USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. X > Part 12
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Ordered by this board that the aldermen and assist- ants of each ward are to view the city Laders each in their own ward and bring report thereof to the Common Councell.
According to the last Resolve, this day sold at publick vandue the ferry on the east of the river to Cornelis van Vechten for the sum of three pounds nineteen shillings currant money of the province of New York.
As also the west side of the river of the said ferry to Jeremiah pemerton for the sum of three pounds four shillings currant money as aforesaid, and to give suerity for the money to the corporation, as also to observe the Resolve made by this board.
1751, March 26. Resolved by this board that notice shall be given to Cornelis van Vegte and Jeremiah Pe- merton that they are to come to the clerk between this day and next Saturday before one of the clock in ye after- noon of that day in order to pay or give surety to the Resolve made on the 2 day of this instant, march, for the sum they have bought the ferry or else it will be sold to any other person.
Whereas application is made to this board by the Car- men of this city that their is no mention made in the last ordinance about riding bricks and hay, therefore it is resolved by this board that they shall have for every load of bricks sixpence, and for every load of hay two
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shillings, and for every load of grain or salt, if they must carry it from or up a garret, out or in a seller, for every such frait sixpence and no more.
1751, April 4. Persuant to a Resolve made on the 26th day of March the said Cornelis van Vegte and Jere- miah Pemerton were sarved with a copy and sumons thereof, and no notice is taken of the same by them or either of them, therefore this board is of opinion that ye said Cornelis and Jeremiah are from henceforth dis- charged.
Whereas Mr. Joh's Ten Broeck and Mr. Barnardus Bratt have this day farmed the city ferry from this board for five pounds New York currancy and to give surety within fourteen days, and to take no more ferriage than is Re- solved by this board on the 26 day of February last, and an ordinance be published that no person or persons shall presume to ferry than the above named persons on forfiteing three shillings for every default.
1751, Aug. 15. John Carindus appeared here in Com- mon Councill and produced a kind of ore which he says he has found within the limits of this city, and agreed with this board to show to two persons of this board the place, and if it appears to be a mine then he is to have one thousand pounds and fifty pounds yearly during his naturall life out of the said mine, after all charges paid and not otherwise.
1751, Sept. 29. This being the day appointed by the Charter for choosing and electing corporation officers, the following persons where choosen to serve for the year ensueing according to the directions of the Charter:
First Ward-John De Peyster, Johannis van Sante, aldermen; Jellis de Garmo, John Wendell, assistants; Marta Mynderse and John Danels, constables.
Second Ward-Jacob Ten Eyck, John Glen, aldermen; John Rutse Bleecker, John Beekman, Jr., assistants; Hendrick Bleecker, Jr. and Phelip Lansing, constables.
Third Ward-Abraham Douw, Harme Gansevoort, aldermen; Isaak Swits, Harmanus Wendell, assistants; John Cluet, Jr. and Volkert G. van den Bergh, constables.
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The Common Councill choose John Roseboom treasurer or chamberlain, he to find sufficient sueretves to be bound for the due execution of his office. Johannis Se- . ger, marchell, John Cluet, Jr., high constable.
1751, Oct. 8. Resolved by this board that the Block- houses be repaired and that the aldermen and assistants of each ward shall view the same, each in their respec- tive wards, and order to be done what is necessary and that the cost thereof shall be paid out of the wheat now in the treasurer's custody.
It is further Resolved to send a Letter to the members of the city and county of Albany with the accounts for the matirals and work done, &c. occasioned by the late warr to the following persons, chiefly imployed by order of the corporation, as judging at that time necessary for the security of this city and county, which runs thus:
Gentlemen: We inclose you once more a list and the accounts of the debts contracted the past warr in the defence of this city and county, which we have carefully examined, and what we adjudged did particularly belong to this city we have deducted thereout, as you will find per the inclosed accounts, which are all attested except a few persons, some of whome are absent, some removed and some dead. The debts of this corporation are very considerable and the income hetherto very inconsider- able, so that we are at present in a very deplorable con- dition. We therefore beg you use your endeavour with the Honourable House to give this corporation such re- lief as the distressed circumstances of this corporation require, as they in their wisdom shall seem meet. We wish you all helth and are with due respect, Gentlemen,
Your most obliged Humble Servants. To Mr. Hans Hansen:
Sir-We have this day wrote the members of this city and county, and as you are one of them, we think it needless to give you here the contents thereof, shall therefore only refer you to it, and beg the favour of you that you will use your utmost endeavour to put things forward for a Collony charge, and if that can't be done
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then desire you to use your endeavour to gitt the same to be paid by this city and county ; and as you have lately been a member of this corporation it needs not to informe you of our deplorable condition. We are with due respect.
P. S. This please to keep to yourself, and if you judge proper we desire you to speak to the chief justice whom we doubt not but will assist you to make it a Colony charge.
1751, Oct. 25. This board appointed the following persons fire masters for the ensueing year:
John Williams, Cornelis Clase van den Berg, first ward; Anthony Bleecker, Gerardus Lansingh, second ward; Johannis Jacobse Lansing, Johannis Gansevoort, third ward.
1752, April 28. Resolved and ordered by this board that the old Seal of this corporation now in the hands and possession of the present mayor be changed and altered, and that there be a new Seal in its place, which new Seal being now produced to this board and approved of by them, the same is ordered to be lodged in the hands of our present clerk in his office for the use and behoof of this corporation, and that the present now new Seal be henceforth our Seal and called, deemed and esteemed the Common Seal of this corporation untill it be altered and changed, and the aforesaid former Seal be null and void and dead in law, to all intents and pur- poses whatsoever, and that the same be hereafter no more called the Common Seal of this corporation, nor to be made use of as such to any act, instrument, deed or other writeing hereafter at the perill of the possessor thereof. And it is further Resolved and ordered that our present new Seal shall not be made use of to any writeing or instrument whatsoever, except it be in our Common Councill, and that a majority of our Common Councill shall have the direction to what instruments and purposes it shall be made use of and not otherwise.
1752, June 8. The mayor acquainted this board that Peter Wraxell, Esq. had produced his majesty's Signet and Royal sign manuel to be town clerk of this city in
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the last mayor's court held for this city, did then and there require of the mayor and aldermen then present to qualify him there in said office; whereupon this board Resolved to send the mayor to said Wraxell, Esq. with the following answer, viz: That they desired some time to consult with men of more judgment in such matters as they could pretend, and that this board should then give him their answer; whereon it is further Resolved by this board to write to his Excellency the Honourable George Clinton, Esq. the following Letter, and that the mayor sign the same in behalf of this corporation of this city.
ALBANY, ye 8 June, 1752. To his Excellency the Hon'ble George Clinton, Esq. &c.
May it please your Excellency-After our Respects to your Excellency in the most Humblest manner presented, we beg leave and think it our duty to acquaint your Excellency that Peter Wraxell, Esq. appeared on the second instant in the mayor's court then held for this city before the mayor, recorder and some of the alder- men of this city then present, and did then and there produce to us in court his majesty's Signet and Royal sign manuel, unpresidented unto us, whereby the said Wraxell was constituted and appointed town clerk, clerk of the peace and clerk of the common pleas in the city and county of Albany, and to be the secretary or agent for the Government of New York to the Indians; the said commission appeared to us to be recorded in the Secre- tary's office of New York, in Lib : Comissions C 1, page 4, and also appeared thereon a certificate under Gold- brew Banjard, Esq's hand and seal, that said Wraxwell had taken the oaths appointed by law, and that he the said Banjard had administered unto him an oath for the full execution of the severall offices mentioned in said comission (except the office of town clerk of the city of Albany), further added in said certificate that the office was to be sworn by the Charter of the said city before the mayor and aldermen of the said city, and demanded in said mayor's court of the mayor, recorder and alder-
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men then and there present, to quallifye him in the office of town clerk, did the same in the court of sessions and common pleas. Whereupon the Common Council of this city met, and it was Resolved as it was a cause of great consiquence and unpresidented to them, and a town clerk already qualifyed in obediance to a former commission under the great Seal of our province of New York, to reserve our answer untill we had considered and con- sulted those of more experience and judgment in such matters as we can pretend to, for which reasons we hereby humbly apply to your Excellency to write us a few lines signifying to us therein how and in what man- ner your Excellency thinks best and safest for us and our Charter to act in this dubious and important affair, as we trust your Excellency and believe will give us better advise as we can expect of any other we can apply to. We conclude wishing your Excellency and all yours, health and prosperity, and are with profound respect,
Your Excellency obedient and most humble servants.
1752, June 16. Resolved by this board to give Mr. Smith three pound for his advise relating the swearing Mr. Wraxel in the office of town [clerk] for this city. Mr. Jacob Ten Eyck disbursed the said three pounds as also eighteen shillings to Joh's Seger, which is allowed to him by this board.
Resolved that an order be drawn upon the Treasurer for so much wheat to be paid to Jacob Ten Eyck for the £3:18, at the rate of 3s. 9d. per skiple, and to charge Joh's Seger account for 18s.
1752, June 25. The mayor produced a Letter from his Excellency the Governour, dated ye 18 June, 1752, which is an answer to our Letter entered on record the 8 of this instant, June.
The mayor also produced Mr. Smith's advice under his hand what regular steps to be takein relateing the swear- ing of Mr. Wraxell in the office of town clerk, and ac- cording to a Resolve made the 16 of this instant, Mr. Jacob Ten Eyck has paid him three pound.
1752, June 29. Whereas Peter Wraxell, Esq. pro-
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duced a commission to us, from his majesty, under his Royall Signet and sign manuel, dated at St. James on the 15th November, 1750, and delivered to us a copy thereof certifyed thereon it to be a true copy of his majesty's signet and sign manual, and the certificates thereon of the deputy secretary of the province of New York to be also true, the same is recorded in the Secretary's office of this province appointing him town clerk, clerk of the peace and clerk of the common pleas in this county and city during his majesty's pleasure, and also hath produced a certificate of Golbrew Bangar, deputy secretary of this province, that by virtue of his majesty's writ of didimus Potestatem to him directed, dated 23 day of October, 1746, to swear all officers then and thereafter to be appointed within the said province, he did on the 27th day of May last administer to the said Peter Wraxell, Esq. the usual State oaths and also the declaration as by law appointed and received his subscription to the said oaths and declara- tion, and that he did then also administer unto him an oath for the full execution of the several offices men- tioned in his majesty's Signet and Royal sign manual, except the office of town clerk of the city of Albany, whichi officers is by the Charter of the said city to be sworn before the mayor and aldermen of the said city, as by the said certificate dated in the city of New York the twenty-seventh day of May, 1752, doth appear, and the said Peter Wraxell thereupon hath desired us to admin- ister to him the oath required by law for the faithful ex- ecution of the said office of town clerk.
And whereas Harme Gansevoort, Esq. hath produced to us a commision in his majesty's name under the Seal of this province, bearing date the twenty-fifth day of September, 1850, appointing him town clerk, clerk of the peace and clerk of the common pleas in this city and county of Albany, to hold the said offices for so long a time as he shall behave himself well, and it appears to us that on or about the second day of October, 1750, he produced the said commission and was duly sworn faith- fully to execute the said offices, and thereupon entred
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upon execution of the said office and took possession of the public records belonging to the offices and now hath pos- session of the same, and the said Harme Gansevoort still claimeth right by vertue of the said commission to hold the offices and the appurtenances pursuant to the said comission.
We therefore being willing to pay all due obedience to his majesty and the law, and by no means to prejudice the right of the contending parties, but to have them dispute each others title in due course of law, do there- fore at the desire of the said Peter Wraxell, Esq., in con- formity to what hath been already done by vertue of the didimus potestatem aforesaid, consent to administer to him the oath for the faithfull execution of the office of town clerk, at the same time by no means intending to convey or transfer any right thereby other than what is consistant with law or to prejudice the right of the said Harme Gansevoort.
June 29th, 1752, Peter Wraxell, Esq. was sworn in the said office of town clerk accordingly.
1752, June 30. Whereas Peter Wraxell, Esq. made application yesterday in Common Councill and demanded an order from them on Mr. Harme Gansevoort for the records, whereupon it is Resolved by this board to in- form themselves further, and that they can not as yet give any such order untill they have further advise, and that the said Gansevoort lays claim thereto by vertue of his comission.
Be it ordained by the mayor, recorder, aldermen and assistants of the city of Albany in Common Councill - convened, and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the same, that our new Seal which is called the common seal, now in the possession of the present clerk, shall and may be forthwith used to all instruments, writeings whatsoever (excepting to such grants, leases, bonds, bills) relateing to this corporation, which are to be executed and sealed in Common Council. And be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be paid to the mayor or aldermen three shillings for their fees and to
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the clerk for puting the seal to any instrument six shil- lings for the use of the corporation and one shilling for the clerk's own use. If used to a freedom, of every mer- chantt, trader, shopkeeper, the sum of thirty shillings current money of the colony of New York, and every handicraft tradesman the sum of twelve shillings and not under, to be remitted into the office for which the clark is accountable to the corporation.
1752, August 31. The mayor produced to this board a true copy of the minutes of the Governour and Councill wherein they desire the mayor, aldermen and comonalty of this city to have such repair done at present as is necessary for this winter season for ye Sweg Garrison, and that the Governour and Councill will strongly re- commend to the Generall Assembly for the payment thereof. And be it Resolved by this board that a Letter be wrote to Mr. Holland, now commanding officer of the said Garrison, to procure so much bark to make the roof tyth, and that two glass windows be made and sent by the first oppertunity.
1752, Oct. 12. Resolved by this board that the order was given to Mr. Abraham Douw on the treasurer of New York, by a resolution made on the 26 day of Feb- ruary, 1754, is hereby countermanded, and that notice be given thereof to the said Abraham Douw.
And it is further Resolved by this board that a new order be given to Mr. James Stevenson on the treasurer of New York for £250, which is allowed by the Generall Assembly to this corporation, and his receipt shall be a sufficient discharge, and that the clerk shall sign the said order by vertue of this resolution.
1752, Sept. 29. This day being appointed by the Charter for electing and choosing corporation officers, the following were choosen to serve for the ensueing year according to the directions af the Charter :
First Ward-John de Peyster and Johannis Van Sante, aldermen; Volkert P. Douw and Barent H. Ten Eyck, assistants ; Harmanus Schuyler and Gerrit Van Sante, Jr., constables.
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Second Ward-Jacob Ten Eyck and John Glen, alder- men; John R. Bleecker and John Beekman, assistants; David Groesbeck, Jr. and Jacob Bleeker constables.
Third Ward-Abraham Douw, Harme Gansevoort, aldermen ; Peter de Wandelaer, Joh's Ja. Lansingh, as- sistants; Hendrick Everse, William Gt van den Bergh, constables.
The Common Councill appointed John Roseboom for city treasurer or chamberlain; Johannis Seger for mar- chall.
1752, Nov. 3. This board appointed the following persons fire masters for this city for the ensueing year:
John Van Deusen, Peter Lansing, for the first ward; Anthony Bleecker, Samuel Pruyn for ye second ward; Johannis Becker, Jun'r, Anthony van der See, for ye third ward.
Ordered that warrents be given to the fire masters of each ward accordingly, and that the clerk sign the same by order of the Common Councill.
Whereas Mr. James Stevenson, by an order of the mayor, aldermen and assistants of this city received from ye treasurer of New York the sum of £250, New York money, which said sum of money was allowed by the Generall Assembly to this corporation. Resolved by this board that Mr. James Stevenson's bond be discharged out of the said £250, which bond with the interest amount to £139:13; done accordingly. That the overplus remain in his hands till further orders.
It is further Resolved that on the King's birthday, which will be the tenth of this instant month, shall be spent the sum of three pound ten shillings.
1752, Dec. 6. Resolved by this board that ye clark write a Letter, directed to Harme Knickerbaker, Johan- nis de Wandelaer and Wouter Groesbeek, to consult with the rest of their neighbours to send a proper person to give an answer wether they will consent to leave the disputes for the rent and arrearages due to us to three indifferent persons, and make their answer on or before the 25 day of this instant, December, otherwise they
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may expect to be prosecuted, and that the clerk sign the same in behalf of the Common Councill.
1753, Jan. 9. Resolved that an order be drawn upon the treasurer to deliver unto Joh's Seger all the paper money now in his custody belonging to this city to pay Jacob Ten Eyck part of a bond, and that ye clerk sign ye same in behalf of the Common Councill.
By vertue of the above order, Joh's Seger delivered here in Common Councill the sum of thirty pounds in paper bills.
Mr. James Stevenson has this day delivered in Com- mon Councill the sum of one hundred and ten pounds seven shillings, which being the remainder of the two hundred and fifty pounds which he has received by vertue of an order from the Common Councill from ye treasurer in York.
This board has this day in Common Councill paid to Jacob Ten Eyck the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds, and also one pound ten shillings interest for ye same, in part of a bond of two hundred pounds and have taken receipts upon the back of the said bond for the same.
This board sends by Joh's Seger one Bag with eighteen pounds twelve shillings in pennys and one five shilling bill, as also a note of hand from Marta Mynderse for twelve pounds, to deliver ye treasurer and take a receipt for the same, which receipt is to be delivered to ye mayor.
1753, April 6. Resolved that an order be drawn on the treasurer to pay Joh's Seger £3:2 in pennis and 3 skipple wheat, and charge his account for ye same. To John Flansburgh 6s. for mending ye Stocks.
1743, May 8. This board ordered the clerk to draw an order on the city treasurer to pay Elisabeth van Olinde the sum of three pounds ten shillings out of the seven pounds allowed to John Bell ye 7th day of December, 1745, for being hangman and whipper and charge the same to his account; the clerk to sign in behalf of the Common Councill.
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CITY DOCUMENTS.
FREEDOMS PURCHASED, 1781.
To Gerrit G. Lansingh, Merchant £3 12
Hugh Orr do
3
12
John Shepherd . do
3 12
John Waters do
3 12
Henry Hart do
3 12
Edmund Buttler do
3 12
John Easton, Cordwainer.
1 16
Gerrit Hyer, Peruke Maker 1 16
1 16
Charles Newman, Merchant
3 12
John Folson, Silver Smith
1 16
John Maley, Merchant
3 12
Robert Wright, do
3 12
Ivie Chambers do
3 12
John Fontfreyde, French Merchant a Permitt.
3 12
Colin Gibson, Taylor
1 16
Joseph Hall, Silver Smith
1 16
Benjamin Wallace.
3 0
Edward Cumpston, Merchant
3 12
Andrew Abel, Cordwainer
1 16
John Ram, Baker 1 16
Hugh McAdam, Merchant 3 12
Melancton Smith do
3 12
Maus R. Van Vranken do
3 12
Nathaniel Stephens do
3 12
Francis Carbines
do
3 12
Thomas Sickles
do
3 12
Henry Finn do
3 12
Coenradt Scherp
do
3 12
James Campbell, Feltmaker
1 16
John Robison, Merchant
3 12 [ Annals, x.] 14
Henry Cook, Blacksmith
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City Documents.
ANCIENT BURIAL GROUND.
[It appears by the following document found among the common council papers, that the plot of ground used for sepulture on the west of Eagle street, between State and Lancaster streets, was appropriated to that purpose in 1789. The property owned by the Lutheran church on Park street was the site of their allotment as a burial place. Before this time each church had its grave yard adjacent to or near the church to which it belonged. The Dutch Reformed Church was at the foot of State street, and its grave yard was where the Middle Dutch Church now stands. The Lutheran Church was where the Centre Market stands and its grave yard adjoined on the south. The Episcopal was in State street opposite to Chapel street,and its grave yard near the present site of St. Peter's. The Presbyterian Church was near the corner of Grand and Hudson streets, and its grave yard adjoined on the east. The High Dutch Church, as it is here called, was between Patroon and Orange streets, west of Ten Broeck, with its grave yard adjoining. It was now proposed to have a common burial place, and the site recommended by the Committee was adopted by the common council.]
The committee appointed to locate a place for a com- mon burying ground for the city report that on the east adjoining the lot on which the barracks were burned lately conveyed by the board to Barent Bleeker on which a vault has lately been made is five acres of ground very proper to be appropriated for that purpose being of excel- lent soil and a very gradual descent and on the Southern declivity of the hill, will never prove pernicious to the springs which supply the city with water and which is a very important objection to the present burying in the ground of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches the boundaries of which common burying ground we would locate as follows: bounded on the North by Prince street, on the East by Duke street, on the South by Predeau
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street, on the West by the lot of Barent Bleeker in which the vault is made which ground contains five acres. THOS. HUN. T. V. W. GRAHAM.
Sept. 19, 1789.
The committee further report that the most eastern acre of the above burying ground be granted to the cor- poration of the Presbyterian church, and the next acre to the Episcopal church, and the next acre to the Lutherian church, and the east half of the third acre be for the reformed high Dutch church, and the most western acre and remaining half acre to the Dutch church.
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