USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VI > Part 9
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111
Notes from the Newspapers.
Sept. 25. On the 25th of September, the first number of the Albany Daily Advertiser made its appearance, printed by John W. Walker, for Theodore Dwight, at 95 State street.
Oct. 11. David E. Gregory and Peter Bain having connected themselves in business, under the firm of Gregory & Bain, are now opening, and offer for sale, at the store lately occupied by Messrs. Robert Hyslop & Co., corner of Market street and Mark lane [now the north- west corner of the Exchange building], a large and general assortment of china, glass and earthen ware, on liberal terms for cash or approved credit.
Important Discovery: A Coal Mine .- It gives us the greatest pleasure, to learn, that a valuable coal mine has been discovered near the Harrowgate springs, at Green- bush, opposite the city, and about one fourth of a mile from the Hudson river. Within forty feet of the sur- face of the earth, a stratum of coal, of six feet in depth, has been found, and appearances warrant the belief that the mine is large and extensive. The coal is of an excellent quality, and a shaft is now sinking, in order to commence working the mine .- Albany Gazette.
Oct. 23. Notice was given that the poor debtors, con- fined in prison in this city, are in a suffering condition, for want of the necessaries of life. The public charity, and that of individuals, if dispensed in their favor, would be received with gratitude and thanks.
Oct. 27. A meeting of the citizens of Albany was held, at the Tontine Coffee House, to take into con- sideration the most effectual means for the abolition of the great and increasing number of individual and com- pany bills, which were the general medium of circula- tion, and had become extremely vexatious.
November. An effort was made about this time to discover a vein of coal, and several individuals perse- vered in sinking a shaft for that purpose, under the im- pression that former attempts hereabout had failed from too slight and superficial examinations.
Died, on Saturday, November 4th, Goldsbrow Banyar, aged 91. He was born in England, but came to this country in early life, where he ever after resided. For
、112
Notes from the Newspapers.
many years prior to the Revolution, he was deputy-sec- retary of the province, and as the secretary was absent, the important and laborious duties of that office were per- formed by Mr. Banyar in a manner highly honorable to his talents and integrity, and very advantageous to the province. Through his very long life he was considered a man of strict and unimpeachable integrity, punctual and faithful in the discharge of his public duties, and virtuous and amiable in the private relations of life- respected by his numerous acquaintance, and affection- ately esteemed and beloved by his family and friends. His funeral took place on Monday afternoon, at St. Peter's, when a sermon was preached by Mr. Clowes.
Nov. 17. Died, on Friday morning, Nov. 17, very sud- . denly, Mr. Balthazar Lydius, in the 78th year of his age. He was a very eccentric character, and the last male descendant of one of the most ancient and respectable Dutch families of the city.
Nov. 21. Died, on Tuesday evening, Nov. 21, Mr. Peter P. Dox, postmaster of this city, and late sheriff of the city and county of Albany. His funeral was attended with masonic honors and a numerous concourse of friends and citizens,
The Christmas and New-Year holidays seem to have been celebrated with considerable uproariousness about this time, since the common council found it necessary to pass a resolution to double the watch on the nights of the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 31st December, and the Ist and 2d January; and to enforce the prohibition against the firing of guns, pistols, &c., on the days and nights above mentioned.
1816.
Specie at Albany is as low as six per cent. premium, and we have understood that some of our brokers have declined purchasing at that price.
Gerrit L. Dox was appointed postmaster, in the place of his brother, Peter P. Dox, deceased.
The thermometer stood at 13 and 14 degrees below zero on Sunday and Tuesday mornings, Jan. 14 and 16.
At the January session, the following were admitted
113
Notes from the Newspapers.
solicitors in chancery: Peter Gansevoort, John Crary, Chas. H. Ruggles, John P. Cushman.
Jan. 18. In consequence of the great change in the weather, the ice in the Hudson broke up between Albany and Troy, and a sloop, laden with wheat and provisions, was brought down with the ice to this city, where it sunk.
Feb. 2. The expenses of the Lancaster School for the past year were as follows: Salary of the teacher $700.00
Rent of school-room (the school-house was not done) 82.50
For fitting up Pettibone stoves and ventilating . 91.00
Incidental expenses 331.03
$1,204.53
W. A. Tweed Dale was preceptor.
The income of the society arose from the following sources :
Allowance by the corporation out of the excise receipts
$500.00
School fund appropriation
487.66
Tuition fees from the scholars 400.00
$1,387.66
The number of scholars instructed during the year was 400, of which 200 were new scholars; that is, who had not previously attended the school.
Feb. 7. A meeting was held at the Tontine Coffee House, to urge the subject of the canal upon the atten- tion of the people and the legislature. The call was signed by Archibald McIntyre, James Kane, John Wood- worth, Wm. James, Barent Bleecker, Renssalaer West- erlo, John Van Schaick, Chas. E. Dudley, Dudley Walsh, H. Bleecker. The importance of the measure was strongly urged upon the public, and committees appointed to each ward, for the purpose of procuring signatures to a memorial to the legislature.
Feb. 25. A charity sermon was preached in the North Dutch Church, by Rev. Dr. Bradford, which produced, for the benefit of the Society for the Relief of Indigent Women and Children, the sum of $218.68.
114
Notes from the Newspapers.
March 1. The prices for freight established by the owners of sloops on the river was published on the 1st of March ; among which were the following items : Wheat and other grain, 5d. per bushel; flour, 25 cts. per barrel; liquors, $1.25 per pipe; iron, 12} cts. per hund- red weight; paper, 6d. per ream; tea, per chest, $1.25; dry goods, 6s. to 8s. per trunk; sugar and tobacco, 12} cts. per hundred pounds.
March 3. Died, on Sunday morning, Maus R. Van Vranken, an active and patriotic officer, for many years on the civil list of the county of Albany.
March 18. The cold this morning, as late as half-past six, was 4° below zero. This is unusual and extraor- dinary severity for the season. There have been only three or four colder mornings the past winter. The ice in the Hudson against the upper part of the city is heaped together in great masses, and will probably bind the river till April.
March 18. A meeting of the citizens was held at the Capitol, for the purpose of organizing a society for the purpose of establishing an African Sunday school. The prominent actors were Isaac Hutton, Timothy Clowes, Theodore Sedgwick, Geo. Upfold, jr., John Stearns, &c., who were among all the popular benevolent movements of the day.
March 20. The manager of the Theatre gave a benefit to William B. Winne, front door-keeper, and the citizens were appealed to in his behalf, in consideration of his long and meritorious services, having punctually fulfilled the duties of his station, through wind and rain, fair weather and foul. Adrian and Orilla and the Adopted Child were played.
March 21. The managers of the Society for the Relief of Indigent Women and Children reported that the ex- penses for the last year were: For the relief of 79 women and 175 children, $484.26; expenses attending clothing and education of 30 scholars, including teacher's salary, fuel, and repairs of school-house, $446.45; total, $930.71.
March 24. A sabbath evening school was established at Mr. Young's school-room, in Washington street, and
115
Notes from the Newspapers.
appears to have been countenanced by the Moral Society. It was attended by 150 children and 50 adults.
April 9. The bill " erecting the village of Troy into a city" passed the legislature. Albert Paulding was elected the first mayor, and William L. Messey, re- corder.
April 10. The legislature provided by law for a school in Albany for colored people.
April 28. A most destructive fire broke out in the commons of this city on Sunday last [April 28], which extended its ravages to Guilderland and Watervliet, and was not wholly extinguished at the end of four days. It has, in its extensive progress, done incalculable damage to the young growing wood and timber, and consumed many thousand loads of fire wood and valuable timber which was cut down. We have heard of no buildings. being destroyed, but all the fences of the enclosed fields within its range are entirely swept away.
Colonel Rensselaer Westerlo was elected a representa- tive in congress for the ninth congressional district, by a majority exceeding 800. Col. Elisha Jenkins was the democratic candidate opposed to him.
Among the steam boats building at this time for the various cities of the Union, at Brown & Eckford's ship-yard in New York, mentioned by a writer who had been to view them, was " a new and very large and pow- erful steam boat, of 146 feet keel, presumed to be the largest ever built, to run between New York and Albany .. - and designed to perform the route by the light of a single day."
May 2. The election this year resulted, as usual, in the triumph of the federal ticket. Rufus King received 1770 votes for governor, and Daniel D. Tompkins 980. George Tibbits, of Troy, received also 1770 votes for lieut. governor, and Tayler 960. Rensselaer Westerlo ran for congress, and M. Lovett was also supported by the federalists. The democratic candidate was Mr. Jen- kins. The following table will show the vote of the towns, and the relative strength of the parties. The election commenced on Tuesday, April 1, and continued [ Annals, vi.] 11
116
Notes from the Newspapers.
three days, as was the custom for about twenty-five years after :
Towns.
King. Tompkins. Tibbits. Tayler. Westerlo. Jenkins. Lovett.
Albany,
472
293
468
275
579
508
271
Bern,
253
123
356
122
426
159
0
Bethlehem,
295
104
297
104
351
110
1
Coeymans,
69
115
69
115
95
159
2
Guilderland,
140
56
141
54
181
81
0
Rensselaerville, . 124
147
126
147
170
203
0
Watervliet, . ..
152
44
143
47
190
54
1
Westerlo,
165
98
170
96
188
149
2
1770
980
1770
960
2180
1418
277
May 14. The roofs of the houses and the neighboring hills were covered with snow, and the country in many places had the appearance of winter, the hills being as · white as in the month of January.
May 24. Died, on Friday, May 24, Dudley Walsh, late president of the Bank of Albany, aged 55. He was dis- tinguished, says his obituary notice in the Daily Adver- tiser, for the temperance and regularity of his life. He was the builder of his own fortune and character; having come to this country from a foreign land, and begun his career unaided and alone; and his industry, intelligence and integrity placed him at the head of the commercial interest. "As a Christian, a citizen and a merchant, he had no superior here."
July 1. Dr. Wm. Bay and others having presented the common council, on the 24th June, a memorial on the subject of a better and more economical mode of afford- ing relief to the poor of the city, that body took the matter in consideration, and divided the poor into five districts, giving to each a physician, as follows: 1st, Wm. Bay; 2d, Jas. Low; 3d, Chas. D. Townsend; 4th, Peter Wendell; 5th (Alms House), Platt Williams. They were to receive $200 each, which was considered to be a very great saving in the medical expense of the city, and a most promising means of reducing the ex- pense for the support of the poor families, in a more speedy manner than could by the old arrangement be done.
117
Notes from the Newspapers.
July 4. This day was celebrated much in the usual way. Lt. J. O. Cole read the Dec. Independence, and the oration was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. De Witt.
July 18. Notice was given that books of subscription to the stock of the Erie and Champlain canals were open at various points in the state, and at Albany by Philip S. Van Rensselaer, John Lansing, jr., John Woodworth, Harmanus Bleecker and Wm. James.
The council of appointment, being democrats, removed Philip S. Van Rensselaer, who had been the popular mayor of the city during the last 17 years. At a meet- ing of the common council, on the 29th July, a com- mittee, consisting of Messrs. Mckown, Cooper and Van Vechten, was appointed to prepare an address to the mayor, expressive of their disapprobation of the act.
At this term of the supreme court, held at the Capi- tol, James Dexter, Welcome Esleeck and John E. Lovett were admitted as attorneys.
This season was remarkable for many eccentricities of the weather. There was a great snow storm in June, which extended from Massachusetts to Canada, when everything over a large tract of country had the appear- ance of winter. The weather was extremely cold and dry, and frost was noticed in every month of the year within 30 miles of this city-a calamity never known before.
Sept. 1. An experiment was made by Capt. Roorback, of the steam boat Car of Neptune, of burning coal instead of wood on his boat; the great consumption of wood by the boats having already increased its price in New York and Albany. The want of judgment and experience in this first use of coal led to much detention on the route, and she performed the trip in 35 hours, which was con- sidered quite satisfactory, and a successful experiment.
Sept. 9. Gen. Henry K. Van Rensselaer died, aged 73.
Sept. 24. The election of charter officers resulted in the success of the federalists, the board standing the same as the previous year-12 feds , 8 demos. In the third ward there was no opposition to the federal ticket.
The Albany Reading Room and Library was com-
-
118
Notes from the Newspapers.
menced in 1809 by John Cook, with 82 subscribers, James Kane bestowing the rent of the room gratuitously. In September, 1816, he appealed to the public for an in- crease of patronage, or he must abandon it. He had then 131 subscribers.
Sept. 26. On Thursday, Sept. 26, the corner stone of the Lutheran Church at the corner of Lodge and Pine streets, was laid by the Rev. Mr. Mayer, assisted by Philip Hooker, architect.
Oct. 7. John Stilwell, of the late firm. of Stilwell & Wendell, takes the liberty to inform his friends that he continues the auction and commission business, and keeps on hand a constant supply of cash to advance on goods left to be sold.
India Goods .- The consummation of peace and the restoration of commerce between the United States and Great Britain was attended with the introduction of a new series of foreign luxuries, the names alone of which are quite formidable. Among the list of goods arrived at this time from Calcutta, the following articles must have produced a consternation among the ladies, by the singularity of their names:
Beerboon and Company Gurrahs.
Jalalpore, Cassimebad, Tonida, Audy, Azinghur and Allia bad Sannas.
Alliabad and Bushuck Emerties.
Chadpore, Cossamabad and Tandah Cossas.
Patka, Callepatty, Chittabully, Kyrabad Baftas.
Seercal, Audy and Gurrah Baftas.
Checks, Patna and Lucknor Chintz Carpets, Seer- suckers, Baglipore Checks, Castors, Palenpores, Bunah Cloths, Pisacky Cloths, Bandannoes, Choppas, &c.
Nov. 4. On Monday, Nov. 4, the mercury stood at 70 degs. F. between three and four o'clock in the afternoon in the shade. It stood the same on the 19th.
Nov. 5. The legislature convened in the city. The governor's (D. D. Tompkins) message occupied one - column of the Albany Daily Advertiser, and was pub- lished on the day following. The Rev. Dr. Bradford,
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Notes from the Newspapers.
Rev. Mr. De Witt, Rev. Mr. Chester, and Rev. Mr. McDonald were appointed chaplains.
Pleasure Carriages and Sleighs .- James Goold & Co. make and keep constantly on hand, for sale (at the sign of the gilded coach, lower end of Division street, a few rods north of the Eagle Tavern), all kinds of pleasure carriages and sleighs, and sell them unusually low. Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and see.
Dec. 1. The steam boat Car of Neptune left the dock at 12 o'clock, with 58 passengers, for New York, but was so much damaged by ice as to be compelled to stop several times for repairs, and on reaching New York had received so much injury, that it was resolved to lay her up and build a new boat to run in her place the ensuing: season.
Dec. 13. Gerrit W. Van Schaick died at Lansingburgh, after a short but severe illness, aged 59. He was the first cashier of the Bank of Albany, which office he held from 1792 to 1814. He was one of the citizen soldiers who rallied to the battle-field when the city was threat- ened by the British under Burgoyne; was afterwards a general in the militia, and an efficient member of the common council.
The police office was fixed at the south-west corner of State and Pearl streets.
Dec. 28. " The poor debtors confined in the jail of Al- bany beg leave to represent to the charitable and humane citizens their situation at this inclement season. There are several confined for small debts, who have neither money nor friends, and are far away from their connec- tions, who are in great want. It has been suggested that the mention of these facts would be a sufficient hint to the charitable and humane to supply their wants. They would feel grateful for such broken meats'and vegetables as the opulent have it in their power to spare."
On the meeting of the legislature, in January follow- ing, Martin Van Buren gave notice that he would ask leave to bring in a bill to abolish imprisonment for debt and to punish frauds against creditors. It was brought in on Feb. 5.
120
Notes from the Newspapers.
1817.
Jan. 23. A meeting of the gentlemen of the city of Albany, friendly to the settlement of the Rev. Hooper Cummings in the church owned by the society denomi- nated Seceders, in the said city, are earnestly solicited to meet at the said Seceders' Church this evening, the 23d January, at six o'clock, on business of the greatest importance. By order of the adjourned meeting.
DAVID NEWLAND, Ch'n.
Feb. 5. A bill was reported to the legislature to en- courage the search for coal near the city of Troy.
Feb. 6. The weather has been unremittingly cold for some days, and on Wednesday morning (6th) the ther- mometer stood at 11 degs. below zero; on the 5th, at Northampton, 20 degs. below, and at Hanover, N. H., 30 degs. below; and on the three following days 10 deg., 17 degs. and 10 degs. below zero.
Feb. 7. The inhabitants of the city of Albany, mem- bers of the legislature and strangers favorable to the ob- ject, were requested to attend a meeting in the court room of the Capitol, for the consideration of measures which may tend to the most speedy and effectual aboli- tion of slavery.
Feb. 8. The ceremony took place at the Capitol of presenting the swords awarded by the legislature of this state in 1814 to Maj .- Gen. Brown, of the U. S. army, and Maj .- Gen. Mooers, of the New York militia. They were presented by Gov. Tompkins, in presence of a large auditory .- Daily Adv., Feb. 19.
Feb. 14. This was the coldest day that had been known in the city for sixteen years. At 8 o'clock in the morn- ing the thermometer stood at 10 degs. below zero; at 2 p. m., 7} degs. below; at 5 p. m., 3 degs. below; at 6 p. m., 12 degs. below 0. The cold Friday of the 19th January, 1810, the mercury was only 6 degs .= 0 in the middle of the day. The wind was very high during the whole day, blowing from the north-west. Very few ven- tured out to transact business, and many travelers who reached the city were more or less frozen,
1
121
Notes from the Newspapers.
Feb. 11. A bill passed appointing a treasurer of the state, and filling the blank with the name of Garret L. Dox, of Auburn.
March 5. The firm of Stafford, Spencer & Co. dis- solved, consisting of Spencer Stafford, Geo. B. Spencer, Lewis Benedict, Hallenbeck Stafford and Sebastian Ty- mesen.
Mr. Trowbridge, proprietor of the State Museum, gave the first exhibition of his gas lights on Saturday, March 22. A laudable curiosity, and a desire to reward the indefatigable exertions of the proprietor, drew together a very large assemblage of the most respectable citizens and strangers, who expressed a high gratification at the success of this experiment, the extent of his collections, and the tasteful arrangements of his Museum. It is ex- pected that in his subsequent exhibitions Mr. T. will be able to give a more brilliant display of lights, from the improved state of his apparatus, and the alterations sug- gested by experience .- Argus.
March 25. At the caucus of the members of legis. lature, a spirited contest was maintained between the friends of De Witt Clinton, and those of Peter B. Porter, for the nomination, which resulted in favor of the former, 85 to 41. John Tayler received the nomination for lieut. governor. The caucus was in session till 12 o'clock at night.
March 27. Mr. Trowbridge announced some curious experiments with his gas, such as collecting it in glasses, allowing a person to breathe it, and on the application of fire, a flame would proceed out of his mouth He stated that the nightly expense of lighting his establish- ment with oil and tallow candles was from $1.87 to $2. 25. The coal and wood which he consumed to produce sufficient gas for 120 burners amounted to only 63 cents.
March 31. The legislature passed a law for the aboli- tion of slavery in the state of New York, to take place on the 4th day of July, 1827. This law enacted that every negro, mulatto or mustee, within the state, born before the 4th day of July, 1797, shall from and after the 4th day of July, 1827, be free; and that all negroes,
122
Notes from the Newspapers.
mulattoes and mustees, born after the 4th day of July, 1799, shall be free, males at the age of 28, and females at the age of 25.
April 1. The partnership between Vinal Luce and R. M. Meigs, under the firm of V. Luce & Co., was dis- solved on the 1st April, Mr. Meigs retiring.
The firm of Hochstrasser & Boldeman, consisting of Paul Hochstrasser and John D. Boldeman, on the corner of Broadway and Maiden lane, now Stanwix Hall, was dissolved, the former settling the business.
April 2. The ice commenced breaking up in the river on Wednesday April 2, and on the following day the channel was clear.
April 6. A charity sermon was preached in the first Presbyterian Church for the relief of indigent women and children, and a collection of $225.15 taken up.
April. 10. The copartnership between Thomas, Joseph and Elihu Russell dissolved.
April 12. Elihu Russell respectfully informs his friends and the public that he has connected himself with Joseph Davis and that the business will in future be con- ducted under the firm of Russell & Davis, at the well known establishment, 364 North-Market street, where . they offer for sale a general assortment of Paints, Oils Glasses, &c. on moderate terms. House and Sign Paint- ing and Glazing attended to at the shortest notice, and the smallest favors acknowledged.
ELIHU RUSSELL. JOSEPH DAVIS.
April 15. The bill authorizing the construction of the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo, passed the legislature on the day of its adjournment and became a law-the greatest scheme of the state of New York.
A law passed the legislature entitled, "An act to en- courage the persons therein named to search for coal in the bed of Hudson's river, near the city of Troy.
April 15. Troy .- It may not be uninteresting to those who barely know that within a few years this town has obtained the honor of being placed on the map of this state, that it is now about thirty years since the first store was erected here; at that time there were only
123
Notes from the Newspapers.
four or five dwelling houses within the limits of the pre- sent city of Troy. This city contains now about 5000 inhabitants. In the course of last week there was shipped here property estimated at a moderate calculation to amount to $200,000, consisting principally of flour, wheat, provisions, lumber, potash, &c. The flour was manu- factured at the mills in the south part of the city, of which there are four of very superior workmanship, both as respects their plan, and durability of mate- rials.
May 2. At the election for state officers held on the 2d May, De Witt Clinton received 227 votes for governor. The Daily Advertiser remarks that there was a general apathy. The vote-of the preceding year was 765 for governor. Stephen Van Rensselaer received 412 for assembly, which was the highest vote cast for any can- didate.
May 5. The Lancaster school was removed into the building prepared for it by the corporation, at the foot of Jay and Lancaster streets, on Eagle; the building occu- pied at this day as the Albany Medical College. The address delivered by Dr. Beck was published on the 12th in the Advertiser.
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