The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1918-01-17

while the eastern half was more than
twO-thirds of Rensselaer, county.
Later additional purchases we're made.
1t was found necessary 10 have a
manor house and place of protection
against the hostile MOhicans and the
Lord PATRON. or the Patroon. as he
was called. ordered his agent to build
fort. This he did in 1641, the date
which is cut on 81 stone in the cellar
wall, inside of this old building. The
brick, shingles and nails used in its
construction were sent from Holland.
The fort was named CrailO after the
PatrOOn's estate near Huizen.
Many times when the Indians be-
came particularly hostile the people
fled to this fort for safety. Two port
holes are still in the front walls Of
this building. There We're nine of these
port holes. In the cellar Is an under
ground passage leading to the well.
1t was made SO that when the house
was surrounded by the enemy, the in
mates could still have water supply.
The well is about u feet from the rear
of the house, and is nearly filed with
water, but is covered with boards. It
was said to be 175 feet deep, and was
famous for the purity of its water. I'm
til recently there were bones In the Gel
lar said to have been the bones of In
dians.
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, died Mt Am
sterdam in 1647, never having visited
America. After time his descend
ants came from Holland, and occupied
this building as n dwelling. AS the
country became more settled, they
rented farms to the coloniStS, and were
to receive annually, as rent, six bushels
Of oats, two pairs of chickens and a
cord of wood or their equivalent in
cash. Many who paid this rent through
two or three generations, for the farms
which they had occupied, refused to
pay 1t longer. This was the commence
ment of the "antirent war;" which was
long and bitter.
Sent Their ''Wash" to Holland.
The Van Rensselaers sent annually
their soiled linen to Holland to be
washed, although the Hudson river
was in front of their home. Two old
chests in which they sent their soiled
linen, were in the attic of this old
house until recently.
An addition was built OH this old
manor house in 1910 and in the early
part of 1900. Italian marble mantels
took the place Of the old wooden ones.
They were the first in this country.
Later they were replaced by the wood
en- ones now In the building.
Doctor Jeremiah Van Rensselaer,
lived here in 1852 and was the last
member of the family to occupy this
house. After his death 1t was owned
by different individuals. The last
gentleman who resided here endeavored
to have bill passed by the legisla-
ture al Albany for it's purchase by the
state. The bill was not passed. and.
soon after, he vacated the house, it
being covered with mortgage"
Anyone seeing this old manor house
a few months after this would not
have had the least doubt Of its being
the oldest building in the United
States. Children played in 1t by day,
and 1t was a rendezvous for tramps at
night. The only reason there was a
whole pane Of glass left was because
1t was beyond the reach of a stone
thrown by the average small boy. Later
1t was sold at auction, and purchased
by company Of ice dealers There are
but few feet left on either side of
this old mansion, as the lawn at the
north was sold last year, and, upon it.
modern dwelling was erected. A
similar fate was awaiting the old
house when 1t was purchased by Mrs.
Susan De Lancy Van Rensselaer,
Strong of New YOry city.
If there is the least doubt about its
being the oldest building in the United
States, it is certainly very old. and of
sufficient historical renown to be
worthy of preservation.