The annals of Albany, Vol. V, Part 19

Author: Munsell, Joel, 1808-1880
Publication date: 1850-1859
Publisher: Albany : J. Munsell
Number of Pages: 374


USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. V > Part 19


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The corporation courts consist of the mayor's, justices' and police courts.


The city lies in 42º 39' 3" N. Lat. and 3º 12' E. Lon. from Washington city. Distant from New York city, 145 miles, or 10 hours by steamboat; from Philadelphia 234; Washington city, 373; Boston, 171; Hartford, 92; Quebec, 394; Montreal, 247; Buffalo by Utica, by land 296; via Cherry Valley, 282; by the canal 363; from Detroit, 664. It is the capital of the state and of the county.


259


Topography of Albany County.


The plat on which the city lies is uneven. A low alluvial flat extends along the river, from 15 to 100 rods wide, west of which rises a hill of clay and sand; in the first half mile 153 feet, and in the next about 67 feet high; from the summit the country is an even plain for miles; broken only by some small streams. The old portion of the city is not remarkable for the regularity of its streets, but the modern has more symmetry. It contains about 100 streets and alleys. The principal of which are State, Market, Pearl and Washington streets ; many others are thickly built on, with shops, stores and splendid dwellings.


The Capitol, containing the legislative halls, the su- preme and chancery court rooms of the state, the state library and other apartments for public business, stands at the head of State street, 130 feet above the river. It is a substantial edifice faced with the Nyack free stone, costing above $120,000; is 115 feet long, 90 broad, and 50 high, of two stories, upon a basement of 10 feet ele- vation. The cast part has a portico of the Ionic order, with columns 3 feet 8 inches in diameter, and 33 feet high. The legislative halls and court rooms contain portraits of eminent men. The building is surrounded by a public square, enclosed with costly iron railing, which is separated from another by Washington street.


On the north side of the latter square is the Academy, one of the finest buildings of the city, constructed also of the Nyack stone, three stories high and 90 feet front; cost, at the city charge, $90,000, exclusive of the site and some important donations. The faculty consists of the prin- cipal (Dr. T. Romeyn Beck); a professor of the Latin and Greek; one of mathematics and natural philosophy ; one of modern languages, and four tutors.


Near the Capitol and Academy, at the foot of Washing- ton street, is the City Hall, a costly edifice of white marble, appropriated to the city council and officers. Its gilded dome is conspicuous at some distance from the city. In the walls of the principal apartment are some bas reliefs executed by W. Coffee, at the cost of the


260


Topography of Albany County.


citizens, commemorative of De Witt Clinton and Sir Walter Scott.


Near it is the State Hall, also of marble, commenced in 1835, containing the offices of secretary of state, comp- troller, treasurer, surveyor general, attorney general, register in chancery, clerk of the supreme court, &c.


It is a substitute for the old State house on the south side of State street.


The Albany Female Academy is a very chaste and beautiful building, in North Pearl street, erected by a company, incorporated 16th February, 1821. The insti- tution enjoys high and merited reputation.


Among other distinguished buildings we may name Stanwix Hall, built of Quincy granite, and surmounted by a large dome; the Museum, of marble, 4 stories high, above the basement, at the corner of State and Market streets, deserving attention by reason of its architectural merit and valuable collection of curiosities in the arts and natural history; the Law Buildings at the corner of Beaver and south Market streets, also of marble; the south Dutch church, inclosed in well arranged grounds extending from Beaver to Hudson street, and having at either end a lofty portico, supported by 6 large columns of free stone; the Baptist church built on the site of the Vanderheyden mansion, an elegant structure surmounted also by a splendid dome.


Other public buildings are the Lancasterian school, alms house, jail, orphans' asylum, &c. &c.


Religious Institutions. Churches .- 2 Dutch Reformed, 2 Episcopal, 6 Presbyterian, 1 Lutheran, 2 Baptist, 1 Methodist Protestant and 3 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Ro- man Catholic, 1 Universalist, 1 African Baptist and 1 African Methodist, 21. Most, probably all have Sabbath schools annexed, giving moral and religious instruction to about 3000 children.


Religious Societies .- Albany Bible Society, Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, and Sacred Music Society.


Literary and Scientific Institutions .- Under a special act of Assembly of 17th April, 1830, and supplements,


261


Topography of Albany County.


the city is divided into nine districts for common schools, and 1 Lancaster school for whites and 1 for blacks are maintained; 40 teachers and assistants are employed at an annual expense exceeding $6000, giving instruction to more than 7000 children. The trustees of the second district have erected a very commodious edifice. The school moneys apportioned by the superintendent of com- mon schools to the city of Albany, are paid by the trea- surer of the county to the trustees of the Lancaster school in the city, to be applied to the education of such poor children as such trustees deem entitled to gratuitous education; the trustees, annually accounting with the treasurer for the faithful application of such funds accord- ing to the laws relating to common schools.


Besides these primary schools there are numerous well conducted select schools, as the Albany academy, Female academy, Female seminary and the Albany classi- cal school.


The Albany Institute is divided into three departments. 1. Of the useful arts. 2. Of natural history. 3. Of his- tory and literature, each separately organized. But the presidents of the departments are ex-officio vice pre- sidents of the institute, and the other officers of the departments hold the same offices in the institute as in the departments. The institute has commodious apart- ments in the academy. Its library contains near 2000 volumes, and its museum more than 10,000 specimens in geology, mineralogy, botany, coins, engravings, casts, &c. It publishes its transactions from time to time, and has a high reputation abroad :


The Albany Library, established in 1792, kept at and onnected with the Atheneum, contains near 9,000 vol- umes. The Atheneum was established in 1827 :


The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement, has one of the best reading rooms in the United States, to which strangers are freely admitted, and where lec- tures are given by members twice a week; a debating society is connected with the institution: The Appren- tices' Library, a very useful institution; and the Northern Institute and Academy of Fine Arts, founded 1831.


[ Annals v.]


21


262


Topography of Albany County.


Here are also established the State Medical, the Albany County Medical, the State Agricultural, and the Albany Horticultural Societies.


The newspapers published in Albany, are the Daily Albany Argus, the official state paper; Albany Argus, semi-weekly ; Albany Argus, weekly; Albany Daily Ad- vertiser; Albany Gazette, semi-weekly; Albany Whig, weekly; Albany Evening Journal; Albany Journal semi- weekly ; Albany Weekly Journal; Albany Mercury; The Saturday Politician; The Microscope, weekly ; Emerald; Zodiac, and Common School Assistant; The Cultivator, monthly ; Temperance Recorder, monthly ; American Tem- per ance Intelligencer, monthly; Beacon and Watchman, semi-monthly.


Benevolent Institutions .- Typographical Society, St. Andrews, St. Nicholas, Mechanics, German, Painters; the Orphan Asylum, under the supervision of benevolent ladies of different Christian denominations, located in State street, near its junction with the great western turnpike road, maintains and instructs near 100 poor and destitute children, of whom the mayor of the city is ex- officio, the guardian : the Catholic Benevolent Society, and St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, and the Hibernian Provident Society, and four Masonic Lodges.


Manufactures .- Six iron works, annual produce $226- 000; 1 rope and 1 oil cloth factory ; 2 tanneries; 6 brew- eries, producing near the value of half a million yearly ; extensive manufactories of fur hats, morocco, carriages, harness, plated and silver ware, coach lace, iron and hollow ware, enamelled stone ware, ships, looking-glasses, cabinet ware, tobacco and snuff, types, oil and sperm candles, brushes, &c.


The Patroon's creek and the Normanskill might readily be conducted through the city, and supply a valuable power for manufactures; and such a measure, we under- stand, is contemplated by the enterprising inhabitants.


. Banks .- Bank of Albany, incorporated 10th April, 1792, capital $240,000; N. York State Bank, 19th March, 1803, capital $369,600; Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank, 22d March, 1811, cap. $442,000; Commercial Bank, 12th


263


Topography of Albany County.


April, 1825, capital $300,000; Canal Bank, 2d May, 1829, capital $300.000; Albany City Bank, April. 1834, $500 000; Albany Savings Bank, incorporated 24th March, 1820.


Insurance Companies .- Albany, Merchants', Firemen's, Agency of New- York Life Insurance and Trust Company.


The position of Albany near the head of tide, on the direct line of communication with the St. Lawrence river, with Saratoga Springs, and with the lake country, necessarily makes it a great thoroughfare. The com- pletion of the canals, however, have given it great commercial importance, making it the entrepot for the greater proportion of the products of the state destined to the New York market. To accommodate this trade, a noble basin has been constructed, by the citizens, upon the river, in which all the boats of the northern and western canals are received. It consists of part of the river included between the shore and a pier 80 feet wide and 4,300 feet long. The pier is a stupendous work, containing about 8 acres, on which spacious stores have been erected, and where immense quantities of lumber and other articles of trade are deposited. It is connected with the city by drawbridges. The basin has an area of 32 acres. It cost $130,000 dollars, and the lots upon it were sold at public auction at a large advance.


The tonnage is more than double that of the city of New York. The 8 or 10 lines of canal freight boats all have an agency here.


There are 12 steamboats employed in the transportation of passengers and light freight between this city and New York, 10 of which belong to the Hudson river Steamboat Association, one of which leaves each city, morning at 7, evening at 5 o'clock. Small boats ply between this city and Hudson. and other towns on the river, and a line is established between Albany and Troy; and there are 7 steamboats engaged in towing barges between Albany and New York.


The navigation to the city is much impeded by bars at the Overslaugh, three miles, and at Winne's, eight miles, below. Many efforts have been made to remove these


264


Topography of Albany County.


obstuctions, but hitherto without, success. It is now pro- posed to contract the channel of the river, and to turn the current in such direction as will cause it to carry away the deposits of earth, which have been, and still are, annually increasing. Should this plan avail, Albany may engage directly in ocean commerce, from which she is in a great measure restricted. Still she has now a large coasting trade, 360 vessels having arrived here in 1834, from eastern ports alone; and the whole number of sloops plying to and from the city is given at 800.


The Mohawk and Hudson rail road terminates in this city and connects, at Schenectady, with the rail road to Saratoga and the rail road to Utica. It was the first chartered in the state. The plan and profile are said to be admirably designed; yet it has been a very expensive work, costing near $40,000 the mile, including the real estate connected with it. Still it proves a profitable investment of funds.


The road commences on the bank of the Erie canal, at Schenectady, and runs parallel to it for 20 chains- then a curve of 10 chains.


Miles.


Chains. 32


Grade. level


Inclination.


From Schenectady to foot of inclined plane, .....


0


Inclined plane,.


0


31


rise


1 in 18


Then runs


3


44


level


descent


1 in 40


Do.


2


53


descent


1 in 225


Do.


1


7


level


Do


3


11


descent


1 in 270


Then Albany plane,


0


47


descent


1 in 18


Then to dock head on the Hudson at Albany ...


0


32


descent


1 in 500


Total,


15


69


Do.


2


10


Do.


1


40


level


Do.


0


2


level to head of plane.


-


When excavation occurs in the grading, the width for a double road is 38 feet; when embankment occurs, the width on the level of the road is 26 feet.


The greatest height of embankment is 44 feet; and the deepest excavation is 47 feet.


On the first grade at Schenectady, below the inclined plane, there is one curve, about 10 chains in length, on a radius of 700 feet. There is a curve at the head of each inclined plane, about 8 chains each, on a radius of 1100 feet : between these two, there are two other curves,


265


Topography of Albany County.


one on a radius of 4,200 feet, 9 chains long, and one on a radius of 23,000 feet, 6 chains long. The only other curve is between the foot of the Albany plane and the river, on a radius of 4,000 feet.


The wooden cross sleepers are 7 inches in diameter, and 8 feet long.


Stone blocks contain each two cubic feet, and cost 45 cents. They are laid three feet apart, from centre to centre, on a foundation of broken stone, well rammed.


The iron rail plate is a bar ,'x by 23 inches, with the upper curves rounded to lg inches width. The timber rails are yellow or Norway pine, 6 by 6 inches. The width between the rails is 4 feet 9 inches.


The summit is 335 feet above the Hudson. Much of the cost of this railway has been incurred for broken stone.


There are two stationary engines, one near each end of the road. Locomotive engines are mostly in use, although horses are occasionally employed. The main line of the road approaches the Hudson below the city of Albany, where the company have warehouses for freight .. There is also a branch road into State street to the depot, and also to the basin, which cost near $100,000. It is, however. used only for passengers.


The stock for the Greenbush and west Stockbridge rail road, to connect with the Western rail road, incor- porated by the State of Massachusetts, has been sub- scribed, and the road, it is said, will shortly be com- menced. By the act of March, 1836, a company was incorporated to make a tunnel under the Hudson river to Castleton. The inhabitants have been driven to this mode of crossing the river, by reason of the trade of Troy and the large villages above, which would be inter- rupted by a bridge over the stream. The objections to a bridge above the water seem to be insurmountable, and Albany has, therefore, stooped to conquer, by bridging beneath the stream. The result of this experiment, if successful, may lead to like attempts elsewhere upou the river. The charter is favorable, being perpetual, and without the usual reservation of the state to repeal or modify,


266


Topography of Albany County.


There are two ferries across the river, one to Bath on the north, and the other to Greenbush, on the south part of the city.


The ordinary expenses of the city amount to about $50,000 annually, besides county and town charges.


Stages competent to the extraordinary flux of pas- sengers, run from the city in all directions. Upon the Mohawk and Hudson rail road, cars go to Schenectady four times daily; and coaches upon the Macadamized road to Troy, hourly, make 18,350 trips the year. This road, one of the finest on the continent, adinits three carriages abreast, and is so graded that the speed of the horses need not be checked at any point. The scenery upon it is inviting.


The principal hotels are, the Eagle Tavern, S. Market street ; Adelphi. Bement's, American, State street; Con- gress Hall, Capitol square: Mansion House, City Hotel; and Temperance House, N. Market street. On a less expensive scale, are the Fort Orange House, and Mont- gomery Hall, Columbian, Exchange Coffee House, S. Market street; and the Franklin House, State street.


Perhaps no city in the Union of its size has more, or more spacious hotels. It has been estimated that 700,- 000 persons arrive and depart from the city in the course of the year. The passengers on the Mohawk and Hud- son rail road amounted, in 1835, to about 180,000, and the receipt from passengers in the Association lines of the canals was, by estimate in 1835, $250,000.


During the sessions of the legislature, Albany is crowd- ed with strangers, and is the focus for much of the legal talent and learning of the state, and for the representa- tives of its vast business concerns.


A mineral spring was discovered here some years since, by boring through slate rock 500 feet. The partners in this enterprise having disagreed, one of them (M Culloch, a Scotchman), sunk another well, 617 feet, which gives water much superior in its qualities, containing a large quantity of muriate of soda, aud being an active cathartic. The spring is surrounded by a handsome garden, and is much resorted to by citizens and strangers. The analysis


267


Topography of Albany County.


of this water, by Dr. Lewis C. Beck, gave muriate of soda, carbonate of soda, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, carbonate of iron, and free carbonic acid; differing not essentially from the water of the Saratoga Springs.


Much capital from abroad has, within a few years, been advantageously vested here: still rents are com- paratively low. A very profitable business has been done since the completion of the canal, and many large fortunes have been accumulated by men of business; and the industrious mechanic or tradesman can no where establish himself with more favorable prospect of wealth. Society is intelligent and polished; and, when properly approached, the inhabitants display liberal and elegant hospitality.


The vicinity of the city affords many pleasant walks and rides: and the neighbouring cities of Troy and Schenectady, the villages of West Troy, Cahoes, Lan- singburg and Waterford, the Shaker settlement at Nes- kayuna, the farm of the distinguished agriculturist, Mr. Jesse Buel, are objects for short and interesting excur- sions.


Upon the northern bounds of the city is the neat and beautifully situated mansion of Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq., the Patroon of the manor of Rensselaerwyck. The name of this gentleman can scarce be mentioned without a passing tribute to his merit. Blessed with great wealth, which so frequently leads to selfish egotism and exclusive- ness, he has through life been distinguished as an active and efficient public man; bestowing his personal services and his fortune, to the encouragement of every species of improvement in literature, science and art. His name as a benefactor is associated with most of the charitable and scientific institutions of the state, and he has perhaps done more than any other citizen to foster agriculture and internal improvements.


The following are the towns of the county.


BERNE, taken from Rensselaerville 17th of March, 1795, since modified: Centrally distant N. of New York, 165. W. of Albany, 20 miles: Surface much broken by he Helderberg hills, composed of calcareous rocks, which


268


Topography of Albany County.


rise precipitately from 70 to 500 feet, having in many places the appearance of an artificial wall, in which there are several curious, natural caverns. The valleys are extensive and have a fine soil of calcareous argil- laceous loam, and in places tracts of clay, marsh, bog, turf and marl. Fox's Creek and its branches drain the town N. W., flowing into the Schoharie. Thompson's and Warner's ponds on the E. part cover, each, about 100 acres. The lands are holden of Mr. Van Rensselaer by lease, at the rent of from 10 to 15 bushels of wheat the 100 acres. There are two small villages in the town; Bernville, at which is a post office, and Mechanicsville.


BETHLEHEM, taken from Watervliet 12th of March, 1793: Centrally distant from New York, N. 140, from Albany. S. W., 8 miles. Surface diversified, and much still covered with wood: Soil various: Along the river are extensive alluvial flats, cultivated chiefly by descend- ants of the early Dutch settlers. Coeyman's creek crosses the town in the south-west; Vlamman's kill rises in it and flows east to the Hudson, and Norman's kill enters the north-west angle, and runs to the river, two and a half miles below Albany. These streams, particularly the last upon which are Rensselaer's mills, afford advan- tageous water power. Messrs. Russell, of Albany, have a mill at which they prepare 5000 barrels of dye woods, annually, and employ a capital of $25,000. Mills' island, a valuable tract of alluvion, lies in the Hudson, partly in this town. The town has 2 villages; Rensselaer's mills and Bethlehem centre.


COEYMANS, taken from Watervliet, 18th of March, 1791; distant N. from New York, 134, and from Albany S. 11 miles. The surface is much broken, some ridges of the Helderberg occupying the West. The soil is various; along the river sterile, but of better quality westward. Coeyman's kill flows W. over the N. E. part of the town, enters New Scotland, having a course of about 20 miles, and joins the river about a mile above the town and county line, where are falls and mills. Hannekrai, another mill stream, drains the S. portion and unites with the Hudson on that line. Limestone and shell marl abound. The town was early settled by


269


Topography of Albany County.


the Dutch, and is called after an original proprietor. It contains the villages of Coeymans, Stevenville, and Coeymans Hollow. Coeymans village, at the confluence of the creek with the Hudson, 14 miles S. of' Albany, including a hamlet formerly called the Square, has 1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist church, 1 grist and 1 saw mill, 3 taverns, 6 stores, and about 150 dwellings. Stevenville upon the Hannekrai Creek, in the S. W. angle, has a Methodist church, 1 grist, 1 saw mill, clothing works, 1 tavern,. 2 stores, about 30 dwellings. There are two Dutch Reformed churches in the town.


GUILDERLAND, taken from Watervliet, 26th of Feb- ruary, 1803: Centrally distant from New York, N. 157; from Albany, N. W., 12 miles: Surface level, or slight- ly irregular ; Soil generally inferior in quality, a barren sand interspersed with marshy plains ; there are, however, some fertile tracts of sandy loam well farmed. The Cherry Valley turnpike leads through the town, on which, 8 miles from the city, is the hamlet of Hamilton, where is the post office called after the town, and where formely was an extensive manufacture of glass. Guilder- land centre is also a post office.


KNOX, taken from Berne 28th of February, 1822: Centrally distant from Albany, W. 20 miles: Surface high and undulating; all arable and of good quality. The Helderberg limestone ridge runs through it, in which there is one of the caverns which distinguish this ridge. The town has a library of some hundred volumes; the lands are holden of Mr. Van Rensselaer by lease, render- ing from 10 to 14 bushels of wheat the hundred acres. Boza kill crosses the N. E. part and a small branch of Fox's Creek, a tributary of the Schoharie, indents the S. boundary. Knoxville or Union street, the post village on the road from Albany to Schoharie; 21 miles W. from the former, and 14 E. from the latter ; has from 25 to 30 dwellings, 1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist church, 1 tavern and two stores.


NEW SCOTLAND, taken from Bethlehem 25th of April, 1832: Surface hilly ; soil loam, clay, sand, and gravel, underlaid with slate and limestone, tolerably cultivated


270


Topography of Albany County.


in spots; drained by Coeyman's creek which crosses it south easterly. and the Vis kill a branch of Normnan's kill, which flows N. E. Salem, New Scotland and Clarkes- ville, are small villages. New Scotland a post village, 8 miles S. W. from Albany, and about the same distance from the mouth of Normanskill, contains 1 Dutch Re- formed church, 2 taverns, 2 stores, and about 40 dwell- ings. Salem,5 miles W. of New Scotland, has one Dutch Reformed church, 2 taverns, 1 store and 25 dwellings.


RENSSELAERVILLE, taken from Watervliet 8th of March, 1790: Centrally distant, S. W. from Albany 25 miles : Surface hilly; spurs of the Kattsbergs running through it. The valleys, however, are numerous and fertile, with a soil of sandy loam. There are turnpike roads over the town in every direction. The Catskill crosses the S. W. corner, receiveng from the town some small tributaries. The lands are holden under lease from the Van Rensselaer estate. Rensselaerville, Preston Hollow, Potter's Hollow, and Hall's Hollow, are post villages. Rensselaerville village, on Ten-mile creek, at the junction of the Albany and Deleware, and Greenville turnpike roads; 20 miles W, from Albany, contains 1 Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian and one Baptist, church; 3 grist mills, clothing works, 1 furnace, 2 taverns, 7 stores, various mechanics, and about 175 dwellings.




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