter of Joannes van Wely, merchant of Amsterdam, by whom he had four daughters and four sons, namely : 1, Maria; 2, Jeremias, (who married Maria, daughter of Oloff Stevensen van Cortland;) 3, Hellegonda; 4, Jan Baptiste, (who married Susan van Wely;) 5, Eleonora; 6, Susan, (who married Jan de la Court;) 7, Nicolaus, (who married Alida Schuyler;) 8, Rickert, (who married Anna van Beaumont;) Kiliaen van Rensselaer's sister (Maria) married Rykert van Twiller, and thus, it is presumed, the relationship originated between Wouter van Twiller, second director-general of New Netherland, and the first patroon of Rensselaerswyck. Of the above children, Maria and Hellegonda died unmarried. Johannes succeeded his father as patroon, and Jeremias, Jan Baptiste and Ryckert were, in succession, directors of "the colonie." Nicolaus was a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church. On being introduced to Charles II., then in exile at Brussels, he prophesied the restoration of that monarch to the throne of England, which circumstance obtained for him afterwards a cordial reception at the Court of St. James, when he visited London as chaplain to the Dutch embassy. In acknowledgment of the truth of the prediction, the king presented him with a snuff-box, on the lid of which was set his Majesty's miniature. This royal relic is still in the possession of the Van Rensselaer family at Albany.
Mde. Anna van Rensselaer died in Amsterdam on the 12th June, 1670, after a sickness of seven weeks, having survived her husband twenty- four years. Intelligence of her death, communicated by the following letter, was received in this country by her sons, Jeremias and Ryckert, on the 18th Sept., 1670 :
"AMSTERDAM, 12th June, 1670.
"Dear Brothers-On the 9th inst. I communicated to you, among other things, per ship Duke of York, Johannes Luyck, skipper, the low con- dition of our beloved mother, who accompanied me home, sick, from Cralo to Amsterdam, on the 1st of April. After lying so long, without any strong fever, or any great pain, troubled only with asthma, accompanied by considerable cough and phlegm, and the sprue, she took her departure with great piety from the Church Militant here, to the Church Triumphant above, on the 12th inst., being this day, about one hour after noon, in the presence of all our sisters and brothers who are in this country, and that with a full understanding and trust in the mercy of God, the merits of her and our Saviour Jesus Christ, which, through the grace of the Holy Ghost and the belief in the Triune God, so strenghtened her, that all her wishes were to be set free and to be with Christ, who hath taken her so mercifully to himself, that we all, though afflicted children,
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Executors of Jeremias Van Renssela er.
can not be sufficiently thankful to God for so gentle and holy a death. Her body will be committed to the earth in a Christian manner, as in duty bound, on Tuesday next, being the 17th inst. There is no doubt of a stately funeral. May the good God grant her, and us with her, a joyous resurrection at the last day. Amen."-O' Callghan's Histr. N. Netherland, i, 122.
EXECUTORS OF JEREMIAS VAN RENSSELAER.
On the death of Jeremias van Rensselaer, in 1675, the affairs of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck were administered conjointly, during the minority of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, (then twelve years old, ) by the Rev. Nicolaus van Rensselaer, Mde. Maria van Rensselaer, and Stephanus van Cortlandt. Nicolaus had the directorship of the colonie; Mde, van Rensselaer was the treasurer; and Stephanus van Cortlandt had the charge of the books. Four hundred schepels of wheat were appropriated to defray the yearly expenses of this administration, of which Dom. Nicolaus (who then officiated as second clergyman in Albany) received one half. The remainder was divided between Mde. van Rensselaer and her brother. Dom. Nicolaus dying in 1679, the chief management of the minor's affairs devolved on his mother and uncle,-O' Callaghan,
SENTENCE OF BANISHMENT, 1644.
The following is a translation of a sentence of banishment pronounced on one of the colonists at this early period of its history. "By the President and Council of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck, Having heard the free confession of Adriaen Willemsen, at present in confinement, to wít :- That he on Saturday last, the 6th of Aug,, at the house of the Patroon, where the Commissary-general, Arendt van Curler, resides, climbing in through the window of said house, stole seven beavers, and at noon of the following Monday, eight beavers and one drieling, [ third of a skin ], also, that on Saturday aforesaid he had stolen from the cellar of the said house a half [skin] which remained. And having, moreover, examined the de- mand of the prosecutor against the aforesaid delinquent, observing what appertains thereto; We have hereby ordered and adjudged, and do order and adjudge, that the said delinquent shall be taken to the public place where justice is executed, and there be ignominiously tied to a post for the space of two hours, with some of the stolen property on his head ; after which he shall prostrate himself at the feet of the Worshipful Ma- gistrates, (de Edele Heeren van den Gerechte.) and beg of God and justice for forgiveness; that he, moreover, shall be henceforward, and forever, banished out of this colonie, and never more return thereto. Done in Collegio, this 13th day of August, anno 1644. By order of their worships the President and Council of this Colonie of Rensselaerswyck. ARENDT VAN CURLER."-O' Callaghan's Histr. N. Netherland, i, 320,
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Arent Van Curler.
ARENT VAN CURLER.
Arent van Curler was one of those characters who deserve to live in history. His influence among the Indians was unlimited, and in honor of his memory, these tribes addressed all succeeding governors of New York by the name of Corlaer. He possessed feelings of the purest humanity, and actively exerted his influence in rescuing from the savages such Christians as had the misfortune to fall into their hands, of whose danger he might receive timely notice. On his marriage with Antonia Slaghboom, the widow of Jonas Bronck, he visited Holland, and on his return moved to the Flatts above Albany, where he had a farm. He was proprietor of a brewery in Beverwyck, in 1661. Being a cousin of the Van Rensselaers, he had considerable influence in the colonie, where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. He was one of the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-2; and on the surrender of New Netherland, was specially sent for by Governor Nicoll, to be consulted on Indian affairs and the interests of the country generally. He was highly respected by the governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for him by M. de Tracy, viceroy of that country, will be best judged of by the following extract of a letter which that high personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th April, 1667 :-
"If you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me to hope, you will be most welcome, and entertained to the utmost of my ability, as I have a great esteem for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with you. Believe this truth, and that I am, sir, your affectionate and assured servant. TRACY"
Having accepted this invitation, Mr. Van Curler prepared for his journey. Gov. Nicoll furnished him with a letter to the viceroy. It bears date May 20th, 1667, and states that "Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of his friends at Quebec to give them a visit, and being ambitious to kiss your hands, he hath entreated my pass and lib- erty to conduct a young gentleman, M. Fontaine, who unfortunately fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies, and by means of Mons'r Curler obtained his liberty." On the 4th July following, Jeremias van Rensse- laer, writing to Holland, announces, that "our cousin Arendt van Curler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave from our general, and been invited thither by the viceroy, M. de Tracy." In an evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, and having been overtaken by a storm, was drowned, I believe, near Split-Rock. In his death this country experienced a public loss, and the French of Canada a warm and efficient friend .- O' Callaghan's Histr. N. Nether- land, i, 322.
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Codirectors of Rensselaerswyck, 1630.
CODIRECTORS OF RENSSELAERSWYCK, 1630.
The copartnership consisted of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Samuel Godyn, Johannes de Laet, and Samuel Bloemmaert, with whom were associated Adam Bissels and Toussaint Moussart. The contract, and the articles of agreement, are referred to in the judgment of the Court of Holland, dated 14th June, 1650, in re Bloemmaert at al. vs. Van Twiller et al., which judgment was ratified by the States General on the same day. (Hol. Doc. v., 298. Alb. Rec. viii., 72, 73. Rensselaerswyck MSS.) It has been maintained, by some, that there was no partnership interest in the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, and that the claim of Bloemmaert, De Laet, and the other partners was not allowed. But the judgment here referred to shows that such an assertion is contrary to the fact. The suit was decided in favor of Bloemmaert and his associates, and the executors of the first patroon were condemned to account for the rents and profits, and to pay to each of the partners, or their heirs, their just quota. The partnership is, moreover, plainly admitted in the account of the disburse- ments for the first venture to Rensselaerswyck, anno 1630, wherein the sums advanced by the other codirectors are admitted and acknowledged. Ample evidence of the fact will be further found by reference to the Rensselaerswyck MSS., and to Holland Documents vi, 303, 304, 306. De Vries also mentions the circumstance. Subsequently, however, Jo- hanna de Laet, widow of Johannes de Hulter, and who married, sec- ondly, Jeremias Ebbing, sold to the Van Rensselaers, in the year 1674, all her right and claim, as heiress of Johannes de Laet, to the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, for the sum of fl. 5,762 10st. or $2,301, which debt was discharged by the transfer to her of certain bouweries and lands which were deemed an equivalent. This lady was proprietor, among other tracts, of the Weyland, or pasture, lying between the third and fourth kills, now called, in the map of the city of Albany, Rutten and Fox creeks. On the 20th of April, 1685, Gerrit Bissels and Nicolaus van Beeck, (nomine uxoris,) both representing the children and heirs of Adam Bissels and Margt. Reust, entitled to one tenth part; and as attorneys for Abraham Elsevier (husband of Catharina Bloemmaert) and Isbrand Schenk, Constantina Bloemmaert, (widow of Isaac Sweers, in his life- time, vice-admiral in the service of Holland,) and Juffrouw Anna Bloem- maert, (widow of Francois Romayn, ) children and heirs of Samuel Bloem- maert and Catharine Reust, conjointly entitled to one tenth part of the colonie of Rensselaerswyck, sold, in Amsterdam, to Richard and Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Patroon of said colonie, their respective shares, being two tenths, or one fifth of the whole, for gl. 3,600, payable in three equal yearly parts. Thus all claims on the part of the original partners, to any portion of the colonie, became finally extinguished; and that estate vested altogether and exclusively in the Van Rensselaer family .- O' Callaghan's Hist. of N. Netherland, i, 127.
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Business Directory.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR 1849.
Artists.
Ames Julius R 3 plain Hart James M 6 exchange Ileaford & Seattergood 36} s pearl
Forbes E exchange building
Agricultural Implements.
Emery HI I, 369 broadway Thorburn W cor broadway & maiden lane Apothecaries. (See Drugs and Medicines. ) Architects. Penchard G 17 douw's building Rector Henry 83 hudson
Woolet W L 16 steuben Agency. Noonan Thomas eor chapel & steuben Patterson Josiah 63 lawrence
Scovel Ashley 11 douw's building Auctioneers.
Clark & Jones 73 state Copp N P 47 washington Homer W P 72 state
Pillsbury L C under museum Priest Allendorph & eo cor state & green Bakers.
Andrews F 166 washington Beals Levi 84 Beaver Blanchard E 79 church Graves green Hodge John 665 broadway Honeysett 194 hamilton Hunter R 36 washington
McCafferty & Holmes 26 n pearl McEntee John 21 eanal
Paddock Stephen 77 s pearl
Peden A washington Pester William 342 state Peterson & Clark 807 broadway
Pettingill Michael 89 beaver Prichard & Packard 1SG washington Putnam C 59 lydius Turner John 56 hamilton
Barbers.
Andree Augustus 140} broadway Bertrand Louis spruee Bertrand J 1 dean Chambers John exchange basement Crannell Mat basement franklin house Crosby J G 1 maiden lane
De Mun E 450 broad way Dengel Andrew 26S& broadway Freeman & Van Vranken 379 broadway Gardner William 48 hamilton Garrison Thomas 29 s pearl Garrison Isaac 3 catharine Highgate Charles 632 broadway Johnson Hiram 107 s pearl L'Arrive John 2 green
Leavitt A J 628 broadway Lovey D J 170 s pearl Mitehell Francis cor steuben and chapel Morgan George 80 s pearl Norris James J 10 s pearl
Norris Henry B 70 washington Pope Thomas american hotel Simons Jaeob 27 maiden lane
Stratton & Peterson 798 broadway Switzer IIenry 276 broadway
Tate John A 141 swan Van Epps F congress hall
Van Vranken F cor hudson and dean Van Vrankin David 805 Froadway Van Vrankin Robert 2 little basin Winters J HI delavan house
Bedsteads. Tingley & co tivoli (patroon's creek) Mayes J
Blacksmiths.
Boyle John 210 s pearl
Caldwell William J 90 green Conkling J & A 89 green
Haight James O 13 church
('Brien Matthew 25 washington
Percival George 251 broadway
Percival Gordon canal basin
Shaw Luton 99 green
Whitney James 86 green
Block and Pump-makers. Brainerd E 23 quay White F \ 2 division Boarding-houses.
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