USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VII > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
A draft of a letter to the Hon. Robert R. Livingston,
.
229
Provincial Congress.
was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:
"SIR-Gen. Schuyler has, by express, sent to us for five tons of powder; we have sent forward 1,400 weight, all that we have, in a boat rowed with oars, to make dispatch.
"We pray you to order all the powder at the mill at Rhynbeck, to be forwarded by this conveyance."
October 13th, 1775.
A long letter in French from Jean Viellatt, on behalf of himself and some other French gentlemen from Can- ada, who are prisoners at Albany, was read in English by Mr. Morris.
The draft of a letter to the committee at Albany, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit :
"GENTLEMEN-The Canadian prisoners in your city have applied to us in order to obtain their liberty, which it certainly is not in our power to give them. The Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, must have had good reason to take them into custody ; yet it is our duty to alleviate as much as possible the evils of their con- finement. We therefore request this of you, and also to pro- vide them with lodgings and board at the public expense, taking the necessary precautions to prevent their escape."
A draft of an answer to the said Jean Viellatt, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit :
"GENTLEMEN-We are sorry that the fortune of war hath deprived you of liberty, and are unacquainted with the reasons that have induced the Generals to take that step. It is our misfortune equally with yours that we are not authorized to take this matter into our consi- deration; and therefore we have sent your memorial to the Continental Congress, who are alone competent. All that is in our power is to obey the dictates of hu- manity by endeavors to alleviate the rigors of your cap- tivity ; for this purpose we enclose you a letter to the
230
Provincial Congress.
committee of Albany, which you will be pleased to de- liver them; and believe that we are with regret.
A letter from Jacob Lansing, Jr. Esq., chairman of the committee at Albany, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
Albany, Oct. 9th, 1775.
"GENTLEMEN-In consequence of your letter respect- ing the repairing of the barracks, we have appointed those persons whom you recommended to us, who we judge are competent for the purpose; we will give them all the advice they may stand. in need of, in order to complete this business with expedition. And as many articles can not be got without cash, viz : firewood. lime, brick, &c., we have therefore taken the liberty to draw upon you in favor of Messrs. Peter Silvester, Abraham Yates, Jr., and Henry Glenn, Esqs. for the sum of two hundred pounds, for which sum this committee will be accountable for after the work is completed.
"JACOB LANSING, JUN. Chairman."
The draft for two hundred pounds mentioned in the letter of Jacob Lansing Jr. Esq .. chairman of the com- mittee of Albany, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
" Albany. October 9th, 1775.
"SIR-Please to pay or cause to be paid. unto Messrs. Peter Silvester, Abraham Yates Jr. and Henry Glenn, Esqs. the sum of two hundred pounds, New York cur- rency, for the purposes mentioned in our letter of this day's date.
"JACOB LANSING, JUN. Chairman."
Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer of the Provincial Congress, do pay to Peter Silvester, Abraham Yates, Jr. and Henry Glenn Esqs .. the sum of two hundred pounds, New York currency, for the purpose of repairing the barracks at Albany, and that Mr. Livingston take a receipt from those gen- tlemen for that sum.
Mr. Abraham Yates from the members of Albany brought in a draft to Walter Livingston, Esq., the Depu-
231
Provincial Congress.
ty Commissary General at Albany, relating to the ac- counts of ferrymen for ferrying soldiers in that county. which was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:
"SIR-Upon application of the members from Albany representing the unsettled state of the ferrymen's charges for carrying over the troops on their way to the seat of action, we think proper to inform you that we conceive those charges should be a Continental charge, and would recommend it to you to settle the same, that no obstruction may arise to the troops passing and re- passing to and from that quarter."
A letter from Col. Goose Van Schaick of the 15th inst. was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
"Albany, October 15th, 1775.
"SIR-Agreeable to General Schuyler's orders to me, I send down sergeant Neil McFall of the 26th regiment and William Elphiston. both taken in Canada. Those prisoners will be delivered you by Thomas Batts. ser. geant in the Connecticut troops; hope he will deliver them safe to your custody.
"GOOSE VAN SCHAICK."
A long letter from Benjamin Baker, at Albany, on the subject of making saltpetre, was read and filed. The gentlemen who were deputies from Albany are request- ed to write him an answer, that the Congress does not at present incline to comply with his proposals.
A letter from Col. Goose Van Schaick.dated at Alba- ny on the 2d November ult., informing Congress of the death of John Keyser, second lientenant in Capt. Chris- topher Yates's company, and recommending that Mr. Tobias Van Vechten may be appointed to supply the va- cancy.
(232)
DUTCH CHURCH PAPERS.
-
There remain in the kist of the North Dutch Church, a few ancient papers, which have an interest from their antiquity, their historical connections, or the quaintness of their style. The oldest of them is a conveyance by Governor Stuyvesant himself, of a lot for an almshouse, dated 1652, which being translated from the original Ne- derlandsch, is as follows:
We Petrus Stuyvesant Director- General and counsel- lors of their Highnesses the States General of the Unit- ed Netherlands, his Highness of Orange and the Di- rectors of the Octroyed West Indian Company, resid- ing in New Netherland, make known by these presents, that we on this day, as written below, have granted and conveyed as an almshouse. in behalf of the inhabitants of Beverwyck, near Fort Orange, within the limits and jurisdiction of the West Indian Company, the farm, bounded north by the Fuyck kill and south by the pub- lic road, west by Jacob Janssen and east by the wagon road, with express condition and stipulation that the holders and possessors of the aforesaid farm shall ac- knowledge the Directors of the West Indian Company as Patroons under the sovereignty of their Highnesses the S ates General of the United Netherlands and to obey here their Director and Counsellors as good and faithful subjects are bound to do, and to pay all duties and taxes as ordered or to be ordered hereafter by the Directors of the said company; granting and convey- ing by these presents to the Deacons of the aforesaid city, real and actual possession. to hold it, cultivate it, or make it productive to provide for the wants of the poor, without any compensation whatever to us the aforesaid Grantors, but do grant and convey the same in . behalf of the poor now and for ever. In witness where- of we the subscribers have caused our seal in red wax to be affixed hereunto.
-
233
Dutch Church Papers.
Fort New Amsterdam in New Netherland, 23d April, anno 1652.
P. STUYVESANT.
By order of the Director General and counsellors of New Netherland. COR. VAN TIENHOVEN, Secr.
No. 2.
CONVEYANCE OF A GARDEN LOT TO JACOB JANSEN.
We Petrus Stuyvesant Director General and Counsel- lors of their Highnesses the States General of the Unit- ed Netherlands, and the Directors of the Octroyed West Indian Company, residing in New Netherland, make known by these presents that we on this day, as written below, have granted and conveyed unto Jacob Jansen, the brewer, as a garden, the farm situated within the limits of Fort Orange, bounded south by Domine Schaets, east by Gysbert Cornelisse, west and north by the public road, being lot No. 19, wide four rods and a half and long six rods and a half, with express condition and stipulation that the holders or possessors of the same shall acknowledge the Directors of the West Indian Company as Patroons under the sovereignty of their Highnesses the States General of the United Netherlands and to obey here their Director and Counsellors as good and faithful subjects are bound to do and to pay all du- ties and taxes as ordered or to be ordered hereafter by the Directors of the West Indian Company, granting and conveying by these presents to the said Jacob Jan- sen, his heirs or executors in this state, real and actual possession to use and dispose of the same as his own property without any compensation to us the aforesaid Grantors. In witness whereof, we the subscribers have caused our seal in red wax to be affixed hereunto.
Fort Orange in New Netherland, 25th October, 1653. P. STUYVESANT.
By order of the Director General and Counsellors of New Netherland. . JACOB KIP, Secr.
No. 3.
LEASE BY THE DEACONS OF THE ALMS HOUSE. Memorandum that we the undersigned John Cuyler
234
Dutch Church . Papers.
and Evert Bancker. Deacons of the Church at Albany of the first part, and Robert Barrett of the second part, made an agreement, as follows, viz:
Cuyler and Bancker certify to have let to Robt. Bar- rett and Robt. Barrett to have rented from Cuyler and Bancker, the western part of the almshouse with half the farm occupied by it, such as the same is situated within its fences, for the term of one year, commencing this date, and ending the 1st May 1701, for the sum of eighty four guilders, value in Sewant, to pay the first half November 1st 1700, and the other half at the cx- piration of this agreement, and no deduction of the rent or any allowance will be made for any improvements made on the aforesaid house and farm.
In consideration of which the letters and their suc- cessors, and the tenant and his heirs bind themselves by law.
Signed and sealed at Albany May, Ist, 1700.
ROBT. BARRETT.
Signed and sealed in presence of
No. 4.
INDENTURE OF SERVITUDE.
This Indenture witnesseth that Aulkey Hubertse, Daughter of John Hubertse, of the Colony 'of Rensse- laerwyck deceased hath bound herself as a Meniall Ser- vant and by these presents doth voluntary and of her own free will and accord bind herself as a Meniall Ser- vant unto John Delemont of the Citty of Albany. weav- er, by and with the consent of the Deacons of the Re- formed Dutch Church in the Citty of Albany aforesaid who are as overseers in the disposal of the said Aulkey Hubertse, to serve from the date of these present Inden- tures unto the full end and term of time that the said Aulkey Hubertse shall come to Age, all which time fully to be compleat and ended, during all which term the said servant her said Master faithfully shall serve, his se- crets keep, his lawful commands gladly everywhere obey, she shall do no Damage to her said Master nor see it to
Dutch Church Papers. 235
be don by others without letting or giving notice thereof to her said Master; she shall not wast her Masters goods or lend them unlawfully to any; she shall not commit fornication; at Cards, Dice or any other unlawful Game she shall not play, whereby her said Master may have Damage; with her own goods or the goods of others during the said Term, without Licence from her said Master, she shall neither buy nor sell; she shall not ab- sent herself day or night from her Master's service with- out his leave, nor haunt Ale-houses, Taverns or Play- houses, but in all things as a faithful servant, she shall behave herself towards her said Master and all his du- ring the said Term. And the said Master during the said Term shall find and provide sufficient wholesome and compleat meat and drink, washing, lodging and ap- parell and all other Necessarys fit for such a servant; and it is further agreed between the said Master and Servant that in case the said Servant Aulkey Hubertse should contract Matrimony before she shall come to age, then the said Servant is to be free from her said Mas- ter's service by virtue hereof, and at the expiration of her said servitude, her said Master John Delemont shall find, provide for and deliver unto his said servant double apparell, that is to say, apparell fit for to have and to wear as well on the Lord's Day as working days both linning and woollen stockings and shoes and other Nec- essarys mcet for such a Servant to have and to wear, and for the true performance of all and every of said Cov- enants and Agreements the said parties bind themselves unto the other by these presents. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands and scals this 10th day of May in the nineth year of the Reign of our Sov- creign Lady Anne by the Grace of God, over Great Brittain, France and Ireland Queen, defender of the faith, etc. Anno Dommini 1710.
JON DELEMONT.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of An- tho. Brat, Theunis Brat, Jona. Rumney.
It is further agreed between the said parties that the
,
236
Dutch Church Papers.
said Master shall before the expiration of the said Term teach or cause to be taught to read. This don before sealing and delivering.
No. 5. BEQUEST TO THE POOR.
Know all men by these presents. that I Marietie Tymissen, widow of Cornelius Tymissen of Kwistag- ewene in the county of Albany, in the province of New York. having a particular affection and love, which I feel within myself. for the poor and indigent members of the Reformed Dutch Church in Albany. in the before mentioned province, have given and assigned, and do by these presents give and assign to the Consistory of the be- fore mentioned church, the sum of twenty pounds current money of the before said province. in behalf of the in- digent members of the before mentioned church, to be paid to the aforesaid Consistory, for the time being. six weeks after my death by my heirs, executors or admin- istrators without any delay or contradiction whatever, and that this may be observed and adhered to, I oblige my heirs, executors and administrators and every one who is walking in the way of truth; therefore I have signed and sealed this at Albany, Jan. 24th Anno 17 12-13.
Mark MARIETIE O TYMISSEN.
Signed and sealed in presence of us, Evert Bancker, Rutger Bleecker.
No. 6.
LETTER FROM THE CONSISTORY AT ALBANY TO SCHENEC- TADY IN RELATION TO DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO THE PAL- ATINES.
Albany. July 7, 1713.
The consistory of the Dutch church of New York having again sent to us the quantity of 80 bushels corn, 50 pieces of smoked pork (rookspeck), weighing about 500 lbs. and 100 lbs. bread to be distributed among the
Dutch Church Papers. 237
Palatines of Schoharie, you are hereby kindly requested to send thither by the first opportunity 5 wagons to bring the said victuals to Schenectady and have it there stored away. Please bring also as many bags as will hold the corn, and be sokind as to buy flour to the amount of £6. We also entreat you to summon all the said Palatines at your place a week after to-morrow being Wednesday the 15th instant, that they may be early in the morning at your place, when God willing the domine and some of the consistory intend to be at your place to distribute with you the said victuals.
Respectfully yours.
Per order of the Consistory of Albany.
No. 7.
BORROW FROM THE POOR FUND TO REBUILD CHURCH. .
Know all men by these presents that we the subscri- bers, elders of the Reformed Dutch church of Albany, in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds cur- rent money of New York received of Mess. Hendek Ten Eyck and Jacob Lansingh, deacons of the aforesaid church, being money collected for the poor, which sum we borrow to pay the arrears of the debt for rebuilding the said church, we therefore promise to pay out of the income of the church pasture to the said Hendrick Ten Eyck and Jacob Lansingh or their successors in the year seventeen hundred seventeen the sum of fifty pounds, and the other fifty pounds in the year seventeen hundred and eighteen.
In consideration of this we bind ourselves and succes- sors. Witness our hand Albany Dec. 28th, Anno 1716.
PETER VAN BRUGH. ROBT. LIVINGSTON, Jr.
In presence of Albert Ryckman, Jonas Douw.
Albany in the year seventeen hundred seventeen re- ceived on the within, the sum of fifty pounds current money.
JOHN VAN VECHTEN, REYER GERRITSE.
[ Annals vii.] 21
238
Dutch Church Papers.
Albany, Dec. 30th, 1718.
Received of Mess. Evert Bancker and Johannes Bleecker on the within bond the sum of thirty-eight pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence.
HAKM. WENDELL. KOENRADT TEN EyCK.
No. 8.
BORROW FROM POOR FUND TO REBUILD DOMINE'S HOUSE.
Know all men by these present that we the undersigned elders of the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, in con- sideration of the sum of one hundred forty-eight pounds one shilling and fourpence current money of New York received from Mess. Myndert Roseboom and Dirck Ten Broeck, deacons of the aforesaid church, being the mon- ey collected for the poor, which sum we borrow to pay the expenses of rebuilding the house of our minister; we therefore promise to pay the said sum in three years out of the income of the church pasture to the said Myndert Roseboom and Dirck Ten Broeck or their suc- cessors and we also bind thereto our successors.
Witness our hand Albany this 9th October Anno 1721. HENDR. VAN RENSSELAER. WILLEM VAN DEUSEN.
In presence of Abraham Cuyler, Anthony Coster.
No. 9.
PETITION OF JOHANNES BOOM.
Albany, April 8th, 1739.
To the respectable Gentlemen, the Consistory of the true Christian reformed religion, now assembled in the Dutch church at Albany. The humble petition of Johannes Boom.
Set forth his misfortune.
As it has pleased God to set him a father of a wife and six children, and it being hard for him to make a living, the principal support to provide for his family being a milk cow, which died yesterday, your petitioner
239
Dutch Church Papers.
is at a loss what to do to provide for his wife and chil- dren; for he is a new beginner.
For this reason I take the liberty to keep my family, and pray you to have the kindness to advance me so much money as will enable me to buy another milk cow ; and I will honestly pay you over the same, when God Almighty might bless me. This is the humble prayer of him who prays that God may bless the reformed re- ligion and churches. and that you the present Consis- tory take my petition in favorable consideration and grant the same.
I am your humble servant who prays God may bless you and prolong your life.
His JOHANNES IB BOOM. mark
No. 10.
BORROW FROM POOR FUND TO PAY EXPENSES OF MINISTER.
Know all men by these presents that we the subscri- bers, elders of the Reformed Dutch church of Albany, in consideration of the sum of one hundred and sixty-five pounds current money of New York, received from Mess. Volckert Douw and William Winne, deacons of the said church being money collected for the poor, which sum of money has been borrowed by us to pay the debts which said church has made in calling and having brought over our Rev. Minister Eilardus Westerlo. Therefore we promise to pay annually to the deacons, who have charge of the money chest for the poor, (de armen kist) the bal- ance of the income of the church pasture as soon as there is any.
In consideration whereof we bind ourselves and suc- cessors. Witness our hands, Albany this 10th day of Nov. 1760.
GERRIT VAN DEN BERGH. JACOB C. TEN EYCK.
Witness, John Douw,
( 240 )
ALBANY MECHANICS' SOCIETY.
BY E. W. S.
-
Although this society closed up its business a quarter of a century ago, the position it held and the influence it exerted upon society during an important period in the history of the city, entitles it to a place upon the record of our institutions.
On the 10th of January, 1793, upwards of one hun- dred and fifty mechanics met for the purpose of forming a society. A committee of one from each trade was appointed to prepare a constitution, which was adopted on the 11th February following, under the title of the Albany Mechanics' Society. It was composed of the principal mechanics of Albany and its vicinity, "for the laudable purpose of 'protecting and supporting such of their breth: en as by sickness or accident may stand in need of assistance, and of relieving the widows and orphans of those who may die in indigent circumstances, and also of providing the means of instruction for their children. The first officers elected were:
John W. Wendell, president. Charles R. Webster, Ist vice president.
Bernardus Evertsen, 2d vice president. Isaac Hutton, treasurer. John Barber, secretary.
At the January election, 1796, Charles R. Webster was elected president. In 1797 the following officers were elected :
President-Jacob Wright. Ist Vice President-Casparus Hewson. 2d Vice President-Thomas S. Webb. Treasurer-Isaac Hutton. Secretary-John Barber.
241
Albany Mechanics' Society.
Trustees-John W. Wendell, Isaac Hutton, Charles R. Webster, John I. Van Alen, James Hodge, Thomas S. Webb, John Mascraft, Elisha Dorr, Casparus Hewson, Jacob Wright, John Barber, John Easton, John Randall, James Linacre, James Kinnear.
The Society was incorporated by the legislature of New York, March 6. 1801; and was dissolved by like act, November 25, 1824. The object of this association is briefly set forth in the preamble of the act of incorpo- ration, and is as follows:
"Whereas Bernardus Evertsen and others, Mechanics and Tradesmen of the city of Albany and its vicinity, asso- ciated as a society, for the laudable purpose of protecting and supporting such of their brethren as by sickness or accident may stand in need of assistance, and of relieving the widows and orphans of those who may die in indi- gent circumstances; and also of providing the means of instruction for their children, by their petition presented to the legislature have prayed to be incorporated to ena- ble them more beneficially to carry into effect their char- itable intentions : Therefore," &c.
The officers declared under the act, were as follows:
Charles R. Webster, president; James Hodge, first vice president; Philip Hooker, second vice president; Isaac Hutton, treasurer; John W. Fryer, secretary.
Mr. Webster was elected president as early as 1799, and was annually reelected to that office, from this date to the final dissolution of the society.
Mr. Hutton was continued treasurer by annual elec- tion, from the commencement of the society to about the year 1808; and on his resignation was succeeded by Wil- liam M'Harg, who continued in office to the dissolution of the society.
John Barber continued in office. as secretary, to the act of incorporation, and was succeeded by John W. Fryer, named in the act. He held the office to 1808, when he was succeeded by Elisha W. Skinner, who was continued to the final dissolution of the society.
The society as incorporated, consisted of sixty-four
242
Albany Mechanics' Society.
members-comprising at the time the prominent leading mechanics and tradesmen of this city; to which were subsequently added many others, and swelling the aggre- gate number of its members to one hundred and fifty. The general register, to which this sketch is attached, and deposited in the State Library, will show the original signatures of the members, with their professional occu- pations.
The proceedings of the board of trust, appointed by the act of the legislature, dissolving the society, are also deposited in the State Library. The trustees named in the act to dissolve the corporation of the society, and to whom the real and personal estate is vested, for the purposes set forth in the act aforenamed, are John Meads, John Bryan, Henry Newman, Abraham F. Lansing, Ben- jamin Van Benthuysen, Teunis Slingerland, Charles R. Webster, John Hermans, Joseph Russell, Benjamin D. Packard, Levi Steele, Robert Boyd, John Buckbee, Eli- jah Brainard, David Pruyn, John Goodrich, El.jah Hos- ford, Elisha W. Skinner, Arthur Hotchkiss and Moses Kenyon.
The committee made report of their investigations and of the sale of the real and personalestate of the Society; and that a dividend of sixty three cents on each dollar of the contributions, individually made to the Society, will, in their opinion, be in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law under which they have been ap- pointed to act.
The board of trustees adopted the report of the com- mittee, and resolved " that a dividend of sixty-three cents on each dollar of said contributions be and is hereby declared, and made payable from and after the Ist day of June, 1826."
The Board further reported, that Mr. John Meads, the chairman of the committee, be and he is hereby appoint- ed to pay out the dividends, as above specially authorized and directed, for the space of six months; and that he give bonds to this board for the faithful discharge of his duty.
Albany Mechanics' Society. 243
In thus closing this imperfect sketch of the rise, pro- gress and termination of this long established society, it is due to it to say, that to its untiring efforts in the cause of education and good morals -- in the establish- ment of schools and the erection of school houses-and in elevating the grade of education in this city, its design has been faithfully fulfilled; and has left for it the cher- ished recollection as among the pioneers and promoters of sound learning and good morals in the history of Albany in the present century.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.