USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. I > Part 35
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BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS, 1848.
Abstract made from the returns of marriages, births and deaths, which took place in the city of Albany during the year 1848 :-
Marriages .- Whole number of marriages returned, 629; do in which both parties resided in the city, 226 ; do one of the parties, 298 ; do both parties resided out of the city, 105; do the parties resided in Massachu- setts, 29; Connecticut, 5 ; Rhode Island, 2 ; and other States, 6.
The marriages took place in the several months as follows: January 34, February 33, March 21, April 45, May 57, June 47, July 51, Au- gust 61, September 73, October 80, November 63, December 59.
Married in St. John's church, 104; do St. Joseph's, 71; do St.Mary's, 69: total, 244.
Births .- Whole number of births returned, 1325; males 443, females 350, sex not stated 502 ; males (colored) 9, females do 9, sex not stated do 7; 44 twin children, of which 22 are males and 10 females, and 12 the sex not given.
The births occurred in the several months as follows : January 97, February 70, March 108, April 85, May 92, June 87, July 117, August 120, September 103, October 116, November 98, December 130, un- known 102.
Deaths -The number of deaths returned for 1848 is 1218 ; males 645, females 488, males (colored) 2, do females 3, sex not stated 80, mar- ried 206, unmarried 726, not stated 286, native born 815, foreigners 403-
Deaths in the several months as follows: January 126, February 99, March 121, April 89, May 90, June 72, July 136. August 145, Septem- ber 104, October 91, November 69, December 76; total, 1218.
Number of those who died under the age of one year is 232; over 1 year and under 5, 319 ; over 50 and under 55, 40; over 5 and under 10, 66; 55 60, 23;
10
15,
31;
60
65
26 ;
15
20,
27;
65
70, 75,
17 ;
20
25,
62;
70
25
30,
59 ;
75
80,
9;
30
35,
59 ;
80
85,
14 ;
35
40
60 ;
85
90,
7 ;
40
45,
51 ;
90
95
3;
- 45
-
50
38 ;
95
100,
1;
age not given, 55.
Average age of the persons dying, 20 years and 20 days.
Diseases-151 died of consumption, 59 of diarrhea, 29 of congestion of the brain, 26 of croup, 24 by accident, 20 of scarlet fever, 21 of teething, 13 of typhus fever, 13 of whooping cough, 252 other diseases, 601 disease not stated.
19;
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
-
-
WILSON.DEL .. SC
PEASE, ALBANYES
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
297
State Normal School.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
In 1848 the legislature passed an act for the permanent establishment of this school, and appropriated $15,000 for the erection of a suitable building for its purposes, and in the following year an additional ap- propriation of $10,000 was made for its completion (p. 84, 85 ante) . The edifice was finished in July. 1849, and on the 31st day of that month the school was removed into it. It contains, besides the neces- sary study and recitation rooms, a dwelling for the principal, and is supposed to be amply commodious for all the purposes of the Institution. At the annual exercises of the institution, S. S. Randall, Esq. gave the following account of the origin and progress of the school, in the course of his remarks on the occasion.
For several years prior to 1844, the attention of the friends of com. mon school education in this state had been strongly directed to the in- adequacy of the existing agencies for the preparation of duly qualified teachers for our elementary institutions of learning. Liberal endow- ments had, from time to time, during a long series of years, been be- stowed upon the academies in different sections of the state, with a view to the attainment of this object ; but the practical inability of these institutions to supply the demand thus made upon them, with all the resources at their command, soon became obvious and undeniable. The establishment of normal schools for this special and exclusive purpose in various portions of Europe where popular education was most flour- ishing ; and in the adjoining state of Massachusetts. long and honorably distinguished for her superior public and private schools-and the manifest tendency of these institutions to elevate and improve the quali- fications and character of teachers, had begun to attract the regard of many of our most distinguished statesmen.
On a winter's afternoon, early in the year 1844, in a retired apart- ment of one of the public buildings in this city, might have been seen, in earnest and prolonged consultation, several eminent individuals whose names and services in the cause of education are now universally ac- knowledged. The elder of them was a man of striking and venerable appearance-of commanding intellect and benignant mien. By his side sat one in the prime and vigor of manhood, whose mental faculties had long been disciplined in the school of virtuous activity; and in every lineament of whose countenance appeared that resolute determination and moral power, which seldom fails to exert a wide influence upon the opinions and actions of men. The third in the group was a young man of slight frame and pale, thoughtful visage ; upon whose delicate and slender form premature debility had palpably set its seal ; yet whose opinions seemed to be listened to by his associates, with the utmost de- ference and regard. The remaining figure was that of a well known scholar and divine, whose potent and beneficent influence had long been felt in every department of the cause of popular education ; and whose energy, activity and zeal had already accomplished many salutary and
298
State Normal School.
much needed reforms in our system of public instruction. The subject of their consultation was the expediency and practicability of incorpo- rating upon the common school system of this state an efficient instru- mentality for the education of teachers. The utility of such a measure and its importance to the present and prospective interests of education, admitted in the minds of these distinguished men, of no doubt. The sole question was whether the public mind was sufficiently prepared for its reception and adoption ; whether an innovation so great and striking, and involving as it necessarily must, a heavy and continued expenditure of the public money, might not be strenuous!y and success. fully resisted ; and whether a premature and unsuccessful attempt then to carry into execution a measure of such vital importance, might not be attended with a disastrous influence upon the future prospects of the cause of education. These considerations, after being duly weighed, were unanimously set aside by the intrepid spirits then in council ; and it was determined that, backed by the strong and decided recommenda- tion of the head of the common school department, immediate measures should be forthwith adopted for the establishment of a STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. The men who thus gave the first decided impetus to the great enterprise, whose gratifying results are now before us, were SAMUEL YOUNG, CALVIN T. HULBURD, FRANCIS DWIGHT and ALONZO POTTER.
Mr. Hulburd, the able and enlightened chairman of the committee on colleges, academies and commnon schools of the assembly, visited the normal schools of Massachusetts, and after a thorough examination of their merits and practical operations, submitted an elaborate and eloquent report to the house, in favor of the immediate adoption of this principle in our system of public instruction. The bill introduced by him, and sustained in all its stages by his powerful influence and indefatigable ex- ertions, and the cooperation of the most zealous friends of education throughout the state, became a law, and appropriated the sum of $10,000 annually for five successive years, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a state normal school in this city. The general control of the institution was committed to the regents of the university, by whom an executive committee, consisting of five persons, one of whom was to be the superintendent of common schools, was to be appointed, upon whom the direct management, discipline and course of instruction of the school should devolve.
In pursuance of this provision, the board of regents in June, 1846, appointed a committee, comprising the Hon. SAMUEL YOUNG then su- perintendent of common schools, the Rev. ALONZO POTTER, Rev. WIL- LIAM H. CAMPBELL, Hon. GIDEON HAWLEY. and FRANCIS DWIGHT; Esq. This committee forthwith entered upon the execution of their responsi- ble duties ; procured on very liberal and favorable terms from the city of Albany the lease for five years of the spacious building in State street recently occupied by the Institution ; prescribed the necessary rules and regulations for the instruction, government and discipline of the school, the course of study to be pursued, the apportionment and selection of the pupils, &c., and procured the services of the late lamented and distin- guished principal, then of Newburyport, Massachusetts, together with his colleague. the present principal, as teachers. On the 18th day of December, 1844, the school was opened in the presence of a large con- course of citizens and strangers, by an eloquent address from Col.
299
State Normal School.
YOUNG, and by other appropriate and suitable exercises. Twenty-nine pupils, thirteen males and sixteen females, representing fourteen coun- ties only, of both sexes, were in attendance, who after listening to a brief but clear and explicit declaration from Mr. PAGE, of his objects, views and wishes in the management and direction of the high duties devolved upon him, entered at once upon the course of studies prescribed for the school. Before the close of the first term on the 11th of March, 1844, the number of pupils had increased to 98, comprising about an equal number of each sex, and representing forty of the fifty-nine coun- ties of the state. During this term the musical department of the school was placed under the charge of Prof. ILSLEY of this city, and instruction in drawing was imparted by Prof. J. B. HOWARD.
On the commencement of the second term, on the 9th of April, 1845, 170 pupils were in attendance, comprising a nearly equal proportion of males and females. and representing every county in the state, with a single exception. Of these pupils, about nine-tenths had been previ- ously engaged in teaching during a longer or shorter period. The term closed on the 27th of August with a public examination and other suit- able exercises, and thirty-four of the students received the certificate of the executive committee and board of instruction, as in their judgment well qualified in all essential respects, to teach any of the common schools of the state.
On the 15th of October succeeding, the school reopened with 180 pupils, which was increased during the progress of the term to 198, from every county of the state but one. The death of Mr. DWIGHT, which took place on the 15th of December, and the transfer of the Rev. Dr. POTTER to the episcopal diocese of Pennsylvania, created vacancies in the executive committee, which were supplied by the appointment of the Hon. HARMANUS BLEECKER and the Hon. SAMUEL YOUNG, the latter gentleman having been succeeded in the office of superintendent of com- mon schools by the Hon. N. S. BENTON of Herkimer. The sudden death of Mr. Dwight, who had taken a deep interest in the prosperity and success of the institution, and had given to its minutest details the be- nefit of his personal supervision and constant attention, cast a deep gloom upon the inmates ; and the peculiar circumstances under which it took place were strikingly indicative of the vain and illusory nature of all human expectations. For several weeks previous to his death, Mr. Dwight had manifested much interest in devising appropriate means for the celebration of the anniversary of the opening of the school, on the 18th of December. Alas! how little could he imagine that the long line of normal pupils, with the children of the various public schools of the city, to whom he had been a signal benefactor, and hundreds of his fellow.citizens should, on that day, follow his lifeless remains to their long home!
At the close of the third term, March 18, 1846, a public examination was held which continued during four successive days, and convinced all who felt an interest in the institution, that the work of preparation for the teacher's life was, in all respects, thorough and complete. The diploma of the institution was conferred on 47 graduates.
During this and the preceding term a valuable addition had been made to the board of instruction, by promoting to the charge of several of the principal departments, those graduates of the institution who now so
300
State Normal School.
ably and successfully preside over these departments The experimental school, organized at the commencement of the second term, was placed under the general supervision of its present teacher, and has proved an exceedingly valuable auxiliary in the practical preparation of the pupils of the principal school. for the discharge of their duty as teachers.
Two hundred and five pupils were in attendance at the commence- ment of the fourth term, on the first Monday of May, 1846, of whom 63 received a diploma at its close in September following. During the fifth term, commencing on the 211 of November, 178 pupils only ap- peared, 46 of whom graduated in March 1847. At the commencement however of the sixth term in May, subsequently, 221 pupils were in attendance, of whom 64 received the diploma of the institution in Sep- tember ; and at the reopening of the school in November, 205 appeared. Up to this period the number of names entered on the register of the school as pupils, including those in attendance at the commencement of the seventh term was 737. Of these 254 had received their diploma as graduates, of which number 222 were actually engaged in teaching in the common schools of the state; and the residue. with few exceptions, in the different academies or private schools. Of those who had left the school without graduating, nearly all were engaged during a longer or shorter period in teaching in the several schools.
And now came that dark and gloomy period when the hitherto brilliant prospects of the institution were overcast with deep clouds of melancholy and despondency-when that noble form and towering intellect which, from the commencement of the great experiment in progress, had assid- uously presided over and watched its developement, was suddenly struck down by the relentless hand of the great destroyer-when the be- reaved and stricken flock, deprived of their revered and beloved guide, teacher, friend, mournfully assembled in their accustomed halls on that dreary and desolate January day, at the commencement of the year 1848, to pay the last sad obsequies to the remains of their departed principal. In the prime and vigor of his high faculties-in the meridian brightness of his lofty and noble career-in the maturity of his well earned fame as " first among the foremost"' of the teachers of America, he passed away from among ns, and sought his eternal reward in that be'ter land where the ills and the obstructions of mortality are forever unknown ; where the emancipated spirit, freed from the clogs which here fetter its higher action and retard its noblest development, expands its illimitable ener- gies in the congenial atmosphere of infinite knowledge and infinite love. It is not for me, on the present occasion to pronounce his eulogy, although I knew and loved him well. That has already been done by an abler hand, and it only remains to say that the impress which his masterly and well trained mind left npon this institution, the child of his most sanguine hopes and earnest efforts, and upon the interests of edu- cation generally throughout the state, of which he was the indefatigable promoter, has been of the most marked character, and will long conse- crate his name and memory.
Since this period the progress of the institution under the auspices of its present enlightened principal, and his devoted corps of assistants has been uniformly onward and upward. At the close of the seventh term 50 pupils were graduated, and the eighth term onened with 208, of whom 46 received their diploma at its close. The ninth term opened on the
.
301
State Normal School.
first day of November last with 175 pupils, and at its close 43 were graduated, and the tenth term which has now just closed, opened with upwards of 200 pupils, of whom 36 are now about to graduate.
During the session of the legislature of '48, a bill was introduced in the senate providing the requisite funds for the erection of a new and suitable building in the city of Albany, for the permanent use of the Normal School, and rendering the annual appropriation for its support permanent. Through the active and unremitted exertions of the present principal this bill became a law, and under its provisions the noble and spacious edifice in which we are now assembled has been erected. A few weeks only have elapsed since the school was transferred to its new location ; and notwithstanding the prevalence of a most gloomy and unhealthy season, the attendance of nearly 200 pupils of both sexes, upon the regular exercises of the institution, during the whole of the term now about to close, indicates the firm hold which it possesses upon the affections and regard of its inmates. Through the merciful permis- sion of a superintending power, one only of the pupils of the school has fallen before the devastating pestilence which has swept over our land. And while we bow in humble submission to the stroke which thus solemnly reminded us of our habitual dependence upon Him in whom we " live and move and have our being"-we may, without presumption, offer up our grateful thanksgiving for the preservation of so many lives, thus fearfully exposed to the ravages of the destroyer.
For all substantial purposes, therefore, the Normal School may now be regarded as permanently engrafted upon the settled policy of the state, as a portion of its noble system of public instruction.
The edifice is entirely plain in its finish, and attention has been given to its ventilation. The front on Lodge street is 120, and that upon Howard 78 feet, upon each of which is an entrance; that upon Lodge for the female members of the institution, and the one upon Howard for the male. The building is divided into four stories (with a basement some six feet high), each of which contains a large or principal room for lectures and the general meeting of classes, and several for recita- tions. Rooms upon the first floor are arranged for the laboratory, the residence of the janitor, and the usual reception room; those upon the second, more expressly for the experimental department ; the third, for general lecture and recitation rooms, and the fourth for the opening and closing exercises of the school, and the closing exercises of the term.
This is said to be the largest room in the city, being 46 feet wide by 98 long ; and it is suggested as an appropriate one for concerts. lectures, &c. A novel feature in its construction is that it is divested of pillars, or any visible means by which the roof is supported ; it being sustained entirely by trussed timbers.
The original draft of the building (which included the residence of the principal in its design, and which is retained in its construction) was intended to be completed in the most approved manner, with all the necessary arrangements and conveniences which belong to an institution of its capacity ; but the draft exceeding the appropriation, it was found necessary to make alterations in its entire finish and model ; and con- sequently the entire building, if we except the principal's residence, has undergone considerable change in its structure and finish from the ori-
302
Civil Officers of Albany for 1693.
ginal design. Yet, notwithstanding this necessary reduction, the building and its furniture and fixtures will compare favorably with any similar institution in the state for convenience and adaptation to the wants of its professors and pupils.
The original draft of the building, and from which. in a form much modified, it has been erected, was made by that efficient and scientific architect, Mr. George I. Penchard ; the masonry was executed by the competent firm of Orr & Cunningham, and the wood work by the well known establishment of Mr. James Denniston.
CIVIL OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, 1693.
The militia of the county consisted of 359 men, commanded by Major Peter Schuyler, divided into five companies of foot and one of horse.
Peter Schuyler Esq Mayor
Dirck Wessels Esq Recorder
Robt Livingston Esq Town Clerk
John Apell Esqr Sherriffe
The Aldermen, Collectors, Assessors and Constables elective.
The Mayor's Court hath the Power of the Comon Pleas.
In each County there is a Court of Comôn Pleas whereof the first in the Commission of the peace is Judge, and is to be assisted with any two of the three next in the commission of the Peace.
The Mayor and Aldermen are Justices of the Peace and have power to hold Quarter Sessions in the Cittys of N. York & Albany.
Justices of the Peace :- In the County of Albany to joyne the Mayor Recordr and Aldermen in the Quarter Sessions.
Eghbert Theunisse
Nicholas Rispe
Kilian van Ranslaer
Sanders Glenn
Martin Gerritse Eqrs
Peter Vosbrough
Esqrs
Dirck Theunisse
Gerryt Theunisse
The following is a list of the officers of the militia of the county of Albany, in the year 1700, when the regiment numbered 371 men.
Peter Schuyler, Col., - Lt. Col., Dyrck Wessells, Maj., Field officers .
Of a Foot Company in the city of Albany :- Johannes Bleeker, Cap- tain; Johannes Roseboome Leiut .; Abra: Cuyler, Ensigne; Com" Offi- cers.
Of another Foote Coma in ye said city :- Albert Rykman, Captain; Wessel ten Broek, Lieut .; Johannes Thomasse, Ensigne.
Of another Foot Compa in the said County :- Martin Cornelise, Cap- tain ; Andris Douw, Lieut .; Andris Koyman, Ensign.
Of another Foot Compa in the said County :- Gerrit Teunisse, Cap- tain; Jonas Douw, Jochem Lamerse, Lieuts. ; Volckart V. Hoesem, Abra- Hanse, Ensignes.
Of a Foot Compa in ye town of Schenectady :- Johannes Sanderse Glen, Captain; Adam Woman, [Vrooman?] Lieut .; Harman V. Slyke, Ensigne.
Of the Troope of Horse in ye said Regiment :- Kilian Van Renslaer Captain; Johannes Schuyler, Lieut ; Bennone V. Corlaer, Cornet; An- thony Brics, Quartermaster.
303
Cheap Postage System in Albany.
OPERATION OF THE CHEAP POSTAGE SYSTEM IN ALBANY.
The returns of the postmaster, Mr James D. Wasson, of the number of letters, newspapers, pamphlets and magazines received at the Post- Office in Albany during the month of October, 1845, were as follows :
No. of unpaid and paid letters, at 5 cents,. 34,656 66 at 10 3,804 66 free letters, at 5 . . .. 162
at 10 66
.... 65
dropped letters, .. ... at 2
.... 730
66 printed circulars, ... at 2 66
. 257
66
newspapers chargeable and free, . 19,280
66
pamphlets and magazines,. 410
The following is a transcript of the returns for October, 1843, no account having been kept in 1844 :
No. of letters at 6 cents,
2,127
10 66
3,372
123 " 10,006
66 182
25 “
864
66
to postmasters,
1,597
66
60 to members of Congress, 172
1,629
66 drop letters, regular papers, 10,030
9,503
66
irregular papers, 1,752
623
66
66
not periodical, 39
The receipts for the month of October during the years 1843, '44 and '45, were as follows, viz :
October 1843.
$3,497 76
66 1844 2.860 41 66 1845
2,225 76
8.182
free papers, .
pamphlets, periodical,
The falling off in the receipts of 1844, under the old rates, compared with 1843, was $637.35 ; and in 1845, under the cheap postage system, compared with 1844, $624 65. But these deficiencies have been far more than realized since, and the system is working well, the business of the office having increased in a very rapid ratio.
304
Prediction of the Erie Canal-Overslaugh.
BARLOW'S PREDICTION OF THE ERIE CANAL.
The great American poem of Joel Barlow, although a popular book in the last century, is probably unknown to a great many of his country- men ; and few of his admirers, perhaps, ever expected to see the Vision of Columbus quoted in after years, to claim the fulfilment of a prediction. The work was published in 1787, when that magnificent project, the Erie Canal, if it had any other place than in the imagination of the poet, was probably regarded only as the visionary chimera of an enthusiast. But the printed scheme of the poet may have awakened the attention of some strong mind to undertake the task of carrying out, what we now behold in successful operation, and which was foreshadowed in these words :
" He saw, as widely spreads the unchannell'd plain, Where inland realms for ages bloom'd in vain, Canals, long winding, ope a watery flight, And distant streams, and seas, and lakes unite.
From fair Albania, tow'rd the falling sun, Baek through the midland lengthening channels run, Meet the far lakes, their beauteous towns that lave, And Hudson joined to broad Ohio's wave .??
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