USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol IX > Part 16
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June 5. Eleanor, wife of John O. Cole, died aged 37.
The northern stage made the trip from Whitehall to Albany, 81 miles, in 8h. 30m., the speediest passage ever made by stage.
June 7. The First Presbyterian church gave a unani- mous call to the Rev. John N. Campbell, of Washington city, to become its pastor, with a salary of $1600 per annum.
Janetje Cook died in Bethlehem, aged 105. She resided at Saratoga when that settlement was burnt by the In- dians. Her husband Adam Cook, with whom she had lived upwards of seventy years, died about ten years be- fore her, aged 96.
June 8. Miranda, wife of John C. Deming, died, aged 38.
Mrs. Margaret Welch died, aged 59.
210
Notes from the Newspapers.
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Among the improvements recently made in the city, is the Fourth Presbyterian church, just finished in the fifth ward. This building is situated in the centre of a hand- some open area, extending from North Market to Orchard street, between Patroon and Wilson streets. The grounds about the church are tastefully laid out in paved and graveled walks and parterres. The edifice is substantially built with stone and brick, marbleized, and designed in the most simple style of Grecian architecture; dimen- sions 90 by 60 feet, having a tower in which is a belfrey surmounted by a dome and small turret-a high base- ment, which contains a lecture room and two capacious school rooms-the body of the church is lighted by one tier of oblong windows ; the ceiling a cylindric paneled arch, being a small segment of a large circle ; a gallery on three sides; the nave divided by three aisles, the whole seated in a neat modern style. The chancel is enclosed with bold paneled work, screening the stairs to the pulpit, which rises in the centre in the form of an altar, in the same bold style, producing a pleasing and fine effect. The principal entrance is from North Market street, by a glacis and flight of stone steps thirty feet in length, terminated at each end by solid stone blocks or socles, supporting the lamp piers, which are of heavy ornamental iron work. What renders this building par- ticularly interesting, is the novelty and simplicity of the design, which was founded on economy, and which has rendered it, and perhaps justly, the subject of criticism. The small windows over the entrances were not in the original design; blank recesses would have supplied their places with better effect. The original design was made by Philip Hooker. The congregation is under the pas- toral care of Rev. Edward N. Kirk.
The North Dutch church was enclosed by an iron rail- ing, a new fabric in this city.
June 10. The house of John Townsend was robbed of its silver plate. The robber was soon after arrested and the plate recovered.
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
213
Notes from the Newspapers.
An ox weighing 4000 pounds was exhibited in the city, supposed to have been the largest ever seen in this country.
June 13. George Vernon, formerly manager of the Theatre, died at Woodstock farm, near Albany, aged 33. Besides his talent as a comedian, he was also eminent in scientific, particularly in architectural, knowledge.
Julia Radcliffe Cantine died, daughter of the late Moses Cantine.
June 15. Elizabeth, wife of Moses Kenyon, died, aged 47. Mrs. Abigail Adams died, aged 70.
June 30. Nicholas F. Beck, adjutant-general of the state, died, aged 34.
July 5. Solomon Southwick advertised a course of lectures on the importance and utility of studying the scriptures, in a scientific and intellectual as well as moral and spiritual point of view, to be delivered in the North Pearl street Methodist Episcopal church.
The anniversary of independence was celebrated on this day. William Parmelee delivered the oration.
July 7. Joseph Robinson died, aged '70.
July 10. Mrs. Isabella Orr died, aged 84.
July 15. Abiel Bugby died, aged 42.
July 24. John Reynolds died.
July 29. The ceremony of breaking ground for the Albany and Schenectady rail road took place near the- city of Schenectady.
The report of the marshal upon the census of the city was as follows:
White males, 11,533
White females,. 11,632
Colored males, . 421
Colored females, 630
Of these 3199 were aliens. 24,216
The city was divided into five wards, as it had been for many years. The population of the Colonie, forming the fifth ward, was included in the census of 1810 for the first time. The following is the census of the city at. five different periods :
[Annal's, ix.] 19
214
Notes from the Newspapers.
1790
3,506
1820
12,241
1800
5,349
1825
15,974
1810 10,762
In 1790 the white population was less than 3000.
Aug. 14. George Merchant died, aged 73. His father, a native of Stuttgard in Germany, came to America in 1745,* and settled at Princeton, N. J., where his son George, the youngest of eleven children, was born in 1757. He received a liberal education at Princeton col- lege, under the celebrated Dr. Witherspoon, and was graduated in 1779. He was a classmate of President Madison, and his attainments were so great, that he was placed immediately in charge of the Princeton academy. During the time he pursued his studies at Princeton, the British invasion disturbed that seat of science, and roused in the bosom of young Merchant, those strong and patri- otic emotions against tyranny and usurpation which in after life maintained their force and intensity in his bo- som. The students were for some time under military discipline, and he took the lead of the youthful band. In the spring of 1780, the mayor and common council gave him an invitation to take charge of a grammar school or academy then about to be established here, which he ac- cepted, and continued in the discharge of that office for about two years, when he returned to Princeton. In 1786 he received a second invitation to take charge of an academy in this city, which he accepted, and resided
* George Merchant was an energetic, self-made man, of great in- fluence in Albany. His real name was Koopman (or Kaufman), equivalent to Chapman or Merchant in English. Either he, or his father anglicized the name. His school, or Academy, was at one time kept next door south of the Vanderheyden house in North Pearl street. He, himself, lived in State street near the present Geological Hall. · Some years after Gen. Ten Broeck's death, he purchased his mansion and grounds (now the residence of Thomas W. Olcott) which had long lain waste, for a mere song, and he resided and (I believe) died there. His sons were remarkable for both their mental and physical activity, particularly the latter, but did not succeed in life as well as their fa- ther. One of them was an engraver and published a map of the city of Albany. A grand-daughter, of fine musical ability, is now (1858) the organist of the North Dutch Church .- P.
215
Notes from the Newspapers.
here from that time until his decease. Under his care were educated a number of young men who afterwards became the leading and most distinguished characters of the city. He held several offices during this time, among which were those of alderman, police justice, county clerk, lottery manager, commissioner of bankruptcy, and during the war of 1812, paymaster of the United States army. The latter office was conferred upon him without solicitation, on account of his well known attachment and devotion to the interests and honor of the country at that trying period. For many years he was a warden of St. Peter's church. His unaffected piety and exemplary morals, united with a high sense of honor and gentle- manly deportment, secured him the regard and esteem of all who knew him.
Aug. 17. The firm of Kirk and Mitchell was dissolved, Andrew Kirk retiring, and William Mitchell continuing the business.
Aug. 21. Ann, widow of Alexander Clark, died, aged 78. She was a native of Scotland, but had resided in Albany more than half a century.
Aug. 23. Cornelius McKelvey died, aged 44.
The population of Troy in
1810 was 3,895 1825 7,879
1820 ... . 5,066 1830. ... 11,405
The treasurer of the New York State Colonization Society acknowledged the receipt of the following dona- tions from the collections made in the churches of Albany :
Second Reformed Dutch church, Mr. Ferris, $51.59 Second Presbyterian church, Dr. Sprague, 91.80 Third Presbyterian church, Mr. Williams, 20.00
Fourth Presbyterian church, Mr. Kirk, 35.00
Second Methodist church, Mr. Matthias, 4.00 Aug. 29. The new Catholic church, corner of Chapel and Pine streets was opened for divine service, and a collection taken up.
Aug. 29. Samuel Wilson, of the firm of James Wilson & Sons, died at Schodack.
Aug. 31. Samuel Starr died, aged 65.
216
Notes from the Newspapers.
The chamberlain reported to the common council that the receipts of the south ferry were $942.68 for the month of August, and the expenditures $505.25; leaving an in- come of $437.43 for the month.
Sept. 3. Mary, wife of Thomas Roorback, died, aged 28.
Mary, widow of Henry C. Southwick, died in New York. She was a daughter of Capt. Isaac Wool.
Sept. 4. The pattern shop of Francis Low, in the rear of the theatre, was partially destroyed by fire.
A writer in the Daily Advertiser recommended the purchase of a clock for the Second Dutch church; although there were two public clocks, one in St. Peter's and one iin the North Dutch church, it was complained that they were almost useless to the business and laboring part of community, from the circumstance of their not being heard throughout the city.
While St. Mary's church was being demolished and rebuilt, the services of the congregation were held in the Lancaster school house. When they returned to their mew church, on the 8th of September, the trustees passed the following resolution :
Resolved, That we entertain, in common with the en- tire congregation, a deep sense of the obligation which we are under to the trustees of the Lancaster school, for the liberality they have shown in granting the use of their school room to the Catholics of Albany, while their church was erecting, and that they deserve our warm and ·sincere thanks.
The resolution was communicated to the board of trustees of the school, with the accompanying note:
To the President of the Board of Trustees of the Lan- caster School.
Sir: At a meeting of the board of trustees of St. Mary's church, held on the evening of the 8th instant, we were appointed a committee to convey to you a copy of a reso- lution unanimously passed by them, expressive of their gratitude for the favor conferred on the Catholics of Albany, by the trustees of the Lancaster school, in affording them an opportunity of continuing their reli-
PEASE
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, Corner of Chapel and Pine Streets, erected 1831.
-
217
Notes from the Newspapers.
gious exercises. Such acts of courtesy and liberality are duly estimated by the Catholics, for they characterize, in an especial manner, the lovers of pure religion, and can not fail ultimately to promote the sound principles of civil and religious liberty. PETER M. MORANGE,
Sept. 10, 1830.
WM. McDONNELL.
Sept. 8. Seymour Tracy died, aged 46.
Wm. H. Guest died, aged 22.
Sept. 12. John C. Johnson died, aged 27.
Sept. 14. Joseph D. Shiffer died, aged 35.
Mrs. Hannah Sheldon died, aged 67.
The stock of the rail road in process of construction between Albany and Schenectady, was 10 per cent above par. The editor of the Daily Advertiser. in the excite- ment of the moment; boldly predicted the speedy arrival of the time when trains would traverse the track to Schenectady in three quarters of an hour, and reach Utica in four hours! The stages had by the utmost ex- ertion performed the distance in 12 hours.
Sept. 26. Edward A. Le Breton died at Detroit, aged 55; formerly of Albany, where he had a brewery.
Sept. 28. The Charter election took place with the following results :
WORKINGMEN.
DEMOCRATS.
First Ward.
Aldermen. Ralph Pratt, .. 461 Erastus Corning, 386
Willard Walker, ... 439 John Keyes Page, . 337
Assistants. Francis Low, ...... 478
Artemas Fish, . 344
Jas. W. Robinson, .. 464 Homer R. Phelps, 331
Second Ward.
" Aldermen. John Lossing, .... 334 William Seymour, 350
John Boardman, .... 334
Seth Hastings, . 342
Assistants. Josiah Winants, .... 328
James D. Wasson, 342
Jotham Hancock, ... 326 P. G. DeGraff, 348
Third Ward.
Aldermen. Gerrit Gates,. 117 In this ward all the candid- G. Y. Lansing, 139 ates were of the Workingmen's E. W Skinner, 123 Thos. Russell, . . party, and the divisions were 69 Assistants. Arnold Nelson ... .... 227 of a local character. Mr. Rus- sell declined to be a candidate, and urged his friends not to vote for him.
James Campbell, jr. 111 H. G. Wynkoop .... 118
218
Notes from the Newspapers.
WORKINGMEN.
DEMOCRATS.
Fourth Ward.
Aldermen. S. S. Fowler, 339 James Maher, 367
S. T. Rice, . 362 Lemuel Steele, . 381
Assistants. Henry Rector, . 361 Ebenezer Murdock, 357
James Robison, ...
390 Daniel P. Marshall, 329
Fifth Ward.
Aldermen. James Gibbons, Jr., 276 J. N. Quackenbush, 174
S. V. Rensselaer, jr. 263
John L. Winne, . 139
Assistants. J. Van Ness, jr ..... 411
Daniel Carmichael, . 249 H. A. Fay,. 168
Nathaniel P. Willis, seated in an upper story of Titus's Hotel in Troy, had a glimpse of "Albany, looking so well in the distance," he said, "that you half forgive it for its hogs, offals, broken pavements, and the score of other nuisances more Dutch than decent." Mr. Willis was reprimanded by the editor of the Daily Advertiser at this return for certain hospitalities he had received here, and it is believed that he made some apology for it.
Sept. 28. Alexander McGlashan died, aged 67, and was buried on the 29th from the house of Paul Clark, corner Lydius and Lark streets.
Oct. 1. The steam boat Ohio, arrived at her dock at 2 minutes before 3 o'clock, having made her trip in 9h. 58m., and performed the most rapid sailing on record in the world.
Oct. 2. Philip Fetherly, Jr. died, aged 46.
Oct. 8. Capt. Richard Dusenbury died, aged 71.
Oct. 9. Christopher Dunn died, aged 67, famous as the keeper of Dunn's City Coffee House, corner of Green and Beaver streets. Green street at this time was much narrower than at present, and thronged with stages. When the street was widened, the old Tavern was cut through its centre.
Oct. 11. The common council passed a law for exca- vating, pitching and paving Lodge street, from Maiden Lane to Pine street.
Oct. 12. Samuel Hascy died, aged 53.
Oct. 16. Henry H. Hampton died, aged 23.
Oct. 21. Joseph W. Clark died, aged 29.
John C. Porter, son of Giles W. Porter, died in Wilkin-
219
Notes from the Newspapers.
son county. Mississippi, aged 23. He commenced his education at the Albany Academy, where he distinguished himself by his acquirements; and completed his studies at the Episcopal General Theological Seminary, and received deacon's orders about two years ago. He shortly after went to the south, and officiated first at the Episco- pal church at Woodville, and afterwards became rector of Trinity church at Natchez. He was actively engaged in the service of the church at the time of his death.
Oct. 22. Sarah Ten Eyck, wife of John Trotter, and daughter of the late Dr. Elias Willard, died, aged 41.
Oct. 25. P. V. Shankland was appointed clerk of the common council, in place of John W. Hyde, removed.
Oct. 30. Wm. S. Randel died at Paris Hill, Oneida county, aged 38.
The city expenditures for the year ending Oct. 12, were $174,442.933; the receipts were $165,546.02}.
Nov. 1. Sarah, wife of John W. Winne, died, aged 24.
The grand Jury, viewing the increase of crime, recom- mended the erection of a work house.
Nov. 3. The election resulted in the success of the democratic ticket. There were two other parties in the field, namely, the national republicans and the anti- masons, which were a little mixed up with the working men's party.
DEMOCRATIC. ANTIMASONIC.
Governor. Enos T. Throop, .... 1667 Francis Granger, . . 1420
Lt. Gov. Edw. P. Livingston, 1656 Samuel Stevens, . 1451
Senator. Her. I.Quackenboss, 1568 Jabez D. Hammond, ... 1662
Assembly. Peter Gansevoort, .. 1742 Elisha Dorr, . 1586 Congress. G. Y. Lansing, .... 1585
Nov. 9. Nancy Grant died, aged 29.
Nov. 10. Maria Hagadorn died, aged 25.
Nov. 15. Elisha Hosford, formerly of the firm of E. & E. Hosford, printers and booksellers, died at Hartford, Conn., aged 50.
Nov. 17. The citizens having undertaken to collect money by subscription for the purpose of gilding the dome of the new City Hall, a meeting was held on this day, to hear the reports of the committees, which was as follows:
220
Notes from the Newspapers.
First ward,. $73.50
Second ward, 161.75
Third ward, 120.75
Fourth ward, 98.25
Fifth ward,
no report
The committees obtained further time to collect, and the subscriptions having been limited at $2 each, they were authorized to receive whatever sums should be offered, to make up the amount supposed to be necessary.
Nov. 22. A meeting of the printers was held at Bement's Recess. Charles R. Webster Chairman, Edwin Croswell and John B. Van Steenburgh, assistants, and Thomas S. Ranney and John Visscher secretaries. It was resolved to send delegates to the celebration in New York of the recent French revolution, which arose from the abolition of the liberty of the press.
The common council resolved to raise by tax $4000 for lighting and repairing lamps. $6000 for night watch, $8500 for contingencies; and $8000 on account of the city debt; total $26,500.
A side walk was ordered to be made on the south side of Lydius street from Pearl to Hallenbake street. This portion of Lydius street was often impassable by reason of the gullies that were made by rains.
The finance committee were authorized to let the old Court House for such rent and length of time as the interest of the city should seem to require.
Nov. 9. Ann, wife of John Gansevoort, died in Water- vliet ; daughter of John C. Cuyler.
Dec. The marshals having completed their canvass of the city reported the following as the population of the wards.
First ward, .. 6855
Second ward,
6266
Third ward, 2011
Fourth ward, 5878
Fifth ward, 3206
24,216.
The increase in five years was 8245.
-
221
Notes from the Newspapers.
The population of the whole county was 53,537, being an increase of 10,716 since 1825.
Dec. 2. Eliza, wife of Nathaniel Paul, died at St. Thomas, Canada; formerly of this city.
Dec. 9. Thanksgiving day was observed agreeably to the memorable proclamation of Governor Throop, com- mencing " Whereas the wisdom of man is but a small light, shining around his footsteps, showing the things that are near, while all beyond is shrouded in darkness."
Gen. Matthew Trotter died. He was an officer of the revolution, and was with Gen. Gansevoort and Col. Willett at Fort Stanwix. He was afterwards aid to Lord Stirling. At the close of the war he entered upon mercantile business, and was for some years captain of a sloop which ran between Albany and New York. He held several municipal offices, and commissions in the militia. and throughout his long life commanded the re- spect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mrs. Sarah Sands, formerly of Albany, died at Johns- town, aged 38.
Dec. 13. Mrs. Sarah Van Zandt died, aged 84.
The level of Eagle street from Beaver to Lydius street was established.
An apportionment for pitching, paving and flagging Orchard street, from Patroon street north, was confirmed.
Dec. 16. John Le Breton died, aged 28. He was one of the most active men engaged in the erection of St. Paul's church in Ferry street, and junior member of the firm of Mancius & Le Breton.
Dec. 18. David Williams, the surviving captor of Andre attended the Theatre under the escort of Capt. Watson's artillery company, where he spoke a narrative of the particulars of the event in which he so highly distinguished himself, and was received with much applause by a large audience.
Dec. 22. The river was closed by ice, and the steam boats did not get above the city of Hudson, and no mails ' were received from New York.
Ann Eliza, wife of John Groesbeck, died, aged 30.
222
Notes from the Newspapers.
Dec. 25. Donald Rose died, aged 60.
Dec. 29. The common council made the following appointments.
John O. Cole and Wm. Stilwell, police justices.
John E. Lovett, city attorney.
Philip Hooker, city surveyor.
Alden March, city physician.
On balloting for mayor Francis Bloodgood received 12 and John Townsend 9 votes.
Dec. 30. Catharine widow of Gen, Peter Gansevoort, died, aged 79.
The steam boats arrived from New York again.
Dec. 31. The Museum was removed from the old City Hall, corner of South Market and Hudson streets, to the new marble building of Messrs, Thorpe & Sprague, corner of State and North Market streets, and made ready for opening on the Ist January.
1831.
Jan. Notices were given of applications to the legisla- ture for the construction of a bridge over the Hudson at - Albany; to incorporate a medical college and hospital.
Jan. 1. The new mayor, Francis Bloodgood, was sworn into office; and signalized the event by liberating all the debtors confined in the jail by paying their debts.
The rains had swollen the streams to such an extent that the water was two feet above the pier and docks.
Jan. 2. A sermon was preached in the Second Dutch Church by Rev. J. N. Campbell, and a collection taken for the Infant School society, which amounted to $180.80.
Jan. 9. Elizabeth, widow of Abraham Ellison, formerly a bookseller in this city, died, aged 79. She is character- ized in an obituary notice as "one of the best women that ever lived."
Jan. 10. No steam boat arrived from New York. The Commerce left her dock for that port, and succeeded with difficulty in working a passage through the accumulating ice, which reached to Hyde Park, in 13 hours, and arrived at her dock on the afternoon of the 11th.
223
Notes from the Newspapers.
Jan. 11. Garret Evertsen died, aged 29.
Jan. 15. Mary Clark died, aged 35.
Jan. 21. Thermometer 10° below zero.
William Brower died, aged 68.
Delia B., wife of E. C. McIntosh, died.
N. R. Packard, superintendent of the alms house, in answer to some complaints of the expense of that estab- lishment, published the following table:
Years.
Total Expenses.
Number Admitted.
Average.
|Average week- ly expenses per individual.
1824
4027-45
233
102
77-0
1825
4449-83
174
94
91-0
1826
5345.48
261
123
81-5
13822-76
668
107
83- 1
1827
5214-82
368
163
61-5
1828
6119-72
285
155
75.2
1829
6599-79
420
205
61.4
17934-33
1073
174
66- 1
Jan. 28. Janet Shields died, aged 29.
A soup house was opened in the basement of the City Hall, and more than 400 persons were supplied on this and the following day. It was the first experiment of the kind for the relief of the poor at an inclement season. Jan. 30. Hannah, widow of Thomas Douglass, died, aged 70.
Jan. 30. Dr. Charles D. Cooper died, aged 61.
Feb. 1. William L. Marcy resigned his office of judge of the Supreme court, and was elected by the legislature United States senator for six years.
Abraham Keyser was elected state treasurer.
Feb. 7. The common council authorized the chamber- lain to license four chimney sweepers.
Proposals were received for excavating Patroon street. Feb. 10. John B. Robinson died, aged 25.
·
224
Notes from the Newspapers.
Feb. 11. Elizabeth, wife of Stephen J. Rider, died, aged 42.
Feb. 12. A partial eclipse of the sun took place, which had created great expectations with many.
Feb. 14. Anna, wife of George Loomis, died, aged 80. Feb. 21. The common council passed a law to excavate and pave Lydius street from Pearl street west.
Feb. 23. George W. Hurst died at Elmira, aged 35.
Feb. 28. Benjamin F. Russell died, aged 23.
There were during the year ending with this month but two fires, and seven alarms; " which is perhaps unpre- cedented in the annals of any other city of the same amount of population."
March. 2. Clarissa, wife of Charles B. Dean, died, aged 46.
March, 3. The copartnership of Seneca Mabbett & Co. (Lewis Woodburn) was dissolved.
The dwelling house of Gen. John H. Wendell, in North Market street, about 32 feet front and rear, and running back 84 feet to' Middle lane, was sold for $7000. It was one of the gable enders, and the old general himself adhered to the ancient burger costume till his death.
March. 7. Wm. James, B. P. Staats and others petitioned the common council to widen Green street between State and Beaver streets. Remonstrances were made by Margaret Cooper and Ann Dole.
Mr. Seymour, from a select committee on schools, reported, recommending that lots be set apart whereon to build school houses, and in favor of levying a tax for school purposes. It was reported that 1694 scholars had been instructed in the district schools since the 1st June last.
A resolution offered by Barnum Whipple in July, 1830, was called up by James Maher, and passed, as follows:
Resolved, That the chamberlain advertise a reward of $500 to be paid to any person who shall discover a coal mine of a good quality and quantity sufficient to supply this city, within five miles of any of the navigable waters of the Hudson north of Poughkeepsie.
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