Schenectady, ancient and modern : a complete and connected history of Schenectady from the granting of the first patent in 1661 to 1914 : presenting also many historic pictures and portraits of those who have been conspicuous figures in its history

Front matter

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SCHENECTADY

ANCIENT AND MODERN

Preface

THERE is no place in the State of New York that has a more interesting history than that of Schenectady. It is intense with convulsion, tragedy and pathos. The first one hundred and twenty years of its existence, covering the period from 1662 to the close of the War for Independence in 1782, were years of struggles, hardships and a constant fight for self-preservation; they were years too of heart-breaking trouble and grievous disasters. The years since have also been marked by many vicissitudes and changes in condition.

The story has previously been told in various forms and with greater or less extent of detail. The groundwork of the history, that is to say the readily accessible data covering the first century and a half of Schenectady's life, is due to the earnest and painstaking research work of Prof. Jonathan Pearson of Union College. In this he rendered to the city and to subsequent writers of its history an inestimable service, for which the writer of the present work gratefully acknowledges his obligation.

For a great portion of the material for the making of a connected history since that period, however, the writer has had to rely mainly on available documents and the files of old newspapers. With these combined sources of information, together vnth various others, the writer trusts that he has presented herein a complete and interesting history of Schenectady from its foundation to 1914.

Schenectady, N. Y., May 1st, 1914.

Index To Illustrations

The Battcau 77 ' Mohawk Bank 177

The Durham 77' Old Academy 145 ^

Burning of Schenectady. . . 49^Script" 85 ^

Early Dutch Church 29 "^S. H. Sexton 189 V'

Dutch Church of 1734 57 Mlev. Dr. Payne 109^

Interior Dutch Church .... 65 ^ Rosa house 73 "^

DcGraff House 113^Rev. Dr. Williams 81 t^

Rev. H. G. Day 83"^ Fitzgerald Building 201 ^<^

Eliphalet Nott 137 -; Second R. R. Station 169 '^'*

Glen-Sanders House 93^ The Fort, 1690 41 ^/

Bouwlands 25 v/ Presbyterian Church 29 '^ ,

Mohawk Bridge 1 15 \' ^Original Plan of Schenectady 21 v

Mabie House 69^ Old Union School 149 *^

Domine Freeman 37 ^ View Union College, 1830. . 153 •

College Gymnasium 157^ View of Schenectady, 1830. 129 V^

Gen. Electric Company, 1886 277 t/St. George's Church 105»^

Gen. Electric Company, 1914 281^^ Yates House, Front st 85/

First R. R. Station 161*^ Yates House, Union street. 89 v

Flood Scene 285 v/ Christopher Yates 97»/'

College Campus 153 ^Joseph C. Yates 103 ^

New County Clerk's Bldg. . 217 /van Curler Tablet 121 ^^

Rev. Dr. Backus 241v,/Moses Viney 193 ^'

Mrs. Uriana Nott 257 /

Table Of Contents

A

Ancient Schenectady 21

Ancient Mohawk Village. . 26

CHAPTER II AXCiEN'T schent:ctady

^^^^^^JHE founding of Schenectady, while probably y//^^^J^. there was absence of such spirit in the underf( F^-."^! taking, signalized a notable movement of - ! [)rogress at that time; it was the moving of empire westward and the establishing of a new frontier toxsTi. Elementally, however, it was a motion in the direction of a declaration of independence — a motion, that is all, for it was a long time before Schenectady achieved complete independence.

Beverw^ck and Rensselaensyck, the latter the great manor of Kilian Van Rensseljer, in a measure, had become populous. In fact Beverwj-ck, Albany, had grown to a place of considerable size, while many of its citizens had attained some degree of affluence from the one channel of trade, that of furs and peltries. Among some of the settlers, meanwhile, there was a growing feeling of unrest and discontent. They had left their mother countrj' to secure freedom from the patroons, the burden of restrictions and the feudal customs, and their only hop)e, after all, was in the erection of a new pioneer town. So, if there was anj-^here in the settled region a spark of the spirit of altruism, it was present in the elemental idea of the founding of Schenectady.

These people desired homes not under the feudal system of tenure; they wished to buy and own the land and establish their material independence. They could see the uninhabited \-irgin land stretching away to the 5kj--line in ever}- direction, yet they could not possess any part of it. The visible and the in\isible government, the filibusters, were aligned against all projects of individual enterprise. Their highmightiness, the Privileged West-India Company also was unalterably opposed to the planting of new colonies.

During a great part of the period, up to this time, the colonists had been dependent in great measure on the mother country for provisions and building materials. The people seeking to establish Schenectady wished also to buy and till the great flats of the Mohawk Valley. The Rensselaer manor had upon it many settlements and agriculture was carried on to a considerable extent. Arent Van Curler, a native of Holland, superintended for many years this great estate. He was a man of unusual force and ability, an influential figure in the affairs of the colony and also among both the Indians and the French. Van Curler was something of a diplomatist, too, honest in public matters, was fearless and withal progressive. He was highly esteemed by the Iroquois and often acted as ambassador in disputes and in humane matters arising between them and the French. The latter also regarded him in the highest favor.

Van Curler was familiar with the surrounding country. He had had occasion to make many trips up and down the valley during the twenty years past and had taken special note of the charming country lying west of Beverwyck. He was a born pioneer with constructive inclinations and some degree of pride in broader endeavor. So he and fourteen associates from various parts of the colony joined together in the establishment of Schenectady.

The contour of the land and the geographical location combined to render the site chosen a most eligible one, and by reason of its situation on the Mohawk river, it was destined to be at the foot of navigation. The broad river skirting the proposed town on the west formed a spacious bay, or Binne Kill, which would afford an ample harbor. The land, to be sure, was still in possession of the Mohawks; it had been their hunting ground and corn ground for many centuries. In fact the site of Schenectady, according to tradition, was the seat of an Indian capital at some remote period. As evidence of this, skulls, skeletons and Indian utensils were later dug upon the site of the village. But now the Mohawks were willing to sell the land for a moderate consideration. They craved other things more than they craved land — first among them, whiskey and ammunition. In 1630 the Mohawks maintained five great castles, one of which was at the mouth of the Mohawk river, the second at Schenectady, and three others along the valley westward. In 1672 only two of them remained, one at Canajoharie and one at Fort Hunter. The atmosphere of civilization already was stifling the savage.

The promoters of the settlement proceeded to select the land they wished to acquire and agreed with the Indians upon a price or consideration for its conveyance. This purchase having been completed, the crux of the matter then was to obtain the consent and approval of the Director-General and Council. On the 18th of July, 1661, Arent Van Curler, together with his associates, appeared before the Council and petitioned for the privilege to purchase and also for a patent of the land in question. The names of the petitioners are here given: Arent Van Curler, Philip Hendrickson Brouwer, Alexander Lindsay Glen, Swear Teunise Van Velsen, Simon Volckertsen Veeder, Peter Adriance Van Woggelum, (also known as Sagermakeleck), Gerritt Bancker, William Teller, Bastian DeWinter, Peter Jacobse Borsboom, Peter Danielse Van Olinda, Jan. Barentse Wemp, Jacques Cornelise Van

Slyck; Bastian De Winter appeared also as attorney for Catalyn De Vos, widow of Arent Andries Bratt.

The deed from the Indians was drawn, signed and executed on the 27th July, following, as herewith shown.

DEED FROM THE INDIANS FOR SCHENECTADY AND VICINITY

"Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, appointed by the Director-General and Commissary in the service of the Privileged West-India Company, at Fort Orange and the town of Beverwyck, certain chiefs of the Mohawk country, by name Cantuquo, Sonareetsie, Aiadane and Sodoorane, proprietors of a certain parcel of land called, in Dutch, Groote Vlacte (Great Flats), lying behind Fort Orange, between the same and the Mohawk country, which they declared to have ceded and transported, as they hereby cede and transport, in real and actual possession and property, unto Sieur Arent Van Curler, the said parcel of land, or Great Flat, called in Indian, 'Schonowa,' as it is bounded in its contents and circumference, with its trees and streams, for a certain number of cargoes, wherein the cedents acknowledge to have received satisfaction; renouncing, now and forever, all property and claim which they hereto have had in the aforesaid parcel of land, promising to free the same from all claims, which other Indians might have thereon. Done in Fort Orange, the 27th July, Anno 1661, in presence of Martin Mourisse and William Montagne, thereunto requested in presence of me.

"La Montagne, "Vice-Director and Commissary over the Fortress Orange."

The mark of Cantuquo to the above instrument was a bear; that of Aiadans, a turtle, and of Sonareetsie, a wolf.

denoting the tribe or family to which each belonged. The true name of the witness to this instrument, who signed as Martin Mourusse, was Martin Maurice Van Slyck, brother of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, both subsequently proprietors, and among the first original settlers of Schenectady. The mother of both was a Mohawk chieftain's daughter. They were the children of Cornelise Antonisen Van Slyck, the great Indiati interpreter. They were born at the principal Mohawk castle at Canajoharie. Jacques was born about 1640, and INlartin a year or two later.

The petition, bearing the most oppressive conditions, as will be seen herein, was granted July 27, and here was staged a drama — the patent wrangle — that held the boards through a period of one hundred and thirty-seven years, or until 1798. It probably has no parallel in the history of settlements and town building in the United States. The distress, the loss and the heart-burning trouble from the various sources attending this initial undertaking in independent building and being in the little local colony constitutes a tragic, yet droll chapter in the history.

In the matter of selling lands the Indians themselves were not at all averse to tricks and double dealing. This particular quirk, probably unlooked for in a savage, was the cause of much annoyance in many instances. They had, for example, no scruples against selling the same plat of land to as many different purchasers as cared to possess it, and would accept payment therefor from each. Thus many disputes arose and final adjustments had to be made. Another puzzling problem was the determination of the acreage. The method of survey was to step off the land or measure it with a rope, a harness rein or a pole, and which party to the transaction got the best or the worst of it by this process was left to the skill of a later day to determine.

Nor was the nomenclature of proper names among the Dutch in a much more advanced stage of evolution than that obtaining among the Indians. The Dutchman, as a rule, had but one name which, in many instances, was added to or modified by some particular circumstance, the occupation of himself, or his father, or his birthplace. This crude system, however, soon passed away and was succeeded by more orderly forms.

The ancient Mohawk village which occupied the site of Schenectady was of unusual importance as a part of the Iroquois country. It was the eastern door, or entrance, to their great domain, and Schenectady, occupying the same site, was at the gateway to the western country, also at the foot of navigation on the Mohawk river. This was the chief factor in establishing Schenectady's commercial prominence and prestige through the long period of years up to the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. The name of the ancient Mohawk village was Connochariguharie and this name is so entered in the land transfers by the Mohawks to the early Dutch settlers.

The settlement of Schenectady, as history places it, dates from the concerted action of Van Curler and his associates, in 1661-1662, whereas the fact is fairly well established that the ground was occupied by temporary settlers at least back as early as 1614, which, had they remained, would make Schenectady co-existent with Albany. Bui in view of the fact that these previous settlements never took concrete form they are passed over as having no part in the history.

Van Curler took up the matter of the settlement of Schenectady personally and by letter to Governor Stuyvesant in the summer of 1661. This letter was an appeal for permission to settle on the Great Flats stretching along the river westward from the proposed village. The letter, like all the communications to the authorities, was very simple and suppliant, having also a verbiage of words. The letter bearing the date of June 18, 1661, follows:

"Right Honorable Sir, "My Lord.

"When last at Manhatans I informed your honor that there were some friends and well wishers, who were well inclined with your Honor's knowledge and approbation to take possession of and till the Groote Vlachte well kno^vTi to your worship; whereto six or eight families are already inclined, and for which your Honor promised me a warrant authorising us to purchase said lands, but by reason of your Honor's daily occupations nothing came of it. So then your Honor promised to send it later but I am persuaded the daily cares of your Honor's government have driven it from your Honor's remembrance.

"Truly the way is now open, the savages being inclined to abandon the land for a moderate price, the more so as trade is so slack and meagre. Hence it is the wish of our friends to dispatch the bearer of this, Philip Hendrickse Brouwer, to refresh your Honor's remembrance, for as much as it is high time, (if your Honor please) that the people provide themselves with hay and fodder for their beasts and like to lay out the road thither.

"Please not, your Honor, distrust the people as is generally done here, by the common folks, nor doubt that one loaf will last till another be gained.

"So then it will be better to provide betimes, to seize good fortune, for afterwards it may be too late. Doubtless as your Honor is likewise a lover of agriculture, your Honor will yield to the just request of the people; the money for the purchase of the aforesaid land they themselves will furnish temporarily and until it shall be otherwise ordered by your Honor.

"Finally I pray your Honor to be pleased to favor the people's good intention so far as possible, and conclude by commending your Honor to God's grace with the wish for a long and happy administration, and further I remain ever

Sir Your Honor's

most humble Servant, Rensselserwyck, A. Van Curlek.

The 18th June, 1661.

P. S. If your Honor falls short three or four Muds of oats as feed for your Honor's horses, please command me to supply your Honor with the same from my small store.

Your Honor's servant,

A. V. Curler."

The postscript to this letter indicates clearly that Van Curler was wise to the graft proclivities of the Governor.

One of the first conditions imposed on these would-be land owners and town builders was that, after efi'ecting a purchase of the land as desired, they transfer the same to the Director-General and Council as representatives of the Lord's Directory of the Privileged West-India Company. As a palliative for the sting it was stipulated further that whatever sum was paid by them for said lands would be returned sometime, or be discounted to them against the tenth.

THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE OF THE PRESBYTERIANS OF SCHENACTADY

THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1703

In addition to the purchase privilege sought, they had asked that the lands be surveyed and allotted amongst the associated settlers. But no action was taken in the matter and finally on the sixth day of April, 1662, Van Curler addressed another letter to the Director-General and Council, stating, that in pursuance of the resolution passed by their Honors the previous July, he and his associates had purchased and taken possession of the Great Flats and were then engaged in constructing houses, mills and other buildings.

The communication brought out added evidence of the malevolence of the West-India Company and his Excellency, the Governor and the Council. The answer was that, "Before the requested settlement can be formed and the land surveyed, the persons inclined to establish themselves there ought to number at least twenty families and communicate their names at the office of the Secretary of the Director-General and Council and further to engage and promise not to trade with the savages." The settlers were then privileged to apply themselves to agriculture but were prohibited from trade detrimental to the Privileged West-India Company. This was supplemented and made more coercive, so the great powers thought, by requiring each member of the settlement to sign and execute an agreement to the effect that he would not "trade in any manner under any pretext whatever, with the savages, either directly or indirectly." The penalty for violation of this agreement was, for the first offense, fifty beavers, second offense, one hundred beavers, and for the third offense the "forfeiture of his solicited or acquired lands on the aforesaid Plains."

To this latter the settlers made reply that they were willing to obey the noble West-India Company and the

Supreme Magistrates, to pay all their taxes and not otherwise to go contrary to the published orders, but begged to be treated not less considerately than other subjects. Van Curler, however, urged the signing of the very lengthy "Indenture" thinking by doing so with a certain mental reservation it would not prohibit them in future from prosecuting trade as opi)ort unity presented.

This matter of trade with the Indians, as was foreordained, early became more or less active among the residents of Schenectady and naturally aroused resentment and measures for its absolute prohibition and also for the punishment of those engaged therein. Sheriffs, therefore, were sent from Albany to search houses, to seize all goods found and to arrest those suspected of this, so declared, illicit business. Citizens of Schenectady, following these raids, were haled before the magistrates at Albany who never failed, from their viewpoint, in making the punishment fit the crime. Beverwyck, or Albany, was swarming with brokers, bos-loopers, traders who had the countenance of the powers, because they were a part of the system— the system that held sway in the colony for fifty years with practically no betterments, except for the privileged few.

The Indian name, Schenectady, was early adopted for the new to\vm because of what it stood for or signified, namely, "place beyond the pine plains." As the plains lay between Albany and Schenectady, it applied to that place or to any other place on the thither side of the country mentioned. Originally there were many modes or forms in spelling the word, but it finally crystalized into Schenectady.

It was not until 1664 that Governor Stuy vesant, responding to the many appeals, took favorable action in the matter of having the lands at Schenectady surveyed and apportioned among the settlers. In pursuance of this Jacques Cartelyou, the sworn surveyor, was sent from New-Amsterdam to "lay out the aforesaid lands in the best manner possible and for the best accommodation for those interested therein." Cartelyou together with Commissary^ LaMontagne were appointed a court of equity in the matter of the division of the land, the Director-General and Council being the final court of adjustment.

The ancient to^Tishij) of Schenectady embraced one hundred and twenty -eight scjuare miles, sixteen miles extending eastward and westward along the river and eight miles wide, or four miles on either side of the Mohawk. Within ten years from the date of the settlement all the flat lands were taken up and were in great part under cultivation. In the purchase of some of these lands it is recorded the Indians "acknowledge to have thankfully received the remainder of the sewant (tubs of beer and gunpowder) according to the tenor of the contract." Oftentimes the consideration was an "anker of good beer" or a "rundlet of brandy."

THE VILLAGE

The land purchased by Arent Van Curler in 1661 and comprising the first patent was divided among the fifteen settlers or proprietors. They were all Dutch except Alexander Lindsay Glen, who was a Scotchman. Glen was a man of considerable means, a leader and a man of influence. He came to New-Netherland from Holland, having been a refugee from Scotland to that country several years earlier. He had secured, in 1655, a patent for a large tract of land situated on the north side of the Mohawk river, and on the shore of the river, opposite the present city, he erected, in 1658, a very large and pretentious house for those times. This house served the double purpose of a home, a fortress and a refuge for many until 1713, when it was torn down and the present Glen or Sanders mansion was erected on the bluff a little farther removed from the river. Glen bestowed upon that section of the country the name of "Scotia," in remembrance of his native countrj^ and it still bears the name.

The village as first established embraced the area of four squares, or blocks, laid out with uniformity, each having four hundred feet frontage. Each of these squares was divided into four lots thus giving each building lot a frontage of two hundred feet and an equal depth. To each of the proprietors was apportioned one of these lots. Besides this each was allotted a farm, or bouwrie, on the Great Flat, a pasture ground east of the village and fourth, a garden lot on the lowland lying west of Mill Creek and extending toward the Binne Kil.

The village extended from Front street along Washington Avenue south to State Street (Alban^- Path) on the south, and from Washington Avenue along Front Street east to Ferry Street, thence to State Street. This area was surrounded by stockades or palisades, ten feet high. These were constructed of logs flattened on two sides and set firmly in the earth close together. They were sharpened to a point at the top so as to prevent scaling by an invading enemy. They were also bullet proof. There were two entrances to the enclosure, gates with strong iron fastenings. The main gate was located at the corner of Church and Front Streets, and the second was on State Street near Church. In the northwest corner of the palisades was the fort, an unpretentious affair, yet adequate for protection when properly manned.

The situation of the new town perforce rendered it a dangerous one. The western horizon of civiHzation dropped down at its border line and beyond this no white man had yet settled. The pahsades, therefore, were as essential as the dwelling. However, to strike at Schenectady, or Albany for that matter, an invading enemy must pass the territorial line of the ]Mohawks, yet this frequently occurred between the date of the settlement and 17G3. \

It was a typical Dutch town in mode of construction, style, manners and customs. It was a Holland town dropped down in the wilds of America. The houses mostly were one and a half stories ^vith scalloped gables fronting toward the street, while each of these had a little covered porch. The Washington avenue of to-day was at the beginning Handlers, or Traders street, and so continued until the burning of Schenectady in 1690, when the name was changed to Lion street. After the close of the war of the Revolution Lion street became Washington street, and later Washington avenue, Handlers street in the early times was the main business thoroughfare of the town. Besides dwellings it contained many stores and mercantile houses of various kinds. The street ran near the main Binne Kil, the harbor, which for a long period of time was a scene of activity in ship commerce, a matter which will be taken up in detail later on.

Front street still bears its original name. It was probably so named because it marked the northerly line of the village and ran parallel with the river. This also lead into the Niskayuna Road. Ferry street, as at present, led to the river bank where the boats landed and passage was made back and forth across the river. Church street, so far as records reveal, was so named at the beginning, though the church was not built on it until later. Union street in early times was Niskayuna, so named in honor of the early Niskayuna settlement to the north. State street was originally Albany Path. After the massacre of 1690 it was called Martyrs street on account of the great number that were killed in that section of the town. Finally it was changed to State street as at present.

In a little while after the settlement the population had so increased that building lots were assigned along Albany Path, those being mostly on the south side of the highway. Soon also the large house lots within the palisades were divided to afford building sites for the newcomers. For a considerable time, however, after the settlement Union street was not opened east of Ferry.

The early settlers, the makers and builders of Schenectady, form an interesting group of people, pioneers, honest as a whole, hardy, industrious, frugal and having withal high ideals of Christian life and moral rectitude. Most of them were Dutch, Dutch in every fibre of their being. Therefore, being Dutch they builded a Dutch town after the Dutch style with a Dutch atmosphere and their own code of social ethics. Their chief occupation was that of a farmer, yet many of them became merchants, boat builders and active in shipping and the river commerce of the early times.

The original proprietors, the founders of the village, form a select galaxy, therefore, in the mention herewith of some of the early settlers this particular group is taken up first.

ORIGINAL SETTLERS

Probably the foremost among these was Arent Van Curler, because he was the leader, the prime figure in the movement that put Schenectady on the map. He was a man of mature years at the time he undertook the founding of Schenectady. As early as 1630 he was Superintendent of the Rensseterwyck Colony and continued in this position until 1646. Meanwhile he served also as secretary of the colony; besides being interested and active in other matters pertaining to the general welfare of not alone the white settlers but the Mohawks as well. On account of his manj' acts of kindness and good friendship the Mohawks held Van Curler in very high esteem, and as a token of honor, after his death, they bestowed upon Schenectady the name of "Carlear" and ajjplied the same title also to the governors of the Province.

In 1643 Van Curler married iVntonia Slaaghboom, widow of Jonas Bronck. In the spring of 1662 they, together with the proprietors, settled in the new Schenectady. Van Curler was drowned in Lake Champlain in July, 1667, while on his way to Quebec, having been invited there by De Tracy, who was then Governor of Canada, to visit him on public matters.

The Van Curler residence was at the corner of Union and Church streets where the Schenectady Academy was later located. In 1672 Governor Lovelace, out of regard for Van Curler's public service, granted to his widow an exclusive license to sell liquors to the Indians, intending by this to put a stop to the bickering and dispute then going on between the other two tapsters in the town, namely, Cornelis Cornelise Viele and Acques Cornelise Van Slyck. Herewith is the license granted by the governor.

"Upon ye request of Antonia Van Curler of Schanechtade presented to his Honor ye Governor that having not long since received a very great losse by fire, there may for her rehefe be so farr indulged as to liave Hcense to sell some Rumm to ye Indyans, as also some quantity of Powder and Lead ; the premises being taken into serious consideration, It is ordered that in regard to the very great loss and damage sustayned by the said Antonia Van Curler in having her House, Barnes and corne destroyed as by her it is set forth, as also the Losse of her Husband Arent Van Curler while he was employed in his Majesty's Public Service, Shee, the said Antonia his widow shall have free Lyberty and License for ye space antl term of one year and two months after the date hereof; That is to say, from the first day of April next until the 29th day of May which shall be in the yeare of Our Lord 1674, to sell and dispose of to the Indyans or others in and about Schanechtade in Rumme one hundred Anckers and in Lead to the value of two hundred Beavers or 1000 weight; But for Powder in this conjuncture of time during the Warr. Its thought inconvient that Extraordinary Lyberty should be granted therein."

By order, etc.

Van Curler's widow died early in 1676, her will being probated in New York. They left no children.

Alexander Lindsay Glen was in many respects as prominent in the community as Van Curler. He was a different type of man. Glen was a Scotchman who, sometime prior to 1633, was a refugee to Holland. In the year mentioned he emigrated to New-Netherland and entered the employ of the West-India Company on the Delaware River. Subsequent to his service he was for twenty years a trader in Beverwyck. He was a