USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. X > Part 18
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The inhabitants were mostly Dutch, attached to their own customs, and cherishing their national prejudices.
As foreigners intermixed with them, these peculiarities were relaxing, and insensibly softening. They had gene- rally adopted in the instruction of their children the Eng- lish tongue, by the establishment of English schools. Mr. Watson expressed in his journal, the prediction that the Dutch language, in half a century, would be unknown in that city as a spoken language.
He proceeded eight miles from Albany to the new glasshouse, erected by John De Neufville, a former cor-
220
Reminiscences of Albany.
respondent of Mr. Watson, and an inhabitant of Am- sterdam. Mr. De Neufville was the negotiator of the treaty made by Holland with the American congress, which essentially produced the war between the former and England in 1781. He commenced business with an hereditary capital of half a million sterling, and lived in Amsterdam and at his country seat in the highest affluence and splendor. He sacrificed his fortune by his attachment to the cause of American independence, and in his efforts to sustain it. The fragments of his es- tate he had invested in the hopeless enterprise of estab- lishing this glass factory. Mr. Watson found this gentle- man, born to affluence, in a solitary seclusion, occupying a miserable log cabin furnished with a single deal table and two common chairs-destitute of the ordinary com- forts of life.
Ibid, p. 275.
My curiosity satisfied, I sent my horse towards Albany, and embarked on board a returning bateaux, and pro- ceeded down the Mohawk to Little Falls, anxious to examine that place, with an eye to canals. We aban- doned ourselves to the current of the river, which, with the aid of our oars, impelled us at a rapid rate. We met numerous bateaux coming up the river, freighted with whole families, emigrating to the " land of promise." I was surprised to observe the dexterity with which they manage their boats, and the progress they make in poll- ing up the river, against a current of at least three miles an hour. The first night we encamped at a log-hut on the banks of the river, and the next morning I disem- barked at German Flats.
The meanderings of the river, by my estimate, about doubles the distance of a direct line. We passed a valu- able tract of 16,000 acres of land, situated on the north side of the river, which has been granted by the state to Baron Steuben. From Schenectady I pursued the road across a thickly settled country, embracing many fine farms, to Ashley's Ferry, six miles above Albany. On the east side of the river, at this point, a new town has
221
Reminiscences of Albany.
been recently laid out, named Vanderheyden .* This place is situated precisely at the head of navigation on the Hudson. Several bold and enterprising adventurers have already settled here; a number of capacious ware- houses, and several dwellings, are already erected. It is favorably situated in reference to the important and growing trade of Vermont and Massachusetts; and I believe it not only bids fair to be a serious thorn in the side of New City, ; but in the issue a fatal rival.
I spent a day in examining this locality, and then walked on the banks of the Hudson, a distance of three miles, to New City, where I continued several days. This place is thronged by mercantile emigrants, princi- pally from New England, who have enjoyed a very ex- tensive and lucrative trade, supplying Vermont and the region on both banks of the Hudson, as far as Lake George, with merchandise; and receiving in payment wheat, pot and pearl ashes, and lumber. But, as I remarked, I think Vanderheyden must, from its more eligible position, attain the ultimate ascendency.
I crossed the river at Half-Moon, a small hamlet con- taining about twenty dwellings; and about a mile from this place I visited the Cohoes falls, upon the Mohawk river. Nothing so much charms and elevates my mind as the contemplation of nature in her bold and majestic works. Fixing my position on the margin of the bank, which descends in a vertical precipice of about seventy feet, I beheld the volume of the Mohawk, plunging over a fall of about the same height, and nearly perpendicular. The barrier of rocks-the lofty banks-the roaring and dashing of the waters-and the cloud of mist, presented a spectacle of surprising sublimity. The river divides immediately below the falls into three branches, and empties into the Hudson, nearly opposite New City. The bed of the stream is filled with rocks, among which it rushes and surges in terrific impetuosity.
* The original name of the present beautiful city of Troy.
t The city of Lansingburgh was then known by that name.
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Reminiscences of Albany.
In the view of ascending by locks from the Hudson into the Mohawk river, it appears to me that the obsta- cles at this place will be much greater than to cut a canal across the pine plains, into a grand basin, back of Albany. I took passage in a bateau at New City, to Albany, for the purpose of sounding the river. The result of my examination satisfied me, that in ordinary tides five or six feet may be carried to within a mile of New City, and from thence to that town fifteen to eighteen inches. The tides sensibly rise and fall as far up as Vanderhey- den.
Upon careful investigation and mature reflection, it appears to my mind that Albany is one of the most favor- able positions in America for the future enjoyment of a vast internal commerce. It is favorably situated in refe- rence to the trade of Vermont, and the extensive eastern country. It may control the fur trade of the lakes; it must occupy the avenues which penetrates into the valley of the Mohawk; and will be the depot of the produce from the luxuriant territory of the Genesee.
From Albany, Mr. Watson proceeded to New York by a packet, and occupied three days in the passage. He speaks of the Overslaugh three miles below Albany, as sounding only eight feet of water, while immediately be- low it deepens to twelve or fourteen feet, and suggests that the impediment might be removed by closing two channels, and throwing the whole current of the river into the third. This obstacle being removed he expresses the opinion that Albany would become a mart of foreign commerce.
( 223 )
PETITION OF REV. G. DELLIUS FOR PAYMENT OF SERVICES.
1714.
To the Honnerable the Generale Assembly for the collony of New York.
The Humble petition of Godefrius Dellius, by his At- tourney Adolph Philipse.
Sheweth : That during the time your Honnor's Petition- er was minister to the Dutch Congregation of Albany, he undertook, at his great cost and Labour to Convert the 5 Nations & River Indians to Christianity. And have- ing Layd the first Foundation of that Pious work, and made a Progress therein beyond expectation, It was Esteemed of that utility, not onely in Propagating the Gospel among those Heathens, but Likewise to steddy them in their Interest and Obedience of the Crown of England, That the Then Governor and council allowed to your Petitioner a Sallary of sixty pounds pr. Annum for that service, which was accordingly payd from time to time (as he believes) Except for one year and some odd months, which still Remains unpayd.
That upon the conclusion of the Former Peace with France, the Right Honnorable the Earl of Bellmont, then Governor of this Province, sent Coll. Peter Schuyler and your Petitioner on an Ambassy to the Governor of Can- nada, For which they were to have a Reward of one hundered pounds. And your Petitioner is informed that Coll. Schuyler has Received £50 for his moyety thereof; the other £50 due to your Petitioner for that service Remaines unpayd.
That your petitioner having some Reasons to Remove with his family back to Europe, could not Personally
224
Petition of Rev. Godfriedus Dellius.
sollissit the obtaining warrants or Payment of the Re- spective Sumes above mentioned; and the severall At- tourneys your Petitioner had here from time to time, have been the more Remiss in procuring Either the one or the other, because they found the Revenue so much Anticipated before. So that the onely Relief Left your Petitioner is from this Honorable House, who having now under their Prudent consideration the Payment of all the Just Debts and Claims of this Collony, and your Petitioner Conceiving the said two sumes to be such,
Doth therefore humbly Pray your Honnors in- your great Justice will please to order and enact that the two Respective Sumes of £60 and £50 for the services above- mentioned, may be payd for his use to his said Attourny, In the Like manner as other the Debts and Claims of this Government are to be payd, or in such other manner as to your great Wisdom shall seem meet. And your Petioner as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray &c.
A. D. PHILIPSE, For GODFRIEDUS DELLIUS. New York, 19th May 1714.
[" Considered by ye Councill and allow'd for Instruct- ing ye Indians halfe, the other Disallowed."]
( 225 )
NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Continued from vol. ix, p. 283.
-
1834.
May 1. It appears by the semi-annual report of the Chamberlain that the debt of the city was $118,000; that $46,166 had been paid during the previous six months. Among the expenditures were the following:
City Watch, $4,159.60
City Lamps,. 2,668.72
Paving and draining 48,865.47
Ferry, including purchase of lots, &c., 11,562.26
Schools, .
3,788.31
County Poor,.
11,025.27
Contingencies,
12,309.38
May 21. Dr. C. Humphrey, eldest son of Chauncy Humphrey, died in Calcutta, aged 33.
June 23. The common council elected Harmanus Van Ingen chief engineer of the fire department. William McElroy and Charles Pohlman were elected assistant engineers.
The canal basin having been constructed without any outlet, became a nuisance, and the corporation was in- dicted for it. The recorder, James McKown, was in- structed to defend the action, on the ground that the bulk head at the lower part of the basin had been placed there by the pier company under the sanction of an act of the legislature, and being private property, the corporation could not be bound to abate the nuisance. The Albany court of sessions decided against the corporation, but the supreme court reversed the decision.
A law was passed to construct a stone arch over Beaver creek in Johnson street. The creek was still an open stream throughout its entire length, to the river.
[ Annals, x.] 20
226
Notes from the Newspapers. 1834.
July 4. The Albany Burgesses Corps made its first public parade, with about fifty rank and file, making a new military feature in the city both as to uniform and tactics.
July 4. The new bell of the Second R. P. Dutch church was rung for the first time on this morning. It was the third bell that had been suspended in the tower of that church. The first was imported from Holland in 1818, and weighed 2842lbs, at a cost of nearly $2000. It was broken the same year. The second was recast from the materials of the first in December of the same year by Julius Hanks, of Gibbonsville, and weighed 24301bs. It was cracked in May of the present year, and recast by Lewis Aspinwall of this city, on the evening of the 27th June, and suspended in time to announce the day of in- dependence. Its weight was 2737lbs, the largest bell in the city.
July 4. William Cook, an Albany merchant, died at Saratoga Springs.
July 5. Sally Ann, wife of Lemuel L. Steele, died, aged 28.
July 7. The steam boat Helen, built on a new prin- ciple by Mr. Burden, arrived on her first trip from New York. She broke some part of her machinery twice during the passage, and made the trip in 9h. 58m.
July 9. Erastus Corning, chairman of the commis- sioners, gave notice that an election for thirteen directors of the Albany City Bank, and for three inspectors of the first annual election thereafter, would be held at the City Hotel on the 24th July. Subsequently Erastus Corning was elected president, and Watts Sherman, cashier of the bank at Little Falls, was appointed cashier.
July 10. Mrs. Pheby Taylor died aged 80, and was buried from the house of her son John Taylor, in Lydius street.
July 11. Isaac O. Davis advertised a mercantile gen- eral agency and collecting office, No. 67 State street.
July 14. Edmund Charles Genet died at his residence, Prospect Hill, Greenbush, aged 71. He took an active part for many years in the vain endeavor to procure a
227
Notes from the Newspapers.
1834.
permanent improvement in the channel of the river near this city.
July 15. James Hunter died, aged 38. He was one of the editors of the Albany Daily Advertiser, from 1823 until October, 1832, and in the course of that period he la- bored assiduously in maintenance of the principles of the Clintonian party until the death of the governor left it without a head. He had recently been engaged in edit- ing the Albany Daily News, which he relinquished only four days before his death.
July 16. James Parker died, aged 24.
July 17. George Greer died, aged 74.
Ruth, widow of Stephen Lobdel, died, aged 61.
July 18. Charles R. Webster, founder of the Albany Gazette, died at Saratoga Springs, aged 72. He had been ill several weeks of a glandular affection, but was not supposed to be in imminent danger. Only a few minutes before his death he was walking about his room. He was a native of Connecticut, served his apprentice- ship with the ancient house of Hudson & Goodwin at Hartford, and in 1782 he established a weekly paper here in connection with S. Ballentine, and two years later commenced the Albany Gazette, at the head of which he remained about forty years, and was also ex- tensively engaged in bookselling. During half a century he was conspicuous for a liberal philanthropy, and an unvarying readiness to. give aid and impulse to every enterprise calculated to advance the interests of the city, or secure the beneficial results of a discriminating charity. As a natural consequence he had become identified with the interests and growing prosperity of the city. For a biographical sketch of him see Annals, vol. 5, p. 230. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of citizens, including several societies of which he had been a con- spicuous and valuable member.
July 25. The funeral ceremonies in honor of Lafayette were performed in this city with great splendor and effect. The military, firemen, the societies and trades swelled the pageant. Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer, Jr.
228
Notes from the Newspapers. 1834.
headed the procession as marshal. The pall bearers were nine revolutionary companions of. Lafayette, Messrs. Gregory, Winne, Hilton, Van Rensselaer, Ryckman, Kid- ney, Van Alstyne, Shields and Russell. The Yorktown ordnance, a twelve-pounder, captured by Lafayette at Yorktown, was borne in the procession. The eulogy was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Sprague. A torch light procession by the Burgesses Corps under Capt. Cole and the firemen, at 11 o'clock at night, bore the urn and eagle from the church to the Capitol, and closed the im- posing ceremonies of the occasion.
July 28. George G. Simpson died, aged 33.
July 28. At a meeting of the common council G. W. Carpenter, city surveyor, reported a level for that part of the city lying south of Ferry street and west of Pearl street. At the same meeting it was resolved to alter the level of Patroon street from the pavement west.
The directors of the Hudson River Steam Boat com- pany reduced the fare between New York and Albany on all their boats to $2.
July 28. The annual examination of the Albany Academy took place, when the honors were awarded to the following boys : Aurelian Conkling (took the Cald- well Medal), John Newland, Isaac Vanderpoel (Ist in Daboll), Maunsell Van Rensselaer, James B. Weed, Frederick Townsend, Aaron Hill, Wm. A. Miller, Wm. Davis, George H. Monteath, Robert Townsend, George B. Hoyt, A. A. Dunlop, Robert Waterman, Duncan Campbell, Henry Q. Lansing. These lads are now fill- ing creditable positions in divinity, law and trade.
Aug. 6. Samuel Harbeck died in New York, aged 50.
Aug. 9. Francis W., son of Lemuel Pierce, died, aged 23.
Aug. 11. Jane Ann, wife of John Manning, died, aged 28.
Aug. 11. At a meeting of the common council, John Preston, " a sojourner in this city," presented a petition urging the planting of elm trees on each side of the streets.
A communication was received from John Forsyth,
229
Notes from the Newspapers.
1834.
acting secretary of war, in relation to the appropriation recently granted by congress for the improvement of the Hudson river. There was a difference between the com- mon councils of Troy and Albany about this work, the former wished to have it commence at the upper end, the latter at the southern and extend north as far as the ap- propriation would carry it.
Aug. 11. Cases of cholera occurred. On the 15th the board of health reported that there had been 15 cases and 3 deaths since the 12th.
Aug. 15. Julia Ann, wife of Orison Filkins, died, aged 21.
Aug. 18. Fourteen new cases of cholera and nine deaths occurred since the 15th.
Aug. 19. Five new cases and one death.
Aug. 20. Seven new cases, six deaths. John I. Evertsen died, aged 45.
Aug. 21. The new Universalist meeting house in Green street was dedicated.
Aug. 25. Lewis Grinnell died, aged 41.
Aug. 26. Mrs. Jane Lamphire died, aged 67.
Mrs. Jane Ann Mancius died.
Sept. 1. Margaret, widow of Harmanus Ten Eyck, died, aged 79.
Sept. 3. Matilda, widow of John B. Van Steenbergh, died.
Sept. 7. John L. Burrows died at Caughnawaga.
Mary C., wife of Dr. Richard Dusenbury, died in Westchester county.
Sept. 8. The Theatre which had been some time closed, was opened by William Duffy, remodeled, and decorated by the skill of John Leslie.
A new line of steam boats was now running on the river in competition with the old line, having two boats, the Nimrod and Champion, under the title of the Peo- ple's Line.
Sept. 8. Frances, wife of Daniel Powers, died, aged 47.
Sept. 9. The common council, on the application of Lemuel Jenkins directed Jay street to be provided with lamps.
230
Notes from the Newspapers. 1834.
Sept. 9. Mary, widow of Duncan Mclachlan, died, aged 44.
Sept.16. The board of health congratulated the citi- zens on the continued good health of the city since the month came in; the reports of the physicians were no longer required, and the hospital opened for the reception of cholera patients had been closed.
Sept. 17. A general convention of the Universalists of the United States was held at the new meeting house in Green street; the occasional sermon being preached by the Rev. Hosea Ballou.
Sept. 17. Phoebe, wife of Capt. Eliakim Ford, died, aged 47.
Rebecca, wife of Schuyler Van Rensselaer, died at Huron, Ohio, aged 39.
Sept. 22. Fergus McLachlan died, aged 63.
John Hallenbeck, formerly of Albany, died at Havana, aged 28.
A wandering religious imposter, Mathias, was appre- hended upon suspicion of many crimes committed against individuals in New York, whose confidence in his divine mission he had unaccountably succeeded in obtaining.
Sept. 22. At a meeting of the common council a peti- tion was presented for opening Quay street from Lydius to Ferry street.
The committee on schools reported a resolution to raise $1262.77 for the support of the common school east of Perry street.
The three infant schools that were now maintained by charitable contributions, had about 1200 pupils, and cost $1,000 per annum. A part of the money was raised by collections in the churches.
Sept. 30. Henry Carpenter died.
Oct. 1. John W. Cushman died, aged 30.
Oct. 6. At a meeting of the common council P. Nor- ton and two or three hundred others of all parties petitioned for a law to prevent the burning of tar barrels, throwing of fire balls composed of tow, turpentine and other inflammable articles, about the periods of elections, and other times of public excitement.
231
Notes from the Newspapers.
1834.
The legislature had passed a law on the first of May, that the time of holding the annual election for aldermen, prescribed in the charter the last Tuesday in September, should be changed to the first Tuesday of May, and au- thorizing the aldermen to hold over the intervening seven months. A controversy arose in the board about the constitutionality of such a law, Israel Williams in a long speech maintained that it was unconstitutional, and the recorder, James McKown and Mr. Lovett defending the law. On motion of alderman Wasson the subject was laid on the table, 12 to 6.
Mary, widow of Joseph Ives, died, aged 71.
Nancy, wife of Loammi Carter, died.
Mary A., wife of George M. Sayles, died.
Oct. 8. The Albany Burgesses Corps celebrated their first anniversary by an excursion to Troy and Gibbons- ville.
Oct. 11. Gilbert Ackerman died.
The sale of the pews in the new Pearl street Baptist church produced nearly $19,000, leaving 70 unsold.
Oct. 12. Paul Hochstrasser died of apoplexy at his residence in Perry, Genesee county, aged 71.
John Southmayd died at New Bedford aged 30.
Rev. Mr. Ide preached his first sermon in the Green street Baptist church.
Oct. 15. Wm. Henry Shaw died, aged 24.
Wm. A. Tweed Dale gave notice that having finished a term of twenty-three years in this city, and relinquished the business of school teaching, he proposed to instruct young men in a course of reading in connection with the Apprentices' Library.
Oct. 16. The committee (consisting of S. S. Fowler, B. P. Staats, and S. Schuyler) appointed by the board of supervisors to erect an additional prison on the peniten- tiary system, gave notice that they had discharged the duty assigned to them, and requested all citizens who felt an interest in the punishment and reformation of offenders to call and examine said prison, which would be open for the purpose.
1
232
Notes from the Newspapers.
1834.
Oct. 20. James King petitioned the common council to have Ten Broeck street excavated; Henry Newman and others in behalf of the Lutheran church and John Meads in behalf of the water works company remon - strated against the opening of a square adjacent to the contemplated State House; John Vosburgh and others petitioned for the change of the name of Orchard street to Pearl; James McNaughton and others applied for the $1500 appropriated by the board for the improvement of Clinton square.
Oct. 21. An anniversary of all the sabbath schools took place by a procession from the Park to the Second Pres- byterian church, where the exercises were conducted by the Revs. Dr. Sprague, J. N. Campbell, Meeker, Kirk and Ferris.
Elizabeth, daughter of the late Chancellor Lansing, died.
Oct. 23. The steam boat Novelty with a load of Nott's stoves struck a hommock on the overslaugh and sunk.
Oct. 24. William Teeling died, aged 63.
Oct. 25. Mary, widow of Wm. Brown, died, aged 79.
Oct. 26. The Pearl street Baptist church was opened for public worship, the sermon by the Rev. Mr. Ide, pas- tor of the Green street church.
The Rev. Dr. Ludlow of the North Dutch church was appointed provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and professor of moral philosophy.
Oct. 27. Killian H. Van Rensselaer died, aged 23. Daniel Sickles died.
Nov. 5. Sarah, wife of Jellis Winne, Jr., died.
Nov. 5. At the annual election the following vote was cast in the city, except in the three first lines the first ward is not included.
Governor, Seward 1523, Marcy 1434.
Lt. Gov. Stillwell 1525, Tracy 1427.
Senator, Miller 1529, Lawyer 1425.
Congress, Barnard 2137, Lansing 1930.
Assembly, Wheaton 2135, Waldron 2125, Frisbee 2117. (Dem.) Livingston 1943, Conner 1922, Seger 1927.
233
Notes from the Newspapers.
1834.
Clerk, Haswell 2051, Ten Eyck 2004.
Sheriff, McDuffie 2169, Niles 1980.
Mr. Marcy's majority in the county was 29.
Gerrit Y. Lansing was elected to congress by a major- ity of 123 votes over Daniel D. Barnard, having received 4944.
Edward Livingston was elected to the assembly by a majority of 5 over Henry G. Wheaton.
Angus McDuffie was elected sheriff, the only candidate of the whig party that was elected.
Conrad A. Ten Eyck received 5028 votes for county clerk, the largest vote received by any candidate.
Nov. 12. Richard Rhodes died, aged 34.
Nov. 15. Elizabeth, wife of John Hamilton, late of the Albany Theatre, died, aged 30.
Nov. 16. Isaac Hamilton, an eminent lawyer, died at St. Mary's, Georgia, aged 55. He had practiced his pro- fession in Albany more than thirty years, and was noted for strict integrity and unwearied industry. He was re- peatedly elected to the offices of supervisor and alderman in his ward, and member of assembly once. In every public station in which he was placed, he evinced a noble disinterestedness of character and elevated views of pub- lic duty and public virtue.
Nov. 19. At an election for officers of the St. Nich- olas Benevolent Society, the following were chosen for the year ensuing.
Abraham Van Vechten, president.
Harmanus Bleecker,
Solomon Van Rensselaer, vice presidents.
John B. Van Schaick,
John V. L. Pruyn, secretary.
Volkert P. Douw, treasurer.
Rev. Robert Bronk and Rev. Cortland Van Rensselaer, chaplains.
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