The annals of Albany, Vol. V, Part 21

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


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The humble peticon of Thomas Barclay minister and Peter Mathews and James Dunbar the present Wardens of the English Church at Albany.


Sheweth-Vnto your Excellency that whereas the right honorable the society for propagating of the gospell in forrain parts have been pleased to appoint the peticoner Thomas Barclay their missionary for the city of Albany for the benefit of the garrison and Inhabitants there to perform divin service according to the liturgy of the Church of England, they have hitherto been necessitated - to make use of a small old Chappel 'belonging to a Lu- theran congregacon at unseasonable hours, as by their permission the house also [being] worn out & decayd. Your Excellency taking it into your pious consideracon on the 31th of May last was graciously pleased to grant to the sd peticoners a Lycence under your hand & seal to collect and receive the charity & benevolence of all good Christians within the province towards the building of a church or chappel for divin service in the center of the broad street called Yonkers Street leading from the ffort to the waterside between the end of pearl street & the small street that leads to the Lutheran Church not ex- ceeding sixty feet in length and forty five foot in breadth which by your Excellencie's Encouragement and example has hitherto been wonderfully successfull. Your Excell- ency having lately viewed the situation and the peticon- ers being advised that it will be more comodious [if] the same be built higher up the sd street neerer to the ffort were it is much wider wher may be conveniently spared


-


284


First English Church in Albany.


for the situation of a Church & Cemitery Ninety foot in length and sixty foot in breadth between the houses of Stephanus Groesbeck on the north side and the house of Abraham Cuyler on the south side not to extend further east than the east end of sd houses and thence to stretch westerly Ninety foot in the same breadth of sixty foot equally distant from sd houses. they therefore humbly pray


May it please your Excellency


To grant to the peticoners in trust to and for the use of sd minister and wardens and their successors fore ever letters pattent under the seal of the province of New York for that spot of ground and that the Benevolence already given and subscribed in virtue of your Excellen- cies said lycence be appropriated towards the building of the sd Church or Chappel therein the alteracon of the site or any article or clause otherwise worded in the said ly- cence notwithstanding under such quitrent as your Ex- cellency shall think fit to propose in this behalf. And the peticoners as in all duty bound shall ever pray &c.


October 7th 1714.


21 Oct. 1714 Read & granted.


THO: BARCLAY.


(285 )


ALBANY IN 1691 AND IN 1853.


From the Albany Evening Atlas.


A glance at what Albany was in 1691 and a compari- son with what it is now, presents some interesting facts. We find a description of the place given by the " Gov- ernor and Council of New York and Dependencies," written on the 6th August, 1691. as follows:


Albany in 1691 .- " Albany lyes upon the same river, distant from New York 144 miles, only settled for In- dian trade; its commerce extends itself as far as the Lakes of Canada and the Sinnekes Country in which is the Susquehannah River; their chief dependance is upon their traffick with the five Nations called Sin- nekes, Cayeugoes, Oneydes, Onondagas and Marquase ; which Indians in the time of the Dutch did surrender themselves and their lands to the obedience and protec- tion of Albany, and upon that place's reducon to your Majesties Crowne of England they continued confirming the same successively to all the Governours of this Province, and hath now ratified and confirmed the same unto your Majesty, so that all that tract of land from the Westermost extent of the Sinnekes Country unto Albany hath been appropriated and did absolutely be- long unto the Inhabitants of Albany upwards of fourty years. The Indian inhabitants have always reckoned themselves subjects to your Majesties Crowne and are not willing to submit or have any trade or Commerce with any of your Majesties subjects but those at Albany. your Majesties forts of New York and Albany had al- ways an absolute dominion over all the Indian Nations adjacent to this Province but especially of all those to the Westward; and they were accustomed annually to bring tribute to your Majesties forts, acknowledging the same, but of late years the neighboring Collonys have obstructed them, which we consider highly injurious to


24


286


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


your Majesties interest and that this loyalty is not con- veyed by any of the afore recited grants."


The Pasture-The Van Rensselaer's Claim .- Again, in reference to the old pasture, a locality which retained its appellation until late years, but which is now be- coming so thickly settled and built upon that its cogno- men is wearing away, Gov. Dongan, at an earlier date (1687), wrote as follows:


" As for this of the Pasture, he is mistaken, it was never yet in the King's hands, but hee that was the commander took some profits of it, which was a great grievance to the people, it having been patented by Governor Nicolls to several people and by them built upon whose buildings have been since carried away by the overflowing of the river. It does not contain above fifteen or sixteen acres. I doubt not but I shall make it appear that I have done nothing in this to his Mat'ys prejudice I conceive I have done the King very good service in Albany. The town of Albany lyes within the Ranslaers Colony, and to say truth the Ranslaers had the right to it for it was they settled the place, and upon a petition of one of them to our present King about Al- bany the petitioner was referred to his Mat ys Council at law who upon a perusal of the Ranslaers papers made their return that it was their opinion that it did belong to them. Upon which there was an order sent over to Sir Edmund Andros that the Ranslaers should be put in possession of Albany, and that every house should pay some two beavers, some more some less ac- cording to their dimensions pr annum, for thirty years, and afterwards the Ranslaers to put what rent upon them they could agree for. What reason Sir Edmund Andros has given for not putting these orders in execu- tion I know not.


" The Ranslaers came and brought me the same or- ders which I thought not convenient to execute judging it not for his Mat'ys interest that the second town of the Government and which brings his Mat'y soe great a Revenue should bee in the hands of any particular men. This town of itself is upon a barren sandy spot of land,


287


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


and the inhabitants live wholly upon trade with the In- dians. By the meanes of Mr. James Graham, Judge Palmer, and Mr. Cortlandt that have great influence on that people, I got the Ranslears to release their pretence to the town and sixteen miles into the country for com- mons to the King with liberty to cut firewood within the colony for one and twenty years. After I had ob- tained this release of the Ranslears I passed the patent for Albany wherein was included the afore-mentioned pasture, to which the people apprehended they had so good a right that they expressed themselves discontented at my reserving a small spot of it for a garden for the use of the garrison."


Another Description .- Chevalier De Calliers, Govern- or of Montreal in 1689, speaks of Albany as being "about as large as Montreal, surrounded by piequets, at one end of which is an Earthern Fort defended by palisades, and consisting of four small bastions. There is a garrison of 150 men, of three companies in the Fort, and some pieces of cannon. Said town of Orange (Al- bany) may contain about 150 houses, and 300 inhabit- ants capable of bearing arms, the majority of whom are Dutch, and some French Refugees, with some English."


Albany in 1853 .- From these descriptions, a pretty clear idea can be formed of what Albany was in olden time. What Albany is now, is told in the fixed facts which surround her. If Albany was " only settled for Indian trade," it is now occupied for a far different pur- pose. Its extensive manufacturing establishments and wide-spread commerce were not dreamed of by the early settlers. It was not then, as it is now, the capital of the Empire State of the Union; surrounded by six or seven rail roads, branching out in every direction, and communicating with the most distant as well as the largest marts of trade; at the head of the navigation of the Hudson River, and at the foot of the navigation of the Erie Canal, thus forming a connecting link between the great West and the South and East; filled with man- ufacturing establishments of every kind; within three or four hours ride of the great Commercial Emporium of


288


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


the Western World; and supplied with all the modern facilities to aid and forward the requirements of trade and commerce. This is what Albany is now, and ex- hibits her as in the most flourishing condition.


No inland city has ever shown a more flattering in- crease in business and population, in ten or fifteen years. The last census (1850) showed a population of 50,763. The ratio of increase since 1830, we give below ;


In 1830 the population was


24,238


1835


66


28,109


1840 66


33,763


1845


42,139


1850


66


50,763


Showing an increase of 17,000 in ten years; enough to make three or four good sized villages.


Original Name-City Government,-Albany was origi- nally called Beaver Wyck, or Beaver town, and after- ward Williamstadt. It received its present name in 1664, in honor of James, Duke of York and Albany, af- terwards James II, in whose reign the original city was granted by Governor Dongan, July 22, 1686, and the government vested in " The Mayor, Aldermen and Com- monalty of the city of Albany," consisting of the mayor, recorder, ten aldermen and ten assistants. In the course of amendments to the charter made by the legis- lature, at different periods, the assistant aldermen have been merged in ten aldermen, the board consisting of twenty, ten of whom are elected each year.


The Basin .- A basin has been formed in front of the city, protected from the river by a pier, one mile and a quarter in length, in the centre of which is a cut used by the rail road ferry boats to pass out into the river, and so across to the opposite side. This basin furnishes a safe harbor for vessels of all descriptions, and secures them from injury by ice, which in the spring freshets comes down the river in immense quantities, sometimes causing great damage.


Situation of the City-Improvements .- The city is commanding in its situation, and appears to great ad- vantage from the river. There are three ravines run-


289


Albany in 1691 and in 1853. '


ning from east to west, known as the Foxen Kill, the Rutten Kill, and the Beaver Kill. These ravines, which were once enclosed by land at an elevation of from 140 to 160 feet above the river, are now graded, laid out in streets and built upon; and so much improved, that no sign of their original condition is visible.


Public Buildings-Academy .- The public buildings are of the most beautiful and tasteful character. The Capitol, which was built in 1807, yet bears traces of the highest finish; while its architecture exhibits a style of the most commanding character. This building is occu- pied by the legislature, the state library, the court of ap- peals and supreme court, the governor and adjutant general. The new state library building is located di- rectly in the rear of the Capitol; is fire proof and finished in the perfection of modern styles. The City Hall, occupied for city and county purposes, and by the United States Courts, and also the Albany Academy, having from four hundred to five hundred pupils, face the public squares at the head of State street, Maiden lane, Pine street, and Steuben street. In the rear of the City Hall is the new Jail, and north, fronting on the Academy Park, is the new State House, occupied by the state officers.


Principal Public Squares .- Two public squares, one on each side of Washington street, are known as Capi- tol and Academy Parks. They are enclosed with sub- stantial iron fences, erected on stone copings, and laid out with walks lined with ornamental trees of the choicest species. A more delightful spot is not to be found in any inland city in the Union.


Medical College and Hospital .- A few rods south, on Eagle street, is the Medical College, incorporated in 1839, and to which a building admirably adapted to its purpose, was granted by the city corporation. It was formerly occupied as a public school, which was con- ducted on the Lancasterian system many years under the charge of Mr. Tweed Dale. The College possesses one of the most valuable Museums in the country, con- taining many specimens imported direct from Germany


290


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


and France, Nearly opposite is the old Jail building, which has been, for some months, undergoing alterations · for the purpose of converting it into a Hospital, It is now nearly completed, and will be, when finished, one of the best hospitals in the state. The building at pre- sent occupied as a Hospital, is situated at the corner of Lydius and Swan streets.


Female Seminary .- In addition to the Academy spoken of, there is a Female Academy, which has annually from three hundred to four hundred pupils. This insti- tution ranks high, and .occupies a handsome and conve- nient edifice on North Pearl street. Connected with it is the Albany Library, numbering about 1,000 volumes.


Exchange Building .- The Albany Exchange, situated at the foot of State street, is a large and commodious building, constructed of granite. In this building is the Post Office, the Exchange Bank and numerous other offices.


Young Men's 'Association .- Association Hall is on the south side of State street, near the intersection of Broad- way. The Young Men's Association occupies the upper part of this building, having a library room, reading room and lecture room. The latter is supplied with a gallery, and is capable of seating eight hundred persons. This Association, which is for mutual improvement, was the pioneer institution of its kind in the state, and em- braces all ranks and professions, numbering last year 1,721 members. Its reading room is supplied with all the leading newspapers of this country and England; also the most popular and standard periodicals and reviews, native and foreign. Its library is valued at $8,000. Last year there were drawn from its shelves 10,397 volumes, During the Lecture season, which extends from December to March, one lecture a week is delivered. Strangers have access to all except the lectures and library. The receipts, last year, from all sources, amounted to $5,018.75 expenditures, $4, 502.55.


State Normal School .- The Normal School for the state of New York, was established by an act of the legislature in 1844, for the instruction and practice of


291


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


teachers in common schools, in the science of education, and the art of teaching. Its object is to improve the teach- ers of common schools; and the course of study and the conditions of admission have been adopted with reference to that object. Each county in the state is entitled to send to the school a number of pupils (either male or female) equal to twice the number of members of assem- bly in such county. The pupils are appointed by the town superintendents, at a meeting called for that pur- pose by the superintendent of the county town. The school occupies a large brick five-story building on the corner of Lodge and Howard streets.


University and Observatory .- The University of Alba- ny is an institution, connected with which are some of the brightest intellects of the state. It embraces depart- ments of law and science. There is also to be connected with it an Observatory, called Dudley Observatory, taking its name from the late Hon. Charles E. Dudley, whose widow, Mrs. Blandina Dudley, is the founder and principal donor. This building, which is nearly com- pleted, is in the form of a cross, with a front 86 feet in length, and about 70 feet in depth. It is located on a beautiful and commanding eminence, near the western limits of the city. The plans for the building were prepared under direction of Prof. O. M. Mitchell, and combine scientific accuracy with architectural beauty and effect.


Asylum for Idiots .- This is a state institution, and is located on the Troy Road. There are thirty pupils sup- ported by the state and ten who pay for their board and instruction. By an act of the legislature, passed April, 1853, an appropriation of $10,000 was made for the erection of a building to accommodate one hundred or more pupils, so that each judicial district will be allowed to furnish eight pupils, when the building is completed.


The Penitentiary .- The Penitentiary, in charge of Captain Pilsbury, is located very pleasantly, about three quarters of a mile from the river. It is a large brick building, and is supplied with from four hundred to five hundred convicts the year round. Labor forms a part


292


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


of the discipline, and for the past year the convicts have earned a surplus over the cost of maintaining them, amounting to $3,000.


The Alms House .- The Poor House, Z. R. Brockway, superintendent, is located about a quarter of a mile be- yond the Penitentiary, and consists of extensive and convenient buildings, forming a square, and has con- nected with it a farm of 150 acres cultivated by the in- mates; there is a hospital and insane department con- nected with this institution.


Orphan Asylum .- About a mile west of the City Hall, at the head of Washington street, stands the Orphan Asylum, a private incorporated institution, under the government of a Board of Managers, which contains generally about 150 male and female children, who en- joy the benefits of education, and moral and religious instruction. It is dependent upon the benevolent for its support. Ald. Valentine is the superintendent.


St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum. - Connected with St. Mary's Church, is St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, a Cath- olic institution, for females only, which contains over one hundred inmates, and is under the charge of Sisters of Charity.


Other Public Property .- There are also, belonging to the city, half a dozen or more public squares, two mar- kets, ten district school buildings, with dwellings at- tached for teachers, eleven engine houses, one hook and ladder house, one hose cart house and a hose depot, all built of brick in a substantial manner and convenient in their arrangement.


Churches .-- There are of churches:


Baptist,


5| Methodist, 6


Bethel,


1 |Presbyterian, .. .. 3


Congregational,


1 Associate Presbyterian, . 1


Episcopal, 5 Reformed Protestant Dutch, . 3


Friends,


1 Reformed Dutch, 1


Jewish,


3 Roman Catholic Cathedral, .. 1


Evangelical German, .


1 Churches, . . 4


Lutheran,


1 Unitarian, 1 J Universalist, . 1


Evang'l Lutheran German, . .


Protestant German, . 11


293


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


Geological and Agricultural Rooms .- The old State Hall, on State street, is occupied as a Museum of the Geological Cabinet, formed under the direction of the state geological surveyors, and is an attractive and highly interesting and instructive place of resort; as also the State Agricultural Rooms, which are supplied with agricultural implements, and remarkable specimens of agricultural products.


Trade and Commerce .- Of the trade and commerce of Albany, the following statement, comprising the leading trades, gathered from the most authentic sources, will give some idea :


Agricultural Implements, .


3 Forwarders, 46


Bakers, . .


61 Grocers, . 434


Blacksmiths,


33 Hardware, 7


Boiler Makers.


8 Hats, Caps, &c .. 20 -


Booksellers,


12 Hotels, . 66


Boot and Shoe dealers,


34 Iron Founders,


11


Boot and Shoe makers,


70 Jewelry and Watches, 29


Brass Founders,


5 Lumber dealers.


44


Brewers, .


11 | Machinists, ..


11


Brick Makers,


7 Marble Works,


7


Cabinet Makers, .


18 Newspapers, .


18


Carpenters and Builders,


67 Produce dealers, . 39


Carriage Makers,


11


Provisions,.


13


Segar Makers,


21 Publishers, .


8


Clothing Dealers,


67 Rope Makers,


16


Commission Merchants, .


23 Sash Maker's, .


6


Confectioners,


23 Saw Mills,


6


China and Glass,


4 Soap and Candles.


9


Dry Goods, .


66 Stove dealers.


Flour Dealers,


54 Sheet Iron Workers, . 14


Upholsterers,


11 Wood dealers,. 14


Wheelwrights,


10 Wool dealers, . 5


Other occupations, . 1600


Banks .- There are nine banks, besides three savings banks, with an aggregate capital of $2,801.000, as fol- lows:


Bank of Albany,. $240,000


New York State Bank, ... 250,000


Mechanics' an | Farmers' Bank, 350,000


Commercial Bank, 300,000


5


Coal, .


13 Saddle and Harness,


O


Drugs and Medicines,


24 Stove Manufacturers, 20


-294


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


Albany City Bank, .


500,000


Exchange Bank, .


311,000


Bank of the Capitol,


350,000


Merchants' Bank, ...


250,000


Union Bank,


250,000


$2,801,000


River Navigation .- The harbor master's books for 1852 showed that the number of vessels arriving and departing from this port during the season was as fol- lows. The number for the present year will show an increase :


No.


Tous.


No.


Tons.


Schooners,.


329


27.363 |Steamers,


39


16.432


Sloops,


240


14.352


Propellers,


9


1.635


Barges,


181


24.303


Screws,.


9


511


807


84.596


Canal Navigation. - The number of loaded boats weighed at the weigh locks this season amounted to 4,587. Total weight, 488,025,944. Number of light boats, 605.


Rail Roads .- There are six rail roads, branching out in every direction, on which about 60 trains arrive and depart daily.


Manufactures .- The principal manufactures of Albany are iron hollowware, ale and malt. It would be next to an impossibility to get any where near the actual amount of iron manufacture, but we may state that in the one article of stoves alone, from 150,000 to 200,000 are made annually. This amount, at an average of $10 apiece, would nett near $2,000,000!


About 250,000 barrels of beer have been manufactured during the past year, which, at $5.50 per barrel, an average price, amounts to over one million and a half of dollars. Of malt there has been manufactured about 915,000 bushels, amounting at its present price to nearly a million of dollars.


Assessed Value of Property .- The assessed valuation of real estate the past year is set down at $16,307,666; of personal estate, $4,567,889; total, $20,887,555.


295


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


Benevolent Societies .- There are fourteen benevolent societies, as follows :


Albany County Bible Society.


Albany City Tract Society.


Albany Fire Department.


Maternal Benevolent Society.


Needlewoman's Friend Society.


Bricklayers and Masons' Union Benevolent Society. Hibernian Provident Society.


Journeyman Hatters' Society.


Laborers' Benevolent Society.


Mechanics' Benefit Society.


St. Andrew's Society.


St. Joseph's Catholic Benevolent Society.


St. Nicholas Society.


Shamrock Benevolent Society.


Medical Societies .- There are three medical societies, as follows;


Medical Society of the State of New York.


Homeopathic Medical Society of New York.


Albany County Medical Society.


Masonic Bodies .- There are seven chapters and lodges as follows :


Grand Chapter of the State of New York.


Grand Lodge of the State of New York.


Temple Chapter, No. 5.


Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 3.


Masters Lodge, No. 5. Temple Lodge, No. 14. Washington Lodge, No. 85.


United Americans .- There are three chapters of the Order of United Americans, as follows :


Liberty Tree Chapter, No. 44.


Star Spangled Banner Chapter, No. 56.


George Washington Chapter, No. 64 ..


Odd Fellows .- There are in this district 21 lodges, composed of 1,895 members, besides two encampments and three degree lodges.


Temperance Societies .- Sons of Temperance .- Albany Division, No. 24; Clinton Division, No. 76.


296


Albany in 1691 and in 1853.


I. O. of Rechabites .- Forest Tent, No. 175; Scho- negh-ta-da Tent, No. 304.


O. of Social Circles .- Albany Circle, No. 1; Constel- lation Circle, No. 14.


Temple of Honor .- Tivoli Temple, No. 22. Albany County Temperance Society.


City Temperance Alliance.


Albany Dorcas Temperance Society.


These last five admit ladies to membership.


Military .- There are eight military companies, as fol- lows :


Albany Republican Artillery. Albany Burgesses Corps. Albany Emmet Guards. Washington Rifle Company. Albany Worth Guards. Albany Scotch Light Infantry.


Albany City Volunteers. Albany City Cavalry.


( 297 )


DESCRIPTION OF ALBANY COUNTY.


From Spafford's Gazetteer of New York, 1824.


Albany county is situated on the west side of the Hudson river, [supposed] 160 miles by water, but only 144 by land, north of the city of New York, and is bounded north by the counties of Schenectady and Saratoga, east by Rensselaer county, south by the county of Greene, and west by the county of Schoharie. Its form is slightly irregular, about 22 by 21 miles, and its area 462 square miles, or 295,- 680 acres; situated between 42° 21' and 42° 45' north latitude, and 20' east and 15 west longitude from New York city.




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