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A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times
7: Adult Freeholders — Jan and Willem Appel

Prof. Jonathan Pearson

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[This information is from pp. 82-83 of A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times; being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley by Jonathan Pearson, A. M. and others, edited by J. W. MacMurray, A. M., U. S. A. (Albany, NY: J. Munsell's Sons, Printers, 1883). It is in the Schenectady Collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at Schdy R 974.744 P36, and copies are also available for borrowing.]

[The original version uses assorted typographical symbols to represent footnotes. To improve legibility, the online version uses the form (page number - note number.)]

Adriaen Appel, alias Van Leyden, was an innkeeper in Beverwyck as early as 1654, when he received a patent for a lot on condition that the house to be erected thereon be not an ordinary tippling house but an inn for travelers.

In 1656, being an innkeeper and tapster, he was complained of by Johannes Dyckman for refusing to permit the farmer of the excise to gauge his liquors; at this time he resided without the limits of Beverwyck, in Colonie Rensselaerswyck, and hence claimed exemption. (83-1)

In 1662 he removed to New Amsterdam, where he remained till 1671, returning be was appointed one of the four schoolmasters of the village of Albany in 1676, and was so employed in 1686.

His two sons Jan and Willem were residents of Schenectady in 1690, and when the village was destroyed, the former "being greviously wounded" was on that account granted 6 pounds by the Governor and Council; and the latter who "was wounded in his limbs at the burning of Schenectady" was for that reason exempted in 1693 from the payment of 30s. excise. About this time they removed to New York, whence Willem returned to Schenectady about 1704 and bought of Ryer Schermerhorn a lot on the north side of State street of 105 feet front and rear. This lot extended from the store of Mr. Robert Ellis west to the building of Mr. Samuel Myers, including the canal and the building called the "Wedge" and the lot in the rear on Liberty street now belonging to the estate of the late Peter Rowe. In 1710, Appel, then a vintner in New York, sold this lot to Simon Vrooman for 48 pounds ($120). He also owned another lot on State street in 1709, comprising the lots of Mr. George I. Swortfiguer and estate of the late William Cunningham, — Numbers 103 to 111 inclusive. He probably disposed of this lot to Jonathan Dyer, who owned it in 1716.

Notes

(83-1) Marselis Janse, the farmer of the excise this year, was defendant in a suit brought by Appel to recover the value of an anker of brandy, which he lost by drawing it with violence through the streets. Albany Co. Records, 10.

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