USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VIII > Part 17
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The next morning, Sunday, 22d November, we em- barked on board the Experiment, a fine new sloop of 130 tons, built expressly for carrying passengers between Hudson and New York. The whole vessel was hand- somely fitted up.
It had two private cabins abaft, containing several bed- places for ladies. In the midship was a large general room upwards of sixty feet long, and twenty feet wide,
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containing a double tier of bed-places on each side for gentlemen, with printed cotton curtains drawn before them. At the head of this cabin or room there was a bar, like that of a coffee-house, where the company were supplied with wine, bottled porter, ale, segars, and such articles as were not included in the passage money. Between the bar and the forecastle was a very complete kitchen fitted up with a good fire-place, copper boilers,and every convenience for cooking. The forecastle was ap- propriated to the use of the sailors. The passage-money was five dollars, for which the passengers were provided during the voyage with three meals a-day, including spirits ; all other liquors were to be separately paid for.
About nine o'clock in the morning we left the wharf, which was crowded with people to see the vessel depart; for it was the largest and best of the kind, except the steam-boat, that sailed on the river as a packet. It had not been established above six months. The mainmast, boom, and mainsail were of immense size for a sloop, but we had ten or a dozen fine young fellows to work the vessel; and having a smart breeze. we soon left the town of Hudson far behind us. Mr. Elihu Bunker, who com- manded the vessel, was part owner as well as captain, and seemed to be a plain religious sort of man. He had more the look of a parson than a sailor; and had posted up a long list of regulations at the cabin door, which, if properly enforced, were well calculated to keep his pas- sengers in good order. In truth, som thing of the kind was necessary; for we had upwards of fifty persons on board, nearly all men. Among the forbidden articles were playing at cards and smoking in the cabin.
The morning was remarkably fine; the wind favoured us, and we had every prospect of an agreeable voyage. The month of November was but ill adapted to view the country to advantage; for the gay verdure of the fields and forests was now supplanted by the brown and gloomy hue of winter. Yet the scenes that presented themselves along the shores of the Hudson were in some places of that grand and 'romantic description, and in others so
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beautifully picturesque, that they could not fail to inter- est the spectator at any season of the year. This river affords some of the noblest landscapes and scenery that are to be found in any part of North America. Nature and art have both contributed to render its shores at once sublime and beautiful,
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MRS. ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
Elizabeth Schuyler, afterwards Mrs. Hamilton, was the second daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler, and is sup- posed to have been born at the city residence of the family; on the corner of State and South Pearl streets on the 7th day of August, 1757. The house was taken down to widen the street several years ago, and adjoined the ancient Dutch house that now corners on those streets, Mrs. Solomon Southwick, who knew the house in the latter part of the last century, speaks of the interior as having been elegantly finished.
She was married to Alexander Hamilton, then one of the aids of General Washington with the rank of lieu- tenant colonel, on the 9th of December, 1780, there being not quite a year's difference in their ages. They lived together in the enjoyment of every blessing that could ren- der wedded life happy for nearly twenty-four years. To estimate her character properly it is necessary to bear in mind that of the individual who had selected her from the many who would have been proud of the distinction of his notice, as the companion of his life.
The untimely death of Gen. Hamilton is too well known to need any notice here. He was in the 48th year of his age when he died, and left his wife with eight children, four boys and four girls, the youngest a help- less infant. ·
Mrs. Hamilton survived her husband for half a century, and we have heard it said that during the whole of that time she retained the widow's dress of that early period. A correspondent of one of the Boston papers, we believe the Transcript, published the following incident:
Some there are who may recollect her on a visit to Boston, we think more than ten years ago. It so hap- pened that a horticultural celebration was about to take
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Mrs. Alexandr Hamilton.
place at Faneuil Hall, and this distinguished lady was invited and placed in the desk, by the side of the presi- dent of the institution. There were clergymen and other dignitaries; but she was the only woman admitted on the platform. In the course of various addresses made from the table below, richly loaded with flowers, fruits, &c., Daniel Webster arose and begged leave to announce that the daughter of Gen. Schuyler and the widow of Gen. Hamilton was then present; and with his own happy and thrilling reminiscence, he dwelt on the departed. .
Mrs. Hamilton laid aside her black bonnet and arose. All was silent attention; those who sat near enough could read the tender and touching emotions of her coun- tenance. She turned to the president and addressed him. He immediately, in a graceful and appropriate manner, uttered the sentiments she expressed to him, and request- ed him to make known. When she left the desk and descended to the aisle, there was something truly congen- ial to our republic, and beautiful, in the simplicity of her manner and the respect showed to her in our national hall. No one moved, but all silently waited. She walk- ed through the aisle, attended by one or two friends, bowing almost imperceptibly from one side to the other to the multitude, expressing her feelings by her counte- nance. Her simple and unpretending manner, and the silent, respectful homage of the people, seemed to contain a clear and beautiful demonstration of republican truth and sincerity.
Mrs. Hamilton, after the death of the general, was devoted to acts of benevolence. She with Mrs. Bethune, founded the New York Orphan Society, one of the noblest charities of the age, and she was the presiding officer until she left New York to reside at Washington, when Mrs. Bethune assumed the duties of that office. Perhaps there is not another case on record where two ladies, the directress and second directress have filled offices in the same society for such a length of time.
Mrs. Hamilton resided in Washington with a devoted daughter, for some years, enjoying a green old age, and
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Mrs. Alexander Hamilton.
like Mrs. Madison, had her weekly reception mornings, and was always active in welcoming friends. She seldom if ever, went into general society, but on one occasion, and by particular desire, attended one of the President's levees, where she excited the admiration of all; and, supported by the President's arm, was introduced to each of his guests as a specimen of nearly a century past.
A letter from a gentleman in New York to his friend in Boston, written on the 23d of August, 1851, thus speaks of Mrs. Hamilton while a resident of New York:
She is now ninety-four years of age, and is in fine health and spirits. On my return from Fort Lee, to- day, I received a letter from her, containing a request that I would call and see her. The letter was written in as clear and steady a hand as if she were not more than fifty. I received several letters from her last winter, dated from Washington, written in the same way. This letter was dated August 20th, 1851. She was to be found, she informed me, at Mr. Schuyler's in Laight street, in this city, I called this afternoon to see her, and think of my surprise in finding that she had taken the cars for Con- necticut only an hour before. She told me in her last interview that her husband wrote the outline of his pa- pers in The Federalist, on board of one of the North river sloops, while on his way to Albany, a journey, (or rather a voyage) which in those days, usually occupied a week; and that public business so filled up his time, that he was compelled to do much of his studying and writing while traveling.
Mrs. Hamilton lived to the very advanced age of ninety-seven years and three months, and died without a struggle, in full communion with the Episcopal church, and surrounded by her surviving children.
FUNERAL OF MRS. ALEXANDER HAMILTON. [From the N. Y. Express.]
As we go to press, the funeral knell of one of the worthiest women of her time, rings in our ears, from the towers of Trinity Church, under whose shadow we pur-
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sue our daily avocations. - The day is dark and dreary, but the edifice is thronged with many who have come thither to pay the last sad tribute of respect to one who, apart from her own well known excellencies of character, was loved and honored as the life long partner of one of the most illustrious sons of the republic-Alexander Hamilton, the pure patriot, the brave soldier, the lofty statesman-the bosom friend of Washington. Mrs. Hamilton lived ninety-six years in the land. She had attained to womanhood before it had exchanged colonial vassalage for the more noble condition of national inde- pendence. Amidst the many exciting scenes in political life, into which her relationship to Hamilton often threw her, her graces and virtues shone forth to adorn and dignify her sex. She survived many years the untimely death of her partner,-and as one gazes on the moulder- ing monument to his memory in Trinity Church yard, amid the solemn associations of the moment, the mind involuntarily recalls the saddening incident of his un- timely and melancholy end.
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THE CITY RECORDS.
Continued from vol. vii, p. 85.
At a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany the 17th day of January 171g .- Present, Robt Livingston Jun. Esq., Mayor, John Cuyler, Esq., Recorder, Hend. Hansen, Johan. Roseboom, Mynd' Schuyler, Ab. Cuyler, Goose Van Schaick, John Pruyn, Egbert Gerritz, Nicolas Bleeker, Johannis Ten Broeck, Johs. Lansingh, David Schuyler, Jacob Lansingh.
Condition whereon the Mayor, Aldermen and Common- ality of this City Design to Expose to Sale winter wheat which is to come from the Tenants at Schaahcook. The highest bidder shall on the delivery of ye wheat pay unto the Treasurer of this City ye money he shall bid for such wheat.
Sold to Teunis Eghbertse 25 Skiple wheat at 3s 6d.
Johannis Cuyler, 25 Skiple Do. at 3s
Leendert Gansevoort, 25 Skiple Do. at 3s 42d
To idem 25 Do. at f6:17
David van Dyk 25 Do. f6:19
Myndert Schuyler 25 Do. a 3s 6d
David van Dyk 10 Do. a 3s 6d
Resolved by the Comonality that the following ordi- nance shall be publishd
By the worshipfull Mayor, Aldermen & Comonalty of the City of Albany.
An Ordinance.
Whereas complaints have been made yt several pales were Lost in ye extinguishing of ye last fire yt was in this City wherefore it is Resolved that it shall be ordaind, Publishd and declard and it is hereby ordaind publishd and declard yt all owners of pales shall for ye future sett their respective marks on them, and yt all pales which [ Annals, viii.] 21
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shall at any time hereafter be lost in Extinguishing of fire which may happen in this city (which we hope God will prevent) shall be paid to the owners by ye Corpora- tion of this City, and if any person or persons shall keep or conceal any pale or pales not belonging to him her or them selvs shall forfiet for every such offence the sum of Twenty Shillings and Restore such pales to ye owners thereof.
And Wheras Great abuses are dayly Committed in this City in the Sale of wood for preventing whereof It is ordaind Publishd and declard that from and after the 24th of this Instant January all Slees of two horses shall be 33 Inches wide and all wood so brought for sale thereon to be 8 foot wood measure in length and the Load 36 Inches high and that all Slees of one horse shall be 30 Inches wide and that the wood so brought for Sale there- on shall be 7 foot wood measure Long and the load to be 33 Inches high on penalty of forfeiting such wood so to be brought and Exposed to Sale for ye behoof of ye sheriff or any person that shall sue for ye same, and whereas Sundry persons within this City & County of Albany do presume to ryde with slees & horses in ye streets of ye sd City very fast and unrulely for preventing whereof It is hereby publishd ordaind & declared that from & after the publication hereof no person or persons Shall Ryde or drive any horse or horses with the slee, waggon or cart or otherwise in the street or lanes in ye sª City faster than on a steap or a very moderate trot on penalty of forfiet- ing for every such offence ye sume of six Shillings to be paid by ye owner Ryder or dryver of such horse slee wag- gon or cart for ye behoof of ye sheriff or any other person that shall sue for ye same dated ye 17th Jany in ye fifth year of his majesties Reign A. D. 171g.
The Comonality have this day Sold unto Johannis Dewandlaer for the Consideration of five pounds and Return the bonds he has of ye Comonality for £240 :- which makes £250 :- the land he has now in his posses- sion Situate lying & being at Schaahkook within the bounds of land belonging to ye said City bounded as in ye
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Release he has given is expresd, paying for the said lands yearly & Every year thirty & one half bushell winter wheat unto ye mayor aldermen & Comonality of ye said City for ye time being their successors or assigns and that the mayor of the said City shall in behalf of ye Com- onality Sign a Release of ye said Land unto the said Johannis D'wandlaer his heirs & assigns for Ever and Cause the City Seale to be the same affixed and Enterd on ye publick Records.
Att a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany the 28th day february 161;
. It is Resolved by the Comonality that notice be given to Dirk vander Heyden; and Dirk Brat and Jacobus van Schoonhoven that they pay unto the Treasurer of this City the Rent they are in arrear for ye land at Schaah- kook being one year-
The Petition of Johannis Knickerbacker, Johans. D'- wandlaer, Dirk van veghten, Lewis viele, Corsett vedder, Marten Dellemont & Peter winne was Read.
The petition of Dirk van Veghten being Read Setting forth that he has made articles of Agreement with Daniel Ketelhuyn to Release his land at Schaahkook to him for ye Consideration of £270: to be paid at ye delivery & Execution of a lawful Release of ye same which he may do at before the Expiration of six year, and being oblidgd by his Indentures to give ye worships ye Refuzall thereof which he by his said Petition doth give.
The Comonality have taken the sd petition into their Consideration do grant Leave unto the said Dirk van Veghten to dispose of ye said Lands unto ye sd Daniel Ketelhuyn It is Resolved yt Robert Livingston Jun. Esq. Mayor shall in behalf of ye Comonality Sign a Lease unto Isaac vanvalkenburgh for Eight morgans of land Situate Lying & being at ye verreberg within ye Limitts and bounds of ye s1 city where ye s1 Isaac vanvalkenburgh now lives beginning at a small Rivelett which vents into y? verre- berghs Creek or Run of water to ye Eastwards of his house Running up westerly along ye sd Rivelett Cross ye high
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way which Leads to Schinectady to a Certain small mash or meadow which is to ye westward of ye st house, thence to ye verreberghs Creek thence along ye sd Creek or Run of water to ye place it first begun, and yt for ye term of thirty one year Comencing the first day of April last past for his heirs to pay yearly dureing the said term after ye month of may 1721, two Skiple of good merchandable wheat & a couple of fatt hens, and yt the City Seale be thereunto affixed and the be Enterd on ye public Record of the said City-
This day the Comonality have Resolved that Robert Livingston Junr. Esgr. mayor Shall in behalf of ye Com- onality Sign and Release unto Symon Danielse the water Run of a certain Small Creek scituate lying and being on the East side of hudsons River on ye south side or end of ye land of ye sd Symon Danielse being over against the land belonging to the heirs of David Ketelhuyn deed-to make erect & build a griss mill thereon paying yearly and every year unto ye sd mayor aldermen & Commonality and their Successors for ye time being after ye first day of may 1724 for Ever the Just quantity of six Shiple of good merchandable winter wheat in ye month of January or February for Ever -- under such Exceptions and Condi- tions as by sd Release may appear and yt ye Seale of ye said City shall be thereunto affixed and ye same be entered on ye public Records of ve said City and County.
The Petition of Thomas Williams being Read Desiring the Refuzall of small piece of ground Lying between his Lott formerly belonging to Gabriel Thomson decd and ye City Stokados Resolved yt the Ground be viewed and yt he shall have ye Refuzall thereof.
Att a Comon Council held in the City hall of Albany the 14th day of March 171g
It is Resolved by ye Comonality that the native Indian owners of ye land Called Tionondorogue in ye maquase Country shall as soon as Conveniently may be, be sent for to come to the City in order to purchase from them One thousand acres of meadow land.
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The Comonality have this day Granted unto Barentje widow of Thomas Barret a Lott of ground containing in breadth thirty foot and in length one hundred foot Situate lying and being agst. ye gallows hill, fronting with ye Corner of ye pasture of Johans. Mingael, and yt for ye sume of nine pounds-
Att a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany ye 17th day of March 171g
Whereas the mayor aldn. and Comonalty of ye sª City did on ye 9th day of last past publish an ordinance pro- hibiting all Indian trade without this City as by ye sd Ordinance more at large may appear and Complaints are dayly made yt ye same is not put in Execution according to ye true Intent and meaning thereof werefore it is Re- solved to desire the mayor Recorder and aldn. to put the same in Execution as soon as Conveniently it may be done and yt all Charges of suits or otherwise which may issue by putting ye sd Ordinance in Execution shall be pd & defraied & bee on ye Charge of ye st City whereto ye assistants do Especially promise to stand & perform as far as in ym lyes.
Att a meeting of the Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany ye 22th day of April 1719.
The Comonalty have this day sold unto Peter D Gar- moy for the sume of fifteen pounds payable in three year a Certain piece of ground Scituate lying & being in the fosenkill beginning on the west by the fence of ye Pas- ture in possession of Wm. Gysbertze widow on ye north of ye sd fossenkill containing in breadth three Rodd and in length ten Rodd all Rynland measure.
It is Resolved by ye Comonality that the following ordinance be published (viz.)
By the worshipfull Mayor Aldermen and Comonality of the City of Albany
An Ordinance.
Whereas that Severall persons do Leave their fire wood on the streets Lanes and passages of ye sd City as also
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durt filt & dung before their houses and lotts, It is there- fore ordaind publishd and declared that all Person or persons shall at or before ye tenth day of May now next Ensuing Remove their firewood from the streets, as also to clean ye said Streets lanes and passages and pavements within the said City before his her or their houses and Lotts of ground of all dirt, filt and dung within the said time on penalty of six shillings for every offence for the behoof of ye Sheriff who is to sue for ye same.
And whereas the water Courses in severall Streets of the s1 City are much stopd up so that ye water has no certain course to vent dry & drain ye sd street wherefore it is Resolved that it shall be ordaind Publishd and de- clard and it is hereby ordaind Publishd and declard that on or before ye first day of August now next Ensuing there shall be so much ground dugg out & carryd away from such places in ye said City and in such manner as the Mayor Recorder Aldermen and Comonalty of the said City or ye aldermen & assistants in Each Respective ward shall order direct & appoint, the severall owners or Tenants before whose houses or lotts any ground is lying which shall be Judgd to them to be Removd dugg up and carryd away and prevents ye water to drain and dry ye sd Streets on penalty of Twenty Shillings for every week after ye sd first day of Augt, any person or persons who shall neglect or Refuse to perform and do what he her or they shall be ordered to do and perform as afores1 for ye behoof of ye sheriff who is to sue for ye same Given in Albany ye 22 day of April in ye fifth year of his majesties Reign A. D. 1719.
Att a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany the 26th day of May 1719.
Adriaen Quackenboss appearing in Comon Councill desires ye Comonality that they will be pleased to dispose unto him Twenty morgan of meadow land & ten morgan of wood land at Schaahkook on ye North side of ye Creek
Resolved to clear and discharge the said land from ye pretention ye Indians have thereon w'h when done ye said Adriaen shall have ye refusall thereof.
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Att a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany ye 29 day of May 1719.
This day the Comonality have sold unto Adriaen Quackenboss a Certain piece of Land scituate lying and being at Schaahkook on the north side of ye Creek over agst the house & hoftstead of Daniel Ketelhuyn contain- ing Twenty morgans of meadow land and Twenty morgan of wood land on the hill and that for the sume of one hundred and ninety pounds currant money of New York half of w'h sume to pay first May 1720 and the other half thereof first May 1721, for w'h sumes he is to give bond with security and to Receive Indentures for the land be- tween this and October next with condition to pay yearly Thirty Bushels of winter wheat after ye months of Janu- ary or February 1724 in that in ye months of January or - February
It is Resolved that the mayor shall in behalf of ye Comonality sign ye sd Indenture and cause ye Seale of ye s1 City to be thereto affixed taking such bond and secu- rity as above is expressed.
Att a Comon Councill held in the City hall of Albany the 14th day of July 1719.
The Comonality having sold unto Jeronemus van Vlieren a certain lott of ground scituate lying and being at the bottom of the Gallows hill on the south of the lott of Barentje Baret wid'w containing in breadth thirty five foot and in length one hundred & twenty foot wood mea- sure, and yt for ye sume of twenty pounds six pound thereof on ye first of October next, seven pounds in October 1720 & seven pounds in October 1721. The Comonality have also sold unto Peter D. Garmoy a certain lott of ground scituate lying and being at the bottom of the Gallows hill and south of lott of Jeronemus van Vlieren contain- ing in breadth thirty five foot and in length one hundred and twenty foot wood measure and yt for ye sume of £20: Six pound thereof on the first of October next, Seven pounds in October 1720, and Seven pound in October 1721, on condition to receive a release when ye last pay- ment is done & performd.
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Johannis Redlif has also bought of ye Comonality a certain lott of ground scituate lying and being at ye bot- tom of ye gallows hill on ye south of ye lott of Peter D. Gar- moy containing in breadth thirty five foot and in length one hundred & twenty foot wood measure and that for the sume of £20: Six pound thereof on the first of Octo- ber next, Seven pounds in October 1720 and Seven pound in October 1721.
Obediah Coeper appearing in Comon Councill desires ye Comonalty to dispose unto him a certain spott of ground behind his lot w'h ye Comonality have taken in consideration & do grant unto him the prevelege to use ye sd spott of ground until such time as they shall dispose of ye same and yt then he shall have the refuzall thereof.
Att a Mayors Court held in the City hall of Albany ye 28th day of July 1719
It is orderd that the following Sumonce be sent to Volkert Symonse (viz.)
To Volkert Symonse of Schinectady. You are hereby given notice & acquainted to appear here in ye City hall of Albany on ye Eleventh day of August next ensuing to give your reasons why the two pieces of Strowds which were lately seized from you shall not be condemnd accord- ing to the direction of the City Charter dated in Albany ye 28th day of July 1719.
pr. order of ye Court Per Cur'm
Phi. Livingston D. C.
The Court adjourned till this day forthnight.
August 11th .- Volkert Symonse of Schinectady appears in Court) to whom a Sumonce was sent last Court to appear at this to give his reasons why the two pieces of Strowds seized from him should not be condemned accord- ing to ye directions of ye City Charter; and refers himself to ye consideration of the Court. The Court having taken consideration the two pieces of Strowd seized by Adam Haydon Deputy Sheriff from Volkert Symonse do con- demn them to be disposed off according to the directions of ye Charter of the City of Albany.
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