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

Hamlet of Selkirk

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, February 2, 2019

1. Hamlet of Selkirk Marker

Inscription. Named for James Selkirk 1757-1820. 2nd Regiment-Line, American Revolution. Native of Scotland settled here in 1786

Erected by Descendants of James Selkirk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 42° 32.494′ N, 73° 48.19′ W. Marker is in Selkirk, New York, in Albany County. It is at the intersection of New York State Route 396 and Cottage Lane, on the left when traveling west on New York State Route 396. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Selkirk NY 12158, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

in the Capital District,

and in the Albany Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: Bethlehem Grange Hall 137 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Becker Homestead (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Reformed Dutch Church of Bethlehem (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cedar Hill School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Nicoll-Sill Burying Ground American Revolution Burials (approx. 1.9 miles away); Henry Hudson Park at Cedar Hill (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bethlehem's Historic Waterfront (approx. 2½ miles away); Hans Van Buren (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selkirk.

Also see . . . James Selkirk Biography. James Selkirk was born in Kirkcudbright(shire), Scotland, November 1, 1757, and emigrated to America in March, 1775. He landed at the city of New York June 19, 1775, the day after the battle of Bunker Hill. He promptly enlisted in the provisional army for the whole period of the war. He served under General Benedict Arnold at the the Battle of Saratoga. He was at Trenton and Valley Forge. He was in the Southern Campaign Under Horatio Gates until the Battle of Camden and later with his regiment at Yorktown. He received his certificate of service and discharge

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, February 2, 2019

2. Hamlet of Selkirk Marker

duly signed by George Washington, and this document is now in the Hall of Military Records in the Capitol of Albany, New York. His discharge was dated June 7, 1783. His service was in battalion of force, commanded by Colonel James Livingston, Company Two, Dirk Hansen, captain, and was quartermaster-sergeant in that company. James Selkirk married Elizabeth; daughter of William Henry, the ceremony taking place in February 1787, in the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York. They were the second couple ever married in that church. She was born April 12, 1766, and was a sister of William Henry, who was the father of Professor Joseph Henry, the inventor of the electro-magnet, while an instructor in the Albany Academy, he Joseph, having been born in the city of Albany, December 17, 1799, and as their parents had come over from Scotland on the same ship, the families were bound by ties of closest intimacy. James Selkirk died at Selkirk, Albany county, about 10 miles south of Albany, December 2, 1820. Elizabeth, his wife, died May 9, 1844. (Submitted on February 3, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 1,368 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.