Cohoes in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Peebles Island in the 18th-20th Centuries

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 20, 2018

1. Peebles Island in the 18th-20th Centuries Marker

Inscription.

Peebles Island in the 18th-20th Centuries. . , During the Revolutionary War, American troops camped on Van Schaick and Peebles Islands. Thaddaeus Kosciuszko, a prominent Polish engineer who aided the American cause, designed the earthworks that are visible today near the bridge to Waterford., The 19th century brought development to the island. Between 1843 and 1860, numerous houses and barns, occupied by tenants of Anthony Augustus Peebles, were built along its east side. Beginning in 1835, railroads crossed the island to Ballston Spa, where they made connections to points north and west. Many island residents worked in the nearby mills that took advantage of the waterpower provided by the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers., In 1909, Mary L. Peebles, wife of Anthony Augustus, sold the island to Cluett, Peabody and Company, a Troy-based manufacturer of men's collars and shirts. By 1911, the company developed a bleachery on the island, which remained in operation until 1972., [Image captions, from top to bottom and left to right, read] , . In August 1777, the Americans prepared defenses on Haver Island to make a final stand against the British, who intended to capture Albany. An American victory at Saratoga, however, made it unnecessary to rely on the island's defenses. , From H.C. Maine,The Burgoyne Campaign (Troy, 1877)., . The fortifications on Haver Island consisted of three batteries of cannon protected by earthworks, all connected by entrenchments for troops. , From H.C. Maine,The Burgoyne Campaign (Troy, 1877)., . Anthony Augustus Peebles , By 1862, Anthony Augustus Peebles, a Van Schaick descendant, owned the entire island. In the late 19th century, Peebles Island became the name more commonly used for Haver Island., . The bleachery, ca. 1918, . Hammersley House , This house stood on the east point until 1912. It probably dates to the late 18th century. Around 1888 it became home to the family of Charles James Hammersley, an English glass engraver. His son Sidney wrote a history of Waterford that was published in 1957. , Photograph courtesy of Daisy Hammersley Weber

During the Revolutionary War, American troops camped on Van Schaick and Peebles Islands. Thaddaeus Kosciuszko, a prominent Polish engineer who aided the American cause, designed the earthworks that are visible today near the bridge to Waterford.

The 19th century brought development to the island. Between 1843 and 1860, numerous houses and barns, occupied by tenants of Anthony Augustus Peebles, were built along its east side. Beginning in 1835, railroads crossed the island to Ballston Spa, where they made connections to points north and west. Many island residents worked in the nearby mills that took advantage of the waterpower provided by the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.

In 1909, Mary L. Peebles, wife of Anthony Augustus, sold the island to Cluett, Peabody & Company, a Troy-based manufacturer of men's collars and shirts. By 1911, the company developed a bleachery on the island, which remained in operation until 1972.

[Image captions, from top to bottom and left to right, read]
• In August 1777, the Americans prepared defenses on Haver Island to make a final stand against the British, who intended to capture Albany. An American victory at Saratoga, however, made it unnecessary to rely on the island's defenses.
From H.C. Maine,The Burgoyne Campaign (Troy, 1877).

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• The fortifications on Haver Island consisted of three batteries of cannon protected by earthworks, all connected by entrenchments for troops.
From H.C. Maine,The Burgoyne Campaign (Troy, 1877).

• Anthony Augustus Peebles
By 1862, Anthony Augustus Peebles, a Van Schaick descendant, owned the entire island. In the late 19th century, Peebles Island became the name more commonly used for Haver Island.

• The bleachery, ca. 1918

• Hammersley House
This house stood on the east point until 1912. It probably dates to the late 18th century. Around 1888 it became home to the family of Charles James Hammersley, an English glass engraver. His son Sidney wrote a history of Waterford that was published in 1957.
Photograph courtesy of Daisy Hammersley Weber

Erected by New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 42° 47.102′ N, 73° 40.819′ W. Marker is in Cohoes, New York, in Albany County. Marker is on Delaware Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker kiosk is in Peebles Island State Park. Touch for map.

Native American & 17th-century History and 18th-20th Centuries of Peebles Island Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

2. Native American & 17th-century History and 18th-20th Centuries of Peebles Island Markers

Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Delaware Avenue, Cohoes NY 12047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Urban Refuge (here, next to this marker); Native American & 17th-century History of Peebles Island (here, next to this marker); Water Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Breastworks (within shouting distance of this marker); Cluett, Peabody & Company (within shouting distance of this marker); View of Van Schaick Island (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waterford (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Waterways that Shaped a Nation (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cohoes.

Also see . . .
1. Thaddeus Kosciuszko. (Submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Cluett, Peabody & Company at Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Van Schaick-Peebles Papers, 1707-1890 (bulk: 1771-1823). (Submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Peebles Island State Park. (Submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Native American & 17th-century History of Peebles Island Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Native American & 17th-century History of Peebles Island Markers

Looking SSW

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.