USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. X > Part 11
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1748, April 6. Collo. Johnson's Letter to the mayor was read in Common Council desiring he might have the Barrack wherein the Governour's men were lodg'd to keep for a main guard in.
1748, May 26. Ordered that Jacob C. Ten Eyck and Sybrant G. Van Schaick, aldermen, together with the Treasurer, overlook the accounts which are intended to be laid before the treasurer, and make report thereof to the Common Council.
1748, July 18. Ordered by this board that Gerrit Van Ness, Luykas Wyngaart, and Anthony Van Der Zee, make a new bridge behind Johannis Lansingh's on Rut- tenkill, in the first ward at the water side; that they like-
[ Annals, x.] 12
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wise repair all the Batteries which are fallen down and all the bridges which want repairing in the round gang.
1748, Sept. 17. Jacob C. Ten Eyck and Sybrant Van Schaicke, together with the Treasurer are by this board allowed further time till next munday to overlook the accounts which are to be laid before the treasury and make report thereof to the Common Council.
Resolved by this board that Barent Ten Eyck and Jo- hannis Vol: Dow go and desire Langaserie and the other french Gent that came with the flag Truces from Canada, to come to Ackerman's to let the mayor and corporation know the meaning of their coming to this town.
The french Gent accordingly appeared, and being askd their business, said their Pass was with Collo. Johnson, but if the mayor pleased they would wait on him to- morrow in the afternoon with their Pass, which was re- solved to be sufficient.
1748, Sept. 20. The mayor reports to this board that Messrs. Lingrey and Langaserie had been to his house last Sunday in the afternoon, the time appointed by the Common Council last Saturday convened, but did not produce their Pass as they engaged to do, but promised to do it on Munday, which they have not done, and that Major Collins asked them what reason they could give why they did not show their Pass to the mayor, who had an undoubted right to demand it, they replyed that they were given to understand by Collo. William Johnson that they were not obliged to do it, as they were directed to him.
1748, Sept. 29. This day being appointed by the Charter for choosing and electing corporation officers the following persons were chosen to serve for the year en- suing according to the directions of the Charter:
First Ward-John De Peyster and Jacob C. Ten Eyck, aldermen; Folkert P. Dow and Joseph Yates, assistants; Jacobus Sharpe and Jacob Cooper, constables.
Second Ward-Hans Hansen and John Glen, aldermen; John R. Bleecker and John Beekman, Jun'r, assistants ; David Becker and Marta Freest, constables.
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Third Ward-Coenraet Ten Eyck and Abra: Dow, aldermen; Harmanis Wendell, Jun'r, and Harme Ganse- voort, assistants; William W. Van Den Bergh and David Abeel, constables.
The Common Council appoints Gerret C. Van Den Bergh for city treasurer or chamberlain; Johannis Seeger for marshal; William W. Van Den Bergh, high constable.
1748, Oct. 12. An order was drawn on the treasurer to pay unto Dirck Ten Broeck and Jacob C. Ten Eyck for an account which was due unto John Bell as whipper for the city from pmo. May 1745 to pmo. Nov'r follow- ing, being 6 months, each £3.
1748, Oct. 14. Jacob C. Ten Eyck produced a com- mission for mayor of the city of Albany, &c. for the en- suing year and took the oaths appointed by law, sign'd the Test and was sworn into the office of mayor and coroner for the city and justice of the peace for the city and county of Albany.
Thomas Williams, Jun'r, produced in Comon Council a commission wherein he was appointed high sheriff for the city and county of Albany, he took the oaths ap- pointed by law, sign'd the Test, and took an oath for the due execution of his office. -
1748, Oct. 27. Ordered the clerk to draw a Petition, and send Joh's Seger to the mayor to have it signed, to be laid before the General Assembly of this Province of New York. The Petition is as follows :
To the Honourable the Representatives of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, humbly sheweth:
That the corporation of the said city of Albany have been put to the Expence of severall hundred pounds in repairing their fortifications about the city and in sup- plying fire wood and candles for the night watches over and above what the General Assembly have already allowed for fire wood and candles and for providing powder and ball for the poorest of the inhabitants, with- out any fund provided for the repayment of that expence besides what the inhabitants did by voluntary taxing themselves for providing and setting up new Stockadoes
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where the old ones were gone to decay, and whereas the corporation have received no rent from their tenants since the year 1744, or are like to receive any for some years to come, tho' a peace should be actually concluded, the settlements of their tenants being destroyed by the enemy during the war, and will require some time before they can settle again.
Your W'ps Petitioners have directed the Representa- tives of the city and county of Albany to lay before your Hon'ble House sundry accounts, all attested except a few persons who are dead, removed or absent, amounting to the sum of £1082:9:21, which were actually laid out for the defence of the city against the enemy. Severall other sums of money are due from the corporation which your petitioners think not proper to trouble your Hon'ble house with, tho' they have no fund at present to pay the same.
Your petitioners therefore do most humbly beseech your Hon'ble House to take the premises into your wise and serious consideration and grant to your petitioners such relief as the distressed circumstances of their corporation do call for and as to your wisdom shall seem meet, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
The following Letter with accounts were sent to the Representatives of the city and county of Albany :
ALBANY, 27 Oct. 1748.
Gentlemen: We give you the trouble of a petition to be laid before your Hon'ble House, praying relief to enable us to pay the debts we have contracted by occasion of the war, we have likewise sent a list with the accounts them- selves, all attested, except a few persons, some of whom are dead, some removed and others absent from home ; our corporation debts are some hundred pounds more, but as they are not for the imediate expence of the war, we have not troubled you with them.
Mr. Philip Livingston, Jr. can well inform you, if you make any doubt of any of the accounts. We begg you will use your endeavours with your Hon'ble House to lay a Provincial tax to extricate us out of this debt or the cor-
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poration must fall, for you know the city has not at pre- sent one penny of income or like to have for some time should a peace be concluded.
1748,. Nov. 12. The Common Councill appoints fire masters for the ensuing year, vizt: .
First Ward-Dowe Van Veghte and Joh's son of Jo- hannis Jan Lansingh.
Second Ward-Gerret Staats and Luykas T. Wittbeck.
Third Ward-Johannis Jacobus Lansingh and Johan- nis Pruyn, Jun'r.
Whereas on the 29th Sept last Jacob C. Ten Eyck was elected alderman for the first ward of the city of Albany, and whereas since that time (to wit) on the 14 Oct. following, he produced a comission for mayor, &c. of this city, took the oaths appointed by law, sign'd the Test, and the same day was sworn into his office, Wherefore it is ordered and resolved by this board that a new election be held on the 17th of this instant for chusing another alderman for the first ward of this city, and that John De Peyster, Esq., al'n for first ward do give notice accordingly.
Ordered the clerk to give warrents to the fire masters to go round every mayor's court and from thence once every fortnight and make report every mayor's court to the mayor and aldermen of their proceedings, and that the clerk sign said warrants by order of the Common Coun- cill.
1748, Nov. 22. Pursuant to a resolve made the 12th instant for electing an alderman in the room of the pre- sent mayor on the 17th instant, Tobias Rykeman is re- turned for alderman by plurality of votes.
The mayor this day laid the city before the Comon Councill and said that Dirck Ten Broeck, Esq. late mayor had delivered the same to him as was formerly usual for the mayor going of to do to the new mayor, but that as the present mayor's opinion always was that the city seal should be delivered to the keeping of the clerk of the Comon Councill, he desired the consent of this board that the same may be delivered to Mr. Philip
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G. Livingston, the present clerk, and that he may be prohibited by the Comon Councill to affix the same to any instrument before the mayor certifyed the same and gave an order to affix the same to his certificate. That he be prohibited to affix the same to a lease or release without order of Comon Councill and in Comon Councill, but in the mayor's absence the clerk may affix the same to any instrument by the order of three aldermen, which they are impowered to do by the charter, and that in case the clerk should go out of town that he leave the seal in time of his absence with the mayor or any one of the aldermen, who are not to make use of the same, but pursuant to the above directions, and deliver it back again on his return. Resolved, that the above regula- tions concerning the city be a standing resolution of the Comon Councill, and that no mayor for the future have the keeping of the city seal unless in the absence of the clerk as aforesaid.
Resolved also that no freedom of this city be given privately to any stranger, but that all persons, natural born subjects or naturally desiring to be admitted free- man of this corporation may have their freedoms pub- lickly given in Comon Councill and an entry made thereof in their minutes; likewise no honorary freedom be given to any person of distinction but by consent of Comon Councill.
The mayor pursuant to the above resolve delivered the city seal unto Mr. Philip G. Livingston in Comon Councill.
Madam Van Renselaer agreed this day with this board at her house to let the corporation have the same liberty in the woods of the manor of Renselaerswick as was granted by Collo. Kiliaen Van Renselaear, Esq., late lord of said manor, on the 18th feb. 1714, in consideration they pay her eleven pounds per annum. Agreed during her adm'n.
1748, Dec. 21. Ordered the clerk to sign a receipt in behalf of the corporation for a half barrel powder recd from Sybrant G. Van Schaick, in lieu of powder he bor-
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rowed from the corporation when the Gov'r was here last.
Resolved that it is the opinion of this board that a night watch of fifteen or sixteen men be kept in this city, and hope the inhabitants will not screen themselves from that duty while they think it is absolutely necessary for the welfare of this city.
Robert Lansing agreed with this board to keep the stores belonging to the Gun whereof he is Gunner, and give an inventory thereof to the clerk, and keep the pow- der, shot and other materials belonging to the same at his own risque till demanded by Comon Councill.
Christiaen Legransey agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 4.
Nicholas Van Schake agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 7.
Jellis De Garmow agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 3. Johannis Hunn agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 1. Dirck Hunn agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 2.
Tobias Ten Eyck, for Ten Eyck's Battery, agrees as above.
Michael Bassit agrees as above for the Grand Battery.
Geluyn Verplank agrees as above for the Blockhouse No. 5.
John Dow agrees as above for Blockhouse No. 9.
William Fry, single Gun, whereof he is Gunner, agrees as above.
1748, March 13. Resolved that the freedom of this city be presented to Mr. Philip G. Livingston, and that the mayor sign, seal and deliver the same unto him as a free gift in behalf of this corporation.
As likewise its Resolved that the freedom of this cor- poration be given unto Capt Volkert P. Dow.
Resolved that the request of Peter Brower, that after he resign his deed- for a tract of land lying on the Mo- hawks river, containing six morgan more or less, from this corporation for two sk: of wheat for each morgan per annum, a new one be executed for the annual rent of one sk : of wheat per morgan, and that the deed be exe-
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cuted for the land surveyed by Mr. Jno. R. Bleecker in the year 1740, containing eleven morgan.
1749, April 3. This board agrees with Dan'l Mac Michael, to let him have the house and land formerly in the possession of Isaac Van Valkenbergh, to have it five years for repairing the said house in such a manner as shall afterwards be agreed on, and to have it fifteen years after the expiration of five years, for the rent of four pounds per annum, to be paid annually.
The constables of this city were ordered to notify the following persons to appear before this board, and the following appeared and were ordered to appear next mayor's court with sufficient sureties for their appear- ance at the next Generall sessions to answer what they know of breaking down the market houses in this city of which they are suspected to be concerned in breaking down part of that one which stands in the second ward, viz': Wouter De Foreest, Jno. Knoet, Dirck M. Van Der Heyden, Daniel R. Winne, Bastiaen Fisher, Jacob Van Der Heyden, Jacob De Garmo, Dirck Ahu: Roseboom.
The following were likewise suspected, viz : William G. Van Den Bergh, David D. Groesbeek, Lewis Van Antwerpe, Volkert G. Van Den Bergh, Harmanis Jacobse Wendell.
Gerret Roseboom, and Tobias Ten Eyck is suspected to have been assistant in breaking down that markett house in the third ward.
1749, May 6. The following ordinances were pub- lished, vizt : An ordinance for cleaning the streets. Do. for preventing cuting down the Stockadoes of this city or breaking down or carrying away the boards affixed to the top of the same, or the boards and other timber belonging to the Blockhouses and Batteries.
This board agrees with Johannis Seger that he shall have about seven or eight morgan of land lying upon the Beaver kill, beginning a litle above the place called the five Steene, running up from thence along both sides of the Kill till it contains about 7 or 8 morgan, upon condition that he has it ten years for. clearing it
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and ten years after for the annual rent of 3s. for each morgan; to commence from the first day of this inst., May.
1749, May 27. Resolved by this board that the boards fixed on top of the Stockadoes be sold at publick vandue on the third day of June next, and that an adver- tisement be put up to give publick notice hereof.
1749, Sept. 12. Whereas the powder belonging to this corporation may be spoil'd by keeping, this board judge- ing it most for the publick good that the same be sold, have resolved that the said powder be sold at publick vandue on fryday the 15th inst.
1749, Sept. 18. Johannes J. Lansing made applica- tion to this board for a small streek of land lying in the third of this city between the lots of Abraham Dow and Hester Switts, containing in length two feet on the north side and three feet on the south side, and twenty feet in breadth along the street, all Dutch measure, which was granted, and ordered that the mayor execute a deed for the same on behalf of the corporation for the considera- tion of thirty shillings.
Samuel Cuyman made application for the creek behind his lot in the first ward of this city as far as the breadth of his lot, which was granted. Order'd that the mayor execute a deed for the same on behalf of the corporation for the consideration of twenty shillings.
1749, Sept. 29. This day being appointed by the Char- ter for choosing and electing corporation officers the fol- lowing persons were chosen to serve for the year ensuing according to the directions of the Charter, viz :
First Ward-John De Peyster and Isaac Staats, alder- men; Volkert P. Douw and Evert H. Wendell, assistants ; Gysbert Marselis and John 5 Lansing, constables.
Second Ward-Hans Hansen and John Glen, Esqs., aldermen; John R. Bleeker and John Beekman, Jun'r, assistants; Sam. Pruyn, Jun'r and William Verplank, constables.
Third Ward-Abm. Douw and Harme Gansevoort, aldermen; Harm's H. Wendell and Jerse De Foreest, assistants; John M. Beekman, constable.
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The Common Council chose for the ensueing year Cornelius Santvoort, treasurer or chamberlain. He to find sufficient sureties to be bound in £500 for the due execution of his office. Joh's Seger, marshall. Joh's 5 Lansing, high constable. .
1749, Oct. 14. Richard Miller, Esq. produced a com- ission appointing him high sheriff of the city and county of Albany, and took the oaths appointed by law, sign'd the Test and was sworn to the due execution of the sd office.
1749, Oct. 21. This board appoint the following per- sons Fire masters for this city for the ensueing year, viz:
Peter Waldron, for the first ward; Gerret Js. Lan- singh and Egbert Benj'n Egbertson for the second ward; William Winne and Joh's S. Pruyn for the third ward.
Order'd that warrants be given to the Fire masters of each ward accordingly, and that the clerk sign the same by order of Comon Council, which warrants are in the following words, viz:
Whereas the mayor, aldermen and comonality of the city of Albany have this day in Comon Council appointed and nominated you to be Fire masters of the . . . ward of this city for the year ensueing, you are therefore hereby required and commanded to go round the said . . . ward on Monday the fourth day of December next, and thence once every fortnight, viz : on the Monday next before every mayor's court, and view the chimneys, hearths, fire places and places where people do gather their ashes, and where you find any chimneys, hearths or fire places extraordinary foul or dangerous, or ashes gather'd in any dangerous place the first time you go round your ward, you are to give warning to the owner or owners to sweep, mend or remove the same within five hours after warning given, and if they do not com- ply with your directions within the time limitted, you are hereby impower'd and authorised to fine the owner Or owners in the sum of three shillings to your own use and behoof and to sue for the same before the mayor, recorder or any one of the aldermen of this city. And
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every time afterwards when you go round your ward and find any defect as afd, you are hereby impower'd imme- diatly to fine the owner or owners in the sum of three shillings for the use and to be recover'd as aforesd, and you are then to warn such person or persons where such defect shall be, to clean, mend or remove the same within five hours, which if they shall neglect or refuse to do you are to fine them in one other sum of three shil- lings for your use and to be recover'd as afd. You are likewise to take notice that no hay, straw or other com- bustible matter be laid in any dangerous place to the owner or his neighbour under penalty of six shillings for each day such combustible matter shall lye in such dan- gerous place after warning given, for your use and to be recovered as afd. And you are to make report to each mayor's court how you find the chimneys, hearths, fire places, &c. in your ward. And for your so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant. Dated in Albany the 21st day of Nov. in the twenty-third year of his Majesties Reign, 1749. Sign'd, By order of Comon Council.
JOHN COLDEN, Clerk.
1750, May 19. Mr. Gerrit C. Van Den Bergh, late treasurer, laid on the board the book of the city accounts whereby it appears that there is a ballance due to him of £15:11:2. Resolv'd by the board that a note of hand be given him for the same payable out of the first money that comes into the treasury, and that the mayor sign the same on the behalf of the corporation.
1750, Sept. 29. This day being appointed by the Charter for choosing and electing corporation officers the following persons where choosen to serve for the year ensuing according to the directions of the Charter, viz:
First Ward-John De Peyster and Joh's van Sante, aldermen; Evert Wendell, Jr. and John E. Wendell, as- sistants ; Roelof Segor and Daniel Huson, Jr., constables.
Second Ward-John Glen and Jacob Ten Eyck, alder- men; John Rutse Bleecker and John Beekman, Jr., as- sistants; Evert Joh's Wendell and John H. Roseboom, constables.
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Third Ward-Abraham Douw and Harme Gansevoort, aldermen; Isaak Swits and Harmanis H. Wendell, as- sistants; Wouter de Foreest and Tueniss Bratt, consta- bles.
The Common Counsel appointed for the ensuing year Cornelis van Santford to be their chamberlain, and it is further agreed by the board to agree with him on new for his commissions for his trouble, and did likewise nominate and appoint Joh's Seger to be marchel for the ensuing year.
1750, Oct. 8. Whereas disorderly persons have cut some of the cows in this town to the great detriment of the citizens, and the offender being as yet unknown and difficult to be found out: It is therefore Resolved by the Common Counsell that a reward of three pound be given to any person or persons who shall find out or discover the offender or offenders in order that they may be pro- secuted according to law, and we do hereby order the clerk to publish this our Resolve, by putting up adver- tisements in the most publick places in this town, and that the cryer do give notice of this our Resolve by cry- ing it about the town.
Johannis Seger made application to this board for two small slips of wood land on the Gallis hill, that is to say, a small tryangle to ye southward of his land, containing about one acre, and lyes between his land and the old Schonectady road, the other slip lyes at the west side of his land and is also bounded by the said road, and con- tains about one acre, which was granted and order'd that the mayor execute a deed for the same on behalf of the corporation for the consideration of fieftien shilling.
1750, Oct. 15. Sybrant G. van Schaick produced a commission for Recorder of the city of Albany and took oath appointed by law, sign'd the Test and sworn to the office of recorder and justice of the peace.
Robert Sanders produced a commission for Mayor of the city of Albany for the insueing year and took the oaths appointed by law, sign'd the Test and was sworn unto the office of mayor and coroner and clerk of the
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market for this city and justice of the peace for the city and county of Albany.
Richard Miller produced a commission in Common Council whein he was appointed high sheriff for the city and county of Albany, he took the oaths appointed by law, sign'd the Test and took an oath for the due execu- tion of his office.
1750, Oct. 23. Jacobus Reatliff made application to this board that his son John should have the ringing of the Bell at twelf a clock at noon and at eight of the clock at night, which is granted according for his son.
This board appoints the following persons Fire mas- ters for this city for the insuing year, viz :
William Fryer, Joseph Jo's Yaets, for the first ward. Abraham Yaets, Pieter Williams, for the second ward. Dirck Bratt van Schoonhove, Sander J'se Lansing, for the third ward.
1750, Oct. 24. An ordinance published for the due observance of the Lord's day and the regulating Negro slaves.
Resolved by this board that the city bounderies shall be forthwith surveyed by John Rutse Bleecker, who has undertaken to do the same for the sum of three pounds for his trouble, and to pay when the city is in capacity.
1750, Dec. 8. Jacob Ten Eyck and Evert Wendell offered their service gratis, to go and assist John R. Bleecker in surveying this city boundaris, and the said Ten Eyck and Wendell has undertaken to gitt three men to bear the chain.
1752, Feb. 26. Resolved by this board that an order be drawn upon the Treasurer of New York for £250, which is allowed by the Generall Assembly for the use of the cor- poration of the city of Albany, and that Abraham Douw, Esq. is appointed to receive the same and his receipt shall be sufficient voucher and discharge for the same.
Ordered by this board that advertisement shall be pub- lished that on Saturday next the city ferry to Greenbush [ Annals, x.] 13
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shall be lett to farm to the highest bieder, on each of the said ferry one person for the ensueing year. For every person if single, 3d .; if more 2d. a p. For every head of cattle 9d. For every hundred weight of skins or beaver, 3d. and so in proportion in a greater or lesser quantity.
175º, March 2. A petion presented to this board from severall inhabitants of this city for to make a well in third ward near the house of Mr. Dirck Ten broeck, de- ceased, which is granted accordingly, and the place ap- pointed opposite the middle of the street that leeds towards the mill about ten foot distance to the north of the lott ground of Dirckje van Vranke.
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