The Tomahawk., 1918-01-24

Many times when the Indians De-
came particularly hostile the people
fled to this fort for safety. Two port
holes are still In the front walls OF
this building. There were nine Of these
port holes. In the cellar is an under
ground passage leading to the we'll.
1t was made so that when the house
was surrounded by the enemy, the in
mates could still have a water supply.
The we'll is about IL feet from the rear
Of the house, and is nearly filled with
water, but is covered with boards. 1t
was said to be 175 feet deep, and was
famous for the purity of its water. Un-
til recently there were bones in the cell
lar said to have been the bones of In
dams. Perhaps they were put there
through the trap door still seen in the
floor.
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, died AT Am
sterlam in 1647, never having visited
America. After n time his descend
ants came from Holland, and occupied
this building rs dwelling. AS the
country became more settled, they
rented farms to the cOlonists, and were
to receive annually, rs rent, six bushels
of oats two pairs Of chickens and u
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 it longer. This was the commence
ment of the "antirent war;" which was
long and bitter.
Sent Their "Wash" to Holland.
The Van Rensselners sent annually
their soilcd 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, we're in the attic of this old
house until recently.
An addition was built on this old
manor house in 174O, and in the early
part Of 1900, Italian marble mnntels
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 1859. 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 n bill passed by the legisla-
ture ut Albany for its purchase by the
state. The bill was not passed, and,
soon after, he vacated the house, 1t
being covered with mortgage"
Anyone seeing this old manor house
few months after this would not
have had the least doubt of its being
the oldest building in the Unitef
States. Children played In 1t by day.
and it was rendezvous for tramps 1t
night. The only reason there was q
whole pane of glass left was because
it was beyond the reach of stone
thrown by the average small boy. Later
it was sold Mt auction. and purchased
by a company Of ice dealers. There nre
but few feet left on either side OF
this old mansion, as the lawn ut the
north was sold last year. and, upon 1t.
n 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.
Mrs. Strong is a descendant OF XII
iacn Van Rensselaer,, and is very en-
thusiastic in regard to the restoration
Of this home Of her forefathers. Tho
front hall and two large rooms on
either side are now being repaired BY
the order Of three patriotic societies.
They hope a sufficient number OF So
cleties will become interested In tho
building until it is entirely restored. It
will soon be opened to the public. and
kept Us q depository Of articles Of
colonial or revolutionary interest"
II there is the least doubt about tn
being the Oldest building in the United
States. it is certainly very old. and OF
| sufficient historical renown to b
worthy of preservation.