Are you related to someone in the book? The following characters in the fictional journal of Betsey Foot are people who lived in 1813-14. Names, addresses and occupations of Albany individuals are in The Albany Directory of J. Fry. First subscribers of the Union School are identified with a * and the number of pledges is in parentheses. Names of the first students are not known. During this time, men traditionally kept wives and daughters “behind the veil of domestic privacy.” In 1821, the Board of Trustees of Albany Female Academy awarded premiums for scholarship and behavior. Daughters of the men mentioned in Betsey Foot’s journal who won premiums are noted.
*Allen, Moses (2), not in Fry’s 1814 Directory. Daughters, Rebecca (fictional first name) and Sarah (fictional).
*Allen, Solomon (1), Broker, 71 s. Market. Daughter, Ruth (fictional).
Ames, Ezra, Albany portrait painter, 41 s. Pearl. Daughter Maria Lucretia Ames married Reverend William James in 1824. William James’s brother Henry is the father of William James, the psychologist and philosopher, Henry James, the novelist, and Alice James, the diarist.
Backus, E.F., Bookseller, 20 Montgomery. store, 65 State.
Beecher, Lyman (1768-1836), Litchfield, CT. Minister Litchfield Congregational Church. Teacher, Litchfield Female Academy. Married Roxanna Foote, Guilford, CT. Daughters, Catharine Beecher, pioneer of female education, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Mary Foote Beecher Perkins, teacher.
Benne, Henry F., confectioner, 36 n. Market.
Bernard, John, manager theater, 39 Green.
*Bleecker, Nicholas (1), merchant, 32 n. Market. Elizabeth Bleecker won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class, upper school. Catharine Bleecker won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 4th class, upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Bloodgood, Frances, attorney, clerk of the NYS Supreme Court, 1797-1825. 119 Washington, office 122 State St. Margaret Bloodgood, Albany, NY is listed as a student at LFA, 1808-1809. In April 1807, Bloodgood was involved in the political “Battle on State Street.”
Booth, Lebbeus (1784-1859). Graduate of Union College, 1813. Head Master, Union School, 1815-1817 and 1818-1824. Married Lucretia Foot in 1821. He was 37. She was 17. Lebbeus and Lucretia moved to Ballston Spa in 1824 and he opened Ballston Spa Female Seminary.
Boyd, William, jeweler, 9 Steuben Street. Margaret Boyd won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 3rd class upper school. Jane Anne Boyd won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 4th class, upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Brace, John Pierce, Litchfield, CT. Nephew of Miss Pierce. Graduate of Williams College. Teacher at LFA.
Bradford, John M., pastor Dutch Church, 48 n. Market.
Bradstreet, Anne (1612-1672). First American poet to be published in America.
Brenton, Miss, Boarding and Day School, 118 State.
Brinckerhoff, John, 3 Dock Street. Store 103 n. Market. Maria Brinckerhoff received a premium for scholarship and behavior in the first class of the upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Brink, Andrew, captain of the first steamboat, the North River, renamed the Clermont. Steamboat service between Albany and New York began in 1807 . It continued without interruption until the Hudson River Day Line closed in 1947.
Brooks, Jonathan, carpenter, 15 Plain.
Brooks, Jonathan, jun., carpenter, 13 Plain.
Brown, Allen, merchant, 32 Montgomery, store, 43 Quay. His mother Mrs. Brown is fictional.
Brown, James, Cheshire, MA., itinerant painter who traveled throughout Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York. The Lucretia Foot painting is not signed. James Brown is the fictional artist.
*Brown, Edward (1), merchant, 10 Hudson. Store, 1 Hudson. Annabella Brown (fictional). Jane Eliza Brown awarded a premium in the 1st class of the lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Buel, Jesse, founder and printer of the Albany Argus, January 1813. His house, built in 1820, still stands at 637 Western Ave., Albany, NY.
Bull, Dr. Chauncey Dickinson, Lake Street, Stillwater, NY. Family physician in the village during the early 1800s.
Burr, Aaron (1756–1836). Father, Aaron Burr, president of College of New Jersey (Princeton). Graduate of College of New Jersey. Burr and Foot both studied law with Tapping Reeve. Reeve married Aaron Burr's sister.
Burr, Theodosia (1783-1813), only child of Aaron Burr. Born in Albany and baptized in the Dutch Church. Married Joseph Alston, South Carolina rice planter. Drowned at sea, January, 1813.
Bushnell, David (1742-1824), Saybrook, CT. Inventor of the first American Submarine, the Turtle.
Caldwell, James, owner, Albany tobacco plant. Moved to Lake George in 1811. Plant operated by Thomas Boyd.
Caldwell, Joseph, teacher, 25 Steuben. Fictional teacher of Orville Roorback. Fictional marriage to Mrs. Wilson.
*Center, Asa (1), merchant, 4 Water Street, store 1 State. Jane Agnes Center won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
*Clark, James (?), merchant, 1 s. Market. Mary Clark from Albany, NY was a student at LFA 1812-1814. Only the first name James appears on the torn original document. Named by Munsell and Stearns as a first subscriber.
Clark, William, teacher, 39 Montgomery.
Clowes, Timothy, rector, St. Peter’s Church, 1813-1817, Lodge.
Cole, Simon, ferryman, rear of 76 Church.Colt (Coult)Benjamin, (ca 1698-1754), Lyme, CT. Grandfather of Betsey Foot. Married Miriam Harris, 1724.
Colt, Benjamin, Jr. (ca 1737-1781), blacksmith, Hadley MA. Father of Betsey Colt Foot.
Colt, Lucretia Ely (1742-1826), Lyme, CT. Mother of Betsey Colt Foot. Married Benjamin Colt, Jr.. Mother of 10 children, one born every two years. Second marriage to John Walker of Hadley, MA.
Colt, Miriam Harris (1700-1765), Lyme, CT. Grandmother of Betsey Colt Foot.
Cooper, Charles D., 50 State Street. Son in law of John Tayler.
Cook, John, 33 Church, library and reading room, 6 s. Market.
Corning, Erastus (1794-1872), clerk at Spencer’s Hardware in 1814, partner in 1816 and owner 1823. In 1826, Corning bought an iron mill and in 1831 began investing in a New York railroad system. He is the great grandfather of Erastus Corning, II, Albany mayor, 1942-1983.
Crabb, John, teacher, 40 Fox.
Cushman, Paul, potter, 245 Washington Street. His butter urn with the unusual decoration is in the collection of The Albany Institute of History and Art.
Dale, William A.Tweed, teacher, 39 Steuben. Superintendent of The Lancaster School, chartered in Albany in 1812, based on a plan developed by English educator Joseph Lancaster, 1778-1838.
Dalton, William, cartman, 173 s. Market.
*Davis, Nathaniel (?), merchant, 6 Water Street, Store 1 State Street corner of Quay. Sarah Davis won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Davis is not on the original subscription document but is named as a first subscriber by Munsell.
De Witt, Simeon, Surveyor General, 149 s. Market. One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, March 4, 1813.
Doortje, Madame, fictional Albany fortune teller in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, Satanstoe.
Edwards, Isaac, Esq., counsellor, Greenfield, Saratoga County. Married Esther Mattoon Foot (1770-1835), sister of Ebenezer. Foot.
Elliot, Ethalinda Ely (1762-1829). Sister of Dr. John Ely. Married Dr. William Elliot, Goshen, NY.
Ellison, Elizabeth, widow of Reverend Thomas Ellison, rector of St. Peter’s Church, 1787-1802, 34 Montgomery Street. The Fry 1814 Directory list the rector’s widow at 57 Chapel. The author took the liberty of placing her next to the Foots where the Directory lists Ellison, widow Elizabeth. The story of the rector’s Newcastle wife is from Cooper’s novel, Satanstoe
Ely, John, MD, Colonel (1737-1800). Graduate of Yale College, married Sarah Worthington, daughter of Reverend William Worthington, Westbrook, CT. Uncle of Betsey Foot.
*Ely, John (1) (1774-1849), physician and surgeon, 62 n. Market. Son of Colonel John Ely, MD. Cousin of Betsey Foot. Married Abigail Lay. Daughter, Maria, presumably a first student. Surgeon with New York’s Fifth Cavalry Regiment during War of 1812. After the war, he returned to Greenville, NY and founded The Greenville Academy that included a library, a primary school, male and female departments.
Ely, John, Jr., dep. compr. 43 Dock, office 122 State. His relationship to Betsey Foot and Dr. John Ely was not researched. Married Margaret Lee of Saybrook, CT.
Ely, Richard (1610-1684). First settler. Born in Plymouth, England. Married Elizabeth Fenwick Cullick, Saybrook, CT. Died in Lyme, CT.
Ely, William (1647-1717), Lyme, CT. Son of Richard. Survivor of the shipwreck.
Ely, William, son of William. Emancipated his slaves. He died in 1760 and is buried in the Ely Family Cemetery on Ely Ferry Road, Lyme, CT.
Ely, Worthington, MD (1759-1804). Son of Colonel John Ely, MD. Graduate of Yale College. Cousin of Betsey Colt Foot.
Everett, Jesse, 78 S. Market. In Fry’s Directory of 1814, he advertises American Earthen, Stone and Wooden Ware, Cordials, Children’s Toys and Cotton Thread. In 1815, he advertises his services as a Medical Electrician.
Fitgerald, Agnes Dugan, AAG ’24, AAG Elementary School teacher, 1947-1957. Daughter, Patricia, AAG ’55. Son, James, AA ’57.
Foot, Betsey Colt (1774- 1847). Married Ebenezer Foot in Hadley, MA, 1803. Daughter, Lucretia born 1804. Her presence at LFA is a theory proposed by the author.
Foot, Ebenezer (1773-1814) counsellor, 36 Montgomery Street. Completed law studies with Tapping Reeve, Litchfield, CT. Opened a law office in Lansingburgh, NY. Vestryman of Saint Peter’s Church,1809. Drafted subscription document for The Union School, February 24, 1814. Died at the close of the school’s first term. He is not listed as one of the subscribers.
Foot, John, Reverend, Cheshire, CT, 1765 graduate of Yale College. Ebenezer studied privately with this uncle to prepare for entrance to Tapping Reeve’s law school in Litchfield, CT
Foot, Lucretia (1804-1872), daughter of Betsey and Ebenezer. Presumably a first Student at Union School. Married Lebbeus Booth, 1821.
Foot, Nathaniel (1593-1644) first settler. Married Elizabeth Deming. Emigrated from Colchester, England around 1630. Settled in Wethersfield in 1634. Seven children: Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Mary, Robert, Frances, Sarah and Rebecca. The author is descended from Nathaniel. Ebenezer is descended from Robert.
Foot, Samuel Alfred (1790-1878), 36 Montgomery. Brother and law partner of Ebenezer. Union College, Class of 1811.
Foote, Eli (1747-1792), shipping merchant in Murfreesboro, NC. Eli’s daughter Roxanna Foote, Ebenezer’s cousin, married Lyman Beecher, parents of Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Foote, Roxanna, daughter of Eli and Roxanna Foote, married Reverend Lyman Beecher in 1799, died 1816 in Litchfield, CT.
*Fowler, William (1), leather merchant, 33 s. Market, factory Ferry Street. Daughter Mariam, presumably a first student. Mariam married Samuel Foot on 8/17/1818. Louisa and Sarah Fowler won premiums for scholarship and behavior, 1st class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Fry, Joseph, 36 Beaver and 99 State, fire inspector. Collected and arranged the first Albany Directory, 1813.
Gansevoort, Maria, daughter of Peter Gansevoort. Married Allen Melvill, October 14, 1814. Son, Herman Melville (e added to the last name) attended The Albany Academy. Daughters attended Albany Female Academy.
*Gill, Matthew (2), Merchant, 71 n. Market, store 37 State Street. Daughters Martha and Margaret (fictional).
Gillespie, Robert, carpenter, 10 Fox.
Goldberg, John C., professor of music, 22 Hamilton.
Goodrich, Horace, Milton, NY. Graduate of Union College, 1813. Law clerk with Ebenezer and boarder at Foot’s home. First head of The Union School. “His constitution was feeble, studies and duties were pressing, and he soon sank under their accumulated weight, and died of consumption in the year 1815, while still a member of the family of the widow of his patron.” Sketch of the History of the Albany Female Academy, prepared and read by Ebenezer S. Stearns, Principal, 50th Anniversary Commemoration.
*Gould, Thomas (1), hardware business, 18 Montgomery, store 63 State. Eliza Gould won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Gregory, Lucretia Ely (1770-?) married Dr. Uriah M. Gregory, Sand Lake, NY. Cousin of Betsey Foot.
Groesbeeck, C.W., merchant, 39 Montgomery, store 95 n. Market. Son Wilhelm and Daughter Catharine are fictional.
Hamilton, Betsy Schuyler (1757-1854), daughter of Philip Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton.
Haney, Jacob, laborer, 34 Montgomery.
Harris, Rhoda, Headmistress, AAG, 1941-1964.
*Henry, John V. (3), counsellor, 19 Columbia. College of New Jersey. Sons in Albany Academy, AA Board of Trustees, Trustee Lancaster School, Board of Trustees, St. Peter’s Church. Daughters Emma and Dorothy (fictional). Mary Henry won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Henry, Joseph (1797-1878), developer of the electromagnet, inventor of the electromagnetic telegraph. First Secretary and Director of The Smithsonian Institute and founding member of The National Academy of Sciences. Student at The Albany Academy from 1819-1822 and later a teacher at the school.
Henshaw, Martha, LFA student from Albany, 1798.
Hochstrasser, Paul, merchant, organist at St. Peter’s Church, 106 n. Market.
Hollister, Clarence, Music teacher at Albany Academy for Girls, 1942-1968.
Hooker, Philip, architect, 7 Church.
Howe, George Augustus, Lord Viscount (1725-1758), Brigadier General in British Army, killed in French and Indian War. A commemorative tablet indicates his burial site at St. Peter’s Church, Albany.
*Hutton, Isaac (1) (1766-1855), silversmith, 15-17 Columbia Street. Daughter Margaret (fictional).
Jenkins, Elisha (1772-1849), a Quaker and outspoken Anti-Federalist. New York State Assemblyman. Columbia County Treasurer. New York State Comptroller (1801-1806). NY Secretary of State (1806-1807, 1808-1810 and 1811-1813). Mayor of Albany (1816-1819).
Kane, James, merchant, store 45 Dock. Julia Kane won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class upper school. AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Kane was one of the men who lent money to Samuel and would not accept repayment.
*Kent, James (1) (1764-1847), Chief Justice, 21 Columbia, Yale College, 1781. Married Elizabeth Bailey (Betsy). Daughter Mary Kent Stone was a first students and in 1893 sketched her recollection of the first school building.
*Knower, Benjamin (1), hatter, 41 s. Market. Hat factory, Route 145, Altamont, NY. First student, Cornelia? In 1825 Cornelia Knower married William Marcy in the Knower’s Altamont house that still stands.
Lansing, John A., baker, 33 s. Pearl.
Lattimer, Benjamin, cartman, 9 Plain. Lattimer was born in Wethersfield and served in the American Revolution. Baptized in First Presbyterian Church. Dina (last name not known) was a servant in the home of G.W. Mancius, physician. Children Benjamin (1793) William (1805) Betsy (1806) and Mary (1808).
Lee, Ezra (1749-1821), Lyme, CT. operated David Bushnell’s first submarine, the Turtle, to attack British ship in New York Harbor, September, 1776.
Lydius, Baltus (Balthazar), 104 n. Pearl at State. There are many Albany tales about Lydius.
M’Donald, D., hair-dresser and bathing house, 7 Beaver.
M’Intyre, Archibald, compr. 41 n. Pearl, office 122 State. Chairman of The Albany Academy building committee, 1813.
Mancius, G.W.. 22 Montgomery, post office 10 s. Market, pharmacy. Anna Mancius won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Mancius, Jacob, sheriff, 74 n. Market. Anna Mancius could be Jacob’s daughter.
Marcy, William (1786-1857, Governor of New York State, 1833-1838. Married Cornelia Knower. Their home on Elk Street still stands.The highest peak in the Adirondacks is named Mount Marcy.
*Marvin, Uriah (2), merchant, 2 Water, store 3 State. Louisa Meads won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 3rd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Meads, John, cabinet maker, 29 Maiden Lane. Charlotte Meads, won a premium in the 4th class of the upper school. Louisa Meads, won a premium in the 3rd class of the lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Son’s drowning is fictional.
Melvill, Allan, married Maria Gansevoort, October 14, 1814. Son, Herman Melville attended The Albany Academy. Daughters attend The Albany Female Academy. E added to surname by Maria after Allan died, bankrupt.Moore, Richard, lamp lighter, 211 s. Pearl.
Napoleon, Le Petit Caporal. Black and white, (now called “tuxedo”) cats from Amsterdam were common in Dutch New York.
Niell, William, pastor of Presbyterian Church, 72 Lydius.
North, Samuel, Ebenezer’s law partner and boarder in the Foot home. Died 1813, Albany, NY. The Stillwater family is fictional.
Norton, John, mason, 59 Van Schaick.
Nott, Eliphalet, graduate of Rhode Island College (Brown University). President of Union College, 1804-1868.
Nugent, Mrs. John, Seminary for Young Ladies, Van Schee. Her story is fictional.
Pierce, Sarah (1767-1852), Litchfield, CT, founder of Litchfield Female Academy (LFA), 1792-1833.
Price, Lucretia Colt, sister of Betsey Colt Foot, died in Ballston Spa, 1833.
Pye, John, owner of an Inn on the Albany-Troy Road. The robbery account is from Hess, People of Albany.
Redstone, New York City, manufacturer of organs.
Reeve, Tapping (1744-1823), Graduate of College of New Jersey (Princeton). Tutored Aaron and Sally Burr. Married Sally Burr. Founded Tapping Reeve’s Law School, Litchfield, CT, 1784-1833.
*Reid, John (1), merchant, 79 n, Market. Daughter Emily (fictional).
Robertson, actor, no listing in Fry’s 1814 Directory.
Robinson and Vanderbilt, coachmakers, 27 Church.
*Roorback Arthur (?), steamboat captain, 26 Montgomery. Fanny Roorback received a 4th class upper school premium for scholarship and behavior, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. On the original subscription document, the lower right hand corner is torn. Only Roorb--- appears. Named by Munsell as a first subscriber.
Ross, Mrs. Elizabeth, 38 Dock Street, gentleman boarders.
*Russell, Joseph (1), painter, Water Street, store, 100 n. Market. Daughter Abigail (fictional).
*Russell, Thomas (3), painter, 38 Montgomery, store 100 n. Market. Daughters, Julia, Mary and Isabelle (fictional). The three daughters married and remained in Albany and were present at the fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Scoville, Hannah (fictional). Eliza Scoville, Watertown, CT was a student at LFA in 1802. Silas Scoville married Sabrea Foot and inherited the Foot farm in Watertown.
*Scrymser, James (1), grocer, 40 Montgomery Street. Daughter Katrina (fictional). In 1864, Principal Eben Stearns erroneously lists the subscriber as Seymour.
Skinner, R.C., dentist, 24 Beaver. Credentials provided in 1814 Fry Directory.
Southwick, Green Street Theater actor. Not listed in Fry’s Directory of 1814.
*Stearns, John (1), physician, 80 n. Market. Daughter Sally (fictional). James S is visible on the original document. Named by Stearns and Munsell as a first subscriber.
*Stewart, Gilbert (1), merchant, 69 Hudson. Daughter Elizabeth (fictional).
Spenser, John, merchant, 11 s. Market (Hardware Row).
Tayler, John (1743-1829), 50 State. New York State Senator, 1802-1813. Acting Lieutenant Governor in August 1810 after the death of Lt. Governor John Broome until June 1811 when De Witt Clinton was elected. Lt. Gov. Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1813 and 1816 with Daniel D. Tompkins as Governor. One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, 3/4/1813. Vestryman at St. Peter’s Church
*TenEyck, Harmanus (1), 98 n. Market. Daughter Betsey (fictional).
Thompson, Catharine B., Young Ladies School, 38 Columbia.
Townsend, Charles D., physician, 63 n. Market,
Trowbridge, Henry, 51 Hudson, proprietor, The New York State Museum, Old City-Hall, s. Market.
Van Antwerp, widow, grocer, 11 n. Pearl
Vander Heyden, Jacob, 85 n. Pearl. The flying iron horse weathervane atop his “palace” was later moved to the southern gable of Washington Irving’s home in Tarrytown, NY.
Van Rensselaer, Solomon, adjt. general, 76 n. Pearl. Served in War of 1812 as lieutenant colonel. Wounded at the Battle of Queenstown Heights. A federalist, he was involved in the Battle on State Street after he attacked Elisha Jenkins. Acquired, Cherry Hill.
Van Rensselaer, hon.Philip S. mayor, State.
Van Rensselaer, Stephen III, “The Good Patroon, benefactor and first President, The Albany Academy Board of Trustees, 1813.
*Van Vechten, Abraham (1), 2 n. Market, Attorney General of NY State, Daughter, Kathryn (fictional). One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, 3/4/1813.
Watson, Elkanah (1758-1842), born in Plymouth, MA. Moved to Albany in 1790, promotor of public works and development in Albany. Left Albany between 1807-1816.
Wells, Seth, early Albany School master, 1796-1800.
Westerlo, Rensselaer, counsellor, 72 n. Pearl. Cornelia Westerlo won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Willard, Emma Hart (1783-1870). Pioneer of female education. Taught in Berlin, CT, Westfield, MA, and Middlebury, VT. Founded Middlebury Female Seminary in 1814, Waterford Academy (1819), and Troy Female Seminary (1821). Name changed to Emma Willard School.
Willett, Edward, counsellor, 18 s. Pearl, member of St. Peter’s Church.Wilson, widow Martha, teacher, 39 Steuben. Marriage to Mr. Caldwell is fictional.
Winne, Cornelia, won a premium for scholarship and behavior in the 4th class of the upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Winne, William B., letter carrier, 57 Orange.
Wood, William, printer and silhouette artist, 92 Beaver.
Worthington, Daniel, constable, 184 s. Pearl.
Yates, Christopher C., physician, 71 n. Pearl.
Young, Thomas, comedian, 66 Lydius.
*Allen, Moses (2), not in Fry’s 1814 Directory. Daughters, Rebecca (fictional first name) and Sarah (fictional).
*Allen, Solomon (1), Broker, 71 s. Market. Daughter, Ruth (fictional).
Ames, Ezra, Albany portrait painter, 41 s. Pearl. Daughter Maria Lucretia Ames married Reverend William James in 1824. William James’s brother Henry is the father of William James, the psychologist and philosopher, Henry James, the novelist, and Alice James, the diarist.
Backus, E.F., Bookseller, 20 Montgomery. store, 65 State.
Beecher, Lyman (1768-1836), Litchfield, CT. Minister Litchfield Congregational Church. Teacher, Litchfield Female Academy. Married Roxanna Foote, Guilford, CT. Daughters, Catharine Beecher, pioneer of female education, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Mary Foote Beecher Perkins, teacher.
Benne, Henry F., confectioner, 36 n. Market.
Bernard, John, manager theater, 39 Green.
*Bleecker, Nicholas (1), merchant, 32 n. Market. Elizabeth Bleecker won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class, upper school. Catharine Bleecker won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 4th class, upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Bloodgood, Frances, attorney, clerk of the NYS Supreme Court, 1797-1825. 119 Washington, office 122 State St. Margaret Bloodgood, Albany, NY is listed as a student at LFA, 1808-1809. In April 1807, Bloodgood was involved in the political “Battle on State Street.”
Booth, Lebbeus (1784-1859). Graduate of Union College, 1813. Head Master, Union School, 1815-1817 and 1818-1824. Married Lucretia Foot in 1821. He was 37. She was 17. Lebbeus and Lucretia moved to Ballston Spa in 1824 and he opened Ballston Spa Female Seminary.
Boyd, William, jeweler, 9 Steuben Street. Margaret Boyd won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 3rd class upper school. Jane Anne Boyd won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 4th class, upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Brace, John Pierce, Litchfield, CT. Nephew of Miss Pierce. Graduate of Williams College. Teacher at LFA.
Bradford, John M., pastor Dutch Church, 48 n. Market.
Bradstreet, Anne (1612-1672). First American poet to be published in America.
Brenton, Miss, Boarding and Day School, 118 State.
Brinckerhoff, John, 3 Dock Street. Store 103 n. Market. Maria Brinckerhoff received a premium for scholarship and behavior in the first class of the upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Brink, Andrew, captain of the first steamboat, the North River, renamed the Clermont. Steamboat service between Albany and New York began in 1807 . It continued without interruption until the Hudson River Day Line closed in 1947.
Brooks, Jonathan, carpenter, 15 Plain.
Brooks, Jonathan, jun., carpenter, 13 Plain.
Brown, Allen, merchant, 32 Montgomery, store, 43 Quay. His mother Mrs. Brown is fictional.
Brown, James, Cheshire, MA., itinerant painter who traveled throughout Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York. The Lucretia Foot painting is not signed. James Brown is the fictional artist.
*Brown, Edward (1), merchant, 10 Hudson. Store, 1 Hudson. Annabella Brown (fictional). Jane Eliza Brown awarded a premium in the 1st class of the lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Buel, Jesse, founder and printer of the Albany Argus, January 1813. His house, built in 1820, still stands at 637 Western Ave., Albany, NY.
Bull, Dr. Chauncey Dickinson, Lake Street, Stillwater, NY. Family physician in the village during the early 1800s.
Burr, Aaron (1756–1836). Father, Aaron Burr, president of College of New Jersey (Princeton). Graduate of College of New Jersey. Burr and Foot both studied law with Tapping Reeve. Reeve married Aaron Burr's sister.
Burr, Theodosia (1783-1813), only child of Aaron Burr. Born in Albany and baptized in the Dutch Church. Married Joseph Alston, South Carolina rice planter. Drowned at sea, January, 1813.
Bushnell, David (1742-1824), Saybrook, CT. Inventor of the first American Submarine, the Turtle.
Caldwell, James, owner, Albany tobacco plant. Moved to Lake George in 1811. Plant operated by Thomas Boyd.
Caldwell, Joseph, teacher, 25 Steuben. Fictional teacher of Orville Roorback. Fictional marriage to Mrs. Wilson.
*Center, Asa (1), merchant, 4 Water Street, store 1 State. Jane Agnes Center won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
*Clark, James (?), merchant, 1 s. Market. Mary Clark from Albany, NY was a student at LFA 1812-1814. Only the first name James appears on the torn original document. Named by Munsell and Stearns as a first subscriber.
Clark, William, teacher, 39 Montgomery.
Clowes, Timothy, rector, St. Peter’s Church, 1813-1817, Lodge.
Cole, Simon, ferryman, rear of 76 Church.Colt (Coult)Benjamin, (ca 1698-1754), Lyme, CT. Grandfather of Betsey Foot. Married Miriam Harris, 1724.
Colt, Benjamin, Jr. (ca 1737-1781), blacksmith, Hadley MA. Father of Betsey Colt Foot.
Colt, Lucretia Ely (1742-1826), Lyme, CT. Mother of Betsey Colt Foot. Married Benjamin Colt, Jr.. Mother of 10 children, one born every two years. Second marriage to John Walker of Hadley, MA.
Colt, Miriam Harris (1700-1765), Lyme, CT. Grandmother of Betsey Colt Foot.
Cooper, Charles D., 50 State Street. Son in law of John Tayler.
Cook, John, 33 Church, library and reading room, 6 s. Market.
Corning, Erastus (1794-1872), clerk at Spencer’s Hardware in 1814, partner in 1816 and owner 1823. In 1826, Corning bought an iron mill and in 1831 began investing in a New York railroad system. He is the great grandfather of Erastus Corning, II, Albany mayor, 1942-1983.
Crabb, John, teacher, 40 Fox.
Cushman, Paul, potter, 245 Washington Street. His butter urn with the unusual decoration is in the collection of The Albany Institute of History and Art.
Dale, William A.Tweed, teacher, 39 Steuben. Superintendent of The Lancaster School, chartered in Albany in 1812, based on a plan developed by English educator Joseph Lancaster, 1778-1838.
Dalton, William, cartman, 173 s. Market.
*Davis, Nathaniel (?), merchant, 6 Water Street, Store 1 State Street corner of Quay. Sarah Davis won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Davis is not on the original subscription document but is named as a first subscriber by Munsell.
De Witt, Simeon, Surveyor General, 149 s. Market. One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, March 4, 1813.
Doortje, Madame, fictional Albany fortune teller in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, Satanstoe.
Edwards, Isaac, Esq., counsellor, Greenfield, Saratoga County. Married Esther Mattoon Foot (1770-1835), sister of Ebenezer. Foot.
Elliot, Ethalinda Ely (1762-1829). Sister of Dr. John Ely. Married Dr. William Elliot, Goshen, NY.
Ellison, Elizabeth, widow of Reverend Thomas Ellison, rector of St. Peter’s Church, 1787-1802, 34 Montgomery Street. The Fry 1814 Directory list the rector’s widow at 57 Chapel. The author took the liberty of placing her next to the Foots where the Directory lists Ellison, widow Elizabeth. The story of the rector’s Newcastle wife is from Cooper’s novel, Satanstoe
Ely, John, MD, Colonel (1737-1800). Graduate of Yale College, married Sarah Worthington, daughter of Reverend William Worthington, Westbrook, CT. Uncle of Betsey Foot.
*Ely, John (1) (1774-1849), physician and surgeon, 62 n. Market. Son of Colonel John Ely, MD. Cousin of Betsey Foot. Married Abigail Lay. Daughter, Maria, presumably a first student. Surgeon with New York’s Fifth Cavalry Regiment during War of 1812. After the war, he returned to Greenville, NY and founded The Greenville Academy that included a library, a primary school, male and female departments.
Ely, John, Jr., dep. compr. 43 Dock, office 122 State. His relationship to Betsey Foot and Dr. John Ely was not researched. Married Margaret Lee of Saybrook, CT.
Ely, Richard (1610-1684). First settler. Born in Plymouth, England. Married Elizabeth Fenwick Cullick, Saybrook, CT. Died in Lyme, CT.
Ely, William (1647-1717), Lyme, CT. Son of Richard. Survivor of the shipwreck.
Ely, William, son of William. Emancipated his slaves. He died in 1760 and is buried in the Ely Family Cemetery on Ely Ferry Road, Lyme, CT.
Ely, Worthington, MD (1759-1804). Son of Colonel John Ely, MD. Graduate of Yale College. Cousin of Betsey Colt Foot.
Everett, Jesse, 78 S. Market. In Fry’s Directory of 1814, he advertises American Earthen, Stone and Wooden Ware, Cordials, Children’s Toys and Cotton Thread. In 1815, he advertises his services as a Medical Electrician.
Fitgerald, Agnes Dugan, AAG ’24, AAG Elementary School teacher, 1947-1957. Daughter, Patricia, AAG ’55. Son, James, AA ’57.
Foot, Betsey Colt (1774- 1847). Married Ebenezer Foot in Hadley, MA, 1803. Daughter, Lucretia born 1804. Her presence at LFA is a theory proposed by the author.
Foot, Ebenezer (1773-1814) counsellor, 36 Montgomery Street. Completed law studies with Tapping Reeve, Litchfield, CT. Opened a law office in Lansingburgh, NY. Vestryman of Saint Peter’s Church,1809. Drafted subscription document for The Union School, February 24, 1814. Died at the close of the school’s first term. He is not listed as one of the subscribers.
Foot, John, Reverend, Cheshire, CT, 1765 graduate of Yale College. Ebenezer studied privately with this uncle to prepare for entrance to Tapping Reeve’s law school in Litchfield, CT
Foot, Lucretia (1804-1872), daughter of Betsey and Ebenezer. Presumably a first Student at Union School. Married Lebbeus Booth, 1821.
Foot, Nathaniel (1593-1644) first settler. Married Elizabeth Deming. Emigrated from Colchester, England around 1630. Settled in Wethersfield in 1634. Seven children: Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Mary, Robert, Frances, Sarah and Rebecca. The author is descended from Nathaniel. Ebenezer is descended from Robert.
Foot, Samuel Alfred (1790-1878), 36 Montgomery. Brother and law partner of Ebenezer. Union College, Class of 1811.
Foote, Eli (1747-1792), shipping merchant in Murfreesboro, NC. Eli’s daughter Roxanna Foote, Ebenezer’s cousin, married Lyman Beecher, parents of Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Foote, Roxanna, daughter of Eli and Roxanna Foote, married Reverend Lyman Beecher in 1799, died 1816 in Litchfield, CT.
*Fowler, William (1), leather merchant, 33 s. Market, factory Ferry Street. Daughter Mariam, presumably a first student. Mariam married Samuel Foot on 8/17/1818. Louisa and Sarah Fowler won premiums for scholarship and behavior, 1st class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Fry, Joseph, 36 Beaver and 99 State, fire inspector. Collected and arranged the first Albany Directory, 1813.
Gansevoort, Maria, daughter of Peter Gansevoort. Married Allen Melvill, October 14, 1814. Son, Herman Melville (e added to the last name) attended The Albany Academy. Daughters attended Albany Female Academy.
*Gill, Matthew (2), Merchant, 71 n. Market, store 37 State Street. Daughters Martha and Margaret (fictional).
Gillespie, Robert, carpenter, 10 Fox.
Goldberg, John C., professor of music, 22 Hamilton.
Goodrich, Horace, Milton, NY. Graduate of Union College, 1813. Law clerk with Ebenezer and boarder at Foot’s home. First head of The Union School. “His constitution was feeble, studies and duties were pressing, and he soon sank under their accumulated weight, and died of consumption in the year 1815, while still a member of the family of the widow of his patron.” Sketch of the History of the Albany Female Academy, prepared and read by Ebenezer S. Stearns, Principal, 50th Anniversary Commemoration.
*Gould, Thomas (1), hardware business, 18 Montgomery, store 63 State. Eliza Gould won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Gregory, Lucretia Ely (1770-?) married Dr. Uriah M. Gregory, Sand Lake, NY. Cousin of Betsey Foot.
Groesbeeck, C.W., merchant, 39 Montgomery, store 95 n. Market. Son Wilhelm and Daughter Catharine are fictional.
Hamilton, Betsy Schuyler (1757-1854), daughter of Philip Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton.
Haney, Jacob, laborer, 34 Montgomery.
Harris, Rhoda, Headmistress, AAG, 1941-1964.
*Henry, John V. (3), counsellor, 19 Columbia. College of New Jersey. Sons in Albany Academy, AA Board of Trustees, Trustee Lancaster School, Board of Trustees, St. Peter’s Church. Daughters Emma and Dorothy (fictional). Mary Henry won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Henry, Joseph (1797-1878), developer of the electromagnet, inventor of the electromagnetic telegraph. First Secretary and Director of The Smithsonian Institute and founding member of The National Academy of Sciences. Student at The Albany Academy from 1819-1822 and later a teacher at the school.
Henshaw, Martha, LFA student from Albany, 1798.
Hochstrasser, Paul, merchant, organist at St. Peter’s Church, 106 n. Market.
Hollister, Clarence, Music teacher at Albany Academy for Girls, 1942-1968.
Hooker, Philip, architect, 7 Church.
Howe, George Augustus, Lord Viscount (1725-1758), Brigadier General in British Army, killed in French and Indian War. A commemorative tablet indicates his burial site at St. Peter’s Church, Albany.
*Hutton, Isaac (1) (1766-1855), silversmith, 15-17 Columbia Street. Daughter Margaret (fictional).
Jenkins, Elisha (1772-1849), a Quaker and outspoken Anti-Federalist. New York State Assemblyman. Columbia County Treasurer. New York State Comptroller (1801-1806). NY Secretary of State (1806-1807, 1808-1810 and 1811-1813). Mayor of Albany (1816-1819).
Kane, James, merchant, store 45 Dock. Julia Kane won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 1st class upper school. AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Kane was one of the men who lent money to Samuel and would not accept repayment.
*Kent, James (1) (1764-1847), Chief Justice, 21 Columbia, Yale College, 1781. Married Elizabeth Bailey (Betsy). Daughter Mary Kent Stone was a first students and in 1893 sketched her recollection of the first school building.
*Knower, Benjamin (1), hatter, 41 s. Market. Hat factory, Route 145, Altamont, NY. First student, Cornelia? In 1825 Cornelia Knower married William Marcy in the Knower’s Altamont house that still stands.
Lansing, John A., baker, 33 s. Pearl.
Lattimer, Benjamin, cartman, 9 Plain. Lattimer was born in Wethersfield and served in the American Revolution. Baptized in First Presbyterian Church. Dina (last name not known) was a servant in the home of G.W. Mancius, physician. Children Benjamin (1793) William (1805) Betsy (1806) and Mary (1808).
Lee, Ezra (1749-1821), Lyme, CT. operated David Bushnell’s first submarine, the Turtle, to attack British ship in New York Harbor, September, 1776.
Lydius, Baltus (Balthazar), 104 n. Pearl at State. There are many Albany tales about Lydius.
M’Donald, D., hair-dresser and bathing house, 7 Beaver.
M’Intyre, Archibald, compr. 41 n. Pearl, office 122 State. Chairman of The Albany Academy building committee, 1813.
Mancius, G.W.. 22 Montgomery, post office 10 s. Market, pharmacy. Anna Mancius won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Mancius, Jacob, sheriff, 74 n. Market. Anna Mancius could be Jacob’s daughter.
Marcy, William (1786-1857, Governor of New York State, 1833-1838. Married Cornelia Knower. Their home on Elk Street still stands.The highest peak in the Adirondacks is named Mount Marcy.
*Marvin, Uriah (2), merchant, 2 Water, store 3 State. Louisa Meads won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 3rd class lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Meads, John, cabinet maker, 29 Maiden Lane. Charlotte Meads, won a premium in the 4th class of the upper school. Louisa Meads, won a premium in the 3rd class of the lower school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. Son’s drowning is fictional.
Melvill, Allan, married Maria Gansevoort, October 14, 1814. Son, Herman Melville attended The Albany Academy. Daughters attend The Albany Female Academy. E added to surname by Maria after Allan died, bankrupt.Moore, Richard, lamp lighter, 211 s. Pearl.
Napoleon, Le Petit Caporal. Black and white, (now called “tuxedo”) cats from Amsterdam were common in Dutch New York.
Niell, William, pastor of Presbyterian Church, 72 Lydius.
North, Samuel, Ebenezer’s law partner and boarder in the Foot home. Died 1813, Albany, NY. The Stillwater family is fictional.
Norton, John, mason, 59 Van Schaick.
Nott, Eliphalet, graduate of Rhode Island College (Brown University). President of Union College, 1804-1868.
Nugent, Mrs. John, Seminary for Young Ladies, Van Schee. Her story is fictional.
Pierce, Sarah (1767-1852), Litchfield, CT, founder of Litchfield Female Academy (LFA), 1792-1833.
Price, Lucretia Colt, sister of Betsey Colt Foot, died in Ballston Spa, 1833.
Pye, John, owner of an Inn on the Albany-Troy Road. The robbery account is from Hess, People of Albany.
Redstone, New York City, manufacturer of organs.
Reeve, Tapping (1744-1823), Graduate of College of New Jersey (Princeton). Tutored Aaron and Sally Burr. Married Sally Burr. Founded Tapping Reeve’s Law School, Litchfield, CT, 1784-1833.
*Reid, John (1), merchant, 79 n, Market. Daughter Emily (fictional).
Robertson, actor, no listing in Fry’s 1814 Directory.
Robinson and Vanderbilt, coachmakers, 27 Church.
*Roorback Arthur (?), steamboat captain, 26 Montgomery. Fanny Roorback received a 4th class upper school premium for scholarship and behavior, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821. On the original subscription document, the lower right hand corner is torn. Only Roorb--- appears. Named by Munsell as a first subscriber.
Ross, Mrs. Elizabeth, 38 Dock Street, gentleman boarders.
*Russell, Joseph (1), painter, Water Street, store, 100 n. Market. Daughter Abigail (fictional).
*Russell, Thomas (3), painter, 38 Montgomery, store 100 n. Market. Daughters, Julia, Mary and Isabelle (fictional). The three daughters married and remained in Albany and were present at the fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Scoville, Hannah (fictional). Eliza Scoville, Watertown, CT was a student at LFA in 1802. Silas Scoville married Sabrea Foot and inherited the Foot farm in Watertown.
*Scrymser, James (1), grocer, 40 Montgomery Street. Daughter Katrina (fictional). In 1864, Principal Eben Stearns erroneously lists the subscriber as Seymour.
Skinner, R.C., dentist, 24 Beaver. Credentials provided in 1814 Fry Directory.
Southwick, Green Street Theater actor. Not listed in Fry’s Directory of 1814.
*Stearns, John (1), physician, 80 n. Market. Daughter Sally (fictional). James S is visible on the original document. Named by Stearns and Munsell as a first subscriber.
*Stewart, Gilbert (1), merchant, 69 Hudson. Daughter Elizabeth (fictional).
Spenser, John, merchant, 11 s. Market (Hardware Row).
Tayler, John (1743-1829), 50 State. New York State Senator, 1802-1813. Acting Lieutenant Governor in August 1810 after the death of Lt. Governor John Broome until June 1811 when De Witt Clinton was elected. Lt. Gov. Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1813 and 1816 with Daniel D. Tompkins as Governor. One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, 3/4/1813. Vestryman at St. Peter’s Church
*TenEyck, Harmanus (1), 98 n. Market. Daughter Betsey (fictional).
Thompson, Catharine B., Young Ladies School, 38 Columbia.
Townsend, Charles D., physician, 63 n. Market,
Trowbridge, Henry, 51 Hudson, proprietor, The New York State Museum, Old City-Hall, s. Market.
Van Antwerp, widow, grocer, 11 n. Pearl
Vander Heyden, Jacob, 85 n. Pearl. The flying iron horse weathervane atop his “palace” was later moved to the southern gable of Washington Irving’s home in Tarrytown, NY.
Van Rensselaer, Solomon, adjt. general, 76 n. Pearl. Served in War of 1812 as lieutenant colonel. Wounded at the Battle of Queenstown Heights. A federalist, he was involved in the Battle on State Street after he attacked Elisha Jenkins. Acquired, Cherry Hill.
Van Rensselaer, hon.Philip S. mayor, State.
Van Rensselaer, Stephen III, “The Good Patroon, benefactor and first President, The Albany Academy Board of Trustees, 1813.
*Van Vechten, Abraham (1), 2 n. Market, Attorney General of NY State, Daughter, Kathryn (fictional). One of the Regents of the State of New York that granted The Albany Academy Charter, 3/4/1813.
Watson, Elkanah (1758-1842), born in Plymouth, MA. Moved to Albany in 1790, promotor of public works and development in Albany. Left Albany between 1807-1816.
Wells, Seth, early Albany School master, 1796-1800.
Westerlo, Rensselaer, counsellor, 72 n. Pearl. Cornelia Westerlo won a premium for scholarship and behavior, 2nd class upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Willard, Emma Hart (1783-1870). Pioneer of female education. Taught in Berlin, CT, Westfield, MA, and Middlebury, VT. Founded Middlebury Female Seminary in 1814, Waterford Academy (1819), and Troy Female Seminary (1821). Name changed to Emma Willard School.
Willett, Edward, counsellor, 18 s. Pearl, member of St. Peter’s Church.Wilson, widow Martha, teacher, 39 Steuben. Marriage to Mr. Caldwell is fictional.
Winne, Cornelia, won a premium for scholarship and behavior in the 4th class of the upper school, AFA Board of Trustees Minutes, August 1821.
Winne, William B., letter carrier, 57 Orange.
Wood, William, printer and silhouette artist, 92 Beaver.
Worthington, Daniel, constable, 184 s. Pearl.
Yates, Christopher C., physician, 71 n. Pearl.
Young, Thomas, comedian, 66 Lydius.