USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VIII > Part 7
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The construction of the Erie canal being now in rapid progress to completion, the freight by land carriage be- tween Utica and Albany was greatly increased. It is mentioned that one mercantile house paid upwards of $2000 for a single day's transportation. A traveler pas- sing west, had the curiosity to count the number of wagons which he met on the road between Schenectady and Utica, and found them to exceed 350 loaded with flour, from 12 to 14 barrels each; making the quantity transported by land in one day, to exceed 4300 barrels. The quantity transported by water was supposed to be still greater.
July 6 .- Theodorus Van Wyck Graham, an eminent lawyer, died.
July 21 .- The Rev. Jonas Coe died at Troy, aged 64.
July 24 .- A meeting of citizens at the Capitol nomi- nated Solomon Southwick for governor unanimously.
August 3 .- It was announced that Bezaleel Howe would on this day issue a new religious paper to be en- titled The Oriental Star.
The following statistics of the schools in Albany were published in the Advertiser of Aug. 8, and said to have been substantially correct.
The whole number of academies and schools was 50:
The Albany Academy had 4 teachers and 130 pupils.
The Albany Female Academy 4 teachers 138 do
The Mechanics' Academy 1 do 40 do
The Lancaster School 1 do 390 do
Besides these schools there was 46 in different parts of the city, as follows :
Montgomery street, 1 Union street, 1
North and South Market st.,. 4 Liberty street, 2
North and South Pearl street, 13 Lodge street, 1 Chapel street,. 3 Ferry street,. 1 Green street,. 1 Lydius street, 4
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Notes from the Newspapers.
Hamilton street,. 1 Fox street, .
2
Hudson and Beaver st., each 1, 2 Van Schaick street,.
1
Washington street,
6 Van Tromp street, 1
Steuben street, .
1 . Patroon street, . 1
One of these schools, having 25 pupils, was supported by a society of charitable females. Another of 70 pupils was composed of colored children. The 50 academies and schools had 62 teachers, and 2,225 pupils. Of the teachers 27 were males and 35 females. Of the whole number of pupils, one-fourth were rated between the ages of 4 and 8; two-fourths between the ages of 8 and 12; and most of the remaining fourth between the ages of 12 and 16 years.
The Rochester Republican boasted that letters mailed in New York on the 19th of July were received at Rochester on the 23d, a distance of 390 miles; and asks triumphantly " where the mail is carried with more ra- pidity ?"
The yellow fever prevailing in New York, the steam boats from Albany landed at the State prison dock.
Several New York merchants removed their stock of goods to Albany, and opened them in Market street, in consequence of the yellow fever.
Ira Porter relinquished the business of merchant tai- lor, and recommended to his customers Thomas Lee, who succeeded him at No. 64 State street.
August 5 .- Alexander Smith, aged 63, died in the Jail, where he had been confined about 40 years. He was a soldier in the revolutionary army, and taken pri- soner, when the rigorous treatment he underwent im- paired his understanding, and in a paroxysm of insanity he killed his brother, for which he was imprisoned. He spent much of his time in reading, and could read the smallest print without the aid of glasses at the time of his death.
August 15 .- Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain ar- rived in the city and put up at the Eagle Tavern.
Daniel Carmichael, No. 226 North Market street adver- tised bread of 4 lbs. weight of superfine flour at 1s.
August 27 .- The price of wheat was $1.22 a bushel,
1
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Notes from the Newspapers.
though not of as good a quality as that of the previous year.
August 28 .- Estes Howe, recorder of the city in the absence of the mayor, issued a proclamation, forbidding steam boats and other vessels coming from New York, having persons sick on board, to perform quarantine at the island below the city.
September 12 .- Job Taber, Jr., merchant, died, aged 35, and was buried in the Second Presbyterian Church yard.
September 18 .- William Duffey died, aged 48, and was buried from his residence No. 516 South Market street.
September 19 .- The annual charter election took place when the following were elected :
Aldermen. John Townsend, Friend Humphrey.
First Ward. Assistants. Wm. I. Van Zandt, Wm. Gould.
Constables. Abm. Sickles, Jesse Randall.
Second Ward.
John Cassidy, Jerem. Waterman.
Jacob F. Steenberg, Wm. Seymour.
Robert Ruby, Heber Stone.
Third Ward.
Ebenezer Baldwin,
Robert Davis,
John Graves, John D. Fisher.
Jacob H. Ten Eyck.
Conrad Ten Eyek. Fourth Ward. Hawthorn McCulloch, B. C. Allen,
Jas. L'Amoreaux, Welcome Esleeck.
James Maher.
John Butman.
Fifth Ward.
James Gibbons, Benj. Wilson.
Francis Costigan, Francis I. Bradt. John Meigs, Ira G. Jenne.
September 20 .- James Murray died, aged 71; a native of Scotland, but for thirty years a resident of South Pearl street.
September 30 .- John Taylor died at Greenwich, aged 70. He was seized with the prevailing epidemic, but had so far recovered as to be pronounced convalescent, when he was removed from his residence in Maiden lane to the village of Greenwich where he was taken with the typhus fever, which terminated his life. Mr. Taylor was born in England; but having determined to adopt
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the United States for his residence, he embarked in the year 1790 for New York, and soon after settled in this city, where he resided twenty-six years. Not long after his settlement here, he witnessed the trying scene of losing all his property by fire, and the narrow escape of his youngest daughter, who was snatched from the flames a few moments before the building fell in. He was a person of uniform industry, and ardently devoted his life in the humble walks of Christian piety.
September 30 .- The common council directed a tax to be raised of $3,000 to pay the interest on the city debt; of $6,000 for the expense of lamps and night watch, and $8,000 to defray the expenses of the poor.
October 13 .- Harmanus P. Schuyler died at Neskay- una, aged 53. He formerly held the office of sheriff of the county, and was for many years chamberlain of the city; and on his removal to Neskayuna was elected su- pervisor from that place.
October 14 .- Dr. Alden March advertised his second course of anatomical lectures.
October 20 .- Hamilton Boyd died at his residence, 38 South Pearl street, aged 45.
October 25 .- Peter McHench died, aged 69.
Hawthorn McCulloch, residing in lower Ferry street, exhibited a beet 17 inches in circumference and 2 feet 3 inches long, or nearly 4 feet including the leaves. It was a trophy for a city farmer.
The New York merchants who removed their stock of goods to Albany and opened them for sale, during the prevalence of the yellow fever in their own city, were now returning home.
Nov. 4, 5 and 6 .- Election of members of assembly, sheriff, county clerk, and. coroners. Jesse Buel, Abra- ham Brooks and Abraham Rosecrantz were elected to the assembly ; Daniel Hale, Jr., Jacob C. Cuyler, Benoni C. Allen and John D. Ogsbury coroners; Cornelius Van Antwerp, sheriff; and Lawrence L. Van Kleeck, county clerk.
Nov. 9 .- James Denny, quartermaster of the United
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Notes from the Newspapers.
States schooner Alligator, was killed in an action with pirates, aged 30. He was the son of Capt. John Denny, late of Albany, deceased, an officer of the revolution. Young Denny was a volunteer in the same boat with Lieut. Allen, and perished with him. He was an expert seaman, and his untimely death was a severe loss to his widowed mother, who was left without support.
Nov. 11 .- A fire broke out in the store of John Taylor, Jr., on Quay street, in front of the Eagle Tavern, occupied as a tallow chandlery. The loss was estimated at about $3000; no insurance. This was the third time within 30 years that " a very meritorious and deserving family have had their property destroyed by fire."
Nov. 16 .- The price of wheat was 11s to 11s 6d per bushel.
Nov. 19 .- A meeting of citizens was called at the Capi- tol, to consider the case of the great struggle of the Greeks for emancipation from the Turks. A writer in the Daily Advertiser of the day previous had recom- mended that an effort should be made in this country to sustain the Greeks.
The Booksellers in Albany at this time were as follows: C. R. & G. Webster, corner of State and Pearl sts.
E. & E. Hosford, 100 State.
William Gould, Law, 104 State.
E. F. Backus, Law, cor. State and Middle lane.
Daniel Steele & Son, 437 South Market st.
S. W. Johnson, 395 South Market st.
Samuel Shaw, Washington st.
E. W. Skinner & Co., 38 State st.
Daniel Carmichael, bread baker, 229 North Market street, advertised bread from superfine flour, 4 lbs. for ls .; from fine flour, none at present.
Nov. 21 -- An election was held in the third ward for the choice of an assistant alderman to fill the place of Robert Davis, resigned; when Chandler Starr was elect- ed by 73 votes; Garret L. Dox, his opponent, received 60.
Nov, 22 .- Proposals were advertised for by S. Johns, 22 State street, for erecting a brick theatre,
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Notes from the Newspapers.
Nov. 24 .- A sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Lacey, in St. Peter's church, for the benefit of the Sunday schools, and a collection of $105.82 taken.
Nov. 27 .- Benjamin Quackenbush, blacksmith, died, aged 42. As a husband, he was kind and affectionate; as a parent, tender and indulgent; as a neighbor and a friend, generous and obliging.
Dec. 7 .- The president's message, delivered in Wash- ington on the 3d, arrived by steam boat, and appeared in the Daily Advertiser on the morning of this day.
Dec. 17 .- Benjamin Ostrander died, aged 42. He was a cabinet maker, residing at 56 South Pearl street.
Dec. 19 .- Isaac Demilt advertised that he had fitted up the old Stone House No. 5 Green street, formerly oc- cupied by Mr. Dunn.
At the November term, Solomon Southwick was ad- mitted to practice as solicitor and counsellor in chancery. He was likewise admitted to practice as attorney and counsellor in the court of common pleas for the county of Albany, at the same time, having been formerly ad- mitted to the same degrees in the supreme court.
A writer in the Daily Advertiser advocated the estab- lishment of a work house and stepping mill, as he termed it.
Dec. 20 .- Samuel S. Fowler advertised that he had purchased the stock in trade of William Fowler, and had removed from his former store to No. 401 South Market street, where he opened an assortment of hatters' stock and trimmings, goat and sheep skin morocco, buffalo robes, hats, &c.
Dec. 24 .- James Murphy advertised that he had settled in Albany, in the practice of medicine and surgery.
Dec. 26 .- John Ten Broeck died, aged 83. He was one of the patriots of the revolution, and together with Abraham Yates, formerly mayor of the city, were the last representatives under the colonial government from the city and county of Albany. Mr. Ten Broeck was also a member of the convention of this state, which in 1777, framed our constitution. During the arduous struggle of the revolution he held several responsible
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Notes from the Newspapers.
stations, and discharged the duties thereof with fidelity. After the organization of our state government, he at different times received distinguished marks of public confidence; and in every situation in which he was placed, he acquitted himself as an upright and meritori- ous public servant.
Aaron Thorpe & Co. advertised a line of stages from Albany to Canandaigua. They accomplished the distance between Albany and Utica in one day.
A Mr. Armstrong bid off the ferry at $4,725, which was looked upon as a wild speculation; but his receipts were $7,764 during the year; his expenses, $1,668; rent $4,725; leaving $1,371 as profits.
Dec. 28 .- A fire at an early hour in the morning, destroyed part of a block in South Market street, known as Caldwell's Row, belonging to James Caldwell and Benjamin V. Clench.
T. Powell & Co., who ran a line of stages from Albany to Buffalo, sent over the turnpike an afternoon coach for the accommodation of such persons as wished to sleep at Schenectady! This project might have been denomi- nated traveling made slow.
1823.
Jan. 1 .- Joseph C. Yates was sworn into office as governor, at the Capitol, and Erastus Root as lieut. governor, by Chancellor Kent. The governor appoint- ed Christopher Y. Lansing his private secretary, and John F. Bacon one of his aids.
The lieutenant governor, on being sworn into office immediately repaired to the senate chamber, and taking his seat as president of that body, ordered the clerk to call the roll of members, when but two answering, Mr. Dudley, of Albany, and Mr. Cramer, of Waterford, the president made a short address, complaining of the non- attendance of members, and stating explicitly, as his opinion, that the first day of January was the day appointed by the constitution for the meeting .of the legislature. After which an adjournment was made to
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Notes from the Newspapers.
the next day, when one member only, Mr. Dudley, appeared.
Jan. 1 .- Snow fell to the depth of six inches, which seems have been the first of the season in sufficient quantity to afford sleighing.
Jan. 10 .- A meeting of citizens was called at the Eagle Tavern, to consider the expediency of certain plans, whereby the healthy poor might be enabled and induced to support themselves.
Jan .- A new theatre was opened at No. 140 State street. The Albany Theatre was in operation at the Thespian Hotel in North Pearl street.
Jan. 15 .- Jacob Dox died at Geneva, aged 36. He was born in Albany, and graduated at Williams College quite early in life. He settled in the practice of the law at Geneva. For several years, and until the office was - abolished, he was commissary of military stores for the western district of this state. During the war with Great Britain, he served as aid to Gen. Porter. In every station which he held, Mr. Dox showed himself to be a gentleman of integrity and worth, of vigilance and capacity, and was universally esteemed as a private citizen.
Jan. 16 .- An African meeting house was dedicated. The name of the pastor was Paul.
Mrs. Creswell seems to have taken up her residence in Albany at this time, at No. 3 North Pearl street. She "strongly recommends her corsets with plain braces for growing misses, both for an appendage of dress, health and utility."
Among the counselors admitted at the January term of the Supreme court, were the following: James Dexter, Richard Van Rensselaer, Albanians; and N. S. Benton, of Little Falls, who afterwards resided at Albany as secretary of state, and as auditor of the canal department.
Jan, 20 .- Charles E. Dudley was unanimously chosen mayor by the common council.
Jan. 22 .- Mrs. Anna Ten Eyck died, aged 76, wife of Abraham Ten Eyck.
[ Annals, viii.] 9
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Notes from the Newspapers.
A writer in the papers signing himself A Traveller, complained of the unreasonable fare charged by the pro- prietors of the stages between Albany and Buffalo; the selection of indifferent and exorbitant houses of entertain- ment, and the refusal to permit passengers to stop at - such other houses as they might prefer.
The proprietors in their reply maintained, that on no public road in the United States was the fare so low as on this; that in the New England states it was from seven to eight cents a mile, and west and south of Philadelphia from eight to ten; that before the opposition line came on between Canandaigua and Buffalo, in 1820, the fare on that route was seven cents a mile; it was then re- duced to two cents, and when the opposition hauled off, it was raised to five cents; that this was the only regular and established line of stages which had been maintained from the day when the route consisted only of an Indian path, to its present improved state; that it was still difficult to keep up that part of the route between Canandaigua and Buffalo, the passengers for three years past not averaging more than three a day each way, and that a line of post coaches would not have been attempt- ed there at all but for the assistance afforded by the eastern proprietors in order to connect and complete the entire line; that the western section did not pay the daily expenses of maintaining it; that owing to increased travel during the past two years in boats on the middle section of the Erie canal, and from other causes, there had been a large number of passengers in stages between Albany and Utica, while between Utica and Canan- daigua there had been less than four a day each way, and the Cherry Valley line " had been reduced to a mere skeleton." The whole number of passengers between Albany and Utica in two daily stages, do not average six passengers in a stage each way; between Utica and Canandaigua less than four each way in a daily stage; and between Canandaigua and Buffalo less than three each way, and the mail was carried as low as in any other part of the United States, and much lower than in
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Notes from the Newspapers.
most parts of it. About four hundred horses, and a pro- portionate number of post coaches, were employed by this line; and as the canal took a majority of the pas- sengers in the summer west of Utica, the whole receipts very little exceeded the expenses; that without the mail, they would be unable to keep up the entire line, with the new oppositions every year chopping in upon the most productive parts of the route. As to the exorbitant charges at houses of entertainment, they say that at Utica and all places west, the charges for meals was 37} cents, and 122 cents for lodging.
Jan. 24 .- Moses I. Cantine died, aged 49 years. He was one of the editors and proprietors of the Albany Argus, and state printer.
Jan. 26 .- Nicholas N. Quackenbush, counselor at law, died at his residence, 272 North Market street, aged 59.
Jan. 31 .- Tobias Van Schaick advertised his stock of dry goods for sale at prime cost, with a view to relinquish- ing business.
Jan. 31 .- Thomas Pemberton died, after a long and severe illness.
Jan. 31 .- The third anniversary of the Albany Marine Bible Society was held in the First Presbyterian church. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: Capt. Uriah Marvin, president ; Capt. Richard Winslow, Capt. Aaron Hand, Mr. Jas. B. Douglas, Capt. Jedediah Rogers, vice presidents ; S. P. Jermain, treasurer; Asa H. Center, recording secretary; Rev. John Chester, corresponding secretary. A number of state dignitaries were made honorary vice presidents. The managers were Capts. James N. Cobb, George Monteith, Jasper S. Keeler, Selick Whitney, Eliakim Ford, Nicholas Page, D. T. Wandell, J. H. Mabbett, Randel Bentley, Daniel Peck, Joshua Parker, Daniel Attwood, John Case, William Dowd, Messrs. Garret Gates, Nathaniel Davis, John Boardman, V. W. Rathbone, H. W. Snyder, Jeremiah Clarke. The annual sermon was preached by the Rev. Alexander Proudfit, and a collection taken up amounting to $72.18.
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Feb. 3 .- An anniversary of the Lancaster school was held, when the principal, Wm. A. Tweed Dale reported the number of students to be 311, and the income of the past year $1611.56, which paid expenses.
Feb. 5 .- Jeremiah Waterman announced that he had opened a dry good store directly opposite the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank, in North Market street, lately occu. pied by Jacob DeGarmo, and would sell at an advance of 5 per cent. on auction prices.
Feb. 7 .- Thermometer 18 degrees below zero.
Feb. 8 .- The old line stage performed an uncommon feat of speed. It left Utica at 12 midnight, and arrived in Albany at ten minutes past 9 in the morning, with six passengers, having accomplished 96 miles in 9 hours 10 minutes, which was supposed to be the greatest speed ever known to have been made in so great a distance. The distance between the cities of Schenectady and Albany, 16 miles, was performed in 67 minutes.
The same coach with the same passengers, reached Utica, on its return, at 7 o'clock the same evening, and proceeded immediately to New Hartford, and returned to Utica before 8 o'clock ; having performed the full distance of 200 miles in less than 20 hours.
Feb. 9 .- Henry N. Bleecker, son of Nicholas Bleecker, died at Canajoharie, aged 39.
Feb. 11 .- The canal commissioners made the following report on the Albany basin :
In obedience to the resolution of the Assembly, of the 14th ult., instructing the canal commissioners to report a plan for the construction of a basin at the termination of the Erie and Champlain canals at the city of Albany, the canal commissioners respectfully report :
That during the last session of the legislature they had the subject under consideration, and directed Benjamin Wright, Esq., one of their engineers, to report thereon to the board. That the said Benjamin Wright did make a report on the subject, together with a map of the con- templated basin, which are herewith transmitted.
The commissioners believe that a basin may be con-"
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Notes from the Newspapers. .
structed on a plan specified in the report of Mr. Wright, for about $100,000; and that such a basin would be extremely beneficial to the trade of the city of Albany, and a great accommodation to all persons carrying pro- duce or merchandise to or from the said city; as it would enable transshipments to be made between canal and river crafts, without the cost and delay of cartage and storage.
The canal commissioners have uniformly declined making basins along the canal line, believing that mercan- tile capital and enterprise would find sufficient induce- ments of interest to furnish these local accommodations to trade, and that to expend the public moneys for indi- vidual benefit would not be just.
They think however that it may be proper for them to construct the sloop lock at the southern termination of the basin, as the connection of boat and sloop navigation at the arsenal lot, will probably cost nearly as much as the said lock; and in case of the construction of the said lock, it would be reasonable for the state to receive tolls on the length of the said basin, as a part of the canal.
By order of the board, SAMUEL YOUNG.
Feb. 11 .- At an election for officers of the Albany Mechanics' Society, the following were chosen for the ensuing year : Charles R. Webster, president; John Ran- dall, Ist vice pres. ; Abraham F. Lansing, 2d do; Robert Boyd, treasurer; Elijah Brainard, John Buckbee, John Hermans, Elijah Hosford, Arthur Hotchkiss, Moses Ken- yon, John Meads, Henry Newman, Benj. D. Packard, John Russell, John Goodrich, Tunis Slingerland, Levi Steele, Benj. Van Benthuysen, James Young.
Feb. 14 .- The number of readers of the Apprentices' library was about 350; the number of books, 1585. A sermon was preached in the South. Dutch Church by Rev. Hooper Cumming, for the benefit of the society, on the 23d of February, which produced $137.
Feb. 21 .- George Webster, one of the proprietors of the Daily Advertiser died, aged 61. His memory is still cherished and respected by a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances.
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March .- Benj. F. Butler was appointed district attor- ney for the county of Albany.
March 19 .- Abraham Douw died, and was buried from the residence of his mother, No. 4 Fox street.
March 21 .- Messrs. Wasson & Jewell came into the city with 50 Canadian horses harnessed to a single sleigh. They had been purchased in Montreal, by Mr. James Wasson and Major C. Humphrey for the Philadel- phia market.
March 24 .- The ice commenced breaking up in the river, and on the morning of the 26th had entirely disappeared, and the steam boat Fire Fly, Capt. Wiswall, arrived in the evening.
March 27 .- The senate appointed Thomas A. Bridgen, surrogate of Albany county; and Daniel L. Van Ant- werp, John O. Cole, and John Gansevoort justices of the justices' court.
March 31 .- Ira Porter, merchant tailor of Albany, died at Ballston Spa.
The population of the city was about 14,000. The churches numbered 13, and were thus divided: Episco- palian, 1; Dutch Reformed, 2; Presbyterian, 4; Reformed Presbyterian, 1; Lutheran, 1; Roman Catholic, 1; Metho- dist, 1; Baptist, 1; First African, 1; Baptist African, 1. . April 1 .- Alida Switz, widow of Brandt Schuyler Switz, daughter of Col. Gosen Van Schaick, died, aged 52. She was buried from 251 North Market street.
April 4 .- John I. Godfrey and John S. Walsh an- nounced that they had formed a partnership under the name of GODFREY & WALSH, at the store lately occupied by Godfrey & Townsend, 52 State street (now 62).
April 5 .- A bill passed the legislature and became a law authorizing the construction of the basin in the city of Albany at the termination of the Erie and Champlain canals.
April 15 .- A law was passed to provide for the erec- tion of a tread mill in Albany. The supervisors were to raise $1.100 for the purpose of building it near the Jail.
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Friend . Humphrey, James McKown and Philip Hooker were commissioned to superintend the structure.
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