USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. V > Part 2
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18
Notes from the Newspapers.
July 5. Bread 4lbs. 2oz. for Is. Wheat 9s. 4d. in New York, Oct. 10.
Mrs. Cornelia Lynch Morton, daughter of the late Gen. Philip Schuyler, died at Philadelphia, aged 32. Her worth is very highly extolled.
July 10. JOHN BARBER, publisher of the Albany Regis- ter, died of consumption, aged 50. He was printer to the state, and a man very highly respected for his moral and social worth. Before he took charge of the Register, he had been a school teacher under Mr. Merchant.
The mayor of the city acknowledged the receipt of $400 from Messrs. Pepin & Breschard, circus performers, for the benefit of the poor of the city.
The Common Council ordered the Old Hospital to be sold at public auction on the first of September.
Sept. 4. Died, on Sunday morning, Mrs. Mary Spen- cer, wife of Judge Spencer, and eldest daughter of Gen. James Clinton, aged 36 years. " In whatever situation of life she was placed, her deportment was always correct, dignified and engaging."
Oct. 2. The steamboat arrived here on Sunday eve- ning from New York in 27 hours, the shortest passage that she has made.
Oct. 17. Bread 3lbs. 11oz. for Js. Dec. 1. 3lbs. 11oz, for Is. Flour $7.50 in New York, Dec. 1.
Oct. 18. The sheriff acknowledged his obligations to the police, the firemen, and the prisoners, both in the limits and in close confinement, for their exertions in saving the jail from destruction by fire which accidentally broke out on the night of the 18th October.
The expenses of the city lamps for the year ending Oct. 10, was $3560.44. For city watch, $2454.60.
Died, on Saturday, Oct. 22, Dr. Wilhemus Mancius, aged 70. He was a valuable and respected physician, who had practised in the city nearly 48 years, and was esteemed not only as an experienced physician, but as a generous citizen.
Died, on Saturday, Oct. 29, Mrs. Susan Townsend, wife of Isaiah Townsend, and eldest daughter of John Robinson, in the 26th year of her age.
19
Notes from the Newspapers.
Nov. 2. Ralph Letton advertised that he had taken a convenient room designed for a museum, next door to the- corner of Chapel and State streets, and had already col- lected a variety of curiosities adapted to such an institu- tion, and solicited curiosities from the public, either as donations or for a price.
Nov. 11. Died on Friday evening, of consumption, the Rev. James Burke, pastor of the Roman Catholic congregation.
Nov. 24. There were exhibited at the Thespian Hotel, in North Pearl street, a male and female tiger from Asia, announced by the exhibitor as the first that had ever reached this part of the continent. The citizens were invited to lose no time in visiting these extraordinary animals, as there never was and probably never would be exhibited animals so worthy of their attention.
Died, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Mrs. Huldah Bryan, wife of John Bryan, aged 40.
Died, on Friday, Dec. 9, Mr. Philip Wendell, aged 75.
1809.
Jan. 19. J. Scudder opened a "grand panorama," at the old Court house, and advertised that he intended in a short time to establish in Albany a city Museum.
Jan. 21. The Gazette began to report the proceed- ings of the legislature, permission having been given to- accommodate reporters for newspapers within the bar, at the previous session.
Jan. 25. A petition was presented to the legislature from the corporation of Schenectady, praying a division of the county of Albany, which was read and referred to a committee, who reported in favor of the division, and brought in a bill for erecting a new county from the western part of the county of Albany. The Gazette re- marks, that " formerly applications for divisions of coun- ties and towns came from the people, but under the pre- sent order of things the people are wholly dispensed with."
Sunday morning, Feb. 12, the thermometer stood at 17 degrees below zero, on the west side of Pearl street, at 8 o'clock. " A degree of cold never known in this country
3
20
Notes from the Newspapers.
at that time of day; especially when we consider that hundreds of chimneys had been an hour smoking, while the sun darted his rays against the exposure."
Feb. 12. A collection was taken in the Dutch church on Sunday evening, for the benefit of the Ladies' Society, which-amounted to $300. [There were several benevo- lent societies at this time, claiming the support of the public, and it was no unusual thing to see announcements like the above, of equally large amounts being collected.]
The bill before the Assembly for dividing off the city of Schenectady, and the towns of Duanesburgh and Prince- town, and so much of the town of Watervliet as lies west of the manor line, into a new county, by the name of the "city and county of Schenectady." On a division of the house, there was a majority of 8 in favor of a new county.
March 12. A collection was taken up in St. Peter's for the benefit of the Humane society, of $266-91.
Died on the 14th March, Mr. Sybrant Douw.
On the 17th, Dr. Peter Gansevoort, aged 83 years 8 months.
On Thursday, March 23, Mr. Abraham Weaver, aged 100 years.
On Saturday, March 25, Thomas Sager, for many years public crier, and crier of the courts held in the city, died, aged 84.
The bakers complained of the unrighteous law which restricted them to the Common Council rules in the price of bread, although their profits were large. Wheat was down to a dollar a bushel in New York, and a loaf of superfine bread was 3lbs. loz. for a shilling ; or 4lbs. 1 oz. of common.
Died, May 9, in the Colonie, Mr. Bastejan T. Visscher, aged 82. During the struggles of our revolutionary war, he was actively and usefully engaged in various im- portant services. He was ardently attached to the wel- fare of his country, and after a long and well-spent life, he surrendered his soul into the hands of Him who gave it, without a struggle or a groan.
On the 3d May, the assize of bread was altered to 1s. a loaf superfine of 2lbs. 100z.
21
Notes from the Newspapers.
June 10. The Federalists, not content with ringing the bells with unwonted perseverance on the day of the arrival of the news that the embargo was raised, resolved to hold a grand festival for a " public manifestation of joy on the occasion of restoration of harmony and renewal of commerce with Great Britain." Addresses were de- livered by Philip Van Vechten and John Lovett, and the procession was pronounced by the papers to be the largest and most respectable ever witnessed in Albany. Many curious scenes were devised to give interest to the pa- geant, and on the whole it was a glorious day for Federal Republicanism.
The old State Hall was advertised for sale by auction on the 5th September.
Sept. 18. Henry Trowbridge advertised a Museum; it is believed to have been the foundation of the Museum.
Sept. 28. The new steamboat, Car of Neptune, was advertised to leave Albany every Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, and arrive at New York on Sunday evening. She will leave New York on Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock, and arrive at Albany on Thursday evening. The old North River steam boat will continue to run on her usual days. Rates of passage as follows: To Hudson, $2; Redhook, $3; Esopus, $3.50; Poughkeepsie, $4; Newburgh and West Point, $4.50; New York, $7.
Died, Nov. 8, Christopher A. Yates, an old and re- spectable inhabitant, aged 71.
Nov. 20. The old City Hall was advertised to be leased by auction for the term of twenty-one years.
Nov. 27. The Common Council, on the removal of the bell from the City Hall in Court street, to the Capitol " at the public square," whereby the citizens were "in a great measure deprived of the benefit of the 12 and 8 o'clock bell, which, by ancient custom, has been established and continued in this city " ordained, that the bell in the North Church, the consent of the officers of the church having been obtained for that purpose, be rung every day at 12 o'clock at noon and 8 o'clock in the evening, in the manner and for the same length of time as has been cus- tomary with the bell of the Reformed Dutch Church ;
.
2
22
Notes from the Newspapers.
and that Barent Bogart be appointed to ring the said bell, during the pleasure of the board, and that his salary be $40 per annum, payable half yearly.
Died in this city, on Friday, Dec. 22, the Hon. William Cooper, of Cooperstown, aged 55. His remains were taken to Cooperstown for interment.
Taverns and Groggeries .- The following does not differ much from the real number of taverns and retail spirit shops in the cities of New York, Albany and Philadelphia in the past year (1809):
New York,
3,700 Population 82,000
Albany,
265
7,500
Philadelphia,
190
107,000
Thus in New York one-seventh of the population sup- port themselves by the sale of ardent spirit; in Albany one-fifth ; in Philadelphia not a fiftieth part.
The above estimate was rated too high for Albany. A correspondent of the Gazette says the licenses from 1808 to 1809, were 59 taverns, 74 petty groceries, inclu- ding 8 ordinaries, 84 permits; total 227: 15 of these had both tavern and grocery licenses, which reduced the num- ber to 202. How many wholesale, or other establish- ments, were selling without licenses ?
1810.
Died, Friday, Jan. 19, Gen. Abraham Ten Broeck, in the 76th year of his age. He was conspicuous for the ardent love of his country, in whose service he devoted his best days. His remains were buried with military honors, and attended by a large and very general con- course of his fellow-citizens.
He was descended from one of the most respectable Dutch families of the colony of New York. His father was for many years recorder and then mayor of the city of Albany. He commenced business in the city as a merchant, and was married in 1753 to the only sister of the Patroon, who survived him. He was called early into public life; was for many years a member of assembly under the colonial government, and at the commencement of the American war he entered upon the trying scenes
23
Notes from the Newspapers.
of the revolution, with distinguished ardor and patriot- ism. He was colonel of the militia, member of the pro- vincial congress of 1775, delegate to the state convention in 1776, of which he was made president. Early in the contest, he was appointed brigadier general of the militia, by which appointment he had then under his command all the militia from Dutchess and Ulster, to the northern and western extremities of the state; and he rendered in that capacity zealous and meritorious services in the memorable campaign of 1777. He was a member in the state senate, mayor of the city, first judge of the court of common pleas, and president of the Albany Bank. In all his various offices and public trusts, he acquitted himself well, without stain and without reproach. Such a series of meritorious services entitle this venerable patriot to live long in the recollection of his grateful country. His virtues in private life rose to a level with the excellence of his public character. He was a firm and devout be- liever in the gospel of our blessed Redeemer, and one of the brightest ornaments of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in this city. He closed a well-spent life in humble resignation, and retaining his senses to the last, died under the cheering consolations of the gospel.
The legislature this year resolved that the agricultu- ral and commercial interests of the state required that the inland navigation from Hudson's river to Lake Onta- rio and Lake Erie should be improved and completed on a scale commensurate to the great advantages to be de- rived from the accomplishment of that important object ; and doubting the resources of the Western Inland Lock Navigation company to be adequate to such improvement, appointed Gouverneur Morris. Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter, commissioners for exploring the whole route, and to examine the outlet to Oneida Lake, with a view to deepening the channel to prevent inundations.
Feb. 3. The Bank of Albany was removed to the north-east corner of State and Court streets, the present site of the Exchange.
24
Notes from the Newspapers.
Feb. 4. S. Gould gave notice that he had just opened at 96 State street, adjoining the state offices, a Law Book, Blank and Stationary store, where books might be ob- tained on the same liberal terms as at his Law Bookstore in New York, which is not exceeded by any other estab- lishment of the kind in America.
Feb. 5. Died at Yorkfield, Canada, Col. Abraham Cuyler, aged 68, formerly mayor of this city, and a man of a dignified and gentlemanly deportment, and highly esteemed. He sided with the British in the war of the revolution. After the war he returned to Albany, and resided where the North Dutch church now stands; but his former tory predilections rendered his residence here uncomfortable, and he removed to Canada.
Feb. 11. A charity sermon was preached in the Pres- byterian church by Rev. Mr. Neill, and a collection taken up for the benefit of the society for the relief of indigent women and small children, amounting to $304.44.
Feb. 19. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, a venerable pa- triot of '76, and late lieut. governor of the state, died, aged 693.
Died on Friday, March 2, Mrs. Jannetie Lansing, relict of Garret J. Lansing, aged 87.
March 5. Bread 2lbs. 9oz. for one shilling, sup .; 3lbs. 5oz., common.
Died, at his seat in Watervliet, on Wednesday, March 21, Cornelius Glen, aged 69, for many years one of the principal and most respectable merchants of this city; a man of great integrity and probity; a friend to his country ; uniting in the same character the patriot, the Christian and the honest man.
March 23. Died at Greenbush, Mrs. Cornelia Tappan Genet, aged 35, wife of E. C. Genet, and daughter of Geo. Clinton, vice president.
A law was passed by the legislature for raising $30,000 by lottery, for the purpose of improving the Hudson river between Troy, Lansingburgh and Waterford.
Died, April 17, Mrs. Catharine Westerlo, widow of the Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, and mother of the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, aged 65.
25
Notes from the Newspapers.
Died, April 19, Mrs. Elizabeth Hun, widow of the late Thomas Hun, aged 72.
Died, April 23, Mr. Edward S. Willett, aged 60.
On Tuesday evening, April 24, of an apoplectic fit, John Stephenson, Esq., aged 75.
Albany county was finally subdivided in 1809, leaving it as it now stands, when it consisted of Albany, Coey- mans, Watervliet, Rensselaerville, Bern, Colonie, Beth- lehem, and Guilderland. Some of these towns have been subdivided, and otherwise altered, but the territory is be- lieved to be the same. The county taken off was that of Schenectady, which consisted of Schenectady, Niska- yuna, Princetown and Duanesburgh.
May 13. The North River Steam Boat [which is be- Lieved to have been the first one built on the river, and has Seen lately known by the name of the Clermont, that is in the books], Capt. Wiswall, arrived at this port yester- day afternoon [Sunday, May 13] at 5 o'clock, being the shortest trip she has ever made. But for the necessary detention on the way, of landing and receiving passen- gers, it would have been performed in 19 hours.
City police office, corner of Steuben and Montgomery streets. Stated police days Tuesdays and Fridays. Ri- chard S. Treat, Judge of the court of Common Pleas for the county of Albany.
. The vote cast for governor in Albany county at the spring election, was, for Platt, 1868; for Tompkins, 1125. In Schenectady county, 486 to 543.
Pierre Briare, "late. Pastry Cook to one of the Princes of the Royal Family of Bourbons and to the Viceroy of Mexico," established himself at No. 12 Green street.
Died, on Thursday, July 19, Mr. John James Abbott, of this city, aged 84.
July 30. On Monday the corner stone of the new prison and county jail, now building in this city, was laid by Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Esq., mayor of the city, in presence of the members of the Common Council, and a respectable concourse of citizens. The site of this build- ing is in Lutheran street [Howard], at its intersection with Eagle street, and a few rods south-cast of the pub-
26
Notes from the Newspapers.
lic square. We understand the building is to be 62 feet square, three stories high, and to have six rooms on each floor, with solitary cells, &c., on the plan of the state prison. The basement story only is to be completed the present season.
May 26. Mr. James Caldwell, an opulent merchant of Albany, laid the corner stone of the. First Presbyterian Meeting House, in Caldwell (Fort George), which edifice he erected at his own expense, for the benefit of the in- habitants of the place.
Aug. The corporation had under consideration the project of establishing a free school, on the plan of Jo- seph Lancaster. As yet it is believed there were no pub- lie schools in the city. The society of Mechanics had a number of years previcus erected a building in Pearl street, called Uranian Hall, and maintained a school out of their own funds, but it is presumed that its benefits were confined to the children of mechanics.
The Medical Repository speaking of the city and its improvements, says " there are several institutions that well deserve to be mentioned." Among those enumerated were the Lectures on Chemistry by Dr. T. P. Jones, the Museum of Mr. Trowbridge, whose "assemblage of min- erals, shells and insects are very good beginnings," and the gallery of paintings by Mr. Ames, which was thought to merit the highest eulogy.
Died, on Sunday morning, Aug. 26, Mr. Leonard Gan- sevoort, at his seat, Whitehall.
Aug. 25. The high sheriff of the city and county of Albany visited the jail, in company with his deputies, and the jailer proceeded to throw open all the doors connect- ed with the debtor's apartment, there not being a single person in said prison confined for debt; a circum- stanee most grateful to the philanthropic and benevolent mind, and which, perhaps, has not a parallel in any county of the same population within the United States.
Died on the 13th September, Mr. William P. Beers, clerk of the city and county of Albany.
Oet 10. The two steam boats perform 144 trips in the season, and consume each trip, on an average, seven cords
27
Notes from the Newspapers.
of pine wood, which at $5 per cord, amounts to $5.040. This wood is principally, if not wholly taken from the commons of the city. I submit to the consideration of the corporation, whether any citizen, and even strangers, ought to be permitted to cut more wood on the commons than is necessary for building and fire wood for their own families. If this practice be tolerated, what will in a short time be the consequence? Suppose there are in each trip eighty passengers (and there are sometimes above a hundred), this at $7 for each, amounts to up- wards of .. $80.000 Deduct for expenses, &c., one fourth, 20,000
There will remain a net profit of. $60,000
Is it just and reasonable that the corporation should permit the woods of the commons to be converted to the use and benefit of a very wealthy man, and who receives such immense profits and advantages from the steam boats, when they can be amply supplied elsewhere.
A CITIZEN.
Dec. 15. A charity sermon was preached in St. Peter's church by the Rev. Mr. Clowes, and a collection taken up, amounting to $242, for the benefit of the Hu- mane Society.
By the census of this year the population of the city and county was as follows:
Sllaves.
Colonie,
1406
30
Rensselaerville, 5928
S'eves. 21
Albany city,
9354
256
Bern,
5136
35
Bethlehem,
4430
137
Guilderland,
2466
66
Coeymans,
3574
101
Watervliet,
2365
128
-
34,661
772
Increase in the city since 1800, 4007; county, 9448. The population of the state was still short of one million.
1811.
Jan. 15. In this city, Mr. Peter Ryckman, in the 80th year of his age ; a worthy and honest man.
28
Notes from the Newspapers.
Feb. 10. A sermon was preached in the North Dutch church, by the Rev. Mr. Bradford, and a collection taken for the benefit of the society for the relief of indigent women and children, which amounted to $290.45.
Application was made to the legislature for the incor- poration of a third bank in this city, to be called the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank, with a capital of $600,- 000.
Feb. 12. The first annual sermon before the Albany Bible society was delivered by Rev. Samuel Blatchford, in the North Dutch church. The society was also incorpo- rated this winter .*
The Albany Bible Society was incorporated by act of legislature, passed April 8, 1811. The managers named in the charter, were, John M. Bradford, William Neill, Samuel Blatchford, Harmanus Bleecker, John Stearns, John H. Wendell, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Philip Van Rensselaer, Eliphalet Nott, Abraham Van Vechten, John Woodworth, Douw Fonda, John McJimpsey, Frederick G. Mayer, Daniel Ostrander.
March 18. The steam boat Hope was advertised to be launched at 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, March 19.
HOPE
By the census returns, the number of looms employed in the county of Albany was 1169; number of yards of woolen cloth manufactured, 87,272; do. linen cloth, 145, 282, for the single year 1810.
* The first Bible Society in the United States was established at Philadelphia, about 1509.
29
Notes from the Newspapers.
The passage boat Trial, " moving by machinery invent- ed by Mr. Abraham Randal, of the town of Colonic," was advertised to "again begin her course " on the 14th May between Albany and Troy, twice a day, at 2s. each passenger per trip. The boat would be let to select par- ties in the evening for $3. It appears to have been run- ning the year previous.
Pinxter. April 28. A law was passed by the Common Council prohibiting any person from erecting any tent, booth or stall within the limits of this city, for the pur- pose of vending any spirituous liquors, beer, mead or cider, or any kind of meat, fish, cakes or fruit, on the days commonly called pinkster; nor to collect in num- bers for the purpose of gambling or dancing, or any other amusements, in any part of the city, or to march on par- ade, with or without any kind of music, under a penalty of ten dollars or confinement in jail.
May, A line of stages was formed from Albany to Niagara Falls, in three days. The fare was from Albany to Utica, $5-50; Utica to Geneva, $5; Geneva to Canan- daigua, $5.75; and from thence to Buffalo 6 cents per mile.
Died, Thursday, June 19, Mr. John I. Bleecker, in the 81st year of his age. He held for many years the office of interpreter for the different tribes of Indians. He was a worthy and respectable citizen; and, having arrived at a good old age, he died as he had lived, a sincere believer in the doctrines of the gospel.
June 22. The new Albany steam boat Hope, Captain Bunker, made a display in the harbor of New York, with 100 ladies and gentlemen on board. She was expected to surpass the other boats in speed and elegance.
Died, on Thursday, July 4, Dr. Hunloke Woodruff, aged 57.
July 22. Dr. Beck informs his friends and the public that he has commenced the practice of Physic and Sur- gery at No. 71 Court street, one door south of the Eagle Tavern.
July 27. On Saturday, the two steam boats Hope and North River left the dock at Albany, at 9 o'clock in the
30
Notes from the Newspapers.
. forenoon, and performed the first of those races, of which the river has witnessed so many since. The Hope had the start. and kept the lead until they reached about two miles above Hudson, when the old boat, by reason of her lighter draught, took advantage of a shallow pass, while the Hope followed the channel, and the consequence was a collision. Considerable excitement ensued, and affida- vits and cards, statements and counter-statements filled the newspapers. An attempt was also made to procure an injunction upon the new boat, to prevent her running. Capt. Bartholomew ran the North River, and Capt. Bun- ker the Hope. The former challenged the latter to a race for a purse of $2000, while the latter declined in a proper spirit. The speed of these boats was 29 or 30 hours between the two ports. A new boat called the Perseverance ran with the Hope, Capt. Sherman.
City Finances. The receipts and disbursements of the City Chamberlain for the year ending Oct. 11, were as follows :
For rents,
5,629.77
Commutation for rent, 80.00
30,584 87₫
Revenue from ferry, ..
1,690.00
Rent of Western hay scales, .
73.90
Reimbursements for paving,.
272.334
Dividends on turnpike stock, 555.75
3,770.83
Fines,
1,375.00
Excise money, .
7,000.00
Taxes
1,037.82
Reimbursements paving public squares,
160.15호
Rent of stall,
10:00
Reimbursements for drains,
126.27
Sales of paving stones and flagging,
210.16
Sales of cemetery lots, .
352.39
Sales street dirt and oil casks, .
42 16
53,085 16₺
Expenditures:
City Lamps and Night Watch, $6,795.41
Expenses attending City Elections, . 35.44
Engines and Engine Houses, 3,503.734
Ferry and purchase of lots at Greenbush,
3,804.75
Sales of land, .
Loans from Banks, .
113.75
county,
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