U.S. History

Records of a City Government (1700)

BY THE MAYOR, RECORDER, ALDERMEN, AND COMMON COUNCIL OF ALBANY

ATT a Common Councill held in y^e Citty of Albany y^e 14th of May, 1700.

It is concluded and thought requisite that y^e streets within this Citty be cleared, each Inhabitant before his door, and to remove y^e fyre wood thereof, and whoever shall be founde driveing a wagon or cart through y^e streets, and y^e drivers not walking afoot, shall forfeit for each such offence y^e sum of 3s, as likewise for such as are neglecting to clean the street, and remove the wood before their doors.

It is further considered and ordered that y^e Constables shall take their turns on y^e sabbath day to prevent drawing of strong drink in tipling houses, and breaking the sabbath day, and whosoever shall be founde drawing of any strong liquor in said houses to any person, shall forfeit y^e summe of twenty shillings for each offence.

Hendrik Oothout appointed surveyor for y^e Citty and sworne.

Jacob Turke is appointed to sue the Kinderhook Justices to y^e next inferior Court, fo y^e arrears due to y^e Citty.

May 16, 1700.—Whereas Pr. Jedon and John Pettitt and family, both French, from Sopus, appear desyring liberty to passe to Canada, and that a man or two may be allowed to carry them thither, which is permitted, and thought convenient y^t y^e Persones y^t carry them thither shall enter into bonde that they shall transport noe horses or mares to Canida as y^e late proclamation requires, whereupon David Ketelheyn and Elbert Harmense, who are their guides, have given bond for £ 100.

Itt is concluded y^t y^e three Constables, each in his warde, shall goe rounde by each Inhabitant y^t have rid Stockadoes for y^e Citty, and order him to show y^e same, and whoever as have not ride their quota shall pay for each Stockade 18d . which is to be done in the space of twice four and twenty hours.

It is further concluded that after the Citty walls are closed, y^t y^e Constables shall take care to see that no Stockadoes be broak downe and wherever they fynde or can hear of any person y^t breaks downe said Stockadoes shall forfeit for Stockadoe so broak downe y^e summe of 6s . according to former custom, and then said Constable shall order Stockadoes to be sett up againe upon y^e Citties costs.

May 21.—It is concluded y^t a warrant be given to y^e Constables to strain all Inhabitants as have been neglecting in Riding their quota of Stockadoes for y^e Citty walls, and y^t 4 men shall be employed to sett up y^e Stockadoes already Ride upon y^e Cittys costs.

May 24.—It is concluded by y^e authority aforesaid, that a Tax of one hundred pounds be laid and assessed upon y^e Inhabitants of this Citty, and y^t a warrant be issued to y^e assessors of y^e Citty, to make their assessment for y^e same, which shall be collected and received, one half at or before y^e 15th of July next ensueing, and y^e other halle at or before y^e 15th of September then following; y^e assessors are to make their returns to Mr. Mayor in y^e space of eight days ensueing y^e 25th of this instant.

June 7.—Whereas on y^e 24th of May last a warrant was directed to the assessors of this Citty, to make their assessment for £ 100 upon the Inhabitants therein, and to make their return in y^e space of eight days to Mr. Mayor, under hand and scale, which assessment being made and produced to y^e meeting, desyring approbation, but being founde not to be sealed according to order, is given over again to y^e assessors and referred till Harpert Jacobse, Ben. van Corlaer, assessors, come home from New York, to the sealing thereof.

David Schuyler and Jacobus Turke are appointed to inquire if there is any debts still due to Abraham Poel deceased, by Hend. Hanse and others, and make report thereof next Tuesday. . . .

[Sept. 3.—] The Churchwardens of Shinnechtady doe make application to y^e Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen & Common Councill, desyreing two persones to be allowed & appoynted to goe Rounde by y^e Inhabitants of y^e Citty, to see if they can obtain any Contribution to make up y^e Sellary due to there Minister, Do. Freman, whilst on his voyage from Amsterdam to this place, they complayning not to be capable to make out said Sellary by there own Congregation doe therefore desyre assistance.

The Commonality are unanimously of opinion that since they are censible that s^d Church wardens have not informed themselves what there Congregations will Comply to said Sellary, that they first goe and Visite there owne Congregation, and if they doe not obtain said Sellary by them, then to make there application to the Commonality at y^e next Court day.

Sept. 21.—Whereas y^e Church wardens of Shennechtady doe again make application that two persons may be appointed to goe Round by y^e Inhabitants of this Citty to see if they can obtain any contributions for Do. freemans Sellary as there Desyre on y^e 3d of this Instant doth now at large appear. Whereupon y^e Commonality have concluded and doe allow and admitt two or more of s^d Church wardens of Shinnechtady to goe once Round for Contribution to use as aforesaid from y^e Inhabitants of this Citty and no more in y^e time of the Sessions, which will be first and second of October next Ensuing.

Albany y^e 14th of October, A^o 1700.—This day being appointed by y^e Charter of y^e Citty for y^e Aldermen in there respective Wards to make return of y^e aldermen, assistants, assessors & constables for y^e ensueing year, who are as follows . . .

[Nov. 15.—] It is concluded that y^e following Proclamation be proclaimed.

That according to y^e yearly Custome they doe hereby prohibit and forbid y^e Retailing of all sorts of Strong Liquor within this Citty and County, unless by Mr Mayors Lycense, on penalty of forfeiting as a fyne upon such person or persones so offending y^e summe of five pounds, according to act of assembly, as also that no such Retailers shall receive from any Souldier upon any Pretence whatsoever any of there Provisions,

Cloaths, or other accoutrements, or shall retaile to them in their house after y^e ringing of y^e Bell for Eight o’clock at night, upon penalty of forfeiting for each Souldier so founde as aforesaid y^e summe of six shillings for y^e Behooffe of such Person as shall sue for y^e same.

Pursuant to an order of Councill dated y^e 23^d of Sept., and another from his Excellency dated the 16th of October last, Coll. Pr. Schuyler, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonality have hired the house of William Ketelheyn till p^mo May next, for y^e summe of six pounds for two Lefts. and there wifes. Also y^e Chamber on y^e south side of Elisabeth widow of Wouter Utthoft’s house, with the use of her bedd and bedding to p^mo May next, for four pounds term shillings for one Leif^t, with y^e condition that at y^e present y^e magistrates are to supply her with two Blankets, which at y^e Expiration of y^e time as afores^d are to be deducted off y^e hire.

Nov. 26.—Evert Wendell sen. appears in Common Councill and makes Request verbally, that in y^e time of y^e late Gov. Thomas Dongan, orders were issued to demand all Patents or Ground Brieffes belonging to this Citty and County, in which time y^e said Petitioner gave up his Grond Brieffe granted to him by y^e late governor Petrus Stuyvesant for a certain Lott of grounde situate lying and being on y^e south side of y^e Citty, on y^e east side of y^e hill abutting to y^e north of y^e Land and Orchard belonging to Isaac Casperse; and since said Evert Wendel declares that said Ground Brieffe or any other was never returned to him. Doth therefore humbly request of y^e hon. Commonality to grant him a Release for s^d Grounde, which y^e Commonality have taken into Consideration, and have graunted y^e same, ordering a Release to be writte, which shall be signed.

It is concluded that a warrant be issued to y^e fyre masters to vizite y^e

Chimneys and fyre places within this Citty every three weeks, beginning y^e 2d of December next and so continuing during the time of three months, which fyre masters are as follows: Bastiaen Harmense, William Hogen, Warner Carstense, Guysbert Marselis, Tierk Harmense, Jonathan Broadhurst.

J[oel] Munsell, The Annals of Albany (Albany, 1853), IV, 112–120 passim.