Duanesburg in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Home of William North
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 25, 2008
1. Home of William North Marker
Duanesburg, N.Y.
Duanesburg, N.Y.
- Of -
William North
Born 1755 Died 1836
—————————
Soldier Throughout The
Revolution
Aide De Camp To Baron Steuben
Adjutant General Of The Provisional
Army Under Washington
1798
Speaker Of The New York Assembly
1795 - 1796 - 1810
United States Senator
1798
Member of the First Canal
Commission 1810 - 1816
. . . . .
Erected By
State of New York
Schenectady County Historical Society
And Schenectady County Pomona Grange
1934
Erected 1934 by State of New York, Schenectady County Historical Society, and Schenectady County Pomona Grange.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.
Location. 42° 45.227′ N, 74° 6.813′ W. Marker is in Duanesburg, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is at the intersection of North Mansion Road and Duane Lake Road, on the right when traveling north on North Mansion Road. Marker is mounted on a large stone set in the lawn and easily seen
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Christman Sanctuary (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Christman Sanctuary (approx. 1.1 miles away); Town of Duanesburg (approx. 1.2 miles away); Michael Righter (approx. 1.4 miles away); Christ Episcopal Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); William North (approx. 2.4 miles away); James Duane (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Christ Episcopal Church (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duanesburg.
Regarding Home of William North. The North Mansion is located on a hilltop on the south shore of Duane Lake, at the intersection of North Mansion Road and Duane Lake Road on what was once a 1,000-acer estate. The North Mansion served for several years as the manor house to the estate. It was here that much of the town business was carried out and here, too that such eminent visitors as Baron Von Steuben were entertained. A finely crafted example of Federal style architecture,
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 14, 2008
2. Home of William North Marker
William North (born in Fort Frederick, Pemaquid, Maine, in 1755) first achieved prominence during the American Revolution. He was with General George Washington at Valley Forge and at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown Heights and he served as aide-de-camp to Baron Von Steuben who later made North his adopted son, heir and executor of his estate. In 1783 North retired from active military service. He later married James Duane's eldest daughter, Mary, and then came to Duanesburg in 1788 to assist in managing Duane's vast estate and began to develop the 1,000-acer estate that they received from her father as a wedding gift. He dammed the Bozenkill and build a gristmill and also created a small lake then known as "North's Pond" and overlooking its shores he built his house. The present Duane Lake was created by developers in the 1920s.
Tradition had claimed that the North Mansion was built in 1784, as stated on the 1934 marker, and recorded in the Historic American Building Survey in June of 1936. (Recorded in the Historic American Buildings Survey as the "General William North House, North Mansion Road, Duanesburg, Schenectady County, NY") However research done in the early 1980s to support the North Mansion's nomination to the National Register of Historic Places found information in North's papers in a correspondence
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 25, 2008
3. Home of William North Marker
The Marker is affixed to the large stone on the lawn; the North Mansion is in the background.
On a local level, North played a significant role in the development of Schenectady County. He was a commissioner of the Western Canals which established the Erie Canal, and a director of Schenectady County's first bank, the Mohawk Bank. As a commissioner of the Cherry Valley Turnpike (part of US Route 20 in the area), he played a central role in founding the village of Esperance, just west of Duanesburg. He vigorously promoted establishment of Schenectady County and when that occurred in 1809, he was chosen as the first assemblyman to represent the county and, in 1810, was again elected speaker. He was also the first chairman of the county board of supervisors.
North retired from public life in 1816, and thereafter divided his time between Duanesburg and New York City until his death New York City on January 3, 1836. He is buried in the Duane vault beneath the Christ Episcopal Church in Duanesburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The New York State William North Marker stands in front of the Christ Episcopal Church beside US Route 20 in Duanesburg.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 11, 2008
4. Home of William North
The east side of the North Mansion with the formal entrance.
Additional keywords. Washington, Steuben, William North, James Duane, Duanesburg, Route 20, Erie Canal Commission, von Steuben
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 11, 2008
5. Home of William North
The south side of the North Mansion which overlooks Duane Lake.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 7, 2009
6. Home of William North
The southwest corner of the North Mansion.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 2, 2009
7. Home of William North
The northside of the North Mansion as seen from nearby Duane Lake Road.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 11, 2008
8. Gen. William North Mansion
The General William North Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1987
as the "North Mansion and Tenant House." This plaque is mounted beside the porch-covered southern entrance to the home.
Collection of J. Connor
9. "Gen'l William North House"
"Gen'l William North House, Duanesburg, NY Built 1784." A hand-colored postcard.
Historic American Buildings Survey, June 1936
10. The General William North House
The General William North House has been documented in the Historic American Buildings Survey.
Historic American Buildings Survey, June 1936
11. William North Memorial Marker
William North is buried in the Duane Family crypt below the Christ Episcopal Church in Duanesburg. This memorial plaque, which is mounted inside the church, reads as follows:
"In Memory of William North, a Patriot of the Revolution, He entered he Army of his country in his nineteenth year, and was among the first of that generous band who in youth stepped forth in defense of her liberties, and devoted their manhood to her service, as an officer he served throughout the war in various grades, till at the peace which confirmed his country's national existence, he retired to private life, whence he was called by the voice of his fellow citizens, whom he served in various civil capacities. He was Aide Du Camp to the Baron De Steuben, Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army commanded by Washington in the year 1798; one of the first canal commissioners, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Senator in Congress of this his adopted state. A pure patriot, a brave soldier, and exemplary citizen, Born in Maine in 1755; Died in the City of New-York, Jan 3rd, 1836"
The location of North's death in "the City of New-York" is contradicted by the North biography found in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, which claims North died in Duanesburg.
"In Memory of William North, a Patriot of the Revolution, He entered he Army of his country in his nineteenth year, and was among the first of that generous band who in youth stepped forth in defense of her liberties, and devoted their manhood to her service, as an officer he served throughout the war in various grades, till at the peace which confirmed his country's national existence, he retired to private life, whence he was called by the voice of his fellow citizens, whom he served in various civil capacities. He was Aide Du Camp to the Baron De Steuben, Adjutant and Inspector General of the Army commanded by Washington in the year 1798; one of the first canal commissioners, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Senator in Congress of this his adopted state. A pure patriot, a brave soldier, and exemplary citizen, Born in Maine in 1755; Died in the City of New-York, Jan 3rd, 1836"
The location of North's death in "the City of New-York" is contradicted by the North biography found in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, which claims North died in Duanesburg.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
12. General William North
Died on January 3, 1836
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous
13. William North Home Marker Dedication Program
General North Mansion
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2009, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,512 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2010, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on December 6, 2009, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 13. submitted on November 28, 2015, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
