A Portland sleigh for a snowy day

I often get genealogy inquires that lead me in all kinds of directions. The latest comes from a woman in Florida looking for a record about her relative Edith Van Wie who was born in 1804 and married Lucas Burnside.

While looking through a file of Van Wie papers in the town's archive, I came across this fascinating item:

(Sorry - tilt your head - I can't figure out how to make Blogger turn it right side up)

It is a receipt from John Wemple, Albany County sheriff dated October 7, 1879. It reads

"Received of John Van Wie Thirty-One Dollars and Eighty-five cents which is in full of all Demands for one Portland Sleigh."

What is a Portland Sleigh you may ask? You can purchase this one from the Frey Carriage Company for about $900.





It looks a lot like this one from South Bethlehem.  The house pictured still stands on South Street.

And just to make your day extra fun, here's a picture of my modern day "sleigh" in my snowy driveway. 

Enjoy you snow day - and safe travels in whatever your sleigh may be.

Legs Diamond and Bethlehem

The world works in mysterious ways.  My next Then & Now article for Our Towne Bethlehem will be about the Mansion at Cedar Hill, the former Elks Club, the former home of Daniel H. Prior, and the former summer home of Gov. Martin Glynn.  (See my previous blog post for a picture of the house and some thoughts on Glynn.) 

And lo and behold, there is this wonderful article in yesterday's Times Union by Paul Grondahl about Legs Diamond's trial in Troy. 

 http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/The-unfinished-business-of-Legs-Diamond-5053434.php

There is a brief mention of Daniel H. Prior, Diamond's chief defense attorney.  He's been described as the "greatest trial attorney of his time." See this web page article:

ttp://www.albanycountybar.com/news_and_articles/news_detail.cfm?ID=45

 Here's the picture from the Times Union.  Prior is sitting at the defense table with his head resting on his hand.   Hop on over to the TU for the full article. 

 

(I just re-read that sentence and looked at the picture and realized everyone at the table has their head in their hand.  Even the judge. Below is the caption from the TU)

 

"Trial of Jack "Legs" Diamond in Rensselaer County Courthouse, Troy, on Dec. 16, 1931. Diamond is seated at the center table left of the white-haired attorney, co-counsel Abbott Jones.To Diamond's left is chief defense attorney Daniel H. Prior of Albany. The witness testifying is Grover Parks of Greene County, who is being questioned by Assistant Attorney Gerneral John T. Cahill. Justice F. Walter Bliss of Middleburgh, Schoharie County, presides. Diamond's wife, Alice, is seated in the front row, far left. (Photo courtesy the Jones law firm)"

A lovely Rehab

So, I am feeling bad that the last couple of posts might seem a little negative about historic properties in town.  There are folks doing wonderful things with their old homes, preserving and protecting and making them shine.  How about that wonderful Victorian on Feura Bush Road near Colonial Acres?  How about a drive along New Scotland Road in Slingerlands?

How about this before picture...

Here's the after.  The photo is from 2008, and it still looks great in 2013!

This is the home on New Scotland Road where scenes from the movie Ironweed were shot.  The movie people were looking for an untouched house.  And as you can see from the before picture, they got it. After filming, the home was sold and renovated into the gem it is today.

Winter Scenes

I just got back from hanging a new grouping of historic Bethlehem winter scenes at Town Hall (outside the Receiver of Taxes office - head over and take a look.)

This is one of my favorites.

The photograph is almost painterly with an air of that still silence that comes after a snow fall. 

It is of the Sager farmhouse on New Scotland Road right near the Slingerlands Post Office, Price Chopper and the roundabout.  I don't think it is quiet there now - even after a snowfall.

Here's a snap from Google's Street View. On the left in the trees you might recognize the large American flag draped over the front of the house. 

And, just for a chuckle, here's an aerial view from Bing.  It brings back memories of Pre-Roundabout Era Slingerlands.