USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VII > Part 12
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Oct. 21 .- Francis M. Southwick, oldest son of Solomon
162
Notes from the Newspapers.
Southwick, died, aged 23. His funeral was attended by the military, of which he was an officer.
Oct. 24 .- Col. John Visscher died, aged 85.
Oct. 26 .- Wheat sold in the city at 14s. 6d., or, $1.81. On the 27th it went up to 16s. Id., or, $2.01. On the 30th, "in consequence of the news brought up by the steam boat," it fell to 12s.
Oct. 29 .- The steam boat Chancellor Livingston, which left Albany this day, grounded on the overslaugh, and remained there twenty-nine hours. The Richmond, which went down the next day, ran aground also, and was detained four hours. The editors of the Daily Ad- vertiser called upon the citizens to exert themselves to deepen the channel, lest the canals which were fast approaching the city, should be carried down to a point below these obstructions.
Nov. 3 .- Mrs. Catharine Groesbeeck died, aged 73, widow of William Groesbeeck.
Nov. 6 .- Dirck Leaman was buried this day from his dwelling 48 Chapel street.
John McDole was buried from his house in Liberty street.
Nov. 10 .- The state convention for the revision of the constitution, which had been in session at the Capitol seventy-five days, adjourned. The final vote on the adoption of the constitution was 98 to 8, eighteen mem- bers being absent.
Nov. 5-The common council passed a law abolishing all previous laws regulating the price of bread and in- spection of flour, so far as they required the licensing of bakers or the weight of bread; but required bakers to stamp their loaves with their initials and the weight thereof.
Nov. 17 .- It was announced that wheat was again going up, the price having reached 10s. 6d .; on the 20th, it had attained 12s. 6d.
Nov. 25 .- The Rev. Hooper Cumming delivered a lecture in the Baptist church for the benefit of the Sun- day School Union, and a collection amounting to $91.70 was taken up,
1
163
Notes from the Newspapers.
Nov. 28 .- A yoke of oxen, said to be the best fatted ever exhibited in this city, were to be seen at Fly Market ; their weight being 3000 lbs. each, They were raised at Hartford, Vermont.
Junius W. Roorback, son of A. H. Roorback, of this city, died at Samarang, island of Java, aged 20.
Nov. 24 .- A report was made by Absalom Townsend, R. Brinckerhoff and Thedore Sedgwick on the state of the schools in the city under the Union Sunday School Society, It appears that there were at this time ten Sunday schools as follows :
First African, 41 scholars.
Second African, - 30
do
Second Presbyterian, .45
do
South Dutch,
64 do
First Episcopal, 59 do
Lutheran .34
do
Baptist,
26 do
Second Episcopal, 33
do
First Presbyterian, .56 do
North Dutch, 90 do
The last named school was not organized until the 28th December, 1820.
Complaint was made that the meetings of the common council had been changed from ten o'clock in the forenoon, to the " evening after dark," much to the detriment of business, and the interests of the city.
1822.
Jan. 1 .- The legislature met. The members of the house of assembly for Albany county were James Mc- Kown, William McKown, Volkert D. Oothout and John P. Shear. Charles E. Dudley and Archibald McIntyre were in the senate.
Jan. 5 .- The cold was so great that the thermometers in some parts of the town went down to 14 degrees below zero.
164
Notes from the Newspapers.
Jan. 14 .- It was announced that Solomon Southwick had been removed from the office of postmaster, and Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer, then a member of congress from this county, appointed in his place. Gen. Van Rensselaer returned from congress immediately and re- signed his seat. The governor on the 14th ordered an election to take place on the 5th of February to fill the vacancy.
The thermometers indicated 14 degrees and 15 degrees below zero in various parts of the city.
The votes cast in the county on the adoption of the amended constitution were as follows :
Yes.
No.
Albany,
690
614
Watervliet,
95
208
Bethlehem,
169
412
Guilderland
127
163
Cocymans,
235
54
Niskcuna,
9
52
Berne, .
195
269
Westerlo,
160
149
Rensselaerville, .234
112
The vote of the county was a majority of seventy-six against the constitution; 1905 yes, 1981 no.
The Rev. William Neill, late of Albany, edited the Presbyterian Magazine, which was begun in January, 1821, at Philadelphia.
Feb. 3 .- Dr. James Low died, aged 40. He was buried at Charlton, Saratoga county, and the members of the medical society resolved to wear crape on the left arm for the space of thirty days, as a tribute of respect to his memory.
Feb. 7-The county having established the poor house farm, a committee of the common council reported the following bill of fare:
Breakfast and Supper .-- Milk porridge four times a week, and mush and milk three times a week, with bread.
165
Notes from the Newspapers.
Dinner .- Sunday, rice, or Indian meal pudding, with milk and molasses and bread. Monday, pork, with beans or peas, vegetables, and bread. Tuesday, soup, vege- tables, and bread. Wednesday, beef, vegetables, and bread. Thursday, soup, vegetables, and bread. Friday, pork or beef, with peas or beans, vegetables, and bread. Saturday, fish, salt or fresh, with vegetables and - bread. The superintendent might occasionally substi- tute dishes of other meats in lieu of the above, provided the expense was not increased, and occasionally allow tea and sugar, to the aged and infirm.
Feb. 14 .- John H. Eversten died.
Feb. 16 .-- The house of Solomon Van Rensselaer, just below the city line, was destroyed by fire. It being supposed that the house was set on fire by incendiaries, the governor offered a reward of $500, and Gen. Van Rensselaer offered $500 more for the discovery of the in- cendiaries; the common council added $250.
The plan of a turnpike road on the east side of the Hudson river, through the highlands, to connect the cities of New York and Albany by a good road, was first projected in Poughkeepsie, in the winter of 1800. It was then generally considered to be a visionary scheme, unworthy of serious attention, and absolutely impracticable considering the obstacles to be encountered, especially over the highlands, and that no one would think of subscribing to the stock with a view to any emolument. But as no steam boats were then in being, it was the only practicable land communication between these two cities; and yet the lives and limbs of travelers were in daily jeopardy. The first attempt to obtain an act of incorporation failed, and when finally the law passed. it was regarded by many as a dead letter. The patriotism of a few gentlemen induced them to subscribe to the stock. It was thought that these liberal men could not have entertained a hope that the tolls would ever exceed the amount sufficient to keep the roads in repair. Up to this time $91,000 had been expended, of which $1,5000 was contributed by the state, and the [ Annals, vii.} 15
166
Notes from the Newspapers.
whole line of road had been completed except 35 miles over the highlands. The legislature was petitioned for a loan of $30,000 to complete that portion of the road.
Charles E. Dudley was reappointed mayor of the city. Feb. 21 .- A severe thunder storm passed over the city. accompanied with vivid lightning, in the evening.
The valuation of real and personal estate in the county of Albany for the year 1819, was $7,633,881; for 1820, $7,630,583; for 1821, $7,484,647.
Abraham A. Lansing died at his residence at Cherry Hill, aged 70.
Feb. 22 .- A sermon was preached to the members and patrons of the Apprentices' Library by the Rev. William B. Lacey, which was repeated at a future day, and after- wards published.
At an election for members of congress, the following vote was cast in this county :
S. Van Rensselaer.
Solomon Southwick.
Albany, .
734
455
Bethlehem,
365
19
Westerlo,
220
5
Rensselaerville,
140
20
Watervliet,
153
Guilderland,
183
Berne, .
402
Coeymans,.
69
2266
499
Mr. Southwick in a communication to the Daily Ad- vertiser, says that he was not a candidate in the strict sense of the word; that it was considered useless by the democratic party to oppose a candidate to the patroon, and that there was no systematic effort against him.
March. 4 .- John Vernor, Jr., died, aged 51.
March 6 .- The ice in the Hudson river broke up, but navigation was not open to New York.
The secretary of state reported to the legislature the account of the fees of certain officers, in which it appears
167
Notes from the Newspapers.
that from May 1 to Nov. 1, 1821, the county clerk of Albany county swore to $300 fees. $62 office expenses ; district attorney, $427, disbursements, $8; surrogate, $326, disbursements, $16.
March 9 .- At about five minutes past ten o'clock a meteor of extraordinary size and brilliancy passed over this city in a direction from north-east to south-west, leaving a trail of light of great length behind it.
It was announced that the Rev. John Bassett, had finished the translation of Vander Donk's account of New Netherland, which had never been rendered into English. Mr. Bassett was now settled at Bushwick, on Long Island.
The amount of money deposited in the savings bank during the second year of its business, was $14,333, by 297 depositors.
Anthony Van Schaick, counsellor, &c., formerly of Albany, died on the island opposite Lansingburgh, aged 43.
April 11 .- Major John Lush was buried from his house No. 320 North Market street.
April 17 .- The legislature adjourned, having been 107 days in session.
April 23 .- The remains of Jane McCrea having been removed to the burying ground at Fort Edward, the Rev. Hooper Cumming attended the ceremonies and preached a sermon on the occasion from Micah ii, 10.
April 28 .- Abraham Angus was buried from his resi- dence No. 54 Green street.
April 29 .- A quantity of silver plate stolen from the house of Mr. Thomas Shipboy in 1778, was found by a person plowing up a new field on the hill west of the city. The articles, consisting of a tea pot, coffee pot, sugar bowl, tea and table spoons, &c., were not materially injured, although they had been buried forty-four years. Only one of Mr. Shipboy's family was surviving at this time, the wife of Col. Sebastian Visscher.
(168 )
THE WHIRLIGIG.
BY JOHN H. CANOLL.
In the year 1812, the United States government purchased three hundred acres of land, lying nearly opposite the southern part of the city of Albany, and erected barracks and other buildings thereon for the use of a division of the army and the reception of recruits. The barracks comprised at least twelve distinct build- ings, constructed of wood; the greatest number of which were each of two stories and a basement, having a front of one hundred feet and a depth of thirty feet; and all were united by colonnaded galleries which facilitated communication between the respective buildings.
The undertaking had been projected with great liber- ality, and although, in its details, the original plan was not accurately adhered to, the accommodations were ample and extensive, and, including the cost of the grounds, must have involved the expenditure of nearly $100.000.
The commanding officer at this post was Major- General Dearborn, of whose eccentricities of govern- ment many instances might be adduced. One of the peculiar features of the establishment was a mode of punishment called riding the whirligig. The instrument employed was a rudely-formed box or cage, made to revolve with great rapidity around an upright post that passed through it, sustaining the relation of a pivot. The invention of this mode of punishment has been very erroneously imputed to Gen. Dearborn, who merits
169
The Whirligig.
only the equivocal honor of extending its application to a wider range of offenses than that to which it had been restricted. The evidence of its prior use may be traced back into military antiquities. In Reese's Cyclopedia is a very brief description of the contrivance in ques- tion which is copied, almost verbatim, by Dr. Webster, in his lexicon, as follows : ".WHIRLIGIG .- An instrument for punishing petty offenders, as sutlers, brawling women, etc .; a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was whirled round with great velocity." At the cantonment opposite Albany, the box was composed of a great number of slats, widely separated; the occupant was consequently exposed to the view of an idle crowd which this spectacle never failed to bring together, and whose vitiated tastes were thereby developed. The effect originally contemplated was, probably, the public humiliation of the culprit. Practically, however, other results ensued. The prison- er's hands being secured to the upper side of the box, it was made to revolve with a rapidity that soon caused extreme giddiness, and prevented the subject of this discipline from retaining an upright position, who however was prevented from falling, his hands being immovably fixed. Of course the arms were subjected to unwonted strain, and dislocations and other injuries were frequent. While the box was revolving, the sufferings of the culprit became momentarily more acute, and, if long sustained, finally reached a crisis of agony that was frequently followed by temporary unconsciousness, and, sometimes, by permanent intellectual disturbances.
In consequence of these results, this mode of punish- ment was soon discarded at the locality to which we have alluded, and probably has become obsolete in all civilized communities. Its use, it will be perceived, sub- jected the culprit to public shame, physical injury and mental derangement - evils sufficient to warrant the cutting down of any whirligig, by whatever name it may be called.
(170)
BY-LAWS OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, 1686.
From the New York Colonial MSS. in the office of the Secretary of State, vol. xxxiv.
[The first page of the original MS. is lost.]
Relating Ist to Corne .- That there shall bee within this Citty and Libertyes thereof, Two or more ffitt persons yearly to be appointed by the Mayor for the viewing of wheate and all other grain within the same, who shall bee ye Judges in all cases where any difference arises between the buyer and seller of and concerning the goodnesse of such corne who shall have for his paines for soe doing for each parcell of corne soe viewed, ye sum of 11d. if above 25 schiple if under nine pence. To bee payd by the buyer if that the said corne soe viewed prove to be good and by the seller, if that the same be otherwise than merchantable.
[That all merchants and other persons that shall here- after Export or ship of out of this Citty and the Libertyes thereof, any wheat or other grain shall first cause the sayd viewers or one of them to view such corne or other grain and obtain from them or one of them a certificate that the same Is good and merchantable, under the pen- alty of fforty shillings for every hundred scippel of corn (and so proportionably that shall bee otherwayes shipped of or Exported. That the viewers shall bee paid by the Exporter for such view & certificate one shilling.
That noe master of sloops or other vesshell shall within the Citty or Libertyes thereof take on board or Remove any wheat or other grain Except such as shall have such certificates as aforesayd under the penalty of Twenty shillings for the first offence and fforty shillings for every other after .* ]
The two paragraphs in brackets are partially erased in the MS.
171
By- Laws of 1686.
2d, Strangers .- That the constable of each ward and division within this Citty and Libertyes thereof doe from Tyme to Tyme make a strict search and Enquyre within their severall wards and divisions after all strangers that shall Come, Reside or Inhabit within their sayd several wards or divisions and give a List and account of their names To the Mayor or In his absence to the Eldest Alderman that further examination may be made and orders therein to save this Citty from Charges, &c.
That if any stranger or strangers whatsoever shall att any tyme hereafter come into any of the wards & di- visions of this Citty and Libertyes thereof and shall there Reside and Inhabit by the space of fforty days and a list or account of his their names shall not before that time be given to the Mayor or Eldest Alderman as afore- sayd By the Constable of such ward or division and any charges doe fall on this Citty thereby, such charges shall bee particularly borne and defrayed By that ward or division wherein such stranger or strangers shall so Reside and Inhabit as aforesaid. And the Constable for his neglect shall forfeitt and pay the sum of Twenty shillings.
That all and everye keeper of publique houses, tapp houses or ordinaryes within the Citty or Libertyes there- of that shall Receive any person or persons to Lodge or Sojourn In their houses above two days shall before the third day after his or their comeing thither give know - ledge to the Constable of the ward or division where such person or persons shall bee so Receaved of the name surname dwelling place profession and trade of life and place of service of all such person or persons and for what cause hee or they came to Reside there, and noe keeper of such publique houses, Tapphouses, or or- dinaryes are to Lodge or Sojourn in their houses any sus- pected persons or men or women of Evill names under the penaltye of Tenn shillings for each offence, &c.
Carmen .- That there be five Carmen and noe more appoynted and allowed by the Mayor and Court of Alder- men for the service of the Citty and that none doe serve In that Capacity for hire or wages but who shall be ap-
172
By-Laws of 1686.
poynted and allowed. That the Carmen appoynted for this Citty shall and doe fill up amend and repair the breaches in the streets and highways in and about this Citty when Required by the Mayor, gratis, That the said Carmen shall and doe weekly on everye Satur- day In the afternoon carry and carte the dirte out of all the streetes and lanes within the Citty and Convey the same to some convenient place where the same shall be appoynted to be leyed; provided the sayd dirte bee first swept together or Loaden or putt into their cartes by the Owners or Tenants of the house Before which the same lies. That the sayd Carmen are to have and Receive no more for a load to any place within the gates of the Citty than three pence unless for timber, Lime pantiles, and Bricke Requiring time and care to load and unload they are to have sixpence for each load, &c.
That when any corne or other goods Is Brought to the Citty the Carmen are Immediately to unload and dis- patch the same and if any Corne and meate bee in any boats they are with all possible speed to unload and house the same before other work done-all the sayd orders are to bee observed and kept by the Carmen of this Citty under the penalty of six shillings for the first offence, Twenty shillings for ye second and for the third to be putt out of their places.
All the sayd Carmen are to behave themselves Civilly to all persons and be Carefull of all goods they are Imployed to carry and if any hurt or damage happen to any goods or merchandize what soever while under their Charge, through their fault, neglect or want of care they are to make sattisfaction for the same.
That noe Negroe or other Slave doe drive any carte within this Citty under the penaltye of Twenty Shillings to be paid by the owner of such slave for Each offence. Brewers drays or Carriages for Beer only excepted, &c.
Ffiremen. - That noe person or persons whatsoever within this Citty or Libertyes doe keep shop and sell any goods, wares by Retayle or Exercise any handicraft, trade or occupation But such as are ffree men thereof or
1
By-Laws of 1686. 173
soe admitted by the Mayor or Court of Aldermen for the tyme Being under penalty of ffive pound for Each offence and all persons hereafter to bee made ffree shall pay as follows, Every Merchant, Trader or Shopkeeper the sume of three pounds twelve shillings & every handicraft man one pound sixteen shillings on being made ffree as afore- said for ye use of the Citty-That if a ffreeman shall bee absent outt of the Citty by the space of Twalve months and not keep fire and candle and not pay scot and Lott hee shall lose his ffreedom, &c.
Streets .- That no Carrion, Gutts, Garbidge ashes or any other kinds of dirte or filth whatsoever that may give anoyance bee thrown into any of the streets within this Citty undr the penaltye of 3 shillings and all person within this Citty are on Every Saturday morning when the season of the year and the Weather will permitt to clean the streets and sweep y" dirte before their houses Into heaps and cause the same to bee Loaden and putt Into the Cartes which are oppoynted to carry away the same under the like penaltye-That no person or persons shall or doe shoot any Gunn or Pistol In the street for wager or otherwyse nor throw or castt any stone there under the penaltye of three shillings, &c.
Retaylers of Liquors .- That none butt such as are Lycensed by the Mayor of this Citty for ye tyme being doe presume to keep publique houses or sell any wyne Rumm, Beer or other Liquors Either to Christians or Indians by retayle or a less quantitye than ffive Gallons within this Citty or Libertyes thereof under the penalty of ffive pounds for every or each offence, &c.
Surveyors .- That there be sworn surveyors appoynted for this Citty by whose advice and directions ye Ground within this Citty shall bee built And that none doe build before the front of their Ground be preised and layed out. by them and as they shall direct that a Regular ordr and uniformity bee kept and observed In the streets and Buildings and that none pave before Their houses but In such manner as appoynted by the sayd surveyor and that for Laying out of Each house Lott and Giving Certificate
174
By-Laws of 1686.
thereof the sayd surveyor shall have and Receive from the Owners thereof the sum of one shilling & six pence
To prevent Fire .- That persons be annually appointed by the Mayor and aldermen to bee viewers and searchers of Chimneys fire hearthes and to make complaint and presentmt where they ffinde the same defective to the Court of Mayor and aldermen who are to order the same to be mendid and Repayred or In default to punish the offenders by ffine not exceeding Twenty shillings for each default, &c.
That no person or persons do lay any hay straw or other combustable matter within their dwelling houses in the Citty or places adjoining to the same butt att distance from their houses and the streets, &c.
That provision bee made for hooks, Ladders and bucketts to bee kept In convenient places within this Citty for avoyding the perrill of ffire that if any person shall suffer his Chimney to bee on ffire he shall pay the summe of 15 shillings.
Negroes-That no person or persons whatsoever with- in this Citty and Libertys thereof doe harbour entertayne or countenance any Negro or Indian slave In their houses or otherwyse or sell or delyver to them any wine Rumm or other strong Liquor without Leave from the master or Receave or take from them any money or other goods on any other accott whatsoever. Butt if any offer device or attempt made by any such slave soe to doe they are forthwith to Reveale the same to ye Mr. or owner of such slave or to the mayor of this citty or eldest alderman under the penaltye of ffive pounds.
Market .- That Tuesday Weddensday and Saturday in each week be and are hereby appoynted market dayes in this citty for the exposing to sale at the market house all butchers meatt and flesh whatsoever.
That ffish, butter, cheese, eggs, poultry, fruits, roots and herbs may bee sold every day in the week att any time in the market or other convenient place that noe person shall forestall any provisions or victuals coming to the market or to buy in any private or other place
175
By-Laws of 1686.
than the markett under the paine of forfeiture of the same whether it bee found in ye hands of ye buyer or seller.
Noe person shall engrosse any provisions or victuals which is in ye market or city for ye market to retaile these again especially such as be knowne for hucksters, butchers or other people occupyinge their living by such provision or victuall as they shall soe ingross under payne of forfeiture of such provisions and victuals soe ingrossed. .
Noe huckster shall engrosse any poultry, eggs, flesh or butter comeing to the market under paine of fforty shillings.
Noe unwholesome or stale victuals shall be sold in the market under the payne of fforty shillings no blown meat or leprous swine shall be sold in ye market under ye payne of fforfeiting the same and fforty shillings.
That the Clerk of the market or his deputye is to take care that the above orders are duelye observed and present defaulte And sett out and appoynt conveninte bearths, stalls and standings for all persons that come to the market that the orders relating to the markett shall not bee put in execution until fiveteenth day of Máy next ensueing when the same is to bee duelye observed and kept.
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