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CENTENNIAL ADDRESS 
 
 KELATING TO THK 
 
 Early Histoky of Schenectady, 
 
 ITS FIRST SETTLERS. 
 
 Delivered at Schenectady, July i-th, 7876, 
 
 Hon. JOHN SANDERS. 
 
 PUBLISHED AT THE UEQUEST OF THE CITIZENS 
 
 ^o..MU^jti\ 
 
 ALBANY, N. Y. : 
 
 VAN BENTHUYSEN PRINTING HOUSE. 
 1879. 
 
 W^'V^ 
 

 2. 
 
 Entered accordiiifr to Arl of Congress, in the year 1879. 
 Bv JOHN SANDERS, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at AVasliinston. 
 
ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 Portrait and Autograph of thk Author. 
 Portrait and Autograph of Gkn. Wm. K. Fuller. 
 Portrait and Autograph of Hox. Pktbr Rowk. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 1'lic C<Jijt<!i)jual A)iiiiv<;r«ajy of our National Iii<1(;|K'Jj<J< iic<i 
 was commoAnoiaUid at Sclieijwta<]y l>y patriotic 8ervi(5<is, and 
 a ([\H[)\ay fitting tJie owabion. Tim a<ldrehH wan, in pait, 
 deliv<ir<id on tlmt occatsion by lU anthoj', in th<i putmncAt of a 
 va>!:t a^scniblage of citiz<^nh. At tli<; cAosct of tlui addj<?Hh, tjjc 
 following ro«ohition wa^^ propo.s<id and unaninion^ly Jixloptcd : 
 
 " RdHolveA, That the thanks of the eiti/en« of the city and 
 county of Schen<jctaxiy are due and t(indere<l to the I£on. 
 Joiin Saiiderfj for the eloquent, int>ere«ti»jg, and in.stractive 
 axldre^fj to which we liave just listened ; and, understanding 
 that it is but a portion of th<i mass of niateriiil which its v<in- 
 erable and hoiiored author has a(;<;uniulat<id, we hereby invjt<; 
 him to extcind it tx> such limits as lie may de^im interesting 
 and practicable, to the ejxd tliat it may )>e publish<id an<i 
 pre^irved as a lastijjg memojial of our early history." 
 
 \\\ coinplianwi with this j-e<pjest, th<i author pl•(^sent.s tlj<i 
 following address. He does not claim tlut it is a <;omplet<} 
 liisUjry, but it contains facts which t^nixw to hini woilhy of 
 nairation an«i preservation, many of which, resting in tiadi- 
 tion, will soon pass into oblivion unless soon pres<irved. 
 
 Its preparation, during houis not tstken up with btisiness 
 and professional care«, has \>it*ii\ to hini a laboi* of love : aijd, 
 in the ho|>e that it liiay not Ixi unintxirestijig to thos(i who so 
 kijidly uiged hinj U) \)iv\)'di(i it, he yields to their r<^piest, 
 aji«J c<jjiinjitr> it t<; th<; '" ail piest^rvative of arts." 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory part of the Address --._.. Pag-e 1. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Causes that led to the early settlement of Schenectady— Fort Orang-e in 
 1661 and up to that period was the fi'ontier town of New Netherlands — 
 The P]-(ivince, in 1646, contained only about 2,500 inhabitants— Bever- 
 wyck (now Albany) contained ten dwelling--houses— Description of its 
 Court-house in 1656 — Jealousies between the Directors of the West India 
 Company and the Patroons of New Netherlands — Colonel Peter Stuyve- 
 sant anci Brandt Arent Van Slecktenhorst the respective champions — 
 These conilicts, with their double burthens, oppressive to the settlers of 
 Fort Oi-ang-e and Beverwyck^Some of the best settlei-s resolved to 
 escape from the feudal tenures and resti-ictions— The Mohawks opened 
 a way, and how — In 1630 they had five castles — Arent Van Curler's peti- 
 tion to Governor Stuyvesant, 18th July, 1661 — On the 21st, permission 
 g-iven, handed down with i-estrictions— Purchase made the 27th— Title 
 not confirmed until April 6th, 1662, nor land allowed to be surveyed 
 until 1664, ---------- Patre 2. 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Reasons of the early and long-continued partiality of the Mohawks foi' the 
 Dutch Colonists — Catskill creek was the southern boundary line of their 
 teri-itory — They held the eastern i^oi'tion of the possessions of the great 
 Iroquois Confederacy (the gateway of the Mohawk Valley) — Who were 
 the Mohawks — They haii always been victorious — But a change came 
 over them — Samuel De Chaniplain — Hendi-ick Hudson — There was an 
 overslaugh in 1609 — Cohoes then deemed head of navigation — White 
 families were settled at Schenectady as early as 1658, undei- the ausi^ices 
 of the Mohawks — Mohawk gratitude to the Dutch, and its cause — The 
 Five Nations of the Iroquois were at wai- with the powerful Hui-ons 
 and Algonquins of Canada— Champlain furnished the latter witii men 
 and fire-arms — The results — The Dutch came to the i-escue of the 
 Iroquois — Attachment unbroken until the desti-uction of Schenectady 
 by the Caughnawaga. Mohawks and Fi-ench in 1690 — With the re- 
 covery of power the Mohawks, esjiecially, became arbifj-ary, insolent 
 and ferocious — Illustrations — Reasons for particulai-ity al)out the Mo- 
 hawks, - - -. Page 12. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Schenectady, upon an actual survey, was laid out comi^actly and with 
 great regulai-ity as a frontier point, aiming at mutual defense and safety 
 — The original plat embraced only the ground extending from the Mai7i 
 Binnekill, on the west, to what is now the east side of Ferry street, on the 
 east ; and from the Mohawk river on the north, to the line of the low- 
 lands on the south, including a small portion of the Flats — This area they 
 cai-efully fortified with stockades — The streets were laid out wide and at 
 right angles ; were within the palisades, and were named respectively 
 (see woi-k for original names and several changes) — Division of lots 
 among the propi-ietors, and subsequent subdivisions, - Page 18. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The fifteen original i:)roprietors of Schenectady, and their descendants, for 
 the first one hundred and fifty years after its settlement : First named, 
 Artnt Van Curler — Second named, Philip Hendrickse Broioer — Thii-d 
 named, Alexander Lindsay Glen — Fourth named, Simon Volkertse Veeder 
 (name of Ryer Schermerhorn introduced in connection here) ; family of 
 /Simon Volcke^ise Veedej-'s line resiuTied — Fifth named pi-oprietoi-, /Swear 
 Teunise Van Velsen — Sixth luimed, Peter Adriance — Seventh named, Cor- 
 nelius Antonisen Van Slyck — Eighth named, Geirit Bancker — Ninth 
 named, William Teller — Tenth named, Bastian Be Winter— 'Eleventh 
 named, Bastian De Winter as attorney of Catalina Bradt — Twelfth 
 named, Peter Danielse Van OZwida— Thirteenth named, Peter Jacohse 
 Borsboom — Fourteenth named, Jan Barentse Weiiip — Fifteenth named, 
 was Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, Page 21. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Early settlers who were not proprietors, with the time of their settlement 
 arranged in order of settlement chi'onologically, and their descendants 
 noted under the ancestral head : Harman Albert se Veeder, settled in 
 1663 ; was sheriff of the villAge—Symon Symonse Groot, settled in 1663 ; 
 was ancestor of all the Gvoots,— Jan Spoor, killed in 1690 ; settled in 1664— 
 Johannes Van Eps, setted in 1664 ; cai-ried captive to Canada— Tewii^se 
 Cornelisse Swart, settled in 1664 ; the common ancestor — Class Fi-eder- 
 ickse Van Patten, settled in 1^4— Isaac Swits, settled in lGii4—Jfl?iannes 
 Putnmn, settled in 1664 ; killed in 1690— Ja/i Janse Jonckers, settled in 
 1665— iJfar^Mi Cornelisse Ycsselstyn, settled in IQ^'o— Hendrickse Lam- 
 bertseBent, settled in IQ^Q— John Apple, settled in Hi^S— William Apple, 
 settled in H5Q8—Gysbert Gerritse Van Brakel, settled in WiiS—Be^iJamin 
 lioberts, settled in 1669— /«?«, Rinckhout settled in im^— Ellas Van 
 Guysling, settled in liolQ—Paulus Jansen, settled in WIO— Isaac Truax, 
 
CONTENTS. IX 
 
 settled in IQlO^Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen, settled in 1670 — Hans 
 Janse Eenkluys, settled in 1670 ; old Dutch officer — Gerrit Class Kuller- 
 iiian, settled in 1670 — Jacobus Peek, settled in 1670 — John Roelafsen, 
 settled in 1670 — Joris Aeartse Van Der Baast, settled in 1670 — Barent 
 Janse Van Ditmars, settled in MMO—Capt. Martinus Krigler (Crigier), 
 settled in 1^12,— Christian Christiance, settled in 1672 — Christoffelse 
 Davids, settled in 1672 — Dirk Hesseling, settled in 1672 — Jan Garretsen 
 Van Menken, settled in 1673 ; sheriff — Ryniey- Schaats, settled in 1675 — 
 Hendrick Mease Vrooman, settled in 1677 — French account of the sacking- 
 of Schenectady in 1690 — Adam Vrooman's residence ; his place of inter- 
 ment — Ludovicus Cohes, settled in 1677 — David Marinus, settled in 1680 
 — Frans Van Dei'hogert, settled in 1680 — Carl Hanse Toll, settled in 1684 
 — Jan Pieterse Mehie, settled in 1684 — John Kleyn, settled in 1684 — 
 Emanuel Consaul, settled in 1684 — Benoni Van Hock, settled in 1684 — 
 Johannis Clute, settled in 1684 — Class Lowrtnse Van Der Volgen, settled 
 in 1686 — Frederick Clute, settled in 1703 ; a distinct family from Johannis 
 —Gerrit MarseJis, settled in 1687 — Ahasiieras Merselis, setted in 1698; a 
 bj-other of Gerrit — Frederick Gerritse, settled in 1687 — Class Andriese De 
 Gh-aff, settled in WSS—Tetmise Carstensen, settled in 1689— P/^jZip 
 Philipse, settleilin 1689 — Cornelius Slingerland, settled in 1689 — Gerar- 
 dus Camherfort, settled in 1690 — Jonathan Stevens, settled in 1693 — 
 Jacobus Van Dyck, settled in 1694 — William Hall, settled in 169.") — John 
 Dyer, settled in 1695 — Johannes Ouderkirk, settled in 1695 — Caspartis 
 /Springsteen, settled in UQ^— Thomas ^Sl,t}fh, settled in 1696— 1/arfm 
 Van, Benthmjsen, settled in l^'i'o—Jereiniah Tlckstim, settled in 1697 — 
 Mannasch JSixberry, settled in lGd9—GUHs Van Vorst, settled in 1699— 
 Johannes Mynderse, settled in 1100— Jellis Fonda, settled in 1700— 
 Johannes Quackenhos, settled in VIOQ—Tlwmas Davids, settled in 1700 — 
 Philip Besie, settled in ViO'I—Jurian Rinckhout, settled in 1702— C'aZe?; 
 Beck, settled in \Wi~Jacobus Cromioell, settled in 1103— Isaac Van 
 Valkenhurgh, settled in 110^— Peter Clement, settled in 1101— Joseph 
 Clement, settled in 1707— C/a.s.? Gerretse Van Vranken, settled in 1709— 
 Eldert Tymesen, settled in llOS)— Robert Yates, settled in 1111— Joseph 
 Bracham, settled in Illl—Abrahavi Lighthall, settled in 1719— *S7. John 
 Steers, settled in 1120— Johannes Fairly, settled in 1724— Pc/er Feeling, 
 settled in 1724— William Barret, settled in 1724— William Peters, set- 
 tled in 112a— William Bancker, settled in 112,%— Elias Post, settled in 
 112'^— John Dunbar, settled in 17iO— Johannes Heemstreet, settled in 
 ITSO-Jolm Barheyt, settled in 1TS4— Nicholas Visscher, settled in 1734 
 —John Delamont, settled in 1135— Adam Conde, settled in lim—Wessel 
 Wessels, settled in 1140— Philip Ryley, settled in 1142— Hendrick Corl, 
 settled in 1145— Reuben Horsford, settled in 1145— Robert Shannon, set- 
 tled in 1150— Tobias Ten Eyck, settled in 1150— John W. Brown, settled 
 in 1151— Daniel Campbell, settled in 1154— John Baptist Wandell, set- 
 tled in 1154—Ernestus Spitzer, settled in 1155— John Duncan, settled in 
 1155—WilUaniAda)ns, settled in 1151— Dirk Van Ingen, settled in 1759 
 —Abraham Oathout.s^etiled ml159—JohnMunro,^en\ed in 11G0— Joachim 
 Kittle, settled in 1762— /.mac Rosa, settled in IIQS—Samioel Tyms, set- 
 tled in lW6—Sam^iel Fuller, settled in 1763— ^?icZmo Mitchell, settled in 
 H%4—Hon. Peter Rowe,& shoi-t biography of, - - - Page 69, 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER. VII. 
 
 A return to Schenectady's early days — More pasture land wanted — New 
 application to the Mohawks — By them a tract was granted, twelve miles 
 long by eight wide, July 3d, 1672, to Alexander Lindsey Glen and others, 
 as trustees— This grant was contirmed by Governor Dongan in ] 684 — 
 Five ti'ustees were appointed : William Teller, Ryer Schermei-horn, Jan 
 Van Eps, Swear Teunisen, and Myndei-t Wemp — In 1692, Ryer Scher- 
 merhorn was the sole survivoi- — In 1705, complaints were made against 
 him — April 16th, 1705, a new patent was granted by Governor Corn- 
 bury, appointing Peter Schuyler, John Alexandei- Glen, Adam Vrooman, 
 Daniel Johnson, and John Baptist Van Eps trustees — But to quiet dis- 
 content, another patent was issued, November 6th, 1714, superseding 
 the trustees appointed in 1705, and placing in their stead, Ryer Scher- 
 merhorn, Johannes Teller, Jcihn Wemp, Ai-ent Bi-adt, and Barent Wemp 
 (see certified copy of patent. Appendix "B")— Of these, ArentBradt was the 
 sole survivor in 1749 — Bradt died in 1767, having made a will designating 
 his successoi's (see certified copy of will, Appendix "C") — These suc- 
 cessoi-s continued as such trustees until a city charter was granted to 
 Schenectady in 1798 — Schenectady was erected a borough 23d October, 
 1765 — Its first mayor and recorder — Officei'S and representatives of the 
 olden time — Area of Schenectady when created a city — Mayors. 
 
 Page 209. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The area of Schenectady too large for the niutual convenience and interest 
 of its urban and country population — Inhabitants unanimously petition 
 for partition — Act passed April 14th, 1820 — Commissioners were ap- 
 }iointed, and division took place — Cutting off" the two country wards 
 diminishes the city population 3,000, a seeming I'etrogi-ade — The separ- 
 ation has pi'oved mutually beneficial — Schenectady has suffered much 
 in its early days — Was destroyed by the French and Indians in 1690 — 
 The circumstances — Gari-ison at the old Foi-t — Lieut. Enos Talmage — 
 Different accounts — That of Monsieui" De Monseignet the most full and 
 reliable — John Alexander Glen, Simon Schei-merhoin, Monsieur Le 
 Moyne, De Iberville — The great Agnier — The city house of John Alex- 
 ander Glen saved by expi-ess order — Adam Vrooman — Beukendal mas- 
 sacre of 1748 — Particulars — Colonel Jacob Glen — Sir William Johnson. 
 
 Page 216. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Revolutionary battle-fields of the North have been long neglected by 
 its sons — But ex-Governor Seymour, Judge William W. Campbell and 
 Jeptha R. Sims, Esq., have come to the rescue — Oriskany was the most 
 sanguinary battle of the Revolution — The Star Spangled Banver was 
 fii'st victorious there — Its heroes were descendants of the Holland Dutch 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 and the hardy Palatinates — Account of the battle under dreadfully ad- 
 verse circumstances — Only three skeleton regiments, commanded respec- 
 tively by Colonels Cox, Bellinger and Visscher — Mary Brandt had, by 
 messengers, apprised St. Leger of every movement— She was the 
 mother of three of Sir William Johnson's children — General Nicholas 
 Herkimer— Major John Isenlord— Lieut.-Colonel Marinus Willett's sally 
 from Fort Stanwix — Thomas Spencer — Major John Frey — Colonel John 
 Butler, Joseph Brandt, and Major Watts, a brother-in-law of Sii- John 
 Johnson, led the deadly ambuscade and oft-repeated murderous attacks 
 — Captain Barent Gai-denier — General Barry St. Leger — Losses of Her- 
 kimer's command — Losses of the enemy — Surgeon Moses Younglove — 
 Major Klepsettle— Major Van Slyck— The Snells and the Lashers of 
 Oriskany — Comparison of Oriskany with other battles of the Revolution. 
 
 Page 220. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Besides its already-stated frontier disasters, Schenectady was desolated 
 by a sweeping tire in 1819 — Its extent and effects — Ei-ie canal — Rail- 
 roads — Beautiful views — Schenectady as it existed in 1800-1810 — Scotia 
 dyke — Mohawk turnpike — Mohawk bridge — Theodore Burr — Washing- 
 ton street and the main Binnekill previous to 1819 — The Mohawk ]-iver 
 above the bridge ; its clianges and causes — Durham boats — Busy scenes 
 on the Binnekill during the War of 1812 — Portage of sixteen miles to 
 Albany — Ditiiculties of navigating the Mohawk — Sixth Flats rift — Fort 
 Hunter rift — Caughnawaga rift — Keators rift — Brandywine rift — Ehle's 
 rift — The Little Falls — Bateaus— How worked — Carrying-place from 
 Foi't Stanwix to Wood creek — Oneida lake, Oswego river, Oswego, Lake 
 Ontario, Niagara, Detroit, Mackinaw — Locks at Little Falls completed 
 in 1795 — Packet boats on the Mohawk, - _ - . Page 243. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 The channel of the Mohawk changed since 1820 — Its appearance then and 
 now — Platte island — William Leonard — Colonel Wintield Scott — Camping 
 ground — Causes of change — Binnekill remains as ever — After the cap- 
 tui-e of Niagara, Oswego, Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Quebec, in 
 1759, Schenectady became an important trading and commercial point — 
 Distinguished merchants fi-om Montreal and London settled there — John 
 Duncan, James Phyer, and others — Its trade became extensive^ and far- 
 reaching — Names of some of them — Schenectady of the present day is 
 before my readers, and needs no embellishment from my pen. 
 
 Page 248. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Schenectady of the olden time ; its architecture, houses, comforts, social 
 enjoyments, and traveling facilities— A trip to Fort Orange occupied two 
 days— Access to New Amsterdam and the outside world— Illustrations — 
 A canoe was the means of rapid and certain conveyance— In summer. 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 the mail was caj'ried on horseback ; in winter, on foot — First mail re- 
 ceived at Schenectady, 3d April, 1763 — The old post-7-oad between New 
 Yoi'k and Albany a relief — First stag'e-wag-ons in 1785 — Isaac VanWyck 
 — Tallmage Hall — John Kinney — Their oblig-ations — Particulars of trips 
 — In 1807, steam came to the i-escue — -The stage-coach was a rude con- 
 veyance until thorough-braces were introduced about 1818 — Albany 
 became the line of westei-n ti-avel — Moses Beal— Givens' Hotel — John 
 Hudson — John Rogers — In 1794, thei-e were five gi-eat post-routes cen- 
 tering in Albany — Their designations^Thomas Powell^Aaron Thorpe 
 — Asa Sprague — Steam powei- has destroyed staging— Before 1819, 
 wagon-making and boat-building wei'e great employments at Schenec- 
 tady — Some details^The citizens now operate in other channels. 
 
 Page 250. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 From its earliest settlement, until 1670, the citizens of Schenectady attended 
 church at Albany — But from that time to 1680, occasional services were 
 held at private dwellings by supplies from Albany — At that time a 
 Dutch Refoi-med congregation was organized, and a church building 
 erected in 1682 — This church was burned in 1690 — ^Its location — A new 
 church was erected on the same site in 1702, remained to 1738, when it 
 was taken down and a new chui-ch erected at the junction of Union and 
 Church streets, which was also taken down in 1814 — Another church 
 was erected on the parsonage lot adjoining, which was destroyed in 1861 
 by fire, and on the site of its i-uins the present elegant and noble church 
 edifice was erected — This organization was among the oldest churches 
 in our State, and is the parent of several churches, offshoots — Her pas- 
 tors — The second oldest denomination is St. George's Pi-otestant Episcopal 
 church, organized in 1735 — Its building commenced in 1762, completed 
 in 1766 — Its history — Its rectors — The third oldest denainination is the 
 Presbyterian, first mentioned as existing here in 1762 — Its first meeting- 
 house was raised June 1st and 2d, 1770, and the structure completed in 
 1771 by Samuel Fuller — Its history — Its pastors — The fourth oldest de- 
 nomination is the Methodist Episcopal — Its first small beginning was in 
 1767— Its interesting rise, progress and history — Captain Thomas Webb 
 — Rev. George Whitetield — -Its ministers — The fifth oldest church denomi- 
 nation was the Baptist, and was established November 21st, 1822, with 
 thirty-six members — Its history, trials and success — Its pastors — There 
 are ten other churches of various denominations (see work). - Page 258. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 "Washington's thi'ee visits to Schenectady ; their occasions and their inter- 
 esting incidents— John Glen — Henry Glen — John Sandm-s, Sr. — Robei't 
 Clinch — Col. Abi-aham Wemple — ^Colonel Frederick Visscher — Dinner 
 and addi-ess to Washington — His reply — Thomas B. Clinch — Governor 
 George Clinton — General Hand and other officers of the New Yoi'k line. 
 
 Page 273. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Patriotism of the citizens of Schenectady during- the Revolutionary War — 
 The first gun fired and blood si:)illed in the Revolution was at Lexington, 
 April 19th, 1775 — Schenectady committee of correspondence, etc., formed 
 May 6th of the same year — Their place of meeting — Whom it consisted 
 of — Interesting extracts from book of committee— First company raised 
 for Continental service, May 29th, 1775 — Its officers — Committee furnish 
 Colonel Visscher, of Tryon county, with two hundred pounds of lead 
 balls, probably the lead used at Oriskany — Daniel Campbell and Alex- 
 ander Ellice cited befoi'e committee, with many others — Scarcity of gun- 
 powder, and order about waste on holidays — Raise, December 14th, 
 1775, £73 for the relief of the poor of Boston — Stringent measures against 
 spies and extoi'tion — Great efforts made to sustain Continental money — 
 The results, --------- Page 275. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The county of Schenectady was oi-ganized March 7th, ^1809, from the west- 
 ern portion of Albany county, and embraced no portion of the manor of 
 Rensselaerwyck — Its bounds are well known in this community, and so 
 much has been already written about the city itself, and its original 
 third and fourth wards, now the towns of Rotterdam and Glenville, that 
 I shall hei'e only continuously and histoi-ically treat of its remaining 
 towns, Niskayuna, Princetown and Duanesburgh — Under the head of 
 Niskaymia, I draw attention to its noted citizen, Capt. Martin Krygier — 
 Princetouin was oi-ganized March 20th, 1798, and was named after John 
 Prince, then a member of Assembly residing at Schenectady— Dwawe.s- 
 btirgh was erected as a township, by patent, March 13th, 1765, but was 
 first reorganized as a town March 22d, 1788 — It was named after the 
 Hon. James Duane, its principal proprietor— Early history of the town 
 —The old proprietor is interred in his family vault there— Reminiscences 
 of his life and distinguished services^In this connection it seems appro- 
 priate to make some mention of our noble dead : Robert Yates (father 
 of the versatile and talented John Van Ness Yates) ; Joseph C. Yates ; 
 Doctor Eliphalet Nott ; Judge Paige ; John Wells ; Coi-nelius Van 
 Dyck ; Major John Thornton ;. Major Jellis J . Fonda ; Capt. William 
 McGinnis and Lieut. Jonathan Stevens— Judge Piatt Potter and Judge 
 Landon are still with us, but my school of thought forbids me to laud 
 the living, - - - Page 287. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Closing remarks and explanatory note - - - . Page 291. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Appendix A----------- 297 
 
 Appendix B -.... 313 
 
 Appendix C--------..- 324 
 
 Appendix D------.-.. 329 
 
 Apiiendix E-------.... 330 
 
HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Address. 
 
 Fellow-Citizens of Schenectady : 
 
 Somewhat moved by the resolution of Congress and 
 President Grant's procUiniation of 25th May last, requesting 
 the people of the several States to assemble in their several 
 counties or towns on the approaching Centennial Anniversary 
 of our National Independence, and cause to have delivered on 
 such day an historical sketch of said county or town/rom its 
 foundation, but still more moved by the sacred associations of 
 the day, and the complimentary manner in which many prom- 
 inent citizens of the county of Schenectady have pressed upon 
 me the performance of this duty, as a descendant from one of 
 Schenectady's earliest pioneers, and an aged native of its 
 soil, I have reluctantly consented to attempt the historical 
 task. 
 True, 
 
 " It is pleasant to rove o'er history's page ; 
 
 Recall the hero and the sage ; 
 
 Revive the actions of the dead, 
 
 And memory of ages fled." 
 
 But, in this particular case — well knowing the trials, jeal- 
 ousies, impositions and hardships to which this infant frontier 
 settlement was subjected, how limited the materials for a 
 local history generally is, and through the burning of their 
 church edifice in 1G90, where, according to tradition, the 
 
2 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 eiirly records of the place were kept (it being used in that 
 primitive day both us a place of worship and town hall) — I 
 find my data so widely scattered and illy arranged, that I 
 shall do the brave, hardy, adventurous old pioneer settlers 
 but feeble justice, unless, as President Grant requests, we 
 commence at the foundation. For I claim, as will be appa- 
 rent before my close, that those early settlers were among 
 the most high-spirited, independent and fearless souls that 
 ever emigrated from brave little Protestant Holland to the 
 New Netherlands. 
 
 I cannot manufacture history; I can only collate such 
 parts as are pertinent to my sul)ject, and occasionally furnish 
 traditions, derived from old and high authority, which may 
 interest some at present, and be of much value to posterity. 
 And if a substantially correct history of this old frontier 
 point is left to the rising generation and those who follow, I 
 shall be content. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Early Settlement. 
 
 Schenectadij ivas an off-shoot (I am unwilling to sa}-, under 
 the circumstances, she was a daughter) of Albany ; and in 
 honor of the old intrepid, brave pioneer emigrants to the far 
 West, as the Mohawk Valley was then called, the following 
 statement shews why they parted company with their mono- 
 polizing, fur-trading, nominal mother, to breathe the air of 
 freedom, beyond the limits of Fort Orange (the West India 
 Company's trading post), and the exacting colony of Rensse- 
 laerwyck. 
 
 Port Orange or Bevervyyck (now called All)any) was per- 
 manently settled in 1623 ; but divers traders in Holland set 
 about establishing trade at Fort Orange as early as 1614, 
 and they obtained a charter from the States General at the 
 Hague to trade to New Netherlands, to the exclusion of all 
 others. (Doc. His. of N. Y., Vol. 4. p. 115. etc.) 
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT. 3 
 
 Strange mode of colonizing a newly-discovered and rich 
 country ; yet, as shewn in this case and in Guiana and Java, 
 little Holland— brave, hospitable, generous, and almost invin- 
 cible at home — in her foreign policies was only a grasping 
 merchant. 
 
 Fort Orange, in 1661, and up to that period, was the 
 frontier-town of the northern and western borders of the 
 province of New Netherlands. Beyond that all was " the 
 far west,''^ little known, and less explored, wholly abandoned 
 to the wild savage and roving animals of the chase. But 
 civilization, that great power before whose mighty tread 
 savages and all brute creation were fated alike to disappear, 
 and which was not to rest, and has never paused, until now 
 it bathes its feet in the great waters of the mighty Pacific 
 ocean, was about to take another step westward, from Fort 
 Orange to the fertile lands of Schenectady — 18 miles off 
 towards the course of the setting sun. 
 
 This was a great bound for that day of small trading poli- 
 cies, and aflbrds a volume of tribute to the hardihood, 
 intrepidity, and daring of our pioneer ancestors. They seem 
 to have been well fitted to struggle with the policies and 
 disadvantages of that early day, for history assures us that 
 the early proprietors and rulers of the New Netherlands 
 were simply merchants, traders and speculators ; by no 
 means " Saints or Martyrs," driven from home by religious 
 intolerance and persecution, and carving out for themselves, 
 their descendants and their successors, new homes in a stub- 
 born wilderness, with steady perseverance, earnest labor and 
 unhesitating faith, like their eastern colonial neighbors. 
 And I am free to say, that the trading, speculating policies 
 of thosp early proprietors operated with such disastrous 
 effect upon the energies of those who felt disposed to make 
 advance in civilization and substantial fortune, that in 1646, 
 at the termination of the administration of Governor Kieft, 
 and 32 years after the building of forts Orange and 
 Amsterdam, the population, comprising all who came under 
 title of the ''CommonaUy of New Amsterdam,'' amounted to 
 a total of 2,500 souls \ allowing, as is probable, that Fort 
 
4 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Orange, Rensselaerw3'ek, and the few settlements on Long 
 Island, contained 400 more, we are justified in estimating 
 the whole i)opnlation of the New Netherlands on that date 
 at about 3,000 souls. At the same tmie the population of 
 New England was estimated at and believed to l)e between 
 50,000 and H0,000. (Hoi. Doc. Ill, p. 369.) 
 
 Beverwyck (Albany), that now in 187G contains about 
 90,000 inhabitants, held in 1646 only 10 dwelling-houses. 
 The country between Rensselaerwyck and the Manhattans 
 still remained a wilderness. (O'Callaghan's His. N. Nether- 
 lands, pp. 386-390.) 
 
 We are informed, on high authority, and here mention it 
 as an illustration of the progress of that fur-tradiug people, 
 that so late as September, 1656, wheu Johannes La Monlagne 
 was Vice-Director of Fort Orange (the officer who afterwards, 
 in 1661, certified the Indian title for the Flats at Schenec- 
 tady to Arent Van Curler, on behalf of himself and others, 
 as Avill be stilted hereafter,) that official's house was an old 
 building situated within the fort, 27 feet long by 17 wide, 
 and two stories high, constructed of boards one inch thick, 
 and a roof covered with old shingles, and under this house 
 was a cellar. The firsl floor was divided into two compart- 
 ments ; at the north end was a room 17 feet broad, and at 
 the south end an ante-room 10 feet wide. The space on the 
 second floor ^yl\ii one undivided room, directly under the roof, 
 ivithout a chimney, to which room access was had by a straight 
 ladder, through a trap-do )r. lu this room the magistrates 
 administered justice, and this building was the Court-House 
 at Fort Orange 33 years after its permanent settlement. 
 
 This lack of progress exhibits, to one of Dutch descent, 
 anything l)ut pleasant reflections ; yet the result could not 
 well l)e otherwise ; it was the natural consequence of the sys- 
 tem of governmental mismanagement of which New Nether- 
 lands was the victim, and illustrates to statesmen the whole- 
 some truth, as uttered by the learned and profound Adam 
 Smith, "that as the government of an exclusive mercantile 
 company is the worst of all governmeuts for any country, so 
 colonies can never be fostered or provided for by connnercial 
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT. 5 
 
 monopolies or privileged ussocititions." (Smith's Wealth of 
 Nations, Vol. 2, p. 6-t.) 
 
 View, for a moment, this avaricious commercial management. 
 The first 13 years after the discovery of this choicest section 
 of the American continent, it was abandoned to the rare 
 visits of a few private trading ships, which came for the mere 
 purpose of taking away the fnrs that their agents had col- 
 lected at Forts Orange and Amsterdam. And again, when, 
 m 1623, the West India C(mipany became incorporated, this 
 miseraljle system of commercial mismanagement was not 
 altered, and all gains made here weve swept aivay into the 
 coffers of the thrifty merchants of Holland. 
 
 During the administrations of Minuit and Van Twiller, so 
 exceedingly was everylwdy absorbed in the Indian trade, and 
 employed as agents under the control of the West India 
 Company and Patroons, and so little was agriculture and its 
 connected industries fostered or attended to, that the colonists 
 depended almost wholly on the parent country for supplies, 
 even to the importation of brick for the construction of their 
 buildings — brought from Holland generally as ship ballast. 
 
 The English settlers adopted a wiser system; their country 
 soon became inhabited by industrious citizens, and full of 
 energy, Avho, stimulated by the freedom of trade which they 
 enjoyed, and unfettered by the special privileges of lordly 
 manors and commercial monopolies, soon spread themselves 
 abroad with mighty wings, and became a power in the land, 
 eventually culminating in the Amei'ican Revolution, the glo- 
 rious Centennitd of which 43,000,000 of free people, from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific, from the British possessions to the 
 Gulf of Mexico, celebrate, as the elder Adams declared " the 
 4th of July of every year would be celebrated," with every 
 possible demonstration of powder, bonfires, pomp, eloquence 
 and rejoicings. 
 
 The limits appropriate to this occasion will not permit me 
 to follow the early and late struggles between the Directors 
 of the West India Company, who held Fort Orange, and the 
 Patroons of Rensselaerwyck, who held Bevenvyck and the 
 Colonie. 
 
6 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 From the moment colonies begun to be planted by the 
 Putroons in NeAV Netherlands, the Directors of the West 
 India Company became jealous of their existence, opposed 
 their continuance, and, in the prosecution of their policy, 
 endeavored to induce the Patroon of Rensselaervvyck to cede 
 to them his rights, privileges and possessions; but, having 
 failed in effecting this, they determined to circumscribe a 
 jurisdiction and weaken a power they could not buy off, yet 
 wished to destroy. 
 
 Col. Pater Stuyvesant, Director-General of the West India 
 Company, and Brandt Van Slechtenhorst, a determined and 
 intelligent Hollander, who Avas Director of the Eensselaer- 
 wyck Colony, were the champions of these hostile interests 
 and opposing views. The former claimed to be the superior 
 ruler of the whole country, irrespective of the special rights 
 and feudal privileges granted to the local authorities of inde- 
 pendent hefs, and the respective chiefs fulminated their pro- 
 clamations with terrific energy and temper. Nor was Van 
 Slechtenhorst, backed up as he was by Van Rensselaer, Van 
 Curler, Glen, the Ten Broecks, Schuylers, Sanders, Van 
 Vechtens, and some other early settlers of Beverwyck; and, 
 with the sympathies of the Mohawks, " a foeman unworthy 
 of the irritable, gallant, and able Stuyvesant's mettle; " indeed, 
 the friends of Stuy vesant insist that Van Slechtenhorst was a 
 man of "■stubborn and head-strong temper J^ 
 
 It is but an item, yet as slightly illustrating the conflict of 
 jurisdiction between the adherents of the Director-General 
 and those of the Patroon of Rensselaerwyck, with the exac- 
 tions and disorders of those early times, which so much 
 annoyed our pioneers, I introduce an example given by 
 O'CaUaghan, Vol. 2, p. 180, thus : 
 
 " A negress belonging to Sander Leendertse Glen, charged 
 with theft, caused several ' decent persons ' to be prosecuted 
 as receivers of stolen goods. She was ordered to be arrested 
 for defamation, and Dyckman (Commissary, Commandant at 
 Fort Orange), proceeded to take up the wench. Her master 
 refused to surrender her that evening. Dyckman, offended at 
 this, told the burgher that he had power to send him and all 
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT. 7 
 
 his family to jail, to pull his house down about his cars, and 
 trample it underneath his feet, ' as it ivas erected on the com- 
 pany's soiV '■ I have nothing to do with you,' replied Glen; 
 ' I cannot serve a new master until I am discharged from the 
 one I live under ' (meaning the Piitroon of Rensselaer wyck). 
 The Commissary threatened him with Stuyvesant, but Glen 
 thought he should fare as well at Stuyvesant's hands as he. 
 This overthrew Dyckman's temper ; he drew his rapier, and 
 threatened to rim his adversary through, but Glen fearlessly 
 seized a dab to repel his assailant, who then prudently 
 retired." 
 
 This Glen was an early emigrant to New Netherlands, and 
 one of the original pioneer settlers of Schenectady, and it 
 seems well that of such brave materials the original pioneer 
 settlers were framed, fitted for the hardships and trials of a 
 frontier life, which they and their descendants subsequently so 
 severely ex[)erienced. 
 
 This state of misgovernment, distress and confused disor- 
 der continuing, Avith many oppressions and disabilities 
 imposed upon the sparsely-settled and suffering people, by 
 both the West India Company and the Patroon's govern- 
 ment, some of the best settlers of Fort Orange and Bever- 
 wyck, bearing their double burthens with great impatience, 
 they were anxious especially to escape from the feudal tenures 
 and trading restrictions of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, 
 when an opening seemed providentially made to place them 
 beyond the confines of the manor, imder the following cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 The proximity of the whites had exhausted the hunting 
 resources of the Indians in the neighborhood of Beverwyck 
 and their castle at Schenectady. Furs were there becoming 
 scarce, and the soil was no longer of special value to them, 
 whose life-occupation was the chase. It was ascertained, on 
 this ground, that the natives were willing to sell for a mod- 
 erate price their Great Flats, west of Fort Orange, ''towards 
 the interior of the country.^'' 
 
 Those Flats and Islands, say the Indian traditions, which 
 is borne out l)y the declarations ot* the earliest white settlers, 
 
O HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 handed down to their descendants, were all cleared as and 
 Avhen the pioneer settlers found them, and had been culti- 
 vated by the Mohawks for successive generations — how 
 many centuries cannot now be determined, as I can find no 
 data settling when the Mohawks first occupied this beautiful 
 valley; but in their continued and productive cultivation, 
 even at the present day, these low lands exhibit a fertility 
 only equaled by the deep molds of the Nile, the Mississippi 
 and the Ganges. 
 
 As the Mohawks were the original owners of the soil — 
 Avhich is now the beautiful site of our city, and where this 
 monument, at whose base we now are, has been erected, in 
 commemoration of the Union we hail to-day — they, too, 
 have been identified with its earliest and latest history, Ijoih 
 in weal and woe ; therefore, I feel at liberty to mention that 
 proud and remarkable people in this connection, and to state 
 as a matter of history, sustained by long-established tradi- 
 tions, that in 1630, the Mohawks had five castles : 1st. Mone- 
 mias castle (a leading chief of that day), situated on an 
 island at the mouth of the Mohawk river. 2d. A castle at 
 Schenectady. 3d. Another at the outlet of Schoharie creek, 
 now called Fort Hunter. 4th. A castle at Cauo;hnawao;a, in 
 the present town of Mohawk ; and 5th. Their upper and 
 great castle, called " CanajoJiarie,''^ now in the town of Dan- 
 ube, Herkimer county, where the admirable and distinguished 
 warrior King Hendrick and his great civilian brother, Abra- 
 ham, in aftertimes made their home. 
 
 Of these, first their castle at the mouth of the Mohawk 
 river, and then their castle at Schenectady, were abandoned, 
 and the lands sold ; and in 1671, just ten years after the per- 
 manent settlement of Schenectady, the Mohawks of the third 
 castle, CaugJinaivaga^ having become Roman Catholics, in a 
 body accompanied their priests to and settled in Canada, at a 
 point still called Caughnawaga, not far from Montreal ; so that 
 after the year 1672, the Mohawks had only two castles in 
 their lovely valley — their lower castle at the mouth of the 
 Schoharie creek, and their great upper castle and capital seat 
 called " Canajoharie." 
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT. 9 
 
 It has been already stated, that the Mohawks of the 
 Schenectady castle were ready and willing to sell, and that 
 a nnmber of independent and dissatisfied families of Bever- 
 wyck and Fort Orange were willing to pnrchase and remove 
 thither, they well knowing, some from report and some from 
 exploration, that it was a l)eautiful location, already fitted 
 for the purposes of agriculture and civilized occupation. 
 
 It was under such circumstances that Ai^eni Van Curler, 
 on the 18th day of July, 1661^215 years ago — on behalf of 
 himself and Philip HeiidricksoR Brower, Alexander Liiuhay 
 Glen, Swear T>mise Van Velsen, Syrnon VolkerLsen Veeder, 
 Peter Adriance (commonly called Sogemakelijh), Cornelius 
 Anioimen Van Slf/ck, Gerrit Bancker, William Teller, Baslian 
 De Winter, in his own right, and, also, as attorney for Catahjn, 
 Avidow of Aarent Andreas Bradt, Peter Jacobse Borsboom, 
 Peter Danielse Van Olinda, Jan Barentse Wamp and Jacques 
 Corneliuse Van Slf/ck, applied to Peter Stuyvesaut, the 
 Director-General, t'ov permission to purchase the Indian lands 
 at Schenectady. The above-named were the first permanent 
 actual settlers of Schenectady, many of whose descendants 
 bearing the family name, and some not bearing, it are now 
 before me, or still living in our midst, links in a chain of 
 by-gone days. 
 
 On the 21st day of the same month, July, 1661, Stuyve- 
 saut granted the requisite authority, but the permission Avas 
 loaded down with the provision (for the applicants could not 
 escape the sovereignty of the stout old director) : "That the 
 said lands, on being purchased from the native proprietors, 
 must be, as usual, transferred to the Director-General and 
 Council, as representatives of the Lords Directors of the 
 Privileged West India Company ; that Avhatever the petition- 
 ers should pay for the aforesaid lands to the original i)ro- 
 prietors should, in due time, be returned to them, or be dis- 
 counted to them, against the tenths." (See Albany Eec, 
 XIX, p. 180.) 
 
 After which illiberal permission, on the 27th day of Jul}^, 
 1G61, the following deed Avas obtained from the Indian 
 owners, which, as it embraced the location of our city and all 
 
10 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the flats in its vicinity, and wiis an earnest effort of the old 
 pioneers to improve their then oppressed condition, I copy 
 entire, to wit : 
 
 " Appeared het'ove Johannes La Moniagne, appointed by the 
 Director-General and Commissary in the service of the Privi- 
 leged West India Company, at Fort Orange and the town of 
 Beverwyck, certain chiefs of the Mohawk country, by name 
 Cantuqno, Sonareetsie, Aiadane and Sodoorane, }n-o[)rietors of 
 a certain parcel of land called, in Dutch, Groole Vlacie (Great 
 Fhits), lying behind Fort Orange, between the same and the 
 Mohawk country, which they declare to have ceded and trans- 
 ported, as they hereby cede and transport, in real and actual 
 possession and property, inito Sieur Aveut Van Curler, the said 
 parcel of land, or Great Flat, called in Indian, ' Schonowa,' as 
 it is bounded in its contents and circmnference, with its trees 
 and streams, for a certain numl)er of cargoes, wherein the 
 cedents acknowledge to have received satisfiction ; renounc- 
 ing, now and forever, all property and claim which they 
 hitherto have had in the aforesaid parcel of land, promising to 
 free the same from all claims which other Indians might have 
 thereon. Done in Fort Orange, the 27th July, Anno 1661, in 
 presence of Martin Mourisse and William Montague, there- 
 unto requested in presence of me. 
 
 "LA MONTAGNE, 
 " Vice-Direclor and Commissary over llie Fortress Orange.''^ 
 
 The mark of Contuquo to the above instrument was a Bear ; 
 that of Aiadans, a Turtle ; and of Sonareetsie, aWolf, denoting 
 the tribe or family to which each bek)nged. The true name 
 of the Avitness to this instrument, who signed as Martin Mou- 
 risse, was Martin Maurice Van Slyck, brother of Jacques 
 Cornel ise Van Slyck, both subsequently proprietors, and 
 among the first original settlers of Schenectady. The mother 
 of both was a Mohawk chieftain's daughter. They were the 
 children of Cornelise Antonisen Van Sbjcl', the great Indian 
 interpreter, and were born at Canajoharie, the principal 
 Mohawk castle — Jacques as early as 1640, and Martin a 
 year or two after that time. 
 
EARLY SETTLEMENT. 11 
 
 This singulur mode of signature, Avithout the surname, 
 leads me to state, that of all the coU)nies established in North 
 America, the records of none seem so unintelligible or diffi- 
 cult of construction as those of the New Netherlands ; and 
 the fact, with its difficulties, as ilhistrated to me in the expe- 
 rience of a long and somewhat pi'actical professional life, is 
 clearly pointed out by my friend, Professor Jonathan Pierson, 
 of Union College, in his two volumes, entitled, " Contribu- 
 tions for the Genealogies of the First Settlers of Albany and 
 Schenectady, published respectively in 1872-3;" in which, 
 after displaying much talent with learning, and the most 
 indefatigable patience and research in his investigations, he 
 justly says : " The student who searches the early Dutch rec- 
 ords meets with many difficulties ; yet none are more vexa- 
 tious than the personal names. The majority of the first 
 settlers ordinarily used no surnames ; some evidently had none; 
 in those cases, individuals were often distinguished l)y personal 
 peculiarities, trades or occupations, which, although sufficient 
 for that individual, gives little or no aid to one tracino- the 
 pedigree of a famil}^" And I must here mention, with pro- 
 found respect, that I have been greatly aided in my present 
 elfort by the previous persevering labors of the painstaking 
 professor. 
 
 But the use of surnames graduall}' increased among the 
 Dutch after 16G4, Avhen the colony of New Netherlands 
 became the province of New York, and, after 1725, became 
 universal. 
 
 The first settlers of Schenectady were originally residents of 
 Beverwyck (now Albany). Schenectady was really an emi- 
 gration from that ^ilace, yet but little kindness did those 
 pioneer, enterprising children receive from their fur-trading, 
 jealous, and avaricious mother. That treatment has a history, 
 without some reference to which Schenectady's early settle- 
 ment, and the oppressions of its citizens, cannot be well 
 understood. 
 
 True, a grant in conhrmation of the Indian title for the 
 Schenectady Flats, purchased July 27th, 1661, was tardily 
 issued under the provincial seal, April 6th, 1662, but the land 
 
12 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 was not surveyed, or permitted to be divided, until 1664, as 
 the inhabitants ot" Fort Orange and Renssehierwyck inter- 
 fered ; they were most anxious to retain the fia- monopoly, 
 and had sufficient influence with Director and Council to 
 induce them to order that the settlers of Schenectady should 
 contine themselves exclusively to agriculture, and abstain from 
 all trade with the Indians, and only on this condition were 
 they allowed to remove ; or, if already removed, to remain 
 there. 
 
 The independent and indignant first settlers remonstrated 
 against these harsh impositions, with great tirnmess and power 
 of argument, but without avail ; 'a\\(\. it was not until 1664 
 that they were allowed ^;erm«/?en% to locate even upon such 
 oppressive terms ; and still, in legal and municipal aft'airs, they 
 were ccmipelled to remain dependent on the court of Fort 
 Oran2:e. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Dutch Colonists. 
 
 In treating my sul)ject from the foundation, and to shed 
 light upon the early partiality of the Mohawks for the Dutch, 
 I will state that Hendrick Hudson, on the 4th day of Sep- 
 tember, 1609, rounded " Sandy Hook,^' and on the following 
 morning moored the '' Half-Moon,^^ in latitude 40° 30', at a 
 short distance from the shore, in the waters of " the great 
 North River of New Netherlands, our magnijicenl Hudnon^ 
 That bold navigator, after exploring the bay, discovered that 
 it was the entrance to what appeared to be an extensive river. 
 On the 6th, he sent live of his crew forward to make a more 
 particular examination of the channel. They passed the 
 Narrows, sounding as they went, and, after proceeding six 
 miles, turned back, their boat being attacked by two canoes, 
 containing twenty-six Indians, killing John Colman, an Eng- 
 lishman, by an arrow shot into his throat ; two others were 
 wounded at the same time ; clearly Hudson had no pacific 
 
THE DUTCH COLONISTS. 13 
 
 welcome from the aliorigines in his first intercourse Avith 
 them, although subsequently the Mohawks, fur up the great 
 river, through u fortunate coincidence of circumstances (here- 
 after explained), received the fearless explorer with brotherly 
 affection. This was the first European blood shed in those 
 waters. Colman was interred at Sandy Hook, and the spot 
 where his remains were deposited has ever since, in memory 
 of that event, preserved the name of " Cohnan^s PoinV 
 
 The unhesitating Hudson, after several encoimters with 
 the aborigines, on the afternoon of the 12th September, 1609, 
 commenced his memorable voyage up the great river of New 
 NetJierlands, which has since handed down his name in 
 deserved honor to posterity. On the 19th his vessel, the ^'■HoJf- 
 Moon,^^ reached a point a little below the present south bounds 
 of the city of Albany, and there anchored, the navigation 
 having become considerably obstructed, for it seems the noljle 
 stream held an overslaugh then, as it does now. From thence 
 he sent a boat several miles higher up, probably to the month 
 of the Mohawk, and having satisfied himself that he had 
 gained the head of ship navigation, on the 23d of September 
 he began to retrace his course, and until he reached the Cats- 
 kill creek, the southei'u boundary line of the Mohawks, he 
 and his companions were hospitably entertained by that people 
 and treated as welcome friends. 
 
 We may properly question here, whether this was genuine 
 native hospitality or interested friendship. From early life 
 I have entertained great admiration for the prowess and 
 noble daring of the Mohawks " as the Spartans of America." 
 This admiration was hightened by the fact, that probably 
 no family in their lovely valley, from its first settlement by 
 Europeans, has received more consideration and kindness 
 from that particular tribe of the Iroquois nation than the 
 Glens of Scotia — the first family who ever erected a dwelling 
 on the north side of Mohawk river in its whole course of 136 
 miles. An old and undisputed entry in the Glen famihj 
 Bible, shews that this took place in 1658, by permission of 
 the Mohawks, although actual paper title did not pass to 
 the Flats until July, 1661, as before stated. All else between 
 
14 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the Scotia mansion and Canada was occupied by forests, wild 
 animals, and Indian hunters. 
 
 Schenectady, historically, was not settled until 1G61, but 
 traditions and Bible entries convince the writer that Jacques 
 Cornelise Van Slyck, Alexander Lindsey Glen and John 
 Teller, a nephew of Glen's wife, were established there as 
 early as 1658, under the auspices of the Mohawks. 
 
 There is much still to be respected in the early history of 
 the Mohawks ; but after an earnest reading of Indian history, 
 occurring since the settlement of this country, 280 years ago, 
 and in view of our late and present experiences in the far 
 west, I have reached the calm conviction, that although the 
 Indian may be grateful for present benefits b^ntowed, his nature 
 cannot be sympathetic or genial from atfection ; his wild, 
 rugged being scorns such etfeminacy, but seems to nurture 
 animosities and revenge, freighted with cruelties fiend-like 
 and unspeakably barbarous. To him interest is the true lever, 
 and selfishness a polar star. The wife, who should be a 
 cherished companion, is his drudging, forlorn, unpitied slave ; 
 the chase is his almost necessary support, while war and 
 plunder are his favorite pastimes. 
 
 What, then, it may be asked, was the cause of the kind- 
 ness shewn by those fierce Mohawks to Hudson and his suc- 
 cessors? I answer, it was simply this high-strung, savage pride 
 and fiendish interest, to which allusion has just been made. 
 
 The Mohawks, avIio held the eastern portion of the great 
 Iroquois confederacy (the gateway of the Mohawk Valley) at 
 the time of Hudson's arrival, were the first of that confederacy 
 to meet the Dutch. Five tribes — the Mohawks, Oneidas, 
 Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, called the Iroquois by the 
 French, and the Five Nations by the English, speaking a 
 language radically the same, and practicing similar customs — ■ 
 had united in foilning a confederacy which, for durability 
 and power, Jias never been equaled in Indian history. 
 
 In cases of emergency, each tribe acted independently ; but 
 a General Council, usually assembling at Onondaga, near the 
 center of their territory, determined upon peace or tear, and 
 all other matters, which reo;arded the interests of the whole. 
 
THE DUTCH COLONISTS. 15 
 
 As a confederacy, they occupied the whole jSIohawk Valley, 
 and what is now the northern and western part of the State 
 of New York, and a portion of northwestern Pennsylvania. 
 They were a race of men distinguished above all other abo- 
 rigines of the American continent for intelligence, eloquence, 
 combinations, prowess, endurance and cruelty. War was 
 their delight — a more healthy, recreating exercise — believing 
 it to be the most honorable employment of men. 
 
 These confederates had carried their arms to the Avild 
 regions north of the St. Lawrence, had swept their adver- 
 saries from the waters of Ontario and Erie, and had even 
 gained a great victory on the far Lake Huron ; had carried 
 their arms across the Connecticut river, over the banks of the 
 Mississippi, and almost to the Gulf of Mexico. Formidable 
 by their numbers, combinations, reckless courage and skill, 
 they excited awe and respect in the most powerful tribes of 
 North America, and exacted tribute and submission from the 
 weak with unfeeling arrogance. 
 
 But a great change came over these knights of the toma- 
 hawk, bow and arrow. The Iroquois were astounded, and 
 the Mohawks especiall}-, who were the immediate actons, felt 
 deep humiliation. In 1608. the first efficient settlement in 
 Canada was made by Governor Champlain (Samuel De 
 Champlain, a native of France, born at Brouge, a seaport 
 situated on the bay of Biscay, and was of noble descent ; as 
 an explorer and hardy pioneer of daring adventures, Cham- 
 plain has few equals, and has left the impress of his distin- 
 guished name on one of the most beautiful lakes of our coun- 
 try), who founded Quebec. At this time the Iroquois were 
 waging a desperate war with the powerful Hurons and Algon- 
 quius, who lived in Canada, and Champlain, entering into an 
 alliance with those tribes, funmhed iliem wiOt men and fire- 
 aiins. The Iroquois had never before heard lire-arms, or 
 seen a white man ; and the etfects produced by the flash, 
 the noise and fatal aim of the fire-arms, operating on the 
 superstitious ideas and fears of the Iroquois (the Mohawks 
 being the only portion of them present), enabled their enemies 
 to gain a temporary ascendancy over them near Ticonderoga. 
 
16 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 (See Edin. Encyclopa?diji, North America, and Sieur Cham- 
 plaiii's Account, Doc. His. N. Y., Vol. 3, p. 9.) 
 
 The confederates, who had always been victorious, esteemed 
 the Hurons and Algonquins as little better than vassals, and 
 could not brook this change of supremacy without humili- 
 ating regrets. They, therefore, hailed the coming of the 
 Dutch with delight, and counted on their friendship after 
 they should become established at Fort Orange, which took 
 place soon after the settlement of Quebec. From the Dutch 
 they soon obtained arms, ammunition and instruction, and 
 immediately, almost, regained all the influence, power, and 
 character they had lost ; and from that time and long after- 
 wards, were they the grateful, steady friends and protectors of 
 the Dutch, whose light boats were permitted to penetrate 
 into the remote l)ounds of their territory, exchanging their 
 merchandise and munitions of war for peltries and furs. But 
 the French were not idle. They sent Jesuit missionaries 
 among the Mohawks, men of fascinating manners, easy adap- 
 tation, skillful musicians, and, being Frenchmen, were, per- 
 haps, as much intent on making allies for France as converts 
 to Christianity. For, as previously stated, they, in 1671, 
 only ten years after the first settlement of Schenectady, per- 
 suaded all the jMohawks located at Caughnaivaga to remove 
 from their castle on the Mohawk river, and establish them- 
 selves in Canada, where they were settled on the Sault, at a 
 place still called CaughnaAvaga, near Montreal. (Wm. W. 
 Campbell's Border Warfare of N. Y. during the Revolution, 
 issued 1836.) 
 
 What a chilling exhibition of the enduring warmth of 
 Indian friendship follows. In 1690, about thirty years after 
 the settlement of Schenectady, eighty of these same Caugh- 
 nawaga Indians, under their chief, the " Gi-eat, Agmer,'' 
 assisted the French, under the Sieur Le Moyne, to desolate 
 Schenectad}^, whose citizens were their former neighbors, and 
 some of them personal acquaintances. (Doc. His. of N. Y., 
 Vol. 1, p. 298.) 
 
 It has been seen that, through the assistance of the Dutch, 
 the Iroquois, as a nation, and the Mohawks, especially, as a 
 
THE DUTCH COLONISTS. 17 
 
 tribe, recovered their supremacy ; and note how arbitrar}^ and 
 desjDotic was that supremacy. An example or two Avill iUus- 
 trate their hardihood, prowess, insolence, and ferocity. 
 
 As early as 1643, in the winter, while the earth was yet 
 buried in snow, a party of armed Mohawks, some eighty or 
 ninety in number, made a descent upon the Tappaen Indians, 
 for the pm-pose of levying tribute, which had not been 
 promptly paid. Struck with terror, the Tappaens, amount- 
 ing to between four and five hundred, fled in despair to the 
 island of ManhaUcm, leaving seventy of their men dead on 
 the field, and numbers of their women and childi-en in the 
 hands of the enemy. Half dead with hunger and cold, these 
 poor creatures presented themselves at the houses of the 
 Dutch, by whom they were hospitably received and humanely 
 treated for the space of fourteen days. But terror had 
 entered so deep into their souls, that they did not think them- 
 selves safe even under the protection of the Dutch at Man- 
 hattan, and once more they fled, scattering themselves abroad, 
 like leaves before the winter's wind, in various directions. 
 (O'Callaghan's His. N. Netherlands, Vol. 1, p. 264, etc.) 
 
 The accomplished statesman, De Wilt Olinton, in an histo- 
 rical address, speaking of the Iroquois during the Revolution- 
 ary War, says : " The whole confederacy, except a little more 
 than half the Oneidas, took up arms against us. They hung 
 like the scythe of death upon the rear of our settlements, 
 and their acts are inscribed v/ith the scalping-knife and the 
 tomahawk, in characters of blood, on the fields of Wyoming 
 and Cherry Valley, and on the banks of the Mohawk." The 
 Mohawks levied tribute on all the Indian tribes living east 
 of the Connecticut river. Colden (high authority about early 
 times), in his history of the Five Nations, writes : 
 
 " I have been informed by old men in New England, who 
 remember the time when the Mohawks made war on their 
 Indians, and that as soon as a single Mohawk was discovered 
 in the country, their Indians raised a cry from hill to hill : 
 A Mohawk, a Mohawk, a Mohaivk, upon which they all fled 
 like sheep before wolves, without attempting to make the 
 least resistance, whatever odds was on their side. The poor 
 2 
 
18 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 NeAv England Indians immediately ran to the Christian 
 honses, and the Mohawks often pursued them so closely that 
 they entered along with them, and knocked their brains 
 out in the presence of the people of the house ; but if the 
 family had time to shut the door, they never attempted to 
 force it, and on no occasion did injury to the Christians. 
 
 "All the nations around them for many years entirely 
 submitted to the Mohawks, and paid to them a yearly tribute 
 in wampum ; and those tributary nations dare neither make 
 war or peace without the consent of that haughty tribe. 
 Two old men commonly went about every year or two to 
 receive the tribute ; and I have often had opportunity to 
 observe what anxiety the poor Indians were under while 
 these two old men remained in that part of the country where 
 I was. An old Mohawk Indian, in a poor blanket and a 
 dirty shirt, might be seen issuing his orders with authority as 
 arbitrary as a Raman Dictator T It may well be admitted, 
 that the Mohawks were a people of Spartan mould. 
 
 I have been thus precise in my description of the MohaAvks : 
 
 First — Because they were the original proprietors of the soil 
 on which we now stand, and where our city now flourishes. 
 
 Second — Because they were, in proportion to numbers, 
 both by reputation and in fact, the most heroic, warlike tribe 
 that roamed in uncivilized grandeur over the forests, streams 
 and mountains of North America. 
 
 Third — Because, with all their savage peculiarities, ferocity 
 and prowess, until the commencement of the Revolutionary 
 War, the great majority of the Mohawks were the earnest 
 and steady friends of the early settlers of Schenectady and 
 their descendants, scattered throughout their rich valley. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Survey. 
 It has been previously stated that 15 individuals — stout- 
 hearted and hardy sons of freedom, and their names given — 
 remembering their ancestral Holland, with her noble institu- 
 
SURVEY, 19 
 
 tions, brave ships, liberal churches, and indomitable people, 
 in the hope of escaping from the manorial conflicts, restric- 
 tions and oppressions of the Colony of Rensselaerwyck, being 
 umuilling to submit to two jurisdictions, purchased from the 
 Mohawks (and that Stuy vesant confirmed to them) the Flats 
 at Schenectady. They soon after located there, and, upon an 
 actual survey, laid out, compactly, the streets for their vil- 
 lage, aiming at mutual defense and safety. 
 
 The original plat embraced only the ground extending 
 from the Main Binne Kill, on the west, to what is now the 
 east side of Ferry street, on the east, and from the Mohawk 
 river, on the north, to the line of the low lands on the south, 
 including a small portion of the Flats. This area they care- 
 fully fortified with stockades or palisades, well knowing that 
 at this point they occupied the extreme frout line of civiliza- 
 tion. And although compactness was studied and desirable, 
 yet, w^ith a view to business and the convenience of posterity, 
 and an enlightened 'policy, they laid out their streets wide, 
 regular, and at right angles, as is still exhibited within the 
 original limits by the old unchanged streets. Those within the 
 palisades were named : 
 
 1st. Ilundelaers^ street (Traders' street). This name con- 
 tinued initil soon after the destruction and massacre at Sche- 
 nectady in 1690, when the name was changed to " X«b« " 
 street, and was so called until after the close of the Revolu- 
 tionary War, when it was named " Washington'' street (now 
 Washington avenue) in honor of the gi^eat Washington, Father 
 of our Country. This street, until the disastrous fire of 1819, 
 when its docks, wharves and storehouses along the main 
 Binnekill, and the mercantile and dwelling-houses on the 
 street itself, were swept away, was by far the most valuable 
 and business portion of the city, and had been from the day 
 of its settlement ; but, with that desolation, and the progress- 
 ive movements of the Erie canal and the strides of railroad 
 power, its business activities have been transferred to our 
 State street, and the old business center has become, with 
 quiet dignity, a delightful place of residence — one of the 
 most charming points of Schenectady. 
 
20 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 2d. Front street retains its original name, and was so called 
 because it was on the northern line of the place, and ran par- 
 allel to the Mohawk river. 
 
 3d. Ferry street also maintains its first name, and was so 
 called because one of the gates of the place, and the landing- 
 place for its boats, canoes, and only scow was at its foot. 
 The Mohawk was chained by no bridges then ; the village, 
 and the sparse population on the north side of that river, 
 maintained communication by water except in the winter 
 season. There the sentinel of snow was stationed when the 
 place was surprised in 161)0. Here the only entrance was 
 made by the French and Indians. The French account, 
 given by Monsieur De Monseignat (Paris, Doc. IV), states : 
 "The town of "ObrZear" (Schenectady) forms a sort of 
 oblong, with only two gates — one opposite the road we had 
 taken (at Ferry street), the other leading to Orange (Albau}^). 
 Messieurs De Sainte Helene and De Mantet were to enter at 
 the first, which the squaws pointed out, and which, in fact, 
 Avas found wide open. Messieurs d'lberville and De Montes- 
 son took the left, with another detachment, in order to make 
 themselves masters of that loading to Orange. But they 
 could not discover it, and retmiied to join the remainder of 
 the party. A profound silence was everywhere observed, 
 until the two conmianders, who, separated at their entrance 
 into the town for the purpose of encircling it, had met at the 
 other extremity." 
 
 4th. Church street was always so called because the earliest 
 church (Reformed Dutch) was erected on the small public 
 square at its southern termination. 
 
 5th. NisTiayuna street was so named in honor of the old 
 Niskayuna settlement just outside of the manor of Rensselaer- 
 wyck, whose inhabitants sympathized with those of Schenec- 
 tady, and in some families were of the same kith and kin. 
 It is now known as Union street. 
 
 6th. Albany street was so called until after the burning 
 and massacre of 1690, when it was named "Martelaers' 
 street " {Martyrs^ street), in memory of the cruel slaughter of 
 many of its residents, where the murders of that hour and 
 
ORIGINAL PEOPRIETORS. 21 
 
 the bai'l)ai'ities of that night seem to have been the most ter- 
 rific, and was so named until it received its present designa- 
 tion, ''Slate streety 
 
 The lots on the village plat, and the forming flats on l)oth 
 sides of the Mohawk river, embracing the islands therein, as 
 contained in the grant, were equitably divided or apportioned 
 among the original proprietors, who subsequently sold out 
 sections or rights to actual settlers on easy terms. Aided by 
 such encouragement, the fertility of the soil and the advan- 
 tages of local trading position, Schenectady soon advanced in 
 population, prosperity and wealth. 
 
 As is apparent at this late day, the lots on the north side 
 o^ Front street ran through to the strand on the Mohawk river. 
 
 The east side of Ferry street was occupied by a line of 
 pickets, placed deeply and firmly in the soil, some remains 
 of which this writer, in the march of later-day improvements, 
 has seen excavated from the line where both tradition and 
 history claim they were fixed by the old pioneers. 
 
 The lots on the soiitJi side of State street ran down to and, 
 generally, some short distance on the Flats. And the lots on 
 the ivest side of Washington avenue extended to the strand on 
 the Main Binnekill, which was, until 1819, the harbor and 
 commercial port of our comparatively venerable place. 
 
 Besides the portions above named, within the pickets, there 
 were four blocks, laid out 400 feet square, Rhineland measure 
 (400 feet Rhineland being 413 feet English measure). 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Original Proprietors. 
 
 From the lapse of time and the destruction of early town 
 records in 1690, it is next to impossible to determine with 
 accuracy the allotments and divisions of their common prop- 
 erty among the original proprietors ; but, as the result of my 
 own labors and the valuable researches of Professor Picrson, 
 to whom I OAve much of my knowledge aliout the early set- 
 
22 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 tiers, we can approximate thereto so nearly as to trace and 
 treat of the proprietors individually. 
 
 We have already ascertained who they were by name ; it 
 has interested me, and it may gratify many, certainly ivill 
 some intelligent citizens^ to know where they were from, where 
 and how they lived, and what became of them. And, having 
 been especially requested to give the public all the reasonable 
 light to be found on that point, from a pretty intimate tradi- 
 tional and historic knowledge of their early trials and surround- 
 ings, as a lineal descendant of one of then, I cannot but feel a 
 lively partiality for the brave emigrants, and will offer the re- 
 sult of my investigations with some satisfaction, as follows : 
 
 The first named, and apparently most prominent pioneer, 
 he having acted as head agent in obtaining the original grant 
 of Schenectady for himself and other first settlers, was Arent 
 Van Curler. I have no means of determining when he first 
 came to the New Netherlands, but find he was an early set- 
 tler, an intimate friend of Alexander Lindsay Glen, a full 
 cousin of the Patroon, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and that 
 already, in 1643, at Albany, he married Antonia Slachboom, 
 widow of Jonas Bronk. He certainly was the proprietor of 
 a brewery at Beverwyck, in 1661, and one of the leaders in 
 the settlement of Schenectady during the same year. 
 
 On the surrender of the colony, in 1664, he was sent for 
 by Governor Nicoll, to be consulted on Indian afiairs and the 
 interests of the country generally. He was highly respected 
 by the Governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for 
 him by M. De Tracy, Viceroy of that country, will be best 
 judged of by the following extract of a letter, which that 
 distinguished person addressed to him, elated Quebec, April 
 30th, 1667: 
 
 "If you feel it agreeable to come hither this summer, as 
 you had caused me to hope, you will be most welcome, and 
 entertained to the utmost of my abilty, as I have great esteem 
 for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with you. 
 
 "Believe this truth, that I am, sir, your afiectionate and 
 assured servant, TRACY." 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 23 
 
 Van Ciii'ler was an unhesitating humanitarian under any 
 circumstances, and had, with great hibor, perseverance and 
 expense, rescued several French captives from the hands of 
 the barbarous Mohawks. But the crowning hospitality of 
 his life, which secured for him the consideration and warm 
 affection of the Marquis De Tracy, an old general, schooled 
 in the European wars of France, and Viceroy of all the French 
 possessions in America, was this : 
 
 " Ou the 29th December, 1666, Monsieur Courcelles, the 
 Governor ©f Canada, began his march with near six hundred 
 men, to seek out their inveterate enemies, called the Mohawk 
 Indians, in their own country and forts, there to take revenge 
 upon them for the murders and spoils which the barbarians 
 had, for many years, exercised upon the French and the 
 Indians of those parts to the ruin of most. They marched 
 over the frozen Lake of Canada (Champlain), taking their 
 time, until the snow upon the ground was hard frozen, though 
 in most places four feet deep. They made use of Indian 
 snow-shoes, which have the form of a racket, tied to each foot, 
 whereby the body and feet are kept from sinking into the 
 snow, and because it was not possible for horses to pass or 
 subsist in the snow, or for the soldiers to carry their necessary 
 provisions on their backs. With no expectation of meeting 
 relief in the vast wilderness, Courcelles caused slight sledges 
 to be made in good number, and laying provisions on them, 
 drew them over the snow with Mastiff dogs. 
 
 All these difficulties impeded his march, and by the mis- 
 take of his guides, happened to fall short of the castles of the 
 Mohawks, and to take up his quarters, or rather, encanq) 
 upon the 9th of February within two miles of a small village 
 called ' Sdionectade' lying in the woods beyond Fort 
 Albany, and three days' march from the first castle of the 
 Mohawks. 
 
 " The French supposed they were come to their designed 
 l)lace ; and the rather, because that evening they met with 
 a party of the Mohawks, who made appearance of retreating 
 from the French, whereupon 60 of the best fusileers were 
 sent after them ; but that small party drew the French into 
 
24 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 an ambuscade of near 200 Mohawks, planted behind trees, 
 who, at one volley, slew eleven Frenchmen, whereof one was 
 a lieutenant, and wounded divers others. The French party 
 made an honorable retreat to their main body, which was 
 marching after them close at hand. This gave the Mohawks 
 time and opportunity to march oif with the loss of only three 
 slain and six wounded. The report was soon brought to 
 Schonectacle by these Indians, with the heads of four of the 
 French, to the Commissary of the village. The next da}^, 
 upon invitation. Monsieur Courcelles seut his wounded men, 
 seven in niunber, to the village, where they were carefully 
 dressed and sent to Albany. 
 
 " The Dutch farmers of Schenectady carried to the camp 
 such provisions as they had, especially peas and bread, of 
 which a good quantity was bought. The Mohawks were 
 all gone to their castles, with resolution to fight it out 
 against the French, who, being refreshed, and supplied by 
 the Dutch with provisions, made a shew of marching 
 towards the Mohawk castles, but with faces about, and great 
 silence and diligence, returned towards Canada." (Lond. 
 Doc. 11 ; Doc. His. of N. Y., Vol. 1, p. 71.) 
 
 The students of our early local history can easily discover 
 who was the principal actor in this rescue of the bewildered 
 French invaders of the Mohawk country {intended as a sur- 
 prise) from the concentrated Mohawk wrath, gathering for 
 destruction at their castles. 
 
 Governor Dongan, as late as 1687, paid this tribute to the 
 memory of Van Curler : 
 
 " About 30 years ago 600 or 700 of these French, taking 
 advantage of the Indians being abroad, so far as Cape Florida 
 at war, came down and burnt a castle of the Mohawks, 
 wherein there were none but old men, women and children, 
 which the rest of the Iroquois, hearing, pursued the French 
 to a place called Schoneciade, about 20 miles above Albany, 
 where they had every man cut off, had not one ' Corlarr ' (a 
 Dutchman so beloved of the Indians that in memory of him 
 they call all the governors by that name) interposed." (Doc. 
 His. N.Y.,Vol. 1, p. 156.) 
 
I 
 
 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 25 
 
 Having accepted the invitation of De Tracy, Van Curler 
 prepared for his journe}^ and Gov. Nicoll furnished him with 
 a very complimentary letter to the Viceroy, which bears date 
 20th May, 1667, stating, among other matters, that " he 
 hath intreated my pass and liberty, to conduct a youno- 
 gentleman, M. Fontain, who unfortunately fell into the hands 
 of his barbarian enemies, and by means of Monsr. Curler 
 obtained his liberty." He entered upon his journey, and hav- 
 ing embarked on a canoe to cross Lake Champlain, was over- 
 taken by a storm and drowned at a i)oint called Split liock. 
 
 O'Callaghan, in his History of New Netherlands, says : 
 " In his death, this country experienced a public loss, and the 
 French of Canada a warm, efficient friend. His was a 
 humanitarian life that should live in history. Our early 
 annals are full of his etlbrts to rescue unfortunate captives 
 from the barbarities of the Mohawks and their confederate 
 allies." Father Joques, in 1663, and Father Beresani, in 
 1664, and M. Fontain, in 1667, are only three individual 
 cases noted among the number of his rescues. 
 
 His influence among the Iroquois was almost unbounded, 
 and in honor of his memory, as we have seen, those tribes 
 addressed all succeeding governors of New York b}' the name 
 of '* Corlear.^' 
 
 What a tribute to virtue — what an offering to the memory of 
 a deceased friend ! Letters on a sculptured monument cannot 
 equal this noble expression of admiration from the uncivilized 
 Indian. 
 
 As an evidence of the advanced scholarship of Van Curler, 
 his systematic turn of mind, his fidelity to trust, and as 
 exhibiting the condition of affairs at Fort Orange, and in the 
 manor of Rensselaerwyck, at that early day, I will publish, 
 in an appendix, marked A, a letter from him to the Patroon, 
 Killian Van Rensselaer, a merchant of Amsterdam, a Director 
 of the West India Company, one of the ffrst Patroons of New 
 Netherlands, and the ffrst proprietor of Rensselaerwyck, whose 
 superintendent and representative Van Curler was, written 
 from Manhattan, June 16th, 1643. (See same, taken from 
 the Rensselaerwyck MSS.) 
 
26 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Van Curler's village lot in Schenectady, on the division, was 
 on the northwest corner of Cliurch and Union streets, embrac- 
 ing one quarter of the block, being two hundred feet square, and 
 covers the present site of the classical department premises of 
 the Union school, and of the county judge's and clerk's 
 offices, etc. His bowery or farm, after his death, called Jaf- 
 /row's Landl, comprised one hundred and fourteen acres of 
 fiat land, immediately southwest of the village, which, subse- 
 quent to his decease, was sold in sections to divers individuals. 
 Van Curler left no children ; his widow continued to reside 
 in Schenectady until she died, January 15th, 1675. 
 
 In consideration of the loss of her husband in public ser- 
 vice, and of her house, barn and corn by lire, she received a 
 license from Governor Lovelace, in 1672, to trade with the 
 Indians. 
 
 It was thought, also, that her license would stop the quar- 
 rels of the other two tapsters, Cornells Cornelise Viele and 
 Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, (Orders in Council, p. 127.) 
 
 Philip Hendrickse Brouwer is the second of the original 
 proprietors named. He was in Beverwyck as early as 1655, 
 where he owned a house, lot and brewery, and became one 
 of the proprietors of Schenectady ; he died soon after in 1664, 
 having previously accidentally shot Class Cornelise Sivits there, 
 who was not a proprietor, but an early settler, and had mar- 
 ried the daughter of iSt/mon Symonse Groot, who had long 
 been in the employ of the West India Company, as boat- 
 swain of the ship Prince Maurice. His wife's name was Elsie 
 Tj(^rh. Brouwer left no children. 
 
 His village lot, two hundred feet square, was on the north- 
 west corner of Church and State streets. It is on a portion 
 of this lot that the present law office of Walter T. L. Sanders, 
 Esq., now stands. Shortly after his decease, the lot was sold 
 to Cornelius Van 'Ness, who had married the widow of Dirk 
 Van Eps, and subsequently conveyed the lot to his step-son, 
 John Dirhsie Van Eps, who, in the massacre of 1690, was 
 killed, Avith two of his children, and his son John Baptist 
 taken prisoner. Afterwards, John's widow married Gyshert 
 Gerritse Van Brahel, a wealthy citizen, whose son Alexander 
 
I 
 
 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 27 
 
 had been killed, and his son Stephen captured on the same 
 disastrous occasion. 
 
 John Baptist, after remaining with the French three years, 
 escaped, and on the 9th of July, 1699, married Helena, a 
 daughter of Johannes Sanderse Glen. 
 
 Brouwer's farm lot I am unable to locate. Two of his 
 nephews, Hendrick and William, subsequeutly settled at 
 Schenectady, from whom are descended the Brouwer families 
 in this vicinity. 
 
 Alexander Lindsey Glen is the third original proprietor 
 named, called, by the Dutch, Sander Leendertse Glen. He 
 was a Scotchman of the Highlands, born in the vicinity of 
 Inverness, and a refugee to Holland, from whence he emi- 
 grated with the Dutch to New Netherlands at a very early 
 day. We ascertained, from the colonial records, that he was 
 an agent of the West India Company, at Fort Nassau on the 
 Delaware, in 1643 ; received a grant of land there, and pre- 
 pared to build, in 1651. but was prevented by the violence 
 of the Swedes. 
 
 In 1646, he received a patent for a tract of land at New 
 Amsterdam. He was then called " Coopman " (merchant) of 
 Beverwyck. In 1664, he also owned lands, houses and cattle 
 at Graves End, Long Island, and in 1658 built a mansion of 
 stone, on the north bank of our beautiful river, under pro- 
 tection and title of the Mohawks ; for which site and some 
 adjacent uplands, with some small islands and all the fiats 
 contiguous, he obtained a patent in 1665. 
 
 Mr. Glen was allied by gratitude to the Dutch for many 
 benehts conferred upon, and an asylum afforded, him in his 
 hour of need. He honored his native soil by naming his 
 estate " Scotia " (the Latin for Scotland), and made that his- 
 toric spot his future residence. 
 
 He also owned real estate in divers parts of Beverwyck, 
 and, as appears from records and traditions, was a large 
 owner of lands, a considerable trader with the Indians, an 
 extensive agriculturalist, and owned many negro slaves. 
 Slavery then was surrounded by extenuating circumstances ; 
 laborers were scarce, the country sparsely populated, and its 
 
28 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 fertile soil required ciiltivution and improvement. The temp- 
 tation was strong. Slaves were then principally imported 
 from Barbadoes and Brazil, and, according to Sir Edmund 
 Andros (London, Doc. Ill), in 1(378, could be bought from $75 
 to $90 each head, paj^able in country produce. It is well estab- 
 lished, through the writers and observers of that day, that 
 the slaves of New Netherlands were uniformly treated with 
 humanity, kindness and indulgence by their purchasers. 
 
 As tradition informs us, Mr. Glen was reputed to be a 
 gentleman of solid wealth, educated in the schools of Scot- 
 land to an extent beyond the then existing advantages of this 
 country. He was of a commanding physique and high-strung 
 temperament, but full of benevolence and earnest zeal for 
 the progress of all Christian churches ; and, so far as can be 
 learned, was reared in the rigid tenets of John Knox. 
 
 As a descendant, the delicacy of this writer will not permit 
 him to trace out in detail the adventurous early life of Alex- 
 ander Lindsey Glen, the influential successor of the beloved 
 Van Curler, in the new settlement ; but will pay this tribute 
 to his love for sacred things : Not content with the visit of 
 the good Domine Schatts, from Albany to Schenectady, at 
 the end of each three months, to administer sacrament to the 
 members and baptize their children at some private dwelling ; 
 not content to travel 22 miles of deep sandy road, by the 
 circuitous and only feasible route through Niskayuna, to 
 attend the nearest Reformed Church at Albany, starting on 
 Saturday morning and reaching home Monday night (although 
 his eldest son, Jacob, and family, resided at that place), this 
 old settler, as a matter of religion and economy, in 1682 
 built, in the only public square in Schenectady, at the junc- 
 tion of Church, State, Water streets and Mill lane (remain- 
 ing of the same size now as it existed then), a frame building 
 of respectable diniensions, at his individual expense, and pre- 
 sented the same to the inhabitants of the settlement as a free 
 gift, to be used for the purposes of a church and town hall. 
 It was gladly accepted, and in 1684 the Rev. Pttrus Tasche- 
 7naker, a native of Holland, and a graduate of the University 
 of Utrecht, was installed as its pastor. 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 29 
 
 I htive no means of determining accurately in what years 
 respectively Alexander Lindsey Glen, or his wife, Catharine 
 Dongan, were born ; it must have been, from the connecting 
 events attending their lives, in the early part of the sixteenth 
 century, probably about 1610 ; their first child, Jacob, Avas 
 born in 1645, and he being of the age of forty years when 
 his father died, the approximation is reached that Mr. and Mrs. 
 Glen must have been respectively of the age of about seventy 
 or seventy-five years at the time of their decease. She died at 
 their country seat, Scotia, on the 12th day of August, 1684, 
 and was, by his desire, with the approbation of the settlers, 
 buried under the newly erected church, just in front of the 
 pulpit. He died on the 13th day of November, 1685, at his 
 residence, having survived his wife one year and two months, 
 and was with solemnity buried by her side. 
 
 This church was, in 1690, February 8th, burned by the 
 French and Indians, and its pastor slain. Orders had been 
 given, by the commander of the expedition, that Tasche- 
 maker's life should be saved, on account of the information 
 they could obtain from him, but his house was not known, 
 and, before he could be recognized, was killed, and his house, 
 with his papers, burned. His head ivas cloven oj)en, and the 
 body consumed up to the shoulder bladet^. 
 
 It is to the Avriter, at this moment, a source of vivid grati- 
 fication, that he knew the place of interment of those Scotch 
 ancestors. 
 
 Another church had been erected upon the same site, and 
 over their remains without disturbing them, in 1702, and 
 was continued there until 1733, when it was taken down, 
 but not until after the erection and completion of the church 
 edifice at the junction of Church and Union streets. This 
 new chiu-ch ivas a massive stone structure, well remembered 
 by myself and other aged citizens still living, standing in the 
 center of Church street, and fronting on Union street. It 
 was taken down in 1814, after the chaste and beautiful build- 
 ing, erected on the adjoining parsonage lot, was completed. 
 This new and fourth erected church was destroyed by fire in 
 1861, and on its ruins and additional grounds purchased, 
 
30 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 stands the present unique building, justly admired as one of 
 the noblest ornaments of our city. 
 
 Knowing that the remains of the old Scots, Glen and wife, 
 rested in undisturbed quiet at the point originally selected by 
 them for their inteiment, under the church erected in 1682, 
 this spot having on several occasions been shown to the 
 writer by his father, John Sanders, decetwed (who, if living 
 at present, would be of the age of one hundred and twenty 
 years), and as traditionally pointed out to him by his prede- 
 cessors. So, not doubting the traditional truth and precise 
 location of their interment, in the summer of 1848, the 
 writer ascertained that large cisterns or reservoirs were to be 
 excavated on the ground once occupied by the original 
 church. Under such circumstances, he closely watched the 
 excavation, and, when made, found the two bodies or remains 
 as had been indicated, and was gratified, on exhumation, to 
 discover that, although the wife had been interred one hun- 
 dred and sixty-four, and the husband one hundred and sixty- 
 three years, owing to the peculiar soil, both skeleton remains 
 were in good state of preservation. 
 
 Caring for the relics, with the reverential regard of a 
 lineal descendant, the writer retained them at his residence 
 on a portion of the old Scotia estate, until the following morn- 
 ing, a bright, sunny day, suited to the occasion, when, with 
 filial respect, he deposited them in the Scotia family ceme- 
 ter}^, at a center, in the midst of a long line of deceased 
 descendants. 
 
 Alexander Lmdsey Glen's village lot in Schenectady, on the 
 division, was 200 feet front on the west side of what is now 
 Washington avenue, running down with equal breadth to the 
 strand on the main Binnekill. A part of these premises, 
 being the exact location of the old Glen family city residence, 
 belonged to and was occupied by one of his lineal descend- 
 ants until it was destroyed by the great tire of 1819. A 
 brick taken from the ruins, bearing the evident marks of fire, 
 and the deep-lined figures 1066, a truly interesting relic, is 
 now in the possession of Mrs. Anna Maria Lee, residing at 
 No. 80 Union street, Schenectady, a lineal descendant of 
 
ORIGINAL rpOrRIETORS. 31 
 
 Alexander Liiidsey Glen. Tlint portion of the original lot 
 now belongs to the estate of Hon. A. C. Paige, deceased, and 
 is at present occupied by Mrs, Dora Jackson. 
 
 Mr. Glen's farm apportionment, embraced the Flats and 
 adjacent islands, on the north side of the Mohawk river, as 
 by him previously occupied by permission of the Indians. 
 Alexander Lindsey Glen had three sons, but no daughters, 
 viz. : 
 
 Jacob Alexander Glen, the eldest, of Albany, born in 1645, 
 died October 2d, 1685, aged 40 years ; he died a little more 
 than one month previous to the decease of his father. He 
 left surviving him tliree sons and Iwo daughters, viz. : 
 
 Johii Glen, born 1675, who married Jane Bleecker, of 
 Albany, December 11th, 1698, and died in 1707, leaving two 
 sons and one daughter, viz. : 
 
 Jacob Alexander, John Alexander and Catharine Glen. 
 
 Jacob Alexander Glen, Jr., was born October 7th, 1703, and 
 mai-ried Elizabeth Cuyler December 29th, 1732 ; died April 
 16th, 1746. This was the father of our distinguished citizen 
 John Glen, who was quartermaster during the French and 
 Revolutionary wars, stationed at Schenectady, and who built 
 and occupied the venerable mansion situated on Washington 
 avenue, now modernized and occupied by Mr. Swarttiguer. 
 He was born July 2d, 1735, and died in Greenbush at the 
 residence of his son-in-law, John J. Van Rensselaer, Septem- 
 ber 23d, 1828, aged 93 years. Jacob A. Glen was also the 
 father of Col. Henry Glen, of Schenectady, who was mem- 
 ber of Congress from this then Albany district from 1794 to 
 1802. Col. Glen was born July 13th, 1739, and died Janu- 
 ary 6th, 1814, aged nearly 75 years. 
 
 It was the Avriter's pleasure often to see those remarkable 
 brothers of Schenectady's early times. Both of them were 
 ardent and stirring patriots of the Revolution, and highly 
 esteemed personal friends of Gen. Washington. On all 
 occasions, when the older brother was quartermaster, the 
 younger brother was his deputy. 
 
 Anna, the eldest daughter of Jacob Alexander Glen, Jr., 
 born in 1677, married Harmanus Wandell. 
 
32 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY. COUNTY. 
 
 Jacobs the second son of Jacob Alexander Glen, Jr., born 
 in 1679, and Helena, his youngest daughter, born November 
 21st, 1683, died unmarried. 
 
 Alexander Glen, the third and youngest son of Jacob Alex- 
 ander Glen, Sr., was born November 15th, 1685, removed 
 to Schenectady, and on the 18th December, 1714, married 
 Rebecca, daughter of Isaac 8wits. He died November 2d, 
 1763, and was buried in the old Dutch Church cemetery at 
 Schenectady, where his large, freestone monument now stands 
 in excellent state of preservation. He had several children, 
 and is represented in this community by many lineal descend- 
 ants. His son, Jacob Glen, born December 8th, 1717, mar- 
 ried Folica, daughter of Jan Barentse Wemple, and widow 
 of Barent H. Vrooman. She died April 16th, 1749. His 
 daughter, Susanna, born August 4th, 1722, married Abra- 
 ham Fonda, Febi-uary 22d, 1755, and died March 21st, 1773. 
 Abraham Fonda owned and lived in the house No. 27 Front 
 street, built in 1752, and now occupied by his great-grand- 
 son, Nicholas Yates. She was the mother of Jacob Fonda, 
 who died in West Glenville, December 8th, 1859, aged 98 
 years, and was the grandmother of Alexander Glen Fonda, 
 a graduate of Union College, and for many years a physician 
 of Schenectady. Her descendants are very numerous in this 
 region, and some of them are found far off in Alabama and 
 California. 
 
 Alexander Glen, the second son of Alexander Lindsey Glen 
 (commonly called Captain Glen), was born in 1647, lived in 
 the village of Schenectady, and married Anna, daughter of 
 Jan Barentse Wernp (now called Wemple), who received, in 
 1662, in company with Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, the 
 Indian title for the great island lying immediately west of 
 Schenectad}^, and owned a house and lot in the village, on 
 the west side of ' Washington street, a little north of State 
 street. He owned a large bouwery (farm) at Lubbude's land 
 (Troy), but was never called a proprietor of Schenectady, 
 not being one of the original petitioners. He died soon after 
 1662, and his widow, Maritie Mynderse, in 1664 married 
 Svjear Teunise Van Velseii, one of the original proprietors. 
 
ORIGINAL TROPRIETORS. 33 
 
 Cjipt. Alexander Glen was a justice of the peace for the 
 county of Albany ; but in the troublesome times of 1689, 
 when most of the citizens of Schenectady l)elonged to, or 
 sided with, the Leslerian faction. Jacob Lesler appointed 
 Myndert Barentse WemjJ. a brother-in-law of the captain, a 
 justice in his stead. "VYemp was killed at the burning of 
 Schenectady in 1690, and his son John, with two of his 
 negro men, carried into captivity. John su])sequently re- 
 turned, married a daughter of Rijer SchermerJiorn, 15th June, 
 1700, and became one of the trustees of the Schenectady 
 patent. 
 
 Capt. Glen had the reputation of being an active and influ- 
 ential citizen, a great lover of the chase and fishing sports. 
 By his will, made July 19th, 1690, he specially gave his 
 weapons to the sons of his brothers, Jacob A. and John Alex- 
 ander, but his favorite gun to Alexander, son of his brother 
 John A. 
 
 Mr. Glen died in 1695, aged about 38 years, leaving his 
 widow, Anna, surviving him, but no children. 
 
 John Alexander Glen, the third and youngest son of Alexan- 
 der Lindsey Glen (commonly called Major Coudre, his desig- 
 nation l)y the French and Indians), was born November 5th, 
 1648, and died November 6th, 1731, at the advanced age of 
 eighty-three years. Mr. Glen was twice married. Fii'st, on 
 the 2d day of May, 1667, to Anna, the daughter of John 
 Peek, an early settler of New Amsterdam, and from whom 
 the creek at Peekskill takes its name, was living at 
 Scotia when Schenectady was burned in 1690. She died on 
 the 19th day of December in that year. On the 21st of 
 June, 1691, he married Deborah, the daughter of Evert Jans 
 Wendell, and widow of Myndert Wemp, a justice of the 
 peace, appointed by Liesler, who was killed at the massacre 
 of 1690. So it will be seen that Captain Alexander Glen, 
 and Major John A. Glen, his brother, married sisters-in-law. 
 
 Major John A. Glen built the present Sanders mansion at 
 
 Scotia, in 1713 (now occupied by Charles P. Sanders, Esq.), 
 
 and occupied hy himself for seventeen years, until his death. 
 
 His whole estate, real and personal, was spared when Sche- 
 
 3 
 
34 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 nectady was destroyed, by express order of the Governor 
 of Canada, for rescues made and kindnesses shewn to sundry 
 French prisoners captured by the Mohawks, so that it seems 
 probable, in common with Van Curler, from whom he has 
 received valuable lessons, he was an humanitarian. 
 
 The circumstances attending one of those rescues are so 
 interesting and ingenious, that I cannot resist the temptation 
 of incorporating here an extract from the draft of a letter 
 written by myself to a friend, in 1874, giving an account of 
 the occurrence : 
 
 " The Mohawks of Scotia's early days were always devoted 
 friends of the Dutch, but they were barbarous after all ; and 
 the white population was too sparse, weak and timid, to 
 interfere with the chivalric customs of those noble knights of 
 the tomahawk, blunderbuss, bow and arrow. 
 
 " The writer's father, John Sanders, has shewn him a hil- 
 lock, not far from the present Scotia house, where, after their 
 return from warlike or plundering expeditions, they were 
 wont to sacrifice their victims. Even so late as the time of 
 his grandfather. Col. Jacob Glen (who often caressed his 
 grandson), a Mohegan Indian was burned on the spot. This 
 surely was revolting, but the monarchs of the valley, original 
 owners of the soil, willed it so, and nothing was left to civiliz- 
 ation but to mitigate or ameliorate, and this the Christian 
 pioneers accomplished when possible ; and many were the 
 acts of kindness which, according to the accounts of the 
 French themselves, were rendered by the Glens of Scotia to 
 parties captured by the Mohawks, 
 
 " Under such circumstances, according to well-established 
 tradition, it happened that some time about live years before 
 the burning of Schenectady, in 1690, towards sundown of a 
 beautiful summer afternoon, the original large stone house, 
 according to the French accounts, standing on the bank of 
 the Mohawk (its site now covered by water, though the 
 writer has seen a portion of its foundation wall), the home 
 and estate of John Sander (Alexander) Glen, occupied only 
 by himself, his wife, four daughters and two sons, his eldest 
 daughter, Catrina, then only thirteen years of age, and his 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 35 
 
 then youngest son, Jacob Alexander, subsequently the ances- 
 tor of the Baltimore Glens, being in his cradle, and a large 
 family of negro slaves (for Mr. Glen was an extensive land 
 cultivator and proprietor), was quietly surrounded by the 
 enchanting beauty of its lake, river, lowlands, adjacent island, 
 and a full view of Schenectady, and all was peace, that a 
 large party of Mohawks, just returned from the north, 
 encamped iDelow the Glen mansion, as in that day of aborigi- 
 nal power they claimed clear right to do, as original sov- 
 ereigns of the soil. 
 
 " The party was in a high state of elation and triumph, 
 having captured a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest, against whom 
 they entertained extreme antipathy. The reason of their 
 peculiar dislike to priests was this : The Mohawks were 
 Protestants, after their own fashion, ' because the Dutch 
 were;' and this priest, with others, had proselyted among 
 them, and caused some, as a Catholic party, to remove to 
 Canada." 
 
 "Now, these rejoicing, victorious Christians soon an- 
 nounced to Mr. Glen and wife, that they intended a special 
 roast of their captive on the following morning. So they 
 brought the unfortunate priest along for Glen to lock up 
 in his cellar, until they should want him for their pious sac- 
 rifice. 
 
 " Mr. Glen and his wife — the last very much praised in the 
 French accounts for her many acts of benevolence and 
 humanity to captives — ' did not see it in that light.' Now, 
 Major Coudre (Glen) did possess two keys to his locked 
 cellar, and aware of the confidence the Mohawks placed in 
 him, also of their credulity and superstition, raised this clear- 
 sighted, well-intended awiX formidable objection,' 
 
 " That the Mohawks were his friends, and he felt pleasure 
 at all proper times to oblige them ; but, in this case, he 
 would not take the responsibility. ' Pn'ests' were ' Wiz- 
 zards,' and could go through any key-hole ; suppose the 
 priest was gone in the morning, what then ? ' No, he should 
 take no i^i^L' But one thing he proposed ' ivith wise solem- 
 nitij: They might lock him up and take the key them- 
 
36 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 selves. This just proposition Mrs. Glen seconded. It was 
 ratified, the poor priest placed in close quarters, and the key 
 duly delivered to his captors. 
 
 " Mr. Glen had also suggested, at a proper time, in a quiet 
 way and to the proper ears, that early in the morning, before 
 day-light, he should send his team to Albany for salt, so as to 
 excite no suspicions about movements contemplated or an 
 early stir. 
 
 " Well, the noble Mohawks, as was customary after a cam- 
 paign, got their rum from Schenectady and feasted, drank, 
 danced and sang, until the wee small hours in the morning, 
 when exhausted nature, and even their dogs, settled into stu- 
 pid repose. 
 
 " This lull. Major Glen, his wife Anna and faithful slaves 
 having watched, placed the priest in a wagon, in a hogshead 
 with the lower head out, and the bung-hole to breathe 
 through, and with a good team, the priest and two negro- 
 men started for Albany after a load of salt. The priest was 
 quietly and well received l)y the humanitarians of Albany, 
 and silently forwarded to Montreal. Publicity, after such a 
 joke on Mohawk warriors, was impolitic ; but this kind act 
 bore abundant and blessed fruit afterwards to the Glen family 
 in 1690, when Schenectady was burned. Nor was it ever 
 heard that Major or Mrs. Glen, or their faithful slaves, 
 ever felt any remorse about the pious fraud. 
 
 " The team, hogshead, priest and negroes were gone. The 
 dawn of morning came, and with it the Mohawks, having an 
 important mission on hand, ro.5e; but Mr. Glen took the 
 matter easy. The Mohawks found the cellar closed, ' but the 
 p'iest flown.' Sleep to Mr. Glen then became impossible, 
 the shouts were awful, and the agonies of disappointed justice 
 became ' simjply ^ diabolicaV When Major Glen appeared, 
 he calmly and only said to his Indian friends : ' I told you so ; 
 I told you so ; priests are wizzards.' And they reluctantly re- 
 sponded : ' Coudre ' (his Indian name) ' was right.' Nor was 
 it ever known that any Mohawk of that generation discovered 
 the deception. Major Glen was always a great favorite of 
 the Mohawks ; his sayings and doings were ex cathedra." 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 37 
 
 From his two marriages, John Alexander Glen had thirteen 
 children, some of whom died in infancy, and are not pai-ticu- 
 larl}^ noticed here. 
 
 Catharine, his eldest child, born 23d March, 1672, on March 
 10th, 1698, married Gerrit Lansing, Jr., died, February 15th, 
 1731. 
 
 Jemima, his second child, born May 9th, 1674, married, 
 November 9th, 1694, James Van Dyck, a physician of Sche- 
 nectady, where he practiced until his death. He is the 
 ancestor of the gallant Col. Cornelius Van Dyck, who was 
 Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Veteran New York Regiment 
 in the Revolutionary War, commanded by Colonel Goosen 
 Van Schaick, and after Van Schaick's promotion, became its 
 Colonel during the remainder of the Avar, Mrs. Van Dyck 
 died February 6th, 1731. 
 
 Alexander, his third child, born November 30th, 1676, died 
 oft" the Island of Madagascar, December 17th, 1696, as Sur- 
 geon on board a ship-of-war, aged about twenty years. 
 
 Maria, his fourth child, born March 21st, 1678, married 
 Albert Vedder, December 17th, 1699. He was carried aw^ay 
 captive Ijy the French and Indians, February 9th, 1690. 
 She died March 13th, 1753, aged nearly seventy-four years. 
 Her husband died August 1st, 1753, aged eighty-two years, 
 two mouths and twenty-one days. 
 
 Hellena, his fifth child, born November 2d, 1681, married, 
 July 9th, 1699, John Baptist Van Ei^ps. He, too, was car- 
 ried away captive to Montreal by the French and Indians, in 
 1690, but. after a bondage of three years, made his escape. 
 
 John, his sixtJi child, born November 28th, 1683, died De- 
 cember 5th, 1709, unmarried. 
 
 Jacob Alexander, his seventh child, born February 27th, 
 1686, removed to Baltimore, Maryland, where a number of 
 his descendants still reside, but many of them are scattered 
 throughout Maryland and West Virginia. Several of his 
 line became greatly distinguished for wealth and legal ability. 
 In 1812, his grandson Elias was appointed by President 
 Madison United States District-Attorney for Maryland, 
 which commission was reucAved by President Monroe. In 
 
38 HISTOEY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 1824, he was appointed United States District Judge by Mr. 
 Monroe. After being on the bench twelve years, he resigned 
 in 1836, on account of ill health, and retired to his country 
 seat, " Glenhurnie,'''' now a part of the city of Baltimore, 
 where he died on the 6th day of January, 1846, aged seventy- 
 six years. 
 
 John Glen, the eldest son of Judge Elias Glen, early 
 developed such marked capacity in the legal profession, that 
 he soon rose to the head of the Maryland bar, and when he 
 retired to take a seat upon the bench, relinquished the largest 
 legal practice in the city of Baltimore. 
 
 In 1852, President Fillmore appointed him United States 
 Judge for Maryland, and he then took his seat on the same 
 bench that his father had previously occupied. Judge John 
 Glen died in 1853, aged 57 years. 
 
 The writer still remembers, with vivid gratification, the 
 generous southern hospitality, poured out upon himself and 
 a younger brother, by both judges and their friends, during 
 a visit of several days to them at Baltimore, in 1825, 
 
 The above named are the children of John Alexander, by 
 his first wife, Anna Peek. 
 
 Jacob Glen, his eighth child (commonly called Col. Glen), 
 was born December 29th, 1690, and on the 15th day of 
 December, 1717, married Sarah Wendell, daughter of Capt. 
 Johannes Wendell, of Albany. He inherited from his father 
 the Scotia mansion and a considerable portion of his original 
 estate ; but added largely to his possessions before his decease, 
 which occurred at his residence, Scotia, August 15th, 1762 ; 
 his wife died three days afterwards, both from malignant 
 ship fevei", contracted through some emigrants whom they had 
 charitably housed a short time previous. At the time of his 
 decease Col. Glen was aged 70 years, 8 months, 14 days ; on 
 his wife's decease she was aged 73 years, 9 months, 11 days. 
 
 Col. Glen was a man of much influence in the community; 
 an extensive agriculturist, a noted surveyor, had been several 
 times a member of the Provincial Legislature, and held the 
 command of all the militia forces west of Albany, constituting 
 a regiment, at one time, numbering 3,000 men. 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 39 
 
 He left but one descendant, his only child, Deborah, bora 
 June 9th, 1721, who, on the 6th of December, 1739, married 
 John Sanders, of Albany, who immediately removed to Scotia, 
 and continued to reside there and at the city residence of Col. 
 Glen until his decease September 13th, 1782, aged 68 years, 
 1 month, 3 days. His wife, Debora, died March 8th, 1786, 
 aged 64 years, 8 months, 29 days. 
 
 In 1765, by the purchase of the interests of John Glen, 
 of Albany, and John Glen, Jr., of Schenectady, for $10,000, 
 John Sunders and Debora his wife, became sole owners of the 
 whole Glen estate, in the pre&ent town of Glenville. 
 
 They left five children surviving them, namely, one son, 
 John Sanders, the father of the writer of this record, and 
 four daughters, viz., 
 
 Maria, married to John Jacob Beekman, of Albany. 
 
 Sarah, married to her cousin John Sanders Glen, of Scotia. 
 
 Elsie, married Myndart Schuyler Ten Eyck, of Schenec- 
 tady. 
 
 Margaret, married Killian K. Van Rensselaer, of Albany. 
 
 From the above it will be seen, how that branch of the 
 Glen family and the Scotia estate merged into the Sanders 
 name, and the joint Glen and Sanders blood. 
 
 Abraham Glen, the ninth child of John Alexander Glen, 
 was born April 11th, 1694, and on the 11th day of July, 
 1724, married Maria Teller, daughter of John Teller, son of 
 William Teller, one of the original proprietors of Schenec- 
 tady. He was a member of the Provincial Assembly of New 
 York, in 1743. Abraham inherited, under the will of his 
 father, admitted to probate 22d May, 1735, a portion of the 
 Scotia estate, which his son, John Sanders Glen, suljsequently 
 sold to his cousin Deborah, then wife of John Sanders. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Glen left surviving him several daughters 
 and only one son, named 
 
 John Sanders Glen, born January 25th, 1733. He mar- 
 ried his cousin Sarah, daughter of John Sanders, of Scotia, 
 September 11th, 1762. They also left surviving them sev- 
 eral daughters and only one son, named 
 
 Jacob Sanders Glen, born June 27th, 1773. He settled in 
 
40 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Moiitgonieiy county, in what is now called the town of Glen, 
 Avhich was named after and in honor of him. Mr. Glen was 
 twice married : first, to Catharine, daughter of Col. Frederick 
 VisscJier, of Revolutionary tame, who commanded a regiment 
 at the terribly sanguinary, heroic, and important battle of 
 Oriskany ; second, to Maria Van Rensselaer, of Bethlehem, 
 Albany county. Mr. Glen died April 21st, 1859, aged 
 nearly 86 years, leaving no issue. Thus, by failure of issue 
 in the male line, that branch of the Glen name is lost, and 
 the blood of Abraham Glen is only continued in female 
 branches under the names of Viele, Van Eps, Kirkpatrick, 
 Geddes, Edwards, and others, at this day. 
 
 Simon Volkertse Veeder was the fourth named proprietor. 
 He was born in Holland, in 1624 ; bought a lot at New Amster- 
 dam, in 1652 ; sold the same and came to Beverwyck in 
 1654, and from thence removed to Schenectady in 1662. He 
 owned, on the division, a farm on the great Flat, numbered 
 9, containing fifty-one acres, and a lot on the north side of 
 State street at its junction with Ferry street, 200 feet square, 
 and also owned considerable possessions on the Norman's kill. 
 
 Few settlers contributed more to the healthy and vigorous 
 early settlement of Schenectady than this proprietor, who 
 died January 8th, 1696, aged about 72 years. His eldest 
 son, named 
 
 Peter Veeder, on the 9th day of June, 1704, married JVaeZ^ze, 
 daughter of Class Van Der Volgen ; left three sons and one 
 daughter surviving him, but was not living, June 26th, 1709, 
 when his youngest son, Peter, was born. His father gave 
 him lands on the Norman's kill. 
 
 Gerrit Veeder, second son of Simon Volkertse, married, 
 October 3d, 1690, Tryntje (Catharine), daughter of Helmer 
 (William) Otten. She was the only child of Otten, who 
 died in 1676. His widoAV, Ariantie (Harriet), daughter of 
 Arent Andriese Bradt, called the Noorman, subsequently, 
 about nine months after his decease, married Ryer Schermer- 
 horn. Gerrit Veeder died in 1755, and left surviving him 
 five sons, respectively named Helmers, Wilhelmus, Hendri- 
 cus, Simon, and Coruelis ; and four daughters, named En- 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 41 
 
 gletie, mumed to Johjiuiiis Vedder ; Ananfje, married to 
 Daniel Danielse Van Autwerpeii ; Annalie, married to Wil- 
 liam Bancker ; and Hellena, married to John Banckor. 
 
 Gerrit owned the land about Veeder's mills, early in the 
 18th century, and had a lease, from the Church, of the mill 
 13rivilege. in 1718. Through his wife, Catharine, he obtained 
 possessions of lots in the village, on the north and west cor- 
 ners of Union and Chiu-ch streets, which she had inherited 
 from her father, Otten. 
 
 Otten had, in 1(J70, purchased from Peter Adriance, called 
 Sogemakelyk, also an original proprietor, twenty-six morgans 
 of land, which became afterwards the old Schermerhorn mill 
 farm, now in Rotterdam ; also a village lot, two hundred feet 
 square, located on the southwest corner of Union and Church 
 streets. These his daughter Ciitharine did not inherit, for it 
 seems at his death JoJin Van Eps owned and occupied the 
 village lot, and Ryer Schennerhorn, who married his widow, 
 as stated, owned the twenty-six morgans. 
 
 Intending to apply my genealogical data only to the old 
 proprietors and their immediate descendants, the Avriter, at 
 this point, cannot resist the temptation to add something 
 about ■' Ryer Schermerhorn,^^ a truly earl}^ settler and remark- 
 ably shrewd man, who married the daughter of a pro[)riet()r, 
 and the widow of one of the most opulent citizens of 
 Beverwyck. 
 
 Mr. Schermerhorn was always a prominent actor in the 
 early days of Schenectady. He was the oldest son of Jacob 
 Janse Schermei-hoivie, who was the ancestor of all the Scher- 
 merhornes in this countr\% born at Waterland, HoUand, in 
 1622, we find Jacob Janse a prosperous brewer and trader at 
 Beverwyck, as early as 1648. 
 
 " In that year, he was arrested at Fort Orange, by Gov- 
 ernor Stuyvesant's order, on a charge of selling arms and 
 annnunition to the Indians. His Ijooks and papers were 
 seized, and himself removed a prisoner to Fort Amsterdam, 
 where he was sentenced to banishment for five years, with 
 the confiscation of all his property. 
 
 " By the interference of some leading citizens, the first part 
 
42 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 of the sentence was stricken out, but his property was totally 
 lost. These proceedings against Schernierhorn formed subse- 
 quently a ground of complaint against Stuyvesant to the 
 States General." (O'Callaghan's His. N. Netherlands, Vol. 
 1, p. 441.) Some evidence that even at that early day Gov- 
 ernor Stuyvesant was no trifler. 
 
 Jacob Janse made his will May 26th, 1688, and soon after 
 died at Schenectady. Notwithstanding his losses by confis- 
 cation, in 1648, his estate, amounting to 56,882 guilders, was 
 large for the times. He left surviving him five sons, named 
 Ryer, Symon, Jacob, Cornelius, and Lucas ; also three 
 daughters, named Machtelt, Jannette and Neeltie. 
 
 Ryer Scherinerhorn, this oldest and remarkable son of Jacob 
 Janse, in July, 1676, married Arian/je, daughter of Arent 
 Areutse Bradt, and widow of Helmer Otten, of Albany ; 
 immediately after marriage, Ryer settled in Schenectady, 
 upon Bowery No. 4, on the flats, heretofore known as 
 " Schermerhorn's Mills," which, after being in possession of 
 the family for two hundred years, has lately passed to other 
 owners. This property came to Ryer through his wife, 
 Ariantje, whose first husband, Otten, purchased it of the 
 original proprietor, Peter Adrianse (Sogemakelyk). 
 
 Ryer Schermerhorn was one of the Jive patentees of the 
 township of Schenectady, granted in 1684, and was the sole 
 surviving patentee of the township in 1705, when he was 
 complained of as exercising arbitrary power over the town 
 affairs, and rendering no account of his proceedings. Of this 
 more will be subsequently written. In 1690, he was a mem- 
 ber of the Provincial Assembly from Albany county, and 
 also a Justice of the Peace. In 1700, he was appointed an 
 Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He made 
 his will April 5th, 1717, and died February 19th, 1719. 
 His wife, Ariantje, died in 1717. He left surviving him 
 three sons, John, Jacob and Arent ; also two daughters, 
 Catalina, Avife of Johannes Wemp, and Janneke, wife of Vol- 
 kert Simonse Veeder. 
 
 The writer, for the present, would have continued the 
 Schermerhorn line no further, except to correct impressions 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 43 
 
 held by some confounding the two Ryers, grandfather and 
 grandson, both shrewd and remarkable men. 
 
 John, the eldest son of Ryer Schennorhorn, inherited the 
 homestead farm at the "■ Schuylenberg " Mills, etc. ; and on the 
 8th of April, 1711, married EngeUie, daughter of Jan Hen- 
 drickse Vrooman. He died in 1752, and his wife in 1754. 
 Left surviving him six sons, named Ryer, the eldest, born 
 September 24th, 1716, so often in traditional data confounded 
 with his distinguished grandfather. Of this grandson Ryer, 
 more will be written hereafter. The other sons, brothers of 
 Ryer, were named John, Simon, Bartholemew, Jacob and 
 Bernhardus Freeman. John also left six daughters ; Ariantje, 
 married to Nicholas De Graff; Gezina, married to Philip 
 Van Patten ; Catalina, married to John Dodds ; Neeltje, 
 married to Class Viele ; Magdalena, died unmarried, and 
 Jannetje, married to Barent Veeder. 
 
 After this, as it is claimed, justifiable digression, we return 
 to Simon Volckertse Veeder's line. 
 
 John Veeder, his third son, on the 19th of November, 1697, 
 married Susamia, daughter of Myndert Wemp, and for his 
 second wife, June 3d, 1718, married Susanna Wendell, of 
 Albany. He died in 1746, and left surviving him two sons, 
 named, respectively, Myndert and Simon ; also three daugh- 
 ters, JEngeltie, married to Jacobus La Grange, Maria, and 
 Debora, married first to Ryer Wemp, secondly to Dowe 
 Fonda. 
 
 Volckert, his fourth son, August 6th, 1693, married Jan- 
 nitie, daughter of the elder Ryer Schermerhorn. By his 
 father's will he inherited farm No. 9 on the Bouwland (Flats). 
 He died August 12th, 1733, and left surviving him four sons, 
 respectively named Simon, Ryer, John and Hcndricus, and 
 three daughters, Ariantje, married to William Daasen ; 
 Susanna, married to Harmamis Vedder, and Ckitalyntje, mar- 
 ried to Simon Veeder. 
 
 Folica, a daughter of Simon Volkertse, married Barent 
 Janse Wamp, who was appointed ca})tain of a company of 
 foot by Jacob Leisler in 1690. 
 
 Gertrude, also a dauahter, July 4th, 1680, married John 
 
44 HISTORr OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Hendrickse Vrooman. They left many descendants, and 
 their son Peter, born October 2d, 1688, was killed at the 
 Beaukendnal massacre, three miles northwest of Schenectady 
 in 1748. 
 
 Magdalena, another daughter, married William Appel, who 
 was severely wounded at the burning of Schenectady in 
 1690, as was also his brother John Appel. 
 
 8v;ear (^Ahasuerafi) Teurme Van Velsen (alias Van West- 
 brock), was thejifth named proprietor. In 1664, he married 
 Mantle Mgnderse, widow of Jan Barentse Wemp. About 
 this time he removed from Lubberda's land (Troy) to Sche- 
 nectady, and built a grisi-mill on Mill lane. This was carried 
 away by a flood, and rebuilt by him in 1673. In considera- 
 tion of his loss, the community generally allowed him to take 
 one-eighth instead of one-tenth as a toll out of grain ground 
 there. 
 
 Besides the one-half of the great Van Slych island, pur- 
 chased by him of Jan Barentse Wemp, who had previously 
 obtained the one-half interest therein of Martin Mouris Van 
 Slyck, which he held conjointly with Jacques Cornel ise Van 
 Slyck, the brother of Martin Mouris, who owned the other 
 equal undivided one-half, he owned the land on the south 
 side of State street from Church street, including Mill lane, 
 nearly to Cowhorn creek, and extending upon the lowland so 
 as to comprehend about 25 acres. 
 
 Swear Teunise (so always called) was a much-respected and 
 influential citizen of Schenectady. In 1676, he was a magis- 
 trate of the village, and one of the five patentees named in 
 the great Township grant confirmed in 1684. He was slain 
 in the massacre of 1690, with his wife and four negro slaves, 
 leaving no descendants or heirs. 
 
 Before his death it was understood, and so stated by him, 
 that he had, in his will, devised one-half of his property to 
 sustain the preaching of the Gospel in the Church, which was 
 located near his dwelling, and the residue to the children of 
 his wife by her first marriage, of which there were two sons 
 and three daughters, viz. : 
 
 Myndeit Wemj), the eldest, born in 1649, married Deborah, 
 
ORIGINAL PROrillETORS. 45 
 
 daughter of Evart J:inse Wendell, of Albany. He was 
 appointed justice of the peace for Schenectady by Jacob 
 Leisler, in 1689. He was killed at the massacre, February 
 9th, 1690, and his son John with two of his negro men were 
 carried into captivity. Major John Alexander Glen, of 
 Scotia, married his widow June 21st, 1691. 
 
 Barent Wemp, I] le second son, born in 1656, married Folkje, 
 daughter of Simon Volckertse Veeder. He Avas appointed 
 captain of a company of foot, at Schenectady, l)y Leisler, 
 in 1690. 
 
 Grietje (Margaret), the eldest daughter of Jan Barentse, 
 born in 1651, died unmarried. 
 
 Anna, another dauglder, born in 1653, married Captain 
 Alexander Glen, and after his decease, in 1695, she married 
 Abraham Groot. 
 
 Altie (Alida), also a daughter, married Jan Cornel ise Van 
 der Heyden. 
 
 After his decease, no will of Swear Teunise Van Velsen 
 could be found, and if it ever existed was burned with his 
 other property at the time of the massacre, and consequently 
 the church had no claim upon any portion of his estate ; but 
 in 1696, a friendly compromise was effected between the 
 interested parties- — the church taking that portion of his land 
 lying on the south side of State street between Church and 
 Dock streets, together with the grist-mill, and his wife's heirs, 
 hereinbefore named, the remainder. 
 
 Peter Adriance (commonly called Sogemakelyk) was the 
 sixth named proprietor. He had been for many years an 
 innkeeper at Beverwyck. He was arrested by the revenue 
 officer, Johan De Dekare, for refusing to pay the excise on 
 his sales of wine, beer, etc. He denied the right of the officer 
 of Fort Orange to collect this excise in the Colonic where he 
 lived, and in this he was sustained by the Patroon and other 
 independent residents, which resulted in the defeat of the 
 claim. 
 
 On the apportionment among tiie proprietors, he received 
 twenty-six morgans of land, which was afterwards and is now 
 known as the old Schermerhorn Mill farm in Rotterdam. He 
 
46 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 also received a village lot two hundred feet square, on the 
 southwest corner of Union and Church streets. Peter Adri- 
 ance did not reside long at Schenectady, for in 1670 he sold 
 both his farm and village lot to Helmer Otten. He, Adriance, 
 left three children, named Peter, John, and a daughter, who 
 married John Manglese. 
 
 Cornelius A^itonisen Van Slych, called by the Mohawks, 
 Broer Cornells {brother Oornelvi), was the seventh named 
 proprietor, and an early settler at Beverwyck. Previous to 
 1640, he married a Mohawk chieftain's daughter, by whom 
 he had several children, viz. : Jacques, Martin Mouris, Hillitie 
 and Leah. Martin Mouris (Maurice) gave name to the island 
 lying between the Mohawk river and main Binnekill, west of 
 Schenectady (now called Van Slyck's island). This son, 
 Martin Mouris, tradition hands down, died early in 1662. 
 
 Cornelius Antonisen was a proprietor, and received his 
 portion on division, but the location of his farm and village 
 lot the writer has been unable to determine, or even whether 
 he was, at any time, a settled resident of Schenectady. His 
 original home was Beverwyck, but the most of his time was 
 passed among the Mohawks, at their upper or great castle of 
 Canajoharie, either as an interpreter for the province, or as a 
 trader, or because he had married among them, and been 
 adopted by the tribe. 
 
 Such marriages were not deemed disreputable, for the 
 Mohawks enjoyed high character among the tribes of North 
 America, and were wonderfully generous in grants or outfits 
 of land to their white friends, and especially to married con- 
 nections of the trilie, which last were uniformly adopted as 
 meml)ers of their community, 
 
 Cornells Antonisen died in 1676, at an advanced age, four- 
 teen years after the decease of his son, Martin Mouris. He 
 was reputed to be a man of excellent character and unbend- 
 ing integrity, possessing great influence among the Mohawks 
 particularly, and the Five Nations generally. By reason of 
 his eminent services, on several occasions, in bringing about 
 peace with the natives, he received a patent for a large tract 
 of land at Catskill. He also owned land at the Cohoes, 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 47 
 
 granted to him by the Mohawks, near their old castle, at the 
 mouth of the Mohawk river. 
 
 Accustomed, as Cornelis Antonisen was, to Indian customs 
 and peculiarities, it certainly tells much for his sense of what 
 was due to his civilization and early education, that, during 
 his life, he had only one wife and one family. It was owing 
 to this sterling character, aided by his extended landed inter- 
 ests, that, although his son, Martin Mouris, died young and 
 unmarried, his son, Jacques, and his daughters, Hillitie and 
 Leah, and their respective descendants, married among the 
 most respectable, full-blood, white families in the province. 
 This fact might be illustrated by a well-preserved genealogi- 
 cal table, but it would exceed the proposed limit of this local 
 history ; so the writer contents himself with adding, the son, 
 Jacques UorneUse, will be treated of hereafter as one of the 
 early proprietors of Schenectady. 
 
 Hillitie, the eldest daughter of Cornelis Antonisen, married 
 Peter Danielse Van Olinda, of Niskayuna. She was for many 
 years employed as Provincial interpreter with the Indians by 
 the government at $50 per annum. The Mohawk sachems in 
 1667, gave her the Great Island in tJie Mohawk nver at JVis- 
 Ji-ayuna. She and her husband sold the island in 1669 to 
 Capt. Johannes Clute. The sachems also gave to her land at 
 the Willow Flat, below Port Jackson, and at the Boght on 
 the Mohawk in Watervliet. She died February 10th, 1707, 
 leaving three sons, Daniel, Jacob and Mathew. The last 
 died unmarried. 
 
 Daniel, the oldest son, June 11th, 1696, married Lysheth 
 Kregear, a grand-daughter of the old Burgomaster Martimis 
 Gregier, and left surviving him three sons, Peter, John and 
 Martin. 
 
 Jacob, the second son, married Eva, daughter of Class De 
 Graft', and left four sons, named Peter, Williatn, Martin, and 
 Nicholas ; also one daughter, Helena, who on the 16th June, 
 1723, married Johannes Quackenbos. 
 
 Leah, the youngest daughter of Cornelis Antonisen, married, 
 tirst. Class Wi'lemse Van Coppernol, who hired the farm 
 of William Teller at Schenectady, and subsequently settled 
 
48 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 on land of his wife at the Willegen, below Port Jackson. He 
 died in 1692, leaving one son named William. She subse- 
 quently, July 24th, 1693, married Jonathan Stevens, who had 
 leased Lysbeth Brower's farm at the Hoeck in Scotia in 1697. 
 He came from New England, and was born in 1675. Before 
 his death he OAvned a home lot in Schenectady, and a farm 
 about four miles northeast of the town, on the north side of 
 the Mohawk river. At his death he left surviving two sons, 
 named Henricus and Arent, also two daughters, named 
 Annatje and Dina. 
 
 Hendricus, the oldest son, born Novemljer 10th, 1697, mar- 
 ried, May 29th, 1730, Maria Phoenix, of New York. He 
 resided there, and on his decease left two sons surviving 
 him, viz., Arent and Johannes. 
 
 Arent, the youngest 5on of Jonathan, born July 26th, 1702, 
 married, first, Maritie, daughter of William Hall, February 
 3d, 1726 ; second, Mary Griffiths, widow of Lieut. Thomas 
 Burrows, February 4th, 1749. Arent died May 17th, 1758. 
 For more than 20 years before his decease he acted as Indian 
 interpreter, and was often employed by Sir Wm. Johnson in 
 negotiations with the different tribes. He had by his two 
 marriages six sons and four daughters, respectively named 
 Jonathan, William, Nicholas, John, Jacobus, Richard, Catrina, 
 Maria, Lea and Anna. There is only proper room to par- 
 ticularize one of them. 
 
 Jonathan, his oldest child, born December 1, 1726, who, as 
 first lieutenant under Capt. Wm. McGinnis, with 89 men of 
 Schenectady, Avas at the battle of Fort George, September 
 7th, 1755, Avhere both officers were killed, and the company 
 then decimated ; this was the preliminary ambush fight with 
 Baron Dieskaw, where the great King Hendrick and the gal- 
 lant Col. Ephraim Williams (the munificent founder of AVil- 
 liams College, and after whom it is named) were killed. 
 According to Sir Wm. Johnson's official report, the Sche- 
 nectady officers and men ^'■fought like lions^ 
 
 Jonathan Stevens was less than thirty years of age and un- 
 married, at the time he was killed. Captain McGinnis married 
 Margaret, daughter of Peter Veeder, February 21st, 1751, 
 
ORIGINAL rROnilETORS. 49 
 
 and left an only child, Alexander, who died February 13th, 
 1770. 
 
 Geirit Bancher was the eighth proprietor named. He 
 hailed from Amsterdam, in Holland. He was at New Ams- 
 terdam before 1655, and, in 1667, was settled at Beverwyck, 
 where he continued to reside until his death, in 1691. When 
 Arent Van Curler began the settlement of Schenectady, in 
 1661, he became one of the original proprietors. Farm lot. 
 Number six, on the Bouwland, was apportioned to him, and 
 his village lot comprised the iiortherly quarter of the block 
 bounded by Washington, Union, Church and State streets. 
 His son, Evert, held this property until 1702, when he sold 
 it to Isaac Swits, 
 
 Gerrit Bancker left two children : Evert, born January 
 24th, 1665, who, on the 24th day of September, 1686, mar- 
 ried Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Jans Abeel ; also a 
 daughter, Anna, who married Johannes De Peyster, of New 
 York, September 21st, 1688. 
 
 William Teller was the ninth proprietor named. Ho was 
 born in Holland, A. D. 1620, and was the first Teller who 
 came to the New Netherlands, arriving at New Amsterdam in 
 1639, when he was sent to Fort Orange, by Governor Kieft, 
 and entered into the service of the West India Company. He 
 was " Wachtmeester " of the Fort, and for many years a trader 
 at Beverwyck, continuing his residence there from 1639 to 
 1692, when he removed to New York, accompanied by all of his 
 sons, except his son John, who was settled at Schenectady. 
 
 William Teller married Margaret Dongan, a sister to 
 Alexander Lindsey Glen's wife. He was not only an original 
 proprietor, but one of the five patentees mentioned in the tirst 
 patent of the town, granted by Governor Dongan, in 1684. 
 On the apportionment, in 1664, his allotments on the Flats 
 were numbered five, the foremost lot lying on the west side 
 of, and separated by, the Tellers Killitie from Elias Van 
 Guysling's farm. This Van Guysling farm, situated on the 
 Bouwland, in Rotterdam, remained in that family from that 
 time to 1865, when Cornelius Van Guysling died without issue. 
 
 William Teller's village lot, two hundred feet square, was 
 4 
 
50 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 on the northeast corner of Union and Washington streets. 
 He gave all his real estate in Schenectady to his son John, in 
 1700, who alone remained, when the rest of the family 
 removed to New York. William Teller was an individual 
 of wealth and great influence in his day. He died in 1701, 
 and left seven other children ; but as all the Tellers in this 
 section of our country are descended from his son John, we 
 will confine our fmther notices of the Teller family to that line. 
 
 John^ oldest child of William Teller^ l)orn in 1641, settled 
 in Schenectady as early as 1659, and on the 18th August, 
 1686, married the daughter of Capt. Johannes Wendell, of 
 Albany. In 1690, on the burning of Schenectady, he was 
 carried away captive by the French and Indians to Montreal, 
 but was ransomed and returned after several months' deten- 
 tion. In 1700 his father, William, in consideration that John 
 had sustained heavy losses b}^ the destruction of Schenectady 
 in 1690, conveyed to him his bowery and farm at that place. 
 John died May 28th, 1725, aged about 84 years, leaving 
 three sons and three daughters, viz. : 
 
 William, born October 4th, 1695, was married on the 5th 
 of. March, 1731, to CatJiarine, daughter of Wm. Van Allen, 
 of Albany. He lived on the Teller bowery, No. 5, next west 
 of Teller's Killitie, and died April 25th, 1757. 
 
 John, second son of John, died unmarried. 
 
 Jacobus, third son of John, born July 15th, 1698, probably 
 died unmarried. 
 
 Margaret, a daughter of John, born February 19th, 1693, 
 married Jacob Schermerhorn. 
 
 Maria, anotlier daughter, born December 25th, 1700, mar- 
 ried Abraham Glen, of Scotia. 
 
 Anna, also a daughter, born February 20th, 1704, married 
 Harmanus Veeder. 
 
 John, son of William, Jr., married Jane, daughter of John 
 Delamont. 
 
 Jacobus, also a son of William, Jr., married Mana, daugh- 
 ter of Joseph R. Yates. In 1764 he was an Indian trader 
 in company with John and Henry Glen, and was killed by 
 the Indians at Detroit, September 27th, 1784. This was the 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 51 
 
 father of William James Teller, a talented and prominent law- 
 yer of Schenectady, who died July 19th, 1815, aged 40 years, 
 and who was the first surrogate of Schenectady county. 
 
 William, also a. son of William, Jr., married Helena, 
 daughter of Jacobus Van Eps. 
 
 Thus, from the line of his one son, John Teller, the blood 
 of the old proprietor, William Teller, circulates through sev- 
 eral channels in this community. 
 
 Bastian De Winter was the tenth proprietor named. He 
 came frc^m Middleburgh, in Holland, and was at Schenectady 
 as early 1662. On the apportionment his village lot, 200 feet 
 square, was situated on the southeast corner of Church and 
 Union streets, and his farm on the Flats was subsequently 
 known as Elias Van Guysling's plantasie. Falling sick in 
 1670, he sold all his real estate to Elias Van Guy sling and 
 others, with the intention of returning to Holland, but died 
 before doing so. He left no heirs in this country, and in 
 1678 the Dutch Church at Alban}^ (the Church'at Schenec- 
 tady being not }et erected) claimed and in some way obtained 
 his property for the use of the poor. 
 
 Bastian De Winter, as the attorney of Oatalina, widow of 
 Arent Andries i?r«(Z^ (commonly called " The Noorman " ), 
 became, as such attorney, the eleventh proprietor named. Mr. 
 Bradt became one of the proprietors of Schenectady in 1662, 
 but died soon after and before any apportionment was made, 
 leaving his widow, Catalina, and six children surviving him. 
 After his death the Flats land and village lot which fell to 
 his share was confirmed to his widow, through De Winter, 
 for herself and Bradt's children. The farm was No. 1 on the 
 Bouwland, and the village lot was the southwest quarter of 
 the block bounded by Washington, Union, Church and State 
 streets, and was 200 feet square, Amsterdam measure. 
 
 This Catalina Bradt was the daughter of Andries De Vos, 
 a magistrate anel Deputy-Director of liensselaerwyck. She 
 Avas reputed to be a lady of intelligence and good education 
 for the limited opportunities of that day. She had great and 
 sad experience in the early history of Schenectady. 
 
 In 1664, she married, for her second hwshixnd, B arent Jans 
 
52 HISTOKY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Van Ditmors, who, with his son Cornelius, their only child, 
 were killed iit the massacre of Schenectady in 1690. Her 
 oldest son by her tirst marriage, Androese Arentse Bradt 
 Brewer^ who had married a daughter of Jacques Cornelise Van 
 Slyck, aged 37 years, was killed, with one of his children, at 
 the same time ; but left surviving him a son, Arent, who 
 subsequently became one of the most prominent and distin- 
 guished citizens of Schenectady. Andriese Arent also left a 
 daughter named Bethsheba. Andriese's widow, about 1698, 
 married Ilarmanus Vedder. 
 
 Then, too-, her daughter Cornelia (who had married John 
 Pootman [Putman]) and her husband were both massacred at 
 the same fearful time of destruction. Yet, notwithstanduig 
 such afflicting calamities, the blood of the old proprietors, 
 Arent Andries and Catalina, still courses in the veins of 
 many of Schenectady's sons and daughters. 
 
 For, of their remaining children, Aeffie (Eve) married 
 Nicholas Van Patten, who came to Schenectady in 1664, and 
 in 1668 purchased the Bowery of Cornelise Van Isselstyne, 
 lying next west of the iarm of Ryer Schermerhorn, who was 
 his brother-in-law. This farm remained in the Van Patten 
 family for several generations. They each lived to an ad- 
 vanced age. He died October 3d, 1728, aged 87 years, 5 
 months ; she died January 23d, 1728, aged 78 years. In 
 1690, he was appointed a justice of the peace by Leisler. 
 
 Arent, the oldest son of Nicholas, April 10th, 1703, mar- 
 ried Jannetje, daughter of Philip Cohyn, of Albany. 
 
 Andries, another son of Nicholas, December 26th, 1712, 
 married Muike, daughter of Jacob Ten Eyck, of Albany. 
 
 Nicholas, also a son of Nicholas, Sr., April 20th, 1712, 
 married Rebecca, a daughter of Simon Groot, Jr. 
 
 Deborah, another daughter of ^icholiis, Sr., April 1st, 1700, 
 married Cornelius Viele. Sr., who was the first Viele settled 
 at Maalwyck, on the north shore of the Mohawk river, about 
 two miles above the Reformed Church in Scotia. 
 
 Catalynje, also a daughter of Nicholas, Sr., November 8th, 
 1694, married Tennis Dirkse Van Vechten, of Lunenburgh 
 (now Athens), Greene county. 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 53 
 
 Geiirude., also'a daughter o^ KxchoXas, Si'., April 17th, 1687, 
 miinied Lourens Class Viiii der Volgeii. At the destruction 
 of Schenectady, in 1690, he was carried away captive to 
 Canada by the Indians, with whom he remained several 
 years — so late as 1699 — ac(piiring a perfect knowledge of 
 their language. After his return he was appointed interpre- 
 ter of the Province for the Five Nations, at a salary of <£60 
 per annum ; which office he held until his decease in 1740. 
 
 Harriet^ another daughter of Catalina Bradt, and widow of 
 Helmer Otten, in July, 1676, married Ryer Schermerhorn, 
 son of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn. Their immediate chil- 
 dren have been hereinbefore noticed. But it is deemed 
 proper to note some particulars about their grandson, a son 
 of their son John, named Ryer, who was a man of remarkable 
 perseverance, energy, and determination. 
 
 Ryer Schennerhorne was born 24th Septeml)er, 1716. 
 June 8th, 1746, he married Maria., daughter of Corset Yed- 
 der, and secondly, Maria, daughter of Ryckert Van Vranken, 
 June 8th, 1750. He died March 6th, 1795, and had always 
 resided at Schuybergh (the Mills). 
 
 Richard, son of Ryer, born March 9lh, 1755, married 
 Annatje Van Vechten. His daughter Maria, July 18th, 1779, 
 married Douwe J. Clute, and his daughter Helena, Novem- 
 ber 8th, 1781, married Nicdiolas P. Clute. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Ryer, born November 10th, 1752, 
 married Peter Van Guysling, in 1770. 
 
 Gerrit, a son of Ryer, born October 23(1, 1763. On May 
 18th, 1787, married Marigritje, daughter of Arent Scher- 
 merhorn, Jr. He died in Rotterdam, March 24th, 1848, in 
 his eighty-fifth year, leaving the following children : Ja- 
 comyntje, born August 10th, 1790 ; Maria, bom March 27th, 
 1792 ; Jacob, born May 28th, 1794 ; Catharia, born Septem- 
 ber 27th, 1796. 
 
 Engeltie, a daughter of Ryer, born August 11th, 1762, 
 married Class Schermerhorn. She died October 6th, 1834, 
 aged seventy -three years, one month and twenty-five days. 
 
 Bartholemew, another son of Ryer, born August 24th, 
 1757. On the 10th day of July, 1785, married Annatje, 
 
54 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 daughter of John Teller. He died at his country seat in 
 Rotterdam (the Mills), July Ifith, 1845, aged eighty-seven 
 years. His wife died May 4th, 1844, in her seventy-seventh 
 year. 
 
 Ryer, their oldest son, was a printer, horn December 8th, 
 1786. He married Geiirude Abel, and died November 11th, 
 1850. 
 
 John, their second son, born October 12tli, 1787. On the 
 6th of April, 1806, married Gertrude, daughter of Andries 
 Van Patten. He died February 29th, 1872. 
 
 Bartholemew Teller, born March 26th, 1807. 
 
 Andrew Vedder, born April 18th, 1809. 
 
 Ann Maria, born December 18th, 1811. 
 
 William, born June 30th, 1814. 
 
 Angelica, born February 25th, 1819. 
 
 Barnardus Freeman, born February 4th, 1821. 
 
 Abram Van Patten, born July 9th, 1823. 
 
 Simon, , born October 4th, 1824. 
 
 James, ; born January 17th, 1827. 
 
 Bartholemew, their third son, was born December 8th, 
 1789. 
 
 Jane, their daughter, born April 16th, 1792, married 
 Nicholas Viele, of Glenville. She died November 17th, 
 1860. He died November 24th, 1861. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Bartholemew Schermerhorn, Sr., 
 born July 26th, 1794. Died April 5th, 1816. 
 
 Aniiatje, also a daughter, born August 14th, 1799, married 
 Jacob De Forrest, Jr., of Rotterdam, and died April 27th, 
 1851, aged fifty-two years. 
 
 Bernardus Freeman, also a son of Bartholemew, born 
 December 22d, 1801, died suddenly, August 25th, 1871, at 
 a religious meeting in the First Dutch Reformed Church of 
 Schenectady. 
 
 Catharine, a daughter of Bartholemew, born October 9th, 
 1804, married James B. Schermerhorn, of Rotterdam. 
 
 Eliza Margaret, the youngest daughter of Bartholemew, 
 born October 13th, 1811, married Martin Deforrest, of 
 Schenectady, September 19th, 1832. 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 55 
 
 It has been said that Ri/er Schermerhorn, the father of 
 Bartholeinew, and grandson of the first Ryer, was a man of 
 remarkable perseverance, energy and determination. An 
 illustration cannot be out of place at this point. It is handed 
 down by well established authority, that shortly after the 
 termination of the Revolutionary War, when the long-con- 
 tested suit of Ryer Schermerhorn against The Trustees of the 
 Schenectad}^ Patent was pending in oiu- Supreme Court, Ryer 
 Schermerhorn, the plaintiff, Avas unexpectedly informed by 
 his counsel. Judge James Duane, that certain documents, then 
 in the hands of one Apple, at New York, must be in court at 
 Albany, within eight days from that time, or his cause would 
 be greatly endangered. Bear in mind, there were then no 
 telegraphs, no steamboats, no stage-routes, miserable roads, 
 only a weekly mail, the sloops took generally two weeks, 
 sometimes three, to accomplish the distance between Albany 
 and New York. Nothing daunted, Schermerhorn started, 
 single-handed, in a canoe from Albany ; went to New York, 
 procured the necessary documents, and on the morning of 
 the first session of court, much to the surprise and gratification 
 of his counsel, delivered him the desired papers. This cer- 
 tainly would be called something of a feat for a young man 
 of the present day. 
 
 Samuel Bradt, another son of Arent Andreas and Catalina, 
 married Susanna, another daughter of Jacques Cornelise Van 
 Slyck. 
 
 A)'ent, their oldest child, built and resided in the ancient 
 brick house, now standing southwest of the first lock above the 
 city. He married Catrina, daughter of Jan Pieterse Mabie ; 
 she died in 1773, aged 82 years, 2 months, 17 days. They 
 had five sons and five daughters. Their youngest child 
 Angelica, born August 26th, 1733, who this writer has often 
 seen, married Daniel Campbell, of Schenectady. 
 
 Margaret, a daughter of Samuel, born April 26th, 1686, 
 married Capt. Daniel Toll, who, on the 18th July, 1748, was 
 murdered by the French Indians, at a place (in the present 
 town of Glenville) called the Kleykuil, less than half a mile 
 north of Bcaukendual, where, on the same day, Nicholas Do 
 
56 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 GriifF and 24 others were killed by the French and Indians. 
 They had tAvo sons and live daughters. Their second daughter, 
 Elizabeth, born January 14th, 1721, married the Rev. Corne- 
 lius Van Santvoord. Their youngest daughter, Gertrude, 
 born August 7th, 1729, married Jillis Clute. 
 
 Jacobus, second son of Samuel, born January 3d, 1695, 
 married Margaret, daughter of Johannes Clute. They had 
 five sons and three daughters. Their daughter, Bata, born 
 January 30th, 1732, married Aljraham Watson. 
 
 Oatalyntje, another daughter of Samuel, born December 
 21, 1701, married Jacobus Van Slyck, September 2d, 1732. 
 He was colonel and commanding officer at Schenectady, in 
 1754. He was member of Assembly in 1750 and 1771. He 
 left two sons — Harmanus, born August 5th, 1733, and Samuel, 
 born March 17th, 1738 ; and two daughters — Gertrude, born 
 November 1st, 1734, and Jannetje, born June 13th, 1736. 
 This last married Philip Riley. 
 
 Susanna, also a daughter of Samuel, born January 2d, 1704, 
 married Bartholemew Vrooman, March 11th, 1726. 
 
 Andreas, another son of Samuel, born October 28th, 1705, 
 married Anna De Graff, of Esopus, January 29th, 1743. 
 
 Samuel, son of Samuel, born April 30th, 1707, married 
 Catharina, daughter of Arent Van Patten, October 10th, 
 1732. They had four sons and six daughters. 
 
 Ephralm, also a son of Samuel, l)orn Februar}^ 12th, 1712, 
 married Clara, daughter of Philip Borsie, and widow of Cor- 
 nelius Viele, Jr., in May, 1751. They had three daughters, 
 of whom Susanna married David Siger ; Cornelia married 
 Martin Van Benthuysen, and Margaret married Nicholas Van 
 Patten. 
 
 Direk Bradt, another son of Arent Andrease and Catalina, 
 born in 1661, married Maritie, daughter of Jan Baptist Van 
 Eps. He inherited his step-father Van Bockhoven's farm, 
 m Niskayuna (Van Bockhoven was the third husband of his 
 mother, Catalyntje). They had three sons and four daugh- 
 ters. Catalina, born June 27th, 1695, married, in 1725, Wm. 
 Berrit. Maria, born September 22d, 1698, married Rykert 
 Van Vrankcn. Jolin, born May 2 2d, 1704, married, Febru- 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 57 
 
 ary 10th, 1732, 3Iarc/aretto, daughter of Gerrit R. Van 
 Vrauken. Dirck, born July 20th, 1710, married, November 
 5th, 1732, Annafje, daughter of Arent D. Van Antwerpen. 
 
 CataUna — This venerable woman, the daughter of Andras 
 De Vos, Deput3^-Director of Renssehierwyck, and the ances- 
 tress of most of the Bradts, Schermerhorns and Veeders, 
 hereinbefore noticed, was thrice married. First, in 1648, to 
 Arent Andreese Bradt, to whom she bore all her children, 
 except one to her second husband, Van Ditmars. Arent 
 Andreese dying in 1662, on the 12th of November, 1664, she 
 married Barent Jans Van Ditmars, who, with his son Corne- 
 lius, their only child, Avas killed at the mjiesacre in 1690. 
 Cornelius had married Catharine, a daughter of John Alexander 
 Glen, of Scotia, who, after his death, married Gerrit Lansing, 
 Jr. In 1691, Catalina married Class Janse Van Bochhoven, 
 her tJiird husband. He made his will January 11th, 1698, 
 devising his whole estate equally to the six Bradt children of 
 his wife Catalina. She survived him, and died in 1712, aged 
 about eighty-four years. 
 
 It has been stated that Andries Arent Bradt (brewer, son 
 of Catalina), and one of his children, were killed at the mas- 
 Siicre in 1690 ; but he left two children surviving him — 
 Bathsheba, a daughter, subsequently married to Charles 
 Bu7'ns, and Captain Arent Andrees Bradt, a son, who, under 
 then existing laws of the Colony, was the right heir of his 
 grandfather, Arent Andries, one of the first settlers of 
 Schenectady. 
 
 . I have no means of ascertaining accurately when Captain 
 Andrees was born, but with the knowledge that his father, 
 Arent Andrees, Avas killed in 1690, at the age of thirty-seven 
 years, and that Captain Bradt Avas married March 4th, 1705, 
 to Jannetje, daughter of John Hendrickse Vroonian (l)rother 
 to the heroic Adam Vroonian, the bold defender of his home 
 in 1690). it is quite safe to assume, as an approximation, that 
 he Avas born about the year 1680, and, Jis he died in 1767, 
 he must have been, at the time of his death, about the age 
 of eighty-seven ; tradition hands it doAvn as about ninety 
 years. 
 
58 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Captain Bnidt was one of the most remarkable citizens of 
 Schenectady's olden time, and was distinguished for marked 
 decision and probity of character. He was a member of the 
 Provincial Assembly in 1745, and a trustee of the township 
 of Schenectady from 1715 to 1767, when he died — a period 
 of 52 years — being for many years sole surviving trustee. 
 And well knowing the legal difficulties and contentions which 
 had previously existed, through the claims of Ryer Scher- 
 merhorn, his relative and a former surviving trustee, to oivn- 
 ersJiip ; to prevent a recurrence of such claims and litigation, 
 he, with great care and solemnity, executed a will of date 
 March 11th, 1765, which was admitted to probate at Albany 
 November 19th, 1770. 
 
 It became the sheet-anchor of Schenectady's common land 
 interests in subsequent legal conflicts with Ryer Schermer- 
 horn and a fictitious set of trustees, appointed by him as 
 the successor of his father, John, and his grandfather, Ryer, 
 Sr., the old surviving trustee. (For an exemplitied copy of 
 trustee Bradt's will, see Appendix, marked " C") 
 
 Captain Bradt built and occupied, until his death, the 
 ancient house with a brick front, standing on the north side 
 of State street near Washington avenue (on his ancestral vil- 
 lage lot), being the building now occupied by Mr. J. W. 
 McMillan for his marble Avorks. Its appearance is truly 
 venerable. Its unpretentious Dutch gable, fronting on State 
 street, was erected of brick imported from Holland. The 
 building is deep in proportion to its frontage. Its pitch-pine 
 timbers are immense, and apparently not affected by age, 
 unless as they seem hardened and solidified. On a late visit 
 to Bradt's homestead, I was pleasantly impressed with a true 
 sense of Dutch solidity, and early, unostentatious love of 
 real comfort. 
 
 This is, unquestionably, the oldest building now remaining 
 in the city of Schenectady ; but precisely when erected can- 
 not now be determined. Old settlers have long called it the 
 oldest dwelling, and unless it be the Scotia mansicm, erected 
 by John Alexander Glen, in 1713 (Mr. Glen was thirty years 
 older than Captain Bradt, and a cotemporary with him), the 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 59 
 
 Bnidt building is pr()b;il)ly the oldest dwelling standing in 
 the former Province of New York, unless we also except the 
 old Pemberton building standing on the corner of North 
 Pearl and Columbia streets, in the city of Albany, believed 
 to have been erected in 1710, 
 
 While on the subject of old buildings, perhaps no more 
 fitting place can be found to note that, in the destructive tire 
 of 1819, which then so fearfully desolated the site of the 
 original Schenectady of the proprietors, two very old build- 
 ings, and of singularly antique structure, were destroyed — 
 that of the Alexander Lindsey Glen family, of Schenectady, 
 on Washington street, then occupied by Colonel Jacob Beek- 
 man, one of his descendants ; and the other, fronting the old 
 public square, near the original Church of 1682, and standing 
 between State and Water streets (at the time of its destruc- 
 tion occupied by John H. Moyston as a dwelling and fancy- 
 article store). The writer is not certain that this was the 
 same building occupied l)y Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck as 
 a licensed tapster or innkeeper, from 1671 to the time of his 
 decease in the latter part of 1690 ; but it was located on the 
 village lot apportioned to him as an original proprietor ; and 
 as he was a great favorite with, and an adopted son of, the 
 Mohawk nation, I think it probable that this old building (in 
 any event very old in appearance and by tradition) was one 
 of the five spared at the destruction of Schenectady. From 
 intimacy with the occupants in his early years, this writer 
 has -s'isited both houses often, and can bear testimony to the 
 appearance of their well-preserved, heavy pine timbers, and 
 their exceedingly venerable aspect. They Avere called, by 
 the aged inhabitants, the oldest houses of the settlement. I 
 have before stated that a brick, taken from the ruins of the 
 Glen building, bearing the evident marks of fire, and the 
 deep-lined figures, 1666, is now in possession of Mrs. Anna 
 M. Lee, residing at No. 80 Union street, Schenectady — a 
 lineal descendant of Alexander Lindsey Glen — fortifies the 
 general belief that it was one of the houses spared in 1690. 
 I think the Adam Vrooman house, corner of Church and 
 Front streets, was also saved. 
 
60 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 The French account says only two houses were spared, one 
 belonging to Coudre (John Alexander Glen) and another 
 whither M. de Montigny had been carried when woiuided. 
 Our accounts state that five buildings were spared ; this 
 probably includes some outside of the palisades. 
 
 Three old gable front buildings still stand, ornaments of 
 our city, pleasing links between the comforts of the olden 
 time, and the more costly, but sometimes less convenient struc- 
 tures of Schenectady's later days. The dwelling No. 119 
 Fi'ont street, now owned and occupied by Mr. Jolai Marcellus^ 
 is reputed to be the oldest of them, and with some late repairs, 
 not altering its original form, is in an excellent state of pres- 
 ervation. The date of its erection cannot now be exactly 
 ascertained, but is believed from credible authority to have 
 been in*L718.* 
 
 The dwelling of Abraham Fonda, No. 27 Front street, 
 built and occupied by him in 1752, is now owned and pos- 
 sessed by his great-grandson, N'icholas Yates, Esq. 
 
 The dwelling of the Rev. Barent Vrooman, No. 29 Front 
 street, who was for 19 years pastor of the Dutch Church at 
 Schenectady, from 1754 to November 13th, 1774, when he 
 died, aged 59 years. This was a grandson of Adam Vroo- 
 man, the heroic defender of his home in 1690. He built and 
 occupied this house in 1754. It is now the property of and 
 occupied by Daniel Vedder, Esq., And it is, to every one of 
 old descent, and must be to those of later lines and educa- 
 tion, a matter of quiet gratification, that each of these old 
 ■landmarks preserve their original outlines and are kept in 
 good order and preservation, even beautified with taste and 
 
 * This house was forniei-lj' owned by Adam Van Slyck, who was an old 
 man in 1800, and occupied by him and, subsequently by his son, Hanna- 
 nus. The old dilapidated house of Jacob Fonda, the father of Major Jellis, 
 is no doubt as old as the Van Slyck house. There was no other house east 
 of the latter on that side of Front sti-eet until some time after the war of 
 the Revolution, when Joseph Carley, a veteran soldier of the Continental 
 army, built and occupied a building of modern form between the two. 
 
 There is also a building of about the same age as the above-named, for- 
 merly owned and occupied by Gerrit Van Antwerp, standing on the north 
 side of Union street, next west of J. B. Clute's house. 
 
, ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 61 
 
 coilsidcnible expense, by those respective tlcsceudauts of 
 Schenectady's earliest settlers. 
 
 The Bradt house in Rotterdam, standing near the first lock 
 on the Erie canal, is a really old building ; but the date of 
 its erection cannot be accurately determined ; it was built by 
 A)-ent Bradt, born in 1684, a full cousin of Captain Arent 
 Andreas Bradt ; but as Arent, the son of Samuel, was the 
 junior of Capain Bradt, and aided l)y traditions handed down, 
 I have reached the conclusion that the Bradt house on State 
 street is the oldest structure. 
 
 TlieVrooman house (often still so called) at the Sand kill, 
 Brandywine jSIUI site, is a very old building, as its Holland 
 bricks indicate. Having with great interest examined it closely, 
 I lind it is a small double building, the two portions of which 
 seem to have been erected at different periods. The question 
 is, was this house, or any portion of it, built by the heroic 
 Adam Vrooman ? If so, it is, unquestionably, the oldest 
 dwelling standing in the State of New York. Besides the 
 reputation of its antiquity, I offer the only data in my power. 
 Adam Vrooman was a millwright ; in 1683 he built a mill on 
 the Sand kill, at a point near where the Brandywine Mill 
 lately stood, and in 1708 obtained from the trustees of the 
 township a patent for the Sand kill and adjacent lands for 
 mill purposes,* 
 
 Soon after 1754, the style of architecture iu our venerable 
 city wius changed, and those comparatively modern structures, 
 the John Glen mansion, now occupied by Mr. Swartfiguer, 
 the Campbell mansion, by Mr. Stewart Myers, the Ten Eyck 
 mansion, by the late Nicholas Caiu, tht Episcopal Cluirch, the 
 John Duncan mansion, on the southeast corner of Union and 
 
 * In 1807, Isaac Vrooman, who was a grandson of Adam Vrooman, a 
 surveyor by occupation, a justice of sessions, and member of the Provincial 
 Assembly in 1759, and mayor of the burough township of Schenectady in 
 1766, died in this house on his farm at the Sand kill. This was the father 
 of Lawrence Vi-ooman, the old surveyor, still so well remembered by many 
 of our old citizens. I have seen in the possession- of Gen. Wm. K. Fuller, 
 a certificate in the hand-writing and under the seal of the old mayor, 
 constituting his grandfather, Samuel Fuller, a citizen and freeman of the 
 borough. 
 
62 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Ferry streets, with other promhient builcluigs, were erected ; 
 and are old, indeed, for they were constructed at earlier or 
 later dates, previous to the war of 1776. 
 
 Pieter Danielse Van Oh'nda was the twelfth proprietor 
 named. I have been unable to locate his village lot, or his 
 farm on the Bouwlandt. He married HilUtie, the daughter 
 of Cmiielius Antonisen Van Slyck, and sister of Jacques 
 Cornelise; she was a half-blood Mohawk, and was a paid 
 interpretress of the Provincial Government. The Mohawks 
 gave her several tracts of land. She died February 10th, 
 1707. He died in 1716. They left three sons— Daniel, 
 Jacob and Mathias. (For particulars see HilUtie, mider the 
 head of Van Sl3^ck). 
 
 Peter Jacobse Borsboom was the thirteenth proprietor named. 
 His house lot in the village, 200 feet square, was tlie north- 
 west quarter of the block bounded by Front, Washington, 
 Church and Union streets. He had also two farms allotted 
 to him on the Bouwland. He died in 1688, and left surviv- 
 ing him one son, Cornelius, who died young and unmarried ; 
 also four daughters, viz. : Anna, who married Jolm Pitterse 
 Mabie. Maria, who married Iltndrick Brower. Fytie, who 
 married Martin Van Benthuysen. Catharine, who married 
 John Oliver. 
 
 Jan Barentse (Wemple) was the fourteenth proprietor 
 named. He was an inhabitant of Beverwyck as eaily as 
 1643. Having purchased the interest of Martin Maurice 
 Van Slyck in 1662, he received, as joint-owner with Martin 
 Maurice's brother, Jacques Cornelise, a patent for the Great 
 Island, lying immediately west of Schenectady ; which 
 interest was subsequently owned by Swear Teunise Van 
 Velsen, who had married Wemp's widow. Wenip also had 
 a house lot in the village, on the west side of Washington 
 street, a little north on State street, with a front of 200 feet 
 on Washington street, r*nming down with equal width to 
 the strand on the main Binnekill. He died in 1663, and 
 left the following-named children surviving him, viz. : 
 
 Myndert, born in 1649, married to Deborah, daughter of 
 Evert Janse Wendell, of Albany. He was appointed a Jus- 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 63 
 
 tice of the Peace of Schcnectiicl}^ by Leisler, in 1689. He 
 was killed in the massacre of Februaiy, 1690, and his son 
 John, with two of his negro slaves, carried into captivit}'. 
 This son John, after his return, married Oatalina, daughter 
 of Ryer Schermerhorn, June 15th, 1700 ; and, secondly, on 
 the 6th of October, 1709, married Ariantje, daughter oi Isaac 
 Swits. He was one of the trustees of the Schenectady patent. 
 
 Barent, the second son of Jan Barentse, born in 1656, 
 married Foll'je, daughter of Sijmon Volkertse Veeder. He 
 was appointed Captain of a Company of Infantry, by Leisler, 
 in 1690, and died in 1705, leaving a numerous family of 
 children, from whom many of the inhabitants of this valley 
 are descended. 
 
 Mana, his daughter, born in 1688, married Hendrick 
 Vrooman. 
 
 Engeltie, his daughter, born in 1695, married Nicholas 
 Hansen. 
 
 Margaret, his daughter, born in 1697, married Simon V. 
 Veeder. 
 
 Anna, a daughter of Jan Barentse, born in 1653, married 
 Captain Alexander Glen, of Schenectady, a son of Alexander 
 Lindsey Glen, of Scotia. 
 
 Alida, another daughter, married Jan Cornelise Van der 
 Heyden, of Beverwyck. 
 
 Jacques Cornelius Van Shjck was the fifteenth and last 
 proprietor named. He was born at the great Indian Castle, 
 Canajoharie, in 1640. The Mohawks gave to him and his 
 brother, Martin Maurice, the large island in the Mohawk 
 river, lying immediately west of the city, and only separated 
 from it by the main Binnekill ; to each brother the equal 
 undivided one-half. Jan Barentse Wemp sul>sequently pur- 
 chased the interest of Martin Maurice, Avhich, as had been 
 shewn, eventually vested in Swear Teunise Van Velsen. 
 
 The Mohawks also gave Jacques Cornelise a tract of land, 
 five miles above the city, on the south side of the Mohawk, 
 a portion of which is still occupied by his lineal descendants. 
 He also owned land on the Flats, apportioned to him us a 
 proprietor, on the division, which I cannot locate, except that 
 
64 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 it was on the first Fkit, aiicl was, after his decease, divided 
 among his heirs. 
 
 His vilhige lot, granted on the only pnblic square of the 
 place, on which the lirst church was erected, that front 
 extending between State and Water streets, and running 
 westerly along both streets, to an alley still existing, dividing 
 the Van Slyck lot from the premises now owned and occu- 
 pied by Mrs. Thomas B. Mitchell. 
 
 Occupying this lot in 1671, he was one of the two licensed 
 tapsters or inn-keepers in the village, Cornells Cornelise 
 Viele (sometimes called Dowe Aukesa Vielie) being the 
 other. Vielie's location was on the same small square, near 
 the church site, fronting the square, occupying the ground 
 from Mill lane to the west side of what is now Church street 
 continued, and running down considerably on the Flats. 
 
 If old traditions can be relied upon, the contentions 
 between these two frontier rivals, as interpreters, traders and 
 inn-keepers, were often subjects of serious complaint among 
 the villagers. As some evidence, see Orders in Council, p. 
 127. Arent Van Curler's widow continued to reside at Sche- 
 nectady until her death, 15th January, 1677. The Order 
 substantially runs thus : 
 
 " In consideration of the loss of her husband, Arent Van 
 Curler, in public service, and of her house, barn and corn, by 
 fire, she should receive a license from Governor Lovelace to 
 trade with the Indians. This was in 1672. It was thought 
 also that her license would stop the quarrels of the other two 
 tapsters, Cornelis Coraelise Viele and Jacques Cornelise 
 Gantsh (Van Slyck)." 
 
 This Coiiielis Cornelise Viele was the ancestor of the 
 Vieles in this country, and was early settled in Schenectady. 
 Ill 1668 he held the one-half of a farm on the Flats, in joint 
 ownership with Class Fredevickse Van Patten; and in 1671 
 he was a licensed tapster or inn-keeper at Schenectady, and 
 in 1677 removed to his farm on the south side of the Mohawk 
 river, on the " Steenekill,''^ about four miles we%st of Sche- 
 nectady. 
 
 I am thus precise, to distinguish him from his son, 
 
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 65 
 
 Conielis Cornelisse (often called Dowe Aiikes Viele). It 
 has been to me a matter of some interest to ascertain how 
 the name of Dowe Ankes became attached to Viele, and the 
 circumstances are so interwoven with the early history of 
 Schenectady, that, in this connection, I will state, Dowe 
 Aukes was a citizen of Arnham, in Holland, born in 1639, 
 who- came to Schenectady in 1663, and settled as the first 
 inn-heeper of the place, on the lot south corner of Mill lane 
 and State street, near the location of the old church. That 
 he married for his second wife, in 1685, Maria, daughter of 
 Aernout Cornelkse Viele, the great Indian interpreter, and 
 the oldest son of the first Cornel is Cornelisse. Aernout^ s 
 services were so highly valued by the Mohawks that, in 
 1683, they gave him a tract of land above Schenectady, on 
 the north side of the Mohawk river, called " Wachkeerhokay 
 By this marriage Dowe Aukes had one child, Margaret, born 
 March 21st, 1686. 
 
 It seems historically that, in 1672, there were but two 
 licensed tapsters at Schenectady — Jacques Cornelise Van 
 Slyck and Cornells Cornelisse Viele — so that I reasonably 
 conclude that Dowe Aukes had taken to other business ; or, 
 that having married a granddaughter of Cornells Corneliisse, 
 that the license ran in the name of the grandfather. 
 
 Dowe Ankes had two children, one by each marriage. In 
 1689, Leisler made him a Justice of the Peace. In 1690, at 
 the memorable massacre, his wife, two children and negro 
 servants were killed by the French and Indians, and he, like 
 the Mingo Chief Logan, alone of all his family remained. 
 In this isolated bereavement, in 1709 he conveyed all his 
 real estate to his late wife's uncle, CorneMs Cornelisse Viele, 
 with whom he resided until 1719, when he died at the age 
 of al)()ut 80 years ; after the massacre always calling Vi6Ie 
 his adopted son ; hence the Dowe Aukese by the early settlers, 
 attached to Viele's name. 
 
 This Viele's first wife, 31aria Aloff, too, was killed in the 
 slaughter of 1690. He, secondly, April 1st, 1700, married 
 Deborah, daughter of Class Van Patten. He was the first 
 Viele settled at old Maalwyck, early in 1700. 
 5 
 
QQ HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 After so much of digression, which is deemed interesting 
 in the early inn-l-eeping history of Schenectady, I return to : 
 Jacques Cornelise Van Slyhe. He, possessing a large landed 
 estate, made his will on the 8th day of May, 1690, and died 
 soon afterwards, aged 50 years, leaving surviving hhn his 
 widow, Margaret, daughter of Harman Janse Ryckman, of 
 Albany, who, on the 21st day of February, 1692, married 
 her brother-in-law, Adam Vrooman, Avho so gallantly defended 
 his dwelling, when his wife, Angelica (the sister of Margaret), 
 with her infant child, were killed, and two of his sons, Barent 
 and Walter, were carried into captivity. Van Slyck left sur- 
 viving him three sons and six daughters, who, it will be seen, 
 aided by the extensive possessions of their father and good 
 famil}^ character, formed, without exception, advantageous 
 and respectable family connections. 
 
 Harman, the oldest son of Jacques, born March 26th, 1704, 
 married Jane, daughter of Adam Vrooman. He was Captain 
 of a Schenectady Company, in 1714 ; an Indian trader in 
 1724. He received a grant of three hundred morgans of 
 land, at Canajoharie, from the Mohawks, because " Ms gi-and- 
 motJier was a right Mohawk woman,'' and " his father born 
 with us at Canajoharie.'' He also inherited a farm from his 
 father on the first FUit, He left a numerous famil}^ of chil- 
 dren, and made his will November 1st, 1731. He died 
 December 20th, 1734, leaving to his sons, Adam, James and 
 Harmanus, one-half of his 2,000 acres of land, at Canajoharie, 
 known as Van Slyck's Patent. 
 
 Cmmelius, second son of Jacques, born on the 10th day of 
 February, 1696, married Clara Janse Bradt, oi AXhimj. He 
 lived upon the first Fhit. 
 
 Hendrich, son of Cornelius, born Jime 6th, 1729, married 
 Catharina, daughter of Cornelius Slingerland ; they had one 
 child, Clara, who married Johannes J. Vrooman. 
 
 Anthony, son of Cornelius, born November 19th, 1730, 
 married Margaret Van Slyck ; they had one child, Cornelias, 
 born 12th April, 1731, Avho was the father of Harmanus Van 
 Slyck, formerly a sherift' of Schenectady county. This Har- 
 manus married Annatje, daughter of John Haverl}^, October 
 
OlliaiNAL rilOPRIETOIlS. 07 
 
 28th, 1708, und was the father of Anlhonf/ IT. Van Slych, 
 born June 22d, 1800, who wiis, for one term, sheriff of Sche- 
 nectady county, and died January 6th, 1859. Ckmssa, their 
 daughter, born September 27th, 1810, married Wemple 
 Haverly. 
 
 Adnan, son of Cornelius, (3ctol)er 17th, 1730, married 
 Jannelja Vi'ele, and for liis second wife, Bregie, daughter of 
 Carel Hansen Toll, Novendjer 26th, 1741. Adrian was 
 killed, July 18th, 1748, in the Boaukendual massacre. Their 
 daughter Clartje, November 7th, 1742, married Anthony 
 Van Slyck. 
 
 Harmanns, son of Cornelius, August 16th, 1729, married, 
 first, Lydia, daughter of Ilarmanus Vedder ; secondly, in 
 1738, Sarah Vischer. He was an Indian trader. lie left 
 surviving him four sons and six daughters, of whom his 
 daughter Elizabeth married Gerrit Van Slyck, and his daugh- 
 ter Maria married Peter Symonse Veeder. 
 
 Cornelius, son of Cornelius, trader, March 11th, 1733, mar- 
 ried Junnetje, daughter of Abraham Truax. He left surviv- 
 ing him several children, of whom his daughter Gertrude mar- 
 ried John Lamliert, the renowned schoolmaster of Schenec- 
 tady, who taught the boys of a generation now all passed 
 away how to ])ecome men. Some of his pupils subsequently 
 became distinguished as men of mark in Church, Law, and 
 State. 
 
 Albert, son of Cornelius, September 17th, 1733, married 
 Sarah, daughter of Jan Danielse Van Antwerpen, They 
 had three daughters, viz. : Clara, Agnes, and Lena. 
 
 Peter, son of Cornelius, August 30th, 1734, married An- 
 gelica, daughter of l^omwic; Reinhard Erickson, pastor of the 
 Dutch Church of Schenectady from 1728 to 1736. They 
 had three sons and four daughters, of whom their son Corne- 
 lius, March 30th. 1764, married Catarina, daughter of Peter 
 Veeder ; and their son Adrian married Annatje, daughter of 
 William Lighthall. Their daughter Clara married John 
 Steers, and their daughter Annatje married Johannes Bar- 
 heyt. 
 
 Col. Jacobus (James), son of Capt. Ilarman, the oldest son 
 
68 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 o^ Jacques, was born May 28th, 1704. He married Calalina, 
 a daughter of Samuel Bradl, Septemljcr 2d, 1732. He was 
 commanding officer of Schenectady in 1754, a men:iber of the 
 Provincial Assembly in 1750, also in 1771. His son Har- 
 manus, born August 5th, 1733, married A^ina, a daughtei" of 
 Alexander Glen, September 26th, 1767. His daughter Jan- 
 natje married Philip Ryley. 
 
 Adam, a^iother son oi' dipt. Harman, born March 5th, 1721, 
 married, September 19th, 1747, Calharina, daughter of Jan 
 Baptist Van Eps ; and their son Harmanus married Maria, 
 a daughter of Isaac Vrooman, December 5th, 1771, by whom 
 he had a son named Adam, who removed to Montgomery 
 county. 
 
 Adam also left a daughter, sister of Harmanus, named 
 Helena, born August 5th, 1759, who married Samuel Thorn, 
 Esq, They were the parents of Jonathan Thorn, a gallant 
 Lieutenant in the United States Navy, who distinguished 
 himself under Decatur in the war with Tripoli ; and was one 
 of the daring party that retook and destroyed the frigate 
 Philadelphia under the guns of the Tripolitan l)atteries. He 
 lost his life in the command of the exploring expedition sent 
 out by John Jacob Astor to the Columbia river. (For par- 
 ticnlars, see Irving's history of that memorable adventure.) 
 They were also the parents of Herman Thorn, the millionaire 
 of New York, and several other much-respected children. 
 
 Marten, the third son of Jacques Cornelisse, married, March 
 23d, 1701, Margaret Gerritse Van Vranken. They had sev- 
 eral children, viz. — Jacob, Margaret, Aricmtje, Susanna, and 
 Petrus — the last born October 30th, 1709, who married ^/Z^- 
 abeth, daughter of Jesse De Graft", April 9th, 1738. He was 
 a captain in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Company of the 
 Revolutionary .War. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 69 
 
 CHAPTER Vr. 
 Early Settlers. 
 
 I have thus, with considerable research, for my own 
 satisfaction and that of their descendants, rendered my 
 tn))ute to the brave, early proprietors and pioneers of 
 Schenectady, astonished that, at this late day, in so many 
 ramifications, their blood courses extensively in this city, and 
 through the length of our Mohawk Valley. But family 
 histories and genealogies are an illimitable topic, fitted only 
 to a large-sized volume; so I shall venture no further in that 
 direction, except to name approximately, in their consecutive 
 order, the arrival of the earliest settlers for the first 100 years 
 of its settlement in this community, and their immediate 
 children, unless some matter of historical interest is to be 
 noted to make an exception. So, I shall state first, that 
 Harman Albeiise Vedder, the ancestor of all the Vedders 
 in this country', settled at Schenectady in 1663. His farm 
 covered what is now the homestead of Colonel D. D. Camp- 
 bell, of Rotterdam. His village lot on the north side of Union 
 street was the same as that occupied by the late Doctor 
 Alexander G. Fonda, aud now the site of the clerk's and 
 surrogate's offices, etc. He purchased it of the heirs of 
 Riniei-, son of Dominie Schaets, of Albany, after Rinier was 
 massacred in 1690. In 1673, Harman Albertse was 
 appointed one of the three magistrates of Schenectady, and 
 in 1674 was schout or sheriff of the village. He died in 
 1717, leaving the following children, five sons and one 
 daughter, viz. : 
 
 Hannanus, the oldest son, who married, first. December 
 10th, 1691, Margaret, daughter of Jacques Cornelisse Van 
 Slyck, widow oi Andries Arentse Bradt ; and second, Decem- 
 ber 31st, 1733, Anantje, daughter of Class Laurense Van Der 
 Volgen, and widow of Ai-nold Be Gmff. He was an Indian 
 trader, and left a numerous family of children. 
 
70 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Arent, the second son of Harmaii Albertse, married Sai'a, 
 daughter of Symou Groot. He settled iqion land on the 
 south side of the Mohawk river, opposite Hotfman's Ferry, 
 whieh was long known as Vedde)''s Ferry. He died in 1746, 
 leaving several sons and daughters. 
 
 Albert, the third son of Harnian Albertse, born May 10th, 
 1671, married Maria, daughter of John Alexander Glen, of 
 Scotia, December 17th, 1699. He was carried captive to 
 Canada, February 9th, 1690. He lived upon and owned the 
 farm subsequently 'known as the " Warmsley farm,''^ on the 
 north side of the Mohawk river, about one mile below the 
 city, where a ferry was long maintained. By his will, made 
 February 8th, 1752, he gave this farm to his son Harmanus, 
 who lived and died there at a very advanced age. Albert, 
 the father, died August 1st, 1753, aged 82 years, 2 months, 
 21 days. His wife, Maria Glen, died March 13th, 1753, 
 aged 74 years, leaving four sons and two daughters. Our 
 esteemed fellow-citizens, Alexander M. Vedder, M. D., Jacob 
 Vedder, Esq., late sheriff of Schenectady County, and Daniel 
 Vedder, Esq., one of our leading merchants, are direct lineal 
 descendants of these historic old people. 
 
 Johannes, fourth son of Harman Albertse, married, first, 
 July 8th, 1705, Maria, daughter of Johannes Forte ; second, 
 November 25th, 1732, Engellje, daughter of Gerrit Sy mouse 
 Veeder. He, too, was carried captive to Canada, Febrnary 
 9th, 1690. He died August 14th, 1748, leaving many 
 descendants. 
 
 Corset (Seth), fifth son of Harman Albertse, married, first, 
 Margaritta Barrith (Barhydt), March 3d, 1709 ; second, 
 Neeltje, daughter of Christian Christianse, March 11th, 1711. 
 He then lived at Schachticoke. In 1721 he sold his farm 
 there and moved to Niskayuna. He died in 1745, leaving 
 several descendants. 
 
 Anna, a daughter of Harman Albertse, born July 28th, 
 1700, married Abraham Mebie, and died December 22, 
 1750, without issue. 
 
 8ymon Synionse Groot, the common ancestor of all the 
 Groots in America, settled at Schenectady in 1663. His 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 71 
 
 house and lot in Schenectiidy was on the north side of Union 
 street 100 feet, Amsterdam measure, westerly from Church 
 street, running through to Front street, and so remained in 
 the family for more than 100 years. He married Rtbecca, 
 daughter of Philip Du Trieux (Truax). He had six sons, 
 viz. : Symon, Abraham, Philip, Dirk, Cornells and Class, 
 of whom his son Cornelias appears to have died in infancy, 
 and his son Class unmarried. 
 
 On the night of 9th Febniary, 1690, his five sons, Symon, 
 Abraham, Philip, Dirk and Class, were carried captive to 
 Canada, but were ransomed the following year. 
 
 Simon, Jr.^ the oldest so>n, married Gertriuj, daughter of 
 Jan Rinkhout, of Albany ; they had three sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 Abraham, the second son of Simon Symonse, April 15th, 
 1696, married Antje Wemp, widow of Captain Sander Glen ; 
 and secondly, married, July 9th, 1699, Heslerje, daughter 
 of Harman Visscher, by wliom he had five sons and four 
 daughters. 
 
 Philip, third son of Simon Symonse, married Sam, daughter 
 of Jacobus Peek. He settled near what is now called Crane's 
 village, on the north side of the Mohawk river, and was 
 drowned in that stream, A. D. 1716, leaving four sons and 
 two daughters. 
 
 Dirk, the fourth son of Simon Symonse, married Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Class Lourense Van tier Volgeu ; they had eight 
 sons and three daughters. 
 
 Spoor Jan lived at Niskayuna in 1664. His daughter, 
 Antje, was killed by the French and Indians at Schenectady, 
 in 1690. 
 
 Johannes Van. Ups lived at Schenectady, in 1664. He 
 owned a bowery on the Groote Vlachte, and a house and lot 
 in the village. His lot, 200 feet square, was on the north- 
 west corner of State and Church streets, upon portion of 
 which the law office of Walter T. L. Sanders, Esq., now 
 stands. In the massacre of 1690, he was killed, with two of 
 his children. He left surviving him two sons and four 
 dauirhters. 
 
72 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 John Baptist Van Eps, his oldest son, boni in 1673, was 
 carried captive to Canada when Schenectady was bnrned in 
 1690, but effected his escape, after remaining with his captors 
 three years. He married, on July 9th, 1699, Helena, daugh- 
 ter of John Alexander Glen, of Scotia. They had four sons 
 and six daughters. 
 
 Evert, another son of Johannes, married, first, July 8th, 
 1705, Eva, daughter of Carel Hanse Toll ; and secondly, July 
 19th, 1729, Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Truax. In 1704, 
 he owned the lot upon AVashington avenue, on which the 
 house of the late Hon. A. C. Paige stands. He had by both 
 marriages five sons and five daughters. 
 
 8ara, a daughter of Johannes, married Arent Danielse 
 Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Elizabeth, another daughter, married, first. Tennis Yiele ; 
 and secondly, Jillis Van Vorst. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, married Dirk Bratt. 
 
 Anna, another daughter, married Coenraat Ten Eyck. 
 
 Teunise Cornelise Swart, from whom all persons of that 
 name in this comnmnity are descended, came to Schenectady 
 in 1664. He received, for his early interest in the settlement, 
 allotment ten, on the Groote Vlachte, comprising forty-eight 
 acres, westward of Pontias Kill, and a village lot on the 
 northeast corner of State and Church streets, being of dimen- 
 sions 200 by 170 feet — the Campbell or Myers' premises 
 being a portion of the location. He married Elizabeth Van 
 der Linde, and after his death; in 1686, she married Jacob 
 Meese Vrooman, of Albany, an imcle of our distinguished 
 Adam Vrooman. Teunise Cornelise left three sons and two 
 daughters. 
 
 Cornelius, Ids eldest son, born in 1652, was, in 1715, a resi- 
 dent of Ulster qounty. On April 25th, 1692, he conveyed 
 the lot on the northeast corner of Church and State streets, 
 inherited from his father, to his brother-in-law. Class Lou- 
 I'cns Van der Volgen, reserving to his ])rother, Esaias, a lot 
 fronting on Church street. 
 
 Esaias, second son of Teunise Cornelisse, born in 1653, 
 married Eva. daughter of Teunis Van Woert, of Albany. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 73 
 
 III 1686, lie received a conveyance of part of a bonweiy 
 No. 10, over the Pontias Kill, from his mother, and a release, 
 m 1716, from his brother Cornelius of a lot on the east side 
 of Church street, 200 feet north of State street. Emias is 
 the immediate ancestor of all the Schenectady Swarts. His 
 descendants still own Flats and other lands on the north side 
 of the Mohawk river. He left surviving him three sons and 
 one daughter. 
 
 Tennis, his oldest son, married CJiristina, daughter of Adam 
 Vrooman, October 30th, 1710. 
 
 Wouter, his second son, born April 11th, 1694, married 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremie Thickstone. 
 
 Esaias, his third son, born February 27th, 1704, married 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Arent Vedder, December 13th, 1731. 
 
 Sara, his only surviving daughter, born December 16th, 
 1691, married Jan Bareiitse Wenip. 
 
 Adam, the third son of Tennis Cornelisse, married Metie 
 WiUiamsen Van Slych ; he lived at Schenectady in 1690, but 
 lived at Kinderhook in 1706 ; he left only one child, a daugh- 
 ter, named Johanna. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Teunise Cornelisse, married Class 
 Laurens Van der Volgen. 
 
 Jacomyntje, another daughter, married Peter Viele. 
 
 Class Eredeiickse Van Patten came to Schenectady in 1664. 
 In 1668 he bought, in company with Cornelius Cornelisse 
 Viele, the farm of Marten Cornelisse Van Isselsteyn (Essel- 
 styn), lying next west of the farm of Ryer Scherinerhorn, the 
 elder, who was his brother-in-law, Van Patten having married 
 Aeffie, the daughter of Arent Andreas Bradt and Catalyntje 
 De Vos. This bouwery remained in the family for several 
 generations. In 1690 Van Patten was appointed a justice 
 of the peace by Leisler. He was born May 30th, 1641, and 
 died October 3d, 1728, aged 87 years, 5 months. His wife, 
 Aeffie, died January 23d, 1728, aged 78 years. They left 
 surviving them three sons and three daughters. 
 
 Arent, the oldest son of Class, April 10th, 1703, married 
 Jannetje, daughter of Philip Conyn, of Albany. 
 
 Andreas, the second son of Class, born September lOtli, 
 
74 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY, 
 
 1684; November 25th, 1712, mamed Maike, daughter of 
 Jucol) Ten Eyck, of Albany. 
 
 Nichohs, the third sou of Class, l)oru April 6th, 1690, 
 married Rebecca, daughter of Simon Groot, Jr. 
 
 Diewer (Deborah), a daughter of Class, married Cornelius 
 Viele. 
 
 Catalyntje, also a daughter of Class, married Tennis Van 
 Vechten. 
 
 Gertrude, another daughter of Class, born April 17th, 1687, 
 married Laurens C. Van der Volgen. 
 
 Isaac Swits settled at Schenectady in 1664. He married 
 Susanna, daughter of Simon Groot ; his village lot was on 
 the west side of Washington street, opposite the west end of 
 State street. On the destruction of the town in 1690, he was 
 carried away captive, together with his oldest son, Cornelius, 
 but they were ransomed, and returned home the following 
 July. 
 
 On the 7th July, 1702, he bought of Uvei-i, son and heir- 
 at-law of Gerrit Banker, one of the original 15 proprietors, 
 his l)ou\very on the Flats, and his village lot, 200 feet square, 
 on the southwest corner of Union and Washington streets. 
 The farm remained in the family for more than 100 years ; 
 the lot was subdivided and sold soon after its purchase. 
 Isaac Swits died in 1707, and left surviving him six sons 
 and two daughters. Cornelius, the oldest son of Isaa,c, who 
 had been a captive with his father in Canada, October 9th, 
 1702, married Ilesther Visscher, of Albany, Avhen he removed 
 to that place, and dying in 1752, left many descendants. His 
 son, Isaac, February 25th, 1728, married Maria, daughter of 
 Hendrick Vrooman, of Schenectady. 
 
 Simon, second son of Isaac, born January 10th, 1680, mar- 
 ried, October 29th, 1712, Oezina, daughter of Martin Beeck- 
 man, of Albany. He inherited his father's village lot, oppo- 
 site the west end of State street, with other real estate upon 
 the great Flats. His daughter Gezina, born April 20th, 
 1713, married Daniel De Grafi'. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Isaac, born June 26th, 1695, mar- 
 ried Htkna De Wilt : died, leaving several children, of whom 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 75 
 
 his eldest son, Isaac, born Ma}^ 12th, 1720, married Volki'e, 
 daughter of Hendriek Vroonian, March 11th, 1747. He 
 died April 4th, 1790, and was the lather oH Hendriek Swits, 
 born October 24th, 1762, whose house stood on what is now 
 White street, near State street. He died, unmarried, Sep- 
 tember 18th, 1825, aged 63 years. His next of kin received 
 from him about six acres of hind — his homestead — compre- 
 hended l)etween the east side of Barrett street and the Cow- 
 horne Ivill ; which was subsequently divided into city lots, 
 sold, and now is densely settled. Isaac Swiis, too, was the 
 father of i7efe«ff, born May 24th, 1750, who married J«co6 
 A. Vrooman ; and the father oi Maria, born April 4th, 1762, 
 Avho married Johannes J. Wemple ; and of Susanna, who 
 married Daniel Toll] and of Jannetje, born February 11th, 
 1764, who married James V. S. Ryley. 
 
 Abraham, another son of Jacob, is the most patriarchal 
 ancestor, by numbers, of those who bear the Swits name in 
 this countr}'. Born October 1st, 1730. He married, first, 
 February 24th, 1749, Neeltje, daughter of Peter Van Antwer- 
 pen. This wife died, leaving onl}' one child, born July 15th, 
 1750, named Helena, who married Mijndert De La Grange. 
 
 Abraham Swits, secondly, December 26th, 1753, married 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Wouter Vrooman. The children of 
 this marriage were : Walterus, his oldest son, born November 
 10th, 1754 ; Maria, born September 18th, 1756 ; Susanna, 
 born May 13th, 1759. 
 
 Abraham Swits, thirdly, November 22d, 1760, married 
 Margaret, daughter of Jan Delamont. The children of this 
 marriage were : Eva, born July 24th, 1761, married to Cor- 
 nelis Zeger Van Santvoord ; Catarina, born May 1st, 1764, 
 married Maus Schernievhoryie, several times mayor of Schenec- 
 tady ; Susanna, born June, 1766, married JVicholas F. Olute. 
 
 Waller, the oldest son of Abraham, married Sarah, daugh- 
 ter of Harmanus Peek. He served as a Lieutenant in the 
 Revolutionary AVar, and died October 31st, 1823, aged 69 
 years, leaving many descendants. This was the grandfather 
 of our estimable citizen. Harman Swits, M. D. Walter's 
 widow died July 18th, 1843, aged 83 years, 4 months, 6 days. 
 
76 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Jacob, the second son of Abraham, born November 3d, 1762, 
 married Margaretta, daughter of Captain Abraham Van Eps, 
 January 23d, 1791. In the Revolutionary War, General 
 Swits served in Captain John Mynders' Company, and in 
 1810 was made Major-General of the State Militia. He 
 died November 21st, 1835, aged 73 years, 18 days. His 
 widow died April 12th, 1839, aged 76 years, 2 months, 18 
 days. The General left surviving him three sons and live 
 daughters. 
 
 Rev. Abm. J. Sivits, his oldest son, well and favorably 
 known among us for his valued ministerial services and acts 
 of unostentatious benevolence, died in Schenectady on the 
 24th January, 1875, in his eighty-fourth year. 
 
 Nicholas Swits, Esq., his second son, who was much beloved 
 as a prominent citizen, and had held many offices of public 
 trust, died September 18, 1872. 
 
 Jacob Swzts, the youngest son, a member of the legal pro. 
 fession, died September 4th, 1836, unmarried, aged about 
 28 years. 
 
 Of his daughters, Margaritta, born April 21st, 1796, 
 married Bartholemew Schermerhorn ; and Jane Helen, born 
 October 18th, 1805, married Augustus Elmcndorf, Esq., of 
 Red Hook, Dutchess county. 
 
 Andries, the third son of Major Abraham, born November 
 8th, 1773, married Maria Hicks, and left several children 
 surviving him. 
 
 Johnannes, the fourth son of Major Abraham, born Decem- 
 ber 1st, 1775, married Maike, daughter of Tennis T. Vischer, 
 August 25th, 1803, at the Boght, where he resided until 
 his death, March 9th, 1829, aged 51 years, leaving four sons 
 and three daughters. 
 
 Major Abram Swits served as a gallant officer in the 
 Revolutionary War, and, as a family, the Swits were distin- 
 o-uished as ardent whigs. 
 
 Rebecca, a daughter of Isaac, the first settler, married 
 Alexander Glen, grandson of Alexander Lindsay Glen. 
 
 Ariantje, another daughter, married Johannes Wemp. 
 
 Johannes Putman came to Schenectady in 1664. He 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 77 
 
 married Cornelia, daughter of Arent Andrics Bradt and 
 Catalyiitje De Vos. His homestead lot was on the north- 
 west corner of Union and Ferry streets, having 100 feet 
 frontage on Union street. Later, he purchased the 100 feet 
 lot next west from Jan Roeloefse, the oldest son of the cele- 
 brated Anneke Janse, by her first marriage. He sold subject 
 to the life estate of himself and wife. Roeloefse had no 
 children. On the disastrous night of February 9th, 1690. 
 both Putnian and his ncigh])or Roeloefse, with their wives, 
 were slain by the French and Indians. Jan Putman left 
 three sons and two daughters. 
 
 Arent, the oldest son of Jan, married Lysbat Akerman. 
 He inherited his father's house lot, corner of Union and 
 Ferry streets. He moved to the Mohawk country with his 
 family, where he was living as late as 1754. He had 
 a numerous family. This is the ancestor of Montgomery 
 county Putmans. 
 
 Victor, second son of Jan. December second, 1706, married 
 Margaref, sister of Jan Pieterse Mebie. From him and his 
 brother Cornelius, the Putmans of Schenectady county are 
 generally descended. 
 
 Cornelius, third son of Jan, married Jacomijnlje, daughter 
 of Tenuis Viele. 
 
 Jan Janse Jonhers, came to Schenectady in 1665. His 
 lot was on the east side Church street, next north of the 
 site of the first church. He died in 1703, leaving three 
 daughters, viz. : 
 
 Feitje, married to Benjamin Lenyn, a Frenchman, March 
 15th, 1699. 
 
 Pieierje, married to Mannaseh Sixbarry, a young English- 
 man, March loth, 1699. 
 
 Rachel, married to William Bowing, January 22d, 1690. 
 
 John Apple came to Schenectady in 1668 ; was grievously 
 wounded at the sacking of Schenectady, in 1690, and was, 
 on that account, granted $30 by the Governor and Council. 
 
 William Apple, brother of John, came to Schenectady in 
 1668 ; he too was wounded in his limbs at the destruction in 
 1690. The Apples removed to New York in 1693. William 
 
78 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 had a son, Simon, and a daughter, Maria Magdalena, who 
 married Johannes Vrooman, a nephew of the distinguished 
 Adam. 
 
 Hendrich Lambertse Bent came to Schenectady in 1666. 
 He owned a farm above Schenectady, on the south bank of 
 the Mohawk river, which he sold to Dowe Aukes, and sub- 
 sequently removed to Claverack. This farm, together with 
 the island called " Benis,'^ afterwards became the property 
 of Douwe Aukes Viele. 
 
 Martin Corndise Van IsseUyne (Esseltyne) came to Schenec- 
 tady in 1666. In 1668, October 23d, he sold his bouwery, 
 lying immediately west of Rye r Schermerhorn's farm, called 
 the Schuylenburgh farm, to Class Frederikse Van Patten and 
 Cornelis Viele, and removed to Claverack. From the appa- 
 rent simultaneousness of their respective sales, it is believed 
 that Bent and Esselstyne removed to Claverack about the 
 same time. He had one son, Cornelis Martense, from whom 
 have descended the numerous Esselstyns of Columbia and 
 Dutchess counties. 
 
 Elias Van Guy sling was born in Zeeland, Holland, in 1659. 
 He came to the New Netherlands, and remaining at Bever- 
 wyck, some time in 1670, bought the bouwery of Bastian De 
 Winter, one of the original fifteen proprietors of Schenectady, 
 which was afterwards known as '■'■ Ellas' Plaintasiey This 
 farm is situated on the Bouwlandt, in Rotterdam, and 
 remained in possession of his great grandson, Cornelias, born 
 March 5tli, 1776, until his decease, December 30th, 1865, 
 aged eighty-eight years, nine months and twenty-six days. 
 
 Elias' wife was Tvyntje Classe, born in 1643 ; after his 
 death, she married William Hall, April 13th, 1695, an early 
 settler of Schenectady. Speaking the French language 
 fluently. Van Guysling was often employed as an interpreter 
 in negotiations. He left surviving two sons and one daugh- 
 
 o o o 
 
 ter, viz. : Myndert, Jacob and Jacomyntje. 
 
 Myndert, the oldest son of Elias, born October 25th, 1691 ; 
 April, 1721, married Stister. daughter of Cornelius Viele. 
 He lived on the Elias JPlantasie, which he devised to his sons, 
 Elias and Jacob, having made provision for his other chil- 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 79 
 
 dreii. Myntlert died in 1772, aged 81 years. He left sur- 
 vivinsf him four sons and three dausrhters. 
 
 Elias, his oldest son, married, September 17th, 1763, Eliza- 
 helh Quackenbos ; he died September 5th, 1802, probably 
 without issue. 
 
 Jacob, the second son of JNIyndert, born January 18th, 
 1736, married, first, June 3d, 1773, Jannetje, daughter of 
 Peter Feling ; secondly, Helena Lansing, July 9th, 1790. 
 He died November 19th, 1803, aged 68 years. This was 
 the father Cornelius, the last of the name that owned and 
 occupied the Elias Plantasie, up to December 30th, 1865. 
 
 Peter, the third son of Myndert, born January 22d, 1745, 
 married, first, Maria, daughter of Ryer Schermerhorn, in 
 1770; secondly, Annatje, daughter of Caleb Beck, in 1773. 
 He dwelt on the north side of Front street, and his house was 
 taken down on the laying out and opening Governor's lane ; 
 it stood on the part of his lot now used as a street. His lot 
 on the corner of Front and Washington street was occupied 
 by his daughter and her husband, John Prince. He died 
 N()veml)er 20th, 1824, aged 80 years. This was the father 
 of Myndert, Caleb and Peter Van Guysling, also of Elizabeth, 
 wife of John Prince, and of Anna Maria, wife of Harmanus 
 Vedder, all so well known to many of om* still living aged 
 citizens ; and was the grandfather of Daniel Van Guysling, 
 Esq., of Glenville. 
 
 Philip Truax (DuTrieux), a Belgian, born in 1585, was one 
 of the earliest emigrants to the New Netherlands ; was in 
 New Amsterdam, during Minuit's administration, from 1624 
 to 1629 ; was appointed Court messenger in 1638. His 
 daughter, Rebecca, married Simon Symonse Groot ; his 
 daughter, Sara, married Isaac De Forrest ; his daughter, 
 Susanna, married Evert Janse Wendell, of Beverwyck. 
 
 Philip Truax was never settled in Schenectady — probalily 
 died before it was apportioned. His wife, Susanna De 
 Scheene, was living as late as 1654. Their l)lood is very 
 extensively difi'used throughout the Mohawk Valley and 
 elsewhere. He had three sons, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 
 
 Isaac, the second son,hov\\ in New Amsterdam, April 22d, 
 
80 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 1642, Avas the ancestor of all or nearly all the Truaxes in our 
 community. He married Maria, daughter of William 
 Brouwer, of Albany ; he settled upon the " Second Flat of 
 the Bouwlandt," on the south side of the Mohawk, in 1670, 
 with his cousin. Jacobus Peek, as appears by a petition to and 
 grant from Governor Andros. He had four sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 Abraham, the oldest son of Isaac, married Christina, daugh- 
 ter of Jellis De La Grange, of Albany. He died March 16th, 
 1770, leaving several sons and dauorhters. 
 
 Isaac, his oldsst son, born January 13th, 1717, mari'ied, July 
 24th, 1742, Engeltie, daughter of Caleb Beck. 
 
 John, liis second son, born March 24th, 1718, married 
 Alida, daughter of Matthew Nak, of Albany. 
 
 Jillis, his third son, born June 11th, 1719, October 27th, 
 1744, married Dorothea, daughter of Wouter Vrooman. 
 
 PJiilip, his fourth son, born November 5th, 1720, married, 
 November 29th, 1747, Engeltie, daughter of John Fairlie. 
 
 Andreus, his fifth son, born August 21st, 1722, married, 
 first, Elizabeth, daughter of R\^ckert Van Vranken ; secondly, 
 September 20th, 1778. Susanna, daughter of Daniel De Graff. 
 Andreas was the grandfather of our much-valued citizen, 
 Doctor Andrew Truax. 
 
 Maria, a daughter ol AhvaXvAiw, born April 2d, 1712, mar. 
 ried, first, Johannes Bradt, of Schenectady ; and second, 
 Evert Wendell, of Albany, and third, Cornelius Van Slyck, 
 of Schenectady. 
 
 Annatje, another daughter of Abraham, born April 10th, 
 1717, married liyckert Van Vranken. 
 
 Elizabeth, also a daughter, born May 19th, 1725, married 
 Caleb Beck. 
 
 Sara, another daughter, born September 29th, 1729, mar- 
 ried Nicholas Van der Volgen. 
 
 Catalyntje, also a daughter, born February 28th, 1731, 
 married Nicholas De Graff. 
 
 Isaac, the second son of Isaac, born March 2d, 1690, mar- 
 ried, October 23d, 1719, Catalina, danghter of Martin Van 
 Benthysen. He owned a lot on the east side of Washington 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 81 
 
 street, third south from Front street, in 1782, at the age of 
 92 years. He is said to have been the oldest man in 
 Schenectady. 
 
 Isaac, the oldest son of Isaac, Jr., born May 14th, 1726, 
 married, April 26th, 1755, Susanna, daughter of Hendrick 
 Roseboom, of Albany. 
 
 Pieter, another son of Isaac, Jr., born August 12th, 1728, 
 married, February 26th, 1748, Jacoba, daughter of Domine 
 Cornelius Van Santvoord. 
 
 Philip, also a son, died at Wilmington, in the State of 
 Delaware, in 1795, aged 64 years. 
 
 Martimis, another son of Isaac, Jr., born May 14th, 1738, 
 seems to have died unmarried. 
 
 Maria, oldest daughter of Isaac, Jr., born September 11th, 
 1720, married Jan Baptist Van Eps. 
 
 Sophia, another daughter, born July 30th, 1735, married 
 Andries Truax. 
 
 Margaretta, also a daughter, born November 30th, 1740, 
 married Johannes Van Driesen. 
 
 Jacob, the third son of Isaac, Sr., born October 9th, 1694, 
 married, July 11th, 1724, Elizabeth, daughter of Gillis DeLa 
 Grange, of Albany. He lived seven miles south of Schenec- 
 tady, on the old Albany road. 
 
 Gillis, son of Jacob, born November 12th, 1727, married, 
 Jirst, Anantje Jansen ; second, Engeltie Evertsen. Left one 
 child, Jacob, born May 3d, 1761. 
 
 William, son of Jacob, born September 15th, 1732, mar- 
 ried, April 17th, 1760, Ann Eliza Zebel. 
 
 Jacob, son of Jacob, born April 4th, 1737, married Catha- 
 rine Dochsteder. 
 
 Isaac, son of Jacob, born May 8th, 1726, married, June 
 16th, 1750. Marytje, daughter of Johannes Wyngard, of 
 Al])an3^ He lived seven miles south of Schenectady, and 
 died April 17th, 1808, aged eighty-one years, ten months and 
 twenty-seven days, having had seven sons and four daughters, 
 most of whom survived him. 
 
 Abraham, son of Jacob, born April 4th, 1737, married, 
 March 27th, 1761, Elizabeth, daughter of Ilarmanus Van 
 6 
 
82 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Antwerpen, and left surviving him five sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 Eva, a daughter of Isaac, Sr,, married Dirk Swart. 
 
 Scnrih, another daughter of Isuac, married Gillis Truax. 
 
 Lj/sbeih, also a daughter, born July 3d, 1692, married 
 Evart Van Eps. 
 
 Daniel Janse Van Antwerjjeii, born in Holland, in 1635, 
 was located at Beverwyck as early as 1661, and soon after 
 Schenectady was settled, about 1670, became possessed of the 
 third Flat, on the south side of the Mohawk river, about eight 
 miles above Schenectady. His village lot was the east side of 
 Church street, next north of the lot of the present First Dutch 
 Reformed Church, 108 feet wide in front and 208 deep, Ams- 
 terdam measure. In 1676, he was one of the five justices of 
 Schenectady, and, in 1701, supervisor of the township. His 
 wife was Maria, daughter of Simon Groot. At the time of 
 his decease, he left five sons and three daughters, each of 
 whom left a numerous issue. 
 
 Jan, his oldest son, born November 24th, 1700, married 
 Agnietje, daughter of Harman Allentse Vedder. Jan died 
 January 26th, 1756. 
 
 Simon, his second son, born December 22d, 1706, married 
 Maria, daughter of Jacobus Peek. He moved to Schaghti- 
 coke in 1710. 
 
 Arent, his third son, married Sara, daughter of Johannes 
 Van Eps. 
 
 Daniel, his fourth son, married Ariantje, daughter of Gerrit 
 Simonse Veeder. 
 
 Dieter, his fifth son, married Engeltie, daughter of Johannes 
 Mebie. 
 
 Neeltje, his oldest daughter, born July 27th, 1690, married 
 Andres De Graf}'. 
 
 Rebecca, another daughter, born Deceml^er 25th, 1692, 
 married Johannes Fort. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, born January 3d, 1695, married 
 Nicholas Fort. 
 
 Hans Janse Eenkluys — This was truly a remarkable old 
 Hollander, who came to reside at Schenectady, in 1670. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 83 
 
 Already as early us 1632, he was an officer of the Dutch 
 West India Company, under the administration of Governor 
 Van Twiller, and erected the standard (the arms of the 
 States-General) at a spot called Kievit's Hoeck (now Say- 
 brook), at the mouth of the Connecticut river. (See O'Calla- 
 ghan's His. N. Netherlands, Vol. 1, p. 149.) In July, 1648, 
 on the occasion of Governor Stuyvesant's visit to Rensselaer- 
 wyck, he was employed to clean the Patroon's cannons and 
 fire the salute. When he came to Schenectady, being an old 
 man, without any relations in this country, he made, by his 
 will, the Deacons of the Dutch Church of Schenectady his 
 devisees and legatees, on condition that he should be su})- 
 ported by them in his old age and weakness, which they did 
 do to his satisfaction for thirteen years, and when he died, in 
 1683, at a very advanced age, they buried him with due 
 respect and solemnity. The church inherited all his prop- 
 erty, consisting mostly of forty acres of land, of what was 
 formerly known as the Poor Pasture, being that portion of 
 it lying west of or above Hansen Kill (now College brook). 
 That portion of the Poor Pasture lying east of or below tho 
 creek, called " The Bog Jit, ^^ w:i8 bought of Harmanus Van 
 Slyck, in 1806, for $1,750. The memory of brave, honest 
 Hans Janse Eenkluys should always be cherished by the 
 descendants of Schenectady's pioneers. Monuments, in these 
 latter days, are often erected to perpetuate the memory of 
 those who possessed but a small share of his experience, hon- 
 esty, gallantry and worth. He gave to the church of his 
 affections his memories of Holland, and all he possessed. 
 
 Gerrit Class Kulleman came to Schenectady in 1670 ; in 
 that year he bought a lot of Bastian De Winter, one of the 
 original proprietors of the place. 
 
 Jan Peek, an early settler at New Amsterdam ; he owned 
 land at Peekskill, and Peekskill creek was named after him. 
 He owned also, in 1655, much property at Fort Orange. He 
 married, February 20th, 1650, Maria De Tray (Truax), 
 niece of old Philip Truax. He never lived in Schenectady, 
 but late in life, his widow, Maria, did, with her son Jacobus. 
 Jan left two sons and two daughters. 
 
84 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. ' 
 
 Jacobus, his oldest son, came to Schenectady in 1670, at 
 the same time with his kinsman, Isaac Trnax ; they settled 
 on the second Flat, upon the south side of the Mohawk river, 
 five miles above Schenectady. He was born January 16th, 
 1656 ; the time of his decease is not ascertained. He left 
 surviving him two sons and five daughters, viz. : 
 
 Jacobus, Ms oldest son, born December 28th, 1698, mar- 
 ried, Januar^^ 1st, 1721, J/flr(7«rei!, daughter of Cornelius Van 
 Slyck. 
 
 John, Jiis other son, married Annatje, daughter of Harmanus 
 Yedder. 
 
 Sarah, the oldest daughter of Jacobus, married Philip 
 Groot. 
 
 Maria, his second daughter, married Simon Danielse Van 
 Antwerpen. 
 
 Annatje, his third daughter, married Joseph Clement. 
 
 Margaret, the fourth daughter, born March 22d, 1692, seems 
 to have died unmarried. 
 
 Elizabeth, the fifth daughter, born March 27th, 1695, married, 
 first, Cornelius Van Der Volgen ; secondly, Joost Van Sice. 
 
 Anna, the eldest daughter of the ancestor Jan Peek, born 
 October 15th, 1651, married, May 2d, 1667, John Alexander 
 Glen, of Scotia ; this lady was a great humanitarian, highly 
 extolled in the French accounts, and much admired by the 
 fierce Mohawks. 
 
 Maria, the other daughter of Jan Peek, born March 6th, 
 1658, died unmarried. 
 
 John Roelafsen, the oldest son and youngest child of the 
 celebrated Anneke Janse, by her first marriage to Rolloff" 
 Jansen, having sold his interest in his mother's property 
 in Albany to Derick Wersel Ten Broeck, he removed from 
 Albany to Schenectady in 1670, He had, in that year, at 
 Albany, accidentally killed one Gerrit Verbeeck, for which 
 accident he was pardoned by the Governor. His lot was on 
 the north side of Union street, 100 feet west of Ferry street, 
 being the same great lot now owned by the Messrs. Joseph and 
 Giles Y. Van der Bogert. At the date of his mother's will, 
 in 1663, he was unmarried. He subsequently married, but 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 85 
 
 having no children, or the prospect of any, he sold his lot and 
 buildings to John Pntman, his neighbor, owning and occupy- 
 ing the lot Ijang adjoining on the east, reserving for himself 
 and wife a life estate in the premises. But on the fatal night 
 of Feljruary 9th, 1690, Roelafsen and his wife, and Putman 
 and his wife, were slain by the French and Indians, Jan 
 Roelafsen was born in 1636, and at the time of his death was 
 aged 54 years. 
 
 Joris AerL^e Van Der Boast came to Schenectady in 1670 ; 
 he called himself an " Amsterdam boy." In that 3^ear he 
 purchased of Bastian De Winter, one of the old proprietors, 
 a house and lot on the southeast corner of Union and Church 
 streets, where he was slain on the night of February 9th, 1690. 
 He also bought of Jan De La Wende, of Albany, the great 
 island in the Mohawk river, lying l^etween Scotia and Class 
 Graven's Hoek (since called the Hoek island), also the neigh- 
 boring small islands (except Kruisbessen and Spuyten Duyval 
 islands), also three morgans of land for a homestead, near the 
 land of the widow of Class Graven. This land — city prop- 
 erty — subsequently belonged to the Marselis family. Van 
 Der Boast's occupation Avas that of a surveyor, and in 1689 
 he was clerk of Schenectady. 
 
 Barent Janse Van I) iimars came to Schenectady in 1670, 
 and married Catahjntje De Vos, widow of Arent Andriesse 
 Bradt ; he owned land on the south side of the Mohawk river, 
 near the " Steene Kil." He had a son, Cornells, who married 
 Catliarina, daughter of John Alexander Glen, of Scotia. 
 Van Ditmars and his son were both massacred at the slaugh- 
 ter of 1690. The widow of Cornelius, in 1692, married 
 Gerrit Lansing, Jr., of Albany. 
 
 Captain Martin Kiigier, (Crigier), leaving New York, set- 
 tled on his farm in Niskayuna, in 1672, ending his days there 
 in the early part of 1713, aged about 90 years. The farm, 
 or some portions of it, is still possessed by some of his 
 descendants. He was the first Burgomaster of New Amster- 
 dam (New York) ; was a fearless and skillful military leader, 
 and an exemplary magistrate. (O'Callaghan's Hist. N. Nether- 
 lands, Vol. 2, p. 554.) 
 
8Q HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 I feel it cliiBciilt to pass the name of this right arm of Gov- 
 ernor Stuyvesant, as a soldier, magistrate, negotiator, and 
 confidant, without some further mention of him. On Christ- 
 mas day, 1648, he sailed from the Texel, accompanying 
 Stuyvesant, the new Governor, who was to supersede Kieft. 
 Krigier was in command of the troops escorting Stuyvesant, 
 and well was his selection made, or chance threw him upon 
 a bold, conscientious and able assistant. Always commander 
 of the regular troops, he was, in addition, on the 2d of Feb- 
 ruary, 1653, appointed by Stuyvesant first Burgomaster of 
 New Amsterdam, Arant Van Hcdlam being his associate or 
 assistant. 
 
 They constituted a Court of Sessions for the hearing and 
 determining of differences and disputes between parties. 
 They tried actions for the recovery of debt, for defamation 
 of character, for breaches of promise of marriage, and prose- 
 cutions for assault, Ijattery and theft, and committed to prison 
 for contempt of court. They summoned before them parents 
 and guardians accused of withholding their consent, without 
 sufficient cause, to the marriage of their children or wards ; 
 and, if they thought proper, obliged the former to withdraw 
 their opposition to the desired union. It was their province, 
 also, to grant passports to those who were leaving the city, 
 either for another country, or another part of the province. 
 The proceedings before the court were in writing ; witnesses 
 were examined on interrogatories, and from the decisions, in 
 certain cases, an appeal lay to the Director-General and 
 Council. (O'Callaghan's Hist. New Netherlands, Vol. 2, 
 p. 214.) 
 
 In a work like this, it is impossible to particularize all the 
 services of this remarkable man, in his embassy to Governor 
 Eaton, of Connecticut (O'Callaghan's N. Netherlands, Vol. 2, 
 p. 258, etc.) ; his expedition to New Amstel (same authority, 
 p. 334) ; to the South river (ib. p. 381) ; to the Raritan 
 country (ib. p. 495) ; and to punish the Esopus Indians, 
 which he did effectually (same authority, p. 476 to 489). 
 See Journal of the second Esopus War, by Captain Martin 
 Kreqier, A. D. 1663. (Doc. His. of New York, Vol. 4, p. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 87 
 
 39 to 99.) There we find the evidence of Krigier's system, 
 good sense, and, for the times, excellent scholarship. 
 
 All who appreciate the character of Governor Stnyvesant, 
 know that he was a soldier, a man of unconquerable opinions, 
 and a strong supporter of his real or constructive powers. 
 
 When, in December, 1G54, Stnyvesant determined to pay 
 a visit to the West Indies, Avith a view to establish a trade 
 between Barbadoes, the Spanish possessions and New Nether- 
 erlands, he delivered to Martin Krygier, the presiding Bur- 
 gomaster, ^'' the painted coat of arms, the seal, and the silver 
 signet belonging to the cityT This certainly was a marked 
 tribute from the stern old Governor to his honest, faithful, 
 o-allant, rioht-haud man and confidant. 
 
 Stnyvesant died on his bower}^ at New York, in 1672. 
 Martin Krygier, in 1664:, retired, with his General, into pri- 
 vate life ; and, in the same year that Stnyvesant died, he 
 settled on his farm in Niskayuna, on the banks of the 
 Mohawk, where his son, Martimis, Jr., had preceded him. 
 In this retired and romantic spot, that brave soldier and good 
 man laid himself down to rest, after a life of great experience, 
 in 1713. His descendants are numerous throughout the 
 States, and the old homestead still belongs to a descendant. 
 
 Martin Gregier, the old veteran, had two sons and one 
 daughter, viz. : Martin, his oldest son, was born at Borcken, 
 in Holland, and, October 11th, 1671, married Jannetta, only 
 child of Hendrikse Van Doesburgh, a wealthy citizen of 
 All)any. She Avas his child by Mantie Damen, widow of 
 Dirk Van Eps, of Schenectady. Martin, Jr., was clerk in 
 New Amsterdam from 1646 to 1661. He died in 1714, 
 leaving two sons and four daughters, viz. : 
 
 Martinus, oldest son of Martin, Jr., July 29th, 1702, mar- 
 ried Margaret Van Dolsen, of New York. 
 
 Samuel, the second son of Martin, Jr., married, May 20th, 
 1716, Gertruy Vvischer. He died September, 1777, aged 88 
 years. 
 
 Elizabeth, daughter of ]\Iartin, Jr., married Dan'l Van 
 Olinda. 
 
 Maria, a daughter, married Johannes Vreeland. 
 
88 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Annatie, a daughter, married Victor Becker. 
 
 Geriruy, a daughter, married Ulderiek Van Vranken. 
 
 Frans, the second son of Captain Martinus Cregier, born in 
 Borcken, Holland, settled, as a merchant, at Newcastle, on 
 the Delaware, and died in 1666 without issue. 
 
 Cathanna, only daughter of Captain Martinus, married, 
 May 26th, 1655, Nicasius De Sille : " A man, well versed in 
 the law, and not unacquainted with military aflairs ; of good 
 character and satisfactory acquirements, was, July 24th, 1654, 
 commissioned as First Counsellor to the Director, at a salary 
 of 100 florins ($40) per month, including board." (O'Cal- 
 laghan's Hist. N. Netherlands, Vol. 2, p. 234.) June 26th, 
 1656, he became Attorney- General of the Province in place 
 of Adrien Van Tienhoven. His marriage with Catharine was 
 a second one ; by her he had no children. In 1686, she was 
 a widow, and residing in Broad street, New York. 
 
 Christian Christianse came to Schenectady in 1672. In 
 that year he bought three acres of land of Paulus Janse. His 
 village lot was on the north side of Union street, adjoining 
 the Dutch Church lot, and included the Isaac Riggs and 
 Aaron Barringer lots ; it was 100 feet front, Amsterdam 
 measure. He sold this lot, in 1694, to Neeltje, widow of 
 Hendreck Gardenier. Christian married Ilaritje Elders. 
 He left surviving him two sons and several daughters. 
 
 John, the oldest son of Christian, married, June 20th, 1709, 
 Neetje Cornelise. 
 
 Cornelis, another son, residing in Niskayuna, married An- 
 natje, daughter of Class De Graft', in Schenectady. 
 
 Christoffelse Davids, born in Bishopwyck, England, came 
 to Schenectady in 1672. He owned a lot on the east side of 
 Church street, 100 feet wide, lying 100 feet south of Union 
 street, at the age of 74 years. He was slain, with his wife 
 and four children, February 9th, 1690, when Schenectady 
 was sacked and burned. His whole family was exterminated. 
 
 Dirk-Hesseling came to Schenectady in 1672, where he 
 bought a farm of Jurrien Teunise Tappan, which he subse- 
 quently sold to Ilarman Vedder. In 1667, he married Eytge 
 Ilendrickse. She was living as a widow, at Schenectady, in 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 89 
 
 1697. His son, Robert, was killed at the massacre, February 
 9th, 1690. 
 
 Paulus Jansen sold his land to Christian Christianse, in 
 1671. His son, Arnout, was carried away captive by the 
 French and Indians, February 9th, 1690. 
 
 Jan Gerritse Van Marken lived at Schenectady, in 1673. 
 He was then schout (sheriff) of the place. His wife was 
 Geertje, sister of Frederick Gysbertse Van Den Bergh. 
 
 Rijnier 8vJiaats^ a physician and surgeon, eldest son of 
 Doniine Schaats, of Albany, came to Schenectady in 1675. 
 He married Cairina Bendng. His village lot was on the 
 north side of Union street, 100 feet west of Church street — 
 the same as now occupied by the clerk's, surrogate's and other 
 county offices, and partly by ex-Mayor Hunter. Rynier and 
 one of his sons were killed at the slaughter of 1690, after 
 which his only surviving children, Gideon and Agnietje, con- 
 veyed the property to Symon Simonse Groot. Liesler 
 appointed Rynier a Justice of the Peace in 1689. 
 
 Hendrich Meese Vrooman came to Schenectady in 1677. 
 His house lot was on the north side of State street, extending 
 from what is now Center street, and including the location of 
 the Central Railroad depot. PI is farm was a portion of Van 
 Curler's land. The former freight-house of Mohawk and 
 Hudson Railroad stood nearly in the center of his land. In 
 the massacre of 1690, he was killed, with his son, Barthole- 
 mew, and two of his negro slaves ; also his son John was car- 
 ried away into captivity. He left surviving him two sons, 
 Adam and John. 
 
 . Adam, his oldest son, born in Holland, 1649, was natural- 
 ized in the province of New York, in 1717. He was a mill- 
 wright by occupation. In 1683, he built a mill on the Sand 
 Kill, where the Brandywine mills lately stood. In 1690, 
 when Schenectady was burned and sacked by the French and 
 Indians, he saved his life by bravery in defending his house, 
 which then stood on the west corner of Church and Front 
 streets, where the residence of Jeremiah Fuller, deceased, now 
 stands, and is still owned by, and in the occupation of, some 
 of Mr. Fuller's children, llie French account, of which we 
 
90 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 will make more mention hereafter, Monsieur De Monseignat 
 to Madame De Maintenon (Paris Doc. IV, Doc. His. N. Y., 
 Vol. 1, p. 297, etc.) : 
 
 " The sack of the town began a moment before the attack 
 on the fort ; few houses made any resistance. M. D. Mon- 
 tigny (Lieut. La Marque De Montign}^, a gallant young 
 volunteer officer), discovered one, which he attempted to 
 carry, sword in hand, having tried the musket in vain. He 
 received two thrusts of a spear, one in the body, the other 
 in his arm ; but M. De Sainte Helene having come to his aid, 
 effected an entrance, and put every one who defended that 
 house to the sword." 
 
 That gallant, I may well add, desperate defense was made 
 by Adam, only assisted by his wife, Angelica, daughter of Har- 
 man Janse Kycknian, of Albany. On that dreadful night, 
 his intrepid wife and her infant child were killed ; his two 
 sons, Barent and Wouter, were carried away captive. His 
 father, Hendrick Meese, his brother, Bartholemew, and tAvo of 
 his father's negroes, were killed, and he, of all his own family, 
 alone was left a monument amid the surrounding desolation. 
 
 How and why was the indomitable Adam Vrooman spared ? 
 Tradition assigns several reasons. First. That M. De Saute 
 Hellene, the commander of the expedition, in admiration of 
 his heroism, offered him safety on surrender. Second. That 
 the hostile Mohawks knew him well, and sought to save him. 
 Third. As a favor to his brother-in-law, Jacques Cornelise 
 Van Slyck. Fourth. On the intercession of his friend, John 
 Alexander Glen. Fifth. That he escaped after cai)ture, for 
 he was not carried into captivity, although his two sons were. 
 Whatever may be the true reason, it is satisfactory to know 
 that he lived forty years with distinction and usefulness, after 
 so much of affliction and disaster. 
 
 I am well aware that in these latter days it has been 
 claimed that Vrooman's residence was on the opposite north- 
 east corner of Church and Front streets ; but the title deeds 
 and early traditions locate this historic point of Schenectady 
 defense, in 1690, on the west or Fuller corner. 
 
 Mr. Jeremiah Fuller, who, if now living, would be consid- 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 91 
 
 erably beyond the age of 100 years, on the 29th day of 
 March, 1792, purchased this corner lot, with the identical 
 buikling of Vrooman's defense upon it, of Cornelius Adr'u 
 Van Slyck for £300. It was taken down and reconstructed 
 the same year, and its yellow-pine tiniljcrs used (which are 
 now in a perfect state of preservation, though of a very dark- 
 brown color through age, having been piotected from the 
 weather) in the construction of the present dwelling. 
 
 I must confess, in testing the reality of this tradition, when, 
 a few months since, under the polite guidance of my friend, 
 General William K. Fuller (to whom I am indebted for 
 many valnable suggestions and facts), I saw with my own 
 eyes the timbers of Vrooman's identical house, darkened by 
 age, but perfectly sound, and bearing in several places the 
 mortise marks of previous use, "^Is a descendant of the early 
 jpioneers,^^ I felt vividly that the remnants of Schenectady's 
 greatest trial, and witnesses of the daring of her stalwart 
 hero, Adam Vrooman. were before me. 
 
 Perhaps intelligent citizens may wish to know something 
 more of this remarkable man. He became an extensive owner 
 of some of the most fertile lands of the province. In 1688, 
 the Mohawk sachems conveyed to him a viduable tract at 
 Fort Hunter, In 1708, he obtained from the trustees of 
 Schenectady a grant for the Sand kill and adjacent lands for 
 milling purposes. In 1714, he obtained a patent for lands 
 in Schoharie, where now stands the village of Middleburgh, 
 which he settled in 1715, and it was then known as Vroo- 
 man's land. Some of the Palatines attempted to drive him 
 off. He commenced a stone house, 23 feet square, with the 
 help of his sons, and had proceeded as far as the second story 
 floor-beams, when, one night, his unruly neighbors, led by 
 the notorious Conrad Weiser, entirely demolished it. He 
 then retired to his property at Schenectady, and ])ctiti()ned 
 the Governor for redress, who succeeded in stoi)piiig the 
 opposition. (Doc. His,, Vol. Ill, p, 412,) In 172G, he took 
 out an additional patent in that vicinity of 1,400 acres for 
 his son Peter, He made his will September 12th, 1729, and 
 died on his farm at Schoharie, February 25th, 1730, aged 
 
92 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 81 years, full of wealth, and with a reputation for fearless 
 bravery, strict integrity, and excellent Christian character ; 
 and, true to his affections for the home of his early days and 
 the scene of his wonderful exploit of heroism, by his own 
 express direction was interred in his private burying-ground, 
 now No. 35 Front street, in the city of Schenectady, on the 
 east portion of the lot occupied by the residence of the late 
 David P. Forrest, Esq. 
 
 On the erection of Mr. Forrest's dwelling, the remains of 
 the old settler, with others of his family, actually interred in 
 the adjoining street, this writer is credibly informed, were 
 removed to another resting place by Doctor John S. La 
 Tonelier, one o his descendants, and a grandson of Domine 
 Barent Vrooman. 
 
 Adam Vrooman was married three times— ^*?-6'^, in 1678, 
 to Engellie, daughter of Harman Janse Ryckman ; second, in 
 1691, to Grietje Et/chnan, his first wife's sister, and widow 
 of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck ; thirdly, January 13th, 
 1697, to Grietje Takehe Heemstreet, in Albany. His descend- 
 ants are very numerous, extending far and wide through the 
 Union, but mostly settled in the Mohawk and Schoharie 
 valleys. 
 
 He had nine sons and four daughters, most of whom sur- 
 vived him. 
 
 Barent, his oldest son, born in 1679, was carried captive to 
 Canada, in 1690. He married, June 18th, 1699, Catrina 
 Heemstraat, of Albany. He had a brewery on the north side 
 of Union street, near to, or upon, the present crossing of the 
 New York Central and Hudson River Railroad. He lived 
 on the north corner of Center and State streets. He died in 
 1746, leaving one son, Adam, and one daughter, Engellie. 
 
 Wouter, the second son of Adam, hovn in 1680, was also 
 carried captive to Canada, in 1690. He married, September 
 24th, 1707, Marytje, daughter of Isaac C. Hallenback, of 
 Albany. He died October 26th, 1756, leaving several chil- 
 dren, of whom I can only particularize that his son Adam, 
 born in 1708, married, June 29th, 1742, bitsanna, daughter 
 of Jacob Svvits. Adam, in 1757, lived in the ancient brick 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 93 
 
 house at the Brandj'wine Mills. He died July oOth, 1759, 
 aged 43 years. 
 
 /5«ac, another son of Wouter, born November 13th, 1712, 
 married, in 1744, DorotJier Van Boskerken, of Bergen, N. J. 
 He was a surveyor, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 
 member of the Provincial Assembly, in' 1759, and member of 
 Assembly under the tirst State Constitution, in 1779, and 
 died June 1st, 1807, on his farm at the Brandy wine Mills. 
 
 Barent, another son of Wouter, born December 24th, 1725, 
 married, January 12th, 17 60, Aiida, daughter of David Van 
 Der Heyden, of Albany. He became Minister of the Dutch 
 Church, at Schenectady, in 1754, and died November 16th, 
 1784. His widow died in 1833, aged 99 years. 
 
 Eugelie, a daughter of Wouter, born June 12th, 1709, 
 married Cornelius Veeder. 
 
 Dorothea, another daughter, born October 5th, 1714, mar- 
 ried Gillis Truax. 
 
 Rachel, another daughter, born May 31st, 1724, married, 
 first, Abraham Wemp ; secondly, Abraham Fonda. 
 
 Elizabeth, another daughter, born May 7th, 1732, married 
 Abraham Switz. 
 
 Pieter, the third surviving son of Adam, born May 4th, 
 1684, married, February 2d, 1706, Grietje, daughter of Isaac 
 Van Alstyne, of Albany. He settled with his father on what 
 was called Vrooman's land in Schoharie. He died in 1771,- 
 having seven sons and five daughters. Pieter was the ances- 
 tor of all, or nearly all, the Vroomans living in Schoharie, 
 Otsego and Montgomery counties. 
 
 Barent, a son of Peter, born February 19th, 1709, mar- 
 ried Engeltie, daughter of Teunis Swart; he died in 1782,- 
 leaving surviving six sons and three daughters, 
 
 Engeltie. a daughter of Peter, born May 18th, 1713, mar- 
 ried David Ziele. 
 
 Gertruy, also a daughter of Peter, born Septeml)er 3d, 
 1725, married Josias 8ivarts. 
 
 Oatharina, also a daughter of Peter, born March 29th, 
 1728, married Johannes Lawyer. 
 
 Hendrick, son of Adam (commonly called Capt. Hendrick), 
 
94 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 born in 1687, married Maria, dangliter of Barent Wemp. 
 He was Baes of the carpenters who built the Sect)nd Dutch 
 Church of Schenectady, in 1732, at seven shillings per day. 
 This building was erected in the centre of Church street, at 
 the intersection of Church and Union streets. 
 
 Barents oldest son of Hendrick, born January 15tli, 1710, 
 married Volkie, daughter of Jan Barentse Wemple. After 
 his death, in 1746, his widow married Jacol) Alexander Glen, 
 and lastly she mtirried Johannes Sinionse Vrooman. Barent 
 left but one child, Angelica, born June 17th, 1747. 
 
 Adam, second son of Hendrick, born April 2d, 1716, mar- 
 ried Anna, daughter of Abraham Mebie, February 7th, 1740, 
 he removed to the banks of the Mohawk, above Amsterdam, 
 and left several children surviving him. 
 
 John, third son of Ilendrich, born April 4th, 1719, mar- 
 ried Jannetje, daughter of Jacob Swits, November 26th, 1757. 
 
 Hendrick, son of Hendrick, born August 4th, 1722, mar- 
 ried Neeltie, daughter of Peter Veeder, and leftjwo children, 
 Pieter and Maria. ■ ^^ -^ ^^...:^^-.^^ i-\L '^c^^^^.ft^- 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Hendrick, born October 14th, 1705. 
 married Isaac Swits. 
 
 Volkie, another daughter, born March 29th, 1725, married 
 Isaac Jacobse Swits. 
 
 Jannetje, also a daughter, born 1779, married Simon Yan 
 Patten. 
 
 Bartholemeiv, another son of Adam, born December 2 2d, 
 1700, married October 7th, 1738, Cathaiine, daughter of 
 Cornelius Slingerland, and widow of Hendrick Van Slyck. 
 
 JoJm, son of Bar'tholemew, hovn January 13, 1745, married 
 March 28th, 1767, Margaiita, daughter of Seth Vrooman. 
 
 Engeltie, a daughter of Bartholemew, born September 3d, 
 1742, married Johannes Clute. 
 
 Gezina, also a daughter, born April 1st, 1746, married 
 Albert Mebie. 
 
 Seth, another son of Adam, born January 7th, 1705, mar- 
 ried Jirst, Gertruy Van Patten ; second, January 25th, 1745 
 Eva, daughter of Jesse DeGraft'. 
 
 Adam, son of Seth, born March 5lh, 1754, married firsts 
 
EAKLY SETTLERS. 95 
 
 EngeUk, daughter of Simon Schernierhorn, by whom he hud 
 two diiughters; one, his daughter ^/^■(ifl, born December 24th, 
 1774, married Josias Swart. He died March 30th, 1852. 
 His other daughter, HilUgonda, born October 27th, 1776, 
 married Caleb Van Vorst. She died March 25th, 1858. 
 Adam man-ied second^ JVanct/ Van Vranken, sister of our old 
 deceased citizen, Maus Van Vranken, by whom he also had 
 two daughters. The eldest, Angelica, married Harman 
 Bradt, the youngest, Harriet, married Daniel Barringer. 
 
 Jacob Meese, a^notlier son of Adam, born July 3d, 1707, 
 married " Sara,'^ a daughter of Myndert Myndertse, Octo- 
 ber 30th, 1742, seems to have left no issue. 
 
 Christina, the oldest daughter of Adam, born October 18th, 
 1685, married Tennis Swart ; Maria, another daughter of 
 Adam, born September, 1, 1699, married Douw Fonda. 
 
 Eva, also a daughter, married Joachim Kettlehuyn. 
 
 Janneltie, another daughter, married March 26th, 1704, 
 Captain Harman Van Slyck. 
 
 JoJin, the second and youngest son of Hendrick Meese and 
 brother of Adam, married, July 4th, 1680, Geesje, daughter 
 of Simon Vedder. He lived on the site of the depot of the 
 New York Central and Hudson liiver railroad ; died in 1732. 
 Having had ten sons and six daughters, of whom the greater 
 numljer survived him. 
 
 Simon, the oldest son of Jan, born February 25th, 1681, 
 married E//tJe (Margaret), daughter of Jacob Delamont. He 
 bought, in 1710, of Wm. Apple, the lot lying on the west 
 side of the canal, between State and Liberty streets, the 
 property belonging to the estate of John Jacob Vrooman, 
 deceased. Simon left two sons, John and Jacob, and two 
 daughters, Catharine and Maria. John Jacob Vrooman, born 
 April 5th, 1763, was the grandson of Simon, and married 
 Am// Hicks, the widow of Peter Rowe, who had died April 
 20th, 1806. 
 
 Peter, son of John, born October 10th, 1688, married in 
 1716, Agnietje, daughter of Arent Vedder. He was killed 
 at the Beaukendual massacre in 1748. He left surviving him 
 several sons and daughters. 
 
96 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Ilendrkk, son of John, born September 9th, 1690, married, 
 October 1718, Engeltie, daughter of CorneUus Sliiigerland. 
 In 1723 he owned a lot on the east corner of State and Wash- 
 ington streets, 45 feet front by 190 deep, which passed to his 
 son Cornehus, who sold it to Samuel Arentse Bratt. 
 
 Cornelius, son of Hendrich, born February 4th, 1722, mar- 
 ried Margarita, daughter of Samuel Arentse Bratt, Decem- 
 ber 16th,l753. 
 
 Simon, son of Hendrick, hovn in 1740, married, August 14th, 
 1767, Margaret, daughter of Jacques Peek. They left sev- 
 eral sons and daughters. 
 
 Gezina, a daughter of Hendrick, born September 7th, 1719, 
 married Simon Johannese Veeder. 
 
 Eva, another daughter, born September 24th, 1724, mar- 
 ried Johannes Pieterse Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Jannetje, also a daughter, born November 3d, 1727, mar- 
 ried JelHs Fonda. 
 
 Maria, another daughter, born January 30th, 1732, mar- 
 ried Ahasuers Marcellis. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Jan, born December 28th, 1698, 
 married, October 17th, 1725, Marytje, daughter of Abraham 
 Groot. His house lot was on the north side of State street, 
 at the railroad crossing. Being a carpenter, he was sent, by 
 Sir Wm. Johnson, to Onondaga to build a fort for the 
 Indians. He died April 20th, 1774. 
 
 John, his son, born January 8th, 1726, married Clara, 
 daughter of Hendrick Van Slyck. Hesther, a daughter, mar- 
 ried Jacob Heemstreet. Rebecca, another daughter, married 
 Areut Merselis. Gessie, also a daughter, married Peter 
 Steers. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Jan, the brother of Adam, born Octo- 
 ber 31st, 1696, married Gysbert Van Brakel. 
 
 Jannetje, also a daughter, born July 3d, 1682, married 
 Arent Bratt. 
 
 Engeltie, another daughter, born December 2 2d, 1692, 
 married Jan Ryer Schermerhorn. 
 
 Catharina, also a daughter, born May 12th, 1701, married 
 Jacob Mebie. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 97 
 
 Helena, another daughter, married Joseph Van Sice. I 
 have thus, with considerable research, traced out the Hues of 
 the two old ancestors, Adam Vroman and his younger brother 
 Johm ; and feel it not inappropriate to add, that tradition 
 hands down the information that both brothers were men of 
 large frame and great muscular power — their descendents, 
 even at this day, give weight to the reputation. Adam 
 Vrooman, especially, was, we are informed, a man of gigantic 
 stature and immense bodily strength ; and, in confirmation 
 of what that power probably was, I extract (from Jejjt/ta 
 It Sims, His. of Schoharie County, chap. 5th, p. 153, pub- 
 lished in 1845), as follows : 
 
 " There Avere among the early Schoharie settlers some 
 remarkable for great personal strength. Cornelius, Samuel, 
 Peter and Isaac, sons of Peter Vrooman " (this last was a 
 son of historic Adam), " are said to have possessed the 
 strength of giants. They erected the first saw-mill in the 
 county, which stood in Claver Wy., on the little Schoharie- 
 kill. Two of those brothers could easily carry a good-sized 
 loo; on the carriage. 
 
 " Many anecdotes are related by the aged, showing the 
 strength of the Vrooman famil3\ At the hill mentioned as 
 the Longhergh, on the road to Albany, Cornelius, the strongest 
 of the brotJiers, always made a practice, when going to 
 Albany with wheat, to carry one or two bags, each contain- 
 ing two or three skipples" (each three pecks) " up this hill to 
 •favor his horses. Twenty-five skipples was the ordinary load 
 to Albany, and usually brought fifty cents per skipple. 
 
 " Samuel Vrooman is said to have carried, at one time, 
 twelve skipples of wheat and harrow with iron teeth, from 
 his father's house across a small l)ridge back of it, and set 
 them down in a field. 
 
 " At another time Cornelius carried ten skipples of peas, 
 the same harrow, and a brother on the top of them, the same 
 distance — in either case 800 or 900 pounds. 
 
 " The stout Vroomans had a remarkable strong sister. 
 A quarrelsome man being at her father's, Avarm words passed 
 between him and her brother Cornelius, when the sister, 
 7 
 
98 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 fearing the consequence if her kinsman laid hands upon the 
 intruder in anger, seized him, although a pretty stout man, and 
 pitched him neck and heels out of the house. This we may 
 look upon as a very charitable act, considering it was done 
 solely to save his life." 
 
 Ludovicus Oobes, born in Herentals-Brabant, Belgium, was 
 Court Messenger at Beverwyck us early as 1G66, and was 
 Notary and Secretary of Albany in 1668. In 1677 he came 
 to Schenectady, and was immediately made Secretary of that 
 place ; he w^as also its Notary and Sheritf ; tradition says he 
 was an excellent penman, and an accurate man of business. 
 He, with his son-in-law Johannes Klien, purchased a farm upon 
 the fourth Flat on the south side of the Mohawk river above 
 Schenectady. He also had a house and lot in the village, 
 on the north corner of Union and Church streets. He 
 married Alida Peterse, and left two children, viz. : 
 
 3Iana, a daughter, who married, September 30, 1696, 
 Tam Smith, from New England ; and 
 
 Clara, another daughter, Avho, in 1683, married Johannes 
 Kleyn, from whom the families of Klein in this country are 
 descended. 
 
 David Marinus came to Schenectady in 1680. He ma?-- 
 ried Rachel Hanse. His son William married Ba.ata, daugh- 
 ter of Johannes Klien. His daughter, Neeltje, married Pieter 
 Quackenboss, and his daughter, Catarina, married Thomas 
 Nobel. 
 
 Hannan Myndertse Von Der Bogart ; this is one of the 
 oldest names identitied with the earliest settlement of New 
 Netherlands. Born in Holland in 1612, he came to New 
 Amsterdam in 1661, as surgeon of the iA\\^ Eendmcht., ixnd 
 continued in the West India Company's service until 1663, 
 after which he resided at New Amsterdam as a physician, 
 until appointed Commissary at Fort Orange. He was a highly 
 educated and respected man, though, from all accounts, 
 appears to have been of an irascible temper. An instance is 
 mentioned (see O'Callaghan's His. New Netherlands) of his 
 having attempted, in the excitement of a high quarrel, when 
 both appear to have been in a violent passion, to throw the 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 99 
 
 Director (Wouter Van T wilier) out of a boat in wliicli they 
 were sailing on the river ; and he was with difficulty pre- 
 vented from accomplishing his ol^ject. His wife was Jilisje 
 Claas Svvits, of Ziereckzee, in Holland, aunt of Claas and 
 Isaac Cornelise Svvits. Surgeon Van Der Bogert left surviv- 
 ing him two sons and one daughter, viz. : 
 
 Mijndert, his oldest son, born May 3d, 1648, married He- 
 lena, daughter of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, and sister of 
 Ryer Schermerhorn, Sr. He came to Schenectady in 1680, 
 and was a very active partisan in Leisler's time, who 
 appointed him Justice of the Peace in 1690. 
 
 In 1686, in company with Robert Sanders, of Albany, he 
 purchased 12,000 acres of land in Dutchess county, including 
 the site of the city of Poughkeepsie, and soon after removed 
 with his family and settled upon the tract. This writer, in 
 1825, negotiated and sold for Peter Sanders and Maria, his 
 wife, a remnant of 150 acres of the original purchase, lying 
 on the east bank of the Hudson river, al)out three miles below 
 Poughkeepsie. 
 
 Fraus, youngest son of Surgeon Van Der Bogert, born 
 August 26th, 1()43, married Annetje Tjerkse, and settled at 
 Schenectady in 1680, where he was killed February 9th, 1690, 
 by the French and Indians. His widow, March 25th, 1692, 
 married Philip Harris, of Albany. 
 
 Frous left surviving him two sons, Claas and Tjerk. 
 
 Claas, oldest son of Fraus, married, December 31st, 1699, 
 Barbara, daughter of Tekel Heemstreet, of Albany. 
 
 Fraus, son of Class, born August 22d, 1703, married, 
 November 8th, 1726, Hesther, daughter of Abm. Groot. 
 
 Takerus, another 5on of Class, born March 23d, 1717, mar- 
 ried, February 2d, 1744, JSFeeltje, daughter of Arent DeGraft". 
 He lived on the north side of Front, opposite the north side 
 of Church street, where the residence of Henry Rosa, Esq., 
 now stands. Takerus died in 1799. 
 
 Class, another son of Class, born June 11th, 1727, married, 
 August 8th, 1752, Rachel, daughter of Joseph Yates. He 
 left four children, Nuna, born September 12th, 1753, married 
 to Abraham Lighthall ;. Fraus, born February 23d, 1755 ; 
 
100 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Joseph, born November 21st, 1756, and Chias Frausen, born 
 March 4th 1759. 
 
 Anna, a daughter of Class, born November 10th, 1700, 
 married Abraham LighthalL 
 
 Maria, another daughter of Chias, born October 28th, 1705, 
 married Pieter Veeder. 
 
 Margaret, also a daughter of Chias, l)orn February 9th, 
 1709, married Alexander Vedder. 
 
 Jillistje, also a daughter of Claas, born March 6th, 1711, 
 married Johannes Hall. 
 
 Sara, another daughter of Claas, born February 28th, 1714, 
 married Aarent A. Vedder. 
 
 Tjerh Frausen, son of Fraus, 8r., married Margaret, daugh- 
 ter of Harmanus Veeder. 
 
 Harmanus Frause, so7i of Tjerh, born July 21st, 1721, 
 married. May 18th, 1745, Catharina, daughter of Daniel 
 Danielse Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Nicholas, a son of Harmanus, born Decend)er 11th, 1751, 
 seems to have left no issue. 
 
 Margaretta, a daughter of Harmanus, born July 6th, 1755, 
 married, iirst. Adam Kittle, who was killed in the Revolu- 
 tionary War ; and secondly, one Williams, She then re- 
 moved to Upper Canada. 
 
 Nicholas, another son of Tjerk Frausen, born May 11th, 
 1723, married, January 9th, 1747, Ariantje Schermerhorn ; 
 secondly, in July, 1753, married Anna Van Voast. He left 
 surviving him two sons, Tjerk and Fraus, and two daugh- 
 ters, Rachel and Margaret. 
 
 Jan Pieterse Mebie came to Schenectady in 1684. He 
 married Anna Pieterse, daughter of Pieter Jacobse Borsboon, 
 one of the original fifteen proprietors of Schenectady. His 
 home lot in the village was on the east side of Church street, 
 next north of the Dutch Church lot, covering the premises 
 now severally owned by Mrs. John A. Washington and Mrs. 
 Park Benjamin. He also owned land on the third Flat, on 
 the south side of the Mohawk river, eight miles above Sche- 
 nectady. 
 
 In 1697, Rode, called b}^ the Christians Dirk, a Mohawk 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 101 
 
 sachem, with tlie consent of all the other Mohawks, granted 
 a piece of ground containing eighty acres, lying on l)oth sides 
 of Schoharie creek, commonly known by the name of " Kuda- 
 rodae,^^ to Jan Pieterse Mebie, in consideration that his wife 
 "alv something related to the Mohawh castled 
 
 Jan Pieterse died April 8th, 1725, leaving surviving him 
 three sons and five daughters. 
 
 Pieter, the oldest son of Jan, liorn January 20th, 1696, mar- 
 ried, June 12th, 1721, Susanna, daughter of Arent Vedder. 
 He settled on the north side of the Mohawk river, on the 
 north side of ''Arent Mebie' s M," just north of the stone 
 bridge on the New York Central and Hudson River railroad. 
 He left surviving him several sons and daughters. 
 
 Jan, son of Pieter, born January 10th, 1728, married, De- 
 cember 13th, 1755, Alida, daughter of Simon Toll. He 
 died November 24th, 1796. He loft surviving him several 
 sons and daughters. 
 
 Harmanus, son of Pieter, born October 9 th, 1737, married, 
 January 8th, 1761, Susanna, daughter of Barent Wemple. 
 He left one son, Peter, and two daughters, Debora and Mar- 
 garet. 
 
 Arent, son of Pieter, born in 1739, married, December 22d, 
 1764, Sarah, daughter of Josias Swart, and left three chil- 
 dren, Pieter, Josias and Susanna. 
 
 Peter, a son of Pieter, born Novcml)er 14th, 1742, married, 
 July 11th, 1767, Alida, daughter of Harmanus Peek. They 
 became, by removal, a Schoharie family. He left one son, 
 Harmanus, and two daughters, Sarah and Maria. 
 
 Abraham, the second son of Jan Peterse, born June 26th, 
 1695, married, June 10th, 1718, Annatje, daughter of Albert 
 Vedder. He .secondly married, March 30th, 1752, Catalina 
 Koseboom, of Albany. He was a blacksmith, and lived on 
 the lot next northerly of the Dutch Church before men- 
 tioned as belonging to his father, Jaii. It was in his barn, 
 the identical one now standing on the premises of Mrs. Park 
 Benjamin, where, on the 18th day of July, 1748, Colonel 
 Jacob Glen, of Scotia, and his rescuing party of about eighty 
 citizens, deposited twenty-six of their friends, slaughtered at 
 
'\ 
 
 102 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Bueckenclall, in two parallel rows, to be claimed and removed 
 by their friends and relations. 
 
 Albert, son of Abraham, born February 20th, 1738, mar- 
 ried Engellie, daughter of Bartholeniew Vroonian, December 
 20th, 1760. He had several children, but the family removed 
 to Trj^on county — to that part now Montgomery county (old 
 Canajoharie). 
 
 Catliarina, a daugJder of Abraham, born August 6th, 1720, 
 married Johannes Volkertse Veeder. 
 
 Anna, another daughter, born September 1st, 1722, mar- 
 ried Adam Hendrickse Vrooman. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, born November 23d, 1724, mar- 
 ried Abraham Fonda. 
 
 Eva, also .a daughter, born April 20th, 1727, married 
 Gerrit Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Engeltje, another daughter, born April 13th, 1735, married 
 Hendrick Van Dyck. 
 
 Margarietje, also a daughter, born August 23d, 1740, mar- 
 ried Johannes R. Wemple. 
 
 Jacob, the third son of Jan Peterse, born March 1st, 1698, 
 married, August 7th. 1725, Oatharina, daughter of Hendrich 
 Vrooman. He inherited, by his father's will, one-half of the 
 old homestead farm on the third Flat, on the south side of 
 the Mohawk. His house, still standing, is occupied by his 
 great grandson, Simon Mebie. Jacob died April 18th, 1755, 
 leaving thvee sons and three daughters. 
 
 John, his oldest son, born May 1st, 1738, married, Decem- 
 ber 26th, 1760, Oornelia Hagadorn. He died July 11th, 
 1763, apparently without issue. 
 
 Cornelius, his second son, born March, 1741, married 
 November 19th, 1767, Heslher, daughter of Abraham Groot. 
 He died, leaving surviving two sons and five daughters. 
 
 Major Jacob O., oldest son of Cornelius, born May 31st, 
 1772, married, January 20th, 1793, Eva, daughter of Simon 
 Van Patten. He lived on the old homestead in Woestyne. 
 He was killed December 4th, 1823, " by his loaded Avagon 
 passing over his body on the way to Albany." This writer 
 has seen the Major often ; he was a warm personal and poll- 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 103 
 
 tical friend of the writer's father, John Sanders. The Major 
 left several children, but I will only add, his oldest son Simo7i, 
 born August 31st, 1805, married. May 7th, 1827, Hannah 
 Marlett, and now resides upon the old homestead. 
 
 Abra/iam, t/ie i/n'rd son of Jacob, Sr., born January 4th, 
 1778, died September 21st, 1810, without issue. 
 
 Cathanne, the oldest daughter of Jacob, Sr., born July 17th, 
 1768, married Nicholas J. Van Patten. 
 
 Willemjsie, another daughter, born Fcljruary 4th, 1774, 
 married Johannes J. Bratt. 
 
 Margarita, also a daughter, born jSIarch 3d, 1776, married 
 Nicholas A. Bratt. 
 
 Annatje, another daughter, born February 20th, 1780, 
 married Nicholas P. Van Patten. 
 
 Hester, also a daughter, born May 9th, 1782, married Jellis 
 Swart. 
 
 Johannes Ii^lei/n came to Schenectady in 1684. He mar- 
 ried Clara, a daughter of Ludricus Cobes, the Schout and 
 Sherift' of Schenectady. In that 3'ear, in company with his 
 father-in-law, he bought the fourth Flat on the south side of 
 the Mohawk river. He left three daughters. Bata, one of 
 them, born April 2d, 1684, married William Marinus. 
 
 Emanuel Consaul (Consaulus Gonzales), said by members 
 of the family to be of Spanish extraction, emigrating from 
 Curacoa, in the West Indies. Assinning this to be a proba- 
 bility, from its singularity as a Dutch name, I remark, after 
 dilligent search, I can only hud that Emanuel Consaul came 
 to Schenectady in 1684. Almost from that time we lose 
 sight of him until, in 1767, we find two families of the name 
 of Consaul living as neighbors in Niskayinia, not far from the 
 iutei-section of the Lisha's kil and the north line of Kensse- 
 laerwyck Manor, on what is now called the '•'■ Consaul road.^'' 
 I regret that my data is so limited. But, upon a little reflec- 
 tion, no foreign names are really singular in this composite 
 country, for we find there are several Dutch families with 
 Spanish names, whose ancestors emigrated to this land, viz., 
 the Fondas, Rosas, Gonzales, etc., etc. The same may be 
 said of others with French, English, Scotch, German and 
 
104 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Swedish names. They were all mitl()iil)tedly descendants of 
 Protestants, who fled from persecution for their religious faith 
 to the Netherlands, where they found protection and became 
 incorporated Avith the Dutch. In the records of the Dutch 
 government of the Province, foreign names, except the Span- 
 ish, are often met with. 
 
 John Consaul, of JSfiskayuna^ married, April 20th, 1765, 
 Machtelt, daughter of Johannes Heemstreet. He left sur- 
 viving him several sons and daughters. 
 
 John, a son. born November 5tli, 1767, married Viney 
 Manning, and had children. JoJtn, born September 27th, 
 1793, William, born April 23d, 1796. Magdalena, born 
 June 4th, 1799. 
 
 Bastian, another son, born November 16th, 1769, married, 
 May 19th, 1793, Lena Lewis. 
 
 Sara, a daughter of John Consaul, born November 3d, 
 1765, married Hendrick J. Vrooman. 
 
 Francyntje, another daughter, born February 2d, 1772, 
 married William Lewis. 
 
 Peter Consaul, the head of the second family , of Niskayuna, 
 married. May 19th, 1771, Sarah Van Vliet. He left surviv- 
 ing him several children. 
 
 Joha7ines, his oldest so7i, born August 2d, 1773, married 
 Dii'kje Hogan. He left two children, Emanuel, born Octo- 
 ber 12th, 1796, and Isaac Hogan, born September 3d, 1792. 
 
 Emanuel, another son of Peter, born May 14th, 1775, mar- 
 ried, August 7th, 1794, Lydia Manning, both of Lysjes Kil. 
 He left children. Joseph, born February 10th, 1797, and 
 William, born February 20th, 1806. 
 
 Joseph, also a son of Peter, born November 28th, 1773, 
 married Hesther, daughter of Nicholas Groot. 
 
 Benorony Van Hock came to Schenectad}^ in 1684 ; mar- 
 ried Jacquimina Swart, widow of Pieter Cornelise Viele ; was 
 killed by the French and Indians February 9th, 1690 ; left 
 one child, named Gerrietje, born January 24th, 1686. 
 
 Class Lourense Van Der Volgen came to Schenectady in 
 1686. He married Maritie, daughter of Tennis Cornelise 
 Swart. His lot in the village comprised the lots on which 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 105 
 
 Vuii Home Hull and the Myers' buildings now stunds. At the 
 l)ai-ning of Schenectady his son Lourens was carried captive to 
 Canada. I cannot ascei'tain accurately when Class Lourcnse 
 died, but he left surviving him several sons and daughters. 
 
 Class, the oldest son of Class Lourens, born August 7th, 
 1687, married Rebecca, daughter of Simon Groot, had an 
 only child, Frederick, born March 6th, 1711. 
 
 Cornells, second son of Class Lourens, quarried Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Jacobus Peek. • He lived on the Van Horn Hall 
 lot, which, having no children, he left by his will, made March 
 24th. 1731, to his wife, who on the 8th of November, 1732, 
 married Joseph Van Sice. Cornells' brother Lourens lived 
 on the lot next east, near the Myers' house lot. 
 
 Lourens Class, the third son, married ^>-s^, Gertruy, daughter 
 of Claas Van Patten ; secondly, Susanna Woleien, Sept. 18th, 
 1722. At the destruction of Schenectady, February 9, 1690, 
 he was carried captive to Canada by the Indians, with whom 
 he remained as late as 1699, acquiring a perfect knowledge 
 of their language. After his return he was appointed inter- 
 preter of the Province for the five nations, which he held 
 until his decease, in 1740. His salary was X30 per annum 
 until 1724, when it was raised to X60, and so continued. 
 This man of remarkable experiences left surviving him ten 
 children, whose descendants are numerous, and among the 
 most respectable citizens of our community and State. He 
 owned and occupied the property on which the Myers' House 
 buildings now stand. 
 
 WicJiolas, the son of the above Lourens Claas, born Se[)teni- 
 ber 1st, 1722, married September 16th, 1749, Sarah, daughter 
 of Abraham Truax. He was a merchant, and lived ui)()n 
 his lot, now the Myers' House property.' He died May 21st, 
 1797, aged seventy-four years, nine months. His son and 
 two daughters having died previously, he left no issue. He 
 gave, 1)y his will, X150 to the only Dutch Church in Sche- 
 nectady, for the purchase of an organ, which sum the con- 
 sistory carefully invested, and when its accumulations 
 amounted to $1,500, they purchased an organ, which was 
 burned with the church in 1861. 
 
106 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Cornelius, second son of Lourens Claas, born July 25th, 
 1731, maiTied April 2 2d, 1756, Bebeca Fort. He died 
 Jmuiary 16th, 17S6, and left a son, Lourens, born May 5, 
 1776, who married May 24th, 1794, Ungeltie, daughter of 
 Bernhardus F. Schermerhorn. He also left surviving him a 
 daughter named Susanna, born Jidy 16th, 1769, who mar- 
 ried Henry H. Peek. 
 
 Peter, the tJiird son of Lourens Class, born June 10th, 1733, 
 marrried November 7th, 1761, Gertruij, daughter of Myndert 
 Myndertse. He left surviving him two sons, Lourens, born 
 January 11th, 1767, and Myndert, born October 18th, 1772, 
 who married Eleanor Voght. He also left a daughter, born 
 February 4th, 1770, who married Johaunes S. Schermerhorn. 
 
 Neeltje, the oldest surviving daughter of Lourens Claas, 
 born May 3d, 1713, married Sander Van Eps. 
 
 Eva, another daughter, born November 30th, 1717, 
 married Philip Ryley. 
 
 Marytje, also a daughter, born March 5th, 1720, married 
 Simon Johannese Veeder. 
 
 Catarina, another daughter, born June 21, 1724, married 
 Eyuear Myndertse. 
 
 Elizabeth, also a daughter, born September 7th, 1725, 
 married William Schermerhorn. 
 
 Ariantje. another daughter, born July 11, 1727, married 
 Maus M. Van Vranken. 
 
 Tennis, the fourth son of Old Claas Lourens, married 
 Sara Hamens Frear. He had one son, named Chias, born 
 June 26th, 1709, in Albany, and several daughters, of whom 
 one, named Jacomijntje, born July 3d, 1790, married Arent 
 Sliugerland ; and another daughter, named Elizabeth, born 
 August 31st, 1723,' married Johannes Heerastreet. This 
 seems to have been entirely an Albany branch. 
 
 Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of Old Class Lourens, born 
 May 9th, 1686, married Dirk Groot. 
 
 Ariantje, another daiighter, born February 12th 1693, 
 married, first, Arnout De Gratf ; and secondly, Harmauus 
 Vedder. 
 
 Neeltje, also a daughter, married Peter Simonse Veeder. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 107 
 
 Catrintje, another daughter, married Gerdt G. Van Brakel. 
 
 Johannes Oliite settled in Niskayuna, in 1684, on hinds he 
 received by will from his rich inicle. Captain Johannes Clute. 
 of Albany. He married Baata, daughter of Gerrit Van 
 Slichtenhorst, and granddaughter of Brant Arantse Van 
 Slichtenhorst, who was director (head man) of the Colony 
 of Rensselaerwyck in 1646, and, who I have had occasion to 
 remark, proved to be a foeman worthy of Govenor Sty- 
 vesant's most bitter animosity. She was also the grand- 
 daughter of the indomitable Colonel Philip Pieterse Schuyler. 
 In 1692, her husband, Johannes, being a prisoner in Canada, 
 this remarkable woman, with great adroitness, manao-ed all 
 his business aflairs. 
 
 Johannes Clute died November 26th, 1725, and was 
 buried in Niskayuua. He left surviving him three sons and 
 five daughters. 
 
 Jacob, his oldest son, married April 12th, 1707, Gertrude 
 Van Vranhen. 
 
 Nicholas, his son, born May 20th, 1725, married Olartje, 
 daughter of Johannes Heemstreet. 
 
 Joliannes, another son, born Noveml)er, 15th, 1719, married, 
 October 6th, 1753, Jannetie Ouderkerk. 
 
 Gerrit, also a son, born July 10th, 1709, married, Sep- 
 tember 22d, 1732, Maritje Heemstreet. 
 
 Peter, another son, born August 12th, 1722, married. May 
 7th, 1761, Lea Hagadorn. 
 
 Gerrit, another son of Joliannes Clute, born Janiiar}^ 1st, 
 1697, married. May 28th, 1725, Machtelt Heemstreet. 
 
 John, his son, born July 10th, 1726, married, January 17th, 
 1754, Catanna, daughter of Abraham Lansing, of Albany. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Gerrit, born January 18th, 1736, 
 married, June 12, 1761, Maayke Lansing. 
 
 Dirk, also a son of Geirit, married April 6th, 1760, 
 Annatjie, daughter of Johannes Heemstreet, of Albany. 
 
 Gerardus, another son of Gerrit, born October 19th, 1735, 
 married Alida, daughter of Nicholas Visscher, of Albany. 
 
 John, another son of Johannes Clute, born May 12th, 1700, 
 married, September 5th,. 1727, Nuna . 
 
108 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 JoJin^ Ms son, born September 15th, 1728, married, Sep- 
 tember 27th, 1752, Sarah, daughter of Abraham YaiiArnham. 
 
 Frederick Chile came to Niskayuna, from Esopus, Ulster 
 county, in 1703, and bought hind of old Johannes Clute. 
 What relationship (if any) existed between them is unknown. 
 He married Francytje Du Monds. 
 
 John, oldest son of Frederick, married, December 11th, 1726, 
 Tanneke, daughter of Gillis Fonda, of Schenectady. 
 
 Jacob, second son of Frederick, married, November 16th, 
 1727, Maria Brower, in Albany. 
 
 Pieter, another son of Frederick, born A[)ril 26th, 1712, 
 married Ariantje, daughter of Nicholas Van Vranken. 
 
 Frederick, also a son of Frederick, married May 22d, 1742, 
 Maditelt, daughter of Johannes Pieterse Quackenbos. 
 
 Waldren, another son of Frederick, married ^«nrt, in 1721. 
 
 Marganfje, a daughter of Frederick, married Andries De 
 Graff. 
 
 Anna Barbara, also a daughter, married Abram Fort. 
 
 Helena, another daughter, married Johannes Quacken- 
 bos, Jr. 
 
 Anna Catrina, also a daughter, born December 8th, 1716, 
 married Martin Van Olinda. 
 
 Gerrit Marselis, son of Janse Marselis, of Albany, married 
 Bregie Hause, in 1687, and the same year came to Schenec- 
 tady. He, with his wife and one child, was killed in the massa- 
 cre of February 9th, 1690. One child, named Myndert, was 
 saved, and was living at Schenectady in 1709. He married 
 Fitje Oothout, of Albany, May 23d, 1713. They had three 
 sons and four daughters. 
 
 Ahasueras Marselis, brother of Gerrit, above named, 
 moved to Schenectady in 1698. In 1697 he married Sara, 
 daughter of Tykel Heemstreet, of Albany. He was by occu- 
 pation a cordwainer. 
 
 John, oldest son of Ahasueras, was born June 26th, 1698. 
 He married, January 12th, 1725, Sara, daughter of Claas 
 De Graff. He was a merchant, and owned the house and lot 
 No. 23 Front street. He must have died before 1753, for 
 his widow then occupied the property. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 109 
 
 Ahasxems, (he oldest .son of John, hon\ June 2Gth, 1726, 
 married, January 1st, 1749, Maria, daughter of Ilendrick 
 Vrooman. 
 
 Henri/, a son of Ahasueras, born Maj^ 25th, 1753, married 
 Cornelia Pootman December 1st, 1793. He died August 12th, 
 1821. She died January 3d, 1837. He lived on the north 
 side of Front street, on the k)t now occupied by his grand- 
 daughter, Mrs. J. W. Harman. Henry Marsellus left only 
 one child, Maria, who married Hon. Eichard McMichael, 
 for the term of four years a Senator of the State of New 
 York. 
 
 JVicholas, a son of Ahasueras, born August 15th, 1766, 
 married, September 14th, 1788, Matilda, daughter of Isaac 
 Resa. He died August 12th, 1848, aged 82 years. 
 
 John A., another son of Ahaseuras, born June 8th, 1777, 
 married, January 5th, 1800, Catharine, daughter of Jacob 
 Schermerhorn. He died October 12th, 1845, aged 68 years, 
 leaving no issue. He was known as Quaker John, beloved by 
 everybody, and died deeply regretted by all. 
 
 Sarah, a daughter of Ahasueras, married, October 9th, 
 1763, William Lighthall. 
 
 Angelica, also a daughter, married Harmanus H. Van Slyck. 
 
 Claas, another son of John, 8r., cordwainer, married, April 
 30th, 1757, Lena, daughter of Dirk Merselis. He is said to 
 have been killed by lightning, in 1766, while crossing the 
 Mohawk river in a canoe. 
 
 John, oldest son af Claas, born January 27th, 1760, mar- 
 I'ied Caiharina, daughter of Isaac Vrooman. He lived in 
 Ferr}' street, directly opposite to the Episcopal Church, and 
 died December 15th, 1833. 
 
 JSFicholas, his oldest son, born March, 1792, is a minister 
 of the Keformed Dutch Church, and married Jane, daughter 
 of Colonel Henry R. Teller. 
 
 Laurence, another son of John, born February 23d, 1795, 
 was lately, or is now, living, a respected gentleman, in Mont- 
 gomery county. 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter of John, Ijorn November 27th, 1785, 
 married Jacob J. Ckite. . 
 
110 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Lena, another daughter, born December 11th, 1789, married 
 Silas Andrews, a publisher, of Hartford, Connecticut. 
 
 Sarah, also a daughter, born September 12th, 1800, mar- 
 ried Rev. Aaron A. Merselis. 
 
 Nicholas, a son qfClaas, born September 14th, 17(i6, mar- 
 ried, April 17th, 1795, Sarah, daughter of Petrus Clute. He 
 died November 28th, 1845, aged 79 years. She died March 
 28th, 1872, aged 94 yeais, 5 months, 21 dags. They had 
 children. 
 
 Dvk, born May 6th, 1797, died September 11th, 1832. 
 
 Peter, born June 3d, 1801, father of Richard Marselis, 
 Esq., of Schenectady. 
 
 Helena, born August 22d, 1806, died young. 
 
 Catharine, born January 2 2d, 1811, married Jacob F. 
 Clute, Esq., of Schenectady ; died April 12th, 1846. 
 
 Johji, born November 2d, 1816, who is still living, and 
 with much attachment occupies the old homestead, of which 
 we have before written as one of the oldest and best preserved 
 buildings in Schenectady. 
 
 Dirk, second son ofAhasueras, Sr., born January 5th, 1700, 
 married. July 26th, 1726, Lyshet, daughter of Jan Baptist 
 Van Eps. 
 
 Helena, Dirk's daughter, born March 4th, 1732, married 
 Claas Merselis. 
 
 Catharine, another daughter, born February 15th, 1736, 
 married Pieter Clute. 
 
 Gysbert, also a son of Ahasneras, S7\, born June 4th, 1704, 
 married. May 31st, 1730, Elizabeth, daughter of A rent Van 
 AntAverpen. 
 
 Arent, oldest son of Gysbert, born Novem])er 26th, 1732, 
 married, December 23d, 1758, Rebecca, daughter of Jacob 
 Vroonian. 
 
 Captain Ahasueras, also a son of Gu}'sbert, born April 
 12th, 1740, married, September 1st, 1765, Hester, daughter 
 of Nicholas Visscher, of Niskayuna. 
 
 Takel, another son of Gaysbert, born January 1st, 1709, 
 married, March 16th, 1738, Jacomyntje, daughter of Jan 
 Baptist Van Eps. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. Ill 
 
 Isaac, also a son of Guyshert, bom June 29th, 1723, m:ir- 
 ried, August 5th, 1748, Sarah, daughter of Wouter Swart. 
 He was a merchant. 
 
 Sara, a daughter of Gai/sbert, born June 9th, 1734, mar- 
 ried Jacobus Van Sice. 
 
 Claas Andriese De Graf came to Schenectady in 1688. 
 He married Elizaheth, daughter of William Brouwcr, of 
 Albany. Soon after his arrival, he settled on what was then 
 and is now called the Hoek Farm, situated in the present 
 town of Glcnville. (This farm, until lately, belonged to the 
 Reese family.) His wife died November 18th, 1723, but I 
 have been unable to ascertain the time of his decease. 
 
 Ahraham, the oldest son of Claas Andriese, born November 
 14th, 1688, married. August 17th, 1725, Rebecca, daughter 
 of Abraham Groot. He lived in the old Red House, standing 
 on the margin of the Sacandaga Turnpike, near the resi- 
 dence of Phillip E. Toll, Esq., and his burying-ground lies not 
 far from the rear of the house. 
 
 From his family Bible, still in tolerable preservation, are 
 translated the following entries on the fly-leaf, which entries 
 are well sustained by traditionary history : 
 
 " 1746, October 30th, Abraham De Gratf and his son 
 William were taken captive to Canada." 
 
 " 1747, June 12th, Abraham De Grafi; died at Quebec, in 
 Canada, and was buried there." 
 
 " 1748, July 18th, Nicholas De Graf}' (son of Abram), and 
 26 others, were murdered at Beukendaal by the savage 
 Indians." 
 
 Nicholas, the oldest son of Ahraliam, born May 26th, 1726, 
 married Ariantje, daughter of John Schermerhorn. We 
 have seen, by the Bible entry, that he was killed at Beuken- 
 daal, when only a little more than 22 years old. He left sur- 
 viving him an infant son, Abraham, Avho, on the 29th Janu- 
 ary, 1774, mari-ied Margaretta, daughter of William Schermer- 
 horn. Desolate as his father's family was left, Abraham died 
 June 1st, 1810, leaving surviving him the following children : 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter, born July 23d, 17 75, married Thomas 
 Chapman. 
 
112 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Tannel'e, also a daughter, born November 1st, 1778, mar- 
 ried Cornelius Viele. 
 
 Rachel, another daughter, born March 11th, 1781, died un- 
 married. 
 
 Abraham, a son, born December 16th, 1790, is still living 
 at the advanced age of nearly 88 years. 
 
 Lawrence, also a mn, born May 25th, 1793, is lately de- 
 ceased, all the surviving children of Abraham leaving numer- 
 ous descendants, except Elizabeth and RacJiel. 
 
 Abraham, another son of Abraham, who died at Quebec, 
 born Auo-ust 24th, 1732, married, Auoust 4th, 1753, Rachel, 
 daughter of Johannes Clute. He died January 19th, 1756, 
 leaving an only child, Abraham, born April 20th, 1754, 
 
 Cornelius, another son of Abraham, born November 23d, 
 1738, married, September 16th, 1769, Rebecca, daughter of 
 Frederick Van Patten. He was for thirty-two years Voor- 
 leger of the Dutch Church of Schenectady, and stout lungs his 
 old admirers claim for him. The writer remembers the dig- 
 nified, venerable clerk well. He lived on the south side of 
 State street, in a house next west of Mrs. Abel Smith's 
 house — indeed, owned the lot on which her dwelling stands. 
 In 1800, he removed to his farm in Glenville, near the loca- 
 tion of the Beukendaal massacre, where he died July 11th, 
 1830, aged 91 years, 7 months and 7 days, having had three 
 sons and three daughters. Albert W. Vedder, Esq., of Glen- 
 ville, an aged citizen, is one of his grand-children. 
 
 William, also a son of Abraham, Sr., born November 20th, 
 1734, who was carried, with his father, captive to Canada, 
 never returned ; probably died there, as his father did. 
 
 Hester, a daughter of Abraham, Sr., born April 8th, 1728, 
 married Philip Pjdcy. 
 
 Jesse, son of Claas Andn'ese, born August 4th, 1688, mar- 
 ried, October 2'Oth, 1705, Aaltie Henmon, in New York. He 
 was carried away captive to Canada at one time, but returned. 
 
 Daniel, son of Jesse, born May 26th, 1708, married, June 
 26th, 1735, Gezina, daughter of Simon Swits. He died 
 March 12th, 1790, aged nearly 82 years. She died January 
 2 2d, 1801, aged 88 years. 
 
EAELY SETTLERS. 113 
 
 Jessft, .90)1 of Daniel, bom Jaiuuuy 13tli, 1745, married, 
 Novenil)er 19th, 1774, Bachel, daughter of Abraham Fonda. 
 Had 011I3' one child, Daniel, who died j^ouno-. 
 
 Simon, son of Daniel, born April 6th, 1753, married, 
 December 6th, 1779, first, Annutie, daughter of Simon 
 Schermerhorn. She died September 21st, 1783, leaving only 
 one child, Gezina, who died young. He secondly mai-ried, 
 April 12th, 1787, Jannete, daughter of Harmanus Bradt. 
 Their children were : 
 
 Daniel, born August 12th, 1788, who married a daughter 
 of the Old Surveyor, Josias Swart ; also a son named 
 Harmanus, born January 8th, 1791 ; also a daughter named 
 Annatje, born August 23d, 1794, and now the Avidow of 
 Alexander Van Eps, and residing in Schenectady. 
 
 Simon De Graff's first Avife. Janete, was a sister of Mans 
 and John Schermerhor'n, deceased, aged citizens so Ions: and 
 favoral)ly known in this community. 
 
 Isaac, son of Daniel, l)orn November 16th, 1757, married, 
 December 19th, 1779, Susanna, daughter of Jan Baptist Van 
 Eps. He died December 21st, 1844, aged 87 yrs. 1 m. 5 days. 
 
 Daniel, oldest son of Isaac, was born June 16th, 1780. 
 
 John, the second son of Isaac, born October 2d, 1783, died 
 July 22d, 1848. He Avas several times Mayor of Schenec- 
 tady, Avas for many years a successful merchant, and one of 
 the firm of Walton & De Graff, a large contractor Avith the 
 United States Government, both by land and AA^ater, to for- 
 ward supplies, ammunition, stores and necessaries to its 
 armies on the frontiers, and its navies on the Western lakes. 
 He also served the district in Avhich Schenectady is located 
 two terms in Congress. He died unmarried. 
 
 Jesse, another son of Isaac, born January 9th, 1801, mar- 
 ried Gerzena, daughter of Harnian Vischer, of CaughnaAvaga, 
 Montgomery county. 
 
 Gezina, oldest daughter of Isaac, born January 13th, 1788, 
 married Abraham Oothout. This Avas the mother of our 
 nmch-esteemed citizen, G. Lansing Oothout, Esq. 
 
 Susanna, another daughter of Isaac, born March 29th, 
 1793, married the late Peter Bancker. 
 8 
 
114 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Annatje, also a daughter, bom March, 10th, 1795, maiTied 
 Philip Toll, son of Curl Hansen Toll. 
 
 Susanna, a daughter of Daniel, born May 5th, 1737, mar- 
 ried Andreas Trnax, 
 
 Gezina, another daughter of Daniel, born Noveml)er 6th, 
 1747, married Col. Frederick Vischer, of Caiighnawaga. 
 
 Alida, also a daughter, born March 9th, 1750, married 
 Johannes Vedder. 
 
 Arnout {Arnold), another son of Claas Andrese, born in 
 1694, married, May 13th, 1715, Ariantje, daughter of 
 Claas Vander Volgen. He died March 27th, 1731, after 
 which his widow married Harmanus Vedder. 
 
 Claas, son of Arnold, a carpenter, born March 14th, 1716, 
 married, first, Leah Gonsalus ; secondly, married Catg, daugh- 
 ter of Abraham Truax, February 1st, 1754, in Albany. 
 
 Manuel, his oldest son, and bg his first %dfe, born February 
 10th, 1751, married Rebecca Gonzalus. He was one of the 
 first settlers of Amsterdam, Montgomery county. His farm 
 was situated two miles east of that village. He has been 
 succeeded on that farm by his son Manuel, born January 24th, 
 1789, and he by his son Manuel, the present owner. Manuel 
 the second died in Amsterdam, July 1st, 1844, leaving 
 several children. Philip R. Toll, Esq., of Glenville, mar- 
 ried one of his daughters. 
 
 Isc(ac, also a son of Claas Andrese, born August 4th, 
 1691, married, August 18th, 1725, Debora, daughter of 
 Jeremiah Thickstone. He was a carpenter, and lived on the 
 north side of Front street, a little east of Church street. 
 
 Jeremiah, son of Isaac, born October 21st, 1727, married 
 Annatje, daughter of Johannes Quackenbosch, and left sur- 
 viving him several sons and daughters. 
 
 John, also a son of Isaac, born April, 1740, married, first, 
 November 12th, 1763, Rebecca, daughter of Gerrit Van 
 Vranken ; secondly, married. July 1st, 1769, Annatje, daugh- 
 ter of Harmanus Peek. He left surviving him three sons, 
 respectively named GeiTit, Isaac and Harmanus. 
 
 Andries, another son of Claas Andrese, born in 1699, mar- 
 ried Neeltje, daughter of Daniel Van Antwerpen. He left 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 115 
 
 but one child, Lyshet, who murricd, Februaiy 5th, 1726, 
 Philip Gi-oot. 
 
 Antje, a daughter of Olaas Andrese, born August 27th, 
 1693, muiTied Cornelius Christianse. 
 
 Sara, another daughter, born January 8th, 1696, married 
 John Marselis. 
 
 Eva, also a daughter, married Jacolj Van Olinda. 
 
 Elizabeth, another daughter, married Nicholas Stensil. 
 
 Margarita, also a daughter, married Robert Yates. 
 
 Frederick Gerritse, farmer, and Elizabeth Christianse, his 
 wife, were residents of Schenectady in 1687. On Septemlier 
 9th, 1689, he conveyed to Myndert Wemp ten acres of land 
 at Maalwyck and Bents Island, formerly belonging to Ben- 
 jamin Eoberts, always called by the old settlers ''Bent 
 Boberts," from which circumstance the island in the Mohawk, 
 three miles above the city and opposite the Viele farms, 
 was so called. 
 
 Bent {Benjamin) Boberts, an early settler of Schenectady. 
 I am unable precisely to fix the year. He certainly was there 
 before 1669, for in that year he leased his house and lot in 
 the village to Jan Kinckhout, baker, of Albany, when he 
 removed to his farm at Maalwyck, where he had received a 
 grant of 76 acres from the Mohawks, lying opposite the 
 lands of Arent Bradt (the Noorman). He married Maria, 
 
 widow of Clement, who had two sons, Beter and Joseph, 
 
 by her first marriage. He made his will June 28th, 1706 ; 
 and, having no children of his oivn, gave his property to his 
 wife Maria; but, in case of her remarriage, to his siep-sons, 
 Beter and Joseph. In 1710, Peter Clement sold his half of 
 the Maalwyck farm, together with one-half of Bents Island, 
 to Cornelius Viele for £495, and March 17th, 1712, his 
 brother Joseph sold the other half, as devised to him, for 
 £400, to Carel Hansen Toll. Eoberts, it seems, must have 
 died soon after making his will, as ai)pears from these con- 
 veyances. 
 
 Jan Binckhout came to Schenectady in 1669. He leased 
 the village house and lot of Benjamin Roberts, Avhich his son 
 Jurian subsequently purchased. His wife was Elizabeth 
 
116 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Rincl'Jwut. Jan took, by Avill of his brother Daniel, m 1662, 
 the house and k)t eonier of Exchange street and Broadway, 
 Albany. 
 
 Jurian Rinchhout, son of Jan, came to Schenectady in 1702. 
 His wife's name was Mana Idesen. He must have died soon 
 afterwards, for he made his will Fel)ruary 2d, 1703, giving 
 to his wife the use of his real and personal property at Sche- 
 nectady and in New York during her life-time ; his father, 
 Jan, to be maintained out of the estate ; his son Tennis, then 
 17 years old, to have the Schenectad}^ farm at a fair price, 
 and his son Ida, born February 28th, 1703, at Schenectady, 
 when he comes of lawful age, to have his farm near New 
 York. Jurian^ s widow married John Mclntyre June 17th, 
 1704, who then settled at Schenectady, and Willimn Mcln- 
 tyre, a trader, in 1774, on the northwest of State and Feriy 
 streets, was one of his descendants. 
 
 Gyshert Gerritse F<:m ^raA;e? came to Schenectady in 1688. 
 His first wife was Reyntie Slephense. He married, secondly, 
 July 2cd, 1693, Lysbet, widow of Jan Van Eps. His son 
 Alexander was killed by the French and Indians, February 
 9th, 1690, and his son Stephen carried away captive at the 
 same time. He had, for the times, rich landed possessions 
 in and about Schenectady. 
 
 In 1699 he bought the large island lying west of Spuylen 
 Duyvel island, in the Mohawk river. He owned a house 
 and large lot on Union street, between the lots of Jan Vroo- 
 man and Arent Danielse Van Antwerpen. He also owned a 
 considerable tract of Flats called '■^ Jaffroiis landt,''^ formerly 
 a portion of the estate of Arent Van Curler. His pasture lot, 
 of eleven acres, bought of the patentees of Schenectady, 
 February 11th, 1702, extended along the south side of Union 
 street, from Ferry street to Maiden lane (now Centre street), 
 and south about half-way to State street, embracing large 
 sections of what are now the Second and Fourth wards of the 
 city. He left two children surviving him (sons), Geriit and 
 Gyshert. 
 
 He made his will in 1709, and with that clear perception 
 of equit}^, which so eminently distinguished our early Dutch 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 117 
 
 settlers, g;ivo the great portion of this wealth to his oldest 
 son Gerrit, because, as was the dogma of that day, his blood 
 was nearest to the glories of defiant Holland. 
 
 Gerrit, the oldest son and principal heir of Guysbert Ger- 
 ritse, born July 16th, 1688, married, October 15th, 1704, 
 Catryn{je, daughter of Class Lourens Van der Volgen. He 
 left several sons and daughters, most of whom removed to 
 Albany and Schoharie counties, or up the Mohawk Valle}- ; 
 but his oldest child, Giiysbirt, born October 28th, 1705, 
 continued to reside in Schenectady. He married, July 5th, 
 1730, Maria Van Antwerpen, daughter of Daniel Simonse. 
 
 Guysbert, youngest son of Guysbert Gerritse, l)orn January 
 3d, 1695, married, January 1st, 1717, Marytje, daughter 
 of Jan Hendrickse Vrooman. They removed from Schenec- 
 tady. 
 
 Teunise Carstensen came to Schenectady in 1689. He had 
 previously married 3Iaritje, daughter of Pieterse Jacobse 
 Borsl)oom, one of the original fifteen proprietors of Sche- 
 nectady. He had two children, Teunis ixwd Elizabeth. Must 
 have died soon afterwards, for on the 16th day of March, 
 1692, his widow Maritje, married Hendrick Wm. Brower. 
 
 Philip PhiUpse came to Schenectady previous to 1689, for 
 on that day we find him exchanging his land on the sixth 
 Flat above Schenectady, with Class William Van Coppernol, 
 for the ^'- Willow Flats, ^'' which lie on the south side of the 
 Mohawk river, about one mile above Crane's Villaofe. Beino- 
 the same lands that the Mohawks had given to Leah Van 
 Slyck, the wife of Coppernol ; because her mother was a 
 right Mohawk, and Leah was related to the Mohawk castles. 
 Philips, and his family removed to this land, now in the town 
 of Florida, ]Montgoniery county, and some of the name and 
 other descendants still reside there. He married a daugh- 
 ter of Harman Gansevoort, of Albany. 
 
 Gerardas Camberforl. He came to Schenectady as early as 
 May 6th, 1690, and lived there as late as 1697. In 1694 he 
 sold his farm (now Towereune) to Caret Hansen Toll. The 
 west bounds of Camberfort's land was in the west bounds of 
 the township of Schenectady. His first wife Avas Atit/'e Pull, 
 
118 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 by whom he had one child, Gerardus, born Ma}^ 11th, 1G90. 
 This son subscqnently settled at New York, assuming the 
 name " Comfort,^'' which prol)al)ly is the English translation 
 of CamberfoH. The father's second wife was Ariantje TJldnck, 
 widow of Gerrit Classe Yan Vranken, who he married Octo- 
 ber 16th, 1092. He lived in Niskayuna as late as 1720. 
 
 Jonathan Stevens, from Connecticut, born in 1675, married, 
 July 24th, 1693, Lea Van 8hjch, widow of Class Williamse 
 Van Coppernol. She was a half-blood Mohawk, and often 
 acted as interpreter. Besides a house lot in Schenectady, 
 Stevens owned a farm on the north side of the Mohawk river, 
 about three miles northeast of the village, which, until 
 recently, was occupied by some of his descendants. 
 
 Nicholas Hendncus, oldest son of Jonathan, born Novem- 
 ber, 10th, 1697, married, May 29th, 1730, Maria Phmnix] 
 they had several children, but all died young and unmarried, 
 except Arent and Johannes, 
 
 Arent, the eldest son of NicJiolas Hendricvs, married, 
 November 20th, 1768, Jennetje De Spitzer. He died in 
 1784, leaving surviving him the following named children : 
 
 Jonathan, born January 27th, 1770. 
 
 Thmias, born March 22d, 1772. 
 
 Margaret, born May 18th, 1777. 
 
 Maria, born December 31st, 1780. 
 
 Hendricus, ham April 27th, 1782. 
 
 Nicholas, horn February 26th, 1783 — after his father's 
 decease — and died in Schenectady, 18th October, 1863, 
 
 Arent, second son of Jonathan, born July 26th, 1702, mar- 
 ried, first, January 3d, 1726, Maria, daughter of William 
 Hall ; she died December 23d, 1739, aged 42 years. He 
 married, secwuZ/y, February 4th, 1749, Mary Grifiths, vf\dow 
 of Lieutenant Thomas Burrows, of the British army ; she died 
 July 2d, 1794, aged 75 years, Arent, himself, died May 15th, 
 1753. He owned lands, and for some time resided, at Cauajo- 
 harie. He often acted as Indian interpreter, and was often 
 emplo3'ed by Sir Wm. Johnson in negotiations with the 
 different tribes. 
 
 Captain Jonathan Stevens, the oldest son of Arent, born 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 119 
 
 December 1st, 1726, was killed at the battle of Lake George, 
 September 8th, 1755, a few miles from the fort, in the disas- 
 trous amljiiseade, where the noiile King Hendrick, the chival- 
 ric and generous Col. E[)hraim Williams, the founder of Wil- 
 liams College, and the brave Captains McGinnis and Stevens, 
 both of Schenectady, fell, almost side by side. It was of the 
 two last that Sir Wm. Johnson, in his official report of the 
 battle and the capture of Baron Dieskaw, wrote : " Maginnis 
 and Stevens fought like lions.'" Captain Jonathan was only 28 
 years old when he so desperately lost his life, and was unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Arent^s other children were named as follows : 
 
 Catarin, born August 1st, 1729, died August 27th, 1790. 
 
 William, born September 10th, 1732. 
 
 Nicholas, born November 14th, 1734. 
 
 Johannes, born July 31st, 1736. 
 
 Jacobus, born December 13th, 1739. 
 
 Second set of children. — Maria, born October 20th, 1750, 
 married John Stuart. 
 
 Richard, born Decemljer 10th, 1752, died in 1800. 
 
 Anna, born April 22d, 1755, married Philip Fransikel. 
 
 Jacobus Van Dyck, physician and surgeon, son of Cornelius 
 Van Dyck, of Albany, also a physician and surgeon, married, 
 October 25th, 1694, Jacomytje, daughter of John Alexander 
 Glen, of Scotia, whereupon, immediately after that, he settled 
 at Schenectady. He was surgeon of the fort there. His house 
 and lot was on the west side of Church street, 50 feet north 
 of State street. 
 
 Cornelius, son of Jacobus, born August 28th, 1698. He 
 became also physician and surgeon, and mari'ied, first, Nov- 
 endier 12th, 1721, Maria, daughter of Jan Pieterse Mebie, 
 and, secondly, Margaret, daughter of Arent Bratt, March 
 16th, 1738. He died February 15th, 1759, aged about 61 
 years. He left surviving him several children, viz. : 
 
 Elizabeth, born September 8th, 1722, married Harmanus 
 Bratt. 
 
 Johannes, born May 24th, 1724, removed to Canajoharie. 
 
 Jacobus, born March 17th, 1726. 
 
120 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 HendncKS, bom August 29th, 1731, ninrned Engeltje 
 Mebie, daughter of Abraham Mebie, June 8th, 1753. 
 
 Javomijntje, born September IGth, 1733, married John 
 Baptist WendelL 
 
 CorneUiis, born October 8th, 1740, married, February 
 20th, 1762, Tannahe, daughter of Joseph Yates. In the 
 Revohitionary War he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the First 
 New York Regiment of Continentals, conmianded by Colonel 
 Gosen Van Schaick, of Albany, and when Van Schaick 
 became Brigadier, Van Dyck was its Colonel. During the, 
 whole war ^^ this veteran First'' was distinguished as one of 
 the best disciplined and most gallant regiments of the whole 
 army — engaged in many battles. He is but a tame student of 
 history who cannot follow it through the capture of Bur- 
 goyne, the storming of Stony Point, and the linal assault on 
 Yorktown. So great was the admiration of General Gates 
 for the heroism of these veterans, that after the surrender at 
 Saratoga, out of his whole army he selected Nicholas Van 
 Rensselaer, one of its Captains, to carry the intelligence of 
 Burgoyne's capture to the anxious citizens of Albany. Colo- 
 nel Van Dyck was the grandson of John Alexander Glen, of 
 Scotia, and lived in the old Van Dyck residence on Church 
 street. He died June 9th, 1792, leaving no issue surviving 
 him. 
 
 William Hall came to Schenectady shortly previous to 
 April 13th, 1695, when he married Tryntje Claesse, widow of 
 Elias Van Guysling. 
 
 Williat7i, his son, born January 8th, 1696, married, April 
 10th, 1730, A7ina Cooper, of New Jersey. 
 
 Class, son of William, Sr., born September 1st, 1700, 
 married, July 11th, 1724, Maria, daughter of Johannes Van 
 Antvverpen. 
 
 John, son of William, Sr., born January 24th, 1703, mar- 
 ried, September 30th, 1743, Gellesje., daughter of Claas 
 Frausen Van De Bogert. 
 
 John, the son of William, Jr., l)orn July 6th, 1746, mar- 
 ried, September 16th, 1770, Catarina, daughter of Al)rahain 
 Groot. He had several children, and was the father of John, 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 121 
 
 born July 25th, 1779, who resided upon the lot on the west 
 side of Church street, south of the lot of Jeremiah Fuller, 
 deceased. John Hall, who owned the lot next north of the 
 Jeremiah Fuller lot. was the brother of WilHam Hall, Jr., 
 and his son Class (Nicholas) inherited and occupied it until 
 his decease. Class' dauohter, Deborah, Mrs. James Rosa, 
 after her father's death, sold the premises to Jeremiah Fuller. 
 
 Claas, the son of this second John, married Hester, daugh- 
 ter of Isaac Swits. He died April 17th, 1828. She dVed 
 December 8th, 1833, aged about 80 years. They were the 
 parents of Dehorali, born January 4th, 1786, who married 
 James Rosa, Esq. 
 
 William, a son of William, Jr., born December 1st, 1736, 
 married Annaije, daughter of Johannes Barheyt. 
 
 Antje (Anna), a daughter of William, Jr., born June 14th, 
 1740, married, December 7th, 1763, Samuel Fuller, by whom 
 she had two children, Anna and Jeremiah. She subsequently 
 married, December 8th, 1788, George I\endaU, with whom 
 she had no issue. Her son, Jeremiah, married, January 23d, 
 1791, Mary, the only child of George Kendall hy a previous 
 marriage. This excellent old lady, whom the writer has 
 often seen and conversed with, was the grandmother of our 
 distinguished fellow-citizen. General William K. Fuller, the 
 most remarkably preserved specimen of early times in our 
 borders, and also the ancestress of many much-esteemed 
 descendants, still active citizens among us. She was the 
 intimate friend and acquaintance of this writer's father, and 
 it is one of the pleasures of his memory that he has so often 
 seen and conversed with the motherly old lady. She died 
 January 13th, 1833, in her ninety-third year. 
 
 Maria, another daughter of William, Jr., born December 
 31st, 1749, married Thomas Beth (Bath). 
 
 John Dyer, mason, from Wales, came to Schenectady in 
 the early part of the year 1695, and on the 21st November 
 in that year married Maria Dirkse, widow of Harmanus Hag- 
 adorn. In 1714, he conveyed his farm, on the sixth Flat, to 
 Re3^er Scliermerhorn. 
 
 Johannes Ouderkirk, son ofJanse, of Albany, came to Sche- 
 
122 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 iiectiidy ill 1695, and on the 20th May of that year married 
 JSFeeJtje Claas, widow of Hendrick Gardenier. His wife 
 owned a lot of 100 feet front on the north side of Union 
 street, one-half of which is now included in the Dutch Church 
 lot, and the other half owned by Aaron Barringer, Esq. To 
 ofive some evidence of the value of lots for some time after 
 
 o 
 
 the burning and desolation of Schenectady, this whole lot, 
 then vacant, was valued at fifteen beaver skins, or $48. 
 Ouderkirk left surviving him four daughters. 
 
 Casperus Sjmngsteen, miller, came to Schenectady shortly 
 previous to 1695, and in that year, July 28th, married Jan- 
 nefje, daughter of Jacob Janse Schcrmerhorn, and sister of 
 the tirst liyer. He left two sons and one daughter, but they 
 seem, most or all of them, to have emigrated. 
 
 Thomas Smith came from New England, and married, Sep- 
 tember 30th, 1696, Maria, daughter of Ludovicus Cobes, and 
 widow of Gerret Janse. He lived on the south side of the 
 Mohawk opposite the fourth Flat. He left only one child, 
 Anna., born July 28th, 1700. 
 
 Martin Van Benthysen, son of Paul us Martense, of Al- 
 bany, married, June M, 1696, Fietje, daughter of Pieter 
 Jacob Borsboom, one of the original fifteen proprietors of 
 Schenectady. His daughter, Catalyntje, born May 5th, 1700, 
 married Isaac Truax ; and his son, Peter, born April 22d, 
 1705, removed to Albany. 
 
 Jeremiah Tickston married, in 1697, Rachel, sister of Card 
 Hanse Toll. He lived near and above Hoffman's Ferry, on 
 a farm purchased of his brother-in-law. Toll. The Swarts 
 afterwards possessed the farm. His daughter, ElizabitJi, born 
 October 19th, 1698, married Wouter Swart, and his daugh- 
 ter, Debora, born October 30th, 1701, married Isaac De Graff. 
 Carel Hanse Toll, a Swede, came from the Island of Cnra- 
 coa, almost direct to Schenectady certainly as early as 1685 ; 
 for we learn from the Albany records that in that year Carel 
 Hansen Toll, of Schenectady, was married to Lysbet Einck- 
 houi, of Albany, and that his daughter, JVeeltje, was, born 
 June 20th, 1686. He first settled on land near or at Hoff- 
 man's Ferry on the north side of the Mohawk river, which 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 123 
 
 ho li!i(l bought of Heiidrick Cii3lei- and Gcraldus Cainl)ei-- 
 tbrt ; and alsio occupied land, opposite on the south side, 
 puR'hasod of eTohauucs Lu3dvass, which hist farm he conveyed 
 to his ])rother-in-hiw, Tickston. 
 
 Ill 1712, he purchased a tract of hind at Maahvyck from 
 Joseph Clement, to which he immediately removed, and some 
 portion of which is still possessed by his descendants. About 
 this same time he also owned the lot in Schenectady, on the 
 southeast corner of Union and Chui'ch streets, extending east- 
 wardly along Union street, and including the present court- 
 house lot. This court-house lot, 100 feet front by 210 deep, 
 he sold, September 5th, 1712, for the sum of £50, to Isaac 
 Van Valkenburgh, the son-in-law of the old proprietor, 
 Jacques Van Slyck. Card Hansen Toll died in the month 
 of March, 1738. 
 
 Captain Daniel Toll^ olded son of Carel Hansen, born July 
 11th, 1(391, married, September 8th, 1717, Grielje, daughter 
 of Samuel Bratt. She was born March 24th, 1686 ; died 
 March 22d, 1743. Captain Toll made his will in 1747, and 
 was killed July 18th, 1748, together with his hired man. 
 Dirk Van Vorst, who were hunting for his strayed horses ; 
 they were found barbarously murdered by the French and 
 Indians, at a place called the ^'- Klaykuil,'^ about one-third 
 of a mile north of the point of the Beukendal massacre. They 
 wore the first victims of that heart-rending slaughter. 
 
 John, the oldest son of Captain Daniel, born August 13tli, 
 1719, married Eva Van Patten, December 23d, 1742, and 
 died December 31st, 1746, about two years before his father 
 was killed, leaving surviving a son. 
 
 Carel Hansen, born Febi'uaiy 10th, 1746, avIio married, 
 January 10th, 1768, Elizabeth, daughter of Philip liyley. 
 He died August 26th, 1832. She died October 25th, i839. 
 This writer has often seen and admired that venerable cou[)le. 
 
 Hesther, his oldest child, born July 14th, 1768, married, 
 first, John Teller, May 15tli, 1787 ; secondhj, Frederick 
 Van Patten. 
 
 Eva, another dauglder, born October 5th, 1771, married 
 John C. Vedder. 
 
124 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Rebecca, also a daughter, born April 1st, 1778, married 
 David Prime, Esq. She died December 2oth, 1867, aged 
 nearly 89 years. 
 
 Rev. JoJin Toll, the oldest surviviny son, horn September 
 13th, 1780, married, January 31st, 1802, Nancy, daughter 
 of Barent Mynderse, Esq. He graduated at Union College 
 in 1799, and entered the ministry of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church, and died on his farm, the old Carel Hansen home- 
 stead, October 21st, 1849, leaving surviving him a S(mi Philip 
 Riley Toll, born February 8th, 1811, and a daughter Sarah 
 Jane, born September 8th, 1815. 
 
 Barah, another daughter of Carel Hansen, born September 
 21st, 1783, married Arent Merselius. 
 
 Hannah, also a daughter, born March 17th, 1788, married 
 Simon P. Van Patten. 
 
 Philip, the youngest son of Carel Hansen, born May 16tli, 
 1793, married JSTcmcy, daughter of Isaac De Gralf, and 
 sister of the late John J. De Grati". He died August 17th, 
 1862. 
 
 Binion, the second son of Carel Hansen, Sr., born May 
 8th, 1698, married Hester, daughter of Isaac De Gratf, June 
 13th, 1731. He died in 1777, and his wife in 1793. 
 
 Elizabeth, his oldest child, born October 31st, 1731, mar- 
 ried John Fairly. 
 
 Corel Hansen, the oldest son of Simon, born September 
 2d, 1733, married Maria Kettle, October 2d, 1759. He 
 left one son and three daughters ; none of whom seem to 
 have remained in Schenectady county. 
 
 Alida, a daughter of Simon, born Septendier 23d, 1735, 
 married Johannes Mebie. 
 
 Annal'e, cdso a daughter, born December 21st, 1737, mar- 
 ried William Kettle. 
 
 John, a son of Simon, born July 24th, 1743, married, 
 December 22d, 1764, Cotarina. daughter of Arent Veeder. 
 This was the father of our eccentric but respected citizen, 
 Daniel J. Toll, a physician, born March 3d, 1776, who mar- 
 ried, June 20tli, 1801, Catalina Wemple. He died April, 
 1849, leaving no issue. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 125 
 
 Jesse, also a son of Simon, l)oni ]M;iy ISth, 1746, niai-ried 
 Maria Viele. He removed to, lived mid died in Saratoga 
 county. 
 
 Eva, another daughter, born January 15th, 1749, married 
 Lodovicus Viele. 
 
 Daniel, the youngest son of Simon, born Oet()])er 27th, 
 1751, married, July 2d, 1775, Susanna, daughter of Isaac 
 Jacobse Swits. This was the grandfather of our deceased 
 citizen. Col. Abram W. Toll, and of his active brothers, 
 Charles H. and Daniel Toll, Esqs. 
 
 Bregje, a daughter of Carel Hansen, Sr., l)orn April 18th, 
 1703, married, November 26th, 1741, Adrian Van Slyck, 
 who Avas killed at the Beukendal massacre, 18th July, 1748. 
 This was a gi'andson of the old proprietor, Jacques Van 
 Slyck. 
 
 Lysbeth, also a daughter, born January 29th, 1706, married 
 Pieter Cornee, December 1st, 1734. Cornee was a French- 
 man, and a carpenter by occupation. He built the preechstoel 
 (pulpit) of the Dutch Church of 1734 for £20. He owned, 
 in 1738, a house and lot on the south side of State street, 
 where the New York Central and Hudson River railroad 
 now crosses. 
 
 Manusah Sixherry, a young Englishman, from London, 
 came to Schenectady in 1698, and, March 16th, 1699. mar- 
 ried Pee^ey'e, daughter of John Janse Jonkers, one of the early 
 settlers of Schenectad3\ He owned a farm on the first Flat, 
 about four miles above Schenectady, on the south side of the 
 Mohawk. He died in 1710, leaving a son William and a 
 daughter Mary. 
 
 Cornelius Slingerland, son of Tennis Cornelise, of Albaii}', 
 came to Schenectady in the latter part of 1689, and. May 
 28th, 1669, married Eva, sister of Jan Pieterse Mebie. 
 
 Engeltie, his oldest child, born January 9th, 1700, married 
 Hendrickse Janese Vrooman. 
 
 Anna, another daughter, born October 4th, 1703, married 
 Johannes Slingerland. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, born August 25th, 1705, married 
 Jan Eckerson. 
 
126 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Catharma, another daughter, born April 28th, 1710, married, 
 first, Hendrick Vuu Slyck ; secondlij, Barthelome Vrooman. 
 
 Teunis, his only son,hon\ May 18th 1723, settled in Albany. 
 
 Gillis Van Voast, son of Jacobus Gerriise, of Albany, born in 
 1670, came to Schenectady in 1699. He married Elizabeth, 
 daughter of John Baptist Van Eps, and widow of Tennis 
 Viele, on the 16th day of July of that year. In 1762 he 
 bought of Johannes Ouderkirk and Neeltje Classe, his wife, 
 the lot on Union street, 100 feet front and rear by 200 feet 
 deep, Amsterdam measnre, lying next east of the Dutch 
 Church lot, the westerly half purchased of the estate of Isaac 
 Eiggs, deceased, now embraced in the church-yard, and the 
 other half now owned and occupied by Aaron Barringer, Esq. 
 
 Johannes, oldest son of Gillis, born November 9th, 1701, 
 married, September 13th, 1726, Hanna, daughter of Ahas- 
 ueras Marselis. He inherited the easterly half of his father's 
 lot next the Dutch Church, in Union street. 
 
 John, son of Johannes, born December 21st, 1737, married, 
 March 27th, 1767, Mary Adams. He inherited from his 
 father lot number 25, Union Street. He and family removed 
 to Schoharie. 
 
 Sarah, a daughter of Johannes, Sr., born December 5th, 
 1730, married Jacobus (James) Lighthall. 
 
 Jacomyntje, another daughter, born October 30th, 1743, 
 married, October 14th, 1765, Tennis Barheit. 
 
 Jacobus, another son of Gillis, born December 12th, 1703, 
 married, ^V^t;, February 14th, 1728, ^?jrta, daughter of Caleb 
 Beck ; secondly, May 26th, 1749, Sarah, daughter of Jellis 
 Fonda. 
 
 Amia, a daughter of Jacobus, born October 22d, 1732, 
 married, July, 1753, Claas Van der Bogert. 
 
 Jellis, a son of Jacobus, born February 9th, 1735, married 
 Anna, daughter of William Barheit, June 19th, 1756. He 
 died September 4th, 1823. 
 
 Calalyntje, his daughter, born February 6th, 1757, married 
 Jan Baptist Clnte. 
 
 Jacobus, his son, born February 14th, 1762, married, June 
 2d, 1788, Willempie, daughter of Pieter Truax. He died, 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 127 
 
 at u veiy adviuiced age, as late as 1840. His wife died in 
 Glenville in September, 1855, in her 98tli year. 
 
 Maria, another daugldev of JelJis, bom October 19th, 1766, 
 married CorneHus Reagles. 
 
 Rebecca, also a daugJder, born March 10th, 1771, married 
 Martinus Frank. 
 
 Ruih, another daughter, born Jnly 25th, 1778, married 
 Martinus Easterly. 
 
 JoJiannes, son of Jacobus, born January 19th, 1741, mar- 
 ried Sarah, daughter of Joachim Kittle, September 11th, 
 1762. lie died on his homestead in Glenville, Ma}^ 28d, 
 1844, in his 103d year. His wife died February 1st, 1834, 
 aged nearly 90 years. They had children. 
 
 Jacobus, born May 23d, 1763, died August 9th, 1851, 
 without issue. 
 
 Joachim (Major Gershom) born Jul}^ 28th, 1765. He 
 married January 12th, 1789, JVeelfje, daughter of Al))ert 
 Vedder, and lived on the Tvoy and Schenectady turnpike, 
 near the easterly bounds of the city. He was much esteemed, 
 and durmg one term sheritf of this county. He died July 
 18th, 1849, in his 85th }ear, and Avas the father of our well- 
 known citizens, John J. Van Vorst, born November 14th, 
 1794, still living ; and Albert Van Vorst, born December 
 16th, 1799, who died August 26th, 1869. 
 
 Annatje, a daughter of Johannes, born February 13th, 
 1768, married Joseph Shurtletf, the son of the lirst Post- 
 master of Schenectady. She died October 5th, 1855, aged 
 nearly 87 years. 
 
 CaJeb, another -son of Johannes, born October 24th, 1770, 
 married IliUegonda, daughter of Adam Vrooman. She died 
 March 25th, 1858, and w^as then a widow. 
 
 Adam, also a son, born Se[)tember 11th, 1773, married 
 May 20th, 1799, Annatje Vedder. He died on his farm in 
 Glenville, February 6th, 1844, aged about 71 years. She 
 died March 21st, 1872, aged 92 years 11 months. He was 
 the father of John and Edwin B. Van Vorst. 
 
 JiUis, another son of John, born January 12th, 1777, mar- 
 ried Juue 15th, 1798, Helena Granger. 
 
128 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 John, the youngest son of John, Ijorii November 12th, 1780, 
 died Mareli 15th, 1844. 
 
 JoJin Baptist, third son of Jacobus, born February 23, 1746, 
 married Margarita, daughter of John Marinus. He ovvued 
 and occupied the farm for many years, at what was then 
 called the Lower Ferry, adjoining Fi-eman's Bridge. He 
 left surviving him several sons and daughters. Bata, one of 
 his daughters, married Simon Glen, of Schenectady. 
 
 Abraham, son of Jacobus, born April 3d, 1743, married 
 Maria, daughter of Jacob Heemstreet. He lived in Glenvilie, 
 near the Ael Platts creek ; dying at the advanced age of 90 
 years. This was the father of Abraham Fonda Van Vorst, the 
 father of Abram A. Van Vorst, our much-esteemed citizen and 
 formerly Ma}or of the city of Schenectady. Al^raham F. 
 died in Glenvilie, December 19th, 1853, aged about 69 years. 
 
 Dirh\ another son of Jellis, born August 25th, 1705, first, 
 married, August 5th, 1733, Einmitje, daughter of Philip 
 Bossie ; secondly, June 30th, 1758, Maria, daughter of 
 Thomas Hall. His son Jellis, born April loth, 1734, mar- 
 ried Oatrina Van Der Heyden ; and his daughter Elizahetli, 
 born April 10th, 1737, married John M. Youtis. 
 
 Dowe, also a son of Jellis, born February 15th, 1710, mar- 
 ried, August 29th, 1735, Margaret, daughter of Philip 
 Bessie. His daughter, Elizabeth, born July 10th, 1739, 
 married Norman McCloud. 
 
 John Baptist, another son of Jillis, born October 21st, 
 1711, married June 28th, 1739, Catharina, daugther of 
 Ahasueras Marselis. He oVvned the westerly one-half of 
 his father's lot on Union street, now included in the Dutch 
 Church yard. 
 
 Elizabeth, Ids daughter born June, 7th, 1741, married 
 John Henry. 
 
 Sarah, another daughter, born July 10th, 1743, married 
 Tenuis Swart. 
 
 Anna, also a daughter, born May 12th, 1745, married Jacob 
 C. Peek. 
 
 Maria, another daughter, born jNIa}' 6th, 1750, married 
 Cornelius Pootman. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 129 
 
 Susanna, also a daugJUer, bom July 23d, 1758, man-ied 
 John Corl. 
 
 Jillii, his onlij son, l)oni October 14th, 1747, iiiurried 
 November 23d, 1764, Caturiiui Van Der Hey den. 
 
 Johannes Mynderse, son of Myndert Fredericke, of Albany, 
 born in 1G66, came to Schenectady in 1700. He married 
 Gertruy, daughter of Jacques Cornelisse Van Slyck. He was 
 a blacksmith by occupation, armorer to the Fort, an Indian 
 trader, and reputed to be a man of great decision and firm- 
 ness of character. In the conflicts with Albany about the 
 commercial rights of Schenectady, in 1723, he was arrested 
 by the Sheriff of Albany county, and brought l>efore the 
 Common Council of that place, for having, contrary to the 
 ordinances of that generous community, received into and 
 harbored in his house Indians with beaver and other peltry. 
 Whereupon he was fined XIO, and although abundantly able 
 to pay, in default of payment, the sheriff was ordered to 
 keep Mynderse safely in the common jail, from whence he 
 shortly escaped. In this dilemma, the council determined to 
 punish the sheriff for his negligence, and with the nicest 
 sense of the famous Dutch justice of the Mohawk, resolved 
 " that the .sherifl' should pay Mynderse's fine and costs." Not 
 content with this state of afiairs, the fearless M\aiderse 
 appealed the whole case to the Supreme Court of the Province 
 sitting in New York, and gained his cause. The Common 
 Council was mulcted in damages, X42 9.s. 3d Itwas a noble 
 battle in the interests of Schenectady ; and this decision, 
 for the first, effectually established its rights to the same privi- 
 leges of trade as the citizens of Albany. 
 
 He owned real estate on the west corner of Mill lane and 
 State street, and the lot now No. 93 State street, and east of 
 it. He died in 1757, aged about 90 years, and left surviving 
 three sons and one daughter. 
 
 Myndert, his oldest son, born January 29th, 1706, married 
 January 15th, 1736, Maria, daughter of Jan Barentse Wemp. 
 He inherited from his father the premises now 93 State street, 
 and land east of it. He died in 1763. 
 
 Barent, son of Myndert, born February 6th, 1747, married, 
 9 
 
130 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Docember 2d, 1770, Jannefje VanVranl-en. lie died August 
 30th, 1815. 
 
 Col. Johannes, son of M)/ndert, l)oni October ISth, 1741, 
 married Annatje, daughter of Simon Vedder. He died Octo- 
 ber 29th 1815, aged 74 years, 4 days. She died March 9th, 
 1825. He left surviving him Simon, a son, born June 10th, 
 1787 ; died unmarried. 
 
 Barent, another son {[Aiyskhm), born July 17th, 1790, mar- 
 ried, Jirst, Catharine Douw Ten Eyck, of Albany ; secondly, 
 Sarah, daughter of Jacob Ki[), leaving surviving him one sou, 
 named Aaron. Doctor Mynderse died March 8tli, 1860. 
 
 Aaron, also a son, born September 3d, 1793, married Anna 
 M., daughter of Rev. Herman Vedder, of Gallatin, Cokmibia 
 county. He died September 24th, 1834, leaving one son and 
 three daughters. 
 
 Gertrude, a daughter of Myndert, born July 11th, 1730, 
 married Peter Van Der Volgen. 
 
 Margaret, another daughter, l)orn May 24th, 1744, married 
 Tennis A. Swart. 
 
 Margaret, daughter of John, the first settler, born September 
 28th, 1740, married Pieter Groeneiidyk. 
 
 Reinier {merchant), son of John, born October 6th, 1710, 
 married, March 25th, 1743, Catharina, daughter of Lourens 
 Claas Van Der Volgen. His father gave him a house and 
 lot on State street, next east of his Ijrother Myndert's lot ; 
 also a lot on the west corner of State street and Mill lane, on 
 which stood his dwelling-house in 1781. He made his will 
 April 7th, 1784, and died soon afterwards. 
 
 JoJin, son of Reynier, born Decem))er 25th, 1743. married 
 Catarina, daughter of Joseph E. Yates, March 18th, 1758. 
 He died September 6th, 1819, aged nearly 76 years, leaving 
 surviving one son, Joseph, born September 23d, 1770, who 
 died September 17th, 1830, aged 60 years, and unmarried ; 
 also, one daughter, Catharine, born September 6th, 1772, 
 married to Hon. Henry Yates. She was the mother of our 
 late deceased citizen, Stephen Yates, Esq. 
 
 Susanna, a daughter of Eynier, married, April 18th, 1746, 
 Volekert Veeder. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 131 
 
 Gertrude, also a daugJder, married, November 27th, 1748. 
 William Mead, M. D. 
 
 Lawrence, another son of Reiiiier, bom October 12th, 1751, 
 married, December 8th, 1785, Christina, daughter of Nicholas 
 De Graft; He died August 10th, 1789, leaving two daugh- 
 ters surviving him, named Margaretta and Catalyntje. 
 
 Jacobus (James), the third son of Johannes, born April 22d, 
 1709, mai-ried, April 22d, 1743, Sarah, daughter of Robert 
 Yates. He was a citizen much esteemed, and member of the 
 Provincial Assembly in the years 1752, 1768 and 1769. He 
 owned the lot next west of his brother Riniers, corner of State 
 street and Mill lane, being the property lately owned by G. 
 Q. Carley, deceased, and now partly occupied by Church 
 street continued. He also owned the lot opposite the court- 
 house, on Union street, probabl}^ inherited by his wife from 
 her father, Robert Yates. He left surviving him two chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Gertrude, his daughter, born September 8th, 1745, married 
 Myndert Wemple. 
 
 Margaret, another daughter, born May 24th, 1759, mar- 
 ried John C. Yates. 
 
 Jillis Fonda, son o/Douw Jellisse, of Albany, born in 1670, 
 married, December 11th, 1695, Rachel, daughter of Peter 
 Winne, of Albany. He came to Schenectady in 1700, and 
 was a gunsmith. He died in 1737, and left surviving him 
 a numerous and historic family of children, who have contri- 
 buted much to the healthy and respectable population of 
 Schenectady, Montgomery and Fulton counties. 
 
 Douw, the oldest son of Jellis, born September 1st, 1700, 
 married, Octol)er 21st, 1725, Maritje, daughter of the heroic 
 Adam Vrooman. He removed from Schenectady in 1751, 
 and settled at Caughnawaga. In October, 1780, he was an 
 aged Avidower, residing there, with a few domestics, in a large, 
 stone dwelling, with wings, which stood on the Flats between 
 the present turnpike and the Mohawk river. His three sons, 
 John, Jellis and Adam, were living in the neighborhood. I 
 am justified in stating how this brave old Schenectadian died ; 
 and in doing so, make an extract from ^^ Sims'' History of the 
 
132 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Border Wars, etc., of New York.''' After writing of the mur- 
 derous descent of Sir John Johnson, Avith his tories and 
 Indians, upon the Mohawk Valley, and Caughnawaga par- 
 ticuhirly, he adds : " When the alarm first reached the family 
 of Douw Fonda, Penelope Grant, a Scotch girl living with 
 him, to whom the old gentleman was much attached, urged 
 him to accompany her to the hill, whither the Eomeyn family 
 were fleeing ; but the old patriot had become childish (more 
 likely feeling the blood of Holland tingling in his veins), 
 and seizing his gun, he exclaimed : '■Penelope, do you stay here 
 luith me — I vnll figld for you to the last drop of my blood.'' 
 Finding persuasion of no avail, she left him to his fate, which 
 was, indeed, a lamentable one ; for soon the enemy arrived, 
 and he was led out by a Mohawk Indian, known as one- 
 armed Peter (he having lost an arm), toward the bank of 
 the river, where he was tomahawked and scalped. His mur- 
 derer had often partaken of his hospitality, having lived for 
 many years in his neighborhood. Mr. Fonda had long been 
 a warm personal friend of Sir William Johnson, and it is 
 said Sir John much regretted his death, and censured the 
 murderer. With the plunder nuide at Douw Fonda's were 
 four male slaves and one female, who were all taken to Can- 
 ada." This statement was derived from Mrs. Penelope 
 Forbes, formerly Grant. 
 
 Major Jellis, son of Douw, born March 24th, 1727, at 
 Schenectady, married, January 16th, 1750, Jannetje, daughter 
 of Hendrick Vrooman. He early removed to Caughnawaga. 
 He was the first merchant in the Mohawk Valley west of 
 Schenectady, and a man of great enterprise and extensive busi- 
 ness for the times, trading with the white citizens of the valley, 
 and the natives of Western New York. Many of his goods 
 he imported directly from London. He always accompanied 
 Sir Wm. Johnson on his military expeditions as commissary, 
 and they were u})on terms of great friendship, and in many 
 respects possessed similar sporting tastes. Many years ago 
 it was customary to talk of Yankee shrewdness and dull 
 Dutch honesty ; l)ut as that doctrine is nearly exploded, and 
 I possessed of a large tincture of the real Holland, and a 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 133 
 
 little spice of sporting properties, cannot resist the temp- 
 tation of extracting from Sims' History, at page 137, a 
 traditional anecdote of those two enterprising men, as 
 follows — the one unfurling the Dutch and the other the 
 Irish banner : 
 
 " In the employ of Sir William Johnson, a few years 
 before his death, was an Irishman named McCarthy, by 
 reputation the most noted i)ugilist in Western New York. 
 The baronet offered to pit his fellow-countryman against any 
 man who could be produced for a list-tight. Major Fonda, 
 tired of hearing the challenge, and learning that a very 
 muscular Dutchman, named John Van Loon, was living near 
 Brakabeen, in the Schoharie Valley, made a journey of some 
 40 or 50 miles to secure his professional services, for he, too, 
 was reputed a bully. 
 
 " Van Loon readily agreed to flog the son of Erin for a 
 ten-pound note. At the time appointed, numbers were 
 assembled at Caughnawaga to witness the contest between 
 the pugilists. After McCarthy had been swaggering about 
 in the crowd for awhile, and greatly excited public expec- 
 tation by his boasting, inducing numbers to ])et on his head, 
 his competitor appeared ready for the contest, clad for the 
 occasion in a shirt and breeches of dressed deer-skin fitting 
 tightly to his person. 
 
 "A ring was formed and the battle commenced. The 
 bully did his best ; but it was soon evident that he was not 
 a match for his Dutch adversary, who slipped through his 
 fingers like an eel, and parried his blows with the greatest 
 ease. Completely exhausted and almost bruised to a jelly 
 Sir William's gamester was removed ; looking, if not con- 
 fessing, Peccaviy 
 
 Major Fonda died June 23d, 1791, leaving a son, Domv, 
 who died at Albany, September 11th, 1838, without issue, 
 aged 80 years ; also a son Henry, who died at Caughnawaga, 
 April 4th, 1815, aged 49 years, leaving a son and daughter. 
 
 Margaret, daughter of Douw and sister of Mary Jellis, 
 born in 1764, married John R. Yates, Esq., brother of 
 Robert Yates, long a distinguished Chief Justice of the 
 
134 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Supreme Court of the State of New York, aud himself mauy 
 years Surrogate of the county of Schenectady. 
 
 Margaret Fonda was the mother of the hite Giles F. Yates, 
 and the grandmother of Mrs. Judge Austin A. Yates. 
 
 Margaretta, a daugJder of Douio, born November 10th, 
 1734, married Barent M Wemple. 
 
 Peter, another son of Jellis, the first settler, born jNIarch 6th, 
 1711, married, June 27th, 1735, Maria, daughter of Daniel 
 Van Antwerpen, and left only one child, born October 19th, 
 1736, named Eachel. 
 
 Abraham, also a son of JelUs, Sr., born July 17th, 171.5, 
 mari-ied, first, July 30th, 1746, 31aria, daughter of Abram 
 Mebie ; secondly, February 22d, 1755, Susanna, daughter of 
 Alexander Glen ; and thirdly, November 22d, 1774, Eachel 
 Vrooman, widow of Abiaham Wemp. Abraham Fonda 
 lived in the house No. 27 Front street, built by himself, in 
 1752, and now occupied by his great grandson, Nicholas 
 Yates, Esq. He died February 13th, 1805, aged nearly 90 
 years. 
 
 Rachel, his oldest child, born September 14th, 1748, mar- 
 ried Jesse De Grafl'. 
 
 Rebecca, another daughter, born June 7th, 1757, married, 
 first, Nicholas Yates ; secondly, Cornelius Van Vranken. She 
 died March 7th, 1846, aged 89 years. 
 
 Jellis A. Fonda, a son of Abraham, born October 27th, 
 1759, married Elizabeth, daughter of Christophel Yates. He 
 held the commission of Lieutenant in Van Schaick's Regi- 
 ment, which he resigned for a Captaincy in Colonel Willet's 
 Independent Corps, under whom he served to the close of the 
 Avar. He was for many years Clerk of Schenectady county, 
 and died August 27th, 1834. 
 
 Alexander Glen Fonda, his son, born August 17th, 1785, 
 w^as a graduate of Union College, and for many years a phy- 
 sician at Schenectady. He died March 4th, 1869, aged 
 nearly 84 years. 
 
 Christopher, another son, a physician, died at Clairborne, 
 Alabama, August 26th, 1845. 
 
 Jajie Helen, a daughter of Jellis, born March 1st, 1795, 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 135 
 
 mtirried Rev. Niithan N. Whiting, and died at Williains 
 burgh, N. Y., April 30, 1852. 
 
 Jacob Glen Fonda, another son of Abraham, born August 
 29th, 1761, married April 4th, llU^Aletla Willet,m KXhawj. 
 He was admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court as 
 attorney, but abandoned that prolession soon after 1800, and 
 removed to his farm in Glenville. He was for many years 
 employed as Deputy Clerk of Schenectady county, and 
 died on his farm in West Glenville, December 8th, 1859, aged 
 98 years. His son, Elbert Wi/let, born March 4th, 1794, 
 and his daughter Susanna, born September 18th, 1796, are 
 still living. 
 
 Jacob, another son of JelUs, Sr., born February 11th, 1722, 
 married, frst, April 29th, 1748. Maria, daughter of Nicholas 
 Van Patten ; second!?/, November 4th, 1758, Margaret Fort, 
 Avidow of Peter Bosie. He died in 1813, aged about 91 
 years. 
 
 Machel, his oldest child, born October 10th, 1748, married 
 Philip Viele. 
 
 Rebecca, another daughter, born December 26th, 1753, mar- 
 ried Gerrit Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Major Jellis J., the only son of Jacob, born January 13th, 
 1751, married, first, November 5th, 1774, Maria Mynderse; 
 secondly, Catrina, daughter of Hendricus Veeder, in 1783. 
 This was the heroic Jellis J. of the Revolution, one of the 
 earliest, most stirring and unhesitating patriots of Schenectady, 
 On the first report of a shot from Lexington, this young 
 brave, who had already tasted military life, just married, 
 and surrounded I)}' the comforts of considerable wealth, 
 immediately raised and commanded the company of Sche- 
 nectady minute men, numbering more than 100. It is 
 impossible, in a short notice like this, to follow him in his 
 varied exploits. He was always ready for duty, and prompt 
 at the post of danger. I will illustrate, by one relation, the 
 estimation in Avhich his bravery was held. In 1777, when 
 Sir John Johnson, with his Scotch retainers, had fortified 
 themselves in " Johnson Hall,^^ Generals Schuyler, Ten 
 Broeck, and llerkimar, w^th a large body of militia, went 
 
136 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 there to reduce them. When, out of the whole number, 
 General Schu3der selected Cupt. Fonda, from his known fear- 
 lessness of character, to command a forlorn hope of 200 men 
 for the assault, of which his company of minute men formed 
 one-half, the writer's father among them. The assailing 
 forces were without cannon. But when this brave officer in 
 the lead, under the eye and direction of the noble Schuyler, 
 shouted on his column to the assault, with undaunted dash 
 (for Fonda Avas always in deadly earnest), Sir John imme- 
 diately lowered his flag, and surrendered without firing a gun. 
 Fonda was ever afterwards called, wherever known, as one 
 of the most fearless among men. I have seen the old patriot 
 often, and sometimes listened to tales of the Revolution, lived 
 over again, between the sterling old veteran and my father. 
 
 Only a short time since, I visited his quiet grave, situated 
 in his family cemetery in Glenville, less than a mile distant 
 from my residence, and felt at that shrine a silent reverence — 
 a halo of brave thoughts circling o'er me. 
 
 Major Jellis J. died in 1839, aged about 88 years. His 
 wife Catrina died October 19th, 1828, aged nearly 74 years. 
 
 His son Jacob, born March 22d, 1786, died in 1817, leaving 
 a son, whom I can trace no further. 
 
 Henry V. Fonda, another son, born August 20th, 1788, a 
 graduate of Union College, and a successful legal practitioner 
 at Schenectady, died March 1st, 1824, unmarried. 
 
 Gerrit, also a son, born November 5th, 1790, was married, 
 and had several children ; after his father's decease, he re- 
 moved west. 
 
 Christoj)her, his youngest son, born August 28th, 1795, was 
 a graduate of Union College, and was admitted to practice 
 law. He died unmarried in the year 1832, while temporarily 
 engaged in S(jme business south, in or near Baltimore. 
 
 Hellena, a daughter of Jellis, Sr., born April 22d, 1705, 
 married Pieter Brower. 
 
 Eva, another daughter, born October IGth, 1707, married 
 Joseph Yates. 
 
 Sarah, also a daughter, born May 3d, 1713, married 
 Jacobus Van Vorst. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 137 
 
 I have been thus particular in outliiiiuir the several branches 
 of the Fonda taniil}^ because its blood extends widely 
 throug-h the Mohawk Valley, and its heroism and patriotism 
 Avere distinguished in the French wars of our Province until 
 the capture of Quebec, and particularly in the mighty strug- 
 gles of the lievolution, when no Fonda ever faltered ; and to 
 note, too, that they were a family of extraordinary lono-evitv. 
 
 Johannes Quackenbos, son of Pieter, of Albany, born in 
 16G2, married, October 20th, 1700, Anna, daughter of 
 Johannes Clnte, of Niskayuna. 
 
 Pieter, son of JoJiannes Pieterse, married, November 1st, 
 1701, Neelije, daughter of David Marinus, In 1773, he pur- 
 chased lands of Edward Collins, on the Mohawk river, and 
 removed into what is now Montgomery county. He died 
 July 20th. 1748, and is the ancestor of the numerous Quack- 
 enboses west of SchePiCctady. 
 
 David, son of Peter, born June 21st, 1702, married. May 
 11th, 1723, Annatje, daughter of Captain John Scott, of the 
 British army. The patentee of lands, running from Anries 
 creek to the Yates and Fonda line, near the present village 
 of Fultonville, containing many thousand acres. Accordin<>- to 
 tradition, David Quackenboss was a man of fine personal 
 appearance, and, for the times, of marked intelligence. 
 
 As showing the honest simplicity of those days, though I 
 am not certain it Avas leap-year, I will give some account of 
 the courtship, as given by Sims in his History, at page 13G, 
 as follows : 
 
 " A young officer, under the command of Captain Scott, 
 requested young Quackenboss, then in the employ of the 
 Captain, to s[)eak a good word for him to Miss Ann, Avhich 
 he readily promised to do. While extolling the good quali- 
 ties of her admirer, he took occasion to suggest his own par- 
 tiality for herself. 
 
 " The maiden, who had conceived an attachment for 
 Quackenboss, instead of the young subaltern, shrewdly asked 
 him why he chd not make advances on his own account. He 
 had not presumed on so advantageous a connection, but tin; 
 hint was sufficient to secure his fortune and happiness." 
 
138 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Johanne.s, also a son of John Pieterse, boni January 4th, 
 1702, married, June 26th, 1731, Helena, daughter of Fred- 
 erick Chite ; secondly, February 12th, 1755, Helen, daughter 
 of Jacob Van Olinda. He died in 1760. 
 
 Frederick, son of Johannes, Jr., born December 21st, 1737, 
 married, December 1st, 1768, Maria Silterlij. 
 
 Francina, a. daughter of Johannes, Jr., born December 25th, 
 1733, married Isaac Van Vranken. 
 
 Baia, anotlier daughter, born October 19th, 1735, married 
 Chias De Gratf. 
 
 Annatje, also a daughter, born July 24th, 1748, married 
 Jeremiah De Graff. 
 
 Abraham, also a son of John Peterse, born November 3d, 
 1710, married, January 11th, 1740, i^rtto, daughter of Pieter 
 Ouderkirk. He died in 1761. His son, Johannes, born Feb- 
 ruary 11th, 1750, died July 28th, 1839, aged 89 years ; and 
 his dixughtev 3Iatilda, born August 29th, 1761, married John 
 Wood. 
 
 Isaac, another son of John Peterse, born January 25th, 1713, 
 married, October 27th, 1737, Rebecca, daughter of Dirk 
 Groot. 
 
 Annatje, his oldest child, born July 6th, 1738, married 
 Albert H. Vedder. 
 
 Bata, another daughter, born August 2d, 1747, married 
 Frederick Bratt. 
 
 John, tlie only son of Isaac, born August 9th, 1750, mar- 
 ried Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius Groot, of Niskayuna. 
 He lived at the junction of Lafayette and Liberty streets, 
 where he owned a large section of land. He died July 28th, 
 1839, aged 88 years, 11 months, 9 days. His wife died 
 May 11th, 1835, in her 79th year. Maria, his only surviving 
 child, born March 18th, 1799, married Abraham Oothout 
 Clute, Esq., still a living link of Schenectady's precedent 
 days. 
 
 Gei-ardus, another son of John Peterse, born March 11th, 
 1721, married Elizabeth Van Vorst, April 25th, 1747. 
 
 Johii G., son of the above, born September 9th, 1759, mar- 
 ried Annatje Shannon. 
 
EARLY SETTLEK8. 139 
 
 Sarah, a daugJder of Gerrit, born Fcbi-iuuy 7th, 1762, 
 iiKinied liichard Van Vrankeii, Jr. 
 
 Matilda, anoUter daughter, born September oOth, 17G4, 
 married Peter Huyck. 
 
 Rebecca, also a daugJder, born August Gth, 17G9, married 
 Andrew Huyck. 
 
 Angelica, another daugJder, born December 27th, 1771, 
 married Joseph Carley, Februar}' 1st, 1789. These hist were 
 the parents of the kite Gerardus Q. Carley, one of our dis- 
 tinguished mercliants. 
 
 Thomas Davids came to Schenectady in 1700. On the 
 14th of December, 1701, he married Catarina, daughter of 
 Johannes Klein, and on the 14th day of May, 1731, his son, 
 Ludovicus, married JNIaria, daughter of Peter Clement. 
 
 PJii/ip Bos ie came to Schenectadj^ in 1702, and September 
 2d, 1704, married Margaret Bratt. 
 
 Peter, iJie son of PJiilip, born June 30th, 1722, married, 
 June 10th, 1749, Margaretta, daughter of Nicholas Fort, of 
 Niskayuna. 
 
 Maria,adavgJiter, born March 24th, 1751, married Fraus 
 Veeder. 
 
 Gertruy, anotJier daugJder, Ijorn December 26th, 1753, mar- 
 ried Jesse Peek. 
 
 Caleb Beck settled at Schenectad}- in 1703. Some of his 
 descendants became distinguished for talents and high literary 
 attainments, among the noblest sons of our State. He married 
 Ann Harley, at New York, November 2d, 1703. His house 
 and lot was on tiie southeast corner of Church and Union 
 streets, where he kept a hotel, and, after his death in 1733, 
 his Avife, at the same point, continued the business, together 
 with trade in groceries and dry-goods until her decease. 
 
 Anna, Jus oldest daugJder, born October 7th, 1704, married 
 Jacobus Van Vorst. 
 
 ElizabetJi, anotJier daugJder, married John Fairly, who 
 owned the lot on the east side of Chui'ch street, next south 
 of his father-in-law's lot. 
 
 Engel, also a daugJder, born December 15th, 1715, married 
 Isaac Abram Truax. 
 
140 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Margaret, another daughter, nuirned, in 1751, John W. 
 Bj'owii, one of the first founders and a prominent member 
 of the Episcopal Church in Schenectady. 
 
 Caleb, the only .surviving son of Caleb, Sr., l)orn May 24th, 
 1714, married, November 1st, 1747, Mizabeth, daughtev oi 
 Abraham Truax. He was an attorney-at-hiw of considerable 
 prominence, and died December 9th, 1787, aged nearly 74 
 years. 
 
 A7ina, Jiis oldest child, born October Gth, 1748, married 
 Peter Van Guysling. 
 
 Angelica, another daughter, born April 5th, 17G1, married 
 Andrew Van Patten. 
 
 Caleb, the only surviving son of Caleb, Jr., born October 
 22d, 1758, studied law with his fathe]-, but never practiced ; 
 his fortune was comfortable and his tastes were literary. In 
 1788, he was Principal of the Schenectady Academy, and died 
 in October, 1798. His wife died August 2od, 1853. On the 
 26th August, 1790, he married CatJiarine Theresa, theaccom- 
 })lished daughter of the Rev. Dirk Eomeyn ; and in his short 
 married life of nine years, he left surviving him the following 
 named sons, who all became distinguished in the various 
 departments of science, law and military affairs, but are now 
 resting from their labors in death. This writer has seen 
 their remarkable mother often, and was })leasantly acquainted 
 with each of the sons. 
 
 Theodorick Romeyn, oldest son of the last Caleb, born 
 August 11th, 1791 ; died with a world-wide reputation as a 
 man of science. My limits only permit me to point to 
 " Beck's Medical Jurisprudence." * 
 
 Abraham, the second son, born October 21st, 1792, after 
 practicing law for some years in Schenectady, removed to St. 
 Louis, Missotu'i, and, rising high in his profession for so short 
 a residence, died there in 1821. 
 
 John Brodhead, the third son, born September 18th, 1794 ; 
 died at New York in 1851. He was a distinguished physi- 
 cian and professor in the New York Medical College. 
 
 * This was the joint-work of Theodoi-ic Romeyn and John B,, liis brother. 
 (See title page.) 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 141 
 
 Nicholas; Fairhj, the fourth son, born A^ovember 7th, 1796 ; 
 died Jnne 30th, 1830, in Albiuw. He was a lawyer of 
 excellent reputation, and was at the time of his death 
 Adjutant-General of the State of New York, and had been 
 since 1825. 
 
 Caleb Lewis (commonly Avritten Lewis C), M. D., born 
 October 4th, 1798 ; died in 1852. He was Professor of 
 Chemistry and Natural History in Rntger's College, New 
 Jersey, and is the author of several literary writings, and 
 particularly of a folio volume of the Mineralogy of Haw 
 York. 
 
 Jacobus Cromwell married, September 26th, 1703, Maria 
 Philipse, and the same year settled at Schenectady. He was 
 a tavern-keeper, and, in 1711, purchased a house and lot in 
 Front street of Wouter (Walter) Vrooman for X130. After 
 his death, in 1717, his widow married David Lewis, who 
 came to Schenectady in 1713, and Avas also an inn-keeper. 
 
 Aegje, CromwelVs oldest daughter, born January 29th, 
 1706, married John Antees (Entis). 
 
 Lyshelh, another daugliter, born October 16, 1707, married 
 Rol)ert Carter. 
 
 Stephen, a son of Cromwell, born March 6th, 1709, mar- 
 ried Cornelia, daughter of Arent Pootman. 
 
 Jan PJiilipse, another son of Cromwell, born January 21st, 
 
 1711, married Agnietje, daughter of Harman Philipse. 
 Isaac Van Valkenburgh, son of Joachim, of Albany, mar- 
 ried May 12th, 1705, Lydia, daughter of Jacques Van 
 Slyck. On the 6th of September, 1712, he received a con- 
 veyance from Carel Hansen Toll of a lot on the south side of 
 L^nion street, including the court-house lot, 100 feet front by 
 210 feet deep, for the sum of tifty <£50 — some evidence 
 of the comparative value of real estate and money in those 
 honest, early days. 
 
 He left surviving him several children ; but all, except his 
 son Isaac, seem to have removed to Albany county, and that 
 portion of it now Columbia county. 
 
 Isaac, the son of the above Isaac, born February 12th, 
 
 1712, married, May 28th,. 1737, Jannatje Clement, and had 
 
142 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 three diiughters. Lydia, born Octolier 21st, 1737; Amudie, 
 born August 8, 1739, and Eva, born October 4th, 1741. 
 
 Peter Clement wus a step-son of Bent (Ben jam hi) Roberts. 
 In 1707, he and his brother Josei)h received, under their step- 
 father's will, each one-half of 7(3 acres of land at Maalwyck, 
 including Bent's Ishmd. In 1710. Peter sold his half of the 
 farm to Cornelius Viele for £445. On the 26th of Novem- 
 ber, 1707, he married Anna Ruyting ; and secondly, July 
 28th, 1721, married Anna, daughter of Arent Vedder. 
 
 Maria, a daiigJder by ilie first marriage, born in 1710, mar- 
 ried Ludovicus Davids. 
 
 Sarah, a daughter by the second marriage, born July 26th, 
 1724, married Nicholas Van Patten. 
 
 Susanna, also a daughter of the second vnfe, born Septem- 
 ber 30th, 1726, married Nicholas Sixberry. 
 
 Johannes, a son of Peter, born September 24th, 1732, 
 married, July 24th, 1760, Jannetie Bradt. 
 
 Peter, a son of John, born February 22d, 1761, married 
 Alida, daughter of Gerrit Yeeder. They had sons, Gerrit, 
 John, and Arent; and daughters, Janatje, Annatje and Maria. 
 Joseph Clement, the brother of Peter, sold his one-half of 
 the Maalwyck farm to Carel Hansen Toll for £400, March 
 17th, 1712. He married Anna, daughter of Jacobus Peck. 
 Jacobus, his son, born November 23d, 1718, married, Feb- 
 ruary 27th, 1747, Jannetje Van Woert. 
 
 Johannes, another son, born July 27th, 1723, married, 
 December 30th, 1753, Rachel Rudclitf, of Albany. 
 
 Ludovicus Cobes, another son, born November 30th, 1725, 
 married Catalyntje Pootman. 
 
 Claas Gerntse Van Vranhen cama to the Province of New 
 York at a very early date ; the precise time cannot now be 
 determined. He had two sons, Gerrit and Ryl-ert. 
 
 Gerrit Class, the oldest son, married Arianfje Uldrich ; and, 
 as his widow married Geraldus Camberfort (Comfort), Octo- 
 ber 16th, 1692, I reach the conclusion that he did not live to 
 a ver}' advanced age. He left two sons and one daughter. 
 Class, Uldrich and Maritje. He and his In-other Rykert, in 
 company with Claas Jansen Van Boekhoven, purchased land 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 143 
 
 in whiit is now the town of Clifton Park, then known by the 
 Indian name of " Canestigione^'' ^ applied to a considerable 
 tract on both sides of the Mohawk river, in 1672, for 550 skip- 
 pies of wheat. There Gerrit Class resided until his decease. 
 
 Clafis Gerritse, oldest son of Gerrit Claas, Jr., born in 1680, 
 married, December 30tli, 1704, Gertvuy QuackenbiisJi. lie 
 is the tirst Van Vranken that is found settled in Niskaynna 
 on the south side of the Mohawk river, where he bought land 
 of Johannes Clute, March 6th, 1709. 
 
 Gerrit, son of the above named Gerrit Claas, born October 
 3d, 1708, married, July 7th, 1738, 3Iar//(je, daughter of 
 Johainies Fort. 
 
 Abraham, son of Gerrit, born July Gth, 1750, married 
 Gertnty Gout. Had one child, Elizabeth, born August 2d, 1790. 
 
 Rebecca, daughter of Gerrit, hovn April 4th, 1739, married 
 Johannes De Graff. 
 
 Johannes, another son of Gerrit, born October 25th, 1743, 
 married, April 16th, 1776, Gertrude Van Vranken. 
 
 Ariaidje, his daughter, born August 19th, 1781, married 
 Andrew Yates. 
 
 Rebecca, anotlier daughter, married John D. Fort. 
 
 Gerrit, also a son of Gerrit, born May 7tli, 1741, married, 
 January 9th, 1771, Gertruy Visscher. He died November 
 16th, 1785, leaving several children. 
 
 Pieter, another son of Claas Garritse, born December 3d, 
 1721, married. May 3d, 1748, Meltje, daughter of Dirk 
 Groot. He died in 1809, having had the following children : 
 
 jSficJiolas, born August 3d, 1749. 
 
 Gerrit, born April 2d, 1758. 
 
 Cornelius, born July 6th, 1760. 
 
 Dirk, born January 19th, 1762. 
 
 His daughter, Elizabeth, married Eldert Tymesen, March 
 5th, 1779. 
 
 Isaac, also a son of Class Geritse, born May 21st, 1726, 
 married, February 1st, 1754, Claartje Bradt ; secondly, he 
 married, September 12th, 1757, Francina, daughter of 
 Johannes Quackenbotss. 
 
 Class, sou of Isaac, born August 5th, 1759, married, Feb- 
 
144 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUXTY. 
 
 riiary 14th, 1785, Rachel Boom. He died September 1839, 
 aged nearly 80 years. Isaac, the son of Chuis, born Jnly 
 6th, 1789, married Maria Van Antwerp, and died August 
 30th, 1858, aged 70 years. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Olaas Gerritse, born June 22d, 1729, 
 married, July 17th, 1758, Margart/a, daughter of Cornelius 
 Pootmau. 
 
 Class, son of Jacob, born February 15th, 1761, married 
 Uva, daughter of Cornelius Peek. He died July 20th, 1837, 
 in his 77th year, and she died October 30th, 1837, in her 
 77th year. Jacob, their sou, born March 15th, 1784, died 
 May 24th, 1861, aged 77 years, 2 mouths, 9 days. 
 
 Abraham, also a son of Claas Gerritse, married, November 
 19th, 1742, Debora, daughter of Samuel Cregier. 
 
 Claas, his sou, born September 4th, 1743, married Gertrude 
 Groot, and lived on his father's homestead farm, on the 
 Consaul road. 
 
 Ariantje, a daughter of Claas Gerritse, born October 30th, 
 1710, married Pieter Clute. 
 
 Magtelt, another daughter, born April 30th, 1712, married 
 Fraus Bovie. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, born December 1st, 1723, married 
 Johannes Claase Fort. 
 
 Rykert Claase, the second son of Claas Gerritse, the first 
 emigrant, married Hillegeuda — —. He owned a house and 
 lot in North Pearl street, Albany, which he sold in 1684 to 
 Johannes Wendell. He and his brother Gerrit, in company 
 with Van Boekhoven, in 1672, purchased land in what is 
 now the town of Clifton Park, then known by the Indian 
 name of " Canastigione,^^ applied to a considerable tract of 
 land lying on both sides of the Mohawk river, to which, 
 after the sale of his real estate in Albany, he removed, and 
 resided until his decease. He had four sons, Maas, Gerrit, 
 Isaac, and Evart ; also one daughter, Margaret. 
 
 Maas Rychse, the oldest son of Pykert Classe. married 
 Annatie, daughter of Adam Winue, of Albany. He lived on 
 his farm in Clifton Park. His wife died in March, 1778, aged 
 nearly 91 years. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 145 
 
 lUchert, son of Maasi Ricl-eHse, born Octoljcr 7th, 1711, 
 married, Octol)er 14th, 1738, Anna, daughter of Abraiii 
 Truux ; Maria, his daughter, bom October 7th, 1744, mar- 
 ried Isaac Rosa. 
 
 Adam, another son of Maas Bickertse, bom December 8th, 
 1717, married, Jirst, March 8th, 1744, Ariantje Clute ; 
 secondly, in 1785, Gertray Van Vranken. They had several 
 children, but all belonged to Albany county, 
 
 Maas, also a son of Maas Rickertse, born November 11th, 
 1722, married, April 15th, 1750, J )7a?i^ye, daughter of Lau- 
 rens Van der Volgen. He died July 24th, 1787. 
 
 Laurens, the oldest son of the last Maas, bom September 
 27th, 1751, married Engletie Veeder, and died April 1st, 1800, 
 leaving a daughter, Harriet, born July 5th, 1772 ; died July 
 25th, 1848, unmarried, aged 76 years, 
 
 Maas, the second son of Maas RicJcertse, and Ariantje Van 
 der Volgen, born May 23d, 1756, married, August 11th, 1778, 
 Sarah, daughter of Claas Marselis. He died July 1st, 1813, 
 aged 57 years. She died April 1st, 1838. 
 
 Ariantje, his daughter, bom May 9th, 1779, married Rev. 
 Herman Vedder, a graduate of Union College in 1799, licensed 
 as a minister of the Reformed Church in 1801, and died in 
 Gallatin, Columbia county, June 29th, 1873, aged 96 years. 
 the oldest pastor of that denomination, full of pious labors, 
 and through life greatly beloved. He had been in the active 
 ministry 62 years. 
 
 lieltna, another daughter, bom September 11th, 1782, 
 married Daniel McDougall, M. D., in October, 1824, and 
 had one son, Duncan McDougall, Esq., now an estimable citi- 
 zen in our community. 
 
 Nicholas, the only surviving son of Majis, born April 7th, 
 1791, was a graduate of Union College, and a practicing phy- 
 sician ; but disrelishing the profession, he became first a dis- 
 tinguished teacher, and subsequently a much-esteemed mer- 
 chant of Schenectady. He filled many oflices of trust, and 
 married Jennet, daughter of William McClellan, M. D., of 
 Albany, He died January 29th, 1864. Mrs. Richard Franchet 
 is one of his children, and Mrs. John Hillhouse another. 
 10 
 
146 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Nicholas, the third son of Maas Rikertse, born May 24t.h, 
 1762, married, February 11th, 1787, Ruth Comsloch. He 
 studied for the Dutch Church ministry under the celebrated 
 divines, Romeyn and Livingston, and was licensed in 1790. 
 Filled the churches of Fishkill, Hopewell and New Hacken- 
 sack from 1791 to 1804, when he died. As so eminent a son 
 of Schenectady is entitled to some notice, I make short 
 extracts from Corwin's " Manual of the Reformed Church in 
 America," in a great measure derived from Kip's Historical 
 Discourse at Fishkill : 
 
 " He was a man of tine attainments, literary and theo- 
 logical, a fervent and eloquent speaker, and a most devoted 
 servant of God. He was possessed of strong atiections, 
 ardently attached to his charges ; no inducement prevailing 
 with him to sever his connection with them. He declined 
 calls from Albany and Schenectady. 
 
 " The change of language from the Dutch to the English 
 took place in his charges during his ministry. His knowl- 
 edge of his people was so complete, and his tact so great, 
 that when, according to the usual custom, the connnunicants 
 stood around the pulpit to receive the sacramental elements 
 from the hands of their pastor, he adapted his remarks to the 
 circumstances of each. His quick eye took in, in a moment, 
 individual peculiarities, and he also spoke to them in Dutch 
 or English, as they were best able to comprehend the one or 
 the other. 
 
 " Tradition represents him as a most faithful, devoted and 
 dearly-beloved pastor. His personal appearance was very 
 prepossessing; he was gentlemanly in his manners. His con- 
 versational talent was linely developed, enabling him to make 
 the best possible use of a large fund of chaste anecdotes, and 
 rendering him a most agreeable and instructive associate to 
 all classes. He never lowered his ministerial character, 
 though he rightly enjoyed a jest. 
 
 " His linal sickness was very violent and rapid. Most of 
 his people had not heard of it until on Sabbath, when, await- 
 ing for his entrance, as usual, into church, the messenger 
 brought tidiuiis of his death." 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 147 
 
 This distinguished clerg3'man, who died at the age of 52, 
 in the full tide of ministerial usefulness, was the father of the 
 Rev. Samuel Amasa Van Vranken, D. D., born April 25th, 
 1788, a noble representative of his talented father; grad- 
 uated at the New Brunswick Seminary in 1817, and licensed 
 the same year. He was settled at Middletown and Freehold, 
 N. J., from 1818 to 1834 ; at Poughkeepsie fnmi 1834 to 
 1837 ; in Broome Street Church, New York, from 1837 to 
 1841 ; Professor of Didactic Theology in New Brunswick 
 Seminary, and Professor of Evidences of Christian Religion 
 in Rutger's College from 1841 to January 1st, 1861, when 
 he died. 
 
 As a Dutch Church elder, having, on church occasions, 
 sometimes seen this admired son, and even corresponded and 
 conversed with him, I cannot resist the temptation of extract- 
 ing from his biographer's (Rev. Edward T. Corwin) state- 
 ment a few lines to his worth and memory, in which I cor- 
 dially concur : 
 
 " No one ever met him and conversed with him for even 
 a few moments, avIio did not feel at once that he was a highly 
 intelligent, noble-minded, and gifted Christian gentleman. 
 His pei-sonal presence was imposing ; his voice rang out freely, 
 the grasp of his hand was animating ; his eye rested confi- 
 dently on 3'ou, and Avhen he spoke you saw plainly that he 
 was a man of frank and open disposition, of large informa- 
 tion, and possessed of such powers of intellect as would ren- 
 der anything that he might have to say worthy of your 
 attention. 
 
 " He had many friends who fully appreciated his many 
 noble qualities, and loved him sincerely. He retained them, 
 too, when he had gained them, all the rest of his dtiys. 'He 
 never lost a friend.^ 
 
 " The study of none of the professors was more resorted 
 to, or rung more frequently with that spontaneous burst of 
 laughter, which an anecdote, as he told it, was sure to call 
 forth. There was no restraint felt even by young men in his 
 presence ; but his cheerful, genial, generous temper encour- 
 aged freedom and inspired their confidence. His numerous 
 
148 HISTOKY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 friends in the ministiy loved to meet him and enjoy his sunny 
 spirit, us it diffused itself in the confidence of socinl inter- 
 course. His house was the home of his friends, whenever 
 tliey chose to occupy it, and liis table welcomed them as often 
 as it was spread. 
 
 " As a preacher, he had many qualities of excellence. His 
 sermons were ingenious, earnest and impressive ; in some 
 parts imaginative, glowing, and grand. His large, sonorous 
 voice ringing through a large church ; his majestic personal 
 appearance, and the tones and ac(;ents in which he uttered 
 some of the impassioned parts, lel't a trace upon memory 
 wJiich was never effaced. 
 
 " He never made any special, pretentious display of schol- 
 arship, not because he did not possess it, but because he was 
 above it. But it was unsafe for an opponent to presume on 
 his not having it, for he was sure of discomtiture." 
 
 This remarkable clergyman is the father of Harriet , 
 
 wife of John McClellan Holmes, a highly distinguished cler- 
 gyman of the Reformed Dutch Church. 
 
 Gerrit, the aecoiid son of Rikertse Clacus, married, Septem- 
 ber 27th, 1696, Barbara Jaiise, in Albany. He resided in 
 what is now known as Clifton Park, and died January 10th, 
 1748. His wife died December 20th, 1747. 
 
 Ryckeii, son of Gerrit Ri/ckse, born December 12th, 1697, 
 married, February 9th, 1723, Maria, daughter of DirkBradt. 
 He died April 28th, 1746. 
 
 Richard, son of Ryckert, born August 20th, 1734, mar- 
 ried Maria, daughter of Johannes Marselis, April 26th, 1760. 
 He died September 11th, 1805. 
 
 Maria, his daughter, born August 9th, 1775, married 
 Gerrit Bensen. 
 
 Sarah, also a daughter, born January 16th, 1766, married 
 Rudolph Van Huysen. 
 
 Richard, Jr., son of Richard, born August 17th, 1763, mar- 
 ried, July 21st, 1785, Sara, daughter of Gerardus Quack- 
 enbos. 
 
 Margaret, a daughter of Gerrit Rt/ckse, born April 1st, 
 1705, married Johannes Bradt. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 149 
 
 Alula, a dnugJder of Rycherti unci son of Gerret Ryckse, 
 bora December 18th, 1723, married Johannes Pearse. 
 
 Maria, another daughter, born August 5th, 1725, married 
 Ryer Schermerhorn. 
 
 Barbara, also a daughter, born September 24th, 1727, mar- 
 ried Peter P, Bogert, of All)any. 
 
 Elizabeth, another daughter, born July 5th, 1736, married 
 Andries Truax. 
 
 Evert Ryckse, son of ligckert Olaase, married, November 
 14th, 1709, in Albany, Maritje, daughter of Bastiaan Vis- 
 scher. He resided in Ni-skayuna, south of the Mohawk. 
 
 Maria, his daughter, born January 29th, 1727, married, 
 November 24th, 1752, Cornelius Groot. 
 
 Joseph Yates, an Englishman, the ancestor, came to Albany 
 soon after the surrender of the province to the English, in 
 1664, and resided there until his decease. May 20th, 1730. 
 He left surviving him six children : Christoflel, born April 
 16th, 1684. Robert, November 4th, 1688. Sella, born May 
 7th, 1693. Joseph, born March 17th, 1695. Sara, born 
 March 6th, 1698. Abraham, born March 1st, 1704. 
 
 Robert, son of the above Joseph, born November 4th, 1688, 
 settled at Schenectady in 1711, and on the 15th day of Feb- 
 ruar}-, 1712, married Margaret, daughter of Claas De Graff. 
 He was a merchant, and also had a tan-yard on Mill lane. 
 He died March 4th, 1748, in his 60th year. 
 
 Joseph, son of Robert, born July 12th, 1714, married, Sep- 
 tember 5. 1737, Maria, daughter of John Dunbar. 
 
 Robert, the oldest son of Joseph, born March 17th, 1738, 
 married, in 1765, Jannetje Van Ness, in Albany, where he 
 settled as an attorney-at-law ; Avhere he became a member of 
 the connnittee of safety, during our Revolutionary struggle 
 for inde})endence, and was a devoted patriot. He Avas a 
 member ot the Convention that adopted the State Constitu- 
 tion in 1777 ; was one of the first judges of the Supreme 
 Court of this State, and eventuall}^ its Chief Justice. 
 
 He was a member of the Federal Convention of 1787, and 
 of the State Convention called to ratify the Federal Con- 
 stitution. This highly distinguished son of Schenectady 
 
150 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 died Septenibei- 9th, 1801, aged 63 j-etirs, 5 months, 24 
 da3's. He left surviving one daughter, Mai-ia, married 
 to James Fairlie, for many years Clerk of tlie Supreme Court 
 of the State of New York, and in tlie Kevolutionary War was 
 an aide-de-camp to Baron Steuben ; and three sons, one of 
 whom, John Van JSTess Yates, was a talented lawyer, residing 
 at Albany, and was Secretary of State for the State of New 
 York from April 24th, 1818, to February 14th, 1826. He 
 died January 10th, 1839. 
 
 Nicholas, another son of Josejyh and Maria Dunbar, born 
 December 20th, 1752, married i?e^ecca, daughter of Abraham 
 Fonda. He lived at No. 5 Church street ; after his death, 
 his widow married Cornelius Van Vrankeu. Nicholas left 
 surviving him four sons, respectively named — Abraham 
 Fonda, Kobert N., Isaac, Glen and Joseph. 
 
 Abraham, born February 7th, 1788, after his marriage, 
 removed to Oswego county, and died there, leaving offspring. 
 
 Robert JSf., born November 11th, 1789. During the war 
 of 1812, this young man was appointed Lieutenant in a liifle 
 Regiment of the United States Army, and stationed at Fort 
 Erie, in Canada, when that fort was in possession of the 
 Americans, under command of General Emund P. Gaines, 
 who sent him out from the fort at the head of a reconnoiter- 
 ing party, which was attacked by the enemy. In the skir- 
 mish he repulsed the enemy, but at the sacrifice of his own 
 life. His body was brought back to the fort, and forwarded 
 to Schenectady for interment, where it is now deposited in 
 the old Dutch Church burying-ground, sleeping with honor 
 beside those of his patriotic ancestors. 
 
 In the report of his death to the War Department, General 
 Gaines regrets his loss, and gives him the character of a brave, 
 promising, and excellent young officer. 
 
 Isaac Glen Yates, born August 23d, 1793, married a 
 daughter of Frederick Rees, of Glenville. He had several 
 daughters and only one son, named Jacob, who removed to, 
 and settled in Illinois. Isaac was accidentally killed in 
 Michigan, by falling from a railroad car while on his way to 
 visit that son. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 151 
 
 Joseph Yates, the 3'oung son of Nicholas, is the father of 
 our much-esteemed citizen, Nichohis A. Yates. 
 
 John, also a son of Joseph and Mana Dunbar, born June 
 12th, 1760, married Margaret, daughter of Jellis Fonda, of 
 Caughnawaga. He was the second Surrogate of Schenectady, 
 and hehl the office for many years until his decease in 1826. 
 
 Joseph, his oldest son, born October 4th, 1786, died June 
 12th, 1837, unmarried. 
 
 Gt'les Fonda, also a son, born November 8th, 1798, is now 
 deceased, unmarried. He was an attorney-at-law, and an 
 accomplished antiquarian. He succeeded his father in the 
 office of Surrogate, and held it for twenty years. 
 
 Jane, a daughter of John, born in 1794, married Giles 
 Yates, Esq., and died July 20th, 1848. 
 
 Mai^ Matilda, also a daughter, born June 27th, 1805, 
 married John J. Yates, Esq., who died December od, 1851. 
 This is the mother of Mrs. Austin A. Yates. 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter of Robert, the first Yates, who settled at 
 Schenectady, born January 7th, 1716, married Ephraim Smith. 
 
 Maria, another daughter, born January 25th, 1718, married 
 Gerrit Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Sarah, also a daughter, born August 19th, 1721, married 
 Jacobus Mynderse. 
 
 Joseph, the gixindson of Joseph the ancestor, and son of 
 Christoffel (Christopher), of Albany, married, January 17th, 
 1730, Eva, daughter of Jellis Fonda, and settled in Schenec- 
 tady in 1734. 
 
 Christopher, his oldest son, born July 8th, 1737, commonly 
 called Col. Christopher, married, October 16th, 1761, Jan- 
 netje, daughter of Andries Bradt. He was a surveyor by 
 profession ; served as a captain under Sir Wm. Johnson and 
 was wounded ; Avas colonel of a regiment of fatigue men in 
 the Revolution, and one of the best informed and efficient 
 patriots in the Mohawk Valley. (Sim's History). Hedied in 
 1785. 
 
 Joseph, his eldest son, born November 9th, 1768, married, 
 first, September 30th, 1791, Ann, widow of James Ellice ; 
 secondly, Maria, daughter of John Kane, of Schenectad\% and 
 
152 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 thirdly, EUzaheth De Lancey, daughter of John De Lancey, 
 Esq., of Westchester county. He was originally an attorney- 
 at-law of extensive practice ; was the tirst Mayor of Sche- 
 nectady, a State Senator in 1807, Judge of the Supreme 
 Court in 1808, Governor of the State in 1823-24, and died 
 March 19th, 1837, full of honors, and with a distinguished 
 reputation for industry and integrit3^ He had three children — 
 daughters. 
 
 Helen Maria, the eldest, born September 28th, 1797. mar- 
 ried Colonel John K. Paige, and died January 25th, 1829, 
 belbre the decease of her father. 
 
 AnnaAlida, another daughter, born September 14th, 1806, 
 married John D. Watkins, a citizen of Georgia. 
 
 Jane Josepha, also a daughter, born November 6th, 1811, 
 married Samuel Niel of New York. 
 
 Henry, also a son of Col. CJmstopher, liorn Octol^er 7th, 
 1770, married CatJianne, daughter of Johannes M\'nderse, 
 October 24th, 1791. He was an attorney-at-law, for several 
 terms a State Senator, and at one time a member of the 
 Council of Appointment ; a man of excellent business quali- 
 fications and habits. He died in Albany, March 20th, 1854, 
 at the advanced age of 83 years. Mrs. Yates died in New 
 York, September 28th, 1841, aged 69 years. 
 
 Henry Christopher, his oldest son, born June 13th, 1799, 
 graduated at Union College in 1818, and died May 12th, 
 1847, unmarried. 
 
 Edivard, another son, hovw OciohQY 21st, 1801, graduated 
 at Union College in 1819, and died in 1833. 
 
 8tep)Jien, also a son, born July 12th, 1805, graduated at 
 Union College hi 1825, and died June 1st, 1875. 
 
 Charles, another son, born March 1st, 1808, graduated at 
 Union College in 1829, and died September 26th, 1870. 
 
 Mary, a daughter, born August 17th, 1795 ; imdJane Anne ^ 
 another daughter, born Februar}^ 29th, 1816, married Edward 
 Satterlee, of Albany. Both daughters are now deceased. 
 
 Andrew, another son of Col. Christopher, born January 17th, 
 1773, married, first, Mary Austin ; secondly, Hannah A. 
 Hocker,who died October 22d, 1859, aged 76 years. Doctor 
 
 i 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 153 
 
 Yjites was a niun of much study and literary attainments. 
 He was a miui.ster of the Reformed Dutch Church, esteemed 
 as possessed of eminent piety, as a true friend of feeble 
 churches and their organization. Without great sensational 
 eloquence, he was a sound divine, and often preached with 
 great power ; while teaching he was also always engaged, 
 more or less, in preaching the gospel. He graduated from 
 Yale College in 1793. Studied theology under John H. 
 Livingston, D. D., S. T. Professor. 
 
 Was Professor of Latin and Greek iu Union College, from 
 1797 to 1801 ; Pa.stor East Hartford Congregational, from 
 1801 to 1814; Professor of Mental and Morat Philosophy, 
 in Union College, from 1814 to 1825, and Principal of the 
 Polytechnic at Chittenango, from 1825 to 1836. He died at 
 Day, Saratoga county, while on a visit to his sister, Miss 
 Yates, October 14th, 1844, in his 73d year. 
 
 Jo/m Austin Yates, a son by his tirst marriage, born j\Iay 
 31st, 1801, graduated at Union College in 1821. He was 
 Professor of Oriental Literature in that institution from 1823 
 to the time of his decease, August 27th, 1849, and much dis- 
 tinguished for genial qualities and ready eloquence. It is by 
 me deemed a tribute to his memoiy to briefly say, he was 
 the father of John B. Yates, Esq., a civil engineer of high 
 standing, now residing iu the city of New York ; of Hon. 
 Austin A. Yates, an attorney-at-law, now County Judge of 
 the county of Schenectady, and of Arthur R. Yates, a gal- 
 lant officer, and now commander in the naval service of the 
 United States. 
 
 Professor Andrew Yates had a son by his iirst marriage, 
 named Andrew J., who graduated at Union College in 1822, 
 and died August 8th, 1856 ; also several children by his 
 second marriage, but my prescribed limits prevent further 
 notice. 
 
 Jo/m B., another son of Colonel Christopher, and his young- 
 est child, born February 1st, 1784. Space will not permit 
 me to do justice to the merits of this eminently enterprising, 
 generous, and distinguished son of Schenectady, so I shall 
 attempt only an outHne. 
 
154 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Ill 1802, at the early age of eighteen years, he graduated 
 at Union College, with much honor, and immediately there- 
 after entered the law office of his brother, Hon. Hcnr}^ Yates, 
 as a law student. In 1805 he Avas admitted to the bar, and 
 during the seven following 3'ears applied himself with great 
 industry to the labors of that profession, and acquired much 
 reputation as an ingenious and forcible advocate. But a short 
 time previous to the war of 1812, inheriting the patriotic 
 spirit of his father, he was commissioned a Captain by Gov- 
 ernor Tompkins, and raised a large volunteer company of 
 horse artillery. With this company he joined the army of 
 General Wade Hampton, and served under him on the north- 
 ern frontier of this State, in the campaign of 1813. After 
 the discharge of his company from service under Hampton, 
 Governor Tompkins appointed him one of his aids-de-camp, 
 and sent him to the Niagara frontier with orders to call out 
 the militia for the relief of General Brown and his army, then 
 closely besieged in Fort Erie by a superior force. At the 
 expiration of his military service, he was elected a member 
 of the Fourteenth United States Congress from the thirteenth 
 (Schenectady and Schoharie) district, for the years 1815-16, 
 in which he took a prominent and active part, much distin- 
 ouished for ability and tirmnesB. After the close of his con- 
 o-ressional term, he removed to Utica, where he resumed the 
 
 o 
 
 duties of his legal profession, but soon changed his home to 
 Chittcnango. Governor Tompkins, on retiring from office, 
 in 1817, to assume the duties of Vice-President of the United 
 States, on account of his confidence in Mr. Yates' integrity 
 and ability, appointed him sole manager of the "Literature 
 Lotteries " of the State of New York. In consequence of 
 the acceptance of this trust, he removed to the city of New 
 York, and did not resume his residence in Chittenango until 
 1825 ; but during his residence at New York, he frequently 
 visited Chittenango to examine and direct the conduct of 
 those in charge of his large estate there, wdiich consisted of 
 aljout 2,000 acres of land, with flour mills, saw-mills, oil 
 mills, lime and plaster-mills, woolen factory, stores, dry dock 
 and yards for building and repairing boats, Pohjtedmic School, 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 155 
 
 and various residences and other l)uildings. At times as 
 many as 150 men were in his employ. 
 
 The result of his management of the lotteries was that he 
 brought them to a successful termination before the expira- 
 tion of the time limited by the Legislature. 
 
 He also became deeply interested in the commercial 
 importance of the Welland canal, when its stockholders were 
 nearly sinking for want of funds, and by an investment 
 of $137,000, and his great personal influence and exertions, 
 in his native State and in England, carried it into successful 
 operation. 
 
 Mr. Yates was a man of large and liberal views, and of 
 great public spirit ; an early and devoted friend of the Erie 
 canal, and of all schemes devoted to civilization and public 
 progress. He was for many years Judge, and first Judge 
 of the county of Madison, which last office and that of mem- 
 ber of Assembly he held at the time of his decease. 
 
 Mr. Yates was three times married, but left no issue sur- 
 viving him. He died at his residence in Chittenango, on the 
 10th day of July, 1836, aged 52 years. His death was felt 
 as a great public calamity, and every incident connected 
 with his sickness (which was brief), was published at every 
 issue of the press of the county ; and, when his death was 
 announced, a large proportion of the newspapers of the 
 county were draped in mourning ; for a great and good man 
 had fallen. 
 
 In Wahmt Grove Cemetery, south of Chittenango village, 
 can be seen the monument erected to his memor}^ — carved 
 upon the stone is the noble face of one whose numerous good 
 deeds are inscribed in the enduring marble. 
 
 In the Reformed Ciiurch, at Chittenango, there is also 
 placed a neat tablet, which has the following inscription : 
 
 SacrelJ 
 TO THE MEMORY OF HON. JOHN B. YATES, 
 
 Who Died July 10th, 1836. 
 
 " He was eminently possessed of the characteristics of a great and good 
 man, ever distinguished for his philanthropy and benevolence." 
 
156 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 These cliita are mostly derived from Mrs. Hammond's 
 History of Madison County, and from General Wm. K. 
 Fullei-, of Schenectady, the life-long and intimate friend of 
 Mr. Yates ; Ijut are also well known to the writer, who has 
 long admired Hon. John B. Yates as one of the most dis- 
 tingnished sons of Schenectady, and in a notice of him could 
 not justly write less. 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter of Col. CJiristopher, l^orn May 7th, 
 1763, married Jellis A. Fonda. 
 
 Eva, another daughter, born January 13th, 1764, married 
 Wm. Johnson Butler, of Niagara. 
 
 Helena, also a daughter, born Novemlier 16th, 1766, mar- 
 ried Col. McDonald, an officer of the British army stationed 
 in Canada. 
 
 Anna, also a daughter, born March 12th, 1773, died April 
 17tli, 1850, aged 76 years, and unmarried. 
 
 Jellis, another son of Joseph Yates and Eva Fonda, born 
 April 22d, 1744, married, March 16th, 1768, Ariantje, 
 daughter of Andries Bradt. He died in Glcnville, Novem- 
 ber l3th, 1812, in his 69th year. 
 
 Joseph, his oldest son, born August 7th, 1768, married, 
 December 14th, 1788, Annatie, daughter of Isaac Roosa. 
 He died in Glenville, September 13th, 1838, in his 71st 
 year. 
 
 Isaac J. Yates, his oldest son, born in Glenville, February 
 22d, 1797 ; long a resident of the city of Schenectady ; the 
 holder of several offices of important trust in this connnunity, 
 and a Brigadier-General of Militia, died on his farm in 
 Greenfield, Saratoga count}^ September 13th, 1848, aged 
 51 years. This was the father of Mrs. James Fuller, and of 
 the late mayor, Peter B. Yates. 
 
 Giles, another son of Joseph, born May 6th, 1801; died 
 April 11th, 1853, in his 52d year. 
 
 John J, also a son, born March bth, 1803, for many yetirs 
 an enterprising citizen of this community, and for several 
 years postmaster at Schenectady, died December 3d, 1851, 
 aged 48 years. This was the father of Mrs. Austen A. 
 Yates and Mrs. Alex. J. Thomson. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 157 
 
 Andrew J.. anotJier son of Josejj/i, born November 25th, 
 180G, belono-od to the Chiss of 1834, iit Union Colleo-e, 
 jind died October — , 1873, at his country seat near Fulton- 
 ville, Montgomery county, leaving no issue, aged 65 3'ears. 
 
 Andrew, anoiher son of Jellis, born July 14th, 1782 ; died 
 in Glenville, August 25th, 1846, in his 65th year. Harriet, 
 his wife, died September 4th, 1850, in her 70th year. 
 
 ElizaheUi, a dawjlder of Jellis, born July 29th, 1770, 
 married Myndert A. Wemple. 
 
 Ccdharine, another daughter, born November 17th, 1776, 
 married Robert Gaily. 
 
 Eldert Tyinensen, son of Cornelias Tymeasen, of Albany, 
 l)orn December 13th, 1691, married, November 7th, 1709, 
 Hester, daughter of Bastian Visscher. He soon afterwards 
 settled in Niskaxuna. 
 
 Bastian, son of Eldert, born FelH'uary 1st, 1718, married, 
 July 7th, 1743, 'May ke Oudei-kirk. 
 
 Eldert, his son, born Septeml)er 2d, 1750, married, Decem- 
 ber 10th, 1774, Catalyntje, daughter of Jan Baptist Van Eps. 
 
 Bastian, his son, died in New York, March 24th, 1825, in 
 his 50th year. 
 
 Peter Tymensen, son of the second Cornelius, of Albany, 
 born June 26th, 1748, married, June 21st, 1771, Gertruy, 
 daughter of Martinus Cregier. Cornelius, their son, was 
 born March 12th, 1772. 
 
 Eldert, another son of the second Cornelius, of Albany, 
 born October 14th, 1753, married Elizabeth, daughter of 
 Pieter Van Vranken. 
 
 Cornelius, his oldest son, born April 7th, 1782, married 
 Elizabeth Clute. He died January 4th, 1842 ; his wife died 
 August 3d, 1844. 
 
 Peter, another son of Eldert, born November 16th, 1789, 
 married Maria, a daughter of Cornelius Van Vranken, of 
 Niskayuna. He died September 16th, 1861, leaving four 
 sons and one daughter. Jane, the daughter, married Tliomas 
 Shannon, of Schenectady. 
 
 Abraham Lighthall came to Schenectady in 1719 ; soon 
 afterwards he married Anna, daughter of Class Van der 
 
158 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Bogart. William, his oldest sou, ])orn Februuiy 3cl, 1722, 
 married, November 20th, 1748, Elizabeth, daughter of Johan- 
 nes Marselis. 
 
 Abraham, son of William, married Annafje, daughter of 
 Class Frans Van der Bogart ; he left sevei'al children surviv- 
 ing him. 
 
 Claas, another son of Abraham, born March 7th, 1724, 
 married, January 14th, 1749, Margai'et Idich. 
 
 Jacobus, his oldest son, born May 14th, 1758, married 
 Charity Page. He was sexton of the Dutch Church from 
 1799 to the time of his death, April 22d, 1829, aged 71 
 years. He left surviving him two sons, Nicholas and Wil- 
 liam, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. 
 
 William, another son of Claa.s, mariied Sarah, daughter of 
 Ahasueras Marselis. He died October 5th, 1822. He held 
 the commission of Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution, 
 and was highly distinguished for his bravery in the battle of 
 Bennington, under General Stark. Besides Ahasueras, he 
 had an older sou, Nicholas, who died unmarried before his 
 father's decease. 
 
 Ahasueras, his son, born March 12th, 1799, married, Sep- 
 tember 10th, 1820, Margaret Peek. 
 
 Lancaster, also a son of Claas, born May 10th, 1761, mar- 
 ried Hester Kittle, and had three sons, Nicholas, Douwe, and 
 Abraham ; also one daughter, Anneke. 
 
 Jacobus, also a son of Abraham, born January 3d, 1726, 
 married frst, Margaret, daughter of Pierre Benoit ; secondly, 
 Sara, daughter of Johannes Van Vorst, November 12th, 
 1752. He died July 19th, 1791. She died March 14th, 
 1807. 
 
 John, a son of Jacobus, hovn Februarj^ 18th, 1759, married 
 Annatje, daughter of Cornelius Van Slyck, April 23d, 1793. 
 He died in Gleiiville, August 4th, 1835, aged 78 years. 
 
 NicJiolas, another son of Jacobus, born May 19th, 1767, 
 married Elizabeth Wageman. For many 3'ears he was ferry- 
 man on the Glenville side of the Mohawk river, near the 
 present Mohawk bridge, representing the interest of John 
 Sanders, deceased. While a ferryman on the opposite shore, he 
 
EARLf SETTLERS. 159 
 
 represented the interests of Hon. Joseph C. Ytitcs and John 
 Baptist Van Eps, Esq. After the bridge was completed in 
 1809, he kept an inn on Water street, near the bank of the 
 Main Binnekill. He died January 27th, 1838, in his 88th year. 
 She died October 20th, 1836, in her 87th year. They left 
 two sons, Nicholas and William ; also two daughters, Mar- 
 garet and Elizabeth. 
 
 John^ also a son of James, born Feljruary 12, 1755, married, 
 April 23d, 1793, Amiatje, daughter of Cornelius Van Slyck. 
 He died in Glenville, August 4th, 1835, aged 78 years. 
 
 St. John Steers came as a soldier to Schenectady in 1720. 
 He soon after married Catharine McGregor. He had the 
 grant of a lot of land in Green street, near the fort, in 1756. 
 
 John, a son of St. John Steers, born October 15tli, 1732, 
 married, November 3d, 1759, Clara, daughter of Peter Van 
 Slyck. He inherited the Green street lot from his father, 
 which descended to his son Cornelius, and was possessed by him 
 until his death in 1863, at tlie age of did) years. John Steers 
 died February 12th, 1811. Gertruy, a daughter of John, 
 born August 16th, 1767, married John Lambert, the noted 
 schoolmaster. 
 
 Samuel, also a son of St. John, died at an advanced age, 
 unmarried. 
 
 Johannes Fairly, July 2d, 1724. married, first, Metje, 
 daughter of Jan Pieterse Meibe ; and secondly, a daughter of 
 Caleb Beck. In 1776, he owned a lot on the east side of 
 Church street, south of Union street, adjoining his father-in- 
 law, Beck's lot being the premises now owned and occupied 
 by Mrs. Volney Freeman. 
 
 Joitn, the son of Johannes, born in 1730, married Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Simon Toll. 
 
 Hester, his daughter, born December 18th, 1757, married 
 Hendrick Van Patten. 
 
 Annatje, another daughter, Ijorn August 21st, 1760, mar- 
 ried Nicholas S. Van Patten. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, married Benjamin Young. 
 
 Alida, another daughter, born February 17th, 1765, mar- 
 ried Frederick S. Van Patten. 
 
160 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Margaret, also a daughter, born September 2d, 1766, mar- 
 ried Samuel Clement. 
 
 Engeliie, a daughter of Johannes. Sr., born May 25th, 
 1726, married Philip Truax. 
 
 Pkter Feeling married, June 12th, 1724, Eva, daughter 
 of Cornelius Viele. He was then the sehoolmaster of Sehe- 
 nectady, and owned a house and lot on the north side 
 of State street, about midway between Ferry and Church 
 streets. 
 
 William, a son of Pieter, born August 13th, 1736, married, 
 December 3(1, 1762, Jannetje, daughter of Johannes Van 
 Vranken, of Niskayuna. 
 
 Annatje, his daughter, l)orn May 22d, 1763, married Dirk 
 Van Vranken. 
 
 Eva, also a daughtei-, born May 19th, 1765, married Jona- 
 than Powell. 
 
 Cornelias, also a son of Pieter, born April 29th, 1739, mar- 
 ried Susannah Teed. 
 
 Keziali, a daughter of Cornelius, born September 28th, 
 1787, married Jon Chirk, of Niskayuna. She died January 
 16th, 1867. 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter of Pieter, born April 24th, 1727, 
 married Joseph Fhmsburgh. 
 
 Anna, also a daughter, born November 28th, 1731, mar- 
 ried Peter Warmoet. 
 
 Catharine, another daughter, born January 26th, 1734, 
 married Arent Smith. 
 
 Jannetje, also a daughter, born February 24th, 1746, mar- 
 ried Jacobus Van Guysling. 
 
 William Bancker, son of Evert, of Albany, l)orn October 
 28th, 1699, married, December 17th, 1726, Annatje, daugh- 
 ter of Gerrit Symonse Veeder, and settled in Schenectady. 
 
 Elizabeth, a^ daughter of William, born July 16th, 1732, 
 married Hendricus Peek. 
 
 Catharine, also a daughter of William, born October 6th, 
 1734, married Jacol)us Van Aearnam. 
 
 Neeltje, another daughter, born December 21st, 1737, mar- 
 ried Albert A. Vedder. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. IGl 
 
 Annatje, ulso a claughter, Ijorii August 16th, 1740, married 
 Arent S. Vedder. 
 
 John Bancker, another son of Evert, born March 15th, 1710, 
 married Magdalena, daughter of Gerrit Syraonse Veeder. 
 
 Gerrit, a son of John, born February 27th, 1737, married, 
 September 15th, 1755, Hesther, daughter of Jan Van Aear- 
 nam, of Albany. 
 
 John, son of Gerrit, born December 25th, 17()4. married 
 Annatje, daughter of Peter Ouderkirk, March 15th, 1788. 
 
 Gerrit, his oklest son, born March 26th, 1789, removed to 
 Canada. 
 
 Peter, also a son, horn January ISth, 1794 ; and JoJm, 
 another son, born August 17th, 1796 ; and Isaac, also a son, 
 born April, 1802, are all now deceased, each leaving issue 
 surviving him. 
 
 William Peters came to Schenectady in the early part of 
 1725. On the 25th day of November, in that year, he mar- 
 ried Sophia, daughter of Harmamis Vedder ; and secondly, on 
 the 27th November, 1742, married Helena, daughter of Jan 
 Baptist Van Eps. 
 
 Ilarmanus, son of William, born November 5th, 1732, 
 married November 4th, 1761, Margaret, daughter of Jaco- 
 bus Peek. 
 
 Harmanus, his oldest son, born May 24tli, 1764, married 
 Maiia Ihjchnan. 
 
 William, another son, Ijorn May 29th, 1774, married, Sep- 
 tember 5th, 1795, Catharine, daughter of Christopher Felt- 
 huysen. 
 
 Sophia, a daughter of Harmanus, Sr., born December 5th, 
 1765, married Nathan Clark. 
 
 Margaret, also a daughter, born June 20th, 1768, married 
 Dirk Van Vranken. 
 
 Lydia, another daughter, born April 14th, 1780, married 
 Jan Baptist Van Patten. 
 
 Anna, a daughter of William, the ancestor, born October 
 9th, 1743, married Andrew McFarlane. 
 
 Sophia, another daughter, born September 28th, 1745, 
 married Hugh McMichael, 
 11 
 
162 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 EUas Post, son of Cornelius, of New York, born Jiinuaiy 
 7th, 1708, came to Schenectady in 1729. He was a gnnsmith ; 
 and November 7th, 1730, married Maria, danghter of Jan 
 Baptist Van Eps. In 1760, he owned a house and lot on 
 the south side of State street, which, in 1775, belonged to 
 Hugh Mitchell, the grandfather of Thomas B. Mitchell, Esq., 
 deceased. 
 
 John, his son, born January 1st, 1749, married Margaret 
 Bellinger, and removed from Schenectady to Fort Schuyler 
 (now Utica), and became one of the first and most prominent 
 merchants of that place. 
 
 Catalina, Ids daughter, born June 3d, 1733, married, April 
 18th, 1756, Zeger, son of Domine Van Santvoord, minister 
 of the Dutch Church, of Schenectady. 
 
 Adam Oonde was high constable of Albany in 1724 ; from 
 thence removed to Schenectady, and November 30th, 1736, 
 married Catharine, daughter of Jesse De Graff. He was 
 killed at the Buechendal iwixqu-acvq, July 18th, 1748, and left 
 surviving him two sons. 
 
 Jesse, the oldest son, born March 13th, 1743, on the 8th of 
 July, 1762, married Parthenia, daughter of Jonathan Ogden, 
 and removed to what is now the town of Charlton, Saratoga 
 county. He left surviving him the following children : 
 
 Alida, born January 16th, 1763, married James Boyd, 
 once a member of Assembly for Schenectady county, and a 
 prominent politician and citizen of Glenville. 
 
 Jonathan, a son, born December 14th, 1766. This was the 
 father of Wilmert, subsequently Mrs. Carpenter, a Avidow, well 
 known to our citizens. The father died in Charlton, March 
 3d, 1843. 
 
 Albert, also a son, born June 9th, 1771, married Esther, 
 daughter of Daniel Toll. 
 
 Isaac, anotlier son, born August 21st, 1785. 
 
 Jesse, also a son, born September 4th, 1791, with all of 
 whom the writer had personal acquaintance, and all are now 
 deceased. 
 
 Adavn, the other son of Adam, Sr., was born September 
 25th, 1748, and married, July 1st, 1770, Catalyntje, daughter 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 1G3 
 
 of Peter Truax, and a gi-uiid-daughter of Dominc Coriielkis 
 Van Santvooi'd. lu 1770, he lived on the west corner of 
 Church and Front streets, on the property, or a portion of 
 it, now belonging to the estate of Jeremiah Fuller, deceased. 
 He served during the Kevolutionary War under the gallant 
 Captain Jellis J. Fonda. He died in Glenville, 22d Sep- 
 tember, 1824, aged 76 years. His Avidow died April 15th, 
 1843, in her 93d year. 
 
 Peter, son of Adam, Jr., born July 25th, 1773, married, 
 December 24th, 1796, C/ara, daughter of Philip Van Patien. 
 He died in Charlton, May 17th, 1843, leaving several chil- 
 dren surviving him. 
 
 Catharma, a daughter of Adam, Jr., born October 3d, 
 1775, married Charles Taylor. 
 
 Uva, another daughter, born March 26th, 1780, married 
 Simon J. Van Patten. 
 
 Cornelius Santvoord Gonde, another son of Adam, Jr., born 
 September 29th, 1782, married, July 13th, 1805, Sarah, 
 daughter of Al)rahani Truax. He resided in Glenville ; was 
 for several years one of the Judges of the Court of Common 
 Pleas of the county of Schenectady, and subsequently, for a 
 long term. Justice of Sessions. He was much esteemed by 
 all who knew him as a man of strict integrity, sound judg- 
 ment, and elevated Christian character. He died May 13th, 
 1869, in his 87th year. This worthy couple had lived together 
 in married life nearly 64 years ; and, what seems to me unpre- 
 cedented, had in that time thirteen children, all sons, never 
 being blessed with a daughter ; all of whom arrived at 
 mature age except one son, Andrew S., who died in 1837, 
 aged about 15 years. This case seems so remarkable, I deem 
 it proper to insert the names and date of birth of each, as 
 the family have so largely contributed to the population and 
 prosperity of the United States, and some of its members 
 are now to be found settled in various parts of this great 
 Union : 
 
 John T., born January 17th, 1807. 
 
 Adam C, born March 7th, 1809. 
 
 Abram T., born December 20th, 1810. 
 
164 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Peter C, born December 2tl, 1812. 
 
 Oornelius B., born December 27th, 1814. 
 
 Isaac U., born November 17th, 1816. 
 
 Simon V. P., born November 17th, 1818. 
 
 Piatt S., born August 20th, 1820. 
 
 Andreiv 8., born August 18th, 1822; died July 5th, 1837. 
 
 Joseph S., born July 31st, 1824. 
 
 Gemye 31., born November 6th, 1826. 
 
 Benjaynin Z., born November 7th, 1828. 
 
 Alonzo B., born Noveml)er 6th, 1832. 
 
 Jan Delamont, son of Jacob, of Albany, born July 30th, 
 1684, married, first, Johannes Clara Kleyn, of Albiiny, May 
 4th, 1707 ; and secondly, Eva, daughter of Hendriclv Brower, 
 of Schenectady. 
 
 In 1710, he was high constable in Albany. It is not 
 precisely known at what time he removed to Schenectady, 
 but we find that, in 1735, he was ''Voorlezer" (chorister, 
 etc.), to the Dutch Church there. 
 
 Jacob, his oldest son, born July 7th, 1723, Avas murdered 
 by the French and Indians at Stillwater, October 24th, 1746. 
 
 Abraham, another son of Jail, born July 25th, 1730, mar- 
 ried, ^rs^, December 4th, 1766, Annatje, daughter of Alexan- 
 der Vedder ; secondly, June 30th, 1782, Volkie Wemp. 
 
 Jacob, son of Abraham, born December 30th, 1768, mar- 
 ried, April 5th, 1789, Debora, daughter of Johannes Bratt. 
 They had but one child, Annatje. 
 
 Johannes, another son of Abraham, born February 25th, 
 1774, married, November 23d, 1799, Rebecca Be Graff. 
 They left surviving them several sons and daughters. 
 
 Hendrich, a son, the youngest child of Jan, born October 
 24th, 1745, married Elizabeth Van Bych. He owned the lot 
 on Union street, where the com-t-house now stands, beginning 
 100 feet west, Amsterdam measure, from Ferry street. From 
 him the Supervisors of the county of Schenectady and the 
 Common Council of the city derived their title. He died in 
 1820, aged 75 years, leaving no issue surviving him. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of Jan, born May 9th, 1725, married 
 Abraham Christiance. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS, 165 
 
 Catharina, another diiugliter of Jan, born May 6th, 1748, 
 married Henricus Volckertsee Veeder. 
 
 Elizabelh, also a daughter, born December 16th, 1732, 
 married Jacobus Bratt. 
 
 Margarelta^ another daugliter, born January 26th, 1735, 
 married Abraham Swits. 
 
 Jannetje, also a daughter, born February 26th, 1737, mar- 
 ried Johannes Teller. 
 
 Annafje, another daughter, l)orn May 4th, 1739, married 
 Christott'el Felthousen. 
 
 jE'm, also a daughter, born November 10th, 1741, married 
 Claas Vedder. 
 
 John Dunbar was born in Albany, August 31st, 1670. 
 He married, ^'r^'i^, Bata Winne ; and secondly, Maria, daugh- 
 ter of Johannes Van Hoesen, April 1st, 1724 ; both wives 
 were of Albany. He was m Albany a vintner or hotel- 
 keeper, and an important friend of the early Episcopal 
 Church of that place. In 1714, he was associated with Rev. 
 Thomas Barclay and Colonel Peter Mathews, in building the 
 Episcopal Church there. In 1730, he removed to Schenec- 
 tady, where he resided on his property, being the east corner 
 of Church and Front streets. Mr, Dunbar died in Schenec- 
 tady, May 7th, 1736, aged QQ years. He left surviving 
 him three sons, Robert, John, and Alexander ; also three 
 daughters, Mary, Catharine and Willempie. All the sons, 
 and his daughter Catharine, settled at Albany, where they 
 have respectively many descendants. His daughter Mary, 
 married, September 5th, 1737, Joseph R. Yates, and was the 
 mother of Robert Yates, once Chief Justice of the Supreme 
 Court of the State of New York ; of John Yates, Nicholas 
 and Abraham Yates ; and of several daughters, who married 
 prominent citizens of Schenectady. She inherited from her 
 father his house and lot, corner of Church and Front streets. 
 
 Willempie, his youngest daughter, married, November 29th, 
 1736, Abraham Groot, She inherited from her father a 
 large parcel of ground on the west corner of Union and Canal 
 streets, 
 
 JohauJien Ileehistraat, son of Dirk Takelsc, of All)any, mar- 
 
166 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 vied,Jirsi, Bafa, daughter of Johannes Qnackenbos, February 
 8th, 1730, and came to Schenectady about that time. Sec- 
 ond!//, he married, March 3d, 1750, Gertruy Bosie, widow 
 of John Marin us. 
 
 Johannes, his son, born November 19th, 1732, married 
 .Elizabeth, daughter of Tennis Van der Volgen, September 
 3d, 1754. 
 
 Ariantje, a daughter of John, Jr., born Octoljer 17th, 1756, 
 married Nichokis Avery. 
 
 /Sarah, also a daughter, born November, 1718, married 
 Isaac Le Roy. 
 
 Clara, a daughter of Johannes, Sr., born July 6th, 1735, 
 married Nicholas Clute. 
 
 Amia/je, also a daughter, born December 21st, 1737, mar- 
 ried Dirk Clute. 
 
 Machtelt, another daughter, born October 11th, 1747, 
 married Johannes Consaulus. 
 
 William Batret, son of Robert, of Albany, a carpenter, 
 born January 18th, 1699. Came to Schenectady in 1724, 
 and married, in March, 1725, Catalina, daughter of Dirk 
 Bratt. His wife inherited from her father the land on the 
 south side of Union street, from No. 118 to and inckiding 
 No. 154, extending south beyond Liberty street. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of William, born December 3d, 1733, 
 married Thomas Bath. 
 
 Anna, another daughter, born January 18th, 1736, mar- 
 ried, June 19th, 1756, Jellis Van Vorst. She inherited the 
 whole of the Union street property, and Barrett street was 
 so named in honor of her excellent father. This lady was 
 the mother of Jacobus Van Vorsi, of Glenville ; of Catahjntje, 
 the wife of John Baptist Clute ; of Maria, the wife of Corne- 
 lius Reagles; of Rebecca, the wife of Martinus Frank ; and of 
 liuih, the wife of Martinus Easterly. 
 
 John Barheyt, son of John, of Albany, born May 16th, 
 1703, settled in Schenectady, and married, August 1st, 1734, 
 Cornelia, daughter of Arent Pootman. 
 
 Cornelius, son of John, Jr., born December 21st, 1737, 
 married Rachel, daughter of Joseph Yates. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 167 
 
 John, a son of Cornelius, born August 30th, 1767, married, 
 January 24th, 1790, Maiia, daughterof Cornelius Van Slyck. 
 He died February 20th, 1830, in his 63d year. 
 
 Comelius, a son of John, born March 16th, 1695, died 
 July 10th, 1850. 
 
 Jacobus, a son of John, Jr., born February 9th, 1753, mar- 
 ried Maria Bovie. 
 
 Lewis, another son, born December 21st, 1755, married 
 .Elsie Bavlieit. 
 
 Caiharina, a daughter, born June 14th, 1740, married 
 Charles Denniston. 
 
 Eva, also a daughter, born November 25th, 1744, married 
 John Coman. 
 
 Jacomyntje, another daughter, married Wouter Vrooman. 
 
 Anna, also a daughter, born June 10th, 1750, married 
 William Hall. 
 
 Ilieronimus (Jerome), also a son of John, of Albany, born 
 March 20th, 1709, married, April 9th, 1737, Maiia, daughter 
 of Jesse De Graff. 
 
 Johannes, his son, born January 7th, 1739, married Helena, 
 daughter of Jacobus Peek. 
 
 Jacobus, a son of John, born October 2d, 1763, married 
 Christina Abel. 
 
 Jerome, also a son of John, born November 2d, 1765, mar- 
 ried, January 4th, 1789, Cornelia Beeher. 
 
 John Sanders Barheit, another son, born March 10th, 
 1771, married, June 30th, 1794, Catharina, daughter of 
 Johannes Stevens. He died July 27th, 1852, in his 83d 
 year. 
 
 Hendrich, also a son, born January 11th, 1778, married 
 Catalyntje, daughter of Gerrit Van Slyck. 
 
 Alida, a daughter of John, born August 9th, 1761, died 
 unmarried. 
 
 Nicholas Visscher, son of JVamring, of Albany, born No- 
 vember 25th, 1705, married, January 18th, 1734, Anna, 
 daughter of Eldert Tymesen, of Niskayuna. 
 
 Hbsther, the daughter of Nicholas, l)orn June 16th, 1734, 
 married Ahasueras G. Merselius. 
 
168 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Maiia, another daughter, born September 2d, 1744, mar- 
 ried Johannes R. Wemp. 
 
 John Vis,scher, son of John, of Albany/, born October 1st, 
 1708, married, March 29th, 1737, Cathariua, daughter of 
 Harman Van Slj'ck. 
 
 John, son of the above, born October 9th, 1737, married 
 Susanna, daughter of Jacob R. Schermerhorn. He died 
 October 24th, 1821, at the advanced age of 85 years. Caiha- 
 rina, his daughter, born October 24th, 1773, married, first, 
 Michael Tyms ; secondly, Barent Roseboom. 
 
 Ilarman Visscher, son of Harman Frederickse, of Albany, 
 born August 24th, 1701, married Catho.rina, daughter of 
 William Brouer, of Schenectad3\ He was among the earliest 
 settlers of Caughnawaga, and died shortly before the com- 
 mencement of the Revolutionary War, leaving settled upon 
 his extensive farm, then and now called '■'Dadenoscara,''^ near 
 the present village of Caughnawaga, an aged widow, three 
 sons and two daughters, viz. : Frederick, a colonel ; and John, 
 a captain, of Tryon county militia ; Harman, another son, 
 and daughters Margaret and Gertrude. 
 
 Colonel Frederick Visscher was married, and resided a 
 short distance below the paternal mansion. The other bro- 
 thers and sisters were unmarried, and resided with their 
 mother at the homestead. From the time of tiring the first 
 gun at Lexington, the Visscher brothers were uncompromis- 
 ing patriots, and exceedingly obnoxious to their numerous 
 Tory neighbors, headed by Sir John Johnson, Sir Guy 
 Johnson, Colonel Daniel Cause, the Butlers, and Sheriff 
 White. But the Visschers, the Fondas, the Putmans, the 
 Groots, the Hansens, and others, were cast in freedom's 
 mould, and would not submit to oppression. But terri- 
 bly soon afterwards that noble, spirited settlement felt the 
 Tory rifle and torch, with the Indian tomahawk and scalp- 
 ing-knife. 
 
 Apprehending invasion, and a few days before Sir John 
 Johnson's terrible descent on the settlement. Colonel Visscher 
 sent, l)y bateau, his young wife and infant family, with some 
 valualjles, to Schenectady for safety, and took up his resi- 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 169 
 
 dence at the old homestead, full of confidence in the gallantry 
 of himself and brothers. 
 
 Having seen Colonel Fisher at his own house twice, and, 
 in company with my father and mother, having partaken of 
 his abundant hospitality ; knowing that he commanded a 
 regiment with great bravery, under General Herkimer, at 
 the sanguinary and obstinate battle of Oriskany ; knowino- 
 how highly he Avas honored by Washington at an entertain- 
 ment given to this Father of his Country, June 30th, 1782 ; 
 having drank in, when a boy, from his own lips, the story of 
 his Kevolutionary life, for the old hero loved to talk of those 
 days of trial. 
 
 At this point it is impracticable to relate all the atrocities 
 committed in the Mohawk Valley. But the attempted de- 
 struction of the historic Visscher family is so remarkably 
 thrilling, and the recital of its circnmstances, as given by 
 Sims in his ''Border Wars of New York, chap. XI, pp. 359," 
 etc., is so substantially borne out by the personal statement 
 of Colonel Visscher himself, that, believing the trials of our 
 Revolution should be historically perpetuated, I shall extract 
 from it as follows : 
 
 "On Sunday night, the 21st day of May, 1780, Sir John 
 Johnson, at the head of about 500 troops — British, Indians 
 and Tories — entered the Johnstown settlements from the 
 expected northern route. The ol)jects of the invasion doubt- 
 less were the recovery of property concealed on his leaving 
 the country. The murder of certain Whig partisans, the 
 plunder of their dwellings, and the capture of several indi- 
 viduals as prisoners j intending, by the execution of part of 
 the enterprise, to terrify his former neighbors. 
 
 "About midnight the destructives arrived in the northeast 
 part of the town, from which several of the Tories had 
 disappeared the day before, to meet and conduct their kin- 
 dred s[)irits to the dwellings of their patriotic neigh])ors ; 
 for when Sir John was censured for the murder of those 
 men, he replied, ' Uieir neighbors and not himself were blani- 
 ablefor those acts.' 
 
 " Dividing his forces. Colonel Johnson sent part of them, 
 
170 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 mostly Indians and Tories, to Tribes Hill, under the direction 
 of Henry and AVilliani Bowen, two brothers, who had form- 
 erly lived in that vicinity and removed with the Johnsons 
 to Canada." 
 
 After reciting many enormities, cruelties and murders, 
 Sims states : 
 
 " From the house of Barney Hansen, the enemy pro- 
 ceeded to that of Colonel Fisher, where they were disap- 
 pointed in not finding any of the family. (They had been 
 removed to Schenectady). Plundering and setting it on 
 fire, they h;istened onward to the Visscher homestead, 
 where they arrived just at daylight. 
 
 "About 20 of the enemy first arrived at the old Visscher 
 place, and attempted to force an entrance by cutting in 
 the door ; but, being fired upon from a window by the 
 intrepid inmates, they retreated round a corner of the 
 house, where they were less exposed. The main body of the 
 enemy, 300 in number, arrived soon after and joined in the 
 attack. The brothers defended the house for some length of 
 time after the enemy gained entrance below, and a melee fol- 
 h)wed in the stairway on their attempting to ascend. Several 
 balls were fired up through the floor, the lower room not 
 being plastered overhead, which the brothers avoided by 
 standing over the large timbers which supported it. 
 
 "At this period the sisters escaped from the cellar kitchen, 
 and fled to the woods not far distant. They were met in 
 their flight by a party of savages, who snatched from the 
 head of one a bonnet, and from the bosom of another a 
 neckerchief, but were allowed to escape unhurt. Mrs. Fisher, 
 the mother, about to follow her daughters, was stricken down 
 at the door by a blow on the head from the butt of a musket, 
 and Avas left Avithout being scalped. The brothers returned 
 the fire of their assailants for a while Avith spirit, but, getting 
 out of ammunition, their castle Avas no longer tenable ; and 
 Harman, jumping from a back AvindoAv, attempted to escape 
 by flight ; but, in the act of leaping a garden fence a few 
 rods from the house, Avas shot, and there killed and scalped. 
 " As the enemy ascended the stairs. Col. Visscher discharged 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 171 
 
 a pistol he held in his haiul, aiul calling for quarters, threw it 
 behind him in token of snbniission. An Indian, runnino" up, 
 struck him a blow on the head with a tomahawk, which 
 l)rought him to the tloor. He fell upon his face ; the Indian 
 took the crown scalp from his head, which entitled him to a 
 reward ; then, giving him a gash in the back of his neck, 
 turned him and attempted to cut his throat, which was only 
 prevented by his cravat, the knife penetrating just through 
 the skin. 
 
 " His brother, Capt. Visscher, as the enemy ascended the 
 stairs, retreated to one corner of the room, that he might 
 there repel his assailants. An Indian seeing him armed with 
 a sword, hurled a tomahawk at his head, which brought him 
 down. He was killed outright, scalped, and there left. The 
 house was plundered, and then set on tire Avith a chemical 
 match, conve3^ed upon the roof by an arrow (as stated by 
 Wm. Bowen, an actor, who returned after the war). 
 
 " After the enemy had left. Col. Visscher's consciousness re- 
 turned, and as soon as strength would allow, he ascertained that 
 his brother John was dead. From a window he discovered that 
 the house was on fire, which no doubt quickened his exer- 
 tions. Descending, he found his mother near the door, faint 
 from the blow^s dealt upon her head, and too weak to render 
 him any assistance. With no little etibrt, the Colonel suc- 
 ceeded in removing the body of his brother out of the house, 
 and then assisted his mother — who was seated in a chair the 
 Ijottom of which had already caught fire — to a place of safety 
 (this chair is preserved as a sacred relic by the De Graff 
 family at the Visscher house) ; and having carried out a bed, 
 he laid down upon it, at a little distance from the house, in a 
 state of exhaustion. 
 
 Tom, a black slave, belonging to Adam Ziely, was the 
 first neiglibor to arrive at Visschers. He inquired of the 
 Colonel what he could do for him. Visscher could not speak, 
 but signified by signs a desire for water. Tom ran d(nvn to 
 the Da-de nos-ca-va, a brook running through a ravine, a 
 little distance east of the house, and filling his old hat, the only 
 substitute for a vessel at hand, soon returned with it, a drink 
 
172 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 of which restored the Avouiided patriot to consciousness and 
 speech." 
 
 As un iUustration of the l)itter Tory animosities of the times, 
 Sims says: "The Cohjnel's neighbor, Jo^r^A Clement, arrived 
 at Visscher's while the Colonel lay upon the bed ; and on 
 being asked by Tom Ziely what they should do for him, 
 unblushingly replied in Low Dutch : ' Laat de vervlukten 
 rabble starven.' ' {Let the cursed rebel die,^) 
 
 " Tom, who possessed a feeling heart, was not to be per- 
 suaded from his Samaritan kindness by the icy coldness of 
 his Tory neighbor, and histantly set about relieving the 
 sufiering man's condition. Uriah Bowen arrived about the 
 time Tom returned with the water, and assisted in removing 
 the dead and wounded farther from the burning building. 
 
 " Colonel Visscher directed Tom to harness a span of horses 
 (then in a pasture near, Avhich, as the morning was very foggy, 
 had escaped the notice of the enemy), before a wagon, tuid 
 take him to the river at David Putman's. The horses were 
 soon harnessed, when the bodies of the murdered brothers, 
 and those of Colonel Visscher and his mother, were put into 
 the wagon (the two latter upon a bed), and it moved for- 
 ward. The noise of the wagon was heard by the girls, who 
 came from their concealment to learn the fate of the family, 
 and join the mournful group. 
 
 " The family was taken into a boat and carried across the 
 river to Ephraim Wemps, where every attention was paid 
 them. Seeing the necessity of his having proper medical 
 attendance. Colonel Visscher's friends, on the south side of the 
 river, sent him forward by a canoe in charge of trusty per- 
 sons to Schenectady, where he arrived just at dark the same 
 day of his misfortune, where, under the care of Doctors 
 Mead, of that place. Stringer, of Albany, and two surgeons 
 belonging to the United States Army, the patient recovered 
 rapidly." 
 
 He was subsequently a noble hero in the l^attle of Oris- 
 kany ; and Governor George CUnton, as a partial reward for 
 his services and losses in the Revolutionary War, February 
 Gth, 1787, appointed him a Brigadier General ; but declining 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 173 
 
 to accept this otHce, he was, on the 27th day of March follow- 
 ing, appointed First Judge of the Court of Connnon Pleas 
 of Montgomery county, which office he filled with ability and 
 honor until January 24th, 1801. 
 
 After his recovery, he gave the faithful negro, Tom Ziely, 
 who had treated him so kindly, u valuable horse. Tom sub- 
 sequently removed to Schoharie, and nearly every year dur- 
 ing his lite paid Colonel Visscher a visit, when he always 
 received substantial tokens of that patriot's gratitude. 
 
 Colonel Frederic Vi'scher, of whom so much has been already 
 stated, was the son of Harman, once a resident of Schenectady, 
 but an early settler of Caughnawaga. He was born Febru- 
 ary 22d, 1741, and married Gezina, daughter of Daniel De 
 Graff, of Schenectady. Colonel Visscher died June 9th, 1809, 
 leaving surviving him three sons and two daughters. 
 
 Mar(/aret, a sister of Colonel Frederick, oue of the children 
 who escaped to the woods on the morning of the Vischer 
 family massacre, has been often seen by me ; she was born 
 September 30th, 1747, and iniivned, Jirst, as his second wife, 
 Myndert S. Ten Eyck ; and secondly, Victor Putman, Esq., of 
 Montgomery county. 
 
 Wessel Wessels, born March 28th, 1715, married, Maria, 
 daughter of Arent Van Antwerpen. He died June 14th, 1789. 
 
 Arent, his son, born June 17th, 1752, married Maria T. 
 Truax, and left one son named Wessel, born July 27th, 1783. 
 
 Harmanus, another son of Wessel, Sr., married Sophia, 
 daughter of Peter Truax. He died March 10th, 1813, in his 
 59tii year. 
 
 Wessel, his son, born November 9th, 1783, married 3Iar- 
 
 garet . He died in Glenville, September 9th, 1858, aged 
 
 75 years. His wife died November 25th, 1853, aged 72 years. 
 
 Jacoha, a daughter of Harmanus, born December 31st, 
 1790, married, j^V.S'^, Harry Beekman, son of Colonel Jacob 
 Beekman, of Schenectady, with whom she had two daugh- 
 ters, and married, secondly, David M. Moore, Esq., a highly 
 respected citizen of Schenectady. 
 
 Philij) Ryley Avas born in the city of New York, April 
 29th, 1719. He married, first, December 3d, 1742, Eva, 
 
174 HISTORY OB^ SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 daughter of Lourencc Vander Volgeii ; secondly, Hesther, 
 duughtei- of Abraham De GratF, February 17th, 1748; aud 
 ihirdhj, Jannetje, daughter of Jacoljus Vau Slyck, October 
 11th, 1755. His hist wife died August 1st, 1824, iu her 89th 
 year. 
 
 James Van SlycJc Ryley, sou of Phihp, boru October 3d, 
 17()1, married, August 19th, 1792, Jannetje, daughter of 
 Isaac Swits. He died January 8th, 1848, aged 86, leaving 
 several daughters, one of whom married the distinguished 
 divine. Rev. John Ludlow, D. D., for many years Provost of 
 the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Kyley was for many years Associate Judge of the 
 Court of Common Pleas of Schenectady county ; for a long 
 time postmaster of this city, and was, on several occasions, 
 employed as Commissioner and Interpreter by the United 
 States Government to negotiate treaties with the Northwestern 
 tribes of Indians, for which position he was peculiarly fitted, 
 having been, during his early life, a well-known trader among 
 them. He also served several ^^ears as sheriff of Schenectady 
 county. 
 
 Alida, a daughter of Philip, born July 15th, 1743, married 
 Gerrit R. Van Vranken. 
 
 Gertrude, another daughter, born October 3d, 1744, married 
 William Rogers, Jr. 
 
 Hendrick Corl came to Schenectady in 1745, where he 
 married Maria Olin. 
 
 John, his son, born April 3d, 1757, married Sv^sanna, 
 daughter of Jan Baptist Van Vorst. He was a gallant pri- 
 vate in Captain Clute's Company in the Revolutionary War, 
 and died April 24th, 1842, in his 85th year, leaving several 
 children surviving. 
 
 William, another son of Hendrick, born November 16th, 
 1760, married Mana Springer, July 8th, 1787. He also was 
 a patriotic private in Captain Vrooman's Company, in Colo- 
 nel Wemple's Regiment, in the Revolutionary War. He 
 died March 19th, 1848, aged 84 years. His wife died May 
 5th, 1852, aged 91 years. They left several sons and daugh- 
 ters and manv descendants survivin<>; them. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 175 
 
 Henri/, another son of Hendrick, bom August 24:tb, 1766, 
 UKinied JVanci/, daughter of Al)ruh:un Groot. He wns a 
 nierchaut iu Schenectady, and had three children, John, Maria, 
 and Cornelius. 
 
 Reuben Horsford came from Farminglon, Connecticut, to 
 Schenectady, in 1745. He was a hatter by occupation, and 
 married, December 8th, 1748, Harriet, daughter of Daniel 
 Van Antvverpen. He, secondly, married, February 6th, 1775, 
 Anna, daughter of Abraham Glen. 
 
 John, a son of Reuben, born November 4th, 1759, married 
 Margaret Geddes. 
 
 Joseph, a son of John, born October 24th, 1783, married 
 Mana, daughter of John S. Glen, 
 
 Harnet, a daughter of John, born April 24th, 1786, 
 married Thrall. 
 
 Captain William 31cGinnis married, Februaiy 21st, 1750, 
 Margaret Veeder. He was killed at the battle of Fort 
 George, September 7th, 1755, at the same time with Captain 
 Jonathan Stevens. They were in command of a body of 89 
 men from Schenectady. According to Sir Wm. Johnson's 
 report, "they fought like lions ; " both officers fell Avithin a 
 few yards of where the gallant Colonel Ephraim Williams and 
 the brave King Hendrick shed their lifes' blood in that deadly 
 struggle with Baron Dieskaw. He left but one child, Alex- 
 ander, who died, February 13th, 1770, unmarried. 
 
 Robert Shannon, a Scotchman, came to Schenectady about 
 1750 ; and, on the 28th day of May, in that year, married 
 J^lizahetJi Bowel (Bowles). 
 
 George, a son of Robert, born March Nth, 1751, married 
 Sarah Smith. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and died 
 January 8th, 1829, aged 80 years, leaving several children sur- 
 viving him ; among them a son, John, born April 9th, 1791, a 
 citizen well and favorably known in Schenectady county. 
 
 Thomas, also a son of Robert, born December 20th, 1752, 
 married Margaret, daughter of Abraham Schermerhorn, and 
 left several children surviving him, and among them one son 
 named Aaron, born April 26th, 1795, the father of our 
 enterprising citizen, Thomas Shamion. 
 
176 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 John, another son of Robert, maiTied, July 4th, 1781, 
 Margaret, ;ilso a tltiiigliter of Abraham Schernierhoru. He 
 served as a patriotic solder in the ^yar of the Revolution, and 
 died April — , 1821, leaving children. 
 
 William, also a. son of Robert, married Jenny Smith. 
 
 Robert, another son of Robert, married, first, Nancy 
 McGregor ; secondly, in 1805, Eva Waller. 
 
 Michael, also a son of Robert, married Susanna, daughter 
 of Joseph Bracham. 
 
 Alexander, also a son of Robert, married, April 20th, 
 1788, Elizabeth, another daughter of Joseph Bracham. 
 
 Margaret, a daughter of Robert, born May 14th, 1758, 
 married Simon B. Veeder. 
 
 All of the above-named children left descendants ; so it is 
 evident that the healthy blood of the honest, old Scot circu- 
 lates extensively in our community. 
 
 Jose])h DracJiam, a settler at Schenectady previous to 
 1717, in which year he married Susanna, daughter of Simon 
 Groot, Jr. 
 
 Josej)h, his son, born August 18th, 1723, married, Decem- 
 ber 15th, 1765, Margaret Haggenbach. 
 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph, Jr., born January 31st, 
 1768, married Alexander Shannon. 
 
 Susanna, also a daughter, born March 6th, 1769, married 
 Michael Shamion, 
 
 Samuel, also a son of Joseph, Sr., born January 28th, 
 1728, married Debora, daughter of Albert Arentse Vedder. 
 
 Samuel, Jr., son of Samuel, born October 26th, 1776, 
 married, November 25th, 1798, Margaret Van Antwerpeu. 
 
 JoJin, another son of Joseph, Sr., born October 16th, 1743, 
 married, October 17th, 1770, Margaret, daughter of Albert 
 Arentse Vedder. They had four sons and three daughters. 
 
 Tobias Ten Egck, son of Hendrick, of Albany, and Mar- 
 garet Bleecker, his wife, born August 15th, 1717, married, 
 September 7th, 1750, Rachel, daughter of Johannes De 
 Peyster, of Albany. He was then, and had been for a short 
 time before that, settled as a merchant at Schenectady. He 
 built and lived in the mansion, subsequently owned and 
 
EAKLY SETTLERS. 177 
 
 occupied b}' Govenor Joseph C. Yutes, and lastly by Nicholas 
 Cain, deceased, situated on Front street. He diecl February 
 9th, 1785, aged 67 years, 5 months, 24 days, reputedly then 
 the most wealthy citizen of Schenectady. He was buried 
 under the Dutch Church in Albany. 
 
 Myndert Schuyler Ten Eyck, his oldest son, born Fel)ruary 
 9th, 1753, married October 20th, 1774, Elsie, daughter of 
 John Sanders, of Scotia ; and secondly, married, December 
 30th, 1797, Margaret, widow of John C. Van Everen, and 
 sister of Col. Frederick Visscher, of Caughnawaga. This was 
 one of the girls who made the escape before noted, at the 
 massacre of her brothers at the family homestead there, in 
 1780. She left a daughter, Elsie, married to Peter Cowyne, 
 Esq. 
 
 Mr. Ten Eyck had been for many years a merchant in 
 Schenectady, but in 1794 removed to Caughnawaga. 
 
 John Banders Ten Eyck, his son, born September 3d, 1778, 
 married Eliza, daughter of Ephraim Wemple, of Fonda, 
 July 26th, 1799. He died at Schenectady, July 15th, 1838. 
 
 Agnes, his daughter, born October 20th, 1801 ; and Elsie, 
 also a daughter, born November 10th, 1803 ; and Rebecca, 
 another daughter, born August 8th, 1805, all died unmarried. 
 
 Margaret Ann, his youngest daughter, born November 1st, 
 1808, at the Scotia Mansion, married Peter Vrooman, of 
 Schenectady ; who, on her decease, left an only child, Isaac 
 H. Vrooman, Esq., now an attorney-atdaw, residing in the 
 city of Alban}^ who is now the possessor of the portrait of 
 his ancestor, Tobias Ten Eyck, of Schenectad3^ 
 
 Henry, another son of Tobias, born July 27th, 1755, married, 
 first, Anna, daughter of Jan Baptist Van Eps ; and secondly, 
 Maria Dorothea, daughter of Domine Barcnt Vrooman, of 
 Schcnectad}^, and widow of John L. V. Le Tonuelier, and the 
 mother of John S. Le Tonuelier, a physician long resident 
 here, and well known to our citizens. 
 
 Mr. Ten Eyck was Captain in a Continental Regiment diu-- 
 iug the Revolutionary War, and was, in many battles, distin- 
 guished for gallant service. Then a very young man, he was 
 a Captain in the advance, column at the storming of Stony 
 12 
 
178 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Point, under Generiil Wtiyne, on the night of July 15th, 
 1779, und was wounded in the arm by a bti3^onet thrust. He 
 bectime very deaf, owing to the fact (as derived from the 
 veteran's own hps, at his country seat near Ballston), that 
 wliile crawling through a cannon port-hole in the assault, the 
 piece was simultaneously fired over his body, and produced 
 the result. As early as 1807 he received a pension of $120 
 per annum from the United States Government in considera- 
 tion of his services and sufferings, and was through life 
 esteemed a brave, generous, and excellent citizen. 
 
 Tobias, his son, born July 19th, 1784, followed maritime 
 life for many years. During the Peninsular War in Si)ain he, 
 as commander of a ship owned l)y himself, was employed 
 by the British Government in the transportation of troops 
 and army supplies to the Army of Lord Wellington. After 
 retiring from that service, he returned to Schenectady in 
 1814 for a short time, and then located at Utica, where he 
 man-ied, and died without leaving issue. His widow subse- 
 quently married Harman Brower, Esq., of Montgomery 
 county. 
 
 Maria, the daughter of Henry, born April 11th, 1787, mar- 
 ried Cornelius Vrooman, a physician of Schenectad)^, and 
 the general agent of Mrs. Angelica Campbell. Cornelius died 
 January 20th, 1811. His wife survived him many years, resid- 
 ing with her step-brother, Doctor Tonnelier, for a short time. 
 
 JoJin De Peyster, also a son of Tobias, married, January 
 20th, 1782, Maria Douw, sister of John D. P. Douw, of 
 Albany. He died April 9th, 1798, in Albany, leaving one 
 child, a son, named John De Peyster, born May 3d, 1788. 
 
 John W. Broiun married, in May, 1751, Margaret, daugh- 
 ter of Caleb Beck, and immediately thereafter settled at Sche- 
 nectady. He was one of the earliest founders and main pa- 
 trons of the Episcopal Church of Schenectad3^ Mr. Brown 
 was born in 1727, and died June 30th, 1814, in his 87th 
 year, very much respected and regretted. 
 
 Abraham, his son, born November 11th, 1762, married, 
 first, Jane, daughter of Daniel Kittle ; secondly, Margaret 
 Van Vorst. 
 
 i 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 179 
 
 JoJin, a son of Abram by Ms first mmriage, boni August 
 9th, 1783, married a daughter of Joseph Van De Bogart, by 
 -whom he had a sou, John, who became an Episcopal minis- 
 ter, and a gentleman of considerable poetic note, and of 
 acknowledged literary attainments. He was a graduate of 
 Union College, and was settled at Aslona, Long Island, N. Y., 
 where he held a high standing, and died on the Island of 
 Malta, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, 
 leaving a son named JoJtn W. Brown, and three daughters. 
 John Brown, the father, also left several daughters. He was 
 a manufacturer and [dealer in l)oots, shoes and leather, and 
 nuicli esteemed as a good and enterprising citizen. 
 
 Daniel Campbell came to Schenectady some time in the 
 }'ear 1754. He was a native of Ireland, and was possessed 
 of small means on his arrival. He commenced as an Indian 
 trader, with a pack upt)n his back ; but by his native shrewd- 
 ness, great industry and remarkable economy, in a few years 
 extended his operations, and at the conmiencement of the 
 Kevolutinary War was esteemed a citizen of considerable for- 
 tune. He subsequently became an extensive merchant and 
 Indian trader, and by purchasing soldiers' rights, at the con- 
 clusion of peace, acquired great wealth at Schenectady. Some 
 years after his arrival he married Angelica, daughter of Arent 
 Saniuelse Bratt, by whom he had one son, named David, born 
 November 15th, 1768. That son died June 29th, 1801, in 
 his 33d year, leaving all his property to his father. The 
 father himself died August 16th, 1802, aged 71 years, 10 
 months, 28 days. Daniel Campbell was the intimate friend 
 and acquaintance of Sir William Johnson, both hailing from 
 the Emerald Isle of the Ocean ; and when at Schenectady, 
 Avhere he often came, being much interested in the progress 
 of the infant Episcopal Church there, Mr. Campbell's house 
 was always the baronet's home. That house was the prem- 
 ises now occupied by Mr. Stewart Myers, and erected in 
 1762 for Mr. Campbell, by Samuel Fuller, one of the most 
 noted architects of the Province at that day. 
 
 In 1771, Mr. Campbell was one of the Judges of the Court 
 of Connnon Pleas for Albany county. He made his will 
 
180 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 July ItJtli, 1801, leaving about one-third portion of his large 
 estate to some relatives in Ireland, and the remainder, unre- 
 stricted, to his wife Angelica. 
 
 Mrs. Campbell made her will May 27th, 1811, leaving 
 considerable sums to her various relatives, but made her great- 
 nephew, Daniel David Campl)ell Schermerhorn, her residuary 
 devisee and legatee, on condition of changing his name Scher- 
 merhorn to Camjihell, which, after her decease, was accom- 
 plished by legislative enactment ; and that great-nephew, 
 with many virtues, now resides among us, known and re- 
 spected as Colonel Daniel D. Campbell. 
 
 This good old lady, born August 2Gth, 1733, died Sep- 
 tember 28th, 1812, in her 80th year, universally beloved for 
 her benevolence and amiable life. The writer well remem- 
 bers her fondness for, and kindness to, children, and that, 
 when a small boy visiting her in company with a married 
 sister who resided on the opposite corner, the old lady has 
 several times made him joyous with sugar-plums and the 
 sweets little boys so much relish. 
 
 John Baptist Wendell, son of Ahasueras. of Albany, born 
 March 6th, 1732, married, ^'rs^, Jacamyntje, daughter of Cor- 
 nelius Van D3^ck, August 31st, 1754, at which time he came 
 to reside at Schenectady ; secondh/, he married, January 15th, 
 1702, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Groot and widow of 
 A rent Van Antwerpen. 
 
 Ahasueras, Jiis son, born December 25th, 1755, married 
 Eva, daughter of Johannes Peek. He died February 22d, 
 1848, aged 92 years. She died April 8th, 1852, aged 86 
 years. They left surviving them sons and daughters. 
 
 Maria, a daughter of John Baptist, born December 25th, 
 1759, married Simon Van Patten. 
 
 Anna, another daughter, born September 30th, 1764, mar- 
 ried Arent S. Vroonian. 
 
 Robert H. Wendell, a son of Hendrich, Jr., of Albany, born 
 February 7th, 1760, was an attorney-at-law, and married 
 Agnes, daughter of Peter Fonda. He died at his country seat 
 on the Troy turnpike within the bounds of the city, July 7th, 
 1848, aged 88 years, 5 months. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 181 
 
 Henry R. Wendell, his son, bo;-ii September 29th, 178-t, 
 was an officer of artillery in the War of 1812, and was dis- 
 tinguished for gallantrj' at the battle of Plattslnirgh, and on 
 several occasions upon the Niagara frontier. He died at the 
 old homestead March 13th, 1868, in his 84th year, leaving 
 several daughters. 
 
 Jacob, another son of Robert H., born April 16th, 1791, 
 died at Shell fs Basin, Orleans county, October 12th, 1843. 
 
 John Duncan, a young Scotchman, with his wife, Martha 
 March, came to Schenectady in 1755. He was possessed of a 
 good capital, and opened an extensive mercantile establish- 
 ment on what is now the northwest corner of Washington 
 avenue and Union street. He was the pioneer of a new style 
 of merchants and a new mode of trade at Schenectad}^ Soon 
 after his location here he formed a partnership with James 
 Phyn, of London, and they became extensive wholesale and 
 retail merchants and forwarders, extending their business far 
 and wide over the Northern lakes ; and, after 1759, dealing 
 largely and directly with Montreal. None can claim more 
 justly giving an early impetus to the mercantile prosperity of 
 Schenectady than the great tirm of Duncan & Phyn. Mr. 
 Dimcan's city residence was the dwelling erected by him on 
 the southeast corner of Union and Ferry streets. The business 
 at Schenectady was principally conducted by him, while his 
 partner Phyn conducted business abroad and at Montreal, 
 where he mostly resided. Both becoming exceedingly rich for 
 that day, they retired from business, except that James Phyn 
 retained an interest in the succeeding tirm of John, James, 
 Alexander and Robert Ellice, merchants from London, who 
 continued their great business. 
 
 Mr. Duncan sul)sequently purchased nearly all of the 
 present town of Princetown (then called Corrysbush), and 
 titles to lands there are now held under grants from himself 
 or his sons. 
 
 He built a country seat called the Hermitage (after his 
 decease burned down) on his extensive farm of 800 acres in 
 the now town of Niskajuna, a part of which is at present 
 owned and occupied by ex-Senator Charles Stanford. 
 
182 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 At the Hermitage Mr. Duncan died May 5th, 1791, aged 
 69 3'ears, much esteemed for generous hospitality and inios- 
 tentatious benevolence. 
 
 Richard, his oldest son, was a Ca2)lai)i in the regular British 
 army, and had the immediate command of a company of 
 regular troops under command of Sir John Johnson, in his 
 attack upon the Mohawk river settlements in 1780. He is 
 said to have conmianded his company with great gallantry 
 and success on the retreats, when attacked by a spirited regi- 
 ment of the army of General Robert Van Rensselaer. He 
 w^as never taxed Avith cruelty or severity by the settlers. 
 The enormities committed Avere perpetrated Ijy the Tories and 
 Indians under Sir John Johnson's command. 
 
 After his father's decease. Captain Duncan resided for 
 many years at the Hermitage, an accomplished Christian 
 gentleman, of extremely urbane manners, and very much 
 respected. 
 
 He had only one child, Maria, Avho died January 8th, 
 1816, aged 23 years, unmarried. 
 
 His wife, Mary, died September 8th, 1815, aged 45 years, 
 and Captain Duncan died February — , 1819 — all sAvept 
 aAvay Avithin three years, and uoav sleep in the family vault, 
 under the chapel adjoining the Presbjterian grave-yard, 
 Schenectady. 
 
 John Major Duncan, a son of John Duncan, by a second 
 marriage, born June 22d, 1781 ; died July 6th, 1875, aged 
 94. He inherited considerable property from his father in 
 Delaware county and elsewhere, and at his decease left one 
 son and four daughters. 
 
 Ernesins Spitzer Avas a clergyman of the Lutheran Church, 
 licensed by the Diocese of Vienna, March 25th, 1745. He 
 married Barbara Wilfelin. He Avas a surgeon to the garri- 
 son of Oswego from October 28th, 1753, to May 22d, 1755, 
 about Avhich time he came to and settled at Schenectady, 
 Avhere he practiced medicine. He had a farm on the north 
 side of the MohaAvk river, about seven miles above the city, 
 in Avhat is uoav Glenville, where is still his family bur3'ing- 
 irround. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 183 
 
 Gerrit, his son, maiTicd Anna, daughter of Niclioliis 
 Sixbeny. 
 
 Elizabeth, the daughter of Ernest us, muriicd Aaron Piitiiiiui. 
 
 William Adams settled in Schenectady us a physician in 
 1757, and practiced there as such with distinguished reputa- 
 tion for more than 70 years. He was a surgeon, under Sir 
 William Johnson, in the old French War. Doctor Adams was, 
 in some respects, one of the most remarkable men of his day. 
 
 Learned, active, skillful, cheerful, genial, light-hearted, 
 alwa3's buoyant, and much beloved in Schenectady. Some ot 
 its older citizens, myself included, can yet well remember 
 the sprightly walk and erect form of this extraordinary and 
 good, old man. Perhaps I cannot better illustrate his latter- 
 day activity than by an extract from the Litchfield (Conn.), 
 Post of June, 1827, as follows : 
 
 " Doctor William Adams, of Schenectady, N. Y., aged 97, 
 arrived in the village, having borne, without much apparent 
 fatigue, the journey from Albany, a distance of 70 miles, in 
 the stage, in one day. With the activity of middle age, he 
 left his bed at one ddock at night, and unattended, except by 
 casual passengers, performed his long journey with the pur- 
 pose of spending the summer with a beloved grand-daughter, 
 who resides in this village ; and the next day after his arrival, 
 was seen moving with ease and agility around our streets, 
 rejoicing in the pleasantness and beauty of spring." 
 
 Doctor Adams had his residence and office on a propert}^ 
 owned by him, being the lot on State street now occupied by 
 the City Bank, Jesse AI)bott, and the Wood Brothers, 
 respectively. He never again resided at Schenectady, but 
 died at Litchfield in 1829, aged nearly 99 years, and is there 
 interred. Doctor Adams had two sons and one daughter. 
 
 James, the eldest, a physician in practice with his father. 
 " The firm were druggists as well as physicians." James died 
 at the early age of 35 years, leaving a daughter, who mar- 
 ried Abram ]M. Schermcrhorn, son of Maus. 
 
 Archibald Hamilton, his son, born July 18th, 1769, married 
 Maria, daughter of Daniel McKinney. He was a i)bysician 
 of extensive practice in and about Schenectady. He died 
 
184 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY 
 
 April 5th, 1811, aged 42 years. His wife died Jul}^ 6th, 
 1810, aged 33 years. They left surviving them one daughter, 
 named Margaret, born September 8th, 1795, who married 
 the Rev. Samuel Kissam, of the Reformed Dutch Church. 
 William's daughter, Margaret, married Doctor Reed, of Johns- 
 town, then in Montgomery county. 
 
 Dirk (Deric/v) Van Ingen, born at Ingen, in Holland, Anno 
 1738, from thence moved to Rotterdam, and was adopted by 
 the great banker, Hope, of that place ; was appointed a 
 surgeon in the service of the Dutch West India Company ; 
 taken prisoner by the English, and l)rought to New York ; 
 and after his release never returned to Holland. Came to 
 Schenectady a young man, in the earl^'^ part of the year 
 1759, and settled there as a physician and surgeon. He married 
 Jirst, September 29th, 1759, Margaret, daughter of Joseph Van 
 Sice ; 'AWi^. secondly, June 30th, 1790, Gertrude Mynderse, widow 
 of Myndert Wemple. He practiced his profession with much 
 success and reputation, until prostrated by paralysis some con- 
 siderable period before his disease, which took place Feb- 
 ruary 27th, 1814, at the age of 76 years, 5 months, 8 days. 
 His homestead was the house and premises on Church street, 
 second north of First Reformed Dutch Church, now in the 
 occupation of Mrs. Park Benjamin. He was one of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety during the Revolutionary War, and Hospi- 
 tal Surgeon at Schenectady. 
 
 William, the oldest son of Dirk, l)orn November 23d, 1760, 
 married Etizabeth, daughter of Hon. Hemy Glen. He died 
 January 10th, 1800. 
 
 Henry Glen, the son of William, born June 19th, 1784, 
 married Elizabeth Hoopole. He died November 15th, 1817. 
 His widow died November 8th, 1849. They left surviving them 
 three daughters, of whom one married Isaac Banker ; another 
 Cornelius Thompson ; and the third remains unmarried, and 
 now resides with her sister, Mrs. Thompson. 
 
 John Visscher, another son of Dirk, born November 11th, 
 1764, married, February 12th, 1787, 3fargaret McKinney. 
 He was at one time Sheriff of the county of Schenectadj', 
 and Avas such at the time of his decease, June 9th, 1810. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 185 
 
 Jawes. also a ,son of Doctor D{rl\ l)()ni r)eceinl)ei- 28tli, 
 17G6, inaiTied, /?j.s'^, OaUianne Bleecker ; seoondl;/, Elizaheih 
 Schuyler ; niul thirdly, Gertrude Schuyler. He was for iiumy 
 years Clerk of the Assembly and Register of the Court of 
 Chancery of the State of New York. He resided in the city 
 of Albany, where he died February 22d, 1843, leaving sur- 
 viving him several children, of whom Harmaiius S. Van 
 Ingen, once a resident of Schenectady, and well known to 
 its citizens, urns one. 
 
 Ahraliam Van Ingen. another son of Dirk, liorn November 
 oOth, 1773, married, January lltli, 1796, Elizabeth Van 
 Dosl'irk. He was a i)rominent attorney-at-law, and always 
 had his office and practiced at Schenectady. He was twice 
 member of Assembly from this county, and held many offices 
 of important trust. He died at Rahway, N. J., while on a 
 visit there, March 18th, 1852, in his 80th year. 
 
 He was the father of the late Theodoric R. Van Ingen, 
 Esq., and of our well-known citizen, James L. Van Ingen, 
 M. D. ; also of the deceased wife of our esteemed citizen, 
 William Powell, Esq. 
 
 Elizabeth, a daughter of Doctor Dirk, born October 11th, 
 1772, married Alexander Mercer, of Schenectady. 
 
 Judith, also a daughter of Dirk, born June 1st, 1777, 
 
 married, first, Bi'adt ; secondly, Jacob Groesbeck, of 
 
 Albany, and died April 26th, 1844. 
 
 Abraham Oothout, son of Jonas, of Albany, born May 27th, 
 1744, came to Schenectady in 1759. Ho married, ^r6-^, Mar- 
 garet, daughter of Gerrit Janse Lansing, of Albany, Novem- 
 ijer 27th, 1767 ; secondly, married, November 14th, 1787, 
 Helena Lansing, widow of John Zabriskie, of Hackensack, 
 N. J. During the Revolutionary War, Mr. Oothout was the 
 Captain of a Company in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regi- 
 ment, and after the war was for years prominent in the mili- 
 tar}' atiairs of the State as a General of Militia. He Avas, as 
 early as 1810, Mayor of the city of Schenectad}^, and held 
 many civic offices of trust ; but, perhaps, in no position was 
 he more conspicuous and efficient than as one of the original 
 founders and patrons of Union College. General Oothout 
 
186 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 died in 1822. The writer well remembers the lurge numbers 
 attending his funeral, for General Oothout was a man of 
 mark in this community, and much respected. The President, 
 Faculty, and all the students of Union College were there to 
 honor the good man's memory ; and he well recollects (l)eing 
 then in attendance as a student) that, as a lingering feature of 
 old-time funeral, mulled wine was freely distributed to all 
 comers. Probably the last occasion of such an old Dutch 
 custom in the comity of Schenectady ; and perhaps it is well, 
 in this day of extreme imrity and progress, that the old cus- 
 tom is nearly forgotten. 
 
 Gerrit, a son of General Oothout, born January 14th, 1776, 
 died June 19th, 1832, unmarried. 
 
 Henry A., another son, born June 30th, 1780, married 
 Miza Ann JSficoll, a lineal descendant of Colonel Nicoll, the 
 first English Governor of the Province of New York. Mr. 
 Oothout was an attorney-at-law, for many years residing 
 and practicing his profession at Albany. During the latter 
 years of his life, returning to Schenectady, he retired from 
 professional practice, and died at his homestead June 27th, 
 1846. His excellent widow, died at the residence of her son, 
 in the city of Rochester, January 22d, 1872, in her 85th 
 year. 
 
 Satnuel JVicoll, a son of Abraham A., 1)orn August 25th, 
 1810, graduated at Union College in 1830 ; studied law, was 
 admitted to the bar, but never entered upon practice, and is 
 now a very enterprising and worthy resident of the city of 
 Rochester. Helen, his only sister, resides with her brother. 
 Abraham, the youngest S07i of General Abraham, born April 
 29th, 1785, married, November 12th, 1808, Gezina, daughter 
 of Isaac De Graff, Esq., and sister of the late Hon. John J. 
 De Graff. He died May 20th, 1840. His wife died Janu- 
 ary 14th, 186 L, They are the parents of our well-read and 
 genial fellow-citizen Gerrit Lansing Oothout, who was born 
 September 12th, 1809, graduated at Union College in 1829, 
 studied law, but disliking it as a profession, never practiced — 
 devoting himself much to general reading and literary 
 matters. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 187 
 
 Alargaret, a dauc/hter of Abraham, born June 7th, 1811, 
 muiTied Hon Peter J. Waggoner, of Fort Plain, Montgomery 
 county, 
 
 Margaret, a daughter of General Abraham, born August 
 28th, 1782. married, August 7th, 1804, Archibald Cmig, 
 M. D., of Schenectady. She died October 12th, 1810, leaving 
 one child, Elizabeth, who married Julius Rhodes, Esq., an 
 attorney-at-law, residing at Alban3\ 
 
 John Manro, fion of Hugh Manroe, of the parish of Alness, 
 in llosshire, Scotland, married Maria, daughter of Cornelius 
 Brouwer, of Schenectady, April 5th, 1760, where he remained 
 settled in mercantile business for some time. But he sul)se- 
 quently, before the Eevolutionary War, removed to Albany, 
 Avent into business there, and was an elder in the Presljyte- 
 rian Church at that place. Ke left surviving him but one 
 child, Cornelius, born October 16th, 1768. 
 
 This is the notorious Major John Munro (as historv in- 
 forms us), a Tory from Schenectady, who, in connnand of a 
 party of 400 men, made up of a part of Sir John Johnson's 
 corps, a few regulars, some rangers, refugees from the Balls- 
 ton settlement, and Mohawk Indians, on the 16th October, 
 ^1680, made their appearance in the unsuspecting Ballston 
 neighborhood. 
 
 From this point, as a matter of correct history deeply 
 interesting from its circumstances and nearness to our citizens, 
 I will extract from the historical address of Hon. George G. 
 Scott, relating to Saratoga county, delivered at Ballston Spa 
 July 4th, 1876, as follows: 
 
 " The object of this expedition was to attack Schenectady, 
 but if that experiment, upon reconnoitering, should l)e deemed 
 hazardous, then to make a descent u})on the Ballston settle- 
 ment. 
 
 "The orders to Munro were, to plunder, destroy property, 
 and take prisoners, but not to kill unless attacked or resisted, 
 or to prevent escapes. They proceeded l)y the Indian trail 
 already mentioned, and encamped in the northwest part of 
 the present town of Milton, where they remained a few days 
 concealed from all but some Tories in the neighborhood, by 
 
188 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Avhom they were supplied with provisions. Having learned, 
 through their scouts, that it would be unsafe to make an 
 attempt on Schenectad}', and that the 'Fort ' in Ballston had 
 justl)een garrisoned by about 200 militiamen, chiefly from the 
 former place, they concluded to advance no further than 
 Colonel Gordon's. 
 
 " The 'Fort,^ as it was called, stood at the southwest corner 
 of the square at the Red Meeting -house, which was then nearly 
 completed. The 'Fort^ was constructed of oak logs, witli. 
 loop-holes for musketry, and surrounded with pickets. 
 
 " Colonel James Gordon, then the commanding officer ot 
 a legiment of militia, arrived home October 13th, from 
 Poughkeepsie, where he had attended as a member of the 
 Legislature at an extra session convened by Governor Clin- 
 ton, which adjourned October 10th. His residence was on 
 the middle line road, upon the farm now owned b}^ Henry 
 Williams, Jr., and his capture was deemed of considerable 
 importance. Some of the escaped Tories, who had been 
 brought back by him three years previous, had not forgiven 
 him, and one of them in conmumication with Munro informed 
 him of Gordon's arrival. 
 
 " In the evening of October 16th, the enemy came to a 
 halt at the dwelling of one James McDonald, a Tory, living 
 at the tirst four corners west of what has since been known 
 as the Cowi-Jiouse hill. McDonald piloted the party through 
 the woods to the rear of Gordon's house. Gordon was 
 awakened by the breaking of the windows of his slee[)ing- 
 room by bayonets thrust through them. He sprang from 
 his bed, in which were his wife and little daughtei-, and partly 
 dressing himself went into the hall, which was by this time 
 filled with the enemy. As he opened the door, a gigantic 
 savage raised his tomahawk, and as the blow was nearly upon 
 Gordon's head; the arm of the savage was caught by an 
 officer. 
 
 " At this moment the brass clock struck twelve, where- 
 upon an Indian shattered it into pieces with his tomahawk, 
 exclaiming : ' You never speak againJ 
 
 "A scene of indiscriminate plunder then ensued. The 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 189 
 
 Iiidiniis iittciiipted to lire tlio house and l):irii, but w(n'(; pre- 
 vented. Besides Gordon, J:i(;k C;ill)niith and John P;irh)\v, 
 employees, und Nero, Jiicob and Ann, his three negro shives, 
 were carried oil' prisoners. 
 
 " As they [)r()ceedcd towards the main road, where (Gor- 
 don's miller, Isaac Stew, lived, he came running toward them, 
 exclaiming : ' Colonel Gordon, save yourself! The Indians ! ' " 
 
 Several houses and barns were burned, and about thirty 
 prisoners carried away. 
 
 " Between Bigsby's and George Kennedy's, about til'ty ot" 
 the enemy, under the connnand of Lieutenant Frayer, a 
 refugee from the vicinity of Burnt Hills, left the main l)ody, 
 and advanced to the dwelling of George Scott (grandfather 
 of lion. George G. Scott). Aroused from sleep by the vio- 
 lent barking of his watch-dog, he, with his musket in his 
 hand, opened the door, and saw the colunm advancing in the 
 moonlight. He heard some one exclaim : ' 8cotl, throw down 
 your gun, or you are a dead man.' Not hastening to obey, 
 he was felled to the floor by three tomahawks simultaneously 
 thrown at him l)y the Indians of the party, who rushed U[) 
 to take his scal[). They were prevented by Frayer and Ser- 
 geant Springsteed, another refugee, and formerly Scott's 
 hired man, who, with their swords, kept the savages at bay. 
 The party pillaged the house, and left Scott, as they believed, 
 in a dying condition. So they informed Colonel Gordon, 
 his brother-in-law, but he recovered. 
 
 " The enemy crossed the Kayaderoseras, at what is now 
 Milton Centre, about day-light, and came to u halt. Each 
 l>risoner was placed between two of the enemy in Indian tile. 
 Their hands were tied ; some of them were bare-footed, and 
 most of them but partly dressed. 
 
 " Munro thereu[)on addressed his men. He said he 
 expected they would be pursued, and that on discovering the 
 first sign of a pursuit, even the tiring of a gun, each man 
 nuist kill his prisoner. In this order the march was resumed, 
 the prisoners ex[)ecting that the troops from the fort would 
 overtake them." (Gordon had privately, by some means, 
 sent back a message, advising that all attempts at a rescue 
 
190 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 should be abandoned.) Here we will dismiss the hrutal 
 Munro, with the consoling reflection that, for this inhunuin 
 order, he was afterwards dismissed from the service. 
 
 " The messenger met Captain Stephen Ball, with a detach- 
 ment of militia from the fort, at what has since been known 
 as Milton meeting-house, and they returned." 
 
 In due time the prisoners reached Montreal. " They were 
 at first lodged in the Tteollet convent, and afterwards confined 
 in a jail. Gordon was bailed in the sum of X3,000 by James 
 Ellice (once a distinguished and extensive merchant of Sche- 
 nectady, of whom more will be written hereafter), with 
 whom he formerly had business relations. 
 
 " After a few months, for what reasons Colonel Gordon 
 never knew, he alone, of all the prisoners, was removed to 
 Quebec, and kept there in prison for al)out two years, when 
 he was transferred to the Isle of Orleans." 
 
 A word more about Colonel Goi-don, as he was an intimate 
 friend of my father, and will close this Ballston invasion of 
 Munro with some account of Colonel Gordon's escape and 
 return to his homestead and family. 
 
 " When Gordon was removed to the Isle of Orleans, he 
 found there several other Ballston prisoners. They contrived 
 to escape from the island by means of a fisherman's boat, and 
 landing on the right bank of the St. Lawrence river, they 
 made their way into the wilderness. Their provisions soon 
 gave out, and for several days they suljsisted on nothing but 
 berries, and a species of mussel found in the streams. Arriving 
 at the headwaters of the St. John, they, with their hatchets, 
 constructed a rude raft, upon which they floated down the 
 river for a considerable distance, and then struck across to 
 Passamaquoddy bay. 
 
 ''This was in 1783, and there they learned, for the first 
 time, that hostilities had ceased. They proceeded to Halifax, 
 and were brought from thence to Boston by '« cartel,'' and 
 hastened to their respective homes." 
 
 After his return. Colonel Gordon lived in Ballston for 
 many years, and was highly honored by all who knew him. 
 
 General James Gordon was an intimate friend ot'my father. 
 
EAKLY ^SETTLERS. 191 
 
 John Sanders ; they s(>rved lor I'onr years togelliei- as Sena- 
 tors of the State of New York, from 1799 to"l803. He also 
 served two terms in the Congress of the United States, from 
 1791 to 1795. I give a single illnstration. Judge Scott says : 
 
 "While (leneral Washington was waiting at New York, 
 in the summer of 1783, for the detinitive treaty of peaee, hv 
 concluded to while away a part of the time by a trip to the 
 northern part of the State. Accordingly, accompanied by 
 Governor Clinton, General Hamilton and others, he pro- 
 ceeded by water to Albany. From thence the party on 
 horseback moved up the river, and visited the scene of the 
 late battle of Stillwater and the sjjot of Burgoyne'ssun-euder. 
 They continued on to Lake George, passed down the lake in 
 boats, which had been provided for them, and examined the 
 fortifications of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. 
 
 "On their return, they came by way of the IIir//i Bock 
 spi-ing, Avlieri' they halted, and then with some ditliculty 
 found their wa}' to the mineral spring (at the foot of what is 
 now Front street), which gave to Ballston Spa its celebrity 
 as a Avatering-place. From here they proceeded to the resi- 
 dence of Colonel Gordon, who htid recently returned from 
 his captivity, iv/iere Iheij dined. Towards night they left for 
 Sclienectad}', Colonel Gordon, attired in his regimentals, 
 escorting them, and riding at Washington's right." This 
 well-merited honor Gordon alwa3s esteemed the culminating 
 incident of his life. 
 
 Joachim Kidle, son of Daniel, of Schaghticoke, l)()rn 
 August 12th, 1705, married, June L'ath, 1730, Eva, daugh- 
 ter of Adam Vrooman. 
 
 Daniel, a son of JoacJiiin, born January f)th, 1737, married, 
 July 11th, 17(52, Sarah, daughter of Sybrant V^an Schaick. 
 She died August 4th, 1842, in her 102d year. 
 
 Syhranl, the son of DanitI, b<n-n January/ Sfh, 1775, died in 
 Albany, March 1st, 1844, in his G9th year. 
 
 Margaret, a daughter (f Jkinicl, born July 30th, 1735, mai-- 
 ried Gcrrit Van Ness. 
 
 Deborah, also a daughter of Daniel, born September 101 h. 
 1738, married (^)rnelius liansing. 
 
192 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Mana, another daughter, boni June 14th, 1740, married 
 Johannes Lansing. 
 
 Sara, also a daughter, born Janiuuy 29th, 1744, married 
 Johannes Van Vorst. 
 
 David Kittle, son of Douw, of Albany, born May 11th, 
 1738, married. May 13th, 1761, Deborah, daughter of Nicho- 
 las Viele, of Schenectady. He lived at Schaghticoke. 
 
 Gatalyna, his daughter, born March 16th, 1763, married 
 Albert A. Vedder. 
 
 Maria, also a daughter, born December 26th, 1779, mar- 
 ried Albert Vedder. 
 
 IsaacBosa, married, November 22t/, 1763, Maria, daughter 
 of liyckert Van Vranken. 
 
 Richard, the son of Isaac, born December 11th, 1769, mar- 
 ried Annatje, daughter of Hendricus Peek. He left surviv- 
 ing \m}\ several chiklren. 
 
 Jacobus (James), also a son of Isaac, born May 28th, 1778, 
 married, ^r*'^, Margaret MiUs ; secondly, Sarah, daughter of 
 Clans Van der Bogert ; and thirdly, Deborah, daughter of 
 NichoUis Hall. By his several marriages Mr. Eosa, v/ell 
 known to our citizens, had thirteen children, among the sur- 
 vivors of whom are numl)ered our esteemed feHow-associates 
 and residents, Richard, Henry and Edward Eosa, Esq., and the 
 respective wives of George W. Moon, and Andrew INIathews. 
 
 Annatie, a daughter of Isaac, born August 13th, 1776, mar- 
 ried Josepli Yates. 
 
 Samuel Tyms came to Schenectady in 1763, and married 
 Jannetje, daughter of Nicholas Van Petten. 
 
 Michael Tyms, his son, born September 18th, 1763, mar- 
 ried Catharine, daughter of Johannes Visscher. Mr. Tyms 
 was a man of excellent education for that period, and was 
 appointed teacher of the English language in the Sclienec- 
 tady Academy April 29th, 1785, and so continued until near 
 the time of his decease. He died August 28th, 1804. He 
 left n(j children ; his only son, Samuel John, and two daugh- 
 ters having died previous to his decease. His wife Catharine 
 subsequently married Barent Eoseboom, and died in 1852. 
 
 Samuel Fuller, one of the most remarkable, intelligent, and 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 193 
 
 useful among the early citizens of Schenectady, was born in 
 the vicinity of the city of Boston, Mass. It is impossible for 
 me to determine exactly at what time he permanently located 
 in Schenectady, but certainly as early as December 7th, 1763, 
 Avhen he married Anna, daughter of William Hall (an esti- 
 mable citizen of Schenectady, who had been taken prisoner 
 by the French and Indians, and carried to France, where he 
 died). This Anna Hall was a lineal descendant of the old 
 proprietor R^^er Schermerhorn. Mr. Fuller died just before 
 the commencement of the Revolutionary War, leaving surviv- 
 ing him an only son named Jeremiah, who became an enter- 
 prising merchant of this place, and is still so pleasantly and 
 favorably remembered by its aged citizens. Anna, his daughter, 
 born April 8th, 1771, died unmarried — ^indeed, quite young. 
 
 The memory of Samuel Fuller should be tenderly cherished 
 by the citizens of Schenectady. I should do injustice to my 
 own sense of propriety and the fidelity of my researches, did 
 I not speak of him in this account of Schenectady's early days, 
 as an accomplished architect, who has effected more than any 
 other man during the one hundred years that preceded him, 
 to improve the style of building in our place, and erect build- 
 ings stately for all time, throughout almost the length and 
 breadth of our Mohawk Valley. 
 
 History says much, and justly, too, of the Mayjiower, and 
 its intelligent, virtuous, and heroic refugees from English 
 oppression. They were not Puritans, or Roundheads, or 
 fanatics ; ^' no witchcraft slaughters ever disgraced their annals" 
 They were non-conformists, dissenters {or Pilgrim Fathers, as 
 they are now commonly called), of whom 120 families, under 
 their Pastor, Rev. John Robinson, head of the English con- 
 gregation at Lej'den, in Holland ; where, under the free pro- 
 tection of the flag of that coimtry, those dissenters had long 
 found an asylum from persecution by the hierarchy and 
 government of England. 
 
 After remaining there a number of years, causes conspired 
 to render these people dissatisfied with Holland as a perma- 
 nent abode ; among them a difference of language and 
 customs, and a soil too marshy and unwholesome. 
 18 
 
194 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Ill 1619, Mr. Robinson applied to the Dutch Company 
 trading in New Netherlands, to be aHowed to settle there, 
 and their consent was obtained, but for reasons too volumi- 
 nous to be detailed here. Their High Mightinesses, the States 
 General and Prince of Orange, declined. 
 
 Thus was changed the destination of that noble congrega- 
 tion, who in the midst of the inclemencies of a stern winter, 
 landing on the rocky and dreary shores of Cape Cod ; who have 
 done much by their sterling example and lessons, through the 
 Providence of Almighty God, to rear a Repubhc which was 
 to serve in all after ages as an asylinn for the oppressed of 
 every land. 
 
 Some historians represent that " The Pilgrims^'' were taken 
 against their will to New Plymouth, by the treachery of the 
 Captain of the Mayflower, who, they assert, was bribed by 
 the Dutch to land them at a distance from the Hudson river. 
 But tliis cannot be so. Gov. Bradford, in his history of 
 the Plymouth Co/on?/ ; Winslow, in his "-Brief Narrative,^'' 
 and Young's Chronicles of the Pilgrims, all high cotemporary 
 authority, contradict the assertion. 
 
 Indeed, all the evidence of history shows, that no matter 
 how great the disturbances between the authorities of the 
 New Netherlands, the Massachusetts Bay, New Haven, Hart- 
 ford, and other eastern colonies — Plymoutii colony and the 
 Dutch were always reciprocally upon friendly terms ; neither 
 seemed willing to forget the old hospitalities of generous 
 Holland. 
 
 I know not how much of the genuine blood of the May. 
 flower Pilgrim Fathers courses in the veins of our citizens ; 
 though I believe myself well informed when I state that the 
 Rev. " Winslow Paige,^'' long a distinguished clergyman of 
 the Reformed Dutch Church, and the father of our much- 
 valued citizen,' John Keyes Paige, and Alonzo C. Paige, 
 deceased, and of Mrs. Piatt Potter, still living, was the lineal 
 descendant of a Mayflower pioneer, and well have his de- 
 scendants sustained the honor of their origin. But Samuel 
 Fuller, the subject of this outline, was not only a son of New 
 England, but indisputably a lineal descendant of Doctor 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 195 
 
 Samuel Fuller, one of the nienionible planters of Plymouth, 
 who came over on the Mayflower with the tirst settlers, in 
 1620. 
 
 I extract from " Hooper's Medical Dictionary," Vol. I, 
 letter F : 
 
 " He was the first regularly-educated ph^'sician that visited 
 New England. He did not confine his benevolent offices to 
 the inhabitants of New Plymouth and to the aboriginals of 
 the country, but readil}^ gave his assistance to the people of 
 Salem and Charlestown, after Mr. Endicott came to that 
 ])art of Massachusetts Bay. Several of the people there died 
 of the ' scurvy and other distempers,' and many were sub- 
 jected to diseases arising from unwholesome diet and want of 
 proper accommodations. Having no physician among them- 
 selves, it was fortunate for those planters that Plymouth 
 could suppl}' them with one so well qualified as Doctor Ful- 
 ler, who visited them at the request of Governor Endicott, 
 and met with great success in his practice. He visited Salem 
 first in 1628, and again in 1629, on account of the sickness 
 introduced there by the newly-arrived ships. When he 
 arrived at Plymouth from Salem, Governor Endicott wrote 
 to Governor Bradford a letter of thanks speaking highly in 
 praise of the i)hysician. 
 
 " In his medical character, and for his unfeigned piety, 
 Doctor Fuller was held in high estimation, and was resorted 
 to as a father and Avise counsellor during the perils of his 
 day. He was finally one of several heads of families who 
 died of a fever which prevailed in Plymouth in the summer 
 of 1633, and was most deeply remembered by all the colo- 
 nists." (Thatch. Med. Biog., A.) 
 
 Samuel Fuller, the architect and lineal descendant of the 
 above-named Doctor Samuel Fuller, first came to Schenec- 
 tady during the French War, on the 28th day of March, 
 1758, and was then wholly employed in the King's service 
 at Schenectady, Albany. Stillwater, the great carrying place, 
 Fort Edward, Lake George, and Niskayuna. He was en- 
 gaged in the construction of boats, wagons, log-houses and 
 shelters for the use of the army commanded by General 
 
196 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Abercrombie (some evidence of the versatility of his powers), 
 until July 31st, 1758, after which period he returned to 
 Boston, and from that place went to Halifax, where he arrived 
 February 7th, 1759, and continued in the royal service in 
 the navy yard there, until after the taking of Quebec by 
 General Wolf in September, 1759 ; from whence he returned 
 to Boston, and thence to Schenectady, Avhere he arrived July, 
 1761, and on the 13th of the same month commenced the 
 building of a mansion in this town, and the year following 
 erected ''The Hermitage,^^ i\\ Niskayuna, for our great ex- 
 merchant, John Duncan, upon his extensive estate there. 
 This latter building was, long after its erection, burned down, 
 and is now replaced, at a point not far distant, upon a por- 
 tion of the same domain, by a fine mansion, the residence of 
 ex-Senator Charlee Stanford. 
 
 Mr. Fuller built for Sir William Johnson the Guy Park 
 mansion, subsequently the residence of Sir Guy Johnson, and 
 also the Claas mansion, afterwards the abode of Colonel 
 Daniel Claas — both gentlemen sons-in-law of Sir William. 
 He also built the now venerable court-house at Johnstown, 
 still standing in all its early proportions, admirably preserved 
 with great taste, and should always be saved for its old asso- 
 ciations, and as a standing witness of the severe trials of our 
 Revolutionary struggle. The sight of no costly court struc- 
 ture of the present day affords to the scholar and the histo- 
 rian so much of interest and association as this sound and 
 unique structure. Here, Sir William Johnson and Colonel 
 Frederick Vischer respectively held their courts. Here, 
 Lewis, Kent, Spencer, Van Ness, Piatt, Yates and Walworth 
 have often adjudicated causes with profound lore and noble 
 impartiality. And here, too, the voices of Hamilton, Burr, 
 Emmett, Van Vechten, Henry, Talcott, Cady, Eeynolds, and 
 many other distinguished lawyers, now resting from their 
 labors, have echoed from its historic walls. 
 
 Let me say, myself a link between the present and the 
 past, the old Johnstown Court-House should be treasured 
 and maintained as an honorable relic of New York's most 
 honorable days. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 197 
 
 Mr. Fuller also built the dwelling of General Nicholas 
 Herkimer, in the now town of Danul)e, Herkimer county, 
 and other prominent mansions in the Mohawk Valley. 
 
 He did much to alter, yet improve the old Holland style 
 of building in Schenectady. He built the Episcopal Church 
 in 1762 (now the oldest Episco[)al church-structure standing 
 in the State of New York). Built the John Glen mansion 
 on Washington avenue, now owned by Mr. George J. Swort- 
 liguer ; the Ten Eyck mansion, until his decease the resi- 
 dence of Governor Joseph C. Yates ; the Daniel Campbell 
 mansion, corner of State and Church streets, now owned and 
 occupied by Stewart Myers, Esq. He may have erected the 
 building here, and probably did, but enough has been shown 
 to indicate his skill and spirit of reform — to show that gable 
 fronts and far-reaching Avater-spouts on the streets were not 
 in his line of taste and construction. 
 
 I cannot, the reflecting citizen cannot, but feel that Schenec- 
 tady owes much to the early architectural skill of Samuel 
 Fuller. 
 
 Let me introduce (see Appendix D,) an autograph letter 
 from Sir William Johnson to Samuel Fuller, now in possession 
 of his grandson. General Wm. K. Fuller, written in a bold, 
 clean and business hand, shewing an interesting comparison of 
 the daily wages paid mechanics in 1763, and those paid them 
 in our Centennial year. It is truly an illustration of the com- 
 parative value of money in the present and the past, before 
 the flow of coal oil and the powers of steam were known. 
 
 Jeremiah Fcdler, the son, and only surviving child of Sam- 
 uel Fuller, born Octoljer 26th, 1766, married Mary, daugh- 
 ter of George Kendall, January 23d, 1790. They were the 
 parents of fourteen children — ten sons and four daughters — 
 all of whom reached majority except one, Samuel, and one 
 daughter, Ann, who died in infancy. Mr. Fuller was a man 
 of marked decision of character, of great integrity and busi- 
 ness energy ; no one more highly estimated the advantages 
 of a liberal education than himself, or more generously prized 
 the efforts of learned men. Born at a time when educational 
 advantages Avere few, he, in a long life, saw more and more 
 
198 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 each day its value and social importance ; and I now state, as 
 a remarkable circumstance, that ot" nine sons that survived 
 him, each M-as a graduate of Union College, and all, in the 
 various walks and professions of life, have worthily sustained 
 its literary and practicable reputation ; nor was the education 
 of his daughters by any means neglected. As a whole, Mr. 
 Fuller, like his father, was one of our most remarkable citi- 
 zens. He died June 18th. 1839, in the 73d jear of his age. 
 His estimable wife, Jlcny, died November 9th, 1860, at the 
 ripe old age of 85 years, 6 months, and 19 days, beloved by 
 all who knew her. 
 
 General WiJUam Kendall Fuller, the oldest swvivmg son of 
 Jeremiah, was l)orn Xovember 24th, 1792. He was educated 
 in the schools of Schenectady, graduated at Union College 
 in 1810, studied law in the office of Henry and John B. 
 Yates, then the most prominent practitioners of Schenectady 
 county, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court 
 of the State of New York in 1814. Soon after his admis- 
 sion he entered into pailnership with Hon. John B. Yates. 
 In the summer of 1814, they moved to Utica, Oneida county, 
 at that time a village of about 1,300 inhabitants : opened an 
 office, practiced law there until the spring of 1816, when 
 they removed to Chittenango, Madison county, then merel}^ 
 a hamlet of 100 inhabitants, where, and in the vicinit}'. the 
 senior partner, Mr. Yates, owned large landed uiterests. Mr. 
 Fuller, though young, modest, and remarkably unaasuming, 
 was, from his wonderful habits of industry and close atten- 
 tion to business, soon marked as a popular and rising man. 
 During his short residence at Utica he was appointed a 
 jSIaster in Chancery, Attorney for the Oneida, Stockl)ridge 
 and Brothertown Indians, and Quarter-Master to a Regi- 
 ment of Militia. 
 
 The public seem to have entertained the most perfect con- 
 fidence in the integrity and abilities of Mr. Fuller. Soon 
 after his settlement at Chittenango, unsolicited on his part, 
 offices clustered upon him. He seemed an idol at Chit- 
 tenango, and in Madison county, then sparsely and newly 
 settled, being only organized as a county in 1806. 
 
I^ 
 
 
EAKLY SETTLERS. 199 
 
 He filled in the extensive town of Sullivan, in which Chit- 
 tenango is situated, twice the office of Justice of the 
 Peace, was for some time its Town Clerk, also its Post- 
 master ; was School Trustee, Commissioner of Highways, 
 and twice its Supervisor. In connection with the discharge 
 of the duties of an extensive legal practice, one would sup- 
 pose this was sufficient care. But the people of Madison 
 seemed to think otherwise. He was, during his residence, at 
 different times, Aide-de-Camp to the General of Brigade, 
 Brigade Judge Advocate, Avith the rank of Major, and Divi- 
 sion Inspector, with the rank of Colonel. He was also Dis- 
 trict Attorney for the County of Madison, and at one time 
 Judge of its Court of Common Pleas. 
 
 All this flattering tribute from his constituents culminated 
 early in the year 1823, in his appointment, by Gov. Yates, 
 to the office of Adjutant-General of the State of New York, 
 sei'ving through his whole administration, and during several 
 months of the succeeding term of Gov. Clinton, with so much 
 acceptance, that on retiring from the office Gov. Clinton issued 
 " a General Order " complimentary of Mr. Fuller's services 
 as Adjutant-General, and caused it to be published in the 
 State Paper. As an evidence of Gov. Clinton's, estimation of 
 General Fuller's services, I insert the following copy of the 
 order : 
 
 " State of New York, ) 
 
 "Head-Quarters, Qth May, 1825. \ 
 
 " The Commander-in-Chief, on the retiring of William K. 
 Fuller, Esq., from the office of Adjutant-General, considers 
 it an act of justice to express his high sense of the useful and 
 indefatigable services of that meritorious officer. 
 
 " CH. G. HAINES, Adjutant-GeneraV 
 
 In 1823, at the time of his appointment as Adjutant- 
 General, Judge Fuller relinquished the practice of the law. 
 After the expiration of his office as Adjutant-General, he 
 returned to Chittenango, and became greatly interested in 
 the management of valualjle real estate there, and in that 
 vicinity ; was a Conunissioncr, under legislative acts, to 
 
200 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 drain the Canaseraga marsh ; was one of the Directors and 
 the Secretary and Treasurer of the " Side-Cuf^ from Chitte- 
 nango to the Erie canal, which was completed under his 
 superintendence, simultaneously with the middle section of 
 the Erie canal, at a much less cost than the capital subscribed. 
 This lateral canal, with its four locks, was abandoned in con- 
 sequence of the adoption of a new route for the Erie canal, 
 at the time of its enlargement, by which the latter was 
 brought to the northern limits of the village. 
 
 Madison county elected him member of Assembly for two 
 successive terms (1829-30) ; and he was elected twice in suc- 
 cession a member of Congress from the Twenty-third District, 
 then composed of the counties of Madison and Onondaga — his 
 last term ending March 3d, 1837. Since that date he has 
 carefully avoided any involvement in public concerns, and up 
 to 1852 devoted his time to his private affairs, and the settle- 
 ment of the large estate of his deceased friend and former law 
 partner, Hon. John B. Yates, of whose will he was an executor. 
 
 After that time, interested in property here, and having 
 become interested in property in Canada, General Fuller 
 divides his time on both sides of the line. " But Schenectady 
 is his native place ;" the home of his early days ; the final rest- 
 ing place of his ancestors; the home of many of his relatives 
 and best friends ; and here, more than at any other point, my 
 aged friend, now in his 86th year, erect in gait as a man of 
 30 years, with a mind clear as crystal fountain ; a colossus of 
 antiquarian research and historic learning ; a memory seem- 
 ingly unimpaired by the long uses of time ; a physical frame 
 in wonderful preservation, this near ally of Schenectady's 
 olden time seems, Avith i)hilosophical serenity, to await his 
 final summons. 
 
 Genial under all circumstances, the General is admired by 
 every one as th^ most remarkable living son of Schenectady ; 
 and is especially esteemed as the oldest intimate friend of 
 myself. 
 
 The General was never married, so he can probably only 
 leave to posterity the monument of his honors, his virtues, 
 his learning, mibending integrity and independent character. 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 201 
 
 Samuel, also a son of Jeremiah, born April IGth, 1795, was 
 a graduate of Union College, completed his medical studies 
 in the city of New York, and established himself as a physi- 
 cian and surgeon in Chittenango, Madison county, in 1818, 
 where he continued to practice with much success and repu- 
 tation until 1866, when, with his family, he removed to the 
 city of New York, where he died the following year, in the 
 73d year of his age. 
 
 George Kendall, another son, born January 29th, 1799, was 
 liberally educated, possessed of sound judgment, clear percep- 
 tions, great moral courage, and generous temper. He c;mie 
 to reside in Chittenango about the year 1820, and soon 
 became the general agent and superintendent of the extensive 
 farming, mercantile, and manufacturing interests of Hon. 
 John B. Yates at that place, and so continued until the decease 
 of that gentleman in 1836 ; and so highly were his services and 
 fidelity appreciated, that Mr. Yates left him by his will a 
 legacy of $5,000, and appointed him one of its executors. 
 He was engaged in the trust thus confided to him mitil the 
 final settlement of the estate, which, from unavoidable cir- 
 cumstances, did not occur until 1852. Mr. Fuller died at 
 Chittenango, May 9th, 1858, in his 60th year, unmarried, and 
 the only son of Jeremiah, who was not a professional man. 
 
 Richard, also a son, born October 2Slh, 1804, was a gradu- 
 ate of Union College, and at one time a room-mate there of 
 myself. I still remember, with melancholy pleasure, our 
 genial intercourse and harmony during that period of young 
 life. He was a practicing physician at Schenectady, and at 
 one time Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Medical Depart- 
 ment of Clinton College, at Fairfield, Herkimer county. A 
 deep thinker and student, his life of promise and usefulness 
 was cut ort'by insidious disease. May 15th, 1837, at the early 
 age of 33 years, much regretted by those who knew his ster- 
 ling qualities. 
 
 Edward, another son of Jeremiah, born February 15th, 
 1807, was a liberally educated gentleman, and completing 
 his medical studies in New York, settling at Chittenango, he 
 became a partner of his brother, Samuel, in 1824, acquiring 
 
202 HISTORY or SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 an excellent repntation for skill and close attention to busi- 
 nees. He retired from the practice in 1834, and amid the 
 comforts of an ample fortnue, died Jannary 22d, 1877, aged 
 about 70 years, universally respected. 
 
 Oharles, also a son, born April 1st, 1809, is a lawyer, resid- 
 ing and practicing in the city of Schenectad3^ 
 
 Henri/, cmotJiei^ son, born February 2d, 1811, was an attor- 
 ney-at-law, practicing at Schenectady for several years, and 
 from thence removed to the city of New York, continuing his 
 profession there until his decease, January 6th, 1875. He 
 was interred at Schenectady. 
 
 James, another son, born July 2Wi, 1814, is a gentleman of 
 liberal education, sound law-knowledge, courteous manners, 
 and extensive legal practice in the city of Schenectady, justly 
 esteemed by the community for strict integrity, and the con- 
 scientious discharge of professional duties. Lawyers of that 
 school are an honor to the profession, and I am happy to 
 class him among my intimate friends. 
 
 Robert, the youngest son of Jeremiah, born February 14th, 
 1822, also a graduate of Union College, is a regularl}^ prac- 
 ticing physician of Schenectad}^, of acknowledged skill and 
 ability ; and within an unbending exterior holds a mellow 
 heart. His gratuitous services to the poor are subjects of 
 remark b}^ many, and of admiration to the philanthropist. 
 
 Amelia Aim, a daughter of JeremiaJi, born March 13th, 
 1801 ; died October 27th, 1871. 
 
 Ann, another daughter, born April 21st, 1803 ; died June, 
 1862. 
 
 Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, is a lady of fine taste and 
 much historic learning, possessing a wonderfully tenacious 
 memory, and talents of a high order ; but as she is now living 
 in the full vigor of a well-spent life, I dare only add, all 
 highly esteem Miss Fuller, Avho know her unpretending, 
 quiet virtues and unostentatious goodness. And just at this 
 point, I deem it proper to state that I am much indel^ted to 
 the historic volume of Madison county, N. Y., pul)lished by 
 Mrs. L. M. Hammond, for much of the sketch of General W. 
 K. Fuller's public services ; and also for my brief record 
 
'kuv\W 
 
ExVRLY SETTLERS. 203 
 
 made of the success, in the walks of life, of the General's 
 brothers — Samuel, George and Edward — -and also as to the 
 memoir of Hon. John B. Yates. 
 
 Andrew Mitchell, a Scotchman, precisely when he came to 
 Schenectady I cannot determine, but find that he was a mer- 
 chant there in 1765, owning and occupying a house and lot 
 on State street, the location of which is now inclosed in the 
 premises of Mrs. Thomas B. Mitchell, on its west side. 
 
 Mr. Mitchell was an ardent, patriot Whig during the Rev- 
 olutionary War ; and for that whole period was a meml)er of 
 the Conmiittee of Safety and its Secretary. It has been 
 to me a source of pleasure to notice with how much precision 
 the minutes were kept by that enthusiastic son of liberty in 
 those perilous days. 
 
 Mr. Mitchell was the grandfather of our late esteemed 
 citizen, Hon. Thomas B. Mitchell. 
 
 Hon. Peter Roice. The Rowe family was of German 
 origin ; they emigrated to this country at an early day, and 
 settled at the " Boght,^^ one of the most beautiful and fertile 
 localities in the Mohawk Valley. I have no data whereby 
 to lix the precise time of their arrival in this country. The 
 ancestor of the family owned and cultivated a large tract of 
 these fertile lands. He was distinguished for learning and 
 piety, and as a friend and patron of the gospel ministers of 
 that period. 
 
 Peter Roive, son of Peter and Amey Rowe, was a grand- 
 son of the first settler, and was born March lUth, 1806. His 
 father died during the same year, and owing probably to the 
 prevailing ideas in favor of primogeniture, Mr. Rowe and his 
 sister inherited no portion of his grandfather's valuable real 
 estate, but were left to the sole care of their widowed mother, 
 an intelligent, kind-hearted and sensible lady, who, after the 
 decease of her husband, removed to the city of Schenectady, 
 and educated her two children in a manner creditable to herself, 
 and with a care which in after years rendered them not only 
 an honor to their parents, but a blessing to the city in which 
 they resided. 
 
 Mr. Rowe, after having received a mathematical and clas 
 
204 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 sical education at the Schenectady Academy, devoted the 
 early period of his life successfully to mercantile pursuits, 
 with the exception of time when he was employed as a clerk 
 in the service of " The XJtica and ScJieneciady Railroad Oom- 
 pani/y 
 
 He was elected Mayor of the city of Schenectady in 1846, 
 and held the office for tAvo successive terms. During his 
 administration the city was well governed, municipal taxes 
 were reduced, and at the expiration of his term the city was 
 free from debt. 
 
 Inspired by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to obtain 
 rest from the pursuits of business, during the year 1851 he 
 visited the most important cities and interesting localities in 
 Europe. 
 
 •' There is no royal road to 'knowledge^'' so says the proverb, 
 and so experience teaches, whether we pursue it at home, or 
 seek for it abroad ; the price therefor is toil and weariness. 
 Sight-seeing in a foreign land must be purchased by the 
 student of history and the arts, not only with ready coin 
 expenditures, but often with much labor, hard fare, and 
 occasionally severe trials to patience, if he would reap the 
 full reward of his enterprise. The continual change of scene 
 and circumstances, through whicli he must necessarily pass, 
 rapidly multiplies the events of his life ; at every turn he 
 sees new prospects and encounters new adventures ; his feet 
 are scarcely ever off the dust upon which some of the stirring 
 events of history have occurred, and his mind is constantly 
 stimulated by the remembrance of those actors of the past, 
 whose deeds have stamped with immortality the very land- 
 scape that he looks upon. For whether traversing the fields 
 of conflict, made memorable by the records of years gone by, 
 or loitering in the galleries of art where genius, for the bene- 
 fit of man, has deposited her choicest gifts, or standing 
 beneath the arches of some ancient cathedral, where faith, for 
 centuries, has unfurled her banner to redeem the world, 
 knowledge flows in upon his soul, like the current of some 
 mighty river into the waters of the sea, and he acquires, per- 
 haps in the short space of a few months, a greater amount of 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 205 
 
 information than he could have attained by years of study on 
 the same subjects at a distance from the locality of the actual 
 scenes. The learned Doctor Johnson has eloquently said : 
 
 " I envy not the man whose patriotism is not strengthened 
 by standing on the plains of Marathon, or whose piety is not 
 warmed by viewing the ruins of lona." 
 
 Mr. Rowe was greatly imin'oved as a scholar by his travels 
 in Europe, and loved to dwell upon its incidents and expe- 
 riences. Soon after his return, his financial abilities were 
 called into requsition to assist in the business of consolidating 
 several of the railroad companies in the State of New York 
 into one corporate body, known as " The New York Central 
 Railroad Company^ He was appointed chief auditor of 
 accounts of that extensive corporation, and during the term 
 of his service performed the responsible duties of that office 
 to the entire satisfaction of his employers. 
 
 He was elected a member of the Thirty-third Congress of 
 the United States, from the Eighteenth Congressional dis- 
 trict of New York, in the year 1852. As a member of this 
 body, he distinguished himself by advocating a strict observ- 
 ance of the constitutional rights of the several States of the 
 Union. The bold and manly course which he pursued and 
 maintained by arguments in favor of the right of the people 
 of the Southern States to occupy the government's terri- 
 tories with their negro servants, so contrary at that time to 
 the views expressed by his more wary colleagues from the 
 North, endeared him to all the Southern members, and 
 gained for him the respect and esteem of President Pierce 
 and the members of his cabinet, who entertained the samc^ 
 views with regard to the constitutional rights of the people 
 of the South ; and during Mr. Rowe's Congressional career, no 
 government appointments of officers were made in the district 
 which he represented, or in either of the adjoining districts, 
 without his recommendation or approval ; and Avhat nuist 
 seem singular (in this day of derilection of official duty), no 
 government officer who received an appointn.ent to office 
 through Mr. Rowe's recommendation, ever proved recreant 
 to his duty or a defaulter to the Government. 
 
206 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 After the expiration of his Congressional term, he held no 
 public office except that of President of " Vale Cemetery, ^^ 
 an office which he had held for several years, and which he 
 filled at the time of his decease, which occurred at the family 
 homestead, April 17th, 1876. 
 
 Mr. Rowe devoted much of his time gratuitously, during 
 the latter period of his life, to the work of superintending 
 the la^nng out, improving, and ornamenting the grounds- of 
 "Vale Cemetery," erecting therein a costly mausoleum, 
 wherein his remains are now deposited beside those of his 
 deceased relatives. He bequeathed to this " Vale Cemetery 
 Association," at his decease, the sum of Five Thousand Dol- 
 lars in Trust, to be invested at interest for a term of years, 
 and at the end of that period the principal sum, with the 
 accumulations thereon, to be used for the purpose of con- 
 structing an iron fence around the cemetery grounds. 
 
 Mr. RoNve was public-spirited, a man of great moral 
 coui-age, and an efl'ective debater. His opinions were the 
 result of deliberate thought, and when formed were immuta- 
 ble. His success in life may, in a great measure, be attributed 
 to industry, economy, strict integrity, and firmness of character. 
 
 In the death of Mr. Eowe, Schenectady parted with an 
 intelligent, enterprising and honorable citizen, highly esteemed 
 by all who really knew him ; and myself, Avho valued him 
 much as a friend, in a fair notice of Icim, could not well say 
 less in honor of his memory. 
 
 At this point I have redeemed my promise to venture no 
 fiu'ther in the direction of family histories and genealogies 
 than to render my tribute to the early proprietors, pioneers 
 and settlers of Schenectady, and their immediate descendants, 
 for the first 100 years after its settlement commenced. For 
 I know that family histories and genealogies to this date are 
 beyond the compass of a single volume ; so, impartially, I 
 close that branch of my subject with Schenectady's Centen- 
 nial year — believing myself to have preserved all that is most 
 illustrious of her pioneer days and earliest historic life. 
 
 And yet, when I glance at the material before me, and turn 
 over the leaves of tradition, history and memory, it seems ill 
 
EARLY SETTLERS. 207 
 
 that later comers l)y a few years, who have added so much 
 to the character, growth, wealth, beautiticatioii, civilization, 
 and healthy morals of Schenectady, do not come within 
 the limit allowed me ; such as tlie good James Dunlap, 
 the ancestor of our lamented and scholarly Christian 
 physician, Thomas Dunlap ; the distinguished merchants, 
 James Phyn, James, Thomas, Alexander, and Robert Ellice, 
 who have had no superiors in the extent of their commercial 
 dealings here, either in Schenectady's earlier or later day. 
 They floated on all the Western lakes and upon the St. 
 Lawrence, with boats laden from our store houses and 
 wharves. The trade between Schenectady and Montreal was 
 theu large and direct, and oue or two of the partners constantly 
 resided at the latter city. Perhaps I may here reniark 
 properly, that with all the jealous flings in former days of 
 rivalry, sometimes thrown at our ancient and substantial city, 
 from its earliest day, many large fortunes have been accumu- 
 lated there. Its inland water communicatious, unequalled in 
 their extensive spread, ''until the construction of the great 
 Erie canal; " its rich vallej^ and productive uplands, occu- 
 pied by a solid, industrious and prosperous people, aflorded 
 al)undant facilities to enterprising men. After the fall of 
 Quebec, and the consequent reduction of Canada, John 
 Duncan and James Phyn, leading merchants of Montreal, 
 immediately availed themselves of the favorable location, 
 and after conducting an immense business under a partner- 
 ship of a few years, John Duncan, the senior partner, retired, 
 as we have shown, upon a large fortune ; and the old busi- 
 ness was continued under the firm of Phjai, Ellice & Co. 
 Phyn became very wealthy, and after investing large sums 
 in the purchase of lands in Montgomery and Herkimer 
 counties, particularly at the Little Falls, leaving his large 
 landed estates in the charge of Barent Bleecker, Esq., at Albany, 
 retired to Montreal to spend the remnant of his days in luxu- 
 rious alfluence, where he died at a very advanced age. All 
 the Ell ices became rich ; and, on the dissolution of the firm, 
 went their various ways, except James, who married Miss 
 Ann Adams, and resided at Schenectady, in his stately man- 
 
208 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY 
 
 sioii for the times, on Front street, iit the head of Church, 
 lately ownetl and occupied by Nicholas Cain, deceased. 
 
 James EUice died at Schenectady — the precise time I am 
 unable to fix ; but must have been previous to 1791, for on 
 the 30th day of September, in that year, Hon. Joseph C. 
 Yates, subsequently Governor of New York, married his 
 widow. Of all these distinguished firms, after dissolution, 
 only two members, John Duncan and James EUice, continued 
 to live at and eventuall}^ died at Schenectady. 
 
 It would aftbrd me genuine pleasure to pay my tribute to 
 those eminent merchants and forwarders, Walton and 
 De Graft* Eri Lusher & Co., the successors of the great 
 firms of Duncan & Phyn, Phyn, EUice & Co., of those suc- 
 cessful and time-honored merchants and citizens, James 
 Walker, Wm. Lyman, Alexander Kelly, John and Robert 
 Tamnahill, James Murdock, David Tomlinson, Charles Mar- 
 tin, WiUiam Cunningham, Wm. McCamus, Charles, John and 
 Andrew Mathews ; of those talented physicians and drug- 
 gists, James and William Anderson, and Archibald Craig, of 
 those high names that have adorned Union College and our 
 pulpits, or of the highly cultivated families of James Duane, 
 Mrs. Anna Constable, Charles Kane, and the Bayards, who 
 aided so much to elevate and polish the tone of Schenectady 
 society ; but I regret they can only be mentioned, for I 
 prize the history of good contributors to the success of the 
 community in which they live ; and these are all bright exam- 
 ples of Schenectady social life and solidity. I agree, too, 
 with Southey, where he says : 
 
 " The history of au}^ private family, however elevated or 
 humble, could it be fairly related for five or six generations, 
 would illustrate the state and progress of society better than 
 the most elaborate dissertations." 
 
EARLY DAYS. 209 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Early Days. 
 
 Let me now return to Schenectady's earlier days. 
 
 Swear Teunise Van Velsen was the only one of the old 
 proprietors who was killed at the burning of Schenectady in 
 1690, twenty-eight years after its first settlement. William Tel- 
 ler, another proprietor, had a short time previously removed to 
 New York, leaving his son John in charge of his interest, and 
 Jacques Conielitte Van Sl^ck, also a proprietor, although he 
 escaped the massacre, died of pulmonary disease a few months 
 afterwards. All the remaining or other proprietors were 
 resting, after the struggles of pioneer life, under the green 
 sods of their own loved valley. 
 
 I have, from the data within my reach, before stated, that 
 tlie original proprietors had divided the first grant among 
 themselves ; but as emigration and population increased, sales 
 and transfeis to new-comers and divisions among descend- 
 ants, as usual in all new settlements, necessarily took place, 
 and then came a cry for pasture land and a little more tillage 
 ground. The village and vicinity had increased rapidly, and 
 to breathe mc/re freely, these sagacious and earnest frontiers- 
 men, for comfort's sake, required more room. Consequently, 
 confidently backing up their application with an unusually 
 valuable consideration, they applied to their friends, the gal- 
 lant and generous Mohawks, and these noblemen of the 
 woods, hills, streams and valleys of this beautiful region, 
 being thereunto moved somewhat b}' affection, and other valid 
 considerations, certain of their chiefs, the representatives of the 
 four Mohawk castles, for themselves and the true and lawful 
 o.wners of the land in their deed mentioned, by their certain 
 Avriting of sale, dated the 3d day of July, 1672, gave and 
 granted unto Sander Leenderse Glen, Jan Van Eps, and 
 Siveere Teunise Nan Velsen, as being empowered by the inhal)i- 
 tants of the town or village of Schenectady and places adja- 
 14 
 
210 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 cent, for that purpose, a certain tract or parcel of laud — 
 begiuuiug at the Mauquas river, by the town of Scheuectady, 
 aud from theuce runs westerly, ou both sides up the river, to 
 a certain place called by the Indians " Oanaquarueny,^^ being 
 reputed to be three Dutch or twelve English miles ; and 
 from the said town of Schenectady, down the river, one 
 Dutch or four English miles, to a kill or creek called ''Ael 
 Plas,s," and from the said Marquass river into the woods, 
 south towards Albany to the Sand Kill, one Dutch mile, and 
 as much on the other side of the river north, being one Dutch 
 mile more. This Indian title was ct)nfirmed by Governor 
 Dongan, in 1684, in which confirmation all the recitals of the 
 Indian title are contained, and gives, grants, and confirms 
 unto William Teller, Eyer Schermerhorn, Sweer Teunisen, 
 Jan Van Eps, and Myndert Wemp, on behalf of the inhab- 
 itants of the town of Schenectady and places adjacent therein, 
 their associates, heirs, successors and assigns, the before-recited 
 tract and tracts, etc., as therein contained, reserving as a quit- 
 rent, for the use of his Royal Highness, forty bushels of good 
 winter wheat, to be paid at Albany on the 25th day of March 
 in each year thereafter. T/n's is the true boundary of the 
 original township and subsequent city of Schenectady, and 
 represents the present city and the towns of Rolterdam and 
 Glenville, as they now exist. It seems proper to publish this 
 foundation title entire, as intimately connected with Schenec- 
 tady's early history, later struggles, and strange events. (See 
 Appendix B.) 
 
 Of these five trustees, three — Sweer Teunise Van Velsen, 
 Jan Van Eps, and Myndert Wemp — were killed at the burn- 
 ing of Schenectady in 1690. William Teller had removed 
 to New York in 1692, leaving Ryer Schermerhorn the only 
 surviving actor of the trust. He, being such surviving trus- 
 tee in 1705, was complained of by a large number of the citi- 
 zens for exercising arbitrary power over the town affairs, aiid 
 rendering no account of his proceedings. These discontents 
 resulted in an application to Lord Cornbury, Governor-in- 
 Chief, who, by a new patent dated April 16th, 1705, appointed 
 Peter Schuyler, John Alexander Glen, Adam Vrooman, 
 
EARLY DAYS. 211 
 
 Daniel Johnson and John Baptist Van Eps new trustees, with 
 full powers to call Ryer Schermerhorn, the old trustee, to 
 account, etc. It Avill be observed that, in this grant, Eyer 
 Schermerhorn being the party to account, his name was omit- 
 ted as a trustee, and that of Peter Schuyler, a new resident, 
 introduced. 
 
 But to quiet angry dissensions among the citizens, and for 
 other sufficient reasons, another patent was issued by Honor- 
 able Robert Hunter, then Governor, on the 6th day of No- 
 vember, 1714, superseding the trustees appointed in 1705, 
 and appointing, in their stead, Rjer Schermerhorn, Jan 
 Wemp, Johannis Teller, Arent Bradt and Barent Wemp as 
 trustees. 
 
 Of those trustees, Ryer Schermerhorn died February 19th, 
 1719; John Teller died May 28th, 1725; Barent Wemp 
 died in 1748; and Jan Wemp died October 11th, 1749, 
 leaving Arent Bradt as the sole surviving trustee in 1749. 
 This Ai-ent Bradt was the individual Avho built the ancient 
 house No. 7 State street ; and, after l)eing a trustee for iit'ty- 
 two consecutive years, dying in 1767, left a will appointing 
 his successors — of which a copy is given. (See Appendix " C") 
 
 The persons so named in his will, or their successors, con- 
 tinued as such trustees until the city charter was granted, 
 March 26th, 1798, when all their powers passed into the 
 hands of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city 
 of Schenectady. 
 
 Previous to this (23d October, 1765), Schenectady was 
 created a borough, with the rights and innnunities incident 
 to such corporations, contained in an exceedingly detailed 
 charter of forty-eight pages, now treasured among the archives 
 of the Common Council ; antl mider that charter Isaac Vroo- 
 ■man. Esq. (a grandson of the gallant Adam Vrooman, t)ur 
 hero of 1690), was the first mayor, and John Duncan, Esq. 
 (our distinguished trader), the first Recorder ; and Schenec- 
 tady was entitled to send a member to the Provincial Legis- 
 lature. Westchester was the only other borough town in the 
 Colony entitled to like privileges. 
 
 At this point it seems fitting to make mention of some old 
 
212 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 residents, who honorably held office in early days. It certainly 
 is interesting to myself, and may be to some of their descend- 
 ents. I shall make no note subseqnent to the time of the 
 adoption of the second New York State Constitution, in 
 February, 1822 (of the Convention that formed which, John 
 Sanders, the father of this writer, and Henry Yates, Jr., were 
 members), for all after that period belongs to Schenectady's 
 later days. 
 
 Martin Krigier was a delegate 26th November, 1653, to 
 the first Convention ever held in the New Netherlands. 
 
 Ludovicus Cohes was Sheritf of Alban}^ county (Shenec- 
 tady forming a part), 1679. 
 
 Ludovicus Cobes was County Clerk of Albany county 
 (Schenectady forming a part), 1669. 
 
 Jan Janse tScJiermerJiorn was member of Leisler's Assembly 
 in 1690. 
 
 Karl Hansen Toll was member of the General Assembly 
 in 1615, 1626. 
 
 Jacob Glen was member of the General Assembly in 1726, 
 1727, 1728, 1737, 1748, 1750. 
 
 Arent Bradt Avas member of the General Assembly in 1737, 
 1743, 1745, 1748. 
 
 Abraham Glen was member of the General Assembly in 
 1743, 1745. 
 
 NicJiolas ScJinyler was member of the General Assemlily 
 in 1727, 1728. 
 
 Jacob Van Slyck was member of the General Assembly in 
 1750, 1752. 
 
 Isaac Vrooman was member of the General Assembly in 
 1759, 1761. 
 
 Byer Scheirnerhorn was member of the General Assembly 
 in 1761. 
 
 Jacobus My)iderse was member of the General Assembly 
 in 1752, 1759, 1768, 1775. 
 
 Nicholas Groot was member of the General Assembly in 
 1761, 1768. 
 
 Henry Glen was member of the First, Second and Third 
 Provincial Congress, 1775, 1776. 
 
EARLY DAYS. 213 
 
 Henry Ghn was member of Assemljly in 178G, 1787 and 
 1810. 
 
 Hmry Glen was member of Third, Fonrtli, Fifth and Sixth 
 Congress of the United States from 1793 to 1802. 
 
 Harmcmus Peek was member of Sixteenth Congress of 
 the United States from 1819 to 1821. 
 
 WiUiam North was member of the Assembly 1792, 1794, 
 1795, 179G, and 1810, and several times Speaker of that 
 body. In 1798, dnring a reeess of the Legislature, he 
 Avas appointed a Senator of the United States by Governor 
 John Jay, to fill a vacancy occasioned hj the resignation of 
 John Closs Hoburt, appointed Judge of the United States 
 District Court New York. During the Revolutionary War 
 General North was the Aid of Baron Steul)en. 
 
 Joseph ShurtUf was member of Asseml)ly, 1798, 1799, 
 1800, 1802, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, and 18i3. 
 
 James Boyd was member of Assembly, 1811, 1812. 
 
 John Young was member of Assembly, 1811, 1812. 
 
 Alexander Combs was member of Assembly, 1812, 1813. 
 
 Joseph ShurtUjf was member of Assembly, 1812, 1813. 
 
 Abraham Van Ingen was member of Assembly, 1814. 
 
 Lavjrence Uyoomaw was member of Assembly, 1814, 1815. 
 
 Jolm Uecf^ory was member of Assembly, 1815, 1817. 
 
 Harmanus Peek was member of Assembly, 1816. 
 
 Harry Fryer was member of Assembly, 1816. 
 
 Harmanus Van Slyck was member of Assembly, 1817. 
 
 Daniel L. Van. Ardioeip was member of Assemljly, 1818. 
 
 /Simon A. Veeder was member of Assemljly, 1818. 
 
 James Frost was member of Assemljly, 1819. 
 
 Simon A. Groat was member of Assembl}", 1819. 
 
 Christian Haverly was member of Assembly, 1820. 
 
 Marinus Willelt was member of Assembly, 1820, 
 
 Richard McMichael was member of Asseml)ly, 1821. 
 
 Gerrit Veeder was member of Assembly, 1821. 
 
 James Walker was member of Assembly, 1822. 
 
 John F. D. Veeder was member of Assembly, 1822. 
 
 Robert Yates was a lawyer of eminence. He was a mem- 
 ber of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Provincial Congress 
 
214 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 of New York ; was a member of the first Convention of New 
 York, in 1777, to form a Constitution, and a member of the 
 committee to draft it ; was an Associate Justice of the 
 Supreme Court of New York, and finally its Chief Justice ; 
 his term expired by the constitutional limit of sixty years. 
 He was a member of the Convention of 1788 to ratify the 
 Federal Constitution. 
 
 Rinier Mynderse was Senator under the first Constitution, 
 1777 to 1781. 
 
 John Sunders was Senator under the first Constitution, 
 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, and member of the Council of 
 Appointment in 1800. His associates were De Witt Clinton, 
 Ambrose Spencer jind John Roseboom. John Jay was then 
 Governor and presiding officer. 
 
 Simon Veeder was Senator under the first Constitution 
 from 1804 to 1806. 
 
 Joseph C. Yates was Senator under the first Constitution 
 from 1806 to 1808, when his seat l)ecame vacant by accept- 
 ing a seat of Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of 
 New York. He became Governor of the State in 1822. 
 
 Henry Yates, Jr., was a Senator under the first Consti- 
 tution from 1810 to 1814, and from 1818 to 1822. He was 
 also a member of the Council of Appointment in 1812, 1818, 
 when Daniel D. Tompkins was Governor. 
 
 Gerrit S. Veeder was the first Judge of the Schenectady 
 Court of Common Pleas, appointed soon after the organization 
 of the county in 1809. 
 
 William James Teller was the first Surrogate appointed 
 in 1809. 
 
 Henry Yates, Jr., and John Sanders were the first mem- 
 bers from Schenectady county to the Convention to form 
 the second Constitution for New York, and after its adop- 
 tion in FeljrujUy, 1822. Officers belong to the history of 
 Schenectady's latter days. 
 
 As I have already stated, Schenectady was chartered as a 
 city, March 26th, 1798, and its corpoj-ate title was 'Hhe 
 Mayoi% Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Schenectady, 
 and in its area luas one of the largest cities known to any age — 
 
EARLY DAYS. 
 
 215 
 
 twelve miles in length, hy eight in breadth. The First Ward 
 embraced all that compact part of it lying between Union 
 street and the Mohawk river ; the Second Ward, that part 
 lying south of Union street and extending a short distance 
 upon the Bouwlandt ; the Third Ward, what is noAV the 
 town of Eotterdam ; and the Fourlli Ward, what is now the 
 town of Glenville. 
 
 By the charter, the Mayor was to be appointed by the 
 Governor and Council, and each ward was entitled to elect 
 two aldermen and two assistants. Hon. Josejjh C Yates was 
 the first Mayor, a man then noted for legal ability, and sub- 
 sequently more distinguished as a Supreme Court Judge and 
 Governor of the State of New York. As it has, in this con- 
 nection, been interesting to me and may be to others, I insert 
 the names and the periods of service of those who have filled the 
 dignified office of Mayor since the city charter was granted : 
 
 1798. Joseph C. Yates. 
 1808. John Yates. 
 
 1810. Abraham Oothout. 
 
 1811. John Yates. 
 
 1813. Maus Schermerhorn. 
 1817. Heni-y Yates, Jr. 
 
 1825. Isao.c M. Schermerhorn. 
 
 1826. David Boyd. 
 
 1828. Isaac M. Schermerhorn. 
 
 1831. Archibald L. Linn. 
 
 1832. John J. De Graff. 
 1837. Samuel W. Jones. 
 
 1839. Archibald L. Linn. 
 
 1840. Alexander C. Gibson. 
 
 1842. John J. De Graff. 
 
 1843. Alexander C. Gibson. 
 1845. John J. De Graff. 
 
 1846. Peter Rowe. 
 
 1848. James E. Van Home. 
 
 1850. Peter Rowe. 
 
 1851. Mordecai Myers. 
 
 1852. Abraham A. Van Vorst. 
 
 1854. Mordecai Myers. 
 
 1855. Abel Smith. 
 
 1857. Benjamin V. S. Vedder. 
 
 1858. Alexander M. Vedder. 
 
 1859. David P. Forrest. 
 
 1860. Benjamin F. Potter. 
 
 1861. Arthur W. Hunter. 
 1865. Andrew McMuUen. 
 1869. Abraham A. Van Vorst. 
 1871. William J. Van Home. 
 1873. Arthur W. Hunter. 
 1875. Peter B. Yates.* 
 
 * Note. — Mayor Yates died on the 4th of July, 1876, while in office, and 
 was succeeded liy "William Howes Smith, Esq., who was Recorder at the 
 time of Mayor Yates' decease, and took the vacancy by virtue of that posi- 
 tion, which he has ever since filled with ability. 
 
216 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER VII r. 
 Area. 
 
 To return to the extent of the city of Schenectady. Its 
 area was too great for the comfort of its mixed popuUition. 
 The diversity of interests of the Third and Fourth country 
 wards (containing many square miles of land, and at that 
 time, 1820, an agricultural popidation of about 3,000), and 
 those of the inhabitants residing in the compact part of the 
 city, were conflicting and often created great and constantly 
 increasing difficulties in the transacting of public affairs and 
 the management of their common property, consisting of some 
 real estate in the compact wards, and of many thousand 
 acres of land in the agricultural wards. AYherefore the 
 inhabitants of the contesting sections, as also the JVLwor, 
 Aldermen and Commonalt}' of the City, with great unanim- 
 ity, by their several petitions applied to the Legislature for a 
 law to erect the aforesaid Third and Fourth wards into sepa- 
 rate towns, leaving the First and Second w^ards compact as the 
 city, and for an equitable division of the common lands and 
 property according to population. 
 
 This act Avas passed accordingto their prayer, on the 14th day 
 of April, 1820 (see Session Laws, New York, 1820), and under 
 its provisions Lawrence Vrooman, of Niskayuna, James Frost, 
 of Duanesburgh, and John Schuyler, Jr., of Watervliet, three 
 skillful surveyors, were appointed commissioners for the pur- 
 pose of making division and partition of their conmion prop- 
 erty among the several parties, which was eventually accom- 
 plished to the satisfaction of all interested, and our old city 
 retained its mlmn population with reasonable bounds. Time 
 has evidenced that the dismemberment was mutually advan- 
 tageous to city and country, and is so appreciated by both. 
 But this severing ofl' of two large towns, Rotterdam and 
 Glenville, with about 3,000 of population, on taking our next 
 census, gave to the outside world, who did not conqjrehend 
 
AEEA. 217 
 
 its cause, the iintbrtunute belief that our ancient city avils 
 retrograding. 
 
 In point of fact, this was never so. Our old home has 
 uniformily advanced in Avealth, prosperity and population. 
 True, not with the strides of other cities, fostered with a 
 heavy tide of emigration, and fortunate circumstances in 
 combination ; but with the steady, solid tread of the Holland 
 nature — slow, but sure. Then, too, as a frontier town, in its 
 early history, Schenectady was desolated by tire and sword, 
 rising again from its ashes on the same spot of destruction 
 and disaster, indicate clearly the hardy and indomitable 
 ancestry from whom many of our people have descended ; 
 but their losses had been so severe the recovery was 
 necessaril}' slow. Schenectady was destroyed by the French 
 and Indians on the night of the 8th and the morning of Feb- 
 ruary 9th, 1690, and it seems to me due to the sad occasion, 
 and the line of this little history, that some account should 
 be rendered of that brutal outrage and dire calamity. 
 
 It occurred about the time of the accession of William and 
 Mary, when Jacob Leisler, a wealthy merchant and influen- 
 tial politician of New Tork, had usurped the government in 
 their names ; and backed up by the popular Protestant 
 frenzy, that all those u'ho had held office under James icere 
 Pajiists, removed ever^- old officer, and appointed the devo- 
 tees of himself and son-in-law, Milborne, in their stead. It 
 was truly a time of disobedience, distraction, wild riot and 
 disorder. Schenectady itself ivas strongly Leislei'ian. I Avish 
 not to enter into detail, but it is clearl}^ a matter of histor}- 
 and tradition that John Alexander Glen, commandant of the 
 place, and a justice of the township, residing at Scotia, Avas 
 not alloAved to enter the village under an}' circumstances, his 
 life threatened, and in derision of his advice to guard and 
 close the gates ; so great Avas their confidence of security from 
 attack in the depth of that unusually severe winter, that the 
 Leislerians formed men of snow, and set one at each gate, as 
 a sufficient protection. Captain Alexander Glen, John Alex- 
 ander's brother, a resident of the village, and also Justice of 
 the Peace, Avas oblijrt'd to take refui^e at Albanv; and manv 
 
218 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 prominent men of the province were compelled to seek an 
 asylnni in New Engliintl. 
 
 There was, at the time of the conflagration and massacre, 
 a garrison of 24 men (to whom the Leisleri:ms Avere inimi- 
 cal), stationed at a point now called the Old Fort, sitnated at 
 the junction of what is now Front, Ferry and Green streets, 
 mider Lieutenant Enos Talmadge, of Connecticut. From 
 the earliest date of its erection^ this spot, and none other, of 
 Schenectady, has been designated as the Fort. It was 
 destroyed in 1690 ; a ncAv fort was built in 1700, rebuilt in 
 1735, and again in 1780. I have been unable to ascertain 
 from any source what was the precise extent of either of the 
 forts. The parade groimd embraced the small puljlic square, 
 and some vacant lots lying between Front street and the 
 premises now belonging to and occupied by the Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Although called a Fort, it seems, from investigations made 
 by me, to have been the barrack station of an exposed fron- 
 tier town, enlarged at diflerent periods to suit the necessities 
 of the times, but probably mounted a few cannon. I am not 
 clear about that. 
 
 During the French AVar (so-called), many soldiers were 
 stationed at Schenectady and in its vicinity as a place of ren- 
 dezvous. In the spring of 1759, General Prideaux, a strict 
 disci[)linarian, to shut ofl* his troops from the temptations of 
 Schenectady life, for several weeks, with two Highland regi- 
 ments, occupied the plateau west of the Scotia mansion, await- 
 ing a favorable season and the readiness of Sir William John- 
 son, with his provincials and Indians, to move on Fort 
 Niagara. That plateau is known as the camj) down to this 
 day ; and citizens, living previous to the Revolutionary War, 
 but now deceased— my father among the number — have 
 stated that Captain Horatio Gates and Lieut.-Colonel Charles 
 Lee, both British olficers, the one, subsequently. General 
 Gates, immortalized as the captor of Burgoyne at Saratoga ; 
 and the other, General Lee, with an eccentric temper and 
 jealous disposition (having seen much service under Burgoyne 
 in Portugal, Braddock in Virginia, and Abercrombie in 
 
AREA. 219 
 
 Ticonderoga), was probably the most brilliant, experienced 
 and highly-educated officer of the American Revolutionary 
 army. So that the old .Fort, whatever its dimension was, 
 has an early and significant history. 
 
 It is well known that Schenectady was destroyed in 1690, 
 about one hundred and eight y -eight years since. With great 
 interest and care, I have perused the different accounts of 
 that dreadful sacrifice. The account entered in Mortgage 
 Book B, in the county clerk's office, Albany, on the 9th of 
 February (Doc. His. of N. Y., Vol. I, p. 302, etc.), the day 
 after the destruction ; also the letters of Leisler on the sub- 
 ject to the respective Governors of Maryland and Massachu- 
 setts, of date March 4th, 1690 ; and of Robert Livingston to 
 Sir Edmund Andross, of date 14th April, 1690 (Doc. His. of 
 N. Y., Vol. I, p. 307, etc.), all agreeing as to the time of 
 the occurrence, as to sixty persons being slain, twenty-seven 
 carried into captivity, and five houses being spared ; and in 
 the fact that it was a total surprise, there being no watch 
 kept (the inhabitants being so negligent and refractory). 
 Livingston says : " The houses were saved by Captain Sander 
 (John Alexander Glen), whom they did not touch, having 
 express command to meddle with none of his relations, for 
 his wife's sake, who had always been kind to French prison- 
 ers." Livhigston further says: "The people of that town 
 were so bigoted to Leisler that they would not obey any of 
 the magistrates, neither would they entertain the soldiers 
 sent thither by the Convention at all ; nothing but men sent 
 from Leisler would do their turn ; and when Captain Sander 
 commanded, they threatened to Ijurn him upon the fire if he 
 came upon guard." 
 
 Indeed, from all the accounts rendered, that winter night 
 of February 8th must have been one of extreme suffering 
 and heart-rending desolation ; but all of its inhabitants were 
 neither slaughtered nor captured. Schenectady then contained 
 eighty dAvelliugs ; assuming that each house held five individ- 
 uals (a moderate estimate), it must have contained about 400 
 inhal)itants. And what became of them ? They escaped, it 
 is true, hut where ? It is idle to su[)[)ose, as has been some- 
 
220 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 times stated, that they fled twenty miles off to Albany in their 
 night gumients, on thut severe night, with the snow more 
 thun u foot deep. iVb, there is too much romance in that 
 commonly received opinion, and it is not borne out by the 
 knowledge of the okl settlers. They fled oft" to, and were 
 protected by, their friends and nearest neighl)ors. The 
 Mohawk Flats, on both sides of the river, were settled as far 
 west us to what is now called Hoftinaii's Ferr}^ and down the 
 river east on both sides to the manor line, and the Ael Plass 
 creek. There is but one authenticated and believed case of 
 flight and arrival at Albany, during that terrible night of 
 storm and misery. 
 
 Simon Schermerhorne (the brother of Ryer), at five o'clock 
 on the morning of the 9th, brought the sad news to Albany 
 by way of Niskayuna. He had himself been shot through 
 the thigh, and his horse wounded in the daring ettbrt. It was 
 a noble struggle of life and death to rescue his distressed 
 friends and relatives. On that disastrous night, too, his son 
 John and three negro slaves were killed before he escaped. 
 
 It is said, in our home accounts, that only one of the enemy, 
 "■Lieutenant La Marque De Montigny,^^ was injured during 
 the sack, and that was by the thrust of a spear in the hands 
 of the intrepid Adam Vrooman. This is more mild than the 
 French account ; and, indeed, in the then troubled state of 
 the Province, our own accounts are sparse, mixed and unsat- 
 isfactory. I find the account of Monsieur De Monseignat, 
 Comptroller-General in Canada, addressed to Madam De 
 .Maintenon (Paris Doc. IV, Doc. His. N. Y. Vol. 1, p. 297, 
 etc.), much more lucid, satisfactory and historical, and so 
 nearly agreeing with the statements handed down Ijy the 
 Glens and other survivors of that dreadful occasion, that I 
 adopt it as the most reliable and correct relation. And 
 therefore, in this connection, I extract from it so much as is 
 pertinent and may interest the citizens ot this old historic 
 ground, as follows : 
 
 " This detachment, which formed at Montreal, was com- 
 posed of 210 men, viz., 80 Mohawks from the Sault, 16 
 Algonquins from La Montague, and the remainder French- 
 
AREA. 221 
 
 men, all under the commiind of the Sieur Le 3lof/ne de Sauitc 
 Helene and Lieutenant Daillebout de Mantet, both of whom 
 were Canadians. The Sieurs Le Moyne de Iberville and 
 Repentigny de Monterson commanded under them ; the Sieurs 
 de Bonrepos, de la Brosse, Le Moyne de Blainville, Le Bert du 
 Chene, and La Marque de Montigny served as volunteers." 
 (Some of those Canadian and volunteer ofHcers subsequently 
 became much distinguished in the early French settlements of 
 Frontenac, Detroit, and those along the Ohio and Mississippi 
 rivers. The great Count Frontenac selected them with care. 
 Sienr Le Moyne de Saute Helene and his brothers Sieur Le 
 Moyne de Iberville, and Sieur Le Moyne de Bienville, were 
 the sons of the celebrated negotiator, Charles Le Moyne, of 
 Montreal. The former was a distinguished French naval 
 officer, killed in the defense of Quebec in the latter part of 
 1699, defended by Frontenac, when that place was besieged 
 by the men of the New England Colonies under Sir 
 William Phips. The second brother, de Iberville, discovered 
 the mouth of the Mississippi in 1699, when he founded the 
 iirst French Colony, and commenced what is now the city of 
 NcAV Orleans in 1717. The third brother died fighting the 
 Mohawks on Canada soil in 1691. 
 
 "They took their departure from Montreal in the month of 
 January. After having marched five or six days, they called 
 a council to determine the route they should follow, and the 
 point they should attack. The Indians demanded of the French 
 what was their intention. Messieurs De Sainte Helene and 
 Mantet replied, that they had left in the hope of attacking 
 Orange (Albany), if possible, as it is the capital of New York, 
 and a place of considerable importance, though they had no 
 orders to that effect ; but generally to act according as they 
 should judge on the spot of their chances of success, without 
 running too nuich risk. This appeared to the savages some- 
 Avhat rash ; and as the Indians had an intimate acquaintance 
 with the localities, and more experience than the French, they 
 could not agree with the latter as to the point of attack ; so 
 it was determined to postpone coming to a conclusion until 
 the party should arrive tit the spot where the two routes 
 
222 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 separate — the one leading to Orange (Albany) and the other 
 to CorJear (Schenectady). (This point was Ticonderoga.) 
 They had followed the direct route of the Chevalier Cham- 
 plain. In the course of the journey, Avhich occupied eight 
 days, the Frenchmen judged proper to diverge towards Cor- 
 lear, according to the advice of the Indians. 
 
 " Nine days more elapsed, having experienced inconceiv- 
 able ditiSculties, l)eing obliged to march up to their knees in 
 water, and to break the ice with their feet in order to find a 
 solid footing. When they arrived within two leagues (six 
 miles) of Schenectady, about four o'clock in the afternoon, 
 they were harangued by the great Mohawk chief (Agnier), 
 from the Sault. This savage was, without contradiction, the 
 most considerable of his tribe, an honest man, as full of spirit, 
 prudence and generosity as was possible, and capable of the 
 grandest undertakings. 
 
 " Shortly afterwards four squaws were discovered in a 
 wigwam, who gave every information necessary for the attack 
 on the town. The fire found in their hut served to warm 
 those Avho were benunil)cd, and the party then continued 
 their route, having previously detached Giguieres, a Canadian, 
 with nine Indians, on the look out. 
 
 " They discovered no one, and returned to the main body, 
 Avithin three miles of Schenectady. At eleven o'clock that 
 night, the party came within sight of the town, and resolved to 
 defer the assault until two o'clock next morning , but the 
 excessive cold admitted of no delay, and the advance was 
 made immediately. 
 
 " The town of Corlear {^ScJieneciady) forms a sort of 
 oblong, with only two gates, one opposite the road we had 
 taken (at the junction of Ferry and Front streets, near the 
 Fort), and the other (at the junction of Ferry and State 
 streets), leading to Orange [Albant/), only six leagues distant. 
 Messieurs De Sainte Helene and De Mantet, were to enter at 
 the first, Avhich the squaws had pointed out, and which was 
 found in fact wide open. While Messieurs de Iberville and 
 De Montesson took the left with another detachment, in order 
 to make themselves masters of that leading to Orange ; but 
 
AREA. 223 
 
 they could, not tliscover it, and returned to the remainder of 
 the party. A profound silence was everywhere observed 
 until the two commanders, who separated at their entrance into 
 the town for the purpose of encircling it, had met at the 
 other extremity, when the signal of attack Avas given, Indian 
 fashion, and the entire force rushed on simultaneously. 
 
 " M. De Mantet placed himself at the head of a detach- 
 ment and reached a small fort, where the garrison was under 
 arms. The gate was burst open after much difficulty, the 
 place set on tire, and all who defended it slaughtered." 
 
 (Note. — It may be irne that those who defended the place were slaugh- 
 tered, for Lieut. Talmadge, Sei-geant Church, and five of their men, were 
 killed ; but of the original garrison, twenty-four, three were subsequently 
 cai'i'ied- into captivity, and it is but I'easonable to believe, that at that dis- 
 orderly time of false security, those not killed were not in the fort at the 
 time of the attack, or found means to escape, in common with hundreds of 
 the citizens.) 
 
 Monsieur De Monseignat continues: "The sack of the 
 town began a moment before the attack on the fort ; few houses 
 made any resistance. M. De Montiguy discovered one which 
 he attempted to carry, sword in hand, having tried the 
 musket in vain. He received two thrusts of a spear, one in 
 the body and the other in his arm, but M. de Saint Helene 
 having come to his aid, elfected an entrance, and put every 
 one Avho defended that house to the sword." 
 
 That gallant, I may well say desperately daring defense, 
 was made by Adam Vrooman and his wife Angelica, ivho loas 
 slain, at what was then, and is still, the northwest corner of 
 Church and Front streets, now the property of tlie heirs of 
 Jeremiah Fuller, deceased. Notwithstanding the Monseignat's 
 account that all the defenders were put to the sword, Adam 
 Vrooman, the real hero, and one of the most intrepid, enter- 
 prising and successful citizens Schenectady has ever claimed, 
 lived, for more than forty years after that time, a prosperous, 
 distinguished and honorable life. But as I cannot properly 
 reiterate for the particulars of the defense of his dwelling, 
 its connected circumstances, and many interesting data of 
 this baave man's eventful life, I must refer the reader to a 
 
224 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 biogra[)hic!il sketch of himself and his earlier desceiidents, 
 to be found at pages 61. etc., of this historical sketch, assured 
 that it cannot but be interesting to all descendants of the old 
 settlers. 
 
 Resuming my extract from Monsieur Monseignat's account, 
 he writes : " The massacre lasted two hours; the remainder 
 of the night was passed in placing sentinels and taking repose. 
 The house belonging to the minister was ordered to be saved, 
 so as to take him alive and obtain information; but as it was 
 not known, it ivas not spared^ and he was slain and his papers 
 burned before he could be recognized," 
 
 " At day-break some men were sent to the dwellmg of 
 Mr, Coudre (the Indian name of John Alexander Glen), who 
 was Mayor of the place, and lived at the other side of the 
 river ; but he was not willing to surrender to them, and began 
 to put himself on the defensive, with his servants and some 
 Indians. Yet, as it was resolved not to do him any harm, in 
 consequence of the good treatment that the French had 
 formerly experienced at his hands, M, de Iberville, and the 
 great Mohawk (Agnier), proceeded thither alone, promised 
 him quarter for himself, his people and property. Where- 
 upon he laid down his arms on parole, entertaining them in 
 his fort, and returned with them to see the commandants of 
 the town. Only two houses were spared in the town — one 
 belonging to Coudre, and another, whither M. de Montiguy 
 had been carried when wounded." All the rest were consumed 
 (our accounts say five were spared; might not this include 
 some outside of the palisades) ? " The lives of between 50 
 and GO persons, old men, women and children, were spared, 
 they having escaped the first fury of the attack. The loss 
 on this occasion, in houses, cattle and grain, amounts to more 
 than 400,000 livres. There were upwards of 80 well-built, 
 and well-furnished houses in the town." 
 
 (Our accounts make no mention of losses sustained by the 
 enemy.) Monseignat contiimes : " The return march com- 
 menced with 30 prisoners. The wounded, who were to be 
 carried, and the plunder, with which all the Indians and some 
 Frenchmen, were loaded, caused considerable inconvenience. 
 
AREA. 225 
 
 Fifty good horses were brought away; 16 only of these reached 
 Montreal, and the remainder were killed for food on the road. 
 The party arrived at Montreal after many days of fatigue and 
 suffering. 
 
 " Such, Madame, is the account of what passed at the 
 taking of Corlaer. The French lost but 21 men, viz. : 
 4 Indians and 17 Frenchman. Only one Indian and one 
 FrencJiman were killed at the capture of the town. The 
 others Avcre lost on the road." (Nothing is said of the num- 
 ber wounded on the assault, although M. de Montigny 
 certainly was.) This letter was written with great care to 
 Madame De Maintenon, as scholars well know the almost 
 ruling power of France in those latter days of Louis the 
 XIV. The magnificent King ! Tongue cannot describe, nor 
 the most graphic pen picture the horrors of that terrible 
 night of surprise, cruelty and ruin, as they fell upon the 
 careless, but peacefully slumbering citizens of Schenectady ! 
 Reckless, l)ut frenzied Protestants ! 
 
 The family of Swear (Ahasueras) Tewiise Van Velsen, a 
 wealthy citizen, was exterminateil ; some heads of families 
 were killed, and every family by slaughter, captivity or loss 
 of property, suffered severely. Indeed, this beautiful valley, 
 and our now delightful home, was shrouded in the darkest 
 hal)iliments of woe. As many surviving descendants may be 
 interested in the sufferings of these hardy pioneers, I annex 
 a list of the killed and captured, taken from Doc. His. N. Y., 
 Vol. I, page 304, etc. (See Appendix D.) 
 
 Nor was this the only severe calamity that befell Sche- 
 nectady in the massacre of its inhabitants. In 1748, the 
 French were in full possession of the fortitication at Crown 
 Point, on Lake Champlain ; and, l)eing in considerable force, 
 would send out occasional detachments of whites and Indians 
 to annoy the border settlements. Such was the constant 
 apprehension of the frontiersmen, that they generally carried 
 fire-arms with them for defense or game. It was under such 
 circumstances that a body of inhabitants, mostly from the 
 country, yet some from the city, upon invitation, as is usual 
 upon such occasions, on the 18th day of July, 1748, attended 
 15 
 
226 HISTOKY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the raising of the frame for a barn 50 by 60 feet, constructed 
 of heavy, yellow pine timbers, still in excellent state of preser- 
 vation, as has been seen by myself within a few weeks past, 
 at the time of raising being on the farm of Nicholas De 
 Graff, who lived in the old, red, frame dwelling-house yet 
 standing adjacent to the Sacandaga turnpike, at a point 
 called ''BeuhendaV (Beech Valley), now owned by and not 
 far fnmi the residence of Philip E.. Toll, Esq., in Glenville, 
 distant about three miles from Schenectady. 
 
 Those friends, to the number of forty, were engaged in their 
 work, not suspecting the vicinity of an enemy (although 
 Captain Daniel Toll and his hired man. Dirk Van Vorst, 
 while hunting for strayed horses, had been bai-bariously 
 murdered at a place called the " Klayluil,''^ not more than 
 about one-half of a mile dstunt north from Beukendal, on 
 the morning of the same day), when they were attracted by 
 a noise resembling that of wild turkeys, a choice game then 
 common in tJm section, a sound which the Indians could imitate 
 almost naturally. Clearly deceived, most of them seized 
 their guns, rushed np the valley from whence the sounds 
 proceeded, and miserabl}^ fell into an ambuscade of more than 
 100 French and Indians. 
 
 Before those not massacred, numbering eleven, C(ndd reach 
 the shelter of De Graff's dwelling, twenty-six were left dead 
 and subsequently scalped at or near the place of ambush ; 
 among them Nicholas De Graff, the proprietor of the prem- 
 ises. It seems to me a strange and severe fatality that only 
 about two years before, October 30th, 1746, on this same 
 farm, Ahraham De Graff, the father, and William De Graffs 
 the brother of Nicholas, were tidcen captive by similar enemies 
 and carried to Canada. Abraham dying at Quebec was 
 buried there ; and we have no evidence existing that Wil- 
 liam ever returned. 
 
 The party in the dwelling-house under Simon Toll, a 
 brother of Captain Daniel, made a gallant defense, and held 
 out heroically until relieved by reinforcements. 
 
 The firing having been heard by Adrian Van Slyck, a 
 brother-in-law of Simon and Captain Daniel, who, it seems. 
 
AREA. 227 
 
 resided at a place between the point of tiring and the town, he 
 sent his colored man express to Schenectady, who promptly 
 gave the alarm, and the brave Adrian himself soon rallied 
 his immediate neighbors. 
 
 Fonr parties of armed men successivel}^ repaired to the 
 scene of disaster and conflict, in the following order : 
 
 1st. Daniel Van Shjck and a New England lientenant, with 
 some of his men, and five or six citizens. 
 
 2d. Anthony Van Slf/ck, with a party. 
 
 3d. Adrian Van Slyck, with a few country neighbors. 
 
 4th. Colonel Jacob Glen, commandant, with the main 
 forces (all the militia he could rally, numbering about 80), 
 on Avhose arrival the enemy drew ofi", but not until the brave 
 and impetuous Adrian Van Slf/ck, the grandson of the old 
 proprietor, Jacques Van Slyck, had been slain. 
 
 The enemy assaulted the De Graff* dwelling from behind 
 the brow of a hill adjacent, and were protected by it, and 
 several times attempted to set the house on fire, without suc- 
 cess, the defense was so determined. Only one of the brave 
 defenders was injured, an Irishman, whose name has simply 
 been handed down as ^'Co7'k,"- — probably in Dutch fashion 
 designating the place of his birth. One of his jaw-bones was 
 broken. 
 
 The defense of the house was gallant, and the Dutch of 
 that early day were sharp marksmen, but under the Indian 
 mode of carrying oft' their dead and wounded, it is impossible 
 to determine what loss the invaders sustained ; except this, 
 that several da3's after the massacre, at a point about three 
 miles distant north from the De Graft* dwelling, a warrior 
 was found, grim in death, seated, with his back braced 
 against a large oak tree ; a wooden bowl of food on his lap ; 
 his musket, tomahawk and trappings of war beside him ; 
 doubtless a victim of the late conflict, too much injured to 
 accompany his friends further, and was thus by them, with 
 scrupulous care, prepared for his momentous final journey 
 " to the joyful, eternal hunting grounds^ 
 
 The rescuing friends, on reaching the place of ambuscade, 
 found twenty-Jive dead within a small space, none ivounded — 
 
228 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the Indian cnstom being to end with the tomahawk what the 
 bullet docs not finish. Van Slyck was found shiin at a point 
 not far distant. The enemy had fled ; but, under the circum- 
 stances — with such small forces, scanty supply of ammunition, 
 hasty gathering, and no provisions — piu'suit of so strong an 
 enemy was next to impossible. So, with sorrowing hearts 
 and pious care, the afflicted rescuers, before nightfall, collected 
 and removed their mutilated slain, twent3'-six in number, to 
 Schenectady, and deposited them in two rows on the floor of 
 the barn of Abraham Mahee, situated on Church street, to be 
 claimed and cared for by their respective kin. (This iden- 
 tical barn is now standing on the premises of Mrs. Ptirk Ben- 
 jamin, and is believed to be the oldest barn building now 
 situated in our city or county, except it be the old structure 
 of Johannes Peek, in the town of Rotterdjim, now owned by 
 Mr. James McCue, and built in 1711.) 
 
 The Beukendal massacre was a deep affliction to the citi- 
 zens of Schenectady and its environs. The Tolls, Van 
 Slycks, Veeders, Condes, De Grafl's, Mebees, Vielies, and 
 other families bearing names familiar at this day, and some 
 of whose descendants are in our midst, suflered dreadfully on 
 that sad occasion. 
 
 It seems strange that no printed or official record of that 
 terrible event exists, except among the manuscript letters of 
 Colonel, afterAvards Sir William Johnson. But then it must 
 be remembered that, at that period, the government was 
 English ; that language was spoken and written by few in 
 this section. Education was limited ; newspapers almost 
 luiknown ; historical events usually committed to Bible 
 entries, or handed down from parents to descendants ; the 
 facilities of conmiunication were few ; there were no mails, 
 steamboats, railroads, or telegraphic wires. But the Bueken- 
 dal facts above stated are well sustained as handed down by 
 the old settlers, and especially by Colonel Jacob Glen, my 
 great grandfather, one of the principle actors, and others, his 
 cotemporaries. 
 
REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 229 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Eevolutionary Battle-Fields. 
 
 The East and the South, through their historians, talented 
 sons, have blazoned to the world the daring and chivalric 
 deeds of their own people in their respective fields of action 
 at home. But the great battle-fields of frontier New York, 
 the boundary line of British Canadian possessions, and assail- 
 able from so many points of contact, and especially the blood- 
 stained Valley of the Mohawk, covered with the slain of its 
 hard\^, industrious, and patriotic yeomanry, has been singularly 
 neglected by the citizens of its own State, imtil the generous, 
 learned, eloquent, patriotic, and far-seeing statesman, ex-Gov- 
 ernor Horatio Seymour, with a few spirits of kindred stamp, 
 about 100 years after it took place, discovered that the battle 
 of Onskany, August 6th, 1777, was the severest, and in pro- 
 portion to numbers, the most bloody fight of the Revolution ; 
 and, in fact, was the first land victory won imder the star- 
 spangled baimer, although Lexington, Bunker Hill, Long 
 Island, and White Plains had already been gallantly fought, 
 Ticonderoga, St. Johns and Montreal captured, and Quebec 
 stormed, before that national standard was adopted. This 
 was an obstinate battle, sustained by 800 undisciplined mili- 
 tia, Dutch and German farmers of Try on county, settled in 
 what is now Montgomery and Herkimer counties — many of 
 the hei-oes emigrants from Schenectady itself. At that time 
 the Valley of the Mohawk, as far west as Canajoharie, was 
 owned and occupied principally by the Holland Dutch, 
 descendants of the first settlers of Albany and Schenectady; 
 and beyond that, so far as the western boundary of the present 
 county of Herkimer, the inhabitants were almost entirely 
 German Palatinates or their descendants. I honor their 
 courage and devotion, displayed on the field of battle under 
 most discouraging circumstances ; it illustrates the virtue 
 and patriotism of the sons of our fertile valley, and will speak 
 of them hereafter. 
 
230 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 General Nicholas Herkimer, an elderly and wealthy farmer 
 of Tryon connty, a German by birth, an idolized leader 
 among them, and an important citizen throughout the country, 
 was an ardent Whig, who had seen much service in the 
 French War imder Prideaux, Bradstreet and Johnson, was 
 Brigadier- General of all the militia west of Schenectady. I 
 speak of General Herkimer with much feeling and interest, 
 because he was an intimate friend of the early members of the 
 Scotia family, and an acquaintance of many of the old Sche- 
 nectady and Albany families. Pie was reputed to be a man 
 of great firmness, worth, and purity of character. Since the 
 people of this generation have learned to know — with Bur- 
 goyne approaching from the north, Vaughan from the south, 
 and General Barey St. Ledger from the northwest — what 
 those three invasions meant, the services of General Herki- 
 mer have taken a high stand among calm, reflecting patriots, 
 not as a consunmiate General reared in the disciplined school of 
 Washinoton, Green, Lincoln or Knox, but as a sturdy, brave 
 and manly hero, who, under very trying circumstances, knew 
 coolly how to tight, and calmly how to die. Had Herkimer 
 lived and been present when Washington visited Schenectady 
 in 1782, from the distinguished honor he then bestowed on 
 Colonel Frederick Visscher, who commanded one of the 
 Oriskany regiments, I can well conceive how that great sol- 
 dier and statesman would have drawn to his bosom this noble 
 Leonidas of our Revolution's bitter crisis and most bloody 
 fight. Veterans could not have done it ; but the farming 
 men and boys, accustomed to hunting and the practices of 
 Indian warfare, checked St. Leger's invasion, and his Indian 
 allies were disheartened. 
 
 The particulars of this deadly conflict should be handed 
 down to posterity, and consequently, with the view of its per- 
 petuation, I have collected from Judge Wm. W. Campbell's 
 Annals of Tryon County, and from the several addresses 
 delivered on the battle ground 100 years after its occiu-rence, 
 and from the narration of actors, or their children, so much 
 as is reliable and necessary to illustrate the importance, 
 severit}', obstinacy, and unyielding heroism of men who 
 
KE VOLUTION ARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 231 
 
 were contending for their household idols, tireside altars, 
 freedom, peace, and the pursuit of general happiness. 
 
 On the 15th of July, 1777, Gen. Herkimer received infor- 
 mation from Thomas, one of the princi[)al Oneida sachems, 
 Avho had just returned from Canada, that Gen. Barry St. 
 Leger, with a force of 400 regulars, GOO Tories, and 700 
 Indians, Avas destined against Fort Stanwix, which, should he 
 succeed in taking, he was to pass down the Mohawk Valley 
 to Johnstown, and fortify himself there. From this place 
 he could easily make a diversion in favor of Burgoyne, or 
 aid in cutting off the retreat of the American army as cir- 
 cumstances should render necessary. The rich Mohawk 
 country would at the same time furnish provisions for his 
 own and the other invading armies. This shows how greatly 
 important was St. Ledger's check at Oriskany. 
 
 Col. Peter Gansevoort (afterwards Gen. Gansevoort), was 
 then stationed at Fort Stanwix, Avith the Third Regiment of 
 the New York State troops of the line, numbering in all 
 about 650 souls. The Fort was still untinished when St. 
 Leger commenced his siege on the 3d day of August, 1777, 
 with a force of 1,700 men, regulars, Tories, and Indians. We 
 all know how gallantly the Fort was defended, and that on 
 the 22d of August St. Leger raised the seige, retiring in 
 great confusion ; but here I desire only to treat of the 
 sanguinary battle of Oriskany. 
 
 Two days after receiving the information of contemplated 
 invasion from the Mohawk Sachem, to wit, July 17th, 1777, 
 Judge Campbell says Gen. Herkimer published the follow- 
 ing proclamation : 
 
 " Whereas, it appears certain that the enemy, of about 2,000 
 strong. Christians and savages, are arrived at Oswego with 
 the intention to invade our frontiers, I think it proper and 
 most necessary for the defense of our country, and it shall 
 be ordered by me as soon as the enemy approaches, that every 
 male person, l)eing in health, from sixteen to sixty years of 
 age, in this our count}^ shall, as in duty bound, repair imme- 
 diately, with arms and accoutrements, to the i)lace to be 
 appointed in my orders, and with them march to o[)pos(! the 
 
232 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTl. 
 
 enemy with vigor, as true patriots, for the just defense of 
 their country. 
 
 " And those that are above sixty years, or really unwell, or 
 incapable to march, shall then assemble, iilso armed, at the 
 respective places where women and children will be gathered 
 together in order for defense against the enemy, if attacked, 
 as much lies in their power. 
 
 " But concerning the disaffected, and who will not obey 
 such orders, they shall be taken along, with their arms, secured 
 under guard, to join the main body. And as such invasion 
 regards every friend of the country in general, but of this 
 county in particular, to show his zeal and well-affected spirit 
 in actual defense of the same, all the members of the com- 
 mittee, as well as all those who, by former commissions or 
 otherwise, have been exempted from any other militar}^ duty, 
 are requested to repair also, when called, to such place as shall 
 be appointed, and join to repulse our foes. Not doubting 
 that the Almighty Power upon our humble prayers, and 
 sincere trust in Him, will then graciously succor our arms in 
 battle, for our just cause, and victory cannot fail on our side." 
 
 On the 30th July, Herkimer received information from 
 Thomas Spencer, a half-blood Oneida Chief, that the enemy 
 were within four days' march of Fort Stanwix ; and soon 
 Herkimer found himself at the head of 800 men, and most of 
 the Committee of Safety were among the niunber, either as 
 oflScers or volunteers. 
 
 His brigade consisted of three skeleton regiments, collected 
 from a sparsely settled country, many of whose inhabitants 
 not of Dutch or German origin, brought up under the 
 auspices and loyal teachings of Sir William and Sir John 
 Johnson^ and of Colonel Jolin Butler, the wealthy, strong, 
 right arm of the Johnsons, and of great personal popularity 
 in some section's of Tryon county, were dangerously loyal ; 
 but many had left for Canada and joined the enemy, prov- 
 ing, by their subsequent brutal atrocities, the most embittered 
 enemies that ever assailed their former neighbors of the 
 Mohawk Valley. But the Dutch, whose fathers had handed 
 down to their sons the lessons of royal oppression, taught 
 
REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 233 
 
 them, in their struggles agiiiiist Philip of Spain and the in- 
 famous Alva ; and the Germans, descendants of the noble 
 Palatinates, who defended Heidelburg and their beautiful 
 land against the enormities of the armies of Louis the XIV, 
 who were expatiated by oppression for their religion, sought 
 an asylum in this generous land, tvere, vnth few exceptions, 
 ardent patriots, true to the cause of American libert}'. 
 
 The three regiments were ccmimanded, respectiveh^, by 
 Colonels Cox, of Canajoharie, BelHnger, of Herkimer, and 
 Frederick Visschei", of Mohawk. The phice of rendezvous was 
 at Fort Dayton, what is now the village of Herkimer, and 
 some of the men had traveled forty miles to reach that point. 
 
 On the 4th of August, 1777. Herkimer, with his small 
 In-igade of farmers, i)ushed forward to relieve the brave 
 Colonel Gansevoort, at Fort Stanwix, located Avhere the city 
 of Rome now stands ; the intention being to surprise the 
 besiegers. He sent forward Adam Ilehner, as an express, 
 with a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, announcing his approach, 
 and urging, simultaneously, a sally from the fort on the tirst 
 sound of his attack. This messenger reached the garrison at 
 one o'clock in the afternoon of August sixth. While the 
 battle of Oriskany, six miles distant, was raging, St. Leger's 
 scouts had also brought him information of the advance, and 
 he prepared vigorously to meet it. Herkimer intended a 
 surprise, but St. Leger, from the earliest moment, was fully 
 apprized of every movement. He knew just when the reliev- 
 ing force left Fort Dayton, and what its strength was. Molhj 
 Brandt, who had been the faithful Indian wife of Sir William 
 Johnson, and was the sister of Joseph Brandt, the celebrated 
 Indian Chief, sent a messenger with the information. On the 
 death of Sir William she was obliged to leave Johnson Hall, 
 where she had long ruled as mistress, and return to live with a 
 remnant of her tribe on the Mohawk, about two miles below 
 the residence of General Herkimer. She saw everything 
 that was going on, and l)y scouts or messengers kept St. 
 Leger constantly' advised. 
 
 On the second day of the march, fifth August, Herkimer 
 crossed the Mohawk river at the point where the city of 
 
234 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 TJtica now stands, and encamped for the night in Whites- 
 town, near where the vilhige of Whitesl)oro now is. 
 
 Little order had thus far been observed upon the 
 march, and those precautions so necessary to guard against 
 surprise Indian warfare had been sadly neglected. They 
 havins: learned that the fort was invested, were in great 
 haste, fearing that it might be surrendered before their ar- 
 rival. The country was new and the pathways nearly impass- 
 able, the weather exceedingly warm, and flanking parties 
 traveling through woods, and crossing streams and marshes, 
 would necessarily retard the progress of the main body, 
 should they merely keep pace with them. 
 
 They started from camp on the morning of August sixth — 
 Spencer, the Mohawk Chief and interpreter, a man of great 
 inielligence and Indian warfare experience, had then joined 
 them, and insisted on their keeping out flanking parties. In 
 this opinion he was sustained by General Herkimer, and 
 several of the senior officers; but the junior officers and men — 
 " raw, undisdj)lined militia " — were impetuous for the rescue, 
 and would submit to no delay, even to the detaching of flank- 
 ing parties. Still, in a weak moment, the gallant old hero, 
 stung by the remarks of Major Isenlord, Captain Gardinier 
 and some junior officers, " tJmt he showed the while featJiev,''^ 
 with the assurance " that all should have enough of fight before 
 sunsety gave the order, " forward march," and the brave 
 but headstrong array, rushed on to one of the most disad- 
 vantageous, desparate and deadl}^ conflicts, in proportion to 
 numbers, this continent has ever witnessed. 
 
 I have said St. Leger knew of Herkimer's approach, and 
 not wishing to be attacked in his camp, he sent out a strong 
 detachment of regulars and Johnson's Greens under Colonel 
 Butler, and a large body of Indians under their chief, the 
 noted Brandt, 'to ani))uscade the too confldent, advancing 
 Dutch farmers. The spot selected was about six miles from 
 St. Leger's camp, and well chosen. I extract from the 
 Annals of Tryon County, by Judge William W. Campbell, 
 that honorable son of New York, who first raised from its 
 deep sleep the noble history of Oriskany and its heroes : 
 
REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 235 
 
 "The suiTounding country ottered every facility for the 
 practice of the Indian mode of warfare. In the deep recesses 
 of its forest they were secure from observation, and to them 
 the\' could retreat in case they were defeated. Finding that 
 the militia approached in a very careless manner, Butler de- 
 termined to attack them by surprise. He selected a place 
 Avell fitted for such an attack. About six miles from Fort 
 Stanwix there was a deep ravine, sweeping toward the east 
 in a semi-circular form, and having a northern and southern 
 direction. The bottom of this ravine was marshy, and the 
 road along which the militia were marching crossed it by 
 means of a log causeway. The ground adjoining the ravine 
 was elevated and level. Along the road on each side, on this 
 hight of land, Butler disposed his men. 
 
 " About ten o'clock on the morning of the 6th of August, 
 the Tryon County militia arrived at this place without any 
 suspicion of danger." 
 
 (Herkimer knowing well this dangerous pass — he had been 
 a hunter, pioneer, scout, soldier and surveyor — -wished to halt 
 and feel the woods, but was again overruled by the majority 
 of his junior officers. Within six miles of the besieging 
 forces, and bent upon surprise, he seems to have been power- 
 less to control his rashly-determined and impetuous men.) 
 
 " The dark foliage of the forest trees, with a thick growth 
 of underbrush, entirely concealed the enemy from their view. 
 The advanced guard, with about two-,thirds of the Avhole 
 force, had gained the elevated ground (^on ihe west), the bag- 
 oao-e had descended into the ravine. Colonel Fisher's rejfi- 
 ment was still on the east side, when the Indians arose, and 
 with a dreadful yell poured a destructive fire upon them. 
 The advanced guard {belonging to Colonel Cox's regiment) was 
 entirely cut ott'. Those who survived the first fire were imme- 
 diately cut doAvn with the tomahawk. The horror of the 
 scene was increased by the personal appearance of the savages, 
 who were almost naked, and painted in a most hideous man- 
 ner. They ran down each side, keeping up a constant fire, 
 and united at the causeway, thus dividing the militia into 
 two ))odies. 
 
236 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 " There was no alternative left bnt to fight. Facing out 
 in every direction, they sought shelter behind the trees and 
 returned the lire of theenemy witli spirit. In the beginning of 
 the action the Indians, whenever they saw a gun was fired from 
 behind a tree, rushed up and tomahawked the person thus 
 firing before he had time to reload ; to counteract this, two 
 men were ordered to station themselves behind one tree, the 
 one reserving his fire until the Indian ran up. In this way 
 the Indians Avere made to suffer severely in return." 
 
 Gouverneur Morris, in his address before the New York 
 Historical Society, graphically illustrates the desperation thus : 
 " Let me recall, gentlemen, to your recollection, that bloody 
 field in which Herkimer fell. There was found the Indian and 
 the white man, born on the banks of the Mohawk, their lei't 
 hand clenched in each other's hair, the right hand grasping in a 
 gripe of death, the knife plunged in each other's bosom. Thus 
 they lay frowning. ' ' 
 
 I follow with some closeness the account of the battle of 
 Oriskany by Judge Campbell, because, after some considera- 
 ble research by myself of all the accounts, it ruus most clearly 
 Avith those received by me in early manhood from two actors 
 in the daring struggle, then young men, but at the time of 
 the narration respectable, aged men. Yet there are some 
 instances of despei-ate valor that Campbell has not noticed. 
 The Judge further adds : 
 
 " The fightino- had continued for s(mie time, and the Indians 
 had begun to give way, Avhen Major Watson, a brother-in- 
 law of Sir John Johnson, brought up a detachment of John- 
 son's Greens. The blood of the Germans boiled with indig- 
 nation at the sight of these men. Many of the Greens were 
 personally known to them, The}^ had fled their country, 
 and were now returned in arms to subdue it. Their presence 
 under any circumstances would have kindled up the resent- 
 ment of these militia ; but coming up as they now did, in aid 
 of a retreating foe, called into exercise the most bitter feelings 
 of hostility. They fired upon them as they advanced, and 
 then rushing from their covers, attacked them with their bay- 
 onets, and those who had none, with the butt end of their 
 
REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 237 
 
 muskets. 'Rage suj)]iJied armsJ The contest av;is maintained, 
 hand to hand, for nearly half an hour. The Greens made a 
 manful resistance, but were finally obliged to give way before 
 the dreadful fury of their assailants, with the loss of 30 killed 
 upon the spot where they first entered. Major Watson was 
 wounded and taken prisoner. 
 
 " In this assault Colonel Cox was said to have been killed. 
 Possessiug an athletic form, with a daring spirit, he mingled in 
 the thickest of the fight. His voice could be distinctly heard 
 as he cheered on his men or issued his orders, amid the clash- 
 ing of arms and the yells of the contending savages." 
 
 At this point the company of the brave Captain Gardenier 
 bore the brunt of the deadly onslaught — himself a hero of 
 giant proportions and herculean strength. Eye-witnesses 
 affirm that, when the Greens retreated, he was surrounded, 
 standing in the midst of seven of them slain by his own hand, 
 he himself unscathed, but covered with the blood of his ene- 
 mies. His herculean powers and desperate daring were long 
 the admiration and household talk of the surviving citizens of 
 Tryon county. 
 
 At two o'clock in the afternoon of that day, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Marinus Willet, the second in command of Fort 
 Stanvvix, and the grandfather on the maternal side of our 
 honored citizen Hamilton Fish (ex-Governor of the State of 
 New York, ex-United States Senator, ex-Secretary of State 
 of our glorious Union), having heard the firing at Oriskany, 
 accompanied by Major Rowley, with 207 men, sallied from 
 the Fort for the purpose of making a diversion in favor of 
 General Herkimer, and attacked the camp of the enemy with 
 such success, that this timely and admirably conducted sally, 
 being discovered at Oriskany, the blood-hounds entirely with- 
 drew and left our impudent, but brave, militia, skilled in such 
 backwoods fight, the sole possessors of the battle-field and its 
 dearly purchased honors. 
 
 Judge Campbell well and justly says : " Few battles have 
 been fought at a greater disadvantage than was that at Oris- 
 kany, on the part of the Americans. After recovering from 
 the confusion of the first attack, they found themselves with- 
 
238 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 out amminiition, save that in their cartouch boxes. Their 
 baggage waggons were in possession of the enemy. The 
 weather was warm, and surrounded by the enemy, they could 
 get no water. In this state they defended themselves against 
 a far superior force for five or six hours." 
 
 Out of an original force of 800, they lost 200 killed 
 and 150 wounded, besides about 100 prisoners. St. Leger 
 claims they lost 400 killed and wounded, and 200 pris- 
 oners ; that cannot be so, for it is a well-established fact, 
 that Herkimer brought from the field of carnage to old Fort 
 Schuyler, now Utica, 350 efiective men, besides fifty of his 
 wounded. 
 
 The losses of the enemy, with every advantage on their 
 side, were also severe. Brandt has admitted the loss of 
 seventy Mohawks, and the Seneca tribe also lost thirty. The 
 number of Indian wounded can never be ascertained, as they 
 are uniformly removed from the field of battle. From the 
 best data that can be reached, the losses of the regulars and 
 Tories must have been about 200 in their contests with 
 Herkimer and Willett. 
 
 The militia encamped on the first night after the battle, on 
 the ground where Utica now stands, in a state of exhaustion 
 and destitution ; gallantly bearing with them their fearless 
 general and fifty other wounded. They had just fought the 
 most severe battle of the Revolution, under appalling dis- 
 advantages, and were on their way homewards, covered with 
 laurels, but with sad hearts, for many of Tryon's bravest 
 sons lay imburied in the ravine of Oriskany. 
 
 Try on county suffered dreadfully in this battle. Among 
 the wounded was Gen. Herkimer. Early in the action his 
 leg was fractured by a musket ball, and his horse being- 
 killed at the same time, he directed his saddle to be placed 
 upon a hillock of earth, under a tree, and seated himself 
 on it, exhibiting a calm coolness and intrepidity in issuing 
 his conuuands, which did much to restore order and give 
 confidence to his ambuscaded and distressed militia. Herki- 
 mer was personally very hardy and brave ; he had been 
 employed much in Indian negotiations, had great experience. 
 
EEVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 239 
 
 and had fought side b}^ side with and under his intimate, 
 personal friend, Sir Wm. Johnson. 
 
 While thus giving orders, Surgeon Moses Younglove, who 
 was attending to his wound, advised him to select a place 
 where he would be less exposed, the veteran replied : ^' I ivill 
 face the enemy ; " and surrounded by a few daring spirits, he 
 continued to issue orders with the same firmness as if he had 
 been unhurt. In this situation, to inspire his men in the 
 very deadliest heat of the conflict, he deliberately took from 
 his pocket his tender-box and short clay pipe, which he 
 smoked with stoical composure and seeming relish, though he 
 must then have suffered much from the severe wound. Surgeon 
 Younglove was long an esteemed physician and surgeon of 
 the city of Hudson, who died there at a very advanced age. 
 The writer has seen the old patriot often. 
 
 His shattered brioade with sorrowino- hearts escorted him 
 to his home, in what is now the town of Danube, Herkimer 
 county, and after an aflecting adieu to the remnants of his 
 severely tried, trusty militia, they soon after scattered to their 
 many mourning homes. 
 
 On arriving home, the General's leg was amputated, and 
 thirteen days after the battle, owing to the exposures of the 
 return march, the mifavora])le state of August weather, and 
 a reputed unskillful operation, the limb mortified and death 
 ensued. 
 
 That death was much lamented by his numerous personal 
 friends, and by every patriot of Try on county and the 
 Mohawk Valley, for one of their most influential, determined 
 and stout-hearted citizens could raise his voice and nerve his 
 strong arm no more in the cause of that freedom which he 
 and they prized so dearly. 
 
 The Continental Congress, in the month of October follow- 
 ing, directed that a monument should be erected to his 
 memory of the value of Jive hundred dollars. 
 
 In a letter accompanying the resolution, the Congress say: 
 " Every mark of distinction shown to the memory of such 
 illustrious men as ofl'er up their lives for the liberty and hap- 
 piness of this country, reflects real honor on those who pay 
 
240 HISTOKY or SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the grateful tribute, and by holding up to others the prospect 
 of fame and immortal it}^ will animate them to trejid in the 
 same path." The illustrious Governor George Clinton, who 
 knew Herkimer intimately, and forwarded the letter and 
 resolution to the Tryon county Committee of Safety, added : 
 
 " Enclosed you have a copy of a letter and resolves of 
 Congress for erecting a monument to the memory of your 
 gallant General. While with you I lament the causes, 1 am 
 impressed with a due sense of the great and justly merited 
 honoi" the Congress has, in this instance, paid to the memory 
 of that brave man." 
 
 Geueral Nicholas Herkimer was interred on his own 
 grounds, near the homestead ; and, notwithstanding the 
 resolution of Congress, while the unhesitating daring of the 
 hero was still green in the public memory, as if to mark the 
 necessities and poverty of our Union during the Revolutionary 
 War, and the ingratitude of a great and rich Eepublic in 
 times of prosperity and peace, no public monument yet marks 
 the patriot's resting-place. Herkimer, Montgomery and 
 Fulton counties should still erect it. 
 
 Tryon county suftered dreadfully in the battle of Oriskany. 
 Colonel Cox, Majors Eisenlord, Klepettle and Van Slyck, 
 with the brave interpreter and warri(n-, Thomas Spencer, 
 were killed ; most of the inferior officers were either killed 
 or captured. John Frey. of Palatine, Major of Brigade, 
 Colonel Bellinger, and Moses Younglove, Surgeon of Brigade, 
 were taken prisoners ; 200 laid dead on the tield of battle, and 
 150 wounded ; many of them mortally — among the latter 
 their Commanding General. Of nine Snells who went into 
 atjtion, seven were slain ; of live Lashers who stood around 
 Herkimer, three were slain and two wounded ; and I confess 
 the enthusiasm that, when in the walks of life I meet a Gar- 
 denier, a Snell or a Lasher, I necessarily raise my hat, as a 
 tribute to the descendants of Revolutionary heroes. For long, 
 long — many long years were the hearthstones of Tryon county 
 moistened by the tears of the aged fathers and mothers, and 
 the brothers, sisters, wives and orphans of those who gave up 
 their lives on freedom's altar at Oriskany. It has been justly 
 
REVOLUTIONARY BATTLE-FIELDS. 241 
 
 said that Oriskany was the most severe fight of the Revolu- 
 tion. I in nowise luulci'value Bunker Hill, Bennington, 
 Eutaw 8[)rings, the Cow Pens, Trenton, Germantown, Sara- 
 toga and Monmouth — points ever dear to patriots. That of 
 Saratoga intensely so ; l)ecause, in the wholesale capture of 
 Burgoyne, it taught the civilized world that America could 
 help herself, and led to a timely alliance with powerful 
 France. And the intrepid valor of the battle of Monmouth 
 was equall}' cheering, because it assured the fultillment of the 
 proi)hecy of the triumph of freedom made at Saratoga. 
 
 But as a measure of severity, compare the losses of those 
 grand, decisive battles — the glorious stand-points of American 
 liberty — with the deadly pluck and daring of Oriskany, and 
 let the patriot determine, according to numbers engaged, 
 where the most startling severity lies. 
 
 In the first battle of Saratoga, September 19th, 1777, the 
 two great armies — the Americans, commanded by General 
 Gates, assisted by Generals Lincoln and Arnold ; the British, 
 commanded by General Burgoyne, assisted by Generals 
 Philips, Reidesel and Frazer — fought obstinately for three 
 hours. Each army claimed the victory, and each held its 
 own ground. The Americans lost, in killed, Avounded and 
 missing, 319 ; the British, in killed, wounded and prisoners, 
 upwards of 500 men. 
 
 In the second Ivittle of Saratoga, fought on the 7th day of 
 October, 1777, and desperately contested, succeeded by the 
 surrender of Burgoyne on the 16th day of the same month. 
 The British lost the distinguished General Frazer and the 
 gallant Lieut. -Colonel Breynian, with 100 men killed ; and 
 Sir Francis Clark, Aid-de-Camp to Burgoyne, and the brave 
 Major Ackland, who connuanded the British Grenadiers, 
 severely wounded, and with other wounded oificers and men, 
 and others not wounded, numbering 200, were brought prison- 
 ers to the American camp, with nine pieces of cannon and a 
 considerable supply of ammunition. And yet the American 
 loss did not exceed thirty killed and one hundred wounded — 
 among the latter, General Arnold, who had his horse killed 
 under him, and his leg fractured b}^ a nuisket ball. (See 
 10 
 
242 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Life of Genenil Gates, by John Frost, LL.D., in his Li.fe 
 of AmericMn Generals, p. 100, etc.). 
 
 Again, at the battle of Monmouth, so pregnant with the 
 results of American liberty, and so bitterly contested on 
 Sunday, the 28th day of August, 1778, upon the hottest day 
 that section of New Jersey had ever known, where General 
 Washington commanded in person, supported by his favorite 
 Generals — Stirling, Green, Knox, AVayne, La Fayette and 
 Morgan — met the distinguished and accomplished veteran. 
 General Sir Henry Clinton (a host of resources within him- 
 self), commanding the British forces, assisted by the fearless 
 Generals Knyphausen and Grant, and many other experi- 
 enced officers of tried valor, especially Colonel Monckton, 
 the commander of the Grenadiers, who fell that day at the 
 head of his men. I shall carry the struggles of that day no 
 further than to draw a parallel with the bloody severity of 
 the comparatively unhonored light of Oriskany. 
 
 It is impossible to gather with accuracy, from history, what 
 was the relative strength of the contending armies on the day 
 of the battle. That of the Americans did not probably ex- 
 ceed 14,000 men — some of them new recruits, and many of 
 them militia. The British were not more than 10,000 strong, 
 but all tried veterans ; most of them the victors of Brandy- 
 wine and Germantown. 
 
 The loss of the Americans was 288 ; of the British, about 
 250. Of the last, sixty fell dead from the eftects of heat, as 
 also did some of the Americans. 
 
 Oriskany 's fight was in August, 1777 ; that of Monmouth 
 in August, 1778, both excessively hot days. And now, hav- 
 ing rendered my heartfelt tribute to the heroes of Oriskany, 
 I submit their memories to the grateful admiration of a patri- 
 otic people. 
 
DESOLATED BY FIRE. 243 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Desolated by Fire. 
 
 It has been often and truly said All)any was never visited 
 by an enemy or invasion ; yet Schenectady, her frontier 
 daughter, has been sadly afflicted with both, and paid heavy 
 j)enalties, as has l)een already shown, for her advanced frontier 
 position. But frontier exposure has not been her only suf- 
 fering. In 1819, the city Avas devastated by a sweeping fire, 
 when her best business and commercial portion containing 
 extensive wharves, freighting establishments, and storehouses 
 along the Mam BinnehiU, a deep and sluggish arm of the 
 Mohawk, with many valuable dwellings and stores along 
 Washington street (now avenue), and upon Union, Church, 
 State and Front streets were laid in ruins. These sections 
 never again recovered their business, mercantile or com- 
 mercial importance, for the then contemplated construction 
 of the Erie canal, and its subsequent completion running 
 through a central part of Schenectady, and the building of 
 railroads at points not touching there, but centering else- 
 where, removed the business seat of our city to its present 
 commanding location. 
 
 I was myself then a student of Union at the age of 17, 
 not only a witness of, but an actor at, the fire, and well 
 reineml)er the great conflagration, with its consequent ruin 
 and hardships. But there is yet a compensating offset for 
 the loss of business in what was once the most active, 
 bustling and money-making portion of our city ; for in 
 rising from its ashes it has become, probably, its most 
 courted, quiet, and beautiful residence section, presenting 
 from some portions the most charming views of islands, 
 flats, water and hills, that the eyes could delight to dwell 
 upon. 
 
 There are some still dwelling in our midst who remember 
 Schenectady as it existed in 1800. There are more, includ- 
 
244 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 ing myself, who remember its uppeartmce from 1810, after 
 the Scotia dyke was built simultaneously with the completiou 
 of the Mohawk turnpike iu 1802 ; and the original, elegeant, 
 old Mohawk bridge across the river, a suspension bridge 
 built of wood, 900 feet in length, of a peculiar and beautiful 
 construction ; erected and c(mipleted in 1808, by the justly 
 celebrated Theodore Burr, the great bridge architect of the 
 United States ; and this structure has been pronounced '' tJie 
 mader efort of his genins, " and they only who have seen 
 the original when first finished can appreciate its subsequent 
 enormous disfigurement by the addition of several piers, and 
 an unsightly covering over the whole, adding, perhaps, to 
 its solidity and ultimate preservation, but certainly destroy- 
 ing all its elegance of design and execution. 
 
 Such old citizens can Avell remember the busy scenes on 
 Washington street, and at the wharves and storehouses on 
 the Main Binnekill, previous to the destructive fire of 1819. 
 They, too, can recollect that previous to that time the 
 Mohawk river, al)ove the bridge, was a broad, deep stream, 
 upon which Durham boats, carrying sails like an Albany 
 sloop, and from eight to twenty tons of freight, according to 
 the depth of the water at difierent seasons of the year on the 
 rifts above, glided, often under full sail, to or from our then 
 deep and commercial Binnekill. '^Theminalure golden home 
 of our city ! '''' They, too, can well remember, during the 
 War of 1812, how often at one time as many \ms> fifty ^x\\\ 
 of those craft would lay in our port discharging or taking 
 cargo. How the freighting firms of Yates & Mynderse, 
 Jacob S. Glen & Co." Stephen N. Bayard, Walton & De 
 Graft", Lusher & McMichael, transacted this immense trans- 
 portation business. Covering war material, army supplies, 
 and the necessaries required by the fast-growing west ; and 
 bringing iu retuVn its surplus products, generally in the 
 shape of fiour, wheat, potash, pork, lumber and man}' other 
 productions. 
 
 How at least 300 families of this city and its environs, 
 made it their business and derived their support, and often 
 easy competence, by land carriage between the store-houses 
 
DESOLATED BY FIRE. 245 
 
 of the Biiinckill aiul the city of Albaii}-, But it is a sad re- 
 flection that time has left me so few associates, in the remem- 
 brance of Schenectady's former days of commercial and bnsi- 
 ness prosperity. Schenectady being situated at the foot of 
 navigation on the Mohawk, there was a portage of sixteen miles 
 by way of the Albany and Schenectady turnpike (the old 
 route was twenty miles before that turnpike was constructed), 
 between the Binnekill and the Hudson river. It will afford 
 some idea of the dail}^ processions on that turnpike, when we 
 reflect that over it Avas borne to market the products of the 
 far-stretching west, and in return to it all the supplies and 
 necessaries drawn from the old settlements. 
 
 As my ol)ject is to convey information of Schenedach/s 
 mrhj days to the rising geueration, I think it will not be out 
 of place, in this connection, to state how difiicult were the 
 navig;i)jle facilities of the early settlers in trading Avith the 
 Indians in the interior, ahMig the great lakes and the St. 
 Lawrence. There were many rifts or rapids in the Mohawk 
 river to be overcome, either by great personal labor or 
 portage. The first of these was a few miles above Schenec- 
 tady, and was called Sixth Flats rift. Proceeding west, in suc- 
 cession, comes Fort Hunter rift, Cauglinanaga rift, Keator^s 
 rift, the heaviest on the river, having a fall often feet ; Brandy- 
 ivine rift, at Canajoharie, short but rapid ; Ehder rift, near 
 Fort Plain, and the '• Little Falls,^^ so called, compared Avith 
 the Colioes, at the mouth of the Mohawk. At this last, 
 Little Falls, there is a descent in the river of forty feet in the 
 distance of half a mile, up the current of which no boats 
 could be forced ; so it became a portage or carrying point 
 for both boats and merchandise, which Avere transported around 
 the rapids on Avagons, and Avhen relaunched and reloaded, 
 pushed on again. 
 
 U[) to about the year 1740, the early settlers used the 
 largest sized Indian 1)ark canoe, the graceful craft, Avhich 
 had glided on the bosom of the MohaAvk, probably for 
 centuries before. But about, or soon after that time, the 
 later Indian traders, William, afterwards Sir William Johns- 
 ton, John Duncan, John Robinson, William Corlett, C^harles 
 
246 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Martin, James Ellice, Daniel Ciuiipbell and others, taking a 
 Avide step in advance of the time-honored canoe, introduced 
 the small Batteau, a wooden vessel strongly braced with ribs, 
 sharp at both ends, and generally manned b}' three men. 
 Sinims says, in his history of Schoharie county, containing 
 interesting memoranda of the Mohawk Valley, page 141 : 
 " These boats were forced over the rapids in the river with 
 poles and ropes, the latter drawn by men on the shore. Such 
 was the mode of transporting merchandise and Indian com- 
 modities to and from the west, for a period of about fifty 
 3'ears, and nntil after the Revolution. A second carrying 
 place in use at an early da}^, was near Fori Stanwix, from the 
 boatable waters of the Mohawk to Wood creek; thence pass- 
 ing into Oneida lake, the Batteaus proceeded into the Oswego 
 river, and thence to O.noego, on Lake Ontario, and to Niagara, 
 or elsewhere on that lake or the St. Lawrence, as they pleased 
 to venture;" and after being carried around the falls of 
 Niagara to Chippewa, went iminteruptedly on to Detroit, their 
 usual limit, and sometimes even to Mackinaw. But after the 
 Revolutionary War the tide of immigration set strongly west- 
 ward, and that energetic population required increased 
 facilities of transportation and communication with the great 
 Hudson river, and their old homes in the east and elsewhere. 
 AVhat was to be done ? Just emerged from a sanguinary 
 and exhausting struggle, the State and people were im- 
 poverished. The expense of a canal could not be thought of, 
 and dreams of railroads, steamboats and electricity put to 
 service, Avere only the far-ofl' fancies of visionary men, born 
 prematurely. 
 
 But something must be done. General Philip Schuyler, 
 that far-seeing statesman of Revolutionary fame, Avho as 
 Major-General had rendered his country invaluable services 
 in her most trying periods, Avho had been a United States 
 Senator, and Avas then Surveyor-General of the State of New 
 York, succeeded in forming a corporate body, known as the 
 ''Inland Lock Navigation Company,''^ of Avhich body many 
 citizens of Schenectady and its vicinity Avere members ; and 
 with such capital General Schuyler, under his immediate 
 
DESOLATED BY FIRE. 247 
 
 supervision ;iiid diieetion, constructed a dtim and sluice, or 
 short canal, at Wood creek, uniting it with the navigal)le 
 waters of the Mohawk ; and also built a short canal and 
 several locks at Little Falls ; in both cases obviating portage, 
 or the necessity of unloading the vessels. Those works were 
 c()nii)leted in 1795, and from that date, or soon thereafter, 
 those enterprising forwarders, Jonathan Walton, Jacob 8. Glen, 
 Eri Lusher, Stephen N. Bayard, and others, erected additional 
 Avharves, docks and large storehouses on the Main Binnekill, 
 and the commerce of Schenectady, with the increased facili- 
 ties of navigating the Mohawk, was largely extended until 
 the great tire of 1819. The Durham boat, constructed some- 
 thing in shape like a modern canal boat, with flat bottom, 
 and carrying from eight to twenty tons, took the place of the 
 clums}' little batteau Avhich had for more than fifty years 
 superseded the Indian bark canoe. These Durham boats were 
 not decked except at the front and stern ; but along the sides 
 were heavy planks partially covering the vessel, with cleats 
 nailed on them, to give foothold to the boatmen using poles. 
 Many of the I)oats litted for use on the lakes and St. Law- 
 rence had a mast, with one large sail, like an Albany sloop, 
 the usual crew was from five to six men. At that day, boat- 
 men at Schenectady Avere numerous, and generally were a 
 rough and hardy class ; but from common labors, exposures 
 and hardships, a sort of brotherly affection for each other 
 existed among them which did not brook the interference of 
 outsiders, and yet as a class they Avere orderly, law-abiding- 
 citizens. 
 
 Boating at this period Avas attended Avith great personal 
 labor. True, the delay of unloading and carriage at the Lit- 
 tle Falls had been overcome, but it Avas found more difficult 
 to force large than small craft over the rapids. In vie\v of 
 that difficulty, several boats usually started from port in 
 com[)an3% and those boats first arriving at a rift, at a Ioav- 
 Avater stage, waited the approach of others, that their united 
 strength might lighten the labor there. At high water, with 
 favorable Avind, they could sail the navigable length of the 
 river ; but Avhcn sails were insufficient, long poles were used. 
 
248 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 These poles h;id heads of considerable size that vested against 
 the shoulder of the boatman, while pu.shing onward ; as the 
 writer has soniestinies seen the shoulders of the boatmen 
 become calloused by such labor, like that of a severe collar- 
 worn horse. The toil of a boatman's life, when actually at work, 
 was generally severe and trying ; so that, in port, like the 
 sailor, they were sometimes festive and hilarious. 
 
 I will add, as a matter of curious history in the travel of 
 the Mohawk Valley, that about the year 1815, Eri Lusher 
 established a daily line of packet boats which were constructed 
 after the model of the Durham boat, with cabin in midship, 
 carefully cushioned, ornamented and curtained, expressly cal- 
 culated for and used to carry from twenty to thirty i)asseu- 
 gers at a time, between Schenectady and Utica, making the 
 passage between the two places down the river in about thir- 
 teen hours, and up the river, Avith favorable wind and high 
 water, within two dajs. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Channel of the jNIohawk Changed. 
 
 How changed the appearance and uses of the Mohawk and 
 our Binnekill port are now ! There are some citizens still 
 living, including myself, who distinctly recollect that up to 
 1820, what is now the shore of "■Platte Isla7id" then covered 
 with wood and bushes, with what is now an intervening 
 creek between that island and one newly formed, owned and 
 cultivated by Mr. Wm. Leonard, with the adjoining sand-bar 
 accumulations, were, up to that time, deep and navigable 
 water's. We can remember that, where now on its north side 
 the deep water and channel of the Mohawk exists, was then 
 solid ground of several acres, capable of rich cultivation. 
 That thei-e Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, afterwards Licutenant- 
 General Scott, of wide historic fame, encami)ed with his 
 regiment on his first advance to the Niagara frontier, and 
 how nuich the stately form of the coming hero was admired. 
 
CHANNEL OF THE MOHAWK CHANGED. 249 
 
 It was 8ul)Soquently the cjuiiping g-round of other United 
 States forces moving westAvard. This change of channel and 
 alteration of surface, was probably attributable to the erection 
 of additional massive piers under the old Mohawk bridge 
 creating unnatural obstructions. But, whatever the cause, the 
 old-time citizen has never appreciated the change, and yet 
 the ]Main Binnekill remains, peacefully resting in its native 
 beauty, unconscious of the busy scenes once enacted on its 
 banks, or of the fleets once nestling on its placid bosom ; and 
 the Mohawk still glides smoothly by our city, unmindful of 
 its historic past, ati'ording to many of our citizens, with their 
 pretty river craft, exercise, health and pleasure ; to the angler, 
 sport among the best of the i^imy tribe, and to all, water of 
 uncommon [jurit}'. 
 
 After the capture of Niagara, Oswego, Ticonderoga, 
 Crown Point, and tiually Quebec, by Wolf, September 12th, 
 1759, Schenectady became not as before, merely an exposed 
 frontier town, but a favorable and secure position for trade ; 
 and, in addition to our time-honored, cautious traders of the 
 old school, soon after several merchants of capital settled 
 here, and gave a great impetus of prosperit}' to the place ; 
 among them John Duncan, of Montreal, who afterwards 
 associated in partnership with himself James Phyn, of 
 London. Duncan having acquired a large fortune, retired 
 from the partnership, purchased nearly all of the town of 
 Princetown (then called Corrj^sbush), built a fine mansion on 
 his extensive farm of many hundred acres, now in the town 
 of Niskayuna, as hei'einbefore stated, and settling quietly 
 down, lived and died there, much esteemed and in great 
 comfort, with the surroundings of affluence. James Phyn 
 continued the business upon an immense scale, in a lai-ge 
 frame building on the northeast corner of Washington and 
 Union streets (burned down in 1819), associating with him- 
 self the brothers James, Thomas, Alexander and Robert 
 EUice, some one or two of the partners always residing at 
 Montreal, with which place they maintained an extensive and 
 direct trade. All the partners accumulated fortimes, and 
 after doing so left the country ; excq)i James ElUce, who 
 
250 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 marriecl Mary Adams, and died here. His widow married 
 Hon. Joseph C. Yates, subsequently Governor Yates. 
 
 Andrew Mitehell, Alexander Kelly, Peter Smith, David 
 Tomlinson, John Tannahill, Cluirles Martin, Robert Tanna- 
 hill, Jonathan Walton, William Lyman, and James Walker, 
 were early but later arrivals, and contributed much to the 
 character and prosperity of Schenectady. 
 
 It would require a large volume to notice, in detail, the 
 families and varied points of interest about Schenectady that 
 could be acceptably mentioned in this historical statement. 
 The necessary limits of this sketch forbids doing so, and it 
 seems unnecessary to tell the living actors of this day, that 
 the compact part of our city is regularly laid out on a 
 beautiful })lane on the southeast side of the Mohawk river. 
 How admiral )ly central its position ; how charming its ground- 
 plat ; how well flagged, paved and shaded its streets ; how 
 lovely its adjacent waters and surrounding eminences — all 
 those delightful j^omts are evident to every eye. In tine, to 
 say you are settled in a goodly land, naturally one of the 
 most beautiful and favored spots of earth, which, as a place 
 of residence, with its society genial, cultivated and refined, has 
 few or no superiors, would be to repeat what is well known. 
 
 For instruction, I may rather confine myself to the 
 experiences and history of the past ; to the traditions of our 
 fathers, the recollections of my early days, and those of my 
 still living cotemporaries. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Schenectady of Olden Time. 
 
 Yet, in a narration of this kind, something in the shape of 
 statistics should be given for the benefit of non-residents and 
 posterity. Schenectady, in 1G61, was settled by Hollanders 
 (with the single exception of one Scotchman, named Alex- 
 ander Lindsey Glen), and many of their descendants still 
 occupy the original homes, and inherit many of the indomit- 
 
SCHENECTADY OF OLDEN TIME. 251 
 
 uble virtues of tlieh- uucestors. The style of architect u re of 
 the place was much like that of Dordrecht, Loydeu, Delft, 
 and other HoUaiid cities. The houses stood with angular, 
 zig-zag gables turned to the streets, and their sto()[)s or porches 
 were furnished with side-seats, well filled on pleasant after- 
 noons and evenings Avith the 3'oung and old of both sexes, 
 who met for "■friendli/ gossip J' The burgher enjoyed his 
 Holland pipe ; the Dutch mothers were celebrated for indus- 
 try, neatness, cleanliness, economy, and virtue ; and their fair 
 daughters were like them. The solid comforts of life were 
 abimdant ; stoves were unknown. The great lire-place and 
 huge back-log supplied the needful warmth. A trip to Fort 
 Orange occupied two days over miserable, sandy roads, and 
 a voyage to New Amsterdam was estimated at an absence of 
 three weeks, with preparations such as are now made for a 
 voyage to Europe. Some, in view of the fact that Albany 
 can now be reached by rail in forty minutes from this place, 
 and New York in six hours, may smile incredulously at the 
 foregoing statement. But this change is onl}^ one of the pro- 
 gressions of the age, and carries with it honorable tribute to 
 the earl}', indomitable struggles of our fathers and mothers, 
 who through several generations have slept in their graves. 
 
 Let me illustrate the truth of my statement. It is Avell 
 understood that the earliest ti-aveled route l)etween Albany 
 and New York was by the Hudson river. Sloops and 
 schooners m;ide the coimection between these two cities, and 
 when greater despatch and certainty were required, " a canoe " 
 was the means of conveyance, which could occasionally make 
 a quick trip of seven days, gliding along night and diiy irre- 
 spective of wind and tide. But the establishment of a post- 
 road shortened this slow mode of transport. In summer the 
 mail was carried on horseback, and in winter the messenger 
 made the journey on foot, taking advantage of the ice on 
 the river when the road wus impassal^le. 
 
 Such was the communication of New York with the 
 interior prior to the Revolutionary War. So slender were 
 the facilities and resources of the country, that the first mail 
 ever received at Schenectady was on the 3d day of April, 
 
252 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 1763. (See letter of Sir Win. Johnson). But with the strength 
 of the people iind the iidv.mce of education, a brighter day 
 Avas dawning. In 1785 the Legislature granted to Isaac 
 W//ck, Tahnage Hall, and John Kinney, the exclusive right 
 '' to erect, set up, carry on and drive *' stage wagons between 
 Albany and New York, on the east side of the Hudson river, 
 for the term of ten years. They were to have at least two 
 covered wagons, each drawn by four al)le horses, and perform 
 the trip once a week under penalty of forfeiture of charter. 
 
 The first stage was put on the road in June, 1785 ; there 
 Avere two covered wagons, with four excellent horses to each, 
 and the fare was four-pence a mile. It made weekly trips, 
 starting from HuWs tavern in Cortlandt street ; it carried its 
 passengers up the east bank of the Hudson to Albany in a 
 week, having its terminus at the old King's Arms, in later 
 days known as the Cit}' tavern. Its consort made a like trip 
 down the river, meeting the up stage at the half-way point, 
 Poughkeepsie. In 1804, the time had been diminished to a 
 tl'.ree days' journey, and the fare fixed at $8, the first night 
 being passed at Peekskill, and the second at Rhinebeck. In 
 1807, steamboats first relieved those from the fatigue of the 
 long ride over rough roads, who dared trust their lives on so 
 dangerous a conveyance. The stage coach was a rude con- 
 veyance at best, until the use of thorough braces, about 1818, 
 gave the vehicle easy motion, and consequent comfort. 
 
 All)any soon became the line of western travel, as many as 
 one hundred coaches leaving ever)' day. The streets were 
 stirring, da}' and night, with the coming and going of these 
 conveyances. 
 
 In the spring of 1793, Moses Beal, who kept a first-class 
 hotel in a large brick building (since then burnt down) on 
 the site of the present Givens' Hotel building, ran a stage, 
 for the accommodation of passengers, from Albany to Sche- 
 nectady, Johnstown and Canajoharie. once a week. The fare 
 was three cents a mile. The success of this enterprise was 
 so great, that JoJm Hudson, keeping the Schenectady Coffee- 
 House, on the southwest corner of Union and Ferry streets, 
 now the pro[)erty of Madison Vedder. Esq., soon afterwards 
 
SCHENECTADY OF OLDEN TIME. 253 
 
 estnl)li.she(l a line ot" stages to run from Albany to Schenec- 
 tady three times a week. John Rogers, of Ballston, ran a 
 line from that phice to connect with it, l)y which a reguhir 
 communication was tirst estabhshed for the convenience of 
 those who visited the Springs. 
 
 And such was the progress of the new country and the 
 call for facilities, that in 1794 there were tive great post- 
 routes centering in Albany : The first, to JVew York ; the 
 second, to Burlington, Vermont ; the third, to Brookfield, Mas- 
 sachusetts ; the fourth, to Springfield, Massachusetts. On 
 each of these routes the mail was carried once a week. The 
 fifth route was via Schenectady, Johnstown, Canajoharie, 
 German Flats, Whitestown, Old Fort Schuyler, Onondaga, 
 Aurora, Scipio, Geneva, Canandaigua, and subsequently ex- 
 tended to Butfalo. The mail on this route was carried once 
 in two weeks. Thomas Powell, Aaron Thorpe, Asa Sprague, 
 and othei-s in partnership with tliem, west of Utica, Avere the 
 leading })r()prietors of this last route, under whose manage- 
 ment its business became simply immense ; so much so, that, 
 during the AVar of 1812, it Avas no uncommon scene to wit- 
 ness from eight to twelve stages on the Scotia dyke, leav- 
 ing or entering Schenectady at one time ; and in one instance 
 the writer counted fourteen in a continuous line. 
 
 But I must dismiss this subject with the remark, that steam 
 has driven stages from all our great thoroughfares of travel. 
 Yet, under the head of steam, with the knowledge that, in 
 my early boyhood, while on a visit to the city of Albany, I saw 
 the tirst steamboat that ever floated on the waters of the grand 
 Hudson — "77ie Clermont" — reach that city, with Fulton 
 in person as engineer ; this being the flrst time I ever saw 
 this son of genius, and at the same time heard and witnessed 
 the surprised rejoicings of that ancient city ; and in view of 
 the great results that success has accomplished for civilization, 
 connnerce, travel, prices, and communication throughout the 
 world, I cannot resist the temptation to pul)lish here a printed 
 advertisement furnished me by my friend. Judge William H. 
 AVilson, of Clermont, Columl)ia county, now in his eighty- 
 eighth year, and still buoyant in a green old age ; a ripe 
 
254 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 scholar, possessed of a steel memory, laden with great stores 
 of historic learning, and a personal friend of Robert Fulton. 
 This advertisement was truly interesting to me, as a link in 
 Avonderful contrast between the present and the past ; and as 
 such I insert it here for the possible benefit of others, thus : 
 
 THE FIRST STEAMBOAT. 
 
 Traveling on the Hudson in 1808. 
 The first steamboat on the Hudson river passed the city of Hudson on 
 the 17th of August, 1807. In the Hudson Bee, a newspaper in that city, 
 the following advertisement was published in June, 1808 : 
 
 Steamboat. 
 For the Information of the PiMic. 
 The steamV)oat will leave New York for Albany every Saturday after- 
 noon exactly at 6 o'clock, and will pass : 
 
 West Point about 4 o'clock Sunday morning. 
 Newburgh, 7 o'clock Sunday morning. 
 Poughkeepsie, 11 o'clock Sunday morning. 
 Esopus, 2 o'clock in the afternoon. 
 Red Hook, 4 o'clock in the afternoon. 
 Catskill, 7 o'clock in tlie afternoon. 
 Hudson, 9 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 She will leave Albany for New York every Wednesday morning, exactly 
 at 8 o'clock, and pass : 
 
 Hudson about three in the afternoon.' 
 Esapus, 8 in the evening. 
 Poughkeepsie, 12 at night. 
 NewV)urgh, 4 Thursday morning. 
 West Point, 7 Thursday morning. 
 
 As the time at which the boat may arrive at the different places above 
 mentioned may vary an hour or more or less, according to the advantage 
 or disadvantage of wind and tide, those who wish to come on board will 
 see the necessity of being on the spot an hour before the time. Persons 
 wishing to come on board from any other landing than those here speci- 
 fied, can calculate the time the boat will pass, and be ready on her arrival. 
 Innkeei^ers or boatman, who bring passengers on board or take them 
 ashore from any part of the river, will be allowed one shilling for each 
 person. 
 
 Price of Passage — From New York. 
 
 To West Point $2 50 
 
 Newburgh - - - - - - 3 00 
 
 Poughkeepsie - - - - - 3 50 
 
 Esopus - - - - - - - 4 00 
 
 Red Hook ------ 4 50 
 
 Hudson - - - - - - - 5 00 
 
 Albany 7 00 
 
SCHENECTADY OF OLDEN TIME. 255 
 
 From Albany. 
 
 To Hudson - - - - - - !?2 00 
 
 Red Hook - - - - - - 3 00 
 
 Esopus - - - -- - 3 50 
 
 Poughkeepsie - - - - - - 4 00 
 
 Newbiirg-h and West Point - - - - 4 50 
 
 New Yoi-k - - - - - -7 00 
 
 All other passengers are to jiay at the rate of §1 for every twenty miles, 
 and a half dollar for every meal they may eat. 
 
 Children, from 1 to 5 years of age, to jiay one-third price, and sleep 
 with the pei'sons under whose care they are. 
 
 Young pej'sons, from 5 to 15 years of age, to pay half-price, provided 
 they sleep two in a bei-th, and whole price for each one who requests to 
 occupy a whole bei'th. 
 
 Servants who pay two-thirds price are entitled to a berth ; they jiay 
 half-price if they do not have berth. 
 
 Every person paying full price is allowed 60 pounds of baggage ; if less 
 than whole price, 40 pounds. They are to pay at the rate of 3 cents a 
 pound for surplus baggage. Storekeepers who wish to cai'ry light and 
 valuable merchandise can be accommodated on paj'ing 3 cents a pound. 
 
 Passengers will breakfast before they come on board. Dinner will be 
 sei'ved up exactly at 1 o'clock ; tea, with meats, which is also supper, at 
 8 in the evening, and breakfast at 9 in the morning. No one has a claim 
 on the steward for victuals at any other time. 
 
 I confers great interest in nil that relates to Robert Fulton. 
 As an artist, he was the pnpil and companion of the great 
 Benjamin West, of London, and an associate of onr own 
 Kembrant Peel, of Philadelphia ; as a civil engineer, the 
 intimate friend and adviser of the great canal leader, the Duke 
 of Bridgwater ; as a machinist, the scholar of Lord Stanhope; 
 and in oiu- own country as an inventor, the bosom friend and 
 protege of the chancellor, Robert R. Livingston, of Clermont, 
 one of the committee who framed and presented to Congress 
 our sublime Declaration of Independence. 
 
 Fulton married the daughter of Walter Livingston, of 
 Livingston, who was the uncle of my father-in-law, Walter 
 T.Livingston, of Clermont, both of Columliia county ; and 
 he was always highly esteemed by all the Li\'ingston families 
 as one of its members. 
 
 In person, Fulton was tall, slender and well formed; his 
 manners graceful and dignified; his disposition generous, and 
 his great inventions attest the high superiority of his attain- 
 
256 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 ments and talents. He died February 24th, 1815; but as 
 nothing from my pen could do him justice, I will let his in- 
 timate and admiring friend, the illustrious late Judge Joseph 
 Story, of the United States Supreme Court, tell the most try- 
 ing event of Fulton's life as taken from his own graphic lips: 
 "i, W2//<s'e//'," says Judge Story, " have heard the illustrious 
 inventor relate, in an animated and affecting manner, the 
 histor}^ of his labors and discouragements. When, said he, I 
 was building my first steamboat at New York, the project 
 was viewed by the public, either with indifi'erence or con- 
 tempt, as a visionary scheme. My friends, indeed, were 
 civil, but they were ahy. The^^ listened with patience to my 
 explanations, but with a settled cast of incredulity on their 
 countenances. I felt the full force of the lamentation of the 
 
 poet : 
 
 Truths would you teach, to save a sinking land, 
 All shun, none aid you, and few understand. 
 
 "As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building 
 yard while my boat was in progress, I have often loitered, 
 unknown, near the idle groups of strangers, gathering in little 
 circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this 
 new vehicle. The language was uniformly that of scorn, 
 sneer or ridicule. The loud laugh at iny expense ; the dry 
 jest; the wise calculation of losses and expenditures ; the dull 
 but endless repetition of the Fulton folly. Never did a single 
 encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross 
 my path. Silence itself was but politeness vailing its doubts 
 or hiding its reproaches. At length the day arrived when the 
 experiment was to be got into operation. To me it ivas a 
 most trying and interesting occasion. I invited many friends 
 to go on board to witness the fii'st successful trip. Many of 
 them did me the favor to attend, as a matter of personal re- 
 spect; but it was manifest they did it with reluctance, fear- 
 ing to be partners of" my mortification and not of ray triumph. 
 I was well aware that in my case there Avere many reasons 
 of doubt of my own success. The machinery (like Fitch's 
 before him), was new and ill made, and many parts of it was 
 constructed by mechanics unacquainted with such work, and 
 
SCHENECTADY OF OLDEN TIME. 257 
 
 unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to 
 present themselves from other causes. The moment an-ived 
 in Avhich the word was to be given for the vessel to move. 
 My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety 
 mixed with fear among them. They were silent and weary. 
 I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented 
 of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved on 
 a short distance, and then stopped and became immovable. 
 To the silence of the preceding moment, now succeeded 
 murmurs of discontent ancl agitations, and whispers and 
 shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated : ' I. told you it ivasso; 
 it is a foolish scheme ; I wish we were well out of itJ I elevated 
 myself upon a platform and addressed the assembly. I stated 
 that I knew not what Avas the matter ; but if they would 
 be quiet and indulge me for half an hour, I would either 
 go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short 
 respite Avas conceded without objection. I went below 
 and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause 
 was a slight mal-adjustment of some of the work. In a short 
 period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. 
 She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None 
 semecl willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. We 
 left the fair city of New York ; we passed through the 
 romantic and ever-varying Highlands ; we descried the 
 clustering houses of Albany ; we reached its shores ; and 
 then, even then, Avhen all seemed achieved, I was the victim 
 of disappointment. Imagination superceded the influence of 
 fact. It Avas then doubted if it could be done again ; or if 
 done, it Avas doubted if it could be made of an}^ great value." 
 Returning from this episode, I state that previous to the 
 opening of the great Erie canal, as connected Avith the 
 immense land carriage transportation business between Sche- 
 nectady and Albany, Avagon-making Avas a profitable and 
 extensive calling at Schenectady ; and again, nearly all the 
 boats used on the MohaAvk and Avestern Avaters, Avere built at 
 this place. The boat yards Avere located on Avhat is termed 
 the Strand street on the river, then much Avider than now, 
 owing to encroachments and other causes. It was no uncom- 
 17 
 
258 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 moil sight in the War of 1812, to see from twenty-five to 100 
 boats on the stocks at the boat yards, extending from near 
 the Mohawk bridge to North street. The l)oats that con- 
 veyed the army of General Wilkinson down the St. Law- 
 rence river were all ])uilt at this place ; the oak forests of 
 our common lands furnished the requisite materials in great 
 supply. The principal boat-builders were the Van Slycks, 
 Marselis's, Veeders, and Peeks, although there were others. 
 The boat-builders were generally residents of Front and Green 
 streets. At Schenectady a large amount of trade is still carried 
 on by means of the canal and railroads that centre here ; but 
 the people are more largely engaged in manufactures. One 
 of the largest locomotive manufactories in the country is 
 established here, which turns out seventy-iive locomotives 
 annually. There are also extensive agricultural implement 
 works, several machine shops and foundries, two carriage 
 factories, planing mills, grain elevators, a shawl factory, two 
 breweries, a vise and spring factory, three door and blind 
 factories, several l)room-making establishments, and many 
 other mechanic shops. The city also has three banks, a 
 savings bank, two daily and three weekly newspapers, a State 
 arsenal ; is the seat of Union College, has several benevolent 
 institutions, and fifteen churches, including a Jewish syna- 
 gogue. The Jirst luid oldest of these churches is the Refwrned 
 Protestant Dutch. But the oldest church building now stand- 
 ing is the Episcopal. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Attending Church at Albany. 
 
 From the tiihe of the earliest settlement to 1670, those 
 •who attended church at all were o})liged to visit Albany as 
 the nearest point where a church could be reached ; but from 
 that time to 1680, occasional services were held at private 
 dwellings, by supplies from AUxany, at which time a Dutch 
 Reformed congregation was oraanized, and a church building 
 
ATTENDING CHURCH AT ALBANY. 259 
 
 erected in the public square, at the junction of what is now 
 Church and State streets, in 1682. This was burned by the 
 French and Indians in 1690 ; and about 1702 a new church 
 was erected on the same sight, and remained there until 1733, 
 when, owing to the increase of population and its require- 
 ments, that building was demolished and another erected and 
 completed, in the centre of Church street, at the junction of 
 Union and Church streets. This was truly a massive, Gothic 
 structure of stone, well remembered by myself and others still 
 living. This church was taken down and removed in 1814, 
 but not until after the chaste and beautiful church building 
 on the adjoining corner lot, formerli/ the parsonage, was com- 
 pleted and occupied by the congregation. This fine edifice 
 was destroyed by fire in 1861, and on its ruins was soon suc- 
 ceeded by the elegant and noble church edifice in which the 
 people of what is called the First Reformed Congi'egation 
 now worship. 
 
 As the parent church, she can boast of several out-shoots 
 or daughters, viz. : two in Rotterdam, two in Glenville, two 
 in Niskayuna, one in Princetown, and the Second Reformed 
 Church in Schenectady ; to speak of her individual prosperity 
 in detail woidd exceed my limits, and her trials have been suffi- 
 ciently noted. But as this was one among the oldest churches 
 of our State, I deem it proper, in this connection, to add : 
 
 That the Rev. Peiriis Tasschemacher was its first installed 
 pastor, and officiated from 1684 to 1690, when he was slain 
 by the French and Indians ; that the Rev. Godfreidus Dellius 
 supplied the people from 1690 to 1699 ; that the Rev. Ber- 
 nardm Freeman was pastor from 1700 to 1705 ; that the 
 Rev. Johannes Lydius supplied the pulpit from 1705 to 
 1709 ; that the Rev. Tliomas Barclay, an Episcopalian, sup- 
 plied the people from 1110 for an uncertain time. I have no 
 data, except a letter from Mr. Barclay himself, addressed to 
 the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation ot the Gos- 
 pel in foreign parts, dated Albany, September 26th, 1710. 
 (See Doc. His. of N. Y., Vol. 3, p. 896, etc.) I extract : 
 
 " At Schenectady I preach once a month, where there is a 
 garrison of fort}' soldiers, besides about sixteen English and 
 
260 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 about one hundred Dutch t;unUics ; they are all of them my con- 
 stant hearers. I have this summer got an English school 
 erected amongst them, and in a short time, I hope, their chil- 
 dren will be tit for catecliising, Schenectady is a village 
 situated upon a pleasant river, twenty English miles above 
 Albany, and the first castle of the Indians is twenty-four miles 
 above Schenectady. In this village there has been no Dutch 
 minister these live years, and there is no probability of any 
 being settled among them. There is a convenient and well- 
 built church, which they freely give me the use of. I have 
 taken pains to shew them the agreement of the articles of our 
 church with theirs. I hope in some time to bring them not 
 only to be constant hearers, but communicants. 
 
 '-Mr. Lydins, the minister of the Dutch congregation at 
 Albany, died the first of March last. He was a good, pious 
 man, and lived in entire friendship with me ; sent his own 
 children to be catechised. At present there is no Dntch 
 minister at Albany; neither is any expected until next sum- 
 mer, and from New York to the utmost Ijounds of my parish 
 there is no minister but myself." 
 
 Here certainly was a consideral:>le break in the occupation 
 of the Dntch Church pulpit at Schenectady, by one of its own 
 denomination, for we find : 
 
 That the Rev. Thomas Grower, from Holland, was not 
 installed here until 1715, and ofiiciated up to 1728, when he 
 died. 
 
 That the Rev. Bernhardt M-nckson was pjistor from 1728 
 to 1736. 
 
 That the Reverend Cornelius Van Santvoord was pastor 
 from 1742 to 1752, when he died. 
 
 Reverend Barent Vrooman, from 1754 to 1784, when he 
 died. 
 
 Reverend Derick Bomeyn, from 1784 to 1804, when he 
 died. This divine Avas unquestionably one of the most dis- 
 tino-uished men in the Dutch Church. He was a Lector in The- 
 
 o 
 
 ology from 1792 to 1797, and a Professor in Theology from 
 1797 to 1804. " He ivas a pillar and ornament to society. ^^ His 
 biographer. Reverend Edward T. Corwin, says of him, in 
 
ATTENDING CHURCH AT ALBANY. 261 
 
 his muiiiuil of the Retbrnied Church in America : "He and 
 Dr. Livingston were constant correspondents ; they discussed 
 by letter all the important affairs of the denomination dur- 
 ing its formative period. He was the counsellor of Senators, 
 the adviser and compeer of the warriors of the Revolution, and 
 an efficient co-worker with the patriot. He took the lead in 
 his State in giving an impetus to the support and patronage 
 of classical learning ; and was greatly instrumental in the 
 foundation of Union College at Schenectady." 
 
 In the results of his labors, to the memory of no citizen 
 does Schenectady owe more. The Reverend Jacob Sickles 
 was his colleague from 1794 to 1797. 
 
 The Reverend John II. Meyer was pastor from 1803 to 
 1807, when he died. 
 
 Reverend Cornelias Bogardus^ from 1808 to 1811, when 
 he died. 
 
 The Reverend Jacob VanVec/ile?i, D. D., for 34 years, from 
 1815 to 1849, a long, devoted and successful ministry. 
 
 The Reverend Wm. J. R. Tayler, from 1849 to 1852. 
 
 The Reverend Julius Seeli/e, from 1853 to 1858, when he 
 became a Professor of, and is now the President, of Amherst 
 College, Mass. 
 
 The Reverend Edward E. Seelye, from 1858 to 1865, 
 when he died. 
 
 The Reverend Dennis Wortman, from 1865 to 1870, who 
 resigned his charge, and was then succeeded by the Reve- 
 rend Ashbel G. Vermilye, who officiated from 1870 to 1876, 
 when he resigned his charge, and is now succeeded by the 
 Reverend William E. Griti'es, who tills the pulpit with much 
 acceptance and reputation. 
 
 The second oldest of the religious denominations established 
 in Schenectady was the Episcopalian. We have seen " onte" 
 that the Reverend Thomas Barclay, a clergyman of that 
 church, officiated here as early as 1710, but there does not 
 seem to have been an Episcopalian organization. He appears 
 merely to have supplied a vacancy in the Reformed Dutch 
 Church for some (jonsiderable time Avith acceptance. But St. 
 George's Church (Protestant P^piscopal) was organized in 1735 
 
262 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 by the Reverend Henry Barclay, an edifice commenced upon 
 its present site in 17G2, und was incorporated in 1766, but the 
 building was not completed until about the time of its incor- 
 poration. 
 
 The construction of the church building was begun in April, 
 1762, and the whole outside structure and a part of the inside 
 work was finished and paid for August 23d, 1763. The work 
 at the unfinished parts of the inside was continued at different 
 times, as fast as means Avere provided for its payment, until 
 February, 1766, when the whole was completed. JoJin 
 Broivn, a merchant of Schenectady and a leading member of 
 the church, made himself personally res})onsible for the pay- 
 ment of the workmen, and did not allow the work to progress 
 faster than he and one or two earnest friends of the church 
 could, by contributions from their townsmen and others, 
 raise the money for prompt payment. 
 
 It seems to me this old-school doctrine should have been a 
 wholesome example to some of the magnificently incumbered 
 churches of the present day. 
 
 This is now the oldest Episcopalian church structure stand- 
 ing in the State of New York. Sir William Johnson and his 
 son, Sir John, were both contributors to the erection and sup- 
 port of this church, occasionally attending its services, and 
 when in this place were the guests of Daniel Campbell, Esq. 
 
 Most of our old citizens contributed to the erection and 
 early support of this church, and felt well-disposed towards 
 it and its adherents. 
 
 This building has been several times imi)roved and enlarged 
 to meet the necessities of a rising and flourishing denomina- 
 tion, and is now, in all its surroundings and associations, one 
 of the most time-honored church structures in this city or the 
 State. 
 
 After its organization by the Rev. Henry Barclay, St. 
 George's Church was served by himself, and missionaries from 
 Albany and elsewhere, as follows, viz. : Revs. John Ogilvie^ 
 Henry Monroe and WiUiam Andreivs. The last gentleman 
 closed his ministrations in 1773. The Rev. Mr. Doty was 
 the rector here at the opening of the Revolutinary War, and 
 
ATTEXDIXG CHURCH AT ALBANY. 263 
 
 on his leaving here for Canada, the church was without a rector 
 for many yeai's, services being renderd by neighboring clergy- 
 men. After that suspension the succession was as follows : 
 
 The Eev. K. G. Wetmore, from 1798 to 1803. 
 
 The Rev. Cyrus Stebbins, D. D., from 1805 to 1819. 
 
 Tlie Rev. Pierre A. Proal, D. D., from 1821 to 1836. 
 
 The Rev. WilHani H. AValter, from 1839 to 1842. 
 
 The Rev. John WiUiams, D. D., from 1842 to 1848 (now 
 the venerable Bishop of Connecticut";. 
 
 The Rev. William Payne, D. D., from 1848, Avho is the 
 present rector, having held the office many years, and is alike 
 distinguished for piety, industry, learning, dignity, and gentle 
 courtesy in his intercourse w^ith all. And I will add that, 
 although never rectors of the church, the voices of those 
 eminent brothers, the Bishops Potter, have often been heard 
 with deep-toned, thrilling interest within its walls. 
 
 The tliird oldest of the religious denominations established 
 was the Fresbyterkin. I cannot state what was the earliest 
 organization of this church, except as derived from a learned 
 and eloquent discourse delivered by the Rev. J. Trumbull 
 Backus, D. D., in 1869, for more than the third of a century 
 its pastor — a cop}' of which he kindly presented to me. And I 
 shall extract therefrom such small portions as are sufficient 
 for my purpose : 
 
 "Although the English control began in 1664, the Episco- 
 palians had no church in Schenectady until 1737 ; and in 
 an application by the wardens and vestry of that church, in 
 1765, for a charter and funds, there is an allusion to a Pres- 
 byterian organization here. 
 
 " The ecclesiastical records of that day also refer to a Pres- 
 byterian interest here in 1762 ; and from time to time there- 
 after, we tind presbyterial notices of ^pulpit supplies^ for 
 Schenectady. 
 
 " Pul)lic and private records determine that there was some 
 Presbyterian place of worship in Schenectady before 1769 ; 
 though what it Avas, and where, wc cannot tell. In that year 
 a new church editice was undertaken, which, in 1771, was 
 not completed. That church building stood nearly win-re js 
 
264 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 now the chapel. It ^v'ds unpretending, ])iit was ornamented 
 by a spire and bell, and was highly appreciated in its day.* 
 
 " During the Revolution, church affairs appear to have 
 been not a little neglected. It is impossible to say what Avas 
 done here then to sustain the institutions ot religion. But 
 immediately after, there was much immigration from the sea- 
 board to this part of the State, important portions of which 
 were from New Jersey. Numbers of Presbyterian antece- 
 dents came from Elizabeth, in that State ; and the names of 
 Halsey, Price, Lyon, Chandler and Meeker been me familiar, 
 and respected here, as the3^ were (and are) in a region fra- 
 grant with the memories of Caldwell and Dickenson. 
 
 " In 1795 Dr. John Blair Smith came to the presidency of 
 Union College, and occupied the pulpit most of the time, 
 until the settlement of the next pastor. Rev. Robert Smith, 
 who was installed in 1796 ; and with his official relation 
 the existing pastoral records of communicants, baptisms and 
 marriages were commenced. There were thirty-seven church 
 members and four elders (Messrs. Kelly, AValmsley, Taylor 
 and McAtyre), who had been ordained the previous year by 
 Dr. John B. Smith." 
 
 And I gather from a note made by Dr. Backus, as an in- 
 teresting item of information at this late day, that among the 
 pew-holders of the Presbyterian Church in 1796, were 
 Stephen N. Bayard, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Walter L. 
 Cochrane, Alexander Mercer, James Duane, Richard Dun- 
 can, John Kane, David Tomlinson, Joseph C. Yates, Gilbert 
 R. Livingston and Peter Suydam. 
 
 In 1809 Professor Henry Davis was elected and installed 
 an elder of this church. He subsequently became President 
 of Middlebury College, Vermont, and afterwards President 
 of Hamilton College, N. Y. 
 
 At this time ii new church edifice was undertaken, and 
 
 * Note by myself. — The Presbyterian meeting-house, so called, was 
 built by Samuel FuUei-. The frame was raised June 1st and 2d, 1770, 
 and the whole structure completed in 1771. Payments for the building 
 were made by James Shuter and Andrew McFarlan, according to their 
 written agreement with the builder. 
 
ATTENDING CHURCH AT ALBANY. 265 
 
 the corner stone laid July od, 1809, the old church near the 
 street, after standing fort}^ years, was demolished before the 
 completion of the new one, and during the interval pu1)lic 
 worship was maintained in the then College Chapel. This 
 new church has been twice enlarged (in 1834 and 1859), and 
 the old '' Sestiwn House ^' also gave place (1843) to the 
 chapel, to which (in 1857) " The Session Room " was added. 
 
 And on a calm view of the subject, I clearly agree with the 
 learned Dr. Backus, where he claims, in substance: "That 
 from a beginning of great feebleness, and while the history of 
 two-thirds of the life of this church recalls conflict and trial; 
 for Kitualism and Evangel icism long contended here for the 
 mastery. National and ecclesiastical prejudices doubtless 
 intensifying the conflict; yet the elements of character incor- 
 porated in this church, though nationally so diverse — Scotch, 
 Irish and Americans — while ditfering exceedingly in customs 
 and peculiarities, fraught with j-eciprocal prejudices, were 
 almost of the same mind in their deep sense of religion; their 
 ind(miitable enterprise and their sturdy love of liberty; and 
 in this church, by social ties and religious communion, we 
 have, through the working of these elements, become one 
 people, a Christian family, a brotherhood, a church so gra- 
 ciously dealt with, that it is far from inferior to any congre- 
 gation in the community." 
 
 The following is a list of pastors and supplies from 1771 to 
 4th July, 187G : 
 
 Rev. Alexander Miller, ------- 1771, etc. 
 
 " John Young, - - - - - . - 1787 to 1790. 
 
 Dr. John Blair Smith, President of Union College, - 1795, etc. 
 
 Rev. Robert Smith, ------- 179(3 to 1801. 
 
 " Matthew Clarkson, 1801 to 1803. 
 
 " John B. Romeyn, D. D., 1803 to 1804. 
 
 " Nathaniel Todd, 1805 to 1806. 
 
 " Alexander Monteith, 1809 to 1815. 
 
 " Hooper Cumniings, _-.--_ 1815 to 1817. 
 
 Drs. Nott and McAuley, 1817 to 1820. 
 
 Rev. Walter Monteith, - 1820 to 182G. 
 
 " Erskine Mason, D. D., ----- 1827 to 1830. 
 
 " William James, D. D., - - - - - - 1831, etc. 
 
 " J. Trumbull Backus, D. D., - - - - 1832 to 1873. 
 
 " T. G. Darling, - 1873 to 
 
266 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Dr. Backus withdrew in 1873 from the pulpit of the Pres- 
 byterian Church after a pastorate of more than forty yeai-s, 
 having filled the whole term with distinguished abihty, 
 fideht}^ and great acceptance, deeply beloved by his extensive 
 congregation, and highly valued by our whole community 
 for his abundant charities and virtues. He still retains a 
 clear mind, rclined maimers, the a(;c()mplishnients of a wide 
 and varied learning, and enjoys the honors due to a life of 
 great usefulness and labor. 
 
 The pastorate of Dr. Backus has been unusually long for 
 this church — forty years. No other pastor had remained six 
 years, the averao;e having been less than four, and the aijo're- 
 gate of all who have preceded not amounting to his one 
 term of forty years. In his labors he was eminently suc- 
 cessful, there having been more than 1,000 accessions, of 
 whom 600 were upon confession during his ministr}-. 
 
 The present incumbent is the Rev. T. G. Darling^ whose 
 genial nature, courteous maimers, and admirable perform- 
 ance of the duties of his charge, are highly appreciated by 
 all who sit under his teachings, or are honored witii his 
 friendship. 
 
 The foHvtJi oldest of the religious denominations estal)lished 
 was the MelJiodist Episcopal. From the best information I 
 can obtain of the rise and progress of Methodism in Sche- 
 nectady, it appeal's, that Capt. Thomas Webb, an ofiicer in 
 the army of Great Britain, was licensed by the great John 
 Wesley as a local preacher. 
 
 A short time afterwards he was sent from England to the 
 State of New York on military duty, and stationed at 
 Albany. In 1767 he came to Schenectady, and was probably 
 the first Methodist who ever visited this place. I shall make 
 a few extracts from an address delivered by Rev. Samuel 
 McKean, March 11th, 1860, then pastor of the church : 
 
 " He soon began to proclaim here, also, the glad tidings 
 of salvation. There was standing, at that time, on the east 
 side of Church street, near Union, a building used for bolt- 
 ing flour ; in this building this soldier of the cross preached 
 the Word. He also preached in the house of Giles Van 
 
ATTENDING CHURCH AT ALBANY. 267 
 
 Vor^^t, oil Union street ; the house then occupyiiio; the spot 
 on which the dwelHng of Mr. Van Vorst's grand-dauiihtei-, 
 Mrs. Sophia Ckite, now stands. In tiiese phiccs Webb 
 pi'eached several times. 
 
 " It was a strange sight here, as well as at New York, for 
 a military officer, arrayed in the habiliments of his office, with 
 his sword by his side, or liiying on the table before him, to as- 
 sume the place of an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 " The i)eople went to hear him out of curiosity, but Avere not 
 unfrequently wounded by the sword of the Spirit, which he 
 wielded wuth great power. Among those Avho were con- 
 verted under his preaching were Nicholas Van Patten, Giles 
 Brower, liachel Barhydt, and the wife of Giles Van Vorst, 
 in whose house he preached ; also a colored man and a colored 
 woman, who were slaves. 
 
 " The second Methodist preacher who visited the city was 
 the immortal George Whitefield. This was in the year 1770, 
 and some three or four years subsequent to the visit of Capt. 
 Webl). He was at this time making his last tour in America, 
 and preaching his last sermons on earth. Enthusiastic 
 crowds, comprised of all grades and conditions of society, 
 flocked to hear him wherever he went. 
 
 " In the year 1807, there resided in this city a local 
 preacher of the Methodist Church by the name of Beujaniin 
 Akin. A few persons who had occasionally heard the 
 Methodists preach, and were favorable to their doctrines, 
 invited him to preach to them. In January of that year he 
 began to preach in the house of Kichard Clute, on Green 
 street. In the course of a few weeks Frederick and llichard 
 Clute were converted," and during the same year twelve 
 others, one highly esteemed citizen, the late Mr. Cornelius 
 L. Barh}dt, among them. And it is now a matter of pleas- 
 ant reflection to rememl)er how often the writer has seen, 
 conversed with, and admired those three veteran Methodists. 
 
 In the conference year, ending May, 1807, the liev. An- 
 drew McKean was preacher in charge on Albany circuit. 
 He formed the converts into a society, and organized the flrst 
 MelJtodist Episcopal CJmrcli in Sehenectady. 
 
268 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 " At the conference which was held May 2a, 1807, Sche- 
 nectady circuit was formed, and Samuel Hoioe appointed to 
 it as preacher. The circuit embraced the city, and a number 
 of appointments in the surrounding country. Mr. Howe 
 preaciied here once in four weeks, occupying as preaching- 
 place Richard Clute's dwelling until autumn ; he then 
 removed to a small house in Liberty street. 
 
 " In the spring of 1808, the preacher appointed to this cir- 
 cuit was SelJi Orowdl. He preached in a building on State 
 street, Avhicli Avas kindly furnished him by its owner, Dorsey 
 Joyce. In 1809, they erected a church on the northeast 
 corner of Liberty and Canal streets, where the canal now 
 runs. It was at tirst merely inclosed, so that the people 
 could meet in it. It was left without walls, and the seats 
 consisted of loose boards placed on l)locks. It remained in 
 this condition for several years, when it was completed and 
 made quite commodious." 
 
 In this rude temple the JMethodists worshiped for twenty- 
 six years, until the lot on which their church stood was 
 needed tor the canal, when it was removed a short distance 
 to the northwest, where it was placed with its front on Union 
 street, and here it remained until this lot was required for the 
 railroad. Several excellent preachers were from time to time 
 appointed for this church, until 1816, when this society 
 ceased to be connected with the circuit, and became a station 
 under the pastoral charge of the Kev. Laban Clark, who 
 continued two years, until 1818. The number of church 
 members was then about fifty, Mr. Clark has been suc- 
 ceeded respectively up to this time by the following clergy- 
 men : 
 
 Rev. William Thacher fi'om 1818 to 1820. 
 
 " Samuel Luckey, subsequently D. D., his sermons 
 
 wei-e chaste, pui-e and elevated in style, from - 1820 to 1822. 
 
 *' James M. Smith from ----- ]822 to 1824. 
 
 " Daniel Brayton from ------ 1824 to 1826. 
 
 " George Coles from ------ 1826 to 1828. 
 
 " Buel Goodsell from 1828 to 1830. 
 
 " Coles Carpenter tVom 1830 to 1832. 
 
 " Salmon Stebbins from ------ 1832 to 1833. 
 
 *' James B. Houghlaling- from - _ _ _ 1833 to 1835. 
 
ATTENDING CIIUECH AT ALBANY. 269 
 
 Up to this time the society had Avorshiped in tlie old 
 church which was erected in 1809, and numbei'ed al)out 195 
 members. Bat during- the second year of Mr. Houghtaling's 
 administration, the ground upon wliich the church stood was 
 needed for raih-oad purposes, when both lot and ch .rch 
 were accordingly sold. A new, more spacious and com- 
 modious church was erected on Libei-ty street, which was 
 completed and dedicated in 1836, in the time of Rev. 
 Truman Seymour, who served from - - _ _ 1835 to 1836. 
 
 Rev. Noah Levings, who subsequently received the 
 
 degree of D. D. from Union College, from - - 1836 to 1838. 
 Dr. Nott, the President of Union College, as well as 
 thousands of others who listened to the persuasive words 
 which fell from his lips, held in high estimation his talents 
 and eloquence. 
 
 Rev. Ephi-iam Goss from 1838 to 1840. 
 
 " Stephen Remington from ----- 1840 to 1842. 
 
 " John Harwood from - - - - - 1842 to 1844. 
 
 " Andrew Witherspoon, subsequently Dr. Wither- 
 
 spoon, from ------- 1S44 to 1845. 
 
 " James Rawson, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1845 to 1847. 
 
 " John Frazer, a scholar and atti-active preacher, 
 
 from - - - 1847 to 1849. 
 
 '• Allen Steele, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from - - - 1849 to 1850. 
 
 " Barnes M. Hall, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1850 to 1853. 
 
 " Henry L. Starks, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 fi-om ...----- 1853 to 1854. 
 
 " Merrit Bates, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1854 to 1856. 
 
 " J. K. Cheesman, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1856 to 1858. 
 
 " Samuel McKean, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1858 to 1860. 
 
 " Henry L. Stai'ks, a scholar and atti-active preacher, 
 
 from - - 1860 to 1863. 
 
 " J. K. Cheesman, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from - - 1863 to 1865. 
 
 " A. J. Jutkins, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from - - 1865 to 1868. 
 
 " F. Widmei', a scholar and attractive pi-eacher, 
 
 from -------- 1868 to 1870. 
 
 ♦' J. W. Eaton, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1870 to 1873; 
 
 " D. W. Gates, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from -------- 1873 to 1876. 
 
 " George J. Brown, a scholar and attractive preacher, 
 
 from - - 1876 to 
 
270 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Who is the present incum])ent or minister, and through niy 
 introduction to him, by my excellent friend Ira Brownell, 
 Esq., and other information, I am sure this eloquent preacher 
 is the right Christian in the right place. But I cannot dwell 
 that to show this church is eminently prosperous ; I need 
 only to say its present membership is about 500, and point 
 to its magnificent, noble church edifice at the corner of State 
 and La Fa^'ette streets. 
 
 The Jifth oldest of the churches established at Schenec- 
 tady is the Baptist^ and as I cannot improve the historical 
 statement made by its present admirable pastor, Reverend 
 Horace G. Day, in 1867, and by him kindly loaned to me, 
 I will insert it entire, as follows : 
 
 "The First Baptist church of Schenectad}^ was consitutod No- 
 vember 21st, 1822, with thirty-six members, principally from 
 that motherof churches' The old Clifton Park Baptist church ; ' 
 Elder Abijah Peck, the pastor of that church, was the founder 
 of this, and for many years its trusted counsellor and friend. 
 
 "In 1823, the Rev. Nathan N.Whiting, pastor of a Dutch 
 Church in Princetown, became a convert to our views of 
 baptism, and oflcred himself for membership, was received 
 and baptised, and by advice of counsel ordained as lirst 
 pastor of the church. 
 
 " This year the church united with the Shaftsl)ury Baptist 
 Association, reporting a membership of 45. From 1825 to 
 1827 the Rev. John Cooper occupied the pastoral office. In 
 1837 the church erected their lirst house of worship 
 
 "After being destitute for some time, Richmond Taggart 
 was settled as pastor in 1830. He was succeeded in 1833 by 
 the Rev. Aljram D. Gillette, whose pastorate of three years 
 was eminently successful, being permitted to add to the 
 church over 100 members by baptism. For one year, in 1835, 
 J. M. Graves served the church as pastor. 
 
 "He was followed by Reverend Philander G. Gillette in 
 1837, who baptised forty-two. He was succeeded by the 
 Reverend Cowant Sawyer, who occupied the position in 1839 
 and 1840. Under his successful ministr}^ the membership 
 of the church increased to three hundred. 
 
ATTENDING CHURCH AT ALBANY. 271 
 
 "111 1840 twenty-eight brethren :iiid sisters Avere dismissed 
 to form a Baptist church in the viUage of Scotia. 
 
 " In 1842 Kev. Laroy Church was ordained as pastor, and 
 continued in that relation three years, baptizing uiiiety-three 
 ill the fellowship of the church. 
 
 " During the years 1845-6, the Reverend William Arthur 
 served the church as pastor. During his ministiy the annoy- 
 ance to the Sabbath service, from the proximity of the meet- 
 ing-house to the railroad depot, seriously ali'ected its pros- 
 perity. 
 
 In 1847, the })resent pastor was settled over the church. 
 The ten years following was a desperate struggle for life. In 
 1849 it reached its lowest point of depression, having a mem- 
 bership of only 163. Our house of worship was heavily 
 mortgaged ; we Avere in litigation with the railroad company 
 for damage to our property by disturbing our Avorship on 
 the Sabbath, Avhich litigation never resulted' in any benelit to 
 the church pecuniarily or otherwise. 
 
 "At length our house Avas sold, leaving us still embarrassed 
 Avith del)ts. These Ave re at length settled, and then com- 
 menced the long struggle for a new house of Avorship. Our 
 success Avas such that in Januaiy, 1853, Ave entered our lec- 
 ture-room, and by a last, grand struggle Ave succeeded in 
 completing our house and dedicating it to the service of 
 G;)d in 1856. The entire cost of the property was about 
 $11,000 ; its present value is at least $25,000. 
 
 " The last ten years of our history have more than rewarded 
 lis for the labor and endurance of the previous ten ; for they 
 have been years of prosperity and progress. The contrast 
 in the number baptized is a line illustration of the value of a 
 good house of Avorship, viz., lifty-seven in the tirst ten years, 
 271 in the last ten. 
 
 " In the forty-five years of its existence the church has 
 licensed twenty-two young men to preach the gospel, and 
 baptized into its fellowship 849 persons. Its present mem- 
 bership is 366 — June, 1867. 
 
 " HORACE G. DAY, Padory 
 
272 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 The Baptist Church is situated ou Union, east of Centre 
 street, and is a neat, commodious structure. Who can read 
 tlie foregoing synopsis of its history without admiring the 
 Christian galUmtry of its pastors, and the heroic faith and 
 fidelity of its people ? 
 
 My friend, the present pastor, Rev. Horace G. Day, 
 informs me that at this time the number of members is 394 ; 
 and after his pastorate in that church for nearly thirty years, 
 I can inform him that in view of his Christian, amiable, 
 and uteful life, none in our borders are more beloved and 
 respected than himself. A true, earnest, and eloquent soldier 
 of the cross, his manners are so gentle, he seems unconscious of 
 his own powers. Thus much it was deemed proper to say 
 about the three old churches of Schenectady's early days, 
 and the two of her middle age. There are ten others of 
 various denominations, all of them respectable and some 
 of them very flourishing, but space and Avant of time pre- 
 clude details. There is abundant opportunity for religious 
 and intelligent usefulness with all. 
 
 I have already said my object in this narrative was to speak 
 of Schenectady, its pioneers and their surroundings as they 
 existed in the olden time, and to ascertain facts with as much 
 accuracy as possible from all reliable sources, for the informa- 
 tion of the present and future generations. I must limit my 
 labor and carry out my original design. For the data and 
 statistics of its noble college and chapel, its railroads, its 
 municipal regulations, its benevolent institutions, its beautiful 
 and extensive cemetery, its public buildings and other modern 
 improvements, I refer, for satisfactory and quite full informa- 
 tion, " to the Historical and Statistical Gazetteer of jVeiv 
 York State, published in 1860, b>/ J. H. French, Esq., at p. 594, 
 etc.; and to ''the Gazetteer of the same State, published in 
 1872, by Franklin B. Hough, 31. D., at p. 598," etc. 
 
WASHIXGTOX'S VISITS TO SCHENECTADY. 273 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 AYashington's Visits to Schexectady. 
 
 As coimected with the history of Schenectath-'s Revolu- 
 tionary incidents, and as the question has frequently been 
 asked : •' When and how often has General Wiishington visited 
 this place ? " I deem it not inappropriate to state here the 
 information I have on the suljject, thus : I answer, three 7 
 times, as derived from my father and other old citizens. 
 
 The first occasion was a hurried visit, soon after the com- 
 mencement of the Revolutionar}' War, to make arrangements 
 for frontier defense. He then dined and lodged at the resi- 
 dence of John Glen, who then was Quarterniiister of the 
 department, and his brother, Henry Glen, deput\', stationed 
 at Schenectady. He also took tea at the residence of my 
 grandfather. John Sanders. 
 
 The second occasion was while at Albany in 1782. General 
 Washington was invited by the citizens of Schenectady to 
 visit the place, which invitation he accepted ; and in com- 
 pany with General Philip Schuyler rode there in a carriage 
 from Albany, on the 30th of June. He was received with 
 great honor by the civil and milittu-y authorities, and a public 
 dinner wjus given him at the hotel of Robert Clinch, situated 
 on the south corner of State and Water streets (destroyed in 
 the great fire of 1819, and one of the houses spared in the 
 destruction of 1<)90). Robert Clinch came to America as a 
 drimi-major under General Braddock, and was well known 
 by General AVashington — a fact which added much to the 
 interest of the occasion. 
 
 At the dinner table were assembled the principal citi- 
 zens of the place ; and as guests. Generals AVashington and 
 Schuyler, Colonels Abraham AA'emple and Frederick A'ischer ; 
 the last, one of the surviving heroes of the sanguinar}- battle 
 of Oriskany. As a mark of honor, AVashington assigned the 
 seat on the right, next his own, to the gallant A'ischer. 
 ^18 
 
274 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 An uclcli'css was made to Washington, and before he 
 returned to Albany he wrote the following reply : 
 
 " To the Magistrates and Military Officers 
 
 of the Township of Schenectady : 
 
 " Gentlemen — I request you to accept my warmest 
 thanks for your affectionate address. In a cause so just and 
 righteous as ours, we have every reason to hope the Divine 
 Providence will still continue to crown our arms with success, 
 and finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace, upon 
 equitable terms, which we so ardently desire. 
 
 " May you, and the good people of this town, in the mean- 
 time be protected from every insidious and open foe ; and 
 ma}^ the complete blessings of peace soon reward your ardu- 
 ous struggle for the establishment of the freedom and inde- 
 pendence of our common country. 
 
 ''GEO. WASHINGTON. 
 
 " Schenectady, June oOih, 1782." 
 
 To correct the mis-impressions of some as to the hotel, I 
 remark that Thomas B., the son of llobert Clinch, subse- 
 quently kept public house in the old Arent Bradt building. 
 No. 7 State street, subsequently at Clinch's Hotel (afterwards 
 called the Sharratt House), and died 22d May, 1830. Our 
 fellow-citizen, Mr. Hemy Tripp, is the grandson of the late 
 Thomas B. Clinch. 
 
 The third occasion was during Washington's tour through 
 the country in 1786, as far west as Fort Stanwix, in company 
 with Governor George Clinton, General Hand, and many 
 other officers of the New York line. In passing through 
 Schenectaty, he again quartered at the hotel of his old army 
 acquaintance, Robert Clinch. Yet the precise date I can- 
 not fix. 
 
I 
 
 PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 275 
 
 CHAPTER Xy. 
 Patriotism of the CiTizEisrs. 
 
 But, returning from this departure, I state, as connected 
 with our great Revohitionary struggle, that the mass of the 
 inhabitants of Schenectady Avere devotedly the sons of libert}', 
 and intensely in earnest ; but it must be confessed that a few 
 of our most wealthy men were prudent (I had almost Avritten 
 non-committal), and exceptionally, from habit, would pray 
 for the King. 
 
 The tirst gun was fired and the first blood flowed at Lex- 
 ington, on the 19th day of Api'il, 1775 ; and on the 6th of 
 May following, at a meeting of the freeholders and inhabit- 
 ants of the township of Schenectady, the following persons 
 were unanimously chosen to he a committee of correspon- 
 dence, safety and protection for the township : 
 
 Rinier Mynderse, James Wilson, Hugh Mitchell, Henry 
 Glen, Harmanus Wendell, Abraham Oothout, John Rose- 
 boom, Christopher Yates, Cornelius Cuj^ler, and Jacobus 
 Teller. Christopher Yates (father of the late Hon. Joseph 
 C. Yates), was made chairman ; Hugh Mitchell (grandfather 
 of the late Hon. Thomas B. Mitchell), was made clerk. 
 
 I have before me a minute book of 162 closely written 
 pages, kept by that connnittee and their successors, now 
 belonging to the library of Union College, presented to that 
 institution as a valuable relic of our Revolutionarj^ trials by 
 our fellow-citizen, Edward Rosa, Esq. ; and although deeply 
 interesting on each page, I can only select a few items or 
 extracts to show how patriotic, multiform, and extensive were 
 the duties and labors of that committee ; and, in the mass 
 of interest, even that selection is difficult. 
 
 This committee met often, and on the Sih of May, 1775, 
 resolved that their future meetings should be held at the 
 house of William White, located on Church street, between 
 the present classical school premises and the residence of the 
 
276 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 late Stephen Yates, Esq., unci occupied by his father, tlie late 
 Hon. Henry Yates, until it was burned down in the disas- 
 trous conflagration of 1819. 
 
 And it was further resolved, that all the members of the 
 committee attend the general meeting of the committees of 
 safet}^, to be held at Albany, on the 10th inst. 
 
 From the minutes of May IQth, 1775, I extract : 
 
 " Received a letter from the chairman of the committee at 
 Albany, acquainting this board that Daniel Campbell, Esq., 
 has a quantity of gunpowder in store at All)any, which he 
 wishes to take out, but this committee refused him that lib- 
 erty until they acquainted this board of the same. 
 
 " Having taken the contents of said letter into considera- 
 tion, and foreseeing the evil consequent that may attend the 
 powder falling into the hands of our enemies, 
 
 " Refiolved^ That this board will purchase the said powder 
 from Daniel Campbell, for the use of the inhabitants of this 
 township and others who may stand in need thereof." 
 
 I extract from the minutes of May 24:th, 1775 : 
 
 ^^ liesolved, That this board do now purchase 335 lbs. of 
 gunpowder from Daniel Campbell, Esq., at 3s. per lb. 
 
 " i?e.s'o7yecZ, That said powder be delivered in custody of 
 John Post and John G. Lansing, and that they dispose of it 
 to the public as hereinafter directed. Said Post and Lan- 
 sing are ordered to dispose of the powder at 3s. dd. per 
 pound; 3,v. lOd. b}^ the half-pound ; 4s. by the quarter; and 
 not to dispose of any of it to any person who lives out of the 
 township without an order from a member of the committee.'' 
 
 From the miiuites of May 2Sth, 1775, I extract : 
 
 "A sub-committee from the county of Tryon waited on 
 this board to inform us of the state of attairs in that county, 
 which they looked upon to be dangerous in respect to the 
 Indians, and requested a supply of powder. 
 
 " Resolved, To furnish them with fifty pounds of powder." 
 
 From the minutes of May 2dth, 1775 : 
 
 " In consequence of a request of the committee of Albany 
 to raise one company of men for the Continental service to 
 go toTicantarog (Ticonderoga), consisting of one captain, one 
 
PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 277 
 
 lieutenunt, one ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, one 
 drummer, one liter and fifty privates, 
 
 '^Resolved, That Cornelius Van Dyck is appointed Captain, 
 Benj. Hilton, Lieutenant, and Cornelius Van Slyck, Ensign, 
 and that the utmost dispatch be made in raising said com- 
 pany ; their pay to l3e as follows, viz, : 
 
 " Captain, per month, X6 ; Lieutenant, per month, X4 ; 
 Ensign, per month, <£3 ; Sergeants, per month, X2 86*.; Cor- 
 l)orals, per month, X2 46'.; Drummer, per month, X2 46'.; 
 Fifers, per month, £2 4«. ; Privates, per month, £2, all law- 
 ful money of New England. 
 
 '^Resolved, That every ofhcer and soldier belonging to any 
 of the companies now raised or to be raised within this town- 
 ship, sign the association recommended by the honorable the 
 Continental Congress, and that no person muster or appear 
 under arms in any of the companies who do not comply with 
 this resolve. 
 
 ^'Resolved, That instructions be immediately given to Cap- 
 tain Van Dyck for raising his company." 
 
 From the minutes of May oXsly 1775: 
 
 " Captain Van Dyck made application to this board for 
 provision for his men. 
 
 ''Resolved, That Captain Van Dyck's men be boarded for 
 the present at the houses of John Wilson and Robert Moston 
 (Moyston), at the rate of one shilling, New York currency, 
 per day per man." 
 
 From the minutes of July lOtk, 1775 : 
 
 " Information being given to this board that a quantity of 
 musket-balls, the property of the Govei'nment, were stored in 
 the house of Margaret Van Antwerp, at the wostina : 
 
 ''Resolved, That said balls be immediately sent for and 
 taken into custody by this board, to be disposed of as shall 
 hereafter be judged necessary ; said balls weighed 8 lbs., 1 
 oz., and were delivered in charge to Harmanus Wendell." 
 
 From the minutes of 13th July, 1775 : 
 
 " Orders from General Schuyler to Captain Van Dyck to 
 march with his company immediately to Lake George, 
 having been shown to this board by Lieutenant Lansing, 
 
278 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Cuptaiii Van Dyck and his First Lieutenant being both 
 absent recruiting : 
 
 ''■Resolved, That the company march to-morrow, under 
 the connnand of Lieutenant Lansing, and that the men be 
 ordered to hokl themselves in readiness. 
 
 "The men being drawn up and made acquainted Avith 
 this resolve, aljsolutely refused to march Avithout their 
 Captain ; therefore, 
 
 ''• Resolved, That an express be sent to Captain Van Dyck, 
 requesting his immediate return, to march with his company, 
 and that a letter be sent to General Schuyler, acquainting 
 him of the reason for the company's delay." 
 
 From the minutes of 17 ih July, 1775 : 
 
 " Frederick Fisher applied to this board for some balls 
 for the use of the inhabitants of Tryon county. 
 
 '^ Resolved, To furnish him with 200 weight of balls, at the 
 rate of 40s. per hundred. 
 
 '■'Resolved, That Captain Van Dyck be furnished with fifty 
 weight of balls for the use of his company. 
 
 From the minutes of Uh August, 111b : 
 
 " This board being informed that Daniel Campbell, Esq., 
 and Alexander Ell ice, intend going up to Niagara and from 
 thence to Montreal, 
 
 "■Resolved, That Messrs. Campbell and Ellice be sent for 
 and examined relative to their intentions of going up the 
 country. 
 
 " Said Campbell and Ellice being sent for and present, 
 declared upon their honor that they were going up the coun- 
 try on their private business, and that they would not carry 
 any letters or messages of news to or from any person, Avho 
 was inimical to the American cause. 
 
 ''Resolved, That Messrs. Campbell and Ellice be permitted 
 to go, and that^a certificate be given them." 
 
 From the minutes of September QtJt, 1775 : 
 
 "Resolved, That Jimies Wilson and Harmanus Wendell 
 are appointed to be a sub-committee to attend at the next 
 general committee, at Albany, the seventh inst., and lay a 
 list of the officers appointed for the five companies of Minute 
 
PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 279 
 
 Men and Militia before that board, and apply for their com- 
 missions. 
 
 ''Rank of the companies officers : 
 
 " Jcllis J. Fonda, 1st Captain ; John Mynderse, 2d Cap- 
 tain ; John Van Patten, 3d Captain ; Abraham Wemple, 
 4th Captain ; Thomas Wasson, 5th Captain." 
 
 From the minutes of September ^Ith, 1775 : 
 
 " Having received a letter from the Provincial Congress, 
 dated ninth Angnst, requesting that all the districts who 
 could raise live companies of militia, should recommend such 
 persons as they thought proper to be field ofiicers, 
 
 ''Resolved, That this board recommend the following per- 
 sons, viz., Abraham Wemple, to be Colonel ; Jacob Schermer- 
 horn, Lieutenent-Colonel ; Abraham Swits, 1st Major ; 
 Nicholas Veeder, 2d Major ; Aaron Van Patten, Adjutant ; 
 John Peek, Quarter mas-ter," 
 
 From the minutes of November 11th, 1775 : 
 
 -' The commissions for the several officers appointed in this 
 township being now come to hand, with instructions to this 
 board to cause said officers to sign certain articles on the re- 
 ceipt of their commissions." 
 
 All this was subsequently consummated, and the officers 
 recommended received their commissions, and as an evidence 
 of the scarcity of gunpowder at that critical period, I extract 
 fiom the minutes 29th December, 1775, as follows : 
 
 "This board having taken into consideration the custom of 
 the inhabitants of this place of firing guns on New Year's 
 day, and finding said custom to be attended with an unneces- 
 sary waste of powder, which ought to h& particularly pre- 
 vented at this time, 
 
 "Resolved, That the magistrates be ap[)lied to, to use their 
 authority in putting a stop to said custom." 
 
 As an illustration of the necessities and spirit of the times, 
 I Avill make a few more extracts and close." 
 
 From the minutes of December 18th, 1775 : 
 
 "Resolved, That Cornelius Cuyler deliver the donation 
 money for the relief of the poor of Boston, now in hands, 
 which is £73, New York currency, to Hugh Mitchell, which 
 
280 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 sum is to remain in his hands until ways and means be found 
 to convey the same to Boston." 
 
 From the minutes of Januari/ 12th, 1776 : 
 
 " Two men from Warrenbush (Florida), on their way from 
 Albany, happened to be in company with one William Bur- 
 ton, at the Five Mile house, who told them he was sent up 
 from the Secretary's office, at New York, with letters to the 
 sheriffs of the several counties. They suspecting that said 
 Burton might have other private letters to some of the 
 enemies of the country, therefore brought said Burton and 
 his letters before this board. 
 
 " Said Burton being examined, declared he had no letters 
 about him, but one to Alexander White, Sheriff of Tryon 
 county, in which was the Governor's warrant for holding a 
 new election inclosed, and one for Sir John Johnson, the con- 
 tents of which he did not know. 
 
 ''Resolved, That the letter to Sir John Johnson be 
 opened, and, the same being done, it proved to be a letter 
 from Judge Jones, of New York, on private business." 
 
 From the minutes of January lUh, 1776 : 
 
 " Captain John Mynderse with the officers of the Minute 
 Men made their appearance before this board with a number 
 of men, and set out immediately m sleighs for Albany. 
 
 ''Resolved, That orders be immediately sent to Captain 
 John Van Patten to place guards at AVilliam De Graff's, 
 Tunis Swarfs and Lewis Peek's, to prevent any unfriendly 
 persons or letters from passing upwards. 
 
 "Resolved, That the following letter be sent to James 
 McMaster, and the committee of Warrensbush : 
 
 u Sir — Wo being suspicious that news may be carried to 
 Johnstown of what is now going on here, we are about 
 to place guards on both sides of the river to prevent any 
 person from passing upwards who are not known to be 
 friends of the American cause ; we, therefore, request you 
 will take such steps as will prevent any news passing through 
 Warrensbush, and that you will examine all letters you are 
 suspicious of." 
 
 Here follow entries of the apprehension and trial of several 
 
PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 281 
 
 persons charged with being enemies to the American cause, 
 unci resulted in committing scmie of them to gaol at Albany ; 
 among them George Murray, Joseph Kingsley and George 
 Ramsay." 
 
 From the minutes loth Ajml, 1776 : 
 
 "James Ellice applied to this board for a certificate of his 
 character to General Schuyler, in order to ol)tain a pass 
 from him to go up the country. 
 
 "■Resolved, That on his taking the following affidavit, that 
 the trade he carries on is here, and that he intends to carry 
 on if permitted up the country, is entirely on his own 
 account, and that he is noways bound to give or be accoun- 
 table to either James Phyn, or Alexander or Robert Ellice 
 for any part of the profits arising from said trade," 
 
 Which having been accomplished, the following certificate 
 "vvas given to him : 
 
 " This is to certify that the bearer, Mr. James Ellice, 
 hath signed the General Association, and hath not, to our 
 knowledge, done anything against the American cause of 
 Liberty. 
 
 " Given under my hand, 
 
 "DIRK VAN INGEN, Chairman. 
 
 "Schenectady, Izth April, 1776." 
 
 "James Ellice informed this board that his brother, 
 Ri)bert, intends going up the country this spring, and that 
 he intends sending his clerk, George Forsith, up the country." 
 
 Whereupon the following letter was written by the board : 
 
 " In Committee Chamber at Schenectady, I 
 " rdth April, 1776. \ 
 
 " Honored Sir — James Ellice, who was just now with 
 this board and obtained a certificate that he hath signed the 
 General Association, informed us that his brother, Robert 
 Ellice, intends going up the country to settle his business 
 there, and that James Ellice intends to send his clerk, George 
 Forsith, up the country. We beg leave to acquaint you 
 
282 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY 
 
 that neither of the abe)ve-named persons hath ever signed the 
 General Assoeiation, and Ave look on them to be enemies to 
 the American cause of Liberty. 
 
 " We are, etc. 
 
 " To the Hon. Philip Schuyler, Major-GeneraV^ 
 
 From the minutefi of 11th April, 1776 : 
 
 "Received a letter from Daniel Campbell, Esq., requesting 
 a recommendation from this board, in order to obtain a pass- 
 port from General Schuyler to send goods up the country to 
 Messrs. Andrews and Melclrum. 
 
 ''Resolved, That Mr. Campbell cannot have a recommenda- 
 tion from this board to General Schuyler. 
 
 " Henr}' Miller and John Jeffreys made application for 
 passports to go down the country. 
 
 " Resolved, To give said Miller and Jeffreys passports." 
 
 From the minutes of April 2'2d, 1776 : 
 
 "James Stewart, Charles Martin, John Robinson, and 
 Andrew McFarlan made application to this board for certifi- 
 cates, in order to obtain passports from General Schuyler to 
 go up the country. 
 
 " Resolved, That a certificate be given to each of them, 
 mentioning that they have not signed the General Associa- 
 tion, but in other respects have appeared to be true friends 
 to the American cause. 
 
 " Robert Ellice and Charles Morrison made application to 
 this board for certificates, in order to obtain passports to go 
 up the country. 
 
 " The board being of opinion that they were both enemies 
 to the cause of American Liberty ; thereupon, 
 
 "■Resolved, That they cannot have certificates from this 
 board." 
 
 It Avill, from these few extracts, be seen that our Revolu- 
 tionary fathers early considered vigilance the hand-maid of 
 libei-ty, and with a few more extracts illustrating the severity 
 of the times, the privations and hardships under which our 
 indomitable forefathers struggled during the period that tried 
 men's souls, I will dismiss this record of patriotism. 
 
PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 283 
 
 From the minutes of June 2f7, 1779 : 
 
 '• In consequence of a resolve of the General Committee 
 for importing a quantity of salt for the supply of the inhabi- 
 tants of Albany county ; it is therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That all persons Avho stand in need of that 
 article, give in their names, with the quantity they want, and 
 the money therefor, at the rate of £30 ($75) per bushel, 
 unto Messrs. Andrew jSIcFarlan, Nicholas Van Der Volgen, 
 John Roseboom, and Jesse De Graff, or any of them, on or 
 before the 12th instant. 
 
 " If the salt should amount to more than £30 a bushel, 
 the deticiency is to be made up ; the overplus to be returned 
 at the delivery of the salt. 
 
 " A complaint being made before this board, that David 
 Frank hath sold serge at a much higher rate than he sold it 
 the beginning of May, 
 
 ''Resolved, That David Frank be sent for, and he being 
 present, acknowledged that he sold three ells and one-fourth 
 of said serge, and one dozen of buttons to John Fort, for 
 which he received $30, and the same time acknowdedged that 
 he offered the same about seven weeks ago for seven dollars ; 
 thereupon, 
 
 " Resolved, That said David Fraidi doth return to said 
 Fort the sum of $6.25, and that he ask the pardon of this 
 board for the offense. Said Frank, being sent for, returned 
 the money, and pleaded that he was ignorant that dry goods 
 were comprehended in the resolve of the regulating of prices, 
 and asked the pardon of this board, and promised not to 
 offend again. 
 
 " Information being given to this board that John Empie 
 has sold yen^i for hard money, he being sent for acknowledged 
 that his Avife had received some for yeast ; but did not refuse 
 to receive paper currenc}' as Avas alleged against him, and 
 declared that he did not know it Avas forbid ; thereupon, 
 
 '•Resolved, That the said Empie pay all the hard money 
 back again to those persons from Avhom his Avife has received it, 
 and those persons Avho have, since the publication of the 
 regulating act, paid hard money to said Empie or his Avife for 
 
284 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 yeast, are desired to pay said Empie, on receipt of the hard 
 money, an equal sum in paper currency. 
 
 " It is hoped no such evil practice for the future will be 
 carried on, as the buyer and seller will be equally considered 
 as trangressors of said act. 
 
 " Jeiemiah De Graff appeared before this board and com- 
 plained that he was charged and paid for weaving $3 an ell 
 for striped, coarse linen, and twelve shillings an ell for very 
 coarse linen, to John Bt. Van Eps, Jr. 
 
 ^'■Refiolved, Tliat said Van Eps be cited to appear before 
 this board on Monday next and answer for his conduct." 
 
 From the minutes of July 12t/i, 1779 : 
 
 " John Bt. Van Eps, Jr., appeared before this board, and 
 after full hearing and the examination of witnesses, 
 
 " Resolved, That said John Bt. Van Eps, Jr., do return the 
 sum of .£23 12 shillings, which, in the opinion of this board, 
 Avas extorted from said De Graff" by said Van Eps, Jr., which 
 we hope will prevent all extortioners from pursuing the 
 sjime evil })ractice by which said Van Eps is become an 
 object of public resentment, and that the above be published 
 by advertisements. This proceeding we hope will prevent 
 extortioners from pursuing such evil practices as have been 
 too long made use of, and must, unless immediately pre- 
 vented, end in the destruction of the country." 
 
 From the minutes of July 20lh, 1779 : 
 
 " Esai Vernor appeared before this board and gave infor- 
 mation that Elias Kosa had offered hard specie for work ; 
 said Rosa being sent for acknowledged the fault, l)ut pleaded 
 that he had done it in consequence of the great difference in 
 the prices. 
 
 ''Resolved, That said Elias Eosa, at present, be dismissed, 
 and be ordered to appear before this board when sent for. 
 
 " Information ^ being given to this board that William 
 Glifford had bought, from Margaret Bradt, a scythe for hard 
 money, which case was adjourned to to-morrow morning at 
 10 o'clock. 
 
 " Mr. John Van Sice informed this board that, last Satur- 
 day afternoon, he and Abraham Jels Truax were at the stoop of 
 
PATRIOTISM OF THE CITIZENS. 285 
 
 Doctor Vail Iiigen, when Mr. John Rent happened to come 
 past, he having a bnndle under his arm. Truax asked him, 
 what have you in your bundle? He answered, tea. Truax 
 asked him what he paid for it ? He said, $20 a pound. 
 Truax observed that it was above the regulated price. Rent 
 answered, he did not care for the regulation. John Van 
 Sice then said, you seem to take no regard to the regulations 
 of the commitee. Rent said he did not regard the commitee 
 uor their laws, and if he had ever so much goods he would buy 
 and sell as he pleased ; and before he would sell at the regu- 
 lated price, he would throw it into the river. 
 
 "After taking the testimony ot Abraham Jels Truax to the 
 same effect, 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That said John Rent appear before the General 
 Committee, at All)any, on Thursday next, at 10 o'clock in 
 the forenoon, to answer for his conduct ; and, also, that a 
 sub-committee from this board attend upon the General 
 Committee at Albany, and take copies of the affidavits of 
 John Van Sice and Abraham Jels Truax to deliver in the 
 boai-d." 
 
 From the minutes of July olst, 1779 : 
 
 " Peter Hagadorn complained to this board that Mrs. 
 Moyston had sold him a pound of tea for $25, and after- 
 wards came to the house of Reuben Simonds, and, by forces, 
 took the tea back again from said Hagadron, and returned 
 him the money. 
 
 ''■Resolved, Thereupon, that Mrs. Moyston be sent for, 
 and she being present acknowledged the above charge ; there- 
 upon, 
 
 "■Resolved, That said ]\Irs. Moyston do deliver to the said 
 Hagadorn the pound of tea, he paying $14 for the same ; 
 also, pay to the chairman of this committee the sum of $11 
 as a line for extorting the said sum of $11. 
 
 " Maria Hagadorn a[)peai'ed before this board and com- 
 plained that Mrs. Robbison had sold her a pound of " West 
 India hrovm sugar''^ for the sum of 32 shillings ; thereupon, 
 
 '^ Resolved, That said Mr. John Robbison bo sent for, he 
 being present said he did not know anything about it ; but 
 
286 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 would ask his wife. He returned and said Mrs. Robbison 
 acknowledged that she had sold a pound of sugar for $4, 
 but did not knoAv sugar was regulated ; thereupon, 
 
 ''Resolved, That said Robbison pay to the said Maria, 
 10 shillings back which was extorted from her, and also pay 
 the sum of $5 to the chairman of this board as a fine. 
 
 " Simon Jacse Vrooman appeared before this board and 
 complained that Mr. Caleb Beck had sold two sticks of 
 mohair for $6, which he looked upon as extortion ; there- 
 upon, 
 
 ''Resolved, That Mr. Beck he. sent for, he appearing 
 acknowledged the same ; thereupon, 
 
 "Resolved, That said Beck do return $3 to said Simon, 
 which, in the opinion of this committee, was extorted. 
 
 " On motion, 
 
 "Resolved, That every member belonging to this board, 
 who does not attend fifteen minutes after the hour appointed 
 for the committee to meet, or on receiving notice, shall 
 (unless they can give a reasonable excuse to the satisfaction 
 of the board) pay the price of one bowl of toddy for every 
 such neglect." 
 
 Thus, much has been taken from the mass of minutes as 
 indicating the comparative value of paper and specie money; 
 the scarcity of all luxuries, and even of what are now actual 
 comforts of life, and deeply interesting as illustrating the 
 patriotic spirit of the day. 
 
 Great eftbrts were made by the real friends of our Revo- 
 lutionar}^ struggles to maintain " the continental pcifper cur- 
 reney " at the standard value of gold and silver ; but gold 
 and silver, as far as was known, had not a physical existence 
 in the country in any quantity equal to the demands of war ; 
 and. therefore, as a means to sustain the value of their paper, 
 government prohibited the circulation of coin altogether. 
 
 With what success, Ramsay's "History of the American 
 Revolution'^ (Vo\. II, pages 112 to 122) informs us : "The 
 depreciation began at different periods in different States ; 
 but became general about the beginning of the year 1777, 
 and progressively increased for three or four years. 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 287 
 
 " Towards the end of 1777 the de})i-ec*uitioii was three for 
 one; in 1778 it was six for one; in 1779, hventy -eight for 
 one ; in 1780, sixty for one in the first four or five months. 
 Its circuhition was afterwards partial ; but where it passed 
 it soon depreciated to 150 for one. 
 
 " In some few points it continued in circuhition for the 
 first four or five months of 1781 ; but in this hitter period 
 many woukl not take it at any rate, and they who did 
 received it at a depreciation of several hundreds for one." 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 Organization of the County. 
 
 The County of ScJienectady vfixQ organized March 7th, 1809, 
 and was erected from the western portion of Albany county, 
 and embraced no portion of the manor of Rensselaerwyck. It 
 was to enjoy the same privileges as all other counties in this 
 State, and was to be entitled to two members of Assembly. 
 (For details, see Session Laws of 1809.) Hon. Gerril 8. 
 Veeder was its first senior Judge. This was a direct lineal 
 descendant of the old original proprietor, " Simon Yolkertse 
 Veeder." Hon. William J. Teller was its first Surrogate, 
 and he was a direct lineal descendant of the old proprietor, 
 "William Teller" — honors fitly paid to worthy members of 
 those olden lines. 
 
 You are all so well acquainted with its extent, outlines, 
 and several towns, that it appears unnecessary for me to offer 
 3'ou further infornuition on the subject ; yet so much has 
 been written about our city and its old Third and Fourth 
 wards — Rotterdam and Glenville — that it seems not inappro- 
 priate to offer something historically of the sister towns, Nis- 
 kayuna, Princetown and Duanesburgh. 
 
 Niskayuna, on the organization of our county, was taken 
 from that part of Watervliet, All)any county, which was not 
 
288 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 cmbniced in the manor of Rcnsselaerwyck (no part of the 
 manor lies in Schenectady county). The first settlements 
 of this town were made by an independent and energetic 
 class of Hollanders — like the pioneers of Schenectady — who 
 located outside the manor line to avoid the conflicting exac- 
 tions of the Patroons and the trading government of the New 
 Netherlands. It was settled at an early date — about the 
 same time that Schenectady was. 
 
 Among the early settlers were the Clutes, Vedders, Van 
 Yrankens. Groots, Tymersens, Pearses, Van Brookhovens, and 
 Krygiers (now written Cregier). The mention of this last name 
 enables me to revive the memory' of an old Holland soldier, 
 who is biu'ied on our soil, and was one of Governor Stuyve- 
 sant's most trusted friends, embassadors and officers ; who 
 had fought for him many battles, and w^as his strong, right 
 arm in the front rank in ever}' hour of danger. This was 
 Captain Martin Krygier, whose descendants still reside in 
 Niskayuna, and some of them, probablj', on his old home- 
 stead farm. On the 2d day of February, 1653, this able man 
 was the first burgomaster of New Amsterdam. (O'Cal. His. 
 N. Netherlands, Vol. II, page 311.) 
 
 After reviewing and commenting most impartially on the 
 character and administration t)f Governor Stuyvesant, and 
 furnishing his estimate of Van Der Donck, Melyn, Jere- 
 mias Van Rensselaer, Scott, Baxter, and D'Hinoyossa, the 
 men of 1664, wdien Stuyvesant retired, O'Callaghan (in the 
 same cited Vol. II, at page 554) pays this just and beautiful 
 tribute to his worth and memory : 
 
 '' Captain Martin Krygier, the first burgomaster of New 
 Amsterdam, having distinguished himself as a fearless 
 Avarrior, and performed, for many years, the duties of an 
 exemplary magistrate, retired with his General into pri- 
 vate life. He finally settled at Niskayuna, on the banks of 
 the Mohawk, ' where the Indians carried their canoes across 
 the stones.' In this retired and romantic spot, this brave 
 soldier and good man laid himself down to rest in the early 
 part of 1712."' 
 
 Niskayuna is honored in holding such a deposit of the old 
 
ORGANIZATIOX OF THE COUNTY. 289 
 
 colonial times, and his descendants, who are numerous in this 
 State, should revere his memory. From a knowledge of his 
 historic record, bravery, and nohle integiity of character, I 
 feel bound to render this tribute to hLs memory. 
 
 Pn'ncetoicn was fonned, March 20th, 1798, from a portion 
 of the patent of Schenecta<.ly, which had been ceded to the 
 Reformed Dutch Church of that city, and from lands orig- 
 inally patented to George Ingoldsby and Aaron Bradt, in 
 1737, and subsequently sold to William Corry, who formed 
 a settlement there, - ichich was long Tcnoicn as Corrt/sbush,'^ 
 who sold his interest to John Duncan. The town itself wtis 
 named after John Prince, of Schenectady, who was then in 
 the Assembly as a member from Albany county, and resided 
 at Schenectady. 
 
 Duanesburgh was erected as a township by patent, March 
 loth, 1765, but was first recoguized as a town March 22d, 
 1788. It was named after the Hon. James Duane. Large 
 tracts, in what is now this town, were purchased by different 
 parties, to wit: by Timothy Bagley, in 1737: A. P. and 
 William Crosby, in 1738 : Walter Butler, in 1739, and Jomi- 
 than Brewster, in 1770. The tract embraced about fiO.OOO 
 acres, and of this whole tract Judge Duane became the pro- 
 prietor, either l)y inheritance from his father or purchase, 
 except 1,000 acres known as Braine\s patent ; but no active 
 measures of settlement were taken until about the time of its 
 organization in 1765. Durmg that year. Judge Duane made 
 a permanent settlement. The lands were rented at the rate 
 of fifteen dollai-s per annum on each one hundred acres on 
 perpetual leases, payable in gold or silver. 
 
 And in this connection and on this conseci-ated occasion, 
 ;s a descendant from ancestors who encountered the severe 
 -trusgles of oiu- Eevolutiouary trials, can I fail to offer my 
 tribute to the memory of James Duane, the old proprietor of 
 Duanesburgh, who lies interred in that town, under the Epis- 
 copal Church, built at his own expease, within which a neat 
 mui-al tablet is erected to his memory ? 
 
 Judge Duane Wiis an American patriot of very high order, 
 and on this soil his memory should be solemnly cherished on 
 19 
 
290 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 a day like this. Permit me to sketch a mere outline of liim- 
 self and services. 
 
 Born in the city of New York on the 0th day of Febrnar}^ 
 1733, having acquired the titting education, he selected the 
 law for his profession, and entered the office of James Alex- 
 ander, one of the most eminent counsel of our Colonial bar, 
 and the father of the American General, Lord Stirling. He 
 was admitted as an attorney in 1754, and was soon intrusted 
 with a large professional business. 
 
 On the 21st of October, 1759, he married Mary, the eldest 
 daughter of Robert Livingston, then proprietor of Living- 
 ston's Manor. This marriage tended to give dii-ection to his 
 studies and practice, and caused him to be actively engaged 
 in all the law-suits and decisions relative to the boundaries of our 
 New York Colony with New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Con- 
 necticut, and New Jersey. 
 
 The standing Mr. Duane had acipiired in the profession 
 before the Revolution caused him to be retained in many 
 heavy suits. I will only, from the mass, select two as of 
 home interest : Schermerhorn against The Trustees of Sche- 
 nectady Patent, a long-continued struggle ; and as counsel 
 for Trinity Church, in the oft-repeated claims of the heirs of 
 Anneke Janse. 
 
 But it was as a high-toned patriot in the early period of 
 our Revolutionary struggle that Mr. Duane assumes his 
 noblest character, and was among the unappalled actors. 
 He was a member of the tirst Provincial Congress that met 
 in PhiUideiphia on the 5th day of September, 1774, to enter 
 on daring measures. He was associated with such spirits as 
 Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, 
 Benjamin Franklin, and others of similar temperament, and 
 sustained his manly share of responsibility. 
 
 He was agaili elected to Congi-ess in 1775, and went soon 
 after the battle of Lexington, reaching Philadelphia on the 
 day the session opened, and co-operated with his feUow dele- 
 gates in raising an army, appointing Washington commander- 
 in-chief, issuing bills, establishing a post-office, and, in fact, 
 assuming the powers of govermnent. 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 291 
 
 Mr. DiKiiie coiitiuued in Congress until the 31st of Mny, 
 1776, when he avus called home to attend the New York 
 Congress, of which he had been chosen a member from the 
 city of New York, in the April preceding. The object was 
 to form a State Government. " T/ns ivas the great object,^^ 
 and near to the heart of every patriotic man of New York. 
 It was neither fear nor inclination that drew himself, Eobert 
 R. Livingston, and John Jay, from the General [Congress at 
 this time, and prevented them from appearing as signers of 
 the Declaration of Independence, to the preparatory^ steps of 
 which they had effectually contriI)uted, and to the main- 
 tenance of which they all devoted so many years of their lives. 
 
 So devoted was Mr. Duane to the cause of Independence 
 and Liberty that he did not again set his foot on the soil of iiis 
 native city, or visit his extensive property there, until he entered 
 it in triumph on the 25th day of November, 1783, on the evac- 
 uation of New York by the British troops and authorities. 
 
 It is impossible on an occasion like this to recount Mr. 
 Duane's patriotic labors. He was either a member of General 
 Congress of the Union, or of the Provincial Congress of New 
 York, during almost the whole of our Revolutionary period. 
 On the 5th of February, 1784, he was elected Mayor of the 
 city of New York, which office he held for several years ; 
 and, in March, 1789, Avelcomed to that city the First Con- 
 gress under the present Constitution, and General Washington 
 as President of that Repul)lic, which their joint-labors in 
 diverse fields had helped to establish. 
 
 Oar General Government^ under the new Constitution, went 
 into operation in the spring of 1789 ; and in September of 
 that year, without solicitation on his part, Mr. Duane was 
 nominated by President Washington, and appointed by the 
 United States Senate, " United States District Judge of the 
 District of New York," and entered upon the duties of his 
 office the following 14th of October. 
 
 For about live years Judge Duane continued to execute 
 the duties of this office, earnestly endeavoring to fulfill the 
 wishes of his great friend, Washington, and with the still 
 higher object of satisfying his enlightened conscience. But 
 
292 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 forty years of iiulefuti gable labor hatl so undermined his 
 health as to hiduce him him to resign, and retire to his estate 
 in Duanesburgh. Accordingly on the 10th of March, 1794, he 
 addressed a letter to the President announcing his wishes, and 
 urging the appointment of a successor by the middle of April. 
 The President answered in a kind letter, and on the 8th of April, 
 so soon as the business of the court permitted, he resigned and 
 retired finally from a long and honorable public life. 
 
 In ii few days after this he removed to Schenectady where 
 he owned some property, and where he had tVequently spent 
 portions of the year with his family. The large buildings 
 which he owned were destroyed by the great fire in 1819. 
 (Their site was the grounds uovv occupied by the Kev. Dr. 
 Backus, and a small portion by the east wing of the residence 
 of ex-Supreme Court Judge Potter.) At this location he 
 intended to remain until he could carry into etfect his 
 intention of fixing his permanent home on his estate in 
 Duanesbui'gh, where he had already erected a church, and, 
 in 1796, commenced building a country seat there, but did 
 not live to ccmiplete it. For on the morning of the 1st day 
 of February, 1797, at his city residence, just as he was 
 risinir from his bed, he was taken with an aflection of the heart 
 and expired immediately. 
 
 So highly was Judge Duane valued by all as patriot, 
 statesman, counsellor, magistrate and citizen, that an unsual 
 tribute of twenty-two pages, as a memorial of him, is inserted 
 in the fourth volume of the Documentary History of NewYork, 
 at page 1063, etc., from which some of my data are derived. 
 
 I have said thus much about Judge Duane, on this Centen- 
 nial day, because much as I revere the memory of our 
 by-gone honored dead, and mindful that Robert Yates (the 
 father of the distinguished John Van Ness Yates) was a son of 
 our soil, a co-worker with Judge Duane, and a meml^er of the 
 Convention that adopted the State Constitution of 1777 ; 
 one of the first judges of the Supreme Court of this State, 
 and subsequently its Chief Justice ; a member of the Federal 
 Convention of 1787, and of the State Convention to ratify 
 the Federal Constitution, and mindful that — 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 293 
 
 Joseph C. Yates, also a son of our soil, was a distinguished 
 lawyer of Schenectady's early days — the first Mayor of the city, 
 State Senator in 1807, Judge of the Supreme Court in 1808, 
 and Governor of the State in 1823-4 — and died in 1837 full of 
 honors and greatly beloved, and deeply mindful, too, that — 
 
 Dr. EUpltolet JSfoit, the President of Union College, tem- 
 perance advocate, and orator (see his admirable biography 
 by the learned and accomplished writer, Rev. C. Van Sant- 
 voord, D. D.), has shed his light and influence upon us for 
 more than sixty years, leaving, too, a legacy of grandsons, 
 among the most brilliant, prominent, and patriotic men of 
 our land. Nor unmindful that — 
 
 Judge Paige, holding high rank among the able men of his 
 day, as Counselor, Advocate, Chanceiy Reporter, State Sena- 
 tor, and Supreme Court Judge, has earned a full meed of 
 honor. Nor unmindful that — 
 
 Jolin WeUs, proljably the most distinguished lawyer that 
 this State has ever produced (see sketch of his life and char- 
 acter, 2 Cow. Reps., pp. 14, etc.), was the protege of Sche- 
 nectady, as derived by m^-self from his own lips in 1822. 
 For, on the 11th of November, 1773, at the massacre of 
 Cherry Valley, all his family loere murdered, and he, a boy of 
 nine years old, was the only survivor, being then at school in 
 Schenectady — cut off, at this early age, from the tenderest 
 attachments of life, and left (like Logan) without one living 
 mortal who was naturall}' and immediately interested in his 
 fate. Under such circumstances, this orphan boy contiimed 
 several years at the grammar school at Schenectady, fostered, 
 supported and protected by prominent citizens, whose memo- 
 ries were always fragrant in his recollections ; but upon the 
 individuals of that philanthropy I am not inclined to dwell. 
 He always seemed one of us ; and in after-life was cheered 
 by the good wishes of his early patrons. 
 
 Nor am I unmindful that Schenectady holds now, living, the 
 distinguished ex- Judge Potter and present J udge Landou, and 
 has hehl its fullshare of judicial dignities and state offices, honor- 
 ably and gracefully filled, Butlcannot laud the living; repub- 
 lican simplicitg .seldom accords other than posthumous honors. 
 
 I 
 
294 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Closing Remarks. 
 
 But, fellow-citizens, upon un impartial research, I feel that, 
 among all our prized civilians, the memory of no one is enti- 
 titled to more reverential tribute, on this Centennial day, 
 than that of the noble and unflinching patriot, James Duane, 
 whose descendants still live so unostentatiously and beloved 
 among us. 
 
 And, while so much has been said of some of our departed, 
 time-honored civilians, I should feel wanting in duty to my- 
 self and the proprieties of this occasion, were I not to intro- 
 duce the name of Cornelius Van Dych, the gi^eat grandson of 
 John Alexander Glen, of Scotia, the grandson of Arent 
 Bradt, the t)ld trustee and son-in-law of Joseph Yates, the 
 grandfather of ex-Governor Joseph C. Yates. 
 
 In the Revolutionary War, Mr. Van Dyck was Lieut.- 
 Colonel of the "■First JSfew York Qontinental Regiment,''^ com- 
 manded by Colonel Gosen Van Schaick, of Aldan// (General 
 Philip Schuyler's favorite regiment) ; and John Graham (the 
 father of the Misses Sarah and Deborah Graham, deceased, so 
 long and favorably known in this conmiunity) was its Major. 
 
 These officers were all brave, rigid disciplinarians, and 
 brought their regiment to such perfection of drill and sol- 
 dierly bearing, that the First Veteran JVeio York had no supe- 
 rior in the American army. It is not my intention to follow 
 this old regiment through the early incidents of the Revolu- 
 tion ; to speak of their brilliant gallantry at Saratoga and on 
 the plains of Monmouth ; but, as derived from actors in the 
 events, such was the estimate of their steadiness and valor, 
 that, on the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, Nicholas Van 
 Rensselaer, one of its captains, a grandson of old Patr(>on 
 Hendrick, was deputed by General Gates to carry a captured 
 flag and the news of the surrender to the anxious citizens of 
 Albany. A regiment so brave, that at the storming of Stony 
 Point, IGth July, 177^1, General Wayne placed this regi- 
 
CLOSING REMARKS. 295 
 
 meat in the front ; and on the storming of the two re- 
 doubts at Yorktown, late in the afternoon of the 14th of 
 October, 1781, where, to excite a spirit of emuhition, the 
 reduction of the one was committed to the French under the 
 Baron de Viomesnil, and the other to the Americans under 
 the Marquis Lafayette. Colonel Hamilton himself, of New 
 York, led the advanced corps of the Americans, selecting for 
 a part of his column a detachment of Van Schaick's veteran 
 regiment (First New York, under Major Graham). These 
 troops rushed to the charge without firing a gun, and, pass- 
 ing over the abattis and palisades, assaulted the works on all 
 sides, and entered with such rapidity that the redoubt was 
 immediatel}' carried with inconsiderable loss, Tlie redoubt 
 attacked by the French was defended by a greater number 
 of men, and therefore occupied more time in its reduction. 
 
 77ie7i, too, Major John Thornton, of Schenectady, was an 
 officer in the Eevolutionary struggle, who was full of daring 
 — a true hero at Saratoga — and had experienced much of 
 severe military service. This was the father of Mrs. Volney 
 Freeman, of our place, and of the late Colonel William A. 
 Thornton, of the regular army. 
 
 Of the gallant Major Jellis J. Fonda, honorable mention 
 has been hereinbefore made under the genealogical head. 
 
 Other honored names might l)e enumerated, but they 
 belong more particularly to Oriskany, and the general his- 
 tory of our great Mohawk Valley; and yet I cannot omit 
 our old-time heroes. Captain William McGinnh and Lieuten- 
 ant Jonathan Stevens, who, wdth 89 men of Schenectady, 
 were, on the 5th of September, 1755, at the battle of Fort 
 George, and fought, under the command of Sir Wm. John- 
 son, against the French under Baron Dieskau, when both of 
 those officers and many of their men were killed on the same 
 ground, and near the same spot, where the chivalric Mohawk, 
 King Hendrick, and the noble, brave and scholarly Colonel 
 Ephraim Williams, were slain during the same desperate fight. 
 
 According ta SirWm. Johnson's official report, ''the Sche- 
 nedadij officers and men fought like lions." 
 
 I am compelled to omit all reference to the honorable [)art 
 
296 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 taken by Schenectady in the late waF against the Southern 
 rebellion, where such knightly American valor was disphiyed 
 by both contestants. To do justice to the subject would 
 extend this historical effort beyond the proper limits. An 
 old man myself, verging onward to four-score years, I have 
 sought, without any attempt to display extraordinary schol- 
 arship, or the exhibition of a refined style, to lay before you, 
 in my desultory Avay, some notion of the olden time. I have 
 aimed at accuracy, and spent much time with investigations, 
 and have had the stimulus of a life-long love for these remi- 
 niscences, many of which are matters of tradition, and must 
 perish, when a few more of us are gathered to our fathers, 
 unless sooner recorded. It is from no lack of patriotism that 
 I leave to younger pens the record of the yet young man's 
 struggle for our Union. I trust that while the memory of 
 the gallant deeds and sacrifices of our sons are yet fresh, a 
 just record from some flowing pen will be made worthy of 
 them and the mighty struggle. 
 
 And now, on this great Centennial day, imhonor of the old 
 citizens of Schenectad}^ whose blood flows through the veins 
 ofmanj^of us; in honor of their independence, viitue, gal- 
 lantry, and brave endurance in every hour of trial, and in 
 honor of the legacy of Liberty they have bequeathed us, in 
 closing, I say : 
 
 Let those who occupy their places remember, 
 " That heroes have trod this ground," and " 'tis on 
 Their sacred dust they tread." 
 
 Note. — In pi-eparing this address, I desire to acknowledge the great 
 assistance I have received from the genealogical researches of my learned 
 friend. Professor Jonathan Pierson, of Union College, and for other data 
 furnished by him. 
 
 Also, to admit much assistance for the contributions furnished from the 
 resources, early recollections, and valuable suggestions of my octogena- 
 rian friend and associate, General Wm. K. Fuller ; and not a little aid from 
 the scholarly advice of Hon. Judge Landon, from whose facile pen my 
 preface flowed. The outlines of this writing was delivered as an addi-ess, 
 at the Centennial Celebration of Schenectady ; and, as noticed in the preface, 
 has been enlarged to its present pi-oportions, at the request of its citizens ; 
 and in the trust that it will meet their approbation, is now respectfully 
 submitted. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 A. 
 
 Van Curler's Letter to the Patroon. 
 
 [From the Rensselaenoyck MSS.'] 
 
 Laus Deo ! At the Muiihattaiis, this 16th June, 1643. 
 Most honorable, wise, powerful, and right discreet Lord, my 
 Lord Patroon : 
 
 With submissiv^e salutation shall this serve to greet your 
 Honor and your Honor's beloved Lady, who is dear to you, 
 with wished-for good fortune, prosperity, and steady hapj)!- 
 ness. On the 4th of this instant I received your Honor's 
 favor, and seen and read its contents, whereunto this shall 
 serve for answer. 
 
 Firstly, touching the serious discontent which your Honor 
 feels towards me, because the accounts and books have not 
 been sent to you, I have not much to oppose. But therein 
 I have not been wholly culpable. For the accounts and 
 books which might be brought to me, I can quickly make 
 clear and ready. But there are boors from whom I can get 
 no returns ; and Van der Donck has not once spoken to 
 them thereof, according to his instructions, nor done any- 
 thing about them so long as he has been in this Colonic. I 
 have had, once before this, returns from some boors. Neither 
 head nor tail could be made out of them. For they state every- 
 thing they expended, but nothing of what they had received ; 
 and, moreover, enter in the account, to this one, so much — 
 to that one, so much ; without once specifying for what that 
 same Avas given. Everything they have laid out on account 
 of the Lord Patroon, they will know how to specify for what 
 that was expended. But what has been laid out for their 
 
298 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 own priviite use, that they know nothing about, and yet can 
 manage to remember what appertains to the account of the 
 Noble Pati'oon, and to l)0()k that. To this I say, that I will 
 never allow this ; but that they shall deliver to me a clean, 
 clear, jnst account, to send the same over to the Noble 
 Patroon, for his Honor's approbation ; and so soon as an 
 answer shall be received, shall these then be passed, if his 
 Honor so order. Whereupon the farmers reply : We shall 
 then fnrnish you an account, as you told us that without it 
 being sent to Patria it is good for nothing. In line, this 
 also has been neglected. But, please God, as soon as the 
 next (ship) comes, the accounts shall be sent to you. So far as 
 I am myself concerned, I hope that his Honor will not be 
 so dis[)leased as he has been. For I consider myself bound 
 to make good to the Patroon whatever shall fall short in the 
 accounts, or shall be stolen. But so truly help me, God 
 Almighty, I am not conscious, willingly or knowingly, as 
 long as I have been in your Honor's service, to have 
 defrauded yom- Lordship, or to have sought, in any manner, 
 mine own profit, or seek to enrich myself, as others truly do, 
 who, in justice to the Noble Patroon, should observe who 
 wrong him. I shall tell your Honor no tales, but I shall 
 send over by the next ship sufficient proofs thereof. 
 
 As to what your Honor would know, what the construc- 
 tion of the boors' houses will cost, it is impossible for me to 
 acquaint you. I have never had any account thereof, as I 
 have told your Honor before. What regards the cost of my 
 own building, I hope that shall not be wanting. I have 
 kept every note of it. Further, I shall furnish, at the same 
 time, an accoimt of what my house-keeping comes to. The 
 Lord shall find therein a few items of what I have presented, 
 or given away, as I have sometimes given some presents to the 
 principal chiefs ' of the Indians, in order that they should 
 maintain good correspondence with each other. 
 
 As your Honor does not know how your account stands 
 with the compau}', this will serve to inform you that I have 
 never settled with M. Kieft, nor ever attempted it, because 
 he charged the freight and customs (convoyen) so high that 
 
APPENDIX A. 2\)y 
 
 I have inviiriablj- referred that to the Lord Patroou. Kicft 
 hath frequently demanded of me to liquidate the account, but 
 I have alwa3^s deferred it, because I fear iniprudentl}' to burn 
 m^yself with this account ; for all the charges, freights, and 
 board, which he brought in his account, are directly contrary 
 to the granted freedoms. And your Honor supposes that I 
 here deduct all the freights, customs (convoyen), and duties, 
 wholly from the wheat. The Lord hath always been pleased 
 to excuse me from so doing, for I have never entertained 
 such a thought as to liquidate the account with Kieft. Now, 
 that I understand your Honor's intention, I shall never 
 deliver another handful of wheat to the company, unless 
 they either pay me on delivery (ofte ten sy datse my contant 
 betallen), or unless I receive other orders from 3'our Honor. 
 However, I have delivered very little grain ; except last year, 
 only twelve lasts, and then not a single grain was once on my 
 order. But heretofore the boors have always delivered the 
 grain to the company on their own authority. There is no 
 knowing, sometimes, where all the grain that is raised in the 
 Colonic reinains, or is consumed. But I shall send the Lord, 
 by the lirst opportunity, an extract of an account which I 
 have, through friendship, received out of the A. CroU's book, 
 whereby the Lord shall see and tind what has been consumed 
 by the boors, and all paid in wheat, whereof youv Honor 
 has been wholly wronged (gefrusteert) and deprived. But so 
 soon as the accounts of the bouweries are made up, and your 
 Honor hath this extract, your Honor then can see who 
 intends best by the Lord Patroon. 
 
 What the Lord, my master, commands me to receive in 
 good regard the counsel of Dominie Megapolensis ; and 
 therein to follow his Reverence's advice, I have never failed 
 so to do, l)ut have always communicated to him whatever 
 occurred here, to have his opinion thereupon ere I concluded 
 to undertake anything, and have always thankfully received 
 his reverence's counsel. Further, I shall use my utmost dili- 
 gence to collect the rest, and to post all the debts and credits 
 (schulden en weder schulden). Beavers and Seawan. I shall 
 then, without fail, send you all l)y the next opportunity. As 
 
300 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 to what appertains to the duffels, I have, in all I received, 
 not perceived any damage worth mentioning, but got them 
 in good condition. 
 
 I have sent the residents all the full number of horses and 
 cows, according to their contract. I have full twenty draft 
 horses, at present, on the Flatt (op de Vlachte), besides the 
 milch cows, but they are all young cattle. 
 
 Further, touching the letter sent to jour Honor by the 
 Mahicanders, your Honor will please not to be surprised ; 
 for I came, by great luck, four or live daj's after the return 
 of the sloop from above, and overtook it there by reason of 
 contrary winds ; and received a day or two after the return 
 of this, the resolution of Pieter Cornelissen (Viele) and Broer 
 Cornelissen (Van Slyck). So that I got on board the sloop, 
 and there hastily wrote a short letter to your Honor, because 
 I thought it was necessary to advise you. 
 
 Your Honor further writes that you understand that I had 
 placed (Jan) Labbatie on the Great Flatt, and promised him 
 twenty guilders per month, and your Honor asks what farm- 
 work can he do. Those who wrote that to your Honor lie 
 like rogues. For I never thought of it ; but my intention 
 was that Labbatie should pass the winter on the Flatt to 
 trade, as good trade is drove there from above during the 
 winter, but never has there been any talk of monthly wages. 
 For so long as Labbatie has been out of his bounden-time, he 
 has never asked or demanded any increase of wages, but 
 always said that he should leave that to the discretion of the 
 Lord Patroon. But I shrewdly suspect that this report was 
 sent to his Honor by (Adrian) Van der Donck, whom this 
 undertaken work hath sorely troul)led, because he can make 
 nothing by it ; and still daily doth he, in my absence, go 
 about tinding fault that men expect to make great profit for 
 the masters, but that it will miss. But I have nothing to 
 say. The work is but begun. Yet 1 hope, please God, to 
 have next harvest as much corn in the ground as the best 
 bouwerie in the Colonic. I have, at present, about ten to 
 twelve morgans of oats planted, and had there not been so 
 many hidden .stumps in the land, 1 should have had much 
 
ArPENDlX A. 301 
 
 more sown. But there is not much f:illow. From this 3'ear 
 there will be still more rje. But generally the first 3'ear is 
 the slimmest. I trust firmly that all the Ijouweries have not 
 had so much to clear as this Flatt alone. It was all hidden 
 stumps and roots, which were not perceived until the plough 
 struck right on them. Your Honor further Avritcs that you 
 do not want any bouweries for yourself. 
 
 I shall, therefore, keep together an exact account of all 
 the expenses Avhich have been incurred thereon. I shall, then, 
 request of your Honor, as I have already done, to be pre- 
 ferred before all others for the same Flatt, and I shall then, 
 according to opportunity, contract with your Honor there- 
 for, and willingly meet all expenses. I am assured that there 
 is no bouwerie in the Colonic which shall have been less 
 expensive than this ; which shall sooner repay the outhi}^, 
 and that by grain alone, without counting the increase ot 
 cattle. I hope, with God's blessing on the grain, that this 
 bouwerie, in two years, Avill be free of all expense. I have, 
 last spring, built on this Flatt a farm-house thirty feet, 
 covered with tiles, for the residence of the carpenters and 
 laborers. 
 
 I had, moreover, contracted with Jan Cornelissen, car- 
 l)enter, for a large farm-house ; and he had promised to begin 
 it in mid-April, which he has not yet done. From May to 
 this date, I believe that he has not worked fourteen days, 
 but has been drunk all the time. I have demanded frequently 
 of him if he would not go on with the work, and he has 
 always asked for delay ; but he will not begin, because I 
 have made a favorable bargain with him. He must build for 
 700 guilders, a house 120 feet long by twenty-eight feet wide ; 
 forty feet is deducted for a dwelling ; there remains eighty 
 feet for the farm-house. The dwelling part to be floored 
 above and below ; a cellar twenty feet long by twenty-eight 
 feet wide ; a half-jutting chamber (eeii hang-kamer) for the 
 servants' sleeping room ; a small room (een kooi) in the farm- 
 house for the farm laborers ; an inclosed stal^le for the studs, 
 and fiuther to make a horse and cow stable, and what else 
 appertains thereto, and that sultject to the inspection of pei-- 
 
302 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 sons conversant with such sort of work, and who miderstand 
 carpentry. The other carpenters will not buikl it for 1,000 
 guilders, so that he is not very anxious for the job. I made the 
 contract with him when he Avas sol)er, in the presence of 
 Dom. Johannes (Megapolensis), and Mr. Abraham (Staats), 
 and Anthony de Hooges, and committed it to writing on the 
 instant. So that I shall be obliged to have that house erected 
 by others under protest ; for the time cannot admit of 
 further delay. It must be covered in against the winter, for 
 the cattle must, above all things, have their stabling. I placed 
 all the reed for the house, last harvest, on a pile of lumber on 
 the spot where the dwelling is to stand. 
 
 As regards the tobacco of Albert Andriessen (Brat), and 
 his brother (Arent), I know not otherwise than that your 
 Honor will get the crop, as it was planted in the time of his 
 contract. Your Honor further orders that I should pay this 
 money to Albert here iii merchantable goods. All that 
 will go well. But still remains the question or difference 
 between us, which is this : Whereas Albert hath, before this, 
 opposed the placards, and moreover, heretofore, hath scolded 
 the Lord Patrooli and the whole council, so that he was con- 
 demned in a heavy tine, I shall therefore deduct this tine 
 from the amount to be paid for the delivered tobacco. The 
 tine for which he is indebted, according to law, for opposition 
 to the placard and scandalous scolding, amounts to 312 fl. 
 We should long ago have levied this sum by execution, but 
 I have all along waited patiently for the delivered tobacco. 
 
 As for the answer which your Honor sent to the preten- 
 sions of Andreas Hudde, I shall give an extract thereof to the 
 Heer Kieft. and speak to himself about it. 
 
 As for the Church, it is not yet contracted for, nor even 
 begun. I had written last year to your Honor, that I had 
 a building almot5t ready, namely, the covenanted work, which 
 would have been for Dom. Megapolensis ; and this house was 
 not agreeable to the taste of Dom. Johannes ; in other respects, 
 it was altogether suitable for him, so that I have laid it aside. 
 That which I intend to build this summer in the pine grove 
 (in het Greynen Bosch) will be thirty-four feet long by nineteen 
 
APPENDIX A. 303 
 
 feet wide. It will be large eiioiig-li, for the first three or four 
 years, to preaeh in, and can afterwards always serve for the 
 residence of the sexton, or for a school. I hope your Honor 
 will not take this ill, as it happened through good intention. 
 
 Regarding the diamond (het crystal) near Michel Janssen's 
 house, of which your Honor writes that I siiould send over 
 some more specimens thereof, I have spoken about it to 
 Michel Jansen, and to several others, to engage them to bury 
 it. But they will not do so, apparently because they fear for 
 the labor, and it will terminate l)adly. 
 
 The Lord Patroon is very much surprised that so little 
 care has been taken of the vines which his Honor sent. I 
 planted them in the garden, but they were killed by the 
 frost, like the others brought to the countr\\ I believe, in 
 my opinion, that they did not suffer in the least from the 
 high w'ater. 
 
 As regards the formulary which your Honor sent, it shall, 
 for the future, be followed as well for horses as for cows. I 
 should have been pleased that your Honor had sent it 
 before, in order to atfoid your Honor greater content. 
 Your Honor is, moreover, sui'prised that Albert Andriesz 
 (Bratt) hath such privilege ; that a better inventory is not 
 taken of his stock of cattle. The messenger says that he 
 Avill not allow any preemption, and what is more, will not 
 give you any })art of the cattle, although he purchased the 
 cows while your Honor's contract with the mill company 
 was still in existence. 
 
 I shall send by William Turck as many [)eltries as I can 
 bring in. Your Honor is surprised that all my letters men- 
 tion haste ; this, in short, shall serve as an explan;ition. The 
 ships are sometimes fourteen days, and even more, at the 
 Manhattans, before we receive any tidings or intelligence 
 thereof, and then, receiving letters, the sloops remain only 
 five, six, or seven days, so the letters must then be got ready 
 in a hurry. The Lord says that this ought to be done 
 beforehand, which might easily l)e, if we had not to answer 
 the Lord's letters. For we could well advise the Lord in 
 one of the atfairs of the. Colonic. For the future, whatever 
 
304 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 "will be pleasing to the Patroon shall be done, for in all things 
 I am snbject to obey his order inasmuch as it lies in ray 
 power. 
 
 In regard to your Honor's instructions to inquire what 
 price wheat connnands in Virginia, I cannot very well under- 
 take that. But so far as I hear and understand, it goes off 
 well there, but it should be sent there ground into meal. If 
 your Honor should be of opinion to send the ship thither, she 
 should be well-provided with strong distilled waters, which 
 are much in demand there, together with duftels and wide 
 linen. Tobacco can be had at two to three stivers advance 
 on the price in Holhuid. All the corn which will be deliv- 
 ered to me I shall retain provisionally by me till further 
 advice, should yoiu- Honor be pleased to send a ship. Hence- 
 forward I will not give a grain more to the compan}-. 
 
 As to the boors selling the wheat for eight to nine florins 
 the mud (four bushels), that is true ; but I cannot say who 
 they are. I believe that four to live lasts have l)een thus sold 
 since last spring, and Van der Donck hath not once been 
 willing to look to it, nor to prevent such a fraud. Your 
 Honor further writes me that I shall speak to Van der Donck 
 and Peter Cornelissen to second me. They will not endeavor 
 to advance the business of their own office, nor do they much 
 try. How can they, then, aid me ? And they are the dogs 
 Avhich bite me. and still daily seek to render me suspected, 
 which Van der Donck endeavored enough to do, and hath 
 already done, as I can infer from the Lord's writings. But 
 what he has perpetrated and still commits, will be made 
 manifest in its own time. I shall not thereupon talk any 
 further now. Doni. Megapolensis was well aware of his acts. 
 
 Your Honor further states that Van der Donck complains 
 of the impertinence of Labbatie. These shall serve there- 
 upon. Van der' Donck is very covetous and monopolizing. 
 During my absence at the Manhattans, this Van der Donck 
 came, different times, and arrogantly spoke to Labbatie that 
 he should give him duffels , sometimes seawan, and more 
 such goods. Thereupon Labbatie answered that he had no 
 ordei's to give out any goods ; wherefore had he not asked 
 
APPENDIX A. 305 
 
 tbeni of mc before, wlieii I was at home ? or that he must 
 wait until I should return, and such like things, mucn more 
 than I can detail. So, then hatred became so deeply rooted 
 that they pursued each other with swords, in like manner as 
 he had done to De Hooges, scolding him as an informer, and 
 moreover struck him ; and thus he acts also towards me, 
 blaming me as well to your Honor as to the colonists, in 
 order to render me suspected. And he imagines, by reason 
 of his ambition, that men will permit him to do what he 
 pleases ; and that, through ignorance, much must be over- 
 looked for the sake of the consequences. 
 
 As to what the Lord writes, that what concerns the de- 
 livery of the cattle proceeded out of the head of Broer Cor- 
 nelissen (Van Slyck). That he will not deliver up the same, 
 nor pay for them immediately, is true. He hath frequently 
 spoken thereof in my presence ; and, moreover, hath also 
 endeavored to stir up others thereto. 
 
 AVhat regards the resolution to send Willem Juriaensen 
 Bakker out of the Colonic, I have had a very long time 
 am[)le reason therefor. But no one would second me. Then 
 he hath publicly abused the lord and master as a dishonor- 
 able man, whereupon he was condemned in a civil tine. This 
 was well. Fiu-thermore, the residents who had driven their 
 trade there Avith the Indians, to the great loss of the noble 
 Lord, continued this same Willem Juriaensen, and almost 
 destroyed and ruined the whole trade. 
 
 As to what the Lord wi-ites, that I should not so strictly 
 regulate myself according to the price of the peltries, and 
 that I must exert myself, as well with authority as with cen- 
 sure, to keep strange traders out, this will serve : 
 
 The trade heretofore has always been at six fathoms of 
 seawan. Last year, the residents as well as the colonists 
 gave seven to seven and a half fathoms. I also gave the 
 same. So soon as they saw that I and the company's com- 
 missary gave so much, they immediately gave nine, and since 
 this spring ten fathoms. So at last the trade ran so high that 
 we of the Colonic, and the commissary at the Fort, resolved 
 with another to publish a phicard, as well for the colonists as 
 2U 
 
306 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 the residents and company's servants, that they should not 
 presume, on pain of heavy hue and confiscation of their goods, 
 to trade with the Indians for furs at more than nine fathoms of 
 white wampum, or four and a half fathoms of black ; and that 
 none, on pain of contiscation aforesaid, should go into the bush 
 to trade ; and the order was that the officer should prevent it. 
 And he hath not even once attended to this, nor even now 
 will he do so. When he was told that he should look to the- 
 frauds and abuses, in order to prevent the same as much as 
 possible, he gave for answer : That he would not consent to 
 be the worst man ; to others, that he would not make him- 
 self suspected l)y the colonists, as his years as otficer were 
 few. And it happened, last year, that we concluded together 
 on a placard, that no residents should presume to come 
 with their boats within the limits of the Colonie on confis- 
 cation of the same. Thereupon, there were great complaints 
 on the part of the colonists, and they gave in remonstrances 
 as to where they should receive goods and necessaries. 
 Whereupon, the council promised the colonists that if there 
 were any to be had at the Manhattans or elsewhere, that I 
 should procure them, on condition for this promise that they 
 would in return pay immediately for the wares which they 
 miijht get from me, and that I should have nothins; to do 
 with the transfer of accounts, but to pay me, acting thus as 
 merchant (so doende koopman) right off. They were all sat- 
 isfied, and promised to adhere to it, and to assist me. 
 
 We further resolved, on the next court day, to issue another 
 placard for the further strengthening of the first— namely, that 
 no inhabitants of the Colonie should presume to buy any 
 goods from the residents. So it happened that a few days 
 after a sloop arrived with some goods. Immediately a party 
 of colonists came to me, and said : " This and that are come ; 
 nobody must make any purchase there ; you gave us the 
 promise." To this I replied ; " What I promised I shall 
 perform and accomplish." I inquired if they had any 
 beavers wherewith to buy these goods and wares ? They 
 answered : " No ! you must purchase them, and debit us with 
 them in the account ; " which I was wholly unwilling to do. 
 
APPENDIX A. 307 
 
 So that each one Aveiit and bought what he wished, as well 
 duffels as otherwise. Dom. Megapoleusis and I then sent for 
 Van der Douck, and told him to go quietly with his servant, 
 Hans Vos, and search the several houses. Now he came to 
 visit Eeyer Stoffelzen's house. There he gossiped without 
 once making a search, and then went to Willeni Juriaensen's 
 in the same manner, and so forth. He further went to 
 Dirck Jansen's mill, where he was told there were three pieces 
 of duffels, and he removed one of them. He further went to 
 the house of Cornelis van Merckerck. There he chatted with- 
 out once making a search. In like manner he proceeded to 
 Broer Cornelissen's (Van Slyck), where he did not search 
 once, but only asked : " How are ye all here ? " looked in, 
 and returned back, while he well knew that there were 
 duffels there. Leaving there, he went home. In the same 
 way he Avent to Claes Janssen van Wyckerck's house, who, he 
 also Avell knew, had duffels. He said : " Claes, I shall come 
 here to-morrow to make a search. Have 3'ou any duffels ? 
 Put them away in your cellar, which I shall not search.'' 
 Claes himself told me this out of his own mouth, and 
 promised to give me an affidavit of it, Avhich I shall send 
 your Honor by the next ship. 
 
 Moreover, I had contracted last harvest for the building 
 of a house for Dom. Megapoleusis, which should be ready 
 precisely at Christmas. They let the time pass neglected 
 and go by till November. Then I said that I should not 
 allow it to be built ; there was hail, snow, rain, and wind 
 ever}^ day, and expecting that the house would cause great 
 expense in meat and drink, and the work not be advanced, 
 I broke the contract, because they did not perform their 
 promise. 
 
 Maryn Adriaensen was, at this time, among us, who offered 
 to sell me a house of oak wood, all ready — cross-casings all 
 of oak. So the Dominie having consulted with us both, and 
 concluded that Maryn's house would be a much better bar- 
 gain than the other, so that I purchased the house from him 
 for 350 guilders. Van der Donck coming to hear this, got 
 into company, in the meantime, with the carpenters and 
 
308 HISTORY OF SCHExNECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 several others, and there told them that we had issued pla- 
 cards forbidding the colonists to trade with the residents, and 
 whoever this interested should mutiny ; that whoever had 
 first concocted this had not only concocted the placards, and 
 that I likewise sought to steal the bread out of the mouths 
 of the colonists. Whereupon, some of them were surprised 
 that the officer should so persuade the people. Some, with 
 others, forthwith conspired to pri)test against me, and to 
 draw a circle under the protest within which to place their 
 names, so that it should not be known who had first signed 
 it. This protest having been drawn up, some were for driv- 
 ing me out of the Colonic as a rogue ; others wished to take 
 my life. But nothing resulted from these threats. Herein 
 Van der Donck said he would honestly, and to our satisfac- 
 tion, assist me and the council. But when need pressed him 
 (maer als den noot aende man gingh), he then withdrew from 
 me and the council to second them, whereof I shall send your 
 Honor affidavits of two persons who told me so with their 
 own lips. So that your Honor can form, at once, an opinion 
 of the matter in itself, luid what sort of officer you have here, 
 who causes so much injury to a whole Colonic. He intends 
 next year to return home. He has been to Katskill with 
 some colonists to examine that place, and your Honor may 
 be assured he intends to look for partners to plant a colonic 
 there. Borger Jorissen, who has heretofore been in the 
 Lord's colonic, will live there also. He hath let his bouw- 
 erie to Brant Peelen for 200 guilders a year, on which Brant 
 Peelen intends to settle his brother-in-law. This shall not be 
 wuth my consent. 
 
 Concerning the bark, about the building which the 
 Patroon had written, so that I might employ it in the Colonic 
 to advantage, which was my intention and meaning, but 1 
 was dissuaded therefrom. It should be well adapted in 
 breadth to convey cattle, and that about to be built would 
 have been too crank. I have purchased another l\)r 1,100 
 guilders, which is a very tidy bark, provided with new sails, 
 with anchor and cable ; can carry at sea, seven lasts ; inland, 
 eight lasts. It has been this spring to the north, and there 
 
APPENDIX A. 309 
 
 traded a good deal of sea wan (wampum). 'Tis now at the 
 south river to trade. I have spoken to Cornelis Leendertzen 
 and Mauritz Janssen van Broeekhuysen, who returned from 
 that quarter over two days ago, and they told me that it would 
 be a good specidation, for neither the company nor the 
 Swedes had any cargoes there, and there were still seven 
 to eight hundred beavers there, which lay there expecting sea- 
 wan and other goods, with all which was well provided our 
 bark, which Cornells Leendertsen spoke in the mouth of 
 the river. 80 that I hope good profit will result there. So 
 soon as she returns I will, if I can accomplish it, send her 
 with wheat to Virginia, to see if that can l)e traded there for 
 tobacco. Inquiry shall be then made what merchandise is 
 admitted there, and shall then advise your Honor thereof. 
 
 As the Heer Master orders that the day of accounts shall 
 not be changed, his Honor's letter shall be attended to. The 
 Heer Patroon is very much suprised that no mention has 
 been made in the inventory of sheep and swine. This will 
 inform him that the farmers have frequently been spoken to. 
 They say that the swine stray into the woods. We do not 
 know ourselves how many pigs we have. We were obliged 
 to give a number to other freemen, which were forwarded 
 on payment ; l)ut your Honor nnist know that many mishaps 
 have occurred to these. As to the sheep, to count which 
 Mauritz Janssen was appointed ; they Avere correctly counted ; 
 but the year after they died oti" like mice. A part of them 
 were destroj'cd by the wolves. There are at present in the 
 Colonic, young and old, about fifteen to sixteen shecj). 
 
 Further, may it please the Lord to understand, that three 
 islands lie between Bi'oer Cornel issen (Van Slyck) and the 
 Flatt (de Vlachte), one of which, right opposite the Flatt, is 
 about twenty to twenty-five morgans in extent, which have 
 not been }et purchased from the owners. I shall allow that 
 island opposite the Flatt, and a portion of fallow to be 
 ploughed, in order to be sowed next harvest with wheat ; for 
 on the Flatt I have only sixteen to seventeen morgans which 
 I can have under the plough this year. Because there is so 
 much to reiz;ulate, and I do not wish to have the time of the 
 
310 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 servants wasted, I have begun on the aforesaid island. By 
 reguhirity, ever3-thing can be done at a proper season ; as 
 men have more leisure at present than at uiiy other time, so, 
 please God, there will be fully thirty mogans sown next fall 
 with winter grain. I shall, therefore, be obliged to purchase 
 the said islands from the Indians, though they will ill-bear to 
 part with them. For we are bound now and hereafter (schier 
 of morgan) to give the Indians no provocation to rebel. 
 
 I have been on horse-back with Labbatie and Jacob Jans- 
 sen (Schermerhorn) van Amsterdam, last year, to the 
 Mohawk country, where three Frenchmen were prisoners ; 
 one of whom was a Jesuit, a very learned scholar, who was 
 very cruelly treated, his finger and thumb being cut oft" I 
 carried presents there, and requested that we should preserve 
 good neighborship, and that no injury shoidd be done, either 
 to the colonists or to their cattle, which all the Indians at the 
 three castles have thankfully accejjted. We were entertained 
 right well in every friendly manner there. We were 
 obliged to halt a quarter of an hour before each castle, until 
 the Indians there saluted us with divers musket-shots. There 
 was also great joy among them because I had come there. 
 Indians were immediately ordered to go out to shoot, who 
 brought us in excellent turkeys. I then thoroughly visited 
 all their castles, and invited all the chiefs of all the three 
 castles to assemble together, and proposed to them to release 
 the French prisoners. But there was no appearance of this, 
 which they refused with good leason. Said they : " We 
 shall manifest toward you every friendship that is in our 
 power, but on this subject we will be silent. Besides, 3'ou 
 well know how they treat our people who fall into their 
 hands. Had we delayed to reach there three or four days 
 longer, they would have been burnt." I presented them, 
 for the ransom' of the Frenchmen, about 600 guilders in 
 goods, to which all the Colonic will contribute. But they 
 would not accept them. But we persuaded tlunu so far 
 that they promised not to kill them, and to convey them 
 back to their country. The French captives ran screaming 
 after us, and besought us that we would do all in our power 
 
APPENDIX A. 311 
 
 to release them out of the hands of the barbarians. But there 
 was no likelihood at all of this. On my return, they gave 
 me an escort of ten to twelve armed men, who conducted us 
 back home. Within half-a-day's journey from the Colonic, 
 lies the most beautiful land on the ISIohawk river that eye 
 ever saw ; full a day's journey long, and mostly contiguous 
 the one to the other. But it is impossible to reach there in 
 a boat on account of the strength of the stream which runs 
 there ; and, on the other hand, of the shallowness of the water; 
 but I think that it could be reached with wagons. Two of these 
 Frenchmen, of whom the Jesuit was one, have been to my house 
 last May. They said they hoped that means could be found now 
 to procure their release. So soon as the Indians return from 
 hunting, I shall endeavor to obtain their freedom. I shall send 
 your Honor, by the lirst opportunity, the journal of my journey. ' 
 
 I have purchased at the mill-kill, from Jan Michaclsen, a 
 house and a large oblong building, which he bought from 
 Sander Leendertsen (Glen), for 600 gl., according to his 
 receipt. But I shall pay for it mostly through his account. 
 As a passable barn stands thereon, a good bouwerie can be 
 made there. In the same Avay, as there is a good barn by 
 the house of Cornells Teunissen on the Fifth kill, where also 
 a good l)ouwerie can be established. 
 
 Cornells Teunissen goes also over. He hath given in his 
 account, both debit and credit. There is to his credit an 
 item of twenty pieces of timber (balken) which come on 
 account of the yacht. They were sold again at the Man- 
 hattans for 100 guilders. There is also a parcel of 100 
 pieces of timl^er, which I delivered to the company for two 
 sloop's freight. Each sloop's voyage lasted six weeks, which 
 should have greatly swelled the freight. 
 
 Of the thirty m. stone (hard bricks) which your Honor 
 sent out last year per the Houttuyn, I have not received 
 above ten thousand, as I'm told by my skipper, Louweus, and 
 others. The skipper of the Houttuyn retained them for 
 balhist. Your Honor will be pleased not to send any more 
 stones (l)ricks), for we can purchase them cheaper at the 
 north than those cost which jour Honor sent, and they are as 
 
312 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 larjre a2;ain. The four thousand tiles which voiir Honor sent 
 are not worth the freight ; for they crumble all away like sand. 
 I have not had from these more than ten or twelve hundred 
 sjood tiles. The rest are o-ood for nothinir. The broker who 
 purchased the tiles for your Honor hath grossly cheated you. 
 
 I am at present bethrothed to the wddow of the late M. 
 Jonas Brouck. May the good God vouchsafe to l)]ess me in 
 my undertaking, and please to grant that it mght conduce to 
 his Honor to our mutual salvation. Amen, 
 
 I expect to send the Heer (Lord), by the next opportunity, 
 the accounts ; and I intend, if his Honor please to consent, to 
 go over (to Holland) next year, as soon as I shall have re- 
 ceived his Honor's answer, to request of his Honor a favorable 
 lease of a bouwerie, there to fix my residence in the Colonic for 
 a good number of years, if the Lord spare my life. If your 
 Honor should please to permit me to return home, as I hope, 
 I request, with all submission, that the noble Lord will please 
 to grant ni}^ future wife leave to reside, until my i-eturn, in his 
 Honor's house, by Anthonie de Hooges. I trust that the noljle 
 Lord will not receive damage thereby, for she is a good house- 
 keeper, as I hope the noble Lord shall learn from others, I 
 should not altogether wish to take her over and hither with me ; 
 for we are subject to divers dangers from the sea. Otherwise, 
 I hope to make my journey to Patria as short as possible. 
 
 Neither I nor the company have scarcely had any trade 
 this year. I believe the residents have conveyed fully 3 to 
 4,000 furs from above. So great a trade has never been 
 driven as this year, and it would be very profitable, if your 
 Honor could bring about, with a higher hand, that the resi- 
 dents should not come to the Colonic to trade. Otherwise, 
 ^ our Honor will never derive any profit. 
 
 Herewith ending, I beg to advise the noble Lord, if I have 
 used any boldness, to be pleased to take it in the best part. 
 Happiness to your Honor, and your Honor's beloved wife 
 and children, and that God may preserve you in His grace, is 
 mine, and my future partner's greeting. 
 
 Your Honor's dutiful and obliged servant, 
 
 ARENDT VAN CURLER. 
 
APPENDIX B. 313 
 
 B. 
 
 Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant and Governor and Vice- 
 Admiral, under his Koyall Highness, James, Duke of 
 Yorke, etc., of New Yorke and its dependencies in America, 
 etc.. To All to whom these p'sents shall come, sendeth Greet- 
 ing : Whereas, Tohory wachqua. and Orage, the representa- 
 tives of the four Mohake castles, have for themselves and 
 canachquo Ocquarj' and Tohoriowachque true and Lawfull 
 Owners of the Land within mentioned, have by their certaine 
 writing or Deed of Sale, dated the third day of July, anno 
 dm., 1672, given and granted unto Sander Lend'rs Glenn, 
 John Van Epps and Sweere Teunesse, as being impowered by 
 the inhabitants of the Town or Village of Schonectad}^ and 
 l)laces adjacent, a certaine Tract or parcell of Land, Beginning 
 at the Maques river by the Towne of Schenectady and from 
 thence runns Westerly on both sides up the river to a certain 
 place called l)y the Indians Canaquariveny, being reputed three 
 Dutch miles or twelve English miles, and from the said Town 
 of Schenectade downe the river one Dutch or four English 
 miles to a kill or creeke called the Ael phice, and from the said 
 Maques river into the woods South towards Albany to the 
 sand kill one Dutch mile, and as much on the other side of 
 the river north, being one dutch mile more, there being 
 excepted in the said bounds all covers and Saw-Mills, that 
 now arc or hei'cafter shall be erected within the bounds of 
 the said Towne, that they be lyable to pay a perticuler Quitt- 
 Eent for their priviledges besides what is herein set forth as 
 shall hereafter be agreed for by the Inhtibitants of the said 
 places or owners of such mills with such Governoure or Gov- 
 ernours as shall be appointed by his Hoyall Highnesse ; and 
 likewise that noe Timber or wood be cutt but within the 
 bounds aforesaid, the said exception being agi-eed upon by 
 myselfe as by a certaine writing bearing date the 7th day of 
 August last past, doth jnorc perticulerly appear. Now, Know 
 
314 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Yee, that by virtue of the comicoii and authority to me 
 given by his Roy all Highness, James, Duke of Yorke and 
 Albany, Lord proprietor of this province, I have hereby 
 given, granted, ratityed and confirmed, and b}^ these p'sents 
 doe give, grant, ratifye and contirme unto William Teller, 
 Ryert Schermerhorne, Sweere Teunnessen, Jan Van Epps and 
 Myndert Wemp, on the behalfe of the inhabitants of the 
 Towne of Schenectady and places adjacent aforesaid, depen- 
 dencyes thereon, their associates, heirs, successors and assignes, 
 and all and singuler, the before-recited Tract and Tracts, 
 parcell and parcells of Land, meadow, ground and premisses 
 with their and every of their appmtenancyes, Together with 
 all and Singuler, the Houses, Buildings, messuages. Tenements 
 and Heriditaments, dams, rivers, rumis, streams. Ponds, woods, 
 quarryes, Fishing, Hawking and Fowling, with all priviledges, 
 Liberty es and improvements whatsoever to the said Land and 
 p'misses belonging or in any wise appertaining or accepted, 
 reputed, taken or Knowne as part, parcell, or member 
 thereof with their and every of their appurtenances, Pi'ovided 
 alwa3'es that this shall not any wayes make null or void a 
 former grant or Pattent bearing date the 30th day ot October 
 last past made to Jacpies Cornel isse of a Piece of Land, 
 lyeing within the bounds heretofore mentioned of the Towne of 
 Schonectade (that is to say), the lyeing and being Between 
 two creekes, the one called the Stone creeke, to the Eastward, 
 and the other the Platte creeke, to the westward thereof, the 
 Lowland lyeing along the river side on the south of the 
 Maques River, and then to the north of the Land belonging to 
 the Inhabitants of Schonectade, the same containeing forty 
 morgan, or Eighty Acres of Land, as alsoe forty morgan or 
 eighty acres of wood-land or up-laiid more, on the west side 
 of the Platte Creeke, adjoining to the arrable land along the 
 River side, which was wholly exempt by the Indian projjrie- 
 tors in the sale of this land as belonging to Jaques Cornelise. 
 To have and to hold the afore recited Tract and Tracts, parcell 
 and parcells of land and premisses, Avith their and every of 
 their appurtenances, unto the said William Teller, Ryert 
 Schernierhorn, Sweere Teuniessen, Jan Van Epps, and Myn- 
 
APPENDIX 15. 315 
 
 dart Wemp, on the behulte of the Inhabitants of the Towne of 
 Seheiiectade, and their Associates, their heirs, successors and 
 assignes, unto the proper use and behoofe of the said Williani 
 Teller, Eyert Schermerhorne, Svveere Teunissen, Jan Van 
 Epps, and Myndart Wenip, theire heirs, successors and 
 assignet; forever. To be holden of his Royal! Highnesse, his 
 heirs and assignes, in Free and common Soccage according to 
 the tenure of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his 
 jMaties Kingdome of England, Yielding and paying therefor 
 Yearly and every Yeare, as a Quit-Rent for his Royall High- 
 uesse use, unto such officer or officers as shall be appointed to 
 receive the same, at Albau}-, forty Bushells of good winter 
 wheat, on or before the Twenty-fifth day of March. Given 
 under my hand and sealed with the scale of the Province, att 
 Fort James, in New Yorke, the first day of November, Anno 
 Dm. 1084, and in the thirty-sixth Yeare of his Maties Reigne. 
 
 THO. DONGAN. 
 
 George, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and 
 Ireland, King, defender of the faith, etc., To All to whom 
 these pi-esents shall come. Greeting : Whereas, Thomas Dou- 
 gan, some time Lieutenant-Governoure, under his then Royal 
 Highness, James, Duke of York, etc., of New York, its 
 dependencies in America, etc., and by Letters Patent, Sealed 
 with the said province, bearing date at Fort James, in New 
 York, the first day of November, Aimo Dm. sixteen hundred 
 and Eighty-four, by virtue of the commission and authority 
 to him given by his said Royal Highness, James, Duke of 
 York and Albany, then Lord proprietor of the said Province, 
 did give, grant, Ratifye and confirm unto William Teller, 
 Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweere Theunissen, Jan Van Epps, and 
 Myndert Wemp, on the behalf of the Inhal)itants (if the Town 
 of Schenectady, and places adjacent, dependencies thereon, 
 their associates, heirs, successoirs and assigns, all that certain 
 tract or parcel of land. Beginning at the Maquaas river by 
 the town of Schenectady, and which from thence runs 
 westerly on Ijoth sides up the rivere to a certain place 
 called by the Indians Cana(iuariony, being reputed three 
 
316 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 Dutch miles or twelve English miles, and from the suid 
 town of Schenectady down the river one Dutch or four Eng- 
 lish miles, to a kill or creek called the Ael place, and from 
 the said Maquaas rivere into the woods south towards 
 Albau}^ to the said kill one Dutch mile, and as much on the 
 other side of the river north, being cue Dutch mile more, 
 Avith the meadow ground and premisses, with their and every 
 of their appurtenances. Together with all and Singular the 
 Houses, Buildings, messuages, Tenements and Hereditaments, 
 dams, rivers, runs, streams, Ponds, woods, Quarrys, Fishing, 
 Hawking and Fowling, with all priviledges, Libertys and 
 improvements whatsoever to the said Lands and premisses, 
 belonging or in any wise appertaining or accepted, reputed. 
 Taken or Known as part, parcel or member thereof, with their 
 and every of their appurtenances, these being excepted in the 
 said bounds, all corn and saw-mils that then were or there- 
 after should be erected within the bounds of the said Town. 
 That they be lyable to pay a particulare Quitt-Rent for their 
 priviledges, besides what is therein set forth as should there- 
 after be agreed for by the inhabitants of the same places or 
 owners of such mills, with such governoure or governours as 
 should be appointed by his Royal Highness, and likewise that 
 no Timber or wood be cut but within the bounds aforesaid. 
 The said exception being agreed upon by himself as by a 
 certain writing bearing date the seventh day of August then 
 last past, doth now particularl}^ appear. Provided, always, 
 that this should not any ways make null or void a former 
 grant or patent bearing date the thirtieth day of October 
 then last past, made to Jaques Cornelisen, of a piece of land 
 lying within the bounds theretofore mentioned of the town 
 of Schenectady. That is to say, the lands lying and being 
 Between two creeks, the one called the stone creek, to the 
 eastward, and the other the place creek, to the westward 
 thereof The lowland lying along the riverside on the south 
 of the Maquaas river, and then to the north of the Land 
 Belonging to the inhabitants of Schenectady, the same con- 
 taining Forty morgan or eighty acres, as also forty morgan or 
 eighty acres of upland, more on the west side of the Plate 
 
APPENDIX li. 317 
 
 creek, adjoining to the arable- land along the riverside, which 
 was wholy excepted by the Indian proprietors in the sale of 
 the said land, as belonging to Jaques Cornelisen. To have 
 and to hold the said tract and tracts, parcells of land and 
 premises, with their and every of their appnrtenances, unto 
 the said William Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweere Theu- 
 nisen, Jan Van Epps, and Mj-ndert AVerap, on the behalf of 
 the inhabitants of the town of Schenectady, and their asso- 
 ciates, theire heirs, successors and assigns, unto the proper use 
 and behoof of the said AVilliam Teller, Ryert Schermerhorne, 
 Sweere Theunisen, Jan Van Epps and Myndert Wemp, their 
 heirs, successoirs and assigns forever. To be holden in free 
 and common Soccage, as of the mannor of East Greenwich, 
 in the county of Kent, within the kingdom of Great Britain, 
 Yielding and paying the annual rent of forty Bushells of good 
 winter wheat, as by the said Patent relation being thereunto 
 had, may more at large appear. And, whereas, by certain 
 Indentures of lease and Release, The Lease bearing date 
 the two and twentieth, and the release the three and 
 twentieth da3-s of October last made or mentioned, to be 
 made Between the said Ryer Schermerhoorn, of the one 
 part, and William Apple, of the city of New York, Victualler, 
 of the other part. The said "William Teller, Sweere Theunissen, 
 Jan Van Epps and Myndert Wemp were since deceased, and 
 the said Ryert Schermerhoorn is the only Survivor, whereby 
 all the estate, right and Title of, in or to all the said Lands, 
 Meadows, Tenements, Hereditaments and premisses. Together 
 with all the Houses, Edifices and Buildings thereon erected, 
 with all a[)pur's thereunto behniging not otherwise by them, the 
 said William Teller, Ryert Schermerhoorn, Sweere Theuni- 
 sen, Jan Van Epps, and Myndert Wemp, or the Survivors or 
 survivor of them. Then legally disposed of, or by some deed 
 or deeds, conveyance or conveyances by them executed, or 
 intended to be disposed of, are become soly vested in the 
 said Ryert Schermerhoorn, in fee simple, by right of surviour- 
 ship. And whereas, the said Ryer Schermerhoorn, growing 
 antient, is desirous that the said meadows, Lands and premisses 
 should be conveyed to others, Togeather w*" himself and their 
 
318 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 lieii's and assignes, that the intent of the said Letters Patent 
 might be duly observed, he, the said Ryer Sciiermerhoorn, did, 
 by certain Indentures of Lease and Release, The Lease bear- 
 ing date the two and twentieth, and the release the three and 
 twentieth daj-s of October last, made, or mentioned to be 
 made. Between the said Ryer Schermerhoorn, of the one part, 
 and William Apple, of the city of New York, victualer, of 
 the other part, grant, convey and assure unto the said Wil- 
 liam Apple, his heirs and assigns, all the said lands, meadows, 
 Tenements, Hereditains and premisses, with the appurtenances 
 hereunto belonging or therewith, all then or lately usualy 
 enjoyed or accepted, reputed. Taken or known as part or 
 parcel thereof, in as full and ample manner as the said Ryer 
 Schermerhoorn did then or lately enjoy the same, or was then 
 or then lately inititated to enjoy the same, and all the estate, 
 right, Title, interest, use, trust, property, reversion, remain- 
 der, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Ryer 
 Schermerhoorn, of, in and to the said premisses and every or 
 any part or parcel thereof, except as therein before is ex- 
 cepted and forepribcd, or intended to be excepted or foreprised. 
 To hold the said Lands, meadows. Tenements, Hereditaments 
 and premisses therein mentioned, or intended to be thereby 
 granted, alienated, released, enfeoffed and confirmed, and 
 every of their appurtenances, unto the said William Ai)ple, 
 his heirs and assigns, forever, to the sole and only proper use 
 and behoof of the said William Apple, his heirs and assigns, 
 forever, upon this special condition and confidence that the 
 said William Apple, his heirs or assigns, upon request to him 
 or them made by the said Ryert Schermerhoorn, his heirs or 
 assigns, should make, do, acknowledge and execute such con- 
 veyance and assurance in the Law for the vesting of all the 
 therein before mentioned and thereby intended to be granted 
 Lands, meadows. Tenements, Hereditaments and premisses, 
 and all the right. Title and interest thereunto hereby con- 
 veyed or mentioned, or intended to be conveyed to the said 
 William Apple, unto the said Ryert Schermerhorn and Jan 
 Wemp, Johannes Teller, Arent Bradt and Barent Wemp, 
 their heirs and assigns, forever, to the intent the same 
 
APPENDIX B. 319 
 
 might be held and enjoj-ed according to the true intent 
 meaning ot" the said Letters Patent by the said Thomas 
 Dongan, so as aforesaid granted as by the said Indentures ot" 
 Lease and release relation being thereunto had may more 
 fully and at large appears. And, whereas, by certain other 
 Indentures of Lease and Release, the Lease bearing date the 
 Twenty-fifth, and the release the Twenty-sixth days of Oct()])cr 
 last, made, or mentioned to be made, Between the said AVilliani 
 Apple of the one part ; and the said Ryert Schernierhoorn, Jan 
 Wemp, Johannes Teller, Arent Bratt and Barent Wemp of the 
 other part ; he, the said William Apple, in pursuance and 
 performance of the aforesaid trust, so as aforesaid in him 
 reposed, and for the considerations therein mentioned, at the 
 request of the said Ryert Schernierhoorn, did give, grant a 
 liene release, enfeoff and contirm unto the said Ryert Scher- 
 nierhoorn, Jan AVeiiip, Johannes Teller, Arent Bratt and 
 Barent Wemp their heirs and assigns, all and singular the 
 said Lands, meadows. Tenements, and Hereditaments and 
 premisses, with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging 
 and appertaining in as full and ample manner as the same 
 were in manner aforesaid conveyed and assured unto him the 
 said William Apple, by the said Ryert Schermerhoorn, all 
 which said premises were then in the actual possession of 
 them, the said Ryert Schernierhoorn, Jan Wemp, Johannes 
 Teller, Arent Bratt and B:i,rent Wemp, by virtue of the same 
 last-mentioned Indenture of Lease, and by virtue of the 
 Statute for transferring of uses into possession, and all the 
 estate, right, Title, use, trust, property, reversion, remainder, 
 claim and demand whatsoever of him, the said William 
 Apple in and to the aforesaid Lands, meadows. Tenements, 
 Hereditaments and premisses, with the appurtances and every 
 or any part and parcel of them, or any of them in as full and 
 ample manner as the same Avere by the herein before tirst 
 recited Indentures of Lease and Release conveyed and assured 
 to the said William Apple by the said Ryert Schernierhoorn. 
 To hold the same Lands, meadows, Tenements, Hereditaments 
 and premises with the appurtenances therein before mentioned, 
 meant or pretended to be thereby granted, alienated, released, 
 
320 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 enfeoffer or confirmed premises, and every of their appur- 
 tenances unto the said Eyert Schermerhoorn, Jan Wemp, 
 Johannes Teller, A rent Bratt and Barent Wemp, their heirs 
 and assigns forever to the only proper use, and behoof them 
 the said Ryert Schermerhoorn, Jan Wemp, Johannes Teller, 
 Arent Bratt and Barent Wemp, their heirs and assigns for- 
 ever as by the stud last mentioned recited indentures of Lease 
 and release, relation being thereunto had may more fully 
 and at large appear ; and, ^vhereas, the said R3^ert Scher- 
 merhoorn, Jan Wemp, Johannes Teller, Arent Bratt and 
 Barent Wemp, by their humble petition presented to our 
 Trusty and well beloved, Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain- 
 General and Governour-in-Chief of our province of New York, 
 etc. Have prayed to have the same granted and confirmed to 
 them the said Ryert Schermerhoorn, Jan Wemp, Johannes 
 Teller, Arent Bratt and Barent Wemp, their heirs and assigns 
 forever by the boundaries hereafter mentioned, which request 
 we being willing to grant. Know Yee, that of our especial 
 Grace certain knowledge and meer motion, we have granted, 
 Ratifyed and confirmed and do by these presents, for us, our 
 heirs and successors, grant, ratifye and confirm unto the said 
 Ryert Schermerhoorn, Jan Wemp, Johannes Teller, Arent 
 Bratt and Barent Wemp, theii- heirs and assigns forever, all 
 that the aforesaid tract or parcel of land and premisses within 
 the Limitts and bounds aforementioned and described, other- 
 wise. Beginning upon the maquaas river at the place called 
 Aelplace on the north side of the said river, and is in breadth 
 four english miles on each side of the said river, and from 
 thence keeping the said breadth of four Miles on each side 
 of the said river it extends sixteen English Miles up the said 
 river to the furthest end of a Hill called by the Indians 
 Canaquariveny, including the said river so far as it extends 
 and all the islands within the said boundaries. Together with 
 all and singular dwelling Houses, Grist Mills, Saw Mills, 
 Barns, stables, Gardens, orchards, buildings, edifices, fields, 
 feedings. Pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, Trees, Timber, 
 woods, underwoods. Ponds, Pools, waters, water-courses and 
 streams of water, fishing, fowiiuii-. Hunting and Hawking, 
 
APPENDIX B. 321 
 
 Mines, Minerals, standing, growing, lying and being or to be 
 had, used and enjoyed within the Limitts and bonnds afore- 
 said, and all other profitts, l^enetitts, libertys, priviledges, 
 Hereditaments and appurts, to the same belonging or in any 
 wise appertaining, and all that our Estate, right, Title, interest, 
 benefitt, claim and demands whatsoever of, in, or to the same, 
 and the revertion and revertions, remainder and remainders, 
 and the yearly rents and profitts of the same, Excepting and 
 reserving unto us, our heirs and successours forever, all silver 
 and Gold mines. To Have and To Hold all and sino;ula 
 the said Tract of land and premisses with their and ever^^ of 
 their rights, members, Priviledges, prehemiuences and appur- 
 tenances above mentioned or intended to be, hereby o-i-anted, 
 ratifyed and confirmed unto the said Ryert Schermerhoorn, 
 Jan AVemp, Johannes Teller, Arent Bratt, and Barent Wemp, 
 their heirs and assigns forever. In trust, nevertheless, to and 
 for the only use, benefitt and behoof of themselves and the 
 other Inhabitants and Freeholders of the said Town of Sche- 
 nectady, their heirs and assigns forever. To be Holden of 
 us, our heirs and assigns forever ; To be Holden of us, our 
 heirs and successours in fee and common soccage as of our 
 mannor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our 
 realm of Great Britain, Yielding, Rendering and paying 
 therefore yearly and every year forever unto us, our heirs 
 and successours, or to our and their collector and receivor 
 General for the time being, or to such officere or officers as 
 shall be from time to time by him appointed to receive the 
 same at our City of Albany, on the feast day of the annuncia- 
 tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called lady 
 day, the annual rent of forty-two Bushells of Good winter 
 wheat in Lieu and stead of all other rents, services, dues 
 duties and demands whatsoever, for the said tract of land and 
 premisses herein and hereliy granted and confirmed — that is to 
 say, forty Bushells of wheat, part of the said hereby reserved 
 Quitt of forty-two Bushells of wheat, being the former reserved 
 Quitt-rent in and by the said first recited grant or letters 
 Patents, and two bushells of wheat, the remainder of the said 
 hereby reserved Quitt rent of fin-ty-two bushells, being what is 
 21 
 
322 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 ugi-eecl upon by juid between our said present Governeur of 
 New York and the Inhal)itants of the said places, to be a par- 
 ticular Quitt Rent for their priviledges of all corn and Saw 
 Mills that now are or hereafter shall be erected within the 
 bounds and Limitts aforesaid, according to the intent and 
 meaning of the said tirst recited Letters Patents, and we do 
 hei-eby will and grant, that these our letters of confirmation 
 be made Patent, and that they and the Record of them in our 
 secretaries Office of our said Province remaining, shall be 
 good and eft'ectual in the Law to all intents, construction and 
 purposes, notwithstanding the not true and well-reciting and 
 mentioning of the premisses or any part thereof or of the 
 Limitts and bounds thereof, or of any former or other Letters 
 Patents or grant for the stime made or granted by us or any 
 of our Royal ancestours to an}- other person or persons what- 
 soever. Body Politick, or corporate or any Law or other 
 restraint, uncertainty or imperfection whatsover to the con- 
 trary thereof, in any ways notwithstanding, and wee do like- 
 wise, by these presents of our special Grace, certain knowl- 
 edge and meer motion. Give, grant, ratify and confirm unto 
 the aforesaid Ryert Schermerhoorn, Jan Wamp, Johannes 
 Teller, Arent Bratt and Parent Wemp, and to their heirs 
 and assigns forever to and on behalf of themselves and the 
 rest of the Freeholders, Inhabitants of the Town and bounds 
 of Schenectady, that the Freeholders Inhabiting within the 
 Limitts and bounds aforesaid, shall and may from time to 
 time, and at all times forever hereafter, upon any writt or 
 writts, by us or our successours forever hereafter directed or 
 to be directed, for election of Representatives to serve in 
 General Assembly for our Province of New York to assemble 
 and meet to-geather at such place as may be thought most 
 convenient thereto, choose one of their own number to be 
 their Representative or Deputy, which person so to be 
 chosen hereafter shall have all the freedom and priviledge 
 of any other Assembly man or representative, and be 
 received, accepted and treated as the Representative of the 
 Freeholders inhabiting the said Town of Schenectady 
 and the Limitts and bounds thereof, in as full and ample 
 
APPENDIX B. 323 
 
 mauuer as any other Eepresentatives within our said Prov- 
 ince have. 
 
 In Testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of our 
 said Province of New York to be hereunto affixed, and the same 
 to be entered of Record in the Book of Patents remaining in 
 our Secretaries office of our said Province. Witness our said 
 Trusty and welbeloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain Gen- 
 eral and Governour in chief of our Provinces of New York, 
 New Jersey and the Territories depending on them in 
 America and Vice-Admiral of the same, etc., at our Fort at 
 New York, the sixth day of November, in the lirst year of 
 our Reisfu, anno Dm. 1714. 
 
 State of New York, ) 
 Secretary's Office. ) 
 
 I certify the preceding to be true copies of certain Letters 
 Patents as of Record in this office, the first in Lib. Pat. — , 
 page — , the second in Lib. Pat. No. 8, page 83, etc. 
 
 In Testimony whereof, I have liereunto affixed the 
 Seal of the Secretary's Office, at the city of 
 Albany, the 4th day of September, 1811. The 
 [l.s.J words, " Tenements,''^ between the 10 and 11 Lines, 
 pa. 5; ^' River,''' between the 18th and 19th lines, 
 pa. 11 ; "-Day," between the 1 and 2 line, pa. 13, 
 
 being first interlined. 
 
 ELISHA JENKINS. 
 
324 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY, 
 
 o. 
 
 City and County 1 
 of Albany. ^ ' *' • 
 
 The People of the State of New York, by the grace of 
 God free and Independent, To all to whom these presents shall 
 come Greeting, Know Ye that we, having inspected the records 
 in onr said Office, do find a certain will and the proceedings of 
 Court relative to the proof thereof there remaining, in the 
 words, letters and figures following, to wit : 
 
 At a Court of Common pleas, held for the City and 
 County of Albany, at the City Hall of the said city, 
 on Tuesday, the 20th day of January, 1795. 
 Present — John Tayler, Judge. 
 
 Uleert Willett, \ . . , , T ,- 
 
 T.r T> Tr ^r } AsSlStoM JuStlCeS. 
 
 Maus R. Van Vranken, J 
 
 Mr. Van Vechten produces in Court the last will and testa- 
 ment of Arent Bradt, deceased, and prays that the same may be 
 proved, agreeable to the Statute in such case made and provided. 
 
 Abraham Outhoudt, Sworn. — Says that Hermanns Bradt, of 
 Schenectady, is the heir at Law of Arent Bradt, late of the 
 late of the same place, deceased, and that this deponent hath 
 been requested by the said Harraanus Bradt, to procure the 
 will of the said Arent to be proved in this Court, in order to 
 its being recorded. 
 
 Cornelius Vrooman, Sworn. — Says that he saw Arent Bradt 
 sign, seal, publish and declare the said will now produced 
 in Court, as and for his last will and Testament, and that he, 
 this deponent, signed the same as a witness, in the presence of 
 the testator, and that Elias Post and Hendrick Brower also 
 subscribed the same as witnesses, in the presence of this depo- 
 nent, and of eacli other, and in the presence of the testator, 
 and that the said testator was of full age and of Sound mind, 
 memory and understanding. Thereupon, Ordered, that the said 
 will be Recorded by the Clerk of this Court, according to the 
 directions of the Statute, in such case made and provided. 
 A Copy. R. LUSH, Clerh. 
 
APPENDIX C. 325 
 
 In the Name of God, Amen. I, Arent Brat, only surviving 
 patentee in trust for the township of Schenectady, in the 
 County of Albany and province of New York, being sick and 
 weak in body, but of sound mind, memory and understand- 
 ing, thanks be given imto God for the same. Do make and 
 publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form 
 following, to wit : First, I commit my soul to the Almighty 
 God, my Creator, hoping for pardon and remission of all my 
 sins in and through the merits and intercession of Jesus 
 Christ, my blessed Savior and redeemer, and my body to the 
 earth, thereto to be decently buried at the discretion of my 
 Executors hereinafter named. Item : I give, devise and 
 bequeath unto vnj trusty friends and son, Harmanes Brat, 
 and Jacobus Van Slyck, John Sauderse, Isaac Swits, Isaac 
 Vrooman, Nicholas Van Petten, Jacob Swits, Jacob Vrooman, 
 Frederick Van Vetten, Nicholas Groot, Tobyas Ten Eyck, 
 Keyer Wimple, Samuel Art Brat, Nicholas Van Dervolge, 
 Abraham Wimple, Aljraham Mabee, Jacol)us Mynderse, John 
 B. Van Eps, Gerrit A. Lansing, Peter Mabie, Harme Van 
 Slyck, Isaac I. Swits and Abraham Fonda, and to their heirs 
 and assigns, forever. All that certain tract of land, messuage or 
 tenement called and knowing by the name of the township of 
 Schenectady, situate, lying and being in the county of Albany 
 and province of New York, on both sides of the Mohake river, 
 beginning at the said river by the town of Schenectady, and 
 runs from thence westerly on botli sides up the said river to 
 a certain place called by the Indians Canaquarione, being 
 reputed three dutch miles or twelve English miles, and from 
 the said town of Schenectady down the river one dutch mile 
 or four English miles to a place. Kill or Creek called the Ael 
 place, and from the said Mohake river into the woods south 
 towards Albany to the sand kill one dutch mile or four 
 english miles, and as much on the other side of the river 
 North, being one dutch mile, more or Otherwise, beginning 
 upon the Mohak river at the place called the Ael place, on 
 the north side of the river, and is in breadth four English 
 miles on each side of the said river, and from thence keeping 
 the same Ijreadth of four English miles on each side of the 
 
32G HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 said river, it extends sixteen English Miles up the said river to 
 the farthest end of a hill called by the Indians Canaquarione, 
 including the Island in the said river and also the said river 
 so far as it extends within the said boundaries. To have and 
 to Hold all and singular the said tract of land, messuage or 
 tenement above mentioned, with their and every of the here- 
 ditaments, premisses and appurtenances unto the said harma- 
 nes Brat, Jacobus Van Slyck, John Sanderse, Isaac Swits, 
 Isaac Vrooman, Nicolas Van Petten, Jacob Swits, Jacob 
 Vrooman, Frederick Van Patten, Nicolas Groot, Tobyas Ten 
 Eyck, Ryer Wemple, Samuel A. Brat, Nicolas Van Duvolge, 
 Al)raham Wimple, Abraham Mabie, Jacobus Mynderse, John 
 B. Van Eps, Gerrit A. Lansing, Peter Mabie, Harme Van 
 Slyck, Isaac S. Swits and Abraham Fonda, and to their 
 heirs & assigns forever, in trust to and for the only use, 
 benefit and behoof of themselves and the other free holders 
 and inhabitance of the said township of Schenectady, their heirs 
 and assigns forever. Also I give, devise and bequeath unto 
 the said Harmanus Brat, Jacobus Van Slyck, John Sanderse, 
 Nicholas Van Petten, Isaac Vrooman, Jacob Swits, Isaac 
 Swits, Jacob Vrooman, Frederick Van Petten, Nicolas Groot, 
 Ryer Wimple, Tobyas Ten Eyck, Samuel A. Brat, Nicolas 
 Van Dervolge, Abraham Wimple, Abraham Mabie, Jacobus 
 Mynderse, John Babtist Van Eps, Gerrit A. Lansing, Harme 
 Van Slyck, Peter Mabie, Isaac S. Swits and Abraham Fonda, 
 the patent of the above recited tract of land or of the said 
 township of Schenectady, and all other papers, writings, books 
 and proceedings relating to the same, and all bills, bounds, 
 notes, and all sums of money due or which shall become 
 due forever hereafter for rents on lands conveyed by me 
 or any other patentees, in trust for said township, and 
 also all my right, title, interest, claim and demand which 
 J have as surviving patentee, in trust for the said town- 
 ship, and it is my will and express order that the said 
 Harmanus Brat, Jacobus Van Slyck, John Sanderse, Nico- 
 las Van Petten, Isaac Vrooman, Jacob Swits, Isaac Swits, 
 Jacob Vrocmian, Frederick Van Petten, Nicolas Groot, 
 Ryer Wimple, Tobyas Ten Eyck, Samuel A. Brat, Nico- 
 
APPENDIX C. 327 
 
 las Van Dervolge, Abnihain Wimple, Abrabiim Mabie, 
 Jacobus Myiiilerse, John B. Van Eps, Gerrit A. Lansing, 
 Harme Van Slyck, Peter Mabie, Isaac S. Switz, and Abra- 
 ham Fonda, or the survivor or survivors of them pay or cause 
 to be paid out of the town money now due to me, or 
 which shall hereafter be due by rents of land which I have 
 herein above given to them or by sale of any part of the 
 above recited tract of land, all costs and charges which may 
 arise in and b}' defending the cause which has been and still 
 is depending in the court of Chancery at New York at the 
 suit or Complaint of Reyer Schermerhorn against me and 
 Jacobus Van Sl3'ck, Jacob Swits, and several others herein 
 above named. Lastly, I do nominate. Constitute and ap- 
 point my trusty friends, Nicolas Van Petten, Jacob Van 
 Slyck, John Sanderse, and Abraham Wemp, Executors of 
 this my last Will and Testament, as such of them as shall 
 accept thereof, hereby revoking and making void all former 
 and other wills and Testaments by me heretofore made, ratify- 
 ing and confirming this and to be my last will and testament. 
 In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 1113' hand and seal 
 this eleventh day of March in the fifth ^^ear of the reign of 
 our Love-reign Lord George the third by the grace of God 
 of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the 
 faith &c. Anno, Q. Domini 1705. 
 
 Signed sealed published and declared b}" 
 the above named Arent Brat, as and for 
 his last will and testament in the presence 
 of • h 
 
 Memorandum that the name of Abraham 
 Wemp, one of the executors, was wrote on 
 a razure before sealing hereof. 
 
 his 
 
 ARENT X BRATT. [l. s.] 
 
 Hendrick Brower, \ 
 Eli AS Post, -.^ > 
 
 Cornelius Vroomax. ) 
 
 Albanij Counljj, ss. : Be it remembered that on the nine- 
 teenth da}' of November, in the >'car of our Lord One Thou- 
 
328 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 sand seven hundred and Seventy, personally came & ap- 
 peared before me William Hanna, Surrogate of the said 
 comity, Hendrick Brower, of the town of Schenectady, in the 
 county aforesaid, and province of New York, cordwainer ; 
 Elias Post, of the same place, county and Province, Gunsmith, 
 and Cornelius Vrooman, of the said place, county and Pro- 
 vince, Cooper, and being duly sworn on their Oaths, declare 
 that they, each of them did see Arent Bratt sign & seal 
 the within written Instrument purporting to the will of 
 the said Arent Bratt, bearing date the Eleventh day of march, 
 A. D. 1765, and heard him publish and declare the same as 
 & for his last will and testament ; that at the time thereof, 
 he was of a sound, disposing mind & memory, to the best of 
 
 the knowledge & belief of them the 
 
 of their own resj)ective hands writing, which they subscribed 
 as witnesses to said will in the testator's presence. 
 
 WILLIAM HANNA, Surrogate. 
 
 Kecorded & Examined Jan'y 20, 1795. 
 
 R. Lush, QVk. 
 
 All which we have caused by these presents to be 
 Exemplified, and the seal of Our Court of Com- 
 [l.s.] mon pleas of said County to be hereunto affixed, 
 
 this 4th Sept. 1811. 
 
 Chas. D. Cooper, CVh. 
 
APPENDIX D. 329 
 
 D. 
 
 Fort Johnson, May S'.*}, 1763. 
 Mr. Fuller : 
 
 My reason for comeiug here this Day was to agree with the 
 Workmen Avhoni You intend taking into the Woods with 
 You, and as I had not an opertunity of Seeing You or 
 them, I leave this paper to let you know that I am deter- 
 mined to give no more than five Shillings per Day to any 
 whom you may employ for ni}^ Work ; if they will not agree 
 to that, I desire you will not bring them with You. Neither 
 will I give more to any (yourself Excepted), who work at 
 Cap*. Clau's House. What I have promised you shall be 
 paid. 
 
 I am y"- 
 
 W*^. JOHNSON. 
 To M"^- Samuel Fuller. 
 
330 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 E. 
 
 List of Ye People Kild and Destroyed 
 
 By ye French of Canida and There indkms at Skinnechtady, 
 Twenty Miles to ye Westward of Albany, Betioeen Satur- 
 day and Sunday, ye 9"' day of February. 16f§. 
 
 Myndert AYemp killd 1 
 
 Jan van Eps and his Sonne k 2 of his children kild - 4 
 
 a negroe of dito Van Eps ------ 1 
 
 Sergt Chnrch of Cap* Bnlls Comp^ . - . - l 
 
 Barent Jansse killd and Burnd his Sonne kild - - 2 
 
 And^ Arentse Bratt shott and Bnrnt & also his child'' 2 
 
 Mary Viele wife of Dowe Ankes & her 2 children killd 3 
 
 and his Negro woman Francyn . - . - 1 
 
 Mary Aloff, wife of Cornelis Viele Jnn'^, Shott - - 1 
 
 Sweer Teunise Shott & Burnt his wife killd & burnt 1 all 2 
 
 Antje Janz. doughter of Jan Spoor, kild & bnrnt in 1 
 Item 4 Negroes of ye said Sweer Teunise ^-e same [one 
 
 death - - - - - - - - J house 4 
 
 Enos Talmidge Leift of Capt Bull kild & burnt - - 1 
 Hend Meese Vrooman & Bartholomeus Vrooman kild & 
 
 burnt 2 
 
 Item 2 Negroes of Hend Meese ye same death - - 2 
 
 Gerrit Marcellis and his wife & childe kild - - - 3 
 
 Rob* Alexander sould'" of Capt Bulls, Shott - - 1 
 
 Rob* hessling shott ------- i 
 
 Sander ye sonne of gysbert gerritse, kild & burnt - 1 
 
 Jan Roeloffse de goyer burnt in ye house - - - 1 
 
 Ralph grant a souldier in ^-e fort, shott . . - 1 
 David Christoffe}se & his wife av*.'.' 4 children all burnt in 
 
 there house -------- (j 
 
 Joris Aertse shott and burnt, Wm. Pieterse kild - 2 
 
 Joh : Potman kild his wife, kild and her skalp taken off, 2 
 Dom® Petrus Tassemaker, ye Minister, kild & burnt 
 
 in his house 1 
 
APPENDIX E. 331 
 
 Fnins harmeiise kikl _ 1 
 
 Engel, the wife of Adam Vroman, shot & burnt her 
 
 childe, the brains dashed out against ye wall 2 
 
 Rey nier Schaets and his sonne killed ._ _ 2 
 
 Daniel Andries & George, 2 souldiers of Capt. Bull 2 
 
 a french girl, Prisoner among ye Mohogs, kild 1 
 
 A Maquase Indian kild ._ 1 
 
 Johannes, ye sonne of Symon Skermerhoorn 1 
 
 3 Negroes of Symon Skermerhorn _ 3 
 
 In all GO 
 
 Leyst of ye Persones which ye French and there Indians 
 have taken Prisoners att Shhmechtady and caried to canida, 
 ye 9 '' day of February, 1 6| ^ : 
 
 Johannes Teller and his negroe 2 
 
 John Wemp, sonne of Myndt Wempt k 2 negroes 3 
 
 Symon Abraham, Phillip, Dirck & Claes Groot, all 5 
 
 sonnes of Symon Groot 5 
 
 Jan Baptist, sonne of Jan Van Epps. 1 
 
 Albert & Johannes Vedder, sonnes of harme Vedder. . 2 
 
 Isaack Cornelise Switts & his Eldest sonne.. 2 
 
 a negroe of Barent Janse — 
 
 Arnout ye sonne of Arnout Corn : Viele, ye Interp' 
 
 Stephen, ye sonne of Gysbert Gerritse. 
 
 LaAvrence, sonne of Claes Lawrence Purmurent 
 
 Arnout, sonne of Paulyn Janse 
 
 Barent, ye sonne of Adam Vroman & ye neger 
 
 Claes, soune of Fraus Tharmense 
 
 Stephen, adopted sonne of Geertje Bouts 
 
 John Webb, a sonldier Belonging to Capt. Bull 
 
 David Burt, belonging to ye same Comp'' 
 
 Joseph Marks, of ye same Comp'^ 
 
 In all. 27 
 
332 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 "My countrymen — these things oug-ht not to be forgotten, for the benefit 
 of our children and those that follow them ; they should be I'ecorded in 
 history." — Franklin. 
 
 It has been stated at page 194 of this book, that a close 
 and enduring friendship existed between the pilgrims of the 
 Plymouth Colony and the Dutch of New Netherlands ; as an 
 after thought at this point, two ilkistrations are deemed 
 appropriate. 
 
 What scholarly reader of history does not remember Sasa- 
 ciis, the great Sachem of the Pequots, the most powerful tribe 
 of New England ; a tribe of vindictive and independent spirits, 
 who hud conquered and governed the nations about them 
 witliout control. Tliey viewed the English as strangers and 
 mere intruders, who had no right to the country, nor to inter- 
 fere with its original proprietors ; and breathing nothing 
 but war and revenge, were determined to extirpate or drive 
 them from New Enghind. They artfully courted other tribes, 
 urging thai by a general combination they could destroy or 
 drive them from the country ; that there would be no 
 necessity of coming to open battles ; that by killing their 
 cattle, iiriug their houses, laying ambushes on the roads, in 
 the tields, and wherever they could surprise and destroy them, 
 their wishes could be accomplished. 
 
 This was a gloomy outlook for the sparse settlements, and 
 they heroically met the crisis ; but I shall not fatigue the 
 reader with the detailed horrors of that day. The prompt 
 action of Governor Josiah Winslow ; the boldness of Captain 
 Endicot, of Massachusetts ; the fearless bravery of Captain 
 Patrick, of Plymouth ; the almost superhuman valor and suc- 
 cess of Captain Mason, of Connecticut ; the daring of Rev. 
 Mr. Stone, of Hartford, chaplain of the forces; the neutrality 
 of " 3Iianlmomi,'" the head chief of the Narragansets, and the 
 unswerving fidelity of "■JJncas,''^ chief of the Mohegans, it 
 answers my purpose to say : this great war of extermina- 
 tion, preceded by horrible destruction of property and butch- 
 
APPENDIX F. 333 
 
 eries of the defenceless, commenced in February, 1637, and 
 was terminated witliin four months by theahm)st total extinc- 
 tion of the Pequot nation. 
 
 Their chief, Sasacus, with the few that remained alive, fled 
 west to the country of the Mohawks, and were there attacked 
 and slaughtered by that people ; and, in the fall of 1638, 
 they presented the scalp of Sasacus to the Gov^ernor and 
 Council of Massachusetts. This occurred during the admin- 
 istration of William Kieft, as Governor of New Nether- 
 lands. 
 
 With Dutch influence, as has been shown, then all powerful 
 in the councils of the Mohawks, who cannot trace the attach- 
 ment of the Dutch to their pilgrim brothers of Plymouth 
 rock, who, during their residence in Holland previous to 
 their emigration to New England, had been protected by 
 the government of that country in the free enjoyment and 
 practical observance of their religious principles ? And I 
 will here observe, that although circumstances prevented the 
 pilgrims from settling on the banks of the Hudson river 
 among their Dutch friends, in accordance with their original 
 intention, yet, before disembarking from the Mayflower, 
 they adopted a written constitution for the government of 
 their colony, which contained the elements of civil and reli- 
 gious liberty as developed and practiced in no other Euro- 
 pean country but Holland. 
 
 I here, as an episode, introduce an illustration of the savage 
 ferocity of those early times. Soon after the extermination 
 of the Pequots, the Narragansets, of whom '' MiantonimV 
 was chief, then the most numerous tribe of New England, 
 being displeased with the little attention the English paid to 
 them, while they uniformly manifested great consideration 
 for "C7?ica5," the Mohegan chief, and his tribe, without pro- 
 claiming war or givirg Uncas the least information, raised 
 an army of 1,000 men and marched against him. The spies 
 of Uncas apprised him in time, and a great battle took place 
 where now stands Norwich. Says Trumbull, in his history 
 of the Indian Wars, p. 38 : "About 50 of the Narragansets 
 were killed, and a much greater number wounded and taken 
 
334 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 prisoners. Among the latter, Avas Mianotonimi, his brother 
 and two of the sons of Canonicns, whom Uncas contlncted in 
 triumph to Mohegan. Some few clays after, Uncas conducted 
 Miantonimi back to the spot where he was taken, for the 
 purpose of putting him to death. At the instant they arrived 
 on the ground, an Indian, who was ordered to march in the 
 rear for the purpose, sunk a hatchet into his head, and dis- 
 patched him at a single stroke. He Avas probably unacquainted 
 with his fate, and knew not by what means he fell. Uncas 
 cut out a large piece of his shoulder, which he devoured in 
 savage triumph, declaring in the meantime that ' ii was the 
 sweelesl meat he ever ate ; il made his heart strong.'' " So much 
 in evidence of the refined " to6'^e« " and noble qualities of 
 " Uncas,^' a never-failing friend of the English colonists. 
 
 It was on the 21st day of December, 1621, that the great 
 Sachem Massasoit (after Avhom Massachusetts is named) Avel- 
 comed the pilgrims to Plymouth, and concluded Avith them 
 on the folloAving day a treaty of fiiendship, Avhich the parties, 
 during Massasoit's life, mutually continued honorably to fulfill. 
 
 But it Avas in 1672, about 50 years afterAvards, that Massa- 
 soit's youngest son, Philip, of Mount Hope (now Bristol, 
 Ehode Island), a man of such majestic stature, muscular 
 poAver, persuasive craft, and commanding eloquence, that, as 
 a mark of pre-eminence, he was called by his own and other 
 tribes King-Chief of the ^^ Nipnef^ tribe, played his deep 
 game to exterminate thcAvhites, or at least drive them out of 
 the country. The SiouK, Sitting-Ball, of our day, is but a 
 Kin*'" Philip in miniature. The Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, 
 perhaps ofi'ers the nearest parallel to King Philip's indomita- 
 ble perseverance and genius. 
 
 By personal visitations this poAverful sav;ige Avas artfully 
 persuading his red brethren throughout the whole of the 
 New England States, and even the fierce Mohawks, to rise 
 en masse and extirpate the Avhites. But the MohaAvks indig- 
 nantly expelled him and his emissaries from their borders. 
 Here again Ave can mark the Dutch attachment to their pil- 
 grim brothers of Plymouth. 
 
 But Avitli some tribes Philip's eloquent and insidious efl[brts 
 
APPENDIX F. 335 
 
 were successful. The Nfirmguusets for this purpose had 
 engaged to raise 4,000 fighting men. The spring of 1672 
 was the time fixed for the exterminating bh)\v, and the Indians 
 of various tribes daily flocked to Philip's head-quarters. 
 Trumbull says, in his Indian Wars, [). 43 : " The war-whoop 
 was soiuided, when the Indians commenced an indiscriminate 
 murder of the defenceless inhabitants of Sioanze?/, sparing not 
 the tender infant at the breast ; but 3 of 78 persons, which 
 the town contained, made their escape." This was a small 
 settlement adjoining Mount Hope, the head-quarters of 
 Philip. 
 
 It is impracticable within my limits to enter upon the 
 details of this cruel Avar ; it lasted, with unspeakable barbari- 
 ties, desolation and blood-shed, until the 12th of August, 1676, 
 when King Philip was slain, at his old home. Mount Hope, 
 under the following circumstances, as related by Trumbull, 
 at p. 69, etc. : 
 
 " Philip, it appeared, in attempting to fly from his pursuers, 
 was recognized by one of the English, who had been stationed 
 with the Mohegans to intercept him, and at whom he leveled 
 his piece ; but the priming being unfortunately wet and pre- 
 venting the discharge thereof, the cunning sachem would yet 
 have escaped, had not one of the brave sons of (Jncas at this 
 instant given him the contents of his musket. The l)all went 
 directly through his heart. Thus fell Philip, who was the 
 projector and instigator of a Avar which not only proved the 
 cause of his own destruction, but that of nearly all his tribe, 
 once the most numerous of any inhabiting Ncav England. 
 
 "It was at this important instant that the English Avere 
 made witnesses of a remarkable instance of savage custom. 
 Oneco, on learning that Philip had fallen by the hand of one 
 of his tribe, urged that, agreeably to their custom, he had an 
 undoubted right to the body, and the right to feast himself 
 Avith a piece thereof ; which the English not ol)jecting to, he 
 deliberately drew his long knife from his girdle, and Avith it 
 detached a piece of flesh from the bleeding body of Philip, of 
 about one pound Aveight, Avhich he broiled and ate, in the 
 meantime declaring that ' he had not, for many moons, eaten 
 
336 HISTORY OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 
 
 anything with so good an appetite.' The head of Philip was 
 severed from his body, and sent, by Captain Church, to 
 Boston, to be presented to the Governor and Council as a 
 valuable trophy." 
 
 Thus ended the treacherous, bloody and ambitious life of 
 King Philip, of Mount Hope, undoubtedly the most remark- 
 able savage that ever rose and for a time flourished in North 
 America. 
 
 Let me add, for the information of coming generations, that 
 it was near the close of King Philip's war, that the United 
 Colonies of New England, taking into serious consideration 
 the recent successes of their arms in many parts of their 
 country, appointed the 27th day of August, 1676, to be 
 observed throughout New England as a day of public 
 Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God. 
 
 This was the commencement of the annual custom of the 
 colonial fathers, which, to the pi'esent day, is so religiously 
 observed by their descendants throughout the New England 
 States ; that her scattered children, from the frozen North to 
 the sunny South, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, gather 
 around the old folks at home and their hearths on that 
 consecrated day. 
 
IKDEX 
 
 Adams, Archibald Hamilton, 183. 
 
 Adams, Margaret, 184. 
 
 Adams, James, 183. 
 
 Adams, William, 183. 
 
 Adriance, Peter, 9, 45. 
 
 Adriance, John, 46. 
 
 Albany Street (now State), 20. 
 
 Anderson, James, 208. 
 
 Anderson, William, 208. 
 
 Appendix A, 297. 
 
 Appendix B, 313. 
 
 Appendix C, 324. 
 
 Appendix D, 329. 
 
 Appendix E, 330. 
 
 Appendix F, 332. 
 
 Apple, John, 44, 77. 
 
 Apple, Maria Mag-dalena, 77. 
 
 Aj)ple, Simon. 77. 
 
 Apple, William, 44, 77. 
 
 Aukes, Dowe (see under C. C. Viele). 
 
 Backus, Rev. J. Trumbull, 263, etc. 
 
 Bas^-ley, Timothy, 289. 
 
 Banker, Elizabeth, 49. 
 
 Banker, Evert, 49, 74. 
 
 Banker, Gerrit, 9, 49. 
 
 Barhydt, John, 67. 
 
 Barhydt, John, and his descendants, 
 
 166, etc. 
 Bari-et, Anna, 166. 
 Barret, Maria, 166. 
 Barret, William, 166. 
 Batteaus, 246. 
 Bayard, Stephen N., 247. 
 Beal, Moses, 252. 
 Beukendal Massacre, 226. 
 Beck, Anna, 139. 
 Beck, Caleb, 139. 
 Beck, Caleb, Jr., 140. 
 Beck, Elizabeth, 139. 
 Beck, Engel, 130. 
 Beck, Margaret, 140. 
 Beck, for remaining names, see 140, 
 Beekman, John Jacob, 39. 
 Bent, Hendi'ickse Lambertse, 78. 
 Bellinger, Col., 233. 
 
 Beresani, Father, 25. 
 Beverwyck, 2, 4, 5, 9. 
 Binekill, 19. 
 Bleeker, Jane, 31. 
 Borsboom, Peter Jacobus, 9, 62. 
 Bosie, Gertruy, 139. 
 Bosie, Mai-ia, 139. 
 Bosie, Peter, 139. 
 Bosie, Philip, 139. 
 Boyd, James, 213. 
 Boyd, David, 215. 
 Bradt, Aeffie, 
 Bradt, Aaron, 289. 
 B)-adt, Arent Andries, 51, 57, 73. 
 Bj-adt, Andries Ai-entse, 2d. 
 Bradt, Andries Arent, 3d. 
 Bradt, Bathsheba, 
 Bradt, Arent, 210, 212. 
 Bradt, Angelica, 
 Bradt, Amerst, 
 Bradt, Andreas, 
 Bradt, Catalina, 9, 68. 
 Bradt, Catalyntie, 2d. 
 Bradt, Catalyntie, 3d, 
 Bradt, Dirk, 72. 
 Bradt, Dirk, Jr. 
 Bradt, Ephraim, 
 Bradt, John, 
 Bradt, Jacobus, ^ 
 Bradt, Margaret, 
 Bi-adt, Mai-garetta, 
 Bradt, Mai-ia, 
 Bradt, Samuel, 68. 
 Bradt, Samuel, 2d, 
 Bradt, Harriet, 
 Bradt, Susanna, 
 Bradt, House, 60, 273. 
 Bracham, Joseph, and his descend- 
 ants, 176. 
 Brandywine rift, 245. 
 Brandt, May, 233. 
 
 Brewer, Androese Arentse Bradt, 52. 
 Bronk, Jonas, 22. 
 Bi'ower, Maria, 62. 
 Brower, Philip Hendrickson, 9, 26. 
 ! Brower, Rev. Thomas, 260. 
 
338 
 
 Brown, Rev. Georg-e Jr., 270, 
 Brown, John W., and his descend- 
 ants. 178, etc. 
 Bruster, Johnathan, 289. 
 Burr, Theodore, 244. 
 Butler, Walter, 289. 
 
 Cain, Nicholas, 61. 
 
 Camberfort, Gerardus, 117. 
 
 Campbell. Angelica, 180. 
 
 Campbell, Daniel, 179, 246, 276, 282. 
 
 Campbell, Wm. W., 234. 
 
 Carley, Joseph, 60. 
 
 Carstensen, Elizabeth, 117. 
 
 Carstensen, Teunise, 117. 
 
 Carstensen, Teunise. Jr., 117. 
 
 Caug-hnawaga Mohawks, 8. 
 
 Caughnawaga Rift, 245. 
 
 Cayuga Indians, 14. 
 
 Christiance, Christian, 70, 88. 
 
 Christian ce, Cornelius, 88. 
 
 Christiance, John, 88. 
 
 Christiance, Neeltje, 70. 
 
 Church Street, 20. 
 
 Church, Baptist, its history, 270, etc. 
 
 Church, Baptist, pastors of, 270, etc. 
 
 Church Episcopal, its history, 2tjl, 
 etc. 
 
 Church, Episcopal, its pastors, 262, 
 etc. 
 
 Church, Methodist Episcopal, history 
 of, 266, etc. 
 
 Church, Methodist Episcopal, pastors 
 of, 268, etc. 
 
 Church, Presbyterian, history of, 263, 
 etc. 
 
 Church, Presbyterian, pastors of, 264, 
 etc. 
 
 Church, Presbyterian, first deacons 
 of, 264. 
 
 Church, Presbyterian, first pew- 
 holders of, 264. 
 
 Church, Ref'd Pj-otestant Dutch, his- 
 tory of, 258, etc. 
 
 Church, Ref d Protestant Dutch, pas- 
 tors of, 259, etc. 
 
 Clark, Classe Tryntje, 78. 
 
 Clement, Jacobus, 142. 
 
 Clement, Johannes, 142. 
 
 Clement, Joseph, 142. 
 
 Clement, Ludovicus Cobes, 142. 
 
 Clement, Maria, 142, 
 
 Clement, Peter, 1st, 142. 
 
 Clement, Peter, 2d, 142. 
 
 Clement, Sarah, 142. 
 
 Clement, Susanna, 142. 
 
 Chnch, Robert, 273. 
 
 Chnch, Thomas B., 274. 
 
 Clinton, De Witt, 17. 
 
 Clute, Anna Barbara, 108. 
 
 Clute, Anna Catrina, 108. 
 
 Clute, Frederick, 108. 
 
 Clute, Gen-it, 107. 
 
 Clute, Gen-it, Sr.. 107. 
 
 Clute, Hellena, 108. 
 
 Clute, Jacob, 107. 
 
 Clute, Jillis, 56. 
 
 Clute, John, 107. 
 
 Clute, Johannes, 47, 107. 
 
 Clute, Johannes, numerous descend- 
 ants of (see body of work consecu- 
 tively stated). 1*07. 
 
 Clute, Margaritje, 108. 
 
 Clute, Nicholas, 107. 
 
 Clute, Peter, 107. 
 
 Clute, Pieter, 107. ^ 
 
 Clute, Waldren, 108. 
 
 Cobes, Clara, 98. 
 
 Cobes, Ludovicus, 98, 212. 
 
 Cohes, Mai-ia, 98. 
 
 Colman, John, 12. 
 
 Colman's Point, 13. 
 
 Combs, Alexander, 213. 
 
 Conde, Adam, and his descendants, 
 162, etc. 
 
 Conde. Cornelus Santvoord, and his 
 descendants, 163, etc. 
 
 Consaul, Bastian, 104. 
 
 Consaiil, Emanuel, 103. 
 
 Consaul, Emanuel, 2d, 104. 
 
 Consaul, Fraucyntje, 104. 
 
 Consaul, John, 104. 
 
 Consaul, John, 2d, 104. 
 
 Consaul, Johannes, 104. 
 
 Consaul, Joseph, 104. 
 
 Consaul, Peter, 104. 
 
 Consaul, Sara, 104. 
 
 Constable, Anna, 208 
 
 Corl, Hendrick, and his descendants, 
 174, etc. 
 
 Corlear (see Schenectady). 
 
 Corlett, William, 245. 
 
 Corry, William, 289. 
 
 Corrysbush, 249, 2S9. 
 
 Cox, Colonel , 233. 
 
 Craig, Archibald, 208. 
 
 Crigier (see Krigier). 
 
 Cromwell, Aegje, 141. 
 
 Cromwell, Jacobus, 141. 
 
 Cromwell, Jan Philipse, 141. 
 
 Cromwell, Lysbeth, 141. 
 
 Cromwell, Stephen, 141. 
 
 Crosby, William, 289. 
 
 Cunningham, William. 208. 
 
 Cupler, Cornelius, 279. 
 
 Dai-ling, Rev. T. G., 265, etc. 
 Davids, Christoffelse, 88. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 339 
 
 Davids, Ludovicus, 1B9. 
 
 Davids, Thomas, 139. 
 
 Day, Rev. Horace G.. 270. 
 
 De Champlain, Gov. Samuel, 15. 
 
 De Graff, Abi-aham, William and 
 Nicholas, 226. 
 
 De Graff, Abraham, 2d, 111. 
 
 De Gi-aff, Abraham, 3d, 111. 
 
 De Graff, Class, 47. 
 
 De Graff, Class Andriese, 111. 
 
 De Graff, Elizabeth, 111. 
 
 De Graff, Jessie, 68. 
 
 De Graff, John, 113, 21.5. 
 
 De Di-aff, Nicholas, 111, 226. 
 
 De Graff (foi- remaining names, see 
 work), 112, etc. 
 
 Delamont, John, and his descend- 
 ants, 164, etc. 
 
 Delius, Rev. Godfreidus, 259. 
 
 De Winte]-, Bastian, 9. 
 
 DeVos, Andras, 57. 
 
 Dongan, Catharine (wife of A. L. 
 Glen), 29. 
 
 Dong-an, Governoi", 24. 
 
 Dongan, Margaret, 49. 
 
 Diiane, Hon. James, 55, 289. 
 
 Duane, James, 208. 
 
 Duanesburgh, 289. 
 
 Dunbar, John, and his descendants, 
 165, etc. 
 
 Duncan, John, 181, 211, 245, 249, 289. 
 
 Duncan, John, his descendants, 181, 
 etc. 
 
 Durham boats, 244, 247. 
 
 Dyer, John, 121. 
 
 Eenkluys, Hans Janse (important), 
 
 82. 
 Ehles rift, 245. 
 Ellice, Alexander, 249, 281. 
 EUice, James, 208, 246, 249. 
 Ellice, Robert, 249, 281. 
 Ellice, Thomas, 249. 
 Errickson, Rev. Reinhart, 67. 
 
 Fairly, Alida, 159. 
 
 Fairly, Annatje, 159. 
 
 Fairly, Engeltie, 160. 
 
 Fairly, Hester, 159. 
 
 Fairly, Johannes, 159. 
 
 Fairly, John, 159. 
 
 Fairly, Margaret, 160. 
 
 Fairly, Maria, 159. 
 
 Feeling, Peter, and his descendants, 
 
 160. 
 Ferry Street, 19, 20, 21. 
 Fine foi- lieing late at a meeting 
 
 Committee of Safety, 286. 
 Fonda, Abrams, the house of, 32, 134. 
 
 Fonda, Alexander Glen, 32. 
 
 Fonda, Douw, 131. 
 
 Fonda, Jacob, the house of, 134. 
 
 Fonda, Jellis, 181. 
 
 Fonda, Jellis A., 134. 
 
 Fonda, Margaret, 133. 
 
 Fonda, Major Jellis, 182, 295. 
 
 Fonda, Majoi- Jellis J., 135, 279. 
 
 Fonda, for remainder of names, see 
 
 134, etc. 
 Fontain, M. 25. 
 Forrest, David P., 215. 
 Fort Hunter rift, 245. 
 Fort Orange, 2, etc. 
 Freeman, Rev. Bernardus, 259. 
 Front street, 20. 
 Frost, James, 213, 216. 
 Fryer Henry, 213. 
 Fuller, Amelia Ann, 202. 
 Fuller, Ann, 197, 202. 
 Fuller, Anna, 193. 
 Fuller, Charles, 202. 
 Fuller, Edward, 201. 
 Fuller, Elizabeth, 202. 
 Fuller, George Kendall, 201. 
 Fuller, Henry, 202. 
 Fuller, James, 202. 
 Fuller, Jeremiah, 193, 197. 
 Fuller, Richard, 201. 
 Fullei-, Robart, 202. 
 Fuller, Samuel, 61, 192, 197, 201. 
 Fuller, William Kendall, 61, 198. 
 
 Gansevoort, Col. Peter, 231. 
 
 Gardenier, Capt. Barent, 237. 
 
 Gibson, Alexander C, 215. 
 
 Gen-itse, Fi'ederick, 115. 
 
 Glen, Abraham, 39, 212. 
 
 Glen, Alexander Lindsey, 6, 9, 14, 22, 
 
 27, 30, 209, 250. 
 Glen, Alexander, 68. 
 Glen, Alexander (important), 33,217. 
 Glen, Anna, 31, 33. 
 Glen, Cathrine, 31, 34, 37, 40. 
 Glen, Deboi-ah, 33, 39. 
 Glen, Elias, 37. 
 Glen, Helena, 27, 72. 
 Glen, Hellena, 87. 
 Glen, Henry, 50, 212, 218, 273. 
 Glen, Col. Henry (member of Con- 
 
 irress), 81. 
 Glen, Jacob, 28, 29, 32, 212. 
 Glen, Jacob (commonly called Col. 
 
 Jacob), 33, 88, 227. 
 Glen, Jacob Alexander, 31, 32, 33, 34, 
 
 87, 39, 247. 
 Glen, Jeremia, 32, 37. 
 Glen, John, 31, 87, 50, 61, 273. 
 Glen, John, son of Elias, 88. 
 
340 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Glen, John(Qiiartermaster),32, 33. 37. 
 Glen, John Alexander, 23, 31, 33, 34, 
 
 39, 45. 58. 210, 217, 219, 224. 
 Glen, John Alexiinder (the third and 
 
 voung-est son of Alexander Lindsey 
 
 Glenf, 137. 
 Glen, Maria, 37. 
 Glen, Sarah, 38, 39. 
 Glen dwellinj^ in Schenectady, 59. 
 Glen, of Scotia, 13, 27, 29. 
 Graham, John, 294. 
 Gi-oot, Abraham, 71. 
 Groot, Class, 71. 
 Groot, Cornelius, 71. 
 Groot, Dirk, 71. 
 Groot, Nicholas, 212. 
 Groot, Philip, 71. 
 Groot, Simon A., 213. 
 Groot, Simon, Jr., 52, 71. 
 Groot, Symon, 71. 
 Groot, Symon Symonse, 26, 70. 
 
 Halfmoon, 13. 
 
 Hall, John. 120. 
 
 Hall, William, 48, 120. 
 
 Hall, William, Jr., 120, 121. 
 
 Hall, Talmag-e, 252. 
 
 Hall, for remaining names, see 121. 
 
 Handelaers street (now Washington 
 avenue). 19. 
 
 Haverly, Christian, 213. 
 
 Haverly, John, (56. 
 
 Haverly, Wemple, 67. 
 
 Heemstreet, Ariantje, 166. 
 
 Heemstreet, Annatje, 166. 
 
 Heemstreet, Clara, 166. 
 
 Heemstreet, Machtelt, 166. 
 
 Heemsti-eet, Johannes, 165. 
 
 Heemstreet, Johannes. Jr., 166. 
 
 Heemstreet, Sarah, 166. 
 
 Hellene, Monsieur De St., 20. 
 
 Hendrick, King, 8. 
 
 Herkimer, Gen'l Nicholas, his brav- 
 erj\ and death, 230, etc. 
 
 Hermitage, 196. 
 
 Hesseling, Dirk, 88. 
 
 Hesselintj, Robert, 88. 
 
 Hilton, Ben]., 277. 
 
 Horsford. Ruben, and his descend- 
 ants, 175. 
 
 Hudson, Hendrick, d2. 
 
 Hudson, John, 252. 
 
 Hunter, Fort, rift, 245. 
 
 Hunter, Arthur W., 215. 
 
 Isenbord, Major John. 234. 
 Ingoldsby, Geoi-ge, 289. 
 
 Jan, Spor, 71. 
 
 Jansen, Paulus, 89. 
 Jaques, Father, 25. 
 Jonekers, Fritze, 77. 
 Jonekers, Jan Janse, 77- 
 Jonekers, Preterge, 77. 
 Jonekers, Rachel, 77. 
 Johnson, Sir Wm., 245. 
 Johnson. Daniel. 211. 
 Jones, Sam'l W., 215. 
 
 Kane, Charles, 208. 
 
 Keator's rift, 245. 
 
 Kellv, Alexandei-, 208, 250. 
 
 Kieft, Gov., 3. 
 
 Kleyn, Abraham, 103. 
 
 Kleyn, Bata, 103. 
 
 Kinney, John, 252. 
 
 Kittle, Daniel. 191. 
 
 Kittle, David, 191. 
 
 Kittle, Deborah, 191. 
 
 Kittle, Joachim, 191. 
 
 Kittle, Lybrant, 191. 
 
 Kittle. Margaret, 191. 
 
 Kittle, Maria, 191. 
 
 Kittle, Sarah, 191. 
 
 Kittle, for remaining names, see 191, 
 
 etc. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Annatie, 88. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Catharina, 88. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Elizabeth, 47, 87. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Frans, 88. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Gertruy, 88. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Maria, 87. 
 Krigier (Ci'igier), Martinus, 88. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Capt. Martin, 85, 
 
 288. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Martin, 85, 212. 
 Krigier (Crigier), Samuel, 87. 
 KuUeman, Gerrit Class, 83. 
 
 Lambert, John, 67. 
 
 Landon, Hon. Judson S., 293. 
 
 Lansing, Gerrit, Jr., 37. 
 
 Lashers of Oriskany, 230. 
 
 Lighthall, Abraham, 157. 
 
 Lighthall, Abraham, son of William, 
 
 158. 
 Lighthall, William, 158. 
 Lighthall family at large, see work, 
 
 158, etc. 
 Linn, Archiball, 215. 
 Lion St., 19. 
 Little Falls, 245. 
 Lovelace, Gov'r, 26. 
 Lusher, Eri, 247, 248. 
 Lyman, William, 208, 250. 
 
 Mantet, De, 20. 
 Marinus, Catharina, 98. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 341 
 
 Marimis, David, 98. 
 
 Mariiius, Neeltje, 98. 
 
 Marinas, William, 98. 
 
 Marsellus, John, house of, 60. 
 
 Marselis, Ahasueras, 108. 
 
 Marselis, Ahasueras, 2d, 109. 
 
 Marselis, Gerrit, 108. 
 
 Marselis, Henry, 109. 
 
 Marselis, John, 109. 
 
 Marselis, John A., 109. 
 
 Marselis, Nicholas, 109. 
 
 Marselis, for remaining' names, see 
 
 109. 
 Martin, Charles, 202, 246, 250. 
 Martelaer's Street, 20. 
 Mathews, Andi-ew, 208. 
 Mathews, Charles, 208. 
 Mathews, John, 208. 
 McCamus, William, 208. 
 McGinnis, Alexander, 175. 
 McGinnis, Capt. Wm., 175, 295. 
 McMichael, Richai-d, 213. j ■" . 
 McMuUen, Andrew, 215. 
 Mebie, Abraham, 70, 101, 228. 
 Mebie, Anna, 62, 102. 
 Mebie, Arent, 101. 
 Mebie, Harmanus, 101. 
 Mebie, Jan, 101. 
 Mebie, Jan Pieterse, 55, 100. 
 Mebie, Jan, 101. 
 Mebie, Peter, 101. 
 Mebie, Peter, 2d, 101. 
 Mebie, for remaining- names, see 102. 
 Mitcliell, Andrew, 203, 250. 
 Mitchell, Thomas B., 64. 
 Mohawk Bridge, 244. 
 Mohawk Indians, 8, 13, 14. 
 Mohawk River, 19. 
 Money, American and Hard, 283. 
 Monsignat, Monsieur De, 20. 
 Montague, Johannes La, 4, 10. 
 Morris, Gov., 236. 
 Munro, John, 187. 
 Murdock, James, 208. 
 Myers, Mordecai, 215. 
 Myers, Stewart, 61. 
 Mynderse, Jacobus, 212. 
 Mynderse, Johannes, 129. 
 Mynderse, Col. Johannes, 130, 279. 
 Mynderse, Maritie, 32, 44. 
 Mynderse, Myndert, 129. 
 Mynderse, Reinier, 130, 214, 273. 
 Mynderse, for remaining names, see 
 
 130, etc. 
 
 Nicholas, Gov'r Richard, 22, 25. 
 Niskayuna, 287. 
 
 Niskayuna street (now Union), 20. 
 North, William, 213. 
 
 Nott, Rev. Eliphalet, D.D., LL. D., 
 
 293. 
 New Netherlands, 3, 4. 
 New England, 4. 
 
 Oliver, John, 62. 
 
 Oneidas, 14. 
 
 Onondagas, 14. 
 
 Oathout, Abraham, 185, 215. 
 
 Oathout, Abraham, son of Abraham, 
 Senior, 186. 
 
 Oathout, Elizabeth, 187. 
 
 Oathout, Gerrit, 186. 
 
 Oathout, Gerrit L., 186. 
 
 Oathout, Helen, 186. 
 
 Oathout, Henry A., 186. 
 
 Oathout, Margaret, 187. 
 
 Oathout, Samuel N., 186. 
 
 Orange, Fort, 2, etc. 
 
 Oi-iskany, battle of, one of the most 
 important of the Revolutionary 
 Wai'. Its heirs descendants of the 
 Holland D utch and Palatinates, 230. 
 
 Otten, Catharine, 40. 
 
 Otten, Helmei-, 42, 45. 
 
 Ouderkirk, Johannes, 121. 
 
 Overslaugh in 1609, 13. 
 
 Page, John Keyes, 194. 
 
 Page, Winslow, 194. 
 
 Paige, Hon. Alonzo C, 31, 195, 293. 
 
 Peek, Anna, 83, 84. 
 
 Peek, Annatje, 84. 
 
 Peek, Elizabeth, 84. 
 
 Peek, Harmanus, 213. 
 
 Peek, Jan, 83. 
 
 Peek, Jacobus, 84. 
 
 Peek, John, 84, 279. 
 
 Peek, Johannes, 228. 
 
 Peek, Lewis, 280. 
 
 Peek, Maria, 84. 
 
 Peek, Sara, 71, 84. 
 
 Peters, William, and his descendants, 
 
 161, etc. 
 Phyn, James, 249, 281. 
 Philipse, Philip, 117. 
 Pierson, Prof. Johnathan, 11, 21. 
 Platte Island, 248. 
 Post, Catalina, 162. 
 Post, Elias, 162. 
 Post, John, 162. 
 Potter, Benj. F., 215. 
 Potter, Hon. Piatt, 293. 
 Powell, Thomas, 253. 
 Prince, John, 289. 
 Princetown. 249, 289. 
 Putman, Arent, 77. 
 Putnian, Cornelius, 77. 
 Putman, John, 52. 
 
342 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Putman, Johannes, 76. 
 Putman, Victor, 77. 
 
 Quackeiihos, David, 137. 
 Qnackenbos, Johannes, 47, 137. 
 Quackenbos, Peter, 137. 
 Qnackenbos, for remaining- names, 
 
 see, 138. 
 Quebeck, 15, 22. 
 
 Rensselaerwyck, 2, 4, 5. 
 
 Rifts of Mohawk above Schenectady, 
 
 245. 
 Rinckhont, Gertiaiy, 71. 
 Rinckhout, Ida, 116. 
 Rinckhont, Jan, 71, 115. 
 Rinckhout, Jurian, 116. 
 Rinckhout, Tunis, 116. 
 Roberts, Benj'n, 115. 
 Robinson, John, 245. 
 Roelafsen, Jan, 84. 
 Ro^e-s. John, 253. 
 Rosa, Annatie, daughter of Isaac, 192. 
 Rosa, Edward, 192. 
 Rosa, Isaac, 192. 
 Rosa, Henry, 192. 
 Rosa, James, son of Isaac, 192. 
 Rosa, Richard, son of Isaac, 192. 
 Rosa, Richard, 2d, 192. 
 Rowley. Maj., 237. 
 Rowe, Petter, 203, 215. 
 Ryckman, Eng-eltie, 92. 
 Ryckman, Guetje, 92. 
 Ryley, Alida, 174. 
 Ryley, Gertrude, 174. 
 Ryley, James Van Slyck, 75, 174. 
 Ryle'y, Philip, 173. 
 
 Safety, Committee of, 275. 
 
 Sanders, John, husband of Debora 
 
 Glen, 39. 
 Sanders John, 2d, 29, 39, 214. 
 Sanders, Maria, Sai-ah Elsie and 
 
 Margaret, 39. 
 Sanders, John, 3d, 39, 212. 
 Schaats, Annietje, 89. 
 Schaats, Domine. 28, 89. 
 Schaats, Gidon, 89. 
 Schaats, Rynier, 89. 
 Schenectady, 2, 19, 20. 
 Schermerhorn, Abraham Van Patten, 
 
 54. 
 Schei-merhorn, Andrew Vedder, 45. 
 Schermerhorn, Angelica, 54. 
 Schermerhorn, Anna Maria, 54. 
 Schermei'horn, Annatje, 54. 
 Schermerhorn, Ai-ent, 42. 
 Schermerhorn, Ariantje, 42, 43. 
 Schei'mei-horn, Bartholomew, 43, 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Bartholomew Tellei-, 
 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Bernai-dus Fi-eeman, 
 43, 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Catalina, 42. 43. 
 
 Schermei'hoi-n, Catharine. 54. 
 
 S(!hermerhoi-n, Class, .^3. 
 
 Schermerhoi'n, Eliza Margaret, 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Engeltie, 43, 53. 
 
 Schei'merhoi-n, Gen-it, 53. 
 
 Seherniei-horn, Gezina. 43. 
 
 Schei-merhorn, Isaac M., 215. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Jacob, 42, 43, 279. 
 
 Schermei'horn, Jacob Janse, 41, 42. 
 
 Schermerhoi'n, James, 54. 
 
 Schermei'horn, Jane, 54. 
 
 Sehei-merhorn, Jannette, 42. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Jannetje, 42, 43. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Jan Janse, 212. 
 
 Schei-mei'horn, John, 42, 43. 
 
 Schei-merhorn, Lucas, 42. 
 
 Schei-merhorn, Machtelt, 42. 
 
 Scherniei-horn, Maiialena, 43. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Margaretje, 53. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Maria. 53, 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Mans, 75, 215. 
 
 Schermerhoi'n, Neeltje, 42, 43. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Ri(;hai'd. 53. 
 
 Schermerhoi'n. Ryer, 40, 41, 42, 53, 
 .55. 58, 210, 212. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Ryer, Jr., 54. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Simon, 54, 220. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Syinon, 42, 43. 
 
 Schermerhorn, William, 54. 
 
 Schuyler, John, Jr., 216. 
 
 Schuyler, Nicholas, 212. 
 
 Schuyler, Peter, 210. 
 
 Schuyler, Gen. Philip, 273. 
 
 Scotia, Glens of, 13, 27, 29. 
 
 Seneca Indians, 14. 
 
 Shannon, Robert, and his descend- 
 ants, 175, etc. 
 
 Shurtliff, Joseph, 213. 
 
 Sixberry, Mannarck, 125. 
 
 Sixberry, Mary, 125. 
 
 Sixberry, William, 125. 
 
 Sixth Flat rift, 245. 
 
 Slackboom, Antonia, 22. 
 
 Slingerland, Anna, 125. 
 
 Slingerland, Catharine, 66, 125. 
 
 Slingerland, Cornelius, 66, 125. 
 
 Slingerland, Engeltie, 125. 
 
 Slingerland, Maria, 125. 
 
 Slingerland, Tunis, 126. 
 
 Smith, Abel, 215. 
 
 Smith, Rev. John Blair, 264. 
 
 Smith, Thomas, 122. 
 
 Smith, Wm. Howes, 215. 
 
 Snells of Oriskany, 240. 
 
343 
 
 Spragiie, Asa, 253. 
 
 Sjiencer, Thomas, a half-blood 
 Oneida chief, 232. 
 
 Spitzei', Ei-nestus, and his descend- 
 ants, 182, etc. 
 
 Spool'. Jan, 71. 
 
 Spi-ingyteen, Casperius, 122. 
 
 Stanwix, Fort, 246. 
 
 State sti-eet, 19, 20. 
 
 Steers, Cornelius, 159. 
 
 Steers, Gertruy, 159. 
 
 Steers, John, 6*7, 159. 
 
 Steers, Samuel, 159. 
 
 Steers, St. John, 159. 
 
 Stevens, Arent, 48, 118. 
 
 Stevens, Johnathan, 48, 118. 
 
 Stevens, Capt. Johnathan, 118, 295. 
 
 Stevens, Nicholas Hendricus, 48, 118. 
 
 Stevens, for remaining names, see 
 118, etc. 
 
 St. Leger, Gen'l Barry, 231. 
 
 Stuyvesant, Peter, 69. 
 
 Swart, Adam, 73. 
 
 Swart, Cornehus, 72. 
 
 Swart, Esaias, 72. 
 
 Swart, Esaias, Jr., 73. 
 
 Swart, Jacomyntje, 73. 
 
 Swart, Maria, 73. 
 
 Swart, Sai-a, 73. 
 
 Swart, Tennis, 73, 280. 
 
 Swart, Teunisse Cornelise, 72. 
 
 Swart, Wouter, 73. 
 
 Swartfiguer, Mr., 31. 
 
 Swits, Abraham, 75. 
 
 Swits, Abraham J., 76. 
 
 Swits, Maj. Abraham, 76, 279. 
 
 Swits, Anilries, 76. 
 
 Swits, Ariantje, 76. 
 
 Swits, Catharine, 75. 
 
 Swits, Class Corneliuse, 26. 
 
 Swits, Cornelius, 7, 74. 
 
 Swits, Eva, 75. 
 
 Swits, Helena, 75. 
 
 Swits, Hellena, daughter of Abra- 
 ham, 75. 
 
 Swits, Hendricks, 75. 
 
 Swits, Isaac, 32, 49, 74. 
 
 Swits, Isaac, son of Jacob, 75. 
 
 Swits, Jacob, 74. 
 
 Swits, Jacob, 2, 76. 
 
 Swits, Jacob, 3, 76. 
 
 Swits, Jane Helen, 76. 
 
 Swits, Jannetje, 75. 
 
 Swits, Johannes, 76. 
 
 Swits, Maria, 75. 
 
 Swits, Maria, daughter of Abraham, 
 75. 
 
 Swits, Margen-etta, 76. 
 
 Swits, Nicholas, 76. 
 
 Swits, Simon, 74. 
 Swits, Susanna, 75. 
 Swits, Susanna, daughter of Abra- 
 ham, 75. 
 Swits, Rebecca, 32, 76. 
 Swits, "Walter, 75. 
 
 Talmage, Lieut. Enos, 218. 
 
 Taschmaker, Rev. Petries, 28, 29, 
 259. 
 
 Tannahill, John, 208, 250 
 
 Tannahill, Robert, 208, 250. 
 
 Teller, Anna, 50. 
 
 Teller, Jacobus, 50. 
 
 Teller, John, 14, 39, 49, 50, 211. 
 
 Teller, Maria, 39, 50. 
 
 Teller, Margaret, 50. 
 
 Teller, William, 9, 39, 49, 50, 209. 
 
 Teller, William James, 287. 
 
 Ten Eyck, Myndard Schuyler, 39, 
 177. 
 
 Ten Eyck, i-emaining, 177, etc. 
 
 Ten Eyck, Tobias, and his descend- 
 ants, 72, 176. 
 
 Thorn, Herman, 68. 
 
 Thorn, Jonathan, 68. 
 
 Thorn, Samuel, 68. 
 
 Thoi-pe, Aaron, 253. 
 
 Thornton, Major John, 295. 
 
 Tickston, Deborah, 122. 
 
 Tickston, Elizabeth, 122. 
 
 Tickston, Jeremiah, 122. 
 
 Toll, Carel House. 123. 
 
 Toll, Daniel, 55, 123, 226. 
 
 Toll, John, 123. 
 
 Toll, Karl Hansen, 67, 72, 122, 212. 
 
 Toll, Simon, 226. 
 
 Toll, for other names, see work, 
 123, etc. 
 
 Tomlinson, David, 208, 250. 
 
 Tracy, M. De, 22, 25. 
 
 Ti-uax, Abraham, 67, 79, 81. 
 
 Truax, Andreas, 80. 
 
 Truax, Annatje, 80. 
 
 Truax, Catalyntje, 80. 
 
 Truax, Ehzabeth, 72, 80, 82. 
 
 Truax, Eva, 82. 
 
 Truax, Isaac, 72. 
 
 Truax, Isaac, 2d, 80. 
 
 Truax, Isaac, 3d, 81. 
 
 Truax, Jillis, 80. 
 
 Truax, Isaac, 79, 81. 
 
 Truax, Jacob, 79, 81. 
 
 Ti'uax, John, 80. 
 
 Truax, Martinus, 81. 
 
 Truax, Margaretta, 81. 
 
 Truax, Maria. 79, 81. 
 
 Truax, Peter, 81. 
 
 Truax, Philip, 71, 79, 81. 
 
344 
 
 Truax. Rebecca, 79. 
 
 Truax, Sara, 79, 80, 82. 
 
 Ti'uax, Susanna, 79. 
 
 Truax, William, 81. 
 
 Ti'uax, remaining" names under fam- 
 ily head of the woi-k, 79, 80. 
 
 Tymesen, Eldert, and his descend- 
 ants, 157. 
 
 Tynes, Michael, 192. . 
 
 Tynes, Samuel, 192. 
 
 Tynes, Sophia, 81. 
 
 Union Colleg-e, 32. 
 Union street, 20. 
 
 Va,n Antwerp, Margaret, 277. 
 
 Van Ant\veri)en, Ai-ent, 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Daniel L., 213. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, DanielJanse, 67, 82. 
 
 Van Antwtri)en, Daniel, 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Jan, 82. 
 
 Van Antwei-pen, Elizabeth, 81. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Maria, 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Nieltje, 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Pietei-, 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Rebecca. 82. 
 
 Van Antwerpen, Simon, 82. 
 
 Van Beuthuysen, Catalyntje, 122. 
 
 Van Benthuysen, Cornelia, .56. 
 
 Van Benthuysen, Martin, 62, 122. 
 
 Van Brakel, Alexander, 26, 116. 
 
 Van Brakel, Gerrit, 117. 
 
 Van Brakel, Gysbert Gerristse, 26, 
 
 116. 
 Van Brakel, Gysbert. Ji-., 117. 
 Van Bi-akel, Stephen, 27. 116. 
 Van Bosckhaven, Class Janse, 
 Van Coppornold, Class William, 47. 
 Van Curler, Mrs. Antonia, 26, 04. 
 Van Curie]-, Aarent, 4, 9, 10, 22, 34, 
 
 49, 64. 
 Van Der Boast, Joi-is Ai-tse, 85. 
 Van Der Bogert, Anna, 100. 
 Van Dei- Bog-ei-t, Class, 99. 
 Van Dei- Bogert, Class, 2d, 99. 
 Van Der Bogert, Fraus, 99. 
 Van Der Bogert, Frans, 2d. 9:). 
 Van Der Bogert, Jillistje, 100 
 Van Der Bogart, Harmanus Franse, 
 
 100. 
 Van Der Bogart, Harmon Mynderse, 
 
 98. 
 Van Der Bogert, Margaret, 100. 
 Van Der Bogert, Maria, 100. 
 Van Dei- Boyert. Nicholas, 100. 
 Van Der Bogert, Myndert, 99. 
 Van Der Bogert, Sara, 100. 
 Van Del- Bogert, Takerus, 99. 
 Van Der Bogert, Tjerk, 99. 
 
 Van Der Bogert, see the remaining 
 names under the family head, 100. 
 
 Van Der Linde, 72. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Anantje, 106. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Class, 105. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Class Lourense, 53, 
 74, 104. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Cornelus, 106. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Cornelius, 105. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Elizabeth, 106. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Laurens, 105. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Neeltje, 106. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, Nicholas, 105. 
 
 Van Dei- Volgen, Peter, 106. 
 
 Van Der Volgen, for the names, etc., 
 of the numerous family, see body of 
 work, consecutively stated), 106. 
 
 Van Ditmars, Barent Jans, 52. 
 
 Van Ditmars, Barent Jansee, 85. 
 
 Van Ditmars, Cornells, 85. 
 
 Van Dyck, Col. Cornelius, 37, 277, ^ 
 294. 
 
 Van Dyck, Cornelius, 119. 
 
 Van Dyck, Jacobus, 119. 
 
 Van Dyck, James, 37. .^^ 
 
 Van Dyck, for remaining names, see 
 book, 120, etc. 
 
 Van Eps, Anna, 72. 
 
 Van Eps, Dan'l, 79. 
 
 Van Eps, Dirk, 26. 
 
 Van Eps, Elizabeth, 72, 79. 
 
 Van Eps, Evert, 77. 
 
 Van Eps, Jacob, 50. 
 
 Van Eps, Jan, 209. 
 
 Van Ejis, Johannes, 71. 
 
 Van Eps, John, 41. / 
 
 Van Eiis, John Baptist, 26, 27, 37, 68, ^ 
 72, 211. 
 
 Van Eps, John Dicksie, 26. 
 
 Van Eps, Maria, 72. 
 
 Van Eps, Sara, 72. 
 
 Van Guysling, Anna Maria, 79. 
 
 Van Guysling Caleb, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Cornelius, 49, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Elias, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling Elias, 2d, 79. 
 
 Van Guysling, Jacob, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Jacomytje, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Myndert, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Peter, 78. 
 
 Van Guysling, Peter, 2d, 79. 
 
 Van Hock, Bononi, 104. 
 
 Van Hock, Gerretje, 104. 
 
 Van Horn, James E., 215. 
 
 Van Horn, William J., 215. 
 
 Van Ingen, Abraham, 214. 
 
 Van Ingen, Dirk, and his descend- 
 ants, 184. 
 
 Van Isselstyne, Cornelius, 52, 78. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 345 
 
 Van Isselstyne, Martin Cornelisse, 73, 
 
 78. 
 Van Marken, Jan Gerritse, 89. 
 Van Ness, Cornelius", 26. 
 Van Olinda, Dan'l, 47, 52: 
 Van Olinda, Jacob, 47, 52. 
 Van Olinda, Mathias, 47, 52. 
 Van Olinda, Peter Danielse, 9, 47, 
 
 62. 
 Van Patten, Aaron, 279. 
 Van Patten, Aeffie, 52, 73. 
 Van Patten, Andreas, 73. 
 Van Patten, Catalyntje, 74. 
 Van Patten, Class Frederickse, 64, 
 
 73, 78. 
 Van Patten, Debora, 66, 74. 
 Van Patten, Gertrude, 74. 
 Van Patten, John, 279. ■ 
 Van Patten, Nicholas, 52, 73. 
 Van Rensselaer, Jei-eniiah, 22. 
 Van Rensselaer, Jt)hn, 31. 
 Van Rensselaei", Killian, 25, 39. 
 Van Rensselaer, Maria, 40. 
 Van Slacktenhorst, Bi-andt, 6. 
 Van Slyck, Adam:, 66. 
 Van Slyck, Adam, 2d, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Adi-ian, 67, 226, 227. 
 Van Slyck, Albert, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Annatje, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Ai-iantje, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Anthony, 66, 227. 
 Van Slyck, Anthony H., 66. 
 Van Slyck, Clara, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Cornelius, 66, 277. 
 Van Slyck, Cornelius, 2d, 66. 
 Van Slyck, Cornelius, Bd, 67. 
 Van Slyck. Cornelius, 4th, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Antonsen, 9, 10, 46. 
 Van Slyck, Daniel, 227. 
 Van Slyck, Elizabeth. 67. 
 Van Slyck, Gertrude, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Harmon, 6Q. 
 Van Slyck, Harmanus, 66. 
 Van Slyck, Harmanus, 2d, 66, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Harmanus, 3d, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Harmanus, 4th, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Hellena, 6S. 
 Van Slyck, Hendrick, 66. 
 Van Slyck, Hillitie, 46, 62. 
 Van Slyck, Jacob, 68, 212. 
 Van Slyck, Col. Jacobus, 56, 67. 
 Van Slyck, James, 66. 
 Van Slvck, Jacques Cornelise, 9, 10, 
 
 14. 26. 32, 44, 47, 58, 63, 66, 209. 
 Van Slyck, Jac(iues, 46. 
 Van Slyck, Leash, 46. 
 
 Van Slyck, Major . 
 
 Van Slyck, Mar^'-aret, 66, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Martin, 68. 
 
 Van Slyck, Martin Manierse, 10, 44, 
 
 46. 
 Van Slyck, Peter, 67. 
 Van Slyck, Petrus, 68. 
 Van Slyck, Susanna, 68. 
 Van Santvooi-d, Rev. Cornelius, 56. 
 Van Valkenburgh, Isaac, 141. 
 Van Valkenburgh, Isaac, Jr., 141. 
 Van Valkenburgh, Teunise Duckie, 
 
 52. 
 Van Velson, Swear (Ahasueras) Tu- 
 
 nise, 9,32, 44, 209, 225. 
 Van Vorst, Abrahm A., 215. 
 Van Vorst, Dirk, 226. 
 Van Vorst, Gillis, 126. 
 Van Vorst, Jacobus, 126. 
 Van Vorst, John, 126. 
 Van Vorst (for the numerous family 
 
 see), 126, etc. 
 Van Vi-anken, Bychei-t, 58, 144. 
 Van Vranken, Class Geri-itse, 142. 
 Van Vranken, Gerrit Class, 142. 
 Van Vi-anken, Gerrit, house of, 143. 
 Van Vj-anken (for the extensively 
 
 numerous family see), 143, etc. 
 Veddei-, Albert, 37, 70. 
 Vedder, Alexander M., 70, 215. 
 Vedder, Anna, 70. 
 Vedder, Arent, 70. 
 Vedder, Benj. V. S., 215. 
 Vedder, Corset, 53, 70. 
 Vedder, Daniel, 60, 70. 
 Vedder, Harmanus, 42, 67, 69. 
 Vedder, Harmon, 145. 
 Vedder, Harmon Albertse, 69. - 
 Vedder, Jacob, 70. 
 Vedder, Johannes, 70. 
 Veeder, Annatse, 41. 
 Veeder, Annatje, 41. 
 Veeder, Coi-nelius, 40. 
 Veeder, Debora, 43. 
 Veeder, Engeltie, 41, 43. 
 Veeder, Folica, 43, 45. 
 Veedei-, Gei-ret, 40, 213. 
 Veeder, Gerret S., 217, 287. 
 Veeder, Gertrude, 43. 
 Veeder, Hellena, 41. 
 Veeder, Helmus, 40. 
 Veeder, Hendricus, 40. 
 Veeder, John, and his children, 43. 
 Veeder, John F. D., 213. 
 Veeder, Magdalina, 44. 
 Veeder, Maria, 43. 
 Veeder, Myndei't, 43. 
 Veodei-, N-u'ltie, 40. 
 Veeder, Nicholas, 279. 
 Veeder, Peter, 40, 67. 
 Veeder, Peter Symonse, 67. 
 Veeder, Simon, 40, 43, 214. 
 
346 
 
 Veeder, Simon A., 213. 
 
 Veeder, Simon Volckertsen, 9, 40, 43. 
 
 Veeder, Volckert, and his children, 
 
 43. 
 Veeder, Wilhehnus, 40. 
 Victory, John, 213. 
 Viele, Aei-nout Coi-nelise, 6.o. 
 Viele, Cornelius, Sen'r, 52, 78. 
 Viele, Cornelius Cornelisse, 26. 64, 73. 
 Viele, Maria, wife of Dowe Aukes, 6.'). 
 Viele, Nicholas, 54. 
 Visscher, Cathrina, 168. 
 Visschej-, Col. Frederick, 40, 168, 
 
 233, 273. 
 Visscher, Gei-trude, 168. 
 Visscher, Harman, 71, 168. 
 Visscher, Harman, Jr., 168. 
 Visscher, Hesther, 167. 
 Visscher, John, 168. 
 Visscher, Capt. John, 168. 
 Viss-.her, John, Jr., 168. 
 Visscher, Margaret, 168, 173. 
 Visscher. Maria, 168. 
 Visschei", Nicholas, 167. 
 Van der Volgen, Laurens Class, 71. 
 
 72, 73. 
 Vrooman, Adam an (extraordinary 
 
 man), 66. 89, 210, 220, 223. 
 Vrooman, Adam, residence of, 59, 
 
 228. 
 Vrooman, Angelica, 223. 
 Vrooman, Rev. Barant, 60. 
 Vrooman, Barant H., 32. 
 Vrooman, Hendrick Meese, 89. 
 Vrooman, Isaac, 60, 68, 211, 212. 
 Vi-ooman, Johannes J., 66. 
 Vrooman, John, 89. 
 VroomaTi, John Hendrickse, 43. 
 Vrooman, Laurance, 213, 216. 
 Vrooman house at Brandy wine Mill, 
 
 66. 
 Vrooman, remaining names, see 92. 
 
 Walker, James, 208, 213, 250. 
 Walton, Johnathan, 247, 250. 
 Washington, Gen'l George, 31, 273. 
 Washington street, 19. 
 Wasson, Thomas, 279. 
 Wells, John, 293. 
 
 Wemp, Alida, 45. 
 Wemp, Altie, 45. 
 Wemp, Anna, 32, 45. 
 Weni]!, Barent, 45. 
 Wemp, Jan Baj-entse, 9, 32, 73. 
 Wemp, John, 33. 
 Wemp, Myndert, 44, 210. 
 Wemp, Myndert Barentse, 33. 
 Wemple, Abraham, 68, 273, 279. 
 Wemple, Jan Barentsie, 62. 
 Wemple, Myndert, 62. 
 Wendell, Debora, 44. 
 Wendell, Harmanus, 31. 
 Wendell, Capt. Johannes, 50. 
 Wendell, John Baptist, and his de- 
 scendants, 180. 
 Wendell, Sai-ah, 38. 
 Wessels, Arent, 173. 
 Wessels, Harmanus, 173. 
 Wessels, Jacoba, 173. 
 Wessels, Wessels, 173. 
 White, WiUiam, house of, 275. 
 Willett, Mai-inus, 218. 
 Willett, Col. Marinus, 237. 
 Wilson, James, 275. 
 Winter, Bastian De, 51. 
 Wyck, Isaac, 250. 
 
 Yates, Henry, 152, 212, 214, 215. 
 Yates, Isaac Glen, 150. 
 Yates, Joseph, the ancestor, 149. 
 Yates, Joseph, son of Robert, 149, 
 
 292. 
 Yates, Joseph C, 214, 215, 298. 
 Yates, John, 215. 
 Yates, Hon. John Van Ness, 150, 
 
 292. 
 Yates, Nicholas, 32, 150. 
 Yates, Peter B., 215. 
 Yates Robert, 149. 
 Yates, Robert, son of Joseph C.Yates, 
 
 2d, 1.51. 
 Yates, Robert, Chief- Jvistice, etc., 
 
 149. 
 Yates, Robert, for the families of, see 
 
 149. 
 Younglove, Moses, M. D., 239. 
 
 Zebel, Anna Eliza, 81. 
 
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