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| Header | November 17, 1793 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | ENV #fire #slavery |
| Event | An extensive fire occurred at half past 10 on Sunday evening, in an out house belonging to Leonard Gansevoort, in the centre of the square formed by State and Market streets, and Maiden and Middle lanes, which was swept down by the flames. Twenty-six dwelling houses, several extensive stores, and the Gazette printing office, were consumed. The loss of property was estimated at $250,000. The principal sufferer in real estate was John Maley. Leonard Gansevoort's house was on the lot now numbered 53 State street. Several attempts were subsequently made to fire the city, by slaves, and some of them were arrested and confessed their guilt. A law was passed by the common council on the 25th Nov., to prevent the appearance of slaves abroad after nine o'clock at night, under the penalty of confinement in the jail. [vM] |
| Header | January 6, 1794 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | SOC #fire #slavery |
| Event | Pomp, a negro slave, charged with having set fire to the stable of Leonard Gansevoort, by which the late disastrous conflagration was caused, was tried before the supreme court, and found guilty. Bet and Dean, two female slaves, were also tried and convicted of the same offence, and the whole sentenced to be hung on the 24th January. When the day arrived, there was a large concourse of people to witness the execution; but the culprits were respited and allowed six weeks grace, to the great injustice of so large an audience. [vM] |
| Header | February 28, 1795 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | SOC #expansion |
| Event | The emigration through the city to the west was so great at this time, that a citizen was induced from & motive of curiosity to take an account of a single day's travel; the number taken was 500 sleighs, from sun-rise to sun-set those passing in the night not being enumerated. It was estimated that 1200 sleighs, freighted with men, women, children and furniture, had passed through the city in three days, from the east, to settle the Genesee Valley. This was not the only avenue to the west, at that time, though probably the principal one. The increase of emigration was attributable to the completion of the treaty of Mr. Jay with Great Britain, and that of Mr. Pickering with the Six Nations, which dispelled every apprehension of danger. Among the movables was observed a printing press, "destined to shed its light abroad over the western wilds." [vM] |
| Header | February 14, 1797 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | GOV #state #building #cemetery |
| Event | The legislature having fixed the seat of government at Albany, the corporation of the city made them an offer of any unappropriated ground that might be chosen for the purpose of erecting the public buildings. The present site of the Capitol was chosen, and was thus described at that time. "It extends along the west side of the public square, from Deer street on the south, to Lion street on the north, which last is the main street by which the western country enters the city. On this ground the buildings have a direct view of State street, and the rows of stately edifices which adorn the sides of it, from its upper to its lower extremity. The prospect from this place is extensive and beautiful. It goes to the north, the east and the south till the summits of the distant mountains terminate it in the horizon. Hence the blue tops of the Catskill are seen mingling with the clouds, and the majestic Hudson winding between the islands below, till the lessening sails on its surface vanish to the eye; and above till its curving margins hide the retreating waves in the neighborhood of Troy. "The village of Bath, and the fields and ridges on the opposite side of the river, teeming with vegetation in its fullest luxuriance, are parts of the picture here presented to charm the mind capable of relishing its beauties. The cemetery immediately to the south, overspread with a sheet of verdure, and a wide, opening valley beyond it, through which a meandering rivulet runs to refresh the air, will forever afford free access to the cooling zephyrs in the sultry season. The large vacant area in front will in no small degree contribute to the same end. It will no doubt be hereafter so improved as to answer, in the best possible manner, the purposes of health, pleasure, and other objects of public utility. It will be a little field for the taste and genius of artists in the science of elegance, to which a free scope will here unquestionably be given before much length of time has elapsed. "Springs of the best water also break out about it in several places; and plentifully yield that inestimable luxury of life, the want of which is so much lamented through the city in general. Behind lies that part of the city which is laid out into regular shapes, extended over a plain gently sloping to the morning sun. This, though not thickly settled as yet, can not remain many years without rivaling in business those parts which are now most valued on that account, and outshining them by the splendor of its improvements. Nothing is wanting to make it capable of receiving the last finish of art, in addition to the finest beauties of nature." [vM] |
| Header | March 10, 1797 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | GOV #city #state #capital |
| Event | The city of Albany made the capital of the state of New York. [vM EDB] |
| Header | August 4, 1797 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | ENV #fire #streets, roads, turnpikes |
| Event | The city was visited by an extensive conflagration, which swept down several streets, consuming ninety-six dwellings, and rendering houseless one hundred and fifty families of about one thousand persons. The fire originated in an old storehouse on the Middle Dock, in the rear of Montgomery street, and in its progress extended into and destroyed houses in Dock, Montgomery, Steuben, Market, Middle lane, Columbia, and Watervliet streets. It was the greatest calamity that had ever befallen the city. [vM] |
| Header | May 19, 1803 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | HLTH #medicine, therapies #yellow fever |
| Event | In consequence of the prevalence of yellow fever in New York, the Common Council required all vessels coming from that city to perform a quarantine of a few hours, to ascertain if there were any sick on board, before coming up to the city. A young man by the name of Townsend, died in Troy about this time of the yellow fever, which he had taken in New York, which is the only case mentioned as having occurred in this vicinity. [vM] |
| Header | July 12, 1804 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Death of Alexander Hamilton July 12. The Gazette of July 16 announces the report of the death of Col. Hamilton, and the three succeeding numbers were filled almost exclusively with the proceedings of various societies on the occasion, and the ceremonies attending the obsequies, orations, resolutions, &c. A meeting of students at law was held in Albany, Teunis Van Vechten, secretary, which resolved that the members should wear crape on the left arm six weeks. Eulogies, &c,, followed in the Gazette for many weeks. [vM] |
| Header | July 29, 1804 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Eliphalet Nott, A. M., delivered a discourse in the North Dutch church on the death of Alexander Hamilton, which was published in a volume of similar effusions, by William Coleman, at p. 104. [vM] [see 8/24/1804] |
| Header | November 18, 1804 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary #War of Independence |
| Event | Philip Schuyler, a major general in the revolutionary army, died at Albany, aged 73. He was a member of the old congress, and of the federal congress. [vM EDB] |
| Header | November 18, 1804 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Major Gen. Philip Schuyler, an officer of the revolution, and eminent also as a civil officer, died, aged 71. He was buried on the 21st with military honors, in the family vault of the Hon. Abraham Ten Broeck. [See biog. sketch, in vol. i, p. 250.] [vM] |
| Header | August 17, 1807 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | TEC #steamboat |
| Event | Maiden voyage of Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont--more correctly the North River Steamboat--from New York to Albany, where it arrived on August 19. Passengers were first carried on September 4, an event noted in Munsell's "Notes from the Newspapers." Robert Livingston, who obtained exclusive rights to steam navigation on the Hudson, and Fulton had tested the concept on the Seine in 1803. The voyage of 1807 on the Hudson is considered the world's first successful commercial application. |
| Header | April 13, 1808 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #birth |
| Event | Joel Munsell b. in Northfield, Massachusetts. He became an important printer, historian, and antiquarian in Albany, New York. "To BEGIN with time out of mind, the autobiographer's first Period, 'I was born ' on Monday, April 13, 1808. . . .To prevent all future dispute, and that the place of my birth may not be made the subject of contention, I deem it necessary to mention that this little village is entitled to all the honor of that event. The fate of Homer should forewarn all geniuses to leave the place of their nativity on record." |
| Header | June 3, 1808 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Philip Schuyler, an officer of the revolution, died at Albany, aged 73. He possessed a mind of great vigor and enterprise, and was characterized by integrity and amiableness. [vM EDB] |
| Header | July 2, 1812 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Peter Gansevoort, a distinguished American officer, died at Albany, aged 63. [vM EDB] |
| Header | July 2, 1812 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | BIO #obituary |
| Event | Died, on Thursday morning, July 2, Brigadier Gen. Peter Gansevoort, of the United States army, aged 63. [vM] |
| Header | October 5, 1813 Albany NY United States |
| Tags | FOR #War of 1812 |
| Event | Perry's victory on Lake Erie made the British position in Detroit untenable. General William Henry Harrison proceeded immediately to re-occupy the city and pursued the British into Canada. On this date, Harrison defeated the British at Thames River (St. Clair). Tecumseh's death at this encounter led to the end of Indian support to the British. These victories secured the Northwest frontier for the rest of the war. |
Items ending with "vM" are taken verbatim from Munsell's "Notes from Newspapers"
Items ending with "vM EDB" are taken verbatim from Munsell's "Every Day Book"
If Munsell used variants for the same word, one is chosen to simplify searches
Untagged items are copyright, John McClintock, Albany, NY.
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