“Forty Years Ago” (1866)

FORTY YEARS AGO.—James Wadsworth, eighty years of age, who removed some forty years ago, visited the ‘Burgh a week ago last Wednesday. He resided, when in this village, in the dwelling now occupied by David H. Flack, on River Street. His business then was a grocer. His wife [Harriet Delavan] was a sister of Edward C. Delavan, the great temperance philanthropist. From Lansingburgh he removed to Connecticut, where he has since resided.
After an interval of forty years, during which time he has never visited this place, he came back to see, perhaps for the last time, those of his former companions and acquaintances who may still survive.
Two generations have sprung up and grown to manhood since his removal, and it seems to be a melancholy theme for him to converse upon, as he named over, in our hearing, the names of many of the old inhabitants, concerning whom he enquired with particularity, who have since gone to the silent bourne.
Few, and very few, he ascertained to be living, of the busy throng who once walked our streets. Rufus Barton, Richard L. McDonald, John B. Chipman, Captain Ballard, Captain Hodge, Moses Maullin, George McAuley, John Holmes, Cornelius L. Tracy and a few others completed the catalogue of all his circle of acquaintance whom he could remember.
By the kindness of Mrs. Debora Powers, we have been permitted to peruse a file of the Gazette published at that period by Tracy and Bliss, and are enabled to know who were the prominent business men of the place. The advertisements read rather quaintly now, yet from them we glean many interesting reminiscences.
Elias R. Parmelee heads the list. He has just received a large assortment of drugs and medicines, which he offers for sale on the most accommodating terms. Accommodating terms in those days meant something. For instance, his customers from the country, extending away to the north part of the State, and into Vermont, were not expected to settle oftener than six months, and frequently but once in the year.
“Country merchants, clothiers or physicians, who are desirous of having their goods forwarded on the canal, can have them transported to any boat lying within three miles of this place free of expense!
Our merchants at this day, could not afford to be quite so obliging.
William Hedges has just opened a new flour store, and will be most happy to supply families &c., with that article.
William McMurray is in full blast in his new brush manufactory.
He will pay for “hog’s bristles” clean combed 45 to 62 and 1-2 cents a pound, and for horse and cattle hair from 16 to 18 cents, at his manufactory at the (then) north end of the village.”
Miss Eliza Flack of Troy, offers to sell the newest fashions of millinery articles, at her store opposite the Troy House.
Horace Janes has returned from New York with a heavy stock of Fancy Goods—among others, 175 pieces of Calico, Canton Crapes, Bombazines, Bombazetts, Sarsinetts, Thread and Bobbin Laces, Horse Skin, Kid, Beaver, and Silk Gloves, Worsted, Cotton and Silk Hose, Buckles, &c.—Some of them very fancy, altogether too fine and expensive for our ladies to wear.
Parmelee & Meldrum have commenced the Manufacture of Ale at their Brewery, heretofore occupied by Huntfield & Trenor. This is one of the lost arts.
Alexander Walsh having received an entire cash purchase of 73 packages of Dry Goods and Hardware, as also China, Glass, Crockery, Groceries, &c, “he now fearlessly boasts of the largest and best assorted stock of goods, ever offered in the State.”
John Doyle has opened a new Dry Goods Store opposite Bartons Tavern. He however only sells for cash, and therefore can’t compete with his neighbors.
Calvin Barker & Son, in addition to their drugs and medicines, offer some sixteen different quack medicines with high sounding names.
We presume if they did not do a living business it was not their fault.
William Hart informs us that he has opened a Chair Factory, a few doors north of the Bank and nearly opposite Mrs. Judson’s Tavern. He promises to “keep on hand a complete assortment of Fancy Roll top (gilt and bronze,) Curl Maple, Windsor and Common Chairs.” (That was probably where officer Still now lives.)
John M. Caswell has rebuilt and enlarged his gun manufactory and “will furnish rifles, muskets, fowling pieces, pistols and percussion locks.”