USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II. Second Edition > Part 25
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John Witbeeck, Luykas Witbeeck, Volkert Van Vechten,. Johannes Van Vechten, Johannes Van Buren, Hendrick Beekman, Andries Huyck,
Abraham Van Valken- burgh, Jacob Schermerhorn, Johannes Schermerhorn, Wouter Barheydt, Hendrick Bries,
Barent Martese Van Bu- ren, Evert Lansing, Barent Staats, Johannes Van Valken- burgh, , Roelif Janse, Hendrick Van Buren, Casper Plank, Stephen Rensselaer, Rutger Van Woort, Jacobus Rensselaer.
284
Notes from the Newspapers. [1772.
NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
1771 to 1790.
The events given below are gathered almost entirely from the newspapers. The locations of some of the principal business men are given, who were in active life at the close of the revolutionary war.
1771. The first printing office in Albany, respecting which any information can now be gathered, was established in the latter part of this year, by Alexander & James Robert- son, who came up from New York for that purpose. Hence Albany was the second place in the state of New York, into which the art of printing was introduced.
The charter of the city was printed this year in the city of New York, by Hugh Gaine, on a demy sheet, in quarto form, of which a copy is preserved in the chamberlain's office.
The Albany Gazette, the first newspaper printed in this city, was commenced in November, by the Robertsons. It was printed on a sheet less than a quarter the size of the largest daily papers now printed here. It is not known when this paper was discontinued, but its publication is supposed to have ended at the breaking out of the revolutionary war, as the publishers are known to have joined the royalists in New York in 1776. A few copies of the paper are preserved in the Albany Institute, which were presented to that insti- tion by Rensselaer Westerlo, Esq. The volume containing the charter just alluded to, contains also a collection of the city ordinances, printed to match, by the Robertsons, in 1773.
1772. Jan. 13. The printers of the Gazette, " from motives of gratitude and duty, are obliged to apologize to the public for the omission of one week's publication ; and hope "that the irregularity of the mail from New York since the first great fall of snow, and the severe cold preceding Christ- mas, which froze the paper prepared for the press, so as to put a stop to its operation, will sufficiently account for it."
3
285
Notes from the Newspapers.
1782.]
March. A lottery was advertised to be drawn for the benefit of the Reformed German Church in Albany. (See Annals, vol. I, p. 128.)
Among the advertisers in the Gazette is the firm of James Gourlay & Co., " in Cheapside street, next door to the King's Arms." Cheapside street is now Green street, and the Kings Arms tavern was on the north-west corner of Green and Beaver streets, adjoining what was well known in the first quarter of this century as the Old Stone House. On the breaking out of the war of the revolution, the sign, which bore the device of the king's arms, was forced off by a party, one night, and burnt in State street.
A noted merchant of the day, Thomas Barry, " near the Dutch Church," also enumerates his stock, occupying nearly a column of the paper with a catalogue of goods with names which sound quite odd at this day ; for instance, " none-so-pretty of various colors, and black breeches patterns."
July 20. The governor of the province, Gen. Tryon, visited the city, on which occasion the corporation gave a public dinner at Cartwright's Tavern (vol. 1, 290).
A meteorological table appeared in the Gazette occasion- ally.
A book store was kept by Stuart Wilson, an Irishman, at the elm tree corner of State and Pearl streets, in a Dutch house which was afterwards converted into the Blue Belle tavern, the last keeper of which was the late Spencer Stafford's father.
1779. Captain Machin was engaged in taking a water level between Albany and Schenectady, with a view to the supply of this city with water by means of an aqueduct. He submitted a plan to the common council, with drawings to show the manner in which an aqueduct and reservoir should be constructed, as we learn by a notice of the same at a later day.
1782. May. Messrs. Solomon Balentine and Charles R. Webster published the first number of the New York Gazetteer or Northern Intelligencer. The office file of this paper was destroyed by the great fire of 1793, and the only copies of it which are known to exist, are in the Albany In- stitute.
286
Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
Sept. 30. A meeting of the creditors of the United States in the state of New York, was held at the City Hall in Albany, Philip Schuyler chairman ; the object of which was to lay their claims before the public, in an address, and to suggest a general convention of deputies from the public creditors of the states composing the union, to devise ways and means of payment. (See vol. I, p. 282.)
1783. The Gazette was enlarged and Mr. Webster with- drew from it, and. removed to New York. The paper was continued by Mr. Balentine alone. Its publication is sup- posed to have ceased in May, 1784.
Mr. Balentine published a Pocket Almanac, for the year 1784, which is the first work of the kind that is known to have been issued in this city. A copy of it is preserved in the State Library.
Lord Sterling died in Albany and was buried under the Dutch church (?). An eulogium was written by John Lovett upon his character, and published.1
1784. May 28. Charles R. Webster, of the late firm of Balentine & Webster, published the first number of a new paper, entitled The Albany Gazette, of which the State Library contains the office file down to the time of its dis- continuance in 1845, when it was the oldest paper in the state, being in its seventy-second year.
At this time the post office not only served for the city and adjoining towns, but the lists of letters advertised con- tain the names of persons in Orange and Dutchess counties, Cherry Valley, and Vermont.
Robison & Hale, dealers in European and East India goods, occupied the "north corner opposite the Dutch Church," now the site of the Museum Building, which was long known as Robison's corner. Maj. Hale is believed to have been an officer of the revolution, and a much respected citizen ; but did not, like his partner, accquire wealth.
Jacob Van Schaick, " in Water street near the Middle dock," publishes a long catalogue of articles under exceed- ingly quaint titles.
Henry, McClallen & Henry, "next door north of the City Hall," which was the site of Commercial Building,
1 Woodworth's Reminiscences of Troy.
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1
22
UZ
23. Chancellor Lansing.
22. Sanders Lansing.
21. Dudley Walsh.
20. Andrew Brown.
19. Dr. Samuel Stringer.
18. Gen. John H. Wendell.
17. Barent Bleecker.
16. John Jacob Lansing.
15. Martin Beekman.
14. John Meads.
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13. John Brinckerhoff, Richard Lush.
287
Notes from the Newspapers.
1784.]
present the most formidable array of goods, " adapted to all seasons, in payment for which they will take cash, Morris's and Hillegas's notes, wheat, corn, pease, flax seed, boards and plank, and also all sorts of furs."
Dr. Samuel Stringer, " a little to the north of the Market House," gave notice that he had just imported from Europe a general assortment of medicines, which he would " dis- pose of at the New York advance," by wholesale or retail at his Medicinal Store. The Market House was opposite. Stanwix Hall in the centre of the street, and Dr. Stringer's store was opposite Bleecker Hall.
John McClintock advertised that he would open a school on the 14th June "in a lower apartment of. that house in which the printing office is at present held." This is believed to have been on the south-west corner of Maiden: lane and James street.
At the annual. election for members of legislature, the following candidates were returned by a majority of votes. in the county : Dirk Swart, Peter W. Yates, Walter Living- ston, Matthew Visscher, Christopher Yates, Abraham Beeker, Matthew Adgate, Jacob Ford, John Younglove, Israel Thompson.
Peter Van Ness was chosen senator.
John Blake advertised the usual variety of goods for: sale at Archibald Campbell's store opposite Hugh Dennis- ton's. He soon after took a store "opposite the east end of the Dutch Church."
Balch & Fryer opened a shop near the north gate, for the: purpose of carrying on the gold and silversmith's business. The north gate at this time is believed to have been a little: above Columbia street in Broadway.
June. Gen. Schuyler was appointed by congress one of the commissioners for treating with the Indians.
Roseboom & Co. sold all kinds of nails near the English; Church .
July 4. The anniversary of our independence was cele- brated ; in the morning thirteen guns. "were fired from Fort Orange," and in the evening the city was illuminated ..
Gerardus Beekman advertises a. store nearly opposite: Wheeler Douglass's.
288
Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
July 14. Mons. Dulonpres from Paris, proposed to open a school for dancing, " on the most moderate terms of one guinea entrance and one guinea a quarter."
July 22. The governor of the state, and the Dutch am- bassador, Haere. P. J. Van Berckel, arrived in the city, and were received by the magistrates and citizens, and con- ducted to the City Hall, under discharge of cannon. On the following day the corporation gave their guests an elegant entertainment at Lewis's Tavern.
July 23. Capt. John Fryer, "a worthy citizen," died, aged 64, and was interred in the Dutch Church yard on the following day.
Edward Cumpston, " at the north-east corner of the Dutch Church," proposed to receive "new emission money of this state equal to gold or silver," for goods.
Henry Hart had "a neat assortment of Dry and West India Goods at his store between the Low Dutch Church and Market House."
Aug. The firm of James & Vail was dissolved, and Thomas V. James assumed the business " at the store in the street opposite the City Hall dock," or leading from the dock, which is now Hudson street.
Aug. Gov. Clinton left Albany to attend the Indian treaty to be held at Fort Schuyler, where the chiefs had already begun to assemble.
Sept. 8. Nicholas Barrington opened a school at the house opposite to Mr. Burgess's, " money being very scarce, at the low prices of 10, 12 and 14s. per quarter, for spellers, writers and Scypherers, and three pounds for bookkeeping and navigation."
I. Hutton, " minister of the gospel in Albany," proposed to print by subscription at ls. each, a sermon entitled Weak Faith Strengthened. Those who subscribed for twelve were to " have a thirteenth gratis." The work was issued in Janu- ary, 1785.
Sept. 9. " Departed this life, at Nisqueunia, Sept. 7, Mrs. Lee, known by the appellation of the Elect Lady, or Mother of Zion, and head of that people called Shakers. Her funeral is to be attended this day."
John W. Wendell, a few doors south of the City Hall, manufactured all kinds of beveret, castor and felt hats, on
289
·
1784.] Notes from the Newspapers.
better terms than the importers can admit of. He was a Bostonian.
Thomas Sickels sold European and India goods on the south side of the street that leads from the Dutch to the English Church (State street).
Oct. 21. The executors of Mrs. Margaret Schuyler, de- ceased, offered " a likely negro wench" for sale by auction at Lewis's Tavern.
Sept. 13. The governor and the commissioners of Indian affairs for the state with a number of the citizens of Albany, returned from Fort Schuyler, where a treaty had been con- cluded with the Six Nations and other Indians residing in this state.
John Carey, offered at the store of Cornelise K. Van- denberg, " at the elm tree in the street leading from the Dutch to the English Church," a quantity of goods which are represented as just imported from Ireland.
Sept. 18. On this evening and the following (Sunday) morning, Oliver Wolcott, Arthur Lee, and Richard Butler, ·United States commissioners for Indian affairs, arrived in the city, on their way to Fort Stanwix, to meet the Six Nations. They gave notice that in order to avoid the ill consequences and hindrance to public business which would naturally arise from the sale of spirituous liquors they ·would be wholly prohibited until the treaty closed. The Marquis Lafayette was daily expected to accompany them.
George Reab, at his store in the house of Abraham Douw, near the south-west corner of the Market, offered an assort- ment of Dry and West India Goods, adapted to the season. in exchange for which he would take cash, R. Morris and M. Hillegas's notes, new emission money, all sorts of public securities ; also flax seed, wheat, and all kinds of country produce.
Saturday, Sept. 25, the United States commissioners to treat with the Indians, having remained one week in Albany, set out for Fort Schuyler. The goods intended for the treaty left on Tuesday following, and Gen. Lafayette followed about the 1st of October.
Sept. 29. At the close of the polls, the following citizens were found to have been elected aldermen and assistants for the ensuing year.
Annals, ii.
25
290
Notes from the Newspapers. [1784.
1st ward. Peter W. Yates and Robert McClallen alder- men ; Matthew Visscher and John W. Wendell, assistants.
2d ward. Philip Van Rensselaer, Peter W. Douw, alder- men ; Richard Lush, Abraham Cuyler, assistants.
3d ward. Thomas Hun, John Ten Broeck, aldermen; Leonard Gansevoort, Jun., Jellis Winne, assistants.
Oct. 1. Alexander Smith was committed to the city prison for the " wilful murther of his brother, Isaac Smith," on the 29th Sept., at Saratoga lake.
Oct. 7. The Marquis Lafayette returned from Fort Stan- wix, and on the following morning, Friday, sat out for Boston by the way of Hartford, to embark for France. He arrived at Hartford on Monday. There was at this time no other mode of crossing the mountain but on horseback.
Joseph Kelly, currier, lately arrived from Ireland, "opened a shop at Capt. John Roff's, near the north gate, and will have ready in a few days, good leather, boot legs, and Irish Ben, of the best quality."
Oct. 18. Isaac Arnold and James Stewart returned from a trading expedition to Detroit, having lost three of their companions, Jacobus Taller, Daniel Barclay and Isaac Van Alstyne, who were murdered by four Delaware Indians at a landing place on Lake Erie.
Oct. 27. Samuel Thompson died.
Nov. 19. An annual fair for vending all kinds of cattle was held in the city.
Nov. 8. The first copy of Webster's Calendar, or the Albany Almanac for the year 1785, was ready for sale; " containing, besides the usual calculations, many very in- genious and entertaining pieces, both in prose and verse." This Almanac has been published annually to the present time.
Died, at Port Roseway, Nova Scotia, Alexander Robert- son, one of the proprietors of the first paper printed in Albany.
Nov. 5. Mrs. Lydia Bloodgood died, aged 22; wife of William Bloodgood.
Nov. 10. Two of the principal hostages of the Six Nations arrived from Fort Schuyler, under passport from the com- mander there; to remain in custody until certain American prisoners were delivered up.
1
7
Fac-Simile of the Title Page of the First Albany Almanac.
Poor NED's ALBANY ALMANACK, FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
I
7
8
3;
Being the THIRD after LEAP-YEAR, AND THE EIGHTH OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
IN WHICH ARE CONTAINED,
The Motions of the SUN and MOON; the Rifing and Setting of the Sun; the Rifing and Setting of the Moon; the Eclipfes; Judgment of the Weather; Time of High Water, &c.
ALSO,
The ARTICLES of the TREATY of ALLIANCE between FRANCE and thefe UNITED STATES; an HISTORICAL ACCOUNT of the various TRANSLATIONS of the HOLY BIBLE, into the ENGLISH LANGUAGE; a SKETCH of the LIFE and CHARACTER of His EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON; a LIST of the NAMES of the CIVIL OFFICERS in the City and County of AL- BANY; with many ANECDOTS, odd SAYINGS, &c. &c. &c.
BY NED FORESIGHT, Gent.
" See, fee Heav'n's wide Expanfe from Pole to Pole !
" Each Land with Verdure cloths ! all Seas that rowl
" See this vaft Orb of Things with convex weight
" Thee beck'ning to adorn the fov'reign Seat !"
ALBANY: Printed and Sold by BALENTINE & WEBSTER.
そ
291
1784.] Notes from the Newspapers.
Cornelius & John H. Wendell, opposite the post office, · near the Market house, imported goods "from London." The post office was a few doors above Maiden lane, on the east side of Market street, now Broadway. The post office at this time is believed to have been kept by Abraham Yates, afterwards mayor.
Cuyler, Gansevoort & Co. "received by the last vessels from London" an assortment of dry goods suitable for the season ; and presented besides a catalogue of other goods, which, like most of the advertisements of the day, began with rum and ended with brass kettles. The stock of an Albany merchant was truly multifarious.
Peter D. Van Dyck dealt in a general assortment of goods opposite the south-east corner of the Dutch Church.
Benjamin Wallace had "a neat assortment of West India and dry goods at his shop a little north of the English Church."
James Doig, from Montreal, proposed to open a day and evening school, at Mr. John Hooghkerk's corner house, opposite to Thomas Barrett, cooper, near the Presbyterian Meeting House. This is supposed to have been at the corner of Hudson and Grand streets.
Wendell & Trotter carried on business principally in dry goods, opposite the south-east corner of the City Hall.
William Gray dealt in dry goods and a general assortment, between the Dutch Church and the Market House, near the City Hotel.
Elbert Willett occupied the house now standing next south of the Mansion House, which he sold to Mr David Newland, for $11,000.
Dec. 21. A detachment of troops from Fort Stanwix, under Capt. Lane, arrived in the city to remain during the winter, bringing with them a number of captives which had been liberated according to the terms of the treaty recently con- cluded with the Indians.
Dec. 30. Dr. Alexander Edgar, a surgeon's mate in the army, died and was buried in the Presbyterian burial- place.
Mr. Paffane, lately arrived from France, carried on " the muff and tippett making business, in the neatest manner," at the house of Hanse Horne, near the north gate.
292
Notes from the Newspapers. [1785.
Teunis Ts. Van Vechten advertises Turks Island and rock salt, " living near the south-west corner of the Market. House." His house was the south-west corner of Broadway and Maiden lane.
John Hinde offered a large invoice of cloths, at the house of Mr. Hewson, adjoining the Low Dutch burying ground.
David Fonda, " next door to Gen. Ten Broek," kept dry goods, groceries and liquors for sale.
John Bogart, next door south of the City Hall, sold mill stones.
Abraham Eights, next door to Capt. Stewart Dean, in Water street, sold Muscovado sugar by the barrel, and had "a few excellent English wind-mills, for cleaning wheat."
Anthony Helmer, at his store in the house of Harmanus Wendell, opposite to Gen. Ten Broek's, sold groceries, German steel, " and a variety of other articles too tedious to be mentioned."
Jacob Vander Heyden, in Pearl street, kept on sale, Dutch mill saws, groceries, and dry goods.
Abraham Bloodgood did business next to Denniston's tavern, probably in the Stone House.
1785. The health of the city was very remarkable during the winter, insomuch that but one burial took place in the Dutch Church-yard, from the 9th December to the 10th March, and that was of a small child accidentally run over by a sleigh.
March 21. A person was arrested for passing counterfeit state treasury notes, and lodged in the City Hall prison, to await a trial.
April 20. Abraham Roseboom, a very respectable citizen, died.
April 26. The annual election of two senators and ten representatives to the state legislature, for the county of Albany, resulted in the following vote.
For the House of Assembly.
John Lansing junior, .. 284 Lawrence Hogeboom, .. , 216
John Tayler,. 302
James Gordon, ...... .. 305 Henry Glen,. 281 James Van Schoonhoven, 228 John Livingston,. : 243
Isaac Vrooman,. 24 Peter Vrooman, .. 257
Robert McClallen, 32
Abraham I.Van Alstyne, 213
Elbert Willett, 5
1785.]
Notes from the Newspapers.
293
Abraham Schuyler,. .. 1
Israel Thompson, 14
John Price,
2
Abram Backer,. . . 4
Richard Lush,.
1
Edmund Wells, . 14
Jacob G. Lansing, 1
Peter Swart, . 1
Leonard Bronck, 245
William Powers,
1
Matthew Visscher, 146
Henry I.Van Rensselaer,
1
Peter W. Yates, 97
Thomas Hun, .
2
Jacob Ford, .. 23
Henry Quackenboss, ...
2
Matthew Adgate, .. 24
Stephen I. Schuyler, .... 2
Jacob C. Schermerhorn, 26
Lucas Van Veghten, ... 1
For the Senate.
Philip Schuyler,. 170 Henry Oothout,. 16
Volkert P. Douw, 165
William B. Whitney, .. 12
Ivie Chambers, " at his store near the Low Dutch church, on the west side of the main street," sold the usual articles of a general store, principally liquors.
The session of the supreme court closed, when Petrus and Christian Cooper being convicted of a robbery, and Christian Loucks of horse stealing, received sentence of death respect- ively. Two others, convicted of felony, were admitted to benefit of clergy. One was whipped for petit larceny, and two discharged by proclamation.
May 3. An election of city officers took place, which re- sulted in the choice of the following:
First Ward .- Robert McClallen, supervisor ; Peter Van Bergen, Bethuel Washburn, Edward Cumpton, assessors ; Marte Minderse, overseer of the poor; Abraham T. Yates, Thomas Barrett, road masters.
. Second Ward .- Jacob Cuyler, supervisor; Jacob Van- der Heyden, Casparus Pruyn, Richard Lush, assessors ; John N. Bleecker, overseer of the poor; Jacob Bleecker, John Marselis, road masters.
Third Ward .- Cornelius Wendell, supervisor; Peter Gansevoort, Jun., Abraham A. Lansing, David Fonda, as- sessors ; Isaac Van Arnum, overseer of the poor ; Sanders Lansing, Volkert A. Douw, road masters ; Baltus Van Ben- thuysen, collector for the city.
Elihu Goodrich and John Ely opened a school "in the house occupied by Michael Hollenbake," who had " left . keeping tavern." They taught Greek and Latin for 40s. a quarter ; grammar, arithmetic and writing for 30s .; read- ing and spelling for 20s. The hours of study were from 6
294
Notes from the Newspapers. [1785.
to 8, and 9 to 12, in the forenoon; and from 2 to 5, and 6 to 8, in the afternoon. This to the magisters of our day, may appear to have been a pretty thorough drilling of "the young idea."
Alexander Laverty, "tayler from London," took the house lately occupied by Henry Hart, in the back apart- ment, where he carried on the "tayler's business as cheap as any in town," and made payments easy to those who em- ployed him. His prices were : for a coat 14s .; lappelled do, 16s. ; lappelled do, with slashed sleeves, 18s .; vest and breeches, 6s. 9d.
Elisha Crane, opposite the City Hall, sold cyder at 18s. a barrel, and took boards, plank, staves, pease and any sort of grain in payment. In a nota bene the public is informed that money would not be refused.
June. A company of stage wagon proprietors undertook to make the land passage between New York and Albany " the most easy and agreeable as well as the most expedi- tious," by performing the journey in two days, at 3d. a mile ; but in the fall, "for the ease of the passengers," the time of performing the route was changed to three days, and the price raised to 4d. a mile, " agreeably to act of assembly."
July 12. An ordinance was passed by the common coun- · cil for the extermination of dogs, all of whom were to be killed in two days, under penalty of £8, which was to be recovered for the benefit of any person prosecuting.
Nov. 8. The presbytery of New York ordained John McDonald a minister of the gospel, and he was at the same . time installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Albany. He was the third pastor of that church, and it was during his ministry that the edifice was erected for that congrega- tion on the corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets, the site of Beaver Block.
Dec. 13. A company of comedians having leased the old hospital, which stood near the present site of the Lu- theran Church, and having fitted it up as a theatre, opened with Cross Purposes and Catharine and Petruchio, between which was a dance, La Polonaise, and a Eulogy on Free- masonry. Tickets sold at Lewis's tavern, and no money taken at the door. Boxes 8s .; gallery 4s.
A vigorous effort was made to discontinue these perform- ances, by a large and respectable part of community, but
295
Notes from the Newspapers.
1786.]
the common council determined by a vote of 9 to 4, that they had no legal right to prohibit theatrical exhibitions in the city. A whole number of the Gazette is taken up with the controversy, to the exclusion of every other subject.
1785. January. By the post office arrangements of this year, the New York mail arrived twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 8 o'clock P.M .; and two hours after its receipt, the down mail was made up and forwarded.
July 13. The Gazette was enlarged to a sheet 19 inches by 23, which we learn was the largest size then printed in America. In the same paper is announced the first part of the Grammatical Institute, abridged, by Noah Webster, price 6 coppers, this day printed.
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