USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol IX > Part 13
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May 16. Sidney Chapin and Hugh Cruikshank took the hotel known as Skinner's Mansion House, 402 North Market street, which they called the City Hotel.
May 18. Thomas Andrews died, aged 50.
May 19. An infant school was established and went into operation, under the management of the benevolent ladies of the city of different denominations, called the Infant school society.
May 19. At a meeting of the common council John T. Norton resigned his place as foreman of Engine company No. 1, and Sylvanus B. Pond was appointed in his stead; and Joseph Davis was appointed first assistant in the place of Mr. Pond.
The recent post office on the northeast corner of North Market street and Maiden lane was fitted up by Samuel Fuller for a public house, and called the Clinton Hotel.
May 21. The canvassers having declared that there was a tie in the vote of the fourth ward for supervisor, a new election was held this day, when both parties put forth their utmost strength, and the election was pro- nounced to have been without exception the most warmly contested that had ever been known. The result was that William Mayell, the Jackson or democratic candid- ate received 320 votes; James P. Gould, the Adams or republican candidate received 289. Mayell's majority 31.
Nathaniel S. Skinner, who left the Mansion House on the east side of North Market street, took the house ad- joining the Commercial Bank, in State street, which had been known as Hazard's Boarding house.
May 23. The sheriff advertised for sale all the personal property of De Witt Clinton, consisting of household furni- ture, library, carriages, harness, &c. The Daily Adver- tiser had these comments: " It was a mortification from which we hoped to be spared. We did not think a few
169
Notes from the Newspapers.
weeks ago that sufficient money could not be raised in this great state to save to the children of its greatest benefactor, the little that he left. But the loud de- clarations of what should be done, ceased with the breath which created them; and we fear that in many cases the intention did not go beyond the declaration. The word of promise has been kept to the ear but broken to the hope.".
James Stevenson, who had held the office of mayor two years and a half, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people, sent in his resignation, alleging a pressure of private business.
May 29. The common council elected Charles E. Dudley mayor, unanimously.
The steam boat De Witt Clinton was launched from the yard of Hand & Kenyon, at the south ferry; she was 143 feet in length, 27 feet frame, and 10 feet hold, and was the fourth steam boat built in this city.
Mean temperature of month 60.87 deg. ; highest 78 deg .; lowest 46 deg. Rain on 11 days ; rain guage 4.48 inches.
June 3. The sheriff's sale of the property of De Witt Clinton, to satisfy a judgment of $6000, was closed. The celebrated vases were bid off at $600. Nothing was left but some carriages which would have brought perhaps $200.
A fire destroyed the buildings on the northeast corner of South Pearl and Hudson streets, belonging to William McHench.
June 11. A fire at 12 o'clock at night destroyed a sta- ble and several other buildings opposite the Catholic church, which was with difficulty saved.
June 12. Hillitje Cantine, widow of Gen. Moses Can- tine died, aged 66.
June 15. Adolphus Solomons died, aged 22.
An attempt was made to put up the steam boat fare to $4 a passenger. But the competition was too great, and it fell to $2.
Mean temperature of the month 73.19 deg .; highest 88 deg .; lowest 54 deg .; rain on 10 days; rain guage 2.87inches.
170
Notes from the Newspapers.
July 2. A fire at half past 2 o'clock in the morning, destroyed the machine shop of Horatio Hanks on the pier, by which he lost about $6000.
July 4. Cornelius Van Schoonhoven died, aged 61.
July 21. The trustees of the Methodist episcopal church, having resolved upon an innovation, advertised that they would attend at 12 o'clock on the 22d inst., for the purpose of renting the seats. This proceeding gave great dissatisfaction to some of the members of the church, probably to the majority, who contended that it was built by subscription to be a free church, and that the sale of pews was contrary to the statute and discipline of the society.
July 26. William Duffey advertised that he had fitted up the Albany circus as a spacious and commodious Summer theatre.
July 28. It had rained on 16 days of this month, during which 4.94 inches fell.
1827, July, rain on 10 days, 5 43 inches fell.
1826, 12 5.53
1825,
6 1.13
1824,
10 4.84
Solomon Southwick declined being a candidate for governor.
Rev. Wm. B. Lacey, of St. Peter's church, published An Illustration of the Principles of Elocution, designed for the use of schools.
Elijah Hosford, of the late firm of E. & E. Hosford, died, aged 48.
The common council proposed to pave Eagle street from the Lancaster school house, now the Medical col- lege, to the arch over Rutten kill. They also raised the salaries of the chamberlain, city superintendent and mar- shal each 100 dollars, and the alms house physician 50 dollars. It was alleged that the sum allowed them was much lower than in former years, owing to the embar- rassed state of the city funds, that their salaries had been reduced from time to time, until in some cases the pay was inadequate to the services rendered.
cip
Sher
E.FORBES. DEL ...
Abarson Ye
ALBANY FEMALE SEMINARY.
1'71
Notes from the Newspapers.
Mean temperature of the month, 71.36 deg .; highest 95 deg .; lowest 59 deg. Rain on 17 days; rain guage 5.40 inches.
August 8. Benjamin Robinson died, aged 43.
Benjamin Ford died, aged 43.
The common council were at this time discussing the excavation of Orchard street, and the draining, leveling and paving of Westerlo street.
Aug. 18. Ephraim Starr, deputy comptroller of the state died at Buffalo, aged 44. He formerly belonged to the house of Starr, Sheldon & Co., which transacted an extensive business in this city. He was succeeded by Philip Phelps.
John Lewis died, aged 74.
Aug. 21. Renette M. C., wife of T. W. Ford, died, aged 50. .
Margaret Ann, wife of Nicholas Van Schaack, died, aged 20.
Aug. 22. The trustees of the Albany Female Seminary invited the stockholders and citizens to call and examine the new edifice erected by them at 65 Division street.
A writer in the Daily Advertiser proposed to convert Robison's hill into a monument to De Witt Clinton, by carrying up a stone wall on the east, north and south sides, extending from Hudson to Lydius streets, and lev- eling the upper surface, forming an extensive square, with an appropriate pillar in the centre.
Aug. 25. Propositions were received by the common council for digging down Robison's hill, from persons interested in filling the lots south of the ferry. One was to take away the hill for three-fourths of the property.
Aug. 26. Sarah, wife of James Gourlay, Jr., and daugh- ter of Isaac Denniston, died.
Aug. 27. Algernon S. Sherman died, aged 30.
Aug. 28. James Maher, from the select committee on the subject of digging down Robison's hill, reported to the common council that the property belonging to the corporation on said hill contained 44 lots of from 16 to 27 feet by 99 to 100 feet ; to excavate which would require the removal of 150,700 cubic yards of earth, which at 9 cents
172
Notes from the Newspapers.
a yard would amount to $13,500. The committee re- commended the acceptance of the proposition of Clark & Rose, to give them three-fourths of the lots for excavating the whole, which was agreed to.
The mean temperature of the month was 75.35 deg .; highest 98 deg .; lowest 54 deg. Rain on 4 days; rain guage 0.88 inches.
Sept. 1. Wilson Williams died, aged 23.
Sept. 4. There was a heavy fall of rain during the first four days of this month, when nearly 6 inches fell, nearly as much as fell in all the months of July and August. The river was so much swollen as to submerge the pier and docks.
Nicholas Wheeler died.
Sept. 8. The common council resolved to allow Clark & Rose to lay a rail road from Lydius street through Pearl and Ferry, for the purpose of removing Robison's hill.
A memorial was sent in by Israel Smith and Joseph Alexander, commissioners to superintend the improve- ment of the Hudson river, stating that the channel had been excavated through the Overslaugh 1500 feet in length, and 160 in width, affording 10 feet of water at ordinary high water during the lowest state of the river, previous to the late rains; having removed and deposited on the west side of the river, 1100 scow loads of about 24 cubic yards each, and requesting a further appropriation.
Sept. 9. The legislature assembled at the Capitol for the purpose of revising the laws.
Sept. 11. The steam boat North America made the trip from New York in 10h. 53m. The fare was $2, in- cluding meals, and the North America alone advertised to go through by day light.
The Carolina, Capt. H. Keeler, ran between Albany and Troy, fare 12} cents.
Sept. 17. Cornelius Griswold Dorr died, aged 30.
Sept. 18. John Platt died.
Sept. 20. Israel W. Clark died at Rochester, aged 39. He had been a resident of this city for the last eleven years, and had been connected with the newspaper press 20 years. He established a journal at Cherry Valley in
173
Notes from the Newspapers.
1810. became editor of the Watch Tower in 1812, re- vived the Albany Register in 1818, and for the last five years, until his removal to Rochester to assist in the editorial charge of the Daily Telegraph, was einployed as associate editor and legislative reporter of the Albany Daily Advertiser. He was a man of singular disinterest- edness and fidelity. His private and political sentiments were entirely guileless. His aim through life seemed to be to adorn that bright maxim of Franklin, which teaches us to do " as much good and as little evil to our fellow citizens " as was possible. Politically Mr. Clark labored to purify the character and elevate the standard of our public journals. He never uttered a venal sentiment or traced a servile line. Though contributing largely to produce important political results, he derived personally none of their advantages. No man labored more zeal- ously with such generous disregard of pecuniary or po- litical reward.
Sept. 21. A fire destroyed a wooden tenement in Mal. colm street.
Sept. 25. The steam boat North America arrived from New York in 10h. 20m.
Sept. 27. The steam boat De Witt Clinton having been fin- ished, the directors gave an excursion to about 350 guests. The boat proceeded to Hudson and back. This was the first steam boat that was entirely built in this city. Her hull was built by Hand & Kenyon; her engine was made and put up by Hall & Newman, and her joinery was done by James Telfree. She was 380 tons burden, and was com- manded by Capt. Thomas Wiswall. Her first trip to New York was made on Monday, Sept. 29, as a morning boat. She was built by the same company which had constructed the Victory. The stockholders anticipated large dividends, but the enterprise was attended with loss, and ruined several men of considerable fortune. The steam boats plying the river at this time were the
Victory, Captain Hart,
De Witt Clinton, Captain T. Wiswall,
Constitution, Captain M. Bartholomew,
174
Notes from the Newspapers.
Constellation, Captain R. G. Cruttenden, Chief Justice Marshall, Captain I. Ford, Commerce, Captain E. Seymour, New Philadelphia, Captain James Benson, Swiftsure. Captain D. Peck.
Albany, Captain J. G. Jenkins. Fare $2. North America, Captain W. L. Cochran.
John I. Van Rensselaer died at Greenbush, aged 66.
Sept. 30. The charter election was held. The political parties were now termed Adams and Jackson, those being the candidates for president of the United States, although the Jackson party claimed to be democratic and the Adams party republican. The result was as follows : JACKSON.
ADAMS.
First Ward.
Aldermen. Ralph Pratt, 290 Friend Humphrey, 373
John V. N. Yates, .. 291
John Townsend ., 356
Assistants. Peter Bain, 289 C. A. Waldron, . 361
Joseph Fry, 274 John M. Cuyler, 372
Second Ward.
Aldermen. Fr. Bloodgood, . 231 John Cassidy, 365
Jer. Waterman, .... 272 D. McGlashan, 361
Assistants. Samuel Russell, .. . 243 Wm. Seymour, .. 350
Roland Adams, .. 241 James D. Wasson, 372
Third Ward.
Aldermen. Gerrit Gates, ...... .. 254 No oppposition.
Isaac W. Staats, ... 255 No opposition.
Assistants. Cornelius Egberts, .. 158 Henry Vandenbergh, . . 102
Harm. Bleecker, Jr., 146 Asaph Preston, 107
Fourth Ward.
Aldermen. James P. Gould, .... 230 Philip Phelps, 317
S. S. Fowler, .. .. ..
240 H. McCulloch, 284
Assistants. George Percival, . . 228 James Maher, 304
Ashley Scovel, . .. 101 Lemuel Steele, 335
Fifth Ward.
Aldermen. John L. Winne, .... 68 Fr. I. Bradt, 303
M. Van Alstyne, . ..
65 James Gibbons, 305
Assistants. Francis I. Bradt, ... 72. John Van Ness, Jr., 305
James Gibbons, .... 2) L. C. Beck, .. . 290 There is some obscurity about the motives which led the Adams party to support the rival candidates for aldermen for assistants.
The old board of common council met on the same
175
Notes from the Newspapers.
evening, and after receiving the returns from the different wards reelected the following officers for the ensuing year :
Henry W. Snyder, chamberlain; William H. Shiffer, marshal; John Meigs, Abraham Sickels, high constables.
The temperature of the month averaged 62'19 deg .; highest 89 deg .; lowest 47 deg. Rain on 8 days; rain guage 8.8 inches.
Oct. 7. Reynolds, who advocated the theory of the in- terior of the earth being hollow, delivered a lecture at the Atheneum, on the utility of a voyage into the interior of the globe by an entrance at the north pole.
Oct. 10. Lawrence L. Van Kleeck entered his name as an independent candidate for the office of county clerk.
Oct. 17. James Matchett died, aged 25.
Oct. 18. Daniel Hale, jr., died.
S. W. Johnson, whose bookstore was for several years on the corner of South Market and Beaver streets in a one story building, where the Atlas office now stands, removed to 514 South Market street, near the Eagle tavern, where he carried on binding also, his regular bu- siness.
Oct. 23. James McKay died, aged 28.
Oct. 24. Walter R. Morgan died, aged 28.
Oct. 25. Jacob C. Cuyler died, aged 63. He held vari- ous public stations with ability.
Richard Lush died, aged 30.
Oct. 29. Moses Hobson, died, aged 27.
The mean temperature of the month was 48.64 deg .; greatest height 75 deg .; lowest 23 deg. Rain on 6 days ; rain guage 1.56 inches.
Nov. 8. Charles Walsh died in Virginia, aged 21, while traveling for his health.
John Seymour, formerly of Albany, died at Onondaga.
Nov. 20. John Veeder died at Princeton, Schenectady county, formerly of Albany.
Nov. 21. Mrs. Catharine, widow of George Klinck, died in New York, and was buried in Albany.
Nov. 24. Catharine Wiltsie died, aged 35. Mrs. Susan Waggoner died.
176
Notes from the Newspapers.
Nov. 25. The steam boat North America, while on her passage from New York to Albany, sprung aleak, and was run ashore above West Point, where the passengers got safely ashore to the number of about 300. A part of them went on board the Constellation and proceeded to Albany; others overcome by the alarm of the accident, took the De Witt Clinton and returned to New York. The water was 90 feet deep under the stern of the boat where she was run ashore.
The common council enacted that bread should be sold in loaves weighing one, two and three pounds avoirdupois.
Nov. 25. The following were elected officers of the St. Nicholas Society :
Abraham Van Vechten, president.
Harmanus Bleeker, Ist vice president.
Stephen Van Rensselaer, jr., 2d vice president.
Isaac W. Staats, 3d vice president.
Egbert Egberts, treasurer.
Jacob J. Lansing, secretary.
Managers .- Peter Lansing, jr., G. V. S. Bleecker, Richard Van Rensselaer, Cornelius J. Cuyler, Wm. Lush, Staats Cuyler, Volkert P. Douw, H. S. Van Ingen, W. W. Staats, John Van Schoonhoven.
Nov. 27. John Millway died, aged 39.
The common council resolved to build a new market house in Pearl street, and ordered certain lots to be sold for that purpose, lying between Howard and Beaver streets. They were sold as follows :
Lot No. 1, to Fassett & Hallenbake, for $810.
2, to P. Cassidy, 1190.
3, do 975.
4, to Tobias Van Schaick, 850.
5, to Charles R. Webster, 825. 6, do 825.
7, to Philip Wendell, 750.
- $6120.
The temperature of the month averaged 40.34 deg .; greatest 64 deg .; lowest 18 deg. Rain and snow on 14 days; rain guage 4.91 inches.
177
Notes from the Newspapers.
Dec. 3. John Denio and Seth Richards, who had re- cently discontinued the Albany Morning Chronicle, pro- posed to publish a tri-weekly paper instead at $5 per annum, under the title of the Albany Commercial Adver- tiser and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal.
Dec. 9. It was proposed to revive the Signs of the Times, under the title of the Albany Times and Literary Writer.
Dec. 11. Gilbert F. Lush, died, aged 35.
Mary Ann McNab died, aged 22.
Dec. 16. The election in the first ward for an assistant alderman in the place of John M. Cuyler, removed from the city, resulted in the success of William L. Osborn, the democratic candidate. The following votes were cast:
William L. Osborn, 272
William Barney, 238
Total vote, 510
Osborn's majority, 34.
Dec. 15. An affray took place in Capitol street be- tween two black men, named James Brown and George Thomas, in which the former was killed.
Dec. 16. Ann, widow of Nicholas N. Quackenbush, died.
Dec. 23. The river closed ; the steam boats advertised for this day, anticipating the event, departed on the pre- vious evening.
Dec. 24. A fire destroyed the morocco factory of William Fowler in Ferry street.
Dec. 27. The Albany Times and Literary Writer, a quarto paper, was issued from the office of Daniel Mc- Glashan, 44 Dean street. It was edited principally by S. De Witt Bloodgood. Terms, $3.
Dec. 27. William W. Crannell died, aged 80.
Dec. 29. Jacob F. Sternbergh, Peter McIntosh, Duncan Robertson, J. Smith, David Newlands, Daniel Carmi- chael, Archibald Campbell and James Carmichael stated to the common council that they had formed an associa- tion for the purpose of making a vault in which bodies of deceased persons might be placed for a sufficient length [ Annals ix.] 16
178
Notes from the Newspapers.
of time to prevent their being taken up for dissection, before being buried in their respective burying grounds, and petitioning to be permitted to purchase a part of what was formerly Pottersfield to erect thereon the pro- posed vault.
The common council, on the 12th January following, granted the association two lots for the purpose specified, at $25 each.
Dec. 29. Israel Smith, Samuel Pruyn and others peti- tioned the common council for the improvement of North Pearl street from Orange to Patroon street. It was at this time a miserable collection of hovels. The improve- ment contemplated the formation of what is now Clinton Square-which was effected principally through the efforts and perseverance of Mr. Pruyn. It is said to have given the first impulse to all the northern improvements since made in that part of the city. The tendency be- fore this was southward of State street.
Statement of the Number of Vessels arriving at the City of Albany, 1828.
Where from.
Total Number
of Vessels.
Total Amount
of Tonnage.
Aggregate
Amount of
Tonnage.
City of Albany, including Tow boats,
65
6,669;102,141
City of New York,
45
2,740
5,480
Steam boats belonging to Albany and N. York,
20
5,002
5,002
Places south of Albany, exclusive of N. York ..
155
7,836
15,672
Places north of Albany,
53
3.323
6,646
Total State of New York,
338|25,570|134,941
Massachusetts,
86
5,134
10,268
66
Connecticut,
53
2,954
5,908
Rhode Island,
29
1,400
2,800
New Jersey, .
23
1,069
2,138
Pennsylvania,
13
722
1,444
Maine,
8
594
1,148
-
550 37.443 153,647
The tonnage multiplied by the average number of trips
179
Notes from the Newspapers.
made by the Albany vessels paying wharfage by the sea- son, being sixteen, and the tonnage of such as pay wharf- age by the day multiplied by three, being the average number of trips, makes the aggregate tonnage. Vessels from other places and states average two trips; the ton- nage of the several places other than Albany, multiplied by two, will give the aggregate tonnage for such places.
Computing the number of trips, and multiplying as has been done to produce the result in the year 1828, the other years were also ascertained.
The following estimate, therefore, exhibits the tonnage of vessels in the Albany trade, for the years 1821, 1824 and 1828:
Tonnage.
1821
81,802
1824. 97,895
1828, 158,647
Judicious and experienced men estimate the burthen of Albany vessels to average 20 per cent more, and the tow boats forty per cent more than their registered tonnage; should this per centage be added and multiplied by the number of trips, together with the tonnage of six oyster and fruit boats, averaging fourteen tons (not included in the above estimate), the result would be for the year 1828, 188,957 tons, or by doubling the amount for going and returning, 377,914 tons.
The temperature of the month averaged 34.57 deg .; greatest height 54 deg .; lowest 5 deg. Rain on 3 days; rain guage 0.24 inch.
The mean temperature of the year was 51.06 deg,; highest during the year 98 deg .; lowest 0 deg. Rain on 97 days; rain and snow on 6 days; snow on 13 days; rain guage 37.66 inches.
1829.
Jan. 1. The common council met at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, all the members, 21, being present, and unani ยท mously reelected Charles E. Dudley mayor for the ensuing year.
The members of the board innovated upon the ancient
180
Notes from the Newspapers.
custom of making their annual New Year's calls on foot, and, although the weather was pleasant, they provided themselves with carriages at the public expense.
The new governor, Martin Van Buren, and lieutenant governor, Enos T. Throop, were sworn into office. A salute of thirty-three guns, one for each thousand major- ity, was fired by Jonathan Kidney's old Clinton field piece, on Clinton hill (i. e. Robison's hill).
There was a sale of pews at St. Mary's catholic church, which was far too small to contain all the congregation. Forty-four pews brought $1475.
Jan. 8. Miss Ann Wendell died, aged 61.
Jan. 10. Mahala, wife af Samuel Utter, died, aged 19.
Jan. 11. Sarah, wife of Heber Stone, died, aged 45.
Jan. 12. Rev. John Chester, pastor of the Second Pres- byterian church, died at Philadelphia, aged 43. He was born in Weathersfield, Ct., and was regarded as one of the most able and useful preachers of the day, was affec- tionately esteemed by his people, and highly respected by the community at large. His constitution, naturally strong and vigorous, had for the last two years yielded to the attacks of disease, and for a great part of the last year he had been unable to preach.
Jan. 15. Mary, widow of Gen. Goze Van Schaick, died, aged 79.
Jan. 15. Charles E. Dudley was chosen by the legisla- ture a senator in congress.
Jan. 19. Charles E. Dudley resigned his office of mayor of the city on account of his appointment to the United States senate.
Jan. 25. Helen Maria, wife of John Keyes Paige, and daughter of Joseph C. Yates, died.
Jan. 26. The committee of the common council to which was referred the petition of Israel Smith, Samuel Pruyn and others for the widening and improving of Pearl street from Orange to Patroon, reported in favor of the petition, and recommended that the square which would be formed thereby be denominated Clinton square. It was laid on the table. The law was subsequently passed.
Jan. 29. Samuel Wigton died, aged 61.
-
First Catholic Church, St. Mary's, erected 1798. Corner Stone laid in Sept. 1797, by Thomas Barry, Corner Pine and Barrack Streets.
181
Notes from the Newspapers.
The mean temperature of the month was 22.97 deg .; highest 48 deg. ; lowest 10 deg. below 0. Rain on 3 days, snow on 5; rain guage 4.56 inches.
Feb. 1. James Caldwell died, aged 83.
Feb. 2. The common council met for the purpose of balloting for a mayor. The vote stood John Townsend 10, Francis Bloodgood 10. After two ballotings, the board adjourned one week.
James Mason died at Greenbush, aged 106, leaving a widow aged 85. He left 6 children in Ireland, and had 11 by his second wife, and 41 grand children. He was for the last five years of his life entirely blind; but about a year before his death his hair began to turn of a dark brown color.
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer died in Canandaigua, aged 60. Feb. 9. At a meeting of the common council Philip Phelps resigned his seat in the board.
The recorder presented a letter from Francis Blood- good, declining to be a candidate for mayor. The board then proceeded to ballot, when John Townsend received 18 votes, and was declared elected.
Feb. 13. A wooden house in State street, two doors above the State hall, was destroyed by fire. It was occupied by John Ferguson as a tavern, except the base- ment, which was used by Gray & Osborn as a grocery.
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