USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VIII > Part 26
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24. The Hudson river bridge company elected officers ; Erastus Corning, president; Gilbert L. Wilson secretary . and treasurer ...... A pole consisting of a single stick of timber, 90 feet in length, was raised at the corner of the Exchange, by the Fillmore club .. ... Mrs. Richard Creamer died, aged 51.
25. American mass meeting ...... Closing day of the county agricultural fair. .. .... Mrs. Carroll died of burns by a camphene explosion. .
26. James W. Randolph died, aged 34.
28. Patrick A. Carroll aged 25 killed in an affray.
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Annals of the Year 1856.
29. Robert Thompson elected chamberlain.
30. The whole number of cars drawn on the Albany and Utica division of the Central rail road during the month of September was 13,149. ... Mrs. Hannah Robinson died, aged 35.
OCTOBER
1. High water, occasioned by the unusual rain of the previous day. The docks were submerged.
2. A fire destroyed the Argentina works of Smith & Co., at Kenwood; loss about $50,000.
3. A fire destroyed a silver plater's shop in Green street below Hudson.
5. One hundred and fourteen cars arrived at Albany laden with cattle.
9. Eveline, wife of John Cutler, died.
10. Mary Ann, wife of John Tyrrell, died, aged 29.
11. Adelaide A. Griswold, wife of James H. Chipman, died, aged 36 .John D. Groesbeck died at San An- _ tonio in Texas . N. Colburn died at Sacramento, Cal., aged 42.
12. Nancy, wife of Arthur H. Coughtry, died, aged 55.
13. At a meeting of the Common council, the com- mittee to which was referred the widening of Broadway, from near Steuben street to Columbia, reported against the measure. The same committee reported in favor of widening Orange street, by taking a portion of the lots on the north side, so that it would be 58 feet on Broad- way instead of 21, and 62 feet on North Pearl instead of 38 feet 3 inches, as at present ...... The steam boat Glencove, made the trip from New York, in 7h. 30m., including all the usual landings.
14. Jacob Wickliffe was found dead in his bed.
15. Vinal Luce died at Washington; formerly a resi- dent of this city.
16. The Northern rail road was sold by auction, and bid in by C. W. Bender at $250,000. The sale cut off the lien of the third mortgage, and terminated the inte- rest of the stockholders. .. Ames C. Page died at Brooklyn, aged 42.
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Annals of the Year 1856.
17. Sarah Augusta, widow of Thomas Stamps, died. . William Hamilton died, aged 67.
22. A fire destroyed a double frame dwelling house and its contents in Van Woert street, at 9 o'clock in the evening ...... The Democracy made as grand a proces- sion in the evening, as tar, torches, brass bands and transparencies were capable of producing by human aid!
. Elizabeth S., wife of Mathew Sheridan died, aged 21.
23. Mary, wife of Michael Cassidy, died, aged 46.
27. A fire destroyed the wooden store 56 Quay street.
28. A fire in Montgomery street partially destroyed a wooden tenement.
29. Mrs. Abigail widow of Timothy Knower died.
30. Russell Forsyth died, aged 83 . Samuel Gates died at Saratoga springs, aged 72.
31. Politics having found its way among the members of the Methodist church by the Rev. Allen Steele endorsing John C. Fremont's protestantism, the Times remarked that ten years ago the Methodists in this city numbered over 2000 members, but at present less than 1200. The following was written in explanation of the decrease. " It is known to those acquainted with our church that we receive persons upon probation for six months. Pre- vious to the general conference of 1848, members and probationers were reported together under the question, What numbers are in society? Since that period they have been reported separately. In 1846, ten years ago, the exact number of members and probationers in this city, was 1276; in 1856, including probationers, 1408. In 1842, we had 1102. During the next year, under the unnatural excitement respecting the end of the world, which few remember but to deplore, there was a great influx of probationers so that in 1843 we reported 2139. But a majority of these never became members of the church, and many of them were never seen after they gave their names as probationers. In 1844, we returned but 1634, and in 1846, 1276. Not only did we lose those who had thus been drawn to the church, but the energies
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Annals of the Year 1856.
of the church were paralyzed and her moral power lessened. During this period, occurred the excitement in the church respecting slavery, which resulted in the spring of 1845, in the division between the north and south, as also the secession of the Wesleyan methodists from our body. These farther distracted and weakened the church here as elsewhere, and combined with the immense emigration to the west caused a farther decrease, and in 1850 we reported but 884 Methodists in this city. But the church had recovered a healthy tone and during the last six years has increased 524, nearly 100 per year. I allude to these facts and figures without any comment, simply to show that although for a time weakened by unfavorable influence, the Methodist church has recover- ed her moral power, and is doing her part with the sister denominations for the promotion of religion in this com- munity. S. D. BROWN.
NOVEMBER.
1. A fire in Lydius street destroyed a tobacco factory belonging to Joseph Sherwood ...... The steam boat America was sunk by running into a sloop; being the fourth steam boat which had gone to the bottom of the river during seven weeks, namely, the Knickerbocker, Hero, American Eagle, and America.
4. The election resulted in the success of the demo- cratic party by large majorities.
5. Isabella, wife of J. B. Child, died, aged 29.
6. Mary Ann Jones died, aged 18.
7. George Klinck, a native of Albany, died at Peter- boro, Madison county, aged, 66.
8. Michael McNally died, aged 87 ..... Catherine Elizabeth Kiernan died, aged 20. .. Ann Scarlett died, aged 95.
10. A meeting of ladies was held in the consistory of the Middle Dutch church to consider the subject of establishing industrial schools for vagrant children. They determined to recommend the establishment of two such schools, one in the north, the other in the south part of
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Annals of Albany.
the city ...... The steam tug Cayuga of the Swiftsure line arrived with fifty-one boats in tow, the largest number ever attempted by one steamer ...... A. S. Gris- wold, who had long since been an Albany merchant, died in New York.
11. The Albany county medical society held its semi- centennial anniversary. There was a large attendance. Dr. U. G. Bigelow the president delivered the annual ad- dress, and Dr. S. D. Willard read a history of the society. The following officers for the ensuing year were elected : S. H. Freeman, president; S. D. Willard, vice-presi- dent; Levi Moore, secretary; W. H. Bailey, treasurer. Drs. S. Vanderpoel, Cogswell, P. McNaughton, Quack- enbush, Boyd, censors ...... A meeting of about thirty members of the Hudson Street Methodist Episcopal church was held to consider the propriety of withdrawing from that church and forming a new society, in consequence of the decision of the pastor in the case of Br. Bronk, who was tried for disturbing the congregation by making pious ejaculations after the manner of the primitive Methodists ...... Mrs. Mary, widow of Francis Low, died, aged 72.
13. St. Andrews society elected officers: Andrew Kirk, president; George Dawson, first vice president; D. D. Ramsey, second vice president; Rev. E. Halley, chaplain; Dr. Peter McNaughton, physician; James Wilson, treasurer; Peter Smith, Jr., secretary; John McHoffin, assistant secretary ; Peter Smith, James Dick- son, James Duncan, Thomas McCredie, Alex. Gray, managers ...... The Christian Ambassador contained an appeal from the Rev. J. N. Parker, recommending that the Universalist societies throughout the state should take up collections to aid the Albany society in its pre- sent embarrassed condition.
14. Snow commenced falling soon after seven o'clock in the evening, and continued throughout the night; but little of it remained in the morning.
16. A new Methodist society, which had its origin in the difficulties in the Hudson street church, occasioned by one of the members having a propensity to ejaculate [ Annals, viii.] 31
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Annals of Albany.
more than was thought proper, having negotiated with the Universalists for their house of worship in Green street below Hamilton, held their first meeting there in the afternoon, and were addressed by Rev. Mr. Goss.
17. A meeting was held in the Middle Dutch church, consisting of representatives from the various churches of the city, to consider the matter of forming two indus- trial schools. It was addressed by several of the clergy- men of the city, and adjourned to a future day.
18. The Exempt firemen's association elected its offi- cers : F. M. Stone, president; Cornelius Glen, vice-presi- dent ; G. W. Hobbs, treasurer ; Samuel Templeton, secre- tary Sarah, wife of William Ballentine, died, aged 50.
19. A fire destroyed a frame dwelling on Arbor Hill. The Rev. E. P. Rogers, D. D., was installed pastor of the North Dutch church; installation sermon by the Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, D. D .; the charge to the pastor by the Rev. I. N. Wyckoff, D. D.
20. Thanksgiving day.
21. Maria, widow of Goldsborough Banyar, and daughter of John Jay, died in New York, aged 75.
22. The Mansion house, known in ancient times as Rockwell's Mansion house, was sold at auction, and pur- chased by Van Heusen & Charles for $60,000. ... Frances Matilda, wife of Edward J. McClasky, died, aged 32 .... Elizabeth, widow of Ammon Rasey, died, aged 60.
25. Two stones for the observatory, weighing ten tons each, arrived from Kingston .. ... Elizabeth, wife of Anthony Flanagan, died, aged 24.
26. Mrs. Anastasia Bulger was found in Cherry street, lying upon the ground, evidently having been murdered. . . A lad aged 14, fell from the mast head of a vessel lying in the basin, a distance of sixty feet, landing on the deck, by which no less than six bones were broken; yet he survived.
28. Francis McCann convicted of the murder of his wife, and sentenced to be hung on the 22d of January. . .Richard Griffin died, aged 76.
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Annals of Albany.
29. Snow fell during the whole day, the first of the season which remained.
30. The Rev. Dr. Pitkin, rector of St. Peter's, in closing his first year's ministry, stated in his sermon that there had been 34 baptisms, 13 marriages, and but 5 deaths, in the congregation during the year; that the attendance upon public worship had nearly doubled and the attendance upon the Sunday school quadrupled; that the Sunday collections amounted to over $2,400, and a movement had been made for the erection of a new church ...... There were 280 cases brought before the police justices during the month of November, embracing 27 different classes of crime ...... E. C. Delavan, who had subscribed $1000 to clothe the needy in Kansas, sent off 164 winter coats, 150 pairs winter pantaloons, 82 vests, 204 shirts; in all 600 garments. Miss Pellet was sent out with them, to superintend their distribution.
DECEMBER.
1. Nicholas F. Effner. died, aged 47, . Charles M. Gilbert died, aged 32.
2. The water was so low in the river that the passen- ger boats could not reach the city, but were detained either on the sand bars, or at the Castleton dock. . .. . . Magdalin, widow of Capt. Samuel A. Brooks, died, aged 45.
3. Hail, rain, snow, thunder and lightning occurred during the day ..... . The jury in the case of John Cum- mings tried for the murder of Christopher Stumpf, brought in a verdict of guilty .. .... Sarah Briggs died.
4. The canal was found in the morning to have been effectually closed during the night time, and navigation entirely stopped ...... The Assessment rolls of the city and county, were submitted to the board of supervisors. . .. Catherine Falconer, late of Albany, died at Eliza- beth, N. J.
5. Harriet, wife of David W. Thomas, died, aged 28. .. John Yule died ...... Jonathan Lyman died at Schodack landing, aged 70; formerly of Albany.
10. At the annual election of officers for the New York
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Annals of Albany.
Central rail road, Erastus Corning was re-elected presi- dent, and J. V. L. Pruyn, treasurer ... The steam boat Hero left the dock for New York, and made her way through the ice with great difficulty. The river was completely frozen over for several miles, and no other boat ventured up or down ... .Mrs. Mary, widow of Ananias Platt, died, aged 86. ..... Isaac E. Judson died, aged 77 .. . Charlotte Kane, wife of John Carson, died, aged 36.
11. Henry A. Williams died at Stapleton, on Staten Island, aged 62. He was for many years one of the proprietors of the Eckford line transportation company, and for several years alderman of this city; was unas- suming in his manners and much esteemed by those who knew him best.
12. The supervisors reported the total amount of taxes to be levied for city purposes at $259,527.54; and for city's proportion of county expenses $75,747.48; total assessment $335,275.02.
13. Angus McNaughton died, aged 43.
14. A fire destroyed the freight depot of the Hudson River rail road, and a large quantity of goods. Although the property was on the opposite side of the river, the alarm was first given from the City hall, and the Albany engine, No. 8, threw the first water on it ... .. Hamilton Trainor died.
15. The propeller Reliance arrived from Poughkeepsie with freight, and hurried back with all speed, but could not get below Van Wie's point, and was forced to return to this city.
The following statement of the assessed and equal- ized value of the real estate and personal property of the city and county of Albany, was prepared by the finance committee of the board of supervisors and pre- sented at the meeting of that body.
-
353
Annals of Albany.
CITY. Assessed Value.
Acres.
Value.
Real. $969,945
Personal.
Total. $988,445
2d
.........
.........
.........
1,047,925
· 28.300
1,076,225
3d
.........
.........
.........
1,600,441
132,600
1,733,041
4th
.........
.........
.........
3,206,921
1,141,987
4.348,908
5th
.........
.........
.........
3,245,823
3,103,013
6,348,836
6th
.........
.........
.........
1,886,740
233,350
2,120,090
7th
.........
........
.........
1,262,825
31,900
1,294,725
8th
.........
........
.........
1,090,025
12,300
1,102,325
9th
66
.........
........
.........
1,629.623
116,300
1.745,923
10th
66
.........
........
.........
2,188,170
58,550
2,246,720
$18,128,438
$4,876,800
- $23,005,238
Equalized Value.
1st Ward
.....
.....
$ 872,950-50
18,500
891,450.50
2u
66
.......
.......
........
943.132.50
28,300
971,432-50
3d
.........
.........
.........
1.440,396.90
132,600
·1,572,996-90
4th
66
.........
.......
.........
2,886.228.90
1,141,987
4,028,215-90
5th
.........
.........
.........
2,921,240.70
3,103,013
6,024,253 70
6th
.........
.........
.........
1,698,066.00
233,350
1,931,416.00
7th
.........
........
........
1,136,542-50
31.900
1,168,442.50
8th
66
.........
.......
.....
981,022.50
12.300
993,322-50
9th
66
.........
.......
1.466,660-70
116,300
1,582,960-70
10th
66
.........
.......
1,969,353.00
58,550
2,027,903.00
$16,315,594.20
4,876,800
21,192,394-20
TOWNS. Assessed Value.
Bethlehem, .......
$33,325
54.39
1,812,825
179,400
1,992,225
Berne, .............
39,474
9.84
388,335
86,025
474,360
Coey mans, ....
30,666
36.74
1,126,675
152,385
1,279,060
Guilderland, .....
32,508
22.31
725,211
88,375
813,586
Knox, ..
26,125 5-6
9-73
254,269
69,185
323,454
New Scotland, ...
33,953
22.52
809,846
101,750
911,596
Rens'ville, .. ......
37,241
18 00
670,235
218,400
888,635
Westerlo ..
35,470
17.00
604,950
131.461
736,411
Watervliet ...
35,974
58.31
2,097,806
300,660
2,398,466
66
Village,
2,435,356
553,050
2,988,406
$304.736
10,925,508
1,880,691
12,806,199
Equalized Value.
Bethlehem, .......
33,325
55.00
1,832,875.00
179,400
2,012,375.00
Berne, ..............
39,474
18.00
710,532.00
86,025
796-557.00
Cocymans, .....
...
32.508
39 00
1,267,812.00
88,375
1,356,187.00
Knox, .......
26,125 5-6
18.00
470,250.00
69,185
539,435.00
New Scotland, ...
33,953
39.00
1,402,167.08
101,750
1,503,917.00
Rens'ville,
37,241
18.03 2-3
671,579.30
218,400
889,979.50
Westerlo,
35,470
22.00
780,340.00
131,461
911,801.00
Watervliet,.
...
35,974
58.00
2,086,492.00
300,660
2,387,152.00
Village,.
2,435,356.00
553,050
2,988,406-00
304,736
12,738,379.80
1,880,691
14,619,070-80
1st Ward.
$18,500
.........
........
35.25
1,080,976.50
152,385
1,233,361.50
30,666
Gui derland, .....
.....
In the above city valuation it should be mentioned that after the rolls were completed, the board by resolu- tion allowed the National and Exchange Banks to com- mute, and therefore the sum of $665,103 was deducted from the valuation of the 5th ward.
............
66
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Annals of Albany.
The total assessed value of the wards and towns is as follows:
Total.
Wards,
$18,128,438
4,876,800
23,005,238
Towns, .
10,925,508
1,880,691
12,806,199
Grand Total,. .. 29,053,946
6,757,491
35,811,437
The total equalized value is as follows:
Real.
Personal.
Total.
Wards
$16,315,594.20
4,876,800
21,192,394.20
Towns,.
12,738,379.80
-
1,880,691
14,619,070-80
Grand Total, .
. . 29,053, 974.00
6,757,491
35,811,465.40
The following is the valuation of the real estate and personal property for the year 1855:
1st Ward,
Real. $947,456
$17,450
Total. $964,906
2d
66
1,024,975
33,000
1,057,975
3d
1,587,381
155,150
1,742,531
4th
3,134,136
1,078,597
4,212,733
5th
3,008,600
3,118,533
6,127,133
6th
1,844,130
239,950
2,084,080
7th
1,248,850
59,600
1,308,450
8th
1,043,350
23,550
1,066,900
9th
1,568,398
174,750
1,743,148
10th "
1,996,455
62,200
2,058,655
$17,403,731
$4,962,780
$22,366,511
By comparing the valuation of 1856 with 1855 we find the following result :
Real.
Personal. $4,876,800
Total. $23,005,241
1856
$18,128,441
1855
17,403,731
4,962,780
22,366,511
$724,710
$85,980
$638,730
Showing an increase in the valuation of the real estate of $724,710, a decrease in the valuation of the personal property of 85,980, and a total increase of $638,730.
17. The river was frozen over so effectually as to ad- mit of crossing on foot ...... Eliza Olmstead, wife of Stephen J. Rider, died, aged 55 ....... Richard L. Wilson died, aged 42. For several years he occupied a com- manding influence in Illinois as the editor of the Chicago Journal.
Real.
Personal.
Personal.
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Annals of Albany.
18. Cold day; 7deg. below zero; by some thermometers 10deg. below. The Westerlo house in North Pearl street, recently known as the convent of the Sacred Heart, was purchased by James Kidd, for a sum exceeding $16,000. .. Martinus Witbeck died, aged 47. . .Judith Darnay died, aged 64.
19. Samuel Pruyn, of the board of Penitentiary in- spectors, reported the business and condition of that in- stitution. The net earnings for the year amounted to $3,- 178,04, a larger sum than had ever been realized during any previous year, and at the close of the fiscal year not one dollar indebtedness was held by any individual against the institution. The gross receipts for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 1856 was $18,345.98, the expenses $15,- 167.94. The number of commitments during the year was 990, with those on hand at the time of making the last report 213, and a total number of commitments during the year of 1,203. The number discharged during the year was 956, leaving the number in confinement at the close of the year 247- 181 males and 66 females. The average monthly number of inmates is about the same now as it was in 1854. The commitments for public in- toxication for periods of ten, twenty, and thirty days each, in its practical effects is very bad for the institu- tion. The time is too short for cure or reformation, and in a pecuniary view, the county might rather place a five dollar bill in the hands of every one of these con- victs, and tell them go about their business, than to take them into the Penitentiary.
During the year but one death has occurred, and that a ten day subject who entered the prison in a state of delirium tremens.
The inspectors allude to the singular circumstance of the number of commitments being greater in the summer than the winter months.
"Another, although a usual feature, is the over-pro- portion of foreigners among the inmates of the Peniten- tiary. Of the 990 committed in the past year, but 385 were born in the United States. Since 1st Nov. 1848,
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Annals of Albany.
a period of eight years, there has been imprisoned 5,477 persons, of whom 3,985 (nearly two thirds) were of for- eign birth. Of these, Great Britain, its colonies and de- pendencies, have furnished 2,998; the various German states in the aggregate 231; France 40; all other nations together 26.
" The largest foreign customers of the Penitentiary, have been our nearest national relatives-those who speak one common tongue, viz :
Born in England 187
Wales 4
Scotland. 119
Ireland. 2518
1
Isle of Man
The Canadas 179
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 4
Total 2998
" Neither South America, the West Indies, Mexico, or any country on this hemisphere, beyond the southern bounds of our own land, has thus far been represented. One genuine native African, who from his own account, was a prince or king, or something of that kind in his own country, has appeared."
The whole number of commitments in eight years has been 5,477, and the receipts over expenses $13,711.98.
For general information, the inspectors state in a com- prehensive way, that the Penitentiary, including the land, has cost $50,000 in cash. The value of the labor of the prisoners (or rather those who could do nothing else) in grading and shaping the land, and in other work of a similar nature for eight years (of which no account has been kept, because it cost nothing) is computed at some $10,000. The amount of money expended out of the net earnings of the other prisoners for buildings, workshops, embankments, &c., and in the accumulation of personal property, with the advance in the worth of the land over its first cost, all put together, authorizes and justifies the opinion that the value of the whole property, real and personal, at the present time, and just as it now is, is at
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Annals of Albany.
least $100,000, showing that the county has made $50,- 000, and doubled the capital it has employed by the opera- tion ...... Thermometer 6 deg., below zero ..... Sophia, wife of John Dubuque, died, aged 25. . .... Mary Ann Ward died, aged 18 ...... James B. Van Etten died, aged 41. He was taking a drive in a single sleigh upon the ice in the canal, and when returning and near the city, took his son, a lad of fifteen years, in the sleigh with him. A moment or two afterwards, the son observed his father to sink back in his seat speechless. Calling two other boys to support his father, the son drove home as soon as possible, and although probably not more than ten minutes had elapsed, Mr. Van Etten was dead when they arrived. It is probable that his death was instan- taneous, resulting from disease of the heart, or some simi- lar cause. Mr. Van Etten was an active and much es- teemed citizen. He had twice occupied a seat in the house of assembly of this state, in 1852 as representative from the county of Chemung, in 1855, from the 4th dis- trict of Albany county. He was a man of generous impulse and correct action, and warmly esteemed by a wide circle of friends, who will long cherish recollections of his generous qualities in all the relations of life. It was found by a post-mortem examination that his kidneys were enlarged to the weight of eighteen pounds.
20. Edward James died, aged 38 .. . Mrs. Sarah Ward died, aged 70.
21. Sarah M. Summer, wife of Benj. Wilson, died, aged 33 ..
22. James McMullen died in New York, aged 45.
25. A fire damaged the dwelling house 76 Hudson street .. .. Robert McPherson, died in California, aged 38.
26. Theodore Carman died, aged 46.
30. Warner Daniels died, aged 77. Mr. Daniels began business in a very small way; for some time carried on the Eagle furnace in Beaver street, and gave a name to Daniels street, which he built up and owned to a con- siderable extent.
31. John Bonner died, aged 24.
(359)-
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INDEX.
Abbey Simeon, 91. Accidents by travel, 179. Accounts audited, 271, 278. ordered paid, 294, 303. regulated, 268. Ackerman, Jacob, 129. Acres, Mrs. Thomas, 107. Adams, funeral, 155. African church, 85. baptist church, 153. pastor, 147. Agassiz, Louis, 342. Aikin, S. D. C., 337. Albany, design to attack, 56. put in defence, 52. so named, 181. academy, 4, 6, 78, 116. Argus (See Argus). Chronicle, 334. Daily Statesman, 333. Directory, 334.
Co. Med. Society, 105. Evening Union, 344. Institute, 8, 104, 122. Insurance Co., 140, 327. Library, 159. Lyceum of Natural History, 8. Marine Bible Society, 87. Med. College, 5. Morning Express, 333. Patriot and Daily Commercial Intelligencer, 124. Register office, 102. Alburtis, John, 146. Alderman, election for, 244. Aldermen, 1719, 238. 1720, 252. 1721, 270. 1722, 277. 1723, 290. 1724, 302.
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