May 1, 1779. Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer (Hartford, Conn.) TO be given away, a Likely Negro male CHILD. Enquire of the Printers. Hartford, May 25, 1779. June 29, 1779. Connecticut Courant, and the Weekly Intelligencer. (Hartford, Connecticut) [the sloops Lively, John and Mayflower for sale: see Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer (Hartford, Conn.), June 1, 1779] Also, for sale a Negro Man, of about 25 years of age. September 27, 1779. New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) To be sold at Public Auction, TO-MORROW, The good Sloop HENRY, Lying at the Albany Pier, 60 tons burthen, draws but 7 feet of water, sails remarkably fast; she is full rigged, as will appear by inventory to be seen at the time of sale. She will suit carrying wood to New-York or Rhode-Island markets. The sale to begin between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock. By FEGAN and DEAN. November 27, 1779. Royal Gazette (New York, New York)
PUBLIC AUCTION. On Monday next I o'Clock, at the Coffee-House Will Be Sold The good Sloop ANNE, With all her tackle and apparel as she now lays at the Albany Pier, burthen about 90 tons, well found in sails, anchors and cables. Inventory to be seen at JOHN M'ADAM, and Co's Office.
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December 21, 1778. New-York Gazette; and The Weekly Mercury (New York, New York).
To be sold at Public Vendue, At the Coffee-house, on Wednesday next, The Sloop KINGSTON, Burthen about 80 tons, a remarkable stout vessel, of an easy draught of water, exceedingly well calculated for carrying Wood. Her bottom compleatly sheathed, well found in rigging, &c. Inventory to be seen on board the sloop, lying off Murray's Wharff, or at DANIEL M'CORMICK'S. October 27, 1777 New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury (New York, N. Y.)
Extract of a Letter from Esopus, dated October 16. On Monday evening we sailed from Fort Montgomery, having first entirely demolished it, and blown up the Magazine; we got up that Night near Pollepel's Island, where we came to an Anchor below the Chevaux de Frize; next Morning, Wind S. W. we weighed, and got through the Chevaux de Firse, and proceeded up the River. The Towns of New-Windson and Newburgh appeared totally deserted by the inhabitants; four Sloops set Sail from Fishkills, but were soon overhauled and taken by one of the Gun-boats, when opposite Poughkeepsie; the Rebels kept up a continual Fire from the Shore, without doing any Damage; which was answered by the Shipping. We anchored that Night five Miles from Esopus, and Yesterday Morning a severe Cannonade began between the Shipping in Front, and a Row Galley, and two Batteries the Rebels had erected on Shore. In the Afternoon the Troops landed, and took and set fire to the Batteries and Town of Esopus, with the Loss of only two Men wounded. Many Vessels were burnt in the River and Esopus Creek, besides some Stores, a Mill, &c. April 22, 1776. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York)
TEN POUNDS Reward. ON the 14th of August last, was sent by Alexander Mercer, to be put on board of an Albany sloop, which he saw put on board a sloop at the Albany dock, which he believes belonged to Albany, a keg containing black and white wampum, and shells for the Indians, directed on each end to Mr. James Rankin, at Detroit, and care of Messrs. Phyn and Ellice, at Schenectady; and as said keg never has been delivered, any person who will deliver it to Messrs. Phyn and Ellice, in Schenectady, or Mr. Robert M'Clabin, in Albany, or the Printer, shall be paid the above reward by any of them, and no questions asked. (p. 37) 2d April, 1776. Left New York at 5 o'clock, P. M.; sailed up North river, or Hudson's, that afternoon, about thirteen miles. About one o'clock in the night were awakened by the firing of cannon; heard three great guns distinctly from the Asia; soon saw a great fire, which we presumed to be a house on Bedloe's island, set on fire by a detachment of our troops. Intelligence had been received that the enemy were throwing up intrenchments on that island, and it had been determined by our generals to drive them off. Dr. Franklin went upon deck, and saw waving flashes of light appearing suddenly and disappearing, which he conjectured to be the fire of musquetry, although he could not hear the report. 3d. A bad, rainy day; wind north-east; quite ahead. A. M., eleven o'clock, opposite to Colonel Phillips's (a tory); pretty situation near the river; garden sloping down to it; house has a pretty appearance: a church (p. 38) at a little distance on the south side, surrounded by cedar trees. The banks of the river, on the western side, exceedingly steep and rocky; pine trees growing amidst the rocks. On the eastern, or New York side, the banks are not near so steep, they decline pretty gradually to the water's edge. The river is straight hitherto. About five o'clock wind breezed up from the south; got under way, and ran with a pretty easy gale as far as the highlands, forty miles from New York. The river here is greatly contracted, and the lands on each side very lofty. When we got into this strait the wind increased, and blew in violent flaws; in doubling one of these steep craggy points we were in danger of running on the rocks; endeavored to double the cape called St. Anthony’s nose, but all our efforts proved ineffectual; obliged to return some way back in the straits to seek shelter; in doing this, our mainsail was split to pieces by a sudden and most violent blast of wind off the mountains. Came to anchor: blew a perfect storm all night and all day the fourth. Remained all day (the fourth) in Thunder Hill bay, about half a mile below Cape St. Anthony's nose, and a quarter of a mile from Thunder Hill. Our crew were employed all this day in repairing the mainsail. The country round about this bay has a wild and romantic appearance; the hills are almost perpendicularly steep, and covered with rocks, and trees of a small size. The hill called St. Anthony's nose is said to be full of sulphur. I make no doubt this place has experienced some violent convulsion from subterraneous fire: the steepness of the hills, their correspondence, the narrowness of the river, and its depth, all confirm me in this opinion. (p. 39) 5th. Wind at north-east, mainsail not yet repaired. Sailed about twelve o'clock from Thunder Hill bay; just before we doubled Cape St. Anthony's nose, Mr. Chase and I landed to examine a beautiful fall of water. Mr. Chase, very apprehensive of the leg of mutton being boiled too much, impatient to get on board; wind breezing up, we had near a mile to row to overtake the vessel. As soon as we doubled Cape St. Anthony's nose a beautiful prospect opened on us. the river, from this place to Constitution fort, built on Marbler's rock, forms a fine canal, surrounded with high hills of various shapes; one, in particular, resembles a sugar loaf, and is so called. bout three miles from Cape St. Anthony's nose is another beautiful cascade, called "the Buttermilk." This is formed by a rivulet which flows from a lake on the top of a neighboring mountain; this lake, we were told, abounds with trout and perch. Arrived about five o'clock at Constitution fort; Mr. Chase went with me on shore to visit the fort; it is built on a rock called Marbler's rock; the river at this place makes a sudden bend to the west; the battery (for it does not deserve the name of a fort, being quite open on the north-east side) has two flanks, one fronting the south and the other the west; -- on the south flank were planted thirteen six, and one nine pounder; on the west flank, seven nine pounders and one six pounder, but there were no cannoniers in the fort, and only one hundred and two men fit to do duty; -- they intend to erect another battery on an eminence called Gravel hill, which will command vessels coming up the river as soon as they double Cape St. Anthony's nose. A little above this cape a battery is projected (p. 40) to annoy the enemy's vessels, to be called Fort Montgomery; they intend another battery lower down the river, and a little below Cape St. Anthony's nose. In the highlands are many convenient spots to construct batteries on; but, in order to make them answer the intended purpose, weighty metal should be placed on these batteries, and skilful gunners should be engaged to serve the artillery. About nine o'clock at night, the tide making, we weighed anchor, and came to again about two o'clock in the morning, the sixth instant. The river is remarkably deep all the way through the highlands, and the tide rapid. When we came to an anchor off Constitution fort we found the depth of water above thirty fathoms. These highlands present a number of romantic views, the steep hills overshadow the water, and in some places the rocks, should they be rolled down, would fall into the river several feet from the banks on which they stood. This river seems intended by nature to open a communication between Canada and the province of New York by water, and by some great convulsion, a passage has been opened to the waters of Hudson's river through the highlands. These are certainly a spur of the Endless mountains. 6th. Weighed anchor about seven o'clock in the morning; had a fine breeze; the country more cultivated above the highlands; passed several mills, all of them overshot; saw two frigates on the stocks at Pokeepsay, building for the service of the United Colonies; saw a great many lime-kilns in our run this morning, on both sides of the river, the banks of which begin to slope more gradually to the water's edge. We wrote to General Heath, from off Consti- (p. 41) tution fort, and sent the letter to the commanding officer of the fort, with orders to forward it by express immediately to the general at New York. The purport of the letter was to inform the general of the very defenceless condition of the fort, that measures might be immediately taken to put it in a better posture of defence. If Howe was a man of enterprise, and knew of the real state of the fort, he might take it in its present situation with sixty men, and without cannon. He might land his party a little below the fort on the east side, march over a marsh, and attack it on the back parts. It was proposed to erect a battery of some cannon to sweep this marsh; but this, and also the battery above mentioned, on Gravel hill, have been strangely neglected, and nothing as yet has been done towards constructing either of these batteries, more than levelling the top of Gravel hill. Six o'clock, P. M., came to anchor four miles from Albany; had a most glorious run this day, and a most pleasant sail; including our run in the night, we ran this day ninety-six miles -- Constitution fort being one hundred miles from Albany, and sixty from New York. We passed several country houses pleasantly situated on the banks, or rather, eminences, commanding the banks of the river; the grounds we could discover from the vessel did not appear to be highly improved. We had a distant view of the Katskill mountains. These are said to be some of the highest in North America; they had a pleasing appearance; the weather being somewhat hazy, they appeared like bluish clouds at a great distance; when we were nearest to them, they were distant about ten miles. Vast tracts of land on each side of (p. 42) Hudson's river are held by the proprietaries, or, as they are here styled, the Patrones of manors. One of the Ransalaers has a grant of twenty miles on each side of the river. Mr. Robert R. Livingston informed me that he held three hundred thousand acres. I am told there are but ten original patentees between Albany and the highlands. The descendants of the first proprietaries of these immense tracts still keep them in possession; necessity has not as yet forced any of them to sell any part. 7th. Weighed anchor this morning about six o'clock. Wind fair: having passed over the overslaw, had a distinct view of Albany, distant about two miles: -- landed at Albany at half-past seven o'clock; received, at landing, by General Schuyler, who, understanding we were coming up, came from his house, about a mile out of town, to receive us and invite us to dine with him; he behaved with great civility; lives in pretty style; has two daughters (Betsy and Peggy), (p. 43) both lively, agreeable black-eyed girls. Albany is situated partly on a level, and partly on the slope of a hill, or rising ground, on the west side of the river. Vessels drawing eight or nine feet water may come to Albany, and five miles even beyond it, at this season of the year, when the waters are out. The fort is in a ruinous condition, and not a single gun mounted on it. There are more houses in this town than in Annapolis, and I believe it to be much more populous. The citizens chiefly speak Dutch, being mostly the descendants of Dutchmen; but the English language and manners are getting ground apace. 9th. Left Albany early this morning, and travelled in a wagon in company with Mrs. Schuyler, her two daughters, and Generals Schuyler and Thomas. At six miles from Albany I quitted the wagon and got on horse-back to accompany the generals to view the falls on the Mohawk's river, called the Cohooes. The perpendicular fall is seventy-four feet, and the breadth of the river at this place, as measured by General Schuyler, is one thousand feet. The river was swollen with the melting of the snows and rains, and rolled over the frightful precipice an impetuous torrent. The foam, the irregularities in the fall broken by projecting rocks, and the deafening noise, presented a sublime but terrifying spectacle. At fifty yards from the place the water dropped from the trees, as it does after a plentiful shower, they being as wet with the ascending vapor as they commonly are after a smart rain of some continuance. 1776-04-02 -- Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Journal of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, during His Visit to Canada, in 1776, as One of the Commissioners from Congress. Baltimore, 1845. June 12, 1775 New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury Run away from on board the Sloop Seaflower, a young Negro Fellow named America, about 20 years old, very black, pitted with a small pox, and his under lip very thick. Had on a striped shirt and trowsers, red cap and is supposed to be secreted in this city. Five dollars reward will be given to any person who brings the said Negro to the printer hereof, or John Sebring. [Editor's Note: There were several sloops named Seaflower at about this time, incl. one that sailed regularly between Rhode Island and New York; a John Sebring was a businessman in New York City in the early 1770s.} September 7, 1775. New-York Journal; or, The General Advertiser (New York, N. Y.), NEW YORK, September 7 *** Tuesday se'nnight a small Sloop came down the North River from a Place called Little Esopus, and anchored along side the Asia Man of War in order 'tis supposed to supply that Ship with Necessaries: A strict Watch was kept on her from that Day until Sunday Morning, when she set Sail and stood up the River, attended by an armed Sloop and some Boats from the Asia, but she was immediately pursued by a Number of Boats from the City, and soon taken, with 12 Men in her, who were committed to Gaol. November 9, 1775. New-York Journal; or, The General Advertiser (New York, New York)
Information Wanted. OF the sloop Springfield-galley, burthen about sixteen tons, three years old, slender built, with second hand sails; hath been employed above two years in carrying Oysters and Clams out of the bay, on the south side of Long Island, and owned until June past, equally between the subscriber and John Rider, both of Brook Haven on Long Island; but said Rider, in June last, sold his half of said sloop to Jenkinson Jeanes, while my half was in the care of Capt. John Jones, immediately after which purchase, the said Jenkinson Jeanes, for various reasons, was suspected of an intention of running away with my half of said sloop, Springfield-galley; and therefore was, by myself and Capt. Jones, forewarned and admonished, not to do it, but he took an opportunity, about the middle of June last, when Capt. Jones was ashore at Brook Haven, and went off with her, taking with him for a hand, his brother Meshack Jeanes, a lad about 15 years old, since which he has not returned, nor sent me any account of himself or said sloop, that I have received. But I am informed he has been at New-York and other places with said sloop, pretending he was sole owner, and trying to sell the whole of her at an under rate. -- These are therefore, to forewarn all persons, not to buy or hire of him, more than his half of said sloop, nr furnish him with any thing on account of me, or the sloop, as I will not pay any debts he may contract. And I do hereby desire him, or whoever hath possession of her, to return her to me immediately; and I do hereby desire any person, that can give me information of him or said sloop, to do it, for which I promise a reasonable reward. And I do further offer a reward of FIVE DOLLARS, and all reasonable charges, to any one not now in possession of said sloop, that will take her up, and bring her safe, and deliver her to me at Blue Point, in Brook Haven. The last account I have heard of him is, that he was lately in New York, where he had married a base woman, and were both cured of the foul disorder, and took her on board, saying he was bound up the river, above Albany, where he would sell the sloop, and settle in some back part of the country. A particular account of him may be had at the goal in New-York. I would be glad to sell my half of said sloop, very cheap. EBENEZER DAYTON.Corumin, Brook-Haven, October 25, 1775. American Husbandry : Containing an Account of the Soil, Climate, Production and Agriculture, of the British Colonies in North America. Volume 1. London, 1775.p. 94 CHAP. IX.
NEW YORK. Climate of New York -- Soil -- Productions -- Husbandry -- Curious accounts of a new settlement -- Present state of the inhabitants -- Exports. THE colony of New York lies between latitude 41 and 44, which tho' partly the same parallel as New England, yet is it attended with a different climate in some respects; but in every circumstance superior, since there are productions that will not thrive in New England, which do admirably here; not owing to the greater heat (for New England is as hot as New York) but to a better and more salubrious air. *** p. 95 The soil of the province is in general very good; on the coast it is sandy but backwards, they have noble tracks of rich black mold, red loam, and friable clays . . . ; at some miles from the sea, the country swells into fine hills and ridges, which are all covered with forest trees, and the soil on many of these is rich and deep, an advantage not common in poor countries. The river Hudson which is navigable to Albany (p. 96) and of such a breadth and depth as to carry large sloops, with its branches on both sides, intersect the whole country, and render it both pleasant and convenient. The banks of this great river have a prodigious variety; in some places there are gently swelling hills, covered with plantations and farms; in others towering mountains spread over with thick forests: here you have nothing but abrupt rocks of vast magnitude, which seem shivered in two to let the river pass the immense clefts; there you see cultivate vales, bounded by hanging forests, and the distant view completed by the Blue Mountains raising their heads above the clouds. In the midst of this variety of scenery, of such grand and expressive character the river Hudson flows, equal in many places to the Thames at London, and in some much broader. The shores of the American rivers are too often a line of swamps and marshes; that of the Hudson is not without them, but in general it passes through a fine, high, dry, and bold country, which is equally beautiful and wholesome. In general the soil of this province exceeds that of New England. . . . (p. 97) The productions of New York are the same in general as those of New England, with an exception of some fruits that will not thrive in the latter country; but almost every article is of a superior quality: this is very striking in wheat, of which they raise in New England [sic], as I have observed, but little that is good, whereas in New York their wheat is equal to any in America, or indeed in the world, and they export immense quantities of it; whereas New England can hardly supply her own consumption. They sow their wheat in autumn, with better success than in spring: this custom they pursue even about Albany, in the northern parts of the province, where the winters are very severe. The ice there in the river Hudson is commonly three or four feet thick. *** The ice commonly dissolves at that place about the end of March, or the beginning of April. On the 16th of November the yachts are (p. 98) *** Wheat in many parts of the province yields a larger produce than is common in England: upon good lands about Albany, where the climate is the coldest in the country, they sow two bushels and better upon one acre, and reap from 20 to 40: the latter quantity however is not often had; but from 20 to 30 bushels are common, and this with such bad husbandry as would not yield the like in England, and much less in Scotland. This is owing to the freshness of the soil. *** Rye is a common crop upon the inferior lands, and the sort they produce is pretty good, though not equal to the rye of England. The crops of it are not so great in (p. 99) produce as those of wheat on the better lands. Maize is sown generally throughout the province, and they get vast crops of it. They chuse the loose, hollow loams, and sandy lands for it, not reckoning the stiff or clayey ones will do at all for it: half a bushel will seed two acres, and yield a hundred bushels in return. . . . Maize, from the greatness of the produce, may easily be supposed a rich article of culture, and especially in a province that has so fine an inland navigation through it as New York. It is also of great advantage in affording a vast produce of food for cattle in the winter, which in this country is a matter of great consequence, where they are obliged to keep all their cattle housed till the end of March. . . . Barley is much sown in all the southern parts of the province; and the crops they sometimes get of it are very great, but the (p. 100) grain is not of a quality equal to that of Europe. They make much malt and brew large quantities of beer from it at New York, which serves the home consumption, and affords some also for exportation. Pease are a common article of culture here, and though uncertain in their produce, yet are they reckoned very profitable; and the straw is valued as winter food. Thirty bushels per acre they consider as a large crop, but sometimes they get scarcely a third of that. Oats they sow in common, and the products are generally large; sixty bushels an acre have been known on land of but moderate fertility. Buckwheat is every where sown, and few crops are supposed to pay the farmer better, at the same time that they find it does very little prejudice to the ground, in which it resembles pease. Potatoes are not common in New England, but in New York many are planted; and jupon the black, loose, fresh woodland they get very great crops, nor does any pay them better if so well, for at the city of New York there is a constant and ready market for them; I have been assured that from five to eight hundred bushels have been often gained on an acre. There are many very rich meadows and (p. 101) pastures in all parts of the province; and upon the brooks and rivers, the watered ones (for they are well acquainted with that branch of husbandry) are mown twice and yield large crops of hay. In their marshes they get large crops also, but it is a coarse bad sort; not however to a degree, as to make cattle refuse it, on the contrary, the farmers find it of great use in the winter support of their lean cattle, young stock, and cows. The timber of this province consists of oak, ash, beech, chesnut, cedar, walnut, cypress, hickory, sassafras, and the pine; nor is there any perceptible difference in their value of the wood here and in New England; though it declines, for ship building when you get further south; with some exceptions however, for there are other species of trees even in the most southern colonies that are equal to any for that purpose. New York not being near so much settled as New England, timber is much more plentiful, so that the planters and new settles make great profit by their lumber. Upon most of the streams that fall into the river Hudson, there are many saw mills for the mere purpose of sawing boards, planks and other sorts of lumber, (p. 102) which goes down in immense quantities to New York, from whence it is shipped for the West Indies. We shall by and by see that this is a very great article in the profit of every planter. Among all the woods of this province, are found immense numbers of vines of several species, and quite different from those of Europe, some of the grapes resembling currants rather than ours. Wine has been, and is commonly made of them, but of a sort too bad to become an article of export. Hemp is cultivated in all parts of the province, but not to a greater amount than their own consumption: flax is however a great article in the exports; it succeeds extremely well, and pays the farmer a considerable profit. Linseed oil is another article of export, the seed for which is raised by the planters; but more is exported unmanufactured. Turnips also are grown in large quantities, and by some planters upon a system much improved of late years. The fruits in this province are much superior to those in New England; and they have some, as peaches and nectarines, which will not thrive there. Immense quantities of melons, and water melons are cultivated in the fields near New York, where they come to (p. 103) as great perfection as in Spain and Italy; nor can it well be conceived how much of these fruits and peaches, &c. all ranks of people eat here, and without receiving any ill consequence from the practice. This is an agreeableness far superior to any thing we have in England; and, indeed, the same superiority runs through all their fruits, and several articles of the kitchen garden, which are here raised without trouble, and in profusion. Every planter and even the smallest farmers have all an orchard near their house of some acres, by means of which they command a great quantity of cyder, and export apples by ship loads to the West Indies. Nor it this an improper place to observe that the rivers of this province and the sea upon the coast are richly furnished with excellent fish; oysters and lobsters are no where in greater plenty than in New York. I am of opinion they are more plentiful than at any other place on the globe; for very many poor families have no other substance than oysters and bread. Nor is this the only instance of the natural plenty that distinguishes this country: the woods are full of game, and wild turkies are very plentiful; in these particulars New York much exceeds New England. American Husbandry : Containing an Account of the Soil, Climate, Production and Agriculture, of the British Colonies in North America. Volume 1. London, 1775. 1775-00-00 -- American husbandry -- the soil, climate, production and agriculture, of the British colonies. Vol. 1 April 28, 1774. New-York Journal; or, The General Advertiser (New York, N. Y.) Yesterday arrived the Sloop St. Augustine Packet, Capt. M'Cavitt, in 7 Weeks from Pensacola, last from Ocracock in North Carolina, where a severe Gale of Wind which came on the 1st and continued the 2d of April, drove 13 out of 16 Vessels then in the Harbour, on Shore; of which, 6 got off again, but the following 7 with nearly all their Cargoes, were entirely lost, viz. *** A Sloop, Capt. Daniel Sherwood, from the North River, New York. May 13, 1774. Connecticut Gazette; and the Universal Intelligencer. (New London, Connecticut) The Schooner Dolphin, Lying in Niantick-River, WILL Sale [sic] for ALBANY, About the 20th of May next. For Freight of Passage enquire of Constant Crocker or Hezekiah Russel. New-London, April 29, 1774. May 20, 1774. Connecticut Gazette; and the Universal Intelligencer. (New London, Conn.) The Sloop Victory, Job Rathbone, Master, Proposes to follow the Business of coasting the next Summer, between Norwich-Landing and New-Windsor, in the North-River, more especially with a View of carrying Freight and Passengers for Settlement at Susquehannah, --- Said Sloop will be ready to take in Freight and Passengers at Norwich-Landing the last of the present Month, and at New-London the first of next Month. And as said Sloop will touch at New-York, Freight will be taken in for that Place. New-London, May 5, 1774. Reprinted, A Tour Through Part of the North Provinces of America. . . . Edinburgh, 1776, edited by Carl Bridenbaugh, in 1945. (p. 14) LETTER II. New York, Aug. 18, 1774. From New York, we imbarked on board a sloop bound for Albany which is between 160, and 170 miles distant. The course is mostly north, the river being pretty straight. This river is from one to three miles broad below the high lands, which are forty miles from New York. The banks on the west-side are steep and rocky for near twenty miles; after that, you see a good country on both sides for several miles, till you come to the entrance to the high lands. Here the river is contracted to about a quarter of a mile in breadth, and guarded, as it were by rocky precipices, one would think, hanging over their head some hundred fathoms high. Here the ragged rocks covered with trees hanging over the river below, the vessels under sail, as if it were starting from some cavern in the shaggy rocks, the rivulets powring down from such an immense height, form, perhaps, one of the grandest landscaps in nature. These ragged mountains continue for about twelve miles; the we came to a tolerable level country, and the river extends to its usual breadth. Several pleasant country seats are to be seen on both sides; here, on the west bank of the river is a little town called Windsor, having a good quay, and large granaries, and stores for holding the grain of the adjacent country, where it is brought to be sent to New York (p. 15) for exportation. They have also many landing places, at convenient distances up the river, where granaries are built for the same purposes; here the country people for thirty or forty miles bring their wheat on sleighs or sledges on the snow in the winter. A pair of horses will draw thirty bushels of wheat in one of these sledges thirty miles upon the snow, and return the same day. We passed many fine country seats, and orchards, within view of the river; we had also a view of the Blue or Catskill mountains, but at a great distance: and after a fine passage of twenty seven hours we arrived at Albany. This is a considerable large town, or city as they would have it called, built on the west-side of Hudson's river, on the declivity of a hill. The houses are mostly brick; but of an old fashioned make, with their gables to the streets. There is here an English church, a high and low Dutch church, with a Presbyterian meeting-house. The streets are very dirty: they have a fort that overlooks the town, but in bad repair. Their hospital has been a spacious wooden building, in a fine airy situation; but is now almost uninhabitable. The barracks are in the same condition. To this place belong about fifty sloops from fifty to eighty tons each, employed constantly on the river in carrying down wheat, pease, boards, and other lumber to New York. They likewise have three vessels in the West India trade, and one that trades to London. The inhabitants are mostly of Dutch extraction whose language and manners they in a good measure retain, tho' they can mostly speak English. They are a heavy and dull people, at least they appear so to me. They are said to be very (p. 16) honest, tho' not the most hospitable; nor will they easily be persuaded to accommodate you with what you want, when in their taverns. *** In the river are caught several sorts of fish, particularly sturgeon, and in the spring vast shoals of a kind of herrings, which are taken many miles above this town. The Weather is sensibly colder here than in New York, where it is very hot at this season of the year, for six weeks or two months. The river is also frozen over for perhaps three months in winter, which is scarcely ever the case at New York. Indian corn and grass seem to thrive rather better here than at New York. The soil or climate seems also more favourable for oats. We made some little excursions into the country to the westward of Albany, where the soil after a few miles, mends; and you come into very good land, and thriving settlements. They have a great many saw-mills erected for working their pine into boards, which they (P. 17) send down the river to New York. After a few days we embarked again for New York: our vessel running aground about 12 miles below Albany, we went ashore: Here we found plenty of apples and cherries in the woods, fine water and timber, plenty of mellons, cucumbers, squashes, &c. and some little plantations of tobacco. *** At about ten miles further down the river, we went ashore and saw them make pot and pearl ashes. About forty miles further down we went ashore, where they have many lime-stone quarries: We saw fifteen or sixteen kilns all burning at once. I observe all above the high lands but getting in their crops (Aug. 10), but those below have them all in a week ago. They have a great advantage over you in point of climate. Their grain is far more thoroughly dried than you can get it. This makes it both keep better and grind cleaner. They often throw 10,000 bushels of it into the hold of a vessel to lie for a two or three months voyage, without receiving any damage. Tradesmen and labourers wages are high in all the province: a joiner six shillings a-day, a mason or brick-layer the same, and other trades in proportion, but they must be good hands, else they won't get employ till they go to the back settlements. Labourers have their three and four shillings a-day about New York; but at present they seem rather overstocked, owing to the arrival of so (p. 18) many adventurers from Britain and Ireland; they tell me that no less than twenty two vessels have arrived at New York with passengers within these twelve months. There is plenty of room and employ for them in the back counties, where many of them have gone. Patrick M'Roberts, Tour through Part of the North Provinces of America : Being a Series of Letters Wrote on the Spot, in the Years 1774, & 1775. Edinburgh, 1776 1774-08-18. Tour through Part of the North Provinces of America. Patrick M’Robert. October 3, 1774. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) SOME time in June last, there was shipped on board Harmanus Cuyler's sloop, for Albany, 3 hogshead and one barrel, for which no owner has as yet appeared. Any person claiming the same, proving their property and paying charges, may have them again by applying to the said Harmanus Cuyler, in Albany. November 28, 1774. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) Yesterday Evening we received the melancholy News that Mr. Case's Boat, in going home to Haverstraw last Friday Night, overset, by which Accident 10 of the Passengers were drowned, among them 4 or 5 Women; 6 'tis said are saved. December 5, 1774. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) WHEREAS Capt. William Coe, of New-Hempstead, in Orange County Precinct, and town of Harverstraw was drowned on Friday, the 25th of November, 1774, in the North-River, near Dobb's Ferry, and is not yet found: This is to give notice, that if any person or persons should find him, and deliver him to any of his friends, with all the things found upon him, shall receive FIVE POUNDS reward, and all reasonable charges paid by Judge Coe, or Peter Vandervoort, living at Kakiate. He was about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, had black hair, and was well set; had on a redish bearskin surtout, homespun light coloured coat, black velvet jacket with horn buttons, brown velvet breeches, blue and white stockings, a wollen check shirt, with a linen check collar, and red and white silk handkerchief round his neck, a pair of small plated buckles in his shoes, and a pair of steel knee buckles; also a silver watch in his pocket. JOHN COE, PETER VANDERVOORT March 29, 1773. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) TAKEN by virtue of a writ of fieri facias, to me directed, and to be sold at the Albany Dock, on the 12th day of April next, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, a large Albany sloop, with her sails, tackling, &c. all in very good order, late the property of William Pemberton. By me, J. ROBERTS, Sheriff. July 19, 1773. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, N. Y.) At Templeton and Stewart' Auction Room, On Wednesday, to be sold at the Merchant's Coffee-House, and Albany built sloop of about 60 tons, lying at the North River, near the Battery; has almost new sails, lately repair'd, and a sufficiency of other stores fit for that business. August 2, 1773. New-York Gazette; and the Weekly Mercury (New York, New York) At the Coffee-House, To-morrow, at noon, will be sold, An ALBANY SLOOP of about 60 tons burthen, cedar frame, well found, and in good order. September 30, 1773. Rivington's New York Gazetteer. Forty Shillings Reward. RUN a way from the subscriber, living at Westchester, on Monday last the 26th instant, an Indented Indian fellow, who calls himself John Anderson, a very lusty well set fellow; had on a blue half-thick jacket, tow shirt and trowsers, and was bare foot, a new wool hat, had in his pocket a Scotch nightcap of a dull brown colour, it had been painted and it is likely he may wear it, is much pockmarked, has a very full face, short bushy hair. Whoever apprehends said fellow, so, that his Master may have him again, shall be paid the above Reward and all reasonable charges by me MOSES WAYMAN. Westchester, September, 27th 1773. *** It is supposed he may endeavour to go to sea, as he has been bred to it. October 4, 1773. New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury FOUND on the west side of Hudson's-river, in the Highlands, a silver watch, supposed to be lost by a gentleman from Carolina, that went ashore at that place last October, from Col. Ellis's sloop to gather chesnuts. Any person claiming said watch, and proving their property, may have it again paying charges, by applying to HUGH GAINE. [Editor's Note: I couldn't find a Colonel Ellis in the Readex files; a George Ellis was master of a sloop Endeavour in the years just before this, but all references to it show it sailing the coast down to Philadelphia or further south, Hugh Gaine was the printer of the Mercury.] November 22, 1773. NY Gazette and Weekly Mercury
Run-Away the 19th Instant, from on board of Capt. Henry Wendells’s Sloop, an indented Mulatto Servant named Tom Saunders, born on Staten-Island. Is about Twenty-two Years of Age, and near six feet high: Had on when he went away a white swanskin waistcoat and blue duffles trowsers. All persons are forbid to harbor said servant; and a reward of forty shillings, with reasonable charges, will be paid to the one that brings him to Capt. Barent Roseboom, of the sloop Tyron, now lying at the Albany Pier; or to Mr. John W. Vredenburgh, living near the same. N.B. Capt. Roseboom will sail for Albany on Wednesday the 24th Instant. January 3, 1771. New-York Journal; or, the General Advertiser.
Custom House, New-York, Inward Entries. *** Olive Branch, Cunningham, St. Christophers *** *** |
AuthorThis collection was researched and catalogued by Hudson River Maritime Museum contributing scholars George A. Thompson and Carl Mayer. Archives
June 2024
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