As I wrote in my previous columns, Batestown, the area of Troy between Middleburgh Street and 101st Street, was sort of a wild west during the 19th century and claimed by both Lansingburgh and Troy at various times.
Before it finally became absorbed by Troy proper, there was a great deal of activity in terms of commerce and events. One of the major activities that began in Batestown and still occurs elsewhere is the Rensselaer County Fair, better known as the Schaghticoke Fair.
The Rensselaer County Agricultural Society Fairgrounds was located here for a number of years, the forerunner of today’s Schaghticoke Fair. The fair was held in Batestown until 1859 when most of the buildings were consumed in a fire, after then the Fair went to Greenbush (at the War of 1812 Cantonment in today’s East Greenbush) in 1860, and then to other areas of the county, including Lansingburgh village.
The agricultural society was formed in 1819 with George Tibbits as the first president and held its first fair on the “common” south of Hoosick and east of River Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 12 and 13, 1819. Each day was started by ringing bells and a cannon shot. On the first day a procession started at the courthouse on Second and Congress Streets at 9AM and marched to the grounds.
The first fair was covered by the Troy Daily Times newspaper:
“In the interior a very large collection of rival farmers had arrived on the ground and bro’t with them the best cattle of the county – exhibiting the interesting spectacle of the finest oxen, cows, bulls, calves, sheep, swine, horse, colts with their dams, &c. engaging the curiosity and employing the observation of both practical men and amateurs. At 4 o’clock PM the ploughing match took place, and for novelty and effect proved itself most interesting. The crowd, large as it was in the morning, had now increased to 3 or 4,000, occupying the adjacent eminences, and pressing in upon the ground designated for the interesting strife. In 30 minutes the quick moving team of Mr. Filkin completed its quarter acre of unusually rough award, amid the shouts of the spectators. A minute more brought in the cattle of Mr. Harrington, who received the premium, having turned up the sward either deeper or better than his swifter competitor.
“On the second day the society again formed at the flag staff, accompanied by the clergy of the city and neighboring towns, under the director of the Marshal Col Knickerbocker, Assistant Marsha Gen Carr, and escorted by the fine company from the United States arsenal, commanded by Lieuts, Morton and Walker, preceded by the excellent band. The procession moved down River and First streets to the Presbyterian meeting house, where had assembled a large audience of females from the city and country. The service at the church were commenced by an appropriate ode sung by the large choir under the director of Mr. Hastings in a style of unrivalled excellence.
“The throne of grace was then addressed by the Rev Dr. Coe in his peculiarly impressive and appropriate manner. A second ode was followed by a very able, instructive and interesting address from the president.
“The premiums which had been awarded by the committee were then announced, after some pertinent prefatory remarks by Elkanah Watson, Esq.
“After the distribution of premiums an appropriate prayer by the Rev. Mr. Sommers concluded the service at the church. The Society then again formed and preceded to Barney’s Hotel – where they partook of an excellent farmers’ dinner.”
NOTE: Elkanah Watson was the first to introduce the notion of county fairs so his presence is noteworthy.
In 1841, the Society organized under the provisions of State law to receive money from the state to promote agriculture. It took a seven-year lease in Batestown.
The first “Annual” fair in Batestown was on October 4 & 5, 1842, although it appears there was one in Nassau also by the Southern Rensselaer County Agricultural Society.
In the Troy Daily Whig of July 27, 1846 the paper announced a fair would be in the south side of Troy on one and half acres of land and included a plan showing buildings, fences, etc.
In 1848 the Ag Society leased five acres for seven years and erected buildings and fences in Batestown beginning on the north side of present Glen Avenue extending east past 7th Avenue to the railroad tracks. The fair had a mixed record while in Batestown but more on that next time.
Got History? Don is the author of a dozen books about his hometown. You can reach him at drittner@aol.com
RITTNER: Batestown and the County Fair, Part 1
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20.04.2024
As I wrote in my previous columns, Batestown, the area of Troy between Middleburgh Street and 101st Street, was sort of a wild west during the 19th century and claimed by both Lansingburgh and Troy at various times.
Before it finally became absorbed by Troy proper, there was a great deal of activity in terms of commerce and events. One of the major activities that began in Batestown and still occurs elsewhere is the Rensselaer County Fair, better known as the Schaghticoke Fair.
The Rensselaer County Agricultural Society Fairgrounds was located here for a number of years, the forerunner of today’s Schaghticoke Fair. The fair was held in Batestown until 1859 when most of the buildings were consumed in a fire, after then the Fair went to Greenbush (at the War of 1812 Cantonment in today’s East Greenbush) in 1860, and then to other areas of the county, including Lansingburgh village.
The agricultural society was formed in 1819 with George Tibbits as the first president and held its first fair on the “common” south of Hoosick and east of River Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 12 and 13, 1819. Each day was started by........
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