LANDMARKS Albany County NEW YORK. EDITED BY AMASA J. PARKER OF ALBANY, N. Y. SYRACUSE. N. Y. ; D. MASON & CO.. PUBLISHERS, 1897. ^.r. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I 1 CHAPTER II ' 5 CHAPTER III. 10 CHAPTER IV 20 CHAPTER V 25 CHAPTER VI... U CHAPTER VII 50 CHAPTER VIII 63 CHAPTER IX.... . 84 CHAPTER X 103 CHAPTER XI, Civil List 121 CHAPTER XII, Judicial-)' and Bar 130 CHAPTER XIII, The Medical Profession.. 168 CHAPTER XIV, Journalism 233 CHAPTER XV, General Education 253 CHAPTER XVI, Public Institutions and Buildings.. '..... 268 CHAPTER XVII, The City of Albany... "'^^ CHAPTER XVni, Tcuvn of Watervliet (now Colonie), West Vrov (now Watervliet Citv), Green Island as Town and Vil- ' 39-4 lage, and the City of Cohoes. CHAPTER XIX, Town of Rensselaerville - - - - - - "^^^ CHAPTER XX, Town of Coeymans ' •' CHAPTER XXI, Town of Bethlehem ^^^ 499 CHA-PTER XXII, Town of Berne CHAPTER XXIII, Town of Guilderland CHAPTER XXIV, Town of Westerlo ^28 CHAPTER XXV, Town of Knox. ... - - - ■ CHAPTER XXVI, Town of New Scotland 5^^ PART II. 1-200 BIOGRAPHICAL PART III. 1-376 FAMILY SKETCHES. 377-500 INDEXES PORTRAIT INDEX Amsdell, George .facing o78, Part Barnes, Thurlow Weed, facing 159, Part II Barnes, William, jr... facing 338, Part I Beattie, William facing 12, Part II Bendell, Herman, M. D., facing 168, Part I Best, George N facing 158, Part II Bigelow, John M., M. D., Ph. D., facing 203, Part 1 Blair, Louis E., M. D., facing 10, Part II Blunn, James facing 420, Part I Borthwick, James M. . facing 83, Part II Brady, Anthony N. ..facing ICO, Parti Brass, Richard W facing 86, Part II Briggs, John N facing 480, Part I -'.n.nk, Barent T. E.. facing 166, Part II '.r.Miks, Jonas H facing 68, Part II !r' i\vn, Frank facing 440, Part I ^jniwn, W. Howard ...facing 43, Part II Buchanan, Charles J. . facing 166, Part I ^uich, John G facing 140, Part II Burke, Rt. Rev. Thomas facing 353, Part I Burlingame, Eugene A., facing 144, Part I Byington, William Wilberforce, facing 356, Part I Cantine, Edward B. . .facing 54, Part II Carpenter, Charles Whitney, facing 108, Part II Clute, Jacob H facing 143, Part I Covert, lames C .facing 423, Part I Cox, James W., M. D., facing 217, Part -I Curreen, George H. . .facing 130, Part II Delehanty, John A^ Dickson, Walter.. Doane, Rt. Rev. V D. D., LL. 1 .fncinc;S2, Part II laniv.; Ii:;, Part II ham t;i..swell, tauuv.; ;j40, Part I Easton, Frederick facing 33, Part II Fi.sk, Frank H., M. D. facing 167, Part II Fitzgerald, David C. ..facing 49, Part II Fuller, Howard N facing 292, Parti Griflfin, Rev. William, D. D., facing 344, Part I Hale, Matthew facing 130, Part I Harris, Hamilton.. ...facinc 3, Part II Hastings, Hugh fami- 7:;, I'art II Hornby, Ralph fa. in;., lis, I 'a it II House, George A faLin;.; IC;;, i'.ulll Howell, George Roger.s, facing 274, Part I Jerraain, James Barclay, facing 8, Part I Jones, Charles Edmund, A. M., M. D., facing 155, Part II King, Rufus H facing 24, Parti Kinnear, Peter ...facing 6, Part II Lewi, Joseph. M. D facing 172, Part I Lewis, T. Ho ward... facing 47, Part II Liieke, Henry .facing 160, Partll Marsh, Benjamin facing 56, Parti Marvin, Selden E., Gen., facing 375, Part I Marvin, Selden E., Col., jr., facing 33, Part II McCormic, Robert H., jr., facing 77, Part II McCreary. Edward facing 17, Part II McKee, James B facing 434, Part I McKown, James A... facing 141, Part II Meegan, Edward J facing 50, Part II Merrill, Frederick J, H., facing 271, Part I Munson, Samuel L. . ..facing 358, Part I Myers, Ma.x facing 14, Part II Nead, William M.. M. D., facing 210, Part I Newman, John L. .... facing 20, Part II Oliver, Robert Shaw, Gen., facing 384, Part I Parker, Amasa J facing 143, Part II Parker, Amasa J facing 151, Part II Palmer, Edward DeL., facing 320, Par Pasiju Attilio facin Perry, Isaac G. facing Klo, Part II Plympton, Lucy Ann.. facing 266, Part I Porter, Charles H.. M. D.. facing 178, Part I Pruvn, John V. L., LL. D., facing 63, Part II Root, Josiah G facing 447, Part I Sanford, John C facing 452, Parti Sisson, Noel E .facing 132, Part II Slavin, Thomas facing 91, Part II Slingerland, John I facing 492, Part I Spalding, Nathaniel B., facing 87, Part II Stedman, George L._ facing 40, Part II Stern, Louis... .facing 92, Part II Story, George facing 168, Part II Stowell, Charles F facing 296, Part I Sweet, Elias W facing 165, Part II Sweet, Elnathan facing 386, Parti Thacher, George Hornell, facing 58, Part II Townsend, Frederick, Gen., facing 361, Part I Tracev, Charles facing 123, Part I Tucker, Luther , facing 239, Part I Tucker, Luther H facing 240, Part : Van Alstyne, Thomas J., facing 101, Van Alstyne, William C, facing 288, Van Antwerp, John H., facing 376, Vandcr Veer, Albert. M. D., facing 179, Van Loon, Arthur B., M. D., facing 25, \'an Rensselaer, Howard. M. D. , facing 80, Van Woriner, John R., facing 110, Vosburgh, Isaac W facing 40, Ward. Samuel Baldwin, M. D., facing 177 Wilson, James H facing 116, Wooster, Benjamin W. , facing 44, Zeh, M. J., M. D facing 412, Parti Part II Parti Part I Part I Part II Part II Part II Part I Part I Part II Part II Landmarks of Albany County. CHAPTER I. The history of Albany county begins in IGOil, when, as far as can be known with certainty, the first Europeans visited this locality. If white men were here previous to that time the fact is not susceptible of proof; but thenceforward to the present, through a period of more than two hundred and eighty-five years the historic record may be clearly traced, and the story is filled with interesting details of events of great historical importance. The county of Albany was not formed until 1683, at which time the early history of this region was far ad- vanced and the great struggle for conquest and possession of this con- tinent was foreseen. Albany county ' was one of the ten original counties of the present State of New York, and the other nine being New York, West Chester, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk. At the time of its erection the county embraced an immense area, from which the following counties were erected on the dates named : Gloucester, March 16, 1770, including what is now Orange, Wasli- ington, Caledonia, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle, all in Vermont. Tryon, March 13, 1772 (name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784), from which all the counties of the State west of Greene, Schoharie, Schenectady, Saratoga, Warren, Essex and part of St. Lawrence were formed. Charlotte, March 12, J 772 (name changed to Washington April 2, I7S4), from which were erected Warren, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Essex, and Franklin. ' .\l the time of the formation of Albany county nine ,.thers were erected from territory now embraced in the State of New York, and two, Dukes and Cornwall, from Massachusetts and Cunibciiaiul, April I, ITSC, cnibracino; lliu present euunties cif Ren- ningluii, \Viiulsor, Windluini, Rutland, Addisun, and Chittenden, all in X'ermont. L'cilnmbia, April 4, I'SO. Rensselaer, February 7, 1701. Saratoga, February 7, 1701. Schoharie, April (i, 1795. Greene, March a5, 1800. Schenectady, March 7, ISOO. Albany county took its name from the Scotch title of the Duke c;f York and Albany, who was afterwards King James II of England. It is situated between forty-two degrees, twenty-three minutes, and forty- two degrees, forty-nine minutes north latitude, and between two de- grees, forty minutes, and three degrees, fifteen minutes, east longitude from Washington, and with the erection of the last county from its ter- ritory (Schenectady) it was left with an area of about bii square miles, or ;)48,lfJ0 acres. Its northern boundary is formed by Schenectady and Saratoga cotmties; its eastern by the Hudson River; its western by Schoharie county, and its southern by Greene county. The surface of this county has a general southeastern inclination and is undulating and hilly. An intervale of a width varying from a quar- ter of a mile to a mile extends along the Hudson River, which is bounded by a series of steep bluffs from 100 to ISO feet high; from the summit of these an undulating and slightly ascending plateau stretches westward to the foot of the Helderberg Hills,' where it reaches an ele- vation of about -too feet above tide. This range of hills rises to a height of from 400 to 800 feet above the plateau, with declivities some- times steep and precipitous on the east, but sloping more gradually on the west. Other minor hill i-anges extend through portions of the county in a general northerly and southerly direction. The loftiest eminence in the county is in the Helderbergs in the northeast corner of the town of Berne, and is 1,200 feet above tide. These hill ranges are spurs of the Catskills, which are the northerly continuation of the Allegany Mountains. The principal streams of Albany county are the Hudson, the Mohawk, the Catskill, the Schoharie, and the Norman's Kill. The streams trib- utary to the Hudson are the following, which come under the title of ' The name Hckk-rber.!,' signitie.s ' Clear JIminlain," fr.im the fine prospect from the summit of either river, creek, brook, or kill: The Catskill, Coeymans, Haana- Krois, Vlaman's, Norman's, Beaver, Rutten, Foxen, Patroon, Ralger, Cemeter}^ Dry, and Mohawk. Tributaries of the Mohawk are the Schoharie, Lisha's, Town, and Donker's. Those of the Catskill are Eig-ht-Mile, Ten-Mile, Scrub, Fox, and Wilbur. Of the Schoharie, Beaver Dam, Foxen and Switz. There are other minor streams which will be mentioned later in the town histories. In the western part of the county the streams g-enerally flow through narrow ravines, while those that flow into the Hudson have worn deep gullies in the soil, some of which are one hundred feet in depth and extend nearly to the river flats. The eastern boundary line of this county is through the middle of the Hudson River, which gives all of the islands lying west of that line to the count}^ These are Van Rensselaer's, or Westerlo Lsland, the largest, containing 160 acres, lying east of the sottthern part of the city of Albany-; Haver Island, Van Schaick's Island, and Whale Island, all near the junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson; Green Island, di- rectly opposite Troy and now a thickly settled villag'e ; Pleasure Island, a short distance above Albany; Reeren, or Bear's Island, eleven miles below Albany and belonging to the town of Coeymans; Shad, Scher- merhorn (or Neifer), Wooden and Poplar, opposite Coeymans : Sill's (or Van Woert)j Bear, Beacon (or Bisby), Cabbage (or Jolly), Marsh, and Rogart's, opposite Bethlehem; Lower Patroon, Patroon, Cuyler, Hill- house (or Glen), and Breaker, opposite Watervleit. On the Mohawk, above the Cohoes Falls, are Fonda and Cobble Islands. Some of these islands have an important history which will be found in its prrevent the canker of free-traders en- tering his '■ colonic." The first patroon died in H'tW. but his general policy was afterwards continued b}- his executors. At the same time Sheriff Van der Donck was superseded by Nicolaus Coorn, while in 1647 Kieft was succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant. The Indian wars which had been a source of so much trouble and loss to the southward, did not materially affect Rensselaerwyck, throughout which a fair degree of prosperity and growth prevailed, though at the time of Stuyvesant's arrival there were only about a dozen houses in Beverwyck, with a small settle- ment at Bethlehem, while a few " bouweries " were also cultivated on the east side of the river opposite Fort Orange. Little had been done in the Katskill region, it being substantially a wilderness from Fort Orange to Manhattan. The heir to the patroonship of Rensselaerwyck was Johannes Van Rensselaer, a minor, whose interests devolved upon his uncle, Johannes Van Wely, and Wouter Van Twiller, executors of the estate, who im- mediately rendered fealty and homage to their High Mightinesses for the "colonic" and in behalf of their ward. The immediate management of the estate, however, was entrusted to Brant Arent Van .Slechtenhorst, of Nieukerke in Guilderlandt, who was appointed director of the colony, president of the court of justice and superintendent of all the bouweries, farms, mills and other property descending from the patroon. His salary was 750 florins ($300) per annum, with a house, four cows, two horses, eight acres of tillage and the same quantity of pasture land. He was charged to maintain and defend the freedom and privileges of the colony; to promote the interests and advance the settlement of Beverwyck and its immediate neighborhood, and to acquire by purchase the lands about Katskill, as some of the colonists were forming com- panies to remove thither. He was ordered also to explore for minerals, and to report in full to his superiors. His son, Gerrit, was to act as schout-fiscal, at a salary of 600 florins, but served thus only two months, when the office was merged in that of director. New Netherlands now became the scene of a prolonged contest, with Director-General Stuyvesant and Brant Van Slechtenhorst at the head of the opposing factions. New Amsterdam had been and still was jealous of the existence of the patroon colonies, considering them an- tagonistic to rapid settlement, and efforts had, at an early period, been made by the New Amsterdam authorities to induce the patroon to cede to them his rights and possessions; failing in this they now determined to circumscribe and restrict his field of operations as far as lay in their 29 power. Stiiyvesant claimed to be supreme in the countr}', irrespective of all feudal rights and privileges. Van Slechtenhorsfs position may be inferred ; he was there tii protect the interests of the heir and would rec- ognize no authority within his limits, other than that of his superiors or legal representatives. He claimed that the director-general could issue no order that would be obligatory upon him, unless it were endorsed and countersigned by his commander and executed by the officers of his court. An ante-climax was reached before Slechtenhorst had been in office a month A proclamation ordering the first Wednesday in May, inis, to be observed as a fast, was received from the director-general by the Rens- selaerwyck authorities as an invasion of the rights of the lord of the manor, and Van Slechtenhorst protested. This action touched vStuy- vesant's pride as well as opposed his authority, and he visited the "colonic" to put a stop to such proceedings, with;his military escort, being loyally greeted by a salvo of artillery from the patroon's ar- tillery. His interview with Van Slechtenhorst was not very satis- factory. When he accused the old Dutchman of infringing" the scjvereignty of the Dutch West India Company, he was met with the reply: "Your complaints are unjust ; I have more reason to complain on behalf of my patroon against you." Stuyvesant then put forth a, long protest, accusing Van Slechtenhorst with having conveyed lots and authorized the erection of buildings in the immediate vicinity of Fort Orange in disregard of the sovereign authority and in contempt of the director-general's commission, and thus destroying the security of the fort. He ordered, therefore, "in a friendly manner," that a stop should be put to all building operations within cannon range of the fort, unless under orders of the Lords Majors; that no new ordinances should issue that would aiTeet the sovereign authority, or relating to commerce or public welfare, without consent of their High Mightinesses or their representative in New Netherland; that no ex- clusive right to any branch of trade be rented, nor an}' grain, masts, or other ]3ropert}''belonging to the company's servants be seized, unless in suits that should be prosecuted without delay. The inhabitants of the colony of Rensselaerwyck had been compelled to sign a pledge that as defendants they would not appeal to the Supreme Court of New Netherland from judgments of the Court of Rensselaerwyck; this practice was condemned by Stuyvesant as a "crime," an infraction of the law of the land and a subversion of the charter. To abolish this 30 ]3ractice he insisted upon an annual return to the director and council of all the proceedings in the colony court. A'an Slechtenhorst was also called upon to produce his authority from either the States-General or the Chamber at Amsterdam. Failiny in all this Van Slechtenhorst would be protested against for disobedience of orders. \'an vSlechtenhorst was a man of strong will and choleric temper; moreover, he sincerely believed that the rights and privileges of his young patroon were being trampled upon, the charter overridden and the Lords-Majors insulted by Stuyvesant's demands. He promptly answered protest by protest. He charged the director-general with having ordered a day of fasting " contrary to ancient order and usage, as if he were the lord of the patroon's colonic." He accused the hire- lings of the company at the fort with cutting timber and firewood in the piatroon's forests without permission, "as if these were their own " ; with having overrun the colon)- with people from Manhattan, "with savages by their side to serve as brokers," trading publicly with the Indians without license from the patroon or his agents and without paying duties. He claimed the order to cease building within certain limits near the fort had no justification, insisting that the patroon's trading house stood "a few years ago" on the border of the moat sur- rounding the fort; all that soil, he claimed, still belonged to the pa- troon, who had not been disturbed thereon until Director Stuyvesant now sought " by unbecoming means " to deprive " his orphan heir " of his rights. i\nd so the strife went on, increasing in vigor on both sides. Van Slechtenhorst was in the right as far as building near the fort was involved, and that was, perhaps, the chief point at issue. The pretense that buildings near the fort endangered it was folly. The buildings referred to were more tlian five hundred rods from the fort, and eight houses had already been built between them and the fort. Van Slechtenhorst continued his improvement at Beverwyck, and an- other protest came up from Manhattan warning him to stop or force would be used to bring him to terms. But this only called out another reply from Van Slechtenhorst, in which he asserted that no suit cotdd be begun, nor execution issued in another district without consent of the schout-fiscal or court of that jurisdiction; therefore, the proceed- ings were informal. It appears that Stuyvesant, who had claimed in July that all territory within range of cannon shot belonged to Fort ( )range, now reduced the circle to the range of a musket ball, witliin 31 which he purposed stopping building, although, as the record states, " he permits whole streets to be filled with houses in view of Fort Am- sterdam." Fort Orange having been badly damaged by freshets in the previous w-inter, the commissary of the West India Company re- ceived orders to surround it with a wall instead of the former wooden fence, but the work was scarcely begun when Van Slechtenhorst for- bade Carl Van Brugge, "in an imperious manner," from quarrying stone within the colony and from felling a tree for either timber or firewood. The West India Company was thus deprived of actual necessities unless they were humbly requested, or paid for. at what the company called "enormous prices." The work on the fort had to stop, while A'an Slechtenhorst continued building "even within pistol shot of Fort Orange." Stuyvesant now resolved to employ force to accomplish what he had thus far failed in. Six soldiers were sent up to Van Brugge's aid, with orders to demolish a house built by Van Slechtenhorst; to arrest that gentleman "in the most civil manner possible," and de- tain him until he delivered over a copy of his commission and in- structions. He was finally summoned to Fort Amsterdam to answer for his conduct. At the same time orders were issued prohibitin.a- the importation of guns into Rensselaerwyck without license from the Lords-Majors; if any were imported they were to be sold only to the West India Company at the price of two beavers each. Beverwyck was excited when the armed posse arrived. Peace had ever reigned in tlie little hamlet, and the only guns seen there were those which were traded to the Indians for furs at a profit that made the thrifty Dutch- men smile. The invading army was small, to be sure, but when it came with orders to demolish a dwelling and arrest the vice patroon, excitement ran high. The record intimates that these soldiers were not suited to their mission; that they were zealous when the patroon's timber was to be cut or his deer killed, while they insulted the com- mander " when walking the public street " in company with his deputy, Andries de Vos, cursing them .because " they had not bade them good evening." vStuyvesant. had received from the inhabitants at Fort Orange anel from the Indians the abusive epithet of "Wooden Leg." Now, the conduct of the six soldiers aroused the indignation of the Indians as well as of the white settlers, and all gathered at Beverwyck and de- manded to know if "Wooden Leg" intended to tear down the houses 32 which were built for their shelter in stormy weather. When they learned that all the strife was over a few rods of land, they invited Van Slechtenhorst to accompany them and they would give him plenty of land in the " Maquaas country"; so, he says, "more kindness was evinced by the unbelieving- savages than by our Christian neighbors, subjects of the same sovereign, bound by their oaths to protect us against insult and outrage." It will probablv never be known how imminent was a savage out- break at this time. It was natural that the Indians should favor the interests of those with whom they had come in direct contact and from whom they had received the much-prized guns and rum. When the six soldiers fired a salute over what they were pleased to term a victory, the Indians came together a second time and angrily inquired if "Wooden Leg's" dogs were still there and nothing averted bloodshed but the assur- ance of the inhabitants that the houses were not to be pulled down. It is recorded that "the Director-General's rash conduct had well nigh caused an outbreak, and the ruin, not only of the colony, but of the Manhattans and of the Christians within this land, who are all at the mercy of the savages. " Van Slechtenhorst now gave expression to his indignation at this violent encroachment in another protest. In reply to the demand for his commission., he called upon Stuyvesant for a written copy of his demands and complaints. He eloquently portrayed the contempt of the patroon and his court shown in Stuyvesant's demand, the illegality of which was rendered the more flagrant by the unusual and insolent manner in which it was made. "The noble patroon," said he, "had obtained in his possessions and immunities, was invested by the States- (leneral with high and low jurisdiction and the police of the most priv- ileged manors ; and were he, as his agent, now so base as to crouch be- fore the present unwarrantable proceedings, and to produce his com- mission, before he had received orders to that effect from his lords and masters, not only would they be injured, but he be guilty of a violation of his oath and honor, a betrayal of his .trust and a childish surrender of the rights of his patroon." He fortified his position by saying that some who had been guilty of similar infractions of law and custom in the Fatherland " had often been apprehended, and condemned to bread and water for the space of five or six weeks ; yea, were sometimes brought to the block." As justification for his order forbidding cutting timber he asked, " Is the patroon not master on his own land? Is he not free 33 t(i cut his timber as well as his corn, and can he not arrest these, when cut by others without his ])ermission?" The response from Stuyvesant was again a long' dissertation up(jn his authority and his rights. His power, he maintained, " extended to the colony of Rensselaerwyck, as well as to the other colonies. " Orders were sent to his workmen to hasten the repairs of the fort, and to pro- cure timber for the purpose anywhere in New Netherland, to quarry stone wherever they could be found, excepting upon farms and planta- tions which were fenced and cultivated. The " ancient and uninter- rupted ivse of the gardens and fields near the fort " was to be strictly held and the destruction of buildings thereon to be proceeded with. Van Slechtenhorst was summoned to New Amsterdam, as stated, and it was claimed that he could have obeyed the summons without difficulty, as "the river remained open, the winter pleasant, and several vessels .sailed up and down during the whole month of November. " But to place the whole responsibility upon Van Slechtenhorst's shoulders, the summons was now renewed and the commander peremptorily ordered to appear at Fort Amsterdam on the 4th of April following, to hear the complaint against him. It is claimed that the colonists at Beverwyck and Van Slechtenhorst himself cared little for the mere land in dispute near Fort Orange, but that the commander was strenuous in clinging to what he believed to be the rights and dignity of the patroon, while the settlers were merely exercising what they contended was their right to locate near the fort for better security. On the other hand the claim to the land on which stood Fort Orange was absurd, for the fort w^as built and garrisoned by the West India Company fifteen years before there was a Rensselaer- wyck; and, moreover, that company had up to 164-1 an exclusive mo- nopoly of the fur trade, which it intended to reclaim " whenever it shall be able to provide its magazines with a sufficient store of goods." Van Slechtenhorst never ceased his operations in Rensselaerwyck in the interest of the patroon. He extended its limits by the purchase of more lands to the southward from the Mohegans, acquired in 1648 the tract called Paponicuck for goods of trifling value and in the same spring, the events of which have just been recorded, purchased Kats- kill and Claverack. Meanwhile Van Twiller on the other side of the ocean was boldly claiming the monopoly of the traffic of the upper Hud- son, and publishing his determination to allow no vessels to pass Beeren Island or to trade near Rensselaerwyck. He went farther than Van 34 Slechtenhorst and asserted that Fort Orange was built on the patroon's territory, and that not even the West India Compan)' could yrant the right to build houses or trade near by. In short, feudal privileges in the broadest sense of the term were claimed by the patroon's agents. The director now determined to enforce his sovereign right and sent orders to remove all obstructions to free navigation of the river and to free trade at Fort Orange. If passage of the river was interfered with by arms, the guns were ordered seized; if tolls of any kind were ex- acted on any river, island or harbor, within the company's territory, to the injury of trade, they were to be opposed and abolished, by force if necessary. Already 'Van Slechtenhorst had granted a few leases for land at Katskill. The director refused to recognize his pretensions in that direction, as the land had already been granted to another. Stny- vesant protested against these leases and announced his purpose of op- posing encroachment in that region. To this action the Rensselaer- wyck authorities demurred, insisting that they were only fulfilling in- structions from their superiors in Holland. They requested the direc- tor-general to defer action until they could communicate with their superiors, pledging that meanwhile no settlement should be made on the disputed territory. A petition was sent to the States-General from New Netherland ask- ing for a burgher government (which was secured in 1()53); freedom from customs, tenths and other burdens, the abolition of the e.xport duty on tobacco, and other commercial reforms. This action may have been inspired by the fact that the New England colonies paid no cus- toms duties, but they were assessed directly for all government pur- poses. The only tax paid in New Netherland was upon tapsters, and that was returned to them by their patrons, while any individual could own as much wine or beer as he pleased free of excise. All the papers in this connection were turned over to a committee which reported April 11, 1650, recommending a liberal policy, the remedying of all griev- ances, and promising the recall of Stuyvesant. The patroons were to be compelled to "settle their colonists in the form of villages; the Nine Men were to be given broader judicial functions; the patroons or their agents, and delegates from the commonalty, were to choose represent- atives in the council, and a judicial system was to be established." In 1651 a call for a subsidy from Rensselaerwyck inaugurated an- other collision with the government at New Amsterdam; the latter had already demanded the excise on liquors in the patroon's territory, and 35 been refused. It was justly set forth that the patroon had paid from liis own resources the salaries of the minister and other servants and paid the general expenses of settlement of the colony. In June, IfiSO, these amounted to the equivalent of more than fllO.OOO, which was the ground for refusing further contribution. The commander, Van Slech- tenhorst, was authorized by the people to proceed to New Amsterdam and protest against the payment demanded. He arrived there late in April, Kiol, and met his opponent, Stnyvesant. Both were unyield- ing. After they separated and before \'an Slechtenhorst had finisheil his dinner, he was summoned before the director-general and council. Upon his appearance sentence was pronounced upon him, his conduct, especially regarding the Katskill settlement, being strongly con- demned. The commander was not abashed and demanded if a man was to be condemed unheard. The answer was his prompt arrest. He was detained there four months, during which he protested against his confinement and the Rensselaerwyck authorities repeatedly asked for his release. He finally escaped to Fort Orange on a sloop, guarantying the skipper against harm for carrying him. The skipper was fortunate in his guaranty, for on his return he was lined two hundred and fifty guilders and his vessel was held. Thus the struggle had continued three years since Stuyvesant set up his claim for separate jurisdiction for Fort Orange, independent of Rensselaerwyck; and still the matter was unsettled. As the gun shot limits, finally estimated by him to be one hundred and fifty rods, in- cluded the hamlet of Beverwyck, which was constantly becoming more populous, that settlement would be severed from the remainder of the colony, and as this would inevitably give the West India Company prac- tical control of the fur trade, it will be seen that the outcome of the matter was of much importance to the patroon's colonists. While this controversy was at its height, Jean Baptiste Van Rens- selaer, the first of that family who is known to have visited this coun- try, was elected one of the magistrates, and soon afterward an order was issued that all the freemen should take an oath of allegiance to the patroon. Troubles of minor character continued. On a New Year's night several soldiers armed with matchlocks came out of the fort and fired a number of shots at the patroon's house, upon the roof of which the gun wadding fell and the dwelling would have been destroyed but for the efforts of the inmates. The next day the younger .Slechtenhorst was assaulted by soldiers in the street, who beat him and dragged him 36 through the mud, in presence of the company's commissary, Johannes Dyckman, who encouraged the assault by crying out: " Let him have it now, and the deval take him! " Philip Pietersen Schuyler, son-in-law of the elder Slechtenhorst, endeavored to save the young man, where- upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened to run Schuyler through if he interfered. Other members of the commander's family were in- sulted and beaten by the soldiers. When friends of the family threat- ened revenge, Dyckman ordered the fort guns charged with grape and threatened to fire upon the patroon's house. At this juncture Stuj'vesant sent up some placards relating to the Fort Orange limits, which he ordered published in the colony. With these Dyckman, six others, and three soldiers, armed with guns and pistols, repaired to the house where the magistrates were sitting and commanded Van Slechtenhorst to make a minute of what was to be required. As it was contrary to the law for any man to enter another's jurisdiction with an armed body, without consent of the local authorities, this movement on Dyckman 's part was protested against by the commander, who ordered Dyckman to leave the room. He retired, but came back with a larger force and demanded that the placards should be published throughout the colony by the sound of the bell. " It shall not be done so long as we have a drop of blood in our veins, nor until we receive orders from their High Mightinesses and our honored masters," exclaimed the court. Dyck- man now proceeded to the fort and ordered the bell to be rung three times; he then returned to the patroon's court house, ascended the steps with his followers and directed his deputy to proclaim the placards, while the excited burghers gathered around. As the deputy was about to obey, Van Slechtenhorst rushed forward and tore the placards from his hands, "so that the seals fell on the ground." When the news of these occurrences reached New Amsterdam, Stuyvesant sent anothei- placard to Dyckman, again defining the jurisdiction of Fort Orange lo extend to a circumference of six hundred paces from the fort, and con- tinuing as follows: In order tliat no man shall plead ignorance, we further charge our Commissary, after publication hereof, to erect on the aforesaid limits, north, south and west of the aforesaid fortress, a post, marked with the Company's mark, and to affix, on a board nailed thereto, a copy hereof. Within those bounds it was ordered that no house should be built, unless authorized by the director and council, or their agents. This illegal act, which violated rights of property as well as the charter of 3r 1639, separated forever the settlement of Bevervvyck from Yan Rens- selaer's colony. The patroon's officials ordered the obnoxious posts removed at once, protesting "before Almighty God and the States- General against all open force and violence, and insisting on reparation for all losses and damages which might accrue or be caused thereby." The patroon's court on the some day drew up anothpr protest "against the unbecoming pretensions and attacks of the Dire'ctor and Council of New Netherland," denying again the authority of the latter and insist- ing that the settlers on the manor had never sworn allegiance to the company, and much less to Rtuyvesant, and owned no masters but the States General and their own immediate superiors. In return this document was declared by the director and council " a libellous cal- umny." The vexatious question of jurisdiction now came up in another form. A negress, the property of Sander Leendertsen Glen, was charged with theft and caused several "decent persons" to be prosecuted as receiv- ers of the stolen goods. Her arrest being ordered, Dyckman proceeded to execute his warrant, but her master refused to surrender her that evening, upon which Dyckman informed him that he had power to send him and all his family to jail, and to pull his house down about his ears, " as it was erected on the Company's soil." Glen replied that he had nothing to do with Dyckman, and said, "I cannot serve a new master until I am discharged from the one I live under." Dyckman now threatened Glen with the wrath of Stuyvesant, when Glen retorted that he would fare as well with the director as with Dyckman. There- upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened the burgher with death, while the latter caught up a club with which to defend himself. Next morning (ilen was placed under arrest in the fort. Rumors were now circulated that Stuyvesant was soon to visit Beverwyck and Dyckman asserted that a new gallows was to be erected for "\'an Slechtenhorst, his son and young Van Ren.sselaer. But Stuyvesant was busy at New Amsterdam in ridding himself of the last of his opponents there, in the person of Attorney General \'an Dyck. This official had been ill treated by Stuyvesant from the time of his appointment and excluded from the colony for two years. Later he was charged with menial duties and otherwise humiliated. In the same spring of the year a lampoon .ippeared directed toward Stuyvesant, and Van Dyck was charged with being its author. The council was called together to consider the momentous matter and 38 actually adopted a resolution dismissing \'an Dyck from office "on ac- count of the multitude of his misdemeanors and connivances." While it was claimed that this proceeding- had the sanction of the Nine Men, they repudiated it, declaring that it was adopted wholly on Stuy- vesant's authority and that they were not aware of any complaints against Van Dyck. Cornelius Van Tienhoven was appointed to the office, while Carl Van Brugge succeeded Van Tienhoven as provincial secretary. Van Dyck defended himself by a written accusation against Stuyvesant in which he bitterlj' condemned the dii'ector and denounced the appointee to the office as the perjured secretary, a reproach to the country and the main scourge of both Christians and heathens, "with whose sensualities the Director himself has been always acquainted." Stuyvesant now turned his attention to Van Slechtenhorst. For this purpose he visited Fort Orange and called the authorities of Rens- selaerwyck together to define what they claimed as their boundaries. The director expressed his consent to allow them four miles on one side or two miles on both sides of the river, but warned them against claiming more. They replied that they had no authority to act in the ])remi.ses and again asked for delay until they could communicate with Holland, which was granted. The question of supremacy over Bever- wyck was not so readily disposed of. Sergeant Litschoe and a squad of soldiers approached the door of the patroon's house and ordered Van Slechtenhorst to lower the patroon's flag, and upon his refusal "fourteen soldiers armed with loaded muskets, entered the enclosure, and, after firing a volley, hauled down the lord's colors." This high-handed act was followed by a proclamation from Stuyvesant erecting at Fort Orange a Court of Justice for the village of Reverwyck and its dependencies, apart from and independent of that of Rensse- laerwyck. The placard bearing this proclamation was posted on the court house and immediately torn down by Van Slechtenhorst, who at the same tinie posted another card asserting the patroon's rights and denouncing those of the opposition, which was torn down by inmates of the fort. Stuyvesant's proclamation erecting the court was dated April 10, 1052, and authorized the first legal tribunal in what is now Albany county. (See chapter on the Bench and Bar.) And now, after four years of strife and vain struggle against powers that were two strong for him. Van vSlechtenhorst's term of power drew near its close. Nine armed soldiers forcibly entered his dwelling and without showing authority for their act, dragged him out, a jirisoner, and took him to the fort "where neither his children, his master nor his friends were allowed to speak to him, and his furs, his clothes, and his meat were left hanying- to the door posts." Taken on board a sloop he was conveyed to New Amsterdam, "lobe tormented, in his sickness and old age, with unheard-uf and insufferable prosecutions by those serving a Christian government, professing the same religion, and living under the same authority." He was succeeded in his official |)osition by Jan Baptiste Van Rensselaer, with Gerrit Swart as sheriff (schout-fiscaal) of Rensselaerwyck. When information of Stuyvesant's operations reached the patroon and his partners, they sent to the Amsterdam Chamber a long remon- strance, of which the following is the substance: 1st, That the Director-General had dared to intrude in their colony, and had commissioned the patroon's flag to be hauled down. 2d, That he had caused timber to be cut on the complainant's lands witlmul either their knowledge or their permission. lid, That he had claimed for the West India Company the right of jurisdiction and property over all the land within a circumference of 150 rods of Fort Orange, where he had erected a court of justice, notwithstanding the soil had been purchased from the right owners by the patroon, with the jurisdiction thereunto belonging, whereby the colonists were reduced to a state of dependency, absolved from their oaths, "transformed from freemen to vassals, and incited to disregard their former solemn compacts and their lord and master." 4th, He had, moreover, discharged Sheriff Swart from his oath of ofHce, and obliged him to swear allegiance to the Company; 5th, Demanded copies of all the rolls, protocols, judgments, resolutions and papers relative to the colony and its affairs; 6th, Ordered his Commissary to force Van Slechtenhorst's house, and lo toll the bell at the publication of his illegal placards; 7th, Arrested by force and arms the Director of the Colony, had him conveyed to the Manhattans, where he illegally detained him in custody ; 8th, Taxed the colony to swell the Company's revenues, licensed those who c|uit the patroon's service to sell articles of contraband to the .savages, and, in addition to the exaction of the tithes, had raised a tax by farming out the excise on wines and beers, "thus, in every respect and everywhere using violence and infringing rights, jurisdictions and pre-eminences, apparently determined to take our goods and blood, contrary to all laws, human and divine; declaring, over and above all this, that he is continued in his administration solely in the hope and consideration that before his departure he should ruin this colony." The document closed with avowals of their intention to maintain and preserve their rights and privileges, and demanding that if their op- ponents thought they had 'just cause of complaint, they should appear in any court and make good their claims. 40 The replv by the directors was vaj^iic and unsatisfactory, and, there- fcjre, the patroon and his friends addressed a memorial directly to their High Mightinesses, the States-Creneral, demanding justice for their cause. After some delay a reply was received referringtoa part of the charges against Stuyvesant, and denying all knowledge of many of them; they knew nothing of the insult to the patroon's flag, of his colonists having been released from their oaths, of his lots being taken from him, or of the establishment of a court at Fort Orange. As to cutting timber, it was taken from so limited a section that no one was injured, while the claim that the jurisdiction of Fort Orange had been extended was without foundation, as that jurisdiction was fixed "before the colony of Rensselaerwyck was granted." Gerrit Swart, it was held, had not been discharged from his oath to the patroon, but was simply compelled to take a second oath to the company. The demand for the rolls and other papers was authorized by the charter, and as Van vSlechtenhorst would not toll the bell for publication of the placards, it was clear that some other person had to do it, while his arrest was justified as a necessary disciplinary measure. Authorizing the sale of arms to the Indians was admitted. On the heels of this attempt at justification of all their acts, the di- rectors for the company now assumed the offensive and presented to the Amsterdam government counter-charges against the Rensselaerwyck authorities, rehearsing all the stock complaints with which the reader is now familiar. They had exceeded their limits; had unlawfully ex tended their trade along the North River; had refused passage to ves- sels by a " certain house called Rensselaers-Stein;" had exacted seven per cent, duty on each beaver and five per cent, on other goods, " en- forcing these pretensions with cannon shot, whjch they discharged into yachts which refused to come to;" they had endeavored " by perverse machinations " to possess themselves of Fort Orange, and when un- able to accomplish this purpose, illegally leased lots in its vicinity for the building of houses thereon ; had forbidden colonists to move within the company's limits on pain of corporal punishment, confiscation of property and banishment; or to cut wood for the inhabitants of Fort Orange. They had declined to furnish records of their proceedings or judgments, or to make returns of writs of appeal; to. publish placards; and, above all, the oath which the colonists were compelled to take was "seditious and mutinous," for no notice " is taken therein, either of their High Mightinesses or of the company." Continuing thus: ISAAC W. VOSBURGH. From all which flow, as a natural consequence, an insolent and overbearing de- meanor, on the part of their commanders, to their inhabitants; insuiTerable protests, injuries, menaces, disputes and provocations against the Company's ministers; and, la.stly, a general disobedience of all the Company's commands and ordinances, to such a degree that they would not permit the Director and Council to proclaim even a day of prayer in the colony in the same manner as in other parts of New Nether- land. It will be seen from the foregoing that it was the same old difficulty and although from this distance it seems somewhat insignificant and largely fought on paper, it was, nevertheless, in those times and to those people a struggle of serious import. The Fort Orange limits were still undetermined in l(i54, and again Stuyvesant called on the agents of the patroon to fix on their " point of departure," so that he might allow them the charter stipulation of four miles on one side or two miles on both sides of the river, "without the limits of Fort Orange." The settlement of this matter was further de- layed for instructions from Holland. Fresh fuel was about this time added to the old fire by an order from Stuyvesant to his Fort Orange court to collect the duties on all wine^, beers, and spirituous liquors sold at retail "within a circuit of 1,000 rods of the fort." The area in dispute was extending, and the colony was thus to be deprived of a very important source of revenue. Counter orders were given by the pa- troon's officers for the tapsters to refuse to pay the duties, as the gen- eral government had defrayed none of the local expenses. By this time Commissary Dyckman had become insane, as his pre- vious conduct would seem to have foreshadowed, and he was succeeded in office byjohannesde Decker, vice-director, "to preside in Fort Orange and village of Beverwyck, in the Court of Justice of the Commissaries aforesaid, to administer all the affairs of police and justice, as circum- stances may require, in conformity with the instructions given by the Director-General and Council, and to promote these for the best service of the country and the prosperity of the inhabitants." To enforce the collection of the liquor duties alluded to, the director and council issued orders for the arrest of the tapsters. The new offi- cial, De Decker, accordingly invited one of them to his house and there made him prisoner. Officer and prisoner occupied the same bed the ensuing night, but through the connivance of the soldier guard, the tapster escaped the next morning and proceeded to the house of the patroon. De Decker followed and ordered his return to the fort, which was refused. The other tapsters now armed themselves and 43 joined in the common cause. Just as the vice-director was preparing' to execute the orders of arrest by force, John B. Van Rensselaer came forward and volunteered to go to Manhattan and arrange the matter satisfactorily. To avoid possible bloodshed De Decker agreed to this: but a few days later another order reached him to send down the taps- ters without delay. He now proceeded to the dwellings of the offend- ers with an armed squad, where he was met by Van Rensselaer and others whom he summoned in the name of the director and council to accompany him to the fort. All the tapsters referred the officer to Van Rensselaer, who again pledged himself to produce the tapsters whenever required. Van Rensselaer now went to New Amsterdam and protested against the course pursued by the government, going- over all the old ground and adding such new complaints as came to his mind. However, to prevent further disturbance he would submit to the payment of the excise under protest, but would not accede to the payment of the tenths demanded, unless the director and council would refund the money if a decision against them was ultimately given. This remonstrance and proposal were pronounced frivolous by the director and council: their "high office and quality would not permit them to stoop so low as to enter the lists with their subjects and vas- sals, much less to answer their frivolous and unfounded protests with a pusillanimous diffidence." Their duty was rather " to correct such absurd assertions, and to punish the offenders," wherefore, as an ex- ample, the protestor was fined twenty guilders. They informed Van Rensselaer that his colonists were bound equally with other settlers in the province to contribute to the public revenue, and the excise due, amounting to fifteen hundred guilders, must be paid, with all damages accrued from the delay. The tapsters must, moreover, submit to the periodical guaging of their liquors as often as required, and as John Baptiste Van Rensselaer was to blame for the resistance of the tavern keepers, he was commanded to give a bond of 3,000 guilders for the appearance of the "contumacious tavern keepers," or otherwise to remain at Manhattan under arrest. The council also insisted on the payment of the tithes (tenths), but a stipulated sum would be ac- cepted from Mr. Van Rensselaer in lieu of these until instructions could be received from Holland. Other items in Van Rensselaer's remon- strance were denied in general terms by the director and council, from whom a proclamation was at once issued ordering all the towns and colonies in the province not to remove their crops until the tenths were 43 paid to the company's commissaries. When this document reached the Rensselaerwyck authorities they refused to publish it. At about this time some of the tapsters who had been guarantied against loss by Mr. Van Rensselaer, proceeded to Manhattan and were there fined, one two hundred and another eight hundred guilders; both of these fines were subsetiuently made good by the patroon. The ques- tion of payment of tenths was not finally setted until 1658, when the colony compounded for them by the annual payment of three hundred schepels of wheat. Father Isaac Jogues, one of the Jesuit missionaries mentioned in an earlier chapter, had labored among the Mohawks for three or four years during the period treated in the foregoing pages, but was treacherously murdered by the Indians in October, 1G4G. This chapter may be appropriately closed with his written description of Fort Orange and Rensselaerwyck. There are two things in this settlement . . : 1st, a wretched little fort, called Fort Orange, built of stakes, with four or five pieces of cannon of Breteuil and as many swivels. This has been reserved, and is maintained by the West India Com- pany. This fort was formerly on an island in the river; it is now on the mainland towards the Iroquois, a little above the said island. 2d, a colony sent here from Rensselaer, who is the patroon. This colony is composed of about 100 persons, who reside in some twenty or thirty houses built along the river, as each one found it most convenient. In the principal house resides the patroon's agent. The minister has his apart, in which service is performed. There is also a kind of bailiflf who ad- ministers justice. All their houses are merely of boards and thatched. As yet there is no mason work, except the chimneys. The forests furnish many large pines, they make boards by means of their mills, which they have for the purpose. They found some pieces of ground all ready, which the savages had already prepared, and in which they sow wheat and oats for their beer and horses, of which they have a great stock. There is little land fit for tillage, bemg crowded by hills, which are a bad .soil. This obliges them to be separated one from the other, and they occupy already two or three leagues of territory. Trade is free to all. This gives the Indians all things cheaper, each of the Hollanders outbidding, and lieing satisfied, provided he can gain some little profit. CHAPTER VI. Important changes were now imminent. Jeremias Van Rensselaer succeeded his brother, Jan Baptiste, as director of the colony in I65S and during the succeeding sixteen years conducted its affairs with dis- cretion and justice as far as he was able. He fostered the amicable relations of the settlers with the Indians, and gained a large influence with the French who were then firmly establishing themselves to the northward, thus laying the foundation of those conditions that in later years averted many of the disastrous consequences of the war between France and England. Stuyvesant's use of power had been just what might have been foreseen from a man of his attributes and sentiments. He was a stickler for the law, his rights and his dignity. To his mind all power lay in the executive, and on every occasion he checked the lean- ings of the Dutch towards that partial freedom which they craved and to which they had been accustomed at home. He denied the right of the people to assemble for the propagation of measures for the protec- tion of public liberty. "Magistrates alone, and not all men," he con- tended " are authorized so to assemble. We derive our authority from God and the Company, not from a few ignorant subjects, and we alone can call the people together." He thus assumed power and authoritv which he could not maintain. Since 1654 English encroachments upon the D.utch, dating almost from the landing on Plymouth Rock, had constantly advanced. Con- necticut was consolidated in April, 1662, under a charter confirming the system already established. This charter came from Charles II soon after his restoration, and defined boundaries and enlarged privileges. In March, 1664, this sovereign granted a patent to his brother James, Duke of York and Albany, for a large part of the present .State of Maine, with Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Long Island, and the territory from the west side of the Connecticut River to the east side of Delaware Bay. Stuyvesant resisted the pretensions of the English as long as he was able, but was finally forced to accept a compromise embodying mutual forbearance and freedom for both the English and the Dutch towns respectively from interference from either government. 45 This merely strengthened the claim which England had never once re- linquished and left her in possession of all she had thus fargained. In April, 1664, a fleet of four ships, with a force of three to four hundred men, under command of Col. Richard Nicolls, acting as lieu- tenant-governor for the duke, sailed for New England. Nicolls was accompanied by Sir Robert Carr, Sir George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, commissioned to settle all the New England difficulties, and to take possession of the Dutch province and reduce its inhabitants t" obedience. Arriving in Boston in July, the expedition sailed thence a month later for New Amsterdam. When the English flag ship sailed up the beautiful bay, Stuyvesant was at Fort Orange. He hastened down the river and on the 39th sent a deputation to Nicolls demanding an explanation of his intentions. These he very soon learned. New Amsterdam was practically defenseless against the invasion and surren- dered on the 8th of September, and vStuyvesant returned to Holland in the following year. While warring with the Indians, vainly endeavoring to subjugate Connecticut, resisting the claims of the patroon of Rensselaerwyck and ipiarreling with his immediate officers, Stuyvesant had been steadily sacrificing his own welfare and tenure of office. Nothing now remained for the English but to take possession, and the colonial interests of Holland in the New World substantially ceased. When Stuyvesant came into power in 1047 the population of New Netherland was only about 1,000, a falling off of about 2,000 due to Kieft's folly, while the New England colonies had increased in the preceding five years to nearly 60,000. They came slowly on toward Manhattan, though more rapidly than the increase of the Dutch, and began the work that culminated in American freedom a hundred years later. The province now had a population of full I0,00(i. New Amsterdam was given the name it has since borne — New York, while Fort Anistei- dam was called Fort James. A trifling effort was made to resist the English on the upper Hudson, Johannes de Decker having come u]) the river and endeavored to persuade the garrison at Fort Orange to refuse to surrender, but was unavailing. While the settlers were satisfied with their trade and their farms, they did not like the previous gov- ernment and its opposition to the patroon. They were ready for a change. On the 10th of September Nicolls sent Sir George Cartwright with a small company of soldiers to Fort Orange with the following orders : 46 /(' the prest-nl Dfpuly Govtinor or the magistrates and hihahitants of Ffort .1 tirania: 'J'hese are to will and require you and every of you to bee ayding and assisting Col. George Cartwright in the prosecution of his Majesty's interest against all such of what nation so-ever as shall oppose the peaceable surrender and quiet possession of the flfort Aurania, and to obey him, the said George Cartwright, according to such instructions as I have given him in case of the Mohawks or other Indians shall at- tempt anything against the lives, goods or chattels of those who are now under the protection and obedience of his Majesty of Great Brittaine; wherefore you nor any of you are to fayle as yon will answer the contrary at your utmost perills. Given under my hand and seal att Ffort James in New Yorke on Manhattans Island, this lOth day of September, 1664. R. Nu oi is. This document was presented to the vice-director, John de la Mon- tague, on the 24th of that month, who quietly surrendered the fort, and names of Beverwyck and Fort Orange at once gave way to Al- bany, while the fort was manned by English soldiers with Capt. John Manning in command. Dirck Van Schelluyne, who had held the office for Beverwyck, was made clerk of the Court of Albany which Stuy- vesant has established, and Jeremias Van Rensselaer took the oath of allegiance to King Charles II of England and the proprietor, James. ("Governor Nicolls reorganized the government himself, calling a con- vention for the purpose at Hempstead in March, UiOo. Upon this change in the government some difficulty was met in ob- taining a patent for Rensselaer manor from the duke. Mr. Van Rens- selaer was counseled by influential friends to take out a patent in his own name, he being qualified as a British subject to hold real estate. To his honor it is recorded that he rejected the offer, for he was only co-heir and would not thus defraud his brothers and sisters. He was a man of great industry and high intelligence, and it was he who com- municated to Holland an account of various occurrences in this country under the name of the "New Netherland Mercury." He died on the 12th of October, 16S4. On the 7th of August, 1Im3, a fleet of twenty-three Dutch ships in need of wood and water, anchored just below Staten Island, the fleet being under command of Commodores Cornelius Evertsen and Jacob Benckes. Before such a fleet Manhattan Island was apparently defenseless, infor- mation of which fact was conveyed to the vessels by the Dutch inhabi- tants. The port was then under command of Capt. John Manning, captain of an independent company, who on the 9th communicated to the fleet a proposal to surrender, whereupon the vessels sailed up the harbor, anchored under the fort landed their crews, and entered the 47 works without the firing of a shot on either side. For this surrender Manning was afterwards tried and condemned.' On the 13th of August the commodores organized a council of war consisting of Capts. Anthony Colve, Nicholas Boes, and Abraham Ferd. Van Zyll. In the next month Captain Colve was appointed temporary governor and the fleet proceeded to its destination. The inhabitants rejoiced, but only for a short time, for while Colve was hurriedly re- storing the Dutch system, his government came to an abrupt close. New Netherland was conceded to the English by the peace of West- minster, March 6, 1(574, and in June a new patent was issued to the Duke of York. On the 11th of July Colve officially announced that he must surrender the province on a duly authorized demand. Articles of capitulation were signed September 7; Fort Orange surrendered October 5, and the Dutch and Swedes on South River capitulated Octo- ber 12, and on the 10th of November Colve formally gave "New Nether- lands and dependencies " over to "Governor Major Edmund Andros,. on behalf of His Brittanic Majesty."^ The administration of Andros was exceedingly unpopular. When a demand was made for popular assemblies, the Duke of York wrote Andros that such assemblies were dangerous, and when he attempted to force upon the colonists a law of his own manufacture establishing the customs rate for three years, his subjects were bitterly incensed, and on the expiration of this law the merchants refused to pay further duties. The Duke of York was now fearful that the expenses of the colony would come out of his own purse and sent out Colonel Don- gan as governor, with power to convene a General Assembly, which met at Fort James (New York) October 17, IGSiJ, Dongan having arrived in August. The first act of this assembly was entitled " Char- ter of Liberties and Privileges granted by His Royal Highness U) the Inhabitants of New York and its dependencies." which was a ste]) on- ward in the march of important events. The charter, in reality, "burst the shell of feudalism," and set forth the rights for which the Dutch and English colonists had striven for nearly half a century. The death of the king raised doubt in Governor Dongans mind as to the legality of the first assembly, and he therefore issued writs for the election of a new one, but King James II, however, abolished the (General Assembl)' ■ The volurainuus papers relating to this trial may be found in Vol. Ill of Uoeumentarv His- tory, pp. m-' Authority, & y Authority for y<' Militia of this & County. To act & to doe in all matters and things relating Militarie affaires, according to y^' Rules & decipline of war, until, further order from his Majestie King William of England. Scotland, French & Ireland, &c. Failing in his efforts to make peace with the Iroquois, Frontenac opened a vigorous campaign. He visited Schenectadj' with torch and tomahawk on the night of February 9, 1690; defended Montreal suc- cessfully against Major Peter Schuyler in the same year and at all points actively served his country. But it was a losing cause ; the French were hindered from tilling their lands and from reaping what they had sown ; their fur trade was ruined by the Indians who took possession of the passes between them and their allies to the west- ward; and worse than all else, a terrible famine followed, causing great suffering. Important as it was in some respects, Albany was at this time (IdSO) according to Broadhead, "not much more than a large stockaded vil- lage, of which the two chief streets crossed each other at right angles. The one ' Handelaer's Straat,' or Market street, ran nearly north and south, skirting the river, proverbially apt to overflow its banks in times of great floods. The other, running about east and west, a little way up a steep hill, was called ' Yonkheer's Straat,' now known as State street. About half way up the hill stood the fort, just outside one tif the city gates." In July, IG'.ll, Governor Sloughter made a visit to Albany, concern- ing which he wrote: I returned from Albany on the 2Tth past, where I left all things in good posture, and with much difificulty have secured the Indians. I found that place in great dis- order, our plantations and Schenectady almost ruined and destroyed by the enemys dureing the time of the late confusion there. I have garrisoned Schnectady and the Halfe Moon with some of the hundred fusileers raised by our Assembly; the re- mainder, with one of the King's Companys, are posted at Albany. In 1693 Frontenac, in his desperation, organized a raid into the Mo- 54 hawk countr)-, but its cost outweighed its advantages. In June of this year the governor held another council with the Indians at Albany, and by bountiful presents and flattering words, retained their good will. The sum of ;^1,500 having been appropriated for the repair of Fort Orange, in September, 109o, 5G0 new palisades "were sett up against the old Stockadoes." This period of war closed with the treaty of Ryswyck made in July, 1G98. The Earl of Bellomont was then governor of the province of New York. To him the Common Council of Albany addressed the following document on the 2d of August, KiltS: The Common Council are unanimously of the opinion to address Ins Excell. the Earl of Bellomont on the following heads: 1. To thank his Lordship for bringing y"^ joyfull news of y" Peace. 2. To acquaint his Lordship y' great hardships this poor Citty has labored under for these 9 years dreadful and bloody warr; during which time they have not only been at an Excessive Charge and Expense in quartering y"= officers and souldiers sent hither from time to time, but have been obliged, for their own security, to fortify y= towne twice with Palesadoes, and build 5 block houses, all at their own charge, which hath so much impoverished y Inhabitants y' most have deserted. 3. That this Citty doth wholly rely and depend upon y^' Indian Trade, upon which account it was first settled, and have obtained a Charter whereby y'= Sole trade with ys Indians is confined A-ithin y walls of s^ Citty, doth therefore humbly addresse his L'lp to protect and defend them in there Rights and Priviledges, and doe thank his h'^p for his great trouble and care in treating with y-' 5 nations for y Public good and advantage to this Citty, and doe further return there best thanks for y good Instructions his Lfip hes been pleased to give them, assuring his L'^p that they will not be wanting in useing there utmost endeavors to unite all parties, and restore this Citty to its Priviledges and Rights ; that they will also observe all y oy" articles Men- tioned in his L''p's instructions. The serious consequences of this war upon Albany county are shown by the census taken .soon after its close. The population was reduced from 663 men, 340 women, and 1,014 children in 1689, to 382 men, 262 women and 805 children in 1698. Of the number of men given, eighty- four had been killed. Governor Fletcher's report on the state of the militia in the province made in April, 1693, contains the following items of interest in this connection : " The Militia of the County of Albany, commanded by Major Peter Schuyler, being five companies of Foot and one Troop of Horse, now formed into Dragoons by the Governor, consisting of 359." The aggregate in the Province was 2,932. " In the List of the Officers of the Militia in the Province of New York," made in November, 1700, in the time of Governor Bellomont, the officers of the Regiment of 55 Militia in the City and County of Albany, is given as follows; Field Officers — Peter Schuyler, Colonel; , Lieutenant-Colonel; Dyrck Wessels, Major. Of a Foot Company in the City of Albany; Commissioned Officers — Johannes Bleeker, Captain; Johannes Rosebaum, Lieutenant; Abra. Cuyler, Ensign. Of another Foot Company in the said City; Albert Ryknian, Captain ; Wessel Ten Brock, Lieutenant; Johannes Thomasse, Epsign. Of another Foot Company in said County: Martin Cornelisse, Captain; Andries Douw, Lieutenant; Andris Koyman, Ensign. Of another Foot Company in said County: Gerrit Teunisse, Captain ; Jonas Douw, Jochem Lamerse, Lieutenants; Volckhart V. Hoesem, Abra. Hause, Ensigns. Of the Troop of Horse in y" said Regiment; Kilian Van Renslaer, Captain; Jo- hannes Schuyler, Lieutenant; BennoneV. Corlaer, Cornet: Anthony Bries, Quarter- master. This Regiment consists of Three hundred and Seaventy-one men. Peace was short-lived. What is known as Queen Anne's war broke out in Europe in 1702, and continued during the next eleven years. Blood flowed in nerly every village and valley of New England. The French, and such allied Indians as they could secure, apparently strove to out- do each other in deeds of atrocity, until it at last became apparent that Canada must be subdued at all hazards. During the short peace that preceded this war the soldiers at Albany appear to have beeti much neglected. In 1700 Governor Bellomont wrote: '• Some of the inhabitants of Albany who are now here [New York city] tell mo the Soldiers there in Garrison are in that shameful and miserable condition for the want of Cloaths, that the like was never seen." Even the Indians were disgusted as they observed their situation. The Governor continues: "Persons assure me that some of the old crafty sachems of the Five Nations have asked 'em whether they thought 'em such fooles as to believe our King could protect 'em from the French when he was not able to Keep his Soldiers in a Condition as those in Canada are Kept." In October of the same year the governor again visited Albany. The two companies then garrisoned there were under command of Major Ingoldsby and Captain Weems. The governor writes: I never in my life saw so moving a sight as that of the Companies at Albany; half the men were, without breeches, shoes and stockings when they mustered. I thought it shameful to the last degree to see English soldiers so abused. Thev had liked to have mutinied. He also reported the fort as " scandalously weak," and added: The inhabitants came all about me at my leaving Albany, and told me in plain terms that if the King would not build a fort there to protect 'em, they would, on the first news of war between England and France desert the place and fly to New York rather tlian they would stay there to have their throats cut. There are half a dozen at Albany who have competent estates, but all the rest are miserable poor. 56 At this time the cit}' and count)' of Albany furnished 371 men under command of Diick Wessells, major. In ITC)-^ Colonel Schuyler's Albany county militia regiment was pronounced in pretty good condition, ow- ing to his care. The condition of the Albany fort may be inferred from what Cornbury wrote in July, 1702. He said he found the works "in a miserable condition, the stockadoes about all roten to such a degree that I can with ease push them down." In anticipation of an invasion from Montreal, some insignificant efforts were made in 1704, to repair tho i)ld fort by putting up new palisades. The new fort was begun, Init for want of money was left incomplete and was not finished until ]7;;5. An invasion of Canada was planned in 170U under command of Col. Francis Nicholson, for which the troops were assembled in Albany. Udder the potent influence of Peter Schuyler the Five Nations sent in five hundred warriors to join the expedition. The plans involved an attack on Quebec by water and a simultaneous assault on Montreal by way of Lake Champlain. A military road had been opened at the expense of New York from Schuylerville to the lake by way of Fort Edward and Wood Creek. Three small forts (.m the way had been built, the middle one of which was Fort Ann. Leaving Albany the army en- camped at this fort and awaited news from the naval expedition against Quebec, When they learned that that expedition had been sent to Spain, the discouraged army returned to Albany, their mission unac- complished. The French were not particular as to the means adopted to defeat their enemies. They hoped much from the native savagery of the In- dians. In June, 17(i8, M. de Pontchartrain wrote from France , to M. Ridout in Canada: It is in no way advisable that the Indians visit Orange and other English settle- ments, and an effort should be made to excite a vigorous and general war between these Indians and the English. The French authorities on this side did not agree with these propo- sitions. In November of that year M. de Vaudreuil wrote De Pont- cliartrain, giving his reasons for not having sent expeditions against Fort Orange and New York. He said he had " promised the Iroijuois not to do so, as these nations, however friendly they be to us, are still more so to the Dutch." The English now saw more clearly than ever before that until the Fronch power in Canada was wholly extinguished there could be no BHNJAMIN MARSH. 57 lasting peace. It was to secure from the crown more liberal support and create a favorable influence towards the Iroquois that Colonel Schuyler, with five Indian Sachems, journeyed to England in 1710. Through his influence a fleet bearing 5,000 troops was sent over to aid in subjugating the French. On the last day of July, 1710, a fleet of twelve men-of-war, and forty-six smaller vessels left Boston, with Montreal as its destination. There this force was to be met by a strong army from Albany under General Nicholson. The latter force con- sisted of about 2,000 English, 1,000 Germans and 800 Indians; these moved in the latter part of August, 1711, from Albany towards Lake Champlain. In the mean time the English fleet met with disaster, eight transports with 800 men went to the bottom, and the remainder returned to England. When news of this misfortune reached Nichol- son he ordei-ed his army back to Albany and the French remained un- molested for many years. A treaty of peace was signed April 11, 1711, at Utrecht, which secured the Protestant succession to the throne of England, the separation of the French and Spanish crowns, the en- largement of the British colonies in America and full satisfaction from France of the claims of the allies, England, Holland and Germany. The French acknowledged the Iroquois as British subjects: The following record shows the military condition of Albany just on the eve of the preparation for this last e.xpedition. May 20, 1711, Robert Hunter, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Prov- ince of New York, called the troops from Albany to the Manor of Livingston, and directed that the Militia of Albany be called to arms to protect that city in the ab- sence of the garrison. Accordingly, the Mayor and Aldermen met May21, 1711, and sent the following letter to his Excellency. ••Albany, y- 'ilst of May, 1711. ■' May it please your Ex'cy. " Your E.x'cys Letter dated yesterday we reC* ys. day, and in Obedience thereof, we have forthwith procured a Sloop for y'' transportation of y« Troops here, and de- sired Peter Schuyler, Esqr., Collo of the militia Regiment of y" Citty& County, that he will emmediately order y militia of this Citty to Come in Arms to take care of >' fort and this place during y' absence of y'" s'^ troops; who returned answer that he would comply therewith. So remain in all sincerity, '• May it please your Ex'cy, •■YourEx'cys most obedient and humble servants." This was signed by the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen. The treaty of Utrecht was an imperfect one under the circumstances; It left the question of boundaries largely undefined, leading to endless complaints and recriminations between the two rivals on this continent. 58 while the former methods of gaining Indian friendship and trade soon came into practice. The Iroquois could not be deterred from encroach- ments upon their old enemies, to which they were doubtless incited to some extent by the English. The French established a trading post at Niagara in 1720, against the protestations of Governor Burnet of New York. In retaliation he established one at Irondequoit Bay in the next year. In the mean time the New York legislature passed a law forbidding colonists from supplying the French with Indian goods. In retaliation the French incited their allies to the northward to drive the English traders from their country. " Since the close of October, 1733," wrote De Vaudreuil in November, 17-24, "the Abenakis did not cease harassing the English with a view to force them to quit their country."! In 172G the English took an important step in the building of a for- tified post at Oswego, thus establishing their hold upon a point that was to become of the highest importance during all the succeeding years until the American colonies gained their freedom. On the Uth the city at short notice. At a meeting of the Common Council held May 29, 1T53, the follow- ing petition was sent to Governor De Lancey : That the City of Albany is a frontier town, and the defense thereof is of great oon.sequence to the safety of the whole province in case of War with the French ; that the city is altogether undefensable, exposed to the incursions of any enemy, and the corporation, by reason of the heavy debt they are under, occasioned by the great expense we were at during the late war, and no wise able to fortify the city unless assisted by a provincial Tax; and whereas, your Excellencies have prepared a petition to be laid before the General Assembly, praying they would be pleased to lay a tax of jfG.OOO on estates throughout this province to defray the expense of building a wall with bastions or batteries at convenient distances, for the defence of said city and security of the province. The document closes with a prayer that His Excellency will recommend to the General Assembly, in the most pressing terms that you think proper, to raise the sum to t'G,000 for defraving the expense of said Wall. Similar application was made by the Common Council for better pro- tection in May, 1750. During all of this war period (about nine years) many troops were quartered in and near Albany. In IToG an ordinance was adopted by the Common Council forbidding all tavern keepers and all other persons from selling liquor to any of His Majesty's troops or harboring- any of them after 9 o'clock p. m. At that time there was a regiment encamped on the hill about on the site of the old Capitol. When General Abercrombie was here in 1756 it is believed that 10,000 troops were encamped near by on both banks of the river. The dusky Indians mingled with the gaily-uniformed soldiers, martial music re- sounded on all sides, and flags floated over the scene. Business was active, especially in furnishing supplies of every kind to the army. The principal events of this war were: The abortive effort to capture Fort Niagara and Crown Point in 1755 by Governor Shirley and Sir William Johnson respectively; the attempts made against Fort Du- quesne, a second against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and a third against Niagara in 1756, all of which were comparative failures; the capture of Oswego by Montcalm in that j^ear; the capture of Fort William Henry on Lake George by Montcalm in 1757; the campaigns of 1758, involving successes by the English at Louisburg, Fort Du- quesne and Fort Frontenac, the reoccupation of Oswego, and the de- feat of the English under Abercrombie at Ticonderoga by Montcalm; the capture of Niagara in 1759 by the English, the fall of Quebec in September of that year, and the final surrender of Montreal and all other French posts in 1760, ending French power in America forever. During this war Albany was a center of military activity. The ex- peditions of 1755 and 1750 started from there and included Albany soldiers, among whom was the brave Schuyler. During the winter of 1755-6 the preparations for an expedition against Niagara in the fol- lowing spring went forward at Albany. There General Win slow made his rendezvoiTS with 7,000 men, waiting the dilatory steps of Lord Loudon, then commander of the English forces. The delay gave the gallant Montcalm opportunity to capture the forts at Oswego, which he held until 1757. At Albany also were gathered the troops for the ex- pedition against Crown Point under Sir William Johnson in 1755. This expedition abounded in brilliant and stirring events, including the death of Dieskau, the French commander. Johnson was a man of ardent temperament, energetic and active, and when he was delayed by various causes he complained bitterly of the people at Albany. Under date of September 6 he wrote: Our expedition is likely to be extremely distressed and, I fear, fatally retarded for the want of wagons. The people of Albany county and the adjacent counties hide their wagons and drive away their horses. Most of the wagoners taken into the 62 service have deserted; some horses are quite jaded and some few killed by the enemy, and several run away. Most of our provisions are at Albany. And again he wrote: "Those people are .so devoted to their own private Profit that every other public Principle has ever been sacrificed to it." 1 On account of the man^' discouraging circumstances Johnson re- turned to Albany for that winter, after having- Iniilt Fort William Henry and garrisoned it with six hundred men, The advance of Montcalm upon Fort William Henry in 1757 caused much alarm and excitement in Albany. Oswego had fallen, an e\-ent which Johnson characterized as "a mortal wound." Montcalm had already shown his militar}' genius and his tireless energy, and his ap- proach upon any point justified alarm. The slaughter of the garrison of Fort William Henry after its capture, by the Indians under Mont- calm, which the French general has in vain attempted to justify, added to the anxious forebodings of the inhabitants of Albany and its vicinity. Frontier settlers came to the city in great numliers. In Col. John Bradstreet's memorable expedition against Fort Fronte- nac in the summer of 1758, soldiers from Albany county participated. Among the officers were Captains Peter Yates and Goosen Van Schaick of Albany, the latter becoming in later years a colonel in the Revolu- tionary army. Bradstreet captured the fort, thus rendering easier the seizure of Fort Duquesne and hastening the end. These events raised a cry for peace throughout Canada, the resources of which coun- try were nearly exhausted. " I am not discouraged," wrote the brave Montcalm, in evident disappointment, "nor my troops. We are re- solved to find our graves under the ruins of the colony." He foresaw the end. In the early summer of 1758 Abercrombie's army was encamped on the flatlands at the south of Albany, preparing for its expedition to Ticonderoga, where it met a crushing defeat at the hands of Montcalm's troops, who were inspired by the gallantry of their leader. In Aber- crombie's army also were many Albany soldiers, who shared in the general mourning for the death of the brave and genial Lord Howe on that field, and whose body was buried first in Schuyler's famil)' tomb and later under St, Peter's church. In the months of May and June, 1751), Lord Jeffre}' Amherst, a brave and efficient English officer, ap 1 For an nf Johnson's papers, sfu Dol-. Hist,, vol. 11, p. ,'4,", Klilii. pointed commander-in-chief in September, 1758, was at Albany with the army, preparing for the movements upon Crown Point and Ticon- deroga, and the other important events that closed the long struggle. CHAPTER VIII. From the fall of Montreal to the beginning of the Revolution peace reigned in the territory of Albany county. Again the fur trade became an absorbing interest. In the spring of 1766 Sir William Johnson was ap- pointed Trade Commissary, an ofiEice which gave him general supervi- sion of barter with the Indians, and from that time forward for nearly ten years he wielded almost autocratic power over the Iroquois and lived in a lordly way in the Mohawk Valley. Johnson's policy was to con- centrate trade at the important points, Albany, Oswego, Niagara, Fort Pitt and Detroit, where he appointed commissioners of trade. He in- troduced regulations prohibiting traders from going out among the Indians, the salutary effects of which were at once apparent. As a means of further continuing peaceful relations between the English and the Indians, a meeting was held September 19, 1768, at Fort Stan- wix (now Rome), whither Sir William, his three duputies (Guy John- son, Daniel Claus and George Croghan) and Governor Franklin of New Jersey proceeded. Twenty bateaux of presents for the Indians were taken along. Arrived at the fort they were met by commissioners from Virginia, by Lieutenant-Governor Penn and Messrs. Wharton and Trent, representing trade interests. By October 1 about eight hun- dred Indians had assembled. The object of this council was to estab- lish a "Property Line "between the white men and the Indians. After six days of the usual ceremonies at such gatherings the line was fixed to begin at the junction of Canada Creek and Wood Creek a little west from Rome, and extend thence southward to the Susquehanna River. The whole matter was concluded November 5, 1768, and was ratified by Johnson in July, 1770. The project of dividing Albany county was liroached in the Assem- bly in the spring of 1769 by Philip Schuyler. While this measure was favored by Johnson, he earnestly objected to the proposed line of divi- sion. Said he: (54 Albany county is much too large, but the manner in which it is proposed to be di- vided is in many respects extremely inconvenient, and it would prove disagreeable to about all of the inhabitants. The only rational boundary, it has appeared to me, would be at the west bounds of the township of Schenectady. Again in the Spring of 1772 the subject was brought ftjrward, and towards the close of that session a ImII was passed under which all that part of Albany county west of the present cast line of Montgomery county was erected into Tryon county. An act of the Legislature passed in 1703, relating to the office and duties of supervisors, remained in force with slight changes until 1772, when, on March 24, it was amended so far as it related to Albany county, authorizing the annual election to take place on the first Tues- day in May. The same act provided for the election in this county of two overseers of the poor, two constables, two fence viewers, and one town clerk. Previous to that date the duties of clerk had been per- formed by the supervisor. After the adoption of the first Constitution the office of supervisor and the time of his election was changed by act of the Legislature (March 7, 1788), providing for holding town meetings in the several towns in the State for choice of town officers. By that act the town of Albany was authorized to elect two assessors, instead of one as in other counties. The establishmeht of the Property Line, before described, did not long suffice to preserve inviolate the Indian territory. The influ.x of new settlers and the avarice of traders led to encroachments which soon provoked complaints. ' These prepared the way for the hostility against the colonists during the war of the Revolution which soon followed. The Indians had adopted a well-settled policy against further encroach- ment on their territory, even to resisting it by war; and the Iroquois, who had hitherto preserved uniform friendship toward the colonists, now, with the exception of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, opposed them. Eighteen hundred of their warriors allied themselves with the British and only two hundred and twenty with the colonists. The atrocities of the former, under such leaders as Johnson, Butler, and Brant, will long be remembered throughout New York and Pennsylvania. With the beginning of the war Albany again became a center of > At a congress of the Si.x Nations at Jolinson Hall in June and July, ir;4, a Seneca orator com- plained that the white traders encroached upon their territory, followed their people to their hunting: . grounds with goods and liquor, when they "not only impose on us at pleasure, hut bv the -.neans of carrying these articles to our scattered people, obstruct our endeavors to collect 65 military activity. Albany county, as it then existed, organized seven- teen regiments of militia under the laws of 1775. Theofificers of those which belonged wholly or in part to this county were as follows : FiKsi Regi.me.ni, Cri V ok Alkanv. Jacob Lansing, jr., colonel; Dirck Ten Broeck, lieutenant-colonel; Henry Wen- dell, first major: Abraham Cuyler. second major; Volckert A. Doiiw. adjutant; Ephraim Van Veghten, quartermaster. First Company. — John Barclay, captain ; John Price, first lieutenant ; Abraham I. Vates, second lieutenant ; John Scott, ensign. .Second Company.— Thomas Barrett, captain ; Matthew Vischer, first lieutenant; Abraham Eights, second lieutenant; John Hoagkirk, ensign. Third Company. — John Williams, captain; Henry Staats, fir.st lieutenant; Barent Van Allen, second lieutenant; Henry Hogan, ensign. Fourth Company. — John M. Beeckman, captain; Isaac Ue Freest, first lieutenant ; Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Tennis T. Van Veghten, ensign. Fifth Company. — Harmanus Wendell, captain; William Hun, first lieutenant; Jacob G. Lansing, second lieutenant; Cornelius Wendell, ensign. Si. xth Company. — John N. Bleecker, captain; John James Beeckman, first lieu- tenant; Casparus Pruyn, second lieutenant; Nicholas Marsehs, ensign. Third REi-.iMKNr, First Rensselaerwvck Battalion. Abraham Ten Broeck, colonel ; Francis Nicoll, lieutenant-colonel ; Henry Ouack- enbush. first major; Barent Staats, second major; John P. Quackenbush, adjutant; Christopher Lansing, quartermaster. First Company. — Henry Quackenbush, captain; Jacob J. Lansing, first lieutenant ; Levinus Winne, second lieutenant ; John Van Woert, ensign. Second Company.— Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu- tenant; Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign. Third Company.— Peter Schuyler, captain; Abraham Witbeck, first lieutenant; Henry Ostrom, second lieutenant; Peter S. Schuyler, ensign. Fourth Company. — Barent Staats, captain; Dirck Becker, first lieutenant; John Van Wie, second lieutenant ; George Hogan, ensign. Fifth Company.— Gerrit G. Van der Bergh, captain; Peter Van Wie, first lieuten- ant; Wouter Becker, second lieutenant; Abraham Slingerland, ensign. Third Reoimeni — New Organization. First Company.— (See Third Company, first organization.) Second Company.— Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu- tenant; Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign. Third Company (at first Fifth Company, Fourth Regiment).— Jacob Ball, captain; John Warner, first lieutenant; Peter Dietz, second lieutenant; Joshua Shaw, ensign. Fourth Company.— Jacob J. Lansing, captain; Levinus Winne, first lieutenant; John Van Woert, second lieutenant; Peter Do.x, ensign. Fifth Company '(at first organized as Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment).— Jacob 6G Van Aernam, captain; John Groot, first lieutenant; George Wagoner, second lieu- tenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign. Sixth Company. — Abraham Veeder, captain; James Burnside, first lieutenant; John Voorhuyse(Voorhees?), second lieutenant; Andries Ten Eyck, ensign. FouKTH Rec;imeni'. Second Renssei.aerwvck Battalion. Killian Van Rensselaer colonel; John H. Beeckman, lieutenant-colonel; Cor- nelius Van Buren, first major; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, second major; Jacobus Van der Pool, adjutant; John A. Lansing, quartermaster. First Company (First Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Conrad Ten Eyck, captain; Peter Witbeck, first lieutenant; Albert H. Van der Zee, second lieutenant ; John L. Wilbeck, ensign. Second Company (Second Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Will- iam P. Winne, captain; John De Voe, first lieutenant; Philip C. Look (Luke?), sec- ond lieutenant; Cornelius Van der Zee, ensign. Third Company. — Volckert Veeder, captain; Abraham Veeder first lieutenant; Jacob La Grange, second lieutenant; Andrew Truax, ensign. Fourth Company. (See Fifth Company, Third Regiment, new organization.) — Jacob Van Aernam, captain ; John Groot, first lieutentant ; George Wagoner, second lieutenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign. Fifth Company,— (See Third Company, Third Regiment.) Fourth Regiment (As Newly Organized, February. ITTU.) First Company. — Isaac Miller, captain ; Hendrick Schaus, first lieutenant ; Johan- nes Lodewick, second lieutenant; Johannes Miller, ensign. Second Company. — Ichabod Turner, captain; Joel Pease, first lieutenant; Jona- athan Niles. second lieutenant; Joel Curtis, ensign. Third Company. — Luke Schermerhorn, captain; James Magee, first lieutenant; Reuben Knap, second lieutenant ; Aaron Hammond, ensign. Fourth Company. — James Dennison, captain; Stephen Niles, first lieutenant; Obadiah Vaughan, second lieutenant; Oliver Bentley, ensign. Fifth Company. — Nicholas Staats, captain; Obadiah Lansing, first lieutenant; Philip Staats, second Heutenant; Leonard Wilcox, ensign. Sixth Company. — Jacobus Cole (Koole?) captain ; Anthony Bries (Brice?) first lieu- tenant; Harpent Witbeck, second lieutenant; John Van Hagen, jr., ensign. Seventh Company. — Abraham J. Van Valkenburgh, captain; Daniel Schermer- horn, first lieutenant; John J. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Martin Yim Buren, ensign. Fifth Regimem, Third Rensselaerwyck Battalion. Stephen Schuyler, colonel ; Gcrrit G. Van der Bergh, lieutenant ; Peter P. Schuyler, first major; Volckert Veeder, second major; Maas Van Vranken, adjutant; Francis Marshall, quartermaster. First Company. — Cornelius Van Buren, captain ; Nicholas Staats, first lieutenant ; Obadiah Lansing, second lieutenant; Philip Staats, ensign. Second Company, John H. Beeckman, captain; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, first lieu- 07 tenant; Abraham I. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Jacobus Vanderpoel, ensign. Third Company. — Volclcert Van Veghten captain; Gerrit T. Van den Bergh, first lieutenfint; John Amory, second lieutenant; Jacob Van Schaick, ensign. Fourth Company. — (See First Company, Fourth Regiment.) First Company. — Philip De Freest, captain; Ryneer Van Alstyne, first lieutenant ; Peter Sharp, second lieutenant; David De Forest, ensign. Sixth Company (1st Company of Sixth Regiment, new organization.) — John J. Fonda, captain; John P. Fonda first lieutenant ; George Berger, second lieutenant; George Sharp, ensign. { Sixth Regiment, Fouktii Rensselaerwyck Battalion. Stephen J. Schuyler, colonel ; Henry K. Van Rensselaer, lieutenant-colonel ; Philip De Freest, first major; John Fonda, second major; Volckert Oothoudt, adjutant; Jacob Van Alstyne, quartermaster. First Company. — Henry H. Gardinier, captain; Jacob Van der Heyden, first lieu- tenant ; Adam Beam, second lieutenant ; Henry Tinker, ensign. Second Company. — Cornelius Lansing, captain ; Lodewyck Snider, first lieuten- ant; Andries Stool, second lieutenant; Jacob Weiger, ensign. Third Company. — (See Third Company, Fourth Regiment.) Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, this Regiment, and Fourth Regiment.) Fifth Company. — Caleb Bentley, captain ; Samuel Shaw, first lieutenant ; David Huestes, second lieutenant; Thomas Crandall, ensign. Sixth Company. — (See Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment.) Sixth Regiment (New organization.) First Company. — (See Sixth Company, Fifth Regiment.) Second Company. — (See First Company, Si.xth Regiment.) Third Company. — John Lautman, captain; Peter Vosburgh, first lieutenant; John Schurtz, second lieutenant; Conradt Best, ensign. Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, first organization Fifth Regiment, and First Company in Sixth Regiment, first organization.) Fifth Company. — (See first organization in Sixth Regiment.) Sixth Company. — Jacob De Freest, captain; Martinus Sharp, first lieutenant; An- dries Miller, second lieutenant; John Crannell, ensign. Seventh Company. — Florus Banker, captain; Christopher Tillman, first lieuten- ant; Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Jonathan Sever, ensign. At the inception of the difficulties leading to the war the inhabitant.s of the cit)' of Albany, and of the county within its jjresent limits at least, were not inspired with warm sympathy for the cause of the col- onists. The mayor (Abraham C. Cuyler) and most of the aldermen openly espoused the royal cause. As early as 1773 the increasing diffi- culties with the mother country entered largely into local public affairs in the city, and the charter election of that j'ear was a very exciting fi8 one. The last election for aldermen and assistant aldermen under colonial laws was held vSeptember 29, 1775, when the following- were chosen : First Ward — Aldermen, Peter W. Yates, Gerrit Van Sante; assistants, Jacob Roseboom, Aries La Grange. Second Ward — Aldermen, Guysbert G. Marselis, John J. Beeckman; assistants, Cornelius Van Schelluyne, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. Third Ward — Aldermen, Thomas Hun, John Ten Broeck ; assistants, Abraham Schuyler, Abraham Ten Eyck. The last meeting of this board under provnicial laws was held at the city hall March 25, 1776. The English laws were then for a time superseded by the authority of the Continental Congress and State governments. From the date last given to April 17, 1778, there was no meeting of the Common Council of Albany. John Barclay was ap- pointed mayor by Governor Clinton September 27, 1777; the aldermen being John Roorbach, John Price, Jacob Lansing, jr., Abraham Cuyler, John M. Beeckman, Hariiianus Wendell; assistants, Abraham I. Yates, Matthew Visscher, Isaac D. Fonda, Jacob Bleecker, Cornelius Swits, Abraham Schuyler. By act of the Legislature in 1778 the mayor and his subordinate otifi- cers were required to meet and qualify by taking the oath of allegiance prescribed by the State law, and their respective oaths prescribed by the city charter; they met for this purpose April 17, 1778. From March, 177G, to April, 1778, the duties of the mayor and council were performed by the Committee of Safety and Correspondence, appointed by the first Legislature. The original city charter was kept in force, except as it conflicted with the new State government. This c;-'mmit- tee was composed as follows : First Ward— Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Henry I. Bogart, Peter Silvester, Henry Wen- dell, Volkert P. Douw, John Bay, Guysbert Marselis. Second Ward — John R. Bleecker, Jacob Lansing, jr., Jacob Cuyler, Henry Bleecker, Robert Yates, Stephen De Lancey, Abraham Cuyler. Third Ward — John H. Ten Eyck, Abraham Ten Broeck, Gerrit Lansing, jr., An- thony E. Bradt, Samuel Stringer, Abraham Yates, jr., Cornells Van Santvoordt. The meetings of this committee were usually held in the Old Stadt Huys, and their proceedings were fraught with important measures during its existence, full records of which are preserved in the vState Library. For our present purpose we need refer to only a few of these. As an indication of the sentiments of its signers the following on document, which was probably put forth soon after the battle of Lex- ington, fought April 10, KT"), must find a place here: A General Association agreed to and subscribed by the Members of the several Committees of the City and County of Albany. Persuaded that the salvation of the Rights and liberties of America depends, un- der God. on the tlnii t'nion of its Inhabitants in a Vigorous prosecution of the Meas- ures necessary for its SalL-iy ; and convinced of the necessity of preventing the An- archy and Confusidu which attends a Dissolution of the Powers of Government, We, the Freemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany, being greatly alarmed at the avowed Design of the Ministry to raise a Revenue in Amer- ica, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, Do in the most Solemn Manner resolve never to become Slaves; and do associate under all the Ties of Religion, Honor and Love to our Country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into Execution whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserv- ing our Constitution, and opposing the Execution of the several Arbitrary and op- pressive Acts of the British Parliament until a Reconciliation between Great Britain and America on Constitutional Principles (which we most ardently desire) can be ob- tained: And that we will in all things follow the Advice of Our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of Peace and good Order, and the safety ft Individuals and private Property. John lianlay. i.liairman; Walter Livingston, John Bay, James Magee, Tyrans Callans ii, Isaac \'an Aernam, Gysbert Marselis, Philip P. Schuyler, George White. John McClung. Gershom Woodworth, Bastyaen T. Vescher, Florus Baricker, John Knickerbacker junior, Barent Vanderpoel, William Van Bergen, John Abbott, Jacobus Williamson. Samuel Van Vechten. Peter Becker, Ebenezer Allen, Simeon Covel, Asa Flint, James Parrot, Henry Leake, Andries Watbeck, Matthew Visscher, Samuel Stringer, Gerrit Lansing, jr., John Ten Broeck, Robert Yates, Henry I. Bogart, John Van Loon, Henry Van Veghten, Joseph Young, Richard Esselstyn, Othniel Gardner, Barent Dyne, Abraham Cuyler, Robert McCluUen, Henry Wendell, Cornel- ius Van Santvoordt, R. BIeeclu l indies in which passengers ate and slept in stifling air, and her highest rate of speed \\ as ninL miles in hour Lould Fulton revisit the earth and be placed on one of the great rn ei ste imbo if, nt our time, he would imagine himself to be in some magical structure of fairyland, oi ot toiming a part of a strange romance; for it is a magnificent floating hotel over four hundred feet in length, and capable of carrying a thousand guests by night or day at the rate of twent% miles an houi — LObSING canal navigation directly from the Hudson River to the great lakes was discussed very early in the century, but the name of the originator of the project is lost in the past. The honor has been claimed by several, each of whom has found his advocates. The journals and other writ- ings of Elkanah Watson, who was a man of great enterprise and pro- gressiveness, contain ample proof that he had conceived the plan about ten years before the opening of the present century. He made a tour across the State in 1791, during which he kept a voluminous journal, which is still in existence and contains at least inferential proof that he was then giving much thought to the subject. However this feature of the matter may be viewed, it is certain that he was a strong advo- cate of the canal long before it was actually begun, and by his argu- ments awakened a lively interest in the enterprise in Albany. Among those who looked upon the project with favor were the Van Rensse- laers, the Schuylers, and John and Isaiah Townsend. A call for a meeting to be held at the Tontine Coffee House on February 7, 1816, was signed by Archibald Mclntyre, James Kane, John Woodworth, William James, Charles E. Dudley, Dudley Walsh, Barent Bleecker, John Van Schaick, Rensselaer Westerlo, and Harmanus Bleecker. At this meeting a committee was named for each ward to secure signa- tures to a memorial to the Legislature, asking for legislation to forward the scheme. Similar action was taken in other ]3arts of the State. In April following an act was passed to " provide for the improvement of of the internal navigation of this State." Under this act, Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott, and Myron Holley were appointed commissioners to "consider, devise and adopt such measures as might be requisite to facilitate and effect the communication, by means of canals and locks, between the naviga- able waters of the Hudson River and Lake Erie, and the said navigable waters and Lake Champlain." This commission made their report, and then the struggle began. The canal question divided parties and shaped the politics of the State. The question of the course to be fol- lowed was prolific in argument, while a large part of the inhabitants of the State looked upon the whole project as visionary and foolhardy. But nothing could permanently stop the progress of the canal and on April 15, 1817, the last day of the session, the act authorizing the great water-way was passed. Considering the times and the means available in those days for heavy engineering work, the canal was constructed rapidly and on the 94 Sth of October, 1823, the first boat passed through the completed por- tion east of the Genesee River into the Hudson. This event was cele- brated in Albany with enthusiastic public demonstration. The Com- mon Council appointed a committee consisting of Aldermen Gibbons, Baldwin, Humphrey, Cassidy, Ten Eyck, and the chamberlain, while Solomon Van Rensselaer acted as marshal of the day. A salute was fired at sunrise, bells were rung, there was a civic and military parade and business was suspended generally. The first boat that entered the lock was the De Witt Clinton, having on board Governor Yates, the mayor and other corporation officers of the city, the canal commission- ers, engineers and citizens. The cap stone of the lock was laid with Masonic ceremonies and the waters of the lakes and those of the ocean were then mingled by Dr. Mitchell. After this impressive ceremony the lock gates were opened and the boat settled down upon the waters of the Hudson. The whole canal was not completed until October •iC, 1S35, but Al- bany had begun to feel its benefits previous to that date. The final opening of the canal was also celebrated along its entire line. On Octo- ber 17 the Common Council appointed a committee to make proper arrangements for the Albany celebration, who held a public meeting in the Capitol, and another at a little later date, which contributed to the perfection of arrangements for the celebration. The passage of the first boat from Buffalo into the Albany basin was announced from point to point along the entire distance by the firing of cannon. The Seneca Chief was fitted up at Buffalo to carry the dignitaries of the State, and left that city on October 26, arriving in Albany November ■I. At 11 o'clock the procession was formed and marched through the ])rincipal streets of the city under direction of Welcome Esleeck, John Tayler, James Gibbons, and Francis I. Bradt. When the procession reached the Capitol, impressive services were held, consisting in part of the -singing of an ode written by John Augustus Stone, of the Al- bany Theatre, addresses by Philip Howe, of New York, William James, of Albany, and Lieut.-Governor Tallmadge, a splendid collation at the Columbia street bridge, and a ball in the evening. The completion of the Erie Canal changed the whole aspect of com- mercial affairs in the lake region. Coincident with that event the first steam vessel, the Ontario, was launched on Lake Ontario at Oswego, giving birth to the immense traffic that soon covered those waters with busy fleets. With the construction of packet boats on the canal, travel 95 eastward and westward became immense, and very much of it passed through Albany. Tolls collected in this city increased from $126,652 in 1825, to $212,045 in 1830, while more than a hundred thousand dol- lars was added to this amount in the succeeding five years. Rivalry between the canal packet boats and the stages on the main lines was very active; but the new mode of travel attracted the greater number of passengers for a considerable period. Meanwhile the Champlain Canal had been finished and opened its entire length on September 10, 1823, extending from near Cohoes to Lake Champlain, and further contributed to the growth of Albany. As an evidence of the rapidity with which the Erie Canal was brought into use, and of the very great change which it made in the mode of transportation, particularly as regards freight, it may be stated that the number of canal boats which arrived in Albany during the season of 1823 was 1,329; during that of 1824 it was 2,687; during that of 1835 it was 3,336; and in 1826, the year after the canal was in full operation, it was about 7,000. The rate for transportation on the turnpike in 1826 was one and a half cents a mile; the rate by the canal was five mills. But it should not, therefore, be inferred that all the passengers deserted the stages for the packet boats. The canal passage was still tedious compared to land travel, and was chosen chiefly by those who desired to lessen the fatigue of the journey, but was avoided where time was of account. The construction of what is known as the Albany Basin was inti- mately connected with the two canals that terminate here. The sub- ject of this basin was discussed about 1820, when river navigation had become active and the docks in front of the city were constantly lined with hundreds of sloops and schooners. After a few years of agitation the matter was referred to the Canal Commissioners, who reported on February 11, 1823, as follows: la obedience to the resolution of the Assembly passed the 14th ult., instructing the Commissioners to report a place for the construction of a basin at the termination of the Erie and Champlain canal at the city of Albany, reported that Benjamin Wright, one of their engineers, who was instructed to examine the matter, had proposed a plan and made a communication on the subject, together with a map of the contem- plated basin. The Commissioners believe that a basin may be constructed on the said plan for about $100,000, and that such a basin would be extremely beneficial to the trade of Albany. They have declined to make basins along the line of canals, believing that mercantile capital and enterprise would find sufficient inducements and interests to furnish these local accommodations to trade, and that to expend the 9G puVjlic moneys would not be just. They think, however, that it would be pi-oper to construct a sloop lock at the southern termination of the basin, as the connection of boat and sloop navigation at the arsenal dock will cost nearly as much as the said lock; and, in case of the construction of said lock, it would be reasonable f(ir the State to receive tolls on the length of the basin as part of the canal. In accordance with this report the Legislature passed an act April 5, 1823, authorizing the construction of the basin and naming the fol- lowing persons commissioners: William James, John R. Bleecker, John Townsend, Elisha Jenkins, Benjamin Knower, Allen Brown, Israel Smith, Tennis Van Vechten, John Trotter, John vSpencer, Asa H. Spencer, William Durant, Peter Boyd, Joseph Alexander, Charles R. Webster, John H. Webb, John Shotwell, Joseph Russell, William Caldwell, Ralph Pratt, Russell Forsythe, William Marvin, William McHarg, Jellis Winne, jr., Abraham Van Vechten, and Gideon Haw- ley. These men were authorized to receive subscriptions for the work which was, briefly, to construct a pier opposite the docks fronting the harbor, so as to comprise a basin extending from the arsenal dock to a point opposite Hodges's dock, in the line of Hamilton street, with a sloop lock at the Hamilton street end; the work was to be c(.)mpleted within two years. The act authorized the building of bridges from the dock to the pier, and the Pier Company were to receive title to the necessary land under water. The act also regulated wharfage to be paid by vessels, authorized the canal commissioners to charge toll on all canal boats entering the basin, and directed that the pier be divided into lots and thus sold at auction. Under this act the pier was finished May 27, 1825, inclosing a basin capable of harboring one thousand canal boats and about fifty vessels of larger dimensions. The pier was di- vided into 123 lots which, excepting lots 1 and 2, reserved for an open- ing into the river, were sold on July 17, 1825. The aggregate sum realized was $188,510. The pier was made 4,323 feet long and eighty- five feet broad. The area of the basin is thirty-two acres. Bridges with draws were erected across the basin at the foot of State and Co- lumbia streets, and the slooj) lock alluded to was built by the State. The passage of the first canal boat through the lock and into the basin look place October 26, 1825. The basin having no free outlet to the current of the river, soon be- came encumbered with silt, creating a nuisance, and in June, 1834, the city corporation was indicted by the grand jury for not abating the nuisance. The case was fought on the ground that the bulkhead at the lower end 97 of the basin was built under authority of an act of the Legislature. The Court of Sessions decided against the cit}-, but the decision was re- versed by the Supreme Court. In response to an application made by citizens in February, 1835, the Legislatui-e passed an act on the 37th of April directing the partial removal of the bulkhead, the removal of the sloop lock, and the erection of a bridge frOni the abutment at Ham- ilton street to the pier. The Common Council was also authorized to clean out the offensive accumulation and assess the cost on all prop- erty benefited. Since that time and under various acts and council proceedings, the basin has been vastly improved by openings in the pier, dredging, etc. The period from 1826 to 1830 was one of general prosperity through- out the country. The success of the canals that were actualy built led to the formation of scores of companies, with capital stock ranging from $3,500 to $550,000, and canals were projected in all directions; but most of these were never even commenced. Meanwhile rumors of a strange and mighty rival of the canal in the freight and passenger traffic had come from the southward, and before the canals had reached the height of their prosperity, a steam railroad, the first one in this State, was in active operation between Albany and Schenectady. Prominent Albany men were actively interested in the development of the new mode of transportation. What was known as the Ouincy Rail- road was built in Massachusetts in 18-2(i, for the transportation of gran- ite from the celebrated quarries, but it was only four miles in length and the motive power was horses. In April of the same year the New York Legislature chartered the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Company, to construct a railroad between Albany and Schenectady. This was the first chartered company in the Union authorized to carry on a general transportation business. This was the first season that the Erie canal was used throughout its full course, yet the conviction was, even then, becoming prevalent that at an early day a railroad would extend along its course as a competitor for traffic. As business in all its various channels rapidly increased, demanding greater activity on the part of merchants and manufacturers, the element of time be- came a more important factor in every man's business and had a distinct effect upon his profits and losses. Shrewd men realized that this line across the Empire vState was the natural course for through trade, as it is now termed, and busy minds were speculating upon ways and means and possible results of building railways that would, at least, divide the 98 traffic of the canal and the stages and prove a profitable investment. The capital of the Mohavi-k and Hudson Company was $300,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $500,000. In the mean time and before work on this road was begun, railroads in other States were com- menced, finished and brought into use, with locomotives propelled by steam. The Auburn and Syracuse road, chartered in May, 1834, was first operated by steam in 1839. In August, 1830, about twenty months before the expiration of the six years in which the road was to be built, the work of construction on the line from Albany to Schenectady be- gan and was pushed forward with such energy that in October, 1831, it was fully completed and was carrying on an average about -100 pass- engers daily. This, the first railroad in the State, was crude in plan, imperfect in construction and expensive in operation. The road bed was mostly of solid stone, forming an unyielding foundation, that acted as an anvil, upon which rolling stock pounded like hammers, battering and wearing out the timbers, cross ties and rails. The cost of the road was $68,000 per mile. During the ten years subsetjuent to the date of the charter of this first railroad, the Legislature granted charters for building other roads in various parts of the State. The success of the road from Albany to Schenectady, such as it was, served to inspire confidence in more ex- tensive and better railroads and taught many lessons that later engi- neers were not slow to adopt. The project of connecting Albany with New York by a railroad along the Hudson was agitated at an early date, and in 1832 a number of prominent men obtained a charter for a railroad for this purpose authorizing a capital of $3,000,000. This ef- fort was a little premature and sufficient stock was not subscribed for. Regarding the probable profits of this line the railroad commissioners of 1833 reported as follows: That it would accommodate a large number of the population in the vicinity of the route; that the amount of transportation charges which would be paid to the road by this population, on produce, minerals, manufactures and merchandise would amount to .$350,000, to which was added a larger sum to be received from travelers and light freights between Albany' and New York, especially in winter; that the annual income of the road would be $852,000. " This railroad will connect at Albany with the grand chain of railroads now in progress or contemplated from Albany to Buffalo, viz.; the Mohawk and Schenectady, completed; Utica and Schenectady in progress ; Syracuse and Utica, coutenijilated ; Auburn and Syracuse, stock subscribed ; Auburn and Rochester, contemplated ; Tonawauda, contemplated, from Rochester through Batavia to Attica." The practical consummation of all these grand projects was not, how- ever, realized until May 12, 1846, when a new charter was granted to the Hudson River Company with the result that, on October 3, 1851, the road was opened from New York to East Albany. On November 1, 18G9, this company and the New York Central Company were con- solidated, the latter company having been organized April 3, 1853, for the consolidation of the following companies : Albany and Schenectady, Schenectady and Troy, Utica and Schenectady, The Mohawk Valley, The Syracuse and Utica, the Syracuse and Utica direct, Rochester and .Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, the Rochester, Lockport and Niagara Falls, and the Buffalo and Lockport. This entire combination passed to the new company August 1, 1853. Previous to this consolidation the Troy and Greenbush road, which was chartered in 1845, was leased to the Hudson River Company, June 1, 1851, for seven per cent, on $276,000 stock, and passed under control of the consolidated company above described. The New York and Harlem Railroad was chartered in April, 1831, and work on it was begun in February of the next year. This com- pany was authorized in May, 1840, to extend the road north of the Harlem River to meet the New York and Albany road at such point as might be agreed upon, and to continue to Albany in May, 1845. It was leased to the New York Central in 1873. The construction of these railroads involved the building of costly bridges across the Hudson at Albany. The first bridge in this vicinity was completed in December, 1804, at Waterford. In January, 1814, the project of building another bridge at Albany was discussed, but received intense opposition at Troy, the claim being put forward that it would obstruct navigation. The contest was carried into the Assem- bly, where a heated controversy was held. On March 11, 1814, Har- manus Bleecker, from the special bridge committee, reported adversely on the project, and the subject was not brought up again unlil 1831, when it met a similar fate. On February 4, 1835, a meeting was held at the Eagle Tavern to consider the subject, and a committee of thirty was appointed to prepare a petition, but nothing further was then done. On February 11, 1836, another meeting was held in the city hall at which Erastus Corning presided, but against all the influence that was brought to bear in favor of a bridge, the Assembly committee reported adversely in March. The subject was a fruitful source of public and private discussion until January 30, 1841, when another meeting was 100 held in the Young Men's Association rooms, the mayor presiding and addresses being made by John V. L. Pruyn and vSamuel Stevens, but at- tempts to secure favorable action in the Legislature met the usual opposition from Troy and Albany ferry companies. The Assembly again reported adversely March 36, 1841, so that, though it was in the face of great necessity and the powerful influences working in favor of the undertaking, a bridge was not built until 1856, when, on April '.), the Hudson River Bridge Company was incorporated. The site of the bridge was to be determined by commissioners, among whom were Moses H. Grinnell, of New York, J. D. Monell, of Hudson, Palmer V. Kellogg, of Utica, Jacob Gould, of Rochester, James W. Wadsworth, of Geneseo and Albert H. Tracy, of Buffalo. It is worthy of notice that on February 2, about two months before the passage of the in- ' corporating act, a remonstrance against the proposed bridge was sent to the Legislature which was signed by more than 1,000 citizens of Albany. The capital stock of the company was $500,000. The act ordered the bridge to be erected at least twenty-five feet above common tide water and to be supplied with a draw of sufficient width to admit the passage of the largest vessels navigating the river. The New York Central Railroad Company, the Hudson River Railroad Company, and the Boston and Albany Railroad Company were stockholders in the bridge company. This first bridge was superseded by the present middle bridge under an act passed April 28, 1868, authorizing the dem- olition of the old one as soon as the new one was finished ; and that be- fore the commencement of the new bridge, the railroad companies above mentioned and the bridge company should "jointly and .severally execute and deliver a bond to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Troy, and the same Board of the city of Albany, in the penalty of at least $600,000," for the proper fulfillment of their obliga- tions under the act. Work on the new bridge began in May, 1S70, and it was opened in 1872, and it is little more than half a mile in length. Brief mention of the other existing bridges may be made here, al- though it is out of the chronological order. The upper bridge was opened February 23, 1866, and is now used exclusively for freight and foot passage. Its cost together with the necessary purchases of real estate was $1,100,000. The lower bridge, at South Ferry street, was built by the Albany and Greenbush Bridge Company, incorporated April 18, 1872. The site was selected by Commissioners Thomas W. Alcott, Charles Van Benthuy.sen, Volkert P. Douw, of Albany; James 101 M. King, of Greenbush ; Alexander Morris, J. T. Davis, and John H. Pratt, of East Greenbush. Work on this bridge was commenced in 187G, but progressed very slowly, so that it was not opened for teams and foot passengers until January 24, 1882. The era of prosperity during which many of these public improve- ments took their inception, received a disastrous check in the financial crisis of 1836-38, which followed closely upon the ravages of the Asiatic cholera which are described in Chapter XIII. The causes of that panic had their beginning in the very foundation of the govern- ment finances as laid down by the policy of General Jackson, which was in antagonism to the policy of the United States Bank and its con- 'nections. While the tide was rising banks multiplied in various parts of the country and their managers, who had become able to control large resources in depreciated currency, engaged in real estate and other speculations, indulged extravagantly in the purchase of luxuries and aided in turning the heads of their more conservative neighbors. Prices of lands and of all merchandise were greatly inflated, money was plenty, easily obtained and readily spent. Usurious rates of interest prevailed, money frequently commanding from three to five per cent. a month, with an active demand even at those rates. This apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that many persons were led into bor- rowing at enormous rates of interest, in the hope that by the tempo- rary use of money they could realize the same large profits that were being made by their neighbors, so that almost all communities, particu- larly the cities and villages of later growth than Albany, were drawn into the whirlpool and an era of speculation followed such as the country has never since experienced. All classes became involved, and thus, when the disaster drew near, though some persons foresaw it and escaped, yet large numbers became bereft of ordinary judgment and clung to the last to the impossible belief that money could be actually created by such operations, and were finally overwhelmed in the final crash. This was precipitated by Jackson's " specie circular," and the withdrawal of deposits from the United States Bank. The Mexican war, as it is generally termed, was caused by conflicting claims about the territory of Texas. The American government claimed it as a part of the Louisiana purchase of 1803, but did not press the claim until later, so that when ^lexico became a republic in 1824, Texas 102 was made one of the States. Meanwhile the territory had been considera- bly settled by Americans. Finally Texas rebelled against the govern- ment of Santa Anna and on March 2, 1836, declared itself an inde- pendent State, though this independence was not admitted by Mexico. On the 4th of July, 1845, Texas was, with its own consent, admitted into the Union. Here was the immediate cause of the war that was promptly declared. General Zachary Taylor was sent into Texas with an army of occupation, and on the 24th of April, 1846, the first blood was shed. The contest was not long continued, but was fought with valor and de- termination, under such American leaders as Taylor, Scott, Wool, Worth, and others. Its principal events have long been overshadowed by the great struggle of 1861-65 between the North and the South. Under the act of Congress authorizing the raising of fifty regiments for the Mexican war, seven were assigned to the State of New York, but only two of these were furnished. The first was raised by Colonel Stevenson in 1846 and contained one company of eighty men recruited in Albany, which was commanded by Capt. John B. Frisbie and Lieut. Edward Gilbert. The regiment was sent to Mexico by a sailing vessel around Cape Horn and joined General Scotfs forces, participating in his arduous campaign. The second regiment, raised in the fall of 1846, was commanded by Col. Ward B. Burnett, and contained an Albany company of which the cajJtain was Abraham Van O'Linda, and the lieutenant, Addison Farnsworth. This regiment also constituted a part of Scott's army and served with honor until the close of the war. The act of Congress of 1847 calling for ten regiments of infantry from this State, was promptly responded to. The tenth regiment raised un- der this call is credited to Albany and contained many volunteers from this county. It was commanded by Col. Robert E. Temple and Lieut. - Col. James McGown. The regiment joined General Taylor's forces and shared his campai.gns until the war ended, (icn. John E. Wool and (len. William J. Worth, were former residents of Albany county, and were prominent in the struggle that gave Texas to the Union. The war ended September 13, 1847. The middle of the present century found Albanj- county with a popu- lation of '.)3,2'i'9, of whom 50,763 were resident in Albany city. The growth from 1830 (when the population was 53,520) to 1840 carried the figures to 68,634, and during the succeeding ten years they reached the number above stated. Later chapters of this work show that the ad- 103 vancement and growth in other directions corresponded with the in- crease in population. CHAPTER X. The general history of this county during the past forty-five years, as far as it is not included in later distinctive chapters of this volume, may be briefly written. While it has been a period of prosperity and growth, it has at the same time been devoid of events of great histor- ical importance. The population of the county rose from 93,279 in 1850, to 113,917 in 1860, and to 133,052 in 1870, while that of the city of Albany increased from 50,763 in 1850, to 62,367 in 1860, and to 69,422 in 1870. Transportation facilities were improved by large railroad ex- tensions and consolidations, and many institutions of a public character were founded. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad Company was incorporated April 9, 1851, and was opened for traffic from Albany to Central Bridge (35 miles), September 16, 1863. Its construction con- tinued and it was opened throughout its entire length to Binghamton on January 14, 1869. The property was leased in February, 1870, to the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company for the term of its charter, at a rental of six per cent, on the Albany city bonds; seven per cent, on the first, second and third mortgage bonds and first consolidated mortgage bonds, and the capital stock, and $1,000 for maintaining the organization. A payment of $5,000 semi-annually is made by the lessees to the trustees of the sinking fund of the city of Albany, and is invested in certain ways for the ultimate payment of the Albany city bonds. The amount of these city bonds was originally $1,000,000. While this road has been a costly one to the county, it at the same time opened a section of the country for trade with the city that has been of great benefit. The Albany and \^ermont Railroad was chartered October 17, 1857, and was permanently leased to the Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail- road Company in June, I860, and is now operated by the Delaware and Hudson Company. The main line from Albany to Waterford junction extends for twelve miles in this State, and has been of considerable benefit to the city. The New York, West Shore and Buffahi Railroad was chartered June U, 1881, to extend from New York city up the west bank of the Hudson River to Athens, in Greene county, and thence diverjiin.u,- to the westward and continuing directly across Albany county to Rotterdam. From there it passed on westward to Buffalo. It was built as a com- peting line to the New York Central. The work of construction was pressed with such energy that the road was opened from Weehawken to Syracuse October 1, I880. and to Buffalo January 1, 1884. On the 2d of October, 1885, judgment and foreclosure of sale of the road was entered in the-Supreme Court of this State, and on the 8th of Decem- ber it was sold at auction and transferred to the purchasers, J. Pier- pont Morgan, Chauncey M. Depew, and Ashbel Green, as joint tenants. The road was then leased to the New York Central. The country at large was now upon the eve of momentous events. The sectional antagonism between the North and the South which had been growing through many years; jealousy in the South of the rapid material progress and prosperity of the North ; the determined efforts of Southerners to farther extend slavery and of the Northerners to prevent it; in short, the "in-epressible conflict" reached a crisis in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States in 1860, and led to the opening of the guns of Charleston upon Fort Sum- ter on the 11th of April, 1801. Four days later, on the 15th, the presi- dent issued a call for 75,000 volunteer militia to suppress the rebellion. The response was astonishingly prompt throughout the Empire State and no where more so than in Albany county. On the 18th of April the Legislature passed an act authorizing the enrollment and equip- ment of a State militia and providing for the public defense. Within one week 155 companies were recruited in this State and ready for .service. Public meetings were held, relief associations organized, and funds liberally provided for the families of volunteers, and Albany again and for the last time became the centre of a scene of military activity. The first regiment to respond to the call for militia in Albany county was the •25th New York State militia, which left the city for Washing- ton on the 22d of April, 1861, officered as follows: Michael K. Bryan, colonel; James Swift, lieutenant-colonel; David Friedlander, major; John M. Kimball, adjutant; Cornelius B. O'Leary, surgeon; captains, Co. A, Jacob Fredendall; B, Timothy McDermott; C, John (Jray; I), 105 Frank Marshall; E, J.J. Huber; F, M. H. Kenneally; G, H. Mulhol- land; H, Godfrey; K, Hale Kingsley; L. F. Newdorf. With 479 men the regiment reached Washington on the 29th, served its term of three months on Arlington Heights, where it built Fort Albany; re- turned home, and on May 41, 1803, was again mustered into service for three months and was ordered to Suffolk, Va. At the expiration of its term, Colonel Bryan and many of his men entered the army again as volunteers. Colonel Bryan at a later date raised the 175th Regiment of Volunteers and died at the head of his command on June l-t, 1863. He was a brave and capable officer. The od Regiment New York State \'olunteers was organized in Al- bany May 7, 18(il, and five of its ten companies were recruited from Albany county, as follows: C, captain, E. G. Floyd; E, captain, J. W. Blanchard; F, captain, H. S. Hulbert; G, captain, J. H. Ten Eyck, jr.; I, captain, E. S. Jenney. On 'Slay S I'redcrick Tuwnsend was elected colonel of the regiment; S. M. Alfuid, lientL-iiant-colonel ; George D. Bayard, major; Alexander II. Holf, surgeon; Jonathan O. Moore, ad- jutant. The regiment left Albany May 18 with 79() men, participated in the battle of Big Bethel, and during the remainder of its term of nine months was stationed at Fortress Monroe. On May 8, 1863, it entered service as a veteran organization and later was consolidated with the 112th. It took part in engagements at Fort Wagner, Charles- ton, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Fort Gilmer, Fort Fisher, Wil- mington and others of minor character. Colonel Townsend resigned July 2, 1861, taking up his residence in Albany, and the regiment passed under command of Colonel Alford and was mustered out in Au- gust, 1865. The president issued another call for troops on May 3, 1861, under which, and acts approved July 22 and 25, 500, OoO men were required, and under this call New York State furnished 120, •i.",! volunteers. The Jr3d Regiment was organized at Albany and mustered into the service between August 25 and September 21, 1801. The following were the commissioned officers: Francis L. Vinton, colonel; Charles H. Pierson, lieutenant-colonel; Benjamin F. Baker, major; James H. Thompson, surgeon; James H. Bogart, adjutant. Captains: Co. A, John Wilson; Co. B, I. R. Van Slyke; Co. E, E. Cass Griffin; Co. D, Charles H. Clark ; Co. E, Jacob Wilson ; Co. F, James C. Rogers ; Co. G, William H. Mathews ; Co. H (Yates Rifles), Edwin C. Drake; Co. I, George W. Reed; Co. K, Harvey S. Chatfield; Captain Charles B. Mitchell, 1862; Captain John L. Newman, 1863; Cap- tain David Burhans, 1862 ; Captain James D. Visscher, ' 862. The regiment left Albany on the 16th of September with TOC men. It received durmg its service 1,621 recruits and returned in July. 1865, with 290 men and thirteen officers. It was distinguished for brilliant deeds in battle and participated in actions at Lee's Mills, Warwick Creek, Siege of Yorktown, Golding's Farm, The Seven Days battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights Salem Church, Banks's Ford, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens, Charleston, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and others. Among those in this regiment who lost their lives, were the following: Major (afterwards Colonel) James Henry Bogart, killed while advanc- ing with his regiment at Port Hudson, June 14, 1803. Captain (after- wards Colonel) John Wilson, a native of Albany, died May 8, 1864, from amputation of leg for bullet wound. Captain (afterwards Major) Will- iam Wallace, native of Albany, was confined at one time in Libby prison, was exchanged, and was shot while leading a charge in the bat- tle of the Wilderness. In the same engagement, Lieutenant-Colonel* Fryer was mortally wounded. Captain David Burhans, a native of the town of Bethlehem, fell at the front in the engagement at Po river May 10, 1864. Captain (afterwards Colonel) James D. Visscher, born in Al- bany, served three months with the militia at the beginning of the Re- bellion, killed at Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864. Capt. Douglass Lodge, born in Albany, rose from the ranks to captain, planted the colors of his regiment on Marye's Heights May 3, 1863, and received a mortal wound on the following day. The Tenth Regiment, National Guards, was organized in Albany in the early months of the war and performed guard and other duty at the call of the governor. For the third time it tendered its services for nine months and took the field November 21, 1862, with 864 men, and the following officers: Ira W. Ainsworth, colonel; Frank Cham- berlain, lieutenant-colonel; David M. Woodhall, major; Richard M. Strong, adjutant; William H. Craig, surgeon. Captains, Co. A, Lionel U. Lenox; B, Charles E. Davis; C, Stephen Bronk; 1), James Dodds; E, James McFarland ; F, James R. Harris; G, Morgan L. Fil- kins; H, Harmon L. Merriman ; I, E. H. Tomlinson; K, William H. 107 Brandenburg. The regiment was numbered the 177th N. Y. Y., and was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, under general Banks.' Its principal service was in the engagements from Ne\^ Orleans to Port Hudson, suffering severely at the latter place. At the close of its term of nine months the regiment returned home and resumed its original place as part of the 9th Brigade, National Guard. The regi- ment suffered much from sickness while in the far South. Among those who died while in the field were Adj. Richard M. Strong, born in Alban}-, died in Louisiana May 12, 1863; he had studied law and been admitted to the bar, with bright prospects. Lieut. John Peter Phillips, died September 4, 1863. Sergt. Charles H. Frederick, a native of Albany, died of fever in Louisiana March 10, 1863. Sergt. Joseph C. Vanderhoop, born in Albany, died of fever in Louisiana. Sergt. William Crounse, born in Guilderland, died in Louisiana June ;I8, 1863. The 44th, or " People's Regiment," was a Zouave organization com- posed largely of Albany county men, and was formed October 16, 1861. It left for the seat of war on the -'Oth of that month, 850 strong and officered as follows: Stephen W. Stryker, colonel; James C. Rice, lieutenant-colonel; James McKown, major; William Frothinghani, surgeon; Edward B. Knox, adjutant. Captains: Co. A, Edward P. Chapin ; Co. B, L. S. Larabee; Co. C, William H. Revere, jr. ; Co. D, Freeman Conner; Co. E, Michael McN. Walsh; Co. F, Campbell Allen; Co. G, William L. Vanderlip; Co. H, William N. Danks; Co. I, A. Webster Shaffer; Co. K, William H. Miller. Capt. Rodney G. Kimball,\l862; Capt. B. Munger, 1862. The regiment performed meritorious sefvice at Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Gaines's Mills, Turkey Island, Malvern Hill, Groveton, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahan- nock, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. The regiment was mustered out September 24, 1864, with 170 men, having been supplied with more than 700 recruits during its term of service. Lieut. Col. (afterwards Brigadier-General) James C. Rice, a graduate of Yale and a law student, with a previous brilliant military career, participated in all the engagements of his regiment until at Petersburg, May 10, 1864, where he received a fatal woimd. Sergt. Walter H. Angus, promoted second lieutenant, was killed at Petersburg June 21, 1864. The 91st Regiment was recruited during the fall of 1861, mo.stly in and near Albany, and was nnistered into the service for three years December IG, l^fil, with 847 men. It left Albany December 20 tor Governor's Island, where it remained until January 8, lS(i-2. Thence it went direct to Key West, where it arrived January 2(1. Tlie officers of the regiment were as follows : Jacob Van Zandt, colonel; Jonathan Tarbell, lieutenant-colonel; Charles G. Clark, major; Robert F. Keeven, adjutant; Robert Morris, surgeon. Captains: Co. A, John W. Felthousen; Co. B, George W. Stackhouse; Co. C, J. G. McDermott; Co. D, Henry Crounse; Co. E, William Lee; Co. F, John Cooke; Co. G, Allan H. Jackson; Co. H, J. B. Collins; Co. I, Charles A. Burt; Co. K, Henry S. Hiilbert. The 91st was stationed at Pensacola for seven months, when it went to New Orleans under Banks and participated in engagements at Port Hudson, Irish Bend, Bayou Vermilion, and other points, suffering severely. The regiment returned home July 19, 1804, and nearly all of its members re-enlisted. After being fully recruited it was in Feb- ruary, 1865, assigned to the 5th Corps and stationed near Petersburg, where it performed valiant service in the closing scenes of the war. Among the officers of the regiment who lost their lives were the fol- lowing: Major George W. Stackhouse, died June 19, 1863, from gun- shot wounds, at Port Hudson. Capt. John A. Fee, a native of Albany, rose from the ranks, was wounded June 30, 1863, and died July 15. Lieut. William P. Clark, born in Watervleit, shot through the head at Irish Bend July 14, 1863. Lieut Sylvester B. Shepard, born in Albany, was a member of the celebrated Burgesses Corps, killed at Port Hud- son June 14, 1863, at the head of his company. The nth New York Havelock Battery was organized in Albany Oc- tober 26, 1861, and mustered in January 6, 1862, with 156 men and the following officers: Captain, A. A. Von Puttkammer; first lieuten- ants, R. A. Warrington and James Rodgers; second lieutenants, G. A. Knapp and John E. Burton. The battery left Albany for the front on January 17, and participated in the battles of Second Bull Run, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and others. From September, 1864, to Lee's surrender it was engaged almost every day. Lieut. Henry D. Brower, a native of Albany, of this battery was killed at Chancellorsville May 3, 1863; Corporal William H. Van Gaasbeek was killed at Cold Harbor June 6, 1864, and Corporal W^illiam H. Brough- ton was killed at Petersburg, September 28, 1864. 109 On the 2d of July, 1863, a call was made for 300,000 men, under which the quota of New York State was 59,705, but the vState furnished 78,904. Recruiting and other military operations at Albany now 'le- gan in earnest. It was clearly seen that the war was not to be, as at first anticipated, a brief and unimportant struggle, and throughout the North the work of raising troops to aid the cause was taken up with vigor. The 11.3th Regiment (or the 7th Regiment New York Volun- teer Artillery) was organized in Albany county, under the proposition that each senatorial district should raise one regiment with the utmost possible dispatch. A committee was appointed consisting of Eli Perry, J. F. Rathbone, Lyman Tremain, J. Tracey, T. W. Olcott, George Dawson, C. B. Cochrane, J. V. L. Pruyn, Franklin Townsend, vSamuel Anable, W. M. \'an Antwerp, George H. Thatcher, and Henry A. Brigham, and the first man enlisted for the regiment signed the roll July 24, 18G2. So energetically was the work prosecuted that over 1,100 men were mustered in on August 18, 1862, with the following field and staff officers: Colonel, Lewis O. Morris; major, Edward A. Springstead ; adjutant, Frederick L. Tremain; quartermaster, E. Willard Smith; surgeon, James E. Pomfret ; assistant surgeons, J. W. Blaisdell, George W. Newcomb; chaplain Humphrey L. Calder. Captains: Co. A, Joseph M. Murphy; Co. B, Samuel E. Jones; Co. C, John A. Morris; Co. D, Charles McCulloch ; Co. E, Norman H. Moore; Co. F, Robert H. Bell; Co. G, Francis Pruyn; Co. H, John McGuire; Co. I, William Shannon; Co. K, Samuel L. Anable. Lieutenants; Co. A, A. Sickles, 1st, John B. Read, 2d; Co. B, J. Kennedy, 1st, William E. Orr, 2d; Co. C, H. N. Rogers, 1st, M. Bell, 2d; Co. U, C. Schurr, 1st. H. C. Coulson, 2d ; Co. E, A. V. B. Lockrow, 1st, J. F. Mount, 2d; Co. F, N. Wright, 1st, R. Mullens, 2d; Co. G, S. McEwan, 1st, C. W. Hobbs, 2d: Co. H, H. C. Ducharrae, 1st, F. Pettit, 2d; Co. I. J. O. Hair, 1st, J. M. Ball 2d; Co. K, M. H. Barckley, 1st, G. Krank, 2d. The regiment left Albany August 19, 1862, and was stationed in the defenses of Washington. In December, 1862, its character was changed from infantry to artillery, and recruited to 152 men in each company. It performed arduous and important service in building many forts and batteries. In the spring of 1864 two companies were added to the reg- iment, with the following officers: Captains, Co. L, James Kennedy; Co. M, George H. Tread well. First Lieutenants, Co. L, F. W. Mather; Co. M, G. B. Smallie. Second lieutenants, Co. L, C. C. McClellan; Co. M, E. S. Moss. On May 17, 1864, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac near Spottsylvania and was engaged in the battles of Po River, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Reams's Station in some of which it suffered severelv. On February 110 •22, 18G5, the remnant oi the regiment was ordered to Baltimore to re- main until mustered out in June, 1805. Of the many fatalities that occurred in this organization, the following should be mentioned: Col. I^ewis Owen Morris, a native of Albany, took part in the Mexican war, retained command of this regiment until June 3, 18(j4, when he was killed by a confederate sharpshooter. Major Edward A. Springstead, born in Albany, served as first lieutenant in the 43d Regiment, was promoted from captain in the 113th, and was killed at the head of his men at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. James Kennedy, born in Albany, wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, and at Reams's Station August 25, 1864, and captured; died in Libby prison September 10, 1S64. Capt. John A. Morris, a native of Albany, shot through the heart at Spottsylvania May 19, 1864. Capt. Nathaniel Wright, shot at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. Robert H. Bell, was wounded in the Wilderness May 19, 1864, and died June 20. Lieut. William Emmet Orr, a native of Albany, wounded at North Anna, and died June 2, 1864. Lieut. James H. Morgan, born in Albany, taken prisoner at Reams's Station and died at Salisbury, N. C, November 21, 1864. Lieut. Michael H. Barckley, born in the town of Knox, graduated at Union College, raised a company in his town, was wounded at Cold Harbor and died July 6, 1864. Charles S. Evans, a native of Rensselaerville, killed at Cold Harbor June 5, 1864. Lieut. Charles L. Yeardsley, born in West Troy, killed at Petersburg June 3, 1864, while leading Co. G in a charge. Lieut. John B. Read, wounded at Cold Harbor and left within the enemy's lines. Sergt. James S. Gerling, wounded in the Wilderness June 3, 1814, and again August 24, and died October 8, 1864. Sergt. George Sanders, wounded by a shell at Cold Harbor and died in hospital June 18, 1864. Sergt. Will- iam H. Bell, born in the town of Berne, died in service March 15, 1864. Recruiting for the r.i2d Regiment, the last to leave Albany and very nearly the last to leave the State, began in January, 1865. While nominally an Albany regiment, a large part of its officers and privates were from adjoining counties. The organization reached the seat of war too late to experience any fighting. Among other officers from this county who performed honorable ser- vice in the army and fell either on the field or from disease contracted in the ariuv, a few mav be brietlv noticed here: Ill Col. Edward Frisby was a native of Trenton, N. Y., and settled in Albany in 1826, where he engaged in business as a hatter. He joined the State militia at an early age and rose from corporal through the several grades to brigadier-general. In April, 1861, he went to the front with the 25th Militia Regiment, returned, raised the 30th Regi- ment of volunteers and went out as its colonel. He was killed in the second battle of Bull Run August 22, 1862. Lieut. -Col. Frederick Lyman Tremain, son of Lyman Tremain, re- ceived a college education and had not reached his majority at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the 113th Regiment, raised a company and was promoted adjutant; was afterward transferred to the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, Cavalry Corps, and later to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division. After participating in all the engagements with General Sheridan's army, he was wounded at Dabney's Mills, February 5, 1855, and died three days later. Capt. Harmon N. Merriam, educated for the law, aided in ra.ising the 10th Regiment and was commissioned captain oi Co. H ; was wounded at Port Hudson May 27, 1863, while at the he.^d of his com- pany, and died on his way home July 15, 1863. Capt. John McGuire, a native of Ireland, settled in Albany in 1845, was a sergeant in the Worth Guards, enlisted in the 25th Regiment and served through 1861-2. In vSeptember of the latter year he was made first lieutenant in the 175th Volunteers and promoted captain. After a long period of honorable service he was killed by guerillas April 15, 1865. Lieut. James Williamson, born m Scotland, was first lieutenant in the 10th Regiment Militia, and when the regiment was changed to the 177th Volunteers he was appointed first lieutenant Co. H. He was killed while leading a charge at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863. Orderly Sergeant Peter M. Shaler, a Scotchman, settled in Albany in 1858, joined the 10th Regiment, was wounded March 24, 1S63, and died July 18, 1863. Sergeant Alexander D. Rice, born in Albany April 10, IS37, enlisted xVugust 6, 1862, in Co. C, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and promoted to sergeant; was wounded June 3, 1864, and died June 28. Sergeant Andrew T. Hotaling, enlisted in Co. A, 7th Heavy Artiller\-, November 7, 1862, and twice thereafter promoted; wounded at Peters- burg June 22, 1864, and died July 26. Sergeant Paul Uuay, born in Knox July 30, 1841, enlisted in the 7th 112 Heav)- Artillery, taken priscmer June 10, 1S(14, was sent tu Anderson- ville and thence to Milan, where he died in prison. Succeeding- the call of August 4, 1SI.;2, for nine months volunteers (under which New York furnished 5'.), 705) the next call was that of February 1, 1864, under which, in the aggregate, New York furnished .19,839 men. March 14, 1864, another call was issued for 200,000, un- der which this State supplied 41,940, nearly 10,000 more than her quota. Under the next call, July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men for one, two, or .three and four years, this State furnished a total of 83,843 men. The last call was dated December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, and en- listments stopped before the various quotas were filled, the aggregate from New York being 34,196. In the payment of bounties Albany county kept abreast of the other counties of the State and her quotas were filled as promptly as those of anv other section. The county paid out for bounties to volunteers $3,100,700, and for expenses of recruiting and other military matters $225,125.39; making a total of $3,325,825.39. The war had scarcely begun when the Ladies' Army Relief Associa- tion was organized in Albany to co-operate with the United States Sanitary Commission in the aid of sick and wounded soldiers. The association was in existence as early as November, 1861, and similar organizations were effected in Coeymans, Rensselaerville, Knox, and perhaps other towns in the county. The ladies of Albany raised $19,- 212.30 in money for the purposes noted during the four years ending January 1, 1866, and sent away to the battlefields thousands of boxes and barrels of supplies of every description to comfort the soldier in his time of privation and suffering. The Army Relief Bazaar, a great structure well adapted to its purpose, was erected in the Academy Park and there was held during the months of February and March, 1864, a great Sanitary Fair, in which Troy, Schenectady, and other places par- ticipated. It was splendidly managed and the net proceeds reached about $82,000, which was turned over to the Sanitary Commission. The Albany Auxiliary to the U. S. Christian Commission also received between April 1, 1864, and January 1, 1866, the sum of $33,740.20, be- sides a great quantity of supplies of various kinds, and books, all of which went to the alleviation of the sufferings and privations of the soldiers. Besides all this, private subscriptions in aid of thecau.se were numerous and liberal in this county. In the forenoon of the 9th of 113 April, 1865, news of Lee's surrender reached Albany, and swept on over the whole North, kindling an outburst of joyous thanksgiving such as the country had never before witnessed, and heralded the long reign of peace that was soon inaugurated. During the period of the war public improvements and important public acts, aside from war measures, almost wholly ceased in all Northern cities, while in villages and rural districts the frequent calls to arms, the great sacrifices demanded in men and money, and the sad news that came from scores of bloody battlefields, all served to distract public attention from the ordinary affairs of life. With the advent of peace all this was changed. The welcome event was properly cele- brated in all communities, and the people, so long oppressed by the terrors of civil war, turned joyfully and full of hope to the energetic prosecution of public improvements and private business. In spite of the enormous cost of the war — a financial drain that reached every hamlet in the land — there was seeming prosperity throughout the North during the several years succeeding the close of the conflict. The great demands of the government for war materials, which had for five years promoted many industries and afforded various avenues for speculation and wealth-making, the abundance of monej' which had poured from the national treasury in payment for supplies, and for the vast armies whose rank and file seldom hoarded it, the high prices ruling for all products, created by an inflated currency, were all causes of an era of prosperity such as the country had not before experienced. Albany county had its share in this tide of prosperity, though not to the extent of many cities where manufacturing was more extensive. Many private projects of importance were launched, river commerce was active, building operations were extensive, mercantile business was greatly extended and banks and other institutions of financial character multiplied. The agricultural interests of the county shared also in the general prosperity; farmers realized high prices for their products, and many were led to purchase farms at prices which a few years later would have been ruinous. It was inevitable that such a state of affairs could not long continue in a time of peace. With the gradual contraction of currency, the de- creasing demand for many kinds of products, with contemporaneous over-production, and the fear of financial disaster through anticipated return to specie payment, there came a reaction which culminated in 114 ISTx'-o, causing much financial distress and many business failures. Albany county, however, as has been the case in all times of depres- sion, suffered less than many other localities; the county had gained less and was not so much affected by the inflation caused by the war, and hence suffered less in returning to normal conditions. To preserve its chronological place in this work, the subject of the anti-rent struggle should have been taken up in the ]u-eceding chapter, but as its effects were felt through the period of the war and even later, its brief consideration is left for this place. Anti-rentism came into existence very soon after the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer, the last holder of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck under the British crown. He died January 26, 1839. He had inherited the great manor under the law of primogeniture, as the eldest son, which had existed here through the colonial period. The American laws following the Revolution worked a radical change in this respect, and in order to keep his vast landed interests in possession of his sons and their de- scendants, Stephen Van Rensselaer, on arriving at his majority, adopted the plan of selling his land in fee, reserving to himself and his assigns all minerals, streams of water for mills, and some of the old feudal rents in wheat, fowls, service with horses, etc., and finally, the reserva- tion of one-quarter of "the purchase price on every vendition of land. It is said that Alexander Hamilton drew this form of conveyance and advised his client that he could adopt it. But there was at that time an English statute in opposition to such a method of sale, such right belonging to the crown alone. It is believed that Mr. Hamilton as- sumed that the English statute had not been in force in this colony, and that therefore it had no real force here. In any event the patroon sold his lands, warranting the title, his deeds containing the feudal reservations above mentioned. While this system of sale worked satisfactorily during his life and generally during the lives of the first purchasers, trouble began soon afterward. The patroon devised all his interest in the lands thus sold in fee to his two eldest sons, William P. and Stephen. To the latter, who was the older of the two, were given the rents in Albany county, and to the other those in Rensselaer county. The old patroon was a kindly man and doubtless his many favors to those who had purchased from him served to pacify them under the onerous burdens. But when the sons came into their estate, either their different treatment of the 115 landholders, or changes in the business and agricultural relations of the time, led to complaints and later to more serious trouble. Litiga- tion began and continued many years. " The counsel consulted were either ignorant of that [EnglishJ statute or they dismissed considera- tion of it on the assumption that it was never the law of the colony or of the State. Had that statute, at the time of the anti-rent outbreak, been recognized as the law of the State, it is not too much, probably, to assert and believe that, before the distinguished judges who then adorned the bench, with the Senate composing the court of last resort — a popular as well as judicial body — the anti-rent controversy would have been spared more than a quarter of a century of political and legal conflict, and the feudal-burdened counties have become as en- lightened, prosperous and free as their sister counties in the State." ^ Early in the spring of 1839 the anti-renters held a meeting for the purpose of deciding upon some equitable basis of settlement of the dis- pute. A committee was appointed to call upon vStephen Van Rensse- laer, the elder son, and learn upon what terms they could purchase the soil outright. The committee was composed of the foremost men of the district involved ; they called at the manor office in Watervliet on May 22, 1839, and met Mr. Van Rensselaer, who refused to recognize them in any manner. They then passed into the inner office, occupied by the agent, Douw B. Lansing, while the latter held a lengthy con- versation with Mr. Van Rensselaer, after which the committee were informed that they would be communicated with in writing. The com- mittee felt that this was an insult, and went away. Subsequently Mr. Van Rensselaer sent a letter to Lawrence Vandusen, of Berne, who was chairman of the committee, in which he declined to sell on any terms; this letter was read throughout the manor during that year. The landholders now began active opposition to the collection of rents; agents were insulted and their personal safety endangered; bodies of masked men resisted and attacked sheriffs in discharge of their duties and other demonstrations of force were made in various localities. In December, 1839, Sheriff Michael Artcher called to his aid the/oj-iv coniitatus; with a body of about 600 men he started from Albany on the 3d day of December, 1839, for Reidsville, in the Helderbergs. Arriv- ing near the place, the sheriff selected about seventy-five of the most courageous of his men and continued towards Reidsville, where it was 116 known many of the anti-renters had gathered. Just before reaching the place the}- encountered a force of 1,500 mounted men, who barred the road and ordered the sheriff and his party back. There was no al- ternative but to obey, and the whole party hastened back to Albany. When, on the following day, the sheriff acquainted Governor Seward with the outcome of his brief campaign, the governor called out the military in numbers sufficient to have captured every person in the western part of the county. The military force comprised the Albany Birrgesses Corps, Albany Union Guards, Albany Republican Artillery, First Company and Second Company Van Rensselaer Guards, Troy Artillery, Troy Citizens Corps, and the Troy City Guards. The com- mand of this force was given to Major William Bloodgood, and, headed by Sheriff Artcher, the march was taken up towards Reidsville on De- cember 9. No resistance was met with before Reidsville was reached, and even then no enemy was found. It was a ridiculous sight — a great body of armed troops upon a long and weary march, to meet not even a single landholder upon whom to expend their ardor. The return was made amid a pitiless rain storm. Resistance to rent collections continued against various methods of compulsion, without much advan- tage to either side. The landholders hoped by petty and threatened acts of resistance to force the proprietors into an acknowledgment of their position, while the latter seemed to think that by military and legal action they could compel the landholders to pay whatever was demanded. At last the controversy was made a political issue, and a paper, the Freeholder, was started in Albany in support of the cause of the land- holders. Both the Whig and the Democratic parties strove to obtain the advantage of alliance with the anti-rentei's, but the former party had the largest number of them in its ranks. Their power was soon mani- fested in the political field. Eleven counties promptly elected represen- tatives with anti-rent proclivities to the Legislature, and Albany county elected Ira Harris to the Assembly in 1845 by more than 3,000 majority. Silas Wright, who had been considered invincible, was defeated by John Young for governer in 184(; through the influence of the anti-renters, and the strife went on. As far as its political features were concerned, little was accomplished and in that respect the cause soon lost its in- fluence. Among the conditions of the manorial grants in fee was a provision that the grantee, or his heirs, was to pay to the ]3roprietor on every sale of the land, ad iiijbiitinn, one-quarter of the purchase price ; so 117 that if a farm worth say $2,000, on which all the improvements had been made by the purchaser, was sold iowr times at that price, the proprie- tor would g-et the whole value of the farm, including the improvements, in four payments of $500 each. Litigation began in the courts on this quarter-sale provision in 1848 and in 1853 went to the Court of Appeals. Without here attempting to follow the details of the decision, let it suffice to say that it was in favor of the oppressed landholders. The Court of Appeals was then comprised of Charles H. Ruggles, chief judge, Addison Gardner, Freeborn G. Jewett, Alexander S. Johnson, John W. Edmonds, Malbone Watson, Philo Gridley, and Henry Welles. After this decision was rendered the manor proprietors were advised by counsel to sell, and this was done in some cases prior to 1852. With the changed conditions under the decision of the court, and the low prices at which lands were now offered by the proprietors, speculators, and adventurers came into the field and made many purchases. The principal buyer was Walter S. Church, then of Allegany county, who during the succeeding thirty or forty years, was responsible for end- less trouble for himself and the landholders. Litigation continued and in many instances families were dispossessed of their farms amid dis- tressing conditions. One of the first cases that went to the Court of Appeals after the de- cision in the quarter- sale case before described, was that of Van Rens- selaer vs. Ball in 1858. In the decision in that case the right of the manor proprietors, or purchasers of their interest, to maintain actions of ejectment was put upon a statute passed by the Legislature in 1805, authorizing grantors of lands to have the same remedies for the recov- ery of rent as if the reversion had remained in them ; this opinion was written by Judge Denio, who then proceeded to apply the statutes of landlord and tenant to the cases. This decision so shocked the public conscience that the Legislature of 18ti0 repealed the statute of 1805, so far as conveyances executed after that time were concerned. After that statute was repealed the feudal rent litigation was renewed, and other cases which had passed through the lower courts were carried to the Court of Appeals where they were decided in 1863. That court then took new ground and held that the statute of 1805 was not neces- sary to the maintenance of the actions, but that the statute of 1840 abolishing distress for rent (a statute pa.ssed in the interest of landhold- ers) supplied the place of the statute of 1805; this opinion was written by Judge Henry R. Seklen. After relying on the statute of 184(J, as 118 Judge Denio had on that of 1805, to sustain the actions, Judge Selden undertook to uphold them on the strength of an ojjinion expressed bv Sugden in his work on Vendors and Purchasers, and on a few contro- verted English cases. But neither Sugden nor the disputed cases even hint that there can be a forfeiture of land for non-payment of rent, out- side of the relation of landlord and tenant. It may be broadly and safely stated that no case can be found, English or American, where re entry, or ejectment for default in the payment of rent, has been had or allowed, except where the relation of landlord and tenant existed, or was supposed to exist. Of the eight judges of the Court of Appeals at the time Judge Selden wrote his opinion in 18G3, it is noticeable that two of the most distinguished refused to share in the decision. Upon that remarkable decision hung all the later merciless exactions of the ])roprietors or purchasers of their interest, against the landholders and the many instances of dispossession and suffering with which citizens of Albany county are familiar, and for which space cannot here be spared. The working of this injustice has thus been pictured by Andrew J. Colvin, who has given much study to the matter: Ejectment suits are brought to recover one year's rent claimed to be due — gener- ally the last year — and recovery of possession of the farm for non-payment. The landholder, on prosecution, goes to the office in Albany to pay the year's rent sued for, and the costs of the action. Payment will not be accepted unless he will also pay all rents claimed to be in arrear; it may be for fifteen or twenty, perhaps thirty years. The landholder remonstrates on the ground, as often hap- pens, that he has only owned the farm a few years, and should not be asked to pay longer than he has owned. He is told that that makes no difference ; the fann is lia- ble, no matter who may have been the owner, and he must pay all rents claimed or lose the farm. On inquiry as to the amount claimed, he is startled to learn that it exceeds the value of the farm, perhaps, with all the buildings and other improve- ments. That result is brought about by charging the fullest prices for the wheat, the fat fowls, and the days' service with carriage and horses, with annual accumula- tions of interest on each. It is the old story; the successors of the old patroon chas- tised the landholders with whips; the adventurers chastise them with scorpions. This depressing subject inay be concluded with the following sug- gestive statement of claims made upon the Board of Supervisors for services in the anti-rent difficulties rendered as late as 18iiG: Claimed. .Mlnwed. Leonard & Bradt §1,295 73 §1,268 59 Edward Scannell 1,053 00 576 00 Tenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y .-.. 992 25 992 35 Company F, 25th llegiment " 762 24 762 24 Company C, " " " 636 40 (;26 40 / 119 Claimed. Allowed. Company C. 35th Regiment, N. Y. _ _ 256 93 356 93 L(>rd& Thornton 500 02 498 03 Albany & Susquehanna R. R. Co 2^8 80 238 80 John Cutler... 157 00 150 00 Augustus Brewster... 132 00 80 00 Walter S. Church. -.'- 115 00 Disallowed. ( )f the history of the thirty years that have passed since the close of the war there is little to record that is not found in later chapters. The population of the county in 1870 has already been stated as 133,052; that of the city at that date, 69,422. The increase in the next decade brought the number of inhabitants in the county to 15-1:,890, and in the city to 90,758. In 1890 these figures had reached respectively 164,555, and 94,923. There has been a considerable increase since that year, the census of 1892 showing the population of the county to be KIT, 289, and of the city, 97,120. While these are substantial gains it must be recorded that most of the towns in the county have during the period under consideration, lost slightly in population, while the cities and large villages have gained. This result is observable in most counties of the State and in many other States. By an act of the Legislature passed April 19, 1867, the Albany and Schenectady Railroad was incorporated, and authorized to construct a railroad on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike and Washington avenue, in Albany, the cars of the company to be propelled by horses or dummy engines. The promoters of the project abandoned it. The Boston and Albany Railroad was chartered November 3, 1870, for the consolidation of lines constructed many years earlier. The new company effected a combination of the Western Railroad Corporation, established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in March, 1833; the Castleton and New Stockbridge Railroad Company, incorporated in this State May 5, 1834, the name of which was changed May 5, 1 836, to the Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad Company. On November 11, 1841, a permanent contract was tnade for the operation of the last named road by the Western Corporation. On May 24, 1867, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed an act consolidating the Western Railroad Corporation with the Boston and Worcester Railroad Company. Further legislation by Massachusetts and New York within the next three years effected the consolidation of the Boston and Al- bany Company, the All)an\' and West vStockljrid^e Cuiiipany and the Hudson and Boston Company, under the name it now l)ears, the Bos- ton and Albany. The road is an important factor in the transporta- tion facilities of Albany county. An act of the Let^islaturc of Aiiril C, IS'n, annexed small ])arts of the towns of Bethlehem and Watervleit to the city of Albany. The boundaries of these sections may be found in the session laws of that year. During this period considerable legislation was enacted affecting the Albany county Board of Supervisors, some of the acts of which board also possess more than ordinary interest. On April 13, 1857, the office of supervisor was made a salaried office, the annual salary being fixed at $100 and the usual traveling fees. InMay, 1871, this salary was raised to $350 and has so i-emained. In the year 1875 the powers of supervisors were considerably enlarged, particularly in re- spect to their control of county property, their agency in the erection of county buildings, etc. On the 14th of May, 1878, the term of office of supervisors was extended to two years, the act taking effect at the first election of 1879. In the proceedings of the board for 1863, the county clerk reported that in pursuance of a previously adopted resolution of the board, the work of reindexing of moi'tgages had been completed covering the period from 1856 to 1863, and condensing what had filled eight books into two, for which his charges were $10,633. During the session of 1864 when several calls for troops had recently been made and a draft seemed imminent, the board took prompt and liberal measures for the payment of large bounties, that a draft might be avoided. At that time there had been almost $3,000,000 disbursed in the county for bounties. The amount of bonds issued during the war period was $3,540,200. The county budget in 1865 was $766,- 094.89, or nearly double what it was at the beginning of the war. This sum was gradually decreased to a little more than $500,000 within a few years, but recently it has increased again to more than the figures above given. By resolution of the board adopted November 31, 1871, resulting from a communication received from several leading lawyers and judges, the salary of the county judge of Albany county was raised to $5,000. On the 15th of April, 1887, a law was passed making provision for 121 the erection of an Armory in Albany. This resulted in the splendid structure now in use, which is more fully described in a later chapter. In the following year (1888) an act was passed by the Legislature ap- propriating $35,000 from the State funds for an armory in Cohoes, provided a suitable site was furnished by the supervisors. CHAPTER XI. CIVIL LIST. United States Presided. — Martin \"an Buren, elected to the presi- dency in the fall of 183G, though not a native of Albany county, resided and practiced law in Albany city many years. \'ice-Prcsidciit. — Daniel D. Tompkins, elected in 1817, passed many years of his life in Albany and at the time of his election to the vice- presidency was governor of the State. Governors. — John Tayler, elected in 181U; he was elected lieutenant governor January 39, 181-4, under a special act of the Legislature of April 11, 1811, after the death of John Broome, who died August 10, 1810. A that time Daniel D. Tompkins was serving his second term as gov ernor (elected first in 1807). In 1816 Mr. Tompkins was again elected governor and John Tayler, lieutenant-governor. The next year Mr. Tompkins was elected vice-president and Mr. Tayler became governor. Martin Van Buren, elected 1828; he was appointed secretary of state under President Jackson, March 13, 1839, resigned the office of gov- ernor and was succeeded by Enos T. Throop. John A. Dix, elected 1873. David B. Hill, now a resident of Albany, elected 1885, having then served a remaining part of Grover Cleveland's term, and re- elected in 1888. Lieutenant-Governor. — Daniel Hale, March 31, 1793; Charles D. Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, 1818; and Feb- ruary 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833. United States Senators. — Philip Schuyler, chosen July 16, 1789, served to 1791; chosen again January 34, 1797, and served one year. Martin Van Buren, elected February 6, 1831, and February 6, 1837; Charles E. Dudley, elected January 15, 1859; William L. Marcy, elected 16 ' ' 122 February 1, 1831; John A. Dix, elected January 18, 1845; Ira Harris, elected February 5, 1861. Roscoe Conkling and Leland Stanford, who held this high office, were natives of Albany county. Secretary of the Treasury of the U. S. — Alexander Hamilton, who studied law and married in Albany, and passed much of his time here, was appointed to this office September 11, 1770; John C. vSpencer, March 3, 1843; Jno. A. Dix, January 11, 18G1 ; Daniel Manning, March 6, 1885. U. S. Secretary of State. — Martin Van Buren, appointed March (i, 1829; William L. Marcy, March 7, 1853. U. S. Secretary of the Navy. — Smith Thompson, appointed Novem- ber 9, 1818. U. S. Secretary of War. — John C. Spencer, appointed October 13, 1841; William L. Marcy, March 6, 1845. Members of Congress.— The following changes have taken place in Congressional districts that have directly aiTected Albany county: By act of 1789, a part of Albany with Columbia, Clinton, Saratoga and Washington counties constituted a district. Act of 1792, Albany county was a district by itself. Act of 1797, this county and Schoharie were constituted the 8th district. Act of 1802, Albany county was the 9th district. Act of 1808, Albany and Schenectady counties were made the 7th district. Act of 1812, it was made the 9th district. Act of 1822, it was made the 10th district. Act of 1842, it was made the 13th dis- trict, and by act of 1851, was constituted the 14th district. By act of 1862 Schoharie was joined with it as the 14th district. By the act of 1873 Albany became the 16th district, and by the act of May, 1883, it was numbered the 19th. The last change was made by the act of 1892, under which Albany county became the 20th district. Those who have held the office of Member of Congress from this county are the following; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1789-91 ; James Gordon and Peter Silvester, each part of term of 1791-98; Henry Glen, 1793-1801 ; Killian Van Rensselaer, 1801-1811 ; Har- manus Bleecker, 1811-13; John Lovett, 1813-17; Rensselaer Westerlo, 1817-19; Sol- omon Van Rensselaer, 1819-32; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1833-39; Ambrose Spen- cer, 1839-31; Gerrit Y. Lansing, 1831-37; Albert Gallup, 1837-39; Daniel D. Bar- nard, 1827-39, 1839-43; Bradford R. Wood, 1845-17; John I. Slingerland, 1847-49; John L. Schoolcraft, 1849-53; Rufus W. Peckham. 1853-55; Samuel Di.xon, 1855-57; Erastus Corning, sr., 1857-59; John H. Reynolds, 1859-61; E. Corning, 1861-65; Charles Goodyear, 1865-67; John V. L. Pruyn, 1867-69; Stephen L. Mayham, 1869-71 ; Bli Perry, 1871-75; CharlesH. Adams, 1875-77; Terence J. Quinn, 1877-78; John M. CHARLtS TRACHY. 133 Bailey, elected 1878 vice Quinn deceased; Michael N. Nolan, 1881-83; Thomas J. Van Alstyne, 1883-85; John Swinburue, 1885-87; Charles Tracey, 1887-95; George H. Southwick, 1895-97, 1897- Dclegates to Constitutional Conventions. — There have been four Con- stitutional Conventions in this State, and one Constitutional Commis- sion, all of which met in Albany. The first was held October 13 to 27, 1801. Following are the names of the Albany delegates: John Jost Dietz, Leonard Gansevoort, Daniel Hale, John V. Henry, Josiah Og- den Hoffman, Abraham Van Ingen, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Peter We.st. The second Convention assembled August 28, 1831, and adjourned November 10. Daniel D. Tompkins was president, and fol- lowing are the names of Albany delegates: James Kent, Ambrose Spencer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Abraham Van A'echten. The third Convention was held June 1, 184G, and adjourned October 9. The Albany delegates were Ira Harris, Peter Shaver, Benjamin vStanton, Horace K. Willard. The fourth Convention assembled on June 4, 1867, and adjourned November 12, of that year. The delegates from Albany county were Ira Harris, at large, and William Cassidy, Amasa J. Parker, and Erastus Corning. What was called the Constitutional Commission met in Albany December 4, 1872, and adjourned March 15, 1873. The delegates from the third district, which included Al- bany county, were Robert H. Pruyn, and William Cassidy, of Albany; George B. Burdett, of Troy; Joseph B. Hall, of Catskill, and Cornel- ius Tracy, of Troy. Robert H. Pruyn was chosen chairman. Collectors of Customs. — The collection of customs in Albany was be- gun in 1833, under the direction of New York Custom House, with William Seymour, deputy collector. For many years there was very little for him to do in his office, but with the opening of the Champlain and Erie Canals, new avenues of trade were opened necessitating the establishment of an office at the head of tide water. The collectors since Mr. Seymour have been as follows: Albert Gallup, Dennis B. Gaffney, and William Bruce. On March 2, 1867, a law was passed making Albany a port of entry, with a surveyor of customs as the chief officer; under that law the following have held the position: Peter M. Carmichael, 1867; Isaac N. Keeler, 1870; John C. Whitney, 1875; William N. S. Sanders, 1879; John A. Luby, 1882; Addison D. Cole,' 1885; John M. Bailey, 1889; John P. Masterson, 1893. State Secretaries of State.— V)&-a.\Q\ Hale, March 24, 1793; Charles D. Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, 1818, and 134 February 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833; John Palmer, No- vember 7, 1893; re-elected November, 1895. State Treasurers. — Robert McClallen, March 16, 1798; Abraham G. Lansing, February 8, 1803; Abraham G. Lansing, February 18, 181U; Charles Z. Piatt, February 10, 1813; Gerrit L. Dox, February U, 1817; Benjamin Knower, January 29, 1821; Stephen Clark, November 7, 1855; Nathan D. Wendell, November 4, 1879. Comptrollers.— ]ohnV . Henry, March 12, 1800; Archibald Mclntyre, March 25, 1806; William L. Marcy, February 13, 1826; Azariah C. Flagg, January 11, 1834; Azariah C. Flagg, February 7, 1842; Fred- erick P. Olcott, January 1, 1877, appointed vice Robinson resigned. Surveyors-General.— ?h\\\-p Schuyler, March 30, 1781; Simeon De Witt, May 13, 1784; Simeon De Witt, February 8, 1833; Orville L. Holley, February 5, 1838. State Eiioiiieers and Surveyors. — William J. McAlpine, November 4, 1851; Sylvanus H. Sweet, November 4, 1873; Elnathan Sweet, No- vember, 1883. Canal Commissioners.— 'Aie-^hen Van Rensselaer, April 17, 1816; Asa Whitney, February 23, 1840; Stephen Clark, February 8, 1842; Stephen Clark, November 4, 1844; Charles H. Sherrill, Novembers, 1856. State Senators. — There have been many changes in the senatorial divisions of this State. Under the first Constitution the Senate con- sisted of twenty -four members apportioned among four large districts. An additional senator was to be added whenever it was shown by a septennial census, that the number of electors in a district had increased one twenty-fourth, continuing thus until the number reached one hundred. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. This arrangement was soon proven to be unequal in its operation and in 1801 the Constitution was amended so as to fix the number of senators at thirty-two, which number remained unchanged until the Constitution of 1894 went into effect, January 1, 1895. The Constitution of 1821 divided the State into eight senatorial districts, each of which was enti- tled to four senators, one being elected each year for a term of four years. Under the Constitution of 1846 the State was divided into thirty- two districts, in each of which a senator was elected each odd year. Albany coiinty formerly constituted the 13th district, later the 17th, and finally the 19th. By the Constitution of 1894, the State was divided into fifty senatorial districts, of which Albany county composes the 29th. The senators chosen in 1895 hold office for three years while their successors are to be chosen for but two years. Following- is a list of Senators from this county: Abraham Yates, jr. , 1777-90 ; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1777-78 ; Anthony Van Schaick, 1777-78; Rinier Mynderse, 1777-78. (The first session of the legislature assembled at Kingston m September, 1777, but was soon driven out by British troops. The second meeting was held in Poughkeepsie beginning January 15, 1778.) Rinier Mynderse, 1778-81; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1778-83; Philip Schuyler, 1781-84, 1786- 88, 1793-97; Henry Oothoudt, 1782-85; Volkert P. Douw, 1786-93; Peter Schuyler, 1787-92; Leonard Gansevoort, 1791-93,1797-1802; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1791-95'; Anthony Ten Eyck. 1797-1801; Anthony Van Schaick, 1797-1800; Abraham Van Vechten, 1798-1805, 1816-19; Francis Nicoll, 1797-98; John Sanders, 1799-1802; Stephen Lush, 1801-2; Simon Veeder, 1804-7; John Veeder, 1806-9- Joseph c' Yates, 1806-8; Charles E. Dudley, 1830-35; John McCarty, 1827-30; Peter Gansvoort, 1833-6; Friend Humphrey, 1840-1; Ira Harri.s, 1847; Valentine Tredwell, 1848-49; Azor Taber, 1853-53; Clarkson F.' Crosby, 1854-55; John W. Harcourt, 1856-57; George Y. Johnson, 1858-59; Andrew J. Colvin, 1860-61; John V. L. Pru'yn, 1862- 63; Lorenzo D. Collins, 1866-67; A. B. Banks, 1868-69, 1870-71; Charles H. Adam~s 1872-73; Jesse C. Dayton, 1874^75; Hamilton Harris, 1876-79; Waters W. Braman,' 1880-81; Abraham Lansing, 1883-83; John B. Thacher, 1884-85; Amasa J. Parker^ jr., 1886-7; 1888-9, Henry Russell ; 1890-91, Norton Chase; 1892-5, Amasa J. Parker - Myer Nussbaum, 1895-8. Members of Assembly.— i:\\e State Assembly originally consisted of seventy members, which could be increased one with every seventieth increase in the number of electors, until it reached 300 members. When the constitution was amended in ISOl the number had reached 108; it was then reduced to 100, with provision for an increase after each census at the rate of two annually until the number reached 150. The constitution of 1831 fixed the number permanently at 128, but the number was increased by the Constitution of 1894 to the present num- ber, 150, each of whom is elected, as has always been the case, for one year. Under the various apportionments since 1801 Albany county has had in 1803, six members; in 1815, four; in 1833, three; since that year it has had four members. The representatives from Albany in the Colonial Assembly were as follows : 1691-93, Dirck Wessels, Levinus Van Schaick; 1693-95, Dirck Wessels Ryer Jacobs; 1695-98, John Abeel, Dirck Wessels; 1698 (May and June), Jan Jansen Bleker, Ryer Schermerhorn ; 1699-1701, Hendrick Hansen, Jan Jansen Bleker Ryer bchermerhorn ; 1701-02, Dirck Wessels, Ryer Schermerhorn, Myndert Schuyler John Abeel, Johannis Bleker, Hendrick Hansen; 1702-04, John Abeel Myndert Schuyler, Evert Banker; 1705-06, Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Peter ^■an Bruggen; 1708-09, Johannis Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Myndert Schuyler; 1709 136 (April to November), Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Robert Livingston; 1710- 11. Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler, Robert Livingston; 1711-12, Robert Liv- ingston, jr., Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler; 1713-14, Robert Livingston, jr., Myndert Schuyler, Peter Van Brugh; HI.'), Johannis Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Karel Han.sen; 1716-36, John Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Karel Hansen, Myndert Schuyler; 1726-27, Myndert Schuyler, Ryer Garretsen ; 1727 (September to Novem- ber), Johannis Cuyler, Peter Van Brugh ; 1728-37, Philip Schuyler, Myndert Schuy- ler, Dirck Ten Broeck; 1737-38, Philip Schuyler, Peter Wiune; 1739^3, Philip Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1743-45, Philip Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1745-47, the same; 1747-50, CoenradtTen Eyck, Peter Douw; 17.50-51, Philip Schuyler, Hans Hansen; 17.52-58, Peter Winne, Petrus Douw; 17.59-61, Peter Winne, Jacob H. Ten Kyck, Volkert P. Douw; 1761-68, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Volkert P. Douw; 1768-09, Jacoli H. Ten Eyck. Philip Schuyler; 1769-75, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Philip Schuyler. The last session of the General Assembly was held April :?, 1TT.5. Ijttring tliis Colonial period of nearly ninety years Rensselaerwyek Manor was represented in the Assembly as follows: 1691-1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer; 1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer and Andries Coejemans (Coeymans); 1702-1714, Hendrick (or Henry) Van Rensselaer; 171.5-26, Andries Coejemans; 1726-43, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; 1743-68, John Baptiste Van Rensselaer; 1768 to the close, Abraham Ten Broeck. Members of the State Assembly have been as follows; 1777-78, Jacob Cuyler, John Cuyler, jr., James Gordon, Walter Livingston, Stephen J. Schuyler, John Tayler, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensselaer, Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting. 1778-79. Leonard Gansevoort, James Gordon, Walter Livingston, Stephen J. Schuyler, John Tayler. Jacobus Teller, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensse- laer, Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting. 1779-80. Flores Bancker. John Bay, James Gordon, Cornelius Humphrey, Hugh Mitchell, Henry Oothoudt, Henry Ouackenbos, Isaac ^'rooman, William B. Whiting, Phineas Whiteside. 1780-81, Matthew Adgate, John Ja. Beekman, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., Peter R. Livingston, Dirck Swart, John Tayler, John \'an Rensselaer, jr., Robert Van Rensselaer, Isaac Vrooman. 1781-82, Mathew Adgate, Jacob Ford, Philip Frisbie. John Lansing, jr., George Palmer, Dirck Swart. Samuel Ten Broeck, Israel Thompson, Isaac Vrooman. Ed- mund Wells. 1782-83, Matthew Adgate, John H. Beekman, John Ja. Beekman, Jacob Ford, John Lansing, jr., Dirck Swart. Jamuel Ten Broeck, Peter \'an Ness. Christopher Yates, John Younglove. 1784, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Abraham Cuyler. Jacob Ford. James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., Peter Schuyler, Dirck Swart, Peter Van Ness, Christo- pher Yates. 1784-85, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Jacob Ford, Walter Livingston, Dirck Swart, Israel Thompson, Matthew Visscher, Christopher Yates, Peter W. Yates, John Younglove. 127 1786, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, Lawrence Hogebouni. John Lansing, jr., John Livingston, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, John Tayler, Abraliam J. Van Alstyne, Peter Vrooman. 1787, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., John Liv- ingston, William Powers, Thomas Sickles, John Tayler, Matthew Visscher, Peter Vrooman. 1788, Leonard Ganesvoort, James Gordon, Thomas Sickles, J. De Peyster Ten Eyck, Dirck Van lugen, Hezekiah Van Orden, John Younglove. 1788-89, John Duncan, John Lansing, jr., John Thompson, Cornelius Van Dyck, Henry K. Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Younglove. 1789-90, Leonard Bronck, James Gordon, Richard Sill, Henry K. Van Rensselaer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Cornelius Van Van Veghten, John Younglove. 1791, Sidney Berry, Leonard Bronck, Jonathan Brown, John W. Schermerhorn, Richard Sill, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Cornelius A. Van Slyck. 1792, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, David McCarty, Francis Nicoll, William North, John Ten Broeck, Henry Ten Eyck. 1792-93. Leonard Bronck, Johannis Deitz, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, Francis Nicoll, John Ten Broeck, Cornelius A. Van Slyck. 1794, Johannis Deitz, Jellis A. Fonda, Theodorus V. W. Graham, Jacob Hoch- stra.sser, Thomas Hun, William North, Stephen Piatt. 17J5, Johannis Deitz, Leonard Ganesvoort, jr., Jacob Hochstrasser, Thomas Hun, William North, Stephen Piatt, Andries Van Patten. 1796, Gerrit Abeel, Leonard Bronck, Johannis Deitz, Jacob Hochstrasser, Francis Nicoll, William North, Dirck Ten Broeck. 1796-97, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., James C. Duane, Jacob Hochstrasser, James Holcomb, Nathaniel Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler. Dirck Ten Broeck, John H. Wendell, 1798, Thomas E. Barker, Johan Jost Deitz, Andrew N. Heermance, Nathaniel Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler, Dirck Ten Broeck, Joel Thompson, John H. Wendell. Peter West. 1798-99, Thomas E. Barker, James Bill, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, Andrew N. Heermance, Jeremiah Lansingh, Philip P. Schuyler, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten Broeck. * ^1800, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Francis Nicoll, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Winne. 1800-01, John Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck 'I'en Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West, Jacob Winne. 18(12, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Peter S. Schuyler, Joseph Shurleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West. 1803, Johan Jost Deitz, John Frisby, Stephen Lush, Maus Schermerhorn, Peter S. Schuyler, Jacob Ten Eyck. 1804, John Beekman, jr., Johan Jost Deitz. James Emott, Maus Schermerhorn, Peter S. Schuyler, Moses Smith. [^1805-06, David Burhans, Adam Deitz, jr., Stephen Lush, Nicholas V. Mynderse, Joseph Shurtleff, Moses Smith. 1806, David Burhans, Asa Colvard, Adam Deitz, jr., Stephen Lush, Joseph Shurt- leff, Abraham Van Vechten. 128 1807, David Bogardus, Asa Colvard, Johan Jost Deitz, Daniel Hale, Joseph Shurtleff, Jacob Veeder. 1808, John Brown, Johan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten, Jacob Veeder. 1808-9, John Brown. John H. Burhans, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten. 1810, John Colvin, Abel French, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten. 1811, Asa Colvard, David Delong, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Abraham Van Vechten. 1812, Asa Colvard, Jesse Tayler, Abraham Van Vechten, John G. Van Zandt. 1812-13, David Bogardus, John Gibbons, Elishama Janes, Abraham Van Vechten. 1814, Harmaniis Bleecker, Johan Jost Deitz, Moses Smith, John L. AVinne. 1814-15, Harraanus Bleecker, Sylvester Ford, Jesse Tyler, John D. Winne. 1816, Michael Freligh, John 1. Ostrander, John Schoolcraft, Jesse Smith. 1816-17, John H. Burhans, John I. Ostrander, Gideon Tabor, Rufus Watson. 1818, William A. Duer, James Sackett, Gideon Tabor, Stephen Van Rensselaer. 1819, William A. Duer, William H. Houghtaling, Cornelius H. Waldron, John Van Ness Yates. 1820, Asa Colvard, James McKown, Peter S. Schuyler, Stephen Willes. 1820-31, Gerrit Hogan, James McKown, Moses Smith. Stephen Willes. 1822, James McKown, William McKown, Volkert D. Oothoudt, John P. Shear. . 1823, Abraham Brooks. Jesse Buel, Abraham Rosecrantz. 1824, Archibald Stephens, John Stillwell, Jesse Wood. 1825, George Batterman, Samuel S. Lush, Stephen Willes. 1826, Samuel S. Lush, Andrew Ten Eyck, Malachi Whipple. 1827, Isaac Hamilton, John Haswell, Henry Stone. 1828, Benjamin F. Butler, William N. Sill, David I. D. Verplank. 1829, James D. Gardner, Moses Stanton. Chandler Starr. 1830, Peter Gansevoort, Samuel S. Lush, Erastus Williams. 1831, Peter Gansevoort, Wheeler Watson, Peter W. Winne. 1832, Abijah C. Disbrow, Philip Lennebacker, William Seymour. 1833, Edward Livingston, Jacob Settle, Israel Shear. 1834, Aaron Livingston, Barent P. Staats, Prentice Williams, jr. 1835, Edward Livingston, Henry G. Wheaton, David G. Seger, Tobias T. E. Waldron. 183(5, Daniel Dorman, John C. Schuyler. William Seymour. 1837, Richard Kimmey, Edward Livingston, Abraham Verplanck. 1838, Daniel D. Barnard. Edmund Raynsford, Paul Settle. 1839, John Davis, James S. Lowe, Rufus Watson. 1840, Frederick Bassler, jr., Peter Flagler, Henry G. Wheaton. 1841, Aaron Hotaling, Francis Lansing. Henry G. Wheaton. 1842, John A. Dix, Cornelius G. Palmer. Jonas Shear. 1843, Willis Hall, Aaron Van Schaack, John I. Slingerland. 1844, Levi Shaw Samuel Stevens, Simon Veeder. 1845, Clarkson F. Crosby, Ira Harris, Leonard Litchfield. 1846, Ira Harris, Thomas L. Shafer, Robert D. Watson. 1847, John Fuller, John I. Gallup, Valentine Tredwell, Robert D. Watson. 12!) 184S, Edward S. Willett, Frederick Mathias, Robert H. Pruyn, Henry A. Brigham. 1849, Hiram Barber, David Van Auken, Robert H. Pruyn, Joel A. Wing. 1850, Cornelius Vanderzee, Joel B. Nott, Robert H. Pruyn, William S. Shepard. 1851, Robert Babcock, Adam I. Shultes, Hamilton Harris, Eh Perry. 1852, Hugh Swift, George M. Sayles, Teunis Van Vechten, jr., Robert Harper. . 1853, William P. Malburn, John Reid, William W. Forsyth, Thomas Kearney. 1854, S. M. Hollenbeck, I. W. Chesebro, Robert H. Pruyn, Archibald A. Dunlop. 1.S55, Pryse Campbell, Martin J. Blessing, Alexander Davidson, J. B. Van Etten. 1S,")0, Isaac Whitbeck, Jackson King, Henry Jenkins, James Brady. 1857, Richard Kimmey, Adam Van Allen, John Evers, Franklin Townsend. 1858, Dwight Batcheller, George Wolford, C. W. Armstrong, Charles H. Adams. 1859, Henry Creble, Morgan L. Filkins, William A. Young, Lorenzo D. Collins. 1860, John I. Slmgerland, Stephen Merselis, jr., Samuel W. Gibbs, Lorenzo D. Collins. 1801, lay Gibbons, Lewis Benedict, jr., Henry Lansing, William J. Wheeler. 1802, John Vanderzee, Willet Searles, Almerin J. Cornell, A. Bleecker Banks, William Doyle. 1863, William J. Snyder, John Cutler, Henry L. Wait, William L. Oswald. 1864, Harris Parr, Morgan L. Filkins, Thomas McCarty, William L. Oswald. 1865, Harmon H. Vanderzee, Oliver M. Hungerford, Ale.xander Robertson, Mi- chael A. Nolan. 1866, William Aley, Lyman Tremain, Clark B. Cochrane, James F. Crawford. 1867, Hugh Conger, Henry Smith, Alexander Robertson, Oscar F. Potter. 1868, John C. Chism, Francis H. Woods, Jackson A, Sumner, Theodore Van Valk- enburgh. 1869, Hugh Conger, Adam W. Smith, John M. Kimball, John Tighe. 1870, William D. Murphy, Thomas J. Lanahan, Edward D. Ronan, John Tighe. 1871, William D. Murphy, Robert C. Blackall, Edward Coyle, William D. Sun- derlin. 1872, Stephen Springstead, Henry Smith, Daniel L. Babcock, George B. Mosher. 1873, Peter Schoonmaker, Henry R. Pierson, John W. Van Valkenburgh, George B. Mosher. 1874, Fred Schififerdecker, Leopold C. G. Kshinka, Terence J. Ouinn, Waters W, Braman. 1875, Peter Slingerland, Leopold C. G, Kshinka, Francis W. Vosburgh, Waters W. Braman. 1876, Peter Slingerland, Thomas D. Coleman, William J. Maher, Alfred Le Roy. 1877, John Sager, Jonathan R. Herrick, William J, Maher, Edward Curran. 1878, Hiram Griggs, John N. Foster, James T. Story, Edward Curran. 1879, Hiram Griggs, Charles R. Knowles, Thomas H. Greer, W. W. Braman. 1880, William H. Slingerland, Hiram Griggs, Ignatius Wiley, Joseph Hynes, Thomas Liddle. 1881, Miner Gallup, Andrew S. Draper, Aaron B. Pratt, George Campbell. 1882, Michael J. Gorman, Aaron Fuller, Amasa J. Parker, jr., John McDonough. 1883, Daniel P. Winne, Warren S. Kelley, Edward A. Maher, Joseph Delahanty. 1884, John Zimmerman, Hiram Becker, Edward A. Maher, James Forsyth, jr. 17 130 1885, Stephen H. Niles, Lansing Hotaling, Patrick Murray, Terence I. Hardin. 1886, John Bowe, Smith O'Brien, Norton Chase, Terence I. Hardin. 1887, Horace T. Devereux, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T. Gorman. 1888, Frederick W. Conger, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T. Gorman. 1889, Jervis L. Miller, Vreeland H. Youngman, Galen R. Hitt, William Burton Le Roy. 1890, Galen R. Hitt, William B. Le Roy, Michael J. Ni.lan. William B. Page. 1891, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Michael J. Nolan. Walter E. Ward. 1893, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Artcher La Grange, Walter E. Ward. 1893, Howard P. Foster, James Hilton, Myer Nussbaura, George S. Rivenburgh. 1894, James Brennan, Curtis N. Douglas, William Lasch, William A. Carroll. 1895, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, Frank Blooraingdale, Jacob L. Ten Eyck. 1896, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, George T. Kelly, Robert G. Sherer. County Treasurers. — Previous to the adoption of the constitution of 1846, treasurers were appointed by the various Boards of Supervisors, and the board is still authorized to fill vacancies in that office. Since and including the year 1848, treasurers have been elected. In Albany county they have been as follows: 1848, James Kidd; 1851, Cornelius Ten Broeck; 1854, Richard J. Grant; 1857, Adam Van Allen ; 18G0, Thomas Kearney; 1866, Steven V. Frederick; 1869, Alexander Ken- edy; 1872, Nathan D. Wendell; 1878, Henry Kelly; 1881, Albert Gal- lup; 1884, John Battersby, re-elected in 1887; 1890-07, John Bowe; 1807-1900, Edward Barkley.^ CIIAI'TKR XII. JUDICIARY AND BAR OF ALBANY COUNTY. In the earliest years of the Dutch and English settlements in Amer- ica, the constituted authorities were invested with broad powers; but these could be exercised only within the restrictions of the laws of tlic mother country. By the terms of its charter 'the West India Company wa.s supreme, and all power was vested in the Director-General and Council, who were to be governed by the Dutch (Roman) law, the iin- perial statutes of Charles V and the edicts, resolutions and customs of ' For all Court officers see next chapter. MATTHEW HALE. 131 the United Netherlands, in all cases not otherwise provided for. The Dutch at home were governed by a league of commercial guilds, rep- resented in the States-General, that the organized interests of each chiss of people might be protected. The principle of conserving the ancient and vested rights of all the people as against any portion thereof, even a majority, and as against a government itself, was the foundation principle of the Dutch provincial authority on this side of the water, as well as in the mother country, and distinguished it from any of the English colonies. It was not until 1624, a year before the accession of Charles I and the beginning of the second period of the Thirty Years War, that gov- ernment was actually established in New Netherland. In 1629 the manorial system was introduced, as we have fully described it. While the Patroons were invested with the powers and privileges of feudal barons, no political or judicial change could be introduced without con- sent of the home government. In Massachusetts the Puritans were then just beginning to organize a government having in view as a principal object "the propagation of the gospel." That was the parent colony of New England. The colonists on the Connecticut River were first governed by commissioners appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts. In 1637 delegates from the three towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield were associated with the commis- sioners and in 1639 a written constitution was adopted under which all freemen of the three towns were made equal before the law. In June, 1639, the government of the colony of New Haven was organized, the Bible was declared to be the constitution and none but church mem- bers were admitted to citizenship, the government being vested in seven men called Pillars. In 1638 and 1640 the privileges of the Patroons were considerably abridged, while those of free settlers were correspondingly extended. Wherever the people settled in sufficient numbers the West India Com- pany was bound to give them a local government, the officers to be appointed by the Director-General and Council, as in the Netherlands. Upon the breaking out of the Indian war in 1641, Director Kieft was seriously alarmed and invited all masters and heads of families resid- ing in New Amsterdam and its vicinity to assemble in the fort on August 38. That was the first official recognition of the existence of "the people" in New Netherland. The freemen assembled and ob- tained something of the rights enjoyed by other colonists around them. 132 They expressed themselves on the questions submitted to them and then appointed Twelve Men to represent them. These were as fol- lows: David Pietersen de Vries, president; Jacques Bentyn, Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick Jansen, Maryn Adriaensen, Abram Pietersen (the miller), Frederick Lubbertsen, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Gerrit Dircksen, George Rapalje. Abram Planck, Jacob Stoffelsen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Jacob Walingen. They complained to Kieft of the arbitrary constitution of the gov- ernment and asked that such reforms be introduced as should prevent taxation of the country in absence of the Twelve; also, that four men be chosen from the Twelve each year who should have access to the Council. Thus they sought representation by the people. Kieft prom- ised these reforms, and then reminded them that they were called to- gether simply to consider how to escape the vengeance of the Indians. The issue thus raised was a natural one. These men were asking- only for the Dutch system, which had been perfectly satisfactory to them at home. When, in 1643, the Indian troubles and complications with the English had reached ominous proportions, Kieft again called the freemen together and requested them " to elect five or six persons from among themselves " to consider propositions to be made by the Director and Council, a representative body for the enactment of laws was instituted. The people preferred to leave the selection of the representatives to the director, asking only the right to reject an un- desirable nomination. The Eight Men were then elected. The cer- tificate of the election is on record signed by twenty- eight freemen. The Eight Men were as follows : Cornelis Melyn, president, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Jan Jansen Dam, ' Barent Dircksen, Abram Pietersen, the miller, Isaac AUerton, Thomas Hall, Gerrit Wolph- ertsen (van Couwenhoven), Jan Evertsen Bout, - Jacob Stoffelsen, John Underhill, Francis Douty, George Baxter, Richard Smith, Gysbert Opdyck, Jan Evertsen Bout, Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt. This body of men assembled September 15 and passed upon impor- tant questions of war and performed other legislative acts. Complaints from the colonists continued and were finally referred to the home Chamber of Accounts, which reported in March, IG-iS, sus- taining the complainants, and approving the organization of villages after the manner of the English. The Patroon's charter of 1629, extended in HUO, authorized the ' Expelled September 1.5. = In place of Dam, e.-ipelled. 133 colony to appoint Duputies to inform the Director and Council of their condition when necessary. It was now suggested that these deputies should, at the summons of the Director-General, hold an assembly every six months for the general welfare and to deliberate on impor- tant affairs. Kieft was recalled in December, 1044. The Commission- ers of the Assembly of the XIX of the General Privileged West India Company acted on the report alluded to in their instructions to the Director and Counsel of July 7, 1045. The Council was to consist of "the Director as president, his vice-president and the Fiscal." In cases in which the Advocate- fiscal appeared as Attorney-General, civil or criminal, the military commandant was to sit in his stead. If the charge was criminal, three persons were to be associated from the commonalty of the district where the crime was committed. The Su- preme Council was the sole body "by whom all occurring affairs re- lating to police, justice, militia, the dignity and just rights of the Com- pany " were to be decided; it was an executive, administrative, and also a judicial body. When Petrus vStuyvesant arrived (May 27, 1047,) he set about re- storing the disordered government with vigor. Besides inaugurating new and stringent regulations in many directions, he ordered an elec- tion of eighteen men, from whom he selected Nine as " Interlocutors and Trustees of the Commonalty," or "Tribunes" of the people. These Nine Men were to hold Courts of Arbitration Weekly and to give ad- vice to the Director and Council. They were appointed September 25, 1047, and were as follows: 1G4T, Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans, merchants; Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven, burghers; Michael Jansen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Thomas Hal!, farmers. 1G49, Adriaen van der Donck, president; Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans, Oloff Stevensen van Cortland, Hendrick Hen- dricksen Kip, Michael Jansen, Elbert Elbertsen (Stoothof), Jacob Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven. 1050, (iloff Stevensen van Cortland, president; Augustine Heerman, Jacob van Couwenhoven, Elbert Elbertsen, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Michael Jansen, Thomas Hall, Govert Loockermans, J. Evertsen Bout. 1653, David Provost, William Beeckraan, Jacobus van Curler, AUard Anthon)-, Isaac de Forest, Arent van Hattem, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Paulus Leendertsen van der Grist, Peter Cornelissen, miller. Three of the Nine in each year were taken from the merchants, three from the burghers, and three from the farmers, thus continuing the old Netherland .system. The colony now became the scene of a prolonged contest and numer- ous lengthy petitions went from the colonists to the States-General for a burgher government and other changes. The burgher government was finally granted in 1653. Burgomasters had been in power in Hol- land since the fourteenth century, and it was contemplated by the States-General that they should be elected by the burghers in New Amsterdam. But the Director and Council assumed the right to ap- point them and exercised it until 1658, when a double number were nominated, from whom the Director and Council selected the members for the ensuing year. These Burgomasters were ex-officio rulers of the city and continued until 1674. Local officers, or inferior courts, with limited jurisdiction were au- thorized in various villages from time to time. As far as related to the Van Rensselaer Manor, the patroon was invested with power to ad- minister civil and criminal justice in person or by deputy; to api)oint local officers and magistrates; to erect courts and take cognizance of all crimes committed within his domain; to keep a gallows,' if required, for the execution of criminals. One of the lesser degrees of punish- ment was "banishment from the colonic;" another was corporal pun- ishment. In civil cases of all kinds between the Patroon and his tenants, these courts had jurisdiction, and from their judgments m matters affecting life and limb and in suits where more than $20 was involved, appeal could be taken to the Director-General and Council, The government itself was vested in a General Court which exer- cised executive, legislative, or municipal and judicial functions, and which was composed of two Commissaries and two Councilors, who correspond to modern justices of the peace. Adjoined to this court were a Colonial Secretary, a Sheriff (or Schout- Fiscal) and a Court Messenger or Constable. Each of these received a small salary. The magistrates of the "colonic" held office one year, the court appoint- ing their successors or continuing those already in ofifice. The most important of these officials was the Schout-Fiscal, who was bound by instructions received from the Patroon. No man in the "colonic" was subject to loss of life or property unless under sen- tence of a court composed of five persons, and all persons accused were entitled to a speedy trial. The public prosecutor was especially warned an execution, a new one could not be built, except tor hanicinji another criminal . 135 not to receive presents or bribes, nor to be interested in trade or com- merce, directly or indirectly. He was paid a fixed salary, with a dwelling free, and given all fines amounting to ten guilders or under, and a third of all forfeitures over that sum. Jacob Albertsen Planck was the first sheriff of Rensselaerwyck. Arendt Van Curler, who came over as assistant commissary, was soon afterward appointed commissary-general, or superintendent of the "colonie. " Brant Peelen, Gerrit de Reus, Cornelis Teunissen van Brceckelen, Pieter Cornelissen van Munickendam, and Dirck Jansen were, if not the first, at least among the earliest magistrates of the settlement at Fort Orange. Governor Dongan's report to the Committee of Trade, dated Febru- ary 23, 1687, has the following information that is pertinent here: There is likewise in New York and Albany a Court of Mayor and Aldermen held once in every fortnight, from whence their can be noe appeal unless the cause of action bee above the value of Twenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to make bylaws for ye regulation of their own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same be approved of by ye Gov'r and Council. Their Mayor, Recorders, town-clerks and Sheriffs are appointed by the Governor. The mayor, recorder and aldermen of the city of Albany, or any three of them, were, in 1686, r.v officio members of the old Court of Common Pleas, acting when there was no judge present. On May 27, 1691, Peter Schuyler was appointed presiding judge of that court; on May 37, 1703, he was succeeded by John Abeel, who served only until October, when Mr. Schuyler was reappointed and served for fifteen years. He was succeeded December 33, 1717, by Kilian Van Rensse- laer, who presided until 1726, when Rutger Bleecker succeeded to the office. In 1733 Ryer Gerritsen was appointed, and served to Novem- ber 38, 1749, when he was succeeded by Robert Sanders. This court convened on the 5th day of April, 1750. Present — Robert Sanders, Sybr't G. Van Schaick esqr's, judges; John Beekman, Leonard A. Gansevoort, Robert Roseboom, assistants. At the Court of Common Pleas held at the City Hall in Albany, ( )c- tober o, 1759, \'olkert P. Douw was one of the judges; this is the first time his name appears in the records as an occupant of the bench. He presided until January, 1771, and was succeeded by Rensselaer NicoUs. The colonial Court of Common Pleas held regular terms until 1776, when it was dissolved under the influence of the animating spirit of independence. Its last presiding judge was Henry Bleecker, 130 and its last term began January 19, 177U. Judge Volkert P. Douw was commissioned first judge of the Albany County Court of Common Pleas January 6, 1778. The later list under the heading of County Court shows the other incumbents of the office. Among the prominent lawyers of the colonial time were Richard Gansvoort, A. .Sylvester, Robert Yates, Peter W. Yates, and a Mr. Corry, of whom the Yates brothers had a large amount of practice for those days. On the 1st of January, 1785, the terms of the Supreme Court were directed to be held at Albany on the last Tuesday of July and the third Tuesday in October. Therefore, the first term of that court ever held in Albany convened on the last Tuesday of July, of that year, with Hon. Richard Morris, who had been appointed chief justice in place of John Jay, presiding. With the accession of the English a new order of judicial administra- tion came into existence. There was the Court of Assizes, which was established under the Duke's Laws at Hempstead in 1665. This court was composed of the governor, members of the council, high sheriff, and such justices of the peace as might attend. It sat in New York and only once a year, but special terms could be called, _ Its jurisdic- tion extended over all criminal matters, and in civil cases where the value of ^20 or more was involved. This court was abolished in 1683. In 1683 an act was passed " to settle Courts of Justice," which ordered the holding of a Court of Oyer and Terminer in the respective counties of the province, composed of one judge, assisted by four justices of the peace in each county. In New York city and the city of Albany, the mayor, recorder, and four aldermen were associated with the judge. This court had jurisdiction over all capital criminal causes, and appel- late jurisdiction where jC,h or more was involved. The authority for holding the court was derived from the governor; the court was abol- ished in 1691. Courts of Sessions and Justices' Courts were also con- tinued and a Court of Chancery established. The Court of Sessions was ordered to be held in New York four times, in Albany three times, and in the other ten counties twice in each year. In New York the court was composed of the mayor and four aldermen; in Albany of the mayor and the justices of the peace. All cases civil and criminal were determined by it, with a jury; but actions involving ^5 or more could, upon application, be removed to the Court of Oyer and Terminer. In 1086, when Albany city was incorporated, a Mayor's Court was L37 established, which was composed of the mayor, recorder and four alder- men, associated with the judge in holding the Court of Oyer and Term- iner. It is believed that this court possessed the functions of a Court of Sessions. The Court of Chancery was founded, with the governor or his a])- pointee as chancellor, assisted by the council. This court expired by limitation in 1698, but was revived by ordinance August 28, 1701; it was suspended June 13, 1703, and finally re-established November 7, 1704. It ceased its existence in July, 1817, under the new constitu- tion. It was an equity court and by the second constitution equity powers were vested in the circuit judge, subject to the appellate juris- diction of the chancellor. Albany county men who held the office of master of the Colonial Court of Chancery were John Abeel and Evert P. Banker, October 13, 1705, and P. P. Schuyler, 1768. Chancellors of the State Court of Chancery who resided in Albany were John Lansing, jr., October 31, 1801; James Kent, October 25, 1814; Reuben H. Walworth, April 22, 1838. The third judicial system was organized in 1691 and continued through the colonial period. In that year the Court for the Correction of Errors and Appeals was founded, consisting of the Governor and Council. Appeals lay to this court from any judgment exceeding in value ^100, which amount was increased in 1753 to ;^300. By the 32d article of the constitution of 1777 a Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors was provided for, to consist of the president of the Senate for the time being, the senators, chancellor and judges of the Supreme Court, or a majority of them. The im- peachment functions of this court were directed against corrupt con- duct by State officials. In the correction of errors, appeals were al- lowed to it from the Court of Chancery, Supreme Court, and Court of Probate. This court was continued under the constitution of 1831, with slight change, but was abolished by the constitution of 1846. Its powers and duties were then conferred upon a new court, the Court for the Trial of Impeachments, as far as that feature of the former court was concerned. The new court was composed of the president of the Senate, the senators, or a majority of them, and the judges of the Court of Appeals, or a majority of them. When summoned this court is held in Albany. The Court for the Trial of Impeachments and Correction of Errors, as far as the correction of errors is concerned 138 was succeeded by our Court of Appeals, which was organized under the constitution of 1846. As first formed it consisted of eight judges, four of whom were chosen by the electors for a term of eight years, and four were selected from the class of the Supreme Court justices having the shortest term to serve. The judge elected who had the shortest term to serve, acted as chief judge. This court was reorgan- ized by the convention of 1867-8, the article relating to the judiciary being ratified by the people in 1869. By that article this court con- sisted of a chief judge and six associate judges, who hold office ff)r terms of fourteen years. The new article also provided for a Commis- sion of Appeals, composed of four judges of this court in office when the article went into effect, and a fifth commissioner. Their term was three years and they selected their chief. This commission served un- til 1875, for the relief of its sister court. In 1888, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section 6 of article 6 of the constitution be amended so that upon the certifi- cate of the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation of causes on the calendar of the Court of Appeals, that the public in- terests required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor may designate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judg- es for the time being, of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second division of that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the said causes are substantially disposed of. This amendment was sub- mitted to the people of the State at the general election of that year and was ratified, and in accordance therewith the governor selected seven Supreme Court justices, who were constituted the Second Division of the Court of Appeals. Under the system of 16'Jl were established also the Court of Common Pleas and the vSupreme Court. The criminal side of the latter was what constituted the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Supreme Court expired by limitation in 1698, was continued by proclamation January 19, 1699, and finally by ordinance May 15, 1699. Its powers and jurisdiction were broad, but' it was without equity jurisdiction. Any case involving ^^SO or more could be commenced in, or returned to, it and it could correct errors and revise the judgments of the lower courts. Appeals lay from it to the Governor and Council in cases in- volving _^100 or more, which amount was, as before stated, increased to /,'300 in 1753. The court held four terms annually, sitting in New York only. It consisted of five judges, two of whom with the chief 139 judge, could act. In November, 1758, a fourth judge was added to constitute the acting bench. Persons who had served seven years un- der an attorney or had taken a collegiate course and served three years apprenticeship, were granted license to practice in this court by the governor. The first constitution recognized the Supreme Court as it then existed. It was reorganized May 3, 1777, but with only slight changes. - In 1785 two terms were directed to be held in Albany and two in New York each year, and the clerk's office was directed to be kept in New York and that of his deputy in AlbanJ^ By an act passed April 19, 1786, one or more of the justices of the Supreme Court were required to hold during the vacations, and oftener if necessary. Circuit Courts in each of the counties of the State, for the trial of all issues triable in the respective counties. The proceedings were to be returned to the Supreme Court, where they were to be recorded and judgment given according to law. On March 10, 1797, the judges were author- ized to appoint an additional clerk, with an office in Albany. In 1S07 another clerk's office was established in Utica. The first rules of the court were adopted at the April term in 1796. In the same year a law was passed directing this court to designate at its April term one of their number to hold a Circuit Court in the western, one in the middle, and one in the southern district. An act of February, 1788, provided for holding a Court of Oyer and Terminer by the justices at the same time with the Circuit. Two or more of the judges and assistant judges of the Court of Common Pleas were to sit in the Oyer and Terminer with the justices. In the city of Albany the mayor, recorder and al- dermen were associated with them. . The constitution of 1831 made several important changes in this court. For example, it was to sit four times a year in review of its own decisions and to determine questions of law; each justice, however, could hold circuit courts, as well as the circuit court judges, and any justice of the Supreme Court could preside at the Oyer and Terminer. The court had power to amend its practice in cases not covered by statute and was directed to revise its rules every seven years, to sim- plify proceedings, expedite decisions, diminish costs and remedy abuses. The judges were appointed by the governer with consent of the Senate and held office during good behavior or until sixty years of age. Their number was reduced to three and from 1823 they were allowed $2,000 each annually; this sum was increased to $2,500 in 1835 and in 1839 to $3,000. Two of the terms were held at the Capitol in 140 Albany. The act of 1691 gave this court cognizance of matters of ex- chequer, thus removing the necessity for the Court of Exchequer which was established by Governor Dongan in 1685. The constitution of 1821 also created a Circuit Court, which was the nisi prills or trial court of the Supreme Court. At least two Circuit Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer were required to be held in each county annually, the circuit jvidge presiding. The following persons have held the office of circuit judge from Al- bany county: William A. Duer, April 21, 1823; James Vanderpoel, January 12, 1830; Amasa J. Parker, March 6, 1844. The constitution of 1846 abolished the .Supreme Court as it then ex- isted and established a new one with general jurisdiction in law and equity. The State was divided into eight judicial districts, in each of which four justices were elected, except in the first (New York city) where five were elected. Albany county was placed in the third dis- trict. The term of office was made eight years, but the amended judi- ciary article made the term as at present, fourteen years. This court possesses the powers and exercises the jurisdiction of the preceding- Supreme Court, the Court of Chancery, and the Circuit Court under the constitution of 1846 and the judiciary act of May 12, 1847. On April 27, 1870, the Legislature abolished the General Terms as then existing and divided the State into four departments, providing for General Terms to be held in each. The governor designates a presid- ing justice and two associate justices for each department to compose the General Term. At least two terms of Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer were held annually in each county and as many Special Terms as the justices in each department deemed necessary. Following are the names of those who have held the office of Supreme Court justice and judge of the Circuit Court from Albany: Chief Justices front Albany County of the Supreme Court from lyyy to rS^y. — Robert Yates, September 38, 1790; John Lansing, jr., February 15, 1798; James Kent, July 3, 1804; Smith Thompson, Februarys, 1814; Ambrose Spencer, February 9, 1819; Greene C. Bronson, March 5, 1845. Puisne Justices of the Supreme Court. — Robert Yates, May 8, 1777; John Lan- sing, jr., September 38, 1790; Ambrose Spencer, February 3, 1804; Greene C. Bron- son, January 6, 1836. Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1S46. — Ira Harris, June 7, 1847; Elisha P. Hurlbut. June 7, 1847; Malbone Watson, June 7, 1847, and No- vember 8, 1853; Amasa J. Parker, June 7, 1847; Ira Harris, November 4, 1851 ; Deo- datus Wright, April 20, 1857: Rufus W. Peckham, November 8, 1861; William L. 141 Learned, June 21, 1869; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November 6. 1883; William L. Learned, November, 1884; D. Cady Herrick, 1892. Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of tSg^. — Appellate Divi- sion, b. Cady Herrick, 1896; Trial Term, Alden Chester, 18S16. Surrogates. — Courts for the care and administration of estates have come down from the first Orphan's Court. Originally the Director- General and Council of New Netherland were guardians of widows and orphans. It was the duty of church deacons to attend personally to these interests and to notify the director of the death of parents. In New Amsterdam the burgomasters became cx-officio Orphan Masters in 1853, but at their own request they were soon relieved of the duty and two special Orphan Masters were appointed. At Fort Orange in 1052 the Vice-Director was appointed, and in 1657 Jan Verbeck and Evert Wendel. By the Duke's Laws authority to grant probate of wills was vested in the Court of Assizes and Court of Sessions. This duty being a part of the royal prerogative, was subsequently reserved to the governor, and the Legislature accordingly, on November 11, 1692, passed a law directing that all probates and letters of administration be thereafter granted by the governor or his delegate, and that two freeholders be appointed in each town to have charge of the estates of intestates. This method constituted the Prerogative Court. In 1778 the Legislature passed a law taking from the governor the powers described above and transferring them to the judge of the Court of Probates, except in the appointment of surrogates. In 1787 the appointment of a surrogate in each couuty was authorized, while the judge of the Court of Probates continued to hold jurisdiction in cases out the State and of non-residents within the State. An act of March 10, 1797, provided for holding the Court of Probates in Albany and that the judge and clerk should remove the documents here and reside here. The court held appellate jurisdiction over the Surrogate's Court. It was abolished March 21, 1823. The Albany citizens who held the office of judge in this court were as follows: Leonard Ganse- voort, April 5, 1799; T. Van Wyck Graham, March 10, 1813; Gerrit Y. Lansing, July 8, 1816. Under the first constitution surrogates were appointed for an mi- limited period by the Council of Appointment. Under the second constitution they were appointed by the governf)r and Senate for four 142 years, and appeals went up to the chancellor. The constitution of 1846 abolished the office except in counties having 40,0ii0 population or more and transferred its duties to the county judge. In counties with more than 40,000, surrogates are elected for six years. The sur- rogates of Albany county have been as follows: John De Peyster, April 3, 1756: William Hannah, November 18, 1766; Peter Lansingh, December 3, 1766; Stephen De Lancey, September 19, 1769; John De Peyster, March 23, 1778; Henry Oothoudt, April 4, 1782; John De P. Domv, April 4, 1782; Abraham G. Lansing, March 13, 1787; Elisha Dorr, April 12, 1808; John H. Wendell, March 5, 1810; Richard Lush, June 11, 1811; John H. Wendell, March 3, 1813; George Merchant, March 17, 1815; Christopher C. Yates, April 19, 1815; Ebenezer Baldwin, July 7, 1819; Abraham Ten Eyck, jr., February 19, 1821; Thomas A. Brigden, April 11, 1822; Anthony Blanchard, April 9, 1831; Moses Patten, February 28, 1840; Anthony Blanchard, February 28. 1844; Lewis Benedict, jr., June, 1847; Orville H. Chittenden, November, 1851; James A. McKown, No- vember, 1855; Justus Haswell, November, 1859; Israel Lawton, November, 1863; Peter A. Rogers, November, 1871; Francis H. Woods, November, 1883; Martin D. Conway, 1889; George H. Fitts, 1895. County Court. — The act of 1683 directed that a Court of Sessions be held by three justices of the peace in each of the tweh-e counties of the province, four times annually in New York, three times in Albany, and twice in each of the other counties. By the act of 1691 and ordinances of 1699, the functions of this court were confined to crim- inal matters, while civil cases were transferred to the Court of Com- mon Pleas. The latter court was established in New York and Albany by the charters of 1686 and a Court of Common Pleas was erected for each county by the act of 1691. Composed at first of one judge and three justices, it was ordered in 1702 that the judge be assisted by two or more jttstices. all to be appointed by the governor. Its jurisdiction embraced all actions, real, personal and mixed, where more than _;^5 are involved. It was based upon the practice of the King's Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster, England. Appeals were allowed to the Supreme Court where the amount involved exceeded ^"20. This court continued through the colonial period. Under the first constitution the number of judges and assistant justices varied greatly in the different counties, reaching in some counties as many as twelve. On March 27, 1718, the office of assistant justice was abol- ished and the number of judges limited to five, inclusive of the first judge. The constitution of 1831 continued this court with little change. The criminal side of the court was the Court of Sessions, which was the name of the criminal side of our County Court up to the adoption ^7^ 143 of the present Constitution. The judges were appointed by the Gov- ernor and the Council of Appointment down to 1831, after which they were appointed by the Governor and Senate down to 1846, when the office was made elective. ' The constitution of 1841! abolished the Court of Common Pleas and created the County Court, providing for the election in each county, except in the city of New York, of one county judge who should hold a court and have jurisdiction in cases arising in Justices' Court and in such special cases as the , Legislature might order. Upon this court the Legislature has conferred jurisdiction in actions for debt in sums not exceeding $'2,000; in replevin suits for $1,000; in cases of trespass and personal injury not exceeding $500; also equity jurisdiction for mortgage foreclosures, sale of infants' real estate, partition of lands, admeasurement of dower, satisfaction of certain judgments, etc. The tenure of office of county judge was extended from four to six years. Associated with the county judge were two justices of the peace to be designated by law to hold Courts of Sessions, with such criminal juris- diction as the Legislature might prescribe. The Constitution of 1894 changed somewhat the powers and forms of the court, the principal changes being in the criminal side of the court. Following are the names of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas and of the County Court after its erection : Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of Albany, or any three of them, from 1686. Peter Schuyler, May 27, 1691; John Abeel, May 27, 1703; Peter Schuyler, October 14, 1702; Killiaen Van Rensselaer, December 23, 1717; Rutger Bleecker. December 23, 1726; Ryer Gerritse, December 23, 1733; Robert Sanders, November 28, 1749; Sybrant Goose Van Schaick, January 5, 1758; Rensselaer Nicoll, May 14. 1762; Abraham Ten Broeck, March 4, 1773; Walter Livingston, March 22, 1774; John H. Ten Eyck, March 21, 1775; Volkert P. Douw, January 6, 1778; Abram Ten Broeck, March 26, 1781; Leonard Gansevoort, March 19, 1794; John Tayler. February 7, 1797; Nicholas N. yuackenbush, January 13, 1803; David McCarty, March 13, 1804; Charles D. Cooper, March 29, 1806; Jacob Ten Eyck, June 8, 1807; Apollos Moore, June 6, 1812; James L'Amoreaux, March 15, 1828; Samuel Cheever, March 12, 1833; John Lansing. May 17. 1838; Peter Gansevoort, April 17, 1843; William Parmelee, June, 1847; Albert D. Robinson, November, 1851; George Wolford, November, 1859; Jacob H. Clute, November, 1863; Thomas J. Van Alstyne, November, 1871; John C. Nott, November, 1883; Jacob H. Clute, 1889; Clifford D. Gregory, 1895. Di'stru/ A f/ornijs.— Under the act of February 12, 1796, this State was divided into seven districts, over which an assistant attorney-gen- eral was appointed by the Governor and Council, to serve during their pleasure. The office of district attorney was created April 4, 1801, 144 the State being divided into seven districts, as before, but subsequently several new ones were formed. By a law passed April, 1818, each county was constituted a separate district for the purposes of this office. During the life of the second constitution, district attorneys were ap- pointed by the Court of General Sessions in each county. The follow- ing persons have held this office in Albany county: Abraham Van Vechten, February 16, 1796; Samuel S. Lush, April (i, 1S13; IJavid L. Van Antwerp, June 31, 1818; Samuel A. Foote, July 3, 1819; Benjamin F. Butler, February 19, 1821; Edward Livingston, June 14, 1825; Rufus W. Peckham, March 27, 1838; Henry G. Wheaton, March 30, 1841; Edwin Litchfield, March 30, 1844; Andrew J. Colvin, March 31, 1846; Samuel H. Hammond, June, 1847; Andrew J. Colvin, November, 1850; Hamilton Harris, November, 1853; Samuel G. Courtney, November, 1856; Ira Shafer, November, 1859; Solomon F. Higgins, November, 1862; Henry Smith, November, 1865; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November, 1868; Na- thaniel C. Moak, November, 1871; John M. Bailey, November, 1874; Lansing Hotal- ing, November, 1877; U. Cady Herrick, November, 1880; Hugh Reilly, appointed vice Herrick resigned June, 1886, and elected 1889; James W. Eaton, 1891 ; Eugene Burlinganie, 1894. County Clerks. — During the colonial period the county clerk was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, clerk of the Peace, and clerk of the Sessions of Peace, in his own county. Under the first constitution it was his duty to keep the county records and act as clerk of the In- ferior Court of Common Pleas and clerk of the Oyer and Terminer. These last named duties were conferred by the act of Febauary 12, 1796. The seals of the county clerks were the seals of the Court of Common Pleas in their respective counties. County clerks are now clerks of the Supreme Court, Court of Oyer and Terminer, County Court and Court of Sessions. Since the adoption of the constitution of 18'21 the term of office has been three years. Following are the names of those who have held this office in Albany county: Ludovicus Cobes, 1669; Robert Livingston. 1675; Johannes Cuyler, March 2, 1690; Robert Livingston, 1691; William Shaw, 1696; Robert Livingston, 1705; Philip Liv- ingston. 1731; John Golden, February 23, 1749; Harme Gansevort, September 25, 1750; Witham Marsh, 1760; Stephen De Lancy, January 25, 1765; Leonard Ganse- voort. May 8, 1777; Matthew Vischer, 1778; Richard Lush, September 29, 1790; Charles D. Cooper, March 3, 1808; William P. Beers, February 28. 1810; Charles D. Cooper, February 5, 1811; John Lovett, March 3, 1813; George Merchant, March 31, 1815; Henry Truax, June 6, 1820; George Merchant, February 19, 1821; L. L. Van Kleeck, November, 1832; Conrad A. Ten Eyck, November, 1828; Henry B. Haswell, November, 1837; William Mix, November, 1843; Lawrence Van Dusen, November, 1846; Robert S. Lay, November, 1849; Robert Harper, November, 18.52; Robert Bab- cock, November, 1855; Smith A. Waterman, November, 1861; Giles K. Winne, Feb- bUGHNH BUKLlNC.AMh. J 4.5 ruary 9, 1865; Isaac N. Keeler, June 30, 1868; John McEwen, November, 1868; Albert C. Judson, November, 1871; William E. Haswell, November, 1874; John Larkin, November, 1877; William D. Strevell, November, 1883; Robert H. Moore, November, 1886; Ansel C. Requa, 1889; James D. Walsh, 1893; James M. Borst- wick, 1895. Slicriffs. — During the colonial period sheriffs were appointed annually in the month of October, unless otherwise noticed. Under the first constitution they were appointed annually by the Council of Appoint- ment, and no person could hold the office more than four successive years. Neither could a sheriff hold any other office, and must be a freeholder in the county where appointed. Since the adoption of the constitution of 1831, sheriffs have been elected for a term of three years, and are ineligible to election for the next succeeding term. The following persons have held this office in Albany county: John Mannmg, April 6, 1665; Gerrit Swart, August 17 1668; Andrew Draeyer, October, 1673; Michael Siston, November 4, 1674; Johannes Provoost, October, 1677; Richard Pretty, October, 1678/>-todovicus Cobes. October, 1679; Richard Pretty, October, 1680; Caspar Teller, March 1, 1691 ; John Apple, December 1, 1693; Simon Young, June 19, 1696; Johannes Groenendyke, October, 1698: John Williams, October, 1699; Jonathan Broadhurst, October, 1700; Jacobus Turk, October, 1703; David Schuyler, October, 1705; Henry Holland, October, 1706; Thomas Williams, October, 1713; Samuel Babington, October, 1716; Gerrit Van Shaick, October, 1719; Henry Holland, October, 1730; Philip Verplanck, October, 1733; Thomas Williams, October, 1733; Goose Van Schaick. October, 1738; James Stephenson, October, 1731 ; James Lindsay, October, 1733; Henry Holland, October, 1739; John Rutger Bleecker, October, 1746; Jacob Ten Eyck, October, 1747; Thomas Williams, October, 1748; Richard Miller, October, 1749; Abraham Yates, October, 1754; Abraham Yates, jr., October, 1755; Jacob Van Schaick, October, 1759; Hermanns Schuyler, June 18, 1761 ; Henry Ten Eyck. October, 1770; Hendrick J. Wendell, September 37, 1777; John Ten Broeck, March 33, 1781; Hendrick J. Wendell, November 39, 1783; John Ten Broeck, September 39, 1786; Peter Gansevoort, jr.. September 39, 1790; John Ostrander, jr., September, 39, 1793; John Given, September 39, 1796; Hermanns P. Schuyler, February 35, 1800; John J. Cuyler, January 38, 1801; Hermanns H. Wen- dell, January 12, 1803; Lawrence L. Van Kleeck, February 38, 1807; Solomon South- wick, February 10, 1808-; Jacob Mancius, February 13, 1810; Peter P. Dox, February 13. ISll; Jacob Mancius, February 33, 1813; Isaac Hempstead, March 17, 1815; Leonard H. Gansevoort, March 6, 1819; Cornelius Van Antwerp, February 12, 1831; Cornelius Van Antwerp, November, 1833; C. H. Ten Eyck, November, 1827; John Beckey (removed October 5. 1839), 1828; Asa Colvard, November, 1829; Albert Gal- lup, November, 1831; Angus McDuffie, November, 1834; Michael Artcher, Novem- ber, 1837; Amos Adams, November, 1840; Christopher Batterman, November, 1843; Oscar Tyler, November, 1846; William Beardsley, November, 1849; John McEwen, November, 1852; William P. Brayton, November, 1855; Thomas W. Van Alstyne, November, 1858; Henry Crandall, November, 1861; Henry Fitch, November, 1864; 91 14e; Harris Parr, November, 1867; George A. Birch, November, 1870; Albert Gallup, November, 1873; John Wemple, November 6, 1876; James A. Houck, November, 1879; WilHam H, Keeler, November, 1882; John W. Hart, 1885; James Rooney, 1888; Isaac B. Cross, 1891; Lewis V. Thayer, 1894. No county in this State has had a more distinguighed bar than Al- bany. The fact that here is located the capital may have been to some extent influential in bringing to Albany men of eminence in the legal profession; but whether this is or is not true, the bar and judiciary of Albany includes the names of man)' men which have been familiar throughout the State and nation, both professionally and in connection with public affairs. It is proper that a few of these shall receive spe- cial mention in this chapter. BIOGRAPHICAL. i One of the very early prominent attorneys whose career deserves brief mention here was Robert Yates. He was born in 1738 and early in life settled in Albany where he became conspicuous in public affairs. He was associated with the other eminent members of the committee ap- pointed August 1, 1776, to prepare a form of government for the State of New York, which led directly to the adoption of the first constitution. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of 1775, and also of the second, which convened in February, 1776. On May 8, 1777, he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the State, serving thus to October, 1790, when he was appointed chief justice of the State. In 1787 Judge Yates was appointed by the Legislature, with Alexander Hamilton and John Lansing, jr., a delegate to the convention which formed the constitution of the United States. He, with Mr. Lansing, withdrew from that convention because it did not more effectually se- cure the rights of the separate States. Judge Yates was also a com- missioner for the settlement of the rival claims between New York and Vermont, and Massachusetts and Connecticut. His death took place in 1801. John Lansing, jr., was born in Albany, January 30, 1755, and studied law with Robert Yates and later with James Duane, of New York. In 1776-7 he was secretary to Major-General .Schuyler, commanding the Northern Department. After his admission to the bar Mr. Lansing 147 began practicing in Albany and met with great success. He became very prominent in public affairs and ably filled many honorable stations, as follows: Member of assembly in sessions 4 to 7 inclusive from Albany; appointed member of congress February, 1784, and re- appointed; elected speaker of the Assembly January, 1786; appointed mayor of Albany September 39, 1786; in 1786 again elected to the Assembly, and in January, 1787, made member of congress under the confederation; March 6, 1787, appointed delegate to the Philadelphia convention that framed the United States constitution; elected speaker of the Assembly, December, 1788; appointed, March, 1790, a commis- sioner in settling the New York and Vermont controversy, and on September 28 following, he was appointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the State; February 15, 1798, appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State, succeeding Mr. Yates; October 21, 1801, appointed chancellor of the State; in 1804, declined nomination for the office of governor. This distinguished career was brought to a sudden close December 12, 1829, when Judge Lansing was in New York; leaving his hotel to mail an important letter on the Albany steamboat, he was never seen or heard of afterwards. It has been written of Abi-aham, Van Vechten, that " no name is more honored in the State than his — honored not only as a learned, eloquent, and eminently successful lawyer, but as a legislator whose wisdom and profundity are seen in the enactment of many of the laws that have given protection and greatness to the vState of New York." He was born in Catskill, December 5, 1762, graduated at what is now Columbia College, and studied law with John Lansing. After a short period of practice in Johnstown he settled in Albany, where he soon ranked high among older and more experienced lawyers. His large practice soon carried him before the higher courts, where he greatly distinguished himself and opened the way for his preferment in public office. He was repeatedly elected to the Legislature, and in 1813 was appointed attorney-general of the State, and during the administration of John Jay he was tendered the office of judge of the Supreme Court of the State; but he preferred to remain directly in the practice of his profession and declined the high honor. He was recorder of Albany, 1797-1808; regent, 1797-1823; State senator, 1798-1805; member of assembly, 1805-15; attorney-general, 1810 and 1813, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1821. For "over half a centurv his 148 brilliant mind was constantly shedding its light over the jurisprudence of the State and nation. The bar long delighted to accord to him its highest honors." John V. Henry was an early and prominent member of the Albany bar. He was admitted to practice in January, 1782, at the same term with Aaron Burr. Possessing the advantages of a classical education and brilliant native qualifications, he soon rose to the position of peer beside such men as Hamilton, Burr, Hoffman, Lansing and others. He was an eloquent orator and able logician, and was early accorded leadership in the political arena. He was chosen member of assembly from Albany county in 1800, was re-elected and in that body was the foremost Federalist. In January, 1800, he was appointed comptroller of the State, but in the following year, for reasons that are not clearly understood, was removed from the office by Governor Clinton, who succeeded Gov. John Jay. The turn of the political wheel that brought this change to Mr. Henry, while unpleasant to him and his friends, was in reality a blessing, for it caused him to form an irrevocable resolu- tion to never again accept political office. As a consequence he was able thenceforward to devote his whole powerful energies to his pro- fession. In that field he advanced to the front rank. He died sud- denly October 2, 1839. A paragraph from an obituary notice reads thus: "The death of Mr. Henry is a public calamity. The tears that his family shed over his lifeless form fall not alone. Those who respect the probity, the independence, the gallant bearing, and the high talents which sometimes redeem human nature from suspicion, must also lament the fall of such a man as this, in whom these traits were so happily combined." John V. N. Yates was a son of Robert Yates, before noticed, and was born in Albany in 1779. He received a liberal education, studied law in the office of John V. Henry and began practice in his native city. In 1808 he received appointment as master in chancery, and in June of the same year was appointed recorder of Albany. He was removed through political changes, but again assumed the office in 1811, serving to 1816. In April, 1818, he was appointed secretary of state and .served until 182G with distinguished ability. In 1808 he be- came embroiled in the famous case with Chancellor Lansing, growing 149 out of an attempt on the part of the latter, in his official capacity, to punish Mr. Yates for malpractice and contempt. The case may be found in G Johnson's reports, 335, and it must suffice for this place to state that at the close of the long litigation Mr. Yates was successful. He was an able writer and was the recipient of many prominent offi- cial positions. He died in Albany. January in, 1839. From the year 1816, when he was thirty- four years of age, Martin Van Buren was a resident of Albany and a distinguished member of its bar. He was born in Kinderhook, was an ardent student, and be- gan the study of law early in life. He was admitted to the bar in 1803, and during the next twelve years practiced in his native place, where his rivals and business opponents numbered some of the most eminent lawyers of that time. But by the force of his ability and almost super- human labor the young man often triumphed over his more experienced adversaries. After holding several public positions in what is now Columbia county, he was elected to the State Senate for 1812 when only thirty years old, and was re-elected in 181G, at which time he be- came a resident of Albany. His after career, during which he reached the highest office in the land, is too well known to need repetition here, while it is manifestly impossible to spare space for it. He took as his law partner, 'in 1817, Benjamin F. Butler, another lawyer who was destined to win national fame, and the firm became one of the strong- est in the State. Mr. Van Buren was chosen United States senator in 1821, and was a foremost member of the Constitutional Convention of that year; he became governor of the State upon the death of Mr. Clinton in 1828, but resigned the office on receiving appointment as secretary of state in President Jackson's cabinet in the following- year. He was inaugurated president of the United States iii March, 1837, and was defeated for re-election by General Harrison. The same apology offered for the brevity of a few lines regarding Mr. Van Buren in these pages will also apply to Benjamin F. Butler. Born at Kinderhook in December, 1795, he finished his school studies and then entered the law office of Mr. Van Buren. The high position of the senior of the firm, and his practice in the United vStates Supreme Court, as well as the natural and acquired qualifications of Mr. Butler, gave the latter superior business advantages, and the firm became recognized as the leading one of the State. He was appointed district 150 attorney of Albany county in 1831, and retired in 1825 with the com- mendations of the community. In 1825 he became a member of the commission to revise the laws of the State, with John Duer and Henry Wheaton. This was an enormous task, and required almost the entire time of the commissioners for years, and it is known that much of the good results were due to the patient and efficient labor of Mr. Butler. He was elected to the Legislature in 1828; in 1833 was appointed attorney-general of the United States, and in October, 1836, while still in that office, was appointed secretary of war in President Jack- son's cabinet. He resigned as attorney general in January, 1838, and returned to the practice of his profession; but within a few months the office of United States district attorney for the Southern District of New York became vacant, and he was appointed thereto. When President Polk was inaugurated he tendered Mr. Butler the office of secretary of war, which was declined, but soon afterward he accepted the office of United States attorney for the Southern District of the State. About this time he became a resident of New York, where he occupied a leading position. He visited Europe in October, 18G8, in- tending to remain two years to regain his ijroken health, and died in Paris, November 8, of that year. Greene C. Bronson was for more than twent}* years a prominent member of the Albany bar. He was a native of Utica, born in 1T8'.», and began practice in that village about 1815. He was appointed sur- rogate of Oneida county in 1819 and in 1822 was elected to the Assem- bly, declining a renomination the following year. In February, 1829, he was appointed attorney-general of the State, the duties of which office he discharged with signal ability until 1836, when he was ap- pointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court. He took up his res- idence in Albany coincident with his appointment as attorney-general, and was a resident here until 1853, when he received the appointment of collector of the port of New York and removed to that city. Mean- while, in March, 1845, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and occupied the bench two years, when he re- signed. In politics Judge Bronson was a Democrat and occupied a leading position in the party. He died in New York, September 3, 1S63. A reference to the reports of cases argued in the appellate courts of the State from 1817 to 1853, will show that Marcus T. Revnokls was 161 I counsel in more cases adjudicated in the Supreme Court and the Court for the Correction of Errors than almost any other lawyer of this State. He was born in Montgomery county, December 22, 1788, and graduated from Union college in 1808. He then began studying law in the office of the eminent Matthias B. Hildreth, of Johnstown, Fulton county. Mr. Reynolds was admitted to the bar in 1811, and early evinced those talents which enabled him to rapidly advance in his pro- fession. He began and continued in practice at Johnstown until 1828, when he removed to Albany and there passed the remainder of his life, adding greatly to the high reputation he had previously gained. He was particularly powerful before a jury and the number of prominent cases in which he was engaged was large. By a fall from his horse, many years previous to his death, one of his legs was so badly frac- tured that amputation was necessary. Ill health compelled his retire- ment from practice about ten years before his death, which took place July 13, 1864. For many years after 1837 Gen. Samuel Stevens was one of the lead- ing lawyers of Albany and an advocate of great power. He attained a large measure of professional success and was very popular with the people of the community. He first came prominently into the political field as one of De Witt Clinton's ablest supporters. In 1825 he repre- sented Washington county, where he was born, in the Legislature, where he was leader of the Clintonian forces. He was re-elected in 1827. Later on he identified himself with the Whigs and in 1839 was a prominent candidate for attorney-general. He did not again come before the people in connection with public office, except through his nomination for lieutenant-governor. The names of General Stevens, Marcus T. Reynolds and Nicholas Hill are intimately associated in the history of the Albany bar, where they were often brought together in the same cases. At different times General Stevens was a partner with James Edwards and with Peter Cagger. The name of John C. Spencer is not only identified with the bar of Albany county, but is well known in the political history of the State. His career was intimately blended with that of De Witt Clinton, as far as politics were concerned. He was born at Hudson, August 12, 178ti, and a son of Ambrose Spencer Graduating from Union College in 1803 with high honor, he at once began the study of law with his father. 1 53 In July, 180'.», he was admitted to practice and very soon afterwards joined the great tide of emigration westward and settled in Canandai- gua. With almost no pecuniary means and a few law books, he and his wife began life in that village in a very modest way, while he sought such business as the vicinity afforded. He stood for some years at the head of the bar of that great county. In 1818 he was appointed by the governor prosecuting attorney for the five western counties of the vState. In the spring of 1817 he was elected to Congress, and while in that body was nominated for the Senate by the State Legislature, but was not chosen. In 1819 he was elected to the Assembly, and again in 1821, 1831 and 1833; at the first term he was chosen speaker. From 1825 to 1828 he was in the State Senate, where he attained a high position. In 1826 he was chosen to prosecute the abductors of Morgan during the anti-Masonic crusade, out of which grew the anti-Masonic party, of which he was a prominent member. When that party was absorbed by the Whigs Mr. Spencer became a leader in the political field, and in 1836 removed to Albany. Upon the election of John Tyler to the presidency he chose Mr. vSpencer for his secretary of war. After the presidential election of 1852 he retired from politics. It will be remembered that he was one of the three commissioners appointed by Governor Clinton to revise the statutes of the State, a great task which was successfully accomplished. In 1849 he was appointed one of the codifying commissioners, but declined and soon retired to private life. Mr. Spencer endeared himself to citizens of Albany by his generous interest in local affairs, and particularly in his aid in founding a num- ber of the benevolent institutions of the city. He died while in New York on May 20, 1854. James Edwards was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, December 9, 1799, and settled in Albany in 1816, where he attained a prominent position at the bar. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Albert I^oote, at that time one of the leading attorneys of the city. He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and soon afterwards became a partner with Gen. Samuel Stevens. It was written of Mr. Edwards that " he was distinguished for his sound practical judgment, his solid legal at- tainments, his promptness and accuracy in business, energy, firmness and integrity of character, and conscientious fidelity to the interests of his clients." Mr. Edwards died May 21, 18G8. Azor Tabor was born at Knox, Albany county, May 1, 1798. After 153 receiving a classical education he entered the office of John Lansing, then chancellor of the State, studied law and when admitted to the bar began practice in Alban}-. He ranked among the ablest attorneys of the city and gained a large and profitable business. Loving his pro- fession and its pursuit, he never sought public office, the only position he ever held being that of State senator, to which he was elected in I Sol. Although his senatorial career was eminently worthy, he had little taste for public life and returned permanently to practice. In 1833 he formed a partnership with Amos Dean, which continued suc- cessfully some years. In 1854, owing to ill health, Mr. Tabor retired from practice, removed to Knox and there died June 10, 1855. Amos Dean was born at Barnard, Vt., January 16, 1803. After teaching several seasons to enable him to obtain his education, he en- tered Union College in 1823 and was graduated in 1826. He began studying law in the offie of Jabez D. Hammond and Alfred Conkling, and was admitted to practice in 1829. He was for several years a partner with Azor Tabor and the firm was recognized as a strong one. He was a firm believer in the great benefits of popular education and was thereby led in 1833 to gather about him a few young men of sim- ilar tastes, from which grew the later Albany Young Men's Association. From that beginning hundreds of similar organizations came into being in other cities. Mr. Dean was chosen the first president of the association. In 1833 he was associated with Drs. March and Armsby in establishing the Albany Medical College, and from that time to 1859 he held in that institution the position of professor of medical jurisprudence. When the law department of the university was estab- lished Mr. Dean was chosen one of its professors, where his talents gave him wide recognition as an educator. He was also well known in literary fields; was the author of a Manual of Law, and delivered many addresses before different bodies. The publication of his great- est work, the History of Civilization, was stopped by his death, but was issued afterwards in seven volumes. A lawyer who ranked with Reynolds, Stevens, Tabor and others of the Albany bar, was Henry G. Wheaton, who was graduated from Union College in 1828 and immediately began law study in Albany. After his admission to practice he rapidly rose to an enviable position in the profession. Becoming interested in politics, for which he pos- 20 sessed natural talents, he was chosen for the Assembly from Albany county in the years 1835, 1840 and 1841, though his seat in the first year named was successfully contested by, David C. Seger. In the House he was regarded as one of the most eloquent members. In March, 1841, he was appointed district attorney for Albany county, in which office he officially served the interests of the community. The management of a large estate devolving upon him in New York cit\- in 1855, he removed thither, and was killed while crossing a railroad track, August 26, 1865. In the work entitled The Bench and Bar of New York, Nicholas Hill is compared in some of his prominent characteristics, with John C. Spencer; both were men of marked intellectual powers, energetic and industrious and capable of a vast amount of labor. Nicholas Hill was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., October 10, 1806. Early showing the student's predilections, he availed himself of his opportunities to obtain a fair education, and then took up the study of law in the office of Daniel Cady, at Johnstown. After his admission to practice he set- tled first in Amsterdam, whence he soon removed to Saratoga, where later he formed a partnership with Sidney Cowen, son of Judge Esek Cowen, who had already discovered in Mr. Hill those qualities that afterwards gave him distinction. Associated with Mr. Cowen he pre- pared that great work, Cowen and Hill's Notes to Phillips on Evidence^ — a work that constitutes a monument to both of its authors. Though somewhat retiring in his nature, Mr. Hill's ability as a speaker, and his other qualifications as a jury lawyer, gave him early prominence in the courts of his time, where he was successful among many eminent men. In 1841 he was appointed law reporter, an office in which he won distinction for accuracy and clearness. Five years later he re- signed the office and soon formed a partnership with Peter Cagger and James K. Porter, a firm that commanded high confidence and a large patronage. Mr. Hill was first of all a painstaking student, and his close application to his business at length ruined his health and he died May 1, 1859. The event was announced in the Court of Appeals by John A. Reynolds, in a memorable eulogium. Mr. Reynolds was him- self one of the ablest members of the Albany bar; a man of rare argu- mentative powers and scholarly attainments. His pure character and large professional endowments endeared him to his professional brethren. Peter Cagger was born in Albany July 0, 1813, coming of Irish an- cestry. Early in life he was placed in the law office of Reynolds & Woodruff as a clerk, in which position he evinced some of his remarka- ble natural qualifications. He afterwards became a partner with Samuel Stevens, as before noted, and the firm of Stevens & Cagger soon became a power in legal circles. vShortly after the death of Mr. Stevens Mr. Cagger became a member of the distinguished firm, Hill, Cagger & Porter, a combination that is remembered as one of the strongest ever formed in the State. Mr. Cagger was instantly killed by being thrown from his carriage in New York city, July 6, 1808, at the age of fifty-six years. Ira Harris was born at Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y., May 31, 1802, prepared for college at Homer Academy (the family having removed to Cortland county), and graduated from Union College in 1824. He studied law one year in Homer and then i-emoved to Albany where he continued with the great jurist, Ambrose Spencer. In 1827 he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice, soon forming a partnership with Silas Dutcher, which continued until 1842. He was elected to the Assembly in 1844, was re-elected in 1845, and in 1846 was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in which body he occupied a conspicuous position. In the fall of 1846 he was elected a justice of the Supreme Court and resigned the former office. At the expiration of his four years' term as justice he was elected for another term, which had been extended to eight years. In this high position the great ability of Judge Harris was soon demonstrated. He exhib- ited profound knowledge of the law, excellent judicial qualifications and strict impartiality. His published opinions have received universal commendation. In 1861 he was elected to the United States Senate, in which body he was honored with appointments on important com- mittees and became a trusted friend of President Lincoln. He took active interest in raising troops for the army, especially of the regiment of cavalry which bore his name. At the close of his term he retired to private life, but was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1867. Having been connected with the Albany Law School from its organization, he now accepted the professorship of equity ju- risprudence and practice, to which he devoted his time until his death, December 2, 1875. He was for many years president of the Board of Trustees of Union College, president of the Albanv Medical College and 156 of the trustees of Vassar College. At his death the bench and bar testified to their respect for his distinguished abilities. He was a brother of Hamilton Harris, of Albany. Rufus W. Peckham, the distinguished lawyer and jurist, was born at Rensselaerville, Albany county, December 30, 1809. His boyhood was passed in Otsego county, whither his father removed, and after prep- aration entered Union College and was graduated in 1837. Having a brother in the medical profession in Utica, Ijp went there to enter the legal arena, where he entered the office of Greene C. Bronson (before noticed) and Samuel Beardsley. The advantages of being tutored by those eminent lawyers left a permanent impression upon Mr. Peckham's career. Called to the bar in 1830, he soon afterward became a partner with his brother, George W. Peckham, of Albany. The firm was prosperous from the first and took a high position in the then brilliant bar of the city. In 1839 he was appointed district attorney of the county, and in 1845 was a candidate for attorney-general and was de- feated by John Van Buren by one vote. In 1853 he was elected to Crogress, in which body he distinguished himself by his ability and his independence of party ties where he thought the interests of the nation were at stake. In the fall of 1859 he was elected a justice of the .Su- preme Court, served eight years and was unanimously re-elected. Before the close of his term he was elected a judge of the Court of Ap- peals. Few American judges possessed greater judicial accomplish- ments than he. On the 5th of November he and his wife sailed on the ill-fated Ville du Havre, which on the night of the 33d collided with another vessel and went to the bottom in the darkness, carrying them, with more than two hundred others to the bottom. At the moment of the greatest peril, he took his wife's hand and bravely uttered the words that were heralded over two continents: " If we must go down, let us die bravely!" The profession throughout this State testified its liigh respect and sorrow for the eminent man. Col. Lewis Benedict was born in Albany, September 17, 1817, and was graduated from Williams College in 1837. He then entered the law office of John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua, and in January, 1841, was licensed to practice. He settled in Albany and soon took a high position. In 1845 he was appointed city attorney and at the close of his term was reappointed. In 1847 he wa.s api)ointed judge advocate- 157 general on the governor's staff, and in 1848 was elected surrogate of the county. In 185'3 and 1860 he was the candidate of his party (the Whig) for the city recordership and shared in the defeat of its nomi- nees. In 1854 he was appointed one of the commissioners to examine into the condition of the State prisons, the report of whom was made in 185G in a large volume In 1860 he was elected to the Assembly by the Union element of his district; this was the last civil office held by him. On his admission to the bar he was fortunate in becoming the partner of Marcus T. Reynolds, which gave him at once a valuable ])restige. From the time of his appointment as city attorney he was active and earnest in his political work and was often a delegate to the various conventions, where he wielded a large influence. As early as January, 1861, when Governer Morgan was endeavoring to impress the Legislature with the importance of placing the State upon a war foot- ing, Colonel Benedict saw the necessity for such action and compre- hended the oncoming conflict. He therefore 'co-operated with the governor in the matter. The passage of the act authorizing the embody- ing and equipment of the vState militia was largely due to him, and after that Colonel Benedict gave all of his time to the Union cause. The New York Fire Department, while recruiting the 3d Fire Zouaves, conferred on him a lieutenancy and he was commissioned in June, 1861. The career of that body of soldiers is well known and cannot be de- tailed here. He was captured at Williamsburg and taken to the Salis- bury (N. C.) prison where several months later he was exchanged. Soon afterwards he was commissioned colonel of the 162d Regiment, and a month later, October, 1862, went with his troops to New Orleans. In January, 1863, he was made acting brigadier-general and took part in the fighting at and around Port Hudson. In the bloody engagement (if June 14, 1863, he was foretnost. When it was determined to storm the fort Colonel Benedict was given command of the 2d battalion, wliich was to serve as the " forlorn hope. " From that time he followed Hanks through all his movements. His last command, that of the M Brigade of the 1st Division, 19th Corps, was composed of three New York and two Maine regiments, and a battery, and was noted for its gallant deeds. On the 9th of April, 1864, in the final struggle of the Red River campaign. Colonel Benedict led his brigade in a charge and fell pierced with several bullets. It was a heroic death to close a dis- tinguished military career. His remains were brought to Albany and buried with high honors. ALBANY COUNTY BAR. Albany. — John J. Acker, George Addington, Daniel Adler, William A. Allen, A. L. Andrews, Buel C. Andrews, Austin Archer, John M. Bailey, Frederic Baker, George C. Baker, Isaac B. Barrett, R. O. Bassett, Edwin A. Bedell, James W. Bentley, Will- iam F. Beutler, Lyman H. Bevans, John J. Brady, John J. Bradley, Richard W. Brass, Edward J. Brennan, Charles F. Bridge, Walter M. Brown, Joseph H. Brooks, Charles J. Buchanan, Hiram Buck, Alpheus T. Bulkley, Eugene Burlingame, Henry D. Burhngame, F. W. Cameron, Lewis E. Carr, Raymond W. Carr, Lewis Cass, Ed- gar T. Chapman, jr., Norton Chase, Alden Chester, William K. Clute, Jacob H. Clute, Mark Cohn, Herbut G. Cone, Andrew J. Colvin, Martin D. Conway, Joseph A. Con- way, John T. Cook, J. Fenimore Cooper. Joseph P. Coughlin, Edwin Countryman, Charles E. Countryman, James H. Coyle, C. J. Crummey, Walter S. Cutler, Frank- lin M. Danaher, S. J. Daring, Richard W. Darling, Edwin G. Day, Frank B. Dele- hanty, John A. Delehanty, Peter A. Delaney, Abraham V. De Witt, Herman J. Diekman, J. Murray Downs, Andrew S. Draper, C. J. Droogan, P. E. Du Bois, Daniel J. Dugan, Patrick C. Dugan, William S. Dyer, Zeb A. Dyer, James W. Eaton, Jerome W. Ecker, William S. Elmendorf, John F. Farrell, James J. Far- ren, J. Newton Fiero, David C. Fitz Gerald, E. D. Flanigan, James H. Foote, Cor- nelius E. Franklin, Charles M. Friend, J. S. Frost, Worthington Frothingham, W. D. Frothingham, John E. Gallup W. S. Gibbons, Scott D'M. Goodwin, Edward J. Graham, Clifford D. Gregory, J. Wendell Griffing, Stephen B. Griswold, John Guttman, Alfred A. Guthrie, William S. Hackett, Edgar M. Haines, Matthew Hale. Charles R. Hall, Fred C. Ham, Andrew Hamilton, R. W. Hardie, William B. Harris, Hamilton Harris, Fred Harris, Julius F. Harris, Thomas H. Ham, S. S. Hatt, William A. Hendrickson, Howard Hendrickson, Isban Hess, Albert Hess- berg, D. Cady Herrick, Winfield S. Hevenor, Barnwell R. Heyward, Horace L. Hicks, George I). Hill, David B. Hill, William J. Hillis, Galen R. Hitt, Henry T. Holmes, Harold C. Hooker, Lansing Hotaling, William F. Hourigan, Eugene E. Howe, Samuel T. Hull, Marcus T. Hun, Sidney A. Hungerford. G. De W. Hurlbut, Julius lUch, William Isenburgh, Charles M. Jenkins, James B. Jermain, James C. Johnson, Russell M. Johnston, Frank Kampfer, Jacob A. Kapps, George T. Kelley, Barrington King, Dwight King, J. Howard King, Leonard Kip, Francis Kimball, George C. Kimball, Edmund C. Knickerbocker, Charles Krank, Leopold C. G. Kshinka, John R. Langan. Abraham Lansing, J. T. Lansing, William Lansing, Joseph M. Lawson, I.saac Lawson, Joseph A. Lawson, George Lawyer, William L. Learned, Randall J. Le Boeuf, William Loucks, Gaylord Logan, James J. Mahoney, George H. Mallory, J. F. Manson, Joseph F. Macy, S. S. Marvin, James C. Matthews, John W. Mattice, Peter F. Mattimore, Henry S. McCall, Archibald McClure, R. H. McCormic, jr., William C. McHarg, John McElroy, James A. McKown, John W. McNamara, Daniel T. McNamara, John T. McDonough, Charles W. Mead, Edward J. Meegan, Thomas A. Meegan, Peyton F. Miller, Charles H. Mills, John F. Montignani, J. H. Morrey, jr., Edgar A. Morling, Thomas A. Murray, David Muhlfelder, Max Myers, Martin T. Nachtmann, J. F. Nash, Henry C. Nevitt, Stewart C.Newton, Munson C. G. Nichols, Nathaniel Niles, David J. Norton, Myer Nussbaum, Edward W. Nugent, John J. Olcott, Smith O'Brien, John J. O'Neil, Howard Paddock. Stephen Paddock, Horace F. Palmer, Amasa J. Parker, AmasaJ. Parker, jr., Lewi.s R. Parker, Rufus W. Peck- 159 ham, Henry A. Peckham, J. De Witt Pelt?., Aaron B. Pratt, Louis W. Pratt, John V. L. Pruyn, Edward W. Rankin, Albert Rathbone, William F. Rathbone, Edward T. Reed, Hugh Reilly, Louis J. Rezzemini, Ernest W. Rieck, James A. Robinson, Edward U. Ronan, Simon W. Rosendale. Edgar H. Rosenstock, Jacob G. Runkle, William P. Rudd, James M. Ruso, Joseph W. Russell, Bleecker Sanders, Henry T. Sanford, Roscoe C. Sanford, Edwin W. Sanford, John H. Sand, David S. Saxe, Thomas Sayre, Robert G. Scherer, Jacob C. E. Scott, William M. Scott, A. G. Seelman, Ste- phen O. Shepard. Osgood H. Shepard, Louis Silberman, A. Page Smith, Fred E. Smith, Nathaniel Spaulding, Stuart G. Speir, David Stanwix, John D. Stantial, George L. Stedman, George W. Stedman, Henry E. Stern. A. R. Stevens, George H. Stevens, Thomas W. Stevens, John A. Stephens, Peter A. Stephens, Kate Stoneman, Barent W. Stryker, J. B. Sturtevant, Charles B. Templeton, George V. Thatcher, David A. Thompson, Newton W. Thompson, C. H. Tomlinson, James F. Tracey, George M. True. Lucien Tuffs, jr., Thomas J. Van Alstyne, William B. Van Rensselaer. Lansing Van Wie, Andrew Vanderzee, Newton B. Vanderzee, Alonzo B. Voorhees, Frederick E. Wadhams. Richard B. Wagoner, John W. Walsh. Joseph H. Walsh, Walter E. Ward, Luther C. Warner. Hiram L. Washburn, jr., Robert H. Wells, Thomas F. Wilkinson, Horace G. Wood, Francis H. Woods. Bkkne.— Z. B. Dyer. • CoEYMANS. — C. M. Barlow, W. Scott Coffin, Lindsey Green. Charles M. Tomp- kins. CoHOEs. — David Askworth. Israel Belanger, James H. Berns, Daniel J. Cosgro, James F. Crawford. Charles F. Doyle. Isaiah Fellows, jr.. George H. Fitts. jr., Law- rence B. Finn. Rosin J. House. Daniel C. McElwain. John E. McLean. E. B. Nichols, Peter D. Niver, Smith Niver. John Scanlon, James R. Stevens, Henrj' A. Strong, James Wallace, Walter H. Wertime. GiiLDERLAND. — James R. Main. Altamcint. — Hiram Griggs. John D. White. New Scotland. — Alexander H. Crounse. Rensselaervii.i.k.— Norman W. Faulk, Preston Hollow; William R. Tanner, Me- dusa. Westerlo. — Alonzo Spaulding. West Tkov.— James W. Boyle, James B. Egan, John H. Gleason, William Hol- lands, Joseph H. Hollands, C. D. Hudson. John W. Kenny, Eugene McLean. \'ol- kert J. Oothout, Peter A, Rogers. Green Island. — William F. Hickey. Court Buildings. — In early years the courts of this county were held in the Old Stadt Huys, which was also occupied as a city hall, a State House and a prison. Conventions and other public j,fatherings also assembled within its venerable walls. It stood on the northeast corner of Broadway and Hudson avenue, just inside the stockades of the city, and was built about 1635, principally for the use of the courts, while the jail was in the lower story, which was of stone. It was a substantial brick structure, nearly square, and three stories hig^h, with a cupola and belfry. .Soon after its erection a bell was brought from Holland 1 (iO and hung in the belfry, and it was rung' on all public occasions for nearly 1(>0 years and when the old building was demolished, the bell was hung in the cupola of the new Capitol. When it had at last outlived its usefulness there it was taken down and is said to now hang in the tower of a Ballston church. In the Old Stadt Huys were held, be- sides the courts, the meetings of the Common Council after its organ- ization under the Dongan charter of July, 1086. In front of the build- ing the Declaration of Independence was read to the people for the first time. A commercial building now stands on the site of the old structure, and in it a memorial slab has been placed, appropriately in- scribed. In December, 1805, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution authorizing the county to issue bonds to the amount of $100,000, the proceeds of which were to be used for the purchase of the Albany Savings Bank building, corner of State and Chapel streets. The bank had a lease of the building extending two years. In the sum- mer of 1896, Judges Clifford D. Gregory and Alden D. Chester oc- cupied rooms in the building, as also did the clerk of the appellate division of the Supreme Court. Judge Gregory was appointed custo- dian of the building and under his supervision the structure was con- siderably improved and adapted for its new purposes above the first floor; the latter is still occupied by the bank. After the removal of the bank the district attorney and county treasurer will move into this building, which will be known as the County Court House. City flails. — The first city hall, a structure in which the courts were held, stood on the site of the present city hall, and was erected in 18-^9-32. The site was purchased of St. Peter's church corporation for $10,259.95. On August 31, 1830, the corner stone was laid by Mayor John Townsend with Masonic ceremonies. The building was finished in 1832 at a total cost of about $92,000. It was constructed of white marble, with a large porch supported by four Doric columns, and a large gilded dome surmounting the roof. The style of architecture was plain in the extreme. This building was used for nearly fifty years until on the 10th of February, 1880, when it was destroyed by fire, the cause of which has remained a mystery. Most of the valuable records and documents in the building were saved. A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was called for Febru- ary 16, 1880, to consider what should be done to provide for a new city hall. In the course of the proceedings the following resolution ANTHONY N. BRADY was read, which had been previously adopted on the 11th at a meeting of the Albany bar : Resolved, That the site of the City Hall, recently destroyed by fire, is the most appropriate and convenient for a building for the County Court and Court Officers, and the members of the Albany County Bar hereby unanimously urge the Board of Supervisors to take immediate steps toward the erection of said building or an- other upon the City Hall site for the use of the County Courts and officers. The board had been urged to purchase what was known as the Mar- tin Hall as a substitute for the former City Hall, which in some meas- ure led to the above expression from the bar. The Board of Super- visors adopted prompt measures to ascertain the wishes of the county, outside of the city, in the site of the new building, which duty was as- signed to R. W. Peckham, and made provision for the copying of all records that were damaged in the fire. An act of the Legislature was procured creating a City Hall Commission consisting of the mayor, Michael N. Nolan, the chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Edward A. Maher, with Erastus Corning, Robert C. Pruyn, C. P. Easton, Leonard G. Hun, Albertus W. Becker, and William Gould. Under the general direction of this commission the present imposing City Hall was built on the site of the former one during the years 1881-83. It is is constructed of Long Meadow brown stone ; is four stories in height, with a tower 202 feet high. The cost including the furnishing was $325,000, of which sum $290,000 was raised on bonds of the city. The cost was equally divided between the city and the county. Jails. — The first Albany county jail, in the basement of the Old Stadt Huys, was in such bad condition early in the last century that a protest was entered by the high sherit? to the Court of Sessions in 1718, as follows: I urge upon your worships that care may be taken to have ye same Jail sufficiently repaired to keep such bad prisoners as I may take for debt, &c. , safelv from escap- ing, as is now often ye case. The court in response at once requested leave of the General Assem- bly to expend ^140 in repairing the jail, and it is presumed that the request was granted. Prior to this date there had been one or more attempts to erect a separate jail. An application for this purpose, made to the Board of Supervisors in February, 1701, was refused. At a Court of Sessions held in Albany October 7, 1719, the following order was entered in the records : Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, entitled an Act to Authorize y= Justices of the Peace to Build and Repair Jails and Court- houses in the Several Counties of the Province, whereby y"' Justices in each County are Impowered (upon their own view) on any Inefficiency or Inconveniency of their County JailorPrison, ory^ Inconveniency of theirCourt House, to Conclude and agree upon such sum or sums of money, as, upon examination of sufficient and able workmen, shall be thought necessary for building. Finishing and Repairing a Public Jail, etc. It is therefore Resolved, that any five or more of His Majestie's Justices shall make a computation with sufficient and able workmen, what a sufficient Jail, etc., for y" Citty and County of Albany may cost, and bring a report thereof at the next meeting of this Court and the Justices thereof. This led to much discussion between two factions, one of which fa- vored a new building, and the other the repair of the old one. The re- sult was the repair and enlargement of the old building under the fol- lowing resolution: It is Resolved that the City Hall shall be repaired and an addition be made of fif- teen foot in length to the south'd, and in breadth to the Court Hall, and joyned in the roof of the same, made up with boards without as the present old house, with a sufficient stone seller under y"^ same, the north end thereof partitioned off with oak boards. To have one window with cross-iron bars therein, one cross window to the south' ard, one to the eastward and one to the westward in the first room. These repairs did not accomplish their purpose as far as the jail was concerned, and within two years complaints again came from the sheriff that his prisoners escaped with little difficulty. Another effort was made at repairing the structure iii a far more substantial manner, and it was used with some changes until about 1803, when it was demol- ished. In 1791 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the city authorities to raise ^^3,000 towards the completion of the court house and jail. Difficulties arose between the city and the county authori- ties, which delayed the project, and it was not until 1803-04 that the new jail was finished. The land on which it stood extended about eighty feet on State street ; eighty-four feet on Maiden Lane ; and IIC feet on Eagle street. It was sold at auction August 11, 1833, in the inter- est of the trustees of the Albany Academy. Previous to this date, on November 1, 1831, the grand jurors visited the jail and found it in such condition that they recommended that the Board of Supervisors erect a new jail, "inasmuch as this building, which had stood twenty-two years, was fast decaying, very illy constructed, and too small in order to [secure] health, comfort and convenience, and situated in too thickly settled a locality." The statement that the building had stood twenty- two years is probably an error. The next and third jail, inclusive of the one in the Old Stadt Huys, stood on the corner of Eagle and How- ard streets, and was completed in the latter part of 1834. This was used until the spring of 1854, when the jail on Maiden Lane was erected and the old jail was fitted up for a hospital and opened August 8, 1854. That jail served its purpose without public complaint until 1868, when Henry Smith, then district attorney, sent a communication to the Board of Supervisors, in which he said : In the main apartment you will find si.xt}' male prisoners, including some children, confined in one common room, where those youthful in years, and those who have committed their first criminal error, perhaps those who are entirely innocent, are e.x- posed to the influences, and often to the physical tortures, of the most depraved of men. In another room, of about fifteen by eighteen, you will find some twenty-two females of various ages, even to extreme old age; some reasonably tidy and others repulsively filthy; some apparently well and others suffering from loathsome dis- eases, crowded together in a space where there is scarcely room for all to lie down at once. In short, you will find a state of things that would shame a semi-civilized community, and would not be tolerated by the people of this county for one hour if they could for a moment look in upon the appalling horrors of that fearful den, kept under their authority, for the detention of persons accused of crime. This state of affairs, Mr. Smith continues, is no fault of the Sheriff or Jailer, but results from want of suitable rooms. This created a sensation and resulted in an immediate change. The superintendent of the Capital Police was directed to send his prisoners under sentence to the penitentiary, instead of leaving them in the jail, while plans for improvement were made and carried out at an expen- diture of $2,500. THE ALBANY LAW SCHOOL. ' This school is among the oldest institutions of the kind in the country. In 1S51 the Legislature incorporated the University of Albany, giv- ing to it the authority to organize a Literary department, a Law de- partment, a Scientific department, and providing that the Albany Medical College, already existing, might, if so disposed, unite with the departments to be formed. The department of law was immediately organized as the Albany Law School, and has maintained a prosperous existence to the present I Prepared by W. R. Davidson, secretary of the school. time, having graduated over two thousand students, and having had an attendance of over three thousand. At the time of its organization there were three other law schools — Harvard, Yale and Cincinnati (now Columbia) ; there are now up- wards of eighty. The first Board of Trustees was organized as follows: Greene C. Bronson, president ; Thomas W. Olcott, vice president : Orlando Meads, secretary; Luther Tucker, treasurer. The first Faculty was constituted as follows: Chancellor Reuben H. Walworth, president, but taking no part in the instruction; Hon. Ira Harris, LL. D., lecturer on practice, pleading and evidence; Hon. Amasa J. Parker, LL. D., lecturer on real estate, wills, domestic re- lations, personal rights, and criminal law; Amos Dean, LL.D., lec- turer on contracts, personal property and commercial law. December 16, 1851, the first class was organized, with an enrollment of twenty-three students, in the Exchange building, corner Broadway and State street, the site of the present U. S. Government building, and continued sixteen weeks. The next two years the school was held in the Cooper building, on the corner of State and Green streets, the courses being sixteen weeks each. Of the students in the first class, seven were graduated in the spring of 1852, viz. : Edwin E. Bronk, Charles A. Fowler, Willard P. Gambell, John C. McClure, Worthing- ton Frothingham, Edward Wade and George Woolford. To accommodate the increasing enrollment of students, in 1854 the school was removed to the south wing of the Medical College on Eagle street (now Alumni Hall). At the same time the course was extended to two terms of twelve weeks each. The exercises consisted of lectures, moot cotirts, oral and written examinations. In 1855 Thomas W. Olcott became president of the Board of Trus- tees and continued until his death in 1880. In 1809 Professor Amos Dean died; Professor Amasa J. Parker re- signed in 1870 ; Professor Ira Harris died in 1875. Of these. Professors Parker and Harris were justices of the Supreme Court; Professor Harris was also LTnited vStates senator. In 1870 a larger Faculty was organized. Isaac Edwards, LL.D., succeeded to the chair of Professor Dean; Hon. Matthew Hale, LL.D., to the chair of Professor Parker ; Charles C. T. F. Spoor, esq. , as lec- turer on subjects assigned; Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., justice of the Supreme Court, lecturer on equity jurisprudence, civil law, and 165 the trial of causes; Hon. William F. Allen, LL.D., then judge of the Court of Appeals, to lecture on real property. In 1873 the University of Albany united with Union College and by an act of the Legislature was constituted as Union University, the Al- bany Law School becoming the law department. In 1874 Hon. John T. Hoffman, LL. D., governor of the vState of New York, was added to the Faculty, succeeding to the chair of Judge Allen as professor of the law of real property. In 1875 Professor Harris died, and Prof. Charles T. F. Spoor was designated to succeed to his chair, lecturing on practice and pleading at common law, and under the Code. In 1878 Eliphalet N. Potter, D. D , LL, D., entered the Faculty, and lectured on feudal system; also Henry Coppee, LL. D., lecturing on international law ; also Hon. Hiram E. Sickles, lecturer on evidence. In 1879 Professor Edwards, dean of the Faculty, died, and was suc- ceeded by Hon. Horace E. Smith, LL. D., of Johnstown, N. Y., dean of the Faculty, lecturing on personal property, contracts, commercial law, common law pleading, torts and medical jurisprudence. Henry S. McCall, esq., and Irving Browne, esq., were added to the Faculty at this time. Professor McCall lecturing on real estate and wills, Pro- fessor Browne, lecturer on domestic relations and criminal law. On the accession of Dean Smith, it was evident to him that the building where the school had been held for a quarter of a century was no longer adequate to its requirements. The trustees purchased the Universalist church building on the north side of State street, near vSwan street, and through the liberality of their president, Thomas W. Olcott, it was converted into the pleasant and convenient building now occupied by the school. This building was dedicated to its new use March 10, 1879. Addresses were made by Amasa J. Parker, LL. D., Hon. Samuel Hand, Charles E. Smith, then editor of the Albany Evening Journal, and Dean Smith. The Board of Trustees was largely increased in numbers, Hon. Amasa J. Parker, LL. D. , as one of the original founders of the school, remaining as one of the honorary members. In 1880 President Thomas W. Olcott died, and Orlando Meads succeeded to the presidency, and Marcus T. Hun, esq., trustee, was appointed to succeed President Meads as secretary. In 1883 President Meads died and Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., justice of the Supreme Court, succeeded to the presidency; Marcus T. Hun, esq., resigned the secretaryship, and Charles J. Buchanan, esq., 166 was appointed secretary; Nathaniel C. Moak, esq., entered the Faculty as lecturer on books and judicial systems. The Alumni Association was organized under favorable auspices, awakening new interest in the school among the numerous graduates scattered throughout the country. At the advent of Dean Smith the course was made three terms of twelve weeks each, preceded or supplemented by one year in a law office. The requirements for graduation as previously adopted were preserved, viz. : All candidates for the degree of LL. B. should read before the dean or Faculty six weeks before commencement, an original thesis pertaining to the history, science or practice of law. Moot courts for the argument and trial of causes were also continued ; two being held each week. In 1889 after a successful administration of school affairs, Dean Smith resigned to resume the active practice of law. George W. Kerchwey, esq., of Albany, was appointed to succeed to the chair of dean. In 1890 Hon. Hiram E. Sickles resigned from the Faculty, and James W. Eaton succeeded him as lecturer on evidence; Maurice J. Lewis M. D., was appointed lecturer on medical jurisprudence; and Harold L. Hooker, esq, was appointed instructor in elementary law. In 1891 DeanKirchwey resigned to accept a chair in Columbia Law School, and Lewis B. Hall, A. M., was appointed to the position of dean and instructor in contracts and commercial law. Charles T. F. Spoor died and was succeeded by J. Newton Fiero, esq., who was appointed instructor in common law and code practice and pleading ; Eugene Burlingame, instructor in the law of real prop- erty; James F. Tracey, esq., instructor in the law of corporations. In 1894 A. V. V. Raymond, D. D., LL.D., having succeeded to the presidency of Union University in place of Harrison E. Webster, LL.D., resigned, the trustees and Faculty of the school placed their resignation in his hands for the purpose of reorganization. At the beginning of the course in 1895 the Board of Trustees was reorganized as follows : Hon. Amasa J. Parker, A. M., president; James W. Eaton, esq., treasurer; Charles J. Buchanan, esq., secretary: Andrew V. V. Ray- mone, Matthew Hale, Marcus T. Hun, William L. Learned, J. Newton Fiero, Seymour Van Santvoord, Alton B. Parker, Charles C. Lester, Alonzo P. Strong, James Lansing, Judson S. Landon, and Edward P. White. C^^^-^^^^ L / yj^c^^r^-^C^^ ic: The Faculty was also reorganized as follows: Andrew V. V. Ray- mond, D. D., LL.D., president; J. Newton Fiero, dean; James W. Eaton, Eugene Burlingame, James F. Tracey, Joseph A. Lawson, in- structors. Special lecturers; Judson S. Landon, LL.D., Hon. Alton B. Parker, Matthew Hale, LL.D., Hon. D. Cady Herrick, Hon. Dan- forth E. Ainsworth, Andrew McFarlane, M. D., Hon. Walter E. Ward, C. E. Franklin. The Board and Faculty for 189G are the same with the addition of Lewis R. Parker, lecturer on bailments and suretyship. Of thisFaculty, three are justices of the Supreme Court, Appellate Di- vision. J. Newton Fiero, dean, author of "Special Actions," and "Special Proceedings," was for two successive years president of the State Bar Association, and was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the Board of State Law Examiners, making the examination of applicants for admission to the bar uniform throughout the State. The Court of Appeals rules for admission of attorneys, etc., went into effect January 1, 1895, requiring three years of prepa- ration of all students at law before applying for admission to the bar, and requiring them to be examined before the new Board of Law Exam- iners. The course of the school was changed to conform to the new law and methods to one year of eight months divided into two semesters; to be preceded by two years in a law office, or law school, retaining the former method of instruction, with moot courts once a week. From the first class to the present time the school Register shows in- creased attendance, even during the years of the war between 1860 and 1865. Of some classes were graduated ninety, fifty-seven, fifty-nine, none less than fifty. At the close of the war the attendance was larger than at any time before. At one time every rank in the army from pi'ivate up to brigadier-general was represented among the students. After what has been said of the army representation among the students, it can be stated with equal correctness, that every rank from city and county attorney to the judges on the bench of the United States Court and president of the United States, has a representation among the students whose names are to be found upon the Register of the school. Without doing more than to mention a few as they occur to the mind of the present writer, himself a graduate in '04, may be noted: Class of '58, Hon. David J. Brewer, judge United States bench ; William McKinley, jr., class of '67, president-elect of the United States; Hon. Redfield Proctor, '60, ex-secretary of war, now United States senator; William F. Vilas, 'GO, ex-secretary of war, now United States senator; Irving G. Vann, '65, judge of the Court of Appeals of this State; James H. Eckles, '80, a member of President Cleveland's cabinet; Hon. Alton B. Parker; Hon. D. Cady Herrick, '(57; Hon. William D. Dickey, '66; Hon. William W. Goodrich, '53, justices of the Supreme Court (Appellate Division). In this county the present district attorney, county judge, surrogate, city recorder, and one of the justices of the City Court are graduates of the school, and with a very few exceptions the bar of Albany county are graduates of the school. During the administration of Dean Hall very many improvements were made to the building, which has been largely supplemented by Dean Fiero, making it one of the best equipped school buildings of its kind in the country. Albany as a seat of a professional school cannot be overrated. Here are located the executive, legislative and judicial departments of the State CHAPTER XIII. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ALB.'INY COUNTY. By Hkrm.\n Bf.ndell, M. D. The early history of Fort Orange and Albany seems to indicate that the first settlers were fortunate in receiving medical treatment and care of some description when they were sick. That it was not of the high- est character in a professional sense need not be asserted. The Dutch West India Company itself endeavored to protect its subjects from ill- ness, possibly from partially selfish reasons. One of their recorded regulations reads as follows: The patroons and colonists shall, in particular and in the speediest manner, en- deavor to find way.s and means whereby they may support a minister and a school- master, that the service of God and the zeal for religion may not grow cold and be neglected among them, and that they do for the first procure a comforter for the sick. This office had a Dutch name of its own and its incumbent was the first person recognized in such a capacity in the colonies under the Dutch regime. This " comforter of the sick" frequently combined in ^Jyf^MOM^d^OML^ himself the offices of physician, preacher and possibily a civil position of some nature. His medical skill and knowledge could not, of course, have been of a high character. Among those who thus mingled medical practice with religious teaching was the noted Dominie Johannes Megapolensis, who bore the title of "Rev. Dr." He was probably the first Dutch dominie to settle at Albany. Another was Dominie G. W. Mancius, who educated his son, Wilhelmus, in the medical profession to such good purpose that he practiced successfully during the most of the remainder of his life in Albany. Both of these pioneers became members of the Albany County Medical Society upon its formation in 1806. But the first " comforter of the sick" at Fort Orange was Sebastian Jansel Crol. He had previously filled a similar office at Fort Amsterdam, coming to this colony in 1026 with the appointment of ViceDirector and Company's Commissary to Fort Orange. He was succeeded in his official position by Hermanns Myndertse Vander Bogart in 1646. It is believed that he was ship surgeon on the Eendraght, which came over in 1630, and therefore was a qualified practitioner. He served at Fort Orange only two years and was probablv burned to death in an Indian wigwam on the Mohawk. The first regular physician to settle in this locality came over in 1642 in the same vessel with Rev. Dr. Megapolensis, in the person of Sur- geon Abraham Staats. Very little is known of his qualifications, or whether he was employed, like the ininister, to serve the inhabitants both spirtually and professionally. Albany consisted then of only twenty-five or thirty houses scattered along the river, and a population of about 10(1; hence Dr. Staats probably did not find himself over- pressed with professional labor. He was doubtless a man of good character and public spirit, for he was the first presiding officer of the village council of Rensselaerwyck. In 1642 his dwelling at Claverack was burned bj' the Indians, and his wife and others of his family per- ished. He became the owner of Fort Orange, it is said, and the land on which it stood came down to his descendants. One of the first, perhaps the very first, enactment, to regulate medi- cal practice at new Amsterdam was the following: Ordered, that ship barbers shall not be allowed to dress wounds, nor administer any potion on shore, without the consent of the petitioners [the local chirurgeous], or at least Dr. La Montagne. The inference from this extract as to what had been practiced upon occasion, is clear. This Dr. Johannes de la ^lontagne was a Huguenot, 170 and although a physician, was known in political affairs only. He ar- rived in New York in 1637 and was vice-director of Fort Orange from 1036 to 1664, and held other offices. Surgeon De Hinse was a physician at the fort in 1666; there is little record of his practice. These surgeons who were on duty at Fort Orange at that period received for pay 2s. 6d. per day. In 1689 a Scotch physician named Lockhart was surgeon at the P'ort and prac- practiced among the inhabitants. At a later date a son of Rev. Dr. Megapolensis vv-as a surgeon of the colony. He and his brother Samuel were graduates of Leyden, and passed most of their lives in New York. These are about all the phy.sicians of whom the records speak until along in the beginning of the. next century. Less than fortj' physicians are known to have come to the province of New York during the seven- teenth century, though there may have been a few more whose names are lost in the past. The old French war and the war of the Revolution brought hither and into prominence many physicians. The English army was accom- panied by a respectable medical staff and from that time onward the profession on this side of the ocean occupied a much higher plane than before. Dr. Samuel Stringer, a native of Maryland and educated in Virginia, where a medical school was early established, was the lead- ing physician in Albany during the eighteenth century and shared in the labors connected with both these wars. In 1755 he received the appointment from Governor Shirley of officer in the medical depart- ment of the army, and accompanied Abercrombie in 1758 in his disas- trous campaign at Ticonderoga. .Serving through the war he settled in Albany and remained in practice until the beginning of the Revolu- tion, when he was appointed by Congress Director- General of Hospitals in the Northern Department. In this capacity he accompanied the army in the Canadian invasion. He was subsequently removed from this high position, possibly through sympathy with General Schuyler in the ill fortune and opposition which that gallant officer met. His removal called out a vigorous remonstrance from the general to Con- gress. He returned to Albany in 1777 and here passed the remainder of his long life. Dr. Nicholas Schuyler also served professionally in the armies in both wars, after which he settled in Albany and died in Troy in 18-->4. Dr. J. Cochoran, of Pennsylvania, served as surgeon in the Revolu- tionary army, occupying high position. He was made Surgeon General 1?1 of the Middle Department, and in 1781 was appointed Director-General of the Hospitals of the United States. He settled in Albany at the conclusion of the war. During an early period Moses and Elias Williams, brothers and na- tives of New England, practiced their profession in Albany. They with their father shared in the battle of Lexington. Elias had begun the study of medicine before the war broke out and after serving a short time as a private he entered a military hospital in Boston, which was then much used as a training school for needed surgeons. Two years later he was appointed surgeon in a Maine regiment and served to the close of the war. He settled in Albany in 1801 and practiced there twenty-five 3'ears. His brother was j'ounger and entered the service later. Hunloke Woodruff a graduate of Princeton, began the study of medicine a short time previous to the beginning of the Revolution and took up his residence in Albany. He was soon appointed surgeon of a New York regiment, accompanied Colonel Gansevoort at th'e siege of Fort Stanwix and General Sullivan in his famous expedition into the country of the .Senecas. After the war he settled in Albany, where he passed most of the remainder of his life. He was the first president of the County Medical Society and bore the reputation of a skillful physician. It is a historical incident of importance that during the French war a hospital was established in Albany, to care for the wounded brought down from the Ticonderoga battlefield. Mrs. Grant, in her "Memoirs of an American Lady," notes the occurrence, an-d states that the hos- pital was opened in the barn of Madame Schuyler, where a band of ladies attended on the sufferers. Another historical authority states that a hospital was established here during that war, and describes it as it appeared in 1788 as follows: It is situated on an eminence overlooking the city. It is two stories high, having a wing at each end and a piazza in front', above and below. It contains forty wards, capable of accommodating 500 patients, besides the rooms appropriated to the use of the surgeons and other officers. After the defeat of Burgojme at Saratoga it is said that more than a thousand sick and wounded soldiers and officers were sent to Albany, filling the hospital, the Dutch church and many dwellings. Many of these victims of the war remained until the following June, when the military hospital was removed to the highlands of the Hudson. At a 172 later date there was a military cantonment and liospital in Greenbusli, which was maintained until 18'2"2. Besides the victims of war the early physicians had to encounter epidemics at times that were, perhaps, more to be dreaded than bullets. Small-pox found its victims in thousands and in the early days was difficult to manage. In 1613 it broke out and spread with frightful virulence among both Europeans and Indians. Twelve of the few in- habitants on the site of Albany died in one week, while a thousand Indians perished. During two months Connecticut maintained a quar- antine against the New Netherlands. Some years later the dreaded disease again broke out with all its former fatality; indeed, in early times this epidemic was more feared and its ravages were more exten- sive than those of any other disease. With the introduction of inocu- lation and its quite general adoption about 17:30, the mortality from small-pox began to diminish. In 1746 a disease which took the name of the Barbadoes distemper, and other appellations, was imported by foreign ships and made its ap- pearance in Albany. The disease was doubtless yellow fever. In 1793 the citizens of Albany, having been informed by Judge Lansing that yellow fever was on board of a vessel that had passed New York, a meeting of citizens and the Council was held and measures adopted to prevent any vessel from passing above the Overslaugh without exam- ination. The Council recommended a day of fasting and prayer as an- other means of averting the disease. Two days later Hon. Alexander Hamilton and his wife arrived at Greenbush, where they were visited by a committee from Albany, who reported that the distinguished couple were apparently well and recommended that they be permitted to cross the river. The committee consisted of the following physi- cians of this city: Drs. Samuel Stringer, W. Mancius, H. Woodruff, W. McClelland and Cornelius Roosa. With the opening of the present century the character of the medi cal profession in this country began to improve. Albany had a popula- tion of about 5,000, but they were nearly all Dutch. There was a de- mand for better educated physicians and the demand was soon sup- plied. Quackery and charlatanry, which had been rampant, began to receive such, merited condemnation from both reputable physicians and well-informed persons generally, that their hold upon the public could not long continue. Prior to 1750 the education of physicians, unless gained in Europe, was very imperfect and the facilities for gaining JOSEPH LHWI, M. D. 173 even that were limited. The first regular medical instruction attempted in this countr}' began in that year with a course of lectures on anatomy delivered in New York by Samuel Clossy, a Dublin graduate. Before the close of that century four medical schools were established, one each at Philadelphia, New York, and in Harvard and Dartmouth Col- leges. But many who would gladly have availed themselves of the facilities of these institutions could not reach them, and were forced to content themselves with the personal instruction of some practicing physician, who was frequently ill-fitted for the task. The passage of the law in 180G, authorizing the formation of State and county medical societies worked almost a revolution — not at once, but by the gradual steps that are taken by most great reforms. The names of the mem- bers who formed the Albany County Medical Society, organized in July of the same year that witnessed the passage of the law, are given on a succeeding page, and are followed with a complete list of the offi- cers. Of some of the prominent members of that date it is proper to speak at a little more length. The oldest physician in Albany was Dr. Wilhelmus Mancius, son of the Dutch dominie already alluded to. He was then (1806) more than sixty years of age and enjoyed great popularity. Dr. Hunloke Wood- ruff was his partner for a time. Doctor Mancius died in 1808, two years after the organization of the society. Dr. William McClelland, a charter member of the County society, and its first vice-president, and the first president of the State society, was a graduate of Edinburgh. He was a leader in the profession here, and had for partner Dr. William Bay, long a successful physician. Dr. McClelland died in 1812. Dr. John G. Knauff was an apothecary and probably gave more at- tention to that business than to practice. He was a native of Ger- many and died in 1810. Dr. Caleb Gauff, then an old man, had prac- ticed many years in Bethlehem, while Dr. Oliver Lathrop was practic- ing in Watervleit. Dr. Jonathan Eights was an exact and methodical man who through the first half of this century was held in high esteem as a family physi- cian. He contributed more or less to medical literature. Dr. John Stearns was a graduate of Yale, practiced a number of years here, and is honored as being the man whose efforts procured the law of 1806 under which State and county medical societies have been incorporated. 174 The succeeding lists give such brief details of all the members of the society as are permissible for this work. When the great cholera epidemic of 1832 swept over the countr}-, a meeting of this society was called at the request of the mayor to con- sult upon measures for the arrest of the disease. A staff was organized consisting of Drs. Eights, Wing, Greene, Boyd, Townsend, Wendell, James, McNaughton, and March. The physicians of the city met every evening in the city hall where a record was kept of the deaths. Con- spicuous among the active and unselfish workers of that trying period was Dr. James P. Boyd, then a comparatively young man. His faith- ful labor in the epidemic gave him a commanding position in after years. Dr. James McNaughton, who had formerly been a teacher of medicine in a school, was made president of the Board of Health at that time, and with his brother Peter labored assiduously among the sufferers. Both of these men were for half a century among the lead- ing citizens of Albany. Dr. Barent P. Staats was not only a prominent physician, but took an active interest in politics, and was also a trus- tee of numerous mercantile concerns. He was health officer of the port during the period under consideration. Dc. Alden March was also a well established physician at that time, having settled here in 1820. He practiced about fifty 5'ears and gained a world-wide reputa- tion, as a surgeon and a teacher. The number of reported cases of cholera during the existence of the disease here was 1,147, of which 423 were fatal. There was an out- break of the disease two years later, in which there were 124 cases, with seventy-eight deaths. Dr. T. Romeyn Beck was about at the height of his great fame at the time now under consideration. As the author of " Medical Juris- prudence " his reputation is world-wide. Both he and his brother gave much of their lives to teaching and literary labor. One of them was sent by the governor to the northern frontier, duing the cholera epidemic, to procure information concerning the disease Dr. Thomas Hun was then just entering practice and passed the remainder of his long life in Albany, an honor to his profession and to good citizenship. Dr. Hun was prominently connected with and for many years was dean of the faculty of the Albany Medical College and president of the staff of the Albany Hospital. He died in 189G, having been active in his profession for more than half a century. Several prominent Albany county physicians took part professionally 175 in the war of 1812. Among them was Dr. Piatt Williams, a graduate ijf Williams College and just beginning practice when the war com- menced. He was promptly appointed surgeon of the Second Regiment of Riflemen and served through the war. Returning to Albany he was appointed surgeon of theGreenbush Cantonment, before mentioned, and served there until it was abandoned in 1822. Dr. Henry Greene, a native of Rhode Island, graduated in 1814, and was immediately made assistant surgeon of the 25th Regulars, saw hard service in Canada and remained in the army until the war closed. He settled in Albany in 1828, was conspicuous in the cholera epidemic and one of the faculty of the Medical College when it was established. Dr. Joel A. Wing practiced in Albany thirty eight years. He was appointed surgeon in the army immediately after his graduation, but declined and was made post surgeon of the Greenbush barracks in 1841. The army record of the medical officers of this city and county who honorably served their country during the most trying times of the Rebellion, would write, if space permitted, a series of biographies show- ing broad patriotism and a devotion to duty that does honor to the American physician. To mention the names of those who distinguished themselves on the field of battle, who unflinchingly accompanied the forlorn hope, who for meritorious conduct were named inofficial orders must be delegated to the writer of individual biographies. The list is a long and honorable one and includes the following: Dr. S. O. Vanderpoel held the office of surgeon general at the out- break of the war. He served as such on the staff of Governor King from January 1, 1857, to 1859. He was appointed a second time on January 1, 1861, and filled the office during the administration of Gov- ernor Morgan. His was the responsible duty of organizing the med- ical corps of the early volunteer regiments from this .State, and upon his recommendation over GOO medical officers were commissioned and assigned to regiments. During the peninsular campaign he served as a volunteer surgeon, and during the latter part of the war was inspector of hospitals for the Sanitary Commission. After the war Dr. Vander- poel was for eight years health officer of the port of New York. For many years he was a member of the Medical College Faculty, and at- tending and consulting physician to the hospitals. He removed to New York city in 1881 and died on the 12th of March, 1886. Dr. J. V. P. Quackenbush was surgeon-general during the administra- tion of Governor Seymour from January 1, ISGo, to 1865. For a period 176 of thirty-five years Dr. Quackenbnsh was a leading- physician in Albany, was a member of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College and a pop- ular teacher and lecturer. He was a prominent citizen and attained a high reputation in the special field to which lie devoted most of his professional life. He died at Albany in l!S?(J. Dr. Sylvester 1). Willard was appointed surgeon- general on the staft" of Governor Fenton January 2, 1865, and died during the same year. Early in 1862 he volunteered his services as a surgeon and was assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac. The hardships of the penin- sular campaign undermined his health and hastened his death. He was foremost in advocating the founding of the Willard Asylum for the In- sane, was possessed of vigorous intellectual qualities, and a man of a large fund of general and professional knowledge. Dr. James D. Pomfret was appointed surgeon general April 6, 1865, to fill vacancy on the staff of Gov. Fenton caused by the death of vSur- geon- General Willard, and served as such until January, 1869. July 24, 1862, Dr. Pomfret was appointed surgeon of the 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery (afterwards the 113th N. Y. Vols). February 7, 1865, he tendered his resignation, was discharged from the service and returned to Albany to resume the practice of his profession. Dr. Pomfret served with his regiment in the defences of Washington and during this time was assigned to duty as brigade surgeon. Later on he did service in the field and was assigned to duty as one of the division surgeons of the 2d Army Corps. He was a conscientious officer and popular with the officers and men of his regiment. Dr. Pomfret died in 1869. Dr. Jacob S. Mosher was surgeon-general on the staff of Governor Holfman from 1869 to 1873. He also served as a surgeon of volun- teers in the field and in hospitals at Washington. During his stay at Washington he was assigned to duty as assistant State medical director and served until 1867. In 1870 he was appointed deputy health officer of the Port of New York and remained in office for a period of six years. Dr. Mosher was a member of the Yellow Fever Commission appointed by Congress, a member of the Faculty of the Albany Med- ical College, registrar of the Faculty and connected with the hospitals. He was prominent as a citizen, gifted as a physician and eminent as a chemist. Dr. Mosher died in Albany, August, 1883. Dr. James W. Moore was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the vol- unteer service of the U. S. navy early in 1861 and was in active service for a period of nearly two years. He was assigned to duty as fleet sur- SAMUEL B. WARLj, M^ U. 177 geon of the flotilla cruising in the Chesapeake Bay and North Atlan- tic. He was surgeon of the frigate Florida, fitted out and commis- sioned to cruise for the privateer Alabama, and subsequently assigned to hospital duty. After the close of the war he returned to Cohoes and continued in the practice of his profession until his death in 188(!. Dr. J. Savage Delevan was commissioned assistant surgeon of the IGDth N.Y. Vols, in 1863, but was not mustered owing to the minimum number of men in the regiment. After serving in general hospitals at Washington, D. C, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 1st Connecticut Artillery and served during the war, participating in man)- of the artillery engagements during the siege of Petersburg, \"a. He was also with his regiment at the taking of Fort Fisher. After the Close of the war he resumed practice in Albany. Dr. Delevan was vice consul at Geneva, Switzerland, for a period of two years, for sev- eral years U. S. pension examining surgeon at Albany, attending physician on the staff of the Homoeopathic Hospital, and member of the State Board of Health. Dr. Delevan died in 1885. Dr. Herman Bendell entered the service as hospital steward of the 39th N. Y. Vols., May 38, 1861; was appointed acting assistant sur- geon U. S. A., September 1 of the same year; was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the Gth Regiment of New York Heavy Artillery February 23, 1863; promoted to surgeon of the 86th N. Y. Veteran Vols. January 3, 1865, and served till the close of the war. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for meritorious services May 18, 1866. Since 1886 he has been surgeon of the 3d Brigade of the N. G. N. Y. Dr. Samuel B. Ward was appointed medical cadet in the U. S. Arm}' in September, 1863. In 1863 was commissioned as acting assistant surgeon U. S. A , and subsequently commissioned as assistant sur- geon U. S. Vols. After the close of the war Dr. Ward began the practice of his profession in the city of New York. In 1873 he was elected assistant surgeon of the 7th Regiment of the National Guard, and after his removal to Albany, in 1876, he was commissioned as sur- geon of the 5th Brigade, N. G. N. Y., in which position he served until the reorganization of the Guard in 1886. Dr. Ward is a member of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College, attending physician at the Albany Hospital, consulting surgeon at vSt. Peter's Hospital, and a representative member of the State and County Medical Society. Dr. Charles A. Robertson was appointed surgeon of the 159th N. Y. Vols., August 30, 1863, and resigned his commission November 3, 178 1863. Prior to the war he practiced ophthalmology in Boston. After resigning- from the service he settled in Albany and had a large i)rac- tice in his specialty nntil his death in 1880. Dr. Thomas Helms of McKownsville was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the 148th New York Vols. , December 23, 1863, and was promoted April 5, 1865, to surgeon of the 85th N. Y. Vols. He was wounded at Fort Harrison, and was honorably discharged at the clcse of the war. He resumed practice in his old town, and died in 1889. Dr. Charles H. Porter was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 40th N. Y. Vols. August 22d, 1862, was promoted surgeon of the (ith N. Y. Heavy Artillery February 25, 1803, and mustered out with his regiment at the close of the war. In May, 1806, he was brevetted colonel of N. Y. Volunteers. He returned to Albany and is actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. John L. Van Alstyne was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 3(1 N. Y. Cavalry February 16, 1803, promoted surgeon of the same regi- ment September 5, 1864, and mustered out of service at Norfolk, Ya., July 12, 1865. After leaving the service Dr. Van Alstyne returned to Albany, subsequently removed to Richmondville, Schoharie county, N. Y. , where he is actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Alexander H. Hofif served as surgeon-general on the staff of Governor Clark from January 1, 1855, to 1857. He was commissioned as surgeon of the 3d N. Y. Vols., May 8, 1861, and during the same year detailed as surgeon in charge of the brigade to which his regiment was assigned. From 1864 to the close of the war he was medical direc- tor of transportation, and was mustered out of the service at Raleigh, N. C, August 28, 1865. In 1867 he was appointed assistant surgeon in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army, subsequently promoted to the grade of surgeon, and remained in the army until his death in 1876. Dr. Norman L. Snow was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 153d N. Y. Volunteers, August 23, 1862, was promoted surgeon of the same regiment March 10, 1864, and mustered out of service with his regiment October 2, 1865. Doctor Snow served with Sheridan in the Shenandoah, in the Red River expedition under Banks, and during the latter part of the war was health officer of the district of Savannah. After the war he resumed practice in his native locality, Canajoharie. In 1875 he became the associate of Doctor Vander Veer at Albany, was a member of the medical and surgical staff of the Albany Hospital, a curator of the college, and was president of the Board of Aldermen at the time of his death in December, 1885. CHARLES H. PORTER, M. D. (b'^^ I 179 Dr. Albert Vander Veer entered the service early in 1861 as a medi- cal cadet. He was one of the original corps of one hundred medical cadets appointed in the U. S. army and was assigned to duty at the Columbia College Hospital at Washington. January 3, 1863, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 66th New York Vols., promoted to surgeon of the same regiment July 29, 1864, and mustered out of service August 31, 1865. Doctor Vander Veer is actively and prominently en- gaged in the practice of his profession at Albany. He is a member of the college faculty and dean of the faculty, also attending and consult- ing surgeon on the hospital staff and a Regent of the University. He is prominent as a citizen, eminent as a surgeon and a liberal contribu- tor to the literature of his profession. Dr. A. B Huested entered the service as hospital steward of the 113th N. Y. Volunteers (7th Heavy Artillery) early in 1862. March 21st, 1804, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 21st N. Y. Cavalry, was promoted to surgeon October 15, 1865, and remained in service to the close of the war. He returned to Albany, is engaged in the drug business and is a member of the faculty of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. George H. Newcomb was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 113th N. Y. Volunteers August 15, 1862, was promoted to surgeon of the same regiment February 18, 1805, and mustered out of service June 6, 1865, at Federal Hill, Md. At the close of the war he resumed practice at Albany. Dr. George T. Stevens was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 77th N. Y. Volunteers October 8, 1861, was promoted to surgeon of the same regiment February 16, 1863, and mustered out of service with the field and staff of his regiment December 13, 1865. Doctor Stevens is a contributor to the surgical history of the rebellion and author of "Three Years With the Sixth Corps." He practiced in Al- bany for many years after the war, contributed largely to the litera- ture of his specialty, ophthalmology, and removed to New York city in 1881. Dr. P. M. Murphy was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 134th N. Y. Volunteers March 30, 1864, was promoted to surgeon of the 89th N. Y. Volunteers June 20, 1805, but not mustered as such. He accom- panied .Sherman on the March to the Sea, and at the close of the war returned to Albany and engaged in the drug business. Doctor Murphy died at Albany June, 1894. 180 Dr. Alexander A. Edmeston was commissioned assistant surgeon 18th N. Y. Volunteers, May 17, 1861, and resigned September 25, 1862. He again entered the service as surgeon of the 92d N. Y. Vol- unteers October 7, 1S63, and resigned his commission December 2, 1864. He resumed practice at Albany and died from the results of disease contracted in the service. Dr. Frank J. Mattimore was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 18th N. Y. Volunteers, August 11, 1862, and mustered out of service with his regiment May 21, 186:5. He died a few months after his re- turn from disease contracted in the service. Dr. Wesley Blaisdell was practicing at Coeymans. Was appointed assistant surgeon of the 113th Regiment N. Y. Vols., later the 7th Heavy Artiller)', August 15, 1862, and resigned September 29 of the same year. He again entered the service as assistant surgeon of the 75th N. Y. Vols. November 15, 1862, and resigned July 4, 1863. Dr. Blaisdell died at Newbern, N. C, in 1864. Dr. Cornelius B. O'Leary was commissioned surgeon of the 25th mih- tia regiment May 31, 1861, to serve three months and was mustered with his regiment September 8 of the same year. September 12, 1862, Dr. O'Leary was appointed assistant surgeon of the 175th New York Vols, and was discharged, by resignation, January 16, 1863. He was commissioned surgeon of the 175th N. Y. Vols. January 17, 1863, mus- tered into service the same day, and discharged from the service Sep- tember 19, 1863. Was recommissioned assistant surgeon of the same regiment October 17, 1864, but not mustered into service. Dr. O'Leary resumed practice at Albany and died in 1877. Dr. Warren Van Steenberg was commissioned assistant surgeon 1st N. Y. Vol. Infantry December 3, 1861, and was discharged Sep- tember 30, 1862, to accept promotion as surgeon 55th N. Y. Vols, and was discharged from the regiment December 22, 1862, by reason of consolidation. Dr. Van Steenberg again entered the service as surgeon of the 120th N. Y. Vols April 27, 1863, and was mustered out with his regiment June 3, 1865. After the war he resumed practice at Cohoes, N. Y. He died in 1880. Dr. P. L. F. Reynolds was commissioned assistant surgeon 16th N. Y. Volunteers September 22, 1862, and was discharged from the service on surgeon's certificate of disability at Folly Island, S. C, December 13, 1863. In March, 1865, he was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the 94th X. Y. Volunteers but was not mustered. He resumed prac- 181 tice at Albany, subsequently removed to Oneida, Madison county, N. Y., where he died. April, 1887. Dr. William H. Craig was commissioned surgeon of the 177th N. Y. Volunteers October 11, 1863, and mustered out with his regiment Sep- tember 10, 1863. He resumed practice in Albany. He was U. S. pension examining surgeon from 1865 to 1877, when he was appointed postmaster of Albany. Dr. Craig took an active interest in all matters pertaining to public improvements. He was a patriotic soldier, hon- ored and esteemed as a citizen and a trusted physician. Dr. Craig died in October, 1889. Dr. Jeptha R. Boulware was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 177th regiment N. Y. Volunteers November 5, 1862, and mustered out with his regiment December 10, 1863. After the war he was surgeon of the 10th Regiment and surgeon of the 9th brigade of the National Guard of the State of New York. Dr, Boulware was a prominent physician. He was surgeon on the staff of St. Peter's Hospital For several years prior to his death he was a victim of disease contracted in the service. He died October, 1887. Dr. Henry R. Haskins was commissioned surgeon of the 192d N. Y. \'olunteers February 1, 1865, and was mustered out of service August 28 of the same year. He practiced in Albany until his death in 1884. Was professor of anatomy on the faculty of the Albany Medical College and promiijent as a surgeon. Dr. Oscar H. Young was commissioned assistant surgeon of the r77th N. Y. Volunteers November 6, 1862, and was mustered out of service with his regiment September 10. 1863. He resumed practice in Albany and subsequently removed to Michigan. Dr. Thomas Beckett was enrolled as surgeon's mate of the 25th N. Y. State Militia May 21, 1862, and mustered out with his regiment vSeptember 8 of the same year October -4, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 175th N. Y. \'ols. and resigned from the service Jane 11, 18f>:5. In 18G5 he was appointed acting assisting snrgeon U. vS. A. and assigned to duty at the Ira Harris Hospital, sfrsing to the close of the war. Dr. Beckett resumed practice at Albany. He never fully re- covered his health, undermined by arduous duties during the campaign in Louisiana, and died in 1895. Dr. Charles P. Staats was commissioned assistant surgeon 67th N. Y. Volunteers January 21, 1863, and mustered out of service with his regi- ment July i, 1S64. Dr. Staats resumed the practice of his profession at Albany. He died in 1884. 182 To complete this honorable list it is just to record the names of phj'sicians from this city and county who served the country in its time of need but were not assigned to regimental organizations, and also to name those whose valuable services are mentioned in official reports and whose labors are entitled to recognition. The act of April 10, 1861, authorizing the enrollment of 30,000 volunteers in this State, necessitated prompt and energetic action on the part of the chiefs of departments to properly equip and provide for this large volunteer force that was rapidly being concentrated at the designated rendezvous. Efficient organization to provide for the physical examination of re- cruits, quarters for the sick and disabled, and medical attendants was demanded. The qualification of candidates for the position of surgeon and assistant-surgeon was to be determined. The position of surgeon- general, which up to this time was only complimentary, became active and responsible. Dr. Alexander A. Hoff was appointed medical inspector of the military rendezvous at Albany. He served in this capacity until May 15, 1861, when he was relieved to accept the position as surgeon of the 3d N. Y. Vols. Dr. Hoff was succeeded by Dr. Mason F. Cogs- well, who faithfully performed the duties of medical inspector until the completion of the levy. Drs. John Swinburne. Alden March, and Howard Townsend volunteered their services in attending the sick and disabled soldiers, who, under contract with the managers, were ad- mitted to the Albany Hospital. In accordance with authority from the commander-in-chief, Surgeon-General Vanderpoel, on April 19, 1861, appointed Drs. Alden March, Thomas Hun, and Mason F. Cogs- well of this city, a commission for the examination of candidates for the position of surgeon and assistant surgeon of the volunteer regi- ments from this State. Dr. John "\'. Lansing was named as secretary, and Dr. Joseph Lewi was added to the commission as an adjunct mem- ber. Four hundred and sixty-eight applicants were examined by this board. Of this number two hundred and twenty eight qualified as surgeons, and one hundred and sixty-seven as assistant surgeons. This commission remained in service until December 10, 1861. Many of the best minds in the profession from this city tendered their ser- vices and were assigned to duty in camp, field, and hospitals. Dr. Mason F. Cogswell was surgeon in charge of a post hospital and served as a volunteer surgeon in the Army of the Potomac in 1862. In 1863 Dr. Cogswell, in connection with Dr. Thomas Hun, inspected for the Christian Commission, the military hospitals of the west and 183 southwest. Dr. Alden March, at the time professor of surgerv at the Albany Medical College, devoted much of his time to the care of the sick and wounded inmates of the Soldiers' Home located at Albany. Dr. John V. Lansing was appointed acting assistant surgeon and as- signed to duty as examiner of recruits at the Albany barracks. Dr. Henry March, son of Alden March, was commissioned assistant sur- geon of volunteers in 1862 and assigned to hospital duty at Fortress ]\Ionroe and at Fredericksburg, \'a. Dr. William H. Bailey, a prom- inent physician of Alban}', was commissioned as surgeon of volunteers and assigned to duty at Washington, D. C, and in field hospitals of the Army of the Potomac. Dr. John Swinburne served at the recruit- ing rendezvous at Albany from 1861 to 1862. Dr. Swinburne was also a member of the corps of volunteer surgeons assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac during the peninsular campaign in 1802. In connection with Drs. Willard, Cogswell, and Lansing, he was di- rected by the medical director of the Army of the Potomac to estalilish a field hospital on the Pamunkey River at a point known as the White House, and remained in charge of this hospital until he was appointed acting assistant surgeon U. S. A. and assigned to duty as surgeon in charge of field hospital at Savage Station, Ya. Dr. James H. Armsby was one of the attending surgeons at the Soldiers' Home in this city. Drs. Levi Moore, James L. Babcock, Ira Delamater, and A. P. Ten Eyck, men esteemed by the community and respected as physicians, largely assisted in caring for the sick and wounded soldiers confined in hospital and barracks. Dr. Samuel H. Freeman, still active in the profession, served as an attending physician at the Soldiers' Home. Physicians who performed military service other than professional were Dr. O. D. Ball, who enlisted November 1, 1861, and was mustered as sergeant of Co. M, 3d Artillery, N. Y. Vols., December 9, of the same year. Doctor Ball was promoted 3d lieutenant of Co. I, May 21, 1864. February 14, 1865, was advanced to 1st lieutenant and mustered out of service with his company July 7, 1865. After the close of the war Doctor Ball practiced medicine in Otsego county, N. Y. In 1874 he removed to Albany and is still actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Doctor Ball is a member of the State Medical Societv and ex-president of the County Medical Society, Dr. Edward E. Brown was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Co. K. 5th Artillery, X. Y. Vols., September 21, 1862, was promoted captain January 30, 1863, and resigned his commission May 3, 1865. Doctor 184 Brown is a graduate of the Albany Medical College, practiced his pro- fession in the town of Bethlehem and at Albany and removed to Massachusetts. Dr. Ezra A. Bartlett enlisted as a private in the 4th U. S. Artillery in lS6o. He served with the Army of the Cumberland and Tennessee, participating in many engagements and was wounded at Pulaski, Tenn., in Januar}-, 1865. In 1866 he was honorably discharged from the ser- vice and completed his collegiate education. After graduating he stud- ied medicine at th; Albany Medical College and began the practice of his profession at Albany. Doctor Bartlett is a lecturer at the Albany Medical College, a member of the staff of the Albany Hospital and a contributor to the literature of his profession. Dr. Frederick C. Curtis was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 40th Regi- ment Wisconsin Vols., May 17, 18(i4, and was discharged on the 16th of September of same year by reason of expiration of term of enlist- ment. His regiment, mainly recruited from colleges and academies, Doctor Curtis at the time being in his sophomore year at Beloit Col- lege, served in the defenses of Memphis, Tenn., and participated in the engagement defending the city against the raid of General Forrest. Doctor Curtis is active in the profession, is a member of the .State Board of Health, connected with the college faculty and hospital staff, and since 1888 has been secretary of the New York State Medical Society. Dr. John H. Wilbur at the outbreak of the Rebellion was a student of medicine registered with Dr. J. D. Wheeler, West Fulton, Scho- harie county, X. Y. He enlisted as a private in Co. C, 44th N. Y. Vols., August ^2 1861, and was discharged for disability May ,5, 1863. After leaving the army he resumed the study of medicine and was graduated from the Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1864. Doctor Wilbur practiced medicine at West Fulton for three years, removed to Oak Hill, Greene county, N. Y., where he remained four years. In 1874 he settled in the city of Cohoes and practiced his profession until his death March 20, 1896. The passage of the act of March 18, 1806, authorizing the formation of medical societies, marked the beginning of a new era in the profes- sion Previous to that date physicians had been free to begin practice when and where they saw fit. The result, as has been seen, was to de- grade the noble profession. The ignorant pretender, in many localities, stood upon substantially the same footing as regarded success in ob- taining patients, with the skilled and educated man. The field was 185 overrun with (juacks of all kinds and who based their claims to business upon all manner of pretenses. The time was sure to arrive when rep- utable physicians would adopt measures for self protection, which would serve to sepai-ate them from the army of disreputable practi- tioners. Dr. Thomas Hun wrote in 1844 that : "Quackery must be suppressed, not by legislation, but by enlightening public opinion of its dangers. The respectability of our profession is to be promoted, not by asking for legal privileges, but by an increase of individual zeal and co-operation." That was written nearly forty years after medical societies came into existence and indicates what must have been the conditions of the profession at a much earlier period. It has frequently been placed on record that the Albany County Med- ical Society is the oldest medical society in the State. This is an error. The date of its organization was July 39, 1806, at which date there were five other county medical societies in existence, all of which ex- cepting that of Columbia county, were, however, organized in the same month with the Albany County Society. This society has been one of the most persistently active in the State, and has met with regularity. It has been instrumental in contending against local epidemics and un- sanitary conditions, its advice having been frequently sought by the mayor and council of Albany. Its discipline over unprofessional mem- bers has been both strict and just, and it has been more than generous in perpetuating the memory of its deceased members in printed biogra- phies and in the publication of its own proceedings. Following is a chronological list of the members of this society from its organization, with the year of graduation, and other details; Chronological List of the Medical Society of the County of Albany from rrs Organization, with Year of Admission and Place of Graduation — The Living Resident Members are Indicated by a Star*. 1806, Hunloke Woodruff, New York city, died 1811, aged 56; William McClelland, Edinburgh, died 18r.2, aged 43; Charles D. Townsend, Columbia College, medical department, 180'3, died 1847, aged 70; John G. Knauff, probably in Germany, died 1810; Elias Willard, Boston, died 1827, aged 71; Wilhelmus Mancius, studied med- icine with his father. Rev, G. W. Mancius, 1758, died 1808, aged 70: William Ander- son, LTniversity of Pennsylvania, died 1811, aged 40; Joseph W. Hegeman, Prince- ton, died 1837, aged Go; Cornelius Vrooman, jr.. University of Penrisylvania, died 1811, aged 30; Alexander G. Fonda, licensed 1806, died 1869, aged 84; Caleb Gauff, Bethlehem ; Augustus Harris, licensed by Supreme Court, 1800, died 1857, aged 81 ; Augustus F. R. Taylor, University of Pennsylvania, 1804, died 1841, aged 58. 1807, Peter Wendell, University of Pennsylvania, 1807, died 1849, aged 64; Jacob L. Van Deusen, Regent's degree, 1806, resigned 1825. 186 1808, Archibald H. Adams. Universit)- of Edinburgh, died 1811, aged 43; Charles D. Cooper, New York, died 1831, aged 63; Isaac Hyde, probably licensed, died 1833, aged 61 ; James Low, University of Edinburgh, 1807, died 1823, aged 40. 1809, Simon Veeder, licentiate of this society, 1807, died 1860, aged 72. 1810, William Bay, Columbia College, Medical Department, 1797, died 1865, aged 93; Jonathan Eights, certificate of two physicians, died 1848, aged 75; John Stearns, University of Pennsylvania, died 1848, aged 65. 1811, T. Roraeyn Beck, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1811. died 1855, aged 64. 1812, Jonathan Johnson, licentiate of this society, 1812, died 1860, aged 75; Eras- tus Williams, -licentiate Vermont State Society, 1800, died 1843, aged 69. Peter iJe Lamater, studied medicine, 1794, died 1849, aged 77. 1813, Enoch Cheney; Oliver Lathrop, studied with Dr. White, of Cherry Valley, died 1824, aged 57. 1816, Moses Brownell, died March 12, 1879, aged 90; Richard Brownell, filed diploma with county clerk. 1816, removed to Rhode Island; Samuel Freeman, Dart- mouth, removed to Saratoga, died 1862; George Upfold, jr.. College Physicians and Surgeons, 1816, died 1872, aged 76; Plat! Williams, Columbia College, Medical De- partment, 1810, died 1870, aged 86; Joel A. Wing, licentiate Montgomery County Society, 1811, died 1852, aged 65. 1817, Thomas J. Gibbons, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1817, died 1819, aged 22. 1819, William Humphreys, College Physicians and Surgeons; 1819, died 1826, aged 31; Charles Martin, licentiate of this society, 1818; Ashbel S. Webster, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1840, aged 44; Caleb Woodward, soon left the city. 1820, John James, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1859, aged 70; Robert Viets, died 1853. 1831, Moses Clement, licentiate of New Hampshire State Society, 1807; died 1831, aged 51. Henry B. Hallenbeck, licentiate of this society ; died 1825, aged 29. Ly- man Spalding, died 1841, aged 46. Barent P. Staats, licentiate New York State Medical Society, 1817; died 1871, aged 74. Samuel S. Treat. College Physicians and Surgeons, 1821 ; died 1832, aged 33. Peter Van O' Linda, licentiate New York State Medical Society, 1820; died 1872, aged 75. Christopher C. Yates, licensed by Su- preme Court, 1803; died 1848, aged 70. 1832, Valentine Dennick, licentiate of this society, 1822, date of birth and death not known. 1833, John W. Bay, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1877, aged 76 ; Lewis C. Beck, licentiate of this society, 1818, died 1853, aged 55; Alden March, Brown University, 1830, died 1869, aged 73. 1824, Michael Freligh, licensed by civil process, died 1853, aged 83. 1835, Rensselaer Gansevoort, College Pyhsicians and Surgeons, 1834, died 1838, aged 35; John W. Hinckley, licentiate of this society, 1825," died 1860, aged 57. 1836, Charles E. Burrows; David W. Houghtaling, licensed 1833, died 1839, aged 33. 1837, Hazael Kane, licentiate of this society, 1833, died at Nassau ; Henry Van O'Linda, licentiate of Montgomery County Society, 1836, died 1846, aged 41. 187 1838, James P. Boyd, University of Pennsylvania, 1825, died May 10, 1881, aged 77; James M. Brown, licentiate of this society, 1835, died 1854, aged .50; Elisha S. Burton, Berkshire Medical College, 1827, died 1873; *Benjamin B. Fredenburg, licentiate Columbia County Society, 1819; Samuel Humpfreys, licentiate State So- ciety, 1821, died in Liberia, 1832, aged 30; Edward A. Leonard, Yale College, Med- ical Department, 1837, died 1837, aged 31 ; Michael Malone, licentiate State Society, 1836, died 1844, aged 46; James McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1816, died 1874. aged 78; Peter McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1835, died 1875, aged 75; William Noble, removed to Albion, Orleans county; Peter B. Nrfxou, licentiate of this society, 1834, died April, 1883, aged 86; Peter P. Staats, licentiate State So- ciety, 1825, died 1874, aged 71; William Tulley, licentiate Connecticut State Society, 1810, died 1859, aged 74; Henry Van Antwerp, licentiate State Society, 1835, died 1859, aged 57; Luke Wellington, Berkshire Medical College, 1835, removed; Asa Burbank, Berkshire Medical College, 1833. died 1833. 1829, -Ebram T. Bigelow, Fairfield Medical College, died about 1868; Henry Green, Fairfield Medical College, 1814, died 1844, aged 54; Isaac Hempstead, licentiate of this society, 1837, died 1852, aged 48 ; Augustus F. Lawyer, Fairfield Medical Col- lege, died March 27, 1883, aged 75; Solomon Lincoln, licentiate State Society, 1829, removed; Nicholas Markay, died; Francis N. Selkirk, licentiate of this society, 1829, died 1849, aged 40; John Styles, removed to New York city; Benjamin Van Zandt, died; James Wade, licentiate Schenectady County Society, 1812, died 1867, aged 78; Nanning V. Win-ne, Yale Medical School, IsiN, (Wed 1>!58. aged 51. 1S;^0, Henry Bronson, removed to New Haven, Conn, ; Jdiuithan H. Case, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died 1865, aged 58; Obadiah Crosby, m New York, 1828, died 1838, aged 38; Vernor Cuyler, licentiate State Society, 1833, removed; David- son; Thomas Hun, Univensity of Pennsylvania, 1830, Albany, died June 33, 1896, aged 86; James S. Low, died; David McLachlan, University of Glasgow, 1839, died 1858, aged 55; Richard Murphy, licentiate State Society, 1830; William O'Donnell, removed to New York city; William Pearce; Alva W. Rockwell, Berkshire Medical College, 1830, died 1837, aged 41 ; Nelson Rusk, licentiate Chautauqua County So- ciety, at Stuyvesant. N. Y. ; Samuel Shaw, removed to Massachusetts; Guy Spald- ing, died 1854, aged 75; John F. Townsend, University of Pennsylvania, 1830, died 1874, aged 65. 1831, David R Burrus, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, removed to Saratoga county, 1859; Hiram Christie; Lansing Cory; Darius Coy, removed to Cobleskill ; Palmer C. Dorr, licentiate of this society, 1834, died 1840, aged 43 ; Richard J. Dusen- bury. removed to Chicago; Edward W. Ford, University of Pennsylvania, 1831, died 1875, aged 45; Ten Eyck Gansevoort, University of Pennsylvania, 1835, died 1843, aged 40; Lewis B. Gregory. Fairfield Medical College, 1830, died 1838, aged 30; Abraham Groesbeck, removed to Chicago, 111.; Ammond Hammond, Vermont Academy of Medicine, died 1849, aged 46; Alson J. Hallenbake. licentiate State So- ciety, 1831, died 1846, aged 38; Carroll Humphrey, University of Pennsylvania, died at Calcutta, 1834, aged 39; E. A. Lacey ; David Springsteed, licentiate of this so- ciety, 1830, died March 36, 1894, aged 86; Luther M. Tracey ; John T. Van Alstyne. Fairfield Medical College, 1833,- died 1876, aged 76; Leonard G. Warren. Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1836, died 1866, aged 63. 1832, Jarvis Barney, died 1838, aged 33: Stephen D. Hand, Berkshire Medical Col- 188 lege, 1831 ; Josiah W. Lay, licentiate Greene County Medical Society, 1816 died 1803, aged 71 ; Piatt Wickes, removed. 1833, Levarette Moore, Berkshire Medical College, 1839, removed to Ballston ; Van Denmark. 1834, James H. Armsby, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1883, died 1875, aged 06; Frederick Crounse, Albany county ; Samuel Dickson, licentiate State Society, 1839, died 1858. aged 51; N. L. Hungerford, licensed 1830, died 1839, aged 34; We.stley Newcomb, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, removed to Ithaca; William G. Radcliff, removed to Philadelphia; Bernard Sabalis, returned to Holland; Sidney Sawyer, removed to Chicago, 111. ; Herman Wendell, College Physicians and Sur- geons, 1833, died 1881, aged 73. 1837, William F. Carter, Dartmouth Medical College. 1834. died 1866, aged 54; M. A. Grant, removed to Connecticut ; Francis W. Priest, left city after short residence ; J. B. Rossraan,. Fairfield Medical College, 1839, died December 33, 1883, aged 77; Edward O. Sewall, removed to Canada; John H. Trotter, licensed to practice, died 1801, aged 48; John Van Buren, University of the City of New York, died 1856, aged 48 ; Alexander Van Rensselaer, removed to New York city. 1839, John Babcock, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1838, died March 13, 1879, aged 65; John Van Alstyne, died at sea, 1844; Peter Van Buren, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1873, aged 71; John Wilson, Fan-field Medical College (?), died 1877. 1840, Mason F. Cogswell, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1804, aged 54; Otis Jenks, licensed by State Society, 1840, died 1854, aged 55. 1841, John O. Flagler, died December 17, 1883; E. B. O'Callaghan, licentiate State Society, 1841; died 1880, aged 80; Charles H. Payne, removed to Saratoga; U. H. Wheeler, died in Brooklyn. 1843, Selah B. Fish, Berkshire Medical College, 1841, removed from the county. 1844, John Campbell, Albany Medical College, 1843; entered United States army in 1847; C. E. Dayton; Patrick Gannon, in New York, died 1854, aged 74; David Martin, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died 1853, aged 53; William J. Young, re- moved. 1845, Uriah G. Bigelow, Albany Medical College, 1843, died 1878, aged 53; Chris- topher C. Griffin, licentiate of this society, 1843, died 1856, aged 41 ; Edward Perry, University of New York, died at the age of 43; J. V. P. Quackenbush, Albany Med- ical College, 1843, died in 1876, aged 57; Richard H. Thompson, Albany Medical College, 1843, died 1864. 1846, Isaiah Breakey, Royal College of Surgeqns, Dublin, 1816, died 1848, aged 59 ; *Samuel H. Freeman. Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany. 1847, Henry B. McHarg, Albany Medical College, 1847, died 1848, aged 33; Ben- jamin A. Sheldon, Albany Medical College, 1847, died September 10, 1864, aged 39; John Swinburne, Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany, died March 38, 1889, aged 65 ; C. C. Waller, left the city, 1855. 1848, Edward H. Clarke. Albany Medical College, 1848, removed to Buffalo; Henry B. Fay, Albany Medical College, 1843, removed to New York city; WiUiam Geoghegan, Royal College Surgeons, Dublin, 1837, died 1877. aged 83; Alexander W .McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1848, died January 7, 1865, aged 36; Paul Todd Taber, Albany Medical College, 1848, died 1851, aged 35; Howard Townsend, 189 Albany Medical College, 1846; died January 15, 1867, aged 44; Sylvester D. Willard, Albany Medical College, 1848, 'died April 3, 18G.5, aged 40. 1849, David Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1847; died 1875, aged 55. 1850, Abram H. McKown, Albany Medical College, 18451 died 1853, aged 33; Thomas H. Neeley, Albany Medical College, 1850, died 1851, aged 35; Jacob Rein- hart, Heidelberg and Gottingen, 1847, died 1800, aged 35; James H. Sallisbury, Al- bany Medical College, 1850, removed to New York city; Augustus Viele, Fairfield Medical College, 1837, died February 13, 1883; AlonzoG. Westervelt, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed to Durham, Greene county. 1851, James L. Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1850, died February 13, 1881, aged 58; J. R. Bullock, Fairfield Medical College, 1836, Albany county ; Ira M. De Lamater, Albany Medical College, 1850, died September, 1864, aged 45; David E. Fonda, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died January 13, 1883, aged 66; Will- iam A. Hawley, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Syracuse; Charles D. Marsh, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed" from the city; William B. Sims, Al- bany Medical College, died October 18, 1881 ; S. O. Van Der Poel, JeiTerson Medical College, 1845, removed to New York 1881, died Macrh 12, 1886; I. N. Wyckoff, Al- bany Medical College, 1853, never practiced medicine, died. 1853, F. L. R. Chapin, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Glens Falls, died April 10,1889, aged 65 ; Samuel Ingraham, Albany Medical College, 1849, removed to Palmyra; *Joseph Lewi, University of Vienna, 1847, Albany; Levi Moore, Albany Medical College, 1851, died June 30, 1880, aged 53; Henry F. Spencer, Albany Medical College, 1853, died at sea, 1863, aged 36. 1853, Hiram A. Edmonds. Albany Medical College, 1858, died 1857, aged 39; Henry March, Albany Medical College, 1853, died May 7, 1886; J. H. Scoon, Albany Medical College, 1849, died July 23, 1880, aged 54; John P. Witbeck, Albany Medical College, 1852. died 1873, aged 44; Harvey B. Wilbur, Berkshire Medical College, 1843, removed to Syracuse. 1854, *WilliamH. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; William H. Craig, Albany Medical College, Albany, 1853, died October 4, 1889; Charles Devol, Fairfield Medical College, 1831, Albany, died March 5, 1894; Alexander H. Hoff, Jefferson Medical College, 1843, died 1876, aged 55; S. P. Uline, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 18.52, removed to Lovifville. 1855, Stephen J. W. Tabor, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1841, removed to Iowa; Daniel Wasserbach, University of Hague, 1843, died September 11, 1880, aged 66. 1850, Frederick C. Adams, Albany Medical College, 1847, died 1862, aged 40; Amos Fowler, University of New York. 1846, Albany, died October 23, 1895; *Henry G. McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1856. Albany; Staats Winne, Albany Medical College, 1851, died May 30, 1880, aged 53. 1857, O. C. Alexander, Albany Medical College, 1854, Albany; *Hiram Crounse, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1847. Albany; *George H. Newcomb, Albany Medical College, 1855, Albany ; William C. Rodgers, Albany Medical College, 1854, died 1860 aged 30; *A. Shiland, Albany Medical College, 1853, West Troy; John I. Swart, Ablany Medical College, 1853, died November 24, 1878, at Schoharie, aged 47 ; Alfred Wands, Albany Medical College, 1845, died 1870, aged 48. 1858, John H. Becker, Albany Medical College, 1853, died 1873, aged 45; *H. S. 190 Case, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; Alex. A. Edmeston, Albany Medical College, 1853, died 1871, aged 42; Thomas Helme, Albany Medical College, 1854, McKownsville, Albany county, died March 17, 1889; Milton M. Lamb, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1856, removed to Lansingburgh, 1873; J. J. Myers, Albany Medical College, 1857, Albany; James E. Pomfret, Albany Medical College, 1858- died February 33, 1869, aged 43; Leroy McLean, Albany Medical College, 1855, re- moved to Troy; George Steinart, University of New York, 1855, removed to New York city; Andrew Wilson, licentiate Columbia County Society, died 1871, aged 56. ^ 1859, *Charles H. Porter, Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany; R. S. McMurdy, Albany Medical College, 1847, removed to Minneapolis. 1873; R. H. Sabin, Albany Medical College, 1856, West Troy, died December 4, 1888; *Charles H. Smith, Al- bany Medical College, 1859, Albany; Thomas Smith, Albany Medical College, 1845, died 1862; Charles P. Staats, Albany Medical College, 1853, died April 16. 1884, aged 53; Oscar H. Young, Albany Medical College, 1858, removed to Michigan. 1860, Joseph Atherley, died 1864; J. R. Boulware, Albany Medical College, 1859, died October 17, 1887 ; William B. Chambers, Albany Medical College, 1858, re- moved to Fulton county; A. S. Harlow, Albany Medical College, 1859, removed from the county; Washington Kilmer, Albany Medical College, 1860, removed to Florida; John V. Lansing, New York Medical College, 1854, died May 9, 1880, aged 56; Martin L. Mead, Albany Medical College, removed to Ohio, 1871; J. W. Moore, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1850, Cohoes, died 1886; Cornelius D. Mosher, Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany, died September 26. 1890; Joseph N. North- rop, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, died September 17, 1878, aged 61; John Sheriff, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed; J. I. Welch, Albany Medical College, 1859, died June 23, 1878, aged 54. 1861, Wesley Blaisdell, Castleton, Vt., died 1864, aged 49; Frank G. Mosher, Al- bany Medical College, 1848, died September 22, 1894. 1863, Thomas Beckett, Albany Medical College, 1861, died January 8, 1896; Asahel Burt, jr., Albany Medical College, 1868, removed; Henry R. Haskins, Albany Medical College, 1861, died March 31, 1883, aged 48; J. D. Havens, Albany Medical College, 1861, died February 13, 1875, aged 40; Frank J. Mattimore, Albany Medical College, 1860 died 1863, aged 29; F. B. Pannele, Albany Medical College, 1843, died January, 1883, aged 68. 18G3, John F. Crounse, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1872. 1S64, Stephen Johnson, Albany Medical College, 1849, resigned 1875; Jacob S. Mosher, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany, died August 13, 1883, aged 49; C. B. O'Leary, Albany Medical College, 1860, died 1877, aged 38; H. W. Steenberg, Fair- field Medical College, 1837, Green Island, died 1893; Silas P. Wright, Albany Medical College, 1683, removed. 1865, Gideon H. Armsby, Albany Medical College, 1864, died November 20, 1881 aged 39; Myron Knowlton, Castleton, Vt., 1837, removed to Rochester; P. L. F. Reynolds, Albany Medical College, 1861, died April, 1887, Albany; Charles A. Robertson, Jefferson Medical College, 1853, died April 1, 1880, aged 51; William Sigsbee, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1852, removed to Illinois; *Ezekiel Mulford Wade, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, Watervliet. 1866, Charles S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1864, Rensselaer county ; *Herman Bendell, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany; John Ferguson, Vermont Academy 191 of Medicine, 1836, died 1874, aged 62; Michael Gilligaiiv removed ; George T. Stevens, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1857, removed to New York city ; Gustavus Treskatis, Albany Medical College, 1865, removed to New York city; *Albert Van der Veer, National Medical College (Med. Dep. Columbia Col.. Washington), 1863, Albany; Warner Van Steenberg, University of Vermont (Med. Dep.). 1856, died at Cohoes, May 3, 1880, aged 48. 1867, James S. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, died July 1,1883, aged 53; -A. De Graff, Albany Medical College, 1858, Guilderland ;-*Alfred B. Huested, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany; John R. Gregory, Albany Medical College, 1858, re- moved to Trumansburg; Edward R. Hun, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1866, died March 14, 1880, aged 38; James F. McKown, Albany Medical College, 1866, Al- bany, died August 25, 1892; P. M. Murphy, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany, died June, 1894; *D. V. O'Leary, Albany Medical College, 1866, Albany. 1868, L. M. Dunkelmeyer, removed to Cincinnati, O. ; Alexander McDonald, died 1877, aged 33; *John Thompson, Uni^^ersity of New York, 1868, Albany; Richard D. Traver, St. Louis Medical College, 1869, removed to Troy, N. V. : *C. E. Wit- beck, Albany Medical College, 1866, Cohoes. 1869, *Hiram Becker, Albany Medical College, 1864, New Salem ; Daniel M. Stim- son. College Physicians and Surgeons, 1868, removed to New York city, 1871. 1870, *John M. Bigelow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany; J. Myers Briggs, Albany Medical College, 1869, died 1874, aged 29; Thomas D. Crothers Al- bany Medical College, 1865, removed to Hartford, Conn. *J. R. Davidson, Albany Medical College, 1869, South Bethlehem; Eustis H. Davis, Albany Medical College, 1854, removed toWatkins; *J. D. Featherstonhaugh, College Physicians and Sur- geons, 1870, Cohoes; H. D. Losee, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1874, aged 35; William Morgan, Albany Medical College, 1869, Albany, resigned 1883; William H. T. Reynolds, College of Physicians and. Surgeons, 1870, Albany, died 1894; *Charles F. Scattergood, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany ; A. P. Ten Eyck, Albany Medical College, 1866, Rensselaer county, died February 4, 1893. 1871, L. R. Boyce, licentiate Otsego County Society, 1862, resigned 1877; Orson F. Cobb, Albany Medical College, 1868, West Troy, suspended 1876 ; P. J. C. Golding, re- moved to Massachus^jtts; *L. C. B. Graveline, Albany Medical College, 1862, Al- bany; *Lorenzo Hale, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany; K. V. R. Lansingh, jr., Albany Medical College, 1870, died April 13, 1879; *William H. Murray, Albany Medical College, 1869, Albany; E. B. Tefft, Buffalo Medical College, 1864, removed; Barnabas Wood, University of Nashville, 1852, died 1875, aged 56. 1873, *Frederick C. Curtis, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany; Isaac De Zouche. Albany Medical College, 1869, removed to Gloversville, 1875; *Williara Hailes, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ;S. A. Ingham, Albany Medi- cal College, 1871, removed to Little Falls; J. H. Lagrange, Albany Medical College, 1871, removed to Columbia county; J. H. Lasher, Albany Medical College, 1871, died 1873, aged 35; Caleb Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1871, removed to New York city; Philip J. Maguire, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1871 removed to Brooklyn ; *B. U. Steenberg, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ; *John Ben Stonehouse, Al- bany Medical College. 1871, Albany ; *Willis G. Tucker, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany; *Eugeue Van Slyke, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany; R. H. Stark- 193 weather, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany, died Novembers?. 1890; *G. L. Ull- man, Albany Medical College, 1871, Alban)'. 1873, Alraon S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Pittstield, Mass. ; *John U. Haynes, Albany Medical College, 1879, Cohoes ; *Joseph H. Blatner, Albany Medical College, 1873, Albany; George A. Jones, Albany Medical College, 1869, died 1875; James C. Harinan, University of New York, 1878, removed to Hoosick Falls, 1881; *James P. Boyd, jr., College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1871, Albany; Frank Garbutt, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Mechanicsville; *C. E. Seger, Albany Medical College, 1863. Adams Station ; *Patrick E. Fennelly, Albany Medical College, 1869, West Troy ; *Octavius H. E. Clarke, McGill University, Mo-ntreal, 1870, Cohoes; Alfred L. Wands, Albany Medical College, 1869, removed. 1874, *J. L. Archambeault, Laval University, Quebec, 1870, Cohoes; *Lewis Balch, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany: *0. D. Ball, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1867, Albany; George H. Benjamin, Albany Medical College, 1872, re- moved; L. Doubrias (De Morat), Victoria University, Montreal, 1870, Cohoes, died July 33, 1894; C. E. Buffinton, Albany Medical College, 1874, West Troy ; *Daniel K. Cook, Albany Medical College, 1873, Albany; Herman C. Evarts, Albany Medi- cal College, 1878, removed to Carthage, N. Y. ; James A. Hart, College Physi- cians and Surgeons, 1873. removed to Colorado about 1877; William W. MacGregor, Albany Medical College, 1873, removed to Glens Falls; *Cyrus S. Merrill, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1871, Albany; Linzee T. Morrill, Albanjr Medical College, 1873, removed; *Nelson Monroe, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1840, Green Island; *George W. Papen, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; *A. T. Van Vranken, Albany Medical College, 1873, West Troy; Felix Weidman, Albany Medical College, 1847. Westerlo, died September 10, 1895. 1875, *Harvey W. Bell, Albany Medical College, 1866, removed to East Albany ; *Mary Du Bois, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1871, Albany; Harris I. Fellows, Albany Medical College, 1874, died August 39, 1881, aged 44; Hiram T. Herrington, Albany Medical College, 1873,^removed to Rensselaer county; Henry V. Hull, Albany Medical College, 1874. removed to Schenectady, 1880; *Henry E. Merreness, Albany Medical College, 1874, Albany ; John E. Metcalf, Albany Medical College, 1874, removed to Ketchum's Corners, N. Y. ; Franklin A. Munson, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878. died December 8, 1878, aged 36; Norman L. Snow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1861, Albany, died December 19, 1885; *T. M. Trego, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; Thomas Wilson, Albany Medical College, 1874, removed to Claverack, 1876; Edward Yates, Jefferson Medical College, 1869, died 1876, aged 29. 1876, R. D. Clark, Long Island Medical College, Albany, died August 11, 1894; William A. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to Fulton, Oswego county; *J. M. Haskell, University of Michigan, Bath-on-the-Hudson ; *P. J. Keegan, Uni- versity of New York, Albany; *T. K. Perry, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; *W. L. Purple, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; Elbert T. Rulison, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to Amsterdam; *Seth G. Shanks, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; A. H. V. Smyth, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to Minaville; *Samuel B. Ward, Georgetown Medical College, 1864, Albany; *Harriet A, Woodward, Syracuse University, 1875, Albany. 193 187T. "-James F. Barker, Albany Medical College, 187T, Albany; *William N. Hays, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany. 1878, *Jesse Crounse, Albany Medical College, 1877, Knowersville ; *W. O. Still- man, Albany Medical College, 1878, Albany. 1879, *E. A. Bartlett, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; *G. Upton Peltier, Bi.shop's College, Quebec, 1873, Cohoes; James C. Healey, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany, died March 30, 1889; A. W. Kilbourne, University of the City of New Vork, 1874, Albany, died January 14, 1897, aged 47; ^Lansing B. Winne, College Physicians und Surgeons, 1878, Albany; Franklin Townsend, jr. College Physi- cians and Surgeons, 1876, Albany, died October 31, 1895; Otto Ritzman, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany, died August 19, 1889; *John C. Shiland, Albany Medical College, 1878, West Troy; *Uriah B. La Moure, Albany Medical College, 1878, Albany; William J. Lewis, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, removed to Hartford, Conn. ; "Maurice J. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany, removed to New York city; Thomas B. Van Alstyne, Albany Medical College, 1879, removed to Richraondville, N. Y., 1880; P. B. Collier, Long Island College, Hospital, 1860, Albany; *Edward E. Brown, Albany Medical College, 1879, Al- bany; M. W. Brooks, University of Vermont, 1879, removed to New York city, 1880; *J. E. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1877, Green Island; S. O. Van der Poel, jr.. College Physicians and Surgeons, 1876, removed to New York ; William Geoghan, Albany Medical College, 1874, removed to New York; *Jolin D. R. McAllister, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; Thomas Featherstonhaugh, Albany Medical College, 1877, 1882, removed to New York ; Sheldon Voorhees, Albany Medical Col- lege, 1879, removed to Auburn, 1881. 1880, "Daniel C. Case, Albany Medical College, 1870, Slingerlands; "Theodore P. Bailey, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1880, Albany; A. P. Casler, Alban)- Medical College, 1880; Frank J. Merrington, Albany Medical College, 1886, died August 14, 1889, aged 38; *Samuel R. Morrow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, Albany; John W. Gould, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John J. White, Albany Medical College, 1879, removed to New York; George E. Elmendorf, Albany Medical Col- lege, 1875. died, 1894; M. R. C. Peck, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1876, died March 39, 1890; Thomas D. Worden, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; Lehman B. Hoit, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John Thomas Keay, Albany Medical College, 1870, died January 4, 1881, aged 28; Daniel Fegan, Queen's University, Dublin, Ireland, removed to Ireland. 1881, -'George S. Munson, Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; John F. Lock- wood, Albany Medical College, 1881, removed to Wisconsin; S. Edward LHlman, Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; '^T. W. Nellis, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; "^-W. J. Nellis, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; '"-F. L. Classen. Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; *Howard Miller, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; ■'^-Howard S. Paine, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; --^Lauren- tine Rouchel, Buffalo Medical College, Albany; Thomas G. Hyland, Bellevue Medi- cal College, removed; Carroll H. Phillips, Albany Medical College, Watervliet, died February 14, 1883; C. W. Qreen, Albany Medical College, removed; Charles F. Huddleston, Albany Medical Collegs, removed. 1883, '-W. B. Sabin, Albany Medical College, 1883, West Troy; -'Samuel Peters, X'crmont Academy of Medicine, 1816, West Troy; Frank S. Peters, Albany Medical 194 College. 1874, died 1883 ; *Henry Hun, Harvard Medical School, 1879, Albany ; *George E. Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1882, West Troy; *W. H. Fowler, Jeffer- son Medical College, 1879, Albany; David Fleischman, Albany Medical College, 1881, died January 30, 1892. 1883, nVilliam L. Schutter, Albany Medical College. 1883, Albany; *Frank H. Fisk, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; *Charles K. Crawford, Albany Medi- cal College,' 1881, Albany; -J. W. Riley, Albany Medical College, 1882, Albany; Walter W. Schofield, Albany Medical College, 1882, removed to Massachusetts; *C. M. Culver, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; J. W. Mann, Albany Medical College, 1882, died 1884. 1884, *J. H. Mitchell, Albany Medical College, 1882, Cohoes; *R. J. Brown, Albany Medical College, 1882, Albany; -T. F. C. Van Allen, Albany Medical College, 1882, Albany; *Joseph D. Craig, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Edgar C. Hal- lenbeck, Bellevue Medical College, 1881, Bethlehem, died 1894; G. S. Knickerbocker, College Physicians and Surgeons, removed; C. C. Schuyler. Albany Medical College Troy (non-resident) ; removed to Plattsburg. 1885, «Selwin A. Russell, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany; *Frederick D. Morrill, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany, died January, 1897; *John H. Skilh- corn Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; L. E. Blair, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; M. J. Dwyer, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; D. W. Houston, McGill College, Montreal, 1881, Troy, N. Y. ; J. W. Ross, McGill College, Montreal, 1881, Cohoes, N. Y. 1886, John V. Hennessey, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; W. C. Marselius, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany, died December 24, 1893; John L. Cooper, University of Pennsylvania, 1877, Albany; Martin McHarg, Albany Medical College, 1885, Albany; F. R. Greene, Albany Medical College, 1884. Albany; J. W. Shattuck, Atlanta, Ga., 1859; Edwin Haines, Albany Medical College, 1867, S. Westerlo, died March 19, 1896, aged 52; L. E. Kenney, Albany Medical College, 1881, Waterford, N. Y. ; J. H. E. Sand, University City New York, 1886, Brooklyn; G. W. Holding, Albany Medical College, 1884, WatervHet, N. Y. ; Orson Britton, no answer to in- quiry regarding graduation. 1887, Robert Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Albert Marsh, Al- bany Medical College, 1885, Boston ; J. V. Sheppey, Jefferson Medical College, 1885, Albany; J. B. Southworth, Burlington State University, 1882, Albany. 1888, Thomas H. Willard, Albany Medical College, 1887, New York; Elmer E. Larkin, Albany Medical College, 1885, Plattsburgh ; Charles H. Moore, Albany Med- ical College. 1887, Albany; Willis G. Macdonald, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany ; Arthur D. Capron, Albany Meflical College, 1886, Albany; Terrence L. Carroll, Albany Medical College, 1885, Albany; Rensselaer J. Smith, University New York City, 1894, Albany; George R. De Silva, University New York City, 1881, Preston Hollow. 1889, N. L. Eastman, Albany Medical College, 1886, Albany; A. J. Blessing, Al- bany Medical College, 1886, Albany; George G. Lempe, Albany Medical College, 1888, Albany; Howard Van Rensselaer, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, 1884, Albany. 1890, A. F. Powell, Albany Medical College, 1889, Coeymans; G. Emory Lochner, Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; George T. Moston, Albany Medical College, 195 1890, Albany; H. C. Abrams, Albany Medical College, 1882, Newtonville ; James E. Smith, Albany Medical College, 1889. Albany; A. McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1886, West Troy; Thomas Helms, Albany Medical College, 1890, McKown- ville; Robert F. MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1888, Long Island city. 1891, G. A. Williams, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; J. E. Brennan, Albany Medical College, 1889. Albany; J. H. Timmers, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; Arthur G. Root, Albany Medical College, 1890, Albany; J. D. Mont- marquet, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1889, Cohoes; William H. Happel, Albany Medical College. 1890, Albany. 1892, W. L. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1881, Greenbush; J. B. Washburne, Albany Medical College, 1882, Delmar; L, Le Brun, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; E. V. Colbert, Albany Medical College. 1890, Albany; Leo H. Neuman, Albany Medical College, 1892. Albany; John C. Brown, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Robert A. Heenan, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; William G. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Walter H. Conley, Albany Medical College, 1891, Buffalo, N. Y. 1893, James W. Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; W. T. Goewey, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Charles E. Davis, Albany Medical Col- lege, 1891, Albany; Andrew MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany; J. W. Droogan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Westchester; C. C. McCullough, Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; Thomas A. Ryan, Albany Medical College, 189;^, Albany; John S. Guinan, Albany Medical College, 1893, Whitehall. 1894, W. F. Robinson, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; W. B. Rossman, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; F. M. Joslin, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; William J. Kernan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; M. D. Steven- son, Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; Le Rose Rancour, Albany Medical Col- lege, 1892, Albany. 189r), C. F. Theisen, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; E. J. Bedell, Albany Medical College, 1893, Becker's Corners; J. B. Sweet, jr., Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; W. S. Hale, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; James M. Moore, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; S. Le Fevre, Albany Medical College, 1891, Richmondville; W. H. George, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; L. Van Auken, Albany Medical College, 1892, West Troy; E. N. K. Mears, Albany Medical College, 1895, Albany. 1896, T. W. Jenkins, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; Ralph Sheldon, Al- bany Medical College, 1894, Albany; H. S. Pearse, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Arthur Sautter, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; R. S. Tedford, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; M. S. Leavy, Medical Department Univer- sity of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, 1888, Albany. The early records of this society were carefully collected by the late Dr. Sylvester D. Willard and published in one volume covering the proceedings from the date of its organization, March 18, 1806, to June 10, 1851. The growth of the society and its energetic work in promot- ing the interests of the medical profession prompted the appointment of a committee to continue the work inaugurated bv Dr. Willard. At 196 a meeting held June 14, 1870, Dr. James vS. Bailey, Dr. Charles H. Porter, and Dr. T. D. Crothers were named to supervise the publica- tion of the proceedings of the society from June 10, 1851, to June 14, 1870. These volumes embrace the records from 1806 to 1870; they also contain biographies of nearly two hundred members and many portraits, and aside from placing on record the transactions of the so- siety, help to complete the medical history of Albany city and county, and trace the professional career of those identified with the work of the society. The transactions since 1880 have been published in the Albany Medical Annals, a monthly journal managed by an editorial committee under the auspices of the society. Many interesting papers on medical topics and matters of interest to the profession have been published in this journal. Sinte 1891 this journal is published as the " Albany Medical Annals representing the Alumni Association of the Albany Medical College." From 1891 to 1892 this journal was edited by Dr. Willis G. Macdonald. From 1892 to 1897 by Dr. Howard Van Rensselaer. The present editors are Dr. Andrew MacFarlane and Dr. J. Montgomery Mosher. II a.A J w ffi ; ; i ; ; i "^ i i i i I i i "3 '^ w S'^Sm- - ^- i3- Q- "^ ^ >- B ■ fe s 1^ CL, o < >l>OOC10^C!M-*10COt-OOOiOT-IC 198 g I 1 151 1 5 = s $ all U X < ^ a^c) < < < ffi d ka'^ j i I go ills E^ Si=5 I^J X6 SB u^ ■ D -^ I/: f; , 3 § cS -^. l^gc £^<^ZEK^CQJt£Qt3Sffi od lo 1880; died 1889. Lewis Bai.ch, M. D., Anatomy, 1876 to 1887; Anatomy and Medical Jurispru- dence, 1887 to 1890; Medical Jurisprudence, 1890 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence, 1891 to 1893; Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Profes.sor of Medical Jurisprudence, 1893 to 1895; Emeritus Pro- fessor of Anatomy and Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and H\-giene, 1895 to 1896; Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1896 to . Samuel B. Ward, M. D., Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery, 1876 to 1880; Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery and Clinical Surgery, 1880 to 188;i; Pa- thology, Practice, Clinical Medicine and Hygiene, 1883 to . John P. Gray, M. D., LL. D., Psychological Medicine, 1876 to 1886; died lS8(i. EiiwARD R. Hun, M. D., Diseases of Nervous System, 1876 to 1880; died 1880. James P. Buyd, Jr.. M. D., Diseases of Women and Children, 1876; Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, 1876 to 1886; Obstetrics, Gynecology and Diseases of Children, 1886 to . CvRus S. Merrill, M. D., Opthalmology, 1876 to 1881 ; Opthalmology and Otology. 1881 to . S. O. Vander Poel, Jr., Adjunct Professor of Pathology. Practice and Clinical Medicine, 1880 to 1884. Franklin Townsend, Jk., M. D., Lecturer on Physiology, 1880 to 1881; Professor of Physiology, 1881 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of Physiology, 1891 to 1895; died 1895. Frederic C. Curiis, M. D., Adjunct Professor of IJermatology, 1880 to 1884; Pro fessor of Dermatology, 1884 to . Henry Hun, M. D., Lecturer on Nervous Diseases, 1883 to 1885; Professor of Dis- eases of the Nervous System, 1885 to 1887; Diseases of the Nervous System and Psychological Medicine, 1887 to 1890; Diseases of the Chest and of the Nervous Sys- tem, 1890 to 1893; Diseases of the Nervous System, 1892 to . Samuel R. Morrow, M. D., Lecturer Adjunct to the Chair of Surgery, 1884 to 1886; Adjunct Professor of Surgery, 1886 lo 1887; Adjunct Professor of Surgery and Lecturer on Anatomy, 1887 to 1889; Adjunct Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic Surgery, 1889 to 1890; Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic Surgery, 1890 to . Joseph D. Craig, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, 1890 to 1892; Adjunct Professor of Anatomy, 1892 to . Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D., Lecturer on Materia Medica. 1890 to 1892; Ad- junct Professor of Materia Medica and Lecturer on Diseases of the Chest, 1892 to 1895; Adjunct Professor of Materia Medica and Diseases of the Chest, 1895 to 1896: Adjunct Professor of Theory of Practice of Medicine and Thereapeutics, 1896 to . 205 Herman C. Goruinier, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy of the Nervous System, 1890 to 1894; Lecturer on Physiology and Anatomy of the Nervous System, 1894 to 1895; Professor of Physiology, 1895 to . Cakios F. Ma^Donald, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1891 to 1893. Wii.i.i^ G. Ma. Donald, M. D.. Lecturer on Operative Surgery, 1891 to 1895; Ad- junct Professor of Surgery, 1895 to ■ . Herman BeiNdell, M. D.. Lecturer on Physiology, 1892 to. 1894; Lecturer on Otol- ogy, 1894 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Otology, 1896 to . Ezra A. Baktlett, M. D., Lecturer on Electro Therapeutics, 1892 to . G. Alden R. Blumer, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1893 to 1896; Adjunct Professor of Insanity, 1896 to . Theodore F. C. Van Allen, M. D., Lecturer on Ophthalmology, 1894 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, 1896 to - — . Andrew MacFarlane, M. D., Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Mi- croscopy, 1895 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Physical Diagnosis and Microscopy, 1896 to . Clinton B. Herrick, M. D , Lecturer on Clinical Surgery, 1895 to . John V. Hennessy, M. D., Lecturer on Materia Medica, 1896 to . WiLLL\M G. Lewi, M. D., Lecturer on Pharmacy, 1896 to . Leu H. Neuman, M. D., Lecturer on Symptomatology, 1896 to , The Alumni Association of the A. M. C. was organized January 20, 1874, and incorporated February 6, of the same year. The object of this as.sociation is to promote the interest of the college in the work of medical education, and to cultivate social intercourse among the alumni. The names and addresses of 1,302 graduates are on the roll of membership. The management of this association is entrusted to an executive committee and a general meeting is held annually on com- mencement day. The Albany College of Pharmacy was created by act of the Board of Governors of Union University, June 21, 1881, and incorporated Au- gust 27, 1881. Chemistry, Botany and Materia Medica, Pharmacy and the Microscope and its application to pharmacy are taught in a two years' course. The lectures are delivered and the laboratory classes in chemLstry conducted in the class rooms of the Medical College building. A commodious pharmaceutical laboratory is connected with the college. The school is well managed and equipped to impart thorough instruc- tion in pharmacy and its kindred branches. The following constitute the faculty: Willis G. Tucker, M. D., Ph. D., F. C. S., president, professor of chemistry; Alfred B. Huested, M. D., Ph. G., professor of botany and materia medica; Gustavus Michaelis, Ph. G., professor of pharmacy ; Theodore J. Bradley, Ph. G.. lecturer on pharmacy; De Baun Van Aken, instructor in chemistry; Frank Richardson, Ph. G., instructor in materia medica and director of the pharmaceutical laboratory ; Thomas \V. Jenkins, M. D., instructor copy. The Ai.p.anv Hospital. The Albany Hospital was founded in 1849. In 1830 Dr. Alden March, professor of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont Academy of Medicine, delivered a public lecture on the " Propriety of Establish- ing a Medical College and Hospital at Albany." The late John C. Spencer was the first president, and to his popularity and energy, coupled with the unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby and the support of generous contributors, this institution was opened for the reception of patients November 1, 1851. The male and female wards, the child's ward, endowed by the late William H. De Witt, are comfortably fur- nished and well appointed. The rooms for the treatment of private patients, fitted up and furnished b}- charitably inclined ladies represent- ing the various churches of Albany, have largely added to the comfort and accommodation of patients admitted to this institution. The dis pensaries are open to the poor, and the hospital records show that thou- sands of charity patients have been provided with medicines and at- tendance. The entire management is vested in a Board of Governors, who have endeavored to combine thoroughness and efficiency in every department, and that they have merited the support and confidence of the citizens of Albany is apparent by the general interest manifested and the liberal contribution of funds to provide for the accommodation and care of the sick. In 1851 and 1853 sufficient funds were collected ]jy special subscription to purchase and equip an adjoining building for the purpose of affording rooms for clinical instruction to students at- tending the Albany Medical College. The building, originally erected as a county jail, before being occupied required remodeling to adajjt it for hospital purposes. From 1849 to 1873, principally due to the unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby, over one hundred thou- sand dollars were subscribed to defray the cost of enlarging the build- ing and providing proper hospital accommodations. As the city in- creased in population greater facilities for the treatment of private and dispensary patients became necessary and the friends of the institution have annually and liberally responded to the appeals of the governors for subscriptions to enlarge and continue this worthy charity. The City Council appropriates a liberal sum annually toward the sujjport of the charity wards, and the income of an increasing endowment fund, together with the receipts from private patients, help to meet the expenditures. The projected new hospital and training school to be connected with the 207 same, a scheme encouraged by mutual co-operation of those interested in the future prosperity of the Albany Hospital, will not be erected on the site of the present building, it being deemed advisable for the proper care and comfort of the sick and convalescent that the new hos- pital shall be erected remote from the crowded city thoroughfares. The present staff of the hospital consists of: Medical and Surgical Staff. — Consulting physicians, Samuel H. Freeman, M. 1)., Joseph Lewi, M.U. ; consulting specialist, William H. Baile\-, M.D. ; surgeons, Al- bert Vander Veer, M.D., William Hailes, M. D., Samuel R. Morrow, M. D. ; attend- ing specialists, Cyrus S. Merrill, M.D. , eye and ear, Herman Bendell, M D., eye and ear, John M. Bigelow, M.D., throat and nose, James P. Boyd, M. D., gynecology, Frederic C. Curtis, M.D., dermatology, Ezra A. Bartlett, M.D., electricity ; physi- cians, Samuel B. Ward, M.D., Henry Hun, M.D., Joseph D. Craig, M.D., Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D. St. Peter's HosrrrAi.. The building occupied as vSt. Peter's Hospital was formerly the resi- dence of Governor King. Subsequently this building was purchased by the late Peter Cagger and transferred by him to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Conroy, who transferred the building to the Order of the Sisters of Mercy to be used as a hospital. St. Peter's Hospital was opened for the reception of patients November 1, 1869. This hospital is managed by the Sisters of Mercy aided by an advisory Board of Managers; it has been conducted with success, and its benefits bestowed as liberally as means and facilities would permit. Many additions and improve- ments have been made to the building to adapt the same for hospital purposes, and with increased accommodations the managers have been enabled to provide for the many applicants seeking the care and com- forts of this benevolent institution. Credit is due to the untiring efforts and charitable work of the Sisters of Mercy in promoting and dispensing the benefits of this noble charity. Thousands of poor are gratuitiously provided with medical attendance and medicines, and the contributions of its benefactors are expended in the true cause of charity, for the relief of the afflicted, without regard to creed or con- dition. The vSisters of Mercy who act as nurses receive no compensa- tion for their services; their work is a labor of love for suffering hu- manity, and those who .are familiar with the daily work of these de- \'i>ted women, can best appreciate the real good of true charity. This hos]3ital is supported by private contributions, by the income received from private patients, and by an annual appropriation from 208 the cit}' for the care of charity patients. Connected with the liospital is a dispensary for the treatment of out door patients. The male and female wards and private rooms are well ventilated and neatly fiir- ished, and the entire management of the institution is in thorough keep- ing with the aims of the administration entrusted with its care. Con- nected with the hospital is an amphitheatre and lecture room, where clinical lectures and instruction to the students of the Albany Medical College are given. Modern improvements for the treatment and com- fort of patients are being continually made, thus enabling the manage- ment to fully consummate the object which prompted the founding of this hospital. , It is a worthy tribute to the memory of the eminent jurist, to whose liberal contribution the public is indebted for this great charity. Hospital 5/