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THE

HISTORY OF COHOES,

NEW YORK,

EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME.

ALBANY:
JOEL MUNSELL. 1811,

INTRODUCTION.

The preparation of a sketch of the history of Oohoes
was commenced by the writer at the request of the
Hon. D. J. Johnston, mayor of the city, made in ac
cordance with a proclamation issued by the president,
calling attention to the following resolution passed by
Congress, May 13, 1876 :
'•It is hereby recommended to the people of the
several states that they assemble in their several coun
ties or towns on the approaching Centennial Anniver
sary of our National Independence, and that they cause
to have delivered on such day an historical sketch of
said county or town from its formation, and that a
copy of said sketch be filed, in print or manuscript,
in the clerk's office of said county, and an additional
copy, in print or manuscript, be filed in the office of
the librarian of congress, to the intent that a complete
record may thus be obtained of the progress of our
institutions during the first centennial of their ex
istence." The understanding was that the sketch should be
published in one of the city papers in case it was not
completed by July 4th. It was found, however, after

vi. Introduction.
some progress had been made, that if limited to the
length suitable for production in the manner proposed,
the history would in many particulars be incomplete
and unsatisfactory, and it was accordingly decided to
enlarge it to the form in which it now appears.
As the manufacturing interests of Cohoes have
always been its most important feature, their history
forms in a great measure that of the place and con
sequently occupies a large share of the following pages.
An effort has been made to relate in addition the
principal facts in the early history of this locality, and
to describe the general progress of the place since the
first steps were taken, fifty years ago, towards the
development of its resources, giving accounts of its
various institutions and of the most important local
events. Great care has been taken to insure accuracy in all re
spects — especially in regard to names and dates, though
in a work of this sort, abounding in details, it is of
course impossible to avoid a certain number of errors.
Whenever it has been necessary to depend for data
upon the memory of individuals, the information thus
obtained has been verified, if possible, by a comparison
of the versions given by different persons, and by
reference to such records as are in existence. Ex
cept in the case of chapters I and VIII, an arrange
ment of facts in their chronological order rather than
according to subject has been adopted, in the belief

Introduction. -vii.
that a better idea would thus be afforded of the gene
ral growth and progress of the place. Although this
method makes the narrative at times disconnected, it
appears preferable on the whole, since its disadvan
tages have been obviated as far as possible by foot notes
and the full index at the close of the volume.
The materials used in the preparation of the book,
aside from those obtained from private sources, have
been for the greater part furnished by the files of the
Cohoes Cataract, Cohoes Daily News, Troy Times, and
Troy Press. Many facts have also been taken from
the valuable publications of Mr. Joel Munsell concern
ing the history of Albany.
The writer would here express his obligations to
the many friends who have assisted him in his labors,
particularly to his father, James H. Masten, to whom
he is indebted for constant aid and advice. Among
others to whom acknowledgments are especially due
may be mentioned Messrs. Joshua E. Clarke, Lucien
Fitts, Henry D. Fuller and ISTicholas En Earl of Cohoes ;
Miss E. Howe and Mr. Isaac I. Fonda of Waterford ;
Mr. Timothy Bailey of Ballston ; Mr. Evert Van Der
Mark of Lansingburg, Mr. Oliver 0. Hubbard of
West Troy and Mr. Chas. A. Olmsted of Lockport,
N. Y., who have furnished much valuable information
which could not otherwise have been obtained.
The writer is also indebted to Messrs. T. G. Young-
love, D. J. Johnston and Harvey Clute of Cohoes; Mrs.

viii. Inteoduction.
Hugh White of Waterford, Mr. A. A. Peebles of
Lansingburg, and Mr. Charles Van Zandt of the Van
Rensselaer office, Albany, for access to important docu
ments, and to Mr. A. J. "Weise of Troy for the use of
the cut of the Van Schaick House and other favors.
Arthur H. Masten.
Cohoes, December, 1876.

HISTORY OF COHOES.

I.
Eaely Accounts of this Locality, feom the Weitings
OF Visitoes to the Falls.
XT is well known that the word Cohoes is of Indian
origin, and has been the designation (with varied orthogra
phy) of this locality from the earliest times. Its exact
derivation and meaning, however, have not been agreed
upon. The difiFerent versions of Indian legends all have as
their most prominent feature, a canoe carried over the Falls
by the current, and this fact has furnished the derivation
generally accepted. The signification — "a canoe falling" —
has been given by almost every -writer on the subject since
Spafford, who wrote in 1813 : "The name is of indiginal
origin, and like the most such, has an appropriate allusion.
Cah-hoos or Ca-hoos, a canoe falling, as explained by the
late learned Indian sachem, Brandt, of illustrious memory."
In Morgan's League of the Ho-de-sau-nee or Iroquois is a
list of the settlements in the different territories, and under
the head of Ga-ne-a-ga-o-nd-ga or Mohawk territory, the
author gives "Cohoes Falls: In Mohawk dialect Ga-ha-
oose, meaning the ship-wrecked canoe." Many persons, on
the contrary, whose knowledge of the Indian dialects en
titles their opinion to respect, give another interpretation to
the word, which is stated as follows in an article published
in the Schenectady Reflector, in IBS'? : " The term in ques
tion is in the Mohegan language ; its signification we cannot
express without circumlocution, unless we use the word
pitch or plunge, or coin a new substantive, overshoot. The
1

2 History of Cohoes. 1642.
Canadian Indians designate by the name cahoos those un
pleasant hollows which occur in roads covered with snow,
and which sleigh riders vulgarly call pitch holes or more
commonly cradle holes.'''' This derivation seems perhaps the
more reasonable, though the other has the sanction of long
use and general acceptance. Whatever the meaning of the
word, it is certain that the name of our city had its origin
in something connected with the Falls. This being so, and
since the town has always been more or less associated -with
the Falls in the public mind, it may not be amiss to give in
this sketch some of the earliest references to them.
Though the history of Cohoes as a to-wn of importance
commenced barely half a century ago, the spot on which
the city stands was well known both abroad and in this
country at a very early day. The natural beauties of the
locality brought here many of the travelers who visited
America in the 11 th and 18th centuries. Albany, then one
of the most important cities in the country, was one of the
first places visited by foreigners, and as the Falls were
among the most accessible objects of interest to persons
staying there, we find accounts, or at all events mention of
them, in a large number of the books of American travel.
Allusions to the Falls are also frequent in the English
and French documentary history of the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries, having reference generally to the navi
gation of the river.
The earliest account of the place which I have been able
to find is that of the Rev. .lohannes Megapolensis, the first
minister of the gospel in Albany, who settled there in 1642.
It was contained in a description which he wrote to
friends in Holland of the manners and habits of the Mohawk
Indians, and is as follows :
" Through this land runs an excellent river about five hun
dred or six hundred paces wide. This river, comes out of the
Mahakas country, about four miles north of us. There it

1656. History of Cohoes. 3
flows between two high rocky banks, and falls from a height
equal to that of a church, with such a noise that we can
sometimes hear it with us. In the beginning of June
twelve of us took a ride to see it. When we came there
we saw not only the river falling with such a noise that we
could hardly hear one another, but the water boiling and
dashing with such force in still weather, that it was all the
time as if it were raining ; and the trees on the hills there
(which are as high as Schooler Duyn) had their leaves all
the time wet exactly as if it rained. The water is as clear
as crystal and as fresh as milk. I and another -with me saw
there in clear sunshine, when there was not a cloud in the
sky, as we stood above upon the rocks, directly opposite
where the river falls in a great abyss, the half of a rainbow,
or a quarter circle of the same color with the rainbow in the
sky. And when we had gone about ten or twelve rods
further downwards from the fall, along the river, we saw a
complete rainbow, or half a circle appearing clearly in the
water just the same as if it had been in the clouds, and this
is always to be seen by those who go there. In this river is
great plenty of several kinds of fish, pike, eels, perch, lam
preys, suckers, cat fish, sun fish, shad, bass, etc. In the spring,
in May, the perch are so plenty that one man with a hook
and line, can catch in one hour as many as ten or twelve
can eat. My boys have caught in less than an hour, fifty,
each a foot long. They have a three pronged instrument
with which they fish, and draw up frequently two or three
perch at once. There is also in the river a great plenty of
sturgeon, which we Christians do not eat, but the Indians
eat them greedily. ' In this river, too, are very beautiful
islands, containing, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty and seventy
morgens'-^ of land."
The Description of New Netherlands published in Am
sterdam in 1656, byAdriaen Van Der Donck,^ contained some
interesting accounts of his explorations in this vicinity,
among them the f oUo-wing concerning the Falls :

1 Dr. Mitchill (in CoU. N. T. Bist. Soc, i, 41), says : " No particular path was
selected by the sturgeons. They seem to have swam a t large, as they do at present.
But they assembled for the propagation of their kind at the bottom of the Cohoes
or great falls of the Mohock." John Maude, from whose account a quotation is
given further on, stated that the river then (1800) furnished pike, bass and trout.
» A morgen is about two acres.
3 New York Historical Collections.

4 History of Cohoes. 16^6.
" The other arm of the North River runs by four sprouts
as we have related to the great falls of the Maquas Kill
(Mohawk River) which the Indians name the Chahoos and
our nation the Great Fall, above which the river is again
several hundred yards wide and the falls we estimate to be
one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet high.' The
water glides over the falls as smooth as if it ran over an
even wall and fell over the same. The precipice is formed
of firm blue rock ; near by and below the falls there stand
several rooks, which appear splendid in the water, rising
above it like high turf heaps, apparently from eight, sixteen
to thirty feet high  The Indians, when they
travel by water and come to trade, usually come in canoes
made of the bark of trees, which they know how to con
struct. When they come near the falls they land and carry
their boats and their lading some distance below the falls
and proceed on their voyage, otherwise they would be driven
over the falls and destroyed. An occurrence of this kind
took place here in our time. An Indian whom I have known
accompanied by his wife and child with sixty beaver skins
descended the river in his canoe in the spring when the
water runsrapid and the current is strongest for the purpose
of selling his beavers to the Netherlanders. This Indian
carelessly approached too near the Falls before he discovered
his danger, and notwithstanding his utmost exertions to
gain the land, his frail bark with all on board was swept
over bythe rapid current and down the Falls ; his wife and
child were killed, his bark shattered to pieces, his cargo of
furs damaged. But his life was preserved. I have fre
quently seen the Indian and have heard him relate the peril
ous occurrence or adventure."
The following version of one of the Indian legends con
cerning the Fall, given in the Sentimental American Tra
veller, may have had its foundation in the account of Van
Der Donck, above quoted :
" Many years since, an Indian and his squaw, having made
too free with the bottle, were carelessly paddling along the
Mohawk in their canoe. On a sudden, perceiving themselves
drawn by the current and hurried down the stream to the
dreadful cataract, looking upon their fate as inevitable, they
1 The correct figures, according to measurements taken by Mr. Gwynn, proprietor
of the Cataract House, in 1875 are ; breadth 1,140 feet, height 86 feet.

1656. History of Cohoes. 5
composed themselves to die with resolution, in a manner
worthy their ancestors. They drank the last dregs of the
intoxicating cup and began the melancholy death song.
Occuna was dashed into pieces against the rocks ; his faith
ful consort escaped, but by what miracle has never been
known. The Indians of their tribe have preserved this in
cident by faithful tradition, and as often as any of them
pass the fatal spot they make a solemn halt and commemo
rate the death of Occuna."
Another form of the legend is the following, which went
the rounds of the newspapers in 1857:
"A squaw, being fatigued on a hot summer's day, betook
herself to rest in a canoe a short distance above the Falls.
She had hardly taken time to lay herself down in the bottom
of the canoe before it became loosened from its moorings
and the frail bark was hurled on by the current to the bi-ink
of the precipice. She gathered her blanket over her head
and resigned herself to her fate, expecting to be dashed
to pieces on the rocks below. Heaven had however other
wise decreed. Her boat had taken the direction which
brought her to that point of the precipice where there was the
greatest quantity of water. She was picked up shortly
after, some distance below the Falls, senseless through fright
but otherwi.?e imscathed."
Van Der Donck said, elsewhere : " I cannot forbear to
mention that in the year 1647, in the month of March, when
by a great freshet, the water was fresh almost to the great
bay, there were two whales of tolerable size, up the river,
the one turned back, but the other stranded, and stuck not
far from the great Fall of the Chahoos."'
The following account of this occurrence is compiled from
O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland:
" The winter which had just tenninated, was remarkably
^ Judge Benson, in an article on the Dutch names of Albany and vicinity {Annals
of Albany^ vol. 2), quotes tliia passagi: and says : " The lands immediately opposite
to Albany, and for a distance along and from the river, the Dutch denotid as Ilet
greene bosch., the pine woods^ corrupted to Oreenbush. The mouths of the Mohoch
they distinguished as the Sjyruytes^ Cfjrrupted to, and which may also possibly pass
for a translation, the Sprouts. The larger island formed by the sprouts they called
WaX'^eh Island., Whale Island." This name, however, does not appear to have
been in general use.

6 History of Cohoes. 1660.
long and severe. The North River closed at Rensselaerswyck
on the 25th November, and remained frozen some four
months. A very high freshet, unequalled since 1639, fol
lowed, which destroyed a number of horses in their stables,
nearly carried away the fort (Fort Orange, at Albany),
and inflicted considerable other damage in the colonic. ' A
certain fish of considerable size, snow white in color, round
in the body, and blowing water out of its head,' made at
the same time his appearance, stemming the impetuous
flood. What it portended, ' God the Lord only knew.' All
the inhabitants were lost in wonder, ' for at the same instant
that this fish appeared to us, we had the first thunder and
lightning this year.' The public astonishment had scarcely
subsided when another monster of the deep, estimated at
forty feet in length, was seen, of a brown color, having fins
on his back, and ejecting water in like manner, high in the
air. Some seafaring people ' who had been to Greenland '
now pronounced the strange visitor a whale. Intelligence
was shortly after received that it had grounded on an island
at the mouth of the Mohawk, and the people turned out in
numbers to secure the prize, which was, forthwith, subjected
to the process of roasting in order to extract its oil. Though
large quantities were obtained, yet so great was the mass
of blubber, the river wa.s covered with grease for three weeks
afterwards, and the air infected to such a degree with the
stench, as the fish lay rotting on the strand, that the smell
was perceptibly offensive for two (Dutch) miles to leeward."
The journal of Jasj)er Dankers and Peter Sluyter, two
members of the society of Labadists, who came here from
Holland to procure a site for a colony of their sect, contains
the following, under date of 23d April, 1660:
" Mr. Sanders having provided us with horses, we rode
out about nine o'clock, to visit the Cahoos, which is the
Falls of the great Maquas Kil (Mohawk River), which are the
greatest falls not only in New Netherland, but in North
America, and perhaps, as far as is known, in the whole new
world. " We rode for two hours over beautiful, level, tillable
land along the river when we obtained a guide who was
better acquainted with the road through the woods. He
rode before us on horseback. In approaching the Cahoos
from this direction the roads are hilly, and in the course of
half an hour you have steep hills, deep valleys and narrow

1699. History of Cohoes. 7
paths, which run round the precipices, where you must ride
with care, in order to avoid the danger of falling over them,
as sometimes happens. As you come near the Falls, you can
hear the roaring which makes everything tremble, but on
reaching them and looking at them, you see something
wonderful, a gi-eat manifestation of God's power and sove
reignty, of his wisdom and glory. We arrived there about
noon. They are on one of the two branches into which the
North River is di-vided up above, of almost equal size. This
one turns to the west out of the highlands, and coming
here finds a blue rock which has a steep side as long as the
river is broad, which, according to my calculation, is two
hundi-ed paces or more, and rather more than less, and
about one hundred feet high. The river has more water at
one time than another, and was now about six or eight feet
deep. All this volume of water coming on this side fell
headlong upon a stony bottom, this distance of an hundred
feet. Any one may judge whether that was not a spectacle,
and whether it would not make a noise. There is a con
tinual spray thrown up by the dashing of the water, and
when the sun shines the figure of a rainbow may be seen
through it. Sometimes there are two or three of them to
be seen, one above the other, according to the brightness of
the sun and its parallax. There was now more water tlian
usual in consequence of its having rained hard for several
days, and the snow water having begun to run down from
the high land."
In 1699, the Earl of Bellomont, who was engaged in
examining the country for the best means of procuring naval
supplies for the Mng, wrote as follows to the Lords of Trade,
in a report dated Boston, Oct. 20:
" I am glad to find there are pines of eleven and twelve
feet about, for either of those sizes is big enough for a first-
rate ship, as I am informed, and I am satisfied the trees
might be floated do-wn the great Fall (which I have been at)
and then they will be the cheapest in the world, for they
may be floated all down Hudson's River to the ship's sides
that take 'em in to carry them to England. In summer,
when there is not a flood hi the river, I grant it would
hazard the breaking such heavy trees to let them tumble
down that great Fall, but in -winter I cannot believe there's
the least hazard. I stood looking a good while at that

8 History of Cohoes. 1701.
Fall. It is at least six hundred yards broad and in the
highest place about fifty foot high. Tis eight miles above
Albany due north. The river while I was there was shal
low for about a mile below the Fall, and rocky except just
under the Fall which the people that were my guides assured
me was six fathom deep, and the mighty and continual fall
of water seems to have made the cavity in the rock, for that
it was solid rock, I could plainly perceive ; to be sure the
season of the year must be watched when there are floods
in the river and then I am confident those trees may be
safely floated, especially if the water be so deep at the foot
of the Fall as I was told, for then the depth of the water
¦will break the fall of the trees, besides there is an art to save
one of those great trees from breaking with its fall by bind
ing lesser trees about it."
Another report on the same subject was made May 13,
1701, by Robert Livingston, who wrote from New York:
" As to the production of masts and other naval stores
in this province I beg leave to inform your Lordships that
I am told those that are already cut are not so large as the
dimensions the Eai'l did notify, but are much less, and are
now on ground above the Falls, and cannot be got down
until the fall of the leafe, that the rivers are up ; that there
is no experiment made of getting any down the Fall. Some
are of opinion that the fall will spoil them, some other-wise.
It is about forty foot perpendicular and for two miles above
it, shelving ; which makes the stream so rapid that none
dare come near it with a canoe. I doubt the masts will
receive injury in the falling."
In the report made to Queen Anne in 1709, by the Board
of Trade, in regard to the settlement of a colony of Pala
tines (afterwards established near Little Falls) the country
about the Mohawk is recommended as being eligible, and, it
is added :
" The objection that may be made to the seating of the
Palatines on the fore mentioned Mohaques Ri^'er is the Falls
that are on the said ri\'er between Schenectady and Albany
which will be an interruption in the water carriage, but
that may be easily helped by a short land carriage of about
three miles at the west."
It was decided on this account to locate the colony else-

1711. History of Cohoes. 9
where, as appears from a report of Perry, Keill and Du Pr6
made to the London Board of Trade 11th Dec, 1711, in
which it is stated that the country of the Maquaas was not
selected "because their lands are distant from the rivei
nearly twenty miles, and Schenectady besides a waterfall
of six hundred feet high, hath the same inconveniency upon
which account the carriage of anything would cost as much
if not more than its worth."
The obstruction afforded by the Falls to navigation is
thus noticed in a report dated 1757, found in the Paris docu
ments :
" Going from Cheneotedi (Schenectady) to Orange (Al
bany) there is a Great Fall which prevents the passage of
batteaux so that everything on the river going from Che-
nectedi to Orange passes over the high road that leads there
dii-ect." In the llemoirs of an American Lady by Mrs. Anne
Grant, who was living in Albany between 1757 and 1768,
appears the following on the same subject, with reference
to the journeys of the traders from Albany into the Indian
country :
" There commenced their toils and dangers at the famous
waterfall called the Cohoes, ten miles above Albany ....
This was the Rubicon which they had to pass before they
plunged into pathless woods, ingulphing swamps and lakes,
the opposite shores of which the eye could not reach. At
the Cohoes, on account of the obstruction formed by the
torrent, they unloaded their canoe, and carried it above a
mile further on their shoulders, returning again for the
cargo, which they were obliged to transport in the same
manner." In 1760, the Falls were -visited by Gov. Thos. Pownall, a
man who held several positions of importance in this country,
and was prominent among those Englishmen who at home
a few years later, defended the action of the colonies in
revolting from the crown. Among several interesting
volumes which he published in regard to America was one
2

10 History of Cohoes. 1760.
(London, 1776), which contained a map of this country,
and topographical descriptions of the parts he bad -visited.
In this he describes at considerable length the appearance
of the Falls, saying that he had seen them once before
when the rocks were almost entirely bare, but at this time,
June 25th, the volume of water was immense. After speak
ing of the grandeur and beauty of the sight he says :
" In other parts, where it shoots over in a sheet of water,
there is a peculiar circumstance which struck me, and which
I -will endeavor to explain ; there are every now and then
¦violent explosions of aii' which burst through the surface
of the torrent, and as I considered it attentively on the
spot, I explained it as follows to myself : The air which
is contained and pent in between the rock and the arch of
the torrent must, by the violent motion of this torrent, be
heated and rarefied, and if so will of course break out in
explosions. The vapors which fly off from this Fall dis
perse themselves, and fall in heavy showers for near half a
mile round the place. These Falls the Indians call by the
expressive name Cohoes."
Gov. Pownall made a sketch of the Falls at this time,
which he took back to England, and there had it painted,
engraved and published. One of the original prints, which
are now extremely rare, is in the possession of Joseph Chad-
wick, Esq., of this city, and is remarkably well preserved.
The title of the picture is as follows : " A view of the
great Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River. The Fall about
seventy feet, the river near a quarter of a mile broad.
Sketched on the spot by his excellency Gov. Pownall,
painted by Paul Sanby, and engraved by William Elliott,
May, 1761." A steel engraving of this print, much smaller
than the original, forms the frontispiece to this volume.
Gov. Pownall mentions another sketch of the Falls, taken
when the water was low, and published some years previous
by an English traveler named Calm, which he says was an
inferior production, and so poorly done as to give the Falls
the general appearance of a mill-dam.

1792. History of Cohoes. 11
The interruption to navigation before spoken of, was the
means of adding considerably to the business of Schenectady,
as appears from the following taken from the papers of the
Mass. Historical Coll., and dated 1792. "It (Schenectady)
stands upon the Mohawk River about nine miles above the
Falls called the Cohoes, but this I take to be the Indian
name for falls ; its chief business is to receive the mer
chandize from Albany and put into batteaux, to go up
the river and foi-ward to Albany such produce of the
back country as is sent to market."
It "will be observed that of the writers who have been
quoted nearly all speak of the Falls in terms of the highest
admiration. The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt, an
exile of the French revolution, who visited this place in
1795, does not, however, appear to have been particularly
impressed. Concerning the Falls (which he called .Xbhos,
and his translator corrected to Oohoez) he said:
" But the river contains not at present sufiS^cient water to
support the Falls. In many places the rocks are quite dry ;
but in others they afford a fine prospect. The perpendicu
lar height of the Falls may amount to about fifty feet, and
the river is about an eighth of a mile in width. But upon
the whole the -view is not strikingly wild, romantic or
pleasant, though the Falls are much celebrated throughout
America." The follo^wing description of this neighborhood, from
Travels in the United States and Canada, 1795-97, by
Isaac Weld Jr., though gi^ving no new observations in re
gard to the Falls, is worthy of notice as containing a refer
ence, one of the earliest on record, to the existence of a
settlement here :
" Early the next morning we set off and in about two
hours arrived at the small village of Cohoz close to which
is the remarkable Fall in the Mohawk River. * * The ap
pearance of this Fall varies very much according to the
quantity of water; when the river is full the water descends
in an unbroken sheet from one bank to the other whilst at
other times the greater part of the rocks are left uncovered.

12 History of Cohoes. 1800.
The rocks are of a remarkable dark color and so also is the
earth in the banks which rise to a great height on either
side. There is a very pleasing view of this Cataract as you
pass over the bridge across the river, about three-quarters
of a mile lower down."
A very inferior drawing of the Falls (referred to by Moore,
see note below) was published by Mr. Weld.
In 1800, the Falls were visited by John Maude, au Eng
lishman, who writes in his journal as follows :
" Cross the Mohawk, over the bridge at the foot of the
Cohoes Falls, near which I breakfasted at Perth's tavern, i
After breakfast I visited the celebrated cataract of the
Cohoes, and strange to say, I was more pleased ¦with it now
that I had seen Niagara, than I was five years ago when I
beheld it with disappointment."
The visit of Thomas Moore to the Falls, during 1804, has
become famous as suggesting the composition of the follow
ing poem, which is ¦widely known and quoted.
LINES.
"¦written AT THE COHOS, OR FALLS OP THE MOHAWK EI'VER." »
" Gia era in loco ove s'udia '1 rimbombo.
Deil acqua . . "— Dante.
From rise of morn till set of sun
I have seen the mighty Mohawk run.
And as I marked the woods of pine
Along bis mirror darkly shine.
Like tall and gloomy forms that pass
Before the wizard's midnight glass :
And as I viewed the hurrying pace
With which he ran his turbid race.
Rushing, alike untir'd and wild.
Through shades that frowned and flowers that smiled.
Flying by every green recess

* I have been unable to ascertain positively the locality of this tavern . There
was an inn kept by a man named Ford^ just this side of Gibbonsville (now West
Troy), and on the north side of the river were settled several families of i^'orfa, one
at Fort's Ferry, another at the Halve Maan.
2 " There isa dreary and savage character in the country immediately about these
Falls, which is more in harmony with the wildness of such a scene, than the culti
vated lands in the neighborhood of Niagara. See the drawing of them in Mr. Weld's
book. According to him the perpendicular height of the Conos Falls is fifty feet,
but the Marquis de Chastellux makes it seventy -six . The fine rainbow which is
continually forming and dissolving as the spray rises with the light of the sun, is
perhaps the most interesting beauty which these wonderful cataracts exhibit."

1804. History of Cohoes. 13
That woo'd him to its calm caress,
Yet, sometimes turning with the wind,
As if to leave one look behind I
Oh I I have thought, and thinking sigh'd —
How like to thee, thou restless tide I
May be the lot, the life of him,
¦Who roams along thy water's brim I
Through what alternate shades of woe.
And flowers of joy my path may go I
How many a humble, still retreat
May rise to court my weary feet,
While still pursuing, still unblest,
I wander on, nor dare to rest I
But urgent as the doom that calls
Thy water to its destlued falls,
I see the world's bewildering force
Hurry my heart's devoted course
From lapse to lapse, till life be done,
And the last current cease to run 1
Oh, may my falls be bright as thine I
May heaven's forgiving rainbow shine
Upon the mist that circles me,
As soft, as now it hangs o'er thee J
It has been stated, but ¦with what authority I cannot say,
that the house occupied by Moore during his stay here, was
afterward owned by G. M. Cropsey, and was standing until
recently at Northside. In relation to this, the following,
published in the Albany Evening Journal in 1859, will be
of interest: " About the 5th of June, 1839, Moore received
a letter from some person, a resident of the village of Cohoes,
which 80 attracted his notice that he spoke of it to Daniel
Webster, whom, on the 9th of June, he met at dinner.
The point in the letter of interest now is that the writer
claimed to have identified and visited the cottage occupied
by Moore when at Cohoes, and the walk near the Falls fre
quented by him." In a letter from Moore to his mother,
¦written from Saratoga, July lOth, 1804, is the follo^wing
reference to his visit.
" Two or three days ago I was to see the Coho Falls on
the Mohawk River, and was truly gratified. The immense
fall of the river over a natural dam of thirty or forty feet
high, its roar among the rocks, and the illuminated mist of

14 History of Cohoes. 1811.
spray which rises from its foam, were to me objects all new,
beautiful, and impressive. I never can forget the scenery
of this country, and if it had but any endearing associations
of the heart (to diffuse that charm over it, ¦without which
the fairest features of nature are but faintly interesting), I
should regret very keenly that I cannot renew often the
enjoyment of its beauties. But it has none such for me,
and I defy the barbarous natives to forge one chain of at
tachment for any heart, that has ever felt the sweets of
delicacy, or refinement. I beUeve I must except the women
from this denunciation ; they are certainly flowers of every
climate and here waste their sweetness most deplorably.'"
Among the latest descriptions of the Falls in which new
points of interest are touched upon, is that of Timothy
Dwight, president of Yale College, who was in the habit
of making annual tours through this neighborhood. Wri
ting in 1811, he said : " The river was low, but I was better
pleased with the appearance of the cataract than at any
time heretofore. The face of the precipice was sensibly
worn since 1802, and presented more and bolder varieties
to the view than at that time. A great deal of the precipice
was naked."
When, ¦with the progress of the present century, the lines
of travel in this country became extended, Niagara and
other cataracts by their superior grandeur rendered the
Cohoes Falls less an object of interest, and the number of
tourists thither decreased. To visitors in this neighborhood
of later years, other features of the place have seemed more
important, and the Falls, once the sole attraction, have re
ceived but passing mention.

> Memoirs, Journal and Correspondence of Tlwmas Moore, Edited by the Bt. Hon.
Lord John MusseU, M.P., vol. i, London, 1853.

1630. History of Cohoes. 15

n.
Cohoes as a Farming Hamlet.
JL HE greater part of the land on which the city of Cohoes
now stands was originally in the Manor of Rensselaerswyck,
and was purchased from the Indians in 1630. A charter of
pri^dleges and exemptions had been granted in the preceding
year, for the encouragement of patroons to settle colonies,
and KUiaen Van Rensselaer, a pearl merchant in Amster
dam, and a director of the Dutch West India Company, was
one of those who availed themselves of its advantages.
4t different times during the next seven years the agents
of this gentleman purchased for him tracts of land in this
vicinity, until his domain extended twenty-four miles along
the Hudson River, and twenty-four miles on each side of
the river, east and west, embracing the land which now
composes the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and part of
Columbia. The northern boundary of this manor was on
the line of the Cohoes Falls, running along what was after
ward kno-wn as Cohoes Lane and still later as the JBoght
Road and Manor Avenue. The land north of this manor
line, which is now within the city limits, was given by the
Indians to Illetie or Hilletie (Alice), the wife of Pieter
Danielse Van Olinde. She was the daughter of Cornells
Antonissen Van Slyck, and was a half-breed, her mother
being a Mohawk woman. She acted for many years as in-
terpretess for the province, and as such was frequently
mentioned in the journals of Dankers and Sluyter, before
quoted. The Mohawk sachems gave her, in 1667, the Great
Island at Niskayuna, and also land at Willow Flat, below
Port Jackson and at the Boght, in Watervliet. '
The islands at the mouth of the Mohawk, which were in
' The land northwest of the city, which was settled at an early day by the Van
Denberg and other famUies, was originally included in a patent granted to Peter
endrickse De Haas in 1697.

16 History of Cohoes. 1676.
"early years a favorite resort of the Indians — one of their
strong holds, Moenimines Castle, being situated on Haver
Island — came into possession of Capt. Goosen Gerritse
Van Schaick, brewer, of Albany. In 1664, he, together
-with Philip Pieterse Schuyler, was granted permission to
purchase the Halve Maan from the Indians " to prevent
those of Connecticut purchasing it." This grant, commonly
kno-wn as the Van Schaick or Half-Moon patent, included
the present village of Waterford, and part of Half -Moon.
Its name is derived from the crescent shape of the land
lying between the Hudson and the Mohawk at that point.'
Under the terms of the charter it became the duty of
Mr. Van Rensselaer to encourage the settlement of the tract
of which he was possessor, and in 1630, and succeeding
years, numbers of colonists came over from Holland and
were provided with good farms and comfortable homes in
Fort Orange (Albany) and vicinity. The first settlers in
the neighborhood of Cohoes belonged to or were descended
from those families and were located on the Halve Maan,
at Waterford, or on the Mohawk Flats near Niskayuna —
then called Nestigione or Conistigione.
Of the land which is now -s^dthin the limits of the city,
Cohoes Island, afterwards kno^wn as Van Schaick's and
Adams' Island, appears to have been the part first placed
under cultivation. This, together with Haver Island {Haver
being the Dutch for oats), which adjoins it on the north, was
occupied at an early day, and references to them in the
old records are frequent. Capt. Van Schaick, the original
owner, died about 1676, and some of his property was dis
posed of by his widow, as appears from the following and
other deeds among the early records of Albany county:
" Appeared before me Robert Livingston, secretary etc.,
and in presence of the after named ¦witnesses, Annetie Lie-
1 This tract, it will be seen, was of considerable size, and as many of the farmers
living in this vicinity were described In the old records merely as living at the Halve
Maan, it leads to some difficulty in preserving the identity of the difflerent families.
Waterford was taken off from the original township in 1816, and Clifton Park in 1828.

1680. History of Cohoes. 17
vens -widow of Goose Gerritse Van Schaick deceased, of
the one side, and Jan Jacobse Van Noortstrant of the other
side, who declared that they had in amity and friendship
made a bargain with each other for the sale of a piece of
land lying to the north of the fourth branch or fork [Spruyt]
of the Mohawk River above the colony Rensselaerswyck,
being a part of a parcel of land called the foreland of the
Half Moon, and by the Indians Mathahenaaoh, together
¦with about two morgens of cleared land lying on the island
which lies directly over against the aforesaid parcel of land,
commonly called Haver [Oats] Island, . . . for which two
parcels of land Jan Jacobse Van Noortstrant promises to
deliver the sum of sixty and six whole beavers, ' to be paid
in wheat, oats, or other grain, cattle, work, etc., at market
prices. . . . Thus done in Albany the 26th of June, 1677,
in presence of Mr. Gerrit Banker and Harme Rutgers as
¦witnesses hereto invited."
Van Schaick's Island, however, remained in possession of
the family, who, though not residing there, appear to have
rented it to different parties living in the ¦vicinity. Thus,
Guert Hendrickse Van Schoonhoven, spoken of as belong
ing at the Halve Maan in 1675, had a farm on the island
in 1681, as did also Harmon Lieviense or Lieverse, while
Roeloff Gerritse Van Der Werken was an occupant of it in
1680. The first settlement on this side of the river was some
what later, though the exact date cannot be ascertained,
and was made in the neighborhood of the Boght at the
northwest of the city.-

' A beaver skin was worth about eight guilders or $3.20 in our currency.
' "Boght, het boght, is a locality situated within the town of Watervliet. Spaf
ford, in his Gazetteer, says this word means a cove or bay. This is wrong. The
Dutch Dictionary tells us the signification isa' bend or turn,' so this place . It was
settled by branches of the Fort and Fonda families at a very early period ; we re
gret that we have not been able to ascertain the precise time. Exploring and
hunting parties from Albany for many years after its settlement made the Boght
as well as Niskayuna and Schenectady places of frequent resort. Those Albanians
too, dealt in contraband goods, and carried on a trade in furs with the Mohawks
at Schenectady contrary to the ordinance of the common council of Albany, and
passed through this place and Niskayuna on their way to Schenectady to avoid
suspicion."— I'rof. Pearson. 3

18 History of Cohoes. 1767.
During the first half of the eighteenth century the land
adjoining the river which now forms the principal part of
the city, and a tract near its western boundaries, about a
mile from the river, was settled by several families of Lan
sings, and the families of Heamstreet (Heemstraat or Von
Heemstraaten), Ouderkirk, Liverse (Lieverse or Lievense),
Fonda and Clute ; of whom the Lansings appear to have
come from Albany, and the others from Niskayuna or the
Half Moon.
The date at which that part of the land which was within
the manor was first occupied cannot be definitely ascertained'
for as it was under the jurisdiction of the patroon, no public
record was made of leases or conveyances to farmers.
Deeds are in existence, however, of the lands north of the
manor line which belonged to the Van Olinde family, show
ing the dates at which they were sold to other parties, and
it is probable that all the families above named settled here
about the same time. Among the earliest of these transfers
was one of a woodland lot of over one hundred acres situated
just north of the manor line which was sold by Daniel Van
Olinde, eldest son of Pieter and Illetie Van Olinde, to
Walran Glut or Clute.
The following is an abstract of the deed :
" This Indejstuee, made and Concluded on the four and
Twentieth day of November in the Seventh Yeare of The
Reign of our Sovereing Lord George. By the Grace of
God of Great Britain franc and Ireland King defender of
The faith, etc., and In the year of our Lord, one Thousand
Seven hundred and Twenty by and Between Daniel Van
Olinde of the County of Albany in the province of New Yorke
Yeoman of the one part, and Walran Clut of the same
county of the other part Witnbssbth That He The Said
Daniell Van Olinde, for and In consideration of f ourty Two
pounds of currant Lawfull money of New Yorke to him In
hand paid Before the Ensealing and Delivery of This pre
sents the Receipt Whereof he The Said Daniel Van Olmde

1767. History of Cohoes. 19
Doth hereby acknowledge and him Self therewith full
Satisfied and Contented and Thereof and of every part and
parcell Thereof Doth fully and absolutely Exonerate and
Discharge The Said Walran Clut his heirs executors
administrators and assigns By These presents hath Granted
Released and Confirmed . . Bargained and sold . . .
and doth hereby sell unto the Said Walran Clute his heirs
and assigns for Ever All That Certain Tract or Pacall of
Wood Land Scituate Lying and Being within the county
off Albany aforesaid on The South Side of The Mohaks or
Schaneghtendy River between Cahoos and Canastojoind
[Conistigione or Niskayuna] is Bounded, etc. One The
East End Thereof by the Great fall caled the Cahoos afore
said and on the West Running along The Line of the
manner of Renselaers Wick Till you come by a Kill which
is called the boghts' Kly Kuyll or Kly Kill by the land of
one Hendrik Rider which land is also (illegible) * *
transported by the aforesaid Danell Van Olinde Into him
The Said Hendrik Rider, and so along that Said Land Till
you come again upon The Aforesaid Kly Kill and Then
along The Said Kill Till you come To The River aforesaid
and So along The Said River To The Cahoos where first
begon — pro^vided alwais and for Ever hereafter that he
The said Walran Clut and his heirs and assigns Shall Leave
one wagon road along the river for The Use of The Neigh
bourhood,  It is further agreed by
and between the Said Daniel Van OHnde and Walran Clut
for theire Self and there heirs for ever that he the Said
Clute has free Liberty to build one or more Saw Mills or
Grind Mills and To Ly Dams provided that in Case The
aforesaid Walran Clute his heii-s or assigns Shall come to
buld a Saw mill and Saw Loggs out of the right of him
the said Daniel his heirs and assigns that Then and In such
case he the said Walran Clute his heirs and assigns shall
pay to him the said Daniel his heirs and assigns ten Boards
yearly and Every year forever, and In case a Grind Mill
That Then and In such case he the said Walran Clut and
his heirs and assigns shall forever grind for Daniel Van
Olinde and his heirs and assigns, for one famaly that Shall
Life upon the Land where the said Daniel now Lifes on . . .
In Witness Whereof The parties To These presents

20 History of Cohoes. 1767.
Indenture have Interchangeabley put their hands andSeald
The Day and Year first above writting
„. T o 1 1 T -r. T J Daniel Van Olinde [l. s.l
Signed Seald and Delivered "- -¦
In the presence of
Mynders Schuyler Justice
John De Peyster
Evert Wendell.
The farm directly north of this, embracing about two
hundred acres, was sold by Daniel Van Olinde to Gerret
Lansing in May, 1740. The dates of these transfers and
other facts in regard to the matter which are accessible,
afford fair evidence that the first general settlement of the
place was made between 1725 and 1750.
It is almost impossible to obtain in detail an accurate ac
count of the early inhabitants ; in most cases there is
nothing to show the date at which their f anns were cleared
or their houses built, and ¦with one or two exceptions but
few facts can be given in regard to their family history.
Under these circumstances the history of Cohoes, while it
was but a farming community, must necessarily be incom
plete. From records in existence, however, it is possible
to identify the different farm houses, some of which still
remain, and to give the boundaries of the principal farms as
they were held by the original settlers.
In a map of the manor of Rensselaerswyck made for the
patroon by John R. Bleeker, surveyor, in 1767, the follow
ing houses appear on the land now included within the city
limits, most of them near the river, and the main road, now
Saratoga street:
Henry Lansing'' s, opposite the upper end of Green Island.
This house, situated a short distance below the Old Junc
tion near the canal, is now occupied by Lucius Alexander.
It has been altered and enlarged from time to time, and
the original building is still in good condition.*

• The property of Henry or Hendrik Lansing was afterwards sold to Jacob H.
Lansing who occupied the farm-house for many years. William Lansing, his son,
occupied the house on the opposite side of the road, and it is said, kept a tavern

1767. History of Cohoes. 21
Zansing\ on the opposite (west) side of the road from
the above and a little to the south. This house is said to
have been burned, but at what date is not kno^wn.
Cornells Ouderkerlc's,^ opposite the lower end of Van
Schaick's Island. This house was last occupied by a family
named Conaughty, after having been for some years occu
pied as a tavern. It stood on the west bank of the Cham-
plain Canal, a short distance below Tighes' brewery near
Newark street, and was torn do^wn in 1865.
Dereh Heamstreefs,'- a few rods north of Ouderkerk's.
Part of this building, located between the canal and the
river, directly east of the brewery, still remains, and is now
in possession of John P. Weber. It was partially destroyed
by fire, Dec. 2, 1868. The lower part of the building re
mains the same as before, but the Dutch gable roof was
burned, and replaced by the flat roof now seen. This, like
all the other old farm houses in the neighborhood, was built
to last, and none of its material was light or flimsy. The
old barn, which stood near the house, was a most massive
structure. It was built throughout of the heaviest and best
selected timber ; the flooring was of five inch plank hewn
by hand, and the roof was covered ¦with four feet cedar
shingles, secured by wrought nails. The building was pur
chased some years since by George E. Simmons, and when
it was torn down enough material was found in it to serve
for the construction of two barns of modem style.
there in the early part of the present century. Descendants of the family, among
them Abraham F. Lansing of this city, and Dow F. Lansing of Albany, are yet
living. ¦ The Ouderkerk family do not appear to have long resided here, and in accounts
which are found in old records they are mentioned as being from the Half Moon.
Several marriages between this family and the Fondas are recorded in the middle
of the last century, which may account for the fact that the farm afterwards came
into possession of the Fonda family. The house was occupied in 1815, by Harmon
Fonda, who owned the ferm together with his brother Dow I. Fonda. Their de
scendants still live in this vicinity, some of them in Watervliet.
' Det ek Heamstreet was succeeded by Charles Heamstreet, who became one of the
principal farmers in the neighborhood. He had five sons : Richard, Albert, John,

22 History of Cohoes. 1767.
John Lansing'' s,'^ on the west side of the highway, a short
distance south of the manor line. This was destroyed a
number of years ago, and the house at present occupied by
Egbert W. Lansing erected nearly on its site.
Frederick Clute^s.' Outside of the manor, and a few rods
north of the Lansing house, on the brow of the hill. This
was a log house. A frame house was afterwards buUt by
Gerret Clute, son of the above, on the bank of the river, a
short distance above the Falls, where traces of it are still
discernible. It was destroyed during the progress of the
Cohoes Company's improvements in 1832 or thereabouts.
Frans Lansing''s, Dow Fonda's and Wm. Liverse^s.
These were located at different points some distance west
of the river, and nearly on the line of the present western
boundary of the city.
Van Schaick'' s House,^ on Van Schaick Island. This
Jacob and Philip. Richard occupied the farm known as the Gerret Witbeck
farm; and John built the small yellow house yet standing on Saratoga street,
opposite the brewery. Richard had four sons : Garret, Charles, William and
Stephen, of whom one (Charles) is now living in Clifton Park. Albert had four
sons : Charles, Henry, Jacob and Abraham. The name is given above as it appears
on the patroon's books. It is now spelled Hemstreet.
¦ John (or Johannes) J. Lansing was born in 1719, and died in 1813. He had ten
children, one of whom, Andrew (born 1760, died 1835), succeeded him in possession
of the farra. Andrew had four sons : John, Jacob, Evert and Abram, the latter of
whom (born 1790, died 1867), was a well known citizen. Two of his sons, Egbert
W., and John V. H. Lansing, are now living in Cohoes, the former occupying the
old farm.
" Frederick Clute was the son of Walraven or Waldron Clute, who bought the
farm from Daniel Van Olinda. His grandfather, also named Frederick Clute, came
from Kingston about 1703, and settled at Niskayuna, where he bought laud of
Johannes Clute.
Frederick the younger was born 1724, and married Maria De Ridder, Nov., 1754.
His oldest son, Gerret Clute, was born Feb. S9, 1761, and occupied the farm until the
early part of the present century. Gerret Clute had ten children, as follows : Maria,
wife of Richard Hemstreet, Getty, wife of John IJemstreet, .4mia, wife of James
Ostrander, William, Kate, Matthew, Rachel, Henrietta, wife of John Johnson,
Charles, and  . The oldest son William, was the father of es-Justice Harvey
Clute now of this city.
' Sybrant, the second son, of Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, was born 1653,
and died about 1685. He had four children, of whom the third, Anthony, was born
in 1681, and lived In Albany, being by trade a glazier. His second son, Wessel, was

MM

ml J

24 History op Cohoes. 1767.
house, which is the best preserved of the old buildings now
in the city, was erected in 1762, and has since been altered
but little. The only change in the front of the house is a
new porch which was built by Mr. Adams a year or two
ago. The old windows, with their heavy sashes and dimin
utive panes, and the old fashioned divided door -with its
massive brass knocker and ponderous iron bar still remain.
The bricks of which the house was built were made on the
island, with the exception of a few of peculiar curved
shape, which form a sort of ridge or coping extending around
the body of the house about four feet from the ground —
those having been brought from Holland. The wooden
house now standing a few rods south of the old mansion
was built certainly over a century ago, and perhaps before
the brick building.
The homestead of Gerret Lansing, ' on the farm just north
of Frederick Clute's, though not marked on this map, was
in existence at the time. It was located near the site of the
red brick house (built by Rutger Lansing, son of Gerret, in
1790), which yet stands near the Cohoes Company's dam.
The boundaries between the different farms do not appear
to have been definitely fixed by the patroon, nor were leases
for them regularly drawn until towards the close of the last
century. This may be accounted for on the ground that as
the Van Rensselaers were desirous of encouraging the set
tlement of their domain, no rents were at first exacted, and
o^wing to the vast extent of the manor, farmers were allowed
to settle in different parts of it and occupy the land for
many years before arrangements were made for the regular
collection of tithes.
The maps of the original farms in this neighborhood, as
born in 1712. He had five children. His second son, John Gerritse, was bom Oct.
23, 1748. In 1805, he had a house and store on the west side of Broadway, Albany
He died on Van Schaick's Island, July 7, 1828. His youngest son, Henry, died at
Lansingburgh, Oct. 7, 1829, aged 33 years. The last member of the Van Schaicks to
occupy the Island was the flrst husband of Mrs. Wm. L. Adams.
• Gerret Rutger Lansing was the son of Rutger. After his death the farm came
Itno the possession of Ms son, Isaac D. F. Lansing, born 1790, died Nov. IS, 1874.

1774. History of Cohoes. 25
surveyed under du-ection of the patroon, are preserved in
the Van Rensselaer office. A map sho^wing the relation of
the farm boundaries to the streets, as at present laid out,
would be of interest, but the preparation of one which would
be suitable for publication with this sketch has not seemed
feasible. The following description of the outlines of the
principal farms, with references to streets and localities
which are now familiar, gi\ing the names of their occupants
as recorded in the patroon's books, and a sketch of the sub
sequent disposition of the property, will, it is hoped, be
sufficient to give a general idea of the way in which the
land was di^vided.
Commencing at the lower part of the settlement, the first
farm was one which formed part of the tract disposed of
by the patroon to Col. Schuyler, and was known in later
years as the Jacob H. Lansing farm. It extended on
the south to a line which is now the southern limit of the
city (near Cedar Grove) and had for part of its boundary
the Soult Kill (Salt Brook). Its northern limit was a line
running nearly parallel ¦with the brook which flows east
ward through the ravine south of the residence of Samuel
Bilbrough on Main street, and is carried under Saratoga
street a short distance,below its junction with Main street.
This land, the farm house on which, occupied by Henry
Lansing, has been before mentioned, had been sold by Kil-
lian Van Rensselaer to Col. Philip Schuyler, May 10, 1708,
and was held by him until 1731, when it was sold to Hen
dnck Lansing. On January 15th, 1774, "the fourteenth
year of the reign of our sovereign King George the Third"
it was sold by " Hendrick Lansing, mason or bricklayer of
the Boght, county of Albany and province of New York
unto Jacob H. Lansing, yeoman, for the consideration of
four hundred pounds, la^wful money." In his possession it
remained until 1822, when it was sold to R. P. Hart, and
has been since disposed of in lots to various parties, though
some yet remains in the hands of the Hart estate.
4

26 History of Cohoes. 1794.
Next was the Jacob D. Fonda farm, bounded on the south
by the Lansing farm above described and ha^ving for its
northern limit a line which commenced at the river and ran
northwest, passing the south end of the brewery (on Sara
toga street below Newark) reaching Columbia street near
where it is crossed by the Central rail road and extending
along the old line of that street to a point near the cemetery.
The house on this farm was that which was occupied
by Comelis Ouderkirk in 1767. The land, comprising
136i acres, was leased to Jacob D. Fonda, Dec. 16th, 1794,
for the consideration of " fifteen bushels wheat, four hens
and one day's seiwice."
Early in the present century it was bought by Abraham
G. Lansing, who built about 1820, as a country residence,
the house afterwards occupied by Wm. N. Chadwick and
at present by Samuel Bilbrough. A large part of the farm
afterward came into possession of Messrs. Bayard Clark and
Wm. N. Chadwick, by whom it was sold to Gould & Tracy,
who disposed of it to various parties. A number of lots in
the western part of the city, beyond the Central rail road,
have remained until within a few years in possession of the
Lansing heirs.
Above the Fonda farm was that of Charles Heamstreet,
the northern boundary of which was very irregular. A
portion of it ran nearly parallel with White street as at
present laid out ; commencing at a point on Mohawk street
in rear of the school house now built on the corner of White
and Mohawk streets, it ran westward until it reached Sargent
street, near the site of Bogue's block. This was the boundary
of the middle portion of the farm. On both sides, however,
it extended much further to the north. On the right, com
mencing at White street, the line ran up Mohawk street
almost to Oneida, when it turned to the northeast, strik
ing the river a few rods west of the present rail road bridge.
1 Those farms were granted from the patroon on perpetual leases.

1794. History of Cohoes. 27
On the other (western side) the line, commencing at Sargent
street, ran north until it reached a point near Lock 14, and
then ran west about to the location of the bridge over the
Central rail road, at Johnston avenue. This farm, which
originally comprised 205J acres, was leased to Charles
Heamstreet, April 15, 1793, for the annual rent of "twenty-
seven bushels of wheat, four fat fowls and a day's service
¦with carriage and horses."
It was sold in part in 1822, for $8,500 to R. P. Hart, with
whom Ebenezer Wiswall, Philip Schuyler and Jno. P.
Cushman afterward held a joint interest, and by them was
disposed of to various parties. One section, embracing the
land near White street, was for some time in possession of
Hugh White.
North of the Heamstreet farm was one comprising seventy-
three acres which was leased in January, 1794, to Gerrit
Witbeck, concerning whose residence nothing has been
ascertained. The annual rental was "three bushels and
three pecks of wheat, four fat fowls, and one day's service
¦with carriage and horses." The boundary of this farm ran
about northeast along by the present Erie Canal, until it
reached a point near Harmony Mill No. 2, when it turned
to the east and followed the Diepe gat, or Diepe-gat
IKil, 1 which emptied into the river a short distance below
Harmony Mill No. 3. The lease of this farm was assigned
to Lucas G. Witbeck, in 1801. It soon afterward came
into the possession of the Heamstreet family and was
assigned to Derek Heamstreet, in 1802. The farm was
occupied for a number of years by Richard Heamstreet,
whose house was situated on Mohawk street between
Oneida and Factory streets, on the site now occupied by
1 This Diepe gat or deei> cut which has since been so completely fllled in and
covered that all traces of it have been obliterated, was a rocky gorge, so dark and
gloomy that it was the terror of the children of the neighborhood. The brook
wMch flowed through it -was called by them Spook kil and the bridge which
crossed it became known among the farmers as the Spook's bridge.

28 History of Cohoes. 1813.
the south part of Witbeck's block. ' It was sold bythe
sheriff to Ebenezer Wiswall, Oct. 2, 1819, and was pur
chased from him by Canvass White, March 17, 1824, from
whose hands it passed into the possession of the Cohoes
Company. The next farm was that of Andrew Lansing, comprising
211 acres, which was leased to him March 24th, 1813, at
an annual rent of eighteen bushels of wheat, with the usual
consideration of fowls and service. It was bounded on the
north by the manor line, or present Boght road, and on
the south by the lines of the Witbeck and Heamstreet
farms. A large portion of this farm, comprising much of
the land now occupied by the Harmony Company, was sold
to the Cohoes Company by Mr. Lansing in 1831 ; and other
parts of it are still in possession of the family The eastern
boundary of this farm was the old road, which ran nearly
the same as the present Mohawk street. The strip between
the road and the river, extending from the Diepe gat to
the Falls, remained in possession of the patroon, until it
was sold to the Cohoes Company in 1836. ^
The eastern limits of these five farms, with the exception
in the case of Andrew Lansing's just mentioned, was the
river. Their western boundaries were irregular and as they
extended in most cases beyond the limits which now mark
the thickly settled portions of the city, need not be particu
larly described. Taking the Gerret Witbeck lot as part of
the Heamstreet farm (as it was in effect for many years), it
may be said that all the farms extended at least as far west
as the present Cohoes Cemetery, while those of Andrew
1 This building was destroyed by fire February 18, 1858, having been for some
time unoccupied.
2 It is said that this strip was offered, in the early part of the century, to Evert
Lansing, and his brother, if they would pay the back rent upon it, but as they de
clined to do so it was kept by the Van Rensselaers and on the formation of the
Cohoes Company, was transferred by Stephen Van Rensselaer, as part payment for
bis stock.

1740. History of Cohoes. 29
Lansing and Jacob Fonda were still deeper. The farms
lying to the west of those above described, were, according
to the patroon's maps, as follows : West of Andrew Lan
sing were the farms of Peter and Henry Fero, and Peter
Lieverse ; west of Charles Heamstreet and Jacob D. Fonda
was the farm of Douw A. Fonda ; and west of Jacob H.
Lansing was a farm occupied at different times by branches
of the Lansing and Fonda families. The Lieverse and Fonda
fann houses have been before mentioned.
But little is to be said concerning the lands outside of the
manor, which are now -within the city limits, as they have
been occupied as farm lands until within a few years. The
Clute farm, lately known as Mrs. Miller's, situated just above
the manor line and extending on the west to the present
Erie Canal, remained for the greater part in possession of
the family until some years ago. A portion of it in the
southwest comer was, however, leased to the Van Der
Mark family early in the present century, and other parts
near the river were afterward sold to the Cohoes Company.
Nearly all of the Lansing farm, just north of Clute's, still
remains the property of the heirs of I. D. F. Lansing, although
part has been sold to the Cohoes Company.
Van Schaick's Island, comprising about 320 acres, re
mained the property of the family until it came into the
possession of Wm. L. Adams, the present owner, about forty
years since.
These farms of course furnished the principal employment
of their occupants, but some of the inhabitants were also
engaged, in a small way, in other business. The Lansing
family, as early as 1740, were the owners of a saw mill,
located a short distance north of the present site of the
Cohoes Straw Board Mill, near the Cohoes Company's
dam. A grist mill was afterwards built, just south of the
saw mill, and the two establishments were run in partner
ship by Gerret and Rutger Lansing for many years. On

30 History of Cohoes. 1794.
the Clute farm a grist mill was also erected, which was
located a short distance above the Falls. The establishment
of a mill of some sort, evidently contemplated when the
deed of the farm was dra-wn, may have transpired soon after
the sale, but there is no record of its existence until the
time of Gerret Clute, who remained for some time the
proprietor. Another grist mill, which was afterwards
converted into a carding mill, was located on the Heam
street farm, on the fiats just opposite Simmons's Island.
It was originally conducted by Charles Heamstreet and
afterwards by his son Albert. * The power for each of these
mills was furnished by means of a wing dam extending some
yards into the river, that of the Heamstreet mill being built
out to a large rock in the channel which is still a prominent
feature of that locality.
It -will be seen that the early inhabitants of Cohoes were
in comfortable circumstances. All were possessed of large
and productive farms on which substantial and comfortable
houses had been erected, and some in addition had their
mills, which were probably well patronized by their neighbors
of the Boght and other parts of Watervliet.
They were fair types of the thrifty and prosperous Dutch
farmers who were the early settlers of this portion of the
state, and the features of their social life were similar to
those which existed throughout this neighborhood and have
been often described. Among the customs which prevailed
here as in other Dutch settlements was slave-holding,
and from the extent of the negro burial places of which
traces remain on the Heamstreet, Lansing and other farms,
it is evident that each family possessed quite a number.
The following document from among the papers of the
Clute family will be of interest in this connection :
" Know all men by these presents that I, Isaac J. Fonda
1 The lease of the mill privilege was granted by the patroon to Charles Heam
street Dec. 22, 1794, at an annual rental of $12.50.

1793. History of Cohoes. 81
of the Bought in the town of Watervleet County of Albany
and State of New York for and in consideration of the sum
of twenty pounds of lawful Money of the State afore
mentioned to me in hand paid by Gerret Clute of said place
County and state above mentioned at or befoi-e the sealing
and delivery of these presents the Receipt Whereof I the
said Isaac J. Fonda do hereby acknowledge have granted
bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain
and sell unto the said Gerret Clute his Executors, Adminis
trators and Asigns a Negro Boy Named Ben or Benjamin
to have and to hold the said Negro Boy to the said Gerret
Clute His executors administrators forever and I the said
Isaac J. Fonda for myself my heirs executors and
Administrators and Assigns against the said Isaac J. Fonda,
my Heirs Executors and Administrators and against all
and every other person and persons whatsoever shall and
¦will warrant and forever defend by these presents the said
Negro I the said Isaac J. Fonda have put the said Gerret
Clute in full possession of at the sealing and delivery of
these presents. In ¦witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this day of June in the year of Our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three.
" N. B. The date of the month and the word three at the
bottom or in the last line of the presents were interlined
and altered before the sealing and delivery of the said
presents. " Present at the sealing and deliveiy Bought June Re
ceived of Mr. Gerrit Clute twenty pounds. In full for a
Negro bought by the said Gerrit Clute, received by me." '
It is probable that until the revolution there was but
little interruption to the quiet monotony of the life in this
farming hamlet. The neighboring settlements being diffi
cult of access, communication with them was limited to
market days, and the inhabitants, busied from day to day
¦with the duties of their farms or mills, were little affected
by the course of events in the outside world. With the
outbreak of war, however, this peaceful routine was dis
turbed. A number of men from this vicinity joined the

1 The number of slaves in Watervliet, in 1810, was 128. All slaves in the state
were emancipated in 1827.

32 History of Cohoes. 1784.
companies which were raised in adjoining to^wns,' and this,
together with the proximity of the place to the scene of
many of the important events of the war, must have
caused the inhabitants to regard the progress of the struggle
¦with the deepest interest. The main road to the north, on
this side of the river, passed over the islands at the mouth of
the Mohawk, since the sprouts could be forded more easily
than the main stream, and traces of it still remain on Adams's
Island. Over this road many of the troops marched during
the campaigns in this vicinity. The islands were occnpied
from July to October, 1777, by a force of from 4,000 to
6,000 men, stationed there by Gen. Gates, after the retreat
of his army from the neighborhood of Lake Champlain.
The men remained there during the operations near Saratoga
and Stillwater, for the purpose of covering the rear of the
American army and securing a position to fall back upon
in case Burgoyne should compel a retreat. It is said that
the Van Schaick house was used for the headquarters of
the officers during the occupation. Fortifications were
erected on Haver Island, remains of which are still visible.
In 1784, the first church in the vicinity was established.
The Reformed Dutch church of the Boght, said to have
been the first north of Albany, was organized by the
Classis of Albany, on the petition of forty-two members of
the Dutch church of that city, presented February 22. The
original church building, which stood on the road running
north and south at the present western limits of the city,
was doubtless erected some time before the organization of
the church. The first elders were David Fero and Isaac
Fonda, and the first deacons were Abraham D. Fonda and
Gerret I. Lansing. The first pastor called was the Rev.
John Demarest who began his ministry in 1790, taking
charge of the Boght church in connection -with that at Nis-
' Among them were Gerret Clute, and members of the Lansing and Fonda fami
lies, but no complete list of their names can be obtained.

1795. History of Cohoes. 38
kayuna. He preached in Dutch, and all the records of the
church during his ministry were kept in that language. The
membership of the church in 1791 was 121. Rutger Lan
sing became one of the deacons in 1789, and Gerret R.
Lansing was a deacon in 1794. This church was for many
years the only one attended by the inhabitants of Cohoes,
and had an important part in the early history of the place.^
In 1795 the first bridge across the Mohawk at Cohoes
was erected. The increase in the number of inhabitants in
the Half Moon and this vicinity had made the necessity of
a bridge at this point for some time apparent, and as early
as January, 1771, the follo^wing resolution in regard to it
was passed by the common council of Albany :

1 The following sketch of its history since 1800, which, together with the above
tacts, has been kindly furnished by the present pastor, will be of interest.
Mr. Demarest closed his ministry in 1803.
In 1805, the Rev. Dr. J. Bassett was called who remained until 1811.
In the beginning of his ministry a subscription was circ-alated for the purchase
and erection of a stove in the church. The stove was placed upon an elevated
platform in order that it might heat the church more effectually. In the ministry
of Dr. Bassett the services and the church records began to be in the English lan
guage. In 1807, a new church building was erected.
Rev. Robert Bronk became pastor in 1814. He ministered also to the church of
Washington and Gibbonsville, now the South Reformed church of West Troy. Mr.
Bronk resigned his charges in 1823.
In 1824, Kev. John B. Steele, of Waterford, became pastor and continued until
1833. Rev. Cornelius Bogardus was pastor from 1833 to 1838.
Rev. William Pitcher became pastor in 1840. During his ministry, it was pro
posed to build a new church, and after much discussion with reference to the site,
the present church was erected on the parsonage ground in 1847. At this time
twenty-two members left the church and were organized as the Church of Rensse
laer, and another church edifice was built at Van Vranken's Corners.
Mr. Pitcher left in 1854, and Rev. John Dubois was called who remained until
1859. Rev. John W. Major was pastor from 1860 to 1864.
In 1864, the church of the Boght united with the church of Rensselaer and called
Rev. H. A. Raymond as pastor. He remained until 1871.
The present pastor. Rev. George I. Taylor, began his ministry Jan , 1st, 1874. The
present members of consistory are. Elders : Gerardus Clute, Douw Lansing, Jacob
Van Denberg. Deacons: Jesse Fonda, Benjamin Reamer, Wm. Lambert.
5

34 History of Cohoes. 1795.
" Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this Board
that it is practicable to be done, and that considering the
inconveniences the inhabitants and travelers are under at
certain seasons of the year, we conceive that it ¦will be of
great use to have a bridge about that place and well worthy
the Legislaters consideration. Ordered, that the Clerk of
this Board enclose a Copy of this Resolution in a letter to
the Members for the County of Albany. We the Mayor,
Aldermen and Comonalty of the city of Albany do certify
and declare that we conceive that the erecting of a Bridge
below the Cahos -will greatly tend for the benefit and con-
veniency of the publick & will in particular encourage the
Settlements to the Northward of the said Bridge."
The bridge was first opened for travel July 24, 1795. It
was 900 feet long, twenty-four feet wide, fifteen feet above
the bed of the river and rested on thirteen stone piers. Its cost
was $12,000. It was located several hundred feet west of the
site of the rail road bridge, the Cohoes end being a short dis
tance north of the present termination of Remsen street.
An excavation in the rock, yet visible, marks the place
where it rested upon the Waterford side. The gate house,
which was on this side of the river, was for many years
tended by Jacob Winnie, a blacksmith. The bridge was
one of the best then existing in this part of the country,
and was frequently mentioned in books of travel.
In the writings of the Count Rochefoucauld Liancourt,
from which a quotation has pre^viously been made, it was
described as follows :
" This bridge is erected on the spot where the Cohoez
Falls appear to the greatest advantage. It is constructed
of timber and rests on stone pillars about twenty-five or
thirty feet distant from each other. The masonry is not
remarkable for solidity or neatness ; but the carpenter's
work is exceedingly well done."
An act in regard to the bridge was passed by the legis
lature, April 3, 1797, in which the rates of toll were fixed
as follows :
" To make adequate pro^vision for keeping the bridge in

1798. History of Cohoes. 35
good repair, it is enacted: That from and after the first
day of June next, the following toll shall be collected from
every person crossing said bridge, viz : For every carriage
crossing the said bridge and drawn by a single horse, six
cents ; for every wheel carriage or sled crossing said bridge
and drawn by two horses, mules, or other working cattle,
the sum of eight cents ; for every carriage or sled drawn by
more than two horses, two mules, or two other working
cattle, at and after the rate of two cents for each additional
creature ; for a man and horse or mule the sum of four
cents ; for every single horse, mare, colt or mule the sum
of one cent ; for every bull, ox, cow, heifer or calf, the sum
of two cents, and for sheep and hogs, at and after the rate
of ten cents per score."
The toll house and gates were to be erected and the col
lector of tolls to be appointed by " the supervisor of the
town of Watervliet, and the supervisor of the town of
Half Moon," who were also directed to apply the surplus
money " to the clearing away and removing the rock at the
northeast comer of the said bridge, and in repairing and
amending the highways in the said counties of Albany and
Saratoga, leading to and from the said bridge."
This act was amended by the passage of an act March
30, 1798, which appointed John Hazard of the to^wn of
Half Moon and Peter S. Schuyler of the to^wn of Watervliet,
as commissioners " with full power yearly and every year
hereafter, on the first Tuesday in May to sell at public ven
due the toll of the bridge together ¦with the toll house be
longing to the same for the term of one year then next
ensuing." By this act, also, a penalty was established of $15,
to be imposed upon any one who should break open the toll
gates, and it was declared unlawful for any one to keep a
tavern or inn at the toll house.
On petition of Matthew Gregory and Gradus Van Schoon
hoven, then lessees of the bridge, who set forth that as it
had been much injured by ice and water, the tolls were in
sufficient to pay for the necessary repairs, the legislature, in
an act passed April 4, 1801, authorized the commissioners

36 History of Cohoes. 1806.
to increase the rates of toll to the requisite figure, with the
restriction that the increase should not be over 33j per
cent, or be continued more than four years.
The Cohoes Bridge Company, consisting of Samuel
Stewart, Ira Scott, John I. Close, Guert Van Schoonhoven,
Moses Scott, Henry Davis and Samuel Demarest, was in
corporated April 4, 1806, "for the purpose of rebuilding
the state bridge over the Mohawk River," it having been
severely damaged by the ice. The stock of the company was
limited to three hundred shares of twenty-five dollars each.
New rates of toll were fixed, considerably higher than those
of 1797.
The completion of the bridge was of course followed by
some little change in the life of the inhabitants. A means
of communication was furnished to parts of the adjoining
country which had previously been difficult of access, and
as the amount of travel by the new route was considerable,
the hamlet doubtless assumed a slight appearance of activity.
The road, beside being generally used by the farmers in the
vicinity, became one of the main routes to the north, and in
later years was traversed by the stage coaches running from
Albany to Ballston Spa and other points. A tavern was
established in the house on the farm before described as
Gerret Witbeck's, Richard Heamstreet being proprietor.

1811. History of Cohoes- 37

m.
From the Incorporation of the Cohoes Manufactur
ing CoMPANT, 1811, TO the Commencement of Opera
tions BT THE Cohoes Company, 1830.
-L HUS far in the history of Cohoes, there had been no
indications of the importance which it was destined to assume
as a manufacturing town. As at other points along the
river, several small mills had been established, but they were
comparatively unimportant, and there was little to distin
guish the place from other farming settlements in the
neighborhood. Early in the present century, however, the
advantages of this locality for manufacturing purposes were
recognized, and on a small scale the first attempt was made
to utilize them.
In 1811, the Cohoes Manuf acturing Company, composed
entirely of gentlemen from Lansingburg, was incorporated,
being one of the first corporations formed under the " general
act" of that year. A tract of sixty acres on the bank of
the river, which was part of the Heamstreet farm,' together
¦with the water privilege, was secured, and land was also
purchased from Jacobus Van Schoonhoven on the opposite
side of the river, embracing what is now known as Simmons's
Island. The property belonging to the patroon was trans
ferred to Gerret Peebles, one of the trustees of the company,
1 This tract, kno-wnfor some years as the Factory lot, and which afterward came
into possession of the Cohoes Company, comprised all that part of the Heamstreet
farm which lay east of Mohawk street, down to a point near Columbia street.
The southern limit may be described according to landmarks now in existence,
as a line extending from the Rensselaer and Saratoga rail road crossing (near
Steenberg's carriage shop) to the river, passing by Geo. Ducharme's house and the
new gas works. The aimual rental was seven bushels of wheat. A new lease was
at the same time executed to Charles Heamstreet for the remainder of his farm,
145^ acres.

38 History op Cohoes. 1811.
May 20. The certificate of incorporation, filed June 18 in
the office of the secretary of state, was as follows :
" This may certify that Timothy Leonard, Elijah Janes,
Garret Peebles, Calvin Barker, Elias Parmelee, Sylvanus
J. Penniman, Ebenezer W. Walbridge, .lohn Stewart,
Joseph Fox, Jacob L. Lansing, James Adams, Elisha Janes,
John Pierce and Seth Seelye, in the village of Lansingburg
in the county of Rensselaer, and state of New York, have
associated and formed themselves into a company according
to the act entitled ' an act relative to Incorporations for man
ufacturing purposes, passed March 22, 1811,' by the name
of ' The Cohoes Manufacturing Company,' for the purposes
of manufacturing Cotton, Woolen and Linen goods, making
bar-iron. Anchors, Mill Irons, nail rods. Hoop-iron and
Iron Mongery. That the Capital Stock of said company
shall be One Hundred Thousand Dollars and the number
of shares two thousand. The stock, j)roj)erty and concerns
of the said company shall be conducted and managed by
seven trustees, and Timothy Leonard, Calvin Barker, Geriit
Peebles, Elias Parmelee, Elijah Janes, Ebenezer W. Wal
bridge and Seth Seelye, shall be the Trustees to manage
the concerns of said company for the first year, commencing
on the day of the filing of this certificate in the Secretary's
office of this State. The operations of the said Company
¦will be carried on at Cohoesville in the town of Watervliet,
in the county of Albany and state aforesaid, on the west
Bank of the Mohawk River, a little distance southeast of
the Cohoes bridge."
The first enterprise in which the company engaged was
the manufacture of screws ; a wing dam was built, and a
building (on the site now occupied by Weed & Becker's
axe factory) was erected soon after the incorporation.
It was the intention of the company, in purchasing so
large a tract of land, to lay it out and improve it so as to
afford sites for further manufacturing establishments which
in time could be disposed of to other parties, but no move
ment of the sort appears to have been made, and for some
years, at least, the operations of the Company were confined
to this factory. The operatives employed were mostly
from New York. Several large wooden tenements, still

1818. ^ History of Cohoes. 39
standing, (between Saratoga street and the canal) were built
for their accommodation, on the knoll at the west of the
factory. The first superintendent employed by the company was
named Pierce, who was succeeded in 1813 by Col. Prescott.
Horatio Spafford, who was a resident of Lansingburg, and
was doubtless acquainted with his to^wnsmen who were
engaged in this enterprise, appears to have been the first
¦writer to mention the wonderful facilities offered by this
locality for manufacturing purposes. In his Gazetteer of
New York State (1st ed., 1813), he said, under the head of
Half-Moon :
" The Cahoos Falls of the Mohawk, near its mouth, are
between this town and Watervliet, and will supply a vast
profusion of sites when the surrounding population shall
need extensive works. There are now mills erected upon
the upper sprout or delta of that river just at Waterford
Point where it meets the Hudson."
Under the title of Watervliet, the foUo^wing appeared in
regard to Cohoes :
" About three miles N. of Gibbons^ville (West Troy) there
is a bridge across the Mohawk, a short distance below the
Cahoos Falls. The roads are numerous in the interior, but
they are rather paths than highways. The Cahoos, being
the principal falls of the Mohawk, are between Watervliet
and Half Moon in Saratoga Co. The whole waters of the
Mohawk descend in one sheet at high water, about 70
feet. In the vicinity of the Cahoos is a Dutch church and
farming neighborhood commonly called the Boght. Since
the above was written, a manufactory of screws of iron for
woodwork, erected on the lower sprout of the Mohawk near
the Cahoos bridge, has got into successful operation.
Works are about to be added for drawing the wire from
which the screws are formed, when the iron will be taken in
the bar, and manufactured into screws, now made of foreign
¦wire. The machinery is all driven by water, and is said to
be very ingenious, the invention of a self-taught artist, Mr.
Wm. C. Penniman. Some samples of the screws which I
have seen appear to be well formed, and they are cut ¦with

40 History of Cohoes. 1813.
great dispatch. These works are owned by an incorporated
company with a sufficient capital, and are situated directly
opposite Lansingburg, and about two miles below Water
ford."' It is probable that the establishment of this factory made
little difference in the general life of the hamlet. It was
situated some distance from the main road, accessible only
by a rough path through the woods (now Oneida street),
its proprietors and operatives were all strangers, and beyond
the interest naturally awakened by the first operations, the
enterprise received but slight attention from the inhabitants.
One event, however, which was of general importance,
was perhaps brought about by the accession of the families
of the factory operatives. The only school house in the
neighborhood previously, had been located at the Boght,
but another was established about this time, which was
more accessible to many of the inhabitants. The school
was first located in a building on the main road, afterwards
occupied as a residence by Israel Anthony, a shoe-maker,
and still later by Wm. Link.- The first teacher was a man
named O'Neil. About the same time or soon afterward, a
school building was erected a short distance above the
Heamstreet farm house. ^ Supply F. Wilson was one of
the early teachers.
About this time the manufacture of writing paper was
commenced in Gerret Clute's mill near the Falls. The
building had not been used as a grist mill for some time,
and was occupied for several years as a cloth establishment
for dressing common farmers' flannel. The proprietor of
the paper mill was Elisha Sheldon, who employed a man

1 John M. King, who as a boy was employed in the screw factory, is now living in
Lansingburg. ' Near the comer of Oneida and Mohawk streets, on the site of the residence of
M. S. Tounglove.
s On Saratoga street on the site occupied by the Med or State-yard school house.

1816. History of Cohoes. 41
named Ensign as his superintendent. Two wooden tene
ments were erected near the mill. '
In 1815 or 1816, the screw factory was burned, and this
appears to have interrupted for a time the operations of the
company. A great part of the stock changed hands, most
of it coming into possession of Benjamin and Samuel De
Milt of New York, and after some delay a new building
was erected, which was ocuupied as a cotton factory. In
connection with it a small factory was afterward estab
lished for the manufacture of shovels and other tools
which was conducted by Collin and Jones. Few particulars
in regard to it can be obtained.
About the year 1820, the first church building within
the present limits of Cohoes was erected. It was a small
wooden structure, located above the north line of the
Charles Heamstreet farm, near what is now the north
west corner of Mohawk and White streets. But little
can be ascertained in regard to the history of the
church. It was of the Methodist denomination, and
was organized mainly through the efforts of the different
Heamstreet families. The ser^vices were conducted by
Jacob Heamstreet and a man named Whipple of Lansing
burg, as exhorters, but there is no record that a clergy
man was ever regularly settled. The building was only
used about two years, when disputes of some sort arose
and the services were abandoned. It remained for some time
unoccupied, and was afterward converted into a dwelling
house. Directly in front of this church was located the
ninth mile stone from Albany. The eighth mile stone was
near Jacob H. Lansing's house.
The construction of the Erie and Champlain Canals, which
was begun in 1817, and completed, at least in this vicinity,
in 1823, was the first event to cause a noticeable change in

1 The mUl was destroyed about 1832, when the improvements of the Cohoes Com
pany were in progress. 6

42 History of Cohoes. 1823.
the character of the place. It may well be imagined that
the equanimity of its quiet Dutch inhabitants was seriously
disturbed by the projection of these improvements, and that
they regarded the invasion of their domains with a disfavor
which no awards of land damages could remove. Every
farm was traversed by one or both of the canals. Both
passed directly in front of the residence of Abram G. Lan
sing, marring the la^wn which extended from the house to
the river, and destroying much of the beauty of his country
place — while the next farm on the north, belonging to
Charles Heamstreet, was damaged almost as greatly. The
front yard of the farm house was cut off by the Champlain
Canal, leaving no means of access to the highway, except by a
bridge which was built a short distance above the house, and
soon afterward Mr. Heamstreet disposed of the farm, and
moved away, his reason being, it is said, disgust at this
mutilation of his property. The other farmers, whose lands
were all more or less injured, appear to have been more
resigned to the innovation, though it was doubtless equally
unwelcome. The junction of the Erie and Champlain Canals (located
near the site of the stables of the Troy and Cohoes Horse
Rail Road Company on Saratoga street north of the dyke),
gave this locality some little importance in the early
days of canal navigation. On the occasion of the canal
celebration Oct. 8th, 1823, the Dewitt Clinton, the first
boat to pass from the Erie Canal into the Hudson, was here
met by the joint committee of the common council and
citizens of Albany, who escorted to that city the passengers,
consistuig of Gov. Yates, the canal commissioners, and other
prominent officials. It was at this point that the slight ac
tivity in the place, which followed the regular opening of
navigation, was chiefly manifested. The construction of
the canals brought to Cohoes quite a number of new in
habitants, some of whom came during the progress of the
work and others soon after its completion. Houses were

1823. History op Cohoes. 43
built, and canal groceries, stables, and similar concerns es
tablished at different points. The most important of these
were at the junction, at which place the principal settlers
were Messrs. Cro^wner, Waterman and Phelps. The house
of Mr. Waterman, who was the first justice of the peace
in the neighborhood, was situated on the hill just south of
the ravine at the northwest of the junction, and those of
Cro^wner and Phelps were by the canal north of the site of
the horse rail road stables. Among other families which
came to Cohoes about this time were those of Messrs. Henry
En Earl, Flannigan, Beecher, Wolcott and Herkimer.
The boats at this time only ran during the day and there
was consequently a demand for lodgings for the boatmen
and stabling for their horses, which was the means of
supporting several small taverns ; of these the most im
portant was the one which had been established by Richard
Heamstreet, and was then kept by Andrews. Another was
located in the old Ouderkirk or Fonda farm-house, which
was kept by  Dyer and afterward by  Williams.
Connected ¦with this was a large barn (burned a few years
since) which stood on the flats between the canal and the
river, and furnished accommodations for a number of canal
teams. On the hill was the Cohoes House o^wned by the
Van Der Marks, who had leased the southwest portion of
the Clute farm. This was located near the bridge which
crosses the present Erie Canal by the Boght road.'
With the exception of some alterations made three years
since, near the old junction, the course of the Champlain
Canal, near Cohoes, has remained as originally laid out.
The old Erie Canal ran north from the junction, passing over
the ground now occupied by Main street, and the third and
second levels of the Cohoes Company's canals. Above the
Falls it ran in a north westerly direction, being at the west of

1 This was torn down in 1875. In later years it was called the Old House at Home,
and was kept by Geo. Bray.

44 History of Cohoes. 1823.
the present location of the Cohoes Company's upper level.
Within the space now included between the northern and
southern boundaries of the city were nineteen locks, fol
lowing each other in rapid succession. Two of these were
below the junction, and seven between the junction and the
road to Watervliet, now Columbia street. The next one was
located near what is now White street, and the old lock
house (on the east side of Main street), is still standing ;
three more were situated near the site now occupied by the
jute mill (formerly paper mill) on Mohawk street, and two
others occupied the ground near where the pump house now
stands. Between the Three Locks and the Two Locks, near
the site of the Harmony Mills, was a large basin, capable of
holding thirty or forty boats, which at night was often
filled. A canal grocery, owned by Oliver C. Hubbard, was,
about 1828, located on one of the Two Locks. The
last locks, four in number, were near the present northern
boundary of the city.
These locks were an object of great dislike to travelers
and boatmen, whose progress was seriously impeded by
them in busy seasons when boats were numerous. To avoid
wasting the time which would have been employed in the
ledious journey from Albany to the upper locks, a line of
stage coaches was established by  Allen, a few years
after the opening of the canals, which connected with the
packets just above the locks. These coaches, on some days
five or six in number, came up from Albany every morning
bringing westward bound passengers and returned at night
with those who had come in from the opposite direction.
The horses were stabled during the day at the Van Der
Mark tavern.
In Spafford's Canal Guide, published 1824 and 1825, the
following objects of interest in Cohoes at that time were
mentioned :
" Between Albany and Schenectady, twenty-eight and a

1823. History of Cohoes. 45
half miles, a day is employed, there being so many locks to
pass ; but every person is well compensated for the time
and expense of at least one trip, passing twenty-seven locks,
two aqueducts, and an interesting variety of natural
scenery 
Miles from Albany.
8 J Juncta, or the junction where the Erie receives the
Champlain Canal by a navigable feeder from the Mohawk,
below which there is a basin and 2 locks, Nos. 3 and 4,
2 of the Allie Locks. No. 3 to 1 1, in about half a mile rise
78 feet. Here are two locks the commencement of a
double set now building of the white marble of West
chester Co.
r. from Juncta by Champlain Canal to Waterford, 2 miles.
1. A. G. Lansing's at lock No. 6.
9 Lock No. 12, rise 8 feet.
9i The Three Locks, Nos. 13, 14 and 15, rise 26 ft., opposite
Cahoos Dridge.
9J The Tim Locks, Nos. 16 and 17 rise 18 ft., Nos. 13, 14,
15, 16, the 4 Marble Locks.
10 Deep cutting, 26 ft., 40 rods, transition argillite
r. Cahoos Falls, perpendicular descent 78 ft.
lOi r. Paper Mill on Mohawk River.
lOj The Four Locks, Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21, rise 32 ft.
r. Wing dam, and grist saw and plaster mill.i "
The points mentioned on the Champlain Canal were
Whiting's factory,- the cotton factory and the dam,
the latter of which is thus described. "J m. Dam, Mohawk
River, 7 ft. pond 1600 ft. wide, back water 53 rods, navi
gation through the pond, guard locks, feeder for Erie
Canal." In the second edition of Spafford's Gazetteer, published
1824, the place was described as follows :

1 The plaster mill, belonging to the Lansing family, had not been long in opera
tion. It was located in an addition which was built at the south of the original
saw and gnst mills. The building was used a few years later for the manufacture
of coarse wrapping paper.
' This was the mill which had been conducted by John Heamstreet. It came into
the possession of the Whitings of Troy, and was used some years as a candle factory.
The frame of the mill remained standing as late as 1837. The house occupied by
the Whitings, and in later years known as the Aleombrack house, is still standing,
near the site of the old.mill.

46 History of Cohoes. 1823.
" The detention of boats in passing the numerous locks
near here will help the proprietors towards making this a
place of business, particularly if they connect it with mill
works and factories, as they may well do  I have
perhaps rather whimsically named the new town which the
proprietors mean to have at the jilace where the Erie Canal
receives the Champlain Canal, Juncta, but if they make a
town or village there, I may at least make a name for it until
they give it one. It is a pretty spot, and if they give it
water power and hydraulic works, there will soon collect
about it people enough to make a handsome little ¦vdllage."
The cotton factory of the Cohoes Manufacturing Company,
of which  Sayres was at the time agent, was spoken of
as Prescott s factory, " a stone building, near the Cahoos
bridge and the ruins of the screw factory mentioned in the
first edition of this work. It is owned principally in Lan
singburg." It was at the time the only cotton factory in the county.
The design of the company to establish here a manufactur
ing village, referred to in the above extract, is described at
greater length in a memorial drawn up for presentation to
the canal commissioners by the trustees, soon after the
opening of the canal. In this it was stated that they
had purchased lands and water privileges from Stephen
Van Rensselaer and Jacobus Van Schoonhoven " for which
lands and water privileges there has been paid by the trust
ees of the Cohoes Manufacturing Company to the aforesaid
persons the sum of four thousand six hundred and seventy-
one dollars. Your memorialists further represent that
atthe time of making the above purchases they had ascer
tained that the lands so purchased, together ¦with the water
privileges, would furnish sites and power for twenty-two
manufacturing establishments ; that the ultimate value of
so many sites for hydraulic machinery your memorialists
calculated would indemnify them for the extraordinary
price paid for the aforesaid premises, and the expenses
which they might incur in commencing operations which
were yet new in this country ; that with the view of dis
posing of sites to purchasers, they have had their land sur
veyed and laid out into proper lots, and have excavated a

1823. History op Cohoes. 47
canal nearly through their land, forty feet ¦wide, at an ex
pense of three thousand four hundred and sixty dollars ;
that after practicing every economy, which the nature of
their business would admit, they have expended on the pre
mises the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, for which
or for the interest that has accrued thereon, they have as
yet received no return. Your memorialists beg leave further
to suggest that they conceive they had acquired a perfect
title to all the above mentioned premises ; that they are
entitled to an adequate compensation for the damages they
sustain by the loss of land and improvements by means of
the canal operation, and by loss of privileges occasioned by
the use and diversion of the waters of the Mohawk, and
your memorialists beg leave further to suggest the propriety
of theu- claim to the waters of the Mohawk, beyond what
is necessary for supplying the northern and western locks
and canals ; and your memorialists respectfully solicit your
honorable body to fix upon certain regulations under which
your memorialists may have leave to take and use such of
the waters of the Mohawk as shall not be wanted for canal
purposes." From various reasons, chiefiy lack of capital, the plans of
this company never approached completion. The opening
of the canal had, however, drawn the attention of other par
ties to the feasibility of a similar enterprise, and in 1826,
¦with the incorporation of the Cohoes Company, the first
steps were taken towards the development, on a large scale,
of the wonderful natural resources of the place, and the
foundation was laid for the establishment of a thriving town.
The honor of originating the first design for the complete
and systematic utilization of the water power belongs to
Canvass White, of whom an extended notice is given else
where. He first became interested in the project while en
gaged as engineer in the constmction of the Erie Canal, and
being convinced of its importance, devoted himself earnestly
to obtaining means for its execution. Not being a man of
large property himself, he sought the cooperation of a num
ber of capitalists with whom he had acquaintance — promi
nent among them being Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany,

48 History of Cohoes. 1823.
and the members of the firm of Peter Remsen & Co. of
New York, and without difficulty gained their aid in the
enterprise. A company was formed, which was incorporated
March 28th, the directors named hi the charter being as
follows: Peter Remsen, Chas. E. Dudley, Stephen Van-
Rensselaer Jr., Francis Olmstead, Canvass White, Henry
J. Wyckoff and David Wilkinson. Their election held in
that year resulted in the choice of Mr. White as president,
and Mr. Van Rensselaer as vice president. The first sec
retary, Mr. Wyckoff, was not elected until the following
year. The powers of the company in regard to improve
ments were thus stated in the charter:
" It shall and may be lawful for the said corporation to
erect and maintain a dam across the Mohawk River, opposite
the lands belonging to said corporation above the great
Cohoes Falls for supplying water for the purpose of said
corporation. . . . The said corporation shall have full
right, power and authority to cut, construct and make a
canal or canals from said river upon the lands of said cor
poration, to supply water for all the purposes of said cor
poration ; and to cut, construct and make upon the lands of
said corporation as many lateral canals connected therewith
as may be necessary to supply water for the manufacturing
establishments which may be erected, and also to afford
such water communication with the Erie and Champlain
Canals as shall be approved by the canal commissioners or
such other person or f)ersons as may hereafter be appointed
by the legislature, having the superintendence and manage
ment of said canals ; and may also at any time hereafter
purchase, build, or hire for the use and in the name of the
said corporation, houses, factories, warehouses, wharves and
other necessary buildings and to sell or lease any part or
the whole of the above mentioned property, and also any
surplus water of their canals, in such manner as they may
think most conducive to the interest of said corporation."
The capital of the company was $250,000.'

> Increased in 1835, to $500,000 with the proviso that none of the additional capital
should be employed in manufacturing operations.

1825. History of Cohoes. 49
The incorporation of this company, the most important
event thus far in the history of Cohoes, had no immediate
effect upon the place. Time was required for the perfection
of plans and the completion of necessary arrangements, so
no active operations were at once commenced, and for the
next few years but little is to be recorded concerning the
history of the village.
During the ¦winter of 1825-26, the locks at the junction,
which had proved insufficient to accommodate the rapidly
increasing number of boats, were doubled. A new bridge
(on the site of the present one) across the Mohawk above the
dam was constructed by the Cohoes Bridge Company, which
was authorized to contract ¦with the canal commissioners for
building and sustaining a tow path bridge for the benefit
of the Champlain Canal, and was empowered to change the
location of the old structure, and take such lands of the
adjoining shores as might be necessary. The new bridge,
built by  Hay ward, was of wood, and had latticed
sides, being one of the first so constructed in the neighbor
hood.' The toll collector was Jacob Van Der Werken,
who had been the last collector at the upper bridge.
After the completion of this bridge, efforts were made
for the establishment of a suitable approach to it, and a
survey of the road from the junction north was made by
Wm. Roberts Jr., March 22, 1828, as follows :
" The road is laid out four rods ¦wide in all places, measured
at right angles with the course thereof. Beginning at a point
in the centre of the road bearing north seventy -five degrees
and fifty minutes west thirty-nine links from the southwest
corner of the tavern house owned by A. G. Lansing, and
now occupied by Henry En Earl and running thence upon
the centre of the road north fourteen degrees and ten
minutes east to the centre of the new Cohoes bridge at the
south end thereof."
For some reason this survey was never recorded, and in

» It was partially destroyed by ice, in 1832, but remained in use until March, 1863
when it was burned. The last toll collector was John G. Bonce.
7

50 History op Cohoes. 1828.
later years various parties have been able to encroach upon
the street ¦with impunity. When the state buildings were
erected, about eight years later, the fence projected some
distance into the street. Remonstrance was made by Hugh
White, then president of the Cohoes Bridge Company, and he
was assured by Clark Sumner, canal superintendent, that the
land should be restored any time it was needed for public
purposes. This, however, has never been done.
In 1828, a new school district was formed, all this neigh
borhood having been previously included in one district,
having for its only accommodation the Red School House.
The new school was located in a building which had been
used as a boarding house during the construction of the
bridge, and stood near the site of the old freight house of the
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road Company, on Oneida
street. In 1829, the cotton factory burned, and the Cohoes
Manufacturing Company was broken up. The last agent
of the company was Otis Sprague, and its trustees at the
time of its dissolution were : B. De Milt, Edward Taylor,
John Sayre, Cahdn Barker, Joseph Curtis, Wm. M. Morrell
and Samuel De Milt. The enterprise had not been particu
larly successful, financially, and the proprietors made no
effort to rebuild and continue business, probably seeing
that their concern would be completely overshadowed in
the progress of the operations then about to be commenced
by the Cohoes Company.

1831. History of Cohoes. 51

IV.
1831 to 1836.
VV ITH the completion, in 1831, of the first actual im
provements of the Cohoes Company, commenced a new era
in the history of Cohoes.
Though this neighborhood had been settled at an early
day, and had been increased in population and acti^vity by
the establishment of the factory of 1811, and the opening
of the canals, there had never been any movement toward
a regular development of the place. The early inhabitants,
occupied only with their farms or their traffic with passing
boatmen, had no local interests in common which would
stimulate them to an effort for the establishment of a village,
and pre^vious to this time, the place, hardly entitled to be
even called a hamlet, had consisted (aside from the factory)
of the half dozen farm houses at intervals along the banks
of the river, and a few scattered canal groceries. The ad
vent of new inhabitants, however, all engaged directly or
indirectly in putting to practical use the natural advantages
of the place, and having a common interest in its growth
and improvement, infused a new life into Cohoes, and its
active career was then entered upon.
Early in the season a wooden dam was constructed above
the Falls, not far from the location of the present one. At
the same time the company purchased from I. D. F. Lan
sing a large tract of land in that vicinity, together with a
portion of the mill privilege which had been the property
of his family since their first settlement in the neighborhood.
Mr. Lansing reserved the right of using enough water for
four run of stone, and transferred to the company the re
mainder of the water power, together ¦with the privilege of
constructing the dam and the necessaiy canals, for the sum

52 History op Cohoes. 1831.
of $12,495. Further accessions had been made bythe pur
chase of lands on the opposite or Waterford side of the
river. A strip one rod in width, extending from the Falls
to the dam, was purchased from Garret Van Schoonhoven
in 1826, for $5,000, thus enabling the conif)any to control
the entire power of the river except that reserved by Mr.
Lansing. Other tracts, embracing a large part of what is
now known as Northside and extending beyond the Shate-
muck Mill -proTpertj on the Champlain Canal, were purchased
from Joshua Blower at different times from 1826 to 1838.'
The officers of the company made an arrangement by
which they were permitted to use the Erie Canal for the
purpose of supplying water to factories until the company
could complete a canal of its own. The water from above
the dam was conveyed into the Erie Canal just below the
Four Locks, by means of a wooden trunk which passed
under the highway near I. D. F. Lansing's grist mill.
Having thus prepared for the utilization of its facilities
the company began to invite the attention of capitalists to
the locality, and take measures for the establishment of a
village. These efforts, though not resulting as favorably
as had been hoped, still had the effect of bringing a number
of new inhabitants.
One of the first settlers led here in consequence of the
organization of the Cohoes Company, was Hugh White,
who had arrived with his family in April, 1830. He had
made previous arrangements for settling here, and his house
on the Waterford road (the lumber for which had been
prepared in Chittenango, N. Y., and was shipped on the
canal ready to be put up), was nearly completed on his
arrival. Mr. White took the place of his brother Canvass,
who was often away attending to other business, in super
intending the early improvements of the company. Early
in the year David Wilkinson, of Pawtucket, R. I., one of
' This land was originally in the old ¦Van Schaick Patent.

1831. History of Cohoes. 53
the Cohoes Company, after urgent solicitation and liberal
offers on the part of his fellow members, decided to take
up his residence here, and arrived in April, being followed
the next month by his brother-in-law, Hezekiah Howe.
These gentlemen, together ¦with the friends who accom
panied them, had a most important part in shaping the
history of the town. Mr. Wilkinson was one of the fore
most mechanics and inventors in the country, and was
widely known to manufacturers and capitalists. Having
suffered heavily in the business depression of 1829, he, ¦with
his partner JMr. Howe, determined to avail himself of
the opportunity offered for trying his fortunes in a new
locality. The result proved how well grounded were the
expectations of the company in regard to the effect of his
ability and enterprise on the growth of Cohoes.
Among the friends of Messrs. Wilkinson and Howe, who
arrived here about the same time, were Joshua R. Clarke,
John Baker, Nathaniel Wheeler, Samuel Baldwin, Pardon
Wbitman, Robert Leckie, Geo. H. Kimball, and John
TUlinghast. The prospects for the new comers were not particularly
encouraging. The best accommodations to be had were
afforded by Mr. Faulkner, who then kept the Richard Heam
street tavern, and they were of the most limited description.
Mr. Howe and his family, after boarding for some little
time at this place, took up their residence in the house on
the southwest comer of Oneida and Saratoga streets, which
had previously been occupied by employes of the Cohoes
Manufacturing Company ; Mr. Wilkinson took possession
of the Whiting house, near the river ; Mr. Clarke occupied
half of another of the factory houses, below Saratoga street
near Ontario, and the other families found accommodations,
for the most part temporary, in different localities in the
neighborhood. At this time there were not over twenty or
twenty-five buildings standing on the ground which is now

54 History of Cohoes. 1831.
the most thickly settled portion of the city, and mention
has already been made of the greater part of them. Among
the most important were the old farm houses on the Lansing
and Heamstreet properties, the dwellings of Cro^wner,
Waterman, Phelps, and En Earl at the junction, and the
factory tenements near the state dam. On the west side of
Mohawk street, near its junction ¦with Oneida, ' was quite a
settlement, the principal house being that of Jacob Van
Der Werken ; opposite to this, and nearly on the site of the
present residence of Geo. Lawrence, lived a man named
Rice. Next door to Van Der Werken's was the dwelling of
Washington Cavan, which now forms part of the offices of
P. D. Niver, and Justice Redmond. South of this was
the dwelling of Wm. Link, which has been before referred
to as occupied by Israel Anthony. On Mohawk street,
opposite the present City Hotel (the site of which was then
occupied by a large Dutch barn belonging to the Richard
Heamstreet farm), was a small cottage occupied by Mr.
Robinson ; on the bank of the river the gate house of the
old bridge was still standing, and was occupied by Capt.
Andrews. On the hill, besides the Lansing farm houses
and the Van Der Mark tavern or Cohoes House, there was
nothing except the canal groceries of Hubbard and Revels.
The first house south of Link's was that of Isaac Fletcher,
on the southeast corner of Mohawk and Pine ; adjoining
this were two or three small buildings, one of which was
occupied by a man named Crabbe. The Methodist church,
on the opposite side of the street, was then unoccupied ;
Dr. Tracy, the first physician, it is said, who settled in
Cohoes, had a house on the north side of Columbia street,
between Main and Remsen streets, and near the junction of
Mohawk and Saratoga (on the site of the residence of
Malachi Weidman), stood a small dwelling occupied by
' In speaking of these localities, I am compelled to use the names of our present
BtreetB, though of course they were not in existence at that time.

1831. History op Cohoes. 55
Isaac Van Der Werken. Along the canal may have been
a few small groceries, and here and there an occasional
shanty, but so far as I have been able to ascertain, there
were no buildings of importance then standing in the main
part of the village besides those already mentioned. All the
land west of the Erie Canal was yet uncleared ; on the east
a great part of it was unfit for farming purposes and had
been neglected. Between the canal and Remsen street was
a swamp which, for a number of years, was put to no use
except as a cow pasture. The character of the land, marshy
and full of quicksands, proved a serious obstacle in later
years to many who were building in that locality. Between
Remsen and Mohawk streets the soil was better adapted
for cultivation, and on part of it a crop of corn had been
raised in the previous year. The block between Factory
and Oneida streets was occupied by an orchard belonging
to the Richard Heamstreet farm. A deep ravine, through
which had once flowed a brook of considerable size, passed
from the canal do^wn Ontario street across Remsen, and
then in a northeast direction to Mohawk street.
At this time, and for a number of years later, there was
a beautiful pine grove on the land through which the
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road now passes, extending
from the bridge nearly to Howard street, and smaller groves
were scattered at intervals between the Falls and the junction.
For the accommodation of the people at the factory, a
narrow road (now Oneida street) had been cut through
from the state dam to the main road, ¦with which it con
nected near Jacob Van Der Werken's house. Besides this
and the main highway there were no other public roads,
except the one which is now Columbia street. This had
been in use from a very early day. The farmers from the
Boght, instead of turning into the main road near the Falls,
often chose the lower road in preference, and came down
that way when they drove to Troy and Albany ¦with their
produce, or went to Heamstreefs mill.

56 History of Cohoes. 1831.
Such was Cohoes in 1831. A description of life in the
place during that year, from some of those who were pioneers
in its settlement and improvement, gives one a striking
sense of the inconveniences and annoyances they must have
suffered. Until they could become settled in business, and
make arrangements for building or hiring suitable houses,
their accommodations were restricted ; there were no facili
ties of any account for communication ¦with the outside
world, the only public conveyance to neighboring towns
being the canal boats, which often consumed two hours in
making the trip from here to Troy, though the people were
in the habit of saving time by walking to the junction and
taking the boat at that point, thus avoiding the delay of
the locks ; it was almost impossible to obtain the common
est necessities of life ; groceries, and those of an inferior de
scription, could only be procured at the canal stores, at
either extremity of the village, and fresh meat was a luxury
only to be found occasionally at the junction ; the nearest
post office was at Waterford.
When, in addition to these discomforts, the fact is taken
into account that the business prospects of the inhabitants
were by no means bright, that the influx of capitalists and
new population which had been expected was slow in coming,
and the golden dreams which had been cherished in regard to
the growth of the place were realized in but a slight degree,
we can understand how much credit is due to the energy
and perseverance of these early settlers and those who
followed them within the next decade. Not^withstanding
the obstacles in their way, the new-comers commenced at
once their efforts for the improvement of the place. Messrs.
Wilkinson and Howe were both active churchmen, and their
first step was to procure accommodations for holding public
worship. On May 2d, the day after Mr. Howe's arrival,
St. John's Episcopal church was organized, and ha^'ing
secured the assistance of Rev. Orange Clark of Waterford

1831. History of Cohoes. 57
services were held the next Sunday in the school house of
District No. 5, on Oneida street.
A Sunday school was at the same time organized under
direction of Miss Wilkinson and Miss Maria Howe. The
church services, which were held in the afternoon, were well
attended and continued regularly during the year.
The first church officers were as follows : Wardens :
David Wilkinson, Hugh White. Vestrymen : Hezekiah
Howe, Otis Sprague, Albert S. Wilkinson, John Van Der
Werken, Matthias Williams, Samuel II. Baldwin, Luther
M. Ti-acy.
Mr. Wilkinson commenced business operations at once,
and ills machine shop, located on Mohawk street on the site
of the present Empire Mill, was erected and in full opera
tion within a few months after his arrival. The power was
obtained from the Erie Canal by means of a waste gate,
located near the north end of the present Hai-mony Mills
carpenter shop, from which the water was conveyed to the
machine shop by a small ditch. During the year Mr.
Wilkinson was occupied chiefiy in constructing machinery
for cotton manufacture, some of which was shipped to
Seneca Falls. Another establishment, which was com
pleted in the fall, was a saw mill belonging to Hugh White,
which stood at the Two Locks where is now the picker room
of No. 1 mill. It was built by Sylvester Van Der Mark,
who had in his employ, as an apprentice, Dennis Flannigan.
Mr. Van Der Mark and Joshua R. Clarke were the principal
carpenters here, and most of the buildings erected for a
number of years following were under the supervision of
one or the other. '
About the same time Mr. Howe established the first store
of any importance in the place. It was located in a build-
1 This mill was run by Mr. White alone for a few years, and afterwards with J.
R. Clarke as a partner. In August, 1836, it was sold to the Harmony Manufacturing
Company, which was then being organized.
8

58 History of Cohoes. 1832.
ing erected for the purpose at the middle one of the Three
Locks, near the present Jute mill, at the place where Mr.
Howe landed from the canal boat which brought him to
Cohoes. The business, which was that of a general country
store, was conducted by his son.
On the 23d of February 1832, the first postmaster,
Frederick Y. Waterman, was appointed. The office was
located at the junction, and as it was not much more con
venient of access than the one at Waterford, many people
continued to have their mail sent to the latter place until
Mr. Howe was appointed in the following year, when the
office was transferred to his new store on the canal bank.
The mail was carried by Wright Mallery, in later years a well-
known resident of this city, who had at that time a bakery
in West Troy. He made daily trips in this direction, visit
ing the groceries along the line of the canal, and brought
the Cohoes mail in his bread cart — no heavy burden — for
it consisted some days of but one or two letters. Mr. Mallery
moved here in 1834, but went to Troy on business every
day and continued to carry the mail for some time.
During 1832, the Cohoes Company was actively engaged.
The first dam was carried away by ice on January 10, and
was immediately rebuilt. During the spring, also, the first
two canals of the company, which had been commenced in
the previous year, were completed ; the contractors for the
work being Oliver C. Hubbard and Captain Andrews. The
principal one. Basin A, extended from a point in the rear
of the present Harmony Mills carpenter shop, on Mohawk
street, to a short distance north of Factory street. The
other. Basin B, was of less importance, serving principally
to receive the water from Basin A and convey it to the
river. It is on Remsen street and forms the fourth level of
the Cohoes Company's present system. The first factory
to obtain its power from Basin A was one (now occupied
by Holsapple's bedstead factory) which was erected in the

1832. History of Cohoes. 59
early part of the year by E. L. Miller, a wealthy gentleman
of Charleston, S. C, who intended to engage in cotton
manufacture. At the same time he tore down the old
Heamstreet barn, on the corner of Factory and Mohawk
streets, and commenced building a commodious residence,
while directly opposite, on the east side of Mohawk street,
he erected a small wooden building afterward occupied as
a store by his nephew, Mr. Whiting, and in later years by
the post office. The mill and residence were buUt by Joshua
R. Clarke, and the masons employed were Elihu and John
Stevenson, for many years well known citizens, who had
come to Cohoes a few months previous.
The buildings were hardly completed, however, when
Mr. Miller fell into ill health, and changed all his plans.
He became dissatisfied ¦with his investments here, abandoned
his idea of engaging in business, and went to New York,
leaving his property to be disposed of for what it would
bring. His house, directly after its completion, was con
verted into a hotel, which was first conducted by a man
named Fuller, who came here from Watertown, and it has
ever since been used for that purpose. It has been so al
tered and enlarged from time to time, however, that the
present City Hotel bears but little resemblance to the
original structure. In the mill, the machinery, which had
been made by Mr. Wilkinson, was set up and ready for use,
but soon after Mr. Miller's removal, it was sent to New
Jersey to be sold. Another factory was erected during this
season, by two gentlemen from New York for the purpose
of manufacturing carpets. It was situated on Mohawk
street, on the site now occupied by Gregory and Hiller's
mill, and the power was obtained from Basin B.
Soon after the mill was completed it was sold to Messrs.
Roach and Jones, of West Troy.'

' It is said that the cause of this sudden abandonment of their enterprise by the
original proprietors was the Asiatic cholera, then alarmingly prevalent. They took

60 History of Cohoes. 1832.
One of the most memorable buildings of the year was
St. John's church, erected by Joshua R. Clarke, which stood
on the south side of Oneida street, between Remsen and
Mohawk streets ; the structure was of wood, thirty-eight by
forty-eight feet in size. The interior was finished in the
plainest possible manner, and upon the ladies of the
parish devolved the work of adorning it with such decora
tions as their limited resources would allow. The church
bell, destined to remain in use nearly forty years, was a gift
from David Wilkinson. The entire cost of the edifice did
not exceed $1,500, of which $500 were contributed by the
Cohoes Company, who also gave the lot upon which it was
erected, the latter being a stipulation made by Mr. Wilkin
son before he consented to come here. Not^withstanding
this assistance, it was by no means easy to raise the necessary
amount, for the members of the parish were few in number
and nearly all of limited means. The work was one, how
ever, to which all were earnestly devoted and in its accom
plishment they were assisted by the cordial efforts of
almost every one in the place, without regard to theological
differences. The zeal of those who had labored so faith
fully in its behalf met with deserved success, and St. John's
church, the organization of which had been one of the first
steps towards the improvement of the village, became per
manently established. The building was consecrated on
May 12th of the following year by Bishop Onderdonk, Rev.
Mr. Whipple of Lansingburg assisting.
Other buildings erected during this year were Mr. Wil
kinson's house on the northwest corner of Oneida and
Mohawk streets, the most imposing residence the village
had yet seen, and the brick building west of the church,
it for granted that the race would soon become extinct, and that it would be use
less to make any business arrangements.
The building was in later years used for the manufacture of white lead by Mr.
Underwood, who had commenced that business in part of the Wilkinson machine
Bhop.

1882. History of Cohoes. 61
which was owned by Hugh White. The bricks used in the
construction of the latter were made by a man named
Welch and are said to have been the first made in the place,
aside from those found in the old farm houses.'
The event which marks this year as one of particular im
portance in the history of the place was the establishment
by Egberts and Bailey of the first factory in which knitting
machinery was successfully run by power.'-' Mr. Egberts,
who had been keeping a store with his brother in Albany,
became interested in 1831 in the jprocess of making knit
goods, and gave the subject considerable attention. After
inspecting the clumsy hand machines then in use, the idea
was suggested that improvements might be made by which
a knitting frame could be made to run by power. Mr. Eg
berts himself was not a practical mechanic, and could do
nothing towards perfecting any such apparatus ; but while
he was talking on the subject ¦with Dr. Williams, his family
physician, the latter suggested that Timothy Bailey, who
was then in the employ of Alfred Cooke, a cabinet maker,
was a young man of remarkable mechanical ability, who
could accomplish almost anything he turned his hand to,
and would doubtless be able to carry out the idea if it were
possible. Mr. Bailey was accordingly consulted, and
after a careful examination of the knitting frame then

1 Bricks were afterwards made in considerable quantity by Mason Sawyer.
About 1842, Patrick Rogers, who has for some years had a monopoly of this branch
of business here, commenced operations. His brick yard was located on the
flats south of Columbia street, afterwards on Mohawk street near Columbia and
another has been of late years established on Harmony Hill.
2 "The art of knitting is said to have been invented in Scotland, but the flrst
machine for making knitted fabrics w as the in vention of Wm. Lee of England about
two centuries ago. This machine remained in nearly the same condition in which
Lee left it for almost two centuries and the first introduced into America was the
old heavy hand frame, which required the strength of a pretty strong man to ope
rate it with advantage. Immense sums of money had been expended in England
to adapt tho knitting frame for operation by steam or water power, like the carpet
loom but this achievement was left for the perseverance and skill of American in
ventors."— Aiken's History of the Art of Knitting.

62 History op Cohoes. 1832.
used, concluded that he would undertake the task, on the
understanding that Mr. Egberts was to provide the neces
sary funds. The first thing requisite was a knitting machine
on which experiments could be commenced, and as this could
not be obtained in Albany, Mr. Bailey went to Philadel
phia, arriving there April 1, 1831. After some search he
succeeded in finding a disused machine, which he purchased
for $55, and returned, prepared to commence operations at
once. Within six days after its arrival in Albany he had
the apparatus so arranged that it would knit by turning a
crank at the side, and preparations were accordingly made
for perfecting its operation. Mr. Egberts procured an upper
story in a store near the foot of State street, to which Mr.
Bailey moved his tools and machinery, and there continued
his labors. In time he succeeded in making a machine
which would make four shirt bodies, and knit thirty times
back and across per minute, by the simple revolution of a
crank, and steps were then taken to put the invention to
practical use. In the meantime, Joshua Bailey, an elder
brother of Timothy, had become interested in the machine,
and selling out his farm, came to Albany to take part in
the enterprise. In the fall of 1832, the partners came to
Cohoes, and established themselves in the lower story of
the cotton factory which was then being finished, the wheel
having been just put in when they moved into the building.
Their operations at first were of course on a very small
scale, owing to their lack of facilities. Mr. Bailey's time
was given almost altogether to making new machinery, in
which he was at first assisted by Edward Gleason, who had
been in his employ some time while engaged in the first
frame in Albany. Eight machines were made in succession
and after a time Mr. Bailey arranged machinery for carding
and spinning, the first goods having been made from yarn
bought of outside parties. Thus was laid the foundation of
that branch of industry which has since become a distin-

1838. History of Cohoes. 63
guishing feature of Cohoes, and to which it is largely in
debted for its present importance. '
Egberts and Bailey did not occupy all of the cotton
factory until some years later, and in the meantime several
other concerns were located in the building. One of the
earliest was the machine shop of Russell Phelps, established
soon after the factory was completed. S. D. Fairbank,
afterwards a prominent citizen, came to Cohoes with Mr.
Phelps, and engaged in business with him.
Early in 1 833 John TilHnghast commenced the manufac
ture of satinet warps, but did not long continue ; the late
Wm. Leckie of this city was in his employ. In the fall of
the year the first building of importance on Remsen street,
the first one north of the present Music Hall, was erected
by John Stevenson, who sold it soon afterward to Mr.
Mndge. On Mohawk street below the site of Root's Mill
the first office of the Cohoes Company, a small brick struc
ture, was built. During this year the company commenced
the construction of the upper canal, one and three-quarter
miles long, -with a fall of eighteen feet, by which the water
from the dam was brought directly into use in the lower
levels. The work, done under direction of Chas. A. Olmsted,
Geo. Strover of Schuylerville being contractor, was com
pleted in the f ollo^wing year. It ran on the east side of the
Erie Canal and parallel with it, to a point a few hundred
feet above the Two Locks, near School street, where it was
taken under the canal by means of two wooden trunks
about four or five feet in diameter, and then continued in
its present course, terminating near the middle lock of the
Three Locks, in the rear of the present Harmony Mill No.
2. The water was then let into the upper end of Basin A,
being again taken under the Erie Canal by means of wooden
1 The Bailey Brothers secured lodgings for a time in the village, and afterwards
occupied diff'erent parts of the wooden block which was erected by the firm about
1835, on the corner of White and Remsen streets. Mr. Egberts was in the habit of
driving up from Albany every day, and for some years boarded at the Cohoes Hotel.

64 History of Cohoes. 1834.
trunks. At this point, on the site of the Harmony Mills
carpenter shop, was located the Cohoes Iron Foundry, con
ducted by John L. Wilkinson and Nathaniel Wheeler,
which for many years did a large business. '
A factory for the manufacture of axes and edge tools,
established during this and the following year by Daniel
Simmons, was the foundation of a branch of business which
has since become one of the most important in Cohoes.
Mr. Simmons began life as a blacksmith and had a forge in
the lower part of the city of Albany. Here he commenced
making axes by hand for an occasional customer, using for
the cutting edges German or blister steel, which was then
supposed to be the only kind that could be successfully
welded to iron. About 1825 it was found that by the use
of refined borax as a flux, cast steel could be made to an
swer the purpose, and Mr. Simmons promptly took advan
tage of the discoveiy, being one of the first to put it to
practical use. His axes soon became favorably kno-wn, and
the demand for them was so increased that greater facilities
for production became necessary. Accordingly in 1826, he
removed to Berne, Albany County, where he secured a
small water power, erected rude buildings, and put up trip
hammers and other machinery. In time these accommoda
tions proved insufficient, and Mr. Simmons came to Cohoes,
where he founded the establishment, one of the earliest in
the country, which, under years of successful management,
has made the Simmons Axe familiar in all parts of the
globe. His partner for two years was Levi Silliman.- The
iThoughMr.David Wilkinson was interested in the estaldishmeut of this foundery
and of the machine shop, the business of both was conducted by his son. Mr.
Wheeler's connection with the foundery ceased in 1844. Its subsequent proprietors
were Chas. A. Olmsted, the Cohoes Company and Fuller & Safely (1858), by whom
it was destroyed in 1867.
2 In 1848, Mr. Simmons associated with him, under the firm name of D. Simmons
& Co., Messrs. Wm. H. Weed of New Tork and Storm A. Becker of Cohoes.
Hiram St . John, of New Tork, was subsequently admitted , to the partnership.
After Mr. Simmons's death in Dec. 1860, the firm of Weed, Becker & Co.,was formed,
which gave place to the present company in Feb. 1874.

1836. History of Cohoes. 66
first buildmg (destroyed by fire in 1875), and the office of
the present company which was built a few years later, were
erected on the foundations of the establishments of the
Cohoes Manufacturing Company.
Another business enterprise was the establishment of the
veneering and sawing mill of Hawes and Baker which was
built near the junction of Remsen and Mohawk streets on
the site at present occupied by the Star Knitting Company.
The concern had been started in the preceding year, in an
upper story of Mr. Wilkinson's machine shop, by Hawes and
Goodwin, the latter of whom was one of the pioneers in the
business of sa'wing veneers. His interest was bought by
John Baker.
Among the private residences erected during the year
was that of Joshua R. Clarke, on the corner of Mohawk
street and Cataract alley, now occupied by H. S. Bogue.
During the next few years but little progress seems to
have been made. The increase of population was slight,
and there were but few additions to the business of the
place, as appears from the following account of the village
and its manufactures published in 1836 :
" The property of the Cohoes Company, of which the vil
lage is part, at the mouths of the Mohawk, includes the
Falls and the banks on both sides of the river, and extends
¦within a few rods of the junction of the Erie and Champlain
Canals. The property around the Falls has, from the first
settlement of the country, been in the Van Rensselaer family
who, with a just regard to its future value, had refused to
part ¦with it. The great hydraulic power here was first de
veloped by Mr. Canvass White, during the progress of the
Erie Canal ; at whose instance it was arranged with Peter
Remsen & Co., of New York, and Mr. Van Rensselaer to
commence its improvement on a large scale ; a liberal
charter was obtained from the state in 1826, authorizing
the investment of $250,000 and subsequently of half a mil
lion. By an independent canal, nearly two miles long, sup
plied with water by a dam in the river, half a mile above
the Falls where the stream is three hundred yards ¦wide, un-
9

66 History of Cohoes. 1836.
connected with the state works, the company are enabled
to avail themselves of the whole water of the river, yielding
power for mills as durable and constant as the rocks and
the stream. The entire head and fall thus gained is one
hundred and twenty feet, permitting the use of the water
under six successive falls of from eighteen to twenty-three
feet above the level of the state dam, below which it may
be used under a head of eleven feet, and maybe carried on
these levels to almost any point on the company's estate.
The minimum supply of water is one thousand cubic feet,
the second, competent to drive from three to four millions
of cotton spindles. The upper canal, excavated for a great
part of its course in the slate rock, passes from the dam on
the east side of the Erie Canal and thence by a tunnel under
that canal to the west side. The advantages of this position
for manufactures are unquestionably the greatest in the
state. By the Erie Canal and the North River it communi
cates directly with the great marts on the Hudson and with
the ocean, by that canal with the interior of the state and
the lakes and the Great West; and by the Champlain
Canal with the northern portion of the state and the basin
of the St. Lawrence ; obtaining readily from the south all
that may be required from abroad, and from the west and
north a never-failing supply of provisions, lumber and iron,
upon the cheapest terms  The village now con
tains one factory for cotton and woolen machinery, one for
edge tools, one for cotton, linen and woolen hosiery made
on newly invented looms, a mill driving turning lathes, an
iron foundry, a carpet factory, an Episcopal church, two
hotels, three stores, many shops of various kinds on the
canals, and sixty dwellings, whose number is rapidly in-
creasmg." — Gordon's Gazetteer of New York.

1837. History of Cohoes. 67

V.
1837 TO 1847.
.ixFTER two comparatively uneventful years, an impor
tant addition which was made to its business interests gave
an impetus to the activity of the place. In 1837, the Har
mony Manufacturing Company, composed of New York
capitalists, commenced the erection of a large cotton factory
on Harmony Hill, the germ of the immense establishment
which is now foremost among the manufacturing concerns
of Cohoes. The company had been incorporated under
the general act, in the previous year, by the following
stockholders : Peter Harmony, Henry Punnett, Peter Rem
sen, Francis Olmsted, H. J. Wyckoff, P. H. Schenck &
Co., James Stevenson, Joseph D. Constant, William Sin
clair, Van Wyck Wickes, Eliphalet Wickes, LeBron &
Ives, Tennis Van Vechten, Joab Houghton, Charles O.
Handy, Francis Griffin, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Illis Winne,
Jr., Hugh White, Henry Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer,
Jr., and Benjamin Knower. The capital was $100,000 which
was increased in 1839, to $150,000. The building (which
is now standing immediately south of No. 1 mill, of which
it forms a part according to the present arrangement of the
company), was erected by Joshua R. Clarke and was com
pleted in the following year. A report made in August
of that year by Peter Schenck and Hugh White, the
building committee, described it as follows :
" It appears by accurate accounts kept of expenditures
that the cotton mill which is of very stout brick walls and
slated roofs, four stories in height, one hundred and sixty-
five feet long and fifty feet wide, with wheel houses at each
end of the building of two stories, about thirty-nine and
twenty-five feet each, with the fiumes, water wheels, driving
pullies, etc., etc., has cost the sum of about $60,000 Aug. 1,

68 History op Cohoes. 1837.
1838. That the sum of $12,000 or thereabouts, will be re
quired to finish the Cotton House, put up steam boiler and
pipes for heating, two forcing pumps, hose, etc., and com
plete the tail race, with other small items that appertain to
factory (not machinery)."
At the same time the company erected beyond the canal
three brick tenements for the use of their operatives, con
taining each two stories and a basement, at the average
cost of $3,000, and arranged for completing another in the
following year.
In the same report it was stated that the saw mill, which
had cost $6,000, had been kept in constant employ and at a
profit on the investment though it would require $4,000 to
purchase timber to make it a profitable concern. The man
agers had at this time three thousand spindles in the mill
and were on the point of commencing operations. They
had contracted with the Matteawan Company for the pur
chase of six thousand spindles, but the cost of the building
was so much more than had been anticipated, that the com
pany were prevailed upon to alter the contract, and furnished
only five thousand, all of which were in operation in the
follo^wing spring.
In this year were made the first preparations for the en
largement of the Erie Canal, and the changing of its course
through the village.
It was the intention of the Cohoes Company to continue
their first canal, running it further west, around the base
of Prospect Hill in about the direction now taken by the
Erie Canal, but the appropriation by the state of this land
as the site for its improvements, made this impossible. The
company of course sought compensation at once, and an
arrangement for exchange was made, as set forth in the
following act of the legislature, passed May 16, 1837.
" The canal board are authorized in this discretion to
grant and convey to the Cohoes Company so much of the
present Erie Canal (except the stone of which the locks and
bridge abutments are constructed) as may be abandoned

1838. History of Cohoes. 69
after the completion of the enlarged Erie Canal in satisfac
tion of the damages sustained by the said company by
reason of the enlargement and alteration of the line of the
present Erie Canal. Such grant shall be made upon such
conditions and under such restrictions and reservations as
the said board may deem proper."
The establishment of a large factory, and the commence
ment of work on the canal improvement brought here a
number of new inhabitants, adding largely of course, to the
business activity of the place, and making necessary a
number of local improvements.
A change in the proprietorship of the Cohoes Hotel, during
1838, established, on a sound basis, an institution which for
many years after played a prominent part in the history of
the ¦village. The first proprietor had been succeeded in a
short time by WUlard Jenks (known by the nick-name of
Quid), who was followed by Messrs. Alby and Lyons.
This firm had no better success than its predecessors, and was
sold out by the sheriff. Up to this time, it is said, no rent
had been paid for the building, the owners of which were
so well satisfied in having it occupied as a hotel, that they
asked no further remuneration — an instance of remarkable
public spirit. After the failure of Alby and Lyons the
property came into possession of Henry D. Fuller, who
moved here from Waterford, and was afterwards joined by
his brother, Edward W. Fuller. ' Under the new manage
ment the hotel was greatly improved, and became one of
the most important local institutions. For a number of
years all the public entertainments and exhibitions were
held in its dining room ; the elections took place there at
various times, and it was the scene of all the public meet
ings for different purposes which were held until some time
after the incorporation of the -village. If an improvement

' The subsequent proprietors have been Jacob Anthony, 1843-18—, Robert
Williams, 1848, A. C. Bentley, 1848-5U, Wm. Schoutm, 1860-51, J. R. Wilkins,
1851-57, A. Van Der Mark, 1857-60, Ofcar O, Finney, 1860-65, Hulet Lake. 1865-70,
City Hold, Geo. Z. Dockstader, 1871-76, M. L. Crocker.

70 History of Cohoes. 1838.
was to be suggested, or a remonstrance to be made, or
money to be raised, or any matter of importance to the
public in general to be considered, "A meeting of our
citizens, to be held at the Cohoes Hotel," was invariably
called, as the first proceeding. '
Among the improvements of the proprietors was the
establishment of a regular mail stage, running between
Waterford and Albany and making one round trip daUy.
The first public conveyance had been started about three
years before by John Brown (a brother of Thos. V. Brown,
now residing in this city) ; it was a vehicle of the simplest
kind, and far from comfortable, being merely an ordinary
box wagon, with an oil cloth top. Mr. Brown sold out to
the Messrs. Fuller, who put on the road a new coach, of the
kind we now call old-fashioned stage coach, but then re
garded as a model of elegance and comfort.
There were few changes of importance during this year
in the business interests of the place. Messrs. Hawes &
Baker sold out their veneering' and sawing mill to Levi
Silliman, the former partner of Daniel Simmons, and com
menced the manufacture of stoves, which they continued
for some years, the only Cohoes firm, it is said, ever engaged
in that business. Their castings were at first made in the
Cohoes foundery, and afterwards in West Troy and Green
Island. Among the private residences built were those of Heze
kiah Howe and Wm. J. McAlpine, both under direction of

1 For many years the only places in town at which liquor was sold (except the
canal groceries) were the hotel and Van Der Werken's grocery on the corner of
Oneida and Mohawk streets. The latter establishment was a well known resort
in the earlier days of Cohoes. It was origmally kept by Jacob Van Der Werken,
and afterward by his son, John B,, known to the citizens respectively as Yaupy,
and John Yaupy, both of whom were prominent in local aff-airs. The property on
this corner came into the possession of Jacob Van Der Werken about sixty years
ago and remained in possession of his family until quite recently, part having been
bought by John Larkins in 1864, and a lot in the rear of the old grocery by Wm.
Triebel, in 1865.

1839. History of Cohoes. 71
Joshua R. Clarke. The former, on the south-west corner
of Seneca and Mohawk streets, now occupied by Dr. Moore,
has since been considerably altered ; the house of Mr.
McAlpine (who was engineer of this division of the canal),
on the opposite side of the street, is now occupied by W.
N. Chadwick, and is one of the best preserved of the older
residences of Cohoes. The valuation of land in the village,
at this time, as appears from a memorandum in the patroon's
office, was $1,000 per acre.
An important e^vidence of the growth of the village was
the establishment of new churches. The Reformed Dutch
church had been organized in November of the previous
year, with the f oUo^wing members, of whom only the last
two are now living : Nicolas Lighthall, Rosetta Lighthall,
James Safely, Janet Safely, John Schoonmaker, Gitty
Schoonmaker, Abram Weidman, Elizabeth Weidman, John
Van Der Werken, Daniel Simmons, William Ren^wick,
Isabella Renwick.
The corner stone of the first church, which stood on the
same site as the one now in use, was laid on Sept. 4, 1838,
by Hon. Tunis Van Vechten, mayor of Albany. A hymn
was sung, composed for the occasion by Rev. Wm. Lock-
head, first pastor of the church, and prayers were offered by
Rev. Drs. Yates of Schenectady and Vermilyea, then of the
North Dutch church, Albany.
In 1839 the Methodist church was organized by Rev. E.
Crawford, under direction of Rev. Chas. Sherman. The
original members were twenty in number, among them being
Jas. Hemstreet and wife, Joseph Mudge and wife, Mrs.
Timothy Bailey, James Shannon, Jonas Simmons, Sr., and
¦wife, Baltheus Simmons, Mrs. Fuller, Joseph Gould, Sr.,
and -wife, Wm. Dodge and -wife, Silas Owen, Sr., Gideon
Longley and Mr. Rhodes. The first services were held in
the school house on Oneida street, in which the Episcopal
church had been organized.

72 History op Cohoes. 1839.
In May of the same year, the first Baptist church was
organized, and the Rev. John Duncan ordained as pastor,
the sermon of ordination being preached by Rev. I. West-
cott, of Stillwater. These services were held in Harmony
Mill, No. 1, and the church as then constituted consisted
of twenty-four members, of whom Thomas Lansing is the
sole survivor. Among them were Josiah H. Beach and
wife, Alanson Cook and wife, Ebenezer Bartlett, wife and
four children, Mr. and Mrs. Castleton, Peter Link, Rebecca
Steenberg and Mrs. Duncan. The first deacons were
Ebenezer Bartlett and Alanson Cook. For nearly a year
the meetings were held in a boarding house, on the West
Harmony, and afterwards in a building on Mohawk street,
below Oneida, recently occupied by Peter Smith.
On the 10th of August the Presbyterian church was
established under direction of Rev. Mr. Chambeiiin, with
the following members : Levi Silliman, Mrs. Clarissa Silli
man, Timothy Bailey, Joshua Bailey, Joshua Bailey, Jr.,
Mrs. Almira Bailey, Augustus J. Goff, Asahel Goff, Mrs.
Lucy Goff, Mrs. Melinda Goodsell, Maltby Howell, Mrs.
Mary Howell, Mrs. Eliza Ann Tremain and Miss Fanny A.
Hamilton. Of these, only one, Mrs. Clarissa Silliman,
is now living in Cohoes, and only three are living elsewhere.
Levi Silliman and Timothy Bailey were chosen to be the
first elders of the church, and Maltby Howell was chosen
as deacon. The church was organized in the house of Levi
Silliman, in the northern half of the house now occupied by
H. B. Silliman, on Saratoga street. That part of the house
was not then finished as a dwelling, and could easily ac
commodate the infant church. The society then worshiped
for a time in the building erected for a carpet factory which
stood on the site of Gregory & Hiller's mill. The first
church, a small wooden structure, was erected in the fol
lowing year, on the northeast corner of Remsen and
Factory streets. The building, which has since been used

1840. History of Cohoes. 73
for a variety of purposes, is still standing, one door east of
the comer, and is now used as a second-hand store.
In 1840, also, the Baptist church, was built on Remsen
street opposite the Presbji;erian church, on the site now
occupied by J. H. Parsons & Co.'s mill. The building^
the cost of which was $521, was afterwards moved to
Canvass street opposite the Catholic church, and is now
used as a dwelling.
In January 1839 the Cohoes Company's dam had been
severely damaged by a freshet, which washed away about
three hundred feet of the structure. The work of rebuild
ing it was completed during this year at a cost of $40,000,
Oliver C. Hubbard being one of the contractors. The new
dam was of timber, filled in ¦with stone and concrete masonry,
1500 feet long and nine feet high.
The commercial depression from which the whole country
suffered about this time was severely felt in Cohoes and
between 1840 and 1842 the place made slight progress.
Business of every kind was very dull, and many of the man
ufacturing establishments susjjended operations. During
this period the enlarged Erie Canal and the Troy and
Schenectady Rail Road were in process of construction, and
these alone kept the village from utter stagnation. The
presence of numbers of men who were engaged upon them
gave the neighborhood at times some little air of activity,
and made brisk a few branches of business.
By this time quite a number of buildings had been erected
on Remsen street ; most of them were dwellings, however,
and there was yet no indication that it would ever become
a favorite location for business, the universal supposition
being that as the village increased, Mohawk street, to which
business was then confined, would continue to be the prin
cipal thoroughfare.
In 1841 the first Methodist church, which stood on the
west side of the street near the site of the present Clifton
mill, was completed and was dedicated by Bishop Peck.
10

74 History of Cohoes. 1842.
The building was of wood, cost $550, and had a seating
capacity of two hundred. The principal buildings on the
street at this time, aside from the three churches, and the fac
tories which were near its intersection ¦with Mohawk street,
may be briefly mentioned. Between Factory and Oneida
streets was the dwelling of Mr. Mudge, before mentioned ;
between Seneca and Ontario streets, on the west side, that
of Thos. Hitchens, ' a contractor on the enlarged canal ; on
the site of Adams's block was a row of tenements which had
been erected a few years before by Oliver C. Hubbard ; at
the northeast corner of Remsen and White streets was the
block of tenements owned by Egberts & Bailey ; on the
southeast corner the residence of Jno. P. Steenberg, and on
the southwest corner that of Jacob I. Lansing, south of which
was a small house owned by Samuel Cook ; between White
and Howard streets, on the east side were the residences of
John Judge(nowMrs. FitzPatrick's) Henry Rockfellow, Mrs.
Doyle and Jas. Shannon, and on the northwest corner of
Howard and Remsen streets was that of Chas. O'Brien.
Below Howard street, in the region long known as Cork
Hill, the buildings were unimportant, most of them being
shanties built and occupied by the laborers on the canal.
On the corner of Remsen and Columbia streets, however,
was a building of some size, owned by Patrick Judge.
The Troy and Schenectady Rail Road, built by the city
of Troy, was completed in 1842. It was the first rail road
which at all affected the interests of Cohoes people, though
not the first in the vicinity, for the one from Saratoga to
Troy, passing over Adams's Island, had been constructed
in 1835. Judging from the opposition which was after
wards manifested when a second road (the Albany and
Cohoes ) was proposed, we may conclude that this enter
prise met with little approval, especially from those older
1 The building is now owned by Jno. Orelup. It was enlarged and converted
into a store in 1870.

1843. History op Cohoes. 75
inhabitants whose land was called into requisition. At
all events there is no record that the completion of the road
was hailed ¦with particular satisfaction, or celebrated by
any unusual demonstration on the part of the citizens gene
rally, though they at once proceeded to avail themselves
of its advantages.
Duiing this year the manufacture of bedsteads, which
has since always been an important branch of Cohoes in
dustry, was commenced by Orson Parkhurst.' His factory
was located in a small building which had been used by
Egberts and Bailey as a dye house, and was situated be
tween their mill and that of Hawes and Baker. The power
was obtained from a waste weir. All the work of the es
tablishment was done by two men, and the quarters were
so restricted that there was no room for the planing machine,
which Mr. Parkhurst was compelled to place in the Wil
kinson machine shop.
Another new enterprise was a flouring mill established
by Messrs. Slocum & Granger in the carpet factory building,
which they enlarged and remodelled for the purpose.^
The ¦winter of 1842-43 was one of great severity. An
unusual depth of snow covered the ground for many months
and remarkably cold weather continued until the spring
was well advanced — the date at which the Hudson River
was opened, April 13, being the latest on record. An ac
curate account of the weather in Cohoes was kept by Post
master Howe, from which, as containing several interesting
local allusions, extracts are given below :
" March 11th. Snow fell this day about ten inches and is
two feet six inches deep on the level at least in the vicinity
of Cohoes. The mercury has several times during this
month thus far fallen down to zero.
" nth. Road impassible for sleighs from Cohoes to Troy

1 The firm afterwards became O . & D. Parkhurst, and later, Parkhursts & Fullers.
» The building burned a few years later and the lot remained vacant until the
building of Smith, Gregory & Co.'s mill.

76 History of Cohoes. 1843.
on account of snow drifts. The mail was brought from Troy
on horseback in the forenoon of this day — was forwarded in
sleigh in the afternoon to Albany. Snow three feet deep
on the level.
" 23d. Snow continued falling all day, high winds and
cold. Roads impassible in many places. The mail stage
worked its way down to West Troy and Albany in the
afternoon. On the return left stage at West Troy and the
driver and passengers returned thence on horseback.
" 2'lth. Col. F. Lansing and others from his neighborhood
made out to reach Cohoes this day by shovelling their way.
Snow on the level between three and four feet deep, and
continued cold as in February.
" April ith. Many of the roads near Cohoes yet impassible.
11th. Snow is nearly melted away in Mohawk street.
Town meeting this day at Yearsley's. Some went -with
sleighs, some ¦with wagons and many on foot. The road
is blocked with snow for two and three and some places
four feet deep.
" lith. This is the most extraordinary season on record;
the long continuance of winter weather (from the middle of
November to the middle of April) and the depths of snow
still lying not only in the country but in our streets, are
unprecedented." The enlarged Erie Canal, which under the direction of
dififerent contractors had occupied five years in construction,
was finally completed in 1843, and it then became possible
to increase the manufacturing facilities of the place. Deeds
were duly executed, conveying the Cohoes Company's land
to the state and the abandoned canal to the company, and
the latter at once commenced operations. That part of the
canal which ran east of the Harmony Mill, between the
Two Locks and the Three Locks, became the second
level, in the system of the Cohoes Company, and may now
be described as extending from just below the pump-house
to the jute mill. The level of the Erie Canal between the
Three Locks and the One Lock (White street) became
the third of the present system, having been united ¦with
the old Basin A, at a point near Factory street, and
the level now extends from above the Strong Mill to the

1843. History of Cohoes. 77
rear of the Clifton Mill. The remainder of the canal bed,
from the latter point to the junction, became by degrees
filled up, and some years later became a highway under the
name of Canal street.
An important addition this year to the business of the
place was a second axe and edge tool factory, established
in February by Messrs. White, Olmstead & Co. The
firm erected a small builduig at the head of Remsen street,
on the site of Griffins' sash factory, and also rented a
portion of the WUkinson machine shop. At first but six
or eight men were employed, but the business increased
rapidly, and in later years the concern was one of the
foremost in the place. The senior partner. Miles White,
had been for some time in the employ of Daniel Simmons
as traveling agent, and besides a knowledge of the business
had gained an extensive acquaintance among dealers.
One of the first firms to take advantage of the improve
ments of the Cohoes Company was Egberts & Bailey,
who commenced the erection of the mill on Ontario street
(since greatly enlarged) which is now occupied by the Troy
Manufacturing Company. For the first eight or nine years
the operations of this firm had been limited ; the machinery
was not entirely perfected, and it was some time before
sufficient could be constructed to enable the production of
goods to any amount. A carefully detailed history of their
business during this time, showing the discouragements
which attended the establishment and growth of what is
now so important a branch of our manufactures, would be
invaluable. A.t this date, however, the preparation of such
a sketch is almost impossible, and of the accounts which
have been published at different times many have been
found to be so incorrect that they are not worthy of quota
tion. An outline of the history is all that can be satisfac
torily obtained. The following published in the Bennington
Banner in Nov. 1870, though inaccurate in some particulars,
may be of interest:

78 History of Cohoes. 1843.
" Twenty-five years ago, the writer, after going through
as much circumlocution and full as many assurances as are
required to work one's way into a Masonic Lodge, visited
the knitting room of Messrs. Egberts & Bailey at Cohoes,
N. Y., who were then the most extensive and successful and
almost the exclusive machinery knitters in this country.
Their machinery was an improvement on any then in use
and was not patented. They preferred keeping it so secret
that the monopoly which they enjoyed, would be, as it
proved to be, more profitable and surer to bring them a
fortune than to run the risks of improvements, infringements
and impositions which then, as now, were sure to follow
the public exposure of specifications and explanations neces
sary to be made in procuring letters patent. They em
ployed only the most reliable workmen, kept their doors
constantly fastened with spring locks, and allowed no man
in their knitting room without first putting him under the
most sacred obligations to divulge nothing which they
might learn or find within those mystic walls. One Gen.
Geo. S. Bradford ran the Cohoes mill by contract for two
years, it being a stipulation in the contract that he should
not enter the knitting room, and he did not until a defection
on the part of the foreman made it necessary that some
man should take charge in there. Timothy Bailey who was
the inventor of the machinery then used, and the foreman
Van Dwyer who had always run it, were the only persons
who knew anything about it, and although they had come
to have much confidence in Gen. Bradford's knowledge and
management of machinery, the company could hardly sup
pose that he could run a set of knitters which he had never
seen, and which were of an entirely different style, and far
more complicated than the frames since in use, and turn out
the usual and necessary quantity of goods. The sequel
proved, as all who have since known the general would ex
pect, that he did run it most successfully, and turned out,
not only an excess over the usual amount of goods, but a
much improved article. For many years this Cohoes mill
was the only knitting mill of importance in the country,
and was claimed to be the only one in the world where all
the knitting of shirts and drawers was done by machinery."
The following is from an address delivered in 1866 before
the National Association of knit goods manufacturers by
Hon. C. H. Adams, then president of that body :

1843. History op Cohoes. 79
" I can remember, among the recollections of my boyish
days, when the principle of knitting by power was first suc
cessfully applied in this country. It was first attained in
1832, although nothing of importance was accomplished
until 1841. In those days the inventor and manufacturer,
now one of our honorary members, was wont to wander
through the streets of New York, urging the merchants to
permit him to leave a sample of goods for sale. The whole
production of that time did not exceed $40,000, now we
estimate our production at half as many millions."
For some years, although the production of the mill was
so slight, it could not all be disposed of in the New York
market, so part of it was sold in small lots to Troy and
-Albany merchants and among the country stores in the
¦vicinity. In Troy, it is said, Mr. Bailey would go from one
dry-goods dealer to another, carrying packages of shirts
and drawers and taking in return for their sale orders pay
able in goods, and with these the female operatives in the
mill were paid.
In time, however, as Egberts & Bailey's goods grew
into favor, the increased demand made such efforts as these
unnecessary, and their business became established on a
sound basis. When the building of the mill was com
menced it was in a prosperous condition ; the dullness of
1840 and 1844, had on the passage of the protective tariff
act been succeeded by great activity, and during the pre
vious year the firm had cleared $22,000. The mill was the
first in the village, and it is said, in this country, erected
especially for knitting purposes. The building, which was
of brick, was originally one hundred and twenty-four by
forty-five feet, and three stories high. Four sets of ma
chinery were put in operation at first, and two more after
ward added when the seaming room was completed —
a brick building twenty-five by seventy feet and two
and a half stories high, extending to the corner of
Ontario and Remsen streets.' The builder of the mill was

1 This was converted into a store by P. E. Pennock in 1859.

80 History of Cohoes. 1844.
Joshua R. Clarke, and the wheelwright Jacob I. Lansing.
Soon after it was finished the partnership was dissolved,
Timothy Bailey remaining in the Miller building, while Mr.
Egberts and Joshua Bailey took possession of the new mill.
When this factory was erected, the Cohoes Company made
use of the ravine at Ontario street, before mentioned, as a
water-course; and the first bridge over it on Remsen streetj
a slight wooden structure, was built. The only means of
crossing it before had been by two planks stretched side by
side from one bank to the other.
In 1844 was built the sawing and veneering mill of Wm.
Burton & Co., who for many years were among the most
prominent firms of Cohoes. For some time previous Mr.
Burton had been in business -with John M. Tremain, their
establishment being located in an upper story of the Wilkin
son machine shop. ' In this year he bought Mr. Tremain's
interest, and also the machinery and fixtures of Levi Silli
man, who had succeeded Hawes & Baker, thus securing a
monopoly in Cohoes of that branch of manufacture. The
building (now occupied as a knitting mill by Thompson &
Horrocks), was of brick and stone, thirty by sixty feet, and
had three stories including the basement. An upper story
was occupied by Parkhurst's bedstead factory.
From this time there is nothing of importance to be re
corded until the year 1846, which was one of marked growth
in the business interests of the place. Among the most
important accessions were two establishments for the manu
facture of cotton cloth, the largest one being the Ogden
Mills. The Ogden Mill, No. 1, the foundations of which
had been laid in 1 844, was completed in the following year.
It was of brick, two hundred and six by fifty-one feet, and
had three stories and a basement. Directly north of this
was the No. 2 mill built in 1846, which was two hundred

> Tremain's predecessor in that building was an Englishman named Mills who had
commenced the sawing business about 1835.

1846. History of Cohoes. 81
and fourteen by fifty-two feet and three stories high. These
buildings have since been united. The two brick blocks
across the canal west of the mills, were built at the same
time for the accommodation of the operatives. The pro
prietors were Messrs. Tenney & Cowles, of Boston, whose
agent in Cohoes was Luke Bemis. '
The Strong Mill, situated near Mohawk street at the head
of the Cohoes Company's third level, was built in the latter
part of the year, by Wm. N. Chadwick. The machinery
was not put in until the following season. The build
ing was of brick, eighty-three by forty-three feet, and
had three stories and a basement. South of the mill, on
Mohawk street, were erected three wooden tenements.
Both of these mills were built by John B. Colgrove,
then one of the principal carpenters of the place. With
their completion, cotton manufacture took the foremost
rank among the industries of Cohoes. The capacity of the
Harmony Manufacturing Company's mills had been in
creased in 1844. The president's report for 1846, contained
the following account of their transactions :
" The amount of goods made during the past year are
53,045 cuts of print cloths, averaging thirty-two yards each,
containing 1,692,125 yards, showing an increase over the
products of the preceding year of 5,400 cuts or 172,400 yards
of cloth. 723 bales, containing 338,786 lbs. of cotton have
been used during the past year."
In the spring of the year the Cohoes Worsted Company
was incorporated, with a capital of $50,000, and commenced
the manufacture of carpet and lace yarns in the building
(on the site of the Star Mill) which had been erected by
Hawes and Baker. Since this mill was vacated by Levi
Silliman it had been occupied by Mr. Roy of West Troy
as a butt factory, and by Alex. Rogers as a woolen mill,

' In February, 1847, a joint stock company was formed of which the trustees were
Amos Tenney, John Tenney, Luke Bemls, Robert Curtis and Chas. A. Olmsted.
Capital $100,000, which was increased February, 1848, to $200,000 and in AprU,
1850, to $275,000. C. A. Olmsted was agent.
11

82 History of Cohoes. 1846.
the latter having possession of it in 1845. The Worsted
Company built for its operatives the wooden structure on
the upper end of Remsen street known as the Mouslin de
Laine Block, which was destroyed in 1873. The agent
of the company was Wm. Cockroft, who continued in
business after its failure, which occurred a short time
later. '
Two new concerns were located in the Wilkinson machine
shop. On the third floor was the sash and blind factory
of James Salisbury & Co.,'- the first establishment of
the kind in the place ; in the fourth story or attic was
the sofa and cabinet ware manufactory of Jacob Dodge,
who employed as his superintendent R. T. Briggs. The
two lower stories of the building, were then occupied
by White, Olmsted & Co., the Wilkinson machinery
having been moved by Mr. Olmsted, part to his foundery,
and the balance to a machine shop which he started in the
basement of Ogden Mill No. 1. In these two establishments,
and in the shop of Baldwin and Baker, much of the ma
chinery for the Ogden Mill was constructed.
A new building was erected by Samuel N. Bald-win on
the corner of Ontario and Remsen streets (now Chadwiok's
Mill), and occupied by him as a machine shop. It was
completed in the latter part of the year, and the first work
of importance was the manufacture of machinery for the
Ogden Mills. The wood work for the looms was made by
John Baker, who was established in an upper story of the
building. The improvements of the past few years, and the conse
quent increase of population had fairly entitled Cohoes to

1 He subsequently entered into partnership with Richard Hurst and Ephraim
French. The partnership was dissolved in March, 1854, and the business succeeded
to Mr. Hurst, who continued it until the premises came into possession of the
star Knitting Company. Mr. Cockroft was engaged for some time in the grocery
business in the store at the junction of Mohawk and Remsen streets, but disposed
of his interest in 1853, to Geo. Wood.
' Afterward Loveland and Palmer.

1847. History of Cohoes. 83
rank as a gro-wing town, and as such one of her first requi
sites was a newspaper. This want was supplied by the
establishment of Tlie Cohoes Advertiser, a weekly journal,
the first number of which was issued February 9th, 1847,
by Ayres & Co.' The firm was composed of Alexis
Ayres and Wm. H. S. Winans, two young printers from
Troy, the editorial department being under control of the
former. The paper was twenty by twenty-eight inches, and
contained twenty-four columns, about half of which were
occupied by advertisements. The first and fourth pages
contained miscellaneous literary matter ; the second page
was devoted to general news, editorial articles and local
items — the latter being sadly in the minority. This arrange
ment was continued for a number of years, and until com
munication -with Troy and Albany became easier, and the
newspapers of those places acquired a large circulation here,
general news occupied a great part of the local paper. The
supposition was, doubtless, that as the place was small,
everybody would know of home matters without being told,
and would prefer a paper which gave them information of
the outside world. This deficiency in the local columns,
though probably satisfactory to the subscribers, is not en
tirely so to one who is searching for facts in the early his
tory of the place.
After the establishment of this newspaper, however, the
growth and history of Cohoes can be much more easily
followed — valuable information being often found in a mere
paragraph, or an advertisement ; and as the materials for
this sketch for ensuing years have been taken almost entirely
from its files, it would be ungrateful to make any com-

1 The office of the paper was flrst established in a building in the south part of
the Ogden mill yard, which has since been removed, and now stands near the rail
road bridge. In April it was removed to Factory street, " flrst door below the
old canal." In July it was again moved to the southwest corner of Factory and
Remsen streets, over the store now occupied by Geo. B. Thompson, and at that
time by B. G. Mussey. From there it was taken to the Wilkinson building occu
pied by White. Olmsted * Co.

84 History of Cohoes. 1847.
plaints, especially since it is fair to presume that however
meager the local columns may have occasionally been, all
matters of particular importance were recorded.
The leading article of the first Advertiser was a salutatory,
over a column in length, in which were stated the politics
of the proprietors (whig), their motives for establishing
the paper and their expectations in regard to it. Another
column was devoted to a comparison of the tariff of 1846
-with that of 1842, with coments on an article which had
appeared in the Troy Budget in regard to the establishment
of the Ogden mills. There were only two local items, both
in reference to a fire on Mohawk street, which was thus
described :
" On Thursday night last our village was visited by a
fire which for a time threatened great destruction, but
through the indomitable exertions of our citizens its
onward progress was arrested. It originated in a two story
building, the lower part of which was occupied by Messrs.
Howe & Ross as a drug store, the upper part by S. H. Foster,
Esq., and Messrs. Miller & Van Santvoord, attorneys, and
Dr. Goss, as dentist. The building was owned by the
Cohoes Company, and not insured. Howe & Ross were
insured for about $900. S. H. Foster, Esq., loss about $200,
no insurance. Messrs. Miller & Van Santvoord's loss about
$1000, no insurance. Dr. Goss's loss $100, no insurance.
The fire soon communicated -with the post office building
o-wned by D. W. Leland, Esq. The contents of the
office were saved — building insured in the Saratoga Co.
Mutual for $300. Here the progress of the flames, which
for a time threatened destruction to a row of wooden build
ings south, was arrested by the perseveriog exertions of our
citizens, jwho -with ropes and axes succeeded in razing it to
the ground, preventing its further extension." The Cohoes
advertisersjn this number were as follows :
Lawyers; S. H. Foster, Miller & Van Santvoord.
Dealers in Dry Goods and Groceries : Wm. H. Hollister
& Co., Caw & Quackenbush, White, Olmsted & Co., Jones
& Southworth, Jno. P. Steenberg, P. Kendriok & Son, F.
W. Farnam, J. G. Burnap, W. D. Russell & Co., Patrick
Mc Entee.

1847. History of Cohoes. 85
Clothing, etc. : E. C. Howe, Twining & Alden, Waring
& Robbins.
Stoves, etc. : John D. Luffman.
Drugs, etc. : Howe ct Ross.
Cohoes Hotel : Robert Williams.
Dentist : O. P. Yates.
Axes, etc. : White, Olmsted & Co.
Cohoes Foundery : Chas. A. Olmsted.
Cabinet Ware : Jacob Dodge.
Of these business men only one, Isaac Quackenbush, is
now remaining in the place.
In the next issue, a number of new advertisers appeared,
among them Wm. Burton & Co., saw mill, John M. Coon,
boots and shoes, James G. Foster, leather, and A. L.
Phelps, hair dresser.
The editor announced his intention, in the issue of Feb.
23d, of publishing a series of articles on the "History and
Manufactures of Cohoes, from its earliest infancy," and
added " We shall have no objection to mix with it a bit of
the romantic, and for that purpose invite the ladies of our
village to exercise their imaginations in penning a tale of
' love and daring ' by some Indian maid of the Valley of
the Mohawk." Several prizes were offered for contributions
of this kind, but none ever appeared. The articles on the
manufactures were published, however, and afford us an
interesting glimpse of the state of Cohoes industry at that
time. The first of the series, from which extracts are given
below, appeared March 9th.
" The oldest inhabitant informs us that when he came to
this place, sixteen years ago, the number and quality of the
buildings were neither worth computing or placing a value
upon. There were five tenements constructed of the most
rude material, and in the one story building now occupied
as the justice's office (the Richard Heamstreet tavern), he
obtained his board and lodging until he secured a home in
the suburbs. This was only sixteen years ago ; now, with its

86 History op Cohoes. 1847.
magnificent water power improved, extensive manufactories,
behold, how great the change. While its sister village of
Waterford has hardly held its own, Cohoes has been ex
tending its borders until it now boasts of a population of
4,000  The first cotton factory was built in 1837.
There are now 4 extensive cotton factories, 2 factories
for making cotton and woolen shirts and drawers, 1 factory
for making worsted yarn and mouselin de laine, 2 extensive
axe factories, 2 grist mills, 1 saw mill for making veneer
and looking glass backs, 1 paper mill, 1 iron foundry, 1
paint mill, 2 machine shops, 1 bedstead factory, 1 sofa
factory, 1 scythe and edge tool factory. Axes and edge
tools are also manufactured at the extensive manufactories
of Messrs. Simmons and White, Olmsted & Co  The
increase in population during the last year is about 1000. . . .
" There are now in Cohoes 15 stores and groceries, two
stove and tin ware establishments, 2 drug stores, 3 clothing
stores, 1 leather store, 1 dentist, 4 physicians, 3 lawyers, 5
places of public worship, 1 large hotel, 2 shoe stores."
The figures given in descriptions of the different establish
ments, which were published during the next few weeks,
are quoted below. A comparison of them with the indus
trial statistics of the present day is interesting, as affording
one of the best means of judging the growth of the place.
"The Harmony Mill has nearly 8,000 mule and throstle
spindles and 220 loomsin operation, producing over 1,500,000
yards of printing cloths annually. The annual consumption
of cotton is over 700 bales averaging 450 lbs. each ; 250 to
260 operatives are employed in this factory, of whom about
60 or 70 are girls occupied in the weaving rooms. Up
wards of $3,000 are disbursed monthly to operatives alone.
" The Strong Mill has 2,700 spindles which supply yarn for
80 looms. The annual production is estimated at 750,000
yards. The number of hands employed is 69. The con
sumption of cotton is nearly 300 bales per year."
" The Ogden Mill, No. 1, contains 7,000 spindles (self actor
mule), and 180 looms. Warp No. 30, filling No. 32, 70
ends warp and 78 picks filling to the inch. 20,000 yards of
41 and 36 inch goods are manufactured weekly. About
5,500 lbs. cotton used weekly. No. 2 mill contains 8,500
mule and throstle spindles and 200 looms, and will when in

1847. History of Cohoes. 87
full operation turn out 3,500 yards weekly. 250 hands are
now employed in each mill. Pay roll about $3,000 monthly
for each mill.
" The Cohoes Iron Foundry. Mr. Olmsted now employs
in these works about 60 operatives.
" Dodge's Sofa Manufactory. This establishment is capable
of manufacturing from 15 to 20 sofas per week.
" Simmons's Axe and Edge Tool Manufactory. About 200
men are employed in this manufactory, and when on their
way to and from their work look like an army. 600 tons of
iron and 100 tons of cast steel are manufactured up yearly,
and 1,200 tons of coal are consumed. 50 doz. axes besides
tools, are manufactured daily.
" Messrs. White, Olmsted & Co. now employ about 60
men and are making from 250 to 300 axes per day.
Messrs. O. and D. Parkhurst's Bedstead Factory is capable
of manufacturing from 100 to 150 bedsteads per week,
from the common rope bedstead to the most finished article
in use.
" Sash and Blind Factory, by Jas. Salisbury & Co. They
enjoy facilities for making sash for 50 windows per day,
and a proportionate number of Venetian shutter blinds.
From 6 to 8 men are employed.
" The Cohoes Worsted Co. The number of spindles in
operation is 2,000. Combing machines 2. 30 men are em
ployed in combing by hand. The whole number of opera
tives employed is 130. Amount paid per month $1,000.
500 lbs. of wool are manufactured up per day.
William Burton employs 8 or 9 hands.
" The Cohoes Knitting Factory, by Timothy Bailey. Mr.
B. employs about 50 operatives. In this factory are 18
knitting frames in operation, 800 spindles and 3 sets of
cards. About 1800 pairs shirts and drawers can be manu
factured per week by this machinery. About 1000 lbs.
wool and the same amount of cotton are manufactured up
each week. Egberts & Bailey work up about 400 lbs.
wool a day employing about 250 operatives."
A creditable feature of the early numbers of the Adver
tiser was the poetical column, sustained by local talent.
The chief contributors were S. H. Foster, for years a promi
nent lawyer of the place, and Wm. G. C!aw, of the firm of
Caw & Quackenbush.

88 History op Cohoes. 1847.
In the issue of April 27th is first mentioned the Young
Men's Association, an organization which had been formed
a short time previous and afterwards became a prominent
institution of the place. Its objects were the formation of
a library, and the support of a lecture course, in which it
had a fair degree of success. The officers, as elected this
year, were : Luke Bemis, president ; Henry D. Fuller, first
vice president; Geo. Abbott, second vice president; Jacob
W. Miller, corresponding secretary; Andrew Alexander,
recording secretary ; Joshua R. Clarke, treasurer. Managers :
J. M. Brown, H. En Earl Jr., Wm. Leckie, Daniel McEl-
wain, Charles O'Brien, S. H. Foster, J. Van Santvoord, C.
A. Olmsted, C. A. Stevens, Darius Parkhurst, Wm. H.
S. Winans. The first allusion in the columns of the paper to means
of communication between Cohoes and Troy was the follow
ing advertisement :
" Cohoes and Trot Rail Road.
New arrangement.
On and after March 10th, the cars on this road -will run
as follows :
Leave Cohoes Leave Troy
i— 6 7— i
i— 8 10— J
i— 11 1
i— 2 5
5— i 6}
Perham and Pettis'
Cohoes, March 7, 1847."
This Cohoes and Troy Rail Road was an institution estab
lished several years after the opening of the Troy and
Schenectady road. Perham and Pettis, who had succeeded
the Messrs. Fuller as proprietors of the stage line in 1843,
made an arrangement with the rail road officials by which
an extra car was attached to the westward bound trains.

' The fare, as stated in a later advertisement, was 6Ji cts. to Troy and 183i ctB. to
Albany.

1847. History of Cohoes. 89
This car was dropped at Cohoes, and as the grade was heavy
between here and Troy, could be started on the downward
trip by simply loosening the brakes, and would acquire
sufficient momentum to carry it to the Troy bridge ; it was
then drawn to the station by horses. This method of travel
proved popular, and the investment doubtless paid. In the
Advertiser of July 6, it was stated that "1700 passengers
were carried over the Cohoes and Troy Rail Road yester
day." Beside the above i-oute Messrs. Perham and Pettis
kept possession of the stage line, and for some time enjoyed
a monopoly of the business. On June 8th, the following
advertisement appeared :
" Cohoes aj^d Albany, Summer Aeeais^gement."
JIail Stages.
The subscribers have placed upon the route a new and
commodious stage -with four horses and will run for the
accommodation of passengers as follows: Leave Cohoes post
office at Up. m. Leave Albany Museum at 4 p. m. Fare
25 cents. Perham and Pettis."
However restricted in former years, Cohoes people appear
now to have had abundant facilities for travel. Another
stage line was announced soon after as follows :
" CLEAR THE TRACK !
New Mail Line.
Waterford, Cohoes, West Troy and Albany —
The undersigned having fitted up a neat coach for the
accommodation of the traveling public, and also for carrying
the mail, respectfully gives notice that he will, on and after
the 5th of October, ran as follows:
Leave Cohoes for West Troy at 8 a. m., returning at 9 a. m.
" " " Waterford at 10 a. m., returning at 12J.
" " at Ii P. M., passing through West Troy at
2 p. M.
Returning, ¦will leave Albany at 4 p. m.
12

90 History of Cohoes. 1847.
Fare from Waterford to Albany, 25 cts.
" " Cohoes " " 25 "
" « " " Troy 12icts.
" « Troy " Albany, 12icts.
The undersigned trusts that by punctuality and a fervent
desire to please, to merit a share of public patronage.
James Hubbard.
Cohoes, Sept. 29, 1847."
The project of connecting Van Schaick's Island with Co
hoes, which has been but recently carried out, has been
under discussion for many years. One of the earliest sug
gestions on record in regard to it is the following from the
Advertiser Nov. 14 :
" Some time since we called the attention of the people
to a proposed route for a railway between here and Troy
which would cost comparatively a small sum. The route
was to connect Van Schaick's Island to the main land at a
point east of the Dutch church by means of an open bridge,
and thus reach the line of the Saratoga and Troy rail road. . . .
The cheapness of this route and the fact of its decreasing
the present traveled distance between our village and Troy,
with which city our business relations are so extensive, are
conclusive in its favor."
The citizens of Cohoes have always responded liberally
to any call for aid to those in need, and the sufferings of the
Irish people from the famine of this year, for the relief of
which so much was done in this country, did not pass un
noticed here. An Irish Relief Association was formed,
which raised money sufficient for the purchase of fifty bar
rels of meal, which were sent to the sufferers. The follow
ing report, from G. J. Slocum, who furnished the meal,
shows the amounts contributed by different individuals as
chairmen of committees, etc.
D. P. McDonald,  $33 00
Michael Donovan,  14 00
J. M. Brownson,  3 50
H. D. Fuller,  21 75
G. J. Slocum,  8 00

1847. History of Cohoes. 91
H. EnEarl,  3 00
C. A. Olmsted,  37 50
Miles White,  23 50
Geo. Abbott,  2 50
Mr. Connaughty,  1 00
Luke Bemis,  62 50
Egberts & Bailey,  8 00
Egbert Egberts,  20 00

$238 25
A fire on the morning of Nov. 28th, destroyed the paint
mill belonging to Jeremiah Clute, ' situated near Courtland
street east of Mohawk, at a loss of $2,000. The Advertiser
took occasion to again urge the necessity of the organization
of a fire department, saying that if it had not been for
several inches of snow which fell during the previous night
severe damage would have been done to adjacent property.
An important addition to the religious bodies of Cohoes,
was St. Bernard's Catholic church, organized in the early
part of the year, by Rev. Bernard Van Reeth, a Belgian.
Mass was first said in an old shop, located on what was
then known as the Flats, and later, the services were held
in a carpenter's shop on the east side of Remsen street, just
below Howard. This building has since been moved to the
rear of the block now owned by Wm. Healey, and is now
used as a dwelling. The Catholics in Cohoes, of all nation
alities, numbered at that time 300.
The comer stone of the church was laid Nov. 18th by
Bishop McCloskey, assisted by Rev. Father Van Reeth and
several other clergymen. The Advertiser, after describing
the ceremony, said : " We congratulate our citizens in the
prospect of having another handsome building to adorn our

> This mill had not been long established. Another was soon afterward bnllt by
Mr Clnte on the bank of a ravine about half way between the Cataract House and
the present East Harmony school-house. This was burned Feb. 21, 1850, and then
rebuilt, and then again burned March 3, 1852.

92 History of Cohoes. 1847.
village. We understand that the new church is to be a
gothic structure forty-five by eighty feet, with a tower and
spire. For ourselves, we wish the projectors every success."
During the year about forty buildings — stores and dwell
ings — were erected ; many of them being on Remsen street)
which within a short time had considerably increased in
importance. During 1846, the residence of Luke Bemis
(now S. A. Becker's) on the corner of Seneca and Remsen
streets, and the store and dwelling of W. H. Hollister, on
the northeast corner of Remsen and Oneida streets, had
been built ; the principal additions in the following year
were the Granite Hall Block, built by Mr. Baker, corner of
Ontario and Remsen streets ; the block of Caw & Quack
enbush, southwest corner of Oneida and Remsen streets,
and the building adjoining it owned by Miller & Van
Santvoord, the two last named now forming Silliman's Block.
Another important structure, was a four story building,
forty by one hundred feet, erected by H. C. Billings of
Schenectady, just north of Seneca street, on the site of
Johnston's Block. This was used as a hotel, the ground
floor being occupied by stores, and the upper story as a
public hall. It was to be called the Claxton House, after
Col. F. S. Claxton, agent of the Cohoes Company, but the
name finally adopted was the Van Rensselaer House. It
was described in the Advertiser, as " similar to the Delavan
House, in] Albany." " This," said the editor, " in addition
to the buildings of Mr. Baker, Miller & Van Santvoord
and Caw & Quackenbush, the new Presbyterian and
Methodist churches, will render Remsen street the Broad
way of Cohoes."
In the rear of the hotel Mr. Billings commenced the erec
tion of a factory, in later years known as the Mohawk Mill,
the first story of which was completed in the latter part of
the year, but for some reason the building was not finished
until some time after.

1847. History of Cohoes. 93
Other new structures were the bedstead factory of Messrs.
Parkhurst, a brick building thirty-five by seventy feet, and
three stories high, which stood near the north end of the
present jute mill ; a brick store on the opposite side of the
street owned by Wm. N. Chadwick, which the editor de
scribed as the "handsomest store in the village," and a brick
school house on the corner of Canvass and Oneida streets,
which was buUt by A. L. Ferguson. Its erection was pro
cured mainly through the efforts of Messrs. J. W. Miller and
C. A. Olmsted, then school trustees.' Preparations were
also made by F. W. Farnam for the erection of the three
story brick store on Mohawk street, foot of Factory, which
now forms part of North's Block. A small wooden store on
its site, which had been occupied by the Messrs. Fuller, was
moved to the south comer of Remsen street and St. John's
alley, and used by J. M. Brown as a shoe store. It is now
owned and occupied by Mrs. Ira Terry. These improve
ments, indicating a good degree of prosperity, were made
the subject of frequent congratulations by the editor of the
Advertiser. One article, entitled " Cant Help Crowing,"
after stating that " Cohoes and improvement are synony
mous " and enumerating the buildings then in progress,
concluded as follows :
" Now for a ¦village charter — for the water works — three
orfour good engines — clean streets — and a law limiting the
number of dogs in each family to two, a law also prohibit
ing swine running at large, and we are a made community."
' This building remained in use tmtil March, 1871, when it was sold to A. J.
Qriffln, who converted it into a dwelling house.

94 History of Cohoes. 1848.

VI.
1848 TO 1854.
l^INCE 1840, there had been a wonderful increase in
the activity of Cohoes. The establishment of two large
cotton factories, a new knitting mill, and a number of mis
cellaneous concerns added greatly to the population and
business importance of the place. The hamlet of fifteen
years before, containing a score of houses, had now become
a thriving village, with every prospect of rapid growth ;
its development, after a long struggle, was well under way,
and the time had come for the inhabitants to take measures
for its systematic organization and improvement.
The necessity of incorporating the village had been for
some time felt by many citizens, but the project was
agitated for a year or more before the general feeling in its
favor was strong enough to carry it into effect.
In April 1847, the six weeks notice for application to the
legislature for a charter was filed, but nothing further was
accomplished. Agitation of the matter continued during
the year, and it was made the subject of numerous articles
in the Advertiser setting forth the benefits which would
result from incorporation. The following is a specimen:
" The annual tax consequent upon it is nothing in com
parison with its manifold advantages. We should then have
comfortable and convenient sidewalks and not be subjected
to the disagreeable necessity of traveling through mud,
ankle deep, or being ship-wrecked in any one of the many
ditches and puddles which are too abundant by half, or of
being brought up " all standing," as the term is, against
some stump or post placed out of line. In the event of
being incorporated, some little degree of pride would be
evinced by our law makers, and an efficient Fire Depart
ment would be organized. Send in the petitions, then ;
press them upon the attention of the legislature, and let us
have some laws by which to be governed in future, the

1848. History of Cohoes. 95
observance of which will tend to beautify and improve the
appearance of our growing village."
Such appeals from the editor, and the continued efforts
of the friends of incorporation seem to have had their effect.
A meeting of the electors at the hotel was called Feb. 3d,
of which notice was given in the paper as follows : " Reader,
dear reader, dear indulgent reader, in view of the past let
us do something for the future. There is to be a meeting
to-morrow evening at mine host Williams's to take into con
sideration the first steps towards getting a charter for this
village. Several worthy individuals have been missing
dui-ingthis latter " thaw." Come to the meeting, and go it
strong for a charter or a line of life boats."
The following is a copy of the proceedings of this meet
ing : " Chas. A. Olmsted was appointed chairman, and
Leonard Van Dercar secretary.
" The secretary then read part of the act relating to in
corporations. John Van Santvoord, Esq., submitted the
following resolution which was adopted :
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedi
ent that we take the necessary steps to incorporate the
village of Cohoes.
" On motion of Egbert Egberts, Esq., that a committee of
five be appointed by the chair to take the necessary steps
for the incorporation, the chair appointed as such committee
Egbert Egberts, Wm. N. Chadwick, John Van Santvoord,
Jeremiah Clute, and Henry D. Fuller. It was moved and
adopted that the chairman, Chas. A. Olmsted, be added to
the committee, and that the committee have discretionary
power to determine on the boundary of such charter and
also to call further meeting."
The matter was then pressed rapidly forward, and the
charter was dra^wn up by John Van Santvoord, who had
been from the first one of the most active men in its favor.
A map of the territory to be incorporated (now on file in
the county clerk's office) was made by John P. Steenberg,
April 15th, in which the area of the village is given in
1603.22 acres. On June 5th the application for incor-

96 History op Cohoes. 1848.
poration was granted by the court of -sessions at Albany,
which appointed as inspectors of election, to canvass the
vote of the electors upon the measure, Chas. A. Olmsted,
Origen S. Brigham and Alfred Phelps. The election was
held on the 1st July with the folio-wing result :
In favor,  346
Against,  26
372
The first charter election was held at the Cohoes Hotel a
week later. The officers voted for were : five trustees,
three assessors, a treasurer, collector, clerk, and poundmaster.
The number of voters was 521. The first session of the
trustees was held Aug. 4th, in Miller & Van Santvoord's
law office on Remsen street, which was the place of meeting
until the completion of the engine house in the following
year. Almost the first business done by the trustees was to
take steps for the organization of a fire department. Up
to 1847 the village had enjoyed a singular exemption from
fires, but the occurrence of several disastrous conflagra
tions during that year awoke the citizens to the necessity
of being better provided for accidents of this kind. Ac
cordingly Miles White went to Albany, and on his o^wn
responsibility borrowed from the authorities an old hand-
engine — No. 6 in the Albany department — which had been
discarded because unfit for use. A small amount was spent
in repairs, and the machine was brought to Cohoes, and
though by no means in good working order, was used for
some time. The only fire apparatus prior to this of which
Cohoes could boast was a small rotary hand engine called
the Excelsior No. 1, which had been purchased in 1834
or 1835 by subscriptions from a number of citizens, among
whom were Joshua R. Clarke, Oliver Hubbard and David
Wilkinson. Its insignificance may be inferred from the
fact that in a report made to the trustees on the condition

1848. History of Cohoes. 97
of the fire department, it was stated that " your committee
would report that they cannot find the Excelsior engine
No. 1." The machine had done good service, however, con
sidering its size and powei-, for a number of years, and at
one time was the means of checking a large fire in Water
ford which threatened to consume the entire village. In
later years, however, it was treated ¦with a contempt which
the memory of its past services should have restrained, and
was kicked about from one place to another, the plaything
of several generations of boys. '
After the fire on Mohawk street which is chronicled in
the first number of the Advertiser it became evident that
the -village fire apparatus was greatly deficient, and a meet
ing of the citizens at the hotel was accordingly called for
the purpose of arranging for better protection. A com
mittee consisting of Luke Bemis, Egbert Egberts, Miles
White, H. D. Fuller, G. A. Slocum, L. S. Fonda, Wm. N.
Chadwick, Chas. A. Olmsted, S. F. Wilson and W. H. S.
Winans was appointed to take the necessary steps and
Luke Bemis was chosen to act as chief engineer in case of
the occurrence of a fire. The result of this meeting was
the purchase by Messrs. Fuller, Wilkinson and Olmsted of
the Cataract hand engine, and the formation of a com
pany, of which H. D. Fuller was captain. An entrance fee of
$3 was charged each member, and the proceeds were devoted
to the purchase of a hose-cart.
On August 11th, 1848, it was resolved "that the corpo
rate authorities of the village of Cohoes purchase from S.
Wilkinson, G. T. Olmstead and H. D. Fuller the fire engine,
hose carriage and hose purchased by them from L. Button
& Co., and to pay to them or their order the sum of $675."
The department was regularly organized at the meeting
1 It is said tliat the wheels and axles of the old engine are still in existence and
form part of a cart used in moving iron about Morrison, Colwell & Page's mill.
13

98

History of Cohoes.

1848.

of Oct. 4, 1848, from the minutes of which the following
is an extract :
" Resolved, That two fire companies be organized in this
village for the extinguishment of fires, and that one of the
said companies be known and styled as the Pai-melee Engine
Co., No. 2, and that the other company be styled Cataract
Engine Co., No. 3,' and that said companies be composed
of not more than fifty men each.
" Resolved, That the engine known as Excelsior Engine
No. 1, be placed in charge of the fire wardens to be and to
remain under their direction and control, subject to the
action of the trustees.
" On motion of Mr. Abbott, the following were appointed
members of Cataract Engine Company No. 3 :

Wm. T. Palmer,
Samuel Wilkinson,
Chas. E. St. John,
Henry E. Robbins,
Henry L. Landon,
Julius Robbins,
Patrick H. Moore,
Wm. Green,
John Van DerMark,
Wm. Ferrell,
Joseph Hahn,
Alexander Hay,
Joseph M. Brown,
Marcus S. Deyo,
George Jackson,
Alonzo Wilmot,
The following of Parmelee No. 2

John Eastwood,
S. M. Swart,
Jacob I. Lansing,
Isaac D. Ayres,
Sherman D. Fairbank,
Thos. H. Kendrick,
Joseph B. Prescott,
Wm. Manning,
Lucien Fitts,
I. F. Overpaugh,
Wm. H. Doty,
John P. Warwick,
George W. Miller,
Darius Parkhurst,
Wm. B. Barrett.

Jacob J. Lansing,
Wm. L. Freeman,
Jos. C. Kittle,
J. H. Johnson,
Wm. H. Van Der Werken,
Henry Hall, Jr.,
John A. Miller,
Benjamin Franklin,
The Parmelee Engine Company took charge of the Albany

Malachi Ball,
Alex. McCalla,
A. F. Rockwell,
Wm. Shannon,
John McEnemy,
Herman D. Felthousen,
John Van Santvoord."

' On petition of the company the name was in 1860 changed to No. 1.

1848. History of Cohoes. 99
machine, which became No. 2, in the Cohoes department,
and when this was returned in August of the following
year, the company " ran with " the old Excelsior No. 1,
chiefly for the purpose of creating a little healthful opposi
tion. Arrangements were soon after made for an engine
house. A report was submitted to the trustees Oct. 16,
that "Mr. John Hays offers to sell to the village a lot
twenty-five by thirty situated near the Methodist church
for $350," and at the next meeting the president was
authorized to purchase it. The price paid was $312, of
which $112 were paid down and bonds of $100 each, paya
ble in one and two years, executed for the balance.
The building (which is now occupied by the Campbell
Hose Company), was erected in the same year by Henry
Van Auken, the contract price being $750. Until its com
pletion the Cataract was kept in a shed belonging to
the Cohoes Company on Mohawk street on the site of Bil-
brough's Mill. A bam which stood on the east side of
Remsen street, south of Factory street, was also used for
an engine house, the Excelsior having been kept there for
some time.
In February of this year, the village paper changed hands,
Alexis Ayres retiring, and his place being taken by Isaac
D. Ayres, formerly of the Troy Telegraph. It was pub
lished for the next year under the title of the Cohoes Journal.
The files during that time unfortunately cannot be obtained;
which is especially to be regretted, since the incorporation
of the -village, the organization of a fire department, the
construction of water works, and other important local mat
ters doubtless furnished abundant material for interesting
discussion. The question of supplying the village with water by
means of the Cohoes Company's Canal had been agitated
during 1847. The first public movement in the matter was
in response to the following:

100 History of Cohoes. 1848.
Notice.
" The occupants of dwellings in this village are requested
to meet at the Cohoes Hotel, Wednesday Eve, next, 23d
inst., at 8 o'clock, to ascertain what encouragement can be
given to the Cohoes Company for the establishment of hy
drants in the principal streets and the introduction of water
from their Summit Canal into the dwellings of those who
desire it.
Chas. A. Olmsted, L. Bemis,
Wm. P. Israel Jr., H. Howe,
Egberts & Bailey, Miles White,
J. Van Santvoord, Sam'l Wilkinson,
F. W. Farnam, John D. Luffman,
O. & D. Parkhurst, H. D. Fuller.
Dated Cohoes, June 19, 1847."
The result of this and subsequent meetings was an agree
ment, prepared in September, between the citizens and the
Cohoes Company in which were stated the terms and con
ditions upon which the latter would commence operations.
This was signed by a large number of citizens. The work
was completed in 1848, and pipes were laid through the
principal streets under the direction of Col. F. S. Claxton.
The water was drawn from the Cohoes Company's upper
level, the reservoir being near the point in the canal from
which the water for Harmony Mill No. 2 is now taken.
A rail road between Albany and Cohoes had been talked
of for some years. A movement in its favor had been made
as early as 1846, but it met with some opposition, as appears
from the following remonstrance to the legislature which
was signed by a number of Cohoes citizens:
" The undersigned citizens of Cohoes in the county of
Albany respectfully remonstrate against any act authorizing
any rail road either to or through the village of Cohoes.
Our citizens are generally opposed to the project, for the
following among other reasons:
" 1st. Such a rail road is entirely unnecessary.
" 2d. The object is to divert the trade from a gro-wing
country -village to an already opulent city.

1848. History op Cohoes. 101
" 3d. The village is already cut up with roads and canals.
" 4th. The effect would be to depreciate the value of pro
perty in the village and vicinity.
" 5th. A rail road would be a great inconvenience to the
farming community and needlessly expose property and life.
" 6th. It is a project for the exclusive benefit of a large
city without regard to the interests or convenience to the
community in general who ride along the route of the pro
posed road. All of which is respectfully submitted.
"Cohoes, February 28, 1846."
In the foUo-wing year a bill incorporating a company was
introduced, but nothing came of it.
In the -winter of 1848 the Albany and Cohoes Rail
-Road Company was formed, the following commissioners
being named in the bill : John Stewart and John Cramer of
Waterford ; Hugh White and Egbert Egberts of Cohoes ;
David Hamilton and Wm. N. Chadwick of Watervliet ; Jas.
Horner, C. Van Benthuysen, S. Stevens, J. L. Schoolcraft,
J. K. Paige, J. D. Wasson, Jas. Edwards, E. P. Prentice,
Archibald McClure, Theo. Olcott, Wm. Smith, Peter
Cagger, Ellis Baker, James Kidd and Stephen Van Rensse
laer of Albany. The capital stock of the company was
$250,000 di-vided into shares of $60 each. After many de
lays its books were opened for subscriptions, but the stock
did not sell readily, and the company accomplished no more
than its predecessors.
A number of new buildings were erected during the year,
prominent among them being the new Methodist and Pres
byterian churches. The former was a brick building, on
Remsen street, on the site of the present church, and cost
$12,000. The Presbyterian church on Seneca street (which
has been greatly enlarged) was built by Joshua R. Clarke
at a cost of $5,500, the lot, valued at $2,000, having been
presented to the society by the Cohoes Company.
Among the additions to the business of the place was a
machine shop in which steam power was used, established

102 History op Cohoes. 1849.
by Doncaster and Hay, on Remsen street, below Columbia,
near the site of the residence of Wm. T. Horrobin. The
firm did not continue long in business.
On January 1st, 1849, the village paper came into the
possession of Chauncey Stow, Horace B. Sillim an and Stephen
C. Miller, who conducted the business under the firm name
of C. Stow & Co., until March, when, on retirement of Mr.
Stow, the firm became Silliman & Miller. Messrs. Stow
& Co. changed the name of the paper to that which it
now bears, The Cohoes Cataract, and made several altera
tions in its arrangement. On the first page, between the
words " Cohoes " and " Cataract " appeared a woodcut of
the Falls, -with the motto underneath, " Goes sparkling,
dashing, foaming on." The editorial column on the second
page was embellished by another cut, representing the in
terior of the sanctum, in which three very jovial looking
gentlemen (supposed to be the editors) were seen sitting at
a table, which was covered with writing materials. The
columns on the same page, devoted to news items, editorial
notes, etc., were headed with titles appropriate to the
name of the paper, such as Cataract Foam, Floating
Straws and Drift- Wood.
There appear to have been few local events of importance
during the year, and the editors were indebted to the streets
and sidewalks for many an item. Complaints in regard to
their bad condition with humorous or sarcastic comments,
and appeals to the authorities to have railings erected in
dangerous localities, were a prominent feature of the paper.
With the labor of perfecting the organization of the
village government the trustees had found time during 1848,
to do but little, except the establishment of a fire depart
ment, towards accomplishing those results which the editor
of the Advertiser had hoped would follow incorporation.
In the succeeding year, however, they were able to devote
more attention to general improvements. M. McKeman

1849. History of Cohoes. 103
was appointed engineer, and under his direction grades were
established for streets and sidewalks throughout the village.
A number of streets were opened and declared public
highways according to his surveys, among them Remsen,
Pine and White streets and Trojan, Rock, and Cataract
alleys. The following list of moneys necessary to meet the ex
penses of the village for the year, which was voted for at
the electors' meeting, in March, ^ffords an interesting con
trast to the city budgets of the present time :
1. " For the second installment of the purchase
moneys of the Engine Lot,  $100 oO
2. For 1 year's interest on the village bonds given
for the balance unpaid on the Engine Lot, 14 00
3. For furnishing and painting Engine house, 200 00
4. For furnishing Engine house and Trustees'
Room with stoves, pipe and furniture,  75 00
5. For the hire of bam for safe keeping of Engine
No. 3,  20 00
6. For paying expenses of the Fire Department,... 75 00
7. For an additional hose cart,  40 00
8. For the completing the establishment of grades
for sidewalks,  100 00
9. For the expenses of laying cross walks,  100 00
10. For the compensation of the village assessors
for the next year,  25 00
11. For the compensation of the village clerk for
the next year,  50 00
12. For the compensation of the street commis
sioners for the next year,  50 00
13. Forprinting,  75 00
14. For books and stationery,  10 00
16. For paying the expenses of the annual meeting
for 1849, and of special meetings,  25 00
16. For a fund for paying the expenses of enforc
ing the laws and other contingent expenses, 50 00
17. For the annual rent of water for fire hydrants, 25 00
18. For the fund for the compensation of the
collector at 4 per centum for the next year, 44 00
And which said several sums in the whole amount to ten
hundred and ninety (1,090) dollars."

104 History op Cohoes. 1849.
The prevalence of the cholera during the summer caused
some uneasiness, and several precautionary measures were
taken by the trustees. The first Board of Health, appointed
June 1 1th, in accordance with a proclamation by the go
vernor, was as follows : Egbert Egberts, Francis S. Claxton,
Miles White, Chas A. Olmsted, Samuel H. Foster; Health
Officer, Wm. F. Carter, M.D.
On July 11th, the knitting factory of Timothy Bailey
(now Holsapple's bedstead factory) was burned, the two
upper stories being completely destroyed. The fire, which
was one of the most disastrous that had yet visited Cohoes,
was spoken of in the Cataract as follows :
" It is supposed to have been caused by spontaneous com
bustion of the wool and cotton. . . The building was owned
by Mr. Haggerty of New York, and was insured sufficiently
to cover the loss. Mr. Bailey's loss upon the machinery is
estimated to exceed $5,000. How much stock was lost we
did not ascertain. He was fully insured on all losses, but
no insurance can compensate to him for the loss by suspen
sion of his business at this most pressing season of the year
when he was running night and day to meet his orders.
The loss falls upon one of our most worthy citizens who has
the heartfelt sympathy of all. And it is moreover a great
calamity to our village, throwing out of employment nearly
two hundred persons, whose main support was derived from
this establishment."
Fire companies from Waterford and Troy were in attend
ance, and excellent service was done by the Cataract engine —
of which it was said, " she has in this one instance well re
paid her cost and the members of her company deserve the
thanks of our citizens generally." Some of the machinery
was saved, and with this Mr. Bailey removed in the f ollo^wing
month to Ballston, where he established a mill. Another
fire, in November, destroyed part of the building in the
rear of the Van Rensselaer House, which had been erected
for a factory by H. C. Billings.
" The building was occupied for a number of different
purposes, having a Bat Factory, a Sash & Blind Factory

1849. History of Cohoes. 105
in one end, and the large Saloon of the Van Rensselaer
House in the other. The fire originated in the Bat Factorv
which was entirely consumed. The end containing the Saloon
was saved. The Cataract Engine was on hand in eood
season and did nobly. The two force pumps in the olden
Mills also threw a large quantity of water."
The saloon or ball room, referred to, was in the southern
part of the building, and was entered by a passage from
the dining room in the second story of the hotel. Under
the ball room was a bowling alley. The cotton bat and
sash and blind factories were in the north end of the build
ing, and were owned, the former by Nicholas Coyle, and
the latter by Overpaugh and Childs, who had moved from
the Wilkinson machine shop the machinery formerly used
by Loveland and Palmer, whom they succeeded.
A new business establishment of the year was B. R.
Peck's Sash and Blind Factory, located in the Baldwin
machine shop building, comer of Ontario and Remsen
streets, occupying half of one floor. In later years as the
business iucreased, Mr. Peck took possession of the entire
main part of the building. '
In September a strike occuiTcd in the Ogden Mills, which
caused considerable excitement. The cause was a fifteen per
cent reduction of wages. The agent, Mr. Chas. A. Olmsted,
advertised at once for outside help, which was procured,
and work resumed after a stoppage of three weeks. The Co-
hoes Worsted Company earlier in the same year had trouble
with their operatives, and a public meeting of workingmen
was called which condemned their action inmost emphatic
terms. Among their employes was Michael McKernon,
who ran for surveyor-general on the workingmen's state
ticket of that year. Other Cohoes workingmen, among
' The firm of Peck & Van Der Mark was formed in 1856, to which A . J. Qofite
was subsequently admmitted, but retired in 1859. The business was disposed of in
1861 to Messrs. Falardo and DeVilliers, who conducted at until the buieding changed
ahnds and was converted into a knitting mill.
14

106 History of Cohoes. 1849.
them Wm. Mannmg, H. E. Higley and Joseph M. Brown,
were prominent in that campaign, the last two named being
on the state central committee.
The plank road fever was then at its height in this ¦vicinity
and a company was formed in which several Cohoes parties
was interested, to build a road from here to West Troy.
It was completed during the fall.
At different times during the year, local items on " Im
provements " showed that the growth of the place was con
siderable. The following is from the Cataract of May 26 :
" There are at present thirty or f oity buildings going up,
besides numerous other improvements. Somebody had
better begin to think about a bill to make Cohoes a city —
if we don't hold on a little we shall be big enough for two
before the next session."
Among the most important buildings erected were the
block of Egberts & Bailey, on the west side of Remsen
street, north of Cataract alley, and the block on Mohawk
street south of Ontario, which was built by F. S. Claxton,
and is now owned by W. T. Dodge.
Among the matters of public importance during 1850)
was a movement to change the school arrangements of the
village, which were then under control of the town
authorities. The village was divided into three districts, in
each of which scholars of all ages and degrees of advance
ment were taught in the same building, and by the same
teachers. The change proposed was to constitute the village
one school district, which was to be divided into five wards.
From each of these two trustees whose term of office was
two years, were to be elected, under whose supervision the
schools were to be properly graded, and by whom their
affairs were to be managed. At a meeting held February
5th, to take action upon the matter, " A committee was
appointed to draft a bill in conformity with the plan, and
to circulate petitions for the passage of the same by the
legislature. The committee nominated was : H. B. Silliman
and J. M. Brown, from District No. 5 ; Wm. Manning and

1850. History of Cohoes. 107
Henry Van Auken from District No. 15 ; John McGill and
Henry Howarth, from District No. 19. On motion, John
Van Santvoord, Henry D. Fuller and Patrick Judge were
added to the committee." The original plan met with some
opposition ; at a meeting held the next week, a remon
strance was presented by Mr. Gary, signed by one hundred
persons in District No. 15, against the passage of such a
law. It was subsequently modified in some particulars,
however, and the bill passed the legislature April 10th.
The Cataract during this year was frequently enlivened
by spicy paragraphs on local topics, many of which, though
affording an interesting glimpse of life in Cohoes at that
time, can scarcely be considered as historical material. One
matter, however, which was made the subject of much
humorou.'s comment, was deemed of sufficient importance
to merit the attention of the trustees, which it received in
the following resolution passed February 11th:
"Complaint having been made that Wm. H. Bortell has
a bear near his house which is not safely secured, therefore
" Resolved : That the police constable be, and he is hereby
ordered to du-ect the said Bortell in the name of the village
to secure the said bear or remove him so as children and
passengers shall not be exposed any longer."
Although a number of sidewalks had been constructed
during 1849, there was still enough ground for complaint
in this resjDcct to justify the appearances of many editorial
squibs. A rough wood cut, of which an outline is given
below, was published in the issue of June 8th, under the
heading, " A Cut on our Sidewalks," and illustrates the
manner of grading which prevailed at that time.
Farnam

Hahn

The erection of a structure to be used as a court room by
Justice Daw was chronicled as follows :
" The New Court House. This elegant structure, the

108 History op Cohoes. 1850.
corner stone of which was laid on Tuesday of this week and
which is now nearly completed, stands upon the corner of
Remsen and Seneca streets' and just on the other side of a
vacant lot commonly occupied by a large pile of hogs, in a
great state of discomfort, for the purpose of rubbing off
fieas against each other, in which they seem to do a large
business. We think this a circumstance highly favorable
to the rapid dispensation of justice and likely to give a new
impulse to the progressive march of law and order through
our village. This magnificent erection is about fifteen by
twenty and about eight or ten high ; it is built of the best
three by four joists and is, we understand, to be shingled
with shad scales, both because they are the best to shed
water and are also the most appropriate symbols of jus
tice. . . . But joking aside, we are glad that we have at last
got a convenient place for the administration of justice ex
clusively. Now who'll build a lock up ?"
Another subject which furnished abundant material for
the local columns, during the years 1849, and '50, and at
different times later, was the disagreement between the
Cohoes Company and the village authorities in regard to
the construction of railings, etc., and repairs of bridges on
the property belonging to the former. The trustees claimed
that those bridges within the village limits which were made
necessary in consequence of the existence of the company's
water courses, should be kept in repair by them, while the
company insisted that as the bridges were used as a part of
the public highways, all bills for repairing them should be
paid by the village. The bridges had been for a long time
in very bad condition, and complaints were so numerous
that the authorities made some repairs on them, presenting
the bill to the Cohoes Company with their assessment for
highway tax. Payment was refused, and a long dispute
ensued. In the trustees' proceedings of June 12th, 1850,
" on motion of Mr. Caw, the president was authorized to
enter into an arrangement with the Cohoes Company to
have the bridge question decided by the Supreme Court,

1 On the site of Musgrove's store.

1850. History op Cohoes. 109
and to enter into an agreement with them that in the mean
time all necessary i-epairs to bridges and all necessary new
bridges, should be made by the village and the company
together, each paying half the expense, and that the losing
party in the decision of the court refund to the other all
such advances."
In July the bridge on Seneca street (which is now replaced
by a stone arch) fell — not with a crash, said the editor, be
cause it was too rotten — to the bottom of the ravine, while
the Troy omnibus, filled with passengers, was not more than
ten feet away. This occurrence, and the very bad condition
of the bridge over Basin A, furnished subjects for fresh
complaints. The matter was settled for the time being by
an agreement in the following year on the part of the com
pany to pay $1,225, in full of their taxes for 1848, each party
to settle its o-wn costs. '
The Fourth of July celebration of this year was the
largest Cohoes had yet seen, and was entered into with
great enthusiasm. The second page of the Cataract of
June 29 was almost entirely occupied by the programme,
printed in large type, from which the following extract may
be made :
" The Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch Sunday
Schools, the Boght Sunday School, and the Sunday School
at Mr. I. D. F. Lansing's, together with the Roman Catholic
Sunday School, the Fire Company No. 3, and the citizens
at large will celebrate the 74th Anniversary of American
Independence at the Grove southerly from Prospect Hill.
The several societies and associations, and the citizens gene
rally, are cordially invited to participate in the festivities.
Mr. Pettis will be at the Dutch church with carriages to
carry the clergy, the surviving heroes of the Revolution,
teachers, and the younger scholars to Dickey's Grove. The
remainder of the scholars and teachers, the various societies,

1 The question was again opened in 1863, and occnpied the attention of the trus
tees for some weeks. Propositions were made to refer the matter to an outside party
for decision, but nothing was accomplished in this way. Some of the t rustees were
strongly In favor of suing the company. This course was Anally adopted, and the
Tillage was beaten.

110 History op Cohoes. 1850.
the gentlemen and ladies of the village, and all strangers
will follow the carriages in procession with martial music.
The other schools above named will reach the grove at the
same time. The business of the day will be wholly subject
to the marshal and his assistants.
MARSHAL OF THE DAY — Luman Down.
Exercises.
Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Pitcher.
.Mts^c, Anniversary Hymn, by all the schools.
Reading of the Declaration, by Andrew Lansing, Esq.
bhort Oration, by Henry D. Fuller, Esq.
Music.
Poem, by S. C. Miller, Esq.
.ffymw, "The Golden Rule," by all the schools.
AAort Oration, by Chas. H. Adams, Esq.
Music.
Short Oration, by Joseph M. Brown, Esq.
Music.
Short Address, by Rev. Mr. Round.
The Long Meter Doxology, by the audience.
Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Waldron."
The refreshments were contributed by the citizens, and
were collected under the direction of the Committee of Ar
rangements, which consisted of Wia. H. Hollister, John
Van Santvoord, Jacob I. Lansing, Wm. Leckie, Stephen H.
Adams and 3Iiles White. In the evening a large display
of fireworks was made from Prospect Hill, after which, said
the Cataract, " the people were astonished and gratified at
the unusual sight of a balloon ascension by night," for
which they were indebted to Dr. C. F. Goss.
The question of extending Remsen street to Saratoga
street was agitated eariy in the year, and the heirs of Abram
G. Lansing offered to give the land necessary, if they could
be released from assessment. A meeting of the tax payers,
called June 20th, of which Egbert Egberts was chairman,'

1850. History op Cohoes. Ill
and H. L. Landon secretary, decided that " at present it
was inexpedient to open Remsen street below Newark."
So the matter rested, and at a meeting of the trustees, a
week or two later, Newark street (which had formeriy been
called Lansing street) was declared opened as a public
highway. A prominent addition to the manufacturing establish
ments of the place was the new knitting mill (now occupied
by Parsons & Co.), erected by Egbert Egberts on the
corner of Factory and Remsen streets. The building was
of brick, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet and five stories
high. The work was done mainly by Cohoes mechanics, as
follows : Joshua R. Clarke, architect and builder ; Wolf ord
& Stephenson, masons ; Jacob I. Lansing, wheelwright ;
Isaac F. Fletcher, marble cutter; and W. T. Palmer, painter.
The block of stores on the southeast corner of Remsen
and Oneida streets, built by Dr. Carter, was completed
about the same time.
An e^-ent destined to be of great importance to the inte
rests of Cohoes was the change during this year in the
proprietorship of the Harmony Mills. The career of the
old coi-poration had been anything but successful. No
dividends had ever been paid to the stockholders, and when
the company sold out they had floating debts to the
amount of theii' capital. The stock had changed owners
from time to time, until in the last years of its existence
the management of the company was in almost entirely
different hands. For some time the company had no resi
dent agent, but on the election of Mr Wm. N. Chadwick
as president in 1841, an effort was made to induce him to
make his residence here and supervise the business, which
he afterward decided to do. Under his administration in
1844 additional machinery was put into the mill, which had
previously been but jjartly occupied. In that and the fol
lowing year some $64,000 were cleared — all the money

112 History of Cohoes. 1851.
the company ever made — and it was of course needed to
meet the deficiency of preceding years. In 1846 Mr.
Chadwick resigned, and his successor as president was Wm.
C. Haggerty, who continued to be the active man of the
concern until it was sold.
With the advent of Mr. Robert Johnston, however, the
present superintendent, a new condition of affairs began,
and the career of the company since that time has been one
of steady and gro-wing prosperity. Mr. Johnston was born
in Carlisle, England, in 1807, and in that country had his
first training in cotton manufacture. He came to the United
States in 1833, and was for a time connected -with the
Providence Steam Mills at Providence, R. I., where he suc
ceeded in accomplishing what had previously been thought
impossible,'^the spinning of warps on mules. Soon after
he removed to Valatie, N. Y., where he took charge of the
cotton mill of Nathan Wild, and it was at his suggestion
that Alfred Wild, the son of his employer, and Mr. Thomas
Garner of New York, purchased the Harmony Mill. With
the inauguration of the new management the mill was
greatly improved, and its capacity increased to 8,000
spindles. An amendment to the village charter passed early in
1851, provided for the election of a police justice, whose
term of office was to be four years, and increased the powers
of the trustees in several j)articulars. The amendment seems
to have given general satisfaction, and was thus commented
upon by the Cataract : " It will be seen that provision is
made for the establishment of a municipal government which
can effect everything desired in the way of law and order."
The first justice under this act was Alfred Phelps, elected
July 29. At the regular village election in March, the first
school trustees were chosen, according to the act passed in
1850. On the organization of the board, Wm. G. Caw was
elected president, and John Van Santvoord, clerk. The

1851. History of Cohoes. 113
following committees were appointed : Finance : Burton
and Parkhurst ; Library: Foster and Caw ; School houses:
Travis and McGill; Text books: Caw and Travis; Teachers:
Foster, Burton and Caw ; Tuition of non residents : McGill
and Parkhurst; Select committee for organizing and grading
schools : Caw, Foster and McGill. At a meeting held
April 4th, arrangements were made to procure further
accommodations. The basement of the Reformed church
was hired at a rental of 840 per annum, and negotiations
were commenced with the Messrs. Fuller for the erection
of a two story school house in Remsen street, the yearly
rent to be $85. The teachers were assigned as follows :
District No. 9 (Harmony Hill), Henry Dubois ; District
No. 5 (depot school house), E. H. Johnston and C. Allen,
Miss Van Schaick, assistant ; District No. 13 (state yard
school house), Mr. Landon. J. M. Brown's store on Remsen
street was selected as a proper place for keeping the libraries
of the district and it was engaged for $50 per annum, Mr.
Bro-wn to act as librarian.
In April, an act was passed incorporating the Cohoes
Sa-vings Institution, of which the corporators were: Chas.
A. Olmsted, Truman G. Younglove, Egbert Egberts, Hugh
White, Daniel Simmons, Isaac D. F. Lansing, Henry D.
Fuller, Wm. F. Carter, Abraham Lansing, Joshua Bailey,
Wm. N. Chad^wick, Teunis Van Vechten, Andrew D. Lan
sing, Harmon Pumpelly, Edward E. Kendrick, Wm. Burton,
Joshua R. Clarke, Jeremiah Clute, Miles White.
With the rapid growth of the place since its incorporation,
the fire department was soon found to be inadequate, and
it was accordingly voted at the annual meeting of this
year to purchase a new engine at a cost of $600.
At the trustees' meeting held Sept. 23, a petition was
presented from " Jacob J. Lansing and others, mainly per
sons who were members of the Engine Company, known as
the Parmelee Company, asking to be organized into a fire
15

114 History of Cohoes. ' 1851.
company under the authority of the board." The prayer
was granted, and the following persons were enrolled as
the first members of Engine Company No. 2, afterwards
known as the Mohawk :
Jacob Lansing, foreman; John Fulton, 1st assistant;
Michael Larkins, 2d assistant ; John Doyle, treasurer; Wm.
Shannon, Lewis Wells, J. Eastwood, Benjamin Hutchins,
Malachi Ball, John Henry, John Larkins, Peter Moran,
Robert B. Moore, Edward Hitchcock, Louis Savoid, Isaac
Van Vliet, Isaac F. Runkle, Elihu M. Stevenson, Jacob H.
Hallenbeck, Patrick Hines, Henry C. Rider, Joseph Gould,
Henry Shepard, Franklin Waring, Timothy McGray, Henry
Brown. In December the contract for building the new
engine house was let to Aaron Ferguson. This was a low
wooden structure, situated on Mohawk street south of the
present Miller House, and stood directly over the Cohoes
Company's canal.
Since 1847, there had been a number of changes in the
proprietorship of the public conveyances. The Accommo
dation Stage to Troy was run in 1848 by J. A. Simons,
in 1849 by S. C. Moore and in 1850 by J. A. Simons until
September when the partnership of Simons <fc Ives was
formed. The Cohoes and Troy Rail Road was con
ducted by C. O. Perham in 1849, and by John Dearborn
in the following year, which was the last of its existence
as a separate institution. After Nov. 1, 1850, the stages
and cars were combined, under proprietorship of Dearborn
and Ives, and made hourly trips to Troy. The Albany Mail
Stage was conducted by H. N. Pettis. It made in 1849
three trips, and in 1860 two trips, daily each way. In the
spring of 1851, both the Albany and Troy lines changed
hands, and were run by Dearborn, Simons & Co., who con
tinued in business until the stage lines were abandoned,
Mr. Simons being in later years sole proprietor.

1852. History of Cohoes. 115
Several manufacturing establishments were started in
this year. In March Thomas Fowler rented the building
formerly occupied by Timothy Bailey, repaired the damage
done by the fire, and put in knitting machinery. In the
building in rear of the Van Rensselaer block which was
afterwards known as the Mohawk Mill, Messrs. F. W.
Farnam & Co. established a factory for making linen
thread from American fiax, G. K. White being manager.
The Cataract of Aug. 16th said : " The establishment will
when in full operation be the largest flax manufactory in
the United States and the only one where the finer branches
of the work are executed. It will employ 300 hands and
consume 600 tons of flax per annum."
Another new enterprise was the wheel factory of Messrs.
Wightman & Youmans, established in a building erected
for them on Basin A, just south of where Brockway's mill
now stands. They manufactured omnibus wheels for the
New York and Philadelphia markets. The works of D.
Simmons & Co., (which had been enlarged in 1845), were
still further improved by the erection of new buildings.
Additions were also made to Miles White's axe factory.
In January, 1852, the partnership between Egberts & Bailey
was dissolved, Mr. Egberts taking the new or Watervliet
Mill, and 3Ir. Bailey the mill on Ontario street. The
latter gentleman organized the Bailey Manufacturing
Company, with a capital of $100,000, and Mr. Egberts
transferred his mill to Chas. H. Adams.' These establish
ments and Fowler's were until some years later the only
knitting mills in the place.
The Baptist church, which had stood on the site of the
Watervliet mill, was demolished when that structure was
built in 1850. The society at once commenced the erection

•The Bailey Manufacturing Company, of which the capital was reduced in 1856 to
$50,000, continued in business till 1863, when the mill and machinery were sold to
the Troy Manufacturing Company. Mr. Adams remained proprietor of the Water
vliet mill until 1862.

116 History op Cohoes. 1852.
of their present edifice on Mohawk street, foot of White,
which was finished in 1851, at a cost of about $6,000. It
was dedicated April 28th, 1852, the sermon being preached
by Rev. Dr. Warren, of Troy. Addresses were also de
livered in the afternoon and evening by Revs. G. C. Bald
win, of Troy, and H. G. Day, of Schenectady. The music
was under direction of Lester Allen.
A number of public improvements had been made of late
in the village, and newspaper complaints about sidewalks
and railings became less frequent. New grades were estab
lished for Remsen, Oneida and other important streets, and
Canal (now Main), Canvass White (now Canvass), and
Howard streets, were opened as public highways. Street
lamps, which had long been needed, were placed by several
citizens in front of their dwellings, the example having been
set by Miles White. Sidewalks were laid in many parts of
the village and the Cohoes Company's water course on
Ontario street, which had previously been crossed by a
wooden bridge at Remsen street, was covered at that point
by a substantial stone arch.
In October, the block known as the Van Rensselaer House
was torn down by its owners, the Cohoes Company. The
existence of quicksands under the foundation of the struc
ture rendered it unsafe, and as tenants were ¦with difficulty
induced to occupy it, the investment had never been pro
fitable. The first proprietor was J. H. Crane, of Schenec
tady, who sold in 1849 to John Parker, who continued in
business little more than a year, and was then sold out by
the sheriff. The arrangement of the ground floor of the
building was similar to that of the present Johnston
block ; the bar-room was in the corner corresponding to
that now occupied by A. M. Harmon's store ; next to that
was the main entrance, north of which were three stores.
A brick block three stories high was built on the site.
Cohoes during this year was rather quiet, if we may judge

1853. History of Cohoes. 117
by the local columns of the paper. In December con
siderable excitement was caused by the failure of Miles
White, ¦with liabilities of nearly $200,000, which threw one
hundred and fifty men out of employment. This was the
first failure which had seriously affected the place, and
afforded material for discussion for some time.
During 1863, however, there was no lack of subjects for
local comment. Early in the year the rail road from Albany,
work on which had been for some time in progress, was com
pleted. As before mentioned, several companies which had
been organized were unable to make any progress with the
enterprise, and the people began to believe it was never to
be carried out, but when, under the auspices of the Albany
Northern Rail Road Company, the c<mtracts were actually
let, the prospect was more reassuring, and the satisfaction
was general. The last rail was laid March 24th, and busi
ness could have been then commenced but the bridge was
not completed. The Cataract commented as follows : " The
rails having fairly been laid as far as the station house it
may be safely affirmed that this old-new road is completed
from Albany to Cohoes. Having struggled on under a
hundred unfortunate accidents and been a laughing stock
for years, it seems almost incredible that it has at last
accomplished the original task."
The station-house, which was described as " one of the
finest in the state," had been completed in the previous De
cember. A trial trip was made as far as Cohoes, April 9.
Two days afterward the road was formally opened. The
afternoon train from Albany brought the president and di
rectors of the road, and several prominent citizens, and was
received here with ringing of bells and firing of cannon.
The party was met by the board of trustees and a large
number of citizens. T. G. Younglove, on behalf of the
trustees, made the follo^wing address:
" Gentlemen : In behalf of the citizens of Cohoes, we

118 History of Cohoes. 1853.
welcome you and congratulate you, that by patience, per
severance and energy a long desired object has been ac
complished. The snorting and puffing of the iron horse in
our streets, mingling as it does with the roar of our cataract,
the sound of our hammers, the ring of our anvils, and the
hum of our spindles, is an era in our history which we too,
gladly receive congratulation for, and we say to you that
we not only congratulate you, but we congratulate ourselves,
and rejoice in the increased facilities you have given us for
sending to market more than one and a half millions of dol
lars — the annual product of our labor and our capital. We
rejoice, then, in the establishment of this new connecting
link between our embryo, and your venerable city. I think
I may say without exaggeration that our water power when
its locality and extent are taken into account is the most
valuable in the United States. We have the power to drive
all your manufacturing establishments, even to your print
ing presses, and we will do it provided you give us the
chance. Who can say that in the progress of the arts and
manufactures, Cohoes may not be a great center of in
dustrial pursuits, annually sending forth her products, to
enrich and comfort thousands nay, even millions of the in
habitants of the earth ? But I have digressed. Do not mis
take the roar and din you hear around you for any other
than that of friendly and cordial greeting. Even the waters
of the Mohawk join in our greetings to you. Again I say,
we welcome you.''''
Robert H. Pruyn, one of the directors, replied on behalf
of the company. Speeches were also made by Judge
Cheever, Mr. Wasson, and Col. J. W. Miller. After the
excursionists had visited the Falls, the factories and other
objects of interest, they assembled at the Cohoes Hotel,
where, said the Cataract, " an ample and handsome colla
tion was prepared which was thoroughly taken care of, and
which prompted a pleasant interchange of sentiment on the
part of those present."
The regular trains commenced running at once, eight
daily between here and Albany, and were well patronized.
An Albany paper of the 16 inst. said : "The Cohoes fac
tories were to-day closed, in order to afford the female

1853. History of Cohoes. 119
operatives an opportunity to visit Albany by the new rail
road, which they availed themselves of in great numbers."
The first ticket agent at this station was Chas. T. Carter.
The Cohoes Gas Light Company was organized in January
under the general law, and had its buildings ready to com
mence operations in July.' The capital of the company
was $60,000 and the first officers were T. G. Younglove,
president, R. Merrifield, secretary. The other trustees
were Egbert Egberts, H. D. Fuller, W. F. Carter, J. Bailey,
H. Pumpelly and J. Battin.
On August 16th, the Cohoes Savings Institution, which
had been incorporated some time before, commenced to re
ceive deposits at the office, which was on Remsen street
near Oneida, in the store at present occupied by Wm. Bell,
dry goods dealer. The officers were, Egbert Egberts, presi
dent ; W. F. Carter, vice president ; Truman G. Younglove,
tseasurer ; Edward W. Fuller, assistant treasurer.
Several articles were published in the local paper during
the year on the manufacturing interests of the place, which
indicated a fair degree of prosperity.
There were three knitting mills, run respectively by the
Bailey Manufacturing Company, C. H. Adams, and G. Steer,
agent for Thomas Fowler. They employed 750 hands, and
produced 45,000 dozen goods annually. The production of
the cotton mills was as follows:
Harmony Mills, 2,652,000 yards ^er annum.
Ogden Mills, 4,090,000 " " "
Strong " 800,000 " " ".
The total number of hands employed was about 800.
In October a new mill was completed by the Harmony
Company, adjoining their first building. It was 274 by 75

1 These works, which were on Sargent street, continued in use until 1869, when
the company needed more room, and erected the buildings occupied by them at
present on the east side of the Champlain Canal, the producing capacity of which ia
850,000 cubic feet per day, Ave times that of the old works.

120 History of Cohoes. 1853.
feet and five stories high, with an L, 50 by 76 feet, which
made the dimensions of the whole building 493 by 75 feet.
Other establishments described were Simmons's axe fac
tory. Hurst's worsted mill, the Cohoes Iron Foundery (then
superintended by Joshua R. Clarke), the bedstead factory
of Parkhursts & Fullers (formerly O. & D. Parkhurst),
Wightman & Youman's wheel factory. Burton's veneering
mill. Peck's sash and blind factory, and John Baker's bob
bin factory, situated in the same building. There were also
several new firms. The Mohawk Mill, Samuel Bilbrough
proprietor, and Wm. Baxter superintendent, which had been
established the previous year, was located in the building
formerly used as Farnam's thread factory, ' and employed
one hundred hands, producing 500,000 pounds of carpet
warp and fine yarns per year. The Novelty Works,
Joseph Haskins proprietor, were in the same building and
employed twenty-five hands in the manufacture of twine.
This concern soon afterward failed and Mr. Bilbrough took
possession of the entire building. On Courtland street,
east of Mohawk, a tobacco and cigar factory employing
fifty hands was established by D. Cady Hollister & Co.,
and in the Miles White axe factory building on Mohawk
street, a woolen mill commenced operations,  Hartness
proprietor, and Jonathan Hiller superintendent.
A cotton flax mill on Ontario street, near the site of
Brockway's Mill had been erected in the Spring by Bailey,
Payson and Younglove. It was burned in October, however,
at a loss of $6000, before operations had been fairly com
menced. The flourishing state of business was commented upon as
follows by the Cataract :
" In proportion to its size, there is probably no place in
the state of greater enterprise or business capacity than the

' After remaining in operation a short time thi s establishment had been removed
to MechanicBville.

1853. History of Cohoes. 121
village of Cohoes. To strangers, the statistics, if they could
be obtained, would seem incredible, and would undoubtedly
be thought exaggerated even by citizens. When we con
sider that it is scarcely more than ten years since this place
was little better than a wilderness, the wonder becomes still
greater, and forces upon the mind the conviction that in
half, perhaps a quarter of a century, Cork Hill and Codfish
Flats ¦will be near the centre of a large and wealthy city."
The changes of time were thus spoken of in the issue of
Oct. 1:
" Our village is not old enough to have an extended history
but we must confess our surprise in looking over a copy of
the Advertiter, published in 1847, to note the changes which
time has ¦wrought in this village even in so short time. Of
all the persons and firms advertising their business in the
place there are but six who are now residing here and con
tinuing the same business. Many have moved away, some
have changed their avocations, and many have gone to that
bourne whence no traveler returns. And this is only six
years, but yesterday 1"
The Young Men's Association, before referred to, was in
flourishing condition this year. The lecture committee,
consisting of Wm. Manning, T. C. Carter, and Wm. G.
Caw, provided an excellent course, which was well supported.
Among the speakers of the season were Profs. John Foster,
Lowell Mason, and L. N. Fowler, Hon. Ira Harris, Isaac
Edwards Esq., and Mrs. E. Oakes Smith.
Among the chief topics of public interest was the Free
Bridge question, which occupied a large share of the local
columns of the Cataract for some months. The Waterford
bridge, together with the residence of the gate keeper, Mr.
Bonce, was entirely destroyed by fire March 1 3th. A meet
ing was soon afterward called, of which T. G. Younglove
was president and John Fulton secretary, to take measures
for the constmction of a free bridge, and a committee was
appointed to confer ¦with the legislature on the subject.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in procuring the
passage of a suitable bill, as it was held by some parties
16

122 History of Cohoes. 1854.
that the state should constract nothing but a towing path
bridge. Arrangements were finally concluded, however, by
which the state was to build the main body of the bridge,
and be entitled to the right of a towing path, while the piers
and abutments were to be paid for by subscriptions from
the citizens of Cohoes and vicinity. The contract was let
in January, 1854, to Messrs. Smith and Bogue.
In the Cataract of May 20, at which time the bridge was
nearly completed it was stated that " a large meeting of the
friends of a free bridge across the Mohawk at this place
was held this week, pursuant to a call of the citizens of
Cohoes and Waterford, at the house of David Lamb of the
latter place. Moses Bedell was appointed to solicit sub
scriptions in Saratoga County, and Adam Van Der Werken
to perform the same duties in the county of Albany. John
Fulton, Esq., of Waterford was appointed treasurer." The
bridge was completed so that wagons passed over on the
4th of July. It cost originally about $25,000 and $16,000
more were afterward expended in repairs.
Another matter frequently discussed in the newspaper at
that time (and in fact at intervals ever since) was the bad con
dition of the cemetery. This first received public attention
at the annual meeting in 1852, when on motion of Mr. H.
D. Fuller $400 were voted for purchasing and improving
the grounds. No action was taken until the following year,
when at the citizen's meeting held March 3d, it was re
solved, " that a committee be appointed for the purpose of
making a selection of grounds suitable for a village ceme
tery, said committee to consist of one person from each of
the religious congregations of the village, and two from
the village at large." The report of this committee was
published in the Cataract, from which the folio-wing extract
is taken : "They report that the wooded land south of Mr.
Gage's, and belonging to Douw A. Fonda, can be purchased
with right of way included for $200 per acre and is a very

1854. History of Cohoes. 123
desirable location ; that the present grounds can be ob
tained of the Cohoes Company for $100, and about eight
acres north of and adjoining them can be purchased for
$150 per acre. The committee recommend the purchase of
the former in case the village wishes to expend five or six
thousand dollars in clearing and beautifying the grounds,
but if not, then they recommend the latter and say that the
judicious expenditure of $400, in improving the old ceme
tery, will make it a very good place." Nothing was done
after this report until 1864, when the condition of the
cemetery became so bad as to call forth the severest com
ments. At the annual meeting a further appropriation of
$300 was voted, and the following resolutions passed :
" Resolved, That the village accept the offer of T. G.
Younglove in behalf of the Cohoes Company, of the ceme
tery grounds as a gift to the village by said Cohoes Com
pany for a merely nominal sum.
" Resolved, That the thanks of this village be tendered
to the Cohoes Company for their liberality in besto^wing the
cemetery grounds to the village of Cohoes."
A committee was appointed to superintend the improve
ments, consisting of Egbert Egberts, H. D. Fuller, H. B.
Silliman, Jacob Travis and Matthew Fitzpatrick.
During the winter of 1863-64 the foundation was laid
for the establishment of the Harmony Hill Union Sabbath
School, an institution which has since been the means of
doing great good in the place. It was organized originally as
a branch of the Baptist Sunday School with Jas. Lansing as
superintendent. The first regular election was held May 7,
1 854, and resulted in the choice of Stephen Slocum as superin
tendent. At this meeting the total attendance was eighteen,
as follows — four officers, three teachers, eleven scholars.
On July 8, the Strong Mill was burned. The original
building, together with an addition of about the same size
which was nearly completed, was almost entirely destroyed.
Some of the machinery and most of the stock was saved.

124 History of Cohoes. 1854.
the entire loss not exceeding $16,000. One person was
killed and several seriously injured by the falling of a wall
during the progress of the fire.
The growth of the village continued to be rapid, and
preparations were made for a number of new business enter
prises. Among the buildings erected for manufacturing
purposes were the bedstead factory of Jeremiah Clute on
Mohawk street (on the site of Campbell & Clute's block) ;
the flouring mill of J. M. Hayward, corner of Remsen and
Ontario streets, into which Mr. H. moved from the Baldwin
machine shop, and the rolling mill (now Morrison, Colwell &
Page's), built by Mr. Simmons. The Cataract commented
as follows on the improvements of the year:
" In three tears Cohoes may apply for a city charter.
The present population cannot be far from 6,000, and when
the factories now in progress get into operation it ¦will j)ro-
bably go up to 10,000. About 100 dwellings will be erected
during the season, and rumor is busy about several other
large manufacturing establishments. Hundreds of thou
sands of dollars are being invested here which cannot but
prove profitable to the owners and give our village an im
pulse such as she has never before received."

1855. History of Cohoes. 125

VII.
1855 TO 1860.
JlHE census of 1865 showed that the population of
Cohoes had been trebled within the past decade. The re
sults of this began now to be shown in a demand for further
improvements, for a different organization of the local go
vernment, and numerous other changes made necessary by
the increased size of the village. For the next few years
the steady gro^wth of the place was manifested not so much
by a large infiux of new inhabitants, but by constant addi
tions to its wealth, business importance and material im
provements. An act was passed May 12th which amended the charter
in several important particulars. The village was divided
into three wards; provision was made for the election of
the presidents of the ¦village and board of education, from
the village at large; two trustees from each ward were to
be voted for at the first election, one for the term of one,
and the other for two years, and at each annual election
thereafter one was to be elected to hold two years ; in the
same manner two school commissioners from each ward
were to be chosen ; the school law of 1860 was repealed
and a new one enacted, similar in its provisions ; the levy
ing of a poll tax for school purposes was directed, new
powers and duties were assigned to the trustees, and several
minor changes in regard to the duties of village officials
were made. The first election under the act was to be held
on the third Tuesday of April, in the following year.
Since the passage of the act of 1850, the schools of the
village had been greatly improved. At times there was
discussion or complaint about some objectionable feature,
but the system on the whole was better than those in vogue

126 History of Cohoes. 1855.
elsewhere. The following, published in the Albany Knicker
bocker in January, shows how its workings were regarded
in neighboring cities:
" The advantage of having our public schools entirely
free is shown by the experience of Cohoes. Under the part
pay system the number of pupils who attended school was
less than four hundred. At present it is over eight hundred.
This fact should not be lost on the legislature. It shows
that what is done in Cohoes, should be done in every town
in the state."
Besides the schools under control of the village there
were also in operation the parish school connected with St.
John's church, and a private school under the direction of
Rev. Stephen Bush, who erected a building for the purpose
on Mohawk street near the foot of Seneca street.^
The following list of the village schools and teachers for
this year, compared with that of 1851, shows the extent of
the improvements in educational facilities :
" Brick School House (Oneida street). Mr. H. B. Thayer,
Miss M. Hildreth, Miss A. Caldwell, Miss Van Der Werken.
Catholic Church. Mr. J. Eccles, Miss L. Goffe, Miss E.
Brooks. Dutch Church. Miss M. Henderson.
Egberts' House (Columbia street.'^) Mr. R. Thompson,
Miss L. Benedict, Miss L. Van Schaick, Miss Moe.
Red School House.^ Miss M. Jefferson.
East Harmony Hill? Miss Caroline Bro^wn.
West Harmony Hill. Miss S. H. Bannard."

¦ It afterward came under control of the board of education. It was in 1861 re
moved to a lot just north of the Reformed church, and was destroyed in 1S73.
3 This was a building belonging to Mr. Egberts on the corner of Columbia and
Main streets, which had been erected some years before by  Crandell. It stood
near the site of the present brick school house which was erected soon afterward.
The original building was for some time rented as a tenement.
3 These buildings were erected during 1854 and '55. The first was on School
street, near the site of the present school house, for which it was exchanged with
the Harmony Company. The second was on Vliet street near Willow. Previous
to its erection the only school house on the Harmony Hill was an old wooden
building nearly opposite, on the site now occupied by the boarding honses. The
West Harmony School House remained in use until 1863, when it was sold, the
building on Mangam street now in use having been completed.

1855. History of Cohoes. 127
The erection during the year of a large number of dwell
ings and several buildings for manufacturing purposes, gave
further evidence of the gro^wth of the place. The Cataract
said : " There has not been a season for several years when
business was as promising in Cohoes as this spring." Promi
nent among the new business concerns were The Mohawk
River Mills on Remsen street. The company, of which
Joshua Bailey was president, had been organized in March
of the previous year, with a capital of $150,000. Their
building, 350 by '75 feet and four stories high, was described
as the largest knitting mill in the world, and cost with
the machinery $120,000. The company employed 600 hands
and operated eleven sets of machinery.'
Another new firm was the Albany Pin Company, also
incorporated in 1854, ¦with a capital of $36,000. The
officers were L. S. Parsons, president ; Louis Spanier,
treasurer ; C. W. Bender, secretary. The company manu
factured solid headed pins, using twenty-seven machines.^
In March the knitting mill of Thomas Fowler was bought
by J. G. Root of Albany, who, with L. S. Parsons established
the Tivoli Hosiery Mill, under the firm name of J. G. Root
& Co. Mr. Egberts erected the buildings on Remsen
street now kno^wn as the Diamond and Globe Mills,

' In Jnly, 1859, the name of the establishment was changed to Clifton Mills
and a new company was formed, of which A. E. Stimson of Albany was the princi
pal stockholder, and Winsor Stone ;agent. In Oct., 1861, the Clifton Company
was organized with a capital of $100,000, the officers being as follows : president,
T. G. Tounglove ; treasurer and general manager, A. B. Stimson ; secretary, B.
L. Stimson. The company suffered reverses in the late panic, and tho bnsines
was discontinued in Oct. 1875.
3 This eBtablishment was in June, 1862, sold to T. G. Tounglove, having been
idle over a year. In August, he sold to Arthur T , Becker, who commenced opera
tions at once, Robert Johnston becoming a partner soon after. Mr. Johnston sold
his interest in Nov., 1863, to Heber T. Lyon. This firm was succeeded June, 1865,
by the American Pin Company, and Cohoes Pin Company, followed later by the
Empire Pin Company of which E. S. & W. H. Harris of Albany, were principal
proprietors, and G. M. Morris, superintendent. The business was in 1874 removed
to Winsted, Conn., and the new building of the company on Courtland street sold
to Tubbs & Severson in May 1876.

128 History op Cohoes. 1855.
the middle one of which was occupied by the Pin Company,
and also by Root & Co. who still retained possession
however, of the old Fowler Mill.
Another knitting mill, the Halcyon, was established by
Barber and Leckie in a building on Ontario street which
has since become part of Brockway's Mill. This building
was erected at the same time as the Mohawk River Mills
and had been used among other purposes as a shop for the
construction of some of the machinery of the mill. '
The census of this year gave the foUo^wing statement of
Cohoes industries :
6 Knitting mills, value of product,  $647 100
2- Cotton factories,  618 000
1 Axe and edge tool factory,  210 000
2 Bedstead factories,  45 000
1 Veneering factory,  42 000
2 Mills,  28 000
1 Machine shop and foundry,  34 200
1 Tobacco factory,  21 450
1 Shoddy mill,  21 840
1 Wheel factory,  ... 9 000
1 Straw paper factory,  9 000
1 Bobbin factory,  6 000
Among the improvements made necessary by the growth
of the place was a new system of water works. On April
10th a bill was passed incorporating the Cohoes Water
Works Company, of which Alfred Wild was president. The
following were named as commissioners : Chas. M. Jenkins,
Hugh White, Alfred Wild, Egbert Egberts, Jas. Bro^wn,
Joshua Bailey, Wm. N. Chadwick, Wm. Burton, Henry D_
Fuller, Andrew D. Lansing, Jenks Bro^wn and Truman G.

1 In 1857, this firm was succeeded by the Halcyon Knitting Company, and the
business removed to the new factory on Erie street.
2 The Strong mill was rebuilt during the year, but did not commence operations
till 1867.

1855. History of Cohoes. 129
Tounglove. By the terms of the charter the capital stock
was $60,000, which might be increased to $250,000. The
company was authorized to make agreements with the
Cohoes Company for the use of water or the purchase of
its works, and the latter corporation was authorized to take
stock in the water works company to an amount not exceed
ing $20,000.
The subscription books were opened in August. Mr.
James Slade was employed as engineer to make estimates
on the cost of a new reseiwoir and reported as follows :
"A reservoir on Prospect Hill, of a size to contain 1,000,000
gallons of water, ¦will cost S12,50'7, exclusive of the land and
earth of which the banks may be built. The hill belonging
to Mr. Lansing (Abraham), near lock No. 17, Erie Canal,
contains 8 acres. A reservoii- on this hill to contain
3,000,000 gallons of water ¦will cost $12,727, exclusive of
the land." '
Some dissatisfaction arose among the citizens in regard
to the organization of this company. The opinion of many
was that the water works should be the property of the
village, and not of any private corporation. Out of respect
for this feeling against a monopoly, the project was aban
doned, no active steps having as yet been taken. The
pressing necessity of having a more adequate water supply
still remained, however, and demanded immediate action.
A new plan was accordingly set on foot, which resulted in
the preparation, early in 1866, of the first draft of the " Act
to provide for a supply of water in the village of Cohoes,"
still in force. The commissioners named in the bill were Alfred
Wild, Chas. H. Adams, Henry D. Fuller, Wm. F. Carter,

' It is worthy of notice that one of the projects for supplying Albany with water,
which were submitted by P. S. Claxton, engineer, to the authorities of that city in
1849, embraced the idea of a reservoir on Prospect Hill. The water was to be
raised from the Cohoes Company's canals to a reservoir on the hill which was to
cover two acres of ground, and to be thence conveyed to the distributing reservoir
In Albany, by means of an indestructible pipe three feet in diameter.
17

130 History of Cohoes. 1857.
Joshua Bailey and Traman G. Younglove. They were
authorized to take all necessary steps for securing an abund
ant and reliable supply of water, and to meet their expen
ditures the trustees were authorized to issue the bonds of
the village to an amount not exceeding $60,000 ; the com
missioners were directed to purchase the pipes and hydrants
belonging to the Cohoes Company, and then in use, and
were authorized if they found best, to enter into arrange
ments for a supply of water from the company's canals.
The bill at first met with some opposition and a meeting was
called March 13 to remonstrate against its introduction. The
chief objections urged were in regard to the term of office
of the commissioners, the appraisal of lands, and the manner
of letting contracts. Chas. H. Adams addressed the meet
ing in favor of the measure, and satisfactorily explained
some of the obnoxious passages, and after the appointment
of a committee to hear arguments for and against it, an
adjournment was moved. The committee reported the
following week in favor of the passage of the bill, which
had been amended in several particulars, and a resolution
was passed urging its presentation. It was passed April
12th, but new difficulties arose, which prevented the com
mencement of any work until the following year.
The chief obstacle was a disagreement between the com
missioners and the Cohoes Company, which asked $6,000
for its works, as established, while the commissioners pro
posed to pay but $3,000. The company's reason for asking
$6,000, was that under the new arrangement it would be
obliged to pay for the use of water in its works which it
was then drawing from its own canals, a sum equal to the
interest on that amount. An understanding was reached
in May, 1867, and the agreement between the parties was
drawn up and signed by the representative of the company.
A number of citizens objected, however, claiming that the
village could be supplied with water at cheaper rates, and

1857. History of Cohoes. 131
another series of public meetings followed. A committee,
consisting of I. F. Fletcher, J. F. Crawford, D. J. Johnston,
I. Quackenbush, Wm. Burton, H. B. Silliman and G. L.
Witbeck, was appointed to investigate the subject. Upon
the presentation of their report June 27th, which stated that
the best course was to fall back on the proposal of the Co
hoes Company, the matter was arranged without further
controversy. The other plans which the committee had
considered were : 1st, to purchase a water privilege in
Crescent, and distribute directly from thence ; 2d, to pur
chase the mill privilege owned by I. D. F. Lansing near
the Cohoes Company's dam ; both of which would entail an
expense far exceeding the price asked by the Cohoes Com
pany for its works, and water rent. Work was accordingly
commenced on the new reservoir at once, and the contract
was let in July. The ceremony of breaking ground took
place August 13, and was thus spoken of in the Cataract:
"The water commissioners and village trustees together
with a large number of citizens were present, each trying
his hand at the plow. After the ceremonies on the grounds,
the company was invited by Mr. L. Van Dercar, the con
tractor, to partake of a collation served up at the Hotel in
Mr. WiUcins's best style ; after which appropriate speeches
were made and sentiments offered, making it altogether an
occasion of unusual interest."
The most noticeable fact in the history of Cohoes manu
factures since 1854, was the sudden increase of knitting
mills. The only accessions of importance to the business
interests of the place dui-ing 1856 were of this character.
In Februaiy of that year Messrs. Willard Bingham and
Alden & Frink purchased " the vacant lot south of G. L.
Witbeck's store," on Mohawk street, and erected thereon
the knitting mill now standing between Campbell & Clute's
and North's Block. The building was pushed rapidly
forward, and the mill, containing three sets of machinery,
was in operation in July of the same year. Another mill
was established by Messrs. L. W. Mansfield, John Maxwell

132 History of Cohoes. 1857.
and Chas. Hay, who took possession of the building on
Courtland street which had previously been occupied by
Hollister & Co., as a tobacco factory, and put in operation
two sets of machinery.! Messrs. Maxwell & Hay did not
remain long in the firm, and the business was subsequently
carried on by Mr. Mansfield alone.
In 1857 still further additions to this branch of business
were made. The building on Erie street, now occupied by
the Ranken Knitting Company, was erected by Wm. Burton
and taken possession of by the Halcyon Knitting Company,
C. P. Barber, agent, which ran four sets of machinery. The
building, 60 by 60 feet, and five stories high, was de
scribed by the Cataract as one of the finest mills in the
place. Another large mill, 46 by 80 feet, and four stories
high, was erected by Smith, Gregory & Co., who put in
operation three sets of machinery. The parties interested
were Wm. Smith, Wm. M. and Alex. M. Gregory, of Albany,
and J. R. Bullock, of Cohoes.'-^ Knitting machinery was
also introduced by R. Hurst, in his mill at the junction of
Remsen and Mohawk streets.
Concerning inventions made in knitting machinery by
Cohoes mechanics, the Cataract of August 16, contained
the following :
" We notice by the last number of the Scientific Ame
rican, that Augustus J. and Demas Goffe of this village
have obtained a patent for a new rotary knitting machine.
This makes the sixth invention of the kind by citizens of
Cohoes. The first was the old " reciprocating frame," by
Timothy Bailey, which is still used in the Adams and
Mohawk River Mills. This was the first power knitting
machine ever invented, but it was never patented. The next

' The subsequent occupants of this mill were Alden, Frink & Weston, 1862-66 ;
Ward & Robinson, 1866-67 ; Scott & Stewart, 1867-73. It was destroyed by fire in
1873. ' Mr. Bullock remained a partner for about two years. Mr. Smith died in 1869,
and his Interest was bought by Jonathan Hiller, the Ann name being Gregorys <Ss
Hiller. After the death of Alex. Gregory, in 1875, the remaining partners became
BOle proprietors.

1857. History op Cohoes. 133
is that of John Maxwell, which is somewhat similar in con
struction and operation to that of Bailey. Then came the
" warp " machine of S. D. Fairbank, which was followed
by John Jackson's, also a " warp " machine. These were
succeeded by a new rotary knitter by Mr. Bailey (the in
ventor above spoken of), which has been in operation only
a few months. The last is that of the Messrs. Goffe."
A department of industry connected with the knitting
business was the manufacture of knitting needles, com
menced by Henry Dawson, who located in the latter part
of the year, in the foundery building on Mohawk street.
The importance of the cotton interest here was increased
during the year by the erection of part of the Harmony
Mill No. 2, having a capacity of 20,000 spindles, and giving
employment to nearly 500 operatives. It was about this
time, too, that the hill began to share in the general growth
of the village. In 1856 the Harmony Company had pur
chased from Hugh White his farm of seventy acres on Pros
pect Hill, and laid it out into building lots. The erection
of tenements and private residences followed rapidly. The
Cataract of Jan. 31st noted the awarding of a contract to
John Blair and E. Wolf ord " for twenty-two brick buildings
on Harmony Hill which will require 1,300,000 bricks."
In August the Cohoes and Troy telegraph, built by W. C.
Enos and J. C. Elmore, went into operation. It was managed
by a stock company, ¦with a capital of $1000, the officers of
which were : president, Daniel Simmons ; secretary and trea
surer, E. W. Fuller ; directors. Dr. H. L. Landon, Ira Terry
and Joseph Chad^wick. The telegraph office, Henry E. Lasell
operator, was established in the rail road depot. The first
despatch passed over the ¦wires August 31st. In October
H. R. Grant became operator and the office was located in
his store on Remsen street.
Besides the factories already spoken of, a number of new
buildings were erected, many of them residences. Several
new stores appeared on Remsen street, among them one

134 History of Cohoes. 1857.
owned by Joshua Bailey (now by C. H. Adams), adjoining
Hayward's building, and one o^wned by Patrick Gugerty
(now by Thos. Cartwright), north of the Van Rensselaer
Block. The latter was noticed in the Cataract as " the first
marble front in the village." The following statistics of build
ings in Cohoes are from the town assessment roll of 1857:
"The whole number of dwellings is 733, of which 567
are wood and 166 of brick.
No. of stores 56. No. of furnaces 1.
" " factories 21. " " forges 1.
" " saw-mills 2. " " coal and wood yards 5.
" " grist-mills 2. " " lumber yards 1."
In the latter part of the year the great financial panic
which passed over the countiy commenced to be felt in
Cohoes, and had for a time a paralyzing effect on the in
dustries of the place. In the Cataract of October 10th,
an account of the condition of the diffei'ent manufacturing
concerns was given. The three cotton mills were running
on part time, the wages remaining the same except in the
Harmony Mills, where a reduction of ten per cent had been
made ; of the knitting mills, four were stopped entirely and
the remainder were running on reduced time, with the in
tention of closing as soon as the stock on hand was finished ;
S. Bilbrough was running on half time and D. Simmons &
Co. had discharged one-third of their men. The article
concluded as follows :
"It is unnecessary to add that with 2000 of our citizens
almost entirely out of employment, and the gloomy prospect
before us, Cohoes presents anything but an agreeable
picture." The following paragraph appeared Nov. 28th.
" At present there is no definite prospect that the various
mills of this village will run full time before spring. With
the exception of Messrs. Alden, Frink & Bingham's es
tablishment, the knitting mills are either finishing up their
old stock or are stopped entirely. Their mill is i-unning
two-thirds of the time. In the cotton mills no material

1858. History of Cohoes. 135
change has taken place. They are running about two-thirds
of the time." Elsewhere it was said: " Not^withstanding
the tightness of the times, the Harmony Company are finish
ing up the extensive buildings connected with their mills.
When they are completed and the plans connected therewith
executed, their mills will be the most extensive and the
most perfectly arranged of any in the state." It was feared
that the embarrassments of Garner & Co., of New York,
might have a disastrous effect on the Harmony Company,
but such was not the case. The honorable reputation of
the house made it an easy matter to secure the necessary
extensions, and in the early part of 1858 arrangements were
made with the creditors of the firm by which all their mills
could be started on full time. Concerning Mr. Gamer the
following appeared in the New York Mirror in October
of that year: "The splendid carriage and horses which
were seen in Broadway a few days since ¦with a ticket on
their backs ' For sale,' belonged to Mr. Gamer, who recently
failed for millions. He has moved from his splendid resi
dence in the Avenue to a small two story house in the sev
enth ward. This is an example of the right sort."
The stringency of the times was especially felt by the
laboring classes, who found it impossible to obtain work.
The announcement in the early part of November that the
junction locks were to be rebuilt was hailed with satisfaction,
as it promised to give employment to a number of men.
But in spite of this and the other enterprises which were
in progress here, hundreds of laborers were idle during the
¦winter, and the suffering was very great. A meeting was
called February 1st, 1858, to take measures for the relief of
the poor. The sum of $125 was raised at once, and com
mittees were appointed to disburse the same and make
further arrangements. The following gentlemen were de
signated to receive contributions: D. .1. Johnston, E. W.
Fuller, Jacob Travis, H. B. Silliman, Jenks Brown, Francis

136 History of Cohoes. 1858.
Henderson, T. G. Younglove, H. R. Grant, James Hem
street, J. R. Clarke, Wm. Acheson, Joseph Chadwick, S.
Hayward, G. L. Witbeck. Among the measures taken by
the committee for the aid of the poor, was the establishment
of a soup-house at the engine rooms in Cataract alley which
remained in operation some time, and afforded relief during
the months of February and March to five hundred sufferers.
In the spring the prospect began to improve. The new
mills, into which machinery had been placed during the
latter part of 1867, commenced operations, and several of
the factories which had been for some months closed were
started up on full time. During March strikes occurred
among the operatives in the Harmony and Ogden Mills and
D. Simmons & Co.'s axe factory, the cause being that the
reduction in wages made the previous autumn had not been
completely restored. The differences were settled without
much difficulty however, and work was resumed in a few
weeks. On March 6th an act introduced by Hon. C. H. Adams, as
semblyman from this district, was passed by the legislature,
" enabling the electors of the town of Watervliet to vote
by districts for the election of town officers." The third
district constituted by this law embraced Cohoes, and the
citizens were no longer compelled to go out to Van Vran
ken's Comers to vote — a change which gave great satis
faction, for the country roads were generally in an almost
impassable condition at the time of holding town elections.
On the 19th of April, a fire broke out in the picking room
of the Harmony Mills which for a time threatened the de
struction of the entire establishment, but was fortunately
kept under control by the exertions of the firemen, who
were assisted by Nos. 4 and 6 of Lansingburg. The
damage to machinery and building amounted to $10,000.
The Lansingburg firemen were hospitably entertained by
the village department, and their services were handsomely
rewarded by the Harmony Company.

1858. History of Cohoes. 137
Another fire, on the night of May 8th, destroyed the
" Wilkinson machine shop" with several small outbuildings
which had been used in connection with the axe factory.
The building had played an important part in the early his
tory of Cohoes manufactures, having been the location at
different times, of a dozen business enterprises. The occu
pants at this date were: Charles M. Carleton, silk weaver,
John Baker, bobbin turner, G. R. Archer, picker manufac
turer, Mr. O'Hare, wagon maker and Porter & Hall, file
cutters. The total loss was $7,000, of which $4,000 were in
sured. The property was owned by Mrs. C. A. Olmsted of
New York. The Catorac* in describing the fire said : " Our
firemen were promptly on hand and did most efficient service
in subduing and preventing the flames from communicating
to the adjoining buildings. They are a body of men of
whom we may be justly proud. Although many excellent
companies were here from abroad, our noble firemen proved
themselves equal to any on the ground."
Another loser by this fire was A. J. Griffin, who had ma
chinery and stock stored in the building to the value of
$500 or $600, and intended soon to commence the manu
facture of sashes and blinds. After the fire his establish
ment was located in the mill on Ontario street (now
Brockway's) which had been recently vacated by Barber
& Leckie. Another concern occupying the same building
at this time was the bedstead factory established by Scott
& Miner, the firm soon afterward being changed to Scott
& Hildreth. 1
The Cataract for June 5th, contained the following :
" Our Sprinkler. Any one who contemplates writing up
the rise and progress of Cohoes, will please bear in mind
that on Monday, May 31st, 1858, Thos. Van Dercar, an

> Soon after the death of Mr. Scott in 1863, the business was sold by Mr. Hil
dreth to L. Greenman. The latter had for some time as his superintendent, Wm.
Foote, who had been connected formerly with the bedstead factory established by
Jeremiah Clute. In 1865, P. S. Holsapple, the present proprietor, became interested
in the business and assumed sole control February 1869.
18

138 History of Cohoes. 1858.
enterprising citizen, introduced the first street sprinkler, to
the infinite delight and satisfaction of the citizens, who
could hardly be restrained from manifesting their gratifica
tion by forming a procession and marching in the rear of
the perambulating shower."
The block on the comer of Remsen and White streets,
which had been commenced by Mr. Egberts in April of the
previous year, was completed this spring. The hall in the
third story was formally opened on the evening of July
8th, by a concert given by " the choir of St. Paul's church,
Troy, and other eminent artists," under the direction of the
ladies of St. John's church of this place. The programme of
the evening, which was described as the most attractive ever
presented to a Cohoes audience, was prefaced by the reading
of some dedicatory verses, by Mr. Dunham of West Troy.
The erection of the building, which was then one of the
finest in the place, was a source of great satisfaction to the
community, who had long suffered from the lack of a proper
hall for entertainments. The room in the second story, now
occupied by the common council chamber, was leased in
May by the trustees for village purposes, according to a
recommendation made by President Landon in his annual
report, in which he stated that, " the trustees will be under
the necessity of asking at the annual meeting for an appro
priation to rent a suitable room in some convenient locality
for the purpose of meeting, the present room being entirely
too small for the ordinary transaction of business, it being
used as a trustees' room, and a room for the board of edu
cation, as also for a village library room, and as a place for
the board of health to meet. Adding the tables, desks and
book cases of these several departments, renders it totally
inadequate for the necessities required. The room adjoin
ing, occupied by engine company No. 1, is altogether too
contracted for the use of that company."
On the evening of Sept. 10th, a meeting was called at the
Methodist church for the purpose of organizing a Young

1858. History of Cohoes. 139
Men's Christian Association, of which H. B. Silliman was
chosen chairman and W. T. Dodge, secretary. The follow
ing were appointed as a committee to draft a constitution:
Herbert Hastings, Peter LeBoeuf, H. B. Silliman, A. Peck,
D. H. Van Auken, D. J. Johnston, Jas. H. Masten, Wm. Nut-
tall, Wm. Williams, Joseph Chadwick. The first officers
of the association, who were elected Sept. 2 7, were as follows :
president, H. B. Silliman; vice presidents, Jno. V. S. Lan
sing, I. Quackenbush, C. N. Gregory, H. Hastings and Wm.
Nuttall; corresponding secretary, C. F. Ingraham; recording
secretaiy, W. T. Dodge ; treasurer, D. J. Johnston; mana
gers, Wm. Benedict, F. Thompson, Silas Whitney, J. H.
Masten. The completion of the water works received the follow
ing comment in the Cataract of Dec. 4. "On Wednesday
last, December 1st, the water from the new reservoir was,
for the first time, let into the pipes, and with the most grati
fying results. A trial being had for the purpose of deter
mining the pressure of the water in the pipes, a stream
was thrown completely over Root's knitting mill without
difficulty, and a stream was also thrown in a horizontal di
rection one hundred feet. There was but one break in the
whole length of the pipes laid down and that was not a
serious one. We consider this an event of local importance
second to none in the history of our village, and its citizens
may justly pride themselves on bo valuable an acquisition
as the Cohoes Water Works." The reservoir, which has a
capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, covers two acres of ground.
Under the arrangements then made the water was raised
one hundred feet from the upper level of the Cohoes Com
pany's Canal to the reservoir at the rate of 36,000 gallons
per hour, passing through 1200 feet of ten inch pipe. A
large number of pipes were laid, so that including those
which had belonged to the Cohoes Company, there were
then five miles of pipes of sheet-iron and cement, from two to

140 History op Cohoes. 1859.
ten inches in diameter laid throughout the village ; additional
fire hydrants were also placed at various points at an aver
age distance of four hundred feet apart. The pump house,
containing accommodations for a hose company, was built
by P. B. Ferguson and John Mc Enerny, under direction of
Joshua R. Clarke. Wm. Dickey had the contract for street
excavations, and Robert Safely that for hydrants and gates.
The pump was driven by a forty-five horse power wheel,
designed by E. Geyelin of Philadelphia, and constructed
by Fuller & Safely of Cohoes who were builders of all the
pumping machinery. It was put in place under superin
tendence of D. H. Van Auken, engineer. The entire cost
of the works was $60,000.
In February, 1859, measures were taken for the establish
ment of a bank, an institution much needed, and one which
had been talked of ever since the incorporation of the village.
The stock, $100,000, was taken almost entirely by citizens
of the place. The first officers, who were elected in March,
were as follows : president, Egbert Egberts ; cashier, James
M. Sill, of Albany; directors, Egbert Egberts, Daniel
Simmons, T. G. Younglove, Wm. Orelup, Jr., Wm. G. Caw,
W. F. Carter, J. G. Root, John Sill and C. H. Adams.
The death of Dr. Henry L. Landon, March 11th, made
vacant the office of president of the village. An election
was accordingly held by the trustees, which resulted in the
choice of Jenks Brown to fill the vacancy.
In April the Reformed Dutch church was torn down to
give place to the one now standing on the site. In demol
ishing the building, the tin box was found which had been
placed there at the laying of the comer stone in Sept. 1838.
Among the documents it was found to contain was a copy
of the Bible, of the constitution of the United States and of
the different states in the union, the catechisms, constitution
and articles of faith of the Reformed Dutch church a list
of those who formed the first consistory and the first build-

1859. History op Cohoes. 141
ing committee — a copy of the Albany Argus and the
Christian Intelligencer, and a record of the exercises which
took place at the time.
The corner stone of the new church was laid on June 2 2d,
¦with the following ceremonies: "The stone was laid by
Rev. O. II. Gregory, D.D., of West Troy. The script
ures were read by Rev. Dr. Pohlman of Albany, and ad
dresses were made by Rev. R. Van Brunt of Waterford,
Rev. Dr. Gregory, and by the pastor Rev. C. N. Waldron.
The choir of the church, under the direction of Mr. Alden,
sang several appropriate hymns, and the sabbath school
children of the church sang one of their favorite pieces."
The comer stone of the present Methodist church was
laid June 21st, with appropriate ceremonies.
Among the subjects which received frequent attention in
the local columns of the Cataract was base-ball, a game
then just coming into favor, and one which awakened
considerable interest among the young men here. The
Vanguard Base Ball Club, followed in later years by the
Joe Leggett Club, was for some time a flourishing insti
tution of Cohoes. Among the most prominent members of
the Vanguard were A. T. Becker, Dr. G. H. Billings, P.
D. Niver, John McDermott, Isaac V. Fletcher, Joseph
Almy, Jr., Daniel McElwain, Joseph Chadwick, Wm.
Arthur, Jr., and Joseph Damond. A number of match
games were played with neighboring clubs, in which the
Vanguards had their share of victory. The ground for a
number of years was on the hill north of Columbia street
beyond the Central Rail Road.
During the summer D. Simmons & Co. commenced the
building of the dyke across the sprout of the river from their
lower forge to Simmons's (formerly called Demilt's) Island.
It was constructed for the purpose of relieving their wheel
from backwater and also with a view to opening the island
to the public. The Cataract said, " Mr. Simmons could

142 History of Cohoes. 1859.
not have engaged in an enterprise that promises better, as
it only needs the improvement contemplated to make the
island lots eagerly sought after, and greatly increase the
value of his water lots in that vicinity." Other improve
ments during this year were thus spoken of in the Cataract
of July 30 : " Good walks are now laid nearly all the way
on both sides of Remsen street from Factory to Columbia
streets ; on Mohawk street, from its junction with Remsen
near Hurst's Mill to A. Ferguson's residence in the lower
ward (corner of Howard street) and also on White street
from its intersection with Mohawk to the Erie Canal, to
gether with many others on the less important thorough
fares. The most of these improvements have been made
during the past year, and are a commendable evidence of
local pride and thrift. Besides the above, many places of
business have been changed, enlarged and greatly improved,
and many new ones erected."
The principal new factories of the year were those built
by T. G. Younglove, on the site of Miles White's axe fac
tory. The larger one, which has since been remodelled
and is now known as the Empire Mill, was commenced early
in the season. It was of brick, 100 by 40 feet and five
stories high, and was built by Henry Howarth. It was
occupied soon after its completion by the Albany Pin Com
pany. The building near the river now occupied by A.
J. Griffin was completed in July. The first story was occu
pied by Griffin & Co. (B. A. Glines having been admitted
as partner), the second story by Scott & Hildreth's bed
stead factory, and the third story by North's and Ten
Eyck's bobbin shop, which had been moved from Park
hurst's bedstead factory.' In the building vacated by
Scott & Hildreth, and Griffin & Co., a knitting mill was

1 This firm had bought of John Baker. It was succeeded by North & Cheeebro,
January, 1860 ; North & Bogue, July, 1860 ; Bogue St, Clark, 1866, and Asa Clark &
Son, the last proprietors.

1859. History op Cohoes. 143
established by Henry Brockway, who has since made large
additions to the original structure. '
Among the new firms of the year was Wild & Young
love, who bought the mill belonging to Isaac D. F. Lansing
near the Cohoes Company's dam, and established the straw
board manufactory with which Mr. Younglove has ever
since been connected. The mill had been for some time
occupied for a similar purpose. In 1830 coarse wrapping
paper was manufactured there by a man named Bryce, and
some years later Gerret R. Lansing (who was succeeded by
I. D. F. Lansing) commenced making straw board, but
neither of these establishirents were on an extensive scale. '-^
The proper line of Mohawk street had from the earliest
days of the village been a subject of controversy, and as in
the case of Saratoga street, encroachments by various par
ties were numerous. Before 1833 the Cohoes Company
owned only the land on the west of the old highway, but
when in that year they purchased the Demilt tract or
Factory lot, they proceeded to straighten the line of the street
in several places. Near Cataract alley the old road ran so far
to the west that it passed close by the front of the present
residence of H. S. Bogue, and between Seneca and Oneida
streets it made a deep bend toward the east. Mr. Olmsted,
who occupied at one time the present residence of M. S.
Younglove, extended his wooden sidewalk to the corrected
line of the Cohoes Company, and it made such a prominent
object in the street that it was known as Olmsted's dock,
and Olmsted's raft. The efforts of the company were of
little avail, however, and nearly all the houses on the west

1 Mr. Brockway sold out in 1863, but rebought the property in the fall of '64, com
mencing operations the following spring.
^ A new mill was built in 1863, and in 1866 Mr. Wild retired. The present com
pany, with a capital of $85,000, was incorporated June 23, 1875, with the following
officers : president, T. G. Tounglove ; secretary and treasurer, D. H. Van Auken ;
trustees, T. G. Tounglove, Geo. Z. Collins, M. S. Tounglove, D. T. Lamb, D. H.
Van Anken, Geo. H. Stewart, Levi Dodge.

144 History of Cohoes. 1860.
side of Mohawk street between Seneca and Oneida, extend
into the street as it was laid out. The follo^wing in regard
to the matter is from the Cataract of April 7, 1860 : "It
will be remembered that a short time since the village au
thorized the corporation counsel, Jas. F. Crawford, Esq., to
commence legal proceedings against several property owners
whose buildings projected several feet into Mohawk street
near its intersection with Oneida. The first suit, that against
H. Bortel, was tried before Squire Hubbard, on Wednesday
last and resulted adversely to the village ; it being proved
that Mohawk street was a highway under control of the
town of Watervliet, and that therefore, the village had
nothing to do with its boundaries. This will probably settle
the matter for the present, at least."
Another suit in which the village was interested, concern
ing the appointment of water commissioners, was decided
in the following month. It had been pending since 1858,
and had excited much local interest. It was necessary for
the board of trustees of that year to appoint water com
missioners in place of Messrs. Wild and Carter, whose terms
of office then expired. As the board was equally divided
in politics it was evident that no appointments could be
made unless a compromise could be effected. According to
the water act, vacancies in the water board were to be filled
by a two-thirds vote of the trustees ; but some of the trus
tees were advised by Judge Parker that a majority vote
would suffice, and accordingly at a meeting held May 3,
when one of the board was absent, a motion was carried
that Messrs. J. F. Crawford and Jno. W. Frink be ap
pointed to fill the vacancies. This was vetoed the next
day by President Landon, and at a meeting of the full
board, held the same evening, Messrs. Wild and Carter were
declared re-appointed. The matter was carried to the courts,
where it remained for two years. The final decision of
Judge Hogebooin was that Messrs. Crawford and Frink
were rightfully appointed, and they served the remainder
of their term.

1859. History op Cohoes. 145
A marked improvement of this year was the increase of
church accommodations. In January, the alterations in St.
John's church which had been for some weeks in progress,
were completed, and were thus noticed in the Cataract :
" An addition of thirty feet has been made to its length,
the outside has been neatly painted and new blinds have
been put up. In the interior a much needed change has
taken place. The increased length of the house gives seve
ral additional seats and lias much improved its general
appearance, while the decorations of the ceilings together
¦with the beautiful stained glass window in the rear pro
duce a fine effect."
The new Methodist church was dedicated on Feb. 22d.
Rev. Dr. Haven, editor of Zion''s Herald, preached the
opening sermon in the morning, which was followed by the
dedicatory services, participated in by the presiding elder,
Rev. Mr. Seymour of Waterford, assisted by several emi
nent clergymen from abroad. In the evening a sermon
was preached by Rev. Wm. P. Corbitt of New York.
Subscriptions towards liquidating the debt of the church
were taken after each service, amounting in the morning to
$1,700, and in the evening to $800. The church, which
has a seating capacity of 800, cost about $30,000.
The Reformed church was dedicated April 11th. The
dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Rogers of
Albany, and was followed by the prayer of dedication,
offered by Rev. I. N. Wyckoff of the same place. Rev.
Mr. Dickson, Rev. Dr. Gregory and Rev. Mr. Van Brunt
of Albany were also present and took part in the services.
Rev. Mr. Seelye of Schenectady occupied the pulpit in the
evening. The building, which is 98 by 74 feet, and capable of
seating 850 persons, was erected at a cost of $30,000. The
architect was L. A. Gouch of Yonkers. The building com
mittee were Egbert Egberts, S. A. Becker and Jacob I.
Lansing. In June the Sisters of St. Joseph, an order established
19

146 History of Cohoes. 1859.
the preceding year in connection with the Catholic church,
took possession of the dwelling on Mohawk street north of
Cataract alley, now o^wned by Solomon Stimson, where
they established the parish school. After the completion
of the new parsonage of St. Bernard's they removed to the
building next the old church, which they now occupy.
There were during this year several important business
changes. The Ogden Mills property was purchased by the
Harmony Company, who enlarged and improved the build
ings at a cost of $200,000, gi^ving them a capacity of 30,000
spindles. '
The partnership between Root and Parsons was dissolved,
Mr. Parsons, with J. H. Parsons as partner, retaining the
old establishment,- and Mr. Root commencing the erection
of a new mill on Mohawk street which was one of the most
complete in the place. The latter admitted his sons Messrs.
A. J. and S. G. Root to partnership, and the business was
conducted under the firm name of Root & Sons.'^
A new enterprise was Blake & Son's saw works, which occu
pied the first, second and third stories of T. G. Younglove's
new building on Mohawk street. The polishing and grind
ing machine in use was the joint invention of Messrs. Blake
& Dodge of Cohoes. Between forty and fifty dozen wood
saws were sent to market daily.
An axe factory was subsequently established by this firm
in the rear of the saw works which did not, however, con
tinue long in operation.
In the latter part of the year the flour mill near the old

' The stock company which had been organized in 1847 failed in 1851, and in the
following year the business came under control of Brown Bros . & Co., who had
been heavy creditors of the old firm. The buildings passed into the possession of
the Cohoes Company. The agent under the new management was Waterman
Smith who was succeeded in 1853, by Jenks Brown.
^ After the death of Mr. L. S. Parsons in 1864, the present firm was organized.
' Mr. Root retired in 1869, and the firm became J. G. Root's Sons, and so remained
until the formation of the present company, January let, 1876.

1860. History of Cohoes. 147
junction, owned by G. M. Cropsey & Co., was completed.
The building was 55 by 30 feet and three stories high.'
The manufacture of soap was commenced by Walter
Campbell in the building on Oneida street east of the rail
road, which had some time before been occupied for that
purpose. -
The Cataract during the year contained a number of
communications and articles on the water rents, concerning
which dissatisfaction had arisen. In one of these, which
gave some interesting figures in regard to mill property in
Cohoes, it was shown that the total assessed valuation of
such property for the preceding year was $476,000, and its
owners paid a water tax of $780.26, and that during the
preceding ten years twenty-one fires had occurred in mill
property. The census taken duriag the year showed an increase in
population since 1866 of 2,694. The number of deaths re
ported for the last year was 1 83. The statistics of manufac
tures were as follows :
Am't capital employed in manf'g,  $2,078,600
Operatives employed in factories,  3,728
Wages paid monthly to operatives,  $63,862
The remarkable increase in the business activity of Cohoes
and its material improvement in many particulars, which
had been the chief characteristics of the period just de
scribed, became less noticeable after the outbreak of the
rebellion in the spring of 1861. Instead of recording con
stant evidences of growth, the local columns of the village
newspaper were devoted mainly to matters connected with
the war, and items of this sort furnish the principal materials
for the history of the place during the next few years.
1 This property was bought by Bills and Sage of Troy, March 1864. In the follow
ing year it came into the possession of Mills and McMartin of Albany, and subse
quently Jas. McMartin, the present owner, became sole proprietor.
'The subsequentproprletors have been; M. M. Wilson & Co., 1868, P. D. Niver,
1874, F. W. Grant, 1875, Mrs. H. R. Grant.

148 History of Cohoes. 1861.

VIH.
The Part Taken by Cohoes in the War.
At the opening of the war, Cohoes was not behind
neighboring towns in manifestations of patriotism, and was
prompt in the contribution of funds and recruits. The
first public demonstration was a meeting held in Egberts
Hall April 25, to raise money for the support of the families
of volunteers. Egbert Egberts was called to the chair, and
the following gentlemen were chosen vice presidents : Sid
ney Alden, C. H. Adams, Wm. Burton, Joshua Bailey,
John Lyons, T. G. Younglove, H. D. Fuller, W. N. Chad
wick, Jas. Hayden, Robert Johnston, Abram Lansing, Henry
Brockway, Wm. G. Caw. The secretaries were as follows :
D. J. Johnston, Jas. H. Masten, Murray Hubbard, M. Mon-
ahon, S. V. Trull, H. S. Bogue. After prayer by Rev. Mr.
Spor, a series of patriotic resolutions was read and adopted.
The president then stated the object of the meeting, after
which stirring addresses were made by S. W. Lovejoy,
Jacob W. Miller, Rev. Thos. Keveney, Rev. Dr. Reed, Rev.
Mr. Spor, H. B. Silliman, T. G. Younglove and H. D. Fuller.
Collectors were then appointed, and the following finance
committee : S. A. Becker, J. R. Clarke, F. Henderson,
Edward O'Reilly, I. Quackenbush and Wm. Burton ; Edward
W. Fuller was chosen treasurer and the books were opened,
the subscriptions of those present amounting to $3,135.
Further contributions were made until within a few weeks
the fund amounted to nearly $6,000.
Another evidence of loyalty in a less substantial form was
spoken of as follows in the Cataract of April 27 :
" If displaying colors is a manifestation of patriotism the
people of Cohoes are not wanting in devotion to our glorious
union, for the national banner floats from every prominent
building in the place, while nearly every man, woman and

1861. History of Cohoes. 149
child wears the red white and blue rosette. On Saturday last
a beautiful flag was raised over the mill of J. G. Root &
Co., and impressive speeches were made by L. Sprague
Parsons, J. W. Miller, C. H. Adams, S. H. Foster, and H.
B. Silliman, Esqs., while Green's Cornet Band enlivened
the occasion by playing a number of national airs. A large
crowd was in attendance whose repeated cheers gave evi
dence of their heartfelt appreciation of the sentiments
uttered by the speakers."
During the same week flags were raised on nearly every
factory and store in the village, in many instances with
similar exercises.
The first detachment of volunteers, consisting of 84
men under F. Temple, left here for Camp Willard, Troy,
May 11th. Unfortunately the number of companies called
for in the state had been offered and accepted before
Capt. Temple could muster a full complement of men, and
instead of going as a company from Cohoes, his men were
forced to join companies already formed, or else stay
at home. Many of them accordingly enlisted in the differ
ent companies stationed at Camp Willard, and went
with Col. Carr's regiment from Troy. About 45 men
went from Cohoes, who enlisted in Waterford in Co, A.,
Capt. J. L. Yates, which was assigned to the 22d regiment,
and 25 more went with the 6th regiment, Gen. Sickles's
brigade. A large number of men were enrolled in other
out of town companies during the year. In August
recruits were enlisted for the U. S. Vanguard Reg't,
organized in New York, and for the Cameron Light Infantry,
Capt. P. R. Chadwick, formerly of the 7th Reg't, of New
York, being agent for the latter. Recruiting offices were
also opened in September by Egbert J. Wilkins and Peter
Manton, and in October by Lieut. Frank Keating, each
of which did a large business. A number of men who had
enlisted in the 4th Heavy Artillery, Col. Doubleday, left
Cohoes in the latter part of January, 1862.
On May lOth, the Ladies Aid Society effected a perma-

150 History of Cohoes. 1862.
nent organization. Much useful work had been done during
the preceding year by many ladies who belonged to it, in
connection with the Ladies Central Association for the
Relief of the Army, the headquarters of which were in
New York. During the year regular meetings were held
for the purpose of making articles needed by the soldiers,
and contributions from private parties or business firms were
packed and sent to their destination.
Recruiting continued during the summer. In July, an
office was opened by Wm. Shannon, who enrolled some
sixty men.' A number of Cohoes men also enlisted in Co.
H. of the 115th Reg't, then being organized in Crescent
by Capt. Smith — which drew forth the following com
ment from the Cataract : " While we have none but
the best wishes for Capt. Smith's success, we regret that
Albany county loses so many from its quota. It seems un
fortunate for Cohoes that her volunteers are scattered
among so many foreign companies, when if they had en
listed together they might have numbered a half regiment."
Even at this early stage of the war it was seen that it would
be very difficult to obtain accurately the number of soldiers
which Cohoes had furnished. Frequent requests were made
in the editorial columns to friends of men who had enlisted
to hand in their names for publication, and in August a notice
was published urging the preparation of a complete list of
soldiers and sailors, and requesting that names be left ¦with
Postmaster Chesebro. The call of Secretary Stanton for
300,000 men was issued August 4, and steps were immedi
ately taken to fill the quota of the town, so that a draft
might not be necessary. A recruiting office was opened by
S. V. Trull, and some 80 men were enrolled, who joined

1 Most of the men enrolled by Capt. Shannon joined the 113th N. T. Vols., which
was afterwards known as the 7th N. T. V. Artillery, to which they are credited in
the list at the close of this chapter.

1862. History of Cohoes. 151
the 3 Oth Reg't ;' by the efforts of Wm. Conliss, some
12 more enlisted in the Corcoran Legion, and a number of
other recruits joined different companies.
The militia enrollment of Cohoes, for which the draft
was to be taken, was as follows :
Total number enrolled,  768
Affidavits of persons whose names were enrolled :
Active firemen,  63
Exempt,  6
All other claims for exemption,  16 83
685
On Aug. 21st, the board of supervisors voted to con
tinue the county bounty to every man who enlisted until
the quota of the county was made up.
An enthusiastic war meeting was held at the Cohoes
Hotel during the same week of which Wm. Leckie was
president and Michael Monahon, secretary. Addresses
were made by Prof. Baerman of Troy, Wm. M. White of
Canaseraga, and L. S. Parsons of Cohoes. Among the reso
lutions passed was the following :
^^ Resolved, That we recommend to the committee (at
Albany) to offer an additional bounty of $20 to each man
who shall be enlisted in any company and accepted, and
that for that object we pledge our liberal contributions."
A to^wn meeting was held Sept. 6, at which it was voted
to raise by tax $60,000 to enable the payment of a town
bounty of $100 to every man enlisting until the quota was
filled. Committees were appointed to make arrangements

1 This company joined the regiment at Sharpsbnrg, Md., Oct. 14th. In May, 1863,
it was transferred to the 76th Regt. N. Y. Vols. Having made the campaigns of
'63 and '64, the men were transferred to the 147th N. T. Vols., Feb. 1st, '65, the
term of the 76th having expired. With this regiment they made the campaign of
'65, ending in Lee's surrender. On June 5th, they were mustered into the Oth
Reg't N. T. Vet. Vols., with which they returned to Albany, July 6th. In the
list of soldiers at the end of the chapter the men who enlisted under Capt. Trull are
all credited to the 76th Reg't, with which they were longest connected.

152 History of Cohoes. 1862.
for procuring the funds at once — that from Cohoes consisting
of Egbert Egberts, Wm. G. Caw, L. S. Parsons and Wm.
Burton. Besides these bounties, extra inducements to volun
teers were offered by numerous private parties ; among whom
may be mentioned T. G. Younglove, who agreed to pay
John Stephens of Wm. Shannon's Company $10 per month
for three years, and paid $10 each to the first ten recruits
of Capt. Smith's company, and Alfred Wild, who furnished
six men, two for Albany and four for Columbia Co. regi
ments. The result of these efforts was that the town of
Watervliet was exempt from the draft which was made Nov.
10th, having furnished over 800 men since July 2, and paid
a town bounty of over $35,000.
The local columns of the Cataract at this time contained
much interesting matter. Letters from soldiers and sailors,
either to the editor, or published by permission of friends,
were a prominent feature and continued to be so during
the war. ' Considerable space was also occupied with re
ports of relief committees, lists of subscriptions and other
matters of the kind. Among the enterprises mentioned
were two promenade concerts and festivals, held in Sep
tember by the ladies of the Aid Association, Miss E. Howe
manager, which cleared $260 for the Soldiers' Relief Fund.
Such efforts as these, however, were but a part of the work
in which the ladies were engaged. Boxes of goods or pro
visions were being continually packed and sent to the
Washington hospitals, the headquarters of committees in
New York, or the soldiers in camp ; money was raised in
large amounts for contribution to the U. S. Christian Com
mission and similar patriotic funds, and in fact every call
on their benevolence and industry was liberally answered.
Material for pleasant paragraphs was furnished when

» Among the contributors at different times were Messrs. Joseph and P. R. Chad
wick, Myron and James D. Van Benthuysen, L. H. Vermilyea, J. W. Himes,
Almon B. stone, Zalmon Van Ness and A. 0 . Musgrove.

1863. History of Cohoes. 153
popular officers were presented with swords by their friends,
an event of quite frequent occurrence. Among those thus
favored were Messrs. Hiram Clute, Silas Owen, Jas. O'Hare,
Wm. Shannon, Frank Temple, A. T. Calkins and Malachi
Weidman. Another subject for items was the scarcity of small change,
which began to be felt here early in the summer and by fall
had become a serious inconvenience. A number of business
firms, among them Alden & Frink and H. Thompson & Son,
issued shinpktsters for fractional amounts redeemable at
their establishments and at different localities in Troy and
Albany. Smaller concerns issued pasteboard tickets, or
tokens, and these, together ¦with postage stamps, were made
to answer the purpose of specie.
During the early part of 1863, few volunteers left Cohoes,
the ordinary course of business was resumed, and aside from
correspondence, war matters occupied a comparatively small
space in the columns of the local paper. It was announced
March 7th, that at a meeting of the supervisors it was found
that there was a surplus of 118,000 remaining in the fund
which had been raised for payment of extra bounties, and
it was voted to appropriate this sum to the support of
families of needy volunteers. The amount to which Cohoes
was entitled under the allotment was $782.
The return of the regiments which had enlisted in 1861,
was made the occasion of public demonstrations. The 2d
Reg't of Troy, under command of Col. Carr, which had
enlisted ¦with 900 men, reached home May 16th wjth less
than 300, having been engaged in fourteen battles. The
Cohoes members received a hearty welcome from the citi
zens, which was described as follows :
" In anticipation of the arrival of the regiment our citizens
determined to give the Cohoes boys such a reception as
would prove to them that their gallant deeds in defence of
their country were appreciated. Messrs. Wm. Burton, Peter
Manton, H. B. Silliman, D. J. Johnston and the officers of
20

154 History op Cohoes. 1863.
the fire department acted as a committee of reception and
in their arrangements spared no pains to give our brave
soldiers a most cordial welcome ; while our citizens
generally suspended business to give all an opportunity to
join in the festivities. Early on Thursday morning Mohawk
and Cataract engine comjDanies, headed by the Cohoes
Cornet Band and accompanied by large numbers of our
citizens marched to Troy to take part in the reception there
and escort our heroes home. A special train was chartered
on the Central Road and about four o'clock they left Troy,
arriving at our station at half past four, where hundreds of
friends had gathered to greet them. They were received
amid the booming of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the
most earnest manifestations of joy."
On June 5th the 22d Reg't, which had been organized May
14, 1861, under Col. Phelps, and left Albany 825 strong, re
turned with 500 men, having been engaged in ten battles.
Company A, composed of men from Waterford and Cohoes,
arrived in the former village in the afternoon and was
hospitably entertained. In the evening the company was
formally received by the people of Cohoes. The train was
met at the depot by an immense concourse of citizens, and
the fire department bearing torches. A procession was
formed, that paraded through the principal streets, which
were brilliantly illuminated. The exercises were concluded
with an address of welcome, delivered by H. B. Silliman.
The return of the 10th (or 177th) Reg't was spoken of as
follows in the Cataract, Sept. 5th:
"The anticipated joy with which the return of the 10th
Reg't was to be welcomed was sadly marred when they
appeared on Tuesday, by their wretched condition. Worn
out, decimated by battles and fevers, sick and dying, tot
tering feebly or borne by others to their homes, it was
almost impossible to believe that the splendid regiment
which left Albany nine months ago over 1,000 strong had
indeed returned. Not over 250 men could be numbered who
were in the enjoyment of even moderate health."
In the latter part of September announcement was made
of a draft, the quota from Cohoes being given as 93, though
the enrollment was made for 140 to make allowance for all

1863. History of Cohoes. 15.5
who might be exempt. The Cataract made the following
comment :
" Cohoes, like all other wide-awake towns, has its periods
of local excitement, which she enjoys or disrelishes, accord
ing to their character, with the same zest or repugnance as
other large towns or cities. The fact that the draft was to
take place, and had actually commenced, threw many into
consternation who had lulled themselves into a sort of un
easy security because it had been so long in coming; others
took the matter philosophically and began to cast about for
some expedient to relieve themselves from its worst con
sequences. Early last week an association was formed,
pledged to pay .s76 each for the relief of such of its mem
bers as should be drawn. This organization grew rapidly
in numbers, and before the result was announced, had se
cured a membership of thirty-two. Of this number eleven
were drawn. If from these the usual proportion are ex-
emjrted the amount pledged will cover the commutations."
The di'afted men, 138 in number, were as follows :'
John Trim, Alexander H. Frink, John Clute,
Silas Owen, Edward Nichols, John Cahill,
John Thompson, John Webber, John Biscouner,
Thomas Dallas, Joseph Chadwick, John A. Lynch,
James Acheson, Michael Higgins, Charles Maguirk,
Alonzo Van A rnum, Charles W. Orelup, Joseph Parker,
G. Vandermark, Ammond Winnie, George TenByck,
William F. Jones, James L. N. Cranston, Sylvian Pattric,
Albert Ten Eyck, William Claffey, Robert Jackson,
William Walsh, Lorenzo D. Sanborn, Robert Cleachem,
Thomas Mahar, Jacob Bishop, James McMurray,
Patrick Fay, Frank Lebard, John Maguire,
John S. Crane, Elias David, Louis Solon,
John Mitchell, William Smith, Patrick Qilligan,
Francis Leboeuf, Thomas Scott, Peter Masta,
John Cassidy, John Brian, David Colegrove,
John McCoun, Levi W. Lamb, Charles Gregory,
Henry Hunt, George Brider, John Condley,
WiUiam Fonda, Thomas Hogg, Isaac Auringer,
Joseph Booth, James Kemp, William Sheridan,
1 Up to January Ist, 1864, the following disposition had been made of the drafted
men: Held to service, 40, of whom 1 procured substitute, and 4 paid J300.
Discharged for disability,  16
Aliens,  13
Only sons,  10
Over age,  8
Otnercanses,  8

156

History of Cohoes.

1863.

Daniel Lanegan,
Henry Bedford,
Artemus Pennock,
John Johnson,
John Purdy,
Alvin Clark,
Cilem Labe,
Daniel Mcintosh,
Daniel Seller,
Edward Ryan,
Patrick Lacy,
William Williams,
William KefFa,
William Wild,
Frank McMarr,
Michael Carter,
Patrick Rabbett,
Charles Sims,
George Hume,
Charles Webber,
Michael McGuire,
Charles Vail,
Sidney Deitz,
Thomas Nuttal,
Patrick Scully,
John Hude,

Edward Kenney
Edward Bullock,
Fred. Brigamuel,
John Robertson,
George Qrierson,
Peter D. Niver,
Daniel Simpson,
L. Underbill,
James Lackey,
James McGafferney,
Matthew Siuophy,
Hugh Johnson,
David H. VanAuken,
John Childs,
Timothy Moore,
Maurice Whitney,
Alexander McElroy,
Adolphus Juber,
James Traver,
George H. Wager,
Patrick Cane,
Joseph Stephens,
Samuel Jackson,
Samuel CandJy,
Lawrence Fitzgerald,
John Johnson,

Malachi Ball,
John Galvin,
James Miggins,
Samuel Lemerick,
Kearan Agan,
William Benedict,
Richard Wilcox,
David Wheelwright,
William Smead,
Samuel Maguire,
George Thomson,
Albert Carr,
Francis Staats,
James Finigan,
John Daymond,
Thomas Jackson,
William Kinder,
John Fulton,
Albert M. Brown,
W. Irving Blakely,
Robert Boler,
Thomas Griifenty,
William Conliss,
Edward Bumhower,
William Mulcahy,

Theophilus Fountain.
The reason of such a large draft being levied in Cohoes,
was that no especial inducements were made to encourage
volunteers, so that many men from here enlisted in Troy
where large bounties were offered. In the latter place
no draft was made, their quota being filled, with a hundred
men to spare.
Another call was issued in October by the president for
300,000 men to be furnished before January 1st, 1864, and
earnest efforts were made to enroll sufficient volunteers in
the town to avoid the necessity of another draft. New re
cruiting agents were appointed by the committee at Albany,
Malachi Weidman and John Doyle being among those
in Cohoes, and additional inducements were offered. The
bounty for veteran recruits was fixed at $562, and for new
recruits at $377. In addition to this, the supervisors offered
an extra bounty to volunteers of $300. A town meeting
was held Dec. 10, recommending the raising by tax of a
sufficient sura to enable the payment of the same allowance

1864. History of Cohoes. 157
to those who had been drafted, as to those who might be
drafted under the new call. A meeting was held in Cohoes
a week later, of which W. F. Carter was president and D.
H. ^ .an Auken, secretary, to protest against such action as
unjust, since in many cases the extra compensation would
be unnecessary. The citizens were in favor, however, of
granting such relief as might be needed by men drafted
from this \'illage, and, among others, passed the following
resolution : " On motion of Wm. G. Caw, seconded by S.
A. Becker, the sum of ten thousand dollars (the amount
recommended by the trustees for the relief of the drafted
men of this village), be and the same is hereby ordered to
be raised by tax upon the taxable property of this village."
A committee of six was appointed to ascertain the number
of enlisted men which should be credited to the village
quota, and see that their names were duly entered. The
quota under the new call was 71, one-third of which had
been secured by enlistments since the last draft.
In January, 1864, a call was made for 200,000 more men,
the quota for Albany county being 993. The county
bounty of §300 was continued, and the efforts to obtain
recruits renewed with vigor ; and on March 1st it was an
nounced that the quota of the county was filled, with a
surplus of several hundred.
In July 600,000 men were called for, to be furnished before
Sept. 1st. Under this call the quota of Albany county after
deducting the surplus above mentioned was 1,600. Messrs.
Weidman & Doyle were reappointed recruiting agents in
Cohoes, and the work commenced in earnest. The supervi
sors offered a bounty of $900, for volunteers for one year,
and the sum of $100 to every person who should bring for
ward an accepted recruit. This proved a strong inducement,
and the county escaped the draft, Cohoes having done
her full share in contributing recruits. Eighty-six men
left in the 91st Reg't, about ten in the 12th N. Y. Cavalry,
and a number of others in dififerent regiments.

158 History of Cohoes. 1865.
The continued successes of the Union army during the
campaigns of the ensuing fall and winter, and the series of
brilliant victories in the spring of 1865 which marked the
overthrow of the rebellion, awoke general enthusiasm. The
news of each triumph was received here, as elsewhere, with
the greatest rejoicings. The demonstrations on the occa
sion of the capture of Richmond were thus described in the
Troy Daily Times, April 3d.
" Yesterday's war news so completely surprised the peo
ple of Cohoes that they were unable to control themselves.
In honor of the occasion the flags were raised from nearly
every staff, and some of the mills hung flags from their
roofs. Bells were rung and whistles blown for about half
an hour. In the evening there was a grand demonstration
by the citizens generally. They formed a procession headed
by a band and paraded the principal streets, the band play
ing patriotic airs. Illuminations and bonfires in the evening.
The operatives in some of the mills turned out to help
honor the event. Richmond is ours !"
Similar demonstrations followed the announcement of
Lee's surrender, April 7. Another public meeting was held,
and appropriate speeches were made by H. B. Silliman and
other citizens. The village was yet in the midst of these
rejoicings, when like a thunderbolt came the news of the
assassination of the president, which cast a gloom through
out the place. Private residences, stores and factories were
draped in mourning, and on the day of Mr. Lincoln's
funeral there was a general suspension of business, and ser
vices were held in the different churches. On April 25th,
when the remains lay in state in the Capitol at Albany, they
were visited by hundreds of our citizens.
The restoration of peace added unusual interest and sig
nificance to the celebration this year of the 4th of July,
and in Cohoes the demonstration was unusually large. The
following is a summary of the account of the exercises
given in the Cataract :

1865. History of Cohoes. 159
" The weather was all that could be desired, clear and
pleasant. As no pains had been spared by the Hon. C. H.
Adams, president of the day, and the committee of arrange
ments, the details of the celebration were perfect, and
nothing occurred to mar the harmony of the occasion.
The day was ushered in by the national salute and ringing
of bells. At half past ten, the procession, under direction
of the marshal, H. Brockway, Esq., and his assistants,
Adj't Malachi Weidman, Capt. Thomas Calkins, Capt. F.
Keating, Capt. Wm. Shannon, W. Mallery, Wm. Manning,
Wm. Conliss, C. Houlihan, Jas. Acheson and Michael
Monahon, commenced moving in the following order :
1. Co. I, 1th Heavy Artillery, N. Y. V.
This veteran company under command of Capt. Jas.
O'Hare, made a fine appearance and commanded the plau
dits of the citizens along the entire line of march.
2. The Car of Liberty.
This contained the Goddess of Liberty, surrounded by
her guardians, art, science, agriculture, etc., and thirty-six
young ladies representing the states.
3. Fire Department.
4. Committee of Arrangements, Orator, Reader and
Village Officials.
5. St. Bernard^s Sunday School.
6. The Trades.
The exercises on the island were opened with prayer by
Rev. A. J. Bingham. The Declaration was then read by
P. D. Niver, and an oration delivered by Rev. A. T. Pierson,
of Waterford."
Soon after the close of the war, a number of prominent
citizens of Albany commenced making efforts to procure
the erection in that city of a Hall of Military Record, in
which should be preserved the names of all soldiers who
had enlisted from this state, accounts of the services of
individuals and regiments, and all documents, relics or
mementoes in any way connected with the war. Circulars
were addressed to the different sujiervisors, and contribu
tions solicited. The Cataract, in commenting on the enter
prise, said : " We trust and believe that this town, which
occupies so prominent a place among those that contributed
largely in men and in money to bringing the late struggle

160 History of Cohoes. 1865.
to a successful and glorious close, will not be behind in an
undertaking, the design of which is to perpetuate in memory
not only the noble deeds of her heroes, but also those of
the entire state." The project, which was carried out, was
in many particulars very successful. It was found im
possible, however, to obtain accurate records of the soldiers,
and in spite of years of labor the lists of many places are to
this day imperfect — Cohoes, unfortunately, being among the
number. The census of the village in 1865, gave the
number of soldiers residing here at the time of their enlist
ment as 514, but no complete record of their names and the
regiments to which they belonged has been preserved. As
before mentioned, Cohoes received no credit for much that
she did towards the suppression of the rebellion ; many men,
because no company was forming here, or for the sake of
large bounties, went to other places — in some cases out of the
state — to enlist, while others who were enrolled in Cohoes,
are credited to Waterford, Albany or Troy, and very often
under the general head of Watervliet.
The names given below have been obtained, for the greater
part, from scattered notices in the columns of the Cataract;
some in response to advertisements published in the city
papers during the past autumn, and a number of others from
miscellaneous sources. The list is very far from being com
plete, and it seems impossible at present to obtain one which
shall be so. The preparation of a full and accurate record
will demand a great deal of time, and careful research, and
it is to be hoped that some one with leisure to devote to it,'
will undertake the labor:
Albion, James, Aug. 1863, Co. I, 7th Vol. Artillery.
Alston, Wm., " " " " " " also 3d Regt. N.Y. Vols.
A 111 pi" \ \ f\ m p ^ ^^^ " ' '
Augsburg, David/Sept. 1864, -Co. K, 91st N. T. Vols.
Adams, Daniel M., " " " " " "
Arthur, Wm. Jr., " " Co. H, 4th Heavy Artillery.
Arnold, Jonathan D., " " " " " "
Abbey, Chas. E. , " " " " " "
Ablett, Wm. H., 1863, 4th N. Y.
Adams, George M., Co. A, 119th Reg't N. Y. Vols.

1865. History of Cohoes. 161
Abbey, Wm., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Aberhart, John, " " " " " "
Acheson, John, " " " " " "
Austin, Geo., Sept., 1863, Co. A., 7'. i N. Y. Vols.
Ashdown, Arthur, Jan. 18, 1863, Co. K., 93d N. Y. Vols.
Atridge, Thomas C. Nov., 1863, Co. D, 177th N. Y. Vols. ; also Sept.,
1863, in 95th N. T. Vols. ; also Nov., 1866, in Co. H, 69th U. S. In
fantry.
Adams, Cortland, Pioneer, June, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols. ; also 13th
N. y. Cavalry.
Andrae, Michael, fall of 1861, in 88th N. Y. Vols., Navy in 1863, and
in 1864, in 175th N. T, Vols.
Ackley, Oscar L.,' Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Agan, John, " " 135th or 193d Regiment.
Aleombrack, Jacob, Griswold Cavalry.
Bray, Joseph, Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th Vol. Artillery.
Bailey, Joshua, " " " " " "
Blum, Wm. H., "" " " " "
Baker, Chas. H., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Bentley, Chas.,
Bennett, Napoleon, " " " " " "
Bush, Lewis, Aug. 1863, 135th or 193d Reg't.
Bulson, Geo.,
Bayard, Augustus Willard,'" " Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Brockway, Geo. B.,
Blair, Fred'k, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Bennett, John, " " " " " "
Bagley, Wm., " " "
Buckley, Jas., Co. I, " " " "
Bannon, Jas., " " " " " "
Brooks, Wm., " " "
Buchanan, Wm. Lieut.,' Aug., 1863, 76Ui N. Y. Vols.
Brown, Peter A., " "
Buchanan, John C, " "
Brierly, John,' " "
Boss, Chas.,
Baker, John A., " "
Bradshaw, Geo., " "
Brodt, Wesley,'
Ball, Jerome, " "
Boucher, Geo., " "
Brower, Geo., " "
Baxlow, Samuel, " "
Brennan, Dennis, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Bray, Wm., " " " 
Buchanan, Geo., " " Co. L,
N. T. Vols.
Buregard, Oliver, Co, H, 56th N. Y. Vols.
Brown, Albert, 9th Heavy Artillery.
Bryan, Hugh, May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Benson, Egbert C, " Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.

'Dead. 21

also Co. A, 23d

162

History op Cohoes.

1865.

Beaver, Lawrence, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols.
Bump, Alonzo, 1861, 77tli Saratoga Battalion.
Bouchard, Frank, 3d N. Y. Cavalry.
Barrett, John, Jan. 14, 1863, Co. D, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Barrett, Edward S., 1861, Co. D, 90th N. Y. Vols.

Aug. 18, 1863, Co. 1, 7th N.

Y. V. Artillery.

Vols.

Clark, J. B.,
Corcoran, J.,
Carpenter, Philip H. ,
Christie, James,
Connolly, Samuel,
Connolly, James,
Connolly, Edward,
Calkins, A. T., Serg't, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y.
Clute, Hiram, Lieut.,' " " " " "
Condron, Wm., Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Cowden, Geo., " " " " " "
Connors, John, Sept. 38, " " " "
Cranston, Jas. L. N., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Craig, F.B., " " " " "
Condron, James, " " " " " "
Cahill, James, " " " " "
Cole, Lorenzo S., Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Cline, Wm. H., " " "
Cranston, Wm. H.,' Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Caisse, Joseph, " " " " "
Craig, Wm., " " " " "
Cole, James,' " " " " "
Crossley, Robert, " " " " "
Carpenter, Wm. G., " " " " "
Carpenter, Albert P., " " "
Cain, John,
Chambers, John, " " " " "
Collier, Wm.,
Chadwick, Joseph,
Carr, T.,
Costello, Joseph,
Casey, Thos. B., " " "
Cole, Geo.,
Clark, Joseph, Co. L., 13th N. Y. Cavalry.
Cope, Wm., " " "
Cox, Andrew, Aug. 9, 1861, 88th Illinois Vols.
Cole, Abram V., 93d N. Y. Vols.
Carroll, John C, Lieut.,' 1863, Co. D, 6th N. Y. Cavalry.
Cavenagh, John V., U. S. Navy.
Carpenter, Lorenzo, 43d N. Y. Vols.
Coleman, Silas B., U. S. Navy.
Crandall, Burton H., Aug., '63, Co. 1, 53d N. Y. Vols.
Cady, Peter V., " " 135th or 193d N. Y. Vols.
Clute, Adam, 1861, Co. B, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Chadwick, P. Remsen, 1861, 7th Reg't of N. Y. ; entered service
same year as adj't of 100th N. Y. Infantry from Buffalo ; promoted

May 17, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.

1 Dead.

1865. History op Cohoes. 163
to be ass't adj't gen. in 1863 ; appointed provost marshal gen. of
Florida, 1863.
Cole, Aaron, 43d N. Y. Vols.
Chadwick, Joseph, 1861, U. S. Navy ; served on the Wyandank, of
the Potomac flotilla, and on the sloop of war Osslpee.
Coleman, Joseph, 13th Reg't Ohio Vols.
(Coleman, John, May 33, 1861, Co. A, 30th Reg't N. Y. Vols. ; also
May 4, '66, in Regular Army.
Coleman, Morris, 6tli New Hampshire Vols.
Coleman, Thomas, Co. A, 30th Reg't N. Y. Vols.
Drysdale, Geo., Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Doyle, M., " " " " " "
Darrow, David M., " " " " " " " also 13th
N. Y. Cavalry.
Dailey, Jeremiah A., Corporal, Aug., '63, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Danaher, Maurice, Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Donovan, Michael, " " " " " "
Deroche, James, 1864, "
Donahue, Wm. , Aug., 1863, 31st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry.
Davis, Thos.,
Drysdale, John, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. ; also 169th N. Y.
Vols.
Dorr, David, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Deroche,  , 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Dietz, Stephen, " "
DeLaney, John, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Downing, Michael, " " " " "
Deuel, George, " " " " "
Denio, Henry, " " " " "
Dennis, Nicholas,
Dunn, Thomas, " " " " "
Dowd, Patrick,
Derby, Wm., May 17, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Dunn, Edward, " " " " " "
Dodge, Joseph C, 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Doyle, Geo. H.,
Doyle, Chas. F.,
Durham, Henry, 1863, 35th N. Y. Vols., Capt. Kingsley's Co.
Driscoll, Simon P., 42d N. Y. Vols.
Durham, James,' 3d N. Y. Vols.
Diehl, Geo.," 77th N. Y. Vols.
Dumell, Alfred, Feb., '65, Co. A, 47th N. Y. Vols.
Daley, Dennis, 1864, Co. K, 9l8t N. Y. Vols.
Daley, John, 1863, Battery B, 55th Ohio.
Davenport, Geo, 1861, 77th Saratoga Battalion.
Davenport, John, " " " "
Davenport, Chas., " " " "
Davenport, James, " " " "
Eastham, Thos.,' Aug., '63, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Eccles, Francis T., ¦' " " "
Eccles, Samuel P., " " " "

1 Dead.

164 History of Cohoes. 1866.
En Earl, Merrit D., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Evans, Joel,
Everts, J. D., Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Egan, Owen, " " " "
Egnesperry, Francis, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Ebah, John,'
EnEari, JohnH.,
Eastham, Henry, " " " "
Eagan, Kyran, " " " " "
Ensign, H. A., Musician, Hancock Brigade.
Eastwood, John H.,' May, '61, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Ellison, Robert, " " Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Ellis, Elihu, Dec. 9, '61, Co. D, 1st N. Y., Heavy Artillery.
Falardo, Dennis L., Jan. 18, 1865, Co. G, Vermont 7th Vet. Vols.
Falardo, Daniel, " " " " " " "
Frost, James, Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Farthing, F. E., "
Frost, Robert, " " " " " " "
Flannigan,  , " " " " " " "
Finlay, John, " "
Fonda, Geo. F., Serg't May, '61, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Fletcher, Leonard Q., Corporal,
Fairbank, J. W., Q. M. Serg't,
Foster, Wm.,
Flannigan, Geo.,
Pry, Edwin A., Sept., 1864, Co.
Fitzpatrick, Daniel. " " " " " "
Parrell, Matt, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Ferguson, Wm., " " " "
Fallon, Peter, Aug., '63, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Pabyan, H. G., " "
Falardo, John " "
Fonda, Gilbert M., " "
Plynn, John,' 1861, Co. H, lOth or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Frisby, Robert W.,' " " " "
Fletcher, Wm., " " "
Fairbank, David, " " " " " "
Finlay, John, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Fletcher, Thos., May, '61, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Frost, Norman W., IJ. S. Navy.
Forward, John, " "
Parrell, Edward, Sept., 38, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Fonda, E. Raymond,' Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Falardo, Onesime, " " 135th " "
Fletcher, Jerome, 133d " "
Frazier, P., Hancock Brigade.
Fowler, T. S., Lieut., 77th N.Y. Vols.
Finlay, Charles.
Fowler, Ralph, 1st U.S. Engineers.
Gooch, Thomas,' Aug. 18, 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Gauthier, Joseph, " " " " " " "

» Dead.

K, 91st N. Y. Vols.

1865. History of Cohoes. 165
Gauthier, P., Aug. 18, 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Green, Chas. D.,' " " " " " " ••
Gillis, J., " " " " " ''
Gormley, Robt.,' " " " " " " "
Goodfellow, Jas. H., May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N.Y. Vols.
Gordon, Van Olinda, " " " " "
Green, Geo., Musician, Hancock Brigade.
Green, Otis, R. " "
Qreason, Egbert, 4th N.Y. Heavy Artillery.
Gallapo, Joseph, Co. H, " " " "
Genore, J. H., Co. E, " " " "
Gauthier, Peter, " " " "
Greason, Rdward,' Aug., '63, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Greer, John,' " " " " "
Greenwood, Wm., May, '61, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Good water. Vital, Co. H, " "
Green, John, died in Andersonville.
Goodrich, Fred. S., 115th N. Y. Vols.
Gould, Alfred, Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Green, Chas. N., Sept., '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y Vols.
Galbraith, James.'
Gage, WiUiam H. L., Jan'y 4, 1864, Co. B, 16th Regt. N. Y. Heavy
Artillery.
Hart, Richard, Jr., Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Howarth, John, " " " " " "
Halpin, James, " " " " " "
Hastings, Herbert,' " " " " " "
House, Rosen J., May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols. ; also Sept. '64'
Co. K, 91st N.Y. Vols.
HemphUl, Henry, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols ; also 1864 in 71st
N. Y. Vols. Sickles's Brigade.
Hatcher, Thomas, Musician, Hancock Brigade.
Harvey, Ruel, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 9l8t N. Y. Vols.
HUl, Joseph,
Hemstreet, Russell, " " " " " "
Hemphill, Jas. T., "
Higgins, Michael,
Hayward, John, " " " " " "
Hayward, Chas., " " " " " "
Hughes, Michael, " " " " " "
Haley, Joseph, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Helmrick, Joseph, " " " " "
Howard, Geo. W.,
Hay, John W.,
Heffern, Christopher, " " " " "
Hibbert, Henry C,
Hopkins, John,
Handy, Isaac P., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Voli
House, Theodore M., "
Hewson, Edward, "
Himes, Jehial W.,
Hardenbrook, Chas. C, "
'Dead.

166 History of Cohoes. 1865.
Harvey, James,' 138th N. Y. Vols.
Hartnett, Daniel, Jr., March 30, 1865, Co. C, 193d N. Y. Vols.
Hay, Francis, 9th Artillery.
Himes, Jas. K. P.,' Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Hodgson, Kendall, " " 3d N. Y. Vols.
Hodgson, Lester,' May 14, 1861, "
Hemphill, John, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N, Y. Vols. ; also Co. H, 33d
Vols.
Heady, Wm.,
Hanson, G. W., Co. 1, 4th N. Y. Heavy ArtiUery.
Hudson, Benj., 1861, 77th N. Y. Vols.
Henderson, John, June, 1861, Co. B, 30th N. Y. Infantry.
Hodgson, John,' Oct. 11, 1861, Co. B, 93d Regt., N. Y. Vols.
Hill, Barney, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols.
Hemphill, Thomas, 1864, 169th N. Y. Vols.
Jerome, Louis, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Jump, Joseph E., " " " " " also in 10th
or 177th Regt., also in 35th Regt.
Jackson, John, Aug., 63, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Johnson, Samuel, May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Jackson, Wm. B.,' Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Johnson, Michael H.,' 1860, flag ship Sabine, U. S. N.
Jerome, Joseph, 1861, 10th or 177th Regt.
Jump, Jos.. " " " "
Keegan, P., Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Kelly, Michael, " " " "
Keeler, Philip," 50th N. Y. Vols.
Keefe, Thomas, Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
KeUy, Patrick, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Keefe, John, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Knox, Geo., lOth Regt., N. Y. Vols.
Keating, Francis, Lieut,,' 35th " " "
Kelly, John, Aug. 13, 1863, Co. H, 10th N. Y. Vols. ; also 1863, Co. H,
4th Heavy Artillery.
Lanahan, John, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols.
Lefferts, Geo., Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. ArtiUery.
Long, Wm.,' " " "
Lannigan, M., " " " " " "
Lawrence, Robt. W., Sept., '64, Co. K., 91st N. Y., Vols.
Linnen, Thos., " " " " " "
Loughery, Hugh,' Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Lee, John, " " " " "
Lannigan, Thos., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Latta, Thos., " " " " "
Latta, John, " " " " " "
Lcflferts Ggo Jr *' " ** " " "
Lowe, Chas.,' 1861, Co. H, lOth or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Lansing, P. A., " " B, " " " "
Lounsberry, Nicholas D.,' 30th N. Y. Vols.
Lynch, John, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Land, John B., April, 1861, 14th N. Y. Vols., 5th Brigade.
¦ Dead.

1865. History op Cohoes. 167
Lounsberry, Charles.
Long, Michael.
Lounsberry, Jas.
Lounsberry, Robt., Aug., 1863, 135th or 193d N. Y. Vols.
Lynch, Bartholomew, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Lamey, Michael, 77th N. Y. Vols.
Mangham, Michael, Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. ArtUlery.
McCusker, John, " " " " " "
McDonald, James, " " " " " "
McManus, James, " " " " " " "
McCarty, John,' May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
McCready, John, " " " " " "
Manning, Egbert A., " " " "
Monk, Oliver, " " " " " "
McDoweU, Rob't, " " " "
Murphey, Thos. A., Co. H, " " " Promoted to
orderly serg't June 9, '63, and to be major of colored troops May, '64.
McVey, Patrick, Aug., 1863, 31st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry.
Mooney, Peter, " " " " " "
Moore, John, " " " " " "
Mahar, John, " " " " " "
Manning, Daniel F., Sept. '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
MaUery, Willard, " "
McCuUoch, Chas.,
McGovern, Rob't, " "
McCready, Geo. B.,
McDermott, Patrick, " "
Molamphy, Hugh, " "
Morrison, Wm., " "
Murphy, Wm.,
McManus, James, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; also 7th Artillery.
Mayhew, Geo., Sr., " " " " "
Murray, M., Co. 1, ¦ " " " "^
Miggins, James, " " " " "
Molamphy, Rody, " "
MiUs, Wm., Aug., 1863, '76th N. Y. Vols.
Melahy, Michael, " " " " "
Manning, Wm., " " " "
,..1-1 T  tl It It a II
Mmer, Lyman,
Manning, James P , " " "
McKinnon, Wm. R., " " "
Murphy, Martin, " "
McGaffln. James, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Mooney, Daniel, " "
McMahon, Patrick, " '' _'' " ''
Murray, Michael, "
McCullock, Wm., " " " "_ " '|
Murray, Henry, " " Co. D,
McGaffin, John,' 1861, Co. H, lOth or 177th N._ Y. Vols.
Mather, Geo.,
•Dead.

168 History of Cohoes. 1865.
McDonald, Frederick, 35th N.Y. Vols.
Mayhew, Geo., May 31, 1863, 35th N. Y. Vols. ; also Oct. 20, '63, in
177th N. Y. V. ; also Jan. 4, '64, in N. Y. ArtiUery.
Monk, Edward, 13th N. Y. Cavalry.
McCleary, Daniel B., " " "
Mooney, Peter B., Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Manton, Patrick, " " "
Monroe, Gordon, Musician, May 1, 1861, 3d Vt. Vols.
Mangham, J.'
Moran, Jas., Battery D, 1st Artillery.
McGuire Thos., Aug. 13, 1863, 48th Mass. Vols.
McGuire, John, "
McCready, Edward, enlisted at Albany as substitute.
McCarthy, John, 8th N. Y., Cavalry.
Musgrove, Abbot C.,' Aug., 1863, Co. H., 115th N. Y. Vols.
McMuUen,  , Aug., 1863, 135th or 193d
Munro, Thos., U. S. Navy.
McCabe,  , 42d N. Y., Vols.
Moore, J. W., was the first volunteer officer who left Cohoes, having
received his commission as Sargeon, April 88, 1861. Was assigned
to Col. Frisby's regiment and resigned soon after to take a position
in the Navy, sailing from New York, May 35th, as fleet surgeon
of the Chesapeake flotilla. In 1863, was transferred to the U. S. S.
Vermont, doing duty in the North Atlantic blockade. In 1863, was
allowed to resign his position, to accept an appointment as physician
in the Philadelphia U. S. Gen. Hospital, where he remained one year.
Monk. -Tl. H., 10th N. Y.
Monk, \3teorge, N. Y. Regiment.
McCormick, John, enlisted 1863, Co 1, 10th N. Y. Cavalry.
Mooney, Thos., 3d N. Y. Vols.
Notman, James, AprU 18, 1861, 3d N. Y. MUitia ; also Aug. 10, '61,
Cameron Dragoons.
Nugent, Thomas, engineer 53d Mass.
Nichols, A., Aug., '63, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. ArtiUery.
Nelson, Nicholas, May, 1881, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Nolan, John B., Sept. 17, 1861, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Nichols, Edw'd, Aug., 1863, 31st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry.
Naery, Peter, Sept., '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Norton, Geo. H., Co. D, 30th N. Y. Vols
Norton, Hiram C, Co. H, 3dN. Y. Vols.
Norton, Wm. P., Co. C, 177th "
O'Hare, Jas., Lieut., Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. ArtiUery.
O'Brien, J., " " " " " "
O'Day, Simon,' "
O'Hearn, Timothy, Sept. 17, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols.
O'Donnel, Thos., " " " " "
O'Hare, Hugh, U. S. Navy.
O'Neil, John, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Osterhout, Henry,' 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Ostrander, Lorenzo, 1861, " " " "
O'NeU, Th(/s., 25th N. Y. Vols.

> Dead.

1865. History of Cohoes. 169
O'Brien, W m , enlisted on field at Gettysburg, 93d Indiana, having
deserted from the rebel army.
O'Brien, Patrick, 112th N. Y. Vols.
O'Brien, Michael, 63d " "
Owen, Silas, U. S. Navy, went to sea in May, 1855, as third apprentice.
Ordered to the Memphis in 1861, and as master's mate, served
two years. Was promoted to be ensign in 1863, and was transferred
to the Potomac flotilla, having command of the Primrose. Dis
charged Nov. 35th, 1865, with the rank of acting master.
Parks, Robert, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols,
Parks, James, " " ' " "
Pindar, John, " " " " "
Plantz, Geo. H., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Peck, Wm.,
Paisley, Thos., 5th ArtUlery, N. Y.
Paisley, John, " " "
Pynes, Thos., Co. D, 35th N. Y. Vols.
Porter, Jonathan G., May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols.
Powers, David, Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Putnam, Lewis, Corporal, Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Pulver, Wm. H., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Pitcher, D., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Paxton, Thos., June 15, 1861, Co. E, 1st Long Island Reg't.
Potter, Lewis, June 4th, 1861, 3d Vet. N. Y. Cavalry.
Quinliven, Michael, 30th Reg't and in Aug., 1863, transferred to 76th
N.Y. Vols.
Ryan, James, 1st N.Y. Mounted Rifles.
Reed, Wm., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Robinson, Joseph, " " " " "
Rooney, Bryan, " " " " "
Redmond, Michael, Serg't, " " " " "
Russell, Joseph, " " " " "
Reinhart, Harvey, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Roberts, Henry, " " "
Rider, Earl D., " " "
Rider, Geo. H.,
Rafferty, John,' " "
Robinson, James, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
RUey, Hugh,
Richards, Henry, "
RoUowine, Fred'k, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; also as substitute
in Albany.
RUey, James, Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. ArtiUery,
Roberi;s, Wm., "
Redmond, J., "
Rignor, Alfred, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 23d N. Y. Vols.
RUey, Lawrence, Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry.
Reynolds, John.
Riley, Jeremiah, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols.
Russell, James, Serg't, May, 1861, Co. B, 2d N. Y. Vols.
Russell, John, Pioneer Corps.

' Dead. 22

170 History of Cohoes. 1865.
Syms, Thos. J., Aug. 18, 1862, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. ArtiUery.
Shannon, Wm., Captain, " " " " "
Scully, M.H., " " ••
Shipley, Geo.' " " "
Stevens, John, " " " " "
Shaughnessy, John, " " " " "
Scofleld, Joseph, " " " " "
Swartz, John B., 1st Serg't, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 23d N. Y. Vols.
Shaffer, Fred, " " "
Spain, Roger, " " " " "
Stevenson, Geo., " " " " "
Simpson, Clark, Co. H, "
Skinkle, Wm. L., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N.Y. Vols. ; also in 4th Heavy
Artillery.
Smith, John H., May, 1861, Co. E,2d N. Y. Vols.
ScuUy, John H., " " " " "
Stapleton, John, " " " " " "
Seaport, Christian, " " " " " "
ScoviU, Chas, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy ArtiUery.
Shortsleeves, Joseph, " " " " " also lOth or
177th N. Y. Vols.
Shortsleeves, John, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy ArtiUery.
Stevens, James K. ,' " " " " "
Shaw, Christopher, " " " " "
Shaw, Isaac, " " " " "
Sitterly, Martin, Co. 1,
Sitterly, Henry, " " " " "
Sitterly, G.,
Stacy, D. H.,
Shepard, Chas., " " " "
St Onge, Treffle,
Sager, Staats A., Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Sheridan, Bernard, " " " " "
Snell, Joseph, " " " " "
Shaw, Albert, " " " " "
Sitterly, Abram, " " " " "
Sharp, A., 1861, Co. H, lOth or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Shields, Thos. , " " " " "
Safely, A. P., M.D.,' " " "
Shepard, Joseph, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Scott, Wm., " " " " " "
Steenberg, Marvin, Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Smith, A. W.,
Smith, Michael, Aug. Ist, 1863, 135th or 193d N. Y. Vols.
Scott, Roger, " " " " " "
Shields, Peter, Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Shields, John, Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry.
Sager, Alexander, D. S. Navy.
Storer, Chas,, 169th N. Y. Vols.
Slater, James, U. S. Navy.
Shannon, Richard, 13th N. Y. Cavalry.
'Dead.

1865. History of Cohoes. 171
Silcocks, John E., Nov. 1st, 1861, 93d Regt. N. Y. Vols., Nov. 1st,
1863, transferred to U. S. Signal Corps ; re-enlisted in 192d N. Y.
Vols.
Smith, Martin, Co. E, 7th N. Y. Regt. Heavy Artillery.
TuthiU, Clarence, Aug., 1863, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Tuthill, Edward, " " " " " "
TuthiU, Daniel D.,' " " '  " " promoted to
Sergt..
Turner, Adam,' " " '¦ " " " <¦
Travis, Chas. S., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 9lBt N. Y. Vols.
Tompkins, Monroe, " " " " " "
Tracy, Pat'k " " " " " "
Tracy, John, " " " " " "
Trull, Stevens V., Quartermaster, Aug., '62, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Taylor, Ammon, " " « «
Torongeau, Louis,' " " " "
Tourville, Chas., " " " "
Tompkins, Wesley,' " " " "
Taylor, John H , " " " "
Tripp, Wm., " " " "
Taylor, Jacob A.,' 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Taylor, Alonzo, " " " "
Tapler, Alonzo, " " " "
Torrey, Geo. W., 3d Corporal, May, '61, Co. A,33d N. Y. Vols.
Telfair, Wm. H.,
Troy, John, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Tobin, Rob't,
Taylor, Robert,' Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols.
Temple, Frank, May 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Taylor, John, 2d N. Y. Cavalry.
Travers, Michael, Dec, 1853, Co. D, 7th N. Y. H. Artillery.
Upham, Willard, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
Upham, Geo. W.,' "
Van Denberg, Wm. H.,' 1861, Co. B, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols.
Van Dermark, Jas., " " " " "
Van Vliet, Geo. E.,' " "
Vincent, Hiram, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols.
Van Der Werken, James, " " " " " " "
Van Der Cook, John H., Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Van Der Cook, Geo., " " " " " "
VermUyea, Le Roy, Sept., '64, Co. K, 9lBt N. Y. Vols.
Vanlouven, Nathaniel, " " " " " "
Van Benthuysen, Myron, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Van Benthuysen, James, " " Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Van Steenberg, W., Oct., 1861, Ass't Surgeon, Ist N.Y. Vols. ; pro
moted Oct. '63, to be surgeon, 55th N. Y. V. ; transferred March,
'63, to 130th N. Y. V.
Van Hagen, Jesse,' Co. K, 34th N. Y. Vols.
Westover, J., Aug., 1862, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Wormwood, C. P., " " " " " "
Warhurst, Samuel, " " " '* " "

' Dead .

172 History of Cohoes. 1865.
Walker, Isaac, Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery.
Welch, Michael, " " Co. E, " " "
Welch, John,' " " " " " "
Weidman, Malachi, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 23d N. Y. Vols. ; promoted
to be adjutant, 1863.
Weidman, Wm., May 19, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.
Wood, GUes B., " " "
Whitney, Sheldon, " " " Co. H, " " " also 3d N. Y. V.
Winters, John, Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols.
Wood, John,'
Whipple, Madison, "
Whitney, James, "
Whitney, Geo., "
Waterhouse, Job, "
Welch, Nicholas, "
Westover, Chas. E.,' Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
White, John, 93d N. Y. Vols.
Wall, J., Co. 1, 4th N. Y. Heavy ArtUlery.
Wilcox, Alexander, May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols.
Welton, Fred'k, " " " "
Wands, Jas. B., 10th N. Y. V., also 35th.
Welch, Michael, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols.
WUson, James,' Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols.
Woolhizer, Fred'k., Aug., 1863, 31st N. Y. Griswold Cavalrv.
Wickham, Joseph,' 118th N. Y. Vols.
Walters, Thos. Lieut.,' Co. C, 97th N. Y. Vols.
Welch, John, prisoner.
Wildricks, Thos., Dec, 1863, flag ship Hartford, U. S. Navy.
Young, James,' Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. ArtUlery.
Yates, J. L., Captain, May, 1861, Co. A, 33d N. Y. Vols.

1 Dead.

1861. History of Cohoes. 173

IX.
1861 to 1865.
iJURING the early years of the rebellion the local
columns of the Cataract recorded few events of importance
aside from those connected with the war. The feehng of
uncertainty and apprehension which prevailed among busi
ness men prevented large investments of capital in new
enterprises, and until 1863, there were but slight signs of
progress in the place.
During 1861, especially, there were few notable local
occurrences. A fire on the morning of March 2 5 th destroyed
the picking room of the Harmony Mills, which had been
burned two years before. By the exertions of the fire
department, assisted by Hudson Hose Company of Water
ford, the flames were prevented from communicating to
the other buildings. The damage to stock, etc., was
$10,000, insured. Another fire, July 15th, destroyed the
saw mill of Wm. Burton & Co., at a loss of |8,000. Kn-
gioes from Lansingburg and Waterford and the Ranken
steamer from Troy were in attendance and prevented the
destruction of the adjoining veneering mill.
Among the new business establishments of the year was
the brewery on Saratoga street below the state yard pro
perty, which afterwards was conducted by Tighe & Robin
son and John Tighe. In the latter part of the year, the
paper mill of Chas. Van Benthuysen, on the site of Fuller's
bedstead factory, was completed and commenced operations
in Jan., 1862. It was entirely destroyed by fire Feb.
16th, at a loss of $25,000. The cause was the spontaneous
combustion of some cotton waste stored in the fourth story.
Mr. Van Benthuysen at once made arrangements for rebuild
ing, but not on so extensive a scale as before.

174 History of Cohoes. 1862.
In February a bill incorporating the Cohoes and Troy
Horse Rail Road Company was introduced in the legisla
ture by a number of Troy capitalists. John A. Griswold
was elected president and O. H. Arnold vice president of
the company. Considerable opposition to the project was
at first manifested in Cohoes, the citizens believing that the
trade of home merchants would suffer largely, and also that
the laying of track through the streets would lower the
value of property along the route. The friends of the bill
had a hearing before the trustees, who appointed J. F.
Crawford to appear in their behalf before the legislature.
Mr. Crawford prepared several important amendments, which
were accepted by the incorporators, and were probably
satisfactory to Cohoes people, for no further remonstrance
was made.
Another matter, which received considerable comment in
the Cataract during the summer, was a dead lock in the
board of trustees, which prevented the transaction of any
public business from April 28th to Oct. 6th. The board
was evenly divided in politics, and several members absented
themselves so that a quorum could not be obtained.
A new knitting factory was established during this year
by L. W. Mansfield, who rented the building now known as
the Empire Mill and put in operation three sets of machin
ery. ' Mr. Mansfield's establishment in the tobacco factory
building on Courtland street, passed into the hands of Alden
Frink and Bingham.
In January, 1863, the Cohoes Skating Association, the first
institution of the sort in the place, was organized with
the following oflEicers : Winsor Stone, president ; Rodney

' As a matter of interest in the history of this mill it may he mentioned that mid
day union prayer meetings were held in its seaming rooms for nearly two 3 ears
with an average attendance of forty persons. In I he winter of 1865, a course of
social singing was inaugurated, at each evening of which from three to five hun
dred persons were present.

1863. History op Cohoes. 175
Wilcox, vice-president ; A. T. Becker, secretary ; P. D.
Niver, treasurer ; Daniel McElwain, Edward Shepard,
Joseph Chadwick, Peter Manton, Levi Dodge, directors.
A lease was obtained of the pond north of Simmons's dyke,
and suitable buildings and enclosures were erected. '
This year was marked by a number of changes in Cohoes
business firms, and several important additions to the manu
facturing interests of the village.
In January, Geo. Campbell, formerly of the firm of Gage,
Campbell & Gage of Waterford, with John Clute as partner,
leased the building formerly occupied by Jeremiah Clute's
bedstead factory, and established a machine shop therein.
In March, the property at the corner of Ontario and Rem
sen streets was purchased by Messrs. Joseph Chadwick and
Geo. Warhurst, who converted it into a knitting mill.'- In
June, the erection of C. H. Adams's mill on Ontario street,
one of the most complete in the place, was commenced. It
is of brick, four stories high, and 50 by 100 feet. The firm
of C H. Adams & Co. was dissolved, S. D. Fairbank
retiring on account of ill health, and Mr. Adams continued
the business alone.3 The Watervliet mill, which he vacated,
was leased for 10 years by Alden Frink & Weston, who
had also become proprietors of the Halcyon Mill in the
early part of the year. Another enterprise in which this
firm became engaged was the manufacture of axes. The
factory belonging to Jonas Simmons, near the rolling mill,

1 A skating park was established two years later on Oneida street, between Van
Kensselaer and Saratoga streets, which remained for some time in successful ope
ration. Mr. McElwain was principally interested in its management. The latest
institution of the sort was established in December of the present year, by A. Paul.
5 Mr. Warhurst retired in 1867, his interest being bought by Wm. N. Chadwick.
P. R. Chadwick was subsequently admitted to partnership, and the present firm of
Chadwick & Co., formed.
' The present proprietor, John Wakeman, succeeded Mr. Adams in January, 1870.

176 History of Cohoes. 1863.
was purchased by them, and the firm of W. J. Ten Eyck
& Co. organized, in which they held the controlling interest. '
A new knitting mill, Wm. Conliss and John Carter pro
prietors, was also started in the building formerly used by
Wightman & Youmans as a wheel factory.
On August 15th the corner stone of the new St. Bernard's
church, the site of which had been purchased by Father
Keveney in 1861, was laid by Bishop (now Cardinal)
McCloskey, with imposing ceremonies.
On August l^th Hurst's woolen mill on Mohawk street
was destroyed by the most disastrous fire with which Cohoes
has ever been visited. It caught in the picking room,
located on the first floor near the stair case, and owing to
the combustible character of the contents of the mill and a
high wind which prevailed at the time, spread rapidly from
floor to floor, cutting off almost every means of escape.
Within five minutes after the alarm was sounded the entire
east end of the building, containing the only stair case, was
a sheet of flame. The stairs were very narrow, so that but
few were able to pass down, and the only means of exit was
by jumping from the windows, in doing which many sus
tained severe injuries. Three of the operatives, Margaret
Downey, Anna Lyons and Catharine Donnelly, were unable
to escape, and perished in the flames. The death of the
latter was one of the most terrible features of the fire ; she
attempted to escape from a third story window, but her
clothing became caught on the steam pipe under the window
sill, and all efliorts to free her being futile, she was burnt to
death in the sight of hundreds who were powerless to aid
her. Some twenty of the operatives were seriously injured.

1 On the failure of Alden Prink & Weston, in 1866, the Ten Eyck M'fg Co. was
organized with the following offlcers : David Cowee, president ; Geo. R. Seymour,
treasurer; R. H. Thompson, secretary; W. J. Ten Eyck, superintendent. This
company suspended in 1872, and in the following year the factory was taken by
Williams, Ryan & Jones. Their successors have been, Sheehan, Jones & Co. ,
Jones & Ryan, and (July Ist, '74), M. H. Jones & Co.

1863. History of Cohoes. 177
The firemen, aided by four companies from Waterford and
Lansingburg, and the Ranken steamer from Troy, succeeded
in preventing any serious damage to adjoining buildings.
Mr. Hurst's loss was $27,000 of which $18,000 was insured.
This calamity gave rise to a great deal of inquiry and news
paper comment in regard to the means provided for escape
from our factories in case of such disasters, and had the good
result of causing the erection of adequ.ato fire escapes in all
the mills of the place.
During this summer the horse rail road was in process of
construction. It was the original intention of the company
to have the Cohoes terminus located at the Cataract House,
but this was abandoned, as not being feasible. The rails
were laid as far as the junction on the 10th of October, and
an excursion car was run over the road on that day. In the
following week Mr. Simons disposed of his interest in the
omnibus line to the company. He had been engaged in the
business for fifteen years, and under his management the
Troy stage became an institution of great convenience, 12
round trips daily having been made since 1859. The com
pletion of the road was thus spoken of in the Cataract :
"It is one of the most important events that mark the
progress of our village in the career of improvement. We
know of no good reason why it may not be made advanta
geous to the place. True, it may tend to divert trade to
the city, but it will also bring the patrons of our manu
factures nearer and create a condition and feeling of intimacy
between the business men of the two places, that has not
hitherto existed."
The road was well patronized and soon took precedence
over other modes of conveyance. Ever since the completion
of the rail road running from Albany to the junction, the
trains had entered the village of West Troy by means of a
Y track, and stopped at the depot, a short distance from
the ferry. The establishment of the horse railway, however,
so far diminished their business that the railroad company
discontinued the practice of backing down the Y after Dec.
23

178 Histo'ry of Cohoes. 1863.
21, 1863. The track was torn up, but has recently been re-
laid for the accommodation of the Albany and Troy locals.
The objections to street rail roads seem to have been
speedily overcome, and the example of the Troy capitalists
was contagious, for in the same year the Waterford and Co
hoes Horse Rail Road Co. was organized by gentlemen
from Cohoes and Waterford. The Cohoes representatives
on the board of directors were Hugh White, Wm. F. Carter,
Wm. G. Caw, Isaac Quackenbush and Wm. M. White. The
stock, amounting to $25,000, was soon taken, articles of as
sociation were duly flled, and the right of way obtained
from the village trustees. Another company, composed,
with the exception of T. G. Younglove, of capitalists from
Troy and Lansingburg was organized the next year, which,
said the Cataract, " proposed to at once commence active
operations." Nothing more definite, however, resulted than
a quarrel between the two companies, which ended the con
sideration of the project for the time being. '
The first movement of importance towards the incorpo
ration of Cohoes as a city was made in Jan., 1864. A meet
ing was held in the trustees'' room on the 22d, of which L. S.
Parsons was chairman and S. Hayward, secretary. Re
marks were made in favor of the project by Wm. G. Caw,
and on motion of Sherebiah Stiles, a committee of fourteen
was appointed to ascertain the feelings of the citizens in re
gard to the matter, and the steps necessary to be taken. The
citizens were evidently not favorably inclined, for no further
mention of the project was made for some time.
The following notice of the destruction of an old house
was published in the Cataract of Jan. 30:
" The building known as the Old Junction House below

'Still another company was organized Oct. S4, 1871, with the following directors :
C. H. Adams, D. J. Johnston, H. S. Bogue, Murray Hubbard, E. L. Stimson, Jas.
P. Crawford, Henry Brockway, J. W. Himes, Jas. B. McKee, N. W. Frost. C. P.
North and John Wakeman of Cohoes, A. J. Qriffln, of Waterford. The capital
Btock was $25,000.

1864. History op Cohoes. 179
this village, formerly owned by Alfred Phelps, Esq., took
fire about 1 o'clock last Sunday evening, and was totally
destroyed. It had recently been purchased by the Horse
Rail Road Co., and was undergoing repairs preparatory to
being converted into a residence for their employes. Loss
$1,000, and no insurance. The building was one of the
oldest land-marks in this neighborhood, and had a wide
notoriety as the scene of operation of the Junction Banking
Association of years ago."
Numerous improvements in the manufacturing establish
ments attested the good condition of business during the
year. Mr. Van Benthuysen commenced the erection of an
addition to his paper mill, south of the first building, 60 by
100 feet in size. The Troy M'fg Co., who had become pro
prietors of the Bailey Mill, built an addition 50 by 125 feet,
and four stories high, having a front of 50 feet on Ontario
street, and thus doubled the capacity of their factory. The
axe factory of Ten Eyck & Co. and Jonas Simmons's rolling
mill were also materially enlarged. The latter establish
ment had never been in complete running order until this
season. Mr. Simmons took Edward N. Page as a partner
and commenced operations in the spring, employing 40 men,
and manufacturing five tons of iron per day. '
The Harmony Company built an addition to the Ogden
Mills, 60 by 80 feet, and five stories high, connecting the two
original buildings. They also erected a cotton house 40 by
150 feet on Mohawk street.
The manufacture of paper boxes, which has since become
quite a prominent branch of Cohoes industry, was com
menced in July, by L. R. Dubuque & Co. in the second
story of Egberts's Hall. On Aug. 1st, a similar establish
ment was started by Manning & Clute in the building on
Remsen street now occupied by Targett & Co.^

1 In March of the following year Mr. Simmons's interest was purchased by Messrs.
Morrison & Colwell of Troy, who organized the present firm of Morrison, ColwelJ
& Page.
« After one year this torn sold to L. R. Dubuque & Co. who continued until the
spring of 1867, and then Bold to Isaac Clute, the present proprietor.

180 History op Cohoes. 1864.
It had for some time been the intention of Mr. Egbert
Egberts, to whose public spirit Cohoes is indebted for a
number of substantial imj)rovements, to found an academy
here which should be the leading educational institution of
this vicinity. To this end a bill was introduced in the leg
islature, which was passed May 24, to incorporate Egberts
Institute. The trustees of corporation were to be the pas
tors of the Protestant churches in Cohoes, the following
being named in the bill as first trustees : Chas. N. Waldron,
J. H. Hobart Brown, Fred'k W. Flint, Henry L. Starks,
Wm. H. Maynard. Provision was made in the bill for en
dowment of the institution by Mr. Egberts to such amount
as he might see fit. At the first meeting of the trustees,
held May 18, Rev. Dr. Waldron was elected president, and
committees were appointed for selection of a principal and
preparation of a course of studies. Deeds were received
from Mr. Egberts conveying to the Institute the building
on White street, east of Egberts Hall, which had been com
pleted some time before, and the property on Remsen street
just north of the hall, which had formerly belonged to W.
Twichell. The Institute, under direction of Rev. A. B.
Bullions, was opened for the reception of scholars Sept. 8th.
The publication of the Cataract Was discontinued from
Jan. to Aug. 1865, and the only means of learning the local
events during that time is from out of town papers. There
appear to have been few occurrences of importance, how
ever, aside from the rejoicings and excitement attending
the close of the war.
A fire on June 1 st, destroyed Conliss & Carter's knitting
mill near Ontario street, and several small buildings adjoin
ing, occupied by H. Thompson & Son's mill ; B. Mulcahy's
blacksmith shop, and Warner's needle factory. The mills
of the Troy M'fg Co., Clifton Co., and Henry Brockway,
were seriously threatened at times but were saved by the
exertions of the firemen, who were assisted by the Ranken

1865. History of Cohoes. 181
Steamer Co. of Troy. The losses were as follows: Conliss
& Carter $7,000, Thompson & Son $3,000, H. Brockway
$1,000, B. Mulcahy $200, Warner $300.
On July 1st, the capital police law went into effect, and
was welcomed with great satisfaction as an improvement
on the system of village constables formerly in vogue.
The police district according to this law was divided into
two parts, the Albany division and the Troy division.
The latter contained six precincts, three in the city of Troy,
and the remainder in adjacent villages. The Cohoes pre
cinct embraced Cohoes, Green Island, and a part of Water
vliet. The first members of the force in this village were:
sergeants, Wm. Buchanan, John McDermott; patrolmen,
Francis S. Staats, John Richmond, Moses Pickering, Gus
tavus Bailey, Wm. Hastings, Jas. Delve and Michael Long.
The station house was established in Hayward's building,
comer of Remsen and Ontario streets.'
The Young Men's Christian Association, which for some
time had not been in a flourishing condition, was reorganized
in March, and the first officers elected in August as follows:
president, D. J. Johnston ; vice president, H. B. Silliman ;
Cor. Sec'y, Wm. S. Smith; Rec. Sec'y, Albert Ten Eyck ;
Treas., Jas. H. Masten. The association rented the second
story of Quackenbush's building, corner of Remsen and
Oneida streets, and fitted up a commodious reading room.
The necessity of improvements in the fire department had
been for some time felt. It was evident that the hand en
gines in possession of the village were entirely inadequate
in case of a conflagration of any size, and ever since the
burning of Hurst's Mill the matter had been frequently
agitated. The working of the Ranken steamer of Troy,
which had been present at several fires here, gave general
satisfaction, and there was a strong feeling in favor of pur
chasing a similar engine. An offer was made by the Har-

1 In May, 1866, it was removed to its present location comer St. John's alley and
Mohawk street.

182 History of Cohoes. 1865.
mony Co. to furnish a first class steamer if the other
manufacturers of the village would subscribe enough to
purchase another ; and also to furnish a house and equip
ments for one engine, without expense to the village. No
action was immediately taken on this liberal offer, and the
citizens were content for this year with the addition to the
department of a Hook & Ladder Co., the organization of
which had been for some time desired.
Prominent among the improvements of the year was the
building of a new dam by the Cohoes Co., which is one of
the finest structures of the kind in the country. Work was
commenced in June and the dam was completed in about
four months. It is of solid stone masonry, 1,443 feet in
length, and is built directly below and in connection with,
the old dam of 1840, thus acquiring additional strength.
The gate house, built of brick, and containing the head
gates, was not completed until some time later. It is 218
feet long ; the front tower is 31, and the main towers are
43 feet in height. The cost of the dam and appurtenances
was $180,000. The engineer of the work was Wm. E.
Worthen, of New York, who was assisted by D. H. Van
Auken, the present engineer of the Co., and T. G. Young
love, its agent. The contractor was John Bridgeford, of
Albany. Business at this time was prosperous, and several addi
tions to manufacturing interests were made. The Erie Mill
on Erie street was erected by Wm. Burton, for Messrs.
Wm. Moore and Jonathan Hiller, who commenced putting
in their machinery in the fall. This firm had during the
year been conducting the factory in the Empire Mill,
which had been established by L. W. Mansfield. The foun
dation for the Riverside Mill, on the site of one of the build
ings of Miles White's axe factory, was laid in October by
Messrs. Bogue & Wager. The Harmony Co. added largely
to their facilities by the purchase of the Strong Mill, which

1865. History of Cohoes. 183
they enlarged and remodelled at an expense of $100,000,
extending the building 30 feet at the north end, and putting
on a French roof which added a story to its height. Be
sides a number of other improvements in their property an
addition to No. 2 mill was commenced, which was com
pleted in the following year and increased the capacity of
the mill to 48,000 spindles. The Cataract of Oct. 21,
speaking of these improvements, said :
" What is true of the manufacturing interests of the place
is also applicable to our local mercantile trade and other
business. In the fifteen years of our residence in Cohoes
we do not remember a time when so much activity and evi
dent thrift was manifested. We have twice as many dry-
goods stores as we had a year ago, and all appear to be
doing a healthy and profitable trade. The same is also true
of the clothing, boot and shoe and grocery establishments
of the place."
The census taken this year showed a population of 8,795,
a decrease of 5 since 1860. The falling off was accounted
for by the census enumerators by the fact that among the
ignorant classes a great fear of the draft existed, and many
persons, supposing the census to be a new enrollment,
refused to give any information concerning their families.
The same trouble was found in other places, the population
in -Albany being reported as 2000 less than it was in 1860.
The Albanians did not wish their city to show a retrograde
movement, and took measures for procuring another census.
Their example was followed in Cohoes ; a subscription
paper was circulated to procure the necessary funds and
a second enumeration was made by Sheffield Hayward, who
reported the population as 9,765, the number of families
being 1,826. In the government census the capital employed
in manufacturing operations in the place was stated to be
$2,840,900, and the number of operatives employed, 2,729.

184 History of Cohoes. 1866.

1866 to 1869.
J. HE prosperous condition of business of every kind,
described in the Cataract in the latter part of 1865, con
tinued with but slight interruption for the next few years.
There were many important additions to the manufacturing
establishments of the place, bringing new inhabitants and
stimulating every branch of trade. Building was extended
in all directions, and blocks of stores and handsome resi
dences appeared in localities which had formerly been con
sidered almost outside of the village.
The early part of 1866 was marked by few local events
of importance. On the night of Jan. 10th, the stables of
the Troy & Cohoes Horse Rail Road Co., near the junction,
were burned at a loss of $18,000. The fire originated in
the office, and spread throughout the building in a very
few minutes, so that before any aid could be received from
the fire department, it was completely destroyed, together
with all of its contents. Thirty-one horses, seven cars, and
a large quantity of hay and feed were burned.
A suit brought by the village against the company to
compel them to conform their track to the grade of Mohawk
street, and to pave the same, which had been some time
pending, was decided this month in favor of the plaintiffs.
The following comment was made by the Cataract :
" This is an important decision not only because it vindi
cates the action of the trustees, but it reestablishes the
grades at the points of variation, greatly improves Howard
street, compels the company to pave their road from White
street to the old junction, reimburses the village for the
expenses to which it has been subjected in sinking the gas
and water pipes, and cutting down Howard street, and in
sures it against action on the part of adjacent land owners."
The second newspaper established in Cohoes — the Co-

1866. History op Cohoes. 185
hoes Democrat — made its first appearance Jan. 2 7th . It was
a weekly sheet, about the size of the Cataract, and was
owned and conducted by Michael Monahon, who had for
twelve years been foreman in that office. It was evident
that Cohoes was not yet ready to support two newspapers,
for after a brief and troubled existence of four months the
publication of the Democrat was discontinued.
In the latter part of 31ay, ground was broken by the
Hai-mony Co. for the erection of a new cotton factory. Mill
No. 3, on the east side of Mohawk street, opposite their first
building. While excavations for the foundation were being
made, a few months later, the skeleton of a mastodon was
discovered, an e^ ent which awakened great interest here,
and caused Cohoes to be for some time quite prominently
before the public. The foundation of the mill for nearly
its entire length is laid upon a bed of slate rock. At the
north end of the building it was found that the layer of
rock was thin and rested upon a large bed of peat ; with a
view to the removal of this, a small section was excavated
to a depth of about sixty feet, and in so doing numerous
relics of earlier ages were exhumed.
The first discoveries, made in the middle of September,
were decayed stumps and limbs of trees which lay imbedded
in the rich loam ; a week later, near the bottom of the bed,
the jaw-bone of the mastodon was unearthed. The event
was described as follows in the Cataract, Sept. 29 :
" Assuredly there are more things in heaven and earth than
are dreamed of in our philosophy ! Those who, during the
present generation, have trod the earth of Cohoes have never
taken into their wildest imaginings the strange things that
were concealed beneath the surface. But the late excava
tions made by the Harmony Co., have brought to light the
fact that a huge mastodon once dwelt where our village
now stands, in an age that has been followed by the
mightiest convulsions and upheavals. Fifty feet below the
surface the jaw of this monster has been found, and has
created in our village such a sensation as few events ever
excited. . . . The jaw is somewhat decayed and flaky but the
24

186 History of Cohoes. 1866.
teeth are in excellent preservation ; the length of each jaw
bone is thirty-two inches ; the breadth across the jaw at
the broadest point twenty inches and the extreme depth
about twelve inches. On one side is a single tooth four
inches in length and two and a half in width, and on the
other two teeth one of which is six and a half inches long,
the other four, and each uniform in width and shape with
its neighbor opposite. The holes or cavities for the dental
nerves are from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. . . .
The excavation has revealed other wonders, little less re
markable. Vast volumes of oak wood, so tender that it can
be cut and removed with a shovel, are intermingled with the
peat. This wood when exposed to the sun or fire until
thoroughly dried, becomes as hard as if it had never de
cayed. On each side of the peat bed so far as traced, are
perpendicular rooks into which huge semi-circular cavities,
deep and smooth, have been worn by the action of water.
There is but one solution of this mystery. The cavity of
rock where the deposit of peat now rests, was once the bed
of a stream running diagonally across the line of the street
and towards the Mohawk. As the peat was covered deeply
with slate rock, it is evident that the stream had a sub
terranean channel and outlet at this place, though perhaps
an open river above. In this wonderful revelation there is
a vast field for speculation both for the geologist and the
zoologist." Further discoveries were made from time to time within
the next few weeks ; the skull, tusk, leg-bones, ribs and
enough other bones of the animal to make the skeleton
nearly complete were found, most of them in a pot-hole
distant some sixty feet from the one in which the jaw
bone was buried, i The remains of numerous beaver dams
were also brought to light, containing logs and pieces of
wood, cut with great precision and neatness by the teeth of
their builders. The bones were kept for some time at the
office of the Harmony Mills, where they were visited by
hundreds of persons, among whom were Profs. Marsh of
Yale college. Hall of Albany and a number of other scien-

1 In the following March, while making excavations on the outside of the mill
several bones of the fore-leg were found in a pot hole fifty feet south of that point.

1866. History op Cohoes. 187
tific men. They were also placed on exhibition in Troy, at
the county fair and in Harmony Hall.
Several theories were advanced to account for the burial
of the bones in the peat bed in such a manner — the one sup
ported by the highest authority being that they were thus
disposed by the action of moving water or ice. In the
former case it may be supposed that the body of the animal
had floated down the stream, gradually decomposing, while
fragments were from time to time detached, and what re
mained was deposited in the hole where the bulk of the
skeleton was found ; in the latter, the theory was, that the
remains were imbedded in a glacier from the melting edge
of which they were dropped, and preserved, first by a cover
ing of water in the depression, and afterward by an accumu
lation of mud, marl or peaty matter ; that there may have
been similar remains deposited in the gravel, but that the
percolating water had entirely or for the most part de
stroyed them. At a discussion of the matter held by the
national academy of science at Hartford, it was stated that
" the facts brought out in connection with the Cohoes mas
todon forever set at rest the commonly received opinion
that the mastodon bones usually found in the marshes are
the remains of those animals who visit these places for food
and drink."
Several offers were received by the Harmony Co. from
public institutions for the purchase of the remains, and it
was thought at one time that they would be sold and the
proceeds given to the Union Sunday School. It was finally
decided, however, to present them to the state. The legis
lature voted an appropriation of $2,000 for completing the
search for the bones, and mountuig the skeleton, and passed
a joint resolution tendering thanks to Mr. Wild and the
Harmony Co. for their generosity. In the following year
the skeleton was placed in position in the State Cabinet of
Natural History, at Albany.
One of the amusing results of the discovery of the mas-

188 History of Cohoes. 1866.
todon was the publication at dififerent times of letters in
several newspapers from active correspondents who had
ascertained by talking with old inhabitants, that the skeleton
was a humbug. The following, published in the Rutland
Herald, in April, 1870, is a specimen of these productions,
though more circumstantial than most of them :
" There is another sell in Albany, quite equal to the Cardiff
giant — but not got up expressly for the occasion. I mean the
Cohoes mastodon, so called, now on exhibition in the Geolo
gical rooms in this city. It will be recollected that in 1866,
as a party at Cohoes were digging to secure a reliable place as
a foundation for a factory, the workmen struck upon the
bones of a large animal, which some of the savans declared
to be those of a mastodon, but all were not agreed upon this
name. Henry M. Gaine, a geologist of Saratoga, wrote
two or three articles for the newspapers in which he asserted
that the teeth of this fossil were not those of the- extinct
mastodon. But he was ridiculed for expressing such senti
ments and the term mastodon was applied to the skeleton
of the animal when it was set up for exhibition. It seems
a great pity to take away this name, for with it departs the
great antiquity of these bones, and with it the finely wrought
theory of their having been taken from that huge pot hole
of peat by an immense glacier, that separated the diffei-ent
animal parts, and deposited them in many different places.
But we will tell a story related to us by Mr. Wm. J. Brad
ley, of Ballston, N. Y., a respected and truthful citizen of
that place, aged sixty-four years. He says he peddled tin
for Wm. J. Benedict, of Schenectady, for two or three
years, and for several years he followed a caravan — June,
Titus, and Angevine's. It was his custom to travel from
place to place in the night and sell his wares each day at
auction near the tent of the caravan. In the fall of 1833,
he was going from Schenectady to Troy, following the ele-~
phant, which in those days was taken froni place to place in
the night to escape observation — and when near what is
now Cohoes, but which then had only a house or two, he
found that the elephant had fallen dead in the road. The
keeper had sawed off the tusks and was cutting the body
into pieces that it might be drawn out of the road. This
was no small job, for the elephant was one of the largest
ever exhibited in this country. Mr. Bradley had a nice span
of Canadian ponies on his peddler's cart. He took them off,

1866. History op Cohoes. 189
and assisted by Aaron Ackley, then of Troy, who led one
of the frightened horses while Mr. B. led the other, they
drew the body off by piece meal, and dropped it into a bog
hole some six or eight rods distant, the identical one, as
Mr. B. thinks, in which this so called mastodon was found."
An important addition to the public buildings of the place
was the new St. Bernard's church, which had been in pro
gress since 1863, and was this fall completed. The church,
the style of which is Romanesque, is 160 by 80 feet. It has
nine rows of aisles and a transept with eight rows of pews,
and will seat 1,400 persons on the floor. There is an end
gallery capable of accommodating 500 children, and a gal
lery for the chou\ The sanctuary is semi-circular, forty
feet wide by twenty-six deep. The altar is of white and
gold, the white being composed of marble and scagliola ;
under the altar is the entombment, full size, in alto relievo.
Around the base of the sanctuary is an arcade, twelve feet
in height, the space above which is occupied by handsome
frescoes, done by John Hild, a native of Munich ; among
them are copies of Vandyke's Descent from the Cro.ts,
Raphael's Assumption, and other well known paintings.
The windows, which are of stained glass, are each memorial
gifts and were contributed by the following : Jno. W. Har
rington, Richard Powers and children, Patrick Gugerty,
Cornelius O'Leary, Michael Ivory, Wm. Healey, Dr. W. F.
Carter, Mrs. Peter Manton ; iron works, cotton mills,
woolen mills and citizens of Cohoes, one each. The cost of
the church with the lot was about $106,000. It was opened
Oct. 14th, with a grand sacred concert, under direction of
Dr. Guy of Troy, and was dedicated on Sunday Nov. 3.
The ceremonies of consecration were performed by Bishop
John J. Conroy of Albany who afterwards celebrated high
mass. The sermon was preached by Rev. Jno. Loughlin,
Bishop of Brooklyn. Some twenty clergymen from differ
ent points were also present who assisted in the exercises.
The services, which commenced at 10 a.m. and lasted four
hours, were attended by about three thousand people.

190 History op Cohoes. 1866.
Several new firms commenced business during the year.
The Riverside Mill, a brick building 50 by 100 feet and five
stories high, owned by Bogue & Wager, was completed
early in the season. The capacity of the mill is eight sets but
only six were at first run. About the same time the Erie
Mill, which had been built the preceding year, commenced
operations. In August the Hurst property, consisting of
the mill and adjoining tenements, was sold to Lyman Ben
nett of Troy, for $27,000, and the Star Knitting Co., with
a capital of $50,000, was organized. The first officers were:
R. H. Thurman, president, Lyman Bennett, O. G. Clark,
Harvey Smith, R. H. Thurman, trustees. The Mohawk
Mill, Samuel Bilbrough proprietor, which had before man
ufactured cotton yarns and cloths, was during this year
fitted up in part with knitting machinery.
The failure of Alden, Frink & Weston with liabilities of
nearly $500,000, in the latter part of October, caused great
excitement in business circles. The firm was one of the
most prominent in the place, being largely interested in two
knitting mills, the Ten Eyck Axe M'fg Co., and other con
cerns. Though most of the indebtedness was out of town
a number of citizens lost heavily, and the failure was severely
felt throughout the village. Aside from this, the year was
one of fair prosperity for Cohoes business men, and the gene
ral activity of the place was increased. A number of build
ings were erected, among them many residences. The
Harmony Co. made preparations for the erection of a hun
dred tenements, made necessary by the number of opera
tives who were expected to arrive when work was com
menced in the new mill. In the published statistics of the
company for 1866, it was stated that their mills had during
the year consumed 7,427 bales of cotton, manufacturing
therefrom 23,135,652 yards of cloth, equal to 13,145i miles.
The close of the year was marked by a storm of wind and
snow, of greater severity than any with which Cohoes had

1867. History op Cohoes. 191
been visited, it was said, since 1836. Travel by rail road
and street car was interrupted for three days, and there
was no means of communication with the outside world
from Thursday until Saturday night, when the mail was
brought in a sleigh fi-om near West Troy, where the train
from Albany was snowed in.
In the early part of 1867 the iron bridge across the Erie
Canal near White street, the contracts for which had been
let in 1 865, was completed. It was a very desirable improve
ment, affording access to the lands west of the Erie
Canal, which the owners, Daniel McElwain and Judge Mann
of Troy, improved and laid out in building lots, and this
locality is now one of the most creditable portions of the
city. The construction of the bridge had long been desired
by our citizens, and was authorized by the legislature as
early as 1859, but had been delayed from time to time by
the state authorities, and it was finally procured mainly
through the efforts of Mr. McElwain. The opening of
Ontario street from its present western terminus to the
Erie Canal, which would make the approach to that portion
of the city much more convenient, was soon afterward pro
posed and the matter has been subsequently agitated seve
ral times. '
A number of business changes occurred in 1867, occa
sioned by the failure of Alden, Frink & Weston. The
machinery which had belonged to them was sold : that in
the Watervliet Mill to A. J. Root for $42,000 and that in
the Halcyon Mill to Hugh Ranken of Troy for $16,500.
The latter gentleman organized the Ranken Knitting Co.,
with a capital of $50,000, which commenced business Jan.
16th, the officers being as follows: Hugh Ranken, president ;

1 This improvement was talked of by the common council in 1873, and the cost
was reported ot $20,000. It was deemed inexpedient to take action in the matter
at the time, and little has been done concerning it until the present year. A peti
tion from property owners on the street urging its opening, was presented to the
common council, Dec. 4.

192 History of Cohoes. 1867.
Giles B. Kellogg, secretary ; Henry S. Ranken, treasurer.
The other principal stockholders were Gen. John E. Wool,
Wm. Barton, G. P. Cozzens, Geo. B. Smith, D. M. Ranken,
Wm. J. Ranken, all from Troy. The Atlantic Mill was
purchased by Geo. Warhurst, who retired from his partner
ship with Jos. Chadwick. Messrs. J. H. Parsons & Co.
moved into the Watervliet Mill, and their old quarters in
the Egberts & Bailey or Fowler Mill were occupied by
L. Greenman, who moved from the building in which A. J.
Griffin is located. Among the new buildings of the year
was the iron foundery and machine shop on Canvass, Court-
land and Van Rensselaer streets, erected by Fuller & Safely,
whose old foundery on Mohawk street had been purchased
the previous year by the Harmony Co. The machine shop
is 100 by 50 feet and five stories high and the foundery 120
by 60 feet, one story high, both buildings being of brick.'
Several other concerns were located in the building — the
nut manufactory of Geo. & Thomas Brooks, the knitting
needle factory of Henry Dawson — both of which had been
established in the old foundery, and the Magnolia Tape
Mill, owned by Thos. Duncan. ^
Considerable discussion arose during the winter and spring
concerning one or two projects relating to the town of
Watervliet. In March, 1866, notice had been given in the
legislature of a bill " to create the city and county of Water
vliet, embracing the town of Watervliet, and constituting
the villages of Cohoes, West Ti-oy and Green Island, a oity
under the name of Watervliet." This plan was again re
vived and received some slight attention, but was soon for
gotten. In April, an act was passed providing for the
erection of a new town hall to cost $6,000. The commis
sioners named were W. J. Wheeler, supervisor, Henry D.
Fuller and Geo. H. Wager of Cohoes, Francis Phelps and L.
1 The business was sold to Wm . T. Horrobin, Nov. 1, 1873.
" Afterward by Clancy & Co.

1867. History of Cohoes. 193
D. Collins of West Troy, and T. E. Kirkpatrick of Green
Island. Several meetings of the board were held both in
Cohoes and in West Troy, to take preliminary action. A
proposition was made from Messrs. E. W. Fuller and Wm.
Manning to present the town with an acre of land on Lin
coln avenue in Cohoes, as a site for the hall, and a lot in
West Troy was offered by Hon. O. F. Potter. Little was
accomplished beyond the consideration of these proposals.
The commissioners from each village were naturally desir
ous of having the hall located in their village, and as no
amicable conclusion could be reached, the matter rested. '
The first directory of Cohoes was published in this spring
by Wm. H. Young, of Troy, in connection with the directory
of that city, and has since been issued by him in the same
manner. -
The question of purchasing a steamer, the agitation of
which in 1865 has been spoken of, had been of late vigor
ously renewed, and at the tax payers' meeting held for the
purpose of voting upon the sums to be raised by tax during
the ensuing year the item of $5,000 for a steamer was in
cluded in the estimate. When in reading the list this was
reached, a letter was handed the clerk from Hon. C. H.
Adams, in which he proposed to present such an engine to
the village — " as an expression of my personal interest in
the welfare of this community, where I have resided for
nearly a score of years." At the same time a statement
was made, on behalf of the Harmony Co., to the effect that
they had ordered a steamer, which, though it would of
course remain in possession of the company, would always

I In the foUowing year, the West Trojans, foreseeing that if the hall ever was
built it must be in Cohoes, introduced a bill to repeal the above act.
3 The following table shows the ntunber of names in each years' issne since
Cohoes became a city :
1870,.... 3120. 1873,.... 4766.
1871,.... 4146. 1875,.... 6124.
1872, ... . 4630. 1876, .... 5376.
25

194 History of Cohoes. 1867.
be ready to protect all the property of the village. An appro
priation of $6,000 was at once voted for the erection of a
suitable house for the Adams steamer, and with this slight
expense to the citizens in general, the place was provided
by the liberality of private individuals with means of pro
tection against fire second to none in the state. The engine
made its first appearance on the afternoon of July 6th, and
was then formally presented by Mr. Adams to the trustees.
Murray Hubbard, president of the village, responded on
behalf of the board. Henry Brockway then presented the
captain and his assistants with silver trumpets of elaborate
workmanship. The speeches of acceptance were made by
H. B. Silliman, representing the company. The C. H
Adams Steamer Co., which had effected an organization June
17th, contained 36 members, and elected the following as
its first officers : president, H. B. Silliman ; vice pres't, Jno.
V. S. Lansing ; captain, Laban Vredenberg; ass't capt.,
Edwin Hitchcock; secretary, W. Frank Jones; treasurer,
Geo. Campbell; chief engineer, S. G. Root; 1st ass't, John
Clute; 2d ass't, Samuel Nuttall; 3d ass't, Joseph Delehanty.
The steamer purchased by the Harmony Mills, named the
Robert Johnston, made its appearance here in December.
It is of the same size and power as the C. H. Adams and
finished like it, with the exception of the silver mountings.
The Steamer Company, composed of operatives of the Har
mony Mills, was organized Feb. 25th, 1868, and the follow
ing officers elected: president, Robert Johnston ; vice pres't,
A. C. Spencer ; captain, Dan'l Simpson; ass't, Jas. Johnson;
secretary. Ransom Stone; treasurer, Wm. S. Smith; chief
engineer, John A. Link; 1st ass't, A. S. Stebbins; 2d ass't,
John Ballard; 3d ass't, Edwd. McCready; board of trustees,
D. J. Johnston, Wm. E. Thorn, A. T. Becker, Edward Foley,
Duncan Munro.
The necessity of securing an increased supply of water
had been felt for some time, and early in 1868 a movement

1868. History of Cohoes. 195
was made towards the construction of a new reservoir. .\
bill was introduced in the legislature directing the water
commissioners to make estimates of the cost of obtaining
water from the Spring creek at Crescent and also of pro
curing an increased supply from the Cohoes Co. A vote was
to be taken at the spring election ; if the result was in favor
of the Crescent project the bonds of the village were to be
issued for an amount not exceeding $200,000 to defray the
expense; and if for the other plan for an amount not ex
ceeding $70,000. A citizens' meeting was held Feb. 11th,
of which Murray Hubbard was chairman and Malachi
Ball secretary. A communication was read from the Cohoes
Co. offering to furnish such additional power as might be
necessary for enlarged works at the same rates as were then
being paid. A series of resolutions in regard to the matter
was read by H. B. Silliman, and adopted by the meeting,
to the effect that the citizens disapproved, as impracticable,
all plans of bringing water from Crescent, and were in favor
of immediately increasing the supply of water from the
source then used, and of the construction of a new reservoir
or the enlargement of the old one to the necessary size. A
committee was appointed to draft a bill in accordance with
the spirit of the resolutions, and the act providing for
the construction of the new reservoir was passed May 8.
The Harmony Mill No. 3, or Mastodon Mill, begun in
1866, commenced operations this year, the first cotton being
taken into the pickers February 1. The building, to which
an extension was afterward built, is 565 by 77 feet and five
stories high with a fire proof wing of the same height and
50 by 150 feet, in which the pickers are placed. The fol
lowing figures concerning this mill were published at the
time of its completion:
" In its erection the following material was used: 1,000
yards of stone, 3,000,000 brick, 4500 yards of sand, 30,000
bushels of lime, 1,000,000 lbs. cast and wrought iron, 800,000
feet hemlock plank, 500,000 feet pine timber, 450,000 feet

196 History of Cohoes. 1868.
southern pine flooring, 400,000 feet pine ceiling, and 1,000
kegs nails. It is lighted by 1,000 gaslights supplied by four
miles of gas pipes. The machinery, which is of the most
approved kind that could be found in England and America,
includes 70,000 yarn spindles and 1,500 looms. When all
running it will produce 60,000 yards of cloth per day."
A new enterprise of the year was the cider and vinegar
factory of Messrs. Oliver Bros., for which they erected a
brick building 35 by 100 feet, and three stories high on the
corner of Remsen and Schuyler streets. A new knitting
factory was established by Messrs. Wm. Nuttall & Co. who
took the Empire Mill, once occupied by L. W. Mansfield,
and at a later date by Moore & Hiller.
The number of French Canadians in Cohoes had greatly
increased within the last few years, and as they are almost
without exception Catholics, they formed an important part
of St. Bernard's congregation. The constant growth of
their ranks at length compelled a separation of the congre
gations, and in June arrangements were accordingly'made
for the establishment of a Canadian church. A census was
taken of the number of French Catholics then in the village,
under direction of Joseph LaBoeuf, chairman of the com
mittee, resulting as follows: "Heads of families, 387; com
municants, 1,470: total number of persons, 2,209." Applica
tion was made to Bishop Conroy for the appointment of a
French priest, and provision was made for a room in which
to hold service until a church could be erected. The pastor.
Rev. L. H. Saugon, arrived in Cohoes in August, and at
once commenced earnest efforts to raise the necessary build
ing fund. A lot was purchased on Congress street, between
White and Hart streets, and on Nov. 22d the corner stone
of St. Joseph's church was laid with appropriate ceremonies
by Bishop Conroy.
In January, 1869, the project for incorporating Cohoes as
a city, which had been under consideration at intervals for
several years, assumed definite shape, and a charter was

1869. History of Cohoes. 197
drawn up for presentation to the legislature. Some discussion
on the subject arose, and the Cataract for several months
was occupied with letters on both sides of the question.
The principal grounds of opposition, as stated in these com
munications, was that under the city charter the government
would fall into the hands of a political rabble, and that
the better class of citizens would have little or no voice in
the management of affairs ; it was also held that greater
opportunity would be furnished for extravagant expenditure
and that taxation would be largely increased. The friends
of the bill of course denied that there was any more chance
of such calamities befalling Cohoes as a city than there was
if the village government continued, and claimed further
more that the rates of taxation would be in some particulars
reduced, since Cohoes would no longer have to contribute
to the support of a town government, in which it was
allowed to have little share. The Cataract was strongly
in favor of the bill, and contained a number of articles
stating the reasons for advocating its passage, among which
was the following :
" Thus far in the existence of Cohoes, there has seemed
to be a lack of local pride on the part of its inhabitants.
Our proximity to Troy and Albany has lead us, naturally,
to depend upon them in a large degree for mercantile facil
ities, and as a consequence, Cohoes has been looked upon
by the outside world more as a suburb of those two cities
than as a live, independent municipality of itself. But the
moment Cohoes assumes the proportions of a city, and fol
lows it up with a proper — but not overweening sense of its
own importance, we shall feel the result favorably. Our citi
zens will be more self reliant, and pride in our growing city
will keep at home hundreds of thousands of dollars which
now go to enrich the mercantile trade of adjoining cities."
The bill, which had been considerably modified since the
first draft, passed the assembly April 15th, but did not
become a law until May 19th. This delay on the part of
the senate, and the insertion in the act of a provision by
which it was not to take effect until 1870, were due to the

198 History op Cohoes. 1869.
efforts of its opposers, as was stated at the time, and were
accounted for by political reasons.
The velocipede excitement, prevalent throughout the
country during this year, reached Cohoes in the winter, and
furnished material for a number of paragraphs in the local
paper. The appearance on the streets of the first velocipede
was thus described :
" Velocipedism is becoming a mania about these days.
On Thursday evening, Feb. 24, Mr. Chas. P. Craig showed
himself astride of one on Remsen street, to the great delight
of all the people. Shout after shout went up from the gaz
ing multitude, especially when the machine careened and
dumped the rider. On Saturday morning he gave us a free
exhibition, followed by scores of the gamins of Cohoes."
A rink was opened on Factory street, in the hall at the
rear of the hotel, which remained in successful operation for
some time. Comparatively few of the vehicles were seen
on the street, however, and the furore in regard to them
was much less than in adjoining cities, perhaps because
Cohoes streets at the time were not adapted for that sort
of travel.
There were during this year several important additions
to the manufacturing interests of the place. Two new knit
ting mills were established, one by Himes & Vail, who
leased the building on Mohawk street, which had formerly
been occupied by Parsons & Co., and put in operation six
sets of machinery ; the other by the Alaska Knitting Co.,
located in Fuller & Safely's new building. The officers
were : Simeon Holroyd, secretary ; Robt. Safely, treasurer ;
Horace Fisher, agent.' On Courtland street, corner of Can
vass, a brick building, 50 by 100 feet and three stories high,
was erected by John Land & Sons, for a sawing and planing
mill. The foundery and machine shop on Van Rensselaer
street near Courtland, was established in the latter part of
» ThiB establiBlunent was removed to Waterford in the latter part of 1871.

1869. History op Cohoes. 199
the year by Wm. T. Horrobin. The foundery building is
one story high, 100 by 60 feet, and the machine shop is three
stories high, 100 by 50 feet. Extensive additions, embrac
ing blacksmith shop, pattern house, etc., were soon after
ward made. A number of residences and stores were also
erected. Prominent among these new buildings was the block
erected by C. H. Adams on Remsen street, below Ontario. It
is three stories in height, built of Philadelphia brick, with an
ornamental iron front. The plate glass windows in the stores
on the ground floor were the first ones introduced in Cohoes.
On the site of the old Heamstreet tavern, on Mohawk
street one door below Factory, a brick block three stories
high was erected by Mr. Witbeck of Troy. Among the
public improvements were the engine houses on Main street
and Johnston avenue and a new school house corner of
Cataract and School streets. Several additions and im
provements were also made on church property. An ex
tension was buUt on the Presbyterian church at a cost of
$7,000, by which its capacity was doubled; as enlarged the
building is 95 by 48 feet with transepts on the south 59 feet
in width, and contains 172 pews, capable of seating 700
people. It was rededicated Jan. 20, 1870. Adjoining St.
Bernard's church a parsonage was built 40 by 40 feet, three
stories high, at a cost of $15,000. The Baptist congregation
also commenced the erection of a parsonage on the lot south
of the church, which was completed in the following year,
at a cost of about $5,000. St. Joseph's church was dedicated
Dec. 12th, with the usual ceremonies. The first mass was
celebrated by Rev. Thos. Keveney — the pastor. Father Sau
gon, being on account of illness unable to attend.
A series of articles appeared in the Albany Express during
the year on the growth and manufactures of Cohoes. These
were revised and expanded by Mr. Edward Fitzgerald, and
published in a pamphlet of 55 pages entitled The City of
Cohoes. Its History, Growth and Prospects, Its Great

200 History of Cohoes. 1869.
Manufactories. The contents were chiefly descriptions of
the manufacturing establishments then in operation and
statistics of their production. At the close of the publica
tion appeared the following summary:
"At present the city numbers over 16,000 inhabitants.
Its manufactories comprise six extensive cotton mills,
running 203,000 spindles, eighteen large knitting mills, two
foundries, three machine shops, a rolling mill, two axe
factories, a planing mill, a sawing and veneering establish
ment, and many other large and flourishing industrial con
cerns. The aggregate capital invested in manufacturing
operations is estimated at $20,000,000. The mercantile in
terests of the city are represented by over 300 large and
prosperous retail establishments. The religious wants of
the community are supplied by six large and magnificent
churches. Two splendid steam fire engines of great power
are at the service of the fire department."

1870. History of Cohoes. 201

XI.
1870 to 1876.
X ROM the time that Cohoes assumed the dignity of a
city, a marked change was ajiparent in its general character.
A certain degree of local piidc became developed, which it
must be confessed had pre^ iously been wanting, and the
results were a wonderful improvement in the appearance of
the place, and the provision of many conveniences which had
long been needed for the comfort and well-being of its
citizens. The gradual accomplishment of these changes,
and the evidences of substantial growth which they afford,
form a notable feature of the history of Cohoes for the next
few years.
The first election under the city charter was held April
12, 1870. It passed off very quietly, and the number of
votes polled (1,850), was much larger than at any previous
election. The city government was formally organized on
the evening of Tuesday, April 19th. After the meetuig was
called to order and the mayor had administered the necessary
oaths of office, the aldermen proceeded to act as a board of
canvassers, and the result of the election was officially
announced. The privilege of the floor was then obtained
by Augustus Ellmaker, late president of the village, who,
in behalf of the late trustees, presented an elegant watch to
Malachi Ball, who for six years previous had been the effi
cient clerk of the vUlage and board of education. After
this agreeable incident, the mayor delivered his inaugural —
a short but comprehensive address, in which were stated
the financial condition of the city, and the improvements
most needed. The appointments were then made, and the
standing committees announced. The meeting was spoken
of in the Cataract as follows :
26

202 History op Cohoes. 1870.
" After the transaction of a few minor items of business
the board adjourned, having had a session that was remark
able for its unanimity and the good order that prevailed.
The new officers seemed to slip into the routine of then-
positions as easily as if they had been to the manner bom;
and those who expected a hitch in the proceedings were
disappointed in their expectations. The mayor presided
with a dignity becoming his high official position, and in
the cast of his committees evinced a thorough knowledge
of the needs of the several departments and a just estimate
of the peculiar qualifications of the gentlemen for the
various positions to be filled. We congratulate our citizens
upon the auspicious commencement of our career as a city
and trust that the most sanguine expectations of the friends
of the new system may be realized, and the fears and appre
hensions of its opponents prove unfounded."
The capital police law of 1865, though excellent in many
of its features, had for some time been made the subject of
complaint, and during the winter of 1870, steps were taken
by several of the cities and villages which were under its
provisions to procure laws creating a different system.
Cohoes was one of the last so to do, and it was not until
May 6, that the bill under which our present police system
is organized was passed. Under this act the government of
police affairs was vested in a board of police commissioners,
consisting of the mayor and two others, the term of office
of the latter being four years. The police force appointed
by the board was made to consist of a captain, sergeant,
not more than seven patrolmen, a station-house keeper
and a surgeon. The first commissioners under this act were
chosen at the general election in November.
Soon after the charter went into operation, movements
were made towards securing some of the substantial im
provements which it was expected would follow as a natural
result of the new form of municipal government. The
streets, which had so long been a discredit to the place,
and had for over twenty years been made the subject for a
paragraph in almost every issue of the village newspaper,

1870. History of Cohoes. 203
were among the first objects to which attention was directed.
In the early part of June a petition for the pavement of
Remsen street from Mohawk to White street was presented
to the common council. The committee was unable to de
cide at once upon the style of pavement which would be
most suitable and give greatest satisfaction to the property
owners on the street. A long and animated discussion fol
lowed, on the merits of the respective pavements — and a
number of communications on the subject were published
in the Cataract. The decision was finally made in favor
of a wooden pavement, the Brocklebank and Trainor, and
the work of laying it was commenced in October.
The new reservoir, work on which had been commenced
in the preceding year, was completed in July, and the water
was pumped into it on the 25th of that month. It occupies
three and a quarter acres of land, situated at the west of
the first reservoir, which were bought in 1869 from Mrs.
Jane A. Lansing, for $1,800. It has a capacity of 8,000,000
gallons, and is at an elevation of 28 feet above the old one,
and 190 feet above the central portion of the town. The
first pump which was constructed for this reservoir did not
operate satisfactorily and another was afterward substituted,
built under direction of D. H. Van Auken, engineer of the
Cohoes Co. This pump is double acting, 16 inch diameter
and 6 feet stroke, working 10 strokes to the minute, moving
a column of water 16 inches in diameter 120 feet per minute,
and elevating it into the new reservoir 118 feet above the
pump bed. It is driven by a Jonval turbine water wheel of
100 horse power, made by Fuller & Safely.
On Sept. 17th, the first number of the Cohoes Weekly
Democrat, a paper about the size of the Advertiser of 1847,
was issued. It was an outgrowth of a smaller sheet called
the Watchman and Chronicle which had been published
during a few months previous by D. Cady. Mr. Cady's as
sistant in the editorship of the Democrat was John H. At
kinson.

204 History of Cohobs. 1870.
Among the new manufacturing firms which commenced
operations this year was the Cohoes Lime, Cement <fc Plaster
Co., which located its works near the Cohoes Co.'s dam.
The proprietors were T. G. Younglove, David T. Lamb,
Henry I. Dunsbaoh, G. H. Stewart and L. Dodge. The
first kiln, a Page's Patent Flame Kiln — was put in opera
tion during the summer. ¦
Another establishment, Trost & Bezner proprietors, was
located in Land & Son's building on Conrtland street ; the
articles of manufacture being furniture, and fancy articles
in wood.-
The general improvement of the place during the year
was marked. The completion of the new water works, and
the addition of two hose companies to the fire department
rendered the protection against fire very complete ; several
important changes were made by the board of education
in the method of conducting the schools, and arrangements
were made for the erection of the White street school house,
a building which had long been needed ; many of the streets
were graded and repaired, and several sections of country
roads, which under the provisions of the charter were in
cluded in the city limits, were improved ; the construction
of sewers, a matter which had formerly been too much
neglected, owing to the limited power granted to the village
trustees, received the attention of the authorities, and sewers
were laid in portions of Remsen, Mohawk, Oriskany, Main

^ A mill for grinding cement and plaster was built in the following year. In 1873
the capacity of the works was increased by the erection ol another mill, and two
additional kilns. The second mill is located near the Erie Canal, 250 feet from the
first, from which the power is obtained by means of a wire cable. The cost of the
works was about $50,000. In 1875 this firm was succeeded by the Cohoes Lime &
Cement Co., incorporated Aug. 18th with a capital of $70,000. The following were
the first offlcers : president, D. T. Lamb ; secretary, T. G. Tounglove ; treasurer, D.
H. Van Auken. D. T. Lamb, H. I. Dunsbach, M. O. Canldwell, T. G. Younglove,
G. H. Stewart, L. Dodge, trustees.
' The style of this firm was changed July 21, 1876, to the Trost & Bezner Mfg. Co.
John T. Saxe, proprietor.

1871. History op Cohoes. 205
and Cedar streets. The cost of these various improvements,
as shown in the mayor's report, was in the neighborhood of
$80,000. The taxes were of course increased, but not so
largely as many supposed — the rate being less than a
quarter of one per cent greater than that of the previous
year. The census of this year indicated the largest five
years' growth in the history of the place, there being an in
crease of 6,578 over the official census of 1865. The male
inhabitants over the age of 2 1 were 2,574, divided as follows :
1st ward, 779 ; 2d ward, 717 ; 3d ward, 728 ; 4th ward,
' 350. The following statistics in regard to manufactures
were given :
Manufacturing establishments,  196
Capital invested,  $4,030,641
Wages paid yearly,  1,839,572
Value material used,  5,084,940
" annual production,  7,889,331
In Februaiy, 1871, several amendments to the charter
were prepared by a committee from the common council,
which were presented to the legislature and passed in May.
Among the changes were the following : provision was made
for the election of two justices of the peace to serve until
1874 ; the common council was invested with power to pass
certain ordinances and regulations for the government of
the city, and to appoint commissioners of deeds ; the term
of office of the chamberlain was made two years; the power
of the recorder was increased, and his salary fixed at $2,000,
and the term of office of the overseer of the poor was ex
tended from one to three years. Considerable dissatisfaction
was expressed at the last two amendments, which it was
claimed were added after the bill had left the hands of the
committee in Cohoes.
On Sunday, June 10, the new St. John's church, at the
junction of Canvass and Mohawk streets, was formally
opened by Bishop Doane, who had laid the corner stone on

206 History op Cohoes. 1871.
June 11th of the previous year. The ceremonies of consecra
tion were postponed until a small debt yet remaining on the
building should be liquidated. The customary morning
service was read. Bishop Doane, Rev. Ferris Tripp, of
Brooklyn, Rev. Chas. Babcook of Greenwood Works, and
Rev. J. H. H. Brown, rector of the parish, officiating. The
sermon was preached by Bishop Doane. The building,
which will accommodate 1,000 persons, is built of Schenec
tady stone faced with brick, in the modern gothic style,
with transept. The nave of the church is 100 feet long,
68 feet wide and 60 feet to the peak of the roof. The ceil
ing is in blue, and the upper part of the walls has a red
ground, diapered. The chancel, which is square, measures
20 by 30 feet, with a large window in the rear. The organ
and choir are placed in an alcove a few feet above the level
of the transept, on which it opens through an archway.
The chapel is 24 by 32 feet and opens on the church and
chancel in the same manner as the organ alcove, so that it
can be used if desired to make extra accommodations for
the church. The Sunday school room, which will seat 450
pupils, is located in the lower part of the building. The
rectory, connected with the chapel, is of the same material
as the church, and a model of convenience. Besides what
is now built, it is the design to have a tower on the south
side of the church, with a stone spire 160 feet high. The
cost of the structure as far as finished is $40,000, and the
completion of it will cost $20,000 more.
Among the additions this year to the business of the oity
was the Cohoes Warp Mill and Thread Co., incorporated
July 23d, with Collins Arnold, president and treasurer, and
Stillman Ilsley, secretary. The manufactures of this com
pany are hosiery yarns and cops, seaming thread, chain
warps, etc., which are used principally by cotton and woolen
mills. The building which is on the site of the Miles White
forge shop, on Mohawk street, is of brick, 50 by 80 feet)

1871. History op Cohoes. 207
four stories high, and was completed in July. Another new
factory was erected by the Empire Pin Co., on Courtland
street, a brick building 40 by 100 feet, and five stories high.
With its increased facilities the company did an extensive
business, operating 40 machines and producing 46,800 papers
of pins per week. These papers average 280 pins each,
making a yearly production of 681,408,000.
The Waterford and Cohoes Bridge was burned on the
night of the 31st October, but little to the regret of the
citizens, if we may judge from the following, from the
Cataract: "It was never considered a first class structure and
of late years has been a source of constant dread to
those who have been obliged to cross it, and a standing
insult to public enterprise. During the conflagration, the
general expression seemed to be that it were better thus
than that the lives of our citizens should be endangered by
its longer use."
A steam ferry was established for the accommodation of
passengers, and a tug was provided to tow the boats in the
Champlain Canal across the river. The new state dam just
below the bridge, which had been commenced in June, 1870,
was completed this fall, by Sherrill, Strong & Flood, con
tractors. Its length between the piers is 1,640 feet.
The building of this dam enabled Messrs. Weed, Becker
& Co. to obtain an additional head of five feet of water,
and add largely to the capacity of their establishment. The
improvements connected with these increased facilities were
completed during the year at a cost of $20,000.
In October, when the news was received here of the great
fires which devastated Chicago, and different places in
Michigan and Wisconsin, the citizens were prompt to come
forward with substantial expressions of sympathy. A public
meeting was at once held in Egberts' Hall to take measures
for the relief of the sufferers, at which Mayor Adams pre
sided. Committees of five gentlemen from each ward were
appointed to receive subscriptions, who were to report to the

208 History of Cohoes. 1872.
following general committee : Hon. C. H. Adams, Murray
Hubbard, D. J. Johnston, H. B. Silliman, Wm. Nuttall.
The response to the call was general and liberal. About
$4,000 in cash were raised, of which $2,500 were sent to
Chicago and the balance to the sufferers by the fires in
Wisconsin and Michigan. Knit goods and other articles of
clothing to the value of $5,000 were also forwarded.
A matter which occasioned considerable discussion in Co
hoes during the early part of 1872, was what was known
as the Boulevard bill, introduced in January. It pro
vided for the construction of a broad avenue, the line of
which was to extend along the Hudson river terrace, begin
ning at the Newtonville road in Albany and running north,
passing a little to the west of the Rural Cemetery and ter
minating in Cohoes at or near Johnston avenue, affording
a straight and level street nine miles in length. The work
was to be supervised by seven commissioners, of whom three
were from Albany, two from Watervliet, and two from
Cohoes, the gentlemen named from this place being David
J. Johnston and H. S. Bogue. The expense, estimated at
$100,000, was to be defrayed by the localities to be benefited;
bonds were to be issued by the city of Albany to the amount
of $50,000 and by the town of Watervliet and the city of
Cohoes, each for $25,000. The newspapers in the neighbor
hood were almost without exception in favor of the project,
and it had a number of strong supporters among the citizens
of Albany and Cohoes. There was, however, from the be
ginning a strong feeling against it in West Troy, and con
siderable ojDposition was soon developed here. Many
persons claimed that the bill was a private measure intro
duced merely to advance the interests of individuals who
owned property along the route of the proposed road; and
also that in case the latter should be constructed, it would
be used merely as a pleasure drive, and, not being suitable
for the passage of heavy vehicles, would be of no business

1872. History of Cohoes. 209
advantage. The principal objection, however, which was
urged by Cohoes people, was that if the city were to be
bonded .at all, the money should be expended in making
improvements for which there was more pressing necessity.
These objections were answered by the friends of the bill,
but they failed to entirely overcome the prejudice against
it, and it did not go into effect.
A bill introduced during the s;ime month made several
changes in the charter of the city, the principal one being
in regard to the recorder and overseer of the poor. The
former office was abolished, and provision was made that
the latter be filled annually by appointment of the common
council. In February, the Cohoes Hospital was established, an
institution which for lack of proper support has not had
the permanence it deserved. Its officers were : president,
Robert Johnston ; vice president. Earl L. Stimson ; secre
tary, Wm. E. Thorn ; treasurer, Wm. Burton ; committee,
T. G. Younglove, H. B. Silliman, W. S. Gilbert. A build
ing was hired on Harmony Hill, in which a free dispensary
was established, and Drs. Robertson, of Albany, and J. W.
Moore and Jas. Featherstonhaugh of this city, gave their
services to those in need of them. '
With the rapid growth in the business interests of Cohoes,
it had for some time been apparent that there was a favor
able opportunity for the establishment of a second banking
institution, and a movement to this effect was made in
January by a number of prominent business men, which
resulted in the organization, on March 21st, of the Manu
facturers' Bank of Cohoes, with a capital of $100,000. The
first officers were as follows : president, Wm. E. Thorn ; vice

' This laudable enterprise was supported for a time almost entirely bythe contri
butions of private citizens. A bill was passed in May, 1873, authorizing the
common council to appropriate $1,000 annually for its maintenance. This did not
go into effect, however, and, not receiving any encouragement, the gentlemen in
charge of the institution were forced to abandon it, not being willing to defray all
its expenseB from their own pockets.
27

210 History of Cohoes. 1872.
president, Jno. V. S. Lansing ; cashier, N. W. Frost; di
rectors, Wm. E. Thorn, Jno. V. S. Lansing, D. H. Van
Auken, Geo. Campbell, J. W. Himes, Jacob Travis, D. J.
Johnston, Nicholas J. Clute, Wm. Moore, Alfred Le Roy,
P. R. Chadwick. Rooms were fitted up at No. 70 Oneida
street, and the institution was opened for the transaction of
business, July 8th.
Theprojectof uniting Lansingburg and Cohoes by bridges
across the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, which had been
agitated in the papers of the vicinity at dififerent times pre
vious, assumed definite shape by the incorporation of the
Lansingburg and Cohoes Bridge Co. in March. The bill
provided for the construction of " a bridge and the ap
proaches thereto, over the Hudson from some point on Van
Schaick's Island, in the city of Cohoes to some point in the
village of Lansingburg, south of said ferry."
It was expected that the erection of a bridge across the
Mohawk from the island to Cohoes, concerning which Mr.
Adams, owner of the island, had made some generous offers
would soon follow, as arrangements had been made the pre
vious autumn. The scheme seemed to meet with approval
from all parties concerned. The papers of Troy were
earnest in its favor, on the ground that the road distance
between that place and Cohoes would be diminished by
nearly a mile and communication between the two cities be
greatly facilitated ; while the Cohoes papers hailed with
satisfaction the prospect of beautiful building sites and
pleasant drives which was offered to our citizens. As in
the case of the Boulevard bill, however, while the value
which such an improvement would have was acknowledged
on all sides, something occurred to kill the project, and there
has been no definite movement towards developing that
part of our city until the present year.
The new bridge across the Mohawk above the state dam
was completed in September at a cost of about $25,000.
It is 704 feet long and consists of four spans of 140 feet and

1872. History of Cohoes. 211
one of 135 feet. The side walks and tow path are each f-ix
feet wide, and the trusses twenty-one feet high. It is known
as the Combination Bridge, the top chord and posts being
of wood, and the lower chord, main and center braces of
iron. Belden and Gale of Syracuse were the contractors.
An event of importance in the history of Cohoes man
ufactures was the completion in this year of the extension
to the Harmony Mill No. 3, making the largest complete
cotton mill in the country. The extension is five stories
high, and 510 feet long by 76 feet wide, making the entire
structure 1,185 by 70-76 feet. The junction of the exten
sion with the main building is marked by the central tower,
a handsome fire proof structure eight stories in height. A
niche in this contains a bronze statue of the late Thos.
Garner, for years one of the principal proprietors of the
mills, which was cast by the xVmes Mfg. Co. of Chicopee,
Mass., after a model by Millman. Underneath this tower
is the main entrance, substantially built of granite. There
are four other entrances to the building, each surmounted
by a lofty tower. The building is constructed throughout
of the best and most durable materials, and its front is
handsomely trimmed with brown-stone. Besides its great
importance to the place in a business point of view, the fine
architecture of this mill and its complete finish in every
detail render it a principal ornament of the city, and it is
among the first objects of interest to strangers who visit us.
The Harmony Co. made a further addition to their estab
lishment by the purchase in the early part of the year of
the paper mill building on Mohawk street, south of the No.
2 mill, in which the manufacture of jute was afterwards
commenced. Messrs. Van Benthuysen & Sons, the pro
prietors of the paper mill, moved their machinery to Castle
ton, where they had a similar establishment. '

1 The water of the Mohawk was too muddy in the spring and fall for use in their
business, and the proprietors had several years before commenced the boring of an
artesian well, which was carried down over 2,300 feet before it was abandoned.

212 History of Cohoes. 1872.
An addition to the knitting interests of the place was
the establishment of the Globe Mill by Le Roy, Lamb & Co.,
Wm. Moore being the third partner. ' The firm took pos
session of the building on Remsen street between the
Diamond and Star Mills, which had been occupied since
1857 by the Harmony Co., and put in operation four sets
of machinery. The second mill south of this, a building
30 by 96 feet, and four stories high, was fitted up for knitting
purposes early in this year by George Warhurst, of the
Atlantic Mill on Mohawk street, who sold both establish
ments to Thompson & Horrocks, in the fall. Two new
knitting mills, the Peerless, and the Sunnyside, were
located respectively in the first and second stories of the
Empire Pin Co.'s building on Courtland street. The former,
Joseph Bullock and Bro. proprietors, ran two sets, and
the latter, of the same capacity, was owned by Fisher and
Melinda. Neither remained in permanent operation.
A new establishment of the year was a gas and steam pipe
factory erected near Courtland street between Saratoga and
Van Rensselaer streets, by the Empire Tube Co. The com
pany was incorporated with a capital of $50,000, the follow
ing being trustees : Jas. Morrison, Thos. Colwell, Buckley
T. Benton, Jas. M. Morehead, W. H. Atwater.'-
A series of articles, afterward issued in pamphlet form^
was published in the Cataract during the year, giving a
complete and careful account of the manufacturing estab
lishments of the place. The statistics of production may be
summarized as follows : The Harmony Mills had in opera
tion 251,000 spindles, and employed 5,170 operatives. The
knitting mills, 20 in number, operated 129 sets of machinery,
employing 2,503 operatives, at a monthly pay roll of $58,900.

' Mr. Moore afterward withdrew, selling his interest to the other partners.
"The company never commenced active operations, but leased the factory to
Albert Smith and Jas. M. Morehead, who ran it a few months. On May Ist, 1874,
the present firm, consisting of Albert Smith and A. G. Curtis, was formed.

1872. History op Cohoes. 213
The annual production was 453,000 doz. goods valued at
$3,620,000. The establishments in the iron manufacture, 4
in number, employed 685 men at a monthly pay roll of
$35,800. The value of the annual production, consisting of
axes, iron and machinery, was $1,680,000. Miscellaneous
establishments employed 394 hands at a monthly pay roll
of $14,010, and produced goods annually to the amount of
$479,000. The annual production stated of other concerns
of which no further statistics were given, amounted in the
aggregate to $451,000. The total yearly value of manu
factured products thus shown was $6,230,000, exclusive of
those of the Harmony Mills. A summary of the mercantile
establishments, professions, etc., was also given, as follows :
" Groceries, 56 ; dry goods stores, 9 ; clothing stores, 7 ;
millinery and fancy goods stores, 25 ; drugs and medicines,
7 ; boot and shoe stores, 15 ; hat and cap stores, 3 ; job
printing offices, 1 ; news rooms, 2 ; cigar manufacturers,
5 ; flour and feed stores, 1 ; lumber yards, 3 ; coal dealers,
5 ; junk dealers, 2 ; liquor dealers, 79 ; meat markets, 22 ;
jewelers, 3 ; sewing machine agencies, 4 ; insurance agen
cies, 7 ; fruit and confectionery stores, 6 ; oyster dealers,
4 ; music stores, 1 ; piano rooms, 1 ; marble yards, 1. Of
other trades and occupations, we enumerate as follows :
dress making establishments, 8 ; attorneys, 12 ; physicians,
11 ; teachers, 34 ; clergymen, 8 ; dentists, 2 ; photograph
ers, 3 ; surveyors, 2 ; architects, 1 ; barbers, 9 ; auction
eers, 2."
Among the improvements of the year was the enlargement
of the Baptist church, at a cost of $15,000. The front was
extended to the side-walk, a distance of some 20 feet, thus
greatly enlarging the seating capacity of the building, and
a spire and towers were constructed which much improved
its appearance. The interior of the edifice was entirely
renovated and its walls and ceiling handsomely frescoed.
The church was formally opened on the evening of Jan.
15th, 1873, the dedication services being postponed, until
the debt incurred in making the improvements should be
liquidated. An historical sermon, giving a detailed account

214 History op Cohoes. 1873.
of the organization and progress of the church, was preached
by the pastor. Rev. L. S. Johnson, which was followed by
the singing of a hymn composed for the occasion, and con
gratulatory addresses by Revs. C. A. Johnson of Whitehall,
Mr. Hanna of West Troy, and C. P. Sheldon, D.D., of Troy.
Other clergymen present and participating in the exercises
were Rev. Mr. Kenley of Lansingburg, and Rev. Wm. M.
Johnson of the First Presbyterian church, Cohoes.
The long period of exemption from serious loss by fire
which Cohoes manufacturers had enjoyed was interrupted
in February, 1873, by the occurrence of two destructive
conflagrations. On the afternoon of the 1st, a fire was
discovered in the card room of the Stark Mill, on Courtland
street. Efforts were made to extinguish it without giving an
alarm, but the whole room was soon in flames, which com
menced to spread to adjoining parts of the building, and
the operatives throughout the mill were at once informed
of their danger. Most of them escaped through the doors
but some who were in the upper stories, finding the staircase
impassable, were forced to jump from the windows upon
the sheds and ground beneath. It is a matter of surprise
that only a few persons were injured, and those but slightly —
had the building been higher, or the circumstances less
favorable, a catastrophe like that at Hurst's Mill might have
occurred. The structure was a mass of flames when the
firemen reached it, and their efforts were principally directed
towards preventing the destruction of the Miller House and
other adjoining buildings. The loss of the proprietors,
Scott & Stewart, upon machinery and stock, was between
$35,000 and $40,000, which was covered by insurance for
$22,000. The loss on the building was $3,000.
On the morning of the 14th, a fire broke out in the third
story of the Erie Mill, on Erie street, caused by the falling
of a small bit of waste, ignited by the gas, into a pile of
laps upon the floor. It was some fifteen minutes before

1873. History of Cohoes. 215
an alarm could be sounded and when the firemen arrived
the two upper stories of the mill were in flames. The de
partment could accomplish but little, for the water was
shut off from the reservoir and there was not enough head
upon that in the pipes to throw a stream into the second
story of the building, and some of the nearest hydrants
were besides found to be frozen. Fortunately there was
no wind at the time, and the danger to the adjoining mills,
Parsons's and Thompson & Horrocks's, was comparatively
slight. The loss on the building, which belonged to Wm.
Burton, was $12,000 ; Mr. Moore, proprietor of the mill, lost
on machinery, etc., between $40,000 and $50,000 of which
$25,000 were insured.
The necessity of procuring horses for the Adams steamer
had been for some time urged in the city papers, but no
action was taken on it by the common council. As it was
evident, however, at these two fires, that much valuable pro
perty could have been saved if the department had been
promptly on hand, steps were taken to avoid in future such
disastrous delays ; and accordingly a few months later a team
of horses was purchased for the steamer and the services of
a paid engineer and driver secured.
Among the evidences of the prosperity of the place — at
this time at its height — were several movements which were
set on foot early in the year, for important public improve
ments. One of the enterprises proposed was the erection of
a new hotel, with all modern conveniences — an institution
talked of and desired since the earliest days of the place.
The Cohoes Co. were in former years in the habit of hold
ing their annual dinners at the Cohoes Hotel, and in 1840,
when the house was managed by the Messrs. Fuller, elabo
rate plans were made, while the guests were under the
warming influence of a generous repast, for the erection of
an elegant hotel. It was to be built in the pine grove which
was then standing between Courtland street and the river,

216 History of Cohoes. 1873.
on the ground now occupied by Fuller's building. The estab
lishment was to be fitted up in the most complete manner,
and to have among other attractions, floating baths in the
river below, connected with the hotel by a covered passage
and a flight of stairs. The nearest this enterprise ever
came to completion was the preparation of the plans, which
were drawn up by Joshua R. Clarke — for in the next year
commenced a period of business depression, the effects of
which were severely felt here. Since that time the project
had been considered by several different parties, and the
columns of the Cataract, from almost its first number, con
tained frequent appeals to the citizens to take some action
in the matter.
The first movement of any importance was made in April
of this year, when a bill was introduced in the legislature
incorporating the Cohoes Hotel Co., of which the following
gentlemen (who were to be the first directors), were named
as incorporators : T. G. Younglove, Andrew J. Root, John
V. S. Lansing, D. J. Johnston, Wm. S. Gilbert, Murray
Hubbard, S. E. Stimson, Wm. T. Horrobin, Henry S. Bogue,
Thos. Colwell, Otis G. Clark, John Wakeman and Jacob
Travis. The capital stock was fixed at $150,000 with liberty
to increase to $200,000, to be divided into shares of $100
each. The company had several plans under discussion,
but before any definite arrangements were concluded the
panic came on, which, as in 1 840, put a stop to further proceed
ings, and at present the long desired hotel is still unbuilt. '

> " The owners of the city hotel property are contemplating the erection of a
first-class hotel building on the site of the old building. An Albany firm of archi
tects already have the plans under way. It is to be of brick of modern style in con
struction, at a cost of from between fifty and sixty thousand dollars, it will front
on Mohawk street, and extend back a distance of one hundred and fifty feet, a
sufficient depth to be reserved to allow stores being built fronting on Remsen street.
The wealthy New York Spanish house which owns this valuable property, is pre
pared to go ahead, the only obstacle is the lease which the present occupants
have."— ZJai/yiVcws, Nov., '76.

1878. History of Cohoes. 217
-Another improvement suggested during this year was a
fire alarm telegraph, concerning which there was considera
ble discussion in the common council. The expense of its
introduction — $7,000 — was decided to be more than the
city could then sustain, and the matter was dropped.
On April 1, a meeting of business men was held at the
Manufacturers' Bank to take steps for the formation of a
board of trade in this city. Henry Brockway acted as
chairman, and N. W. Frost as secretary. A committee
was appointed to consider and investigate the matter, con
sisting of P. R. Chadwick, H. B. Silliman, J. W. Himes,
Wm. Acheson and Jno. V. S. Lansing. Subsequent meet
ings were held, but no permanent organization was ever
effected. Progressive movements of this sort, though they accom
plished but little at the time, are worthy of record, for the
full development of the above and other similar projects
which have been mentioned, will surely come at no distant
day, and it will then be of interest to know the time at
which their necessity first became apparent and the details
of the earliest efforts made in regard to them.
The Mechanics' Savings Bank, which had been incorpo
rated in March, commenced business in May, its office being
established in the Manufacturers' Bank rooms on Oneida st.
The following were the first officers: president, Robert
Johnston; 1st vice pres't, John Clute; 2d vice pres't, Wm.
Stanton; secretary, Wm. S. Smith; treasurer, Abner J.
Griffin; assistant treasurer, Leonard J. Groesbeck.
On September 22d, was issued the first number of the
Cohoes Daily News, Edward Monk editor and proprietor,
and Clark & Foster printers. The paper was 18 by 13
inches, four columns to the page, and the arrangement of
the reading matter was the same as at present. The editors'
salutatory was as follows:
" The Daily News will be published daily, at noon (Sun-
28

218 History op Cohoes. 1873.
days excepted"), at No. 1, Granite Hall, Remsen street, Co
hoes, N. Y., and can be procured at the news-rooms and at
this office or will be delivered to subscribers at one cent per
copy. The News is especially intended as a local paper and,
although a portion of its space may contain a brief summary
of general news and miscellaneous matter, its columns will
principally be devoted to the doings and transactions daily
occurring in our city. With this object in view, items of in
terest and news about town will be thankfully received at
the office of publication; also brief communications of a
local nature will be inserted in its columns. Although the
Daily News goes before the public to-day for the first time
unannounced, we hope it will not be entirely unwelcome.
With this much of introduction we respectfully present the
first number to the citizens of Cohoes with confident ex
pectation that, if deserving, our enterprise will meet with a
share of their patronage."
On account of its proximity to Troy and Albany, Co
hoes had always been regarded as a poor field for a daily
newspaper, and it was prophesied by many that the News
could not exist more than six months. These predictions
have proved false, however, for the circulation of the paper
has steadily increased, it has twice been enlarged, and now
holds an important position among the newspapers of the
city. During the early part of this season a remarkable busi
ness activity had prevailed. A number of buildings were
erected in all parts of the city — among them several for
manufacturing purposes. Two knitting mills were put up
in place of those which were burned in February. Mr.
Moore rebuilt the Erie on the same site, and John Scott of
the firm of Scott & Stewart, erected the Enterprise Mill,
50 by 50 feet and four stories high, on Courtland street, west
of the pin factory, near the site of the old Stark Mill. On
Simmons avenue, south of the cemetery, a brick factory
200 by 40 feet and two stories high, was built by Trost &
Bezner to accommodate their business, which had increased
rapidly since its establishment. Among the blocks erected

1873. History of Cohoes. 219
for business purposes, was that of Campbell & Clute,
100 by 80 feet, four stories high, on Mohawk street south of
Courtland, in which they located their machine shop ; and
also that of Patrick Rogers, on Remsen street near its junc
tion with Mohawk. A new knitting mill, with six sets of
machinery, was established by Fuller & Hay in the foundery
building on Courtland street. Another new enterprise was
the machine shop of Tubbs & Severson, located in the same
building. The station-house of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R.
at the west of the White street bridge, was completed dur
ing the summer, and the local trains to Troy, which were
a convenience much appreciated by our citizens, commenced
running October 6.
A number of important public improvements were made
during the year. Considerable money was expended in
grading and opening streets on the hUl in the lower part of
the city, among them Central ave.. Western ave., and Co
lumbia street. The latter street was extended at a width of
sixty feet, to the extreme western bounds of the city, at a cost
of over $21,000. White, Oneida, and Sargent streets were
paved, at the following expense : White street, $13,346 ;
Oneida street, $10,709 ; Sargent street, $6,498. The pave
ment on Mohawk street, which had been commenced in
1872, was also completed. The hill in the southern part of
the city, west of the Erie Canal, a locality hitherto unde
veloped, was greatly improved and beautified by its owners,
Messrs. Crawford & Hubbard. The property was carefully
mapped, a number of streets were opened, shade trees were
planted, and Grand View Park, on the brow of the hill, was
laid out. A camera obscura, put in operation during the
autumn, afforded an extensive view of the surrounding
country, which was enjoyed by a number of visitors.
The degree of growth and prosperity manifested in Cohoes
during the early part of this year was greater than any
which has since been attained. The financial panic which

220 History of Cohoes. 1873
swept over the country in the fall, paralyzing every branch
of business, had the same results here as elsewhere, and the
condition of affairs has not since been such as to warrant a
general freedom of expenditure. The effects of the panic
were first felt here in November, and though they were not,
during the following winter, as severe as had been feared,
all the manufacturing interests of the city then began to
suffer from a continued depression, from which, until the
present season, there have been no signs of recovery. During
October the various establishments in the city continued
running, many of them having reduced the wages and
working time of their employes. On the 25th the Harmony
Mills were shut down, and the woolen mills ceased opera
tions a few days later, the water being drawn from the
Cohoes Go's Canals. For some time there was great anx
iety throughout the place. Rumors were afloat that none
of the mills would be started until spring, causing appre"
hensions of the most disastrous effects among all classes of
the inhabitants. The local papers were, however, inclined
to take a hopeful view of matters. The Cataract said :
" There is as yet nothing very discouraging in the prospects
before us, and if all will take courage and push ahead as
far as their circumstances will allow, everything will come
out right, and we shall see a far more favorable winter's
business than has been predicted."
Accounts of the condition of business here, most of them
favorable, were also published in the New York papers, some
of which sent correspondents to the place. The following
were some of the views expressed :
" The stoppage of work at the Harmony Mills, Cohoes, is
not the unmixed misfortune which the first news led the
public to expect. It is a step not unusual at this season and
amounts at the very worst, to a few weeks' rest from work. . . .
If other cotton mills adopt the same remedy the proper rela
tions between demand and supply may become all the more
quickly reestablished, though some little distress must,
almost necessarily, be its immediate result." — New York
Daily Times.

1873. History of Cohoes. 221
"At Cohoes, which claims a population of 20,000, the
reports are more favorable up to the present time, than was
to be anticipated. ...LTnder the present circumstances Cohoes
is in as good if not better condition to stand the hard times
than any manufacturing town in the United States. The
chief hardships and loss are likely to come on the manufac
turers and capitalists, who are puzzled to account for the
present panic in commercial circles, and like their brethren
in New York can see no further reason for it, than a ' lack
of confidence.'" — Neio York Daily Tribune.
" Altogether little apprehension exists just now that mu ch
suffering is likely to be encountered. By those best in
formed it is thought that the new year is likely to bring in
much increased demand for labor. None of the workers
have left, or have even thought of doing so. All are hope
ful. But oft has ' hope told its flattering tale,' and why
should it alter its habit ?" — New York Daily Herald.
After a stoppage of two weeks all but two of the woolen
mills commenced running, seven of them on full time and
the remainder on half or three quarter time. The Harmony
Mills were started Nov. 24, an average reduction of 12i per
cent in wages being made. The news of their resumption
was gladly received. The Cataract published a very hope
ful article in regard to it, in which it was stated that the
worst of the panic was passed, and that the condition of
business would continue to improve during the winter, and
be in the following spring as prosperous as ever — a pre
diction unfortunately not fulfilled. There was no general
stoppage of the mills during the season, but the stagnation
of the markets, destined to be of long duration, afforded
but little encouragement to the efforts of those manufac.
turers who continued.
A matter which excited much local interest in the early
part of 1874, was a dispute which arose in regard to the
office of city chamberlain. Mr. C. F. North was appointed
to the position at an early meeting of the new common
council, and the resolution by which he was appointed was
subsequently vetoed as illegal by the mayor, on the ground
that the alderman moving it was interested in a city contract.

222 History op Cohoes. 1874.
At a subsequent meeting, Mr. North presented his official
bonds for approval and they were signed by Alderman Le
Roy acting as mayor ^ro tem. Mr. Cary, however, the in
cumbent of the chamberlain's office, refused to deliver his
books and papers to Mr. North, on the grounds that his ap
pointment was not legal, having been vetoed by the mayor,
and that his bonds were not properly signed. A manda
mus was accordingly served on him by Mr. North, and the
case was argued before Judge Ingalls of Troy. His decision
was that the appointment was legal, but that the bonds
must be signed by the mayor to be valid. After a delay of
some weeks, the mayor on April 27th, signed the bonds, and
the matter was thus settled satisfactorily, having furnished
material for much animated discussion among our citizens,
and numerous articles in the local papers.
As in 1873, two serious fires were among the important
events of the early part of the year. The premises of the
Ten Eyck Axe M'fg Co., consisting of three wooden build
ings on Courtland street were burned on Jan. 18th. The
loss of the owner, John L. Thompson of Troy, was $20,000,
of which $9,000 were insured. The buildings were occupied
at the time by Sheehan, Jones & Ryan, who lost from $6,000
to $8,000 in manufactured goods besides several thousand
dollars' worth of tools and fixtures. The fire was of incen
diary origin. Another disastrous fire occurred in Root's
Mill on the afternoon of April 2d. The building, which
was one of the best appointed of our knitting mills, was,
with its contents, completely destroyed, at a loss to the
owners of nearly $200,000, which was insured to the amount
of $125,000. The bat factory of Edward Walker, situated
in the rear, was also destroyed involving a loss of about
$5,000. The fire originated in the picking room of the mill
and spread with remarkable rapidity. An elevator near the
middle of the building was the means of communicating
the flames to the upper stories and so quickly that smoke

1874. History of Cohoes. 223
was seen issuing from the cupola within five minutes after
the discovery of the fire in the basement. Great excitement
prevailed when the conflagration broke out, as it was feared
that many of the operatives would be unable to escape from
the building, but the fire escapes, which had been provided
soon after the terrible fire at Hurst's Mill, proved adequate
to the occasion and no injury was suffered by any of the
employes. There was great danger at times that the ad
joining buildings would be destroyed — the mill of Gregory
& Hiller, on the north, being several times on fire — but the
exertions of the fire department, assisted by the Knicker
bocker Engine Co. of Waterford and the operatives of the
mUl, prevented its spreading further. These fires caused but
a slight interiiiption of business. Messrs. Sheehan, Jones &
Ryan moved their establishment to the pipe factory build
ing on Saratoga street which they now occupy, and the
Messrs. Root immediately commenced the erection of their
present mill which was finished in the fall. The main part
of the building is 150 by 50 feet and five stories high ; on
the north side of this is a wing 96 by 20 feet, four stories
high, connected with it by arches in every story. On the
riverbank, entirely disconnected from the principal structure,
is a fire proof building 53 by 35 feet, three stories high, con
taining the pickers, cotton cards, and lappers. The risk of
fire is thus greatly diminished. The main building is also
provided with every safeguard and means of escape in case
of fire, and is in all its appointments one of the most per
fectly arranged knitting mills in the place. Its cost, in
cluding machinery, was about $150,000. Another large mill
just south of Root's was built by Messrs. Bilbrough and
Dubuque — the old Mohawk Mill f oi-merly occupied by Mr.
Bilbrough having been destroyed by its owners, the Harmony
Co., to make room for improvements to the Ogden Mills.
The main building is of brick, 120 by 50 feet, and five stories
high besides a basement. There are also two wings con
taining office, store room, etc.

224 History op Cohoes. 1874.
The number of residences erected during the season was
notably smaller than in the previous year. Several important
buildings for other purposes were, however, constructed.
St. Joseph's French church, built in 1869, had never been
considered safe. In the following year its steeple was re
moved because it threatened to crush the body of the church,
and the condition of the edifice became in 1873 so dilapi
dated that its demolition was resolved upon. The work
was commenced in June, 1874, and the corner-stone of the
new building, on the site of the first, was laid Aug. 23,
under direction of Bishop M'Nierney. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Francis Van Campenhouldt of Troy, and
the ceremonies were participated in by a number of other
clergymen from different localities. The building, which
has not yet been completed, was ready for occupancy on
Easter Sunday, 1875. Its jDroportions are : length, 128
feet ; width 70 feet ; height of nave 60 feet ; of tower and
spire 206 feet. The cost of the building was $40,000, and
it is estimated that as much more will be required to properly
finish the interior. Much credit is due to the congregation,
for their enterprise and liberality, in thus constructing, within
a period of five years, two expensive church edifices, and to
Father La Salle whose efforts in behalf of the new enter
prise have been indefatigable.
A new church, the German Baptist, was organized dur
ing this year, the members being principally employes of
Trost & Bezner. Services were for some time held in the
First Baptist church, and a small building was afterwards
secured on Simmons avenue which the congregation has since
occupied. In the certificate of incorporation, filed Feb.
4, 1875, the following were named as first trustees : Herman
Bezner, one year ; Henry Trost, two years ; Conrad Muller,
three years.
A noticeable addition to the buildings on Remsen street
was the Music Hall Block, 75 by 62 J feet and four stories
high, buUt by Acheson & Masten, at a cost of $60,000.

1874. History of Cohoes. 225
The two upper stories are occupied by a handsome and con
veniently arranged theatre capable of seating 1,000 persons,
which was formally opened on the evening of Nov. 23d,
by J. W. Albaugh's company from Albany. The entertain
ment opened with a dedicatory address, delivered by Miss
Florence Chase, and the singing of the national anthem by
the company. The play of the evening was London
Assurance, the leading parts being taken by Mr. and Mrs.
Albaugh. The post office w;is moved into the north end of
this building as soon as it was completed, and the city library
has since last summer occupied rooms in the second story.
Of the entertainments held in the hall during the ensuing
season, those of chief local interest, were eight evenings of
social singing, which were well attended. The course, or
ganized through the efforts of L. W. Mansfield, was some
what similar in plan to that which was held in Mr. M.'s mill,
during 1865, and met with such success that it was repeated
in the following year.
Several times since its incorporation, the proposition had
been made to bond the city for different amounts to defray
the expenses of certain public improvements. A project of
the sort was submitted to the tax payers in 1872, but some
features of the bill which it was proposed to introduce, were
distasteful, and it was voted down. In April of this year,
another bill was prepared and presented to the legislature
which seemed to meet with general approval. The common
council was, in this act, directed to issue the bonds of the
city whenever it might be requested by the commissioners
of construction, for the purpose of opening, extending and
improving the following streets : Columbia, from Mohawk
to Lancaster; Remsen, from Newark to Saratoga; Saratoga
its entire length; Ontario and Oneida streets, the Boght
road, and the road leading to Crescent. Of the proceeds of
the sale of the bonds, $75,000 were to be expended for the
above purposes, and the remainder was to be devoted to the
29

226 History of Cohoes. 1874.
purchase of a site, and the erection of a suitable city build
ing. The commissioners of construction named, were H. S.
Bogue, Alfred Le Roy, David J. Johnston, Jas. B. McKee
and Malachi Weidman. Unfortunately the bill was not
introduced until late in the session, and no action was taken
upon it. Several important municipal improvements were,
however, completed during the season. Among them were
the opening and grading of James street, at a cost of
$17,000 ; grading of Central avenue from Columbia street,
south to the city line, costing $5,000; grading portions of
Saratoga and Howard street at a cost of $3,500, and con
struction of sewers on Remsen, Lancaster and Orchard
streets. The alteration by the state of the course of the
Champlain Canal at the junction, and the building of new
and improved locks at that point was completed in the
early part of the year.
The Cataract published at the close of the year a review
of the condition of the knitting business, giving the results
of interviews with each manufacturer. Most of the estab
lishments were running on full time and expected so to con
tinue during the winter. The conclusions of the Cataract
were as follows :
"It will be seen that the outlook is anything but dis
couraging to the operatives at least ... they have thus far
known but practically little of the effects arising from the
general depression which has existed during the year in all
parts of the country. There has been little or no apparent
reduction in the production of fabrics, and old prices which
have ruled in years past in almost all the mills, have been
paid. It is a noticeable fact that Cohoes thus far has never
suffered from the strikes that have brought untold misery
and want in many portions of the country."
A recapitulation of the figures given in the article com
pared with those published in 1872, showed a falling off only
in the number of operatives employed which was 2,405 as
against 2,503 in the former year, while the aggregate of the
annual production and monthly wages was even greater.

1875. History op Cohoes. 227
The discussion of several proposed amendments to the
city charter occupied a large share of local attention during
the first few months of 1875. The principal changes were
in regard to the powers of the common council concerning
assessments — authorizing them by a two-thirds vote to raise
money for special taxes ; the powers, duties and salaries
of the city engineer and city attorney — the compensation
fixed for the former being $500, and for the latter $1,000;
the duties and salaries of constables, who were to receive
$100 per annum, in addition to their fees ; and the organi
zation of a board of fire commissioners who were to have
control of a paid department. A meeting of the Common
council was called Jan. 30, to hear the report of a committee
on these amendments, at which a number of citizens were
present. After some discussion they were allowed the pri
vilege of the floor, and the following resolution offered by
D. H. Van Auken was put to the audience and almost
unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That it is the sense of the tax payers at this
meeting, in view of the pressure of the times, affecting both
business and labor in all departments, it is inexpedient that
there should be any amendments to our city charter which
shall increase the rate of taxation."
After the passage of a motion requesting the legislature
to take no action upon any such amendments that might be
presented, the meeting adjourned, but another was imme
diately organized to consider an amendment creating a flfth
ward, concerning which a bill had been introduced during
the previous week. The sentiment of the meeting was in
favor of such an amendment, and a committee was appointed
to attend to its passage. The bill, which also made slight
changes in the boundaries of the third and fourth wards,
became a law May 1.
On the 20th of May, occurred the most destructive fire
that had visited the city since the burning of the Tivoli
Mill. The polishing, finishing and handle shops, of the

228 History of Cohoes. 1875.
Weed & Becker M'fg Co., were destroyed, at a loss of
$50,000, throwing nearly 200 men out of employment. One
of the buildings destroyed was the original factory of Daniel
Simmons, which had been in use since 1835. The company
proceeded at once to the erection of a fine brick building on
the site, which was completed in the following season. It
is of brick, 140 by 50 feet, and four stories high.
The publication of a second daily paper, 7%e Cohoes Daily
Bulletin, was commenced June 1st. It was a 28 column
sheet, democratic in politics, and was conducted by J. H.
Atkinson, formerly of the Democrat, and J. Barlow Luddy.
The office was located in Hayward's building, Ontario street. '
A further addition to the newspapers of the city, was the
Journal des Dames, a weekly paper, published in the in
terests of French Canadian ladies, and edited by Mme.
Virginie Authier. The first number appeared Sept. 24.-
Another French paper, L'Avenir National, the publication
office of which had formerly been in Troy, was removed
here Oct. 15, and located in Silliman's building on Remsen
street. The paper, which was a weekly, was conducted by
L. G. Leboeuf. 3
An event of general interest was the consecration of Rev.
Dr. J. H. Hobart Brown of St. John's church, who had
been called to preside as bishop over the new diocese of
Fond du Lac, Wis. The ceremonies, which took place in
the church on Wednesday Dec. 15, were attended by a large
number of citizens. The presiding bishop was Rt. Rev.
Horatio Potter of New York; the sermon was preached by
Bishop Welles of Wisconsin, and a number of other eminent
clergymen from different localities were present.

> On Dec. 18, the name of the paper was changed to The Daily Eagle, J. B.
Luddy being editor, andD. Williams, proprietor. Its publication was discontinued
Aug. 12, 1876, and the Northern Herald, a Sunday morning paper, established by
Williams and Eagan.
2 This was succeeded Feb. 16, 1876, by La Pairie Nouvelle, Authier Bros, editors
and proprietors.
• Discontinued Aug. 11, 1876.

1875. History of Cohoes. 229
The dullness of business, continuing during the year, had
prevented the outlay of capital to any amount in private
improvements, and in municipal affairs the sentiments ex
pressed at the tax payers' meeting in January evidently had
their effect. A few public works however, which were
greatly needed, received attention. Among them were the
grading of North Mohawk and Trull streets and McElwain
avenue, at a cost of $5,000, the construction of sewers on
McElwain and Johnston avenues and Mohawk street, costing
an equal amount, and the ravine sewer near McElwain
avenue the expense of which was $13,500. The latter, which
is 1,571 feet in length, was an improvement long demanded,
and one of great benefit to several portions of the city.
On December 31st, arrangements were made for publicly
celebrating the advent of the centennial year. The demon
stration, which began in the evening and was continued un
til about 3 A.M. of Jan. 1st, was thus described in the News :
" The celebration of the Centennial New Year in Cohoes
was begun by the parade of the Lafayette Guards shortly
before the ringing of the bells at midnight. Remsen street
was thronged with people, whose patriotism, added to the
spirit with which the new year is always welcomed, caused
a general turn out and demonstration. Huge bonfires were
lighted, red and blue fire burned, cannon thundered, rockets
and roman candles were fired and numerous buildings along
the route illuminated. The bells of the oity churches and
factories clanged forth a thousand welcomes in brazen tones
to the Centennial New Year, and even the steam whistles
on the mills and Adams Steamer did duty on the occasion."
A violent storm, which swept over this section of the
country on the morning of Feb. 5, did considerable damage
to property in this city. St. Bernard's church suffered the
severest injury, in the destruction of its spire, which was
over 200 feet high, and one of the handsomest in the neigh
borhood. It was constructed under direction of Nichols and
Brown of Albany in 1866, at a cost of $10,000. The spire
was broken off at its brick foundation, and crushing through

230 History of Cohoes. 1876.
a portion of the roof, fell upon the rail road track east of
the building. The chime of bells, which had been placed in
the belfry four years previous at a cost of $5,000, was badly
damaged and the total loss to the church reached nearly
$20,000. It was expected that the steeples of the Baptist,
Presbyterian and French churches which were seen to sway
violently in the wind, would be also demolished, but they
fortunately were able to withstand the gale, and none of
the churches except the Baptist were injured to any extent.
A smaller spire on the north side of the latter building was
blown over, considerably damaging in its fall the roof, and
also the residence of Mrs. H. R. Grant, adjoining the church
on the north. A number of small buildings were quite
badly damaged, and numerous chimneys in all parts of the
city suffered demolition.
In March, bills were introduced in the legislature making
a number of important changes in the charter, over some of
which followed a long and animated discussion. The law
committee of the common council having been directed to
draw up needed amendments, reported several, of which
the most important were the following: Giving the cham
berlain power to collect by sale of property the arrears on
taxes since 1870, and allowing him an extra compensation
for his services in so doing; authorizing him to set apart
$3,000 annually for the use of the water board, instead of
allowing them a certain proportion of the moneys raised by
highway and other taxes as formerly; empowering the
common council to compel the construction and repair of
sidewalks, and to appropriate $1,500 for the celebration of
the Fourth of July. Two further amendments were pre
pared — one providing for the appointment of a recorder and
fixing his salary at $2,000, and the other known as the
"omnibus bill" — giving the mayor power to appoint the
city attorney, city clerk, and a number of other officials,
whose salaries were in several instances to be increased.
The bill in which these were incorporated was drawn up by

1876. History op Cohoes. 231
private parties and was introduced in the legislature with
out having been submitted to the common council, and it
was to these amendments that the greatest opposition was
raised. When it was found that the bill had been favorably
reported by the assembly committee, a citizens' meeting
was called to take action on the matter. This was held at
Egberts Hall on the evening of March 28, Henry Brockway
presiding. Fifty vice presidents and eighteen secretaries
were appointed. Short addresses against the amendments
were made by H. D. Fuller, Justice Redmond, Jas. F.
Kelly, aldermen Nolan and Ryan, and Chas. Kolb. Re
solutions were then adopted protesting against the passage
of the bill without further hearing from the citizens, and
requesting Senator Harris to use his influence against it.
The opposition, especially to the clause appointing a recorder,
grew less however, as the people became better acquainted
with the provisions of the bill, and the Cataract of April
8th, said:
" The signatures of owners of over $2,500,000, of the
taxable property in the city have been received to the peti
tion favoring the passage of the charter amendments, and
what is the best joke of all, more than two-thirds of the
officers of the citizens' meeting, called to protest against
them, were among the signers."
None of the amendments were passed, however, except
those providing the appointment of a recorder and assigning
a fund for the water commissioners, both of which were
somewhat changed since their first draft — the sum named
in the latter having been raised from $3,000 to $5,000. No
general opposition to the passage of several of the others
was manifested among citizens but they were "killed"
through the influence of a few interested parties. The first
recorder appointed by the mayor under the new act was
Chas. F. Doyle, who entered upon the duties of his office
June 26, holding court in the common council chamber.
Though the bill authorizing an appropriation had failed

232 History of Cohoes. 1876.
to pass, the general feeling throughout the city was, that the
centennial year demanded more than an ordinary celebration,
and that it would not be to the credit of the place, to be
behind other cities in the neighborhood, in such manifesta
tions of patriotism. A special election of the tax payers
was accordingly held on May 22, to decide in regard to the
matter, which resulted in voting an appropriation of $1,000.
A joint committee of members of the common council and
Grand Army of the Republic was appointed to make the
necessary arrangements, and under its direction, the pro
gramme of the exercises was agreed upon. The citizens in
general took hold of the matter with earnestness, and the
result was a celebration which did credit to the patriotic
spirit of Cohoes. At midnight the principal streets were
illuminated, and the usual discharge of fire arms, lasting
during the day and into the next night, commenced the
celebration. The main procession was formed on Remsen
street at 9 a.m., and commenced its march soon after in the
following order : First Division.
Marshal and Chief of Column.
Washin gtonians.
Green's Band.
Third Separate Company.
Post Lyon, G. A. R.
Hook and Ladder Co. and Truck.
Adams Steamer and Wagon.
M'Intosh Hose Co. and Carriage.
Johnston Steamer Co.
Howarth Hose Co.
Harmony Go's Wagon.
Cannon.
Second Division.
Marshals.
Green's Band.
C. H. Adams Zouaves.

1876. History op Cohoes. 233
St. Bernard's Society.
St. Bernard's T. A. B. Society.
St. Jean Baptiste Society.
St. Joseph's Society.
Third Division.
Marshal's Aids.
Drum Corps.
Knights of Pythias.
Delegation of Daniel O'Connell Society,
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Carriages containing Mayor, Orator, Reader, Common
Council, and School Board.
Butchers Mounted.
Merchants, &c.
The houses along the line of march were almost without
exception decorated with flags, or appropriate emblems.
After the parade, the literary exercises were held on the
balcony of the Bret Harte House, on Remsen street, Mayor
Johnston presiding. They were as follows :
1 . Music by the Glee Club, consisting of Messrs. Targett,
Green, Hastings and Taylor.
2. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by P. D.
Niver, Esq.
3. Music.
4. Oration by E. G. Wager.
The features of the afternoon were the parade of the
PhUibusters, who made some very apt local hits, and the
Field Day and Picnic of Post Lyon, held on Simmons's
Island. A display of fire works in the evening on the vacant
lots east of St. Bernard's church, concluded the public cele
bration of the day.
It has been before mentioned that a futile movement to
extend Remsen street through to Saratoga street, was made
as early as 1850. Efforts to carry out this improvement
have been made several times subsequent, but with no better
result. In 1 8 70, the project came before the common council,
who appointed a committee to ascertain its cost, which was
30

234 History of Cohoes. 1876.
reported as $5,000. The question was again agitated in the
spring of this year, and received then a larger share of
public attention than at any previous time. The following
in regard to the matter is from the Cataract of June 10th :
" Remsen street is now only open to Newark street, but
the city owns the land for 145 feet further south. It is
proposed to extend the street through this land and thence
at nearly right angles to Saratoga street, intersecting the
latter at a point where the state yard bridge crosses the
canal. If this is accomplished, a street will be opened
across the Van Rensselaer property to the Mohawk river,
at which point it is proposed to locate the western end of
the Adams' Island bridge. It is claimed that the cost of
the proposed extension will be less than $4,000. About one-
half the property owners on Remsen street have already
signed the petition."
The matter was under consideration some time by the
common council, and the final conclusion was that it be
dropped, owing to the strong opposition made by interested
parties and property owners on the street. Mr. W. L.
Adams, who, in despair of ever getting the cooperation of
the authorities, had decided to build the bridge from his
island to this city at his own expense, was only waiting for
some definite action on the part of the common council
before commencing operations. As soon, therefore, as it
was known that Remsen street would not be extended, work
was begun. The bridge was completed during the past
autumn at a cost of about $25,000. It rests upon five stone
piers, and the superstructure, which is of iron, is 450 feet in
length, and fifteen feet above the ordinary level of the
water. The approach to the bridge on this side of the
river, is by Ship street, south of Travis's lumber yard, which
will be opened from Saratoga street east, and a bridge built
across the Champlain Canal. The numerous advantages
resulting from this improvement render it one of the most
important of the year. Our citizens have been afforded the
opportunity of purchasing at reasonable figures, pleasant
and healthful building sites, located at a short distance from

1876. History of Cohoes. 235
the business centre, and an easy access is offered to a mUe
frontage on the Hudson river, whenever the growth of the
city may make it needed. Fifty acres on this side of the
island have been mapped and laid out into city lots, 498 in
number, many of which have already been disposed of at
good prices, at the auction sales which have been held
during the autumn. Mr. Adams owns all the island except
100 acres at the northern end, and intends to dispose of it
in lots, as occasion may require. The streets laid out parallel
with the river are over a mile long, and are to be crossed
by streets running from the Hudson to the Mohawk, a dis.
tance of one-half mile. It is expected that the company
which was granted a charter to build a bridge from Lansing
burg to the island, will commence operations in the spring,
and a short and direct road will thus be opened to Lansing
burg and the upper part of Troy. The route has already
proved popular, though the only means of crossing the
Hudson has been a skifif ferry, and will doubtless draw a
large share of travel when the bridge is completed.
During the past year, the signs of general activity in the
city have been comparatively few. Almost the only addi
tion of importance to the manufacturing interests of the place,
is the Ten Eyck Axe M'fg Co., established Feb. 23, with
a capital of $30,000, by the following partners : Abram,
Albert and Jonas Ten Eyck and D. H. Clute, Cohoes ; Geo.
Carrigan, Bayonne, N. J. A change in the firm will soon be
made, and the capital increased. The works, on Saratoga
street in the lower part of the city, consist of a building
100 by 32 feet, containing forge shop and polishing shop,
and two wings each 60 feet long, containing tempering shop,
blacksmith shop, etc. The works are run by a steam engine
of 60 horse power. A new factory has been erected by
Albert Smith & Co., pipe manufacturers, near the rolling
mill, north of Courtland street. The building is of wood,
1 20 by 95 feet, and cost $20,000. The capacity of the works

236 History of Cohoes. 1876.
has been doubled by the construction of a new furnace, just
completed. Among the most important improvements completed by
the city authorities, are the paving of Remsen street, from
White street south, and the construction of an iron bridge
on Johnson avenue, built bythe Canton (Ohio) Bridge Co., at
a cost of $2,650.
The material growth of the city is, of course, dependent
on the fortunes of its leading branches of industry, and as
these have been among the interests most severely affected
by the panic, it is not to be wondered at that during the
past year, and in fact since 1873, there have been so few
striking evidences of progress. The panic has not had the
result, however, of causing a general retrograde movement
in the place. Fortunately for Cohoes, most of its manufac
turing concerns have had sufficient capital to enable them
to continue operations, though at a loss, during this long
period of depression. Much suffering has thus been pre
vented among the working classes and the mercantile inte
rests of the city. Wages have, of course, been generally
reduced, and a number of persons have been, at different
periods, without employment ; but the condition of affairs
has at no time been so bad as might reasonably have been
anticipated. We have had none of those long continued
strikes which have caused so much distress elsewhere, and
the degree of suffering among the poorer classes has thus
far been much less than in neighboring cities.
At present the prospects are by no means gloomy. Nearly
all the manufacturing establishments are in operation, and
there are no indications as yet that a general stoppage is
intended. The state of affairs on the whole, since 1873, has thus
shown the truth of the prediction made at that time, that
" Cohoes is in as good, if not better, condition to stand the
hard times, than any manufacturing town in the United

1876. History of Cohoes. 237
States." Its growth has been steady, though less rapid,
than heretofore. Although the number of new buildings is
small, and little additional capital has been invested in busi
ness enterprises, other signs of advancement are apparent.
The population has evidently increased, needed public works
have been completed, and various important institutions
established, all attesting the fact that the business depres
sion of the past three years, though of course retarding, has
not seriously interrupted the progress of that substantial
development, which became especially noticeable soon after
the incorporation of Cohoes as a city ; and which marks the
succeeding period as one of the most important in the history
of the place.

238 History op Cohoes. 1876.

xn.
MANtrTACTUEBS AND VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
A-& a conclusion to the history of Cohoes, now brought
down to the close of the present year, a brief account is
appended of the manufacturing establishments and various
public institutions of the city, showing their condition at
present, and stating such facts of importance concerning
them as have not been elsewhere mentioned.
The Cohoes Company. — This company has necessarily
the most prominent connection with the history of Cohoes.
By developing the water power and offering inducements
for the settlement here of capitalists, it has been the founda
tion of all the varied industries of the place ; and has,
moreover, by the construction of creditable works and im
provements, by liberal donations of land for public purposes,
and in many other ways, contributed constantly to its growth
and prosperity.
The early operations of the company, and the more im
portant improvements made from time to time, have been
previously described. No expense or labor has been spared
in the development of the material resources of the place,
and the facilities now offered for manufacturing are second
to none in the state.
The mill privilege which was originally reserved by Mr.
I. D. F. Lansing in the sale of his land, was purchased from
him in 1859 for $20,000, thus affording the company com
plete control of the water power of the river from half a
mile above, to a mile below the Falls. The supply is always
ample, and during the past few years, while other water
powers have failed at times, the Cohoes mills have suffered
no stoppage. By the construction in 1865 of the present
dam and gate house, and the extension, at different times, of

1876. History of Cohoes. 239
other canals besides those already mentioned, the facilities
of the company have been greatly increased, and they now
have a complete system, in which the same water can be
used six different times, and which, when entirely perfected,
will be one of the finest in the country. The following is
the present arrangement of the canals, as classified by the
company. No. 1. The upper level fcanal of 1834), extending from
the dam to rear of the Harmony Mills.
No. 2. Mohawk street in front of Harmony Mills.
" 3. From Strong Mill to Clifton Mill.
" 4. Remsen street, formerly known as Basin B.
" 5. Ontario street.
" 6. Courtland street.
" 7. Van Rensselaer street.
" 8. Saratoga street.
" 9. Grove street.
" 10. Remsen street continued.
Nos. 7, 8 and 10 of the above are unfinished.
The total fall is 120 feet, and the available power is estab
lished at 10,000 horse power, but little more than half of
which is now utilized. The water, together with the neces
sary quantity of land, is leased to manufacturing firms at
much lower rates than prevail elsewhere — the expense of
some of the largest mills for water and ground rent scarcely
exceeding $1,000 yearly. The company charges $200 for a
"mill power," which is 6 cubic feet of water per second, with a
20 feet head and fall — or its equivalent — making an annual
rental of about $20 per horse power. The exact quantity
of power u^ed by each manufacturer is detei-mined by an
accurate system of measurement, the details of which were
perfected by officers of the company. Among the most
important of the recent improvements of the company, is a
tunnel, completed in December, 1876, which adds greatly to
the availability of the water power. It extends from the

240 History of Cohoes. 1876.
end of Canal No. 1, to a point on the bank of the river,
about twenty feet from its bed, opposite the south tower of
Harmony Mill, No. 2. Its opening is 6 by 7 feet, its length
360 feet, and the fall from the surface of the canal to the
outlet is about 70 feet, affording a pressure capable of
moving the entire body of water at least 7 feet per second.
By means of this tunnel the necessity of stopping the mills
to remove the accumulations of ice and debris in the upper
canal was entirely obviated. The ice would frequently
form to such an extent that the flow of water in the canal
was materially obstructed, and the company were compelled
to cut it out and remove it by hand, a tedious and expensive
process. Under the new arrangement the ice can be floated
down to the tunnel gates and then discharged, without in
terrupting the running of the mills. The work was designed
and superintended by D. H. Van Auken, engineer of the
company, and was done by Houlihan & Stanton, about six
months being required for its excavation.
The officers of the company since its incorporation have
been as follows:
President. Canvass White, 1826-1834.
Stephen Van Rensselaer Jr., 1834-1841.
Wm. N. Chadwick, 1841-1847.
Stephen Van Rensselaer Jr., 1847-1849.
Teunis Van Vechten, 1849-1853.
Robert Christie Jr., 1853-1854.
Chas. M. Jenkins, 1854-1859.
Alfred Wild, 1859-1868.
Wm. T. Garner, 1868  .
Secretary. Henry J. Wyckoff, 1827-1828.
Francis Olmsted, 1828-1829.
Henry J. Wyckoff, 1829-1834.1
Agent. Hugh White, 1833-1834.
Chas. A. Olmsted, 1834-1835.
Joab Houghton, 1835-1840.
Clarkson F. Crosby, 1840-1841.
' After this year the agent acted as secretary.

1876. History of Cohoes. 241
Hugh White, 1841-1847.
Francis S. Claxton, 1847-1850.
T. G. Younglove, 1850-1875.
Wm. E. Thorn, 1875.
The officers elected for the present year were: Wm. T,
Gamer, president; Wm. E. Thorn, sec'y and treas. ; Wm.
T. Garner, Wm. W. Niles, Samuel W. Johnson, Jno. Crosby
Brown, David J. Johnston, Wm. E. Thorn, Chas. C. Birds-
eye, directors.
The Harmony Mills. — Proprietors: Garner & Co., New
York, D. J. Johnston, Cohoes, Wm. E. Thorn, Cohoes.
Chief in importance among the manufacturing concerns of
Cohoes is the above, devoted to the production of cotton
cloth. The mill erected by the Harmony M'fg Co., in
1837, was for some years among the most prominent in the
place, and after the building of the Ogden and Strong Mills
in 1846, this branch of manufacture assumed the leading
position here which it has since retained.
The change of proprietorship in the Harmony Mill in
1850 was the beginning of a course of steady prosperity,
and its owners, besides erecting several large factories at
different times have come into possession of the other two
mUls, thus founding a mammoth establishment, the most
important of the kind in the United States. The existence
of a manufacturing concern of such magnitude has of course
been of the utmost benefit to Cohoes in a business point of
view, and contributed largely to its prosperity. Through
its means large accessions have been made to the population,
and the constant expenditures made by the corporation in
wages, in the erection of buildings and in various improve
ments have been of marked advantage to the commercial
interests of the place. But aside from this Cohoes is under
great obligations to the proprietors of the Harmony Mills
for the work they have done towards its material improve
ment. Their factory buildings are all handsomely con
structed, and the grounds connected with them tastefully
laid out; the streets and sidewalks adjacent to their pro-
31

242 History op Cohoes. 1876.
perty are kept in the best condition, and the well built
blocks of tenements which have been erected in different
localities — more particularly on the West Harmony — are
creditable additions to the buildings of the city. Of these
tenements, which are nearly 1000 in number, over half have
been erected since 1860. Those more recently constructed,
at the northwest of Prospect Hill, occupy ground which ten
years ago was used as farm land, but is now regularly laid
out in well graded and macadamized streets provided with
asphalt sidewalks. The tenements are let to the operatives
at a merely nominal price, and in this, as in all other respects,
the company has manifested a laudable regard for the com
fort of those in its employ.
The depression of the past three years has of course
severely affected the market for cotton cloths and in this
establishment, as in all others of the kind, a general reduction
of wages has been found necessary, though it has not been
so great as those made in other manufacturing towns.
There has, however, been but a trifling reduction in the num
ber of operatives employed, and the mills have almost con
stantly since the panic been running at their full capacity.
The following statistics show the number of operatives
employed, and the amount of machinery in operation at
present:

Operatives.

Looms.

Spindles.

Mill No. 1,

912

712

35,800

" " 2,

703
1,038
47,328
« " 3,
1,639
2,654
125,936
(< (f 4
(Ogden),
403
632
30,276
" " 5
(Strong),
220
330
14,424
Jute Millj
97
22
850
Bag Mill,
147
62
3,440
4.121 5,650 258,054
During the past year 29,250 bales of cotton were con
sumed, equal to 13,700,000 lbs., and 5,600 bales of jute,
equal to 2,240,000 lbs.
1876. History op Cohoes. 243
The production for 1876 was as follows : 79,500,000 yards
piinting cloths, percales, wigans, and jaconets. 600,000
seamless bags, 2,130,000 pounds jute goods, 3,000 bales
cotton batting. The value of the annual production is
estimated at $3,000,000, and the monthly pay roll will
average $70,000.
The present officers are : Wm. E. Thorn, agent ; Robert
Johnston, general manager ; D. J. Johnston, superintendent;
Wm. S. Smith, paymaster.
KNrrnNG ]\Iills. — The manufacture of knit goods has
always been a distinguishing branch of Cohoes industry.
The first machinery for the purpose was here put in opera
tion, and a factoiy established, which for many years was
the only one of the kind in the country ; the most important
improvements which have since been made in the process of
manufacture are the inventions of Cohoes mechanics, and
many of the machines in general use among knitting mills
are now constructed here. Though of late years it has been
extensively prosecuted in other towns, Cohoes still occupies
the foremost position in this branch of manufacture. The
factory buildings in this city for substantial construction
and perfection of detail are second to none in the country,
and the goods produced have a wide reputation and com
mand the best markets. It is impossible at present to give
accurately the statistics of production of the seventeen
knitting mUls which are now in operation. Since the panic
many of them have been shut down for greater or less
periods, and the number of operatives employed, and amount
of wages paid, have varied ; the grade and style of the goods
manufactured have been changed from time to time to suit
the market, so that the amount of annual production cannot
be exactly named ; this of course, in connection with the
fact that prices have been steadily falling, makes it im
possible to fix a definite value on the sales of any one year.
The figures given below represent, in the case of almost
every establishment, an average year's business.

244

History op Cohoes.

1876.

p.a

o

OO ^
'OP! o oi
o a
sea . a
§<1 o|

oi

The Troy M'fg Co.
David Cowee, prest. ; Jno. V.
S. Lansing, treas. ; Jas. L.
Thompson, sec'y.
The Boot M'fg Go.
Josiah G. Boot, prest. ;
Samuel G. Root, supt. ;
Andrew J. Root, treas. and
gen. manager ; Geo. Wa
terman, Jr., sec'y.
J. IT. Parsons & Co.
J. H. Parsons, Mrs. L. S. Par
sons, and W. S. Gilbert.
The Atlantic Mill.
Geo. B. Thompson and John
Horrocks.
The Ranken Knitting Co.
Geo. Campbell, prest. ; Henry
J. Ranken, sec'y. and treas
American Hosiery Mill.
Wm. M. Gregory and Jon
athan Hiller.
The Victor Mill. — Henry
Brockway.
The Empire Mill. — Wm. &
Jno. A. Nuttall.
TJie Star Knitting Co.
Thos. Coleman, prest. ; R. H.
Thurman, treas. ; O. G.
Clark, ag't.
2%« Adams Mill. — John
Wakeman.
T/ie Ontario Mill.— Wm.
N. Chadwick, Jos. Chad
wick, P. R. Chadwick.
The Mohawk Mill. — Samuel
Bilbrough.
TheKrieMiU. — Wm. Moore.
The Enterprise Mill.— John
Scott.
The Diamond Mill. — J. W
Himes, A. C. Vail.
The Globe Mill— Alfred Le
Roy, Jas. Lamb.
The Pine Grove Mill. — H.
D. Fuller, Chas. Hay.

229 300 300 105145 85
105 90

8

140

6

135

6

100

5 4

130 75

5

110

6

300

6

100

6

50

$5,500 8,000 9,000 3,700 3,500 3,600 3,000 3,7005,0004,000 3,0003,0003,300 3,500 3,0003,500 1,500

40,000 45,000
45,000 33,000 23,000 24,000 30,000 30,000 37,00035,000 35,000 34,000 17,00030,000 35,000 35,000 18,000

$375,000 500,000
400,000 145,000300,000 130,000150,000140,000 300,000 175,000 150,000 150,000 136,000160,000 150,000
175,000 100,000

118 3,379 $63,700 444,000 $3,426,000

1876. History of Cohoes. 246
Iron MAJsrrrrACTUEB. — A large amount of capital is here
invested in different branches of iron manufacture. The
most important interest is the production of axes and edge
tools, which from the foundation of the first factory in 1835,
by Simmons & Silliman, has always been one of the special.
ties of Cohoes. The goods turned out are of the first quality
and have a world wide reputation.
The figures given below in regard to this, and other
branches of manufacture, represent in nearly all cases, an
average business. It is difficult to obtain exact statistics,
for as a general thing, the works are run according to the
orders received, and the production consequently varies
greatly. For the past three years, none of the establishments
have been run at their full capacity.
The Weed & Becker 31' fg Co.— Officers : Wm. H.
Weed, president ; S. A. Becker, vice president ; Jas. E. Place
treasurer ; C. Riley, secretary. The producing capacity of
the company's works is 100 dozen axes and 75 dozen tools
daily. The value of the annual production is from $200,000
to $400,000, and the average pay roll is $9,000. '
Empire Edge Tool Works. — M. H. Jones & Co., proprie
tors. The firm consists of M. H. Jones and A. G. Peck.
From 60 to 75 men are employed at a pay roll of $2,000 to
$2,500. The annual production is from 10,000 to 15,000
dozen axes and tools valued at from $75,000 to $100,000.
The Ten Thick Axe M'fg Co.— Jonas S. Ten Eyck, trea
surer. The company employs from 40 to 50 men at an
average pay roll of $1,200. The daily production is 500
pieces, including both axes and edge tools.
The Cohoes Rolling Mill— Morrison, Colwell & Page,
proprietors. The firm manufactures bar and band iron.
About 200 men are employed at a pay roll of $6,000. The
annual production is 6,000 tons of iron at an average value
of $60 per ton.
> Per month . Tliis is to be understood in the case of each concern mentioned.

246 History op Cohoes. 1876.
Fknpire Tube Works. — Albert Smith & Co. proprietors.
The firm manufactures gas and steam pipe. About 30 men
are employed at a pay roll of $1,250. Five tons of iron are
used daily. The annual production of the works is 3,000,000
feet of pipe at an average value of $180,000.
Campbell and Clute. — The firm manufactures chiefly
knitting machinery. On an average 40 hands are employed
at a pay roll of $2,000. The annual production is valued at
$100,000. William T. Horrobin. — Mr. Horrobin is proprietor of
the Cohoes Iron Foundery and Machine shop. He manu
factures chiefly cotton, woolen and flouring mill machinery,
and architectural iron work. When running full 150 work
men are employed at a pay roll of $6,000, and the annual
production is valued at $200,000. The capacity of the
furnace is 8 to 10 tons per day.
Tubbs & Severson. — The fiiin manufactures knitting
machinery. On an average 15 hands are employed at a pay
roll of $800. The annual production is worth $15,000.
Miscellaneous.
Cohoes Knitting Needle Factory. — Henry Dawson and
Chas. Knott, proprietors. The firm employs 15 hands. The
annual production is 2,500,000 needles valued at $15,000.
Sash and Blind Factory. — A. J. Griffin, proprietor. On
an average 12 men are employed at a pay roll of $600. The
annual production is valued at $30,000.
Cohoes Bedstead Factory. — P. S. Holsapple, proprietor.
The articles manufactured are bedsteads, cribs and cradles.
About 25 men are employed at a pay roll of $1,200. The
average annual production is valued at $50,000.
Cohoes Straw Board Co. — Officers: T. G. Younglove,
pres't; M. S. Younglove, vice pres't; J. W. Moore, sec'y;
Henry W. Edwards, treas. Employment is given to 25
men at a pay roll of $1,350. The daily production is 5 to
6 tons of straw board, the value of which amounts annually

1876. History of Cohoes. 247
to between $75,000 and $125,000. During the year 2,500
tons of straw are consumed.
Flouring Mill. — Jas. McMartin proprietor. Nine hands
are employed at a pay roll of $450. The annual production
is 40,000 bbls. valued at $280,000.
American Soap Co. — Mrs. H. R. Grant, proprietor. Six
hands are employed at a pay roll of $212. The annual pro
duction is 395,000 lbs. of soap of different kinds, valued at
$21,750. Cohoes Lime and Cement Co. — Officers: D. T. Lamb,
pres't; T. G. Younglove, sec'y; D. H. Van Auken, treas.
The company employs 45 hands at a pay roll of $2,000.
Annual production is valued at $100,000.
The Trost and Bezner M'fg Co. — John T. Saxe, pro
prietor. This establishment manufactures furniture and
fancy articles in wood of various kinds. 50 hands are em
ployed at an average pay roll of $2,100. The estimated
value of the annual production is $75,000.
The Cohoes Warp and Thread Co. — Collins Arnold,
treas. About 60 operatives are employed at a pay roll of
$1,400. The annual production is 416,000 lbs. of hosiery
yarns, valued at $110,000.
Brick Yard.— Patrick Rogers, proprietor. Annual pro
duction at present 1,000,000 brick valued at $8,000, but in
a good buUding season from 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 brick
are manufactured.
Paper Box Factories. — Of these there are five, the
proprietors being as follows : Isaac Clute, established
Aug. 1, 1864 ; David Morris, established 1865 ; F. E.
Pennock, established June, 1868; J. C. Sanford, established
March 18, 1872 ; J. S. and E. Hughes, Jan. 1, 1876. The
specialty of all these establishments is boxes for knit goods
for the home trade, though some of them have at times
turned out boxes for collars and other purposes. The busi
ness, though commenced not long since, has become quite

248 History of Cohoes. 1876.
an important feature of Cohoes manufactures. Before
the panic, employment was given to from 100 to 125 hands,
and nearly 1,000,000 boxes were annually produced. Exact
figures of the production at present cannot be ascertained.
The above establishments do not vary greatly in capacity,
and each employs from 10 to 20 hands, according to the
condition of business — at a monthly pay roll of from $400 to
$600, producing from 500 to 800 boxes daily at an annual
value of from $15,000 to $20,000.
Newspapers, etc.
The Cohoes Cataract. — William Bean, proprietor. Size
26 by 38 inches, 8 columns to the page. It is published every
Saturday morning, and is republican in politics. The pro
prietors of the Cataract since its foundation have been as
follows : Stow & Co., Jan. 1st, to March 1st, 1849 ; Silli
man & Miller: to Aug., 1851; James H. Marten: to Aug.
1856; A. F. Onderdonk: to Dec, 1856: Jas. H. Masten: to
Dec, 1867; A. S. Baker & Co.: to Dec, 1869; Jas.
H. Masten & Co. : to Dec, 1870 ; Jas. H. Masten : to
July 15, 1871; William Bean. The publication office was
removed by Silliman and Miller, in Nov., 1850, to the old
Presbyterian church, corner Factory and Remsen streets,
where it remained for eight years, and was then established
by Jas. H. Masten in the third story of Caw and Quacken
bush's (now Silliman's) building, the entrance being on
Oneida street. In this building it has since remained (though
it is now on the ground floor), with the exception of an in
terval from Jan., 1870, to April, 1875, when it was located
in the second story of Adams' block, Remsen street.
The Cohoes Democrat. — Jas. F. Kelly, proprietor. Size
26 by 40 inches, 8 columns to the page. Published every Satur
day morning. Mr. Cady's interest in the paper was bought
by Jas. F. Kelly, in Nov., 1870, and the partnership of
Atkinson and Kelly formed, which was dissolved Aug. 29,
1873, by the retirement of Mr. Atkinson. The publication

1876. History op Cohoes. 249
office of the paper has remained since its establishment in
the second story of North's block, Mohawk street.
Tlie Cohoes Daily News. — Edward Monk and Samuel
Sault, proprietors. Size 22 by 30 inches 6 columns to the page.
Published at noon every day except Sundays. Independent
in politics. The name of Mr. Sault first appeared as a
partner, June 3d, 1874. The offioe of the paper was moved
from Granite Hall, to the thii-d story of North's block, Dec.
20, 1873, and was established in its present location, Camp
bell and Clute's block, Mohawk street, April 25, 1874.
La Patrie NouvelJe. — J. B. Authier & Bro., proprietors.
Size 18 by 26 inches, 5 columns to the page. Published every
Tuesday. Republican in politics. The office has been loca
ted since the paper was established, in Lynch's building,
Remsen street near Columbia street.
The Northern Herald. — Williams and Eagan, proprie
tors. Size 30 by 44 inches, 6 columns to the page, quarto. It
appears every Sunday morning. Independent in politics.
The first number was issued Sept. 4th, from 83 Ontario
street, which had been occupied as the office of the Eagle.
The People's Railway Guide. — Chas. S. Pease, pro
prietor, 24 pages. Established Oct., 1875, and is published
every fortnight. Bajstking Institutions.
The National Bank of Cohoes. — C. H. Adams, president;
Murray Hubbard, cashier. Became a National Bank, May
31 1865. Its capital was increased from $100,000 to
$250,000 Aug., 1872. Mr. Hubbard was elected cashier
March 5th, 1862, in place of James M. Sill. Mr. Adams
became president after the death of Mr. Egberts, in March,
1869. Manufacturers' Bank of Cohoes.— Wm. E. Thorn, pre
sident ; Norman W. Frost, cashier. Its capital was in
creased from $100,000 to $160,000, July 1, 1874.
Cohoes Savings Institution. — Henry D. Fuller, presi-
32

250 History op Cohoes. 1876.
dent ; John Hay, secretary; T. G. Younglove, treasurer ;
Edward W. Fuller, ass't treas.
Mechanics' Savings Bank. — Robert Johnston, president;
William S. Smith, secretary; Abner J. Griffin, treasurer ;
Le Roy Vermilyea, ass't treas.
Post Office.
Jas. H. Masten, P. M. ; A. W. Adams, Geo. W. Cook,
clerks. The first post office was located at Mr. Water
man's, near the junction. On the appointment of Mr.
Howe, it was moved to his new store on the canal bank
near the present Jute Mill, where it remained for a short
time. It was, in 1833, taken to the building just erected by
E. L. Miller, on Mohawk street, opposite the City Hotel.
When this was burned in 1847, the office was moved to a
building on the west side of Mohawk street, between Oneida
and St. John's alley. In May, 1851, it was established in
a building erected by Dr. Carter, on Oneida street, east of
Remsen,' where it remained until 1861, with the exception
of a few months (August to October), in 1854, when it was
moved to a building in St. John's alley, in the rear of J.
M. Brown's (now Mrs. I. Terry's) store. On the appoint
ment of I. W. Chesebro, in August, 1861, the office was
located in his drugstore on Remsen street.- In 1865, J.
H. Masten transferred it to his building on the site of Music
Hall, in which locality it has since remained, except while
the new building was in progress of erection — during which
time the office was located in Rogers' block.
The postmasters have been as follows :
Frederick Y. Waterman, appointed 23d Feb.. 1832.
Hezekiah Howe, " 13th July, 1833.
Peter F. Daw, " 28th July, 1854.
Geo. H. Wager, " 7th June, 1855.
Izrakiah W. Chesebro, " 7th Aug., 1861.
Jas. H. Masten, " 16th June, 1865.

' Now A. H. Frink's cigar store. » Now occupied by Ten Eyck <jb Browne.

1876.

History of Cohoes.

251

Samuel D. Trull,' appointed 19th Oct., 1866.
Jas. H. Masten, " 20th Oct., 1867.
The clerks in the post-office have at different times kept
records of the way in which Cohoes was spelled on letters
received at the office, some of which have been published
in the local paper. The following list, recently prepared,
presents more varieties of orthography than any of those
which have previously appeared:

KahouseCoohoos ChosoesCoahoosCohooGooseCaxLhooseCowhes Cowhewes
Cohewes GohuesChohesChohose Chose
Cohyose CoheysChohousConghoesClohoesCouhsCahos CouuseCaughuesCoohoues
Kohoose
Koose Chouse
CahousCohoze
CahaaesChaseCabooseGohoeses
CoheesCohoeCohouse
CohauseCoheseCoheos

KahoCuchues
Calhoue Cughes
CououseKowhes Cochoes ChoessCouwoosGehusGohose
Co cose
Tohoes CocuseColose CohoerCohosaCayouse
Cohooes
Cohosse Gohougs
Dohes Caehaues Chiohoe
Coohooze Ceoe
Kose
Koohos CossKohous
CoeysCoehouseCoohooesChoohuse
Cohoise Chahoos
Keoues
Coughies Kehoose

Coughoos

Kehooze

Choswos

Chuhouse

Coehoose

Hachooze

Kohouze

Chouhose

Cohouse

Choohoo

Coehoose

Cougheoes

Koehoughs

Co House

Chogues

Cousfall

Cooce

Cohoughs

Coohooeas

Coohoo falls

Calhouse

Choeos

Coquis

Koihrs

Capaes

Choo Has-falla

Coohuis

Kahouse

Chaooze

Choohouse

Kahahause

Kawoes

Keoges

Cowhese

Kooze

Coughows

Caous

Couho

Coas

Cohou

Cohose

Chooess

Choose

Cohoos

Cahoes

Couhoues

Cuhuse

Couhouse

Cohooes

Cahoos

Couos

Coho

Choes

Cohas

Cohle

Cohous

Khoose

Chaos

Cohes

Cohues

Crouse

Gohoes

Choze

Cohoase

Cohooze

Cohaes

Cahose

Cohaughes

Couhous

Cahuuse

Cohohoes

Cohois

Coheas

Chooes

Choous

Choese

Chaus

Oowes

> Appointed but not conflnned.

252

History of Cohoes.

1876.

Kewes

Co wis

Camoes

Chohoes

Gehoose

Coohooss

Kliouse

Cahooes

Cohowus

Coquies

Colcoes

Chehaze

Koohose

Cochoos

Coes

Cohoese

Kohoos

Keuyer

Cohoas

Curhues

Couhoes

Cauauses

Coewes

Cowyous falls

Cookohoves

Coushous

Coloes

Cayousse

Chouscouse

Kahosa

Cawis

Coughy

Cohouth

Chahoose

Keahose

Coughwheeza

Coaches

Chohoose

Cohouches

Cohoes

Cheohes

Churches, &c.
St. John's Episcopal Church. — The church was under
direction of Rev. Orange Clark of Waterford, until 1833,
when Rev. Cyrus Stebbins assumed the missionary charge
of the parish which he retained until 1841. The subsequent
rectors have been as follows : David J. Burger, 1841 ;
Edward F. Edwards, 1844 ; J. B. Gilson, 1844-49 ; J. W.
Shackleford, 1849-50 ; James Adams, 1850-53 ; Theodore
Babcock, 1853-59 ; Alpheus Spor, 1859-1863 ; J. H. Hobart
Brown, 1863-75 ; Walker Gwynne, 1876. The number of
communicants is at present about 500, and twice that num
ber of individuals are connected with the church. The Sun
day school, Robert Weir, sup't, has about 300 scholars. Up
to 1875, there were entered upon the parish register : bap
tisms 984, confirmations 502, burials 481.
Reformed Church. — The following have been pastors :
William Lockhead, 1838 to 1840; John Van Buren, 1840
to 1841 ; Gilbert M. P. Myer, 1841 to 1846 ; John Gray,
1846 to 1848 ; Chas. N. Waldron, 1849. A fine organ,
costing over $5,000, was placed in the church in 1866, a
gift from three members : Egbert Egberts, Jno. V S. Lan
sing and D. J. Johnston. The present membership is over
300. A large Sabbath school is connected with the church
of which Rev. Dr. Waldron is sup't, and D. H. Van Auken
ass't supt.
Baptist Church. — The pastors have been as follows :
Revs. John Duncan, H. Rounce, J. Eastwood, E. Dwyer,
M. Cameron, B. F. Garfield, S. Wilder, D. Round, Ira E.

1876. History op Cohoes. 263
Kenney, Robert Thompson, David Corwin, W. II. Maynard,
A. J. Bingham, C. D. Gurr, C. A. Johnson, L. S. Johnson.
The present membership is 380. The Sabbath school, of
which P. S. Holsapple is sup't, has 400 scholars.
Presbyterian Church. — The following clergymen have
had charge of the church. Those marked with an asterisk
were regularly installed as pastors : Revs. Mr. Chamberlin,
Dec, 1839 ; Mr. Allen, 1840 ; *John Gray, Oct. 22, 1841 ;
L. H. Pease, May 22, 1843 ; Daniel C. Frost, Oct. 3, 1845 ;
*R. P. Stanton, Feb. 9, 1848 ; *Stephen Bush, Feb. 1, 1855 ;
Villeroy D. Reed, April, 1860 ; H. G. Blinn ; *F. W. Flint,
1864 ; Horatio Pattengill, 1866 ; *Wm. M. Johnson, Oct.
1, 1867. The lecture room east of the church was erected
in 1865 at a cost of $3,000. The parsonage, at the corner
of Ontario and Mohawk streets, was purchased during the
same year, from the estate of Wm. G. Caw for $6,000.
During the present season a fine organ, costing $3,150, has
been placed in the church, and the lecture room has been
greatly enlarged and improved. The membership of the
church is 400, and of the Sunday school 420. The superin
tendent of the latter is H. B. Silliman.
Methodist ISpiscopal Church. — Until 1845, the church
was connected with that in Waterford, as one charge, and
was under the direction of the following clergymen : E.
Crawford, Oliver Emerson, Benj. Pomeroy, Thomas Armi-
tage, Mr. Tubbs, Mr. Warner. The subsequent pastors have
been : G. A. Wells, Cicero Barber, Jacob Leonard, L.
Potter, Timothy Benedict, Myron White, Robert Fox, Wm.
R. Brown, Ensign Stover, H. L. Starks, J. W. Carhart,
D.D., R. R. Meredith, H. L. Sexton, Lorenzo D. Marshall,
Horace L. Grant, C. R. Hawley, Wm. H. Meeker. The pre
sent membership is 450. The Sabbath school, of which
Silas Owen is superintendent, has 500 scholars, and 55
teachers. St. Bernard's Catholic Church. — Rev. Bernard Van

254 History of Cohoes. 1876.
Reeth, the first pastor, remained in Cohoes until Oct., 1853,
and was then succeeded by Rev. Thomas Daly, now of St.
John's church, Utica. In June, 1855, the present pastor,
Rev. Thos. Keveney, was appointed, who did not commence
his duties until the following August, Rev. John Ludden,
now of Florence, N. S., officiating meanwhile. Father
Keveney is at present assisted by Revs. Thos. Silvester
Keveney and Thos. Cullen. There are now in Cohoes over
5,000 Catholics, exclusive of Canadians. The number of
infant baptisms recorded in St. Bernard's parish from 1847
to 1876, is over 5,000, and of deaths in the congregation,
nearly 4,000.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church {French). — The first pastor.
Rev. L. H. Saugon, entered upon his duties Aug. 23d, 1868.
The present incumbent. Rev. J. O. La Salle, formerly of
Champlain, N. Y., came here after the death of Father
Saugon, Dec. 19th, 1869. There are now about 2,500 per
sons connected with the church, of whom 1,800 are com
municants. German Baptist Church. — The present pastor, Henry
Hilzinger, has officiated since the organization of the church.
Present membership, 35.
Park Methodist Church. — This was organized Nov. 9,
1876. The building occupied is on the Bowery, north of
Columbia street, and was erected by the M. E. church in
1873, as a mission chapel. The first communion was held
Dec. 3, 1876. Number of communicants, 51. The Rev.
Hiram Blanchard is pastor, and Nathan Thomas is sup't
of the Sunday school. The officers are as follows : Trus
tees : Nathan Thomas, Richard Herell, Monroe Tompkins,
Jacob Travis, Aaron Goddard, .1. S. Ten Eyck, Chas.
Spanswick, John Wilber, John Dunlap. Stewards : Henry
Farmilo, Geo. Mink, Henry Watt, Jas. Watt, John Viegle,
Henry Van Den Bergh, Jacob Craley, Peter Nelson, W.
W. Delanoy.

1876. History of Cohoes. 255
Harmony Hill Union Sunday School. — The present
officers are: D. J. Johnston, superintendent; Joseph Wood,
1st ass't superintendent; Thomas Pillings, 2d ass't superin
tendent; Wm. S. Smith, secretary; Richard Bolton, ass't
secretary; George Dixon, treasurer; Abram Peck, librarian ;
Robert Campbell, ass't librarian; Wm. R. Brooks, janitor.
The number of members at present is 1,124 of whom 203
have been admitted during the past year. The whole num
ber admitted since the organization of the school is 3663.
Public Schools.
Cohoes was one of the first villages in the state to de
mand an improvement on the old system of district schools,
and a special law, passed in 1850, enabled it to enjoy the
advantages of free schools before other places in the
neighborhood. The interest thus manifested among the
citizens in regard to educational matters has since con
tinued, and the public schools have always been among
the most creditable institutions of the place.
The principal facts in the history of the system, and the
erection of the earliest school houses in the village have
been elsewhere mentioned. There are now in the city under
the control of the Board of Education, 31 schools, thus
arranged: primary 25, intermediate 4, grammar 1, high 1.
Eight buildings are occupied, of which seven are the pro
perty of the city. They are as follows:
State Yard school. — On Saratoga street. Built about
1835. Is of wood, one story high, 32 by 20 feet.
Columbia Street school. — Corner of Main and Columbia
streets. Built 1856. Is of brick, two stories high, 60 by
30 feet. It has been enlarged during the past year, and its
capacity doubled at an expense of $5,000.
West Harmony school. — Mangham street. Built 1859-
1863. Is of brick, two stories high, 80 by 40 feet.
Egberts High school. — White street. Rented of the
trustees of Egberts Institute in August, 1868. Is of brick,
three stories high, 38 by 36 feet.

256 History of Cohoes. 1876.
East Harmony school. — School street. Built 1869. Is
of brick, two stories high, 43 by 28 feet.
White Street school. — Built 1871. Is of brick, three
stories high, 66 by 40 feet.
Pleasure Ground school. — Corner Bowery and Elm
streets. Built 1873. Is of brick, two stories high, 70 by
33 feet.
Lincoln Avenue school. — Lincoln avenue north of Spring
street. Built 1875. Is of wood, two stories high, and 46
by 26 feet.
The seating capacity of these schools is 1950. The value
of the buildings belonging to the city is estimated at $50,000
and that of the lots on which they are situated as $40,000.
There are now employed 38 teachers, as follows:
State Yard. — Miss Alice Murray.
Columbia Street. — Miss Sarah Runkle, Miss Etta A. Hal-
stead, Miss Mary A. Winney, Miss L. H. Bowman, Miss E.
M'Connel, Miss Wright, Miss O'Reilly.
West Harmony. — Miss Agnes L. Bromley, Miss M. J.
O'Reilly, Miss Jennie M. Chisholm, Miss Kitty McMartin,
Miss Minnie Stiles, Miss K. E. Hayden, Miss E. L. Murray,
Miss Katy Doyle.
Egberts High school. — Mr. Oliver P. Steves, Miss Ella
A. Page, Miss Anna E. Brewster, Miss Mary E. Robbins,
Miss Clarke.
East Harmony. — Miss Mary E. Hall, Miss Nellie Valley,
Miss Louisa Robinson.
White Street. — Miss E. L. Hastings, Miss Elizabeth
Humphreys, Miss Belle Z. Van Der Werkar, Miss S. Ella
Thomas, Miss Frank Mclntyre, Miss Sarah Lawrence, Miss
Anna T. Hayden.
Pleasure Ground. — Miss Emma Monk, Miss Harriet J.
Monk, Mrs. De Graff, pro tem.. Miss Susie Flagler.
Lincoln Avenue. — Miss Ida Van Arnum, Miss Clara
Brown. Music teacher, Mr. Otis R. Greene.

1876.

History op Cohoes.

257

The Egberts Institute building on White street was leased
in 1868 bythe Board of Education, from the trustees of the
Institute at a nominal rent, on condition that an academic
department, or high school be always taught therein. The
Egberts High School was then organized, succeeding the
academic department of Egberts Institute. The teachers
of this department from its organization, have been as
follows :
Rev. Alexander B. Bullions, principal from July, 1864, to Feb., 1865.
"" ~ ¦ _- 1365, to July, 1866.
1866, to July, 1868.
1868, to May, 1869.
1869, to July, 1870.
Aug., 1870, to Dec, 1870.
Feb., 1871.
Oct., 1873, to June, 1873.
Aug., 1873,to March,I875.
April, 1875, to July, 1876.
Aug., 1876.

Assistant

Feb.,Sept.,Oct., Aug.,

Mr. Charles P. Evans,
Rev. A. J. Bingham,
Mr. W. H. Nellis,
Mr. Robert Hardie,
Mr. E. H. Torrey,
Mr. Oliver P. Steves,
Miss Emma Osterhout,
Miss Ella A. Page,
Miss Mary L. D. Wilson,
Miss Ella A. Page,
Evening schools are taught during part of each year in
the buildings on the East and West Harmony, Columbia
and White streets, with an average attendance of 500.
During the year ending Feb., 1876, 2,443 pupils attended
the day and evening schools some portion of the year, as
follows :
In school building No. 1 First Ward,   333
"3 " "  613
"3 Third Ward,  459
" " " 4 " "  337
" 5 Fourth Ward,  489
•'6 " "  101
"7 " "  65
" 8 Fifth Ward,  147
Concerning the expense to the tax payers of maintain
ing the schools, the following extracts from the last annual
report of Mr. Hubbard, president of the Board of Education,
will be of interest :
" I think there is not another instance where a city has
grown so rapidly as Cohoes, and greatly increased school
accommodations have been required, that the cost of the
constmction of its school buildings has been paid solely
from the taxes raised annually. For the erection of new
33

258 History op Cohoes. 1876.
school houses, in other growing cities, money has been raised
by the creation of a bonded debt. ...
In 1875, the per capita expense on the number of children
enrolled during the year was $9.35; on the average attend
ance $24.79. I have not the reports of the following cities
for 1875, but by reference to their reports for the year prior
(and it is, I think, fairly presumable that their expenses
have not since been diminished much), I find the expenses
of maintaining their schools as follows :
On No. Enrolled. On Ave. Attendance.
Albany,  $14.93, $27.14 per capita.
Kingston,  20.38, 39.93
Saratoga Springs,  13.46, 36.04
Syracuse,  18.05, 35.74
Troy,  14.35, 36.39
Utica  16.14, 35.96
Cohoes in 1874,  9.41, 34.50
The following table shows the number of children of
school age resident in Cohoes, in different years, according
to the census: Tears. Tears.
1855,  1110. 1873,  9200.
1860,  1605. 1873,  9504.
1865,  4055. 1874,  9547.
1870  7679. 1875,  9607.
1871,  8359. 1876,  8879.
Fire Department.
Cohoes has suffered from few disastrous fires. Those
which have occurred have been at rare intervals, and in
nearly every case have been confined to the buildings in
which they originated. For the good fortune of the place
in the latter respect it is indebted to a fire department, which
from its earliest days, has been well organized and efficient,
and to the existence in later years of a valuable system of
water works. The first organization of the fire department
and the substitution of steam for hand engines, have been
related elsewhere, as being the most important facts in its
history. The department is at present constituted as fol
lows : Martin Redmond, chief engineer ; John G. French,
Ist ass't ; Patrick Hogan, 2d ass't ; Elbert E. Richmond,
3d ass't.

1876. History of Cohoes. 259
Alden Hose Co. No. 1.— James Barter, foreman. Or
ganized June 22d, 1860. First foreman, Daniel Simpson.
Geo. H. Wager Hook and Ladder Co. — Wm. Maby
foreman. Organized Oct., 1865. First foreman, Bernard
Galligan. Chas. H. Adams Steamer Co. — Jas. A. Stimson, cap
tain. Organized June 17, 1867. First captain, L. Vreden
berg. Daniel E. Mcintosh Hose Co. — M. Platz, foreman.
Organized Oct. 10, 1867. First foreman, Chas. N. Green.
Robert Johnston Steamer Co. — Organized Feb. 25th,
1868. First foreman, Daniel Simpson.
FJdwin Hitchcock Hose Co. — Michael Larkin, foreman.
Organized 1869.
Geo. Campbell Hose Co. — Wm. Dewar, foreman. Re
organized in July, 1870, from the old Cataract Engine Co.
No. 1.
Two companies, the Howarth Engine Co., M. Thornton
capt., and the Nolan Steamer Co., Jas. Wilson capt., are
not in active service. The former was organized in 1870,
and for some time took charge of the Old Mohawk engine,
their quarters being in the engine house on Johnston avenue.
It was relieved from duty by the common council in Nov.,
1873, until suitable accommodations could be provided.
For the latter company no apparatus has yet been obtained.
The buildings occupied by the different companies were
erected as follows :
Campbell Hose House, Cataract alley,  1848
Adams Steamer ) House, Oneida st. cor. Canvass,  1867
Wager Hook & L. Co. ) '
Hitchcock Hose House, Main st. near Columbia  1869
Alden " " Johnston ave. cor. Garner at, . 1869
M'Intosh " " Oneida st. near Canvass  1873

260 History op Cohoes. 1876.
SOCIETIES, ETC.
Masonic.
Cohoes Lodge, No. 116. — Symbolic Masonry. Organ
ized Oct. 21, 1846, and chartered Feb. 5th, 1847, the mem
bers at the time being as follows: Ebenezer Wadsworth,
W. M. ; Geo. Abbott, Sr. W. ; John B. Harrison, Jr. W. ;
Wm. Orelup, Jr. sec'y; Reuben White, treas.; Geo. C,
Griffin, Sr. D. ; Elbridge G. Mussey, Jr. D. ; Stephen Doty,
Tyler; — David Wilkinson, Orson Parkhurst, Lewis Valley
Darius Parkhurst, Jas. Murray, John Sanderson, Isaac F.
Fletcher, Sylvanus Twist. The rooms of the fraternity were
first located in the second story of the building on the north
east corner of Oneida and Mohawk streets, then owned by
John McDougal, and were afterwards moved to Lansing's
building, corner of Factory and Mohawk streets, and still
later to Silliman's building, Remsen street. The Masonic
Hall in Johnston's Block has been occupied since August,
1871. Present officers: Albert Ten Eyck, W. M.; Charles
S. Travis, S. W. ; Richard D. Christie, J. W. ; Rodney Wil
cox, treas.; Paul Game, sec'y; Alfred Gould, S. D.; James
Aitkin, J. D. ; James Barrie, Sr. ; and Anson Tabor, Jr. M. of
C. ; William Warner, Charles Nealy, stewards; Rev. W.
II. Meeker, chaplain; A. S. Targett, organist; Daniel Mc
intosh, marshal; Kendall Hodgson, tyler; Wm. Clough, Geo.
T. Carter, Benjamin Smith, trustees.
Cohoes Chapter, No. 168. — Capitular Masonry, instituted
in 1858. Present officers : David Gould, high priest; James
Aitkin, E. K. ; Richard D. Christie, E. S. ; William Clough,
treasurer; M. Van Benthuysen, sec'y; John McNiven, C.
of H. ; G. H. Billings, P. S. ; Henry Mills, R. A. C. ; Joseph
Eccles, M. 3d V.; Kendall Hodson, M. 2d V.; Martin Gil
more, M. 1st v.; George H. Howarth, tiler; Rev. W. H.
Meeker, chaplain; Benjamin Coveney, organist.
Mohawk Council No. 29. — Cryptic Masonry. Organ-

1876. History op Cohoes. 261
ized 1867. Present officers: L. D. Sanborn, T. I. M. ; W. H.
Aiken, R. I. D. M. ; Benjamin Coveney, I. P. C. W. ; George
Neil, recorder; H. Levison, treasurer; Joseph Chadwick,
Capt. G.; Geo. Waterman, Jr., Cond. C; Rev. Geo. C.
Thomas, chaplain; Thomas Hatcher, steward; James Du-
rant, sentinel.
Union Board of Relief {Masonic), of Lansingburg,
Waterford and Cohoes. Regular meetings, third Friday
at Waterford, Lansingburg and Cohoes, consecutively.
A. Ten Eyck, president; Geo. E. Shumway, vice president;
R. D. Christie, treasurer; John E. Gage, secretary.
Odd Fellows.
Spartan Lodge No. 210, I. 0. of 0. F. — Organized in
1843, surrendered its charter in 1867, and was reorganized
March 11, 1869. Present officers: James W. Clark, N. G.;
G. G. Black, V. G.; Chas. E. Simons, R. S.; Chas. S. Sault,
per. sec; J. Hiller, treasurer.
Cohoes Encampment, No. 71, I. 0. of 0. F. — Organ
ized July, 1872. Present officers: Albert Porter, C. P.;
George Dean, H. P.; Chas. E. Simons, S. W.; G. G. Black,
J. W. ; James W. Clark, scribe; Nathan Shaver, treasurer.
Temperance.
D. J. Johnston Lodge, I. 0. of G. T. — Organized April
28, 1868. Present membership, 105. Officers: Deputy G.
W. C. Templar, T. C. Collins; W. C. T., Geo. Mather; L.
H. S., EUaRowe; R. H. S.,Mrs. Wm. Fletcher; W. V. T.,
Mary Fenis; W. R. S., H. M. Connelly; W. A. S., Ada
Rhodamere; W. F. S., Jas. H. Crossingham; W. treas., Mrs.
Margaret Leah ; W. chap., T. C. Collins; W. marshal, Wm.
Efnor; W. dep. marshal, Eva Frisbie; W. B. G., Lydia
Crossmgham; W. O. G., Chas. Welles; P. W. C. T., Chas.
Skinkle. St. Bernard's Teetotal Abstinence Benevolent Society. —

262 History op Cohoes. 1876.
Organized May 10, 1868. Present officers : Edward Welch,
president ; Wm. Healey, treasurer ; James Caffrey, record
ing secretary.
Temperance Brethren. — Organized 1870.
D. J. Johnston Temple of Honor.
Militart.
G. H. Adams Zouaves. — Organized Sept., 1870. Pre
sent officers : captain, J. A. Stimson ; lieutenants: 1st, E.
J. Clute ; 2d, E. McCready ; sergeants : orderly, E. J. Fos
ter ; 2d, John Egan ; 3d, P. J. Cannon ; 4th, Thomas Hig
gins ; 5th, W. H. Nolan ; corporals: first, John Grey ; 2d,
H. Tanner ; 3d, James Neary ; 4th, Frank Egan ; 5th, H.
McMurray. Membership of company 50, of staff 12.
Third Separate Co. Infantry National Guard S. N. Y.
10th Brig. 3d Div. — Captain, P. R. Chadwick ; 1st lieu
tenant, J. W. Brooks ; 2d lieutenant, Samuel Sault ; num
ber of enlisted men 115. Miscellaneous.
St. Vincent De Paul /lSoc^e«2/.^Organized 1865 ; William
Acheson, president ; Wm. Healey, treasurer ; Patrick
Healey, vice president ; Edward Flanigan, secretary ; num
ber of members 40.
N G. Lyon Post 43, G. A. R. — Organized Oct. 14,
1867, with thirty members and the following officers : com
mander, A. T. Calkins ; senior vice com., Silas Owens ;
junior, Malachi Weidman ; adjutant, Le Roy Vermilyea ;
quartermaster, Geo. Van Der Cook. Present officers : com
mander, John Nolan ; senior vice, Chas. Mc Collough ;
junior vice, George Norton ; chaplain, M. Redmond ;
quartermaster, P. G. Tymerson ; officer of the day, J.
Helmerick ; delegate, M. Redmond ; alternate, Charles
Travis. The Friendly Society of the Sons of Scotia. — Organized

1876. History of Cohoes. 263
February 12th, 1869. First officers : William Whitehill,
president ; John Mc Ewan, secretary. Present member
ship 80. Present officers : John Campbell, president ; John
Buchanan, 1st vice president ; Robert Taylor, 2d vice presi
dent ; Malcolm Mc Niveu, chaplain ; James Hay, treasurer ;
Andrew 31. Browne, financial secretary ; James D. Scott,
recording secretary ; trustees : James Lamb, John Holmes,
John Mc Ewan, Andrew M. Browne and James Aitken.
Egberts' Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 5Q>. — Instituted
June 3d, 1871. Officers: P. C, Geo. Greason; C. C, Chas.
P. Craig; V. C, Malcolm McPhail; R. C, A. Hoben; F.
C, Jas. Delve; B. K., E. A. Mills. Present officers: P. C,
Malcolm McPhail ; C. C, Thomas Page ; V. C, John
Groves; P., Anthony Fairchild; K. of R., D. J. Sollinger;
M. F., David Williams; M. E., Adam T. Stebbins; M. A.,
John Hilton; J. G., John M. Geer; O. G., Henry Roberts.
Trustees: Thos. Page, Jno. N. Geer, Edward Buckley.
St. Jean Baptiste Society. — Organized Aug. 10, 1871,
L. St. Charles, treas.
Hie Cohoes Medical Society. — Organized August, 1874,
with the following officers : president. Dr. J. W. Moore;
vice pres't., Dr. L. Boudrias; secretary. Dr. J. D. Feather
stonhaugh; treasurer. Dr. C. E. Witbeck. Present officers :
pres't., L. Boudrias; vice pres't, Jas. D. Featherstonhaugh;
sec'y, O. H. E. Clarke; treas., John U. Haynes; censors,
Joseph W. Moore, Thos. S. Parker, Chas. E. Witbeck.
Present membership, 13.
St. George's Cohoes Benevolent Society. — Organized
June, 1875, with the following trustees: Wm. Clough, Wm.
Warner, Thos. Higgins, Lees Wrigley, Wm. H. Gwynn.
St. John's Brotherhood. — Organized Feb. 22, 1876, with
the following officers: Pres't, Robert Weir; 1st vice pres.,
John Horrocks; 2d vice pres't, James Tubbs; 3d vice pres't,
Michael Andrse; recording sec'y, M. Van Benthuysen;
financial sec'y, Daniel M. Adams; treas., Reuben Lee; pre-

264 History of Cohoes. 1876.
center, Samuel Horrocks; organist, Harry J. P. Green. Pre
sent membership, 50.
The Cohoes Boat Club. — Organized July, 1876, with
the following officers: president, Wm R. Benedict; secre
tary, Geo. H. House; treasurer, Geo. H. McDowell; cajDtain,
F. Hastings; lieutenant, Wesley Miller. There are at pre
sent 16 members. A boat house, 15 by 50, has been erected
by the club on Adams's Island, near Mr. Adams's house.
St. Joseph's Union. — Julian Thibadeau, treas.

Assessed Valuation of Property in Cohoes.
Tears. 1848  $421,453.00 1873  3,010,030.00
1858  1,501,346,00 1873  3,098.630.00
18G8  3,349,701.00 1874  3,463,608.00
1870  2,894.335.00 1875  3,606,419,00
1871  3,037,750.00 Census Table.
Tears. Inhabitants. Tears. Inhabitants.
1830  150 1855  6,106
1835  750 1860  8,800
1840  1850 1865  8,795'
1845  3029 1870  15,373
1850  4339 1875  17,483
The last census in detail is as follows :

Total Fop. Voters.

1st Ward,
3d "
3d "
4th ¦'

Natives.

Naturalized.

Total.

6,415

374

629

903

3,333

359

280

639

5,041

459

559

1,018

3,793

310

367

577

17,483 1,403 1,735 3,137
No. of dwellings 1,761, No. of families 3,246.

» Private census showed 9,765.

APPENDIX.

Necrologic.vl Record.
XHE following record of deaths — excfjit those occurring prior to
1847 — has been taken from the columns of the Cohoes Advertiser,
Cataract, Daily News, and the Troy Times.
In the limits of the present work it Is of course impossible to give
little more than .simple announcements of deaths, except in the case of
individuals who have been prominently connected with the history of
Cohoes. In almost every instance where an extended notice is given
it consists of an abridgement of the obituary article published in one
of the above papers at the time. 1834.
Dec. 18, Canvass White, aged 44. Canvass White was born in
Whitestown, N. Y., Sept. 8th, 1790. His health, from his infancy,
was always delicate, and being unable to share with his brothers the
severe labor of farm life, his earlier years were passed as clerk in a
country store at Whitestown. Hismechanical ingenuity and inventive
genius were apparent at an early age, and were turned to practical ac
count in the improvement of many utensils in use on the farm. In
1811, he was compelled on account of poor health to take a sea voyage
from which he returned the following year. Soon after, he entered
the army with the rank of lieutenant, and saw some months of active
service. At the close of the war he returned to his duties as clerk,
but his strong taste for mathematical and scientific pursuits rendered
this life an irksome one, jiud he soon left it, to pursue his studies in
Fairfield, and afterwards in Clinton. In the latter place he was en
gaged for a short time in chemical manufacturing, but this proving
unsuccessful, he returned home, and assisted in the management of
the farm. In the spring of 1816 he joined the corps of engineers for
the Erie Canal under Benj. Wright, whose confidential friend and as
sociate he soon became. Mr. White had a most kindly and winning
disposition, which won for him the esteem and friendship of all with
whom he came in contact, and when in 1817, he made the acquaint
ance of Gov. DeWitt Clinton, it was but a short time before that gen
tleman entertained the highest regard for his personal qualities and
the utmost confidence in his professional abilities. Little was then
known in this country of the actual details of canal navigation and as
the information given in English books was vague and unsatisfactory,
Mr. White went to England in the autumn of 1817, at the solicitation
of the governor, to examine in person the English canal system.
During his stay of several months abroad he traveled over 3000 miles
on foot, studying closely the construction of every canal, gate, lock
and culvert. On his return he brought with him drawings of the
34

266 Appendix.
most important structures, and the model of the first boat which was
built for the Erie Canal.'
Considerable diflSculty was experienced by the canal commissioners
in procuring a cement suitable for use in the construction of locks and
it was finally proposed to import the needed article from England, at
considerable expense. Mr. White gave his attention to the matter,
however, and after repeated experiments, succeeded in manufacturing
from a stone found in Madison Co., an hydraulic cement which exactly
answered the purpose, and on which he obtained a patent in 1830. He
was interested in its manufacture for several years subsequent. Mr.
White's share in the construction and development of the Erie Canal
was an important one. As regards authority he was second only to
Mr. Wright, and every plan or measure of importance was submitted
to his judgment before being acted upon.
It was while he was engaged in the construction of the canal that
Mr. White's attention was called to the eligibility of this locality as
the site for a great manufacturing town. In 1835 he devoted himself
to the formation of a company to develop the remarkable water power
of the place, and with the assistance of Governor Clinton, succeeded in
interesting a number of capitalists in his enterprise. The result was
the incorporation of the Cohoes Co., in March, 1836, Mr. White was
the first president of the company, and acted as its agent. Though
necessarily away a large portion of the time while engaged on other
works, he devoted a good deal of his personal attention to the laying
out of plans for the development of the company's resources and the
formation of a manufacturing town. He was succeeded as agent by
his brother Hugh White, in 1830, though continuing to have an active
part in the direction of the company's affairs. He never had a resi
dence in Cohoes, but while engaged here, boarded in Troy. From the
completion of the Erie Canal, until the time of his death, Mr. While
was constantly employed in different parts of the country in public
works of importance. Among the principal works which he planned
or superintended during these years, may be mentioned the Susque
hanna and Schuylkill Canal, the improvements of the Schuylkill Navi
gation Co., the New Haven and Farmington Canal, the Lehigh Canal,
(1837-1838), the Delaware and Raritan Canal (1830), and the Delaware
Isreakwater. Mr. White was induced to take a contract for the com
pletion of the latter structure, and by the mismanagement of others
was a loser to a large amount.
In 1834 his failing health compelled him to leave business, and he
went to Florida, hoping that the climate would have a favorable effect
upon his disease, which was consumption, but the step had been taken
too late, and within a month after landing, he died, on December
18th. His remains were brought north and interred at Princeton, N. J.,
where his family were residing at the time. The estimate in which
Mr. White's professional abilities were held by his contemporaries, may
be seen by the following remark of Henry Clay, addressed to a gentle
man who was seeking an engineer for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal :
" Get Mr. Canvass White ; no man more competent, no man more

' This boat, which was called the "Chief Engineer of Rome" in honor of Benj.
Wright, was launched upon the canal between Whitestown and Rome, amidst the
greatest rejoicing of the people of the neighborhood. The model was kept in Mr.
White's family for fllty years and then presented to the Buffalo Historical Society.

Appendix. 267
capable. And while your faith in his ability and fidelity increases,
your friendship will grow into affection." It was also said by Gen.
Bernard, U. S. engineer, " as a civil engineer he had no superior ; his
genius and ability were of surpassing magnitude." Mr. White's
gentle disposition, and the kindly charm of his manner, had endeared
him to all whom he chanced to meet, and his early death was mourned
by a large circle of friends. 1841.
Nov. 37, Joseph Mudge, aged 57. " Removed to Cohoes in 1833,
from Ipswich, Mass , and being a first-class mechanic, he made needles
for the first knitting factory started in America, by Egberts & Bailey.
He was a man of education and could speak several languages fluently.
He invented a system of stenography.' His daughter, Caroline Augusta
Smith Mudge, who was married to E. G. Mussey, June 8, 1845, was
the first female who learned to knit on machines run by water power."
— Biographical and Historical Account of the name of Mcdgb ira
America. 1844.
June 39, Levi Silliman, aged 59. He was born in Fairfield, Conn.,
in the year 1786. His ancestors came from Holland in the latter part
of the 17th century, and settled in Fairfield, on a place which still
bears the name of Holland Hill. About the year 1810 Levi moved to
Albany, N. T., and in 1816, was married to Clarissa Clark. He was
a carpenter by trade, and was associated for some years with Jonathan
Lyman, then a prominent builder in Albany. Afterward he was super
intendent of the To%vnsend Furnace, and subsequently one of the firm
of Rathbone & Silliman, in the furnace in Eagle street. In the year
1835 he formed a partnership with Jonas Simmons, Sen., and under
the name of Simmons & Silliman, they built and operated the axe
factory so long and widely known as the Simmons axe factory. After
remaining in this connection for several years he sold out his interest
and purchased a veneer mill owned by Hawes & Baker. Just before his
death he sold this property. He died June 39th, 1844, leaving him
surviving, his widow Clarissa, and son Horace B, (both living 1876),
four other children having previously died. Levi Silliman was one
whose record is not found among those conspicuous in position among
their fellow men, but few had more implicitly the confidence and esteem
of the entire community where he lived. He was one gifted with great
mechanical ability, and was often consulted by both practical and
scientific men, and his opinions, especially when experience and study
had been added to his natural powers, were sought and valued by many
whose names stand high in the history of mechanical inventions
and skill. In all subjects aiFecting the community where he lived,
although never obtruding himself upon the public notice, his wise
counsel and discriminating judgment were sought and he never hesi
tated either to speak or act his convictions. He was an active, earnest,
humble Christian, and his religion, underlying every motive and action,
made him what he was. To him perhaps more than any other, was
due the organization of the Presbyterian church in this city, and the
fostering care which nurtured it in its infancy. He always bore it on
his heart and aided to hold it up by constant devotion and liberality,
and when he heard the summons, " The Master is come and calleth
for thee," he was ready to meet Him, and rest from his labors. * *

268 Appendix. 1847.
April 7, Henry Winans, aged 58. Mr. Winans was the father of
W. H S. Winans, editor of the Cohoes Advertiser.
May 5, Amos Russell Gay, aged 37.

Jan. 4, John Jackson, aged 78. Mr. J. was a native of Glasgow,
Scotland,' and an old resident of Cohoes.
April 8, Thomas Boley, aged 44.
April 19, Reuben P. White, son of Dea. R. White, aged 84.
June 18, James Harris, aged 69.
June 20 Jacob Vanderwerkeu, aged 73. Mr. V. was born in bara-
toga Co., on the 16tli day of December, 1777. He moved to Cohoes
in 1823, where he resided until his death. He was well known as a
charitable, public spirited citizen and was identified with the early
history of the place and many of its improvements. Few residents of
the village had a larger circle of acquaintances.
Aug. 14, William jfiartin, aged 41.
Nov. 9, James Yale, aged 88. Mr. Y was a revolutionary soldier
and also served in the war of 1812. He left a widow about the same
age, 10 children and 33 grand-children. 1851.
March 10, George W. Miller, aged 43.
March 15, John B. Harrison, aged 48. Mr. Harrison was for many
years the collector of the village taxes and was much respected in the
community. April 9, James Dodge, aged 63.
Sept. 33, Philip Badgley, aged 37.
Nov. 37, Joseph A. Worden, aged 65.
Dec. 30, Samuel Ketchel, aged 43.
1853.
Feb. 3, at Caledonia Springs, county of Prescott, Canada West,
David Wilkinson, aged 81. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Smithfield,
R. I., Jan. 5th, 1771. He was the third son of Oziel Wilkinson who
was a lineal descendant from Lawrence Wilkinson who came from
England and settled in the town of Providence, R. 1., in 1645. Oziel
Wilkinson had five sons ; Abraham, Isaac, David, Daniel and Smith ;
all of whom like himself, were bred to the blacksmith's trade. David
Wilkinson, with his father, removed to Pawtucket in 1783. From
his earliest boyhood he had been engaged in the manufacture or
supervision of machinery, and his abilities in this direction enabled
him while yet a young man to take a prominent position among the
business men of Pawtucket. In 1789, Samuel Slater, the father of cot
ton manufacture in this country, came over from England, and two
years later married Miss Hannah Wilkinson, sister of David W ilkinson,
and at this time commenced the intimate business relations between
the latter and Mr. Slater which continued for a number of years. Mr.
Wilkinson then devoted his attention to the production of machinery
for the manufacture of cotton and not only the extensive mills in
Rhode Island, but most of those throughout the country were fitted
out from his machine shop in Pawtucket. He was the originator of
many improvements with which his name was never associated. As
he said himself, " 1 was always too much engaged in various business

Appendix. 269
to look after and make profit out of my inventions ; other people, I hope,
have gained something by them."
One of the best known and most widely used of Mr. Wilkinson's
inventions was the sliding lathe, invented in 1798, for which he re
ceived no adequate compensation until 1848, when congress, recog
nizing the justice of his claims on the country, voted him au appropria
tion of $10,000, " as a remuneration to him for the benefit accruing to
the public service from the use of the principle of the guage and sliding
lathe of which he was the inventor," — {Report of Com. , on Military
Affairs, March 28, 1848),
In 1839, having suffered severe reverses, Mr. Wilkinson was com
pelled to give up his business, and in 1831, at the earnest solicitation
of the Cohoes Company, came to Cohoes. His part in the early history
of this place has been elsewhere spoken of To show the estimation
in which he was held in Rhode Island, the following may be quoted :
" David Wilkinson became a machinist of great skill and carried on
the business in an extensive manner. He is a man of great enterprise
and judgment, and his failure in 1839 was very much regretted. The
capitalists of Rhode Island ought not to have allowed David Wilkinson
to leave the state. But he is now planted at Cohoes Falls, and that
place has already felt the benefit of his business talents, and his ardent
zeal in internal improvement " — {History of Cotton Manufacture,
Philadelphia, 1836.)
Mr. Wilkinson did not long remain in active business in Cohoes.
He had much to call him away, and in his later years, was here only
at intervals. The following, giving an account of some of the enter
prises in which he was engaged, is from a letter written by him in
Dec, 1846 : " The prospects at Cohoes were flattering for a time. But
nullification, Loeo-ibcory, Jacksonism, free trade, and such abomina
tions, killed the new village just born. Europeans who were applying
for water power at Cohoes at this time went away, saying, now we
were going to have free trade ; they could do their work cheaper ' at
' ome ' than they could in this country and they would build their
factories there. We were compelled now to get our living where we
could, to go abroad if we could not get work at home. I went to work
on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, in New Jersey ; then on the St.
Lawrence improvements in Canada ; then to Ohio on the Sandy and
Beaver Canal; then to the new wire biidge on the Ottawa River, at
Bytown, Canada, and Virginia. Wherever I could find anything to
do, 1 went."
He was bom and bred up in the faith of the Quakers, and always had
a great respect for them. In mid life he connected himself with the
Episcopal church, of which he was ever after a most active member.
He was one of the principal founders of St. Paul's church, in Paw
tucket, and one of its largest supporters for years. At Wilkinsonville,
Sutton, Mass., where he afterwards had large interests, he built a
church, and supported a minister at his own expense ; and on coming
to Cohoes, his first achievement was the establishment of St. John's
church, of which he and Mr. Howe were the principal founders. He
was an active Mason, and one of the founders of Union Lodge, Paw
tucket, besides being chiefiy instrumental in the establishment of the
Cohoes Lodge, in 1846. He was a man of sterling integrity of cha
racter, and commanded the respect and affection of a very large circle

270 Appendix.
of friends. His remains were brought to Cohoes, and the funeral took
place from St. John's church, Feb. 11th.
Feb. 6, M. C. Kirnan, aged 35.
March 34, Evart A. Lansing, aged 63. Mr. Lansing was nn old resi
dent of the Boght — one of a family of six children, of whom two sur
vived him. In his death the community lost an honest and conscien
tious citizen, the Dutch church of Cohoes a judicious counsellor and
an active, zealous member.
April 38, Paul Weidman, aged 30.
May 15, James Abel, aged 54.
July 3, Franklin Waring, aged 38. Mr. W. was for a nitmber of
years one of the leading merchants of the place.
Nov. 17, E. D. Gill, foreman in Miles White's axe factory, aged 45
Dec. 35, Baltheus Simmons, aged 53.
1853.
Jan. 16, Joshua Bailey, Sen., a revolutionary soldier and father of
Joshua and Timothy Bailey, aged 90. Mr. B. was born in East Hamp
ton, Conn., in 1763, removed to Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y.,in 1803,
and lived in a log cabin seven years, enduring the hardships and pri
vations incident to the life of a pioneer. He removed from Meredith
to Cohoes, in 1835, where he continued to reside with his son Joshua
until the day of his death.
April 9, Philip Vosburgh, aged 33.
July 31st, John B. Vanderwerkeu, aged 43. Mr. V. was a son of
Jacob Vanderwerkeu and succeeded to the business so many years
conducted by him at the corner of Mohawk and Oneida streets, which
he retained until he was appointed gate keeper of the \Vatervliet turn
pike Co., between West 'Troy and Albany, in which he was a leading
stockholder. He held the position until his death.
1854.
July 36, Dewitt D. Slocum, aged 31.
Sept. 37, John D. Perry, aged 73.
Oct. 16, James Manton, aged about 38.
Oct. 37, Alexander Ten Eyck, aged 33.
1855.
March 16, William Pundison Mansfield, aged 80. Mr. Mansfield
was born at New Haven, Conn., in 1775, moved with his father's family
to Litchfield, South Farms, and was educated at Morris Academy.
He subsequently went into mercantile business in Kent, Litchfield Co.,
where he remained until about 1833, when he came to Saratoga Co.,
Northside. He married in Kent, Sally, daughter of Bradley Mills,
and of four children born there, Mrs. Hugh White and L. W. Mans
field are the only survivors — the other children, a brother and sister,
having died at the old home in the Housatonic Valley a few years be
fore the family left it for their new home in this state, and here also,
the mother of these children died in Feb,, 1843, This family, in both
branches, and their own kindred before them, as far back as is known
to the writer of this sketch, were all brought up in the faith and
practice of the Congregational church, and all who have departed this
life died in that faith. Mr. M. was a man of remarkable firmness of
character and firmness of principle and of most unquestioned integrity
in all his dealings, both with others and with himself. * *

Appendix. 271
April 13, Asahel Goffe, father of Demas and Augustus J. Goffe,
aged 74.
May 34, William H. Vanderwerken, aged 35.
June 3, In Bellevue Hospital, New York, H. N. Pettis, aged 44.
July 33, Samuel Stiles, aged 35.
Sept. 11, in Picton, Canada West, Charles O'Brien, of Cohoes, aged
26. . . s
Sept. 30, Milton, son of Joshua Bailey, aged 38. Mr. B. was secre
tary of the Bailey Manufacturing Co.
Oct. 14, Christopher White, aged 43.
Oct. 16, Nathaniel Selleck, aged 68.
Dec. 3d, in St. Louis, Mo., Charles H., son of Guy Blakeley, aged 34.
1856.
April 37, Nicholas W. Smith, aged 36.
May 4, Norton T. Raynsford, aged 39.
^ Aug. 15, Wm. J. Clements, for many years the eflacient clerk of the
Cohoes Co., aged about 35 years.
Sept. 37, in Meriden, Ct., Elias Howell, only son of Dea. Maltby
Howell, aged 44.
Nov. 38, Patrick Mc Entee, merchant, aged about 60.
1857.
Jan. 38, in Albany, Dr. G. F. Goss, formerly a resident of Cohoes,
aged 41.
Feb. 3d, in Richmond, Va., William Brooks, printer, formerly of
Cohoes, aged 31.
Feb 13, Chas. F. Ferguson, aged 38.
Feb. 19, at the Boght, Cornelius V. Fonda, aged 17.
jNlarch 10, Liddell Peverly, foreman of the Cohoes Iron Foundery,
aged 37 years.
March 23, Jonathan Hastings, aged 35 years.
June 8, in Shaftsbury , Vt. , Benjamin Hutchins, formerly a resident of
Cohoes, aged 33 years. He was for some time clerk of the village, and
occupied other positions of trust.
July 6, Dr. Henry Adams (father of Hon. Chas. H. Adams), aged
70 years. Dr. Adams was born in Coxsackie, N. Y., on July 6, 1787,
and had thus just completed, on the day of his death, three score and
ten. He made profession of religion under the ministry of the Rev.
Dr. Livingston, and was for many years an active and useful member
of the church in Coxsackie, until about 1849, he removed to Cohoes,
where he connected himself with the Dutch church. At the time of
his death he was an acting elder; an oflBce which for many years he
had held in the churches of his earlier and later affection. In his
profession, by his kind and sympathizing manner, he gathered around
him the affection and confidence of those to whom he ministered, and
won for himself the title of the " beloved physician." He was buried
in the i'amily burial place at Coxsackie.
Dec. 30, Thomas Brown, aged 63.
1858.
March 8, Douw Vandenburgh, aged 86.
March 1, Daniel Nugent, aged 47.
March 30, in East Paw Paw, De Kalb Co., 111., John Lansing, father
of Deacons Jacob I. and Thomas Lansing, of this city.

272 Appendix.
June 30, James Barclay, aged 36.
Aug. 19, in Dubuque, Iowa, E. H. Johnston, aged 39. Mr. J. was for
some time principal of the Depot school in the 3d ward, but resigned
about 1851. The Galena Daily Courier in noticing his death said :
" lu the death of Mr. Johnston, our city has lost a most valuable citizen
and an estimable man. He came to Galena in October, 1855, and as
sumed charge of the Institute, which he conducted successfully up to
the present time. Possessed of considerable experience as a teacher,
great energy, and devoted to his calling, under his auspices the Insti
tute became at once flourishing. Mr. Johnston was a native of Sydney,
Delaware Co., N. Y."
Sept. 30, Garret R. Lansing, aged 45.
Nov. 3, in La Crosse, Wis., Henry, son of Paschal Brooks, M.D.,
aged 35. For several years Mr. Brooks, with his brother Thomas, was
engaged in the drug business.
Nov. 30, at Toboga, in the bay of Panama, Henry E. La Salle, first
telegraphic operator in Cohoes.
Dec. 8, John Eastwood, aged 43. Mr. E, was a prominent fireman
and an influential member of the masonic fraternity.
Dec. 6, William Dickey, aged 53. Mr. D. was well known as a con
tractor and prominent citizen of the 3d ward.
Dec. 14, By accident at D. Simmons & Co's axe factory, Thomas
Golden, aged 45.
Dec. 81, Robert Leckie, father of William Leckie, Esq., aged 68.
Mr. L, was one of the earliest settlers in Cohoes.
1859.
Jan, 28, in Charleston, S. C. , David Warren Leland, aged 64.
March 11, Henry L. Landon, M.D., aged about 35. Dr. L. had been
for many years a resident of the place and as a citizen had been closely
identified with every enterprise that had for its object the welfare
and prosperity of the village. For a long time he had been president
of the village, and had held other important offices of trust. As a
public official he discharged his duties faithfully and conscientiously.
From the Cataract of March 19, 1859, is taken the following notice
of his funeral : " The funeral of Dr Henry L. Landon, which took place
in this village on Sunday afternoon last, was one of the largest gather
ings of the kind ever witnessed in the village. Besides our citizens,
who attended en masse, there were large numbers of thu friends and
acquaintances of Dr. L. from abroad, together with delegations of the
masonic fraternity from Waterford, Lansingburg, Troy and Albany.
An eloquent and impressive discourse was delivered by Rev. C. N.
Waldron, from Isaiah 38 : 10 ; 'I am deprived of the residue of my
years.' After the services at the church, the body was taken to the
Waterford cemetery, where the masonic rites were conducted by Past
Master Geer, of King Solomon's Lodge, assisted by Worshipful Master
Ball, of Mount Zion's Lodge, Troy."
March 17, Jacob Upham, aged 53. Mr. U. had been for several
years an overseer in the Ogden Mills.
May 3, James Groves, aged 38,
Sept. 11, Henry Lyons, aged 40.
Sept. 33, John Downs, aged 41.
Nov. 19, Matthew Fitzpatrick, aged 53. He was one of the oldest
and most enterprising residents of the 3d ward, and took a leading
part in local affairs.

Appendix. 273
Dec. 4, Owen Sweeney, aged 36.
Dec. 6, Isaac Fonda, aged 80. 1860.
Feb. 13, Stephen P. Van Woert, aged 40.
August 37, William Penfold, aged 57.
Oct. 33, Nathaniel Wilder, aged 71.
Nov. 1, Jonathan Wightman, aged 69. Mr. Wightman, as a
member of the firm of Wightman and Youmans, was for some years
prominently connected with the manufacturing interests of Cohoes, and
was universally respected.
Nov. 6, James Maitland, aged about 60.
Nov. 10, Octavius Cole, aged 50.
Nov. 14, Aaron L. Ferguson, aged 69. Mr. P., was for many years
identified with the business interests of Cohoes, as a contractor and
builder. Nov. 30, Jeremiah Houlihan, aged 68.
Dec. 39, Daniel Simmons, aged 58. Mr. Simmons was one of the
first to engage in business in Cohoes, and to his industry and enter
prise the place is largely indebted for its reputation as a manufacturing
town. Beginning in a small way the manufacture of axes and edge
tools in 1835, he, in a few years, succeeded in building up an establish
ment which was one of the most important of its kind in the country,
and in gaining a widespread reputation for energy and ability. The
main facts in regard to the connection of Mr. S. with the business
history of Cohoes, have been elsewhere mentioned.
1861.
Jan. 1st, John R. Bullock, aged 54. Mr. B. was for many years a
resident of the village and was frequently selected by his fellow citizens
to represent them in of&cial positions.
Jan. 31, Christopher C. Stow, aged 36.
March 13, Origen Orcutt, aged 64.
April 30, William H. Mead, aged 31.
June 13, John Vandercook, aged 30.
July 3d, Jenks Brown, aged 50. Mr. B. was for several years agent
of the Ogden Mills, and in 1859 was president of the village. He died
in Indian Orchard, Mass.
July — , Jesse D. Van Hagen, aged 23. Mr. V. H. was a member of
Co. K, 34th N. Y. Vols., and was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va.
Nov. 14, John Mcintosh, aged 57.
1863.
Jan. 33, A. C. Byrant, aged 46. Mr. B. was a foreman in D. Sim
mons & Co's axe factory and was widely known and respected.
Feb. 13, William Orelup, Sen., aged 69. Mr. O. had been identified
¦with the interests of Cohoes since its settlement and was known as an
enterprising citizen and a prominent member of the M . E. church.
Feb. 37, George M. Howes, aged about 33. Mr. H. was for a long
time the only news dealer in the place.
March 10th, Dr. J. H. Tripp, aged 45.
.\pjil — ,iii West Troy, N. Y., Supply P. Wilson, for several years a
justice of the peace in Cohoes and a leading politician of the town.
May 31, James Galbraith, killed in battle at Seven Pines, near
Richmond. 35

274 Appendix.
Aug. 30, Leonard G. Fletcher, aged about 33. This young man was
a member of Capt. J. L. Yates' Co., 33d Reg't, N. Y. Vols. He was en
gaged in the battle before Sharpsbnrg, Md. , and from the fact that no
tidings were subsequently heard of his fate, it is probable that he there
lost his life.
Sept. 4, William Osterhout, aged 44. He was a foreman in D. Sim
mons & Co's axe factory, a skillful mechanic and a well known citizen.
Sept. — , James Young, a private in Capt. Wm. Shannon's company,
113th Reg't, died in the hospital at Georgetown, D. C.
Sept. 17, William Orelup, Jr. , aged about 45 years. Mr. 0. was a
member of the Board of Education and a director in the Bank of Cohoes
at the time of his death. During a long residence in Cohoes he held
many public positions and was much respected as a citizen.
Sept. — , in England, Dr. Blake, for a few years medical practitioner
in Cohoes.
Sept. 19, in Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, Col. George 1. Abbott, aged
about 50. Col. Abbott was one of the earliest citizens of Cohoes and
a charter member of Cohoes Lodge, P. & A. M. He Sis remembered
as a gentleman of quiet, unobtrusive manners and possessed of those
genial qualities which render a man a true friend and good citizen.
Sept. 33, in hospital, at Washington, D. C, William Long of
bilious fever. Mr. Long was a member of Capt. Wm. Shannon's com
pany, 113th Reg't, N. Y. Vols.
Sept. 39, in hospital at Washington, D. C, Lieut. Hiram Clute, of
Co. A, 33d Reg't, N. Y. Vols. Lt. Clute was wounded in the foot at
one of the battles before Manassas. He lay five days upon the battle
field and his limb was not operated upon until he had been in the
hospital two days more. An obituary in the Cataract said : " Thus
ends the career of as brave a soldier and as true a man as ever met
death upon the battle field. He was idolized by his company and re
spected by the regiment to which he belonged, as well as in the com
munity in which he has long resided. He leaves a wife and two
children to mourn his loss."
Oct. 17, Peter M. Smith, aged 33. Mr. S. was acting village libra
rian in 1861.
Nov. 16, Dea. Maltby Howell, aged 77.
Nov. 28, William B. Hitchcock, aged 77.
1863.
Jan. 5, William Padley, aged 51.
Feb. 37, John J. Swartz, aged 58.
Feb. 37, Samuel Maitland, aged 35.
March 31, Michael Farrelly, aged 79.
May 8, George E. Van Vliet, aged 34. Mr. V. V. was a member of
Co. H, 177th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. " He was a young man of great pro
mise. He had finished his course of study at Burr Seminary, Man
chester, and was about to enter Hamilton College, to prepare for the
ministry, when he felt it to be his duty to enlist in the service of his
country." July 1, Lemuel Scott, aged 40.
June 18, killed, at the siege of Port Hudson, John Mc GaflBn, in the
30th year of his age. The following concerning Mr. McG. appeared
in the Cataract : " There are very few of those who have left our vil
lage for the scene of conflict, who were so well known and esteemed as
the subject of this notice. He was a youth of great promise. His

Appendix. 275
mind was naturally of a studious, inquiring disposition, which was
strengthened by intellectual training, and adorned by the graces of
the Holy Spirit. In the 15th year of his age he made profession of
his faith in Christ, uniting with the Reformed Dutch church in this
village, and was soon after led to commence his preparation for preach
ing the Gospel. He was a member of the junior class in Rutgers'
College, when at the call of his country, he bid farewell for a season
to the endearments of his home and the attractions of his studies, and
enlisted for nine months as a private in the 177th Reg't, of this state.
He stood up manfully in the place of honor and peril ; in the forepart
of the battle he met with a soldier's death, and has found in a far dis
tant state, a soldier's grave. His death has made another vacant place
in the home he loved so well, and has filled with sadness the hearts of
a large circle of friends he had gathered around himin this community."
June 16, Robert Taylor, age unknown. He was a member of the
175th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. , and was wounded in the engagement before
Port Hudson, from the effects of which he died in hospital at Baton
Rouge. He was a brother of John Taylor of this place.
July 2, killed, at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Lieut. Thomas
Walters, of the 97th Reg't, N. Y. Vols.
July 3, William H. Cranston, aged 36. He enlisted as a private in
Co. A, 76th N. Y. Vols. , and was killed at the battlepf Gettysburg, Pa.
July 3, Edward Greason, aged 31. He was born at Hyde, Cheshire,
England, and enlisted from Cohoes in Co. A, 76th N. Y. Vols. He was
wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., after which he was missing.
It is supposed he died on the field and was buried by the enemy.
July 2, killed at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., John Wood, John
Brierly, Louis Toronto, Hugh Loughry, Wesley Brodt and Wesley
Tompkins, ages unknown. These young men were all members of
the 76th Reg't, N. Y. Vols.
July 16, James Durham, aged 30, a member of the 3d Reg't N. Y.
Vols. July 33, John N. Meads, aged 65.
July 36, Daniel Ball, aged 80.
July 33, in Nantasket, Mass., William W. Kendrick, ^formerly of
Cohoes, aged 43. Mr. K. was a brother-in-law of Col. Isaac Quack
enbush. Aug. 4, from wounds received in the battle at Gettysburg, Pa.
PhiUp Keeler, of the 50th Reg't N. Y. Vols.
August — , from malaria in the swamps of Bonnet Carre, La., Robt
W. Frisby and John Plynn, members of the 10th Reg't N. Y. Vols,
Ages unknown.
Sept. 3, Jacob A. Taylor, aged 18. He was a member of Co. H, 177th
Reg't N. Y. Vols. , and served his country faithfully. He accompanied
his regiment on its way hiime until he reached Rochester, N. Y., where
he was taken sick and died.
Sept. — , in Mount Pleasant Hospital, near Port Hudson, William H.
Vandenbergh, aged 33. Mr. V. was the only son of Jacob L. Vanden-
bergh, of the Boght. He enlisted in the 177th Reg't N. Y. Vols. A
correspondent said of him : " In his manner he was unobtrusive, in his
demeanor amiable and gentle, and possessed,. in an eminent degree,
those characteristics calculated to inspire the love of those who knew
him."

276 Appendix.
Sept. 38, Abram Lawrence, aged 31. Mr. L. was a son of Geo.
Lawrence, of this city, and was for many years deputy postmaster.
Oct. 31, Allen Bordwell, aged about 45
Oct. 39, Patrick Malany, aged 38.
Nov. 17, William Williams, machinist.
Nov. 33, in Troy, Dennis Stow, for many years a prominent inventor
and resident of Cohoes, aged 63.
Nov. 31, Isaac P. Fletcher, aged 65. Mr. P. was one of the earliest
residents of the place, a prominent member of Cohoes Lodge, P. &
A. M., and a conscientious, upright citizen.
Dec. — , James Harvey, a member of the 138th N. Y. Vols. He had
served faithfully and honorably in most of the battles of the war, and
in consequence of failing health was on his return home, where he
hoped to give his mother and friends a pleasant surprise. He lived to
enter the harbor of New York, where in sight of his native state, and
within a few miles of his friends and home, he yielded up his life.
Dec. 16, Sherman D. Fairbank, aged 50. Mr. P. had been for many
years a prominent business man, universally respected for his in
tegrity and excellent traits as a citizen. He held several prominent
positions of responsibility in the village, was a leading member of Co
hoes Lodge P. & A. M. and a director of the Bank of Cohoes.
Dec. 18, in Syracuse, N. Y., Chauncey Stow, one of the original
founders of the Cataract, aged about 35.
1864.
Feb. 17, Capt. William Holley, aged 54.
Feb. 30, James R. Wilson, aged 18. Mr. W. enlisted from Cohoes
as a private in Co. H, 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols. , and was killed by a shell
from a rebel battery in the battle at Olustee, Fla. Lt. Clark wrote of
him as follows : " The brave young soldier fired his own sixty rounds
of ammunition and then sought a fresh supply from a dead companion's
cartridge box. He loaded for the sixty-first time and was about firing
when the shell exploded that cost him his life. "
Feb. 30, Oscar L. Ackley, age unknown. Mr. A. was a member of
the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols, and was killed at the battle of Olustee,
Fla. March 10, Edward O'Reilly, aged 48. He was an upright citizen
and conscientious business man and was frequently called upon to
represent his ward in public positions.
March 11, in Halfmoon, N. Y., John Oliver, aged 53.
March 33, Edward H. Owen, aged 49.
March 31, Charles Green, soldier, aged about 33.
March 36, Willie H. Howard, aued 31.
April 37, L. Sprague Parsons, aged 55. " Mr. Parsons commenced
his preparatory studies in Hamden, Ct,, which were afterwards com
pleted in Troy, N. Y. He entered Yale College in the class of 1835,
but did not graduate until 1837, having devoted one year to teaching
in Bristol, Ct. After graduation he taught for a short time in Norfolk
Co., Va., but was obliged to return home on account of ill health.
After teaching another year in Bristol, Ct., he moved to Albany, N. Y.,
in 1839, where with his sister he established a select family school.
He was also at the same time principal of the Pearl street Academy
for boys, in the same ciiy. In 1845, he was chosen principal of the
Albany Female Academy, the duties of which he discharged with suc
cess until 1855, when he resigned his office. In the same year he

Appendix. 277
engaged in manufacturing in Cohoes, where he remained until his
death." April 33, in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, James McCarthy and
Matthew Riley, of Cohoes, N. Y. Both were young men.
April 18, Herbert Hastings, aged about 30. Mr. Hastings was a
member of the 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery and died very suddenly in
camp from heart disease. He had been a resident of Cohoes from his
boyhood and for many years previous to his enlistment was the lead
ing dentist of the place Of a genial, generous disposition, he had
troops of friends who sincerely mourned his early death.
May 5, George Diehl, age unknown, a member of the 77th N. Y.
Vols., was killed in one of the battles of the Wilderness.
May 10, killed while on picket duty, John McCarthy, aged 17.
May 35, William Noonan, aged 40.
June 3, Simon O'Dea and Thomas Eastham, members of Battery 1,
7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, both brave and faithful soldiers, were killed
in one of the battles of the Wilderness, ages unknown.
June, — James Cole, who faithfully served in all the principal battles
of the war, on the peninsula, at Gettysburg and the Wilderness, fell
In one of the later engagements. Age unknown.
June 10, Joseph Wickham, aged 39. Mr. Wickham was a member
of the 118th Reg't, N. Y. Vols., and was wounded in the shoulder at
Bermuda Hundreds, May 16, from the effects of which he died.
June 19, Henry O. Osterhout, aged 17. Enlisted as a private in Co.
H, 177th Reg't N. Y. Vols., and was with the army at the siege of
Port Hudson. He returned home with his regiment in September,
1863, and died from sickness contracted in the service.
July 9, Daniel D. Tuthill, aged 47. Enlisted as a private in Co. 1, 7th
Reg't N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was afterward promoted to the rank of
sergeant. He was wounded in the engagement at North Anna Bridge,
Va., on May 30th, 1864, and died in the hospital at Washington. Mr.
T., was the father-in-law of Capt. William Shannon, now of Pittsburg,
Pa., and A. H. Prink, of this oity.
July — , Charles Westover, aged 30, a member of the 4th Reg't N. Y.
Heavy Artillery, died in hospital at Stateu Island.
July 13, George Shipley, aged 43. Mr. S. was a member of Co. I,
7th Heavy Artillery, and died on board the U. S. transport Atlantic,
from disease contracted while i n the service. His remains were interred
in Cypress Hill cemetery, L. 1., July 14.
July 33, Sergeant Major E. Raymond Fonda, aged 37. Was a mem
ber of the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols. He was severely wounded May 7th,
in one of the battles near Petersburg, Va., from the effects of whi^h
he died in the Lady's Home Hospital, New York.
July 39, in Troy, N. Y., John Kerr, aged 63. Mr. Kerr was for
several years previous to his death prominently connected with manu
facturing interests in Cohoes.
Aug. 1, William G. Caw, aged 48. Mr. Caw came to Cohoes in
1846, and formed a partnership with Isaac Quackenbush, with whom
he continued in the grocery business until his death. He was a town
supervisor from 1858 to 1861, trustee of the village, water commissioner,
director of the Bank of Cohoes, and filled other public positions of re
sponsibility, in all of which the people were faithfully served. In his
business relations he was honorable and conscientious, and as a citizen
he was enterprising and public spirited. A friend wrote of his death

278 Appendix.
as follows : " The death of William G. Caw makes a great gap in our
community. Let it be fllled by the renewed devotion of others to
those interests to which he gave so freely of his time and his attention,
and if the cry of the poor and the needy, the fatherless and the widow,
the demands of our country and its brave defenders, the churcii of
Christ, and its overshadowing claims can reach the hearts more for
cibly through the remembrance of his character as a businessman, a
citizen, a politician, a patriot, a philanthropist and a Christian, then
indeed, will he, being dead, yet speak to us ; and of the recollections
that cluster around his name, it msy be truly said, " the memory of
the just is precious."
July 18, Nathan Stone, aged 76. Mr. Stone was one of the earliest
residents of the place.
Aug. 17, Alfred Phelps, aged about 70. Mr. Phelps was for many
years the proprietor of the " old junction " tavern, and had served the
people as justice of the peace, and village trustee.
Aug. 11, Peter Forbes, aged 44. Mr. Forbes was for a long time
foreman in Fuller and Safely's iron foundery.
Aug. 16, Abbott C. Musgrove, aged 19. Mr. Musgrove was a mem
ber of the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols., and by his bravery, correct deport
ment and sterling integrity won the esteem of his comrades and left
a record that proved him a patriot and heroic soldier. He was killed
in the battle at Deep Bottom, Va.
Aug. 16, James K. Himes, aged 18. He was a member of the 115th
Reg't N. Y. Vols., and fell in the battle at Deep Bottom, Va. , whila
bearing the colors of the regiment. He was distinguished for his
heroic conduct in times of greatest peril, and was beloved by all who
knew him.
Sept. 18, Thomas Gooch, son-in-law of John Land, died in St. John's
Hospital, Annapolis, Md., from the effects of wounds received in the
battle at Ream's Station. He was a member of the 7th Reg't, N. Y.
Heavy Artillery.
Oct. 3, Edward Bullock, aged 31.
Oct. 6, Stephen Slocum, aged about 60. Mr. S. was for many years
deacon in the Baptist society of the village, and acted as the first super
intendent of the Harmony Union Sunday school.
Oct. 13, Adam Turner, aged 41, was born in Castlereagh, Ireland,
March 12, 1833. He removed to this country in 1850. He enlisted
from Cohoes as a private in Co. 1, 4th Reg't N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
and died from disease contracted by exposure and fatigue with the
army before Richmond.
Oct. — , in Andersonville prison, John Greer and John Ebah.
Oct. 31, John Trull, a veteran of the war of 1813 and father of Stevens
V. and Samuel D. Trull of this city, aged 71.
Nov. 6, James K. Stevens, aged 30, He enlisted in Co. H, 4th Reg't,
N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and died in the hospital at Annapolis, Md.,
from sickness contracted in Richmond prison. He was a son of John
Stevens of this city.
Nov. 10, Charles T. Cannon, son of Tracy (^annon, aged 33.
Nov. 38, in McClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., Robert Gormley,
a member of the 7th Reg't, N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Nov. 36, in rebel prisons, John Welch and J. Mangham. Particulars
unknown.

Appendix. 279
1865.
Feb. 3, Lt. John C. Carroll, aged 33. Lt. C. belonged to Co. M,
6th N. Y. Cavalry, and was killed near Lovellville, Va.
March 38, John Vandermark, aged 55. Mr. V. was one of the most
widely known citizens and belonged to one of the oldest families in
the town. He had occupied various public positions, was for a time
engaged in manufacturing, and immediately preceding his death was
proprietor of the Rock Hotel, on the corner of Mohawk and Howard
streets. May 7, at Chicago, 111., Patrick O'Brien, son of Lawrence O'Brien,
aged 39.
July 6, Nicholas D. Lounsbury, aged 57. Mr. L. was a member of
the 30th Reg't, N. Y. Vols.
Sept. 17, Wm. B. Jackson, a member of the 91st Reg't, N. Y. Vols.,
aged about 45.
Oct. 7, C. P. Ingraham, aged about 43. Mr. Ingraham was for many
years principal of the Depot school and superintendent of the Baptist
Sunday school.
Oct. 31, Levinus S. Lansing, aged 85. Mr. L. was one of the oldest
representatives of the Lansing family, and resided most of his life in
the old homestead between this place and West Troy.
Dec. 15, Patrick Neary, aged 26.
Dec. 31, Abram D. Clute, aged 41.
1866.
Jan. 14, John Rafferty, age unknown. He was a member of the
91st Reg't, N. Y. Vols., and his death was occasioned by disease con
traded while in the service.
March 1, John Hay, aged 76. Mr. H, was a native of Scotland and
emigrated to Cohoes in 1836, remaining a resident until his death.
He left a family of ten children, fifty grand-children and three great
grand children. John, James, Charles and Alex. Hay of this place are
his sons.
March 31, Peter Manton. At the time of his death Mr. Manton was
deputy sheriff and chief engineer of the fire department.
April 19, in Albany, A. E. Stimson, aged 57. Mr. Stimson occupied
for some years a prominent position among Cohoes manufacturers, hav
ing organized the Clifton Co., in which he held the controlling interest.
May 3, James R. Dickey, aged 33. Mr. Dickey was a printer who
served his apprenticeship in the office of the Cataract.
May 10, L. G. Forrester, for several years book-keeper at the Har
mony Mills, aged about 45.
May 14, George Shires, proprietor of the Miller House, aged 46.
May 14, James Horner, aged 43.
May 38, Edward Packard, aged 38.
June Ist, Lt. Francis Keating, aged 33. Lt. K. was one of the first
volunteers from Cohoes and served his country faithfully and honorably.
Aug. 33, Wm. P. Carter, M.D. , aged 54. Dr. Carter was born in
Newburyport, Mass., and was educated at the old academy of that
place. Owing to his father's reverses of fortune by losses at sea,
during the war of 1815, and afterwards, his education was not con
tinued as it would otherwise have been, and at 14 years of age he was
apprenticed in the drug store of Dr. David Kimball, of Portsmouth,
N. H., where he acquired a thorough knowledge of that business. He

280 Appendix.
then became acquainted with Dr. Timothy Upham, who was about
removing to Waterford, N. Y. , and who being interested in the smart,
quick-witted boy, invited him to study medicine with him. The invi
tation was accepted but not until after the young man had spent some
months in the study of Latin. He remained with Dr. Upham one year
and afterward attended medical lectures in Boston, going from there
to Dartmouth College where he finished his course and received his
diploma in 1834. He commenced practice at Hagaman's Mills, Mont
gomery Co., but not receiving sufficient encouragement there, he re
moved to Cohoes, in 1835, where he remained in practice of his
profession until his death. He was eccentric in manner, and brusque
in address but possessed a most tender and sympathetic disposition
which was manifested in kindly and charitable acts toward those who
were worthy. He was a director in the Bank of Cohoes, and trustee
of the Savings Institution and had represented his fellow citizens in
local affairs on many occasions.
Dec. 9, John Eastwood, Jr.", aged 33. Mr. E. was a member of the
33d Reg't N. Y. Vols., and served his country honorably during the
war. He was wounded in one of the battles of Virginia and while in
the service contracted the disease from which he died.
Dec. 31, Alexander Bell, aged 89.
1867.
Jan. 3, William Buchanan, aged 44.
Jan. 38, Michael H. Johnson, aged 38. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the
U. S. Navy about 1860, and served on board the fiag ship Sabine. On
an expedition to Paraguay he was sunstruck, from the effects of which
he never recovered.
Feb. 35, John Partridge, aged 48, well known as the proprietor for
many years of the Cataract House.
Feb. 37, Edward Ayres, aged 40.
July 7th, in Montreal, Ca., Gideon Longley, aged 54. Mr. Longley
was born in Tenterden, Kent, England, Dec. 31st, 1813, and came to
this country in the spring of 1836, locating in Watervliet. He was
one of the earliest members of the M. E, church of Cohoes.
Sept. 31, Abraham L. Smith, a young merchant of the place, aged 30.
Sept. 80, Philip L. Clow, aged 51.
Oct. 16, in New York, Thomas Garner, aged 63. Mr. G. was the
principal owner of the Harmony Mills. His connection with this es
tablishment is spoken of elsewhere in this volume.
Nov. 7, Oscar 0. Finney, aged 83. Mr. Finney was a leading mem
ber of the Masonic Fraternity and for several years was proprietor of
the Cohoes Hotel.
Dec. 8, Abraham Lansing, aged 74. Mr. Lansing was one of the
oldest inhabitants of Cohoes. The following is an extract from an
obituary notice published in the Cataract : " A man of an amiable dis
position, of the strictest integrity, of a fine and unblemished character,
gathering around him the respect and attachment of all who knew
him. Beloved in the family, honored as an upright citizen in our com
munity, and in the Reformed church an elder who " ruled well and
was counted worthy of double honor." In a good old age, after a long
life of Christian usefulness, he has fallen asleep."
Dec. 10, Edward Brennan, aged about 35. Mr. B. was collector of
the village.
Dec. 31, Edward Twelvetrees, aged 17.

Appendix. 281
1868.
Jan. 37, John Page, aged 33.
Feb. 4, Charles L. Hubbell, aged about 45. Mr. H. was for many
years one of the leading mechanics of Cohoes.
Feb. 34, in Flint, Mich., Isaac S. Carter, aged 38. Mr. C. was a son
of Thomas C. Carter of Cohoes.
March 36, Alonzo J. M. Mc Kee, aged 33.
April 11, Bernard O'Neil, aged 46.
April 18, William Sullivan, aged 33.
May 15, Col. Dow Fonda, aged 93. Col. F. was one of the oldest
residents of the place.
May 28, John Clark, aged 35.
July 6, Louis Valley, aged 54.
Aug. 3, Rev. A. Judson Bingham, aged about 40. Mr. B. came to
Cohoes in March, 1865, in response to a call to become the pastor of
the Baptist church. He resigned his charge in Feb., 1867, to accept
the position of principal of Egberts Institute, in which he continued
until his death. As a pastor and teacher he was greatly beloved. He
left a wife and three children.
Aug. 3, Daniel Scully, aged 68.
Aug. 17, in Quincy, 111., Joseph Atwood, formerly a resident of
Cohoes. Aug. 33, James Ryan, aged 47.
Sept. 25, Michael Monahon, aged 38.
Sept. 36, Col. Jacob W. Miller, aged 58. Col. Miller was born
August, 1810, in Schaghticoke, Reus. Co., N. Y., and commenced teach
ing school in his native town when he was 17 years of age. Rev.
Ensign Stover, at one time pastor of the M. E. church of Cohoes, and
his brother, the late Samuel Stover, Esq., of West Troy, were pupils
of his at that time. He afterwards taught school in Halfmoon, N. Y.,
until his marriage, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits at Vis-
scher's Perry, Saratoga Co., N. Y., remaining there until the death of
his first wife. He then entered the office of Judge Doe at Waterford
in the same county, as a law student. Hon. John K. Porter was a
student in the office at the same time, and both were admitted to the
bar in 1843. It was at this time he married his second wife. In 1844,
he came to Cohoes and commenced the practice of law, whi'^h he con
tinued up to the time of his death. His first partner was John Van
Santvoord, Esq. , of New York city, the partnership continuing until
the latter left the place in 1853. From this time he continued busi
ness alone until December, 1864, when Charles P. Doyle, Esq., a
former student, became associated with him. He held many public
positions in which he acquitted himself honorably and satisfactorily to
his constituents. In 1848, with Mr. Van Santvoord he built the
Miller and Van Santvoord Block now owned by H. B. Silliman, and
in 1863 erected the Miller House Block, now owned by Frank Brown.
Oct. 8, Samuel H. Poster, aged 53. Mr. Poster was born in Rensse-
laerville, Albany Co., N. Y., where he resided until his eighteenth
year, when he entered Williams College, from which he graduated
after completing his course with honor. After teaching for a time, he
commenced the study of law in the office of Jonathan Jenkins, at
Rensselaerville, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in 1841. He came
to Cohoes in 1846, and formed a co-partnership with Stephen C. Miller
36

282 Appendix.
Esq., a young lawyer of ability and promise. Mr. P., at once took a
leading position as a lawyer, which he retained until his death. In
1856, he was the candidate of the American party for district attorney
of Albany Co., but owing to loss of prestige by that organization, he
was defeated. He afterward served the people as a member of the
Board of Education, and in 1866, was chosen chairman of that body, in
which position he gave most valuable service to the cause of education.
Nov. 3, Joseph A. Simons, aged 49. Mr. Simons was for many years
identified with the business interests of Cohoes, as proprietor of the
Cohoes and Troy Stage Line, and as a merchant on West Harmony
Hill. He was a leading member of Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., and
enjoyed the esteem of his fellow citizens in a large degree.
1869.
Jan. 13, John W. Visscher, aged 1 6.
Feb. 1, Willard A. Bayard, aged 37. Mr. B. was a soldier in the
Union army, where he contracted the disease which resulted in his
death. Feb. 8, Edward Knight, aged 36.
Feb. 33, A. P. Safely, M.D., aged 40. Dr. S. , was a brother of Robert
Safely. He was born in Scotland, and came with his parents to
Waterford, N. Y., at an early age. He studied medicine in the Albany
Medical College, and graduated in 1853. At the breaking out of the
rebellion he enlisted in the 10th N. Y. Vols., and served with it until
he was honorably discharged in consequence of wounds received at the
3d battle of Bull Run, from the effects of which he never thoroughly
recovered. March 31, in New York, Thomas Garner, Jr., aged 30. He was for
some years connected with the Harmony Co., but retired three years be
fore his death, in consequence of ill health.
March 37, Egbert Egberts, aged 78. Mr. Egberts was born at Coey-
mans, Albany Co., N. Y., where his father, Anthony Egberts, who was
an officer in the revolutionary army, settled at the close of the war.
In 1813, he engaged in mercantile business in Albany, with his brother
Cornelius, under the firm name of C. and E. Egberts. In 1831, he re
moved to Cohoes, where he, with Timothy Bailey, first successfully
introduced the power knitting frame, and established an extensive
manufactory. In 1853, he retired from active business, with a com
petency which he always used in a spirit of Christian liberality. In
that year he was the candidate of the Whig party for congress. In
1858, he organized the bank of Cohoes, and was chosen its president,
which office he retained until his death. The "Egberts Institute,"
received from him an endowment of $30,000, and the Reformed church
of Cohoes, of which he was a member, is indebted in a great measure
to his taste and liberality for their beautiful house of worship. He
was a friend of the poor, and for every good cause he had an open
heart and hand.
March 30, A. D. Shepherd, aged about 60. Mr. Shepherd was for
many years the proprietor of the extensive fiouring mills ou the north
side of the Mohawk river, known as the Shattemuck Mills.
March 31, in Albany, William Smith, one of the firm of Smith,
Gregory & Co. of the American Hosiery Mills of Cohoes.
April 4, John Horan, aged 55.
April 5, at Wappinger's Falls, N. Y., Newton Fowler, aged 33.
April 13, Joseph Atheson, aged 37.

Appendix. 283
April 15, John W. Vandenburgh, aged 80.
May 19, Jerome Sanders, aged 46. Mr. S. was for many years a
member of the official board of the M. E. church.
May 30, William Whitehill, aged 84.
June 1, Henry Ash worth, aged 55.
June 14, John Harrison, aged 85. Mr. Harrison was born in Ire
land and came to America in 1851. He had been a consistent member
of the M. E. church for 68 years.
June 13, Charles L. Benson, aged 36.
July 38, Dr. Ira B. Rose, aged 67.
Aug. 13, John Robertson, aged 31 .
Sept. 13, Halsey R. Grant, aged 44. Mr. Grant had for eighteen
years previous to his death been prominently connected with the busi
ness interests of Cohoes, as a merchant and public official. He
frequently represented his fellow citizens in the board of village trus
tees, and in the board of education where his conscientious discharge
of public duties elicited the commendation, and commanded the confi
dence of the people whom he so faithfully served. He had been for
many years superintendent of the water works, a trustee of the Cohoes
Savings Institution, and an infiuential member of Cohoes Lodge, P.
& A. M.
Oct. 34, John Lyons, aged 57. Mr. Lyons had resided in Cohoes
for many years and was known as a conscientious upright citizen. He
frequently represented his fellow citizens as village trustee and in
other responsible positions.
Oct. 30, Charles W. Orelup, aged 30.
Oct. 31, at Pulaski, Oswego Co., N. Y., Stephen C. Miller, Esq.,
aged 47. Mr. Miller was born in Westerlo, Albany Co.,N. Y., Feb.
18th 1823. He prepared for college in the Albany Academy and in the
fall of 1843 entered the junior class of Union College and graduated
in 1845. After graduation he was engaged as a teacher in Kingsley's
classical and mathematical military school at West Point, where he
remained a year and a half. He then entered upon the study of the
law in the office of the late Rufus W. Peckham of Albany, and after
finishing his course was admitted to practice in the supreme court.
Forming a partnership with the late Samuel H. Foster, Esq. , he com
menced the practice of his profession, and at the same time was co-
editor and proprietor with Horace B. Silliman of the Cohoes Cataract.
In 1851 he was married to Miss Margaret Wilkinson and about the
same time discontinued his law practice and forming a partnership with
his father-in-law, Samuel Wilkinson, opened a store where the Empire
Mill now stands. This enterprise proving unsuccessful he accepted
the position of principal of the Pulaski Academy, which he occupied
for.three years. He then purchased the office of the Pulaski Democrat,
and continued the publication of the paper until his death.
Nov. 17, William Ferguson, aged 55.
Dec. 19, Rev. L. H. Saugon, aged 53. Mr. Saugon was the flrst
pastor of St. Joseph's French Catholic church of the village and had
presided over his charge but a little more than a year at the time of
his death. He was indefatigable in labor for the good of his congrega
tion, by whom he was universally beloved. He was accomplished as
a scholar, an eloquent speaker and devotedly attached to his church.
Dec. 13, John E. Damon, aged 39.

284 Appendix. 1870.
Jan. 17, James Lackin, aged 71. Mr. L. was one of the oldest
residents of the 3d ward.
Jan. 15, Thomas Crossley, aged about 40.
Jan. 30, William Nugent, aged 17.
March 36, Josepli Biscornette, aged about 45. Mr. B. was well
known as the proprietor of the Union Hotel, on Oneida street.
April 14, Thomas Ryan, aged about 55.
April 30, John Campbell, aged 37.
May 11, Ebenezer Benson, aged 77.
June 34, Dr. Alfred Wands, aged 48. Dr. Wands was an old resi
dent of Cohoes and occupied a prominent position as a citizen and phy
sician. He had on several occasions represented his fellow citizens in
local affairs, and in every trust proved himself capable and upright.
July 19, George Grass, aged 36.
Aug. 7, Ira 'Terry, aged 64. Mr. Terry was for many years the
leading druggist of the place, and had occupied a prominent position
as a conscientious business man.
Aug. 34, in Watervliet Center, Albany Co., N. Y. Gilbert I. Van
Zandt, aged 77. For a long period Mr. Van Zandt had represented the
town of Watervliet in the Board of Supervisors and held other posi
tions of trust and responsibility, in which he served his constituents
capably and honorably.
Oct. 6, Hon. Hugh White, aged 73. Hugh White was born in
Whitestown, N. Y., in December, 1798. His early days were passed
upon his father's farm. In 1819, as he approached his majority, he
commenced a course of study, preparatory to entering Hamilton College,
from which institution he graduated in 1833. On leaving college he
went to New York and devoted himself to the law. He was admitted
to the bar after a course of study in the office of Col. Chas. G. Haines,
but his tastes inclining him more towards commercial life, he embraced
an opportunity then offered him by his brother Canvass, of engaging
in business. Canvass White had perfected a method of manufacturing
an hydraulic cement which was largely used in the construction of the
Erie Canal, and had established his works at Chittenango. His brother
took charge of these works, and in this occupation he remained for some
years, there first manifesting the business ability and sagacity which
were his prominent traits in after life. In April, 1830, Mr. White came
to Cohoes to take the place of his brother (who was extensively occu
pied elsewhere), in managing the affairs of the Cohoes Co. Under his
supervision the earliest important works of the company were com
pleted. He directed the building of the first dams in '31 and '33, and
the construction of the first canal in 1834. He was engaged at the
same time in several minor enterprises, which served to occupy his
time in the intervals of attention to more important duties. Among
these were a saw mill on Harmony Hill, in Cohoes, a flour mill, and
mill on the Waterford side of the river in which the manufacture of
the cement above referred to was continued. In 1836, Mr. White be
came interested in the company which built the first Harmony Mill, and
its affairs received his attention for some time. Mr. White represented
the Saratoga district in congress for three terms, from 1845 to 1851, and
though not prominent as a debater, was a most faithful and hard
working member, and performed important services on the committees
to which he was assigned. Soon after, Mr, White retired from active

Appendix. 286
business, though retaining an interest in a number of business enter
prises. At the time of his death he was president of the Saratoga Co.
Nat. B'k, with which institution he had long been connected. Mr.
White's declining years were passed in the retirement of his home in
Waterford, in the enjoyment of the ample fortune which he had
amassed. Of his character, the Cohoes Cataract, in an article on his
death, spoke as follows : " He was essentially an executive man ; what
he undertook, he always accomplished, for he was a man of strong
indomitable will ; he was generous and large hearted in all his dealings,
and many a young man has been started on in the world by his kind
ness and his means."
Oct. 17, Joseph E. Ballard, aged 33.
Oct. 31, Dr. Joseph Varin, aged about 55.
Oct. 31, William Gledhill, aged 70.
Nov. 3, John Clark, Jr., aged 31. Mr. Clark had entered the Ro
chester Theological Seminary, with a view to preparing for the ministry.
His pure life and genial disposition had endeared him to many friends,
and his early death cast a gloom over a large circle.
Nov. 4, Francis Way, aged 60.
Nov. 13, Hiram Chubb, aged 37.
Nov. 17, John Drysdale, aged 71. Mr. D. had been a resident of
Cohoes for many years, and was known as an upright, conscientious
citizen. Dec. 7, George Hudson, aged 19.
Dec. 38, Michael Ryan, aged 50. 1871.
Jan 14, Daniel Keeler, aged 40.
Jan. 30, John Foreman, aged 39.
Jan. 31, Robert Maitland, aged 35.
Feb. 37, James Whalen, aged 67.
Feb. 35, Henry Lyons, aged 31.
March 30, Joseph Moore, aged 63. Mr. Moore was for several years
a merchant in Troy, but for some time previous to his death resided
with his son Dr. J. W. Moore, of this city.
March 37, Adam Vanderwerken, aged 69.
April 35, Lt. William Buchanan, aged 45. Mr. Buchanan went out
as a lieutenant in Capt. Trull's company 30th N. Y. Vols., in October,
1863, and participated with it in the battles of Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville. Ou the return of that regiment he was transferred
to the 76th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. After passing through the battle of
Gettysburg and several engagements of less note, he was taken pri
soner at one of the battles of the Wilderness and sent to Andersonville
prison, where he remained nearly a year. While being removed with
other prisoners to a more secure prison he escaped from the cars, and
reaching our lines at Knoxville, Tenn., was soon transferred to Wash
ington and discharged. He was one of the first officers appointed
under the capital police system and served as captain until he resigned
to go into business.
June 5, William Waterhouse, aged 57.
July 34, Michael Latta, aged 68.
July 36, William Green, aged 19.
Aug. 13, William Ballantyne, aged 65.
Aug. 14, Patrick Grifian, aged 37.

286 Appendix.
Sept. 15, John Russell, aged 34.
Sept. 16, James Wallace, aged 85.
Oct. 30, in Little Rock, Ark., George W. Upham, aged 38.
Nov. 4, in SanJPrancisco, Cal., Joseph Almy, aged 36.
Dec. 3, George W. Hutchins, aged 58.
1873.
Jan. 16, Daniel Whalen, aged 33.
Jan. 18, John Forbes, aged 47.
Jan. 36, James Driscoll, aged 43.
Jan. 37, John C. Mahon, aged 34.
Jan. 39, Michael Lynch, aged 45. Mr. Lynch had been a resident
of the 8d ward 35 years and ranked among the leading business men
of that part of the place.
Jan. 39, David McLuckey, aged 56.
Jan. 39, John Langtree, aged 37.
March 5, John Ward, aged 33.
March 10, Barent C. Schemerhorn, aged 68, father of the Schemer-
horn brothers, dentists, of this city.
March 13, Joseph Phillips, aged 65. Mr. Phillips was formerly a
business partner of A. A. Osterhout under the firm name of Osterhout
& Phillips ; subsequently he did business alone as a grocer in Granite
Hall and latterly in company with W. A. McMillan at the corner of
Remsen and White streets.
April 1, John P. Steenberg, aged 69. Mr. Steenberg was one of the
oldest business men in Cohoes, his store and house on the corner of
Remsen and White streets being among the first buildings erected in
that part of the city. For many years, in addition to his business in
that place, he pursued his profession of engineer and surveyor, and in
that capacity was prominently connected with many of the earliest
improvements of Cohoes.
April 34, Ezra J. Wheeler, aged 48.
May 1st, Archibald McLean, of the firm of W. D. & A. McLean,
aged 33. He was a designer of patterns for shawls in the establish
ment of Roy & Co., West Troy. Although not a resident of Cohoes,
yet through his business relations with his brother, the citizens es
teemed and respected him as one of their own number and his unex
pected decease cast a gloom over the entire community.
May 11, James Henthorn, aged about 45.
May 31, Henry Cahill, a prominent and influential resident of the
3d ward, aged 40.
June 17, Paul Schmidt, aged 71.
July 16, John Daley, a member of Howarth Engine Co., died from
the effects of injuries received while attending a fire at the Clifton Mill.
July 31, William J. Wheeler, aged 50. Mr. Wheeler was a leading
democratic politician and business man of the town of Watervliet. He
served one term as member of the legislature, five years in the board
of supervisors of which body he was chairman four years. In 1870-1,
he was superintendent of section No. 1, Erie Canal and occupied other
positions of trust and responsibility.
Aug. 9, Daniel Simpson, aged about 45. He was foreman of the
Harmony Manufacturing Co's carpenter shop, a member of the board
of education, of the Johnston Steamer Co. , Alden Hose Co. , and various
masonic organizations.

Appendix. 287
August 31, Henry En Earl, aged 86. Mr. En Earl was one of the
oldest residents of the city, having moved here from Troy in 1834. He
took an active interest in the progress of the place, and in its early
days occupied a number of responsible positions in the local govern
ment. Sept. 33, Hezekiah Howe, aged 89. Mr. Howe, the fifth of a family
often children, was born July 9, 1783, in Killingly, Conn., where his
family had resided since 1709. His early years were passed in his
native place, and there he obtained his first experience of business
life. After liis marriage with Miss Lydia Wilkinson, he removed to
Pawtucket, R. I., and engaged in business with his brother-in-law
David Wilkinson. The firm occupied a prominent position among the
manufacturers of the state, and were very successful . At a later period
they established a flourishing business at Wilkinsonville, Conn., but
in the financial troubles of 1839 their losses were heavy, and they
were compelled to discontinue. When Mr. Wilkinson, as elsewhere
stated, was prevailed upon to come to Cohoes Mr. Howe decided to
accompany him, although every inducement was offered him by his
friends to remain in the east, and arrived here May 1, 1831. Here he
continued to reside until within a few years of his death. From the
history of his connection with Cohoes in its early days, as related else
where, it will be seen that he had a most important part in shaping
the fortunes of the place, and was prominent among those who estab
lished here, in spite of drawbacks and reverses, the foundations of a
large and prosperous city. Mr. Howe had contracts for the construc
tion of the first canals of the Cohoes Co. ; he was also engaged in gene
ral business here at different times and for over twenty years, was
postmaster of the village. He was ever an active Christian, and was
one of the founders of the first Episcopal church built in Pawtucket,
and later of St. John's church of Cohoes. His firm integrity of char
acter, and gentle kindliness of manner, endeared him to a large circle
of friends, and his loss was deeply felt.
Dec. 19, in Lansingburg, N. Y. , Isaac D. Ayres, one of the originators
and founders of the Cohoes Advertiser in 1847, and the Newark Mer
cury. The latter years of his life were spent as publisher of the Lan
singburg Gazette. 1873.
Jan. 10, Dr. J. B. Forrest, aged about 45.
Jan. 13, John O'Neil, aged 79.
Jan. 16, Benjamin M. Alexander, aged 36.
Jan. 19, Hugh Thompson, aged 69. Mr. Thompson came to Cohoes
in 1846, and entered into the employ of the Ogden Mills. He after
ward established a, grocery store on the corner of Remsen and Factory
streets, where he continued business until his death. His was the
oldest establishment of the kind in the city.
March 8, Wright Mallery, aged 67. Mr. Mallery was one of the
early settlers, having removed from West Troy to this place nearly
forty years ago. He was widely known and respected.
March 13, N. B. Davis, aged 73.
March 15, Michael J. Collins, aged 37.
March 17, Walter Witbeck, aged 53. Mr. Witbeck came to Cohoes
with Daniel Simmons in 1835. He entered the axe factory as overseer
of the polishing department, and retained that position in the estab
lishment until his death, a period of over thirty-eight years. Mr. Wit-

288 Appendix.
beck was one of our best known and most respected citizens. He waa
closely identified with the growth of Cohoes, and had occupied a num
her of positions of responsibility in local affairs.
March 33, Henry Schroeder, aged 49.
April 18, John W. Mills, aged 34.
May 13, James Hayden, aged 60.
June 7, Robert Meikleham, for a long time chief book-keeper in the
establishment of D. Simmons & Co., aged 63.
June 15, James Brown, aged 39.
July 4, Charles H. Van Schaick, aged 64.
July 18, Francois X. Lauzon, aged 59.
Aug. 11, Rev. John Fitzpatrick, aged 36. " Few young men of our
city have commenced life with greater promise than the subject of
this notice. Possessing a high order of talent, a peculiarly amiable
disposition, and having enjoyed superior educational advantages, he
was prepared, at a very early age, to enter upon the active duties of
his profession with a bright prospect of usefulness and distinction. He
had, however, but just commenced the third year of his ministry at
Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., when he was stricken down by dis
ease. His remains were brought to Cohoes for interment, and deeply
impressive ceremonies were observed in St. Bernard's, which were
attended by a large concourse of the clergy and our citizens."
Aug. 13, Absalom Sharp, aged about 44.
Aug. 13, John Coakley, aged 66.
Aug. 35, Edward Magee, aged 45.
Aug. 37, Bernard McClarey, aged 60.
Aug. 37, Patrick H. Ross, aged 48. Mr. Ross occupied a leading
position among the musicians of the place during a long residence in
Cohoes. For much of the time he was leader of a band and chorister
and organist at St. Bernard's church.
Sept. 30, James McGaffin, aged 70.
Sept. 30, Mark H. Gould, aged 36. Mr. Gould had been a resident
of Cohoes about four years and was well known as the manager of the
manufacturing establishment of Hon. Wm. T. Horrobin.
Oct. 15, John McCusker, aged 75.
Oct. 28, John Tobin, aged 38.
Dec. 8, Thomas Barclay, printer, aged 17.
Dec. 16, Radcliffe Taylor, aged 50.
Dec. 33, Guy Blakely, aged 71. Mr. Blakely had been a resident
of Cohoes since it was a hamlet. He was known as a conscientious,
upright citizen and a devoted member of St. John's church, in which
he served as warden for many years. 1874.
Jan. 2, in Niles, Michigan, H. S. Reinhart, aged 34.
Jan. 8, William Jones, aged 37.
Jan. 17, Charles T. Carter, aged 64. Mr. Carter, who was a twin
brother of Thomas C. Carter of this city, was born in Newburyport,
Mass., in 1810. In his early life he was a sailor — but about 1835,
abandoned that occupation and came to Cohoes. He entered the em
ploy of Daniel Simmons, and was connected with the axe factory until
1857, when after a short interval, during which he acted as station
agent at this place of the Albany N orthern RailRoad Co., he established
the drug business, which he continued until his death.

Appendix. 289
Feb. 7, James L. N. Cranston, aged 39, was killed by the cars of the
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road, near Fort Edward.
Feb. 8, Alexander Richmond, aged 38.
March 8, Samuel W, Lovejoy, aged 48. Mr. Lovejoy was born in
Oxford, N. H., in 1831. He graduated from Dartmouth College in
1857, and commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Peckham,
of Albany. In 1860 he came to Cohoes, where he soon took a promi
nent position among members of the bar. He was for a number of
years deputy U. S. assessor, and at the time of his death was city
attorney. March 17, William Searles, aged 65.
March 39, Elisha T. Green, aged 63, Mr. Green had resided In
Cohoes twenty-three years. Most of that time he had been an over
seer in the Harmony Mills. He was a man of strong integrity, and
was frequently chosen to represent his ward in the village government.
May 38, Jacob J. Lansing, died in Attica, Wyoming Co., N. Y.
Mr. L. was a former resident of Cohoes, and well known to many of
our older inhabitants. He had been for a number of years previous to
his death in the employ of the Erie Rail Road Co.
June 33, Michael Mulholland, aged 56.
June 33, Joseph Taylor, aged 89.
June 36, Louis Falardo, aged 73.
July 3, James M. Campbell, aged 17.
July 11, William Hogben.
Aug. 3, John B. Moulthrop, aged 70.
Aug. 7, John M. Dickson, aged 19.
Sept. 9, OweniMcDermott, aged 55.
Sept. 10, William H. Eastwood, aged 19.
Sept. 15, James Dillon, aged 19.
Sept. 39, Edward McArdle, aged 55.
Oct. I, Michael Lally, aged 68.
Oct. 4, Cornelius O'Keefe, aged 46.
Oct. 5, Daniel Mahar, aged 60.
Oct 14, Peter A. Brown, aged 30. Mr. Brown was a printer, having
served an apprenticeship in the Cataract office. He entered the army
during the rebellion, was taken prisoner and confined seven months in
Andersonville, where he contracted the disease which resulted in his
death. Oct. 21, Thomas J. Syms, aged 41. Mr. Syms had been a resident
of Cohoes for twenty years. He served in the Union army during the
rebellion, was taken prisoner and for seven months confined in Ander
sonville, where he suffered greatly from exposure and privation.
Oct. 35, Benjamin F. Lovejoy, aged about 44.
Nov. 9, Michael Fallon, aged 88.
Nov. 13, Isaac D. P. Lansing, aged 84. Mr. Lansing was the oldest
resident of Cohoes, having been born in 1790, in the brick house still
standing near the Cohoes Company's dam, and resided in that locality
all his life. As will be seen elsewhere, his ancestors were among the
earliest settlers of Cohoes, and were the first to utilize the water power
of the Mohawk, having established in 1740, the mills above the falls
which remained in possession of the family until a few years ago.
Living as he did, outside of the business centre of Cohoes, Mr. Lansing
took no very active part in the development of the place, but he was
well known in the community, and universally honored and respected
37

290 Appendix.
Nov. 18, Edward Cavenaugh, aged 38.
Nov. 19, William N. Crawford, aged 50.
Nov. 37, Thomas Hemphill, aged about 33.
Dec. 3, William Harrison, aged 64.
Dec. 8, Patrick K. Murphy, aged 45.
Dec. 14, William Greason, aged about 33.
Dec. 30, John Short, aged 66. 1875.
Jan. 7, Lucius Doolittle, aged 83.
Jan. 14, Charles H. Vaughan, printer, aged 36.
Jan. 31, Joshua Bailey, aged '75, in Waterford, N. Y. Mr. Bailey
was one of the pioneers of Cohoes, and from his connection with the
early history of the knitting business, elsewhere spoken of, had a most
important influence in the history of the place. He remained in active
business until a few years since when he retired to enjoy the ample
competence which was the result of his labors.
Jan. 34, Michael Keating, aged 54.
Jan. 37, Owen Garraghan, aged 55.
Feb. 1, Patrick Dennin, aged 77.
Feb. 7, Peter Foley, aged 33.
Feb. 25, John Wesley Howarth, eldest son of Henry Howarth, con
tractor and builder, aged 33.
March 11, Hugh Laughlin, aged 63.
March 14, Dennis Ryan, aged 49.
March 31, William E. Eagan, policeman, aged 34.
March 35, Myron C. Lansing, youngest son of Jacob 1. Lansing,
aged 31.
March 36, Thomas McNamara, aged 33.
March 38, James Burns, aged 36.
April 9, Charles W. Carter, son of the late Charles T. Carter, aged
25. April 13, John Fielding, musician, aged 30.
April 15, John McCormick, aged 64.
April 15, Daniel Fitzpatrick, aged 63.
April 16, John Connors, aged 38.
April 33, Patrick McGraw, aged 60.
April 36, Matthew Bannon, aged 33.
May 5, 'Thomas Connors, aged 63.
May 11, John Downs, aged 37.
May 13, Thomas MuUin, aged 31.
May 13, Peter Casey, aged 74. Mr. Casey was one of the oldest re
sidents of the place, having been a citizen for 42 years.
May 17, Martin Fitzpatrick, aged 47.
May 18, Richard Ardron, aged 59.
May 33, Daniel B. McClary, aged 39. Mr. McC. was a printer, well-
known in the city. He served honorably in the late war as a member
of the 13th Reg't N. Y. Cavalry.
May 37, John M. Spencer, aged about 60. For over twenty years
Mr. Spencer had lived in Cohoes and on several occasions served the
people as census marshal and in other positions.
May 39, George Monk, aged 89.
June 4, John Prairie, aged 55.
June 15, John Belville, aged 36.

Appendix. 291
June 31, Michael Lawler, aged 67.
June 33, in Albany, Alexander M. Gregory, aged 65. Mr. Gregory,
though never residing in this city, had been engaged in the knitting
business here for many years aud was a prominent business man. He
was one of the firm of Gregorys & Hiller.
June 38, Michael Brennan, aged 65.
July 3, Thomas B. Flannigan, aged 39.
July 5, William Parker, aged 30.
July 8, Joseph Mirault, aged 35.
July 9, Patrick Burke, aged 45.
July 10, Charles Hicks, aged 33.
July 16, In Swansea, Mass, , John W. Lansing, formerly of Cohoes,
aged 61.
August 2, Dennis Normile, aged 39.
August 8, Patrick Quinlan, aged 30.
August 11, William Bindewald, aged 30.
August 31 , William S. Southworth, aged 68. Mr. Southworth, who
came to this city from Bennington, Vt., was the son of Judge Gordon
Southworth of Dorset, in that state. He commenced the study of law
at the age of twenty-one and soon became one of the leading members
of the profession. He was for some time engaged in manufacturing
in Lowell, Mass., and came to Cohoes in 1873. Although he had re
sided here but a short time, he had endeared himself to all by his kindly
manner and upright character.
Sept. 4, Joseph Rousseau, aged 64.
Sept. 11, Thomas A. Hall, aged about 33.
Sept. 18, James M. Hayward, aged 56. Mr. Hayward came to Co
hoes in 1850, and commenced the flour and feed business, in which he
was engaged until his death. He was one of our best known citizens.
Sept. 31, Peter Ryan, aged 30.
Sept. 39, Thomas Larkin, aged 19.
Oct. 1, William Evers, aged 69.
Oct. 3, Thomas Kenny, aged 75.
Oct. 5, Frank Fitzpatrick, aged 35.
Oct. 5, George Greason.
Oct. 8, James Winterbottom. Mr. Winterbottom had been in the
employ of the Harmony Co., nearly 17 years. He served in the army
during the rebellion.
Oct. 14, Thomas McTigue, aged 66.
Oct. 30, Robert Barton, aged 51.
Nov. 6, Thomas Page, aged 66.
Nov. 38, Patrick Kennedy, aged 43.
Nov. 87, John Copeland, aged 65. Mr. Copeland came to Cohoes in
1860, and continued the business of slate roofer until his decease. He
took an active part in the organization of the Friendly Society of the
Sons of Scotia and the Caledonian Club of Cohoes and was one of their
most earnest supporters.
Dec. — , Peter Vandercook, Sen., aged 85. Mr. Vandercook had been
a resident of Cohoes 39 years. He was born in Pittstown, Reus. Co.,
N. Y., and in 1836 removed to Cohoes, locating at the head of the four
locks, where he lived for many years. He was a farmer and miller by
occupation. Dec. 10, James Durrant, aged 49. Mr. Durrant left home in company
with his son, Nov. 39th, on a visit to California, and had nearly reached

292 Appendix.
the end of his journey, when he was killed by accident. He was well
and favorably known as a citizen and master builder.
Dec. 30, in Watervliet, Francis Witbeck, aged 57. For many years
he was foreman in the finishing department of D. Simmons & Co's axe
factory, and was prominent as an active, public-spirited citizen. He
was frequently chosen to serve the people in public positions.
Dec. 37, John Owens, aged 49.
Dec. 39, Patrick Reeves, aged 67.
1876.
Jan. 9, Richard Clark, aged 78.
Jan. l7, Joseph Derocher, Sen., aged 75.
Jan. 31, John Bulson, aged 44.
Feb. 8, Charles Lanagan, aged 75.
Feb. 6, John Pierson, aged 56.
Feb. 13, Gabriel Cropsey, aged 70. For many years Mr. Cropsey
was one of the leading manufacturers of flour in the place, having been
connected with that interest in Cohoes, and in the immediate neighbor
hood, ever since it assumed any importance as a branch of our local
industries. He died in Hibernia, Dutchess Co., N. Y.
Feb. 30, William Pogarty, aged 39.
Feb. 32, Dennis F. Quillinan, aged 30.
Feb. 39, George H. Gregory, aged 38.
March 6, Patrick Holloran, aged 65.
March 33, Edward Connaughty, aged 33.
March 36, Joseph Langlois, aged 33.
March 29, William Hobart, aged 70.
March 80, Joseph De Graff, aged 60.
March 31, William Ferguson, aged 38.
April 6, Joseph Archambault, aged 40.
April 13, John Davis, aged 77. Mr. Davis had been a resident of
Cohoes twenty-nine years, and was for a long period superintendent of
the Cohoes cemetery.
April 21, Edward Ryan, aged 58.
April 23, Michael Walsh, father of the Rev. John Walsh, pastor of
St. tlohn's church at Albany.
April 35, Robert Whittle, aged 70. Mr. Whittle had resided in
Cohoes twenty-five years, and although not prominently connected
with business interests, was one of the best known citizens of the place.
April 36, William Fleming, aged 76. Mr. Fleming was born in
Tipperary, Ireland, emigrated to this country forty years ago, and had
been a resident of Cohoes for the past t'nirty-five years.
May 3, Michael Daly, aged 48.
May 10, William Enos, aged 40.
May 13, William Murphy, aged 84.
May 38, John Lally, aged 31.
May 37, Asahel Carpenter, aged 69. Mr. Carpenter had been a resi
dent of Cohoes thirty-four years, and most of the time was employed
in the Simmons axe factory.
May 37, Peter P. Daw, aged 67. Mr. Daw had been a resident of
Cohoes nearly thirty years, and had held a number of public positions,
among them the offices of justice of the peace, associate justice and
post-master. During the last fifteen years of his life he was deputy
U. S. marshal of this district.

Appendix. 293
June 1st, Patrick Keoughan, aged 45.
June 3, Timothy O'Brien, aged 37.
June 8, Patrick McCormick, aged 78.
June 37, Dr. William Boudrias, aged 35. Mr. Boudrias was a young
man of fine ability, and though but fairly entered upon the practice of
his profession, had taken rank among tlie foremost dentists of Phila
delphia, where he had made his residence. He was the eldest son of
Dr. Louis Boudrias of this city.
June 30, Aaron Radcliffe, aged 55.
July 1, John Wesley Frink, aged 50. Mr. Frink, who had been a
member of the firm of Alden, Prink & Weston, was for many years one
of the most prominent and influential business men of Cohoes. Besides
being largely interested in manufacturing, while in active business,
he at different times occupied important positions in our local go
vernment. July 10, Thomas Carter, son of Thomas C. Carter, aged 38.
July 18, Thomas Collier, aged 68.
August 13, Arthur Monahon, aged 70.
August 16, Thomas P. Kelly, printer, aged 35.
August 37, Henry J. Vanderwerken, aged 69. He had lived in
Cohoes the greater part of his life and as an old resident, was widely
known. Sept. 13, Justus Eastwood, aged about 45.
Sept. 30, John Englestoff, aged 33.
Sept. 31, Patrick Ryan, aged 50.
Sept. 39, WUliam Ryan, aged 60.
Oct. 1, James Mokler, aged 43.
Oct. 8, Alexis Girard, aged 30.
Oct. 13, John Parrell, aged 55.
Oct. 33, William Schofield, aged about 26.
Oct. 25, Michael McGrail, aged 67.
Oct. 36, John Monogue, aged 63.
Nov. 3, James Gill, aged 30.
Nov. 5, Thomas Stanton, aged 85.
Nov. 8, Kossuth Parker, aged 34.
Nov. 9, Isaac Jones, aged 21.
Nov. 17, William Leckie, aged 57. Mr. Leckie was born in Paisley,
Scotland, April 30th, 1819, and removed to this country at the age of
9. He located at Williamstown, Mass., and was educated at the Len
nox Academy. He had been a resident of Cohoes thirty-five years ;
was overseer in the Ogden Mill several years and for a short time was
principal in what was known as the Depot School of the 3d ward. He
subsequently became connected with a firm that operated the Halcyon
Mill and was superintendent of that establishment when it passed into
the hands of Messrs. Kerr & Knowlson, of Troy. His last business
engagement was in the position of superintendent of the Clifton Knit
ting Mill where he remained six years, closing in 1868. He was trustee
of the Cohoes Savings Institution and had been called upon to fill
various responsible positions.
Nov. 17, Thomas McDonough, aged 53.
Nov. 18, Dr. Thomas C. Howes, aged 53. Dr. Howes removed from
Troy to Cohoes in 1873, and during his residence here was proprietor
of the drug store corner of Remsen and White streets. He was an in
fluential member of St. John's Episcopal church.
Nov. 27, William Williams, aged about 70. He was one of the

294 Appendix.
oldest residents of the flrst ward and an employe of the Harmony
Mills from their establishment.
Nov. 30, Killian P. Winnie, aged 73.
Dec. 4, Timothy Atridge, aged 65.
Dec. 4, Alexander Giard, aged 30.
Dec. 4, Moses Duquette, aged 39.
Dec. 11, William Bowler, aged 35.
Dec. 15, James Hayden, aged 37.

Appendix. 295

Opficees of the Village and City op Cohobs.
1848-1876.
Village Officers.
LhE following were elected by ballot, except the president, who
was chosen by the trustees from their number until 1856.
1848.
President. — Joshua R. Clarke.
Trustees. — Alfred Phelps, Joshua R. Clarke, Geo. Abbott, Henry D.
Fuller, Wm. Burton.
Assessors. — Henry En Earl, John P. Steenberg, Wm. H. Hollister.
Treasurer. — Charles A. Olmsted.
Collector.- — Jno. B. Harrison.
Clerk. — John Van Santvoord.
Poundmaster. — Isaac P. Fletcher.
Eire Wardens.^ — Jacob Upham, Henry Van Auken, John McGill,
Wm. Osterhout, Abram Ostrom. 1849.
President. — Henry D. Puller.
Trustees. — Joshua R. Clarke, Miles White, Alfred Phelps, Wm.
Burton, Henry D. Puller.
Assessors. — Wm. Dickey, Bradley Alexander, Matthew Fitzpatrick,
Treasurer. — Wm. H. Hollister.
Collector. — Lawrence S. Fonda.
Clerk. — John Van Santvoord.
Poundmaster. — Isaac P. Fletcher.
Eire Wardens. — Wm. Osterhout, Henry Van Auken, John McGill.
Wm. Orelup, Jr. 1850.
President. — Henry D. Puller.
Trustees. — Henry En Earl, Sr., Henry D. Fuller, Wm. H. Hollister,
Wm. G. Caw, Joshua R. Clarke.
Assessors. — Wm. Orelup, Jr., Ralph Buss, Abram Ostrom.
Treasurer. — Franklin Waring.
Collector. — John B. Harrison.
Clerk. — John Van Santvoord.
Eire Wardens. — Lucien Pitts, Henry Van Auken, Wm.K. Lighthall,
John Orelup. 1851.
President. — Wm. F. Carter.
Trustees. — Wm. P. Carter, Truman G. Younglove, Joseph A. Si
mons, John Hay Jr., Wm. H. Hollister.
Assessors. — Wm. Dickey, Alex. Frink, Miles White.
Treasurer. — Henry L. Landon.
Collector. — John B. Harrison.
Glerk. — Abram H. Van Amam.

> Elected Sept. 37.

296 Appendix.
Eire Wardens.— Wm. Osterhout, John Doyle, Geo. N. Ferguson,
Elihu M. Stevenson.
Poundmaster. — Wm. Welch.
Sclwol Trustees.— No. 13, S. H. Poster, Jacob Travis ; No. 5, Wm.
Burton, Geo. W. Miller ; No. 19, Abram Lansing, Wm. Binns.
Police Justice.- — Alfred Phelps. 1853.
President. — Wm. P. Carter.
Trustees.— Wm. P. Carter, John McGill, Egbert Egberts, Lucien
Fitts, Jacob I. Lansing.
Assessors. — Wm. Orelup Sr., Jeremiah Clute, Edw'd W. Puller.
Treasurer. — Henry L. Landon.
Collector.- — Nathan L. Benson.
Glerk. — Benjamin Hutchins.
Fire Wardens. — Jno. Eastwood, Elihu M. Stevenson, Stephen Dietz,
Geo. Howarth.
Poundmaster. — Samuel Stiles.
School Trustees. — No. 13, Ralph Buss ; No, 5, T. C. Carter, Jos. M.
Brown ; No. 19, Darius Parkhurst, Robert Johnston.
1853.
President.— l^i. W. En Earl.
Trustees.— Nicholas W. En Earl, Isaac P. Fletcher, Edward O'Reilly,
Geo. Lawrence, Henry L. Landon.
Assessors. — Michael Donovan, Jno. P. Steenberg, Walter Witbeck.
Treasurer. — Malachi Weidman.
Collector. — Edward Murray.
Clerk. — Geo. H. Wager.
Eire Wardens. — Peter Powers, John Larkin, Peter Smith, Alex.
M'Wha. Poundmaster. —
School Trustees. — No. 13, John Sullivan ; No. 5, John Van Ness ;
No. 19, Peter Van Der Cook, Sr. 1854.
President. — Wm. P. Carter.
Trustees. — Ralph Buss, C. H. Adams, Wm. Burton, John Hender
son, Wm. P. Carter.
Assessors. — Alexander Prink, Wm. Orelup Sr., Stephen Dodge.
Treasurer.- — Edward W. Fuller.
Collector — . Ira Kilmer.
Clerk. — Norton T. Raynsford.
Eire Wardens. — Henry Van Auken, Wm. Dutemple, Andrew J.
Ballard, E. G. Mussey.
Poundmaster. — Moses House.
School Trustees. — No. 13, Jacob Travis; No. 5, Jenks Brown; No.
19, Elisha T. Green. 1855.
President. — Wm. N. Chadwick.
Trustees. — Henry S. Bogue, Wm. N. Chadwick, Malachi Weidman,
Francis Henderson, Wm. Ferrell.
Assessors. — Orson Parkhurst, Geo. Lawrence, Wm. K. Lighthall.
Treasurer. — Edward W. Fuller.
CoZZector.— Stevens V. Trull.

Appendix. 297
Clerk. — Wm. Shannon.
Police Justice. — Alex Frink.
Eire Wardens. — H. Van Auken, Wm. Dutemple, Lorenzo Worden,
John Welton.
Poundmaster. — Jas. Delve.
School Trustees. — No. 13, Leonard Cary, Matthew Fitzpatrick ;
No. 5, Leonard Van Derkar. Geo. H. Wager ; No. 19, Elbridge Damon.
1856.
President. — Henry L. Landon.
Trustees. — Ist Ward: Wm. Orelup, Jr., 3 years; Elisha T. Green,
I year ; 3d Ward : John W. Frink, 3 years ; Francis Pennock, 1 year ;
3d Ward : Walter Witbeck, 3 years ; Isaac P. Fletcher, 1 year.
Chairman Board of Education. — Truman G. Younglove.
School Commissioners. — 1st Ward : Samuel H.Foster, 3 years ; David
Aiken, 1 year ; 3d Ward : G. H. Vei-milyea, 3 years ; Jonathan Hiller,
1 year ; 3d Ward : John R. Bullock, 3 years ; Jno. P. Steenberg, 1 year.
Assessors. — Jonas Simmons, Alex. Frink, Sheffield Hayward.
Treasurer. — Isaac Quackenbush.
Collector. — Henry Lyons.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman.
Poundmaster. — Jno. Westover. 1857.
Trustees. — 1st Ward : Jas. P. Crawford. 3d Ward : Isaac Van
Natten. 3d Ward : G. H. Wager.
Treasurer.— -HeuTj S. Bogue.
Collector. — John Van Ness.
Assessor. — Geo. Lawrence.
School Commissioners: — 1st Ward : Wm. C. Carroll. 3d Ward :
John Little. 3d Ward : Henry Lyons.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Francis Keating.
1858.
President. — Henry L. Landon.
Trustees. — 1st Ward: D. J.Johnston. 3d Ward: S. D. Fairbank.
3d Ward : Joseph Chadwick.
Assessor. — Joshua R. Clarke.
Treasurer. — Francis Henderson.
Collector. — Malachi Ball.
Chairman Board of Education. — Truman G. Younglove.
School Commissioners. — 1st Ward : Rob't Rogerson. 3d Ward :
Jenks Brown. 3d Ward: John Van Der Mark.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman.
1859.
Trustees. — 1st Wa/rd : Geo. Lawrence. 3d Ward : Wm. G. Caw.
3d Ward: John Fidton.
Assessor. — Almon C. Bryant.
Treasurer. — Francis Henderson.
Collector. — Malachi Ball.
School Commissioners. — 1st Ward : G. H. Vermilyea. 3d Ward :
3. V. S. Lansing. 3d Ward : Geo. Jackson.
Police Justice. — Peter D. Niver.
Sealer of 'Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman.
38

298 Appendix. I860.
President. — Sidney Alden.
Trustees.— 1st ward : D. Fitzpatrick. 3d ward : P. Smith. 3d ward :
Walter Witbeck.
Assessors. — Jonas Simmons, Robert Whittle.
Treasurer. — Egbert J. Wilkins.
Collector. — Jas. Waters.
Cliairman Board of Education. — Geo. H. Wager.
School Commissioners. — 1st ward : A. T. Calkins. 3d ward : John
Van Ness. 3d ward : Jas. H. Masten.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Edward McCarthy.
I86I.
Trustees. — Is* ward : Cornelius Houlihan. 3d ward : Wright Mallery.
3d ward : S. Stiles.
Assessors. — Abram Van Der Werken, Wm. H. Hollister.
Treasurer. — John Lyons.
Collector. — Nathan L. Benson.
School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Wm. Orelup, Jr. 3d ward : Jno.
V. S. Lansing ; 3d ward : N. W. En Earl.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Daniel B. Mcintosh.
Poundmaster. — George Cummings. 1863.
President. — Wm. P. Carter.
Trustees.— 1st ward : 36h.nljs.nd.. Edward: C.H.Adams. Mward:
Benj. P. Clarke.
Assessor.— Jno. P. Steenberg.
Treasurer. — Jno. W. Frink.
Collector. — Edward Welch.
Chairman Board of Education. — James H. Masten.
School Commissioners. — l«f ward .• Geo. Dixon. 2d -ward: David J.
Johnston. 3d ward : Halsey R. Grant.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — D. B. M'Intosh.
Poundmaster. — Joseph Simpson. 1863.
Trustees. — 1st ward : Geo. Lavrrence. 3d ward : Alfred Rider
3d Ward : H. Brockway.
Assessor.— Daniel Simpson.
Treasurer.-— Walter Witbeck.
Collector. — Thomas Keefe.
Police Justice. — Harvey Clute.
School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Wm. S. Smith. 2d ward : Gil
bert H. Vermilyea. 3d ward : John Van Ness.
Police Constables. — Wm. Stanton, Peter Manton, M. Bowler.
Street Superintendent. — Jas. Hay.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick Sheridan.
1864.
President. — Geo. H. Wager.
Trustees. — Is* ward : John Fulton. 3d ward : T. R. Howard. 8d
ward : Sherebiah Stiles.
Assessor. — John Brady.

Appendix. 299
Treasurer. — Walter Witbeck.
Collector. — Michael Keeden.
Chairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward: Reuben S. Calkins. 3d waid:
Spencer Frink. 8d ^card : Halsey R. Grant.
Constables. — Wm. Stanton, Peter Manton, Patrick H. Kelly.
Sti-eet Superintendent. — Michael Long.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Thos. Nagle.
Poundmaster. — Jno. Cavanaugh. 1865.
Trustees. — 1st ward: S. G. Root. 3d ward: Wm. H. Stevenson.
T. P. Hildreth (to fill vacancy). 3d ward : Henry Brockway.
Assessors. — John Baker, Jno. McMullen.
Treasurer. — John W. Frink.
CoUectm: — Thomas Gaffney.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Wm. S. Smith. 3d ward : 3. W.
Moore. 3d ward : Norris North.
Constables. — Jas. Clark, Peter Manton, Chas. Muldowney.
Street Sup't. — Wm. Smead.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Richard Clark.
Poundmaster. — Nicholas D. Lounsberry. 1866.
President. — Murray Hubbard.
Trustees. — Is* ward : Lewis W. Land. 2d ward : Daniel Mcintosh.
3d v>ard : Daniel Wilder.
Assessor.^ Geo. Lawrence.
ireasurer. — John Wakeman.
Collector. — Robert Frost.
Cliairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : D. J. Johnston. 2d ward : R.
S. Calkins. 3d ward : H. R. Grant.
Constables. — Pat'k Thornton, Garret Robbins, Chas. Muldowney.
Street Sup't. — John Foley.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Martin Garrigan.
Poundmaster. — John Rossiter. 1867.
Trustees. — Is* ward .• John F. Simpson. 3d ward ; Alfred LeRoy.
3d ward : Jas. Lamb.
Assessor. — Sheffield Hayward.
Treasurer. — Gilbert H. Vermilyea.
Collector. — Edward Brennan.
Police Justice. — Harvey Clute.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Jno. S. Crane. 3d ward : M. S.
Younglove. 3d ward : Jno. M. Spencer.
Street Sup't. — John Drysdale.
Constables. — Robert Frost, John McCuUick, Moses House.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGrath.
Poundmaster.- — John Rossiter. 1868.
President. — Augustus Ellmaker.
Trustees. — Is* ward : Wm. Stanton. 3d ward : Wm. Warner. 8d
wa/rd : Edwin Hitchcock.

800 Appendix.
Assessor. — Guy Blakeley.
Treasurer. — Geo. H. Wager.
Collector. — Geo. Van Der Cook.
Chairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward: Daniel Simpson. 3d ward:
Chas. Rogers. 3d ward : Harvey Ferris.
Constables. — John O'Brien, John Long, Henry Morrison.
Street Sup't. — Andrew Cox.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGrath.
Poundmaster. — John Rossiter. 1869.
Trustees. — Is* ward : John S. Crane. 3d ward : Wm. S. Smith.
3d ward : Jas. B. McKee.
Assessor. — Anthony Russell.
Treasurer.— Geo. H. Wager.
Collector. — Thomas Nolan. -
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Jas. E. Place. 8d ward : T. P.
Hildreth. 3d ward: Wm. C. Travis.
Constables. — Jas. O'Brien, Peter McAvinia, Michael Bowler.
Street Sup't. — Peter Powers.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGrath.
During the years when the street superintendent, village clerk and
police constables were appointed by the trustees, those officers were
as follows : Street Superintendents.
1849, Frederick W. Upham. 1856, 1857, Samuel Steenberg.
1850, Elbridge G. Mussey. 1858, Leonard Van Der Kar.
1851, Lewis Wells. 1859, R. G. Smith.
1853, Adam Van Der Werken. 1860, John Doyle.
1853, Daniel Nugent. 1861, Francis Keating.
1854, Adam Van Der Werken. 1863, Jas. Hay.
1855, Chas. T. Carter. Clerks.
1856, D. S. Ostrom. 1861, Wm. Shannon.
1857, '58, '59, P. B. Ferguson. 1863, '63, Wm. H. Stevenson.
1860, Michael Monahon. 1864-1870, Malachi Ball. '
Police Constables.
1849, Alexander Frink. 1856,'57,'58,Peter Van Der Cook, Jr.
1850, 51, John M. Brownson. 1859, '60, Hugh O'Hare.
1853, Joseph M. Brown. 1861, Michael Long, Hugh O'Hare,
1853, Justus Eastwood. Wm. Stanton, Richard Hurst.
1854, Abner Deyo. 1863, Jas. T. Hemphill, Peter F.
1855, Frederick S. Uhl. Daw, Daniel E. M'Intosh.
Chief Engineer of Eire Department.
1853-1876.
1853, Joshua R. Clarke. 1856, Joseph Gould, Jr.
1853, Wm. Osterhout. 1857, John Eastwood.
1854, Henry D. Fuller. 1858, Herbert Hastings.
1855, Wm. Burton (resigned). 1859, Thos. V. Brown.

> Mr. Ball held the position of city clerk till June, 1871.

Appendix.

301

I860, Malachi Ball.
1861, '63, H. B. Silliman.
1863, IMmothy Atridge, Jr.
1864, '65, Peter Manton.
1866, Daniel M'Intosh.
1867, Joseph C. Dodge.
1868, '69, Michael Redmond.

1870,'71, Jas. Coleman.
1873, Miller Hay.
1873, Richard Powers.
1874, Miller Hay.
1875, James Cavenagh.
1876, Martin Redmond.

Chas. H. Adams.
Truman G

Water Commissioners.
1856-1876. 1856.

Ldams. /«„„„„ Alfred Wild. ) „
. Younglove. \ ^ ^^^''^- Wm. P. Carter, f ^ years.
Joshua Bailey. ) .
Henry D. Fuller. \ ^ y®^^«-

Jas. P. Crawford.
Wm. Burton.
Sherebiah Stiles.
Wm. G. Caw.i
A. M. Harmon (to fill vacancy)
James H. Masten."
Wm. E. Thorn.
John Clute.
Henry Brockway.
Jacob Travis.

1858. John W. Prink.
1860. Henry D. Fuller.
1863. Daniel M'Elwain.
1864. John Land.
1866. Cornelias Houlihan.
1868. Jas. Lamb.
1870. A. M. Harmon (to fill vacancy).
1873.

City Officers.
(Elected.) 1870.
•. — Chas. H. Adams.
Justice of the Peace. — Joseph Le Boeuf
Poormaster. — Jno. H. Ring.
Assessors. — T. Moore, 3 years. J. O'Neil, 2 years. O. Garrahan, I
year. Supervisors. — Is* ward: Joseph Coleman. 2d ward: Wm. T.
Dodge. 3d ward : John Scully. Ath ward : Solomon Dotter.
Aldermen. — 1st ward: D. J. Johnston, 3 years. E. W. Lansing, 1
year. 3d ward : Geo. Campbell, 3 years. M. S. Younglove, 1 year.
3d ward : B. Mulcahy, 3 years. Walter Witbeck, I year. 4th ward:
C. F. North, 3 years. C. Hay, I year.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Prank C. Reavy, 3 years.
Daniel Simpson, I year. 3d ward : Wm. Burton, 3 years. E. N .
1 Died.
' SeBigned.

302 Appendix.
Page, 1 year. 3d ward : A. M. Harmon, 3 years. J. Hiller, 1 year. 4*^
ward : W. C. Travis, 3 years. W. S. Crane, I year.
Constables. — Is* ward: Chas. Wilcox. 3d wc^rd: 3. M'CuUoch.
3d ward : M. M'Guire. i.th ward : Robt. P. Jones.
Inspectors of Election. — Is* ward: Matthew Keough, Richard
Nagle. Edward: Rodney Wilcox, S. W. Lovejoy. 3d ward: Jno.
Fitzpatrick, Jno. B. Latta. 4th ward : 3. Brown, P. Nagle.
Police Commissioners. — (Elected Nov. 8.) Geo. Z. Dockstader, Wm.
Bamerick. (By appointment.)
Excise Commissioners. — Henry D. Fuller, Edwin Hitchcock, Geo.
H. Wager.
Street Superintendent. — Norris North.
Supt. of Cemetery.- — Daniel Manning.
Chamberlain. — • Leonard Cary.
City Physician. — • C . E. Witbeck.
Trustee of Sinking Fund of Water Loan. — H. B. Silliman.
Poundmaster. — Alexander Brown.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Chas. Egan.
Eire Wardens. — Wm. Clough, Wm. Doty, E. S. Gregory, Richard
Shannon. 1871.
(Elected.)
Recorder. — James P. Kelly.
Overseer of Poor. — John H. Ring.
Assessor. — Roger M'Garry.
Supervisors. — Is* ward : Joseph Coleman. 2d ward : Wm. T.
Dodge. 3d ward : John Scully. 4th ward : Solomon Dotter.
Aldermen. — 'ist ward : Cornelius Horan. 2d ward : David Morris.
3d ward : Jas. B. M'Kee. 4th ward : Alfred Le Roy.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Daniel P. Simpson. 2d ward :
Edward N. Page. 3d ward : Geo. Ducharme, 3 years. Edward
Keeler, 1 year. 4th ward : Wm. Benedict.
Constables. — Is* ward : Terrence Reeves. 3d ward : John M'Cul-
loch. 3d ward : Michael M'Guire. 4th ward : Robt. P. Jones.
Inspectors of Election. — Is* ward: Wm. Stanton, P. C. Reavy,
Absalom Sharp. 3d ward: S. W. Lovejoy, A. K. Dixon, Martin
Brennan. 3d ward : Thos. Slavin, T. A. Murphey, Thos. Gleason.
4th ward : Wm. C. Travis, Jno. P. Webber, Francis Keegan.
(By appointment.)
Excise Commissioner. — Wm. Whitehill (to fill vacancy).
Street Superintendent. — Norris North.
Supt. of Cemetery. — Amos T. Calkins.
Health Officer.— Chas. E. Witbeck.
Poundmaster. — Thos. Larkins.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Abraham N. Poole.
City Clerk. — I. W. Lansing. 1872.
(Elected.)
Mayor. — David J. Johnston.
Assessor. — Alexander Prink.
Police Commissioner. — Amos. T. Calkins.
Supervisors. — Is* ward : Michael Sherlock. 3d ward : Wm. T.
Dodge. 3d ward : Jas. M'Guirk. 4th ward : Wm. Nelligan.

Appendix. 303
Aldermen. — 1st ward: John W. Howarth. 2d ward: Geo. Camp
bell. 3d toard .• John E. Land. 4*A ward ; Wm. C. Travis.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward : Prank C. Reavy. 3d ward : Geo.
T. Carter. 3d ward : Sherebiah Stiles, 3 years. Wm. S. Gilbert, 1
year. 4t!i ward : Edward S. Carpenter.
Constables. — Is* /card : James Burns. 3d ward : Chas. Egan. 3d
ward : Michael M'Guire. 4th ward : Robert P. Jones.
Inspectoi-s of Election. — 1st ward: Michael Cummins. Patk. Eng
lish, Thos. Smith. 3d ward : A. K. Dixon, J. H. Egan, P. H. Ross.
3d ward : Thomiis Slavin, John Quinan 4th ward : Chas. S. Travis,
Jas. H. Masten, Michael "Travis. (By appointment.)
Street Superintendent. — Benj. Coveny.
Supt. of Cemetery. — John Van Deusen.
Chamberlain. — Leonard Cary.
Health Officer.— Chas. E. Witbeck.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — John Moulthrop.
E\re Wardens. — Absalom Sharp, Alexander Arthur, John Horrocks,
Timothy Atridge, Jr.
City Clerk. — John H. Egan.
City Attorney. — S. W. Lovejoy.
Ciiy Engineer. — John W. Ford.
Overseer of Poor. — Thos. Newby. 1873.
(Elected.)
Assessor. — Edward Heffern.
Supervisors. — Is* ward: Silas Owen. 3d ward : Geo. E. Simmons.
3d ward : Jas. M'Guirk. 4ih ward : C. Van Der Cook.
Aldermen. — 1st ward: Michael Noonan. 2d ward: David Morris.
3d ward : Thos. Nolan. 4th ward : Alfred Le Roy.
School Commissioners. — Is* ward: Jas. D. Featherstonhaugh. 3d
ward : James A. Stimson. 3d ward : Jonathan Hiller. 4th ward :
Wm. R. Benedict.
Constables. — Is* ward: John Coleman. 3d ward: Alfred Brault.
3d ward : John H. Condley. 4th ward : Robt. P. Jones,
Inspectors of Election. — Is* ward : Michael Cummins, Edward Barret,
D. Munro. 3d ward : A. K. Dixon, W. P. Jones, P. H. Ross. 3d
ward : Michael Sheehan, John Scully, T. A. Murphey. 4th ward :
Jas. H. Masten, P. E. Marshall, P. D. Niver.
(By appointment.)
Excise Commissioners. — Joshua R. Clarke, Henry D. Fuller, Geo.
Higgins. Street Superintendent. — James Hay.
Supt. of Cemetery. — Dennis Daley.
Health Officer.— Qeo. H. Billings.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — John Moulthrop.
Poundmaster. — Abram H. Fonda.
Eire Wardens.— Henry Humphreys, Nelson White, Alex. Brown,
Frank Fonda.
City Clerk. — John H. Egan
City Attorney. — S. W. Lovejoy.
City Engineer.— 3 dhn W. Ford.
Overseer of Poor. — Thos. Newby.

304 Appendix. 1874.
(Elected.)
Mayor. — Henry S. Bogue.
Police Commissioner. — John Slavin.
Justices of the Peace. — Michael Redmond, Jas. B. Sweeney.
Assessor. — John Quirk.
Supervisors. — Istward: Thos. O'Dea. 2dward: Geo. E. Simmons.
3d ward : Jas. M'Guirk. 4th ward : Maurice Fitzgerald.
Aldermen. — 1st ward: Wm. Stanton. 3d ward: Jno. V. S. Lan
sing. 3d ward : John Scott. 4th ward : Philip E. Marshall.
Scliool Commissioners. — Is* ward : Michael M'Garrahan. 2d ward :
Geo. H. Graves. Edward: Jas. B. M'Kee. 4th ward: JohnS. Crane.
Constables. — Is* ward .¦ John Coleman. 3d ward .• Henry Shepard.
3d ward : John H. Condley. 4th ward : Michael J. Burke.
Inspectors of Election. — Istward: Michael Meagher, Amos Crapo,
Edwin Clough. 2d ward ; W. F. Jones, D. M. Adams, Abram Van
Der Werken. 3d ward : Jas. Hayden, Bernard Acheson, Myron Van
Benthuysen. 4th ward: Thos. H. Kelly, Edgar H. Stiles, Jas. H.
Masten. (By appointment.)
Chamberlain. — Chas. P. North.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Bernard Ryan.
City Attorney. — Peter D. Niver.
City Engineer. — John W. Ford.
Overseer of Poor. — Michael Breen. 1875.
(Elected.)
Assessor. — James Rabbit.
Supervisors. — Is* waj-d .• Thomas O'Dea. 2d ward .• Frank Brown,
Jr. 3d ward .• Thomas Golden. 4th ward : Solomon Dotter.
Aldermen. — Is* ward: Silas Owen. 2d ward: Nathan Shaver.
8d ward : Thomas Nolan. 4th ward : Thomas Ryan.
School Commissioners. — Is* wa.-d: Jas. Doherty. 2d ward: Geo.
T.Carter. 3d wa9'd .• Matthew Fitzpatrick. 4*A waj'd ,• Malachi Ball.
Constables. — Is* ward : Patrick Hanly. 3d ward .• John Hay. 3d
ward : Jolin H. Condley. 4th ward : Edward Kenney.
Inspectors of Election. — Istward : Edward J. M'Alear, M. Meagher,
Jno. H. Graves. 3d ward : Jas. Van Benthuysen, A. K. Dixon, Hugh
Cahill. 3d loard : Thos. Scott, Michael Sheehan, Chas. D. Oilman.
ith ward : Geo. Whitney, Francis Keegan, Wesley Miller.
(By appointment.)
Excise Commissioner. — Daniel M'Intosh (to fill vacancy).
Fire Warden. — Henry C. Hibbard (to fill vacancy).
1876.
(Elected.)
Mayor. — David J. Johnston.
Police Commissioner. — Edwin Hitchcock.
Assessor. — Timothy Moore.
Supervisors. — Is* ward : Thos. Murphy. 2d ward .• Frank Brown,
Jr. 3d ward : Thos. Golden. 4th ward : Joseph Stewart. 5th ward :
Geo. E. Simmons.
Aldermen. — Is* ward .• Eugene Conway. 3d ward : Jno. V. S.
Lansing. 3d ward : Daniel E. M'Intosh. 4*74 ward .• Philip E. Mar-

Appendix. 305
shall. 5*7t ward : Daniel M'Elwain, 1 year, Michael English, 8 years.
Sclwol Commissioners. — Is* ward : Patrick J. M'Kee. 3d ward :
Theodore W. Pease. 3d imrd : Edward Monk. 4*7* ward : Geo. Van
Der Cook. 5th ward : Peter Murray, 1 year, Geo. C. Daley, 3 years.
Constables. — Is* icard : John Coleman. 3d ward .• Lees Wrigley.
3d ward : John Crowley. 4*7j ward : Henry R. Dickey. 5th ward :
John Doran.
Inspectors of Election. — Is* ward: Jas. Deecher, Edward Ward,
Frank Simpson. 3d ward : Burton W. Crandall, John McEwan, R.
J. Powers. 3d toard : Thomas Scott, Louis G. LeBoeuf, Charles D.
Oilman, ith ward : Wm. C. Demarest, Wesley Miller, Bernard Linnen.
5</t ward .• Edmund Barret, John Kennedy, John Cooley.
(By appointment.)
Excise Commissioners. — Wgi. Whitehill, Chas. S. Longley, John
Carter. Street Superintendent. — James Hay.
Health Officer. — Geo. H. Billings.
Poundmaster. — Abram H. Fonda.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Bernard Ryan.
Fire Wardens — Harry Hibbard, Nelson White, Alex. Brown, Frank
Fonda. City Clerk. — John H. Egan.
Gity Attorney. — Peter D. Niver.
Oity Engineer. — John W. Ford.
Overseer of Poor. — Michael Breen.

Mbmbebs of the Legislatueb fkom Cohoes.

1858, Charles H. Adams. 1869, '70, John Tighe.
1866, James P. Crawford. 1875, Alfred Le Roy.
Senate.
1873, Charles H. Adams. Member op Congress.
1873, Charles H. Adams.

39

INDEX.

Abbey, Chas. E., 160.
Abbey, Wm , 161.
Abbott, Geo. L, 88, 91, 260, 274, 295.
Abel, James, 270.
Aberhart, John, 161 .
Ablett, James W., 160.
Ablett, Wm. H., 160.
Acheson, Bernard, 304.
Acheson, James, 159.
Acheson, John, 161.
Acheson, Wm., 136, 156, 217, 225, 262.
Ackley, Oscar L., 161, 276.
Adams, A. W., 250.
Adams, C. H., 78, 110, 115, 119, 129, 130,
134, 136, 140, 148, 159, 175, 178, 193,
Ifll, 201, 208. 249, 271, 296, 298, 301,
305.
Adams, Cortland, 161.
Adams's Block, bnilt, 199.
Adams's Mill, 132, 175, 244.
Adams, Daniel M., 16U, 263, 304.
Adams, Geo. M., 160.
Adams, Henry, 271.
Adams, James, 38.
Adams, Kev. James, 252.
Adams Steamer Co., 194, 259.
Adams Steamer, 229 ; horses for, 215.
Adams, Stephen H., 110.
Adams, Wm. L., 23, 29, 234.
Adams' Zonaves, 232, 262.
Adrims's Island. See Tan Schaick's Is
land.
Agan. John, 161.
Aiken, David, 297.
Aiken, W. H., 261.
Aitkin, James, 260, 263.
Alaska Knitting Co., 198.
Albany Pin Co., 127, 142.
Albany water supply, 129.
Aleombrack family, 45.
Aleombrack, Jacob, 161.
Alden & Frink, 153.
Aid n, Frink & Bingham, 131, 132, 134,
174.
Alden, Frink & Weston, 175, 176, 190,
191.
Albion, James, 160.
Alden, Sidney, 85, 131, 132, 141, 148, 298.
Alden Hose Co., 259.
Alexander, Andrew, 88.
Alexander, Benj. M., 287.
Alexander, Bradley, 295.
Allen, Campbell, 113.
Allen, Lester, 116.
Allen, Eev. Mr., 253.
Almy, Joseph, Jr., 141, 286.
Alston, William, 160.

American Hosiery Mill. See Smith,
Oreqory & Go., Gregory S UUler.
Andrffi, Michael, 161, 263.
Andrews, Captain, 54, 58.
Anthony, Israel, 40, 54.
Anthony, Jacob, 69.
Archer, G. K., 137.
Ardron, Eichard, 290.
Archambault, Joseph, 292.
Armitage, Rev. Thos., 253.
Arnold, Collins, 206, 247.
Arnold, Jonathan D., 160.
Artesian well, 211.
Arthur, Alex,, 303.
Arthur, Wm. Jr., 141, 160.
Ashdown, Arthur, 161.
Ashworth, Henry, 283.
Assemblymen, from Cohoes, 305.
Atheson, Jos., 283.
Atkinson, John H., 203, 228.
Atlantic Mill, 192, 212, 244.
Atridge, Thomas C, 16.
Atridge, "limothy, 294.
Atridge, Timothy, Jr., 301, 303.
Attorney of city, 227, 230.
Atwood, Joseph, 281.
Augsburg, David, 160.
Authier Bros., 228, 249.
Auringer, Isaac, 155.
Austin, Geo., 161.
Axe factories, production of, 1847, 87 ;
enlarged, 115; statistics of, 1876,
245.
Axe factory, 119, 120, 128, 146, 175, 176,
207 ; burned, 222, 227, 228 ; estab
lished, 64, 76, 235.
Ayres, Alexis, 83, 99.
Ayres, Edward, 280.
Ayres, Isaac D., 98, 99, 287.
Babcock, Rev. Theodore, 252.
Badgley ^Philip, 268.
Bagley, William, 161.
Bailey, Gustavus, 181.
Bailey, Joshua, 61, 62, 63, 72, 113, 115,
119, 120, 127, 128, 129, 134, 148, 161,
290, .301.
Bailey, Joshua, Sen., 270.
Bailey M'fg Co., 115, 119.
Bailey, Milton, 271.
Bailey, Timothy, 61, 62, 63, 72, 78, 80,
87, 104, 132.
Baker, A. S., 248.
Baker, Chas. H., 161.
Baker, John, 53, 65, 82, 120, 137, 143, 299.
Baker, John A., 161.
Baldwin, Samnel, 53, 57, 82.

308

Index.

Baldwin & Baker, 82.
Ball, Daniel, 275.
Ball, Jerome, 161.
Ball, Malachi, 98, 114, 156, 195, 297, 300,
304.
Ballard, A. J., 296.
Ballard, John, 194.
Ballard, Joseph B., 285.
Ballentyne, Wm., 285.
Bank of Cohoes, 140, 249.
Bank, The Manufacturers', established,
209.
Bannon, James, 161.
Baptist church, damaged, 229 ; enlarged,
213; history of, 252; organized, 72;
built, 93; parsonage of, 199; re
built, 115, 116.
Baptist German church, 254.
Barber, C. P., 128, 132.
Barber, Rev. C, 253.
Barber & Leckie, 128.
Barclay, James, 272.
Barclay, Thos., 288.
Barker, Calvin, 38,50.
Barlow, Samuel, 161.
Bamerick. Wm., 302.
Bartlett, Ebenezer, 72.
Barrett, Edward, 303, 305.
Barrett, Edward S., 162.
Barrett, John, 162.
Barrett, Wm. B.,98.
Barrie, James, 260.
Barter, James, 259.
Barton, Robert, 291.
Base-ball club, 141.
Basin, A., 76 ; constructed, 58, 63 ; B.,
constructed, 58.
Bassett, Rev. J., 33.
Bat factory burned, 105, 222.
Battin, J„ 119.
Baxter, Wm., 120.
Bayard, Augustus Willard, 161.
Bayard, Wm. H.,282.
Beach,Josiah H., 72.
Bean, Wm,, 248,
Beaver, Lawrence, 162.
Becker, Arthur T., 127, 141, 175, 194.
Becker, S. A., 64, 145, 148, 157, 245.
Bedell, Moses, 122.
Bedford, Henry, 156.
Bedstead factory, 75, 80, 87, 93, 120, 124,
137, 142, 246.
Beecher family, 43.
Beeman, Wm., 297.
Bell, Alexander, 280.
Belville, John, 290,
Bemis, Luke, 81, 88, 91, 92, 97, 100.
Bender, C. W., 127,
Benedict, Rev. T., 253.
Benedict, Wm. K., 139, 156, 264, 302,

Bennett,Bennett,Bennett, Benson,Benson,
Benson,Benson, Bentley,Bentley,
Benton,

John, 161.
Lyman, 190.
Napoleon, 161.
Chas. L., 283.
Ebenezer, 284.
Egbert C, 161.
Nathan L.,296, S
A. C, 69.
Chas., 161.
Buckley T., 212.

Bezner, Herman, 204, 218, 224.
Bilbrough, Samuel, 120, 190,244.
Bilbrough, Sam'l & Dubuque, 223.
Billings, Dr. Geo. H., 141, 260, 303, 305.
Billings, H.C., 92, 104.
Bills & Sage, 147.
.Bindewald, William, 291.
'Bingham, Rev. A. J., 159, 253, 257, 281.
Bingham, Willard, 131.
Binns, Wm., 296.
Birdseye, Chas. C, 241.
Biscornette, John, 155,
Biscornette, Jos,, 284.
Bisschof, Jacob, 155.
Black, G. G,, 261.
Blair, Frederick, 161.
Blair, John, 133.
Blake, Dr., 274.
Blake & Sons, 146.
Blakely, Chas. H., 271.
Blakely. Guy, 288, 300.
Blakely, W. L, 156.
Blanchard, Rev. Hiram, 254.
Blinn, Rev. H. G., 253.
Blower, Joshua, 52.
Blum, William H,, 161.
Board of Health, appointed, 104.
Board of Trade, proposed, 217.
Boat Club, Cohoes, 264.
Bobbin factory, 120, 128, 137, 142.
Bogardus, Rev. C, 33.
Boght, the, 15, 17; church, 32, 33, 39;
road, 225. See also Manor avenue.
Bogue, 11. S., 122, 142, 143, 148, 178,
182, 190, 208, 216, 226, 296, 297, 304.
Boley, Thomas, 268.
Bonce, John G., 49, 121.
Bonding the city, 225.
Boomhower, Edward, 156.
Booth, Joseph, 155.
Bordwell, Allen, 276.
Bortell, H., 144.
Bortell, Wm. H.,107.
Boss, Chas., 161.
BoUon, Richard, 255.
Bouchard, Frank, 162.
Boucher, Geo., 161.
Boudrias, Dr. Louis, 263, 293.
Boudrias, Dr. William, 293.
Boulevard bill, 208.
Bowler, Michael, 298, 300.
Bowler, Robert, 156.
Bowler, William, 294.
Bradford, Geo. S., 78.
liradley, Wm. J., 188.
Bradshaw, Geo., 161.
Brady, John, 398.
Bnuilt, Alfred, 303.
Bray, Geo., 43.
Bray, Joseph, 161 .
Bray, William, 161.
Breen, Michael, 304, 305.
Brennan, Dennis, 161.
Brennan, Edward, 280, 299.
Brennan, Martin, 302,
Brennan, Michael, 391.
Brewery, built, 173,
Bricks, flrst made, 61 ; manufacture,
347.
Bridge on Johnston ave., 236 ; at White
street, 191; to Lansingburg, 234;

Index.

309

Bridge, to Van Schaick's Island, 210,
^ 234 ; Waterford, completed, 210 ; to
Waterford, 39, 45; the first built,
33 ; described, 34 ; laws concerning,
35, 36; burned, 207; rebuilt, 49, 131,
132.
Bridges, repairs of, 108, 109.
Bridgeford. John, 182.
Brierly, John, 161, 275.
Brigamuel, Fred., 156.
Briggs, R. T..S2.
Brigham, Origen S., 96.
Brockway, Geo. B., 161.
Brockway, Henry, 143, 148, 159, 178, 194,
¦-'17,231,244,298,299,301.
Brodt, Wesley, 161, 375.
Bronk, Rev. Robt., 33.
Brooks, Geo., 192.
Brooks, Henry, 272,
Brooks, Jno. W.,a6-3.
Brooks, Thomas. 192, 373,
Brooks, William, 161, 271.
Brooks, Wm. R.. 255.
Brower, Geo., 161.
Brown, Albert M , 156, 161.
Brown, .ilex., 302, 303, 305.
Brown, Frank, 304.
Brown, Henry. 114.
Brown, J., Sua.
Brown, Jas., 128, 288.
Brown, Jenks, 128, 136, 140, 146, 373,
396, 291.
Brown, John, 70.
Brown, Jno. Crosby, 241.
Brown, Joseph M., 9-3, 98, 106, 110, 113,
296,300."
Brown, Peter .4,, 161. 2^!).
Brown, Rev. J. H. H., 188, 205, 228, 253.
Brown, Rev, W. R,. 25.3.
Brown, Thomas, 271.
Brown, Thos. V., 300.
Browne, Andrew M., 263.
Brownson, Jno. M., 88, 90, 30a
Bryan, Hugh, 161.
Bryan, John, 155.
Bryant, A. C, 273, 297.
Buckley, Edward, 263.
Buckley, James, 161.
Buchanan, Geo., 161.
Buchanan, John, 263,
Buchanan, John C, 161.
Buchanan, William, 161, 181, 280, 285.
Buildings, statistics of, 134.
Bulletin. See Oohoes iDaily B.
Bullions, Rev. A. B , 180, 267.
Bullock, Edward, 156, 378.
Bullock, John R., 1.32, 273, 297.
Bullock, Joseph, 212.
Bulson, Geo., 161.
Bulson, John, 292.
Bump, Alonzo, 162.
Buregard, Oliver, 161.
Burger, Rev. David J., 252.
Burke, Michael J., .304.
Bnrke, Patrick, 291.
Burnap, John G., 84.
Burns, James, 290, 303.
Burton, Wm., 80, 85, 87, 113, 120, 128,
131, 132, 148, 152. 153, 173, 182, 209,
295, 296, 300, 301.
Bush, Lewis, 161.

Bush, Rev. Stephen. 126, 253.
Buss, Ralph, 295, 296.
Butt factory, 81.
Cady, D., 203, 248.
Cady, Peter V., 162.
Cafl'rey, James, 262.
Cahill, Henry, 286.
Cahill, Hugh, 304.
Cahill, James, 162.
Cahill, John, 155.
Cain, John, 162.
Caisse, Joseph, 162.
Calkins, A. T., 153, 159, 162, 263, 298, 302.
Calkins, R. S., 299.
Camera obscura, 219.
Cameron, Rev. M., 252.
Campbell, Geo., 175, 194, 210, 244, 301,
303.
Campbell Hose Co., 259.
Campbell, .lames M., 289.
Campbell, John, 263, 284.
Campbell, Robert, 255.
Campbell &, Clute, 175, 246.
Campbell & Clute's Block, 219.
Canal boat, flrst, 266 ; flrst to pass
through, 42.
Canal enlargement, 68, 73, 76 ; the Erie
52.
Canal street. See Main street.
Canals, construction of, 41, 42, 265;
courses of, 43, 44.
Candly, Samuel, 166.
Cane, Patrick, 156.
Cannon, Chas. T,. 278.
Cannon, P. J., 363
Canvass street, 116.
Carhart, Rev. J. W., 353.
Carleton, Chas. M., 137.
Carpenter, Albert F., 162.
Carpenter, Asahel, 292.
Carpenter, Edwd. S., 303,
Carpenter, Lorenzo, 162.
Carpenter, Philip H., 162.
Carpenter, William G., 162.
Carpet factory, 59.
Carr, Albert, 156.
Carr, T., 162.
Carrigan, Geo., 235.
Carroll, John C, 162, 279.
Carroll, Wm. C, 297.
Carter, Chas. T., 118, 288, 300.
Carter, Charles W., 290.
Carter, Dr. Wm.F.. 104, 111, 113, 119,
129, 140, 144, 157, 178, 189, 279, 295,
296, 298, 301.
Carter, Geo. T., 260, 303, 304.
Carter, Isaac S., 281.
Carter, John, 176, 305.
Carter, Michael, 156.
Carter, Thomas, 293.
Carter, T. C , 131, 281, 288, 293, 296.
Cartwright, Thi.mas, 134.
Cary, Leonard, 107, 222, 297, 302, 303.
Casey, Peter, 290.
Casey, Thos. B., 162.
Cassidy, John, 155.
Cataract Alley, 103.
Cataract engine, 104 ; purchased, 97 ;
company for, 98, 259 ; house built
for, 99.

310

Index.

Cataract House, 4, 177.
Catholic church. See St. Bernard's
dvurch.
Cavan, Washington, 64.
Cavanaugh, John, 2H9.
Cavenaugh, Edward, 390.
Cavenagh, John V., 1B2.
Canldwell, M. O., 204.
Caw, Wm. G., 84, 87, 108, 112, 113, 121,
140, 148, 162, 167,, 178, 263, 277, 295,
297, 301.
Caw & Quackenbush Block, 92.
Cedar street, 204.
Cement Mill. See Xime.
Cemetery, presented to village, 122. 123.
Census of 1865, 125 ; of 1860, 147 ; of
1865, 183; of 1870, 205; tables of,
264.
Centennial celebration, 229.
Central avenue, 219, 226.
Chadwick Guards. See Third Sep. Co.
Chadwick, Joseph, 1.33, 136, 152, 159,
141, 162, 163, 176, 192, 244, 261, 297.
Chadwick, P. R,, 149, 162, 162, 175, 210,
217, 244, 262.
Chadwick, Wm. N., 26, 81, 93, 95, 97,
101, 111, 113, 128, 148, 175, 240, 244,
296.
Chamberlain, 206 ; dispute in regard to,
221 ; powers of, 230.
Chamberlin, Rev. Mr., 73, 253,
Chambers, John, 163.
Charter, a city, proposed, 178 ; amended,
112, 126, 205, 309, 227, 230 ; for city,
passed, 197; of village drawn, 95.
Chesebro, I. W., 142, 150. 260.
Chicago fire, relief for sufferers by, 308.
Childs, John, 156.
Cholera, in 1833, 59; in 1849, 104.
Christie, James, 162.
Christie, Robt. Jr., 240.
Christie, Rich'd D., 260, 261.
Chubb, Hiram, 285.
Churches, organized, 32, 41, 56, 71, 72,
91, 196, 224, 254; built, 60, 73. 91,
101, 116, 141, 176, 189, 196, 205, 224;
improvements in, 145, 199, 213 ;
damaged, 229 ; history of, 252-255.
Cider mill, 196.
Claffey, Wm., 165.
Clark, Alvin, 156.
Clark, Asa, 142.
Clark, Bayard, 26.
Clark, J. B„ 162.
Clark, James 299.
Clark, Jas. W., 261,
Clark, John, 381.
Clark, John, Jr., 285.
Clark, Joseph, 162.
Clark, Otis G., 190, 216, 244.
Clark, Rev. Orange, 56, 252.
Clark, Eichard, 217. 292, 399.
Clarke, Benj. F., 298.
Clarke, Dr. O. H. B., 263.
Clarke, Joshua R., 53, 67, 59, 65, 67 80,
88, 96,101, 111, 113, 120,140, 148,216,
295, 297, 300, 303.
Clancy & Co , 192.
Claxton block, 106.
Claxton, Col. F. S., 92, 100, 104,129, 241.
Cleacham, Robt., 166.

Clements, Wm. J., 271.
Clerk of city, 230.
Clifton Company, 127.
Cline, William H., 162.
Clinton, Gov., 265.
Clough, Edwin, 3U4.
Clough, Wm., 260, 263, 302.
Clow, Philip L,, 280.
Clnte, Abram D., 279.
Clute, Adam, 163.
Clute, D. H., 235.
Clute, B. J., 262,
Clute family, 8, 22 ; farm, 18, 29.
Clute, Gerardus, 83.
Clute, Gerrett, 30, 31, 32, 40.
Clute, Harvey, 298, 299.
Clule, Hiram, 153. 162, 274.
Clute, Isaac, 179, 247.
Clute, Jeremiah, 91, 96, 113, 124, 137,
396.
Clute, John, 165, 176, 194, 217, 246, 301.
Clute, Nicholas J.. 210.
Coakley, John, 288,
Cockroft, Wm., 82.
Cohoes, derivation of name of, 1 ; man
ner of spelling, 251 ; settlement of,
15, 18; in 1813, described, 39; in
1824, 45, 46; in 1831, 53-56; 1836,
66: 1847, 85; Incorporated as a
village, 94. 95, 96 ; incorporated as
a city, 197; movement to incorpo
rate, 178 ; to be part of the city of
Watervliet, 192 ; charter of, amend
ed, 112,205, 209, 227,330; statistics
of, 200, 264 ; offlcers of. 29.5-805 ; cen
sus of, 125, 147, 183, 206, 264; farms
and farmhouses in, 18-29 ; bonding
of city proposed, 225; history of,
published, 199,212; first directory
of, 193; flrst election, as a ciiy, 201;
expenses of, in 1849,103; war re
cord of 148-172.
Cohoes E'alle, 45, 48; early accounts
or, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 ; di
mensions of, 4, 13 ; pictures of, 10,
12; described, 39.
Hospital, 209.
Hotel, 59. 69, 86.
House, 43, 54.
Iron foundery. See Foundery.
Manufacturing Co., 37, 38, 39, 46,
50,65.
Savings Institution. See Savings
Inst.
& Troy Rail Road, 88, 89, 114.
Cohoes Company, 28, 29, 37, 60, 65, 100,
101, 123, 131, 143, 215, 266 ; canal of,
68,69; dam of, 73, 182; disputes of,
with village, 108, 109; foundation
of, 47, 48; flrst operations of, 51,
62, 58, 63 ; sketch of, 238-341 ; works
of, 66, 76, 239, 240; water supply
from, 130,195.
Cohoes Advertiser, the, described, 83,
84,85.
Cohoes Cataract, the, established, 102 ;
sketch of, 248, 249; discontinued,
180.
Cohoes Daily Bulletin, 228.
Cohoes Daily News, established, 217;
sketch of, 249.

Index.

311

Cohoes Democrat, established, 185;
sketch of, 248.
Cohoes Journal, 99.
Cohoes Weekly Democrat, established,
203.
Cole, Aaron, 163.
Cole, Abram V., 262.
Cole, George, 162.
Cole, James, 163, 277.
Cole, Lorenzo S., 262.
Cole, Octavius, 273.
Coleman, James, 301.
Coleman, John, 163, 303. 304, 306.
Coleman, Joseph, 163, 301, 302.
Coleman, Morris, 163.
Coleman, Silas B., 162.
Coleman, Thos., 163, 244.
Colgrove, David, 155.
Colgrove, John B , 81.
Collier, Thomas, 293.
Collier, William, 162.
Collins, George Z., 143.
Collins, L. D., 193.
ColUns, Michael J., 287.
Collins, T. C, 261.
Collin and Jones, 41.
Columbia street, 44, 55, 219, 225.
Colwell, Thos., 179, 212, 216, 245.
Commissioners of Deeds, 205.
Common Council, flrst meeting of, 201 ;
powers of, 205, 227.
Condley, John H., 303, 304.
Condron, James, 162.
Condron, William, 162.
Congressman from Cohoes, 305.
Conley, John, 155.
Conliss, Wm., 151, 156, 159, 176.
Conliss & Carter, 176 ; mill of, bnmed,
180.
Connaughty, Edward, 292.
Connaughty, Mr., 91 .
Connoily, James, 162.
Connolly, Samuel, 162
Connors, John, 162, 290.
Constables, 327.
Constant, .Joseph D., 67.
Conway, Eugene, 304.
Cook, Alfred, 61.
Cook, Alanson, 72.
Cook, Geo. W., 250.
Cook, Samuel, 74.
Cooley, John, 305.
Coon, John M., 85.
Cope, William, 162.
Copeland, John, 291.
Corcoran, J., 163.
Corwin, Rev.D., 253.
Costello, Joseph, 162.
Cotton factory, 41, 45, 46, 47 ; of E. L.
Miller, 69 ; of Harmony MTg Co.,
67.
Cotton flax mill, 120.
Cotton mills, condition of, in 1857, 134 ;
erected, 80, 81 ; production of, 81 ;
statistics of, in 1847, 86 ; in 1853,
119 ; in 1855, 128. See also Harmony,
Strong & Ogden Mills.
Court room, built. 107.
Coveney, Benj., 260, 261, 303.
Cowden, Geo., 162.
Cowee, David, 176, 244.

Cox, Andrew, 162, 300.
Coyle, Nicholas, 105.
Craig, Chas. P., 198, 363.
Craig, F. B., 163.
Craig, William, 162.
Craley, Jacob, 264.
Cramer, John, 101.
Crandall, Burton H., 162, 305.
Cranston, James L. N., 155, 162, 289.
Cranston, Wm. H., 162, 276.
Crapo, Amos, 304.
Crane, J. H., 116.
Crane, Jorm S.. 155, 299, 300, 304.
Crane, W. S., 302.
Crescent, water supply from 131, 195 ;
road to, 225, 229.
Crawford. J. F., 131, 144, 174, 178, 219,
297, 301, 305.
Crawford, Kev, B., 71, 253.
Crawford, William N ., 390.
Crocker, M. L.,69.
Crookley, Thomas, 384.
Cropsey, Gabriel M., 147,392.
Crosby, Clarkson F., 240.
Crossley, Robert, 162.
Crossingham, Jas. H., 262.
Crowley, John, 305.
Crowner family, 43, 54.
Cullen, Rev. Thos., 254.
Cummings, Geo., 398.
Cummings, Michael, 303.
Curtis, A. G., 312.
Curtis, Joseph, 50.
Curtis, Robert, 81.
Cushman, John P., 27.
Dailey, Jeremiah A., 163.
Daily Eagle, the, 228.
Daily News. &ee Cohoes Baily News.
Daley, Dennis, 163, 303.
Daley, Geo. C, 305.
Daley, John, 163.
Daley, Michael, 292.
Dallas, Thomas, 166.
Daly, Rev. Thos., 264.
Dam, of Cohoes Co., 73, 182; built and
rebuilt, 51, 68.
Dam, the state, built, 207.
Damon, Elbridge, 297.
Damon, John, 166.
Damon, John E,, 283.
Danaher, Maurice, 163.
Darrow, David M., 163.
Davenport, Chas., 163.
Davenport, Geo., 163.
Davenport, James, 163.
Davenport, John, 163.
Davids, Elias, 155.
Davis, John, 292.
Davis, N. B., 287.
Davis, Thos., 163.
Daw, Peter F,, 107, 250, 292, 300.
Dawson, Henry, 133, 192, 246.
Dean, Geo., 261.
Dearborn, John, 114.
Deecher, Jas., 305.
De Graff, Joseph, 293.
De Haas' patent, 15.
Delahanty, Joseph, 194.
Delanoy, W.,254.
Delany, John, 163.

312

Index.

Delve, James, 181, 263, 297.
Demarest, Rev. John, 32, 33.
Demarest, Wm. C, .305.
DeMilt, B. & S., 41, 50.
Democrat. See Colioes Democrat.
Denio, Henry, 163.
Dennis, Nicholas, 163.
Dennin. Patrick, 290.
Derby, William, 163.
Deroche,  , 163.
Deroche, James, 163.
Derocher, Joseph, 292.
Deuel, George, 163.
Dewar, Wm., 259.
Deyo, Abner, 300.
Deyo, Marcus S., 98.
Diamond Mill, 344.
Dickey, James R., 279.
Dickey, Henry D., 305.
Dickey, Wm., 140, 272, 295.
Dickson, John M., 289.
Diehl, Geo., 163, 277.
Dietz, Sidney, 166.
Dietz, Stephen, 163,296.
Dillon, James, 289.
Directory, published, 193.
Dixon, A. K,, 302, 303, 304
Dixon, Geo., 255, 298.
Dockstader, Geo. Z., 69, 302.
Dodge, Jacob, 82, 85, 87.
Dodge, James, 368.
Dodge, Joseph C, 163, 300.
Dodge, Levi, 143, 175, 204.
Dodge, Stephen, 296.
Dodge, Wm., 71.
Dodge, Wm. T., 139, 301, 302.
Donahue, William, 163.
Doncaster & Hay, 102.
Donnelly, Catherine, 176.
Donovan, Michael, 90, 163 296
Doolittle. Lucius, 290.
Doran, John, 305.
Dorr, David, 163.
Dotter, Solomon, 301, 302,
Doty, Stephen, 260.
Doty, Wm. H., 98, 302
Dougherty, James, 304.
Dowd, Luman, 109.
Dowd, Patrick, 163.
Downey, Margaret, 176.
Downing, Michael, 163
Downs, John, 272, 390.
Doyle, Chas. F., 163, 231 281
Doyle, Geo. H., 163.
Doyle, John, 114, 156, 157, 296, 300.
Doyle, M., 163.
Doyle, Mrs. Sarah, 74
Draft in 1862, 151, 152; in 1863, 154
Driscoll, James, 286.
Driscoll, Simon P., 163
Drysdale, Geo., 163.
Drysdale, John, 163, 285, 299.
Dubois, Henry, 113.
Dubois, Rev. John, 83
Dubuque, L.E., 179, 223.
Ducharme, Geo., 302.
Dudley, Chas. B., 48.
Dudley, Henry, C7.
Dumell, Alfred, 163.
Duncan, Rev. John, 72, 252.
Duncan, Thos., 192.

Dunlap, John, 254.
Dunn, Edward, 163.
Dunn, Thos., 163.
Duneback, Henry I., 204.
Duquette, Moses, 394.
Durham, Henry, 163.
Durham, James, 163, 375.
Durrant, James, 261, 391.
Dutemple, Wm., 296, 297.
Dwyer, Rev. B., 252.
Eagan, Kyran, 156, 164.
Eagan, William R , 290.
Eastham, Henry, 164
Eastham, Thos., 163, 377.
Eastwood, J., 114.
Eastwood, John, 98, 272,
Eastwood, John H., 164.
Eastwood, John Jr., 280.
Eastwood, Justus, 293. 30
Eastwood, Eev. J., 252.
Eastwood, William H., 28
Ebah, John, 164, 278.
Eccles, Francis T., 163.
Eccles, J., 126.
Eccles, Joseph, 260.
Eccles, Samuel P., 163.
Edwards, Henry W., 246
Edwards, Rev. Edw'd P.
Egan, Chas., 302, 303.
Egan, John, 262.
Egan, John H., 803, 305.
Egan, Owen, 164.
Egberts, Egbert, 61, 62, I
101, 104, 110, 111, 113,
127, 128, 140, 145, 148,
262, 282, 296.
Egberts & Bailey, 62, 74,
block, 106; dissolved,
of, 77, 79.
Egberts Hall opened, 138.
Egberts' Institute, 255 ;
ISO ; teachers of, 257.
Egnesperry, Francis, 164.
Bfectlon districts changed.
Election, flrst under city
flrst under village char
Ellis, Elisha, 164.
Ellison, Robert, 164.
Ellmaker, Augustus, 201, S
Elmore, J. C, 133.
Emerson, Rev. Oliver, 253
Empire Mill, 174, 182, 196, 2
Empire Pin Co., 137, 307.
Empire Tube Works, 212, 2
235.
En Earl, Henry Jr., 88, 91.
En Earl, Henry Sr., 43, 49
En Earl, John H., 164.
En Earl, Merrit D., 164
En Earl, N. W., 296, 298.
Engineer of city, 237, 230.
Engine houses built, 99, 11
Englestoff, John, 293.
English, Michael, 305.
English, Patrick, 303.
Enlistments of soldiers. 1
167. '
Enos, W. C, 133.
Enos, William, 292.
Ensign, H. A., 164.

Index.

313

Ensign's Mill, 41.
Enterprise Mill. 218, 244.
Episcopal church. See St. John'schvrch.
Erie Jlill, 183, 190, 244; burned, 214;
rebuilt. 218.
Evans, Joel, 164.
Evans, Rev. C. P., 257.
Evers, William. 291.
Everts, J. D., 164.
Excelsior Fire Engine, 96, 97, 98.
Fabyan. H. G., 164.
Fairbank, David, 164.
Fairbank, J. W., 164.
Fairbank, Sherman D., 03, 98, 133, 175,
276, 297.
Fairchild, Anthony, 263.
Falardo, Daniel, 164.
Falardo, Dennis L., 164.
Fiilardo, John, 164.
Falardo, Joseph. & De Villiers, 105.
Falardo, Loui-, 289.
Falardo, Onesime. 164.
Fallon, Michael. 289.
Fallon, Peter, 164.
Farmhouses, loca;ion of, 18-29.
Farmilo, Henry. 254.
Farms, boundaries of. 24 to 29.
Farnam, F. W., 84, 93, 100, 115.
Fiirrell, Edward, 164.
Farrell, John, 293.
Farrell, Matt, 164.
Farrelly, Michael. 274.
Farthing. F. E., 164.
FanlkneVs bivcrn, 53.
F.iy, Patrick, 155.
Featherstonhaugh, Dr. J. D., 209, 203,
303.
Follhoasen, Herman D., 98.
Ferguson, Aaron L , 93, 114, 273.
Ferguson, Chas. F., 271.
Pergnson, Gen. N., 296.
Ferguson, P. B., 140, 300.
Ferguson, Wm., 164, 283, 292.
Fero, David, 32.
Fero, Peter & Henry, 29.
Ferrell, Wm., 98. 296.
Ferris, Harvey, :j00.
Fielding. John, 290.
Fifth ward bill. 227.
Finney, Oscar O.. 69, 280.
Finlay, Charles, 164.
Finlay, John, IM.
Finnigan, James, 156.
Firo alarm telegraph, proposed,
217.
Fire, in post offlco, 84; nt Clnte Pnir^t
Mill, 91; at T.Bailey's Mill, 104: in
Strong Mill. 123; in HariiKiny Mill,
136; in Wilkinson Machine Shop,
137 ; at horse car barn, 184; nt Erie
Mill, 2i4; at Sl:irk Mill, 214, at
Harmonv Mills, 173; at Burton's
Mill, 173; at Paper Mill. 173; at
Bnrst's Mill, 176; at old .Tnnctioii,
178; lit Conliss & Carter's Mill, 178;
at \ an Rensselaer House, 104, 105;
lit Ten Eyck Axo Factory, 222; at
Root's Mill, 222; at Weed &
Becker's, 227.
Fire commissioners, 227.
40

Fire Department, 113; organized, 96,
97.98; chief engineers of, 300; im
provements in, 181, 182,194; sketch
or, 258, 2oH.
Fisher, Horace, 198, 212.
Fitts. Lucien. 98, 296, 296.
Fitz Gerald, Edward, 200.
Fitz Gerald, Lawrence, 166.
Fitz Gerald, Maniico, .304.
Fitz Patrick, Daniel, 164, 290, 298.
Fitz Patrick, Frank, 291.
Filz Patrick, John, 302.
Fitz Patrick, Martin, 290.
Fitz Piitrick, Matthew, 123, 272, 295,
297, 304.
Fitz Patrick, Rev. J., 288.
Flag raisings, 149.
Flannigan, Dennis, 57.
Flannigan, bltlward, 262.
Flannigan family, 43.
Flannigan, Geo,, 164.
Flannigan, John, 164.
Flannigan. Thomas B., 291.
Fletcher, Isaac F., 54, 131, 164, 260, 270,
295, 296, 297.
Fletcher, Isaac V., 141.
Fletcher, Leonard G., 164, 274.
Fletcher, Thos,, 164,
Fletcher, Williiim, 164, 292.
Flint, Rev. F. W., ISO.
Flonr Mill, 75, 124, 146, 147. 247.
FIvnn. Jolin, 164, 275,
Fo'garty, William, 293.
Foley, Edward. 194.
Foley, John, 299.
Foley, Peter, 290.
E'onda, Abraham D„ 32.
Fonda, Abram H., .305.
Fonda, Col. Dnw, 281.
Fonda, Cornelius V., 271.
Fonda, Douw, 22.
Fonda, Douw A,, 29, 122.
Fonda, E. Raymond, 164. 377.
Fonda familv, 17, 18, 29, 32.
Fonda, Frank. 303. 303.
Fonda, Guo. F., 164.
Fonda, Gilbert M.. 164.
Fonda, Isaac, 32.273.
Fonda, Isaac J., 30.
Fonda, Jacob D., 26, 29.
Fonda. Jesse, 33.
Fonda, Lanrence S., 97, 295.
Fonda, Win.. 1.63.
Foote, Wm.. 137.
Forbes, John, 286.
Forbes, Peter, 278.
Foreman, John, 285.
Ford, John W., .303, 304, 305.
Forrest, Dr. J. B.. 287.
Forrester. L. Q.. 279.
Fort family, 12, 17.
Forth's tavern, 12.
Forward, John. 164.
Fo,«ter, E. U., 217, 262.
Foster, Jiimes G., 85.
Foster, Simuel H.. 81, 87, 88, 104, 113,
281, 296, 297, 299, 300.
Foster, Wm., 164.
Foundery, established, 64, 199; the
Cohoes. 87. 120 ; removed, 192.
Fountain, Theophilus' 156.

314

Index.

Fourth of July celebration, appropria
tion for, 2;J0; account of, 232; of
1850, 109,110; otl865, 159.
Fowler, Newton, 282.
Fowler, Ralph, 164.
Fowler, Thos., 115, 119, 127.
Fowler, T. S,, 164.
Fox. Joseph, 88.
Fox, Rev. Robert, 253.
Franklin, Benj., 98.
Frazier, P.. 164.
Freeman, Wm. L., 98.
Iirench church . See St. Joseph's chvrch.
French. John G., 258.
Frink, Alex., 295, 296, 297, 300, 302.
Frink, Alexander H., 165, 277.
Frink, John W., 131, 132, 144, 293, 297,
298, 299,301.
Frink, Spencer, 299.
Frisby, Robert W., 164, 275.
Frost, James, 164.
Frost, Norman W.,164, 178, 210, 217, 249.
Frost, Robert, 164, 399.
Frost, Rev. Daniel C, 363.
Fry, Edwin A., 164.
Fuller &SareU, 203.
Fuller & Safely's buildintr, 193.
Fuller, Edward W., 69, 70, 88, 113 119,
120, 133, 135, 148, 193, 360, 296 ; & II .
D., 215.
Fuller, Henry D., 64, 69, 70, 88, 90, 95,
100, 107, 110, 113, 119, 120, 128, 129,
140, 14S, 192, 231, 244, 219, 395, 300,
301, .303, 303; & Hay, 219.
Puller, Mr., 69.
Pulton, .Tohn, 114, 131, 122, 156. 297,
298.
Furniture factory, 204, 218, 247.
Gaffney, Thos., 299.
Giige, William, 165.
Game, Henry M., 188.
Game, Paul, 260.
Galbraith, James, 165, 273.
Gallapo, Joseph. 165.
Galligan, Bernard, 269,
Galvin, John, 156.
Garfield, Rev. B. P., 252.
Garner, Thomas, 112, 135, 211, 280.
Garner, Thos. Jr.. 383.
Garner, Wm. T., 340, 241.
Garraghan, Owen, 2911, 301.
Garrigan, Martin, 299.
Gas Light Co., organized, 119.
Gauthier, P., 165.
Gauthier, Joseph, 164.
Gauthier. Peter. 165.
Gay, Amos E., 268.
Geer. John N,, 263.
Genoie, J. H., 165.
German Baptist Church, 254.
Gilbert, Wm. S., 209, 216, 244, 303.
Gill, E. D., 270.
Gill, James, 293.
Gilligan, Pat'k, 156.
Gillis, J.. 166.
Oilman, Chas, O,, 304, 305,
Gilmore, Martin. 260.
Gilson, Rev. J. B., 252.
Giard, Alexander, 294.
Girard, Alexis, 293.

Gleason, Thos., 302.
Gledhill. Wm., 285.
Glines, B. A., 142.
Globe Mill, 212, 244.
Goddard, Aaron, 254.
Goffe, Asahel, 72. 271.
Goffe, Augustus J., 72, 105, 132, 207.
Goffe, Demas, 13-3, 271.
Golden, Thos., 272, 304.
Gooch, Thomas, 104, 278.
Goodfellow, James H., 165.
Goodrich, Frederick S., 165.
Goodwater, Vital, 165.
Gordon, 'Vai- Olinda, 165.
Gormley, Robt., 165, 278.
Goss, Dr. C. F., 84, 110, 271.
Gould, Alfred, 155, 260.
Gould, David, 260.
Gould, Joseph, 71, 114.
Gould, Joseph Jr., 300.
Gould, Mark H., 288.
Grand Army of Republic. See PostLyod.
Grand View Park, 219.
Granite Hall Block, 93.
Grant, P. W., 147.
Grant, H. R. 133, 136, 283, 298, 399.
Grant, Mrs. H. E., 229, 247.
Grant, Rev. H. L., 263.
Grass, George, 284.
Graves, Geo. II., 304.
Gray, John, 262.
Gray, Rev. John, '^52, 263.
Greason, Edward. 165, 275.
Greason, Egbert, 165.
Greason, George, 263, 291.
Greason, William, 290.
Gregory, Alex. M., 132, 291.
Gregory & Hiller. 223.
Gregory, C. N., 139.
Gregory, Chas.. 155.
Gregory, Dr. O. H., 141, 145.
Gregory, E. S., 302.
Gregory, George H.. 293.
GregorV, Rev. Dr., 145.
Gregory, Wm. M., 132; & Hiller, 244.
Green, Chas., 276.
Green, Chas. D., 165.
Green, Chas. N., 166, 359.
Green, Elisha T., 389, 396, 297.
Green, Geo., 166.
Green, H. J. P., 264.
Green, John, 165.
Green, Otis R., 165. 266.
Green, Wm., 98, 285.
Greer, John, 165, 278.
Greenman. L., 1:37, 192.
Greenwood, William, 165.
Grierson, Geo., 166.
Griffin, A. J., 9:3, 137, 142, 178, 217, 246,
360.
Griffln, Francis, 67.
Griffin, Geo. C, 360.
Griffln, Patrick, 285.
Griffenty, Thos., 156.
Groesbeck, Leonard, 217.
Groves, James, 272.
Groves, John, 203.
Grist Mill, Lansing's, 39, 45; Clnte's,
30; Heamstreet's, 30.
Gugerty, Patrick, 134, 189.
Gurr, Eev. C. D., 253.

Index.

315

Gwynne, Rev. Walker, 252.
Gwynn, Wm. H., 4, 263.
Haggerty, Wm. C, 112.
Hahn, Joseph, 98.
Hart, Richard P., 25, 37.
Halcyon Mill, 128, 133; sold, 175, 191
Haley, John, 286
Haley, Joseph, 165.
Halfmoon. 39.
Hall, Henrv, Jr., 98.
Hall, Thomas A,, 291.
Hallenbeck, Jacob H., 114.
Halpin, James, 165.
Halve Maan ot Half Moon. 12, 16, 17. 33.
Hamilton, David, lul.
Handy, Chas. O., 67.
Handy, Isaac P., 165,
Hanley, Patrick, :304.
Hanson. G. W., 166.
Hardeiibrook. Chas, C, 165,
Hardie, Robert. 257.
Harmon, A. M., 301, .302.
Harmony Comp.my, 181,182, See also
Harmony Mills.
Harmony Hill, growth of, 133, 243, 190.
Harmony Hill U. S. S, See Sunday
SchoOi..
Harmony M'fg Co., 57, 81 ; organiza
tion or. 67. 68.
Harmonv Mill--, 119, 146, 194; additions
to, 179, 183 ; fire in. 136, 173 ; con
dition in 1857, 134, 135, 136 ; in panic
of 1873. 220, 221 ; ownership of
changed. 111 ; No. 3, erected, 133 :
No. .3 commenced, 185 ; completed,
195. 311; statistics of, in 1847, 86;
in 1866, 190; in 1872, 212, 213; in
1876, 242. 243 ; sketch of, 241, 243.
Harmony, Peter, 67.
Harrington. John W., 189.
Harris, E. S, and H. W.. 127,
Harris, .James, 268.
Harriscm, .Tohn. 283.
Harrison, lohn B., 260, 268, 295.
Harrison, William, 290.
Hart. Eichard Jr., 165.
Hartness wool-n mill, 120.
Hartnett, Daniel Jr.. 166.
Harvey, James, 166, 276.
Harvey, Ruel, 165.
Haskins, Joseph, 130.
Hastings, Frank. 233. 264.
Hastings, Herbert, 1.39, 165, 277, 300.
Hastings, Jonathan, 271.
Hastings, Wm., 181.
Hatcher, Thomas, 165. 261.
Haver Island, 16, 17, :32,
Hawes & Baker, 65, 70. 80, HI,
Hawley, Eev. C. R., 253.
Hay, Alex., 98, 279.
Hay, Chas., 132, 219, 244, 279, 301.
Hay, Francis, 166.
Hay, James, 263. 279, 298, 300, 303, 306.
Hay, John. 250, .304, 279.
Hay. John, Jr., 295.
Hay, John W., 165.
Hay. Miller, ,301.
Hayden, James, 148, 288, 294, 305.
Hayes, John, 99.
Haynes, Dr. J. U., 263.

Hayward, Charles, 165.
Hayward, James M., 124,291.
Hayward, John, 165.
Hayward, Sheffield, 136, 178, 183. 297.
299.
Heady, William, 166^
Healey, Patrick, 262.
Healey, Wm., 189, 262.
Health, Board of, appointed, 104.
Heamstreet, Albert, 80.
Heamstreet, Chas., 26, 30, 37, 42.
Heamstreet, Jacob, 41.
Heamstreet, John. 45, 65.
Heamstreet, Richard, 27, 36, 43, 53, 54
56, 86.
Heamstreet family, 18, 31, 37.
Heffern, Christopher, 166.
Heffern, Edw.ird, 303.
Helmerick, J., 262.
Helmerick, .loseph, 165.
Hemstreet, James, 71, 136.
Hemphill, Henry, 165.
Hemphill, James T., 165, 300.
Hemphill, John, 166.
Hemphill, Thomas, 166, 290.,
Hemstreet, Russell, 165.
Henderson, Francis, 136, 148, 296, 297.
Henderson, John, 296.
Henry, John, 114.
Henthorn, James, 286.
Herell, Richard, 254,
Herkimer family, 43,
Hewson, Edward. 165.
Hibbert, Henry C, 165, 303, 304, 305.
Hicks, Charles, 291.
Higgins, Geo., 303.
Higgins, Michael. 156, 165.
Higgins, Thos.. 262, 263.
Higlev, H. E., 106.
Hildreth. T. P., 137, 142, 300.
Hill, Barney, 166.
Hill, Joseph, 166.
Hiller Jonathan, 120, 132, 182, 244, 261.
297, 303, 303.
Hilton, John, 263.
Hilzinger, Rev. Henry, 264.
Himes, Jas. K. P., 166, 378.
Himes, Jehial W., 152, 165, 178, 198, 210,
217, 244.
Himes & Vail, 198.
nines, Patrick, 114.
Hitchcock, Edwin, 114, 194, 299, 302, 304.
Hitchcock, Wm. B., 274.
Hitchcock Hose Co., 259.
Hitchens, Thomas, 74.
Hobart, William, 292.
Hoben, A., 263.
Hodgson, John, 166.
Hodgson, Kendall, 166, 260.
Hodgson, Lester, 166.
Hogan, Patrick, 268.
Hogben, William, 289.
Hogg, Thos., 165.
Holley, Wm., 276.
Hollister, D. Cady, 120.
Hollister, Wm. H., 84, 92, 110, 120, 295,
298.
Holloran. Patiick, 293.
Holmes, John, 263.
Holsapple, r. S., 137, 246, 253.
Hopkins, John, 165.

316

Index.

Horan, Cornelius, 302.
Horan, John, 282.
Horner, James, 279.
Horrobin, Wm. T., 192, 199, 216, S4D.
Horrocks, John, 212, 263, 244, 303.
Horrocks, Samuel, 264.
Horse Rail Road Co., Cohoes and Troy,
incorp., 173; road of, completed,
177; ttiibles of, burned, 184; suits
against, 184.
Horse Rail Ro.ids to Waterford, 178.
Hospiliil, istablishcd, 209.
Hotel, the flr-t, 59.
Hotel, the Cohoes, 69, 85, 215 ; company
organized, 215; proprietorship of,
69.
Houghton, Joab, 67, 240.
Houlihan, C. & Stanton, 340.
Houlihan, Cornelius, 159, 298, 301.
H(nilihan, Jeremiah, 273.
House, Geo. A., 264.
House, Moses, 296, 299.
House, Rosin J., 165.
House, Theodore M., 165.
Howard, Geo. W.. 165.
Howard, T. R.,298.
Howard, Wm. H.. 276.
Howard street, 185, 226.
Howarlh Engine Co., 232, 259.
Howarih, Geo., 296.
Howarth. Geo. H.. 260.
Howarth, Henry, 107, 142.
Howarth, John, 165.
Howarth, John Wesley, 2£0, 303.
Howe. E. C, 85.
Howe; Hezekiah. 53, 56, 57, 58, 60, 70,
75, lOfl, 260, 269, 287.
Howe & Ross, 81, 85.
Howe, Miss E , 153.
Howe, MissM., 57.
Howell, Elias, 271.
Howell, Malthy, 72, 274.
Howes, Dr. Thomas C, 293.
Howes, Geo. M.. 273.
Hubbard, Murray. 148, 178, 194, 195, 208,
216, 219, 247, 257, 299.
Hubbard, Oliver C, 44, 68, 73, 74, 96.
Hubbell, Chas. L., 281.
Huile, John, 156.
Hudson, Benj., 166.
Hudson, Geo. 285.
Hughes, J. S. & E., 247.
Hughes, Michael, 165.
Hume, Geo., 166.
Hunt, Henry, 166.
Hurst. Eichard, 120, 132, 300.
Hurst's Mill, burning "(, 176 ; sold, 190.
Hutchins, Benj., 114, 271, 296.
Hutchins, Geo. W.,286.
Ilsley, Stillman, 306.
Incorporation, as a city, discussed, 196,
197; movement towards, 94,95,96.
Indian legends, 4. 5.
Ingraham. Chas. P., 139, 379.
Irish famine, 90.
Israel, Wni.P., Jr., 100.
Ivory, Michael, ISO.
Jackson, Geo., 98, 297.
Jackson, John, 133, 166, 268.

Jackson, Robert, 155.
Jackson, Samuel. 156.
Jackson, Thos.. 156.
Jackson, Wm. B., 166, 279.
James street, 326.
Jones, Elisha, 38.
Jenks, Willard, 69.
Jenkins, Chas. .M., 128, 240.
Jerome, Joseph. 166.
Jerome, Louis, 166.
Johnson, Hugh, 156.
Johnson, James, 194.
Johnson, John, 156.
Johnson, J. H., 98.
Johnson, Michael H., 166, 280.
Johnson, Rev. C. A., 214, 253.
Johnson, Rev. L. S., 214,253.
Johnson, Eev. Wm. M.. 214, 253.
Johnston avenue, 2:36, 239.
Johnston. D. J., 131, 1.35, 139. 148, 1.53,
178, 181. 194, 208, 210. 216, 226. 2.33,
241, 243, 262, 255, 297, 29S. 299, 301,
302, .304.
Johnston, E. H., 113, 272.
Johnston Lotlge, 261.
Johnson, Samuel W., 166, 241.
Johnston, Robert, 112. 127, 140, 194,
209, 217, 213, 260, 296.
Johnston Steamer Co., 194, 232, 259.
Jones, Hiro & Southworth, 84.
Jones. Isa:ic. 293.
Jones, M. H., 222.
Jones, M. U. & Co., 176, 215.
JoncB, Robert, 302, 303.
Jones, Wm., 288.
Jones, Wm. P., 156, 194, 303, 304.
Jones cSfcRyan, 176.
Journal des Dame , 228.
Juber, Adolphus, 156.
Judge, John, 74.
Judge, Patrick, 74, 107.
Jump, Joseph, 166.
Jump, Joseph E., 166.
Junction, the, of canals, 42, 43, 45, 46.
Justice of peace, 205.
Juto Mill, 242.
Kaffa, Wm., 156.
Keating, Lieut. P., 149, 159, 166, 279, 297.
Keating, Michael, 290.
Keeden, Michael, 399.
Keefe, John, 166.
Keefe, Thos., 166.
Keegan, P., 166.
Keegan, Francis. ,302, 304.
Keeler, D.iniel, 385.
Keeler, Edward, 303.
Keeler, Philip, 166, 275.
Kellog?, Giles B., 192.
Kelly, Jas. F.. 231, 248, 302.
Kelly, John, 106.
Kelly, Michael, 166.
Kelly, Patrick, 166.
Kelly, Patrick H., 299.
Kelly, Thos. F.. 293.
Kelly, Thos. H., ;304.
Kemp, James, 165.
Kendrick, Edward E., 113
Kendrick, P., 84.
Kendrick, Thos. H., 98.
Kendrick, Wm. W., 275.

Index.

317

Kennedy, John, 305.
Kennedy. Patrick, 291.
Kenney, Edw'd, 156, 804.
Kenney, Rev. Ira E., 252.
Kenny, Thomas, 291.
Keough, Maltiiew, 302.
Keoughan, Patrick, 293.
Kerr, John, 277.
Keveney, Rev. Thos., 148, 176, 199, 254.
Keveney, Rev. T. S., 244.
Ketchel, Samuel, 268.
Kilmer, Ira, 2y6.
King. John M., 40.
Kimball, Geo. H,, 53.
Kirnan. M. C, 270.
Kittle, Joseph C, 98.
Kinder, Wm., 156.
Knight, Edward, 282.
Knights of Pythias, 2.3.3, 26.3.
Knitting business, growth of, 78, 79.
Knitting, liy power, invention of. 61, 62.
Knitting m.-ichinery, of Cohoes iuven-
tors, 1:32, 1.33.
Knitting Mills, condition of in 1874. 226;
condition of in 1857, 1.34; estab
lished, 61. 77, 111, 115. 127, 128, 1.31,
132, 142. 174. 175. 176. 182. lilO. 191,
193, 198, 212, 218, 223; sketch of,
243, 244; stiitistics of, 212, 213; in
panic 011873, 220, 221 ; statistics of
inia5.3, 119; statistics of in 1847, 87;
statistics of. in 1855, 128; statistics
of, in 1876. 244.
Knitting needle factory, 133, 192, 246.
Knott, Chas.. 246.
Knower, Benj., 67.
Knox, Geo., 166.
Kolb, Chas, 231.
Labc. Cilom, 156.
Lackey, James, 156.
Lacy, Patrick, 156.
Ladies Aid Society, organized, 149;
work of, 151.
Lake, Hulet, 69.
Lally, John, 292.
Lal.y, Michael, 289.
Lamb, D. T., 122, 143, 204, 247.
Lamb, James, 2l2, 244, 263, 299, 301.
Lamb, Levi W., 155.
Lambert, Wm., 33.
Lamey, Michael, 167.
Lanagan, Charles, 292.
Lanahan, John, 166.
Liincaster street, 236.
Land, John, 278, 298, 301.
Land, John E., 166, 303.
Land, John, & Sons, 198.
Land, Lewis W., 299.
Landon, Dr. Henrv L., Ill, 133, 138, 140,
272, 296, 296, 297.
Landon, Mr., 113.
Langtree, John, 286.
Lanigan, M., 166.
Lannigan, Daniel, 156.
Lannigan, Thos., 166.
Lansing, Abraham, 11.3, 280.
Lansing, Abram, 129, 148, 296.
Lansing, Abram G.. 26. 43, 45, 49, 110.
Lansing, Andrew, 28, 110.
Lausing, Andrew D., 113, 128.

Lansing, Col. F., 76.
Lansing, Douw. 3'*.
Lansing, E.'bert W., 22, 301.
Lansing, Evert, 28.
Lansing, Evert A., 270.
Lansing, F. A., 166.
Lansing families. 18, 21, 22, 24, 29. 22.
Lansing, Frans, 22.
Lansing, Gerret, 20. 24, 29.
Lansing, Gerret J., 32.
Lansing, Gerret E., 14:3, 272.
Lansing, Henry. 20, 25.
Lansing, Isaac D. P., 24, 29, 51, 52, 109,
113. 131. 143, 2:38, 289.
Lansing, I. W., :302.
Lansing, Jacob H , 35. 41.
Lansing, Jacob I.. 74, 80. 98, 1110, 111,
113, 114, 145. 289, 296.
Lansing, Jacob L., 38.
Lansing, James, 133.
Lansing, John, 22, 371.
Lansing. John V. S., 33, 28, 1.38, 194,
309,' 216. 217. 244. 353, 297, 304.
Lansing, John W..39I.
Lansing, Lcvinns S.. 279.
Lansing, Myron C. 290.
Lansing, Rutger, 24. 29, 33.
Lansing', Thomas, 72.
Lansingburg Bridge Co., 210.
Lansingburg. bridge to.
Lar Patrie Nouvelle, 228, 249.
Larkins, John, 114. 296.
Larkins, Michael. 114. 259.
Larkins, Thos., 291, 302.
La Salle, Henry E., 1.33. 273.
La Salle, Rev. J. O., 224, 254.
Latta, John, 166.
Latta, John B., 302.
Latta, Michael. 285.
Latta, Thos., 166.
Laughlin, Hugh, 29\
Laughlin. Joseph. 292.
Lauzon, F. X., 288.
L'Avenir National, 223.
Lawler, Michael, 291.
Lawrence, Abram. 276.
Lawrence, Geo., 296. 297, 298, 299.
Lawrence, Robt. W,, 166.
Lebard, Frank, 155.
Le Boouf, Francis, 155.
Le Boonf, Joseph, 196, 301.
Le Boeuf, Louis G., 228, 305.
Le Boeuf, Peter, 139.
Lo Bron, & Ives, 67.
Leckie, Robert, 63, 272.
Leckie, Wm.. 63, 88, 110, 128, 151, 293.
Lecture course, 131.
Lee, John, 166.
Loo. Eeuben, 263.
Lefferts, Geo., 166.
Leflerts, Geo. Jr.. 166.
Leland, D. W., 84, 272.
Leonard, Rev. Jacob, 253.
Leonard, 'limothy. 38.
Le Roy, Allred, 210, 222, 226, 244, 29P,
.302, 303, 305.
Le Roy, Lamb & Co., 212.
Levison, H., 261.
Lieverse or Lievense family, 17, 18, 22.
Lieverse, Peter, 29.
Lighthall, Nicholas, 71,

318

Index.

Lighthall, Wm. K.. 295, 296.
Lime, Cement & Plaster Mill, 204.
Lime &' Cement Mill, 247.
Limerick, Samuel, 156.
Lincoln, A., funeral of, 158.
Link, John A., 194.
Link, Peter, 73.
Link, Wm., 40, 54.
Linnen, Bernard, 306.
Linnen, Thos., 166.
Little, John, 297.
Lockhead, Rev. Wm., 71, 252.
Locks, enlargement of, 48, 49 ; location
of, 44, 45.
Long, John, 300.
Long, Michael, 167, 181, 299, 300.
Long, William, 166, 274.
Longley, Chas. S., 305.
Longley, Gideon, 71, 280.
Loughery, Hugh, 166, 275.
Lounsberry, Charles, 167.
Lounsberry, Jas,, 167.
Lounsberry, Nicholas D., 166, 379,
Lounsberry, Richard D,, 299.
Lounsberry, Robt,, 167.
Lovejoy, Benjamin F., 289.
Lovejoy, Samuel W., 148, 289, .303, 803.
Loveland & Palmer, 82, 106.
Lowe, Chas., 166.
Luckin, James, 284.
Ludden, Rev, John, 264.
Luddy, J. B., 228.
Luffman, John D., 85, 100.
Lynch, Bartholomew, 167.
I^ynch, John, 166.
Lynch, John A., 166.
Lynch, Michael, 286.
Lyon, Heber T., 127.
Lyons, Anna, 176,
Lyons, Henry, 272, 285, 297.
Lyons, John, 148, 283, 298.
McAlear, Edwd. J., 304.
M'Alpine, Wm. J., 70.
McArdle, Edward, 289.
McCabe,  -, 168.
M'Calla, Alex., 98.
McCarthy, Edward, 298,
McCarthy, James, 277.
McCarthy. John, 168, 377.
McCarty, John, 167.
McClary, Bernard, 388.
McCleary, Daniel B., 168,290.
McCormick, John, 168, 290.
McCormick, Patrick, 293.
McCready, Edward, 168, 194, 262.
McCready, Goo. B., 167.
McCready, John, 167.
McCulloch, Chas., 167, 262.
McCulloch, J., 302.
McCnlloch, John, 299. 302.
McCulloch, William. 167.
McCusker. John, 167.
McCoun, John, 155.
McLean, Archibald, 286.
McDermott, John, 141, 181.
McDermott, Owen, 289.
McDermott, Patrick, 167.
McDonald, D. P., 90.
McDonald, Frederick. 168.
McDonald, James, 167.

McDonough, Thomas, 293.
McDowell, Geo. H., 264.
McDowell, Robert, 167.
McElroy, Alex., 156.
McElwain avenue, 239.
McElwain, Daniel, 88, 141, 175, 191, 301,
•305.
McEnerny, John, 98, 140.
McEntee, Patrick, 84, 271.
McEvenia, Peter, 300.
McEwan, John, 263, 305.
McGafferny, James. 156.
McGaffln, James, 167, 288.
McGaffln, John, 167, 274.
McGarrahan, M., 304.
McGarry, Robt., 302.
McGill, John. 107, 113, 296, 296.
McGovern, Robt., 167.
McGrail, Michael, 293.
McGrath, Pat'k, 299, 300.
McGray. Timothy. 114.
McGuire, .John, 155, 168.
McGuire, M., 302.
McGuire, Michael, 156, 302, .303.
McGuire. Thos., 168.
McGuirk, Chas., 155.
McGuirk, James, 302. .303, 304.
Mcintosh, Daniel, 156, 2ii0. .304.
Mcintosh, Daniel E., 298, 299, 300.
Mcintosh Hose Co., 232, 269.
Mcintosh, John, 273.
McKee, Alonzo J., 281.
McKee, las, B,, 178, 226, 300, 302, 304,
McKee, Pat. J., 305.
McKernan, M., 102, 105.
McKinnon, William R., 167,
McLuckey, David, 386.
McMahon, Patrick, 167.
McManus, James, 167.
McMar, Prank, 156.
McMartin, James, 147, 247.
McMillan, Wm. A., 286.
McMullen,  , 168.
jMcMullen, John, 299.
McMurray, James, 155.
McNamara, Thomas, 290.
McNiven, John, 260.
McNiven, Malcolm, 263.
McPhail, Malcolm, 263.
McTigue, Thomas, 291.
McVey, Patrick, 167.
McWha, Alex., 296.
Maby, Wm., 359.
Machine shop, .'J7, 82, 101, 128, 219; es
tablished, 175, 199; statiBtiCB of.
1876, 246.
Magee, Edw'd, '388.
Maguire, Samuel, 156.
Mahar, Daniel, 289.
Mahar, John, 167.
Mahar, Thos., 155.
Mahon, John C, 286.
Main street, 43, 116, 204.
Maitland, James, 273.
Maitland, Robert, 286.
Maitland, Samuel, 374.
Sfajor, Rev. John W., 33.
JIalany, Patrick, 276.
Mallery, Willard, 167.
Mallery, -Wright, 68, 159, 287, 298.
Mangham, J., 168, 278.

Index.

319

Mangham, Michael, 167.
Mann, Francis N., 191.
Manning, Daniel P., 167, 179, 302.
Manning, Egbert A., 167.
Manning, James F., 167.
Manning, Wm., 98, 106, 121, 159, 167,
193.
Manor avenue, 15.
Mansfield, L. W., 131, 174, 225, 270.
Mansfield, Wm. P., 270.
Mansfield & Hay. 131.
Manton, James, 370.
JIanton, Patrick, 168.
Manton, Peter, 149, 153, 176, 189, 279,
299, 300.
Manufacturer?' Bank, 209, 249.
M:inufactnres, statistics of, 81, 86, 87,
119, 120, 147, 205, 213; in, 1876, 243,
to 248.
.Marshall, P. E., 303, 304.
Marshall. Eev. L. D., 263.
Martiu, Wm., 268.
Masonic organizations, 260.
Masta, Peter, 155.
Masten. James H., 139, 148, 181, 225,
21,'*, 250. 251, 298, 301, 303, 304.
Mastodon, discovery of, 185 to 189.
"Mastodon Mill,"' commenced, 185;
completed, 195; ex'.ension com
pleted, 211.
Mather, Geo., 167, 361.
Maxwell, John, 1.31, 133.
Mavhew, Geo., 168.
Mayhew, Geo. Sr., 167.
Maynard, Rev. W. H., 180, 253.
Mead, Wm. H., 273.
Meads. John N., 275.
Meagher, Michael, 305.
Mechanic's Savings Bank, 217, 250.
Medical Societv, Cohoes, 263.
Meeker, Rev. W. H., 253, 260.
Meikleham, Robt., 288.
Melahy, Michael, 167.
.Meredith, Eev. R. R., 253.
Merrifield, E., 119.
Methodist church, 54, 92; organized,
71; built, 73; 41, 101; dedicated,
145; history of, 253; Park church,
254; the present, commenced, 141.
Miggins, James, 156, 167.
Milestones, location of, 41.
Military companies, 262.
Miller, B. L.. 69.
Mill r, Geo. W., 98. 268. 296.
Miller, Jacob W., 84, 88, 93, 118, 148,149,
281.
Miller, John A.. 98.
Miller, Lyman, 167.
Miller, Mrs., farm of, 29.
Miller, Stephen C, 103, 110, 283.
Miller, Wesley. 264, 304. :306.
Miller & Van Santvoord's Block, 92.
Mills, E. A., 263.
Mills, Henry. 260.
Mills, John W., 288.
Mills's saw mill, 81.
Mills, Wm., 167.
Mills & McMartin, 147.
Mink, Geo., 254.
Mirault, Joseph, 291.
Mitchell, John, 155.

Mohawk Engine Co., organized, 114.
Mohawk mill, 120, 190, 244 ; built, 92 J
destroyed, 223.
Moha«k River Mills, 127, 133.
Mohawk street, 204, 229 ; line of, 143,
144; paved, 219.
Mokler, James, 293.
Molamphy, Hu;jh, 167.
Molamphy, Rody, 167.
Monahon, Arthur, 293.
Monahon, M., 148, 151, 159, 185, 281, 300.
Monk, Oliver, 167.
Monk, Edward, 168, 217, 249, 305.
Monk, Geo., 168, 290.
Monk, J. H., 168.
Monogue, John, 293.
Monroe, Gordon, 168.
Mooney, Daniel, 167.
Mooney, Peter, 167.
Mooney, Peter B., 168.
Mooney, Thomas, 168.
Moore, Dr. J. W., 168, 209, 246, 263, 299.
Moore, Joseph, 285.
Moore, John, 167.
Moore, Patrick H., 98.
Moore, Robt. B., 114.
Moore, S. C, 114.
Moore, Thomas, at Cohoes, 12, 13, 14.
Moore, Timothy, 156, :301, 304.
Moore, Wm., 182, 210, 212, 215, 218, 244.
Moore & Hiller, 182, 196.
Moran, James, 168.
Moran, Peter, 114.
Morehead, Jas. M., 212.
Morris, David, 247, 302, 303.
Morris, G. M., 127.
Morrison. Colwell & Page, 179, '345.
Morrison, Henry, 300.
Morrison, James, 212, 245.
Morrison, William, 167.
Mouselin de laine Block, 83.
Moulthrop, John, ;303.
Moulthrop, John B., 289.
Mudge, Joseph, 63, 71, 74, 267.
Mulcahy, B., 180, 301.
Mulcahy, Win., 156.
Muldowney, Chas., 299.
Mulholland, Michael, 289.
Muller, Conrad, 224.
Mullin, Thomas, 290.
.Munro, Duncan, 194- 303.
Munro, Thos., 168.
Murphey, Thos. A., 167, 302, 303, 304.
Murphy, Martin, 167.
Murphv, William, 167, 393.
Murphy, Patrick K., 290.
Murray, Edward, 296.
Murray, Henry, 167.
Murray, James, 260,
Murray, M,, 167.
Murray, Michael, 167.
Murray, Peter, 305.
Musgrove, A. C, 152, 168, 278.
Music Hall Block, 333.
;\lussey, E. G., 83, 260, 296, 300.
Myer, Rev. Gil bert M. P., 262.
Naery, Peter. 168.
Nagle, P,, 302.
Nagle, Richard, 302.
Nagle, Thos., 299.

320

Index.

Nenley, Chas., 260.
.Meary. Patrick, 279.
Neil, Geo., 261.
Nellisan, Win., .302.
Nellis, W.H., 257.
Nelson, Nicholas, 168.
Nelson, Peter, 254.
Newark street, opened. 111.
Newby, Thos., 303.
Newspapers, i:stablishcd, 83, 185, 203,
217, 238; changes, 99, 103,180,248,249.
Nichols, A., 168.
Nichols, Edward, 155, 168.
Niles, Wm. W., 241.
Niskavuna, 15, 16, 17, 19, 33.
Nivi-r," Peter IX, 141, 147, 166, 175, 233,
297, 303, 304, 305.
Nolan, John, 262.
Nolan, .John, B., 168.
Nolan Steamer Co.. 259.
Nol.in, Thos., 2.31, 300, 303, 304.
Nolan, W. H., 263.
Noonan, Michael. 303.
Noonan, Wm., 277.
Normile, Dennis, 291.
North, Chas. F., 178. 221, 301, 304.
North, Norris. 142, 299, 302,
North Mohawk St,, See Crescent road.
Northern HorakUThe, 228, 249.
Notrhside, 63.
Norton, Geo. H., 168, 262.
Norton, Hiram C,, KiS.
is'orton, William P., 168.
Notman. James, 168.
Novelty Works, 1-20.
Nugent, D.inlel, 271, 300.
Nugent, Thos., 168.
Nnirent, Wm.,284.
Nut factorv, 192.
Nuttall, John A., 244.
Nuttall, Samnel, 194.
Nuttall, Thomas. 166.
Nuttall, Wm., 139, 208, 244.
Nuttall, Wm. & Co., 196.
O'Brien, Cha'=., 74, 8S, 271.
O'Brien, J., 168.
O'Brien, James, 300.
O'Brien, John. :3"0.
O'Hrien, Michael, 169.
O'Brien, Patrick, 169. 279.
O'Brien, Timothy, 293.
O'lirien. William. 169.
O'Day, Simon, lliS, 277.
O'Day, Thos., ;304.
O'D Minel, Thos., 168.
O'Hare, Hugh, 168. ;300.
O'H.are, James, 153, 159, 168.
O'Hare, M., 1.37.
O'Hearn, Timothv. 168.
O'Keefe, Cm-nelius, S89.
O'Learv.. Coriuilins, 189.
O'Niil," Bernard, 281.
0-Neil, J.,301,
O'Neil, .John, 168. 287.
O'Neil. Thos., 1613.
O'Heillv. Edward, 148, 276, 296.
Odd Fellows. 2111.
Ogden Mills, 86. 119, 243; building of,
80, 81, 82 ; Co. formed, 81 ; enlarged,
179 ; sold, 146 ; strike in, 105, 136.

Oliver Bros., 196.
Oliver, John, 276.'
Olmstead, Francis, 48, 67, 240.
Olmstead, G. T., 97.
Olmsted, Chas. A., 63, 64, 76, 81, 82, 85,
83, 91, 93, 95, 96, 97, 100, 105, 113,
' 1:37, 143, 240, 293.
Omnibus hill, 2.30.
Onderdonk, A. F., 248.
Oneida strict, 40, 55, 116, 225; paved, 219.
Ontario street, ^25 ; arched, 80, 116, 225 ;
opening of, 191.
Orchard street, 226.
Orcutt, Origen, 273.
Orelup, Chas. W., 155, 283.
Orelup, John, 74,295.
Orelup, Wm. Jr., 140, 260, 274, 295, 29T,
298.
Orelup, Wm. Sen.. 273, 296.
Oriskany street, 204.
Osterhout, A. A., 286.
Osterhout, Henrv, 168.
Osterhout, Henrv 0.,277.
Ostcrhonl, Wm.,274, 295,296, 300.
Ostrander, Ijorenzo, 168.
Ostrom, Abram. 295.
Ostrom, D. S.. .300.
Ouderkirk family, 18, 21.
Overpaugh, I. F., 98.
Overpaugh, I. P. & Childs, 105.
Owen, Edward H., 276.
Owen, S., 163. 156, 169, 253, 262, 303, 304.
Owen, Silas, Sen., 71.
Owens, John, 292.
Packard, Edward, 279.
Padley. Wm., 274.
Page, Edward N., 179, 245, 302.
Page, Jl hn, 381.
Page, Thomas, -263, 291.
Paiut mill burned, 91.
Paisley, Johu, 169.
Paisley, Thos.. 169.
Palmer, Wm T., 82, 98, 105, 111.
Panic, of 1857, effects of, 134. 135, 136;
of 1873, eftects of, 220, 221, 2.36.
Paper box manufacture, commenced,
179; slatisticsof, 247.
Paper mill, of Gerret Cluto, 40, 45;
bnilt and rebuilt, 173 ; enlarged,
179; sold, 211.
Parker, John, 116.
Parker, Josejih, 155.
Parker, Kossuth, 293.
Parker, Dr. Thos, S., 263.
Parker, William, '.91.
Park Methodist Church, 254.
Parks, James, 169.
Parks, Robert, 169
Parkhurst, Darius, 88, 9S, 113, 260, 29fi.
P.arkhurst, Orson, 75, 260, 296.
Parkhurst, O. & D., 80, 87, 93, 100, 120.
Parmelee, Elias, 88.
Parmelee Engine Co., 98, 113.
Parsons, J. H., 146.
Parsons & Co. J. IL, 192, 215, 244.
Pars.ms, L. S., 127, 128, 146, 149, 151,
153, 276.
Partridge, John. 280.
Pattengill, Rev. H., 253.
Pattric, Sylvian, 155.

Index.

321

Paul, A., 175.
Pavement, laid, 203, 219, 236.
Paxton, Thos., 169.
Pease, Chas. S., 249.
Pease, Theo. W., 305.
Pease, Eev. L. H., 253.
Peck, Abram, 139, 255.
Peck, A. G., 243.
Peck, B. E., 105, 120.
Peck, William, 169.
Peebles, Gerret, 37, 38.
Peerless Mills, 212.
Penfold, Wm., 273.
Penniman, Wm. C, 39.
Penniman, Syivanus J., 33.
Pennock, .\rtemus, 156.
Pennock, F. E., 247, 297.
People's Railway Guide, 249.
Perham, C. O., 114.
Perham & Pettis, 88.
Perry, John D., 270.
Pettis, H. N., 114, 271.
Peverly, Liddell, 271.
Phelps, Alfred, 43, 54,96,112,179, 278,
295, 296.
Phelps, A. L., 85.
Phelps, Francis, 192.
Phelps, Russell, 63.
Phillips, Joseph, 286.
Pickering, Moses, 181.
Pierce, John, 38.
Pierson, John, 292.
Pillings, Thomas, 255.
Pin factory, established, 127 ; moved,
142 ; new building for, 207.
Pindar, Thos., 169.
Pine Grove mill, 219, 244.
Pine street, 103.
Pipe factory, 212; enlarged, 235; sta
tistics of, 246.
Pitcher, D., 169.
Pitcher, Eev. Wm., 33, 110.
Place, Jas. E., 245, .300.
Plank road built, 106.
Plantz, Geo. H., 169.
Plaster mill. See Lime.
Platz, M., 259.
Pohlman, Eev. Dr., 141.
Police, force established, 181; change
in, 202.
Police justice elected, 112.
Pomeroy, Rev. Benj., 253.
Poole, Abram, 302.
Poor, overseer of, 205, 209.
Porter, Albert, 261.
Porter, Jonathan G., 169.
Porter & Hall, 137.
Post Lyon, G. A. R., 232, 262.
Post Office established, 58 ; bnmed, 84 ;
history of, 250.
Potter, Lewis, 169.
Potter, Rev. L., 253.
Powers, David, 169.
Powers, Peter, 296, .300.
Powers, Eichard, 189, 301.
Powers, E. J., 305.
Prairie, John, 290.
Presbvterian church. 92, 101 ; organized,
72: enlarged, 199 ; history of, 253.
Prescott, Col., 39. 46.
Prescott, Joseph B., 98. 41

Pruyn, Eobert H., 118.
Pulver, W. H., 169.
Pumpelly H , 118, 119.
Pnnnett, Henry, 67.
Purdy, John, 156.
Putnam, Lewis, 169.
Pynes, Thos., 169.
Quackenbush, Isaac, 84, 85, 139, 148,
178, 297.
Quillinan, Dennis P., 292.
Quinan, John, .303.
Qululan, Patrick, 291.
Quinliven, Michael, 169.
Quirk, John, 304.
Rabbitt, James, 1304,
Rabbitt, Pat'k, 156.
Radcliffe, .\.aron, 293,
Rafferty, John, 169, 279.
Rail Road, Troy & Schenectady, 73, 74,
88, 114; Albany & Cohoes, proposed,
100, 101; opened, 117, 118; trains
to Troy, 219.
Railway Guide, 249.
Ranken, Henry S., 192, 244.
Eanken Knitting Co., 191,244.
Ranken, Hugh, 191.
Ranken, Wm. J., 192.
Raymond, Rev. H. A., 33.
Raynsford, Norton T., 371, 396.
Reamer, Benj., 33.
Reavy, Prank C, 301, 302, 303.
Recorder, 206, 209, 230, 231.
Recruiting. See JSnlistments.
Redmond, J., 169.
Redmond, Martin, 258, 301.
Redmond,Michael, 169, 231, 262, 300, 304.
Reed, Rev. V. D., 148, 353.
Reed, William, 169.
Reeves, Patrick, 392.
Reeves, Terrence, 302.
Reformed Dutch church, organized, 71 ;
destroyed, 140; rebuilt, 141 ; dedi
cated, 145 ; history of, 253.
Reinhart, H. S., 288.
Reinhart, Harvey, 169.
Eemsen, Peter, 48, 65, 67.
Remsen street, 55, 73, 103, 116, 204, 225,
226 ; arched, 80, 116 ; extension of,
proposed, 110 ; paved, 203, 236 ; ex
tension of, 283.
Rensselaerswyck, Manor of, 15, 20.
Renwick, Wm., 71.
Reservoir, estimates for, 129; author
ized, 195; commenced, 131; com
pleted, 139, 203.
Revolutionary war, Cohoes soldiersin,32.
Reynolds, John, 169.
Rhodes, Mr., 71.
Richard, Henry, 169.
Richmond, Alexander, 289.
Richmond, Elbert E.,258.
Richmond, John, 181.
Rider, Alfred, 298.
Eider, Eari D,, 169.
Ridir, Goo. B., 155.
Rider, Henry C, 114.
Rignor, Alfred, 169.
Riley, C, 245.
Eiley, Hugh, 169.

322

Index.

Riley, James, 169.
Riley, Jeremiah, 169.
Eiley, Lawrence, 169.
Eiley, Matthew, 277.
Ring, John H , 301, 302.
Riverside Mill, 182, 190.
Roach .fe Jones, 59.
Robbins Garret, 299.
Robbins, Henry E., 98.
Roberts, Henry, 169, 263.
Roberts, Wm., 169.
Roberts, Wm. Jr., 49.
Robertson, John, 166.
R 'binson, James, 169.
Robinson, Joseph, 169.
Robinson, Mr., 54.
Rock Alley, 103.
Rockfellow, Henry, 74.
Rockwell, A. P., 98.
Rogers, Chas., 300.
Rogers, Patrick, 61, 247.
Rogers's Block, 219.
Rogers's Woolen mill, 81.
Eogerson, Robt., 297.
Rolling mill, 124, 179 ; statistics of, 245.
Eollowine, Frederick, 169.
Rooney, Bryan, 169.
Root, A. J., 146, 191, 216, 244.
Root, J.G., 127, 140, 146; & SouB,146, 244.
Root, S. G., 146, 194, 244, 399.
Root's mill, 149, 244 ; burned, 322 ; re
built, 223.
Rose, Dr. Ira B., 283.
Robs, Patrick H., 288, 303.
Rossiter, John, 299, 300.
Rounce, Eev. H., 252.
Eonud, Eev. D., 110, 252.
Eousseau, Joseph, 291.
Roy's butt factory, 81.
Runkle, Isaac F., 114.
Russell, Anthony, 300.
Russell, James, 169.
Russell, John, 169, 286.
Russell, Joseph, 169.
Russell, W. D., 84.
Ryan, Bernard, 304, 305.
Ryan, Dennis, 290.
Ryan, Edward, 156,392.
Ryan, James, 169, 281.
Ryan, Michael, 286.
Ryan, Patrick, 293.
Ryan, Peter, 291.
Ryan, Thomas, 231, 284, 304.
Ryan, William, 293.
St. Bernard's church, organized, ,91 ;
completed, 188; damaged, 229; par
sonage of, 199; the present, com
menced, 176 ; history of, 254.
St. Bernard's T. A. B. Society, 261.
St. Charies, L., 263.
St. George Society, 263.
St. Jean Baptiste Society, 333, 263.
St. John, Chas. E., 98.
St. John, H., 64.
St. John's Brotherhood, 263.
St. John's church, organized, 56, 57 ;
built, 60 ; alterations in, 145; open
ing ol, 205; history of, 252.
St. Joseph's church, commenced, 196 ;
dedicated, 199; hlst.,254; rebuilt, 224.

St. Joseph's Union, 264.
St. Onge, Trefflle, 170.
St. Vincent de Paul Society, 262.
Safely, Dr. A. P., 170, 282.
Safely, James, 71.
Safely, Robert, 64, 140, 198.
Sager, Alexander, 170.
Sager, Staats A., 170.
Sailors. See Soldiers.
Salisbury, James, 82.
Sanborn, Lorenzo D., 155, 261.
Sanders, Jerome, 283.
Sanderson, John, 260.
Sanford, J. C, 247.
Saratoga street, 225, 226 ; surveyed, 49.
Sargent street, paved, 219.
Sash & blind factory, 82, 87, 105, 120,
137, 142, 346.
Saugon, Rev. L. H.,196, 199, 254, 283.
Sautt, Samuel, 249,261, 262.
Savings Bank, Mechanics, 250; organ
ized, 217.
Savings Institution, Cohoes, 249 ; incor
porated, 113; opened, 119.
Savoid, Lewis, 114.
Saw Mill, Hugh White's, 57, 68; Lan
sing's, 29, 45 ; ol Hawes & Baker,
66; of Mills, 81.
Saw works, 146.
Sawyer, Mason, 61.
Saxe, John T., 247.
Sayres, John, 46, 60.
Schenck, P. H., 67.
Schermerhorn, Barent C, 286.
Schenectady, 9, 11, 17.
Schmidt, Paul, 286.
School act of 1850, 106.
School established, 40, 50.
School houses buUt, 40, 93, 126, 199, 204,
255 256.
Schools, changes in, 106; organization
of, in 1851,113; in 1866, 125, 126 ; in
1876, 256 ; sketch of, 256 to 258.
School teachers, 266.
Schoonmaker, John, 71.
Schouten, Wm., 89.
Schroeder, Henry, 288.
Schuyler, Col., 25.
Schuyler, Philip, 37.
Scofleld, Joseph, 170.
Schofield, William, 393.
Scott, Jas. D., 363.
Scott, John, 133, 218, 244, 304.
Scott, Lemuel, 142, 274,
Scott, Roger, 170.
Scott, Thos., 155, 304, 305.
Scott, Wm., 170.
Scott & Stewart, 214.
Scovill, Chas., 170.
Screw factory, 38, 39, 41, 46.
Scully, Daniel, 281.
Scully, John, 301, 302, 303.
Scully, Johu U., 170.
Scully, M. H., 170.
Scully, Patrick, 156.
Seaport, Chrisfan, 170.
Searies, William, 289.
Seelye, Seth, 38.
Seller, Daniel, 156.
Selleck, Nathaniel, 271.
Senator, from Oohoes, 805.

Index.

323

Seneca street bridge, 109.
Sewers constructed, 204, 336, 229.
Sexton, Rev. H. L., 353.
Seymour, Geo. R., 176.
Shackleford, Eev. J. W., 252.
Shaffer, Fred., 170.
Shannon, James, 71. 74.
Shamion, Richard, 170, 302.
Shannon, Wm., 98, 114, 149, 150, 151,
153, 159, 170, -377, 397, 300.
Sharp, Absalom, 170, 288, 303, 303.
Shaughnessy, Johu, 170.
Shaver, Nathan, 261, 304.
Shaw, Albert, 170.
Shaw, Christopher, 170.
ShaAv, Isaac, 170.
Sheehan, Jones & Ryan, 220, 322.
Sheehan, Michael, 303, 304.
Shepard, Chas., 170.
Shepard, Edward, 175.
Shepard, Henry, 114.
Shepard, Joseph, 170.
Shepherd, H. D , 282.
Sheppard, Henry, 304.
Sheridan, Bernard, 170.
Sherida-:, Patrick, 298.
Sheridan, Wm., 155.
Sheriock, Michael, 302.
Shields, John, 170.
Shields, Peter, 170.
Shields, Thos., 170.
Shipley, Geo., 170, 277.
Ship street, 234.
Shires, Geo., 279.
Short, John, 290.
Shortsleeves, John, 170.
Shortsleeves, Joseph, 170.
Shovel factory, 41.
Sidewalks, bad condition of, 107 ; laid,
116, 142.
Silcocks, John E., 171.
Sill, James M., 140, 249.
Silliman, H. B., 102, 106, 123, 131, 135,
139, 148, 149, 150, 153, 154, 181, 194,
195, 208, 209, 317, 248, 253, 267, 383,
301, 302.
Silliman, Levi, 64, 70, 72, 80, 81, 245, 267.
Silliman, Mrs. Clarissa, 72.
Silliman's Block, 92.
Simmons, Baltheus, 71, 370.
Simmons, Daniel, 64, 71, 87, 113, 115,
120, 133, 134, 136, 140, 141, 245, 273.
Simmons, Geo. E., 303, 304.
Simmons's Island, 37 ; dyke to, built,
141.
Simmons, Jonas, 124, 175, 179, 267, 29
298.
Simons, Chas. E., 261.
Simons, J. A., 114, 177, 282, 395.
Simons & Ives, 114.
Simpson, Clark, 170.
Simpson, Daniel, 156, 194, 269, 286, 298,
300, 301, 302.
Simpson, Frank, 305.
Simpson, John P., 299.
Simpson, Joseph, 298.
Sinclair, Wm., 67.
Sinophy, Matthew, 156.
Sisters of St. Joseph, 145, 146.
Sitterly, Abram, 170.
Sitteriy, G., 170.

Sitterly, Henry, 170.
Sitterly, Martin, 170.
Skating Parks, 174, 175.
Skinkle, Chas,, 261.
Skinkle, Wro.L., 170.
Slater, James, 170.
Slater, Samuel, 268.
Slaveholding, 30, 31.
Slavin, John, 304.
Slavin, Thos., 302, 303.
Slocum, De Witt D., 370.
Slocum, G. A., 97.
Slocum, G. J., 90.
Slocum, Stephen, 123, 278.
Slocum & Granger, 75.
Smead, Wm., 156, 299.
Smith, Abram L., 280.
Smith, Albert, 312 ; & Co., 235, 246.
Smith, A. W., 170.
Smith, Benj., 260.
Smith, Gregory & Co., 132.
Smith, Harvey, 190.
Smith, John H., 170.
Smith, Martin, 171.
Smith, Michael, 170.
Smith, Nicholas W., 371.
Smith, Peter, 296, 398.
Smith, Peter M., 374.
Smith, R. G., 300.
Smith, Thos., 303.
Smith, Waterman, 146.
Smith, Wm., 132, 155, 282.
Smith, Wm. S., 187, 194, 217, 243, 250,
255, 298, 399, 300.
Snell, Joseph, 170.
Soap factory, 147, 247.
Social singing in Mansfield's Mill, 174 ;
in Music Hall, 225.
Sofa factory, 82, 87.
Soldiers, letters from, 162; return of,
163,164; enlist uicnt of, 149, 150, 156,
157 ; list of, 160-172.
Solon, Louis, 155.
Sons of Scotia, 262.
Soup house established, 136.
Southworth, Wm. S.,291.
Spafford, Horatio, 39.
Spain, Roger, 170.
Spanier, Louis, 127.
Spanswick, Chas., 254.
Specie, scarcity ol. 153.
Spencer, A. C, 194.
Spencer, John M., 390, 399.
Spor, Rev. Alpheus, 148, 252.
Sprague, Otis, 50, 57.
Sprinkling cart, 137.
Staats, Francis S., 156, 181.
Stacy, D. H., 170.
Stage line, change in, 114 ; established,
44, 70, 89, 90 ; sold, 177.
Station House, location of, 181.
Stanton, Rev. R. P., 253.
Stanton, Thomas, 293.
Stanton, Wm., 217, 240, 298, 299, 300,
.302, 304.
Stapleton, John, 170.
Star Knitting Co., 190, 244.
Stark mill burned, 214.
Starks, Eev. H. L., 180, 353.
Steam fire engines presented to village
193, 194 ; purchase of, proposed, 181

,324

Index.

Stebbins, A. S., 194, 263.
Stebbins, Rev. Cyrus, 263.
Steele, Rev. .lohn B., 33.
Steenberg, John P., 74, 84, 95, 286, 295,
296, 297, 298.
Steenberg, Marvin, 170.
Steenberg, Samuel, 300.
Steer, G., 119.
Stephens, Joseph, 156.
Stevens, C. A., 88.
Stevens, James K., 170, 278.
Stevens, John, 170.
Stevenson, Blihu M., 59, 114, 296.
Stevenson, Geo., 170.
Stevenson, James, 67.
Stevenson, John, 59, 63.
Stevenson, Wm. H., 299, 300.
Steves, O, P,, 257.
Stewart, Geo. H., 143, 204.
Stewart, John, 38, 101.
Stewart, Joseph, 132, 304
Stiles, Edgar H., 304.
Stiles, Samuel, 271, 276.
Stiles, Sherebiah, 178, 298, 301, 303.
Stimson, A. E., 127, 279.
Stimson, B. L., 1-27, 178, 209.
Stimson, Jas. A., 259, 262, 303.
Slinson, S. Edward, '316.
Stone, Almon E., 152.
Stone, Nathan, 377.
Stone, RawBon, 194.
Stone, Winsor, 127, 174.
Storer, Chas., 170.
Stover, Rev. Ensign, 253, 281.
Stoves, manufacture of, 70.
Stow, Chauncey, 102, 248, 276.
Stow, Christopher C, 273.
Stow, Dennis, 276.
Straw Board Factory, 128, 143.
Straw Board Mill, statistics of, 246.
Street lamps erected, 116.
Strikes in 1857, 136; in Ogden Mills,
105. 136 ; scarcity of, 226, 236.
Strong Mill, 86, 119, 128, 243 ; building
of, 81; burned, 123; sold, 182.
Strover, Geo., 63.
Sullivan, John, 296.
Sullivan, Wm., 281.
Sumner, Clark, 50.
Sunday School, the first, 57; H. H.
Union, 123, 187, 255. See also in
hist, oi churches.
Sunnyside Mill, 312.
Swart, S. M.,98.
Swartz, John B., 170.
Swartz, John J , 274.
Sweeney, Jas. B., 304.
Sweeney, Owen, 273.
Sword presentations, 153.
Syms, Chas., 156.
Syms, Thos. J,, 170, 289.
Tabor, Anson, 260.
Tanner, H., 262.
Tape lactory, 192.
Tapler, Alonzo, 171.
Targett, A. S., 233, 260.
Taverns established, by R. Heamstreet,
36, 85 ; Dyer & Williams, 43 ; Van
DerMaik,43, 44.
Taylor, Alonzo, 171.

Taylor, Ammon, 171 .
Taylor, Edward, 60.
Taylor, Jacob A., 171, 275.
Taylor, Johu H., 171.
Taylor, Joseph, 289.
laylor, Radcliffe, 288.
Taylor, Rev. Geo. I., 33.
Taylor, Robert, 171, 263, 375.
Telegraph established, 133.
Telfair, Wm. H,, 171.
Temperance Societies, 261,262.
3'emple, Capt. P., 149.
Ten Eyck, A., 261.
Ten Eyck, Abram, 235.
Ten Eyck, Albert, 155, 181, 235, 260.
Ten Eyck, Alexander, 270.
Ten Eyck Axe Manufacturing Co., 190,
222, 235, 245.
Ten Eyck, Geo., 155.
Ten Eyck, Jacob H., 67.
Ten Evck, Jonas, 236, 245, 254.
Ten Eyck, W. J. & Co., 176, 179.
Tenney, A. & J., 81.
Teuny & Cowles, 81.
Terry, Ira, 1.33, 284.
'1 hayer, H. B., 126.
Thibadeau, Julian, 264.
Third Separate Co., 232, 262.
Thomas, Nathan, 254.
Thomas, Rev. Geo. C, 261.
Thompson, P., 139.
Thompson, Geo., 156.
Thompson, Geo. E., 244 ; & Horrocks,
213
Thompson, Hugh, 153, 180, 387.
Thompson, Jas. L., 244.
Thompson, John, 165.
Thompson, John L., 222.
Thompson, R. H., 176.
Thompson, Rev. R., 136, 263.
Thorn, Wm. E., 194, 209, 210, 241, 243,
249, 301.
Thornton, Pat'k, 299.
Thread lactory, 115, 120.
Thurman, E. H., 190, 244.
Tighe, John, 173, 805.
TUlinghast, John, 53, 63.
Tivoli Mill. See Boot.
Tobacco factory, 120, 128.
Tobin, John, 288.
Tobin, Eobert, 171.
Tompkins, Monroe, 171, 254.
Tompkins,, Wesley, 171. 275.
Torongeau, Louis, 171, 275.
Torrey, Geo. W., 171.
Tourville, Chas., 171.
Town Hall proposed, 193, 193.
Tracy, Dr. L. M., 54, 57.
Tracy, John, 171.
Tracy, Pat'k, 171.
Traver, James, 156.
Travers, Michael, 171.
Travis, Chas. S., 171, 360, 363, 303.
Travis, Jacob, 113, 123, 135, 210, 216,
254, 296, 301.
Travis, Michael, 303.
Travis, Wm. C, 300, 302, 303.
Tremain, John M., 80.
Trim, John, 155.
Tripp Dr. J. H. , 273.
Tripp, Wm., 171.

Index.

326

Trojan AUev, 103.
Trost, Henry, 224.
Trost & Bezner. 204, 218, 247.
Troy, John, 171.
Troy Manufacturing Co., 77, 115, 179,
244. . , ^ 1
Trull, John, 278.
Trnll, S. D., 278.
Trull, Stevens V., 148, 150, 151, 171, 278,
296.
Trull street, 339.
Trustees, Board of, first elected, 96 ;
deadlock in, 174.
Tubbs, James, 263; & Severson, 137, 219,
246.
Tubbs, Rev. Mr., 253.
Tunnel, of Cohoes Co., 239.
Turner, Adam, 171, 378.
Tuthill, Clarence, 171.
Tuthill, Daniel D., 171, '277.
Tuthill, Edward, 171.
Twelvetrees, Edward, 280.
Twichell property, 180.
Twining & Alden, 85.
Twist, Sylvanus, 260.
Tymerson, P. G., 262.
Dhl, Ired'kS., 300.
Underbill, L., 156.
Upham, Fred'k W., 300.
Upham, Geo. W., 171, 286.
Upham, Jacob, 272, 295.
Upham, Willard, 171.
Vail, A. C, 198.
Vail, Chas., 156.
Valley, Louis, 260.
Van .\rnam, Abram H., 295.
Van Amam, Alonzo, 155.
VanAu'iien, D. H,, 139,143, 156, 157,
182, 203, 204, 210, 227, 240, 247, 262,
Van Auken, Henry, 99, 107, 295, 396,
297
Van Benthuysen, Chas., 101, 173, 179,
211.
Van Benthuysen, Jas. D., 162, 171, 304.
Van Benthuysen, Myron, 152, 171, 260,
263, 304.
Van Buren, Rev. John, 252.
Van Brunt, Rev. R., 141, 145.
Van Denberg, Donw, 271.
Van Denberg family, 15.
Van Denberg, Henry, 254.
Van Denberg, Jacob, 33.
Van Denberg, John W., 283.
Van Denberg, Wm. H., 171, 275.
Van Dercar, Leonard, 95, 131, 297, 300.
Van Dercar, Thos., 137.
Van Dercook, C, 303.
Van Dercook, Geo. 171, 262, 300,305
Van Dercook, John, 273.
Van Dercook, John H., 171.
Van Dercook, Peter, Jr., 300.
Van Dercook, Peter, Sen., 291.
Van Der Mark, A., 69.
Van Der Mark family, 29, 54.
Van DerMark, G., 155.
Van Der Mark, James, 171.
Van Der Mark, John, 98, 279, 297.
Van Der Mark, Sylvester, 57.
Van Der Werken, Abram, 298, 304.

Van Der Werken, Adam, 122, 285, 300.
Van Der Werken, Henry J., 293.
Van Der Werken, Isaac, 65.
Van Der Werken, Jacob, 49, 54, 55, 70,
268.
Van Der Werken, James, 171.
Van Der Werken, John B., 67, 70,71,
270.
Van Der Werken, Wm. H., 98, 271.
Van Deusen, John, 303.
Van Dwyer,  , 78.
Van Hagen, Jesse D., 171, 373.
Vanlouven, Nathaniel, 171.
Van Natten, Isaac, 297.
Van Ness, John, 296, 297, 298.
Van Ness, Zalmon, 162.
Van Noorstrand, J. J., 17.
Van Olinda family, 15, 18.
Van Rensselaer block, 92, 116.
Van Rensselaer House, Are at, 104.
Van Rensselaer, Stephen, 23, 46, 47, 48,
65, 67, 101, 240.
Van Reeth, Rev. Bernard, 91, 264.
Van Santvoord, John, 84, 88, 95, 100, 107,
110, 112, 281, 395.
Van Schaick, C. H., 388.
Van Schaick family, 16, 17, 22.
Van Schaick house, 22, 24, 33.
Van Schaick's Island, 16, 17, 29, 33 ;
bridge to, 210, 234 ; bridge to, pro
posed, 90.
Van Schaick patent, 52.
Van Schoonhoven, Guert, 17, 52.
Van Schoonhoven, Jacobus, 37, 46.
Van Steenberg W., 171.
Van Vechten, Teunis, 67, 113, 240.
Van Vliet, Geo. B., 171, 374.
Van Vliet, Isaac, 114.
Van Woert, Stephen P., 273.
Van Zandt, Gilbert I., 284.
Varin, Dr. J., 285.
Vaughan, Charles H., 290.
Velocipedes, introduced, 198,
Veneering mill, 66, 80, 120, 128.
Vermilyea, Gilbert H., 297, 398, 299.
Vermilyea, Le Roy, 152, 171, 250, 262.
Viegle, John, 264.
Vincent, Hiram, 171.
Visscher, John W., 283.
Vosburgh, Philip, 270.
Vredenberg, L., 194, 259.
Wadsworth. Ebenezer, 260.
Wager, E. G., 233.
Wager, Geo. H,, 166, 182, 190, 192, 250,
296, 297, 298, 300, 302.
Wager Hook & Ladder Co., 232, 259.
Wakeman, John, 175, 178, 216, 244,
399.
Walbridge, E. W., 38.
Walker, Isaac, 172.
Waldron, Rev. C. N., 110, 145, 180, 252,
273.
Wall, J., 172.
Wallace, James, 286.
Walsh, Michael, 292.
Walsh, Wm., 156.
Walters, Thos., Lieut., 172, 275.
Wands, Dr. A., 284.
Wands, Jas. B., 172.
Ward, Edward, 305.

326

Index.

Ward, John, 286.
Ward & Robinson, 132.
Wards, constituted, 125 ; changes in,
227
Warhurst, Geo. 175, 192, 212.
Warhurst, Samuel, 171.
Waring, Franklin, 114, 270, 295.
Waring <fe Robbins, 85.
War meeUng, in 1.861. 148 ; in 1862, 161 ;
in 1863, '65, 167, 158.
Warner, Eev. Mr., 253.
Warner, Wm., 260, 263, 299.
Warp & Thread Mill, 306, 247.
Warwick, John P., 98.
Water act passed, 129.
Water Commissioners, suits of, 144.
Waterford, 16.
Waterford & Cohoes H. R. E., 178.
Waterfund, 230, 231.
Waterhouse, Job. 172.
Waterhouse, Wm., 286.
Waterman, F. Y., 43, 64, 58, 250.
Waterman, Geo. Jr., 244, 361.
Waters, James, 298.
Watervliet, city of, 192.
Watervliet Mill, built. 111, 115 ; leased,
175, 191.
Water Works, company formed, 128;
completion of, 139 ; enlargement of,
195, 203; established, 99, 100; of
Cohoes Co., Bold, 131.
Watt, Henry, 254.
Watt, James, 354.
Way, Francis, 285.
Webber, Chas., 156.
Webber, John P., 155, 303.
Weed, Becker & Co., 64, 307.
Weed & Becker M'fg Co., 227, 245.
Weed, Wm. H., 64, 245.
Weidman, Abram, 71.
Weidman, Malachi, 153, 156, 169, 172,
226, 262, 296.
Weidman, Paul, 270.
Weidman, Wm., 173.
Weir, Eobert, 252, 263.
Welch, Edward, 262, 298.
Welch, John, 172, 278.
We.ch, Nicholas, 173.
Welch, Wm., 396.
Wells, Chas., 361.
Wells, Lewis, 114, 300.
Wells, Rev. G. A., 353.
Welton, Fred'k, 172.
Welton, John, 297.
Western avenue, 219.
Weston, S. J., 132.
Westover, Charles, 277.
Westover, Chas. E., 172.
Westover, J., 171, 297.
Whale, stranded in river, 5, 6.
Whalen, Daniel, 286.
Whalen, James, 285.
Wheel fiictory, 120, 128, 176; established,
116.
Wheeler, Ezra J., 286.
Wheeler, Nathaniel, 63, 64.
Wheeler, Wm. J., 192, 386.
Whipple, Madison, 17'2.
White, Canvass, 38, 47, 48, 53, 65, 116,
240, 265, 266, 284.
White, Christopher, 271.

White, G. K., 115.
White, Hugh, 27, 50, 52, 57, 61, 67, 101,
113, 128, 133, 178, 240, 241, 266, 284.
White, John, 173.
White, Miles, 76, 91, 97, 96, 100, 110, 113,
115, 116, 117, 395.
White, Mrs. Hugh, 270.
White, Nelson, 303, 305.
White, Olmsted & Co., 76, 84, 85, 87.
White, Eeuben, 260
White, Eeuben P., 268.
White, Eev. Myron, '263.
White street, 103; bridge. 191; paved,
219
White,'Wm. M., 151, 178.
Whitehill, Wm., 263, 283, 302, 305.
Whiting, Mr., 69.
Whiting's Factory, 46.
Wheelwi-itrbt, David, 166.
Whitman, Pardon, 63.
Whitney, Geo., 173, 804.
Whitney, James, 173.
Whitney, Morris, 166.
Whitney, Sheldon, 172.
Whitney, Silas, 139.
Whittle, Robert, 292, 298.
Wickes, Van Wyck, 67.
Wickes, Eliphalet, 67.
Wickham, Jos,, 172, 277.
Wightman, Jonathan, 116, 120, 273.
Wither, John, 254.
Wilcox, Alex., 172.
Wilcox, Chas., 302.
Wilcox, Rich'd, 156.
Wilcox, Rodney, 176, 260, 302.
Wild, Alfred, 113. 128, 129, 143, 144,
152, 187, 240, 301.
Wild, Nathan. 112.
Wild, Wm., 156.
Wilder, Daniel, 299.
Wilder, Nathauiel, 273.
Wilder, Rev. S., 353.
Wildricks, Thos., 172.
Wilkins. Egbert J., 149, 298.
Wilkins, J. R., 69.
Wilkinson, Albert S., 57.
Wilkinson, David, 48, 53, 56, 57, 60, 64,
96, 260, 268, 287.
Wilkinson, John L., 64.
Wilkinson Machine shop, 57, 82 ;
burned, 137.
Wilkinson, Miss, 57.
Wilkinson, Samuel, 97, 98, 100, 283,
Williams, David, 228, 263; & Eagan, 249.
Williams, Jones & Ryan, 176.
Williams, Matthias, 67.
Williams, Robert, 69, 85, 95.
Williams, Wm., 139, 156, 276, 293.
Wilmot, Alonzo, 98.
Wilson, James, 173,
Wilson, James R., 376.
Wilson, Supply P.. 40, 97, 373.
Winans, Henry, 268.
Winans, W. H. S., 88, 97.
Winnie, Ammon, 155.
Winnie, Jacob, 34.
Winnie, Killian P., 294.
Winnie, Illis, Jr., 67.
Winterbottom, James, 291.
Winters, John, 172.
Wiswall, Ebenezer, 27, 28.

Index.

327

Witbeck's Block, bnilt, 199.
Witbeck, Dr. C. E., 263, 302, 803.
Witbeck, Francis, 292.
Witbeck, Gerret, 27.
Witbeck, G. L., 131, 136.
Witbeck, Walter, 287, 288, 296, 297, 298,
399, 301.
Wolcott family, 43.
Wolford, E., 133.
Wolford & Stephenson, 111.
Wood, Giles B., 172.
Wood, John, 172, 275.
Wood, Joseph. 255.
Woolen Mill, 81.
Woolhizer, Fred'k, 172 .
Worden, Joseph H., 268.
Worden, Lorenzo, 297.
Wormwood, C. P., 171.
Worsted Co., 81, 87.
Worthen, Wm. E., 182.

Wrigley, Lees, 263, 305.
Wycoff, H. J., 48, 67, 240.
Wyckoff", Rev. I. N., 145.
Yale, James, 268.
Yates, Capt. J. L., 149, 172.
Yates, O. P., 85.
Youmans, E. L., 115.
Yonng, James, 173, 274.
Young, Wm. H., 193.
Younglove, M. S., 143, 246, 299, 301.
Younglove, T. G., 113, 117,119, 120,121,
123, 127, 128, 129, 136, 140, 142, 143,
148, 162, 178, 182, 204, 209, 216, 241,
246, 247, 250, 295, 397, 301.
Young Men's Association, officers of,
1847,188.
Yonng Men's Christian Association,
121, 188, 187.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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