USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 25
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The total number of votes cast for Governor, was 46,221. Clinton received 24,808, Van Rensselaer 20,843.
May 12. Tontine Coffee House .- Mat. Gregory, from the village of Waterford, has taken the Tontine Coffee House, State street, in the city of Albany. He has also provided himself with a large yard, stable, &c., for hor- ses and carriages, for convenience of the gentleman traveller. The house has been kept for three years past by Mr. Ananias Platt, and will be open and ready to wait on those who may be pleased to call on him, the 15th inst. Every attention in his line of business shall be strictly attended to, by the public's humble servant.
MAT. GREGORY.
[Mr. Gregory died in the year 1848.]
316
Notes from the Newspapers.
Daniel Steele advertised as just printed, The Albany Collection of Sacred Harmony, containing a plain, and in- telligible instruction for learners of church music; to- gether with a lesson for every mood of time, and for every key made use of in psalmody.
For Sale .- That elegant fire proof House and Stores, corner of State and Market streets, now in the possession of Messrs. Andrew Brown & Co. The building is 38 ft. 6 in. breadth on Market street, and 64 ft. 6in. on State street with excellent cellars 7 feet high under the whole, and a spacious garret. The house on Market street is three stories high with 13 rooms; the stores on State street are five stories high, four of which are partitioned for wheat, and may contain each from 3 to 4000 bushels. The stone walls are more than three feet thick, and the brick walls are two and a half bricks thick up to the roof, with three partition walls. The whole was built in the summer of 1795, of entire hard bricks, to the num- ber of about 450,000. The very best materials have been employed, and the best masons and carpenters the country could afford. The situation is certainly the best and most eligible one in the city for business, being in the centre of trade, within sight and pistol shot of the dock, and when the Dutch church is removed, which it is supposed must very shortly take place, it will increase the value of the property greatly, as it will then com- mand a full prospect of State street, through which all the travellers from the western country come to town.
A law was passed by the Common Council " for filling up Church street, parts of Lydius, Van Schee, Westerlo, and Sturgeon streets, and parts of Bass and Herring lanes, and all the lots from Court street westward to Dal- lius street, and from Ferry street northward to the north bounds of the church pasture."
On Saturday, July 11, Gov. Clinton and his family ar- rived in Albany, and took up their residence at the house recently occupied by Gov. Jay. A salute of cannon from Fort Hill, announced his arrival. [The house occupied by these two governors was the site of Nos. 66 and 68 State street, instead of 62, as stated in a previous volume.
317
Notes from the Newspapers.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5th, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the corner stone of the foundation of the United Presbyterian church in this city, was laid by the Rev. John McDonald, in presence of the trustees and ecclesi- astical officers of the congregation. After the stone was fixed, accompanied by three strokes of the hammer, these words were added: "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the king and head of the church, we solemnly place this stone, the corner foundation of a sacred edi- fice, for the public worship of God, an expression of the piety of the United Presbyterian church in Albany. Amidst considerable opposition from some, and en- couraged by the generous liberality of others, this infant society, though neither distinguished for their numbers or their wealth, has undertaken this expensive work, with full dependence on God. United in faith and affection, in pursuit and prospect they look to God for success," &c.
Several brethren of the order of Hospitallers of St. Ca- millus de Lilles, from the St. Bernard, arrived in the city, to obtain pecuniary assistance to enable them to continue the exercise of those acts of benevolence for which they had so long been celebrated. They stated that the mer- chants of Switzerland and Italy had formerly contributed sufficient sums annually for all their wants; but that the wars for'the last few years had not only cut off their in- come, but that the contending armies had carried fire and sword into their vicinity, and that all trade between Italy and Switzerland had ceased. In this posture of their affairs, the venerable prior of the order, Father Ignatius Sperzoni, had sent several of his order to the United States of America to implore the assistance of its gener- ous inhabitants to enable them to repair the convent and hospital, and to continue to give assistance to the dis- tressed traveler and infirm poor.
Some years previous to this, a company was incorpo- rated to construct a turnpike road from Albany to Sche- nectady. It was the first essay made in this state to build a turnpike. In consequence, the law was defective, and the sandy nature of the soil, and the difficulty of obtaining hard materials, were considered insurmountable
318
Notes from the Newspapers.
barriers in the way of success. The project was necessa- rily abandoned, and the law suffered to expire, although it was a complaint that the old road was the worst one in the United States, and very few were so much used. An effort was now again made to get up an excitement on the subject. The roads throughout the country had been greatly improved, and the citizens of Albany were called upon to secure the travel to their city before it should be diverted elsewhere by better roads, and lost to them forever.
The Common Council fixed the price of wheat at 13s. a bushel (1.63), and bread at 2lb. 13oz. 8dr., for ls. of inspected flour, and 3lbs. 7oz. of common flour for Is.
A convention of delegates appointed to revise the con- stitution of the state, met at the Capitol on the 13th October, and chose Aaron Burr president.
The expenditures of the year for lighting the city and for night watch were as follows:
£
S.
d.
For 1187 gallons of oil,
319
18
41
Watchmen, .
454
17
. .
Wood, candles and sweeping chimney,
17
10
. .
Cleaning and lighting lamps,
97
. .
7
Repairing lamps,
57
13
41
Spirits turpentine and wick,.
9
3
8
Schenectady Turnpike. A meeting of citizens was held at the City Tavern on the 3d November, which was numerously attended, for the purpose of awakening an interest in the project of constructing a turnpike to Schenectady. A committee of nine was appointed to prepare and digest a plan to be laid before the city at an adjourned meeting.
On the 10th another meeting was held to hear the re- port of the committee. The plan proposed was to divide the stock into 2000 shares of 50 dollars each. The sub- scription for 1400 shares was immediately opened and subscribed for, leaving 600 shares for the city of Sche- nectady. No person was allowed to subscribe more than ten shares, nor permitted to transfer his stock within a year after an act of incorporation should be obtained. This was to prevent speculation. Five years previous,
319
Notes from the Newspapers.
when a charter had been obtained, and the books opened for subscriptions, not a share was taken up !
On the 24th November a meeting of the stockholders was held, when the Hon. John Lansing, jr., was elected president of the company, and Stephen Van Rensselaer, Stephen Lush, Daniel Hall, John Taylor, Garret W. Van Schaick, Dudley Walsh, Abraham Oothout, Joseph C. Yates, directors.
1802.
Jan. 3. Divine service was performed in the new church belonging to the united Presbyterian congregation in this city. [This church edifice still occupies the corner of Canal and Chapel streets.]
By a meteorological table published in the Gazette of Feb. 1, it appears that the lowest range of the thermome- ter was 10 degs., and the highest 55} degs. above zero. The winter was so remarkably mild as to have more the appearance of April; the river was navigable 17 days so that vessels passed from Albany to New York, and at no time was the ice strong enough for any team to pass on it, and not more than 14 inches of snow fell within two miles of the city during the months of December and January.
The highest range of the thermometer for February was 54 degs .; the lowest 6 degs. below zero.
Feb. 29. John W. Wendell, keeper of the Hotel in Court street, died, aged 62.
The city and county of Albany was estimated to con- tain 35,000 inhabitants, Rensselaer county 30,442.
The number of electors in the county possessed of a freehold of £100 value was 3,248, do. of £20, 286; do. renting tenements of 40s. annual value, 1476. (New York city, £100, 2,332; £5, 19; 40s. 5693.)
Electors who were freemen on the 14th Oct. 1775, and 20th April, 1777, 19; in New York, 44.
April 12. Thomas, Andrews & Penniman gave notice that they had disposed of their stock in trade and closed their business in this city.
28
320
Notes from the Newspapers.
April 20, The Associate Reformed Presbytery of Washington, met in the city of Albany for the purpose of installing the Rev. Andrew Wilson over the united con- gregations of Albany and Lansingburgh.
At the election for member of Congress, and for repre- sentatives to the State Legislature, held in April, Killian K. Van Rensselaer was elected to Congress by 1306 votes, His opponent, Abraham C. Lansing, received 793. Ste- phen Lush, Peter S. Schuyler, Johan Jost Deitz, Jacob Ten Eyck, John Frisbie, and Maus Schermerhorn, were elected to the Legislature. George Tibbetts of Troy was elected to Congress from Rensselaer county.
The water works company declared a dividend of 3 per cent on the stock for the last 6 months. This com- pany obtained an act of incorporation Feb. 2, 1802, capi- tal $40,000. In 1813 it was increased $40,000, and iron pipes, 6 inches in diameter, laid from the creek to the re- servoir.
June 10. A bass of uncommon size, taken in our river, was yesterday brought to our market. Its weight was 55 pounds. We believe this is the largest fish ever caught in the Hudson, the sturgeon alone excepted. It was bought by Mr. Jared Skinner for four dollars and fifty cents.
The Legislature passed an act incorporating Goldsbrow Banyar, Abraham Ten Eyck, Abraham Ten Broeck and others, a body corporate and politic, by the name of the president, directors and company of the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike. The stock was fixed at 2000 shares at $50 each. By a subsequent act this road was brought into the city as far as Snipe street.
The company appropriated the revenue of the year 1801 to facilitate a communication from the canal at Rome to the junction of Wood and Canada creeks, and to re- move the obstructions on the Onondaga and Seneca rivers, which it was thought would be a good investment to the company, and a great public accommodation.
An ordinance passed the Common Council against ringing or tolling bells at funerals, for a longer time than twenty minutes, under a penalty of 25 dollars.
321
Notes from the Newspapers.
Canal .- It appears that there was great difficulty in getting the stock paid in for this work, and that those who gave their energies to the work were much embar- rassed thereby. The state had advanced money to carry on the project, and this year a law was passed forfeiting the installments already paid in by those who had failed to meet the calls of the company since 1796, and invest- ing the state's money in the stock of the company. The following table of tolls was given by the Albany Centinel, as having been taken at Little Falls:
In 1796 the nett toll collected was $1759.50
1797
2550.26
1798
2938.26
1799
2500.24
1800
5087.43
1801
9490.33
The tolls for the present year were supposed to have doubled those of last year for the same period. The tolls collected at Rome had averaged about $2000 a year since 1797. The tolls had been reduced at some points 50 per cent, which so far from diminishing the product, had tended to increase it.
A company consisting of some of the most respectable moneyed men, was formed for exploring. opening and working coal mines, and all the necessary tools and im- plements prepared for prosecuting the work vigorously. It appears that some persons professing an acquaintance with coal formations, had observed indications of coal in this vicinity; and although attempts had before been made to discover it, they were supposed to have failed of success for want of sufficient effort. It was intended now to make a fair trial, and the location decided upon for the experiment was Wendell's creek a little to the west of the city, where appearances were supposed to in- dicate strongly that large and extensive quarries of the mineral would be found.
Timothy Shalor, Money Broker, negotiated approved notes, payable at the Bank of Albany.
John Jauncey also advertised that he continued to " ne- gotiate all approved notes which had from 30, 60, or 90 days to run, and which are payable at the Bank of Albany."
322
Notes from the Newspapers.
A contract was entered into by the Albany and Schen- ectady turnpike company, for clearing the track of the road, building fences fifty-eight feet apart, and forming an arch 42 feet broad, with ditches of eight feet on each side, for $26,000. The road was to form a perfectly straight line, and not to exceed in depression or eleva- tion, four degrees from a horizontal line, 14 miles in length.
A delegation of the principal sachems and warriors of the Seneca nation of Indians from Buffalo creek visited the city and concluded a treaty by which they ceded to the state all the lands reserved along the Niagara river, including Blackrock and the carrying place at the falls; an important acquisition.
Nov. 1. The partnership between James and William Caldwell his son was dissolved, the latter advertising that " all articles in the Grocery line, and those of Caldwell, Fraser & Co.'s manufactory, will be sold as usual by William Caldwell at his store in State st." [Died 1848.]
1803.
The legislature incorporated a new bank in the city of Albany, with a capital of 500,000 dollars, under the title of the New York State Bank. At a meeting of the di- rectors on the 25th March, John Tayler was chosen president, and John W. Yates cashier.
Among the acts passed by the legislature this year, was one " to straighten the public highway leading from the city of Albany to the Ballstown springs."
Christopher Dunn gave notice that he had taken the tavern in Green street, formerly occupied by David Trow- bridge, and put the interior in thorough repair, and that it would be his utmost ambition to merit and preserve the good opinion of all those who would favor him with their custom. "N. B. The original stage office kept here." [Dunn was famous for his jokes, and his Coffee House was resorted to till about the year 1830, when the street was widened and his house was cut in two. He died previous to, or about that time.]
323
Notes from the Newspapers.
The Albany Medical society resolved that they would inoculate gratis all the poor of the city for the kine pock, who may apply for that benefit during the season.
A corps of comedians, calling themselves the old American company, gave an entertainment at the Thes- pian Hotel, in North Pearl street, near the corner of Patroon, and continued their representations several weeks.
The State Bank commenced business on Wednesday the 7th of September; hours from 9 to 12, and from 2 to 4. Notes offered for discount were to be drawn payable at the bank unless the drawer resided in the city of Albany or New York. Discounts were made for 36 days. In December the banks altered their hours to from 9 A. M. to 2 P. M.
At a meeting of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church of the United States, it was .
Resolved, That the Presbyteries of Albany, Oneida and Columbia, be and they hereby are constituted and formed into a Synod, to be known by the name of the Synod of Albany; that they hold their first meeting in the Presbyterian church in Albany, on the first Wednes- day of October, at 2 o'clock P. M., and be opened with a sermon by the Rev. Jedediah Chapman of Geneva; or, in case of his absence, by the next senior minister who may be present; and that they afterwards meet on their own adjournment.
Aug. 7. Rev. John B. Johnson, a minister of the Re- formed Dutch church, died at Newtown, Long Island, aged 33. In consequence of impaired health, he had withdrawn from the cares of a large congregation at Al- bany, and accepted a call where less exertion was re- quired; but his disease was too deeply rooted, and the change proved ineffectual to his relief. After the death of his wife, who left him in April, with three infant children, he rapidly declined, and his complaints termi- nated in consumption. He was distinguished by abili- ties which marked him for extensive usefulness, 'and his mind was improved by a liberal education, and indefati- gable study.
324
Notes from the Newspapers.
Oct. 2. Mr. Sylvanus Palmer ordained in the old Dutch church, by a commission of the classis of Albany, to the office of the sacred ministry. He was called to the mis- sionary service by the Northern Missionary Society in the state of New York, and entered immediately upon his mission among the frontier inhabitants of the state. A sermon adapted to the occasion was preached before a crowded assembly by Rev. John Bassett, from 2 Tim. iv, 5.
Oct. 4. A convention of the Protestant Episcopal church in the state of New York met in this city. On the same day, the church lately erected in the city was consecrated by Bishop Moore, in presence of a large con- course of people. A discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Hobart, one of the associate clergy in the city of New York. On Wednesday, the Rev. Mr. Beasley was inducted in this parish, and an appropriate sermon pro- nounced by the Rev. Mr. Harris. On Thursday, the Rev. Mr. Phelps was ordained.
Oct. 11. An election for president and directors of the Albany Mercantile Company took place, when the former president and directors were defeated, and a new board chosen. A statement of the condition of the com- pany's affairs was published in the papers (Gaz. Oct. 17) and a counter statement by the new board of directors. It appears that the stock of the company consisted of $32,000, and the amount of specie $23,355.
The following unique advertisement appeared in the Gazette of the 20th October :
"Those who wish to buy one of the most valuable ne- gro wenches, one free from ever having had a husband or child, and one not in the least used to black company, and free from every vice of any moment; will please to inquire of the editors of this paper, from whom they may know the price, and the present owner."
In February of this year, Robert McClellan, a respecta. ble merchant, and treasurer of the state, proved a de- faulter to a large amount. He published a justification of his defalcation, alledging that he was a loser to a very heavy amount by the state, in the war of the Revolution, in consequence of having outlayed money in clothing
325
Notes from the Newspapers.
and stores for the army, imported from Canada, and that he had been embarrassed by those operations ever since.
March 7. It was ordained by the common council, that a loaf of inspected wheat flour should weigh 3lbs. 8oz. for Is. A loaf of common wheat flour to weigh 4lbs. 30z., for ls. It was asserted by a writer of the day that bread was 4 ounces to the shilling heavier in Albany than in New York, and when the river was closed from 8 to 12 ounces heavier.
May 19. A dividend of one dollar and fifty cents on each share of the Albany Water Works company, was declared, payable to the stockholders after the first of June, at the office of the treasurer in Pearl street. Soon after, Stephen Lush, John Lansing, jr., John Taylor and Isaac Hutton, were elected trustees, the recorder of the city being, ex-officio, a trustee also.
Daniel Steele advertised that he had opened a circulat- ing library, consisting of 400 volumes.
The ladies and gentlemen of Albany were informed that I. Wood had taken rooms at Mrs. Dole's, next door to the Albany Coffee House, corner of Green and Beaver streets, where he would take likenesses in profile, at five minutes sitting, at a dollar, by a process which he digni- fied with the name of Physiognotrace. This was nearly forty years in advance of the Daguerreotype.
In consequence of the prevalence of yellow fever in New York, the Common Council required all vessels coming from that city to perform a quarantine of a few hours, to ascertain if there were any sick on board, before coming up to the city. A young man by the name of Townsend, died in Troy about this time of the yellow fever. which he had taken in New York, which is the only case mentioned as having occurred in this vicinity.
Oct. 10. The St. Andrew's society held its first meeting, and adopted a constitution, and celebrated the nativity of its patron saint on the 30th November follow- ing. On the 10th November was held the first election of officers, which resulted in the choice of the following persons : John Stephenson, President; George Ramsey, Vice President; Andrew Brown, 2d Vice President; Rev.
326
Notes from the Newspapers.
John McDonald, chaplain; Dr. Wm. McClelland, physi- cian; Wm. Milroy, treasurer ; Archibald McIntyre, * sec- retary, Peter Boyd, assistant secretary ; and Daniel Cum- ming, Peter Sharp, John Kirk, John Grant, Geo. Pearson, Thos. Barker, Wm. French, John D. Cunningham, mana- gers. The avowed object of the society was to afford re- lief to poor and unfortunate Scottish emigrants.
Garret Van Vranken died, aged 94.
1804.
A bill was brought before the legislature at its session this year, au- thorizing the city corpo- ration to sell the old Court House on the cor- ner of Hudson and Court streets, and erect a new one on the public square at the head of State street. Most of the other states had already erect- ed public buildings for the accommodation of their respective legisla- HOFFMAN tures, and public pur- City Hall, corner of Court and Hudson streets. poses, while the opulent state of New York was still without any such conve- nience, but met in a building which had long served the double purpose of court house and jail; and although the jail had been removed some time previous to this, the edifice was occupied for city and county purposes, as well as those of the state. In it criminals had been incarce- rated, tried and executed. The whipping post stood be- fore it many years.
March 5. There was a great depth of snow upon the ground in this vicinity, the like whereof was unknown to the oldest inhabitant; being about three feet on a level. A man with two horses perished in the tempest on the
* Mr. McIntyre is probably the only survivor of the board.
327
Notes from the Newspapers.
night of the 2d inst. on the Schenectady road, in attempt- ing to reach Albany. The traveling was wholly impeded in every direction, and three mails were due from New York. The weather had been intensely severe since the first of January.
March 18. A charity sermon was preached by Dr. Nott in the Presbyterian church, in aid of the funds of the Humane society, established by the ladies of the city, for the "relief of poor women and small children." The collection amounted to $327, and was considered the most liberal ever taken up in any of the city churches.
Contracts were executed in the beginning of this year for the construction of a turnpike road from Hoboken to Hackensack, to be commenced early in the spring, and completed in November. This was to form a link in a great chain of roads, which were to connect the cities of Albany and New York on the west side of the river. It was thought that by connecting it with the great state road, to be opened in the spring between Goshen and Albany, the distance would be materially shortened, and the preference given to this route over any other, by the rapidly increasing travel between the two cities. [There was at this time as great a rage for turnpikes, as there has been at any time since for canals or rail roads.l
Feb. 4. Benjamin V. Henry, a merchant of Albany, died at the island of Jamaica.
The legislature passed an act authorizing the Common Council to raise money by tax for defraying the expense of lighting the city and for night watch.
Also, to prevent the bringing in and spreading of in- fectious and pestilential disease, in the cities of Albany and Hudson.
Also, an act to vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of that part of the town of Watervliet commonly called the Colonie.
Also, to establish the Albany and Bethlehem turnpike.
E. Hosford, Bookseller, Stationer and Binder, opposite the State Bank, has commenced business in the above line, and offers for sale an assortment of Books, compris- ing Divinity, Law, Physic, History and the various
328
Notes from the Newspapers.
branches of Literature, School Books, of all kinds in common use. Also, an assortment of stationery, con- sisting of Royal, Medium, Demy, thin Posts, Foolscap writing paper. wrapping do. Also, trunks of all descrip- tions. Bookbinding in all its various branches, performed with neatness and expedition. Merchants' account books ruled aud bound to any pattern, and the least favor thank- fully received. [The above is the first advertisement of E. Hosford, who subsequently became an extensive pub- lisher in the edifice now occupied as the American Hotel.]
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