New-York tribune., 1886-04-05
IN THE NAME OF HARMANUS BLEECKER
4 VALUABLE GIFT TO THE CITY OF ALBANY CAR
RYING OUT A LONG-CnE RlsHED PUkPOsE.

4 VALUABLE GIFT TO THE CITY OF ALBANY CAR
RYING OUT A LoNG-chERlSHED PURPOSE.
ALBANY, April 4.-The City of Albany has
fallen into a fortune of 100000 Harmanus Bleecker
intended to leave money to the city, but when he died
he left it ALL with the exception OF unmportaDt
personal bequests. to his wife, Sne Holland woman.
was Of great frmness of mind and nobility Of character
1t was no1iesse oUige with her, when she was
about marry again some years after her
husbands death, to make all the property
left her by her husband to pubcsprited citizen who
knew him intimately for the purpose of carrying ont his
Intentions lie in his will left the property another
the first grantor retaining life interest and upon
DEATH the estate being settled the money is ready
be applied for the city's benefit The property
after the lapse OF nearly four decades, complete
aud unimpaired.
Harmanus Bleecker was Of old Knickerbocker stock
lie was the fifth in descent from Jan Jansen Blocker
came from Holland 10 New Amsterdam In l65S aud
settled subsequently i'll Albany where he
OF ninety zone years, 1892. lie OF first
aldermen of Albany named IN its charter OF 1856. and
aferward held office OF Recorder from 500 1899
and Mayor in 1900. Two OF his four kutgor
johannes. he'd also the Offices of Recorder and Mayor
The portrait of Mr Blocker by Homes. which hangs
IN the reading of the Young Mems Association
name frequently found In the PAGES OF the law reports
OF his time. In connection with mpora Mt Among
his students we're David Dudley Field and Bradford K
Wood. In politics he was Federast and represented
his district the XIlh Congress 1911 to 1873 Later
Charge dArsres the Hsgne by his friend President
Van Buren. Although not graduate OF college. he had
-
PM Kappa OF Union aud received from that college
the degree OF Doctor of Laws He a OF the
Dutch language and literature, and accumulated
library considerable in its day, and specially
90 now in its wealth Of local history. II
his plan found library some educational
stitute, which should have his name and hand down
with honor to future generations lie married while
Holland Sebastina MentZ. OF Arnhem and years
passed away without the advent OF heir his deter
fnination TO leave his fortune fixed Sing
ulary enough however, he made no mention Of IN his
will which recorded in 1s49, trusting everything TO
his wife.
naar, Holland. and upon dOiug a deed
for OF Mr. Beecker TO John " L. Pruyn. who
was out the weknOwn wishes OF Har-
hpanus Bleecker Mr. Pruyn, no diod in 1877.
estate Ainasx Parker absolutely and uncoDdition-
ally. that the honorable confidence reposed In
will thus be faithfully respected and fulfilled" Mr.
Coster died several years ago and the widow in April
last. and Mr. Parker is now preparing To fulfil his trust
Al the time Of the death Of Mr.. Beecker the
tale worth about $4,000. Since that time
part OF IL has Increased aud part decreased
In value. The real Is valued
by the assessors at S63 400 the bank stock ia worth
valued So 500 and the railroad stock Is also Of
adorable value aud the whole IL supposed 10 be worth
about 100000.
1t believed by that the intention OF Mr.
Bleecker found public br AIRY. and that he only
deferred from doing by his desire to do something for
the Unitarian Cburcn. OF Will he active mem
Der. his library placed deposit" by Mrs.
Coster with the state Library "or public part of
your library, and In all respects at rlsk" she
position OF the library known Mr.. Pruyn,
the chairman OF your Library Committee" What
Judge Parker appear. TO know hut IT ia believed that
public hall will he erected with the funds which
library and that OF the Young Mems Association will
eeposIted, the whole to be made froe the public
Judge Parker says that nothing shall be undertaken
that cannot he completed the funds without relying
hpon expectations from other quarter aud that the
bany will celebrate her b-centennial with happy
lace In the expectation OF her good fortune.