^, 5- ^ :y ." \*' .-^- .^* SCHENECTADY ANCIENT AND MODERN A Complete and Connected History of Schenectady from the Granting of the First Patent in 1661 to IQ14 PRESENTING ALSO MANY HISTORIC PICTURES AND PORTRAITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CON- SPICUOUS FIGURES IN ITS HISTORY. By JOEL HENRY MONROE NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN Copyright 1914 By Joel H. Monroe MAY 15 1914 PRESS OF W. F. HUMPHREY, GEHEVA, (Q'CI,A3T190 OTHER HISTORICAL WORKS IN NEW YORK Pulaski, Past and Present. Cazenovia Through a Hundred and Twenty Years. A Century and a Quarter of History — Geneva. Through Eleven Decades of History — Watertown. Historical Records of a Hundred and Twenty Years — Auburn. PREFACE THERE is no place in the State of New York that has a more interesting history than that of Schenectady. It is intense with convulsion, tragedy and pathos. The first one hundred and twenty years of its existence, covering the period from 1662 to the close of the War for Independence in 1782, were years of struggles, hardships and a constant fight for self-preservation; they were years too of heart-breaking trouble and grievous disasters. The years since have also been marked by many vicissitudes and changes in condition. The story has previously been told in various forms and with greater or less extent of detail. The groundwork of the history, that is to say the readily accessible data covering the first century and a half of Schenectady's life, is due to the earnest and painstaking research work of Prof. Jonathan Pearson of Union College. In this he rendered to the city and to subsequent writers of its history an inestimable service, for which the writer of the present work gratefully acknowledges his obligation. For a great portion of the material for the making of a connected history since that period, however, the writer has had to rely mainly on available documents and the files of old newspapers. With these combined sources of information, together vnth various others, the writer trusts that he has presented herein a complete and interest- ing history of Schenectady from its foundation to 1914. Schenectady, N. Y., May 1st, 1914. INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS The Battcau 77 ' Mohawk Bank 177 The Durham 77' Old Academy 145 ^ Burning of Schenectady. . . 49^Script" 85 ^ Early Dutch Church 29 "^S. H. Sexton 189 V' Dutch Church of 1734 57 Mlev. Dr. Payne 109^ Interior Dutch Church .... 65 ^ Rosa house 73 "^ DcGraff House 113^Rev. Dr. Williams 81 t^ Rev. H. G. Day 83"^ Fitzgerald Building 201 ^<^ Eliphalet Nott 137 -; Second R. R. Station 169 '^'* Glen-Sanders House 93^ The Fort, 1690 41 ^/ Bouwlands 25 v/ Presbyterian Church 29 '^ , Mohawk Bridge 1 15 \' ^Original Plan of Schenectady 21 v Mabie House 69^ Old Union School 149 *^ Domine Freeman 37 ^ View Union College, 1830. . 153 • College Gymnasium 157^ View of Schenectady, 1830. 129 V^ Gen. Electric Company, 1886 277 t/St. George's Church 105»^ Gen. Electric Company, 1914 281^^ Yates House, Front st 85/ First R. R. Station 161*^ Yates House, Union street. 89 v Flood Scene 285 v/ Christopher Yates 97»/' College Campus 153 ^Joseph C. Yates 103 ^ New County Clerk's Bldg. . 217 /van Curler Tablet 121 ^^ Rev. Dr. Backus 241v,/Moses Viney 193 ^' Mrs. Uriana Nott 257 / TABLE OF CONTENTS A Ancient Schenectady 21 Ancient Mohawk Village. . 26 Allotting of the Lands 47 Appeal for Relief 57 After the Burning 99 Albany Turnpike, The 196 B Brouwer, Philip Hendrickse 37 Bancker, Gerrit 38 Bratt, Arent Andries 39 Borsboom, Peter Jacobse. . 39 Bratt, Arentse Andries .... 41 Barhydts, The 44 Bellvue Reformed Church . . 70 Baptist Churches 84 Beaukendal Massacre 106 Boating on the Mohawk ... 110 Bridges, early and late 115 Boyd, James 117 Broom Com Industry, The . 193 Banks and Banking 202 Broderick, Major 228 Backus, Rev. J. Trumbull . . 270 Beaukendal Chapter D.A.R. 276 Barge Canal, The 284 Baptism, The New 285 Border Wars 49 Beck, Caleb 60 Beal, Moses 60 Brouwer, Rev. Thomas. ... 69 Barclay, Rev. Thomas 72 C Coercive Measures by Govern- ment ■ 29 Cobes, Ludovicus 42-116 Conde, Adam 44 Clinch, Robert Hotel 60 Christ Church 75 Congregational Churches . . 86 Convention, The 92 Combs, Alexander 117 Committee of Safety, 1775. 128 Continental Soldiers 133 Civil War, The 138 City Charter, 1798 163 City Charter, 1813 162 City Bank, The 207 Citizens Trust Co., The 208 Cholera 1832, The 224 Clute Foundry, The 227 Crescent Park 227 Clute, C. C 247 Clute, Jacob W 251 Cuff, "Jim" 274 County Clerk's Bldg 284 Cromwell, Jacobus 60 Clinch, Robert 60 Clinch, Thos. B 61 D De Graff, Abram 107 Dale, Sir Thomas 13 Dutch of New Netherland . . 15 Dutch Colonization 19 De Winter, Bastian 38 De Freeze, Douwe Aukes . . 41 Duncan, John 140 Daily Ancient City, First Newspaper 189 Drv Goods History, Some. . 231 Dav, Rev. Horace G 272 D. A. R., The 276 E Early Streets 34 Esseityne, Marten Cornelise 39 Events 1775-1785 63 Events leading up to Mas- sacre 88 Early Mails and Stages. . . . 143 Erie Canal, The 211 Electric Light Co 239 Ellis, John 248 Epochs in Schenectady's History 261 TABLE OF COXTEXTS Ellis" Hospital 267 Eisenmenger. Frederick F . . 2S2 Elevarlca of R. R. Tracks . . 2S4 F Foster, Prof. John 254 First Sewer 2S4 F1.3od 1914. The 2S4 Fori Orange 12 Freedom's and Exemption's Act 17 First Deed for Land 24 First Decade. The 46 First Trustees 56 Freeman. Rev. Bamardus . . 66 First Pres'Dvterian Church. 75 FLrst M.E. Church SO Forts at Schenectady 102 Ferries. Early 114 First Meeting of Borough <3mcer3 122 FuZer. Samuel 140 Free School S}-^tem 152 Fire Department 160 Fovirrh Julv Celebration, ISOl ...: 170 FLrst Grist Mill, The 50 First i annen.- 50 Firs: Baptist' Church 82 First Packet-boat Line .... 113 Firemen. ISOl 176 Fonda. JeUis 196 Fire of 1819. The 209 Featherstoniaugh, Geo. W . 215 Fourth Julv Celebration, 1838 ...' 229 Fire Department 236 Farmers' Hotel 2.>1 First Stone Sidewalk 254 G Glen. Ales. Lindsay 36-63 Givens' Hotel 61 Glen. Jacob 116 Glen. Abraham 116 Groot, Nicholas 117 Glen, Heruy- 117 Gazette, The Schenectadv. 192 Glen-Sanders House 252 General Electric Companj- . 277 Glen's Order for Arrest of Schermerhom 103 H Hoeck. Benonny Berentse . . 48 Home of the Friendless .... 204 Hudson's CofiFee House .... 60 Hudson, Hemy- 11 I Introduction 11 Iroquois. The 14 Inns' of Early Times 59 Independence Celebration . 134 Institutions 261 J Jay. John. Letters from. . . . 142 Judge Court Common Pleas 201 Jackson. Prof. Isaac W. . . . 258 License to Van Curler's Widow 35 Last Deed, The 51 Luthem Churches 87 Leisler, Jacob 91 List of People Killed in Mas- sacre 1690 97 Lyceum School. The 148 Lafayette, Gen.. Visit 211 Landon. Judson S 233 Lewis. Prof. Ta^dor 256 Leisler's Letter to Adam Vrooman 92 M Miller Tavern, The Old ... . 62 Moimt Pleasant Reformed Church 70 Methodist Churches ..80-81-82 Massacre. The 1690 93 Mjmderse, Jacobus 117 M\-ndei^e, R].-nier 118 Military- Organizations .... 125 Mitchell. Andrew 141 Mavor Yates Coat Arms . . . 175 TABLE OF CONTESTS Mayors. 179Sr-1914 \^) Masonic Organiza-.icus .... 1S2 Mohavrk Bank, i he 202 Mercantile Bank. The 207 Moha vrk & Hudson R. R . . . 219 MohaTTk Gas Co 238 2^Iabie House. The 251 Mercy Hospital 269 Moore, Thomas. Irish Poet . 2S1 N Navigation on the Moha^rk 110 North. William 117 Note. Dr. Eliohalet 1-56 Night WatchTne. 1798. ... 167 Newspai>ers 1;>6 Nott. Mrs. Uriana 2.>3 New Baptisms. The 2SS Original Plir. Original Pr : • oidF—.r:. 0£:v' 17ri5 L21 Pat«it. The. 1684 .S3 Packet Boats on the Mohawk ...113-223 Peek. Harmanns 117 Petiticm for Borough Charter 119 Paige. Alonzo C 212 Potter. Piatt 213 Pearson, Prof. Jonathan ... 231 Police Department 235 Parsons. HindsdeU 281 Periscope, A 283 Public Improvenents since 1900 284 Petition for relief fro~ Schermerhom 57 Q Quit Rents .^s Queen Fort 104 ^ '-■ '■- - - ^ -: ;- ... j::- <>4 — --^^ A:::i:el iv Firs: ----T— -rn 166 Keneirir. .:ie 187 Railr^-^i. The Fir^ 218 Ro-ey-n. Re-. Dhxrk 70 S 84 ~ 145 ^ 148 ^*) .:^_\.;_:.. . ..SI ; ■ nign scnooi . . 152 aC:tvl798.. 164 i:. ^T :— r loiee 182 bt. Lre.rir ; Ihiit^r 1.8^ ?:. C-^ -.-^'^ r, z.'-^~r 185 ■-. ^~^- 1^ Cabinet. Tlie . 190 - DaZv Union . . 191 192 .e=o- ■197 198 - - 201 202 r--.:.^-:.^^ ~ .^ .:.,r 1 ;^nk 204 c;-^ ^ -_ _ ■_ : 79 S:hT— ::^rh — ' r.\ ' "in>e 43 • - ■ -- 205 Z-ne 206 221 Ins. Co 226 Waterworks. ^7 239 Street R.R. 241 " rtaries 242 -. Nicholas .. 242 i. IV 245 War 2tO m Rev. War.. 128 :- ~ v.^- .-n: H;mscs .... 251 ^:^ T'r 'it'in 252 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS Some Changes Wrought in 60 Years 253 Sexton, Samuel H 262 Sanders, John 275 Schenectada Chap. D. A. R. 276 Schenectady Public Library 280 Schenectady High School, 1908 284 Schenectady, a Frontier Town 12 Stuyvesant, Gov. Peter. ... 18 Settlement of Schenectady . 21 Survey of the Land 31 Swart, Teunise Cornelise ... 38 Schermcrhorn, Ryer 43 Schenectady Coflee House . 60 Schaats, Dr. Rynier 64 Second Reformed Church . . 70 St. George's Church 71 St. John's Church 84 St. Joseph's Church 85 Scotch Highlanders, The. . . 108 ShurtlifT, Joseph 117 Schenectady a Borough .... 119 Schenectady in 1769 123 Schenectadv as the Capitol Citv ...." 142 Schools, Early and Late ... 144 T Teller, William 38 Thaselmaker, Domine 66 Toll, Karl Hansen 195 Truax, Dr. Andrew 232 True Blues 262 The New Baptism 285 U United New Netherland Co. 14 Union College 154 Union, The Daily 191 Union Nat. Bank 208 Utica & Schenectady R.R. . 222 Union, The Young Men's . . 225 Utilities 237 V Van Twiller, Wouter 17 Van Curler, Arent 35 Village, The 31 Van Curler's letter to Stuy- vesant 27 Van Woggelum, Peter Adriance 37 Van OHnda, Pieter Danielse 39 Van Slyck, Jacques CorneHse 40 Van de Bogert, Frans 42 Van Ditmars, Barentse Jans 42 Van Eps, Johannes Danielse 42 Van Velsen, Sweer Teunise. 42 ■* Vrooman, Adam 43 Van Slyck, Cornelius Antonsen 63 Van Dyck, Dr. Jacobus. ... 64 Van Slyck, Jacob 117 -Vrooman, Isaac 117 Van Voast, Abraham A . . . . 244 Vale Cemetery 250 Van Ingen, Abraham 117 Viney, Moses 273 ^Vrooman, Lawrence 117 Veeder, Symon Volkertse . . 37 Van Antwerp, Daniel L. . . . 117 Van Dyck, Col 130 Van Slyck, Harmanus 117 Van Slycks' Inn 59 Veeder, John F. D 117 Veeder, Gerrit S 118 Van Eps Ferry 180 Van Curler, Widow of Arent 60 Vrooman, Adam 92 Vrooman, Isaac I P. l .^ 122 W West India Company, The Dutch 16 Wemp, Jan Barteuse 40 Washington, Gen. Geo. 135-136 War of 1812, The 136 Wards of the City, 1798 .... 165 Westinghouse Co., The .... 279 Y Young, John 117 Yates, Joseph C 194-211 Yates, Robert 117 Yates, Henry 118 Yanses, The 199 Yates house, Abram 252 Yates house, Jos. C 252 Young Men's Christian Assn.265 Yates, Isaac 281 Yates, Christopher 131 Y. W. C. A 282 Schenectady — Ancient and Modern (H AFTER I THE FOREGROUND THE beginning of the seventeenth century England, France, Spain and Holland, unin- vited, stood at the door of the aborigines of North America, not asking permission to ^ enter but, on the contrary, announcing by both manner and action that, by right of discovery, they had come to take possession of the country'. These invad- ing powers, meanwhile, were as antagonistic to one another in the enterprise as they were indifferent and disregardful of the rights of the native proprietors. Each claimed all the country east of the Mississippi Valley and took measures to get possession of it. To attain this end and to expel their rivals they early sought alliance with the Indians, offering them, as value received, gew-gaws, poor whiskey, religion, and arms and ammunition wherewith to kill their native enemies. Holland was the smallest of the conteniling nations, yet the largest and broadest in the matter of equitable dealing and true Christian forbearance in these enforced relations with the Indians. Henry Hudson's discovery of Manhattan Island, the Hudson river and its contiguous territory, together with other lands north and south to the Delaware, in 1609, was the means of planting the Dutch flag on the North Ameri- can Continent and bringing into existence New-Nether- 12 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN land, as Hudson made his discovery while in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. The first step in empire building by the Dutch was to move the frontier one hundred and fifty miles from the sea- board. A few years later the line was pushed a little farther westward, and Schenectady took her place as the frontier settlement. There are no frontier towns in the United States now, there never will be again, therefore, the particular phase of history-making incident to these important places is past forever. Schenectady, first and all, was one of the settlements of this type, and worked out her destiny and made imperish- able history as a frontier town. Anent this matter, Ban- croft says that "every history must have some fighting and bloodshed, else it is unworthy to be regarded as history"; and acting up to this proposition, Schenectady surely has seen fighting, has been reduced by fire and sword, and has had her baptism of blood. Although the Dutch had possession in 1609, it was some time before a settlement was effected. In 1614 the States- General granted to a certain group of Holland merchants and their associates a patent securing to them the exclusive right of trade along the Hudson from Manhattan north- ward and westward to the head waters of the river and beyond. Armed with the documents granting to them the power to establish in the new world that which appeared to have in it the making of a snug little Octopus, the gentle- man named in the grant landed at Manhattan the same year, sailed up the Hudson river and settled on the present site of Albany, where they established a trading post, and in 1623 erected Fort Orange. Henry Christisens was the first in command of this fort. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 13 Now, analagous to this particular move in empire build- ing, had the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Manhattan instead of at Plymouth, and had they settled the Province of New York instead of the Dutch, in what respect would the his- tory be changed? The dates of the founding of the two colonies were only a little time apart and most of the settlers of both colonies had left their home country for similar cause, mainly that of religious liberty, while they themselves were excessively unchristian in their hyper- orthodoxy. Schenectady, to its sorrow, felt the sway of this spirit and schism in its early life. However, if the handful of Dutchmen thus commissioned by the States-General left their native country with the thought of establishing a Utopia in New-Netherland, they surely made sorry work of the undertaking during the succeeding fifty years, as history tells the story. What- ever glimmer of a chivalrous life and of the brotherhood of man philosophy' they may have brought along with them, plainly was early dissipated in the new world of oppor- tunity. Nor was there any appreciable improvement in the administration of the affairs of the communitj', so far as Schenectady's interests were concerned, in the new regime under the English, which became eflFective in 1664 and continued until the declaration of independence. William Smith, in his early history of the Province of New York, states that, information having reached Sir Thomas Dale, then governor of Virginia, that the Dutch had presumed to pre-empt English territory, he made occasion to have Capt. Argal visit the colony at Fort Orange the same year of its settlement and the captain chastised the Dutch sharply for their audacity in thus trespassing on his sovereign's property. They being weak and somewhat timid, at the time promised to submit to the 14 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN King. Yet the next year the Dutch erected a fort on Manhattan Island and also strengthened their small fortifications at Fort Orange. For a considerable period of time, however, after the settlement at Fort Orange, the colonists were practically left alone by the mother country to survive or perish. Occasional sailing vessels entered the harbor at New Amsterdam and carried away to Hol- land the furs and peltries collected both there and at Fort Orange. Few came to join the colony, however. During this early root-taking period the United New- Netherland Company was the controlling force in the settlement affairs, as well as in trade; and trade, not the upbuilding of the country, was the primary moving idea among the early comers, and this spirit prevailed for many years. The charter of this company expired in 1618, yet this fact in no wise ended its activities in trade, for the fur and peltry business which the company had been char- tered to carry on, was increasing rapidly among the Indians in the vicinity and at more distant points. In the meanwhile, there was the matter of reckoning with the Indians, for, admittedly, the whites were poachers on their domain. The Dutch settlement was at the east- ern door of the Iroquois country, and, as the Five Nations, they held sway from the Hudson westward to the great lakes, and northward to the St. Lawrence river. Many other tribes lived across this border in Canada, called New France, where the French had established a colony in 1603. The French, too, were striving for a footing south of the St. LawTence, and, in fact, on westward to the Mississippi. The mother country had neglected to take account of this element in the country she had invaded. France, how- ever, had a workable advantage over the other poachers, England, Spain and Holland, in that she imported mis- SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 15 sionaries to go among the Indians and bring about their conversion, and so, under the banner of Christianity, she hoped to spread empire. In spite of this, however, the EngHsh and the Dutch enjoyed to a much greater degree the good graces — what- ever they may mean — of the Indians, especially the Iroquois, and the Mohawks, the occupants of the imme- diate country', were the potential factor in the great confederacy. They, by many acts, during the succeeding years, demonstrated their steadfast friendship for the Dutch. The Dutch early entered into a treaty with the Irof|Uois, which the latter lived up to through many years with faithfulness and honor. Whatever may be said, therefore, in regard to their fickleness and unrighteous methods in warfare, the savages, after all, were not without some sense of honor. To their disadvantage they had to contend with the tricks and so|)histry of both civilization and Christianity. The Dutch of New-Netherland were not aggressive, except in the prosecution of trade ; they were not specially assertive, except in the matter of religious faith, and it may be said with equal truth that they were at least untrained in great movements of progress. With them the process of evolution was measured. They had been born and reared in a country where momentuous undertakings and events took small account of time, and space was the unit in solving the life problem. Therefore, from the time they landed at Fort Orange, Bever^^•yck, as it was afterwards known, they were dominated by the one ambition, which was to muzzle trade and make the greatest amount possible from their trade privileges with the Indians. This spirit of excessive greed choked every impulse of equity and fairness and placed a noxious embargo on Schenectady, when the 16 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN place later became a rival in the trade and commerce of the new country. In the meanwhile, the colony was constantly menaced by the warring tribes of Indians, and the French and the Indians. The Mohawks, to be sure, were the avowed protectors and defenders of the Dutch colony. Yet the Mohawks at times were at war with other nations or tribes, and also with the French. The Mohawks esteemed the English and the Dutch in great measure because it was from them they received their whiskey and firearms, and no amount of religion urged upon them by the French could overbalance these considerations. Had the French succeeded, however, in enlisting the aid of the Iroquois Confederacy it is quite possible that the Canadian bound- ary would have been the Mohawk river instead of the St. Lawrence; or again, it might have terminated in the complete supremacy of the French instead of the English. But the Iroquois resisted the French to the end, conse- quently, from early times to 1763, when the French retired from the country, there were frequent and bloody wars waged between them. The English early became a force in the affairs. They increased in number much more rapidly than the Dutch and assumed a position of power. In order to meet this and the antagonism of the Iroquois, the French sought an alliance with the other tribes of Indians, and by proselyting won some from the Iroquois. In this manner they were enabled to carry on wars of conquest and to harass, pillage and burn New-Netherland, and through it all Schenectady was the chief sufferer. The Privileged West-India Company was chartered in 1621 and at once began operations at the seaport New-Amsterdam, with an auxiliary at Beverwyck. This SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 17 company was all that its name implied by the word "privileged." It was granted despotic power with no recourse. It was sovereign civilly and politically and also master of the current of trade and finance. The Governor and Council smiled complacently upon it and meanwhile raked in the stuyvers and guilders as their portion of the increment. When Wouter Van Twiller became the first governor, or Director, in 1629, he referred to himself, his Country and the company in question in the following style: "We, director and Council, residing in New Netherland, on the Island of ISIanhattan, under the government of their highmightinesses, the lords State General of the United Netherlands and the privileged West-India Company." Van Twiller was succeeded by William Kieft in 1636, who, after a service of several years, perished in shipwreck on the return voyage to his native country. Along with him went down to his death the Rev. Everardus Bogardus, husband of Aneke Jans, one of the most unique characters in the early history of New- Netherland. She died and was buried in Beverwyck in 1663. Upon the assumption of power and control by their highmightinesses, the Privileged West-India Company, the measures of restraint, repression and prohibition in trade lines became positively wolfish. The United New- Netherland Company continued as a competitor of the new company until 1630, when it ceased active business. In June, 1629, the Freedoms and Exemptions act was passed by Holland which greatly broadened the scope of operations in the New-Netherland country, that is to say, it opened the way for the acquisition of great landed estates, or manors, as they were styled. These manors were granted to certain dignitaries, patroons, after the 18 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN style of the feudal system in vogue in Holland, These were located in different parts of the new world posses- sions. The Kilian Van Rensselaer estate, known as Rensselaer wyck, comprised more than seven hundred thousand acres, or the complete area of the present coun- ties of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga. The act also in some degree extended the privileges of trade, although not to the extent of diminishing in any degree the monopolistic power of the West-India Company. The establishment of the Van Rensselaer estate to some extent caused an increased influx of settlers to the Beverwyck colony. Peter Stuyvesant became governor in 1647, and con- tinued until the close of the Dutch regime. He was a man of much strength of character, a potential figure in the life and affairs of the colony. First of all, however, Stuyvesant was faithful to the West-India Company. In 1652 he established a court at Fort Orange and Beverwyck, whose chief function was to foster and protect the interest of their highmightiness, the West-India Company. Stuyvesant had been a soldier in the service of his native country, and a fighting soldier, too, as history puts it down. He had lost a leg in the service, in consequence of which he had a wooden leg. When Col. Nicoll appeared in the harbor of New- Amsterdam (New York) in August, 1664, and in the name of his Majesty, the King of England, demanded the unconditional surrender of the fort, Stuy- vesant burst into a fury of rage. He tore Nicoll's letter into bits, stumped around on his wooden leg, swore in Dutch, and uttered his defi of the King of England. Yet the governor finally surrendered. September 24th, follow- ing, Beverwyck capitulated, and its name was then changed to that of Albany. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 19 When Governor Stuyvesant assumed office there were not in all New-Netherland more than three thousand population. These were scattered from New- Amsterdam along the Hudson to Beverwyck, including also Rensselser- wyck. Albany as yet comprised not above a dozen dwel- lings with no order, grace or uniformity. In all directions outside the settlement there was dense wilderness. The fort itself was far from being a formidable affair. Within this fort was the little old house constructed of boards, two stories high, the entrance to the upper story being by means of a ladder through a trap door. This upper story constituted the court room and the executive chamber of his Excellency Johannes La Montague, Vice- Director of New-Netherland. Here also the magistrates met and dispensed justice — or shall we say the travesty on justice. Up to 1640 little had been done in the matter of coloniza- tion in the New-Netherland country. While Holland earnestly desired the extension of empire by emigration and colonization, the Patroons and the West-India Com- pany were as determined against it. This persistency on their part led to the buying back by the States-General most of the great manors that had been granted in various sections, Rensselaerwyck alone remaining undisturbed by this action. The proclamation of 1638, having for its object greater colonization and freedom of trade, had only one visible effect, that of making every citizen of Beverwyck a trader with the Indians, provided he could buy a piece of Duffels or a quantity of brandy and beer. It secured to the colonists outside Beverwyck, however, no benefit or added privileges as settlers and homemakers. At the close of Stuyvesant 's career as Governor and also at the end of the 20 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Dutch regime in 1664, as a result of the inglorious attempt at empire building, the entire population of New-Nether- land did not exceed ten thousand. Beverwyck had been established fifty years, and during this time had been wholly engrossed in the one proposition — that of the fur trade. Outside of Rensselaerwyck no movement had been made toward the upbuilding of the adjacent country and the colonists in Renssela^rwyck were merely the tenants of the patroon. In this unhappy condition of affairs a few of the colonists united in the founding of Schenectady. CHAPTER II AXCiEN'T schent:ctady ^^^^^^JHE founding of Schenectady, while probably y//^^^J^. there was absence of such spirit in the under- f( F^-."^! taking, signalized a notable movement of - ! [)rogress at that time; it was the moving of empire westward and the establishing of a new frontier toxsTi. Elementally, however, it was a motion in the direction of a declaration of independence — a motion, that is all, for it was a long time before Schenec- tady achieved complete independence. Beverw^ck and Rensselaensyck, the latter the great manor of Kilian Van Rensseljer, in a measure, had become populous. In fact Beverwj-ck, Albany, had grown to a place of considerable size, while many of its citizens had attained some degree of affluence from the one channel of trade, that of furs and peltries. Among some of the settlers, meanwhile, there was a growing feeling of unrest and discontent. They had left their mother countrj' to secure freedom from the patroons, the burden of restric- tions and the feudal customs, and their only hop)e, after all, was in the erection of a new pioneer town. So, if there was anj-^here in the settled region a spark of the spirit of altruism, it was present in the elemental idea of the found- ing of Schenectady. These people desired homes not under the feudal system of tenure; they wished to buy and own the land and establish their material independence. They could see the uninhabited \-irgin land stretching away to the 5kj--line in ever}- direction, yet they could not possess any part of it. The visible and the in\isible government, the filibusters, 22 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN were aligned against all projects of individual enterprise. Their highmightiness, the Privileged West-India Company also was unalterably opposed to the planting of new colonies. During a great part of the period, up to this time, the colonists had been dependent in great measure on the mother country for provisions and building materials. The people seeking to establish Schenectady wished also to buy and till the great flats of the Mohawk Valley. The Rensselaer manor had upon it many settlements and agri- culture was carried on to a considerable extent. Arent Van Curler, a native of Holland, superintended for many years this great estate. He was a man of unusual force and ability, an influential figure in the affairs of the colony and also among both the Indians and the French. Van Curler was something of a diplomatist, too, honest in public matters, was fearless and withal progressive. He was highly esteemed by the Iroquois and often acted as ambassador in disputes and in humane matters arising between them and the French. The latter also regarded him in the highest favor. Van Curler was familiar with the surrounding country. He had had occasion to make many trips up and down the valley during the twenty years past and had taken special note of the charming country lying west of Beverwyck. He was a born pioneer with constructive inclinations and some degree of pride in broader endeavor. So he and fourteen associates from various parts of the colony joined together in the establishment of Schenectady. The contour of the land and the geographical location combined to render the site chosen a most eligible one, and by reason of its situation on the Mohawk river, it was destined to be at the foot of navigation. The broad river SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 23 skirting the proposed town on the west formed a spacious bay, or Binne Kill, which would afford an ample harbor. The land, to be sure, was still in possession of the Mohawks; it had been their hunting ground and corn ground for many centuries. In fact the site of Schenectady, according to tradition, was the seat of an Indian capital at some remote period. As evidence of this, skulls, skeletons and Indian utensils were later dug upon the site of the village. But now the Mohawks were willing to sell the land for a moderate consideration. They craved other things more than they craved land — first among them, whiskey and ammunition. In 1630 the Mohawks maintained five great castles, one of which was at the mouth of the Mohawk river, the second at Schenectady, and three others along the valley westward. In 1672 only two of them remained, one at Canajoharie and one at Fort Hunter. The atmos- phere of civilization already was stifling the savage. The promoters of the settlement proceeded to select the land they wished to acquire and agreed with the Indians upon a price or consideration for its conveyance. This purchase having been completed, the crux of the matter then was to obtain the consent and approval of the Director-General and Council. On the 18th of July, 1661, Arent Van Curler, together with his associates, appeared before the Council and petitioned for the privilege to pur- chase and also for a patent of the land in question. The names of the petitioners are here given: Arent Van Curler, Philip Hendrickson Brouwer, Alexander Lindsay Glen, Swear Teunise Van Velsen, Simon Volckertsen Veeder, Peter Adriance Van Woggelum, (also known as Sagermakeleck), Gerritt Bancker, William Teller, Bastian DeWinter, Peter Jacobse Borsboom, Peter Danielse Van Olinda, Jan. Barentse Wemp, Jacques Cornelise Van 24 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Slyck; Bastian De Winter appeared also as attorney for Catalyn De Vos, widow of Arent Andries Bratt. The deed from the Indians was drawn, signed and executed on the 27th July, following, as herewith shown. DEED FROM THE INDIANS FOR SCHENECTADY AND VICINITY "Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, ap- pointed by the Director-General and Commissary in the service of the Privileged West-India Company, at Fort Orange and the town of Beverwyck, certain chiefs of the Mohawk country, by name Cantuquo, Sonareetsie, Aiadane and Sodoorane, proprietors of a certain parcel of land called, in Dutch, Groote Vlacte (Great Flats), lying behind Fort Orange, between the same and the Mohawk country, which they declared to have ceded and trans- ported, as they hereby cede and transport, in real and actual possession and property, unto Sieur Arent Van Curler, the said parcel of land, or Great Flat, called in Indian, 'Schonowa,' as it is bounded in its contents and circumference, with its trees and streams, for a certain number of cargoes, wherein the cedents acknowledge to have received satisfaction; renouncing, now and forever, all property and claim which they hereto have had in the aforesaid parcel of land, promising to free the same from all claims, which other Indians might have thereon. Done in Fort Orange, the 27th July, Anno 1661, in presence of Martin Mourisse and William Montagne, thereunto requested in presence of me. "La Montagne, "Vice-Director and Commissary over the Fortress Orange." The mark of Cantuquo to the above instrument was a bear; that of Aiadans, a turtle, and of Sonareetsie, a wolf. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 25 denoting the tribe or family to which each belonged. The true name of the witness to this instrument, who signed as Martin Mourusse, was Martin Maurice Van Slyck, brother of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, both subse- quently proprietors, and among the first original settlers of Schenectady. The mother of both was a Mohawk chief- tain's daughter. They were the children of Cornelise Antonisen Van Slyck, the great Indiati interpreter. They were born at the principal Mohawk castle at Canajoharie. Jacques was born about 1640, and INlartin a year or two later. The petition, bearing the most oppressive conditions, as will be seen herein, was granted July 27, and here was staged a drama — the patent wrangle — that held the boards through a period of one hundred and thirty-seven years, or until 1798. It probably has no parallel in the history of settlements and town building in the United States. The distress, the loss and the heart-burning trouble from the various sources attending this initial undertaking in independent building and being in the little local colony constitutes a tragic, yet droll chapter in the history. In the matter of selling lands the Indians themselves were not at all averse to tricks and double dealing. This particular quirk, probably unlooked for in a savage, was the cause of much annoyance in many instances. They had, for example, no scruples against selling the same plat of land to as many different purchasers as cared to possess it, and would accept payment therefor from each. Thus many disputes arose and final adjustments had to be made. Another puzzling problem was the determination of the acreage. The method of survey was to step off the land or measure it with a rope, a harness rein or a pole, 26 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN and which party to the transaction got the best or the worst of it by this process was left to the skill of a later day to determine. Nor was the nomenclature of proper names among the Dutch in a much more advanced stage of evolution than that obtaining among the Indians. The Dutchman, as a rule, had but one name which, in many instances, was added to or modified by some particular circumstance, the occupation of himself, or his father, or his birthplace. This crude system, however, soon passed away and was suc- ceeded by more orderly forms. The ancient Mohawk village which occupied the site of Schenectady was of unusual importance as a part of the Iroquois country. It was the eastern door, or entrance, to their great domain, and Schenectady, occupying the same site, was at the gateway to the western country, also at the foot of navigation on the Mohawk river. This was the chief factor in establishing Schenectady's commercial prominence and prestige through the long period of years up to the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. The name of the ancient Mohawk village was Connochariguharie and this name is so entered in the land transfers by the Mohawks to the early Dutch settlers. The settlement of Schenectady, as history places it, dates from the concerted action of Van Curler and his associates, in 1661-1662, whereas the fact is fairly well established that the ground was occupied by temporary settlers at least back as early as 1614, which, had they remained, would make Schenectady co-existent with Albany. Bui in view of the fact that these previous settle- ments never took concrete form they are passed over as having no part in the history. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 27 Van Curler took up the matter of the settlement of Schenectady personally and by letter to Governor Stuy- vesant in the summer of 1661. This letter was an appeal for permission to settle on the Great Flats stretching along the river westward from the proposed village. The letter, like all the communications to the authorities, was very simple and suppliant, having also a verbiage of words. The letter bearing the date of June 18, 1661, follows: "Right Honorable Sir, "My Lord. "When last at Manhatans I informed your honor that there were some friends and well wishers, who were well inclined with your Honor's knowledge and approbation to take possession of and till the Groote Vlachte well kno^vTi to your worship; whereto six or eight families are already inclined, and for which your Honor promised me a warrant authorising us to purchase said lands, but by reason of your Honor's daily occupations nothing came of it. So then your Honor promised to send it later but I am per- suaded the daily cares of your Honor's government have driven it from your Honor's remembrance. "Truly the way is now open, the savages being inclined to abandon the land for a moderate price, the more so as trade is so slack and meagre. Hence it is the wish of our friends to dispatch the bearer of this, Philip Hendrickse Brouwer, to refresh your Honor's remembrance, for as much as it is high time, (if your Honor please) that the people provide themselves with hay and fodder for their beasts and like to lay out the road thither. "Please not, your Honor, distrust the people as is generally done here, by the common folks, nor doubt that one loaf will last till another be gained. 28 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "So then it will be better to provide betimes, to seize good fortune, for afterwards it may be too late. Doubt- less as your Honor is likewise a lover of agriculture, your Honor will yield to the just request of the people; the money for the purchase of the aforesaid land they them- selves will furnish temporarily and until it shall be other- wise ordered by your Honor. "Finally I pray your Honor to be pleased to favor the people's good intention so far as possible, and conclude by commending your Honor to God's grace with the wish for a long and happy administration, and further I remain ever Sir Your Honor's most humble Servant, Rensselserwyck, A. Van Curlek. The 18th June, 1661. P. S. If your Honor falls short three or four Muds of oats as feed for your Honor's horses, please command me to supply your Honor with the same from my small store. Your Honor's servant, A. V. Curler." The postscript to this letter indicates clearly that Van Curler was wise to the graft proclivities of the Governor. One of the first conditions imposed on these would-be land owners and town builders was that, after efi'ecting a purchase of the land as desired, they transfer the same to the Director-General and Council as representatives of the Lord's Directory of the Privileged West-India Company. As a palliative for the sting it was stipulated further that whatever sum was paid by them for said lands would be returned sometime, or be discounted to them against the tenth. THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE OF THE PRESBYTERIANS OF SCHENACTADY THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1703 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 29 In addition to the purchase privilege sought, they had asked that the lands be surveyed and allotted amongst the associated settlers. But no action was taken in the matter and finally on the sixth day of April, 1662, Van Curler addressed another letter to the Director-General and Council, stating, that in pursuance of the resolution passed by their Honors the previous July, he and his associates had purchased and taken possession of the Great Flats and were then engaged in constructing houses, mills and other buildings. The communication brought out added evidence of the malevolence of the West-India Company and his Excel- lency, the Governor and the Council. The answer was that, "Before the requested settlement can be formed and the land surveyed, the persons inclined to establish them- selves there ought to number at least twenty families and communicate their names at the office of the Secretary of the Director-General and Council and further to engage and promise not to trade with the savages." The settlers were then privileged to apply themselves to agriculture but were prohibited from trade detrimental to the Priv- ileged West-India Company. This was supplemented and made more coercive, so the great powers thought, by requir- ing each member of the settlement to sign and execute an agreement to the effect that he would not "trade in any manner under any pretext whatever, with the savages, either directly or indirectly." The penalty for violation of this agreement was, for the first offense, fifty beavers, second offense, one hundred beavers, and for the third offense the "forfeiture of his solicited or acquired lands on the aforesaid Plains." To this latter the settlers made reply that they were willing to obey the noble West-India Company and the 30 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Supreme Magistrates, to pay all their taxes and not other- wise to go contrary to the published orders, but begged to be treated not less considerately than other subjects. Van Curler, however, urged the signing of the very lengthy "Indenture" thinking by doing so with a certain mental reservation it would not prohibit them in future from prosecuting trade as opi)ort unity presented. This matter of trade with the Indians, as was fore- ordained, early became more or less active among the residents of Schenectady and naturally aroused resent- ment and measures for its absolute prohibition and also for the punishment of those engaged therein. Sheriffs, there- fore, were sent from Albany to search houses, to seize all goods found and to arrest those suspected of this, so declared, illicit business. Citizens of Schenectady, follow- ing these raids, were haled before the magistrates at Albany who never failed, from their viewpoint, in making the punishment fit the crime. Beverwyck, or Albany, was swarming with brokers, bos-loopers, traders who had the countenance of the powers, because they were a part of the system— the system that held sway in the colony for fifty years with practically no betterments, except for the privileged few. The Indian name, Schenectady, was early adopted for the new to\vm because of what it stood for or signified, namely, "place beyond the pine plains." As the plains lay between Albany and Schenectady, it applied to that place or to any other place on the thither side of the coun- try mentioned. Originally there were many modes or forms in spelling the word, but it finally crystalized into Schenectady. It was not until 1664 that Governor Stuy vesant, respond- ing to the many appeals, took favorable action in the mat- SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 31 ter of having the lands at Schenectady surveyed and apportioned among the settlers. In pursuance of this Jacques Cartelyou, the sworn surveyor, was sent from New-Amsterdam to "lay out the aforesaid lands in the best manner possible and for the best accommodation for those interested therein." Cartelyou together with Com- missary^ LaMontagne were appointed a court of equity in the matter of the division of the land, the Director-General and Council being the final court of adjustment. The ancient to^Tishij) of Schenectady embraced one hundred and twenty -eight scjuare miles, sixteen miles extending eastward and westward along the river and eight miles wide, or four miles on either side of the Mohawk. Within ten years from the date of the settlement all the flat lands were taken up and were in great part under culti- vation. In the purchase of some of these lands it is recorded the Indians "acknowledge to have thankfully received the remainder of the sewant (tubs of beer and gunpowder) according to the tenor of the contract." Oftentimes the consideration was an "anker of good beer" or a "rundlet of brandy." THE VILLAGE The land purchased by Arent Van Curler in 1661 and comprising the first patent was divided among the fifteen settlers or proprietors. They were all Dutch except Alexander Lindsay Glen, who was a Scotchman. Glen was a man of considerable means, a leader and a man of influence. He came to New-Netherland from Holland, having been a refugee from Scotland to that country several years earlier. He had secured, in 1655, a patent for a large tract of land situated on the north side of the Mohawk river, and on the shore of the river, opposite the present 32 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN city, he erected, in 1658, a very large and pretentious house for those times. This house served the double pur- pose of a home, a fortress and a refuge for many until 1713, when it was torn down and the present Glen or Sanders mansion was erected on the bluff a little farther removed from the river. Glen bestowed upon that section of the country the name of "Scotia," in remembrance of his native countrj^ and it still bears the name. The village as first established embraced the area of four squares, or blocks, laid out with uniformity, each having four hundred feet frontage. Each of these squares was divided into four lots thus giving each building lot a front- age of two hundred feet and an equal depth. To each of the proprietors was apportioned one of these lots. Besides this each was allotted a farm, or bouwrie, on the Great Flat, a pasture ground east of the village and fourth, a garden lot on the lowland lying west of Mill Creek and extending toward the Binne Kil. The village extended from Front street along Washing- ton Avenue south to State Street (Alban^- Path) on the south, and from Washington Avenue along Front Street east to Ferry Street, thence to State Street. This area was surrounded by stockades or palisades, ten feet high. These were constructed of logs flattened on two sides and set firmly in the earth close together. They were sharp- ened to a point at the top so as to prevent scaling by an invading enemy. They were also bullet proof. There were two entrances to the enclosure, gates with strong iron fastenings. The main gate was located at the corner of Church and Front Streets, and the second was on State Street near Church. In the northwest corner of the palisades was the fort, an unpretentious affair, yet ade- quate for protection when properly manned. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 33 The situation of the new town perforce rendered it a dangerous one. The western horizon of civiHzation dropped down at its border line and beyond this no white man had yet settled. The pahsades, therefore, were as essential as the dwelling. However, to strike at Schenec- tady, or Albany for that matter, an invading enemy must pass the territorial line of the ]Mohawks, yet this fre- quently occurred between the date of the settlement and 17G3. \ It was a typical Dutch town in mode of construction, style, manners and customs. It was a Holland town dropped down in the wilds of America. The houses mostly were one and a half stories ^vith scalloped gables fronting toward the street, while each of these had a little covered porch. The Washington avenue of to-day was at the beginning Handlers, or Traders street, and so con- tinued until the burning of Schenectady in 1690, when the name was changed to Lion street. After the close of the war of the Revolution Lion street became Washington street, and later Washington avenue, Handlers street in the early times was the main business thoroughfare of the town. Besides dwellings it contained many stores and mercantile houses of various kinds. The street ran near the main Binne Kil, the harbor, which for a long period of time was a scene of activity in ship commerce, a matter which will be taken up in detail later on. Front street still bears its original name. It was prob- ably so named because it marked the northerly line of the village and ran parallel with the river. This also lead into the Niskayuna Road. Ferry street, as at present, led to the river bank where the boats landed and passage was made back and forth across the river. Church street, so far as records reveal, was so named at the beginning, 34 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN though the church was not built on it until later. Union street in early times was Niskayuna, so named in honor of the early Niskayuna settlement to the north. State street was originally Albany Path. After the massacre of 1690 it was called Martyrs street on account of the great number that were killed in that section of the town. Finally it was changed to State street as at present. In a little while after the settlement the population had so increased that building lots were assigned along Albany Path, those being mostly on the south side of the highway. Soon also the large house lots within the palisades were divided to afford building sites for the new- comers. For a considerable time, however, after the settlement Union street was not opened east of Ferry. The early settlers, the makers and builders of Schenec- tady, form an interesting group of people, pioneers, honest as a whole, hardy, industrious, frugal and having withal high ideals of Christian life and moral rectitude. Most of them were Dutch, Dutch in every fibre of their being. Therefore, being Dutch they builded a Dutch town after the Dutch style with a Dutch atmosphere and their own code of social ethics. Their chief occupation was that of a farmer, yet many of them became merchants, boat builders and active in shipping and the river com- merce of the early times. The original proprietors, the founders of the village, form a select galaxy, therefore, in the mention herewith of some of the early settlers this particular group is taken up first. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 35 ORIGINAL SETTLERS Probably the foremost among these was Arent Van Curler, because he was the leader, the prime figure in the movement that put Schenectady on the map. He was a man of mature years at the time he undertook the founding of Schenectady. As early as 1630 he was Superintendent of the Rensseterwyck Colony and continued in this posi- tion until 1646. Meanwhile he served also as secretary of the colony; besides being interested and active in other matters pertaining to the general welfare of not alone the white settlers but the Mohawks as well. On account of his manj' acts of kindness and good friendship the Mohawks held Van Curler in very high esteem, and as a token of honor, after his death, they bestowed upon Schenectady the name of "Carlear" and ajjplied the same title also to the governors of the Province. In 1643 Van Curler married iVntonia Slaaghboom, widow of Jonas Bronck. In the spring of 1662 they, together with the proprietors, settled in the new Schenectady. Van Curler was drowned in Lake Champlain in July, 1667, while on his way to Quebec, having been invited there by De Tracy, who was then Governor of Canada, to visit him on public matters. The Van Curler residence was at the corner of Union and Church streets where the Schenectady Academy was later located. In 1672 Governor Lovelace, out of regard for Van Curler's public service, granted to his widow an exclusive license to sell liquors to the Indians, intending by this to put a stop to the bickering and dispute then going on between the other two tapsters in the town, namely, Cornelis Cornelise Viele and Acques Cornelise Van Slyck. Herewith is the license granted by the governor. 36 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "Upon ye request of Antonia Van Curler of Schanech- tade presented to his Honor ye Governor that having not long since received a very great losse by fire, there may for her rehefe be so farr indulged as to liave Hcense to sell some Rumm to ye Indyans, as also some quantity of Powder and Lead ; the premises being taken into serious consideration, It is ordered that in regard to the very great loss and damage sustayned by the said Antonia Van Curler in having her House, Barnes and corne destroyed as by her it is set forth, as also the Losse of her Husband Arent Van Curler while he was employed in his Majesty's Public Service, Shee, the said Antonia his widow shall have free Lyberty and License for ye space antl term of one year and two months after the date hereof; That is to say, from the first day of April next until the 29th day of May which shall be in the yeare of Our Lord 1674, to sell and dispose of to the Indyans or others in and about Schanechtade in Rumme one hundred Anckers and in Lead to the value of two hundred Beavers or 1000 weight; But for Powder in this conjuncture of time during the Warr. Its thought inconvient that Extraordinary Lyberty should be granted therein." By order, etc. Van Curler's widow died early in 1676, her will being probated in New York. They left no children. Alexander Lindsay Glen was in many respects as prominent in the community as Van Curler. He was a different type of man. Glen was a Scotchman who, sometime prior to 1633, was a refugee to Holland. In the year mentioned he emigrated to New-Netherland and entered the employ of the West-India Company on the Delaware River. Subsequent to his service he was for twenty years a trader in Beverwyck. He was a DOMINE FREEMAN Pastor Dutch Church, 1703 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 37 business man; he owned real estate in many localities and accumulated a comfortable fortune. As has been stated on a preceding page of this work, Glen, in 16.55, received from the IMohawks a grant of a large tract of land on the north side of the ^lohawk river opposite where in 1658 he erected a house of great propor- tions for that time. Near the site of this original house was built in 1713 the present Sanders mansion, now one of the oldest houses in the Mohawk Valley. He became one of the original proprietors at the time of the building of Schenectady. His village lot was on the West side of Washington avenue adjoining the Page residence on the north. Glen married Catalyn Dongan. They had three sons, Jacob, Sander and Johannes. He died in 1085 and his wife in 1684. Philip Hendrickse Brouwer settled first in Beverwyck about 1655. He ran a brewery and had a mill house in the \'illage, besides owning other real estate. Brouwer joined the other members of the Schenectady Colony early in 1662. His house lot was situated on the north corner of State and Church streets. Brouwer died in 1664 and his village lot passed to Cornelis Van Ness. Simon Volckertse Veeder, in early life was a sailor on a Dutch vessel. He settled in New- Amsterdam (New York) in 1652, two years later moving to Beverwyck, where he became possessed of considerable real estate. His lot in Schenectady was at the north corner of State and Ferry streets. He also had his farm on the bouwland. He left five sons and three daughters. Some of the descendants of the Veeders are now living. Pieter Adriance Soegemakelyk, or Van Woggelum, was an inn keeper in Beverwyck. While he became one of the first proprietors of Schenectady, it seems he never 38 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN was a resident. He was allotted the building site at the corner of Union and Church streets and sold it in 1670 to Helmes Otten of Albany. The property finally passed to Ryer Schermerhorn who married the latter's widow. Tuenise Cornelise Swart, with his brother Frederick, was one of the first settlers, having a residence at the corner of State and Church where he lived until his death. The residence afterwards became the property of Jacob Meese Vrooman, who married Swart 's widow. Bastian De Winter, another proprietor, was a native of Middleburgh, Holland. He emigrated to Albany in 1654 and joined the Schenectady Colony in the spring of 1662. His village residence was on the south corner of Church and Union Streets. He sold his village property and also his farm in 1670. He died in 1678 leaving no heirs. William Teller, although one of the proprietors and one of the petitioners for the first patent, never became a resident of Schenectady. His village lot was at the northwest corner of W^ashington and Front streets. He settled in Beverwyck in 1639 where he continued to reside until 1692. Mr. Teller held many important posts in Beverwyck and from 1684 until his death in New York in 1701, he was one of the five trustees of the patent out of which grew so much trouble and litigation. He was a native of Holland, a successful business man of good character. In 1700 he conveyed his Schenectady house lot to his son, Johannes. Gerrit Bancker was another of the first proprietors who never became a resident of Schenectady. He emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1655 and resided two years in New-Amsterdam (New York) then becoming a resident of Beverwyck where he resided until his death in February, 1691 . His village lot was at the north quarter of the square SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 39 bounded by Union, State, Washington and Church streets. The lot became the property of Evert, Gerrit Banker's son. In 1702 Evert sold the lot to Cornelise Swits. Arent Andriese Bratt signed the petition for the first land patent in 1661 and became one of the original pro- prietors. He died, however, about the time the settlement began early in 1662, leaving his property" to his wife, Catalyn De Vos, and his six children. Pieter Jacobse Borsboom was a resident of Beverwyck from 1639 to the time of the settlement of Schenectady. He became one of the fifteen proprietors. His home was situated on the south corner of Washington avenue and Front street. He died in 1686 leaving one son and three daughters. Anna married Pieterse Mebie and another, Martie, became the wife of Hendreck Brouwer. The son, Cornelis, died young. Marten Cornelise Esselstyn was a native of the City of Ysselteyn, Holland. He was one of the first settlers in Schenectady, although he resided in the town only a few years. His house seems to have been on his bouwrie outside the village. He left one son, Cornelis Martense. The thirteenth of the first settlers was Pieter Danielse Van Olinda who was a tailor and worked at that trade in Beverwyck for several years prior to settling in Sche- nectady. His house was on the south side of Union street a little west of Ferry. Olinda was a young man when he settled in Schenectady. He married Hilletje Cornelise Van Slyck, sister of Jacques Cornehse Van Slyck, she being a half-breed Indian. Through this marriage Van Olinda and his w4fe received from the Mohawks a grant of a large amount of valuable land. Hilletje Van Olinda was a bright woman, and by reason of this and her famili- arity with the Indian language, she was for many years 40 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN employed as the Provincial interpreter. Although brought up among the Mohawks, she, through the in- fluence of the whites had received a small amount of education. She died February 10, 1705, and her husband in 1715. Jan Barentse Wemp (later Wemple) came from Holland to Beverwyck in 1644 or 1645 and accumulated some property there and in Renssekierwyck. He was the fourteenth signer of the application for the first patent. The house lot apportioned to him was on the west side of Washington avenue north of Front street and extended westward to the river. Governor Stuyvesant granted to him and Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck a patent for the great island afterwards known as Van Slyck 's Island. Wemp died soon after the first patent was granted, his widow later marrying Sweer Teunise Van Velsen. There were six children of the first marriage, three sons and three daughters. There are some descendants of the original Wemp, or Wemple, now living. The last in the list of the first settlers was Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck. His father. Marten Van Slyck, early in the colonial history, married an Indian wife and lived among the Mohawks at Canajoharie. Jacques Cornelise was born there about 1640. His Indian name was Itsychoquachka. Jacques Cornelise married Grietje, daughter of Harmen Janse Ryckman, of Albany, Van Slyck died about 1690 and his widow soon thereafter married Adam Vrooman, one of the heroes of the massacre of 1690. In 1671 Van Slyck was one of the licensed tapsters of the village. His village lot was on Washington avenue at the corner of what is now known as Cucumber alley. Through the marriage of Jacques Cornelise and his brothers and sisters to members of the white race there SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 41 was an infusion of Indian blood in some of the citizens in the generations following. OTHER EARLY SETTLERS OF NOTE Douwe Aukes De Freeze was a figure of considerable importance in the life and affairs of the community during the early years. He was a young man when he settled in Schenectady soon after 1G63. He kept an inn, or tavern, and whether he was the partner of Cornelise Viele or his successor is not kno^sai. The inn was located at the corner State street and Mill lane, near the first church erected in the village. Douwe Aukes' inn apparently was the herding place of the villagers and the recognized center of festivities, for it is said that high carnival was or had been in action there the night of the massacre in 1690, which in some degree may have caused the pervading insensibility to the impending slaughter of the citizens. Jacob Leisler, the presumptive governor, in 1689 made De Freeze a Justice of the Peace which, among other reasons, helped to win support in his undertaking. Douwe Aukes married INIaria Arountse Viele, widow of Mattyhs Vrooman. At the time of the massacre and burning, February 8-9, 1690, Aukes wife, two children and colored servant, Francyn, were killed and Arount Viele, his brother-in-law, was taken captive to Canada. Aukes became a large land owmer and a man of considerable fortune. He left his estate to Cornelis Viele, son of the former keeper of his inn. Audries Arentse Bratt was a brewer for several years prior to 1690. He was the eldest son of Arent Bratt, one of the first proprietors. He married Margarita, daughter of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck. Bratt lived in the southwestern part of the village where also was his 42 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN brewery. On the night of the burning of Schenectady he and one of his children were slain. Ludovicus Cobes was another man of prominence in the colony in the early days. He was a native of Herentals, in Brabant, and emigrated to Beverwyck in 1655. From this time until 1677 he was court messenger at Fort Orange and Beverwyck. In 1677 he was appointed schout and served also as secretary until his death. His residence was at the north corner of Union and Church streets. Frans Van de Bogart, one of the early settlers in the village, was the son of Dr. Harmen Myndertse Van de- Bogart, who was surgeon on a Dutch ship. He located in New- Amsterdam as early as 1631, where Frans was born in 1640. His residence was situated on the north side of Front street where his son Class also lived. Frans Van de Bogart was killed in the 1690 massacre. They were a superior class of people and, therefore, excellent citizens. Several descendents of these families have since been residents of Schenectady. Barent Jans Van Ditmars settled in Schenectady in 1664 and married Capalyntye De Vos, widow of Arent Andries Bratt. Van Ditmars had a son by a previous marriage, and both he and this son Cornelis were killed in 1690. Johamies Dirkse Van Eps was the eldest son of Dirk and Maritie Van Eps. He was made one of the five magistrates of the village in 1676 and one of the five patentees in the Dougan patent of 1684. Both he and his son were killed in 1690. Sweer Teunise Van Velsen was the first miller at Schenec- tady. In 1666 he erected a grist mill on Mill lane where he ground the corn for the entire community. The mill afterwards was wrecked by flood and rebuilt in 1673. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 43 The toll for grinding corn it seems was one- tenth, but in consideration of his misfortune Van Velsen was permitted thereafter to take one-eighth. In 1676 Van Velsen was appointed one of the magis- trates of the village. He was a man of property and a good citizen. He with his wife and four negro slaves were slain at the massacre. Adam Vrooman came from Holland to New-Netherland in 1649 and settled in Albany where he learned the mill- wright trade. In 1683 he built a mill on the Sand-Kil where later stood what was knowTi as the Brandywine Mill. He ran this mill for many years. In the massacre he saved his own life by a heroic defense, but in spite of his bravery in defense his wife and infant child were slain and his two sons Wouter and Barent were taken prisoners to Canada. Several years later Vrooman moved to Schoharie where he died on February 25, 1730. He was buried in his private burying ground on his lot in Front street, Schenectady. REYER SCHERMERHORN For nearly half a century beginning with the second decade of Schenectady's history, Reyer Schermerhorn was one of the most active and conspicuous figures in the com- munity. He was one of the strongest and most impressive characters of the early times. A man of great force, positiveness, determination and fearlessness, he had an active and potential part in the afiFairs of the town, and while in some instances was disregardful of the welfare and interest of others, he wielded great influence and did much for the place. Reyer was the son of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn of Albany and held some oflSce while a young man living in 44 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN that place. When the Dongan Schenectady patent was issued in 1684 Schermerhorn was one of the five trustees named to administer the affairs under the grant. He continued to act as trustee until 1714, nearly fifteen years of this time being the only surviving member of the board. Some of the history of his service in this capacity will appear later on. In 1690 Schermerhorn was a member of the Provisional Assembly from Albany County and also Justice of the Peace. He was appointed in 1700 assistant to the Judge of Common Pleas. He owned mills on the Svhuylenberg Kil, besides, farms and his home in the village. Scher- merhorn died February 19, 1719, leaving two daughters and three sons. BARHYDT There were two brothers of this name who settled in Schenectady probably soon after 1725. Their names were Johannes and Hierouimas Barhydt. They were born in Albany County and were sons of Johannes, a resident of Rensseljerwyck. He married Catherine Gilbert of Albany, mother of the two who became residents of Schenectady. They were the progenitors of those bearing the name in the Schenectady section, there being some of the descendants now living. ADAM CONDE Adam Conde settled in Schenectady sometime prior to 1724, the exact date not being known. He was a native of France, but probably came from Holland as he and his family were Huguenots who fled from France to escape persecution. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 45 In 1724 Mr. Conde was chosen high sheriff of Albany- County. He served also in the Albany County Militia. On November 3, 1736, he married Catherine, daughter of Isaac De Graff of Schenectady. They had two sons, Jesse, who moved to Charlton, Saratoga County, and became a Torry. Adam, the second son, was a AVhig. His father was killed in the Beukendal massacre and Adam was born one month later. Adam served with distinction under General Fonda in the Revolutionary War. This Adam Conde was the founder of the Conde community in Glenville. His home in Schenectady was at the corner of Church and Front Streets. He was a carpenter and boat builder and by reason of this fact built many boats to ply on the Hudson River. Cornelius Santford Conde, now a resident of Schenectady, is the sixth generation from the original Adam Conde, Edwin C, his son being the seventh generation. CHAPTER III THE FIRST DECADE ^^^JHE year 1662 saw Schenectady firmly estab- '/^^^l ^^^^^^' ^^^ *^u^ ^i^d made the first chapter fe^M'l I ^^ ^^^ history. By reason of its location ^::^;i^y )| Schenectady at once became the most ' important town west of New York; it was the frontier settlement, the "First Fire," as the Indians sometimes described a position which is most exposed to attack. Schenectady, undeniably, was a daughter of Albany, yet there was very little maternal or filial love manifested by either, on the contrary there were years of coercion, defiance and even caterwauling. Yet Schenectady until 1798 was subject to Albany. All legal matters, the appointment of officials and the disputes of various kinds went before the Albany tribunal for adjudication and adjustment, while the horde of hungry cormorants in the mother town from the beginning were in a state of frenzy lest the new struggling hamlet get a stuyver of their profits in the trade with the Indians. The population of the village rapidly outgrew the house- room within the stockades, that is to say, on the basis of the first plan of only four lots to a square. These, however, were soon divided thus affording three to four house lots out of the original plats. Building lots were also early allotted outside the enclosure and the first movement in building on the annexed territory was along Albany path, now State Street. By 1690 there were buildings along this street as far east as Lange Street, now Center, although most of these were on one side of the street — ^the north side. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 47 Front and Green streets were as yet little more than cow paths leading to pastures eastward. Cowhorn Creek which rises on the heights, in the present Vale Cemetery, flowed westward crossing State street between Clinton and Jay streets, thence southerly to the present Smith street. Here at this point there was a considerable pond and later a saw mill. From this point the creek turned westward crossing State street again about at Center street, and so on to the river. The creek now serves as a sewer, the change from its natural state being of quite recent date. In accordance with the custom of allotting the lands in the early times, all lands east of the palisades, or Ferry street, excepting the house lots on the north side of State street east to Center, were apportioned to settlers in small parcels as pasture land or wood lots. In what manner these plats of land were separated to secure to each individual his i)rivate use is not known. It was dis- tinctively a community of farmers, many of them having from ten to fifteen children m the family. They were simple, their needs were small and from the land they gained the wherewithal to make them comfortable and contented. In speaking of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck and these people Danker and Slaji^er's Journal of 1780 says that "Van Slyck has been corrupted by the conversa- tion of these impious Hollanders; for this place (Schenec- tady) is a godless one, being without a minister and having only a homily read on Sundays." This aspersion on the religious character of the early Dutch settlers plainly was without warrant, because religion was the fundamental principal of their Hves, tinctured, of course, with some degree of fanaticism and excessive zeal. Touching on this and the moral status 48 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN of the community, the following court record is lumin- ous. Bennony Berentse Hoeck was one of the early settlers. He married the widow of Pieter Cornelise Viele who had children by her first husband. Hoeck was charged with cruel treatment of these children, was arrested therefor and haled before a magistrate. Herewith is the complaint entered against him by several of the citizens, together with the magistrate's conclusion in the case. "Yt Bennony Arentse doth most Cruelly and Barbously Beat ye Daughter of Pieter Viele deceased of which he is the step-father, which child being stood before the Justice of Peace is found all black and blew, and ye said Bennony being sent for by a Warrant and appearing before ye Justice doth excuse himself Because she is a whole night and sometimes half a night out a seeking Cows." "Whereupon ordered yt ye said Girle shal be delivered in ye hand of ye trustees Jacobs Mieese Vrooman and Cornelise Viele who is to dispose of her as they shall see meet, and if ye said Bennony Arentse shal for future abuse any of ye said Children of ye Pieter Viele upon complaint they shal be delivered to ye Trustees who shall have Power to dispose of ye same accordingly and ye Bond of good behaviour given, ye tenth of ye inst. to remain in force." Schenectady was barely established when Dutch dominion came to an end in the Province. In September, 1664, the English became the supreme force and Richard NicoU became the Governor of the Province. While the Dutch were in power there was a small fort at Albany garrisoned by a few soldiers, but after the assumption of control by England the force at that place was often more than one full company and a part of the time two companies were stationed there. The fort at FROM AN OIL rA!NT(NG DEPICTIXO THE BURNING AND MASSACRE OF FEBRUARY, 169O SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 49 Schenectady had from twenty to forty men under a Lieutenant. During the period of the French and English Wars these were often supplemented by the militia. It was not long after the building of the village had begun before the lands on the north side of the river, which had been apportioned equally among the first proprietors, was cut into smaller parcels and purchased by incoming settlers. This all contributed to the advance- ment of the village and also stimulated trade in the mercantile line. The death of Arent Van Curler, however, during this first formative period was a grievous loss. He was in great measure the guiding spirit in the local affairs. Van Curler's ability and good influences were recognized by both the whites and the Indians. When Governor Nicoll assumed control, upon the passing of the Province into the hands of the English, he at once sought the comisel of Van Curler, and from that time until the latter's death he was intimately identified with the governmental affairs. One of the serious and menacing elements on the frontier at this time was the border wars which began the year of Schenectady's founding, and continued inter- mittently until 1713. The Iroquois were often at war with other nations or tribes, while the Five Nations were fighting and resisting the determined efforts of the French to force them into an alliance or treaty of peace with other tribes. Schenectady was the most exposed point in the Province. Farm houses in the vicinity were planned not alone for a dwelling but a fort in which sanctuary could be had by the family in the event of attack. The farmer carried his gun a-field and worked with it by his side. In spite of this precaution and preparedness for defense many met death from year to year at the hands of bands of 50 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN savages or savages and French coming across the border from Canada. These later took on the horror of massacres as will be seen later on. These conditions prompted Governor Lovelace in 1671 to issue an order to the effect that every man in Schenec- tady over fifteen and under sixty years of age should provide himself with a gun, side arms and ammunition. The penalty for failure to observe the order was fixed at ten guilders and the limit of time named for the aforesaid equipment was fourteen days. The following year Jacob Sanders Glen and Sweer Teunise Van Velsen were ap- pointed chief officers of the Schenectady forces. Military organizations in the village soon thereafter took concrete form and continued until the war for independence. As early as 1666 Sweer Teunise Van Velsen erected the first grist mill on Mill Lane, which name the little street still bears. In those early times, as a feature of the monopoly, the bolting or making of flour could be done only at Albany or New York and for a miller in Schenec- tady to undertake this special product boded trouble for him. Finally the privilege was granted to Van Velsen exclusively who had the monopoly of flour making for many years. Another industry was that of Pieter Fonda, who was a shoemaker and tanner. Between 1670 and 1680 he had a residence on State street where the Young Men's Chris- tain Association building is now located. His tannery was at the rear of his house and not far distant from Van Velsen's grist mill. Johannes Sanders Glen about 1700 or 1706 owned and ran a brewery on Washington avenue, a little north of Front street. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 51 THE LAST DEED — 1672 The first purchase of land from the Mohawks by Arent Van Curler in 16G1 in a few years was taken up and occupied by settlers and home makers, and, therefore, additional land was sought farther westward on the river flat. Negotiations with the Mohawks were begun and finally in 1672 deeds were executed which included the lands to the western limit of the present country. Here- with is the deed, together with the consideration and payment therefor: "On this 3d day of July Ao, 1672, appeared before mee, John Garretsen Van INIarken admitted publ: nota: by the worshipful court of Albany and the Inhabitants of Schanhechtade together with a certain Indian called Dohorywachqua and Crage, being the representative of ye foure Mohocks Castells who declared and promised to hold firm and stable, and will cause to be held in full force and virtue all and whatsoever hee shall act or doe in ye sale of ye lands Near The Towne of Schanhechtade within Three Dutch Myles in Compasse on both sides of ye River Westwards which endes at Hinguariones (Towareoune) Where the Last Battell Wass between The Mohawk and the North Indians; Provided That Jacques Cornelisse Van Slyck Shall have the first flatts or playne,— Except ye Inhabitants of Schanhechtade Will Restore unto said Jacques Cornelisse Two Rundlets of Brandy and one hundred hand of Wampum which being paid unto said Jacques the first said Pla\nie to Remain to the Towne." "Whereupon Sander Leenders Gelen being a former Magistrate and John Van Eps and Sweer Teunise Van Velsen being ye present magistrate of ye said Towne did acknowledge and declare That They Weare Agreed with ye said Indian upon ye purchase of ye land for ye summe or 52 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN quantity of six hundred hands of good Wheyte Wampum, Six Koates of Duffels, Thirty barres of Lead and nine bagges of Powder Which They doe promis unto ye said Indians in two Terms, viz.: The first as soon as The Sachems or any person by Them authorized Shall Comma out of ye Country and Produce full Power from Theyre Inhabitants according to Their usual Manner, and have Thereupon delivered unto ye said Indian as a present for The old man in the Mohawk Country a Rundlet of Brandy, — To the end all Misunderstanding and Complaints May be Washt of and Removed." "To the Trew performance of the premises The said parties have hereunto Set their hands, and Wass Inter- preted by Cornelise Viele in The Absence of Jacques Cornelise — in Schanhechtade, the date above written. (Signed) With the Markes of followeth." douoriwachqua, Crage, Sander Leenders Gelen, John Van Eps, Sweer Teunise." Attested by me J. G. V. Marken, notar. publ. The two Indians whose names are attached to the above deed made their mark as usual, which was the symbol of the clan or tribe to which each belonged. That the pur- chase price was duly paid is shown by the memorandum as follows : "This day the 13th of July is payd unto the Indians above-mentioned in parte of ye purchaze foure hundred hands of Wampum, 30 barrels of Lead, 3 bagges of Powder. More for a present, 3 ankers good beere, one koatt of SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 53 duffels, together with the above mentioned rundlet of Brandy." Following this purchase and conveyance, application was at once made to the Governor and Council for a patent, and here again was an exhibition of the working of the volatile government. On account of claimed irregularity, informality, failure to first obtam the consent of the Governor to the purchase and sundry other excuses, the matter was not favorably acted upon until 1G84 while Thomas Dongan was Governor. It was ordered meanwhile, however, that "ye Magis- trates of Schancchtady shall at this time have liberty to impose and le\y upon ye Inhabitants there the 800th penny for to pay present debts and defray publique Charges," also "That they may be excused ye paym. of their Burger's Packt or Excise att Albany and may bee ad." THE PATENT OF 1684 — ITS DRAMATIC FEATURES Finally on the first day of November, 1684, the long sought for patent covering the ancient township of Schenectady was granted. The Patent is printed in full because of its value historically and also because of the fact that it was so closely interwoven with the lives of many early and prominent citizens of Schenectady. "Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant and Governor and Vice- Admirall under his Royall Highnesse, James, Duke of Yorke, etc., of New Yorke and its Dependencyes in America, etc. To all to whom these presents shall come, Sendeth Greeting, Whereas Tohorywachqua and Crage, Represen- tatives of the four Mohake Castles, have for themselves, and Canachquo, Ocquary, and Tohoriowachqua, true and 54 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Lawfull Owners of the Land within mentioned, have by their certaine Writeing, or Deed of Sale, dated the third day of July Anno Dni 1672, Given and Granted unto Sander Lendrs Glenn, John Van Eps, Sweere Teunesse, as being impowered by the Inhabitants of the Towne or Village of Schenectady and Places adjacent, a Certaine Tract or Parcell of Lands, beginning at the Maques River, by the Towne of Schenectade, and from thence Runnes Westerly on both sides up the River to a Certaine Place called by the Indains Canaquarioeny, being Reputed three Dutch Miles or twelve English Miles; and from the said To^\Tie of Schenectade downe the River one Dutch or four English miles to a kill or creeke called the Ael Place, and from the said Maques River into the woods South Towards Albany to the Sandhill one Dutch Mile and as much on the other side of the River North, being one Dutch mile more, there being Excepted in the said Bounds all Corne and Sawmills, that now are or hereafter shall be erected Within the Bounds of the said Towne, that they be lyable to pay a perticular Quitt Rent for their Privileges, besides what is herein sett forth, as shall hereafter be agreed for by the Inhabitants of the said Places, or owners of such Mills, with such Governour, or Governours as shall be Appointed by his Royal Highnesse; and likewise that noe Timber or Wood be Cutt but within the Bounds afore- said, the said Excepeon being agreed upon by Myselfe as by a Certaine Writeing bearing date the 7th day of August last Past, doth more perticulerly Appeare: Now know Yee that by virtue of the Comieon and Authority to me Given, by his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany, Lord Proprietor of this Province, I have hereby Given, Granted, Ratifyed and SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 55 Confirme and by these Presents doe Give, Grant, Ratifye and confirme, unto William Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweer Teunessen, Jan Van Epps and Myndert Wemp on the Behalfe of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Schenectade and Places Adjacent aforesaid, Dependencyes thereon, there Associates, Heires, Successors and Assigns, all and Singular the before recited Tract and Tracts, Parcell and Parcells of Land, Meadow, Ground and Premises with their and every of their Appurtenancyes, together with all and Singular the Houses, Buildings, Messuages, Tene- ments, Heriditaments, Dams, Rivers, Runnes, Streames, Ponds, Woods, Quarryes, Fishing, Hawking and Fowling, with all Privileges, Libertyes, and improvements whatso- ever, to the said Lands and Premises belonging, or in any wise appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken or known as Part, Parcell, or member thereof, with their and every of their x\ppurtenances ; Provided Alwayes that this shall not anywayes make null, or void a former Grant or Pattent, bearing date of the 30th of October last past made to Jacques Cornelisse of a Piece of Land lyeing within the Bounds heretofore mentioned of the Towne of Schenec- tade, (that is to say) the Land Lyeing and being betweene two Creekes, the one called the Stone Creeke to the East- ward, and the other the Platte Creeke to the westward thereof, the Low Land lyeing along the River side on the South of the Maques River, and then to the north of the Land belonging to the Inhabitants of Schenectade, the same Containing Forty INlorgan or Eighty acres of Land, as alsoe Forty Morgan, or Eighty Acres of Woodland or upland more, on the West side of the Platte Creeke, adjoin- ing to the arrable Land along the River side, which was wholly exempt by the Indian Proprietors, in the sale of this Land, as belonging to Jacques Cornelise: — To have 56 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN and to hold the aforesaid Tract and Tracts, Parcell and Parcells, of Land and Premisses with their and every of their Appurtenances, unto the said WiUiam Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweer Teunessen, Jan Van Epps and Myndert Wemp on the behalfe of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Schenectade and their Associates, their Heires, Successors and Assignes, unto the proper use and behoof e of the said William Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweer Teunessen, Jan Van Eps and Myndert Wemp, their Heires, Successors, and Assignes forever, to be holden of his Royal Highnesse, his Heires and Assignes in ffree and Comon Soccage, According to the tenure of East Green- wich, in the County of Kent, in his Magesties Kingdome of England, Yielding and Paying therefor. Yearly and every Yeare, as a Quitt rent, for his Royal Highnesse use, unto such officer or officers as shall be appointed to re- ceive the same att Albany forty bushels of Good Winter Wheat, on or before the twenty-fifth day of March. Given under my Hand and Sealed with the Scale of the Province, at ffort James in New York, the first day of November Anno Dni 1684, and in the thirty-sixth Yeare of his maties Raigne. Tho. Dongan." This patent, as previously stated, covered the ancient township which in 1798 became the city of Schenectady. From this time forward all conveyances of lands were executed by the trustees named in the patent. This power was vested in them, their successors, heirs and assigns forever, to have, to hold, to sell and give legal title thereto : and out of this vested authority there developed disorder and complications that sorely harassed the in- habitants for more than a hundred years. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 57 A little more than five years after the grantmg of this patent, or at the massacre of February 9, 1690, three of the trustees, viz.: Myndert Wemp, Sweer Teunisse Van Velsen and Jan Van Epps were killed, leaving only William Teller and Ryer Schermerhorn to manage the land affairs. William Teller, being then a man well advanced in years, took little active part in the details of the trusteeship. Finally in 1692 he moved to New York where he died in 1700, leaving Ryer Schermerhorn as the only surviving trustee to administer the affairs of this extensive property comprising about eighty thousand acres of land. Scher- merhorn at once arrogated to himself full power and authority in the matter, selling and transferring parcels of land and rendering no account thereof to the village. The repeated complaints and dissentions from his action were of no avail, Schermerhorn meanwhile continuing in utter disregard of the rights or wishes of the great body of citizens interested in the property. As a means of relief the citizens on October 1st, 1702, petitioned the Governor and Council. After reciting the many grievances, the petition closes with the following appeal: "Wee, the inhabitants aforesaid doe therefore most humbly pray your Lordship and honorable Council to take our Case into your serious consideration and that yee Power of said Ryer Schermerhorn and the heirs of said Three deceased may be annuld and made Void and to present a new^ patent Confirming the Land (and) other Privileges as in the present Patent is contained for ye Behoofe of ye Inhabitants of said Village,— Together with an addition that yearly and every year five persons by the Major Votes of the said Inhabitants be chosen Trustees over ye said Village and be accountable of those Proceed- ings at the Determination of Three Years, humbly sub- 58 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN mitting to your Lordship to appoint such Persons for Trustees as aforesaid for ye first year and your humble Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray, etc." Yet in face of this Schermerhorn continued to discharge the function of his trusteeship. At this juncture of the matter the Governor appointed'Sampson Sheldon Brough- ton, Esq., to investigate Schermerhorn 's administration of the land affairs and herewith is the closing paragraph of his report: "And I do not upon the whole matter find the misde- meanor aforesaid does render said Ryer Schermerhorn so criminated in law as to subject him to a higher punish- ment." On May 25th, 1714, Schermerhorn was ordered before the Governor and Council, when after the presentation of the case Schermerhorn was suspended from acting further as trustee. In 1714 another patent was granted covering the same lands but it in no particular removed the cause of trouble, for it contained no provision for the chosing of a new board of trustees. Ryer Schermerhorn died in 1714 leaving his son, Jan, and grandson, Ryer, to continue the bickering and the legal contest through many years. The great drama came to an end finally in 1798 when Schenectady became a city, the land affairs then being placed in the control and management of the mayor and common coimcil. The Dongan patent of 1684 imposed a tax or "Quit" rent which was to be paid in products of the land, chiefly wheat. This tax was laid at about the rate of four bushels of wheat to each forty acres of land. This "Quit" rent imposition remained in force many years and was a source of much annoyance and vigorous protestations by the farmers of Schenectady and vicinity. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 59 INNS OF THE EARLY TIMES The inns and taverns of the early days oftentimes were a factor in the affairs of the community. Many of the innkeepers and landlords were men of repute and high standing, in many instances being engaged in other voca- tions, business or in public affairs. It is doubtful, how- ever, if the inns at the early date of Schenectady's founding approached to the rank of hostelries, for the reason mainly that there was little travel and therefore snuill need for public service, except in the line of liquors. The first inn established in Schenectady was that of Cornelius Viele on Mill Lane. It is stated that this inn was opened in 1663, the year following the founding of the village. Douw Aukes De Freeze soon after became either his partner or successor in the business and carried it on a considerable number of years. He was licensed as an innkeeper and victualer. At the time of the burning of the town in 1690, De Freeze was conducting the principal inn at which some festivities or roystering had been going on the night of the attack. Aukes inn was located near the First church. Jacques Cornelisse Van Slyck, the half breed Indian, w^as also a licensed innkeeper some time prior to 1670. His inn was located at the corner of Washington avenue and Cucumber alley. On account of being half Indian Van Slyck stood in great favor among the Indians, although the selling of liquor to them was prohibited. So also was the fur and peltry trade with them barred yet these inns afforded a convenient place for clandestine trade. In 1671 Cornelise Viele applied for another license and obtained it on the ground that he wanted to conduct a better place than that kept by Van Slyck. GO SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN In 1672, on the account of the loss of her husband by drowning and also property and crops, the widow of Arent Van Curler was granted license as an innkeeper wdth the exclusive privilege of selling liquors to the Indians. The Van Curler home was at the corner of Union and Church streets and it was here that she conducted the inn. She died in 1675. Caleb Beck in 1698 or 1700 opened a tavern on Front street and continued it for a considerable period of time. In 1717 he was complained of by the chamberlain because of being several years in arrears for his license fee. Jacobus Cromwell also had a tavern on Front street about 1700. It was quite a pretentious place, having grounds extending to the river bank. This was the early residence of Wouter Vrooman. In 1798 Aaron Bradt kept a tavern of some account on the site where later the Givens hotel stood. Bradt ran this tavern a long time, and after his death his wife con- ducted it for several years. The Schenectady Coffee House was kept by John Hud- son. He established it as early as 1793 at the southwest corner of Union and Ferry streets. Hudson also ran stage lines to Albany and Troy. After his death the widow carried on the hotel, W'ith dry goods and grocery in the same building, until her death. Moses Beal also had a tavern as early as 1793. He too had a line of stages running to Albany, Johnstown and Canajoharie. His tavern was the headquarters for these stages, bringing to his house quite a volume of business. Robert Clinch's hotel, established some time prior to 1770 was a hostelry of considerable note. It was located near the corner of State and Washington avenue. Clinch was a man of good repute both as a citizen and hotel SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 61 keeper. It was at this place that General Washington was entertained upin his first visit to Schenectady, in 1775. This hotel continued as one of the leading public places until the great fire of 1819 when the building was burned. Thomas B. Clinch, son of Robert Clinch, for several years afterwards ran a hotel in the Arent Bradt building No. 9 State street. This afterwards was knowTi as the Sharratt House. Clinch was the landlord until 1830. In 1785 Reuben Simonds ran a tavern on Church street I between State and Union. That there was a tavern at the corner of Union and Jay streets in 1819 is showTi by the following advertisement which appeared in the Cabinet, a weekly paper, under date of June 2, 1819. "A Good Bargain— The subscriber being desirous of moving to the Western Country offers for sale his tavern stand pleasantly situated in the most flourishing part of the City near Union College, on corner Union and Jay Streets, fifty feet on Union, 200 feet on Jay, which affords room for two good building lots independent of the building already on the premises — a two story large barn and a never failing well of water (apple trees, gooseberries, cherries and currants) will be sold low vn\h. one-fourth do\\Ti. Isaac V. Farrell." The Givens Hotel situated on the land now occupied by the Edison, was one of the leading public houses in Sche- nectady during the middle part of the nineteenth century. It was built by Resolve Givens in 1825 or a considerable time before the first railroad between Schenectady and Albany was constructed. Givens was a man of force and influence. It was through his instrumentality that the Erie Canal was located in its present course through the city. The same 62 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN was true of the railroad. His influence was the factor that brought both of these highways close to his property. Withal Givens was a popular landlord and stood high in the esteem of the community. According to the directory of the city published in 1851 the Givens Hotel was in the hands of George Griffin as proprietor and landlord. The first city directory published in 1841, names Tammany Hall as one of the hotels kept by J. Felthousen, No. 20 Union street, also the house opposite the railroad station, T. Irish, proprietor. The Railroad House run by P. Whiteside at the same time was located at 159 State street. The old Miller Tavern was located on the west side of Washington avenue south of State street, and the House at Home was on the north side of State street between Church street and Washington avenue. The City Hotel occupied the southeast corner of State and Dock streets, where the modern commercial building of A. Brown & Co., was erected in 1910. The City Hotel became Fuller's Hotel, and went out of existence as a hotel about 1875. Other hotels on State street east of the New York Cen- tral railroad were Drullards' Hotel near the tracks, and opposite that was the Commercial House. This hotel ran until 1885 or later. The Carley house was on the site of the present Vendome — At one time it was called the Eagle Hotel. It was built by Nicholas Barhydt and was run as a temperance house. The American House stood on the site of the Schenectady Savings Bank. It was a large building with a wide porch, a conspicuous hostelry on account of its location. Hildebrand's hotel was located farther east on State street. CHAPTER IV EVENTS 1675-1685 — churches N THE early period of building and develop- ment the service of slaves was as common in Schenectady as elsewhere. All were dejjendent upon the product of the soil, and laborers were not plentiful. Alexander Lindsay Glen kept a large number of slaves on his large estate. He was thoughtful and considerate in his treat- ment of them, however, they being well housed and accorded wide freedom. Glen was a typical Scotchman, of strong physique and conmianding manner. He stood in the highest regard of both the Indians and the French and received from them many expressions of appreciation of the acts of kindness rendered by him. His wife was Catherine Dongan, by whom he had three sons, Jacob Alexander, Alexander and John Alexander. She died August 12, 1684, and was buried directly under the pulpit of the First Little Dutch Church. Glen died November 13, 1685, and was buried beside his wife. Later their remains were removed to the Glen burying ground in Scotia. The Glen Village resi- dence on Washington avenue was destroyed in the fire of 1819. Cornelius Antonsen \'an Slyck, father of Jacques Cornelise, was a man of much consequence among the Mohawks. He was a Hollander by birth, and was one of the early colonists in the Province. He was known among the Indians as Broer Cornelius. As early as 1640, Broer Cornelius married a daughter of one of the Mohawk chiefs and lived among them at the Great Castle thence 64 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN forward. They had several children besides Jacques. Hillitje and Leah were daughters. Broer Cornelius Van Slyck acted for many years as interpreter for the Province. He died in 1676. The son, Jacques and the daughter, Hillitje, became affiliated by marriage with some of the best white families in the community. Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen became a resident of the Village in 1670, and in 1700-1701 served as the Supervisor of the township. One of his descendents, Simon Van Antwerp was appointed by the Governor in 1790 as Lieutenant of the militia and four years later was advanced to the rank of Captain. Simon Groot, son of Simon Symouse Groot, one of the settlers of 1663, constructed the first bridge over College brook, or Hansen Kil, near the present American Locomo- tive Company's plant. Rynier Schaats, physician and surgeon, settled in Schenectady in 1675. In 1689 Jacob Leisler appointed Dr. Schaats one of the justices of the peace of Schenectady. The doctor and one of his sons were killed in the massacre of 1690. Dr. Jacobus Van Dyck, another physician, located in the village in 1664. He was for some time surgeon at the fort. THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH To write in completeness of detail the history of the Dutch Reformed Church would constitute the record of the vital part of Schenectady's early history. The church during the first hundred years or more was so closely associated and interlinked with both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the community that it was almost the main energy during those years. v=^-> -..' 05- f i-i^Sa^==J:|M;^:'^"y''-n 1." /:7^ SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 65 The Dutch church was the sixth church estabhshed in the Province of New York. While the exact date of its founding is not definitely kno^\Ti, it is thought to have been some time between 1670 and 1080 or even earher. There was no church edifice at this date, however, but the church society, as an organization, was hkely in existence at this time. During these early years clergymen from other towns visited Schenectady occasionally and minis- tered to the adlierents of that faith. Dominie Schaats of Albany was one of those who conducted service and administered the sacrament. Albany, at that time, had but one church. As early as 1674, Hans Janse Enkluys, an aged citizen of the settlement, died leaving to the church organization for the benefit of the poor, his land located in the northeastern section of the city, on condition that the church care for him during his declining years. This property was afterw^ard designated as the "Poor Pasture" and remained in the ownership of the church until 1862. It is now" occupied by The American Locomo- tive Works and many city dwellings. During many years the church acted as guardian of the homeless and the destitute children, and was the purse-bearer of the poor. It owned vast tracts of land, dealt in all sorts of commodi- ties, and was at the same time moral and spiritual director of the populace. The church had the constant and loyal support of the people, and they were no less mindful and generous toward the poor. Alexander Lindsay Glen was a devout churchman, and although of the Presb;yi:erian faith, he, in the absence of a church of his faith, afiiliated with the Dutch church. In 1682, he erected at his personal expense the first little church at the junction of State, Church, Water street and Mill Lane. This he presented to the inhabitants and him- 66 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN seK worshipped there. Prior to this he and others who wished to attend service went to Albany, a journey requiring much time and attended with great hardship. In 1783 probably the first regular minister was called. This was Dominie Petrus Thesschenmsecker. This is according to a record of disbursements in connection with the society. Soon after this the first parsonage was erec- ted on or near the site now occupied by the Dutch church. The dominie was then a young man and unmarried. Adjoining this first little church was the burying ground, and near the church also was the whipping post used on certain occasions. On the night of the massacre Dominie Thesschenmaker was slain and burned in his house. From this time until 1694 the church was wholly without a pastor or service of any kind, Albany again becoming the church center for those who could spend the two days necessary for the trip. In this year and up to 1700 at least, the church had occasional supplies. Dominie Dellius of Albany visiting the village three or four times a year to minister to the church and perform baptisms. The church along with the village was practically wrecked, and it gathered strength and life very slowly. The Rev. Bernardus Freeman was the next stated pastor of the church. He assumed charge about 1700, and remained until 1703 or 1705. Dr. Freeman, meanwhile, was also missionary to the Mohawks and translated some parts of the prayerbook and passages of the scriptures into their language. The church edifice early in the eighteenth century had become unsuitable and unfit to accommodate the people, but the congregation had not yet sufficiently recovered from the disaster to undertake the building of a new church, therefore aid SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 67 was sought and obtained throughout the Province. The little church was one of the few buildings that had been spared in the burning of 1690. The .second and new hou.se of worship was completed on the same ground in 1703. It was a substantial stone structure fifty-six feet in dimensions. The small burying ground on the west side of the church was undisturbed by the erection of the second church. This edifice served the needs of the worshipers until 1734, when a new and somewhat more modern one was completed, at the junction of Union and Church streets. This was of stone construction also, and stood plump in the center of Church street, facing towards the north. After the abandonment or the former church, the building was occupied many years, or until 1754, as a fort. It was later called the "watch hou.se" and was also a barracks many years after this date. It was at one time designated the "Market Place." From the time of Dr. Freeman's leaving the church up to 1714, there was no regular pastor again. Dominies Johannes Lydius, Petrus Van Driessen and others visited Schenectady from time to time and preached and baptised children and new members. The Rev. Thomas Barclay, who was chaplain of the fort, 1710-1712, officiated also at the Dutch church, although he was an Episcopalian clerg;\^man. In July, 1714, Dominie Thomas Brouwer was called to the pastorate of the church. He was to receive as compensation ninety pounds, a dwelling free of rent, fire wood delivered at his door; a large garden and free pas- tures for two cows and a horse. He ministered to the church until his death January 15, 1728, albeit during the five years immediately preceding his death he had been 68 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN more or less incapacitated by illness and was therefore furnished mth an assistant. In March of the same year the Rev. ReinhardusErichzon became the fourth minister of the church and remained until 1736. Up to nearly the beginning of 1800 the church, like most of the early churches, had no system for heating other than small individual foot stoves. In 1792 the first stoves for warming the auditorium were put into use. These were located on either side of the auditorium and upon platforms raised to the height of the gallery and reached only by climbing over the balustrade. This mode heated the upper part of the church only, leaving those upon the main floor to suffer, or use the old time foot stoves. It resulted, however, in the stoves being taken from their elevated position and placed on the main floor. A subscription for the purchase of a bell and clock was started in 1731, yet these were not purchased until a little time afterwards. At this time the society was not yet incorporated. The consistory petitioned the Governor in 1734 for a charter, which was granted August third of that year. The organization was a large real estate owner and was executing the functions of a legally organized body without authority in law. After this its scope of action became still broader. The third church at the junction of Union and Church streets was of blue limestone and had two entrances, one on the north end and another on the east side, the latter being also the entrance to the gallery. The bellfry and clock tower were on the north end. After the custom of those days, the male and female members of the congrega- tion occupied separate parts of the auditorium, while the boys and the negroes were seated in the gallery. IHH MAHEE HOU>E Erected sometime between 1060 and 1670. The hous SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 69 In 1753 the old wooden building used as the parsonage on the site of the present church had fallen into decay to such an extent that it was torn do\^^^ and a new parsonage constructed of brick replaced it. It was a one and a half story building with a pointed gable fronting toward the street. Again, in 1812, agitation for a new and more modern church had begun. The seating capacity of the old church was inadequate in so great a degree that it retarded the growth in membership. By this date too the town had spread eastward and many urged the building of the greater church in the new section. It was finally decided, however, to build on the parsonage lot. The work on the new edifice was at once started and by Novem- })er 20, 1814, the new- structure was so near completion that the last service was held in the old church on that date. The two sites of the former churches were then sold to the city and became a part of the i)ublic thoroughfare. In IS'-ZG the first organ was placed in the church at a cost of one thousand dollars. In the early days of the church it was the custom for the clerk of the church to begin the morning service by the reading the ten commandments and a chapter of the Bible and also singing a Psalm. Simon Van Antwerp was for many years the chorister, beginning in 1775. At the afternoon service he read a chapter of the scriptures and the church creed. The clerk of the church was an important functionary, being second only to the minister. He had charge of the burying of the dead and received emoluments therefrom and these often reached what many regarded as an excessive sum. The klokluyer, or sexton, had charge of digging the graves and filling them after the funeral. He also rang the church bell, dusted and cleaned the seats and kept 70 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN them in proper order. His yearly compensation was $7.50. The church edifice erected in 1814 was destroyed by fire in 1862 and was replaced with the beautiful and com- modious church of the present day. The Rev. Dirck Romeyn, who was the pastor from about 1785 until his death in 1804, was a man of note, an earnest worker and a doer of much good in the community. He was the potent factor in the founding of Union College. There are four Dutch Reformed churches in the city besides others in the outlying towns which are an out- growth of the First Dutch Reformed. Also two in Glen- ville, two in Rotterdam, two in Niskayuna and one in Princetown. SECOND REFORMED CHURCH The Second Reformed church was organized in October, 1851. The first consistory was elected October 30, 1851, and the church organized with fourteen members. On the 16th of November, 1851, the organization services were held in the First Reformed Dutch church. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. J. R. Taylor, pastor of the church. November 23, 1851, the first service was held in the old Cameronian church on Centre street. Rev. N. D. Williamson of Scotia officiated. November 15, 1852, Rev. I. G. Duryea was installed pastor of the church. In 1854 the lot for the church was purchased on the corner of Franklin and Jay streets and on July 4th, 1855, the corner stone was laid. In September, 1856, it was com- pleted. The society is now housed in a handsome church at the corner of Union and Morris avenue. Bellevue Reformed church is located at the corner of Broadway and Genesee street. Mount Pleasant Reformed at the corner of Crane and Ostrander Place, and Hope Chapel is on Railroad street. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 71 ST. George's church Although not as ancient as the Dutch Reformed Church, St. George's has a history of hke interest growing out of the struggles and trials attending church building in the early period of the Province. It is especially historical too from the fact that the original church edifice is still standing and occupied by the Society. For some time after the founding of Schenectady there was no call for an English church, practically all of the residents being adherents of the Dutch Church. Soon after 1700, however, others than the Dutch began taking up homes in the comnnmity and among them were some English emigrants of the E{)iscoj)al faith. Many of these became affiliated by marriage with the Dutch families, which, in a measure served to bring about more intimate relations between the two denominations. By 1750, or soon thereafter, the number had increased to such an extent that steps were taken toward providing a house for worship. In 1759 the building of St. George's was begun, but the society was yet small and available funds were scarce. Little more was done than to lay the foundation. When completed it was a little stone edifice fifty-six by thirty- six feet, with a small wooden steeple crowned with a bell tower and a cross. There were only thirty -six pews in the church. Although the original edifice still stands it has been enlarged and changed from time to time until it is now about four times its original size. The interior of the old church has been preserved with as few changes as possible during the many enlargements. In 1765 the society appealed to the church authorities in England, setting forth that it had a church nearly completed, but was unable on account of lack of funds to 72 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN engage a minister. The ill feeling which was then rapidly- growing against anything that smacked of English was a serious hindrance in the matter of establishing an English church, and it lessened very little until long after the final settlement of the issue by force of arms. As early as 1710 the Rev. Thomas Barclay, an Episcopal clergyman, was stationed in Albany and during this time which covered two years he preached in the Dutch church, there being no regular pastor in charge of the church at that time. He was succeeded by other missionaries from time to time, the Rev. John Oglivie holding services in 1754 during which time he baptised se\^eral, some of whom were members of the Dutch church. In the meanwhile an Englishman by the name of John W. Brown had settled in the village and entered with spirit and earnestness into the advancement of the cause. The building of St. George's church was due in great part to his efforts and it is said that he bestowed upon it the name it now bears. Sir William Johnson then living at Fort Johnson near Tribes Hill, a man of means and wide influence, was a staunch adherent of the faith and a warm supporter of the church building movement in Schenectady. He aided by a generous personal subscription and secured from his friends and acciuaintances many other contributions toward the building fund. After the completion of the church Sir William had a pew and it is said that his pew was distinguished by having over it a canopy. It was due to his influence also that the society procured its charter in 1766, and, furthermore, he was the means of securing missionaries to come and minister to the church before a regular pastor was installed. The building of a church then was an undertaking that faced problems other than money getting. There were rill:- RUbA HOUSE, I4 NORTH CHURCH sXRUUT Erected by Hendrick Brouwer scmetime prior to 1700. Passed to Jemes Rosa Est. in 1800. He was the first superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson R. R. SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 73 very few mechanics in the community, which necessitated the going to the New England Province for them, an expense to be carefully considered by a struggling church society. The church at first had two doors or entrances, one on the west and another on the south side. It is said that the side entrance was for the Presbyterians who had co-operated to some extent in the building of the church. There was a communion table against the wall and in front of this was a desk for the preacher. This desk was reached by a flight of stairs. There seems to have been considerable controversy for some time between the two congregations as to their interests and rights in the church property. It terminated, however, in the withdrawal of the Presbyterians and the closing of the south entrance by the authorities of St. George's church. Rev. Mr. Ogilvie was succeeded in missionary work by the Rev. Thomas BrowTi then stationed at Albany; also the Rev. Harrj^ Monroe, ministered to the congregation and officiated at baptisms and funerals. In 1771, the Rev. William Andrews was installed as the stated pastor. The Rev. Andrews, a native Englishman, had been a missionary among the Mohawks and meantime visited Schenectady which led to his appointment as the first rector. At the end of two years he resigned and settled in Virginia. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Doty, a graduate of King's College (now Columbia.) Rev. Doty was a man of ability and an Englishman in every pulsation of his heart, and held also to the strict forms of the English church. On account of his tenacity in the matter of prayers for the royal family and other offending features of the service. Rev. Doty was arrested but finally was released. He went to Canada and further services in St. George's were suspended until after the close of the war for independence. 74 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN The war of the Revolution left St. George's church in a sad plight in all respects. First, the edifice was nearly a wreck. While the windows and doors were broken the building during this long period ending in 1782 had been a refuge for the stray animals of the community; besides the membership had diminished to so great an extent that there was hardly the nucleus of a society left. A few of the earnest churchmen, however, began the restoration of the church edifice to a condition suitable for services. The same Mr. Brown who aided so generously in the building of the church gave freely toward the rehabilitation. In 1790 the Schenectady parish was admitted into the union with the convention of the Protestant Episcopal church which strengthened it somewhat, but it was several years before a rector was engaged. In 1798 the Rev. Robert G. Witmore became the stated pastor of St. George's and also the church at Duanesburg. At the first election of the corporation following the revived activity Charles Martin and John Kane were chosen wardens. The Rev. Witmore resigned in 1801 and from this date until 1806 services were again held by missionaries and supplies from other parishes. The decayed steeple was removed in 1804 and replaced by another wooden tower. The belfry and spire were added in 1870. From 1806 to 1819 the Rev. Cyrus Steffins served the church efficiently and well. He was followed in 1821 by the Rev. Alexis P. Proal who con- tinued until 1836. The church was improved and the membership notably increased during his pastorate. He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Albert Smedes another man of ability under whose administration further improvements were made in the church. Two wings were added to the church and an adjoining building purchased SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 75 for the Sunday school. The handsome parish house on the south has been added since. St. George's is now a strong and influential society. Out of this parent church other churches and missions have been established in the city. CHRIST CHURCH Christ church was the outgrowth of a Sunday School Mission, started about 1855 by the active ladies of St. George's Episcopal church. It was incorporated as Christ church September 23, 1867, and the corner stone of the wooden edifice was laid the same year, by the Rector of St. George's church. It was first opened for service March 1st, 1868. Rev. F. C. Wainright was the first rector. The building later was enlarged, the vestry room increased, a new chancel was built, and a steeple erected. The church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. Besides there is St. Andrew's Mission and St. Paul's Mission, each of which has been active and successful. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The trials and troubles experienced in forming and building the First Presbyterian church was not unlike that of its two predecessors in Schenectady. All were beset with many hindrances and almost heart-breaking dis- couragements, and they, as in all similar undertakings in those days, made slow progress. The Presbyterians, it seems, had at least the foundation of a society as early as 1735, but no fixed place of worship except such se^^dces as may have been held in the fort. Missionaries were coming and going in the region and to the best of information had some meetings in the village. It is more than likely too that the society had some 76 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN co-o]:>erative arrangement with St. George's church authorities for the joint use of that church, because for a time both societies seem to have occupied it. This mutual relation began with the building, or beginning of the building of that church, but apparently the relation- ship continued not very long. Yet between 1760 and 1770 the Presbyterians were worshipping in a definite chapel or building of some kind. The movement for the building of a c-hurch, howe^'er, took concrete form in 1769 when John Duncan, Jans Wilson, James Shuter, Andrew and Hugh Michel, Andrew McFarland, William W'hite and Alexander Merser, mem- bers of the society, united m the purchase of a church lot. They at once set about the building of a house of worship. The Dutch of the \'illage were in accord with the under- taking and contributed generously toward the project. The work of construction was soon begun but not com- pleted until 1773. It was an unpretentious structure apparently for the total cost was only $1800, and included in this were the items "2 Gallons West India Rum when cutting the timber" and "Rum and sugar when riding the timber", etc. Samuel Fuller and John Hall were the builders of the church. The Rev. Alexander Miller was the first stated minister who began his service as early as 1770. The Rev. Miller seems to have been a man of nuich earnestness and energ>^ in the work he had undertaken. He attracted non- members of the society and through his ability and popularity greatly strengthened the church. He minis- tered to the church until 1781, covering the trying and troublesome period of the War of the Revolution. This church, like the others suffered much damage during this THE DURHAM The later and larger craft of fifteen tons burden SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 77 time and also lost in membership. From 1781 to 1787 the church relied on supplies from outside places. In 1787 the Rev. John Young was called to the church and during his pastorate grievous internal strifes developed which came near WTCcking the society. '';* He was dis- missed, however, in December, 1791. This was followed by occasional preaching until 1795. At this time the Rev. John R. Smith, who had become president of Union (Jollege, officiated also as pastor of the First church and through his welfare work and upbuilding ability the church took on new life and vigor. Four elders were chosen as follows: Alexander Kelly, John Taylor, Alexander Wamsley and John McAtyre. In 1796 the Rev. Robert Smith, a graduate of Princetown, was chosen to become pastor of the church. He, it seems, proved to be a valuable man for the church and society. Under his ministration the membership was greatly increased and the organization placed in a flourishing condition. The Rev. Smith resigned on account of ill health, after which Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Jr., who was then president of Union, supplied the pulpit for a time, but in 1802 the Rev. William Clarkson was installed as pastor although there was strenuous protest against the choice by many of the members and it finally dcA eloped into an open war of the factions. Many families withdrew and the societj^ became weakened and quite disrupted. Another set of elders was elected or some changes made in the former board. It was composed of Alexander Kelly, Alexander Wamsley, John McAtyre, James Murdock, Joseph Shurtleff, Robert Loague, Willaim Dunlap, George Leslie and Caleb Lyon. The w^ar went on with increased fury until the Rev. Clarkson withdrew at the close of the first year. He was followed by the Rev. 78 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN John B. Romeyn, son of the Rev. Romeyn who had served the Dutch church. Rev. Romeyn retired from the pas- torate in 1804. The church had become financially dis- tressed and was unable to pay the pastor's salary, although the membership was growing slowly. Rev. Nathaniel Todd who succeeded him in 1 805 resigned in less than one year because the church was unable to pay his small salary. About this time the Rev. John Joyce, an adherent of the Methodist faith, began to preach in the pulpit of the First as a temporary supply. It seems he proved to be a man of strength and influence in so much that many of the members wished to have him become the stated pastor. This again embroiled the members in a controversy. With the view of pacification another board of elders was chosen. These were Kelly, Wamsley, Daniel Chandler and Prof. Henry Davis, a member of the faculty of the college. Dr. Nott meanwhile had been elected president of Union and through his strength and influence many of the troubles were smoothed away and the organization given new life and courage. In 1809 the erection of a new church was begun, also the Rev. Alexander Monteith was chosen pastor. He labored in the church until 1815 after a record of marked upbuilding and expansion in all respects. He built the session house and established and built up an efficient Sunday School. The Rev. Monteith was succeeded by Rev. Hooper Cummings, a man with more eloquence than honesty, yet he seemed able to silence the war spirit within the church and in a measure cement the factions. From 1817 to 1820 the pulpit was vacant again, the Rev. Erskine SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 79 Mason coming to the church at that time, remaining only three years. Thenceforward until 1832 the church was ministered to by supplies. Good fortune brought to the church in May, 1833, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Trumball Backus, a strong preacher, an earnest worker, with the spirit of peace and Christian uplift. He ministered to the church forty-three years during which period it grew and prospered both spiritually and financially. The church edifice was greatly enlarged and in many ways improved during this time to meet the needs of the increasing con- gregation. Dr. Backus was succeeded by the Rev. Timothy Darling, another useful and able preacher and pastor. The stability and success of the church has continued in a marked degree to the present time. The Presbyterians have four prosperous church organi- zations besides the First church. STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN On Tuesday, October 25th, 1866, the first prayer meet- ing of this society was held. Dr. Backus of the first church presiding. About fifteen persons were in attendance. The meetings in a short time were so largely attended, that the private houses in which they were held were over- crowded. A small dwelling v%-as rented, the partitions were removed and fitted up for a place of worship. This building was first used December 23d, 1865. In July 23d, 1877, work was begun on a chapel, which was finished October 10th and soon after dedicated. On April 4th, 1869, the church was organized and George Alexander became the first pastor, and was ordained and installed January, 1870. The church is located on upper State street, corner Catherine. It is a brick edifice with an attractive appearance. 80 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN Union Presbyterian church is located on Park avenue, United Presbyterian Avenue A, corner Mason street and the Third Ward Settlement Mission. FIRST M. E. CHURCH The seeds of the Methodist faith were first planted in Schenectady by Captain Thomas Webb as early as 1767. Webb was an Englishman in the military" service. About that time being stationed at Albany and being a zealous Methodist and a speaker of some ability he visited Schenec- tady and preached to the handful of adherents of that faith in the village. It is said that these meetings were held in a building standing on the east side of Church street. He appeared at these meetings in military dress and thereby attracted many to the meetings who were not naturally in sympathy with his doctrine. However, he made some converts by his preaching and laid the foundation for the church that came later. In spite of the derision and discredit placed upon the effort, the society of Methodists grew into an organization. Webb was followed in 1770 by George Whitefield who also aroused the people and added more to the list of Methodism. It seems that there was no stated preacher for the society until 1807 when Benjamin Aiken took charge. Services were then held in a building on Green street o-^Tied by Richard Clute. Several additions to the society were made at this time until the number of members made it possible to support the preacher. There was a church organization effected this year. At a meeting of the Conference the Schenectady cir- cuit was formed and Samuel Howe was appointed to preach at Schenectady once every four weeks. In the fall of 1807 the organization moved to a small building on THE RIGHT REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L. Rector St. George's Church, 1842 to 1848, and afterwards Bishop of Connecticut SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 81 Liberty street which they occupied until the following spring meanwhile many being added to the membership. Rev. Seth Crowell was appointed in the spring of 1808 during which time the congregation was housed in a build- ing on State street. In 1809 two preachers were sent to the little parish and it seems to have grown and flourished in good measure, because this year a plain little church was erected on the north east corner of Liberty and Canal streets. The rude church was used by the worshippers before the walls were completed, boards placed upon blocks of wood constituting the pews. This was com- pleted and served the church people until the time of the building of the Erie Canal, the land then being taken by the state. A new edifice was then erected on Union street near the present tracks of the New York Central Railroad. The church seemed to be fortunate in having earnest and able preachers from its beginning. Yet for some reason the society in 1816 ceased to be connected with the circuit, being reduced to a station in charge of Laban Clark. During his administration the church took on new life and moved forward to a high position in the circuit. The construction of the railroad forced the congregation out of its home again. It was sold in 1833, after which another church was erected farther east on Liberty street, this being completed in 1836. By the year 1868 the congregation had outgrown the Liberty Street building and steps were taken toward build- ing a larger and more modern church. The old church was sold to the Roman Catholics and became St. John's church. A building lot was purchased in 1869 at the corner of state and Lafayette streets and the corner stone of the new church was laid in Jmie, 1871. First a chapel was erected and occupied for services until the completion 82 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN of the church in 1874, the cost of the building and ground being above $85,000. The church at present is one of the attractive edifices of the city. Besides the First church, there are ten other Methodist churches in the city all of which are efficient working forces for Christian advancement. German Methodist church was organized October 24th, 1849. The first church was erected on Jay street on the site of the Congregational church, May, 1850, at the cost of $1500. The first pastor was I. I. Grau under whose pastorate the church grew in membership and influence. The present church on the comer of Union and Lafayette streets was erected in 1872. The Union Methodist is located on Palmer avenue near Union Street, Stanford Methodist, State street. Trinity, Brandywine and Eastern avenue, Grace Methodist, Third avenue, Fisher Memorial, Helderberg avenue, Broadway Methodist, corner Broadway and Thompson streets, Albany Street M. E. church. Memorial Methodist and the African Zion M. E. church. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH The first Baptist society assumed form a considerable time after the denominations heretofore mentioned. It was 1821 when the initial movement was made toward the formation of a society. Like most of the others too the number of followers of the faith was small, yet in October, 1822, a meeting was held at which it was decided to have a place for worship. At a council held on November 8 of that year, Abigah Peek, John Lamb, Lewis Leonard, Joseph Carnell, J. Olmstead, Egenia Kincade and a Mr. St. John organized the First Baptist church, the Rev. St. John presiding. The organization was composed of REV. HORACE G. DAY, A.M. For fifty years pastor of First Baptist Church SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 83 thirty-six members, twelve men and twenty-four women. For a time following this the meetings were held at private houses and in a school house located on Church street near State. Afterwards services were held in the court house, the society growing meanwhile without a pastor. In the fall of 1823 the Rev. Nathan N. Whitney who had been affiliated with the Dutch denomination became the pastor of the Baptist flock. The Sunday school was organized in 1823, also a lot secured and laid out for a burying ground. A building lot was also purchased in 1825 on Center street, the corner stone of the first church being laid in the fall of that year. This year the Rev. John Cooper was installed as pastor, his salary being fixed at $150.00. As soon as the basement of the church was usable the services and Sunday school were held there. The church was completed in 1828, and the Rev. Rich- mond Taggart was called to the pastorate in 1830. He remained but a short time, however, the organization being unable to pay his salary and meet the maturing obligations upon the church debt. In 1831 Abram Gillette, a young man of energy and ability, took up the labors as pastor and achieved marvelous success in the expansion and upbuilding of the society and the church. Under his ministration the church capacity was increased to meet the needs of the growing congregation; in 1834 the seating capacity was doubled. The church was somewhat weakened in 1840 by the withdrawal of nearly forty of its members for the purpose of forming a church in Scotia. From that time until 1849 the church seems to have been without a pastor. This year the Rev. Horace G. Day was called to take charge of the church. He proved to be a valuable man in the work. An era of prosperity attended his period of service which 84 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN continued fifty years or until his death. In 1848 a larger house of worship was demanded to accommodate the membership. The property in Center street therefore was sold and the congregation moved to the Young Men's Christian Association for Sunday services. Here and in the Cameronian church on Center street the meetings were held until the completion of the basement or lecture room of the new church was ready for occupancy in 1853. The new church on Union street was completed and dedicated in 1856. At this time the society was free of debt, with some surplus money on hand and a strong organization. The society is much larger and stronger at present. From this parent church there have grown up six other churches all of which are active in Christian w ork and some of them are large and prosperous organizations. Emanuel Baptist church was organized in 1881. In 1883 the society purchased a lot on Nott Terrace where a comfortable church was erected. The first pastor was the Rev. John C. Breaker who assumed charge in April, 1882. Besides there are Calvary Baptist, Ontario street, Union street Baptist church. Tabernacle Baptist church, Robinson street, Swedish Bethany, Nott Terrace and Memorial Baptist church. ST. John's church St. John's, the first Roman Catholic church to be established in Schenectady, was organized in 1830. There were only about twenty people of that faith in the city at that time. The Rev. Charles Smith of St. Mark's, Albany, visited Schenectady and conducted services. A small wooden building was rented on Washington avenue near the Mohawk bridge. This building was tut-Ill '^^V.^U-rnTdniaikt' J , §^IJj/-,\^ f '/■■■,- k-,, l(J,Vlil.-^iroii; All.uiiv \ -4-~-v ^~N MCKll'l ISSUKU BY CALVIN MOkKls Who kept a tavern on the tireat Western Turnpike and ran a line of stages House in Front street in which Governor Yates was born in 1768. It has been considerably enlarged sinec the above date SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 85 fitted up for temporary use until 1839. The church on Frankhn street was then completed and occupied, the number of worshippers having greatly increased mean- while. The Rev. John Kelly succeeded Father Smith as rector and during his ministration the congregation grew to the full capacity of the little church. In 1838 the Rev. Patrick McClosky was assigned to the parish and after him Rev. Daniel Falvey. Then came Fathers McGough, M. E. Clark and J. M. Scully. During the latter's pastorate in 1873 the parish purchased the Methodist church on Liberty street and soon thereafter St. John's convent was established. The church on Liberty street was used until the completion of the handsome and modern St. John's on Union street opposite the College was com- pleted in 1907. The old St. John's is now a mission. There are now ten Catholic churches in the city some of them having large membership. St. Joseph's German Catholic church is one of the early organizations to follow St. John's. ST. Joseph's church St. Joseph's German Roman Catholic church was organized by Rev. Father Theodore Noethen, from Albany who A'isited the German Catholics here and held services for them in St. John's church. On January 23d, 1859, about seventy-five members met in Gorrfried Blum's marble shop and resolved to build a church. On February 20th, 1860, the large lot, corner State and Albany streets where the State Arsenal now stands, was purchased, but quarrels and lack of money afterward caused them to lose this location. After many attempts to get a church, Joseph Harreker, bought the old Cameronian frame church on Centre street. To this was added the sanctuary 86 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN with other improvements. The church was dedicated the 29th of June, 1862. About 1868 the east corner lot of State and Lafayette streets was bought and a church was afterward built upon it, the corner stone being laid July 29th, 1877. Besides the two mentioned there are the church of the Immaculate Conception, corner Broadway and Thompson street; Sacred Heart church, Stanley street; St. Adalberts church. Crane street; St. Antonio di Patava church (Italian) Park Place; St. Columba's church, corner Craig and Emmett streets, St. John's on Franklin street; St. Mary's (Polish) Eastern avenue and St. Thomas, corner Pleasant street and Sixth avenue. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES There are three churches of this denomination. There are also Pilgrim church. State street and German Temple church. North College and Green streets. The First Congregational church (now the People's) church was recognized at a council of Congregational churches and pastors, April 24th, 1877. It had been holding religious services in Union Hall for sixteen months previous under the ministration of Rev. Henry H. North- rup. Services continued to be held in the Hall until the fall of 1879, when they removed to a chapel on Jay street. In the spring of 1880 the chapel and adjoining lot were purchased and on April 5, 1882, the new church was dedicated. The following year the adjoining chapel was erected. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 87 LUTHERAN CHURCHES The Deuthe Evangelische Freiendens Kirche, Franklin street, First English Lutheran, Summit avenue, Emanuel German Luthern, Congress street, Swedish Lutheran church, Steuben street. Trinity English Lutheran chapel, Furman street, Zion German Lutheran, Nott Terrace and St. John's German Evangelical, Howard street. The First church of Christ (Scientist) Parkwood Boule- vard. All Souls, First Unitarian church, is located comer Wendell avenue and Union street. The Universalist Society holds services in St. Paul's Temple. There are five Jewish societies and churches, the Centre Street Synagogue Independent Versin, South Centre street, Jewish Congregation Agudes Achim, the Jewish Synagogue and the Jewish Congregation Ohab Zedek. In addition to those there is the Advent Christian church. Brandy wine avenue. CHAPTER V EVENTS AND CONDITIONS LEADING UP TO THE MASSACRE ICHENECTADY had now been established a Httle more than twenty years, during which time the Dutch inhabitants by fru- gahty and industry had attained some degree of pecuniary independence. Along with it they had faced the struggles and hardships together with the perils attending frontier life in those days. Those who tilled the soil — and many of the villagers were husbandmen — labored with their gun at their side or established in the field a block house for asylum in times of danger. Yet in spite of this precaution many of them every year fell victims to the marauding bands of Cana- dian Indians or Indians and French together. The French during these years were animated by a spirit of intense hatred and revenge toward the Iroquois because of the latter's sullen indifference to their many overtures for an alliance, and their unshaken friendship for the Dutch and the EngHsh. Except for the protecting arm of the Mohawks at the door, the French, together with their Canadian allies, could have annihilated both Albany and Schenectady. Campaigns were formulated with this object in view, but in most instances never culminated in success. In 1665 a blow was aimed at Schenectady by this same enemy at which time the force for the onslaught reached within two miles of the village from the north, but were met there by their dogged enemy, the Mohawks. THE ABRAM YATES HOUSE Erected 1710 to 1720 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 89 Governor M. De Courcelles of Canada on the 29th of December of the year above mentioned left Montreal with a force of six hundred volunteers with the intention of seeking revenge in the IVIohawk country and, after reaching within striking distance a group of them led a part of his force into an ambush killing and w^ounding many of them. In so distressing a plight was Governor De Courcelles placed on account of it that he w^as compelled to apply to the citizens of Schenectady for aid and shelter. And in the matter of provisions, the "best accommodations ye poor village afforded," was freely given but shelter to the arch enemies w^as denied for precautionary reasons. Some of the wounded men were taken to Albany for treat- ment, and the Governor with the rest of his volunteers retreated from the country. England, as a part of her scheme of empire building, claimed not only all the land in the Iroquois dominion but the Indians as her subjects, as well, while France insisted on her own sovereignty and ownership of the same territory and was ever the aggressor in the long contest for supremacy. Governor Nicoll in waiting to Arent Van Curler after the above occurrence commended the action of the citizens of Schenectady and stated that he hoped the French would be discouraged in attempting "to disturb you and the maquase." Governor Lovelace also in a letter wTitten in 1670, in which he speaks of the troubles and harass- ments of the allied enemies across the border, says : "they pretend it is no more but to advance the Kingdom of Christ w^hen it is to be suspected that it is rather the Kingdom of his Christian majesty." These marauding expeditions were invariably undertaken during the winter and for subtle reasons. At this season navigation on the Hudson was closed and the means of communication was 90 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MGDERN therefore, retarded and almost endless time was required in getting needed aid from New York in times of distress. In 1689 Cornelise Viele, the interpreter of Schenectady, was taken prisoner by the French while on a trading trip to Canada. The knowledge of his capture reached the Mohawks who thought highly of Viele because he "hath done good service for us in travelling up and down in our country, and, we having a French prisoner, according to our custome, doe deliver him to the family of Armont (Viele) in his stead and room to wash of the tears of his wife and children." Although there were no acts of violence during the years 1687 to 1689 to disturb the peace the constant rumors of impending trouble created a depression on the frontier. The relations between England and France were rapidly approaching a more critical stage. Catholicism and Protestantism, like the two nations that were contending for temporal control in the new world, were contending for supremacy in England. James II, King of England, being an ardent Catholic desired his country also to become Catholic. In December, 1688, he was compelled on account of this to abdicate the throne and seek asylum in France. This brought to the throne William of Orange and Mary, his wife, supporters of the Protestant faith. The news of this sudden overthrow of the ruling power sent a thrill of excitement through the little Province of New York, and produced also a condition bordering on chaos. The Province then contained not more than eighteen thousand population, scattered along the way from New York to Schenectady, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles. Schenectady then had a population of about five hundred, a good part of whom were inclined SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 91 to give approval and support to the order of things thai followed. Jacob Leisler, captain of a train band in New York, an ignorant, unkempt liquor merchant, rushed to the fore under a declaration of religious liberty as against popery and tyranny as he proclaimed the cause. He succeeded in rallying to his aid the military force at the fort in New York and was thus enabled to seize the government, depose officials, cast them in [)rison and to terrorize the inhabitants of his little towTi, together with a great portion of the inland country. This brought into existence "the convention" which was formed in Albany in the early part of 1689, an organization in opposition to Leisler and his assumed power. This convention was composed of the Mayor and the aldermen of the city, together with the magistrates and chief military officers of the country. Leisler sought to strengthen his cause and gain adherents in Schenectady by the appointment of five new magistrates. His letter of January, 1690, containing the commissions and other instructions is herewith given: "Ye persons are Douw Aukes, Ryer Jacobse Schermer- horn, David Christofelse, ]VI\Tidert Wemp and Johannes Footman, and a Commission to call the people together to chose new captain, lieutenant and ensign and Towne Court, and yt ye said five Justices come here tomorrow to assist Mr. Jaochim Schaats and to Enter upon their office." Captain Sanders Glen and Sweer Teunise Van Velsen repudiated Leisler and his acts and adhered to the committee of safety or Convention organized for pro- tection. Owing to the persistent rumors at that time that an attack by the French and Indians was imminent the con- 92 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN vention deemed it wise to request that a force of troops be sent to Schenectady from Connecticut, provided the country and Schenectady defray the expense and wages of the officers. "Upon which this following was Resolved, Capt. Sander Glen, Lieuts. Jan Van Eps, Johannes Sanders Glen, and Sweer Teunise doe vote in ye Behaff of ye Toune of Schenectady yt ye men be sent for from Connec- ticut and that they will bear there Proportiones of ye charge of ye Officers, their wages and maintain them according. Provided they be under Command and obey such orders and Instructions as they shall Receive from time to time from ye Convention of this City and Country and in ye time of there not sitting to ye mayor and alder- men of this City." The sentiment in Schenectady in regard to govern- mental affairs was divided, yet there was an inclination on the part of many to favor the issue for which Leisler claimed to be contending. Many citizens, meanwhile, became so much alarmed on account of the conditions that plans were made to seek safety elsewhere. Leisler, meanwhile, promised to secure to the citizens of Schenec- tady free trade with the Indians, the privilege of bolting flour and all liberties enjoyed by any other community. In the hope of further winning the allegiance of the citizens of Schenectady, Jacob Milbourne, Leisler's coadjutor, in December, 1689, addressed the following communica- tion to Adam Vrooman: "These are to advise and require all the Inhabitants of Schenectady and adjoining places to repair forthwith to the aforesaid City of Albany to receive their Rights and Privileges and Liberties in such manner as if the Govern- ment of King James the 2d had never existed or any of his SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 93 arbitrary Commissions or any of his Governors illegal acts had never been executed or done. (Signed) Jacob Milbourne. Adam Vrooman declined to observe the order, however, and also refused to give it countenance. January, 1690, came with no abatement in the wide- spread terror of a possible attack. Meanwhile steps were taken to procure a band of scouts to go northward and report any information or intelligence of an approaching enemy. At this juncture a group of Mohawks reported at Albany as follows : "Brethren— We have been sent by ye 40 Maquose Souldiers now at Schenectady to acquaint ye that they are come to go out as Skouts toward ye lake and Otter Creek to wath ye Designs of ye Deceious ye Governor of Canada to see if he will come and Invade our Country again and if we Discern any Progresse of his we have four Indians yt wee send forth Post to give ye and our people advertise- ment." The Indians went out on their mission but failed to discover the approaching enemy. When they returned the wreck of Schenectady had been accomplished. THE MASSACRE, OR THE BURNING OF SCHENECTADY The story of the massacre or burning of Schenectady has filled many pages of history. The main causes for the disaster have been fully set forth in the preceding pages, yet without doubt one of the immediate inspirations lead- ing to the attack at the time was the precipitation of the rehgious element or influence into the Colonial civil affairs. It has been alleged too that Leisler's ill directed effort in fomenting religious strife and the responsive action of 94 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN many of the citizens of Schenectady were inciting causes. Both the French, and the Indians, who had been won to the Catholic faith, were imbued with a rehgious frenzy that hesitated not to wreak vengeance on all heretics. John Alexander Glen, who was commander and a Jus- tice of the peace of the village, advised the inhabitants to take measures for protection and to have the entrances patrolled by guards. On account of his refusal, however, to espouse the Leisler cause, Glen was in ill favor among many of the villagers, to the extent that he was not per- mitted to enter the village. As a result of this disregard of counsel and the pervading apathy among many of the citizens, the gates on the fatal night of February 8, 1690, were left open with no more formidable sentinels than snow images. The invading force, comprising one himdred and four- teen Frenchmen and ninety-six Savages, under command of Lemoine de Sainte Helene and Lieutenant De Aillibout de Mantet left Montreal on the 17th of January making the journey of two hundred miles, a greater part of the distance through a dense wilderness, facing the intensely cold weather and snow lying from three to five feet deep upon the ground. On a Saturday night, February 8, the party arrived within two miles of the frontier settlement and there halted to hold a council. The march of twenty- two days bearing the heavy luggage coupled with the suffering experienced from the cold at first inclined them to abandon the attack and surrender themselves as a means of self-preservation. Meanwhile Indian scouts were sent to the village to take note of the conditions and the expediency of an immediate onslaught. Although the plan seems to have been to attack in the early morning, the favorable report of the scouts and the intensity of SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 95 the temperature urged them on for an early invasion. At eleven that night when they reached the gates of the stockades there was quiet within and no guards without to oppose their entrance. There were two gates, the main one at the corner of Church and Front and the other at or near the corner of Church and State streets. Outside the stockades there were only a few houses which were scattered along the north side of the Albany path, or State street. At the northwestern corner of the village near the Binne Kil was the fort double garrisoned by a detachment of twenty-four men under command of Lieutenant Tal- mage. If in these circumstances there had been an ordinary sense of self-preservation and had sane action governed the villagers, an enemy much more formidable than the attacking one could have been successfully resisted, if not wholly so, at least for a time until aid could have been secured. The attacking party finding the village deep in slumber divided into two companies one to enter at either gate, but it seems the south gate could not be located, conse- quently the whole force approached by the main gate. Once inside they separated into squads in order to compass the work of slaughter, pillage and burning as speedily as possible. Before the sleeping settlers were aroused to the danger every quarter of the village was attacked simul- taneously, many meeting death wathout realizing the provocation for their slaughter. The people were awakened only to be put to death by the savages incited by the Frenchmen. A feeble effort at defense was made by a few persons but resistence in most instances was futile. Adam Vrooman living near the north gate, it is said, turned a volley of lead unto the invaders from the upper window of his dwelling until he exacted a promise from the com- 96 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN mander that his life should be spared. His son, Barent, and a negro, however, were killed. In the space of two hours sixty persons were slaught- ered and many wounded. Dominie Tasselmaker, the first pastor of the Dutch church, was among the slain, although it was said that the intention was to spare him for the purpose of securing information. In face of the intense cold and the deep snow many citizens fled in the darkness with bare feet and thinly clothed to Albany, and it is said also that several of these suffered the loss of their feet by freezing, and others died from exposure. When the invaders had secured such plunder as they could carry, the burning was started and by morning two houses only inside the stockade and three situated on State street were left standing. The two houses left undestroyed within the enclosure were that of Captain Sander Glen whose house and proprety were spared by order of the Governor of Canada, and the other was the house of the widow Bradt, in which a wounded Frenchman was cared for. The enemy suffered the loss of two killed and one wounded. The French and Indians undisturbed occupied the village the rest of the night and at eleven o'clock the next (Sunday) morning began their retreat to Canada with twenty-seven prisoners and fifty horses bearing the booty. Nineteen of their number according to re jord perished on the retreat. The number and names of those killed are best told in the simple and pathetic language of those directly con- nected with the tragedy. The list is given herewith: COL. CHRISTOPHER VATES Capt. Provincial trcops under the King." Lieut. CoL Second Reg., Albany county in 1776. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 97 LIST OF YE PEOPLE KILD AND DESTROYED By ye French of Canida and There Indians at Skinnech- tady, Twenty Miles to ye Westward of x\lbany, Between Saturday and Sunday, ye 9th day of February, 1690. Myndert Wemp kild. Jan van Eps and his Sonne and 2 of his childred kild. A negro of dito Van Eps Sergt. Church of Capt. Bulls' C'opniy. Barent Jansse kild and burnd his Sonne kild. And Arentse Bratt shott and burnt and also his child. Mary Viele, wife of Dowe Aukes and her -2 children kild. And his Negro woman Francyn. Mary Aloff, wife of Cornelis Viele Junr, shott. Sweer Teunise shott and burnt, his wife kild and burnt. Antje Janz, doughter of Jan Spoor, kild and burnt. Item 4 Negroes of ye said Sweer Teunise ye same death all in one house. Enos Talmidge Leift of Capt. Bull kild and burnt. Hend Meese Vrooman and Bartholomew ^^rooman kild and burnt. Item 2 Negroes of Hend Meese ye same death. Gerrit Marccllis and his wife and child kild. Robt. Alexander, Souldier of Capt. Bulls, shott. Robt. Hessling shott. Sander ye sonne of gysbert gerritse, kild and burnt. Jan Roeloffse de goyer burnt in ye house. Ralph grant a souldier in ye fort, shott. David Christoffelse and his wife with 4 children all burnt in there house. Joris Aertse shott and burnt, Wm. Pieterse kild. Joh : Potman kild his wife and her skalp taken off. 98 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Dome Petrus Tasselmaker, ye Minister, kild and burnt in his house. Frans Tharmense kild. Engel, the wife of Adam Vrooman, shot and burnt her childe, the brains dashed out against ye wall. Reynier Schaets and his sonne kiled. Daniel Andries and George, 2 souldiers of Capt. Bull. A French girl, Prisoner among ye Mohogs, kild. A Masque Indian Kild. Johannes, ye sonne of Symon Skermerhorn. Three Negroes of Symon Skermerhorn. In all sixty. Leyst of ye Persones which ye French and there Indians have taken prisoners att Skinnechtady and carried to canida, ye 9th day of February, 1690: Johannes Teller and his negro. John Wemp, sonne of Myndt Wempt and 2 negroes. Symon, Abraham, Philip, Dirk and Claes Groot, all 5 sonnes of Symon Groot. Jan Baptist, sonne of Jan Van Epps. Albert and Johannes Vedder, sonnes of Harme Vedder. Isaack Cornelise Switts and his Eldest sonne. A negroe of Barent Janse. Arnout ye sonne of Arnout Corn: Viele, ye Interp. Stephen, ye sonne of Gysbert Gerritse. Lawrence, sonne of Claes Lawrence Purmurent. Amour, sonne of Paulyn Janse. Barent, ye sonne of Adam Vrooman and ye neger. Claes, sonne of Frans Tharmense. Stephen, adopted sonne of Geertje Bouts. John Webb, a souldier Belonging to Capt. Bull. David Burt, belonging to ye same Compe. Joseph Marks, of ye same Compe. In all 27. SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 99 AFTER THE BURNING Many of the citizens, as stated, fled to Albany and others to New York for safety. Those who remained looked upon the ruin and wreck of their thirty years of industry and frugality, all swept away in a night. More depressing still was the contemplation of the awful death toll that fate had exacted. In these conditions and circumstances the abandonment of the town was seriously considered. The following account in part of the circumstances and conditions was sent from Albany : "Albany, ye 9th day of February, 1690, "Die Sabbathi. "This morning about five o'clock ye alarm was brought here by Symon Schermerhoarn who was shott threw his Thigh yt ye French and Indians had murthered ye People of Skmnechtady; having got into ye Towne about 11 or 12 a Clock there being no Watch Kept (ye inhabitants being so negligent and Refractary) and yt ye had nmch a doe to Escape they bemg very numerous. They fyred severall times at him at last threw his Thigh and wounded his horse and was come over Canatagoine to bring ye news." Another account on the fifteenth of the same month contains the following: "The Cruelties Committed at said Place no Penn can Write nor Tongue Expresse, ye women bigg with Childe Rep'ed up and ye Children alive Throwne into ye flames and there heads Dash'd in Pieces aganst the Doors and Windows." From a crudely composed "Ballad" written by Walter Wiflie, a soldier who apparently had some part in the occurrence, the following verses are copied: 100 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "The Village soon began to Blaze Which Shew'd the horrid sight: — But, O, I scarce can Beare to Tell The Mis'ries of that Night. They threw the Infants in the Fire, The Men they did not spare; But Killed All which they could find Tho' Aged or tho' Fair. O, Christe! In the still Midnight air, It sounded dismally The Women's Prayers and the loud Screams Of their great Agony." With the view of staying the movement among the survivors to forsake the town, and to inspire them with renewed courage, the Governor and Council gave assur- ance of protection as much as possible and also aid in rehabilitating the village, together with equipments and supplies. A new danger here presented itself, however. The Indians were ever disposed to ally themselves on the side of the strongest power, and this demonstration by the French was therefore fraught with the fear at least of evil consequences. Yet the Mohawks hastened to give assurance of their abiding friendship and loyalty. At a council held at Albany on the 25th of February, the appended address was delivered by the Sachims of the Mohawk Castles. "Brethren: Wee are sory and Extreamly pained for ye murther Lately Committed by ye French upon our Brethren of Shinnechtady wee Esteem this evill as if done to ourselfs being all in our Covenant chain. Wee Lament and Condole the death of so many of our brethren so basely murthered at Shinnechtady, we cannot accept it a gerat victory for it is done by way of Deceit." SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 101 "Brethren: Doe not be discouraged this is butt a l)eginning of ye Warr we are strong enough the whole house have there Eyes fixed upon yours and they only stay your motion and will be ready to doe whatever shall be resolved upon by our Brethren." "Wee Recomned ye Brethren to keep good watch and if any Enemies come take care ye messengers be more speedily sent to us than lately was done we would not advise ye brethren quite to desert Shinnechtady but to make a fort there. The Enemy would be too glorious to see it quite desolate and ye Towne is not well fortifyed ye stockades are so short ye Indians can jump over them like a dogg." The small number remaining at the settlement were yjractically homeless and destitute. Also there was the o\ershadowing terror of going a-field to plant and sow another crop. There was little or no money and most of the utilities and horses were gone. An appeal was made to the New England authorities and from this source and New York valuable assistance was received. Many women and children were sent to New York to insure safety and housing among friends. So impoverished were the inhabitants that a trivial tax of $73.33 levied upon the township was regarded as being greater than could be borne and, therefore, they petitioned the Governor and Council to be relieved of the burden. CHAPTER VI THE PERIOD FROM 1690 TO 1710 |ITH practically nothing of their accumula- tions left except the land, the surviving settlers had to begin anew the making and building of their fortunes and the village. The recent experience and the daily over- shadowing cloud of imminent danger from the same source gave little heart to face the new struggle. For the suc- ceeding ten years, as a consequence, small progress was made in the upbuilding of the place, and the increase in population was equally slow. Nor was there during this period a day that the husbandman was not harassed by rumors of trouble. On the 12th of May following the burning the magis- trates of Albany ordered that Captain Sanders Glen and others build a new fort on "a lot of grounde called by the name of Cleyn Isaacs" and that said fort be put in proper shape and garrisoned so as to afford protection for the town. Little or nothing however, resulted from the order. In 1704 Governor Cornbury issued an order that the pallisades on the west side of the village be removed to the bank of the Binne Kil. FORTS AT SCHENECTADY The catastrophe at Schenectady roused the entire Province to the need of more adequate protection, espec- ially on the frontier. Schenectady was most favorably located in regard to natural fortifications, the broad river surrounding it on two sides with the low lands as a pro- HON. JOSEPH C. YATES First Mayor of Schenectady and afterwards Governor SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 103 tection on the third, afforded only one easy means of access, that from the north. The Uttle fort first located in the northwestern corner of the village was destroyed with other buildings on the night of the burning. The same year a second fort was built on the west side of State street near the western end where it intersects with Washington avenue. This was the fort ordered to be erected by Captain Sanders Glen on the Klein Isaacs land, or the land belonging to Isaac Swits. Jacob Leisler, the unchartered Governor, issued the following order for the building of this fort. "Whereas it is judged necessary for to defend Schenec- tady and to that purpose it is foimd requisite that a fort shall be erected to defend ye Inhabitant oppugn the Enemy if it should attack the same." In 1695, the stockades having decayed and therefore become unsafe, were ordered replaced, whereat the impoverished citizens rebelled on accoimt of their inability to bear the burden. Ryer Schermerhorn was doggedly defiant in the matter, in consequence of which Justice Sanders Glen fined him twelve shillings, and upon his refusal to pay said fine he was haled before the court in New York. Herewith is the drastic command of Justice Johannes Sanders Glen in relation to Schermerhorn 's action : "William by ye grace of God, King of England, Scot- land, France and Ireland, Kinge defender of ye faith to John Mebee and Dirack Brat Constables of Scanectedy, yu are in his Majestyes name to require and Commande Ryer Schermerhorn to pay ye sum of twelve shillings for ye Disobayinge my former warande in not adinge and 104 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN arrestinge ye rebuilding of ye fort of Scanectey, Whd are for his Majestyes sarvis and ye Public good: I do order commande yu yt with in fouer days from ye dayte of thes presatits yt yu lead and bringe ye complyment of Stock- ades as I have given yu formur notis as is Aloted you for yur and yt you do mount and fix ye said Stockades answer- bell to ye rest of ye inhabitants at yr parill as yu will answer ye neglect given under my hande ye first day of Nouv in ye seventh year of his Majestyes reane Ano dom 1695 Johannes Sanders Glen, Justis." This same winter the soldiers constituting the garrison at the fort deserted in a body. Lieutenant Bickford then in command was compelled to seek volunteers from both Albany and Schenectady to pursue and capture the deserters. Harmen Van Slyck, Gerryt Simons Veeder, Peter Simons Veeder, Albert Veeder, Gerryt Gysbert Van Brakel, Jan Danielse Van Antwerpe, Dirck Groot, Jonas DeRoy, John Wemp, Davile Mascraft and Thomas Smith were the Schenectady volunteers. They soon overtook the deserters a few miles from the settlement, whereupon a battle ensued, five of the fleeing guards being killed. The others among the deserting soldiers were taken prisoners, tried by Court Martial in Schenectady, April 21, 1696, and were found guilty and condemned to be shot. In 1705 the new Queen Fort was erected at Front, Green and Ferry streets. The British barracks in con- nection with the fort extended along the east side of Ferry street nearly to Union street. When first built it consisted simply of a triple stockade one hundred feet square, with block houses at the four angles. After thirty years' service. ^^ bm&MnsL^ r ;.iC,:i':sriHnHliii^»feP' I 1 'ffif 1 T[| { 1 ■I 11 I ST. GEORGE S CHURCH Erected 1759. Excepting one, it is the oldest church standing in the State of New York SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 105 or in 1735 Queen Fort was rebuilt in larger proportions and in a more substantial manner, the superstructure being placed upon stone foundations. This continued until the breaking out of the French war in 1754 by which time the fort had fallen into decay again. John B. Van Eps and John Visger, both Justices of the peace, Nicholas Groot, Jacob Glen, Arent Bratt and others petitioned the Governor for a new fort. This fort was about twenty feet high and made of hewn timber. It is said that these were taken down during the war of the Revolution and were used in the construction of soldiers barracks built at the south corner of Union and Lafayette streets. This year, 1754, the Assembly passed an act for the raising of $7,500 for fortifying the village, but the war passed with little improvement to the fort. The fortifications were some- what strengthened during the Revolutionary War, how- ever, but after its close, they went to decay again. The old fort was finally removed and the land sold. This brought to a close Schenectady's forts and fortifications. After the signing of the Ryswick treaty of peace, September 2, 1697, between England and France, there was a short space of calm and restfulness spread over the Mohawk valley, and ihe little frontier settlement had an impulse of courage. It was little more than this because the war was soon on again and continued until 1713. Following this, however, there was a period of nearly thirty years free from violence or hostilities between the waring nations. Meanwhile the citizens of Schenectady devoted themselves to industry and the rebuilding of their lost fortunes. During this time too the forts and fortifications were neglected and, therefore, fell into decay. When the Old French war of 1744 came on the village in consequence found itself dangerously weak in the means of 106 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN defense. Many citizens were impressed into service in this war, which added greatly to the difficulty experi- enced in the matter of measures for home protection. During this time every able-bodied man was compelled to serve on picket duty and no family outside the stockades was safe, except it had refuge in a block house. This period of strife continued until 1748, after which there was another brief interval of something like peace, which lasted until the final French and English war of 1753, which ended with the peace treaty of 1763. At this time the French ceased to contend further for supremacy. It was in the closing year of the former war, 1748, that the battle of the Beukendal, or the massacre, occurred. THE BEUKENDAL MASSACRE While this event in no wise paralleled the massacre of 1690 in the village, it terminated in a most disheartening disaster. This, in contradistinction to the former, was a battle waged at midday between citizens and a party of French and their Indian allies under command of Le Siur Chevalier de Repentighy. It occurred on July 18 of the above mentioned year. In the early part of the day Daniel Toll, Dirck Van Vorst and a negro started up through Beukendal, or Beechdale, a little distance west of Schenectady, in search of some horses that had strayed away. Soon after their departure the men working on the farm heard shots in the direction whence the searchers had gone and suspecting the cause, they hurried a messenger to Schenectady to give warning. Lieutenant Darling in command of the troops at the fort, at once set out for the scene of trouble followed closely by a hastily assembled force of citizens of all ages armed for a conflict. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 107 Upon their arrival at Beechdale they found themselves trapped in an ambuscade and face to face with more than one hundred French and Indians. Both the soldiers and the citizens plunged into the battle against a superior and savage force. The battle continued for some time when the defenders of the home retreated to and took refuge in the Abram DeGraff house, situated nearby, leaving twenty- six slain in the fight. This little dwelling served as a blockhouse and once inside they barred the doors, tore boards from the house under the roof, thus converting it into a fortress in which to continue the battle. In the midst of the battle Col. Glen arrived with a few additional troops, whereupon the enemy hastily retreated followed by all who were able to march. Dirck Van Vorst, who had accompanied Toll in the search for the horses was captured, tied to a tree and left in charge of two young Indians from whom he made his escape. At the end of the battle twenty-six of the soldiers and citizens were killed, eleven of them scalped, and twenty- five taken captive to Canada. In addition to bemg scalped the bodies of the slain were stripped of their clothing, except one, namely Adrian Van Slyck. The bodies of the slain were then removed to Schenectady and placed in the Mabee house, which was then on Church street. Some of those taken as prisoners later returned from Canada and a part of them remained with the Indians. The killed were: Capt. Daniel Toll, Frans van der Bogert, Jr., Jacob Glenn, Jr., Peter Vrooman, Adam Conde, J. P. van Antwerpen, Cornelius Viele, Jr., Nicholas DeGraff, Adrian Van Slyck, John A. Bradt, John Marinus, Daniel van Antwerpen, Lieut. John Darling and seven of his men. 108 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Wounded; Ryer Wemp (Wemple,) Dick Van Vorst, Robinson, and Willson and many others. Prisoners : Lewis Groot, Johanus S. Vrooman, Harmen Veeder, Isaac Truax, Albert and John Vedder, John Phellps, Frank Connor, Harnianus Hagedom, Nicholas Viele, William DeGraff, Ryer Wemp. THE SCOTCH HIGHLANDERS During this last war between England and France a regiment known as the Scotch Highlanders were a con- spicuous element and seem to have had a prominent part in the campaign. Their unusually large physique and peculiar manner of dress made them attractive figures along the Mohawk valley. This "Black Watch" was stationed at Schenectady, 1856-1857, although as stated below the frontier town was ill-prepared to care for so large a body of troops. Sims says in his history of Schoharie County that at the date mentioned Lewis Groat was living in the home- stead with its farm and grist mill at Cranesvillage thirteen miles west of Schenectady. On the afternoon of a sum- mer's day in 1755, two hundred Highland troops clad in rich tartans passed up the valley on their way to Fort Johnson six miles above, then the residence of Gen. (Sir) William Johnson. The following is an extract from a letter from Loudon to Pitt, New York, 25th April, 1757: "The Highlanders were set in motion from Schenectady. . . they marched without tents and lay in the woods upon the snow, making great fires and I do not find the troops have suffered. . . We have on that River (Mohawk) at Schenectady and up to the German Flats, the Highland Regiment upwards of a thousand men," etc. I have been THE REV. WILLIAM PAYNE, D.D. Rector St. George's Church from 1848 to 1885 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 109 unable to find any Schenectady records of this period. It is said that Schenectady was only a frontier village in 1756 and not large enough to take care of a regiment, and it seems to be a fact from the reference given above that only a part of the thousand men were stationed here as it states that the Regiment was stretched along the Mohawk from Schenectady to the German Flats, but that it was a station for troops is proven by a list in the Public Record Office of the winter quarters for the troops in America for 1758." "The Black Watch at Ticonderoga," by F. B. Richards. Proceedings of N. Y. State Histor. Ass'n. Vol. 10. Page 374. THE OLD FORT The Schenectady Reflector under date of February 19, 1841, in speaking of old cities and places or points therein that are intimately associated with the lives of the inhabi- tants, and bear more or less the impress of their characters, contains the following which is an interesting addition to the main history previously told: "Among these may properly be numbered the Old Fort which comjirises that jmrt of the town lying adjacent to and formed by the intersection of Front, Ferry and Green streets. It derives its name from the rude fortifications which in the year 1734 were erected by the inhabitants as a protection from threatened invasion and which stood in the open space formed by this intersection. These forti- fications consisted principally of a block house formed of squared timbers and sufficiently spacious to aflford safety and shelter 'in the hour of utmost need' to the whole population of that early day. It thus became dignified with the name of a 'Fort,' although its armanent con- sisted of but several small pieces of artillery and it w^as 110 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN better able to resist the encroachment of a savage though inexperienced for than to endure the siege of bombardment of more modern and scientific warfare. It occupied its position for many years and was finally dismantled at the commencement of the Revolutionary War when its mater- ials were used in the erection of barracks for troops at the head of what is now called Liberty street but which has also long since disappeared. At that early day this quarter formed one of the extremities of the town and with the exception of a few cultivated fields which the necessi- ties of the inhabitants had caused them to occupy, all beyond it lay in its original wilderness. "The Old Fort has long since been dismantled, the forests have disappeared before the woodman's axe, and the narrow boundaries of the old town extended upon every side; yet even to this day does the quarter which bears its name exhibit in its appearance and in the manners of its inhabitants some features of the 'olden time.' In its immediate vicinity are yet to be found in excellent preservation a few remains of the architecture of the seventeenth century as exhibited in the fronting gable end, the peaked roof, the projecting upper story, the small tile, and the antique window of the buildings of that period." About Revolutionary War times the old Dutch customs and manners began to disappear and new elements and different nationalities intermingled with the Dutch, with the result that old Schenectady gradually became changed and modernized. NAVIGATION — BOATING ON THE MOHAWK Schenectady by reason of its location early became a place of much commercial consequence. When ship SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 111 commerce began it was at the foot of navigation for the western country. This began as early as 1715 or 1716 and increased rapidly as trade extended into the new country westward. By a decision of the highest tribunal in the Province in 1727 free trade was opened to all, which gave marked stimulus to boating and transportation. There were no highways of any account for land transportation, whereas by means of the Mohaw k water connection could be made with the St. Lawrence and the great lakes to the western country. Schenectady from this time became the entrepot for all the western region. On account of the impassable falls on the Mohawk between Schenectady and the Hudson river, the foot of navigation was at Schenec- tady, thus constituting it the most important town in the Pro\'ince outside of New York. This prestige in ship commerce continued more than one hundred years. Both travel and commerce increased rapidly after 1727 as trade reached out and settlements were made in the great region westward. Goods were received in bulk at Albany and from thence were transported by wagon to Schenectady for shipment, while goods from the west bound for ports east of Schenectady were likewise carried. This early necessitated the building of good roads between the two points of shipment. In the early period of river navigation small bark or log canoes, similar to those of the Indians, were used. They were light, yet strong enough to carry a considerable cargo. These were usually propelled by one or two men sitting in the bottom of the boat using paddles. Upon reaching the riffs these men waded in the water and pushed or pulled the boat over to deeper water, also at portages they carried both the boat and the cargo to the beginning of navigable water again. From 1716 to 1720 there were 112 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN above thirty of these crafts in service on the Mohawk, and by 1724 the number had increased to three hundred and twenty-three. By this date or soon thereafter the volume of trade and transportation had become so great that the flotilla were taxed beyond their capacity, thus demanding larger and stronger boats. This brought into service the bateaux which were much larger and were paddled, towed or poled by eight or ten men who often walked along the shore or waded where the water was shallow. Channels through the riffs were made by throwing up the stones, (or dredg- ing) from the chosen course. In time the channel or course became definitely fixed and rigidly followed. Later the western Inland Lock and Navigation Company, in which many citizens of Schenectady were interested, was organized to build dams and short canals around riffs and shallow places. This auxiliary greatly facilitated naviga- tion and made possible further enlarged craft to handle the increasing volume of business. As a result of this a continuous waterway from the Mohawk through Wood Creek, Oneida Lake and the Oswego River to Lake Ontario and the farther western lakes was opened. The bark canoes and the bateaux were succeeded by the Durham which had quite the appearance of a sea-going craft. This was a strong, broad flat bottomed boat with straight sides, with decks fore and aft. The balance of the craft was open, much like some of the canal boats of today, and in this opening the cargo was carried. She was rigged with sails, yet at the lack of breeze recourse for propelling power was had in the pole or the muscle of the men in pushing the boat over hard places. The capacity of the Durham reached from fifteen to twenty tons. "W «l -^-^-, SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 113 About Revolutionary War times the Albany and Schenectady Turnpike Company constructed a stone trainway from the former place to the Binne Kil at Schenectady in order to better transport the enormous tonnage of goods and merchandise both eastward and west- ward. Before this date many settlements had been effected along the Mohawk and still farther west, while trade had extended along Lake Erie to Michigan. The first mer- chant to settle west of Schenectady was Major Jellis Fonda. His store and residence were at old Fort Schuyler, now Utica. Potash, ginseng root and peltries constituted the bulk of the trade. During all this period the Binne Kil at the western outskirt of Schenectady was the scene of great activity in ship commerce. This harbor was daily choked with cargo- laden craft both inbound and outbound. The banks of the Binne Kil were lined with wharves and warehouses in which many men were employed. It is said that at least three hundred families also derived their support from the transportation of freight between Schenectady and Albany. Moreover, Schenectady was the boat building centre. There were many men and companies engaged in the industry. Among them were the Van Slycks, the Marselises, Veeder and Peeks, Vrooman and Van Eps and others, while at the wharves were the freighting companies of Yates & Mynderse, Jacob S. Glen & Co., the Stephen N. Bayard Company, Walton & DeGraff and Lusher & McMichael, beside others. The first daily passenger packet boat line on the river was established in 1815 by Eri Lusher. The boat was similar in style to the Durham; it had a cabin midship well fitted up for comfort and carried about thirty passengers. 114 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN It plyed between Schenectady and Utica, requiring two days for the upstream trip and thirteen hours for the return. All this business, prestige and glory departed early in the nineteenth century, as will be told later on in this history. EARLY FERRIES In the early days of the community and the Province the matter of building a bridge over the Mohawk was both a problem and a proposition that could hardly be con- sidered, therefore other means for crossing the broad stream were brought into service, and this was the ferries. The first ferry was that at the north end of Washington avenue where later the Mohawk bridge was erected. This ferry continued in use until 1768, at which time it was changed to the foot of Ferry street. Ferry street at that time, however, had not yet been opened north of Front street, but upon the ferry being established there, it was opened through to the river bank. This ferry was owned by the Borough of Schenectady and ferry charges were a part of the borough's income. This continued until 1795 when the ferry was leased to Abram Oothout for the sum of fifty pounds a year. In 1797 there were three ferries, these being designated as the upper, the middle and the lower ferry. The upper ferry at Washington avenue was then kept by Jan Baptist Van Eps, and the middle ferry by Volkert Veeder, while the third or lower ferry was kept by John Baptist Van Vorst. Later, when the Mohawk bridge was erected a compromise was effected whereby the bridge company took over the Washington avenue ferry right, while the others were legis- lated out of existence in 1804, when the bridge charter 1 i m la mf^mi.'^' 1 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 115 was granted. The lower ferry continued in operation, however, until the fifties when a bridge was constructed at that point whereupon the ferry ceased business. BRIDGES EARLY AND LATE From the records in relation to public improvements it is probable that the first bridge in Schenectady was that on Mill Sand Kil on Water street. This was near Sweer Teunise Van Velsen's grist mill. Van Velsen had the sole right in those days to bolt flour, a privilege long denied Schenectady in the days of favoritism. This bridge was called the Towti Bridge and was built as early as 1701, possibly a little earlier. In 1716 there was a bridge across the Spareburgh Sand Kil, near the Brandywine mill on the old road to x\lbany. This was known as Spareburgh bridge. In 1736 there was also a bridge over the Poenties Kil on the bouwiand about two miles west of the city. It was called Johannes Teller's bridge. In 1767 a bridge was built over Cowhorn Creek on Albany now State street, and was known as John Baptist's bridge. About this time too a bridge was erected by Simon Groat over Hansons Kil, College brook, now Romeyn street. The first great bridge was that erected about 1797 or 1798 over the Mohawk at the foot of Washington street, and when nearly completed the structure was blown over by a high wind, being rebuilt on piers in 1808. In 1808 the original Mohawk bridge was erected. It was a suspension bridge constructed wholly of wood nine hundred feet long and picturesque in appearance. It was designed by Theodore Burr, a bridge architect of unusual ability. It was erected by the Mohawk Bridge Company 116 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN as a toll bridge with two driveways. It was suspended by chords made of heavy planks about a foot wide and three feet deep. It possessed remarkable strength and endur- ance. Later this bridge was enclosed on the sides and covered, having a small skylight in the roof for light by day and at night two small oil lamps sufficed to light the driveway on either side. In 1874 the town of Glenville purchased the old bridge and replaced it by a more modern steel structure upon broad stone piers. It still continues as a toll bridge to all except citizens of that town, although some action has been taken by the State to purchase same and make a free state highway, yet it has not become effective. Volney Freeman about 1855 erected a bridge over the Mohawk some distance east of the old Mohawk bridge. This has been replaced twice on account of its destruction by floods and ice. In 1879 this bridge also was purchased by the towm of Glenville. OFFICIAL RESIDENTS OF SCHENECTADY IN EARLY DAYS Residents of Schenectady had an active part in public affairs in early times, many of them holding conspicuous positions of trust and importance. Martin Krigier was a delegate on the 26th November, 1653, to the first Convention ever held in the New Nether- lands. Loudovicus Cobes was sherifiP in 1679 of Albany County, of which Schenectady was then a part. He was also County Clerk of Albany Assembly in 1690. Karl Hansen Toll was member of the General Assembly in 1615, 1626. Jacob Glen was member of the General Assembly in 1726, 1727, 1728, 1748, 1750. Arent Bradt was member of the General Assembly in 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748. Abraham Glen was member of the General Assembly, 1743 to 1745. Nicholas Schuyler was member of the General Assembly SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 117 in 1727 and 1728. Jacob Van Slyck was member of the General Assembly in 1750-1752. Isaac Vrooman was member of the General Assembly in 1759, 1761. Ryer Schermerhorn was member of the General Assembly in 1761. Jacobus Mynderse was member of the General Assembly from 1752 to 1775. Nicholas Groot was mem- ber of the General Assembly 1761-1768. Henry Glen was member of the First, Second and Third Provincial Con- gress, 1775-1776, He was also member of Assembly in 1786 to 1810; and served as a member of the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Congress of the United States, his service extending from 1793 to 1802. Harmanus Peek was member of Sixteenth Congress of the United States from 1819 to 1821. William North was member of the Assem- bly 1792 to 1810, and was several times Speaker of that body. In 1798, during a recess of the Legislature, he was appointed a Senator of the United States by Governor John Jay, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Jolui Closs Hobart, who had been appointed Judge of the United States District Court of New York. During the Revolutionary War General North was the Aid of Baron Steuben. Joseph Shurtliff was member of Assembly from 1797 to 1813, James Boyd was member of Assembly 1811-1812; John Young, 1811-1812; Alexander Combs, 1812-1813; Joseph ShurtUff, 1812-1813; Abraham Van Ingen, 1814; Lawrence Vrooman, 1814-1815; John Victory, 1815-1817; Harmanus Peek, 1816; Harry Fryer, 1816; Harmanus Van Slyck, 1817; Daniel L. Van Ant- werp, 1818; Simon A. Veeder, 1818; James Frost, 1819; Simon A. Groot, 1819; Christian Ha verly, 1820; Marinus Willett, 1820; Richard McMichael, 1821; Gerrit Veeder, 1821; James Walker, 1822; John F. D. Veeder, 1822. Robert Yates, a la^vyer of eminence, was a member of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Provincial Congress 118 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN of New York; also a member of the first Convention of New York in 1777, to frame a constitution. At this convention he was one of the committee to draft the same. Afterwards he was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New York, and finally its Chief Justice, his term expiring by the constitutional limit of age. Mr. Yates was a member of the Convention of 1788 to ratify the Federal Constitution. Rinier Mynderse was Senator under the first Constitu- tion, 1777 to 1781. John Sanders was Senator under the first Constitution, 1799 to 1802, and member of the Coun- cil of Appointment in 1800, His associates were DeWitt Clinton, Ambrose Spencer and John Roseboom. John Jay was then Governor and the presiding officer. Simon Veeder was Senator under the first Constitution from 1804 to 1806. Joseph C. Yates was Senator under the first Constitution from 1806 to 1808, when his seat became vacant by his acceptance of the post of Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 1822 he became Governor of the State. Henry Yates, Jr., was a Senator under the first Constitution from 1810 to 1814, and from 1818 to 1822. He was also a member of the Council of Appointment in 1812-1818, when Daniel D. Tompkins was Governor. Gerrit S. Veeder was the first Judge of the Schenectady Court of Common Pleas, being appointed soon after the organization of the County in 1809. William James Teller was the first Surrogate of Schenec- tady County being appointed in 1809. Henry Yates, Jr., and John Sanders were the first mem- bers from Schenectady County to the Convention to frame the second Constitution for New York, which was adopted in February, 1822. CHAPTER VII Sf'IIENECTADY A BOROUGH — MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS iCHENECTADY now for more than a hundred years had struggled and borne the brunt of the hardships, attacks and disasters incident to the frontier town. In face of these she had made substantial progress in building and industry and had also become a place of much impor- tance in the commercial affairs of the Province. Yet she had no special privileges, no civil or political rights or identity as a corporate body of citizens. Owing to the vast shipping and boat building industry Schenectady had increased rapidly in i)opulation and among the newcomers were many foreigners of different nationalities. In order to administer the affairs and safeguard the interests of all therefore the magistrates and the citizens desired inde- pendence and the administrative power vested in a city or borough charter. On the 11th of x\pril, 17(53, therefore, they petitioned the Governor and Council for a city or borough charter. Herewith in part is the petition with the signatures of the village officers attached : "To the Hon. Cadwallader Golden, Esq., his Majesties Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and the Territories thereon depending in America, in Council." The petition of the principal inhabitants of the Township of Schenectady whose names are subscribed to the Schedule thereunto annexed, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the Inhabitants of the said town. Humbly Sheweth; 120 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "that the town of Schenectady is an ancient town situate on the Mohawk river and with the Lands thereunto belonging, is thus described in the respective Grants thereof: Beginning at the Maques River by the town of Schenectady and from thence runs on both sides of the River to a Certain place called Canquavieeny" and from the said Town of Schenectady down the River four English miles." "That the said town from its advantageous situa- tion on the River, the only Communication by water to the numerous Tribes of Indians to the West, has long been the place where all goods intended for the Indain trade have been embarked, and at which all the returns have been unladen :— that this intercourse with the Western Nations and the extent of the important commerce with them has long occasioned not only a great increase of the Inhabitants of the said town and the parts adjacent, but also a vasi resort of others employed in carrying on the trade, all of which have for some years been highly augmented by the communication and effort of the various fortresses occu- pied by us in these extended countries, that amongst so great a concourse of people many crimes and excesses are frequently committed to the great Prejudice of his Majes- ties Subjects and disturbance of the Peace which it is to be feared will increase for want of Sound wholesome Regula- tions in the Government of the said Town." "John Fisher, 1 John Glen, Jr., [Justices. Isaac Vrooman. ' B. Vrooman, Minister of the Gospel. Jacobus Van Slyck, Coll. Joseph R. Yales, Town Mayor." SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 121 The petition was laid before the Governor and Council April 19, 1764, when Albany again sought to defeat the measure because it was a movement in the direction of independence for Schenectady. However, on the 23d day of October, 1765, Lieutenant Governor Cadwalder Golden granted a borough charter under the name of the "Borough town of Schenectady, and the Mayor, Aldermen and commonalty of the said borough town of Schenectady one Body Politick and corporate by the name and title of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the Borough town of Schenectady." The first officials, as named in the charter, were as follows: Mayor, Isaac Vrooman; Recorder, John Dun- can; Aldermen, Jacobus Van Slyke, John Glen, Jr.; John Sanders, Daniel Campbell, John Visger and John B. Van Eps. There were an equal number of assistants as follows: Garret Lansing, Rynier Myndertse, Ryer Schermerhorn, Tobias Ten Eyck, Cornelius Cuyler and Herman Bratt; Town Clerk, Thomas Mcllworth; Cham- berlain, Christopher Yates; Assessors, Isaac Marselis and Isaac Swits; Collector, Barent S. Veder; High Constable, Richard Collins; Sub Constables, Thomas Murray, Hermanns Terwilliger, John Van Vorst, Charles Dennison, James Dunlap and John Wasson, Jr.; Sergeant of the mace, Alexander Campbell. The mayor, recorder and town clerk were appointive offices and incumbents of these offices were removable by the Governor and Council. The aldermen and assistants, together with the collector and the constables were to be elected by the votes of the freemen each year on the feast day of St. Michael, the Arch Angel. The mayor and aldermen named the high constable and chamberlain, while the mayor selected the sergeant of the mace. The 122 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN mayor and three or more aldermen and as many assistants had the power to promulgate ordinances and laws for the government of the borough; also for "regulating the watermen and ferriage, and for the preserving and selling of the lands of Schenectady." The next plank in the charter seems to be an open viola- tion of the very principal for which they were struggling — namely, liberty. Here is the declaration: "The Freemen of the borough are to be persons of such lawful age as have been born therein, or such as have resided therein ten years previously, or such as have had that privilege granted by the Common Council ; and none but freemen are allowed to use any art, trade or mystery, or to expose for sale any maimer of goods or wares at retail under penalty of five pounds." The mayor, recorder, aldermen and assistants met in December following to hear the charter read. The call for this meeting was as follows : "Isaac Vrooman, Esq., Mayor & Jno. Duncan, Esq., Recorder of the Borough town of Schenectady as appointed by charter bearing date Oct. 23 last, is now arraived, Desires their compliments to Ryer Schermerhorn, Esq., Assistant Alderman for said Borough & Beggs the favor of his Company at the House of Alexander Campbell Tavernkeeper, on Monday Next the 2nd December, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon in order to Take the Oath of Office and be present at reading of The Charter. Novem- ber 29th, 1765." They apparently held the meeting on the date indicated, but there is no record of a subsequent meeting of the borough officials ever being held: nor of there having been an election of new officers as prescribed in this very complex charter. They probably rested in content- SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 123 ment with the thought that a step had been made toward complete emancipation. SCHENECTADY IN 1769 Herewith is a description of Schenectady in 1769 by Richard Smith in his Journal of "A Tour of Four Great Rivers": "May 12, 1769. Lodged last Night at Clinch's in Schenectady, a very good Inn and the Landlord intelligent and obliging. The Towti according to our Conjecture counts about 300 Dwelling Houses besides Out Houses, standing in three Principal streets nearly East and West; thlpse are crossed by f our fr five other Streets. Few of the Buildings are contiguous, some of them are constructed in the old Dutch taste generally of Wood but sometimes of Brick and there may be six or seven elegant Mansions with- out including a large Dutch Church with a To^ti Cloc, a Presbyterian Meeting House and a neat English Church now finishing oflF, containing a particular Pew for Sir Wm. Johnson adorned with a handsome Canopy supported by Pilasters. There are no Wharves but a public Landing or Two at the Ends of the streets where the Bateaux bring the Peltry and wheat from above. These Bateaux which are built here are very large, each end sharp so that they may be rowed either way. The Towaispeople are supplied altogether with Beef and Pork from New England most of the Meadows being used for Wheat, Peas and other Grain; however, there are certain choice Grass Meadows about the Place and yet at the End we entered, the Sandy Pine Land approaches within 300 years of the Buildings. The Mohawks River here is hardly wider than Half or a Quarter of a Mile, the Course W. S. W. and E. N. E. by compass. Fresh Beef 124 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN sells at 5d and 6d p pound. We thought the Carriers here very apt to impose on Strangers: it was with some Difficulty we engaged an open Waggon with Two Horses for Cherry Valley for Forty-Five Shillings; they told us the Distance was 50 Miles. The Inhabitants are chiefly Descendants of the low Dutch, a few Irish and not so many English. We did not observe any Orchards or Gardens worthy of Attention. Mr. Clench says the cold here is not at all severe and the Grass out earlier in the Spring than in Pennsylvania where he has lived. The North River was open several Times at Albany during the last Winter : Sloops and Oyster Boats came uj) in January and February. Numbers of people from New England and elsewhere have travelled this way during the last Winter and this Spring looking out for settlements: there is yet remaining in Schenectady a small wooden Fortress having 4 Towers at the corners. In the early part of this Day we crossed the River at a Ferry kept in Town from whence to Col. Guy Johnson's son-in-law to Sir Wm. are 15 Miles." In those days what is known today as the west end constituted Schenectady. It was modeled after the old Dutch style : it bore the stamp of solidity as it did the air of quaintness and simplicity. It was the natural place to found the town; it was near the river where the chief interest centered. The West End at this period presented a far different aspect from its present retired appearance. Its streets resounded with the hurried tread of a bustling and an active multitude; the noise of the wheels — and the "babel of sounds," which, arising from its crowded wharfs and thronged avenues, met and mingled in one continuous strain. The warehouse of commerce and the store of merchandise occupied the places of its present quiet SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 125 mansions, and its enterprising population were engaged in all the active and stirring duties incident to a business life and a shipping town. There were also large wholesale establishments located in that quarter. Finley and Elias with their main stores in Schenectady, and branches in London, Montreal and Detroit. Also John Duncan & Company, located at the corner of Union and Ferry streets, with branch houses also in Montreal, London and Detroit. Besides there were other large houses. MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS IN SCHENECTADY The Dutch, as much as any other one thing, loved peace, yet they had fighting blood when occasion demanded. This is evidenced by their achievement in their native country. The circumstances and conditions with which they were confronted during the first one hundred and twenty-five years of Schenectady's history made some fighting essential as a means of self preservation. Also when the greater issues arose, the war of the Revolution and the Civil War, they entered into the defense of the causes with spirit and bravery. After the close of the French and English War, 1701-13, the shadow of peace rested on the Mohawk Valley, yet with this calm there was little contentment begot by the lack of confidence in the peaceful intentions of the French and their allies. The English also had been remiss in their faithfulness and duty in the matter of providing adequate military protection for the Province and the frontier, all of which contributed to the demand for home military organizations. As early as 1715, therefore, the township of Schenectady had two companies of foot of about sixty men each, including the officers. The chief oflScers of the First Foot Company were John Sanders 126 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Glen, Gerrit Symonse Veeder and Jan Wemp. The com- pany was composed of the following citizens, namely, Arent Bratt, Lieut., Barent Weinp, Lieut., Evert Van Eps, Corporal, Teunise Vander Valge, Corporal, Manus Vedder, Corporal, Abram Glen, Pieter Vrooman, Jr., Gysbert Van Brakel, Helmer Veeder, John Teller, Jr., Jacob Swits, Sander Glen, Cornelis Van Dyck, Claes Frans Van De Bogart, Jacob Schermerhorn, Simon Tilly, Jan Dellemont, Andrues V. Pette, Jan Marselus, Jacob Van Olinda, John Vedder, Cornelius Van Slyck, Cornelis Viele, David Marenus, John Peck, Jillis Fonda, Jacobus Peck, Jr., Abram DeGroff, Pieter Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Philip Philipse, Simon Valkertic Veeder, Jacob Vrooman, Pieter Ouinez, Jelles Van Vorst, Abram Groot, Cornelis Slinger- lant, Teunis Swart, Dirck Groot, Swaer Mareslus, Jan Baptist Van Eps, Arent Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Barent Vrooman, Hendrick Vrooman, Jr., Myndert Wemp, Jacob Teller, William Marennus, Claas V. Putte, Jr., Jacob Philipse, Welm Hall, Robert Yates, Nicholas Stensel,Wren Samuel Bratt, Symon Groot, Marte Van Slyck, Hendreck Philips and Wilm Daes. The Second Foot Company was captained by Harme Van Slyck, and the Lieutenants were Hendrick Vrooman and Jacob Glen. The other members of the company were John Teller, Sergeant, Garret V. Brakel, Sergeant, Volkert Symonse Veeder, Sergeant, Jacob Van Ghyseling, Corporal, Andries De Groff, Corporal, Harme Vedder, Corporal, Barentse Wemp, Jan Vrooman, Jr., Cornelus Van der Volge, Benjamin V. Vleck, Meart V. Benthuysen, Samuel Hagacorn, William Teller, Wouter Vrooman, Jan Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Esyas Swart, Joseph Clement, Arent Schermerhorn, Jacob Meebie, Myndert Van Ghysel- ing, John Marennus, Victor Pootman, Daniel Toll, SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 127 Bertobmew Picker, Jr., John Van Eps, Symon Swits, Arenout De Graff, Wilm Bromoer, Pieter Mebie, Tyerck Frans Van De Bogart, Philip Groot, Isaac De Graff, Philip Bosie, Johannes Vrooman, Abraham Meebie, Harme Vedder, Jr., Jonetan Steosus, Arent Van Putte, Jacobus Vedder, Wouter Swart, Jenney Tickstoon, Sander Philipse, Wilm Coppernol, Hendrick Hagedorn, Pieter Vrooman, Harme Philips, Robert Dwyer, Nicklas Steorms, Pieter Brouwer, Pieter Clement, Adam Smith and John Feerly. During this time too the English were taking measures to fortify the border, giving aid also to the Iroquois in erecting forts, furnishing arms and i)rovisions when neces- sary. Several Schenectady mechanics were employed in building their forts and block houses from the Mohawk country to the home of the Senecas. During the old French and English war, in which the battle of Beaukendal occurred the danger was so iminent on the border that nearly all able-bodied men were ranked among the soldiery. The protection of life and property required it. In 1746 Simon Groot and two of his brothers were butchered by a band of Indians a little distance west of Schenectady. The enemy burned the buildings and destroyed the crops. At this time Abraham Glen asked permission of the Governor to raise a company of one hundred volunteers for the defense of the frontier. The request was granted. This company was recruited in Schenectady and the immediate vicinty. It was not alone for the town and the border protection but Schenec- tady volunteers were called to other distant points to serve in the defense. During the year 1747, Captain Tiebout's Company of foot soldiers was also quartered at Schenec- tady. Abram De Graff and his son, Wilhelmus, were 128 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN taken captive to Canada, where Abram died June 12, 1747. In 1755, there was a company of mihtia known as the 89th, under Captain WilUam McGinnis, and Lieutenant Jonathan Storm. The company took part in the battle of Fort George this year, doing vahant service. Both of the commanders were killed in this engagement. From this date to the beginning of the war of the Revolution, how- ever, there are few records in reference to military organi- zations in Schenectady. The years from the founding of Schenectady in 1661 to the close of the war for independence in 1782, covered a strenuous period for the inhabitants of the border country ; and the interim between the last French and English war, 1754-1763, was so brief that the curtain scarcely once dropped in the human life drama during this one hundred and twenty years. The war of the Revolution, however, induced action of an entirely different character, and Schenectady was again called upon to bear an important part in the final struggle for freedom. General Washington visited Schenectady at the breaking out of this war to make arrangement for the defense of the frontier. Washington on this occasion was the guest of John Glen at his residence in the village. Glen was then quartermaster of the department and his brother, Henry, was deputy. Schenectady in connection with Albany took early action in the matter of defense and the organization of military companies for service. The committee of cor- respondence, safetj^ and protection was formed early in May, 1775. Much seriousness and earnestness entered into this movement, yet it had its droll aspect as will be seen by the following resolution of the board at one of its early meetings. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 129 "Resolved, that every member belonging to this board, who does not attend fifteen minutes after the hour ap- pointed for the committee to meet, or on receiving notice, shall (unless they can give a reasonable excuse to the satisfaction of the board) pay the price of one bowl of toddy for each such neglect." However, this committee did effective service in vigil- ance, safety measures for Schenectady and the enlistment of soldiers for the war. The following history of this activity in part is from the "American Historian." At a meeting of the "freeholders and inhabitants of the township of Schenectady," held May 6, 1775, ten men were chosen to be a "committee of correspondence, safety, and protection." Christopher Yates being elected chairman, and Hugh Mitchell, clerk. The meetings were held at the house of William White on Church street. The other members of this committee were Rynier Mynderse, Henry Glen, Harmanus Wendell, Abraham Oothout, John Rossboom, Cornelius Cuyler, Jacobus Teller and James Wilson. The first meeting was held in Albany on the seventh. A new committee was selected in the same manner about every six months. In important matters advice was asked of and reports were constantly made to the committee at Albany, which was the head of the county of which Schenectady was then a part. Through the Mohawk Valley and in the town were some sympa- thizers with the King and at the first general meeting one man "harangued and discouraged the people in the street from choosing a committee." On information from the Albany committee that Daniel Campbell had a quantity of gunpowder stored at Schenectady, the committee at once bought the powder, "foreseeing the evil consequences 130 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN that may attend it falling into the hands of our enemys." Two men were authorized to take charge of the powder and sell it at a certain rate per pound but not to any person outside the township without an order from a member of the committee. Advertisements were ordered put up in the most public places desiring all inhabitants of the township to meet in Schenectady on Saturday, the 27th, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon to inform the committee how well they were provided with arms and ammunition. At this meeting they raised three companies of minute men for the safety of the township, "two companies in the town and one in the Westina." About 60 men formed a com- pany and these were "to spend a few hours every week in learning the military exercise." The committee at Albany sent a request for a company of fifty men and offi- cers "for the Continental service" to go to Ticonderoga. Cornelius Van Dyck was appointed captain and the com- pany was at once recruited, its members to be paid in "lawful money of New England." Every officer and soldier serving in the companies of the township had to sign "the association recommended by the Honorable, the Continental Congress." The members of Captain Van Dyck's company were boarded in the town at the expense of the committee, reinbursement for this and other charges being made by the committee at Albany. Word came from Albany on June 9th, 1775, that Captain Van Dyck's comjiany would not be needed soon, and the men were dis- charged with instructions "to spend two days in the week in learning the military exercise." James Wilson and Harmanus Wendell were appointed as sub-committee to appear before the board at Albany and "lay a list of the officers appointed for the five companies of minute men and militia before the board and apply for their commis- JCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 131 sions. These officers were Jellis Fonda, first captain, John Mynderse, John Van Patten, Abraham Wemple and Thomas Wasson, also captains in the order named. This was in response from the Provincial Congress asking that field officers be recommended. The committee recom- mended Abraham Wemple for Colonel, Jacob Schermer- horn, Lieutenant Colonel, Abraham Swits, first Major, Nicholas Veeder, second Major, Agron Van Patten, adjut- ant, and John Peek, quartermaster. Van Dyck afterward became Colonel of the First New York Continental regi- ment. The Committee "Resolved, that orders be immediately sent to Captain John Van Patten to place guards at William De Graff's, Tunis Swart 's, and Lewis Peek's to prevent any unfriendly persons or letters from passing upwards." This expression "upwards" was the Mohawk Valley and the person in mind was Col. Guy Johnson, of Johnstown, who was in sympathy with the British. To indicate the efficiency of the committee of safety and protection the following are further examples of its alertness. Information having come to the committee that "a quantity of musket balls, the property of govern- ment," was stored in the house of Margaret Van Antwerp, "at the Westina," a man was sent to seize and hold these until they could be disposed of. Also word was sent by Christopher Yates, chairman of the committee of Tryon Co., that some six hundred men had assembled to arrest Alexander White, sheriff of the county, for certain mis- demeanors and that he had fled to the house of Sir John Johnson now put in a state of defense. The committee was asked to aid with two field pieces and some ammuni- tion, but not having field pieces or ammunition to spare, the matter was referred to the committee at Albany. 132 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN White made his escape from Johnstown and was supposed to have fled to Canada, and notice of this was immediately sent to Gen. Schuyler that his scouting parties might keep a lookout for White to intercept letters of consequence he was believed to carry. On July the 13th orders arrived from Gen. Schuyler to Capt. Van Dyck to start at once with his company for Lake George. The men on being drawn up and informed that they must start under the command of a lieutenant, as Capt. Van Dyck was absent recruiting, refused to go until their captain returned. A report had to be sent to Gen. Schuyler explaining the delay. A supply of "fifty weight of balls" and necessaries was ordered for the use of this company. One night during this time some disaffected person put tar and feathers on the front doors of the homes of several members of the committee, and this outrage was made the subject of an investigation. It being then the custom of the inhabi- tants of the town to fire guns on New Year's Day, an unnecessary waste of powder "which ought particularly to be prevented at this time," the magistrates were asked and agreed to try and stop it. On Jan. 14, 1776, Capt. John Mynderse and a company of sixty minute men "set out in sleds for Albany" for service in Tryon County. W^hile as a whole there was concrete sentiment in favor of the American cause in Schenectady, there were a few dissenters, or traitors, as they were called. Along with this there appears to have been little respect for local authority, unless backed by arms, for the magistrates applied to the committee and were assured of protection in the performance of their duties. At the request of Major-Gen. Philip Schuyler a number of carpenters were engaged at Schenectady and a company of bateaumen was recruited for service on Lakes George and Champlain. SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 133 Trouble was feared "from a number of strangers being in town from different places" and the magistrates on Jan. 14, 1776, ordered the town to be guarded by a double watch. Among the men summoned from time to time to answer as to their loyalty was one Joseph Kingley, who told the committee he "differed with us in sentiments in regard to the present dispute between Great Britain and the colon- ies." He was ordered sent on Feb. 7th to Albany under escort of two men "to be confined in the prison prepared for offenders against the American cause," until trial by the general committee for his offense, "which consists in high aspersions on the friends to liberty." A regiment of Continental soldiers was quartered in Schenectady during the fall and winter of 1777. It seems to have been the custom to send regiments not needed for immediate service to different places for the winter, thus often avoiding short food supplies. While in Schenectady, however, this regiment acted as a protection to the town and a defense to the frontier against parties of Torries and Indians. The following spring the regiment was called away for the approaching campaign. This committee of safety evidently was called upon to act as a court of Equity and Justice besides the serious function of devising ways and means for both protection and aid to the cause. The following instances indicate again some of the perplexing matters that arose for adjudication. For instance, "Peter Hagadorn complained to this board that Mrs. Moyston had sold him a pound of tea for $25 and afterwards came to the house of Reuben Simonds, and by force, took the tea back again from said Hagadorn, and returned him the money. 134 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Resolved, thereupon, that Mrs. Moyston be sent for, and she being present acknowledged the above charge; there- upon, Resolved, that said Mrs. Moyston do deliver to the said Hagadorn the pound of tea, he paying $14 for the same; also, pay to the chairman of this committee the sum of $11 as a fine for extorting the said sum of $11." Also, "Maria Hagadorn appeared before this board and complained that Mrs. Robbison had sold her a pound of "West India brown sugar" for the sum of 32 shillings; thereupon, Resolved, that said Mr. John Robbison be sent for, he being present said he did not know anything about it; but would ask his wife. He returned and said Mrs. Robbison acknowledged that she had sold a pound of sugar for $4.00, but did not know sugar was regulated; there- upon, Resolved, that said Robbison pay to the said Maria, 10 shillings back which was extorted from her, and also pay the sum of $5 to the chairman of this board as a fine. Simon Jacse Vrooman appeared before this board and complained that ISIr. Caleb Beck had sold two sticks of mohair for $6, which he looked upon as extortion; there- fore, Resolved, that Mr. Beck be sent for, he appearing acknowledged the same, thereupon. Resolved, that said Beck do return $3 to said Simon, which in the opinion of this committee, was extorted." FIRST INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION, 1778 In the midst of the strife and battle for independence the citizens of Schenectady in 1778 joined with the spirit of freedom in the celebration of the Declaration of Indepen- SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 13.5 dence. It was the first one in the village if not the first in the Province. The following account of it in part is from "The American Historian," 1872: "The anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was celebrated from the first in military cami)s, the custom being gradually introduced into cities and villages. The first celebration in Schenectady was in 1778,and there being no cannon in the town, recourse was had to an old one that had belonged to Gen. Bradstreet's army during the French war, and which having been condemned was abandoned by that officer on the occasion of his expedition to Oswego, on the Glenville flats not far from the Mohawk bridge. There it had lain observed by passers by for twenty years and had become partly buried by the deposits of repeated freshets. The piece was dug up, drawn on a stone boat to the corner of State and Washington streets, and mounted on a pile of logs. A soldier named Lindsey was assigned the duty of firing it off, and the gun being loaded just before sundown for a final salute and a cartridge box placed over the muzzle to increase the noise, the explosion blew it to pieces and Lindsey was killed." At the close of the war of the Revolution General Washington made a second visit to Schenectady. This was on the 30th of June, 1782. He was in Albany and on invitation of the citizens he, in company with Gen. Schuyler, rode to Schenectady in a carriage. A notable entertainment was given at Robert Clinch's hotel, many of the prominent citizens of Schenectady being present, among them Col. Abraham Wemple, and Col. Frederick Vischer. In reply to an address of welcome Gen. Washing- ton wrote : 136 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "To the Magistrates and Military OflSces of the Township of Schenectady:" "Gentlemen: "I request you to accept my warmest thanks for your affectionate address. In a cause so just and righteous as ours, we have every reason to hope the Divine Providence will still continue to crown our arms with success, and finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace, upon equitable terms we so ardently desire. "May you, and the good people of this town, in the meantime be protected from every insidious and open foe; and may the complete blessings of peace soon reward your arduous struggle for the establishment of the freedom and independence of our common country. George Washington." Schenectady, June 30th, 1782." Gen. Washington paid a third visit to Schenectady in 1786 while on a tour of the country. When the news of Gen. Washington's death was received in Schenectady on December 24, 1799, the church bells were tolled two hours, and the mayor and the aldermen of the city donned mourning for thirty days. THE WAR OF 1812 The period between 1782 and 1812 was one of compara- tive repose, so far as actual warfare was concerned. While there was much exultation at the outcome of the struggle, there was as strong a desire for peace and the return to industry and the upbuilding of the disenthralled country. The war of 1812, however, found Schenectady active again in support of the issue. Gen. Holland who had been a major under Gen. Scott, at once raised a company in ELIPHALET NOTT, LL.D. President of Union College, 1804-1866 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 137 Schenectady to serve in this conflict. There were many- other citizens who enHsted and joined regiments going from other sections. About 1815 a company of heavy artillery was recruited in the village with John Benson as its first captain. Soon after this a rifle company was formed of which Henry Miller was the first captain and Andrew F. Barhydt, lieutenant. In 1820 a company, which on account of the color of their uniforms was called the Grays, was organized. Simon Glen was the first captain and after him Jesse M. Van Dyck and Abraham Clems were captains. The three companies named were still in existence after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. These companies were followed by the organization of a Cavalry company in 1825 under the captaincy of Joseph Consaul. In the early thirties a company known as the Governor's Guard was formed in the city. A. Briggs was the first captain, and subsequently Judge Piatt Potter arrived as captain of the company. Soon after 1830, under the State Military law all com- panies in Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton Counties were merged in a brigade called the Fourteenth. This brigade comprised three regiments, as follows, the 26th, 57th and 188th, the Schenectady company forming a part of the 26th. Ten years later this was reorganized and became the 17th, still composed of three regiments. Some time between 1840 and 1850 an Artillery Com- pany was formed in the city having in the body many of the first citizens who were active and influential in making it a superior organization. John Robinson and Benjamin Paths were at different times captains of the company. John B. Clute and James Hannah also were officers of the 138 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN company. The drill place was old Madison hall on Union Street. A Company called the Continentals was formed in 1855 and John B. Clute was the first captain. He was suc- ceeded by Stephen Truax and Isaac Riggles was the last captain of the Company. It disbanded in 1861. THE CIVIL WAR The war of the Rebellion was another call to arms and also a call for troops, and Schenectady at once took active steps to meet the call. The old companies soon ceased to exist in the excitement attending the appeal for real soldiers. Both the city and the county rallied valiantly to the defense of the cause again. The first company formed in Schenectady at this time was the Second Zouaves, which later became Company A, 18th Regiment New York Volunteers. The company was organized by William Seward Gridley who was its first captain and conmianded it at the first battle at Bull Run. Daniel Doty was the First Lieutenant and Edward W. Groot the ensign. The company reported for duty on the 21st of April, 1861, and was mustered into the service on the 18th of June, going directly to Washington. In Octo- ber, 1862, Captain Gridley was advanced to the rank of major and at the close of the war was bre vetted colonel. The second company recruited in 1861 was that by Stephen Truax who went out as its captain. William Horsford was the first lieutenant and John Vedder ensign. This company also became Company E a part of the 18th Regiment. In December of the same year Truax was succeeded as captain by Lieut. Horsford who was killed at the battle of Crampton Gap, at which time John Vedder became captain. The 18th regiment was one of the first SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 139 in active service and participated in the first battle. William Jackson, son of Prof. Jackson of Union College, was colonel of the 18th regiment until his death. The third company was raised in June, 1861, by Barent M. Van Voast as captain. The First Lieutenant was Mance V, Smith and Ensign Edward Van Voast. It went out as Company C. The fourth company from Schenectady was Company G., Allen H. Jackson, Captain, George W. Shafer First Lieutenant, and William Harty, Second Lieutenant. The Company joined the 91st regiment. Company B was organized by David H. Hamlin in 18(52. There were 102 men in the company Hamlin being the captain. This was followed the same year by Company F. Gilbert S. Kennedy, Captain, George A. Turnbull, First Lieutenant, and Clinton C. Brown, Second Lieutenant. Company H was formed by Judge Austin A. Yates in September, 1862. Judge Yates went out as Captain, Gerardus Conley, First Lieutenant, and INIarcus A. Her- rick. Second Lieutenant. These latter companies became a part of the 134th Regiment and saw much hard fighting. The 83d Regiment consisting of ten companies was formed in April, 1863, for home protection was composed wholly of men from Schenectady and the county. James Fuller was the Colonel, Robert Furman, Lieutenant Colonel, John L. Barhydt, Major, Vedder V. Van Patten, Adjutant, L. Lodge, Quartermaster. The regiment dis- banded in January, 1874. The 133d and the 192d regiments went from Schenec- tady in 1865, but whether these regiments saw actual service at the front is not known. After the close of the Civil War a company composed entirely of Army and Navy Volunteers was formed in the 140 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN city and known as the Soldiers and Sailors Union. Major Ralph Van Brunt was the commander. Later the organi- zation became the Schenectady Zouave Cadets. Van Brunt was the first captain of the latter company, being succeeded finally by Judge Austin A. Yates. The organi- zation sometime later became the Horsford Post No. 14, subsequently the Edwin Forest Post and later still assumed the original name of Horsford Post. From the middle to the close of the eighteenth century there were many men of high type and strong character settled in Schenectady. They were merchants, profes- sional men, and others who held conspicuous places in the affairs of state and nation. Samuel Fuller, who located in the village about 1758, probably did as much as an architect to build up and add grace and character to the style of buildings, for a half century, as any who succeeded him. He was a native of Massachusetts where he had received training for his work. He planned St. George's church erected in 1760 in the village; he also built the home for Daniel Campbell at the corner of State street and Washington avenue. The John Duncan mansion or Hermitage in Niskayuna was also a part of his work, and also the home of Col. Guy Johnson at Johnstown, together with the Court House at the same place. Besides, he drew the plans for the John Glen house on Washington avenue the Ten Eyck house. In his period of activity he was a leader and a man of exceed- ing great value to the community. John Duncan was another one of this group. He was a Scotchman and a loyal English subject when the war for independence came on. He, however, maintained neutral ground during the struggle and, therefore, was not harassed or disturbed by the colonial authorities. He was the first SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 141 recorder chosen under the city charter in 1798. Duncan was a merchant of recognized abihty, a progressive and successful business man. Duncan & Phynn had large warehouses in Schenectady with branch houses in London, Montreal and Detroit. They were wholesalers and impor- ters with trade relations in any section of the then settled country. Duncan died at his country mansion on May 6, 1791. Daniel Campbell located in the village in 1754. He also was a Scotchman, keen and aggressive. He became a merchant and an Indian trader and carried on a large business. By his enterprise and ability he accumulated a fortune, measured by the times; and during his career he contributed in all ways to the advancement and upbuilding of Schenectady. In 1771 Mr. Campbell was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas and served with dignity and ability. He died in 1802 leaving one son, David. Andrew Mitchell became a resident of the village about 1760. He engaged in the mercantile business on State street where for many years he was the leading merchant in his line. Mitchell was also an ardent supporter of liberty when the Revolutionary War came on and was one of the able and active members of the Committee of Safety. CHAPTER VIII CAPITOL GROWTH OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS URING the Revolutionary War period there was some thought given by pubUc men to the matter of selecting a seat for the State Capitol. That Schenectady was regarded by some of these men as the logical location for the same is indicated by the appended extract from a letter written by John Jay while he was a member of the Continental Congress : "There is another matter which I think deserves atten- tion; it is the seat of Government. On this subject I have bestowed much thought. The Result is, perfect and full Conviction that Schenectady is the only proper place in the State, and the sooner the Idea is adopted and carried into Execution the better. Should I have Time and opportunity before my Departure I shall transmit to you my Reflections on this Subject. Many of them will naturally occur to you. I will just hint, however, that it will not be easy to remove the Seat of Government from any Place you may appoint for the Purpose and, therefore, that great Care should be taken in the Cl^oice. My Sollici- tude for the welfare and Honor of the State prompts me to say many other things interesting to both, but I have no Leisure at present." (Quotation from a letter of John Jay to Gov. George Clinton, written from Philadelphia, Oct. 7th, 1779, "Public Papers of George Clinton," vol. 5, page 311.) The opinion has been expressed that had it not been for certain incidents, together with the influence of the keenest SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 143 politics, the capital building would have adorned the east hill in Schenectady instead of the hill in Albany. Of the early times and settlements west of Schenectady Sim's History of Schoharie County contains the following interesting statement : "The Dutch who first settled in Schoharie went from Schenectady, traveling over an Indian foot-path by way of Duanesburg through a heavy forest. For the necessaries required the first few years they came to this town as it was nearer than Albany. From Schenectady Lambert Sternberg, about 1711, carried the first wheat ever taken to Schoharie in the berry. For some time the grain was brought here to be floured, carried on the backs of both men and women who traveled in parties of fifteen or twenty for protection from wild beasts numerous in those days." About this period too, the Scotch and the Irish began to settle south and west of Schenectady. To I he south there was a considerable settlement of the former, many of whom became prominently identified with business and public affairs both in the city and county of Schenectady. EARLY MAILS AND STAGES It was not until more than a hundred years after the founding of Schenectady that mail was received with any degree of regularity or system. The mail in the early years came mostly from the New York direction and during the first hundred years it was brought by horseback-rider in summer, and in winter the highway of travel for the mail carrier was on the ice of the Hudson River. The first regular mail received at Schenectady was on April 3, 1763. The Legislature in 1785 by enactment granted to Isaac 144 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Wyck, Talmage Hall and John Kinney the exclusive right to establish, maintain and operate a stage line or stage wagons between Albany and New York on the east side of the Hudson river. This grant covered a period of ten years, with the stipulation that each wagon be covered and be drawn by four horses, and make the trip once a week. The first stage made the trip in June, 1785. The passenger fare was four pence a mile. In 1804 the time was reduced to three days and the single trip fare fixed at $8.00. When the steamboats began running between New York and Albany in 1807 the stage lines were out of business during the season for navigation. The stages made more frequent trips still in summer between this time and the coming of the steam railroad. Details of this have been set forth on previous pages. After the close of the war for Independence all lines of trade and commerce were greatly stimulated. The sinews of Schenectady's business were the shipping and its wholesale establishments. It was not uncommon to see fifty or more cargo-laden boats go in and out of the Binne Kil in a day. Schenectady grew rapidly and substantially during these years. SCHOOLS — EARLY AND LATE The history of the schools, like that of the churches, constitutes an interesting chapter in the story of a town's building and being. During Schenectady's long history there have been many schools of many types and different character. In many instances only the most meager record of them is obtainable, while in still other cases merely a mention of them can be made for the same reason. THE OLD ACADEMY BUILDING Union College in 1795 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 145 Domine Tassemaker, first pastor of the Dutch Church, who was killed in the massacre of February, 1690, had a school in connection with his church, sometime between 1682 and 1690. If this be true, undoubtedly it was the first school to be started in Schenectady. The next record of a school in the village relates to the one conducted by the Rev. Thomas Barclay in 1710. The authenticity of this is vouched for by a statement by him in a letter to his church authorities. Although an Episco- palian clergyman, the Rev. Barclay officiated for about two years at the Dutch Reformed Church, and it was dur- ing this time that he ran the school. It continued about two years, or during Rev. Barclay's residence in the village. The Rev. Alexander Miller who was pastor of the First Presbyterian church from 1770 to 1781, opened a school in connection with his pastoral work which, it is said, met with marked success even up through the Revolutionary War period. During a part of this time Rev. Miller had several associates in the conduct of the school, some of whom later became teachers and citizens of note. About this time, or in 1771, the Rev. William Andrews Lhen pastor of St. George's Church, opened a school which he conducted two years. As to whether the school con- tinued after 1773 there is no record. In 1773 John Lambert ran a private school on Church street in a house then owned by a Mr. Tannahill. Its period of existence, however, is not known. THE SCHENECTADY ACADEMY Soon after the close of the independence war the Rev. Dirck Romeyn became pastor of the First Dutch Church. He was a man of ability, a believer in education, and it was due to his efforts and influence that the Schenectady 146 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Academy was established in 1785. He enlisted the sym- pathy and support of the Consistory of the Dutch Church in the project to the end that on the 21st day of February of that year he, with the assistance of the church, resolved to go forward with the erection of an academy building. The building was begun early that spring at the corner of Union and Ferry streets. It consisted of a two story building with four rooms, two on each floor. In view of the considerable cost of the building it was voted that a yearly tuition fee of four shillings be charged each pupil attending the school. The citizens entered into the matter and agreed to equip the school and establish a school library. In the meanwhile the consistory of the church was urging upon the magistrates of the village the demand for improve- ment of the common schools, which seems to have gone unacted upon. At any rate the academy was completed and opened auspiciously. On iVpril 7, when the academy building was well along in the process of construction a meeting of the consistory and townspeople was held to formulate and sign an agreement relating to the equipment and management of the school. Domine Romeyn pre- sided at this meeting. The board of trustees as chosen comprised twenty-seven men. In 1788 the consistory of the church transferred to the board of trustees of the school their interest and the power to continue and manage the academy. This association consisted of the following citizens: Cornelise Van Slyck, Andries Van Patten, Joseph C. Yates, Cornelius Vrooman, S. A. Bratt, Isaac Quackenboss, Abraham Swits, G. A. Lansing, Daniel Campbell, Claas Vander Bogen, Peter Van Guyseling, Christopher Yates, Henry Glen, Abraham Oothout, John Richardson, Robert SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 147 Moyston, William Van Ingen, John Glen, Abraham Fonda, Harmanus Bradt, R. Mynderse, William Mead, Cornelis Van Dyke, Isaac Vrooman, Nicholas Veeder and Rev. Dirk Romeyn. They chose from this number a board of trustees of which Rev. Romeyn was president. Van Ingen, secretary, and Oothout, treasurer. The school at once became a strong and influential factor in the educational advancement of the community. It had a capable corps of teachers and was well patronized during the succeeding years. Caleb Beck, a talented young man was for some time the principal. Meanwhile, some movement had been made toward the founding of a college in Schenectady and in 1795 Union College was chartered. Its trustees were seeking quarters for the opening of the institution; therefore, in September, 1796, they purchased the academy property, the trustees of the academy applying the proceeds of the sale toward the erection of another school. After the beginning of 1800 there were a multiplicity of schools of various grades and kinds, most of which were private schools, or schools that relied upon a tuition charge wholly for their maintenance, the Schenectady Lancaster school being an exception, as this received state aid. The information obtainable concerning many of the schools in this period is also vague and incomplete thus rendering a detailed account of them impossible at this date. In 1800 Mrs. Van Orden taught a private school on the second floor of a building at the corner of State street and Washington avenue. There is no record as to its life or its degree of success. About this time or soon thereafter a Mr. Ganley con- ducted a school in an old building a little distance off State 148 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN street, or in the rear of a building standing on the south side of State street. In 1805 Mr. Shumway opened a select school at the corner of Ferry and Front streets. It ran some time, how long it is not known. The Schenectady Female Academy in 1807 was located in a building on Church street where afterwards the Masonic Temple was built. This was a school of consider- able scope and prestige. It seems to have had quite a teaching force with a creditable student body. E. D. Cuyler and a Mr. Malcolm, a French teacher, were engaged there. As to the date of its going out there is no informa- tion. The Dutch Reformed Church, in 1812, made an effort toward establishing a school for colored children. The church subscribed money for its maintenance. The school was started under a teacher chosen for the work but had a short life, it seems. THE LANCASTER SCHOOL Of these early day educational institutions the Lancaster school probably was as noteworthy in many respects as any of the many different schools. It was chartered in 1816 and received public money which was a distinction at that time. The school was governed by a board of thir- teen trustees, the first board being composed of the follow- ing Schenectady citizens: Maus Schermerhorn, Henry Yates, Jr., Cyrus Stebbins, Jacob Van Vechten, Hooper Cummings, Isaac Riggs, Elisha Taylor, Eliphalet Nott, James Bailey, David Boyd, Abraham Groot, Charles Kane and Jacob C. Duane. The organization was effected November 20, 1816, and in February following the board decided to erect a suitable SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 149 school building on College street a short distance from Union, adjoining the old Union school building. The school opened on the 24th of June, 1818, the tuition fee being one dollar for each quarter. Nicholas Van Vranken was the first principal. The school was successful from the start. A new and novel system of instruction was the vogue, which met with much favor. Pupils were classed in groups, boys and girls, some of the higher grade pupils acting as instructors for the lower grades. In 1824 the tuition was reduced to twenty-five cents a quarter and a certain class of poor students up to forty years of age were admitted free. There were several capable teachers employed in the school. Ezekiel Sexton was the last principal under the original regime. In 1833 the school property was sold to Dr. Nott and became an adjunct of Union College. The trustees at once purchased another lot on College street and erected another building, and James Slater became the new principal in 1834. In 1837 a fund of $2500 was set saide for the maintenance of a department for colored children. In April, 1839, the Lancasterian system of teaching in part was dropped and other methods adopted. In 1839 by legislative enactment a district library was ordered to be placed in the school to be piad for from public money. A department of music was also added and a lady teacher engaged to assist in the instruc- tion. Mr. William D. Cockran and Miss Stiles became teachers in 1840. The Ferry street school, under supervision of the Lan- caster school, had one teacher at this time, Martin C. Hall, and the Liberty street school was in charge of Harvey Moore. The school library was then in the rooms of the Yoimg Men's Christian Association, Alexander Cameron 150 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN being the librarian. In 1841 the school had a teaching force composed of James Slater, Martin C. Hall, the Misses Ritchie, Miss Thurston and Miss Stiles. Myndert Veeder also became a teacher at the Liberty street school this year. The Lancaster school was an efficient educational institution and a factor in the advancement of education. After a successful career of fifty years it gave way to the organization of the public schools of the city in 1854. THE SCHENECTADY LYCEUM The Schenectady Lyceum was established as early as 1835, in a building erected for the purpose at the corner of Union and Yates streets. It was a three story octagon building with seats around the outer sides and a desk for the principal in the center. Herbert M. and J. H. Brown taught the school from the opening until 1842, when they were succeeded by Gibs Manwaring and Cyrus Smith. In 1843 David H. Cruttenden and William Kelly took charge. After them came William L. Aiken, Jacob Aiken and Ephraim Aiken. As near as is kno^\Ti the school continued with a fair degree of success until about 1855. Among the pupils of the school were President Chester A. Arthur whose father was then a clergyman in the city. In 1838 there was a school in the basement of the old Baptist Church on Maiden Lane, now Center street. It was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Gillette, pastor of the church, with Myndert Veeder as instructor. It continued there several years. SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 151 SCHENECTADY INSTITUTE In 1848 a building was erected in the rear of 13 Franklin street where the Schenectady Institute was established. This was a school for military discipline and preparatory for college. Its students were called Schenectady Cadets, and were composed of the children of the leading families of the city. A catalogue of the school was published for several years. The school was in charge of Isaac W. Dim- ham. It was a popular institution, enjoying a good measure of prosperity, but went out soon after the estab- lishment of the public schools. About 1842 or 1843 there was a Young Ladies' Seminary on Liberty street, conducted by Miss O'Brien. A Miss Burt was associated with her for a time. The latter sub- sequently became principal of the Washington avenue Female Seminary. iNIiss Thurston, who taught in the Lancaster School, also had a select school on State street during these years. J. B. Clute, another teacher in the Lancaster School, had a boys school for a period of time between 1840 and 1850. Miss Winnie conducted a select school for both boys and girls from 1855 to 1860. It was located on Front street and is said to have been a very efficient school in the teach- ing of the primary branches. THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM The establishment of the Union free school system in 1854 hastened the closing of the multiplicity of private or tuition schools of all classes in the city. The legislative enactment under which the Schenectady school system became operative was passed in April, 1854, and the organization was effected that year. 152 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN The first board of trustees, or commissioners, chosen was composed of the following named citizens: Alonzo C. Page, Nicholas Van Vranken, D. M. Moore, William M. Duane, Charles Chequer, Hiram Champion, D. M. Chadse and the Rev. I. G. Duryee. Van Vranken was chosen president of the board and Chadse, secretary. The city bought back from Union College the building situated at the corner of Union and College streets, and established there the free school system. Although it was a large building the space available at the time of opening was inadequate to house the pupils. Therefore, steps had to be taken at once to provide more room. The first year there were five teachers employed, while in 1856 there was a teaching force of seventeen besides the superintendent, or principal. Samuel B. Howe became the first superin- tendent of schools and continued until 1905, a most unusual record of service. He was succeeded by John T. Freeman, who remained three years, or until 1908. This year the present Superintendent, A. R. Brubacher, Ph.D., assumed these duties. The High School was established in 1857, with S. B. Howe as principal. In many instances during the early years of free schools the principal of the higher department acted also as the superintendent. The upper floor of the Union School building was occu- pied by the High School, and the lower floors for the grades. The system at the beginning comprised two schools, the second located elsewhere in the city. In 1859 a new and handsome Union School building was erected on the same site, and in 1872 the High School was taken from the main building and located at the corner of Union and Church streets, in the building now occupied by the Mohawk Club. The city purchased the property and BIRDSEVE VIEW Ul- IHK cENtkAL ELECTRIC COMPANY S PI i.jt:ia(fc' 91 THE LARGEST INDUSTRY OF THE KIND IN THE WORLD SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 153 established there the Union Classical Institute, or the High School of the city. It appears that a part of the high school work, meanwhile, was done in the Union School building and a part at the Classical Institute. Charles S. Halsey was cho.sen principal of the Institute at its opening and served until 1896. He was succeeded by Arthur B. Marvin who served until 1905. A. R. Brubacher, the present superintendent, then became principal and con- tinued in this capacity until made superintendent m 1908. Dr. Brubacher was succeeded by E. R. Whitney who is now the principal of the High School. The number of schools in 1854, as stated above, was two, while in 1914 there are twenty-two, a growth of eleven hundred per cent. During the past decade the increase in schools, pupils, and the development along new and advanced lines have been much beyond the ordinary. In 1908 there were 693 students in the High School, and in 1914 the number reached 1319. A new High School building was erected on Nott Terrace in 1903 at which time the Union Classical Institute ceased to exist as the High School of the city. It was soon demonstrated, however, that the new and handsome high school building was entirely insufficient to accommodate the increasing student body, and in order to meet the demand for more room an adjunct, or second high school building, was erected in 1912 on the north side of the original building. They are both spacious, modern school buildings with the most modern equipment for efficient work. During this period of marvelous gro^\i;h the scope of instruction also has been greatly broadened and many new courses along domestic and vocational lines have been added. These comprise foundry practice, pattern making, 154 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN domestic science, domestic art, the crafts, art modeling work, together with an advanced course in electricity, Schenectady's pubHc school system now ranks among the first in the state. UNION COLLEGE Union College was essentially a pioneer institution. Its establishment in Schenectady in 1795 was the planting of a college close to the frontier and at the same time the marking of a new western limit to the field for work in higher education. This design came into life soon after the new nation was born and the people in the region chosen for the seat of learning were not specially forehanded. They had lived many years on the fighting line and in consequence had suffered great loss of property and also much of the natural increment from their industry. Yet, measured by the conditions, they gave willing and generous aid to the founding of the college. When the Schenectady Academy was brought into existence in 1785 it foreshadowed the coming college. The Rev. Dirck Romeyn, the moving spirit in the academy enterprise apparently had the college in mind and the consistory of the Dutch church, the chief factor in the academy undertaking, plainly had given it thought, for when the coming of the college became a certainty they gave ready assent to the conveyance of the academy property to the board of trustees of the new institution. Union College was chartered by the Regents of the State of New York in the fall of 1795, being the first to be char- tered by that official body, and the second college to be established in the State. The promoters and early bene- factors of the college were people of different creeds and faiths in religion, and therefore planned an institution on SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 155 broad lines, the first clause written in its constitution being that of non-sectarianism in its government. As an earnest of their intentions in this matter the name "Union College" was suggested and adopted at the time of its founding, and the college ever since has lived consistently to its adapted creed. Union College opened in December, 1795, in the old academy building at the corner of Union and Ferry streets. The Re^^ John Blair Smith had been chosen as its first president, and he, together with one tutor, constituted the faculty, while the student body comprised nine young men. This faculty of two men taught "Greek, Latin, Roman Antiquities, Roman History, mathematics, geography, mensuration, natural philosoph3% English criticism, elo- quence, the history of America and the American Revolu- tion, the constitution of the United States and the different states, logic, moral philosophy, and metaphysics." For a faculty of two to give instruction in all these subjects cer- tainly required no small degree of ability and versatility. The second year there were thirty-seven students enrolled and the first graduating class in 1797 comprised three men. During the following two or three years, however, the college was greatly strengthened by increased funds, new apparatus and an added number of students. Plans were then developed for the erection of a new and larger college building. This soon took form in 1792 at the corner of Union and College streets and was afterwards knowm as West College. The Rev. Dr. Smith retired from the presidency in 1799 and was succeeded by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the Younger, a man of prime ability and high ideals both as to life and standards of scholarship. His career was short, unfortunately, for he died in 1801, though not without 156 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN leaving the stamp of his high character on the institution. The next year the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy assumed the duties as president and remained two years. During this time the West College was practically completed and ready for occupancy. It was a handsome stone structure of considerable dimensions and three stories high. Union's horizon broadened and her place in the educa- tional world became assured, however, when Dr. Eliphalet Nott cast his fortune with it as president in 1804. He was a maker and builder and a potent force in both education and civic life. He was to Union what President Hopkins was to Williams College, except that, in differentiation, Dr. Nott possessed marked executive and constructive ability, combined with the power of oratory and inj3uence in both social and public affairs. He was also a financier and made his ability along this line count effectively in securing funds and in the building up and extending the scope and effi- ciency of the college work. He strengthened all the departments and added new ones from year to year. As early as 1828 he established the course in science and in 1845 the department of engineering. Few colleges had this latter course in their curriculum in those days. Union, therefore, early took a foremost place in higher education. Soon after 1800 the college came into possession of that vast tract of land lying eastward on Union street and extending northward to the Mohawk river, and on this site Dr. Nott began the building of the permanent home of the college. The location is an ideal one for a great college. Its elevation is ample for perfect sanitation without wearisome effort in approaching it, while the contour of the land comprising the great campus is one of picturesque beauty. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 157 Between 1812 and 1820 North and South Colleges were erected on the new grounds and at that time they were regarded as marvels in college buildings. They are sub- stantial structures today of much grace and classic beauty. Dr. Nott, besides his other attainments, had ideas of architecture which he worked out with much skill and effectiveness. Prof. Isaac W. Jackson was his co-laborer along this line and contributed in innumerable ways to the building and embellishment of the grounds. Besides Dr. Jackson, Union College students lived in the atmosphere created by such educators as Pierre Gregarie Renaud, Frederick R. Hassler, Francis Wayland, Alonzo C. Potter, John Austin Yates, Pierre Alexis Proal, William Gillespie and Taylor Lewis, the latter one of the noted men in the world of thought and education. Under the educational and uplifting influence of these men and others of the same type Union turned out strong men; and when Dr. Nott died in 1866, after a master service of sixty-two years, he left an established institution with a name and fame that were nation wide. Dr. Nott was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Laurens Perseus Hickok, whose term of office covered the short period of two years. He was followed by the Hon. Ira Harris, who served but one year. The Rev. Dr. Charles Augustus Aiken then served as president until 1871. Dr. Eliphalet Nott Potter, grandson of Dr. Nott, assumed the presidency in 1871. While he was not the potential figure that his grandfather was, he did much toward the building up of the college. Several new build- ings were erected during his administration, and through his efforts also the funds and endowments of the college were considerably increased. Dr. Potter resigned in 1884 to accept the presidency of Hobart College. From this 158 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN date until 1888 the Hon. Judson S. Landon was the acting president of the college. Dr. Harrison E. Webster was elected president in 1888 and served with ability until 1894. At this date the Rev. Dr. Andrew Van Vranken Ray- mond was chosen to take up the duties of president. Dr. Raymond was a man of admitted ability, a polished gen- tleman, and an eloquent speaker, a man of culture and literary talent of a high order. During his administration several new scholarships were established, the department of electrical engineering was added, the electrical labora- tory built and the Nott Memorial Hall reconstructed. Under him also the engineermg building was planned and begun, and Stillman Hall, the home of the College Chris- tian Association was erected. It was during his term of office too, that the Carnegie gift was secured to the college. In all these different ways Dr. Raymond rendered valuable service to Union. He, however, resigned in 1907 to return to pastoral labors. Dr. Charles Alexander Richmond succeeded president Raymond in 1909 and with his assumption of the executive management another era of prosperity and advancement was assured to the college. He possesses not alone execu- tive ability, but a broad conception of education and scholarship. He possesses also the quality that makes for harmony among all the interested bodies, and this, coupled with the spirit of progress and upbuilding, is now giving added strength and prestige to the Alma Mater of many great men. Union College now offers exceptional advantages in many departments of undergraduate work. Its course in electrical engineering is not surpassed, if equalled, by any college in the United States. This has at its head Prof. C. P. Steinmetz, one of the noted electricians of the world; SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 159 moreover, it has the cooperation and support of the General Electric Company. The college offers a wide range of courses, yet with all the new and technical courses. Union has not permitted the classical department, the course leading to rounded out education, to become sub- merged in the modern stream of special or vocational edu- cation. It maintains them all with a faculty wisely selected for efficient work in the various departments. The handsome and spacious gymnasium erected in 1913, by the alumni, came through the effort and influences of the present executive. As Union University was incorporated in 187'J, it has the College of Law, the College of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy and the Dudley Observatory, these being located in Albany. CHAPTER IX FIRE DEPARTMENT THE MUNICIPALITY ^^^^^INCIENT Schenectady, in so far as record indicates, had very few serious fires, barring that one great conflagration of sad memory which occurred on the night of February 8th, 1690. In the early days, however, every able-bodied man was a volunteer fireman, or if not so by his own volition and interest, he was a fireman by compulsion. Prior to the grant of the borough charter the citizens fought whatever fires that occurred without order or organization, but upon becoming a corporate community with power vested in the justices of the peace and the other borough officers there was some movement, desultory or otherwise, toward system or organization. This, too, was the foundation of the present modern fire department. The first law governing this service was passed in 1788. This borough ordinance empowered the justices of the peace to select twenty men to serve as firemen, the justices meanwhile to have full control and supervision of the drafted fire department. The efficiency of this was w orked out in the usual early day bucket system, the rules and regulations prescribing the number of such buckets to be used and where they should be deposited for ready availability in case of fire. In 1797 the first definite steps toward effective fire fighting apparatus was taken when the trustees re- solved to buy two fire engines. A communication was sent to Alexander Allice, London, with instruction to purchase two engines, one large and the other a small house « ■■g- "^ CI- C CO r % ^ ^ SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 161 engine. After a long delay in transit these crude pieces of mechanism arrived and constituted the main part of the fire equipment. They were hand engines, the water where- with to supply them having to be carried in hand buckets and poured into the tank of the engine, from which it was forced out by the hand lever. About this time two fire companies were organized which were composed of many of the leading citizens of the time in the village. A year later, when Schenectady became a city, further steps were taken to increase and better equip the tlepartment. It was a city law too that the mayor and aldermen attend all fires and assume j)er- sonal supervision and management of the department while on duty. In May, 1798, an ordinance was passed appoint- ing seven men in each ward to act as inspectors of buildings and fire companies in the city. In 1799 there were two fire companies, one of which John Glen was the captain and the other was captained by John Peek. The same year a new company was formed and called the "Fire Boy Company." This was composed of twenty- one men whose duty it was to protect and safeguard property by remo\-ing as much of it as possible to places of safety in times of fire. Gilbert R. Livingston, James Murdock, David Tomlinson, Jonathan AYalton, George Leslie, William N. Lighthall, Dorsey Jones, James T. Hoyt, William J. Teller, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Dow Clute, James Anderson, Robert Wendell, Samuel Thorn, Luther Halsey, James Adair, Andrew M. Farlan, Jr., Abraham Van Ingen, Henry Yates, Jr., and William Cas- lett were members of the company. The Fire Boy Com- pany was in existence many years, rendering valuable service to the inhabitants. 162 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN An amendment to the city charter granted by the legislature in 1813 provided for a company of eighty able- bodied men, which, when organized was called the Firemen of the City of Schenectady. The first hook and ladder company was formed in 1814. It had a captain and an assistant, thus making an efficient and very well drilled body of firemen. The same year another company called the Axmen was organized and worked under the same supervision as the former company. The first real chief of the fire department was also appointed in 1814. In 1815 four new volunteer companies were organized, each having a fire engine or hose cart and each had in- dividual dress or uniforms for parade and exhibition occasions. The old "teapot" engine was also a factor in the make-up of the department. It was a small affair, little more than a tank, which four men could carry into a building for work at close range. In 1825 company No. 4 had what was called a "double deck" engine which was a vast improvement over former engines in use. The fire department of the City of Schenectady was first incorporated in 1828, and reincorporated with greater powers in 1848. To all these were added in 1836, two suction engines, two Seeley engines and a Button engine. This year, 1848, also the common council of the city passed an ordinance creating a chief of the department who should have almost plenary power in its management. Ten years later this power was again enlarged. The first steam fire engine was purchased in 1864 and three years later another was added. This was the begin- ning of the modern fire department which has continued to develop and improve with the city's growth until at present it is complete and efficient. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 163 THE CITY CHARTER By an act of the legislature passed March 26, 1798, Schenectady finally won complete independence. It then became a city, composed of four wards, the ancient limits of the village comprising two wards and Glenville and Rotterdam the other two wards. Rotterdam formed the third and Glenville the fourth. By a clause in the charter all monies derived from rents and the sale of common lands were to be divided equally between the four wards of the city, and that all the unsold woodlands within the boundries of the city were to remain in common for timber and fuel for the use of the freeholders and the inhabitants thereof; and further, that no sale of land should be effected without a two-thirds vote of the aldermen and their assistants. Under the provisions of the charter the government of the city was vested in the mayor and two aldermen and two assistant aldermen from each of the four wards. The first election was held on the first Tuesday in April, the term of office to begin on the first Tuesday in May follow- ing. The mayor was appointed by the Governor and Council of Appointment, and this continued in vogue until 1820. From this date until 1840 the mayors were ap- pointed by the common council. In 1840, however, it became an elective office and has so continued since. The first mayor was Joseph C. Yates, a man of exceptional abil- ity and the qualifications essential for the administration of the city's affairs in those times. His long service in this capacity indicates the high regard in which he was held by the citizens of the municipality. From the incorpora- tion of the city until 1861 the term of office for the mayor 164 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN was one year; at that time it was extended to two years. One of the first ordinances under the charter was to order that eight night watchmen be appointed. John Carl and Andrew Rynex were the chiefs, each having three men mider him. This was the first poHce patrol in the city. The mayor in the early years exercised extraordinary powers in municipal and civil affairs, surpassing those of a judge of the court of Common Pleas. He had the power to grant and revoke licenses, besides jurisdiction over the appointment of minor officials. Since 1820 the city charter has been many times amended to better meet the conditions of the changing municipality. The first recorder, Hermanns Peek, was appointed in 1833 and con- tinued service several years. He exercised the functions and powers of the mayor in the latter 's absence. His term of office up to 1862 was also one year, it then being extended to two years. As a part of the functions of the common council it was empowered, in 1815, to appoint as many aldermen and justices of the peace as it deemed necessary to constitute a full board of mag- istrates. A part of the duties of this board were those of relief work, looking after and aiding in the relief of the sick and the poor of the community. The first common council met in the old Schenectady Academy building which was then designated the "City Hall." It continued to meet there until 1816 when the city purchased the Union School building at the corner of Union and College streets. A part of the building was then occupied as the city hall until the completion of the new court house in 1831, and this latter was the city headquarters until the completion of the new City Hall on Jay street in 1881. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 165 By the year 1820 Schenectady proper, that is to say, the ancient section, as first estabhshed, had grown greatly in population, business and wealth. The two towns tliere- fore within the city limits had become more or less un- wieldy, whereupon the common council petitioned the legislature that they be set off as separate towns. The petition was granted and the towns of Glenville and Rotterdam were erected. From this date until 1837 Schenectady consisted of two wards only, at which time by special act of the legislature they were increased to four. Now, in 1914, there are thirteen wards in the city. Yet these thirteen wards comprise in area much less territory than that embraced in the original corporation. It then contained in its area more territory than the largest city m the world. It was twelve miles in length by eight in breadth. The First Ward embraced all that compact part of the to^\Ti lying between Union street and the Mohawk river; the Second Ward, that part lying south of Union street and extending a short distance upon the Bouwlands; the Third Ward was what is now the town of Rotterdam and the Fourth Ward that which is now the towai of Glenville. One of the very interesting periods in Schenectady's history, and of which there is but meager record, was that between 1798, the time of its becoming a city, and 1830 to 1840, It had not yet wholly shaken off its early time cus- toms, manners, habits and mode in the conduct of affairs, both social and public. The article herewith quoted, WTitten thirty days ago by a man familiar with those times, so graphically portrays the life and activities of the town during that period that it possesses singular interest and historical value. It begins with the organization and the 166 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN first putting in motion the machinery of the city govern- ment. It begins as follows: "It was a day full of portent — that 9th day of April, 1798 — when the first city council assembled in Schenec- tady. The city was in all the pride of having emancipated itself from the bonds of 'land patents.' There had been a legislative act making it a city of two wards and in the election which followed in course of law, a mayor, six aldermen and six assistant aldermen had been chosen. At this day, nearly a hundred years away, one can imagine the first assemblage of the fateful thirteen — twelve members of the council and the mayor — with the populace in the quaint dress and behavior of the time, as full of interest as those who gathered about the meeting of the Continental Congress. "The first business done was the adoption of rules for governance of the council, and nothing more apt could be imagined as a reflex of the simple habits of the people. Rule 1 required the members of the council to uncover their heads as they entered the chamber. It permitted them to 'sit, walk, stand and converse on any subject they pleased until the mayor entered and took his seat.' When that momentous event occurred, the councilmen were to sit in solemn silence excepting when addressing the chair. Rule 2 fined any member for absenting himself, the penalty ranging from twenty-five cents to three dollars — unless the delinquent could make reasonable excuse. Rules 3 and 4 provided for uninterrupted speaking, save when a division was called for, and for the entering of the division by 'yeas' and 'nays' on the minutes." The rules were suflBcient, apparently, for the needs, for in the twenty years succeeding there is no record of their change. The new council went to work resolutely and SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 167 administered affairs with vim. It organized "a night watch, or centinels;" a fire department and a market. It enacted laws governing the cutting of wood, the behavior of the "blacks" for they were slaves in those days — and was also rigorous in dealing with gamesters. It even went to the pigs and past an ordinance prohibiting them from going abroad without rings in their noses, so that they should not tear the roads uj). Public relationship evi- dently at that time needed a little governing. It was a horse that had been going its own gait and needed a liand on the rein. In the first three years of the municipal government, things had been reduced to something like order, as may be inferred from the fact that the bondsmen of an absconding constable had been required to make good his deficiencies and a night watchman, or "Centinel", had been dismissed for disorderly conduct. The official sinner had mingled with the vicious and partaken of their vice, though his specific dereliction the decorous records fail to mention. This night watch must hsixe been a curious and rather fantastic force. For each of the two wards there was a superintendent and four men. The superintendent was paid fifty cents a night and the watchmen under him thirty-seven and a half cents a night. They furnished their own candles for their lanterns and bought, out of their salary, wood for the stove in the watch house. There was a long and heated war in the council, extending over three months before the watchmen's salary was fixed — this in 1800. There were those who advocated that the pay be forty-five cents a night for the watchmen, but the watch dogs of the treasury, the municipal economists of the time, won the day and the pay remained at the meagre thirty-seven and a half cents. For a while the night 168 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN watch had no home, until a proposition was made to the city by one "Mr. Cooke, who will rent ci room in his new building, on Ferry street, for two dollars a month," so the record runs. The offer was accepted and the room in Mr. Cook's new building was the first police headquarters. The prime duty of the watch was to carry a staff five feet long, and the secondary duty to stand each hour at the street corner and call the time of the night. Their duties were mutlifarious. Among them was the capture of stray slaves, "who, being found abroad without a lan- tern, without written permission from their masters, or accompanied by some white person, shall be seized and held." The penalty was a fine of fifty cents for each stray negro, to be paid by the owner. What penalty awaited the derelict thus stranded tie law says nothing of. But the chances are that black back and sharp whip made or resumed acquaintance. The night watch had to deal with roysterers — the fellows who by some strange discord found happiness in making night hideous. They didn't depend on the moon then, as we do today, and every householder hung over his door a bright oil lamp. It was orthodox fun to steal these, or put them out, or — if the brain was heated to that point — to smash them. The night watch was cautioned to seize such demons of the night as did these sins and hold them, and when they were brought before the judge they were fined "fifty pounds." To put out the lamps was the most heinous offense known in those days — a sort of equivalent to Texas horse stealing. The pool selling of today with its little police tribula- tions was nothing to the gaming of those days. All through the pages of the doings of the municipal lawgivers there is strict denunciation of games of chance. Union SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 169 College had been established and there were students there to be corrupted; so the early councils made it punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars to entice a student to play or to permit him to gamble. A student at a billiard table seen by a "centinel" meant twenty-five dollars fine to the proprietor of the house. The student could not be fur- nished even with a glass of wine, except by the college steward, without the person so furnishing his interior being fined; and the householders could be mulcted for giving the boys a room "for festival purposes." All these things the "centinels", with their five-foot staves, were com- manded to look after. And it was possible with a view to a rigid preservation of student morality that "theatrical exhibitions, puppet shows, wire dances, feats of horseman- ship, or any such like idle shows of any sort," were pro- hibited. They were the days of "barnstorming," and hard was the lot of the actor in Schenectady when even the person who gave him shelter was brought to the bar and fined about as much as a company will pay for a hall for a night now. Sturdy piety ran in the veins of the council- men of that day. They were not long-faced fellows, either; but the substantial citizen of the day, looked at material interests and subserved them, setting everything else aside. There was a spirit of fairness abroad among them, as exemplified by their dealings with market men. "First come first served," was the motto and they carried it out to the letter. In 1801 an ordinance was passed, the market having been built, compelling every person who had a stall to keep it properly supplied with "plenty of all sorts of meat and fresh vegetables." Under no pretext, said the law of these burghers, shall any butcher wait on one person after another has begun to buy. Nor could 170 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN he pretend that a choice piece of meat which one customer wanted had been pre-empted by another. No favoritism was allowed in those days under penalty of forfeiture of license. Here and there the story is told in curt, formal manner of some conscienceless fellow who palmed off bad meat; but his suppression was sudden. The public was as well guarded as to fire as the wisdom and facilities of the period permitted. Every householder was compelled under penalty of a fine of one dollar for every bucket missing, to have a leathern pail for every fire place in the residence; and when the flames visited one house, all householders were required to repair thither and aid in extinguishing the conflagration. At fires the alder- men were in high feather. They wore white linen sashes and it cost two dollars and fifty cents to refuse to obey the orders of these gentry of the white badge. Precautionary laws were abundant. No one was allowed to smoke near shavings; no one dared carry fire uncovered from one house to another — a testimony to the utility of the future matches, as compared with the days when people borrowed raw incandescence. Fire engines then were an unknown quantity excepting by report, and when, in 1802, Schenec- tady ordered one "made on the pattern of that commanded by Captain Brown, of Albany," the town was satisfied that it had done its level best and could sink back and rest in the luxurious cushions of security. In 1801, Schenectady was poor but patriotic. The "military gentlemen," as the records have it wanted to celebrate Independence day and had no powder. Then as now, patriotism and a rumpus went hand in hand, and at a council meeting in June of that year, Colonel Jellis Fonda sent a petition for a quarter cask of powder for detonating purposes. The treasury was low and there was no momey SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 171 to appropriate for glory while the utilitarian, "pitching, leveling and paving" of streets and sidewalks was still unpaid for. The council came to the mark in the emergency and a Mr. John Hayes was assured by resolution that, if he brought the powder and turned it over to Colonel Fonda, the matter would be brought before the next general council and there was no doubt that he would be repaid. It is the first record of the city bonding itself for a debt of glory and to the credit of the good fathers be it said they passed another resolution at the August meeting authoriz- ing the treasurer to pay for the powder. There had been ringing of bells, too, and the story runs that, "it is ordered that James Lighthall be allowed eight shillings for ringing the bell on Independence day, and that the treasurer shall pay the same." Pauperism was sternly discouraged by the stout men who believed that nothing but actual disability should entitle one to relief, yet such indigent people as came upon the community for relief were promptly taken care of. Michael O'Brien, constable of the second ward, was apparently a man of influence, and many of the paupers were turned over to him, he caring for them at the rate of twentj'-five dollars a year. Each indigent person's case was taken up in open council and fully discussed. Mr. O'Brien seemed to have "a pull" in those early days, but his name sounds strangely among such as Jacobus Van Epps, Arent Bradt, Ahasuerus Van Slice, Nickolas Swart, Harmanus Vedder, Maus Schermerhorn, Cornellius Van Zantvoord and Dirk Van Vechten. There is record though that one pauper was more costly than the average, for we have it that Alexander Maul was paid at the rate of thirty-five dollars a year. It was possibly a testimonial to 172 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN the fact that Alexander had struggled to the last, for at the same time that he was turned over to public charity, a resolution of council ordered the city treasurer to pay to John De Graff, one dollar "for an overhalls he has hereto- fore given him." Alexander had evidently tried to con- quer the world in "overhalls" and became a public ward when he could do nothing more. When the pauper had relatives, not of the community, the good municipal fathers were wont to be rid of him permanently. Like sound economists they considered it better to be rid of the burden at a round cost than to keep it for many years. Thus the council in its session of September 5, 1801, took up the case of Bryce McCargan, and made a contract with Harmanus DeGraff to transport him "from the landing to Niagara and thence to Detroit" where he had relatives. The consideration was "twelve pounds, ten shillings" and perhaps the community considered itself well done with Bryce McCargan at the price. At the same session of the council on that autumn afternoon another case came up, and it is a curious reflection on the times. On the report of the superintendent of the poor for the third ward, a resolu- tion was introduced and passed, that he be empowered to "provide for the maintenance of 'Cuff', a male child born of a slave, the property of John Schermerhorn, junior, who has abandoned his right to such child." Poor little "Cuff" was evidently not worth owning. Malformation, or some other accident, had made him unworthy of having a proprietor, and the master of his mother had disowned him. He was baby-formed and manumitted by the council at one stroke of the pen. Nearly the same time came the case of Sarah Jackson, an aged negress, who claimed to be free. This was a travelworn old woman — "old wench" the records call her — "the mother of Samuel Jackson, the SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 173 property of J. Hayes." In solemn conclave it was decided that she was not a manumitted slave, and that she must be sent back to the Virginia plantation from which she had fled, "beating her rugged path with bleeding feet" to see her son in the Mohawk valley. She had apparently forged manumission papers and worked her way from her South- ern home to meet the child she had born there and who had been sold to some solid burgher living in Schenectady. The dull lines of the formal record tell no more of this romance in black; but it should make no tax on the imagination to fill the story in. It must have been a wonderful force of mother-love which impelled the old slave to risk the penalties and dangers of her journey. And with how many a pang must her bosom — black, but full of intense affection, have been rended when she was shackled and driven back to her owner. There was no sentiment then, though, in dealing with the colored popula- tion. The act providing for the gradual abolition of sal very in this state was passed in 1799 and the planters about Schenectady in complying with it did it shrewdly and weeded out their stock. The babies manumitted became town charges at once, and when a slave got too old for work, the chattel was magnanimously freed and became, of course, a town charge. There was apparently some feeling in the city about the matter, and Robert H. Wendle was hauled over the coals for burdening the people with the expense of maintaining Celia, who was above the age of fifty years and unable to work. The council decided, however, that Mr. Wendle was within the letter of the law and Celia added another twenty-five dollars to the annual tax raised for the poor. The "blacks" as they are invariably called were much trouble in other ways. They seem to have had a passion for strong liquors 174 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN and not only drank and became turbulent but dealt sur- reptitiously in rum. In the woods, back of the city, they erected shanties in which there were riotous gatherings. The constables used now and then to be admonished by the council to proceed immediately to the scene and tear their shanties down; but as soon as the constables were off the ground the shanties went up again and the nefarious business was resumed at the same old stand. The stock presumably was not large nor the shanty more than a loose shelter. When the constables with their five-foot staves appeared, the derelict darky seized his jug and hied away to the brush; and when his boards were down and the coast clear, he put up his shop again and was ready to regale customers. As the city grew older and the munici- pal expenses increased this business ended. The aldermen and constables were more vigilant and every liquor seller was compelled to pay license. It did not cost much to have a license then, and from the forty permits to sell liquor in 1801 the income was only $442.75. The amounts assessed on the tavern keepers were, it seems, regulated by the amount of business done. Thus John Van Epps, in 1801, paid only $8 while in the same year Nicholas Swart paid four pounds, six shillings, six pence. Douw Clute got off cheap with two pounds, two shillings. Adam J. Vrooman was let off with six pounds, two shillings; but some licenses were as high as six pounds, six shillings. The money received from licenses, however, was a welcome help in raising the $2,150.933^ — one-half which it cost to run the city government. In addition to the cash in the treasury the auditing committee for that year also found in the vaults 68 bushels and 49 pounds of wheat. Money was scarce and the people who farmed the public lands paid rent in produce. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 175 at the rate of a sixth of a bushel of wheat for each acre cultivated. In this connection a curious incident occurred. A farmer had taken up fourteen acres of land and the clerk in recording the fact changed the practice from one-sixth to two-thirds. It took a lot of wrangling to get the matter straight again. The farmer was compelled to pay two- thirds of a bushel per acre and it was only after long dis- cussion that he was repaid the three-sixths overcharged. When the machinery of the city government was first set in motion it ran a little roughly. There was a vast amount of signing and sealing to be done. The signing was simple enough, but the city had no official seal, so Joseph Yates, the first mayor, took it upon himself to use his "private coat of arms" as the city seal and it was so used for three years. Then the aldermen began to realize their dignity and appointed William Corlett a committee of one to have a seal engraved, which should consist of a sheaf of wheat surrounded by the words, "City of Schenectady. Incorporated 1798." Mr. Corlett took upon himself to have two sheaves of wheat on the seal, whereupon his deviation from instructions was resented by a refusal of the seal. A new seal with one sheaf was engraved and this is the seal now in use. It cost the government eleven dollars, which was paid by resolution to Mr. Corlett, for the engravers. Another move in the direction of a regularity was the putting in order of the town clock in the Dutch church. In July, 1802, Rice Beach was authorized to repair it and guarantee that it would keep time for ten years. He was paid twelve dollars for the job and it was considered a good one until five years later, when, to the intense astonishment of the town folk the clock stopped. There was hot indignation, and at the next meeting of the council a committee of two was appointed to go for Mr. 176 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Beach with a sharp stick. The peccant clock repairer had promised ten years of sedulous regular ticking, and in five years his work had proven faulty. He was at once notified to do his work over, or get some other person to do it and pay him, or return the twelve dollars or be prosecuted. The inference is that Rice Beach earned his money this time, for the clock drops out of local history. As has already been said, the police and fire departments occupied more of the time given to legislation than any other subjects — land trespassing alone excepted. Early in the story of the city's government firemen were elected by the members of council and three companies were enrolled. The city was bonded to buy two fire engines, and afterward a third, and the department was then in full swing and ready for work. However efficient they may have been in the presence of danger, the firemen were notably lax in the performance of their company duties, and for the first ten years of the department men were dropped from the rolls at nearly every council meeting for this sort of remissness. Absence from five consecutive meetings was followed by dismissal. The governance of the night watch was even more troublesome than the care of the fire department. The first watch was unsatisfac- tory. They appear to have watched the watch-house more than they did the houses of those who slept and the result was that the system was dispensed wilh and able- bodied male citizens became policemen in rotation, the ward superintendents being elected. Election then meant taking the office, just as it does today, but unlike the candidates of our time the chosen people then used to try to shirk responsibility. In order to make then come to time, a fine of twenty-five dollars was imposed on any elected or appointed officer who declined to perform the SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 177 duties imposed on him. The superintendents of the watch did not always choose to accept the positions and there are records of gentlemen who paid the money rather than be captains of police. The new system was not a costly one at first. Less than two hundred dollars a year covered the expense of policing young Schenectady; but in four years the council multiplied the cost by four and eight hundred was raised by taxation for the purpose. In fact, the aldermen seemed to take kindly to spending the ]3ublic money after they got used to it, and once in a while they dipped their own fingers in the treasury. They used to appoint each other committees of one on building bridges, contracting for the sending home of paupers, inspecting elections, and doing anything that came in their way. They were always very particular in paying themselves and the items of "necessary expenses" are frequent. "Necessary expenses" then, it is more than likely, covered many of the good things of this world which aldermen find pleasant in the performance of public duty. Every extra service meant extra pay. An alderman at a fire could put his friends to work and the council paid for the labor which now is given freely. For instance, in June, 1803, "John Corl and three other persons," were paid two dollars each "for services at the fire at Mrs. Taylor's;" and the same John Corl, and "six other persons" were paid four dollars and thirty-eight cents each, for similar services at the fire which broke out at JMr. Hatch's. The Mayor got seventy-five cents for every deed he signed and he signed a great many. If he took part in looking through the city account books he got ten dollars, as did each of the council- men on the committee with him. Councilmen used to appoint themselves appraisers and pay themselves well for the work. Here and there are entries of a couple of 178 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN dollars apiece to various councilmen for "extra services," fifty dollars to the treasurer for "extra services," three dollars to the clerk of the board on the same account. Besides, the councilmen appointed each other to build bridges, repair highways, and do all sorts of public work. The ajjpropriation was made directly to the councilmen, and it may be taken for granted they didn't do the work at a loss. Great fellows these old councilmen were for litigation, too. They were constantly shaking the terrors of the law in the face of the people. There was much public land in the city and it was cheaper to squat on this cultivate it, or cut wood from it, without consulting the authorities than to consult them and pay the fees. Some- how or other the law didn't frighten trespassers, and the "honorable board" was in hot water all the early part of the century. They appointed wood rangers to guard the timber, but some of these officials were unworthy stewards and went to cutting forbidden timber on their own account. From the people who were prosecuted, nothing was recoverable and to prevent the costs of prosecution coming out of the treasury the "honorable board" was wont to appoint committees of one to compound with the delin- quents for the payment of the expenses which had been spent in their prosecution. With one Joel Summers the council had a running fight extending over three years. Summers must have been a prominent citizen at one time, for he was elected pathmaster of the fourth ward in 1799. But he lived hereafter in utter defiance of the council and set the seal of contumacy on his career by systematically firing the woods on the commom lands, in revenge, perhaps, for being prosecuted for stealing timber. Then the council got after him in earnest and he fled. That was early in 1802. Mr. Summers must have had a "pull" in SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 179 his ward^ for at the session in June of thai year his neigh- bors sent in a petition asking that the prosecution be stayed. The councilraen, however, were on their dignity and would have no mercy. They put it in a formal resolution, that, as to this defiant Joel Summers, "no over- tures have been made by him, or offer to make any com- pensation for the injury done by him. Therefore, this board shall not alter their resolution respecting the prose- cution against him." That they didn't alter their resolu- tion soon is shown by the proceedings of a year afterw ards when an officer was voted $12.50 in consideration of his "taking" Joel Summers. Joel must have been a lively gentleman, for he was not only not "taken," but at a meeting in June, 1805, the council held out the olive branch. A committee was appointed to confer with the delinquent, and his offense was overlooked on the condition that he paid the costs of suing him. The money was paid and Joel Summers settled down to a quiet life. Numbers of these compoundings are on the records, and it was not unusual to find that the council — without any juducial authority — put a penalty of five or ten dollars on the top of the costs. Public land was a public trust, and it almost seems that anyone with pluck enough to take up a small farm in the city only had to put a fence around it and laugh at the council to enjoy life for a year or two, and then get paid for the improvements he had made and buy the property at an easy figure. Acres of land were sold in and about the city for five dollars an acre and much for less than that— property which the trespassers took up without authority and which the council sold to them at a low figure rather than get their fingers burned in a lawsuit. Joel Summers was not the only contumacious person the early city fathers had to deal with. There was John Van 180 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN Eps, who was also a thorn in the side of the municipality. John Van Eps in 1799 ran the ferry-boat and scow across the Mohawk. He offered to pay twenty -five dollars for the privilege and pay himself out of the toll; but the treasurer could not get the license fee. John would neither pay nor give up the boats and he ran them a few years raking everything, giving nothing and inducing the city to keep the boats in repair. He was succeeded by John Van Vorst who seems to have been quite as hard to deal with. There is something plaintive in the report of the treasurer on being authorized to receive ten dollars a year from Van Vorst, that, "the said Van Vorst is not willing to pay more for the last two seasons (1801 and 1802) although I have charged him twenty dollars annually." The unfortunate treasurer could charge but he couldn't collect. The council could "resolve" and "order" and the marshal could be directed to enforce these resolutions and orders; but somehow the trespassers on the public domain and the cool ferrymen laughed the council to scorn and went on growing fat." MAYORS — 1798 TO 1914 The mayors of Schenectady during its many years of existence have included many prominent citizens. Schenectady was the third city chartered in the state. Following are the mayors from the beginning to 1914: 1798-1808, Joseph C. Yates; 1808-1809, John Yates; 1809-1810, Abraham Oathout; 1811-1812, John Yates; 1813-1816, Maus Schermerhorn; 1817-1824, Henry Yates; 1 825-, Isaac M. Schermerhorn; 1826-1827, David Boyd; 1828-29 and 30, Isaac M. Schermerhorn; 1831, Archibald L. Linn; 1836-, John I. DeGraff; 1837-1838, Samuel W. Jones; 1839, Archibald L. Linn; 1840-1841, SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 181 Alexander C. Gibson; 1842, John I. DeGraff ; 1843-1844, Alexander C. Gibson; 1845- John I. DeGraff; 1846-47, Peter Rowe; 1848-1849, James E. Van Horn; 1850-, Peter Rowe; 185 1-, Mordecai Myers; 1852-1853, Abraham A. Van Voast; 1854-, Mordecai Myers; 1855- 1856, Abel Smith; 1857-, Benjamin V. S. Vedder; 1858-, Alexander M. Vedder; 1859-, David P. Forest; I860-, Benjamin E. Potter; 1861-1864, Arthur W. Hunter; 1865-1868, Andrew McMullen; 1869-, A. Van Voast; 1870, Abraham A. Van Voast; 1871-, William J. Van Home; 1872-. William J. Van Home; 1873-1874, A. W. Hunter; 1875-1876, Peter B. Yates; 1877-1878, W^illiam Howes Smith; 1879-1880, Joseph B. Graham; 1881-1882, A. A. Van Voast; 1883-1884, John Young; 1885-1886, Henry S. DeForest; 1887-1888, S. Low Barhydt; 1889- 1890, H. S. DeForest; 1890, H. W. DeForest; 1891-1982, Everett Smith; 1893-1897, Jacob W. Clute; 1898-1899, Charles C. Duryee; 1900-1901, John H. White; 1902- 1903, H. S. Van Voast; 1904-1905, F. F. Eisenmenger; 1906-1907, Jacob W. Clute; 1908-1909, H. S. Van Voast; 1910-1911, Charles C. Duryee; 1912-1913, George R. Lunn; 1914, J. Teller Schoolcraft. CHAPTER X HISTORIC ST. George's lodge — newspapers HE history of St. George's Masonic Lodge possesses much interest, first, on account of its age, and, second, because its history is so closely interlinked with that of Schenectady. In its early history, too, as well as in later years, its membership has been composed of the leading, active citizens of the community. In the latter part of the year 1773, Christopher Yates, John Hughan and Benjamin Hilton, Jr., of Schenectady, petitioned the Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master, Sir John Johnson, for a warrant to establish and hold lodge meetings in Schenectady as St. George's Lodge. The petition was granted and the warrant was received from England, bearing date September 14, 1774, signed by John Johnson, Provincial Grand Master of the State of New York, and attested by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England. Christopher Yates was named the first master, John Hughan, Senior Warden, and Benjamin Hilton, Jr., Junior Warden. They were authorized to hold meetings and formulate by-laws for the government of the Lodge. This original charter was surrendered in 1822 to the Grand Lodge of New York, whereupon a new and substitute charter was at once issued, the Lodge having existed under the English grant until this date. The New York charter bore the signature of Daniel D. Tomp- kins, Vice-President of the United States and Grand Master of the Masonic body of New York State. St. George's was the last to surrender its English charter. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 183 The three men named in the informal warrant were soon joined by Robert Clinch, John A. Bradt, Arent N. Van Patten, Cornelius Van Dyck, and Robert Alexander. These, together with those previously named, constituted the founders of the Lodge. Hon. Joseph C. Yates became the sixty-third member of the Lodge. Before 1800, however, the Lodge had a membership of one hundred and ten. There are now nearly one thousand members. The Lodge first met in a room of Robert Clinch's hotel, then standing at the corner of State and Water streets. Clinch was one of the earliest members of the Lodge; he was also a Britisher, had served in the British army and was pro-England in sentiment and allegiance. This conduced greatly to his discomfiture a little later when the war for independence came on. Clinch was sum- moned before the Committee of Safety and asked to declare himself in the matter of his relations to the contest then waging. He finally took the oath of allegiance and bore himself with much credit thereafter. This sentiment on his part meanwhile, however, had engendered some ill feeling in St. George's Lodge, to the extent that Clinch refused the Lodge the privilege of holding meetings in his hotel. The Lodge was composed of loyal men, more than fifty of whom served in the struggle, among them Col. Van Dyck, and Col. Christopher Yates. The Lodge then moved to the home of A. Y. Truax and there fitted up a room suitable for holding meetings. In 1779 it moved again to the residence of John A. Bradt, where it continued until 1782, when it was dispossessed by the death of Bradt and the re-marriage of his widow. From this date until 1790 the Lodge met in the house of Mrs. Clinch, widow of Robert Clinch, and at the home of John Hudson, who ran Hudson's Coffee House. 184 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN In April, 1790, the Lodge voted to purchase from Clalis Van de Volgen the house and lot on the south side of State street near the point where the Utica and Schenectady rail- road originally crossed State street. The Lodge occupied this building exclusively until 1835, at which time it was taken over and occupied by the railroad. From 1835 to 1844, the Lodge, like many others during the Morgan raid period, met not more than once a year at the homes of members of the order. By this latter date, however, the Lodge had, in great measure, recovered from its long period of lethargy and so took steps towards securing suitable lodge rooms. Arrangements were therefore made with the trustees of the old Lyceum school, situated at the corner of Union and Yates streets, whereby St. George's Ix)dge occupied the upper floor of the building, taking, as a part of the consideration $650 stock of the school. As a further part of this agreement the school was to receive the income from the Lodge property on State street while the Lodge in return again was granted four yearly scholar- ships in the school to be used by either sons or daughters of lodge members. This arrangement continued in force until 1856, when the Lyceum school ceased to exist. The Lodge then moved to the upper floor of the Van Home building on State street. In 1868 the Masonic Temple was erected which has since been St. George's home. In 1800 the Lodge's number was No. 7, in 1819, No. 8, and in 1839 it dropped to No. 6, as at present. ST. George's chapter no. 157 St. George's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, had its definite beginning February 3d, 1861, although there were several organizations of this character at a much earlier SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 185 date. There is a record of a Mark Lodge as early as 1797 and another in 1811, also one in 1812. The Grand Chapter, however, on the date first above given granted a warrant to H. R. Wetmore, James Adams, William Teller and others to hold a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Schenectady under the name of Cyrus Chapter No. 1 1 . This connects it directly with the original chapter because at this date records state that Cyrus Chapter returned the Mark warrant. The present St. George's chapter, therefore, succeeded Cyrus Chapter No. 11, the original number still remaining unassigned to any chapter in the state. Cyrus Chapter seems to have lost its iden- tity in the Masonic body in 1828. In February, 1856, at the Convention of the Grand Chapter, a warrant was granted to S. L. R. Buchanan, high priest. Jay Cady, king, Stephen H. Johnson, scribe, and others to hold a chapter at Schenectady to be known as Mohawk Chapter No. 157. By permission of the Grand Chapter the name was changed in 1872 to that of St. George's Chapter No. 157. The charter members of St. George's Chapter, besides those mentioned in the warrant, were Peter Dorsch, Frederick R. Mudge, Roswell Perry, x\bram A. Van Vorst, Jacob W. Jones and Peter B. Yates. The chapter has increased rapidly in membership during the past twenty years, until it now numbers above eight hundred. It is composed of the energetic and influential men of the city. St. George's Commandery No. 37 K. T. was instituted Oct. 3, 1866. The warrant for New Hope Lodge No. 730 was granted November 30, 1872, and the Charles Mead Lodge No. 862 was instituted September 23, 1907. 186 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN NEWSPAPERS — EARLY AND LATE The era of newspapers in the State of New York began soon after the close of the War of the Revolution ; in fact, the population in any given place or community prior to that period was too small to maintain or warrant such an undertaking. The outcome of the issue, however, gave marked stimulus to these enterprises, so that between 1782 and 1800 a few lean, struggling weekly publications were launched. Very few of these early ventures lived long enough, however, to attain the dignity of a newspaper, yet many of them were started by men of ability who were more or less potential in local affairs. The first printers in Schenectady were Wykoff and Brokaw. Their printing shop in 1792 was located at the corner of State and Washington avenue. Three years later, it seems, Brokaw withdrew and Wykoff continued the business. In 1796 Wykoff began the publication of the Mokawk Mercury and ran it about two years, when it passed to a Mr. John L. Stevenson. As to the span of the Mohawk Mercury's life there is no record. However, this same John L. Stevenson on January 6, 1799, started the Schenectady Gazette, and the office of publication at this time seems to have been at the corner of State and Ferry streets. December 20, 1802, he changed the name of the paper to the Western Spectator and Schenectady Advertiser, and under this name ran it until about 1807. Stevenson then discontinued the publication of the newspaper and moved his printing plant near the Dutch Church on Union street. This same year Ryer Schermerhorn began the publica- tion of the Mohawk Advertiser, which he personally con- ducted until 1810. Mr. J. Johnson then became the publisher and editor, representing the proprietor, W. S. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 187 Buel, who kept a book store on State street. There is no record as to how long the publication lived. Nor is there any data to indicate whether Schermcrhorn re-entered the newspaper business. In 1823 Isaac Riggs began the publication of the Miscellaneous Cabinet, a weekly newspaper largely devoted to literary selections and articles by local writers. It was an eight page publication which was quite unusual in that period. Its degree of success or length of life is not recorded. The next year G. Ritchie, Jr., launched the Mohawk Sentinel under the editorshi}) of Archibald L. Linn. The editor was a young lawyer of some ability, yet the paper, it seems, had a brief career. The jjublication office was on Ferry street. The Rev. John Maxon in June, 1830, started a paper called the Protestant Sentinel, a paper devoted to religious matters and was an exponent of the Seventh Day Baptist creed and faith. It was issued from No. 39 State street for a period of five or six years. In 1830 also the Schenectady County Whig Avas estab- lished by C. G. and A. Palmer. They were at 34 Ferry street, where they published the paper a little more than four years, finally in 1834 selling the plant to Nathan Stone, who soon thereafter assigned the paper and printing equipment to Giles F. Yates. The latter continued it but a short time, when it died on his hands. The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat, a weekly news- paper of considerable force and strong character, was started in January, 1835, by Giles F. Yates. It was issued from the print shop of Robert P. Paine, corner of State street and Mill Lane. In July, 1836, Yates sold the paper to E. H. Kincain, who carried it on with some success 188 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN until February, 1841. It was then sold to Abraham Key- ser and D. Cady Smith became the editor. During this time it was a paper of recognized influence. It was a strong paper until the late sixties. The Schenectady and Saratoga Standard was begun in 1833. The publication office was at 96 Washington avenue. Israel Sackett was the publisher and Thomas J. B. Sutherland the editor. After one year the paper was moved to Balston. The Wreath, a political newspaper was begun Nov. 22, 1834, by William H. Burleigh and Isaac Riggs. It had a flickering life and never attained a substantial footing. After six months the name was changed to that of the Literary Journal, but in spite of the change in name it died before the end of the first year. This same year Riggs and Norris started the Mohaivker, which died in early infancy. The Schenectady Weekly Star was started sometime in 1834 by Jesse and Daniel Stone. The Morning Star was begun February 24, 1855, and in September following it was purchased by Walter N. Clark and William Colbourne who at once changed the name to the Evening Star. It was the first successful daily newspaper in the city. It continued until consolidated with the Daily Union. In 1857 Clark withdrew from the copartnership and Col- bourne continued the paper with Isaac M. Gregory as editor. Gregory became a newspaper writer of note. He was at one time editor of the New York Graphic and also a writer on the Rochester Post Express. Colbourne sold the Star in 1861 to H. L. Grose and two years later William D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory pur- chased it. The Star during these years was a newspaper of influence and enjoyed prestige. Gregory sold his interest to Davis, who in 1865 sold the paper to J. J. SAMUEL H. SEXTON His studio, where for forty years he painted pictures SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 189 Marlette. Up to this time it was a Republican paper; under Marlette it was Democratic. From 1876 to 1901 A. A. Marlette controlled the paper. In 1880 the name and good will of the old Morning Gazette was purchased by the publisher of the Star and the paper appeared under the name of the Star and Gazette, the latter paper going out of existence, except the weekly edition of the papers. The word "Gazette" was later dropped, however, and the Star went on under its former name. The old Gazette was started by Walter N. Thayer in 1869 and a little later it passed to Geo. W. Martette, who started the Morning Gazette. The first daily newspaper venture was the Daily Ancient City started in 1852 by Stephen S. Riggs. Apparently it secured no footing for it died in a few months. The Antiquarian and General Revietv was begun in 1845 by the Rev. William Arthur, father of President Chester A. Arthur. The latter as a boy attended the Lyceum School in the city where he prepared for college. The Rev. Arthur was pastor for several years of a church in the city, for two years of which time he conducted the above publication, which was devoted to religious affairs. Judge Piatt Potter, during the campaign of 1848, ran the Freeman s Banner which is put down as having been the organ of the Barn Burners' party. The publication was suspended at the close of the campaign. The Schenectady Democrat was begun on January 3, 1854, by William Colburne {\nd W. N. Clark, who in 1857 sold it to A. J. Thompson, and two years later it was purchased by Cyrus Thayer, who in 1860 consolidated it with the Reflector, the name then becoming the Reflector and Demo- crat. 190 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN The Western Budget was begun in June, 1807, by Van Vechten & Son at No, 10 Union street. At the end of two years they sold the paper and plant to Isaac Riggs, who in 1810 changed the name to the Schenectady Cabinet. Under the latter name the paper made more than ordinary success for those days of journalism, and also stood well in the regard of the community. In 1814 Isaac Stevens became associated with Riggs in the publication of the Cabinet, the office then being moved to 34 Ferry street, and finally back to Union street, a little east of the Dutch church. This latter publication office seems to have been also the dwelling of Isaac Riggs. Upon his death in 1837, his son, Stephen S. Riggs, carried it on under the name of Freedom^ s Sentinel. Yet in 1843 he resumed the original name, the paper becoming the Cabinet and Freedom's Sentinel. It continued under this name until 1850, at which time the latter part of the name was dropped, giving place to the Schenectady Cabinet. Riggs published the paper until his death in January, 1857. William M. Colbourne in 1857 began the publication of the Weekly Republican, with Judge Judson S. Landon as editor. It was started as a political newspaper and was continued until 1867. The Rails pli iter was another campaign paper published for a few months in 1860. In 1859 F. W. Hoffman and D. F. Loveridge started the Daily News. It struggled along for two years and went out as a failure. The Daily Times made its appearance in 1861 and was absorbed by the Evening Star before the end of its first year. The Deutscher Anzeiger. a German paper, was brought out in August, 1878. Ernest Knauer was the editor and SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 191 publisher and the office of the paper was at 176 State street. The paper Uved several years. Under the direction of the International Union of Locomotive Engineers, The Locomotive Firemen, a monthly publication, was begun in 1872. It was the organ of the Locomotive Fireman's Association. Henry Hoffman was its editor and conducted it until its suspension in 1878. In 1811 a publication called the S>toriad was started by students of Union College, but lived only a brief time. This was followed in 1827 by the Student's Album, a monthly publication. This continued two years. The Censor appeared in 1881 and ran until 1833. Union College Magazine was published from 1860 to 1875. This was followed by the College Spectator, a monthly publica- tion, which ran three years. The Concordenis succeeded the Spectator and continued for a considerable time. The Dorpian, a weekly newspaper, was launched in 1867 by A. A. Marlette and A. W. Kelly. It seems to have been another one of the many similar newspaper ventures that came to an early death. There is no record of its being in existence longer than a few months. THE DAILY UNION The Schenectady Daily Union came into existence in November, 1865, as the enterprise of Senator Charles Stanford. This was soon after the close of the Civil War when politics and party sentiment were in a violent stage. It was started as the exponent and organ of the Republican party. Col. S. G. Hamlin was its first managing editor, a man of ability and a Republican of the most virile type. Hamlin continued at the helm for several years and upon his retirement Welton Stanford became the editor. 192 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN In 1883 the Union was purchased by John A. Sleicher, another newspaper man of demonstrated ability. He did not own it long, however, for in 1884 it was sold to Hon. George West. Lewis C. Beattie and Geo. W. Cottrell were then the editors. The Union was a strong newspaper and gained a substantial footing in the community. In 1897 James H. and Olin S. Callanan purchased the Union and conducted it under the firm name of Callanan Brothers. The place of publication was then in Central Arcade. In 1898 James H. Callanan purchased the interest of his brother and continued the business as the sole proprietor. Meanwhile the city was rapidly growing in population and the Union also grew and expanded with equal rapidity. By 1905 the original quarters had become wholly inadequate for the business, and to provide for this a new and modern newspaper building was erected in South Clinton street, its present location. In January, 1906, the business was incorporated as the Schenectady Union Publishing Company, with James H. Callanan as president. The Daily Star was taken over in 1911, the name then becoming the Union-Star. The Union is an independent Republican newspaper of vigor and influence. THE SCHENECTADY GAZETTE The Schenectady Daily Gazette grew out of the Weekly Gazette which was started in 1869 by W. N. Thayer. In 1872 James R. Wiseman and Harman Seymour became the publishers. They carried on the business for two years, when it passed to G. W. Marlette and William K. Lee. The latter soon retired from the firm and Marlette con- tinued as the oAvner and editor. MOSES VINEY Ex-Slave. For fifty years the idol of Union College SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 193 In 1893 the issue of the Schenectady Daily Evening Gazette was begun. Before the end of the first year, how- ever, it was changed to a morning issue. The pubhshers were then the Schenectady PubHshing Association. Mr. Gerardus Smith was the president of the company and associated with him were Mr. Charles P. Marlette and Mr. E. G. Conde. In 1899 it was incorporated as the Daily Gazette Printing Company. The chief owners at this time were Gerardus Smith, Henry S. DeForest and George W. Van Vranken, with Smith as the president of the company. Since 1904 the officers have been Gerardus Smith, president and treasurer and Austin M. Liecty vice- president, secretary, and general manager. The Gazette has made marvelous progress during the last ten years. It is now a large daily paper with excellent news service, both as to local and press news. It is Democratic in politics, with a large and representative clientage. The equipment of the Gazette is complete and modern in all respects. Ir has occupied its present quar- ters on State street since 1899. The Commercial News was started in 1895 by Roy B. Myers and continued a short time, and the Electric City News in 1897 by John F. Kennedy. The Independent was published for a few months in 1901 by Geo. F. Roberts. THE EARLY BROOM-CORN INDUSTRY For nearly a century the broom-corn and the broom making industries, like those of boating and boat building, brought renown and with it wealth to the enterprising and energetic citizens of Schenectady. That industry haa>-. ^'ct it was an important steam high- way, thf lirst to begin operation in the United States. Oil th.- twenty-.second day of September the road was formally ..peiietl for IrafHc; meanwhile many guests and olli.iaK of th.- roa.l had ridden back and forth during the trial stage. Herewith is the first time schedule, together with the rul<'< and rruMilations governing the operation of the road. MOn.\WK AND HUDSON RAILROAD Thr following arrangements will be observed on the Kailroail. until further notice: Cirria-es will leave the head of the incline plane, % of a n.ilc froni the Citv of Schenectady, at the following times: 1 , p;ust 4 in the morning; 8 o'clock a. m.; 12 o'clock noon; 2 o'clock p. M.; 4 o'clock p. M. To leave Vlbanv at the head of Lydius street, two miles from the Hudson river at the following times: ^ past G o'clock, A.M.; 10 o'clock A. M.;M past 4 o'clock P.M. The locomotive Engine "'DeWitt Clinton , will depart in the following order: ^'^O SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Leave head of i)laiie at Schenectady at 8 o'clock a. m., and 2 p. m. Head of Lydius street, Albany, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and }/i past 4 p. m. Passengers taking the Carriages at Schenectady at }/2 half past 4 in the morning, will arrive at Albany in season for the 7 o'clock morning Steamboats. Those leaving at l^ o'clock, in ample season for the afternoon Steamboats. Also, those taking the Ixjcomotive at 'i \\ M., will arrive at Albany in season for the 4 o'clock Boats. Passengers may lie secured at the office of Messrs. Thorp's & Sprague's, in .\lbaiiy and Schenectady. Price, including stage fare, 7oc. John T. Clark, Agent of the H. & M. Railroad Co. N. B. Passengers who may desire it, will be accommo- dated at each end of the Railway with tickets at .50 cents. Transportation at the ends of the Railroad will be furnished by Messrs. Thorp & Sprague. The terminus of the road at either end being in the out- skirts of the city, stages were used to transport i)assengers to and from the stations. A grand opening excursion was given on the 24th of September, 1831, at which many notables were present to participate and give the impress of their approval of the enterprise. On this day the DeWitt Clinton engine hauled a train of five coaches over the length of the route in thirty-five minutes, which was regarded as a great achievement. Upon the demonstra- tion of the success of the undertaking, its stock at once advanced in price, its dividend earning power also increas- ing from year to year. The cost of the construction and equipment of the road up to this time was $483,215. By the spring of 1832 the road was fully completed at an SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 221 H- in c-onnection with his store." John J. DeGraff was a rc;il estate dealer. He advertised farms for sale, -at a reasonable price" in Rotterdam, Glenville, Duanes- burg and other localities, while Peter Ouderkirk announced that he had leased the Second Ward House located at the corner of Ferrv and Liberty streets, formerly occupied by (^apt. H. R. Wendel. He speaks of it as being a commo- dious, well appointed hostelry. Jesse M. Van Slvck also advertised a large and well- stocked general store, and the weekly Whig published by C. G. & A. Palmer announced a new equipment of material for printing. , ., \ .niide-book published in Schenectady in 1831 describes the phice in c-onsiderable detail, a few extracts of which are •2^24 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN hero fiuot.od. After sj)e;iking of the (luaintncss of its ancient Dntch arcliitecture it says: "The commercial business in the city was for a time rather impeded than otherwise after the completion of the canal. But for the last four or five years business has greatly increased, and many fine l)rick stores and dwellings have been erecte' brick building, the Lancaster School, two markets, six churches, one for the Dutch Reformetl. one for the Presbyterians, one Baptist, one Episcoj)alian, one Methodist and one Came- ronian. The principal hotels arc Mr. Davis's formerly the Givens Hotel, constructed of brick, fifty feet front and extending l)ack from State street one hundred and fifty feet, with three stories besides an attic stor>' anrogressive with pood busiju'ss ability. In 1859 Henry Hager Swart who had been connected with the Barringer Brothers since 1850. «>ntered into partnership with Mr. Barney under the firm name of H. S. Barney & Company. Swart was another good merchant and their combined ability rightly directtxl built up a successful dry goods business. By incorporation in 1903 it jissumed the present title of H. S. Barney Company. Mr.' Barney died Nov. 14, 1904, and Mr. Swart Nov. 12, 1906. DR. JONATHAN PEARSON Dr. Jonathan Pearson, for many years a professor in Union College, lived nearly all his life in Schenectady. He was born in New Hampshire and with his parents settled in Schenectady when he was eighteen years of age. Dr. Pearson was a student by nature, a patient, pains- taking, untiring student in research work. He became a tutor in the College in 1835, and in 1839 was made pro- ^232 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN fessor of chemistry aiul natural philosophy. Still later in 1849 he was elected to the chair of natural histors' and in 1873 had charge of the department of agriculture and botany. He was i)roficient in all tliese lines of college work, which indicated his learning and breadth of mind. Besides discharging with abilit>t. and thoroughness the duties of his profession, he devoted much labor in research ill the field of histoiy. In this latter Dr. Pearson rendered a service to the community and the state that was of almost unmeasurable value. His n'searc-h work along the Mohawk Valley, his history of the old families, and the history of the Schenectady Patent are memorials of a well dirt^cted life work. The public for all time to come will ow<' hiui a ilcl)t wliicii can be repaid only by honoring his DR. ANDREW TRUAX Dr. Audrew Truax, who, in an uno.stentatious way did much for the betterment of Schenectady, was born in the city in 1811. In 1830 he engaged as a clerk in Richard Fuller's drug store on State street and while serving in this capacity he studied medicine and received the doctor's degree. After this for a few years he engaged in the prac- tice of his i)rofession in the Hudson Valley. In 1835 he abandoned his j^ractice and returned to Schenectady, soon thereafter oi)ening a drug store on State .street. For a time Andrew T. Veeder was associated with Dr. Truax in the drug business. Dr. Truax was successful in business to an unusual degree. He was a man of simple habits, led a quiet life, honorable and upright in all ways. Meanwhile he was earnest and active in the interest of all good causes and the uplift of the community. He gave generously toward the SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 233 huiMing and niaintenance of worthy public institutions ami was ccjually o\Kn\ hearted in rendering aid to deserving indi\iduals. He was a liberal supporter of the Young Men's Christian Association and was one of the chief founders and builders of the Old Ladies' Home. At his tieath Dr. Truax left this institution an endowment of $^20,000. In all respects he was a worthy and helpful eiti/A'U. HON. JUDSON S. LANDON Hon. .Imlson S. Landon was a resident of Schenectady fifty years, during which time he did his life work in his profession, held many important positions of responsibility, de\'oted time and thought to movements and measures for the advancement of the public welfare, and found time to make friends and enjoy their companionship. Judge Landon was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, in 1831. He graduated from the Law College of Yale l'ni\ersity in 185(5, and the same year began the practice of his profession in Schenectady. He was an industrious hu\yer of unswervable integrity and ability to make head- way in his chosen work. in 1860, only four years after beginning practice. Judge landon was chosen a delegate to the Republican National Convention that named Abraham Lhicoln as its candidate for the presidency; and at this early stage in his profes- sional life, he was chosen district attorney of Schenectady county, then city attorney and afterwards county judge. He also served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion His most notable achievements, however, were as a jurist and author. His judicial service extended over a period of more than thirty years, twenty-eight o which he was a Justice on the Supreme Court bench, and for several «34 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN years an Jissociate Justice of the Court of Appeals. In both positions he won tlistinetion as an able, conscientious and well balanced jud^'e. While on the bench he wrote many important opinions that were accepted as sound and broadly impartial. For twenty-.seven years Judge Landon served on the l)oarratcd June .'J, 188(5, and during its early years had even a more fitful canvr than did the gas company. Electricity being then almost an unknown element or force the problem of supplying light was a difficult one to solve, and so the Westinghouse Illuminating Company met with many obstacles, the gas and kerosene being the most formidable. The original company passed through a receiver's hands and several reorganizations before it cmergixi from days of uncertainty to a period of stability and sustaining business. The first power plant for the generating of electricity N\ a> located in Erie street, in the rear of the Mohawk Bank building on State street. The plant was small then and £40 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN the ])atronage was of an equal ratio. The business grew gradually, however, until two years later a new and greater power i)lant was established on Dock street. It was at this time that the twenty-four hour service began. It was some time before the company estal)lishcd an office for the transportation of its business. Bills were {)aid at the insurance ofhce of Atwell & Dennington where all l)usiness of the company Wius transacted. On Ajjril 15, lHih2, the name of the company was changed to that of Schenectady Illuminating Company, as at present, it having been taken over by the Edison Company which also owned the Schenectady Street Railway Com- pany. In 1893 both companies together passed into the hands of a receiver. By the year 1898, however, the business of the comjjany had l>een so increased as to place it on a sound and profitable basis. With the growth and exi)ansion of the city and its business the Illuminating Comi)any's scope and territory has also increased imtil at present it is one of the successful institutions of th<' city. THE SCHENECTADY STREET R. R. COMPANY The Schenectady street railway system came into exist- ence in a most auspicious period, or under favorable conditions. Schenectady, it must be admitted, was a laggard in the matter of street car service. Horse drawn cars had been in service for many years in cities of similar size. In fact, the era of horse-power propelled cars was rapidly approaching its end when the first street car service came into operation in 1887. Schenectady at that time had about 19,000 population. The Schenectady Street Railway Company was organ- ized on February 25, 1886, with the following named men comprising the company: John D. Haines, Charles D. A h^ - y^^^iwjy ^ THE REV. J. TRUMBULL BACKUS, D.D., LL.D. Forty years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 241 Haines, Alfred A. Morris, James S. Morris, Clarence Fancher, William D. Nash, Norman J. Morris. Henry A. Stevens, Horace W. Tefft and Edward P. Morrison, Charles S. Haines was the president of the company, Davis S.Haines, vice-president and John D. Haines, secre- tary and treasurer. Altliough the construction of the Unes was soon begun the first line was not completed and opened for traffic until July 16, 1887. This consisted of a single track horse-car line running from the Mohawk bridge east on State street to the Hraiidywine, a distance of about two miles. The ecjuipinent of the company consisted of thirty horses, five cars and four sleighs. 'I'iie road contimied to be operated by horse-power until July, 1891, when the motive power was changed to that of electricity'. There had been very little movement in the direction of extending the line meanwhile, in fact, very little expansion of the system took place until after 1900. The property and franchise of this company were sold on foreclosure January 31, 1895, and the Schenectady Rail- way Company was organized on February 11 following. This latter organization was composed of the following: Philip Ferdinand Kobbe, William Henry White, Charles Bachelor, Arthur R. Perry, Luengo C. Carnana, Frank A. Dillingham, Edward Henry Bruse, Thomas A. Quillin, Thomas F. Brothers, John W. Houston, Paul D. Crawath, Harvey Romer, Frank L. Townsend, Williard A. Essel- tein and James F. Reeve. William Henry White was chosen president, Geo. W. Jones, vice-president, William A. Esseltein, secretary, and J. P. Ard, treasurer. The system is still owned and operated by the company. The real development and extension of the lines began in 1901 and has continued with great energy until now 242 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Schenectady is a center of great and successful electric trolley lines. At present there is the line to Albany, to Troy, Saratoga, (ilens Falls, and Amsterdam and Glen- ville. The various lines are well constructed, well equipped and efficiently managed. The lines now also reach every imj)ortant section of the city. HON. CHARLES STANFORD For a period of more than thirty years Hon. ('harles Stanford was one of the most active leaders in public improvements, in establishing public utilities and in the political affairs in Schenectady and the state. He was a progressive, constructive citizen during the period when general advancement in upbuilding in the city was lagging. Mr. Stanford was born in Albany County in 1819 but during most of liis business life was identified with Schenec- tady. He i^romotetl the gas works, established the water works comj)any, and as early as 1865 began the publication of the Daily Union. Besides, he was one of the active factors in the McQueen Locomotive Works in the city. He was also identified with other enterprises that con- tributed to Schenectady's betterment. In 1864. and 1865 Mr. Stanford represented the County in the Assembly and from 1866 to 1869 he served as State Senator. He was a man of ability and courage, and while a member of tlie State Senate took a leading part in the affairs coming before that body. Mr. Stanford died in August, 1885. NICHOLAS I. SCHERMERHORN For a long period of years Nicholas I. Schermerhorn was one of the active and industrious business men of Schenec- tady. He was a farmer of great scope and extent of pro- SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN «4S duct, was the most extensive broom corn producer and broom manufacturer in the Mohawk Valley. In this latter industry' Mr. Schermerhorn was the recognized leader in the days when it was a business of nation-wide fame. His product, like that of others, was sold every- where. Mr. Schermerhorn was born in the town of Duanesburg, March "^O, 1818. In 1824 the family moved to Rotterdam, a little soutli west of the city where they acquired a vast area of valuable flat lands. It was upon this land that Nicholas I. Schermerhorn produced the great broom corn crops so profitable at that time. When the broom corn industrj' began to wane by reason of the development of the great western lands, Mr. Schermerhorn reached out into other lines of business. As early as 1865 he engaged in the coal business in the city, purchasing at that time the plant and business of Vandebogert Brothers, associating with him in the business his son-in-law, Mr. H. McClyman. In 1S74 .Mr. McClyman retired from the firm and the son, William (i. Schermerhorn, became a partner with his father. This business was later extended to the hay, feed and the milling business, Mr. Schermerhorn having pur- chased a flouring mill in Rotterdam and another in the city. Meanwhile in 1870 he had become a resident of Schenectady, where he continued to live until his death. Mr. Schermerhorn, in association with Harmon Van Slyck and Samuel Donaldson of Fultonville, constructed the Duanesburg Railroad, the line being completed within two years from date of making the contract. The Schenec- tady Car works was another enterprise in which he was directly interested, also the Schenectady Knitting Mills, or the Brandywine Mills. He served as president of this latter company. Besides these Mr. Schermerhorn was for '244 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN many years a director in the Schenectady Bank, and served as a trustee of the Schenectady Saving's Bank, and of the Young Men's Christian Association. In addition he served as supervisor two terms, was county superintendent of the poor three terms and county treasurer from 1876 to 188!2. With these many interests and responsibiHties, Mr. Schermerhorn still found time to devote to measures and movements for the advancement of Schenectady. He was active and strong in the days when Schenectady nee' farther removed from tlie center of the city. A cemetery association was then formed by Edward Rosa, Esq., and land was purchased on the elevation eastward beyond the populated limit of the town In 1857 the new Vale Cemetery was opened and the remains resting in Lhe Green street burial ground were .'athered up and interred in the new ground. " l^he sj)ot where Vale Cemetery is located had many Mitural attractions and many more have been added by the art of landscape improvements. The old Cowhorn creek whic-h has its source in the cemetery grounds affords a water supplv for miniature lakes anerienee and training,' as a teacher in the then famous Miss Piatt's school at rtica, N. Y. Thus she was well e(juippetl to take uj) the work in S<-henectajidies' Benevolent Society and devoted ener^', thought, sympathy and money to the relief of all the distressed. She was also a worker in home and foreign missions and did efficient service. She was broad in mind and therefore broa' to the time of the new awakening in the eighties of the last century, and the fourth epoch, the most notable of all, had its beginning at this time. This fourth era brought new life and energy and revitalized the city. Another interesting phase of the history is that Schenec- tady during its existence has lived under four difl'erent flags; that is to say, the Dutch flag from its founding until 1664- the British flag from this date to the raising of the flag of the United States, except that one fateful day in 1690 when the French had possession of the town and could have hoisted the French ensign had they cared so to do, thus making the fourth flag. During the second era also, when the shippmg and boat building business was extensive, the city by reason of the influx of foreigners became to some extent cosmopolitan. In the fourth and present era the situation in this particu- lar presents a serious problem on the solution of which the city's future rests. »(\i SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN SAMIKI, II. SKXTON Sannu'l II. Sexton, the artist, is ^till in the m«'iii»)ry o{ many residents of S<-henectjuly. I\»r ioity >'ears his studio was on State street, a greater part of this time in the Furinan ImiMin^'. He was known l)y nearly cvvry- \hh\\ in the city l)eeause he had s|>> a mer.sliip comprised many of the most prominent men of tlu- city. The following are the names of some of them. Madison Vedder, John C. Ellis, James G. Caw, James J. Sfiier, James Wiseman, Ethan A. Maxon, Charles G. F^llis, Livingston Ellwood, James Diment, John Gilmour, William Newman, William Martin, Cornelius Gill, T. Low liarliy0() I'nion street, had its inception as far hack as 181.S. The idea or plan had its l)irth in the spirit of Christian charity and the desire to extend a helping hand to the age' and earnestness entered into the work. In 18(i8 the society was incorporated having in its membership then Mrs. Dr. Nott, Mrs. Jonas H. Crane, Mrs. Anna Myers, Mrs. Mark Scherwin, Miss Rebecca Duane, Mrs. Dr. A. M. Vedder, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Maria Barhydt, Mrs. Charles Angle, Mrs. Theodore Brown, Mrs. Aaron Freeman, Mrs. Elizabeth Walters, Mrs. Elizabeth De Wignem, Mrs. John C. EUis, Mrs. D. Cady Smith, Mrs. Richard Franchot and Mrs. Andrew McMullen. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 265 The Home of the Friendless was first located at 35 Green street, a very comfortable building fitted up with every equii)ment possible with the very limited means at hand. With the aid of Dr. A. M. Vedder, Max Schwin, T. W. McC'amus, Austin M. Kitchum, David Murray, Charles II. Mathews, Sanmel W. Jackson, D. Cady Smith, Dr. Andrew Truax. Re\-. Horace G. Day and Louis Smith a charter was procured, the corporate name being the Home of the Friendless of the City of Schenectady. The first trustees were: Rev. J. Trumbull Backus, Charles H. Mathews, Alexander McVedder, D. Cady Smith, Dr. Andrew Truax, Rev. Horace G. Day and Louis C. Barhydt. The institution was wholly under the control and manage- im-iil of the Ladies' Society of the Home of the Friendless. 'Hie work was carried on until the quarters became inadcHiuate to accommodate and properly care for the number of inmates. In order to provide for this a lot was purchased on Union street in 1908 with money left in a legacy by Miss Anna McNee. The Old Ladies' Home erected on this site in 1908 is one of the pleasantest and most attractive institutions of the kind in the state. It is oc-cupied to its full capacity. It is in every respect a worthy institution. YOUNG men's christian ASSOCIATION The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in 1858 and began its work in a few rooms rented for the purpose in the Clute building on State street. Prof^John Newman was the first president chosen, George F. Bolhs. vHce-president; Charles S. Vedder, correspondmg secre- tan- William F. Fox, recording secretary; and James J. Mariette, treasurer. The first board of directors was composed of the following named citizens of Schenectady: 266 SCHENRCTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN Joseph B. (irahuni. David Ilerroii, Jr., David J. Techenor, Charles N. Vales, A. Craijj; I'ahiier, Charles Brockinyer, Daniel A. AtNvell, Samuel Lyoii. William DeCJrafF, Heiii- hrant T. Wilkie aiul Abraham \'an \raiikeii. During the Civil War the association lost vitality and finally in 186'? th<* a\ ork as an association cejised altogether. It lay dormant lioiii this time until 1867 when by the effort of some c»i" the active, public spirited citizens a reorganiza- tion of the ;ussociation was effected and the work begun with new vigor. After the new organization was perfected officers were chosen as follows: Nicholas Cain. j)resident; C. C. Brown an' in business and building. Schenectady then had a population of approximately twenty thousand, yet there was not a hospital in the city. On the date mentioned a meeting of some of the inter- ested citizens was held at the mayor's office to discuss the proposition of establishing a dispensary, or an emergency hospital, with a few beds to care for and treat accident cases. Some progress was made in the project and another meeting was held at the mayor's office on November 6, at which definite action was taken to organize the institution. Plans were presented and discussed at this meeting. They were adopted and steps were at once taken to incorporate the society. A board of managers was also appointed composed of the follo\\-ing citizens: Rev. T. G. Darling, Rev J P B. Pendleton, G. N. Caleb, Thomas Yelverton, John Yelverton, John L. Swits, S. W. Jackson, Ora Brownell, John J. Hart, John H. Munsell, B. L. Conde, H S. DeForest and W. E. Griffis. \t a meeting of the board held on the 9th of November following the Rev. T. G. Darling was chosen president; 268 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN John L. Swits, secrctan', and Ira Brownell, treasurer. The new hospital oj)entHl for patients in a two-story build- ing on Tnion street on Christmas, IHSo. The nienil)ers of the first hospital staff were: Dr. ('. C. Dnryee, Dr. i\. E. M«l)..iial' sum to erect a new biiildin<,', Charles (j. Ellis die,()0() for the erection of a building for an institution to be known as the Ellis Hospital. This fund, together with some small sub.scriptions previously received was used in the erection and efjuipment of the larger hospital on .lay street, which is now the "annex" of the City Ilall. In 1SJ)1 a new hosj)ital eorporation known as the Ho.s- pital Association of the City of Schenectady was formed and in March ^27. ISO.S. the new Ellis Hospital was formally opentHl. Although this wa.s much larger than the former (iuarters,it was found within ten years that the Jay street building also was too small and unsuitable by reason of its location to meet the growing needs. Therefore, in 190.3, a spacious plot of ground was purchased at the junction of Nott street and Rosa road and work was at once begun. In 1906 the new tmd handsome hosi)ital was completed imd opened. During these years and at the present time the Woman's Auxiliary Association has been of inestimable value to the upbuilding and the mamtenance of Ellis Hospital. The location of the hospital is admirable, the buildings are SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 260 modem and well equipped; and while the scope and extent of the work has ciuadnipled the equipment and inefficiency in management has i)hiced ElHs Hosj)ital among the very best. It is now a credit to the city. During the month of February', 1914, an additional $100,000 was raised by subscription in the City to the sum to be used for necessary extensions and greater equipment. MERCY HOSPITAL Mercy Hospitiil was organized in 1907 as the Physicians Ilospittd, an association of physicians of the city, who realized the needs of a second hospital conducted along certiiin lines. It was continued as the Physician's Hospi- tix\ until 1913 when it was taken over and conducted for a short time by the Sisters of Mercy, who renamed it Mercy lIosi)itaI. In the early part of the year 1914 the Sisters transferred the institution back to the original association, whereupon a new organization was effected and a broader plan of operation wa.s adopted. The hospital can accommodate only thirty patients. Yet it is well equipped and has a capable staff of managers and physicians. Mercy Hospi- tal is wholly independent and non-sectarian, having a board of tlirectors composed of all creeds and faiths in religion. The present board of managers is as follows: Walter (i. Robinson, president; H. S. Liddle, M.D., vice-presi- dent; George P. Herron, M.D., treasurer; Robert S. LeBeaux, secretar>^ and manager. The superintendent is Miss Edith Atkin. The Hospital Association has a property on Union street valued at $25,000 with furnish- ings and equipment of several thousand value. Durmg 270 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN the year, 1913, about 1000 patients were treated. The institution treats all classes of patients without regard to their financial ability to meet the charge. REV. J. TRUMBULL BACKUS, D.D. Although more than twenty years have now passed since the death of the Rev. Jonathan Trumbull Backus his memory still lives with many residents of Schenectady, and the impress left upon the community in his long, active and beneficial life is yet visible and influential. Dr. Backus was born in Albany and prepared for college at the Albany Academy. He then entered Columbia University in the class with Hamilton Fish and others who afterwards won distinction in various fields of endeavour. Dr. Backus was the valedictorian of his class which was a distinctive honor in view of the unusual metal calibre of which it was composed. After his graduation at Columbia, Dr. Backus entered the Princeton Theological Seminary and won honor also for his scholarship and ability. As a young man he was exceptionally well equipped, both as to preparation and natural ability to undertake the life work he was about to enter upon. He accepted the call to the First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady at a time when the affairs of the society were not particularly pacific nor was the church particu- larly strong either as to membership or finance. The pas- torates during the Church's history had been short and full of trouble. His coming to the church, therefore, was the coming of a messenger of peace and prosperity. It was the real beginning of the unity of spirit and the upbuilding of the church. SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 271 Dr. Backus' pastorate began in 1832 when he was but twenty-three years of age. It was his first and only pastorate. It was the beginning of his "forty years of service" and "twenty years of benediction," for he Uved twenty years after retiring fron the pastorate, and during this latter period the influence that he exerted for the moral and Christian uplift of the community was as potent as when in active pastoral work. It was said of him at the time of his death that "the whole period of the Church's prosperity fell within the life of Dr. Backus." Under his influence and labor the church grew greatly in numbers as well as in good works. But Dr. Backus' labors in the uplift of the community were not confined to ministerial efforts. He was a leader in the educational and civic betterment of Schenectady. He with Dr. Nott and Judge Paige were the promoters of the Union School System and it was due to their efi^orts that it was early brought to a high standard of excellence and eflficiency. Dr. Backus served for many year as president of the board of education, during which time he devoted earnest and intelligent effort for educational advancement. He also served as president of the board of trustees of Union College. During these years too he did much to broaden and advance the scope of labor in the Presbyterian denomina- tion. His influence here was as potent as in local affairs. As evidence of this, he was chosen by proclamation Moderator of the Reunion Assembly of the church, a signal honor at that time, and one never before conferred. Dr. Backus died in 1872 after a long life devoted to good w^orks and with the love and honor of all who knew him and were made better by his influence. The imprint of his beautiful character upon the church and the community remains to the present. 27^2 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN REV. HORACE G. DAY There are few instances where one pastor and the cliurch lived together fifty years. Yet the Rev. Horace G. Day was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Schenectady for this period of time and his going out caused a greater degree of sorrow among tlie cluirch's members juid the comnuinity than the pleasure caused by his coming to the society. He was another one of the workers in that field of endeavor whose life and spirit cast a beneficent influence over the whole city. Mr. Day became pastor of the church on January 1, 1847, following the i)astorate of the Rev. William Arthur, father of Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States from 1881 to 1885. Mr. Day was then a young man who had as yet served no church as pastor, but was well pre- I)ared and equipped for the vid(' hiisiiioss. and a new era of niamifacturing in the United Stales. Later the Edison Machine Works \vas succeeded hy the Edison Electric Light Company which in 1886 estalilished a mamifacturiiig plant at Schenectarjy. X. Y. In 18S'-2 the Amcii(;iii MIcctric CoMipaiiy A\as ni<)\»'ctady, X. Y., Lynn, Mass., Pittsfield, ^hlss.. and LLirrison, X. J. The company also hiLs [)lants at Erie, Pa., Fort Wayne, Lid., 'i'oledo, Ohio, Cle\-eland, Ohio, Xewark. X. J., and Ea.st Bo.ston, >Liss. In 18})'2 when the con.solidation of the great corporations took place Schenectady became the headquarters of one of the greatest manufacturing industries of the world — in fact, of its line, the greatest in the world. From a few small buildings at the beginning in 188fl the plant has expandtni into more than a hundred buildings, .some of them the largest and best equip^jed of any industrial e.stablishment in the United States. Also from a few hundred men employed in 1886 the number has increa.sed yearly until in 1914 eighteen thousand are employed in the \arious departments of the plant, with a weekly pay- roll exceeding three hundred thousand dollars. SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN ^79 Electrified and vitalized by this power and the ever expandinj^ institution in control Schenectady has grown from an almost silent way station to an energetic and pro- gressive city. Thus for the second time in its history Schenectady is one of the important towns of the country. In the first period it was the city of ship commerce; now, it is the Electric City. Xor is this the only benefacti(m the city has received through this corporation. As a company and as indi- \ i(lu;ils, those at its head have helped in the building of libraries, schools, hospitals, churches and other institu- tidiis for the uplift and betterment of Schenectady. THE WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY The Westinghouse Company, manufacturer of agricul- tural imi)lements, was one of the two main industries of Schencctiidy uj) to 1886. It has been an important factor in the business life of the city since 1856. The industry was established a considerable number of years prior to that date when George Westinghouse, Sr., began the manufacture of threshing machines in a moderate way. He first established himself in Florida, Montgomery Co. A little later he moved his plant to Central Bridge and there carried on the business until 1856. Schenectady offered more favorable conditions and more available space for the growing business, so the plant was moved. Mr. Westinghouse was born in Vermont in 1809. His early life was spent on a farm where he learned by experi- ence the value of improved farm implements and it was as a result of this that he invented the threshing machine which he manufactured. He was a successful busmess man throughout his career and after locating m Schenec- tady the industry increased in great measure until it "iSO SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN hccaiiif «»nt' <»f tli<- rcco^Miizctl aj^ricultunil imi)lement factorifs of the coiiiitry. His thrcshiiiii niucliino was improMMl lidiii \t'af to xcar and the l)iisiiu'ss likewise iiicnMSfd as tlic acroa^'o «>r jiraiii raisiii^ ijuTciused. They iirst iiialic Librar\- was incorporateil by the Stxite in 189,), and was first opened for public use in September of that year. It was located in the Fuller building on Stiite street near the canal, where the present Wtnlgeway building stands. With the exception of one year it continued there until the new public library' build- ing was completed in 1903. The public library, a very imposing structure, admirably situated on Union street and erected at a cost of $50,000, was the gift of Andrew Carnegie. The site upon which it stands was purchased from Union College for $1'2,000. This was made possible by a gift of $15,000 from the General Electric Company. The building was formally \ II W (II I NUiN t (il.I.KGl 1.()<)KIN(; KASrWARI) SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 281 turned over to the library trustees on Oct. 6, 1903, and service began at once in the new institution. The Hbrarj^ began in a small way in 1895 and has steadily grown and expanded in all departments, contain- ing at the beginning of 1914 approximately 35,000 volumes with a circulation in 1913 of about 175,000. Its success is due to the liberal views and constant and unselfish devotion of those citizens who have served as its busi- ness directors. Such as the late Albert J. Pitkin, who left by will $5,000 to the institution, and George T. Han- ford from whose estate a like sum was paid. Judge Alonzo P. Stong and Mr. Albert L. Rohrer have been trustees from the beginning. There is a t id-bit of interesting history in the almost forgotten fact that Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once visited the Mohawk Valley, and during this time wrote the famous poem which began with the lines: "From morn to set of sun I've seen the mighty mighty Mohawk run." This poem was begun while Moore was a guest at the Van Alstine home a little distance west of Schenectady, and was completed at Cohoes. A Mr. Cox, of Canajoharie who met the poet while on this trip and not being aware of his identity, afterwards said that he had met a very bright young Irishman. Many citizens of Schenectady recall Isaac Yates, a native of the city, a man of estimable qualities. He was an officer in the United States Navy in which he served many years. The war vessel to which he was attached was sunk while in China. Hinsdell Parsons, a prominent lawyer and also actively identified with other interests in Schenectady, was killed m 1913 while touringinhisownautomobile. He wasfor many years chief attorney for the General Electric Company and president of the Schenectady Illuminating Company. '^S-2 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN FREDERICK F. F:iSENMEN(iER 111 IIr- all'airs of the city and in the esteem of the com- munity there have been few avIio stooii hii,'}icr than did Frederick F. Eisenmenfrer. Mr. Eisenmen<^er had an unusual career. He \vas horn in 1841) and when the Civil War came on lie. as a boy of a httk' over thirteen years of aj^e, wislied to become a soldier. He ran away from home, was taken on an euf^ine to New York where he was taken before a colonel in command of one (tl the re«::iments. The colonel was so much pleased with >()un<2; Eisenmen;.fer's ambition and courage that he took him alonji as an onierly. Ei.senmenger made a brilliant record and became a leader and influential factor in the army. After the close of tlu' war he returned home and became a foreman in the Schenectady Ix)comoti\e Works. Finally, on account of his strength of character and popularity, he was elected police justice and continued to serve in that capacity for twenty successive years. In 1904 he was elected mayor and served two years. At the close of this service he was elected superintendent of the poor, in all of which offices he discharged the duties with honor and efficiency. Mr. Eisenmenger was a Democrat in politics yet his supporters came from all parties. For twenty-four years he suffered no defeat when a candidate for office. He died in 191 "2. YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION The Young Women's Christian Association was organ- ized in 1886. It has struggled against much adversity and many handicaps of various kinds. All through these years the association has been directed by those having a SCIIENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 283 steadfast purpose and plan which they have striven to develop into an agency for the uplift and betterment of the young ladies of the city. The association now owns its building at No. 14 State street, and has a membership of above 800. Miss Helen W. Hyndman is the president and Miss Eleanor J. Allen the secretary. A PERISCOPE When the chary Dutchmen builded the Schenectady of nearly three hundred years ago with its rigid simplicity of style and uniformity of pers[)ective, it was complete; it was their ideal. Their style of architecture, it was true, lacked something of the grace and symmetry of that of the present, yet it was substantial and durable. A few specimens of it exist today and make a creditable appear- ance beside the twentieth century vogue. The era of improvement and beautification came later. It began early in the nineteenth century and for many years up to 1805 a great work was accomplished. This all bears the stamp of the spirit, the skill and taste of Dr. Nott. He was the prime leader in the great work of laying out streets and beautifying them with shade trees and other touches of art that added grace and attraction. The I'nion College garden furnished the trees and shrubbery that now grace many streets and pleasant spots in the city Dr Nott was an untiring worker for the improvement and embellishment of the city. When he died nearly every section of the citv at that time bore the mark of his many years of earnest labor for Schenectady's uplift and better- ment. . 1 • •„ The twentieth century has brought an awakening in this great municipal advancement, and much had been done to add to and extend the limits in city improvements. 281 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN Since 1000 the city has increased in population one hun- dred and twenty-nine per cent. The first contract for a sewer in Schenectady, so record says, was let in 188G. In 1914 there are above one hundred and thirteen miles of sewers in the citj', and nearly sixty- five miles of paved streets, bein^ about one-half of all the streets of the city. Five hundrtxl thousand dollars have been expended in pavinj,' streets since 1900. Since 1900 also the develoi)ment in all directions has been marvelous. In 190.') Bellevue and Mount Pleasunt, by le 5. 1^ SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 285 the northern border of the city is well nigh in a completed stage. Schenectady's proximity to the great northern New York resort country and its geographical position puts it in close touch with the famous resorts in the Lake George and I.ake Champlain region. It affords an easy and plejisant trip by trolley and steam roads to this charming .section. The year 1914 has to record the most disastrous flood in the history of the Mohawk Valley. The water in the Mohawk river on the 28th day of March rose twenty -three and five-tenths feet, meanwhile being clogged and checked by great ice gorges. The river rose so high that the water ran over the Scotia steel bridge at Washington avenue, moving one of the great .stone piers and otherwise damag- ing the .structure. The section of the city in the vicinity of the bridge and the streets running from Front to the river were inundate, houses were flooded and families driven from their homes. Many were rescued by men with boats. The water extended to Church street and Wash- ington avenue and south to State street. Two bridges over the river a short distance east of the city, namely, the Freeman and the Rexford bridge were swept away and at the former bridge two men, John Ellis and John Becker, lost their lives in a heroic effort to save the bridge and other property. This last disaster, however, is of small consequence in comparison with the many and greater ones in Schenec- tady's earlier life. The fighting strength and courage of those days are now spent mostly in other lines. The baptism of blood of the early times has become a baptism of commercialism. .A^ ^'^•'*. -^ >.l.V,-^-^' \-^ ^^-^^^ ^a^. ■ i&r%/^''#l'v \ /:i&^^ V-^^ ^v-^^