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#EndangeredAlbany 13-17 Catherine Street
/One of the historic places in Albany that I feel has been unfortunately overlooked is this row of Federal Houses across the street from the Schuyler Mansion. They represent a historic streetscape that should be preserved and developed. Maybe as guest houses for events at the mansion. Number 17 was recently on the market and had many original details preserved. The vacant lot to the east stands on the ground of Philip Schuyler’s plum grove and could be re-planted with plum trees to recreate the original view. The whole area around the Mansion should be seen as a critical historic and touristic resource for the city.
by Peter Lacovara
The History of Catherine 13-17 Catherine Street
13 Catherine is believed to have been constructed around 1840, however, the wood frame building shows Greek Revival details around the windows and doors indicating that it may be earlier and closer in age to 17 Catherine.
The first known owner was James Eaton, a mason who lived near by and operated it as an investment property. The first owner-occupant was Mrs. Joseph Myers, a tailor. It was also home to tailor Peter Johnn, Prussian born vest maker Catherine Johnn, German-born carpenter Bernard Shock and his wife Catherine.
15 Catherine replaced a wood frame building on-site circa 1840. The brick house’s first known owner was Lansing Pendleton, who was considered to be a housing speculator in the mid 19th century. The house was then home to jeweler James Mulhall or Mitchell and his wife Eliza during the 1870s, tailor Jacob Vanderwart, Dutch-born shoe cutter Michael Vandenburgh, clerk Theodore Denter, laborer Nicholas Dashiem, boilermaker Edward Dooley, Paul Harrison [Hansen], Vincent Murphy, Augusta Rice, and junk dealer Meyer Rosen.
17 Catherine is the oldest of the row, dating to before 1819, shortly after the Schuyler estate was divided up after Philip’s death in 1804. The house has Greek revival details on the first floor, pilasters and window surrounds but was “modernized” in the 19th century with the addition of potentially a second and third story with the mansard. The first known owner was Lansing Pendleton. The house was also home to Irish born private detective Guaswid Pendelton, prison keeper James Clark, Elizabeth Keller, Russian born sheet metal worker Manule Kitaif and Russian born tailor Samuel Lubinsky.
The residents of all three homes give excellent context to how the neighborhood developed once it ceased being a country estate, as a blue-collar immigrant community. Owner occupancy was infrequent, however, they were frequently owned by neighbors.
This is part of our #EndangeredAlbany series for 2021
We will be using the hashtag #EndangeredAlbany to do monthly blog posts about endangered buildings that are of concern to a member of the public. Updates to the past Endangered List buildings will be done monthly using #EndangeredAlbany as well.
Have your own endangered building you’d like to highlight? Email kparker@historic-albany.org to learn more.
The houses in 1931, as viewed from Schuyler Mansion
Interior and exterior of Catherine Street houses, the National Register Nomination Form, maps showing these properties from 1857 and 1876
#WhereinAlbany - 2 Ashgrove Place
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This week’s #WhereinAlbany was the stunning 2 Ashgrove Place, located in the Mansion Historic District in the South End of Albany. This building has a rich and long history; it was originally built in 1839 by stonemason Alexander Gray and his son, before being enlarged in 1863. The unique circular belvedere that sits atop the Greek Revival building (and must have some incredible views) was also added during this time.
These changes were made by Samuel Schuyler (1811-1894), a prominent African American businessman and owner of the Schuyler Towboat Line (later renamed Samuel Schuyler & Company). Samuel was named after his father (1781-1842) the prosperous riverboat captain, whom it has been speculated was enslaved by the ‘white’ Schuyler family:
“Albany County manumission records report that a slave named Sam purchased his freedom in 1804 for $200 from Derek Schuyler. It is possible, but by no means certain, that Sam is the same man later referred to as Captain Samuel Schuyler”
(Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers - Hudson River Maritime Museum)
The elder Samuel first appears in Albany records in 1809 as a “free person of color”, he worked his way up from the docks, eventually owning several sloops and running a very successful riverboat business. The company continued to expand by way of trading in grain and coal, and investing in real estate and railroading. He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetary, his memorial “engraved with three chain links” in recognition of his career.
Samuel (the younger) and his brother Thomas continued to grow the company after their father’s passing, modernizing with steamboats, owning several blocks of Albany’s South End, and being recognized for their philanthropic work. Samuel was not only the president of the company but also held positions as president of the First National Bank and Director in the Commerce Insurance Company.
When Samuel died, 2 Ashgrove Place became a medical dispensary (which also at one point became an open-air school for tuberculosis. It is now a private condominium, but we’d love to take a peek inside the belvedere one day and take in the view.
Want to know more?
> Friends of Albany History ‘Samuel Schuyler – Afro-American Riverboat Captain’
> Hudson River Maritime Museum Exploring the History of the Black Hudson River Schuylers
Where in Albany - 344 State Street
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This week’s #WhereinAlbany was guessed correctly by many of you, so well done!
It was indeed 344 State Street. Both 344 and it’s twin 342 were built by James Eaton. Eaton was superintendent of construction of the Capitol building who had years of experience in masonry and architecture. Eaton also built properties on First Street and Elm Street.
344 was built in 1876, and - as it typical of Eatons’s style- is eclectic; the lintels are Queen Anne, the entry doors are Italianate, and the columns for the portico are Egyption in style.
